U.S. patent application number 09/239078 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-15 for method for selecting next feature for placement on a page.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hewlett-Packard Company. Invention is credited to SEAMAN, MARK D..
Application Number | 20010042084 09/239078 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22900502 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010042084 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SEAMAN, MARK D. |
November 15, 2001 |
METHOD FOR SELECTING NEXT FEATURE FOR PLACEMENT ON A PAGE
Abstract
A method for selecting a placement, on a medium such as a page
or a computer screen, of a photograph or another placement item
with optional, associated caption from a set of multiple placement
items. The method provides techniques for creating aesthetically
pleasing layouts for the set of items to be displayed, as for
example by printing by a printer on a page.
Inventors: |
SEAMAN, MARK D.; (GREELEY,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY
P O BOX 272400, 3404 E. HARMONY ROAD
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION
FORT COLLINS
CO
80527-2400
US
|
Assignee: |
Hewlett-Packard Company
|
Family ID: |
22900502 |
Appl. No.: |
09/239078 |
Filed: |
January 27, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/243 ;
715/255 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06T 11/60 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/517 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for selecting order of feature location on a display
medium, comprising the steps of: choosing an unlocated feature;
computing multiple selection values for the chosen feature;
obtaining a placement-weight value by combining selection values
for the chosen feature; repeating the above method steps for each
unlocated feature; and selecting the unlocated feature having the
smallest placement-weight value as the next feature to be
located.
2. The method of claim 1, providing the method step for computing
selection values uses at least one parameter selected from the
group consisting of (a) area of chosen feature, (b) orientation of
chosen feature, (c) capability to place two features on the current
row, wherein each feature has the same dimensions as the chosen
feature, (d) the area of the chosen feature subtracted from the
remaining unused area of current row, (e) increase in row height
caused by height of the chosen feature, (f) chosen feature would
force location to new item of display medium, and (g) chosen
feature would extend beyond boundary of current display medium.
3. The method of claim 1, providing the feature comprises a
photograph.
4. The method of claim 1, providing the display medium is selected
from the group consisting of a computer display screen and a sheet
of paper.
5. A method for selecting order of feature location on a display
medium, comprising the steps of: choosing an unlocated feature;
computing multiple selection values for the chosen feature;
obtaining a placement-weight value by combining selection values
for the chosen feature; repeating the above method steps for each
unlocated feature; and selecting the unlocated feature having the
largest placement weight value as the next feature to be
located.
6. The method of claim 5 providing the method step for computing
selection values uses at least one parameter selected from the
group consisting of (a) area of chosen feature, (b) orientation of
chosen feature, (c) capability to place two features on the current
row, wherein each feature has the same dimensions as the chosen
feature, (d) the area of the chosen feature subtracted from the
remaining unused area of current row, (e) increase in row height
caused by height of the chosen feature, (f) chosen feature would
force location to new item of display medium, and (g) chosen
feature would extend beyond boundary of current display medium.
7. The method of claim 5 providing the feature comprises a
photograph.
8. The method of claim 5 providing the display medium is selected
from the group consisting of a computer display screen and a sheet
of paper.
9. A computer program storage medium readable by a computer,
tangibly embodying a computer program of instructions executable by
the computer to perform method steps for selecting order of feature
location on a display medium, the steps comprising: choosing an
unlocated feature; computing multiple selection values for the
chosen feature; obtaining a placement-weight value by combining
selection values for the chosen feature; repeating the above method
steps for each unlocated feature; and selecting the unlocated
feature having the smallest placement-weight value as the next
feature to be located.
10. The computer storage medium of claim 9, providing the method
step for computing selection values uses at least one parameter
selected from the group consisting of (a) area of chosen feature,
(b) orientation of chosen feature, (c) capability to place two
features on the current row, wherein each feature has the same
dimensions as the chosen feature, (d) the area of the chosen
feature subtracted from the remaining unused area of current row,
(e) increase in row height caused by height of the chosen feature,
(f) chosen feature would force location to new item of display
medium, and (g) chosen feature would extend beyond boundary of
current display medium.
11. The computer program storage medium of claim 9, providing the
feature comprises a photograph.
12. The computer program storage medium of claim 9, providing the
display medium is selected from the group consisting of a computer
display screen and a sheet of paper.
13. A computer program storage medium readable by a computer,
tangibly embodying a computer program of instructions executable by
the computer to perform method steps for selecting order of feature
location on a display medium, the steps comprising: choosing an
unlocated feature; computing multiple selection values for the
chosen feature; obtaining a placement-weight value by combining
selection values for the chosen feature; repeating the above method
steps for each unlocated feature; and selecting the unlocated
feature having the largest placement-weight value as the next
feature to be located.
14. The computer program storage medium of claim 13, providing the
method step for computing selection values uses at least one
parameter selected from the group consisting of (a) area of chosen
feature, (b) orientation of chosen feature, (c) capability to place
two features on the current row, wherein each feature has the same
dimensions as the chosen feature, (d) the area of the chosen
feature subtracted from the remaining unused area of current row,
(e) increase in row height caused by height of the chosen feature,
(f) chosen feature would force location to new item of display
medium, and (g) chosen feature would extend beyond boundary of
current display medium.
15. The computer program storage medium of claim 13, providing the
feature comprises a photograph.
16. The computer program storage medium of claim 13, providing the
display medium is selected from the group consisting of a computer
display screen and a sheet of paper.
17. A computer system configured for use in computer graphics
operations, comprising: a memory containing: a computer program
having functions for selecting order of feature location on a
display medium, the functions comprising: choosing an unlocated
feature; computing multiple selection values for the chosen
feature; obtaining a placement-weight value by combining selection
values for the chosen feature; repeating the above method steps for
each unlocated feature; and selecting the unlocated feature having
the smallest placement-weight value as the next feature to be
located; and a processor for running the computer program.
18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the function of the
computer program for computing selection values uses at least one
parameter selected from the group consisting of (a) area of chosen
feature, (b) orientation of chosen feature, (c) capability to place
two features on the current row, wherein each feature has the same
dimensions as the chosen feature, (d) the area of the chosen
feature subtracted from the remaining unused area of current row,
(e) increase in row height caused by height of the chosen feature,
(f) chosen feature would force location to new item of display
medium, and (g) chosen feature would extend beyond boundary of
current display medium.
19. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the feature comprises
a photograph.
20. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the display medium is
selected from the group consisting of a computer display screen and
a sheet of paper.
21. A computer system configured for use in computer graphics
operations, comprising: a memory containing: a computer program
having functions for selecting order of feature location on a
display medium, the functions comprising: choosing an unlocated
feature; computing multiple selection values for the chosen
feature; obtaining a placement-weight value by combining selection
values for the chosen feature; repeating the above method steps for
each unlocated feature; and selecting the unlocated feature having
the largest placement-weight value as the next feature to be
located; and a processor for running the computer program.
22. The computer system of claim 21, wherein the function of the
computer program for computing selection values uses at least one
parameter selected from the group consisting of (a) area of chosen
feature, (b) orientation of chosen feature, (c) capability to place
two features on the current row, wherein each feature has the same
dimensions as the chosen feature, (d) the area of the chosen
feature subtracted from the remaining unused area of current row,
(e) increase in row height caused by height of the chosen feature,
(f) chosen feature would force location to new item of display
medium, and (g) chosen feature would extend beyond boundary of
current display medium.
23. The computer system of claim 21, wherein the feature comprises
a photograph.
24. The computer system of claim 21, wherein the display medium is
selected from the group consisting of a computer display screen and
a sheet of paper.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to printing
features, for example photographs, on a medium such as a page or a
computer screen. More particularly it relates to methods used for
the selection of the next feature to be placed on the medium.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Recent hardware and software advancements have resulted in
printers that can print photographic data from multiple photographs
on single sheets of paper without the intermediate use of
photographic film. When used herein as a noun, "placement" means a
rectangular region that represents a photograph or other item, a
predefined gap between two placements, and any associated
caption.
[0003] Typically placement of the photographs, with or without gaps
and captions, on the page being arranged occurs in the order in
which they appear in a predefined list. Each photograph is placed
in order and orientation across the page in one row after another
down the page. This approach does not attempt to optimize the
placement of photographs in order to obtain a more efficient fit.
Such linear placement algorithms often fall short by leaving large
amounts of white space on the page.
[0004] Other attempts at placing photographs on a page often take
into account only one significant attribute by which to make a
decision regarding which is the best placement. For example, the
largest photograph that will fit without wrapping onto the next
row, or the photograph that leaves the smallest amount of space at
the end of a row, are both reasonable methods to layout
photographs. However, optimizing a single or a pair of attributes
is not sufficient to fit a large variety of photographs tightly
together. Such approaches fall short of being able to produce a
page layout that reflects that which a human would do.
[0005] Without some means for equalizing white space, the printed
page of photographs appears to have all images crowded into the
upper left comer of the page. This problem can be partially
addressed by increasing the page margins to leave more white space
around the area of the photographs. Another technique is to
increase the gap between photographs to show more white space.
However, the overall page layout often does not appear balanced.
Also, increasing the space between placements seriously limits the
size of the photographs which can be placed on a given page.
[0006] Thus, for purposes of paper efficiency and aesthetics, there
are needs for methods which provide for efficient placement of
multiple photographs on a page, for selection of the photograph to
be placed, and for equalization of white space in photographic
placements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present patent document describes representative
embodiments of methods for the efficient placement on a display
medium or media of a set of placement items, for selecting a next
item to be located on the medium, and for equalizing white space
around multiple placement items. The methods described herein
provide techniques for creating aesthetically pleasing layouts of
the placement items which could be, for example, photographs with
optional, associated gaps and captions. The medium used for display
could be a page of paper or a computer screen. Either a single
medium item or multiple items of a given type medium may be
used.
[0008] Methods for the efficient location of placement items and
for the selection of a next item to be located on the medium
provide techniques for reducing the total number of medium items
used to display the placement items, i.e., for reducing the total
number of pages used to print a set of photographs. Methods for the
equalization of white space around multiple placement items provide
techniques for creating aesthetically pleasing layouts. Previous
methods have been limited in both their abilities to efficiently
utilize the available media and to create aesthetically pleasing
displays.
[0009] Representative embodiments are based on the row oriented
location of placement features. The next placement feature to be
located is chosen based upon a weighted value which is created for
each placement item. This weighted value is determined based upon
several parameters which are related to the size and orientation of
the placement item, as well as to the remaining space on the
current row and on the current display medium. Should the placement
item be too large, its orientation may be changed to match that of
the display medium, and, if necessary, it may be reduced in size to
fit within the boundaries of the display medium. White space is
distributed uniformly between and within rows of placement
features. The net result of using these techniques is the efficient
and aesthetically pleasing location of placement items
approximating that which a human being would do.
[0010] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of
example the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings provide visual representations
which will be used to more fully describe the invention and can be
used by those skilled in the art to better understand it and its
inherent advantages. In these drawings, like reference numerals
identify corresponding elements and:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a representative embodiment of a
composed layout.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of representative embodiment of a
placement computer program for locating placement features on a
display medium.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a representative embodiment of a
selection computer program for selecting the next placement feature
to be located on the display medium.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a placement-weight equation used to
determine a placement-weight value for the placement features.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing parameters used in the
placement-weight equation of FIG. 4.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a representative embodiment of a
location computer program for locating the next placement feature
to be located on the display medium.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a representative embodiment of a
white space equalization computer program for equalizing white
space horizontally and vertically between placement features on the
composed layout.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a drawing of an illustrative example of composed
layout prior to white space equalization.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a drawing of the illustrative example of FIG. 8
following distribution of white space vertically.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a drawing of the illustrative example of FIG. 9
following distribution of white space horizontally.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a drawing of the illustrative example of FIG. 10
following further distribution of white space vertically.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a drawing of a computer system used to create and
print a composed layout in a representative embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] 1. Introduction
[0025] As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the
present patent document relates to methods for efficient placement
on a display medium or media of a set of placement items, for
selecting a next item to be located on the medium, and for
equalizing white space around multiple placement items. The methods
described herein provide techniques for creating aesthetically
pleasing layouts of the placement items which could be, for
example, photographs with optional, associated gaps and captions.
The medium used for display could be a page of paper or a computer
screen. Either a single medium item or multiple items of a given
type medium may be used.
[0026] Methods for the efficient location of placement items and
for the selection of a next item to be located on the medium
provide techniques for reducing the total number of medium items
used to display the placement items, i.e., for reducing the total
number of pages used to print a set of photographs. Methods for the
equalization of white space around multiple placement items provide
techniques for creating aesthetically pleasing layouts. Previous
methods have been limited in both their abilities to efficiently
utilize the available media and to create aesthetically pleasing
displays.
[0027] In the following detailed description and in the several
figures of the drawings, like elements are identified with like
reference numerals.
[0028] 2. Medium &Feature Geometries
[0029] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a representative embodiment of a
composed layout 100. For illustrative purposes the composed layout
100 is shown partially completed. The composed layout 100 is
comprised of a display medium 110 and multiple placement features
120, also referred to herein as features 120, which are shown
located on the display medium 110. In representative embodiments,
both the display medium 110 and the placement feature 120 are
substantially rectangular. The placement features 120 are typically
located on the display medium 110 one at a time beginning with a
placement origin 130 which in this example is the upper left hand
comer of the display medium 110.
[0030] An insertion point 140 for the next placement feature 125 to
be located on the display medium 110 is shown in the present
example as the upper right hand comer of the last placement feature
120 placed on the display medium 110. The upper left hand comer of
the next placement feature 125 to be located on the display medium
110 is placed on the insertion point 140. Note that the placement
features 120 previously placed on the display medium 110 are
located in a row 150. An upper edge 157 and a lower edge 158 of the
row 150 are defined by the most extreme upper and lower boundaries
of the placement features 120. As previously stated, the placement
features 120 may include a predefined gap 121 as shown in one of
the placement features 120 of FIG. 1 and a caption 122 as shown in
another of the placement features 120 of FIG. 1. If, when the upper
left hand comer of the next placement feature 125 is placed at the
insertion point 140, the next placement feature 125 extends beyond
the lower edge 158 of the row 150, the lower edge 158 of the row
150 is adjusted to that of the lower boundary of the next placement
feature 150. If, when the upper left hand comer of the next
placement feature 125 is placed at the insertion point 140, the
next placement feature 125 extends beyond the right hand edge of
the display medium 110, the next placement feature 125 is located
so that its left hand edge is contiguous with the left hand edge of
the display medium 110. The upper and lower boundaries of the next
placement feature 125 now define a new row 150 whose upper edge is
contiguous with the lower edge 158 of the previous row 150. If the
lower edge of the next placement feature 125 lies below the lower
edge of the display medium 110, the next placement feature 125 is
located on an additional display medium 110.
[0031] 3. Page Efficient Photograph Placement
[0032] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of representative embodiment of a
placement computer program 200 for locating the placement features
120 on the display medium 110.
[0033] Block 205 is the initial block of the placement computer
program 200. Block 205 chooses an unlocated placement feature which
is not on a list 208 of placement features 120 to be located on the
display medium 110. In FIG. 2, the list 208 of placement features
120 to be located on the display medium 110 is shown for
illustrative purposes only and is not a method step. Block 205 then
transfers control to block 210.
[0034] When the placement feature 120 chosen by block 205 is larger
than the display medium 110, block 210 transfers control to block
220. Otherwise, block 210 transfers control to block 240.
[0035] When the orientation of the placement feature 120 chosen by
block 205 is the same as the orientation of the display medium 110,
block 220 transfers control to block 235. Otherwise, block 220
transfers control to block 225.
[0036] Block 225 rotates the placement feature 120 chosen by block
205 to match that of the display medium 110. Block 225 then
transfers control to block 230.
[0037] When the placement feature 120 chosen by block 205 is larger
than the display medium 110 in at least one of its dimensions,
block 230 transfers control to block 235. Otherwise, block 230
transfers control to block 240.
[0038] Block 235 reduces the size of the placement feature 120
chosen by block 205 to fit within the boundaries of the display
medium 110. Block 235 transfers control to block 240.
[0039] In an alternate embodiment wherein placement features 120
are not reduced, the decision step of block 230, and the reduction
step of block 235 are omitted. For this embodiment, block 225
transfers control to block 240, and when the orientation of the
placement feature 120 chosen by block 205 is the same as the
orientation of the display medium 110, block 220 transfers control
to block 240
[0040] In yet another embodiment wherein placement features 120 are
not reduced and are not rotated to match that of the display medium
110, the decision method step of block 210, the decision method
step of block 220, the rotation method step of block 225, the
decision step of block 230, and the reduction step of block 235 are
omitted. For this embodiment, block 205 transfers control to block
240.
[0041] Block 240 adds the placement feature 120 to the list 208 of
placement features 120 to be located on the display medium 110.
Block 240 transfers control to block 250.
[0042] When there are remaining unlocated placement features 120
not on the list 208 of placement features 120 to be located on the
display medium 110, block 250 transfers control to block 205.
Otherwise, block 250 transfers control to block 260.
[0043] Block 260 evaluates each placement feature 120 on the list
208 of placement features 120 to be located on the display medium
110 for both landscape and portrait orientations of the placement
features 120 and selects the next placement feature 120 and
orientation to be located on the display medium 110. A
representative embodiment of a method for selecting the next
placement feature 120 to be located is discussed in sections 4 and
4.1 below. Block 260 transfers control to block 270.
[0044] Block 270 locates the selected next placement feature 125.
Block 270 transfers control to block 280.
[0045] Block 280 removes the selected next placement feature 125
from the list 208 of placement features 120 to be located on the
display medium 110. Block 280 transfers control to block 290.
[0046] When there are remaining placement features on the list 208
of placement features 120 to be located on the display medium 110,
block 290 transfers control to block 260. Otherwise, block 290
terminates the placement computer program 200.
[0047] 4. Placement Feature Selection
[0048] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a representative embodiment of a
selection computer program 300 for selecting the next placement
feature 120 to be located on the display medium 110. In a
representative embodiment, the selection computer program 300
replaces block 260 of FIG. 2.
[0049] Block 310 is the initial block of the placement feature 120
selection computer program 300 and chooses one of the unlocated
placement features 120 from the list 208 of placement features 120
to be located on the display medium 110 for which a
placement-weight value 480 has not been computed. The
placement-weight value 480 and the elements that comprise it are
shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4, the placement-weight value 480, and the
method in which the placement-weight value 480 is determined are
more fully discussed in section 4.1 below. Block 310 transfers
control to block 320.
[0050] Block 320 determines the placement-weight value 480 for the
placement feature 120 selected by block 310. Block 320 transfers
control to block 330.
[0051] When there are remaining unlocated placement features 120
without assigned placement-weight values on the list 208, block 330
transfers control to block 310. Otherwise, block 330 transfers
control to block 340.
[0052] Block 340 selects as the next placement feature 125 to be
located on the display medium 110 the placement feature 120 having
the smallest algebraic placement-weight value 480 from the list 208
of placement features 120 to be located on the display medium 110.
Block 340 then terminates the selection computer program 300. Other
criteria for the selection of the next placement feature 125, such
as for example selecting the placement feature 120 having the
largest algebraic placement-weight value 480 are also possible
depending upon the composition of the placement-weight values
480.
[0053] 4.1 Placement-Weight Value for Placement Feature
[0054] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a placement-weight equation 400 used
to determine the placement-weight value 480 for the placement
features 120. The placement-weight equation 400 is a representative
embodiment of a selection criteria 400 used for selecting the order
of placement feature 120 location on the display media 110. The
placement-weight values 480 for the placement features 120 that
have not been previously located on the display medium 110 are used
to determine which of the placement features 120 is to be located
next on the display medium 110. In the representative embodiment of
the placement-weight equation 400 shown in FIG. 4, the
placement-weight value 480 comprises the sum of multiple selection
values 405. The selection values 405 may have either a positive or
a negative value. The value of the placement-weight value 480 may
also be either positive or negative. In a representative
embodiment, priority of placement is greater for the placement
features 120 having the smaller algebraic values for the
placement-weight value 480. While in FIG. 4 selection values 405
are combined via addition to form placement-weight values 480,
other techniques such as multiplication, division, and subtraction
may also be use in part or in total.
[0055] The following paragraphs provide detail regarding the
various selection values 405 shown in FIG. 4.
[0056] In a representative embodiment, a weight for placement
feature size 410 is given by
-H*W/C1 [Eq. 1]
[0057] wherein H=height of the placement feature 120, W=width of
the placement feature 120, and C1 is a constant chosen by the user.
Equation 1 gives preference to the larger display features 120. A
typical value for C1 is 10.
[0058] In a representative embodiment, a weight for placement
feature orientation 420 is given by
(W-H)*C2 [Eq. 2]
[0059] which provides a preference to the portrait orientation. C2
is a constant chosen by the user. A typical value for C2 is 1.
[0060] In a representative embodiment, a weight for the case an
additional same size placement feature 120 beyond the present
placement 120 is forced to the next row 430 is given by
(medium width-X-2*W)*H/C3 [Eq. 3]
[0061] wherein X=the horizontal coordinate of the insertion point
140 as measured from the placement origin 130. Equation 3 provides
a penalty if two placement features 120 of the same size as the one
being evaluated will not fit on the remaining portion of the
current row 150. C3 is a constant chosen by the user. A typical
value for C3 is 10.
[0062] In a representative embodiment, a weight for the remaining
unused portion of the row 440 after location of the placement
feature 120 is given by
(Page Width-X-W)*Height of line/C4 [Eq. 4]
[0063] Equation 4 gives provides a penalty if the remaining portion
of the row 150 is not used. C4 is a constant chosen by the user. A
typical value for C4 is 10.
[0064] In a representative embodiment, a weight for the case the
placement feature 120 increases the height of the row 450 is given
by
X*New Height of Line [Eq. 5]
[0065] Equation 5 provides a penalty for extending the height of
the row 150.
[0066] In a representative embodiment, a weight for case placement
feature forced to new item of display medium 460 is given by
Page Width*(Page Height-Next Y) [Eq. 6]
[0067] wherein Y=the vertical coordinate of the insertion point 140
as measured from the placement origin 130. Equation 6 provides a
penalty if selection of this placement feature 120 would force
location on a new item of display medium 110.
[0068] In a representative embodiment, a weight for the case the
placement feature extends beyond display medium boundary 470 is
given by
Page Penalty [Eq. 7]
[0069] A typical value for Page Penalty is 1,000 if the placement
feature 120 being evaluated extends beyond the boundary of the
display medium 110. Otherwise, the Page Penalty is zero. Selection
of these values helps to insure that extending beyond the page
boundary overrides all other considerations.
[0070] Typical values for the constants in Equations 1-7 above are
chosen as representative of placement features 120 in the size
range of 3".times.5" to 8".times.10" having resolutions of 150
pixels per inch and located on an 81/2".times.11" page.
[0071] Other embodiments for the selection values 405 and the
placement-weight value 480 are also possible. For example, the
placement-weight value 480 could comprise selection values 405 not
listed above. In addition, the placement-weight value 480 could be
composed of a sub-set of the selection values 405 shown in FIG.
4.
[0072] 4.2 Summary of Selection Value Parameters
[0073] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing parameters 500 used in the
equations of section 4.1. These parameters 500 are as follows: (a)
chosen feature area 510, (b) chosen feature orientation 520, (c)
capability to place two features on the current row, wherein each
feature has the same dimensions as the chosen feature 530, (d) the
area of the chosen feature subtracted from the remaining unused
area of current row 540, (e) increase in row height caused by
height of the chosen feature 550, (f) chosen feature would force
location to new item of display medium 560, and (g) chosen feature
would extend beyond boundary of current display medium 570.
[0074] 5. Location Program
[0075] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a representative embodiment of a
location computer program 600 for locating the next placement
feature 125 to be placed or located on the display medium 110. In a
representative embodiment, the location computer program 600
replaces block 270 of FIG. 2.
[0076] When the next placement feature 125 fits on the current row,
block 610 transfers control to block 660. Otherwise, block 610
transfers control to block 620.
[0077] When the insertion point 140 is at the beginning of the row
150, block 620 transfers control to block 650. Otherwise, block 620
transfers control to block 630.
[0078] Block 630 increments the insertion point 140 to the
beginning of the next row 150. Block 630 transfers control to block
640.
[0079] When the next placement feature 125 fits on the current row
150, block 640 transfers control to block 660. Otherwise, block 640
transfers control to block 650.
[0080] Block 650 increments the insertion point 140 to the
beginning of the next page. Block 650 transfers control to block
660.
[0081] Block 660 places the next placement feature 125 on the
display medium 110. Block 660 is the termination point of the
location computer program 600.
[0082] 6. White Space Equalization
[0083] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a representative embodiment of a
white space equalization computer program 700 for equalizing white
space horizontally and vertically between placement features 120 on
the composed layout 100. FIG. 7 will be discussed in more detail
following the discussion of FIG. 8.
[0084] FIG. 8 is a drawing of an illustrative example of composed
layout 100 prior to white space equalization. In FIG. 8, first,
second, and third placement features 821, 822, 823 are located in a
first row 851, and fourth and fifth placement features 824, 825 are
located in a second row 852. All area on the display medium 110 not
occupied by the placement features 821, 822, 823, 824, 825 is
treated as white space.
[0085] FIG. 9 is a drawing of the illustrative example of FIG. 8
following distribution of white space vertically. First, second,
and third inter-row vertical white spaces 961, 962, 963 are
distributed equally in height above, between, and below first and
second rows 851, 852 of placement features 821, 822, 823, 824, 825.
Other embodiments, as for example, predefined sizes of white space
at the upper and lower boundaries of the display medium 110 are
also possible.
[0086] FIG. 10 is a drawing of the illustrative example of FIG. 9
following distribution of white space horizontally. First, second,
third, and fourth horizontal white spaces 1071, 1072, 1073, 1074
are distributed equally in width before, between, and after first,
second, and third placement features 821, 822, 823 in first row
851. Fifth, sixth, and seventh horizontal white spaces 1075, 1076,
1077 are distributed equally in width before, between, and after
fourth and fifth placement features 824, 825 in second row 852.
Other embodiments, as for example, predefined sizes of white space
at the left and right boundaries of the display medium 110 are also
possible.
[0087] FIG. 11 is a drawing of the illustrative example of FIG. 10
following further distribution of white space vertically. First and
second intra-row vertical white spaces 1181, 1182 are distributed
equally in height above and below the third placement feature 823
in first row 851. Third and fourth intra-row vertical white spaces
1183, 1184 are distributed equally in height above and below the
fifth placement feature 825 in second row 852.
[0088] Returning to the flow chart of FIG. 7, block 720 is the
initial block of the white space equalization computer program 700.
Block 720 distributes vertical white space equally above, between,
and below the rows 851, 852 of placement features 120 on the
display medium 110. In the illustrative example of FIGS. 8-11,
block 720 distributes first, second, and third inter-row vertical
white space 961, 962, 963 equally above, between, and below the
rows 851, 852 of placement features 821, 822, 823, 824, 825. Block
720 transfers control to block 740.
[0089] Block 740 distributes horizontal white space equally before,
between, and after placement features 120 within each row 851, 852
on the display medium 110. In the illustrative example of FIGS.
8-11, block 740 distributes first, second, third, and fourth
horizontal white spaces 1071, 1072, 1073, 1074 equally before,
between, and after first, second, and third placement features 821,
822, 823. Also in this illustrative example block 730 distributes
fifth, sixth, and seventh horizontal white spaces 1075, 1076, 1077
equally before, between, and after fourth and fifth placement
features 824, 825. Block 740 transfers control to block 750.
[0090] Block 750 centers each placement feature 120 vertically
within the row 851, 852 in which it is located. In the illustrative
example of FIGS. 8-11, block 750 centers placement features 821,
822, 823 vertically within row 851. Also in this illustrative
example block 750 centers placement features 824, 825 vertically
within row 852. Block 750 terminates the white space equalization
computer program 700.
[0091] 7. Composition & Print System
[0092] FIG. 12 is a drawing of a computer system 1200 used to
create and print a composed layout 100 in a representative
embodiment. The computer system 1200 comprises a computer-CPU 1210,
a memory 1215, a computer monitor 1220, a printer 1230, and the
placement computer program 200. The placement computer program 200
is stored within the memory 1215, runs on the computer-CPU 1210,
and creates the composed layout 100 shown in FIG. 1. The memory
1215 is also referred to as the computer program storage medium
1215 and may be separate from or a part of the computer-CPU 1210.
Once the composed layout 100 is created, the placement computer
program 200 can enable the printer 1230 to print the composed
layout 100 on the display medium 110 which could be a sheet of
paper 110. The composed layout 100 could also be displayed on the
computer monitor 1220.
[0093] 8. Concluding Remarks
[0094] Representative embodiments described in the present patent
document provide methods for the efficient location of placement
features 120 on display medium 110, selection of the next placement
feature 120 to be placed on the display medium 110, and
equalization of white space around placement features 120. These
methods provide the ability to create visually more pleasing,
balanced compositions and to reduce the total number of items of
display medium 110 required for a given set of placement features
120.
[0095] While the present invention has been described in detail in
relation to preferred embodiments thereof, the described
embodiments have been presented by way of example and not by way of
limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes may be made in the form and details of the
described embodiments resulting in equivalent embodiments that
remain within the scope of the appended claims.
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