Pattern Controlled Or Programmed Patents (Class 112/470.01)
  • Patent number: 11885054
    Abstract: The sewing system includes a device and a sewing machine including a movement mechanism to move an embroidery frame. The device identifies reference point coordinates representing a position of a reference point provided in a range prescribed by an inner frame of the embroidery frame and transmits the reference point coordinates to the sewing machine. The sewing machine notifies a notification position, using a notification portion, with respect to the range prescribed by the inner frame and acquires a relative movement amount of the embroidery frame with respect to the notification portion, for aligning the notification position and the reference point provided in the range prescribed by the inner frame. The sewing machine decides, on the basis of a relationship between the movement amount and the reference point coordinates, a deviation from a prescribed state of a positional relationship between the inner frame and the movement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Minematsu, Tsuneo Okuyama, Masahiro Hanabusa, Kazuki Shibata, Satomi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11268222
    Abstract: Provided is a sewing machine in which a stitching needle and a holding frame holding an article to be sewn are positioned relative to each other based on sewing pattern data defining a plurality of needle drop positions, and sewing is performed in accordance with a sewing pattern. The sewing machine includes: an imager for capturing an image of the holding frame; a position detector for detecting, from the image captured by the imager, the position of an indicator indicating a reference position marked in an object to be imaged; and a corrector which, based on a deviation of a detected position of the indicator detected by the position detector with respect to a regular position defined in advance for the indicator, corrects a plurality of needle drop positions defined in the sewing pattern data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: JUKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10927485
    Abstract: A shoemaking machine includes a sewing device having a cantilever unit, a work platform and a clamping frame unit. The cantilever unit has a sewing needle extending toward the clamping frame unit. A driving device is disposed on the cantilever unit, and includes a movable seat that is movable toward and away from the clamping frame unit. An ultrasonic positioning device is connected to the cantilever unit, and includes a welding head facing the clamping frame unit. The clamping device is connected to the movable seat and has a clamping space. The ultrasonic positioning device is inserted into the clamping space and is clamped by the clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: POU CHEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hsien-Tang Huang, Sheng-Yen Tseng, Meng-Chieh Tsai, Jen-Hsiu Tsai
  • Patent number: 10597806
    Abstract: A sewing machine acquires embroidery data of an embroidery pattern including a first pattern to be sewn when a holding position of an embroidery frame is a first position and a second pattern to be sewn subsequent to the first pattern when the holding position is a second position. The sewing machine identifies an image capture area based on the embroidery data, and acquires first image data representing the image capture area and extracts a first feature point. And then, the sewing machine acquires second image data and extracts a second feature point. The sewing machine sets, based on the first feature point and the second image data, a layout of the second pattern with respect to the first pattern when the holding position is the second position and corrects the embroidery data. The sewing machine sews the second pattern on the sewing object based on the corrected embroidery data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazutaka Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 10538867
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a embroidery frame that moves horizontally while stretching and supporting a sewing object, a needle bar that supports a needle that penetrates a needle thread in the sewing object, and that reciprocally moves relative to the sewing object stretched by the embroidery frame, and a control device that controls the horizontal movement of the embroidery frame and the reciprocal motion of the needle bar. This control device includes a line input unit that accepts selection of the motif and input of a line which the motifs are arranged on in sequence. In addition, the control device horizontally moves the embroidery frame a way that the motifs selected using the line input unit are arranged in sequence on the sewing object along the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: JANOME SEWING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kongo
  • Patent number: 9889802
    Abstract: A method of applying stitching to an interior component is provided herein. The method including the steps of: a) penetrating the outer skin layer, the substrate layer and the intermediary layer with a chain stitch pattern machine to form a piercing therethrough; b) retracting the chain stitch pattern machine from the outer skin layer, the substrate layer and the intermediary layer; c) inserting a needle through the piercing through the substrate layer, the intermediary layer and the outer skin layer to grasp a thread positioned on the outer skin layer; d) pulling the thread through the outer skin layer, the intermediary layer and the substrate layer; e) advancing the interior component to another position, wherein a backside of the substrate layer is free of obstructions; and f) repeating steps a-e until a predetermined amount of stitches are applied to the interior component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Wenzel, Joseph A. Massetti
  • Patent number: 9758109
    Abstract: A method of applying stitching to an interior component is provided herein. The method including the steps of: a) penetrating the outer skin layer, the substrate layer and the intermediary layer with a chain stitch pattern machine to form a piercing therethrough; b) retracting the chain stitch pattern machine from the outer skin layer, the substrate layer and the intermediary layer; c) inserting a needle through the piercing through the substrate layer, the intermediary layer and the outer skin layer to grasp a thread positioned on the outer skin layer; d) pulling the thread through the outer skin layer, the intermediary layer and the substrate layer; e) advancing the interior component to another position, wherein a backside of the substrate layer is free of obstructions; and f) repeating steps a-e until a predetermined amount of stitches are applied to the interior component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Wenzel, Joseph A. Massetti
  • Patent number: 9193082
    Abstract: A cutting plotter includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores computer-readable instructions that cause the processor to perform setting, counting, storing, and notifying when executed. The setting sets a plurality of partial areas by dividing a cuttable area of a holding member, the cuttable area is an area in which a cutting object is to be detachably adhered. The counting counts a number of cuts by a cutting blade within the cuttable area for each of the plurality of partial areas. The storing stores each of count values associated with each of the plurality of partial areas in a storage portion, each of the count values is counted by the counting for each of the plurality of partial areas. The notifying notifies, based on the count values stored in the storage portion, information relating to the number of cuts for each of the plurality of partial areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kei Kawase, Masahiko Nagai, Junnosuke Matsuda, Tomoyasu Niizeki, Noriharu Tashiro
  • Patent number: 9027489
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar, a presser bar, a threading device, a processor, and a memory. The needle bar is configured such that a sewing needle is attached thereto. The presser bar is configured such that an accessory device is mounted thereon. The threading device is configured to perform a threading operation in which an upper thread is passed through an eye of the sewing needle attached to the needle bar. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform processes that include determining whether a mounted device is a specific accessory device and causing the threading device to perform the threading operation in a case where it is determined that the mounted device is the specific accessory device and a specific condition is satisfied. The mounted device is an accessory device mounted on the presser bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harumi Kato, Midori Magara
  • Patent number: 9031686
    Abstract: An embroidery data processor includes a color information acquiring unit configured to acquire color information of a workpiece cloth on which an embroidery pattern composed of a plurality of color-based pattern portions is sewn, a color storage unit configured to store data of defined colors, an assignment unit configured to randomly extract colors from the colors stored by the color storage unit for every color-based pattern portion, the 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, and a setting unit configured to set a predetermined extraction range containing a similar color or a contrast color based on the color information acquired by the acquiring unit. The assignment unit is configured to extract the color stored by the color storage unit in the set extraction range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Publication number: 20150094842
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed, a needle plate, a needle bar, a needle bar swing mechanism, an optical detecting portion, and a control portion. The optical detecting portion is configured to optically detect a cord pressed by a presser foot, and to output data representing the cord. The control portion is configured to calculate a width of the cord based on the data output by the optical detecting portion, calculate a swing width of the needle bar based on the width of the cord, and cause the needle bar swing mechanism to swing the needle bar with the swing width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Harumi KOBAYASHI, Midori MAGARA
  • Patent number: 8985038
    Abstract: A feeder movement compensation algorithm for use within a processor controlled sewing machine. The sewing machine configured with a reciprocating needle and thread, and including a stitch plate upon which fabric to be sewn is positioned beneath the needle and thread. The machine also includes a feeder mechanism driving a feed dog thru a movement. The feed dog movement pushes the fabric along the stitch plate and the reciprocating needle and thread form stitches in the fabric. During the stitch cycle, the feed dog movement completes at least one feeder stroke. The feeder stroke includes a portion of the feed dog extending above the stitch plate and moving along the direction of feed. The feeder stroke thus pushes the fabric along the stitch plate. The compensation algorithm calculates a theoretical feeder stroke length based upon a desired stitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: VSM Group AB
    Inventors: Anders Flygare, Jonas Bardh, Gunnar Johansson
  • Patent number: 8977380
    Abstract: The memory stores computer-readable instructions causing the sewing machine to perform operations including: extracting feature points of a design based on a captured image; extracting feature points of a unit design; generating feature points of a symmetrical design; cross-checking the extracted feature points of the design and the generated feature points of the symmetrical design; determining an arrangement of an embroidery pattern with respect to the symmetrical design; and causing a sewing portion to sew the embroidery pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Abe
  • Patent number: 8939096
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoko Yamanashi
  • Publication number: 20150020722
    Abstract: A frame for sewing upper pillows on covering shells for mattresses, which comprises four perimetric walls. Each wall is perpendicular to the two contiguous walls and comprises at least one laminar portion that constitutes a resting surface: at least one of the walls comprises at least one locking element for at least one component, selected from between an upper pillow and a covering shell, arranged on a respective laminar portion; at least one of the walls comprises at least two bands that are mutually aligned and can slide with respect to each other in order to vary the overall length of the wall; a linear actuator is interposed between the at least two bands of the wall, for the controlled mutual sliding of the bands; the actuator being adapted to be controlled by a respective control and management unit of a sewing machine that is functionally associatable with the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Roberto RESTA, Paolo RESTA
  • Patent number: 8914144
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Abe
  • Patent number: 8909366
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a plurality of needle bars to a lower end of each of which a needle can be attached, a display portion that is configured to display various information, a first display control portion that causes the display portion to display replacement information, the replacement information being information pertaining to a replacement needle bar that corresponds to a thread spool for which replacement is necessary and that is at least one of the plurality of the needle bars, a specifying portion that specifies a replacement-completed needle bar during a period in which the replacement information is being displayed on the display portion, the replacement-completed needle bar being a needle bar that corresponds to a thread spool that has been placed after replacement, and a second display control portion that causes the display portion to display a result that has been specified by the specifying portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuneo Okuyama
  • Patent number: 8903536
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform a process that includes arranging, based on image data of an image that is an aggregate of a plurality of pixels, a plurality of line segments in an area corresponding to the image. The plurality of line segments each have two endpoints, which are a starting point and an ending point. The computer-readable instructions further cause the processor to perform a process that includes sequentially connecting the arranged plurality of line segments. The computer-readable instructions further cause the processor to perform a process that includes creating, as embroidery data, data for stitches that correspond to the connected plurality of line segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Yamada
  • Patent number: 8897908
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomotaka Katano, Chiyo Koga, Takashi Hirata, Satoko Hishida, Masayuki Hori
  • Patent number: 8893633
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar, a sewing machine motor, an acquisition portion that acquires a reference length, an image capture portion that generates image data by image capture of one of the sewing object and at least one marker, a computation portion that computes an amount of movement of one of the sewing object and the at least one marker, a speed control portion that sets a revolution speed of the sewing machine motor to not greater than a specified value in a case where it is determined that sewing is being performed in a specified range, and a sewing control portion that terminates the sewing of the stitch portion in a case where it is determined that a length that has been sewn in the reference direction of the stitch portion is not less than the reference length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8897909
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140305358
    Abstract: In a carpet manufacturing method, for a plurality of yarns each having a length, a plurality of marks are provided on each yarn at selected locations along the yarn. In the carpet manufacturing method and in a carpet manufacturing assembly, each yarn is stored on or in an associated storage, and fed from its associated storage to a carpet manufacturing apparatus. For each yarn, the marks on the yarn are detected upstream of the carpet manufacturing apparatus. On the basis of the detection of the marks, the uptake of the yarn by the carpet manufacturing apparatus is controlled, whereafter, in the carpet manufacturing apparatus, the yarns are processed to form at least part of a carpet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Jan Heeres
  • Patent number: 8851001
    Abstract: A method for creating an altered embroidery design, the method comprising altering an embroidery design to create an altered embroidery design, the altered embroidery design comprising an at least one design element, determining a size of the at least one design element, selecting a stitch type for the at least one design element by comparing the size of the at least one design element to a set of values, wherein the stitch type can be selected from the set of values based on the size of the at least one design element, and generating a stitch pattern for the at least one design element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Melco International LLC
    Inventors: Paul Albano, Scott David Stengel
  • Publication number: 20140290549
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar, a presser bar, a threading device, a processor, and a memory. The needle bar is configured such that a sewing needle is attached thereto. The presser bar is configured such that an accessory device is mounted thereon. The threading device is configured to perform a threading operation in which an upper thread is passed through an eye of the sewing needle attached to the needle bar. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform processes that include determining whether a mounted device is a specific accessory device and causing the threading device to perform the threading operation in a case where it is determined that the mounted device is the specific accessory device and a specific condition is satisfied. The mounted device is an accessory device mounted on the presser bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Harumi KATO, Midori MAGARA
  • Publication number: 20140261123
    Abstract: A variable timing system for a sewing machine is provided comprising a shuttle hook having a hook tip, a first helical gear mounted on the shuttle hook, a lower shaft configured to rotate the shuttle hook in synchronization with a needle bar, and a second helical gear mounted on the lower shaft and capable of engaging with the first helical gear. In accordance with embodiments, at least one of the helical gears is axially movable. The variable timing system may comprise a control device configured to generate a control signal representative of a current sewing situation. A drive force mechanism may receive the control signal and in response, transmit axial movement to the axially moveable helical gear to move the gear into proper position relative to a threaded needle of the sewing machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: VSM GROUP AB
    Inventors: Bertil Friman, Rolf Wahlström, Kent Askenmalm, Stefan Stark
  • Publication number: 20140251193
    Abstract: A frame for sewing upper pillows on covering shells for mattresses, which comprises four perimetric walls; each wall is perpendicular to the two contiguous walls and comprises at least one laminar portion that constitutes a resting surface, the laminar portion being co-planar with a lower edge of the respective wall, at least one of such walls comprising at least one locking element for at least one component, selected from between an upper pillow and a covering shell, arranged on a respective laminar portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: RESTA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Paolo RESTA, Roberto RESTA
  • Patent number: 8831766
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Vistaprint Schweiz GmbH
    Inventors: David A. Goldman, Nirav B. Patel
  • Patent number: 8818546
    Abstract: A multi-needle sewing machine includes an assigning unit that assigns thread color data to each pattern-by-color portion. The assigning unit is configured to determine, for each pattern-by-color portion, whether or not the user's designation of the pattern-by-color portion has been received. When the user's designation for the pattern-by-color portion has been received, the assigning unit is configured to assign the user's designation as thread color data for the pattern-by-color portion. When the user's designation for the pattern-by-color portion has not been received, the assigning unit is configured to randomly extract and assign a non-overlapping color as thread color data for the pattern-by-color portion from the data of a plurality of thread colors stored in the spool color storage unit. The machine is configured to execute sewing of the embroidery pattern for the pattern-by-color portion based on the thread color data assigned by the assigning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Harumi Kato
  • Publication number: 20140216317
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a machine for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. In one example, the present invention may be applied (e.g., as a machine and/or method) to a multi-needle machine or method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Alberto Landoni
  • Patent number: 8798781
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for converting an image to a color-reduced image suitable for embroidery and having colors mapped only to available embroidery thread colors. Pixel color values in the image are snapped to a nearest color in a predetermined reduced set of colors that correspond to embroidery thread colors. The image is then color-reduced by iteratively identifying possible pairs of colors in the color-reduced image and merging at least one identified color pair based on color similarity and edge characteristics until the total number of colors in the color-reduced image is not greater than the predetermined maximum color count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: VISTAPRINT SCHWEIZ GmbH
    Inventor: Hsu Eugene
  • Patent number: 8793009
    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 characteristic. The plurality of the color-based pattern portions may be included in an 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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuki Ihira
  • Patent number: 8774957
    Abstract: An embroidery data generating device is disclosed. The embroidery data generating device generates embroidery data that is used for sewing an embroidery pattern including multiple color-wise pattern sections with a sewing machine and that includes thread color data specifying a color of each of the color-wise pattern sections. The embroidery data generating device includes a first storage device that stores multiple entries of preset color information; an extractor that randomly extracts color data used as the thread color data from each entry of the color information stored in the first storage device; and an allocator that randomly allocates the color data extracted by the extractor to each of the thread color data associated with each of the color-wise pattern sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryutaro Maki, Takashi Hirata, Takafumi Naka, Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8739712
    Abstract: A punch data generating device is disclosed that generates punch data for execution with an embroiderable sewing machine including a needle bar allowing attachment of a punch needle for forming a plurality of small holes on a sheet of workpiece by piercing the workpiece in dot-by-dot strokes of the punch needle, a transfer mechanism that transfers the workpiece in two predetermined directions in coordination with an up and down movement of the punch needle to execute a holing operation for forming the small holes on the workpiece. The punch data generating device includes a cut data generator that generates cut data constituting the punch data, the cut data being configured to instruct consecutive formation of the small holes at least along an outline of a pattern section of the workpiece in which a predetermined pattern is drawn to allow cutting of the outline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kawaguchi, Yukiyoshi Muto
  • Patent number: 8731705
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryutaro Maki
  • Patent number: 8706286
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for determining the suitability of an original image to embroidery based on analysis of the image and calculation of various metrics indicative of embroidery suitability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Vistaprint Schweiz GmbH
    Inventor: Vyacheslav Nykyforov
  • Patent number: 8694146
    Abstract: A method of creating embroidery designs with the use of embroidery software to weave overlapping graphemes to imitate monogramming by hand. A user-specified template for letter layout is designed so that letters overlap. Software reads the letters from a True-Type/Open-Type font file in vector form. Each individual letter is distorted to the template using 3rd degree Bezier Surfaces, 2nd degree Bezier curves and line segments are converted to 3rd degree Bezier curves. Software calculates the intersecting areas using 2-Dimensional Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) to determine which letter will be on-top at each letter intersection, and sorts the intersecting areas into zones, wherein the top letter for each zone is toggled, letters within a zone are alternated, and only the top letter segment is shown. Software cuts out letter segments that will be below another letter at each intersection, and fills the weaved letter or grapheme areas with embroidery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Ioannis Doukakis, Miltiadis Vasileiadis, Konstantinos Angelakis
  • Patent number: 8694147
    Abstract: An embroidery data generating device includes an embroidery data storage unit storing data of a plurality of embroidery data, an embroidery data selection unit selecting a desired one of the embroidery data stored on the embroidery data storage unit, a color data storage unit storing data of a plurality of defined colors, and an assignment unit randomly extracting colors from the color data storage unit, the extracted colors being used as thread color data for specifying colors of the color-based pattern portions respectively, the assignment unit assigning the extracted colors to the respective color-based pattern portions composing the selected embroidery pattern. When the embroidery data selected by the embroidery data selection unit includes thread color data of two or more color-based pattern portions having a same color, a randomly extracted color is assigned to the color-based pattern portions so that the color-based pattern portions have the same color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuneo Okuyama
  • Publication number: 20140083345
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an imaging device, a processor, and a memory configured to store sewing data and computer-readable instructions. The sewing data includes at least first stitch data to form first stitches that indicate a contour of a pattern on a first work cloth, and second stitch data to form second stitches that attach the pattern cut out along the first stitches onto a second work cloth. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform processes comprising causing the imaging device to capture a first image, identifying a position and an angle of a marker in relation to the contour, causing the imaging device to capture a second image, identifying a position and an angle of the contour in relation to the second work cloth, and correcting the second stitch data in accordance with the identified position and angle of the contour in relation to the second work cloth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi TOKURA
  • Patent number: 8682467
    Abstract: An embroidery data generating device generates embroidery data usable to sew by a sewing machine an embroidery pattern composed of a plurality of color-based pattern portions. The device includes a color data storage unit storing data of a plurality of defined colors, an assignment unit randomly extracting a color from the color data stored on the color data storage unit, the extracted color being used as thread color data for specifying colors of the color-based pattern portions respectively, the assignment unit assigning the extracted colors to the respective color-based pattern portions and a sewing sequence data storage unit storing data of set sewing sequence of the color-based pattern portions. The device generates embroidery data in which an order of contrasting density of the colors assigned to the respective color-based pattern portions by the assignment unit as the thread color data corresponds to a sewing sequence of the color-based pattern portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Ihira, Ryutaro Maki
  • Patent number: 8660683
    Abstract: Printer driver systems and methods for automatic generation of embroidery designs are disclosed. An example method includes identifying intersections of line segments from different ones of first polygonal objects, determining relationships between the line segments based on the intersections, removing a redundancy between at least two of the line segments, generating, using a computer, second polygonal objects based on the intersections and the line segments, and outputting, from the computer, embroidery data representative of the second polygonal objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Vistaprint Schweiz GmbH
    Inventors: David A. Goldman, Nirav Patel, Mingkui Song
  • Patent number: 8655474
    Abstract: An embroidery data generating apparatus that includes a pattern data acquisition device that acquires pattern data, an area identification device that identifies a base area in which a plurality of base stitches including a plurality of intersecting portions are to be formed, each of the intersecting portions being a portion at which two base stitches extending in different directions intersect, a first generating device that generates first sewing data to be used to sew the base stitches in the base area, a sewing data acquisition device that acquires second sewing data to be used to sew a pattern represented by the pattern data in an area including at least a part of the base area, and an embroidery data generating device that generates embroidery data including the first sewing data and the second sewing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomotaka Katano, Takashi Hirata, Chiyo Koga
  • Publication number: 20140026794
    Abstract: A sewing machine to which a circular stitching device configured to anchor a sewing workpiece in a rotatable manner includes a feeding device, a sewing device, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the sewing machine to execute the steps of specifying a distance between an anchor position and a needle drop point, changing first feed amount data into second feed amount data based on the specified distance and a length of a stitch pattern, specifying an actual amount of movement of the sewing workpiece, and revising the second feed amount data for at least one stitch, among stitches of a plurality of iterations of the stitch pattern, that is not yet formed, based on a difference between the specified actual amount of movement and a planned feed amount indicated by the second feed amount data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazutaka IMAIZUMI, Masashi TOKURA
  • Publication number: 20130333604
    Abstract: An electronic sewing machine (M) which makes a needle bar move up and down through a sewing machine spindle which is driven by a sewing machine motor of the sewing machine body provided with an illustration data storage unit (15) which stores a plurality of illustration data, a display unit (4) which displays the illustration data which is stored in the illustration data storage unit, an audio data storage unit (20) which stores audio data which corresponds to the illustration data, and an audio output unit (21) which outputs audio data which is stored in the audio data storage unit and displaying the illustration data on the display unit while outputting audio data corresponding to the illustration data from the audio output unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: HAPPY INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Takauchi, Keiichi Niizeki, Toshikazu Matsuura
  • 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: 20130276686
    Abstract: Techniques for controlling sewing machine stitch length based on thread usage are provided. The techniques include a sewing machine computer storing a stitch length setting and using a thread movement sensor to sense the movement of thread as the thread is drawn from a spool due to the user moving an object relative to a sewing machine needle and thereby drawing thread from the needle and the spool. The techniques also include a sewing machine computer receiving information from the thread movement sensor and determining a length of thread drawn from the spool after formation of a previous stitch, comparing the length of thread with the stitch length setting, and operating a sewing machine motor to create a stitch when the length of thread drawn from the spool after formation of the previous stitch corresponds to the stitch length setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Arthur Bentley
  • 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
  • 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: 8528491
    Abstract: A computer-controlled quilting machine uses a hand held stylus to create the patterns which are sewn into a quilt. The machine can quilt in real time, following the movement of the stylus as a user traces any desired object or design. The machine allows a user to easily sew a desired pattern into a quilt, and also provides greater access to quilting to those persons who are unable to operate other types of quilting machines, while retaining much of the appeal of hand quilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Arthur Bentley
  • Patent number: 8532810
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for automatically generating embroidery designs. A described method includes segmenting image data into a plurality of objects including a first object, recursively generating fragments from the first object to generate an order in which the fragments are to be sewn, the order to reduce thread cuts or increase path connectivity between the fragments, and generating an image output file representative of an embroidery design based on the fragments and the order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: VistaPrint Technologies Limited
    Inventor: David A. Goldman