Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02384893 2002-05-30
DIGITAL MEASURING SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to data acquisition and storage systems, and more
particularly, to
systems for measuring and recording distances and the dimensions of objects
and people.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The standard tape measure in its various forms has long been the device of
choice
when measuring shorter distances such as the dimensions of rooms, objects and
people.
However, proper use of this device requires the manual extension of the tape
along the
dimension or distance to be measured, a visual reading of the tape marker at
the end point,
and a manual transcription of the information obtained by use of the tape
measure. This
time-consuming and error-prone procedure, while perhaps appropriate for making
simple, one-
time measurements, is ill-suited to the repetitive and demanding measurement
needs of the
I S manufacturing industry.
The ability to quickly and accurately measure and record the physical
dimensions of a
manufactured article is a fundamental component of any manufacturing process,
both during
the manufacturing steps themselves and upon completion of the finished
product. The
dimensions of the article or articles must necessarily meet exacting standards
to guarantee that
the manufacturing steps have been properly performed, before continued
manufacture or
before distribution of the finished product.
In the garment and apparel manufacturing industries in particular, finished
garments
must routinely be put through rigorous quality control testing to ensure that
the sizing is
precise. Multiple measurements must be quickly and accurately made in
different locations
on the garment itself, at several different stages of production, and given
the nature of the
manufactured article, these measurements are typically taken by hand. This
process is
extremely time consuming, and discrepancies in measurement often arise. In
addition, even
accurate measurements can be transposed incorrectly when manually recorded by
the worker,
and this problem is compaunded when mathematical manipulations must be done to
the data
before it is recorded. Moreover, a fatigued worker at the end of their shift
is even more
prone to making mistakes after repeatedly measuring, mentally calculating and
manually
recording the necessary information.
CA 02384893 2002-05-30
Although the measurement, calculation and recordation
problems noted above may be somewhat less evident on a small
scale, the current manual measuring process is still
excessively time-consuming. And when measurements are
performed on a large scale, as, for example, when creating a
l0 databank for future statistical analysis, the accuracy
problems only multiply and the excessive time consumption of
the current process becomes an unnecessary limiting factor.
The prior art manual measuring system is simply too
inaccurate, and is inadequate to fully interact with the
automated production methods in use in the manufacturing
industry today.
What is needed is a measuring system that will
automatically measure and record distances and dimensions,
without any need by the operator to visually identify the
appropriate distance marker on a measuring tape and manually
transcribe this information to a separate document or
databank. Such a system should be able to automatically
convert the measurement data into a useful format, perform
any necessary calculations to arrive at the appropriate
figure, compare the information obtained with programmed
standards, and finally to accurately record the information.
SU1~IARY OF TIiL INVENTION
Accordingly, it is desirable to substantially eliminate
the problems encountered in prior art measuring systems, by
providing a digital measuring device for electronically
determining measured distances and the dimensions of people
or objects, as an integral part of a comprehensive system for
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manipulating and/or recording the measurement data.
Accordingly, a digital measuring system is provided which in
certain embodiments includes a digital tape measure for
transforming measured distances into electrical signals or
representations, and a control and display unit for
manipulating and subsequently recording the digital data
received from the tape measure device into a useful format.
In one preferred embodiment the digital measuring
device comprises a hand-held digital tape measure having a
measuring tape with regularly-spaced apertures, constructed
so as to pass through a sensor assembly when the tape is
withdrawn from an aperture in the tape container. The sensor
assembly preferably includes a series of regularly-spaced
ligk~t emitting diodes ("LEDs"). with photosensitive detectors
aligned opposite the LEDs. The spacing of the apertures on
the tape and the emitter/detector pairs is designed so that
the photosensitive detectors are activated as the tape is
extended, thereby determining the length of the extended
tape. It is preferred that the tape is wound on an enclosed
spring-loaded reel mechanisms and that the sensor assembly is
activated as the tape is withdrawn from the enclosed reel
assembly.
The digital information from this device is then
transmitted to a control and display unit which multiplies or
converts the data as needed and which can print a record of
or display all desired measurements from a particular object
or person. This control and display unit can be an attached
control module, or a personal computer with a stand-alone
printer, or alternatively it can be enclosed with the tape
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and reel assembly itself. It is further intended that
external power sources can be attached directly to the
digital measuring system, or alternatively that the present
invention can operate as a battery-powered system.
l0 In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is
provided a digital measuring system comprising a case having
an opening with a measuring tape housed within the case. The
measuring tape has a first end, a second end, and a plurality
of regularly spaced measuring apertures each of which are
spaced apart from an adjacent perforation by a first
distance. The first end extends out through the case opening
and the second end is coiled within the case. A recoil means
is coupled to the second end of the measuring tape for
recoiling the measuring tape back into the case after the
2o first end of said measuring tape has been pulled away from
the case opening. Means for determining and recording the
length of the measuring tape which extends outside of the
case is provided, said means including an electronic sensing
means which detects the passage of predetermined increments
of said tape, said electronic sensing means comprising a
plurality of regularly-spaced optical sensors for sensing the
passage of the measuring apertures, each of said sensors
spaced from an adjacent sensor by a second distance, said
second distance being smaller than said first distance. A
3o means for determining when the measuring tape is fully
retracted is also provided.
In yet a further embodiment the digital measuring
system comprises a recoilable measuring tape having a
plurality of regularly-spaced markers and a case enclosing
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said recoilable measuring tape with an electronic sensing
means within said case for transmitting a signal
corresponding to the incremental passage of said regularly-
spaced markers as said recoilable measuring tape is withdrawn
from an aperture in said case to perform a measurement. A
microprocessor is provided for receiving said signal from
said electronic sensing means and transmitting data
corresponding to a measurement value. A control module is
also provided for receiving said data from said
microprocessor, comparing said corresponding measurement
value with a predetermined requirement, and recording said
corresponding measurement value in response to user input.
In yet another embodiment the digital measuring system
comprises a hand-held measuring device capable of generating
an electronic signal representative of a measured dimension on
a preselected object and a controller located at a work
station. A means for transmitting said electronic signal from
said hand-held measuring device to said controller is
provided. A device in communication with said controller is
also provided for storing and accessing predetermined
information relating to optimum dimensions of said object, and
for storing and accessing instructions for (1) prompting a
user to measure a predetermined point on said object using
said hand-held measuring device, (2) transforming the signal
generated at said predetermined point to calculate a measured
dimension, (3) comparing each said measured dimension with
said optimum dimension at said predetermined point, and (4)
generating a signal representative of the difference between
the measured dimension and the optimum dimension. A feedback
means in communication with said controller is also provided
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for providing feedback to a user.
It is not intended that the present invention be
limited by the specific construction or combination of the
various components of the system. It is only intended that
all separate elements will be modular in design so that they
can be fully interchangeable and transportable. Other and
further objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the
present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the
art from reading the detailed description of the invention
together with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic view of the components of
the present digital measuring system invention.
Figure 2 is a cut-away cross-sectional view of one
embodiment of the digital tape measure of the present
invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram demonstrating the
sensor assembly output corresponding to the activation of the
phototransmitters at subsequent length extensions of the
tape.
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the electronic
circuitry of the present invention.
Figure 5 is an end-view of one embodiment of the
digital tape measure of the present invention.
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Figure 6 is one embodiment of a logic diagram for the
control module of the present invention.
3d
Figure 7 is one example of a printed record of
measurement data obtained by the use of the present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in Figure 1, the digital measuring system of the present invention
comprises
a digital measuring device coupled with means for controlling, displaying and
recording the
information obtained by use of the digital measuring device. The description
of the invention
is divided for convenience into three parts: I) 'the Digital Tape Measure; II)
'fhe Control and
Display Apparatus; and III) Applications of the Digital Measuring System.
I. The Digital Tape Measure
The structure of an exemplary embodiment of the digital tape measure according
to the
present invention is shown in Figure 2. The digital tape measure ( 10) is
~~enerally comprised
of an elongated tape ( 11 ) with regularly-spaced apertures ( 12-14) (see
figure 3), designed and
constructed so as to pass through a sensor assembly (20) when withdrawn
through an aperture
(18) in an enclosed protective case (l5). The tape apertures (12-14) are
spaced along the tape
so as to enable detection by the sensor assembly (20) of both the zero point
when the tape
I 5 ( 11 ) is fully retracted within the case ( 1 S), and the length of
extension of the tape ( 11 ) when
it is withdrawn from the case ( 15), in a manner to be subsequently described.
The tape ( 1 I ) can be constructed of any semi-rigid material, such as a
narrow,
elongated metal strip, and in a preferred embodiment, would include graphical
markings for
distance measurements, such as inches and centimeters. Likewise, the
protective case (15) can
be constructed of any substantially rigid material such as plastic or metal.
It is further
contemplated that the tape ( 11 ) can be wound onto a conventional spring-
loaded reel
mechanism (30), and that a conventional brake release button (31) on the
outside of the
protective case ( 15) would operate with the spring-Loaded reel mechanism (30)
to rewind the
tape ( 11 ) from its extended position to a fully-retracted position, in any
manner well-known in
the art.
In one embodiment of the present invention it is contemplated that the sensor
assembly
(20) would be generally composed of a series of light emitting diodes ("LEDs")
(D1- D3) and
photosensitive detectors (0P1- OP3) (see Figure 4), aligned directly opposite
each other in
pairs in the sensor assembly (20) and spaced apart from center-to-center by a
uniform distance
d. It is contemplated that any conventional light emitting diode and anv
conventional
photosensitive detector, such as a phototransistor, may be incorporated into
the sensor
assembly (20) of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment shown in
Figures 2 and
4, the sensor assembly (20) consists of three emitter/detector pairs spaced
apart by 1/4 inch,
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with a constant current resistor to set the intensity ot~ the LED transmitters
and thereby control
the sensitivity of the sensors.
The tape ( 11 ), as previously noted, includes apertures ( 12-14) formed
therethrough at
regular intervals. See Figure 3. When unwound from the reel mechanism (30) and
withdrawn from the protective case ( 1 S), the tape ( 1 1 ) passes through the
sensor assembly
(20) and between the LED and detector pairs (DI-D3 & OPI-OP3). The LEDs (Dl-
D3)
generate light which passes through the apertures ( l2-14) and is detected by
the opposing
photosensitive detectors (OP1-OP3), as demonstrated in Figure 3. When an
aperture ( 12-14)
is not adjacent to one of the LEDs (DI-D3), light is not admitted to the
opposing
photosensitve detector (OPI-OP3). In this way, the emitter/detector pairs of
the present
invention are able to determine the length of the tape ( I 1 ) unwound from
the reel mechanism
e,~o).
As shown in Figure 3, in the preferred embodiment the first two apertures ( I
3) and
f l4) on the tape are spaced apart by L/8 inch, and each succeeding aperture (
12) is spaced
apart by 3/16 inch. Thus, each I/l6th inch of movement of the tape results in
allowing the
passage of light from one of the LEDs (D1-D3) to one of the detectors (OP1-
OP3), thereby
v~ielding one count which is stored in the attached circuit for movement of
each 1/l6th inch.
The output from the sensor assembly for each consecutive 1 ~' 16th inch
passage of the tape
(11) is demonstrated in Figure 3. In addition, the two initial apertures (13)
and (14) allow the
passage of light to the two detectors (0P1) and (0P3) simultaneously, creating
a unique
sensor output that signals the fully retracted position of the tape ( 11 ).
The present invention includes the above-described method of electronically
determining the passage of a measuring tape (11) through a sensor assembly
(20). It is not
intended, however, that the sensor assembly (20) of the present invention be
limited solely to
the use of regularly-spaced LEDs and photosensitive devices to detect
corresponding apertures
on the measuring tape ( 11 ). Rather, it is contemplated that alternative
mechanisms can be
incorporated into the apparatus and methods of the present invention to
achieve the same
result, such as magnetic or mechanical detectors in the sensor assembly (20)
to detect
corresponding magnetic or mechanical markers on the measuring tape ( l I ).
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the sensor
assembly
(20) and the circuitry coupled thereto. The output t~rom the sensor assembly
(20) is coupled
to a microprocessor (25) which is programmed to control all functions and
communication
activities in the digital tape measure ( 10). In the preferred embodiment the
microprocessor
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(2~) is a PlC16C~4 microprocessor, which can be obtained from Microchip
Technology, Ine..
Chandler, AZ. Switches (SWl) and (SW2) are further coupled to the
microprocessor (25)
and allow a user to enter and record a measurement into the microprocessor
(25). Resistors
(100-104) are further coupled to the outputs of the sensor assembly (20) and
the switches
(S W 1,S W2), tying them to a +S voltage. A crystal resonator circuit (Ynnn)
is also
contemplated to provide clock pulses to the microprocessor (25).
It is further contemplated that a serial interface circuit (26) is coupled to
the
microprocessor (25) to provide interface with an external control and display
means. In the
preferred embodiment shown in Figure 4, the serial interface (26) is a line-
powered RS-232
transceiver chip such as the DS 1275 circuit, which can be obtained from
Dallas
Semiconductor, Dallas, TX. RS-232 signals can be transmitted and received at
1200 baud, 8
bits per character, no parity with a 1 stop bit. The interface circuit (26) is
also tied to the +~
voltage and is coupled to the external connector pins (P2 and P3) for receipt
of power and for
two-way communication with the control and display means. Also in the
preferred
embodiment, a S-volt constant voltage regulator (27) is coupled to receive
power from the
connector pin P 1. A diode D4 is coupled between the input of the regulator
(27) and the
connector pin P1. Furthermore, a capacitor CI ties the input to the regulator
(27) to ground.
The output from the regulator (27) is also tied to ground through two
capacitors C2 and C3.
As noted above, it is also contemplated in the preferred embodiment that
switches ( 16)
and ( 17) can be incorporated into the digital tape measure ( 10) to control
several functions,
such as signaling the microprocessor (25) to transmit an ASCII string that
represents the
present tape position, and to record the data output from the sensor assembly
(20). See
Figures 2 & 4. It is not intended, however, that the present invention be
limited to the
specifications described for this particular embodiment. Rather, it is
contemplated that any
appropriate microprocessor and associated hardware can be incorporated into
the PC Board
(2 8) of the digital tape measure ( 10).
The digital tape measure ( 10) is most preferably modular in design for ease
of
connection with other components, such as, for example, various stand-alone
control and
display means (~0. 60), and accordingly the preferred embodiment shown in
Figure 4
incorporates a conventional, .telephone jack-type modular connector (40) on
the side of the
digital tape measure ( 10) opposite the tape extension point or aperture ( 18)
in the protective
case (15). As shown in Figure l, a modular cable (41) is also contemplated to
connect the
digital tape measure (10) with the control module (50) or other computer. In
the preferred
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embodiment described herein, this cable would have quick disconnect connectors
(42) at each
end, and four wires, one for a power supply, one for a ground, as well as one
each to transmit
to and receive from the digital tape measure ( 10).
It is not intended that the present invention be limited by the power sources
of the
S digital tape measure ( 10). Rather, it is contemplated that a power source
can be attached
directly to the digital tape measure ( 10) via the modular connector (40) and
cable (41 ) as
described above, or alternatively that the present invention can be easily
modified to operate
as a battery-powered system.
II. The Control and Display Apparatus
The present invention also includes a means for controlling, manipulating,
displaying
and recording the information received from the digital tape measure (10). In
the preferred
embodiment shown in Figure 1, there is a control module (50) having circuitry
for
manipulating and recording the data received from the digital tape measure (
10). This control
module (50) further incorporates a display means (60) and a recording or
digital storage
means (70). It is contemplated that the circuitry in the control module (50)
can be
programmed to record any number of measurements with the digital tape measure
( 10),
sequential or otherwise; and further can be programmed to convert or
manipulate these
measurements as necessary for the individual task.
One embodiment of the programming logic contemplated by the present invention
is
shown in Figure 6, which is designed for performing audit measurements on
manufactured
garments. A power-up screen for the display means (60) is provided which
displays
information identifying the control module (50), and an initial screen
displaying the Card ID
and the time of day subsequently appears upon activation of the unit. As shown
in Figure l,
a numerical keypad (52) and number of function buttons (53, 54, >j, 56) are
also
contemplated to allow the operator to select either a Help function, a Setup
function or a
Measure function.
As shown in Figure 6, the Help function is a loop that allows the operator to
access
sequential help text screens or to exit back to the initial screen. The Setup
function is also a
loop that allows the operator to input and select the desired settings for the
control module
(50). In the preferred embodiment the settings can include selecting before
and/or alter wash
measurements as well as out of tolerance and/or out of specification
calculations, enabling a
beeper or similar audible signal, checking the time, checking the tape
position, inputting the
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plant number, and finally activating a printer and/or a memory card option.
The operator can
cycle through each setting and select or input a value for each one, using the
keypad (~2) and
function buttons (53-56) as prompted, or exit back to the initial screen after
any number of
settings are selected or input.
As shown in Figure 6, when the Measure function is selected, the control
module
prompts the operator for the pattern number of the garment, and then the size,
which the
operator inputs and accepts using the keypad (52) and function keys (53-56).
The program
also contemplates an option to measure "All" dimensions for a particular
garment, or
alternatively the operator can "Select" a subset of the measurements to be
taken, for example,
only the waist and inseam. The control module (50) will then prompt the
operator to measure
each selected dimension of the garment, and the operator can then take each
desired
measurement using the digital tape measure (10), in a manner to be
subsequently described.
After all measurements for one garment have been taken and input to the
control module (50),
the operator can then select either to repeat the Measure function for an
additional garment, to
print the data obtained thus far. or to exit the Measure function without
printing, in which
case the control module (50) will generate a warning to the operator about the
potential loss
of the measurement data,
It is not intended, however, that the program logic of the present invention
be limited
to the particular embodiment described above. Rather, it is contemplated that
many additional
programming options can be incorporated into the measurement audit program
logic disclosed
herein. It is also contemplated that the control module (50) or other
computer/controller
incorporated into the present invention can be programmed to accommodate the
many
alternative uses of the digital tape measure ( 10), such as, for example,
taking and recording
individual customer measurements as described in more detail below.
In the preferred embodiment in Figure 1, the display means (60) comprises a
conventional liquid crystal display on the upper face of the control module
(50). This display
provides an easy to read display of the various programming options for the
control module
(50), as well as the current tape extension data input from the digital tape
measure ( 10).
Similarly, in the preferred embodiment of the control module (50) the
recording means (70)
comprises a conventional PC-Card or PCMCIA ROM/RAM storage system incorporated
into
the control module (50), with a conventional PC-Card port (71) on the side
panel (51) of the
control module (50). It is contemplated, however, that any conventional
display means (60)
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or recording means (70) well known in the art can be incorporated into the
control module
(~0) to perform the display and recording functions.
IVtoreover, it is not intended that the present invention be limited by the
type of control
module operated with the digital tape measure ( 10). Rather, it is
contemplated that the digital
tape measure ( 10) can be either used as is or modified for connection to a
personal computer
or other computer/controller, with or without an attached printer, or
alternatively that the
digital tape measure ( 10) can be constructed with its own internal control
module and a
graphic display, such as a small liquid crystal display mounted on the
protective case ( h ~).
III. Applications of the Digital Measuring System
The present patent contemplates the use of the technology as a general method
for
accurately and efficiently measuring distances and the dimensions of objects
and people. The
following examples are intended to demonstrate some of the many applications
of this
invention to solve the problems created by prior art measurement techniques.
A. Measurement Audit
As noted above, it is critical for garment manufacturers to periodically audit
their
products during the various manufacturing stages, e.g. sewing, washing, etc.,
to ensure that
the finished product meets the size specifications for that particular
garment. In the
application of the present invention to a garment measurement audit the
control and display
apparatus can be programmed with the applicable size specifications, so that a
warning can be
generated if a measurement is input from the digital tape measure ( 10)
(hereinafter the
"DTM") that is not within the approved specification (i.e. "out of spec"), or
alternatively one
that is out of the acceptable range of tolerance, or both. These programmed
specifications can
also ret7ect the measurement requirements from specific points in the
manufacturing cycle, for
example to reflect either before wash and after wash measurements, or both. In
addition, the
measurements taken with the DTW ( 10) can be automatically doubled by the
control and
display apparatus when needed to provide the appropriate measurement (e.g.
double the
distance when measuring waist size. cuff opening, etc.. on a flattened pair of
trousers).
The particular application described in this example is an Out of 'Tolerance
(00T)
audit of a pair of trousers. In this specific application the auditor first
programs the control
module ( SO) to calculate and display an Out of Tolerance measurement, and
also selects atter-
wash measurements. The auditor uses the numerical keypad (52) and the function
keys (~3,
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~4, 5~, ~6) on the control module (50) to enter the commands and information
necessary in
order to program the apparatus, as described above. IJsing the function keys,
the auditor also
enables a sonic beep or other audible signal that will be activated when the
input
measurement is calculated to be out of the acceptable range of tolerance.
The auditor then selects the garment to be measured, and inputs the product
code,
pattern number, size and inseam length into the control module (50), again
using the function
keys (53-56) and the numerical keypad (52). In this example, the auditor input
the product
code ( 10550-0291 ), the pattern number (04), the size ( 13 ) and the inseam
(medium). The
display registers and verifies each of these items as they are input into the
control module
(50). The auditor also has the option to select some or all of the appropriate
measurements
for a particular garment, and in this example chooses the complete full body
measurement
option.
The auditor marks and orients the garment for measurement by placing it on a
flat
surface, such as a table top, in a position to measure the garment at the
desired location.
Beginning with the waist, the DTM (10) is picked up and the tape (11) is
extended across the
waist of the trousers, starting at a side edge of the garment. The retracting
switch (31 ) on the
DTM ( 10) is depressed until the aperture ( 18) of the DTM ( 10) is positioned
at the opposite
side edge of the garment. Once the DTM ( 10) is in position, the auditor can
then depress the
enter button (17) shown in Figure 1 to transmit the side-edge-to-side-edge
measurement from
the DTM (10) to the control module (50), which in this example was 16 and 3/16
inches.
Since the actual measurement is one-half the waist measurement, the control
module is
programmed to automatically double the measurement, compare the measurement
against the
programmed specifications, apply the tolerance limits and calculate the in or
out of tolerance
measurements.
'The control module (50) also displays the actual measurement data (32 3/8")
and
specification data (32 1/2") on the visual display (60), and provides a
single, audible sonic
beep if the measurement is in tolerance, or a double sonic beep if the
measurement is out of
tolerance. (See OOT Audit Record in Figure 7. columns 3 and 4). In this
example only a
single beep was heard, indicating that the measurement was within the
tolerance limits of
+1/2" and -l/2". (See Figure 7, column 2). The auditor then records the
information in
111e1110ry by depressing the record switch ( 16) on the DTM ( 10). Once the
data is recorded,
the control module (50) is ready to receive the next measurement to be taken,
and displays the
next programmed specification value.
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The next measurement was the high hip measurement, and the auditor hollowed
the
same steps as outlined above for the waist measurement. The garment was marked
and
positioned so that the auditor could measure from side-to-side across the
upper hip on the
trousers, and using the DTM ( 10) the auditor measured and transmitted an
actual measurement
of 19 and 3/8 inches by pressing the enter switch (17). The control module
automatically
doubled this measurement and displayed both the specification value (38 S/8")
and the actual
garment value (38 3/4"), and emitted a single beep to indicate that the actual
value was again
within the tolerance limits.
After the high hip measurement value was properly measured and recorded, the
auditor
proceeded to measure and transmit in order each of the subsequent measurements
to be taken
in a full body measurement: the low hip (21 3/8"); the thigh (23"); the knee (
10 3/ 1 G"); the
bottom leg opening (6 3/4"); the inseam (30 1/4"); the front rise ( 11 3I4");
and the back rise
( 15 5/8"). The low hip, thigh, knee and bottom leg opening measurements were
automatically
doubled by the control module, whereas the inseam, front rise and back rise
were single
l5 measurement values and were not doubled. The transmitted data was then
displayed and
subsequently recorded as shown in Figure 7.
When the inseam measurement was taken as outlined above, two audible beeps
were
heard, indicating that the actual measurement value for the inseam was outside
the tolerance
limits for this particular garment. The auditor then remeasured the inseam
measurement area
with the DTM (10), transmitted the data to the control module (50) using the
enter button
( 17), and again a double beep was generated for an out of tolerance
measurement. This data
was then recorded by the auditor by pressing the record switch ( 16). The
remainder of the
measurements taken in this example produced only a single beep, indicting that
they were
within the tolerance limits. See Figure 7.
When the final measurement (the "back rise") was taken and recorded, the
control
module (50) generated two loud beeps to denote that the last measurement area
of the
garment had been recorded. The auditor then printed a record of the garment
measurements,
as shown in Figure 7. The printout reflects the product code, the pattern
number, the after
wash selection, the plant and laundry numbers, and the date and time, as well
as each
measurement area, tolerance limit, specification value, actual garment
measurement, and out
of tolerance amount. This printout can then be attached to the individual
garment or used for
other auditing or record-keeping procedures. It is also contemplated that the
data can be
CA 02384893 2002-05-30
stored on the memory card (71 ) or transmitted to a computerized database by a
serial port. for
future statistical analysis or other use.
B. Customer Measurements
'Che present invention will also allow for the individual measurement of
customers by
tailors or others involved in fitting and manufacturing custom or tailored
gannents. It is
contemplated that clothing customers can be measured by retail personnel using
the digital
tape measure ( 10) of the present invention, which can quickly and accurately
transmit the
information into a computer database and provide more accurate measurements
than has
l0 hitherto been possible.
With the present invention both skilled and unskilled retail personnel can
save time
and effort in taking the necessary measurements, and the customer is spared
both potential
mistakes and time-consuming repeat measurements, since recording errors are
avoided by
transmitting the data directly to a computer/controlter. It is further
contemplated that the
I S computer/controller can be programmed, for example, to seek information
regarding personal
fit preferences, or alternatively it can use conventional programs to create
patterns or scale
patterns, or match the customer to preexisting patterns or garments of known
dimensions for
point-of sale fitting and sales, or for transmission to off site custom
garment manufacturing
facilities. In addition, information regarding customers can be stored, and
this personal
20 measurement database can then be accessed at a later point should the
customer wish to
purchase additional clothing products.
As one skilled in the art will readily recognize, this invention has many
possible
applications in addition to those outlined above, including use for measuring
and recording
any distance, dimension or object in any number of industrial or manufacturing
situations.
25 Moreover, while the invention has been described in terms of tht preferred
embodiment. one
skilled in the art will recognize that it would be possible to construct the
elements of the
present,invention from a variety of materials and to modify the placement of
the components
in a variety of ways. For example, as descrilxd above, the control and display
means can
comprise a separate control module (50), or alternatively they can !x
incorporated into the
30 hand-held digital measuring tape ( 10) itself. While the preferred
embodiments have been
described in detail and shown in the accompanying drawings. it will be evident
that various
further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the
invention as set
forth in the following claims.
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