U.S. patent application number 11/723718 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-27 for sewing machine and template therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Eiichi Hamajima, Toshihiro Hanai, Masayuki Hori, Naoki Igushi, Masayuki Iwata, Haruna Kato, Yoshinori Nakamura, Shinichi Nishida, Yoshio Nishimura, Masaki Shimizu.
Application Number | 20070221106 11/723718 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38531990 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070221106 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nishida; Shinichi ; et
al. |
September 27, 2007 |
Sewing machine and template therefor
Abstract
A sewing machine includes a sewing machine body having a
surface, a display device including electronic paper capable of
changing contents to be displayed and a control device controlling
the display device. The display device is disposed on the surface
of the sewing machine body and arranged to display contents
displayed prior to power-off when power has been cut off from the
control device.
Inventors: |
Nishida; Shinichi;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) ; Igushi; Naoki; (Nagoya-shi,
JP) ; Hamajima; Eiichi; (Kasugai-shi, JP) ;
Nakamura; Yoshinori; (Toyohashi-shi, JP) ; Shimizu;
Masaki; (Toyoake-shi, JP) ; Hanai; Toshihiro;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) ; Hori; Masayuki; (Gifu-shi,
JP) ; Iwata; Masayuki; (Gifu-shi, JP) ;
Nishimura; Yoshio; (Nagoya-shi, JP) ; Kato;
Haruna; (Tsushima-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
NAGOYA
JP
|
Family ID: |
38531990 |
Appl. No.: |
11/723718 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
112/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D05B 19/105
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
112/002 |
International
Class: |
D05B 23/00 20060101
D05B023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 22, 2006 |
JP |
2006-079480 |
Mar 24, 2006 |
JP |
2006-083241 |
Claims
1. A sewing machine comprising: a sewing machine body having a
surface; a display device including electronic paper capable of
changing contents to be displayed; and a control device controlling
the display device, wherein the display device is disposed on the
surface of the sewing machine body and arranged to display contents
displayed prior to power-off when power has been cut off from the
control device.
2. The sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the display
device is disposed near a part of the sewing machine to be
operated, and the control device controls the display device so
that information about an operation procedure for explanation of
operation is displayed by the display device.
3. The sewing machine according to claim 2, further comprising a
thread spool serving as a thread supply, a needlebar having a lower
end to which a sewing needle is attached, and a plurality of thread
hooking members through which a needle thread is supplied from the
thread spool to the sewing needle, wherein the information about
the operation procedure includes information about a procedure for
hooking the needle thread through the thread hooking members.
4. The sewing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a
sewing bed including a needle plate and having an upper surface,
wherein the display device is disposed on the upper surface of the
sewing bed, and the control device controls the display device so
that a sewing reference line, a sewing reference mark and at least
one of a character, numeral or mark are displayed by the display
device.
5. The sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control
device controls the display device so that a warning is displayed
on a part of the display device, said part of the display device
corresponding to a vicinity of a part where a defect has occurred
during use of the sewing machine.
6. The sewing machine according to claim 5, further comprising a
bobbin, wherein the warning includes an occurrence of breaking of
the needle thread or consumption of a bobbin thread of the
bobbin.
7. The sewing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a
liquid crystal display displaying at least information about
sewing, wherein the control device controls the display device so
that information which cannot be displayed by the liquid crystal
display is displayed by the display unit.
8. The sewing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a
storage device which stores a plurality of image data; and a
selecting device which selects at least one of the plurality of
image data, wherein the control device controls the display device
so that the image data selected by the selecting device is
displayed by the display device.
9. A template for a sewing machine, comprising a display device
capable of displaying a pattern comprised of various stitch
patterns and embroidery patterns, the display device being capable
of changing contents to be displayed.
10. The template according to claim 9, wherein the display device
includes a rear and has such an optical transparency that the rear
thereof is visible.
11. The template according to claim 9, wherein the display device
comprises electronic paper which displays contents displayed prior
to power-off when power has been cut off from the display
device.
12. The template according to claim 9, wherein the display device
is color displayable.
13. A sewing machine comprising: a display device capable of
displaying a pattern comprised of various stitch patterns and
embroidery patterns; a control device electrically connected to the
display device to control the display device; a storage device
which stores pattern data of stitch patterns and embroidery
patterns; and an input device which is capable of supplying the
pattern data of the stitch patterns and embroidery patterns to the
sewing machine from outside the sewing machine, wherein the display
device is capable of changing contents to be displayed; and the
control device controls the display device so that the display
device displays a pattern based on the pattern data stored on the
storage device or the pattern data supplied from the input
device.
14. The sewing machine according to claim 13, further comprising a
pattern data editing processor which carries out an editing process
for the pattern data, wherein the control device controls the
display device so that the display device displays an edited
pattern based on the pattern data edited by the pattern data
editing processor.
15. The sewing machine according to claim 13, wherein the control
device controls the display device so that a sewing reference line,
a sewing reference mark and at least one of a character, numeral or
mark are displayed by the display device.
16. The sewing machine according to claim 13, wherein the control
device controls the display device so that the display device
displays information about sewing procedure explanation indicative
of a sewing procedure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2006-79480
filed on Mar. 22, 2006 and 2006-83241 filed on March 24, the entire
contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a sewing machine provided
with a display device which is capable of displaying a pattern
comprised of various stitch patterns or embroidery patterns and
changing displayed contents, and a template for the sewing
machine.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] An electronically controlled sewing machine has
conventionally been provided with a liquid crystal display (LCD)
which is mounted on a surface thereof and is capable of changing
displayed contents. The LCD is arranged to display various names of
functions executed in a sewing work, various pieces of
sewing-related information. For example, JP-A-2002-18164 discloses
a sewing apparatus comprising a sewing machine body having a sewing
arm and an LCD panel comprising two glass substrates and fixed to
the arm. The LCD panel includes a horizontally long rectangular
liquid crystal display area and a front on which a touch panel is
disposed. However, since the LCD panel is composed of the two glass
substrates in the sewing apparatus disclosed in JP-A-2002-18164,
the LCD panel is planate and has a limitation that a thickness
thereof cannot be reduced to a large extent. Accordingly, a large
LCD panel can be mounted only on such a limited part that is wide
to a certain degree and substantially planar. Furthermore, when the
sewing machine body is powered off, the contents which have been
displayed on the LCD panel before power-off are not displayed.
Accordingly, information an operator wishes to view after power-off
of the sewing machine body cannot be displayed.
[0006] Furthermore, a template comprising a plastic or other sheet
on which patterns, scale and the like are printed is used when the
operator confirms a sewing location of a stitch pattern or
embroidery pattern on workpiece cloth before start of a sewing work
or an image of stitch pattern or completed embroidery pattern. The
template is placed on the workpiece cloth so that a sewing location
of a stitch pattern or embroidery pattern on workpiece cloth and a
completion image are confirmed. When a cloth piece with a desired
shape is produced before execution of patchwork quilt using a
sewing machine, cloth is cut into a desired shape using a template
comprising a sheet on which various basic lines are printed.
[0007] For example, JP-Y-S61-13589 (pages 1 and 2, FIGS. 1 and 3)
discloses an embroidery pattern outline sheet comprising a sheet of
translucent thick tracing paper on which are previously printed a
full-scale embroidery pattern of embroidery (a color photo of real
embroidery) the operator wishes to sew, a white circle indicative
of a sewing start point of the embroidery pattern and a reference
line indicative of a direction of the pattern. Before start of the
embroidery sewing, a sheet of chacopaper (transfer paper) is placed
on the cloth, and the aforesaid sheet is placed on the chacopaper.
The reference line of the embroidery pattern, sewing start point
and outline of embroidery pattern printed on the sheet are traced
so as to be drawn on the cloth. The cloth is attached to a frame so
that the pattern drawn on the cloth is centered with respect to the
frame. Then, embroidery sewing starts.
[0008] JP-Y-H04-7198 (page 2, FIG. 1) discloses an embroidery cloth
setting ruler device including an inner embroidery frame and an
outer embroidery frame and a cloth setting ruler made of a
transparent thin plate. The cloth setting ruler is attached to an
upper part of the inner frame, and the cloth on which an embroidery
pattern is to be formed is abutted against a lower part of the
inner frame. A part of the cloth on which part the embroidery is to
be sewn is correctly disposed on a gauge of a gauge section
provided on the bottom of the cloth setting ruler. The cloth on
which the embroidery pattern is to be formed and inner frame are
retained inside the outer frame thereby to be secured to the outer
frame. The cloth on which the embroidery pattern is to be formed is
attached via the cloth setting ruler between the inner and outer
frames thereby to be set in an embroidery range of an opening
defined in an opening of the inner frame.
[0009] JP-Y-S61-13589 discloses an embroidery pattern outline
sheet, wherein a plurality of embroidery pattern outline sheets
need to be prepared for a plurality of patterns respectively when
sewing locations of the plurality of patterns and images of
completed patterns are confirmed. Accordingly, the embroidery
pattern outline sheet disclosed in this publication lacks in the
convenience. Furthermore, when a sewing machine body is provided
with a storage device on which embroidery pattern data is
previously stored, the embroidery pattern is edited and embroidery
sewing is then carried out. In this case, an embroidery pattern
outline sheet on which an original embroidery pattern is displayed
cannot be used for the edited embroidery pattern. As a result, an
image of completed embroidery pattern after edit cannot visually be
confirmed. Accordingly, there is a possibility that an embroidery
pattern sewn on the workpiece cloth may differ from one intended by
the operator. Furthermore, there is a possibility that an edited
embroidery pattern may not be sewn within a sewable range of an
embroidery frame or at a desired location.
[0010] On the other hand, when patchwork quilt is carried out, a
template on which a plurality of sewing reference lines are
displayed is used in order that a cloth piece having a desired
shape may be produced. Since a number of different types of
reference lines are displayed on the template, the operator
sometimes has a great difficulty in using the template.
Furthermore, such a template is suitable for only a case where a
predetermined shape of cloth piece is produced.
[0011] In the above-described embroidery cloth setting ruler device
disclosed in JP-Y-H04-7198, a plurality of cloth setting rulers
need to be prepared for every one type of embroidery frame, thereby
lacking in convenience.
SUMMARY
[0012] Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a
sewing machine which is provided with electronic paper on the
surface of a sewing machine body so as to be capable of displaying
useful information and can retain the contents displayed before
power-off even after the control device has been powered off.
[0013] Another object of the disclosure is to provide a template
for a sewing machine, which has such a high convenience that sewing
locations and completed images of a plurality of stitch patterns or
embroidery patterns can visually be confirmed or a sewing machine
which can cause a display device for the template thereof to
display various stitch patterns or embroidery patterns, sewing
reference lines or the like.
[0014] The present disclosure provides a sewing machine comprising
a sewing machine body having a surface, a display device including
electronic paper capable of changing contents to be displayed, and
a control device controlling the display device. In the sewing
machine, the display device is disposed on the surface of the
sewing machine body and arranged to display contents displayed
prior to power-off when power has been cut off from the control
device.
[0015] According to the above-described arrangement, the display
device which is capable of changing the contents to be displayed is
composed of the electronic paper having a thin sheet-like
flexibility. Accordingly, the electronic paper can easily be
disposed on a part of the sewing machine body formed into a curved
face as well as a substantially flat part of the sewing machine
body surface. Furthermore, the electronic paper is disposed on the
part of the sewing machine body surface, which part necessitates
information. Consequently, useful information can be displayed so
as to be changeable sequentially.
[0016] The display device comprising the above-described electronic
paper displays contents displayed prior to power-off when power has
been cut off from the control device. Accordingly, the displayed
contents can be retained irrespective of power-on and power-off of
the control device. Consequently, since the operator can continue
the work while viewing the information retained on the electronic
paper even after power-off, useful information can be displayed
using the surface of the sewing machine body.
[0017] Furthermore, the disclosure also provides a template for a
sewing machine, comprising a display device capable of displaying a
pattern comprised of various stitch patterns and embroidery
patterns, the display device being capable of changing contents to
be displayed.
[0018] According to the above-described arrangement, the template
includes a display device capable of displaying a pattern comprised
of various stitch patterns and embroidery patterns. Furthermore,
the template serving as the display device is arranged to be
capable of changing contents to be displayed. Thus, a single
template can display a plurality of patterns or one or more of a
plurality of desirable patterns. Accordingly, since the operator
does not need to prepare a template for each of stitch patterns or
embroidery patterns, convenience of the template can be improved.
Furthermore, when the pattern displayed on the display is fitted
with workpiece cloth, an actual size, color of the pattern, sewing
position, an image of completed pattern and the like can visually
be confirmed before sewing, whereupon the working efficiency can be
improved.
[0019] The disclosure further provides a sewing machine comprising
a display device capable of displaying a pattern comprised of
various stitch patterns and embroidery patterns, a control device
electrically connected to the display device to control the display
device, a storage device which stores pattern data of stitch
patterns and embroidery patterns and an input device which is
capable of supplying the pattern data of the stitch patterns and
embroidery patterns to the sewing machine from outside the sewing
machine. In the sewing machine, the display device is capable of
changing contents to be displayed, and the control device controls
the display device so that the display device displays a pattern
based on the pattern data stored on the storage device or the
pattern data supplied from the input device.
[0020] According to the above-described arrangement, the control
device controls the display device so that the display device
displays the pattern based on the pattern data stored on the
storage device or the pattern data supplied thereto from the input
device. Accordingly, various patterns can be displayed on the
display device of the template of the sewing machine. Furthermore,
since the display device is connected to the sewing machine body
only in the time of renewal of the pattern, the convenience of the
template can be improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
disclosure will become clear upon reviewing the following
description of the illustrative examples with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sewing machine in
accordance with one illustrative example of the disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control system of the
sewing machine;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged plan view of electronic paper
with a first sewing reference line being displayed;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged plan view of the electronic
paper with a second sewing reference line being displayed;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged plan view of the electronic
paper with a warning mark, explanation and illustration of
operating procedure being displayed;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control manner of display
control for the electronic paper;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sewing machine in a
second illustrative example;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sewing machine provided
with the electronic paper of a modified form of the second
example;
[0030] FIG. 9 is also a perspective view of the sewing machine
provided with the electronic paper of a modified form of the second
example;
[0031] FIG. 10 is further a perspective view of the sewing machine
provided with the electronic paper of a modified form of the second
example;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a sewing machine of a third
example with an electronic paper being connected via a connector to
the sewing machine, the electronic paper serving as a template for
the sewing machine;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the control system of the
sewing machine in the third example;
[0034] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the electronic paper on which a
stitch pattern in a full scale is displayed;
[0035] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing display control for the
template; and
[0036] FIG. 15 is a plan view of the electronic paper of a modified
form of the third example, the electronic paper displaying a sewing
reference line and information explaining the sewing procedure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0037] A first illustrative example of the present disclosure will
be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. Referring to FIG. 1, a
household electronic sewing machine M is shown. The sewing machine
M includes a sewing bed 1, a sewing pillar 2 standing on a right
end of the bed 1 and a sewing arm 3 which extends leftward from an
upper end of the pillar 2 so as to be opposed to the bed 1. The bed
1 includes a needle plate 1a and electronic paper 4 provided on an
upper surface of substantially a left half thereof. The electronic
paper 4 serves to display information by characters, figures and
the like and is capable of changing displayed contents. Below the
needle plate 1a are provided a feed dog vertically moving mechanism
moving a feed dog upward and downward and a feed dog horizontally
moving mechanism moving the feed dog in a front-rear direction,
neither mechanism being shown. A full rotary hook, a thread cutting
mechanism and the like are also provided below the needle plate 1a
although none of these are shown. The full rotary hook accommodates
a bobbin 5 (see FIG. 5) on which a bobbin thread is wound and
cooperates with a sewing needle 9.
[0038] In the arm 3 are provided a sewing machine main shaft (not
shown; and hereinafter, "main shaft"), a needlebar driving
mechanism, a needlebar swinging mechanism, a needle thread take-up
driving mechanism, a lifting mechanism and the like although none
of these are shown. A hand drive pulley 8 is also provided in the
arm 3. The main shaft is rotated by a sewing machine motor 7 (see
FIG. 2). The hand drive pulley 8 is operated to rotate the main
shaft manually. The needlebar driving mechanism vertically moves a
needlebar 38 (see FIG. 7) having a lower end to which the sewing
needle 9 is attached.
[0039] The needlebar swinging mechanism swings the needlebar 38 in
the direction perpendicular to a cloth feed direction. The needle
thread take-up driving mechanism moves up and down a needle thread
take-up (not shown) in synchronization with the vertical movement
of the needlebar 38. A presser bar 10 is mounted on a sewing
machine frame (not shown) so as to be moved up and down. The
lifting mechanism moves up and down the presser bar 10 between
upper and lower positions by a stepping motor (not shown) provided
on the sewing machine frame. A presser foot 10a is mounted on a
lower end of the presser bar 10. A start/stop switch 11 for
instructing start and stop of a sewing operation and the like are
provided on the front side of the arm 3. A large-sized color
liquid-crystal display (LCD) 12 is provided on the front of the
pillar 2. A menu screen is displayed on the liquid-crystal display
12. The liquid-crystal display 12 has a touch panel 13 mounted on
the front thereof and including a plurality of touch keys.
[0040] The control system of the sewing machine M will now be
described with reference to FIG. 2. A computer includes a central
processing unit (CPU) 17, a read only memory (ROM) 18, a random
access memory (RAM) 19 and a rewritable nonvolatile flash memory 20
as shown in FIG. 2. A control device 15 includes an input interface
16, an output interface 21, a bus 22 connecting the input and
output interfaces 15 and 16, drive circuits 23 to 25 and the like
as well as the computer. To the input interface 16 are connected
the start/stop switch 11, the touch panel 13 with a plurality of
touch keys, a rotational position sensor 26, a remaining bobbin
thread amount sensor 27 and the like. The rotational position
sensor 26 detects a rotational position of the main shaft. The
remaining bobbin thread amount sensor 27 detects a remaining amount
of bobbin thread wound on the bobbin 5.
[0041] To the output interface 21 are connected drive circuits 23,
24 and 25, a liquid-crystal display control (LCDC) 29 and the like.
The sewing machine motor is connected to the drive circuit 23. A
needlebar swinging stepping motor 30 is connected to the drive
circuit 24. The liquid-crystal display 12 is connected to the LCDC
29. The electronic paper 4 is connected to the drive circuit
25.
[0042] The ROM 18 stores pattern data including a plurality of
normal patterns (utility patterns) used in the normal sewing and
display data, a control program provided for display control of the
electronic paper which will be described later, and the like. The
ROM 18 further stores warning display data, operation procedure
display data, various display data to be displayed on the
electronic paper 4. The warning display data is used to display a
warning message or the like on the display 12 when the bobbin
thread of the bobbin 5 has been consumed during use of the sewing
machine. The operation procedure display data is used to display
information about operation procedure concerning a manner of
replacing the bobbin 5. The aforesaid various display data include
warning mark display data, explanation display data, operation
procedure display data for replacement of the bobbin 5, display
data for displaying a plurality of types of sewing reference lines
and the like.
[0043] The warning mark display data is used to display a warning
mark 33 which informs a location of abnormal condition upon
occurrence of the condition. The explanation display data is used
to display explanation 35 which explains a manner of coping with
the contents 34 of the warning. The operation procedure display
data for replacement of the bobbin 5 is used to display an
operation procedure (see FIG. 5) for explaining with the use of
characters and figures an operation procedure for taking the bobbin
5 out of the full rotary hook and replacing a new bobbin 5. The
sewing reference line display data are used to display sewing
reference lines on the upper surface of the bed 1. The RAM 19 is
suitably provided with various work memories and the like.
[0044] The electronic paper 4 will be described with reference to
FIGS. 3 to 6. The electronic paper 4 is of a microcapsule type
electrocataphoresis system and has a structure that a display layer
and a driver layer (electrode layer) are sandwiched between two
plastic sheets. The display layer comprises a plurality of
microcapsules arranged lengthwise and crosswise at the density of
400 dpi, for example into a matrix shape. The driver layer is
disposed on the backside of the display layer and controls the
microcapsules. Furthermore, the electronic paper 4 is of an active
matrix display type and is controlled substantially in the same
manner as the LCD so as to be capable of displaying patterns,
figures, characters and the like.
[0045] The structure of the electronic paper 4 will be described in
brief since electronic paper is well known. A blue insulating
liquid and white positively charged microparticle (titanium oxide
microparticle) are encapsulated in a transparent microcapsule. The
driver layer controlled by the active matrix has a microscopic
conductive scanning line, a number of microscopic conductive data
lines, a number of active elements and a number of minute
electrodes corresponding to the microcapsules. The scanning line
extends in the direction of a number of rows of microcapsules
(X-direction). The data lines extend in the direction of a number
of lines of the microcapsules (Y-direction). The active elements
comprise switching transistors disposed on cross-points of the
scanning line and the data lines.
[0046] When a pattern or the like is to be displayed on the
electronic paper 4, a control device 15 (see FIG. 2) provided on
the sewing machine body controls the electronic paper 4 by
supplying drive control signals to the scanning lines and data
lines. More specifically, the control device 15 supplies "H" level
signals to the scanning lines while changing a scanning
characteristic at intervals of minute time. The control device 15
further supplies "H" or "L" level signals to the data lines at
intervals of minute time in synchronization with the scanning lines
while switching pulse signals. As a result, when the active element
at each cross-point is selectively turned on, the minute electrode
corresponding to each cross-point (each microcapsule) is
instantaneously turned to the "H" level. The positively charged
side of the microcapsule is reversed to the surface side, whereupon
the microcapsule is displayed as white dot. Furthermore, the minute
electrode in each cross-point where the active element is turned
off remains at the "L" level. The active element attracts the
positively charged side, whereupon the active element is displayed
as blue dot. Consequently, the electronic paper 4 is capable of
displaying patterns, figures, characters and the like at the
resolution of 400 dpi, for example. Even when power has been cut
off, the electronic paper 4 retains the displayed contents before
power-off.
[0047] The following will describe a display control manner
executed by the control device 15 so that sewing reference lines
and the like are displayed on the electronic paper 4, with
reference to FIG. 6. Symbol Si (where i=1, 2, 3 . . . ) in FIG. 6
designates each step. Upon power supply to the control device 15 of
the sewing machine M, the display control starts. After necessary
initialization has been carried out, a menu screen is displayed on
the liquid-crystal display 12 at S1. The menu screen is switched to
a sewing reference line selecting screen at S2. Either first sewing
reference lines 14a and 14b or second sewing reference lines 14d
and 14e (see display example in FIG. 4) are selected by a touch key
on the screen thereby to be set. When the first or second sewing
reference lines are selected and set, flag data indicative of the
selected and set sewing reference lines is stored on a memory of
the RAM 19. When neither sewing reference lines are selected, flag
data indicating that no selection has been made is stored on the
memory of the RAM 19.
[0048] The control device 15 reads various detection signals at S3.
The control device 15 then advances to S4 to determine whether the
bobbin 5 needs to be replaced, based on the detection signal
detected by the remaining bobbin thread amount sensor 27. When the
bobbin 5 need not be replaced (S4: No), the control device 15
advances to S5 to determine whether the first sewing reference
lines have been selected. When the determination is affirmative
(Yes) at S5, the control device 15 reads the first sewing reference
line display data from the ROM 18, storing the data on the memory
of the RAM 19. The control device 15 drives the electronic paper 4
via the drive circuit 25. As shown in FIG. 3, the first sewing
reference lines 14a and 14b are displayed on the electronic paper 4
affixed on the upper surface of the bed 1 (S6). The first sewing
reference lines 14a and 14b comprise lengthwise reference lines 14b
extending in parallel to the front-rear direction of the bed 1 at
regular intervals and crosswise reference lines 14a extending in
parallel to the right-left direction of the bed 1 at regular
intervals. Scales 14c are affixed to each of the first sewing
reference lines 14a and 14b passing through the center of the
needle hole 1b of the needle plate 1a, at predetermined
intervals.
[0049] When the determination is negative (No) at S5, the control
device 15 advances to S7 to determine whether the second sewing
reference lines have been selected. When the determination is
affirmative (Yes) at S7, the control device 15 reads the second
sewing reference line display data from the ROM 18, storing the
data on the memory of the RAM 19. The control device 15 drives the
electronic paper 4 via the drive circuit 25. As shown in FIG. 4,
the second sewing reference lines 14d and 14e are displayed on the
electronic paper 4 (S8).
[0050] The second sewing reference lines 14d and 14e comprise
upwardly rightward inclined reference lines 14d and upwardly
leftward inclined reference lines 14e both of which are inclined at
an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the front-rear direction of
the bed 1. Scales 14f are affixed to each of the second sewing
reference lines 14d and 14e passing through the center of the
needle hole 1b of the needle plate 1a, at predetermined intervals.
When the determination is negative (No) at S5 and the second sewing
reference lines 14d and 14e are not selected (S7: No), the control
device 15 does not drive the electronic paper 4. Accordingly,
neither first sewing reference lines 14a and 14b nor second sewing
reference lines 14d and 14e are displayed (S9).
[0051] On the other hand, when determining that the bobbin 5 needs
to be replaced by a new one, based on the detection signal from the
remaining bobbin thread amount sensor 27 (S4: Yes), the control
device 15 advances to S12 to read the warning display data, warning
mark display data and explanation display data from the ROM 18,
storing the read data on the memory of the RAM 19. Furthermore, a
warning urging replacement of the bobbin 5 is displayed on the
screen of the display 12. With this, the control device 15 controls
the electronic paper 4 via the drive circuit 25. The warning mark
33, the warning contents 34 and explanation of a coping process are
displayed on a part of the electronic paper 4 near the bobbin 5 as
shown in FIG. 5.
[0052] When a bobbin replacement operation displaying touch key
displayed on the screen of the display 12 is operated by the
operator, an easy operation manner for replacing the bobbin 5 is
displayed on the screen of the display 12. With this, the control
device 15 reads the bobbin replacement operating procedure display
data from the ROM 18, storing the read data on the memory of the
RAM 19. When the electronic paper 4 is driven via the drive circuit
25 by the control device 15, an explanation figure is displayed on
a part of the electronic paper 4 near the full rotary hook in which
the bobbin 5 located at the front of the bed 1 is accommodated. The
explanation figure shows by arrows an operation procedure for
replacing the bobbin 5 by a new one and setting the bobbin
thread.
[0053] Subsequently, the control device 15 determines whether power
has been cut off (S10). When determining in the negative (No), the
control device 15 returns. When power has been cut off, the
contents displayed on the electronic paper 4 before power-off is
retained (S11). Subsequently, the display control is
terminated.
[0054] The displayed contents may not be retained depending upon
setting of the control device 15. In this case, when determining
that power has been cut off (S10: Yes), the control device 15
determines whether display retaining setting is ON or OFF. When the
display retaining setting is ON, the displayed contents are
retained (S11). When the display retaining setting is OFF, the
control device 15 resets (erases) the displayed contents and
thereafter terminates the display control.
[0055] As obvious from the foregoing, even when power has been cut
off from the control device 15, the contents displayed on the
electronic paper 4 before the power-off are retained. Accordingly,
the operator can replace the bobbin 5 by a new one while referring
to the displayed contents. As a result, even a beginner can carry
out the replacement of the bobbin 5 easily and efficiently.
[0056] The operation and effect of the sewing machine M will now be
described. The sewing machine M is provided with the electronic
paper 4 which is formed into the shape of a thin sheet and has high
flexibility. The electronic paper 4 is capable of changing contents
to be displayed. Accordingly, the electronic paper 4 can easily be
disposed on a part of the sewing machine body formed into a curved
face as well as a substantially flat part of the sewing machine
body surface. Furthermore, the electronic paper 4 is disposed on
the part of the sewing machine body surface, which part
necessitates information. Consequently, useful information can be
displayed so as to be changeable sequentially.
[0057] The electronic paper 4 is disposed substantially on a left
half of the upper surface of the bed 1 including the needle plate
1a, which part of the bed 1 is located near the part of the sewing
machine to be operated. The control device 15 controls the
electronic paper 4 so that information about operating procedure
for explaining operation is displayed on the electronic paper 4.
Accordingly, the operating procedure and the explanation contents
can be displayed more clearly on the location near the part of the
sewing machine to be operated.
[0058] The electronic paper 4 is disposed on the upper surface of
the bed 1 including the needle plate 1a. The control device 15
controls the electronic paper 4 so that at least one of the sewing
reference lines, sewing reference marks, characters, numerals, and
marks are displayed on the electronic paper 4. Consequently, the
operator can change display of the sewing reference lines, sewing
reference marks and the like as the occasion demands.
[0059] The electronic paper 4 disposed on the upper surface of the
bed 1 can display the first sewing reference lines 14a and 14b or
second sewing reference lines 14d and 14e. Accordingly, when the
sewing operation is carried out while an end of the workpiece cloth
overlapping the first sewing reference lines 14a and 14b or second
sewing reference lines 14d and 14e, stitches can be formed so as to
be arranged with a predetermined space from the cloth end
accurately. Consequently, the quality of the sewn products can be
improved. Moreover, since the scales 14c and 14f are displayed on
the first sewing reference lines 14a and 14b and second sewing
reference lines 14d and 14e, the scales 14c and 14f can be utilized
as baselines for the sewing. Furthermore, since either first sewing
reference lines 14a and 14b or second sewing reference lines 14d
and 14e are selected, the sewing reference lines can suitably be
used according to the contents of the sewing as the condition
demands.
[0060] When the bobbin thread of the bobbin 5 has been used up
during use of the sewing machine, a warning urging replacement of
the bobbin 5 is displayed on the liquid-crystal display 12. The
warning displayed on the electronic paper 4 is the warning against
the consumption of the bobbin thread of the bobbin 5. Accordingly,
the operator can easily recognize the cause for an abnormal
condition by the displayed warning.
[0061] The warning urging replacement of the bobbin 5 is displayed
on the display 12. With this, the warning mark 33 and explanation
35 explaining the warning contents 34 and the coping process are
displayed on a part of the electronic paper 4 located near the
full-rotary hook accommodating the bobbin-thread bobbin 5.
Consequently, the operator can easily recognize and specify a
defective part of the sewing machine by the displayed warning.
Furthermore, the explanation figure explaining the replacement
operation procedure for replacing the bobbin 5 is also displayed.
Even when power has been cut off from the sewing machine such that
power has been cut off from the control device, the contents
displayed before power-off is still retained on the electronic
paper 4. Consequently, the operator can replace the bobbin 5 with a
new one easily but efficiently.
[0062] Modified forms will now be described. The manner of
controlling displaying by the electronic paper 4 will partially
changed in the modified forms.
[0063] (1) The following displaying manner may be added to the
foregoing sewing machine. When a defective thread cutting sensor
has detected defective in the thread cutting, the warning mark and
explanation explaining the warning contents and the coping process
are displayed on a part of the electronic paper 4 so as to
correspond in position to the thread cutting mechanism in which the
defect has occurred. Furthermore, an explanation figure is also
displayed which explains the operating procedure for maintenance of
the thread cutting mechanism. Even when power has been cut off from
the sewing machine, the electronic paper 4 still retains the
contents displayed before power-off. Accordingly, the operator can
easily carry out the maintenance work while viewing the explanation
figure.
[0064] (2) The electronic paper 4 may be provided on the front
surface of the arm 3, instead of the bed 1. In this case, the
electronic paper 4 may display in the following manner. When the
sewing needle 9 mounted on the lower end of the needlebar 38 is
replaced, an explanation figure is displayed which explains an
operating procedure for change of the sewing needle 9. In this
case, too, even when power has been cut off from the sewing
machine, the electronic paper 4 still retains the contents
displayed before power-off. Accordingly, the operator can easily
carry out the replacing work while viewing the explanation
figure.
[0065] (3) The electronic paper 4 may be arranged to display
reference lines and reference mark serving as positional indexes
indicative of a sewing start point, a sewing end point and the like
in the case where a normal sewing or embroidery sewing is carried
out.
[0066] (4) A plurality of types of sewing reference line display
data are stored on the ROM 18. The data differ from one another in
intervals between the first sewing reference lines 14a and 14b and
the second sewing reference lines 14d and 14e. The sewing reference
line display data with desired intervals may be selected and
displayed on the electronic paper 4.
[0067] (5) The sewing reference lines may not be intersecting
straight lines but may be a straight line and a curved line
intersecting with each other. Furthermore, the sewing reference
lines may be unidirectional straight line and curved line.
Additionally, a line thickness and line type or the sewing
reference line or line length of the sewing reference line may
suitably be changed.
[0068] (6) A full-color electronic paper may be employed as the
electronic paper 4. In order that the visibility of each sewing
reference line may be improved, the color or contrast of each
sewing reference line may suitably be changed according to the
color or pattern of the workpiece cloth.
[0069] FIG. 7 illustrates the sewing machine MA of a second
example. Identical or similar parts in the sewing machine MA of the
second example are labeled by the same reference symbols as those
in the sewing machine M of the first example, and the description
of these parts are eliminated. Only the differences between the
first and second examples will be described.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 7, a thread spool 36 serving as a thread
supply is rotatably mounted on a spool pin (not shown) which is
provided on the right end of the upper surface of the arm 3A of the
sewing machine MA. A liquid crystal display 12A is provided on the
right end of the front of the arm 3A. A display electronic paper 4A
is provided so as to extend from the upper surface of the arm 3A to
the front of a head 37.
[0071] When a needle thread hooking touch key on the screen of the
liquid crystal display 12A is operated in order that the needle
thread may be set on the sewing machine body, an operating manner
easily explaining how to hook the needle thread is displayed. With
this, operating procedure display data of how to hook the needle
thread is read from the ROM 18 thereby to be stored on the RAM 19.
The control device 15 controls the electronic paper 4A via the
drive circuit 25.
[0072] The explanation figure is displayed on the electronic paper
4A so as to correspond in position to the operating member for
needle thread hooking. The explanation figure shows the needle
thread hooking procedure in which the needle thread is hooked by a
plurality of thread hooking members from the thread spool 36 to the
sewing needle 39 attached to the lower end of the needlebar 38.
[0073] The operator carries out the thread hooking work according
to the displayed arrows. As a result, the thread hooking work can
be carried out easily but efficiently. Furthermore, when the needle
thread has been cut during sewing, a warning concerning thread
cutting is displayed on the electronic paper 4A so as to correspond
in position to the portion where the thread has been cut.
[0074] According to the foregoing example, the information about
the operating procedure is the thread hooking information in which
the needle thread is hooked by a plurality of thread hooking
members from the thread spool 36 serving as a thread supply to the
sewing needle 39 attached to the lower end of the needlebar 38. The
operator (particularly, a beginner) who does not know how to hook
the needle thread can carry out the thread hooking work according
to the displayed operating procedure information. Accordingly, the
operator can easily carry out the needle thread hooking work.
[0075] Furthermore, the warning displayed on the electronic paper
4A is a warning displayed on the occurrence of the needle thread
cutting. Accordingly, the operator can easily recognize a cause for
occurrence of the defect from the displayed warning.
[0076] The following will describe modified forms of the sewing
machine MA of the second example.
[0077] (1) The liquid crystal display 12A and the electronic paper
4B are provided on the front of the pillar 2A of the sewing machine
as shown in FIG. 8. When the electronic paper 4B is controlled via
the drive circuit 25 by the control device 15, the information
which is not displayed on the liquid crystal display 12A is
displayed on the electronic paper 4B. In this case, the information
about the sewing is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12A,
whereas the information other than the information about the sewing
and peculiar to the user is displayed on the electronic paper 4B.
As an example of the information peculiar to the user, the control
device 15 selects and registers frequently-used patterns from among
a plurality of patterns. Furthermore, the control device 15 edits
or combines desired patterns by enlarging, reducing, rotating and
reversing, thereby registering the edited or combined pattern.
Furthermore, the control device 15 controls the electronic paper 4B
so that the electronic paper 4B displays a user storage data folder
used to set and register a zigzag width of the needlebar 38, an
amount of cloth feed of the feed dog and a needle thread tension to
respective desired values with respect to a desired pattern.
Furthermore, the contents of pattern data stored on the folder are
displayed in detail.
[0078] Accordingly, the electronic paper 4B displays the
information which cannot be displayed by the liquid crystal display
12A and is other than the data relating to the sewing.
Consequently, a large amount of information can be displayed once
using the surface of the sewing machine body. Furthermore,
necessary information can continuously be displayed since the
electronic paper 4B retains the displayed contents before power-off
even when power has been cut off from the sewing machine MA.
[0079] (2) The electronic paper 4C is provided on the upper surface
of the left side of the bed 1A of the sewing machine as shown in
FIG. 9. The ROM 18 of the control device 15 previously stores
display data of sewing reference lines with millimeter scales and
sewing reference lines with inch scales. The control device 15 may
select either display data of the sewing reference lines with
millimeter scales or display data of the sewing reference lines
with inch scales, thereby displaying the selected data on the
electronic paper 4C. Accordingly, the operator can select the
sewing reference line affixed with the desired scale as occasion
demands. Furthermore, the electronic paper 4C may be arranged so as
to display a sewing reference mark which serves as a marker of a
sewing position in sewing, numerals or alphabetic letters and
figures and marks such as a circle or triangle.
[0080] (3) The electronic paper 4D is provided the whole surface of
the pillar 2A and arm 3A of the sewing machine body. The ROM 18 of
the control device 15 previously stores display data (image data)
of an image (design pattern) displayed on the whole electronic
paper 4 as a design. When a desired image is selected by the
operator via an image selecting screen displayed on the liquid
crystal display 12A, the control device 15 can display the selected
image on the whole electronic paper 4D. Consequently, the operator
can suitably display a desired image according to his or her
inclination or purpose. Furthermore, even when power has been cut
off from the sewing machine, the electronic paper 4D retains the
image displayed before power-off.
[0081] FIG. 10 exemplifies an image of woodgrain pattern. As for
the rest, images of flower patterns, pet patterns, landscape
patterns and the like can be displayed. Accordingly, the operator
can freely change an image displayed on the outer surface of the
sewing machine according to his or her inclination.
[0082] (4) The electronic papers 4, 4A to 4D of the microcapsule
type electrocataphoresis system are used in the first and second
examples. The electronic paper should not be limited to them. The
electronic paper may be of liquid crystal display type,
magnetophoretic type or twist-ball type or may have another
structure. Furthermore, a full-color electronic paper may be
employed.
[0083] (5) A plurality of electronic papers 4, 4A to 4D may be
provided on the surface of the sewing machine body of the sewing
machine M or MA. Consequently, a number of pieces of effective
information can be displayed.
[0084] FIGS. 11 to 15 illustrate a third example of the disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 11, a household electronic sewing machine MB is
shown. The sewing machine MB includes a sewing bed 101, a sewing
pillar 102 standing on a right end of the bed 101 and a sewing arm
103 which extends leftward from an upper end of the pillar 102 so
as to be opposed to the bed 101. Below the needle plate 101a of the
bed 101 are provided a feed dog vertically moving mechanism moving
a feed dog upward and downward and a feed dog horizontally moving
mechanism moving the feed dog in a front-rear direction, neither
mechanism being shown. Below the needle plate 101a of the bed 101
are further provided a full rotary hook (not shown) which
accommodates a bobbin-thread bobbin (not shown) and forms stitches
in cooperation with the sewing needle 104, and a thread cutting
mechanism (not shown) and the like.
[0085] In the arm 103 are provided a sewing machine main shaft (not
shown; and hereinafter, "main shaft"), a needlebar driving
mechanism, a needlebar swinging mechanism, a needle thread take-up
driving mechanism, a lifting mechanism and the like although none
of these are shown. A hand drive pulley 106 is also provided in the
arm 103. The main shaft is rotated by a sewing machine motor 105
(see FIG. 12). The hand drive pulley 106 is operated to rotate the
main shaft manually. The needlebar driving mechanism vertically
moves a needlebar (not shown) having a lower end to which the
sewing needle 104 is attached. The needlebar swinging mechanism
swings the needlebar in the direction perpendicular to a cloth feed
direction. The needle thread take-up driving mechanism moves up and
down a needle thread take-up (not shown) in synchronization with
the vertical movement of the needlebar. A presser bar 107 is
mounted on a sewing machine frame (not shown) so as to be moved up
and down. The lifting mechanism moves up and down the presser bar
107 between upper and lower positions by a stepping motor (not
shown) provided on the sewing machine frame. A presser foot 108 is
fixed to a lower end of the presser bar 107 by screws. The presser
foot 108 intermittently presses the workpiece cloth in
synchronization with the vertical movement of the needlebar.
[0086] A start/stop switch 109 for instructing start and stop of a
sewing operation and the like are provided on the front side of the
arm 103. A large-sized color liquid-crystal display (LCD) 110 is
provided on the front of the pillar 102. On the liquid crystal
display 110 are displayed various patterns including a plurality of
stitch patterns and embroidery patterns, function names performing
various functions necessary for the sewing operation and various
pieces of information about sewing. A touch panel 111 is mounted on
the front of the liquid crystal display 110. The touch panel 111 is
located so as to correspond to pattern names of a plurality of
stitch patterns and embroidery patterns, function names of various
functions, set numeric values of various sewing parameters (amount
of feed, amount of zigzag motion of the needle and the like). The
touch panel 111 is provided with a plurality of touch keys through
which selection of a pattern to be used in sewing and indication of
a function and numeric setting can be carried out.
[0087] A card slot (not shown) is formed in the side of the pillar
102. A ROM card 112 on which is recorded pattern data of a
plurality of stitch patterns and embroidery patterns is insertable
into the card slot so as to be connected to a card connector 113
(see FIG. 12) provided in the card slot. A flexible disc drive
(FDD) 114 (see FIG. 12) is provided in the lower interior of the
card slot. The FDD 114 is formed with a disc slot (not shown)
through which a flexible disc (FD) 115 on which is recorded pattern
data of a plurality of stitch patterns and embroidery patterns is
attached thereto. A template connector 120 (see FIG. 12) is
connected via a sewing machine template 116 and a connecting cord
117 to the lower side of the disc slot.
[0088] The sewing machine template 116 will now be described. The
template 116 comprises a piece of electronic paper 118 which is
capable of displaying a pattern comprising various stitch patterns
and embroidery patterns in two colors of black and white. The
electronic paper 118 is formed into a thin sheet and has high
flexibility. The electronic paper 118 retains contents displayed
before power-off even after power has been cut off from the sewing
machine.
[0089] The electronic paper 118 has substantially the same
arrangement as the electronic paper 4 described in the first
example. In the display layer of the electronic paper 118, a black
insulating liquid and white positively charged microparticle
(titanium oxide microparticle) are encapsulated in microcapsules.
Nothing is encapsulated in transparent microcapsules. These
microcapsules are arranged at predetermined intervals into a
matrix. As a result, an optically transparent electronic paper is
made.
[0090] A frame moving apparatus 121 is detachably attached to the
free-arm type bed 101 of the sewing machine body from the left end
side. In embroidery sewing, an embroidery frame (not shown) holding
workpiece cloth on which embroidery is to be sewn is detachably
attached to a carriage (not shown). The frame moving apparatus 121
moves the carriage in two mutually-perpendicular directions (in the
X- and Y-directions) on a horizontal plane as shown in FIG. 9. The
frame moving apparatus 121 includes an X-direction driving
mechanism (not shown) driven by an X-direction drive motor 122 (a
stepping motor) and a Y-direction driving mechanism (not shown)
driven by a Y-direction drive motor 123 (a stepping motor). When
the frame moving apparatus 121 is attached to the bed 1, the
control device of the sewing machine MB is switched from a normal
sewing mode to an embroidery sewing mode. The aforesaid X- and
Y-direction drive motors 122 and 123 are electrically connected via
connectors (not shown) to the control device 119. The control
device 119 drives the drive motors 122 and 123 independently based
on pattern data of the embroidery pattern to be sewn, so that the
embroidery frame is moved in the X- and Y-directions
independently.
[0091] The control system of the sewing machine MB will now be
described with reference to FIG. 12. A computer includes a central
processing unit (CPU) 125, a read only memory (ROM) 126, a random
access memory (RAM) 127 and a rewritable nonvolatile flash memory
128 as shown in FIG. 12. The control device 119 includes an input
interface 124, an output interface 129, an FD controller (FDC) 130,
a data bus 131 connecting the input and output interfaces 15 and 16
and the FD controller 130, drive circuits 132 to 133 and the like.
The FD controller 130 controls the FD drive 114 to which the FD 115
is attached.
[0092] To the input interface 124 are connected the start/stop
switch 109, the touch panel 111 with a plurality of touch keys and
a rotational position sensor 134 detecting a rotational position of
the sewing machine main shaft. To the input interface 124 are also
connected a carriage origin sensor 135 detecting X- and Y-direction
origin locations of the carriage (not shown) of the frame moving
apparatus 121, and the like.
[0093] To the output interface 129 are connected drive circuits 132
and 133, a liquid-crystal display control (LCDC) 136 and the like.
The sewing machine motor 105 is connected to the drive circuit 132.
The liquid-crystal display 110 is connected to the LCDC 136. The X-
and Y-direction drive motors 122 and 123 of the frame moving
apparatus 121 are connected to the drive circuit 133. The ROM card
112 is connected via the card connector 113 to the bus 131. The
electronic paper 118 serving as the sewing machine template 116 is
electrically connected via the template connector 120 to the output
interface 129.
[0094] The ROM 126 stores pattern data including a plurality of
stitch patterns and a plurality of embroidery patterns (embroidery
patterns with high frequency of use). The ROM 126 also stores
pattern display data for displaying the aforesaid stitch patterns
and embroidery patterns on the LCD 110 and the electronic paper
118. The ROM 126 further stores a stitch pattern sewing control
program, an embroidery pattern sewing control program, a stitch
pattern selecting control program, an embroidery pattern selecting
control program and an embroidery pattern edit process control
program. The ROM 126 still further stores an electronic paper
display control program for displaying the stitch patterns,
embroidery patterns and the like on the electronic paper 118
serving as the sewing machine template 116, and the like.
[0095] The FD 115 stores pattern data of a plurality of embroidery
patterns and pattern display data. The ROM card 112 stores pattern
data of a plurality of embroidery patterns and pattern display
data, too. The embroidery patterns are classified into a plurality
of pattern groups depending upon the types of the patterns. The
pattern data of the embroidery patterns are also classified in the
same manner.
[0096] The following will describe a display control manner
executed by the control device 119 so that a pattern is displayed
on the electronic paper 118 serving as the sewing machine template
116, with reference to FIG. 14. Symbol Si (where i=101, 102, 103 .
. . ) in FIG. 14 designates each step. Upon power supply to the
control device 119 of the sewing machine MB, the display control
starts. After necessary initialization has been carried out, a
pattern selecting screen is displayed on the LCD 110 at S101. A
desired pattern is selected by the operator. Subsequently, at S102,
the pattern data of the embroider pattern selected from the ROM 126
and the pattern display data are read and then stored on the memory
of the RAM 127. On the other hand, at S101, a desired one of the
embroidery patterns stored on the FD 115 or the ROM card 112 both
connected to the sewing machine may be selected, instead of the ROM
126 incorporated in the sewing machine body. Subsequently, at S103,
the selected embroidery pattern is displayed on the LCD 110.
[0097] Whether a pattern edit mode has been set is determined at
S104. When the embroidery edit mode has been set (S104: Yes), the
LCD 110 is switched to an embroidery edit screen, so that an
embroidery pattern edit process is carried out (S105). In the
embroidery pattern edit process, the edit process
(enlargement/contraction, rearrangement, inversion, color change,
etc.) is carried out while the selected embroidery pattern is on
display. The pattern data and display data therefor are stored on
the RAM 127 every time the edit process is carried out. The control
device 119 advances to S106 when the pattern edit mode has not been
selected at S104.
[0098] The edit process is continued at S106 until a pattern
determination key on the pattern edit screen is depressed. When the
pattern determination key has been depressed (S106: Yes), the
control device 119 advances to S107 where the control device 119
determines whether the sewing machine template 116 is electrically
connected via the connecting cord 117 to the pillar 102 of the
sewing machine body. When the sewing machine template 116 is not
connected to the pillar 102, the control device 119 is on standby
for the sewing operation. (S107; No). When the sewing machine
template 116 is connected to the pillar 102 (S107: Yes), display
data of the edited embroidery patter is read out from the RAM 127.
Subsequently, at S109, the control device 119 controls the
electronic paper 118 based on the aforesaid display data, so that
the edited embroidery pattern is displayed on the electronic paper
118 serving as the sewing machine template 116 in full scale (S109)
as shown in FIG. 13. Thereafter, the control device 119 is on
standby for the sewing operation.
[0099] The operator places the electronic paper 118 on the
workpiece cloth with the electronic paper 118 displaying the
full-scale embroidery pattern which is to be sewn on the workpiece
cloth, thereby being capable of confirming the size, color and
sewing position visually. When a stitch pattern has been selected
at S101, the similar edit process is carried out as occasion
demands and the edited stitch pattern is displayed in full scale on
the electronic paper 118.
[0100] The flowchart of FIG. 14 exemplifies an embroidery pattern
is displayed on the electronic paper 118 serving as the sewing
machine template 116. In this case, one or a plurality of stitch
patterns or embroidery patterns may be displayed. Alternatively, a
pattern may be displayed which is a combination of a plurality of
stitch patterns or embroidery patterns both of which differ in
type. The electronic paper 118 retains the contents on display even
after power has been cut off from the control device 119 of the
sewing machine.
[0101] The following will describe the operation and effect of the
sewing machine template 116 and sewing machine MB. Before the
sewing work is carried out by the sewing machine MB, the control
device 119 can display a pattern on the electronic paper 118, based
on pattern data stored on the ROM 126 or pattern data supplied from
the card connector 113 or FDD 114. Various stitch patterns or
embroidery patterns are displayed on the electronic paper 118.
Accordingly, since a desired pattern can be displayed on a single
template 116, the convenience of the template can be improved.
Furthermore, since the pattern displayed on the electronic paper
118 can be adapted to the workpiece cloth, an actual size, color,
sewing position, completion image of the pattern and the like can
be confirmed visually. As a result, the working efficiency can be
improved.
[0102] The electronic paper 118 has a characteristic of
transmitting visible light. Consequently, reference lines and
reference points previously drawn on the workpiece cloth by a chaco
pen or the like can reliably be viewed through the sewing machine
template 116. Accordingly, a sewing position of the pattern can
accurately be confirmed.
[0103] The control device 119 can edit pattern data. Based on the
edited pattern data, the control device 119 controls the electronic
paper 118 so that the edited pattern is displayed on the electronic
paper 118. Accordingly, the operator can visually confirm an actual
size, color, sewing position, completion image, etc. of the edited
pattern relative to the workpiece cloth.
[0104] The electronic paper 118 displays the contents displayed
before power-off even when power has been cut off therefrom.
Accordingly, a desired pattern can constantly be displayed. Since
the electronic paper 118 is thin like paper and has high
flexibility, the operability of the template can be improved. Since
the electronic paper 118 is capable of performing color display,
colors of the pattern can be displayed vividly. Furthermore, since
the electronic paper 118 is connected to the sewing machine body
only in rewrite of the pattern, the convenience of the electronic
paper 118 can be improved as the template.
[0105] Modified forms of the foregoing example will now be
described.
[0106] (1) When a patchwork quilt or the like is carried out, the
operator forms workpiece cloth into cloth of a desired shape
(triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, etc.). In this case, as shown
in FIG. 15, the electronic paper 118 may be arranged to display
sewing reference lines 138 for cutting the workpiece cloth into
cloth of a desired shape, sewing procedure explaining information
139 according to sewing reference lines 138, a cut length 140 and
the like. In this case, the ROM 126 of the control device 119
stores display data of a plurality of types of sewing reference
lines, sewing procedure explaining information, cut length and the
like. When desired sewing reference lines have been selected on a
sewing reference line selecting screen of the LCD 110 by the
operator, the control device 119 selects sewing reference lines to
be displayed on the electronic paper 118 and controls so that the
selected sewing reference lines are displayed on the electronic
paper 118. Thus, the sewing reference lines 138, sewing procedure
explaining information 139 and cut length 140 are displayed on the
electronic paper 118.
[0107] Consequently, the sewing reference lines, sewing reference
mark and any one of characters, numerals and marks can be displayed
on a single template depending on the operator's needs, whereupon
the working efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, since the
sewing procedure explaining information is displayed on the
electronic paper 118, the operator need not view a sewing procedure
such as the instruction manual showing the sewing procedure during
working. As a result, the sewing efficiency can be improved.
Additionally, sewing reference marks and other marks may be
displayed, instead of the sewing reference lines.
[0108] (2) The electronic paper 118 of the microcapsule type
electrocataphoresis system is used. The electronic paper should not
be limited to them. The electronic paper may be of horizontal type
electrocataphoresis system or liquid crystal display type or may
have another structure. Furthermore, a full-color electronic paper
may be employed.
[0109] (3) Although the electronic paper 118 is employed as the
sewing machine template 116 in the foregoing embodiment, a
light-transmissible liquid crystal display (LCD) with visible rear
side or organic EL display may be employed, instead.
[0110] (4) The electronic paper 118 serving as the sewing machine
template 116 is electrically connected via the connecting cord to
the sewing machine body in the foregoing embodiment. However, for
example, a thin battery, controlling member, drive circuit and the
like may be provided at the sewing machine template 116 side so
that the template is capable of communicating with the control
device 119 of the sewing machine body side by radio signals such as
infrared signals.
[0111] (5) A display color or display contrast of the electronic
paper 118 may be changed suitably. Consequently, when the workpiece
cloth is placed on the electronic paper 118, the displayed contents
can be rendered more visible relative to the color and pattern of
the workpiece cloth or the color and pattern of the workpiece cloth
can be rendered more visible.
[0112] The foregoing description and drawings are merely
illustrative of the principles of the present invention and are not
to be construed in a limiting sense. Various changes and
modifications will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art. All such changes and modifications are seen to fall within
the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *