Standardized Digital Files for Garment Production

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for providing manufacturing instructions for garments are inefficient and prone to misinterpretation, as they lack standardization and rely on human guesswork, leading to increased complexity and costs, especially when dealing with customized or made-to-measure clothing.

Innovation Solution

A digital file system that generates and manages standardized digital files by consolidating instructions into discrete objects, allowing for easy customization and scaling, using base digital files and custom digital files based on grading rubrics, and enabling seamless communication between designers and manufacturers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If standardized digital files with discrete objects are used, then manufacturing precision and interpretation accuracy improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstruction interpretation accuracyVSAvoiddigital file system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments manufacturing instructions into discrete, standardized digital objects (e.g., seam objects, panel objects, notation objects) that can be independently defined and processed. Each object type represents a specific manufacturing element with standardized properties, enabling precise interpretation while maintaining modularity that manages system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation from informal, unstructured text to structured digital parameters with defined data types and validation rules. Each manufacturing instruction is represented as an object with specific parameters (e.g., seam allowance, stitch type, panel dimensions) that can be automatically processed and validated, improving precision while enabling automated error checking to manage complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If clarification is provided for each design instruction, then manufacturing reliability improves, but loss of time and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing instruction clarityVSAvoidclarification time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized digital file format is self-explanatory and self-validating, containing all necessary manufacturing information in a structured format that manufacturers can interpret without requiring designer clarification. The system serves itself by embedding complete instructions with standardized semantics that eliminate ambiguity and reduce communication overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical communication process (designer-manufacturer clarification exchanges) with an automated digital system where standardized objects and validation rules automatically ensure instruction correctness. This substitution eliminates time-consuming human clarification while maintaining reliability through systematic validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If detailed instructions are provided for each garment, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity and scaling difficulties increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstruction detail accuracyVSAvoidinstruction system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting detailed manufacturing instructions into standardized, reusable object templates (seam objects, panel objects, notation objects), the system maintains high precision for each garment while avoiding complexity through template reuse. Once an object type is defined, it can be applied consistently across multiple garments, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized digital objects serve multiple functions across different garments and manufacturing contexts. A seam object definition can be reused across numerous garment types, and the same object structure handles various manufacturing elements, providing universality that reduces complexity while maintaining detailed precision where needed.

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

4Adaptability or versatility

If customization options are added, then adaptability improves, but loss of time in processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes standardized object templates and validation rules in advance, before customization is needed. These pre-defined structures enable rapid processing of customized garments because the framework is already in place - customization involves filling in specific parameters within the established template rather than creating new instruction structures from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed to be dynamic, allowing customization parameters to be modified while maintaining the standardized structure. The digital file format accommodates variations in garment specifications through parameter adjustments within the object templates, enabling adaptability without requiring fundamental changes to the processing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11559098B2Generating digital files for garment production
Publication Date: 2023.01.24 AMAZON TECH INC
  • US11559098B2 patent drawing
  • US11559098B2 patent drawing
  • US11559098B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided to generate a base digital file for a garment and a custom digital file for the garment, which may be used in garment production. For example, a system may receive information providing various specifications for manufacturing a garment, generate a base digital file for the garment, receive a request to transform the garment from a first garment size to a second garment size, and then generate a custom digital file for the garment by applying custom user body measurements to the base digital file or by applying a grading scale.