Measurement and alignment device including a display system

• US 7,359,762 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2004
• Issued: 04/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chang Yue Industrial Corporation
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Etter, Mark A., Weston, Jeffrey D., Garcia, Jaime E., Burkholder, Robert F., Hearn, Melinda J., DeKeyser, Kathy, Phillips, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard; Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAO, SHEELA S
• Application Number:
  US10/831,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20060111809A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 700/160, 700/180, 700/45, 83/761, 83/769, 835/20, 332/86, 332/92, 324/247, 324/500, 324/501, 324/511, 324/513, 324/534, 324/701, 324/702, 324/753
• US Class Current: 700/180
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35494 Online documentation, manual, procedures, operator, user guidance, assistance
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36121 Tree oriented menu, go to root, scroll up down, select mode
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36127 Menu, help menu for operator, messages
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/18 With operator input means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/849 With signal, scale, or indicator

Abstract

A graphical user interface communicatively coupled with a non-contact measurement and alignment device enables user control over and display of the readings from the non-contact measurement and alignment device. In operation with a power tool, the graphical user interface provides a user with selectable control over the power tool through the computation and display of multiple power tool settings.

Claims

1. A non-contact measurement and alignment device for use with a power tool control system employed with a power tool, comprising:

a base operatively connected with the power tool;

a graphical user interface removably coupled to the base;

a laser sensor disposed in the base, the laser sensor including a first window established at least partially on an outer surface of the base; and

a laser source coupled with the power tool, the laser source being configured to emit a laser beam which contacts a component of the power tool,

wherein the laser sensor is configured to sense at least a part of the laser beam after the laser beam has contacted the component of the power tool and is configured to communicate information related to the sensing of the laser beam to the graphical user interface.

2. The non-contact measurement and alignment device of claim 1, the base further comprising a magnetic system configured to couple the base with the graphical user interface.

3. The non-contact measurement and alignment device of claim 1, the laser sensor further comprising a second window.

4. The non-contact measurement and alignment device of claim 1, the base further comprising a latch assembly configured to couple the base to the power tool.

5. The non-contact measurement and alignment device of claim 1, wherein the laser source is connected with the housing.

6. The power tool control system of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to be inserted into a recessed area of a fence of the power tool table.

7. The power tool control system of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to be securely fastened into a recessed area of a fence of the power tool table.

8. A power tool control system, comprising:

a base operatively connected with a power tool;

a laser source coupled with the power tool, the laser source for emitting a laser beam which contacts a component of the power tool, a laser sensor disposed in the base, the laser sensor including a first window established at least partially on an outer surface of the base, the laser sensor for sensing at least a part of the laser beam after the laser beam contacts the component of the power tool;

a graphical user interface removably coupled to the base, the graphical user interface including;

an information handling system communicatively coupled with the laser sensor,

an interface base connected to the base and for at least partially encompassing the information handling system,

a display communicatively coupled with the information handling system, and

a faceplate connected with the interface base and at least partially encompassing the display;

a display menu established on the display of the graphical user interface, the display menu being configured to logically relate folders that provide power tool setting options and readouts of current settings; and

a plurality of indicators disposed on the faceplate of the graphical user interface, the plurality of indicators being configured to convey information, the plurality of indicators being operationally coupled with the display in a coordinated manner with the display menu,

wherein the power tool control system is configured to indicate at least two of a power tool setting upon the display of the graphical user interface.

9. The power tool control system of claim 8, wherein the faceplate is removable from the interface base.

10. The power tool control system of claim 8, wherein the information handling system is configured to execute a plurality of computer readable instruction sets.

11. The power tool control system of claim 8, wherein the laser source is configured to emit two or more laser beams.

12. The power tool control system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of indicators include a plurality of icons.

13. The power tool control system of claim 8, wherein the base includes a magnetic system configured to couple the base with the graphical user interface.

14. The power tool control system of claim 8, wherein the graphical user interface is remote from the base.