WO1999012003A1

WO1999012003A1 - Measuring instrument and combination measuring instrument and costing program

Info

Publication number: WO1999012003A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1998/000129
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Alfred Stinton; Allan Trevor Payne
Original assignee: The Great Dividers Manufacturing Company Limited
Priority date: 1997-09-03
Filing date: 1998-09-03
Publication date: 1999-03-11
Also published as: GB0005220D0; GB2344182A; AU9010298A

Abstract

A measuring instrument (10, 40) includes a first signal generating means for generating a first signal representative of a measurement. The measuring instrument also includes a direction input means such as a depressible switch (36, 38) for the user to input the spatial orientation of the measured dimension relative to a bearing. The measuring instrument (10, 40) includes a second signal generating means for generating a second signal representative of the spatial orientation. In a combination computing means and measuring instrument, the measuring instrument (10, 40) is not limited to having the direction input means (36, 38) provided thereon. In the combination computing means and measuring instrument, the computing means receives the first and second signals to calculate a predetermined quantity, such as an area or volume from the first and second signals. A divider-style measuring instrument (10, 40) (as opposed to a caliper-style with curved pointers) is remotely located from a processor for calculating predetermined quantities from the first and second signals. A computer program is also claimed.

Description

MEASURING INSTRUMENT AND COMBINATION MEASURING INSTRUMENT AND COSTING PROGRAM

Technical Field The present invention relates to a measuring instrument. The invention also relates to a combination measuring instrument and computing means for calculating at least one predetermined quantity associated with an object. In particular, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a measuring instrument for measuring dimensions from scaled construction drawings in combination with a costing program to provide construction cost estimates based on quantities of building materials calculated from measured dimensions on the construction drawings. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not restricted to the building environment and may have application in any field where it is desired to determine a particular quantity in relation to an object, based on the dimensions of that object.

Background Art

Since the advent of the ruler, measuring instruments have been devised in many shapes and forms including electronic measuring apparatus. One such measuring apparatus is shown in United States Patent No. 5,154,003 which comprises a caliper with a pair of arms which are connected for rotation about a pivot point. The arms can be moved apart to measure the distance between the two ends of the arms. This distance is determined from a voltage signal from a potentiometer connected between the arms of the calipers. Whilst this device can be used for measuring simple distances between the ends of the arms, its intended purpose is to calculate diameters of spherical objects in that the proximity of the calipers in relation to the spherical object is controlled by an abutment portion adjacent the pivot point of the calipers which abuts against the external periphery of the spherical object. It is therefore not properly suited to conveniently measuring simple distances. Moreover, the calipers have no capacity for successively measuring a number of dimensions and knowing the orientation of each of these dimensions so that quantities such as areas of objects can be computed. Use of this apparatus for such a purpose would require the user to evaluate the relationship between the various dimensions being measured by the apparatus before manually calculating the area or some other quantity by some appropriate manual method.

US Patent No. 4,195,348 is a measuring device in the form of an electronic tape measure. This device does have the capacity to measure a series of dimensions and input these dimensions into a computer for calculating particular quantities according to three stored programs. However, the device in the operation of these programs requires the dimensions to be entered in a particular order according to the particular program operating. Thus, this device does not have the capacity to calculate quantities in relation to an irregular plane figure since it does not have the capacity to receive information regarding the orientation of each dimension being measured and assign that information to the measurement. This electronic tape measure therefore has limited capabilities in any real construction environment.

US Patent Nos. 4,578,768 and 4,811 ,243 show a computer-aided digitising system in which the user reads in data from construction drawings so that the system can make construction estimates from the data. The information is read into the system by the use of a digitiser stylus in combination with a digitiser board. The construction plan is placed on the digitising board and coordinates from the plan are entered into the system by touching the digitising board with the stylus.

It will be appreciated that a point on the digitising board defines a datum from which the coordinates of points on the construction plan are determined and hence input into the system. This requires that the plan be held fast to the digitising board since any movement of the plan in relation to the board will bring about inaccuracies. Thus, the level of care required in operating this system may render it impractical for use in many situations including in an onsite construction office where working conditions may be less than ideal. In addition, the necessity of a fixed datum in relation to the digitising board presents difficulties in using the system with large construction plans since this will necessitate a large digitising board or difficulties will be encountered when an oversized plan must be moved relative to the board so that all the information from the plan can be entered into the system.

One further inherent disadvantage in a system based on the use of coordinate data is that to calculate certain quantities from this data such as areas, the distances between the coordinates must first be calculated before further calculations can be made which rely on this distance information. This represents an additional calculation step.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome or at least ameliorate the above-mentioned disadvantages and shortcomings of the devices and systems described above, or at least provide the public with a useful choice. Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination computing means and measuring instrument to calculate at least one predetermined quantity associated with an object, the measuring instrument being user operable to measure the dimensions of the object, and including a first signal generating means for generating a first signal representative of the measurement of each measured dimension, the computing means being adapted to receive the first signal as well as a second signal representative of the spatial orientation of each dimension relative to a bearing and to calculate a predetermined quantity from the first and second signals.

It will be understood that the object will be a physical object which may include a plane figure for example, a drawing. The object may also be representative of another physical object either a currently existing object, an intended object or an imaginary object, eg a house plan. The computing means may calculate any number of quantities in relation to an object from the measured dimensions of that object. In particular, the computing means may calculate areas and the system has particular application in calculating quantities in relation to a floor of a building, in particular the area of the floor and the perimeter of the floor. The computing means may implement algorithms to calculate any of the desired quantities.

In a preferred form of the invention, the computing means may comprise a computer program or additionally a processor such as a computer incorporating the program. It will be understood that the computing means will be "adapted to receive" the various signals in the sense that once the computing means is embodied in a computer and in use, the computing means can receive the signals. A computer program or other machine readable language which can perform this function will be understood to be witbin the scope of the present invention. The computer program may be provided on a disc or some other machine readable form.

Computer peripheral devices may also be provided including output devices such as a display monitor particularly for indicating to the user the operation of the computing means to confirm that the user inputs have been received by the computing means. Preferably, an interactive computer system is envisaged whereby commands can be entered by the user and the computer confirms receipt of such commands and where necessary prompts the user to enter required information or prompts the user for further commands. Such an interactive system may be menu-driven and preferably the computer utilises windows-based software. As such, the display monitor is the tool by which the computer communicates interactively with the user, although the system is not limited to the use of a display monitor. A further output device may be provided by way of a printer, particularly useful for output of the calculated predetermined quantity. Thus, the computer may output information in a user- friendly format. Other computer peripherals may also be included such as a keyboard and a mouse.

Suitably, the first signal generating means is provided with or in close proximity to the measuring instrument. In use, it is preferred that the measuring instrument is remotely located from a computer embodying the computing means, to simplify the construction of the measuring instrument to produce a lightweight non-bulky instrument which can be readily manipulated and manoeuvred by the user. There may be a hard wire connection between the measuring instrument and the processor means in the form of cabling. Radio transmission of the signals between the measuring instrument and the computer is also within the scope of the present invention.

A direction input means may also be provided on the measuring instrument for user input of the spatial orientation. Alternatively, the direction input means together with the second signal generating means may be provided by the computer keyboard.

In a most preferred form of the invention, the invention will be embodied in a quantity surveying and costing program to be used in combination with an electronic measuring instrument. The program may be adapted to calculate quantities such as the required number/volume/area of materials or components to complete a particular job such as a building construction job. Algorithms may be employed in the programming to calculate these desired quantities. In this embodiment, the program will assign memory to store parameters of standard building features and components. For example, the stored parameters may include timber sizes and standard spacings of timber members such as purlins or studs. The foundation or wall thickness may also be stored as a parameter. Examples of parameters are provided in Appendix A. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that these parameters may be changed to suit a particular construction job.

Since the invention may be embodied in a quantity surveying and costing program, the program may also assign memory to store information relating to the cost of each type of material or component and the program may calculate the total cost of each material/component from the required quantity of that component. A summation of the costs of all the materials/components may also be computed to produce a job total cost. In a preferred form of the invention, the measuring instrument includes two indicating means such as a pair of pointers whereby the space between the indicating means is adjustable and sensing means is included in the measuring instrument to determine, in terms of electrical resistance, the distance between the two indicating means. The measuring instrument may also be provided with the means for generating the first signal from the resistance measurement.

In a most preferred form of the invention, the measuring instrument comprises two arms which are pivotally secured together with two pointers being located at the end of respective arms and a potentiometer is connected between the arms so that rotation of the arms will alter the resistance of the potentiometer.

Suitably, the combination will be provided with a measurement input means for the user to indicate that a signal should be generated (by the first signal generating means) which corresponds to the distance between the two indicating means. Preferably, the measurement input means is in the form of a depressible switch provided on the measuring instrument, depression of the switch activating the first signal generating means. In a preferred form of the invention, the combination also has the capacity to work to a user defined scale.

The spacial orientation of each dimension may be determined according to a true bearing for example 45 ° to true North. However, it is preferred that the spacial orientation is determined relative to one of the measured dimensions of the object or in the case of the object being a drawing of a plane figure, in relation to a bearing in the plane of the drawing. The orientation may be defined by the user to be in one of an infinite number of directions e.g. 5 ° 10' 60" off true North. Alternatively, the combination provides a range of options to the user. Preferably a range of 8 directions is provided at 45° to each other. It is envisaged that the display screen of the computer will provide feedback to the user as to the user input direction of each dimension.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a measuring instrument including a first signal generating means for generating a first signal representative of the measurement of a dimension, a direction input means for user input of the spatial orientation of the dimension relative to a bearing and a second signal generating means for generating a second signal representative of the spatial orientation of the dimension. Preferably, the measuring instrument includes measurement input means for the user to indicate that a signal should be generated by the first signal generating means. Suitably, the measuring instrument includes an output port for connection to a remote processor.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a user operated measuring instrument having two pivotable arms, the ends of which are defined by respective pointers, each of which extends at an angle which is generally aligned with the longitudinal direction of the associated arm,

the measuring instrument including signal generating means to generate a signal representative of the distance between the pointers, and an output port to output the signal to a remote processor.

The pointers may extend at an angle between 0 and 30° from the longitudinal direction of the associated arm.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a measuring instrument including two indicating means, the space therebetween being adjustable, wherein the measuring instrument includes user input means and signal generating means corresponding to the input(s) from the user input means, the measuring instrument further including function select means for user selection between a measuring mode whereby predetermined user input means correspond to measuring functions and an alternative mode whereby the user input means correspond to alternative function(s).

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computing system including a computer with a mouse port,

a measuring device as described in the foregoing aspect adapted for connection with the mouse port.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program for calculating a predetermined quantity associated with an object, the program being adapted to receive:

a first signal representative of the measurement of each measured dimension of the object;

a second signal representative of the spatial orientation of each measured dimension relative to a bearing;

the program being further adapted to calculate a predetermined quantity from the first and second signals.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings in which:

Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a measuring instrument in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is another top perspective view of the measuring instrument shown in Figure 1 but from a different viewpoint;

Figure 3 is an underside perspective view of the measuring instrument shown in Figures l and 2;

Figure 4 is an exploded top perspective view of the components of a measuring instrument in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is an exploded underside perspective view of the measuring instrument shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a diagram of the internal circuitry in the measuring instrument shown in either Figures 1 to 3 or as modified by Figures 4 and 5;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the costing system of the present invention in use;

Figure 8 is also a diagrammatic illustration of the costing system according to the present invention in use; and

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of the components of the costing program.

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

The costing system of the present invention is a computer-based system featuring a measuring instrument 10 which is operated by the user to take a reading of a particular measurement shown in a drawing 12 in the manner depicted in Figures 7 and 8. The measuring instrument 10 generates an electronic signal which is sent via a cable 14 to a computer (see Figure 9). The costing system is an interactive system in which the user can send commands and data to the computer using the measuring instrument 10 or other input devices such as a keyboard or mouse and the computer also prompts the user for certain information or the user indicates that no further information is to be entered. The computer can be programed to perform various calculations on the entered data but primarily is concerned with calculations to provide a bill of quantities to complete a particular job such as the construction of the house shown in the drawings 12. Stored in the memory of the computer are costing files containing costing information of all the various building material required to construct a house such as that shown in the plans 12. Calculations of the costs of all the materials required to construct a job can then be carried out and a final job total arrived at.

As depicted in Figure 9, the computer may also include output devices in the form of a visual display unit and a printer for producing a report of the costing analysis and the total job cost.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the measuring instrument 10 from various perspectives. The measuring instrument 10 comprises a first arm 22 pivotally secured to a second arm 24 about a pivot axis 26. The ends of each of the arms 22, 24 remote from the pivot axis 26 each have a pointer 28 substantially similar to those found in conventional dividers. In use, the arms 22, 24 of the divider 10 are spread so that the end of the pointers 28 touch respective ends of the dimension being measured as shown schematically in Figures 7 and 8. The operation thus far is not dissimilar to the use of conventional dividers but the manner in which the measurement is read differs from the use of conventional dividers as will be explained.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the components of a second preferred embodiment of the measuring instrument 40. However, in many respects, the measuring instrument 40 is similar to the measuring instrument 10. Figure 4A depicts a top 42 of a right arm whereas Figure 4D depicts the base 44 of the right arm. Figure 4B shows a top 45 of a left arm while Figure 4E shows a base 47 of the left arm. Figure 4C illustrates circuitry 49 required for the operation of the measuring instrument 40. It will be seen that the circuitry 49 which includes a carbon track forming part of a potentiometer 51 , first and second depressible buttons 53, 54 and electrical lead 55, all mounted on a printed circuit board 57 will be received into the base 44 of the right arm.

As can be seen from the underside view of the top of the left arm shown in Figure 5b, the underside of the left arm includes a wiper arm 60 which in the assembled configuration of the measuring instrument 40 contacts the carbon track 51 forming part of the potentiometer provided on the printed circuit board 57. Thus, as the left arm 45, 47 moves in relation to the right arm 42, 44, the contact point of the wiper arm 60 on the carbon track 51 will be adjusted thereby adjusting the electrical resistance of the potentiometer and thus the voltage produced by the circuitry 49. The voltage can be read as a frequency signal by the serial port on the computer. Alternatively, an analog digital converter (not shown) can convert the voltage signal into a digital signal to be read by the parallel port of the computer. However, in the embodiment of the measuring instrument 10, shown in Figures 1 to 3, the analog voltage signal is converted using a microprocessor to a serial digital signal read by the serial port of the computer. The microprocessor is also housed within the arms of the measuring instrument 10. The electronic circuitry is shown in Figure 6 and will be understood to those skilled in the electronics field.

Of course the voltage signal produced by the potentiometer will be varying as the arms 22, 24 are adjusted to take the desired measurement. Thus, the measuring instrument must be provided with a measurement input means to indicate when the arms 22, 24 have been spread to the desired extent.

It can be seen from Figures 1 and 2 that the first arm 22 is provided with four depressible buttons 32, 34, 36, 38 extending along the length of the arm 22. The button 34 is cooperable with the internal circuitry and/or the microprocessor housed within the measuring instrument 10 so that when depressed, a first signal is generated representative of the measurement and sent to the serial port of the computer.

While the measuring instrument 10 can be used to input single dimensions into the computer, perhaps as prompted by the computer, one common use for the measuring instrument is to measure the dimensions of the perimeter of an irregular plane figure such as the floor plan of a house. Thus, in addition to the capacity to generate signals indicative of the dimensions being measured, it is also necessary to send signals to the computer indicative of the direction in which that dimension extends so that if the measuring instrument 10 is used to measure the dimensions around the boundary of the floor plan in an end-to-end sequence then the computer can calculate the area of the floor and further quantities dependent upon the area calculation.

Depressible buttons 36, 38 constitute direction input means for user input of the spacial relationship of each dimension relative to a predetermined bearing. Suitably, the user will define axes in the plane of his drawings where the x axis coincides with one wall of the house plan and the y axis coincides with a wall at right angles to the first mentioned wall. The direction of each dimension can therefore be defined in terms of these coordinate axis. For example, one wall may extend in the positive direction of the x axis whereas the next wall may extend in the negative direction of the y axis. In all, 8 directions are defined by the system, each at 45 ° to each other. The user can operate the buttons 36, 38 to toggle between these 8 options. If the 8 directions are considered to extend from a common point then the button 36 when depressed will toggle through the options in a clockwise direction whereas the button 38 will toggle through the options in an anti-clockwise direction. A signal representative of the direction can be generated by the measurement instrument and the computer on receiving this signal displays the current direction. The direction of the dimension being indicated is arrived at before the measurement of that dimension is completed so that when the read button 34 is depressed measurement and direction information is entered into the memory of the computer. The computer may also be programed so that the visual display unit draws an image of the dimensions in their relative spacial orientation as they are measured.

Once all the dimensions in a house plan have been measured then the user depresses the button 32 closest to the pivot axis 26 to send a signal to the computer that calculation of the area of the house plan can commence.

Figure 6 represents the internal circuit for the measuring instrument 10. The diagram uses known symbols and will be understood by a person skilled in the art.

The operation of the costing program can be divided into 8 steps:

(i) opening a new project;

(ii) setting the parameters;

(iii) measuring outside perimeter and floor area;

(iv) measuring area of windows and doors; (v) measuring the gable areas;

(vi) measuring inside wall length;

(vii) measuring roof area; and

(viii) printing out summary and total costing.

The interactive costing program operates with windows-based software with drop down menus. A new project is commenced by selecting the appropriate menu item and when prompted typing in a project name. The next step is to set the parameters for the new project by selecting the appropriate menu item. Such parameters may be divided into concrete parameters, fixed length parameters, quantity parameters and size parameters. These parameters may be changed at any stage during the costing program and the final quantities will be automatically adjusted. The concrete parameters which must be set include the footing thickness, the slab thickness, the stirrup centres, the slab tie centres and the tailings height. Default values may be set for all of these parameters in accordance with standard building practices. The quantity parameters include the number of exterior and interior doors, the bricks per square metre, the number of required bracing and the number of dyna bolts. The size parameters are set for the standard sizes of timber. Again, default values may be provided in accordance with industry standards. The fixed length parameters also set the lengths of timber?

As part of setting the parameters, the drawing properties should also be set by selecting the appropriate menu item. It is necessary to enter the scale of the plan being costed although three preprogramed options are provided - 200:1, 100:1 or 50:1 with 100:1 being provided as the default scale. Since the computer mirrors the plan on the visual display unit as the plan is being measured, it is necessary to indicate a start point on the screen of the NDU. This can be achieved through the use of the mouse or the arrow keys provided on the keyboard. A default starting point is also provided. The colours and line widths for the display on the NDU may also be adjusted.

The next step of measuring of the outside parameter and floor area is achieved by tracing the measuring instrument 10 around the parameter of the floor plan indicating the direction in which each dimension extends and then pressing the read button 34 to read the measurement off the plan. A running total of the perimeter is indicated on the screen of the NDU as the measuring instrument takes its tour around the floor plan. The length of each measurement may also be indicated on the NDU so that any discrepancy between the measured value and a measurement indicated on the plan can be noted. Once the measurement of the perimeter is complete, the user depresses the exit button 32 to indicate that this process is complete. If a mistake is made at any stage, the delete key can be depressed and the last measurement taken will be erased.

The next step of measuring the area of windows and doors is commenced by selecting the appropriate menu item. This enables the program to calculate the wall area from the perimeter total and the wall height and then by subtracting the area of windows and doors. The program will prompt the user to measure with the measuring instrument 10, the horizontal dimension of the first window and then the vertical dimension of the same window. The shape of the windows may also be drawn on the screen of the NDU and numbered. The user continues until all windows and doors have been measured. Figure 7 indicates the measurement of the vertical dimension of the roller door shown in the plan 12. In the next stage, the user selects the appropriate menu item to measure the gable area. The area of each gable is calculated on the basis of the area of a trapezium. Firstly, the computer prompts the user to read the top dimension of the gable and then the base dimension of the gable and finally the height dimension. Error correction is provided for.

In the next stage of the program, the length of each internal wall is read into the computer.

In the final reading stage, the user selects the appropriate menu item to measure the roof area. The area of the roof is calculated on the basis of the area of a trapezia and as such, the whole roof should be considered as a number of trapezia. Starting with the first trapezia, the computer prompts the user for the top dimension which can be read from the plan view. The bottom dimension can also be read from the plan view. However, the run should be measured using the appropriate elevation view as shown in Figure 8. Each trapezia measured will be reflected on the screen and the user can compare the shape of this depiction to the actual plan to ensure that no measurement errors have occurred. The roof shape can also be edited. To change, the user selects from hip, valley or gable end and the shape can be updated and redrawn. The total roof area will be printed on the screen together with the area of each trapezia shaped portion of the roof.

By selecting the appropriate menu item, the user may then view a summary of quantities calculated by the program. Some of these quantities may be calculated by simple arithmetic whereas some of the other quantities must be calculated by specific algorithms programed into the computer. The algorithms are shown in the program notes provided in Appendix A. The user can scroll through the summary of quantities to check for any errors in order of magnitude.

Once the quantities have been calculated, each of the quantities can be compared with stored information as to the cost of each material to calculate the total costs of each material and a project total for the complete project.

The user can then print out a project cost report as a permanent record of the costing done for a particular project and this project cost report may be presented to a potential client if desired.

The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art may be made in the art thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A measuring instrument including a first signal generating means for generating a first signal representative of the measurement of a dimension, a direction input means for user input of the spatial orientation of the dimension relative to a bearing and a second signal generating means for generating a second signal representative of the spatial orientation of the dimension.

2. The measuring instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein the measuring instrument includes a measurement input means for the user to indicate that a signal should be generated by the first signal generating means.

3. The measuring instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein the measurement input means is in the form of a depressible switch.

4. The measuring instrument as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the direction indicating means is in the form of a depressible switch.

5. The measuring instrument as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the measuring instrument includes an output port for connection to a remote processor.

6. The measuring instrument as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the measuring instrument includes two indicating means whereby the space between the indicating means is adjustable, there being further provided, an electrical resistance which is adjustable as a consequence of the adjustable distance between the two indicating means.

7. The measuring instrument as claimed in claim 6 wherein the first signal generating means is adapted to generate an adjustable voltage signal.

8. The measuring instrument as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first signal generating means is adapted to convert the voltage signal to a digital signal.

9. The measuring instrument as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the measuring instrument comprises two arms which are pivotally secured together with two pointers being located at the ends of respective arms.

10. The measuring instrument as claimed in claim 9 wherein the direction input means is provided on one of the arms.

1 1. The measuring instrument as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the instrument is provided with function select means for user selection between a measuring mode and an alternative mode whereby the direction input means and the measurement input means correspond to alternative function(s).

12. The measuring instrument as claimed in claim 11 wherein the direction input means and the measurement input means operate akin to the two buttons of a mouse.

13. A combination computing means and measuring instrument to calculate at least one predetermined quantity associated with an object, the measuring instrument being user operable to measure the dimensions of the object, and including a first signal generating means for generating a first signal representative of the measurement of each measured dimension, the computing means being adapted to receive the first signal and a second signal representative of the spatial orientation of each dimension relative to a bearing and to calculate a predetermined quantity from the first and second signals.

14. The combination as claimed in claim 13 wherein a second signal generating means to generate the second signal is provided with or in close proximity to the measuring instrument.

15. The combination as claimed in claim 14 wherein the measuring instrument includes a direction input means for user input of the spatial orientation of each dimension, the direction input means in the form of a depressible switch operable to activate the second signal generating means.

16. The combination as claimed in claim 15 wherein the measuring instrument includes a measurement input means for the user to indicate that a signal should be generated by the first signal generating means.

17. The combination as claimed in claim 16 wherein the measurement input means is in the form of a depressible switch.

18. The combination as claimed in claim 17 wherein the measuring instrument comprises two arms pivotally secured together, the measurement input means and the direction input means being provided on one of the arms.

19. The combination as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18 wherein the computing means is a computer program installed on a computer.

20. The combination as claimed in claim 19 wherein the measuring instrument is remotely located from the computer.

21. The combination as claimed in claim 20 further including a cable connection between the measuring instrument and the computer.

22. The combination as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 21 having the capacity to measure according to a user defined scale.

23. The combination as claimed in claim 15 wherein a predetermined number of options is provided for user input of the spatial orientation.

24. The combination as claimed in claim 23 further including a visual display means for user feedback as to user input(s).

25. A user operated measuring instrument having two pivotable arms, the ends of which are defined by respective pointers, each of which extends at an angle which is generally aligned with the longitudinal direction of the associated arm, the measuring instrument including signal generating means to generate a signal representative of the distance between the pointers, and an output port to output the signal to a remote processor.

26. The measuring instrument as claimed in claim 23 wherein the pointers extend at an angle between 0 and 30┬░ from the longitudinal direction of the associated arm.

27. A measuring instrument including two indicating means, the space therebetween being adjustable, wherein the measuring instrument includes user input means and signal generating means corresponding to the input(s) from the user input means, the measuring instrument further including function select means for user selection between a measuring mode whereby predetermined user input means correspond to measuring functions and an alternative mode whereby the user input means correspond to alternative function(s).

28. A computer program for calculating a predetermined quantity associated with an object, the program being adapted to receive:

29. The computer program claimed in claim 28 installed on a computer.

30. The computer program as claimed in claim 29 wherein the first signal and the second signal are generated from a measuring instrument which is remote from the computer.