Randomized Carpet Tile Overlay Patterns to Mask Visible Seams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carpet tile installations face issues with seam discontinuities and patterning artifacts, such as design lines and manufacturing non-uniformities, which can create visually prominent anomalies when multiple tiles are aligned, due to the subconscious expectation of uniformity and symmetry in large-scale carpet patterns.
Innovation Solution
An automated system for generating composite patterns on carpet tiles using a combination of base and overlay patterns, where each tile has a unique pattern with a unifying design motif, randomly selected and manipulated to create a pseudo-random appearance that masks seam discontinuities and patterning artifacts, while maintaining a unified visual theme across the installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a repeating pattern is used on carpet tiles, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but seam discontinuities and patterning artifacts become visually prominent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using non-repeating, randomized patterns on carpet tiles. Each tile features a unique pattern configuration that breaks the symmetry and uniformity of traditional repeating patterns. This asymmetry in pattern design prevents the visual alignment of seams and patterning artifacts across adjacent tiles, thereby reducing their visibility while maintaining aesthetic coherence through a unified design language.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing each carpet tile to have its own unique pattern characteristics while maintaining overall coherence. Each tile is designed with localized pattern variations that are tailored to minimize visible seams at specific installation locations. This local customization of pattern properties enables each tile to contribute to the overall aesthetic while addressing local seam visibility issues.
2Stability of the object's composition
If design elements extend across tile boundaries, then pattern continuity is achieved, but seam discontinuities are emphasized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent breaks the symmetry of continuous patterns extending across tile boundaries by using randomized, non-repeating patterns. This asymmetry prevents design elements from aligning perfectly across seams, thereby reducing the emphasis on seam discontinuities while maintaining visual interest and overall pattern coherence through a unified design language.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the two-dimensional continuity problem by introducing randomness and variation in pattern placement and orientation. This dimensional change from strict continuity to controlled discontinuity creates a more complex, multi-layered visual effect where patterns appear to flow across tiles without perfectly aligning, thereby maintaining continuity while reducing seam visibility.
3Ease of operation
If multiple tiles are aligned to form a large-scale pattern, then uniformity is achieved, but patterning artifacts become visually prominent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by preventing the alignment of multiple tiles into a uniform, repeating grid pattern. Each tile's unique, randomized pattern configuration breaks the symmetry that would otherwise amplify patterning artifacts. This asymmetric arrangement maintains installation simplicity while effectively masking artifacts through visual randomness and variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying pattern properties such as orientation, scale, and placement across different tiles. These parameter variations prevent the consistent repetition that would make patterning artifacts visually prominent. By changing key pattern parameters while maintaining a unified design language, the system masks artifacts while preserving overall aesthetic coherence.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-repeating pattern is used on each tile, then seam discontinuities are masked, but design coherence becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a unified design language and motif across all tiles, despite each tile having a unique randomized pattern. This universal design framework ensures that all tiles contribute to a coherent overall appearance while maintaining the pattern variations needed to mask seam discontinuities. The design system serves multiple functions: creating uniqueness at the tile level while maintaining coherence at the installation level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains design coherence through controlled parameter changes. While each tile features unique pattern configurations, the variations are constrained within a unified design framework that uses consistent motifs, color palettes, and stylistic elements. This controlled parameter variation allows each tile to be unique while ensuring the overall installation maintains design coherence and aesthetic unity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a process for randomly patterning a plurality of carpet tiles, each tile having a composite pattern containing at least a base pattern and an overlay pattern. When installed, the random order of patterning results in random tile placement and an overall random appearance. The overlay patterns are randomly chosen from a library of patterns until each individual pattern has been used to create a tile series. The overlay patterns may be manipulated by rotating, mirror-imaging, rotating and mirror-imaging, or repositioning to produce additional variations and increase the number of tiles in the series. The base pattern may optionally be manipulated before being incorporated into the composite pattern. A tile collection, containing such randomly ordered composite patterns, is also described.