Multilayer Image Request Destination Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multilayer image display systems face challenges in accurately determining the destination of a process request when a user interacts with regions of varying transparency, leading to incorrect event handling due to regions with low alpha values receiving requests unintentionally and clear regions like text information not receiving requests when they should.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a display section for multilayer image rendering, a storage section for threshold transparency values, and a destination determining section that evaluates the transparency information of each layer to accurately identify the intended target for a process request, using a threshold alpha value to differentiate between regions that should and should not receive the request.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If alpha values are used to determine request destinations in multilayer images, then regions with low alpha values can receive process requests, but regions that should not receive requests (such as clear text information) may incorrectly receive requests even when they have high alpha values

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverequest destination determinationVSAvoidrequest destination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a threshold alpha value parameter for each layer to determine whether the layer should receive process requests. By comparing the actual alpha value at each pixel against this threshold, the system can reliably determine request destinations even in multilayer images with varying transparency, preventing both false positives (clear regions receiving requests) and false negatives (transparent regions blocking requests)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different threshold alpha values to different layers based on their specific requirements. Each layer can have its own threshold value tailored to its transparency characteristics, allowing the system to handle diverse multilayer scenarios (such as maps with semi-transparent buttons versus text layers) with appropriate local criteria rather than a uniform approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If event filters are set for each layer to determine request destinations, then request routing can be controlled, but the system complexity increases and requires manual configuration considering layer arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverequest destination accuracyVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables layers to self-configure their request reception behavior through threshold alpha values. Instead of requiring external filter configuration, each layer automatically determines whether to receive requests based on its own transparency characteristics and predefined threshold, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable request routing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If all layers with non-zero alpha values receive process requests, then transparent regions can be interacted with, but clear regions like text information incorrectly receive requests when they should not

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer interaction flexibilityVSAvoidrequest destination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the binary condition (alpha > 0) to a threshold-based condition (alpha > threshold) for determining request eligibility. This allows clear regions with high alpha values to be excluded from receiving requests by setting their threshold appropriately, while still allowing transparent regions to be interacted with when their alpha values exceed their respective thresholds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2138926B1Method for determining destination of request, program, and display system using the method
Publication Date: 2016.03.02 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • EP2138926B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2138926B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2138926B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Object To provide a technique for determining a layer that is to receive a request accurately when displaying a multilayer image. Solving Means A display system includes a display section; an executing section that executes one or more applications; a plurality of virtual frame buffers each storing image information and transparency information of points on the display screen which are generated by one or more applications; a drawing section for drawing a multilayer image on the display screen by pasting the contents in virtual frame buffers and executing the process of alphablending; a storage section for storing the threshold transparency of each layer; an input section for receiving a position on the display screen from the user as a process request; and a destination determining section for determining, in response to input, whether the transparency at the position is larger than the threshold value of each layer, and determining an application related to a layer for which a positive determination is made as the destination of the request.