Wearable Pattern Design Using Body Position Detection and Virtual Object Intersection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for designing wearable items are inflexible, requiring complex operations and limited user interaction, resulting in poor quality modifications and inability to customize beyond predefined sizes and designs.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus using position detection and data processing means to compute pattern data based on the intersection of a user's body with virtual objects, allowing intuitive design and immediate feedback through projection mapping, enabling users to create customized patterns without remote controls or additional devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional linear design process is used, then design is performed by manufacturer's designer, but the process is inflexible and restricted to predefined sizes and designer's ideas only

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoiddesign process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to perform design operations directly on their body using projected virtual objects, eliminating the need for designers or complex design software. The body itself becomes the design interface, allowing anyone to create customized patterns without requiring design expertise or access to professional design tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical design tools (sketches, patterns, sizing charts) with a projection-based system that uses light and virtual objects. The design process transitions from manual manipulation of physical or digital design artifacts to interactive projection and detection on the user's body, enabling real-time customization.

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

2Ease of operation

If t-shirt design machine with remote controllers is used, then user can virtually design t-shirt, but the operation is too complex for ordinary users and interactivity is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser operation simplicityVSAvoidcontrol device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the control interface from external devices (remote controllers, keyboards, mice) and integrates it directly onto the user's body through projection. The body becomes the control surface, eliminating the need for separate control devices and simplifying operation to natural body movements and positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The projection system acts as an intermediary between the user's body and the design software, translating physical body positions and movements into digital design commands. This intermediary layer enables intuitive interaction without requiring users to learn complex control interfaces or software operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If projection mapping is used for design, then immediate feedback and interactive design are provided, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign feedback qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements real-time feedback by continuously detecting the user's body position and immediately updating the projected virtual objects and resulting pattern design. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows users to see the effect of their movements instantly, enabling intuitive exploration and precise design control without requiring complex post-processing or interpretation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The projection system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays virtual objects for interaction, provides real-time feedback on body position, renders the final pattern design, and guides the user through the design process. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated apparatus, managing complexity through functional integration.

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

4Manufacturing precision

If post-production modification with pens or screen printing is used, then design can be modified after production, but the product quality is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern qualityVSAvoiddesign process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the complete design process before production begins, using projection and body detection to finalize the pattern design in real-time on the user's body. This preliminary design action eliminates the need for post-production modifications, ensuring high quality from the start and preventing defects that would require costly rework or correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates simple and interactive design of wearable items, providing immediate feedback and enabling complex, customized patterns, enhancing user experience and product quality.

Implementation Method 1

position detection means adapted to detect a position of at least a portion of a body of a user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

data processing means adapted to compute at least one intersection of at least one virtual object and the portion of the body of the user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric computation: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP3252668B1Apparatus for designing a pattern for a wearable item
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 ADIDAS AG
  • EP3252668B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for designing a pattern for a wearable item, comprising: (a.) position detection means adapted to detect a position of at least a portion of a body of a user; and (b.) data processing means adapted to compute at least one intersection of at least one virtual object and the portion of the body of the user, and pattern data representative of a pattern for the wearable item based on the intersection.