Touch Digital Ruler Template Alignment Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in creating precise drawing strokes, especially straight lines, when using touchscreen drawing applications due to variations in motion and lack of access to hardware digital rulers.
Innovation Solution
A digital ruler functionality that allows users to position a template on a canvas and draw strokes that align with the template edge, even when the stroke path is not perfectly aligned, enabling precise drawing of straight lines and other shapes using touch inputs on a touchscreen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user draws free-form strokes on a touchscreen display, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a template as an intermediary element between the user's touch input and the final drawing stroke. The template provides a predefined geometric structure that mediates the conversion of free-form touch gestures into precise drawing outcomes. When a user touches near the template, the system automatically generates a stroke that aligns with the template's edge rather than following the imprecise touch path, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and manufacturing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If a hardware digital ruler is used to achieve precise drawing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of a physical ruler's functionality through a software template that can be displayed on the touchscreen. This digital template replicates the guiding function of a hardware digital ruler without requiring the physical device itself. The template provides reference edges and geometric constraints that enable precise drawing, achieving the same manufacturing precision as hardware rulers while eliminating the need for additional physical equipment, thus reducing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If free-form drawing is enabled, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system that adapts its behavior based on the user's input and the template's position. The template can be freely positioned, rotated, and scaled by the user, providing adaptability for different drawing needs. Simultaneously, the system dynamically generates precise strokes by detecting touch proximity to the template and automatically aligning the drawing output with the template's geometric constraints, thus maintaining measurement precision while preserving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer storage media directed to a touch digital ruler. As such, a particular drawing stroke on a canvas or background can be drawn in alignment with a template irrespective of whether a touch path input by a user aligns with the template. In some implementations, a drawing stroke is aligned with a template edge when the touch digital ruler has been activated despite the location of a user's motion on a touchscreen display.