Patent ID: 6781538
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
A potentiometer controller comprising:(a) a potentiometer having a movable wiper, the wiper having a mid-point position and upper and lower operating range segments on opposite sides of the mid-point position; (b) a mechanical actuator connected to the wiper for manual control of the wiper position; (c) a voltage source connected to apply a voltage across the potentiometer, (d) a first amplifier circuit electrically coupled to the potentiometer wiper and having a linear amplification characteristic corresponding to the extent of the lower range segment of the wiper; (e) a second amplifier circuit electrically coupled to the potentiometer wiper and having a linear characteristic corresponding to the extent of the upper range segment of the wiper; (f) means for biasing the first amplifier circuit so that its linear characteristic coincides with the range of voltages at the wiper throughout the lower wiper range segment thereof; (g) means for biasing the second amplifier circuit so that its linear characteristic coincides with the range of voltages at the wiper throughout the upper range segment thereof; and (h) means for converting the outputs of the amplifier circuit to digital representations.