Smart Scale Ruler with Electronic Display for Custom Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional architect's scales are limited to only 12 imperial and 6 metric scales, making them inadequate for measuring drawings not printed to conventional scales, and existing electronic drafting instrument devices do not provide the necessary flexibility and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A Smart Scale Ruler with a triangular design, featuring electronic processing components, a scale visual display, a USB port, and multifunctional buttons, allowing for the generation of an infinite number of custom or conventional scales in either metric or imperial units, enabling users to create custom scales and divide segments for precise measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional architect's scales are used with fixed imperial and metric scales, then the device structure remains simple, but the adaptability to measure drawings with non-conventional scales is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single ruler that can display multiple different scales (imperial, metric, and custom scales) through an electronic display controlled by a microcontroller. This allows one device to perform the function of multiple conventional rulers, achieving universality and multi-functionality while maintaining a simple physical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ruler incorporates buttons and an electronic display that allow users to dynamically switch between different scale types and configurations. The display can be updated in real-time to show different scale markings based on user input, making the device adaptive and dynamic rather than static like conventional rulers.
2Ease of operation
If multiple conventional scales are provided on a single ruler, then the device complexity increases, but the ease of operation for switching between scales remains difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of having multiple physical scale edges on a ruler with an electronic system. Buttons send electrical signals to a microcontroller, which updates the electronic display to show different scales. This substitution of mechanical components with electronic components simplifies the user interaction while maintaining device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ruler allows users to change the display parameters (scale type, units, custom scale factors) through button inputs. The microcontroller processes these inputs and dynamically changes the displayed scale parameters, enabling easy switching between different measurement systems without physical reconfiguration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom scales are generated electronically, then the adaptability increases for non-conventional measurements, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for the electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an electronic display to create a visual copy of scale markings that can be dynamically generated based on user input. Instead of requiring precise physical manufacturing of custom scale markings, the system electronically reproduces the appropriate scale pattern on the display, allowing for high precision through software calculation rather than manufacturing tolerance.
Data Source
AI summary
Smart Scale Ruler is an electronic architect's scale having a triangular shaped ruler body. The Smart Scale Ruler has a changeable electronic display for displaying a custom or the desired scale of any unit of length, for a document or plan. A set of depressible buttons function as the inputs for the value of the reference point a user wishes to base the custom scale off of, as well as different settings for the device, in order to display the correct scale on the electronic display.