DE102020113773B3 - Intelligent knitting needles and circular knitting needles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an intelligent knitting needle with at least one needle point and a shaft on which the knitted fabric can be arranged at least in some areas, as well as a circular knitting needle. The object of specifying a knitting needle that makes it possible to easily count the stitches and rows of knitting work and to output them to the user without additional aids is achieved in that an inertial measuring unit for detecting a movement of the knitting needle, a processor unit for processing the detected Movement data of the inertial measuring unit and an energy source for supplying energy to the inertial measuring unit and the processor unit are arranged integrated, the processor unit determining a number of knitted stitches from the recorded movement data of the inertial measuring unit and outputting them to a user of the knitting needle via an output device.

Description

The invention relates to an intelligent knitting needle for manual work with at least one needle point and a shaft on which the knitted fabric can be arranged at least in certain areas, as well as a circular knitting needle for manual work that has at least one intelligent knitting needle.

Knitting needles for handicrafts have long been known and are available in a variety of ways. Knitting needles for handicrafts can be, inter alia. differ by their cross-sectional shape, their thickness or length. In the case of such knitting needles, a regular distinction is made between the receiving knitting needle and the knitting needle to be knitted off. I. E. At least two knitting needles are usually required for knitting, with the user holding one knitting needle in each hand. As a rule, the dominant or preferred hand of the user holds a knitting needle in order to knit stitches on the other knitting needle held by the less preferred hand of the user. The knotted stitches are transferred from the knitting needle to be knitted onto the other stitch-receiving knitting needle while the knitting process progresses.

When making knitting by hand, the number of stitches knitted is very important, for example to create special knitting patterns. Every knitting job therefore requires a certain number of stitches and a certain number of rows in order to achieve the desired or made knitting result. It is possible, for example, to note the number of stitches and rows knitted or to count them manually using written information. In circular knitting, the end of a row of stitches can be used, for example, by an inserted thread or another object that is suitable for marking the end of a row.

For many people, knitting is a social pastime and / or a pastime alongside other activities such as B. talking, listening to the radio, watching TV. Because of the other activities, the knitter is distracted by other stimuli and cannot or does not want to concentrate primarily on counting stitches. A miscounting of the number of stitches is almost always the result.

It would therefore be desirable to provide the knitter with an aid that makes it easier to count stitches in manual knitting.

A row counting device ( U.S. 4,343,160 A ) known, which can be attached to a knitting needle. This row counting device has a counting mechanism that has to be operated manually via a single accessible button as soon as a row is completed or a row change is due. The disadvantage is that only rows can be counted with it and not individual stitches. Another disadvantage is that the counting device has to be operated by hand, for which the knitting process has to be interrupted every time. A movement-based detection of individual knitted stitches or rows is not possible.

From the US 2012/0296465 A1 an interactive knitting and crocheting system is known which comprises a crochet or knitting needle and a computing unit as well as an audiovisual means. The aim of the interactive knitting and crocheting system is to monitor the correct crocheting or knitting technique, and if a wrong technique is detected, a warning is issued that an error has occurred in order to avoid unnecessary knitting. The knitting or crocheting person should be able to be informed about improper technology via the audiovisual means or be informed about the progress of his handicraft project. For this purpose, the crocheting or knitting needle has an acceleration sensor and an optical sensor, which are arranged in the tip of the respective needle. The acceleration sensor detects rotary movements of the needle. The distance and the position of the respective needle are determined by means of a triangulation algorithm via an interaction of the optical sensor with infrared lights which are arranged on the audiovisual means. By means of the recorded movement data and the triangulation algorithm, the correct execution of the respective manual work is monitored via a microprocessor arranged in the audiovisual means, with a notification being issued if an error has occurred. The disadvantage of this interactive knitting and crocheting system, however, is the absolute necessity of the presence of the aforementioned audiovisual means in order to validate the correctness of the knitting pattern. This makes the system very unwieldy and is not very suitable for spontaneous use or in social gatherings.

In the DE 27 30 238 A1 A measuring system is disclosed for measuring the movement of a loop-forming element, with measured values on the moving machine part being converted into frequency signals and, after being superimposed on a carrier frequency, transmitted to an evaluation unit via transmitter and receiver. Here, dielectrics are attached to the knitting elements, which generate changes in capacitance that are proportional to the displacement in relation to a measuring capacitor in the machine bed when they move. This arrangement is not suitable for use in knitting needles for needlework.

In the DD 146 065 A1 describes a device for determining the point in time for the change in a path-time curve of a knitting needle, actuating elements being provided on the knitting needles, an initiator circuit and an electronic circuit which trigger a signal for an observation or measuring device. This arrangement is also unsuitable for use in knitting needles for manual labor.

It is therefore the object of the present invention in particular to provide a knitting needle that enables the stitches and rows of a knitting to be counted and output easily and without additional aids, so that the aforementioned disadvantages from the prior art and everyday experience are eliminated. In particular, a knitting needle is to be specified that can be used spontaneously, easily and anywhere for knitting work, so that the user can knit without having to concentrate on counting stitches and rows.

The object is achieved by an intelligent knitting needle according to independent patent claim 1.

In the intelligent knitting needle, an inertial measuring unit for detecting a movement of the knitting needle, a processor unit for processing the detected movement data of the knitting needle by the inertial measuring unit and an energy source for supplying energy to the inertial measuring unit and the processor unit are integrated, the processor unit using the recorded movement data The number of stitches knitted is determined and output to a user of the knitting needle via an output device. The inertial measuring unit should advantageously be positioned in the tip or in the end of the knitting needle. The tip or the end of the knitting needle have a greater amplitude of movement during the knitting process, in particular compared to the center of the knitting needle. This allows the movement data to be evaluated better or more reliably than with the smaller movement amplitudes in the middle of the knitting needle.

The designation as an intelligent knitting needle is derived from its inherent property of being able to count independently knitted stitches and output them to the user of the knitting needle.

In one embodiment of the knitting needle according to the invention, the inertial measuring unit comprises at least one acceleration sensor, at least one gyroscope and / or at least one magnetic sensor.

The acceleration sensor and the gyroscope are used to determine the position of the knitting needle in space. The components of the inertial measuring unit are arranged on a circuit board, which can be designed flexibly, for example, in order to be able to arrange and integrate them in the knitting needle as space-saving as possible.

The energy supply also includes a voltage regulation unit for adapting the supply voltage, for example from 1.5V to 3.3V, depending on the energy source used and the supply voltage of the inertial measuring unit and the processor unit.

In a further embodiment of the knitting needle according to the invention, the knitting needle has a radio unit for communication and / or transmission of recorded movement data of the knitting needle to the output means or for wireless communication with one or more other intelligent knitting needles.

The radio unit is also integrated in the intelligent knitting needle. The radio unit communicates via a radio standard with the output means or another intelligent knitting needle. It is irrelevant which radio standard is used, e.g. B. via bluetooth or wifi. Both the output means and the intelligent knitting needle have a receiving unit for this. Measurement data acquired via the wireless connection, i. H. Movement data of the inertial measuring unit can be transmitted and / or communicated to the output means or another intelligent knitting needle. The recorded measurement data can either have already been processed further by a processor unit or can be transmitted wirelessly for further processing.

In one embodiment of the knitting needle according to the invention, the output means is designed as a display unit integrated in the knitting needle. The integrated display unit can be designed as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a display. The number of stitches and / or rows knitted is displayed to the user of the knitting needle by means of the display unit. A row change can also be communicated to a user via an acoustic signal or a vibration alarm.

In a further embodiment of the knitting needle according to the invention, the output means is designed as a mobile terminal device, in particular a smartphone or tablet. Many users carry a smartphone with them at all times and it is used for many applications. Due to the permanent access to a smartphone, this can also be used for the evaluation of the recorded sensor data, ie Movement data of the inertial measuring unit are used.

In another further embodiment of the knitting needle according to the invention, the knitting needle has a loading module. The intelligent knitting needle is powered by a battery. In one variant, the battery can be opened by opening the knitting needle, e.g. B. a screw cap, can be replaced. In another advantageous variant, the battery is rechargeable and can be recharged by inductive charging via the charging module. The battery can also be plugged into a charging station via the charging module and then recharged. For charging in a charging station, the charging module of the knitting needle has corresponding contacts for connection to the charging station.

The object is also achieved by a circular knitting needle according to claim 6, which comprises a first and a second knitting needle which are connected to one another via a flexible connecting element. An inertial measuring unit for detecting a movement of the first knitting needle and a processor unit for processing the detected movement data of the first knitting needle by the inertial measuring unit are integrated in the first knitting needle and an energy source for supplying energy to the inertial measuring unit and the processor unit is located in the second knitting needle first knitting needle arranged integrated, wherein the flexible connecting element is designed as an electrical line for the transmission of data and / or energy between the first and second knitting needle.

An advantage of the circular knitting needle according to the invention is the possibility of arranging the energy source for supplying energy to the inertial measuring unit and the processor unit separately from the first knitting needle in the second knitting needle in order to save space in a knitting needle, with the electrical connection via the flexible connecting element between the first and second knitting needle can be realized. This means that the intelligent knitting needles can be manufactured and offered with very small diameters.

In one embodiment of the circular knitting needle according to the invention, a further inertial measuring unit is also integrated in the second knitting needle. It is advantageous here that the movements of the first and second knitting needles can be recorded even more precisely.

In a further embodiment of the circular knitting needle according to the invention, a further processor unit is also integrated in the second knitting needle. The calculation processes for the movement data can thus be carried out separately for each of the two knitting needles, so that the computing capacity of the processor unit used in each knitting needle can be simplified, which in turn leads to more energy-efficient operation of the knitting needles.

In another further embodiment of the circular knitting needle according to the invention, the first knitting needle additionally has a further energy source. The first knitting needle can thus also work independently of the second knitting needle. This means that the movement data can be recorded and evaluated independently of one another via both knitting needles. An evaluation and determination of the number of stitches and rows knitted can thus be carried out even more precisely.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the intelligent knitting needle or circular knitting needle according to the invention, the number of stitches knitted is determined by means of the recorded movement data by the inertial measuring unit via a deep learning algorithm or via an algorithmic evaluation in the processor unit or in the mobile terminal. In the deep-learning algorithm, the recorded movement data are compared by the inertial measuring unit with comparison data, which are composed of a large number of recorded movement data from knitting needle users. Using the deep learning algorithm, pattern recognition is used to determine from the recorded movement data how many stitches have been knitted, whereby a distinction can also be made between right and left knitting stitches. From the comparison data, models for mesh detection and counting are derived and created, i. H. Calculation rules for determining the number of meshes. These can either be stored in a memory unit of the integrated processor unit in the knitting needle or in a mobile external terminal or in the cloud. The comparison data are constantly being expanded and analyzed by the deep learning algorithm, so that the models for recognizing knitted stitches and determining the number of stitches are constantly being trained and improved. The models optimized by the comparison data can be transferred to the knitting needle via a firmware update, for example via the radio unit in the knitting needle. The intelligent knitting needle and / or circular knitting needle according to the invention can thus be updated. This means that there is constant further development and improvement in the detection of the number of stitches.

It is also possible to use a mathematical evaluation of the recorded movement data to calculate the number of stitches knitted. This variant has the advantage that no comparative data is required to create and improve the models for determining the number of meshes. In the mathematical evaluation limit values for the movements of the needles are set and these are compared mathematically. Various methods, such as Kalman filters, dynamic time normalization, Fast Fourier Transformation, etc., can be used for this purpose.

In a further embodiment of the knitting needle according to the invention, more than two knitting needles are used for knitting. In an advantageous embodiment, an intelligent knitting needle of the more than two knitting needles used acts as a master and can communicate with the other knitting needles via the respective radio units. This ensures that only the movement data of those knitting needles are used to determine the number of stitches that are actually being knitted with.

Using the intelligent knitting needle, it is possible to derive and establish a kind of standard for knitting patterns. This standard can be used by various apps, websites, knitting pattern books, etc. The intelligent knitting needles thus offer the advantage of standardizing the previously known and used description variants for knitting patterns.

• 1 Erfindungsgemäße intelligente Stricknadel mit integrierter inertialer Messeinheit, Prozessoreinheit und Energiequelle;
• 2 Erfindungsgemäße Rundstricknadel in einer ersten Ausführungsvariante;
• 3 Erfindungsgemäße Rundstricknadel in einer zweiten Ausführungsvariante;
• 4 Erfindungsgemäße Rundstricknadel in einer dritten Ausführungsvariante;
• 5 Erfindungsgemäße Rundstricknadel in einer vierten Ausführungsvariante;
• 6 Erfindungsgemäße intelligente Stricknadel oder Rundstricknadel mit externer Auswerte- und Anzeigeeinheit;
• 7 Kommunizierende intelligente Stricknadeln für Strickprojekte mit mehreren Stricknadeln;
• 8 Erfindungsgemäße intelligente Stricknadel mit induktivem Lademodul.

In the following, the invention is to be explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments. The accompanying drawings show

• 1 Intelligent knitting needle according to the invention with an integrated inertial measuring unit, processor unit and energy source;
• 2 Circular knitting needle according to the invention in a first variant;
• 3 Circular knitting needle according to the invention in a second variant;
• 4th Circular knitting needle according to the invention in a third variant;
• 5 Circular knitting needle according to the invention in a fourth variant;
• 6th Intelligent knitting needle or circular knitting needle according to the invention with an external evaluation and display unit;
• 7th Communicating intelligent knitting needles for knitting projects with multiple knitting needles;
• 8th Intelligent knitting needle according to the invention with an inductive charging module.

1 shows the intelligent knitting needle according to the invention 1 in cross section. In the knitting needle 1 is an inertial measuring unit 6th for detecting a movement of the knitting needle 1 integrated. The inertial unit of measurement 6th comprises at least one motion sensor and at least one gyroscope. In addition, a magnetic sensor can be used to record the position. The unit of measurement 6th is with a processor unit 7th over a line 9 for energy and data, which processes the recorded movement data and uses this to determine the number of stitches and rows knitted. The energy supply of the inertial measuring unit 6th and the processor unit 7th takes place via an energy source 10 with voltage regulation. The processing unit 7th gives the number of stitches and rows to an output means 11 Further. The output means 11 can as one in the knitting needle 1 be designed integrated display. LEDs or a vibration signal can be used to indicate a row change.

2 shows a first variant of the intelligent circular knitting needle according to the invention 2 . A circular knitting needle 2 includes a first 3 and a second 4 knitting needle connected by a flexible connecting element 5 are connected to each other. In a first variant are in the first knitting needle 3 the inertial measurement unit 6th to detect the movement of the first knitting needle 3 and a processor unit 7th integrated for processing the recorded movement data. In the second knitting needle 4th is the source of energy 10 for the energy supply of the inertial measuring unit 6th and the processor unit 7th in the first knitting needle 4th integrated, the flexible connecting element 5 is designed as an electrical line for transmitting the energy between the first 3 and second 4 knitting needles. This variant is advantageous because the energy source 10 , e.g. B. a battery, from the measuring unit 6th and the processor unit 7th arranged separately and the place of both knitting needles 3 , 4th can be used. This can be used to make smaller knitting needles.

3 shows a second embodiment of the intelligent circular knitting needle according to the invention 2 . In contrast to the first embodiment variant described is also in the second knitting needle 4th an inertial measuring unit 6th integrated. The data recorded in this way are transmitted via the electrical connection line 5 to the processor unit 7th in the first knitting needle 3 guided and evaluated. Through the two measuring units 6th is a more precise movement detection of the two knitting needles 3 , 4th to each other possible, so that the determination of the number of stitches can be done very precisely. A change of hands can thus be evaluated more precisely.

4th shows a third embodiment of the intelligent circular knitting needle according to the invention 2 . In comparison to the first embodiment variant described, is also in the first knitting needle 3 a source of energy 10 for the energy supply of the inertial measuring unit 6th and the processor unit 7th in the first knitting needle 3 integrated. This has the advantage that more energy is available and thus can be knitted longer.

5 shows a fourth variant of the intelligent circular knitting needle according to the invention 2 . This is a combination of the second and third embodiment variants described. Both knitting needles 3 , 4th have an inertial measuring unit 6th as well as an energy source 10 on. A processing unit 7th is only arranged in a knitting needle.

6th shows the intelligent knitting needle 1 or a knitting needle 3 , 4th a circular knitting needle 2 with external evaluation and display unit 11 , 12th . The radio unit sends the recorded and / or evaluated movement data with the determined number of stitches to an external output device 11 . This can be a smartphone, for example 12th be.

For knitting projects where more than one knitting needle 1 is required, can according to 7th two intelligent knitting needles according to the invention 1 communicate with each other. It is also possible for more than two different knitting needles to communicate with one another. During the knitting process, however, only the two knitting needles that are actually being used communicate with one another. The processor units 7th of the two knitting needles 1 can communicate with each other via their respective radio units 8th communicate and the determined number of stitches and / or rows to an external output means 11 such as B. a smartphone 12th or send a tablet. This is particularly beneficial for knitting projects with multiple knitting needles.

In a further advantageous embodiment variant, it is also possible that the inertial measuring units 6th recorded movement data of the knitting needles 1 via the radio unit 8th directly via a radio standard, e.g. B. Bluetooth or Wifi, to an external output means 11 are sent and this 11, 12 is then used to determine the number of stitches and rows.

8th shows the intelligent knitting needle according to the invention 1 with inductive charging module 13th . The energy source 10 , e.g. a battery can use the charging module 13th can be recharged by inductive charging.

List of reference symbols

1

Intelligent knitting needle

2

Intelligent circular knitting needle

3

First knitting needle of a circular needle

4th

Second knitting needle of a circular knitting needle

5

Flexible connection element with electrical line

6th

Inertial measurement unit

7th

Processor unit

8th

Radio unit

9

Line for data and energy within the knitting needle

10

Energy source with voltage regulation

11

Means of expenditure

12th

Mobile device

13th

inductive charging module

Claims (10)

Intelligent knitting needle (1), with at least one needle tip and a shaft on which the knitted fabric can be arranged at least in some areas, characterized in that an inertial measuring unit (6) for detecting a movement of the knitting needle (1), a Processor unit (7) for processing the recorded movement data of the knitting needle (1) by the inertial measuring unit (6) and an energy source (10) for supplying energy to the inertial measuring unit (6) and the processor unit (7) are arranged in an integrated manner, the processor unit (7 ) the inertial measuring unit (6) determines a number of knitted stitches from the recorded movement data and outputs them to a user of the knitting needle (1) via an output means (11). Intelligent knitting needle (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the inertial measuring unit (6) comprises at least one acceleration sensor, at least one gyroscope and / or at least one magnetic sensor. Intelligent knitting needle (1) according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the knitting needle (1) has a radio unit (8) for communication and / or transmission of recorded movement data of the knitting needle (1) to the output means (11) or for wireless communication with one or more other intelligent knitting needles (1) . Intelligent knitting needle (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the output means (11) is designed as a display unit integrated in the knitting needle or that the output means (11) is a mobile terminal device (12), in particular a smartphone or tablet. Intelligent knitting needle (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the knitting needle (1) has a loading module (13). Circular knitting needle (2) comprising a first (3) and a second (4) knitting needle, which are connected to one another via a flexible connecting element (5), characterized in that an inertial measuring unit (6) for detecting a Movement of the first knitting needle (3) and one Processor unit (7) for processing the recorded movement data of the knitting needle (3) by the inertial measuring unit (6) are arranged integrated and in the second knitting needle (4) an energy source (10) for supplying energy to the inertial measuring unit (6) and the processor unit (7) ) is arranged integrated in the first knitting needle (3), the flexible connecting element (5) being designed as an electrical line for the transmission of data and / or energy between the first (3) and second (4) knitting needles. Circular knitting needle (2) Claim 6 , characterized in that a further inertial measuring unit (6) is integrated in the second knitting needle (4). Circular knitting needle (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a further processor unit (7) is integrated in the second knitting needle (4). Circular knitting needle (2) according to one of the previous ones Claims 6 until 8th , characterized in that the first knitting needle (3) has an energy source (10). Intelligent knitting needle (1) or circular knitting needle (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of the recorded movement data by the inertial measuring unit (6) via a deep learning algorithm or via an algorithmic evaluation in the processor unit (7) or in the mobile terminal (12) the number of knitted stitches is determined.

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