Coordinate Measuring Device With Visual Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contact-type coordinate measuring devices face challenges in achieving accurate measurements, especially when the measurement target is difficult to recognize or when unskilled operators are involved, due to variations in measurement placement and the complexity of recognizing measurement positions.
Innovation Solution
A coordinate measuring device equipped with a probe, a first imaging unit, a position and attitude acquiring unit, a display unit, and a control unit that displays a measurement indicator on the captured image, allowing users to accurately recognize the measurement position and perform precise measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a contact-type coordinate measuring device is used without visual guidance, then the device structure remains simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in recognizing measurement positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the imaging unit and coordinate measuring device into an integrated system. The imaging unit captures images of the measurement target, and the coordinate measuring device processes these images to determine measurement positions. This merging allows visual guidance to be incorporated without requiring a completely separate measurement system, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing unit that receives images from the imaging unit and calculates measurement positions. This intermediary component acts as a mediator between the visual imaging system and the measurement system, enabling precise measurement guidance through processed image information without directly increasing the complexity of the core measurement mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If visual guidance with indicators is added, then ease of operation improves for unskilled operators, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the processing unit receives images from the imaging unit, determines measurement positions, and provides visual indicators on the displayed images. This feedback loop continuously guides the operator by showing the current measurement position overlaid on the captured image, making the operation intuitive for unskilled users while managing system complexity through automated position determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the measurement target through the imaging unit and displays it on a screen. Measurement positions are then indicated on this copied image rather than requiring direct manipulation of the physical target. This copying approach simplifies the operation by allowing operators to reference visual guides while the system handles the complex coordinate determination automatically.
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurement targets are measured without standardized procedures, then measurement speed increases, but measurement precision deteriorates due to variation in placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by having the processing unit determine measurement positions in advance based on images captured before actual measurement. The system pre-calculates and displays indicator positions on the captured images, so that when measurement begins, the operator can directly follow the pre-determined positions. This preliminary position determination ensures consistent placement across multiple measurement targets while maintaining high measurement speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of position determination from manual estimation to automated image-based calculation. By using the imaging unit to capture target positions and the processing unit to calculate precise coordinates, the system standardizes the measurement process across multiple targets. This parameter change from subjective manual placement to objective image-based positioning eliminates variation while preserving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a coordinate measuring device which can easily perform accurate measurement. A coordinate measuring device is provided with a sub-imaging unit, a display unit, and a probe. The probe includes a stylus. The stylus has a contact part that is brought into contact with a measurement target in order to measure the measurement target. The sub-imaging unit is provided in the probe so as to have constant positional relationships, and captures an image of at least part of the measurement target. The image of the measurement target obtained by the sub-imaging unit is displayed as a captured image on the display unit. Based on calculated positions of the probe and the positional relationships of the sub-imaging unit, an image showing a measurement position on the measurement target, with which the contact part is to be brought into contact, is displayed on the captured image.