Non-Contact Probe Control Interface Encoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Renishaw type probe head systems in coordinate measuring machines have limited wired connections, making it difficult to incorporate advanced machine vision technologies and upgrade existing systems, leading to limitations in controllability and interoperability with other probes.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact probe control interface that encodes control signals into the spatial light modulator's video signal, allowing for decoding into control signals for other probe components without additional physical wires, and uses standardized connections and patterns to enhance measurement accuracy and compatibility with existing systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional control signals and data signals are added to enable advanced machine vision technologies, then the measuring capabilities and controllability are improved, but the device complexity and wiring requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasuring capabilitiesVSAvoidwiring requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple control signals and data signals into a single integrated video signal transmitted through the spatial light modulator. This merging approach allows advanced machine vision technologies to be incorporated without requiring additional separate physical wires, thus improving measuring capabilities while avoiding increased wiring complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The video signal transmitted to the spatial light modulator serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls the light modulator patterns, carries measurement data, and provides control signals for other probe components. This multi-functionality enables advanced capabilities using existing infrastructure without requiring dedicated wires for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing Renishaw type probe head systems are used, then compatibility with current systems is maintained, but the ability to incorporate advanced machine vision technologies is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveincorporation of advanced technologiesVSAvoidsystem compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spatial light modulator video signal acts as an intermediary carrier that bridges existing Renishaw probe head systems with advanced machine vision technologies. By encoding control and data signals within this existing video signal infrastructure, the system maintains compatibility with current probe heads while enabling incorporation of advanced technologies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes unused or underutilized parameters within the existing video signal (such as blanking intervals, synchronization signals, or specific pixel rows) to embed additional control and data information. This parameter exploitation allows advanced features to be added without changing the fundamental signal interface, maintaining system compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If more physical wires and connections are added to carry control signals, then the controllability of probe components is improved, but the bottleneck in existing connections is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecontrollabilityVSAvoidconnection bottleneck

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding more physical wires in the traditional spatial dimension, the patent utilizes the temporal and informational dimensions of the existing video signal. Control signals are encoded within the video signal's time structure and pixel data, effectively adding control capability without increasing physical connection complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the use of advanced measuring capabilities with existing probe head systems, improves controllability and interoperability, and enhances measurement accuracy by using encoded signals and varying spatial light modulator patterns, while minimizing the need for physical wires and signal noise.

Implementation Method 1

control signals directed through a probe head to a spatial light modulator of a non-contact probe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight modulation: Electro-Optic Effects

Data Source

PatentUS7652275B2Non-contact probe control interface

Publication Date: 2010.01.26 MITUTOYO CORP

AI summary

A probe control interface is provided for a structured light non-contact coordinate measuring machine probe. Portions of a video control signal for controlling the grey level of selected rows of pixels of a spatial light modulator of the probe can be decoded into control signals for additional probe components or functions that have been added to increase the measuring capabilities or versatility of the non-contact probe. By providing the additional probe component control signals in this manner, a versatile structured light non-contact probe system can be made compatible with a standard probe head autojoint system (e.g. a Renishaw™ type system), thus allowing the probe to be automatically exchanged with other standard probes and allowing existing systems to use the non-contact probe more easily. Various aspects of the probe control interface allow for relatively simple, compact, lightweight and robust implementation.