Patents by Inventor Hirotsugu Takahata

Hirotsugu Takahata has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10053806
    Abstract: A sewing machine that includes a storage unit to store a plurality of pieces of pattern data respectively corresponding to a plurality of embroidery patterns and is capable sewing an embroidery pattern on a work cloth on the basis of the pattern data, the sewing machine includes a controller to control the sewing machine to: select one piece of pattern data from the pattern data stored in the storage unit; extract a plurality of pieces of other pattern data from the pattern data stored in the storage unit randomly; generate images of a plurality of combined embroidery patterns as a combination of a plurality of embroidery patterns respectively corresponding to the plurality of pieces of other pattern data extracted by extracting and an embroidery pattern corresponding to the one piece of pattern data selected; and display the images of the combined embroidery patterns generated by the generating on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Takahata, Chiyo Koga
  • Publication number: 20170191199
    Abstract: A sewing machine that includes a storage unit to store a plurality of pieces of pattern data respectively corresponding to a plurality of embroidery patterns and is capable sewing an embroidery pattern on a work cloth on the basis of the pattern data, the sewing machine includes a controller to control the sewing machine to: select one piece of pattern data from the pattern data stored in the storage unit; extract a plurality of pieces of other pattern data from the pattern data stored in the storage unit randomly; generate images of a plurality of combined embroidery patterns as a combination of a plurality of embroidery patterns respectively corresponding to the plurality of pieces of other pattern data extracted by extracting and an embroidery pattern corresponding to the one piece of pattern data selected; and display the images of the combined embroidery patterns generated by the generating on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotsugu TAKAHATA, Chiyo KOGA
  • Patent number: 9551099
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an embroidery frame moving portion, a sewing portion, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of acquiring image data created by a device and obtained by capturing an image of a range that includes at least one reference mark and at least one indicator mark, computing positioning data based on the image data, specifying an embroidery pattern to be formed in a sewing workpiece clamped in an embroidery frame, setting at least one of a position and an angle of the embroidery pattern on the sewing workpiece, based on the positioning data, acquiring embroidery data, causing the embroidery frame moving portion and the sewing portion to form the stitches that make up the embroidery pattern in the sewing workpiece, based on the embroidery data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satomi Suzuki, Noriharu Tashiro, Hirotsugu Takahata
  • Patent number: 9127385
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an embroidery frame moving portion, a sewing portion, a communication portion, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that cause the processor to perform the steps of specifying an embroidery pattern and a size of the embroidery pattern, outputting the size of the embroidery pattern through the communication portion to a device provided with an image capture portion, acquiring positioning data through the communication portion, setting at least one of a position and the angle of a embroidery pattern on a sewing workpiece based on the positioning data, acquiring embroidery data, and causing the embroidery frame moving portion and the sewing portion to form stitches that make up the embroidery pattern on the sewing workpiece based on the embroidery data. The positioning data have been computed by the device based on image data and output to from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satomi Suzuki, Noriharu Tashiro, Hirotsugu Takahata
  • Patent number: 8869721
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device including an image capture portion configured to create image data, cause the processor to perform the steps of causing the image capture portion to create the image data by causing the image capture portion to capture an image of a range including at least one reference mark and at least one indicator mark, computing positioning data based on the image data, and outputting the positioning data. The at least one reference mark is provided on an embroidery frame. The at least one indicator mark is positioned in an area inside the embroidery frame, on a sewing workpiece clamped in the embroidery frame. The positioning data are data that indicate at least one of a position and an angle of the at least one indicator mark in relation to the at least one reference mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satomi Suzuki, Noriharu Tashiro, Hirotsugu Takahata
  • Patent number: 8820252
    Abstract: A embroidery data processing device includes an area defining portion that defines a sewable area on the work cloth, a computation portion that computes a first characteristic quantity that specifies a size of the sewable area, a comparison portion that compares the first characteristic quantity to at least one characteristic quantity for at least one embroidery pattern that can be sewn based on the embroidery data, the at least one characteristic quantity being stored in a storage portion and specifying a size of the at least one embroidery pattern, an extraction portion that, in a case where a comparison indicates that at least one sewable pattern exists, extracts the at least one sewable pattern, the at least one sewable pattern being at least one embroidery pattern that fits within the sewable area, a notification portion that notifies a user about the at least one sewable pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Takahata, Harumi Kato, Noriharu Tashiro, Tsuneo Okuyama
  • Publication number: 20140230707
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an embroidery frame moving portion, a sewing portion, a communication portion, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that cause the processor to perform the steps of specifying an embroidery pattern and a size of the embroidery pattern, outputting the size of the embroidery pattern through the communication portion to a device provided with an image capture portion, acquiring positioning data through the communication portion, setting at least one of a position and the angle of a embroidery pattern on a sewing workpiece based on the positioning data, acquiring embroidery data, and causing the embroidery frame moving portion and the sewing portion to form stitches that make up the embroidery pattern on the sewing workpiece based on the embroidery data. The positioning data have been computed by the device based on image data and output to from the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satomi SUZUKI, Noriharu TASHIRO, Hirotsugu TAKAHATA
  • Publication number: 20140230706
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device including an image capture portion configured to create image data, cause the processor to perform the steps of causing the image capture portion to create the image data by causing the image capture portion to capture an image of a range including at least one reference mark and at least one indicator mark, computing positioning data based on the image data, and outputting the positioning data. The at least one reference mark is provided on an embroidery frame. The at least one indicator mark is positioned in an area inside the embroidery frame, on a sewing workpiece clamped in the embroidery frame. The positioning data are data that indicate at least one of a position and an angle of the at least one indicator mark in relation to the at least one reference mark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satomi SUZUKI, Noriharu TASHIRO, Hirotsugu TAKAHATA
  • Publication number: 20140230708
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an embroidery frame moving portion, a sewing portion, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of acquiring image data created by a device and obtained by capturing an image of a range that includes at least one reference mark and at least one indicator mark, computing positioning data based on the image data, specifying an embroidery pattern to be formed in a sewing workpiece clamped in an embroidery frame, setting at least one of a position and an angle of the embroidery pattern on the sewing workpiece, based on the positioning data, acquiring embroidery data, causing the embroidery frame moving portion and the sewing portion to form the stitches that make up the embroidery pattern in the sewing workpiece, based on the embroidery data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satomi SUZUKI, Noriharu TASHIRO, Hirotsugu TAKAHATA
  • Patent number: 8763544
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a transfer device that is adapted to move a work cloth, a sewing device that moves a needle bar up and down, an operation device that includes an operation member and that outputs an output signal in accordance with a tilting operation of the operation member, the output signal specifying a position where a unit stitch formed, a unit data generation device that generates unit data being data for forming the unit stitch, a sewing data generation device that generates sewing data in accordance with the output signal and the unit data, a transfer control device that causes the work cloth to be moved by driving the transfer device in accordance with the sewing data, and a sewing control device that causes the unit stitch to be sewn on the work cloth by driving the sewing device in accordance with the sewing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuneo Okuyama, Noriharu Tashiro, Hirotsugu Takahata, Harumi Kato
  • Patent number: 8746161
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a transfer device that is adapted to move a work cloth, a sewing device that moves a needle bar up and down, a first operation device that outputs a first output signal in accordance with an operation state of the first operation device, a second operation device that outputs a second output signal in accordance with an operation state of the second operation device, a sewing data generation device that generates sewing data in accordance with the first output signal and the second output signal, a transfer control device that causes the work cloth to be moved by driving the transfer device in accordance with the sewing data, and a sewing control device that causes the unit stitch to be sewn on the work cloth by driving the sewing device in accordance with the sewing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriharu Tashiro, Tsuneo Okuyama, Hirotsugu Takahata, Harumi Kato
  • Patent number: 8733260
    Abstract: An embroidery data processing apparatus that processes embroidery data includes a reference point setting unit that sets, within a sewing area, positions of at least three reference points, a reference line setting unit that sets two reference lines being straight lines that intersect each other and each pass through at least two reference points of the at least three reference points, a plane setting unit that sets a reference plane by setting two sets of a plurality of virtual lines arranged in a matrix, a position determination unit that determines the plurality of arrangement positions based on the reference plane, a pattern selection unit that selects a type for the plurality of unit patterns from at least one type of unit pattern, and an arrangement unit that arranges the plurality of unit patterns of the type in the plurality of arrangement positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Takahata, Harumi Kato, Noriharu Tashiro, Tsuneo Okuyama
  • Publication number: 20130213285
    Abstract: A sewing data generating device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing data generating device to execute steps including obtaining original image data of a pattern to be sewn on a work cloth, identifying a central line of the image, identifying a sewing start point and a sewing end point, and generating sewing data based on the sewing start point and the sewing end point. The sewing start point is one of a first point at which the central line and a contour line of the image intersect and a point separated from the first point. The sewing end point is one of a second point at which the central line and the contour line of the image intersect and a point separated from the second point. The second point is different from the first point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotsugu TAKAHATA, Noriharu TASHIRO, Satomi SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8184306
    Abstract: A multifunction peripheral device capable of being operated in a plurality of switchable operational modes is provided. The multifunction peripheral device includes a reader unit with a light source and a light receiving element to receive the light reflected on the original document to generate image data, operation receiving members, through which a user's instructions are entered, a valid instruction storage unit to store valid instruction information, which defines correspondence between a valid instruction and a valid instruction receiving member, a judging unit to judge as to whether an operation entered through one of the operation receiving members is the valid instruction based on the valid instruction information and a current operational mode, and a switching unit to switch the light source on when the judging unit judges that the entered operation is the valid instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Suzuki, Hiroko Ishikawa, Hirotsugu Takahata
  • Patent number: 8116515
    Abstract: A system includes a reading device configured to read an image on an original document, a first writing device configured to write image data read by the reading device into an image storage portion, a communication device configured to communicate with a separately-portable storage medium and a second writing device configured to transmit authentication information to the separately-portable storage medium, which is used to control output of the image data from the image storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirotsugu Takahata
  • Publication number: 20110194153
    Abstract: A system includes a reading device configured to read an image on an original document, a first writing device configured to write image data read by the reading device into an image storage portion, a communication device configured to communicate with a separately-portable storage medium and a second writing device configured to transmit authentication information to the separately-portable storage medium, which is used to control output of the image data from the image storage portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirotsugu Takahata
  • Publication number: 20110107950
    Abstract: An embroidery data processing apparatus that processes embroidery data includes a reference point setting unit that sets, within a sewing area, positions of at least three reference points, a reference line setting unit that sets two reference lines being straight lines that intersect each other and each pass through at least two reference points of the at least three reference points, a plane setting unit that sets a reference plane by setting two sets of a plurality of virtual lines arranged in a matrix, a position determination unit that determines the plurality of arrangement positions based on the reference plane, a pattern selection unit that selects a type for the plurality of unit patterns from at least one type of unit pattern, and an arrangement unit that arranges the plurality of unit patterns of the type in the plurality of arrangement positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotsugu TAKAHATA, Harumi KATO, Noriharu TASHIRO, Tsuneo OKUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20110088604
    Abstract: A embroidery data processing device includes an area defining portion that defines a sewable area on the work cloth, a computation portion that computes a first characteristic quantity that specifies a size of the sewable area, a comparison portion that compares the first characteristic quantity to at least one characteristic quantity for at least one embroidery pattern that can be sewn based on the embroidery data, the at least one characteristic quantity being stored in a storage portion and specifying a size of the at least one embroidery pattern, an extraction portion that, in a case where a comparison indicates that at least one sewable pattern exists, extracts the at least one sewable pattern, the at least one sewable pattern being at least one embroidery pattern that fits within the sewable area, a notification portion that notifies a user about the at least one sewable pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotsugu TAKAHATA, Harumi KATO, Noriharu TASHIRO, Tsuneo OKUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20110083598
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a transfer device that is adapted to move a work cloth, a sewing device that moves a needle bar up and down, a first operation device that outputs a first output signal in accordance with an operation state of the first operation device, a second operation device that outputs a second output signal in accordance with an operation state of the second operation device, a sewing data generation device that generates sewing data in accordance with the first output signal and the second output signal, a transfer control device that causes the work cloth to be moved by driving the transfer device in accordance with the sewing data, and a sewing control device that causes the unit stitch to be sewn on the work cloth by driving the sewing device in accordance with the sewing data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noriharu TASHIRO, Tsuneo OKUYAMA, Hirotsugu TAKAHATA, Harumi KATO
  • Publication number: 20110083597
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a transfer device that is adapted to move a work cloth, a sewing device that moves a needle bar up and down, an operation device that includes an operation member and that outputs an output signal in accordance with a tilting operation of the operation member, the output signal specifying a position where a unit stitch formed, a unit data generation device that generates unit data being data for forming the unit stitch, a sewing data generation device that generates sewing data in accordance with the output signal and the unit data, a transfer control device that causes the work cloth to be moved by driving the transfer device in accordance with the sewing data, and a sewing control device that causes the unit stitch to be sewn on the work cloth by driving the sewing device in accordance with the sewing data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuneo OKUYAMA, Noriharu TASHIRO, Hirotsugu TAKAHATA, Harumi KATO