Patent ID: 9746307
Date: 2017-08-29
CPC Classifications: G01B

Claim:
1. A system for measuring three-dimensional coordinates of an object in space, comprising: an portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) in a AACMM frame of reference having an origin, the AACMM having a manually positionable arm portion, a base, a noncontact measurement device, and an electronic circuit, the arm portion having an opposed first end and second end, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the plurality of connected arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing a plurality of position signals, the first end connected to the base; a first electronic circuit configured for receiving the plurality of position signals from the at least one position transducer and for providing data corresponding to a position of the noncontact measurement device, the first electronic circuit having a first processor; a second electronic circuit disposed within the second end, the second electronic circuit having a second processor, a first communications switch and a second communications switch; a first data bus coupled between the first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit, the first data bus configured to operate on a first communications protocol; a second data bus coupled between the first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit; a third data bus coupled between the first communications switch and the first electronic circuit; a fourth data bus coupled between the second communications switch and the first electronic circuit; the non-contact measurement device coupled to the second end and electrically coupled to the second electronic circuit; and wherein the first communications switch and the second communications switch are configured to operably couple the second data bus, the third data bus and the fourth data bus into a single logical data bus in response to a second signal, the single logical data bus configured to operate on a second communications protocol, the second communications protocol being different than the first communications protocol.