Text Flow in Irregular Containers via Dynamic Area Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing word processing technologies fail to maximize space usage and achieve desired visual effects when text is placed within or around irregularly shaped containers, as they do not effectively allow text to conform to the shape of these containers.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining valid text areas by finding intersections or differences between proposed text rectangles and irregular containers, using exclusion or inclusion polygons to subtract non-text areas, and employing a look-ahead algorithm to efficiently propose new text rectangles with valid areas for text flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If text is placed in a rectangular text box within an irregular container, then text flow is simple and straightforward, but space usage is not maximized and visual effect is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic text flow that adapts to the irregular container shape by calculating valid text areas based on the container's geometry. Instead of using a fixed rectangular text box, the system dynamically determines which areas within the container are suitable for text placement, allowing text to follow the container's contours while maintaining readability and simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If text is placed in a rectangular text box within an irregular container, then text flow is simple and straightforward, but visual effect is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts text flow paths to match the irregular container shape by calculating valid text areas that respect the container's boundaries. This allows text to visually conform to the container while maintaining simple operational characteristics through automated calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different text placement rules to different regions within the container. By identifying valid text areas based on local geometric properties of the irregular shape, the system ensures text flows appropriately in each region while maintaining overall simplicity in implementation.
3Area of stationary object
If text is made to flow around a rectangular box defined for a graphic, then space blocking is effective, but space usage on page is not maximized and visual effect is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically calculates text flow paths around irregular containers by determining valid text areas that avoid overlapping with the container while maximizing space utilization. This dynamic approach allows efficient page space usage while maintaining effective space blocking for graphics.
4Area of stationary object
If text is made to flow around a rectangular box defined for a graphic, then space blocking is effective, but visual effect is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic text flow calculation that adapts to irregular container shapes by identifying valid text areas that respect the container's contours. This allows text to visually conform to the irregular shape while maintaining effective space blocking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies localized text placement rules that consider the specific geometric properties of each region around the irregular container. This ensures text visually follows the container contours in each local area while maintaining overall effective space blocking.
Data Source
AI summary
Providing text flow in or around an irregular container, such as a non-rectangular graphic, is disclosed. In the case of flow around a container, the intersection, if any, between a proposed text rectangle and the irregular container is determined. A valid rectangle, if any, that is not within the bounds in the x-direction of an area of intersection between the proposed text rectangle and the graphic is identified as a valid text area within the proposed text rectangle. In the case of flow around a container, one or more difference areas, if any, in which a proposed text rectangle is present but the container is not present are found. A valid rectangle, if any, that is not within the bounds in the x-direction of any of said one or more difference areas is identified as a valid text area within the proposed text rectangle.