Method And Apparatus For Aligning Segments

A computer-readable storage medium with a program code which, when executed on a processor, implements a method for aligning segments with one another,

• wherein a first segment has a first group of reference points and a second group of reference points;
• wherein a second segment has a third group of reference points and a fourth group of reference points;
• wherein the reference points of the first and third groups are substantially located on a first common line running parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first and second segments;
• wherein the reference points of the second and fourth groups are substantially located on a second common line running parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first and second segments, the method comprising:
• projecting a first projection line onto the first segment and onto the second segment by a first projection device,
• projecting a second projection line onto the first segment and onto the second segment by a second projection device,
• wherein the first projection line is related to the first common line;
• wherein the second projection line is related to the second common line;
• measuring the distances between each of the reference points of the first group to the first projection line and between each of the reference points of the third group to the first projection line by letting fall a perpendicular onto the first projection line;
• measuring the distances between each of the reference points of the second group to the second projection line and between each of the reference points of the fourth group to the second projection line by letting fall a perpendicular onto the second projection line;
• determining at least one of a first best-fit line and a first best-fit plane of the first segment;
• determining at least one of a second best-fit line and a second best-fit plane of the first segment;
• determining at least one of a first best-fit line and a first best-fit plane of the second segment;
• determining at least one of a second best-fit line and a second best-fit plane of the second segment;
• aligning at least one of the first best-fit line and the first best-fit plane of the first segment on the first projection line;
• aligning at least one of the first best-fit line and the first best-fit plane of the second segment on the first projection line;
• aligning at least one of the second best-fit line and the second best-fit plane of the first segment on the second projection line;
• and
• aligning at least one of the second best-fit line and the second best-fit plane of the second segment on the second projection line.

An apparatus for aligning segments with one another, comprising:

• a first projection device;
• a second projection device;
• a measuring device;
• an evaluation device;
• a positioning device;
• wherein a first segment has a first group and a second group of reference points;
• wherein a second segment has a third group and a fourth group of reference points;
• wherein the reference points of the first group and of the third group substantially lie on a first common line running parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first segment and second segment;
• wherein the reference points of the second group and of the fourth group substantially lie on a second common line running parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first segment and second segment;
• wherein the first projection device is configured to project a first projection line onto the first segment and onto the second segment;
• wherein the second projection device is configured to project a second projection line onto the first segment and onto the second segment;
• wherein the first projection line is related to the first common line;
• wherein the second projection line is related to the second common line;
• wherein the measuring device is configured to measure the distances between each of the reference points of the first group to the first projection line and between each of the reference points of the third group to the first projection line by letting fall a perpendicular onto the first projection line;
• wherein the measuring device is further configured to measure the distances between each of the reference points of the second group to the second projection line and between each of the reference points of the fourth group to the second projection line by letting fall a perpendicular onto the second projection line;
• wherein the evaluation device is configured to determine at least one of a first best-fit line and a first best-fit plane of the first segment;
• wherein the evaluation device is further configured to determine at least one of a second best-fit line and a second best-fit plane of the first segment;
• wherein the evaluation device is further configured to determine at least one of a first best-fit line and a first best-fit plane of the second segment;
• wherein the evaluation device is further configured to determine at least one of a second best-fit line and a second best-fit plane of the second segment;
• wherein the positioning device is configured to align at least one of the first best-fit line and the first best-fit plane of the first segment on the first projection line;
• wherein the positioning device is further configured to align at least one of the first best-fit line and the first best-fit plane of the second segment on the first projection line;
• wherein the positioning device is further configured to align at least one of the second best-fit line and the second best-fit plane of the first segment on the second projection line;
• and
• wherein the positioning device is further configured to align at least one of the second best-fit line and the second best-fit plane of the second segment on the second projection line.