Measuring system and method for automated measurement of an object

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10437223-B2
Application number	US-201414559652-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 3, 2014
Priority date	Dec 4, 2013
Publication date	Oct 8, 2019
Grant date	Oct 8, 2019

Abstract

Some embodiments described herein relate to a measuring system for automated measurement of an object and detection of differences between features of the object and CAD data of the object. The measuring system may include a measuring device having a distance meter for measuring a position of at least one remote target point, a local computer terminal that is connected to or part of the measuring system, an assigned memory unit for storing the data base comprising the CAD data and an assigned set of measurement software program for controlling the measuring system. In some embodiments, the stored CAD data of the object comprise typical dimensions and tolerances of the features of the object and the assigned set of measurement software programs for controlling the measuring system comprises an optimization algorithm for the measurement of each feature.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A measuring system for automated measurement of an object and detection of differences between features of the object and CAD data of the object, the CAD data being stored in a database, the measuring system comprising:
a measuring device having a distance meter for measuring a position of at least one remote target point;
a local computer terminal that is connected to or part of the measuring system;
an assigned memory unit for storing the database comprising the CAD data, wherein the assigned memory unit is provided at least partially at the site of the local computer terminal; and
an assigned set of measurement software programs for controlling the measuring system,
wherein the stored CAD data of the object comprise dimensions and tolerances of the features of the object;
wherein the assigned set of measurement software programs for controlling the measuring system comprises an optimization algorithm for the measurement of each feature, the optimization algorithm being designed to select automatically, dependent on the stored dimensions and tolerances of the features of the object to be measured, measuring parameters of the measuring system and a measurement software program from the set of measurement software programs;
wherein the assigned set of measurement software programs for controlling the measuring system is installed at least partially in a central computer of a local network or an internet server and accessible from the local computer terminal over a local network connection and/or an internet connection; and
wherein the optimization algorithm is adapted to effect, after selection of a feature of the object to be measured by an operator, a presentation of a set of options to the operator for selection, the set comprising:
possible accuracy levels for the measurement of the feature,
an input option for the operator for selection of an accuracy level,
needed software packages comprising additional measurement software programs for measuring the feature with the selected accuracy level, the needed software packages being installed on the central computer, and
an input option for the operator for selection of a needed software package to be accessed over the local network or internet connection.

2. The measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the measuring device is adapted for measuring the position of the target point by determining a position and an orientation of a measuring auxiliary means, wherein:
the measuring device is a laser tracker,
the distance meter is a laser distance meter, and
the measuring auxiliary means comprises a retro-reflector and an optically perceivable pattern comprising light spots.

3. The measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the distance meter is a laser distance meter, and the measuring device comprises at least one of a theodolite or a total-station, a laser scanner, and a laser tracker.

4. The measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the assigned memory unit is provided at least partially:
on the central computer of the local network and/or the internet server and accessible over the local network connection and/or the internet connection, respectively, wherein the local computer terminal is connected with the internet.

5. The measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the further set of features to be presented comprises at least an estimated time for measuring with a certain measurement accuracy.

6. A measuring system for automated measurement of an object, the measuring system comprising:
a measuring device having a distance meter for measuring a position of at least one remote target point;
a local computer terminal that is connected to or part of the measuring system; and
an assigned set of measurement software programs for controlling the measuring system,
wherein the assigned set of measurement software programs for controlling the measuring system comprises an optimization algorithm for the measurement of a feature, the optimization algorithm being designed to select automatically, dependent on feature data and/or measurement data selected by a user, measuring parameters of the measuring system, and/or a measurement software program from the set of measurement software programs, wherein the feature data comprises dimensions of a feature of the object and the measurement data comprises a speed or tolerance level for the automated measurement;
wherein the assigned set of measurement software programs for controlling the measuring system is installed at least partially in a central computer of a local network or an internet server and accessible from the local computer terminal over a local network connection and/or an internet connection; and
wherein after selection of a feature of the object to be measured, effected by the optimization algorithm a set of options is presented to an operator, the set comprising:
possible accuracy levels for measurement of the feature,
an input option for the operator for selection of an accuracy level,
needed software packages for measuring the feature with the selected accuracy level, the needed software packages being installed on the central computer, and
an input option for the operator for selection of a needed software package,
wherein a selected software package is accessed over the local network or internet connection.

7. The measuring system according to claim 6 , wherein the measuring device is adapted for measuring the position of the target point by determining a position and an orientation of a measuring auxiliary means, wherein:
the measuring device is a laser tracker,
the distance meter is a laser distance meter, and
the measuring auxiliary means comprises a retro-reflector and an optically perceivable pattern comprising light spots.

8. The measuring system according to claim 6 , wherein the distance meter is a laser distance meter, and the measuring device comprises at least one of a theodolite or a total-station, a laser scanner, and a laser tracker.

9. The measuring system according to claim 6 , wherein an assigned memory unit is provided at least partially:
on the central computer of the local network and/or the internet server and accessible over the local network connection and/or the internet connection, respectively, wherein the local computer terminal is connected with the internet.

10. The measuring system according to claim 6 , wherein the assigned set of measurement software programs for controlling the measuring system is installed at least partially at the site of the local computer terminal.

11. The measuring system according to claim 6 , wherein the further set of features to be presented comprises at least an estimated time for measuring with a certain measurement accuracy.

12. A method for automated measurement of an object with a measuring system and for automated detection of deviations between a feature of the object and CAD data of the object, the CAD data being stored in a database, the measuring system comprising
a measuring device having a distance meter for measuring a position of at least one remote target point;
a local computer terminal that is connected to or part of the measuring system;
an assigned memory unit for storing the database comprising the CAD data, wherein the assigned memory unit is installed at least partially at the site of the local computer terminal; and
an assigned set of measurement software programs for controlling the measuring system,
the method comprising:
selecting a feature of the object to be measured by the measuring system;
selecting measurement parameters of the measuring system;
measuring the feature of the object;
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Assignees

• Hexagon Technology Ct Gmbh

Inventors

• Pettersson Bo
• Siercks Knut

Classifications

• G06F30/00

  Computer-aided design [CAD] · CPC title

• G05B19/401 Primary

  characterised by control arrangements for measuring, e.g. calibration and initialisation, measuring workpiece for machining purposes (G05B19/19 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04L67/10

  in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network (software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46) · CPC title

• G05B19/41875

  characterised by quality surveillance of production · CPC title

• G01S17/42

  Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates (indirect measurement G01S17/46) · CPC title