Claims:We Claim:
1. An apparatus to detect a plurality of physical properties, and a plurality of physical characteristics pertaining to a cloth, the apparatus comprising:
a housing unit adaptable to receive a palm of a user;
a sensor unit integrated within the housing unit to detect physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth;
a display unit configured on an outer surface of the housing unit to display the detected physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth, further the display unit displays the plurality of materials and a percentage amount of the materials included in the cloth;
a storage unit to store a plurality of instructions and data pertaining to the detected physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth; and
a controller unit configured with the storage unit to execute the instructions stored in the storage unit, wherein the controller unit communicatively couple with the sensor unit to transmit a plurality of commands based on the detection data.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit comprises a plurality of scanner units placed at a plurality of tips of the housing unit to scan the cloth and retrieve the physical properties and physical characteristics of the cloth.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit further comprises a color detector to detect a color of the cloth.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of physical properties comprise: a type, a size, and a length of a fiber or a filament; a diameter, twist, weight or size, count, fiber content for mixed yarns, and ply of the yarn; weight of the cloth; thickness of the cloth; structure of the cloth; woven fabric; knitted fabric; chemical finishes; calendaring and napping applied to the woven fabric to yield or enhance style, durability, and utility values; width of the fabric; color of the fabric; density of the fabric; and surface contour.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of physical characteristics comprise style characteristics; utility characteristics; durability characteristics; and a product production characteristics.

6. A method for detecting a plurality of physical properties, and a plurality of physical characteristics pertaining to a cloth, the method comprising steps of:
receiving a palm of a user through a housing unit;
detecting physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth through a sensor unit integrated within the housing unit;
displaying the detected physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth, and further displaying the plurality of materials and a percentage amount of the materials included in the cloth through a display unit configured on an outer surface of the housing unit;
storing a plurality of instructions and data pertaining to the detected physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth in a storage unit; and
executing the instructions stored in the storage unit through a controller unit, wherein the controller unit communicatively couple with the sensor unit to transmit a plurality of commands based on the detection data.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the sensor unit comprises a plurality of scanner units placed at a plurality of tips of the housing unit to scan the cloth and retrieve the physical properties and physical characteristics of the cloth.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the sensor unit further comprises a color detector to detect a color of the cloth.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of physical properties comprise: a type, a size, and a length of a fiber or a filament; a diameter, twist, weight or size, count, fiber content for mixed yarns, and ply of the yarn; weight of the cloth; thickness of the cloth; structure of the cloth; woven fabric; knitted fabric; chemical finishes; calendaring and napping applied to the woven fabric to yield or enhance style, durability, and utility values; width of the fabric; color of the fabric; density of the fabric; and surface contour.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of physical characteristics comprise style characteristics; utility characteristics; durability characteristics; and product production characteristics.

, Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is generally related to an apparatus to detect physical properties and physical characteristics of a cloth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Currently, the quality of the fabric is determined by trial and error. The consumer has either no view or a very little view of the quality of the fabric. It is desirable for a consumer to understand the fabric quality while purchasing the cloth.
[0004] US patent number 4,384,596 B2 issued to Brouwer, et al. discloses a method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling the quality of fabric produced on a loom. It discloses sensors and indicators are provided together with control systems and methods for prediction and control of fabric output quality from a loom. With the improved sensors, looms may be operated in response to predicted quality indicia or statistically calculated indices derived from a multiple of signals sensed in the various portions of the loom. Additionally, it provides an increased output mode for producing more fabric from a loom than heretofore feasible can be employed while maintaining acceptable output quality.
[0005] US patent number 5,092,168 B2 issued to Baker discloses a method of determining the periodicity of a changeable characteristic of a textile fabric. The method includes a step of sensing a property related to the pairs of positions which are spaced apart by a distance along a length of the fabric, generating signals representative of the magnitude of the said property at the said positions, and summing the products of the signals generated at each pair of positions.
[0006] Therefore there is a need for an efficient and cost-effective apparatus to detect physical properties, and physical characteristics pertaining to a cloth. Further, there is a need for an apparatus and method to accurately identify the quality of a cloth or fabric. Furthermore, there is a need for an apparatus and method to quantify the materials used to manufacture the cloth.
[0007] Thus, in view of the above, there is a long-felt need in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
[0008] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art through comparison of described systems with some aspects of the present disclosure, as set forth in the remainder of the present application and with reference to the drawings.
[0009] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0010] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0011] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0012] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0013] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] An apparatus to detect a plurality of physical properties and a plurality of physical characteristics pertaining to cloth is provided substantially, as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
[0015] The apparatus comprises a housing unit, a sensor unit, a display unit, a storage unit, a controller unit, a plurality of scanner units, and a color detector. The housing unit is adaptable to receive a palm of a user. The sensor unit is integrated within the housing unit to detect physical properties and physical characteristics of the cloth. The display unit is configured on an outer surface of the housing unit to display the detected physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth. Further, the display unit displays the plurality of materials and a percentage amount of the materials included in the cloth. The storage unit stores a plurality of instructions and data pertaining to the detected physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth. The controller unit is configured with the storage unit to execute the instructions stored in the storage unit. The controller unit is communicatively coupled with the sensor unit to transmit a plurality of commands based on the detection data.
[0016] In an aspect, the sensor unit comprises a plurality of scanner units placed at a plurality of tips of the housing unit to scan the cloth and retrieve the physical properties and physical characteristics of the cloth.
[0017] In an aspect, the sensor unit further comprises a color detector to detect a color of the cloth.
[0018] In an aspect, the plurality of physical properties comprise: a type, a size, and a length of a fiber or a filament; a diameter, twist, weight or size, count, fiber content for mixed yarns, and ply of the yarn; weight of the cloth; thickness of the cloth; structure of the cloth; woven fabric; knitted fabric; chemical finishes; calendaring and napping applied to the woven fabric to yield or enhance style, durability, and utility values; width of the fabric; color of the fabric; density of the fabric; and surface contour.
[0019] In an aspect, the plurality of physical characteristics comprises style characteristics; utility characteristics; durability characteristics; and product production characteristics.
[0020] An aspect of the present invention relates to a method for detecting a plurality of physical properties, and a plurality of physical characteristics pertaining to a cloth. The method comprises a step of receiving a palm of a user through a housing unit. The method then comprises a step of detecting physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth through a sensor unit integrated within the housing unit.
[0021] Further, the method comprises a step of displaying the detected physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth, and further displaying the plurality of materials and a percentage amount of the materials included in the cloth through a display unit configured on an outer surface of the housing unit. The method then comprises a step of storing a plurality of instructions and data pertaining to the detected physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth in a storage unit. Furthermore, the method comprises a step of executing the instructions stored in the storage unit through a controller unit. The controller unit communicatively coupled with the sensor unit to transmit a plurality of commands based on the detection data.
[0022] Accordingly, one advantage of the present invention is that ithelps an individual to diagnose whether the price he/she disburses for the desired cloth is worthy or not.
[0023] Accordingly, one advantage of the present invention is that it identifies every minute details pertaining to the quality of a particular cloth.
[0024] Accordingly, one advantage of the present invention is that it is a standalone apparatus which is intended to be used at places where identification of the quality of the cloth is highly desirable.
[0025] Accordingly, one advantage of the present invention is that itis not only cost-efficient but also helps the user to be conscious of health-related issues like infections due to itching caused by low-quality clothes.
[0026] These features and advantages of the present disclosure may be appreciated by reviewing the following description of the present disclosure, along with the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] The accompanying drawings illustrate the embodiments of systems, methods, and other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent an example of the boundaries. In some examples, one element may be designed as multiple elements, or multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another and vice versa. Furthermore, the elements may not be drawn to scale.
[0028] Various embodiments will hereinafter be described in accordance with the appended drawings, which are provided to illustrate, not limit, the scope, wherein similar designations denote similar elements, and in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the present apparatus to detect a plurality of physical properties, and a plurality of physical characteristics of cloth, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the present apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of the present method for detecting a plurality of physical properties, and a plurality of physical characteristics pertaining to cloth, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The present disclosure is best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments have been discussed with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions provided herein with respect to the figures are merely for explanatory purposes, as the methods and systems may extend beyond the described embodiments. For instance, the teachings presented and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternative and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond certain implementation choices in the following embodiments.
[0034] References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
[0035] Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks. The term “method” refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques,and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs. The descriptions, examples, methods, and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting but rather as illustrative only. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations within the scope of the technology described herein.
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram 100 of the present apparatus 100 to detect a plurality of physical properties, and a plurality of physical characteristics of cloth, in accordance with at least one embodiment. Physical properties are the static physical dimensions of the fabric. The physical properties are used to define the static physical dimensions of strand fabrics. In an embodiment, the plurality of physical properties comprise: a type, a size, and a length of a fiber or a filament; a diameter, twist, weight or size, count, fiber content for mixed yarns, and ply of the yarn; weight of the cloth; thickness of the cloth; structure of the cloth; woven fabric; knitted fabric; chemical finishes; calendaring and napping applied to the woven fabric to yield or enhance style, durability, and utility values; width of the fabric; color of the fabric; density of the fabric; and surface contour.
[0037] Physical characteristics are the dynamic physical parameters of the fabric. They are physical changes in the fabric that result from applying outside forces on the fabric. Most of the durability and utility values of the fabric are characteristics and not properties. In an embodiment, the plurality of physical characteristics comprises style characteristics, utility characteristics, durability characteristics, and product production characteristics. There are often correlations among these four types of characteristics. A utility characteristic such as fabric elongation is correlated to a working characteristic such as sewing without stretching.
[0038] Typically, style characteristics are those changes which affect the emotional appeal. Thisis exemplified when a consumer handles fabric and refers to the fabric with adjectives such as stiff, soft, hand, etc. The three basic categories for style characteristics are hand characteristic, tactile characteristics, and Visual characteristics. The hand characteristic is the changes of the fabric plane with hand manipulations, which exert tensile compression, molding, or supporting forces on the fabric. The hand characteristics include some of the utility characteristics, such as elongation, elasticity, flexibility, etc. The tactile characteristics refer to the changes in surface contour that result from a mechanical force exerted on or against the surface structure.
[0039] These changes apply to the surface contour aspects of the fabric surface and not the fabric plane. The surface contour changes dimension under tactile pressure (no matter how small the pressure) this is a tactile characteristic. Pile, napped, and any fabric whose surface contour can be varied by tactile pressure, have obvious tactile characteristics. The designers specify tactile characteristics with terms such as soft, coarse, rough, hard, smooth sticky, oily and greasy. The visual characteristics are the changes in the color values when either the fabric or light is moved.
[0040] End to end shading, side to side shading and mark-off are three color quality problems in addition to metamorphic fabrics. End to end shading refers to changes in shade throughout the length. The shade of one end of the bolt differs from the shade of another end. Side to side shading refers to changes in shade from selvage to selvage. The shade of the fabric along one selvage differs from the shade of the fabric along the other selvage. Mark-off in the fabric is the phenomena of changing the shade and/or the intensity of the fabric surface by rubbing it. Metamorphic fabrics exhibit color difference with the change in the spectral distribution (characteristics) of the illuminant.
[0041] Further, utility characteristics are changes in the fit, comfort, and wearing functions of the garment when the fabric engages a mechanical thermal, electrical, or chemical force during the utilization of the garment. The two major types of utility characteristics are transmission and transformation.
[0042] A transmission characteristic transmits mass or energy through the fabric. Transmission characteristics include air permeability (includes all gases and vapor), heat transmission (thermal conductivity), light permeability, moisture transmission, radioactivity transmission (the degree with which radioactive energy such as x-ray and gamma rays can penetrate fabrics).Transformation characteristics charge a physical property of the fabric. The property dimension(s) is altered without destroying the fabric. Changes which disintegrate the fabric are durability characteristics. Transformation characteristics include colorfastness, crease resistance, crock resistance, dimensional stability, pilling, shrinkage, static electricity,etc.
[0043] Durability characteristics are the capacities of fabric to maintain the style and utility characteristics during wear. It is the measure of stress which destroys the fabric or the fabrics ability to repeat a desired style or utility characteristic. The durability characteristics are abrasive strength (the measure of rubbing action), bursting strength (the measure of vertical pressure), launder-ability (the measure of washing), tearing strength, moth resistance, tensile strength, radiation absorption strength (the rate at which radiation energy either disintegrate a fabric or destroys utility characteristics), fire resistance, corrosive strength (the measure of chemical action, acid or alkaline), dry cleaning durability (the measure of dry cleaning performance).
[0044] Product production working characteristics are those characteristics which affect the quality of production with respect to quality values and the cost of production method. The working characteristics of a fabric include coefficient of friction (cutting, sewing, pressing and packing), sewed seam strength, sewed seam slippage (yarn slippage), sewing distortions, yarn sewerage, bondability strength (fused, cemented, and heat – sealed seams, pressing moldability (to what degree a flat piece of fabric may be skewed during pressing with hand and /press buck), Die moldability – how well a flat seamless piece of fabric may be molded with dies into a given from such as a bra cup or a hat.
[0045] The apparatus 101 comprises a housing unit 102, a sensor unit 104, a display unit 106, a storage unit 108, a controller unit 110, a plurality of scanner units 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e and a color detector 114. The housing unit 102 is adaptable to receive a palm of a user. The sensor unit 104 is integrated within the housing unit 102 to detect physical properties and physical characteristics of the cloth. In an embodiment, the sensor unit 104 comprises a plurality of scanner units 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, and 112e(shown in FIG. 2) placed at a plurality of tips of the housing unit 102 to scan the cloth and retrieve the physical properties and physical characteristics of the cloth. The scanner units scan the cloth to display characteristics and properties of the fabric. FIG. 2 illustrates a front view 200 of the present apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment. In an embodiment, the sensor unit 104 further comprises a color detector 114 to detect a color of the cloth.
[0046] The display unit 106 is configured on an outer surface of the housing unit 102 to display the detected physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth. Further, the display unit 106 displays the plurality of materials and a percentage amount of the materials included in the cloth. In an embodiment, the display unit 106 is an OLED display or any similar display unit to show the information.
[0047] The storage unit 108stores a plurality of instructions and data pertaining to the detected physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth. The controller unit 110 is configured with the storage unit to execute the instructions stored in the storage unit. The controller unit 110 is communicatively coupled with the sensor unit 104 to transmit a plurality of commands based on the detection data.
[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view 300 of the apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment. The apparatus 102 helps as a dyke between the consumer and his expenditure on clothes. The display unit 106 displays the number of materials included in cloth along with its percentages. The apparatus is also capable of identifying the color of cloth. The present apparatus 102 exhibits its nature when a piece of cloth is placed inside it where the sensors imagers are present. The present apparatus102 consists of few input devices for controlling.
[0049] In an additional embodiment, the present apparatus may comprise a power unit to power the sensor unit 104, display unit 106, controller unit 110, scanner units 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, and color detector 114.In an exemplary embodiment, the power unit includes a battery such as lithium ion or batteries having small current ratings with a long discharging cycle such as an absorbent glass mat (AGM) battery, a sealed lead acid (SLA) battery, a flooded lead-acid battery, or a gel cell. In an additional exemplary embodiment, the power unit 104 may retrieve power from an electric switchboard. The apparatus further includes a compartment unit 202 to store the sensor unit 104, the controller unit 110, and color detector 114.
[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart 400 of the present method for detecting a plurality of physical properties, and a plurality of physical characteristics pertaining to cloth, in accordance with at least one embodiment. The method initiates with a step 402 of receiving a palm of a user through a housing unit. The method then comprises a step 404 of detecting physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth through a sensor unit integrated within the housing unit. The sensor unit further includes scanner units placed over the tips of the housing unit to scan the cloth and retrieve the physical properties and characteristics of the cloth. The sensor unit further includes a color detector to detect a color of the cloth which is further displayed over the display unit.
[0051] Further, the method comprises a step 406 of displaying the detected physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth, and further displaying the plurality of materials and a percentage amount of the materials included in the cloth through a display unit configured on an outer surface of the housing unit. The method then comprises a step 408 of storing a plurality of instructions and data pertaining to the detected physical properties, and physical characteristics of the cloth in a storage unit. Furthermore, the method comprises a step 410 of executing the instructions stored in the storage unit through a controller unit. The controller unit is communicatively coupled with the sensor unit to transmit a plurality of commands based on the detection data.
[0052] Theplurality of physical properties include type, size, and length of a fiber or a filament; a diameter, twist, weight or size, count, fiber content for mixed yarns, and ply of the yarn; weight of the cloth; thickness of the cloth; structure of the cloth; woven fabric; knitted fabric; chemical finishes; calendaring and napping applied to the woven fabric to yield or enhance style, durability, and utility values; width of the fabric; color of the fabric; density of the fabric; and surface contour.The plurality of physical characteristics comprise style characteristics; utility characteristics; durability characteristics; and product production characteristics.
[0053] Thus the present apparatus and method provide an awareness to the customer of the properties and characteristics of the fabrics. Further, the present invention also helps the designer to select the appropriate fabrics for their intended applications and also enables the fabric producer to provide as much information as possible to help the designers/customers to make appropriate fabric selections.
[0054] No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
[0055] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. There is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms enclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention, provided they are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.