Single Ruler Guide Creation in Document Authoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Document authoring programs lack intuitive mechanisms for users to easily create and remove guides, as existing methods require both horizontal and vertical rulers, limiting user preference and workspace efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method where a single ruler is used to generate either vertical or horizontal guides by changing the cursor shape in response to user input, allowing guides to be created and oriented through clicks and click-and-hold actions, enabling guide line generation and configuration without the need for both rulers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If both horizontal and vertical rulers are required to create guides, then guide creation functionality is complete, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single ruler serve multiple functions by enabling it to generate both horizontal and vertical guides depending on cursor position and user interaction. The ruler is no longer dedicated to a single orientation but can create guides in any orientation, eliminating the need for separate horizontal and vertical rulers and simplifying the interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of horizontal and vertical rulers into a single ruler component. Instead of requiring two separate rulers, the system combines their capabilities into one unified ruler that can generate guides in both orientations through different user interactions, reducing device complexity while maintaining full functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple input methods are provided for guide creation, then user preference accommodation improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic behavior where the guide creation mode changes based on real-time cursor position and user action state. The system automatically adapts between creating horizontal vs. vertical guides based on where the user clicks or drags from the ruler, providing versatility without requiring users to manually switch modes or understand complex settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines the appropriate guide orientation based on user interaction patterns without requiring explicit user specification. When users click or drag from the ruler, the system self-determines whether to create a horizontal or vertical guide based on the interaction context, eliminating the need for users to manually configure guide properties.
3Manufacturing precision
If guides are always displayed in editing mode, then alignment assistance is maximized, but ease of operation deteriorates due to visual clutter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic display behavior where guides are shown or hidden based on the current editing context and user needs. Rather than being permanently visible, guides appear when relevant to the current operation and can be concealed when not needed, allowing users to have full alignment assistance when required while maintaining workspace clarity during other operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A guide is configured in an authoring program to aid the user in editing objects on a document. The guide can be a horizontally or vertically oriented guide line and can be created from a single ruler, either a vertical or horizontal ruler displayed on the workspace. To create a horizontal guide, the user can position the cursor on a horizontal ruler. The user can click-and-hold and drag the cursor to create and position a horizontal guide over the workspace. To create a vertical guide, the user can position the cursor in the horizontal ruler and click and release. The user can create both vertical and horizontal guides using the vertical ruler in a corresponding manner, where clicking on the vertical ruler creates a horizontal guide, and click-and-hold and dragging creates a vertical guide. Guides can be individually configured or altered in their visual characteristics.