Positionable Work Carrier Under Electronic Pattern Or Program Control Patents (Class 112/470.06)
  • Patent number: 11830131
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a workpiece in a processing environment may utilize one or more sensors for digitally recording visual information and providing that information to an industrial workflow. The sensor(s) may be positioned to record at least one image of the workpiece at a location where a specified position and orientation thereof is required. A processor may determine, from the recorded image(s) and a stored digital model, whether the workpiece conforms to the specified position and orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Veo Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad C. Mello, Paul Jakob Schroeder, Scott Denenberg, Clara Vu
  • Patent number: 11578440
    Abstract: A sewing machine for sewing a stitch into an article is provided. The sewing machine includes a support structure, a first head and a second head. The first head is coupled to the support structure and includes a coupler contained within a second actuator assembly and 360° rotatable relative to the support structure and a first stitching element rotatable with the coupler and translatable via a first actuator assembly relative to the coupler. The second head is coupled to the support structure and includes a coupler contained within the second actuator assembly and 360° degree rotatable relative to the support structure and a second stitching element rotatable with the coupler via the first actuator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Darren Wendel, Joseph Cox, Ramez Habhab, Edward Wenzel
  • Patent number: 8904947
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a sewing portion, a detector, a processor, and a memory. The sewing portion includes a needle bar and a transport portion. The needle bar is configured to have a sewing needle on a lower end. The transport portion is configured to move a work cloth. The detector is configured to detect ultrasonic waves. The memory stores computer-readable instructions that instruct the processor to perform specifying a position of a transmission source of the ultrasonic waves based on the ultrasonic waves that are detected by the detector, specifying sewing information based on the specified position of the transmission source, the sewing information being information that pertains to sewing, and controlling the sewing portion based on the specified sewing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshio Nishimura, Satoru Ichiyanagi, Yutaka Nomura, Yoshinori Nakamura, Yuki Ihira, Daisuke Abe, Akie Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8869721
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device including an image capture portion configured to create image data, cause the processor to perform the steps of causing the image capture portion to create the image data by causing the image capture portion to capture an image of a range including at least one reference mark and at least one indicator mark, computing positioning data based on the image data, and outputting the positioning data. The at least one reference mark is provided on an embroidery frame. The at least one indicator mark is positioned in an area inside the embroidery frame, on a sewing workpiece clamped in the embroidery frame. The positioning data are data that indicate at least one of a position and an angle of the at least one indicator mark in relation to the at least one reference mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satomi Suzuki, Noriharu Tashiro, Hirotsugu Takahata
  • Patent number: 8857355
    Abstract: A sewing machine that includes a sewing device that includes a needle bar configured to attach a sewing needle, and a transport device configured to move a work cloth, a processor, a plurality of detection devices that are configured to detect ultrasonic waves, and a memory that is configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps comprising specifying, when an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmission source of the ultrasonic wave is detected by the detection devices, a position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic waves, based on the detected ultrasonic waves, specifying a sewing position on the work cloth based on the specified position of the transmission source, and moving the work cloth by the transport device in accordance with the specified sewing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Nomura, Satoru Makino, Yuki Ihira, Daisuke Abe, Yoshio Nishimura, Yoshinori Nakamura, Satoru Ichiyanagi
  • Publication number: 20140290551
    Abstract: A coordinate computation device includes a position indication portion, a detection portion, a processor, and a memory. The position indication portion includes an indicating portion, a switch, and a transmitter. The detection portion is configured to detect ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transmitter. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform processes that include computing sets of first coordinates, based on times when the detection portion detects the ultrasonic waves, computing a movement direction of the position indication portion on a plane, computing an angle formed between the plane and a direction in which the position indication portion is long, and computing a set of second coordinates, based on the computed movement direction, the computed angle, and a set of third coordinates among the sets of the computed first coordinates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaru JIMBO, Yutaka NOMURA, Kentaro TORII, Kazuki KOJIMA, Daisuke HONDA
  • Patent number: 8733263
    Abstract: A punch data generating device that generates punch data used in an embroiderable sewing machine for punch engraving a pattern on a workpiece by attaching a punch needle that punch engraves a surface of the workpiece in dot-by-dot strokes on a needle bar of the embroiderable sewing machine and moving the punch needle up and down while transferring the workpiece in two predetermined directions by a transfer mechanism. The punch data generating device includes a data generator that generates the punch data so that when punch engraving a plurality of patterns, the patterns are sequentially punch engraved one by one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kawaguchi, Masahiko Nagai, Tomoyasu Niizeki, Noboru Mizuno, Masashi Tokura, Shinichi Nishida
  • Patent number: 8720353
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a detector configured to detect ultrasonic waves transmitted from a specification-enabled area, a processor, and a memory storing non-transitory computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to perform specifying a prescribed position based on a positional relationship between a transmission area and the specification-enabled area, the transmission area being an area that is at least a portion of a sewing-enabled area and being an area that includes a position of a transmission source that transmits the ultrasonic waves, the prescribed position being a position of an embroidery frame when the entire transmission area is included in the specification-enabled area, moving the embroidery frame to the specified prescribed position, specifying a transmission position based on the ultrasonic waves that are detected by the detector, and performing a sewing operation based on the specified transmission position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Nakamura, Satoru Makino, Akie Shimizu, Daisuke Abe, Yoshio Nishimura, Satoru Ichiyanagi, Yutaka Nomura
  • Publication number: 20140116310
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed, a sewing machine motor, a drive shaft, a needle bar moved up and down by the rotation of the drive shaft, a first feed mechanism can move the sewing object by making contact from below, a maximum value of the unit feed amount for the first feed mechanism being less than a specified length that is the length of a basting stitch, a second feed mechanism can move the sewing object by making contact from above, a maximum value of the unit feed amount for the second feed mechanism being not less than the specified length, and a control device controls the first feed mechanism such that the first feed mechanism does not move the sewing object and controls the second feed mechanism such that the second feed mechanism moves the sewing object with the specified length being defined as the unit feed amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takafumi NAKA
  • Patent number: 8656850
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kawaguchi, Yukiyoshi Muto
  • Publication number: 20140000499
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a first drive portion, a switching portion, a second drive portion, a control portion, and a memory. The first drive portion is configured to drive to feed, in a first direction, a work cloth. The switching portion is configured to switch a position of the first drive portion. The second drive portion is configured to drive to feed the work cloth. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps of driving the first drive portion in the first position in a case where the second drive portion drives to feed the work cloth in the first direction and switching the position of the first drive portion to the second position in a case where the second drive portion drives to feed the work cloth in a second direction, based on the sewing data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Harumi KATO, Midori MAGARA
  • Patent number: 8596210
    Abstract: A sewing machine that is capable of sewing an embroidery pattern includes a transfer device that transfers the embroidery frame, a storage device that stores embroidery data, a first selection device that selects first embroidery data, a first control device that performs sewing of the first pattern, an image capture device that captures an image, a first detection device that detects at least one of a marker position and a marker angle based on information for a first image, a second detection device that detects at least one of the marker position and the marker angle based on information for a second image, a difference computation device that computes at least one of a position difference and an angle difference, a second selection device that selects second embroidery data, a conversion device that converts coordinate data, and a second control device that performs sewing of the second pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Publication number: 20130247805
    Abstract: An upper feed device includes a mounting portion, a feed mechanism, a drive portion, and a connecting portion. The mounting portion is configured to mount the upper feed device to a presser bar of a sewing machine. The feed mechanism is configured to feed a work cloth. The drive portion is configured to drive the feed mechanism. The connecting portion is configured to electrically connect the drive portion to a control portion of the sewing machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Midori MAGARA, Harumi KATO
  • Patent number: 8539892
    Abstract: A sewing machine that is included in a sewing system includes a transfer device, a sewing device, an image capture device, a condition acquisition device, a data acquisition device, a computation device, a correction device, and a sewing control device. The data acquisition device acquires pattern data based on a pattern condition acquired by the condition acquisition device. The computation device computes, as a positioning condition, at least one of a reference position and a reference angle of at least one marker in relation to the carriage based on image data generated by the image capture device. The correction device sets a position and an angle of the partial pattern in relation to the carriage and corrects the pattern data. The sewing control device performs sewing of the partial pattern by controlling the transfer device and the sewing device in accordance with the corrected pattern data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8539893
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a transfer device that includes a carriage to which an embroidery frame can be attached under a plurality of attaching conditions and that is adapted to transfer the carriage, a sewing device that moves a needle bar up and down, a specification device that specifies an embroidery pattern to be sewn, an allocation device that allocates pattern data to one of the plurality of attaching conditions, a data acquisition device that acquires pattern data allocated to a current condition, an image capture device that is adapted to capture an image of at least one marker, a computation device that computes a difference as a correcting condition based on image data, a correction device that corrects the pattern data, and a sewing control device that performs sewing of the partial pattern by controlling the transfer device and the sewing device in accordance with the pattern data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8534209
    Abstract: A sewing machine comprises a transport portion that moves an embroidery frame, a contact detection portion that detects contact with the embroidery frame, a first position identification portion that identifies a first position, a second position identification portion that identifies a second position, a direction determination portion that determines a direction of a diagonal line of a virtual rectangle, a third position identification portion that identifies a third position, and an area setting portion that sets a sewable area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Hirata
  • Publication number: 20130233220
    Abstract: A sewing machine that includes a sewing device that includes a needle bar configured to attach a sewing needle, and a transport device configured to move a work cloth, a processor, a plurality of detection devices that are configured to detect ultrasonic waves, and a memory that is configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps comprising specifying, when an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmission source of the ultrasonic wave is detected by the detection devices, a position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic waves, based on the detected ultrasonic waves, specifying a sewing position on the work cloth based on the specified position of the transmission source, and moving the work cloth by the transport device in accordance with the specified sewing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutaka NOMURA, Satoru MAKINO, Yuki IHIRA, Daisuke ABE, Yoshio NISHIMURA, Yoshinori NAKAMURA, Satoru ICHIYANAGI
  • Publication number: 20130233221
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes at least one ultrasonic wave detecting portion, a thickness detecting portion, a processor, and a memory. The at least one ultrasonic wave detecting portion is configured to detect an ultrasonic wave. The thickness detecting portion is configured to detect a thickness of a work cloth. The memory configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps that includes identifying a position, on the work cloth, of a transmission source of the ultrasonic wave, based on information pertaining to the ultrasonic wave that has been detected by the at least one ultrasonic wave detecting portion and on the thickness that has been detected by the thickness detecting portion, and controlling sewing on the work cloth based on the position of the transmission source that has been identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Daisuke ABE, Satoru ICHIYANAGI, Yoshinori NAKAMURA, Yoshio NISHIMURA, Akie SHIMIZU, Yuki IHIRA, Satoru MAKINO
  • Publication number: 20130233222
    Abstract: A sewing machine that includes a processor, a plurality of detection devices that is configured to be capable of changing mounting positions and configured to detect an ultrasonic wave, and a memory that is configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps comprising, identifying, when a first ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmission source of the ultrasonic wave is detected by the detection devices, a position of the transmission source of the first ultrasonic wave, based on information relating to the detected first ultrasonic wave, and controlling sewing based on the identified position of the transmission source of the first ultrasonic wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshio NISHIMURA, Satoru MAKINO, Yoshinori NAKAMURA, Yutaka NOMURA, Akie SHIMIZU, Yuki IHIRA, Daisuke ABE
  • Publication number: 20130233217
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes at least one detecting portion, a processor, and a memory. The at least one detecting portion is configured to detect an ultrasonic wave that has been transmitted from a transmission source. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps including identifying a position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave based on information pertaining to the ultrasonic wave that has been detected by the at least one detecting portion, and controlling sewing based on the position of the transmission source that has been identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Akie SHIMIZU, Satoru MAKINO, Yuki IHIRA, Daisuke ABE, Yoshinori NAKAMURA, Satoru ICHIYANAGI, Yutaka NOMURA
  • Publication number: 20130233219
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a detector configured to detect ultrasonic waves transmitted from a specification-enabled area, a processor, and a memory storing non-transitory computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to perform specifying a prescribed position based on a positional relationship between a transmission area and the specification-enabled area, the transmission area being an area that is at least a portion of a sewing-enabled area and being an area that includes a position of a transmission source that transmits the ultrasonic waves, the prescribed position being a position of an embroidery frame when the entire transmission area is included in the specification-enabled area, moving the embroidery frame to the specified prescribed position, specifying a transmission position based on the ultrasonic waves that are detected by the detector, and performing a sewing operation based on the specified transmission position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Yoshinori NAKAMURA, Satoru MAKINO, Akie SHIMIZU, Daisuke ABE, Yoshio NISHIMURA, Satoru ICHIYANAGI, Yutaka NOMURA
  • Publication number: 20130233218
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a sewing portion, a detector, a processor, and a memory. The sewing portion includes a needle bar and a transport portion. The needle bar is configured to have a sewing needle on a lower end. The transport portion is configured to move a work cloth. The detector is configured to detect ultrasonic waves. The memory stores computer-readable instructions that instruct the processor to perform specifying a position of a transmission source of the ultrasonic waves based on the ultrasonic waves that are detected by the detector, specifying sewing information based on the specified position of the transmission source, the sewing information being information that pertains to sewing, and controlling the sewing portion based on the specified sewing information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshio NISHIMURA, Satoru ICHIYANAGI, Yutaka NOMURA, Yoshinori NAKAMURA, Yuki IHIRA, Daisuke ABE, Akie SHIMIZU
  • 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: 8256362
    Abstract: First calculation section calculates, on the basis of sewing data, a sewing-progressing direction angle for rotating a rotary cylinder to orient an embroidering material, guided by a guide lever of a zigzag sewing head, in a sewing-progressing direction. Second calculation section adds or subtracts a zigzag-swinging angle to or from the sewing-progressing direction angle to thereby calculate a target rotational angle of the rotary cylinder. Swinging mechanism may be provided for swinging the guide lever relative to the rotary cylinder, and a swinging amount corresponding to the swinging angle of the rotary cylinder may be added to a width of zigzag-swinging by the swinging mechanism. Alternatively, every swinging movement necessary for zigzagging the embroidering material may be set by the swinging angle without the guide lever being caused to swing relative to the rotary cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryo Tajima, Shoji Kato
  • Publication number: 20120210925
    Abstract: The sewing machine includes an irradiation unit that irradiates a reference mark providing a basis for locating a workpiece or a sewing pattern in sewing the workpiece placed on a sewing machine bed; a relocation unit that moves the reference mark irradiated on the bed or the workpiece; an imaging unit that captures an image of a predetermined view range including the reference mark irradiated on the bed or the workpiece; a movement identifying unit that identifies a direction of movement and an amount of movement of the reference mark being specified and moved by a user based on the image including the reference mark captured by the imaging unit; and a control unit that controls the relocation unit such that the reference mark irradiated on the bed or the workpiece is moved in correlation with the direction and the amount of movement identified by the movement identifying unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chiyo KOGA, Masayuki HORI
  • Patent number: 8220402
    Abstract: A sewing machine capable of mode switching between a normal sewing mode and a free motion sewing mode including a feed dog switcher that switches a feed dog between an active state in which the feed dog is moved above and below a needle plate and an inactive state in which the feed dog is lowered below the needle plate, a first instruction issuer that instructs execution of fastening stitching at a beginning of pattern sewing sequence, a second instruction issuer that instructs execution of fastening stitching at an end of pattern sewing sequence, and a controller that, when in the free motion sewing mode, activates the feed dog by the feed dog switcher in response to an incoming instruction signal from the first or the second instruction issuer to execute fastening stitching through control of feed dog based on fastening stitching data to longitudinally feed a workpiece cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akie Ukai, Masaki Shimizu, Hirokazu Hirose, Yoshinori Nakamura, Yoshio Nishimura, Satoru Makino, Kazumi Sai
  • Patent number: 8186289
    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: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 8020500
    Abstract: An embroiderable sewing machine, including a plurality types of embroidery frames that hold a workpiece cloth to be embroidered; a carriage allowing selective attachment and detachment of the embroidery frames; a transfer mechanism that transfers the carriage independently in two orthogonal directions; a first detector that outputs a constant signal corresponding to the type of embroidery frame attached to the carriage; a second detector capable of outputting a detection signal based on presence and absence of a detection subject provided at the embroidery frame; and a signal converter that converts the constant signal outputted from the first detector into a periodic signal based on the detection signal outputted from the second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Shimizu, Chikahisa Noguchi, Kentaro Torii, Tomoyasu Niizeki
  • Patent number: 8019459
    Abstract: A data processor that processes embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern on a workpiece cloth held by an embroidery frame attached to an embroiderable sewing machine, and printing data for printing an image pattern with a printer to be transferred onto the workpiece cloth through a thermal transfer sheet, the data processor including a printing data processor that includes reference-mark printing data for printing a reference mark with the printer on a back side of the thermal transfer sheet, the reference mark being used for positioning the workpiece cloth relative to the embroidery frame, and a print position specifier that specifies printing position of the image pattern relative to the reference mark, the image pattern being printed on a front side of the thermal transfer sheet; and an embroidery data processor that includes a sew position specifier that specifies sew position of the embroidery pattern relative to the reference mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Yamada
  • Patent number: 7983780
    Abstract: A sewing machine including an input unit that inputs a thread cut instruction; a thread cutting mechanism that cuts a needle thread and a bobbin thread based on the thread cut instruction; a feed dog vertically moving mechanism that vertically drives a feed dog for feeding a workpiece cloth; a feed dog activating switch unit that switches the feed dog between an active state in which the feed dog is vertically driven by the feed dog vertically moving mechanism and an inactive state in which an upper surface of the feed dog is positioned in a lowered position below an upper surface of a needle plate provided in a sewing machine bed; and a control unit that drives the thread cutting mechanism based on the thread cut instruction inputted from the input unit and that controls the feed dog activating switch unit to switch the feed dog to the inactive state in which the feed dog is positioned in the lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokazu Hirose
  • Publication number: 20110107950
    Abstract: An embroidery data processing apparatus that processes embroidery data includes a reference point setting unit that sets, within a sewing area, positions of at least three reference points, a reference line setting unit that sets two reference lines being straight lines that intersect each other and each pass through at least two reference points of the at least three reference points, a plane setting unit that sets a reference plane by setting two sets of a plurality of virtual lines arranged in a matrix, a position determination unit that determines the plurality of arrangement positions based on the reference plane, a pattern selection unit that selects a type for the plurality of unit patterns from at least one type of unit pattern, and an arrangement unit that arranges the plurality of unit patterns of the type in the plurality of arrangement positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotsugu TAKAHATA, Harumi KATO, Noriharu TASHIRO, Tsuneo OKUYAMA
  • Patent number: 7854207
    Abstract: A printing and embroidering system having a positional data appending system that is adapted to append positional data indicating positions of a first image and a second image with respect to each other to first image data representing the first image to be formed by one of printing and embroidering and second image data representing the second image to be formed by the other one of printing and embroidering, a first image forming unit with a first fabric holding member, which is adapted to form the first image based on the first image data on a fabric being held by the first fabric holding member, and a second image forming unit with a second fabric holding member, which is adapted to form the second image based on the fabric being held by the second fabric holding member, wherein the first image forming unit is provided with a mark forming system, which is adapted to form a predetermined mark represented by the positional data on the fabric, and wherein the second image forming system is provided with a mis
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakazu Kuki, Motoshi Kishi, Hirokazu Nakashima
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100236460
    Abstract: A multi-needle sewing machine including a plurality of needle bars including a specific needle bar allowing detachable attachment of a punch needle that punch engraves a surface of a punch workpiece in dot-by-dot strokes; a transfer mechanism that allows detachable attachment of a punch workpiece holder a detector that detects the attachment of the punch workpiece holder on the transfer mechanism; and a controller that when the attachment of the punch workpiece holder is detected by the detector, executes a punch engraving operation on the punch workpiece with the punch needle by selecting the specific needle bar and by controlling a needle-bar selector/driver mechanism and the transfer mechanism based on punch engraving pattern data which is pre-stored or given by external components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko KAWAGUCHI, Masahiko NAGAI, Tomoyasu NIIZEKI, Noboru MIZUNO, Masashi TOKURA, Shinichi NISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20100236461
    Abstract: A punch data generating device that generates punch data used in an embroiderable sewing machine for punch engraving a pattern on a workpiece by attaching a punch needle that punch engraves a surface of the workpiece in dot-by-dot strokes on a needle bar of the embroiderable sewing machine and moving the punch needle up and down while transferring the workpiece in two predetermined directions by a transfer mechanism. The punch data generating device includes a data generator that generates the punch data so that when punch engraving a plurality of patterns, the patterns are sequentially punch engraved one by one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko KAWAGUCHI, Masahiko NAGAI, Tomoyasu NIIZEKI, Noboru MIZUNO, Masashi TOKURA, Shinichi NISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20100212562
    Abstract: A workpiece processing attachment detachably attached to a sewing machine including a presser foot, a presser bar having the presser foot detachably attached to its lower end, a presser bar vertically moving mechanism, a sewing needle, a needle clamp having the sewing needle detachably attached thereto, a needle bar having the needle clamp attached thereto, and a needle bar vertically moving mechanism, the workpiece processing attachment, including a body detachably attached to the lower end of the presser bar; a connecting element capable of being connected to the needle clamp and movable up and down with the needle bar being moved up and down by the needle bar vertically moving mechanism; a needle penetrating the workpiece to form a hole in the workpiece; and a needle vertically moving mechanism moving the needle up and down by the up and down movement of the connecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akifumi Nakashima, Daisuke Ueda
  • Publication number: 20100206204
    Abstract: An embroidery stitcher including an embroidery frame that holds a workpiece cloth and that is provided with a sewable area for sewing the held workpiece cloth; a transparent display device that has a display area that provides visibility behind thereof and that is capable of displaying embroidery pattern information of at least an embroidery pattern to be sewn; and an attachment mechanism that allows detachable attachment of the display device at a position that renders the display area and the sewable area to at least partially overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Aki Shimizu, Atsuya Hayakawa, Masayuki Hori, Satoru Makino
  • 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: 7715939
    Abstract: An embroidery sewing machine with a printing function includes a sewing machine body having a bed, a foot, an arm, and capable of sewing a workpiece cloth by a sewing unit; a cloth holding frame holding the workpiece cloth; a frame drive unit moving the cloth holding frame independently in two mutually perpendicular directions in a horizontal plane; an ink-jet printer having a print head printing the workpiece cloth. The print head of the printer includes nozzle arrays with each nozzle array having a plurality of ink-jet nozzles aligned parallel in the first direction, and the printer prints the workpiece cloth while moving the cloth holding frame in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakazu Kuki, Hiroshi Kitazawa
  • Publication number: 20100064954
    Abstract: A method of controlling the feeding of the backing material moving through a tufting machine in order to produce tufted articles such as carpets having a woven look or appearance. The backing material is indexed forwardly along its path of travel through the tufting machine by at least the stitch length for each stitch in a stitch cycle of the programmed pattern. At a desired point in the stitch cycle, the backing material can be indexed forwardly by a greater distance approximately equal to the program stitch length and a calculated jump distance to achieve a desired pattern effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Card-Monroe Corp.
    Inventors: Wilton Hall, William M. Christman, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100024700
    Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus for easily stitching a stippling pattern, wherein the stippling pattern 20 is selected and the vertical and lateral lengths XY of an embroidering area 30 are designated. In response to the designation, a pattern number calculating device 4 is operated to calculate the number (integer) of the vertical and lateral lengths of the unit stippling pattern that may be arranged in the embroidering area 30 in alignment vertically and laterally, and then a magnification calculating device is operated to calculate the magnification of the unit stippling pattern respectively of the vertical and lateral lengths of the unit stippling pattern, the calculation being made on the basis of the calculated number of the vertical and lateral lengths of the unit stippling pattern and the size of the embroidering area 30 so that the size of whole pattern may be in accord with the size of the embroidering area 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Takeshi Kongo, Hiromi Motoyama, Naoki Sugahara
  • Patent number: 7571690
    Abstract: A printable embroidery machine includes a sewing machine body, a cloth holding frame holding a workpiece cloth, a frame drive unit which has a mounting part and to which the cloth holding frame is coupled so that the cloth holding frame is moved independently in two horizontal directions perpendicular to each other, and an ink-jet printer. The body or the printer is detachably attached to the mounting part of the frame drive unit separated from the body so that the workpiece cloth held on the cloth holding frame moved by the frame drive unit is printed by the printer. A predetermined sewing reference position of a sewing needle in attaching the body to the frame drive unit corresponds with a predetermined print reference position of a print head of the printer in a case where the printer is attached to the frame drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masao Ogawa, Hiroshi Kitazawa
  • Publication number: 20090107374
    Abstract: A sewing machine capable of mode switching between a normal sewing mode and a free motion sewing mode including a feed dog switcher that switches a feed dog between an active state in which the feed dog is moved above and below a needle plate and an inactive state in which the feed dog is lowered below the needle plate, a first instruction issuer that instructs execution of fastening stitching at a beginning of pattern sewing sequence, a second instruction issuer that instructs execution of fastening stitching at an end of pattern sewing sequence, and a controller that, when in the free motion sewing mode, activates the feed dog by the feed dog switcher in response to an incoming instruction signal from the first or the second instruction issuer to execute fastening stitching through control of feed dog based on fastening stitching data to longitudinally feed a workpiece cloth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akie Ukai, Masaki Shimizu, Hirokazu Hirose, Yoshinori Nakamura, Yoshio Nishimura, Satoru Makino, Kazumi Sai
  • Patent number: 7460925
    Abstract: An embroidery sewing machine includes an embroidery frame, a carriage transferring the embroidery frame, a drive unit moving the carriage, a sewing machine motor, a control unit controlling the drive unit and the motor so that an embroidery sewing mode is executed in which an embroidery pattern is sewn or a manual-feed sewing mode is executed in which a sewing operation is carried out with manual cloth feed while the carriage is moved to and held at a predetermined evacuative position, a foot controller, a connecting part connecting the foot controller to the control unit, and a mode switching unit which selectively switches between the embroidery sewing mode and the manual feed sewing mode. The mode switching unit switches to the embroidery sewing mode when the foot controller is non-connected to the connecting part, and to the manual-feed sewing mode when the foot controller is connected to the connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasukazu Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20080210147
    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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirokazu Hirose, Yoshinori Nakamura, Akie Ukai, Masaki Shimizu, Yoshio Nishimura, Kazumi Sai, Satoru Makino
  • Patent number: 7392755
    Abstract: A sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing is configured to specify a type of embroidery frame by shooting an embroidery frame placed on an upper surface of the bed by a CCD or a CMOS image sensor disposed in an underside of an arm from an obliquely upward direction and obtaining an X-directional size and a Y-directional size of the embroidery frame, an embroiderable area size, and further a height-directional size of the embroidery frame by calculation based on image data shot by the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruna Kato, Naoki Igushi, Masayuki Iwata, Shinichi Nishida, Eiichi Ito
  • Publication number: 20070204781
    Abstract: An embroidery sewing machine includes an embroidery frame holding workpiece cloth to be sewn, a carriage transferring the embroidery frame which is attachable to and detachable from the carriage, a driving unit which moves the carriage, a sewing machine motor, a control unit which controls the drive unit and the sewing machine motor, the control unit being capable of executing an embroidery sewing mode in which an embroidery pattern is sewn and a manual feed sewing mode in which a sewing operation is carried out with manual cloth feed while the carriage is moved to and held at a predetermined evacuative position, and a mode switching unit which selectively switches between the embroidery sewing mode and the manual feed sewing mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasukazu Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7210419
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an embroidery stitching data storage storing embroidery stitching data of a plurality of divided patterns with respect to large-size embroidery patterns, a pattern display data storage storing pattern display data for displaying each large-size embroidery pattern in a real image close to an embroidered state, and a display control device reading pattern display data with respect to an appointed large-size embroidery pattern from the pattern display data storage and controls to display an image. The display control device is adapted so that, when each divided pattern constituting the large-size embroidery pattern is subjected to the embroidery stitching, a display is caused to display the pattern display data of the large-size embroidery pattern read from the pattern display data storage and displayed area data indicating the stitching area occupied by each divided pattern in the large-size embroidery pattern in a state being combined with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takafumi Naka, Takashi Hirata, Ayako Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 7089079
    Abstract: A sewing machine of the present disclosure is provided with a sewing device capable of pattern sewing by controlling a needle swinging mechanism that swings a vertically reciprocating needle bar in a horizontal direction and a cloth feeding mechanism having a feed dog, a controller that controls the sewing device and a memory that stores sewing data supplied externally via a data transmitting network or a data storage media. The aforementioned controller determines whether or not the pattern to be sewn based on the sewing data loaded from the memory can be sewn by the sewing device and upon determining that sewing is not possible, the sewing data is modified to a pattern that can be sewn by the sewing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Kaiya, Tsuneo Okuyama, Norihiko Asai
  • Patent number: 7056402
    Abstract: A ready-made technical process for manufacturing fiber-reinforced plastic building components envisions the use of a link and, optionally, a flange and/or a base using textile blanks as starting material. Initially, at least two layers of the textile blanks are positioned vis-á-vis one another, clamped in and undergo a first sewing-up process. A preform is fashioned featuring the architecture of the product that is to be manufactured, and subsequently the preform is infiltrated with resin in order to realize the plastic building component. A tension module realizes a flange on a textile preform and a sewing material holder receives a textile preform in order to implement the steps referred to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Koerwien, Ernst-Joachim Bauer, Juergen Filsinger