Automated Image Scaling for Context-Aware Document Layouts

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of resizing images in document creation applications is time-consuming and frustrating, especially on devices with limited screen space, due to the imprecision of touch input and the need for manual adjustment, which often disrupts the desired layout.

Innovation Solution

An automated image scaling process that determines optimal sizing based on image characteristics, content relevance to the document, and user preferences, using machine learning algorithms to analyze and adjust image sizes quickly and accurately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual image resizing is used, then user control over image placement is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser controlVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automated image scaling by analyzing document context and image characteristics independently, without requiring manual user intervention for resizing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates optimal image sizes based on document layout analysis before the user needs to insert or resize images, having the scaling logic ready to execute automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual image resizing is used, then layout adjustment flexibility is improved, but operational complexity and frustration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout flexibilityVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual dragging and dropping process with an automated computational system that analyzes document context and calculates optimal image placement and sizing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically determines appropriate image sizes and positions based on document context, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust images while maintaining layout flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated image scaling is implemented, then productivity is improved, but extent of automation increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage insertion speedVSAvoidautomation level

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The automated scaling system is divided into distinct functional modules: document context analysis, image characteristic analysis, scaling factor calculation, and image rendering, allowing complex automation to be managed through modular components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3776481B1Automated image scale adjustment based upon document and image context

Publication Date: 2025.08.13 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

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AI summary

Disclosed are methods, systems, and machine readable mediums which provide for an automatic image scaling that may be utilized in a variety of contexts, including for scaling images inserted into documents. The image may be scaled based upon one or more scaling features that may be utilized alone or in combination. Scaling features may be described by scaling feature categories, although as will be appreciated, the scaling features may be placed in one or more categories. Example feature categories may include image characteristics; image content; content of the document and context of the image within the document; past user behavior and preferences; and the like.