U.S. patent application number 13/422233 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-20 for embroidery sewing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOKAI KOGYO MISHIN KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Ryo TAJIMA.
Application Number | 20120234224 13/422233 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46827421 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120234224 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAJIMA; Ryo |
September 20, 2012 |
EMBROIDERY SEWING MACHINE
Abstract
Pattern data of an embroidery pattern includes data of given
points for defining plural positions associated with the embroidery
pattern as reference positions for pre-movement of the embroidery
frame and distance data that indicates respective distances between
the respective given points and a predetermined starting point.
Before embroidering or trace is started, any one of the given
points is specified or selected, and the embroidery frame is moved
to the reference position associated with the selected given point
through manual operation of a switch. When the embroidering or the
trace starts, the embroidery frame is automatically moved from the
selected reference position to a position corresponding to the
starting point of the embroidery pattern on the basis of the
distance data between the specified given point and the starting
point, and then the embroidering or the trace is started from the
position corresponding to the starting point.
Inventors: |
TAJIMA; Ryo; (Nagoya-shi,
JP) |
Assignee: |
TOKAI KOGYO MISHIN KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Kasugai-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
46827421 |
Appl. No.: |
13/422233 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
112/475.19 ;
112/102.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D05C 5/04 20130101; D05C
9/22 20130101; D05C 9/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
112/475.19 ;
112/102.5 |
International
Class: |
D05B 19/12 20060101
D05B019/12; D05C 5/02 20060101 D05C005/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 18, 2011 |
JP |
2011061284 |
Claims
1. An embroidery sewing machine which has at least either of a
function of moving an embroidery frame, having an embroidering
workpiece held thereon in a stretched-taut state, in accordance
with pattern data of a given embroidery pattern to conduct
embroidering of the embroidery pattern and a function of conducting
a trace which moves the embroidery frame along an outer shape of
the embroidery pattern, the embroidery sewing machine comprising: a
memory unit that stores a set of the pattern data corresponding the
given embroidery pattern, the set of the pattern data including
data identifying a plurality of given points for use as reference
positions for defining a layout of the embroidery pattern and
distance data for defining respective distances between the
respective given points and a predetermined starting point in the
embroidery pattern; an embroidery frame pre-movement section
adapted to move the embroidery frame to a selected reference
position associated with any one of the given points before the
embroidering or the trace is started; a specifying section adapted
to specify any one of the given points as the selected reference
position before the embroidering or the trace is started; and a
control section adapted to automatically move the embroidery frame
from the selected reference position to a position corresponding to
the predetermined starting point of the embroidery pattern on the
basis of the distance data corresponding to the specified given
point.
2. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the
plurality of given points are set at points of at least vertices of
a quadrangle circumscribing the embroidery pattern and a center of
the embroidery pattern.
3. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein in a
case of conducting the trace, the control section is further
adapted to automatically move the embroidery frame to the position
corresponding to the predetermined starting point of the embroidery
pattern after completion of the trace.
4. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the
embroidery frame pre-movement section is adapted to move the
embroidery frame to the selected reference position according to an
operation of a human operator
5. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, which
further comprises a display device for visually displaying a
relationship between the plurality of given points and the
embroidery pattern.
6. A embroidery-start-position setting method for an embroidery
sewing machine which has at least either of a function of moving an
embroidery frame, having an embroidering workpiece held thereon in
a stretched-taut state, in accordance with pattern data of an
arbitrary embroidery pattern to conduct embroidering of the
embroidery pattern and a function of conducting a trace which moves
the embroidery frame along an outer shape of the embroidery
pattern, the embroidery sewing machine comprising a memory unit
that stores a set of the pattern data corresponding the given
embroidery pattern, the set of the pattern data including data
identifying a plurality of given points for use as reference
positions for defining a layout of the embroidery pattern and
distance data for defining respective distances between the
respective given points and a predetermined starting point in the
embroidery pattern, the method comprising the steps of: moving the
embroidery frame to a selected reference position associated with
any one of the given points before the embroidering or the trace is
started; specifying any one of the given points as the selected
reference position before the embroidering or the trace is started;
and automatically moving the embroidery frame from the selected
reference position to a position corresponding to the predetermined
starting point of the embroidery pattern on the basis of the
distance data corresponding to the specified given point.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to an embroidery sewing
machine that embroiders a desired pattern by controlling movement
of an embroidery frame that stretches and holds an embroidered
material in accordance with pattern data that corresponds to an
embroidery pattern, and particularly to a technique that specifies
a position of the embroidery frame at a beginning of embroidery or
trace.
[0002] An embroidery sewing machine embroiders a desired pattern by
controlling the movement of an embroidery frame that stretches and
holds an embroidering workpiece in accordance with the pattern data
that corresponds to an arbitrary embroidery pattern. FIG. 7 shows
an example of an embroidery pattern D. The embroidery pattern D is
specified in accordance with the pattern data of the embroidery
pattern, and a starting point S of the embroidery pattern is a
relative position that is specified on the embroidery pattern D as
the position where embroidery of the embroidery pattern D is
started. The embroidery sewing machine includes a well-known
control panel, and a display of the control panel displays an image
of the embroidery pattern D based on the pattern data of the
embroidery pattern together with the starting point S as well as a
position of the embroidery frame in X-Y coordinates. The pattern
data of the embroidery pattern has, as shown in FIG. 7, distance
data (+X, -X', +Y, and -Y') from the starting point S to extreme
values of upper, lower, right, and left sides of the embroidery
pattern D (as shown by alternate long and short dash lines in FIG.
7), and the distance data can be checked on the display of the
control panel.
[0003] Conventional embroidery sewing machines specify the position
of the embroidery frame at the start of embroidering of the
embroidery pattern D (a starting position of the embroidery frame)
by moving the embroidery frame so that a sewing needle is
positioned at the starting point S of the embroidery pattern when
the embroidery pattern D is arranged at any desired position in an
embroidering limit range, based on the aforementioned distance data
from the starting point S to extreme values of upper, lower, right,
and left sides (+X, -X', +Y, and -Y'), and information of each of
the X-Y coordinates that show the position of the embroidery frame
(a position of the embroidery frame with respect to the sewing
needle).
[0004] For example, with reference to FIG. 8, the movement of the
embroidery frame in a case where the embroidery pattern D is
embroidered in a center of the embroidering limit range 20 (the
range that is shown by chain double-dashed lines in FIG. 8) will be
described. In this case, the distance data of the embroidery
pattern D from the starting point S to extreme values of upper,
lower, right, and left sides (+X, -X', +Y, and -Y') is displayed on
the control panel, a distance from the starting point S to the
center C of the embroidery pattern D on the X-Y coordinates is
determined, the determined distance on the X-Y coordinates is added
to the X-Y coordinates of the embroidery frame at the time when the
sewing needle is positioned at the center of the embroidering limit
range 20, and therefore the X-Y coordinates that shows the position
of the embroidery frame at the time when the sewing needle is
positioned at the starting point S which is shown in FIG. 8
(starting position) is determined. Accordingly, when the embroidery
frame is moved to the X-Y coordinates of the starting position of
the embroidery frame that is determined as described above, the
starting position of the embroidery frame can be specified so that
the sewing needle is positioned at the starting point S which is
shown in FIG. 8.
[0005] For the other example, with reference to FIG. 9, the
movement of the embroidery frame in a case where the embroidery
pattern D is embroidered in a bottom left corner of the
embroidering limit range 20 (the range that is shown by chain
double-dashed lines in FIG. 9) will be described. In this case, the
distance data from the starting point S to the extreme values of
the left and the lower sides of the embroidery pattern D (-X', -Y')
and a specified safe distance .alpha. to be secured between the
extreme values of the left and the lower sides of the embroidery
pattern D and the embroidering limit range 20 as a distance that is
required for the embroidering are added to the X-Y coordinates of
the embroidery frame at the time when the sewing needle is
positioned at the bottom left corner of the embroidering limit
range 20, and therefore the X-Y coordinates that show the position
of the embroidery frame at the time when the sewing needle is
positioned at the starting point S which is shown in FIG. 9
(starting position) is determined. Accordingly, when the embroidery
frame is moved to the starting position on the X-Y coordinates of
the embroidery frame that is determined as described above, the
starting position of the embroidery frame can be specified so that
the sewing needle is positioned at the starting point S which is
shown in FIG. 9.
[0006] As the other method of specifying the position of the
embroidery frame at the start of embroidering of the embroidery
pattern D, there is a method in which an operator measures with a
ruler or a scale. Referring to the case where the embroidery
pattern D of FIG. 9 is embroidered in the bottom left corner, a
distance for specifying the position of the sewing needle that
corresponds to the starting point S of the embroidery pattern D
which is arranged in the bottom left corner of the embroidering
limit range 20 is determined by adding the distance data from the
starting point S to the extreme values of the left and the lower
sides (-X', -Y') and the safe distance .alpha., and the operator
uses the ruler for example to measure the determined distance from
each of the left side and the lower side of the embroidery pattern,
and therefore the position of the sewing needle that corresponds to
the starting point S of the embroidery pattern D which is arranged
in the bottom left corner of the embroidering limit range 20 is
specified, and the embroidery frame is moved so that the sewing
needle is positioned at the specified position. Accordingly, the
starting position of the embroidery frame can be specified so that
the sewing needle is positioned at the starting point S of the
embroidery pattern D which is shown in FIG. 9.
[0007] In addition, some of conventionally well-known embroidery
sewing machines have a trace function that brings the embroidery
frame to move along the outer shape (rough outline) of the
embroidery pattern before the start of the embroidering and
therefore makes the operator visually inspect if the embroidery
pattern fits in the embroidering limit range without any problem
(for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2006-305231 corresponding to US-2009-0064912A1). In the case where
the trace function is used, as in the case where the embroidering
is started as described above, the X-Y coordinates that show the
starting position of the embroidery frame which is appropriately
associated with the starting point S of the embroidery pattern are
calculated, or the operator measures the starting position of the
embroidery pattern that is appropriately associated with the
starting point of the embroidery pattern with the ruler, and
therefore the embroidery frame is set to the starting position in
accordance with the calculation result or the measurement result,
and then the trace is started. Upon the visual inspection by the
operator with the trace function if the embroidery pattern fits in
the embroidering limit range, if there is no problem, the
embroidering of the embroidery pattern is started from the starting
position.
[0008] As described above, in either case where the embroidering is
performed or where the trace is performed, at the time when the
embroidering or the trace is started, the conventional embroidery
sewing machine needs the calculation of the starting position of
the embroidery frame or actual measurement by the operator with the
ruler in order to set the embroidery frame to the appropriate
starting position (the position of the embroidery frame such that
the sewing needle is positioned at the starting point S of the
embroidery pattern D that is arranged in one position within the
embroidering limit range 20), and therefore the conventional
embroidery sewing machine requires very complex settings of the
starting position of the embroidery frame (movement of the
embroidery frame) at the start of the embroidering.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present
invention is to provide an embroidery sewing machine which allows
an embroidery start position to be set (i.e., to move the
embroidery frame to the embroidery start position) with ease and
without any complex tasks at time of a start of the embroidering or
the trace.
[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided an
embroidery sewing machine which has at least either of a function
of moving an embroidery frame, having an embroidering workpiece
held thereon in a stretched-taut state, in accordance with pattern
data of a given embroidery pattern to conduct embroidering of the
embroidery pattern and a function of conducting a trace which moves
the embroidery frame along an outer shape of the embroidery
pattern, the embroidery sewing machine comprising: a memory unit
that stores a set of the pattern data corresponding the given
embroidery pattern, the set of the pattern data including data
identifying a plurality of given points for use as reference
positions for defining a layout of the embroidery pattern and
distance data for defining respective distances between the
respective given points and a predetermined starting point in the
embroidery pattern; an embroidery frame pre-movement section
adapted to move the embroidery frame to a selected reference
position associated with any one of the given points before the
embroidering or the trace is started; a specifying section adapted
to specify any one of the given points as the selected reference
position before the embroidering or the trace is started; and a
control section adapted to automatically move the embroidery frame
from the selected reference position to a position corresponding to
the predetermined starting point of the embroidery pattern on the
basis of the distance data corresponding to the specified given
point.
[0011] In the embroidery sewing machine according to the present
invention described above, the embroidery frame pre-movement
section moves the embroidery frame to the selected reference
position associated with t any one of the given points, and the
specifying section specifies any one of the given points as the
selected reference position, before the embroidering or the trace
is started. In this way, the embroidery frame is set (previously
moved) to the selected reference position associated with any one
of the given points, and it is specified about which of the given
points the selected reference position is associated with. When the
embroidering or the trace starts, the embroidery frame is
automatically moved from the reference position to the position
corresponding to the starting point on the basis of the distance
between the specified given point and the starting point, and thus
the embroidery start positioning (start position setting) of the
embroidery frame is conducted. Subsequently, the embroidering or
the trace may be started.
[0012] As one embodiment of the embroidery sewing machine according
to the present invention, the plurality of given points may be set
at points of at least vertices of a quadrangle circumscribing the
embroidery pattern and a center of the embroidery pattern.
[0013] Furthermore, as one embodiment of the embroidery sewing
machine according to the present invention, in a case of conducting
the trace, the control section may be further adapted to
automatically move the embroidery frame to the position
corresponding to the predetermined starting point of the embroidery
pattern after completion of the trace.
[0014] According to the present invention, by merely specifying (or
selecting), from the given points associated with the embroidery
pattern, one given point where the movement of the embroidery frame
can be easily conducted and positioning (pre-moving) the embroidery
frame to the position corresponding to the specified (selected)
given point before the embroidering or the trace is started, then
the embroidery frame can be automatically moved to the position
corresponding to the starting point of the embroidery pattern at
time of the start of the embroidering or the trace, and therefore
the present invention provides beneficial effects such that it is
unnecessary to calculate the X-Y coordinates or measure with the
ruler to move the embroidery frame to the starting point at the
start of the embroidering or the trace, and the movement of the
embroidery frame can be easily conducted at the start of the
embroidering or the trace.
[0015] As one example, the plurality of given points may set at
points of at least vertices of a quadrangle circumscribing the
embroidery pattern and a center of the embroidery pattern. By
adopting the configuration, in the case where the embroidery
pattern is embroidered in a center of the embroidering limit range
as shown in FIG. 8 described above, for example, by merely
selecting the given point that is specified in the center of the
embroidery pattern and positioning the embroidery frame to the
center of the embroidering limit range (position that corresponds
to the given point that is specified in the center of the
embroidery pattern) before the embroidering or the trace is
started, the embroidery frame is moved to the position that
corresponds to the starting point of the embroidery pattern at the
start of the embroidering or the trace. Furthermore, in the case
where the embroidery pattern is embroidered in the bottom left
corner of the embroidering limit range as shown in FIG. 9, the
given point that is specified to the bottom left vertex of the
quadrangle circumscribing the embroidery pattern may be selected,
and the embroidery frame may be moved from the bottom left corner
of the embroidering limit range to the position where the safe
distance required for the embroidering is provided (position that
corresponds to the given point that is specified in the bottom left
of the embroidery pattern).
[0016] In addition, in a case of conducting the trace, by adopting
the configuration such that the control section is further adapted
to automatically move the embroidery frame to the position
corresponding to the starting point of the embroidery pattern after
completion of the trace, when the embroidering is conducted after
the trace, the embroidering can be started immediately without a
manual movement of the embroidery frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] For better understanding of the object and other features of
the present invention, its preferred embodiments will be described
hereinbelow in greater detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of appearance of a multi-head
embroidery sewing machine according to one embodiment of the
present invention that is seen from a front top right;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a front view of a control panel box that is shown
in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram that shows a sample of main
components in an electrical hardware configuration of a controller
for the multi-head embroidery sewing machine;
[0021] FIG. 4 shows an example of the embroidery pattern;
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a given point selection screen that is
displayed on a liquid crystal display of FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a state where the embroidery pattern is
arranged at a lower left corner in an embroidering limit range;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a diagram that illustrates a background art and
shows an example of the embroidery pattern;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a diagram that illustrates the background art and
shows a state where the embroidery pattern which is shown in FIG. 7
is arranged at a center of the embroidering limit range; and
[0026] FIG. 9 is a diagram that illustrates the background art and
shows a state where the embroidery pattern which is shown in FIG. 7
is arranged at the lower left corner in the embroidering limit
range.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multi-head embroidery
sewing machine that is seen from a front top right. In FIG. 1, a
reference numeral 1 denotes a sewing machine frame, and a reference
numeral 2 denotes a table. On the sewing machine frame 1, plural
(six) sewing heads 3 are disposed, and plural (six) shuttle bases 4
are respectively disposed in positions immediately under the sewing
heads 3 at the same level as the table 2. An embroidery frame 5 is
placed on the table 2 and driven in forward, backward, right and
left directions (X direction and Y direction) by an X-drive
mechanism 6 and a Y-drive mechanism 7 that are provided in lower
sections of the table. As well known in the art, embroidering is
conducted on fabric (embroidering workpiece) that is stretched and
held in the embroidery frame 5 through the cooperation of the
sewing needle which vertically reciprocates in a sewing head 3 and
a shuttle which is rotated in the shuttle base 4.
[0028] A well-known control panel box 8 which configures various
settings for the embroidery sewing machine is provided in a right
end section of the sewing machine frame 1. FIG. 2 is a front view
of the control panel box 8. The front of the control panel box 8
has a liquid crystal display 9 with a touch switch sheet, a frame
movement command switch 10 for four directions of upward, downward,
right and left directions which is positioned in a lower right of
the control panel box 8, and a speed change switch 11 that is
positioned on the right side of the frame movement command switch
10.
[0029] On the screen of the liquid crystal display 9, an area that
displays an image of the embroidery pattern and switch icons and
the like in which various commands are input are arranged. In the
area that displays an image of a given (arbitrary or selected)
embroidery pattern D, the image of the given embroidery pattern D
that is selected as the embroidery pattern to be embroidered is
displayed, and an image of a position (or arrangement) of the
embroidery frame 5 is also displayed in the X-Y coordinates (not
shown).
[0030] The frame movement command switch 10 is a switch for the
movement control of the embroidery frame 5 through the operation of
itself, and the speed change switch 11 is a switch for alternately
changing the movement speed of the embroidery frame 5 between a
"high speed" and a "low speed".
[0031] FIG. 3 is a block diagram that schematically shows main
components in an electrical hardware configuration of a controller
for the multi-head embroidery sewing machine. The controller for
the multi-head embroidery sewing machine includes a CPU 12, ROM 13,
RAM 14, a bus 15, and an input/output interface 16, and the CPU 12,
the ROM 13, the RAM 14, and the input/output interface 16 are
connected through the bus 15.
[0032] As well known in the art, the CPU 12 controls the whole
controller in accordance with a program that is stored in the ROM
13. The RAM 14 stores various data, necessary for embroidery
processing, including one or more sets of pattern data of one or
more embroidery patterns. In an embodiment according to the present
invention, a set of the pattern data corresponding to a given
embroidery pattern includes not only information for specifying the
corresponding embroidery pattern (including shape, size, and color,
for example, typically, sewing data group that specify an X-Y
movement amount of the embroidery frame), but also data identifying
a plurality of given points (i.e., given point data) and distance
data peculiar to the present invention. The given point data and
the distance data will be described later in detail. The
input/output interface 16 is connected with a sewing machine main
shall drive mechanism 17, the X-drive mechanism 6, the Y-drive
mechanism 7, the control panel box 8, and so on, and the sewing
machine main shaft drive mechanism 17, the X-drive mechanism 6, the
Y-drive mechanism 7, and the control panel box 8 can conduct
communications of various data with the CPU 12 through the
input/output interface 16. The sewing machine main shaft drive
mechanism 17 drives the needle of the sewing head 3 for vertical
movement and the shuttle of the shuttle base 4 for rotation.
[0033] When the frame movement command switch 10 in the control
panel box 8 is operated, a signal in response to the operation is
input as the data from the control panel box 8 into the CPU 12
through the input/output interface 16, and the CPU 12 outputs a
control signal in response to the operation of the frame movement
command switch 10 to the X-drive mechanism 6 and the Y-drive
mechanism 7 through the input/output interface 16. The X-drive
mechanism 6 and the Y-drive mechanism 7 drive the embroidery frame
5 in accordance with the control signal that is input through the
input/output interface 16 to move the embroidery frame 5 in
directions that correspond to the operation of the frame movement
command switch 10. The operator can move the embroidery frame 5 in
a state prior to the start of the embroidering or the trace to an
arbitrary position through the switch operation for each forward,
backward, right, or left direction with the frame movement command
switch 10.
[0034] When the embroidery sewing machine is started, in other
words, the embroidering is started, the sewing machine main shaft
drive mechanism 17 is driven in accordance with the control of the
CPU 12, and accordingly the sewing needle of the sewing head 3 is
driven for the vertical movement, and the shuttle of the shuttle
base 4 is driven for rotation. In synchronization with the above
operation, the embroidery frame 5 is driven by the X-drive
mechanism 6 and the Y-drive mechanism 7, and accordingly the
embroidery process is conducted.
[0035] Contents of the embroidery process (embroidery pattern) are
specified in accordance with the pattern data which is selected by
the operator, and the CPU 12 reads the selected pattern data from
the RAM 14, drives the X-drive mechanism 6 and the Y-drive
mechanism 7 in accordance with the read pattern data, controls the
movement of the embroidery frame 5, and thus achieves the
embroidering of the embroidery pattern that corresponds to the
pattern data. As well known in the art, the operator can
arbitrarily set the position where the embroidery pattern is sewn
in the embroidering limit range on the fabric (embroidering
workpiece). Therefore, when the embroidering of the embroidery
pattern is stated, the position of the embroidery frame 5 is
required to be set in accordance with a layout position of the
embroidery pattern with respect to the embroidering limit
range.
[0036] Next, a process for moving the embroidery frame 5 to any
position of the given point before the embroidering is started is
described. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the pattern data of the
embroidery pattern D to be embroidered or traced from that time is
selected by the operator, and the image of the embroidery pattern D
in accordance with the pattern data of the selected embroidery
pattern is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display 9.
FIG. 4 is a view that illustrates one example of the pattern data
of the embroidery pattern D. One or more pattern data are stored in
the RAM 14, and each data has information that specifies the
corresponding embroidery pattern D (including shape, size, color,
and so on), information on plural given points P1 through P9 (given
point data) that are used as reference points for defining the
layout of the embroidery pattern D in the embroidering limit range
20 (embroidery frame 5), and plural distance data that respectively
correspond to the plural given points P1 through P9. As
conventionally known, the starting point S that corresponds to the
embroidery pattern D can be specified. The plural distance data are
vector data that respectively indicate a distance from the
corresponding given points P1 through P9 to the starting point S
(distance data that consists of x- and y-components). Therefore,
relative positions of the starting point S to the respective given
points P1 through P9 can be specified with the respective distance
data.
[0037] The plural given points P1 through P9 are respectively
predetermined at plural main points of the embroidery pattern D,
and it is considered that at least five points which include
respective vertices of a quadrangle circumscribing the embroidery
pattern D and the center of the embroidery pattern are determined
to be the given points, for example. In the example of FIG. 4, nine
points that include the respective vertices of the quadrangle (P1,
P3, P7, and P9) circumscribing the embroidery pattern D shown by
the alternate long and short dash lines, midpoints (P2, P4, P6, and
P8) of four sides of the quadrangle (extreme values for the upper,
lower, right and left sides of the embroidery pattern D), and the
center (P5) of the embroidery pattern D are determined to be the
given points P1 through P9. As described above, it is preferable
that some limiting positions which limit the outer shape or outline
of the embroidery pattern D and the center position are determined
to be the given points P1 through P9.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a state where the given point selection screen
is displayed on the liquid crystal display 9. The given point
selection screen functions as a specifying (selecting) section in
which the operator specifies (selects) one desired point from the
plural given points P1 through P9 that are determined in the
embroidery pattern D. When one embroidery pattern D is newly
selected to be embroidered from that time, the CPU 12 displays the
given point selection screen shown in FIG. 5 on the liquid crystal
display 9. The process of activating the given point selection
screen on the liquid crystal display 9 may be configured to
automatically display the given point selection screen that
corresponds to the selected embroidery pattern, or to display a
dedicated button for instructing the display of the given point
selection screen on the liquid crystal display 9 when one
embroidery pattern D to be embroidered is newly selected and then
display the given point selection screen that corresponds to the
newly selected embroidery pattern when the operator presses the
dedicated button.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the given point selection screen
displays selection buttons B1 through B9 that respectively
correspond to the given points P1 through P9 in reference positions
that respectively correspond to the given points P1 through P9
which are predetermined in association with the embroidery pattern
D. The nine selection buttons B1 through B9 respectively function
as buttons for instructing the selection of the corresponding given
points P1 through P9. The operator can press any one of the nine
selection buttons B1 through B9 to select the given point that
corresponds to the pressed selection button (to specify the given
point as the reference position for positioning the embroidery
frame in advance). One selection button that is selected is
displayed with its display manner (such as display color) changed
differently from the other selection buttons in unselected states
and visually recognized such that the button is being selected.
FIG. 5 illustrates the state where the lower left selection button
B7 is selected, and the display manner of the selection button B7
in a selected state is different from that of the other selection
buttons B1 through B6, B8, and B9 in the unselected states.
[0040] The key points of the configuration for specifying the
position of the embroidery frame 5 prior to the start of the
embroidering are: specifying (selecting) any one of plural given
points P1 through P9 (selection of one selection button B1 through
B9 on the given point selection screen of FIG. 5); and moving the
embroidery frame 5 to the reference position that corresponds to
the given point which is specified (selected) (movement of the
embroidery frame 5 through manual operation with the frame movement
command switch 10 in the control panel box 8). Which given point is
selected from plural given points P1 through P9 may be determined
in accordance with the layout of the embroidery pattern D with
respect to the embroidering limit range 20 (embroidery frame 5) and
a current position of the embroidery frame 5. That is to say, an
appropriate given point may be selected so that positioning the
embroidery frame 5 can be most easily conducted in accordance with
the desired layout of the embroidery pattern D in the embroidering
limit range 20 (embroidery frame 5) and the current position of the
embroidery frame 5.
[0041] As one example of a pre-movement of the embroidery frame 5
prior to the start of the embroidering, a position setting of the
embroidery frame 5 in the case where the embroidery pattern D is
arranged in the lower left corner of the embroidering limit range
20 and the embroidering is conducted is described particularly with
reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. In the case where the embroidery
pattern D is arranged in the lower left corner of the embroidering
limit range 20, a position that corresponds to the given point P7
(see FIG. 5) which is specified in the lower left corner of the
embroidery pattern D is a position to which the embroidery frame 5
can be most easily moved. In this case, the operator presses, on
the given point selection screen shown in FIG. 5, the selection
button B7 that corresponds to the given point P7 which is specified
in the embroidery pattern D. In addition, the operator positions
the embroidery frame 5 to the position that corresponds to the
given point P7. Particularly, the operator manually operates the
frame movement command switch 10 to move the embroidery frame 5 so
that the sewing needle is positioned in a position (an X-marked
location) where the safe distance .alpha. required for the
embroidering is provided from the lower left corner of the
embroidering limit range 20 (chain double-dashed lines) as shown in
FIG. 6. Accordingly, the operator can specify the position of the
embroidery frame 5 just prior to the start of the embroidering to
the position that corresponds to the arbitrary given points where
the operator desires (in this case, the given point P7). The safe
distance .alpha. is a specific distance to be secured between the
embroidery pattern and the embroidering limit range 20 as the
distance required for the embroidering. The movement of the
embroidery frame 5 is only the movement of the embroidery frame 5
to the X-marked position that is away from the lower left corner in
the embroidering limit range 20 by the specific safe distance, and
therefore a task such as calculation of the X-Y coordinates in
accordance with the starting point S or the extreme values of the
embroidery pattern D is not required. In other words, the operator
may estimate whether there is a clearance for the safe distance
.alpha. or not by eye, and the operator does not need to accurately
calculate.
[0042] Either of the selection of the given point or the
pre-movement of the embroidery frame 5 may be conducted in first.
That is to say, the operator can position the embroidery frame 5 at
the arbitrary position (the position that corresponds to any one of
the plural given points P1 through P9 which is specified in the
embroidery pattern D) by using the frame movement command switch 10
in the control panel box 8 and then select a given point P1 through
P9 that corresponds to the position of the moved embroidery frame 5
(press a corresponding selection button B1 through B9). In other
words, the selection of the given point P1 through P9 with the
selection button B1 through B9 is conducted for providing to the
CPU 12 notification of a prior position of the embroidery frame 5
that is manually moved (specified) by the operator.
[0043] After the pre-movement of the embroidery frame 5 is
conducted as described above, the operation of the sewing machine
is started, in other words, embroidering operation is started. When
the operation of the sewing machine is started, the CPU 12 extracts
the distance data between the given point P7 that is selected at
the start of the embroidering and the starting point S of the
embroidery pattern D from the pattern data that is stored in the
RAM 14, and automatically moves the embroidery frame 5 from the
current position (a position that is shown with an X mark and
corresponds to the given point P7) to the position that corresponds
to the starting point S of the embroidery pattern D, based on the
extracted distance data. Because the embroidery frame 5 is in the
reference position that corresponds to the given point P7 due to
the pre-movement of the embroidery frame 5 at the start of the
embroidering, when the embroidery frame 5 is just moved, based on
the distance data between the given point P7 that is included in
the pattern data and the starting point S of the embroidery pattern
D, the embroidery frame 5 can be moved from the reference position
that corresponds to the given point P7 to the position that
corresponds to the starting point S (more particularly, the
position such that the sewing needle is positioned at the starting
point S). Then, after the CPU 12 moves the embroidery frame 5 to
the position of the starting point S, the CPU 12 starts the
embroidering of the embroidery pattern D of which the starting
point S is designated as the starting point.
[0044] The position setting of the embroidery frame as described
above is applicable at the trace of the embroidery pattern D. The
trace function in the embroidery sewing machine is a function that
brings the embroidery frame 5 to move along the outer shape of the
embroidery pattern D prior to the start of the embroidering and
therefore makes the operator visually inspect if the embroidery
pattern D fits in the embroidering limit range without any problem,
as well known in the art. Before the trace is started, as is the
case in the embroidering, the position of the embroidery frame 5 is
also required to be set in accordance with the layout position of
the embroidery pattern with respect to the embroidering limit
range. Therefore, before the trace is started, as is the case
before the embroidering is started, the operator selects one of
plural given points P1 through P9 that are specified in the
embroidery pattern D and moves the embroidery frame 5 to the
position that corresponds to the selected given point. Then, when
the operation of the sewing machine is started, after the
embroidery frame 5 is moved from the position of the selected given
point to the position of the starting point S, based on the
distance data between the selected given point and the starting
point S, the trace (movement of the embroidery frame 5 along the
outer shape of the embroidery pattern D) is started.
[0045] Furthermore, in the case of the trace, the movement of the
embroidery frame 5 may be controlled so that the embroidery frame 5
is positioned at the starting point S at the completion of the
trace. When the embroidery sewing machine is configured as
described above, upon the starting of the embroidering after the
completion of the trace, the embroidering can be started
immediately without the movement of the embroidery frame 5 to the
starting point S again.
[0046] As described above, according to the present embodiment, by
merely selecting one given point from the plural given points P1
through P9 in the embroidery pattern D and positioning the
embroidery frame 5 to the position that corresponds to the selected
given point before the embroidering or the trace is started, the
embroidering or the trace is started after the embroidery frame 5
is moved to the position that corresponds to the starting point S
of the embroidery pattern D, and therefore the present invention
provides beneficial effects such that it is not necessary to
calculate the X-Y coordinates or measure with the ruler to move the
embroidery frame 5 to the starting point S at the start of the
embroidering or the trace, and the movement of the embroidery frame
5 (position setting of the embroidery frame 5) can be easily
conducted at the start of the embroidering or the trace.
[0047] Depending on conditions of the starting point S of the
embroidery pattern D and the layout position of the embroidery
pattern D in the embroidering limit range, such as the case where
the starting point S of the embroidery pattern D to be embroidered
is specified at the center of the embroidery pattern D and where
the embroidery pattern D is embroidered in the center of the
embroidering limit range (in other words, the case where the
starting point S of the embroidery pattern D corresponds with the
center of the embroidering limit range), the embroidery frame 5 may
be easily positioned such that the sewing needle is positioned at
the starting point S of the embroidery pattern D, in some cases. In
such the case, without the selection of the given point, the
embroidering or the trace may be started after the embroidery frame
5 is positioned at the position that corresponds to the starting
position S with the frame movement command switch 10.
[0048] In the example shown in FIG. 4 as described above, the given
points P1 through P9 are specified to the nine points that include
the respective vertices of the quadrangle circumscribing the
embroidery pattern D, midpoints of four sides of the quadrangle
(extreme values for the upper, lower, right and left sides of the
embroidery pattern D), and the center (P5) of the embroidery
pattern D; however, the plural given points that are specified in
the embroidery pattern D are not limited to the embodiment
described above but may be changed in number and specified
locations appropriately.
[0049] In the example shown in FIG. 5 as described above, the
manner in which the selection buttons B1 through B9 that correspond
to the given points P1 through P9 are displayed in the image of the
embroidery pattern on the given point selection screen is used;
however, the embodiment of selection means for selecting the given
point is not limited to the given point selection screen of FIG. 5
but may take any forms as long as one given point can be selected
from plural given points.
[0050] This application is based on, and claims priority to, JP PA
2011-061284 filed on 18 Mar. 2011. The disclosure of the priority
application, in its entirety, including the drawings, claims, and
the specification thereof, is incorporated herein by reference.
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