Abstract: A system and method uses an electronic device with a camera and a viewing device to create an augmented reality environment by superimposing a virtual image onto a surface for a user to trace with a drawing apparatus. The system and method can be used to directly copy a virtual image onto a surface by hand and provides training, step by step drawing tools, and image verification. By looking through a user's device and following step by step lessons, the user is guided to complete an image.

Abstract: Rooms, structures, vehicles, and other objects can be accurately diagrammed, often without performing a physical on-site inspection. Photographs of a room, structure, vehicle, or other object are uploaded to a computer having a processor. A base calibration measure is determined for a room, structure, vehicle, object, or component thereof, depicted in the photographs using at least one known dimension for items observable in the photographs. The base calibration measure is then used to determine dimensions of other areas, items, or objects depicted in such photographs, and to create at least one scale diagram of the subject matter of the photographs. Damages areas of the structure/vehicle/object can be assessed from the scale diagram. The scale diagram can then be used to calculate appropriate insurance payment amounts for damage claims.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an artist tool for capturing relationships between features comprises: a first transparent blade; and a second transparent blade, the first and the second transparent blade each having a length extending from a first to a second distal end, and a width extending from a first to a second edge, each having a fastener hole offset from a center point; a fastener that penetrates through the fastener holes of the first and second blades such that the first blade is rotatably coupled to the second blade by the fastener. At least one of the first or second blades comprise a first linear slit that extends along a center axis between the first distal end and the fastener hole. Either blade may include a second linear slit that extends between the second distal end and the fastener hole. The center axis passing through a center of the fastening hole.

Abstract: There is provided an image display device including a display control unit having a display combining unit that displays one or a plurality of pathological index cursors based on information relating to a pathological slide image.

Abstract: There is provided an image display device including a display control unit having a display combining unit that displays one or a plurality of pathological index cursors based on information relating to a pathological slide image.

Abstract: Children and adults interested in the visual arts often have trouble mastering basic drawing and painting skills due to a lack of structured instruction. A device composed of gridded drawing and painting apparatus is used to eliminate ongoing frustration that can occur during artistic training. Supporting charts and equipment used to maximize efficiency are also provided. A method to operate the device to its maximum potential is supplied. Procedures to advance a pupil through various stages of development are set forth. Alternate working methods that target the specific needs of various artists and art students are proposed. A routine for identifying optimal results is set forth, along with methods to measure that success. Examples of student artwork verify the logic of a system that ensures positive results.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a half mirror for allowing light incident from the rear to pass through to the front and reflecting light incident from the front toward the front, a display section placed at the rear of the half mirror, an image pickup section for picking up an image of the user and generating user image data, an image data retention section for retaining a plurality of pieces of attachment member image data, an image combining section for combining the attachment member image data selectively read from the image data retention section and the user image data to generate combined image data, and an image display control section for displaying the combined image data on the display section.

Abstract: Improvements in the instruments for drawing lines using grooves providing the presentation of lines that may be drawn by placing a sheet of paper over the presentation and engaging the sheet of paper with the point of a writing tool with sufficient force to press the engaged part of the paper into a selected groove and then moving the writing tool point within the line, depositing pencil lead or ink from the end of the writing tool on the paper that is pressed into the selected groove to form a line on the paper. The improvements include the provision of registration marks on a clipboard which has the presentation of grooves for lines to be drawn on the upper side of the clipboard, the registration marks acting as guidelines for the precise placement of the sheet of paper on which lines are to be drawn and its retention in that placement by a clip attached to the end of the clipboard and engaging the end of the sheet of paper for such retention.

Abstract: The invention relates to freehand drawing tools and, specifically, to an improved device for training and guiding aspirant and accomplished artists to produce accurate freehand drawings. The device facilitates using the technique of correlating a visual image to a reference grid and drawing a representation of the image on a drawing surface with a proportionally identical grid. The device comprises a series of sighting grid plates through which a subject to be drawn is viewed, a series of grid transfer stencils used to set a similar grid on a drawing surface, a means for supporting the sighting grid plates in position to be looked through by an artist viewing a subject, and a means for applying a color contrasting substance to the drawing surface through the holes in the grid transfer stencils.

Abstract: A system for sketching, illustrating, drawing or painting likeness compositions such as canvas oil paintings from source images includes a set of increasing size reusable overlayable source image grids with image composition frames used with corresponding destination canvas grid patterns, allowing a consistent grid pattern for all canvas sizes by using predetermined grid dimensions for each canvas size. The image grid patterns may be affixed to clear plastic sheets or may be software-generated patterns. This combination greatly simplifies the use of grids in artwork and provides low-cost timesaving methods to draw accurate perspective. The system includes a unique canvas grid ruler for simplifying generation of canvas grid lines and in some embodiments canvases are pre-printed or backside-shadowed with appropriate canvas grid patterns and labels.

Abstract: Improved method of applying guide markings to a writing surface such as posterboard. The guide markings are visually perceptible at a writing distance away from the posterboard, and substantially imperceptible at a viewing distance away from the--writing surface.

Abstract: This invention provides a graphing system that enables an average person interested in reproducing a colored design by needlework, for which there is no existing graph, to quickly and easily graph the colored design for reproduction by such needlework as cross stitch, needlepoint, quilting, smocking, duplicate stitch, or knitting.

Abstract: An efficient economical process is provided to produce an intricate impressive display with outstanding marketing and advertising appeal. In the process, a grid and multiple images are formed, such as on a central processing unit, the images are masked and striped, and portions thereof are superimposed. The grid can be printed on a front web. The superimposed masked images can be printed on an underlying back web. The display produced by the special process can be used to form an attractive sign, billboard, educational game, toy, box, wrapper and other packaging.

Abstract: A drawing production aide is disclosed which is designed to be placed over a working surface where an artist, engineer or architect is drawing. The device includes a carrier for a drawing and a light and lens system designed to project the drawing on the working surface. In a further aspect, the inventive aide includes an adjustable grid device designed to be used to visualize a scene in terms of a plurality of subsections, to best facilitate drawing the scene.

Abstract: Educational apparatus for use with an overhead projector has a transparent grid with horizontal and vertical indices for projecting a grid onto a wall screen. A plurality of removable cover pieces, keyed to the grid, cover up grid segments whereby when the transparent grid has pictorial material a student, or player, may project a particular grid segment by picking up the cover piece on that segment.

Abstract: An artist's sketching device wherein a sketch pad is bound to a back which presents a viewing window positioned adjacent the pad. A transparent sheet secured to the back has an upper portion over-laying the window, and a lower portion which is liftable so that pages of the pad can be placed beneath it and any single page upon it. Upper proportioning lines displayed in the upper portion of the sheet define sections of the window. Lower proportioning lines on the lower portion of the sheet are discernible through a page residing thereover to define areas of the page which correspond to proportionally similar sections of the window.

Abstract: A movable grid drawing frame consisting of two square flat frames connected at their corners so as to allow a narrow slot between their respective faces. A number of elastic grid strings inserted into the slot and positioned horizontally and vertically across the drawing frame opening defined by the four sides of the frame. The elastic strings are held in place by sliders attached to the respective ends of each of the elastic grid strings thus maintaining each elastic grid string under slight tension across the drawing frame opening. The sliders to which the elastic strings are attached allow for the free positioning of elastic grid strings across the frame opening in ways that produce a variety of grid patterns through which the user may view a subject. The elastic grip string patterns possible by the arrangement are unlimited because the elastic grid strings stretch and are movable allowing in manipulation of grid string patterns to meet the individual requirements of the user.

Abstract: A drawing aid for use in making drawings in perspective, having at least one transparent chart unit with proper angle, distance and height scales needed for making drawings in perspective. A drawback of known drawing aids of this kind is that they have been provided with scales which are exceedingly difficult to read and that, in the course of drawing, auxiliary lines are invariably produced which clutter up the drawing. The chart unit of the invention has a first chart corresponding to the horizontal plane and marked with radial angles and arcs corresponding to distance, a second chart corresponding to the vertical plane and marked with radial angles and vertical lines corresponding to distance, and an image plane chart corresponding to the image plane, the latter usually serving as a drawing substrate with coordinates consistent with the angle scales of the first and second charts.

Abstract: A transparent perspective hand-held tracing board is shown for use with a sheet of transparent drawing material. This board is formed of a rigid plastic or glass panel. A measured pattern is imprinted on the panel to assist in judging distance and relative angles. A supporting handle is mounted from one side edge of the panel for use by one hand in holding the panel in space so that an object being drawn at a distance may be sighted both through the drawing material and the board, and the angle and distance of the board may be adjusted to fit on the said measured patterns so the object may be traced on the drawing material.

Abstract: A drawing material backing (1) is provided which serves to make technical and diagrammatic drawings and is provided on one side with an impressed orthogonal grid (2), which consists of defining pyramid-shaped embossed elevations (8) and has a grid line spacing (3) of 0.5 or 1 millimeter, so that the free-hand drawing of straight lines or of lines intersecting at right angles and with a selected spacing by means of a pencil, ballpoint pen or a paste-applying pen on a paper sheet applied to the backing will be facilitated. To improve the guidance of drawing implements having writing points or writing balls (9, 10) which differ greatly in diameter and to prevent an impression into the drawing paper, the side faces (5, 5a) of the grooves include a steeper angle (6) next to the bottom (4) of the groove and a flatter angle (7) in their upper portion so that the embossed elevations have the shape of pyramids (8) having angled sides.

Abstract: A visualizer presentation device comprising a portfolio having a display cover hingably joined to a storage cover and the storage cover has detachably secured thereto at least one file of hinged transparent sleeves for receiving file cards. The display cover has corner pockets configured so as to receive and index transparent, information carrying graphics in overlaying relationships one with the other. The storage cover has a transparency storage pouch having a transparency receiving opening directed towards the hinge of the portfolio. The transparencies have indicia bearing tabs secured thereto in such a way as to project from the storage pouch and provide ready identification of the graphics contained on the transparencies. Files of hinged transparent sleeves are detachably secured to the storage cover. The visualizer is constructed and configured so as to be equally utilitarian when in an easel configuration and when laying flat.

Abstract: The four sides of a rectangular piece of screening are secured into an open frame to form a grid. Opposite lengthwise sides of the frame are grooved on the edges to make a track along which a separate piece can slide. This piece consists of a long, rectangular, magnifier lens, of a length equal to the width of the grid screen, bonded at each end into a framework the total length of which extends over the two sides of the grid frame hooking into the two side grooves of the grid frame. Height of the lens framework is dependent upon distance necessary for maximum magnification of lens. The grid frame is placed over a picture or design to be copied and, as the lens is slid along the grid frame vertically, a graph of the design is magnified for reproduction square by square into any material compartmentalized to receive the graphic presentation. The invention is particulary adapted for needlepoint rendering.