Technique for providing improved user feedback in an interactive drawing system

Claim 1

In an interactive computer system having a display and a pointing device controlled by a user to specify a position, a method for automatically locating geometric points for the user comprising the steps of: displaying an object in a drawing area on the display; defining a type of point off the object that bears a particular relationship to a particular point on the object; setting a hit radius; receiving information from the pointing device representing a user-specified position; testing to determine whether a point of the defined type is within the hit radius of the user-specified position; if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the user-specified position, then displaying in the drawing area a temporary construction line passing through the point of the defined type and the particular point on the object; and repeating the steps of receiving information, testing, and conditionally displaying a construction line for a plurality of user-specified positions.

Claim 53

A method that enables the user of a computer responsive to a cursor-control device to automatically locate, in at least one dimension, geometric points in relation to at least one object illustrated on a screen, comprising the steps of: (a) determining a cursor location by user manipulation of the cursor-control device, the cursor location including a hit area thereabout; (b) testing an object to find at least one geometric point within the hit area as the cursor location is manipulated with respect to the object; (c) automatically providing an indication on the screen that a geometric point has been found if a geometric point is within the hit area and is a geometric point of the object; and (d) automatically displaying on the screen at least one temporary construction that indicates the location of a geometric point and the geometric relationship thereof to the object when a geometric point is within the hit area and is not a geometric point of the object.

Claim 54

A method that enables the user of a computer responsive to a cursor-control device to automatically locate, in at least one dimension, geometric points in relation to at least one object illustrated on a screen, comprising the steps of: (a) determining a cursor location by user manipulation of the cursor-control device, the cursor location including a hit area thereabout; (b) testing an object to find at least one geometric point within the hit area as the cursor location is manipulated with respect to the object; (c) automatically providing an indication on the screen that a geometric point has been found if a geometric point is within the hit area and is a geometric point of the object; and (d) automatically displaying on the screen at least one temporary construction that indicates the location of a geometric point and the geometric relationship thereof to the object when a geometric point is within the hit area and is not a geometric point of the object.

Claim 70

A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, interesting geometric points defined in relative distances to a line drawing displayed as a pixel bit map on a screen that is divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) defining a cursor probe as a location responsive to manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user; (b) automatically displaying a cursor symbol on the screen to indicate location to the cursor probe with respect to the line drawing; (c) defining a hit area that includes the cursor probe; (d) defining geometric points that are interesting; (e) defining geometry from the line drawing that is interesting; (f) automatically testing the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor probe relocated; (g) automatically providing an indication on the display that an interesting geometric point has been found if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (h) automatically creating construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting if an interesting geometric point is not found within the hit area in step (f); (i) automatically testing the construction lines and the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point; (j) automatically providing an indication on the display that an interesting geometric point has been found in step (i); and (k) automatically displaying a construction line on the screen that indicates the location of a construction line intersecting the found interesting geometric point if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area in step (i).

Claim 71

A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, interesting geometric points defined in relative distances to a line drawing displayed as a pixel bit map on a screen that is divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) defining a cursor probe as a location responsive to manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user; (b) automatically displaying a cursor symbol on the screen to indicate location to the cursor probe with respect to the line drawing; (c) defining a hit area that includes the cursor probe; (d) defining geometric points that are interesting; (e) defining geometry from the line drawing that is interesting; (f) automatically testing the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor probe relocated; (g) automatically providing an indication on the display that an interesting geometric point has been found if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (h) automatically creating construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting if an interesting geometric point is not found within the hit area in step (f); (i) automatically testing the construction lines and the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point; (j) automatically providing an indication on the display that an interesting geometric point has been found in step (i); and (k) automatically displaying a construction line on the screen that indicates the location of a construction line intersecting the found interesting geometric point if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area in step (i).

Claim 78

A method for a user of a computer-aided drafting system to automatically locate, in at least one dimension, interesting geometric points to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a line drawing represented as a pixel bit map on a screen that is divided into pixels, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the location of a cursor probe with respect to the line drawing by user manipulation of the cursor-control device; (b) defining a hit area that moves with and includes the cursor probe; (c) defining geometric points that are interesting; (d) defining geometry from the line drawing that is interesting; (e) automatically constructing construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting; (f) automatically testing the construction lines and the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor probe is moved to different locations; (g) automatically providing an indication on the screen that an interesting geometric point has been found; and (h) automatically displaying a temporary line indicating on the screen the location with respect to the line drawing of any construction line intersecting the found interesting geometric point within the hit area.

Claim 79

A method for a user of a computer-aided drafting system to automatically locate, in at least one dimension, interesting geometric points to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a line drawing represented as a pixel bit map on a screen that is divided into pixels, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the location of a cursor probe with respect to the line drawing by user manipulation of the cursor-control device; (b) defining a hit area that moves with and includes the cursor probe; (c) defining geometric points that are interesting; (d) defining geometry from the line drawing that is interesting; (e) automatically constructing construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting; (f) automatically testing the construction lines and the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor probe is moved to different locations; (g) automatically providing an indication on the screen that an interesting geometric point has been found; and (h) automatically displaying a temporary line indicating on the screen the location with respect to the line drawing of any construction line intersecting the found interesting geometric point within the hit area.

Claim 80

A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, interesting geometric points to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a line drawing displayed on a screen divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the location of a cursor probe with respect to the line drawing by user manipulation of the cursor-control device; (b) displaying a cursor symbol on the screen at a location indicative of the location of the cursor probe with respect to the line drawing; (c) defining a hit area that moves with and includes the cursor probe; (d) automatically testing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor probe is manipulated to different locations; (e) automatically providing an indication on the display that an interesting geometric point has been found if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; and (f) automatically displaying at least one temporary construction line extending at least partially between the line drawing and the pixel containing the found interesting geometric point when the found interesting geometric point is spaced from the line drawing.

Claim 81

A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, interesting geometric points to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a line drawing displayed on a screen divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the location of a cursor probe with respect to the line drawing by user manipulation of the cursor-control device; (b) displaying a cursor symbol on the screen at a location indicative of the location of the cursor probe with respect to the line drawing; (c) defining a hit area that moves with and includes the cursor probe; (d) automatically testing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor probe is manipulated to different locations; (e) automatically providing an indication on the display that an interesting geometric point has been found if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; and (f) automatically displaying at least one temporary construction line extending at least partially between the line drawing and the pixel containing the found interesting geometric point when the found interesting geometric point is spaced from the line drawing.

Claim 96

A method for automatically locating interesting geometric points to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a full scale line drawing displayed on a screen divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying a cursor symbol on the screen whose location on the screen is determined by manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user, the cursor symbol having a related probe and indicating the mathematical location of the probe, the probe having a probe hit area thereabout; (b) automatically testing the lines of the drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the probe hit area as the cursor symbol is manipulated between pixels; (c) automatically displaying alphabetical indicia near the pixel in which the found interesting geometric point is located that indicate the relationship of the found interesting geometric point to the line drawing if an interesting geometric point is found within the probe hit area.

Claim 97

A method for automatically locating interesting geometric points to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a full scale line drawing displayed on a screen divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying a cursor symbol on the screen whose location on the screen is determined by manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user, the cursor symbol having a related probe and indicating the mathematical location of the probe, the probe having a probe hit area thereabout; (b) automatically testing the lines of the drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the probe hit area as the cursor symbol is manipulated between pixels; (c) automatically displaying alphabetical indicia near the pixel in which the found interesting geometric point is located that indicate the relationship of the found interesting geometric point to the line drawing if an interesting geometric point is found within the probe hit area.

Claim 98

A method for automatically locating interesting geometric points in relation to straight lines and arcs of a drawing displayed on a display of a computer for a user, the computer being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) automatically displaying a cursor point on the display whose location on the display is determined by manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user; (b) defining a hit area that includes the cursor point; (c) automatically testing the straight lines and arcs of the drawing to find a interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor-control is manipulated to move the location of the cursor point on the display; (d) automatically providing an indication on the display of the location of the found interesting geometric point with respect to the straight lines and arcs of the drawing if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; and (e) automatically displaying at least one temporary construction on the display that indicates the geometric relationship of the found interesting geometric point to the drawing if the found interesting geometric point is not on a straight line, arc, or arc center of the drawing.

Claim 99

A method for automatically locating interesting geometric points in relation to straight lines and arcs of a drawing displayed on a display of a computer for a user, the computer being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) automatically displaying a cursor point on the display whose location on the display is determined by manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user; (b) defining a hit area that includes the cursor point; (c) automatically testing the straight lines and arcs of the drawing to find a interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor-control is manipulated to move the location of the cursor point on the display; (d) automatically providing an indication on the display of the location of the found interesting geometric point with respect to the straight lines and arcs of the drawing if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; and (e) automatically displaying at least one temporary construction on the display that indicates the geometric relationship of the found interesting geometric point to the drawing if the found interesting geometric point is not on a straight line, arc, or arc center of the drawing.

Claim 101

A method for automatically locating interesting geometric points in relation to at least one line drawing displayed on a screen for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) automatically displaying a cursor symbol on the screen whose location on the screen is determined by manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user, the cursor symbol including a hit area thereabout; (b) automatically testing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area of the cursor symbol as the cursor symbol is manipulated; (c) automatically providing an indication on the screen of the location of the first interesting geometric point if a first interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (d) automatically displaying a first construction that indicates a geometric relationship of the first interesting geometric point as the cursor symbol is further manipulated; (e) automatically testing to find a second interesting geometric point within the hit area of the cursor symbol related to the first construction as the cursor symbol is further manipulated; (f) automatically providing an indication on the screen of the location of the second interesting geometric point if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (g) automatically displaying a second construction line that indicates a geometric relationship of the second interesting geometric point; (h) choosing the second interesting geometric point with the cursor-control device; and (i) automatically erasing the first and second constructions.

Claim 102

A method for automatically locating interesting geometric points in relation to at least one line drawing displayed on a screen for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) automatically displaying a cursor symbol on the screen whose location on the screen is determined by manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user, the cursor symbol including a hit area thereabout; (b) automatically testing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area of the cursor symbol as the cursor symbol is manipulated; (c) automatically providing an indication on the screen of the location of the first interesting geometric point if a first interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (d) automatically displaying a first construction that indicates a geometric relationship of the first interesting geometric point as the cursor symbol is further manipulated; (e) automatically testing to find a second interesting geometric point within the hit area of the cursor symbol related to the first construction as the cursor symbol is further manipulated; (f) automatically providing an indication on the screen of the location of the second interesting geometric point if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (g) automatically displaying a second construction line that indicates a geometric relationship of the second interesting geometric point; (h) choosing the second interesting geometric point with the cursor-control device; and (i) automatically erasing the first and second constructions.

Claim 103

A method for automatically locating interesting geometric points in relation to a line drawing displayed on a screen for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) automatically displaying a cursor on the screen whose location on the screen is determined by manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user, the cursor including a hit area related thereto; (b) automatically testing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor is manipulated; (c) automatically providing an indication on the screen of the location of the first interesting geometric point with respect to the line drawing if a first interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (d) automatically displaying a first construction indicia that indicates a geometric relationship of the first interesting geometric point to the line drawing; (e) automatically testing to find a second interesting geometric point within the hit area related to the first construction indicia as the cursor is further manipulated; (f) automatically providing an indication on the screen of the location of the second interesting geometric point if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (g) automatically displaying a second construction line that indicates a geometric relationship of the second interesting geometric point to the line drawing; (h) choosing the second interesting geometric point with the cursor-control device; and (i) automatically erasing the first and second construction lines.

Claim 104

A method for automatically locating interesting geometric points in relation to a line drawing displayed on a screen for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) automatically displaying a cursor on the screen whose location on the screen is determined by manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user, the cursor including a hit area related thereto; (b) automatically testing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor is manipulated; (c) automatically providing an indication on the screen of the location of the first interesting geometric point with respect to the line drawing if a first interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (d) automatically displaying a first construction indicia that indicates a geometric relationship of the first interesting geometric point to the line drawing; (e) automatically testing to find a second interesting geometric point within the hit area related to the first construction indicia as the cursor is further manipulated; (f) automatically providing an indication on the screen of the location of the second interesting geometric point if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (g) automatically displaying a second construction line that indicates a geometric relationship of the second interesting geometric point to the line drawing; (h) choosing the second interesting geometric point with the cursor-control device; and (i) automatically erasing the first and second construction lines.

Claim 105

A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, the endpoints of a line at interesting geometric points to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a precise line drawing represented essentially full scale as a pixel bit map on a screen that is divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying a cursor symbol on the screen, the cursor symbol having a cursor pixel, the location of the cursor pixel on the screen moving in accordance with manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user; (b) defining a hit area that moves with and includes the area of the cursor pixel; (c) defining geometric points that are interesting; (d) defining geometry from the precise line drawing that is interesting; (e) choosing to draw a line; (f) manipulating the cursor-control device to move the cursor pixel; (g) automatically testing the precise line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor pixel is moved to different screen locations; (h) automatically providing an indication on the screen that an interesting geometric point has been found if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (i) automatically constructing construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting if an interesting geometric point is not found within the hit area; (j) automatically testing the construction lines and the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point; (k) automatically providing an indication on the screen that an interesting geometric point has been found and automatically displaying any construction line intersecting the found interesting point if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (l) choosing a first interesting geometric point as the starting point of the line by means of a user manual input; (m) manipulating the cursor-control device to move the cursor pixel; (n) automatically testing the line drawing to find at least one second interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor pixel is moved to different screen locations; (o) automatically providing an indication on the screen that a second interesting geometric point has been found if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (p) automatically constructing construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting if a second interesting geometric point is not found within the hit area; (q) automatically testing the construction lines and the line drawing to find at least one second interesting geometric point; (r) automatically providing an indication on the screen that a second interesting geometric point has been found and automatically displaying any construction line intersecting the found second interesting point if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (s) choosing the second interesting geometric point as the finishing point of the line by means of a user manual input; (t) automatically displaying the line between the first and second chosen interesting geometric points; and (u) automatically erasing any construction lines.

Claim 106

A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, the endpoints of a line at interesting geometric points to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a precise line drawing represented essentially full scale as a pixel bit map on a screen that is divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying a cursor symbol on the screen, the cursor symbol having a cursor pixel, the location of the cursor pixel on the screen moving in accordance with manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user; (b) defining a hit area that moves with and includes the area of the cursor pixel; (c) defining geometric points that are interesting; (d) defining geometry from the precise line drawing that is interesting; (e) choosing to draw a line; (f) manipulating the cursor-control device to move the cursor pixel; (g) automatically testing the precise line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor pixel is moved to different screen locations; (h) automatically providing an indication on the screen that an interesting geometric point has been found if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (i) automatically constructing construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting if an interesting geometric point is not found within the hit area; (j) automatically testing the construction lines and the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point; (k) automatically providing an indication on the screen that an interesting geometric point has been found and automatically displaying any construction line intersecting the found interesting point if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (l) choosing a first interesting geometric point as the starting point of the line by means of a user manual input; (m) manipulating the cursor-control device to move the cursor pixel; (n) automatically testing the line drawing to find at least one second interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor pixel is moved to different screen locations; (o) automatically providing an indication on the screen that a second interesting geometric point has been found if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (p) automatically constructing construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting if a second interesting geometric point is not found within the hit area; (q) automatically testing the construction lines and the line drawing to find at least one second interesting geometric point; (r) automatically providing an indication on the screen that a second interesting geometric point has been found and automatically displaying any construction line intersecting the found second interesting point if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; (s) choosing the second interesting geometric point as the finishing point of the line by means of a user manual input; (t) automatically displaying the line between the first and second chosen interesting geometric points; and (u) automatically erasing any construction lines.

Claim 107

A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, an interesting point of an object to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a precise line drawing represented essentially full scale as a pixel bit map on a screen that is divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying a cursor symbol on the screen, the cursor symbol having a cursor pixel, the location of the cursor pixel on the screen moving in accordance with manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user; (b) defining a hit area of pixels that moves with and includes the cursor pixel; (c) defining geometric points that are interesting; (d) defining geometry from the line drawing that is interesting; (e) choosing to draw a line; (f) manipulating the cursor-control device to move the cursor pixel adjacent the object; (g) automatically testing the object to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor pixel is moved to different screen locations; (h) when an interesting geometric point of the object is found within the hit area, then automatically providing an indication on the screen that an interesting geometric point has been found; (i) choosing a first interesting geometric point of the object by means of a user manual input; (j) manipulating the cursor-control device to move the cursor pixel and drag the object by the first interesting geometric point therewith; (k) as the cursor pixel is moved to different screen locations, automatically testing the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area; (l) if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area, then automatically providing an indication on the screen that a second interesting geometric point has been found; (m) if a second interesting geometric point is not found within the hit area, then automatically constructing construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting; (n) automatically testing the construction lines and the object to find at least one second interesting geometric point; (o) if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area, then automatically providing an indication on the screen that a second interesting geometric point has been found and automatically displaying any construction line intersecting the found second interesting geometric point; (p) choosing a second interesting geometric point as the point to which the first interesting geometric point of the object is dragged by means of a user manipulation of the cursor-control; and (q) automatically displaying the object at a location as determined by the coincident location of the first and second interesting geometric points.

Claim 108

A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, an interesting point of an object to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a precise line drawing represented essentially full scale as a pixel bit map on a screen that is divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying a cursor symbol on the screen, the cursor symbol having a cursor pixel, the location of the cursor pixel on the screen moving in accordance with manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user; (b) defining a hit area of pixels that moves with and includes the cursor pixel; (c) defining geometric points that are interesting; (d) defining geometry from the line drawing that is interesting; (e) choosing to draw a line; (f) manipulating the cursor-control device to move the cursor pixel adjacent the object; (g) automatically testing the object to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor pixel is moved to different screen locations; (h) when an interesting geometric point of the object is found within the hit area, then automatically providing an indication on the screen that an interesting geometric point has been found; (i) choosing a first interesting geometric point of the object by means of a user manual input; (j) manipulating the cursor-control device to move the cursor pixel and drag the object by the first interesting geometric point therewith; (k) as the cursor pixel is moved to different screen locations, automatically testing the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area; (l) if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area, then automatically providing an indication on the screen that a second interesting geometric point has been found; (m) if a second interesting geometric point is not found within the hit area, then automatically constructing construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting; (n) automatically testing the construction lines and the object to find at least one second interesting geometric point; (o) if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area, then automatically providing an indication on the screen that a second interesting geometric point has been found and automatically displaying any construction line intersecting the found second interesting geometric point; (p) choosing a second interesting geometric point as the point to which the first interesting geometric point of the object is dragged by means of a user manipulation of the cursor-control; and (q) automatically displaying the object at a location as determined by the coincident location of the first and second interesting geometric points.

Claim 111

A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, interesting geometric points in relation to a drawing for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) locating a cursor probe that moves in accordance with manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user; (b) defining a hit area that moves with and includes the cursor probe; (c) defining geometric points that are interesting; (d) defining geometry of the drawing that is interesting; (e) automatically constructing construction lines from the drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting; and (f) as the cursor probe is moved to different locations, automatically testing the construction lines and the drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point.

Claim 112

A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, interesting geometric points in relation to a drawing for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user's manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of: (a) locating a cursor probe that moves in accordance with manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user; (b) defining a hit area that moves with and includes the cursor probe; (c) defining geometric points that are interesting; (d) defining geometry of the drawing that is interesting; (e) automatically constructing construction lines from the drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting; and (f) as the cursor probe is moved to different locations, automatically testing the construction lines and the drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point.