Abstract: An electronically controlled multifeed circular knitting machine having an electromagnet needle selector in each knitting feed system. A matrix is provided for storing the operating pattern of the needles with respect to the formation of loops in each wale and course, and a reading device for activating the matrix in dependence on the position of the needles. The reading device includes a counter for determining the passage of the needles determining and successively feeding to the input of the matrix data as to the specific needle located at each electromagnet. The output of the matrix is fed to a sweep circuit connected to the electromagnet associated with the respective feed system for each data input.

Abstract: The method for monitoring the operative position data of each of a plurality of independent separately operable knitting machines and transferring such information to the address input of a common memory control system for controlling the patterning of each machine, is obtained by generating a pick-up pulse at each machine indicative of the passage of its needles and of the completion of each course past a given point. A continuous cycle of timing pulses each of which corresponds to a selected knitting machine for which data is to be monitored is provided. In response to each of the individual timing pulses the respective generated pick-up pulses are fed to a logic control sweep circuit, the output of which is fed to one input of an adding circuit. Simultaneously a second input is fed to the adding circuit comprising the position data information of the immediately preceding needle and course, which had been stored in a random access memory unit corresponding to the particularly monitored machine.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine having a patterning means with finite means for storage of a knitting pattern less than the number of needles, and means for controlling the knitting needles in response thereto. Counters for determining the passage of the needles and of the courses of the knitwork from an initial point and a decoder interposed between each counter and the input of the patterning memory to reduce the output of the counters to the capacity of the patterning memory.

Abstract: A plurality of knitting machines are controlled from a central control device and a common patterning memory. Each knitting machine is provided with its own needle and course counters in which the needle position is determined. The single control device provides separate clock signals to the counters of each machine so that they may be individually switched to the patterning memory. Simutlaneously, the control device provides means by which the output from the memory is switched to the electromagnet controlling needle operation in synchronism with the needle counter.