Patent ID: 7246032
Filing Date: 2007-07-17
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
1. A multimode measuring instrument including: a user interface for performing a ratiometric measurement, the user interface comprising a user-operated mode selecting arrangement operable to select a ratiometric measurement mode as a current mode of operation; a signal processing and control portion; a user-operated reference-dimension setting element operable during the ratiometric measurement mode of operation to cause the signal processing and control portion to set a ratiometric reference dimension based on a relationship between two relatively moveable members of the measuring instrument at the time the reference-dimension setting element is operated; and a numeric measurement indicating portion, wherein: the multimode measuring instrument is one of (i) a linear measuring instrument wherein the ratiometric reference dimension corresponds to a distance between the two relatively moveable members of the measuring instrument at the time the user-operated reference-dimension setting element is operated, and (ii) an angular measuring instrument wherein the ratiometric reference dimension corresponds to an angle between the two relatively moveable members of the measuring instrument at the time the user-operated reference-dimension setting element is operated; the ratiometric measurement mode operates such that when a set of operations consisting of setting the ratiometric reference dimension and selecting the ratiometric measurement mode as the current mode of operation is performed, then a ratiometric number equivalent to dividing the dimension corresponding to a current separation between the two relatively movable members of the measuring instrument by the ratiometric reference dimension is automatically displayed using the numeric measurement indicating portion; and the user-operated reference-dimension setting element is a switch element that consists of one of a button, a miniature touch screen element, and a voice activated control circuit, and the user-operated reference-dimension setting element is operable by a single user operation consisting of activating the switch element a single time, in order to cause the signal processing and control portion to set the ratiometric reference dimension.