DATA TRANSFER BUS IN PROFILE AND/OR DIMENSION MEASURING SYSTEM

Abstract: A data transfer bus in a profile and/or dimension measuring system is used to exchange data between plural controllers and plural passive devices and provided with data lines capable of transferring a measurement data signal, a command signal, a status signal, and an address signal corres­ ponding to each unit and a measurement data latch line capa­ ble of transferring a measurement data latch signal. Thus, an expansion of the system can extremely be facilitated, a detection error of the edge of an object to be measured can be minimized, and high data transfer efficiency can be as­ sured without complication of hardware.

Description: The present invention relates to an arrangement of a data transfer bus in a profile and/or dimension measuring system, with at least one X-Y counter, one Z counter, one edge sensor and periphery units, each of which includes a CPU, whereby the data transfer bus is connected to a plural of controllers and a plural of passive devices and comprises at least data lines transferring a command signal and a status signal in addition to a measurement data signal. US-A-4 367 525 decribes a system for monitoring the performance of peripheral devices connected to and accessed by a central processing unit via a CPU channel bus of the type which carries data, addresses, commands, status information and a plurality of condition flags. There are several channel buses necessary to connect the elements to a system. Raw data are not directly transferred to measuring counters through a data transfer bus. In a profile and/or dimension measuring system, it is indispensable for a future development of the system that a Z-axis counter measuring a profile in a direction of a Z axis of an object to be measured and an angle counter directly measuring angle components of an object to be measured are incorporated therein. Since, however, the data transfer bus in the conventional profile and/or dimension measuring system is a unidirectional one-to-one bus, it is necessary to add connectors each time the system is expanded, as shown in Fig. 1. As a result, problems have been encountered that the complication of hardware and the trouble of an expansion work render the expansion of the system difficult and the incorporation of the Z-axis counter and the angle counter in the system is not facilitated. Further, in the profile and/or dimension measuring system, it is also indispensable for the development of the system that an edge detecting device such as an edge sensor or a touch probe is incorporated therein. In such a case, when the edge detecting device detects an edge of the object to be measured, it is necessary to temporarily latch measurement contents derived from individual measuring counters and to execute processing (such as printing with a printer) in accordance with the latched measurement contents. That is, when the edge is detected, it is necessary to transmit the result of the detection to individual measuring units. In this conventional system, however, there have been difficulties that since the data transfer bus is not constructed to transmit a measurement data latch signal, complete synchronization of hardware is not carried out and resultant deviation between an actual edge detection position and a latch position causes a detection error. Specifically, when the edge sensor detects the edge, this information is converted into command to be outputted to the bus and each measuring unit inputting the command latches a counter value (i.e., measurement contents) after interpreting the command. For the reason of such procedure, a time lag occurs and deviation, namely, a detection error Δx is produced between the edge detection position and the latch position as depicted in Fig. 2. When a relative velocity between the edge sensor and the object increases, the detection error is so significant that it cannot be disregarded. Thus, although it is suggested that the latch signal is transmitted through other signal line, independently of the data transfer bus, such will cause a problem that hardware such as connectors, cables, etc. is complicated. Furthermore, in the profile measuring system, it is necessary to remote-control various operations from an external portion. However, problems have been brought about that since the conventional data transfer bus is the unidirectional one such that only the measurement data can be transferred, such operation as the clear of the counter cannot be controlled by a host CPU and the like from an external portion as shown in Fig. 3. Although it is therefore considered that an independent signal line is provided inside the bus, such develops troubles that hardware is complicated and the signal line must be increased in the expansion of the system, with the result that the hardware is further complicated. In addition, while it is also suggested that a remote key is attached to each unit, such brings about problems that operability becomes poor and hardware is complicated. Further, there has also been other problem that because the conventional data transfer bus is the unidirectional one and can transfer only the measurement data, the transfer of the measurement data is continuously made regardless of whether or not the data are required and a measurement unit must be added to the data each time as depicted in Fig. 4, with the result that its transfer efficiency is low. An object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer bus in a profile and/or dimension measuring system designed so that the incorporation of a Z-axis counter and an angle counter in the system is facilitated and thereby the expansion of the system can be performed with great ease. Another object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer bus in a profile and/or dimension measuring system designed so that when an edge of an object is detected, measurement contents of each measuring counter can be latched without any time lag and thereby a detection error is minimized. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer bus in a profile and/or dimension measuring system in which remote control from an external portion is made possible, hardware is not complicated, and high transfer efficiency can be assured. Specifically, the present invention is directed to solve the problem of prior art that in the edge detection, since the process is followed such that information is converted into a command to be outputted to the bus and each measuring unit inputting the command, after interpreting it, latches a counter value as measuring data, a time lag is produced with the resultant detection error due to the shift between the edge detection position and the latch position, and to latch the measuring data of each counter without any time lag when the edge has been detected, thereby minimizing the detection error. These objects of the invention are achieved by that, the data transfer bus being connected to the X-Y counter and Z counter is a bidirectional bus that includes a measurement data latch line for transferring a measurement latch signal being directly connected to individual latches of measuring counters through buffers so that raw data output from the edge detector of edge sensor are directly input into the latches of measuring counters through data transfer bus without intermediation of the CPUs of X-Y counter and Z counter. Further characteristics of the invention are described in the dependent claims. A bidirectional data transfer bus according to the present invention includes at least data lines transferring a command signal, a status signal, and the like in addition to a measurement data signal, and a measurement data latch line transferring a measurement data latch signal. Accordingly, when the data transfer bus of the present invention is employed, a controller and a passive device of the profile and/or dimension measuring system can be constructed as shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, respectively. Further, since the data transfer bus is adapted to exchange data between plural controllers and plural passive devices, the bus renders it unnecessary to add connectors in the expansion of the system as shown in Fig. 6 and, as a result, complicationfree hardware and an easy expansion work facilitate the expansion of the system. Therefore, the Z-axis counter, angle counter and edge detecting device can be incorporated in the profile measuring system without any difficulty. Also, Fig. 6 shows an example of use of two connectors and, if the connector is of a ductile type, one connector will do. In addition, the data transfer bus of the present invention is constructed to be capable of transferring the measurement data latch signal, so that the conversion of information into command and the interpretation of command are not required in the edge detection and the measurement contents of each measuring counter can be latched without any time lag. As a result, deviation between the edge detection position and the latch position is hardly caused and the detection error can be minimized. Moreover, the data transfer bus of the present invention is the bidirectional one and is designed to be capable of transferring the command signal and the status signal in addition to the measurement data signal, so that a host CPU or a remote key allows remote control from an external portion as depicted in Fig. 6. Also, from the same reason, it is possible that, when a power source is turned on, a measurement unit and setup contents of each unit and the units connected to the bus (namely, turned on) are registered and, in the case of a setup change, re-registration takes place each time. Hence, the controller can extend its service to only the unit connected to the bus and the addition of the measurement unit can be omitted in the transfer of the measurement data as shown in Fig. 7, with the result that the transfer efficiency can be raised. Further, an address signal is added to the command signal and thereby address lines can also be omitted as shown in Figs. 8A and 8B. In this case, the unit inputting the command interprets an address part to meet only the corresponding command. These and other objects as well as the features and the advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a view showing an example of an expansion of a conventional system; Fig. 2 is a view showing deviation between an edge detection position and a latch position which is caused by the conventional system; Fig. 3 is a view showing that remote control is impossible in the conventional system; Fig. 4 is a view showing an example of measurement data in the conventional system; Figs. 5A and 5B are views showing structural examples of a controller and a passive device, respectively, in the case of the use of a data transfer bus according to the present invention; Figs. 6 and 7 are views showing examples of the expansion of the system and the measurement data, respectively, in the case of the use of the data transfer bus according to the present invention; Figs. 8A and 8B are views showing other structural examples of the controller and the passive device, respectively, in the case of the use of a data transfer bus according to the present invention; Figs. 9A and 9B are block circuit diagrams of a profile measuring system using an embodiment of the data transfer bus according to the present invention; and Figs. 10 and 11 are flow charts of an initial register operation and a printing operation by a key input, respectively, in the block diagram of Fig. 9. In accordance with an embodiment shown in the drawings, the present invention will be described in detail below. In Figs. 9A, 9B, reference numeral 10, represents an X-Y counter including a CPU 11, an X counter 12, an X latch 13, a Y counter 14, a Y latch 15, a bidirection buffer 16, and a buffer 17. Reference numeral 20 represents a Z counter including a CPU 21, a Z counter 22, a Z latch 23, a bidirection buffer 24, and a buffer 25. Reference numeral 30 represents an edge sensor including a CPU 31, an edge detector 32, a bidirection buffer 33, and a buffer 34. Reference numeral 40 represents a printer including a CPU 41, a printer section 42, a key 43, a bidirection buffer 44, a buffer 45, a bidirection buffer 46, and a remote control key 47. Reference numeral 50 represents a data transfer bus of the present invention comprising a data line 51, a strobe line 52, a direction discrimination line 53, an address line 54, a service demand line 55, and a measurement data latch line 56 and, throught the data transfer bus 50, the X-Y counter 10, the Z counter 20, the edge sensor 30, and the printer 40 are connected to each other. Next, an operating principle of the profile measuring system described above will be explained. [1] Initial register operation (Refer to Fig. 9) (1) When the power source is turned on, the CPU 11 of the X-Y counter 10 activates a service demand signal. (1') When the power source is turned on, the CPU 21 of the Z counter 20 activates the service demand signal. (1") When the power source is turned on, the CPU 31 of the edge sensor 30 activates the service demand signal. (2) When the service demand signal becomes active, the CPU 41 of the printer 40 activates a direction discrimination signal and simultaneously turns the direction of the bidirection buffer 44 to an output mode. Further, the untis of the X-Y counter 10 are addressed. After this, the command signal is fed to the X-Y counter 10. The CPU 41 then deactivates the direction discrimination signal and is placed in a wait state for the return of the status signal. (3) In the bidirection buffer 16 of the X-Y counter 10, the direction discrimination signal becomes active and thereby its direction turns to an input mode. Also, when the units are addressed, the CPU 11 acknowledges that a self-unit (i.e., units included in its system)is specified. Next, when the command signal is inputted, the CPU 11 interprets its contents and then returns the status of the self-unit to the bus 50. After this, the CPU 11 deactivates the service demand signal. Since, however, the service demand signal is made by wired OR connection, it is in an active state within the printer 40 as long as the service demand signals in the Z counter 20 and the edge sensor 30 are active. (4) The CPU 41 of the printer 40 registers the X-Y counter 10 when inputting the return of the status signal. Conversely, when the status signal is not returned, the registration is not executed. In other words, unless the power source of the X-Y counter 10 is turned on or unless the X-Y counter 10 is connected to the bus 50, the registration will not be carried out because the status signal is not returned. (5) If the service demand signal is active at that time, the CPU 41 of the printer 40 performs the same operation as in procedures (2), (3) and (4) with respect to the Z counter 20. The same applies to the edge sensor 30. [2] Printing operation with key input (Refer to Fig. 9) (1) When a printing indication key of the key 43 of the printer 40 is depressed, the CPU 41 activates a counter latch signal. (2) The signal line of the counter latch signal is directly connected to the X latch 13 and the Y latch 15 of the X-Y counter 10 through the buffer 17 and, when this signal becomes active, the X latch 13 and the Y latch 15 latch counting data of the X counter 12 and the Y counter 14, respectively. (3) The CPU 41 of the printer 40 addresses the units of the X-Y counter 10 and activates the direction discrimination signal. Thus, the direction of the bidirection buffer 44 turns to the output mode. However, where the X-Y counter 10 is not registered, the same operation is performed with respect to the Z counter 20. (4) When the units are addressed, the CPU 11 of the X-Y counter 10 acknowledges that the self-unit is specified. Also, the direction discrimination signal becomes active and thereby the direction of the bidirection buffer 16 turns to the input mode. (5) The CPU 41 of the printer 41 feeds the command signal to the X-Y counter 10. Then, the CPU 41 deactivates the direction discrimination signal. Thereby, the bidirection buffer 44 enters the input mode. Next, the CPU 41 is placed in a wait state for the return of the measurement data. (6) When inputting the command signal, the CPU 11 of the X-Y counter 10 interprets the contents. After this, the CPU 11 fetches measurement data from the X latch 13 and the Y latch 15. The measurement data are then outputted to the bus 50. (7) The CPU 41 of the printer 40 inputs the measurement data for storing. (The operations of procedures (3)∼(7) are performed in relation to the Z counter 20. However, unless the Z counter 20 is registered, the operations are not performed.) (8) The printer 40 outputs all of the inputted measurement data to the printer section 42. [3] Operation with remote key input (where an X counter reset key is ON) (1) When the X counter reset key of the remote control key 47 in the printer 40 is depressed, the CPU 41 addresses the units of the X-Y counter 10. Further, the CPU 41 activates the direction discrimination signal. The bidirection buffer 44 thus enters the output mode. (2) When the units are addressed, the CPU 11 of the X-Y counter 10 acknowledges that the self-unit is specified. Also, the direction discrimination signal becomes active and thereby the bidirection buffer 16 turns to the input mode. (3) The CPU 41 of the printer 40 feeds the command signal to the X-Y counter 10. (4) When the command signal is inputted to the counter 10, the CPU 11 of the X-Y counter 10 interprets its contents. After this, the CPU 11 activates a clear signal of the X counter 12, thereby clearing the X counter 12. [4] Where the edge sensor detects the edge of an object to be measured: (1) When the edge detector 32 of the edge sensor 30 detects the edge of the object to be measured, a detecting signal is activated. Simultaneously, the counter latch signal turns active through the buffer 34 and the CPU 31 recognizes that the edge of the object has been detected. (2) The signal line of the counter latch signal is directly connected to the X latch 13 and the Y latch 15 of the X-Y counter 10 through the buffer 17 and, when this signal becomes active, the X latch 13 and the Y latch 15 latch the counting data of the X counter 12 and the Y counter 14, respectively. (3) The signal line of the counter latch signal is directly connected to the Z latch 23 of the Z counter 20 through the buffer 25 and, when the signal turns active, the Z latch 23 latches the counting data of the Z counter 22. (4) The signal line of the counter latch signal is connected to the CPU 41 of the printer 40 through the bidirection buffer 46 and, when the signal turns active, the CPU 41 recognizes that the edge has been detected. The CPU 41 then addresses the units of the X-Y counter 10. Further, it activates the direction discrimination signal. Thereby, the bidirection buffer 44 enters the output mode. However, where the X-Y counter 10 is not registered, the same operation is performed with regard to the Z counter 20. (5) When the units are addressed, the CPU 11 of the X-Y counter 10 acknowledges that the self-unit is specified. Further, the direction discrimination signal becomes active and thus the bidirection buffer 16 turns to the input mode. (6) The CPU 41 of the printer 40 transmits the command signal to the X-Y counter 10. After that, the CPU 41 deactivates the direction discrimination signal. Thus, the bidirection buffer 44 enters the input mode. Next, the CPU 41 is placed in a wait state for the return of the measurement data. (7) When the command signal is inputted to the X-Y counter 10, the CPU 11 of the X-Y counter 10 interprets its contents. After that, the measurement data are fetched from the X latch 13 and the Y latch 15. The measurement data are then outputted to the bus 50. (8) The CPU 41 of the printer 40 inputs and stores the measurement data. (The operations of procedures (4) ∼(8) are performed with respect to the Z counter 20. However, unless the Z counter 20 is registered, the operations are not performed.) (9) The CPU 41 of the printer 40 outputs all of the inputted measurement data to the printer section 42. Subsequently, the CPU 41 addresses the units of the edge sensor 30. Further, the direction discrimination signal is activated. Thereby, the bidirection buffer 44 turns to the output mode. (10) When the units are addressed, the CPU 31 of the edge sensor 30 recognizes that the self-unit is specified. Also, the direction discrimination signal is activated and thereby the bidirection buffer 33 enters the input mode. (11) The CPU 41 of the printer 40 inputs the command signal to the edge sensor 30. (12) When the command signal is inputted, the CPU 31 of the edge sensor 30 interprets its contents. After that, the CPU 31 releases the detection state of the edge detector 32. The subsequent edge detection is thus made possible. As described above, the data transfer bus in the profile and/or dimension measuring system according to the present invention facilitates extremely the expansion of the system to easily incorporate the Z-axis counter and the angle counter in the system, latches the measurement contents of each measuring counter without any time lag in the edge detection so that the detection error can be minimized, makes it possible to perform the remote control from an external portion, prevents hardware from being complicated, and can raise the transfer efficiency.

Claims: Arrangement of a data transfer bus in a profile and/or dimension measuring system, with at least one X-Y counter (10), one Z counter (20), one edge sensor (30) and periphery units, each of which includes a CPU, whereby the data transfer bus (50) is connected to a plural of controllers and a plural of passive devices and comprises at least data lines transferring a command signal and a status signal in addition to a measurement data signal, characterized in that, the data transfer bus (50) being connected to the X-Y counter (10) and Z counter (20) is a bidirectional bus that includes a measurement data latch line (56) for transferring a measurement latch signal being directly connected to individual latches (13, 15; 23) of measuring counter (12, 14; 22) through buffers (17; 25) so that raw data output from the edge detector (32) of edge sensor (30) are directly input into the latches (13, 15; 23) of measuring counter (12, 14; 22) through data transfer bus (50) without intermediation of the CPUs (11, 21) of X-Y counter (10) and Z counter (20). Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that, the data transfer bus (50) is connected to bidirection buffers (16, 24, 33) of X-Y counter (10), Z counter (20), edge sensor (30) being connected to CPUs (11, 21, 31). Arrangement according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that, the buffers (17, 25) and buffer (34) of edge sensor (30) are connected to the bidirection buffers (16, 24, 33) and CPUs (11, 21, 31).

Inventors: YUKAWA, HIROSHI
Applicants: OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G01B7
IPC codes: G01B21, G08C15, G01B7, G06F13