US 11,807,021 B2
Fluorescent printing on fabric for use as control input to automated positioning equipment
Stephen Wiedmann, San Antonio, TX (US); Victoria Wahlen, San Antonio, TX (US); and Branson Brockschmidt, San Antonio, TX (US)
Assigned to Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX (US)
Filed by Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX (US)
Filed on Jan. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/584,595.
Prior Publication US 2023/0234371 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B41J 3/407 (2006.01); D06P 5/30 (2006.01); G01N 21/64 (2006.01); B41J 29/393 (2006.01); C09D 11/50 (2014.01)
CPC B41J 3/4078 (2013.01) [B41J 29/393 (2013.01); C09D 11/50 (2013.01); D06P 5/30 (2013.01); G01N 21/6447 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of using an automated system to position a fabric piece, comprising:
printing a pattern onto the fabric piece with fluorescent ink;
detecting the fluorescent ink on the fabric piece, thereby acquiring a pattern signature;
storing the pattern signature in a control process of the automated system as a target pattern associated with a desired location of the fabric piece;
staging the fabric piece such that the fabric piece is moveable by the automated equipment;
comparing the position of the pattern signature on the fabric piece with the target pattern; and
using the results of the comparing step to generate control signals for the automated system to move the piece into the position of the target pattern.