Method and apparatus for improved performance in encoder systems

Abstract

An encoder system includes a configurable detector array, wherein the configurable detector array includes a plurality of detectors. The encoder system may also include a memory operable to store a partition map that defines a state for each of the plurality of detectors. The encoder system may also include an emitter operable to generate a flux modulated by a motion object, wherein the configurable detector array is operable to receive the flux and generate respective current outputs for each of the detectors in response to the flux. In an embodiment, the current outputs from detectors having a same state are grouped together. The encoder system may also include one or more current duplicators to duplicate the current outputs from detectors having one state to group with the current outputs from detectors having a different state. The encoder system may also adjust weights of the current outputs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An encoder system, comprising:
 a light emitter configured to emit a light flux;   a plurality of photodetectors in an array, wherein each photodetector is operable to generate a current in response to the light flux, and wherein each photodetector has a changeable state assignment;   a plurality of multiplexers configured to route each one of the currents according to a respective changeable state assignment; and   a current duplicator configured to duplicate a first one of the currents to feed two of the multiplexers.   
     
     
         2 . The encoder system of  claim 1 , wherein the changeable state assignment is one of a plurality of quadrature states or OFF. 
     
     
         3 . The encoder system of  claim 2 , wherein each photodetector from a same column of the array has a same quadrature state or OFF. 
     
     
         4 . The encoder system of  claim 1 , further comprising a current weight adjustor configured to increase or decrease the duplicated first current. 
     
     
         5 . The encoder system of  claim 1 , wherein the current duplicator includes a current weight adjusting function configured to increase or decrease the duplicated first current. 
     
     
         6 . The encoder system of  claim 1 , wherein the first current is generated by a single photodetector. 
     
     
         7 . The encoder system of  claim 1 , wherein the first current is generated by multiple photodetectors from a same column of the array. 
     
     
         8 . The encoder system of  claim 1 , wherein the two multiplexers have different changeable state assignments. 
     
     
         9 . The encoder system of  claim 1 , wherein the two multiplexers have a same changeable state assignment.