Sewing Patents (Class 700/136)
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Patent number: 11940781Abstract: The sewing management system includes a sewing machine that performs sewing on a sewing line, a management server that manages various information on the sewing line, and a wearable terminal that detects physical condition management information of an operator on the sewing line. The sewing machine transmits production management information, including identification information of the operator who perform sewing operations on the sewing line and operation information of the main unit of the device, to the management server. The management server estimates a sewing skill of the operator based on the production management information and estimates the production capacity of the operator based on the physical condition management information.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: JUKI CORPORATIONInventor: Tadashi Atsumi
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Patent number: 11204249Abstract: The present disclosure provides a positioning method and a robot with the same. The method is applied to a robot having a camera, the method includes: taking a photo of a predetermined area, wherein the predetermined area comprises a marker pattern area; identifying at least two marker points of the marker pattern area and obtaining first coordinate data of each marker point; calculating second coordinate data of the robot in a world coordinate based on parameters of the camera and the first coordinate data of the marker points; and calculating angle data of the robot in the world coordinate based on the first coordinate data of the marker points and the second coordinate data of the robot in the world coordinate. Through the above-mentioned positioning method, the robot can quickly perform monocular visual positioning and reduce the calculation amount of positioning.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2019Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTDInventors: Yongsheng Zhao, Youjun Xiong
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Patent number: 9596899Abstract: A network device including document, design, aggregation and production texture modules. The document module generates a 2D design document that includes non-aggregated texture islands (NTIs). Each of the NTIs corresponds to a pattern of a product. The NTIs include at least two versions of one of the NTIs. The design module adds an artwork image across at least two of the NTIs. The aggregation module aggregates the at least two versions of the NTIs and generates a final aggregated texture image based on the 2D design document. The final aggregated texture image includes final aggregated texture islands (FATIs). Each of the FATIs is distinctive from the other ones of the FATIs. The production texture module, based on the final aggregated texture image, generates a production texture that includes islands, which are scaled to match an actual size of a respective pattern to be transferred on fabric for the product.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: GroupeSTAHLInventors: Brett Stahl, Clint Phillips, Matias Leandro Capeletto
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Publication number: 20150122165Abstract: A sewing machine includes a cloth thickness detection device, a storage device, and a control device. The cloth thickness detection device detects a cloth thickness of a work cloth. The storage device stores cut data that include a plurality of needle drop points for a cutting needle. The control device modifies a distance between adjacent ones of the needle drop points in the cut data in accordance with the cloth thickness that has been detected by the cloth thickness detection device. Then control device performs cut work on the work cloth using the cutting needle, in accordance with the cut data in which the distance between the adjacent needle drop points has been modified.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventor: Ryutaro MAKI
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Patent number: 9016217Abstract: A carpet and method for producing same that comprises an enhanced seam suitable for separation of an installation portion of the carpet and sacrificial edge portions of the produced carpet.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Columbia Insurance CompanyInventor: Neil Vaughan
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Patent number: 9014837Abstract: Method for creating a crystal/rhinestone template utilizing a sewing/embroidery machine to perforate a medium in a desired pattern. In the case of a multiple-needle sewing/embroidery machine, the machine's needle is replaced by a perforator blade and perforator blade holder which are attached to machine's needle bar. Machine's needle plate is replaced by perforator plate and waste holder. With a single-needle sewing/embroidery machine, machine's needle is replaced by a pressing tool attached to the machine's needle bar. A contact point, a spring, and an arm are attached to machine's presser foot. Machine's needle plate is replaced by perforator plate. A template medium is placed on a work surface of machine. Machine is operated by software that reads a user-specified pattern/motif outline for filling stones in vector form, using innate rules to move machine frame and control hole placement.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Inventors: Ioannis Doukakis, Miltiadis Vasileiadis, Konstantinos Angelakis
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Patent number: 8985038Abstract: A feeder movement compensation algorithm for use within a processor controlled sewing machine. The sewing machine configured with a reciprocating needle and thread, and including a stitch plate upon which fabric to be sewn is positioned beneath the needle and thread. The machine also includes a feeder mechanism driving a feed dog thru a movement. The feed dog movement pushes the fabric along the stitch plate and the reciprocating needle and thread form stitches in the fabric. During the stitch cycle, the feed dog movement completes at least one feeder stroke. The feeder stroke includes a portion of the feed dog extending above the stitch plate and moving along the direction of feed. The feeder stroke thus pushes the fabric along the stitch plate. The compensation algorithm calculates a theoretical feeder stroke length based upon a desired stitch.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: VSM Group ABInventors: Anders Flygare, Jonas Bardh, Gunnar Johansson
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Publication number: 20150066189Abstract: A method of creating three-dimensional products customized with user-selected images is described. The method includes storing definitions of products comprising components, receiving indication of selection by a user of a product, receiving indication of selection by a user of at least one image for printing on the product, receiving information regarding placement of the selected image on components of the product, preparing a two-dimensional representation of the components of the product with the image arranged thereon, and causing the printing of the two-dimensional representation on a material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Brennan MULLIGAN, Oleksandr ZADOROZHNYY, David TRIEBWASSER, Peter STROMBERG
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Patent number: 8972039Abstract: A stitchwork status checking apparatus includes a stitchwork data receiver unit that receives stitchwork data on a stitchwork pattern selected and currently stitched by a sewing machine, a converter unit that converts the received stitchwork data into a unique code, a status data receiver unit that receives a unique code converted based on the stitchwork data currently stitched by the sewing machine, and a code comparator unit that compares a code converted by the converter unit with a code received by the status data receiver unit. The stitchwork data receiver unit receives the stitchwork data through a transmission protocol that surely transmits data to a transmission destination. The status data receiver unit receives the code through a transmission protocol that transmits data to a transmission destination within a short time.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Kongo, Yukio Hosaka
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Patent number: 8909366Abstract: A sewing machine includes a plurality of needle bars to a lower end of each of which a needle can be attached, a display portion that is configured to display various information, a first display control portion that causes the display portion to display replacement information, the replacement information being information pertaining to a replacement needle bar that corresponds to a thread spool for which replacement is necessary and that is at least one of the plurality of the needle bars, a specifying portion that specifies a replacement-completed needle bar during a period in which the replacement information is being displayed on the display portion, the replacement-completed needle bar being a needle bar that corresponds to a thread spool that has been placed after replacement, and a second display control portion that causes the display portion to display a result that has been specified by the specifying portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tsuneo Okuyama
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Patent number: 8893633Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar, a sewing machine motor, an acquisition portion that acquires a reference length, an image capture portion that generates image data by image capture of one of the sewing object and at least one marker, a computation portion that computes an amount of movement of one of the sewing object and the at least one marker, a speed control portion that sets a revolution speed of the sewing machine motor to not greater than a specified value in a case where it is determined that sewing is being performed in a specified range, and a sewing control portion that terminates the sewing of the stitch portion in a case where it is determined that a length that has been sewn in the reference direction of the stitch portion is not less than the reference length.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masashi Tokura
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Patent number: 8886352Abstract: An electronic sewing machine (M) which makes a needle bar move up and down through a sewing machine spindle which is driven by a sewing machine motor of the sewing machine body provided with an illustration data storage unit (15) which stores a plurality of illustration data, a display unit (4) which displays the illustration data which is stored in the illustration data storage unit, an audio data storage unit (20) which stores audio data which corresponds to the illustration data, and an audio output unit (21) which outputs audio data which is stored in the audio data storage unit and displaying the illustration data on the display unit while outputting audio data corresponding to the illustration data from the audio output unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Happy Industrial CorporationInventors: Mitsuyoshi Takauchi, Keiichi Niizeki, Toshikazu Matsuura
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Patent number: 8738168Abstract: A sewing machine includes a display, a projection portion, a processor, and a memory. The display is configured to display display information related to sewing. The projection portion is configured to project a mark having a predetermined shape toward a sewing machine bed. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the sewing machine to project, by the projection portion, the mark toward the sewing machine bed, and display by the display, mark display information that represents the mark and stitch type display information of a planned stitch type to be sewn, in a first positional relationship that corresponds to a second positional relationship between the position of the planned stitch type to be sewn and the position of the mark configured to be projected on the sewing machine bed.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takafumi Naka, Hidenori Oka
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Publication number: 20140135971Abstract: Provided are a sewing design manufacturing management apparatus and method, which can provide information associated with sewing processes necessary for manufacturing an end product, on the basis of sewing design information. In order for a user to easily input information and data necessary for a sewing process, a design shape for each process is provided by analyzing the sewing design information of an end product generated or provided from the outside. The design shape for each process makes it easier to input sewing information and sewing data on a corresponding process. Working hours and cost may be calculated on the basis of at least one of the input sewing information and sewing data. The sewing information and sewing data may be transmitted to a corresponding sewing manufacturing device over a network, thereby setting work parameters for performing a necessary process.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: SUNSTAR CO., LTD.Inventor: In Chul Park
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Patent number: 8720353Abstract: A sewing machine includes a detector configured to detect ultrasonic waves transmitted from a specification-enabled area, a processor, and a memory storing non-transitory computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to perform specifying a prescribed position based on a positional relationship between a transmission area and the specification-enabled area, the transmission area being an area that is at least a portion of a sewing-enabled area and being an area that includes a position of a transmission source that transmits the ultrasonic waves, the prescribed position being a position of an embroidery frame when the entire transmission area is included in the specification-enabled area, moving the embroidery frame to the specified prescribed position, specifying a transmission position based on the ultrasonic waves that are detected by the detector, and performing a sewing operation based on the specified transmission position.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Nakamura, Satoru Makino, Akie Shimizu, Daisuke Abe, Yoshio Nishimura, Satoru Ichiyanagi, Yutaka Nomura
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Patent number: 8700200Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar to a lower end of which a needle can be attached, a needle plate in which a needle hole is provided, an image capture device that generates, as captured image data, data that describe a captured image of a sewing object being positioned between the needle bar and the needle plate, a marker data generation device that generates, as marker data, data that describe a setting marker, the setting marker indicating a pattern position and a pattern angle, a composite image data generation device that generates, as composite image data, data that describe a composite image based on the captured image data and the marker data, and a display control device that, based on the composite image data, causes the composite image to be displayed on a screen.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masashi Tokura
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Patent number: 8594829Abstract: A sewing machine includes an image capturing device capturing a marker on a sewing target object; a layout determination portion determining a relative layout of the next pattern, if a reference pattern is a pattern that is sewn when a holding position of the sewing target object is a first holding position and a next pattern is a pattern that is sewn subsequently to the reference pattern and that is sewn when the holding position is a second holding position; a layout detection portion detecting a layout of the marker; a registration portion registering information as storage information relating to the layout of the marker; an update portion updating the storage information when the layout of the marker is newly detected; and a setting portion setting a layout of the next pattern when the storage information relating to the marker captured in the second holding position.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masashi Tokura
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Patent number: 8515571Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated assisted sewing of an oversized, digitized sewing pattern, using a fabric retention mechanism and an automated sewing machine positioning mechanism. The sewing machine positioning mechanism is controlled by an actuator and provides for two dimensional positioning of a sewing machine with respect to the fabric retention mechanism. The oversized sewing pattern is segmented into pattern segments and the pattern segments are sewed sequentially in accordance with a selected order, with the fabric being repositioned after each segment is sewed. Cut points for pattern lines on the border of each pattern segment are matched by start points on the adjacent border of a subsequently sewed, adjacent pattern segment. A pattern program adjusts the pattern lines of each subsequently sewed segment to provide for continuity and alignment of the pattern lines which cross the borders between pattern segments.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Gracewood Management, Inc.Inventor: Jim Matthews Bagley
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Patent number: 8443743Abstract: A system and method for controlling the yarn feed for a tufting machine to form tufted patterns having different pattern fields or areas. Predetermined yarn feed amounts can be input for one or more selected yarn feed zones of selected stitches of the pattern to enable different pile heights and/or different tufts of yarns to be formed in the different pattern zones. A yarn feed device for the tufting machine will be controlled to selectively feed varying amounts of yarns for each of the yarn feed zones of the selected stitches of the pattern.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Card-Monroe Corp.Inventor: William M. Christman, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130111646Abstract: The present invention relates to improved sports clothing, to a method for manufacturing sports clothing and the use of sports clothing in order to prevent muscle injuries and/or for their treatment. In particular, the invention relates to a garment comprising a fabric (8) with pretension, attached to a basic layer. A characteristic feature is further that the pretensioned fabric (8) has a lower strain than the material of the basic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: V!GO GROUP N.V.Inventor: Wim Sevenants
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Patent number: 8423170Abstract: A sewing machine that includes an image capturing device and a sewing device. The image capturing device captures an image, and the sewing device sews a buttonhole having a length in accordance with a shape of the button, based on an image of a button captured by the image capturing device.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2009Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirokazu Hirose, Yuki Ihira
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Patent number: 8402904Abstract: A sewing machine includes a housing portion, a bed, a needle plate, an image capture device, a moving device, a command acquisition device, and a moving control device. The housing portion houses at least one needle bar. The needle plate is provided on the bed and includes a needle hole. The image capture device is adapted to capture an image of the needle hole. The moving device moves the image capture device in relation to the housing portion. The command acquisition device acquires a command to move the image capture device in relation to the housing portion. The moving control device controls the moving device in accordance with the command that has been acquired by the command acquisition device to move the image capture device in relation to the housing portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinya Fujihara
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Patent number: 8342112Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed, a needle plate, an image capture device, an auxiliary optical member, a switching device, a command acquisition device, and a control device. The needle plate is provided on the bed and includes a needle hole. The image capture device is adapted to capture an image facing downward from above the needle hole. The auxiliary optical member is adapted to transmit light to an image capture device side of the auxiliary optical member. The switching device switches the auxiliary optical member to one of being used and not being used. The command acquisition device acquires a command. In a case where the command has been acquired, the control device controls the switching device to switch the auxiliary optical member to one of being used and not being used in accordance with the command.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinya Fujihara
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Publication number: 20120245727Abstract: A sewing machine system including a sewing machine and a computer interconnected with each other is disclosed. The computer is configured to store sewing information and the sewing machine is configured to form sewing patterns on a workpiece based on the sewing information. The sewing machine includes a connecting unit configured to establish connection with the computer; an input unit configured to receive user inputs; an accessing unit configured to access the sewing information stored in the computer through the connecting unit based on the user inputs made through the input unit; and a disclosing unit that discloses sewing machine information pertaining to the sewing machine to the computer through the connecting unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takafumi NAKA, Motoshi KISHI
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Patent number: 8267024Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed portion, a pillar portion that is erected upward from the bed portion, an arm portion that extends horizontally from the pillar portion above the bed portion, a head that is provided at an end of the arm portion, a needle bar that is attached to the head and can reciprocate up and down, an image pickup device that can pick up an image of an upper surface of the bed portion, an image conversion device that generates a virtual image from a real image by viewpoint conversion, the virtual image being an image as viewed from an arbitrary viewpoint position, and the real image being an image picked up by the image pickup device, an image display device that displays an image, and an image display control device that displays the virtual image generated by the image conversion device on the image display device.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Atsuya Hayakawa, Masashi Tokura
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Patent number: 8240262Abstract: A method and the device for displaying sewing processes to allow simulation of the formation of stitch patterns and embroidery patterns in sewing machines (1) and embroidery machines or in sewing simulators close to reality is provided. In the representation on the monitor (3) features, such as colors and the structure of the sewing material (2), are considered. By activating a simulation mode, the drive for the stitch formation unit can be disabled.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: BERNINA International AGInventors: Stefan Zeiger, Boris Zickenberg
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Patent number: 8220402Abstract: A sewing machine capable of mode switching between a normal sewing mode and a free motion sewing mode including a feed dog switcher that switches a feed dog between an active state in which the feed dog is moved above and below a needle plate and an inactive state in which the feed dog is lowered below the needle plate, a first instruction issuer that instructs execution of fastening stitching at a beginning of pattern sewing sequence, a second instruction issuer that instructs execution of fastening stitching at an end of pattern sewing sequence, and a controller that, when in the free motion sewing mode, activates the feed dog by the feed dog switcher in response to an incoming instruction signal from the first or the second instruction issuer to execute fastening stitching through control of feed dog based on fastening stitching data to longitudinally feed a workpiece cloth.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akie Ukai, Masaki Shimizu, Hirokazu Hirose, Yoshinori Nakamura, Yoshio Nishimura, Satoru Makino, Kazumi Sai
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Publication number: 20120150337Abstract: A sewing machine includes a storage portion that stores pattern information and implement information for each of a plurality of patterns, a selecting portion that selects a desired pattern as a selected pattern, a first specifying portion that specifies, as one or more required implements, one or more sewing implements that are required in order to sew the selected pattern, a reading portion that reads, as tag information, information that is stored in one or more wireless tags and that identifies one or more prepared implements, a second specifying portion that specifies the one or more prepared implements based on the tag information that has been read by the reading portion, and an informing control portion that, in a case where there are one or more unprepared required implements, causes an informing portion to inform at least unprepared required implement information.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Harumi KATO, Midori MAGARA
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Patent number: 8196535Abstract: A sewing machine includes an image pickup device that picks up over a sewing machine bed; a feature point coordinates calculation device that extracts feature points from the picked up image and calculates two-dimensional coordinates of the extracted feature points; a reference coordinates storage device that stores reference coordinates, which are previously measured three-dimensional coordinates of the feature points; a correlation device that correlates the reference coordinates stored in the reference coordinates storage device with the feature point coordinates, which are the two-dimensional coordinates of the feature points calculated by the feature point coordinates calculation device; and a parameter calculation device that calculates a parameter about the image pickup device based on a result of correlation by the correlation device.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masashi Tokura
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Patent number: 8191492Abstract: A sewing machine that sews a work cloth being moved by a user includes a detection device that detects the work cloth, a movement calculation device that calculates movement data of the work cloth, a movement data storage device that stores the movement data, a movement data creation device that causes the detection device and the movement calculation device to respectively detect the work cloth and calculate the movement data for each stitch, and that stores the movement data into the movement data storage device, a line segment specification device that specifies a line segment based on the movement data, a determination device that determines whether a stitch to be formed next will overlap with an already formed stitch corresponding to the specified line segment, and an error control device that performs an error correction operation based on a determination result.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirokazu Hirose, Yoshinori Nakamura, Akie Ukai, Masaki Shimizu, Yoshio Nishimura, Kazumi Sai, Satoru Makino
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Publication number: 20120067263Abstract: A data generating device includes a selection portion that selects a plurality of patterns from among patterns that are to be sewn based on sewing data stored in a storage portion, an acquisition portion that acquires first sewing data that are sewing data for sewing the plurality of patterns selected by the selection portion, an arrangement setting portion that sets an arrangement of the plurality of patterns selected by the selection portion, a first sewing data generating portion that generates second sewing data based on the first sewing data that are acquired by the acquisition portion, and a first storage control portion that causes the second sewing data generated by the first sewing data generating portion to be stored in the storage portion such that it can be acquired by the acquisition portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masae IKEBA
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Patent number: 8100071Abstract: A method and device applicable to a sewing machine which has a needle and a gripper with a horizontally positioned lower bobbin for executing a seam with stitches in a sewing material being sewn, for compensating a deficiency in a longitudinal shift of the needle during a stitch being caused by an arcuate movement of the needle when it shifts sideways in a stitch, wherein the method includes the material being advanced by a feeder a length yn in the longitudinal direction of the seam on the basis of the seam setting, and wherein the sewing machine has a control including an algorithm causing the feed motor to set the feeder, so that at each stitch which includes sideways shifts of the needle it advances the sewing material a correction length en in the longitudinal direction of the seam, thereby compensating a corresponding deficiency in the needle's longitudinal shift relative to the material during the stitch being caused by the needle's arcuate sideways movement.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2007Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: KSIN Luxembourg III, S. ar.lInventors: Rolf Janeke, Fredrik Berglund, Lars Roos
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Patent number: 8099185Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and device for making garment. One embodiment, for example, includes a system that comprises a processing device and a sewing module that sews garment material to facilitate making the garment. The system further comprises memory that includes a thread count manager having instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executed by the processing device and include logic configured to instruct the sewing module to sew the garment material based on counting threads of the garment material rather than using the geometric shape of pieces of garment material.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Inventor: Stephen Lang Dickerson
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Patent number: 8091493Abstract: A sewing machine includes an image pickup device that picks up over a sewing machine bed; a feature point coordinates calculation device that extracts feature points from the picked up image and calculates two-dimensional coordinates of the feature points; a reference coordinates storage device that stores three-dimensional reference coordinates of the feature points; a correlation device that correlates the reference coordinates with the feature point coordinates; a parameter calculation device that calculates a parameter about the image pickup device; a parameter storage device that stores the calculated parameter; a comparison image acquisition device that acquires the picked up image as a comparison image; a first determination device that determines whether comparison information matches with parameter information; and a first notification device that notifies that it is necessary to re-calculate the parameter depending on the result by the first determination device.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masashi Tokura
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Patent number: 8095232Abstract: An example printer driver system and method disclosed herein includes determining a set of line segments corresponding to received image information, determining a first polygon from a first subset of the set of line segments, determining a second polygon from a second subset of the set of line segments, determining that a first line segment in the first subset and a second line segment in the second subset are collinear, removing the first line segment from the set of line segments, subtracting the first line segment from the second line segment to form a third line segment, replacing the second line segment in the set of line segments with the third line segment, determining a path corresponding to the set of line segments, determining a set of coordinates corresponding to the path, and instructing an embroidery machine to stitch the path in a substrate using the set of coordinates.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Vistaprint Technologies LimitedInventors: David A. Goldman, Nirav Patel, Mingkui Song
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Patent number: 8073561Abstract: A sewing machine and a method for managing manufacture of the sewing machine that effectively utilize production information in a manufacture process or a repair process of the sewing machine. The sewing machine may include a stitch formation device that forms stitches in work cloth by relatively moving the work cloth with respect to a vertically moving needle; a display device that displays a record of performing an operational test, in which operations of the sewing machine are adjusted or confirmed, the operational test including test items; and a performance record storage device that stores the performance record, the performance record being correlated with the test items of the operational test.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hirokazu Hirose
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Patent number: 7996103Abstract: An embroidery data generating apparatus for embroidering image data configured by multiplicity of pixels including a color difference calculator calculating a color difference between sewing thread color of the target segment and an underpass segment underlying the target segment; an angular difference sum calculator calculating an angular difference between the underpass segment and the target segment, the angular difference being measured at an intersecting pixel where the target segment and the underpass segment intersect; a third determiner determining whether or not to append the target segment to the sequence information based on the angular difference when the sum of the color difference is determined to be equal to or less than the first predetermined value; and a second segment appender that appends the target segment between the focus segment and the subsequent segment when determined by the third determiner to append the target segment to the sequence information.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenji Yamada
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Patent number: 7983780Abstract: A sewing machine including an input unit that inputs a thread cut instruction; a thread cutting mechanism that cuts a needle thread and a bobbin thread based on the thread cut instruction; a feed dog vertically moving mechanism that vertically drives a feed dog for feeding a workpiece cloth; a feed dog activating switch unit that switches the feed dog between an active state in which the feed dog is vertically driven by the feed dog vertically moving mechanism and an inactive state in which an upper surface of the feed dog is positioned in a lowered position below an upper surface of a needle plate provided in a sewing machine bed; and a control unit that drives the thread cutting mechanism based on the thread cut instruction inputted from the input unit and that controls the feed dog activating switch unit to switch the feed dog to the inactive state in which the feed dog is positioned in the lowered position.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hirokazu Hirose
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Patent number: 7983781Abstract: Sewing data of multiple sewing targets stored in RAM of a sewing sequence determining apparatus is acquired. Permutations or combinations of the sewing targets are created as sewing sequence candidates. A number of needle bars N provided at a multi-needle sewing machine is acquired. An optimal thread replacement count is initialized. A thread replacement count is calculated for each of sewing sequence candidates, in the case where sewing operations are carried out by the multi-needle sewing machine equipped with N needle bars on the sewing targets in accordance with the sewing sequence candidates. A sewing sequence candidate of the fewest thread replacement count is determined to be an optimal sewing sequence candidate. The optimal sewing sequence candidate is displayed on a liquid crystal display and announced. Determination of sewing sequences at the time of carrying out sewing operations with respect to multiple sewing targets is easily achieved.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Atsuya Hayakawa
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Patent number: 7980188Abstract: A cloth-holder frame transfer apparatus for a sewing machine includes a carriage detachably attachable to a cloth-holder frame holding workpiece cloth, a carriage driving mechanism including an actuator moving the carriage in two directions intersecting each other on a horizontal plane, an external force detector which detects an external force applied by an operator to the cloth-holder frame attached to the carriage, an assisting force output device which produces force assisting the movement of the cloth-holder frame by the external force, and a control device controlling the assisting force output device based on the external force detected by the external force detector. The carriage driving mechanism includes first and second direction movement actuators provided with first and second direction displacement sensors respectively. The first and second direction movement actuators include respective stepping motors, and the first and second direction displacement sensors include respective rotary encoders.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masaki Shimizu
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Patent number: 7983782Abstract: A sewing machine includes a spool pin stand having spool pins to which thread spools are attachable and seats corresponding to the spool pins, respectively, thread passage defining members located on a thread passage, a sewing data storage unit storing sewing data including at least thread color information about colors of the needle threads, thread supply display units which are located on the spool pin stand so as to correspond to the spool pins respectively, the thread supply display units being configured to produce light which transmits through at least ones of the spool pins and the seats and displaying the thread colors in a color-variable manner, respectively, and a thread color information control unit controlling the thread supply display units based on the thread color information so that thread colors corresponding to the spool pins are displayed by the thread supply display units, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yutaka Nomura, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Chikahisa Noguchi, Masaru Jimbo, Eiichi Ito
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Patent number: 7962239Abstract: A sewing machine and a sewing machine operating program stored on a computer-readable medium for changing display items displayed on a liquid crystal display of a sewing machine on a page by page basis, when an output signal of an operation of rolling forward or backward a mouse wheel is detected. The sewing machine may include a display device that displays a variety of information related to sewing and a display item storage device that stores display items to be displayed on the display device. The sewing machine may also include an operation device that includes an operating member for performing plural types of operations and a display control device that changes the display item displayed on the display device in response to at least one of the operation type or the operation quantity outputted by the operation device.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takashi Hirata, Takafumi Naka, Tsuneo Okuyama
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Patent number: 7934461Abstract: Sewing machine includes a plurality of machine heads, and at least one sequin feeder apparatus provided for each of the machine heads. The sequin feeder apparatus of a desired number of machine heads of the plurality of machine heads are grouped into a group, and a sequin feed pitch is variably set independently for each of the grouped sequin feeder apparatus in that group. Such an arrangement allows sequins of different sizes (different feed pitches) to be set on all of the sequin feeder apparatus in the group. If the plurality of machine heads are controlled on a group-by-group basis in order to sew a sequin-contained embroidery pattern, it is possible to increase the variety of sizes of sequins that can be used in the embroidery pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ryo Tajima
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Patent number: 7905187Abstract: A yarn feed system, enabling the control of individual yarns to the needles of a tufting machine, and which system can be manufactured as a substantially standardized unit or attachment that can be removably mounted to a tufting machine. The yarn feed unit includes a series of yarn feed devices for feeding each of the yarns to the needles of the tufting machine, and a series of yarn feed controllers that monitor and control the operation of the yarn feed devices to control the feeding of the yarns to the needles according to programmed pattern instructions.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Card-Monroe Corp.Inventors: Roy T. Card, William M. Christman, Jr., Sherman W. Smith, II
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Patent number: 7908027Abstract: A sewing machine including a needle bar that has a sewing needle attached in a lower end thereof; a needle-bar vertical drive mechanism that vertically moves the needle bar by a sewing machine motor via a sewing machine motor main shaft; an imaging unit that captures image of at least the sewing needle and a moving object that is in close proximity of the sewing needle; a distance calculating portion that calculates a distance between the sewing needle and the moving object based on image data captured by the imaging unit; a judging portion that makes a judgment that the distance calculated by the distance calculating portion is equal to or less than a predetermined distance; and a control portion that controls execution of a predetermined safety operation based on a judgment result of the judging portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Chikahisa Noguchi, Toshihiro Hanai, Eiichi Hamajima, Yoshio Nishimura, Eiichi Ito
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Patent number: 7882790Abstract: A sewing machine includes a display device, a display data storage device storing pattern display data for displaying each sewing pattern on the display device and pattern group display data for displaying on the display device a pattern group indication mark indicative of each of a plurality of pattern groups obtained by classifying the sewing patterns, a selecting operation device selecting one of the sewing groups and further either or any one of the sewing patterns contained in the selected pattern group, and a display control device which, when one of the pattern groups has been selected, causes the display device to display the pattern group indication mark indicative of the selected sewing pattern group on the display device firstly in an enlarged size and subsequently in a reduced normal size, based on the pattern group display data of the selected pattern group.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Motoshi Kishi, Naomi Yamamoto
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Patent number: 7854207Abstract: A printing and embroidering system having a positional data appending system that is adapted to append positional data indicating positions of a first image and a second image with respect to each other to first image data representing the first image to be formed by one of printing and embroidering and second image data representing the second image to be formed by the other one of printing and embroidering, a first image forming unit with a first fabric holding member, which is adapted to form the first image based on the first image data on a fabric being held by the first fabric holding member, and a second image forming unit with a second fabric holding member, which is adapted to form the second image based on the fabric being held by the second fabric holding member, wherein the first image forming unit is provided with a mark forming system, which is adapted to form a predetermined mark represented by the positional data on the fabric, and wherein the second image forming system is provided with a misType: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masakazu Kuki, Motoshi Kishi, Hirokazu Nakashima
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Patent number: 7848842Abstract: A sewing machine including a needle-swing mechanism that swings a needle bar; a cloth-feed mechanism that feeds a workpiece cloth by a feed dog; an imaging unit that captures an image of a baseline drawn on a surface of the workpiece cloth; a baseline-color detection portion that detects a baseline color of the baseline based on an image data of the baseline captured by the imaging unit; a first storage portion storing a mapping of a plurality of baseline colors to stitch data of a plurality of normal patterns; and a control portion that forms normal pattern stitches along the baseline by reading stitch data corresponding to the baseline color detected by the baseline-color detection portion from the first storage portion and controlling the needle-swing mechanism and the cloth-feed mechanism based on the stitch data read.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Suzuki, Yutaka Nomura, Masaru Jimbo, Yoshinori Nakamura, Eiichi Ito
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Patent number: 7836838Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar that is equipped with a sewing needle at a lower end of the needle bar, a presser bar that is equipped with a presser foot at a lower end of the presser bar, which holds down a work cloth, a sewing machine motor which is a driving source that drives the needle bar in an up and down direction, and a switching device that switches between a normal mode in which the needle bar is driven in the up and down direction to form stitches and a practice mode in which the sewing machine is operated in a condition where at least the needle bar is not driven.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoru Makino, Hirokazu Hirose, Yoshio Nishimura, Masaki Shimizu, Akie Ukai, Yoshinori Nakamura, Kazumi Sai
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Publication number: 20100293075Abstract: A method for obtaining shoes includes a step for obtaining shoe information; a step for communication with manufacturers; a step for manufacturing the shoes; a step for delivery and/or try-on; a step for amendment, and a step for finish manufacture. The method allows the customers to design their shoes by themselves and communicate with the shoe manufactures so as to obtain desired shoes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Chuang Chuan CHEN, Ming-Te Chen