Remote control measuring system

• US 6,009,381 A
• Filed: 06/03/1998
• Issued: 12/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
• Inventors: Ono, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): Assouad, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bui, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US09/089,353
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 702/186, 702/188, 702/474.24, 702/474.22, 364/188, 364/474.22, 364/474.23, 364/474.24, 709/186, 709/217, 709/218, 379/100.05, 379/106.01
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4099 Surface or curve machining, making 3D objects, e.g. desktop manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

In a measuring room 1, a three-dimensional measuring apparatus 2 for measuring an object, a control apparatus 3 for driving and controlling the three-dimensional measuring apparatus 2, and a host computer 4 for transmitting a measurement instruction to the control apparatus 3 and receiving measured information therefrom are disposed. In an operating room 7, which is disposed at a remote place of the measuring room 1, a remote operating apparatus 9 and a CAD/CAT system 10 are disposed. The remote operating apparatus 9 is connected to a host computer 4 through a LAN. The CAD/CAT system 10 is linked to the remote operating apparatus 9. The remote operating apparatus 9 generates a measurement instruction in response to an input operation on a measurement instruction screen and transmits a part program generated by the CAD/CAT system 10 to the host computer 4. The remote operating apparatus 9 and the host computer 4 are communicated by a communication protocol of TCP/IP.

Claims

1. A remote control measuring system, comprising:

a measuring apparatus;

photographing means for photographing a measurement state of said measuring apparatus;

a control apparatus for controlling and driving said measuring apparatus corresponding to a measurement command and obtaining measured information of said measuring apparatus;

a host computer for transmitting the measurement command to said control apparatus corresponding to a measurement instruction and receiving the measured information and picture information obtained by said photographing means; and

a remote operating apparatus for transmitting the measurement instruction to said host computer through a communication network and receiving the measured information and the picture information therefrom,

wherein said remote operating apparatus displays a measurement instruction screen, generates the measurement instruction in response to an input operation on the measurement instruction screen, transmits the measurement instruction to said host computer, and displays the measured information and the picture information received from said host computer on the measurement instruction screen.

2. The remote control measuring system according to claim 1,

wherein said host computer and said remote operating apparatus mutually communicate with each other corresponding to a communication protocol of TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).

3. The remote control measuring system according to claim 1,

wherein said measuring apparatus is a three-dimensional measuring apparatus.

4. A remote control measuring system, comprising:

a measuring apparatus;

a control apparatus for controlling and driving said measuring apparatus corresponding to a measurement command and obtaining measured information of said measuring apparatus;

a host computer for transmitting the measurement command to said control apparatus corresponding to a measurement instruction and receiving the measured information therefrom;

a remote operating apparatus for transmitting the measurement instruction to said host computer through a communication network and receiving the measured information therefrom; and

a CAD/CAT (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Testing) system linked to said remote operating apparatus,

wherein said remote operating apparatus has a measurement instruction screen displaying function and a CAD/CAT system connecting/switching function, and

wherein said remote operating apparatus switches to a screen of said CAD/CAT system in response to an input operation on the measurement instruction screen, allows the operator to input a command on a figure displayed on the screen of said CAD/CAT system, transmits part programs corresponding to measurement elements generated in said CAD/CAT system to said host computer, and displays measured information received from said host computer to the measurement instruction screen.

5. The remote control measuring system according to claim 4,

wherein said host computer and said remote operating apparatus mutually communicate with each other corresponding to a communication protocol of TCP/IP.

6. The remote control measuring system according to claim 4,

wherein said remote operating apparatus and said CAD/CAT system mutually communicate with each other corresponding to a communication protocol of TCP/IP.

7. The remote control measuring system according to claim 4, further comprising:

photographing means for photographing a measurement state of said measuring apparatus,

wherein said host computer transmits picture information obtained by said photographing means to said remote operating apparatus through the communication network, and

wherein said remote operating apparatus displays the received picture information on the measurement instruction screen.

8. The remote control measuring system according to claim 4,

wherein said measuring apparatus is a three-dimensional measuring apparatus.