A pattern development system

Abstract: A pattern development system (46) for use during the garment development process includes a digitizer (48) with a work surface (56). The designer draws the lines (36) of a garment pattern segment (38) on a sheet (54) placed on the work surface with a stylus (5⊘) that enables the digitizer to present position signals to a controller (58) in real time. The controller includes algorithms to compose the drawn lines into a garment segment pattern as well as compensate for human errors such as multiply drawn lines and missing line portions. The present system is transparent to the designer in operation as it adapts to the human designer rather than forcing the designer to adapt to the system.

Description: The present invention relates generally to systems for use with the design of fabric articles and more particularly to computerized systems for use in the design and creation of garments. Computerized systems adaptable for use with the fabrication of clothing are known in the art. Known systems include EP-A-338 964, which is the most relevant prior art with respect to the present invention discloses a pattern design, grading and marking system for the garment industry. The system includes a first module digitizer which comprises a table including a two dimensional grating and a locating device consisting of a pencil-like body to generate a magnetic field the intensity of which is picked up at the grating junction. The table is provided with a digitizing menu comprising a plurality of icons adapted to be selected by means of the locating pencil. Each of the icons corresponds to program options which permit an operator to progressively define an outline on the computer console. To practice this invention, a closed outline of a garment pattern, which has already been drawn or cut, is required. The garment patterns are then placed on the digitizing table, digitized, and stored in the system's database. US-A-4 943 689 relates to a backlit digitizer tablet having a housing with a base, and a top mounted on and overlying the tablet. An intermediate space is created between the base and the top. The top includes an electrode array for generating electromagnetic or electrostatic fields. An apertured shielding electrode extends underneath the array to direct the fields upwardly. An optically translucent member extends over the array. The top member is further supported by a number of spaced optically transparent posts distributed within the intermediate space. Light is directed through the shielding electrode and the electrode array to uniformly illuminate the surface of the translucent member. The light is generated by several fluorescent lamps mounted in a spaced relationship on the base member and on opposite sides of the posts. In addition, the prior art includes systems for manipulating databases which have digital images of articles, such as garment segments, (equivalently; pieces, panels or patterns). However, the prior art is directed towards the creation and manipulation of computer databases after the garment segments have been put in their final form for that garment piece by the designer or pattern maker. The known systems are all characterized by computer software which requires closed polygonal elements in order to be manipulated, such as for grading or other purposes. Further, the natural intuitive actions of the designer during the development process, such as erasures, redrawn lines, etc., are not compatible with the known computerized systems. The problem to be solved by the invention is to have a system which to be used to during the creative pattern developing process itself that digitizes an article's elements in real time and constructs the garment segments in a final form. This system would be capable of use during the development process in which the garment segments have no preselected final geometric shape. The present invention solves this problem by the features given in the independent claim 1 or 18. Advantageous further developments are specified in dependent claims. The invention provides a pattern development system for use during the garment design and pattern making processes capable of creating a database of signals corresponding to drawn garment segment patterns. Also it provides a pattern development system of the foregoing type capable of real time generation of position signals for the database as a garment segment pattern is being drawn. The pattern development system composes digitized signals representing drawn pattern lines into pattern signal groups corresponding to drawn garment segments. Further it edits said pattern signal groups by deletion or addition of position signals to provide a complete pattern, free of extraneous position signals. According to the present invention, a system for use in developing a garment pattern comprised of a plurality of garment pattern segments includes a stylus for drawing a visible line on a sheet of work material and further having an enabling mechanism for selectively enabling the generation of position signals in an electrical circuit in proximity with a stylus tip. A digitizer having a digitizing panel in substantial registration with a work supporting surface is adapted to receive the work material sheet. The digitizing panel has an electrical circuit for producing position signals representing the position of the stylus tip relative to the supporting surface as the stylus is moved over the work supporting surface in proximity thereto. A controller is adapted to receive the position signals and to generate a database of signals corresponding to at least one garment pattern segment. The controller includes a composing mechanism for composing pattern segment lines from a set of adjacent position signals and further forming garment pattern segment signal groups from selected ones of said pattern segment lines corresponding to said garment pattern segment. An editor is provided for editing selected position signals in said segment lines in response to instruction signals. A memory stores the signal database. Also, a graphic display device connected with the controller visually displays selected ones of the position signals as well as the instruction signals and signals indicative of the operational status of the system. An input mechanism provides for the manual input of the instruction signals to the controller. The invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of a drawing having key body landmarks and sketches of garment piece patterns, Fig. 2 is a plan view of a drawing from which garment piece patterns are lifted, Fig. 3 is a plan view of a drawing board having garment piece patterns affixed thereto, Fig. 4 is a simplified illustration of a digitizing tablet used with a prior art digitizing system, Fig. 5 is a simplified schematic illustration of a pattern development system provided according to the present invention, Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an algorithm executed by the controller of Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of a digitizer used with the system of Fig. 5. A pattern maker or designer of a garment begins the development process by drafting a garment pattern from (1) scratch, (2) a first pattern, (3) a production pattern from a previous style, (4) a pattern from an existing garment or (5) by working from fabric which has been draped on a dress form or fit model. Each garment pattern is comprised of a plurality of garment pattern segments or pieces. Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a drafting table 1⊘ on which is a large sheet of paper 12. When drafting a pattern from scratch, the pattern maker begins with the blank piece of paper. Initial guidelines 14 representing key body landmarks are drawn in pencil on the paper with the aid of straight edges (rulers). Lines 16 representing tee garment piece 18 (garment pattern segment) are then created off of the guidelines using rulers, curve templates or by drawing curves freehand. Initial changes are made by the pattern maker by simply erasing unwanted lines such as line 2⊘. Also, the pattern maker may wish to darken an ink line of the garment piece as an aid during the development process. This is typically done by retracing one or more of the lines 22 in the garment piece. When working from a first garment pattern segment which is created to capture the intent of the designer, changes must be made which make that style of garment production ready. As shown in Fig. 2, each piece is separately lifted off in the prior art by tracing and cutting the individual garment pattern segments 24, 26 from a separate sheet (or sheets) of paper 28, 29. Manufacturing standards must be then integrated into the pattern pieces 24, 26. Therefore, the patterns must be again altered. Typical changes include checking for curve shapes, angles, generation of facing/secondary pieces, standard seam allowance treatments, measurement checks (both across pieces and perimeter lines), and necessary markings for notions. The pattern maker will first examine the existing pieces for the style to determine the changes which need to be made. The pattern segments are taped to the pattern makers table and again traced onto a clean piece of paper that is laid over the original. The subsequent tracing is subsequently altered to reflect the desired changes. Markings can also be transferred using a known tracing wheel. Adjustments are then made according to the pattern maker's judgement. It is common to use the patterns of styles from previous seasons which are similar to the intended design. In this way fewer changes are necessary and less time is needed to create the new patterns. In a manual production environment such piece patterns 3⊘ are in a hard paper (manila) or plastic form. As demonstrated in Fig. 3, the pattern maker tapes or pins a blank piece of paper 32 to the table 33 and places the hard pattern on top. The pattern can be traced by simply running the pencil/pen against the edge of the pattern. Internal markings can be obtained by sticking a push pin 34 through the manila pattern along the internal markings. A line (dashed line 36) is then created on the traced pattern by connecting the pin pricks on the tracing paper using rulers and/or curves. Internal markings can also be transferred to the tracing paper by placing the manila pattern underneath the tracing paper and the internal markings are traced off of that. Patterns can also be taken from existing garments in the prior art by disassembling the garment into cloth pieces, placing the doth piece onto the table and then transferring the cloth piece shape to paper by typical methods such as tracing or using a pattern wheel. Designing can be done directly on a dress form or fit model by draping the fabric thereon. The fabric can be pinned in place, drawn on and cut or clipped with scissors. The result can be used as a guide to create a paper pattern. The fabric is laid flat on the table and the shape and markings are transferred to paper in the manner described above. Multiple pieces or garment segments are required to make a single garment. It is often necessary to create certain curves (areas) by reworking common areas on corresponding pieces with multiple iterations where the requirements of the geometry on the paired pieces is dependent on the remaining pieces of the garment. This must be done on the paper patterns. Once the development process is finished, the garment piece patterns can be digitized by known systems, such as the Accumark system marketed by Gerber Garment Technology (GGT), the assignee of the present invention. As seen in Fig. 4, with the Accumark system a predrawn and/or cut garment piece pattern 38 is taped or pinned onto a digitizing tablet 4⊘. Digitizing puck 42 is manually moved about the tablet along the perimeter of the pattern. Selected points therealong are picked off by activation of appropriate switches 44 on the puck. The Accumark system is configured to create a digital image of the predesigned garment piece pattern and store that image in a garment piece pattern database along with other images of garment piece patterns for similar pieces, such as sleeves. These stored images can be manipulated by a computer to compose a garment of selected images as well as grade these images for different sizes. While the adoption of computer based systems in the development process in many areas such as architecture or engineering has proceeded quickly, the same cannot be said for the clothing industry. At present, there remains a strict bifurcation of the process of making garments into the "creative", initial phases accomplished without computerization and the subsequent ones that adapt designs for mass production in which computers are used routinely. The great resistance to computerization by designers lies with the failure of known systems to adapt to the human development sign process. Instead, designers were expected to adapt to the computer systems and design clothes on, for example, video display terminals. It has not been appreciated by the prior art that garment design relies on human perception of subtleties such as texture and proportion in three dimensions, all of which are lost in a computer graphics display. In contrast, the present invention solves the problems of the prior art by adapting the computer system to the existing development process and endeavors to be as transparent to the designer as possible. Referring now to Fig. 5, there is schematically shown a pattern development system 46 provided according to the present invention. The system 46 can be used as a stand alone unit or as a supplement to an existing garment piece database manipulation system. The system 46 comprises a large drafting table 48 which is also configured to be a digitizer. The size of the table 48 is selected in accordance with the wishes of the designer, but is typically large enough to accommodate garment piece patterns or the garments themselves, e.g. input surface 167,6 x 121,9, 111,8 x 91,4 through 30,5 x 30,5 cm (66 x 48, 44 x 36 through 12 x 12 inches). The drafting table/digitizer can be of the type sold by the Numonics Corp. of Montgomeryville, PA. and may have a backlight, if desired. A stylus 5⊘ is included and is characterized by a point 52 which will write in ink or pencil on a paper sheet 54 placed on a top surface 56 of the table. The stylus is preferably of the cordless and graphite type, and further comprises a manually selectable switch which enables signals to be presented to receiving elements in the table in a known manner to digitize the position of the stylus as it is moved about the top work surface. The present system further comprises a controller 58 programmed in accordance with algorithms detailed hereinafter to convert the lines drawn into piece patterns for subsequent manipulation in a garment database such as is done with the aforementioned GGT Accumark system. The controller preferably comprises a 8⊘386/486 type 32 bit processor, a 32 bit mathematics coprocessor, 4 Mbytes of internal memory and 4⊘ Mbytes of storage. A 1.2 Mbyte diskette is provided as well, as is other conventional components need to configure the controller to operate with a MS-DOS operating system such as a keyboard and printer. Also included is a monochromatic system management workstation 6⊘ and a color design and marking workstation 62 used during the development process. The present system will support the operation of a plotter or cutter 64 as well. The table and stylus receiver unit (not shown) plug into a "mouse" port on the controller for receiving data in serial format. The development process provided by the present invention can begin in a number of ways, such as by taping or pinning paper patterns or fabric to the design surface. Fresh paper is then overlaid and taped or pinned on the pieces. When drafting from scratch, only dean paper is placed on the design surface. The initial pattern is then traced onto the clean paper using the systems pen/pencil-stylus. As the lines are traced using rulers and curves, the stylus transfers the markings to the paper and computer screen simultaneously. To trace the pattern lines, the pattern maker as user can trace the lines in multiple subsegments adjusting and switching tools, in nonconsecutive order and in different directions. All in contrast to known systems which require consecutive movement in a single direction. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the present system is first initialized at block 66. When configured with an Accumark system, the present pattern development system is executed from the AccuShell main operating program menu by executing the "Silhouette" labeled option (block 68). The submenu options of "Silhoutte" include RUN SILHOUTTE, RUN SYSTEM MANAGMENT and RETURN TO MAIN MENU. Selecting RUN SILHOUETTE will initiate the program, displaying the "color-scope-idle" screen which has SILHOUETTE in place of the MED and PDS algorithm options that are otherwise found with the Accumark system. Selecting RETURN TO MAIN MENU returns the user to the ACCUSHELL main menu. Selecting exit from within Accumark digiting program "pattern development system" (PDS) returns the user to the AccuShell. Selecting RUN SYSTEM MANAGEMENT executes the System Management algorithm from which the user can access the standard data management processes such as reports, editors, piece verify and order. Selecting SHUTDOWN returns the user to the SYSTEM MANAGEMENT submenu, and selecting EXIT from the submenu returns the user to the ACCUSHELL main menu. When the present invention is first installed or configured, additional questions to the user are posed at the initiation of the SILHOUETTE algorithm, including those designed to determine the hardware configuration of the system (block 7⊘) and the version of the algorithm (block 72). After the system asks, "IS THIS A PLOTTER WORKSTATION?", the system will prompt "IS THIS A SILHOUETTE WORKSTATION?". If the user answers in the negative, the algorithm continues without asking the questions relevant to SILHOUETTE. If the user answers yes, the following questions are asked with the corresponding options indicated: WHICH CONFIGURATION OF SILHOUETTE DO YOU HAVE? 1. SILHOUTTE ADD ON TO STANDARD ACCU-MARK 2. SINGLE SCOPE SILHOUTTE STATION WHICH SIZE INPUT TABLE DO YOU HAVE? 1. 152,4 x 111,8 cm (6⊘" x 44") 2. 101,6 x 91,4 cm (4⊘" x 36") As noted above, the present invention as set forth in the SILHOUETTE embodiment can be added to existing Accumark systems or integrated into a single system. The input table refers to the digitizer with the planar work surface. The present invention also includes an option for a stand up plotter that is added to a plotter configuration prompt presented to the user at this time. Except for a small section of the tablet, the entire input surface of the table is mapped to the entire work area of the PDS screen in a full-scale mode. In Fig. 7 there is shown a tabular digitizer 74 having a work surface 76. Subportions 78 and 8⊘ correspond to those portions of the work surface which are not directly mapped into the garment pattern segment database as detailed hereinafter. These subportions are configured to enable the user to select program options with the stylus directly without the use of a keyboard or mouse. The command MENU LOCATION allows the user to position this area in either the bottom left or bottom right subportions of the surface. The default setting is for the right side. Selecting this option will toggle the menu position. The following is presented to the user: MENU SELECTION AREA IS LOCATED ON THE RIGHT (LEFT) SIDE OF THE TABLE, PRESS STYLUS BARREL SWITCH TO CONTINUE. See block 82, Fig. 6. Note that the present system is configured to be used with a "stylus" of a known type having a depressable barrel switch therein. As seen in Fig. 7, the subportions 78, 8⊘ comprise three areas 83, 84 and 85. Lower area 83 is used to input commands from the surface and contains menu options. A list of the different garment pieces is found in area 85. The relative size of the areas 83 and 85 are exaggerated for illustrative purposes. In order to decrease user arm movement while selecting from the menu area or the icon menu and to allow the user to work in a reduced input area, area 84, 15,2 x 15.2 cm (6 x 6 inches) in dimension is also mapped to the entire work area of the screen. When the user has not selected a command function and moves the stylus from the primary input area 86 of the work surface to the section 78 or 8⊘, the algorithm alters the scale of movement of the cursor on the display. If, however, the user is in a command function mode and moves the stylus in the area 83, there is no effect on the system, and the user can operate the system within that area without the digitized input signals changing scale. Lines can be created in several different ways while designing with the present invention. Curves can be created by the user depressing the stylus tip and dragging the stylus as the curve is being drawn. A curve template or straight edge can be employed or the lines drawn freehand. While tracing an existing pattern, all of the straight line segments can be created first using a straight edge or ruler, and then drawing all of the curve lines. An alternate approach would be to work in one area of a garment pattern segment until it is completed for that particular iteration. Regardless of the technique, the present invention digitizes the pattern lines to comprise a sequence of position signals presented directly to the controller. The user must select which function is to be implemented by the system (block 9⊘). Before the lines are sketched, the user selects the garment pattern signal group for a garment pattern to which the new pattern lines will belong (block 88). The function choices are sketch (block 92), trace draft (block 94), create piece (block 96) curve/line (block 98), scribe (block 1⊘⊘), trim (block 1⊘2), reject (block 1⊘4), draft scale and draft zoom (block 1⊘6), plot (block 1⊘8) and reorient (block 11⊘). The operation of the various functions are detailed hereinafter. In response to the prompt SKETCH FUNCTION, SELECT BLOCK (GROUP) TO SKETCH LINE(S) the user begins drawing lines. As the lines are drawn on the paper they appear on the display screen. PRESS STYLUS TIP AND DRAW TO SKETCH LINES. If this function is used to create only perimeter lines of a garment pattern, then DRAFT/CREATE PIECE is used to create a garment pattern segment for the PDS function in the Accumark system. If this function is used to draft a piece, or trace internals as well as perimeters, then DRAFT/TRACE DRAFT function is used to create a PDS piece. The controller automatically assembles the position signals into the various segment lines and identifies them as associated with a particular signal group. When the position signals that correspond to the pattern lines are compiled into the selected block or group, the present system is configured to automatically correct and compensate for the variations in the perimeter caused by subsequent traces of the pen. Therefore, when a designer "darkens" a pattern line by multiple passes of the pen, the present system disregards subsequently generated position signals if they are identical to the previously generated ones and computes an "average" pattern line for those that are displaced laterally from the initially drawn pattern line. In this regard, the present system determines a position of the desired pattern line based on an average position of the separately drawn sub-lines. Further, the present system determines which position signals are extraneous in that they are located beyond the perimeter of the garment pattern. In those situations where the drawn lines are incomplete because, for example, the designer failed to move the stylus fully about the perimeter, the present system determines an appropriate intersection with an adjacent pattern line and generates the corresponding position signals to complete the garment pattern segment signal group. The ability of the present system to work with the pattern lines as drawn when compiling a garment pattern segment signal group marks an important point of departure of the present invention over the prior art. The function CURVE is used to enter curved pattern lines by entering points along the curve in the manner of digitizing rather than sketching the lines. This feature is also possible for straight lines too, like digitizing. The system then creates a curved line of position points in the database which encompasses the entered points. Initially, the user selects the signal group desired in response to the prompt Step 2 SELECT BLOCK TO CREATE CURVE. Next, the user selects the signal points in the curve in response to Step 2 SELECT POINTS ALONG CURVE, DEPRESS BARREL SWITCH FOR STRAIGHT LINES. Beginning at one end of the curve, points are created by depressing the stylus tip at intervals along the curve. As the points are placed they are displayed on the screen. Signal points can be deleted in the same way as in the LINES/DIGI-TIZE LINE function. The CREATE PIECE function creates an acceptable AccuMark piece (garment pattern signal group as designated in the present application), a closed figure with lines received in order in the clockwise direction. This function is only used for sketched pieces which have no internal structure. Those garment patterns that have such internal structure have to be created after the perimeter is closed unless TRACE DRAFT is used in the drawing process. Initially, the system provides the prompt: SELECT BLOCK(S) TO CREATE, DEPRESS BARREL SWITCH TO END. The user selects the block(s) representing the garment pattern to create and then illustrates the position signals on the display in red. After the barrel switch button is depressed, the garment pattern signal group is created and displayed with stripe line and symbols. The default orientation is horizontal. The TRACE DRAFT function is used to define the perimeter lines of a garment pattern segments, the internal lines of a draft are then selected. With the command SELECT PERIMETER LINES, DEPRESS BARREL SWITCH TO END, the pattern lines are selected in order in a clockwise direction. As the pattern lines that correspond to the perimeter of the garment segment pattern are selected they are displayed in red. Pattern lines can be selected as in the standard CREATE TRACE function. The internal lines are selected and display in red in response to the prompt SELECT INTERNAL LINES, DEPRESS BARREL SWITCH TO END. SELECT GRAIN LINES, DEPRESS BARREL SWITCH TO END is the prompt for selecting the lines to be kept as grain lines. The first one selected is labeled as the primary grain line, GO, and the others are labeled and numbered in order of selection. Depressing the barrel switch button without selecting a line when replying to this prompt causes a horizontal grain line to be generated automatically. The RESKETCH function is used to enter lines into the perimeter of a "legal" or system compatible piece, to replace existing lines. SELECT LINE(S) TO REPLACE is the command used with this function. The selected lines are shown on the display in red. In response to the PRESS STYLUS TIP AND DRAW TO SKETCH LINES, DEPRESS BARREL SWITCH TO END prompt, the user draws the new lines which display as they are created. After the barrel switch is depressed the new pattern lines are entered into the piece perimeter and the original lines are replaced. If, after the pattern segments are sketched, the lines extend too far past or do not meet at an intersection, the system may not be able to find the proper intersection created by two adjacent lines. Therefore, after a pattern segment has been sketched and the function CREATE PIECE is used unsuccessfully as indicated by the comment "LINE ORDER FAILURE", the intersect function is used to trim the intersections of two lines. With the intersect function, the user selects a point and moves it along the direction of the line which it is on in reply to SELECT POINT TO REPOSITION, DEPRESS BARREL SWITCH TO END. The points are then placed dose to the proper intersection. The REJECT function is used to reject lines created during the SKETCH function. While in the SKETCH function the user can select the REJECT which deletes the last line created. No prompt is given. The REORIENT function is used to orient the pattern segment displayed on the screen to the orientation of the piece on the table. This function lets the user pick up the paper or fabric pattern and reposition it on the table while working and have the garment pattern on the screen display in the same orientation so that sketched lines can continue to be input. This function can be used to enter large pattern segments by first sketching in a portion, repositioning the pattern segment on the table, using REORIENT and then sketching in the remainder. To use the REORIENT function, the user selects two points on the piece displayed on the screen to be redisplayed in a new orientation when presented with the prompt SELECT TWO POINTS ON PIECE DISPLAYED ON SCREEN. In response to SELECT CORRESPONDING POINTS ON PIECE ON TABLE, the corresponding points are selected on the paper pattern on the table by depressing the stylus tip. The garment segment displayed on the screen is then redrawn to reflect the correct orientation. The system will perceive an error should two sets of points not same distance apart. The user must then reinput the selected points. Completed garment pattern segments which are newly created and not stored in the AccuMark Database can be plotted on a standup plotter directly from PDS. The garment pattern segment perimeter and internal structural lines are plotted with solid and dashed lines. The user sends the data to the plotter (e.g., loline or Numonics brand plotter). The plot is entered into the plotter queue and then sent to the plotter. A single plotter can be used between two systems by means of a switch. The system will typically check to see if the plotter is connected, but not in all configurations. It is desirable that the plotter have a small footprint but simultaneously be able to accommodate large drawings. In this regard, "roller" type plotters are preferable to flatbed ones. Garment pattern segments which are not stored in the AccuMark Database can be scribed or cut on the plotter using the scribe option. Both the perimeter and selected internals can be scribed. When internals are scribed 1,59 mm (1/16") is left on the end of the line indicated by the user. The garment pattern segment is entered into the plotter queue before presentation to the plotter. The plotter uses the blade option rather than the pen to scribe the piece. SELECT BLOCK TO SCRIBE initiates the function. The user selects the block or garment pattern signal group, and the system prompts SELECT INTERNALS TO SCRIBE, DEPRESS BARREL SWITCH TO END. The user selects the internal pattern line (internals) to be scribed. The blade is moved as with a pen, scribing through the chosen media on the plotter. In some configurations the system will program the plotter to lift the blade in tab regions spaced about the garment pattern segment and score the medium on the tabs, thereby ensuring the garment pattern will remain attached until the user desires it removed. Therefore within the present application "plot" includes any activity that can be accomplished by a plotter, induding drawing, scribing and cutting. Thereafter, the piece is sent to the plotter queue for plotting as above. With the present invention it has been determined that known plotters will sometimes jam when scribing garment patterns as set forth above. Consequently, the present system scribes only when the medium is being pulled through the plotter past the blade. Furthermore, in some applications it is desirable not to completely lift the blade from the medium in the tab regions. Rather, the pressure applied to the blade is simply reduced to a value which is less than needed to cut the medium. This preferred embodiment also produces a garment pattern that is more neatly torn from the surrounding medium. When working on the work surface and viewing the garment pattern segments on the screen there are several scales which can be utilized. Two scales are available for cursor control. The first is an input mode where an inch on the pattern table surface is equal to an inch on the PDS screen. This is the mode a pattern maker would work in when entering patterns or drafting. The other mode is for standard PDS use where a small area of the table surface as described hereinabove with respect to the MENU section is mapped to the screen. This allows for minimum user arm movement when moving the cursor. While the system is in this mode the user has the option to access a different scale. Multiple scales are available for displaying garment patterns on the display. The scale initially provided at start up maps the work surface to the screen (X" x Y"). Specific areas of the display can be reconfigured in ZOOM mode so that a garment pattern or segments thereof are magnified, with one inch of the pattern surface still equal to one inch scaled on the screen. Other variations are also available with the present system, and at any time the user can return to a different or previous view or mode by command signal input.

Claims: A system (46) for use in developing a garment pattern comprised of a plurality of garment pattern segments, the system having a digitizer (48) with a digitizing panel in substantial registration with a work supporting surface (56) adapted to receive a work material sheet (54), said digitizing panel having an electrical circuit for producing position signals representing the position of a stylus tip (52) relative to said work supporting surface (56) as a stylus (5⊘) is moved over said work supporting surface (56) in proximity thereto; an input means (78, 8⊘) for the manual input of instruction signals to a controller (58) with a memory means for storing a signal database, a graphic display device (6⊘) connected with said controller for visually displaying selected ones of said position signals as well as said instruction signals and signals indicative of the operational status of the system; an enabling means for selectively enabling the generation of position signals in an electrical circuit in proximity with said stylus tip (52) with the controller adapted to receive said position signals and generate said database of signals corresponding to at least one garment pattern segment (38), characterized by the stylus (50) having a means for drawing a visible line (36) on the sheet (54) of work material, and said controller including a composing means for composing pattern segment lines from a set of adjacent position signals and further forming garment pattern segment signal groups from selected ones of said pattern segment lines corresponding to said garment pattern segment and an editing means for editing selected position signals in said segment lines in response to instruction signals. The system according to claim 1 further characterized by said digitizer having a backlighted work supporting surface (56). The system according to claim 1 or 2 characterized by said controller having a means for compiling ones of said pattern segment line signal sets substantially in registration with one another into a final pattern segment line whose position on said work supporting surface (56) is an average of the positions of said compiled pattern segment line signal sets. The system of anyone of claims 1 to 3 characterized by said controller composing means having a means for selecting adjacent ones of said segment line signal sets located substantially adjacent to distal ends thereof to form a perimeter of a closed geometric figure as said garment pattern segment signal group. The system of claim 4 characterized by said controller composing means having a means for forming said garment segment pattern signal groups from adjacent ones of said pattern line signal sets located substantially adjacent to distal ends thereof and eliminates those position signals in said segment lines extending outward from said closed geometric figure perimeter. The system of claim 4 characterized by said controller composing means having a means for forming said garment pattern segment signal groups from adjacent ones of said segment line signal sets located substantially adjacent to distal ends thereof and supplements said segment lines with position signals approximately corresponding to those position signals necessary to generate said closed geometric figure perimeter. The system of anyone of claims 1 to 6 characterized by said controller composing means having a means for eliminating from a segment line redundant position signals input to the controller subsequent to a first set of adjacent position signals comprising said segment line. The system of anyone of the foregoing claims, characterized by subsequent to the formation of a garment pattern segment signal group corresponding to a garment pattern segment, said editing means having a means for identifing an image of said garment pattern segment (38) positioned on said work supporting surface (56) at a new orientation in accordance with pattern orientation signals generated by means of said stylus (5⊘) being brought into proximity with selected portions of said garment pattern segment perimeter on said work supporting surface. The system of claim 8, characterized by , subsequent to said garment pattern segment identification, said editing means having a means for presenting signals to said graphic display device (6⊘) corresponding to a video image of said garment pattern segment (38) configured to approximate the new orientation thereof on said work supporting surface (56). The system of anyone of the foregoing claims characterized by said composing means having a means for generating a plurality of said garment pattern segment signal groups drawn on said work material sheet (54) from corresponding subsets of said pattern lines. The system of anyone of the foregoing claims, characterized by said stylus enabling means being a finger operated switch. The system of anyone of the foregoing claims, characterized by said stylus tip (52) comprising an ink cartridge. The system of anyone of the foregoing claims further characterized by a plotter means (64) for receiving output signals from said controller (58) indicative of a selected one of said garment pattern segment signal groups and for generating a plot thereof on a selected plot medium. The system of claim 13 characterized by said plotter means (64) having a cutting blade and wherein said controller further comprises a means for generating blade control signals for altering blade pressure applied to said media during said plot generation. The system of claim 14 characterized by said blade control signal generation means having a means for generating signals to adjust said blade pressure to only scribe said media in tab regions of said garment pattern segment (38). The system of claim 14 characterized by said blade control signal generation means having a means for generating signals to adjust said blade pressure to only cut in a signal direction as said blade and said media are moved relative to one another. The system according to anyone of the foregoing claims further characterized by said manual input means (78, 80) including means in said controller causing a portion of said display device (6⊘) to be devoted to the display of an instruction menu consisting of a plurality of instructions each located in a separate area of the display device and for causing a portion of said digitizer in registration with said work supporting surface (56) to be related to the menu displayed by said display means whereby a desired instruction provided by said menu may be input to said computer by touching said stylus tip (52) to the area of said work supporting surface (56) associated with said instruction. A process for developing garment patterns including the steps of placing a sheet of work material (54) on a work supporting surface (56), inputting position signals to a computer memory indicative of a garment segment pattern, retrieving said position signals from said memory and using them to display on a graphic display screen (60) a representation of said line and thereafter using said retrieved position signals to control a plotter (64) to plot a representation of said line on a plot medium, drawing at least one visible pattern line (36) on said sheet (54) with a drawing implement (5⊘) and digitizing the position of said implement relative to said work supporting surface (56) as it draws said pattern line to provide said position signals representing said line, characterized by arranging said position signals into signal sets corresponding to randomly drawn, non-continuous or overlapping ones of said drawn lines, composing, for each of said pattern line segments, a preferred pattern line segment signal set from one or more substantially adjacent drawn line position signal sets, and displaying said position signals on said graphic display screen (60) The process of claim 18, characterized by said step of drawing at least one visible pattern line (36) on said sheet of work material (54) being accomplished by placing an existing garment pattern (24) made of sheet material adjacent one side of said sheet of work material and with the use of said implement tracing at least one line of said existing pattern onto said sheet of work material. The process of claim 18, characterized by said step of drawing at least one visible pattern line (36) on said sheet of work material being accomplished by draping a piece of fabric over a model and generating a line on said piece of fabric while it is draped on said model, removing said piece of fabric from said model and placing it on said work supporting surface adjacent one side of said sheet of work material (54), and then tracing said generated line onto said sheet of work material (54) by moving said drawing implement (5⊘) in tracing fashion along said generated line. The process of claim 18, characterized by said step of drawing at least one visible pattern line (36) on said sheet of work material (54) being accomplished by drawing directly onto said sheet of work material (54) with said drawing implement (50) without tracing a line from another sheet of material placed adjacent one side of said sheet of work material (54). The process of claim 18 wherein said at least one visible pattern line which is drawn on said sheet of work material (54) is part of a pattern, characterized by the steps of showing a representation of said complete pattern on a display screen (6⊘) and modifying the representation of the complete pattern shown on said display screen (60) until an acceptable pattern shape is achieved, and then controlling a plotter (64) to plot a repeat of said acceptable pattern shape onto a sheet of paper. The process of claim 22, characterized by the step of inputting to a computer (58) modification instructions selected from an instruction menu to modify the pattern representation shown by said display screen (6⊘) and executing said instructions by said computer. The process of claim 22 or 23, characterized by the step of modifying the pattern representation shown by said display screen (6⊘) being accomplished by drawing one or more lines (36) on said sheet of work material (54) supported by said work supporting surface (56), digitizing the position of said implement (5⊘) relative to said work supporting surface (56) as it moves along said one or more lines to provide position signals representing said one or more lines, and supplying said position signals representing said one or more lines to a computer which uses them to modify the complete pattern representation shown by said display screen (60).

Inventors: ALTSHUL MARY MCFADDEN, CLARINO THOMAS N, ALTSHUL, MARY MCFADDEN, CLARINO, THOMAS N.
Applicants: GERBER TECHNOLOGY INC, GERBER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A41H3
IPC codes: A41H3, G05B19, G06F17, G06T11