method for designing a knitted garment

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a method (100) comprising the steps of: determining (120) the size and shape of a two-dimensional surface graphically representing at least one part of the garment to be knitted; defining (130) on the two-dimensional surface at least one knitting area comprising: determining (131) the position, size, and shape of the at least one knitting area; and defining (132) at least one knitting characteristic different from at least one other part of the two-dimensional surface, the at least one different knitting characteristic being a size and / or shape of a knitting stitch and / or a type of at least one yarn used for the knitting stitch; and displaying (140) the two-dimensional surface and / or a three-dimensional rendering of the garment to be knitted. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: method for designing a knitted garment TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of knitted clothing.

[0002] The present invention relates to a method of designing a knitted garment and in particular to a method of designing a knitted garment comprising at least one knitting zone with at least one specific knitting characteristic. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Knitting, like weaving, is a technique used to make fabric from yarn. Knitting consists of loops, called stitches, passed through each other. The active stitches are held on needles until they can be blocked by passing a new stitch through them.

[0004] In weaving, the threads are always straight and parallel, either lengthwise or widthwise. Conversely, the thread of a knitted garment follows a meandering path, forming symmetrical loops or stitches successively above and below the mean path.

[0005] Many types of clothing can be knitted, such as socks, sweaters, gloves, or even hats. By varying the characteristics of the knit, such as the size and / or the type of stitch and / or the nature of the yarn used and / or the color of the yarn used, it is even possible to give the knitted garment specific technical properties. These specific technical properties may, for example, be compression and / or protection and / or ventilation of a part of the body of the future user of the knitted garment. In addition, these specific technical properties may be localized on the knitted garment. A knitted garment may, for example, comprise several zones, each having specific technical properties. "Decathlon®", for example, offers clothing specifically adapted to one or more sports."Decathlon®" for example, offers socks dedicated to running which promote compression of the runner's calf. This compression of the calf by the knitted sock is obtained by knitting a specific area of ​​the sock using a specific type of yarn and / or tight stitches.

[0006] In order to ensure that the size of a garment to be knitted is adapted to the future user of the garment, it is common to have the garment tried on once it has been knitted. Thus, design errors are detected through this test. After this test, either the garment can be corrected, for example by unraveling certain parts of the garment, or a second garment is knitted by correcting the errors detected on the first knitted garment. This trial-and-error design represents a waste of time and money but also a waste of knitting yarn. In addition, this design does not allow that limited design accuracy is achieved unless the number of stages of testing the knitted garment and correcting detected errors is multiplied. This lack of precision is particularly detrimental for garments with specific technical properties located on one or more parts of the garment.

[0007] There is therefore a need to provide a method of designing a knitted garment which solves, at least partially, the problems of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention offers a solution to the problems mentioned above, by providing a method for designing a knitted garment. The term "design" designates the action of developing the design of the knitted garment, the design being visible in the form of a two-dimensional rendering, denoted 2D in the remainder of the application, and / or in three dimensions, denoted 3D. The invention makes it possible in particular to electronically visualize a graphic representation of the knitted garment corresponding realistically to the knitted garment. Thus, it is possible to adjust the designs of said knitted garment in good time before its manufacture. The realism of the graphic representation of the knitted garment is made possible in particular by the use of a 2D surface on which precise zones are defined. In addition, each zone has at least one specific knitting characteristic giving it a specific technical property.

[0009] A first aspect of the invention relates to a computer-implemented method comprising steps of: • determining a size and a shape of a two-dimensional surface, the two-dimensional surface being a graphical representation of at least a portion of the garment to be knitted, a pixel of the two-dimensional surface corresponding to a knitting point of the garment to be knitted, • definition on the two-dimensional surface of at least one knitting zone comprising: • a determination of a position, size and shape of the at least one knitting area, and • a definition of at least one different knitting characteristic of at least one other part of the two-dimensional surface, the at least one different knitting characteristic being a size and / or a shape of knitting stitch and / or a type of at least one yarn used for the knitting stitch, and • display of the two-dimensional surface and / or a three-dimensional rendering of the garment to be knitted.

[0010] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to design a knitted garment comprising at least one knitting zone having specific knitting characteristics in a manner precise. Indeed, one or more complex geometric shapes can be determined during the design of the garment to be knitted. These complex geometric shapes can, for example, concern at least one knitting area having at least one specific knitting characteristic. In addition, the visualization of a graphic representation of this garment to be knitted, whether in the form of a 2D surface or a 3D rendering, allows the designer to identify design errors. Thus, there is no longer any need to manufacture prototypes that the future user must try in order to identify the modifications to be made.

[0011] In addition to the characteristics which have just been mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the method according to a first aspect of the invention may have one or more complementary characteristics among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations: • The method further comprises steps of: • selection of at least one decorative pattern from a predetermined set of decorative patterns, and • application of at least one selected decorative pattern to at least part of the two-dimensional surface; • The method further comprises final steps of: • generation and sending of a file, including the two-dimensional surface, to a knitting machine, and • knitting of the garment to be knitted by the knitting machine; • The method further comprises an initial step of: • obtaining a three-dimensional virtual model of a part of the body of a future user of the garment to be knitted, and in which • the determination of the size and / or shape of the two-dimensional surface is carried out from at least one size and / or shape of the virtual model, and / or • the determination of the position, size and shape of the at least one knitting area is carried out from the at least one position and / or the at least one size and / or the shape of the virtual model, and / or • the display of the three-dimensional rendering of the garment to be knitted is carried out jointly with the display of a rendering of the three-dimensional virtual model of the part of the body of the future user; • the size and shape of the at least one knitting area is determined from an outline of the area comprising at least a portion of the outline, each portion of the outline of the area being defined by a polynomial function; • the garment to be knitted is a sock suitable for the practice of a physical activity; • at least one additional two-dimensional surface is determined, each of the at least two two-dimensional surfaces corresponding to a layer of the garment to be knitted.

[0012] A second aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the method according to the invention.

[0013] A third aspect of the invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the method according to the invention.

[0014] A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising the means adapted to execute the method according to the invention.

[0015] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] The figures are presented for information purposes only and in no way limit the invention. • [Fig.l] shows a block diagram illustrating the steps of an example of the method according to the invention. • [Fig.2] shows a block diagram illustrating the sub-steps of an example of the step of defining on the two-dimensional surface at least one knitting zone according to the invention. • [Fig.3] illustrates a 2D surface corresponding to a part of a knitting sock that can be designed with the method according to the invention. • [Fig.4] illustrates a 2D surface corresponding to a part of a knitting sock comprising knitting zones having at least one specific characteristic that can be designed with the method according to the invention. • Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate options for displaying a 2D surface and a 3D rendering of the garment to be knitted compatible with the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing in different figures has a single reference.

[0018] [Fig.l] is a block diagram illustrating the steps of an example of the method 100 according to the invention. The mandatory steps of the example of the method 100 are indicated by a solid line rectangle and the optional steps are indicated by a dotted line rectangle.

[0019] The method 100 according to the invention is implemented by computer. By “computer implemented”, it is understood that the steps, or substantially all of the steps, are executed by at least one computer or processor or any other similar system. Thus, steps are performed by the computer, possibly fully automatically, or semi-automatically. In examples, the triggering of at least some of the steps of these methods may be carried out by user-computer interaction. The level of user-computer interaction required may depend on the level of automation intended and balanced against the need to implement the user's wishes. In examples, this level may be user-defined and / or predefined.

[0020] A typical example of a computer implementation of a method is to execute the method with a system adapted for this purpose. The system may comprise a processor coupled to a memory and a graphical user interface (GUI), the memory having recorded thereon a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method. The memory may also store a database. Memory is any hardware adapted for such storage, possibly comprising several distinct physical parts.

[0021] Method 100 is a method for designing a knitted garment. Method 100 is particularly suitable for designing a knitted garment using a circular knitting technique, called "circular knitting" in English, or a seamless knitting technique, called "seamless" in English. Circular knitting or knitting in the round is a form of knitting that creates a seamless tube. Working in the round begins with slip stitches, as in flat knitting, but by joining the ends of this row of stitches to form a circle. The knitting is worked in the round which forms the tube by wrapping itself in a helix. The seamless knitting technique makes it possible to produce a complete garment without bulky stitches or joining parts of the garment. It can be implemented using circular and / or V-bed knitting machines, called "V Bed Knitting machines" in English.In one example, the method is implemented to design a garment suitable for practicing a physical activity such as a glove or a sock.

[0022] A first optional step 110 of the method 100 comprises obtaining a 3D virtual model representing a part of a body of a future user of the garment to be knitted. The term “obtaining” corresponds in the present application to a reception and / or a generation and / or a calculation. Thus, an external surface of the part of the body of the future user can be scanned or photographed and virtually reconstructed in a 3D space. For example, step 110 can be implemented using a mobile phone comprising a camera. By taking at least two photos of the same part of the body from two different viewing angles, it is possible to reconstruct this part of the body in three dimensions. Alternatively, it is also possible to use a mobile phone comprising a LiDAR sensor, for “Light Detection and Ranging » in English. LiDAR is a technology that analyzes and measures the distance between an object and a sensor by sending laser pulses. The LiDAR sensor also has the advantage of being very accurate and working even in low light conditions. With a phone that includes a LiDAR sensor, a user can therefore obtain a 3D virtual model of a part of their body that is very accurate, that is, the 3D virtual model faithfully reproduces the user's body part by minimizing the difference in shape and surface area between the envelope of the 3D virtual model and the modeled body part. The 3D virtual model thus makes it possible to reproduce the shape and size of the part of the future user's body on which the knitted garment will be used.This makes it possible to design a knitted garment that takes into account the shape and size of the body part of the future user wearing the knitted garment. This is particularly interesting for people with an atypical morphology, that is to say, having a significant difference in terms of size and / or weight from the average morphology of the population. In addition, some people, due to their intense practice of physical activity, may also have an atypical morphology, for example due to significant muscle mass.

[0023] A second step 120 of the method 100 comprises determining a size and a shape of a 2D surface. The size and shape of the 2D surface are determined in particular as a function of the type of garment to be knitted. For example, for the design of a sock to be knitted, two rectangular surfaces can be used. The first surface corresponds to the part of the sock covering the toes and the second surface corresponds to the rest of the sock. The first surface comprises, for example, 575 pixels in length and 200 pixels in width. The second surface comprises, for example, 190 pixels in length and 200 pixels in width.For other application areas, it is possible to use larger 2D surface sizes, for example with one side of the surface comprising several thousand pixels. The ratio between the size of a 2D surface and the actual size of the part of the garment to be knitted can determine the density of the knitting stitches. An example of such a second surface is illustrated in [Fig.3]. [Fig.3] therefore illustrates a 2D surface, noted 300, corresponding to a part of the sock covering the calf, ankle and foot with the exception of the toes of a future user. In a second example, for the design of a knitting glove, the 2D surfaces used are not all rectangular in shape. For example, the 2D surfaces corresponding to the part of the glove covering the fingertips, for example covering the distal phalanx of each finger, can have a triangular shape.The method 100 is compatible with one or more 2D surfaces of different shapes and sizes for the design of the same knitted garment. In addition, each 2D surface can take a geo shape. metric and any size, the only constraint being that the geometric shape and size allow the design of at least one part of the garment to be knitted. For example, it is possible to use the 3D virtual model of a part of a body of a future user of the garment to be knitted in order to determine the shape and size of one or more 2D surfaces.

[0024] Each 2D surface is a graphical representation of at least a portion of the garment to be knitted. Thus, the 2D surface can be divided into a finite number of pixels. Each pixel of the 2D surface represents a knitting stitch of the garment to be knitted. In addition, each pixel corresponds to a memory storage space making it possible to define at least one piece of information concerning the knitting stitch. The memory storage space can, for example, be adapted to store one or more numbers. In one example, the pixel comprises color information, for example in the form RGB for “Red Green Blue” in English, or RGB A, for “Red Green Blue Alpha” in English. The storage space makes it possible, for example, to retrieve information concerning the type of yarn used for the knitting stitch corresponding to the pixel. For example, if the storage space comprises a color, each color can correspond in a predetermined manner to a type of yarn.Thus, a correspondence list between a color and a type of yarn can be determined before implementing the method 100. The yarn type information can include information concerning the nature of the yarn and / or the diameter of the yarn. The storage space can also make it possible to find any other information useful to the knitting machine to produce the corresponding knitting stitch. For example, the storage space can also make it possible to find information concerning a knitting characteristic such as a size and / or a shape of knitting stitch.

[0025] A third step 130 of the method 100 comprises a definition on the 2D surface of at least one knitting zone having at least one knitting characteristic different from at least one other part of the 2D surface. In other words, during this step 130, at least one knitting zone having at least one specific knitting characteristic is defined on the 2D surface. The term “specific” means in the present application “different from at least one other part of the 2D surface”. The definition of this at least one knitting zone can for example be carried out by a user. Alternatively, the definition of this at least one knitting zone can also be automatic or semi-automatic for example using the virtual model obtained in step 110. For example, the size and shape of a knitting zone can be automatically defined from an area defined on the 3D virtual model.The automatic definition of the knitting area allowing the area defined on the 3D virtual model to be completely covered. [Fig.2] is a block diagram illustrating the sub-steps of step 130 according to the invention.

[0026] A first sub-step 131 of step 130 comprises a determination of a position, a size and a shape of the at least one knitting area. The position of the at least one knitting area may be the relative position of the at least one knitting area with respect to the 2D surface. The position of a knitting area may be determined from the relative position of one or more points of the knitting area on the 2D surface. The position of a knitting area may further comprise the relative orientation of the knitting area with respect to the 2D surface. The size of the knitting area may for example be determined by specifying a number of pixels or be relative to the size of the 2D surface. The shape of the at least one knitting area may be any geometric shape. The shape and size of the at least one knitting area may be defined from a line forming the outline of the area.The line forming the contour being for example the succession of pixels located at the edge of the knitting area. In one example, compatible with the previous examples, the contour of the area comprises one or more contour parts. Each contour part can thus be defined by a polynomial function. In other words, the line representing the part of the contour follows a polynomial function. This polynomial function can be defined by a user or semi-automatically or automatically using the 3D virtual model obtained in step 110. Thus the shape of the at least one knitting area can be complex, that is to say defined from at least one polynomial function of order greater than 2. This complex shape can for example make it possible to take into account a calculation of a progressive transition of the values ​​of specific knitting characteristics of an area.For example, the complex shape can accommodate a gradual variation, along one direction, of a variation in a knitting stitch size.

[0027] A second sub-step 132 of step 130 comprises a definition of at least one specific knitting characteristic of the at least one knitting zone. A specific knitting characteristic is a knitting characteristic different from at least one other part of the 2D surface. Thus, each knitting zone has at least one specific knitting characteristic such as a size and / or a shape of knitting stitch and / or a type of at least one yarn used for the knitting stitch. This at least one specific knitting characteristic makes it possible to obtain a technical effect such as compression of a part of the body of the future user, protection for a part of the body of the future user, ventilation of a part of the body of the future user, a water-repellent effect for a part of the body. For example, the protective effect is obtained by using a yarn of large diameter so that the thickness of the garment to be knitted is increased.Thus, in the event of an impact, the thickness of the garment to be knitted will absorb the impact. [Fig.4] illustrates a 2D surface, noted 400, corresponding to the part of the sock covering the calf, the ankle and the foot with the exception of the toes of a future user. lizer. This surface 400 comprises seven knitting zones denoted 401 to 407. Thus each knitting zone 401 to 407 has a specific knitting characteristic, that is to say different from part of the surface 410 and / or from another knitting zone 401 to 407, giving it a technical effect.

[0028] A fourth step 140 of the method 100 comprises a display of the 2D surface and / or a 3D rendering of the garment to be knitted. [Fig. 5] illustrates three display options, denoted 501 to 503 of the 2D surface 300 of [Fig. 3]. The first display option 140 is the display of the 2D surface 501. The second display option 140 is the display of the 3D rendering 502 of the garment to be knitted or possibly a part of the garment to be knitted. The 3D rendering is generated using the UV mapping technique. UV mapping is a 3D modeling process consisting of projecting a 2D image onto the surface of a 3D model to apply a texture to it. The letters U and V designate the axes of the 2D texture. Thus, in the method according to the invention, the 2D surface 300 is projected onto the surface of the generic 3D virtual model representing a part of the user's body. When step 110 is performed, the 3D virtual model used may be the one obtained at this step.In step 140, the 3D virtual model may or may not be displayed. The third option is the display of the 3D rendering 503 with the rendering of the virtual model 504. [Fig. 6] similarly illustrates three display options, denoted 601 to 603 of the 2D surface 400 of [Fig. 4]. The first display option 140 is the display of the 2D surface 601. The second display option 140 is the display of the 3D rendering 602 of the garment to be knitted or possibly a part of the garment to be knitted. The third option is the display of the 3D rendering 603 with the rendering of the virtual model 604.

[0029] A fifth optional step 150 of the method 100 comprises selecting at least one decorative pattern from a predetermined set of decorative patterns.

[0030] A sixth optional step 160 of the method 100 comprises applying the at least one decorative pattern selected in step 150 to at least a portion of the two-dimensional surface. For example, a library of decorative patterns may be made available to a user. Then, this user can choose at least one pattern from the library of decorative patterns. [Fig.7] illustrates an example of a decorative pattern 702 applied to a 2D surface denoted 701. A 3D rendering denoted 703 comprising the decorative pattern is also illustrated.

[0031] A seventh optional step 170 of the method 100 comprises generating and sending a file to a knitting machine. The file comprises the two-dimensional surface and is compatible with the knitting machine, which is capable of reading it and transcribing the information contained in the file into knitting instructions in order to knit the garment.

[0032] An optional eighth step 180 of the method 100 comprises knitting the garment to knit by knitting machine.

[0033] In one example, compatible with the previous examples, at least one additional 2D surface is determined in step 120. Thus, this makes it possible to design a knitted garment comprising several layers. Indeed, each 2D surface corresponds to a layer of the knitted garment. For example, it is possible to use a first layer comprising at least one knitting zone with at least one specific characteristic and to use a second layer comprising at least one decorative pattern. Other additional layers may be used, whether or not comprising at least one knitting zone with at least one specific characteristic.

Claims

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method (100) comprising steps of: - determining (120) a size and a shape of a two-dimensional surface, the two-dimensional surface being a graphical representation of at least a portion of a garment to be knitted, a pixel of the two-dimensional surface corresponding to a knitting stitch of the garment to be knitted, - defining (130) on the two-dimensional surface at least one knitting area comprising: • determining (131) a position, a size and a shape of the at least one knitting area, and • defining (132) at least one different knitting characteristic of at least one other portion of the two-dimensional surface, the at least one different knitting characteristic being a size and / or a shape of a knitting stitch and / or a type of at least one yarn used for the knitting stitch,and - displaying (140) the two-dimensional surface and / or a three-dimensional rendering of the garment to be knitted.,

2. Method (100) according to claim 1 further comprising steps of: - selecting (150) at least one decorative pattern from a predetermined set of decorative patterns, and - applying (160) the at least one selected decorative pattern to at least a portion of the two-dimensional surface.

3. A method (100) according to any preceding claim further comprising final steps of: - generating and sending (170) a file, comprising the two-dimensional surface, to a knitting machine, and - knitting (180) the garment to be knitted by the knitting machine.

4. A method (100) according to any preceding claim further comprising an initial step of: - obtaining (110) a three-dimensional virtual model of a part of a body of a future user of the garment to be knitted, and in which - the determination (120) of the size and / or the shape of the two-dimensional surface is carried out from at least one size and / or one shape of the virtual model, and / or - the determination (131) of the position, the size and the shape of the at least one knitting area is carried out from the at least one position and / or the at least one size and / or the shape of the virtual model, and / or - the display (140) of the three-dimensional rendering of the garment to be knitted is carried out jointly with the display of a rendering of the three-dimensional virtual model of the part of the body of the future user.

5. A method (100) according to any preceding claim wherein the size and shape of the at least one knitting area is determined from an outline of the area defined by at least one polynomial function.

6. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims in which the garment to be knitted is a sock suitable for practicing a physical activity.

7. A method (100) according to any preceding claim wherein at least one additional two-dimensional surface is determined (120), each of the at least two two-dimensional surfaces corresponding to a layer of the garment to be knitted.

8. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A computer-readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A system comprising a processor coupled to a memory and a graphical user interface adapted to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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