WO2006045135A1

WO2006045135A1 - Producing fibre images in textiles

Info

Publication number: WO2006045135A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/001500
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hazem Taha Shouhdy El-Sheltawi
Original assignee: Fibre Matrix Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-10-29
Filing date: 2004-10-29
Publication date: 2006-05-04

Abstract

In order to produce a fibre image in a textile using a textile manufacturing machine, a virtual digital image is created. The image consists of rows of pixels, each pixel having a colour value selected from colours of fibres available for use on the textile manufacturing machine. Each pixel is converted into machine instructions for the textile manufacturing machines to construct one or more stitches using a fibre with colour corresponding to the pixel's colour value. A stream of pixel machine instructions is then transmitted to the textile manufacturing machine, and the textile manufacturing machine is operated to create a piece of textile in accordance with the pixel machine instructions.

Description

PRODUCING FIBRE IMAGES IN TEXTILES

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods of producing fibre images in textiles. It relates particularly but not exclusively to methods of using textile manufacturing machines such as knitting machines, weaving machines and carpet-making machines to produce textiles in which the fibres combine to form images.

Background to the Invention

There are a number of different manufacturing techniques currently used for textiles. Two of the most common are knitting and weaving. The following discussion will concentrate on these two manufacturing techniques, although it is to be understood that the invention is not so limited. Weaving typically involves arranging a number of "warp" fibres in parallel, and then passing "weft" fibres sequentially over and under the warp fibres in a direction perpendicular to the warp fibres. This results in a substantially rectangular piece of textile. The fibres used in the weaving may all be of the same colour, resulting in a piece of textile of uniform colour. Alternatively, different coloured fibres may be used in order to create a patterned piece of textile. For example, a "tartan"-type textile may be created by using a group of warp fibres of one colour next to a group of warp fibres of a different colour, next to other groups of warp fibres of the same or different colours, while the weft fibres have similar colour groupings. Knitting involves creating rows of interlinking fibre loops. The simplest types of knitted garments have all rows of loops made from fibres of a single colour, resulting in a piece of textile of uniform colour. Patterns may be created by creating rows of loops using different coloured fibres, and it is possible to vary colours of individual loops along rows. It is also possible to vary the manner in which loops are created or linked, resulting in textural patterns instead of or in addition to colour patterns in the finished textile.

Although knitting and weaving can both be performed by hand, the vast majority of textiles are now produced by machines. Knitting and weaving machines can be programmed to create textiles which have simple patterns.

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU However, the process of converting pattern data into a machine readable format to be executed by a textile manufacturing machine is an arduous task. For a knitting machine, the task involves a designer or technician analysing each and every stitch in a portion of the proposed textile and entering corresponding structural stitch data including specifications of stitch structure, type and loop size, and other stitch data including stitch colour. Jacquard selection, yarn properties and machine parameters must also be specified. All such pattern information must be entered into the system as text lines with one line of text corresponding to one course of stitches in the resulting pattern. Because of limitations in the amount of data which can be entered, the pattern information is normally limited to a pattern for a small section of the textile, which is to be repeated numerous times. These instructions are then converted into control data which instructs a particular knitting machine to manufacture a textile product having the desired characteristics. The conversion process may be carried out by a conversion program which refers to a lookup table or the like.

Advances in CAD/CAM systems have made it possible to provide integrated design and programming systems which enable a designer or technician to monitor the development of a knit or weave pattern on a screen to enable the appearance of the finished textile article to be approved or edited before the textile manufacturing machine executes the instructions to construct the textile article. An example of such this type of electronic pattern preparation system is the Stoll SIRIX system. In such systems, patterns are designed in a Cartesian coordinate system, permitting any position in the pattern to be located by reference to coordinates in the x (horizontal) and y (vertical axis). By relating the coordinate points of the pattern to other coordinate points in the design area, the pattern may be modified by replication or geometric transformation. For instance, a pattern can be readily mirrored across an x or y axis of the design area, it may be translated (moved up or down without altering its appearance), rotated and/or scaled (increased or decreased in size). Whilst such electronic pattern generation systems advantageously provide a designer with an immediate visual representation of a pattern from conception through the editing process, they are typically limited to a finite number of ready to use patterns which are constructed by a textile manufacturing machine using a series of predetermined knitting modules.

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU Known methods for programming a textile manufacturing machine to construct complex and colourful patterns are generally complex and time consuming. Moreover, the designer is usually limited to a small range of colours which may be used to bring the design to life. Any variation in output colour for a particular design requires a technician to change the yarns available for use on the textile manufacturing machine.

Similar limitations apply to current weaving machines, and to other textile manufacturing machines such as carpet making machines.

It is possible to use the programming features of textile manufacturing machines to produce small "line art"-type images using a limited number of colours. For example, it is possible to use a weaving machine to produce a tie which has a repeating pattern of yellow "smiley faces" with black eyes and mouths against a red background, using red, black and yellow fibres. However, it is not possible using currently available textile manufacturing techniques to produce textiles in which the fibres combine to form large-scale photographic or greyscale-type images. If an image is required on a textile, it must normally be screen printed on the textile.

The discussion of the background to the invention included herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the materials referred to were published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the claims.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of producing a fibre image in a textile using a textile manufacturing machine including the steps of: creating a virtual digital image consisting of rows of pixels, wherein each pixel has a colour value selected from colours of fibres available for use on the textile manufacturing machine; converting each pixel into machine instructions for the textile manufacturing machines to construct one or more stitches using a fibre with colour corresponding to the pixel's colour value; transmitting a stream of pixel machine instructions to the textile manufacturing machine; and

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU operating the textile manufacturing machine to create a piece of textile in accordance with the pixel machine instructions.

A textile manufacturing machine typically has an input system for programming pattern information and a control system for operating the machine in accordance with the programmed pattern information. The inventive method preferably involves bypassing the textile manufacturing machine's input system and transmitting the stream of pixel machine instructions directly to the textile manufacturing machine's control system.

The virtual digital image may use the juxtaposition of pixels with different colour values selected from a limited number of available fibre colour values to create the illusion of other colours, so that the finished piece of textile appears to have a greater number of colours than the actual number of fibre colours used. An original digital image having a larger number of colours and/or shades than the available number of fibre colours may be converted into the virtual digital image using a colour reduction algorithm in which a colour in the original digital image is simulated in the virtual digital image by the combined effect of two or more pixels in the virtual digital image.

In the context of the present invention, the word "stitch" is used to refer to a stitch formed on a knitting machine, or an intersection of a warp fibre and a weft fibre on a weaving machine, or a single tuft on a carpet manufacturing machine, or a single textile element on any other type of textile manufacturing machine.

In one particular form of the present invention, the stream of pixels is converted into instructions for a flat bed textile manufacturing machine, using the following algorithm:

<> S : <1-> x¹ [F^(F), B^(x)], y¹ [F^(B), B^(B)], z¹ [F^(B), B^(B)] / msec : <JA-, (Fx) > : S_x wherein:

<> = carriage direction S = start instructions <1-> = proceed to next lower row x¹ = column y¹ = row z¹ = depth F = front bed

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU B back bed

(F) _ front coordinate

(B) _ back coordinate

JA^Λ _! = jacquard

S_x = system

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fibre image constructed by a textile manufacturing machine in accordance with the method of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described in further detail by reference to the attached drawings illustrating example forms of the invention. It is to be understood that the particularity of the drawings does not supersede the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a flow chart showing a method of producing a fibre image in a textile according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of apparatus suitable for implementing the present invention.

Figure 3a shows an original image for reproduction onto a textile in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3b shows a resampled virtual image created from the original image of Figure 3a.

Figure 3c shows a contrast-adjusted version of the image of Figure 3b.

Figure 3d shows a colour-adjusted version of the image of Figure 3c, with the colour depth having been reduced to a palette of 6 colours.

Figure 3e shows a piece of textile created using machine instructions generated from pixel information in the virtual image of Figure 3d.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment The method of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to a V-bed flat knitting machine having a pair of needle beds front and back. However, it is to be understood that the method of the present invention is equally applicable to any number of different types, makes and models of knitting machines, weaving machines, carpet-making machines and other types

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU of textile manufacturing machines, and is not to be limited to the particular embodiment of the invention described herein.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 , there is shown a flow chart illustrating steps in a process according to one embodiment of the invention. The first stage involves creating or capturing a digital image, comprised of an array of pixels. Ideally the image is of the highest quality and resolution available.

A captured image may be a colour image or a monochrome image. In the case of a colour image, each pixel will have a colour which is one of a large number of different allowable colours. In an 8-bit colour image there are 256 different colours in the palette; most colour images are 24-bit or 32-bit colour images, and there fore have considerably higher numbers of available colours.

As an optional step, the image may be resampled so that the number of pixels in the resampled image matches the desired number of stitches in the finished textile product, or some multiple thereof. The image's aspect ratio may also be adjusted at this stage (by stretching the image in one dimension) to take into account any non-square aspect ration of individual stitches in textiles produced by the textile machine in question.

As another optional step, the contrast, brightness and colour balance of the image may be enhanced to provide an optimum result when the image is converted into a limited number of colours.

The next step involves converting the image into a limited number of colours. For example, an 24-bit image, in which each pixel has a colour selected from a palette of 16 million different possibilities, can be converted to a 6-colour image, in which each pixel has one of six different colours, with the colours matching the colours of the fibres to be used in the textile product. The number 6 has been selected for illustration purposes only; the actual number of fibre colours available may be any number from 2 up to the total number of colours that the textile machine in question can cater for. Most currently available textile machines cater only for small numbers of different colours such as 6 or 8, but it is envisaged that machines could be created with capacity to use 256 fibre colours or more.

This colour reduction operation can be performed according to any suitable algorithm. Posterisation is one way of achieving colour reduction. Adobe Photoshop provides another way of achieving colour reduction using an

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU "indexed colour" feature in which any colour image can be converted to any arbitrary number of colour levels.

As an optional step after colour reduction, the pixel distribution may be adjusted. This step may be used to eliminate or reduce instances in which solitary pixels of one colour appear in large regions of other colours, as this can result in undesirable artefacts in the finished textile product. It may be preferable to have a light sprinkling of pixels of a particular colour throughout a region, rather than isolated separate ones.

The next optional step may involve mapping palette colours from the limited-colour image to the fibre colours on the machine, so that an instruction sent to the textile machine for constructing a stitch of a particular fibre colour will match the colour of the corresponding pixel in the limited-colour image.

The next optional step may involve adjusting fibre tensions to take into account the geometrical considerations of constructing individual stitches. For example, a knitting machine may be set up with 6 different colours on 6 different beds of needles. If the tensions of fibres on all bed are the same, then a stitch of a back-bed colour may end up being tighter than two adjacent stitched of a front-bed colour, because the stitch has to travel further from the back bed to fit between the two front bed stitches. This can result in warping of the finished item, but it can be compensated for by adjusting the fibre tensions.

The next optional step involves adding identifiers to the pattern. For example, at the end of a textile item, the textile pattern may be made to include a readable code indicating the identity of the textile item and/or such matters as the name of the person who ordered the item. The identifiers may also or alternatively include non-readable security information enabling subsequent identification of the textile item.

Finally, the data created through the preceding steps is transmitted to the textile machine in the form of machine code and a textile is manufactured according to the instructions contained in that machine code. In Figure 2, there is shown an embodiment of a knitting machine suitable for implementing the present invention. Knitting machine 1 has an input system 2 for programming pattern information and a control system 3 for operating the machine in accordance with the programmed pattern information. According to conventional usage, pattern information is programmed manually and

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU laboriously into the input system. The amount of information which can be stored in the input system is limited.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the machine's input system 2 is bypassed. Instead, a computer 4 is connected directly to the machine's control system 3. A virtual digital image consisting of rows of pixels is created on computer 4. Each pixel in the virtual digital image has a colour value selected from colours of fibres available for use on the textile manufacturing machine. Each pixel in the virtual digital image is converted into machine instructions for the textile manufacturing machines to construct one or more stitches using a fibre with colour corresponding to the pixel's colour value. The conversion to machine instructions may occur for all pixels in the image before any data is sent to the machine's control system, with the machine instructions stored in a file for later use, or it may occur one pixel at a time as the pixel information is fed to the machine's control system. A stream of pixel machine instructions is transmitted to the textile manufacturing machine, one row at a time. This enables the machine to knit a row as the information is fed to it, then to knit the next row as the information for the next row is fed to it. The textile manufacturing machine is thus operated to create a piece of textile in accordance with the rows of pixel machine instructions.

The virtual digital image on computer 4 may first have been captured through a scanner 6, or through any other suitable image input device 7, such as a digital camera, or computerised digital image generating software. The input image may first be manipulated on computer 5 before being transferred to the virtual image computer 4.

Figures 3a to 3e further illustrate an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3a shows an original image, taken in full colour. The image is resampled and stretched to fit the desired aspect ration and pixel count of the textile machine on which the image is to be reproduced, and the result in shown in Figure 3b. Figure 3c shows the same image after colour balancing and contrast enhancement.

The image is then converted into a limited colour image with a palette of 6 colours, the result being shown in Figure 3d. Finally, the image is converted into machine code and transmitted to the textile machine to be made into a

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU textile, with the finished product being shown in Figure 3e. It will be noted that the original aspect ration of the image has been restored in the finished textile.

Currently available knitting machines and other types of textile manufacturing machines are limited in the numbers of different colours of fibres which can be used in the one textile piece. This means that it is possible to create line-art images, in which only a few different colours may be required, but it is not possible according to previously known techniques to create full colour or greyscale photographic-type images. According to an aspect of the present invention, full colour images and greyscale images can be simulated using the juxtaposition of pixels of different colours, according to techniques and algorithms which are known in the printing industry.

For example, most colour inkjet printers use combinations of four different coloured inks, cyan, magenta, yellow and black, to create full colour images featuring many other colours. Although it is not possible to combine fibre colours in the same way that inks can be mixed, it is possible to juxtapose two or more fibres of different colours to create the impression of a combined colour. For example, a yellow stitch next to a blue stitch may give the impression of a green stitch.

In embodiments of the present invention, the virtual digital image uses the juxtaposition of pixels with different colour values selected from a limited number of available fibre colour values to create the illusion of other colours, so that the finished piece of textile appears to have a greater number of colours than the actual number of fibre colours used. An original digital image having a larger number of colours and/or shades than the available number of fibre colours is converted into the virtual digital image using a colour reduction algorithm in which a colour in the original digital image is simulated in the virtual digital image by the combined effect of two or more pixels in the virtual digital image.

The following algorithm is a general algorithm for operation of a textile manufacturing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention: <> S : <1-> x¹ [F^(F), B^(x)], y¹ [F^(B), B^(B)], z¹ [F^(B), B^(B)] / msec : ^A₁ (Fx) > : S_x wherein:

<> = carriage direction S = start instructions

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU <1-> = proceed to next lower row

X¹ = column y¹ = row z¹ = depth

F front bed

B back bed

(F) - front coordinate

(B) back coordinate

JA\ = jacquard

S_x = system

The code and symbols used in this example formula substantially match those used for a Stoll Knitting Machine.

Appendix 1 shows an example yarn feeder set-up for a Stoll knitting machine according to an embodiment of the invention.

Appendix 2 shows the programming code suitable for sending data to a Stoll knitting machine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

It will be appreciated that different types of textile manufacturing machines use entirely different programming codes. Appendix 3 provides a comparison of codes applicable to Stoll knitting machines, Shima Seiki knitting machines, and various types of Flatbed knitting machines, circular knitting machines, weaving machines, warp knit machines, carpet tuft machines and interlock machines. The information given is for a set¬ up using 5 different colours of fibres.

It is to be understood that various additions, alterations and/or modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the ambit of the invention.

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU APPENDIX 1

YARN FEEDER SETUP Colour Gamut Mode : RGB

400 nm 500 nm 600 nm 700 nm

R-O R [4-74] R [251] R [4-114] R [254] □ R[255] R [254]

RGB R [4] G-O G [4-103] G [4-85] G [251] Li-I G [254] G [255] G [4] G [248] B-O B [251] J; B [4-97] B [4-109]

C [75] C [88] C[O] C [63] X B [3] X B [255] B [251] B [251]

C [3] □ C[0] cpη C [53]

:MYK M[68] U[TT] M[99] M[O] It Λ M[4] M[O] M[63] M[O] Y [67] Y[O] Y[IOO] Y[IOO] Y [99] ^ Y[O] Y[O] K [90] K[O] K[O] K[O]

R [4-74] X Y [13] K[O] ± K[O] ;κ[0] K[O]

WEB R-O R [251] R [4-114] R [254] I I R [255] R [254] R [4]

G-O G [4-103] G [4-85] G [251] G [254] ' — I G [255] G [4] G [248] B-O B [251] B [4-97] B [4-109] [255] B [251]

R-O R [4-74] R [251] R [4-114] X B [3] -£ B B [251]

R [254] □ R [255]

NDEX R [254] R [4] G-O G [4-103] G [4-85] G [251] G [254] G [255] G [4] G [248] B-O B [251] B [4-97] B [4-109] B [255] B [251] B [251]

R-O ] X B [3] ^

R [4-74 R [251] R [4-114]

3TOLL R [254] |—j R [255] R [254] R [4] G-O G [4-103] G [4-85] G [251] L— I G [254] G [255] G [4] G [248] B-O Y B [251] B [4-97] T B [4-109] O B [3] H B [255] I B [251 B B [251]

Y-I Y-2 Y-3 Y-4 Y-5 Y-6 Y-7

APPENDIX 2

STOLL SINTRAL CONTROL EXAMPLE REPEAT 1 - JAQUARD 0-150 C CMS433:6-6£XAMPLE C PATENT EXAMPLE LEVEL 1-6 C GEOMETRIC CODE - {~0~} = |X| F [ x( A {n}) - y( A {n}] / B[ x( A {n}) - y( A {n}) - z (F)o(Bχ A {n}) C TEST FILE - SELF PORTRAIT - LEVEL 6 C RSl= RS2=75 C RS19=1 NP1=1O.O NP2=11.0 NP3=11.5 NP4=11.5 NP5=12.5 NP6=12.0 NP20=9.0NP21= 10.0NP22=11.0 NP23=H.5 NP24=12.0 hB^:>25=13.0 NP18=10.0 NPl 9=11.0 START WM«5 MSEC=0.6 YG:8=D/1=I 2=* 3=G 4=A 5=Y 6=G 7=+ 8=E; YD8=54-10 YD7=12-42 YD6= 8-16 YD5=22-28 YD4=28-22 YD3=14- 8 YD2=36-36 YD1=42^8 JAl=1948(1100-1948) FA=l-1300 PAJAl; PM:<FA>; SEN=20-1310 C r GRUNDPOSrπONEN ENDE F:JAC-6-FARBIG*RS2; END C RIB-2X1 FBEG:RIB-2X1; o SOY « S_R<23)-R(23)/R(24)-0; Y:=GM3; Sl S2 » S.O-RC24)R-R; Yr=DA=G; SX SX « S:UVSR/R(25)-0; Y:=G; SX SX » S:U^ΛSD.I.; VO SX « S=UVSDJ.; VRl SX » S:DI.I(22)-Dπ.(20); . Y:=G; SX « S:0-R(21)/DLI-0; Y.0A=D; SX SX » S:0-R/DI.I(l>Dπ.(l); Y:0Λ=G; SX SX IF RS19= 1 F:MIT-GUMMIFADEN; IFRS19oi F:OHNE-GUMMIFADEN; RBEG*RS1 « SDI.I(3)-Dπ.(3); Y.-=G/=G; SX SX » SX SX REND FEND C SEP 1 FBEG: SEPl; « S£)I.l(2H2)0/0-Dπ.; Y:=G/=E; SX SX » S:0-DΠ./DI.I(3)-DΠ.(3); Y:EΛ=G;V0 SX SX FEND C SEP 2 FBEG:SEP2; « S:0(2M2)DII.; Y:=G; SX » SLDI.I-0; VO SX FEND ' C LEVEL 6

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU APPENDIX 2 (cont)i

406 FBEG:LEVEL6FARBIG;

407 Y: 1/2/3/4/5/6;

408 « S:<l->A(5>DI.(6)/Y-D.I/+-DI/r-D.I/O-DI./H-D.l; SX SX SX SX SX SX 409 » S:<1->A(5)-D.I(6)/Y-DI./+-D.I/T-DI./O-D.I/H-DI.; SX SX SX SX SX SX 410 FEND

950 C - RUNDOWN 951 START

952 GOSUB 50-149 W+0

953 o SOY

954 « S:DI.(18)-D.I(18)/D.I-DI.; Y:=G/=G; Sl S2 W07 WSO

955 » SX SX W07

956 REP*99

957 « S:R(19)-R(19); Y:=GA=G; SX SX W07

958 » SX SX W07

959 REPEND

960 MS

961 GOTO956

962 END

999 o SO WO

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU APPENDIX 2 (cont)ii

REPEAT 1 - JAQUARD 150-300 C CMS433:6-6.EXAMPLE C PATENT EXAMPLE LEVEL 1-6 C GEOMETRIC CODE - {~^Q~} = |X| F [ x( A {n» - y( A {n}] / Bf x( A {n}) - y( A {n}) - z (F)o(B)( A {n}) C TEST FILE - SELF PORTRAIT -LEVEL 6 C RSl= RS2=75 C RS19=1 NPl=ICO NP2=11.0 NP3=11.5 NP4=11.5 NP5=12.5 NP6=12.0 NP20=9.0NP21= 10.0 NP22=11.0 NP23=11.5 NP24=12.0NP25=13.0 NP18=10.0 NP19=11.0 START WM=S MSEO0.6 YGi8=D/l=I 2=* 3=G 4=A 5=Y 6=G 7=+ 8=E; YD8=54-10 YD7=12-42 YD6= 8-16 YD5=22-28 YD4=28-22 YD3=14- 8 YD2=36-36 YDl=42-48 JA1=1948(1100-1948) FA=l-1300 PAJAl; PM:<FA>; SEN=20-1310 C GRUNDPOSrπONEN ENDE ■ F:JAC-6-FARBIG*RS2; END C RIB-2X1 FBEG:RIB-2X1; o SOY « S:R(23)-R(23)/R(24)-0; Yr=GZ=G; Sl S2 » S:0-R(24)R-R; Yr=DZ=G; SX SX « S:UVSR/R(25)-0; Yr=G; SX SX » S:U^ΛSD.L; VO SX « S.UVSD.L; VRl SX » S:DI.I(22)-DIL(20); Yr=G; SX « Sr0-R(21)/DI.I-0; Y:0/=D; SX SX » S:0-R/DI.I(l)-Dπ.(l); YrOZ=G; SX SX IFRS19= I FrMIT-GUMMIFADEN; IFRS19ol F:OHNE-GUMMIFADEN; RBEG*RS1 « S-DI.I(3)-DIL(3); Yr=GA=G; SX SX » SX SX REND FEND C SEP 1 FBEGrSEPl; « S:DI.I(2X2)OΛ)-Dπ.; Yr=GZ=E; SX SX » S:O-DΠJDI.I(3)-DΠ.(3); YrEZ=G; VO SX SX FEND C SEP 2 FBEG-.SEP2; « S:0(2)-(2)Dπ.; Yr=G; SX » SrDLI-O; VO SX FEND C LEVEL 6

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU APPENDIX 2 (cont)iii

406 FBEO:LEVEL6FARBIG;

407 Y: 1/2/3/4/5/6;

408 « ^' S:<l->A(5)-DI.(6)/Y-D.LM-Dl/r-D.l/O-Dl./H-D.I; SX SX SX SX SX SX

409 » S:<1->A(5)-D.I(6)/Y-DI./+-D.I/T-DI./O-D.IΗ-DI.; SX SX SX SX SX SX

410 FEND

QV) Q -RUNDOWN

951 START

952 GOSUB 50-149 W+0

953 o SOY

954 « S:DI.(18)-D.I(18)/D.I-DI.; Y:=G/M3; Sl S2 W07 WSO

955 » SX SX W07

956 REP*99

957 « S:R(19)-R(19); Y:=G/=G; SX SX W07

958 » SX SX W07

959 REPEND

960 MS

961 GOTO956

962 END

999 o SO WO

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU APPENDIX 2 (cont)iv

REPEAT 1 - JAQUARD 300-450 C CMS433:6-6.EXAMPLE C PATENT EXA-VtPLE LEVEL 1-6 C GEOMETRIC CODE - {-4~} = |X| F [ x( A {n}) - y( A {n}] / B[ x( A {n}) - y( A {n}) - z (F)O(BX A {n}) C TEST FILE - SELF PORTRAIT -LEVEL 6 C RSl= RS2=75 C RS19=1 NPl=ICO NP2=11.0 NP3=11.5 NP4=11.5 NP5=12.5 NP6=12.0 NP20=9.0 NP21= 10.0 NP22=11.0 NP23=11 5 NP24=12.0NP25=13.0 NP18=10.0 NP19=11.0 START WM=5 MSEC=0.6 YG:8=D/1=I 2=» 3=G 4=A 5=Y 6=G 1=+ 8=E; YD8=54-10 YD7=12-42 YD6= 8-16 YD5=22-28 YD4=28-22 YD3=14- 8 YD2=36-36 YDl=42-48 JA1=1948(1100-1948) FA=l-1300 PA: JAl; PM:<FA>; SEN=20-1310 C GRUNDPOSrπONEN ENDE F:JAC-6-FARBIG*RS2; END C RIB-2X1 FBEGJUB-2X1; o SOY « SA(23)-R(23)/R(24)-0; Yr=GA=G; Sl S2 » S:0-R(24)R-R; Y-DMJ; SX SX « S:UVSR/R(25)-0; Y:=G; SX SX » S:U^ΛSD.I.; VO SX « S:UVSD.I.; VRl SX » S:DI.I(22)-DII.(20); Y:=G; SX « S:0-R(2iyDI.I-0; Y:0/=D, SX SX » S:0-R/DI.I(l)-Dπ.(l); Y:0/=G; SX SX IF RS19= 1 F:MTT-GUMMIFADEN; IFRS19O1 F.0HNE-GUMMFADEN; RBEG'RSl « S:DI.I(3)-Dπ.(3); Y:=G/=G; SX SX » SX SX REND FEND c SEP 1 -. FBEG:SEP1; « S_DI.I(2)-(2)0/0-DII.; Y:=G/=E; SX SX » SΛ-Dπ./DI.I(3)-Dπ.(3); , YLEMΪ;V0 SX SX FEND C SEP 2 FBEG: SEP2; « S:0(2)-(2)Dπ.; Y:=G; SX » SLDI-I-O; VO SX FEND C LEVEL 6

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU APPENDIX 2 (cont)v

406 FBEG:LEVEL6FARBIG;

407 Y: 1/2/3/4/5/6; .

408 « S:<l->A(5)-DI.(6)/Y-D.y+-DI-T-D.yθ-DI./H-D.I; SX SX SX SX SX SX 409 » S:<1->A(5)-D.I(6)/Y-DI./+-D.I/T-DI./O-D.I/H-DI.; SX SX SX SX SX SX 410 FEND

950 C RUNDOWN • 9 95511 START 9 95522 GOSUB 50-149 W+0 9 95533 o o SOY

954 « S:DI.(18)-D.I(18)/D.I-DL; Y:=QM3; Sl S2 W07 WSO

SX SX W07 956 REP*99

957 « S:R(19)-R(19); Y:=G/=G; SX SX W07

958 » SX SX W07

959 REPEND

960 MS

961 GOTO956

962 END

999 o SO WO

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU APPENDIX 2 (cont)vi

REPEAT 1 - JAQUARD 600-750 C CMS433:6-6.EXAMPLE C PATENT EXAMPLE LEVEL 1-6 C GEOMETRIC CODE - {~0~} = |X| F [ x( A {n}) - y( A {n} J / B[ x( A {n}) - y( A {n}) - z (F)O(BX A {n}) C TEST FILE - SELF PORTRAIT - LEVEL 6 C RSl= RS2=75 C RS19=1 NPl=ICO NP2=11.0 NP3=11.5 NP4=11.5 NP5=12.5 NP6=12.0 NP20=9.0NP21= 10.0 NP22=11.0 NP23=11.5 NP24=12.0NP25=13.0 NP18=10.0NP19=11.0 START WM=5 MSEO0.6 YG:8=D/1=I 2=* 3=G 4=A 5=Y 6=G 7=+ 8=E; YD8=54-10 YD7=12-42 YD6= 8-16 YD5=22-28 YD4=28-22 YD3=14- 8 YD2=36-36 YDl=42-48 JA1=1948(1100-1948) FA=l-1300 PArJAl; PM:<FA>; SEN=20-1310 C GRUNDPOSmONEN ENDE F:JAC-€-FARBIG*RS2; END C RIB-2X1 FBEG:RIB-2X1; o SOY « SΛ(23>Rα3)/R(24>0; Y:=G/=G; Sl S2 » S:0-R(24)R-R; Y:=D/<=G; SX SX « S:UVSR/R(25)-0; Y:=G; SX SX » S:U^ΛSD.L, VO SX « S:UVSD.I.; VRl SX » S:DI.I(22>Dπ.(20); Y:=C; SX « S:0-R(21)/DI.I-0; Y:0/=D; SX SX » S:0-R/DI.I(l>Dπ.(l); Y:0/=G; SX SX -F RS19= 1 F:MIT-GUMMIFADEN; IF RS19ol F:OHNE-GUMMIFADEN; RBEG'RSl « S_DI.I(3)-Dπ.(3); Y:=GM3% SX SX » SX SX REND FEND C SEP 1 FBEG-.SEP1; « SDI!(2X2)0/0-Dπ.; Y:=G/=E; SX SX » S:O-DΠ./DI.I(3)-DΠ.(3); Y:E/=G;V0 SX SX FEND C SEP 2 FBEG: SEP2; « S:0(2M2)DIL; Yr=G; SX » S:DI.I-0; VO SX FEND C LEVEL 6

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU APPENDIX 2 (cont)vii

406 FBEG:LEVEL6FARBIG;

407 Y:l/2/3/4/5/6; .

408 « S:<l^A(5)-DI.(6)/Y-D.I/+-DI/r-D.I/O-DI./H-D.I; SX SX SX SX SX SX

409 » S:<1 ->A(5>D.I(6)/Y-DI./+-D.I/T-DI./O-D.I/H-DI. ; SX SX SX SX SX SX

410 FEND

950 C RUNDOWN

951 START

952 GOSUB 50-149 W+0

953 o SOY

954 « SDI.(18)-D.I(18)/D.I-DL; Y:=G/=G; Sl S2 W07 WSO

955 » SX SX W07

956 REP*99

957 « S:R(19)-R(19); Yr=GA=G; SX SX W07

958 » SX SX W07

959 REPEND

960 MS

961 GOTO956

962 END

999 o SO WO

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU

Substitute Sheet (Rule26)RO/AU

Claims

Claims:

1. A method of producing a fibre image in a textile using a textile manufacturing machine including the steps of: creating a virtual digital image consisting of rows of pixels, wherein each pixel has a colour value selected from colours of fibres available for use on the textile manufacturing machine; converting each pixel into machine instructions for the textile manufacturing machines to construct one or more stitches using a fibre with colour corresponding to the pixel's colour value; transmitting a stream of pixel machine instructions to the textile manufacturing machine; and operating the textile manufacturing machine to create a piece of textile in accordance with the pixel machine instructions.

2. A method of producing a fibre image in a textile according to claim 1 wherein the textile manufacturing machine has an input system for programming pattern information and a control system for operating the machine in accordance with the programmed pattern information, the method involving the further step of bypassing the textile manufacturing machine's input system and transmitting the stream of pixel machine instructions directly to the textile manufacturing machine's control system.

3. A method of producing a fibre image in a textile according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the virtual digital image uses the juxtaposition of pixels with different colour values selected from a limited number of available fibre colour values to create the illusion of other colours, so that the finished piece of textile appears to have a greater number of colours than the actual number of fibre colours used.

4. A method of producing a fibre image in a textile according to claim 3 wherein an original digital image having a larger number of colours and/or shades than the available number of fibre colours is converted into the virtual digital image using a colour reduction algorithm in which a colour in the original

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU digital image is simulated in the virtual digital image by the combined effect of two or more pixels in the virtual digital image.

5. A method of producing a fibre image in a textile according to claim 4 wherein the original digital image is also subjected to resampling, colour balancing and contrast enhancement.

6. A method of producing a fibre image in a textile according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the stitches are constructed by a knitting process.

7. A method of producing a fibre image in a textile according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the stitches are constructed by a weaving process.

8. A method of producing a fibre image in a textile according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the stitches are constructed by a rug-making process.

9. A method of producing a fibre image in a textile according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the stream of pixels is translated into instructions for a flat bed textile manufacturing machine, using the following algorithm: <> S : <1-> x¹ [F^(F), B^(x)], y¹ [F^(B), B^(B)], z¹ [F^(B), B^(B)] / msec : <JA-, (Fx) > : S_x wherein:

<> = carriage direction

S = start instructions

<1-> = proceed to next lower row x¹ = column y¹ = row z¹ = depth

F = front bed

B = back bed ^(F) = front coordinate

^(B) = back coordinate

JA^Λ-ι = jacquard

S_x = system

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU

10. A fibre image constructed by a textile manufacturing machine in accordance with the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A method of reproducing a digital image in a textile substantially as herein before described.

12. A fibre image substantially as hereinbefore described.

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU