Showing papers on "Page layout published in 2012"

Method of generating a bias-adjusted layout design of a conductive feature and method of generating a simulation model of a predefined fabrication process

Abstract: A method of generating a bias-adjusted layout design of a conductive feature includes receiving a layout design of the conductive feature. If a geometry configuration of the layout design is within a first set of predetermined criteria, the bias-adjusted layout design of the conductive feature is generated according to a first layout bias rule. If the geometry configuration of the layout design is within a second set of predetermined criteria, the bias-adjusted layout design of the conductive feature is generated according to a second layout bias rule.

Graphic Literacies for a Digital Age: The Survival of Layout

Abstract: Page layout is dominant in many genres of physical documents, but it is frequently overlooked in academic analyses of texts and in digitized versions. Its presence is largely determined by available technologies and skills: If no provision is made for creating, preserving, or describing layout, then it tends not to be created, preserved or described. However, I argue, the significance and utility of layout for readers is such that it will survive or reemerge. I review how layout has been treated in the literature of graphic design and linguistics, and consider its role as a memory tool. I distinguish between fixed, flowed, fluid, and fugitive layouts, determined not only by authorial intent, but by technical constraints. Finally, I describe graphic literacy as a component of functional literacy and suggest that corresponding graphic literacies are needed not only by readers, but by creators of documents and by the information management technologies that produce, deliver, and store them.

Authoring content for digital books

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and computer program products for authoring content for digital books. In some implementations, a single graphical user interface (GUI) is presented that allows an author to design a layout for the digital book, including editing text and inserting various types of interactive elements in the text. The GUI functions as both a digital book layout design tool and a word processor to facilitate the building of a digital book. The relative page location of inserted widgets can be determined by a user-selectable anchor point placed within the text. An outline view of the digital book can be created and presented in the GUI based on a hierarchical structure determined by paragraph styles applied to the text. The GUI can provide a hybrid glossary and index page for allowing the author to create and manage a glossary and index for the digital book.

Heuristic Approach for Optimum Cost and Layout Design of 3D Reinforced Concrete Frames

Abstract: This paper presents a new methodology for cost optimization of the preliminary layout design of three-dimensional (3D) reinforced concrete (RC) frames. This approach is capable of being easily employed for the optimal layout design of a realistic large RC structure that accounts for constraints imposed by design standards. The new approach considers modeling, structural analysis, concrete member design, and discrete optimization together with data on the cost of systems and materials. The methodology is comprised of two parts. First, using the cross-sectional action effects as design variables, a heuristic cost function is presented as an alternative to traditional cost functions for layout optimization of RC structures. Using the presented cost function, a structural optimization problem is formulated for column layout design of 3D RC frames. Then, an ant system algorithm, a discrete method, is proposed to solve the cost optimization problem. Two comparative design examples are included to demons...

Weighted Euclidean distance based approach as a multiple attribute decision making method for plant or facility layout design selection

Abstract: Article history: Received 25 November 2011 Accepted 11 January 2011 Available online 15 January 2012 In response to increasing inflexible customer demands and to improve the competitive advantage, industrial organizations have to adopt strategies to achieve cost reduction, continual quality improvement, increased customer service and on-time delivery performance. Selection of the most suitable plant or facility layout design for an organization is one among the most important strategic issues to fulfill all these above-mentioned objectives. Nowadays, many industrial organizations have come to realize the importance of proper selection of the plant or facility layout design to survive in the global competitive market. Selecting the proper layout design from a given set of candidate alternatives is a difficult task, as many potential qualitative and quantitative criteria need to be considered. This paper proposes a Euclidean distance based approach (WEDBA) as a multiple attribute decision making method to deal with the complex plant or facility layout design problems of the industrial environment. Three examples are included to illustrate the approach. © 2012 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Method and system for combinatorial layout design

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for combinatorial layout design, in particular family mold layout design, using a computer. The method starts with receiving design specific parameters and information about molding parts from user. A Genetic Algorithm module is then invoked to generate a population of layout designs which satisfies the design specific parameters. The Genetic Algorithm module first automatically generates a population of specially designed chromosome with three interdependent sessions. Crossover, mutation and replacement operation are applied on the population subsequently to evolve such towards a more optimal population over successive generations. In each generation step, a Genotype-Phenotype mapping module is utilized to decode the chromosome to corresponding layout design for fitness evaluation. A system for combinatorial layout design automation and optimization using this evolutionary design approach is also disclosed in the present invention.

Improving operating theatre design using facilities layout planning

Abstract: Operating theatre (OT) is one of the most critical departments within the hospital. In developing countries, no allocation of sufficient areas for OT, that results in sharing of many services in the same area while ignoring others. Facilities layout planning (FLP) is widely used in industrial engineering for designing block layout plans as it considers the assignment of services to the proper locations. Hence, FLP can solve management and hospital design problems, reduce nursing staff effort and improve overall healthcare environment. The problem presented in this study is an optimization one, which maximizes the subjective closeness rating between different services in the OT considering international standards. Some heuristic approaches have been developed for solving FLP problem; the most successful were based on graph theoretic concepts. This paper proposes a solution by generating an OT layout design based on the graph theoretic approach. It is divided into two sub-problems; the first one is the adjacency problem that defines the desirability of locating pair of spaces adjacent to each other. The second one is the block layout problem which was solved by using manual traditional qualitative technique (the spiral technique). The output of the technique was several possible designs and a layout score that was calculated for each design. This allows for selecting the most appropriate design for each end user. Computing the layout score, before and after reallocation of the OT spaces, resulted in an increase by 18.5% in the first hospital. For the second hospital, more services had to be added in addition to the reallocation process, this resulted in an increase in the layout score by 45%.

Optimum column layout design of reinforced concrete frames under wind loading

Abstract: The geometric layout optimization of a structure is a significant stage in a design process, and selecting an appropriate geometric layout can impact all the subsequent stages of the design procedure and the relevant costs. This study presents a heuristic approach for the optimum layout design of two-dimensional reinforced concrete frames in order to optimize the total cost and controls the application under wind loadings. The aim is to find the optimum column layout design for 2D frames under wind loadings considering the involved cost elements. A heuristic methodology is developed in order to achieve a new design space and an objective function for the cost and layout optimization problem. The proposed method has the capability to make use of action effects of the structure as alternative design variables in place of the commonly used cross-sectional ones. Such a feature provides the method the ability to be easily employed in large and realistic structural optimization problems, and helps the optimization algorithms to take less time, in an iterative optimization process. Then, an Ant System based algorithm is proposed to solve the presented optimization problem. Examples are included to illustrate the robustness of the methodology.

Mobile terminal-based web page display system and method

Abstract: The invention provides a mobile terminal-based web page display system and a mobile terminal-based web page display method. The display processing process of a mobile terminal on a web page file is simplified by pre-arranging a web page layout template in the mobile terminal and processing the web page file to a format according with the web page layout template by a server; the aim of improving the web page file display processing is fulfilled; and the web page display speed is improved under the condition of not changing the processing performance of a mobile terminal processor. At the sametime, the diversified and multi-functionalized design of web page display is achieved in ways of pre-arranging a plurality of web page layout templates with different web page layout modes, setting apage jump control in the web page layout template and the like, so that the mobile terminal-based web page display system can realize the display function equivalent to the traditional web page browser. When applied to a domestic mobile terminal service platform, the system contributes to the service quality of a communication service needing to depend on web page display and the market competitiveness of a domestic mobile terminal product.

Optimum Spans’ Lengths of Multi-span Reinforced Concrete Beams Under Dynamic Loading

Abstract: In the design of continuous beams, say bridges, achieving an economical layout is one of the primary objectives, and requires simultaneous consideration of cost and layout variables. This study aims to figure out an explicit methodology for the optimum layout design of multi-span reinforced concrete beams under dynamic loadings in order to optimize the total cost. The aim is to determine the optimum spans lengths for continuous beams under dynamic loadings considering the involved cost elements. For this purpose a new methodology is developed in order to shift from the traditional design space to a new one. Then, an objective function for the cost and layout optimization problem is formulated in the new space. The proposed method employs action effects of the beams as alternative design variables in lieu of the cross-sectional ones. This ability enables the method to be easily used in realistic structural optimization problems rather than simple models, and helps the layout design procedure to take less time, in an iterative optimization process. In order to solve the formulated optimization problem, an Ant Colony Optimization algorithm is proposed. The robustness of the methodology is illustrated through a number of examples.

Semi-automated magazine layout using content-based image features

Abstract: We present a system for automating magazine layout process and data on its performance in a user evaluation test. The purpose of the study is to find the feasibility of the key system variables on the end-user. This semi-automatic system is based on content-based image feature algorithms to automate the layout process. The image related automation includes image cropping, overlaying text on top of images, image color palette creation, and image alignment. The algorithms rely on principles of photography and are used here together in the context of graphic design. For example the rule-of-space and leading line concepts can be extended to layout contexts for improved alignment of text and images. The computation is based on automatic analysis, such as face detection, color saliency, and textureness. We used the automation to create a functional prototype, an iPad magazine, using an open HTML5 eBook framework, which relies on CSS3 media queries for the layout adaptation. User experiments (40 participants) were conducted where the system was compared against two commercial iPad magazine systems in terms of overall usability with emphasis on visual aspects. Questionnaires and free commenting was used in a task-based usage scenario. The experiments were video recorded and the user comments were transcribed and coded into attributes. Usability results mixed with qualitative observation are reported. Results show that usability, read- ability and visuality are important to the users. Our system was considered more usable than the other two systems with some of the defining aspects being simplicity in terms of usability, subjective readability and visual clarity.

Improvement in Layout Design using SLP of a small size manufacturing unit: A case study

Abstract: The paper presents an application of the SLP (System Layout Planning) method for establishing, in an efficient manner, the layout of a productive enterprise. A case study is described in the paper, referring to a factory designated for manufacturing steel almirah The phases of the SLP method application are described in

A new C -space method to automate the layout design of injection mould cooling system

Abstract: A configuration space ( C -space) method was developed in a previous study to support the automation of the layout design of cooling systems. The main function of the C -space is to capture all of the feasible geometry of the layout design so that a genetic algorithm (GA) can be used to explore the design space. This paper reports a further extension of the C -space method in two respects. The new method overcomes the previous limitation of the non-variability of the design topology. By capturing useful information generated during the computation of the C -space, the new method enables the GA to explore both the geometry and the topology of the design during the evolutionary process. A new technique is also developed that enables the method to handle user-defined constraints on the layout design. These constraints are captured by additional C -spaces, and a special procedure is developed for computing the C -spaces of cooling systems and generating candidate designs so that the resulting design always satisfies the constraints. Vigorous proof of the validity of the new method is provided, and a case study is presented to demonstrate the capability of the method in generating a practical layout design for a cooling system. Highlights? The geometry and topology of design are explored concurrently and automatically. ? Re-use of design information is implemented. ? User-defined constraints of cooling system are dealt with. ? Vigorous proof of the validity of the new method is provided.

An elitist strategy genetic algorithm for integrated layout design

Abstract: While designing the layout of any manufacturing organizations, the primary objective is to decide an optimal arrangement of their departments (machines or cells) in a two-dimensional shop floor (facility) satisfying desired objectives, which is termed facility layout problem (FLP). In traditional layout design philosophy, the inter-cell layout and flow path layout design of material handling system (MHS) was carried out step by step in a sequential manner. This results in sub-optimal solutions for FLP. In this paper, an integrated approach is adopted to design the inter-cell layout and the flow path layout of MHS simultaneously. The quality of the final layout is evaluated by minimizing the weighted sum of two distance-based cost objectives namely, (1) total material handling cost. (2) Distance-weighted cost of total closeness rating score. Sequence-pair (SP) representation is used for layout encoding. The translation from SP to layout is efficiently done by longest common subsequence methodology. Due to NP-hard nature of the proposed problem, an elitist strategy genetic algorithm (ESGA) is developed and tested with three test problem instances available in the literature. It is found that the proposed ESGA algorithm is able to produce the best solutions consistently, twice faster than the standard GA for the test problem instances.

The reconfiguration issue of stochastic facility layout design in cellular manufacturing systems

Abstract: Facility layout is one of the important stages in the design of cellular manufacturing systems. It concerns with the arrangement of facilities within the machine cells and the machine cells in the shop floor in such a way that provides an efficient layout. Globalisation and consequences of its high competition which have challenged the manufacturers by providing uncertain situations in the manufacturing environments, degrades the performance of the manufacturing systems. In this study, the effects of uncertainty in demand of products on the layout of facilities in a cellular manufacturing system have been investigated. For this purpose, a stochastic facility layout model has been proposed that minimises the total material handling cost (both inter-cell and intra-cell), and considers that demand has a normal distribution function. The model has been made more practical by considering the transfer batch size of products and operation sequence of parts. To validate the model, several cases have been demonstr...

Error diffusion and grid shift in lithography

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of data preparation in lithography processes. The method of data preparation includes providing an integrated circuit (IC) layout design in a graphic database system (GDS) grid, and converting the IC layout design GDS grid to a second exposure grid by applying an error diffusion and a grid shift technique to a sub-pixel exposure grid.

Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer readable medium

Abstract: An apparatus includes an edit command receiving unit and an editing unit. The edit command receiving unit is configured to receive a command with respect to a first image to edit a comic style page layout including a plurality of images. The editing unit is configured to edit the comic style page layout in accordance with the command and with respect to at least one of the plurality of images.

Form layout method and system

Abstract: A form layout system includes a form layout tool that provides a flexible way to lay out forms on a web page. The form layout tool configures a web configuration file with the location of form layout styles, and uses the form layout styles, a number of columns, a number of fields, and a “size” of each field to include in the component of a page layout to create a page layout for a target application. The form layout tool generates a revised application page with the created page layout by applying the form layout style to the created page layout.

System and method for automatic and dynamic layout design for media broadcast

Abstract: A system, device and method for automatic layout design. A first set of media objects may be displayed in a broadcast within a first layout. A request may be received to change the first set of media objects to a second set of media objects to be displayed in the broadcast. A plurality of different candidate layouts may be provided, wherein each of the different candidate layouts is predefined to display a different set of media objects. A second layout may be selected from among the plurality of different candidate layouts, where the second layout is predefined to display the second set of media objects. The second set of media objects may be displayed in the broadcast within the second layout. In some embodiments, the displayed layout may be switched from the first layout to the second layout in real-time, for example, as the request is received.

Layout Content Analysis for Source Mask Optimization Acceleration

Abstract: The invention provides for the acceleration of a source mask optimization process. In some implementations, a layout design is analyzed by a pattern matching process, wherein sections of the layout design having similar patterns are identified and consolidated into pattern groups. Subsequently, sections of the layout design corresponding to the pattern groups may be analyzed to determine their compatibility with the optical lithographic process, and the compatibility of these sections may be classified based upon a “cost function.” With further implementations, the analyzed sections may be classified as printable or difficult to print, depending upon the particular lithographic system. The compatibility of various sections of a layout design may then be utilized to optimize the layout design during a lithographic friendly design process. For example, during the design phase, sections categorized as difficult to print may be flagged for further optimization, processing, or redesign. In further implementations, the difficult-to-print sections may be subjected to a source mask optimization process. Subsequently, the entire layout design may receive a conventional resolution enhancement treatment using the optimized source.

Fuzzy multiple attribute decision-making method for a large 300-mm fab layout design

Abstract: The trend in design of 300-mm wafer fabrication facilities is to seek means to bring about economies of scale. However, this may require trade-offs with various operational efficiencies. This research explores 10 alternative layout designs for a large 300-mm fabrication facility. These alternatives are the different combinations of independent and layer-based cellular design concepts, and are evaluated using a fuzzy multiple attribute decision-making method. A case study has been adopted for an empirical illustration. The results show that a megafab is not a preferred choice. The analysis concludes that a moderate-sized independent cell is a preferred design concept. The results provide fabrication facility management with guidelines for a future 300-mm layout design, which is the backbone of a cost-intensive 300-mm fabrication facility. Future research opportunities are also addressed.

Automatic strip layout design in progressive dies

Abstract: Nowadays, progressive dies have a special role in various methods of sheet metal production. The design process, however requires a considerable amount of time and expertise. Strip layout design is a key step in progressive die design, therefore automating strip layout has a vital role in Computer Aided Progressive Die Design (CAPDD). In this paper, a mathematical model, based on set theory, is introduced to analyze the problem of strip layout. The model describes the mathematical nature of the strip layout problem and reveals the reason why researchers have always faced problems in optimizing strip layout automatically. Using the model presented, an algorithm is developed to optimize strip layout using the minimum number of stations and the torque equilibrium criteria. A prototype software is also developed to automate strip layout design based on the presented algorithm. The suitability of the model is then demonstrated through industrial examples.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) form processing method based on two-dimensional matrix and computer

Abstract: The invention relates to an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) form processing method based on a two-dimensional matrix and a computer. The method comprises the steps of: analyzing corresponding rows and lines of an HTML form; structuring a two-dimensional array, and storing table cells determined by means of the rows and lines at corresponding positions in the two-dimensional array; and selecting the table cells and performing corresponding operation. According to the HTML form processing method based on the two-dimensional matrix and the computer for implementing the method, provided by the invention, the form is structured into the two-dimensional array of the two-dimensional matrix, the HTML form is operated by utilizing javascript (on the aspects of adding or deleting rows, adding or deleting lines, merging the table cells, splitting the table cells and the like), so that a Web-based form designer with the effect of WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) is realized, a third-party tool is not needed for establishing and arranging a page, a page layout can be adjusted as required and is in accordance with an application specification, and the establishment process of the page can be restrained or specified according to specific applications.

Text, photo, and line extraction in scanned documents

Abstract: We propose a page layout analysis algorithm to classify a scanned document into different regions such as text, photo, or strong lines. The proposed scheme consists of five modules. The first module performs several image preprocessing techniques such as image scaling, filtering, color space conversion, and gamma correction to enhance the scanned image quality and reduce the computation time in later stages. Text detection is applied in the second module wherein wavelet transform and run-length encoding are employed to generate and validate text regions, respectively. The third module uses a Markov random field based block-wise segmentation that employs a basis vector projection technique with maximum a posteriori probability optimization to detect photo regions. In the fourth module, methods for edge detection, edge linking, line-segment fitting, and Hough transform are utilized to detect strong edges and lines. In the last module, the resultant text, photo, and edge maps are combined to generate a page layout map using K-Means clustering. The proposed algorithm has been tested on several hundred documents that contain simple and complex page layout structures and contents such as articles, magazines, business cards, dictionaries, and newsletters, and compared against state-of-the-art page-segmentation techniques with benchmark performance. The results indicate that our methodology achieves an average of ∼ 89% classification accuracy in text, photo, and background regions.

Electrical Hotspot Detection, Analysis And Correction

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to techniques for detecting and correcting electrical hotspots in a layout design for a circuit design comprising an analog circuit. Layout parameters for device instances associated with electrical constraints are first extracted. Based on the extracted layout parameters, electrical parameter variations for the device instances may be computed to identify one or more electrical hotspots in the layout design. A sensitivity analysis of the one or more electrical hotspots is performed to generate repair hints. Based on the repair hints, the layout design is adjusted.

System for designing a semiconductor device, device made, and method of using the system

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of making a semiconductor device. The method includes comparing a schematic design of the semiconductor device to a layout design of the semiconductor device. The method further includes generating layout style information based on the layout design and generating array edge information based on the layout design and the schematic design. The method further includes selectively revising the layout design using smart dummy insertion using the layout style information and the array edge information. The method further includes performing a design rule check on the revised layout design using the layout style information and the array edge information. This disclosure also relates to a system for making a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device.