Automatic Measurement Display in Graphical Design Software
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic design software requires manual placement and redrawing of measurement rulers, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when dealing with numerous measurements and close edge positions, leading to productivity bottlenecks.
Innovation Solution
A method for automatically displaying measurements between shapes in a graphical design on a computer system, allowing users to define measurement areas without specifying endpoints, with options for filtering and adjusting measurements based on user preferences and design rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual placement of measurement rulers is used, then measurement precision can be achieved, but productivity decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs measurements by detecting shapes and edges in the graphical design without requiring user intervention. The measurement tool self-services by autonomously identifying measurement targets, calculating distances, and displaying results, eliminating the need for manual ruler placement while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual operation of drawing and positioning rulers with an automated computational system. The system uses image processing and shape detection algorithms to automatically identify edges and calculate measurements, substituting the mechanical interaction between user and ruler with an automated digital measurement process
2Measurement precision
If multiple zoom operations are performed to precisely place rulers, then measurement precision improves, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary shape detection and edge identification automatically before measurement is needed. By pre-processing the graphical design to identify all relevant shapes and their edges, the system eliminates the need for users to perform repeated zoom operations to locate precise measurement points, as all measurement targets are already identified and ready for measurement
3Measurement precision
If rulers are redrawn after shape alterations, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is made dynamic and adaptive to shape changes. When shapes are altered in the graphical design, the system automatically detects the modifications and updates the measurements in real-time. This dynamic measurement capability maintains measurement accuracy without requiring users to manually redraw rulers, as the measurements automatically adapt to the current state of the design
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring shape alterations and automatically updating measurements. When a shape is modified, the system detects the change, recalculates the affected measurements, and refreshes the display. This feedback loop ensures measurement accuracy is maintained throughout the design process without interrupting the user's workflow to redraw rulers
4Loss of information
If numerous measurements are displayed, then completeness of information improves, but visual clutter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by allowing different display characteristics for different measurements based on their context. Measurements can be displayed with varying levels of detail, positioning, and styling depending on their location in the design and their relevance. This selective differentiation maintains complete measurement information while reducing visual clutter by optimizing the display presentation for each measurement context
Data Source
AI summary
Display of measurements in a graphical design on a computer system. In one aspect, shapes are displayed in an image, and a definition of a defined area of the image is received. One or more measurements are determined for one or more of the shapes displayed within the predefined area, the one or more measurements determined automatically without a user designating endpoints for the measurements. The one or more measurements are displayed as being associated with the one or more shapes.