Adjustable Embroidery Design System Using Vector Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

In machine embroidery, artists must create separate designs for each unique view of a subject, leading to inefficiency, as operators lack the ability to modify designs for various perspectives and sizes without significant artist intervention.

Innovation Solution

A system and method allowing artists to create adjustable 2D or 3D embroidery designs with vector data that can be modified by operators to produce customized stitch instructions for embroidery machines, enabling rotation, scaling, and other n-dimensional effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If an artist creates separate embroidery designs for each unique view of a subject, then the embroidery design can accurately represent different perspectives, but the labor time and productivity decrease significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of embroidery design representationVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by creating an adjustable embroidery design where the shape data can be dynamically modified through vector data parameters. The design transitions from a static, fixed representation to a dynamic structure that can be adjusted to represent different viewpoints and perspectives without requiring separate designs for each view, thereby resolving the contradiction between accuracy and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by introducing vector data that allows modification of shape data through mathematical operations. By changing parameters such as translation, rotation, and scaling vectors, the same base design can be transformed to represent multiple perspectives, eliminating the need to create separate designs for each viewpoint and thus improving productivity while maintaining representation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If an artist crafts a specific embroidery design for each unique view, then the design can be precisely tailored to different perspectives, but the time required for design creation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of design tailoringVSAvoidtime for design creation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the artist create a single base design with embedded vector data that defines permissible adjustments. This preliminary creation of the adjustable structure allows operators to quickly generate specific viewpoint variations without the artist needing to manually craft each design from scratch, significantly reducing the time required for design creation while maintaining precision through the vector-based adjustment system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating a reusable base design that can be copied and transformed into multiple variations. Instead of creating entirely new designs for each perspective, the system copies the base design and applies vector transformations to generate the required variations, thereby reducing the time investment while maintaining design precision through controlled transformations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If an operator modifies the embroidery design for various perspectives and sizes, then customization capability increases, but the complexity of the design system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of design system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the design system into distinct, manageable components: shape data representing the base design, vector data defining transformation parameters, and parameter data controlling stitch characteristics. This segmentation allows operators to modify specific aspects (perspective, size, or stitch details) independently without increasing overall system complexity, as each component can be adjusted without affecting the entire design structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by creating a single adjustable design system that can serve multiple functions - representing different viewpoints, scales, and perspectives. The vector data structure provides a universal mechanism that handles all types of transformations uniformly, allowing operators to customize designs for various applications without needing separate specialized tools or complex subsystems, thus achieving high adaptability with controlled complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Extent of automation

If vector data is added to define adjustable shapes, then the design becomes programmatically controllable, but the data structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogrammatic controllabilityVSAvoiddata structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing vector data as a mediating layer between the shape data and the desired transformations. This vector data acts as a simple mathematical intermediary that translates high-level adjustment intentions into concrete shape modifications. The vector data structure is deliberately kept simple (comprising translation, rotation, and scaling components) to provide programmatic controllability without introducing excessive data structure complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7457683B2Adjustable embroidery design system and method
Publication Date: 2008.11.25 BAILIE BRIAN D
  • US7457683B2 patent drawing
  • US7457683B2 patent drawing
  • US7457683B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for an interactive embroidery design specified by vector data and 3-dimensional data modifying shape and parameter data. A processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to create an adjustable design as indicated by artist input. The adjusted design is modified by embroidery machine operator input and is converted into stitch instructions for use by an embroidery machine to manufacture a custom embroidered product including the adjusted design.