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

• US 7,657,341 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2008
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dragon & Phoenix Software Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dragon & Phoenix Software Incorporated
• Inventors: Lind, Kath R. E.
• Primary Examiner(s): WORRELL JR, LARRY D
• Application Number:
  US12/140,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20090222127A1
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 700130-133, 700/141, 700/135, 662/32
• US Class Current: 700/141
• CPC Class Codes: A41H 3/007 Methods of drafting or marking-out patterns using computers computer-aided design G06F30/00
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/22 specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 3/00 Hand tools or implements
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 37/02 with weft knitting machines
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2509/028 Elastic support stockings or elastic bandages
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

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. The processor generates knitting instructions, indications of varying degrees of pressure applied by garments to a graphical model, and printings of pattern representations of pattern providers.

Claims

1. A data storage device comprising:

a plurality of computer-readable instructions associated with;

(a) processing garment data, the garment data associated with at least one garment piece having a shape which is specifiable in a plane by at least one pattern;

(b) displaying a first image, the first image illustrating the at least one pattern;

(c) receiving a plurality of first inputs, the first inputs being associated with a plurality of knitting parameters;

(d) displaying a second image the second image including;

(i) a graphical model of a possible wearer; and

(ii) a representation of the first image on the graphical model, the representation being based, at least in part, on the first inputs;

(e) receiving at least one second input, the second input being associated with a change to the representation;

(f) changing the at least one pattern in response to the second input; and

(g) providing output data, the output data including a plurality of knitting instructions associated with the at least one pattern.

2. The data storage device of claim 1, the knitting instructions including at least one specification selected from the group consisting of a needle size and a row specification.

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

4. The data storage device of claim 3, the second image having a three-dimensional appearance when the second image is displayed worn on the graphical model.

5. The data storage device of claim 1, the first image having an image illustrating the at least one pattern.

6. The data storage device of claim 1, which includes a plurality of computer-readable instructions associated with processing 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 is associated with a male human, and another one of the designated model data sets is associated with 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. 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 associated with at least one garment piece having a shape which is specifiable in a plane by at least one pattern;

a wearer characteristic module usable by the processor to receive first input data, the first input data associated with anatomical information related to at least one anatomical part of a possible wearer;

a pressure module usable by the processor to;

(a) access data associated with a plurality of different degrees of pressures; and

(b) receive second input data, the second input data associated with at least one of the pressures assigned to the at least one anatomical part of a possible wearer;

a modeling module usable by the processor to display an image including;

(a) a graphical model of the at least one anatomical part, the graphical model being based, at least in part, on the first input data; and

(b) a representation of the garment data on the at least one anatomical part; and

a formation module usable by the processor to;

(a) change the representation based on the second input data; and

(b) indicate the degree of the at least one assigned pressure.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the formation module includes at least one instructions which is usable by the processor to visually distinguish the different degrees of pressure.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the formation module includes at least one instructions which is usable by the processor to visually indicate an affect of the assigned pressure on the anatomical part.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the formation module includes at least one instructions which is usable by the processor to visually indicate a plurality of changing affects of the assigned pressure on the anatomical part during simulated movement of the anatomical part.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the formation module includes at least one instructions which is usable by the processor to visually indicate a plurality of changing affects of the assigned pressure on the anatomical part based on a movement of the graphical model.

14. The system of claim 9, the graphical model having a three-dimensional appearance.

15. A method for facilitating commercialization of a garment pattern, the method comprising:

(a) storing garment data provided by a pattern provider, the garment data including a plurality of patterns, each pattern having a shape which is specifiable in a plane;

(b) providing access to the garment data over a network;

(c) enabling a network user to select at least one pattern;

(d) displaying an image, the image including;

(i) a graphical model of a possible wearer; and

(ii) a representation of the at least one pattern on the graphical model;

(e) enabling the network user to print a representation of the at least one pattern;

(f) charging the network user a fee for the printing; and

(g) providing a part of the fee to the pattern provider.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the graphical model has a three-dimensional appearance.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second image has a three-dimensional appearance when the second image is displayed worn on the graphical model.

18. The method of claim 15, which includes storing data associated with the printed representation.

19. The method of claim 15, which includes enabling the network user to access the stored data.

20. The method of claim 15, which includes maintaining an account for the network user, the account including a monetary balance.