Electronic Pattern Controlled Or Programmed Patents (Class 112/102.5)
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8794166
    Abstract: A sewing direction control apparatus for sewing machine, comprising: a base plate (10), a circular ring-shaped transmission element (20) dispose on the base plate (10) and a driving element (50) with a driving unit (52). During sewing, the driving unit (52) drives the transmission element (20), rotating a sewing product (A) placed at the center of the transmission element (20) with the driving element (52), thereby controlling the sewing direction of the sewing product (A), and thus improving the sewing accuracy. The direction control apparatus has low cost, and is suitable for various types of automatic sewing machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Orisol Asia Ltd.
    Inventors: Jakov Makover, Bar Cochva Mardiz, Yaacov Sadeh
  • Patent number: 8763541
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an image capture portion that captures an image of a sewing object that is held by an embroidery frame, a data acquisition portion that acquires embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern, an area setting portion that sets a sewing area that is an area within which the embroidery pattern can be sewn on the sewing object, a setting acquisition portion that acquires, as a reference setting, a setting of at least one of a position and an angle of the embroidery pattern in relation to a marker that is disposed on the sewing object, and an area specification portion that specifies an image capture object area for the image capture portion, based on conditions that include the sewing area, the embroidery data, and the reference setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8763542
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a sewing device, a processor, and a memory. The sewing device is configured to form stitches on a sewing workpiece. The memory is to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes including acquiring embroidery data, generating stitched marker data, causing the sewing device to sew the at least one stitched marker, causing the sewing device to start sewing an embroidery pattern, identifying a pattern to be sewn when the sewing of the embroidery pattern is stopped, detecting at least one of a second sewing position and a second sewing angle when the sewing of the embroidery pattern is stopped, setting at least one of a third sewing position and a third sewing angle, correcting data to be used to sew the pattern to be sewn, and causing the sewing device to restart sewing the embroidery pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Abe, Yoshio Nishimura, Yoshinori Nakamura, Satoru Ichiyanagi, Yutaka Nomura, Akie Shimizu, Yuki Ihira
  • Publication number: 20140144359
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes including acquiring pattern data, specifying an outline of the embroidery pattern based on the pattern data, creating hole data for causing the sewing machine to form a plurality of holes including one or more first holes and one or more second holes, creating first stitch data for causing the sewing machine to sew one or more stitches for the one or more first holes, and creating embroidery data for causing the sewing machine to form one or more first holes, and sew the one or more stitches for the one or more first holes, and causing the sewing machine to form the one or more second holes, before causing the sewing machine to sew an outline pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoko YAMANASHI
  • Patent number: 8738171
    Abstract: A sewing machine may comprise a mounting portion configured to be mounted with an embroidery frame comprising a frame and an outer frame. The sewing machine may also comprise an image capturing device configured to capture an image including the embroidery frame mounted on the mounting portion. The sewing machine may further comprise a processor configured to execute instructions, and a memory. The memory may be configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps comprising identifying a mark from the captured image, wherein the mark is provided on the embroidery frame or on a work cloth held by the embroidery frame, determining a rotation angle of the frame with respect to the outer frame based on the identified mark, and notifying rotation information based on the determined rotation angle. The rotation information may be information for adjusting the rotation angle to a specified rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harumi Kato, Midori Magara, Katsuhisa Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8738170
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a mounting adaptor, a memory, an imager, and a processor. The mounting adaptor may be mounted with an embroidery frame. The memory may store frame rotation data. The frame rotation data indicate a setting angle which is a predetermined rotation angle of the frame with respect to the outer frame. The imager may image an area including the embroidery frame mounted on the mounting adaptor. The processor may control the sewing machine to detect a marker provided on at least one of the embroidery frame and the work cloth based on the image, determine a rotation angle of the frame with respect to the outer frame based on the detected marker, and control the driver to adjust a rotation of the frame based on the determined rotation angle and the frame rotation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harumi Kato, Katsuhisa Hasegawa, Midori Magara
  • Patent number: 8733261
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor and a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the apparatus to perform the steps of acquiring first pattern data representing stitches that form a first pattern and second pattern data representing stitches that form a second pattern, the first pattern and the second pattern being two patterns to be sewn by embroidery in mutually adjacent positions, generating, in a case where the two patterns are to be sewn on a sewing object that is formed of a soluble material, connecting data representing a connecting stitch based on the first pattern data and the second pattern data, the and generating, from the acquired first pattern data, the acquired second pattern data and the generated connecting data, embroidery data to sew the two patterns and the connecting stitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Mizuno, Yin Hsuan Huang
  • Publication number: 20140116308
    Abstract: A device includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store a plurality of group information pieces, the number of thread colors to be used in embroidery sewing and computer-readable instructions. Each of the group information pieces is associated with one more thread colors among a plurality of thread colors. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor, when executed, to perform processes that includes acquiring image data including pixels, replacing a color of each of the pixels with a thread color from the thread colors, calculating a frequency of using each of the thread colors, selecting, until the number of thread colors selected from the thread colors is equal the number of thread colors to be used stored in the memory, one thread color from each of the group information pieces sequentially, based on the group information pieces stored in the memory and on the calculated frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20140109814
    Abstract: To provide a sewing machine that can control tension on a needle thread and tension on a bobbin thread on a per-stitch basis; that enables even heads of a multi-head embroidery sewing machine to form an identical embroidery; and that enables even a plurality of sewing machines to form identical embroidery. A memory device stores for each stitch of embroidery data a needle thread control torque value and a bobbin thread control torque value. In a needle thread torque control zone, an upstream grip section main body is closed, and a downstream grip section main body is opened. A needle thread motor is subjected to torque control in accordance with the needle thread control torque value. In the meantime, in a position control zone, the upstream grip section body is opened, and the downstream grip section body is closed, thereby subjecting the needle thread motor to position control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: NSD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Fujiura, Hirotsugu Uenishi, Yoshichika Takizawa, Tatsuhiro Kurashima, Masayoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 8700200
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Publication number: 20140069308
    Abstract: An embroidery data processor processes embroidery data on which an embroidery pattern is sewn by a sewing machine. The processor includes a color information acquiring unit which is configured to acquire color information of a workpiece cloth on which the embroidery pattern composed of a plurality of color-based pattern portions is sewn, a color storage unit which is configured to store data of a plurality of defined colors, an assignment unit which is configured to randomly extract colors from the colors stored by the color storage unit for every one of the color-based pattern portions, based on the color information acquired by the color information acquiring unit, said extracted colors being used as thread color data specifying colors of the color-based pattern portions respectively, the assignment unit assigning the extracted colors to the respective color-based pattern portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi TOKURA
  • Publication number: 20140060407
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a sewing device, a processor, and a memory. The sewing device is configured to form stitches on a sewing workpiece. The memory is to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes including acquiring embroidery data, generating stitched marker data, causing the sewing device to sew the at least one stitched marker, causing the sewing device to start sewing an embroidery pattern, identifying a pattern to be sewn when the sewing of the embroidery pattern is stopped, detecting at least one of a second sewing position and a second sewing angle when the sewing of the embroidery pattern is stopped, setting at least one of a third sewing position and a third sewing angle, correcting data to be used to sew the pattern to be sewn, and causing the sewing device to restart sewing the embroidery pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke ABE, Yoshio NISHIMURA, Yoshinori NAKAMURA, Satoru ICHIYANAGI, Yutaka NOMURA, Akie SHIMIZU, Yuki IHIRA
  • Publication number: 20140000498
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a position acquisition device, a projection device, a processor, and a memory. The position acquisition device is configured to acquire information describing at least one designated position, each of the at least one designated position being a position on a sewing workpiece. The projection device is configured to project an image onto the sewing workpiece. The memory is configured to store non-transitory computer-readable instructions that instruct the processor to execute a step that includes specifying the at least one designated position on the sewing workpiece described by the information acquired by the position acquisition device. The memory is also configured to store non-transitory computer-readable instructions that instruct the processor to execute a step that includes causing the projection device to project a visually recognizable marker onto the sewing workpiece, based on the specified at least one designated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoko YAMANASHI, Mika MATSUSHIMA, Masayuki HORI
  • Publication number: 20130319308
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for embroidery thread color management are disclosed. An example method comprises determining a first set of thread colors to be used in an embroidery design, determining a second set of thread colors assigned to a first embroidery machine, determining a third set of thread colors assigned to a second embroidery machine, determining a first difference of the number of thread colors in the first set of thread colors that are not in the second set of thread colors, determining a second difference of the number of thread colors in the first set of thread colors that are not in the third set of thread colors, and assigning the embroidery design to a queue for the first embroidery machine when the first difference is smaller than the second difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: David A. Goldman, Nirav B. Patel
  • Patent number: 8594829
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8584607
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an image capturing portion configured to capture an image of a sewing object, a setting acquisition portion configured to acquire individual settings relating to a layout relationship between two patterns, a first image data acquisition portion configured to acquire first image data, a second image data acquiring portion configured to acquire second image data in a case where there is a non-continuous adjacent pattern in a position adjacent to a reference pattern, a third image data acquisition portion configured to acquire third image data, a fourth image data acquisition portion configured to acquire fourth image data in a case where the continuous pattern is also a non-continuous adjacent pattern, a first layout determination portion configured to determine a first layout, a second layout determination portion configured to determine a second layout, and a sewing data correction portion configured to correct sewing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Publication number: 20130291774
    Abstract: A sewing direction control apparatus for sewing machine, comprising: a base plate (10), a circular ring-shaped transmission element (20) dispose on the base plate (10) and a driving element (50) with a driving unit (52). During sewing, the driving unit (52) drives the transmission element (20), rotating a sewing product (A) placed at the center of the transmission element (20) with the driving element (52), thereby controlling the sewing direction of the sewing product (A), and thus improving the sewing accuracy. The direction control apparatus has low cost, and is suitable for various types of automatic sewing machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Jakov Makover, Bar Cochva Mardix, Yaacov Sadeh
  • Patent number: 8561559
    Abstract: A sewing system that forms an embroidery pattern on the workpiece cloth by co-operating a sewing mechanism and a transfer mechanism using a count of thread colors determined by a count of thread color data found to match thread color data by a verifier. By removing a storage device attached to one of the plurality of multi-needle sewing machines and attaching the removed storage device to other one or more multi-needle sewing machines, unsewn portions of the embroidery pattern at each of the other one or more multi-needle sewing machines are sewn by reading the progress information by a data reader, verifying whether or not the thread color data contained in the progress information read by the data reader matches thread spool color data of other one or more multi-needle sewing machines and executing a sewing operation based on the verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuneo Okuyama
  • Patent number: 8539893
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a transfer device that includes a carriage to which an embroidery frame can be attached under a plurality of attaching conditions and that is adapted to transfer the carriage, a sewing device that moves a needle bar up and down, a specification device that specifies an embroidery pattern to be sewn, an allocation device that allocates pattern data to one of the plurality of attaching conditions, a data acquisition device that acquires pattern data allocated to a current condition, an image capture device that is adapted to capture an image of at least one marker, a computation device that computes a difference as a correcting condition based on image data, a correction device that corrects the pattern data, and a sewing control device that performs sewing of the partial pattern by controlling the transfer device and the sewing device in accordance with the pattern data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8539892
    Abstract: A sewing machine that is included in a sewing system includes a transfer device, a sewing device, an image capture device, a condition acquisition device, a data acquisition device, a computation device, a correction device, and a sewing control device. The data acquisition device acquires pattern data based on a pattern condition acquired by the condition acquisition device. The computation device computes, as a positioning condition, at least one of a reference position and a reference angle of at least one marker in relation to the carriage based on image data generated by the image capture device. The correction device sets a position and an angle of the partial pattern in relation to the carriage and corrects the pattern data. The sewing control device performs sewing of the partial pattern by controlling the transfer device and the sewing device in accordance with the corrected pattern data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Publication number: 20130239858
    Abstract: An information processing device includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions. The instructions instruct the information processing device to execute steps including randomly arranging a plurality of embroidery patterns within a coordinate area set in an embroidery frame that is moved in two directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Yuki IHIRA, Daisuke ABE, Akie SHIMIZU, Satoru MAKINO, Satoru ICHIYANAGI, Yoshio NISHIMURA, Yutaka NOMURA, Yoshinori NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8534209
    Abstract: A sewing machine comprises a transport portion that moves an embroidery frame, a contact detection portion that detects contact with the embroidery frame, a first position identification portion that identifies a first position, a second position identification portion that identifies a second position, a direction determination portion that determines a direction of a diagonal line of a virtual rectangle, a third position identification portion that identifies a third position, and an area setting portion that sets a sewable area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Hirata
  • Publication number: 20130233217
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes at least one detecting portion, a processor, and a memory. The at least one detecting portion is configured to detect an ultrasonic wave that has been transmitted from a transmission source. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps including identifying a position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave based on information pertaining to the ultrasonic wave that has been detected by the at least one detecting portion, and controlling sewing based on the position of the transmission source that has been identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Akie SHIMIZU, Satoru MAKINO, Yuki IHIRA, Daisuke ABE, Yoshinori NAKAMURA, Satoru ICHIYANAGI, Yutaka NOMURA
  • Patent number: 8522701
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an embroidery frame moving device that moves an embroidery frame holding a work cloth, an image pickup device that picks up images of an upper surface of a bed portion of the sewing machine, a position information storage device that stores position information indicating predetermined positions to which the embroidery frame is to be moved, a partial image acquisition device that causes the embroidery frame moving device to move the embroidery frame to the respective predetermined positions indicated by the position information, causes the image pickup device to pick up images at the respective predetermined positions, and acquires the images picked up by the image pickup device as partial images, and a composite image generation device that generates a composite image by combining the partial images acquired by the partial image acquisition device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8527083
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a moving portion that moves a sewing object having a pattern to a first position and to a second position, an image capture portion that creates an image by image capture of the sewing object, a first acquiring portion that acquires a first image created by image capture of a first area by the image capture portion, a second acquiring portion that acquires a second image created by image capture of a second area by the image capture portion, and a computing portion that computes, as position information, at least one of a thickness of the sewing object at a portion where the pattern is located and a position of the pattern on a surface of the sewing object, based on the first position, the second position, a position of the pattern in the first image, and a position of the pattern in the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Publication number: 20130186315
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor and a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the apparatus to perform the steps of acquiring first pattern data representing stitches that form a first pattern and second pattern data representing stitches that form a second pattern, the first pattern and the second pattern being two patterns to be sewn by embroidery in mutually adjacent positions, generating, in a case where the two patterns are to be sewn on a sewing object that is formed of a soluble material, connecting data representing a connecting stitch based on the first pattern data and the second pattern data, the and generating, from the acquired first pattern data, the acquired second pattern data and the generated connecting data, embroidery data to sew the two patterns and the connecting stitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Masahiro MIZUNO, Yin Hsuan HUANG
  • Publication number: 20130186316
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor and a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the apparatus to perform the steps of acquiring pattern data of an embroidery pattern, determining, in a case where the embroidery pattern is to be sewn on a sewing object formed of a specific material, whether the embroidery pattern includes at least one of a first area and a second area, generating, in a case where it is determined that the embroidery pattern includes at least one of the first area and the second area, supplemental data representing at least one supplemental stitch each of which is a stitch connecting at least some of a plurality of stitches formed in one of the first area and the second area, and generating, from the pattern data and the generated supplemental data, embroidery data to sew the embroidery pattern and the at least one supplemental stitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Masahiro MIZUNO, Yin Hsuan HUANG
  • Publication number: 20130133561
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores a plurality of embroidery data which respectively corresponds to a plurality of embroidery patterns and computer-readable instructions. The instructions instruct the sewing machine to execute steps of selecting one of the plurality of embroidery data and sewing the embroidery pattern corresponding to the selected embroidery data. The instructions further instruct the sewing machine to execute steps of extracting, from the plurality of embroidery data, specific embroidery data, wherein the specific embroidery data is usable in combination with the selected embroidery data, and sewing the specific embroidery pattern based on the extracted specific embroidery data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Masae IKEBA, Masahiro MIZUNO
  • Publication number: 20130112127
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an imaging device capturing an image and a processor. The processor identifies a first layout of a marker with respect to a layout of a first pattern in a first holding position based on an image including the marker arranged on a sewing target object. The processor identifies a second layout of the marker with respect to the first pattern in a temporary holding position, and stores the identified second layout as storage information. Then, the processor newly identifies the second layout based on the storage information and an image including the marker captured in the temporary holding position. The processor identifies a third layout of the marker with respect to the first pattern in a second holding position, and determines a layout of a second pattern with respect to the sewing target object in the second holding position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Masashi TOKURA
  • Publication number: 20130112126
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an imaging device that captures an image of a sewing target object, a notification device, a processor and a memory. The processor acquires settings related to a layout of a second pattern with respect to a first pattern, and identifies a marker layout position. The processor causes the notification device to notify the identified marker layout position. The processor acquires first image data indicating an image in a first holding position. The image includes a marker arranged on the sewing target object. The processor acquires second image data indicating an image in a second holding position after the first image data has been acquired. The image includes the marker. The processor determines a layout of the second pattern with respect to the sewing target object in the second holding position, based on the acquired settings, the first image data and the second image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Masashi TOKURA
  • Publication number: 20130074748
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a mounting adaptor, a memory, an imager, and a processor. The mounting adaptor may be mounted with an embroidery frame. The memory may store frame rotation data. The frame rotation data indicate a setting angle which is a predetermined rotation angle of the frame with respect to the outer frame. The imager may image an area including the embroidery frame mounted on the mounting adaptor. The processor may control the sewing machine to detect a marker provided on at least one of the embroidery frame and the work cloth based on the image, determine a rotation angle of the frame with respect to the outer frame based on the detected marker, and control the driver to adjust a rotation of the frame based on the determined rotation angle and the frame rotation data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Harumi KATO, Katsuhisa HASEGAWA, Midori MAGARA
  • Publication number: 20130074749
    Abstract: A sewing machine may comprise a mounting portion configured to be mounted with an embroidery frame comprising a frame and an outer frame. The sewing machine may also comprise an image capturing device configured to capture an image including the embroidery frame mounted on the mounting portion. The sewing machine may further comprise a processor configured to execute instructions, and a memory. The memory may be configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps comprising identifying a mark from the captured image, wherein the mark is provided on the embroidery frame or on a work cloth held by the embroidery frame, determining a rotation angle of the frame with respect to the outer frame based on the identified mark, and notifying rotation information based on the determined rotation angle. The rotation information may be information for adjusting the rotation angle to a specified rotation angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Harumi KATO, Midori MAGARA, Katsuhisa HASEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20130042797
    Abstract: A automatic appliqué system and method including a user input element configured to receive a selection of an alignment stitch pattern, an attachment stitch pattern and a border stitch pattern, a processor executing a set of instructions and a sewing element being controlled by the processor based on the set of instructions to sew the alignment stitch pattern into a base material, sew the attachment stitch pattern aligned over the alignment pattern of the top material thereby attaching the top material to the base material, wherein after sewing the attachment stitch pattern a portion of the top material extends beyond an area bounded by the attachment stitch pattern such that the portion of the top material is to be trimmed to form edges of the top material in the area of the attachment stitch pattern and sew the border stitch pattern around the edges of the top material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Karl Christian Mattias BONDESSON, Lars Goran ROOS, Karin Maria JOHANNESON
  • Publication number: 20130041496
    Abstract: A data generator includes a memory and a processor. The memory may store a plurality of predetermined colors. The processor may control the data generator to assign a color, to display an embroidery pattern, to designate a color of the thread color data, and to allocate the designated color. The color, which is extracted randomly from the plurality of predetermined colors, may be assigned as a thread color data of each of a plurality of color-based pattern portions. The embroidery pattern may be displayed to a screen with the color assigned to each of the plurality of color-based pattern portions. The color of the thread color data designated from each of the plurality of color-based pattern portions may be included in the displayed embroidery pattern. The designated color may be allocated with priority over the plurality of predetermined colors for each of the plurality of color-based pattern portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryutaro MAKI
  • Publication number: 20130036957
    Abstract: A multi-needle sewing machine sews an embroidery pattern based on embroidery data for sewing the embroidery pattern including a plurality of pattern-by-color portions, using a plurality of thread spools. The machine includes a spool setting portion on which the thread spools are set, a spool color storage unit storing, as thread spool color data, thread colors of the thread spools set on the spool setting portion, an extraction unit randomly extracting one of the thread spool color data stored on the spool color storage unit, the one thread spool color data being used as thread color data to specify a color of each pattern-by-color portion, and an assigning unit assigning the extracted thread spool color data as thread color data of each pattern-by-color portion. The machine is configured to execute sewing of the embroidery pattern for every pattern-by-color portion based on the thread color data assigned by the assigning unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Harumi KATO
  • Publication number: 20130035779
    Abstract: A data generator includes a memory and a processor. The memory may store a plurality of predetermined colors. The processor may control the data generator to determine a characteristic of a color-based pattern portion, and to assign a color for each of the plurality of color-based pattern portions based on the characteristics. The plurality of the color-based pattern portions may be included in a embroidery pattern. The assigned color may be selected randomly from the plurality of predetermined colors stored in the memory and used as thread color data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki IHIRA
  • Publication number: 20130035780
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions therein, wherein the computer-readable instructions instruct the sewing machine to execute steps comprising acquiring image data including one or more characters, extracting, from acquired image data, one or more character designs with respect to each character included in the acquired image data, wherein the character design represents each character included in the acquired image data, generating embroidery data with respect to each character based on the extracted character design, wherein the embroidery data represents an embroidery pattern in a predetermined size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke ABE
  • Publication number: 20120303152
    Abstract: An embroidery data generation apparatus that generates embroidery data based on image data of an image that is an aggregate of pixels includes a thread color number setting portion that sets a number of use thread colors as a set number, a representable color identifying portion that identifies available thread colors and at least one intermediate color as representable colors, a first usage frequency calculating portion that calculates first usage frequencies of the representable colors, each of the first usage frequencies being a usage frequency of each of the representable colors in the image that is color-reduced using, as representative colors, the representable colors, and a use thread color determining portion that, based on the first usage frequencies, determines, as the use thread colors, available thread colors of the set number, from among the available thread colors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji YAMADA
  • Patent number: 8297211
    Abstract: A stitcher is provided that includes a needle to stitch a workpiece, a motor to operate the needle, and a stitch regulator in communication with and capable of controlling a speed of the motor. A controller is in communication with the stitch regulator. The stitcher also includes at least one accelerometer in communication with the controller to determine an acceleration of the stitcher with respect to the workpiece. A signal representing the acceleration of the stitcher with respect to the workpiece is utilized to adjust the operation of the needle as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Gammill, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Stokes, Matthew Paul Sherman, Kenneth Mark Eubanks, Paul Truman Statler, Joseph W. Bauman
  • Patent number: 8286568
    Abstract: A sewing machine that is included in a sewing system includes a transfer device, a sewing device, an image capture device, a communication device, a data computation device, a first control device, a marker data acquisition device, a sewing condition acquisition device, a condition computation device, a correction device, and a sewing control device. The data computation device computes first marker data, and the first control device transmits the first marker data, through the communication device, to another sewing machine. The marker data acquisition device acquires, as second marker data, the first marker data. The sewing condition acquisition device acquires a sewing condition, and the pattern data acquisition device acquires pattern data. The condition computation device computes a correction condition. The correction device corrects the pattern data. The sewing control device performs the sewing in accordance with the corrected pattern data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8276531
    Abstract: An embroidery data providing apparatus includes a model information acquisition device that acquires model information, a size storage device that stores the model information and at least one embroiderable size in association with one another, a size acquisition device that acquires the at least one embroiderable size that corresponds to the acquired model information, a pattern information acquisition device that acquires target pattern information relating to a target pattern, an embroidery data output device that outputs as output data at least one of embroidery data of the target pattern and data for generating the embroidery data, a size determination device that determines whether the target pattern will fit within the acquired at least one embroiderable size, and a restriction device that, in a case where it is determined that the target pattern will not fit, restricts at least one of outputting of the output data and pre-output processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriharu Tashiro
  • Publication number: 20120234224
    Abstract: Pattern data of an embroidery pattern includes data of given points for defining plural positions associated with the embroidery pattern as reference positions for pre-movement of the embroidery frame and distance data that indicates respective distances between the respective given points and a predetermined starting point. Before embroidering or trace is started, any one of the given points is specified or selected, and the embroidery frame is moved to the reference position associated with the selected given point through manual operation of a switch. When the embroidering or the trace starts, the embroidery frame is automatically moved from the selected reference position to a position corresponding to the starting point of the embroidery pattern on the basis of the distance data between the specified given point and the starting point, and then the embroidering or the trace is started from the position corresponding to the starting point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: TOKAI KOGYO MISHIN KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryo TAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20120239180
    Abstract: A sewing data creation apparatus includes an area specification portion that specifies at least one area in which a plurality of stitches are to be formed and a sewing data creation portion that creates sewing data for forming the plurality of stitches in each of the specified at least one area and for forming an overlapping portion in a case where the specified at least one area includes a first area and a second area. The overlapping portion is a region in which at least one of the first area and the second area is enlarged in a direction that extends across a boundary line, such that a portion of the plurality of stitches to be formed in the first area is one of intersected and overlapped by a portion of the plurality of stitches to be formed in the second area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomotaka KATANO, Chiyo KOGA, Takashi HIRATA, Satoko HISHIDA, Masayuki HORI
  • Publication number: 20120222604
    Abstract: A system, device, and method for detecting the position of a needle during a needlework operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Reid Michael Anderson
  • Publication number: 20120222605
    Abstract: An embroidery sewing appliqué technique. A tacking stitch is produced and positioned inside a column of a fabric that holds down the fabric on top of a base or host material, such as a garment. Running parallel to the tacking stitch, a column or satin stitch runs near and to the outside of the tacking stitch. The column or satin stitch has a higher density than that utilized in normal embroidery applications. The higher density satin stitch varies with needle size and thread size. The satin stitch cuts the fabric along the outer edge of the fabric. The tack stitch on the inside of the satin stitch locks the fabric down therefore not allowing the inner edge of the satin to be lifted away from the garment by virtue of the running tack stitch and without a separate cutting step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Data Stitch, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Curtis Lawley
  • Patent number: 8256362
    Abstract: First calculation section calculates, on the basis of sewing data, a sewing-progressing direction angle for rotating a rotary cylinder to orient an embroidering material, guided by a guide lever of a zigzag sewing head, in a sewing-progressing direction. Second calculation section adds or subtracts a zigzag-swinging angle to or from the sewing-progressing direction angle to thereby calculate a target rotational angle of the rotary cylinder. Swinging mechanism may be provided for swinging the guide lever relative to the rotary cylinder, and a swinging amount corresponding to the swinging angle of the rotary cylinder may be added to a width of zigzag-swinging by the swinging mechanism. Alternatively, every swinging movement necessary for zigzagging the embroidering material may be set by the swinging angle without the guide lever being caused to swing relative to the rotary cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryo Tajima, Shoji Kato
  • Patent number: 8256363
    Abstract: An embroiderable sewing machine including an embroidery frame holding a workpiece cloth; an embroidery frame transfer mechanism horizontally transferring the embroidery frame; a display device capable displaying an image of an embroidery pattern to be sewn; a zoom rate specifier that specifies a zoom rate for enlarging/shrinking the embroidery pattern image; an input section that receives inputs of instructions for moving a location of the embroidery pattern within an embroiderable area defined by the embroidery frame, the instructions including a movement direction and a movement amount; a movement amount modifier modifying the movement amount inputted by the input section for the embroidery pattern image based on the zoom rate specified by the zoom rate specifier; and a display controller that transfers the embroidery pattern image based on the movement amount modified by the movement amount modifier in response to the input from the input section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura