Coordinate measurement machine with configurable articulated arm bus
First Claim
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1. A system for measuring three-dimensional coordinates of an object in space, comprising:
- an portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) in a AACMM frame of reference having an origin, the AACMM having a manually positionable arm portion, a base, a noncontact measurement device, and an electronic circuit, the arm portion having an opposed first end and second end, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the plurality of connected arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing a plurality of position signals, the first end connected to the base;
a first electronic circuit configured for receiving the plurality of position signals from the at least one position transducer and for providing data corresponding to a position of the noncontact measurement device, the first electronic circuit having a first processor;
a second electronic circuit disposed within the second end, the second electronic circuit having a second processor, a first communications switch and a second communications switch;
a first data bus coupled between the first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit, the first data bus configured to operate on a first communications protocol;
a second data bus coupled between the first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit;
a third data bus coupled between the first communications switch and the first electronic circuit;
a fourth data bus coupled between the second communications switch and the first electronic circuit;
the non-contact measurement device coupled to the second end and electrically coupled to the second electronic circuit; and
wherein the first communications switch and the second communications switch are configured to operably couple the second data bus, the third data bus and the fourth data bus into a single logical data bus in response to a second signal, the single logical data bus configured to operate on a second communications protocol, the second communications protocol being different than the first communications protocol.
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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.
15 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for measuring three-dimensional coordinates of an object in space, comprising:
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an portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) in a AACMM frame of reference having an origin, the AACMM having a manually positionable arm portion, a base, a noncontact measurement device, and an electronic circuit, the arm portion having an opposed first end and second end, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the plurality of connected arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing a plurality of position signals, the first end connected to the base; a first electronic circuit configured for receiving the plurality of position signals from the at least one position transducer and for providing data corresponding to a position of the noncontact measurement device, the first electronic circuit having a first processor; a second electronic circuit disposed within the second end, the second electronic circuit having a second processor, a first communications switch and a second communications switch; a first data bus coupled between the first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit, the first data bus configured to operate on a first communications protocol; a second data bus coupled between the first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit; a third data bus coupled between the first communications switch and the first electronic circuit; a fourth data bus coupled between the second communications switch and the first electronic circuit; the non-contact measurement device coupled to the second end and electrically coupled to the second electronic circuit; and wherein the first communications switch and the second communications switch are configured to operably couple the second data bus, the third data bus and the fourth data bus into a single logical data bus in response to a second signal, the single logical data bus configured to operate on a second communications protocol, the second communications protocol being different than the first communications protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of operating a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) for measuring three-dimensional coordinates of an object in space, comprising:
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providing the AACMM in a AACMM frame of reference having an origin, the AACMM having a manually positionable arm portion, a base, a noncontact measurement device, and an electronic circuit, the arm portion having an opposed first end and second end, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the plurality of connected arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing a plurality of position signals, the first end connected to the base; providing a first electronic circuit configured for receiving the plurality of position signals from the at least one position transducer and for providing data corresponding to a position of the noncontact measurement device, the first electronic circuit having a first processor; providing a second electronic circuit disposed within the second end, the second electronic circuit having a second processor, a first communications switch and a second communications switch; providing a first data bus coupled between the first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit, the first data bus configured to operate on a first communications protocol; providing a second data bus coupled between the first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit; providing a third data bus coupled between the first communications switch and the first electronic circuit; providing a fourth data bus coupled between the second communications switch and the first electronic circuit; coupling an accessory device to the second end; receiving a first identification signal at the first communications switch and the second communications switch; and switching the first communications switch and the second communications switch to couple the second data bus, the third data bus and the fourth data bus into a single logical data bus in response to the first identification signal, the single logical data bus configured to operate on a second communications protocol, the second communications protocol being different than the first communications protocol. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification