GB2610172A - Method of generating knitting instructions - Google Patents

Abstract

Method of generating knitting instructions for knitting machine-readable code using a knitting machine comprising first needle bed and second needle bed, by obtaining a digital representation of a machine-readable code in form of an array having plurality of array elements having value representative of the colour of array element, first array element having value representative of first colour, a second array element having a value representative of second colour; converting each array element into knitting instruction identifying knitting operations performed at one course and wale locations that correspond to the location of the array element in the array, the instruction identifying the type of yarn used and whether knitted loops are formed on first needle bed and/or second needle bed, the knitting instruction for first of the array elements is for forming knitted loop on the first needle bed using a first yarn having first colour and forming knitted loop on the second needle bed using second yarn having the second colour, and wherein the knitting instruction for the second of the array elements is for forming a knitted loop on the first needle bed using the second yarn and forming knitted loop on second needle bed using first yarn.

Description

METHOD OF GENERATING KNITTING INSTRUCTIONS

[0001] The present disclosure is directed towards a method of generating knitting instructions, and in particular a method of generating a knitting instruction for knitting a machine-readable code such as barcodes, a quick-response codes or augmented reality markers.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Machine-readable codes are desired to be incorporated into wearable articles such as garments to be provide a convenient mechanism for a user to interact with the wearable article.

[0003] The machine-readable code may encode a URL link that can be used to access information about the wearable article such as the manufacturer, materials used in the wearable article, and care information such as how the wearable article should be washed and dried. The URL link may separately or additionally link to a brand's website or digital marketing campaign to improve user engagement with the brand.

[0004] The machine-readable code may be in the form of a quick-response, OR, code, that a user may scan with their mobile phone to access the URL link.

[0005] The machine-readable code may encode identifying information for the wearable article. This may be a unique identifier for the wearable article. This identifying information can be used in verifying the authenticity of the wearable article and is helpful in identifying counterfeit products.

[0006] The machine-readable code may form an augmented reality, AR, marker that may be used in motion tracking of the wearer of the wearable article.

[0007] Other forms and applications of machine-readable codes are known.

[0008] Typically, machine-readable codes are printed onto articles such as wearable articles or provided as a separate layer which is stitched onto the article. This requires a separate manufacturing process which can add to the cost and complexity of manufacturing the wearable article. For example, once knitted the wearable article may be required to be taken to a separate location /factory to printing/stitching on the machine-readable code. Such machine-readable codes are generally weakly attached to the article and liable degrade at a faster rate than the article to which it is attached. For example, the printed machine-readable code may degrade due to laundering of the article, and the stitches may come undone over time.

[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure, to provide a simplified method of incorporating machine-readable codes into wearable articles.

SUMMARY

[0010] According to the present disclosure there is provided a fabric article and method of making the same as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of generating knitting instructions for knitting a machine-readable code using a knitting machine comprising a first needle bed and a second needle bed. The method comprises obtaining a digital representation of a machine-readable code, the digital representation being in the form of an array having a plurality of array elements, each array element having a value representative of the colour of the array element, a first of the array elements having a value representative of a first colour, a second of the array elements having a value representative of a second colour. The method comprises converting each array element into a knitting instruction identifying the knitting operations performed at one or more course and wale locations that correspond to the location of the array element in the array, the knitting instruction identifying the type of yarn used and whether knitted loops are formed on the first needle bed and/or the second needle bed. The knitting instruction for the first of the array elements is for forming a knitted loop on the first needle bed using a first yarn having the first colour and forming a knitted loop on the second needle bed using a second yarn having the second colour. The knitting instruction for the second of the array elements is for forming a knitted loop on the first needle bed using the second yarn and forming a knitted loop on the second needle bed using the first yarn.

[0012] Here, "colour" includes properties such as the hue, tint, tone and shade of the yarn. The first colour may be black. The second colour may be white. The first and second colours are different. This means that one or more of the hue, tint, tone and shades of the first and second colours are different. The first and second colours may, for example, have the same hues and one of more of the tints, tones and shades are different. The first and second colours may, for example, have different hues and one or more of the tines, tones and shades are either the same or different.

[0013] Here and throughout the specification, the "first needle bed" may be a front needle bed of a knitting machine and the "second needle bed" may be a back needle bed of a knitting machine. Alternatively, the first needle bed may be the back needle bed and the second needle bed may be the front needle bed.

[0014] Advantageously, the method converts a digital representation of a machine-readable code such as a digital image of a machine-readable code into a set of knitting instructions which may be used to knit the machine-readable code. In this way, a machine-readable code may be automatically converted into a set of knitting instructions which may be used to control the knitting machine to knit the machine-readable code. The machine-readable code may be integrally knit with a fabric article such as a wearable article.

[0015] In the knitting instruction for the first of the array elements, the knitted loop on the first needle bed and the knitted loop on the second needle bed may be formed in different knitted courses. These may be consecutive knit courses. The pair of consecutive knit courses form a row of the array.

[0016] In the knitting instruction for the second of the array elements, the knitted loop on the first needle bed and the knitted loop on the second needle bed are formed in different knitted courses. These may be consecutive knit courses. The pair of consecutive knit courses form a row of the array.

[0017] Each of the array elements may have a value indicative of the first colour or the second colour.

[0018] The knitting instructions for array elements having the first colour may be for forming a knitted loop on the first needle bed using the first yarn and forming a knitted loop on the second needle bed using the second yarn.

[0019] The knitting instructions for array elements having the second colour may be for forming a knitted loop on the first needle bed using the second yarn and forming a knitted loop on the second needle bed using the second yarn.

[0020] The method may also comprise controlling the knitting machine to knit the machine-readable code according to the knitting instructions.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions recorded thereon which, when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform the method of the first aspect of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic side-on view of a V-bed knitting machine.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic top-down views of the front and back beds of the knitting machine in FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic top-down views of the front and back beds of the knitting machine in FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic top-down views of the front and back beds of the knitting machine in FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a knitting notation diagram showing a method of knitting loops using the front needle bed of a knitting machine.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a knitting notation diagram showing a method of knitting loops using the back needle bed of a knitting machine.

[0029] FIG. 7A shows the front surface of a fabric article knitted according to the methods shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6.

[0030] FIG. 78 shows the back surface of a fabric article knitted according to the methods shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a knitting notation diagram showing a method of knitting loops using both the front bed and the back bed of a knitting machine.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a knitting notation diagram showing a method of knitting tuck-stitches using the front bed or the back bed of a knitting machine.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a knitting notation diagrams showing a method of knitting tuck-stitches using the front bed or the back bed of a knitting machine.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a knitting notation diagram showing a method of knitting a combination of knitting loops and float stitches and a combination of tuck-stitches and float-stitches using the front and/or back bed of a knitting machine.

[0035] FIG. 12 is a knitting notation diagram showing a method of knitting full-cardigan stitches using a knitting machine.

[0036] FIG. 13 shows a fabric article with full-cardigan stitches.

[0037] FIG. 14 is a flow diagram showing an example method of generating a knitting instruction according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 15 illustrates a digital representation of a machine-readable code according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 16 illustrates a set of knitting instructions for knitting the machine-readable code of FIG. 15.

[0040] FIG. 17 illustrates the knitting operations performed in two knitted courses in the set of knitting instructions shown in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0042] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0043] It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0044] The present disclosure relates to knitted fabric articles that form machine-readable codes. The terms fabric and textile are used interchangeably and are not intended to convey different meanings. The fabric articles are knitted from yarns.

[0045] The fabric articles may form or be incorporated into a wearable article. "Wearable article" as referred to throughout the present disclosure may refer to any form of article which may be worn by a user such as a smart watch, necklace, bracelet, or glasses. The wearable article may be a garment. The garment may refer to an item of clothing or apparel. The garment may be a top. The top may be a shirt, t-shirt, blouse, sweater, jacket/coat, or vest. The garment may be a dress, brassiere, shorts, pants, arm or leg sleeve, vest, jacket/coat, glove, armband, underwear, headband, hat/cap, collar, wristband, stocking, sock, or shoe, athletic clothing, personal protective equipment, swimwear, wetsuit or drysuit [0046] The fabric articles may be constructed from natural fibres, synthetic fibres, or a natural fibre blended with one or more other materials which can be natural or synthetic. The yarn may be cotton. The cotton may be blended with polyester and/or viscose and/or polyamide according to the particular application. Silk may also be used as the natural fibre. Cellulose, wool, hemp and jute are also natural fibres that may be used in the wearable article. Polyester, polycotton, nylon and viscose are synthetic fibres that may be used in the wearable article.

[0047] The fabric articles according to the present disclosure comprise knitted fabric. This contrasts with other fabric constructions such as woven fabrics. Woven and knitted fabrics differ in the way yarns are interwoven or knotted together. A woven fabric is created by interweaving pre-tensioned lengths of yarn horizontally in between threads running vertically. These vertical, or warp threads, wrap themselves around the horizontal, or well thread, after every course, and are themselves pre-tensioned.

[0048] The present disclosure is directed towards knitted fabrics and, in particular, weft knitted fabrics. Well knitted fabrics can be knit from a single yarn, but in aspects of the present disclosure multiple yarns are used so as to provide different regions of the fabric with different properties. In weft knitted fabrics, a weft thread is pulled through already formed loops of the same thread and, unlike warp knitting, is not required to be held taut or under stress from a warp thread. This construction allows for stitches (loops) in the fabric article to deform and alter their shape under stress without stretching the yarn itself [0049] To aid in the understanding of the invention, a brief overview of knitting machines and the stitches that knitting machines can generate is provided below in reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 13. This explanation is not intended to be a full disclosure of the common general knowledge of the skilled person, but instead is only provided to aid in the understanding of the invention.

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a conventional V-bed flat knitting machine 102 which is suitable for use in knitting the fabric articles described herein.

[0051] The V-bed flat knitting machine 102 comprises a front needle bed 104 and a back needle bed 106. The front needle bed 104 and back needle bed 106 diagonally approach one another at an angle generally between 90 degrees and 104 degrees to each other, giving an inverted V-shape appearance.

[0052] The front needle bed 104 and back needle bed 106 each comprise a large number of needles 108, 110. The needles 108, 110 are typically latch needles. Each needle 108, 110 is able to create and manipulate individual stitches.

[0053] The number of needles per inch is referred to as the gauge of the knitting machine 102. Typically, knitting machines have a gauge of between 7 and 20.

[0054] The needles 102, 104 are controlled by a needle cam 112 that traverses across the needle beds 104, 106 in both left-to-right and right-to-left directions. The needle cam 112 is designed to knit a course of loops on one or both the front needle bed 104 and the back needle bed 106 during a traverse in either the left or the right direction.

[0055] Yarn is fed to the needle beds 104, 106 by one or more yarn carriers (not shown). Multiple yarn carriers are typically used to allow for a variety of yarns to be introduced into the fabric article at desired locations.

[0056] The needle beds 104, 106 are able to move relative to one another by a process called racking. Racking moves one of the needle beds by one or more needle tricks past the other needle bed, either towards the right or the left. A needle trick is a slot on the needle bed in which a needle moves back and forth. The front and back needle beds 104, 106 are aligned in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, the back needle bed 106 has been racked to the left relative to the front needle bed 104. In FIG. 4, the back needle bed 106 has been racked to the right relative to the front needle bed 104.

[0057] For most knitting machines, only the back needle bed 106 is able to be racked while the front needle bed 104 stays in a fixed position. However, this is not true for all machines, and front needle beds 104 may also be racked if desired. Racking is not required for knitting, but may be used to create certain effects in the resultant knitted article.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows an example knitting notation diagram in which a plurality of courses of knitted loops are formed using the front needle bed of the knitting machine.

[0059] The diagram comprises several rows of dots where each dot represents a needle on either the front front needle bed or the back needle bed.

[0060] The rows are grouped into pairs (502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512). In each pair, one row represents needles on the front needle bed and the other row represents needles on the back bed. In each pair, the needles on the front bed are arranged vertically below the needles on the back bed. Each pair of dots show the knitting operations performed to form a knitted course (row of stitches) of the fabric article. A course may also be referred to as a traverse.

[0061] The type of knitting operation performed is represented by the lines that traverse along the dots. Here, the knitting operations are knitted loops as indicated by the lines looping around the dots representing needles on the front bed.

[0062] The diagram is read from bottom to top. This means that the knitting operations represented by pair 502 are performed first followed by 504, 506, 508, 510, 512 in order. Each of the knitting operations 502 -512 involve forming knitted loops using the front needle bed only. The back needle bed is not used. The resultantly formed knitted fabric article comprises six courses of knitted loops where each course comprises three stitches.

[0063] FIG. 6 shows an example knitting notation diagram in which a plurality of courses of knitted loops are formed using the back bed of the knitting machine. Each of the knitting operations 602-612 involve forming knitted loops using back needle bed only. The front needle bed is not used. The resultantly formed knitted fabric article comprises six courses of knitted loops where each course comprises three stitches.

[0064] Reference to "course" or "row" throughout this specification will not be understood as necessarily referring to a full-width course that extends along the full-width of the needle bed or the fabric article unless otherwise specified. Course instead just refers to a row of stitches formed by the knitting machine. Course contrasts with "wales" which refer to columns of vertical stitches formed by the knitting machine.

[0065] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show a knitted fabric article 702 that may be formed as a result of front-bed only knitting using the techniques shown in FIG. 5 or back-bed only knitting using the techniques shown in FIG. 6. The knitted fabric article 702 is a single-faced structure as only one of the needle beds is used to form the knitted loops. FIG. 7A shows the face 704 of the knitted fabric article 702 and FIG. 7B shows the back 706 of the knitted fabric article 702.

[0066] FIG. 8 shows an example knitting notation diagram in which a plurality of courses of knitting loops are formed using both the front and back needle beds. Each of the knitting operations 802-814 involve forming knitted loops using both the front and the back needle bed. This can be referred as double-knitting. The resultantly formed knitted article comprises a number of courses of knitted loops and has a double-faced structure as compared to the single-faced structure of the fabric article formed using the operations shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

[0067] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show example knitting notation diagram in which a plurality of courses (902-912 and 1002-1014) of tuck stitches are formed using the front needle bed only (FIG. 10) or using the back needle bed only (FIG. 10). Tuck stitches are produced when a needle holding an existing loop also receives a new loop which rather than being intermeshed through the existing loop is tucked in behind the existing loop on the reverse side of the stitch. Tuck stitches are represented in the diagram by as a "V" (or inverted "V") shape that goes around the needle that performs the tuck stitch.

[0068] FIG. 11 is an example knitting notation diagram in which float stitches are interspersed between other needle stitches. Float stitches are produced when a needle misses the yarn which instead floats over to the next chosen needle. Floats are represented in the needle diagram as a bypassed point.

[0089] Knitting operation 1102 involves a series of knitted loops on the front needle bed with float stitches in between. In other words, every other needle on the front needle bed is used to knit a loop.

[0070] Knitting operation 1104 involves a series of knitted loops on the back needle bed with float stitches in between.

[0071] Knitting operation 1106 involves a series of tuck stitches on the back needle bed with float stitches in between.

[0072] Knitting operation 1108 involves a series of tuck stitches on the front needle bed with float stitches in between.

[0073] Knitting operation 1110 involves a series of tuck stitches alternatingly performed on the front needle bed and the back needle bed with float stitches in between.

[0074] Tuck-rib stitches are another form of knit structure formed by using knitted loops on one needle bed and tuck-stitches on the other needle bed. Tuck-rib stitches can be used in full-cardigan stitches.

[0075] FIG. 12 is an example knitting notation diagram which shows a series of full-cardigan stitches. Full-cardigan stitches use repeating pairs of knit courses where the second course in each pair uses the reverse of the stitches used for the first course in each pair. The first and second courses both use tuck stitches on one needle bed and knitted loops on the other needle bed.

[0076] The tuck stitches cause the rib wales to gape apart so that the body width spreads outwards to a greater extent than the rib border. Tuck loops can increase the fabric thickness and make it heavier in weight and bulkier in handle.

[0077] The knitting operation 1202 is a sequence of knitted loops on the front bed and tuck stitches on the back bed. The knitting operation 1204 is the reverse of the sequence of 1202 and has tuck stitches on the front bed and knitted loops on the back bed. Operations 1206-1212 are a repetition of the sequences 1202 and 1204.

[0078] FIG. 13 shows a knitted fabric article 1302 formed as a result of the knitting operations of FIG. 12. The full-cardigan stitches result in a balanced 1 x 1 tuck-rib structure with the same appearance when viewed from both faces of the fabric. This drawing is obtained from the textbook: Knitting technology (2001) David J Spencer, Third edition, Woodhead Publishing Limited, Cambridge, UK (Figure 18.6, page 219).

[0079] FIG. 14 shows an example method 1400 of generating knitting instructions for knitting a machine-readable code according to aspects of the present disclosure. The knitting is performed using a knitting machine comprising a first needle bed (e.g., front needle bed) and a second needle bed (e.g., back needle bed).

[0080] Step 1402 comprises obtaining a digital representation of a machine-readable code. The digital representation is in the form of an array having a plurality of array elements. Each array element has a value representative of the colour of the array element. The digital representation may be in the form of a digital image. Each array element may comprise one or more pixels of the digital image.

[0081] A first of the array elements has a value representative of a first colour. A second of the array elements has a value representative of a second colour.

[0082] Step 1404 comprises converting each array element into a knitting instruction identifying the knitting operations performed at one or more course and wale locations that correspond to the location of the array element in the array. The knitting instructions identify the type of yarn used and whether knitted loops are formed on the first needle bed and/or the second needle bed.

[0083] The knitting instruction for the first of the array elements is for forming a knitted loop on the first needle bed using a first yarn having the first colour and forming a knitted loop on the second needle bed using a second yarn having the second colour.

[0084] The knitting instruction for the second of the array elements is for forming a knitted loop on the first needle bed using the second yarn and forming a knitted loop on the second needle bed using the first yarn.

[0085] The machine-readable code is therefore knitted and forms part of the knitted fabric of the article in which it is incorporated. This simplifies the manufacture of the article. The machine-readable code is part of the fabric structure of the article and so is indelible.

[0086] FIG. 15 shows an example digital representation 1502 of a machine-readable code. The digital representation is in the form of an array that comprises a number M of columns and a number N of rows. The number of array elements is therefore M x N. In this example M = 18 and N = 14. Of course, the array have may any desired size.

[0087] Each of the array elements has a value representative of the colour of the array element. In this example, the machine-readable code is a black-and-white machine-readable code. Array elements that are white have a value of "0" and array elements that are black have a value of "1". Of course, the code may have different colours and may have more than two different colours.

[0088] A first array element 1504 is black and has a value of "1". A second array element 1506 is white and has a value of "0".

[0089] FIG. 16 shows example knitting instructions generated from the digital representation of the machine-readable code. The knitting instruction is generated automatically by inputting the digital representation into a computer-implemented algorithm that converts each array element into a knitting instruction based on the position of the array element in the array (its course and wale location in the resultant knitted article) and its colour. The different colours in the knitted article are achieved by using different coloured yarns. A first yarn is a white yarn and a second yarn is a black yarn.

[0090] The knitting instructions form a number 2xN of rows (courses) of knitted stitches. Each row has M knitted stitches performed at a corresponding number of M needle locations on the knitting machine. Each array element in the digital representation is converted into a knitting operation performed in two adjacent knitted courses, each knitting operation forms a single stitch using a single needle location in each course. The same needle location is used for both of the courses.

[0091] The knitting instructions can therefore be grouped into pairs (1604, 1606), (1608, 1610), (1612, 1614), (1616, 1618), (1620, 1622), (1624, 1626), (1628, 1630), (1632, 1634), (1636, 1638), (1640, 1642), (1644, 1646), (1648, 1650), (1652, 1654), and (1656, 1658) of courses. Each pair knits a row of the array elements. The knitting operations are performed from bottom to top such that course 1604 is knitted first and course 1658 is knitted last.

[0092] In the diagram the symbol "X" represents a knitted loop formed on the front needle bed and the symbol "0" represents a knitted loop formed on the back needle bed. Knitting on the front needle bed makes the yarn visible from the front surface of the formed fabric article. Knitting on the back needle bed makes the yarn visible from the back surface of the formed fabric article. It will be appreciated that both the front surface and the back surface of the fabric article will form the machine-readable code but the colours will be inversed. This means that areas of black on the front surface of the fabric article will be white on the back surface of the fabric article.

[0093] The first course (1604, 1608, 1612, 1616, 1620, 1624, 1628, 1632, 1636, 1640, 1644, 1648, 1652, 1656) in each pair uses the first yarn. The second course (1606, 1610, 1614, 1618, 1622, 1626, 1630, 1634, 1638, 1642, 1646, 1650, 1654, 1658) uses the second yarn.

[0094] The first array element 1504 (FIG. 15) is desired to be black when viewed from the front surface. The knitting instruction for the first array element 1504 therefore instructs to knit, in the first course 1656 in the pair (1656, 1658), a knitted loop 1660 of the first yarn (white yarn) on the back needle bed such that the white yarn is not visible from the front surface. The knitting instruction further instructs to knit, in the second course 1658 for the pair (1656, 1658), a knitted loop 1662 of the second yarn (black yarn) on the front needle bed such that the black yarn is visible from the front surface.

[0095] The second array elements 1506 (FIG. 15) is desired to be white when viewed from the back surface. The knitting instruction for the second array element 1506 therefore instructs to knit, in the first course 1656 in the pair (1656, 1658), a knitted loop 1664 of the first yarn (white yarn) on the front needle bed such that the white yarn is visible from the front surface. The knitting instruction further instructions to knit, in the second course 1658 for the pair (1656, 1658), a knitted loop 1666 of the second yarn (black yarn) on the back needle bed such that the black yarn is not visible from the front surface.

[0096] FIG. 17 shows a knitting notation diagram for the pair of courses (1656, 1658) of FIG. 16 in isolation. The first array element 1504 (FIG. 15) is formed by knitting a loop 1660 of white yarn on the back needle bed in course 1656 and knitting a loop 1662 of black yarn on the front needle bed in course 1658.

[0097] In some examples, a sequence of full-cardigan stitches may be used to form the machine-readable code. Full-cardigan stitches comprise knitting a plurality of pairs of courses of the first and second yarns using tuck-rib stitches.

[0098] Each pair comprises a first course that uses the first yarn. During the first and second course in each pair, the knitting operations switch between forming knitted loops on the front needle bed and the back needle bed to provide the desired colour pattern.

[0099] Knitting the white and black yarn in separate courses is not required in all examples. The different coloured yarns could be knitted in the same course. The same approach of forming knitted loops of white yarn on the front needle bed when the white yarn is desired to be visible on the front surface and forming knitted loops of black yarn on the front needle bed when the black yarn is desired to be visible on the front surface is used.

[0100] The knitted machine-readable code may be attached to or form part of a wearable article such as a chest-strap or other form of garment such as a shirt, t-shirt, tank or bra.

[0101] The machine-readable codes may be integrally knit with the wearable article. Such as by integrally knitting a garment comprising the machine-readable.

[0102] The present disclosure is not limited to any particular dimension of the machine-readable code or colour of the machine-readable code. It can be appreciated that more than two colours can be introduced into the machine-readable code by using additional coloured yarns. In some examples, each coloured yarn will be knit in a separate course. Such that rather than grouping the courses into pairs of courses as highlighted above, the courses may be grouped into any number P of courses where P is the number of different coloured yarns.

[0103] At least some of the example embodiments described herein may be constructed, partially or wholly, using dedicated special-purpose hardware. Terms such as 'component', 'module' or 'unit' used herein may include, but are not limited to, a hardware device, such as circuitry in the form of discrete or integrated components, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which performs certain tasks or provides the associated functionality. In some embodiments, the described elements may be configured to reside on a tangible, persistent, addressable storage medium and may be configured to execute on one or more processors. These functional elements may in some embodiments include, by way of example, components, such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. Although the example embodiments have been described with reference to the components, modules and units discussed herein, such functional elements may be combined into fewer elements or separated into additional elements. Various combinations of optional features have been described herein, and it will be appreciated that described features may be combined in any suitable combination. In particular, the features of any one example embodiment may be combined with features of any other embodiment, as appropriate, except where such combinations are mutually exclusive.

Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" or "comprises" means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of others.

[0104] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0105] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0106] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS1. A method of generating knitting instructions for knitting a machine-readable code using a knitting machine comprising a first needle bed and a second needle bed, the method comprising: obtaining a digital representation of a machine-readable code, the digital representation being in the form of an array having a plurality of array elements, each array element having a value representative of the colour of the array element, a first of the array elements having a value representative of a first colour, a second of the array elements having a value representative of a second colour; converting each array element into a knitting instruction identifying the knitting operations performed at one or more course and wale locations that correspond to the location of the array element in the array, the knitting instruction identifying the type of yarn used and whether knitted loops are formed on the first needle bed and/or the second needle bed, wherein the knitting instruction for the first of the array elements is for forming a knitted loop on the first needle bed using a first yarn having the first colour and forming a knitted loop on the second needle bed using a second yarn having the second colour, and wherein the knitting instruction for the second of the array elements is for forming a knitted loop on the first needle bed using the second yarn and forming a knitted loop on the second needle bed using the first yarn.
2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the knitting instruction for the first of the array elements, the knitted loop on the first needle bed and the knitted loop on the second needle bed are formed in different knitted courses.
3. 3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in the knitting instruction for the second of the array elements, the knitted loop on the first needle bed and the knitted loop on the second needle bed are formed in different knitted courses
4. 4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein each of the array elements has a value indicative of the first colour or the second colour.
5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the knitting instructions for array elements having the first colour are for forming a knitted loop on the first needle bed using the first yarn and forming a knitted loop on the second needle bed using the second yarn.
6. 6. The method of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the knitting instructions for array elements having the second colour are for forming a knitted loop on the first needle bed using the second yarn and forming a knitted loop on the second needle bed using the second yarn.
7. 7. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising controlling the knitting machine to knit the machine-readable code according to the knitting instructions.
8. 8. A computer program comprising instructions recorded thereon which, when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform the method as claimed in any preceding claim.