METHOD FOR OPTIMISING INDIVIDUALLY MADE-TO-MEASURE ITEMS OF CLOTHING

Abstract

A method for optimizing individually tailored garments includes measuring at least one body part and generating a first data set for manufacturing the garment, including measured data, manufacturing the first garment based on the data, the garment including a passive indicator element via which properties and/or changes of the garment due to wear is determined, and use of the first garment. The method includes examining the first garment regarding changes due to wear for producing a second similar garment, thereby generating a second data set containing measured data of the first garment, comparing the second and first data sets, and checking the passive indicator element with regard to information relevant to producing the second garment. Then, a third data set based on the first and second data sets, and the result from the passive indicator element check is generated, and the second garment is manufactured based on the third data set.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing individually tailored garments of the same type, the method including the steps of: a. measuring at least one body part and generating a first data set for manufacturing the garment, including measured data of the body part, b. manufacturing a first garment based on the determined data set, wherein the garment comprises at least one passive indicator element via which properties and/or changes of the garment due to the use of the garment by a user can be determined, c. use of the first garment by a user, d. examining the used first garment with regard to changes due to use by the wearer for the production of a second garment of the same type, thereby generating a second data set containing measured data of the used first garment, comparing the second data set with the first data set, checking the passive indicator element with regard to information relevant to the production of the second garment, e. generating a third data set based on the first data set, the second data set, and the result from the passive indicator element check, f. manufacturing the second garment based on the third data set, and g. repeating as necessary the previous method steps d) to f), starting from the respective last garment produced and used, for further optimization of the fit and/or the properties of the respective new garment to be produced.

2. The method according to claim 1, whereas the first data record, the manufacturing data record and all further manufacturing data records are transmitted to at least one manufacturing device which manufactures parts of the garment.

3. The method according to claim 1, whereas the indicator element is configured such that the indicator element makes wear of the garment detectable.

4. The method according to claim 3, whereas the indicator element is mechanically changeable by use of the garment.

5. The method according to claim 1, whereas the indicator element is configured such that the indicator element makes detection of a local microclimate possible which is established within the garment as a result of wear.

6. The method according to claim 1, whereas the indicator element is designed as a moisture indicator.

7. The method according to claim 1, whereas the indicator element is designed as a pH value indicator.

8. The method according to claim 1, whereas the indicator element changes color.

9. The method according to claim 1, whereas the indicator element is arranged within a depression in a surface of the garment.

10. The method according to claim 1, whereas the indicator element is arranged raised with respect to a surface of the garment.

11. The method according to claim 1, whereas if the indicator element reveals increased wear, the next garment is manufactured mechanically reinforced in the corresponding area.

12. The method according to claim 5, whereas if the indicator element indicates an unfavorable microclimate for the user, the next garment is manufactured modified such that the microclimate improves during use.

13. The method according to claim 6, whereas ventilation openings or thinner materials are provided in the next garment to be manufactured if the indicator element makes an increased sweat production of the user recognizable.

14. The method according to claim 1, whereas the garment to be manufactured is from the group consisting of shoes, jackets, or pants.

15. The method according to claim 1, whereas information and/or data sets of further used similar garments of other users are used for the optimization of the next garment to be produced.

16. The method according to claim 1, whereas before manufacturing a next generation of the garment, the corresponding body part is also measured again and a data record is generated, which is used for adapting and improving the data record for manufacturing the garment of the next generation.

17. The method according to claim 1, whereas the checking of the indicator element occurs with the aid of an optical device.

18. The method according to claim 1, whereas the measuring of the body part and generating a data set based thereon comprises the following method steps: 1. positioning the body part relative to a size reference object, 2. capturing images of the body part and the size reference object from a plurality of different perspectives using a digital camera, 3. determining reference points of the body part and their relative position to each other from the captured images, 4. generating a virtual image of the body part based on the reference points, and 5. generating data for manufacturing the tailored garment to the body part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] The disclosure is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. These are to be understood only by way of example and are intended merely to represent embodiments of the disclosure. All features of the description can be combined with each other, even if they are not necessarily shown in context. This also applies to the features in the claims.

[0074] Shown:

[0075] FIG. 1: a flow chart of the process according to the disclosure,

[0076] FIG. 2: a flow chart of the measurement process,

[0077] FIG. 3: a representation of a foot on a sheet from above,

[0078] FIG. 4: a representation of a foot on a folded sheet from oblique above, and

[0079] FIG. 5: three examples of an arrangement of indicator elements on the garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] FIG. 1 illustrates the basic principle of the process according to the disclosure in a highly simplified flow chart. At the center of the process is a processor 2 which receives information and calculates data records for the manufacture of a garment (product 8). The data set of the processor 2 is transmitted to a manufacturing plant or device 4, which manufactures parts 6. The manufacturing device 4 is, for example, a CNC cutting machine. These are particularly well suited because they can be operated fully automatically and have very short setup times. A cutting die is not required, and the throughput or production speed is high. In addition, a wide variety of materials can be processed with a large selection of versatile tools.

[0081] The manufactured parts 6 are then turned into the product 8, which can be manufactured by a fully automated process, but manual processing is also conceivable. The product has indicator elements 10. These can be used, for example, to be able to detect wear of the garment or to determine other data essential for the user. Advantageously, the indicator elements 10 can be photographed after use of the product, preferably with a digital camera 26. The change in the indicator elements 10 can then be evaluated from the photos 16.

[0082] A prerequisite for calculating the data set for manufacturing the production parts 6 is the measurement of at least one body part 12. In a preferred variant, photos 16 are generated via an application 14 on a mobile terminal with a digital camera 26 (cf. FIG. 2). From the photos 16, dimensions and measurements of the body part 12 can be determined by a processor 2. The surveying method is described in detail below.

[0083] Crucial to the process according to the disclosure is the possibility to cyclically evolve the manufactured garment from generation to generation adapted to the needs of the user. To this end, according to the disclosure, feedback is determined after the garment has been used in the form of data which is incorporated into the production of the next generation of the garment. There are essentially three options available for this: [0084] the used garment can be measured, [0085] the indicator elements can be evaluated, [0086] the corresponding body part can be measured again.

[0087] The resulting information is fed to the processor 2 in the form of a data record. By comparing the newly determined data set with data sets of garments of previous generations, in particular with the data set of the garment manufactured before, adjustments can be made to the data set for the manufacture of the next production parts 6, which in turn lead to improvements of the garment. This process can be repeated any number of times so that the garment can be optimized from generation to generation.

[0088] The arrows shown with continuous lines represent the manufacturing of the first garment, while the arrows with dashed lines represent the manufacturing process(es) of subsequent generations. Notably, the processor 2 receives additional information from the second generation onwards, which can be used to optimize the garment.

[0089] The process step of measuring is explained using the example of measuring a foot 20. However, as already explained, the method is also suitable for other body parts.

[0090] In the first method step, it is necessary to position the body part to be measured, in this case the foot 20, relative to a size reference object 22. The size reference object 22 can be, for example, a DIN-A4 sheet 24 (hereinafter “sheet”) or another sheet standardized in size. In a particularly advantageous variation of the method, the foot is positioned with the heel in a corner of the sheet 24 such that an outer side of the foot 20 is aligned with or adjacent to a side edge of the sheet.

[0091] Images of the foot 20 are then captured on the sheet 24 using a digital camera 26. By reference to the size reference object 22, dimensions can then be derived or calculated.

[0092] Preferably, however, the images are each taken from predetermined positions. The predetermined positions of the digital camera 26 in space or relative to the foot 20 are essential for an advantageous calculation of the dimensions, since the size ratios can thus be determined reliably and quickly.

[0093] For checking and setting the correct position of the camera 26 in space, a corresponding application is preferably preinstalled on the camera device 26, which, using the integrated position sensor of the camera 26, shows, for example, a position indication on a display.

[0094] It is necessary to take several images from different directions in order to be able to determine the exact position of reference points 28 on the foot. The reference points 28 are selected in such a way that they enable the two-dimensional extension of the foot 20 in the X-direction and Y-direction as well as its height in the Z-direction. For example, it is necessary to know how high the arch of the foot 20 is, what the maximum height of a big toe 32 is, for example, or how long the toe 32 is. Of course, further reference points 28 are necessary, which make it possible to determine, for example, a width of the foot 20 in the front and rear regions and also the length of the foot 20. It has been shown that the determination of 9 to 18 reference points 28 is sufficient for the manufacture of a individually tailored shoe.

[0095] In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates how, with the aid of a sheet of paper 24, the height of the reference points 28 above the sheet 24 resting on a base can also be determined. For this purpose, after taking various images from different directions, the foot 20 is taken from the sheet 24 and the sheet is folded along a diagonal. The foot 20 is placed back on one of the two halves of the sheet 24 and the other half of the sheet 24 is folded upwards and remains in this position. This makes it possible to use the side edges and the upwardly projecting tip of the sheet 24 as a reference for points 28 of the foot 20 to be determined in further exposures.

[0096] In FIGS. 3 and 4, reference points 28 are drawn by way of example.

[0097] Using the images with the size reference object 22, it is possible in the next step to precisely determine the exact reference points 28 of a foot 20 in its position with respect to the reference object 22, i.e. the sheet 24, and in relation to each other. Advantageously, a suitable computer program is used for this purpose, to which the captured images is transferred. In this case, the images are transferred to a computer. Via an image analysis program, the reference points on the images are preferably found automatically and their position determined.

[0098] A virtual image of the real foot 20 can then be generated from the determined reference points 28.

[0099] In a next step, this virtual three-dimensional image of the foot 20 is used to generate a data mesh therefrom, which represents the outer surfaces of the foot. In principle, then, the outer surfaces of the foot 20 are unwound into a plane. From this two-dimensional data network, the desired production parts, in this case shoe elements, can then be determined in a next step.

[0100] FIG. 5 shows, by way of example, three embodiment variants for the arrangement of an indicator element 10 on a garment. In the variant in FIG. 5.1, the indicator element 10 is arranged in a recess in a surface 40 of the garment. In the variant according to FIG. 5.2, the indicator element 10 is positioned in a raised position relative to the surface 40 of the garment. FIG. 5.3 shows the indicator element 10 to be a small sphere or ellipse that is woven into the surface and also changes or wears away and/or is ultimately lost. For example, the indicator element 10 may be formed merely by a layer of paint 42 that wears away with use and eventually is no longer visible. If the garment is photographed again after use with the aid of a digital camera, it can be readily determined from the data underlying the digital photographs whether or not the indicator elements 10 are still visible. If they are no longer visible, material has obviously been removed in this area. This applies to both variants, i.e. if the indicator element 10 is located in a recess or if it is raised relative to the surface 50. The indicator elements 10 can thus be used as binary data information.

[0101] Alternatively, the indicator elements 10 may have coatings that reveal different types of information. For example, maximum temperatures or pH values can be made visible by color changes.

[0102] The disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and examples, it also includes other embodiments that can be realized by using the disclosure. For example, other areas of application for the process according to the disclosure are also conceivable, in which an article to be produced is subject to changes or wear due to its use. Conceivable are, for example, machine components, cut-to-size covered materials made of textile and the like.