On screen measurement tool

US8194089B1 · kind B1 · utility

Inventors

• Wolfgang Ante · Wien, AT
• Craig Lemoine Hockenberry · Laguna Beach, US
• Corey Marion · Colfax, US
• Travis Zuker · Randleman, US
• Talos Shu-Ming Tsui · Colfax, US
• Anthony John Piraino · High Point, US
• David Lanham · Greensboro, US
• Gedeon Paul Maheux · Colfax, US
• David Andrew Brasgalla · Stockholm, SE
• Mindy Karol Weaver · Colfax, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 8, 2008
• Grant date: Jun 5, 2012
• Expiry date: Nov 29, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01B21/02
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A measurement tool overlay program that after initial placement in or around the object field, automatically identifies (in ‘expand’ mode) any distance between objects by other programs that are displayed on the screen relative to a starting point between the objects. Measures is provided of the dimensions of any object, or group of objects by accessing the picture elements (pixels) in the memory associated with the display screen. Alternate embodiments according to the present invention operate in ‘contract’ mode. In ‘contract’ mode, the present invention also provides the measurements of an end user-placed rectangular boundary around any given object(s), or distance between outside edges of clusters of object(s) immediately. The box will contract to the size (edge) of the area as defined by pixels, which may be part of one or more objects within the area and provide the dimensions automatically.