Abstract: A sewing machine includes a sewing unit including a sewing machine motor, a single terminal for connecting a foot controller to the sewing machine, and a controller that controls the sewing unit. When the foot controller is not connected to the sewing machine, the single terminal allows connection of an external device to the sewing machine. The controller performs: a speed-data receiving operation to receive speed data from the foot controller connected to the sewing machine via the single terminal for controlling a sewing speed; a speed-control operation to control the sewing machine motor in accordance with the speed data received in the speed-data receiving operation; an input-data receiving operation to receive input data from the external device connected to the sewing machine via the single terminal; and a data-outputting operation to output output data to the external device via the single terminal.

Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed that includes a needle bar allowing attachment of a sewing needle including a needle eye to a lower end of thereof; a needle-bar lifting/lowering mechanism that moves the needle bar up and down; a presser foot; a presser foot lifting/lowering mechanism that moves the presser foot up and down; a hook that is provided with a beak for seizing a needle thread loop formed at the needle eye and that rotates in coordination with the up and down movement of the needle bar; and a controller that controls the presser foot lifting/lowering mechanism so as to resize a needle thread loop by lifting the presser foot to a predetermined height in coordination with a swing position of the needle bar and a predetermined height of the needle bar where the beak meets the needle thread loop.

Abstract: A sewing machine that operates with power supplied from a main power supply includes a needle plate having a needle hole through which a sewing needle can pass, an illuminating device that illuminates the needle hole and a vicinity of the needle hole, a power supply device that stores power, a detection device that detects whether a predetermined operation is performed in the sewing machine, a power distribution device that supplies the power from the power supply device to the detection device and the illuminating device, if supply of the power from the main power supply is turned off, and a turning-on device that turns on the illuminating device, if the detection device detects that the predetermined operation is performed in a condition where the supply of the power from the main power supply is cut off.

Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed that includes a needle bar allowing attachment of a sewing needle including a needle eye to a lower end of thereof; a needle-bar lifting/lowering mechanism that moves the needle bar up and down; a presser foot; a presser foot lifting/lowering mechanism that moves the presser foot up and down; a hook that is provided with a beak for seizing a needle thread loop formed at the needle eye and that rotates in coordination with the up and down movement of the needle bar; and a controller that controls the presser foot lifting/lowering mechanism so as to resize a needle thread loop by lifting the presser foot to a predetermined height in coordination with a swing position of the needle bar and a predetermined height of the needle bar where the beak meets the needle thread loop.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A sewing machine executing a free-motion capable of sewing while a workpiece cloth is manually moved by an operator includes a needlebar having a lower end to which a sewing needle is attached, a needlebar driving mechanism vertically driving the needlebar via a main shaft, a presser foot pressing the workpiece cloth manually moved by the operator, an imaging device imaging at least an area of the workpiece cloth near to the sewing needle, a movement amount operating device obtaining by operation a movement amount of the workpiece cloth based on image data from the imaging device, a setting device setting a stitch pitch on the workpiece cloth, a comparing device comparing the obtained movement amount of the workpiece cloth and the set stitch pitch, a cloth movement limiter limiting movement of the workpiece cloth by the manual operation, and a control device controlling the cloth movement limiter according to a result of comparison.

Abstract: A sewing machine that operates with power supplied from a main power supply includes a needle plate having a needle hole through which a sewing needle can pass, an illuminating device that illuminates the needle hole and a vicinity of the needle hole, a power supply device that stores power, a detection device that detects whether a predetermined operation is performed in the sewing machine, a power distribution device that supplies the power from the power supply device to the detection device and the illuminating device, if supply of the power from the main power supply is turned off, and a turning-on device that turns on the illuminating device, if the detection device detects that the predetermined operation is performed in a condition where the supply of the power from the main power supply is cut off.

Abstract: A feed dog drive motor and an X-direction motor are connected to common input/output ports of a CPU via first and second driver IC circuits, respectively. In response to a drive switching signal generated from the CPU, selected one of the first and second driver IC circuits is enabled, causing the feed dog drive motor and the X-directional motor to selectively energize. A common driver IC circuit can be used in place of the first and second driver IC circuits. With such a configuration, the number of input/output ports of the CPU as well as the number of driver IC circuits can be reduced.

Abstract: A sewing machine capable of sewing while a workpiece cloth is moved by a manual operation includes a needlebar having a lower end to which a sewing needle is attached, a needlebar driving mechanism vertically driving the needlebar via a main shaft, a presser foot pressing the workpiece cloth, an imaging device imaging at least an area of the workpiece cloth near to the sewing needle, a movement amount operating device obtaining by operation a movement amount of the workpiece cloth based on image data supplied from the imaging device, a setting device setting a stitch pitch on the workpiece cloth, a comparing device comparing the obtained movement amount of the workpiece cloth and the set stitch pitch, a cloth movement limiter limiting movement of the workpiece cloth by the manual operation, and a control device controlling the cloth movement limiter according to a result of comparison.

Abstract: A foot controller for a sewing machine includes a drive start switch (18) provided in a drive circuit (17) of a sewing machine motor (10) and a speed adjusting circuit (25) having a variable resistor (26) for adjusting a speed of the sewing machine motor (10) and a switching element (28) cooperating with the variable resistor (26), characterized by an interruption circuit (19) interrupting the drive circuit (17) of the sewing machine motor (10) when the switching element (28) is short-circuited while the drive start switch (18) is in an off-state.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a sewing machine body having a surface, a display device including electronic paper capable of changing contents to be displayed and a control device controlling the display device. The display device is disposed on the surface of the sewing machine body and arranged to display contents displayed prior to power-off when power has been cut off from the control device.

Abstract: A feed dog drive motor and an X-direction motor are connected to common input/output ports of a CPU via first and second driver IC circuits, respectively. In response to a drive switching signal generated from the CPU, selected one of the first and second driver IC circuits is enabled, causing the feed dog drive motor and the X-directional motor to selectively energize. A common driver IC circuit can be used in place of the first and second driver IC circuits. With such a configuration, the number of input/output ports of the CPU as well as the number of driver IC circuits can be reduced.

Abstract: A foot controller connection error detection device of the present invention includes a foot controller to output a start/stop instruction and a rotation speed instruction of a sewing machine motor to a control unit to control the sewing machine motor, a plug to disconnectably connect the foot controller to the control unit and a contact failure detection unit to detect a contact failure of the connector between the plug and the control unit.

Abstract: A foot controller connection error detection device of the present invention includes a foot controller to output a start/stop instruction and a rotation speed instruction of a sewing machine motor to a control unit to control the sewing machine motor, a plug to disconnectably connect the foot controller to the control unit and a contact failure detection unit to detect a contact failure of the connector between the plug and the control unit.

Abstract: A ROM built in a controller is provided with a guide information memory storing information display data for displaying information about methods of operating an embroidery device, and an additional information memory storing additional information display data for displaying additional information, such as information to be displayed during a stitching operation. A ROM included in an external ROM card is provided with a guide information memory storing guide information about the latest embroidery patterns and optionally available devices.