Font Recognition via Neural Network Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for font recognition and similarity determination in digital media environments are limited by manual user interaction, leading to errors and inefficiencies, and often fail to accurately identify arbitrary fonts and find visually similar fonts, especially in complex designs.

Innovation Solution

The use of machine learning techniques, such as convolutional neural networks, for automatic text localization and font similarity determination, which leverage metadata attributes to improve accuracy and efficiency, allowing for the identification of arbitrary fonts and the retrieval of similar fonts without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual user interaction techniques are used for font recognition, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to errors from manual dexterity limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefont recognition accuracyVSAvoidmanual user interaction requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic text localization and font recognition without requiring manual user interaction. The convolutional neural network automatically detects and localizes text regions, extracts font features, and identifies fonts independently, eliminating the need for manual dexterity while maintaining high accuracy through automated processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical interaction with an automated computational system. Instead of relying on manual user actions to select and analyze text, the system uses convolutional neural networks and automated image processing algorithms to perform text localization, feature extraction, and font recognition, substituting mechanical manual operations with intelligent automated processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If conventional automated techniques are used for font recognition, then ease of operation improves by eliminating manual interaction, but measurement precision deteriorates due to errors in identifying arbitrary fonts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic processing capabilityVSAvoidfont identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the font recognition approach by changing from traditional parameter-based methods to deep learning feature extraction. The convolutional neural network learns complex font parameters and features automatically from training data, enabling accurate identification of arbitrary fonts including decorative and script fonts that conventional techniques cannot recognize

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines multiple processing components into a unified deep learning framework. It integrates text localization, feature extraction, and font recognition into a cohesive system using convolutional neural networks, where each component contributes to the overall accuracy in identifying diverse font types that single-method approaches fail to handle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If conventional font recognition techniques are used, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity deteriorates due to resource intensity and processing inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidmodel and processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary text localization using trained convolutional neural networks before detailed font analysis. By pre-processing images to automatically locate and bound text regions, the system reduces the computational scope for subsequent font recognition, improving overall processing efficiency while managing complexity through staged processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the font recognition process into distinct segments: text localization, feature extraction, and font identification. Each segment is handled by specialized components of the neural network, allowing the system to process complex tasks efficiently by breaking them down into manageable stages that can be optimized independently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of time

If manual techniques are used for navigating font collections, then ease of operation is maintained, but loss of time increases due to inefficiency in finding similar fonts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefont search timeVSAvoidmanual navigation requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses font similarity metrics and metadata attributes to provide automated feedback when searching font collections. By comparing extracted font features against the database and utilizing font attributes, the system rapidly identifies and ranks similar fonts, eliminating time-consuming manual navigation while maintaining operational simplicity through automated recommendations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10699166B2Font attributes for font recognition and similarity
Publication Date: 2020.06.30 ADOBE INC
  • US10699166B2 patent drawing
  • US10699166B2 patent drawing
  • US10699166B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Font recognition and similarity determination techniques and systems are described. In a first example, localization techniques are described to train a model using machine learning (e.g., a convolutional neural network) using training images. The model is then used to localize text in a subsequently received image, and may do so automatically and without user intervention, e.g., without specifying any of the edges of a bounding box. In a second example, a deep neural network is directly learned as an embedding function of a model that is usable to determine font similarity. In a third example, techniques are described that leverage attributes described in metadata associated with fonts as part of font recognition and similarity determinations.