Measurement apparatus and a method of using measurement apparatus

Abstract

A method of measurement using a measurement probe system includes the steps of (i) providing a measurement probe system having a measurement probe to a user, the measurement probe system being suitable for use with co-ordinate positioning apparatus and (ii) monitoring usage of the measurement probe system.

1 . A method of using a measurement probe system, comprising the steps of:
 (i) providing a measurement probe system comprising a measurement probe to a user, the measurement probe system being suitable for use with co-ordinate positioning apparatus; and   (ii) electronically monitoring usage of the measurement probe system.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising the step of prohibiting further usage of the measurement probe system based on the monitored usage of step (ii), the prohibiting including disabling the measurement probe. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 2  comprising the step of prohibiting usage of the measurement probe system when the monitored usage exceeds a first predetermined usage threshold. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3  comprising the step of allowing, on payment of a refresh fee, further usage of the measurement probe system after the first predetermined usage threshold has been exceeded. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein, after payment of the refresh fee, the method comprises the further step of prohibiting usage of the measurement probe system when the monitored usage exceeds a second predetermined usage threshold, the further step of prohibiting including further disabling the measurement probe. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the disabling comprises the step of preventing the output of measurement data from the measurement probe system. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising calculating a usage charge based on the monitored usage of step (ii). 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the electronic monitoring comprises at least one of counting the number of measurements acquired by the measurement probe system and measuring the length of time that the measurement probe system is in use. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the measurement probe system comprises a probe usage counter for performing step (ii). 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the measurement probe comprises a touch trigger probe comprising a probe body and a stylus, the touch trigger probe being arranged to produce a trigger signal when the stylus is deflected relative to the probe body, wherein the electronic monitoring comprises counting the number of trigger signals produced by the measurement probe. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the measurement probe system comprises a probe interface, the measurement probe and the probe interface being in communication via a wireless communications link. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein step (i) comprises fitting the measurement probe system to a machine tool. 
   
   
       13 . A method of using a measurement probe system, comprising the steps of:
 (i) providing a measurement probe system comprising a measurement probe to a user, the measurement probe being suitable for use with co-ordinate positioning apparatus;   (ii) enabling the measurement probe so that the user can acquire measurements using the measurement probe system; and   disabling the measurement probe system after a predetermined amount of measurement probe system usage.   
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the disabling includes building a failure mode into the measurement probe such that the acquisition of measurements is prevented after a predetermined amount of measurement probe system usage due to failure of the measurement probe. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein the measurement probe is formed from a first part and a second part, the first part being releasably attached to the second part to form the measurement probe, wherein the failure mode is built into the first part of the measurement probe. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the measurement probe includes a non-replaceable power source and the measurement probe is disabled once the power source is exhausted. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 13  comprising the step of electronically measuring usage of the measurement probe system.