Pattern Controlled Or Programmed Patents (Class 112/470.01)
  • Publication number: 20130228109
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated assisted sewing of an oversized, digitized sewing pattern, using a fabric retention mechanism and an automated sewing machine positioning mechanism. The sewing machine positioning mechanism is controlled by an actuator and provides for two dimensional positioning of a sewing machine with respect to the fabric retention mechanism. The oversized sewing pattern is segmented into pattern segments and the pattern segments are sewed sequentially in accordance with a selected order, with the fabric being repositioned after each segment is sewed. Cut points for pattern lines on the border of each pattern segment are matched by start points on the adjacent border of a subsequently sewed, adjacent pattern segment. A pattern program adjusts the pattern lines of each subsequently sewed segment to provide for continuity and alignment of the pattern lines which cross the borders between pattern segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Jim Matthews Bagley
  • 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: 8521321
    Abstract: A sewing machine system includes a sewing machine and a storage device. The storage device includes an embroidery information storage portion, a conditions information storage portion, and a use history storage portion. The sewing machine includes a mounting portion to and from which the storage device can be mounted and removed, a first individual unit information storage portion that stores the first individual unit information, a use conditions determination portion that determines whether the sewing machine corresponds to the use conditions information, a usability determination portion that determines whether the embroidery information that is stored in the embroidery information storage portion can be used, a first decryption portion that decrypts the embroidery information, an individual unit information storage control portion that stores in the use history storage portion the first individual unit information, and an embroidery portion that performs embroidery sewing on a cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriharu Tashiro, Tsuneo Okuyama, Satomi Suzuki, Masahiro Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20130213285
    Abstract: A sewing data generating device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing data generating device to execute steps including obtaining original image data of a pattern to be sewn on a work cloth, identifying a central line of the image, identifying a sewing start point and a sewing end point, and generating sewing data based on the sewing start point and the sewing end point. The sewing start point is one of a first point at which the central line and a contour line of the image intersect and a point separated from the first point. The sewing end point is one of a second point at which the central line and the contour line of the image intersect and a point separated from the second point. The second point is different from the first point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotsugu TAKAHATA, Noriharu TASHIRO, Satomi SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8515572
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for embroidery thread color management are disclosed. An example method comprises determining a first number of thread colors to be used by first designs assigned to a first embroidery machine, determining a second number of thread colors to be used by second designs assigned to a second embroidery machine, determining a difference between a first production time for the first embroidery machine and a second production time for the second embroidery machine, identifying which one of the first designs would increase the second number of thread colors by the smallest number when that one of the first designs is added to the second designs, and moving the identified one of the first designs to the second designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Vistaprint Technologies Limited
    Inventors: David A. Goldman, Nirav B. Patel
  • Patent number: 8473090
    Abstract: An embroidery data creation apparatus includes a first dividing portion that divides an entire area of an image into a first area and a second area based on one of frequency components and angle characteristics, a first data creation portion including a number of partitions setting portion, a second dividing portion that divides the first area into color areas, a representative angle computing portion that computes representative angles for the color areas, a first line segment arranging portion that arranges first line segments in each of the color areas, a first line segment color setting portion that sets first line segment colors, and a first line segment connecting portion that creates first data by connecting the first line segments, a second data creation portion that creates second data, and an embroidery data creation portion that creates embroidery data by combining the first data and the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Yamada
  • Patent number: 8443743
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the yarn feed for a tufting machine to form tufted patterns having different pattern fields or areas. Predetermined yarn feed amounts can be input for one or more selected yarn feed zones of selected stitches of the pattern to enable different pile heights and/or different tufts of yarns to be formed in the different pattern zones. A yarn feed device for the tufting machine will be controlled to selectively feed varying amounts of yarns for each of the yarn feed zones of the selected stitches of the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Card-Monroe Corp.
    Inventor: William M. Christman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8402904
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a housing portion, a bed, a needle plate, an image capture device, a moving device, a command acquisition device, and a moving control device. The housing portion houses at least one needle bar. The needle plate is provided on the bed and includes a needle hole. The image capture device is adapted to capture an image of the needle hole. The moving device moves the image capture device in relation to the housing portion. The command acquisition device acquires a command to move the image capture device in relation to the housing portion. The moving control device controls the moving device in accordance with the command that has been acquired by the command acquisition device to move the image capture device in relation to the housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Fujihara
  • Patent number: 8359989
    Abstract: A stitch distribution control system for a tufting machine for controlling placement of yarns being fed to the needles of the tufting machine by yarn feed mechanisms to form a desired pattern. A backing material is fed through the tufting machine at an increased stitch rate as the needles are shifted according to calculated pattern steps. A series of loopers or hooks engage and pick loops of yarns from the needles. The yarn feed mechanisms further can be controlled so that selected loops of yarns can be back-robbed so as to be hidden from view in the finished patterned tufted article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Card-Monroe Corp.
    Inventors: Wilton Hall, William M. Christman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8340804
    Abstract: An embroidery data creation apparatus includes a storage portion that stores pattern information for a first pattern, a first point specification portion that specifies first feature points, a first area specification portion that specifies first partitioned areas bounded by line segments linking the first feature points, an image acquisition portion that acquires a second image, a second point specification portion that specifies second feature points that correspond to the respective first feature points, a second area specification portion that specifies second partitioned areas bounded by line segments linking the second feature points, a conversion portion that, based on positional relationships between the first and second feature points, converts information of the pattern information that corresponds to the first partitioned areas into information that corresponds to the plurality of second partitioned areas, and a first creation portion that creates embroidery data for sewing the second pattern based
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8335583
    Abstract: An embroidery data generating apparatus that generates embroidery data for an embroidery pattern includes a boundary line acquisition device that acquires boundary line data that is data that specifies a boundary line that surrounds a closed region, a unit area arrangement device that contiguously arranges first unit areas over the entire closed region, each of the first unit areas being a rectangular area that includes a unit line segment, a coverage rate computation device that computes a coverage rate that is a ratio of the closed region in each of the first unit areas, a determination device that determines whether a stitch will be formed on the unit line segment in each of the first unit areas, based on the coverage rate, and an embroidery data generating device that generates the embroidery data for the embroidery pattern that is formed by the cross-stitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomotaka Katano
  • Patent number: 8335584
    Abstract: An embroidery data generating apparatus includes a thread color acquisition device that acquires available thread colors for an embroidery pattern, a line segment data generating device that generates line segment data, a dividing device that divides a whole area of an image into divided areas, a determining device that determines a representative color for each of the divided areas, an area thread color allocating device that allocates to the divided area at least one area thread color satisfying a predetermined condition, an associating device that associates the line segment data and the divided area, an embroidery thread color allocating device that allocates, from among the at least one area thread color, an embroidery thread color to each piece of the line segment data, a connecting line segment data generating device that generates connecting line segment data, and an embroidery data generating device that generates embroidery data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Yamada
  • Publication number: 20120272884
    Abstract: A sewing machine that includes a first reference setting portion setting, as a first reference, a reference for a first pattern sewn in a first holding position, a first layout identification portion identifying, as a first marker layout, a marker for the first reference, a first reference change portion changing the first reference after the first marker layout is identified, a second layout identification portion identifying, as a second marker layout, a marker for the changed first reference, a second reference setting portion setting, as a second reference, a reference for a second pattern sewn in a second holding position, a third layout identification portion identifying, as a third marker layout, a marker for the first reference in the second holding position or the changed first reference, and a setting portion setting the second pattern for the sewing target object in the second holding position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi TOKURA
  • Patent number: 8286569
    Abstract: A low cost and easy-to-use sewing machine is provided which is capable of performing free motion sewing. The sewing machine includes a needle bar to which a needle can be mounted, a needle bar vertical moving mechanism, a needle bar swing mechanism causing the needle bar to swing in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal direction along which a feed dog operates for straight stitch, and a control portion for adjusting a swing amount of the needle bar which is brought into swing movement in the lateral direction by the needle bar swing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Nishiyama, Akimitsu Kamatsuka
  • Publication number: 20120245727
    Abstract: A sewing machine system including a sewing machine and a computer interconnected with each other is disclosed. The computer is configured to store sewing information and the sewing machine is configured to form sewing patterns on a workpiece based on the sewing information. The sewing machine includes a connecting unit configured to establish connection with the computer; an input unit configured to receive user inputs; an accessing unit configured to access the sewing information stored in the computer through the connecting unit based on the user inputs made through the input unit; and a disclosing unit that discloses sewing machine information pertaining to the sewing machine to the computer through the connecting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takafumi NAKA, Motoshi KISHI
  • Patent number: 8267024
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed portion, a pillar portion that is erected upward from the bed portion, an arm portion that extends horizontally from the pillar portion above the bed portion, a head that is provided at an end of the arm portion, a needle bar that is attached to the head and can reciprocate up and down, an image pickup device that can pick up an image of an upper surface of the bed portion, an image conversion device that generates a virtual image from a real image by viewpoint conversion, the virtual image being an image as viewed from an arbitrary viewpoint position, and the real image being an image picked up by the image pickup device, an image display device that displays an image, and an image display control device that displays the virtual image generated by the image conversion device on the image display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuya Hayakawa, Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8271123
    Abstract: An embroidery data generating apparatus includes a thread color acquisition device, a first line segment data generating device, an expanded data generating device, a second line segment data generating device, a color allocating device, a connecting line segment data generating device, and an embroidery data generating device. The thread color acquisition device acquires a plurality of available thread colors. The first line segment data generating device generates first line segment data. The expanded data generating device generates expanded data. The second line segment data generating device generates second line segment data. The color allocating device allocates an embroidery thread color to each piece of the second line segment data. The connecting line segment data generating device generates connecting line segment data. The embroidery data generating device generates embroidery data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Yamada
  • Patent number: 8240262
    Abstract: A method and the device for displaying sewing processes to allow simulation of the formation of stitch patterns and embroidery patterns in sewing machines (1) and embroidery machines or in sewing simulators close to reality is provided. In the representation on the monitor (3) features, such as colors and the structure of the sewing material (2), are considered. By activating a simulation mode, the drive for the stitch formation unit can be disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: BERNINA International AG
    Inventors: Stefan Zeiger, Boris Zickenberg
  • Patent number: 8219237
    Abstract: A method and a sewing machine are provided to form sewing patterns allowing the stitching width to be changed during sewing for a flexible adjustment of parameters of the sewing pattern. In particular the stitch length a can be changed without changing the exterior design of the sewing pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: BERNINA International AG
    Inventor: Manfred Schweizer
  • Patent number: 8196535
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an image pickup device that picks up over a sewing machine bed; a feature point coordinates calculation device that extracts feature points from the picked up image and calculates two-dimensional coordinates of the extracted feature points; a reference coordinates storage device that stores reference coordinates, which are previously measured three-dimensional coordinates of the feature points; a correlation device that correlates the reference coordinates stored in the reference coordinates storage device with the feature point coordinates, which are the two-dimensional coordinates of the feature points calculated by the feature point coordinates calculation device; and a parameter calculation device that calculates a parameter about the image pickup device based on a result of correlation by the correlation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8191492
    Abstract: A sewing machine that sews a work cloth being moved by a user includes a detection device that detects the work cloth, a movement calculation device that calculates movement data of the work cloth, a movement data storage device that stores the movement data, a movement data creation device that causes the detection device and the movement calculation device to respectively detect the work cloth and calculate the movement data for each stitch, and that stores the movement data into the movement data storage device, a line segment specification device that specifies a line segment based on the movement data, a determination device that determines whether a stitch to be formed next will overlap with an already formed stitch corresponding to the specified line segment, and an error control device that performs an error correction operation based on a determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Hirose, Yoshinori Nakamura, Akie Ukai, Masaki Shimizu, Yoshio Nishimura, Kazumi Sai, Satoru Makino
  • Patent number: 8176861
    Abstract: An embroidery data processor includes an embroidery data storage that stores embroidery data for sewing embroidery patterns by an embroiderable sewing machine; an embroidery data preparator that prepares the embroidery data of the embroidery patterns to be sewn by reading the embroidery data from the embroidery data storage or by receiving the embroidery data from external source; and a data generator that generates temporary stitch data for temporarily sewing an interlining on an underside of a workpiece cloth prior to embroidery sewing based on the embroidery data prepared by the embroidery data preparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuya Hayakawa, Nobuaki Matsumoto, Kenji Ooka
  • Patent number: 8180475
    Abstract: An embroidery data processor that processes embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern comprising a plurality of subset patterns on a workpiece cloth with different needle thread colors by using a plurality of multi-needle embroidery sewing machines each provided with an embroidery frame drive mechanism that moves an embroidery frame holding the workpiece cloth in two predetermined directions, the embroidery data processor including a sew-time calculator that calculates required sew time for sewing each subset pattern based on subset pattern data being classified by thread color; and an allocator that produces an allocation schedule for allocation of the subset patterns to the multi-needle embroidery sewing machines based on the sew time calculated by the sew-time calculator, the allocation schedule being arranged to distribute equal or minimally-different sew time for each multi-needle embroidery sewing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Taguchi, Motoshi Kishi, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Masayuki Iwata, Yoshio Sugiura
  • Patent number: 8108062
    Abstract: A method of generating embroidery data for controlling stitching out by an embroidery machine. The method comprises simulating a position of a needle on an embroidery workspace and updating the needle position in response to an input control signal. A series of stitch time points is generated and embroidery data defining a stitch is generated. The data defining a stitch being dependent upon the needle position at a corresponding stitch time point and at a preceding stitch time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: VSM Group AB
    Inventors: Andrew Kaymer, Andrew Wyatt, Martin Tatar
  • Patent number: 8096247
    Abstract: A system for forming multiple patterned, tufted articles, includes a tufting machine having a series of distinct machine sections each adapted to form a desired patterned, tufted articles and each operable independently of the other machine sections. A system control can be programmed with pattern parameters for each of the patterned tufted articles to be formed, and will control the machine sections to form each of the patterned tufted articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Card-Monroe Corp.
    Inventors: Charles F. Monroe, Marshal Allen Neely, Jr., William M. Christman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8091493
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an image pickup device that picks up over a sewing machine bed; a feature point coordinates calculation device that extracts feature points from the picked up image and calculates two-dimensional coordinates of the feature points; a reference coordinates storage device that stores three-dimensional reference coordinates of the feature points; a correlation device that correlates the reference coordinates with the feature point coordinates; a parameter calculation device that calculates a parameter about the image pickup device; a parameter storage device that stores the calculated parameter; a comparison image acquisition device that acquires the picked up image as a comparison image; a first determination device that determines whether comparison information matches with parameter information; and a first notification device that notifies that it is necessary to re-calculate the parameter depending on the result by the first determination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8074590
    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: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: Arthur Bentley
  • Publication number: 20110295410
    Abstract: An embroidery data creation apparatus includes a storage portion that stores pattern information for a first pattern, a first point specification portion that specifies first feature points, a first area specification portion that specifies first partitioned areas bounded by line segments linking the first feature points, an image acquisition portion that acquires a second image, a second point specification portion that specifies second feature points that correspond to the respective first feature points, a second area specification portion that specifies second partitioned areas bounded by line segments linking the second feature points, a conversion portion that, based on positional relationships between the first and second feature points, converts information of the pattern information that corresponds to the first partitioned areas into information that corresponds to the plurality of second partitioned areas, and a first creation portion that creates embroidery data for sewing the second pattern based
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji YAMADA, Masashi TOKURA
  • Patent number: 8061286
    Abstract: A sewing machine that is capable of sewing an embroidery pattern on a work cloth includes a storage device that stores embroidery data to identify a shape of the embroidery pattern and reference line data to identify a pattern position and a pattern angle. The sewing machine also includes an imaging device that captures an image of the work cloth onto which a marker is affixed, and a detection device that detects a marker position and a marker angle based on information of the image captured by the imaging device. The sewing machine further includes a conversion device that converts the embroidery data based on the pattern position, the pattern angle, the marker position, and the marker angle. The sewing machine further includes a sewing control device that controls sewing of the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data obtained after conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Hirata, Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8061287
    Abstract: A sewing data processing apparatus which may be used to attach an IC tag to a work cloth without impairing a design of the work cloth. The processing apparatus may acquire an IC tag area on the basis of a size and shape of the IC tag and subsequently may determine whether the IC tag area can be included in an applique pattern area which is determined on the basis of applique pattern data. If the IC tag area can be included in the applique pattern area, positions of the applique pattern area and the IC tag area may be set in such a manner that the IC tag area is positioned in the applique pattern area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuya Hayakawa, Satoru Makino
  • Publication number: 20110272072
    Abstract: A wallet comprises first and second panels formed of a synthetic rubber material such as neoprene. The first and second panels are stitched together at their edges to form a container having dimensions suiting to receiving cards, such as credit cards or business cards. An opening is formed across a longitudinal direction of the second panel to allow cards to be inserted to and removed from the wallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth Dale Westover, Benjamin Paul Westover
  • Patent number: 8033232
    Abstract: An embroidery data processing apparatus which may be used to attach an IC tag to a work cloth without impairing a design of the work cloth. The embroidery data processing apparatus may determine an IC tag area based on a size and shape of the IC tag, and may determine whether the IC tag area can be included in an embroidery area that is determined on the basis of embroidery data. If the IC tag area can be included in the embroidery area, the positions of the embroidery area and the IC tag area may be set in an embroiderable area of a sewing machine in such a manner that the IC tag area is positioned in the embroidery area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuya Hayakawa, Satoru Makino
  • Patent number: 7996103
    Abstract: An embroidery data generating apparatus for embroidering image data configured by multiplicity of pixels including a color difference calculator calculating a color difference between sewing thread color of the target segment and an underpass segment underlying the target segment; an angular difference sum calculator calculating an angular difference between the underpass segment and the target segment, the angular difference being measured at an intersecting pixel where the target segment and the underpass segment intersect; a third determiner determining whether or not to append the target segment to the sequence information based on the angular difference when the sum of the color difference is determined to be equal to or less than the first predetermined value; and a second segment appender that appends the target segment between the focus segment and the subsequent segment when determined by the third determiner to append the target segment to the sequence information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Yamada
  • Patent number: 7983781
    Abstract: Sewing data of multiple sewing targets stored in RAM of a sewing sequence determining apparatus is acquired. Permutations or combinations of the sewing targets are created as sewing sequence candidates. A number of needle bars N provided at a multi-needle sewing machine is acquired. An optimal thread replacement count is initialized. A thread replacement count is calculated for each of sewing sequence candidates, in the case where sewing operations are carried out by the multi-needle sewing machine equipped with N needle bars on the sewing targets in accordance with the sewing sequence candidates. A sewing sequence candidate of the fewest thread replacement count is determined to be an optimal sewing sequence candidate. The optimal sewing sequence candidate is displayed on a liquid crystal display and announced. Determination of sewing sequences at the time of carrying out sewing operations with respect to multiple sewing targets is easily achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsuya Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7983783
    Abstract: An embroidery data creation apparatus and program acquires closed region data of a target unit pattern with a sewing order specified by a unit pattern counter and position data of a sewing endpoint of a preceding unit pattern to be sewn immediately prior to this target unit pattern. Based on the closed region data and the position data of the sewing endpoint, it is determined whether a sewing endpoint of the preceding unit pattern is present in a sewing region of the target unit pattern. If it is determined that the sewing endpoint is present in the sewing region of the target unit pattern, thread-cutting operation at this sewing endpoint is set not to be performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the sewing endpoint is not present in the sewing region of the target unit pattern, thread-cutting operation at this sewing endpoint is set to be performed or withheld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsuya Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7962239
    Abstract: A sewing machine and a sewing machine operating program stored on a computer-readable medium for changing display items displayed on a liquid crystal display of a sewing machine on a page by page basis, when an output signal of an operation of rolling forward or backward a mouse wheel is detected. The sewing machine may include a display device that displays a variety of information related to sewing and a display item storage device that stores display items to be displayed on the display device. The sewing machine may also include an operation device that includes an operating member for performing plural types of operations and a display control device that changes the display item displayed on the display device in response to at least one of the operation type or the operation quantity outputted by the operation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Hirata, Takafumi Naka, Tsuneo Okuyama
  • Patent number: 7946235
    Abstract: To provide an embroidery data creation apparatus, an embroidery data creation program, and a recording medium that records the embroidery data creation program, which create embroidery data for embroidery that is clear and sharp even when the tint or output size of an image is changed. The number of pixels necessary to create embroidery data is determined from thread density, size of the embroidery, and copied color data. Initial angle information is created from angle data and the angle information having necessary pixel configuration is re-computed from the initial angle information. Then, line segment data is created from the re-computed angle information, color data is created from the size adjusted color data and the line segment data, and the embroidery data is created from the line segment data and the color data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Yamada
  • Publication number: 20110094426
    Abstract: A method and a device for cutting at least an upper thread of a sewing machine provided with a fabric clamping member (20), wherein a length of the thread consumed for a cut can be set within a predetermined interval. The method for cutting at least the upper thread (4) of a sewing machine (1) includes the steps: feeding a predetermined length x of said upper thread (4) utilizing a thread feeder (15), pulling out the upper thread (4) said predetermined length utilizing a displacement of said fabric clamping member (20) from a current position to a second position executing by means of a sewing machine processor (C) program sequences stored in a memory (M) for controlling a thread cutter (10) to perform a cut of at least said upper thread (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: VSM GROUP AB
    Inventors: Henrik Eklund, Tom Dolk
  • Publication number: 20110088605
    Abstract: A punch data generating device generating punch data for execution with an embroiderable sewing machine including a needle bar moved up and down and mounted with a punch needle for forming penetrations on a workpiece in dot-by-dot strokes, a transfer mechanism transferring the workpiece in two directions in coordination with the movement of the punch needle to form the penetrations. The punch data generating device includes a cut data generator generating cut data constituting the punch data, the cut data being used to form the penetrations along an outline of a predetermined pattern to allow cutting of the outline; and an auxiliary cut data generator generating auxiliary cut data constituting the punch data, the auxiliary cut data being used to form penetrations contacting the outline of the pattern to form a cut that facilitates detachment of the outline from the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko KAWAGUCHI, Yukiyoshi MUTO
  • Publication number: 20110056421
    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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko KAWAGUCHI, Yukiyoshi MUTO
  • Publication number: 20110048301
    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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi TOKURA
  • Patent number: 7895958
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for detecting the ending-point of a bobbin thread for a sewing machine using a bar code, which is capable of alerting a sewing operator of his/her desiring bobbin thread remains when they are left enough to finish sewing under operation. The present invention of the apparatus for detecting the ending-point of a bobbin thread for a sewing machine using a bar code so as to sense the ending-point of a bobbin thread during a sewing operation, comprises a bobbin to wind a bobbin thread therearound and at least one bar code to indicate a position in the surface of a bobbin, of which the bar code is printed on one or both side(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Hoon Sik Cho
  • Publication number: 20110041742
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a housing portion, a bed, a needle plate, an image capture device, a moving device, a command acquisition device, and a moving control device. The housing portion houses at least one needle bar. The needle plate is provided on the bed and includes a needle hole. The image capture device is adapted to capture an image of the needle hole. The moving device moves the image capture device in relation to the housing portion. The command acquisition device acquires a command to move the image capture device in relation to the housing portion. The moving control device controls the moving device in accordance with the command that has been acquired by the command acquisition device to move the image capture device in relation to the housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinya FUJIHARA
  • Patent number: 7882790
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a display device, a display data storage device storing pattern display data for displaying each sewing pattern on the display device and pattern group display data for displaying on the display device a pattern group indication mark indicative of each of a plurality of pattern groups obtained by classifying the sewing patterns, a selecting operation device selecting one of the sewing groups and further either or any one of the sewing patterns contained in the selected pattern group, and a display control device which, when one of the pattern groups has been selected, causes the display device to display the pattern group indication mark indicative of the selected sewing pattern group on the display device firstly in an enlarged size and subsequently in a reduced normal size, based on the pattern group display data of the selected pattern group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motoshi Kishi, Naomi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110005441
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and computer program product for quilting and embroidering fabric. The method comprises securing a quilt sandwich of top layer fabric, batting and backing fabric in an embroidery hoop and attaching said embroidery hoop to an embroidery machine. The user retrieves a digitized embroidery file that is fed into the embroidery machine. The digitized file instructs the embroidery machine to stitch the quilt layers together according to a predetermined stippling pattern and to stitch an outline for an appliqué. After an appliqué fabric is placed over the outline, the digitized file sews a tackdown stitch, after which appliqué enhancements or additional layers of appliqué may also be stitched. The quilt is then removed from the embroidery hoop and the appliqué and quilt are trimmed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Eileen Roche
  • Publication number: 20110000412
    Abstract: Disclosed is a digital garment using embroidery technology. In the digital garment, a digital embroidery pattern is formed on a common garment to provide a communication path, an antenna pattern, etc. The digital garment comprises a garment made of a textile and having one side and the other side opposite to each other, a digital embroidery pattern formed along the inner or outer surface of the garment using embroidery technology to provide a communication path to the garment, a sensor attached to the garment and electrically connected to the digital embroidery pattern to convert physical signals to electrical signals, an arithmetic unit attached to the garment and electrically connected to the digital embroidery pattern to process the electrical signals inputted from the sensor, and a communication module attached to the garment and electrically connected to the digital embroidery pattern to perform wireless communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
    Inventors: Gi Soo Chung, Dae Hoon Lee, Jae Sang An
  • Publication number: 20100313805
    Abstract: A sewing apparatus that includes a sewing device that performs sewing on a sewn object, a first operating device that is operative to input a command to execute an operation of the sewing device, a first detecting device that detects a preliminary operation state that is an operation state with respect to the first operating device that precedes an executing operation state, the executing operation state being an operation state for inputting the command to execute the operation of the sewing device, a notifying device that represents any one of at least two states that include a first state that corresponds to the preliminary operation state, and a control device that puts the notifying device into the first state in a case where the preliminary operation state is detected by the first detecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Motoshi Kishi
  • Patent number: 7848842
    Abstract: A sewing machine including a needle-swing mechanism that swings a needle bar; a cloth-feed mechanism that feeds a workpiece cloth by a feed dog; an imaging unit that captures an image of a baseline drawn on a surface of the workpiece cloth; a baseline-color detection portion that detects a baseline color of the baseline based on an image data of the baseline captured by the imaging unit; a first storage portion storing a mapping of a plurality of baseline colors to stitch data of a plurality of normal patterns; and a control portion that forms normal pattern stitches along the baseline by reading stitch data corresponding to the baseline color detected by the baseline-color detection portion from the first storage portion and controlling the needle-swing mechanism and the cloth-feed mechanism based on the stitch data read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Suzuki, Yutaka Nomura, Masaru Jimbo, Yoshinori Nakamura, Eiichi Ito
  • Publication number: 20100294185
    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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Theodore J. Stokes, Matthew Paul Sherman, Kenneth Mark Eubanks, Paul Truman Statler, Joseph W. Bauman
  • Patent number: 7840304
    Abstract: An embroidery data processing apparatus and an embroidery data processing program that creates embroidery data usable by an embroidery sewing machine to sew an embroidery pattern that includes a plurality of partial patterns. The embroidery data processing apparatus and program store a maximum sewing region; set a plurality of unit embroidery regions; and modify a size of each of the plurality of unit regions based on the size of the maximum sewing region and a position and a size of each of the plurality of partial patterns contained within the plurality of unit embroidery regions. The embroidery data processing apparatus and program create the embroidery data of a part or a whole of the embroidery pattern being contained within the modified plurality of unit embroidery regions and output the embroidery data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Mizuno