GB2463746A

GB2463746A - Graphing tool for aiding the location of a best fit line to co-ordinate data points with linear functions

Info

Publication number: GB2463746A
Application number: GB0905943A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Miles Hudson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-29
Filing date: 2009-04-06
Publication date: 2010-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-06
Also published as: GB0817806D0; GB2463746B; GB0905943D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a graphing tool 5 formed from a transparent material and comprising an elongate member 1, a guide slot 3 extending along the length of the elongate member 1 and being adapted to receive a drawing implement. The graphing tool 5 includes at least two transverse markings 7 being perpendicular to the guide slot and at least two longitudinal markings 6 being parallel to the guide slot. The at least two transverse markings 7 may bisect the slot and at least longitudinal markings 6 may bisect the at least two transverse markings 7, thereby forming a grid. The graphing tool 1 may be used for aiding drawing lines onto graphical data, in particular for aiding the location of a "best fit line" to co-ordinate data points with linear functions.

Description

Graphing Tool The present invention relates to a graphing tool for aiding drawing lines on to graphical data, in particular for aiding the location of a "best fit line" to coordinate data points with linear functions.

Generally, data points produced from experimental data may contain anomalous or irregular data points Typically it is desirable to provide such experimental data points with a line of best fit, hereinafter "best fit line", which is used to denve a linear function a mathematical equation) to best represent the data obtained (in the form ymx+b), Commonly two visual methods are used for locating a best fit line to data points Firstly, two data points which are visually deemed to best represent the data set as presented on the graph are identified and then an extrapolated line is drawn passing thiough these points using the edge of a traditional ruler, for example Alternatively a person visually assesses the data set presented as a whole and visually judges the best position to locate a best fit line Due to the fact that both of these methods are dependent on an individual s visual assessment of a data set a range of different best fit lines may be obtained for the same set of data points when assessed by various individuals.

A device to aid an individuaPs visual assessment for the location of a best ft line is clearly advantageous for obtaining iepioducible data, particulaily where the same data is assessed by a number of individuals. Such devices are known in the prior art; and United Kingdom Patent No. 383)084 provides a transparent ruler provided with multiple holes in the ruler body to help a user locate two points within a set of data points, or about a tangent to a curved graphical line through which a line can be drawn as described above. However, such known rulers require a user to assess the position of, for example the best fit line, then remove the ruler device and reposition it in the desired best fit line position, and subsequently draw in said line. As such, the method of use of such a ruler device necessitates a number of method steps where usei error may be introduced, resulting in the use of such a graphical tool or ruler provithng no, or little, improvement above and beyond the typical visual assessment methods described above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a graphwtg tool formed from a transparent material and compnsing an elongate member a guide slot extending along the length of the elongate member and being adapted to receive a drawing implement and at least two transverse markings being perpendicular to the guide slot and at least two longitudinal markings being parallel to the guide slot It is envisaged that the graphing tool be particularly suited for use in aiding the location of best fit line to a set of data points However the graphing tool will also be suitable for aidrng intne location of tangent to be diawn to a curved graph line.

In embodiments of the invention, the at least two traverse markings each bisect the guide slot and the at least two longttudinal markings each bisect the at least two traverse markings In this way the at least two transverse mai kings and the at least two longitudinal markings assist in, and improve upon, a user's visual assessment for calculating the position on a spread of data points to which a best fit line should be located. Clearly the provision of such markings may also aid in locating a tangent line to a curved graphical line.

More specifically the at least two transverse markings and the at least two longitudinal markings together define a grid. in certain embodiments on the invention, the grid corresponds dosely to a grid provided on standard graph paper.

Suitably tile grid comprises a plurality of 10mm by 10mm squares More specifically, the squares are formed by two transverse markings and two longftudinai markings, wherein the transverse markings each bisect the two longitudinal markings at right angles thereto thus forming a square of the grid.

In embodiments of the present invention, the grid comprises a plurality of 1mm by 1mm squares In this way a moie accurate best fit line may be positioned.

In alternative embodiments of fhe invention, the atleast two transverse markings and/or the at least two longitudinal markings may have varying distances between one another. That is to say, when there are more than two transverse markings, the spacing between the transverse markings may be unequal Alternatively or in addition, when there are more than two longitudinal markings, the spacing between the longitudinal markings may be unequal.

Although the guide slot is preferably centrally located within the grid pattern the guide slot does not itself form part of the markings as defined in the present application.

It is advantageous that the transverse and longitudinal markings are formed on the elongate member by one or more of: etch ing, embossing, raised detents forming a broken line or a drawn solid or broken line. It will be apparent to the skilled artisan on reading the present disclosuie that other suitable methods of marking the elongate member are envisaged and are intended to he within the scope of the present invention.

Suitably the transverse and/or longitudinal markings may be made in a S single or a combination of coloLirs and/or may be formed of indents and/or detente in the elongate member.

In embodiments of the invention the elongate member includes two par allel edges wherein one or both of the two parallel edges may comprise graduated markings.

Preferably, the giude slot is parallel with the two parallel edges More specifically, the guide slot is equidistant the two parallel edges.

In use, equating the aggregate distance of data points provided in the grid squares on opposing sides of the guide slot allows the user to more accurately position the guide slot in the location of the line to be drawn and a suitable line may then be drawn via the guide slot which is suitably adapted for receiving a drawmg implement Where the line to be drawn is a best fit line it is preferable that the guide slot be positioned such that the aggregate distance of the graphical data points on one side of the guide slot is equal to the aggregate distance of the graphical data points on the opposite side ofthe guide slot.

Preferably the guide slot extends through the elongate member and along substantially the entire length of the elongate member. This arrangement facilitates the drawing of one continuous line without the need for the graphing tool to be removed from one position and replaced in a seLond position.

The guide slot may be provided with straight edges to facilitate the drawing of a straight line when in use, or alternatively may be provided with chamfered edges such that when a free flowing ink pen is used in combination with the graphing tool the chamfered edge may be positioned such that the nib of the pen is spaced from its contact point with the guide slot Such chamfered edge arrangements are conventional in the art of rulers and allow avoidance of ink smudges on removal of the graphing tool from a paper on to which a line is drawn.

In embodiments of the invention the graphing tool will have a single guide slot therein Thus a user may readily position the single guide slot at the position of the best fit line and may draw the best fit line without adjusting the position of the graphing toot Although it is envisaged tkt the graphing tool of the present invention wifl typically be used for providing a best fit line or tangent line on a hand drawn gi aph such that the guide slot will be adapted to receive a pen or pencil it is also envisaged that the graphing tool be used with a tablet personal computer. As such: the guide slot may be adapted to receive a stylus. When the graphing tool is provided for such a use, it may be preferred that the graphing tool elongate member be provided with a profile which matches that of the tablet screen In embodiments of the present invention the transparent material is a plastics material. More specifically the plastics material may be clear or coloured The plastics material is preferably a sheet material The transparent material allows a user to view the data points through the graphing tool a to position the guide slot at the line of best fit thereby

S

eliminating the need to move the tool when drwMng the best fit line through the guide slot.

Desirably the plastic material will be shatter proof, such plastic materials are common in the art Preferably the plastic material is an acrylic material or a polycarbonate material.

Alternatively, the material may be a glass material.

In one preferred embodiment the elongate member may convenientiy be provided with a rectangular profile However, other profiles may be suitable for specific uses, as described below.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention the elongate member is at least 150mm in length and more preferably the elongate member is at least 310mm in length Such lengths will be particularly suitable for use with small AS text books used by students in schools as well as standard A4 sized graphical paper, in the UK A4 paper has a standard size of 210mm by 297mm, and AS paper has a standard size 148mm by 210mm.

Alternatively, or additionally, the elongate member is preferably at least 40mm wide, and more preferably at least 100mm wide, although other widths may be provided depending on the intended use of the graphing tool, The abovementioned widths are particularly suitable for locating a best fit or tangent line on AS and A4 sized paper.

In preferred embodiments or the invention the elongate member is 280mm in length and 60mm in width.

Preferably the guide slot adapted for receMng a drawing implement is positioned centrally relative to the elongate member. This arrangement is particularly suited to aiding the location of a best fit line.

In order that the invention be easily understood and readily carned into effect, iefetence will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a graphing tool according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a graphing tool accoiding to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a graphing tool according to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Where common features are shown in more than one embodiment the common features are denoted in Figures 2 and 3 by reference numerals increase by a factor of 10 and of 100 respectively.

A graphing tool 5 for aiding the determination of the location of a best fit line for a set of analysis data points pi ovided on a piece of graph paper oi a tablet screen according to the present invention comprises a single substantially rectangular profile member 1 formed of a transparent acrylic materialS. The graphing tool 5 is provided with two, parallel outer longitudinal edges 4 provided with graduated units (not shown) akin to a normal ruleredge.

The graphing tool 5 is provided with a single guide slot 3 adapted for receiving a drawing implement (not shown). The guide slot 3 is of suitable dimensions to accommodate a pen or pencil nib, or tablet stylus depending on the intended use The guide slot 3 extends longtudinally of the member I and is in a central position relative to the width of the graphing tool 5 The gwde slot 3 is equidistant the two, parallel outer longitudinal edges 4 of the rnembei I In use, ths allows the guide slot 3 to be positioned on top of a set of data points for which the location of a best fit line is to be determined, and the graphing tool 5 arranged such that the data points appear evenly spread on opposing sides of the guide slot That is to say, the aggregate of the distance of the data points on one side of the guide slot 3 is substantially equal to the aggregate distance of the data points on the opposing side of the guide slot 3 The assessment of the position and division of data points about the central guide slot 3 is facilitated by grid squares 2 defined by transverse mai kings 7 and longitudinal markings 6 Due to the tianspaient nature of the graphing tool 5 the distance of any data pont from the guide slot 3 n either a threction parallel to the guide slot 3 (longitudinal markings 6) and/or a direction perpendicular to the guide slot 3 (transverse markings 7) may easily be determined. In use, the position of the member I and, theiefore, the guide slot 3 may then be moved relative to the data points to obtain a circumstance wherein the aggregate of the distance of the data points on one side of the guide slot 3 is substantially equal to the aggregate distance of the data points on the opposing side of the guide slot 3, thus providing an accurate best fit line for any given data set.

When in use, due to the fact that the graphing tool 5 is piovided with a cential guide slot 3 whch is substantially equal in length to the elongate member of the graphing tool 5 the best fit line may be drawn on top of the data points without the graphical tool 5 being removed from the paper or tablet suiface This avoids and limits human error which may result when a best fit fine locating aid necessitates removal and replacement on to the

paper or tablet.

The graphing tool 50 of Figure 2 is identical in features to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 except that the edge of guide slot 30 is chamfeied 31 The bevelled edge 31 is conventional in the art of rulers and provides for the avoidance of ink smudges on removal of a graphing tool from a paper on to which a line is to be drawn.

The graphing tool 500 of Figure 3 is identical in features to the embodiments depicted in Figures 1 and 2 except that the parallel, longitudinal outer edges 400 of the member 100 comprise graduated markings 302a and 303b. The markings 303a and 303b may be identical or different in graduation and may be standard in the field of conventional

rulers, for example.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A graphing tool formed from a transparent material and comprising an elongate member, a guide slot extending along the length of the elongate member and being adapted to receive a drawing implement, and at least two transverse markings being perpendicular to the guide slot and at least two longitudinal markings being parallel to the guide slot.
2. A graphing tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least two traverse markings each bisect the guide slot and the at least two longitudinal markings each bisect the at least two traverse markings.
3. A graphing tool according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said at least two transverse markings and said at least two longitudinal markings define a grid.
4. A graphing tool according to claim 3, wherein said grid comprises a plurality of 10mm by 10mm squares.
5. A graphing tool according to claim 4, wherein said grid comprises a plurality of 1mm by 1mm squares.
6. A graphing tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the markings are formed on the elongate member by one or more of: etching, embossing, raised detents forming a broken line or a drawn solid or broken line.
7. A graphing tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member includes two parallel edges and one or both of the two parallel edges comprises graduated markings.
8. A graphing tool according to claim 7, wherein the guide slot is parallel with the two parallel edges.
9. A graphing tool according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the guide slot is equidistant the two parallel edges.
1 0.A graphing tool according to any preceding claim, wherein said guide slot extends through the elongate member and along substantially the entire length of said elongate member.
11.A graphing tool according to any preceding claim, wherein said guide slot is provided with chamfered edges.
1 2.A graphing tool according to any preceding claim, wherein said guide slot is adapted to receive a pen, pencil or stylus.
1 3.A graphing tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said transparent material is a plastic material.
14.A graphing tool according to claim 13, wherein said plastic material is an acrylic material or a polycarbonate material.
1 5.A graphing tool according to any preceding claim, wherein said elongate member is at least 150mm in length.
16. A graphing tool according to claim 15, wherein said elongate member is 280mm in length.
1 7.A graphing tool according to claim 15, wherein said elongate member is at least 31 0mm in length.
1 8.A graphing tool according to any preceding claim, wherein said elongate member is at least 40mm in width.
19. A graphing tool according to claim 18, wherein said elongate member is 60mm in width.
20.A graphing tool according to claim 18, wherein said elongate member is at least 100mm in width.
21. A graphing tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.