WO2017141053A1 - Règle à échelle variable - Google Patents

Règle à échelle variable Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2017141053A1
WO2017141053A1 PCT/GB2017/050425 GB2017050425W WO2017141053A1 WO 2017141053 A1 WO2017141053 A1 WO 2017141053A1 GB 2017050425 W GB2017050425 W GB 2017050425W WO 2017141053 A1 WO2017141053 A1 WO 2017141053A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ruler
display
digital
user
graticule
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2017/050425
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Abdillahi Ahmed Mohammed HASSAN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP17713369.1A priority Critical patent/EP3500819A1/fr
Publication of WO2017141053A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017141053A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B3/00—Measuring instruments characterised by the use of mechanical techniques
    • G01B3/02—Rulers with scales or marks for direct reading
    • G01B3/04—Rulers with scales or marks for direct reading rigid
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B3/00—Measuring instruments characterised by the use of mechanical techniques
    • G01B3/002—Details
    • G01B3/004—Scales; Graduations

Definitions

  • This invention is concerned with digital rulers. More specifically it is concerned with rulers incorporating variable digital displays such as multiple different digital scales and their corresponding graticules.
  • the display is adapted to show alphanumeric characters and/or scales which can be varied as required by a user.
  • a digital ruler with a variable display A digital ruler with a variable display:
  • a display component able to display alphanumeric characters and/or graticules digitally, coupled to display drivers adapted to drive said display component
  • a micro controller constructed and programmable to drive the display component (i) through said drivers, to run software, to receive user input, to communicate with the user and/or externally, such as via the internet to receive software changes, scales and graticules beyond any pre-programmes into said microcontroller
  • the digital display component of the ruler can be practically any digital graphic display that is capable of displaying multiple different alphanumeric characters and graticules associated with scales of a ruler, or a segmented display such characters without a graticule.
  • the graphic digital display component can be an LCD matrix screen or an e-ink paper type such screen. It is preferred to adopt e-ink paper type screens, as graphic screen or multiple such miniature screens in a segmented display.
  • Figure 1 is a "top-down" plan view of a variable display digital ruler incorporating a variable digital scale
  • Figure 2 is a cross sectional view through the mid part of the ruler display shown in Figure 1 ,
  • Figure 3 is a block diagram of the minimum electronic components required to construct a ruler depicted in figures 1 and 2,
  • Figure 4 is a more detailed view of essential and preferred electronic components for a digital ruler
  • Figure 5 is a view of a 4 numbered digital display suitable for use as the variable scale digits associated with a pre-printed fixed graticule
  • Figure 6 is a view of the ruler display in use with 3 blocks of the 4 numbered digital display
  • Figure 7 is a suggested format for the displayed ruler scale
  • Figure 8 is a plan view of a digital ruler embodiment incorporating a central display between the edges including graticules,
  • Figure 9 is a view of alternative geometric apparatus that can include the digital ruler components
  • Figures 10 is a view of a T-square that can also include the digital ruler components
  • Figure 11 is a plan view of a ruler with multiple transparent layers, each having an extension for LED illumination
  • Figure 12 is a side elevation of the Figure 11 arrangement
  • Figure 13 is an expanded sectional view of pat of the Figure 12 view, showing illumination of one of transparent layers, and
  • Figure 14 is an isometric view of an alternative unitary construction of digital ruler including the PCB and two user interface buttons
  • variable scale measurement ruler preferably includes the following features in its overall mechanical construction:
  • the digital ruler can be manufactured by moulding the various components together into unitary construction and so robust for heavy and repeated manual use.
  • the digital ruler can be moulded to become transparent in effect to the user where possible, to give an appearance and impression similarity to a clear plastic non-digital ruler.
  • this digital unitary construction ruler 1 comprises a moulded plastics body with variable scale digits 2, a pre-printed graticule 3, horizontal USB input 4, user interface buttons 5 and battery compartment 6.
  • a cross sectional view through the middle of the product is similar to the illustration of Figure 2.
  • the substrate of the illustrated ruler has an e-ink paper display 6 visible through a clear acetate plastics overmould 12, whilst the display drivers 8 are substrate - mounted and connected via a flat flexi cable 9 to a main electronics circuit board (PCB) 10.
  • a micro controller 10a is affixed to the main board, but here covered by an opaque plastics material by way of an opaque acetate over mould 1 1.
  • buttons 5 of the user interface Embedded within an upper surface part of that opaque overmould 11 are the user input buttons 5 of the user interface, to change scale by recalling from built-in memory and/or to access non built-in scales from an external source which can be downloaded for example from the internet.
  • a microcontroller to drive the display, run the software, receive user input, communicate with the user and external devices, receive software changes and other ruler scales that are not built-in and retrievable from memory
  • FIG. 3 An example of a corresponding functional block diagram is depicted in Figure 3, where the display 6 is associated with micro controller 10a having user interface 5, power input 13, battery 14 and external interface 15.
  • ePaper e-ink Paper
  • the monochrome nature of the display in such e-ink display digital ruler embodiments also provides a very high contrast ratio making the display viewable even in very dim light and in direct sunlight.
  • the ePaper technology also provides the fine resolution needed to create a digitally created and displayed graticule supporting millimetre measurements.
  • the manufacturer (Digi-Key Corporation) of the ePaper display supplies standard and custom- built displays, as well as display drivers, as the technology involves creating a very high number of connections between the segments of the Scale Digits (680 lines) and the display drivers (around 300 lines per chip). It is important to note that selection of the specific micro controller to use will depend on the design of the display drivers provided with the ePaper display, the amount of volatile and flash memory the software requires and the power consumption during operation. However persons skilled in the art will be able to make a suitable selection to create a fully functioning digital ruler of the construction that has so far been illustrated and described. Software Requirements
  • Each of these blocks is relatively simple to construct not requiring specialist knowledge beyond standard embedded processor routines, except the USB Client Software which is conveniently adapted from an off-the-shelf package to suit the selected microprocessor.
  • This section of the specification describes the requirements for a preferred graphic display which displays both the required graticule and one or more numerical scales and has the ability to change the numbers and/or graticules to assist in the interpretation of drawings which have differing scales.
  • the specific display in this embodiment of digital ruler consists of a combination of graticule marks and numerical digits and/or graticules arranged to provide the user with a mechanism for physical distance measurement say of up to 300mm.
  • the numbers are variable to suit the scale of the objects being measured.
  • the electronic system adopted includes an electronic display, a microprocessor based controller, a power supply and wireless interface to allow remote control, software updates and re-configuration to occur.
  • the display itself consists of an array of 30 numbers arranged in a straight line 31 cm long. Each number consists of a set of 4 digits, and each set may be placed 10mm apart along the 30cm length of the display. Each set of 4 digits can take the form shown in Figure 5.
  • each set contains three number characters and one which is always zero. It is preferable that the length of this set of 4 characters is no more than 6mm wide.
  • the height of each character is dependent on the font chosen as shown in figure 6.
  • the top edge of the display is referenced 16, the bottom edge of the display is 17.
  • There is an approximate width 18 of the character set that is about 6mm, whilst the approximate spacing 19 between character sets is about 10mm.
  • the height 20 of the display will be determined by the requirements of the size of the digits and character routing, but is not expected as shown in Figure 7 to be greater than about 10mm.
  • a scale designator now shown
  • the overall format of such a preferred display is shown in Figure 7, with a length 21 of about 310mm, the top and sides of the display edges should be as narrow as possible, whilst the drivers should be placed along the bottom edge 22, providing access for the electronics along that edge.
  • Figure 8 shows an arrangement of ruler with digitally variable graticule 27 wherein the central panel 23 is itself in the form of a variable display.
  • the design of the display will be facilitated by the driver chips required for the number of characters supported.
  • the resolution of the display technology is preferably about 0.1 mm with information 24 such as scale 1 :50 selected amongst possible scales, with a user interface button 25 protruding through that central display for a user to press select the scale or to select a different scale, and mode of operation displayed in a section 26 of the central display panel 23.
  • the overall length, width and thickness of the display will however be driven more by the display technology used.
  • Each number digit is 6mm in width and designed based on the resolution available from the technology and on the font required for best readability.
  • the alphanumeric characters are around 2mm in height, also dependent on the resolution available and the most suitable font for the display.
  • the electronics to drive the display includes a microprocessor based controller with software programming and user interface buttons for changing the graticule scale in use, and provides several external interfaces such as USB, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote updates, additional scale downloads and other user control. Power will be provided by rechargeable battery.
  • the digital graphic screen ruler thereby allows users to adjust to a different scale and/or graticule as and when they require.
  • Several scales are known which adopt the same graticule so it is possible to download other scales sharing the same graticule.
  • the ruler can be programmed to or otherwise be capable of downloading all different ruler scales and corresponding gratiucles. For example if a planner needed to use scale 1 :50 in his or her plan they just need to adjust and select the scale graticule and units needed on the (shift) keyboard and it will appear on the digital graphic display, whilst retaining the ability to change to any other scales needed without the need to upon or use other fixed scaled manual rulers. With simple touch operation, digital rulers according to the invention can be programmed to all known and used scales and graticules in modern life.
  • These digital ruler embodiments can therefore work in two different modes. There is a manual select mode, by simple push button selection of a scale/graticule already pre-set within the ruler's inbuilt software. In a secondary usage manner, which is fully digital, the user can again by simple push button download different scales/graticules that are not embedded or pre-set within the ruler memory. This facility enables users to download to the ruler via the internet any required different scale and/or graphic that is not embedded or pre-set into the ruler's memory.
  • the present ruler embodiments may or may not include a high definition digital touch or graphic screen. They can be made in different shapes and sizes as depicted in Figures 9 and 10, and all versions can operate in at least two different modes. Some embodiments of the present ruler incorporate a larger scanner (now shown). Other embodiments may incorporate an elastic strap at either or both ends, to which a writing implement may be releasably attached.
  • the digital ruler can work by itself to display the selected scale and graticle without using the battery, but in another mode it can work by connecting wirelessly to the internet, or to any other suitable digital device such as a PC, smartphone, laptop and the like using any of the internet Wi-Fi communication protocols such as Bluetooth, Hotspot, Cloud.
  • any other suitable digital device such as a PC, smartphone, laptop and the like using any of the internet Wi-Fi communication protocols such as Bluetooth, Hotspot, Cloud.
  • any user of the digital ruler embodiments is able to download any required scale and/or graticule they may need from around the world. So a user such as a planner or architect or other technician could whilst working in USA say, download (to the one digital ruler) an American scale and use that in his work, whilst if in UK with the same one digital ruler he could download any required UK scale and/or graticule and use that, whilst if in Japan he could download to the one and same ruler device a Japanese scale and/or graticule. To this extent the present digital ruler can be regarded as a "universal" ruler that can dispense with the need for multiple different rulers each having their fixed scale or scales, since it can store or download any known scale in any language.
  • a basic and therefore more economic digital ruler can be constructed with a fixed millimetre gratricule and a segmented e-ink display that allows the numerical scale to be varied. This provides for up to 6 scales to be displayed which match with the millimetre graticule simply enumerated by the display.
  • segmented display as distinct from graphic display
  • layers of transparent acrylic are added that are inscribed with additional graticules cut into the acrylic. These graticules are embedded into the digital ruler in a "latent" manner in that they remain unseen until illuminated on the edge of the layer by an LED light.
  • This LED once lit, will shine through the layer of acrylic and catch the graticule cut into that particular layer and reflect the LED light up to the user.
  • the number of additional layers and therefore graticules available within segmented display versions would only be limited by the transparency of the acrylic layers.
  • three such different graticules are embedded by cutting into respective layers of acrylic and 3 LED lights of different colour are provided to illuminate them.
  • Embodiments are contemplated that provided a manual or fixed graticule and scale in addition to the variable digital display, for use in the event of failure of the digital such scale. For example three additional such scales may be provided and the ruler rotated to use them.
  • the illuminated graticules can be incorporated within the digital ruler embodiment by adjusting transparent layers above the display to include graticules which are lit on the edge of LED lights.
  • FIG 1 A general overview of such an arrangement is shown in Figure 1 1.
  • the transparent layer 28 is external at each end 29 to reach an LED placed on the PCB.
  • Each graticule 30 is made by cutting into the under surface of the transparent layer, so the graticule is present but remains transparent.
  • FIG. 12 In cross section, shown in Figure 12 several transparent layers can be stacked on top of each other so that a number of scales/graticules can be illuminated and so become visible to a user at different times.
  • Reference 31 shows three different transparent layers in stacked array
  • reference 32 shows the scale display
  • references 33, 34 and show 3 separately illuminated LED lamps, each of a different colour, mounted on the PCB 36 the effect being illumination of the respective graticule/scale in use at any given time in a different colour.
  • Reference 32 is the digital display
  • reference 37 is a graticule cut or etched into a transparent layer
  • reference 35 is one of the LED lamps shining vertically
  • reference 38 shows that light reflecting internally within the respective layer so as to illuminate its corresponding graticule.
  • Figure 14 shows an enlarged isometric view of a digital ruler in unitary construction of which the main body 39 is provided with an embedded, recessed PCB 36, drivers 40 for the display 32, communicating with PCB, microprocessor 41 and user interface buttons 5 and 5a for varying the scale 42 selected and displayed on the digitally variable screen adapted to display alphanumeric characters 43 and if a non-segmented graphic screen is used, the selected graticule (not shown).
  • Communication between the digital ruler device with any other digital device for the purpose of e.g., downloading different scales or for obtaining any other scale that is not preprogrammed into the memory of the device can be effected wirelessly via any suitable network communication protocol.
  • any scale for internal memory of the ruler such scale(s) can be saved and recalled for display as required by the user.
  • the ruler can be modified so as also to include the functionality of a smart phone or tablet computer.
  • the PCB and electronic components can be covered by a separate display screen, which has the conventional functionality of known smart phones and/or tablet computers.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Control Of Indicators Other Than Cathode Ray Tubes (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une règle numérique à affichage variable comprenant : i) un composant d'affichage permettant d'afficher des caractères alphanumériques et/ou des graticules couplé numériquement à des circuits de pilotage d'affichage aptes à piloter ledit composant d'affichage, (ii) un microcontrôleur configuré et programmable pour piloter le composant d'affichage (i) par le biais desdits circuits de pilotage, pour exécuter un logiciel, pour recevoir une entrée utilisateur, pour communiquer avec l'utilisateur et/ou l'extérieur, par exemple par l'internet, pour recevoir des modifications logicielles, des échelles et des graticules non inclus dans les pré-programmes dudit microcontrôleur, (iii) une batterie conçue pour alimenter l'appareil en courant local, (iv) une entrée de puissance extérieure conçue pour recharger la batterie et/ou constituer une autre source d'alimentation pour l'appareil, (v) au moins une interface utilisateur couplée au microcontrôleur (ii), et (vi) un logiciel codé conçu pour commander ledit ou lesdits circuits de pilotage d'affichage, les interfaces utilisateur et la gestion d'énergie.
PCT/GB2017/050425 2016-02-17 2017-02-17 Règle à échelle variable Ceased WO2017141053A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17713369.1A EP3500819A1 (fr) 2016-02-17 2017-02-17 Règle à échelle variable

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1602821.9A GB201602821D0 (en) 2016-02-17 2016-02-17 Display apparatus
GB1602821.9 2016-02-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2017141053A1 true WO2017141053A1 (fr) 2017-08-24

Family

ID=55697829

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2017/050425 Ceased WO2017141053A1 (fr) 2016-02-17 2017-02-17 Règle à échelle variable

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3500819A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB201602821D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2017141053A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018195597A1 (fr) * 2017-04-28 2018-11-01 Callum Flitcroft Règle à rapport réglable électronique
US20230366665A1 (en) * 2022-05-15 2023-11-16 Eric Clifton Roberts Scaling Rulers

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0342907A2 (fr) * 1988-05-16 1989-11-23 McCannon, Dominic Vigne Calculateur graphique

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2312510A (en) * 1996-04-27 1997-10-29 Nigel Geoffrey Ley Electronic ruler

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0342907A2 (fr) * 1988-05-16 1989-11-23 McCannon, Dominic Vigne Calculateur graphique

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
TYLER TSCHIDA: "Co-Creator Of Classics Releases Digital Ruler App For iPhone And iPad", 4 June 2010 (2010-06-04), XP002770355, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/06/cocreator-classics-releases-digital-ruler-app-iphone-ipad> [retrieved on 20170519] *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018195597A1 (fr) * 2017-04-28 2018-11-01 Callum Flitcroft Règle à rapport réglable électronique
US20230366665A1 (en) * 2022-05-15 2023-11-16 Eric Clifton Roberts Scaling Rulers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3500819A1 (fr) 2019-06-26
GB201602821D0 (en) 2016-03-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10955232B2 (en) Smart scale ruler
EP2040443A3 (fr) Unité d&#39;affichage de papier électronique et terminal mobile doté de celle-ci
WO2011090536A1 (fr) Coque de dispositif électronique interactif
CN106289491A (zh) 厨房用多功能装置
EP3500819A1 (fr) Règle à échelle variable
CN103608753A (zh) 输入装置
US8207947B2 (en) Electronic document readers and reading devices
US20240219176A1 (en) Digital Spirit Level
GB2312510A (en) Electronic ruler
CN101799718A (zh) 键盘
US20060098395A1 (en) Portable information-processing device having a color changing case
ES2352424T3 (es) Elemento de control de la técnica de edificios.
KR102334400B1 (ko) 화소별 출몰구조를 갖는 입체 스크린 장치 및 그 제어방법
KR20220115262A (ko) 무드등
CN214174952U (zh) 穿戴式装置
JP2909938B2 (ja) 電子式測量機
JP2010016711A (ja) 携帯通信端末
KR200392479Y1 (ko) 멀티 눈금 막대자
GB2489478A (en) Computer input device with display indicium
JP3143541U (ja) マルチモード表示機能付押ボタン構造
US12462720B1 (en) Graduation cap with wirelessly controlled cold- cathode tube matrix display
EP1600846A1 (fr) Dispositif de saisie de donnees, procede de saisie de donnees, programme de saisie de donnees et support d&#39;enregistrement lisible par ordinateur contenant ledit programme de saisie de donnees
JP7623740B2 (ja) 画素別出没構造を持つ立体スクリーン装置及びその制御方法
KR100796454B1 (ko) 전자종이 표시소자를 이용한 버튼장치 및 버튼장치가적용되는 단말기
US4542473A (en) Stacked dimension and deviation calculator apparatus for use with gage blocks

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 17713369

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2017713369

Country of ref document: EP

Effective date: 20180917