SEWING APPARATUS

Abstract

A sewing apparatus includes a sewing machine, an electronic paper and a processor. The processor is disposed in the sewing machine, is electrically connected to the electronic paper and the sewing machine, and stores one set of program codes. The processor controls the sewing machine to perform a sewing procedure upon executing the set of program codes when the sewing machine is in an activated state, and controls the electronic paper to display default content related to an operation manual of the sewing machine when the sewing machine is in an inactivated state.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Taiwanese Patent Application No. 106129842 filed on Aug. 31, 2017.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a sewing apparatus including a sewing machine and a display device.

BACKGROUND

A conventional sewing machine is capable of performing a plurality of sewing procedures for making flat stitching, zigzag stitching, overlock stitching, embroidery, etc., as controlled by a microcontroller which stores a plurality of sets of program codes to be executed thereby. However, an inexperienced user needs to refer to a physical user manual in order to select a proper sewing procedure and to find out how to prepare the sewing machine to make a desired sewing work. Further, information regarding the sewing apparatus, e.g., a total number of stitches made since last maintenance, is not revealed to the user.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a sewing apparatus for alleviating the above drawbacks of the conventional sewing apparatus.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a sewing apparatus includes a sewing machine, a display device and a processor module. The sewing machine is to be activated to enable performing of a sewing procedure thereby when the sewing apparatus in an activated state. The display device includes a frame mounted on the sewing machine, and an electronic paper disposed in the frame. The processor module is disposed in the sewing machine, is electrically connected to the electronic paper and the sewing machine, and stores at least one set of program codes. The processor is programmed to control the sewing machine to perform the sewing procedure upon executing the set of program codes when the sewing machine is in the activated state, and to control the electronic paper to display default content related to an operation manual of the sewing machine when the sewing machine is not in the activated state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is schematic view of a sewing apparatus according to one embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a display device of the sewing apparatus that displays default content according to one embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the display device that displays a sewing pattern to be made by a sewing machine;

FIG. 4 is another schematic view of the display device that displays operation data related to the sewing machine; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a sewing apparatus according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be noted that where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a sewing apparatus 2 according to one embodiment of this disclosure includes a sewing machine 21, a display device 3 and a processor module. The sewing apparatus 2 is operable to switch between an activated state where the sewing machine 21 is activated and enabled to perform a sewing procedure as controlled by the processor module, and an inactivated state where the sewing machine 21 is disabled from performing any sewing procedure. For example, the activated state means that the sewing apparatus 2 is powered up and the sewing machine 21 is ready to perform a sewing procedure, and the inactivated state means that the sewing apparatus 2 is powered down or that the sewing apparatus 2 is powered up but the sewing apparatus 21 is not controlled by the processor module (i.e., not ready to perform a sewing procedure).

The display device 3 includes a frame 31 mounted on the sewing machine 21, and an electronic paper 32 disposed in the frame 31.

The processor module is disposed in the sewing machine 21 (namely, inside a housing of the sewing machine 21), is electrically connected to the electronic paper 32 and the sewing machine 21, and stores at least one set of program codes. In this embodiment, the processor module is a microcontroller 22. The microcontroller 22 is programmed to control the sewing machine 21 to perform the sewing procedure upon executing the set of program codes when the sewing machine 21 is in the activated state. In one embodiment, a plurality of sets of program codes are stored in the microcontroller 22, and each of the sets of program codes corresponds to a particular sewing procedure. For example, the sewing procedure is one of an embroider procedure for embroidering a pattern, a first stitching procedure for plain stitching, a second stitching procedure for zigzag lock stitching, etc.

The microcontroller 22 is further programmed to control the electronic paper 32 to display images related to the sewing machine 21. In one embodiment, the sewing apparatus 2 further includes a battery (not shown) that is electrically connected to the microcontroller 22 and the electronic paper 32 and that provides electricity to the microcontroller 22 and the electronic paper 32 when the sewing apparatus 2 is powered down (e.g., in the inactivated state). When the sewing apparatus 2 is in the inactivated state, the microcontroller 22 controls the electronic paper 32 to display an image of default content. In one embodiment, the default content is stored in the microcontroller 22, and is related to an operation manual of the sewing machine 21. For example, the default content is a quick start guide regarding how to prepare the sewing machine 21 and a bobbin thread (see FIG. 2). Due to the nature of the electronic paper 32 that needs no electricity to hold an image displayed thereon, a relatively low amount of electricity is required for the sewing apparatus 2.

Further referring to FIG. 3, the microcontroller 22 controls the electronic paper 32 to display an image representing a sewing pattern to be made by the sewing machine 21 upon executing the sewing procedure when the sewing apparatus 2 is in the activated state. The microcontroller 22 is further programmed to record operation data related to the sewing machine 21 that is performing the sewing procedure to make the sewing pattern, and to control the electronic paper 32 to display an image of the operation data during execution of the sewing procedure. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation data includes a completion percentage of the sewing procedure (e.g., the embroider procedure), a total number of stitches performed by the sewing machine 21 during execution of the current sewing procedure, a total number of stitches made since last maintenance of the sewing apparatus 2, and so forth. In this embodiment, the image displayed by the electronic paper 32 further includes current date and time and a quick response (QR) code that contains data related to a website of a manufacturer of the sewing apparatus 2, and the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, the microcontroller 22 is further programmed to measure a time of use of the sewing apparatus 2 and/or consumables thereof, and to control the electronic paper 32 to display a reminder image to remind a user of the sewing apparatus 2 that the sewing apparatus 2 should be maintained after the time of use is greater than a predetermined time length. For example, once the time of use is greater than a predetermined time length, the microcontroller 22 controls the electronic paper 32 to alternately display the reminder image and the default content when the sewing apparatus 2 is in the inactivated state. By this way, the user of the sewing apparatus 2 can be notified of the timing for maintenance of the sewing apparatus 2 and/or replacement of consumable components of the sewing apparatus 2 to thereby lengthen lifespan of the sewing apparatus 2.

Now referring to FIG. 5, a sewing apparatus 2′ according to another embodiment of this disclosure is similar to the sewing apparatus 2 of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the processor module includes a first microcontroller 22′ and a second microcontroller 33. The first microcontroller 22′ stores the sets of program codes, is electrically connected to the sewing machine 21, and is programmed to control the sewing machine 21 to perform, upon executing one of the sets of program codes, the particular sewing procedure corresponding to the executed one of the sets of program codes when the sewing apparatus 2′ is in the activated state. The second microcontroller 33 is electrically connected to the first microcontroller 22′ and the electronic paper 32, stores the default content, and is programmed to control the electronic paper 32 to display an image related to the sewing machine 21, e.g., the image of the default content when the sewing apparatus 2′ is not in the activated state (i.e., in the inactivated state).

The first microcontroller 22′ is further programmed to determine whether the sewing apparatus 2′ is in the activated state, and to notify the second microcontroller 33 of the result of the determination. The second microcontroller 33 is further programmed to control the electronic paper 32 to display the image of the sewing pattern to be made by the sewing machine 21 upon executing the set of program codes when the sewing apparatus 2′ is in the activated state.

The first microcontroller 22′ is further programmed to record the operation data related to the sewing machine 21 during execution of the sewing procedure. The second microcontroller 33 is further programmed to obtain the operation data from the first microcontroller 22′, to store the operation data therein, and to control the electronic paper 32 to display the image representing the operation data.

To sum up, by virtue of the electronic paper 32 that displays the operation manual when the sewing apparatus 2, 2′ is in the inactivated state, an inexperience user can operate the sewing apparatus 2, 2′ without referring to a physical user manual. Further, the electronic paper 32 displays the operation data related to the sewing machine 21 and the sewing pattern to be made by the sewing machine 21 when the sewing apparatus 2, 2′ is in the activated state. Additionally, no electricity is required to hold an image displayed by the electronic paper 32, and thus the sewing apparatus 2, 2′ has relatively low power consumption.

In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment(s). It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what are considered the exemplary embodiments, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A sewing apparatus comprising:

a sewing machine to be activated to enable performing of a sewing procedure thereby when said sewing apparatus is in an activated state;

a display device including a frame mounted on said sewing machine, and an electronic paper disposed in said frame; and

a processor module disposed in said sewing machine, electrically connected to said electronic paper and said sewing machine, storing at least one set of program codes, and programmed to control said sewing machine to perform the sewing procedure upon executing the set of program codes when said sewing apparatus is in the activated state, and control said electronic paper to display default content related to an operation manual of said sewing machine when said sewing apparatus is not in the activated state.

2. The sewing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said processor module is a microcontroller.

3. The sewing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said processor module is further programmed to control said electronic paper to display a sewing pattern to be made by said sewing machine upon performing the sewing procedure when said sewing apparatus is in the activated state.

4. The sewing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said processor module is further programmed to record operation data related to said sewing machine during execution of the sewing procedure.

5. The sewing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said processor module is further programmed to control said electronic paper to display operation data related to said sewing machine performing the sewing procedure.

6. The sewing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said processor module includes:

a first microcontroller storing the set of program codes, electrically connected to said sewing machine, and programmed to control said sewing machine to perform the sewing procedure upon executing the set of program codes when said sewing apparatus is in the activated state; and

a second microcontroller electrically connected to said first microcontroller and said electronic paper, storing the default content, and programmed to control said electronic paper to display the default content when said sewing apparatus is not in the activated state.

7. The sewing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first microcontroller is further programmed to determine whether said sewing apparatus is in the activated state and to notify said second microcontroller of result of the determination, and said second microcontroller is further programmed to control said electronic paper to display a sewing pattern to be made by said sewing machine upon performing the sewing procedure when said sewing apparatus is in the activated state.

8. The sewing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first microcontroller is programmed to record operation data related to said sewing machine during execution of the sewing procedure, and said second microcontroller is configured to obtain the operation data from said first microcontroller and to store the operation data therein.

9. The sewing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second microcontroller is further programmed to control said electronic paper to display the operation data.