Virtual Ruler Rotation and Pinch Gestures for Touchscreen Drawing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual drawing tools on electronic devices face challenges in providing functional, efficient, and user-friendly virtual drawing aids, such as rulers, which are difficult to use effectively in digital environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of methods and interfaces that allow for the display and interaction with on-screen rulers on touch-sensitive devices, enabling line drawing, fill functions, and rotational gestures, allowing users to create customized virtual drawing aids through free-form line-drawing and intuitive manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual drawing aids are provided in computer programs, then functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical ruler by displaying a two-dimensional representation of the ruler's edge on the touch-sensitive surface. This virtual ruler can be positioned, rotated, and interacted with digitally, allowing users to perform drawing tasks that would otherwise require physical drawing tools. The virtual ruler replicates the functional characteristics of a physical ruler (straight edges, measurement markings) within the digital environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical interaction with physical drawing tools with a touch-based interface. Instead of requiring users to physically hold and manipulate real rulers and drawing instruments, the system substitutes these mechanical actions with touch inputs on a display surface. The touch-sensitive surface detects contact points and translates them into virtual ruler positioning and drawing actions, eliminating the need for physical tool handling.
2Device complexity
If conventional methods for providing virtual drawing aids are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-configuring the virtual ruler with standard measurement markings, edge geometries, and positioning capabilities before the user begins drawing. The system prepares multiple ruler configurations (different lengths, angles, and scales) in advance, allowing users to quickly select and apply appropriate ruler settings without manually creating each measurement guide from scratch during the drawing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic capabilities to the virtual ruler, allowing it to respond to user interactions in real-time. The ruler can be rotated, resized, repositioned, and adjusted to match the user's drawing needs. This dynamic adaptability enables the ruler to transform from a static image into an interactive tool that automatically adjusts to various drawing scenarios, improving efficiency without requiring multiple pre-configured tools for every possible case.
3Ease of operation
If real-world drawing aids are used with virtual drafting environments, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital twin of the physical drawing aid by rendering a virtual ruler that replicates the visual and functional characteristics of a real ruler. The virtual ruler displays measurement markings, edge geometries, and positioning references that mirror physical ruler properties, allowing users to transfer their familiarity with physical tools to the digital environment without confusion or additional learning curves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the virtual ruler a multi-functional element that can serve various drawing purposes through a single interface. The same virtual ruler mechanism supports different measurement scales, rotation angles, and positioning orientations, allowing one tool to replace multiple specialized physical aids. This universality simplifies the digital environment by consolidating various ruler functions into a single versatile component.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes displaying a drawing aid in a sketch area on a touch-sensitive display, and receiving one or more drawing inputs. In response to receiving the one or more drawing inputs, the device displays marks based on the drawing inputs that are constrained based on the drawing aid. While displaying the drawing aid in the sketch area, the device detects a touch gesture at a location corresponding to a location of the drawing aid. In response to detecting the touch gesture: if the touch gesture is a pinch gesture, the device ceases to display the drawing aid in the sketch area; and if the touch gesture is a rotational gesture, the device rotates the drawing aid relative to the sketch area in accordance with the movement of at least one contact in the touch gesture while maintaining display of the drawing aid in the sketch area.