Herringbone Fabric Point Detection for Pattern-Aligned Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic cutting methods for patterned fabrics, particularly herringbone fabrics, fail to automatically recognize characteristic points of the herringbone patterns, necessitating manual intervention by operators, which is time-consuming and reduces productivity.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for automatically detecting characteristic points of herringbone fabrics by acquiring an image, initializing detection with predefined parameters, and optimizing symmetry criteria of mirror sub-images to determine the coordinates of herringbone pattern axes, forming a deformed grid for repositioning and deforming pieces to be cut.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual detection of herringbone pattern characteristic points is used, then detection accuracy can be ensured, but productivity decreases and manual effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical detection with an automated image processing system. The system acquires images of the fabric, processes them through symmetry optimization algorithms, and automatically detects characteristic points without human intervention, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while significantly improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system performs self-service by automatically processing fabric images and identifying characteristic points without requiring manual operation. The symmetry optimization criterion enables the system to autonomously determine the correct orientation and position of herringbone patterns, eliminating the need for manual detection while preserving accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated cutting is implemented without pattern recognition, then cutting speed increases, but pattern continuity cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting speedVSAvoidpattern continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of herringbone pattern characteristic points and determination of fabric orientation before the cutting process begins. This advance preparation ensures that the automated cutting can proceed at high speed while maintaining pattern continuity, as the cutting parameters are pre-adjusted based on the detected pattern geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The symmetry optimization criterion provides feedback on the detected pattern orientation and characteristic points. This feedback mechanism allows the system to verify detection accuracy and adjust cutting parameters accordingly, ensuring that pattern continuity is maintained while enabling high-speed automated cutting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If image processing algorithms are simplified, then processing speed increases, but detection reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoiddetection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a symmetry optimization criterion that transforms the detection problem into a parameter optimization task. By changing the approach from complex pattern matching to symmetry-based parameter optimization, the system achieves both high processing speed and high detection reliability, as the symmetry criterion provides a robust and computationally efficient method for identifying characteristic points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12532931B2Method and system for automatically detecting characteristic points of a herringbone fabric with a view to automatically cutting pieces

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 LECTRA SA (FR)

AI summary

A method and system are provided for automatically detecting characteristic points of a herringbone fabric with a view to automatically cutting pieces. The herringbone patterns are formed by V-shaped features with vertices that are aligned along a plurality of parallel axes. The method proceeds with a step of acquiring an image of a segment of the fabric, a detection initialization step including, on the basis of predefined parameters or on the basis of the image, acquiring geometric parameters of the herringbone patterns and defining lines of operation perpendicular to the axes of the herringbone patterns, and a step of determining, in the image, coordinates of points of passage of axes of the herringbone patterns along lines of operation via the optimization of a criterion of symmetry of two mirror sub-images acquired along lines of operation.