A Proposal for "Infinite Scale" Ruler Application that Provides Analog-Like "Sensory Reality"

Recently, there are a lot of the "Ruler" applications using the mobile devices such as the smartphones. Regarding the simple application, it shows a ruler with the divisions of the real size on a display, to be used as a small ruler. However, it can only measure for a maximum of 10 cm (4 inches), and it is not practical for the use. Some rulers measure the length of the object by, calculating with the distance from an object with the image recognition technology and the camera functions. However, this is a length measurement using the camera function and it does not have physical presence and it is not always convenient, either. These are the two main types of the "ruler" applications for the mobile devices today. Form the viewpoints of utility and usability, it is hard to say that they are attractive for the practical use. The biggest reason is that they lack "Sensory Reality" which common "rulers" have. In other words, charms and convenience that the analog "rulers" have are largely decreased because they make most of the digital function to the maximum. Therefore our research team suggests a ruler application, "Infinite Scale" that enables the users to utilize smartphones as rulers in more practical way. How to use "Infinite Scale" is extremely simple. It can measure the length as long as the user moved the smartphone to trace the target length. Unlike the previous ruler applications, which use the technique to calculate the distance from the object to suppose the target length, our application can really measure the length by the user's "moving" a smartphone. By this method, the user can experience the very analog "sensory reality"; the user can measure the length by operating a measurement device.