US 6,858,857 B2 · Modular non-contact measurement device for quickly and accurately obtaining dimensional measurement data

Abstract

A modular measurement device is provided for quickly and accurately performing non-contact measurements of various objects at different locations within a commercial or residential work area. The modular measurement device generally includes a laser base that is operable to project light onto a measured object; and a portable measurement module adapted to receive light reflected from a surface of the measured object and operable to determine dimensional measurement data for the measured object, where the portable measurement module is configured to releasably couple to the laser base. The operational components of the measurement device are partitioned between the portable measurement module and the laser base. In this way, a single portable measurement module having more expensive operational components may be used with different, less expensive laser bases, where each laser base may be adapted for a different application.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A modular non-contact measurement device, comprising:

a laser base adapted to couple to a power tool and operable to project light onto a measured object;
and
a portable measurement module adapted to receive light reflected from a surface of the measured object and operable to determine dimensional measurement data for the measured object, wherein the portable measurement module is configured to releasably couple to the laser base.

A modular non-contact measurement device, comprising:

a laser base adapted to couple to a power tool;
and
a portable measurement module operable to project light onto a measured object, the portable measurement module adapted to receive light reflected from a surface of the measured object and operable to determine dimensional measurement data for the measured object, wherein the portable measurement module is configured to releasably couple to the laser base and includes a first housing assembly releasably coupled to a second housing assembly;
the first housing assembly including an user input element integrated with the housing assembly and operable to generate a trigger signal to initiate measurement of the measured object and a wireless transceiver device operable to communicate the trigger signal via a wireless connection to the second housing assembly;
and the second housing assembly including a wireless transceiver device adapted to receive the trigger signal from the first housing assembly, a sensing element adapted to receive the trigger signal and operable to collect image data and an image processor adapted to retrieve the image data from the sensing element and operable to convert the image data into dimensional measurement data for the measured object.

2 more elements

A method for acquiring non-contact measurement data at two different power tools, comprising:

providing a first laser base positioned proximate to a first power tool, the laser base being operable to project light onto a first measured object associated with the first power tool;
coupling a portable measurement module to the first laser base to form a first non-contact measurement device, the portable measurement module being adapted to receive light reflected from a measured object and operable to determine measurement data for the measured object;
determining measurement data for the first measured object using the first non-contact measurement device;
providing a second laser base positioned proximate to a second power tool, the second laser base being operable to project light onto a second measured object associated with the second power tool;
uncoupling the portable measurement module from the first laser base and coupling the portable measurement module to the second laser base to form a second non-contact measurement device;
and
determining measurement data for the second measured object using the second non-contact measurement device.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/429,620Filed 5 May 2003 · continuation in part

Priority

10 Nov 2000

Published

US 2003/0197138 A123 Oct 2003

Granted

22 Feb 2005

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

G01B 11/02
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques: for measuring length, width or thickness
B23D 59/002
Measuring or control devices, e.g. for automatic control of work feed pressure on band saw blade: for the position of the saw blade
B23Q 17/24
Arrangements for observing, indicating or measuring on machine tools: using optics or electromagnetic waves
B27B 27/02
Guide fences or stops for timber in saw mills or sawing machines; Measuring equipment thereon: arranged laterally and parallel with respect to the…

Family

Application60/247,270Us provisional application · filed 10 Nov 2000

Application09/803,535Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 9 Mar 2001

US 2003/0197138 A1Pre-grant publication · published 23 Oct 2003

US 6,593,587 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 2001/0028025 A1Published application

US 6,858,857 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Modular non-contact measurement device for quickly and accurately obtaining dimensional measurement data

Life of this patent

Modular non-contact measurement device for quickly and accurately obtaining dimensional measurement data

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16