Patent Description:
The invention generally relates to coordinate measuring machines and, more particularly, the invention relates to jogboxes used with coordinate measurement machines.

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are the gold standard for accurately measuring a wide variety of different types of work pieces. For example, CMMs can measure critical dimensions of aircraft engine components, car engine cylinders, surgical tools, and gun barrels. Precise and accurate measurements help ensure that their underlying systems, such as an aircraft in the case of aircraft components, operate as specified.

CMMs typically have a probe extending from an arm that is movable in up to six dimensions. Many CMMs also have an adjunct device, known as a "jogbox," that enables an operator to control the CMM. For example, an operator may use a jogbox to precisely position the arm relative to an object being measured at the beginning of the measurement process.

<CIT> discloses a jogbox which can be incorporated into an integrated system of controllers and dimensional metrology software applications.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a jogbox for a coordinate measuring machine with a movable arm has a body forming an interior, a CMM interface configured with a CMM communication protocol to communicate with the coordinate measuring machine, and control hardware at least partially within the interior. The control hardware is configured to control the movable arm of the coordinate measuring machine using the CMM interface. The jogbox also has an energizing port for energizing or charging the jogbox, and an auxiliary port formed by the body and operatively coupled with the controlling hardware within the interior. The auxiliary port is configured to directly physically connect with at least one hardware accessory that has a hardware interface port. In addition, the auxiliary port is configured to rigidly, removably, and directly couple with the hardware interface port of the at least one hardware accessory.

The jogbox is configured to be operatively connected to the CMM with a communication cable. Moreover, the energizing port may be any of a variety of different types of ports, such as a wireless energizing port (using a direct connection) or a wired energizing port (i.e., requiring a physical connection, such as a cable). To facilitate use, the body is configured to be hand-held.

When coupled, the housing and the hardware accessory may form a removably coupled unitary object. The jogbox also may have a display operatively coupled with the auxiliary port. Among other things, the hardware accessory may include one or more of a thermal camera, a bar code scanner, a label printer, a display device, a joystick, and an additional control interface to the control hardware. The hardware accessory may have any of a variety of form factors, such as a dongle.

The auxiliary port may be configured in accordance with any of a variety of different interface standards, such as a USB standard (i.e., a USB port). For security purposes, the jogbox also may include an authentication sensor for authenticating a user. For example, the authenticator sensor may include a fingerprint scanner. To those ends, the authentication sensor may be operatively coupled with the control hardware, or some external security apparatus.

Some embodiments of a handheld jogbox include a counterweight interface configured to receive and retain a set of counterweights. For example, the counterweight interface in some embodiments includes a receptacle having a volume within the interior of the jogbox, which receptacle is configured to retain a set of counterweights within the interior. To that end, some embodiments include a cover configured to close the receptacle and retain a set of counterweights within the receptacle.

In other embodiments, the counterweight interface is configured to hold a set of counterweights external to the interior of the jogbox. Examples of such a counterweight interface include a connector (e.g., a threaded or press-fit connector) to which one or more counterweights <NUM> may be removably coupled.

Those skilled in the art should more fully appreciate advantages of various embodiments of the invention from the following "Description of Illustrative Embodiments," discussed with reference to the drawings summarized immediately below.

In illustrative embodiments, a jogbox for a coordinate measuring machine ("CMM") has an interface to rigidly, removably, and directly connect with an accessory hardware device. Among other things, the hardware accessory device may be one or more of a thermal camera, a bar code scanner, a label printer, a display device, a joystick, a wireless interface to wirelessly connect with other devices (e.g., using Near Field Communication standards) and an additional control interface to internal control hardware. The hardware accessory may have any of a variety of form factors, such as a dongle. Details of illustrative embodiments are discussed below.

<FIG> schematically shows one embodiment of a CMM system <NUM> having a coordinate measuring machine <NUM> ("CMM <NUM>") and a jogbox <NUM> with one or more interfaces to accommodate the above noted accessory hardware devices. To that end, the coordinate measuring machine <NUM> includes a movable portion, including a carriage <NUM>, a bridge <NUM> and a Z-ram <NUM>, for moving an articulating probe <NUM> in the X, Y and Z directions respectively. To control the CMM <NUM>, a coordinate measuring machine controller <NUM> operatively couples to actuators of the carriage <NUM>, the bridge <NUM>, and the Z-ram <NUM> via a cable <NUM> or other means (e.g., wirelessly). As the controller <NUM> receives coordinate measurement data from the CMM <NUM>, it sends the data via a connection <NUM> to a computer <NUM> configured to execute a dimensional metrology application (e.g., a measuring platform, such as PC-DMIS, distributed by Hexagon Metrology, Inc. The dimensional metrology application may analyze the data and, in some embodiments, determine additional desired measurements. In addition, the dimensional metrology application may provide corresponding control commands to controller <NUM>.

The jogbox <NUM> may be used to manually control the CMM <NUM>. Manual control may be used, for example, to establish an initial positioning of a work piece/object to be measured, to develop part programs, or to place the probe <NUM> in a safe position when securing or removing the work piece/object. The jogbox has interface controls, such as buttons and/or a joystick <NUM> that generates and sends signals to the controller <NUM>, causing controlled probe movement. The jogbox <NUM> may be operatively connected to the coordinate measuring machine controller <NUM> (i.e. and thus to the CMM <NUM>) with a communications cable <NUM> and/or with a wireless connection <NUM> (e.g., a Wi-Fi or RF connection). It should be noted that while <FIG> shows the CMM <NUM> as a bridge-type CMM <NUM>, those skilled in the art recognize that illustrative embodiments may be used with other types of coordinate measuring machines. For example, some embodiments contemplate use with a cantilever coordinate measuring machine. Also, an articulating probe <NUM> is not required as the CMM <NUM> may use any of a variety of other suitable probes <NUM> (e.g., contact or non-contact probes).

In illustrative embodiments, the jogbox <NUM> sends signals to the computer <NUM> to control the dimensional metrology application executed on the computer <NUM>. The dimensional metrology application preferably sends signals or control programs to the controller <NUM>. In preferred embodiments, those signals are sent via a CMM interface <NUM> on the jogbox using a proprietary or standard CMM protocol. Those signals and/or control programs instruct the controller <NUM> to move the probe <NUM> (in response to signals received by the dimensional metrology application from the jogbox <NUM>) through communications cable <NUM> and/or wireless connection <NUM>. In a manner similar to the connection between the jogbox <NUM> and the controller <NUM>, the communications cable <NUM> may be a dedicated cable used solely for communication between jogbox <NUM> and the dimensional metrology application executing on computer <NUM>. In other embodiments, communications cable <NUM> may be configured to communicate with other software, firmware and/or hardware of computer <NUM> and/or to communicate with controller <NUM> through computer <NUM>.

The computer <NUM> may send measurement data or other information to jogbox <NUM> (e.g., directly or via controller <NUM>). To enhance the user experience, the jogbox <NUM> may include a display screen <NUM>. In illustrative embodiments, the display screen <NUM> acts as a user interface and a mechanism for graphically displaying helpful information to the user. To those end, the display screen <NUM> may include a simple non-interactive display (e.g., an LED display), or a touch screen that enables the user to control the jogbox <NUM> and/or the CMM <NUM>. The latter embodiment thus may present as a customized graphical user interface element for the metrology application. As such, the user may input data by touching the area of the touch screen associated with one or more interface elements. Among other things, the touch screen implementation may include one or more separate elements overlaying the display screen <NUM>, may be attached to the display screen <NUM>, may be integral with the display screen <NUM>, or may be otherwise associated with the screen <NUM>.

The dimensional metrology application is permitted to control the graphics display on a portion or all of a display screen <NUM> of jogbox <NUM>. For purposes herein, the term "graphic" encompasses not only drawings, figures, icons, etc., but also alpha-numeric text. The graphics may include information from the dimensional metrology application and/or represent a virtual interface element to accept inputs to the dimensional metrology application from the jogbox <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically show two perspective views of the noted jogbox <NUM> configured in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. These views show the jogbox <NUM> as having a body/housing with a lower portion 38A having a plurality of hand controls, and a raised portion 38B having the display screen <NUM>. The hand controls preferably are positioned so that they are accessible by the thumbs of a typical user holding the device with both hands. Among other things, exemplary arrangement of <FIG> shows a plurality of hand controls, such as the prior noted joysticks <NUM>, as well as buttons <NUM>, knobs, etc. Those skilled in the art may arrange the various hand controls, as well as the one or more display screens <NUM>, in any of a variety of manners and thus, the arrangement of those elements in the figures is exemplary.

The body forms an interior <NUM> that contains control hardware to perform the functionality of the jogbox (e.g., integrated circuits, printed circuits, memory, etc. on one or more printed circuit boards). In addition, this view shows the prior mentioned CMM interface <NUM>, which communicates with the CMM <NUM> using a CMM protocol. The jogbox <NUM> also may have an energizing port <NUM> for energizing or charging the jogbox <NUM>. As such, the jogbox <NUM> may have an internal battery and/or a power supply/module that enables it to be energize via a wired or wireless power connection.

In accordance with illustrative embodiments and as noted above, the jogbox <NUM> has an auxiliary port <NUM> formed by the body. This auxiliary port <NUM> is operatively coupled with the controlling hardware within the interior, and is specially configured to directly, physically, and removably connect with a corresponding hardware interface port (not shown) of at least one hardware accessory <NUM>. In illustrative embodiments, the auxiliary port <NUM> is configured to communicate with an accessory <NUM> to receive from the accessory <NUM> information produced by the accessory. For example, when the accessory <NUM> is a thermal camera, the auxiliary port <NUM> is configured to receive from the thermal camera an image captured by the thermal camera, and when the accessory <NUM> is a bar code scanner the auxiliary port <NUM> is configured to receive from the bar code scanner data representing a bar code read by the bar code scanner. In illustrative embodiments, the auxiliary port <NUM> is configured to communicate with an accessory <NUM> to provide control signals, such as a command for the accessory to execute a function (e.g., capture a thermal image; read a bar code, etc.). In illustrative embodiments, the auxiliary port <NUM> is configured to communicate with the coordinate measuring machine <NUM>, in contrast to a CMM interface <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the jogbox of <FIG> with a removably coupled auxiliary hardware device <NUM> attached to the jogbox via the auxiliary port <NUM>, in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. Preferably, when coupled, the hardware accessory <NUM> and body of the jogbox <NUM> effectively form a single, physically unitary device, which subsequently may be separated at the auxiliary port <NUM>. The hardware accessory <NUM> may be held onto the jogbox solely by the auxiliary port <NUM> or may attach to the jogbox body and/or the auxiliary port <NUM> via a supplemental fastener, e.g., via a snap-fit connection, clips, screws, bolts, or other fasteners. Alternatively, and in contrast, the accessory <NUM> may connect wirelessly (e.g., using near field communications) with the jogbox <NUM> without a direct, physical connection. As another example, the accessory <NUM> may physically connect with the jogbox <NUM> but still communicate with the jogbox <NUM> wirelessly.

In illustrative embodiments, the auxiliary hardware device/accessory <NUM> cooperates with internal hardware within the body of the jogbox <NUM> to perform any of a variety of functions. Of course, the auxiliary hardware device <NUM> preferably augments or otherwise supplements the core metrology functions of the CMM <NUM>. For example, as noted above, the auxiliary hardware device <NUM> may include one or more of a thermal camera, a bar code scanner, a label printer, a display device, a joystick, and an additional control interface to internal control hardware. In some embodiments, the auxiliary hardware device <NUM> and/or the internal circuitry of the jogbox <NUM> may control drones and/or robots. The auxiliary hardware device <NUM> also may simply augment the internal control hardware itself, such as by adding more processing power, a customized graphical user interface, etc. The auxiliary hardware may take on any of a variety of form factors, such as a dongle, or a larger apparatus. In certain exemplary embodiments, the control hardware will automatically detect the attached auxiliary hardware device, such as the device type or specific make/model, and will activate appropriate logic to allow for operation and use of the attached auxiliary hardware device. This may include, for example, presenting device-specific graphical user interface screens on an integral jogbox display or mapping controls on the jogbox to specific device functions (e.g., mapping a specific jogbox control to capture an image using an attached camera and mapping that same jogbox control to activate the print function of an attached label printer).

Some embodiments have more than one auxiliary port <NUM> (e.g., two, three or more) to accommodate more than one auxiliary hardware device <NUM>. In preferred embodiments, the jogbox is "plug and play" in that no extra driver or other application software installation steps are required to use the auxiliary hardware devices <NUM>. In other embodiments, the jogbox <NUM> requires an initial hardware driver step (loading driver software for the auxiliary hardware), such as from a wired or wireless network connection (i.e., the jogbox may have a communications device to communicate with a network, such as the Internet), or directly loaded via an interface port (e.g., a USB port that accepts a memory stick). The auxiliary hardware device <NUM> thus may include driver software, application software, or other software for a desired CMM augmenting functionality.

The auxiliary port <NUM> may be configured in accordance with any of a variety of different interface standards, such as a USB standard (i.e., a USB port) or a POGO-PIN connector. <FIG> shows a jogbox having an auxiliary port in the form of a POGO-PIN connector on the bottom of the jogbox, in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. <FIG> shows various types of accessory devices <NUM> and form-factors that can be attached to an auxiliary port <NUM>, such as but not limited to the POGO-PIN connector of the jogbox of <FIG>, to form an integrated device, in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. The accessories <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, any of the accessory devices described herein, including a UHF RFID reader; a smart card reader; a bar code scanner; a magnetic swipe card reader; a chip card reader; and a camera, to name but a few examples.

For security purposes, the jogbox <NUM> also may include an authentication sensor for authenticating a user. For example, the authenticator sensor may have a fingerprint and/or iris scanner <NUM>, as schematically illustrated in <FIG> for example. To those ends, the authentication sensor may be operatively coupled with the control hardware and or some external security apparatus having the requisite functionality for controlling the sensor and making security decisions.

As shown, the jogbox <NUM> preferably is portable. This embodiment of <FIG> is a handheld version in which an average person can hold it entirely in his/her hand(s), completely supporting the weight of the jogbox <NUM> and any attached auxiliary hardware device(s) <NUM>. As such, some embodiments of the jogbox <NUM> are designed to be operated while being held entirely in one or both of a single person's hand(s). This is in contrast to other embodiments which are non-hand-held versions, which may be coupled to or part of a console or larger apparatus and, despite being able to be held by a person's hands to some extent, is designed to be supported by a solid foundation (e.g., the floor or CMM body).

It should be noted that the jogbox <NUM> with attached auxiliary hardware device(s) <NUM> can provide enhanced flexibility for the operator. For example, a jogbox <NUM> with an attached bar code scanner can be used to scan a barcode on the work piece in the CMM machine such as to match CMM measurements to a previously-labeled work piece. In this regard, <FIG> shows a process flow for using such a jogbox with attached bar code scanner, in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. Here, the user positions the work piece on the CMM in block <NUM>, determines a portion to measure with the scanner and CMM in block <NUM>, scans the portion using the jogbox with attached scanner in block <NUM>, and measures the portion with the CMM in block <NUM>. Generally speaking, the CMM measurements are compared against a nominal model in block <NUM> in order to determine if the work piece is within predetermined specifications.

Of course, a jogbox with other types of attached auxiliary hardware device <NUM> can provide similar enhanced flexibility for the operator. For example, a jogbox with an attached label printer can be used to print a label for a specific work piece in the CMM machine such as to match CMM measurements to the specific work piece, and a jogbox with an attached camera can be used to capture images of a work piece in the CMM machine such as for documenting details of the work piece (e.g., defects found during a measurement of the work piece).

Thus, in exemplary embodiments, the same jogbox <NUM> can be used with different auxiliary hardware device(s) <NUM> at different times, with the user able to switch auxiliary hardware device(s) <NUM> as needed for a particular situation. Similarly, a particular auxiliary hardware device <NUM> can be used with different jogboxes. Consequently, embodiments of jogboxes <NUM> and auxiliary hardware devices <NUM> may provide a "mix-and-match" system that can reduce costs (e.g., fewer jogboxes may be needed) and facilitate replacement of defective parts (e.g., a broken bar code scanner can be replaced without having to replace an entire jogbox, and vice versa). Illustrative embodiments therefore take the place of many different instruments / devices that in the prior art required separate devices. Now, those devices may be used in a single, easy to use, portable form factor.

<FIG>, <FIG> schematically illustrate an embodiment of a jogbox <NUM> configured to be used with a set of one or more counterweights <NUM>, and <FIG> each schematically illustrates an embodiment of a jogbox coupled with a counterweight <NUM>. The jogbox <NUM> may be any of the handheld jogboxes described herein. As used herein, and in any claims, a "set" of counterweights <NUM> includes at least one counterweight <NUM>, such that a set of counterweights <NUM> may include as few as a single counterweight <NUM>, or more than one counterweight <NUM>.

The jogbox <NUM> has a weight attributable to the mass of its components, and a center of mass <NUM> attributable to the distribution of those components on and in the jogbox <NUM>.

In use, an operator holds the jogbox <NUM>, and typically holds the jogbox <NUM> in such a way that one portion of the jogbox <NUM> is nearer the operator's torso than other parts of the jogbox <NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG>, an operator may grasp the jogbox <NUM> with two hands - e.g., a left hand at grip location <NUM> and a right hand at grip location <NUM> - with the front edge <NUM> nearest the operator's torso. The operator therefore supports the weight of the jogbox <NUM> with the muscles of her hands and arms.

Some embodiments of the jogbox <NUM> may also have an axis of rotation <NUM> around which the jogbox <NUM> tends to rotate when held by an operator. For example, in the embodiment of <FIG>, the axis of rotation may be a line (<NUM>) that passes through the jogbox (e.g., through volume <NUM>) between grip location <NUM> and grip location <NUM>. In such embodiments, in addition to supporting the weight of the jogbox <NUM>, the muscles of the operator's hands and arms also work to counter that tendency to rotate.

Because the center of mass <NUM> and axis of rotation <NUM> of a jogbox <NUM> depends on the mass of its components and their distribution, different embodiments of a jogbox <NUM> will have a corresponding center of mass <NUM> and axis of rotation <NUM>.

Moreover, the tendency of the jogbox <NUM> to rotate may be exacerbated by the mass of an accessory <NUM>, such as any of the accessories described herein, when such an accessory <NUM> is physically coupled to the jogbox <NUM>. The center of mass <NUM> of a jogbox <NUM> depends, and the location of the axis of rotation <NUM> of the jogbox <NUM> may (e.g., depending on where the accessory <NUM> is attached to the jogbox <NUM>) depend, on whether an accessory <NUM> is coupled to the jogbox <NUM>, since the accessory <NUM> has a mass.

For example, if an accessory <NUM> is coupled at or near an edge <NUM> of the jogbox <NUM>, which edge <NUM> is distal from the front edge <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>; <FIG>), the weight of that accessory <NUM> may change the location of the center of mass <NUM> of the jogbox <NUM>, and move the location of the axis of rotation <NUM>, and thereby create, or increase, a tendency of the jogbox <NUM> to rotate around the axis of rotation (in this embodiment, for example, causing the edge <NUM> to tend towards the floor on which the operator stands, and causing the front edge <NUM> to tend upwards toward the operator's head).

It should be noted, however, that in some embodiments the auxiliary port <NUM> is positioned such that attaching of at least one embodiments of an accessory <NUM> to the auxiliary port <NUM> does not create, or increase, a tendency of the jogbox <NUM> to rotate around the axis of rotation. For example, in <FIG>, the auxiliary port <NUM> on the rear face of the jogbox <NUM> may be disposed, relative to other components of the jogbox <NUM>, such that a given accessory <NUM> does not create, or increase, a tendency of the jogbox <NUM> to rotate around the axis of rotation.

To mitigate the tendency of a jogbox <NUM> to rotate, some embodiments include a counterweight interface <NUM> configured to receive and retain a set of counterweights <NUM>. Such embodiments may include any of the jogbox embodiments disclosed herein. For example, inclusion on or in a jogbox <NUM> of a set of counterweights <NUM> may shift the axis of rotation <NUM> towards, or to, the center of mass <NUM>, thereby reducing the tendency of the jogbox <NUM> to rotate around that axis <NUM>.

In preferred embodiments, a counterweight <NUM> is an inert body and does not include electronics. In some embodiments, a counterweight <NUM> is non-magnetic and non-conductive, so as to reduce or illuminate risk that the counterweight <NUM> interferes electrically, magnetically, or electromagnetically with the coordinate measuring machine or a workpiece measured by the coordinate measuring machine. In some embodiments, the counterweight <NUM> has a non-conductive outer shell or coating, such as rubber or ceramic to name but a few examples.

In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the counterweight interface <NUM> is a passive physical structure that does not include an electronic interface. In other embodiments, however, the counterweight interface <NUM> may also include an electronic interface.

In some embodiments, such as the jogbox <NUM> in <FIG>, the counterweight interface <NUM> is a connector (e.g., a threaded or press-fit connector) to which one or more counterweights <NUM> may be removably coupled. In such embodiments, the counterweights <NUM> may remain outside of the housing of the jogbox <NUM>.

In alternative embodiments, such as the jogbox <NUM> in <FIG>, the counterweight interface <NUM> may be a receptacle having a volume within the housing of the jogbox <NUM>, which receptacle opens to the space external to the housing. Some such embodiments include a cover or cap <NUM> configured to controllably close the volume of the counterweight interface <NUM>, for example to help hold one or more counterweights <NUM> within the counterweight interface <NUM>. Such a cover or cap <NUM> may be opened or removed to insert one or more counterweights <NUM> into the counterweight interface <NUM>, and/or to remove one or more counterweights <NUM> from the counterweight interface <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the counterweight interface <NUM> receptacle is further configured as a battery compartment <NUM> (see e.g., <FIG>), to hold one or more batteries in addition to simultaneously holding one or more counterweights <NUM>. In other embodiments, the counterweight interface <NUM> receptacle is further configured as a battery compartment <NUM>, to hold one or more batteries as an alternative to holding one or more counterweights <NUM>.

Although the foregoing embodiments illustrate the counterweight interface <NUM> on the front face <NUM> of the jogbox <NUM>, that is not a limitation on the location of the counterweight interface <NUM>. In general, the counterweight interface <NUM> is disposed on a portion of the jogbox <NUM> that is opposite the location of the auxiliary port <NUM>. For example, in <FIG>, the counterweight interface <NUM> on the front face <NUM> of the jogbox <NUM> is on the opposite side of the jogbox <NUM> from the auxiliary port <NUM>, which is on edge <NUM>. Preferably, the counterweight interface <NUM> is disposed such that the center of mass <NUM> of the jogbox <NUM> is directly between the counterweight interface <NUM> and the auxiliary port <NUM> passes (i.e., a line between the counterweight interface <NUM> and the auxiliary port <NUM> passes through the center of mass <NUM>).

In general, the mass of the counterweights is selected to balance the jogbox <NUM> (i.e., mitigate or completely eliminate the tendency of the jogbox <NUM> to rotate) when an accessory <NUM> is attached. As such, it may be said that the counterweights <NUM> counterbalance the accessory <NUM>. Consequently, the mass of the counterweights <NUM> may depend in part on the mass of the accessory <NUM>, and the center of mass <NUM> of the jogbox <NUM> when an accessory <NUM> is attached to the jogbox <NUM>, as well as the location on the jogbox of the auxiliary port <NUM>. Some accessories <NUM> may be supplied with a set of counterweights <NUM> selected to engage with the counterweight interface <NUM> to balance the jogbox <NUM> when said accessory <NUM> is coupled to the jogbox <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an embodiment of a jogbox with an internal counterweight system. In this embodiment, the counterweight interface <NUM> and set of counterweights <NUM> is disposed in the interior <NUM> of the jogbox <NUM>. The counterweight interface <NUM> is configured to retain the set of counterweights <NUM>, and to allow the set of counterweights <NUM> to move between the ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the counterweight interface <NUM>. For example, the counterweight interface <NUM> may be a bar along which an operator may slide the set of counterweights <NUM>. In some embodiments, the counterweight interface <NUM> is a threaded rod rotatably mounted to the body of the jogbox <NUM>. The threaded rod includes threads configured to engage counterpart threads on one or more counterweights <NUM>. In such an embodiment, an operator may adjust the location of the set of counterweights <NUM> along the threaded counterweight interface <NUM> by turning the threaded counterweight interface <NUM>. To that end, the threaded counterweight interface <NUM> may have a control interface <NUM> with a slot or slots configured to engage with a screwdriver, or a thumbwheel configured to be manipulated by the hand of the operator, to name but a few examples. The interface <NUM> may be accessible to the operator without opening the jogbox <NUM>, for example via an access point <NUM>. In preferred embodiments, the jogbox <NUM>, including the access point <NUM>, is sealed, and the operator can manipulate the control interface <NUM> while the jogbox <NUM> remains sealed.

Claim 1:
A jogbox (<NUM>) for a coordinate measuring machine (<NUM>) having a movable arm, the jogbox (<NUM>) comprising:
a body forming an interior (<NUM>);
a CMM interface (<NUM>) configured with a CMM communication protocol to communicate with the coordinate measuring machine (<NUM>);
control hardware at least partially within the interior (<NUM>), the control hardware being configured to control the movable arm of the coordinate measuring machine via the CMM interface;
an energizing port (<NUM>) for energizing or charging the jogbox (<NUM>); and
an auxiliary port (<NUM>) formed by the body and operatively coupled with the controlling hardware within the interior (<NUM>), the auxiliary port configured to directly physically connect with at least one hardware accessory (<NUM>) that has a hardware interface port, the auxiliary port (<NUM>) being configured to rigidly, removably, and directly couple with the hardware interface port of the at least one hardware accessory (<NUM>).