Author: claimsbot

1. A method of fabricating an electronic device, the method comprising:
providing a wafer comprising a plurality of semiconductor layers;
forming a plurality of electrical contacts on a surface of the wafer, each electrical contact being in direct contact with at least one of the semiconductor layers thereunder, thereby defining a plurality of unsingulated chips each comprising a plurality of the electrical contacts;
thereafter, and without formation of a metallic or conductive layer on the electrical contacts therebetween, applying an anisotropic conductive adhesive (ACA) onto the surface of the wafer and in direct contact with each of the electrical contacts, thereby forming a composite wafer comprising (a) a semiconductor substrate (a) comprising one or more semiconductor materials and (b) processed into a plurality of at least partially unsingulated chips, each chip comprising (i) a plurality of exposed electrical contacts, (ii) a non-contact region disposed between the electrical contacts, a top surface of each of the electrical contacts being substantially coplanar with or recessed below a surface of the non-contact region disposed around the electrical contact, and (iii) a portion of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate comprises a back surface opposite the plurality of electrical contacts, and (b) an ACA on the semiconductor substrate, the ACA being in direct contact with the electrical contacts and the non-contact region of each chip, wherein (i) each at least partially unsingulated chip is disposed between at least a portion of the ACA and the back surface of the substrate, (ii) none of the electrical contacts comprises a solder bump or a non-solder bump, and (iii) no solder bumps or non-solder bumps are disposed between the electrical contacts and the ACA;
thereafter, singulating the composite wafer into individual chips, each chip comprising first and second electrical contacts with the ACA thereover;
providing a substrate having first and second conductive traces on a first surface thereof in a bonding region, the first and second conductive traces being separated by a gap therebetween;
positioning first and second electrical contacts of one of the chips over the first and second conductive traces, a portion of the ACA being disposed between the electrical contacts and the traces; and
bonding the first and second electrical contacts of the chip to the first and second traces, respectively, thereby establishing electrical connection between at least one of (i) the first electrical contact and the first trace or (ii) the second electrical contact and the second trace, but without electrically bridging the traces together or electrically bridging the electrical contacts together.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ACA comprises an anisotropic conductive film.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein applying the ACA onto the surface of the wafer comprises laminating the anisotropic conductive film to the wafer.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein, for each unsingulated chip, the top surface of each of the plurality of electrical contacts is absolutely coplanar with or recessed below the surface of the chip surrounding the electrical contact.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein, for each unsingulated chip, the top surface of each of the plurality of electrical contacts is recessed below the surface of the chip surrounding the electrical contact by more than 3 \u03bcm.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the plurality of electrical contacts over the surface of the wafer comprises only a single deposition step.
7. A composite wafer comprising:
a semiconductor substrate (a) comprising one or more semiconductor materials and (b) processed into a plurality of at least partially unsingulated chips, each chip comprising (i) a plurality of exposed electrical contacts, (ii) a non-contact region disposed between the electrical contacts, a top surface of each of the electrical contacts being substantially coplanar with or recessed below a surface of the non-contact region disposed around the electrical contact, and (iii) a portion of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate comprises a back surface opposite the plurality of electrical contacts; and
an anisotropic conductive adhesive (ACA) on the semiconductor substrate, the ACA being in direct contact with the electrical contacts and the non-contact region of each chip,
wherein (i) each at least partially unsingulated chip is disposed between at least a portion of the ACA and the back surface of the substrate, (ii) none of the electrical contacts comprises a solder bump or a non-solder bump, and (iii) no solder bumps or non-solder bumps are disposed between the electrical contacts and the ACA.
8. The wafer of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of trenches extending through only a portion of a thickness of the substrate and partially singulating the chips.
9. The wafer of claim 8, wherein a portion of the ACA is disposed over each of the trenches.
10. The wafer of claim 8, wherein the ACA comprises discrete portions separated approximately along the trenches.
11. The wafer of claim 7, wherein the ACA comprises an anisotropic conductive film.
12. The wafer of claim 7, wherein each chip comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) die.
13. The wafer of claim 12, wherein each LED die comprises an inorganic LED die.
14. The wafer of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of each LED die comprises a semiconductor material comprising at least one of silicon, GaAs, InAs, AlAs, InP, GaP, AlP, InSb, GaSb, AlSb, GaN, InN, AIN, SiC, ZnO, or an alloy or mixture thereof.
15. The wafer of claim 7, wherein each chip comprises a laser.
16. The wafer of claim 7, wherein a thickness of the ACA across the semiconductor substrate is substantially uniform.
17. The wafer of claim 7, wherein, for each at least partially unsingulated chip, the top surface of each of the plurality of electrical contacts is absolutely coplanar with or recessed below the surface of the chip surrounding the electrical contact.
18. The wafer of claim 7, wherein, for each at least partially unsingulated chip, the top surface of each of the plurality of electrical contacts is recessed below the surface of the chip surrounding the electrical contact by more than 3 \u03bcm.
19. The wafer of claim 7, wherein, for each at least partially unsingulated chip, each of the plurality of electrical contacts is in direct physical contact with (i) a semiconductor portion of the chip thereunder and (ii) the ACA.
20. The wafer of claim 7, wherein, for each chip, the top surface of at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts extends above, by 3 \u03bcm or less, the surface of the non-contact region disposed therearound.
21. The wafer of claim 7, wherein, for each chip, each of the plurality of electrical contacts comprises a metal silicide or metal nitride compound.
22. The wafer of claim 7, wherein, for each chip, each of the plurality of electrical contacts comprises a metal layer and a second layer comprising a metal silicide or metal nitride compound.
23. The wafer of claim 7, wherein, for each chip, each of the plurality of electrical contacts comprises at least one of Al, Cr, Ti, Au, Ni, Ag, or Mo.
24. The wafer of claim 7, wherein two of the electrical contacts of at least one of the chips are non-coplanar with respect to each other.
25. The wafer of claim 7, wherein the ACA is at least partially transparent.
26. The wafer of claim 7, further comprising a protective layer disposed over at least a portion of the ACA.
27. The wafer of claim 7, further comprising a wavelength-conversion material disposed over the chips.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A mobile communications device comprising:
a) a receiver configured to receive a broadcast signal from a wireless broadcast network, the broadcast signal including an overhead portion that includes a first part related to contents of a wide-area portion of the broadcast signal and a second part related to contents of a local-area portion of the broadcast signal;
b) a processor configured to detect a first failure, if any, in the wide-area portion independent of detecting a second failure, if any, in the local-area portion; and
c) the processor further configured to control the receiver to reacquire the broadcast signal when either, or both, the first or second failures are detected.
2. The mobile communications device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to decode the overhead portion when reacquiring the broadcast signal.
3. The mobile communications device of claim 1, wherein the overhead portion includes at least one pilot signal used for timing synchronization.
4. The mobile communications device of claim 1, wherein:
the processor is further configured to identify if one or more errors occur when decoding the wide-area portion in order to detect the first failure.
5. The mobile communications device of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to determine if the one or more errors exceed a predetermined threshold.
6. The mobile communications device of claim 5, wherein the predetermined threshold is based on how the wide-area portion is encoded.
7. The mobile communications device of claim 1, wherein:
the processor is further configured to identify if one or more errors occur when decoding the local-area portion in order to detect the second failure.
8. The mobile communications device of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to determine if the one or more errors exceed a predetermined threshold.
9. The mobile communications device of claim 8, wherein the predetermined threshold is based on how the wide-area portion is encoded.
10. The mobile communications device of claim 1, wherein the wide-area portion includes a first plurality of channels and the local-area portion includes a second plurality of channels.
11. The mobile communications device of claim 10, wherein:
the processor is further configured to determine a failure of each of the first plurality of channels independent of one another.
12. The mobile communications device of claim 10, wherein:
the processor is further configured to determine a failure of each of the second plurality of channels independent of one another.
13. The mobile communications device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to control the receiver to reacquire the broadcast signal, independent of the first and second failures, based on a deterministic trigger event.
14. The mobile communications device of claim 13, wherein the deterministic trigger event is related to the mobile communications device awakening from an idle mode.
15. The mobile communications device of claim 13, wherein the deterministic trigger event is related to a user selecting content within either the wide-area portion or the local-area portion.
16. The mobile communications device of claim 13, wherein the deterministic event trigger is related to the mobile communications device being operated in a test mode.
17. A mobile communications device, comprising:
a) a receiver configured to receive a broadcast signal from a wireless broadcast network, the broadcast signal including an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the overhead portion includes a first part related to contents of a wide-area portion of the broadcast signal and a second part related to contents of a local-area portion of the broadcast signal; and
b) a processor configured to:
c) detect a failure, if any, in receiving the broadcast signal;
d) determine a part of the overhead portion to reacquire based on the failure; and
e) control the receiver to reacquire the part of the overhead portion of the broadcast signal.
18. The mobile communications device of claim 17, wherein the part of the overhead portion includes substantially all of the overhead portion.
19. The mobile communications device of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to determine if the failure is related to the overhead portion or the data portion.
20. The mobile communications device of claim 19, wherein if the failure is related to the overhead portion, then the part of the overhead portion is substantially all of the overhead portion.
21. The mobile communications device of claim 19, wherein if the failure is related to the data portion, then the part of the overhead portion is a section related to contents of the data portion.
22. The mobile communications device of claim 17, wherein the data portion comprises the wide-area portion and the local-area portion.
23. The mobile communications device of claim 22 wherein if the failure is related to the wide-area portion, then the part of the overhead portion is the first part related to contents of the wide-area portion.
24. The mobile communications device of claim 22, wherein if the failure is related to the local-area portion, then the part of the overhead portion is the second part related to contents of the local-area portion.
25. The mobile communications device of claim 17, wherein the overhead portion includes a pilot signal and if the failure is related to detecting the pilot signal, then the part of the overhead portion is a section related to the pilot signal.
26. A method of reacquiring a broadcast signal of a wireless broadcast network, comprising:
a) receiving the broadcast signal having an overhead portion that includes a first part related to contents of a wide-area portion of the broadcast signal and a second part related to contents of a local-area portion of the broadcast signal;
b) detecting a first failure, if any, in the wide-area portion independent of detecting a second failure, if any, in the local-area portion; and
c) reacquiring the broadcast signal when either the first or second failures are detected.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein reacquiring the broadcast signal further includes:
detecting and decoding at least a portion of the overhead information included in the broadcast signal.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein the wide-area portion includes a plurality of first channels and the local-area portion includes a plurality of second channels.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein detecting the first failure further includes:
detecting, for each of the first channels, whether a respective error occurred when decoding each channel.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the respective error relates to one or more physical layer packets being erroneously decoded.
31. The method of claim 28, wherein detecting the second failure further includes:
detecting, for each of the second channels, whether a respective error occurred when decoding each channel.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the respective error relates to one or more physical layer packets being erroneously decoded.
33. A method of reacquiring a broadcast signal of a wireless broadcast network, comprising:
a) receiving the broadcast signal having an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the overhead portion includes a first part related to contents of a wide-area portion of the broadcast signal and a second part related to contents of a local-area portion of the broadcast signal;
b) detecting a failure, if any, in receiving the broadcast signal;
c) determining, based on the failure, a part of the overhead portion to reacquire; and
d) reacquiring the part of the overhead portion.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein if the failure is related to the overhead portion, then the part of the overhead portion is substantially all of the overhead portion.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein if the failure is related to the data portion, then the part of the overhead portion is a section related to contents of the data portion.
36. The method of claim 33, wherein the data portion comprises the wide-area portion and the local-area portion.
37. The method of claim 36 wherein if the failure is related to the wide-area portion, then the part of the overhead portion is the first part related to contents of the wide-area portion.
38. The method of claim 36, wherein if the failure is related to the local-area portion, then the part of the overhead portion is the second part related to contents of the local-area portion.
39. A mobile communications device having a receiver configured to receive a broadcast signal from a wireless broadcast network, the broadcast signal including an overhead portion that includes a first part related to contents of a wide-area portion of the broadcast signal and a second part related to contents of a local-area portion of the broadcast signal, the device comprising:
means for detecting a first failure, if any, in the wide-area portion independent of detecting a second failure, if any, in the local-area portion; and
means for controlling the receiver to reacquire the broadcast signal when either, or both, the first or second failures are detected.
40. A non-transitory computer-readable memory encoded with a computer program for reacquiring a broadcast signal of a wireless broadcast network, which upon execution cause one or more processors to:
a) receive the broadcast signal having an overhead portion including a first part related to contents of a wide-area portion of the broadcast signal and a second part related to contents of a local-area portion of the broadcast signal;
b) detect a first failure, if any, in the wide-area portion independent of detecting a second failure, if any, in the local-area portion; and
c) reacquire the broadcast signal when either the first or second failures are detected.
41. The mobile communications device of claim 39, wherein the means for controlling the receiver to reacquire the broadcast signal is further configured to decode the overhead portion when reacquiring the broadcast signal.
42. The mobile communications device of claim 39, wherein the overhead portion includes at least one pilot signal used for timing synchronization.
43. The mobile communications device of claim 39, wherein the means for detecting the first failure is further configured to identify if one or more errors occur when decoding the wide-area portion in order to detect the first failure.
44. The mobile communications device of claim 43, wherein the means for detecting the first failure is further configured to determine if the one or more errors exceed a predetermined threshold.
45. The mobile communications device of claim 44, wherein the predetermined threshold is based on how the wide-area portion is encoded.
46. The mobile communications device of claim 39, wherein the means for detecting the first failure in the wide-area portion independent of detecting the second failure in the local-area portion is further configured to identify if one or more errors occur when decoding the local-area portion in order to detect the second failure.
47. The mobile communications device of claim 46, wherein the means for detecting the first failure in the wide-area portion independent of detecting the second failure in the local-area portion is further configured to determine if the one or more errors exceed a predetermined threshold.
48. The mobile communications device of claim 47, wherein the predetermined threshold is based on how the wide-area portion is encoded.
49. The mobile communications device of claim 40, wherein the wide-area portion includes a first plurality of channels and the local-area portion includes a second plurality of channels.
50. The mobile communications device of claim 49, wherein the means for detecting the first failure in the wide-area portion independent of detecting the second failure in the local-area portion is further configured to determine a failure of each of the first plurality of channels independent of one another.
51. The mobile communications device of claim 49, wherein the means for detecting the first failure in the wide-area portion independent of detecting the second failure is further configured to determine a failure of each of the second plurality of channels independent of one another.
52. The mobile communications device of claim 39, wherein the means for controlling the receiver to reacquire the broadcast signal is further configured to control the receiver to reacquire the broadcast signal, independent of the first and second failures, based on a deterministic trigger event.
53. The mobile communications device of claim 52, wherein the deterministic trigger event is related to the mobile communications device awakening from an idle mode.
54. The mobile communications device of claim 52, wherein the deterministic trigger event is related to a user selecting content within either the wide-area portion or the local-area portion.
55. The mobile communications device of claim 52, wherein the deterministic event trigger is related to the mobile communications device being operated in a test mode.
56. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 40 encoded with the computer program, which upon execution further cause the one or more processors to:
decode the overhead portion when reacquiring the broadcast signal.
57. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 40, wherein the overhead portion includes at least one pilot signal used for timing synchronization.
58. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 40 encoded with the computer program, which upon execution further cause the one or more processors to:
identify if one or more errors occur when decoding the wide-area portion in order to detect the first failure.
59. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 58 encoded with the computer program, which upon execution further cause the one or more processors to:
determine if the one or more errors exceed a predetermined threshold.
60. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 59, wherein the predetermined threshold is based on how the wide-area portion is encoded.
61. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 40 encoded with the computer program, which upon execution further cause the one or more processors to:
identify if one or more errors occur when decoding the local-area portion in order to detect the second failure.
62. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 61 encoded with the computer program, which upon execution further cause the one or more processors to:
determine if the one or more errors exceed a predetermined threshold.
63. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 62, wherein the predetermined threshold is based on how the wide-area portion is encoded.
64. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 40, wherein the wide-area portion includes a first plurality of channels and the local-area portion includes a second plurality of channels.
65. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 64 encoded with the computer program, which upon execution further cause the one or more processors to:
determine a failure of each of the first plurality of channels independent of one another.
66. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 64 encoded with the computer program, which upon execution further cause the one or more processors to:
determine a failure of each of the second plurality of channels independent of one another.
67. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 40 encoded with the computer program, which upon execution further cause the one or more processors to:
control the receiver to reacquire the broadcast signal, independent of the first and second failures, based on a deterministic trigger event.
68. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 67, wherein the deterministic trigger event is related to the mobile communications device awakening from an idle mode.
69. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 67, wherein the deterministic trigger event is related to a user selecting content within either the wide-area portion or the local-area portion.
70. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 67, wherein the deterministic event trigger is related to the mobile communications device being operated in a test mode.
71. An apparatus for reacquiring a broadcast signal of a wireless broadcast network, the apparatus comprising:
means for receiving the broadcast signal having an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the overhead portion includes a first part related to contents of a wide-area portion of the broadcast signal and a second part related to contents of a local-area portion of the broadcast signal;
means for detecting a failure, if any, in receiving the broadcast signal;
means for determining, based on the failure, a part of the overhead portion to reacquire; and
means for reacquiring the part of the overhead portion.
72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein if the failure is related to the overhead portion, then the part of the overhead portion is substantially all of the overhead portion.
73. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein if the failure is related to the data portion, then the part of the overhead portion is a section related to contents of the data portion.
74. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the data portion comprises the wide-area portion and the local-area portion.
75. The apparatus of claim 74 wherein if the failure is related to the wide-area portion, then the part of the overhead portion is the first part related to contents of the wide-area portion.
76. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein if the failure is related to the local-area portion, then the part of the overhead portion is the second part related to contents of the local-area portion.
77. A non-transitory computer-readable memory encoded with a computer program for reacquiring a broadcast signal of a wireless broadcast network, which upon execution cause one or more processors to:
receive the broadcast signal having an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the overhead portion includes a first part related to contents of a wide-area portion of the broadcast signal and a second part related to contents of a local-area portion of the broadcast signal;
detect a failure, if any, in receiving the broadcast signal;
determine, based on the failure, a part of the overhead portion to reacquire; and
reacquire the part of the overhead portion.
78. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 77, wherein if the failure is related to the overhead portion, then the part of the overhead portion is substantially all of the overhead portion.
79. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 77, wherein if the failure is related to the data portion, then the part of the overhead portion is a section related to contents of the data portion.
80. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 77, wherein the data portion comprises the wide-area portion and the local-area portion.
81. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 80, wherein if the failure is related to the local-area portion, then the part of the overhead portion is the second part related to contents of the local-area portion.
82. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 80 wherein if the failure is related to the wide-area portion, then the part of the overhead portion is the second part related to contents of the wide-area portion.

1. An optical encoder comprising;
a scale provided with a periodic pattern in which an optical portion reflecting or transmitting light is periodically formed with a first period in a first direction; and
a light receiver configured to photoelectrically convert a detection light emitted from a light source and then passing via the scale into an output signal having a change period corresponding to the first period,
wherein the scale and the light receiver are relatively movable in the first direction,
wherein the optical portion is configured to direct the light from the light source to the light receiver,
wherein, when a direction orthogonal to the first direction in the periodic pattern is defined as a second direction, the optical portion periodically has a pattern, which is formed pattern portions mutually adjacent in the second direction and mutually shifted in the first direction, in the second direction with a second period of t, and
wherein a width w of the light source in the second direction satisfies the following condition:
w=(a+b)b\xb7nt
where n represents a natural number, and a:b represents a ratio of a distance from the light source to the periodic pattern and a distance from the periodic pattern to the light receiver.
2. An optical encoder according to claim 1, wherein a width v of the light receiver in the second direction satisfies the following condition:
v=(a+b)a\xb7mt
where m represents a natural number.
3. An optical apparatus comprising:
an optical encoder according to claim 1; and
a movable member whose position is detected by the optical encoder.
4. An optical encoder comprising;
a scale provided with a periodic pattern in which an optical portion reflecting or transmitting light is periodically formed with a first period in a first direction; and
a light receiver configured to photoelectrically convert a detection light emitted from a light source and then passing via the scale into an output signal having a change period corresponding to the first period,
wherein the scale and the light receiver are relatively movable in the first direction,
wherein the optical portion is configured to direct the light from the light source to the light receiver,
wherein, when a direction orthogonal to the first direction in the periodic pattern is defined as a second direction, a proportion of the optical portion and a non-optical portion of the periodic pattern in the second direction is changed in the first direction, and the periodic pattern periodically includes a pattern, which is formed by the optical portion and the non-optical portion, in the second direction with a second period of t, and
wherein a width w of the light source in the second direction satisfies the following condition:
w=(a+b)b\xb7nt
where n represents a natural number, and a:b represents a ratio of a distance from the light source to the periodic pattern and a distance from the periodic pattern to the light receiver.
5. An optical encoder according to claim 3, wherein a width v of the light receiver in the second direction satisfies the following condition:
v=(a+b)a\xb7mt
where m represents a natural number.
6. An optical apparatus comprising;
an optical encoder according to claim 4; and
a movable member whose position is detected by the optical encoder.
7. An optical encoder comprising:
a scale provided with a periodic pattern in which an optical portion reflecting or transmitting light is periodically formed with a first period in a first direction; and
a light receiver configured to photoelectrically convert a detection light emitted from a light source and then passing via the scale into an output signal having a change period corresponding to the first period,
wherein the scale and the light receiver are relatively movable in the first direction,
wherein the optical portion is configured to direct the light from the light source to the light receiver,
wherein, when a direction orthogonal to the first direction in the periodic pattern is defined as a second direction, a proportion of the optical portion and a non-optical portion of the periodic pattern in the first direction is changed in the second direction, and the periodic pattern periodically includes a pattern, which is formed by the optical portion and the non-optical portion, in the second direction with a second period of t, and
wherein a width w of the light source in the second direction satisfies the following condition:
w=(a+b)b\xb7nt
where n represents a natural number, and a:b represents a ratio of a distance from, the light source to the periodic pattern and a distance from the periodic pattern to the light receiver.
8. An optical encoder according to claim 7, wherein a width v of the light receiver in the second direction satisfies the following condition:
v=(a+b)a\xb7mt
where m represents a natural number.
9. An optical apparatus comprising:
an optical encoder according to claim 7; and
a movable member whose position is detected by the optical encoder.
10. An optical encoder comprising:
a scale provided with a periodic pattern in which an optical portion reflecting or transmitting light is periodically formed with a first period in a first direction; and
a light receiver configured to photoelectrically convert a detection light emitted from a light source and then passing via the scale into an output signal having a change period corresponding to the first period,
wherein the scale and the light receiver are relatively movable in the first direction,
wherein the optical portion is configured to direct the light from the light source to the light receiver,
wherein, when a direction orthogonal to the first direction in the periodic pattern is defined as a second direction, the periodic pattern periodically includes a pattern, which is formed by the optical portion and a non-optical portion, in the second direction with a second period of t, and
wherein a width w of the light source in the second direction satisfies the following condition:
w=(a+b)b\xb7nt
where n represents a natural number, and a:b represents a ratio of a distance from the light source to the periodic pattern and a distance from the periodic pattern to the light receiver.
11. An optical, encoder according to claim 10, wherein a width v of the light receiver in the second direction satisfies the following condition:
w=(a+b)b\xb7nt
where m represents a natural number.
12. An optical apparatus comprising:
an optical encoder according to claim 10; and
a movable member whose position is detected, by the optical encoder.
13. An optical encoder comprising:
a scale provided with a multiple periodic pattern including a plurality of patterns in which (a) in each pattern an optical portions reflecting or transmitting light is periodically formed with a first period in a first direction, (b) the first periods in the respective patterns are mutually different, and (c) the patterns are multiply formed in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and
a light receiver configured to photoelectrically convert a detection light emitted from a light source and then passing via the scale into an output signal having a change period corresponding to the first period of a specific pattern among the patterns of the multiple periodic pattern,
wherein the scale and the light receiver and relatively movable in the first direction,
wherein the optical portion is configured to direct the light from the light source to the light receiver,
wherein the multiple periodic pattern periodically includes a pattern, which is formed by the optical portion and a non-optical portion, in the second direction with a second period of t, and
wherein a width w of the light source in the second direction satisfies the following condition:
w=(a+b)b\xb7nt
where n represents a natural number, and alb represents a ratio of a distance from the light source to the multiple periodic pattern and a distance from the multiple periodic pattern to the light receiver.
14. An optical encoder according to claim 13, wherein a width v of the light receiver in the second direction satisfies the following condition:
v=(a+b)a\xb7mt
where m represents a natural number.
15. An optical apparatus comprising:
an optical encoder according to claim 13; and
a movable member whose position is detected by the optical encoder.
16. An optical encoder comprising:
a scale provided with a multiple periodic pattern including a plurality of patterns in which (a) in each pattern an optical portions reflecting or transmitting light is periodically formed with a first period in a first direction, (b) the first periods in the respective patterns are mutually different, and (c) the patterns are multiply formed in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and
a light receiver configured to photoelectrically convert a detection light emitted from a light source and then passing via the scale into an output signal having a change period corresponding to the first period of a specific pattern among the patterns of the multiple periodic pattern,
wherein the scale and the light receiver are relatively movable in the first direction,
wherein the optical portion is configured to direct the light from the light source to the light receiver,

wherein the multiple periodic pattern periodically includes a pattern, which is formed by the optical portion and a non-optical portion, in the second direction with a second period of t, and
wherein when w represents a width of the light source in the second direction and a:b represents a ratio of a distance from the light source to the periodic pattern and a distance from the periodic pattern to the light receiver, the scale is configured so that the second period t takes on a value based on the width w and the ratio a:b.
17. An optical encoder according to claim 16, wherein the light receiver is configured so that a width v of the light receiver in the second direction takes on a value based on the second period t and the ratio a:b.
18. An optical apparatus comprising:
an optical encoder; and
a movable member whose position is detected by the optical encoder,
wherein the optical encoder comprises:
a scale provided with a periodic pattern in which an optical portion reflecting or transmitting light is periodically formed with a first period in a first direction; and
a light receiver configured to photoelectrically convert a detection light emitted from a light source and then passing via the scale into an output signal having a change period corresponding to the first period,
wherein the scale and the light receiver are relatively movable in the first direction,
wherein the optical portion is configured to direct the light from the light source to the light receiver,
wherein, when a direction orthogonal to the first direction in the periodic pattern is defined as a second direction, a proportion of the optical portion and a non-optical portion of the periodic pattern in the second direction is changed in the first direction, and the periodic pattern periodically includes a pattern, which is formed by the optical portion and the non-optical portion, in the second direction with a second period of t, and
wherein when w represents a width of the light source in the second direction and a:b represents a ratio of a distance from the light source to the periodic pattern and a distance from the periodic pattern to the light receiver, the scale is configured so that the second period t takes on a value based on the width w and the ratio a:b.
19. An optical encoder comprising:
a scale provided with a periodic pattern in which an optical portion reflecting or transmitting light is periodically formed with a first period in a first direction; and
a light receiver configured to photoelectrically convert a detection light emitted from a light source and then passing via the scale into an output signal having change period corresponding to the first period,
wherein the scale and the light receiver are relatively movable in the first direction,
wherein the optical portion is configured to direct the light from the light source to the light receiver,
wherein, when a direction orthogonal to the first direction in the periodic pattern is defined as a second direction, a proportion of the optical portion and a non-optical portion of the periodic pattern in first direction is changed in the second direction, and the periodic pattern periodically includes a pattern, which is formed by the optical portion and the non-optical portion, in the second direction with a second of t, and
wherein when w represents a width of the light source in the second direction and a:b represents a ratio of a distance from the light source to the periodic pattern and a distance from the periodic pattern to the light receiver, the scale is configured so that the second period t takes on a value based on the width w and the ratio a:b.
20. An optical encoder according to claim 19, wherein the light receiver is configured so that a width v of the light receiver in the second direction takes on a value based on the second period t and the ratio a:b.
21. An optical apparatus comprising:
an optical encoder; and
a movable member whose position is detected by the optical encoder,
wherein the optical encoder comprises:
a scale provided with a periodic pattern in which an optical portion reflecting or transmitting light is periodically formed with a first period in a first direction; and
a light receiver configured to photoelectrically convert a detection light emitted from a light source and then passing via the scale into an output signal having a change period corresponding to the first period,
wherein the scale and the light receiver are relatively movable in the first direction,
wherein the optical portion is configured to direct the light from the light source to the light receiver,
wherein, when a direction orthogonal to the first direction in the periodic pattern is defined as a second direction, a proportion of the optical portion and a non-optical portion of the periodic pattern in the first direction is changed in the second direction, and the periodic pattern periodically includes a pattern, which is formed by the optical portion and the non-optical portion, in the second direction with a second period of t, and
wherein when w represents a width of the light source in the second direction and a:b represents a ratio of a distance from the light source to the periodic pattern and a distance from the periodic pattern to the light receiver, the scale is configured so that the second period t takes on a value based on the width w and the ratio a:b.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1-5. (canceled)
6. An actuator with an elongate housing, a piston arranged for linear travel through the housing and a coupling for transmitting movement of the piston into corresponding mechanical output of the actuator, the actuator having an external connector at an end of the housing remote from the coupling, the connector being coupled to the piston so that linear movement of the piston causes rotation of the connector so as to indicate a position of the piston within the housing.
7. The actuator of claim 6, wherein the coupling is a piston rod, which projects externally of the housing.
8. The actuator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the connector includes a rotating hub with a radial slot to engage a shaft of an accessory unit.
9. The actuator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the slot is in the order of substantially 4 mm in width and substantially 6 mm in depth, to fit with standardised rotary accessories.
10. The actuator as claimed in claim 9, wherein the hub has a height dimension in the order of substantially 20 mm.
11. The actuator as claimed in claim 8, further including a bracket connected relative to the housing, the bracket having a mounting plate to which the accessory is secured and an opening through which the shaft of the unit passes to engage with the connector.
12. The actuator as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mounting plate sits over the connector and is spaced from the end of a housing by supporting legs which are mounted to the housing such that the opening aligns with the connector.
13. The actuator as claimed in claim 12, wherein the mounting plate includes preformed through holes, for receipt of fasteners which are used to attach the accessory unit to the bracket.
14. The actuator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the connector is coupled to a twisted bar which extends axially though the housing, the bar passing through a guide slot in the piston, whereby axial movement of the piston causes rotation of the bar, to thereby rotate the connector.
15. The actuator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the connector is coupled to a rod which extends axially through the housing, the rod passing through a guide slot in the piston which couples with flutes formed helically along the rod, whereby axial movement of the piston causes rotation of the rod, to thereby rotate the connector.
16. The actuator as claimed in claim 6, wherein an elongate stabilizing bar is fitted internally of the actuator to prevent the piston rotating as the piston travels through the housing.
17. The actuator as claimed in claim 1, in combination with an accessory unit in the form of a rotary switchbox, positioner or indicator, the unit having a shaft engaged with the connector of the actuator to provide input to the unit corresponding to the rotary position of the connector, which thereby indicates the linear position of the piston.
18. An actuator with an elongate housing, a diaphragm arranged for linear travel through the housing and a coupling for transmitting movement of the diaphragm into corresponding mechanical output of the actuator, the actuator having an external connector at an end of the housing remote from the coupling, the connector being coupled to the diaphragm so that linear movement of the diaphragm causes rotation of the connector so as to indicate a position of the diaphragm within the housing.