Off-line graphical user interface system and method for three-dimensional measurement

1. An off-line graphical user interface (GUI) system for input control of a three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine (CMM) using the CMM's probe, comprising:

a passive physical representation of a GUI image existing in at least two dimensions, said passive physical representation of a GUI image presenting a plurality of control operation icons associated with the CMM, each of said control operation icons being indicative of an operational function of the CMM; and

a central processing unit (CPU) programmed to carry out a plurality of functions, said CPU adapted to interface with the CMM, said CPU using the CMM to locate said passive physical representation of a GUI image in a coordinate system of the CMM;

said functions including defining coordinates of said control operation icons,

referencing said coordinates to the coordinate system of the CMM,

defining, for each of said control operation icons, a respective three-dimensional spatial zone corresponding uniquely to each of said control operation icons, each said spatial zone extending from one of said control operation icons associated therewith, each said spatial zone referenced to the coordinate system of the CMM and identifying, for said CPU, the operational function of the CMM associated with said one of said control operation icons, and

defining, for each said spatial zone, a respective three-dimensional function activation zone that is volumetrically smaller than and disposed within each said spatial zone, each said function activation zone defining one of a plurality of specific movements of the CMM's probe within said function activation zone required to activate the operational function of the CMM associated with one of said control operation icons corresponding thereto, wherein only satisfaction of said one of said plurality of specific movements causes the operational function of the CMM to be carried out by the CMM.

2. A system as in claim 1 , wherein said passive physical representation of a GUI image exists in three dimensions.

3. A system as in claim 1 , wherein said passive physical representation of a GUI image further visually presents at least three reference positions, each of said reference positions located on said passive physical representation of a GUI image in an area thereof not coincident with said control operation icons, said at least three reference positions being non-collinear.

4. A system as in claim 3 , wherein each of said reference positions comprises a three-dimensional feature.

5. A system as in claim 3 , wherein each of said reference positions comprises a depression in said passive physical representation of a GUI image that is adapted to at least partially receive the CMM's probe therein.

6. A system as in claim 1 , wherein said CPU generates a first signal whenever the CMM's probe enters each said spatial zone, and wherein said CPU generates a second signal whenever the CMM's probe enters each said function activation zone.

7. A system as in claim 6 , further comprising at least one output device coupled to said CPU, wherein said first signal is applied to said at least one output device to produce a first sensory output, and wherein said second signal is applied to said at least one output device to produce a second sensory output that is different from said first sensory output.

8. A system as in claim 7 , wherein at least one of said first sensory output and said second sensory output comprises a speech output.

9. A system as in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of specific movements of the CMM's probe includes movement of the CMM's probe into and then out of said function activation zone within a predetermined period of time, movement of the CMM's probe into said function activation zone and retention therein, and movement of the CMM's probe into said function activation zone and subsequent movement therein.

10. A system as in claim 1 , wherein said passive physical representation of a GUI image comprises image media adapted to be applied on a surface.

11. A system as in claim 1 , wherein said passive physical representation of a GUI image is portable.

12. A system as in claim 1 , wherein said passive physical representation of a GUI image is flexible.

13. A system as in claim 1 , further comprising an attachment device coupled to said passive physical representation of a GUI image and adapted to be coupled to a surface, wherein said passive physical representation of a GUI image is fixed in position relative to the surface.

14. An off-line graphical user interface (GUI) system for input control of a three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine (CMM) using the CMM's probe, comprising:

a passive physical representation of a GUI image existing in at least two dimensions, said passive physical representation of a GUI image presenting a plurality of control operation icons associated with the CMM, each of said control operation icons being indicative of an operational function of the CMM, said passive physical representation of a GUI image visually presenting at least three reference positions, each of said reference positions located on said passive physical representation of a GUI image in an area thereof not coincident with said control operation icons, said at least three reference positions being non-collinear; and

a central processing unit (CPU) programmed to carry out a plurality of functions, said CPU adapted to interface with the CMM, said controller using the CMM to locate said passive physical representation of a GUI image in a coordinate system of the CMM using said at least three reference positions,

said functions including defining coordinates of said control operation icons;

referencing said coordinates to the coordinate system of the CMM;

defining a three-dimensional spatial zone corresponding uniquely to each of said control operation icons, each said spatial zone bounded in two dimensions by one of said control operation icons associated therewith, each said spatial zone extending in a third dimension from said one of said control operation icons associated therewith and identifying, for said CPU, the operational function of the CMM associated with said one of said control operation icons, wherein said two dimensions and said third dimension are referenced to the coordinate system of the CMM; and

defining a three-dimensional function activation zone that is volumetrically smaller than and disposed within each said spatial zone and adjacent to one of said control operation icons associated therewith, each said function activation zone defining one of a plurality of specific movements of the CMM's probe within said function of the CMM associated with one of said control operation icons corresponding thereto, wherein only satisfaction of said one of said plurality of specific movements causes the operational function of the CMM to be carried out by the CMM.

15. A system as in claim 14 , wherein said passive physical representation of a GUI image exists in three dimensions.

16. A system as in claim 14 , wherein each of said reference positions comprises a three-dimensional feature.

17. A system as in claim 14 , wherein each of said reference positions comprises a depression in said passive physical representation of a GUI image that is adapted to at least partially receive the CMM's probe therein.

18. A system as in claim 14 , wherein said CPU generates a first signal whenever the CMM's probe enters each said spatial zone, and wherein said controller generates a second signal whenever the CMM's probe enters each said function activation zone.

19. A system as in claim 18 , further comprising at least one output device coupled to said CPU, wherein said first signal is applied to said at least one output device to produce a first sensory output, and wherein said second signal is applied to said at least one output device to produce a second sensory output that is different from said first sensory output.

20. A system as in claim 19 , wherein at least one of said first sensory output and said second sensory output comprises a speech output.

21. A system as in claim 14 , wherein said plurality of specific movements of the CMM's probe includes movement of the CMM's probe into and then out of said function activation zone within a predetermined period of time, movement of the CMM's probe into said function activation zone and retention therein, and movement of the CMM's probe into said function activation zone and subsequent movement therein.

22. A system as in claim 14 , wherein said passive physical representation of a GUI image comprises image media adapted to be applied on a surface.

23. A system as in claim 14 , wherein said passive physical representation of a GUI image is portable.

24. A system as in claim 14 , wherein said passive physical representation of a GUI image is flexible.

25. A system as in claim 14 , further comprising an attachment device coupled to said passive physical representation of a GUI image and adapted to be coupled to a surface, wherein said passive physical representation of a GUI image is fixed in position relative to the surface.

26. A method of controlling a three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine (CMM) using the CMM's probe and an off-line graphical user interface (GUI), comprising the steps of:

providing a passive physical representation of a GUI image in at least two dimensions, said passive physical representation of a GUI image presenting a plurality of control operation icons associated with the CMM, each of said control operation icons being indicative of an operational function of the CMM;

defining coordinates of said control operation icons;

locating said passive physical representation of a GUI image in a coordinate system of the CMM using the CMM's probe;

referencing said coordinates of said control operation icons to the coordinate system of the CMM;

defining a three-dimensional spatial zone corresponding uniquely to each of said control operation icons, each said spatial zone extending from one of said control operation icons associated therewith, each said spatial zone referenced to the coordinate system of the CMM and identifying, for said CPU, the operational function of the CMM associated with said one of said control operation icons;

defining a three-dimensional function activation zone that is volumetrically smaller than and disposed within each said spatial zone, each said function activation zone defining one of a plurality of specific movements of the CMM's probe within said function activation zone required to activate the operational function of the CMM associated with one of said control operation icons corresponding thereto;

positioning the CMM's probe in a selected one said Function activation zone; and

moving the CMM's probe within said selected one said function activation zone in accordance with said one of said specific movements associated therewith, wherein only satisfaction of said one of said specific movements causes the operational function of the CMM associated with one of said control operation icons corresponding thereto to be carried out by the CMM.

27. A method according to claim 26 , wherein passive physical representation of a GUI image exists in three dimensions.

28. A method according to claim 26 , wherein said passive physical representation of a GUI image further visually presents at least three reference positions, each of said reference positions located on said passive physical representation of a GUI image in an area thereof not coincident with said control operation icons, said reference positions being non-collinear, and wherein said step of locating includes the steps of:

positioning the CMM's probe at one of said reference positions;

recording a location of the CMM's probe so-positioned within the coordinate system of the CMM; and

repeating said steps of positioning and recording for a remainder of said reference positions.

29. A method according to claim 28 , wherein said step of locating includes the step of identifying said plurality of control operation icons associated with said passive physical representation of a GUI image using said reference positions.

30. A method according to claim 28 , wherein each of said reference positions comprises a three-dimensional feature.

31. A method according to claim 28 , wherein each of said reference positions comprises a depression in said passive physical representation of a GUI image that is adapted to at least partially receive the CMM's probe therein.

32. A method according to claim 26 , further comprising the steps of:

generating a first signal whenever the CMM's probe enters each said spatial zone; and

generating a second signal whenever the CMM's probe enters each said function activation zone.

33. A method according to claim 32 , further comprising the steps of:

converting said first signal to a first sensory output; and

converting said second signal to a second sensory output that is different from said first sensory output.

34. A method according to claim 33 , wherein at least one of said first sensory output and said second sensory output comprises audible speech.

35. A method according to claim 26 , wherein said plurality of specific movements of the CMM's probe includes movement of the CMM's probe into and then out of said function activation zone within a predetermined period of time, movement of the CMM's probe into said function activation zone and retention therein, and movement of the CMM's probe into said function activation zone and subsequent movement therein.

36. A method according to claim 26 , wherein said passive physical representation of a GUI image comprises image media, and wherein said step of providing comprises the step of applying said image media to a surface.