Printing systems and methods for textured fabrics

Abstract

A printing apparatus and method are provided for patterned fabrics, particularly fabrics having surface variations due to threading. These threadings can be, for example, stitches and / or bonds placed within the fabric that result in surface variations that create a pattern. The apparatus / method requires a vision system, which detects the threadings at a granular level (e.g., individual stitches) and then determines how the stitches are moving due to the stretching of the fabric. A computer and computer software adjust the print design (often a color design) to match the distortion / warping of the fabric. In some cases, the printer can print along the stitch lines with high precision and precise alignment, with a width not significantly different from the stitches. The fabric to be printed may have reference markers to help identify the threadings, and the printer can use a calibration process to align the printing system and the vision system.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The following relates to fabrics for printing, and more specifically, to systems and methods for printing fabrics having patterns in them by threading and variations in threading, such as stitching and bonding, to create surface variations that result in the fabric having a pattern. A print design is printed on top of this fabric pattern. [Background technology]

[0002] Patterned fabrics are used in a wide variety of applications, for example, to provide visual and tactile appeal to end users. Patterned fabrics are also useful for branding and marketing purposes, as logos or other designs can be woven / sewn / quilted into the fabric itself. These patterned fabrics have surface variations that give rise to the patterns. In the example of double jersey knit fabric, stitches are added to the fabric according to a pattern design that compresses the fabric with stitches to create a raised or surface variation. Areas without these stitches generally have a higher loft relative to the fabric than the loft at the stitches. This results in a surface variation that provides the pattern. Generally, these compressing stitches (foreground stitches) cross the base weave pattern on two faces of the fabric. These stitches are added during the weaving process as the fabric is being woven / manufactured. Another example is quilted fabric. These are generally made from two existing fabrics with a filling material placed between them, and then a large sewing machine compresses the fabric by moving a needle through the layers. Another example is a fabric where the type and pattern of the bonding can vary across the fabric to produce different textures, as well as the resulting patterns caused by the way the bonding is varied and arranged / oriented to produce these surface variations.

[0003] However, there are limitations to the color of patterned fabrics, as well as the ability to change the color and design. For example, double jersey knit fabric requires yarns of different colors to be woven with a changing color pattern, while the yarn consists of a single color along its length. In contrast, printing allows for an infinitely variable range of color choices. In the case of quilted fabric, if it is printed before the stitches that create the pattern are added, then once the fabric is printed, the quilting is added, and the fabric design cannot be changed to suit different customer needs, so this printing does not allow for much design freedom. Therefore, if the fabric is printed first and then quilted, only a single graphic design can be applied in terms of the colors to be printed. In this way, customization is limited.

[0004] The example of woven fabrics is also difficult because not only do changes in the bonding need to be made, but the color of the threads must also be changed to incorporate color designs into the fabric. Furthermore, once woven, it is not easy to change the color design, so customization is limited. Moreover, even if the fabric color is added during the weaving process, this is generally limited to a single-digit number of colors, whereas printing offers infinitely variable colors and a very high degree of design freedom. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide fabrics, printing equipment, and printing methods that solve these problems, while also offering high print quality and alignment, and enabling customization of print designs on patterned fabrics.

[0006] This system and the fabrics printed by it allow a camera to identify patterns at the thread level to be printed and to identify how the fabric is stretched or distorted, using threading, specifically the fabric changes created by the system. Two specific examples of threading that create patterns in fabric include stitching and bonding. Pattern stitching is commonly used in quilting, jacquard, or double jersey knit-like fabrics to create surface changes in the fabric that create patterns. These fabrics also have base stitches that typically constitute the majority of the fabric design adjacent to / between pattern stitches. These fabrics may be relatively plush in certain places and stuffed, and the pattern stitching design compresses the fabric, resulting in high spots and low spots, i.e., higher loft where pattern stitching is absent and lower loft where pattern stitching is present.

[0007] Threading (stitches in this example) is used by the scanner / imaging system to identify various stitches and then determine fabric distortion / stretch by comparing those stitches to their expected design positions. The system can identify pattern stitches, and conversely, it can also identify base stitches, in which case identifying base stitches will also indicate the presence of pattern stitches elsewhere. The system can also identify both pattern stitches and base stitches to determine fabric distortion. Therefore, stitch identification (e.g., pattern or base) is used by the system to print color designs / patterns in precise alignment with the fabric pattern.

[0008] Another example of threading as used herein is weaving. The term weaving is typically used to specify the weave pattern of a fabric. By changing the weaving, and depending on where the change occurs, variations in the fabric can be brought about, and a design can be woven into the fabric itself. Examples of weaving include plain weave, twill weave, atlas weave, and crepe weave, but there are many variations and examples known to those skilled in the art. Many fabrics are made of a large number of warp threads and a large number of weft threads that pass above or below the warp threads. The pattern of the weft threads passing above or below, or how many warp threads the weft threads skip, and where the texture is determined, can also change the texture depending on the type of yarn. Depending on how the texture of the fabric changes based on which weaving is used where and which pattern is used, these changes can be detected by a camera at the weaving level, for example, by identifying that the weft thread passes above two warp threads, then below one warp thread, and then above two warp threads again at a particular location. The combination of these patterns detected by the camera allows for a comparison with the weave design and its associated threadings, thereby determining the distortion (e.g., stretch) necessary for accurate printing of the design. As just one example, a company logo or trademark may be woven into a fabric with some degree of stretchability. It may then be desirable to print the logo in one or more colors, with adjacent sections printed in different colors. Achieving proper alignment and distortion of the print design relative to the actual state of the fabric is crucial for a high-quality and well-aligned print. Since threadings create the logo when woven into the fabric, identifying these threadings is important. Therefore, identifying the fabric and its pattern at the thread level substantially improves the accuracy of the print design and its alignment. Thus, by identifying threadings (e.g., threadings or stitches), it becomes possible to align the print design with high precision. Without such precision, the print design may be distorted relative to the fabric pattern, resulting in a low-quality appearance that lacks the same attractiveness or pricing advantage.This system identifies these threadings and then modifies the print design (often in color) to match how the fabric is distorted / curled.

[0009] One object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus, software, and printing method that enable printing on patterned fabric, and more particularly, aligning a print design with a pattern on the fabric.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a patterned fabric that assists printing apparatus and software in aligning the fabric.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to print a patterned fabric with a design while adjusting the stretch and / or other distortions of the fabric.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a patterned fabric having reference markings to assist in printer alignment / adjustment.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an imaging, transport, and printing system for scanning, moving, and printing patterned fabrics.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to identify threading within the fabric that indicates the fabric pattern, to use the threading to align and correct the printed design, thereby ensuring proper matching between the fabric pattern and the printed color pattern on the fabric. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] These and other objectives are achieved by providing a method for printing patterned fabric, the method comprising the steps of: imaging a section of patterned fabric with at least one imaging device to generate actual yarn data showing multiple threadings, wherein the multiple threadings are either multiple stitches in the fabric, where the stitches create low points in the fabric and result in a surface variation, or weave bonds that result in a surface variation, where the fabric has a pattern; and comparing the actual yarn data with design yarn data showing the expected positions of each of the multiple stitches or weave bonds, wherein the comparison step is equal to the design yarn data The process includes: determining a print adjustment that takes into account the distortion of the actual yarn data; adjusting print data that shows a print design to be printed on a pattern with respect to the design yarn data of a section of fabric, wherein the adjusting step determines actual print data that uses the print adjustment to adjust the print design to match the actual yarn data; printing the fabric using the actual print data; and moving the fabric to the next section of fabric and repeating the steps of imaging, comparing, adjusting, and printing for the next section and each subsequent section until the fabric is printed.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the imaging step further includes imaging an area of ​​the fabric that is expected to contain a position marking, where the position marking indicates the position on the fabric relative to a three-dimensional pattern. In other embodiments, when an expected position marking is detected, the comparison step, comparing the actual stitch data with the design stitch data, further uses the marking to calibrate its position in the imaged design stitch data. In other embodiments, the position marking is a plurality of stitches. In other embodiments, the position marking is a plurality of stitches within the weave edge of the fabric.

[0017] In certain embodiments, at least one imaging device is at the imaging position, and a moving device moves the section from the imaging position to a printing position associated with a printing unit for printing. Illumination is provided on at least one imaging device to assist in threading detection. In other embodiments, multiple sections of fabric are imaged before the sections of fabric are printed. In other embodiments, the moving device includes a belt, and an encoder measures the movement of the fabric between the imaging position and the printing position.

[0018] In other embodiments, the comparing, adjusting, and moving steps are performed by software running on a computer. In certain embodiments, the threading is a stitch, and when the fabric is printed with actual print data, one or more of the stitches are printed in a first color different from a second color printed on an area adjacent to the stitch, and the area adjacent to the stitch has a higher loft than the loft at the stitch.

[0019] Another objective is achieved by providing a printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a feed unit configured to move patterned fabric in the feed direction. An imaging unit is configured to image the fabric to detect multiple threadings within the fabric, thereby generating actual threading data, where the threadings result in surface changes in the fabric that cause the fabric to contain the pattern. A processor is configured to compare the actual threading data with design threading data indicating the expected location of each of the multiple threadings, and the comparison determines print adjustments that take into account the distortion of the actual threading data relative to the design threading data. The processor is further configured to adjust print data that indicates the print design to be printed on the three-dimensional pattern relative to the design threading data, and the adjustment determines actual print data that uses the print adjustments to adjust the print design to match the actual threading data. A printing unit is positioned downstream of the imaging unit along the feed direction, and the printing unit is configured to print on the fabric using the actual print data.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the imaging unit is configured to image multiple markers within the fabric, and the processor refers to at least one of the multiple markers against the design stitch data to determine the position within the imaged design stitch data. In other embodiments, the supply unit moves the next section of fabric to the printing unit for printing, and the actual print data for the next section is adjusted to align with the actual print data for the previous section of fabric. In other embodiments, an encoder measures the movement of the fabric by the supply unit and provides a signal to the processor. In other embodiments, the fabric is imaged as the supply unit moves the fabric through the imaging unit, and the signal from the encoder is used to determine the longitudinal position of the actual threading data, thereby the longitudinal position is used to align the fabric with the printing unit.

[0021] In other embodiments, the supply unit comprises an endless belt having a sticky or high-friction surface that prevents the fabric from sliding and / or stretching between the imaging unit and the printing unit. In other embodiments, the threading is a plurality of stitches within the fabric. In other embodiments, the threading is a plurality of woven bonds within the fabric.

[0022] Another objective is achieved by providing a fabric printer that utilizes a dynamic print buffer. The fabric printer includes an imaging unit configured to image the fabric and detect multiple threadings within multiple sections of the fabric, thereby generating actual threading data, where the threadings result in surface variations that pattern the fabric. A processor is configured to compare the actual threading data with design threading data for each section of the fabric, where the design threading data indicates the expected location of each of the multiple threadings. The comparison determines print adjustments that take into account the distortion of the actual threading data relative to the design threading data. The processor is further configured to adjust print data that indicates the print design to be printed on the pattern of the fabric relative to the design threading data. The print data represents the print design for multiple sections of the fabric, and the adjustment determines the actual print data for each section of the fabric, utilizing the print adjustments to adjust the print design to match the actual threading data for each section of the fabric. The printing unit is positioned downstream of the imaging unit along the supply direction and includes a print buffer configured to sequentially receive actual print data for each section of the fabric and to instruct the print head to print the fabric using the actual print data for each section of the fabric. In some cases, a semi-continuous printer is used, in which case the print head may print several print lines in each stroke and then move the fabric to print the next stroke. In this case, the dynamic print buffer collects print lines of actual print data until there are enough lines to print the stroke. Thus, the printing process is a start-and-stop process. Here, in this embodiment, the line-scan camera also operates in line mode, in which the image is scanned line by line, the intended pattern is broken down into line by line segments, then distorted to match the fabric, and then print lines for printing in the manner further described herein.Other printers can also be used, such as a type called a single-pass printer or a continuous printer. The semi-continuous printing head has a series of nozzles for spraying ink onto the fabric, and this printing head moves its nozzles across the fabric to spray various colors within the required area. A single-pass printer or a continuous printer may have a bank of nozzles across the full width of the printer for single color use, and on top of that, each additional color has a similar bank of nozzles but differs in that it supplies a different color. In this way, each color can have one location along the belt supply direction so that as the fabric moves, the fabric is printed first with colors C, M, Y, K as required. Thus, one printing line is sufficient for printing, but the speed of the belt is determined by how fast the printing line can be supplied to the printer.

[0023] In a semi-continuous process, the supply unit is configured such that each section of the fabric is imaged by the imaging unit to generate the actual print data for each section of the fabric. Then, the supply unit sequentially aligns each section of the fabric with the printing unit, and the actual print data is sequentially supplied to the print buffer to print the corresponding section of the fabric. In a continuous process, the belt moves continuously, and the buffer is sequentially supplied with lines of actual print data to be printed in various color stages as the fabric moves with the belt.

[0024] In certain aspects, the plurality of threadings are a plurality of stitches within the fabric. In other aspects, the plurality of threadings are a plurality of weft knots within the fabric.

[0025] Another object is achieved by providing a patterned fabric having therein several threadings which cause surface variations of the fabric. The selvage of the fabric includes a reference marker within the selvage which is preferably also identifiable by a threading (e.g., a knot or a stitch) within the fabric. The reference marker includes several matching parts enabling identification of the marker by computer image processing at the threading level and an encoding part which varies to identify where the marker is located along the fabric, thus enabling a printing and imaging device to identify the threading within the pattern area between selvages, and the pattern area will be printed or printed with a print design.

[0026] In some embodiments, the fabric includes a pattern and is configured to be machine-readable using markings on the selvage of the fabric to print onto the pattern according to the distortion of the fabric when the fabric is fed through an imaging printer. The fabric has a first outer portion and a second outer portion. There is an intermediate portion between the first outer portion and the second outer portion, and the intermediate portion adds loft. The stitching is arranged in a pattern compressing the intermediate portion between the first outer portion and the second outer portion to create a three-dimensional pattern on the first outer portion, the outer side of the fabric has undulations within the area of the knitted fabric, and the loft is greater within the stitch-free area compared to the area of the stitching or the area adjacent to the stitching so that the first outer portion is substantially unprinted within the area. The selvage is arranged adjacent to the area. The fabric is configured to be arranged on a roll, and thus, the knitted fabric is longer in length than in width along the longitudinal direction when not wound, the selvage also extends along the longitudinal direction, and the pattern is a repeating pattern repeating at defined intervals along the longitudinal direction. A plurality of markers are arranged on the selvage and are configured to be read by an imaging printer, and the markers are spaced at a distance along the longitudinal direction within a defined interval so that the markers indicate the position along the longitudinal direction relative to the repeating pattern.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the weave edge has a width of at least twice the width of the widest marker among the multiple markers. In other embodiments, the width of the weave edge is less than six times the width of the widest marker among the multiple markers. In other embodiments, each of the multiple markers has multiple stitches within the weave edge. In other embodiments, the multiple markers include a frame and an inner portion, with the frame substantially surrounding the inner portion. In other embodiments, the frame is the same for each of the multiple markers, and the inner portion differs for each of the multiple markers. In other embodiments, each of the multiple markers within a defined interval is different from the other markers among the multiple markers within the defined interval. In other embodiments, at least one of the multiple markers within a defined interval is different from the other markers among the multiple markers within the defined interval. In other embodiments, at least one of the multiple markers within a defined interval is different from the other markers among the multiple markers within the defined interval. In other embodiments, the spacing between two or more of the multiple markers is between 2 and 10 times the length of the longest marker among the multiple markers. In other embodiments, the knitted fabric is a double jersey jacquard fabric.

[0028] Another objective is achieved by providing a patterned fabric that includes threading placed on the fabric to create a surface variation that defines a pattern within an area, and the fabric is substantially printed within the area. The weave edge is positioned adjacent to the area. The fabric is longer in the longitudinal direction than in the width, and the weave edge also extends along the longitudinal direction, and the pattern is a repeating pattern that repeats at defined intervals along the longitudinal direction. Multiple markers are placed on the weave edge, and the markers are spaced apart at defined longitudinal distances such that the markers indicate the longitudinal position relative to the repeating pattern. The printing within the area is positioned such that a portion of the fabric adjacent to the surface texture variation is printed in a first color, and a different portion of the fabric, also adjacent to the surface texture variation, is printed in a second color.

[0029] In certain embodiments, each of the multiple markers is made up of multiple stitches, bond variations, or a combination thereof, by threading variations within the weave edge. In other embodiments, at least two of the multiple markers have different threading variations relative to each other. In other embodiments, the threading is stitching arranged in a pattern that compresses the intermediate portion of the fabric between the first and second outer portions of the fabric to create a three-dimensional pattern on the first outer portion, and the loft is greater in the areas without stitching compared to the areas with threading or areas adjacent to the threading, so that the outside of the fabric has undulations within the area of ​​the knitted fabric.

[0030] Other objectives are achieved by providing a fabric that includes a design area and a weave edge area. The design area contains a pattern defined by threading variations, which are made by stitches, bonded variations, or a combination thereof. The fabric is longer in the longitudinal direction than in the width, the weave edge also extends along the longitudinal direction, and the pattern is a repeating pattern that is repeated at defined intervals along the longitudinal direction. Markers are placed on the weave edge and are spaced apart at defined intervals along the longitudinal direction so that the markers indicate the position along the longitudinal direction relative to the repeating pattern.

[0031] In other embodiments, at least some of the multiple markers within a defined interval are different from the other markers within the defined interval. In other embodiments, the weave edge region substantially excludes the pattern of the knitted region. In other embodiments, the markers are defined in the pattern by multiple stitches or bonding changes within the weave edge region, and the knitted region is printed at least partially including on or adjacent to the threading changes.

[0032] Another objective is achieved by providing a method for printing a three-dimensional fabric. The method includes the steps of: providing a design area and a weave edge area in a fabric, wherein the design area includes a pattern defined by threading variations, the threading variations are made by stitches, bonding variations, or a combination thereof, the fabric is longer in the longitudinal direction than in the width, the weave edge also extends along the longitudinal direction, the pattern is a repeating pattern that repeats at defined intervals along the longitudinal direction, a plurality of markers are placed on the weave edge, the markers are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction at defined intervals such that the markers indicate positions along the longitudinal direction relative to the repeating pattern, and printing the design area with a print design such that different parts of the pattern are printed in different colors, and at least some of the threading variations in the design area separate at least two different colors in the print design.

[0033] Another objective is achieved by providing a system for aligning a printer and an imaging system, including a printer configured to print on a substrate. The imaging system images the substrate, and software runs on a computer to receive first image data from the imaging system on the substrate. The substrate has a first pattern on it. A moving device is configured to move the substrate from an image position related to the imaging system to a printing position for printing. The printer prints a second pattern on the substrate so that the substrate includes the first and second patterns on it. The moving device moves the substrate with the second pattern printed on it back to the image position where the imaging system acquires the second image data of the substrate. The software determines the offset of the imaging system from the second image data, and the offset is a comparison between the expected position and the actual position to generate a calibration that shows the difference between the relative positions of the imaging system with respect to the printer. The expected position is where the second pattern is expected to be positioned relative to the first pattern based on the first image data, and the actual position is where the second pattern is actually positioned relative to the first pattern based on the second image data. Calibration is applied to the imaging system, printer, or a combination thereof, so that the expected and actual positions are substantially the same when the second substrate is imaged and printed by the printer.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the movement tracking device communicates with a computer and is configured to transmit signals to the computer indicating the movement of the substrate. In other embodiments, signals from the movement tracking device are used at least partially to determine the expected position, the actual position, or both. In other embodiments, based on the first image data, the computer adjusts a print file of a second pattern to print at a predetermined position relative to the first pattern, which is the expected position.

[0035] Another objective is achieved by providing a method for calibrating a print imaging system. The method includes one or more of the following steps: acquiring first image data of a section of a substrate from an imaging position using an imaging system, wherein the substrate has a first pattern thereon; moving the substrate to a second position and printing a second pattern on the substrate using a printer; moving the substrate having the first and second patterns thereon back to the imaging position and acquiring second image data of the substrate; determining the expected position of the second pattern relative to the first pattern based on a print file associated with the second pattern; determining the actual position of the second pattern relative to the first pattern based on the second image data; and determining a calibration adjustment of the printer to the imaging system by comparing the expected position with the actual position.

[0036] In certain embodiments, the imaging position is one or more positions (e.g., ranges) on the substrate, and the substrate is moved through the imaging system to image a region of the substrate. In other embodiments, the second position is one or more second positions (e.g., ranges) on the substrate where the substrate is printed. In other embodiments, the method includes the steps of printing the second substrate by imaging the second substrate, adjusting a print file based on the imaging of the second substrate, moving the second substrate, and then printing the second substrate with the adjusted print file, and also includes the step of applying calibration to the printer. In other embodiments, the second substrate is a fabric material having a higher degree of elongation than the substrate. In other embodiments, the movement of the second substrate is performed on a conveyor having sufficient adhesion and / or surface friction to prevent the second substrate from distorting between imaging and printing of the second substrate. In other embodiments, the movement of the substrate is performed on a conveyor having sufficient adhesion and / or surface friction to prevent the substrate from sliding or distorting. In other embodiments, in the comparison step of determining the expected and actual positions of the second pattern, the first pattern is a known arrangement and configuration.

[0037] Other objects of the present invention, as well as specific features and advantages of the present invention, will become more apparent from the following drawings and the attached detailed description. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1A] This is a side view of the imaging and printing apparatus according to this disclosure. [Figure 1B] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the apparatus. [Figure 2] Figures 1A and 1B are functional flowcharts showing the operation of the devices. [Figure 3A] Figures 1A and 1B show top views of the fabric markers printed by the apparatus. [Figure 3B] Figures 1A and 1B show a top view of another marker on fabric printed by the apparatus. [Figure 3C] Figures 1A and 1B show a top view of another marker on fabric printed by the apparatus. [Figure 3D] Figures 1A and 1B show a top view of another marker on fabric printed by the apparatus. [Figure 3E] Figures 1A and 1B show a top view of another marker on fabric printed by the apparatus. [Figure 3F] Figures 1A and 1B show a top view of another marker on fabric printed by the apparatus. [Figure 3G] Figures 1A and 1B show a top view of another marker on fabric printed by the apparatus. [Figure 3H] Figures 1A and 1B show a top view of another marker on fabric printed by the apparatus. [Figure 3I] Figures 1A and 1B show a top view of another marker on fabric printed by the apparatus. [Figure 4A] This figure shows the arrangement of markers shown in Figures 3A to 3H on the woven edge of the fabric to be printed by the apparatus shown in Figures 1A and 1B. [Figure 4B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a double jersey knit fabric. [Figure 5]This figure shows further details regarding the threading design information used by the apparatus shown in Figures 1A and 1B. [Figure 6] Figures 1A and 1B show the detection of distorted fabric for printing using the apparatus. [Figure 7] Figures 1A and 1B show the weave pattern of the background stitch of one example of fabric printed using the apparatus shown in Figures 1A and 1B. [Figure 8] This is a detailed view of Figure 5. [Figure 9] Figures 1A and 1B show the detection of foreground and background stitches on actual fabric printed using the apparatus shown in Figures 1A and 1B. [Figure 10] This is another detailed view of Figure 5. [Figure 11] Figures 1A and 1B show images captured by adjacent imaging devices within the vision system. [Figure 12] This figure shows the matching and merging of stitch data between adjacent images in Figure 11. [Figure 13] Figures 1A and 1B show how distortion is determined in the fabric by the apparatus. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of a single joint for woven fabrics. [Figure 15] This figure shows another example of bonding for woven fabrics. [Figure 16] This figure shows another example of bonding for woven fabrics. [Figure 17] Figures 1A and 1B show examples of design threading data for textiles that can be printed using the apparatus shown. [Figure 18A] This figure shows calibration substrates that can be used to calibrate the apparatus shown in Figures 1A and 1B. [Figure 18B] This is another figure showing a calibration substrate that may be used to calibrate the apparatus in Figures 1A and 1B. [Figure 18C] This is another figure showing a calibration substrate that may be used to calibrate the apparatus in Figures 1A and 1B. [Figure 18D] This is another figure showing a calibration substrate that may be used to calibrate the apparatus in Figures 1A and 1B. [Figure 19] Figures 1A and 1B show process flowcharts for the calibration method of the apparatus. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] Referring here to the drawings above, the same reference numerals indicate the corresponding structures throughout the drawings. The following examples are provided to further illustrate and illustrate the present invention and should not be construed as limiting in any way.

[0040] Figures 1A and 1B show an imaging printer used to scan and print patterned fabric. Figure 2 shows further details regarding the scanning, adjustment, and printing process. Referring to these figures together, computer 2 is connected to a vision system 6, a print head 4, and encoders 10, 12. The computer has software 3 that receives data from the vision system 6 and encoders 10 / 12 and controls the various connected devices shown. The computer uses this data, particularly from the vision system 6 and encoders 10 / 12, to identify threading in the fabric being scanned and match the threading to design threading data. Generally, the printer controls the conveyor in the sense that it moves the fabric to the correct position when there are enough lines to print. However, the computer supplies these lines to the printer, and therefore the speed at which the lines are supplied to the printer's buffer can limit / control the printer's speed. For example, the printer can control motors such as stepper motors associated with the conveyor 8. The encoder 12 may be integrated into the motor 80, or the motor may have its own encoder that also communicates with the computer so that the computer can record the position of the fabric and know where the scanned line is located. In some embodiments, the conveyor 8 includes rubber or a rubber-like material or other sticky or relatively high-friction material on its outer surface that contacts the fabric 16. The fabric 16 is fed from rollers. Due to the inherent ability of the fabric 16 to stretch and deform, the fabric entering the printing press may differ from its pattern design. Therefore, the imaging printing system needs to be able to identify the fabric and its pattern, compare its pattern to the design pattern, and then allow the color printing design to be curved to match the distortion of the fabric.

[0041] The fabric 16 is placed on the conveyor 8 and moved under the vision system 6 (step 100). The computer 2 communicates with the printer 40, its controller 43, and buffer 44. The printer's controller 43 drives a motor 80, which drives a belt 8. The computer 2 progressively sends commands and print data to the buffer 44, which then allows the printer 40 to print the data. In some embodiments, the vision system can be one or more line-scan cameras designed to scan a limited straight path across the fabric. This type of camera can be useful because it limits the possibility of image distortion due to the camera angle and orientation. Line-scan cameras introduce projection distortion in one direction (along the sensor line) compared to area-scan cameras which introduce projection distortion in all directions. Therefore, the use of line-scan cameras can limit distortion and enable better and more accurate threading detection. However, area-scan cameras and other vision devices, scanning devices, cameras, and camera types can also be used. As can be seen in the diagram, light 14 is provided to illuminate the area captured by the vision system 6. Various types of lighting can be used, but it is preferable that the lighting be as uniform as possible to avoid undesirable shadow effects and / or lighting artifacts. However, complete washout may not be useful, as some shadow effects can create contrast and allow for stitch identification.

[0042] The positions of encoders 10 / 12 are read (step 102), the vision system 6 scans / images the fabric (step 104), and sends the scanned image to computer 2. The computer may associate the encoder data with the scanned image data (step 106), or the vision system 6 may do so. Furthermore, the conveyor has encoder 12, which provides the precise position of the conveyor rollers, thereby making it possible to infer the position of the fabric 16. However, in some embodiments, another encoder 10 may be useful for directly reading the movement of the belt 8. It should be noted that the fabric is usually narrower than the belt, and therefore the movement of the belt can be read by an adjacent encoder 10, for example, the encoder may have a wheel that contacts the belt and is rotated by the movement of the belt. The print head 4 may have a specified length of fabric that the print head can print on in a single print stroke. Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the print head and the vision system are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the fabric. The tackiness or high friction of the belt helps prevent the fabric from stretching / distorting when moving between the vision station 4 and the printing station 6. However, it is understood that stretching / distortion may have already occurred before the fabric 16 is placed on the belt 8.

[0043] As the fabric passes through the vision system 6, scan data is acquired and associated with encoder positions (step 106), so that the data allows the computer to determine the actual threading data of the fabric. Thus, the computer identifies the threading of the fabric (step 108). This process involves identifying the pattern within the fabric at the level of the threading that creates the pattern. For example, in a double jersey knit fabric, the scan data and encoder data allow the computer to identify the actual stitches within the fabric and place the stitches along the length of the fabric. The positions across the width of the fabric can be determined based on which imaging device picks up the threading / stitches and where its camera is positioned, and the camera's field of view in terms of length will be determined by the vision system. Threading (stitches in this case) are additional stitches from the design stitch data and are sometimes called foreground stitches.

[0044] Design stitch data may be a bitmap image as shown in Figure 5. Here, each pixel can typically represent a stitch approximately 1 mm long, but different stitch lengths / dimensions are possible, and this is just an example. Thus, the appearance of black pixels in the design stitch data represents the expected position of that particular stitch. This bitmap image may be used to instruct the quilting head to place stitches at various positions when quilting the fabric. Furthermore, the computer can recognize the pattern from the scanned data, typically knowing the background knit pattern or as this pattern is repeated in a consistent manner within the background. In some embodiments, pattern stitches (foreground stitches in this case) control what the computer is trying to find as distortion of these stitches due to stretching of the fabric, or how the designed pattern is distorted in the fabric. However, as mentioned above, base stitches (background stitches in this case) can also be useful in identifying patterns and fabric distortions in the fabric. Thus, the computer can look for pattern stitches, base stitches, or a combination of both.

[0045] In particular, when the print design is expected to match the fabric pattern at one or more positions, it is important to print while taking distortion into account. Fabrics tend to stretch and distort in a non-linear pattern when placed on a conveyor belt, and therefore the print data needs to be adjusted to match the actual state of the fabric. The fabric 16 has a design area represented by width A, and then along the length of the fabric. The design is made by threading 18 (stitches in this case). Here, the design is a bitmap image in which black pixels represent stitches, and in this embodiment, a 1 mm stitch represents a stitch. However, other stitch lengths can also be used, and this is just one example. The weave edge 20 is present on both sides (or one side) and includes a marker 22.

[0046] Figure 9 shows the actual scanned fabric with threading (in this case, stitches) recognized by the computer. The way the stitches are recognized involves the computer breaking down the scan to determine the foreground (pattern) stitches and background (base) stitches. Recognizing the threading makes it possible to determine print adjustments for the print pattern (usually a color pattern) that will be printed onto the fabric. Several dots are shown, for example, the dot in area 34'. These dots represent the image annotated by the computer to identify the stitches. Larger solid black dots and white circles have been added here to distinguish different types of stitches, such as a color version of the image, and dot 34' may be a different color from the other dots to specify foreground (pattern) stitches versus background (base) stitches.

[0047] The fabric itself may have a knit pattern, for example, a weft knit pattern as shown in Figure 7. This pattern can be thought of as background stitches or base stitches. The highlighted (blacked-out) stitch 30 represents one such stitch. Thus, the computer recognizes the difference between generally repeating background stitches or base stitches (e.g., weft knit patterns) and additional foreground stitches associated with design stitch data.

[0048] Referring to Figure 8, a magnified view of a portion of the design stitch data from Figure 5 reveals that a 2-pixel width can represent two stitches, while a 3-pixel width in black represents three stitches, and so on. Next, this design stitch data is compared to a fabric scan / image that has been filtered to determine where the foreground and background stitches are located. As mentioned earlier, these pixels are where the knitting machine is instructed to feed the threaded needle through the front and back surfaces, compressing the yarn along the way, thereby pulling these surfaces together in the knitting process.

[0049] Figure 9 shows an actual scan of the area represented in Figure 8. Here, white circles indicate the location of background stitches, and black circles indicate foreground stitches. Figure 8 has corresponding white / black circles added to those in Figure 9. Not all stitches have circles added, as the rest of the scan is seen in context; immediately to the right of the three black circles are six foreground stitches arranged in a single line. White and black circles have also been added to Figure 8 to indicate where the marks in Figure 9 correspond to the design threading data (stitch map in this case). Note that Figures 8 and 9 are not on the same scale, so the circles do not perfectly coincide, and their general areas are shown in context. As can be seen when comparing design stitch data, for example, some stitches in a series of three stitches 34 are expected to intersect in a straight line. The actual image shows some distortion, in that stitch 34' is not necessarily a perfectly straight line. The same can be seen by referring to the sold dot stitch representing pattern threading (foreground stitches) at other locations. Base threading (background stitching) 32' can also be identified, and these correspond to their locations in the design stitch data (Figure 8), which are blank 32. As can be seen from the figure, the foreground stitching in Figure 9 modifies the repeating pattern of adjacent background stitching, thereby allowing the computer to determine where the foreground stitching should be placed from the image data obtained from the vision system 6.

[0050] Therefore, by comparing the design data (Figures 5 and 8) with the scan (Figure 9), it becomes possible to map the entire stitch pattern, thus determining where each part of the fabric pattern is distorted and where the various stitches are shifted relative to where they are expected to be based on the fabric design. The color design is typically overlaid on or based on the design stitch data (Figure 5) so that it can be adjusted to ensure that the design is printed in a manner aligned with the actual state of the fabric.

[0051] To determine the print adjustments (step 112), the pattern curvature must first be determined by comparing the actual data with the design data (step 110) by matching the actual threading data to the identified threading (step 108) using identified markers 109 (step 110). Thus, a pattern registration 111 can be made. This registration identifies how the actual fabric is curving / distorting relative to the design. This indicates the required print adjustments 112, in which case the print adjustments 112 are applied to the print design for specific locations on the fabric (step 114). Here, the print design may be a multicolor design that fills different areas of the fabric with different colors and matches the expected pattern of the fabric. However, the print design is not limited to color inks and may include other printable materials, preferably printable liquids, that can be applied by the printer to give various properties to industrial fabrics, etc., in specific locations depending on the print design. Non-limiting examples include antimicrobial, water-repellent, and high-friction inks / liquids. Here, the design stitch data (Figure 5) corresponds to a print design that includes areas within the fabric filled with various colors or other inks / printable liquids / materials. Therefore, the print design file may be a bitmap file similar to Figure 5, but with various colors (or other identifying information) embedded in the margins. Furthermore, the black bitmap lines in Figure 5 may also have added colors. The bitmap in Figure 5 shows black where stitches are present, but typically the stitches are done with thread colors that match the entire fabric. Thus, black is used for distinction. The fabric itself is usually provided in white to avoid distortion of print colors due to non-white substrates, but other yarns can be added, for example, metallic or polyester yarns that cannot be printed with the inks used, and these yarns cannot adhere to or retain the ink, resulting in additional visual effects.

[0052] The print design is typically sized to the same scale as the design threading data file, so that each pixel can refer to the design threading data to determine where that pixel should be located relative to the various threadings designed within the fabric. Pattern registration determines how the design threading data bends / distorts in the actual fabric, so the print file needs to be bent / distorted in the same way to match. Thus, this print design is an ideal design assuming the fabric does not stretch, but is adjusted based on how the fabric stretches, how the threadings are detected, and how they move relative to the design threading data file. As a result, adjusted print data is calculated that distorts the print design in the same way as the fabric is distorted, so that the various design elements of the print design fit perfectly with the distorted fabric in real-world conditions. This adjusted print data is then sent to the printer buffer (step 116). This adjusted print data can represent enough lines for a single stroke of the print head 4 across the fabric when a semi-continuous printer is used, and can represent lines by line feed of data when a continuous printer is used. However, a continuous printer can also receive batches / sections with multiple lines, and a semi-continuous printer can receive data line by line and then print if there are enough lines for a stroke. However, since the fabric must pass by the scanner before the adjusted print data can be determined, and the distortion of the entire length of the roll cannot be known until the roll is scanned, a batch cannot represent the entire print file, and therefore the actual print data sent sequentially to the printer and its buffer represents less than the length of the entire print file, usually less than half, preferably less than 25%, more preferably less than 10%, and more preferably less than 5% of the length of the entire print design, which is less than or equal to the distance between the vision system and the print position, as defined, for example, by the print head and / or nozzle array.Because the print head and vision system are separated, printing (step 118) cannot immediately follow imaging, and the motor may need to move the fabric and image additional sections of the fabric before the first imaging section is in print position. Once proper alignment is achieved in that the fabric has moved to the correct position where the first scan section (which may be a single line) should be printed, the print head or print array prints the fabric using the adjusted print data. Because the fabric is on a relatively sticky / adhesive or high-friction belt, the fabric does not move or distort even when moving from the vision position to the print position. As understood in the process of a continuous printer, the belt can move the fabric continuously past the scanner and through the print array of the various colors to be applied, so that sections of fabric associated with the adjusted print data may need to move over several feet or even several meters to pass by the various color nozzles in that section. However, it is important that the supply roller 160 moves with and synchronizes with the movement of the motor 80 to avoid rearward tension, and the take-up roller 180 also needs to avoid pulling the fabric. The fabric 16 is shown straight and under some tension, but in some preferred embodiments, it is allowed that the fabric has some slack between the conveyor roller and the supply roller 160 / take-up roller 180 to avoid stretching the fabric while it is moving. If there is some play / slack in the fabric within these areas 16' / 16", it can be absorbed by some slack in the fabric if it is not possible to perfectly synchronize the conveyor 8 and the rollers 160 / 180. However, the fabric should not be too slack in order to avoid getting caught in the conveyor 8. Thus, the motors associated with the supply roller 160 / take-up roller 180 can also be controlled by a computer based on data from the encoders 10 / 12, or by a printer to coordinate with the conveyor.For example, a computer can use control signals to the conveyor motor to determine how fast rollers 160 / 180 should move. In particular, the diameter of the rolls gradually increases, and if the rotations per minute of rollers 160 / 180 remain the same, the speed of the fabric entering and exiting rollers 160 / 180 will continue to increase. Therefore, synchronizing the fabric speed is important to ensure that the way the fabric is distorted between the scanning and printing stages does not change. If the distortion changes, it may result in insufficient print alignment.

[0053] Once the threading is identified (step 108), it is compared with the actual threading data (step 110). Figures 5 and 6 show an example where Figure 5 represents the threading design and Figure 6 represents the actual print data to be printed, and it can be seen that the actual threading data in the form of pattern registration 111 is distorted relative to Figure 5 in that the black lines shown are moved in different locations relative to Figure 5. In this example of intended print, the stitches (foreground stitches in this case) are intended to be printed in black. The actual threading data represents Figure 5, but the stitches are moved based on how much the stitches are detected moving near the vision system. Figures 11 and 12 show that Figure 11 shows image data, which is then converted to the actual threading data in Figure 12. Figure 12 shows different sections of the fabric design compared to Figures 5 and 6. As can be seen by comparing Figures 5 and 6, areas 24 and 26 are not the same. This is an example of distortion. This distortion is nonlinear, and while other threadings are placed where expected, and some threadings are more distorted than in the 24 / 26 example, some areas require adjustment, others do not, and still others require further adjustment. Generally, pattern threading (foreground stitching in this case) locally corrects how the fabric stretches, and given the changing nature of the pattern, how the fabric stretches / deforms and the resulting pattern distortion are difficult to predict. However, once a comparison is made between the design and the actual pattern data, the computer determines how the print design needs to be adjusted. The print design often includes one or more colors that will be printed on the pattern of the fabric. This design is often done on or in relation to the threading design pattern so that the surface changes brought about by the threading can be printed differently relative to the threading.For example, referring to Figure 6, the area 27 between the two black lines shown may be red, while area 28 may be blue, and different colors can follow the path of that area between the two black lines in the intended design. The design may, for example, match Figure 5 and various curves and design elements, but usually various colors are added along the threading lines. The threading (stitch in this example) may actually be printed in black, for example. In the example of areas 27 and 28, these are two concentric circular patterns that may have different colors, but the intended print design is based on the threading design that gives the fabric surface variation pattern. Figure 5 may show black dots representing stitching, but it is understood that stitching is often the same color as the base fabric and therefore can be printed in the same way. Thus, the intended print data or print design is based on the design threading data (Figure 5), but with added color. As those skilled in the art will understand, fabric patterns and print designs can vary depending on what design the designer prefers. The designs used herein are for illustrative and illustrative purposes only and are not limiting.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4B, the fabric has loft created by the intermediate portion between the outer portions 11 and 5. The change in loft results in a change in surface, for example, region 7 has a higher loft than region 1. The stitch 3 intersects from the front portion 5 to the back portion 11, compressing the fabric in these regions, while the yarn 9 provides a higher loft within region 7. When the cross section is viewed from a position moved from the outside to the inside of the page, a higher loft can exist within the regions indicated by many stitches 3. Thus, the cross section is seen through regions that have mostly pattern threading but smaller regions that do not create loft. The yarn 9 is also present within the regions with stitches 3, but is not shown for clarity. The yarn is just one example of a filler or loft-generating material, and those skilled in the art will understand that other materials can also be used. The base knit pattern 7 is shown in Figure 7, and the stitches 3 in Figure 4B correspond to the bitmap (Figure 5 / Figure 8). Each pixel in the bitmap represents an instruction to the knitting machine, for example, pushing the needle from bottom to top and pulling the top and bottom together to create a loop. As a result, the yarn 9 is compressed and / or displaced.

[0055] Reference markings can be made on the fabric to help determine where the design stitches (Figures 8 and 5) and actual stitches (Figures 6 and 9) are placed. Figures 3A to 3L show examples of markings. These markings are usually threadings and are typically located at the weave edge of the fabric. Each pixel can represent a stitch or joint, and as can be seen from the figures, 3A to 3H each have common and different elements. These markings are used by the computer to help determine where the scanned fabric is placed within the design stitch data. Figure 3L is a drawing with the dimensions of Figure 3A. As can be seen from the figure, a 1mm thick, 11mm wide square surrounds this marker (and all other markers), and thus this consistent element can be identified so that the computer can determine that it is looking at a marker. In this case, within the periphery of the stitch, there is a 9x9mm opening with a 1-pixel wide frame that does not have stitches. In this case, within the frame, there are several 1x1mm stitches arranged in various patterns. Data from the vision system 6 is viewed by the computer to determine where these stitch patterns are found, and thus indicates where the machine is positioned along the pattern of the fabric. This helps to further identify where foreground / background stitches are placed, and also helps the computer better know where they are in the fabric (or at least closer to it as a starting point). As shown in Figure 4A, markers are sewn into the weave edge at regular intervals, but repeating patterns over smaller intervals are shown, and the pattern in Figure 5 may be shown, which can repeat over the intervals between markers 3A-3H. The specific dimensions shown are illustrative only. As mentioned above, the fabric patterns shown are illustrative, but more complex patterns may be shown, e.g., the patterns in Figures 5 and 6. As shown in Figure 2, once the threading is identified (step 108), the markers on the weave edge can usually be identified first 109.This allows the computer to identify threading more quickly and start better at or near the correct location in the design threading data, enabling it to align and adjust the print design more quickly to match the actual state of the fabric.

[0056] Therefore, the computer can know where the markings are in relation to the pattern, the intended spacing between the markers, and which markers follow. Markers are easy to identify because they contain a common element (a rectangle in this case). In that case, the interior of the markers contains various threading elements that enable distinction between the markers. The specific configuration, size, and position of the markers are illustrative only, as other marker configurations can also be used.

[0057] As shown in Figures 3A to 3H, the reference markings include some matching and some non-matching elements. In this example, the stitch size in the fabric is 1 mm, and therefore each 1 mm x 1 mm pixel (see Figure 3L) represents one stitch. Thus, the outer frame 300 on the right vertical side represents 11 stitches. This 11 mm x 11 mm outer frame 300 surrounds a 9 mm x 9 mm area 302 without (foreground) stitches. Thus, background stitches will be found within this area. The next inner area of ​​the markings is an area that varies in some way for each marking. This can be seen as a series of codes 304 of stitches (three stitches in this case) that can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal (down from right to left), and diagonal (up from right to left). The pattern of three stitches can then be varied in four different zones shown to show different marker patterns.

[0058] As shown in Figure 4A, these markers are spaced along the length of the fabric within the weave edge and are surface changes of the fabric itself brought about by the threading that constitutes the markers. Thus, the combination of matching elements (frame 300, inside of frame 302) and changing code elements 304 provides a recognizable marker. Marker information, in particular bitmaps representing where the stitches are placed, is found in the fabric design file. Thus, the design positions of various other stitches in the design are known in terms of coordinates relative to the markers. The vision system and computer first search for common matching elements (frame 300, inside section 302) to determine that a marker is being scanned.

[0059] The supply roll 160 contains unprinted fabric 16. In this case, the fabric is patterned with surface variations created by a threading design. Generally, this roll is several meters wide, for example, in the range of 2.5 to 4 meters (e.g., 100 inches wide), but other widths are also possible. The fabric is generally much longer in the length than in the width, usually at least four times the width. Typically, these fabrics are supplied in rolls of about 100 to about 300 feet. The woven edge of the fabric includes reference markings. It is understood that these dimensions are illustrative only.

[0060] As shown in Figure 4A, the width of the weave edge is 40 mm. This width is larger than that of a typical weave edge. The added width is also useful for imaging and printing the fabric. Specifically, in fabric processing, specifically in knitting / weaving processes, the weave edge is partially added because it is somewhere on the fabric where gripping elements can securely hold the fabric. These gripping elements are often spikes or several needles that puncture or otherwise pierce the fabric. This creates a secure hold for fabric processing / manufacturing. However, if the printing process involves stitch level detection by imaging, the gripping elements can form holes in the weave edge that appear when a vision system scans the fabric before printing. These holes, if the gripping holes are placed within the area of ​​the weave edge containing the markers, may make it more difficult to identify the markers or cause false positives in stitches that lead to misidentification. Therefore, the width of the weave edge is increased, and as a result, the outer portion (approximately 20 mm) can be used with the gripping element during weaving / knitting so as not to obstruct or perforate holes through or near the reference markings 3A-3H or the area around those markings. As shown in Figure 3L, each reference marking is 11 mm × 11 mm. Therefore, in the particular embodiment shown, the weave edge is approximately 4 times the width of the reference markings. Thus, the markings are offset by only a small distance (e.g., 4 mm) from the design area A (Figure 5), leaving a 25 mm weave edge for gripping the margin during processing / manufacturing. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the reference markings are placed on the inner half of the weave edge width, closer to the printed design area A. In other embodiments, the weave edge width is at least 2 times, more preferably at least 2.5 times, even more preferably at least 3 times, and most preferably about 4 times the marker width.

[0061] The spacing of the markers along the length of the fabric is also important for accurate alignment. Here, the height of the markers is 11 mm, the spacing between markers is 49 mm, and therefore there is another marker every 60 mm. This is just one example. The spacing between markers can be adjusted according to the complexity of the fabric. With a height of 11 mm and spacing of 49 mm, the height-to-spacing ratio is approximately 1:5. In general, this spacing ratio can be 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, or 1:6 at the lower limit, and 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10 at the upper limit, and any combination of these upper and lower limits.

[0062] Figure 5 shows a fabric design, where the design is a bitmap representing the foreground stitches of the fabric, with each black pixel representing a stitch, particularly a foreground stitch. The bitmap also includes a reference marking 22 within the weave edge 20. The print design often includes one or more colors that will be printed on the fabric pattern. For example, areas 27 and 28 may include a color or color design. This color design is often done on or with respect to the threading design pattern so that the surface variations brought about by the threading may be printed differently with respect to the threading. For example, area 27 between the two black lines shown may be red, while area 28 may be blue, and the different colors can follow the path of that area between the two black lines in the intended design. The design may, for example, coincide with the stitch design as well as various curves and design elements, but usually various colors are added along the threading lines. The threading (stitches in this example) may actually be printed in black, for example. In the examples of regions 27 and 28, these are two concentric circular patterns that may have different colors, but the intended print design is based on a threading design that results in a surface variation pattern on the fabric. Figure 5 may show black dots representing stitching, but it is understood that stitching is often the same color as the base fabric and therefore can be printed in the same way. Thus, the intended print data or print design is based on the design threading data (Figure 5), but with added color as described above (e.g., regions 27 / 28). As those skilled in the art will understand, fabric patterns and print designs can vary depending on what design the designer prefers. The designs used herein are for illustrative and illustrative purposes only and are not limiting.

[0063] Figure 8 is a magnified view of the section of the bitmap in Figure 5, showing a detailed view of the stitched bitmap. Here, the background stitches 32 are generally areas with high loft, while the foreground stitches 34 are areas with low loft.

[0064] Reference markings in the threading design (Figure 5) allow each stitch to be positioned relative to the reference marking. For example, foreground stitch 34 is positioned at a known (design) distance and at known coordinates relative to each of the reference markings. For example, if a scan picks up reference markings 3A and 3B and the coordinates of foreground stitch 34 are within its scan area, detecting stitch 34 is mathematically easier because the starting point for optimization is closer to the actual stitch. The known (design) distance / coordinates do not account for deformation, but the design coordinates are assumed to be relatively close to the actual position after deformation. The use of markers is particularly useful in iterative designs and allows for registration using vision and computing systems to determine the actual tread data and then distort the design accordingly, without obscuring or making the design position difficult. Furthermore, while the stitch design may be iterative or regular, the print design may not be, and may vary more with respect to the length / width of the fabric.

[0065] As a result, fabrics with reference markings can be accurately printed, aligned with the pattern design within the fabric, and more easily aligned across the entire roll. The resulting printed fabric has a pattern based on the surface variations of the fabric, and then the printed design is placed on top of that pattern, with the print and pattern more accurately aligned with the actual pattern of the fabric.

[0066] The print design in Figure 5 includes a threading area (in this case, a stitch) adjacent to a stitch of a first color. For example, the threading (stitch) area 29 in Figure 5 may be black after printing, or any other design or color, which follows the stitch area and any pattern / curve that the stitch area follows along at least a portion of the length of that area (following the stitch). One or more areas 27 / 28 adjacent to the stitch area 29 are printed in a different color or design from the stitch area 29. For example, areas 27 / 28 may be red, or different colors, such as code 27=red and code 28=blue, or may have any number of designs. The color / design follows the stitch area, along at least a portion of the length of that area, through its curve and / or pattern. The colors herein may be gradients, or switch between different colors, or include patterns within a color (e.g., a printed shape of one color within a background color in one or more of the areas 27 / 28). In a preferred embodiment, the printed design and various areas are aligned with the stitching, for example, by printing area 28 at at least multiple locations on the fabric without overlapping the actual stitching area 29.

[0067] Furthermore, to help determine and monitor the position of the fabric, encoders 12 / 10 described herein are used to verify the speed / position of belt 8 and appropriately control motor 80. In a semi-continuous printer configuration, the motor moves in steps or stages that are the width of the print area of ​​the print head. In this way, substantially rectangular sections of the fabric are imaged and sequentially adjusted print data for those sections are sent to a buffer. Once one section is imaged, its scan data is sent to a computer. The scan data may include encoder data so that each scan line is associated with a position on the fabric, or the encoder data may be sent separately to the computer to determine the position and the scan lines associated with the encoder data. In particular, as the fabric moves, the vision system may capture images used to identify threading. Once these images are captured, the encoder data provides a longitudinal reference for where those scan lines are taken from. After the threading is identified and the print design is curved / distorted to match the fabric, the adjusted print data is sent to a print buffer, which may be a storage device associated with the printer / print head (step 116). Alternatively, the computer may send line after line to a print buffer as they are calculated, and the semi-continuous printer then makes a print stroke, and once there are enough lines and the correct section of fabric is under the print head, the adjusted print data is printed onto the fabric. Continuous printers can also operate by section or line, and the belt is controlled to match the speed at which the printer can print, assuming that there are enough lines in the buffer for the various colors to be added as the fabric moves through the print array. As an example, in Figure 1A, the distance between the vision system 6 and the printing system 40 means that three or four sections of fabric are scanned before the first section of fabric is printed.

[0068] In some embodiments, scanning and printing occur at different times, but generally they are performed sequentially. This is the semi-continuous printer described above. Specifically, scanning is performed while the belt and fabric pass through the vision system, with a line scan camera capturing lines of fabric and using encoders and weave edge markings to locate the fabric. Then, when the belt stops (at the correct portion of the fabric under the print head), the print head moves across the fabric and prints onto the section of fabric based on print adjustments determined by a computer in the print buffer 44. As described above, due to the interval between vision and printing, typically 3-4 sections are stored in the print buffer at any given time. When a section is printed, its data is pushed out of the buffer, and new scanned data replaces it in the correct order. In this case as well, the use of encoders 10 / 12 allows the print head to be precisely and accurately aligned with the fabric, thus ensuring alignment between the print design and the fabric pattern. Continuous printers can also operate using dynamic buffers, where the print line is sequentially fed into a buffer as the print line is imaged and adjustments are calculated. Alternatively, sections of the print line are fed in sections, but in a continuous printer, the belt preferably moves in a constant manner, and nozzles of various color stages print on the fabric as the fabric passes through the print array.

[0069] Most printers print a complete file of a given substrate. Specifically, the entire print file is sent to the printer at once, and the printer then uses those instructions to print various colors onto the substrate, performing one stroke, then moving the substrate, then performing another stroke. However, this doesn't work for these types of fabrics, as the fabric can stretch and warp in unpredictable ways. As an example, it might be desirable to print a repeating pattern on 100 feet of fabric, repeating every 6 feet. If a 6-foot print design is sent to the printer and printed assuming the printer is aligned to the correct starting point, the pattern may already be warped even after just one stroke of the print head (usually representing less than 1 foot) (compare positions 24 / 26 in Figure 5 / 6). When the repeating pattern is redone after 6 feet, the pattern may have stretched by a certain amount, thereby shifting the next 6 feet of printing by at least the amount that section has moved. As a result, the printer is not adding colors within the intended lines or according to the intended design of the pattern in the fabric, resulting in poor print quality. This system uses a dynamic print buffer to sequentially scan and print each section of the fabric. Therefore, instead of sending a file containing a 6-foot print design repeated multiple times (as a single file) to the printer and instructing it to print that pattern, the print pattern is designed, sections of the fabric are scanned, and the appropriate parts of the print pattern are then sent to the print buffer (after adjustment) for printing, with each section being printed sequentially. In this way, if the print design is for, for example, a 100-foot roll of fabric, the printer is not supplied with that 100-foot design file; instead, the printer is supplied (adjusted) with sections of the print design corresponding to the print head stroke width.

[0070] Marker registration and matching are performed in the same way as for the overall pattern. However, markers can be an easier starting point for positioning because they contain consistent elements that are all in generally known locations (e.g., within the range where weave edges are or are expected to be) and are relatively easy to distinguish. Figure 10 shows a portion of the bitmap of the design threading data, in which case each pixel also represents a stitch. The diagonal pattern of stitch 200 can be considered foreground stitches, and their diagonal patterns are known to intersect with the markers. These stitches are part of the weave edge 20. Marker 3B in this case is a series of foreground stitches. As shown in the figure, the diagonal stitches 200 do not have to extend inside the markers. This makes it easier to identify the markers in that the presence of foreground stitches within the frame, and then background stitches immediately inside those foreground stitches, is a recognizable pattern. Once the markers are identified, the positions of the stitches 180 adjacent to the markers can be more easily determined because the positions of the markers are known. Therefore, the vision system and computer can determine the distance from the lower corner of the marker where the first of the stitches 180 is expected to be placed, and then attempt to find the stitch line within its general area.

[0071] The process of identifying markers can first involve identifying pairs of horizontal and vertical lines. Here, the expected spacing between these lines is known (Figure 3I), and therefore the location of the identified stitches is determined to determine where a set of horizontal and vertical stitches are located. The area around these stitches is further narrowed to determine whether a particular stitch could be a corner, and what type of corner it could be (upper left, lower left, upper right, lower right). Based on the spacing of the threadings identified as possible corners and the number of detected stitches in linear (or relatively such) positions between those corners, markers can be identified. In some cases, there may be multiple pairs that could be corners based on where other corners are found. To narrow down corner markers, the computer incorporates some known logic about markers, for example, the upper left candidate should be to the left of the upper right candidate, and the upper left should be above the lower left corner candidate, and so on. Other logical relationships of the corners of markers are involved from the beginning. Once three or four coherent corner candidates are recognized, the perfect square marker is transformed into a marker for the actually existing distorted four sides. This is still a corner / side polygon, but the corner positions can be adjusted based on how the fabric and its weave edges are distorted. Once the expected square frame is known and transformed into the actual shape, the code within that frame can be identified. Various code examples are shown in Figures 3A to 3H.

[0072] Figure 13 shows an example of how the source pattern (Figure 5) is transformed into a target (Figure 6). Specifically, the pattern can be decomposed into a grid pattern, and the points on that grid related to the expected stitching can be shifted to match the scanned target according to the following function. In one possible example, quad-based registration with bilinear interpolation is used to optimize the target coordinates of all points. F(x,y)=(1-δ x )(1-δ y )F i,j +δx (1 - δ y )F i,j+1 +(1 - δx)δyF i+1,j +δ x δ y F i+1,j+1

[0073] Here, the optimization goal is represented by the following function, where k passes through all points in the source (pattern, Figure 5) bitmap, and the goal is to minimize the error when corresponding to the target.

Number

[0074] The target function (above) is minimized using a nonlinear least squares method. This is just one example of an optimization method. As another example, the set of sample locations can be sparse (far apart) in some cases, where stochastic optimization is possible. Various other optimization methods can be used. In some preferred embodiments, a coarse-to-fine approach is used. The process begins with a global transformation of the registered area, which generally represents finding the overall amount of edge-to-edge and up-and-down shift within a relatively large area of ​​the fabric for the area in question, generally the final result of threading level identification. Often, this larger area is identified / selected based on identified weave edge markings so that all threadings can be assumed to be relatively close to their expected positions compared to if random positions on the design threading file were selected. Next, the four corners are optimized, which are 4 points and 8 parameters. Next, this area is subdivided and optimized into a 2x2 grid (9 points, 18 parameters), then a 4x4 grid (25 points, 50 parameters), 8x8, 16x16, etc., until the threading is identified finely enough and the fabric curvature is understood. A “larger area” does not necessarily mean the width of the fabric or half the width (which may be possible in some cases), but the threading may be stitches in the 1mm x 1mm size range and may be relatively close to each other, so a relatively large area may still be small compared to the total width and length of the fabric. A tracking method can also be used. This method involves starting from a marker, identifying stitches that move inward from the marker, and then identifying the next stitch along the pattern line of the stitch from that stitch. In particular, stitches closest to a marker may move less than stitches in the center of the fabric, and their position is more predictable relative to the known position of the marker, and once the first stitch inside the marker is identified, the next stitch will be a relatively small predictable area. The process can be continued for the remaining stitches.

[0075] This process is significantly aided by markers. For example, the portion shown in the pattern (Figure 5) has several similarities when optimizing in that local minima can occur if the design starting point is incorrect. Thus, mathematically, one might think that the computer has found the location of a threading or some threading based on the minimization of a target function, which could be due to a local minima that minimizes the target function and therefore aligns with a false positive for the threading. One way to avoid this is by starting with a tracking method over local areas, progressively optimizing to obtain finer identification and better matching, and progressively expanding over the fabric. If an acceptable location / area is chosen as the starting point, more and more threadings should be identified with a high level of confidence as the grid becomes finer and finer. However, this also requires that the starting point in the design threading data is properly selected. If there is a local minima problem, at some point when shifting from 4x4 to 16x16, or further subdividing, the optimization may begin to diverge, or the reliability of matching threadings in the scan to the design may deteriorate. This could indicate an incorrect starting point. However, edge markers help identify better starting points for the global transformation of an area and make it more certain that localities are avoided. In particular, if one marker code is identified on the fabric, the general area surrounding and adjacent to that marker can be selected as the global transformation area, which is gradually made into a finer grid each time, providing increasingly better identification of the threading. If no marker is provided, the starting point in the design threading data may be only a guess. Alternatively, it is possible to manually align the starting point. Another option without markers may be multiple different starting points, which may need to be selected and each attempted to be optimized, but this could significantly slow down processing time and therefore printing.Markers make it easier to identify sets of threadings, and based on the design threading data, each threading (e.g., each stitch) has known expected coordinates for each marker. With these expected coordinates, the calculations focus on determining the curvature rather than calculating many different iterations to determine a good starting point and then optimize the curvature / distortion of the fabric. The problem of local minimums can also be reduced / avoided.

[0076] As shown in Figure 4A, the markers are spaced apart by a known expected distance. In some cases, the spacing is so close that when a first section of fabric is scanned and a marker is detected, that section of fabric is not printed before the next marker is scanned and identified. This can be due to the print head width, along with the amount of space between the print head and the vision system. Therefore, if a marker is misidentified and the next marker is identified as not being the next expected marker based on known fabric threading data, the system can not print that first section and instead rescan it to determine the possible error.

[0077] Due to the width of the fabric, vision systems often include multiple cameras with overlapping fields of view. Figure 11 shows an example of two images taken by two different cameras positioned adjacent to each other. As can be seen from the figure, region 36 contains threading found in both images. Therefore, to obtain a complete image of the fabric without irrelevant data, these overlapping threadings need to be merged as shown in region 36' of Figure 12. This is also helpful for aligning and referencing the images, as there is some threading found in both images that is placed in an overlapping arrangement throughout the images and can therefore be used for alignment. The overlapping threadings are then removed from the actual threading data used to make print adjustments.

[0078] While the previous examples of threading have focused on stitches commonly found in double jersey knit fabrics, threading identification is applicable to other fabric types as well. Another example of threading is the bonding found in woven fabrics. Figures 14–16 show examples of different types of bonding that may be found in woven fabrics. These are not exhaustive identifications of bonding types known to those skilled in the art. In these examples of bonding, there are warp (up / down) and weft (left / right). In these examples, at a particular location, either the warp is on top or the weft is on top. Multiple threads can be skipped in the bonding pattern. As a result, the vision system takes into account, for example, a vertical thread crossing four wefts between two upper wefts (Figure 14), or a 1×1 relationship (Figure 15), or two vertical threads being skipped by the weft, then one vertical thread being on top, and this is repeated, for example, in a 2×1 pattern (Figure 16). Therefore, threading identification information determines which threads are above / below and how many of the other threads are skipped. Various patterns and thread skips can be made, and fabrics can be created, with the bonding pattern changing throughout the fabric, resulting in a change in surface texture and thus causing surface variations. An example of design threading data for a section of fabric is shown in Figure 17. This is typically a bitmap file, and the width of each dot in the file represents how the vertical / weft threads are positioned and how many are skipped vertically / horizontally. The fabric also has the aforementioned edge markings, in which case the foreground / background detection described above indicates whether a warp or weft thread is above. This information can then be used to determine how the fabric is warped / distorted, and then print adjustments can be made. The edge markings in this case can be coded / placed in a way that is more convenient for the bonding method of fabric manufacturing, in that the markers are threading or changes to threading within the fabric itself.

[0079] Calibration of the imaging / vision system 6 relative to the printer 40 also helps to further ensure accurate alignment of the print design relative to the fabric pattern. In a preferred embodiment, the vision system 6 includes a series of imaging devices arranged on a gantry above the conveyor across the width of the conveyor. Each imaging device (e.g., camera) captures a defined field of view of the fabric, which often overlap as shown and described in Figures 11 and 12. Because the fabric is relatively wide, there may be several cameras across the width of the fabric. Each of these cameras may be positioned slightly differently from the others, and the cameras may also be positioned differently relative to the print head or print array compared to the others, or the vision system as a whole may not be perfectly aligned as expected from the printer.

[0080] Figure 18A shows a checkerboard pattern for a calibration substrate. Each square has a known size and position relative to the other squares. The substrate is placed on a conveyor and imaged by a camera along camera line 180. In this case, the checkerboard pattern is shown almost perpendicular to camera line 180, but the calibration process also works if the substrate is placed at an angle. Once the substrate is scanned, the pattern (in this case, the checkerboard) is identified. The calibration print file may be a series of dots placed in a straight line across a first set of squares in the checkerboard pattern. These dots may be of a predetermined size and are preferably in a contrasting color compared to the print pattern on the substrate. Figure 18B shows the actual pattern 184 printed by a print head 182, in this case at an angle to the camera line. This print pattern is returned through camera line 180 for scanning. Thus, calibration can be determined by comparing the pattern that the printer / computer was trying to print with the intended (expected) position of the dots 184 relative to their actual positions. It is understood that the referenced patterns are illustrative only and other patterns may be used. Figure 18C is similar to Figure 18A, but shows camera lines angled relative to square print lines (relative to the pattern board). Figure 18D similarly shows angled camera lines. It is understood that calibration can address one or both of these issues, or that the board may be positioned on the belt in a way that is not necessarily square, but in any case, the calibration process allows adjustments to be made when the print head / print lines are not square / not aligned and / or the vision system is not square / not aligned.

[0081] When a comparison is made between the actual position and the predicted position, the offsets on the longitudinal and width axes can be determined as offset angles that can be considered as calibrations. In this case, these calibration coefficients are applied to the printer and any calibrated print data to ensure that the printout is applied to the correct position. Furthermore, if one or more of the cameras are not perfectly aligned on the camera line (e.g., in terms of angle, longitudinal direction, and width), scanning the calibration board can determine this. In particular, it is preferable that the cameras are well aligned during setup, but if the cameras overlap in the field of view as shown in Figures 11 and 12, common features of the substrate pattern can be identified on each camera, and then the relative angle / offset of adjacent cameras can be determined. In this case, the checkerboard pattern will be such that straight lines are picked up by adjacent cameras that are similarly aligned / intersecting. If these features of the checkerboard pattern do not align as expected, scanning a second print pattern (with added dots in this example) and comparing it to the expected result can determine how much calibration should be applied to the vision system and where and what calibration needs to be applied to the printer.

[0082] Figure 19 shows the calibration process in which the substrate is placed on the belt 8 and moved via the vision system 1000. The encoder is read in the same way as in the printing process (step 102), and scan data is acquired 1002. The encoder position is associated with the scan data (step 106), and the printed pattern on the substrate is identified 1004 (a checkerboard in this example). If the substrate is not placed straight, the print file may be adjusted to align with the pattern in the intended way 1006, although adjustment may not be made as the image of the pattern is already known, and thus the expected position relative to the pattern can be determined based on the print file. In either case, a second pattern is printed on the substrate 1008 (dot example in Figure 18B), and then the substrate is returned via the vision system 1010, scan data is acquired 1002, the encoder position is read, and the encoder position is associated with the scan data (step 106). In this case, the encoder is moving backward compared to the normal printing process. Next, it is determined whether there is a difference between the expected and actual positions of the second pattern relative to the first pattern known to be on the substrate 1012. Then, the calibration of the printer and / or vision system is determined 1014. This calibration may be an adjustment of the length and width of the printer, and may include angle adjustment as just one example. The vision system may also be calibrated if it is determined that adjacent cameras were not properly aligned as described above. The process can be repeated as necessary 1016, in which case a new substrate may be used, or the known / existing pattern may be a pattern that has just been scanned, and the second pattern may have additional markers. This can be useful when there are multiple different colors to be calibrated, as many nozzles may require calibration. Thus, the process can be repeated as necessary to calibrate all printing functions. Repeating may be more common in continuous printing presses having arrays of printing nozzles along the length of the machine for printing various colors, but repeating and calibration may be useful in any printing press useful when printing the materials described herein.

[0083] While the present invention has been described with reference to specific arrangements of parts and features, these are not intended to cover all possible arrangements or features, and in practice many other modifications and variations are apparent to those skilled in the art. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1 Area, 2 Computer, 3 Stitch, 4 Print Head, 5 Outer Section, Front Section, 6 Vision System, Vision Station, 7 Area, Base Knit Pattern, 8 Conveyor, Belt, 9 Yarn, 10 Encoder, 11 Outer Section, Rear Section, 12 Encoder, 14 Light, 16 Fabric, 16' Area, 16" Area, 18 Thread, 20 Weave Edge, 22 Marker, Reference Marking, 24 Area, 26 Area, 27 Area, 28 Area, 30 Stitch, 32 Stitch, 32' Base Threading (Background Stitch), 34 Stitch, 34' Area, Dot, Stitch, 36 Area, 36' Area, 40 Printer, Printing System, 43 Controller, 44 Buffer, Print Buffer, 80 Motor, 160 Supply Roller, Conveyor Roller, 180 Take-up Roller, Camera Line, 182 Print Head, 184 Actual pattern, 200 stitches, 300 outline, 302 area, frame, 304 code, code element

Claims

1. A method for printing patterns on fabric, A step of imaging a section of patterned fabric with at least one imaging device to generate actual yarn data showing a plurality of threadings, wherein the plurality of threadings are a plurality of stitches in the fabric, the stitches creating low points in the fabric and causing surface changes, or weave bonds causing the surface changes, the surface changes causing the fabric to have a pattern, A step of comparing the actual yarn data with design yarn data indicating the expected positions of each of the multiple stitches or weave connections, wherein the comparison step determines a print adjustment that takes into account the distortion of the actual yarn data relative to the design yarn data. A step of adjusting print data showing a print design to be printed on the pattern with respect to the design yarn data of the section of the fabric, wherein the adjustment step determines actual print data that adjusts the print design to match the actual yarn data using the print adjustment. The steps include printing the fabric using the actual print data, The steps include moving the fabric to the next section of the fabric, and repeating the imaging step, the comparison step, the adjustment step, and the printing step for the next section and each subsequent section until the fabric is printed. Methods that include...

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment step for one of the subsequent sections is such that the actual print data of the subsequent section is aligned with the preceding section adjacent to the subsequent section, compared with the previous section of the fabric.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the imaging step further comprises imaging a region of the fabric that is expected to include a position marking, the position marking indicating a position on the fabric relative to the three-dimensional pattern.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein when a predicted position marking is detected, the comparison of the actual stitch data and the design stitch data in the comparison step further uses the marking to calibrate to a position in the imaged design stitch data.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the position markings are a plurality of stitches.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the position markings are a plurality of stitches within the woven edge of the fabric.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the imaging devices is at an imaging position, and a moving device moves the section from the imaging position to a printing position associated with a printing unit for printing.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein multiple sections of the fabric are imaged before the sections of the fabric are printed.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the moving device comprises a belt and an encoder measures the movement of the fabric between the imaging position and the printing position.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the threading is a stitch, and when the fabric is printed with the actual print data, one or more of the stitches are printed in a first color different from a second color printed on an area adjacent to the stitch, and the area adjacent to the stitch has a loft higher than the loft of the stitch.

11. A supply unit configured to move patterned fabric in the supply direction, An imaging unit configured to image the fabric, detect multiple threadings within the fabric, and thereby generate actual threading data, wherein the threadings cause surface changes in the fabric that result in the fabric containing a pattern. A processor configured to compare the actual threading data with design threading data indicating the expected positions of each of the plurality of threads, wherein the comparison determines a print adjustment that takes into account the distortion of the actual threading data relative to the design threading data, and the processor is further configured to adjust print data representing a print design to be printed on the three-dimensional pattern relative to the design threading data, wherein the adjustment determines actual print data that uses the print adjustment to adjust the print design to match the actual threading data. A printing unit positioned downstream of the imaging unit along the supply direction, configured to print the fabric using the actual printing data, A printing device equipped with the following features.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the imaging unit is further configured to image a plurality of markers in the fabric, and the processor determines the position in the imaged design stitch data by referring to at least one of the plurality of markers in the design stitch data.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the supply unit moves the next section of the fabric to the printing unit for printing, and the actual print data of the next section is adjusted to be aligned with the actual print data of the previous section of the fabric.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an encoder that measures the movement of the fabric by the supply unit and provides a signal to the processor.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the fabric is imaged while the supply unit moves the fabric through the imaging unit, and the signal from the encoder is used to determine the longitudinal position of the actual threading data, thereby the longitudinal position is used to align the fabric with the printing unit.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the supply unit comprises an endless belt having a sticky or high-friction surface that suppresses the sliding and / or stretching of the fabric between the imaging unit and the printing unit.

17. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of threadings are a plurality of stitches in the fabric.

18. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of threadings are a plurality of woven bonds within the fabric.

19. A fabric printer that utilizes a dynamic print buffer, An imaging unit configured to image the fabric and detect multiple threadings within multiple sections of the fabric, thereby generating actual threading data, wherein the threadings cause surface changes, thereby patterning the fabric. A processor configured to compare the actual threading data with design threading data for each section of the fabric, wherein the design stitch data indicates the expected position of each of the plurality of threads, and the comparison determines a print adjustment that takes into account the distortion of the actual threading data relative to the design threading data, and the processor is further configured to adjust print data that shows the print design to be printed on the pattern of the fabric relative to the design threading data, wherein the print data represents the print design for the plurality of sections of the fabric, and the adjustment determines the actual print data for each section of the fabric that uses the print adjustment to adjust the print design to match the actual threading data for each section of the fabric, A printing unit located downstream of the imaging unit along the supply direction, the printing unit includes a print buffer configured to sequentially receive the actual print data for each section of the fabric and to instruct a print head to print the fabric using the actual print data for each section of the fabric, A supply unit configured to move the fabric so that each part of the fabric is imaged by the imaging unit and the actual print data is generated for each part of the fabric, wherein the supply unit then sequentially aligns each part of the fabric with the printing unit, and the actual print data is sequentially supplied to the printing buffer to print the corresponding section of the fabric, A fabric printer equipped with the following features.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of threadings are a plurality of stitches in the fabric.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of threadings are a plurality of woven bonds within the fabric.

Images