Scale-Adaptive Vector Graphics Spine Thickness Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vector graphics face challenges in maintaining visual appeal when scaled, as uniform scaling can lead to undesirable thickness changes, causing thicker elements to dominate and losing stylized features, especially in contexts like mathematical equations and maps where varied scaling is necessary.
Innovation Solution
Implementing scale-adaptive vector graphic fonts and graphics by defining a 'spine' for each glyph, allowing thickness adjustments based on a mapping of outline points to the spine, and applying scaling factors that differ from overall glyph size, such as the square root of the scaling factor, to maintain stylized appearances across various sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If uniform scaling is applied to vector graphic glyphs, then the glyph can be displayed at any size while maintaining the original shape, but thicker portions of the glyph become disproportionately thick and dominate the visual appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the glyph into a spine (central axis) and thickness measurements (distance from spine to outline). This segmentation allows independent control of the base shape and the thickness, enabling the thickness to be scaled differently from the overall glyph size while maintaining the original shape design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different scaling factors to different aspects of the glyph: the spine determines the overall shape and position, while the thickness (distance from spine to outline) is scaled by a separate factor. This local differentiation allows thicker portions to be adjusted independently, preventing them from becoming disproportionately thick when the glyph is scaled up.
2Measurement precision
If the thickness of glyph features is increased to improve visibility at large scales, then legibility improves, but the stylized appearance and visual effect are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of thickness scaling by introducing a separate scaling factor for thickness that differs from the overall glyph scaling factor. This allows the thickness to be optimized for legibility at different scales while preserving the stylized appearance encoded in the original glyph design, as the spine-to-outline distance is adjusted independently rather than uniformly scaling all dimensions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a line drawing is used instead of a stylized glyph to avoid thickness issues, then scaling problems are resolved, but the visual effect and distinctiveness of the stylized glyph are lost
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than replacing the stylized glyph with a simple line drawing, the patent segments the stylized glyph into a spine (providing the structural framework) and thickness measurements (preserving the visual style). This segmentation allows the glyph to maintain its stylized appearance while resolving scaling issues, as the thickness can be independently adjusted based on the desired visual effect rather than being fixed as in a line drawing.
Data Source
AI summary
Scale-adaptive fonts and graphics are disclosed. In some embodiments, an indication of a desired overall size for the graphic is received. The graphic is scaled to the desired overall size. A shape of the graphic is adapted to the desired overall scale at least in part by adjusting a thickness of at least a portion of the graphic in a manner that preserves one or more stylized features of the shape.