IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,051,905

Granted Patent B2

US 10,051,905 · App. 15/682,507 · Granted Aug 21, 2018

Laser finishing of apparel

Inventors: Jennifer Benefiel (San Francisco, CA); James Barton Sights (San Francisco, CA); Christopher Schultz (San Francisco, CA)

Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.

A41H3/007 A41H3/08 B41M5/24 B44C1/228 D06C23/00 G06F17/50 D06C2700/31 G06F2217/32

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 10,051,905
App. No.: 15/682,507
Granted: Aug 21, 2018
Kind: B2

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Abstract

Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. A technique includes determining a fabric's response to a laser, capturing an initial image of a wear pattern on a garment, and processing the initial image to obtain a working image in grayscale. The working image is further processed to obtain a difference image by comparing each pixel relative to a dark reference. The difference image is converted to a laser values image by using the previously determined fabric response to the laser.

Claims (450)

1. A method comprising:

assembling a garment made from fabric panels of a woven first material comprising a warp comprising indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn, wherein the fabric panels are sewn together using thread;

creating a laser input file that is representative of a finishing pattern from an existing garment made from a second material, wherein the first material comprises a different fabric characteristic from the second material, and the creating the laser input file comprises

capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material, and

determining values for the laser input file that will result in a finishing pattern on the first material to obtain an appearance similar to the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material, wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises

selecting a dark reference in the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material,

for each pixel in the target image, calculating a difference value between a pixel value and the dark reference, and

storing each difference value in the laser input file, wherein the laser input file comprises a reverse image compared to the target image; and

using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the garment based on the laser input file, wherein based on the laser input file, the laser removes selected amounts of material from the surface of the first material at different pixel locations of the garment,

for lighter pixel locations of the finishing pattern, a greater amount of the indigo ring-dyed cotton warp yarn is removed, while for darker pixel locations of the finishing pattern, a lesser amount of the indigo ring-dyed cotton warp yarn is removed, and

the finishing pattern created can extend across portions of the garment where two or more fabric panels are joined together by thread by exposing these portions to the laser.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first material comprises a denim and the second material comprises a denim.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the garment comprises at least one of a pair of jeans, shirt, short, jacket, vest, or skirt.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the garment and the existing garment are of the same type of garment.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the finishing pattern created by the laser on the garment includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the finishing pattern on the existing garment was not created by a laser.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first material comprises a weft comprising yarn that has not been indigo dyed.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein for the portions of the garment exposed to the laser where the fabric panels are joined, the fabric panels are joined together using a thread comprising cotton.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the garment comprises a single pass of the laser.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the garment comprises multiple passes of the laser.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

forming a first pattern on a surface of the first material, wherein the first pattern comprises a plurality of color shades, the color shades are lighter shades relative to an original color of the first material, and the first pattern is formed by exposing the first material to a laser beam at a variety of laser levels,

the first pattern comprises a first region comprising a first shade, a second region comprising a second shade, and a third region comprising a third shade, and

a difference between the first shade and second shade is determined by a first incremental value in a laser input value, a difference between the second shade and third shade is determined by a second incremental value in the laser input value, and the second incremental value is the same as the first incremental value.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises obtaining a fabric response characteristic for the first material in response to a laser comprising:

for the first region, generating a first histogram for a distribution of pixels in the first region;

for the second region, generating a second histogram for a distribution of pixels in the second region; and

for the third region, generating a third histogram for a distribution of pixels in the third region.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material comprises using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization image processing.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein when using the laser to create a finishing pattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of the laser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser comprising at least one of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burning speed.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

providing a fabric response characteristic function for the first material in response to a laser; and

converting the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material based on the fabric response characteristic function for the first material into values for the laser input file, and the laser input file comprises a reverse image, compared to the target image.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the first material comprises a first surface texture characteristic which is different from a second surface texture characteristic of the second material.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the first material comprises a first dye characteristic which is different from a second dye characteristic of the second material.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the first material comprises a first base fabric color characteristic which is different from a second base fabric color characteristic of the second material.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn characteristic which is different from a second yarn characteristic of the second material.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn weight characteristic which is different from a second yarn weight characteristic of the second material.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn diameter characteristic which is different from a second yarn diameter characteristic of the second material.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn twist characteristic which is different from a second yarn twist characteristic of the second material.

23. A method comprising:

providing an assembled garment made from fabric panels of a woven first material comprising a warp comprising indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn, wherein the fabric panels are sewn together using thread;

providing a laser input file that is representative of a finishing pattern from an existing garment made from a second material, wherein the finishing pattern on the existing garment was not created by a laser, and the laser input file was obtained by

capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material, and

selecting a dark reference in the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material,

for each pixel in the target image, calculating a difference value between a pixel value and the dark reference, and

storing each difference value in the laser input file, wherein the laser input file comprises a reverse image compared to the target image; and

using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the assembled garment based on the laser input file, wherein based on the laser input file, the laser removes selected amounts of material from the surface of the first material at different pixel locations of the assembled garment,

the finishing pattern created can extend across portions of the assembled garment where two or more fabric panels are joined together by thread by exposing these portions to the laser.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the first material comprises a denim and the second material comprises a denim, the garment and the existing garment comprise jeans, and the finishing pattern created by the laser on the garment includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the first material comprises a weft comprising yarn that has not been indigo dyed.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the first material comprises a first base fabric color characteristic which is different from a second base fabric color characteristic of the second material.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein for the portions of the garment exposed to the laser where the fabric panels are joined, the fabric panels are joined together using a thread comprising cotton.

28. The method of claim 23 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the garment comprises a single pass of the laser.

29. The method of claim 23 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the garment comprises multiple passes of the laser.

30. The method of claim 23 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

the first pattern comprises a first region comprising a first shade, a second region comprising a second shade, and a third region comprising a third shade, and

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises obtaining a fabric response characteristic for the first material in response to a laser comprising:

for the first region, generating a first histogram for a distribution of pixels in the first region;

for the second region, generating a second histogram for a distribution of pixels in the second region; and

for the third region, generating a third histogram for a distribution of pixels in the third region.

32. The method of claim 23 wherein the capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material comprises using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization image processing.

33. The method of claim 23 wherein when using the laser to create a finishing pattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of the laser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser comprising at least one of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burning speed.

34. The method of claim 23 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

providing a fabric response characteristic function for the first material in response to a laser; and

35. The method of claim 23 wherein the first material comprises a first surface texture characteristic which is different from a second surface texture characteristic of the second material.

36. The method of claim 23 wherein the first material comprises a first dye characteristic which is different from a second dye characteristic of the second material.

37. The method of claim 23 wherein the first material comprises a first base fabric color characteristic which is different from a second base fabric color characteristic of the second material.

38. The method of claim 23 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn characteristic which is different from a second yarn characteristic of the second material.

39. The method of claim 23 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn weight characteristic which is different from a second yarn weight characteristic of the second material.

40. The method of claim 23 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn diameter characteristic which is different from a second yarn diameter characteristic of the second material.

41. The method of claim 23 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn twist characteristic which is different from a second yarn twist characteristic of the second material.

42. A method comprising:

assembling a pair of jeans made from fabric panels of a woven first denim material comprising a warp comprising indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn, wherein the fabric panels are sewn together using thread;

creating a laser input file that is representative of a finishing pattern from an existing pair of jeans made from a second denim material, wherein the first denim material comprises a different fabric characteristic from the second denim material, and the creating the laser input file comprises

capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material, and

determining values for the laser input file that will result in a finishing pattern on the first denim material to obtain an appearance similar to the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material, wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises

selecting a dark reference in the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material,

for each pixel in the target image, calculating a difference value between a pixel value and the dark reference, and

storing each difference value in the laser input file, wherein the laser input file comprises a reverse image compared to the target image; and

using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans based on the laser input file, wherein based on the laser input file, the laser removes selected amounts of material from the surface of the first material at different pixel locations of the jeans,

the finishing pattern created can extend across portions of the jeans where two or more fabric panels are joined together by thread by exposing these portions to the laser.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the first denim material comprises a weft comprising yarn that has not been indigo dyed.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein for the portions of the jeans exposed to the laser where the fabric panels are joined, the fabric panels are joined together using a thread comprising cotton.

45. The method of claim 42 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises a single pass of the laser.

46. The method of claim 42 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises multiple passes of the laser.

47. The method of claim 42 wherein the capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material comprises using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization image processing.

48. The method of claim 42 wherein when using the laser to create a finishing pattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of the laser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser comprising at least one of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burning speed.

49. The method of claim 42 wherein the first denim material comprises a first surface texture characteristic which is different from a second surface texture characteristic of the second denim material.

50. The method of claim 42 wherein the first denim material comprises a first dye characteristic which is different from a second dye characteristic of the second denim material.

51. The method of claim 42 wherein the first denim material comprises a first base fabric color characteristic which is different from a second base fabric color characteristic of the second denim material.

52. The method of claim 42 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn characteristic which is different from a second yarn characteristic of the second denim material.

53. The method of claim 42 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn weight characteristic which is different from a second yarn weight characteristic of the second denim material.

54. The method of claim 42 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn diameter characteristic which is different from a second yarn diameter characteristic of the second denim material.

55. The method of claim 42 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn twist characteristic which is different from a second yarn twist characteristic of the second denim material.

56. The method of claim 42 wherein the finishing pattern on the existing jeans was not created by a laser.

57. The method of claim 42 wherein the finishing pattern created by the laser on the jeans includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

58. A method comprising:

assembling a pair of jeans made from fabric panels of a woven first denim material comprising a warp comprising indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn, wherein the fabric panels are sewn together using thread;

capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material, and

forming a first pattern on a surface of the first denim material, wherein the first pattern comprises a plurality of color shades, the color shades are lighter shades relative to an original color of the first denim material, and the first pattern is formed by exposing the first denim material to a laser beam at a variety of laser levels,

the first pattern comprises a first region comprising a first shade, a second region comprising a second shade, and a third region comprising a third shade, each first, second, and third regions comprise a polygon shape, and

the finishing pattern created can extend across portions of the jeans where two or more fabric panels are joined together by thread by exposing these portions to the laser.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein the finishing pattern on the existing jeans was not created by a laser.

60. The method of claim 58 wherein the first denim material comprises a weft comprising yarn that has not been indigo dyed.

61. The method of claim 58 wherein for the portions of the jeans exposed to the laser where the fabric panels are joined, the fabric panels are joined together using a thread comprising cotton.

62. The method of claim 58 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

selecting a dark reference in the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material;

for each pixel in the target image, calculating a difference value between a pixel value and the dark reference; and

storing each difference value in the laser input file, wherein the laser input file comprises a reverse image compared to the target image.

63. The method of claim 58 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises a single pass of the laser.

64. The method of claim 58 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises multiple passes of the laser.

65. The method of claim 58 wherein the capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material comprises using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization image processing.

66. The method of claim 58 wherein when using the laser to create a finishing pattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of the laser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser comprising at least one of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burning speed.

67. The method of claim 58 wherein the first denim material comprises a first surface texture characteristic which is different from a second surface texture characteristic of the second denim material.

68. The method of claim 58 wherein the first denim material comprises a first dye characteristic which is different from a second dye characteristic of the second denim material.

69. The method of claim 58 wherein the first denim material comprises a first base fabric color characteristic which is different from a second base fabric color characteristic of the second denim material.

70. The method of claim 58 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn characteristic which is different from a second yarn characteristic of the second denim material.

71. The method of claim 58 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn weight characteristic which is different from a second yarn weight characteristic of the second denim material.

72. The method of claim 58 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn diameter characteristic which is different from a second yarn diameter characteristic of the second denim material.

73. The method of claim 58 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn twist characteristic which is different from a second yarn twist characteristic of the second denim material.

74. The method of claim 58 wherein the finishing pattern created by the laser on the jeans includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

75. A method comprising:

assembling a pair of jeans made from fabric panels of a woven first denim material comprising a warp comprising indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn, wherein the fabric panels are sewn together using thread;

capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material, and

obtaining a fabric response characteristic for the first denim material in response to the laser comprising

for the first region, generating a first histogram for a distribution of pixels in the first region,

for the second region, generating a second histogram for a distribution of pixels in the second region, and

for the third region, generating a third histogram for a distribution of pixels in the third region; and

the finishing pattern created can extend across portions of the jeans where two or more fabric panels are joined together by thread by exposing these portions to the laser.

76. The method of claim 75 wherein the finishing pattern on the existing jeans was not created by a laser.

77. The method of claim 75 wherein the first denim material comprises a weft comprising yarn that has not been indigo dyed.

78. The method of claim 75 wherein for the portions of the jeans exposed to the laser where the fabric panels are joined, the fabric panels are joined together using a thread comprising cotton.

79. The method of claim 75 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

selecting a dark reference in the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material;

for each pixel in the target image, calculating a difference value between a pixel value and the dark reference; and

storing each difference value in the laser input file, wherein the laser input file comprises a reverse image compared to the target image.

80. The method of claim 75 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises a single pass of the laser.

81. The method of claim 75 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises multiple passes of the laser.

82. The method of claim 75 wherein the capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material comprises using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization image processing.

83. The method of claim 75 wherein when using the laser to create a finishing pattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of the laser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser comprising at least one of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burning speed.

84. The method of claim 75 wherein the first denim material comprises a first surface texture characteristic which is different from a second surface texture characteristic of the second denim material.

85. The method of claim 75 wherein the first denim material comprises a first dye characteristic which is different from a second dye characteristic of the second denim material.

86. The method of claim 75 wherein the first denim material comprises a first base fabric color characteristic which is different from a second base fabric color characteristic of the second denim material.

87. The method of claim 75 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn characteristic which is different from a second yarn characteristic of the second denim material.

88. The method of claim 75 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn weight characteristic which is different from a second yarn weight characteristic of the second denim material.

89. The method of claim 75 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn diameter characteristic which is different from a second yarn diameter characteristic of the second denim material.

90. The method of claim 75 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn twist characteristic which is different from a second yarn twist characteristic of the second denim material.

91. The method of claim 75 wherein the finishing pattern created by the laser on the jeans includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

92. A method comprising:

assembling a pair of jeans made from fabric panels of a woven first denim material comprising a warp comprising indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn, wherein the fabric panels are sewn together using thread;

capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material, and

providing a fabric response characteristic function for the first denim material in response to a laser, and

converting the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material based on the fabric response characteristic function for the first denim material into values for the laser input file, and the laser input file comprises a reverse image, compared to the target image; and

the finishing pattern created can extend across portions of the jeans where two or more fabric panels are joined together by thread by exposing these portions to the laser.

93. The method of claim 92 wherein the finishing pattern on the existing jeans was not created by a laser.

94. The method of claim 92 wherein the first denim material comprises a weft comprising yarn that has not been indigo dyed.

95. The method of claim 92 wherein for the portions of the jeans exposed to the laser where the fabric panels are joined, the fabric panels are joined together using a thread comprising cotton.

96. The method of claim 92 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

selecting a dark reference in the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material;

for each pixel in the target image, calculating a difference value between a pixel value and the dark reference; and

storing each difference value in the laser input file, wherein the laser input file comprises a reverse image compared to the target image.

97. The method of claim 92 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises a single pass of the laser.

98. The method of claim 92 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises multiple passes of the laser.

99. The method of claim 92 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

the first pattern comprises a first region comprising a first shade, a second region comprising a second shade, and a third region comprising a third shade, and

100. The method of claim 99 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises obtaining a fabric response characteristic for the first denim material in response to a laser comprising:

for the first region, generating a first histogram for a distribution of pixels in the first region;

for the second region, generating a second histogram for a distribution of pixels in the second region; and

for the third region, generating a third histogram for a distribution of pixels in the third region.

101. The method of claim 92 wherein the capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material comprises using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization image processing.

102. The method of claim 92 wherein when using the laser to create a finishing pattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of the laser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser comprising at least one of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burning speed.

103. The method of claim 92 wherein the first denim material comprises a first surface texture characteristic which is different from a second surface texture characteristic of the second denim material.

104. The method of claim 92 wherein the first denim material comprises a first dye characteristic which is different from a second dye characteristic of the second denim material.

105. The method of claim 92 wherein the first denim material comprises a first base fabric color characteristic which is different from a second base fabric color characteristic of the second denim material.

106. The method of claim 92 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn characteristic which is different from a second yarn characteristic of the second denim material.

107. The method of claim 92 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn weight characteristic which is different from a second yarn weight characteristic of the second denim material.

108. The method of claim 92 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn diameter characteristic which is different from a second yarn diameter characteristic of the second denim material.

109. The method of claim 92 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn twist characteristic which is different from a second yarn twist characteristic of the second denim material.

110. The method of claim 92 wherein the finishing pattern created by the laser on the jeans includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

111. A method comprising:

assembling a garment made from fabric panels of a woven first material comprising a warp comprising indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn, wherein the fabric panels are sewn together using thread;

capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material, and

providing a fabric response characteristic function for the first material in response to a laser, and

the finishing pattern created can extend across portions of the garment where two or more fabric panels are joined together by thread by exposing these portions to the laser.

112. The method of claim 111 wherein the finishing pattern on the existing garment was not created by a laser.

113. The method of claim 111 wherein the first material comprises a denim and the second material comprises a denim.

114. The method of claim 111 wherein the garment comprises at least one of a pair of jeans, shirt, short, jacket, vest, or skirt.

115. The method of claim 111 wherein the garment and the existing garment are of the same type of garment.

116. The method of claim 111 wherein the finishing pattern created by the laser on the garment includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

117. The method of claim 111 wherein the first material comprises a weft comprising yarn that has not been indigo dyed.

118. The method of claim 111 wherein for the portions of the garment exposed to the laser where the fabric panels are joined, the fabric panels are joined together using a thread comprising cotton.

119. The method of claim 111 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

selecting a dark reference in the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material;

for each pixel in the target image, calculating a difference value between a pixel value and the dark reference; and

storing each difference value in the laser input file.

120. The method of claim 111 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the garment comprises a single pass of the laser.

121. The method of claim 111 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the garment comprises multiple passes of the laser.

122. The method of claim 111 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

the first pattern comprises a first region comprising a first shade, a second region comprising a second shade, and a third region comprising a third shade, and

123. The method of claim 122 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises obtaining a fabric response characteristic for the first material in response to a laser comprising:

for the first region, generating a first histogram for a distribution of pixels in the first region;

for the second region, generating a second histogram for a distribution of pixels in the second region; and

for the third region, generating a third histogram for a distribution of pixels in the third region.

124. The method of claim 111 wherein the capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material comprises using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization image processing.

125. The method of claim 111 wherein when using the laser to create a finishing pattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of the laser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser comprising at least one of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burning speed.

126. The method of claim 111 wherein the first material comprises a first surface texture characteristic which is different from a second surface texture characteristic of the second material.

127. The method of claim 111 wherein the first material comprises a first dye characteristic which is different from a second dye characteristic of the second material.

128. The method of claim 111 wherein the first material comprises a first base fabric color characteristic which is different from a second base fabric color characteristic of the second material.

129. The method of claim 111 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn characteristic which is different from a second yarn characteristic of the second material.

130. The method of claim 111 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn weight characteristic which is different from a second yarn weight characteristic of the second material.

131. The method of claim 111 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn diameter characteristic which is different from a second yarn diameter characteristic of the second material.

132. The method of claim 111 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn twist characteristic which is different from a second yarn twist characteristic of the second material.

133. A method comprising:

assembling a garment made from fabric panels of a woven first material comprising a warp comprising indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn, wherein the fabric panels are sewn together using thread;

capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material, and

the finishing pattern created can extend across portions of the garment where two or more fabric panels are joined together by thread by exposing these portions to the laser.

134. The method of claim 133 wherein the finishing pattern on the existing garment was not created by a laser.

135. The method of claim 133 wherein the first material comprises a denim and the second material comprises a denim.

136. The method of claim 133 wherein the garment comprises at least one of a pair of jeans, shirt, short, jacket, vest, or skirt.

137. The method of claim 133 wherein the garment and the existing garment are of the same type of garment.

138. The method of claim 133 wherein the finishing pattern created by the laser on the garment includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

139. The method of claim 133 wherein the first material comprises a weft comprising yarn that has not been indigo dyed.

140. The method of claim 133 wherein for the portions of the garment exposed to the laser where the fabric panels are joined, the fabric panels are joined together using a thread comprising cotton.

141. The method of claim 133 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

selecting a dark reference in the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material;

for each pixel in the target image, calculating a difference value between a pixel value and the dark reference; and

storing each difference value in the laser input file.

142. The method of claim 133 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the garment comprises a single pass of the laser.

143. The method of claim 133 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the garment comprises multiple passes of the laser.

144. The method of claim 133 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises obtaining a fabric response characteristic for the first material in response to a laser comprising:

for the first region, generating a first histogram for a distribution of pixels in the first region;

for the second region, generating a second histogram for a distribution of pixels in the second region; and

for the third region, generating a third histogram for a distribution of pixels in the third region.

145. The method of claim 133 wherein the capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material comprises using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization image processing.

146. The method of claim 133 wherein when using the laser to create a finishing pattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of the laser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser comprising at least one of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burning speed.

147. The method of claim 133 wherein the first material comprises a first surface texture characteristic which is different from a second surface texture characteristic of the second material.

148. The method of claim 133 wherein the first material comprises a first dye characteristic which is different from a second dye characteristic of the second material.

149. The method of claim 133 wherein the first material comprises a first base fabric color characteristic which is different from a second base fabric color characteristic of the second material.

150. The method of claim 133 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn characteristic which is different from a second yarn characteristic of the second material.

151. The method of claim 133 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn weight characteristic which is different from a second yarn weight characteristic of the second material.

152. The method of claim 133 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn diameter characteristic which is different from a second yarn diameter characteristic of the second material.

153. The method of claim 133 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn twist characteristic which is different from a second yarn twist characteristic of the second material.

154. A method comprising:

providing an assembled garment made from fabric panels of a woven first material comprising a warp comprising indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn, wherein the fabric panels are sewn together using thread;

capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material, and

providing a fabric response characteristic function for the first material in response to a laser, and

the finishing pattern created can extend across portions of the assembled garment where two or more fabric panels are joined together by thread by exposing these portions to the laser.

155. The method of claim 154 wherein the first material comprises a denim and the second material comprises a denim.

156. The method of claim 154 wherein the garment comprises at least one of a pair of jeans, shirt, short, jacket, vest, or skirt.

157. The method of claim 154 wherein the garment and the existing garment are of the same type of garment.

158. The method of claim 154 wherein the finishing pattern created by the laser on the garment includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

159. The method of claim 154 wherein the first material comprises a weft comprising yarn that has not been indigo dyed.

160. The method of claim 154 wherein for the portions of the garment exposed to the laser where the fabric panels are joined, the fabric panels are joined together using a thread comprising cotton.

161. The method of claim 154 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

selecting a dark reference in the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material;

for each pixel in the target image, calculating a difference value between a pixel value and the dark reference; and

storing each difference value in the laser input file.

162. The method of claim 154 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the garment comprises a single pass of the laser.

163. The method of claim 154 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the garment comprises multiple passes of the laser.

164. The method of claim 154 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

the first pattern comprises a first region comprising a first shade, a second region comprising a second shade, and a third region comprising a third shade, and

165. The method of claim 164 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises obtaining a fabric response characteristic for the first material in response to a laser comprising:

for the first region, generating a first histogram for a distribution of pixels in the first region;

for the second region, generating a second histogram for a distribution of pixels in the second region; and

for the third region, generating a third histogram for a distribution of pixels in the third region.

166. The method of claim 154 wherein the capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material comprises using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization image processing.

167. The method of claim 154 wherein when using the laser to create a finishing pattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of the laser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser comprising at least one of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burning speed.

168. The method of claim 154 wherein the first material comprises a first surface texture characteristic which is different from a second surface texture characteristic of the second material.

169. The method of claim 154 wherein the first material comprises a first dye characteristic which is different from a second dye characteristic of the second material.

170. The method of claim 154 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn characteristic which is different from a second yarn characteristic of the second material.

171. The method of claim 154 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn weight characteristic which is different from a second yarn weight characteristic of the second material.

172. The method of claim 154 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn diameter characteristic which is different from a second yarn diameter characteristic of the second material.

173. The method of claim 154 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn twist characteristic which is different from a second yarn twist characteristic of the second material.

174. The method of claim 154 wherein the first material comprises a denim and the second material comprises a denim, the garment and the existing garment comprise jeans, and the finishing pattern created by the laser on the garment includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

175. A method comprising:

providing an assembled garment made from fabric panels of a woven first material comprising a warp comprising indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn, wherein the fabric panels are sewn together using thread;

capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material, and

the finishing pattern created can extend across portions of the assembled garment where two or more fabric panels are joined together by thread by exposing these portions to the laser.

176. The method of claim 175 wherein the first material comprises a denim and the second material comprises a denim.

177. The method of claim 175 wherein the garment comprises at least one of a pair of jeans, shirt, short, jacket, vest, or skirt.

178. The method of claim 175 wherein the garment and the existing garment are of the same type of garment.

179. The method of claim 175 wherein the finishing pattern created by the laser on the garment includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

180. The method of claim 175 wherein the first material comprises a weft comprising yarn that has not been indigo dyed.

181. The method of claim 175 wherein for the portions of the garment exposed to the laser where the fabric panels are joined, the fabric panels are joined together using a thread comprising cotton.

182. The method of claim 175 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

selecting a dark reference in the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material;

for each pixel in the target image, calculating a difference value between a pixel value and the dark reference; and

storing each difference value in the laser input file.

183. The method of claim 175 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the garment comprises a single pass of the laser.

184. The method of claim 175 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the garment comprises multiple passes of the laser.

185. The method of claim 175 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises obtaining a fabric response characteristic for the first material in response to a laser comprising:

for the first region, generating a first histogram for a distribution of pixels in the first region;

for the second region, generating a second histogram for a distribution of pixels in the second region; and

for the third region, generating a third histogram for a distribution of pixels in the third region.

186. The method of claim 175 wherein the capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing garment of the second material comprises using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization image processing.

187. The method of claim 175 wherein when using the laser to create a finishing pattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of the laser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser comprising at least one of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burning speed.

188. The method of claim 175 wherein the first material comprises a first surface texture characteristic which is different from a second surface texture characteristic of the second material.

189. The method of claim 175 wherein the first material comprises a first dye characteristic which is different from a second dye characteristic of the second material.

190. The method of claim 175 wherein the first material comprises a first base fabric color characteristic which is different from a second base fabric color characteristic of the second material.

191. The method of claim 175 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn characteristic which is different from a second yarn characteristic of the second material.

192. The method of claim 175 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn weight characteristic which is different from a second yarn weight characteristic of the second material.

193. The method of claim 175 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn diameter characteristic which is different from a second yarn diameter characteristic of the second material.

194. The method of claim 175 wherein the first material comprises a first yarn twist characteristic which is different from a second yarn twist characteristic of the second material.

195. The method of claim 175 wherein the first material comprises a denim and the second material comprises a denim, the garment and the existing garment comprise jeans, and the finishing pattern created by the laser on the garment includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

196. A method comprising:

assembling a pair of jeans made from fabric panels of a woven first denim material comprising a warp comprising indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn, wherein the fabric panels are sewn together using thread;

creating a laser input file that is representative of a finishing pattern from an existing pair of jeans made from a second denim material, wherein the finishing pattern on the existing jeans was not created by a laser, and the creating the laser input file comprises

capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material, and

selecting a dark reference in the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material,

for each pixel in the target image, calculating a difference value between a pixel value and the dark reference, and

storing each difference value in the laser input file, wherein the laser input file comprises a reverse image compared to the target image; and

the finishing pattern created can extend across portions of the jeans where two or more fabric panels are joined together by thread by exposing these portions to the laser.

197. The method of claim 196 wherein the first denim material comprises a weft comprising yarn that has not been indigo dyed.

198. The method of claim 196 wherein for the portions of the jeans exposed to the laser where the fabric panels are joined, the fabric panels are joined together using a thread comprising cotton.

199. The method of claim 196 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises a single pass of the laser.

200. The method of claim 196 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises multiple passes of the laser.

201. The method of claim 196 wherein the capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material comprises using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization image processing.

202. The method of claim 196 wherein when using the laser to create a finishing pattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of the laser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser comprising at least one of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burning speed.

203. The method of claim 196 wherein the first denim material comprises a first surface texture characteristic which is different from a second surface texture characteristic of the second denim material.

204. The method of claim 196 wherein the first denim material comprises a first dye characteristic which is different from a second dye characteristic of the second denim material.

205. The method of claim 196 wherein the first denim material comprises a first base fabric color characteristic which is different from a second base fabric color characteristic of the second denim material.

206. The method of claim 196 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn characteristic which is different from a second yarn characteristic of the second denim material.

207. The method of claim 196 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn weight characteristic which is different from a second yarn weight characteristic of the second denim material.

208. The method of claim 196 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn diameter characteristic which is different from a second yarn diameter characteristic of the second denim material.

209. The method of claim 196 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn twist characteristic which is different from a second yarn twist characteristic of the second denim material.

210. A method comprising:

assembling a pair of jeans made from fabric panels of a woven first denim material comprising a warp comprising indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn, wherein the fabric panels are sewn together using thread;

capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material, and

providing a fabric response characteristic function for the first denim material in response to a laser, and

the finishing pattern created can extend across portions of the jeans where two or more fabric panels are joined together by thread by exposing these portions to the laser.

211. The method of claim 210 wherein the first denim material comprises a weft comprising yarn that has not been indigo dyed.

212. The method of claim 210 wherein for the portions of the jeans exposed to the laser where the fabric panels are joined, the fabric panels are joined together using a thread comprising cotton.

213. The method of claim 210 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

selecting a dark reference in the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material;

for each pixel in the target image, calculating a difference value between a pixel value and the dark reference; and

storing each difference value in the laser input file, wherein the laser input file comprises a reverse image compared to the target image.

214. The method of claim 210 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises a single pass of the laser.

215. The method of claim 210 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises multiple passes of the laser.

216. The method of claim 210 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

the first pattern comprises a first region comprising a first shade, a second region comprising a second shade, and a third region comprising a third shade, and

217. The method of claim 216 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises obtaining a fabric response characteristic for the first denim material in response to a laser comprising:

for the first region, generating a first histogram for a distribution of pixels in the first region;

for the second region, generating a second histogram for a distribution of pixels in the second region; and

for the third region, generating a third histogram for a distribution of pixels in the third region.

218. The method of claim 210 wherein the capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material comprises using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization image processing.

219. The method of claim 210 wherein when using the laser to create a finishing pattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of the laser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser comprising at least one of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burning speed.

220. The method of claim 210 wherein the first denim material comprises a first surface texture characteristic which is different from a second surface texture characteristic of the second denim material.

221. The method of claim 210 wherein the first denim material comprises a first dye characteristic which is different from a second dye characteristic of the second denim material.

222. The method of claim 210 wherein the first denim material comprises a first base fabric color characteristic which is different from a second base fabric color characteristic of the second denim material.

223. The method of claim 210 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn characteristic which is different from a second yarn characteristic of the second denim material.

224. The method of claim 210 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn weight characteristic which is different from a second yarn weight characteristic of the second denim material.

225. The method of claim 210 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn diameter characteristic which is different from a second yarn diameter characteristic of the second denim material.

226. The method of claim 210 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn twist characteristic which is different from a second yarn twist characteristic of the second denim material.

227. The method of claim 210 wherein the finishing pattern created by the laser on the jeans includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

228. A method comprising:

assembling a pair of jeans made from fabric panels of a woven first denim material comprising a warp comprising indigo ring-dyed cotton yarn, wherein the fabric panels are sewn together using thread;

capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material, and

the finishing pattern created can extend across portions of the jeans where two or more fabric panels are joined together by thread by exposing these portions to the laser.

229. The method of claim 228 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises obtaining a fabric response characteristic for the first denim material in response to a laser comprising:

for the first region, generating a first histogram for a distribution of pixels in the first region;

for the second region, generating a second histogram for a distribution of pixels in the second region; and

for the third region, generating a third histogram for a distribution of pixels in the third region.

230. The method of claim 228 wherein the first denim material comprises a weft comprising yarn that has not been indigo dyed.

231. The method of claim 228 wherein for the portions of the jeans exposed to the laser where the fabric panels are joined, the fabric panels are joined together using a thread comprising cotton.

232. The method of claim 228 wherein the determining values for the laser input file comprises:

selecting a dark reference in the target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material;

for each pixel in the target image, calculating a difference value between a pixel value and the dark reference; and

storing each difference value in the laser input file, wherein the laser input file comprises a reverse image compared to the target image.

233. The method of claim 228 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises a single pass of the laser.

234. The method of claim 228 wherein the using a laser to create a finishing pattern on an outer surface of the jeans comprises multiple passes of the laser.

235. The method of claim 228 wherein the capturing a target image of the finishing pattern from the existing jeans of the second denim material comprises using contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization image processing.

236. The method of claim 228 wherein when using the laser to create a finishing pattern, different laser levels are obtained by varying an output of the laser beam by altering a characteristic of the laser comprising at least one of a frequency, period, pulse width, power, duty cycle, or burning speed.

237. The method of claim 228 wherein the first denim material comprises a first surface texture characteristic which is different from a second surface texture characteristic of the second denim material.

238. The method of claim 228 wherein the first denim material comprises a first dye characteristic which is different from a second dye characteristic of the second denim material.

239. The method of claim 228 wherein the first denim material comprises a first base fabric color characteristic which is different from a second base fabric color characteristic of the second denim material.

240. The method of claim 228 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn characteristic which is different from a second yarn characteristic of the second denim material.

241. The method of claim 228 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn weight characteristic which is different from a second yarn weight characteristic of the second denim material.

242. The method of claim 228 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn diameter characteristic which is different from a second yarn diameter characteristic of the second denim material.

243. The method of claim 228 wherein the first denim material comprises a first yarn twist characteristic which is different from a second yarn twist characteristic of the second denim material.

244. The method of claim 228 wherein the finishing pattern created by the laser on the jeans includes a wear pattern comprising at least one of combs or honeycombs, whiskers, stacks, or train tracks, or a combination.

Assignments (5)

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 069335/0647 Recorded Jun 9, 2025

From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

To: LEVI STRAUSS & CO.

Reel/Frame 071512/0857 →

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 11, 2024

From: LEVI STRAUSS & CO.

To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

Reel/Frame 069335/0647 →

SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 7, 2019

From: LEVI STRAUSS & CO.

To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT