Dynamic Fill Area for Document Boundary Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software tools for material take-off analysis in construction require precise user intervention to define perimeters, often leading to incorrect computerized determinations and inefficient identification of areas in detailed documents like architectural plans and engineering drawings.
Innovation Solution
A method for visually interacting with electronically stored documents, dynamically displaying a fill area by outwardly expanding vertices from a region of interest, bounded by an expanding fill perimeter that coincides with the document's open area boundary, allowing for iterative calculation of quantities and user input to refine the analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If computerized determination of perimeter is used, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to incorrect automated perimeter identification
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time visual feedback by dynamically displaying the detected perimeter boundary and allowing users to interactively adjust it. The feedback loop enables users to see the computerized determination and correct inaccuracies through direct manipulation, combining automated efficiency with precision correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs initial perimeter identification automatically without user intervention, then allows users to self-correct any errors by dragging boundary points. This self-service approach maintains productivity while enabling precision improvement when needed.
2Measurement precision
If precise user intervention is required to define perimeters, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex manual adjustment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex manual perimeter drawing with simple drag-and-drop interaction. Users can adjust perimeter boundaries by dragging control points with a mouse or touch input, substituting complex mechanical drawing operations with intuitive graphical manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces visual intermediaries (control points and boundary lines) that mediate between user intent and perimeter definition. These visual elements provide handles and guides that make precise perimeter adjustment intuitive and easy to perform.
3Ease of operation
If dynamic visual display of fill area is implemented, then ease of operation is improved through intuitive interaction, but device complexity increases due to real-time rendering requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system updates the fill area visualization periodically as users interact with the document, rather than requiring continuous real-time rendering. This periodic refresh approach provides intuitive visual feedback while reducing computational complexity compared to continuous animation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system renders only the relevant fill area portion that changes in response to user interaction, rather than redrawing the entire document. This partial rendering approach maintains intuitive visual feedback while minimizing computational overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, system and non-transitory computer medium for visually interacting with an electronically stored document having a plurality of visual objects, comprising accessing the document, the document including a closed region with an open area boundary surrounding an open area; displaying the document on a display; receiving a user input of a region of interest within the document and in the open area; and iteratively, in a time interval of multiple segments, dynamically displaying a fill area in each of the multiple time segments, the fill area being defined by outwardly expanding vertices from the region of interest and bounded by an expanding fill perimeter limited by the open area boundary, the fill area being coextensive with the open area upon the fill perimeter coinciding with the open area boundary.