Patent Publication Number: US-2012030928-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for generating patterns, and apparatus and method for mass-producing order based custom-made gloves

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a method for producing custom-made gloves and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for generating pattern information for leather gloves on the basis of human body scan data, and to an apparatus and method that produces custom-made gloves by realizing an on-line custom production process for leather gloves and using the pattern information. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     With rapid advances in digital measurement technology, human body scan data are increasingly applied in various industries. Particularly in the clothing industry, application of body scanning may rapidly produce more accurate measurement results than existing manual measurement procedures and may contribute to automation of the clothing manufacturing process. 
     However, although a small number of patterns having standard sizes are formed on the basis of precise body scanning data in clothing manufacturing, it is difficult to manufacture clothing products of suitable sizes for all customers. For example, for a leather glove used in sports like golf, when the leather glove fits too loose with respect to the actual size of the hand of the wearer, the leather glove cannot stick to the hand and the wearer cannot grasp a club firmly to maintain a secure hold on the club. On the contrary, when the leather glove is too tight on the hand, the movement of the hand is restricted upon grasping the club and the wearer cannot grip the club in a desired way. Hence, an improperly fitted leather glove may degrade grip quality and wearing sensation. 
     In particular, since fingers of different persons have different lengths and thumbs may widely move and have different movement ranges, leather gloves manufactured using a small number of patterns having standard sizes may fail to offer acceptable levels of wearing quality to all wearers. 
     Hence, it is necessary to solve the above problems in the manufacturing process for leather gloves to be used in fields where gripping and wearing quality is important. 
     In addition, although a newly developed manufacturing process based on 3D body scanning technology may be used to produce more advanced clothing products, as 3D body scanners used in the process are expensive, manufacturing costs will increase. Hence, it may be undesirable to apply a clothing manufacturing process based on 3D body scanning technology to produce simple clothing products like gloves. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method that can produce custom-made gloves with improved gripping and wearing quality. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for producing custom-made leather gloves by realizing an online ordering and production process involving size measurement and manufacturing procedures in the production process for leather gloves. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method that can produce precise custom-made leather gloves at reduced cost through utilizing scan data obtained by a low-cost 2D body scanner instead of a high-cost 3D body scanner. 
     Technical Solution 
     An aspect of the present invention is to provide a pattern generation method, as a method for generating pattern information acting as a reference for production of a glove to be worn by a person to be measured on the basis of body scan information of the person, including: specifying a base pattern that has a preset number of feature points defined to characterize the shape of the glove; and generating the pattern information according to the feature points, the scan information and the elastic modulus of a leather fabric. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a custom-made glove producing method, as a method for ordering and manufacturing gloves, including: (a) receiving order information containing scan information of a person to be measured and customer information; (b) generating pattern information corresponding to the scan information; and (c) requesting production of a glove according to the pattern information and customer information. 
     The scan information may include, for the person to be measured, values for at least lengths of all fingers, upper and lower widths of all the fingers, length between the thumb and the index finger, length between the thumb and the wrist, width of the hand and width of the palm. 
     The custom-made glove producing method may further include: receiving, before (a) of receiving order information, customer information of the person to be measured; scanning the body of the person to be measured using a 2D scanning apparatus; generating scan information according to the scan result; generating order information corresponding to the scan information and customer information and storing the order information; and sending the order information to an order management server. 
     The pattern information may include material information related to the type and elastic modulus of a fabric to be used for production of the glove. 
     The custom-made glove producing method may further includes: determining, after (c) of requesting glove production, the type of a fabric according to the material information and preparing the fabric to be processed; applying pre-stress to the prepared fabric; cutting the pre-stressed fabric according to the pattern information; and sewing pieces of the fabric to complete the glove. 
     (b) of generating pattern information may include: (b1) specifying a base pattern that has a preset number of feature points defined so as to characterize the shape of the glove; and (b2) generating the pattern information according to the feature points, scan information and elastic modulus of a fabric. 
     (b2) of generating the pattern information may include: (b21) extracting values for the length, upper width and lower width of the index finger and for the length between the thumb and the index finger from the scan information; and (b22) calculating the length of the patterned index finger on the basis of the feature points related to the index finger, the values extracted at (b21) and the elastic modulus. 
     (b2) of generating the pattern information may include: (b23) extracting values for the lengths, upper widths and lower widths of the middle, ring and little fingers from the scan information; and (b24) calculating the lengths of the patterned middle, ring and little fingers on the basis of the feature points related to the middle, ring and little fingers, the values extracted at (b23) and the elastic modulus. 
     (b2) of generating the pattern information may include: (b25) extracting values for the length of the thumb, the length between the thumb and index finger, the length of the hand and the length between the thumb and wrist and for the upper widths of all the fingers from the scan information; and (b26) calculating the length of the patterned thumb, the length between the patterned thumb and index finger, the length of the patterned hand and the length between the patterned thumb and wrist, and the upper widths of all the patterned fingers on the basis of the feature points related to the length of the thumb, the length between the thumb and index finger, the length of the hand and the length between the thumb and wrist and to the upper widths of all the fingers, the values extracted at (b25) and the elastic modulus. 
     (b2) of generating the pattern information may include: (b27) extracting values for the width of the palm and the lower widths of all the fingers from the scan information; and (b28) calculating the width of the patterned palm on the basis of the feature points related to the width of the palm and to the lower widths of all the fingers, the values extracted at (b27) and the elastic modulus. 
     (b2) of generating the pattern information may include: (b31) extracting values for the lower widths of all the fingers from the scan information; and (b32) calculating the lower widths of all the patterned fingers on the basis of the lower widths of all the fingers, the values extracted at (b31) and the elastic modulus. 
     Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a pattern generation apparatus, as an apparatus for generating pattern information acting as a reference for production of a glove to be worn by a person to be measured on the basis of body scan information of the person, including: a feature point handler specifying a base pattern that has a preset number of feature points defined to characterize the shape of the glove; a leather information handler receiving the elastic modulus of a fabric; and a pattern generator generating the pattern information according to the scan information, the elastic modulus and the feature points. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a custom-made glove producing apparatus, for managing a procedure for ordering and producing custom-made gloves, including an order management server that includes: a communication module sending and receiving glove production information; a pattern generation apparatus generating pattern information according to the glove production information; an order management module managing information regarding local apparel stores and customers according to the glove production information; and a database storing the glove production information. 
     The custom-made glove producing apparatus may further include a measurement and order processing apparatus connected with the communication module through an information and communication network, and sending order information containing scan information and customer information of a person to be measured. 
     The scan information may include, for the person to be measured, values for at least lengths of all fingers, upper and lower widths of all the fingers, length between the thumb and the index finger, length between the thumb and the wrist, width of the hand and width of the palm. 
     The measurement and order processing apparatus may include: an interface module communicating with a scanning apparatus; a scan information handling module controlling the scanning apparatus to generate the scan information related to a human body; a customer information management module generating and managing the customer information; an order placement module generating order information according to the scan information and customer information; a communication module connected with a custom-made glove producing apparatus through an information and communication network and sending the order information thereto; and a database storing the order information. 
     The pattern information may include material information related to the type and elastic modulus of a fabric to be used for production of the glove. 
     The custom-made glove producing apparatus may further include a leather processing apparatus connected with the communication module through the information and communication network, receiving the pattern information, and processing the fabric to be used for production of the glove. 
     The leather processing apparatus may include a leather cutting device cutting the fabric according to the pattern information. 
     The leather processing apparatus may further include: a leather preprocessing device applying pre-stress to the fabric according to the material information to enable the leather cutting device to process the fabric; and a sewing device sewing pieces of the fabric to complete a glove. 
     The pattern generation apparatus may include: a feature point handler specifying a base pattern that has a preset number of feature points defined to characterize the shape of the glove; a leather information handler receiving the elastic modulus of a fabric; and a pattern generator generating the pattern information according to the scan information, the elastic modulus and the feature points. 
     The pattern generator may extract values for the length, upper width and lower width of the index finger and for the length between the thumb and the index finger from the scan information, and calculate the length of the patterned index finger on the basis of the feature points related to the index finger and the elastic modulus. 
     The pattern generator may extract values for the lengths, upper widths and lower widths of the middle, ring and little fingers from the scan information, and calculate the lengths of the patterned middle, ring and little fingers on the basis of the feature points related to the middle, ring and little fingers, and the elastic modulus. 
     The pattern generator may extract values for the length of the thumb, the length between the thumb and index finger, the length of the hand and the length between the thumb and wrist and for the upper widths of all the fingers from the scan information, and calculate the length of the patterned thumb, the length between the patterned thumb and index finger, the length of the patterned hand and the length between the patterned thumb and wrist, and the upper widths of all the patterned fingers on the basis of the feature points related to the length of the thumb, the length between the thumb and index finger, the length of the hand and the length between the thumb and wrist and to the upper widths of all the fingers, and the elastic modulus. 
     The pattern generator may extract values for the lower widths of all the fingers from the scan information, and calculate the lower widths of all the patterned fingers on the basis of the feature points related to the lower widths of all the fingers and to the width of the palm, and the elastic modulus. 
     The pattern generator may extract values for the width of the palm and the lower widths of all the fingers from the scan information, and calculate the width of the patterned palm on the basis of the feature points related to the width of the palm and to the lower widths of all the fingers, and the elastic modulus. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     In a feature of the present invention, it is possible to rapidly manufacture precise gloves through utilizing human body scan data. 
     It is possible to realize an online ordering and production process involving size measurement and manufacturing procedures in the production process for leather gloves. 
     In addition, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs through utilizing scan data obtained via a low-cost 2D body scanner instead of a high-cost 3D body scanner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating concepts of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the technical configuration of an apparatus for producing custom-made gloves according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the technical configuration of a measurement and order processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the technical configuration of an order management server according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating the technical configuration of a leather processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a method for measuring a glove according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a custom-made glove producing method for custom-made gloves according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a pattern generation method using a pattern generation apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a glove manufacturing method for the leather processing apparatus; 
         FIGS. 10 to 14  are examples of the GUI provided by the measurement and order processing apparatus; 
         FIG. 15  is a screen representation of scan data of a measurement target obtained by the measurement and order processing apparatus; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating scan feature points, lengths and widths of individual portions of the hand for automated measurement; 
         FIG. 17  is a screen representation of a scan information report obtained from scan data; and 
         FIG. 18  is a screen representation of pattern information generated by the pattern generation apparatus using the corresponding scan information. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for producing custom-made gloves according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating concepts of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus for producing custom-made gloves of the present invention includes, as a primary component, an order management server that receives purchase orders for custom-made gloves from apparel stores located at various sites and directs glove manufacturing factories to produce gloves according to the purchase orders. The order management server is connected with the apparel stores and glove manufacturing factories through an information and communication network, and various procedures for producing custom-made gloves are processed online. More specifically, at each apparel store, a measurement and order processing apparatus is installed that sends body scan information of a customer and information on the customer to the order management server. The order management server manages order procedures using the received information. The order management server includes an order management module for managing order procedures and a pattern generation apparatus for generating manufacturing information to be used to manufacture gloves according to body scan information of the customers, and directs the glove manufacturing factories to produce gloves by sending the generated manufacturing information thereto. Each glove manufacturing factory includes a leather processing apparatus that preprocesses, cuts and sews a leather fabric, and actually produces gloves according to the directions of the order management server. 
     Next, a description is given of a technical configuration of the custom-made glove producing apparatus in connection with  FIGS. 2 to 5 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a technical configuration of the apparatus for producing custom-made gloves according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the custom-made glove producing apparatus of the present invention includes a scanning apparatus  100  for scanning a portion of the body of a customer to be measured, a measurement and order processing apparatus  200  for controlling the scanning apparatus  100  and placing a glove purchase order, an order management server  300  for collecting and managing information regarding glove purchase orders and directing glove production, and a leather processing apparatus  400  for actually producing gloves according to details of purchase orders. 
     To be more specific, the scanning apparatus  100  is a human body scanner that is connected with the measurement and order processing apparatus  200  through a local or shot-range network and scans the body of a person to be measured under control of the measurement and order processing apparatus  200 . Here, the scanning apparatus  100  is preferably a two dimensional (2D) scanner that is less expensive than a three dimensional (3D) scanner. 
     The measurement and order processing apparatus  200  is computer equipment that obtains acceptable scan data by controlling the scanning apparatus  100  and creates order information to place a glove purchase order with the order management server  300 . This function may be carried out by a client program installed in the measurement and order processing apparatus  200 , and the client program may be composed of one or more modules. The measurement and order processing apparatus  200  is described in more detail later. 
     The scanning apparatus  100  and the measurement and order processing apparatus  200  are installed in apparel stores located at various sites, and scan the body of a person to be measured and provide the scan data to the order management server  300  as part of a glove purchase order. 
     The order management server  300  is a server that is connected with the measurement and order processing apparatus  200  through an information and communication network to handle the overall procedure for glove purchase orders and sends a glove production request to the leather processing apparatus  400  installed in a glove manufacturing factory. For smooth operation, the order management server  300  preferably includes a high-end microprocessor and a large capacity data storage so that it may process multiple requests from more than one measurement and order processing apparatus  200  without delay. 
     The leather processing apparatus  400  is a production instrument that actually produces gloves according to order information by preprocessing a leather fabric, cutting the preprocessed leather fabric and sewing pieces of the leather fabric together. 
     The custom-made glove producing apparatus having the above configuration of the present invention produces gloves suitable for the body of a person to be measured and delivers the produced gloves to the person. 
     Next, individual components of the custom-made glove producing apparatus of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the technical configuration of the measurement and order processing apparatus  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the measurement and order processing apparatus  200  includes an interface module  210  for receiving order information from a purchase orderer, a scan information handling module  220  for controlling a scanning apparatus to obtain scan data, a customer information management module  260  for managing information regarding customers, an order placement module  250  for handling a procedure for making a glove purchase order, a communication module  270  for communication with the order management server, and a database  290  for storing details of purchase orders. 
     More specifically, the interface module  210  provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to a person to be measured or a purchase orderer to facilitate scanning and ordering procedures. Here, the person to be measured may be a customer, and the purchase orderer may be an employee working at the apparel store and operating a measurement and order processing apparatus. In some cases, the person to be measured and the purchase orderer may be the same person. The GUI preferably takes the form of windows familiar to most people to enable a person to be measured or a purchase orderer to easily perform the order procedure without much trial and error. The GUI is described in detail later with reference to an illustration. 
     The scan information handling module  220  controls the scanning apparatus to properly scan the body (i.e. hand) of the person to be measured and generates scan information on the basis of the scan result. Specifically, in the scanning procedure, when the hand of the person to be measured is placed properly in terms of location and shape on the scanning apparatus, the scanning apparatus scans the palm of the hand and produces a corresponding palm image according to manipulation of the person to be measured. The generated palm image is displayed through a display means so that the person to be measured may view the palm image. The scan information handling module  220  generates scan information of the person to be measured by performing automatic measurement of the palm image. Here, the scan information is numerical data capable of characterizing the shape of the hand of the person to be measured, and may be represented by feature points at specific locations on contour lines of the hand and distances between the feature points. This automatic measurement is described in more detail later with reference to relevant drawings. 
     The customer information management module  260  manages information regarding persons to be measured or customers. Here, customer information may include at least name, contact information, measured size and gender for a customer. 
     The order placement module  250  performs an order placement procedure for a glove according to manipulation of the purchase orderer. Specifically, the order placement module  250  creates order information containing purchase order details on the basis of scan information generated by the scan information handling module  220  and customer information generated by the customer information management module  260 . Here, the order information may include apparel store name, employee name, scan date and time, fabric color and note. The order placement module  250  sends the order information to the order management server through the communication module  270 . 
     The communication module  270  interconnects the measurement and order processing apparatus  200  and the order management server  300  through an information and communication network. 
     The database  290  stores order information generated by the order placement module  250 . 
     The measurement and order processing apparatus  200  having the above configuration scans the hand of a customer and sends a glove production notification to the order management server, which then manages the overall purchase order procedure for gloves. Next, a technical configuration of the order management server is described in connection with the relevant drawings. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the technical configuration of the order management server  300  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the order management server  300  includes a communication module  310  for communication with the measurement and order processing apparatus  200 , a pattern generation apparatus  330  for generating a pattern for a glove to be manufactured according to order information, an order management module  350  for managing an order placement procedure, and a database  390  for storing information regarding purchase orders. 
     To be more specific, the communication module  310  is connected to an information and communication network to send and receive information to and from the measurement and order processing apparatus and the leather processing apparatus. In particular, the communication module  310  receives order information from the measurement and order processing apparatus and sends pattern information to the leather processing apparatus. 
     The pattern generation apparatus  330  generates pattern information for processing leather according to scan information contained in the order information. The scan information refers to unprocessed scan data, in which unmeasured portions of the hand by 2D scanning, such as hand width, are not considered. In the scan information, glove shape deformation according to hand motion like bending of fingers upon wearing is not yet considered. Hence, the scan information may indicate only the shape of the outline of the hand on a 2D plane and it is not easy to manufacture gloves using only the scan information. To address these issues, the pattern generation apparatus  330  compensates the scan information to generate pattern information. To generate such pattern information, the pattern generation apparatus  330  includes a feature point handler  331 , a leather information handler  335  and a pattern generator  337 . Generation of pattern information using these elements is described in detail later. 
     The order management module  350  performs an order management procedure according to details of a glove purchase order contained in the received order information. Here, the order information includes information on the apparel store having placed a purchase order and customer information of the person to be measured. The order management module  350  manages information related to purchase orders such as store employees, store locations and performance records, and information related to customers placing purchase orders such as previous and present purchase information and size information. These information items are stored in the database  390  by an apparel store manager  353  and a customer manager  356  in the order management module  350 . 
     The order management server  300  having the above configuration manages the overall purchase order procedure for gloves and, particularly, generates pattern information for leather processing and provides the pattern information to the leather processing apparatus. Next, a description is given of a technical configuration of the leather processing apparatus in connection with the relevant drawings. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating the technical configuration of the leather processing apparatus  400  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the leather processing apparatus  400  includes a leather preprocessing device  420  for changing leather properties before use, a leather cutting device  440  for cutting preprocessed leather according to pattern information, and a sewing device  460  for sewing pieces of the leather to produce gloves. 
     The leather preprocessing device  420  performs a procedure to change initial properties of a leather fabric before cutting. Due to elasticity, a leather fabric stretches by a certain amount when external force is applied thereto, and returns to original form when external force is removed. In consideration of these physical properties, when a glove is made of a leather fabric to which a suitable amount of stress is applied in advance, the glove adheres well to the hand of the wearer because of reduction in size due to elasticity. To use this, the leather preprocessing device  420  functions to apply pre-stress to the leather fabric before cutting. Here, the pre-stress may be applied by pulling the leather fabric in a direction from the center to the outside. The pattern information includes material information such as type and elastic modulus of the leather fabric. The leather preprocessing device  420  prepares a leather fabric to be processed and applies pre-stress to the leather fabric according to material information. 
     The leather cutting device  440  is a device that cuts a pre-stressed leather fabric according to pattern information. The leather cutting device  440  may be a multiple thermal cutting device or a knife cutting device, and is preferably a laser cutting device. 
     The sewing device  460  is a device that sews pieces of the leather fabric to produce a final glove. The sewing device  460  sews pieces of the leather fabric according to preset alignment. 
     The leather processing apparatus  400  having the above configuration produces gloves suitable for a person to be measured through an automated procedure. 
     Next, a description is given of a method for producing custom-made gloves of the present invention with reference to the drawings. 
     In the following description, some reference symbols in  FIGS. 2 to 5  are used for ease of description. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a method for measuring a glove according to the present invention. The method of glove measurement is performed by the measurement and order processing apparatus  200  installed in each apparel store. The measurement and order processing apparatus  200  is connected with the scanning apparatus  100  and controls scanning of the body (i.e., hand) of a person to be measured. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the customer information management module  260  receives customer information of a customer being a person to be measured (S 510 ). Here, the customer information preferably includes information related to at least customer name, contact, previous size and gender. The customer information is illustrated later with reference to relevant drawings. 
     The scan information handling module  220  scans the hand of the person to be measured (S 520 ). At step S 520 , the scan information handling module  220  may capture an image of the alignment status of the hand using a camera and provides the captured image to the person to be measured so that the person to be measured can adjust hand alignment for more accurate scanning. This is illustrated later with reference to the relevant drawing. 
     The scan information handling module  220  provides a preliminary scan image to the person to be measured before generation of scan information to permit the person to be measured to examine the scan result (S 525 ). When the scan result is unclear or is misaligned, the person to be measured may request the measurement and order processing apparatus  200  to perform rescanning. 
     The scan information handling module  220  generates scan information according to the scan result (S 530 ). Here, the scan information is numerical data on minimum number of elements capable of characterizing the shape of the hand of the person to be measured. The scan information handling module  220  performs automatic measurement of the generated image. Preferably, for a person to be measured, the scan information includes at least lengths of all fingers, upper and lower widths of all fingers, length between the thumb and the index finger, length between the thumb and the wrist, width of the hand and width of the palm. 
     To measure portions of the hand, the scan information handling module  220  maps multiple points at regular intervals along contour lines of the hand, and specifies some mapped points at sites appropriate for measuring lengths and widths of various portions of the hand as measurement feature points. Then, the scan information handling module  220  measures the lengths between the measurement feature points to produce scan information composed of numerical values related to lengths and widths of various portions of the hand. Generation of the scan information is illustrated later with reference to the relevant drawings. 
     The order placement module  250  creates order information using the customer information and the scan information and stores the order information (S 540 ). Here, the order information preferably includes information related to at least shop name, employee name, scan date and time, fabric color and note. The order placement module  250  creates such order information and stores the created order information in the database. 
     The communication module  270  sends the order information to the order management server  300  through an information and communication network (S 550 ). 
     Through the above steps, the measurement and order processing apparatus  200  scans the body of a customer and sends the scan data to the order management server  300 , which then performs an overall order processing procedure. Next, a description is given of a custom-made glove producing method for custom-made gloves. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a custom-made glove producing method for custom-made gloves according to the present invention. In the custom-made glove producing method, the order management server  300  performs an order placement procedure according to the order information received from the measurement and order processing apparatus  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the communication module  310  receives order information from the measurement and order processing apparatus  200  through an information and communication network (S 610 ). 
     The pattern generation apparatus  330  generates pattern information corresponding to scan information (S 620 ). The scan information is contained in the order information, and the pattern generation apparatus  330  generates pattern information according to the scan information. The pattern information is data for actually cutting a leather fabric, and includes material information of the leather fabric. To perform step S 620 , the pattern generation apparatus  330  includes a feature point handler  331 , a leather information handler  335  and a pattern generator  337 . Generation of pattern information is described in more detail later with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     The order management module  350  requests the leather processing apparatus  400  to produce gloves according to the pattern information and customer information (S 630 ). The order management module  350  controls a glove production procedure for each apparel store and customer, and sends a glove production request through the communication module  310  to the leather processing apparatus  400  to produce gloves according to the pattern information generated at step S 620  and customer information. 
     Through the above steps, the order management server  300  generates the pattern information and requests the leather processing apparatus  400  to produce gloves. In particular, the pattern information is very important for preparing and cutting a leather fabric. Next, a description is given of a method for pattern information generation using the pattern generation apparatus with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a pattern generation method using a pattern generation apparatus according to the present invention. The pattern generation method is performed by the pattern generation apparatus  330  of the order management server  300 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the feature point handler  331  specifies a base pattern having a suitable number of feature points characterizing the shape of a glove to be manufactured (S 710 ). Here, the base pattern is a type of a glove shape frame acting as a base for cutting, and pattern feature points are arranged so as to reflect unique characteristics of the body shape at specific sites of the base pattern. In other words, pattern feature points are parameters determining glove shapes and subsidiary member types according to the body shape of a person to be measured, and are present on contour lines of the base pattern. A determined number of pattern feature points may be present. In the present invention, pattern information for glove manufacturing is not generated according to all points on contour lines forming the shape of the hand, but is generated according to scan information of various portions of the hand and pattern feature points associated with the various portions. Preferably, the elastic modulus of the leather fabric is considered, further in this step. In the present invention, all 19 portions of the hand are used to generate pattern information. 
     In addition, the scan information as 2D data does not contain data on the width of the hand and does not indicate lengths and widths of subsidiary members for sides surrounding the perimeter of the glove during production. However, as sizes of the subsidiary members tend to depend upon locations of pattern feature points on the base pattern, lengths and widths of the subsidiary members are calculated according to preset pattern feature points on the base pattern. The pattern feature points are normally present between the fingers and at finger joints. 
     The pattern generator  337  extracts values for lengths, upper widths and lower widths of various portions of the hand (S 720 ). Elements of the pattern information correspond to elements of the scan information for each portion of the hand. Hence, the pattern generator  337  may have to extract a suitable part of the scan information for individual portions of the hand. 
     The pattern generator  337  generates pattern information corresponding to the pattern feature points, the values determined at step S 720  and the elastic modulus of the leather fabric (S 730 ). The elastic modulus of the leather fabric is provided by the leather information handler  335 . The pattern generator  337  generates pattern information by correcting coordinates of the pattern feature points on the base pattern with respect to the values extracted from the scan information and the elastic modulus. Here, the pattern information further includes material information related to patterns of the subsidiary members being sides of the glove and to the type and elastic modulus of the leather fabric. 
     At steps S 720  and S 730 , the pattern generator  337  extracts a part of the scan information for each portion of the hand and generates pattern information for the portion. This is illustrated in Table 1. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Elastic 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Feature 
                 modulus 
                 Pattern 
               
               
                 Referenced scan information 
                 point 
                 of fabric 
                 information 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Length of thumb 
                   
                   
                   
                 Included 
                 Included 
                 Length of 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 patterned thumb 
               
               
                 Length between 
                   
                   
                   
                 Included 
                 Included 
                 Length between 
               
               
                 thumb and index 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 patterned thumb 
               
               
                 finger 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 and index finger 
               
               
                 Length between 
                   
                   
                   
                 Included 
                 Included 
                 Length between 
               
               
                 thumb and wrist 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 patterned thumb 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 and wrist 
               
               
                 Upper widths of 
                   
                   
                   
                 Included 
                 Included 
                 Upper widths of 
               
               
                 all fingers 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 all patterned 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 fingers 
               
               
                 Length of hand 
                   
                   
                   
                 Included 
                 Included 
                 Length of 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 patterned hand 
               
               
                 Lower widths of 
                   
                   
                   
                 Included 
                 Included 
                 Lower widths of 
               
               
                 all fingers 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 all fingers 
               
               
                 Width of palm 
                 Lower 
                   
                   
                 Included 
                 Included 
                 Width of 
               
               
                   
                 widths of all 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 patterned palm 
               
               
                   
                 fingers 
               
               
                 Length of 
                 Lower width 
                 Upper width 
                   
                 Included 
                 Included 
                 Length of 
               
               
                 middle finger 
                 of middle 
                 of middle 
                   
                   
                   
                 patterned 
               
               
                   
                 finger 
                 finger 
                   
                   
                   
                 middle finger 
               
               
                 Length of ring 
                 Lower width 
                 Upper width 
                   
                 Included 
                 Included 
                 Length of 
               
               
                 finger 
                 of ring 
                 of ring 
                   
                   
                   
                 patterned ring 
               
               
                   
                 finger 
                 finger 
                   
                   
                   
                 finger 
               
               
                 Length of little 
                 Lower width 
                 Upper width 
                   
                 Included 
                 Included 
                 Length of 
               
               
                 finger 
                 of little 
                 of little 
                   
                   
                   
                 patterned little 
               
               
                   
                 finger 
                 finger 
                   
                   
                   
                 finger 
               
               
                 Length of index 
                 Lower width 
                 Upper width 
                 Length between 
                 Included 
                 Included 
                 Length of 
               
               
                 finger 
                 of index 
                 of index 
                 thumb and 
                   
                   
                 patterned index 
               
               
                   
                 finger 
                 finger 
                 index finger 
                   
                   
                 finger 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     For example, referring to Table 1, the length of the patterned thumb may be obtained on the basis of the length of the thumb in the scan information, pattern feature points related to the thumb and the elastic modulus. The length of the patterned index finger may be computed on the basis of the lower width of the index finger, upper width of the index finger, length between the thumb and index finger in the scan information, pattern feature points related to the index finger, and the elastic modulus. 
     Through the above steps, the pattern generation apparatus  330  generates pattern information for cutting the leather fabric and the order management server  300  sends the pattern information to the leather processing apparatus  400  to produce gloves. Next, a description is given of a glove manufacturing method in connection with  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a glove manufacturing method for a processing apparatus. The method of  FIG. 9  is performed by the leather processing apparatus  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the leather preprocessing device  420  prepares a leather fabric to be processed and applies pre-stress to the leather fabric according to material information (S 810 ). As described before, the pre-stress may be applied by pulling the leather fabric in a direction from the center to the outside with a suitable magnitude of a force. 
     The leather cutting device  440  cuts the pre-stressed leather fabric according to the pattern information (S 820 ). 
     The sewing device  460  sews pieces of the leather fabric to produce a final glove (S 830 ). 
     Through the above steps, the leather processing apparatus  400  completes production of a glove according to the purchase order. 
     Next, examples of the GUI of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. 
       FIGS. 10 to 15  are examples of the GUI provided by the measurement and order processing apparatus. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an initial screen that is provided to the person to be measured during scanning. The initial screen is in the form of a window, and enables selection of one of the hands to be scanned and provides input fields for entering customer information. 
       FIG. 11  is a screen representation illustrating alignment of the hand of a person to be measured on the scanning apparatus. When the person to be measured places their hand on the scanning apparatus, alignment lines are provided. To achieve this, the scanning apparatus may further include an image capture means like a camera, and the measurement and order processing apparatus may further provide an alert phrase during alignment. 
       FIG. 12  is a screen representation showing a scan result to permit size measurement and order placement. The measurement and order processing apparatus may provide a screen that prompts the person to be measured to decide whether to rescan, and may perform automatic size measurement and order placement for a glove. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  are screen representations illustrating correction of a scan result by removing dummy data around the wrist. As shown, scan data below the wrist is unnecessary for glove production. Hence, a wrist correction line (a) may be used to set a desired range and a portion of the scan result outside this range may be removed for correction. 
       FIG. 15  is a screen representation showing a scan result provided by the measurement and order processing apparatus to the person to be measured. The measurement and order processing apparatus generates scan information by automatically calculating lengths and widths of portions of the hand using the scan result as shown in  FIG. 15 . The scan result is used to automatically measure the size of the hand as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating scan feature points, lengths and widths of individual portions of the hand for automated measurement. As shown, many points are regularly mapped on contour lines of the image of the scanned hand and scan feature points are assigned to sites on the contour lines so as to characterize the shape of the hand. These scan feature points may be located at the edge of each finger, between the fingers, and at both ends of each finger joint. The lengths and widths of individual portions of the hand may be obtained by connecting the scan feature points associated in location. 
       FIG. 17  is a screen representation of a scan information report obtained from scan data, where the lengths and widths of individual portions of the hand are indicated by numerical values. Here, values for the portions of the hand are determined according to preset ranges of pattern feature points. For example, the upper width ( 14 ) of the index finger is determined in a range of 15 to 35 percent of the tip of the index finger, and the lower width ( 9 ) of the index finger is determined in a range of 5 to 20 percent of the bottom of the index finger. 
       FIG. 18  is a screen representation of pattern information generated by the pattern generation apparatus using corresponding scan information. As shown, the pattern information includes numerical data of a pattern and a glove drawing for cutting the leather fabric. In the pattern information, the glove drawing is obtained by adjusting the lengths and widths of various portions of a specified base pattern according to scan information, feature points and the elastic modulus. The leather processing apparatus cuts the leather fabric according to the glove drawing. 
     The method for producing custom-made gloves of the present invention may be implemented in programs and be stored in computer readable storage medium such as a CDROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk or magneto-optical disk. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains that various modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY