Visual Alignment Tool Using Brightness Weighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current graphic design tools face challenges in aligning asymmetric objects and text, as geometric alignment does not accurately represent visual alignment, leading to manual and intuitive methods that are time-consuming and inaccurate.

Innovation Solution

An automated system calculates a weighted distribution of brightness to determine the visual center or deviation point of objects, allowing for precise alignment along various axes (center, top, bottom, left, right) without relying on bounding boxes, and adjusts text leading for uniform spacing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If geometric alignment is used for asymmetric objects, then alignment precision is improved, but visual appeal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidvisual appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter used for alignment from geometric center to visual center. It calculates a visual center point based on the distribution of visual weight or brightness within the object, rather than using the simple geometric center. This allows asymmetric objects to be aligned based on their visual characteristics, resolving the contradiction between precise geometric alignment and visual appeal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If manual manipulation is used for visual alignment, then visual appeal is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual appealVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically calculating the visual center point of objects and performing the alignment operation without requiring manual user intervention. The computer executes the alignment based on calculated visual parameters, eliminating the need for users to manually manipulate objects while maintaining visual appeal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical manipulation system with an automated computational system. Instead of users physically moving objects with their eyes and hands, the system uses algorithms to calculate visual centers and automatically positions objects, substituting human manual work with automated image processing and coordinate calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automated alignment is implemented, then productivity is improved, but alignment accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment speedVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback by calculating visual parameters (such as brightness distribution or visual weight) of objects and using this information to determine the optimal alignment position. The automated process continuously refines the alignment based on calculated visual centers, ensuring high accuracy while maintaining fast automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10157471B2Area alignment tool

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 ADOBE INC

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for visually aligning an object includes calculating a weighted distribution of a brightness of an object, determining a center point of the object using the weighted distribution of the brightness of the object and automatically aligning the object using the center point of the object.