Article of clothing with information-coded seam

Abstract

The invention relates to a textile product (100) having a textile material (110) and a seam (101) which is sown into the textile material (110). The seam (101) has a specific pattern (102) which is indicative of information data (501) relating to the textile product (100) and which can be optically detected. The invention additionally relates to a system (800) for producing the textile product (100) and to a system (900) for reading information data (501) from the textile product (100).

Description

[0001] Garment with information-coded seam

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The present invention relates to a textile product with a coded seam and a system for producing the textile product. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system and a method for reading information data from a textile product.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] For textile products, such as clothing, it is necessary for consumers, as well as due to legal requirements, to include proof of authenticity or proof of origin with the textile product. For this purpose, it is common practice to provide relevant information on a textile product label. Furthermore, proof of authenticity is often marked on the textile product, particularly in the form of trademarks that indicate a specific manufacturer.

[0006] However, the proof of origin and the proof of authenticity are often imitated in counterfeit textile products, making it difficult to distinguish a counterfeit textile product from an original textile product.

[0007] There is a need for cost-effective marking of textile products with non-modifiable information (especially digital data). Printing or sewing labels with information is not sufficiently effective, because labels are often cut off or removed during the washing process. Furthermore, information should, for example, only be coded and accessible to the manufacturer or the inspector, i.e., not always.

[0008] AD:IG: mr in a manner that is obvious to the consumer or understandable in terms of content.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a textile product in which forgery-proof information concerning the textile product itself is embedded.

[0010] This object is achieved with a textile product, a system for producing the textile product and a system and a method for reading information data of a textile product according to the independent claims.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a textile product is described which comprises a textile material and a seam sewn into the textile material. The seam has a predetermined pattern which is indicative of information data relating to the textile product and which is optically detectable.

[0012] The textile product can, for example, be a piece of clothing such as a T-shirt, a shirt, a sweater or trousers. Furthermore, the textile product can also be shoes, gloves or a belt. Textile products according to the invention can be used in other areas besides being worn on the human body. For example, the textile product can be used as a cover for seats, airbag balloons or fittings. In one exemplary embodiment, the textile product is, for example, a medical product, in particular a textile one. In the case of medical products, printing with data or product information is often not permitted. For this reason, the data encoding according to the invention can be used both for quality control (e.g. random samples to check whether the correct textile product is in the correct packaging) and for labeling product properties.

[0013] The textile material of the textile product can, for example, consist of a woven fabric made of synthetic or natural materials. The textile material thus has a specific knitted form, in particular a woven or nonwoven fabric. Furthermore, the textile material can comprise textile leather, which is used, for example, for the upholstery of seats, handbags, or suitcases. Accordingly, the coded seam according to the invention can be sewn onto a leather-like textile material.

[0014] In textile manufacturing, seams represent a method for joining fabrics, forming finishes, preventing fraying, or creating decorative elements. In doing so, they largely fulfill basic functional or design-oriented criteria. The seam according to the invention can be made of a synthetic or natural yarn. Furthermore, the seam can be made from various seam types and correspondingly different shapes. The seam can, for example, form a zigzag seam, an overcast seam, a tread seam, a cast-on seam, a draft seam, or a basting seam. Other seam shapes or types can also be used to create the pattern for displaying information data. The seam simultaneously serves to join fabrics, to form an elastic seam, or the seam forms a hem finish. Furthermore, the seam can be designed to fulfill various desired design criteria.The yarn forming the seam can have a uniform color or a varying color gradient, or can have areas of different colors. Furthermore, the seam thickness or the thickness of the yarn forming the seam can be selected to be constant or variable. The seam is produced in particular in an automated process, for example, using the system according to the invention for manufacturing the textile product.

[0015] The predetermined pattern can, for example, be formed such that the seam has a specific stitch width defined between two spaced-apart punctures in the textile material. Areas of the seam can, for example, have a first stitch width and other areas a second stitch width, wherein the corresponding areas of the stitch width are indicative of specific information. Furthermore, the pattern can be formed from a specific waveform (for example with a corresponding amplitude), wherein each waveform (round waveform with a predetermined curvature or also an angular zigzag waveform) is indicative of specific information. As explained below in further examples, a further seam can also form the pattern or the color of the seam and / or the thickness of the seam can vary accordingly in order to depict complex information in a pattern.

[0016] With the approach of the present invention, information data about the textile product is mapped and, in particular, encrypted or encoded in a pattern formed by a corresponding seam. In other words, the desired information data is mapped into the pattern using a specific algorithm. Accordingly, the information data can then only be read by someone with knowledge of the algorithm, so that the information data cannot be read by any observer, thus ensuring a high level of security against forgery.

[0017] The information data can contain a variety of content. For example, the information data can provide information about the original manufacturer. This makes it possible to check whether the textile product really comes from the manufacturer stated on the label, for example. Furthermore, other information data can be provided, such as the material of the textile or the quality of the textile. For example, information about the certificate of origin can be included with the information data, stating whether the cotton used in the active ingredient comes from organic production, does not contain any dyes that are harmful to health, or whether the raw material was harvested according to international standards, for example, without child labor.

[0018] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the seam is permanently and unalterably connected to the textile material. In other words, the seam cannot be subsequently altered after the yarn has been sewn in without leaving recognizable traces in the textile material. For example, areas of the seam, or in particular the beginning or end of the seam, can be glued or welded to the textile material, so that loosening the seam leads to damage to the textile material. This can increase security against forgery because information reproduced in the pattern of the seam cannot be subsequently altered. In other words, the information encoded according to the invention can no longer be modified after the sewing process without leaving traces and thus represents a secure or highly secure feature for data encoding.The inventive information encoding in a seam allows for a high degree of counterfeit security. If the information is encoded accordingly, modification requires at least a partial unraveling and re-stitching of the seam.

[0019] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the predetermined pattern can further be defined based on a local formation of the seam in relation to a reference feature of the textile material. The reference feature is, in particular, a width, a shape, and / or a profile that forms a fabric feature, in particular an edge, a hem, a buttonhole, a corner, a predetermined pattern, and / or a connecting fabric of the fabric workpiece. In this way, it can be determined in which area of ​​the seam, with respect to a distance from a hem, a buttonhole, or a quilting pattern, certain information data is stored in the seam pattern.

[0020] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the seam has a first information area which has the predetermined pattern, and a second information area which has the predetermined pattern, wherein the first information area is formed at a distance from the second information area. Thus, the seam has redundant areas in which the pattern is reproduced, in particular identically. If the pattern in the first information area is disrupted, for example due to a defect in the first information area or due to a distortion of the first information area (for example due to wear or stretching of the textile material due to prolonged wear), this information of the pattern can be read out from the second information area. This ensures reliable availability of the information encoded in the pattern.

[0021] By taking appropriate additional measures, the readability of the encoded information (i.e., the reliability of the reading and decoding process) can be increased. For example, a Hamming distance greater than 1 can be selected. This means that multiple optical changes of an encoding feature can alternate with each other, so that this digitally corresponds to a change from 0 to 1 or 1 to 0. This reduces the susceptibility to errors in the delivery of information due to changes in the pattern.

[0022] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the seam is designed such that the predetermined pattern is optically detectable on a surface, in particular exclusively on a surface, of the textile material, in particular by means of a camera or a camera of a mobile device. Due to the information coding according to the invention, the embedded information in the pattern is present on the surface of the textile material and thus also on a surface of the textile product. This allows later readout (without destroying the product) of the information by optical means, in particular by means of a camera, preferably with the camera of a mobile device.

[0023] Specific seam types or combinations of seam types can be used so that the pattern or information encoding is reproduced on one side of the textile material, while the other side of the textile material is free of the pattern and, accordingly, of any visual features of the information encoding. For example, the outer side of clothing or the upper side of bathroom rugs can be free of features, while the inner or lower side contains encoded information in the form of the pattern. A sewing machine, for example, with different needles that can be changed automatically, can be used for this purpose. Furthermore, two separate sewing machines can be provided to generate different seam shapes on each upper side.For example, a needle can be used to sew a straight seam on a first side of the textile material and a zigzag-shaped seam on the opposite second side of the textile material.

[0024] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the textile product has a further seam (or a further plurality of seams) sewn into the textile material, wherein the further seam has the predetermined pattern or another predetermined pattern indicative of further information data relating to the textile product. The seam and the further seam are in particular formed at a distance from one another. If the seam and the spaced further seam depict an identical pattern, greater readability can be provided by means of this redundant formation of the pattern. The information is thus redundantly encoded. It is advantageous if a geographically distant location on the textile product is selected for the repetition of the information (in particular a different seam), so that in the event of local partial damage to the textile, the information is nevertheless retained.

[0025] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the predetermined pattern can thus be formed by means of at least the seam and the adjacent further seam. Thus, the pattern can be formed by both or a further plurality of seams. Thus, a higher information density can be represented in the pattern due to the different shapes of the seams. In particular, an additional seam can be sewn in next to the one seam (main seam), which encodes information, or several adjacent seams can form the pattern and be used accordingly for information encoding. The distance between the seams can be used as an information encoding element that helps form the predetermined pattern. Information encoding with more than one adjacent seam has the advantage of a higher data density per seam length, which is particularly advantageous with larger amounts of data.

[0026] According to a further exemplary embodiment, a distance between the seam and another seam and / or the formation of the seam and the other seam on an inner and / or outer edge of the textile material can be used to define the predetermined pattern and read the information data. Not only the seam shape / type can be an information carrier, but also the distance to the fabric edge (i.e., the distance between the seam and the outer edge of the textile, typically from the seam to the end of the hem) and / or the seam distance to the inner end of the textile material (the actual end of the textile material in the case of a single-folded, open-edge hem or the inner hem line in the case of a double-folded hem) of the textile material (distance between the seam and the inner end of the fabric / edge of the fabric [in the case of a folded hem, the end of the fabric is on the other side of the seam than the outer edge of the textile]).

[0027] According to another exemplary embodiment, the information data is selected from one of the group consisting of opaque data, numbers, order numbers, source material identifiers, production batch identifiers, serial numbers, security codes, key and reference numbers (or, of course, a combination of these data types or information data). In the field of computer science, opaque data (opaque data type) refers to a data type whose physical representation is either unknown or irrelevant. The data structure of an opaque data type is not defined solely within a boundary area. The concrete representation remains opaque (hidden) to the user, and the visible implementation is incomplete. Opaque data types, i.e., non-transparent data types, are often used to implement abstract data types.

[0028] According to another exemplary embodiment, the information data includes a security code comprising a cross sum, redundancy data, and / or a checksum, which is indicative of correct reproduction of the information data. The encoding and subsequent decoding of information data via the predetermined pattern formed by the fabric seam can be viewed as transmission in a noisy channel (Shannon theory, Shannon-Hartley law). The interference is not typical white noise, as in an electrical communication channel, but results from various sources of interference, particularly during decoding. For example, the textile material may be distorted, part of the seam may be covered by dirt, or the reading camera may exhibit high thermal noise (or another cause of blur, such as a dusty lens).In order to tolerate these disturbances (at least to the extent that the information can be at least partially decoded again), the information can either be redundantly encoded in the textile material, in particular at several seams, or a larger Hamming distance can be selected, which improves the detectability of errors, or a coding can be selected in which, for example, two or more stitches of a seam are made in a certain way, so that the code value of a bit is encoded.

[0029] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the information data have at least one information content which can be represented in particular by at least one bit, wherein the seam is designed such that at least two pattern properties are formed in the predetermined pattern in order to represent the information content.

[0030] A pattern property can be defined, for example, by defining predetermined stitch properties, such as the stitch width or the seam shape between two stitches of the seam, to represent information, for example, a bit (0 / 1). For example, several stitch properties represent one bit (example of information content). Thus, a specific bit sequence (0100, 1000, 0010, etc.) can be represented via correspondingly repeating pattern sections, thus representing a readable, compilable code. The control unit can accordingly have a compiler / compiler, which translates source code of the bit sequence as machine language into a form that can be executed by a computer.

[0031] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the seam has an initial character and / or an initial position (e.g., opposite a defined seam edge, label, cross seam), which represents a visually recognizable beginning and / or a reading direction for reading the predetermined pattern. This enables a recognition option for determining the reading direction (in the seam path) or the beginning of reading (of information in a seam). This can be realized, for example, by an additional information element (initial character, initial position indicative of a beginning of reading) or a sequence of information elements, for example, a synchronization element after an unmodulated seam zone and the beginning of the encoded information.

[0032] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the reading direction for reading the predetermined pattern can be determined based on a readout definition, wherein the readout definition can be defined in particular by taking into account the inside and / or outside of the textile material and / or by taking into account the distance of the seam to an edge of the textile material. This allows the seam or the start of the seam and the reading direction of the seam to be defined even without the presence of an initial character. In other words, the reading direction can be determined based on a convention. This can be defined by taking into account the inside and outside of the fabric and / or the location of the fabric edge. For example, the following convention can be defined: On the inside of the fabric, the fabric area with more fabric is referred to as west, and the fabric area with less fabric (seam side) is referred to as east, with the reading direction then being northward.The inside or outside can be identified by detecting the shape of the seam, since the top and bottom sides of a seam can usually be visually distinguished.

[0033] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the seam is formed from a yarn that, under predetermined lighting conditions, creates a higher contrast than with standard illuminant D65. Standard illuminant D65 is defined by the CIE standard illumination and corresponds to average daylight at midday at a north-facing window. The spectrum has a correlated color temperature of 6504 Kelvin. This standard light is used, for example, as the white point for sRGB, Adobe RGB, and the PAb / SECAM TV standard. The yarn according to the invention for the seam can, for example, be designed such that its dye absorbs or reflects a specific UV component under standard illuminant D65 and has a specific color temperature.

[0034] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the seam is formed from a yarn which, as a yarn property, has a variable yarn thickness and / or a predetermined color gradient, such that the predetermined pattern can be formed at least partially from a yarn thickness variation and / or the predetermined color gradient along the yarn. Thus, a predetermined pattern is generated in which the information data is encoded by varying the yarn thickness and / or by a color variation integrated into the yarn gradient. For the yarn thickness variation, for example, the upper and lower threads of a seam can be of different thicknesses. As a result, no information coding is noticeable at first glance, but is easily detectable in camera images using suitable image analysis methods.

[0035] On the other hand, a color variation in the yarn pattern can be detected precisely with macro shots from cameras, while the user's eye forms an average, thus again making the information coding undetectable to the human eye. According to another exemplary embodiment, the seam is formed from at least two different yarns, wherein the yarns have different, optically detectable properties, so that the predetermined pattern can be formed using the different yarns. The different yarn properties can be defined, in particular, by different yarn thicknesses, different yarn colors (especially also in the range of the light spectrum not visible to the eye), and / or different yarn materials.

[0036] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the yarn is designed in such a way that the yarn property is not visible under standard illuminant D65. On the one hand, a yarn is used for the predetermined pattern and the corresponding data encoding which forms a particularly good contrast to the sewn textile material. This allows easier decoding with simpler (mobile phone) cameras. This can also be supported by means of a dye which reacts to a special illumination light composition (e.g. UV-active dye) or the resulting yarn color is based on the color mixture of two dyes which produce the desired design color under normal white light, but when illuminated with special light one of the several dyes forms a particularly clearly visible contrast. Yarns dyed in this way have a different color under special lighting conditions than, for example, under standard light D65.This corresponds to a phase of natural daylight with a most similar color temperature of approximately 6504 K. In particular, information can also be encoded by combining different yarns which are, however, of the same color at D65.

[0037] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the seam is formed from an upper thread and a lower thread, wherein the predetermined pattern is formed from a predetermined variation of the upper thread and the lower thread. The upper thread is a part of the yarn that runs over an upper part of a sewing machine. With the help of the upper thread tension, for example, the unwinding of the yarn from the thread spool is slowed down. The lower thread is the part of the yarn that forms the lower side of the seam when sewing with the sewing machine. The lower thread is typically located on a spool that is inserted into the sewing machine below the stitch plate. If the upper thread and lower thread of the seam are used to define the predetermined pattern, this in turn allows (particularly when combined with other coding methods) a higher data density per length or is a design element used for information coding.

[0038] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the textile product has a decoding element, in particular a label or tag, which is permanently and unalterably connected to the textile material. The decoding element has an encryption rule by means of which the information data from the predetermined pattern can be decrypted. The decoding element forms the encryption rule, in particular in a serial number or a non-fugible token. The decoding element accordingly has a code as the encryption rule. For example, the encryption rule can specify which information can be read from the specific stitch spacing of the seam or the specific yarn thickness of the seam in the predetermined pattern.For example, the encryption rule can specify that 3 stitches in a defined length of the seam result in a bit value of 1, and 2 stitches in a defined length result in a bit value of 0. This type of encryption rule can be mapped accordingly on the label. Using a control unit and a corresponding camera, for example, in a mobile handset, the predetermined pattern can be mapped and the encryption rule can be mapped simultaneously or sequentially onto the decoding element. The encryption rule can then be applied to the recorded predetermined pattern using software, and the information data can be read out accordingly.Since the encryption rule is also directly embedded in the textile material, it is not necessary to retrieve the encryption rule via an external server or database unit; instead, it can be done locally, for example, via a mobile device. A non-fungible token (NFT for short) is a "cryptographically unique, indivisible, irreplaceable, and verifiable token that represents a specific object, whether digital or physical, in a blockchain."

[0039] For example, a label can be sewn into the seam of the textile material. The seam or the predetermined pattern and the label, as a decoding element, can contain complementary information.

[0040] In particular, a code / encryption rule (e.g., a barcode or a QR code) can be applied to the label, which establishes the link between the predetermined pattern and the information data or seam information. The code, so to speak, forms the encryption rule for how the predetermined pattern can be decoded and how the information data can be read out. The code can, for example, be subsequently applied to the label and take the seam information or the actually displayed pattern into account. Thus, (extended) non-destructively changeable information can be linked to the

[0041] Textile material can be linked, which serves different purposes.

[0042] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a system for manufacturing the textile product described above is explained. The system comprises a control unit with a database unit in which predetermined patterns indicative of information data of the textile product are stored. Furthermore, the system comprises a sewing machine, which is coupled by means of the control unit such that at least one seam with the predetermined pattern indicative of information data of the textile product can be sewn into the textile material of the textile product.

[0043] The sewing machine can be controlled fully automatically by the control unit, which has knowledge of the textile product's manufacturing data and the information to be represented in the seam. In particular, the control unit has knowledge of the algorithm used to represent the desired information in the pattern. Accordingly, the control unit can control the sewing machine to create the seam based on the pattern to be represented.

[0044] To handle the textile material, which for example consists of one or two layers of fabric to be joined, relative to the sewing machine, a handling robot with an effector on which a handling mechanism is provided can be used. The handling mechanism is configured to lay at least one layer of the textile material flat, for example on a work surface of a work table, and to stretch the layer of fabric out without creases. The handling robot has the effector, to which the corresponding handling mechanism for holding the textile material is attached, in particular in an exchangeable manner. The handling robot is fastened to the floor or work table with a stationary robot base in order to introduce corresponding forces into the corresponding system. Alternatively, the handling robot can also be configured such that the robot base is designed to be movable along the floor.A robot arm can be arranged between the effector and the robot base, which, for example, has one or more joints in order to control the effector into a desired position.

[0045] The handling robot is a programmable multi-purpose

[0046] Handling device for moving material, workpieces, tools, or special equipment. In particular, the handling robot is designed to handle or manipulate the fabric layers and move and position them accordingly relative to the sewing machine. In other words, the handling robot enables machine-controlled position changes in more than one axis and / or along a translational position change of the fabric layers.

[0047] Accordingly, the handling robot, and in particular the sewing machine, can be controlled by the control unit in such a way that the seam can be mapped onto the textile material with a specific pattern. (Digital) information can be encoded with the pattern formed by the seam according to the invention. Thus, digital information is embedded in the seam of a textile product, which can later be digitally read out.

[0048] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the manufacturing system, the database unit has encryption rules by means of which information data can be represented in an associated predetermined pattern, wherein the control unit is configured to generate a predetermined pattern for the seam based on the information data to be represented (and accordingly taking the encryption rules into account). The control unit is coupled to the sewing machine in such a way that, based on the selected pattern, the corresponding seam can be sewn into the textile material by means of the sewing machine. For fully or partially automated textile production, there is thus a connection between the control unit and the sewing machine. Furthermore, the control unit automatically generates the predetermined pattern based on the encryption rule and the information data to be represented and transfers it to the sewing machine.According to a further exemplary embodiment, the system for producing the textile product has a fabric guide system for guiding the textile material during sewing, wherein the control unit is coupled to the fabric guide system and the sewing machine in such a way that the sewing of the predetermined pattern can be implemented by controlling the guidance of the textile material. Especially in automated production, an effector as part of a fabric handling system on a handling robot or a sewing frame as a fabric handling system, in which the textile material is clamped, usually moves the textile material during sewing. The fabric guide system and, for example, a sewing machine's own fabric transport system thus have less displacement resistance when guiding the seam, which leads to a better seam appearance and accordingly to a more precise predetermined pattern.The inventive solution proposes adaptive or adapted transport of the fabric by the automation system, which compensates for the irregularity of the seam caused by the encoding. This can be achieved by allowing a sufficient amount of loose textile material to ensure the sewing flow for the modulation, or by the automation system supporting the modulation movements so that it does not lead to distortion of the seam pattern.

[0049] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the system for producing the textile product comprises a color printer for printing a yarn of the seam, wherein the color printer is coupled to the control unit such that a predetermined color gradient can be printed onto the yarn, so that the predetermined pattern can be formed at least partially from the predetermined color gradient along the yarn. The color printer is arranged in particular upstream of the sewing machine in order to dye the yarn before sewing the seam. Additionally or alternatively, the color printer is arranged in particular downstream of the sewing machine in order to dye the yarn into the textile material of the textile product after sewing the seam. The color printer can, for example, apply a corresponding dye to the yarn in sections in order to thus create a predetermined pattern by encoding the information data.The color printer can be an inkjet printer and dye the yarn with fine jets of dye. The color printer can be configured to apply a dye of a specific color. Furthermore, the color printer can be configured to apply several different dyes of different colors and compositions to the yarn in specific sections. Furthermore, mixtures of dyes can be created using the color printer.

[0050] The seam can thus be formed from a yarn whose color gradient is adjusted during the sewing process. This can be achieved, for example, with a color printer, in particular an inkjet printer, before, after, or in the sewing machine. The color printer can be arranged so that the yarn is fed through the color printer before sewing, and this prints the information onto the yarn as a color gradient during sewing (particularly in real time). This color gradient can vary in such small sections that it is unnoticeable and / or invisible to the human eye. Furthermore, the dye can be selected outside the range of the light spectrum visible to the human eye and / or has such a fine contrast and / or is so small in size that this is not trivially visible when viewed. The information is thus encoded in the color gradient.

[0051] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a system for reading information data from a textile product described above is explained. The system comprises a reading device for optically detecting the seam with the predetermined pattern, which is indicative of information data relating to the textile product. Furthermore, the system comprises a readout control unit comprising a database unit, wherein the database unit has encryption rules by means of which information data can be read from the detected predetermined pattern.

[0052] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for reading information data from a textile product described above is explained. The method comprises the step of optically detecting the seam with the predetermined pattern, which is indicative of information data relating to the textile product. Furthermore, the method comprises reading information data from the detected predetermined pattern by means of a readout control unit having a database unit, wherein the database unit has encryption rules by means of which the information data can be read from the detected predetermined pattern.

[0053] The readout device has, for example, a camera that can capture an image of the pattern, which is then analyzed, for example, using image processing software in the readout control unit. The readout device can, for example, be a mobile handheld device, such as a smartphone. The readout control unit can, for example, have a corresponding processor for processing the image data and for processing the encryption rules, which are stored, for example, in the database. The readout control unit can, for example, be integrated into the readout device. The readout control unit can, for example, be formed by a processor of the mobile handheld device. The readout control unit can also be located at a distance from the readout device, wherein a data connection exists between the readout device and the readout control unit.The readout device can, for example, send the image data of the pattern to the readout control unit, where the readout control unit determines the information data from the image data of the pattern based on the encryption rule. In an exemplary embodiment, the readout and processed information data can then be sent back to the readout device. The readout control unit can, for example, provide cloud-based computing power or represent a central server computer.

[0054] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the database unit has verification data, which in particular represent a manufacturer of the textile product, a material of the textile product, a batch number of the textile product and / or a serial number of the textile product. The readout control unit is configured to compare the read-out information data with the verification data, wherein the control unit is configured to display a result of the comparison in a display device, in particular a mobile device, preferably a smartphone, or to print it out as a certificate using a printer unit. The readout device and the display device, and furthermore the control unit, can be formed, for example, in the same device, for example in a smartphone.Due to the encoded information data, the decrypted information data can be verified against the verification data during subsequent optical decoding. For example, the information data may specify a manufacturer A, while the verification data, which specifies the original manufacturer, specifies manufacturer B. Furthermore, information data may, for example, specify a synthetic substance, while the verification data surrounds a natural substance. Accordingly, counterfeits can be compared by comparing the decrypted information data with the verification data provided in the database.In other words, by comparing the information data with the verification data, the authenticity of the textile product can be verified and, as a result, it can be determined whether the textile product was actually manufactured by manufacturer A, was actually manufactured from a specific textile material (e.g., organically grown textile material), which was, for example, harvested in country A. If all information data match the verification data, a certificate confirming the authenticity of the textile product can be displayed (e.g., on a smartphone) or printed out, for example, using the readout control unit.

[0055] According to another exemplary embodiment, the textile product has a product label on which predetermined information data is optically detectably displayed. The reading device is configured to capture an image comprising the seam with the predetermined pattern and the product label. The reading control unit is configured to read information data from the detected predetermined pattern and compare it with the predetermined information data.

[0056] For example, the product label can contain information related to the information data encoded in the seam. The seam and the information on the label can be captured simultaneously with the same camera or recording device. This makes it possible to use the shared readout control device to verify the correctness of the label code on the product label and the seam information or information data.

[0057] It should be noted that the embodiments described here represent only a limited selection of possible embodiments of the invention. It is thus possible to combine the features of individual embodiments in a suitable manner, so that a multitude of different embodiments can be regarded as obviously disclosed to a person skilled in the art with the embodiments explicitly described here. In particular, some embodiments of the invention are described with device claims and other embodiments of the invention with method claims. However, upon reading this application, it will immediately become clear to a person skilled in the art that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, in addition to a combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter of the invention, any combination of features belonging to different types of subject matter of the invention is also possible.

[0058] Short description of the drawings

[0059] For further explanation and better understanding of the present invention, exemplary embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0060] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a textile product with a seam having a predetermined pattern and a decoding element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a seam with an exemplary predetermined pattern according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a predetermined pattern formed from two seams according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a seam made from two superimposed yarns according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a seam with a corresponding seam shape and stitch width according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a seam with different predetermined patterns having different information data according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a textile fabric with a seam having different distances to an edge and an inner seam according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of a system for manufacturing a textile product according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of a system for reading information data of a textile product according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Detailed description of exemplary implementation forms

[0069] Identical or similar components in different figures are provided with the same reference numerals. The representations in the figures are schematic.

[0070] Fig. 1 shows a textile product with a seam 101 having a predetermined pattern 102 and a decoding element 109 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The textile product

[0071] 100 comprises a textile material 110 and the seam 101, which is sewn into the textile material 110. The seam 101 has a predetermined pattern 102, which is indicative of information data 501 concerning the textile product 100 and which is optically detectable.

[0072] The seam 101 can have different seam shapes or seam types in order to form the pattern 102 for displaying information data 501 (see, for example, in Fig. 5). The seam 101 can also be used as an additional function for joining fabrics, for forming an elastic seam, or for a hem finish of a seam 103. The yarn forming the seam 101 can have a uniform color or a different color gradient or areas with different colors. Furthermore, the seam thickness or the thickness of the yarn forming the seam

[0073] 101 can be selected to be constant or variable. The seam 101 will be produced in particular in an automated process, for example, using the system 800 shown in Fig. 8.

[0074] Information data relating, for example, to the textile product 100 are imaged in the predetermined pattern 102, which is formed by a corresponding seam 101, and in particular imaged in an encrypted or encoded manner.

[0075] The seam 101 is permanently and unalterably connected to the textile material 110. The seam 101 cannot be subsequently altered after the yarn has been sewn in without leaving recognizable traces in the textile material 110. For example, areas of the seam 101, or in particular the beginning or end of the seam, can be glued or welded to the textile material 110, so that loosening the seam 101 leads to damage to the textile material 110. The seam 101 has a first information area 104, which has the predetermined pattern 102, and a second information area 105, which has the predetermined pattern 102, wherein the first information area 104 is spaced from the second information area 105. Thus, the seam 101 has redundant areas in which the pattern 102 is depicted.If the pattern in the first information area 104 is disrupted, for example, due to a defect in the first information area 104, this information from the pattern 102 can be read out from the second information area 105. This ensures reliable availability of the information encoded in the pattern 102.

[0076] Furthermore, the textile product 100 can have a further seam 106 sewn into the textile material 110, wherein the further seam 106 in the example has another predetermined pattern 107, which is indicative of further information data relating to the textile product 100. The seam 101 and the further seam 106 are in particular formed at a distance from one another.

[0077] The seam 101 further comprises an initial character 108, which represents a visually recognizable beginning and / or a reading direction for reading the predetermined pattern 102. This enables a recognition option for determining the reading direction (along the seam) or the beginning of reading (of information in a seam 101). This can be realized, for example, by an additional information element (initial character 108, initial position indicative of a beginning of reading) or a sequence of information elements, for example, a synchronization element after an unmodulated seam zone and the beginning of the encoded information. The textile product 100 further comprises a decoding element 109, in particular a label or tag, which is permanently and unalterably connected to the textile material 110.The decoding element 109 has an encryption rule by means of which the information data from the predetermined pattern 102 can be decrypted. The decoding element 109 forms the encryption rule, in particular, in a serial number or a non-fugible token. Accordingly, the decoding element 109 has a code as the encryption rule. For example, the encryption rule can specify which information can be read from the specific stitch spacing of the seam 101 or the specific yarn thickness of the seam 101 in the predetermined pattern 102.

[0078] A label as a decoding element 109 can, for example, be sewn into the seam 103 of the textile material 110. The seam 101 or the predetermined pattern 101 and the label as a decoding element 109 can contain complementary information. In particular, a code / encryption rule (e.g., a barcode or a QR code) can be applied to the label, which establishes the link with the predetermined pattern 102 to the information data or seam information. The code, so to speak, forms the encryption rule for how the predetermined pattern 102 can be decrypted.

[0079] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a seam 101 with an exemplary predetermined pattern 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The seam 101 is formed from a yarn which, as a yarn property, has a variable yarn thickness dl, d2 and / or a predetermined color gradient, such that the predetermined pattern 102 can be formed at least partially from a yarn thickness variation dl, d2 and / or the predetermined color gradient along the yarn. Thus, a predetermined pattern 102 is generated in which the information data is encoded by varying the yarn thickness dl, d2 and / or by a color variation integrated in the yarn gradient. For the yarn thickness variation, for example, the upper and lower threads of a seam 101 can be of different thicknesses.

[0080] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a predetermined pattern 102, which is represented by two seams 101, 106 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the pattern 101 can be formed by both or a further plurality of seams 101, 106. Thus, a higher information density can be represented in the pattern 102 due to the different shapes of the seams 101, 106. In particular, an additional seam 106 can be laid next to the one seam 101 (main seam), which encodes information, or several adjacent seams 101, 106 can form the pattern 102 and be used accordingly for information encoding. The distance between the seams 101, 106 can be used as an information encoding element that co-forms the predetermined pattern 102.

[0081] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a seam 101 made from two superimposed yarns 401, 402 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The yarns 401, 402 have different yarn properties that are optically detectable, so that the predetermined pattern 102 can be formed using the different yarns 401, 402. The different yarn properties can be defined, in particular, by different yarn thicknesses, different yarn colors, and / or different yarn materials.

[0082] One yarn 401 can be a top thread and another yarn 402 can be a

[0083] Form the lower thread, wherein the predetermined pattern 102 is formed from a predetermined variation of the upper thread and the lower thread. Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a seam 101 with a corresponding seam shape and stitch width 502 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] The predetermined pattern 102 can, for example, be formed such that the seam 101 has a specific stitch width 502, which is defined between two spaced-apart punctures through the textile material 110. For example, some regions of the seam can have a first stitch width 502 and other regions a second stitch width 502, wherein the corresponding regions of the stitch width are indicative of specific information data 501. The illustrated pattern regions are formed by the seam 101 with a specific waveform (for example, with a corresponding amplitude), wherein each waveform has an angular zigzag waveform.

[0085] The information data 501 can thus have an information content that can be represented in particular by at least one bit 1 / 0, wherein the seam 101 is designed such that at least two pattern properties are formed in the predetermined pattern 102 to represent the information content. A pattern property can be defined, for example, by defining predetermined stitch properties, such as the stitch width 502 and the seam shape between two stitches of the seam 101, to represent information data 501, for example a bit (0 / 1). For example, several stitch properties represent one bit (example of information content). Thus, via correspondingly repeating pattern sections having a corresponding amplitude and stitch widths 502, the bit sequence 11011000100 shown as an example can be represented and thus represent a readable, compilable code.A control unit can accordingly have a compiler which translates source codes of the bit sequence as machine language into a form that can be executed by a computer. Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a seam 101 with different predetermined patterns 102 comprising different information data 501 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example, the encryption rule can specify that a certain number of stitches of the seam 101 and accordingly, for example, a certain number of amplitude deflections in a defined length section of the seam 101 result in the bit value 1 and correspondingly another certain number of amplitude deflections in another defined length section of the seam 101 result in the bit value 0.This type of encryption rule can, for example, be mapped on the label or tag as decoding element 109 or obtained from a database.

[0086] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a textile fabric 110 with a seam 110 having different distances 701, 702 from an edge 111 and an inner seam 103 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the predetermined pattern 102 is further defined based on a local configuration of the seam 101 in relation to a reference feature of the textile material 110. The reference feature is, in particular, a width, a shape, and / or a profile relative to a fabric feature, in particular the edge 111 or the seam 103.

[0087] The distance 701 of the seam to the fabric edge 111 or the distance 702 of the seam to the hem 103 or the distance 702 to a central area or to the inner fabric end of the textile material 110 can be indicative of certain information data 501.

[0088] Likewise, a readout definition can be made taking into account the inside and / or outside of the textile material 110, and / or taking into account the distance 701 of the seam 101 to an edge 111 of the textile material 101. Thus, the seam 101 or the beginning of the seam and the reading direction of the seam 101 can be defined even without the presence of an initial character 108.

[0089] Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of a system 800 for producing a textile product 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system 800 comprises a control unit 802 with a database unit 803 in which predetermined patterns 102 are stored that are indicative of information data 501 of the textile product.

[0090] 100. Furthermore, the system 800 has a sewing machine 801, which is coupled by means of the control unit 802 such that at least one seam

[0091] 101 with the predetermined pattern 102 indicative of information data 501 of the textile product 100 can be sewn into the textile material 110 of the textile product 100.

[0092] The sewing machine 801 can be controlled fully automatically by the control unit 802, which, on the one hand, has knowledge of the manufacturing data of the textile product 100 and, on the other hand, has knowledge of the information data 501 to be reproduced in the seam 101. In particular, the control unit 802 has knowledge of the algorithm with which the desired information data 501 is to be reproduced in the pattern 102. Accordingly, the control unit 802 can control the sewing machine 801 to form the seam 101 based on the pattern 102 to be reproduced.

[0093] The database unit 803 has encryption rules by means of which information data 501 in an associated predetermined pattern

[0094] 102 can be displayed, wherein the control unit 802 is configured to generate a predetermined pattern 102 for the seam 101 based on the information data 501 to be displayed (and accordingly taking the encryption rules into account). The control unit 802 is coupled to the sewing machine 801 such that, based on the selected pattern 102, the corresponding seam 101 can be sewn into the textile material 110 by means of the sewing machine 801. The predetermined pattern 101 is automatically generated by the control unit 802 based on the encryption rules and the information data 501 to be displayed and transferred to the sewing machine 801.

[0095] Furthermore, the system 800 for producing the textile product 100 comprises a fabric guide system 804 for guiding the textile material 110 during sewing, wherein the control unit 802 is coupled to the fabric guide system 804 and the sewing machine 801 such that the sewing of the predetermined pattern 102 and further patterns 107 can be implemented by controlling the guidance of the textile material 110. The fabric guide system 804 and, for example, a fabric transport system of the sewing machine thus have less displacement resistance when guiding the seam 101.

[0096] Furthermore, the system 800 for producing the textile product 100 comprises a color printer 805 for printing a yarn 401 of the seam 101, wherein the color printer 805 is coupled to the control unit 802 such that a predetermined color gradient can be printed onto the yarn 401, so that the predetermined pattern 102 can be formed at least partially from the predetermined color gradient along the yarn 401. In the illustrated example, the color printer is arranged in particular upstream of the sewing machine 801 in order to color the yarn 401 before sewing the seam 101. Thus, the seam 101 can be formed from a yarn 401 whose color gradient is adjusted during the sewing process.

[0097] Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of a system 900 for reading information data 501 of a textile product 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system 900 comprises a readout device 901 for optically detecting the seam 101 with the predetermined pattern 102, which is indicative of information data 501 relating to the textile product. Furthermore, the system 900 comprises a readout control unit 902 comprising a database unit 903, wherein the database unit 902 comprises encryption rules by means of which information data 501 can be read out from the detected predetermined pattern 102.

[0098] The readout device 901 has, for example, a camera that captures an image of the pattern 102, which is then analyzed, for example, using image processing software in the readout control unit 802. The readout device 901 can, for example, represent a mobile handheld device, such as a smartphone. The readout control unit 902 can, for example, have a corresponding processor for processing the image data and for processing the encryption rules, which are stored, for example, in the database unit 903. The readout control unit 902 can accordingly be integrated, for example, in the readout device 901. The readout control unit 901 can, for example, be formed by a processor of the mobile handheld device.

[0099] The textile product 100 can have a product label 904 on which predetermined information data 501 is optically detectably displayed, wherein the readout device 901 is configured to capture an image comprising the seam 101 with the predetermined pattern 102 and the product label 904. The readout control unit 902 is configured to read out information data 501 from the detected predetermined pattern 102 and compare it with the predetermined information data 501. The product label 904 can, for example, contain information related to the information data 501 encoded in the seam 101. This makes it possible to check the correctness of the label code on the product label 904 and the seam information or information data 501 with the common readout control device 902.

[0100] Using a readout control unit 902 and a corresponding camera as the readout device 901, the predetermined pattern 102 can be imaged, and the encryption rule on the decoding element 109 can be read out simultaneously or sequentially. On the software side, the encryption rule can now be applied to the recorded predetermined pattern 102, and the information data 501 can be read out accordingly.

[0101] Additionally, it should be noted that "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

[0102] List of reference symbols:

[0103] 100 Textiles I product 800 manufacturing system

[0104] 101 Seam 801 Sewing Machine

[0105] 102 predetermined pattern 802 control unit

[0106] 103 Hem 803 Database Unit

[0107] 104 first information area 804 material guidance system

[0108] 105 second information area 805 color printer

[0109] 106 additional seams

[0110] 107 further predetermined pattern 900 readout system

[0111] 108 initial characters 901 reading device

[0112] 109 Decoding element 902 Readout control unit

[0113] 110 Textile material 903 database unit

[0114] 111 Rand 904 Product label

[0115] 401 yarn dl yarn thickness

[0116] 402 additional yarn d2 additional yarn thickness

[0117] 501 Information data

[0118] 502 stitch width

[0119] 701 Distance edge / seam

[0120] 702 Distance / Inside Hem

Claims

Patent claims 1. Textile product (100) comprising a textile material (110) and a seam (101) sewn into the textile material (110), wherein the seam (101) has a predetermined pattern (102) which is indicative of information data (501) relating to the textile product (100) and which is optically detectable.

2. Textile product (100) according to claim 1, wherein the seam (101) is permanently and unalterably connected to the textile material (110).

3. Textile product (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined pattern (102) is further definable based on a local formation of the seam (101) in relation to a reference feature of the textile material (110), wherein the reference feature in particular forms a width and / or a shape of the textile material (110) and / or forms a course of the textile material (110) to a fabric feature, in particular an edge (111), a hem (103), a buttonhole, a corner, a predetermined pattern (102) and / or a connecting fabric of the fabric workpiece.

4. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the seam (101) has a first information area (104) which has the predetermined pattern (102) and a second information area (105) which has the predetermined pattern (102), wherein the first information area (104) is formed at a distance from the second information area (105).

5. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the seam (101) is designed such that the predetermined pattern (102) is optically detectable on a surface, in particular exclusively on a surface, of the textile material (110), in particular by means of a camera or a camera of a mobile device.

6. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a further seam (106) which is sewn into the textile material (110), wherein the further seam (106) has the predetermined pattern (102) or another predetermined pattern (107) which is indicative of further information data (501) relating to the textile product (100), wherein the seam (101) and the further seam (106) are in particular formed at a distance from one another.

7. Textile product (100) according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined pattern (102) is formed by means of at least the seam (101) and the adjacent further seam (106).

8. Textile product (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a distance between the seam (101) and a further seam (106) and / or the formation of the seam (101) and the further seam (106) on an inner and / or outer edge (111) of the textile material (110) can be used to define the predetermined pattern and to read out the information data (501).

9. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the information data (501) is selected from one of the group consisting of opaque data, numbers, order numbers, source material identifiers, production lot identifications, serial numbers, security codes, key and reference numbers.

10. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the information data (501) comprises a security code comprising a cross sum, redundancy data and / or a checksum, which is indicative of a correct reproduction of the information data (501).

11. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the information data (501) have at least one information content which can be represented in particular by at least one bit, wherein the seam (101) is designed such that at least two pattern properties are formed in the predetermined pattern (102) in order to represent the information content.

12. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the seam (101) has an initial mark (108) and / or occupies an initial position, which represents a visually recognizable beginning and / or a reading direction for reading the predetermined pattern.

13. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the reading direction for reading the predetermined pattern can be determined on the basis of a readout definition, wherein the readout definition can be defined in particular by taking into account the inside and / or outside of the textile material (110), and / or by taking into account the distance (701) of the seam (101) to an edge (111) of the textile material (110).

14. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the seam (101) is formed from a yarn (401) which forms a higher contrast under predetermined lighting conditions than with standard illuminant D65.

15. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the seam (101) is formed from a yarn (401) which has a variable yarn thickness (d1, d2) and / or a predetermined color gradient as a yarn property, so that the predetermined pattern (102) can be formed at least partially from a yarn thickness variation and / or the predetermined color gradient along the yarn (401).

16. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the seam (101) is formed from at least two different yarns (401, 402), wherein the yarns (401, 402) have different yarn properties that are optically detectable, so that the predetermined pattern (102) can be formed by means of the different yarns (401, 402), wherein the different yarn properties can be defined in particular by different yarn thicknesses (dl, d2), different yarn colors, and / or different yarn material.

17. Textile product (100) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the yarn (401) is formed such that the yarn property is not visible under standard illuminant D65.

18. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the seam (101) is formed from an upper thread and a lower thread, wherein the predetermined pattern (102) is formed from a predetermined variation of the upper thread and the lower thread.

19. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising a decoding element, in particular a label or a tag, which is permanently and unalterably connected to the textile material (110), wherein the decoding element (109) has an encryption rule by means of which the information data (501) can be decrypted from the predetermined pattern (102), wherein the decoding element (109) maps the encryption rule in particular in a serial number or a non-fugible token.

20. Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the textile product (100) is a medical product.

21. System for producing a textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the system comprises a control unit (802) with a database unit (803) in which predetermined patterns (102, 107) are stored which are indicative of information data (501) of the textile product (100), a sewing machine (801) which is coupled by means of the control unit (802) such that at least one seam (101) with the predetermined pattern (102) indicative of information data (501) of the textile product (100) can be sewn into the textile material (110) of the textile product (100).

22. System according to claim 21, further comprising wherein the database unit (803) has encryption rules by means of which information data (501) can be represented in an associated predetermined pattern (102), wherein the control unit (802) is configured to generate a predetermined pattern (102) for the seam (101) based on the information data (501) to be represented, wherein the control unit (802) is coupled to the sewing machine (801) such that, based on the selected pattern (102), the corresponding seam (101) can be sewn into the textile material (110) by means of the sewing machine (801).

23. System according to claim 21 or 22, further comprising a fabric guide system (804) for guiding the textile material (110) during sewing, wherein the control unit (802) is coupled to the fabric guide system (804) and the sewing machine (801) such that the sewing of the predetermined pattern (102) can be implemented by controlling the guidance of the textile material (110).

24. System according to one of claims 21 to 23, further comprising a color printer (805) for printing a yarn (401) of the seam (101), wherein the color printer (805) is coupled to the control unit (802) in such a way that a predetermined color gradient can be printed onto the yarn (401), so that the predetermined pattern (102) can be formed at least partially from the predetermined color gradient along the yarn (401), wherein the color printer (805) is arranged in particular upstream of the sewing machine (801) in order to color the yarn (401) before sewing the seam (101), or wherein the color printer (805) is arranged in particular downstream of the sewing machine (801) in order to color the yarn (401) after sewing the seam (101) into the textile material (110) of the textile product (100).

25. System for reading information data (501) of a textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the system comprises a readout device (901) for optically detecting the seam (101) with the predetermined pattern (102) which is indicative of information data (501) relating to the textile product (100), and a readout control unit (902) comprising a database unit (903), wherein the database unit (903) has encryption rules by means of which information data (501) can be read out from the detected predetermined pattern (102).

26. System according to claim 25, wherein the database unit (903) has verification data which in particular represent a manufacturer of the textile product (100), a material of the textile material (110) of the textile product (100), a batch number of the textile product (100) and / or a serial number of the textile product (100), wherein the readout control unit (902) is configured to compare the readout information data (501) with the verification data, wherein the readout control unit (902) is configured to display a result of the comparison in a display device, in particular a mobile device, preferably a smartphone, or to print it out as a certificate by means of a printer unit.

27. System according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the textile product (100) has a product label (904) on which predetermined information data (501) is optically detectably displayed, wherein the readout device (901) is designed to record an image comprising the seam (101) with the predetermined pattern (102) and the product label, wherein the readout control unit (901) is configured to read out information data (501) from the detected predetermined pattern (102) and to compare it with the predetermined information data (501).

28. Method for reading information data (501) of a Textile product (100) according to one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the method comprises optically detecting the seam (101) with the predetermined pattern (102) which is indicative of information data (501) relating to the textile product (100), and Reading out information data (501) from the detected predetermined pattern (102) by means of a readout control unit having a database unit (903), wherein the database unit (903) has encryption rules by means of which the information data (501) can be read out from the detected predetermined pattern (102).

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