Patents by Inventor Alexander Thoemmes

Alexander Thoemmes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Acquiring and unacquiring alignment and extension points
    Patent number: 7098933
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and an article of manufacture for acquiring and unacquiring data points of interest in a drawing program. Data points of interest are acquired after a display cursor is positioned over the data point of interest for an acquisition pause time. This technique presents the flashing of superfluous information on the display as the cursor passes over objects in the drawing. Embodiments are presented which implement alignment and extension of objects using acquired data points, and non-symmetric acquisition pause times and snap distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Thoemmes, Brett K. Bloomquist
  • Method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for displaying a line at an angle relative to an existing entity
    Patent number: 6911981
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, for implementing a relative polar angle snap tool. The relative polar angle snap tool allows the user to define lines and shapes that are at pre-settable angles relative to existing lines and shapes, and at pre-settable lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Thoemmes, Brett K. Bloomquist
  • Method and apparatus for defining a precision drawing in a drawing program
    Patent number: 6480813
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture for defining a precision drawing point is disclosed. The method permits the definition of temporary interesting points anywhere in the drawing space. Each temporary interesting point allows the definition of a set of candidate alignment lines, all intersecting at the temporary interesting point. When the user moves a cursor within a snap distance of one of the set of candidate alignment lines, an alignment line is displayed. The precision drawing point is then defined on the alignment line. The drawing point can be defined when the cursor is within a snap distance of one of a set of pre-settable snap distances from the temporary interesting point. Alternatively, the drawing point can be defined by selecting a second temporary interesting point associated with a second set of candidate alignment lines, and positioning the cursor within a snap distance of one of the second set of candidate alignment lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett K. Bloomquist, Alexander Thoemmes
  • Method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for defining a relative polar angle snap CAD tool
    Patent number: 6346943
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, for implementing a relative polar angle snap tool. The relative polar angle snap tool allows the user to define lines and shapes that are at pre-settable angles relative to existing lines and shapes, and at pre-settable lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Thoemmes, Brett K. Bloomquist