Systems and methods for control and calibration of a CMM

1. A method of operating an articulated arm CMM comprising:

inputting an instruction to the CMM arm by an action chosen from the group consisting of placing the arm in a predefined position and moving the arm in a predefined manner; and

awakening the articulated arm from a sleep mode by moving the arm into an extended position.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

placing the articulated arm into a retracted position; and

the arm entering a sleep mode automatically after the step of placing the articulated arm into a retracted position.

3. A method of operating an articulated arm CMM comprising:

inputting an instruction to the CMM arm by an action chosen from the group consisting of placing the arm in a predefined position and moving the arm in a predefined manner; and

changing the arm's data acquisition mode automatically when the arm is moved slowly.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of inputting is performed without actuating any buttons, levers, dials, or other traditional actuation devices.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of awakening the articulated arm from a sleep mode by rapidly moving the arm.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the arm's data acquisition mode is changed to a higher frequency or higher accuracy mode upon slow movement of the arm.

7. A method of operating an articulated arm CMM comprising:

inputting an instruction to the CMM arm by an action chosen from the group consisting of placing the arm in a predefined position and moving the arm in a predefined manner;

indicating that a desired calibration position has been reached by holding the arm still for an extended period of time; and

confirming that the calibration position has been reached with a rapid movement of the arm.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of confirming is performed after the indication that a desired calibration position has been reached is acknowledged by the arm or an auxiliary device in communication with the arm.

9. A method for calibrating an articulated arm CMM comprising:

indicating a calibration point and an associated arm calibration position to a user;

moving a distal end of an articulated arm to the calibration point; and

moving the articulated arm to the calibration position.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of indicating a calibration point and associated arm calibration position comprises displaying the arm calibration position.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of displaying the current position of the articulated arm during the moving steps.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of displaying a calibration artifact representative of one or more calibration positions.

13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of highlighting a portion out of alignment from the calibration position.

14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of indicating that a calibration position has been reached.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of indicating that a calibration position has been reached comprises holding the arm still for an extended period of time.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of indicating that a calibration position has been reached comprises a change in display, sound, or color.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising confirming that a calibration position has been reached by rapidly moving the arm.