Apparatus and method for mapping surfaces of an object

A method for identifying surfaces of an object comprising:

• transmitting signals from a plurality of orienting devices to orient a probe;
• placing the probe at a plurality of known locations of the object;
• inputting data into a data processor representative of each of the known locations;
• placing the probe at an unidentified location of the object;
• inputting data into a data processor representative of the unidentified location;
• and
• generating a graphical image of the object based on the input data,
• wherein one or more of the orienting devices are transceivers and the probe is a receiver.

A method for mapping a surface of an object stored on a computer-readable medium comprising the steps of:

• orienting a probe relative to an object using three or more orienting devices;
• receiving data related to three or more reference points on the object;
• retrieving a graphical model of the object based on the received reference point data;
• receiving data related to an unidentified area of the object;
• generating a graphical image of the object based on the received reference point data and the input data related to an unidentified area of the vehicle;
• comparing the graphical image of the object to the graphical model of the object;
• retrieving information related to repairs for areas of the object in which the graphical image differs from the graphical model;
• and
• outputting the retrieved information related to repairs,
• wherein one or more of the orienting devices are transceivers and the probe is a receiver.

A portable apparatus for mapping a surface of a vehicle comprising:

• one or more portable support structures;
• a plurality of transceiver devices, mounted on the support structures, transmitting signals that encompass the vehicle;
• one or more probes, for receiving the signals from the transceivers thereby having its position identified on a grid, each probe contacting the vehicle at a location, and each probe contact location being transmitted by the probe;
• a first data processor, with an associated input device, coupled to each transceiver and each probe, for receiving probe contact data from the probe and receiving probe location data via the input device, and generating an image of the vehicle as a function of the probe contact data and probe location data;
• a network of data processors, coupled to the first data processor, for transmitting stored vehicle data that corresponds to the image of the vehicle to the first data processor,
• wherein the first data processor receives updated data from the probe and input device, the updated data representing additional probe contact and probe location data, the first data processor determining variations between the updated data and the stored vehicle data and outputting data related to the determination.