JP2000185184A - Sewing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To have information inherent in a sewing machine outputted as data to an external storage means, and to write the set inherent information stored in the external storage means accurately into an information storing means, thereby aiming at simplification and acceleration of restoring work of the inherent information set after the time when the machine was repaired. SOLUTION: In an inherent information memory of a flash memory provided in a controller are stored set inherent information including a plurality of items such as cloth thickness information, touch panel adjustment information, stitch balancing thread tension correction information, cloth feeding amount correction information, displaying adjustment information, running state information and the like at the time of a trial running by assembling this machine M, and when carrying out a pattern selection control, by operating an external output key, the set inherent information of a plurality of items is read out and can be written into a floppy disk FD to be kept (S36 to S38). Therefore, in case where the controller is to be exchanged for reparation of a control base plate, the set inherent information written into the floppy disk FD is read out to be written into the inherent information memory.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a combination of pattern information provided by an operator for sewing, correction information of display means and sewing means, and the like. The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing and storing in a storage means to speed up a process of returning the setting unique information to a unique information memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a home electronic control sewing machine is provided with an embroidery frame driving mechanism for independently moving and driving an embroidery frame in two orthogonal directions, and a straight stitch is displayed via a pattern selection screen displayed on a display. You can select not only practical patterns such as stitches and zigzag seams, but also embroidery patterns such as "animals" and "flowers", sew the selected practical patterns on work cloth, and embroider on work cloth attached to the embroidery frame. Patterns can be colorfully sewn in multiple colors.

In this type of electronically controlled sewing machine, the set values related to the display on the liquid crystal display, the thread tension and the feed amount by the sewing mechanism, and the like are different for each sewing machine depending on the finishing accuracy and assembly accuracy of parts. When turning on the power, the display brightness and contrast can be automatically set to the reference values.In sewing, the upper thread supplied from the thread spool is forcibly controlled by the thread feeding mechanism using a thread feeding motor. Unique information that is a non-volatile memory such as a ROM provided in the control device so as to correct the amount of thread to be unwound in a specific manner, the amount of work cloth moved by the feed dog, and the amount of work cloth moved by the embroidery frame. In the memory, setting specific information including a reference value for the display device and a plurality of types of correction information for the sewing mechanism is stored.

In the case where an analog touch panel having touch keys is provided on the front of the display,
The setting information for associating with the display position on the touch panel is stored in the unique information memory. Further, in a high-end model sewing machine, pattern information of a combination pattern including a pattern name and a layout relation of each pattern when a character string obtained by combining a plurality of characters for a name and the like is sewn,
The pattern information of the combination pattern including the pattern name and the arrangement relation of each pattern when sewing a combination pattern obtained by combining a plurality of embroidery patterns is automatically stored as unique setting information in the unique information memory. There are also things. Here, the control device includes a CPU, a ROM and a RAM, an input / output interface, a plurality of drive circuits for driving various motors, and the like, and is usually provided on a control board.

That is, every time the sewing machine manufacturer completes the assembly of the electronically controlled sewing machine, the operator also performs a trial run and instructs the brightness and contrast so that the display has the reference brightness as the display-related set values. The brightness information is obtained, the feed amount correction information is obtained so that the actual feed amount is the feed amount when the feed dog is driven by the feed amount data, and the actual movement amount of the embroidery frame in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is obtained. Is determined so as to be the amount of movement indicated by the amount of movement data, and further, the output voltages of the analog touch keys at four reference positions corresponding to the four corners of the display are obtained, The setting unique information of a plurality of items including the obtained setting values and setting information is sequentially stored in the unique information memory in the setting unique information registration mode which is a service mode. So that for storage.

[0006]

As described above, in a conventional electronically controlled sewing machine, a reference value for displaying on a display and a sewing mechanism are stored in a unique information memory which is a nonvolatile memory in the control device. In the event that the control board on which this control device is mounted fails, the technician first sets the sewing machine to one of the test mode specific information output modes. When the mode is switched to and the setting unique information of multiple items stored in the unique information memory can be read, write down each of the setting unique information of these multiple items displayed on the screen, and then replace the control board with a new one. I do.

On the other hand, even if the mode is switched to the unique information output mode,
When the setting unique information cannot be read, the control board is immediately replaced with a new one. When the control board is replaced with a new control board, the unique information memory is cleared, the sewing machine is switched to the setting unique information registration mode, and the setting unique information of a plurality of memos is sequentially registered in the unique information memory. Because this registration takes time,
There are problems such as that a large amount of labor is required for the restoration work of the sewing machine, and that the registered contents of the setting unique information are likely to be mistaken.

On the other hand, when the setting unique information cannot be read, the control board is replaced with a new control board, and for each of the plurality of items, the setting unique information of the plurality of items is also obtained for trial operation, and then the information is sequentially stored in the unique information memory. There is a problem that a large amount of time and labor is required for the restoration work of the sewing machine since the registration is performed individually. An object of the present invention is to output information peculiar to a sewing machine as data to an external storage means, to accurately write setting unique information stored in the external storage means to an information storage means, and thereby to repair the sewing machine. This can simplify and speed up the work of restoring the setting-specific information when the setting is performed.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing machine having display means including a display and sewing means for sewing on a work cloth, wherein setting unique information of a plurality of items set in the sewing machine is stored. An information storage means, and an output means for reading the setting unique information stored in the information storage means and outputting the read information to an external storage means via an external communication network.

The information storage means provided in the sewing machine stores setting information such as the brightness and contrast of the display relating to the display means, cloth feed amount correction information based on feed dogs and embroidery frames relating to the sewing means, thread tension correction information, and the like. The setting unique information of a plurality of set items is stored, and the output means reads out all of the setting unique information of the plurality of items stored in the information storage means, and outputs the information through an external communication network such as the Internet or a communication line. Output to external storage means. Therefore, since the setting unique information of a plurality of items set in the sewing machine is stored in the external storage means, when the control board provided with the information storage means is replaced for repair, the external storage means may be used. The setting unique information can be quickly read and restored.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing machine having display means including a display and sewing means for sewing on a work cloth, wherein information storage means for storing setting unique information of a plurality of items set in the sewing machine; Output means for reading the setting unique information stored in the storage means and outputting it to the external storage means mounted on the mounting part of the sewing machine.

In the information storage means provided in the sewing machine, setting information such as brightness and contrast of the display, cloth feed amount correction information by thread and embroidery frame relating to the sewing means, thread tension correction information and the like are set in the sewing machine. The setting unique information of a plurality of items is stored, and the output means reads out all of the setting unique information of the plurality of items stored in the information storage means, and reads the information such as a ROM card or a floppy disk mounted on the mounting portion of the sewing machine. Output to external storage means. Therefore, it operates in the same manner as the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the information storage means comprises a rewritable non-volatile memory, and reads out the setting unique information written in the external storage means to store the information. An internal writing means for writing into the means is provided.

In this case, since the information storage means is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, when the control board provided with the control device including the information storage means is replaced for repair, the internal writing means writes to the external storage means. Since the loaded setting unique information is read out and written into the information storage means, the recovery operation of the sewing machine can be simplified and speeded up. Further, it is possible to guarantee the accuracy of the setting unique information written in the information storage means. Other operations are the same as those of the first or second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sewing machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising an output instruction unit for instructing the output unit to output setting unique information. . In this case, it is possible to easily instruct the output means to output the setting unique information by activating the output command means at any time when the setting unique information is desired to be output. Other operations are the same as those of any one of the first to third aspects.

A sewing machine according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the sewing machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising an internal write instruction unit that instructs the internal write unit to write setting unique information. It is. In this case, it is possible to easily instruct the writing of the setting unique information by the internal writing means by operating the internal writing instruction means at an arbitrary time when the setting unique information is to be written. In addition, the same operation as any one of the first to fourth aspects is achieved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing machine according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, wherein a detecting unit for detecting whether an external storage unit is mounted on the mounting unit of the sewing machine, an output unit or an internal writing unit. A warning means for warning when the detection means detects that the external storage means is not mounted when the means is operated. In this case, when the output means or the internal writing means is operated to output the setting unique information to the external storage means or when reading from the external storage means, when the detection means detects that the external storage means is not mounted, Since the warning unit warns that the external storage unit is not attached, it is possible to reliably prevent an output error or a writing error of the setting unique information. Other operations are the same as those of any one of the first to fifth aspects.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the warning means displays a warning message on a display of a display means. In this case, since a warning message such as "Please attach external storage means" is displayed on the display of the display means, it is possible to reliably recognize that the external storage means is not attached by the display. Other operations are the same as those of the sixth aspect.

According to a eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the output means additionally writes error check information relating to setting unique information to be written to an external storage means. Is what you do. In this case, since error check information such as CRC data (cyclic redundancy check data) is additionally written with respect to the setting unique information to be written into the external storage means, an accurate setting without error based on the error check information. Only unique information can be written.
In addition, the same operation as any one of the first to seventh aspects is achieved.

In a sewing machine according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the eighth aspect, the internal writing means reads the setting unique information from the external storage means and compares it with the error check information when writing the information into the information storage means. When an error is detected in the information, a write-inhibiting means for inhibiting the writing of the setting unique information to the information storage means is provided.

In this case, when the setting unique information is read from the external storage means and written into the information storage means by the internal writing means, the setting unique information is collated with the error check information. As a result, when an error is detected in the setting unique information, writing of the setting unique information to the information storage means is inhibited by the write inhibiting means. Other effects are the same as those of the eighth aspect.

A sewing machine according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the sewing machine according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the setting unique information includes pattern information of a combination pattern obtained by combining two or more patterns provided for sewing.
It is characterized by including at least one of feed correction information of a work cloth, adjustment information of a touch panel attached to a display, cloth thickness information, and thread tension correction information.

In this case, the setting specific information includes pattern information of a combined pattern obtained by combining two or more patterns used for sewing, feed correction information of a work cloth, adjustment information of a touch panel attached to a display, and Since at least one of the cloth thickness information and the thread tension correction information is included, these can be output as setting specific information to an external storage means and can be written to an information storage means provided in the sewing machine. In addition, the same operation as any one of the first to ninth aspects is achieved.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to an electronic control sewing machine capable of sewing various embroidery patterns in addition to practical patterns by detachably mounting an embroidery frame driving device (so-called embroidery unit). It is. The electronically controlled sewing machine M is, as shown in FIG.
And a pillar 2 erected from the right end of the bed 1 and an arm 3 extending leftward from the upper end of the pillar 2 so as to face the bed 1.

The arm 3 is provided with a main shaft 5 driven by a sewing machine motor 54. The rotation of the main shaft 5 moves the needle bar 6 up and down. A needle swing mechanism 9 for swinging the needle bar 6 by a controlled needle swing pulse motor 53 is provided. Further, although not shown, a balance driving mechanism or the like for moving the balance up and down in synchronization with the vertical movement of the needle bar 6 is provided. Further, a presser foot 11 is attached to a lower end of a presser bar 10 provided close to the needle bar 6. Here, the head 4 of the arm 3 has
Start / stop switch 12 for instructing start and stop of sewing work
Is provided.

The arm 3 is provided with a large color liquid crystal display (hereinafter, simply referred to as a color display) 13. The color display 13 has various stitch patterns such as practical patterns and embroidery patterns and various types of stitch patterns. A function name and various messages are displayed. On the front surface of the color display 13, an analog type in which a plurality of touch keys 14 composed of transparent electrodes are provided in a matrix in correspondence with the display positions of a plurality of embroidery patterns, pattern names, and function names indicating functions. A touch panel (not shown) is provided in a rectangular shape. That is, selection of a desired embroidery pattern and instruction of a function can be realized by pressing the touch key 14 corresponding to the embroidery pattern, the pattern name, or the function name.

Although not shown, the arm portion 3 further includes an upper thread feeding mechanism 16 for forcibly feeding the upper thread from the thread spool.
And a pulse motor 56 for driving the upper thread feeding mechanism 16 for driving the upper thread feeding mechanism 16 so that the upper thread required for sewing is fed through the upper thread feeding mechanism 16 by driving the pulse motor 56. Has become. By the way, the presser bar 10 has an ordinary presser foot 1 for pressing the work cloth onto the needle plate.
1 is provided, and a position detection sensor 18 composed of a potentiometer for detecting the height position of the presser bar 10 is provided in the vicinity of the presser bar 10. Height signals corresponding to various heights corresponding to the thickness are output.

Next, a needle plate is provided on the upper surface of the bed portion 1, and a feed dog 20 for feeding a work cloth is provided below the needle plate, and a lower thread bobbin is accommodated therein. 7
A thread catcher (for example, a horizontal shuttle) cooperating with the above is provided. The feed dog 20 is driven back and forth by a feed dog front-rear movement mechanism 22 driven by rotation of a main shaft 5 provided in the arm portion 3, and is driven up and down by a feed dog vertical movement mechanism 23. The pillar 2 has a ROM card 30 storing pattern data (sewing data and pattern display data) of a large number of embroidery patterns that are optionally added.
Is connected to an internal card connector 50 (see FIG. 2), and a floppy disk drive 49 (which corresponds to a mounting portion of the sewing machine) is arranged below the card slot 2a. ing.

By the way, a part of the bed table is removed from the bed part 1, and the embroidery unit 2 is provided as a separate body.
5 is detachably mounted. This embroidery unit 25
Is a Y-direction drive unit 27 having a built-in main body case 25a, an embroidery frame 26 for detachably mounting a work cloth, and a Y-direction drive mechanism for driving the embroidery frame 26 in the Y direction (front-back direction).
And an X-direction drive mechanism for driving the Y-direction drive unit 27 in the X direction (left-right direction), the X-direction drive mechanism being housed in the main body case 25a. Driven by a drive motor 28, the Y-direction drive mechanism is driven by a Y-direction drive motor 29 (see FIG. 2) so that the embroidery frame 26 can be sewn while being independently driven to move in the X and Y directions. I have.

Next, a control system of the electronic control sewing machine M will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 40 includes an input interface 41, a CPU 42, a ROM 43,
A computer including the AM 44 and an electrically rewritable nonvolatile flash memory 45 (corresponding to a rewritable nonvolatile memory);
6 and a bus 47 such as a data bus connecting these. The input interface 41 is connected to the start / stop switch 12, the touch keys 14 provided on the analog touch panel, the position detection sensor 18, the timing signal generator 51 for detecting a plurality of rotation phases of the spindle 5, and the like. I have. However, the input interface 41 has
An A / D converter and the like are provided.

The output interface 46 includes a feed amount adjusting pulse motor 53 for driving a feed amount adjusting mechanism 52 including a feed adjuster, a sewing machine motor 54, a needle swing pulse motor 55, and a needle thread feeding pulse motor. A display controller (LCDC) 57 for the color display (LCD) 13 and drive motors 28 and 29 of the embroidery unit 25 are connected to each other. The ROM 47 is connected to the bus 47 via a connector 50, and a floppy disk drive (FD) is connected to the bus 47.
D) A floppy disk controller (FDC) 28 for driving and controlling 49 is connected. Here, FDD4
9 is provided with a mounting detection switch 49a for detecting the mounting state of the floppy disk FD.

In the ROM 43, in addition to a general control program for sewing control and display control for sewing a practical pattern, a color display 13 for the selected embroidery pattern is stored.
A control program for editing and sewing control including editing processing for performing editing processing such as enlargement, reduction, rotation, and the like via embroidery, and embroidery sewing processing for embroidering and sewing the selected embroidery pattern. Programs and the like are stored in advance.

Further, in the ROM 43, an alphabet having a vertical dimension of 10 pt (approximately 3.6 mm) is displayed in order to display a pattern name of the embroidery pattern and accompanying data such as "number of stitches" and "number of colors". Display font data and vertical size is 15pt
Alphabet display font data of about 5.4 mm (about 5.4 mm) and alphabet display font data having a vertical dimension of 27 pt (about 10 mm) are stored in association with code data of alphabet characters.

Further, the pattern data memory 43 of the ROM 43
As shown in FIG. 3, a includes a character pattern data composed of display data relating to each of the character patterns of numbers and alphabets and sewing data thereof, and a practical pattern composed of display data relating to each of a plurality of practical patterns and the sewing data thereof. Pattern data and pattern data of a large number of relatively frequently used embroidery patterns (first embroidery pattern, second embroidery pattern, third embroidery pattern ...) are stored. The embroidery patterns are grouped by type and stored with a pattern number.

That is, since the pattern data of each embroidery pattern has the same configuration, the pattern data of the first embroidery pattern will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the pattern data includes the embroidery pattern and a plurality of embroidery patterns included in the embroidery pattern. Pattern display data for displaying a color-specific pattern portion, sewing data for embroidery sewing, FIG.
Beginning with display information for screen display related to the pattern selection shown in FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 14, the selected embroidery pattern and its text (character string) other than the color-specific pattern portion, numerical values, and function key names Is stored separately from accompanying information display data including display instruction information for instructing to display at a predetermined display position.

The pattern display data of the first embroidery pattern includes
For example, in the case of the embroidery pattern of “elephant” shown in FIG. 14, in order to display the embroidery pattern “elephant” and the first to third color-specific pattern portions,
The dot data of “elephant” and the dot data of the first to third color-specific pattern portions are stored. Further, partial sewing data for three colors of the first to third color-specific pattern portions is stored as sewing data. As display data of the accompanying information, display data for characters and function names to be displayed when various screens are displayed is stored. Here, a stop code SC for thread change and data of a sewing time are stored in the sewing data for each color-specific pattern portion, respectively, and an end code EC is additionally stored in the final sewing data. .

As the ROM card 30, a plurality of embroidery patterns (first embroidery patterns) having a relatively low frequency of use are provided in the ROM 31 of the ROM card 30 similarly to the ROM 43. The pattern data of a pattern, a second embroidery pattern, a third embroidery pattern,...) Is stored. (See FIG. 3).

The pattern name memory 44a of the RAM 44 stores a plurality of pattern name data read from the embroidery pattern floppy disk FD1. The sewing data memory 44b stores sewing data of the selected embroidery pattern. Further, the RAM 44 is provided with memories (memory such as flags, pointers, counters, registers, buffers, etc.) necessary for the above-described various controls.

As shown in FIG. 4, the unique information memory 45a (corresponding to the information storage means) of the flash memory 45 has a position detection means for accurately detecting the thickness of the work cloth to be sewn. The cloth thickness information including the height signal V1 when the cloth thickness is "0 mm" and the height signal V2 when the cloth thickness is "3 mm" output from the sensor 18, and the four reference points corresponding to the four corners of the touch panel Touch panel adjustment information consisting of voltage values Va to Vd, thread tension correction information, cloth feed amount correction information, display display adjustment information, operation status information,
Stores pattern information of the combination pattern.

That is, every time the sewing machine maker completes the assembly of the electronic control sewing machine M, the inspection technician also performs the trial operation, and sets the setting information relating to the display control on the display, the correction information and the adjustment information relating to the sewing control, and the like. The measurement information is obtained and registered in the unique information memory 45a of the flash memory 45 as the unique information in the setting unique information registration mode which is a service mode. Therefore, even when the control amounts of the display control and the sewing control are different for each sewing machine due to the finishing accuracy and the assembling accuracy of the parts, by using these correction information and the adjustment information,
The operation state of the display control and the sewing control can be adjusted for each sewing machine.

Here, the setting unique information will be briefly described. The cloth thickness information is for accurately obtaining the thickness of the work cloth based on the height position of the presser bar 10, and is provided with a touch panel. Adjustment information of the color display 13
This is for setting the four reference keys of the plurality of upper touch keys in association with the display position, and the thread tension correction information corrects the driving amount of the upper thread feeding pulse motor 56 by correcting the actual driving amount. This is for adjusting the yarn feeding amount to the yarn feeding data.

The cloth feed amount correction information matches the actual cloth feed amount when the drive amount of the feed adjusting pulse motor 53 is corrected to sew a practical pattern such as a linear pattern or a zigzag pattern with the feed pitch data. And correction data for correcting the drive amounts of the two drive motors 28 and 29 and moving the embroidery frame 26 to the feed pitch data when sewing the embroidery pattern using the embroidery unit 25. have. The display display adjustment information is for automatically setting the brightness and contrast of the color display 13 to a reference value, and the operation status information is the operating time and sewing time of the sewing machine M.

Further, the pattern information of the combination pattern is a pattern information of a combination pattern in which a plurality of character patterns are combined and a name or the like is sewn. The pattern information of the combination pattern is a character string combining a plurality of characters for a name or the like. Combination pattern information consisting of the pattern name of each pattern at the time of sewing and its layout relationship, and combination pattern consisting of the pattern name of each pattern at the time of sewing a combination pattern combining a plurality of embroidery patterns and their layout relationship The pattern information is automatically registered by a combination pattern registration control (not shown).

Here, the floppy disk FD1 for the embroidery pattern stores various data in addition to the sewing data for the stitch pattern as shown in FIG. That is, in the system area, in addition to data such as “2DD” and “2HD” that define the recording format for recording various data, management data such as a volume label “FLOWER” and the number of stored patterns “22”, embroidery For each pattern, the pattern name data relating to the "pattern name" and the accompanying "extension", and the corresponding recording date and time, the sewing data storage address in the data area, the file length, and the accompanying data relating to the stitch formation And are stored. Here, the extension indicates the type of the pattern name or the file name in addition to the pattern name or other file names, such as “.HUS”.

The accompanying data includes data of "number of stitches" corresponding to the number of stitches, data of "number of colors" of the embroidery thread to be used, and data of "color name" corresponding to the "number of colors". Is stored. On the other hand, the data area stores, for each embroidery pattern, sewing data for forming an embroidery pattern, that is, stitch data, from a head address designated by a sewing data storage address. Here, when the sewing data is sewn with a plurality of different thread colors, a stop code for thread change is appropriately provided.

Next, the pattern selection control routine executed by the control device 40 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. However, the reference symbol Si (i = 1,
2, 3...) Indicate each step. When this control is started by turning on the power, first, the RAM 44
Initialization processing such as clearing each memory is performed (S
1) A menu screen for designating the type (classification) of the pattern is displayed on the color display 10 (S2).

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, character designating keys 14a to 14d for selecting a kana character or an alphabetic character pattern according to a typeface, a practical designating key 14e for selecting a practical pattern, and a concrete designating for selecting a concrete pattern. Key 14f ~
14h, furthermore, a card designation key 14i for reading and selecting embroidery pattern data recorded on the mounted ROM card 30 and an embroidery pattern recorded on the mounted embroidery pattern floppy disk FD1. A menu screen including a floppy designation key 14j for reading and selecting data is displayed.

Therefore, when the floppy key 14j is operated to select the embroidery pattern recorded on the floppy disk FD1 mounted on the FDD 49 (S3: Yes, S4: No, S5: Yes), the floppy disk The pattern name data and associated data are read from the FD 1 and written into the pattern name memory 44a (S11).

Next, for a plurality of pattern names in the pattern name memory 44a, a pattern name order sorting process for arranging the pattern names in the alphabetical order is executed, and the pattern names after the sorting process are updated to the file name memory 44a. The sorted pattern names are displayed in a list on the color display 10 (S13), and associated data is displayed for each pattern name (S14). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, on the color display 13, the pattern names “AAA”, “AAB”,
"BBB" are displayed in a table format arranged in two rows in a horizontal direction, for example, with a display font of 15 pt.

The "number of stitches" and "number of colors"
Are displayed close to each other in the row direction. Further, a sort function name for performing sort processing in "name order" or "stitch number order" or the like, and a function name such as "return" or "fix" are displayed. At this time, the pattern names ".AAA" and ".CA
The display area of "C", ".DEA" ... is displayed in color in, for example, "blue", and the pattern name ".A" indicated by a diagonal line falling to the left
The display areas of “AB”, “.BBB”, “.EEB” are displayed in color, for example, in “green”. Next, when the pattern name key 14k corresponding to the desired pattern name is pressed (S18:
Yes), the pattern name corresponding to the operated pattern name key 14 is identified and displayed by inversion (S22).

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the pattern name "BBB" is selected by the pattern name key 14k, the display area of the pattern name "BBB" including the display of "number of stitches" and "number of colors" is displayed. The pattern name is identified and displayed by reverse display in which the pattern name is outlined. Here, in addition to the reverse display, another display color may be identified and displayed by a stimulating color such as “red”, or may be displayed by blinking. by the way,
When a sort key 14m such as “sort by name” or “sort by stitch number” is operated (S18: No, S19: Yes)
), A sort process corresponding to the operated sort key 14m is executed (S23), and the pattern names after the sort process are displayed on the color display 13 in a table format (S24).

On the other hand, when the "return" key 14n is operated (S18-S19: No, S20: Yes), S2 and subsequent steps are executed. By the way, when the "confirm" key 14o is operated (S18 to S20: No, S21: Yes), the pattern selection of the pattern name identified and displayed is confirmed, and the sewing data of the confirmed embroidery pattern is stored in the floppy disk FD1. And is stored in the sewing data memory 44b (S2
5) The stitch pattern obtained by calculation based on the sewing data is displayed on the color display 13 (S26). Here, when other function keys such as a “previous page” key and a “next page” key are operated (S18 to S21: No),
A process corresponding to the operated function key is executed (S32).

Next, when the sewing process is started by operating the start / stop switch 12 (S27: Yes), a command is issued to start the sewing process (S28). As a result, the sewing process is executed by reading stitch data for each stitch from the sewing data memory 44b by the sewing control (S28, S29, S31: No). When sewing is interrupted during sewing, when sewing is stopped by operating the start / stop switch 12, or when a stop code S for thread change is set.
When sewing is temporarily stopped by C or the like (S29:
Yes), information on the sewing with the next thread color is displayed on the color display 13 (S30). This information may include, for example, the message "Sewing the second color"
"Sewing the third color" is displayed.

When the sewing processing of all the embroidery areas is completed and the sewing is completed (S29: No, S31: Yes)
), S2 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when the desired pattern classification “animals and vehicles” is selected by operating the concrete designating key 14f while the menu screen is displayed (S3 ·
S4: Yes), as shown in FIG. 13, a large number of patterns related to "animals" and "vehicles" are displayed as a list in a matrix (S8). For example, the pattern key 14p
Is operated to select the embroidery pattern "image" (S
9) As shown in FIG. 14, a pattern confirmation screen having an embroidery pattern "image" and three color-specific pattern portions included in the "image" is displayed on the color display 13 (S1).
0).

However, if the "return" key is operated while the pattern confirmation screen is being displayed, the process returns to S8. And
S27 to S31 are executed, and the embroidery pattern "image" is sewn with the embroidery threads of three colors, as described above. In this case, in S30, each time the embroidery sewing for each thread color is completed and temporarily stopped (S29: Yes), the second color-specific pattern portion and the third color-specific pattern portion sequentially move to the leading position. Is displayed. By the way, on the menu screen shown in FIG. 10, the setting unique information composed of a plurality of items stored in the unique information memory 45a is stored in the floppy disk F mounted on the FDD 49.
When the external output key 14q is operated to output to D2 (this corresponds to external storage means) (S3: Ye
s, S4 to S5: No, S6: Yes), external output processing control (see FIG. 8) is executed (S15).

When this processing control is started, the FDD4 is controlled based on a detection signal from the mounting detection switch 49a.
If no floppy disk FD is mounted on the printer 9 (S35: No), a warning message "Please mount a floppy disk" is displayed on the color display 13 (S39), this control is terminated, and pattern selection control is performed. Return to S3. However, when the floppy disk FD2 is mounted on the FDD 49 (S35: Yes)
), All of the setting unique information composed of a plurality of items stored in the unique information memory 45a are read out and written to the floppy disk FD2, and error check information based on the setting unique information is created. The data is additionally written to the FD 2 (S36).

Here, this error check information is, for example, CR
This is C data (periodic redundancy check data), and an error in the setting unique information can be effectively corrected. Next, the setting unique information written on the floppy disk FD2 is collated with the error check information (S
37) If there is an error (S38: Yes), S36 to S38 are executed again. However, if there is no error (S38: No), since there is no error in the written setting unique information, this control is terminated, and the process returns to S3.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, in the system area of the floppy disk FD2, data defining a recording format for recording various data and management data such as a volume label "setting unique information" are stored. In addition, in the data area, setting unique information composed of a plurality of items and error check information stored in the unique information memory 45a are stored. That is, 4 is stored in the unique information memory.
The setting unique information unique to the sewing machine M stored in the sewing machine 5a can be output in advance and stored in the floppy disk FD2 as the external storage means.

When the control board on which the control device 40 is mounted fails, the engineer repairs and restores the sewing machine M by replacing the failed control board with a new one. That is, there is no data in the unique information memory 45a provided in the flash memory 45 due to the replacement of the control board. In this case, when the internal write key 14r is operated on the menu screen of FIG. 10 (S3: Yes, S4 to S6: No, S7: Yes), the internal write processing control (see FIG. 9) is executed (S16). .

When this processing control is started, the FDD 4 is controlled based on the detection signal from the mounting detection switch 49a.
9 when no floppy disk FD is mounted (S40: No), or when the data of “setting unique information” is not stored in the volume label of the floppy disk FD mounted on the FDD 49 (S41: N
o), a warning message "Please insert the floppy disk storing the setting specific information" is displayed (S45), and the S3
Return to However, when the volume label is "setting unique information" and the regular floppy disk FD2 is mounted on the FDD 49 (S40 / S41: Ye
s) The setting unique information and the error check information are read from the floppy disk FD2 (S42).

Next, it is compared with the setting unique information using the error check information (S43), and if there is no error (S44: N
o), the setting unique information is written into the unique information memory 45a of the flash memory 45 (S45), and the process returns to S3. However, if there is an error (S44: Yes), a message "There is an error in the setting unique information and will not write" is displayed (S47), and writing of the setting unique information to the unique information memory 45a is prohibited (S48). ), And return to S3. As a result, in the unique information memory 45a,
As shown in FIG. 4, the same setting unique information as before the exchange of the control board is accurately stored.

Here, the color display 13 and the LCD
Display means is constituted by C57 and display control, and sewing means is constituted by drive mechanisms 8 to 9, 22 to 23 and motors 54 to 56 for driving the needle bar 6 and the feed dog 20, and external output control and a control device. 40 and the like, output means is constituted by the internal writing control and the control device 40, etc., output command means is constituted by the external output key 14q and the control device 40, etc., and the internal writing key 14r and the control device 40
And the like, constitute the internal write command means, the mounting detection switch 49a, the control device 40, etc., constitute the detection means, and the external output control, particularly S39, and the internal write control, particularly S46, the control device 40, etc. constitute the warning means. The write inhibit means is constituted by the internal write control, especially S44 and S47 to S48, the control device 40 and the like.

As described above, the unique information memory 45a of the flash memory 45 provided in the control device 40 of the sewing machine M includes:
Cloth thickness information, touch panel adjustment information, thread tension correction information,
Setting unique information including a plurality of items, such as cloth feed amount correction information, display display adjustment information, operation status information, and combination pattern information, is stored. When performing pattern selection control, the external output key 14q must be operated. Thus, the setting unique information of a plurality of items stored in the unique information memory 45a can be read and written and stored in the floppy disk FD mounted on the FDD 49.
Even if the control board provided with “0” is replaced for repair, the setting unique information written on the floppy disk FD can be read and written into the unique information memory 45a, thereby simplifying the recovery work of the sewing machine M. And it can be speeded up.

Further, when the setting unique information of the unique information memory 45a is written to the floppy disk FD2, error check information relating to the setting unique information is stored.
When the setting unique information is read out from the floppy disk FD2 and written into the unique information memory 45a, it is compared with the error check information. When an error is detected in the setting unique information,
Since the writing of the setting unique information to the unique information memory 45a is prohibited, the writing of the incorrect setting unique information having an error can be reliably prevented, and the accurate setting unique information without error can be surely stored in the unique information memory. It can be restored by writing to 45a.

Incidentally, the setting unique information of the unique information memory 45a may be stored in a ROM card. Also, R
Any one of the external storage means of the OM card and the floppy disk FD may be configured to be mountable. In addition, the sewing machine M is connected to an external communication network such as the Internet, and an external storage memory corresponding to the unique information memory 45a is also connected to the external communication network. May be written to the external storage memory via the.

The present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above embodiment. For example, various control programs stored in the ROM 43 may be stored in the flash memory 45 and the ROM 43 may be omitted. Various changes may be made to the control of each unit of the embodiment based on existing technology or technology obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the technical idea of the present invention. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to various sewing machines other than the embroidery sewing machine, such as a lockstitch sewing machine.

[0067]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the sewing machine having the display means including the display and the sewing means for sewing on the work cloth, the information storage means and the output means are provided. The setting specific information of a plurality of items can be stored in an external storage means, and when the control board provided with the information storage means is replaced for repair, the setting specific information is read from the external storage means. It can be restored quickly. According to the second aspect of the invention, in the sewing machine having the display means including the display and the sewing means for sewing on the work cloth, the information storage means and the output means are provided, so that the same effect as the first aspect is obtained. can get.

Here, the information storage means is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and an internal writing means for reading the setting unique information written in the external storage means and writing it into the information storage means is provided. In the case where the control board provided with the information storage means is replaced for repair, the setting unique information written in the external storage means can be read out and written in the information storage means. Can be simplified and speeded up. Further, it is possible to guarantee the accuracy of the setting unique information written in the information storage means (claim 3).

In the case where output command means for instructing the output means to output the set unique information is provided, the output command means is activated at any time when the constant unique information is desired to be output. It is possible to easily instruct the output of the setting unique information by the output means (claim 4). Here, in the case where the internal writing command means for instructing the writing of the setting unique information to the internal writing means is provided, the internal writing command means is activated at any time when the setting unique information is to be written. It is possible to easily instruct the writing of the setting unique information by the internal writing means (claim 5).

Here, detecting means for detecting whether or not external storage means is mounted on the mounting portion of the sewing machine, and detecting means for detecting that external storage means is not mounted when the output means or internal writing means is operated. In the case where a warning means is provided for giving a warning when this occurs, (claim 6). In this case, when the output means or the internal writing means is operated, and the setting unique information is output to the external storage means or read from the external storage means, the external storage means can reliably recognize the presence or absence of the attachment, In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent an output error or a writing error of the setting unique information.

When the warning means displays a warning message on the display of the display means, the warning means can surely recognize the absence of the external storage means through the display. 7). Here, when the output unit additionally writes the error check information related to the setting unique information to be written into the external storage unit, the output unit checks the error based on the error check information such as CRC data (cyclic redundancy check data). Only accurate and unique setting information can be written.

Here, the internal writing means reads the setting unique information from the external storage means and checks it with the error check information when writing it into the information storage means. When an error is detected in the setting unique information, the internal writing means reads the setting unique information. In the case where a write inhibit means for inhibiting the writing of information into the information storage means is provided,
When setting unique information is read from the external storage means and written into the information storage means, writing of incorrect setting unique information having an error can be reliably prevented (claim 9).

Here, the setting specific information includes pattern information of a combination pattern obtained by combining two or more patterns provided for sewing.
When at least one of feed correction information of the work cloth, adjustment information of the touch panel attached to the display, cloth thickness information, and thread tension correction information is included, these are set as external information specific to the external device. The data can be output to the storage means and can be written to the information storage means provided in the sewing machine.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic control sewing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the electronic control sewing machine.

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating a data configuration of a pattern data memory.

FIG. 4 is a table illustrating a data configuration of a unique information memory.

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating a data structure recorded on a floppy disk for an embroidery pattern.

FIG. 6 is a part of a flowchart of a pattern selection control.

FIG. 7 is the remaining part of the flowchart of the pattern selection control.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an external output control.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of internal write control.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a menu selection screen.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a pattern name display screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 11 when a selection pattern is determined.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a display screen of an embroidery pattern group.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of a selected embroidery pattern and its color-specific pattern portion.

FIG. 15 is a table illustrating a data configuration of a floppy disk in which setting unique information of a plurality of items is recorded.

[Explanation of symbols]

 M Electronically controlled sewing machine 8 Needle bar vertical movement mechanism 9 Needle swing mechanism 13 Color liquid crystal display 22 Feed dog back and forth movement mechanism 23 Feed dog vertical movement mechanism 42 CPU 43 ROM 44 RAM 45 Flash memory 45a Specific information memory 49 Floppy disk drive (FDD) 54 sewing machine motor C controller FD floppy disk

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A sewing machine having display means including a display and sewing means for sewing on a work cloth, information storage means for storing setting unique information of a plurality of items set in the sewing machine, and storage in the information storage means. Output means for reading the setting specific information and outputting the read information to external storage means via an external communication network. 2. A sewing machine having display means including a display and sewing means for sewing on a work cloth, information storage means for storing setting unique information of a plurality of items set in the sewing machine, and storage in the information storage means. Output means for reading the setting unique information and outputting the read information to external storage means mounted on the mounting portion of the sewing machine. 3. The information storage means comprises a rewritable non-volatile memory, and has an internal writing means for reading setting unique information written in an external storage means and writing the information into the information storage means. The sewing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The sewing machine according to claim 1, further comprising an output command unit that commands the output unit to output the setting unique information. 5. The sewing machine according to claim 1, further comprising an internal write command unit that commands the internal write unit to write the setting unique information. 6. A detecting means for detecting whether or not an external storage means is mounted on a mounting portion of the sewing machine, and a detecting means for detecting that no external storage means is mounted when the output means or the internal writing means is operated. The sewing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a warning unit that warns when the time has elapsed. 7. The sewing machine according to claim 6, wherein the warning unit displays a warning message on a display of the display unit. 8. The sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the output unit additionally writes error check information on the setting unique information to be written into the external storage unit. 9. The internal writing means reads the setting unique information from the external storage means and compares it with the error check information when writing the information into the information storage means. When an error is detected in the setting unique information, the internal writing means reads the setting unique information. 9. The sewing machine according to claim 8, further comprising a write prohibiting unit for prohibiting writing to the information storage unit. 10. The setting-specific information is used in the sewing
At least one of pattern information of a combination pattern obtained by combining two or more patterns, feed correction information of a work cloth, adjustment information of a touch panel attached to a display, cloth thickness information, and thread tension correction information is included. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The sewing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9,