Automated Layout Assignment Adjustment for Condition-Compliant Pages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing layout generation techniques for print pages, such as those used in newspapers and magazines, require manual adjustments to satisfy layout conditions, leading to insufficient labor savings and reduced versatility due to the need for specialized techniques for specific conditions.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that includes layout decision and adjustment means to automatically determine element positions and assignment areas within an object area, ensuring predetermined layout conditions are met, utilizing machine learning for versatile layout generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a layout decision model is used to automatically generate layouts, then labor savings are achieved, but the ability to satisfy specific layout conditions (e.g., edge coincidence with delimitation positions) is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabor savingsVSAvoidlayout condition satisfaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary layout generation using the layout decision model to obtain initial assignment areas, then subsequently adjusts these areas to satisfy layout conditions. This two-stage approach allows the model to work freely in the first stage while ensuring condition compliance in the second stage, resolving the contradiction between automation and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

An adjustment module acts as an intermediary between the layout decision model and the final layout output. This intermediary takes the model's output and modifies the assignment areas to satisfy layout conditions, enabling both automatic generation and condition compliance without requiring the model itself to be specialized for each condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If specialized techniques are developed for specific layout conditions, then layout condition satisfaction is improved, but versatility and adaptability to different conditions deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout condition satisfactionVSAvoidversatility across different conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment module is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of layout conditions (e.g., left edge coincidence, right edge coincidence, top edge coincidence, bottom edge coincidence) through a single unified mechanism. This allows the system to satisfy different layout conditions without requiring separate specialized techniques for each condition type, thereby maintaining versatility while ensuring precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment is performed to satisfy layout conditions, then layout condition satisfaction is achieved, but labor savings are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout condition satisfactionVSAvoidlabor savings

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment automatically through the adjustment module, which modifies assignment areas to satisfy layout conditions without requiring manual operator intervention. The module autonomously calculates and applies the necessary adjustments based on the layout conditions and model output, thereby maintaining labor savings while ensuring condition compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250218079A1Information processing apparatus, layout assistance method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 NEC CORP

AI summary

To achieve labor savings in generating a layout, an information processing apparatus (1) includes: a layout decision section (11) that decides, for each of elements to be arranged in an object area of a layout, a position and an assignment area of the element in the object area; and an adjustment section (12) that makes an adjustment to the assignment area so that a predetermined layout condition set to the object area is satisfied.