System and method for digitizing a pattern

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel system and method for digitizing garment patterns. In a system embodiment, there are imaging devices supported above a garment pattern-making table. The imaging devices are connected to a computing device via a suitable network connection. The imaging devices are operable to capture data representative of a known garment pattern, and deliver that data to the computing device. In turn, the computing device is operable to vectorize the pattern. Once vectorized, the pattern is subjected to a fully automated recognition operation, and a file is outputted that includes a digitized pattern representing the garment pattern, including elements such as the border, turn points along the border and other specific elements within the border.

1 - 56 . (canceled)  
     
     
         57 . A method of digitizing shapes, said method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving at least one date representing at least one shape;    identifying at least on outline of the at least one shape in the at least one data, wherein the outline has a curvature; and    identifying at least one corner of the at least one outline wherein said corner is identified by calculating the curvature of the outline in a neighborhood of a point on the outline and determining whether the curvature is at least a pre-defined minimum value.    
     
     
         58 . A system for digitizing shapes, said system comprising: 
 a memory arrangement including thereon a computer program; and a processing arrangement which, when executing the computer program is configured to:    receive at least one data representing at least one shape;    identifying at least one outline of the at least one shape in the at least one data, wherein the outline has a curvature; and    identifying at least one corner having a relatively large average curvature of the at least one outline wherein said corner is identified by calculating the curvature of the outline in a neighborhood of a point on the outline and determining whether the curvature is a least a pre-defined minimum value.    
     
     
         59 . A software storage medium which, when executed by a processing arrangement, is configured to digitize shapes, said software storage medium comprising: 
 a first module which, when executed, receives at least one data representing at least one shape;    a second module which, when executed, identifies at least one outline of the at least one shape in the at least one data, wherein the outline has a curvature; and    a third module which, when executed, identifies at least one corner having a relatively large average curvature of the at least one outline wherein said corner is identified by calculating the curvature of the outline in a neighborhood of a point on the outline and determining whether the curvature is at least a pre-defined minimum value.    
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein identifying the at least one corner includes determining whether a point on the outline has the largest curvature in a neighborhood of a point.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein identifying the at least one outline includes identifying a boundary between the color of the pattern and the color of the background.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the at least one outline is represented by a series of point coordinates.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said digitized shape corresponds to the shape of a pattern for producing sewn goods.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said digitized shape corresponds to the shape of a garment pattern.  
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein identifying the at least one corner includes determining whether a point on the outline has the largest curvature in a neighborhood of a point.  
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein identifying the at least one outline includes identifying a boundary between the color of the pattern and the color of the background.  
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one outline is represented by a series of point coordinates.  
     
     
         68 . They system of  claim 58 , wherein said digitized shape corresponds to the shape of a pattern for producing sewn goods.  
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein said digitized shape corresponds to the shape of a garment pattern.  
     
     
         70 . The software storage medium of  claim 59 , wherein identifying the at least one corner includes determining whether a point on the outline has the largest curvature in a neighborhood of a point.  
     
     
         71 . The software storage medium of  claim 59 , wherein identifying the at least one outline includes identifying a boundary between the color of the pattern and the color of the background.  
     
     
         72 . The software storage medium of  claim 70 , wherein the at least one outline is represented by a series of point coordinates.  
     
     
         73 . The software storage medium of  claim 59 , wherein said digitized shape corresponds to the shape of a pattern for producing sewn goods.  
     
     
         74 . The software storage medium of  claim 59 , wherein said digitized shape corresponds to the shape of a garment pattern.