Glyph Stroke Animation Using ML Centerlines and Brush Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for animating text are laborious, time-consuming, and prone to errors, especially when dealing with variable fonts, and relying solely on generative AI fails to capture typographic subtleties.

Innovation Solution

A machine-learning model is integrated to determine centerlines and continuous mappings of brush head shapes for letter glyphs, using iterative refinement and supervised learning to generate seamless animations, with a customizable interface for editing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional masking methods are used to animate text, then text animation can be achieved, but the process becomes laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetext animation qualityVSAvoidanimation creation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical masking process with an automated machine-learning system. The ML model automatically generates mask sequences and animation parameters from the input text and font specifications, eliminating the need for manual frame-by-frame masking while maintaining animation quality.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service text animation by allowing users to input text and select font parameters, after which the machine-learning model autonomously generates the complete animation sequence without requiring manual intervention for masking or parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual masking and animation processes are used, then text animation is possible, but manual effort and errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanimation accuracyVSAvoidease of text animation creation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces error-prone manual operations with an automated machine-learning system that consistently generates accurate mask sequences and animation parameters, reducing human error while improving ease of creation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the ML model learns from training data and iteratively improves its animation generation accuracy, and where users can provide feedback on generated animations to refine the model's performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional methods are used for variable fonts, then animation can be created, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable font supportVSAvoidvariable font animation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent handles variable fonts by dynamically adjusting animation parameters based on the selected font characteristics. The machine-learning model automatically adapts mask sequences, timing, and transformation parameters to match the specific variable font properties without requiring manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a universal animation generation framework that works across different font types and styles. The single ML-based system handles various font families, weights, and styles through parameter adjustment rather than requiring separate manual processes for each font type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Extent of automation

If generative AI is used alone for text animation, then automation is achieved, but typographic subtleties are not captured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanimation generation automationVSAvoidtypographic precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces specialized intermediate processing components between the generative AI and final output. These intermediaries include typographic expertise modules and font analysis components that refine the AI-generated animations to preserve typographic subtleties, acting as a mediator between automation and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines multiple components into a composite animation generation system: generative AI for overall structure, machine-learning models for parameter optimization, and typographic expertise modules for precision details. This composite approach leverages the strengths of each component while mitigating their individual weaknesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20260073117A1System and method for customized text animation
Publication Date: 2026.03.12 FIGMA INC
  • US20260073117A1 patent drawing
  • US20260073117A1 patent drawing
  • US20260073117A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems or methods for presenting or generating an animated realization of one or more letter glyphs based on progressively exposing a continuous mapping of brush head shapes following a letterform stroke order. A machine-learning model is used to generate animation metadata from the one or more letter glyphs. The animation metadata including a centerline, the continuous mapping of brush head shapes that is used to sweep along the centerline, and the letterform stroke order to generate the animated realization of the one or more letter glyphs.