# How Machines Automatically Spot Flaws in Fabric During Manufacturing > This patent describes an automated system for finding defects in fabric by cleaning it, taking pictures based on how a roller spins, and then using a computer to identify flaws. - **Patent:** US 10942133 - **Original title:** Method and system for automatically detecting fabric defect, and computer readable storage medium - **Owner:** Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel - **Granted:** 2021 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** manufacturing, textiles, software, robotics, computer_vision ## What it does This patent outlines a method and system for automatically finding defects in fabric as it moves through a cloth inspection machine. First, a "noise removing device" (like a blower or cleaner, as per claim 6) prepares the fabric region to eliminate dust or debris that could look like a flaw (claim 1). Next, a camera takes pictures of the fabric, but it's triggered precisely by the rotation information of the machine's roller, ensuring consistent image capture (claim 1). Finally, a computer automatically analyzes these images to identify any defects (claim 1). If a defect is found, the system can slow down the fabric and mark the defect's exact location, even calculating its global position on the entire fabric roll (claims 2-4). For example, if a machine detects a tear, it can immediately slow down the fabric and spray a marker onto the edge of the fabric right next to the tear. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover defect detection systems that do not include a dedicated noise removing device to preprocess the fabric. - Does not cover camera triggering for image acquisition that is not based on the rotation information of a cloth inspection machine's roller. - Does not cover manual human inspection of fabric defects, as the system is specifically designed for "automatically identifying" them. - Does not cover marking defects by translating the marking device, as it specifies marking the fabric edge "without translating the defect marking device." - Does not cover defect detection using non-visual sensors, as the core method relies on capturing and analyzing "one or more images." ## The clever bit The novelty lies in the precise coordination of steps: integrating a physical noise removal step, triggering camera image capture based on the exact rotation of the fabric roller, and then automatically identifying and pinpointing defects, even across multiple images through stitching. ## Real-world examples 1. Automated textile inspection systems in fabric mills 2. Quality control lines for garment manufacturers 3. Smart factory solutions for textile production 4. Industrial fabric defect scanning machines ## Why it matters Ensuring fabric quality is crucial in textile manufacturing, as defects can lead to wasted materials and costly returns. This type of automated system aims to improve efficiency and accuracy in quality control compared to traditional manual inspection. By precisely identifying and marking defects, manufacturers can streamline their processes, reduce human error, and ensure a higher standard of product before fabrics are cut and sewn. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How Machines Automatically Spot Flaws in Fabric During Manufacturing cover? This patent describes an automated system for finding defects in fabric by cleaning it, taking pictures based on how a roller spins, and then using a computer to identify flaws. ### Who owns patent US 10942133? Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel owns this patent, granted in 2021. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on April 11, 2038, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What problem does this patent solve? Ensuring fabric quality is crucial in textile manufacturing, as defects can lead to wasted materials and costly returns. This type of automated system aims to improve efficiency and accuracy in quality control compared to traditional manual inspection. By precisely identifying and marking defects, manufacturers can streamline their processes, reduce human error, and ensure a higher standard of product before fabrics are cut and sewn. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover defect detection systems that do not include a dedicated noise removing device to preprocess the fabric. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10942133/method-and-system-for-automatically-detecting-fabric-defect-and-computer-readabl **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US10942133 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How AI Cameras Check Factory Parts for Flaws](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12243216/system-and-method-for-ai-visual-inspection) — This patent describes an automated system using a camera and artificial intelligence to inspect manufactured parts, identifying defect types, locations, and confidence levels, then communicating this data to a factory controller. - [How a Robot System Inspects and Grades Objects for Flaws](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10753882/inspection-and-cosmetic-grading-through-image-processing-system-and-method) — This patent describes an automated system that uses cameras, special lighting, and deep learning AI to find and measure tiny flaws on an object's surface, then assigns a quality grade and sorts it. - [How to Inspect Moving Objects on a Production Line with a Moving Camera](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20250377309/method-for-material-testing-of-an-object-in-a-production-andor-conveyor-line-and) — This patent describes a method and apparatus for inspecting specific defect locations on objects moving along a production line by having an optical camera move alongside the object to take images without stopping the line. - [How Computers Track the Position and Angle of Multiple Objects](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12211234/rapid-iterative-development) — A method for using multiple cameras to track the exact location and orientation of many similar objects in a 3D space, even when they overlap. - [AI System for Diagnosing Machines and Managing Data in Factories](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11126171/methods-and-systems-of-diagnosing-machine-components-using-neural-networks-and-h) — This patent describes a system that uses artificial intelligence to detect problems in industrial machines while smartly adjusting how much data it collects and sends to avoid overwhelming the network.