Methods of, and systems, for monitoring and/or controlling mobile cutting means

Claim 1

A method of monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of mobile cutting means remote from a reference station, comprising the steps of: (a) ascertaining the position of said reference station with respect to one or more known measurement points; (b) providing a first measurement station having light reflective means on the mobile cutting means so as to move therewith; (c) providing a laser light beam from the reference station, (d) displacing said beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the beam from the reflective means of the first measurement station until coincidence occurs, (e) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the first measurement station relative to the reference station, (f) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the first beam and its reflection the distance between the first measurement station and the reference station; (g) assessing the resultant measurement data continuously and automatically, and (h) monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of the mobile cutting means in accordance with the assessment.

Claim 2

A method of monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of mobile cutting means remote from a reference station, comprising the steps of: (a) ascertaining the position of said reference station with respect to one or more known measurement points; (b) providing a first measurement station having light reflective means on the mobile cutting means so as to move therewith; (c) providing a laser light beam from the reference station, (d) displacing said beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the beam from the reflective means of the first measurement station until coincidence occurs, (e) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the first measurement station relative to the reference station, (f) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the first beam and its reflection the distance between the first measurement station and the reference station; (g) assessing the resultant measurement data continuously and automatically, and (h) monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of the mobile cutting means in accordance with the assessment.

Claim 4

A method of monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of a mobile cutting means remote from a reference station at a predetermined position, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first laser light beam from the reference station, (b) displacing said first beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the first beam from a first measurement station in the vicinity of the mobile cutting means until coincidence occurs, (c) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the first measurement station relative to the reference station, (d) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the first beam and its reflection the distance between the first measurement station and the reference station, (e) providing a second laser light beam from the first measurement station, (f) displacing said second beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the second beam from a second measurement station positionally associated with the cutting means and movable therewith until coincidence occurs, (g) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the second measurement station relative to the first measurement station, (h) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the second beam and its reflection the distance between the first and second measurement stations, (i) transferring resultant measurement data via at least one of the beams by modulation and demodulation, (j) collecting and assessing all the measurement data to evaluate the position of the mobile cutting means automatically and continuously, and (k) monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of the mobile cutting means in accordance with such assessment.

Claim 5

A method of monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of a mobile cutting means remote from a reference station at a predetermined position, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first laser light beam from the reference station, (b) displacing said first beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the first beam from a first measurement station in the vicinity of the mobile cutting means until coincidence occurs, (c) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the first measurement station relative to the reference station, (d) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the first beam and its reflection the distance between the first measurement station and the reference station, (e) providing a second laser light beam from the first measurement station, (f) displacing said second beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the second beam from a second measurement station positionally associated with the cutting means and movable therewith until coincidence occurs, (g) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the second measurement station relative to the first measurement station, (h) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the second beam and its reflection the distance between the first and second measurement stations, (i) transferring resultant measurement data via at least one of the beams by modulation and demodulation, (j) collecting and assessing all the measurement data to evaluate the position of the mobile cutting means automatically and continuously, and (k) monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of the mobile cutting means in accordance with such assessment.

Claim 7

A method of monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of a mobile cutting means remote from a reference station, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first laser light beam from the reference station, (b) displacing said first beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the first beam from a first measurement station of known location until coincidence occurs, (c) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the reference station relative to the first measurement station, (d) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the first beam and its reflection the distance between the first measurement station and the reference station, (e) providing a second laser light beam from the reference station, (f) displacing said second beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the second beam from a second measurement station positionally associated with the cutting means and movable therewith until coincidence occurs, (g) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the second measurement station relative to the reference station, (h) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the second beam and its reflection the distance between the reference and second measurement stations, (i) transferring resultant measurement data via at least one of the beams by modulation and demodulation, (j) collecting and assessing all the measurement data to evaluate the position of the mobile cutting means continuously and automatically, and (k) monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of the mobile cutting means in accordance with said assessment.

Claim 8

A method of monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of a mobile cutting means remote from a reference station, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first laser light beam from the reference station, (b) displacing said first beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the first beam from a first measurement station of known location until coincidence occurs, (c) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the reference station relative to the first measurement station, (d) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the first beam and its reflection the distance between the first measurement station and the reference station, (e) providing a second laser light beam from the reference station, (f) displacing said second beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the second beam from a second measurement station positionally associated with the cutting means and movable therewith until coincidence occurs, (g) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the second measurement station relative to the reference station, (h) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the second beam and its reflection the distance between the reference and second measurement stations, (i) transferring resultant measurement data via at least one of the beams by modulation and demodulation, (j) collecting and assessing all the measurement data to evaluate the position of the mobile cutting means continuously and automatically, and (k) monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of the mobile cutting means in accordance with said assessment.

Claim 10

A method of monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of a mobile cutting means remote from a reference station, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first laser light beam from the reference station, (b) displacing said first beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the first beam from a first measurement station of known location until coincidence occurs, (c) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the reference station relative to the first measurement station, (d) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the first beam and its reflection the distance between the first measurement station and the reference station, (e) providing a second laser light beam from a second measurement station in the vicinity of the mobile cutting means, (f) displacing said second beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the first beam from a further measurement station positionally associated with the mobile cutting means and movable therewith until coincidence occurs, (g) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the further measurement station relative to the second measurement station, (h) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the second beam and its reflection the distance between the second and further measurement stations, (i) providing a third laser light beam from the reference station, (j) displacing said third beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the third beam from the second measurement station until coincidence occurs, (k) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships the spatial co-ordinates of the second measurement station relative to the reference station, (l) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the third beam and its reflection the distance between the second measurement station and the reference station, (m) transferring resultant measurement data via at least some of the beams by modulation and demodulation, (n) collecting and assessing all the measurement data with a central computer to evaluate the position of the mobile cutting means automatically and continuously, and (o) monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of the mobile cutting means in accordance with said assessment.

Claim 11

A method of monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of a mobile cutting means remote from a reference station, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first laser light beam from the reference station, (b) displacing said first beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the first beam from a first measurement station of known location until coincidence occurs, (c) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the reference station relative to the first measurement station, (d) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the first beam and its reflection the distance between the first measurement station and the reference station, (e) providing a second laser light beam from a second measurement station in the vicinity of the mobile cutting means, (f) displacing said second beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the first beam from a further measurement station positionally associated with the mobile cutting means and movable therewith until coincidence occurs, (g) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the further measurement station relative to the second measurement station, (h) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the second beam and its reflection the distance between the second and further measurement stations, (i) providing a third laser light beam from the reference station, (j) displacing said third beam under computer control while detecting the reflection of the third beam from the second measurement station until coincidence occurs, (k) ascertaining from angular displacement relationships the spatial co-ordinates of the second measurement station relative to the reference station, (l) ascertaining from a measurement of the transit time of the third beam and its reflection the distance between the second measurement station and the reference station, (m) transferring resultant measurement data via at least some of the beams by modulation and demodulation, (n) collecting and assessing all the measurement data with a central computer to evaluate the position of the mobile cutting means automatically and continuously, and (o) monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of the mobile cutting means in accordance with said assessment.

Claim 13

A system for monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of a mobile cutting means, said system comprising: (a) a reference station at a remote position from the mobile cutting means, said position being predetermined by measurements taken with respect to at least one fixed measurement point, (b) a first measurement station positionally associated with the mobile cutting means and movable therewith, (c) means for providing a laser light beam from the reference station to the first measurement station, (d) means at the first measurement station for reflecting said beam back to the reference station, (e) computer-controlled means at the reference station for displacing said beam, (f) means at the reference station for detecting the reflection of the beam from the first measurement station until coincidence occurs, for ascertaining from angular displacement relationships to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the reference station relative to the first measurement station and from a measurement of the transit time of the beam and its reflection the distance between the first measurement station and the reference station, and (g) computer means for collecting and assessing the measurement data to evaluate the position of the mobile cutting means continuously and automatically.

Claim 14

A system for monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of a mobile cutting means, said system comprising: (a) a reference station at a remote position from the mobile cutting means, said position being predetermined by measurements taken with respect to at least one fixed measurement point, (b) a first measurement station positionally associated with the mobile cutting means and movable therewith, (c) means for providing a laser light beam from the reference station to the first measurement station, (d) means at the first measurement station for reflecting said beam back to the reference station, (e) computer-controlled means at the reference station for displacing said beam, (f) means at the reference station for detecting the reflection of the beam from the first measurement station until coincidence occurs, for ascertaining from angular displacement relationships to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the reference station relative to the first measurement station and from a measurement of the transit time of the beam and its reflection the distance between the first measurement station and the reference station, and (g) computer means for collecting and assessing the measurement data to evaluate the position of the mobile cutting means continuously and automatically.

Claim 27

A system for monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of a mobile cutting means, said system comprising: (a) a reference station at a predeterminable position, (b) a first measurement station at a known location, (c) a second measurement station positionally associated with the mobile cutting means and movable therewith, (d) a further measurement station intermediate the reference and second measurement stations, (e) means for successively providing a laser light beam from the reference station to the first measurement station and the further measurement station, (f) means at the first and further measurement stations for reflecting said beam when incident back to the reference station, (g) computer-controlled means at the reference station for displacing said beam, (h) means at the reference station for detecting the reflection of the beam from the first measurement station until coincidence occurs, for ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial coordinates of the reference station relative to the first measurement station and from a measurement of the transit time of the beam and its reflection the distance between the first measurement station and the reference station and for detecting the reflection of the beam from the further measurement station until coincidence occurs, for ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the further measurement station relative to the reference station and from the transit time of the beam and its reflection the distance between the reference and further measurement stations, (i) means for providing a further laser light beam from the further measurement station, (j) means at the second measurement station for reflecting said further beam when incident back to the further reference station, (k) computer-controlled means at the further measurement station for displacing said beam, (l) means at the further measurement station for detecting the reflection of the further beam from the second measurement station until coincidence occurs, for ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the second measurement station relative to the further measurement station and from a measurement of the transit time of the beam and its reflection the distance between the further measurement station and the second measurement station, (m) means for transferring and receiving measurement data between the stations by modulation and demodulation of at least some of the beams, and (n) computer means for collecting and assessing all the measurement data to evaluate the position of the mobile cutting means continuously and automatically.

Claim 28

A system for monitoring and/or controlling the operating position of a mobile cutting means, said system comprising: (a) a reference station at a predeterminable position, (b) a first measurement station at a known location, (c) a second measurement station positionally associated with the mobile cutting means and movable therewith, (d) a further measurement station intermediate the reference and second measurement stations, (e) means for successively providing a laser light beam from the reference station to the first measurement station and the further measurement station, (f) means at the first and further measurement stations for reflecting said beam when incident back to the reference station, (g) computer-controlled means at the reference station for displacing said beam, (h) means at the reference station for detecting the reflection of the beam from the first measurement station until coincidence occurs, for ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial coordinates of the reference station relative to the first measurement station and from a measurement of the transit time of the beam and its reflection the distance between the first measurement station and the reference station and for detecting the reflection of the beam from the further measurement station until coincidence occurs, for ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the further measurement station relative to the reference station and from the transit time of the beam and its reflection the distance between the reference and further measurement stations, (i) means for providing a further laser light beam from the further measurement station, (j) means at the second measurement station for reflecting said further beam when incident back to the further reference station, (k) computer-controlled means at the further measurement station for displacing said beam, (l) means at the further measurement station for detecting the reflection of the further beam from the second measurement station until coincidence occurs, for ascertaining from angular displacement relationships necessary to achieve coincidence the spatial co-ordinates of the second measurement station relative to the further measurement station and from a measurement of the transit time of the beam and its reflection the distance between the further measurement station and the second measurement station, (m) means for transferring and receiving measurement data between the stations by modulation and demodulation of at least some of the beams, and (n) computer means for collecting and assessing all the measurement data to evaluate the position of the mobile cutting means continuously and automatically.