Patent ID: 7246456

Claim:
A linked mode control system for a machine tool, said system comprising: a signal source; a plurality of detectors configured to be in signal communication with said signal source such that an on-grade reference elevation is established in said plurality of detectors; a controller configured such that upon application of an offset elevation that deviates from said on-grade reference elevation, said controller maintains a substantially constant vertical distance between a cutting edge of said machine tool and a position of said plurality of detectors that corresponds to said on-grade reference elevation, said controller comprising: a data interface coupled to said plurality of detectors; at least one user-operable input mechanism; an information processor responsive to said input mechanism and said plurality of detectors, said information processor configured to instruct operation of said plurality of detectors; and a linked mode output configured to display a single elevation value corresponding to a position of said machine tool as sensed by said plurality of detectors.