Opto Couplers used for?

[vanwatson]

What are arcade opto couplers used for?

I see opto couplers used for joysticks, guns, rollers, track balls etc.

But why did they use opto couplers?

Anywhere else in arcade games they use opto couplers?

[DaOld Man]

Im no expert but I think it is for a backup, just in case the plasma coupling fails.

[Le Chuck]

What are arcade opto couplers used for?

I see opto couplers used for joysticks, guns, rollers, track balls etc.

But why did they use opto couplers?

Anywhere else in arcade games they use opto couplers?

Mostly to communicate with optopuses... or is it optopi?  I always get those confused. 

[SavannahLion]

What are arcade opto couplers used for?

I see opto couplers used for joysticks, guns, rollers, track balls etc.

But why did they use opto couplers?

Anywhere else in arcade games they use opto couplers?

Mostly to communicate with optopuses... or is it optopi?  I always get those confused.

Wait... it's not used in conjunction with the Flux Capacitor?

No wonder I keep ending up in 1985!

[DaOld Man]

It used to be used with the flux capacitor, but that's copyrighted now so they had to quit. I think it utilizes the new pentode vacuum tube now.

[vanwatson]

why do joysticks and guns have to use opto couplers?

[ed12]

the short answer is they replace switch's
as they are the same basicly

ed

[vanwatson]

opto couplers replaced the leaf switches?

[ed12]

the term explains its-self
opto-coupler
which mean's it couple's 1 singal to another "with-out-contact"
so a light beam is sent from 1 led to a ird reciever
this is a colsed circuit to the opto
interrupt it and it the opto coupler is open
hence open/colsed >switch<
it is both electronic and isolated
about that simple,where a switch is by nature mechinical
so some thing has to "push" the switch to open or colse
by nature a actuater arm,and or a plunger
same dif


ed