System, apparatus and method for facilitating pattern-based clothing design activities

• US 20070198118A1
• Filed: 01/31/2006
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dragon & Phoenix Software Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dragon & Phoenix Software Incorporated
• Inventors: Lind, Kathi
• Granted Patent: US 7,657,340 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/138
• CPC Class Codes: A41H 3/007 Methods of drafting or marking-out patterns using computers computer-aided design G06F30/00

Abstract

A system usable by a processor to enable a user to select a type of garment and view an image of the pattern for the garment. Under direction of the system, the processor enables the user to input data relating to the characteristics of an intended wearer of the garment, and the processor generates a graphical model of the intended wearer. Also, under direction of the system, the processor enables the user to view a simulation of the garment worn on the graphical model. Furthermore, the system changes the pattern image in response to changes the user may make to the garment or the graphical model.

Claims

1. A data storage device comprising:

a plurality of computer-readable instructions executable to;

(a) process garment data, the garment data including data representing characteristics of a plurality of different types of garments, each one of the garments having at least one garment piece, the garment piece having a shape which is specifiable in a single plane by a pattern;

(b) determine at least one dimension for a fabric piece, the fabric piece being sized at least as large as one of the patterns, the determined dimension being usable to reduce an amount of fabric scrap;

(c) display a first image, the first image illustrating at least one of the patterns;

(d) receive a plurality of first inputs, the first inputs corresponding to a plurality of body characteristics of a possible wearer;

(e) display a second image, the second image including;

(i) a graphical model of the possible wearer, the graphical model being based, at least in part, on the first inputs; and

(ii) a representation of at least one of the garment pieces worn on the graphical model;

(f) receive at least one second input, the second input corresponding to at least one garment characteristic;

(g) change the first image in response to the second input; and

(h) change the second image in response to the second input.

2. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the first image has a two-dimensional appearance.

3. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the graphical model has a three-dimensional appearance.

4. The data storage device of claim 3, wherein the at least one garment piece has a three-dimensional appearance when the at least one garment piece is displayed worn on the graphical model.

5. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the first image includes an image illustrating at least one of the patterns.

6. The data storage device of claim 1, which includes a plurality of computer-readable instructions executable to process a plurality of designated model data sets, each one of the designated model data sets representing a structure of a designated theoretical wearer.

7. The data storage device of claim 6, wherein one of the designated model data sets includes data representing an appearance of a male human, and another one of the designated model data sets includes data representing an appearance of a female human.

8. The data storage device of claim 7, wherein each one of the designated model data sets has vector data specifying a plurality of elements, each one of the elements having a plurality of designated coordinate points.

9. The data storage device of claim 8, which includes a plurality of computer-readable instructions executable to selecting a plurality of the designated coordinate points as a result of the first inputs, the selection resulting in a plurality of selected designated coordinate points and a plurality of non-selected designated coordinate points, the selected designated coordinate points being used to produce the graphical model.

10. The data storage device of claim 9, which includes a plurality of computer-readable instructions executable to produce an interpolation process, the interpolation process resulting in a changed version of a plurality of the non-selected designated coordinate points, the changed version of the non-selected designated coordinate points being used to produce the graphical model.

11. A system usable by at least one processor to facilitate garment design activities, the system comprising:

a garment module usable by the processor to process garment data including a plurality of garment design variables, the garment design variables usable to design at least one garment, the garment being formable through connecting a plurality of garment portions, each one of the garment portions being specifiable in a single plane by a pattern;

a layout module usable by the processor to display a two-dimensional image of each one of the patterns in a layout window;

a fabric usage module usable by the processor to determine at least one dimension for a fabric piece, the fabric piece being sized at least as large as one of the patterns, the determined dimension being usable to reduce an amount of fabric scrap;

a wearer characteristic module usable by the processor to receive a plurality of wearer characteristic inputs, the wearer characteristic inputs resulting in wearer characteristic input data which corresponds to a plurality of characteristics of a wearer;

a vector-based modeling module having an interpolation module, the vector-based modeling module usable by the processor to;

(a) produce a three-dimensional model of the wearer in a model window, the model being based on;

(i) pre-stored data representing a plurality of characteristics of associated with a theoretical body;

(ii) the wearer characteristic input data; and

(iii) interpolation data produced by the processor;

(b) cause an image of the garment portions to be displayed in a connected fashion on the three-dimensional model;

a garment customization module usable by the processor to receive at least one garment customization input, the garment customization input corresponding to at least one of the garment design variables;

a fit adjustment module usable by the processor to receive at least one fit adjustment input, the fit adjustment input corresponding to at least one fit variable;

a coupling module which is usable by the processor to;

(a) cause the garment customization input to;

(i) change at least one of the images of the garment portions on the three-dimensional model in the model window; and

(ii) change the two-dimensional image of at least one of the patterns in the layout window;

(b) cause the fit adjustment input to;

(i) change at least one of the images of the garment portions on the three-dimensional model in the model window; and

(ii) change the display of the two-dimensional image of at least one of the patterns in the layout window; and

a wearer preference module usable by the processor to receive data representing a plurality of preferences of the wearer.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the garment design variables include at least one variable selected from the group consisting of garment type, garment shape, garment style, garment color, a fabric parameter, fabric type, an addition of a designated garment piece to the garment, an adjustment of a garment shape and an edge adjustment.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the system includes a fabric module usable by the processor to process fabric data including a plurality of fabric variables, the fabric variables includes at least one variable selected from the group consisting of color, pattern, weight, grain, drape, width, total length available, thickness, bitmap image, threadcount and trade name.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the layout module includes a fold module usable by the processor to cause at least one fold line to be illustrated on the two-dimensional image of at least one of the patterns.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the wearer characteristic module includes a prompt module usable by the processor to output a plurality of prompts operable to facilitate the wearer characteristic inputs.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the wearer characteristic inputs include at least one input selected from the group consisting of a stature input, a crotch length input, an arm length input, a neck girth input, a chest girth input, an underbust girth input, a waist girth input and a hip girth input.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the wearer includes a subject selected from the group consisting of a human, an actual person, a theoretical person, and an animal.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein a plurality of the wearer characteristic inputs correspond to a plurality of surface shapes of a plurality of bodily portions of the wearer.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the vector-based modeling module includes an error response module usable by the processor to:

(a) detect whether any portion of the wearer characteristic input data does not meet designated criteria;

(b) replace the detected characteristic input data with designated data corresponding to an industry standard.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the vector-based modeling module includes an animation module, and the display of the three-dimensional model includes an animation.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the animation includes a video display of the garment being dynamically wrapped around the three-dimensional model.

22. The system of claim 11, wherein the vector-based modeling module includes a viewing angle module usable by the processor to display the three-dimensional model at a plurality of different angles.

23. The system of claim 11, wherein the vector-based modeling module includes a collision module usable by the processor to couple the images of the garment portions to the three-dimensional model.

24. The system of claim 11, wherein the fit variable includes a variable selected from the group consisting of a drape variable, a looseness variable and a tightness variable.

25. The system of claim 11, wherein the preferences include at least one preference selected from the group consisting of skin tone, hair color, a graphical user interface preference, font type, a default measurement, and a fit variable.

26. The system of claim 11, which includes a pattern printing module usable by the processor to:

(a) display an image illustrating one or more print pages;

(b) determine how many of the print pages are necessary to construct a printing of all of the patterns;

(c) cause the two-dimensional images of the patterns to be displayed on the determined print pages; and

(d) cause the two-dimensional images of the patterns to be printed on the determined print pages.

27. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one determined dimension includes a dimensional parameter selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a width dimension;

(b) a length dimension; and

(c) a width and length dimension.

28. The system of claim 11, which include an archive module usable by the processor to store and retrieve:

(a) the two-dimensional images of the patterns;

(b) the images of the garment portions; and

(c) the three-dimensional model.

29. The system of claim 11, which includes a fabric module usable by the processor to:

(a) access data corresponding to a plurality of different fabrics; and

(b) display an image indicative of each one of the fabrics.

30. A computerized method for facilitating garment design activities, the method comprising:

accessing garment data, the garment data including data representing a plurality of characteristics of a plurality of different types of garments, each one of the garments having at least one garment piece, the garment piece having a shape which is specifiable in a single plane by a pattern;

determining at least one dimension for a fabric piece sized at least as large as one of the patterns, wherein the determined dimension is usable to reduce an amount of fabric scrap;

displaying a first image, the first image illustrating at least one of the patterns;

receiving a plurality of first inputs, the first inputs corresponding to a plurality of body characteristics of a possible wearer;

displaying a second image, the second image including;

(i) a graphical model of the possible wearer, the graphical model being based, at least in part, on the first inputs; and

(ii) a representation of at least one of the garment pieces worn on the graphical model;

receiving at least one second input, the second input corresponding to at least one garment characteristic;

changing the first image in response to the second input; and

changing the second image in response to the second input.

31. The computerized method of claim 30, which includes causing the first image to have a two-dimensional appearance.

32. The computerized method of claim 31, which includes causing the graphical model to have a three-dimensional appearance.

33. The computerized method of claim 30, which includes causing the first image to appear to be wrapped around the graphical model.

34. The computerized method of claim 30, which includes accessing a plurality of designated model data sets, wherein:

(a) each one of the designated model data sets represents a structure of a designated theoretical wearer;

(b) one of the designated model data sets represents an appearance of a male wearer;

(c) another one of the designated model data sets represents an appearance of a female wearer;

(d) each one of the designated model data sets has vector data specifying a plurality of elements; and

(e) each one of the elements has a plurality of designated coordinate values.

35. The computerized method of claim 34, which includes:

(a) selecting a plurality of the designated coordinate values which correspond to values resulting from the first inputs, the selection resulting in a plurality of selected designated coordinate values and a plurality of non-selected designated coordinate values;

(b) using the selected designated coordinate points to produce the graphical model;

(c) modifying a plurality of the non-selected designated coordinate values through an interpolation process; and

(d) using the modified coordinate values to produce the graphical model.

36. A data storage device comprising:

a plurality of computer-readable instructions executable to;

(a) process garment data, the garment data including data representing characteristics of a plurality of different types of garments, each one of the garments having at least one garment piece, the garment piece having a shape which is specifiable in a single plane by a pattern;

(b) display a first image, the first image illustrating at least one of the patterns;

(c) receive a plurality of first inputs, the first inputs corresponding to a plurality of body characteristics of a possible wearer;

(d) detect whether any of the plurality of first inputs do not meet designated criteria and replace the body characteristics corresponding to the detected first inputs with designated data;

(e) display a second image, the second image including;

(i) a graphical model of the possible wearer, the graphical model being based, at least in part, on the first inputs; and

(ii) a representation of at least one of the garment pieces worn on the graphical model;

(f) receive at least one second input, the second input corresponding to at least one garment characteristic;

(g) change the first image in response to the second input; and

(h) change the second image in response to the second input.

37. The data storage device of claim 36, wherein the first image has a two-dimensional appearance.

38. The data storage device of claim 36, wherein the graphical model has a three-dimensional appearance.

39. The data storage device of claim 38, wherein the at least one garment piece has a three-dimensional appearance when the at least one garment piece is displayed worn on the graphical model.

40. The data storage device of claim 36, wherein the first image includes an image illustrating at least one of the patterns.

41. The data storage device of claim 36, wherein the designated data corresponds to an industry standard.

42. A system usable by at least one processor to facilitate garment design activities, the system comprising:

a garment module usable by the processor to process garment data including a plurality of garment design variables, the garment design variables usable to design at least one garment, the garment being formable through connecting a plurality of garment portions, each one of the garment portions being specifiable in a single plane by a pattern;

a layout module usable by the processor to display a two-dimensional image of each one of the patterns in a layout window;

a wearer characteristic module usable by the processor to receive a plurality of wearer characteristic inputs, the wearer characteristic inputs resulting in wearer characteristic input data which corresponds to a plurality of characteristics of a wearer;

a vector-based modeling module having;

(a) an error response module usable by the processor to;

(i) detect whether any portion of the wearer characteristic input data does not meet designated criteria; and

(ii) replace any detected portion of the wearer characteristic input data with designated data; and

(b) an interpolation module usable by the processor to;

(i) produce a three-dimensional model of the wearer in a model window, the model being based on;

(x) pre-stored data representing a plurality of characteristics of a theoretical body;

(y) the wearer characteristic input data; and

(z) interpolation data produced by the processor; and

(ii) cause an image of the garment portions to be displayed in a connected fashion on the three-dimensional model;

a garment customization module usable by the processor to receive at least one garment customization input, the garment customization input corresponding to at least one of the garment design variables;

a fit adjustment module usable by the processor to receive at least one fit adjustment input, the fit adjustment input corresponding to at least one fit variable;

a coupling module which is usable by the processor to;

(a) cause the garment customization input to;

(i) change at least one of the images of the garment portions on the three-dimensional model in the model window; and

(ii) change the two-dimensional image of at least one of the patterns in the layout window;

(b) cause the fit adjustment input to;

(i) change at least one of the images of the garment portions on the three-dimensional model in the model window; and

(ii) change the display of the two-dimensional image of at least one of the patterns in the layout window; and

a wearer preference module usable by the processor to receive data representing a plurality of preferences of the wearer.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the system includes a fabric module usable by the processor to process fabric data including a plurality of fabric variables, the fabric variables includes at least one variable selected from the group consisting of color, pattern, weight, grain, drape, width, total length available, thickness, bitmap image, threadcount and trade name.

44. The system of claim 42, wherein the designated data corresponds to an industry standard.

45. The system of claim 42, wherein the vector-based modeling module includes an animation module, and the display of the three-dimensional model includes an animation.

46. The system of claim 42, wherein the system includes a pattern printing module usable by the processor to:

(a) display an image illustrating one or more print pages;

(b) determine how many of the print pages are necessary to construct a printing of all of the patterns;

(c) cause the two-dimensional images of the patterns to be displayed on the determined print pages; and

(d) cause the two-dimensional images of the patterns to be printed on the determined print pages.

47. The system of claim 42, wherein the system includes a fabric usage module usable by the processor to determine at least one dimension for a fabric piece, the fabric piece being sized at least as large as one of the patterns, the determined dimension being usable to reduce an amount of fabric scrap and the determined dimension including a dimensional parameter selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a width dimension;

(b) a length dimension; and

(c) a width and length dimension.

48. A computerized method for facilitating garment design activities, the method comprising:

accessing garment data, the garment data including data representing a plurality of characteristics of a plurality of different types of garments, each one of the garments having at least one garment piece, the garment piece having a shape which is specifiable in a single plane by a pattern;

displaying a first image, the first image illustrating at least one of the patterns;

receiving a plurality of first inputs, the first inputs corresponding to a plurality of body characteristics of a possible wearer;

detecting whether any of the plurality of first inputs do not meet designated criteria and replacing the body characteristics corresponding to any of the detected first inputs with designated data;

displaying a second image, the second image including;

(i) a graphical model of the possible wearer, the graphical model being based, at least in part, on the first inputs; and

(ii) a representation of at least one of the garment pieces worn on the graphical model;

receiving at least one second input, the second input corresponding to at least one garment characteristic;

changing the first image in response to the second input; and

changing the second image in response to the second input.

49. The computerized method of claim 48, which includes causing the first image to have a two-dimensional appearance.

50. The computerized method of claim 49, which includes causing the graphical model to have a three-dimensional appearance.

51. The computerized method of claim 48, which includes replacing the body characteristics corresponding to any of the detected first inputs with designated data corresponding to an industry standard.

52. The computerized method of claim 48, which includes accessing a plurality of designated model data sets, wherein:

(a) each one of the designated model data sets represents a structure of a designated theoretical wearer;

(b) one of the designated model data sets represents an appearance of a male wearer;

(c) another one of the designated model data sets represents an appearance of a female wearer;

(d) each one of the designated model data sets has vector data specifying a plurality of elements; and

(e) each one of the elements has a plurality of designated coordinate values.

53. The computerized method of claim 52, which includes:

(a) selecting a plurality of the designated coordinate values which correspond to values resulting from the first inputs, the selection resulting in a plurality of selected designated coordinate values and a plurality of non-selected designated coordinate values;

(b) using the selected designated coordinate points to produce the graphical model;

(c) modifying a plurality of the non-selected designated coordinate values through an interpolation process; and

(d) using the modified coordinate values to produce the graphical model.