Operator Controlled Data Entry Means Patents (Class 112/470.04)
  • Publication number: 20110168070
    Abstract: A method for editing images representing sewing elements (10) on a display of a sewing machine (1) for manipulating images of sewing elements (10) to be sewn on a fabric (2) arranged in the sewing machine(1), the method includes the steps, displaying at least one sewing element (10) image on said display (11), selecting at least one of said at least one sewing element (10) image, selecting an image editing function among a predetermined number of base editing functions, setting, by said selecting of an image editing function, members (35a-35e) of a selector group (35) to toggle to operate manipulator functions corresponding to said selected base function, manipulating said selected image of a sewing element (10) according to the selected base function by operating at least one of said members (35a-35e) of said selector group (35). The invention includes a device for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Pierre Lanquist
  • Publication number: 20110088606
    Abstract: A punch data generating device generating punch data for execution with an embroiderable sewing machine including a needle bar that is 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 punch data generator generating punch data, the punch data including at least either of draw data being configured to instruct sequential formation of the penetrations to draw a predetermined pattern, and cut data being configured to instruct sequential formation of the penetrations along an outline of a predetermined pattern to allow cutting of the outline; and a data modifier modifying at least either of the draw data and the cut data to change how the penetrations are to be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko KAWAGUCHI, Yukiyoshi MUTO
  • Publication number: 20110041743
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed, a needle plate, an image capture device, an auxiliary optical member, a switching device, a command acquisition device, and a control device. The needle plate is provided on the bed and includes a needle hole. The image capture device is adapted to capture an image facing downward from above the needle hole. The auxiliary optical member is adapted to transmit light to an image capture device side of the auxiliary optical member. The switching device switches the auxiliary optical member to one of being used and not being used. The command acquisition device acquires a command. In a case where the command has been acquired, the control device controls the switching device to switch the auxiliary optical member to one of being used and not being used in accordance with the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinya FUJIHARA
  • Publication number: 20110041746
    Abstract: A method is provided for embroidering embroidery elements by means of a processor-controlled sewing machine (1). The method includes: the fabric (2) that is to be embroidered is placed in the required position in relation to a threaded needle (5) on the sewing machine; a plurality of embroidery elements (A, B, C) in the form of software products having pre-programmed embroideries are provided; a group of said embroidery elements, defined as stitch data objects in a memory (M), is selected; an arbitrary curve (KU) along which said group of embroidery elements (A, B, C) shall be embroidered on said fabric (2) is defined by the operator of the sewing machine; said embroidery elements of said group are distributed in a spaced relationship along said curve utilizing a positioning algorithm. According to the method of the invention, a coupling between the embroidery elements of the group and the arbitrary curve is preserved during the full processing by said positioning algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Henrik EKLUND, Christian BONDESSON
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7878133
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar, a needle bar up-and-down movement mechanism that raises and lowers the needle bar, a needle bar up-and-down movement mechanism that raises and lowers the needle bar and a sewing machine motor for driving the needle bar up-and-down mechanism. The sewing machine further includes an operation device that is provided separately from a body of the sewing machine including at least one operation member to be operated by a user that outputs an output signal corresponding to an operation state of the operation member. The sewing machine also includes a command determination device that determines a command that corresponds to the output signal output by the operation device as a determined command and a drive control device that controls a predetermined operation of the sewing machine in accordance with the determined command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Tokura, Masahiko Nagai, Motoshi Kishi, Tomohiko Mori, Takafumi Naka, Tsuneo Okuyama
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7806063
    Abstract: An electronic sewing machine includes a sewing machine motor that vertically drives a sewing needle via a rotation of a main shaft; a stitch-pitch setting unit that sets a stitch-pitch in sewing manually fed workpiece cloth; a consumed thread amount detection unit that detects consumed thread amount of at least either of a needle thread or a bobbin thread consumed in each ongoing sewing cycle; a consumed thread amount calculation unit that calculates consumed thread amount based on an output from the consumed thread amount detection unit; and a speed control unit that controls rotational speed of the sewing machine motor based on calculated result of the consumed thread amount calculation unit so that an amount of manual cloth feed equals the stitch-pitch set by the stitch-pitch setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20100139538
    Abstract: An embroidery data providing apparatus includes a model information acquisition device that acquires model information, a size storage device that stores the model information and at least one embroiderable size in association with one another, a size acquisition device that acquires the at least one embroiderable size that corresponds to the acquired model information, a pattern information acquisition device that acquires target pattern information relating to a target pattern, an embroidery data output device that outputs as output data at least one of embroidery data of the target pattern and data for generating the embroidery data, a size determination device that determines whether the target pattern will fit within the acquired at least one embroiderable size, and a restriction device that, in a case where it is determined that the target pattern will not fit, restricts at least one of outputting of the output data and pre-output processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noriharu Tashiro
  • Patent number: 7702415
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for placing an embroidery in the desired position on a sewing material for embroidering on a sewing machine which has a memory for embroidery elements and a processor for reading stitch data for a selected embroidery element and for manoeuvring the sewing machine to execute stitches associated with the selected embroidery element on the sewing material, in which pattern points are assigned to the embroidery element and registered in the processor, and in which fabric points are marked on the sewing material at points where corresponding pattern points are to be located when embroidering, the sewing machine processor automatically orienting and scaling executed patterns of the embroidery element on the sewing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: KSIN Luxembourg II, S.AR.L
    Inventor: Lars Roos
  • Patent number: 7685072
    Abstract: A software distribution system for sewing machine includes a server and a sewing machine. The server generates authentication key data dedicated for a sewing machine only upon initial transmission of medium identification data and sewing machine identification data from a terminal and stores the authentication key data in mapping with the medium identification data. If a valid medium identification data and an invalid sewing machine identification data are thereafter transmitted to the server, the stored data is not updated and the authentication key data is transmitted to the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Hirata
  • Patent number: 7617787
    Abstract: A tucking attachment for a sewing machine having a tucking blade with one end positioned adjacent material and a tucking blade drive with an output shaft mechanically coupled to the tucking blade. A control, connected to the tucking blade drive, is operable to command displacement to form a tuck in the material adjacent a presser foot of the sewing machine. Thereafter, the sewing machine is operated to sew a number of stitches in the tuck, and the tucking blade is then retracted. Repeating the above cycle of operation permits successive tucks of different lengths to be formed in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Steven Marcangelo
  • Publication number: 20090272305
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes: a memory unit for storing design pattern information corresponding to different design patterns, and stitch type information corresponding to different types of stitch patterns; a selecting unit operable so as to output a control signal corresponding to a selected design pattern and a selected type of the stitch pattern; a processing unit coupled to the memory and the selecting unit, and responsive to the control signal from the selecting unit to output an image signal; and a projector receiving the image signal from the processing unit and operable so as to project an image corresponding to the image signal. The image shows a picture corresponding to the selected design pattern and having a contour formed by the selected type of the stitch pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Shui-Chun Tseng
  • Publication number: 20090235855
    Abstract: A sewing machine that operates with power supplied from a main power supply includes a needle plate having a needle hole through which a sewing needle can pass, an illuminating device that illuminates the needle hole and a vicinity of the needle hole, a power supply device that stores power, a detection device that detects whether a predetermined operation is performed in the sewing machine, a power distribution device that supplies the power from the power supply device to the detection device and the illuminating device, if supply of the power from the main power supply is turned off, and a turning-on device that turns on the illuminating device, if the detection device detects that the predetermined operation is performed in a condition where the supply of the power from the main power supply is cut off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Eiichi Hamajima
  • Publication number: 20090217850
    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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Publication number: 20090205548
    Abstract: A sewing machine provided with a needle bar having a sewing needle interchangeably attached to its lower end including an imaging element that captures images of the sewing needle; an extractor that extracts a shape of the sewing needle from the images of the sewing needle captured by the imaging element; an abnormality determiner that determines presence/absence of abnormalities in measurements of the sewing needle based on the shape of the sewing needle extracted by the extractor; and an abnormality alerter that alerts the presence of abnormalities determined by the determiner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayuki Iwata, Motoshi Kishi, Shoichi Taguchi, Yoshio Sugiura, Kei Kawase, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Masayuki Hori
  • Publication number: 20090205549
    Abstract: A sewing machine capable of sewing a manually moved workpiece cloth in free motion includes a carrier that carries the workpiece cloth and being manually moved to move the workpiece cloth; a support element that movably supports the carrier; a movement amount detector that detects an amount of carrier movement; a specifier that specifies a stitch pitch; a comparator that produces a comparison of the amount of carrier movement with the stitch pitch; a regulator provided at the support element and that regulates carrier movement; and a controller that controls the regulator such that the amount of carrier movement does not exceed the stitch pitch based on the comparison produced by the comparator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirokazu Hirose, Akie Ukai, Yoshio Nishimura, Yoshinori Nakamura, Masaki Shimizu, Kazumi Sai, Satoru Makino
  • Publication number: 20090151612
    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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Arthur Bentley
  • Patent number: 7493867
    Abstract: A continuous line is set on a display region of an operation panel provided in a sewing machine M and a plurality of sewing patterns is automatically arranged along the continuous line based on sewing data selected from a ROM. Integrated sewing data related to a continuous sewing pattern including the sewing patterns is created, an operation of the sewing machine is controlled based on the integrated sewing data so that the continuous sewing pattern can be sewn onto a cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Juki Corporation
    Inventor: Yukinobu Asano
  • Publication number: 20080289553
    Abstract: An embroidery data creation apparatus including an angle information calculation device that calculates an angle characteristic and an angle characteristic intensity for each of the pixels constituting image data, an angle information storage device that stores the angle characteristic and the angle characteristic intensity as angle information, a region specification device that specifies a change region in which the angle information is to be changed, an angle characteristic specification device that specifies a post-change angle characteristic, an angle characteristic change device that changes the respective angle characteristics of pixels included in the change region based on the post-change angle characteristic, a line segment data creation device that creates line segment data, a color data creation device that creates color data, and an embroidery data creation device that creates the embroidery data based on the line segment data and the color data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Yamada
  • Patent number: 7457683
    Abstract: A system and method for an interactive embroidery design specified by vector data and 3-dimensional data modifying shape and parameter data. A processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to create an adjustable design as indicated by artist input. The adjusted design is modified by embroidery machine operator input and is converted into stitch instructions for use by an embroidery machine to manufacture a custom embroidered product including the adjusted design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventor: Brian D. Bailie
  • Publication number: 20080264319
    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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsuya Hayakawa, Nobuaki Matsumoto, Kenji Ooka
  • Publication number: 20080257240
    Abstract: A method and device for free-hand embroidering on a sewing material with a sewing machine which has a memory for stitch data for a sewing pattern and a processor for reading the stitch data and for causing the sewing machine to execute stitches according to stitch data, which sewing machine has a needle and a sewing material feeder for moving the sewing material in a direction, which processor controls movements according to the direction relative to the position of the needle for the execution of stitches according to the sewing pattern, and which method includes during use of the sewing machine in a free-hand mode: storage in the memory of stitch data for at least one stitch type for free-hand embroidering, choice of a stitch type, maneuvering, via first control signals, a movement of the sewing material feeder in any desired the direction by using a hand-operated control, detection of the first control signals in the processor, calculation in the processor, from the first control signals, of the direction
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: VSM GROUP AB
    Inventors: Hans Grufman, Henrik Eklund
  • Publication number: 20080229991
    Abstract: A sewing machine for a user to perform sewing while moving a work cloth includes: a detecting device that detects the work cloth; a movement calculating device that calculates, by two-dimensional coordinate data, a movement direction and a movement quantity of the work cloth between previous detection and current detection of the work cloth when the work cloth is detected; a movement data storage device that stores movement data serving as two-dimensional coordinate data indicative of the movement direction and the movement quantity; a movement data creating device that detects the work cloth on a one by one needle basis of sewing, calculates the movement data, and stores the calculated data in the movement data storage device; a cloth feed mechanism that moves the work cloth; and a reproduction sewing control device that performs sewing while moving the work cloth based on the movement data stored in the movement data storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Makino, Hirokazu Hirose, Yoshio Nishimura, Masaki Shimizu, Akie Ukai, Yoshinori Nakamura, Kazumi Sai
  • Publication number: 20080216725
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar, a sewing needle mounted to the needle bar, a needle bar up-and-down movement mechanism that raises and lowers the needle bar, a needle bar up-and-down movement mechanism that raises and lowers the needle bar and a sewing machine motor for driving the needle bar up-and-down mechanism. The sewing machine further includes an operation device that is provided separately from a body of the sewing machine including at least one operation member to be operated by a user that outputs an output signal corresponding to an operation state of the operation member. The sewing machine also includes a command determination device that determines a command which corresponds to the output signal output by the operation device as a determined command and a drive control device that controls a predetermined operation of the sewing machine in accordance with the determined command determined by the command determination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Tokura, Masahiko Nagai, Motoshi Kishi, Tomohiko Mori, Takafumi Naka, Tsuneo Okuyama
  • Publication number: 20080190339
    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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsuya Hayakawa, Satoru Makino
  • Patent number: 7386361
    Abstract: Coordinates and a pen-stroke strength are input from a stylus. A section between the input coordinates is interpolated and needle fall points are determined such that the stitch width varies in accordance with the pen-stroke strength. Moreover, the stitch angle and the stitch density with respect to the stylus trace are input as parameters and used to determine the needle fall points. The determined stitch is displayed in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Shima Seiki Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeuchi Nobuyuki, Okubo Atsushi, Nishioka Hisataka
  • Patent number: 7278362
    Abstract: A pattern data producing device incorporated in a sewing machine which comprises a sewing mechanism including a needle swing mechanism and a display and in which the sewing mechanism is operated so that a pattern sewing can be carried out, thereby producing pattern data. The pattern data producing device includes a touch panel mounted on an outer surface of the display so as to be capable of detecting a location of touch, a pen-shaped pointing device inputting and instructing on the touch panel a plurality of points corresponding to a plurality of needle drop points forming a pattern, a pattern data producing unit which obtains location data of needle drop points from the input points to produce pattern data, and a display data producing unit which produces, from the location data of needle drop points, display data for displaying a configuration of the pattern on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Hirata, Yuji Iida, Tomohiko Mori
  • Publication number: 20070204779
    Abstract: A sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing includes a plurality types of embroidery frames which hold a workpiece cloth; a carriage that has the embroidery frame detachably attached thereto by sliding the embroidery frame in a predetermined direction; a frame moving unit that moves the carriage in two directions intersecting in a horizontal plane; a control unit that controls the frame moving unit; a detection that detects a type of embroidery frame attached to the carriage; an operation instructing portion that allows a user to instruct movement of the embroidery frame to a predetermined position suitable for attachment/detachment of the embroidery frame, the operation instructing portion outputting a movement instructing signal to the control unit when operated; and a validating unit that validates operation of the operation instructing portion provided that an attachment of a specific type of embroidery frame is detected by the detection mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takafumi Naka, Yasuhiro Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20070204780
    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: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsuya Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7212880
    Abstract: The invention presents an embroidery data processing device and a computer program product capable of easily forming images of finished state of applique even if the fabric for applique is a pattern fabric. A selected fabric image of fabric for applique is displayed, and when the user manipulates the mouse, and moves the cursor to a desired position of the fabric image, and clicks by a specified number of times, the applique pattern preliminarily inputted through the image scanner is displayed at the position of the cursor (S101 to S103). When the user clicks the preview button by the mouse, only the fabric image within the applique pattern is extracted, and an applique image is displayed, and an applique sewing stitch image is overlaid and displayed on the applique image (S104 to S109).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Mizuno, Shoichi Taguchi, Yukiyoshi Muto, Mikitoshi Suzuki, Akihiro Wakayama
  • Patent number: 6963790
    Abstract: An embroidery data producing device includes an offset line producing device for producing data of an offset line obtained by offsetting an outline defining an embroidery area inside an embroidery area by a previously set offset width, based on data of the outline defining the embroidery area, a self-intersection or mutual intersection detecting device for detecting a self-intersection of the offset line produced by the offset line producing device or a mutual intersection of the offset line and the outline, and an offset line changing device for changing the offset line data produced by the offset line producing device upon detection of a self-intersection or mutual intersection by the self-intersection or mutual intersection detecting device so that the self-intersection or the mutual intersection is dissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Mizuno, Mikitoshi Suzuki, Shoichi Taguchi, Yukiyoshi Muto, Akihiro Wakayama
  • Patent number: 6932005
    Abstract: In a frame movement command device for an embroidery machine, which device can control the movement of an embroidery frame based upon signals that are outputted from a frame drive means when a frame movement command switch is operated, the frame movement command switch includes a single operation portion that is operable to incline in a plurality of directions, and the frame drive means outputs signals in order to move the embroidery frame in directions that correspond to the inclined directions of the operation portion. According to this construction, by inclining the single operation portion of the frame movement command switch in the plurality of directions, the embroidery frame can move in directions that correspond to the inclined directions. Therefore, the operator can accurately operate the switch in order to move the embroidery frame toward a desired position, which depends only on the feeling of his or her fingertips touching the operation portion without viewing the frame movement command switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ikuo Tajima
  • Patent number: 6889622
    Abstract: A tucking attachment for a sewing machine having a tucking blade with one end positioned adjacent material and a tucking blade drive with an output shaft mechanically coupled to the tucking blade. A control, connected to the tucking blade drive, is operable to command the tucking blade drive to move the tucking blade through a programmable displacement to form a tuck in the material adjacent a presser foot of the sewing machine. Thereafter, the sewing machine is operated to sew a number of stitches in the tuck, and the tucking blade is then retracted. Repeating the above cycle of operation permits successive tucks of different lengths to be formed in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Steven Marcangelo
  • Patent number: 6889111
    Abstract: Type information on sewing machine types and identification information for specifying a sewing machine are stored in a control unit and computer of the sewing machine. A server transmits display data for displaying a pattern selection edit screen to the sewing machine side. At the sewing machine side, a pattern is selected while the pattern selection edit screen is being viewed, and an edit processing is instructed. The server edits an embroidery pattern ordered at the sewing machine side, based on the instruction supplied from the sewing machine side. The server transmits the display data and sewing pattern data to the sewing machine side. Incorporated patterns and non-incorporated patterns at the sewing machine side are displayed identifiably on a display at the sewing machine side. The server charges for the non-incorporated newly purchased patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shintaro Tomita
  • Patent number: 6755139
    Abstract: A buttonhole sewing machine for producing buttonhole seams with seam end sections of various shapes in a work piece comprises an input equipment for feeding buttonhole parameters; and a computer for calculating, from the buttonhole parameters, sewing data that determine the respective buttonhole geometry. It further comprises a memory for storing the computed sewing data and a key to be shifted into two key statuses, by means of which to trigger conversion of a buttonhole seam from a position to the left to a position to the right or vice versa, and storage thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Dürkopp Adler Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Pannwitz, Rüdiger Mörbt, Werner Maasjost, Thomas Nöltge
  • Patent number: 6742467
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for controlling feed quantity and direction in a sewing machine, in which feed quantity and direction of a workpiece is controlled by a motor, thereby not only allowing various patterns to be produced by stitches made up of upper and lower threads, but also allowing a speedy sewing operation. The apparatus comprises an operator interface means for inputting the feed quantity and direction of a workpiece according to an operator's plan, a motor driving control means for outputting a motor driving control signal according to feed information on the feed quantity and direction of the workpiece inputted through the operator interface means, and a workpiece feed control means for controlling rotation direction and speed of the motor according to the motor driving control signal from the motor driving control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Sunstar Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byoung Min Kong
  • Patent number: 6739273
    Abstract: A sewing machine and is connected to an external environment device having a display such that additional pattern information transmitted to the external environment device may be confirmed at the display irrespectively of internal and external information, the sewing machine having a memory for storing data which may be rewritten therein and an information input/output device for inputting and outputting external information into and from the memory such that the sewing machine may be operated under control of the external information while machine control information is outputted through the information input/output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Orii, Takeshi Kongo
  • Patent number: 6681707
    Abstract: A sewing machine 100 comprises a nonvolatile memory 43, and it is possible to select two kinds of set modes including a normal mode and an initial set value changing mode when starting up the sewing machine 100. The initial set value changing mode is selected in regulation or maintenance after the assembly of the sewing machine 100. In the initial set value changing mode, a set value for a sewing work stored in a ROM 42 is exactly maintained or is properly changed, and is thus stored in the nonvolatile memory 43. Consequently, the set value for the sewing work is optimized depending on the sewing machine 100 which is mass-produced. The normal mode is selected in a normal sewing work. In the normal mode, the set value stored in the nonvolatile memory 43 is properly changed depending on each sewing work and is thus stored in a RAM 44.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Juki Corporation
    Inventors: Kanji Michioku, Masao Sato
  • Patent number: 6637358
    Abstract: In a method of sewing at least one supplementary part on a workpiece, a workpiece identification is fed into a computer and a program is activated thereby, which indicates, on the display screen, the respective supplementary part that is to be sewn on next, and which permits a sewing operation only when the supplementary part is placed on in a correct arrangement and, possibly, in the correct position on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Durkoppadler Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andree Cramer, Horst Schlagner, Frank Hesslich
  • Patent number: 6564734
    Abstract: In a method of operating a sewing machine for joining a jacket part (38) to a sleeve part (39), a sewing machine is employed, which has an operating and control unit. The desired stitch length and the length (la1 to ld1) of sections (a1 to d1) of the jacket part (38) and the length (la2 to ld2) of the sections (a2 to d2) of the sleeve part (39) that are allocated to the sections (a1 to d1) are fed into the operating and control unit. The required control pulses for the necessary feed drives are determined therefrom for each section (a1/a2 to d1/d2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Durkopp ADLer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Arthur Picker, Karl-Heinz Lohmann, Ralf Kres
  • Patent number: 6457429
    Abstract: The display apparatus for a sewing machine of the invention includes a display that displays a stitch pattern thereon, and a sewing order indicator that indicates a sewing order of substantially an entire stitch pattern. Therefore, even when the operator selects, as a stitch pattern, a complex stitch pattern such as a buttonhole stitch pattern, the operator can easily judge if the stitch pattern being sewn is exactly what the operator has selected before the stitch pattern is finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shintaro Tomita, Naomi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6439142
    Abstract: The invention has been made to provide an embroidery sewing machine which may be automatically operated to withdraw the embroidering frame to a predetermined inoperative position. More particularly, in case the power source switch is turned off, the power happens to be in failure, the power cord happens to be disconnected, the sewing operation is interrupted for a predetermined period of time, or the instruction is given to withdraw the embroidering frame to a predetermined inoperative position, the CPU 50 is responsive to these situations to control the X-Y moving mechanism 67 to withdraw the embroidering frame to the predetermined inoperative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Ebata, Masashi Ninomiya, Eiji Murakami, Yasuro Sano, Akira Orll
  • Patent number: 6408775
    Abstract: A sewing or embroidery machine with a microprocessor (10), which is connected to an entry device (6, 19-22) for entering commands to a display screen (5), and to at least one memory (9, 13). A rapid and understandable explanation of certain operating procedures of the machine is possible when needed. The corresponding procedure is displayed by a series of images to explain the operating procedures. Image data explaining the operation of the sewing or embroidery machine, which are read by the microprocessor (10) after entering a corresponding command and are transferred to the display screen (5), optionally after further processing, are stored for this purpose in the memory (9, 13) of the sewing or embroidery machine (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Viking Sewing Machines AB
    Inventor: Jürgen Hartwig
  • Publication number: 20020026887
    Abstract: A sewing machine and the system thereof is disclosed, wherein a sewing machine is connected to an external environment means having a display such that additional pattern information transmitted to the external environment means may be confirmed at the display irrespectively of internal and external information, the sewing machine having a memory for storing data which may be rewritten therein and an information input/output means for inputting and outputting external information into and from the memory such that the sewing machine may be operated under control of the external information while machine control information is outputted through the information input/output means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Akira Orii, Takeshi Kongo
  • Patent number: 6352043
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a plurality of needle bars. One of the needle bars can be selected and reciprocally driven so as to stitch a desired embroidery pattern. The sewing machine has a common setting mode and an individual setting mode, which permits various operating conditions to be either commonly set for all the needle bars or individually set for one or more of the needle bars. If the common setting mode has been selected, the same operating conditions can be commonly set for all the needle bars. If the individual setting mode has been selected, the operating conditions can be set individually for each needle bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikuo Tajima, Masaru Akao, Yuji Sato
  • Patent number: 6321670
    Abstract: In a sewing machine, a plurality of patterns are displayed on a pattern selection area of a display. Then, when one of the patterns displayed on the pattern selection area is selected, the selected pattern is displayed in a realistic manner on a pattern display area on the display. At this time, at least a part of the pattern display area is displayed while the pattern selection area is displayed. Therefore, the operator can see and grasp the pattern with a realistic image through the pattern display area while selecting the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shintaro Tomita, Naomi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6311097
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a fault of a embroidery machine, includes the steps of: (a) indicating that an embroidery operation is stopped by the fault of the embroidery machine and displaying a web-browser drive guide message; (b) displaying a fault diagnosis-dedicated web-page in response to a web-browser drive signal inputted by an operator; (c) transmitting fault-related information, inputted into the fault diagnosis-dedicated web-page by the operator, from an embroidery system to a server computer system; and (d) transmitting the fault diagnosis-dedicated web-page from a server computer system to the embroidery system, diagnosing the fault of the embroidery machine by employing the fault-related information inputted into the fault diagnosis-dedicated web-page in order to generate fault diagnosis information, and transmitting the fault diagnosis information to the embroidery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Sunstar Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Su Moon Kwak
  • Publication number: 20010027738
    Abstract: A sewing or embroidery machine with a microprocessor (10), which is connected to an entry device (6, 19-22) for entering commands, to a display screen (5) and to at least one memory (9, 13). A rapid and understandable explanation of certain operating procedures of the machine is possible when needed. The corresponding procedure is displayed by a series of images to explain the operating procedures. Image data explaining the operation of the sewing or embroidery machine, which are read by the microprocessor (10) after entering a corresponding command and are transferred to the display screen (5), optionally after further processing, are stored for this purpose in the memory (9, 13) of the sewing or embroidery machine (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventor: Jurgen Hartwig
  • Patent number: RE38718
    Abstract: Disclosed is an embroidery data creating device for creating an embroidery data to be used by a sewing machine. In the embroidery data creating device, an image data, which consists of a plurality of pixel data, corresponding to a line-drawn image is converted into a thin line image, and then closed paths are determined with use of 8-connection method. After embroidery attribution is applied to a path and/or a region defined by each closed path, the paths and/or the regions are converted into the embroidery data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masao Futamura