Coordinate measurement machine with configurable articulated arm bus

• US 10,254,102 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2017
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: York, Frederick John, Gong, Yu
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, R. A.
• Application Number:
  US15/685,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20170350685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 33503, 702150, 702151, 702152, 702153, 702168
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/04 by measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/008 using coordinate measuring machines

Abstract

An articulated arm coordinate measurement machine is provided with a configurable arm bus. The arm bus being comprised of a plurality of busses that may be selectively coupled to form one or more logical data communications busses. The logical busses may be configured to allow accessory devices to be coupled to the arm and transmit data at higher speeds and at lower costs than may be possible using data busses having fixed communications protocols. In one embodiment, one or more communications switches may be arranged in the probe end of the arm to selectively combine the busses into a logical bus.

Claims

1. A system for measuring three-dimensional coordinates of an object in space, comprising:

an portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) having a manually positionable arm portion, having an opposed first end and second end;

an electronic circuit operably coupled to the AACMM;

a first data bus coupled between the electronic circuit and the second end, the first data bus configured to operate on a first communications protocol;

a second data bus coupled between the electronic circuit and the second end;

a third data bus operably coupled between the electronic circuit and the second end;

a fourth data bus operably coupled between the electronic circuit and the second end; and

wherein the electronic circuit is operable to selectively couple the second data bus, the third data bus and the fourth data bus into a single logical data bus, the single logical data bus configured to operate on a second communications protocol, the second communications protocol being different than the first communications protocol.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first communications protocol is RS-485 communications protocol.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the second communications protocol is Gigabit Ethernet communications protocol.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronic circuit is operable to selectively couple the second data bus and the third data bus into a second logical data bus, the second logical data bus configured to operate on a third communications protocol, the third communications protocol being different than the first communications protocol.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the third communications protocol is an Ethernet communications protocol.

6. A method of operating a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) for measuring three-dimensional coordinates of an object in space, comprising:

providing the AACMM in a AACMM frame of reference having an origin, the AACMM having a manually positionable arm portion having an opposed first end and second end;

providing a first data bus coupled between an electronic circuit and the second end, the electronic circuit being operably coupled to the AACMM, the first data bus configured to operate on a first communications protocol;

providing a second data bus coupled between the electronic circuit and the second end;

providing a third data bus coupled between the electronic circuit and the second end;

providing a fourth data bus coupled between the electronic circuit and the second end;

coupling an accessory device to the second end; and

selectively coupling the second data bus, the third data bus and the fourth data bus into a single logical data bus, the single logical data bus configured to operate on a second communications protocol, the second communications protocol being different than the first communications protocol.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising transmitting first data via the first data bus using the first communications protocol, the first communications protocol being an RS-485 communications protocol.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising transmitting second data via the single logical data bus using the second communications protocol, the second communications protocol being a Gigabit Ethernet communications protocol.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising forming a direct communications circuit from the accessory device to the single logical data bus.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising transmitting data directly from the accessory device to the first processor via the single logical data bus.

11. The method of claim 6 further comprising coupling the second data bus and the third data bus into a second logical data bus, the second logical data bus configured to operate on a third communications protocol, the third communications protocol being different than the first communications protocol.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising transmitting third data via the second logical data bus using the third communications protocol, the third communications protocol being a Ethernet communications protocol.