Tencent America LLC has secured a major milestone in textiles and clothing with a newly patented three dimensional modeling technology. This innovation focuses on the patent titled ‘Three dimensional modeling and reconstruction of clothing’. The patent describes a sophisticated reconstruction method designed to transform 2D imagery into accurate 3D digital garments.

Next Generation Digital Apparel

The abstract of this patent describes a clothing template determined from a previously constructed clothing model, associated with a piece of clothing in a plurality of 2D images, and indicates a 3D mesh that includes a plurality of full loops. A plurality of side silhouettes of the piece of clothing is determined based on the plurality of 2D images. A plurality of key point sets is determined based on the plurality of full loops of the clothing template and the plurality of side silhouettes. Each of the plurality of key point sets is determined based on a corresponding one of the plurality of full loops. A plurality of vertices and a plurality of edge loops of the 3D clothing model are determined based on the plurality of key point sets and a plurality of clothing parameters. A plurality of faces of the 3D clothing model is determined based on the determined plurality of vertices.

Tencent America LLC has earned the Swanson Reed patent of the month because this technology provides a revolutionary approach to digital garment fabrication. It is an outstanding invention in the Textiles, Clothing and Footwear industry because it allows for the seamless translation of physical apparel into the digital realm with unprecedented accuracy. By utilizing side silhouettes to inform 3D mesh vertices, the company has overcome traditional barriers to high fidelity virtual fashion modeling. This breakthrough enables retailers to create accurate digital twins of their products without the need for expensive 3D scanning hardware.

The technical ingenuity lies in the use of full loops and key point sets to ensure that the reconstructed model maintains its structural integrity. This level of detail is vital for realistic cloth simulation, enabling virtual try on experiences that accurately reflect how a garment fits and moves on a human body. Swanson Reed recognizes this achievement as it empowers retailers to reduce physical prototyping costs and minimize product returns through more accurate digital representations. By automating the modeling process, Tencent is facilitating a more sustainable and efficient design cycle for clothing brands worldwide.

Furthermore, the ability to generate complex 3D meshes from standard 2D images democratizes high end fashion technology. This innovation serves as a bridge between traditional manufacturing and the digital future of the industry, where virtual inventory and metaverse integration are becoming standard. Tencent America LLC has demonstrated leadership by providing a scalable solution that enhances the efficiency of the entire clothing supply chain while improving the consumer experience. The system effectively turns 2D photographs into actionable 3D assets that can be used across various digital platforms.

This invention meets the R&D tax credit rules in the USA through the Four Part Test. The Permitted Purpose is satisfied as the project develops a new functional capability for 3D reconstruction software. The work is Technological in Nature, relying on principles of computer vision, geometry, and computer science. The Elimination of Uncertainty is addressed by resolving technical challenges related to deriving 3D depth and loop structures from 2D silhouettes. Finally, the Process of Experimentation is evident in the systematic development and testing of the vertex and face determination algorithms to ensure geometric accuracy.

Practical applications of this patent that could meet R&D tax credit rules include: 1. Developing and testing automated mesh smoothing algorithms to ensure that reconstructed garments maintain realistic textures across different display resolutions. 2. Engineering unique key point extraction protocols that can accurately identify garment boundaries in complex or multi colored 2D backgrounds. 3. Conducting iterative trials to calibrate the edge loop logic for various fabric types, such as silk versus denim, to ensure the 3D model reflects the correct material stiffness and draping characteristics during virtual simulation.