Method and apparatus for establishing a positioning reference frame for a surface having hidden features where the reference frame is aligned to one or more of the hidden features
First Claim
1. A method for establishing a positioning reference frame for a surface having one or more hidden features where the hidden features are detectable by way of machine-aided sensing, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a guiding frame of predefined geometry, proximate to the surface, where the proximity is such that machine-aided sensing can be used to detect and locate one or more of the hidden features, where one or more sensor modules is attached to the guiding frame and at least a first of the sensor modules is movable along the guiding frame and provides machine-aided sensing for detecting and locating a corresponding first of the hidden features;
(b) moving one of the first sensor module and guiding frame relative to one another so that the moved one of the first sensor module and guiding frame becomes aligned at least to the first hidden feature by an orientation that is defined by the first sensor module being at a corresponding first position along the guiding frame when the first sensor module detects and locates the corresponding first hidden feature; and
(c) using the guiding frame after the frame has become aligned at least to the first hidden feature for locating further positions on the surface that are spaced apart according to predetermined distances and/or orientations relative to one another and relative to the aligned guiding frame.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and structures are disclosed for establishing a positioning reference frame for a work surface having one or more hidden features (such as studs) where the hidden features are detectable by way of machine-aided sensing. One method geometry, proximate to the surface, so that one or more of the hidden features can be detected and located with machine-aided sensing. One or more sensor modules are attached to the guiding frame and at least a first of the sensor modules is movable along the guiding frame. The first sensor module provides machine-aided sensing of at least a corresponding first of the hidden features. The first sensor module and/or guiding frame are moved relative to one another so that the relatively moved components become aligned to the first hidden feature according to a desired orientation.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for establishing a positioning reference frame for a surface having one or more hidden features where the hidden features are detectable by way of machine-aided sensing, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a guiding frame of predefined geometry, proximate to the surface, where the proximity is such that machine-aided sensing can be used to detect and locate one or more of the hidden features, where one or more sensor modules is attached to the guiding frame and at least a first of the sensor modules is movable along the guiding frame and provides machine-aided sensing for detecting and locating a corresponding first of the hidden features;
(b) moving one of the first sensor module and guiding frame relative to one another so that the moved one of the first sensor module and guiding frame becomes aligned at least to the first hidden feature by an orientation that is defined by the first sensor module being at a corresponding first position along the guiding frame when the first sensor module detects and locates the corresponding first hidden feature; and
(c) using the guiding frame after the frame has become aligned at least to the first hidden feature for locating further positions on the surface that are spaced apart according to predetermined distances and/or orientations relative to one another and relative to the aligned guiding frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A work-assisting tool comprising:
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(a) a first guide of predefined first geometry; and
(b) a first movable module attached to the first guide, where movement of the first movable module is guided at least by the predefined first geometry of the first guide, and where the first movable module includes;
(b.1) a first hidden feature sensor adapted to detect and locate the position of a hidden feature. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for locating points on a first surface, behind which are hidden one or more sensor-detectable features, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a guiding frame adjacent to the first surface;
(b) orienting the guiding frame relative to a plumb or level orientation;
(c) moving a first sensor module along the provided and oriented guiding frame;
(d) detecting one or more of said hidden and sensor-detectable features with said first sensor module; and
(e) locating one or more points on the first surface where the located points are spaced apart from the detected, sensor-detectable features and/or from one another by predetermined distances measured along the guiding frame. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A locating device for locating points on a first surface, behind which are hidden one or more sensor-detectable features, the locating device comprising:
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(a) a guiding frame adapted to be provided adjacent to the first surface;
(b) orienting means for orienting the guiding frame relative to a plumb or level orientation;
(c) a movable first sensor module operatively coupled to move along the guiding frame, the first sensor module being adapted to detect one or more of said hidden and sensor-detectable features; and
(e) distance measuring means operatively coupled to at least one of the guiding frame and first sensor module for locating one or more points on the first surface where the located points are spaced apart from the detected, sensor-detectable features and/or from one another by predetermined distances measured along the guiding frame by the distance measuring means.
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Specification