U.S. patent application number 12/684653 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-22 for temporal hard media imaging.
This patent application is currently assigned to Corel Corporation. Invention is credited to Christopher Jason Tremblay.
Application Number | 20100182285 12/684653 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42336048 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100182285 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tremblay; Christopher
Jason |
July 22, 2010 |
TEMPORAL HARD MEDIA IMAGING
Abstract
A method of determining a tilt, bearing, and/or barrel rotation
of a virtual marking implement with respect to a surface is
disclosed herein. The tilt, bearing, and/or barrel rotation are
used to vary geometry of an impression profile associated with a
selected physical marking implement as well as the intensity of a
rendering on an electronic presentation device. Further, the
impression profile associated with the selected physical marking
implement may change over time as marks are rendered on the
electronic presentation device. More specifically, a quantity of
use of the physical marking implement defines in part the size,
orientation, and/or shape of one or more facets on the physical
marking implement. Existing facets on the physical marking
implement may be modified and/or new facets may be added to the
physical marking implement as marks are rendered on the electronic
presentation device.
Inventors: |
Tremblay; Christopher Jason;
(Cantley, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HENSLEY KIM & HOLZER, LLC
1660 LINCOLN STREET, SUITE 3000
DENVER
CO
80264
US
|
Assignee: |
Corel Corporation
Ottawa
CA
|
Family ID: |
42336048 |
Appl. No.: |
12/684653 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61145470 |
Jan 16, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/179 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/038 20130101;
G06F 3/03545 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/179 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/033 20060101
G06F003/033 |
Claims
1. A method of determining a mark modeling a contact area between
an implement and a marking surface, the method comprising:
determining a first facet on the implement based on a first
quantity of use of the implement at a first tilt measurement of a
tilt sensitive device; and determining a geometry of the mark and
an intensity distribution within the mark based on the first tilt
measurement and the first determined facet, wherein the geometry of
the mark and the intensity distribution within the mark are based
on an orientation of the first facet on the implement with respect
to the marking surface and variations in pressure between the
implement and the marking surface over the modeled contact
area.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein a first marking event specifies
the first tilt measurement and a bearing measurement of the tilt
sensitive device and at least one of the geometry of the mark and
intensity distribution within the mark are further based on the
bearing measurement.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein a first marking event specifies
the first tilt measurement and a barrel rotation measurement of the
tilt sensitive input device, the first facet on the implement is
further based on a quantity of use of the implement at the measured
tilt and barrel rotation, and at least one of the geometry of the
mark and intensity distribution within the mark are further based
on the barrel rotation measurement.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting a tip
geometry corresponding to a physical marking implement, wherein at
least one of the geometry of the mark and the intensity
distribution of the mark is further based on the selected tip
geometry.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a first
marking event that specifies the first tilt measurement of the tilt
sensitive device and a second marking event that specifies a second
tilt measurement of the tilt sensitive input device; and
determining a second facet on the implement based on a second
quantity of use of the implement at the second measured tilt,
wherein the determining a geometry of the mark and an intensity
distribution within the mark is further based on the second tilt
measurement and the second determined facet, and wherein the
geometry of the mark and the intensity distribution within the mark
are further based on an orientation of the second facet on the
implement with respect to the marking surface and variations in
pressure between the implement and the marking surface over the
modeled contact area.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: presenting the mark
via a presentation device.
7. A system for determining a mark modeling a contact area between
an implement and a marking surface, the system comprising: a tilt
sensitive device configured to input a first marking event that
specifies a first tilt measurement of the tilt sensitive input
device; a faceting module configured to determine a first facet on
the implement based on a first quantity of use of the implement at
the first measured tilt; and a determining module configured to
determine a geometry of the mark and an intensity distribution
within the mark based on the first tilt measurement and the first
determined facet, wherein the geometry of the mark and the
intensity distribution within the mark are based on an orientation
of the first facet on the implement with respect to the marking
surface and variations in pressure between the implement and the
marking surface over the modeled contact area.
8. The system of claim 7, further comprising: rendering circuitry
configured to render the mark on the presentation device.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the first marking event further
specifies a bearing measurement of the tilt sensitive device and at
least one of the geometry of the mark and intensity distribution
within the mark are further based on the bearing measurement.
10. The system of claim 7, wherein the first marking event further
specifies a barrel rotation measurement of the tilt sensitive input
device, the first facet on the implement is further based on a
quantity of use of the implement at the measured tilt and barrel
rotation, and at least one of the geometry of the mark and
intensity distribution within the mark are further based on the
barrel rotation measurement.
11. The system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the geometry of
the mark and the intensity distribution of the mark is further
based on a user selected tip geometry corresponding to a physical
marking implement.
12. The system of claim 7, further comprising: a mapping module
configured to map the geometry of the mark to an impression
bitmap.
13. The system of claim 7, wherein the tilt sensitive device is
further configured to input a second marking event that specifies a
second tilt measurement of the tilt sensitive input device; wherein
the faceting module is further configured to determine a second
facet on the implement based on a second quantity of use of the
implement at the second measured tilt; wherein the geometry of the
mark and an intensity distribution within the mark is further based
on the second tilt measurement and the second determined facet; and
wherein the geometry of the mark and the intensity distribution
within the mark are further based on an orientation of the second
facet on the implement with respect to the marking surface and
variations in pressure between the implement and the marking
surface over the modeled contact area.
14. The system of claim 7, further comprising: a presentation
device configured to present the mark.
15. The system of claim 7, wherein the faceting module may be
turned on and off by a user.
16. A method of determining a mark modeling a contact area between
an implement and a marking surface, the method comprising:
determining a facet on the implement based on a quantity of use of
the implement at a tilt measurement of a tilt sensitive device; and
finding the mark that corresponds to the tilt measurement and the
determined facet in a look-up table, wherein a geometry of the mark
and an intensity distribution within the mark are based on an
orientation of the facet on the implement with respect to the
marking surface and variations in pressure between the implement
and the marking surface over the modeled contact area.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein a marking event specifies the
tilt measurement and a bearing measurement of the tilt sensitive
device and the mark further corresponds to the bearing measurement
in the look-up table.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein a marking event specifies the
tilt measurement and a barrel rotation measurement of the tilt
sensitive input device, the facet on the implement is further based
on a quantity of use of the implement at the measured tilt and
barrel rotation, and the mark further corresponds to the barrel
rotation measurement in the look-up table.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: selecting a tip
geometry corresponding to a physical marking implement, wherein the
mark further corresponds to the selected tip geometry in the
look-up table.
20. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-readable
instructions for execution by a processor to perform a method of
determining a mark modeling a contact area between an implement and
a marking surface comprising: determining a facet on the implement
based on a quantity of use of the implement at a tilt measurement
of a tilt sensitive device; and determining a geometry of the mark
and an intensity distribution within the mark based on the tilt
measurement and the determined facet, wherein the geometry of the
mark and the intensity distribution within the mark are based on an
orientation of the facet on the implement with respect to the
marking surface and variations in pressure between the implement
and the marking surface over the modeled contact area.
21. The computer-readable media of claim 20, wherein a marking
event specifies the tilt measurement and a bearing measurement of
the tilt sensitive device and at least one of the geometry of the
mark and intensity distribution within the mark are further based
on the bearing measurement.
22. The computer-readable media of claim 20, wherein a marking
event specifies the tilt measurement and a barrel rotation
measurement of the tilt sensitive input device, the facet on the
implement is further based on a quantity of use of the implement at
the measured tilt and barrel rotation, and at least one of the
geometry of the mark and intensity distribution within the mark are
further based on the barrel rotation measurement.
23. The computer-readable media of claim 20, wherein the method
further comprises: selecting a tip geometry corresponding to a
physical marking implement, wherein at least one of the geometry of
the mark and the intensity distribution of the mark are further
based on the selected tip geometry.
24. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-readable
instructions for execution by a processor to perform a method of
finding a mark modeling a contact area between an implement and a
marking surface comprising: determining a facet on the implement
based on a quantity of use of the implement at a tilt measurement
of a tilt sensitive device; and finding the mark that corresponds
to the tilt measurement and the determined facet in a look-up
table, wherein a geometry of the mark and an intensity distribution
within the mark are based on an orientation of the facet on the
implement with respect to the marking surface and variations in
pressure between the implement and the marking surface over the
modeled contact area.
25. The computer-readable media of claim 24, wherein a marking
event specifies a tilt measurement and a bearing measurement of the
tilt sensitive device and the mark further corresponds to the
bearing measurement in the look-up table.
26. The computer-readable media of claim 24, wherein a marking
event specifies a tilt measurement and a barrel rotation
measurement of the tilt sensitive input device, the facet on the
implement is further based on a quantity of use of the implement at
the measured tilt and barrel rotation, and the mark further
corresponds to the barrel rotation measurement in the look-up
table.
27. The computer-readable media of claim 24, wherein the method
further comprises: selecting a tip geometry corresponding to a
physical marking implement, wherein the mark further corresponds to
the selected tip geometry in the look-up table.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/145,470, entitled "Virtual Hard Media Imaging,"
filed Jan. 16, 2009; and is related to U.S. Nonprovisional
application Ser. No. 12/464,943, entitled "Virtual Hard Media
Imaging," filed May 13, 2009 and U.S. Nonprovisional application
Ser. No. ______, entitled "Virtual Faceted Hard Media Imaging,"
filed Jan. 8, 2010; all of which are specifically incorporated by
reference for all they disclose and teach.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Various software and hardware tools provide users the
ability to create computer rendered images using techniques that
replicate physical techniques of creating physical images. These
software tools include virtual marking implements that model tip
geometries associated with various physical marking implements
(e.g., pencils, felt pens, crayons, markers, chalk, erasers,
charcoal, pastels, colored pencils, scraperboard tools (e.g.,
knifes, cutters, gauges), conte crayons, and silverpoint). Further,
these hardware tools include an electronic stylus combined with an
electronic tablet that can approximate the physical feel of the
various marking implements and enable the user to emulate movements
of a physical marking implement on a surface (e.g. paper, canvas,
whiteboard, and chalkboard).
[0003] In order to change the tip geometry, the user is typically
required to select a different virtual marking implement or modify
the tip geometry of the selected virtual marking implement within
the software tools. However, in other implementations, the user
physically utilizes different electronic styluses that correspond
to different tip geometries.
[0004] Other implementations have used angle, pressure, tilt,
velocity, and other motions of the electronic stylus to vary the
size and/or overall opacity of an impression profile associated
with the selected physical marking implement. However, past
software tools do not vary the geometry and/or intensity of the
impression profile (e.g. intensity distribution) based on an angle
of the electronic stylus applied to the electronic tablet to model
a physical marking implement oriented at the angle.
SUMMARY
[0005] The presently disclosed technology teaches a virtual marking
implement (e.g. an electronic stylus) configured to determine a
tilt angle of the virtual marking implement with respect to a
surface (e.g., using an accelerometer or other means of determining
a tilt angle of the virtual marking implement with respect to a
surface). Further, the presently disclosed technology teaches
determining a bearing of the virtual marking implement with respect
to the surface. The angle and bearing are then used to vary a
geometry of an impression profile associated with a selected
physical marking implement as well as an intensity of a rendering
on an electronic presentation device.
[0006] In a further implementation of the presently disclosed
technology, barrel rotation of the virtual marking implement is
also determined and used to vary the geometry of the impression
profile associated with the selected physical marking implement as
well as the intensity of the rendering on the electronic
presentation device.
[0007] Still further, the impression profile associated with the
selected physical marking implement may change over time as marks
are rendered on an electronic presentation device. More
specifically, a quantity of use of the physical marking implement
defines in part the size, orientation, and/or shape of one or more
facets on the physical marking implement. Existing facets on the
physical marking implement may be modified and/or new facets may be
added to the physical marking implement as marks are rendered on
the electronic presentation device.
[0008] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter. Other features, details, utilities, and advantages
of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following
more particular written Detailed Description of various
implementations and implementations as further illustrated in the
accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The presently disclosed technology is best understood from
the following Detailed Description describing various
implementations read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
[0010] FIG. 1A shows an example conical tip of a physical marking
implement oriented at 40 degrees from vertical with respect to a
horizontal tablet surface and a corresponding impression profile on
the tablet surface.
[0011] FIG. 1B shows an example conical tip of a physical marking
implement after a first quantity of use oriented at 40 degrees from
vertical with respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a
corresponding impression profile on the tablet surface.
[0012] FIG. 1C shows an example conical tip of a physical marking
implement after a second quantity of use oriented at 40 degrees
from vertical with respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a
corresponding impression profile on the tablet surface.
[0013] FIG. 2A shows an example conical tip of a physical marking
implement oriented vertically with respect to a horizontal tablet
surface and a corresponding impression profile on the tablet
surface.
[0014] FIG. 2B shows an example conical tip of a physical marking
implement after a first quantity of use oriented vertically with
respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a corresponding
impression profile on the tablet surface.
[0015] FIG. 2C shows an example conical tip of a physical marking
implement after a second quantity of use oriented vertically with
respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a corresponding
impression profile on the tablet surface.
[0016] FIG. 3A shows an example flat tip of a physical marking
implement oriented at 60 degrees from vertical with respect to a
horizontal tablet surface and a corresponding impression profile on
the tablet surface.
[0017] FIG. 3B shows an example flat tip of a physical marking
implement after a first quantity of use oriented at 60 degrees from
vertical with respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a
corresponding impression profile on the tablet surface.
[0018] FIG. 3C shows an example flat tip of a physical marking
implement after a second quantity of use oriented at 60 degrees
from vertical with respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a
corresponding impression profile on the tablet surface.
[0019] FIG. 4A shows an example flat tip of a physical marking
implement oriented vertically with respect to a horizontal tablet
surface and a corresponding impression profile on the tablet
surface.
[0020] FIG. 4B shows an example flat tip of a physical marking
implement after a first quantity of use oriented vertically with
respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a corresponding
impression profile on the tablet surface.
[0021] FIG. 4C shows an example flat tip of a physical marking
implement after a second quantity of use oriented vertically with
respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a corresponding
impression profile on the tablet surface.
[0022] FIG. 5A shows an example round tip of a physical marking
implement oriented 45 degrees from vertical with respect to a
horizontal tablet surface and a corresponding impression profile on
the tablet surface.
[0023] FIG. 5B shows an example round tip of a physical marking
implement after a first quantity of use oriented 45 degrees from
vertical with respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a
corresponding impression profile on the tablet surface.
[0024] FIG. 5C shows an example round tip of a physical marking
implement after a second quantity of use oriented 45 degrees from
vertical with respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a
corresponding impression profile on the tablet surface.
[0025] FIG. 6A shows an example round tip of a physical marking
implement oriented vertically with respect to a horizontal tablet
surface and a corresponding impression profile on the tablet
surface.
[0026] FIG. 6B shows an example round tip of a physical marking
implement after a first quantity of use oriented vertically with
respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a corresponding
impression profile on the tablet surface.
[0027] FIG. 6C shows an example round tip of a physical marking
implement after a second quantity of use oriented vertically with
respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a corresponding
impression profile on the tablet surface.
[0028] FIG. 7A is a plan view of an example virtual marking system
with a virtual tablet and a virtual marking implement with a point
of contact position measured in an x-direction and a
y-direction.
[0029] FIG. 7B is an elevation view of the example virtual marking
system of FIG. 7A illustrating a tilt of the virtual marking
implement in the x-direction.
[0030] FIG. 7C is an elevation view of the example virtual marking
system of FIG. 7A illustrating a tilt of the virtual marking
implement in the y-direction.
[0031] FIG. 8A shows an example conical tip of a physical marking
implement first oriented vertically having a first facet and then
tilted 60 degrees from vertical to create a second facet in
addition to the first facet.
[0032] FIG. 8B shows an example conical tip of a physical marking
implement first with 0 degrees of barrel rotation having a first
facet and then rotated 15 degrees to create a second facet in
addition to the first facet.
[0033] FIG. 9A shows an example conical tip of a physical marking
implement oriented at 40 degrees from vertical with respect to a
horizontal tablet surface and a corresponding bitmap.
[0034] FIG. 9B shows an example conical tip of a physical marking
implement after a first quantity of use oriented at 40 degrees from
vertical with respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a
corresponding bitmap.
[0035] FIG. 9C shows an example conical tip of a physical marking
implement after a second quantity of use oriented at 40 degrees
from vertical with respect to a horizontal tablet surface and a
corresponding bitmap.
[0036] FIG. 10 shows an example look-up table for impression
profiles indexed by tilt, bearing, barrel rotation, type of
physical marking implement, and quantity of use.
[0037] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for
creating impression bitmaps based on impression profiles defined by
tilt, bearing, barrel rotation, and quantity of use of a selected
physical marking implement.
[0038] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for
rendering an impression profile based on tilt, bearing, barrel
rotation, and quantity of use of a selected physical marking
implement.
[0039] FIG. 13 illustrates an example computing system that can be
used to implement the described technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS
[0040] Current virtual marking implements (e.g., electronic
styluses) fail to adequately model the effect of altering an angle
of the electronic stylus with respect to a tablet on an intensity
distribution of a selected physical marking implement (e.g.,
pencils, felt pens, crayons, markers, chalk, erasers, charcoal,
pastels, colored pencils, scraperboard tools (e.g., knifes,
cutters, gauges), conte crayons, and silverpoint). Further, current
electronic styluses also fail to adequately model the effect of a
quantity of use of the electronic stylus on an intensity
distribution of the selected physical marking implement. The
presently disclosed technology, teaches a virtual marking implement
(i.e., a tilt sensitive input device) configured to determine a
tilt angle and/or a bearing of the virtual marking implement when
applied to a tablet surface (e.g. an electronic tablet). The
virtual marking implement, for example, may comprise an
accelerometer or other sensor for determining the tilt angle and/or
bearing of the virtual marking implement. The angle and bearing are
then used to vary a geometry of an impression profile associated
with the selected physical marking implement as well as the
intensity distribution of a rendering on an electronic presentation
device.
[0041] Further, a faceting module is adapted to track quantity of
use of the electronic stylus and create and/or vary one or more
facets (i.e., wherein the physical marking implement is not
symmetrical about a central axis) on a surface of the selected
physical marking implement to mimic actual use of the physical
marking implement (e.g., wear on a pencil tip). The quantity of use
is a calculation based on one or more factors including, but not
limited to, existing facet(s) and their corresponding size(s) and
orientation(s), tip material properties (e.g., hardness) of the
selected physical marking implement, a selected marking surface
and/or selected roughness of the marking surface, distance traveled
by the virtual marking implement in contact with the tablet
surface, and pressure applied by the virtual marking implement on
the tablet surface. Other factors may be used that allow a
calculation of mimicked actual use of the selected physical marking
implement.
[0042] In a further implementation, the presently disclosed
technology teaches determining a barrel rotation of the virtual
marking implement with respect to the tablet surface. The barrel
rotation is then used to vary the geometry of the impression
profile associated with the selected physical marking implement as
well as the intensity distribution of the rendering on the
electronic presentation device. Barrel rotation is especially
applicable when the physical marking implement possesses one or
more facets. As a result, tilt angle, bearing, quantity of use,
(and in some implementations, barrel rotation) are used to define
one or more facets on a surface of the selected physical marking
implement.
[0043] In a further implementation, an accelerometer based virtual
marking implement that does not utilize a tablet surface or other
surface (e.g. wiimote for Nintendo Wii.RTM.) may be used to model
the effect of altering an angle, barrel rotation, and/or bearing of
the virtual marking implement on an intensity distribution of a
selected physical marking implement. In another implementation, a
haptic device (e.g. a virtual marking implement connected to an arm
that provides a user force, vibration, and/or motion feedback) may
be used to model the effect of altering an angle, barrel rotation,
and/or bearing of the haptic device on an intensity distribution of
a selected faceted physical marking implement.
[0044] As a result, a user may actively vary the impression profile
while he or she produces strokes of the virtual marking implement
across the tablet surface without the need to change the physical
marking implement selection or switch to a different virtual
marking implement. Further, the faceting module may vary the
impression profile while each of the strokes is produced. The user
may have the option to turn the faceting module off so that when a
desired facet size, orientation, and/or shape is achieved, the user
may maintain that facet as further marks are rendered on an
electronic presentation device. The user may turn the faceting
module back on when he or she desires to change the facet size,
orientation, and/or shape. Physical marking implements that may
possess facets that vary with a quantity of use are described below
in varying levels of detail and include, but are not limited to,
chalk, pencils, charcoal, erasers, crayons, pastels, colored
pencils, conte crayons, and any solid marking implement that
doesn't have hairs (i.e. non-brushes) and that may possess one or
more facets that can vary with use.
[0045] When creating a rendering on a virtual canvas using the
virtual marking implement and the tablet surface, a user may wish
to vary the tip geometry of the virtual marking implement so that a
corresponding impression profile mimics an impression of a
corresponding physical marking implement at a corresponding
orientation (and in some implementations, with one or more facets).
The user may tilt and/or rotate the barrel of the virtual marking
implement with respect to the tablet surface at a variety of angles
to achieve a desired impression. Further, the user may "wear" a
desired facet into the virtual marking implement by moving the
virtual marking implement back and forth on the tablet surface. For
example, FIGS. 1A-1C (described in detail below) illustrate a
virtual marking implement 104 oriented at 30.degree. from vertical
corresponding to a physical marking implement 124 oriented at
40.degree. from vertical with three quantities of use (i.e.,
unused, a first quantity of use, and a second quantity of use) and
three corresponding impression profiles 112, 116, 120 that are
detail plan views of a point of contact 128 or faceted surfaces
190, 194 in contact with a marking surface.
[0046] In some implementations, the tilt angle of the virtual
marking implement equals the tilt angle of a corresponding physical
marking implement. However, in other implementations, the tilt
angle of the virtual marking implement may correspond to a lesser
or greater tilt angle of the corresponding physical marking
implement. For example, a user may desire greater tilt precision
within a smaller tilt range of the corresponding physical marking
implement. More specifically, in this implementation, greater hand
movements of the virtual marking implement mimic smaller hand
movements of a corresponding physical marking implement. In that
case, 0.degree.-90.degree. tilt of the virtual marking implement
may result in a 30.degree.-60.degree. tilt range of the
corresponding physical marking implement. Similarly, the user may
desire to achieve a greater tilt range of the corresponding
physical marking implement while having to tilt the virtual marking
implement a lesser amount. In that case, 30.degree.-60.degree. tilt
of the virtual marking implement may result in a
0.degree.-90.degree. tilt range of the corresponding physical
marking implement. This concept can equally be applied to barrel
rotation. For example, a 0.degree.-15.degree. virtual marking
implement barrel rotation may be mapped to a 0.degree.-30.degree.
physical marking implement barrel rotation.
[0047] In the implementations shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the
corresponding physical marking implement 124 has a physical tilt
angle (i.e., 40.degree.) that exceeds a virtual tilt angle (i.e.,
30.degree.) of a modeled virtual marking implement 104. Barrel
rotation of the faceted physical marking implement 124 may
similarly exceed barrel rotation of the virtual marking implement
104.
[0048] In one implementation, the ability to detect the tilt of the
virtual marking implement is limited to 0.degree.-60.degree..
However, it may be desirable to render markings corresponding to
tilt angles of a physical marking implement ranging from
0.degree.-90.degree.. The 0.degree.-60.degree. detectable range may
be mapped to the 0.degree.-90.degree. desired range to enable the
user to achieve any desired tilt angle of the physical marking
implement using the virtual marking implement with a limited tilt
range. This enables the user to achieve a wide range of impression
profiles even when the ability to detect tilt angles of the virtual
marking implement is limited.
[0049] In still another implementation, once the tilt angle and/or
barrel rotation angle of the virtual marking implement reaches a
limit of tilt angle detection (e.g., 60.degree.), a maximum tilt
angle impression profile of the physical marking implement may be
selected (e.g., a 90.degree.). In other implementations, the
impression profile may change at user perceptible tilt or barrel
rotation angle steps (e.g., an impression profile change for every
5 degrees of tilt). In another implementation, the tilt or barrel
rotation angle steps may be so small that the impression profile
may appear to change uniformly (i.e. imperceptible tilt angle
steps).
[0050] FIG. 1A shows an example conical tip 140 of a physical
marking implement 124 oriented at 40 degrees from vertical
(z-direction) with respect to a horizontal (x, y directions) tablet
surface 108 and a corresponding impression profile 112 on the
tablet surface 108. The conical tip 140 of FIG. 1A is unfaceted and
models the physical marking implement 124 with a zero or near zero
quantity of use (e.g., a sharpened pencil). Since the modeled
conical tip 140 is tilted (e.g., 40 degrees as shown in FIG. 1A),
an area of greater intensity 132 is offset from a center 184 of the
impression profile 112 (referred to herein as intensity offset) in
the negative x-direction (away from the direction of tilt).
Intensity fades with distance from the area of greater intensity
132 of the impression profile 112 to an outer edge 186 of the
impression profile 112. Due to the offset of the area of greater
intensity 132, the intensity fades faster in the negative
x-direction than the positive x-direction. The impression 112 is
symmetrical about an axis running through the center 184 of the
impression profile 112 in the x-direction.
[0051] FIG. 1B shows an example conical tip 140 of a physical
marking implement 124 after a first quantity of use oriented at 40
degrees from vertical (z-direction) with respect to a horizontal
(x, y directions) tablet surface 108 and a corresponding impression
profile 116 on the tablet surface 108. The conical tip 140 of FIG.
1B has a first faceted surface 190 modeling the used physical
marking implement 124 (e.g., a sharpened pencil with a first
quantity of use). The virtual marking implement 104 is tilted 30
degrees from vertical to model the first faceted surface 190 of the
conical tip 140 in contact with a marking surface (e.g., at 40
degrees from vertical as shown in FIG. 1B). The resulting
impression profile 116 is oblong in a direction of tilt
(x-direction) with an area of greater intensity 132 offset from the
center 184 of the impression profile 116 (i.e., intensity offset)
in the negative x-direction (away from the direction of tilt). The
impression profile 116 is symmetrical about an axis running through
the center 184 of the impression profile 116 in the
x-direction.
[0052] This impression profile 116 is intended to model a contact
area between the first faceted surface 190 of the conical tip 140
of the physical marking implement 124 and a marking surface where
the mark is strongest where the pressure is the greatest. Similar
to impression profile 112, impression profile 116 fades in
intensity with distance from the area of greater intensity 132 of
the impression profile 116 to an outer edge 186 of the impression
profile 116. The fade in intensity to the outer edge 186 of the
impression profile 116 is more gradual in the direction of tilt
(positive x-direction) and more rapid in a direction away from the
tilt (negative x-direction). Dissimilar to impression profile 112,
impression profile 116 is oblong in the x-direction due to the
oblong first faceted surface 190. Further, impression profile 116
is larger than impression profile 112 because the first faceted
surface 190 in contact with a marking surface is larger than the
point of contact 128 in contact with the marking surface.
[0053] FIG. 1C shows an example conical tip 140 of a physical
marking implement 124 after a second quantity of use oriented at 40
degrees from vertical (z-direction) with respect to a horizontal
(x, y directions) tablet surface 108 and a corresponding impression
profile 120 on the tablet surface 108. The conical tip 140 of FIG.
1C has a second faceted surface 194 modeling the used physical
marking implement 124 (e.g., a sharpened pencil with a second
quantity of use greater than the first quantity of use of FIG. 1B).
The virtual marking implement 104 is tilted 30 degrees from
vertical to model the second faceted surface 194 of the conical tip
140 in contact with a marking surface (e.g., at 40 degrees from
vertical as shown in FIG. 1C). The resulting impression profile 120
is more oblong than impression profile 116 in a direction of tilt
(x-direction) with an area of greater intensity 132 offset from the
center 184 of the impression profile 120 (i.e., intensity offset)
in the negative x-direction (away from the direction of tilt). The
impression profile 120 is symmetrical about an axis running through
the center 184 of the impression profile 120 in the
x-direction.
[0054] This impression profile 120 is intended to model a contact
area between the second faceted surface 194 of the conical tip 140
of the physical marking implement 124 and a marking surface where
the mark is strongest where the pressure is the greatest. Similar
to impression profiles 112, 116, impression profile 120 fades in
intensity with distance from the area of greater intensity 132 of
the impression profile 120 to an outer edge 186 of the impression
profile 120. The fade in intensity to the outer edge 186 of the
impression profile 116 is more gradual in the direction of tilt
(positive x-direction) and more rapid in a direction away from the
tilt (negative x-direction). Further, similar to impression profile
116; impression profile 120 is oblong in the x-direction due to the
oblong second faceted surface 194. Further, impression profile 120
is larger than impression profile 116 because the second faceted
surface 194 in contact with a marking surface is larger than the
first faceted surface 190 in contact with the marking surface.
[0055] FIG. 2A shows an example conical tip 240 of a physical
marking implement 224 oriented vertically (z-direction) with
respect to a horizontal (x, y directions) tablet surface 208 and a
corresponding impression profile 212 on the tablet surface 208. The
conical tip 240 of FIG. 2A is unfaceted and models a point of
contact 228 of the physical marking implement 224 with a zero or
near zero quantity of use (e.g., a sharpened pencil) with a marking
surface. Since the conical tip 240 is oriented vertically, an area
of greater intensity 232 is located at a center 284 of the
impression profile 212 (i.e., no intensity offset). Intensity fades
uniformly with distance from the area of greater intensity 232 of
the impression profile 212 to an outer edge 286 of the impression
profile 212. The impression 212 is symmetrical about axes running
through the center 284 of the impression profile 212 in both the
x-direction and the y-direction.
[0056] FIG. 2B shows an example conical tip 240 of a physical
marking implement 224 after a first quantity of use oriented
vertically (z-direction) with respect to a horizontal (x, y
directions) tablet surface 208 and a corresponding impression
profile 216 on the tablet surface 208. The conical tip 240 of FIG.
2B has a first faceted surface 290 modeling the used physical
marking implement 224 (e.g., a sharpened pencil with a first
quantity of use). Similar to the impression profile 212 of FIG. 2A,
since the conical tip 240 is oriented vertically; an area of
greater intensity 232 is located at a center 284 of the impression
profile 216 (i.e., no intensity offset). Intensity fades uniformly
with distance from the area of greater intensity 232 of the
impression profile 216 to an outer edge 286 of the impression
profile 216. The impression 216 is symmetrical about axes running
through the center 284 of the impression profile 216 in both the
x-direction and the y-direction. Further, impression profile 216 is
larger than impression profile 212 because the first faceted
surface 290 in contact with a marking surface is larger than the
point of contact 228 with the marking surface.
[0057] FIG. 2C shows an example conical tip 240 of a physical
marking implement 224 after a second quantity of use oriented
vertically (z-direction) with respect to a horizontal (x, y
directions) tablet surface 208 and a corresponding impression
profile 220 on the tablet surface 208. The conical tip 240 of FIG.
2C has a second faceted surface 294 modeling the used physical
marking implement 224 (e.g., a sharpened pencil with a second
quantity of use greater than the first quantity of use of FIG. 2B).
Similar to the impression profiles 212, 216 of FIGS. 2A and 2B,
since the conical tip 240 is oriented vertically; an area of
greater intensity 232 is located at a center 284 of the impression
profile 220 (i.e., no intensity offset). Intensity fades uniformly
with distance from the area of greater intensity 232 of the
impression profile 220 to an outer edge 286 of the impression
profile 220. The impression 220 is symmetrical about axes running
through the center 284 of the impression profile 220 in both the
x-direction and the y-direction. Further, impression profile 220 is
larger than impression profile 216 because the second faceted
surface 294 in contact with a marking surface is larger than the
first faceted surface 290 of FIG. 2B in contact with the marking
surface.
[0058] Impression profiles 112, 116, and 120 of FIGS. 1A-1C and
impression profiles 212, 216, and 220 of FIGS. 2A-2C are specific
to physical marking implements with a conical marking tip 140, 240
such as pencils and crayons. Other impression profiles consistent
with other physical marking implements are contemplated herein and
discussed below.
[0059] FIG. 3A shows an example flat tip 344 of a physical marking
implement 324 oriented at 60 degrees from vertical (z-direction)
with respect to a horizontal (x, y directions) tablet surface 308
and a corresponding impression profile 312 on the tablet surface
308. The flat tip 344 of FIG. 3A is unfaceted and models a point of
contact 328 of the physical marking implement 324 with a zero or
near zero quantity of use (e.g., an unused or nearly unused pencil
eraser) with a marking surface. When the virtual marking implement
304 has some tilt (e.g., 45 degrees from vertical as shown in FIG.
3A), the resulting impression profile 312 is oblong in the
y-direction with an area of greater intensity 332 at the center 384
of the impression profile 312. The impression profile 312 is
symmetrical about axes running through the center 384 of the
impression profile 312 in the x-direction and the y-direction.
Impression profile 312 fades in intensity with distance from the
center 384 of the impression profile 312 to an outer edge 386 of
the impression profile 312.
[0060] This impression profile 312 is intended to model the point
of contact 338 of the flat tip 344 of the physical marking
implement 324 and a marking surface where the mark is strongest
where the pressure is the greatest. Here, the pressure is the
greatest at a center 384 of the impression profile 316 at the point
of contact 338. The intensity fades uniformly and rapidly from the
center 384 to the outer edge 386 in the x-direction. In the
y-direction, the intensity fades uniformly from the center 384 to
the outer edge 386 over a length of a lower edge of the flat tip
344 in contact with the marking surface due to a slight curvature
of the lower edge away from the marking surface.
[0061] FIG. 3B shows an example flat tip 344 of a physical marking
implement 324 after a first quantity of use oriented at 60 degrees
from vertical (z-direction) with respect to a horizontal (x, y
directions) tablet surface 308 and a corresponding impression
profile 316 on the tablet surface 308. The flat tip 344 of FIG. 3B
has a first faceted surface 390 modeling the used physical marking
implement 324 (e.g., a pencil eraser with a first quantity of
use).
[0062] The virtual marking implement 304 is tilted 45 degrees from
vertical to model the faceted surface 390 of the flat tip 344 in
contact with a marking surface (e.g., at 45 degrees from vertical
as shown in FIG. 3B). The resulting impression profile 316
resembles a quadrilateral with convex sides having an area of
greater intensity 332 located at a center 384 of the impression
profile 316. The impression profile 316 is symmetrical about axes
running through the center 384 of the impression profile 316 in the
x-direction and the y-direction. The impression profile 316 also
has an intensity that fades from the area of greater intensity 332
at the center 384 of the impression profile 316 to the edge 386 of
the impression profile 316.
[0063] When a profile of a faceted tip with a flat side (e.g., flat
tip 444) is modeled, a falloff value may be used. The falloff may
be used to cut a portion of the profile off from an impression
profile corresponding to a position and shape of a facet combined
with the tilt angle and/or barrel rotation. Referring specifically
to FIG. 3B, the impression profile 316 is an ellipse with falloffs
cutting the left and right sides (corresponding to lower edge 388
and upper edge 389 of the faceted surface 390) of impression
profile 316 off when the faceted surface 390 is in contact with the
marking surface. As the virtual marking implement 304 is tilted
such that the faceted surface 390 is no longer in contact with the
marking surface, the falloff quickly decreases to zero (i.e.,
disappears from the impression profile). The falloff may be
incorporated into the system as a function and/or curve that varies
according to tip profile, tilt angle, facet shape/orientation,
and/or barrel rotation. In addition, the falloff may be curved or
angular depending on the tip profile, tilt angle, facet
shape/orientation, and/or barrel rotation.
[0064] FIG. 3C shows an example flat tip 344 of a physical marking
implement 324 after a second quantity of use oriented at 60 degrees
from vertical (z-direction) with respect to a horizontal (x, y
directions) tablet surface 308 and a corresponding impression
profile 320 on the tablet surface 308. The flat tip 344 of FIG. 3C
has a second faceted surface 394 modeling the used physical marking
implement 324 (e.g., a pencil eraser with a second quantity of use
greater than the first quantity of use of FIG. 3B).
[0065] The virtual marking implement 304 is tilted 45 degrees from
vertical to model the faceted surface 394 of the flat tip 344 in
contact with a marking surface (e.g., at 45 degrees from vertical
as shown in FIG. 3C). Similar to impression profile 316 of FIG. 3C,
impression profile 320 resembles a quadrilateral with convex sides
having an area of greater intensity 332 located at a center 384 of
the impression profile 320. The impression profile 320 is
symmetrical about axes running through the center 384 of the
impression profile 320 in the x-direction and the y-direction. The
impression profile 320 also has an intensity that fades from the
area of greater intensity 332 at the center 384 of the impression
profile 320 to the edge 386 of the impression profile 320.
Impression profile 320 is larger than impression profile 316
because the second faceted surface 394 in contact with a marking
surface is larger than the first faceted surface 390 of FIG. 3B in
contact with the marking surface.
[0066] Similar to impression profile 316, the impression profile
320 is an ellipse stretched along the x-direction with falloffs on
the left and right side of the impression profile 320. The falloffs
correspond to relatively flat sides of the faceted surface 394
(i.e., lower edge 388 and upper edge 389). As the virtual marking
implement 304 is tilted onto either the lower edge 388 or upper
edge 389, the falloff quickly decreases to zero (i.e., disappears
from the impression profile). The falloff may be incorporated into
the system as a function and/or curve that varies according to tip
profile, tilt angle, facet shape/orientation, and/or barrel
rotation. In addition, the falloff may be curved or angular
depending on the tip profile, tilt angle, facet shape/orientation,
and/or barrel rotation.
[0067] FIG. 4A shows an example flat tip 444 of a physical marking
implement 424 oriented vertically (z-direction) with respect to a
horizontal (x, y directions) tablet surface 408 and a corresponding
impression profile 412 on the tablet surface 408. The flat tip 444
of FIG. 4A is unfaceted and models a contact surface 428 of the
physical marking implement 424 with a zero or near zero quantity of
use (e.g., an unused or nearly unused pencil eraser) with a marking
surface. Since the flat tip 444 is oriented vertically, the shape
of the impression profile 412 matches the cross-section of the flat
tip 444 (i.e., a circle shape). Further, the intensity of the
impression profile 412 is uniform across the impression profile
412.
[0068] FIG. 4B shows an example flat tip 444 of a physical marking
implement 424 after a first quantity of use oriented vertically
(z-direction) with respect to a horizontal (x, y directions) tablet
surface 408 and a corresponding impression profile 416 on the
tablet surface 408. The flat tip 444 of FIG. 4B has a first faceted
surface 490 modeling a physical marking implement 424 that has been
used (e.g., a pencil eraser with a first quantity of use). Similar
to the impression profile 412 of FIG. 4A, since the flat tip 444 is
oriented vertically, the shape of the impression profile 416
matches the cross-section of the flat tip 444 (i.e., a circle
shape). Further, the intensity of the impression profile 416 is
uniform across the impression profile 416.
[0069] FIG. 4C shows an example flat tip 444 of a physical marking
implement 424 after a second quantity of use oriented vertically
(z-direction) with respect to a horizontal (x, y directions) tablet
surface 408 and a corresponding impression profile 420 on the
tablet surface 408. The flat tip 444 of FIG. 4C has a second
faceted surface 494 modeling the used physical marking implement
424 (e.g., a pencil eraser with a second quantity of use greater
than the first quantity of use of FIG. 4B). Similar to the
impression profiles 412, 416 of FIGS. 4A & 4B, since the flat
tip 444 is oriented vertically, the shape of the impression profile
420 matches the cross-section of the flat tip 444 (i.e., a circle
shape). Further, the intensity of the impression profile 420 is
uniform across the impression profile 420.
[0070] Impression profiles 312, 316, and 320 of FIGS. 3A-3C and
impression profiles 412, 416, and 420 of FIGS. 4A-4C are specific
to physical marking implements with a faceted flat marking end 244
and a circular cross section such as pencil erasers. Other
impression profiles consistent with other physical marking
implements are contemplated and discussed herein.
[0071] FIG. 5A shows an example round tip 548 of a physical marking
implement 524 oriented 45 degrees from vertical (z-direction) with
respect to a horizontal (x, y directions) tablet surface 508 and a
corresponding impression profile 512 on the tablet surface 508. The
round tip 548 of FIG. 5A is unfaceted and models a point of contact
528 of the physical marking implement 524 with a zero or near zero
quantity of use (e.g., an unused or nearly unused rounded piece of
chalk) with a marking surface. The virtual marking implement 504 is
tilted 30 degrees from vertical and corresponds to the physical
marking implement 524 oriented 45 degrees from vertical. The
resulting impression profile 512 is generally circular with an area
of greater intensity 532 at the center 584 of the impression
profile 512 and a gradually fading intensity with distance from the
center 584 of the impression profile 512 to an outer edge 586 of
the impression profile 512.
[0072] FIG. 5B shows an example round tip 548 of a physical marking
implement 524 after a first quantity of use oriented 45 degrees
from vertical (z-direction) with respect to a horizontal (x, y
directions) tablet surface 508 and a corresponding impression
profile 516 on the tablet surface 508. The round tip 548 of FIG. 5B
has a first faceted surface 590 modeling the used physical marking
implement 524 (e.g., a rounded piece of chalk with a first quantity
of use). The virtual marking implement 504 is tilted 30 degrees
from vertical and corresponds to the physical marking implement 524
oriented 45 degrees from vertical. The impression profile 516 is
fairly uniform with a quickly fading intensity near an outer edge
586 of the impression profile 516. Further, impression profile 516
is slightly oblong in the direction of tilt (positive x-direction).
Impression profile 516 is also larger than impression profile 512
because the first faceted surface 590 in contact with the marking
surface is larger than the point of contact 528 of FIG. 5A in
contact with the marking surface.
[0073] FIG. 5C shows an example round tip 548 of a physical marking
implement 524 after a second quantity of use oriented 45 degrees
from vertical (z-direction) with respect to a horizontal (x, y
directions) tablet surface 508 and a corresponding impression
profile 520 on the tablet surface 508. The round tip 548 of FIG. 5C
has a second faceted surface 594 modeling the used physical marking
implement 524 (e.g., a rounded piece of chalk with a second
quantity of use greater than the first quantity of use of FIG. 5B).
The impression profile 520 is fairly uniform with a quickly fading
intensity near an outer edge 586 of the impression profile 520.
Impression profile 520 is more oblong in the direction of tilt
(positive x-direction) than impression profile 516 due to the
oblong shape of the second faceted surface 594. Further, impression
profile 520 is even larger than impression profile 516 because the
second faceted surface 594 in contact with the marking surface is
larger than the first faceted surface 590 of FIG. 5B in contact
with the marking surface.
[0074] FIG. 6A shows an example round tip 648 of a physical marking
implement 624 oriented vertically (z-direction) with respect to a
horizontal (x, y directions) tablet surface 608 and a corresponding
impression profile 612 on the tablet surface 608. The round tip 648
of FIG. 6A is unfaceted and models a point of contact 628 of the
physical marking implement 624 with a zero or near zero quantity of
use (e.g., a rounded piece of chalk) with a marking surface. Since
the round tip 648 is oriented vertically, an area of greater
intensity 632 is located at a center 684 of the impression profile
612. Intensity fades uniformly with distance from the area of
greater intensity 632 of the impression profile 612 to an outer
edge 686 of the impression profile 612. The impression 612 is
symmetrical about axes running through the center 684 of the
impression profile 612 in both the x-direction and the
y-direction.
[0075] FIG. 6B shows an example round tip 648 of a physical marking
implement 624 after a first quantity of use oriented vertically
(z-direction) with respect to a horizontal (x, y directions) tablet
surface 608 and a corresponding impression profile 616 on the
tablet surface 608. The round tip 648 of FIG. 6B has a first
faceted surface 690 modeling the used physical marking implement
624 (e.g., a rounded piece of chalk with a first quantity of use).
The impression profile 616 is fairly uniform with a quickly fading
intensity near an outer edge 686 of the impression profile 616. The
impression 616 is symmetrical about axes running through the center
684 of the impression profile 616 in both the x-direction and the
y-direction. Further, impression profile 616 is larger than
impression profile 612 because the first faceted surface 690 in
contact with a marking surface is larger than the point of contact
628 with the marking surface.
[0076] FIG. 6C shows an example round tip 648 of a physical marking
implement 624 after a second quantity of use oriented vertically
(z-direction) with respect to a horizontal (x, y directions) tablet
surface 608 and a corresponding impression profile 620 on the
tablet surface 608. The round tip 648 of FIG. 6C has a second
faceted surface 694 modeling the used physical marking implement
624 (e.g., a rounded piece of chalk with a second quantity of use
greater than the first quantity of use of FIG. 6B). The impression
profile 620 is fairly uniform with a quickly fading intensity near
an outer edge 686 of the impression profile 620. The impression 620
is symmetrical about axes running through the center 684 of the
impression profile 620 in both the x-direction and the y-direction.
Further, impression profile 620 is larger than impression profile
616 because the second faceted surface 694 in contact with a
marking surface is larger than the first faceted surface 690 of
FIG. 6B in contact with the marking surface.
[0077] Impression profiles 512, 516, and 520 of FIG. 5 and
impression profiles 612, 616, and 620 are specific to physical
marking implements with a faceted round marking end 548, 648 such
as rounded chalk. Other impression profiles consistent with other
physical marking implements are contemplated and discussed
herein.
[0078] Referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, a user may utilize an electronic
tablet 736 and a virtual marking implement 724 to input changes in
tilt, bearing, and/or barrel rotation. The user orients the virtual
marking implement 724 at the desired tilt in x and y directions and
contacts the tablet surface 708 at a contact area 728. The user may
also orient the virtual marking implement 724 at a desired barrel
rotation.
[0079] In one implementation, virtual marking implement 724 may
measure tilt angle, tilt direction, and/or barrel rotation directly
and send that information to a computer. In other implementations,
the computer may collect various position data from the virtual
marking implement 724 and calculate the tilt and/or barrel rotation
of the virtual marking implement 724 based on the collected
position data. Further, the x-direction tilt and y-direction tilt
may be collected as a tilt angle and directional bearing of the
tilt. Alternatively, the x-direction tilt and y-direction may be
collected directly and subsequently converted to a tilt angle and
directional bearing of the tilt.
[0080] In still further implementations, tilt angle, tilt
direction, and/or barrel rotation are determined when the virtual
marking implement 724 contacts or comes in close contact with the
electronic tablet 736. In other implementations, the computer may
monitor the tilt and/or position data sent from the virtual marking
implement 724 so long as the virtual marking implement 724 is
within range of the computer. Further, the virtual marking
implement 724 may utilize accelerometers to determine tilt angle,
however, other means for measuring and/or calculating tilt angle,
tilt direction, and/or barrel rotation are contemplated.
[0081] FIG. 7A is a plan view of an example virtual marking system
700 with a virtual tablet 736 and a virtual marking implement 724
with a point of contact 728 position measured in an x-direction and
a y-direction. Side edges of the electronic tablet 736 are aligned
with coordinate axes x and y. The virtual marking implement 724 is
contacting the tablet surface 708 at a contact area 728 defined by
distance "a" in the x-direction and distance "b" in the
y-direction. Further, the virtual marking implement 724 is shown
with a tilt angle in the positive x-direction and negative
y-direction.
[0082] FIG. 7A also incorporates a scratch pad 737 in the lower
right-hand corner of the tablet surface 708. The scratch pad 737
may be used to "wear" one or more facets into a selected physical
marking implement that is modeled by the virtual marking implement
724 by moving the virtual marking implement 724 across the scratch
pad 737 repeatedly until a desired facet is obtained. For example,
a user may select a sharpened pencil as a desired physical marking
implement; however, the user may wish to have a facet in the
sharpened pencil. The user may use the scratch pad 737 to obtain
the desired facet(s).
[0083] In one implementation, the scratch pad 737 is always active
and motion of the virtual marking implement across the scratch pad
737 always results in "wearing" one or more facets into the
selected physical marking implement. In another implementation, the
scratch pad 737 may be deactivated by a user so that the user may
keep a desired facet even when producing strokes of the virtual
marking implement 724 in the region of the tablet surface 708
occupied by the scratch pad 737. The user may activate the scratch
pad 737 when he or she desires to use the scratch pad 737 again to
change the facet number, size, orientation, and/or shape on the
selected physical marking implement. Activation and deactivation of
the scratch pad 737 may be accomplished by the user using a variety
of user input devices (e.g., keystroke, mouse selection, virtual
marking implement selection).
[0084] In other implementations, the scratch pad 737 has a
different size, shape (e.g., circular or rectangular), and/or
orientation with respect to the remainder of the tablet surface 708
(e.g., occupying another corner of the tablet surface 708,
occupying a side of the tablet surface 708, occupying a center of
the tablet surface 708) than that shown in FIG. 7A. Additionally,
the size, shape and/or orientation of the scratch pad 737 may be
user configurable. For example, the scratch pad 737 may be
manipulated via the virtual marking implement 724 or other user
input device (e.g., a mouse or keyboard).
[0085] In still other implementations, the tablet surface 708 does
not include a scratch pad. Any portion of the tablet surface 708
may be used to "wear" one or more facets into the selected physical
marking implement that is modeled by the virtual marking implement
724 by moving the virtual marking implement 724 across any portion
of the tablet surface 708 until a desired facet is obtained.
Additionally, the tablet surface 708 may always be active for
"wearing" and motion of the virtual marking implement across the
tablet surface 708 always results in "wearing" one or more facets
into the selected physical marking implement. Alternatively, the
tablet surface 708 may be deactivated for "wear" by a user so that
the user may keep a desired facet even when producing strokes of
the virtual marking implement 724 on the tablet surface 708.
[0086] FIG. 7B is an elevation view of the example virtual marking
system 700 of FIG. 7A illustrating a tilt of the virtual marking
implement 724 in the x-direction. Coordinate axis x is aligned with
a first side edge of the electronic tablet 736 and coordinate axis
z is perpendicular to the tablet surface 708. The virtual marking
implement 724 is contacting the tablet surface 708 at the contact
area 728 defined by distance a in the x-direction. Further, the
virtual marking implement 724 is shown with a tilt angle in the
positive x-direction. Still further, the virtual marking implement
724 may be rotated about its longitudinal axis to effect a barrel
rotation of a corresponding physical marking implement as indicated
by arrow 796.
[0087] FIG. 7C is an elevation view of the example virtual marking
system 700 of FIG. 7A illustrating a tilt of the virtual marking
implement 724 in the y-direction. Coordinate axis y is aligned with
a second side edge of the electronic tablet 736 and coordinate axis
z is perpendicular to the tablet surface 708. The virtual marking
implement 724 is contacting the tablet surface 708 at the contact
area 728 defined by distance b in the y-direction. Further, the
virtual marking implement 724 is shown with a tilt angle in the
negative y-direction. Still further, the virtual marking implement
724 may be rotated about its longitudinal axis to effect a barrel
rotation of a corresponding physical marking implement as indicated
by arrow 796.
[0088] The generation of an impression profile is based on
information received from the user including: selection of a
physical marking implement and dimensional information of the
physical marking implement. In some implementations, the
dimensional information of the physical marking implement is
predefined based on common attributes of the selected physical
marking implement. In other implementations, the dimensional
information of the selected physical marking implement is
customizable by the user. For example, the user may specify the
physical marking implement's length, diameter, x-sectional profile,
and tip angle, facet shape, facet orientation, other properties
specific to the physical marking implement that the user wishes to
model. The user may also modify facet shape and/or orientation by
"wearing" one or more facets into the selected physical marking
implement. Further, the generation of an impression profile is
based on information received from the virtual marking implement
including tilt angle, tilt bearing (or alternatively x-direction
tilt, y-direction tilt), and/or barrel rotation.
[0089] FIG. 8A shows an example conical tip 840 of a physical
marking implement 824 first oriented vertically having a first
facet 890 and then tilted 60 degrees from vertical to create a
second facet 894 in addition to the first facet 890. In the left
illustration of FIG. 8A, the physical marking implement 824 is
oriented vertically. The first facet 890 is "worn" into the conical
tip 840 by a user and is oriented flush with a marking surface 860.
The first facet 890 models a physical marking implement (e.g., a
sharpened pencil) with a first quantity of use.
[0090] In the right illustration of FIG. 8A, the physical marking
implement 824 is moved to an orientation tilted 60 degrees from
vertical. The second facet 894 is "worn" into the conical tip 840
by the user and is oriented flush with the marking surface 860. The
second facet 894 models the physical marking implement (e.g., a
single-faceted pencil) with a second quantity of use.
[0091] As a result, while the first facet 890 still exists on the
conical tip 840, the second facet 894 has replaced some of the
first facet 890 with the second facet 984. Further, the facets 840,
894 are "worn" into the conical tip 840 flush with the marking
surface 860 at the orientation of the physical marking implement
824 when the facets 840, 894 are created. As a result, the facets
840, 894 may be oriented at any angle on the conical tip 840. This
process may be repeated to create numerous facets on a conical tip
840. Further, this process may be utilized on other tip shapes
(e.g., round tips and flat tips).
[0092] FIG. 8B shows an example conical tip 840 of a physical
marking implement 824 first with 0 degrees of barrel rotation
having a first facet 890 and then rotated 15 degrees to create a
second facet 894 in addition to the first facet 890. In the left
illustration of FIG. 8B, the physical marking implement 824 is
oriented at a tilt angle (i.e., any tilt angle greater than 0
degrees from vertical) with a reference barrel rotation (e.g., 0
degrees). The first facet 890 is "worn" into the conical tip 840 by
a user and is oriented flush with a marking surface 860. The first
facet 890 models a physical marking implement (e.g., a sharpened
pencil) with a first quantity of use.
[0093] In the right illustration of FIG. 8B, the physical marking
implement 824 is rotated 15 degrees about its barrel. The second
facet 894 is "worn" into the conical tip 840 by the user and is
oriented flush with the marking surface 860. The second facet 894
models the physical marking implement (e.g., a single-faceted
pencil) with a second quantity of use.
[0094] As a result, while the first facet 890 still exists on the
conical tip 840, the second facet 894 has replaced some of the
first facet 890 with the second facet 984. Further, the facets 840,
894 are "worn" into the conical tip 840 flush with the marking
surface 860 at the orientation of the physical marking implement
824 when the facets 840, 894 are created. As a result, the facets
840, 894 may be oriented at any orientation on the conical tip 840.
This process may be repeated to create numerous facets on a conical
tip 840. Further, this process may be utilized on other tip shapes
(e.g., round tips and flat tips).
[0095] In one implementation, impression profiles are created using
bitmaps with bits having varying intensities corresponding to a
modeled physical mark. A series of bitmaps are rendered on an
electronic presentation device in real-time corresponding to
dimensional information and physical properties of the physical
marking implement as the tilt angle changes. Further, the maximum
size of the bitmap is defined by a dimension of the modeled
physical marking implement. In one implementation, the dimension is
the greater of the length and width of a marking portion of the
physical marking implement. Therefore, the height and width of the
maximum bitmap are equal to the greater of the length and width of
the marking portion of the physical marking implement. However, the
actual size of each rendered bitmap varies according to the
selected physical marking implement, tilt angle and/or barrel
rotation.
[0096] In one conical tip implementation, a maximum width of a
facet surface of the physical marking implement defines the maximum
bitmap size. In another conical tip implementation (e.g., a
pencil), a length of exposed lead along a portion of the conical
tip (i.e. a marking portion) of the physical marking implement in
contact with a marking surface defines the maximum bitmap size. In
yet another implementation (e.g., crayons, chalk, charcoal, and
pastels), a length of the entire conical tip defines the maximum
bitmap size.
[0097] In one flat tip or round tip implementation, the greater of
a length and a width of a facet surface on the physical marking
implement defines the maximum bitmap size. In another flat tip or
round tip implementation, the greater of a diameter and a length of
a marking portion of the physical marking implement defines the
maximum bitmap size. More specifically, in an implementation where
the marking portion runs the entire length of the physical marking
implement (e.g., a crayon without a label, piece of chalk, piece of
charcoal, or pastel), the greater dimension is the length rather
than the diameter of the physical marking implement. In another
flat tip or round tip implementation where the marking portion
length is only a portion of the entire length of the physical
marking implement (e.g., a pencil eraser and a crayon with a
label); the greater dimension may be the diameter rather than the
length of the physical marking implement or the greater of a length
and a width of the facet surface of the physical marking
implement.
[0098] Further, in some implementations, the orientation of each
rendered bitmap varies according to bearing of the tilt. More
specifically, the height and width of each rendered bitmap is
defined by the tilt angle and the orientation of height and width
with respect to an x-direction and a y-direction is defined by the
bearing of the tilt. This calculation is commonly performed by an
affine transform.
[0099] The affine transform may be used to scale each rendered
bitmap in the direction of the tilt and in directions orthogonal to
the tilt. More specifically, the affine transform allows the
rendered bitmap to be scaled in two separate directions with
distinct scaling ratios. In other implementations, the orientation
of height and width with respect to the x-direction and the
y-direction may also be calculated using formulae specific to the
modeled physical marking implement.
[0100] In some implementations, the rendered bitmap is smooth
(e.g., a marker). In other implementations, the rendered bitmap is
grainy (e.g., chalk). The visual appearance of the bitmap on the
electronic presentation device mimics the appearance of the
selected physical marking implement on a marking surface.
[0101] FIG. 9A shows an example conical tip 940 of a physical
marking implement 924 oriented at 40 degrees from vertical with
respect to a horizontal tablet surface 908 and a corresponding
bitmap 970. Bitmap 970 is constrained to a bit number corresponding
to a maximum dimension of the modeled physical marking implement
924 (discussed above). The modeled physical marking implement 924
has a unfaceted conical tip 940, similar to the unfaceted conical
tip 140 (leftmost illustration) of FIG. 1. Referencing FIG. 1, the
impression profile 112 corresponding to unfaceted conical tip 140
is relatively small and circular. As a result, bitmap 970 is
similarly small and circular (e.g., 3 bits by 3 bits).
[0102] FIG. 9B shows an example conical tip 940 of a physical
marking implement 924 after a first quantity of use oriented at 40
degrees from vertical with respect to a horizontal tablet surface
908 and a corresponding bitmap 978. Bitmap 978 is constrained to a
bit number corresponding to a maximum dimension of the modeled
physical marking implement 924 (discussed above). The modeled
physical marking implement 924 has a first faceted conical tip 940,
similar to faceted conical tip 140 (center illustration) of FIG. 1.
Referencing FIG. 1, the impression profile 116 corresponding to
conical tip 140 with faceted surface 190 is larger than impression
profile 112 and oblong in the direction of tilt (x-direction). As a
result, bitmap 978 becomes larger and oblong in a direction of tilt
(x-direction) when compared to bitmap 970 (e.g., 12 bits by 36
bits).
[0103] FIG. 9C shows an example conical tip 940 of a physical
marking implement 924 after a second quantity of use oriented at 40
degrees from vertical with respect to a horizontal tablet surface
908 and a corresponding bitmap 974. Bitmap 974 is constrained to a
bit number corresponding to a maximum dimension of the modeled
physical marking implement 924 (discussed above). The modeled
physical marking implement 924 has a second faceted conical tip
940, similar to faceted conical tip 140 (rightmost illustration) of
FIG. 1. Referencing FIG. 1, the impression profile 120
corresponding to conical tip 140 with faceted surface 194 is even
larger and even more oblong in a direction of tilt (x-direction)
than the impression profile 116. As a result, bitmap 974 becomes
even larger and even more oblong in a direction of tilt
(x-direction) when compared to bitmap 978 (e.g., 20 bits by 44
bits).
[0104] Cumulatively, a maximum dimension of the bitmaps 970, 978,
and 974 of FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C is forty-four bits. In some
implementations, the maximum dimension defines the dimension for
all bitmaps for the selected physical marking implement 924.
Bitmaps may also be generated for tip orientations other than
conical tips (e.g., flat tips and round tips). Bitmaps for each tip
orientation will depend on the form factor of the impression
profile at each tilt angle.
[0105] Once a bitmap size is determined, an intensity value is
determined for each of the bits in the bitmap. The intensity value
for each bit mimics an intensity of the corresponding location in a
mark made by a physical marking implement on a marking surface.
Bitmap with intensity values approximate the impression profiles
discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-6C.
[0106] FIG. 10 shows an example look-up table 1000 for impression
profiles indexed by tilt, bearing, barrel rotation, type of
physical marking implement, and quantity of use. More specifically,
the example look-up table 1000 is for a pencil and shows example
impression profiles for the pencil at 0 degrees tilt, 0 degrees
bearing, 0 degrees rotation, and no use; 20 degrees tilt, 30
degrees bearing, 0 degrees rotation, and possessing a first facet
corresponding to a first quantity of use; and 40 degrees tilt, 60
degrees bearing, 0 degrees rotation, and possessing a second facet
corresponding to a second quantity of use. The selected tilt,
bearing, rotation, type of physical marking implement, and quantity
of use combinations shown in look-up table 1000 are examples only.
There may be many more combinations of tilt, bearing, rotation,
type of physical marking implement, and quantity of use indexed in
the look-up table 1000. Further, additional or fewer properties may
be included in the look-up table 1000. In one implementation, all
possible tilt, bearing, rotation, and quantity of use values are
tabulated for each physical marking implement.
[0107] In another implementation, at least one tip geometry for
each available physical marking implement oriented at each
available tilt angle, bearing, and barrel rotation is saved in a
database associated with a drawing application. Further, multiple
tip geometries for each physical marking implement may be stored in
the database corresponding to multiple lengths, widths, or other
variable properties of the selected physical marking implement. In
one implementation, a user selects a physical marking implement in
the drawing application. In another implementation, the user
modifies default tip geometry, including facets, associated with
the selected physical marking implement thereby creating a custom
tip geometry. In still other implementations, the user creates a
tip geometry from scratch using dimensional and marking
characteristics of the physical marking implement that the user
wishes to model.
[0108] In one implementation, all bitmaps for a selected tip
geometry are generated based on the look-up tables. The drawing
application monitors a tablet surface for contact by a virtual
marking implement. Once the virtual marking implement makes contact
with the tablet surface, the computer application reads tilt,
bearing (or alternatively tilt in x-direction and y-direction), and
rotation information and selects the bitmap that corresponds best
to the measured tilt, bearing, and rotation information. The
drawing application then adjusts the bitmap and renders the
appropriate mark on a presentation device. In one implementation,
the drawing application repeatedly monitors the virtual marking
implement for tilt, bearing, and rotation information at a high
rate and adjusts the rendering as the user changes tilt, bearing,
and rotation of the virtual marking implement. The drawing
application may also monitor quantity of use of the virtual marking
implement at each measured tilt, bearing, and rotation to determine
if and when one or more facets should be changed and/or added to
the selected tip geometry. These operations may be done rapidly
and/or at a high rate to render markings for the user in
real-time.
[0109] In an alternative implementation, the look-up tables may not
contain impression profiles for all available tilt, bearing, and
rotation angles. The drawing application can calculate in real-time
changes in the impression profile based on changes in tilt,
bearing, and/or rotation by applying a function that modifies a
stored impression profile to the appropriate tilt, bearing, and
rotation. Similarly, the look-up tables may not contain impression
profiles for all available facets corresponding to various
quantities of use at various tilt, bearing, and rotation angles.
The drawing application can calculate in real-time changes in the
impression profile based on quantity of use by applying a function
that modifies a stored impression profile to the appropriate
quantity of use.
[0110] In yet another implementation, the drawing application
renders marks on a presentation device without the use of the one
or more look-up tables. Here, the drawing application reads tilt,
bearing, rotation, and quantity of use information from the virtual
marking implement and generates bitmaps in real-time that
correspond best to the measured tilt, bearing, rotation, and
quantity of use based on a combination of physical marking
implement settings, curves, and measurements. The drawing
application then adjusts the bitmaps and renders the appropriate
impression profiles on the presentation device.
[0111] In still another implementation, bitmaps are generated in
real-time and stored in a cache. While rendering marks on the
presentation device, the drawing application retrieves bitmaps from
the cache corresponding to measured tilt, bearing, rotation, and
quantity of use information. If an appropriate bitmap does not
exist in the cache for the measured tilt, bearing, rotation, and
quantity of use information, the drawing application generates a
new bitmap for that combination of tilt, bearing, rotation, and
quantity of use and stores the new bitmap in the cache.
[0112] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for
creating impression bitmaps based on impression profiles defined by
tilt, bearing, barrel rotation, and quantity of use of a selected
physical marking implement. In a detection operation 1110, a
drawing application detects a profile change event input from the
user. The profile change event is any input that results in a
modification of the impression profile. For example, the user may
create a new tip geometry, select a different physical marking
implement, select a facet, or modify the selected physical marking
implement. Further, the user may change the orientation of a
virtual marking implement resulting in a different tilt, bearing,
and/or barrel rotation of the virtual marking implement. Still
further, the user may render a marking that affects a quantity of
use of the virtual marking implement.
[0113] In a first determining operation 1120, the drawing
application determines the maximum bitmap size of the selected
physical marking implement. In a second determining operation 1130,
the drawing application then determines tip geometry based on the
selected physical marking implement, selected facet, facet created
by a quantity of use, and/or user created tip geometry. In a
retrieving operation 1140, the drawing application uses the
determined tip geometry and determined maximum bitmap size to
retrieve tip parameter sets that define properties of the selected
physical marking implement. These properties include, but are not
limited to, scaling factors, intensity curves or functions, and/or
impression profile look-up tables.
[0114] In a third determining operation 1150, the drawing
application then determines bitmap sizes by applying scale factors
based on tilt, bearing, barrel rotation, and/or quantity of use to
the maximum bitmap size of the selected physical marking implement.
There may be separate scale factors for bitmap size in the
x-direction and the y-direction, or alternatively each scale factor
may apply to bitmap size in both the x-direction and the
y-direction. In a computing operation 1160, the drawing application
then computes an offset dimension and/or a falloff based on the
tilt, bearing, barrel rotation, and/or quantity of use of the
virtual marking implement. The offset dimension defines the
direction and magnitude of an offset between the center of
intensity of each bitmap with respect to the dimensional center of
each bitmap. The falloff may be used to cut a portion of the bitmap
off corresponding to a position and shape of a facet combined with
the tilt angle and/or barrel rotation.
[0115] In a generating operation 1170, an intensity profile is
generated based on the tip parameter set, the bitmap size, and the
offset/falloff dimension(s). In a creation operation 1180, the
intensity profile is applied to the bitmap size to generate a
bitmap unique to a specific combination of tip geometry, tilt,
bearing, barrel rotation, and/or quantity of use.
[0116] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for
rendering an impression profile based on tilt, bearing, barrel
rotation, and quantity of use of a selected physical marking
implement. In a creation operation 1210, a set of bitmaps unique to
a specific combination of tip geometry, tilt, bearing, barrel
rotation, and/or quantity of use are created. See e.g., FIGS. 9A-C.
In a detection operation 1220, a drawing application detects a
marking event input from a user. The marking event is an input that
is intended to result in a rendering of an impression profile on an
electronic presentation device. For example, the user may contact a
surface of an electronic tablet with a virtual marking implement
and drag the virtual marking implement across the electronic
tablet.
[0117] In a reading operation 1230, once the drawing application
detects a marking event, the drawing application reads a tilt
measurement, a bearing measurement, and/or a barrel rotation
measurement from the virtual marking implement. The drawing
application may also read and track a quantity of use of the
virtual marking implement. The quantity of use can be used to place
one or more facets on the selected physical marking implement. In a
selection operation 1240, the drawing application selects a bitmap
from the set of bitmaps that best corresponds to the tilt, bearing,
barrel rotation, and quantity of use measurements. Finally, in a
rendering operation 1250, the drawing application renders the
impression profile on the electronic display utilizing the geometry
and intensity distribution of the selected bitmap. In another
implementation, the creation operation 1210 is performed in
real-time by the drawing application based on the reading operation
1230.
[0118] FIG. 13 illustrates an example computing system that can be
used to implement the described technology. A general purpose
computer system 1300 is capable of executing a computer program
product to execute a computer process. Data and program files may
be input to the computer system 1300, which reads the files and
executes the programs therein. Some of the elements of a general
purpose computer system 1300 are shown in FIG. 13 wherein a
processor 1302 is shown having an input/output (I/O) section 1304,
a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 1306, and a memory section 1308.
There may be one or more processors 1302, such that the processor
1302 of the computer system 1300 comprises a single
central-processing unit 1306, or a plurality of processing units,
commonly referred to as a parallel processing environment. The
computer system 1300 may be a conventional computer, a distributed
computer, or any other type of computer. The described technology
is optionally implemented in software devices loaded in memory
1308, stored on a configured DVD/CD-ROM 1310 or storage unit 1312,
and/or communicated via a wired or wireless network link 1314 on a
carrier signal, thereby transforming the computer system 1300 in
FIG. 13 to a special purpose machine for implementing the described
operations.
[0119] The I/O section 1304 is connected to one or more
user-interface devices (e.g., a keyboard 1316 and a display unit
1318), a disk storage unit 1312, and a disk drive unit 1320.
Display unit 1318 may be any presentation device adapted to present
information to a user. Generally, in contemporary systems, the disk
drive unit 1320 is a DVD/CD-ROM drive unit capable of reading the
DVD/CD-ROM medium 1310, which typically contains programs and data
1322. Computer program products containing mechanisms to effectuate
the systems and methods in accordance with the described technology
may reside in the memory section 1304, on a disk storage unit 1312,
or on the DVD/CD-ROM medium 1310 of such a system 1300.
Alternatively, a disk drive unit 1320 may be replaced or
supplemented by a floppy drive unit, a tape drive unit, or other
storage medium drive unit. The network adapter 1324 is capable of
connecting the computer system to a network via the network link
1314, through which the computer system can receive instructions
and data embodied in a carrier wave. Examples of such systems
include Intel and PowerPC systems offered by Apple Computer, Inc.,
personal computers offered by Dell Corporation and by other
manufacturers of Intel-compatible personal computers, AMD-based
computing systems and other systems running a Windows-based,
UNIX-based, or other operating system. It should be understood that
computing systems may also embody devices such as Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, gaming consoles, set top boxes,
etc.
[0120] When used in a LAN-networking environment, the computer
system 1300 is connected (by wired connection or wirelessly) to a
local network through the network interface or adapter 1324, which
is one type of communications device. When used in a WAN-networking
environment, the computer system 1300 typically includes a modem, a
network adapter, or any other type of communications device for
establishing communications over the wide area network. In a
networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the
computer system 1300 or portions thereof, may be stored in a remote
memory storage device. It is appreciated that the network
connections shown are exemplary and other means of and
communications devices for establishing a communications link
between the computers may be used.
[0121] In an example implementation, a drawing module that performs
operations described herein may be incorporated as part of the
operating system, application programs, or other program modules.
Further, a faceting module may track quantity of use of a virtual
marking implement and/or place one or more facets on a selected
physical marking implement based on the quantity of use in
combination with tilt, bearing, and/or barrel rotation
measurements. The faceting module may be a part of the drawing
module or separate component. The drawing module and/or faceting
module may perform any of the operations identified in FIGS. 11 and
12 using processors 1302. Further, a database containing impression
profile look-up tables may be stored as program data in memory 1308
or other storage systems, such as disk storage unit 1312 or
DVD/CD-ROM medium 1310.
[0122] The present specification provides a complete description of
the methodologies, systems and/or structures and uses thereof in
example implementations of the presently-described technology.
Although various implementations of this technology have been
described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with
reference to one or more individual implementations, those skilled
in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed
implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of the
technology hereof. Since many implementations can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the presently described
technology, the appropriate scope resides in the claims hereinafter
appended. Other implementations are therefore contemplated.
Furthermore, it should be understood that any operations may be
performed in any order, unless explicitly claimed otherwise or a
specific order is inherently necessitated by the claim language. It
is intended that all matter contained in the above description and
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative only of particular implementations and are not
limiting to the embodiments shown. Changes in detail or structure
may be made without departing from the basic elements of the
present technology as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *