U.S. patent application number 12/379050 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-20 for sewing machine and computer readable medium storing sewing needle status evaluation program.
This patent application is currently assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Masayuki Hori, Masayuki Iwata, Kei Kawase, Motoshi Kishi, Yoshio Sugiura, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Shoichi Taguchi.
Application Number | 20090205548 12/379050 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40953915 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090205548 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iwata; Masayuki ; et
al. |
August 20, 2009 |
Sewing machine and computer readable medium storing sewing needle
status evaluation program
Abstract
A sewing machine provided with a needle bar having a sewing
needle interchangeably attached to its lower end including an
imaging element that captures images of the sewing needle; an
extractor that extracts a shape of the sewing needle from the
images of the sewing needle captured by the imaging element; an
abnormality determiner that determines presence/absence of
abnormalities in measurements of the sewing needle based on the
shape of the sewing needle extracted by the extractor; and an
abnormality alerter that alerts the presence of abnormalities
determined by the determiner.
Inventors: |
Iwata; Masayuki; (Gifu-shi,
JP) ; Kishi; Motoshi; (Nagoya-shi, JP) ;
Taguchi; Shoichi; (Toyohashi-shi, JP) ; Sugiura;
Yoshio; (Nishikamo-gun, JP) ; Kawase; Kei;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) ; Suzuki; Hiroyuki; (Kasugai-shi,
JP) ; Hori; Masayuki; (Gifu-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 320850
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-4850
US
|
Assignee: |
BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
NAGOYA-SHI
JP
|
Family ID: |
40953915 |
Appl. No.: |
12/379050 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
112/457 ;
112/470.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D05D 2205/16 20130101;
D05B 69/30 20130101; D05D 2305/36 20130101; D05B 85/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
112/457 ;
112/470.04 |
International
Class: |
D05B 19/00 20060101
D05B019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 14, 2008 |
JP |
2008-033212 |
Claims
1. A sewing machine provided with a needle bar having a sewing
needle interchangeably attached to its lower end, comprising: an
imaging element that captures images of the sewing needle; an
extractor that extracts a shape of the sewing needle from the
images of the sewing needle captured by the imaging element; an
abnormality determiner that determines presence/absence of
abnormalities in measurements of the sewing needle based on the
shape of the sewing needle extracted by the extractor; and an
abnormality alerter that alerts the presence of abnormalities
determined by the determiner.
2. A sewing machine provided with a needle bar having a sewing
needle interchangeably attached to its lower end, comprising: an
imaging element that captures images of the sewing needle; an
extractor that extracts a shape of the sewing needle from the
images of the sewing needle captured by the imaging element; a
storage that pre-stores an initial shape of the sewing needle; an
abnormality determiner that determines presence/absence of
abnormalities in the shape of the sewing needle extracted by the
extractor by comparing with the initial shape pre-stored in the
storage; and an abnormality alerter that alerts the presence of
abnormalities determined by the determiner.
3. The sewing machine of claim 1, wherein the abnormality
determiner determines presence/absence of a bend or a breakage in
the sewing needle by evaluating an overall shape of the sewing
needle.
4. The sewing machine of claim 2, wherein the abnormality
determiner determines presence/absence of a bend or a breakage in
the sewing needle by evaluating an overall shape of the sewing
needle.
5. The sewing machine of claim 1, wherein the abnormality
determiner determines presence/absence of a rounded tip or a broken
tip in the sewing needle by evaluating a tip shape of the sewing
needle.
6. The sewing machine of claim 2, wherein the abnormality
determiner determines presence/absence of a rounded tip or a broken
tip in the sewing needle by evaluating a tip shape of the sewing
needle.
7. The sewing machine of claim 1, further being configured to allow
interchangeable mode switching between a utility sewing mode and an
embroidery sewing mode, wherein the needle bar is configured to
allow interchangeable attachment of sewing needles of different
thickness, the sewing machine further comprising a thickness
detector that detects a thickness of sewing needle based on the
shape of the sewing needle extracted by the extractor; a thickness
evaluator that, when in the embroidery sewing mode, evaluates
whether or not the thickness of the sewing needle detected by the
thickness detector is appropriate for embroidery sewing; and a
first misuse alerter that prompts replacement of the sewing needle
when evaluated by the thickness evaluator that the thickness of the
sewing needle is inappropriate for embroidery sewing.
8. The sewing machine of claim 2, further being configured to allow
interchangeable mode switching between a utility sewing mode and an
embroidery sewing mode, wherein the needle bar is configured to
allow interchangeable attachment of sewing needles of different
thickness, the sewing machine further comprising a thickness
detector that detects a thickness of sewing needle based on the
shape of the sewing needle extracted by the extractor; a thickness
evaluator that, when in the embroidery sewing mode, evaluates
whether or not the thickness of the sewing needle detected by the
thickness detector is appropriate for embroidery sewing; and a
first misuse alerter that prompts replacement of the sewing needle
when evaluated by the thickness evaluator that the thickness of the
sewing needle is inappropriate for embroidery sewing.
9. The sewing machine of claim 1, wherein the needle bar allows
interchangeable attachment of sewing needles of different
thickness, the sewing machine further comprising a specifier that
allows specification of a type or a thickness of a workpiece cloth
to be sewn, a thickness detector that detects a thickness of sewing
needle based on the shape of the sewing needle extracted by the
extractor, a conformity evaluator that evaluates whether or not the
thickness of the sewing needle detected by the thickness detector
conforms to the type or the thickness of the workpiece cloth
specified by the specifier; and a second misuse alerter that
prompts replacement of the sewing needle when evaluated by the
conformity evaluator that the thickness of the sewing needle does
not conform to the type or the thickness of the workpiece
cloth.
10. The sewing machine of claim 2, wherein the needle bar allows
interchangeable attachment of sewing needles of different
thickness, the sewing machine further comprising a specifier that
allows specification of a type or a thickness of a workpiece cloth
to be sewn, a thickness detector that detects a thickness of sewing
needle based on the shape of the sewing needle extracted by the
extractor, a conformity evaluator that evaluates whether or not the
thickness of the sewing needle detected by the thickness detector
conforms to the type or the thickness of the workpiece cloth
specified by the specifier; and a second misuse alerter that
prompts replacement of the sewing needle when evaluated by the
conformity evaluator that the thickness of the sewing needle does
not conform to the type or the thickness of the workpiece
cloth.
11. The sewing machine of claim 1, wherein the imaging element is
provided at a plurality of different locations of the sewing
machine.
12. The sewing machine of claim 2, wherein the imaging element is
provided at a plurality of different locations of the sewing
machine.
13. The sewing machine of claim 1, wherein the imaging element
comprises a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor or
a charge coupled device image sensor.
14. The sewing machine of claim 2, wherein the imaging element
comprises a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor or
a charge coupled device image sensor.
15. The sewing machine of claim 1, further comprising a liquid
crystal display provided on a front face of the sewing machine,
wherein the abnormality alerter issues alerts through display of
message information on the liquid crystal display.
16. The sewing machine of claim 2, further comprising a liquid
crystal display provided on a front face of the sewing machine,
wherein the abnormality alerter issues alerts through display of
message information on the liquid crystal display.
17. A computer readable medium storing a needle status evaluation
program that automatically evaluates wear of a sewing needle for
use in a sewing machine provided with a needle bar having a sewing
needle interchangeably attached to its lower end, the needle status
evaluation program stored in the computer readable medium,
comprising: instructions for capturing images of the sewing needle
with an imaging element; instructions for extracting a shape of the
sewing needle from the images of the sewing needle captured;
instructions for determining presence/absence of abnormalities in
measurements of the sewing needle based on the shape of the sewing
needle extracted; and instructions for alerting the presence of
abnormalities determined.
18. The medium of claim 17, for use in the sewing machine further
configured to allow interchangeable mode switching between a
utility sewing mode and an embroidery sewing mode, and the needle
bar is configured to allow interchangeable attachment of sewing
needles of different thickness, the needle status evaluation
program further comprising instructions for detecting a thickness
of sewing needle based on the shape of the sewing needle extracted,
instructions for evaluating, when in the embroidery sewing mode,
whether or not the thickness of the sewing needle detected is
appropriate for embroidery sewing, and instructions for prompting
replacement of the sewing needle when evaluated that the thickness
of the sewing needle is inappropriate for embroidery sewing.
19. The medium of claim 17, for use in the sewing machine, wherein
the needle bar is configured to allow interchangeable attachment of
sewing needles of different thickness, the needle status evaluation
program further comprising instructions for specifying a type or a
thickness of a workpiece cloth to be sewn, instructions for
detecting a thickness of sewing needle based on the shape of the
sewing needle extracted, instructions for evaluating whether or not
the thickness of the sewing needle detected conforms to the type or
the thickness of the workpiece cloth specified; and instructions
for prompting replacement of the sewing needle when evaluated that
the thickness of the sewing needle does not conform to the type or
the thickness of the workpiece cloth.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application 2008-033212,
filed on Feb. 14, 2008, the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a sewing machine allowing
interchangeable attachment of sewing needle on a lower end of a
needle bar. The present disclosure also relates to a computer
readable medium storing a needle status evaluation program for use
in such sewing machine.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A sewing machine in general is provided with a needle bar to
which a sewing needle is detachably attached interchangeably to its
lower end. Such detachable configuration allows the sewing needle
to be replaced when the user encounters sewing needle wears during
the sewing operation such as bending, broken tip, and rounded tip.
Such detachable configuration also allows the user to selectively
attach a desired sewing needle most suitable in thickness, for
example, for sewing different types and thickness of workpiece
cloth. In view of such mode of usage sewing machine generally comes
with an accessory of replacement sewing needles of various
thickness.
[0004] The timing in which the sewing needle replacement is made
relies on user judgment based on visual recognition. Subtle bends
or rounding of needle tip, however, is likely to be overlooked by
the user if visual recognition is the only resort in making the
judgment.
[0005] To address such issue, JP H11-221392 A discloses a needle
breakage detector that automatically detects sewing needle
breakage. The disclosed needle breakage detector comprises a
proximity sensor for detecting the tip of the sewing needle at its
lowermost point of vertical reciprocation. The sewing operation is
immediately stopped as soon as needle breakage has been
detected.
[0006] Though the above described needle breakage detector is
capable of detecting needle breakages, detection of other wear
(deterioration) such as bending and rounded tip are not guaranteed.
Thus, it still rests upon user's visual recognition for detection
of such wears. Another problem with the conventional needle
breakage detector was its installation. Since the detector
(proximity sensor) required installation at the lowermost point of
needle reciprocation residing below the needle plate, where
components such as rotary shuttle, feed dog drive mechanism, and
thread cutting mechanism were installed, it was difficult to secure
appropriate spacing for installation of the detector.
[0007] Another general problem encountered under the conventional
sewing operation using the above described detector was
inappropriate selection of a sewing needle for sewing a given type
of workpiece cloth. For instance, if the user fails to select a
sewing needle of appropriate thickness for workpiece cloth of
different thickness and type, it may cause the sewing needle to
bend or leave an oversized through hole on the workpiece cloth
consequently impairing the look and quality of the resulting
stitches. Further, an embroiderable sewing machine requires a
sewing needle of a predetermined thickness when embroidering a
multiplicity of stitches in order to obtain a descent embroidery
pattern. The conventional detector, however, lacks in the capacity
of determining whether or not the thickness of a given sewing
needle is appropriate for the thickness and the type of workpiece
cloth to be sewn.
SUMMARY
[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a sewing
machine that allows automatic evaluation of sewing needle wear
without relying on user's visual recognition and decision to
prevent malfunctioning caused by worn out sewing needles. Another
object of the present disclosure is to provide a sewing machine
that is capable of automatically determining whether or not a
sewing needle of appropriate thickness has been attached for sewing
a workpiece cloth of a given thickness or type and for executing
embroidering sewing. Yet, another object of the present disclosure
is to provide a computer readable medium that stores a sewing
needle status evaluation program for realizing the above described
features.
[0009] In one aspect, a sewing machine provided with a needle bar
having a sewing needle interchangeably attached to its lower end
includes an imaging element that captures images of the sewing
needle; an extractor that extracts a shape of the sewing needle
from the images of the sewing needle captured by the imaging
element; a determiner that determines presence/absence of
abnormalities in measurements of the sewing needle based on the
shape of the sewing needle extracted by the extractor; and an
alerter that alerts the presence of abnormalities determined by the
determiner.
[0010] According to the above described configuration, the shape of
sewing needle is extracted by the extractor from the image data of
sewing needle captured by the imaging element and presence/absence
of abnormalities in the sewing needle is determined by the
determiner through evaluation of various measurements of the sewing
needle. By verifying whether or not measurements such as the length
of the sewing needle, widths of various portions of the sewing
needle, and the distance between the center line and the edge of
the sewing needle at various heights of the sewing needle is within
a predetermined threshold range from the regular measurements of a
brand new sewing needle, presence/absence of abnormalities that
require replacement such as bending of sewing needle and broken tip
and rounded tip can be determined. If determined that sewing needle
is abnormal, an alert is issued to that effect by the alerter so
that the user is promptly informed of the abnormalities of the
sewing needle to prevent any trouble caused by unattended
abnormalities.
[0011] In another aspect, a sewing machine provided with a needle
bar having a sewing needle interchangeably attached to its lower
end includes an imaging element that captures images of the sewing
needle; an extractor that extracts a shape of the sewing needle
from the images of the sewing needle captured by the imaging
element; a storage that pre-stores an initial shape of the sewing
needle; an abnormality determiner that determines presence/absence
of abnormalities in the shape of the sewing needle extracted by the
extractor by comparing with the initial shape pre-stored in the
storage; and an alerter that alerts the presence of abnormalities
determined by the determiner.
[0012] According to the above described configuration, images of
the sewing needle captured by the imaging element is extracted by
the extractor for comparison with the initially extracted shape
data stored in the storage to determine the absence/presence
abnormalities in the sewing needle by the determiner. By comparing
the extracted shape and the pre-stored shape of the sewing needle
to detect the difference in measurements of various portions of the
sewing needle and verifying whether the difference is within a
predetermined threshold range, absence/presence of abnormalities
that require sewing needle replacement such as bending, tip
rounding, and tip breakage can be determined. If abnormalities are
found, an alert is issued to that effect by the alerter so that the
user is promptly informed of the abnormalities of the sewing needle
to prevent any trouble caused by unattended abnormalities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
disclosure will become clear upon reviewing the following
description of the illustrative aspects with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which,
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a first exemplary embodiment of a sewing
machine according to the present disclosure and provides a
perspective view of the sewing machine;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of the sewing machine with an
embroidery machine attached;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a sewing
needle;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a block diagram indicating an electrical
configuration of the sewing machine;
[0018] FIG. 5A is a front view of the sewing needle;
[0019] FIG. 5B is an enlarged front view of the tip of the sewing
needle maintaining its initial state;
[0020] FIG. 5C is an enlarged front view of the tip of the sewing
needle halted at a leftwardly inclined position;
[0021] FIG. 5D is an enlarged front view of the tip of the sewing
needle with a rounded tip caused by frictional wear;
[0022] FIG. 6A depicts a shape of the sewing needle free of
bend;
[0023] FIG. 6B depicts a shape of the sewing needle halted at a
leftwardly inclined position;
[0024] FIG. 6C depicts a shape of the sewing needle having a
bend;
[0025] FIG. 7 indicates a flowchart describing an overall control
flow of abnormality evaluation of sewing needle executed by a
controller;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a flowchart elaborating step S3 of FIG. 7;
[0027] FIG. 9A depicts a second exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure and provides a front view of the sewing needle;
[0028] FIG. 9B provides an exemplary mapping of sewing needle
thickness with sewing needle number;
[0029] FIG. 10 indicates a flowchart describing an overall control
flow of needle thickness evaluation executed by the controller;
[0030] FIG. 11 elaborates step S21 of FIG. 10;
[0031] FIG. 12 elaborates step S23 of FIG. 10;
[0032] FIG. 13 elaborates step S25 of FIG. 10;
[0033] FIG. 14 depicts a third exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure and corresponds to FIG. 7; and
[0034] FIG. 15 elaborates step S44 of FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.
[0036] FIGS. 1 and 2 provide perspective views of the overall
configuration of a sewing machine (household electronic sewing
machine) in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 1 shows
the sewing machine with a table attachment on its sewing machine
bed for utility stitching and FIG. 2 shows the sewing machine with
an embroidery machine attachment on its sewing machine bed for
embroidering.
[0037] The main body of sewing machine 1 is provided integrally
with a laterally (X-direction) extending sewing machine bed 2, an
upwardly extending pillar 3 standing on the right end of sewing
machine bed 2, and an arm 4 extending leftward over sewing machine
bed 2 from the upper end of pillar 3. The extreme end of arm 4
constitutes a head 5. At the upper portion of arm 4, a cover 4a is
provided for opening and closing access into the arm 4. Though not
shown, arm 4 includes a compartment for storing a needle thread
spool. For ease of explanation to follow, the direction to which
the user positions him/herself relative to sewing machine 1 is the
front side, and the opposing direction, naturally is the rear side.
The direction toward which pillar 3 is displaced from the center of
arm 4 is the right side and the opposing direction, naturally, is
the left side.
[0038] As can be seen in FIG. 3, head 5 provided at the end of arm
4 has a needle bar 6 configured vertically movably and laterally
(X-direction) swingably. At the lower end of needle bar 6, a sewing
needle is attached by way of needle clamp 8 as can be seen in FIG.
5A. As known in the art, a fastening screw 9 is provided at the
right end of needle clamp 8 to allow attachment/detachment
(replacement) of sewing needle 7 by turning fastening screw 9.
Sewing needle 7 may be subject to wears (deterioration) such as
bend, broken tip, and rounded tip over time and use, which requires
replacement of sewing needle 7 by the user.
[0039] Provided at the lower potion of needle bar 6 (sewing needle
7) extending from head 5, is a presser foot 10. At the left side of
needle bar 6 (sewing needle 7) a needle threader (not shown) known
in the art is provided for threading a needle thread drawn from a
thread spool to a needle eye (not shown).
[0040] Though not explained in detail, arm 4 contains a sewing
machine main shaft rotated by a sewing machine motor 12 (refer to
FIG. 4). Arm 4 further contains a needle-bar drive mechanism driven
by the sewing machine main shaft to vertically move needle bar 6,
and a needle-bar swing mechanism driven by a needle-swing pulse
motor 13 (refer to FIG. 4) to laterally (X-direction) swing needle
bar 6. Arm 4 further contains components such as a thread take-up
drive mechanism that vertically moves a thread take-up (not shown)
in synchronism with the vertical movement of needle bar 6, and a
thread tension regulator that adjusts thread tension.
[0041] Though not shown in detail, the sewing machine main shaft is
provided with a sectoral shutter (blocking plate) rotating
integrally with the main shaft. The rotational status of the
shutter is detected optically by a photo-interrupter provided at a
sewing machine frame. The shutter and the photo-interrupter
constitute a main shaft angle detector 14 (refer to FIG. 4). The
vertical positioning of needle bar 6 driven by the main shaft can
be sensed by the angle of the main shaft detected by main shaft
angle detector 14. Needle bar 6 is configured to stop at its lifted
position (substantially the uppermost position of the vertical
reciprocation) when the sewing operation is stopped by operation of
the later described start/stop key 15a.
[0042] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, key switches 15 are
provided on the front face of arm 4 for user operation. Though not
explained in detail, key switches 15 comprise controls such as
start/stop switch 15a that instructs start/stop of a sewing
operation, a back stitch key, needle positioning key, thread
cutting key, and a speed adjustment dial. On the front face of
pillar 3, a vertically elongate liquid crystal display 20
(hereinafter simply referred as LCD 20) is provided for displaying
various information in full color.
[0043] LCD 20 displays information such as various utility and
embroidery patterns, names of various functions required in the
sewing operation, and various informational messages. Selection of
patterns and execution of functions are carried out through a touch
panel 21 (refer to FIG. 4) provided on the surface of LCD 20. LCD
20 displays error messages (alert) when abnormality is found at
sewing needle 7.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, a needle plate 16 is provided on the
upper surface sewing machine bed 2. Though not shown, within sewing
machine bed 2 situated below needle plate 16, are components such
as a feed dog drive mechanism that drives a feed dog in synchronism
with the vertical movement of needle bar 6, a full rotary shuttle
containing a bobbin thread bobbin and forming stitches in
cooperation with sewing needle 7, and a needle cutting mechanism
that cuts the needle thread and bobbin thread. As can be seen in
FIG. 1, a utility sewing table 24 is attachably/detachably attached
to the left front portion of sewing machine bed 2. Utility sewing
table 24 is used for sewing utility patterns on workpiece cloth
(not shown) fed by the feed dog.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 2, a well known embroidery machine
(embroidery frame transfer mechanism) may be attachably/detachably
attached to the left front portion of sewing machine bed 2 instead
of utility sewing table 24. Embroidery machine 22 is
attachably/detachably attached with an embroidery frame (not shown)
that holds the workpiece cloth (not shown). Embroidery machine 22
comprises an embroidery frame transfer mechanism (not shown) an
X-directional motor (not shown) and a Y-directional motor (not
shown). The embroidery frame transfer mechanism transfers the
embroidery frame freely in the X-direction (lateral) and the
Y-direction (longitudinal) orthogonal to the X-direction in the
space overlying sewing machine bed 2 (needle plate 16) and is
driven by the X-direction motor and the Y-direction motor. When
embroidery machine 22 is attached to sewing machine bed 2,
embroidery machine 22 and consequently X-directional and
Y-directional motors are electrically connected to a later
described controller 25 of the sewing machine through a connector
23 (refer to FIG. 4) provided at sewing machine bed 2. The
attachment of embroidery machine 22 triggers automatic mode
switching from utility sewing mode to embroidery sewing mode.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 3, at the lower front end portion of
head 5, which is, when viewed from sewing needle 7, a portion
located forwardly and rightwardly upward relative to sewing needle
7, a first image sensor 17 is provided for capturing images of
sewing needle 7. Referring back to FIG. 1, a second image sensor 18
is provided on the rear portion of the pillar 3 left wall facing
the sewing needle 7 for capturing images of sewing needle 7. In the
present exemplary embodiment, first and second image sensors 17 and
18 comprise a compact imaging device such as a CMOS (Complementary
Metal Oxide Semiconductor) imaging device.
[0047] Sewing needle 7 and consequently needle bar 6 are halted at
the lifted position elevated from needle plate 16 when the sewing
operation is stopped. First and second image sensors 17 and 18 are
located so that images of sewing needle 7 halted at the lifted
position can be captured from different locations (angles).
[0048] Utility sewing involves different styles of stitching such
as straight stitching and zigzag stitching. Zigzag stitching is
carried out while laterally swinging needle bar 6 (sewing needle 7)
by the needle-bar swing mechanism. Straight stitching is basically
carried out at a central baseline with the center line of needle
bar 6 (sewing needle 7) being orthogonal to the upper surface of
needle plate 16. Straight stitching, however, may be carried out at
a left baseline with needle bar 6 (sewing needle 7) leftwardly
inclined or at a right baseline with needle bar 6 (sewing needle 7)
rightwardly inclined. In such cases, as depicted somewhat
exaggerated in FIG. 5C and FIG. 6B, needle bar 6 (sewing needle 7)
is halted at a leftwardly swung (inclined) position according to a
present swing width, and rightwardly swung (inclined) position for
example. Angle of sewing needle 7 (angle of incline of sewing
needle 7 relative to the center baseline) in this case, is set to a
predetermined value obtained from the angular data that corresponds
to a preset swing width.
[0049] As can be seen in FIG. 4, image data captured by first and
second image sensors 17 and 18 respectively is inputted into image
processing circuit 19. Though not described in detail, image
processing circuit 19 transforms the perspective of the image
captured by first image sensor 17 from the upper front view of
sewing needle 7 into an image that substantially appears to be
taken from the front side of sewing needle 7. At the same time,
known image processing such as binarization and outline (edge)
extraction are performed to extract the shape of sewing needle 7.
Similarly, image processing circuit 19 performs binarization and
outline (edge) extraction of the image captured by second image
sensor 18 from the right side and rear side surface view of sewing
needle 7. The extracted shape of sewing needle 7 by image
processing circuit 19 is taken as input into controller 25 as shape
data.
[0050] FIG. 4 briefly describes an electrical configuration of the
sewing machine according to the present exemplary embodiment.
Controller 25 is configured primarily by a microcomputer comprising
components such as a CPU 26, a ROM 27, a RAM 28, and an EEPROM 29.
ROM 27 stores various items such as a control program for
controlling the sewing operation, a needle status evaluation
program, stitch data required for the sewing operation, and various
data required for verification of later described abnormalities of
sewing needle 7. As will be described afterwards, needle evaluation
program automatically evaluates wear of sewing needle 7. The needle
status evaluation program may be executed by way of an external
storage medium such as an optical disc, magnetic disc, and compact
card or stick memory.
[0051] Controller 25 is connected to various keys switches 15
including start/stop switch 15a, and to touch panel 21 for
receiving their operation signals. Controller 25 further
establishes connection with main shaft angle detector 14 to receive
its detection signal. As described earlier, controller 25 is
connected to image processing circuit 19 for controlling image
sensors 17 and 18 and for receiving the shape data of sewing needle
7 from image processing circuit 19.
[0052] Controller 25 is further connected to drive circuits 30, 31,
and 32 for controlling LCD 20, sewing machine motor 12 and
needle-swing pulse motor 13 to execute the sewing operation. A
buzzer 34 for alerting purposes is further connected to controller
25 through drive circuit 33. The aforementioned connector 23 is
also connected to controller 25.
[0053] As will be described through description of the operation of
the above described configuration with reference to a flowchart,
the software configuration, more specifically, the execution of
needle status evaluation program of controller 25 provides
automatic detection (evaluation) of presence of wear or
deterioration such as bending, broken tip, and rounded tip of
sewing needle 7.
[0054] Controller 25 captures images of sewing needle 7 at
predetermined timing through image sensors 17 and 18 and extracts
the shape data of the sewing needle 7 from the captured image by
image processing circuit 19. Controller 25 obtains measurements of
various portions of sewing needle 7 based on the shape data of
sewing needle 7 and determines if any of the measurements are
abnormal. Controller 25, when encountering an abnormality, displays
a message on LCD 20 indicating to that effect with a ringing of
buzzer 34.
[0055] To describe more specifically on abnormality evaluation,
controller 25 determines occurrence of deformation of sewing needle
7 based on evaluation of the degree of bend in view of the overall
shape of sewing needle 7; where as occurrence of rounded tip and
broken tip is determined based on evaluation of the shape or the
sharpness of the tip of sewing needle 7.
[0056] The operation of the above described configuration will be
described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 5A to 8. Flowchart
given in FIG. 7 indicates the overall process flow of abnormality
evaluation of sewing needle 7 executed by controller 25. Flowchart
given in FIG. 8 elaborates steps S3 of flowchart given in FIG. 7.
In the present exemplary embodiment, abnormality evaluation of
sewing needle 7 is executed every time power of sewing machine 1 is
turned on. The evaluation is further executed periodically, when
cumulative sew time has exceeded a predetermined time interval of
10 hours, for example, or when cumulative stitch count has exceeded
a predetermined stitch count of 10 thousand stitches, for
example.
[0057] At step S1 of FIG. 7, images of sewing needle 74 attached to
needle bar 6 is captured through image sensors 17 and 18 to obtain
image data of sewing needle 7. Then, at step S2, image processing
circuit 19 extracts (recognizes) the outline (shape) of sewing
needle 7 from the obtained image data of sewing needle 7. Then, at
step S3, sharpness and bending of the tip of sewing needle 7 is
evaluated based on various measurements of sewing needle 7 measured
from the extracted shape of sewing needle 7.
[0058] Flowchart given in FIG. 8 elaborates step S3. At step S11,
the lowermost point of the extracted shape of sewing needle 7 is
recognized as the tip of sewing needle 7. Then, at step S12,
controller 25 looks up the data representing the angle of incline
of sewing needle 7 based on the specified pattern (stitch type) and
swing width. Based on the obtained angle of sewing needle 7, a
corresponding preset center line O (refer to FIGS. 5B to 5D and
FIGS. 6A to 6C) of sewing needle 7 is assumed.
[0059] FIG. 5A shows a bottom end of needle bar 6 and sewing needle
7 and FIGS. 5B to 5D provide an enlarged view of the shape of
sewing needle 7 tip represented by reference symbol E at FIG. 5A.
FIGS. 5B and 5D show sewing needle 7 stopped in a straight position
with no incline (center baseline), and FIG. 5C shows sewing needle
7 stopped at incline .theta. to the left side of sewing needle 7
(left baseline). In the example shown in FIGS. 5B and 5D, center
line O can be drawn that extends vertically from the tip of sewing
needle 7 to the upper surface of needle plate 16. In the example
shown in FIG. 5C, center line O inclined by angle .theta. can be
drawn that extends from the tip of sewing needle 7. FIGS. 5B and 5C
depicts the tip of sewing needle 7 maintaining its initial
sharpness, and FIG. 5D depicts slight rounding observed at the tip
of sewing needle 7 by wear.
[0060] At step S13, a determination is made as to whether or not
width "b" of sewing needle 7 at height "a" (1 mm, for example) from
the tip of sewing needle 7 is equal to or less than a predetermined
value (0.5 mm, for example). If sewing needle 7 is inclined as
depicted in FIG. 5C, width "b" can be obtained by plotting a point
which resides on center line O and which is distanced by length "a"
from the tip of sewing needle 7 and drawing a line which passes
through the plotted point which is further orthogonal to center
line O. The width of sewing needle 7 superimposed on the drawn line
provides the required width "b". The tip of sewing needle 7 is
profiled such that the tip (lower end) has the least width and the
width increases with distance from the tip. Thus, as the tip of
sewing needle 7 wears and is rounded to some extent, width "b" of
sewing needle 7 at height "a" from the tip of sewing needle 7
exceeds a predetermined value of 0.7 mm, for example, at some point
in time as can be seen in FIG. 5D. The same is true if the tip of
sewing needle is broken off.
[0061] The above described process at step S13 allows detection of
rounded or broken tip of sewing needle 7. If width "b" of sewing
needle 7 at height "a" from the tip of sewing needle 7 is
determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined value (step
S13: Yes), a determination that no tip rounding or tip breakage has
occurred at the tip of sewing needle 7 and the control proceeds to
step S15. As opposed to this, if width "b" of sewing needle 7 at
height "a" from the tip of sewing needle 7 is determined to exceed
the predetermined value (step S13: No), it is determined that tip
rounding or tip breakage has occurred. Then at the following step
S14, an alert is issued to notify a rounded tip or broken tip to
prompt replacement of sewing needle 7. The alert is notified to the
user through a message displayed on LCD 20 and a ringing of buzzer
34.
[0062] If no rounded tip or broken tip is encountered (step S13:
Yes), determination is made at step S15 as to whether or not
bending of sewing needle 7 has occurred by evaluating the overall
shape of sewing needle 7. The occurrence of bend is determined
through a process specifically described in FIGS. 6A to 6C. After
shape (outline) extraction of sewing needle 7, multiple height
measurements (3 in FIGS. 6A to 6C) is marked at predetermined
spacing c (5 mm, for example) throughout the extent of sew needle 7
running from the tip to the base end. Then, lengths (X1 to X6 in
FIGS. 6A to 6C) from center line O to the left and right edges of
sewing needle 7 is measured to verify its symmetry, in other words,
to verify that center line O passes through the center of sewing
needle 7.
[0063] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict sewing needle 7 which is free of
bend. FIG. 6B depicts sewing needle 7 halted with incline .theta.
to the left side of sewing needle 7 (left baseline) and FIG. 6C
provides an exaggerated depiction of a bent sewing needle 7. If
sewing needle 7 is straight and is bend free, relation between
widths X1 to X6 can be described as X1=X2, X3=X4, and X5=X6 as
indicated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. If the above relation is true, a
determination is made that sewing needle 7 is bend free (step S15:
Yes) to terminate the control.
[0064] As opposed to this, if bend is observed in sewing needle 7
as can be seen in FIG. 6C, X1=X2, X3=X4, and X5=X6 are not met, and
hence a determination is made that sewing needle is bent (step S15:
No). Then, in the following step S16, an alert is issued to
indicate a bend and prompt replacement of sewing needle 7. The
alert is, as described earlier, notified to the user through a
message displayed on LCD 20 and a ringing of buzzer 34.
[0065] The above described configuration automatically detects
occurrence of sewing needle 7 abnormalities and noticeably alert
the user that sewing needle 7 has suffered substantial wear that
would require replacement. By seeing and hearing the alert, the
user is given an opportunity to replace sewing needle 7 at an
appropriate timing. Though not shown in FIG. 8, if abnormality is
found in sewing needle 7, meaning that No determination is made at
step S13 or step S15, controller 25 may prohibit start up of sewing
machine motor 12. In such case, execution of sewing operation is
allowed only after replacement of sewing needle 7 and after being
verified that no abnormality is found through re-evaluation of
sewing needle 7.
[0066] According to the above described exemplary embodiment, the
shape of sewing needle 7 is extracted from the image data of sewing
needle 7 captured by image sensors 17 and 18 and presence/absence
of abnormalities in sewing needle 7 can be readily and reliably
determined through evaluation of various measurements of sewing
needle 7. More specifically, by evaluating the overall shape of
sewing needle 7, presence/absence of bend in sewing needle 7 can be
determined readily and reliably. Similarly by evaluating the shape
of the tip of sewing needle 7, presence/absence of rounded tip or
broken tip can be determined readily and reliably. If abnormalities
are encountered, a noticeable alert is brought to user attention
promptly through display on LCD 20 and ringing of buzzer.
[0067] Thus, as opposed to the conventional detector relying on the
user in determining the need of sewing needle 7 replacement, the
present disclosure provides automatic evaluation of the wear of
sewing needle 7 without relying on visual recognition and decision
by the user. Replacing sewing needle 7 in an appropriate time frame
provides a favorable result of preventing trouble caused by a
damaged sewing needle 7.
[0068] Further, since the present exemplary embodiment obtains
multiple image data, the shape of sewing needle 7 can be extracted
with greater accuracy. Especially when compared to images being
captured from a single direction only, the present exemplary
embodiment advantageously allows precise evaluation of bends
occurring in various directions.
[0069] Image sensors 17 and 18 configured by CMOS (Complimentary
Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or CCD (Charged Couple Device) are
provided at 2 different locations of sewing machine 1 to allow
compact and low cost implementation on sewing machine 1 and
consequently keeping sewing machine 1 compact.
[0070] A second exemplary embodiment will be described with
reference to FIGS. 9A to 13. Hardware configurations that are
identical to the first embodiment will be represented by identical
reference symbols and will not be shown or described in detail. The
description will be given hereinafter on portions that differ from
the first exemplary embodiment.
[0071] A sewing machine according to the second exemplary
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, comes with accessory of
replacement needles of different thickness types (4, in the present
exemplary embodiment) for selective attachment by the user. FIG. 9B
is a chart showing thickness (width) A of sewing needles 7
identified by needle number. The thickness A is measured at 10 mm,
for example, from the tip of sewing needle 7 as shown in FIG. 9B.
In the present exemplary embodiment, 4 types of sewing needles 7
identified as needle numbers (needle no.) 9, 11, 14, 16 are
provided which increase in thickness with needle number.
[0072] The 4 types of sewing needles 7 may be selectively used
based on the type or thickness of the workpiece cloth when forming
utility stitches. More specifically, needle no. 14 is used for
"normal" cloth, needle no. 16 for "thick" cloth, needle no. 11 for
"thin" cloth, and needle no. 9 for "extra thin" cloth.
[0073] Types of workpiece cloth categorized as "normal" may be:
broadcloth, tafta, flannel, and gabardine; "thick" may be: denim,
corduroy, and tweed; and "thin" may be: lawn, georgette, and polar.
It is recommended to sew above types of cloth with appropriate type
of sewing needle as exemplified above.
[0074] Embroidering, especially when using embroidery machine 22,
involves multiplicity of stitches, and since embroidering in
general is carried out on a single piece of cloth, it is desirable
to use a thin needle, in this case, needle no. 11.
[0075] When sewing needle 7 of appropriate thickness is not used in
sewing specific types or thickness of workpiece cloth, sewing
needle 7 may bend or leave an oversized through hole that would
impair the look of the finished product.
[0076] The present exemplary embodiment, being a modification of
the first exemplary embodiment, primarily utilizes its software
configuration (execution of needle status evaluation program) to
extract the shape data of sewing needle 7 through image processing
circuit 19 based on images of sewing needle 7 captured through
image sensors 17 and 18. Then, based on the shape data of sewing
needle 7, various measurements of sewing needle 7 are obtained and
evaluated to determine the presence/absence of wears
(deterioration) such as overall bending of sewing needle and
rounded tip or broken tip that are, if found, brought to user
attention.
[0077] Further, the software configuration of controller 25 detects
the thickness and the type (needle no.) of sewing needle 7
attached, from the shape data of sewing needle 7. When in
embroidery sewing mode, that is, when attachment of embroidery
machine 22 through connector 23 is detected, controller determines
whether or not the detected thickness of sewing needle 7 (needle
no.) is appropriate (needle no. 11). If the detected sewing needle
7 is not appropriate, replacement of sewing needle 7 is prompted
through an alert displayed on LCD 20 and ringing of buzzer 34.
[0078] Utility stitching in the present exemplary embodiment is
carried out by selecting the desired utility pattern displayed on
LCD 20 through user operation of touch panel 21 and selection of
cloth thickness from the choice of "normal", "thin", and "thick" by
depressing the corresponding selection key displayed on LCD 20
through touch panel 21.
[0079] Then, controller 25 determines whether or not the specified
cloth thickness in the utility sewing mode and the detected
thickness (needle no.) of sewing needle 7 are appropriate. If
determined to be inappropriate, an alert is issued through display
on LCD 20 and ringing of buzzer 34 to prompt replacement of sewing
needle 7. Instead of specifying the thickness of the workpiece
cloth, the user may alternatively be allowed to select the
appropriate type of fabric of workpiece cloth from the exemplary
types of fabric described earlier.
[0080] Flowchart given in FIG. 10 indicates the overall process
flow of abnormality evaluation and thickness detection of sewing
needle 7 executed by controller 25. Flowcharts given in FIG. 11
elaborates step S21 of FIG. 10 flowchart; FIG. 12 elaborates step
S23 of FIG. 10 flowchart; and FIG. 13 elaborates step S25 of FIG.
10 flowchart.
[0081] That is, the process flows in the same way as in the first
exemplary embodiment in which at step S1 of FIG. 10, controller 25
captures images of sewing needle 7 attached to needle bar 6 through
image sensors 17 and 18 to obtain image data of sewing needle 7.
Then, at step S2, image processing circuit 19 extracts (recognizes)
the outline (shape) of sewing needle 7 from the obtained image data
of sewing needle 7. Then, at step S3, sharpness and bending of the
tip of sewing needle 7 is evaluated based on various measurements
of sewing needle 7 measured from the extracted shape of sewing
needle 7.
[0082] Then, at step S21, thickness (needle no.) of sewing needle 7
is detected from the shape data of sewing needle 7 extracted at
step S2. The process is describe more specifically in FIG. 11, in
which at step S31, thickness "A" is measured at 10 mm, for example,
from the tip of sewing needle 7 as can be seen in FIG. 9A. Then, at
step S32, thickness "A" is compared with preset thickness as
exemplified in FIG. 9B and the needle no. that matches or that is
in closest distance within a predetermined range from thickness A
is obtained and displayed on LCD 20.
[0083] After obtaining the thickness (needle no.) of sewing needle
7 in the above described manner, the process returns to FIG. 10. At
step S22, a determination is made as to whether or not the selected
sewing mode is the embroidery sewing mode through detection of
attachment of embroidery machine 22, where attachment of embroidery
machine 22 indicates the embroidery sewing mode and if otherwise,
the utility sewing mode. If in the embroidery sewing mode (step
S22: Yes), the control proceeds to steps S23 to execute detection
of sewing needle 7 under the embroidery sewing mode.
[0084] More specifically, at step S33 of FIG. 12, a determination
is made as to whether or not the needle no. obtained at steps S21
(S32) is sewing needle 7 represented as needle no. 11 which is
suitable for embroidering. If attachment of needle no. 11 is
verified (step S33: Yes), the control is returned (terminated). If
needle no. 11 is not attached (step S33: No), replacement of sewing
needle 7 is prompted through an alert displayed on LCD 20 and
ringing of buzzer 34.
[0085] Control is then, returned to FIG. 10 and if the current
sewing mode is not the embroidery sewing mode, but is the utility
sewing mode (step S22: No), a determination is made as to whether
or not to execute utility sewing mode. If utility sewing is to be
executed (step S24: Yes), the control proceeds to step S25 to
execute detection of sewing needle under the utility sewing mode
and if not (step S24: No), the control is terminated.
[0086] At step S25, detection of sewing needle 7 in the utility
sewing mode is carried out by specifying the thickness of workpiece
cloth from the selection of "normal", "thin", and "thick" through
user operation of touch panel 21 at step S35 indicated in FIG. 13.
As mentioned earlier, the user may alternatively be allowed select
the appropriate type of fabric of workpiece cloth from the
exemplary types of fabric through operation of touch panel 21. Then
at step S36, a determination is made as to whether or not the
needle no. of the attached sewing needle 7 selected at step S21
(S32) is appropriate for sewing the selected thickness of workpiece
cloth.
[0087] As mentioned earlier, needle no. 11 or 9 is appropriate for
"thin" cloth, needle no. 14 for "normal" cloth, and needle no. 16
for "thick" cloth. If the detected sewing needle 7 is not
appropriate (step S36: No), replacement of sewing needle 7 is
prompted through an alert displayed on LCD 20 and ringing of buzzer
34. If the detected sewing needle 7 is appropriate (step S36: Yes),
the control is terminated.
[0088] According to the above described second exemplary
embodiment, wear of sewing needle 7 is automatically evaluated
without relying on visual recognition and decision of the user and
thus prevents negative impact on the sewing operation originating
from the deterioration of sewing needle 7. Further, since an alert
is issued to replace sewing needle 7 when the thickness of the
selected sewing needle 7 for use in the embroidery sewing mode is
not appropriate for embroidery sewing operation, the risk of
executing an embroidery sewing operation with an inappropriate
sewing needle 7 thickness can be eliminated. The alert to prompt
replacement of sewing needle 7 is issued when the thickness of
sewing needle 7 is inappropriate for sewing the specified thickness
of the workpiece cloth in utility sewing mode as well. Thus, the
risk of executing a utility sewing operation with an inappropriate
sewing needle 7 thickness can likewise be eliminated. The above
configuration provides improved quality of the sewing
operation.
[0089] FIGS. 14 and 15 indicate a third exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure, which differs from the first exemplary
embodiment in the following respects. In the third exemplary
embodiment, when starting the use of sewing needle 7, in other
words, when sewing needle 7 is attached to needle bar 6 for the
very first time, the image of sewing needle 7 is captured by image
sensors 17 and 18. Then, the shape of sewing needle 7 is extracted
based on the captured image data and the initially extracted shape
data (initial shape data) is stored (registered) in memory (EEPROM
29) of controller 25.
[0090] Then, after starting the use of sewing needle 7, controller
25 captures images of sewing needle 7 by image sensors 17 and 18 at
predetermined timings and extracts the shape data of sewing needle
7 from the captured images through image processing circuit 19. By
comparing the shape data of sewing needle 7 with the initially
extracted shape data stored in the memory of controller 25,
absence/presence of bend in sewing needle 7, rounded tip, and
broken tip is determined. If abnormalities are found, an alert is
issued to that effect through display on LCD 20 and ringing of
buzzer 34.
[0091] Flowchart given in FIG. 14 indicates the entire process flow
of abnormality evaluation of sewing needle 7 executed by controller
25, and step S44 of the process flow is elaborated in FIG. 15. In
step S41 of FIG. 14, the image of sewing needle 7 is captured by
image sensors 17 and 18 from which the shape of sewing needle 7 is
extracted by the captured image data and the initially extracted
shape data is stored (registered) in memory of controller 25 as
described earlier.
[0092] Then, at step S42, the image data of sewing needle 7
attached to needle bar 6 is captured by image sensors 17 and 18
after starting the use of the newly attached sewing needle 7. At
step S43, the shape (outline) of sewing needle 7 is extracted
(recognized) from the captured images through image processing
circuit 19. At step S44, the extracted shape data of sewing needle
7 is compared with the initially extracted shape data of sewing
needle 7 stored in the memory of controller 25 to evaluate the tip
sharpness and tip bending of sewing needle 7.
[0093] More specifically, at step S51 of FIG. 15, the initially
extracted shape data of the newly attached sewing needle 7 is
compared with the current shape data of sewing needle 7 to verify
whether the two data match (to verify whether the two data fall
within a predetermined similarity threshold). If determined to be
in conformity (step S51: Yes) the control is terminated since no
abnormality is observed in sewing needle 7. If determined data do
not match (step S51: No), a determination is made at step S52 as to
whether or not the portion of sewing needle 7 failing to match the
original status involves only the measurement in the height from
the tip of sewing needle 7.
[0094] If the un-matching portion consists only of the height from
the tip of sewing needle 7 (step S52: Yes), it can be determined
that the abnormality comprises either a rounded tip or a broken
tip. Thus, at step S53, an alert is issued to inform the user of a
rounded tip or broken tip through a message displayed on LCD 20 and
ringing of buzzer 34 to prompt replacement of sewing needle 7. If
the un-matching portion does not consist only of the height from
the tip of sewing needle 7 (step S52: No), the abnormality may be a
bend or breakage. Thus, at step S54, an alert is issued to inform
the user of a needle bend or needle breakage through a message
displayed on LCD 20 and ringing of buzzer 34 to prompt replacement
of sewing needle 7.
[0095] The above described third exemplary embodiment also extracts
the shape data of sewing needle 7 from the image data of sewing
needle 7 captured by image sensors 17 and 18 and compares the shape
data with the initially extracted shape data of sewing needle 7 to
readily and reliably determine the presence/absence of
abnormalities in sewing needle 7. When an abnormality is
encountered, the user is promptly and noticeably alerted through
display on LCD 20 and ringing of buzzer 34.
[0096] Thus the third exemplary embodiment provides the favorable
effects provided by the first exemplary embodiment. That is, as
opposed to the conventional detector relying on the user in
determining the need of sewing needle 7 replacement, the third
exemplary embodiment also provides automatic evaluation of the wear
of sewing needle 7 without relying on visual recognition and
decision by the user. Replacing sewing needle 7 in an appropriate
time frame, provides a favorable result of preventing trouble
caused by wears of sewing needle 7.
[0097] The above described exemplary embodiments may be partially
modified as follows.
[0098] The two image sensors 17 and 18 provided in the above
described embodiments for capturing images of sewing needle 7 may
be reduced to one or increased to three or more. The image
sensor(s) may be relocated to the underside of head 5 and be
oriented forwardly leftward from sewing needle 7 or may be placed
on sewing machine bed 2, or any other locations that are capable of
capturing images of sewing needle 7.
[0099] The images captured by the two or more image sensors may be
synthesized to allow extraction of a three dimensional shape of
sewing needle 7. Such configuration allows even more accurate
evaluation of bending of sewing needle 7.
[0100] Abnormalities of sewing needle 7 may be informed to the user
by voice messages, illumination or flickering of a lamp, or
combination of such approaches instead of displaying messages on
LCD 20 and ringing of buzzer 34.
[0101] Parameters such as various measurements of sewing needle 7,
threshold values and the types (thickness) of sewing needle
indicated in the second exemplary embodiment is merely exemplary
and may be modified as required.
[0102] The above exemplary embodiments have been described by way
of a sewing machine allowing attachment of embroidery machine 22
and thus, being capable of embroidering; however, the present
disclosure may also be applied to sewing machines that are not
provided with embroidery machine 22.
[0103] The initial shape data of sewing needle 7 which was obtained
by actually capturing the image of the newly attached sewing needle
7 in the third exemplary embodiment may instead be provided as a
preset data or template by the manufacturer to be employed as
comparative data.
[0104] While various features have been described in conjunction
with the examples outlined above, various alternatives,
modifications, variations, and/or improvements of those features
and/or examples may be possible. Accordingly, the examples, as set
forth above, are intended to be illustrative. Various changes may
be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the
underlying principles.
* * * * *