JP2012192156A - Sewing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sewing machine capable of easily setting the arrangement of the next pattern relative to a reference pattern when a plurality of patterns are sewn over an area wider than the sewable area.SOLUTION: The sewing machine is provided in which, when temporary holding position processing is selected (S65: YES), the arrangement of markers relative to the arrangement of the reference pattern is identified (S67), and the arrangement of the markers at a second holding position is then detected from image data of the markers at the second holding position (S78), and the arrangement of the next pattern at the second holding position is then set (S92).

Description

  The present invention relates to a sewing machine provided with photographing means.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a sewing machine that includes a photographing unit and can sew a pattern larger than a sewable area set inside an embroidery frame. For example, in the sewing machine described in Patent Document 1, a sewing pattern obtained by dividing a pattern larger than the sewn area into a plurality of patterns smaller than the sewn area according to the sewing data is used to hold the sewn object with respect to the embroidery frame. Sew sequentially under different conditions. The conventional sewing machine automatically performs alignment between the divided patterns under the condition that the holding positions are different based on the markers arranged on the surface of the sewing object.

JP 2010-246885 A

  The conventional sewing machine does not consider the case where a plurality of patterns arbitrarily selected by the user are sewn in a range wider than the sewing area. For this reason, when a plurality of patterns are sewn in a wider range than the sewable area, there is a problem that it is difficult to set the position of the next pattern to be sewn next to the reference pattern sewn first.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and when a plurality of patterns are sewn in a wider range than the sewable area, the arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the reference pattern can be easily set. The purpose is to provide a sewing machine.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the sewing machine according to this aspect includes an image capturing unit that captures an image of a sign placed on the surface of the sewing object held by the embroidery frame, and image data of the sign captured by the image capturing unit. An acquisition means for acquiring and a second pattern that is sewn when the sewing object holding position by the sewing frame is the first holding position is a reference pattern, and the holding position is different from the first holding position. A pattern that is sewn when it is a position, and the next pattern that is sewn after the reference pattern is the next pattern, the next pattern relative to an arrangement that includes at least one of the position and angle of the reference pattern An arrangement determining means for determining an arrangement including at least one of a relative position and an angle of a pattern; and the standard for the arrangement of the reference pattern based on the image data acquired by the acquiring means. An arrangement detection unit that detects an arrangement including at least one of the position and angle of the image, a storage unit that stores the arrangement of the sign as arrangement information, and a sign for the reference pattern arrangement detected by the arrangement detection unit A registration unit for registering information relating to an arrangement including at least one of a position and an angle in the storage unit as storage information, and an arrangement including at least one of the position and the angle of the marker with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern by the arrangement detection unit. Is newly detected, the update means for updating the storage information stored in the storage means, and the storage information stored in the storage means is captured at the second holding position. The reference information determined by the storage information and the arrangement determining means before the arrangement of the reference pattern. From said relative arrangement of the next pattern, and setting means for setting an arrangement including at least one of the position and angle of the next pattern in relation to the sewing object at the second holding position.

  In the sewing machine in this case, each time the image data of the sign is acquired, the sign arrangement with respect to the reference pattern is updated and registered, and the reference pattern arrangement with respect to the updated reference pattern and the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the reference pattern Thus, the arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the sewing object is automatically determined. Therefore, even when a plurality of arbitrarily selected patterns are sewn in a range wider than the sewable area, the position of the next pattern to be sewn next to the reference pattern sewn first can be easily specified.

  The sewing machine according to this aspect further includes a receiving unit that receives an instruction indicating that the sign has been replaced. When the instruction is received from the receiving unit, the placement detection unit replaces the sign before the replacement. You may make it detect the arrangement | positioning including at least any one of the position and angle of a subsequent label | marker. Since the sewing machine in this case can detect the arrangement of the marker after the replacement with respect to the reference pattern, the user can detect the arrangement of the marker with respect to the reference pattern at an intended position on the sewing object.

  In the sewing machine according to this aspect, a first reference that is a reference specified by the user and includes any one of the first line segment and the first point included in the first graphic representing the range in which the reference pattern is sewn. The first reference acquisition means for acquiring the reference and the reference specified by the user, the reference including the second line segment and the second point included in the second graphic representing the range in which the next pattern is sewn. A second reference acquisition means for acquiring a second reference, wherein the arrangement determination means is configured to acquire the first reference acquired by the first reference acquisition means and the first reference acquired by the second reference acquisition means. Based on two criteria, the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern may be determined. In the sewing machine in this case, the user can set the arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern by a simple operation of setting the first reference and the second reference.

  In the sewing machine according to this aspect, the sewing machine of the present aspect further includes numerical value acquisition means for acquiring the numerical value specified by the user, which specifies the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern, The relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern may be determined based on the numerical value acquired by the numerical value acquisition unit. In the sewing machine in this case, the user can set the arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern by a simple operation of setting a numerical value.

  The sewing machine according to this aspect may further include first display means for displaying the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern determined by the arrangement determining means on a screen. In the sewing machine in this case, the user can confirm whether or not the arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern has been set based on the display on the screen as intended by the user.

  The sewing machine according to this aspect may further include second display means for displaying an arrangement planned position of the at least one sign on the screen. In the sewing machine in this case, it is possible to prompt the user to place the sign at the planned placement position. Further, since the sewing machine only needs to execute the process of detecting the sign only for the planned arrangement position when the holding position is at the first holding position, the process for detecting the arrangement of the sign can be simplified. .

  In the sewing machine according to this aspect, the first reference acquisition unit is designated by the user among a plurality of first designation keys that combine the first line segment and the first point on the first line segment. The first reference is acquired based on a first specification key, and the second reference acquisition means combines a plurality of second specifications combining the second line segment and the second point on the second line segment. Based on a second designated key designated by the user among the keys, the second reference is obtained, and the arrangement determining means determines the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern, The extending direction of the first line segment represented by the first designation key acquired by the first reference acquisition means is the second direction represented by the second designation key acquired by the second reference acquisition means. It overlaps with the line segment and the first designation key The first point represented Te may be arranged overlapping the second point, represented by the second specifying key. In the sewing machine in this case, the user can set the arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern by a simple operation of designating the first designation key and the second designation key.

  In the sewing machine according to this aspect, a moving means having a function of moving the embroidery frame that holds the sewing object, and a sewing means that sews a pattern on the sewing object by moving up and down a needle bar to which a sewing needle is attached at a lower end. The first sewing control means for controlling the moving means and the sewing means to sew the reference pattern on the sewing object held by the embroidery frame in a state where the holding position is the first holding position. The sewing object held in a state where the holding position is the second holding position in accordance with the arrangement of the next pattern set by the setting means by controlling the moving means and the sewing means You may further provide the 2nd sewing control means to sew the said next pattern to a thing. In the sewing machine in this case, the reference pattern can be sewn at the first holding position, and the next pattern can be sewn at the second holding position.

1 is a perspective view of a multi-needle sewing machine 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an embroidery frame moving mechanism 11. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a multi-needle sewing machine 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a sign 110. FIG. It is a flowchart of a main process. It is explanatory drawing of the screen. It is explanatory drawing of the screen. It is explanatory drawing of the screen. It is a flowchart of the label | marker detection process performed by the main process shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the arrangement | positioning planned position of the label | marker 110 with respect to arrangement | positioning of the rectangle 206. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the screen 240. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the transition state of the holding | maintenance position of the sewing target object during the main process execution, and the position of a marker. It is a flowchart of the arrangement | positioning setting process of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the screen. It is explanatory drawing of the pattern display column. It is a flowchart of a temporary holding position process. It is explanatory drawing of the screen. It is explanatory drawing of the screen 270. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the screen 280. FIG. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of the second pattern 205 represented by a rectangle 258 and the sewable area 86 with respect to the arrangement of the first pattern 205 represented by a rectangle 206. It is the figure which showed the example at the time of connecting two patterns. It is a flowchart of the arrangement | positioning setting process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the screen. It is explanatory drawing of the screen 310. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the pattern group 320 and the sewing possible area | region 86. FIG.

  Hereinafter, a multi-needle sewing machine 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as “sewing machine 1”) of first and second embodiments embodying the present invention will be described in order with reference to the drawings. The drawings to be referred to are used for explaining technical features that can be adopted by the present invention, and the configuration of the apparatus, the flowchart, and the like are merely illustrative examples.

  A physical configuration common to the sewing machine 1 of the first and second embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In the following description, the left oblique lower side, the right oblique upper side, the left oblique upper side, and the right oblique lower side in FIG. 1 are defined as the front, rear, left side, and right side of the sewing machine 1, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sewing machine body 20 of the sewing machine 1 includes a support portion 2, a pedestal portion 3, and an arm portion 4. The support portion 2 is formed in an inverted U shape in plan view and supports the entire sewing machine 1. On the upper surface of the support portion 2, there is a pair of left and right guide grooves 25 extending in the front-rear direction. The pedestal 3 is erected upward from the rear end of the support 2. The arm portion 4 extends forward from the upper end portion of the pedestal column portion 3. A needle bar case 21 is attached to the tip of the arm portion 4 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. In the needle bar case 21, ten needle bars 31 (see FIG. 3) extending in the vertical direction are arranged at equal intervals W in the horizontal direction. Each needle bar 31 is given a needle bar number for identifying the individual needle bar 31. In the present embodiment, needle bar numbers 1 to 10 are assigned in order from the right side of the sewing machine 1. Of the ten needle bars 31, one needle bar at the sewing position is slid in the vertical direction by a needle bar drive mechanism 32 (see FIG. 3) provided inside the needle bar case 21. A sewing needle 35 (see FIG. 3) is detachably attached to the lower end of the needle bar 31.

  A cover 38 is provided at the lower right side of the needle bar case 21. An image sensor holding mechanism (not shown) is attached to the inside of the cover 38. The image sensor holding mechanism includes an image sensor 50 (see FIG. 3). The image sensor 50 is a well-known CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. A lens (not shown) of the image sensor 50 is directed below the sewing machine 1. The center of the lens is located at a distance of 2 W from the rightmost needle bar 31.

  An operation unit 6 is provided on the right side of the central portion of the arm unit 4 in the front-rear direction. The operation unit 6 is supported by the arm unit 4 so as to be rotatable about a shaft (not shown) extending in the vertical direction. The operation unit 6 includes a liquid crystal display 7 (hereinafter referred to as “LCD 7”), a touch panel 8, a connector 9, and a start / stop switch 41. Various information such as an operation image for the user to input an instruction is displayed on the LCD 7. The touch panel 8 is used for receiving instructions from the user. When the user presses the position of the touch panel 8 corresponding to the position of the input key or the like displayed on the LCD 7 with a finger or a touch pen (hereinafter, this operation is referred to as “panel operation”), a sewing pattern is obtained. Various conditions such as sewing conditions can be selected or set. The connector 9 is a USB standard connector and can be connected to the USB device 160 (see FIG. 3). The start / stop switch 41 is a switch for instructing the start or stop of sewing. When the start / stop switch 41 is pressed while sewing is stopped, sewing is started. When the start / stop switch 41 is pressed during sewing, sewing is stopped.

  A cylindrical cylinder bed 10 extending forward from the lower end of the pedestal 3 is provided below the arm 4. A hook (not shown) is provided inside the tip of the cylinder bed 10. The shuttle houses a bobbin (not shown) around which a lower thread (not shown) is wound. Inside the cylinder bed 10 is a shuttle drive mechanism (not shown). A shuttle driving mechanism (not shown) rotationally drives the shuttle. On the upper surface of the cylinder bed 10, there is a needle plate 16 having a rectangular shape in plan view. The needle plate 16 is provided with a needle hole 36 through which the sewing needle 35 (see FIG. 3) is inserted.

  A pair of left and right thread spool bases 12 are provided on the back side of the upper surface of the arm portion 4. Each thread spool base 12 is provided with five thread spools 14. The thread stand bar 14 is a bar extending in the vertical direction. The spool pin 14 supports the yarn spool 13. Ten thread spools 13 that are the same as the number of needle bars 31 can be installed on the pair of thread spool bases 12. The upper thread 15 is supplied from a thread spool 13 installed on the thread spool base 12. The upper thread 15 is supplied to a needle hole (not shown) of each sewing needle 35 attached to the lower end of the needle bar 31 via a thread path. The yarn path includes a thread guide 17, a thread tensioner 18, a balance 19, and a needle bar thread hook (not shown).

  A Y carriage 23 of the embroidery frame moving mechanism 11 is provided below the arm portion 4. The embroidery frame moving mechanism 11 detachably supports the embroidery frame 84 (see FIG. 2). The embroidery frame 84 holds the sewing target 39. The embroidery frame moving mechanism 11 moves the embroidery frame 84 forward, backward, left and right using an X-axis motor 132 (see FIG. 3) and a Y-axis motor 134 (see FIG. 3) as drive sources.

  The embroidery frame 84 and the embroidery frame moving mechanism 11 will be described with reference to FIG. The embroidery frame 84 includes an outer frame 81, an inner frame 82, and a pair of left and right connecting portions 89. The embroidery frame 84 holds the sewing object 39 between the outer frame 81 and the inner frame 82. The connecting portion 89 is a plate member having a shape in which a central portion of a rectangular shape in plan view is cut out into a rectangular shape. One connecting portion 89 is fixed to the right portion of the inner frame 82 by a screw 95, and the other connecting portion 89 is fixed to the left portion of the inner frame 82 by a screw 94. In addition to the embroidery frame 84, the sewing machine 1 can be mounted with a plurality of other types of embroidery frames having different sizes and shapes. The embroidery frame 84 is the embroidery frame having the largest width in the left-right direction (the distance between the left and right connecting portions 89) among the embroidery frames used in the sewing machine 1. The sewable area is automatically set at a position inside the inner frame according to the type of the embroidery frame, based on an output signal of a known detector (not shown) (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-254987). .

  The embroidery frame moving mechanism 11 includes a holder 24, an X carriage 22, an X axis drive mechanism (not shown), a Y carriage 23, and a Y axis movement mechanism (not shown). The holder 24 supports the embroidery frame 84 in a detachable manner. The holder 24 includes a mounting portion 91, a right arm portion 92, and a left arm portion 93. The attachment portion 91 is a plate member having a rectangular shape in plan view that is long in the left-right direction. The right arm portion 92 is a plate member that extends in the front-rear direction, and is fixed to the right end of the attachment portion 91. The left arm portion 93 is a plate member that extends in the front-rear direction. The left arm part 93 is on the left part of the attachment part 91 and is fixed so that the position in the left-right direction with respect to the attachment part 91 can be adjusted. The right arm portion 92 engages with one connecting portion 89, and the left arm portion 93 engages with the other connecting portion 89.

  The X carriage 22 is a plate member that is long in the left-right direction, and a part of the X carriage 22 protrudes forward from the front of the Y carriage 23. An attachment portion 91 of the holder 24 is attached to the X carriage 22. The X-axis drive mechanism (not shown) includes a linear movement mechanism (not shown). The linear movement mechanism includes a timing pulley (not shown) and a timing belt (not shown), and moves the X carriage 22 in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) using the X-axis motor 132 as a drive source.

  The Y carriage 23 has a box shape that is long in the left-right direction. The Y carriage 23 supports the X carriage 22 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The Y-axis moving mechanism (not shown) includes a pair of left and right moving bodies (not shown) and a linear moving mechanism (not shown). The moving body is connected to the lower portions of the left and right ends of the Y carriage 23 and vertically penetrates the guide groove 25 (see FIG. 1). The linear movement mechanism includes a timing pulley (not shown) and a timing belt (not shown), and uses a Y-axis motor 134 as a driving source to move the moving body along the guide groove 25 in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). Move to. Accordingly, the Y carriage 23 connected to the moving body and the X carriage 22 supported by the Y carriage 23 move in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). In a state where the embroidery frame 84 holding the sewing target 39 is mounted on the X carriage 22, the sewing target 39 is disposed between the needle bar 31 and the needle plate 16.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the electrical configuration of the sewing machine 1 common to the sewing machines 1 of the first and second embodiments will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the sewing machine 1 includes a sewing needle drive unit 120, a sewing target drive unit 130, an operation unit 6, a control unit 60, and an image sensor 50. Hereinafter, each of the sewing needle drive unit 120, the sewing target drive unit 130, the operation unit 6, and the control unit 60 will be described in detail.

  The sewing needle drive unit 120 includes a spindle motor 122, a drive circuit 121, a needle bar case motor 45, a drive circuit 123, a needle hole threading mechanism 126, and a drive circuit 125. The spindle motor 122 reciprocates the needle bar 31 in the vertical direction. The drive circuit 121 drives the spindle motor 122 according to a control signal from the control unit 60. The needle bar case motor 45 moves the needle bar case 21 in the left-right direction. The drive circuit 123 drives the needle bar case motor 45 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 60. Although not shown in detail, the needle hole threading mechanism 126 is provided below the front end of the arm portion 4 and is used for the sewing needle 35 of the needle bar 31 (sewing needle bar) located immediately above the needle hole 36. This is a known mechanism for inserting the upper thread 15 (see FIG. 1) through a needle hole (not shown) (see, for example, JP-A-2005-73866). The drive circuit 125 drives the needle hole threading mechanism 126 according to a control signal from the control unit 60.

  The sewing target drive unit 130 includes an X-axis motor 132, a drive circuit 131, a Y-axis motor 134, and a drive circuit 133. The X-axis motor 132 drives the embroidery frame moving mechanism 11 to move the embroidery frame 84 (see FIG. 2) in the left-right direction. The drive circuit 131 drives the X-axis motor 132 according to a control signal from the control unit 60. The Y-axis motor 134 drives the embroidery frame moving mechanism 11 to move the embroidery frame 84 in the front-rear direction. The drive circuit 133 drives the Y-axis motor 134 according to a control signal from the control unit 60.

  The operation unit 6 includes a touch panel 8, a connector 9, a drive circuit 135, an LCD 7, and a start / stop switch 41. The drive circuit 135 drives the LCD 7 according to a control signal from the control unit 60. The connector 9 has a function of connecting to the USB device 160. Examples of the USB device 160 include a PC and a USB memory.

  The control unit 60 includes a CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, an EEPROM 64, and an input / output interface (I / O) 66, which are connected to each other by a signal line 65. The I / O 66 is connected to the sewing needle driving unit 120, the sewing target driving unit 130, the operation unit 6, and the image sensor 50. Hereinafter, the CPU 61, the ROM 62, the RAM 63, and the EEPROM 64 will be described in detail.

  The CPU 61 is responsible for main control of the sewing machine 1 and executes various calculations and processes related to sewing in accordance with various programs stored in a program storage area (not shown) of the ROM 62. Although not shown, the ROM 62 includes a plurality of storage areas including a program storage area and a pattern storage area. In the program storage area, various programs for operating the sewing machine 1 including the main program are stored. The main program is a program for executing main processing described later. The pattern storage area stores sewing data, which is data for sewing a pattern (hereinafter also referred to as “embroidery pattern”). The RAM 63 is a storage element that can be arbitrarily read and written, and is provided with a storage area for storing the calculation results and the like calculated by the CPU 61 as needed. The EEPROM 64 is a readable / writable storage element, and stores various parameters for the sewing machine 1 to execute various processes. The EEPROM 64 further stores each needle bar 31 and the color of the upper thread 15 supplied to the needle hole (not shown) of the sewing needle 35 attached to the lower end of each needle bar 31 in association with each other. .

  Next, an operation for forming a stitch on the sewing target 39 held by the embroidery frame 84 will be described with reference to FIGS. The embroidery frame 84 holding the sewing object 39 is supported by the embroidery frame moving mechanism 11. As the needle bar case 21 moves left and right, one of the ten needle bars 31 is selected. The embroidery frame 84 is moved to a predetermined position by the embroidery frame moving mechanism 11. When the main shaft (not shown) is rotationally driven by the main shaft motor 122, the needle bar drive mechanism 32 and the balance drive mechanism (not shown) are driven, and the selected needle bar 31 and the corresponding balance 19 are driven up and down. Is done. Further, the shuttle drive mechanism is driven by the rotation of the spindle motor 122, and the shuttle is driven to rotate. In this way, the sewing needle 35, the balance 19, and the shuttle are driven in synchronization, and a stitch is formed on the sewing target 39.

  Next, the sewing data of this embodiment will be described. The sewing data of this embodiment includes coordinate data of the embroidery coordinate system 100 shown in FIG. The embroidery coordinate system 100 is a coordinate system of an X-axis motor 132 and a Y-axis motor 134 that move the X carriage 22. The coordinate data of the embroidery coordinate system 100 represents the position and angle of the embroidery pattern with respect to a reference (for example, the X carriage 22). An embroidery frame 84 that holds a sewing object 39 is attached to the X carriage 22. Therefore, the coordinate data of the embroidery coordinate system 100 represents the position and angle of the embroidery pattern with respect to the sewing object 39 held by the embroidery frame 84. In this embodiment, the embroidery coordinate system 100 and the world coordinate system are associated in advance. The world coordinate system is a coordinate system indicating the entire space. The world coordinate system is a coordinate system that is not affected by the center of gravity of the object to be imaged.

  2, in the embroidery coordinate system 100, the direction from the left to the right of the sewing machine 1 is the X axis plus direction, and the direction from the front to the back of the sewing machine 1 is the Y axis plus direction. In the present embodiment, the initial position of the embroidery frame 84 is set to the origin (X, Y, Z) = (0, 0, 0) of the embroidery coordinate system 100. The initial position of the embroidery frame 84 is a position where the center point of the sewable area 86 corresponding to the embroidery frame 84 coincides with the needle drop point. The needle drop point means that the needle bar 31 is moved downward from the state in which the sewing needle 35 (see FIG. 3) arranged vertically above the needle hole 36 (see FIG. 1) is on the sewing object 39. In this case, the sewing needle 35 pierces the sewing object 39. Since the embroidery frame moving mechanism 11 of the present embodiment does not move the embroidery frame 84 in the Z direction (the vertical direction of the sewing machine 1), the upper surface of the sewing object 39 is within the range where the thickness of the sewing object 39 can be ignored. Z = 0.

  The coordinate data of the sewing data stored in the ROM 62 defines the initial arrangement of the embroidery pattern. The initial arrangement of the embroidery pattern is set so that the center point of the embroidery pattern coincides with the center point of the sewable area 86. The coordinate data of the sewing data is appropriately corrected when the arrangement of the embroidery pattern with respect to the sewing object 39 is changed. In the first and second embodiments, the arrangement of the embroidery pattern with respect to the sewing object 39 is set according to a main process described later. In the following description, the position of the embroidery pattern (the center point of the embroidery pattern) and the angle of the embroidery pattern are determined with respect to the sewing object 39 held in the embroidery frame 84 using data represented by the embroidery coordinate system 100. Is set.

  Next, the shooting range of the image sensor 50 will be described. When the image sensor 50 is arranged at the shooting position, the shooting range in the XY plane of the embroidery coordinate system 100 of the image sensor 50 has a length in the left-right direction centered on a point directly below the lens center of the image sensor 50. It is a rectangular range of about 80 mm and a length in the front-rear direction of about 60 mm. The photographing position of the present embodiment is a position where the lens center of the image sensor 50 is disposed immediately above the needle hole 36. When the image sensor 50 is disposed at the photographing position and the embroidery frame 84 is disposed at the initial position, the photographing range 180 is a rectangular range centered on the origin of the embroidery coordinate system 100 as shown in FIG.

  The sign 110 will be described with reference to FIG. The upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of FIG. 4 will be described as the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of the pattern drawn on the sign 110, respectively. The marker 110 shown in FIG. 4 has a pattern drawn on the upper surface of a white, thin plate-like substrate sheet 108. The base material sheet 108 is, for example, a square shape having a length of about 2.5 cm and a width of about 2.5 cm. On the upper surface of the base sheet 108, a first circle 101, a second circle 102, a first center point 111, and a second center point 112 are drawn. The second circle 102 is disposed above the first circle 101. The diameter of the second circle 102 is smaller than the diameter of the first circle 101. The first center point 111 is the center of the first circle 101. The second center point 112 is the center of the second circle 102. Line segments 103 to 106 are further drawn on the upper surface of the base sheet 108. The line segment 103 and the line segment 104 overlap with an imaginary straight line (not shown) passing through the first center point 111 and the second center point 112. The line segment 105 and the line segment 106 overlap with a virtual straight line (not shown) orthogonal to the line segment 103 via the first center point 111 of the first circle 101. Line segments 103 to 106 are drawn to the outer edge of the base sheet 108, respectively.

  A transparent adhesive is applied to the back surface of the base sheet 108. Accordingly, the base sheet 108 can be stuck on the sewing target 39. Usually, the base material sheet 108 is stuck to a release paper (not shown). The user peels off the base material sheet 108 from the release paper.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 19, main processing executed in the sewing machine 1 of the first embodiment will be described. The main process is a process executed when a pattern having a size that fits in the sewable area set in the embroidery frame is sewn. In the main processing of the present embodiment, in particular, when a plurality of patterns are sewn in a range wider than the sewable area set inside the embroidery frame, the arrangement between the patterns can be adjusted according to a user instruction. As a specific example, a case where the patterns 205 in FIG. 6 are sewn in the X-axis direction will be described. The pattern 205 has a length in the X-axis direction of 186.8 mm and a length in the Y-axis direction of 133.0 mm. When the size of the sewable area 86 is 360 mm in the X-axis direction and 200 mm in the Y-axis direction, one pattern 205 is accommodated in the sewable area 86. However, when the two patterns 205 are not overlapped in the X-axis direction and are sewn at a predetermined interval, for example, the two patterns 205 do not fit in the sewable area 86.

  The main process in FIG. 5 is executed when the user inputs an instruction to start the main process. The instruction to start the main process is input by a panel operation, for example. A program for executing the main processing in FIG. 5 is stored in the ROM 62 in FIG. 3 and is executed by the CPU 61. In the following description, an image represented by image data generated by the image sensor 50 is referred to as a captured image. Various screens and messages illustrated are displayed on the LCD 7 when a control signal is output to the drive circuit 135. In the various screens illustrated, the left and right direction and the up and down direction of the paper are referred to as the left and right direction and the up and down direction of the screen, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the main process, first, 1 is set to the variable N, and the set variable N is stored in the RAM 63 (S10). The variable N is a variable for counting the number of patterns selected by the user. The variable N corresponds to the sewing order of the selected pattern. Next, the CPU 61 waits until the Nth pattern is selected (S20: NO). In S20, first, a screen 200 illustrated in FIG. 6 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 6, a pattern display field 201, a pattern information field 202, a pattern selection field 203, and a SET key 204 are displayed on the screen 200.

  In the pattern display column 201, a graphic representing the range in which the currently selected pattern is sewn is displayed. The size of the pattern display field 201 represents the maximum size of the sewing range set for the sewing machine 1. The size of the sewing range 86 (see FIG. 2) set when the embroidery frame 84 is attached corresponds to the size of the pattern display field 201. The left-right direction of the pattern display field 201 corresponds to the X-axis direction of the embroidery coordinate system 100. The vertical direction of the pattern display field 201 corresponds to the Y-axis direction of the embroidery coordinate system 100. In the present embodiment, a graphic representing the range where the pattern is sewn is represented by a rectangle. In a state before the arrangement of the pattern 205 is changed, a rectangle 206 representing a range in which the pattern 205 is sewn is in a direction parallel to the horizontal direction of the pattern display field 201 and a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction of the pattern display field 201. With parallel sides. In the pattern information column 202, the size of the rectangle, the movement distance and rotation angle with respect to the initial arrangement, and the number of thread colors necessary for sewing are displayed as information on the currently selected pattern. Pattern candidates are displayed in the pattern selection column 203 based on the sewing data stored in the ROM 62 or the EEPROM 64. The user selects a desired pattern from the patterns displayed in the pattern selection field 203 by panel operation. The SET key 204 is selected when the pattern selection is completed. In S20, it is determined that the Nth pattern has been selected when the SET key 204 is selected after one pattern is selected from the pattern selection field 203 by panel operation (S20: YES). In this case, sewing data corresponding to the Nth pattern selected from the ROM 62 or the EEPROM 64 is acquired and stored in the RAM 63 (S30).

  When the SET key 204 is selected after the pattern 205 is selected as the first pattern on the screen 200 in FIG. 6 (S20: YES, S30, S40: YES), editing and arrangement of the Nth pattern are set. Is executed (S50). When the variable N is 1, the sewing data acquired in S30 is corrected by a known method according to the pattern editing and arrangement settings.

  In S50, first, a screen 210 illustrated in FIG. 7 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 7, a pattern display field 211, a pattern information field 212, a pattern edit field 213, and an EDIT END key 214 are displayed on the screen 210. The pattern display column 211 is the same as the pattern display column 201, and the pattern information column 212 is the same as the pattern information column 202. The pattern editing field 213 displays various keys for instructing pattern editing and arrangement. The user can instruct pattern editing and arrangement by selecting a key displayed in the pattern editing field 213 by panel operation. The editing and arrangement of the pattern includes, for example, changing the size of the pattern, rotating the pattern with respect to the initial arrangement, reversing the pattern, and moving the pattern with respect to the initial arrangement. As described above, the initial arrangement of the pattern is defined by the sewing data. The EDIT END key 214 is selected when the pattern editing and arrangement are completed.

  In the specific example of FIG. 7, the arrangement of the pattern 205 represented by the rectangle 206 is rotated 348 degrees clockwise with respect to the initial arrangement, and moved by −45.0 mm in the X-axis direction and −15.6 mm in the Y-axis direction. Assuming that When the EDIT END key 214 is selected after the pattern editing and arrangement are completed, a screen including a sewing start key and a pattern connecting key is displayed on the LCD 7 although not shown. The sewing start key is selected when instructing to start sewing a pattern. The pattern connection key is used when the N + 1th pattern is sewn in addition to the Nth pattern selected in S20, and the entire Nth pattern and the N + 1th pattern are wider than the sewing area. This is selected when sewing to the range.

  Next, it is determined whether the pattern connection key has been selected (S95). When the pattern connection key is selected (S95: YES), the first designation key group 224 is displayed as shown in the screen 220 shown in FIG. 8 (S100). As shown in FIG. 8, a pattern display field 221, a pattern information field 222, and an instruction key display field 223 are displayed on the screen 220. The pattern display field 221 is the same as the pattern display field 201, and the pattern information field 222 is the same as the pattern information field 202. In the instruction key display field 223, a first designation key group 224 and a CLOSE key 226 are displayed. Each first designation key included in the first designation key group 224 is a key for designating the first reference.

  The first reference is a reference that includes at least one of the first line segment and the first point included in the first graphic specified by the user. The first reference is used for the process of setting the arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern when the Nth pattern is the reference pattern and the N + 1th pattern is the next pattern. The first reference of this embodiment includes a first line segment and a first point. The first graphic is a graphic representing a range in which the reference pattern (Nth pattern) is sewn, and is the smallest rectangle in which the pattern fits in the present embodiment. The first line segment is selected from any of the four sides constituting the rectangle. The first point is selected from one of both ends of the first line segment and the middle point of the first line segment. In the present embodiment, a combination of the first line segment and the first point is selected as the first reference from the twelve first designation keys included in the first designation key group 224. The CLOSE key 226 is selected when the designation of the first reference is completed.

  Next, it is determined whether any first designation key in the first designation key group 224 has been selected (S110). When the first designation key 225 is selected on the screen 220 shown in FIG. 8 (S110: YES), the first line segment 227 and the first point 228 are added to the rectangle 206 as shown in the pattern display field 221. It is displayed (S120). The first line segment 227 and the first point 228 correspond to the first designation key 225. The sewing machine 1 of the present embodiment displays the rectangle 206 in black, the first line segment 227 in blue, and the first point 228 in red so that the user can easily view the first reference for the rectangle 206. The arrangement of the rectangle 206 is specified by sewing data represented by an embroidery coordinate system. In S120, the arrangement of the first line segment 227 and the first point 228 at the first holding position is specified by the coordinates of the embroidery coordinate system based on the sewing data, and is stored in the RAM 63.

  The first holding position is a position when the reference pattern is set by the user among the holding positions of the sewing target 39 with respect to the embroidery frame 84 and is sewn. The holding position of the sewing target 39 with respect to the embroidery frame 84 is set by the user holding the sewing target 39 on the embroidery frame 84. If no first designation key in the first designation key group 224 is selected (S110: NO), it is determined whether the CLOSE key 226 is selected after S120 (S130). If the CLOSE key 226 has not been selected (S130: NO), the process returns to S110. When the CLOSE key 226 is selected (S130: YES), although not shown, a screen including a sewing start key is displayed on the LCD 7.

  Next, the CPU 61 stands by until a sewing start key is selected (S140: NO). When the sewing start key is selected (S140: YES), sewing of the Nth pattern is executed (S150). Specifically, a control signal is output to the drive circuit 131 and the drive circuit 133 according to the sewing data of the Nth pattern, and the embroidery frame 84 is moved. A control signal is output to the drive circuit 121 to drive the spindle motor 122.

  Next, a message “Do you want to sew the next pattern?” And an OK key are displayed on the LCD 7 (S160). The message is displayed to confirm to the user whether or not to execute the process for sewing the next pattern (N + 1th pattern). The OK key is selected when executing a process for sewing the next pattern. If the OK key is not selected within a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) (S170: NO), the main process ends. When the OK key is selected (S170: YES), the variable N is incremented by 1, and the incremented variable N is stored in the RAM 63 (S180).

  Next, the marker detection process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is executed (S190). The marker detection process is a process of associating the arrangement of the marker 110 at the first holding position with the first reference (the first line segment 227 and the first point 228). In S180 (see FIG. 5), since N is incremented, the (N-1) th pattern corresponds to the aforementioned reference pattern, and the Nth pattern corresponds to the aforementioned next pattern. The arrangement of the sign 110 includes at least one of the position and the angle of the sign 110. The sewing machine 1 of the present embodiment detects the position and angle of the marker 110 based on the coordinates of the embroidery coordinate system of the first center point 111 of the two markers 110 as the arrangement of the markers 110.

  The position of the marker 110 is represented by, for example, the coordinates of the embroidery coordinate system of the first center point 111 of one of the two markers 110 shown in FIG. The angle of the marker 110 is represented by an angle formed by a vector from the first center point 111 of one marker 110 to the first center point 111 of the other marker 110 and the X axis of the embroidery coordinate system. Is done. The distinction between the two markers 110 is determined based on the relative position of the second center point 112 with respect to the first center point 111 in each marker 110, for example. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the arrangement of the markers 110 at the first holding position is detected based on the captured images of the two markers 110 respectively arranged on the sewing object 39 (see FIG. 2). . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the position of the marker 110 is represented by the embroidery coordinates of the first center point 111 of the marker 110. In addition, the angle of the marker 110 is determined by a vector 113 from the first center point 111 of one marker 110 (upper side in FIG. 10) toward the first center point 111 of the other marker 110 (lower side in FIG. 10). It is represented by an angle θ formed with the X axis.

  Details of the label detection process will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, in the sign detection process, first, as shown in the screen 240 illustrated in FIG. 11, a red rectangle 245 indicating the planned placement position of the sign 110 is displayed on the LCD 7 (S192). Original shooting is started (S194). As shown in FIG. 11, a pattern display field 241 and a planned arrangement position display field 242 are displayed on the screen 240. The pattern display field 241 is the same as the pattern display field 201. In the planned placement position display field 242, a message 243, a composite image 244, and an OK key 246 are displayed.

  The composite image 244 is an image in which a red rectangle 245 is added to an image near the needle base output from the image sensor 50. A red rectangle 245 is displayed in the vicinity of one end of the first line segment in the image near the needle base. The size of the rectangle 245 is about 1.5 times the size of the sign 110. The message 243 is displayed to prompt the user to select the OK key 246 after placing the sign 110 in the area inside the rectangle 245. The OK key 246 is selected when the marker 110 is placed inside the rectangle 245. While confirming the screen 240, the user selects the OK key 246 after pasting the marker 110 inside the rectangle 245 as displayed in the planned placement position display field 242.

  The CPU 61 waits until the OK key 246 is selected (S196: NO). When the OK key 246 is selected (S196: YES), the image data output from the image sensor 50 is acquired, and the acquired image data is stored in the RAM 63 (S198). Next, a process of detecting the marker 110 from the image of the portion inside the rectangle 245 is executed (S200). In S200, when the marker 110 is detected from the image inside the rectangle 245, the coordinates of the embroidery coordinate system of the first center point 111 and the second center point 112 included in the marker 110 are specified. The detection of the marker 110 and the specification of the coordinates are performed using a known method (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-246885). Specifically, for the first center point 111 and the second center point 112 of the sign 110, for example, a two-dimensional coordinate in an image coordinate system that is a coordinate system of an image captured by the image sensor is calculated using a Hough transform process. Is done. Thereafter, the two-dimensional coordinates in the image coordinate system are converted into the three-dimensional coordinates in the world coordinate system. As described above, in this embodiment, since the embroidery coordinate system and the world coordinate system are associated with each other, the coordinates of the embroidery coordinate system are calculated based on the three-dimensional coordinates of the world coordinate system calculated by image processing. Is done. If the sign 110 is not detected in S200 (S202: NO), a message prompting the user to place the sign 110 in the rectangle 245 is displayed on the LCD 7 (S204). Next, the process returns to S194. When the marker 110 is detected in S200 (S202: YES), it is determined whether the marker 110 detected in S200 is the second marker 110 (S206).

  As described above, the sewing machine 1 according to the present embodiment detects the two markers 110 disposed near both ends of the first line segment on the sewing target 39, and arranges the markers 110 and performs the first holding. Corresponds to the arrangement of the reference pattern at the position. When the sign 110 detected in S200 is the first sign 110 (S206: NO), a control signal is output to the drive circuit 131 and the drive circuit 133, and the embroidery frame 84 is moved (S208). . Specifically, the embroidery frame 84 is moved to a position where the planned arrangement position set in the vicinity of the other end of the first line segment is within the imaging range of the image sensor 50.

  Next, the process returns to S192, and the process for detecting the second marker 110 is executed. When the marker 110 detected in S200 is the second marker 110 (S206: YES), the first marker shown in the state A of FIG. 12 from the detected embroidery coordinates of the marker 110 and the first reference embroidery coordinates. The arrangement of the marker 110 relative to the first reference at the holding position is specified and registered in the RAM 63 (S209). Specifically, the embroidery coordinates of the first center point 111 (shown in FIG. 10) of the marker 110 at the first holding position and the first reference at the first holding position specified in S120 of the main process (see FIG. 5). By associating the coordinates of the (first line segment 227 and the first point 228), an arrangement including the position and angle of the marker 110 with respect to the first reference at the first holding position is specified. Thereafter, the sign detection process ends, and the process returns to the main process shown in FIG.

  Following S190 in FIG. 5, a message prompting the user to change the holding position of the sewing object 39 with respect to the embroidery frame 84 is displayed (S210). After the display of this message, the user changes the holding position of the sewing object 39 with respect to the embroidery frame 84 in a state where the marker 110 is stuck on the surface of the sewing object 39. That is, even if the holding position of the sewing target 39 with respect to the embroidery frame 84 is changed, the arrangement of the markers 110 with respect to the sewing target 39 is not changed. Specifically, the user holds the sewing object 39 from the first holding position shown in the state A in FIG. 12 to the temporary holding position shown in the state B in FIG. 12 without changing the arrangement of the markers 110. Be changed. The temporary holding position and the first holding position differ in the relative holding position of the sewing object 39 with respect to the embroidery frame 84 (FIG. 2). The temporary holding position of the present embodiment needs to satisfy the condition that each of the two markers 110 attached to the sewing object 39 is inside the embroidery frame 84 (FIG. 2).

  Next, the process returns to S20. In the specific example described above, it is assumed that the same pattern 205 as the first pattern 205 is selected as the second pattern in S20 (S20: YES). In this case, after the sewing data of the second pattern 205 is acquired (S30), it is determined that the variable N is not 1 (S40: NO). When the variable N is 2 or more, unlike the case where the variable N is 1, the arrangement setting process is executed (S60). In the arrangement setting process, a process of setting the arrangement of the next pattern (Nth pattern) at the second holding position is executed. At the time of S60, the reference pattern has already been sewn to the sewing object, and the arrangement with respect to the sewing object has been confirmed. In S60, the next pattern (Nth pattern) for the sewing object at the second holding position based on the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern and the arrangement of the reference pattern at the second holding position. The process of setting the arrangement of is executed.

  Details of the arrangement setting process will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, in the arrangement setting process, first, the second designation key group 254 is displayed as shown in the screen 250 shown in FIG. 14 (S62). As shown in FIG. 14, the screen 250 displays a pattern display field 251, a pattern information field 252, and an instruction key display field 253. The pattern display column 251 is the same as the pattern display column 201, and the pattern information column 252 is the same as the pattern information column 202. In the instruction key display field 253, a second designation key group 254, an OK key 256, and a sign detection key 259 are displayed. Each second designation key included in the second designation key group 254 is a key for designating the second reference. The second reference is a reference specified by the user and including at least one of the second line segment and the second point included in the second graphic.

  The 2nd figure is a figure showing the range where the next pattern is sewn, and in this embodiment, it is a rectangle like the 1st figure. The second reference of this embodiment includes a second line segment and a second point. Similar to the first line segment, the second line segment is selected from any one of the four sides forming the rectangle. Similarly to the first point, the second point is selected from either the end points of the second line segment or the midpoint of the second line segment. In the present embodiment, a combination of the second line segment and the second point is selected as the second reference from the 12 second designation keys included in the second designation key group 254. The second reference is used for the process of determining the relative arrangement of the next pattern (Nth pattern) with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern (N-1th pattern). The OK key 256 is selected when the designation of the second reference is completed. The sign detection key 259 is a key that is selected when the sign 110 is replaced. When the marker detection key 259 is selected, the arrangement of the marker 110 after the replacement with respect to the first reference is specified and updated and registered in the RAM 63.

  Next, it is determined whether any second designation key in the second designation key group 254 has been selected (S64). When one of the second designation keys is selected on the screen 250 shown in FIG. 14 (S64: YES), the relative arrangement of the second pattern 205 with respect to the arrangement of the first pattern 205 is determined (S70). The determination result is displayed on the LCD 7 (S72), and the process proceeds to S74. In this embodiment, the pattern arrangement includes the position and angle of the pattern with respect to the initial arrangement. The relative arrangement of the next pattern (Nth pattern) with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern (N-1th pattern) is determined as follows based on the first reference and the second reference. That is, the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern is determined such that the extending direction of the first line segment overlaps with the second line segment and the first point overlaps with the second point. There are two possible relative arrangements of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern that satisfy the above conditions: a case where the reference pattern and the next pattern overlap and a case where the reference pattern and the next pattern do not overlap each other. . In the present embodiment, the arrangement in which the reference pattern and the next pattern (Nth pattern) do not overlap each other among the two pattern arrangements is employed.

  When the second designation key 255 is selected on the screen 250 shown in FIG. 14, the second pattern 205 (see FIG. 6) corresponding to the arrangement of the first pattern 205 (shown in FIG. 6) is exemplified as the pattern display field 251. 6) is determined as follows. That is, the extending direction of the right side of the rectangle 206 including the first reference overlaps the second line segment 227A indicated by the left side of the rectangle 258 representing the range of the second pattern 205, and the midpoint of the right side of the rectangle 206 It is determined that the (first point 228) and the end point 228A on the upper left side of the rectangle 258 overlap. FIG. 15 shows a pattern display field 251 when the second designation key 257 is selected on the screen 250 shown in FIG. The relative arrangement of the second pattern 205 (shown in FIG. 6) with respect to the arrangement of the first pattern 205 (shown in FIG. 6) is determined as follows. That is, the extending direction of the right side of the rectangle 206 representing the range of the first pattern 205 (shown in FIG. 6) overlaps the left side of the rectangle 258 representing the range of the second pattern 205 (shown in FIG. 6), and The midpoint (first point 228) of the right side of the rectangle 206 and the midpoint 228B of the left side of the rectangle 258 are determined to overlap. The user confirms the relative arrangement of the next pattern (Nth pattern) with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern (N−1th pattern) by looking at the screen displayed on the LCD 7.

  If no second designation key in the second designation key group 254 is selected (S64: NO), it is determined whether or not the sign detection key 259 is selected and the temporary holding position process is instructed on the screen 250 shown in FIG. (S65). If there is no instruction for temporary holding position processing (S65: NO), the process proceeds to S74. On the other hand, if there is an instruction for temporary holding position processing (S65: YES), the process proceeds to S67, where temporary holding position processing is performed. In this temporary holding position process, unlike the sign detection process of FIG. 9, the entire inside of the embroidery frame 84 is set as the detection target range of the sign 110. The temporary holding position process will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, in the temporary holding position process, first, a variable M indicating the number of times of detection of the sign is set to 1, and the set variable M is stored in the RAM 63 (S671). The image data output from the image sensor 50 is acquired (S673), and the detection process of the sign 110 is executed with the entire image represented by the image data acquired in S673 as the detection target (S675). The detection of the label 110 is performed using a known method as in S200. When the sign 110 is detected (S677: YES), the process proceeds to S679. The marker 110 is detected by, for example, detecting the embroidery coordinate system coordinates of the first center point 111 and the second center point 112 of the marker 110.

  On the other hand, when the marker 110 is not detected in S677 (S677: NO), the process proceeds to S701. In S679, it is determined whether the second label is detected. If the second label is not detected (S679: NO), the process proceeds to S701. In S701, it is determined whether the entire area inside the embroidery frame 84 is set as the detection target range. If there is an area that is not set as the detection target range (S701: NO), a control signal is sent to the drive circuit 131 and the drive circuit 133. Is output, and the embroidery frame 84 is moved to a position where an area not set as the detection target range falls within the photographing range of the image sensor 50 (S703). When the entire area inside the embroidery frame 84 is set as the detection target range (S701: YES), a message notifying that the two markers 110 cannot be detected is displayed on the LCD 7 (S705). In this case, the user checks whether or not the two signs 110 are in the area inside the embroidery frame 84. After S703 or S705, the process returns to S673.

  On the other hand, when the second sign is detected in S679 (S679: YES), the arrangement of the sign 110 with respect to the first reference at the first holding position shown in the state A of FIG. 12 and the sign 110 detected in S675. From the embroidery coordinates, the arrangement of the marker 110 with respect to the first reference at the temporary holding position shown in the state B of FIG. 12 is specified and updated and registered in the RAM 63 (S706). Specifically, when the sewing object is repositioned to the temporary holding position, the embroidery coordinate system at the temporary holding position is set, the origin is known, and the embroidery coordinates of the marker 110 at the temporary holding position can be detected. The correspondence between the embroidery coordinates of the first reference (first line segment 227 and first point 228) and the embroidery coordinates of the marker 110 at the first holding position shown in the state A of FIG. 12 has already been specified. Accordingly, if the first reference embroidery coordinate at the first holding position is converted to the coordinates of the embroidery coordinate system at the temporary holding position, the correspondence between the first reference embroidery coordinate at the temporary holding position and the marker 110 can be achieved. The arrangement including the position and angle of the marker 110 with respect to the first reference at the temporary holding position shown in the state B is specified.

  Next, it is determined whether the value of the variable M is 2 (S707). If the value of M is not 2 (S707: NO), the value of the variable M is incremented by 1 to 2 (S708). A screen 260 illustrated in FIG. 17 is displayed (S709). As shown in FIG. 17, the screen 260 displays a pattern display field 261 and a planned placement position display field 262. The pattern display field 261 is the same as the pattern display field 241. In the planned placement position display field 262, a message 263 that prompts the user to paste the marker 110 again, a composite image 264, and a scan key 268 are displayed. The composite image 264 is the same as the composite image 244. After this message, while the holding position of the sewing object 39 with respect to the embroidery frame 84 (shown in FIG. 2) is maintained, the user can refer to the rectangle 245 from the position of the state B in FIG. 12 is pasted to the position of the state C. After the marker 110 is replaced, it is determined whether the scan key 268 shown in FIG. 17 has been selected (S711). If there is no selection (S711: NO), the process returns to S711 and waits until there is a selection. On the other hand, when the scan key 268 is selected (S711: YES), image data is acquired and processing for detecting the two markers 110 is performed (S712-717). Since the contents of this process are the same as S198 to S208 of the above-described label detection process (FIG. 9), description thereof is omitted here. When the two signs 110 are detected (S716: YES), the arrangement of the signs 110 with respect to the first reference at the temporary holding position shown in the state B of FIG. 12, the embroidery coordinates of the signs 110 before the replacement, and the replacement An arrangement including the position and angle of the marker 110 with respect to the first reference at the temporary holding position shown in the state C of FIG. 12 is specified from the embroidery coordinates of the subsequent marker 110, and is updated and registered in the RAM 63 (S718). Specifically, since the embroidery coordinate system at the temporary holding position is set, the embroidery coordinates of the marker 110 after the replacement can be detected. In addition, the arrangement including the position and the angle of the marker 110 before being replaced with respect to the first reference at the temporary holding position has already been specified. Therefore, the arrangement including the position and the angle of the marker 110 after the replacement with respect to the first reference can be specified.

  After S718, the process returns to S707. Since M is 2 (S707: YES), the screen 270 illustrated in FIG. 18 is displayed (S721). As shown in FIG. 18, the screen 270 displays a pattern display field 271, a message 273 indicating that the arrangement of the marker 110 with respect to the first reference has been updated, and an OK key 276.

  When the OK key 276 is selected, a message prompting the change of the holding position of the sewing object 39 is displayed on the LCD 7 (S722), and then the screen 250 is displayed, and the process returns to S67 of the arrangement setting process shown in FIG. After displaying the message, the user changes the holding position of the sewing object 39 with respect to the embroidery frame 84 from the temporary holding position shown in the state C in FIG. 12 to the second holding position shown in the state D in FIG. Note that the change of the holding position of the sewing object 39 is executed in a state where the mark 110 is pasted. That is, even if the holding position of the sewing target 39 is changed, the arrangement of the markers 110 with respect to the sewing target 39 is not changed. In S74, it is determined whether the OK key 256 has been selected. If the OK key 256 has not been selected (S74: NO), the process returns to S64. When the OK key 256 is selected (S74: YES), a process for specifying the arrangement of the reference pattern (N-1th pattern) at the second holding position is executed based on the arrangement of the markers 110 (S76). ~ S80). Unlike the sign detection process of FIG. 9, the entire inside of the embroidery frame 84 is set as the detection target range of the sign 110.

  Specifically, first, image data output from the image sensor 50 is acquired (S76). Next, the detection process of the marker 110 is executed with the entire image represented by the image data acquired in S76 as a detection target (S78). The detection of the label 110 is performed using a known method as in S200. When the marker 110 is detected, for example, the coordinates of the embroidery coordinate system of the first center point 111 and the second center point 112 of the marker 110 are calculated. If the marker 110 is not detected in S78 (S80: NO), or if the first marker 110 is detected in S78 (S80: YES, S82: NO), the entire inside of the embroidery frame 84 is not detected. It is determined whether the region is set as a detection target range (S84). When there is an area that is not set as the detection target range (S84: NO), a control signal is output to the drive circuit 131 and the drive circuit 133, and the area that is not set as the detection target range is the shooting range of the image sensor 50. The embroidery frame 84 is moved to the position where it fits (S86). When the entire area inside the embroidery frame 84 is set as the detection target range (S84: YES), a message notifying that the two signs 110 cannot be detected is displayed on the LCD 7 (S88). In this case, the user checks whether or not the two signs 110 are in the area inside the embroidery frame 84. After S86 or S88, the process returns to S76.

  When each of the two markers 110 is detected (S80: YES, S82: YES), the detected embroidery coordinates of the marker 110 and the first reference (first) at the temporary holding position shown in the state C of FIG. The arrangement of the marker 110 with respect to the first reference at the second holding position shown in the state D of FIG. 12 is determined from the arrangement of the marker 110 with respect to the line segment 227 and the first point 228) (S90), and is updated and registered in the RAM 63. . Specifically, when the holding position of the sewing object 39 is changed to the second holding position, the embroidery coordinate system at the second holding position is set, so the embroidery coordinates of the marker 110 at the second holding position are detected. it can. In addition, the correspondence between the first reference embroidery coordinates and the embroidery coordinates of the marker 110 after being replaced at the temporary holding position has already been specified. Therefore, if the first reference embroidery coordinate at the temporary holding position is converted into the coordinates of the embroidery coordinate system at the second holding position, the first reference embroidery coordinate at the second holding position and the marker 110 can be associated with each other. An arrangement including the position and angle of the marker 110 relative to the first reference at two holding positions can be detected.

  Next, based on the arrangement of the marker 110 with respect to the first reference at the second holding position and the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern, the next pattern (for the sewing object 39 at the second holding position ( The arrangement of the (Nth pattern) is set (S92). Specifically, the correspondence between the embroidery coordinates of the first reference (first line segment 227 and first point 228) and the embroidery coordinates of the marker 110 at the second holding position shown in the state D of FIG. It is set from the embroidery coordinates of the second line segment and the second point). In S92, the sewing data of the Nth pattern is corrected based on the setting result. The setting result of the arrangement of the Nth pattern is displayed on the LCD 7 as shown in a screen 280 in FIG. A screen 280 shown in FIG. 19 displays a pattern display field 281, a sewing information field 282, and a thread color display field 283. The pattern display field 281 is the same as the pattern display field 201. In the pattern display column 281, the arrangement of the second pattern 205 of the specific example is represented by the position and angle of the rectangle 258. The sewing information field 282 displays sewing time, the number of thread colors, the number of needle drop points, and the elapsed time from the start of sewing as conditions for sewing the Nth pattern. In the thread color display field 283, the color name of the thread supplied to the lower end of the needle bar 31 is displayed. Next, a message “Please remove the sign” (not shown) is displayed on the LCD 7 (S94). Next, although not shown, a screen including a sewing start key and a pattern connection key is displayed on the LCD 7. The arrangement setting process ends here, and the process returns to the main process of FIG.

  In the main process of FIG. 5, after S60, the CPU 61 stands by until a pattern joining key or a sewing start key is selected (S95: NO, S220: NO). When the pattern connection key is selected (S95: YES), the process of S100 described above is executed. When the sewing start key is selected (S95: NO, S220: YES), sewing of the Nth pattern is executed in the same manner as in S150 (S230). In a specific example, the second pattern 205 is sewn in the pattern display field 281 shown in FIG. The main process ends here. In the specific example, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the two patterns 205 are rectangularly formed by the main process in a range wider than the sewing area 86 set for the sewing target 39 at the first holding position. Sewing is performed in an arrangement indicated by 206 and an arrangement indicated by a rectangle 258.

  In the sewing machine 1 of the first embodiment, the embroidery frame moving mechanism 11 corresponds to the “moving means” of the present invention. The needle bar drive mechanism 32 corresponds to the “sewing means” of the present invention. The RAM 63 corresponds to the “storage unit” of the present invention. The image sensor 50 corresponds to the “photographing unit” of the present invention. The CPU 61 that executes S50, S100, and S110 in FIG. 5 functions as the “first reference acquisition unit” of the present invention. The CPU 61 that executes S62 and S64 of FIG. 13 functions as the “second reference acquisition unit” of the present invention. The CPU 61 that executes S70 functions as the “placement determining unit” of the present invention. The CPU 61 that executes S198 in FIG. 9, S76 in FIG. 13, and S673 in FIG. 16 functions as the “image data acquisition unit” of the present invention. The CPU 61 that executes S209 in FIG. 9, S90 in FIG. 13, and S706 in FIG. 16 functions as the “placement detection means”, “registration means”, and “update means” of the present invention. The CPU 61 that executes S711 in FIG. 16 functions as the “accepting unit” of the present invention. The CPU 61 that executes S92 of FIG. 13 functions as the “setting unit” of the present invention. The CPU 61 that executes S72 of FIG. 13 functions as the “first display means” of the present invention. The CPU 61 that executes S192 of FIG. 9 functions as the “second display means” of the present invention. The CPU 61 that executes the process (S150) of sewing the reference pattern in the main process of FIG. 5 functions as the “first sewing control means” of the present invention. The CPU 61 that executes the process (S150 or S230) for sewing the next pattern functions as the “second sewing control means” of the present invention.

  The sewing machine 1 updates and registers the marker arrangement with respect to the first reference every time image data of the marker arranged on the surface of the sewing object 39 is acquired. The arrangement of the next pattern at the second holding position is set according to the relative arrangement of the next pattern. As a result, the user's operation for specifying the arrangement of the reference pattern at the second holding position only has to attach the marker 110 to the sewing object 39. Compared with the sewing machine that the user specifies visually, the sewing machine 1 Is easy. The accuracy of specifying the arrangement of the reference pattern at the second holding position is higher for the sewing machine 1 than for the sewing machine that the user specifies visually. In particular, since the sewing machine 1 of the present embodiment uses two markers 110 to specify the arrangement of the reference pattern at the second holding position, compared with the case where the arrangement is specified using one marker 110, In particular, the relative angle can be specified with high accuracy.

  In pattern connection using a sign, the reference pattern and the arranged sign enter the embroidery frame at the first holding position, and the next pattern and the arranged sign enter the embroidery frame at the second holding position. There is a need. Accordingly, when the next pattern 216 and the arranged marker 110 do not enter the embroidery frame 84 at the second holding position as shown in the state E of FIG. 21, the pattern may not be connected. Even in such a case, after detecting the arrangement of the marker 110 at the first holding position shown in the state E of FIG. 21, the holding position is changed to the temporary holding position as shown in the state F of FIG. 110 is replaced with the position of the mark 110C, and the arrangement of the mark 110C is detected. Next, as shown in the state G of FIG. 21, by changing the holding position to the second holding position, the next pattern 216 and the mark 110C are accommodated in the embroidery frame 84, and the two patterns can be connected.

  The sewing machine 1 holds the second pattern so that the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern is the arrangement instructed by the user when a plurality of patterns are sewn in a range wider than the sewing area. The arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the sewing object 39 at the position can be set. The user sets the first reference by selecting the first designation key, and sets the second reference by selecting the second designation key. Specific arrangement can be set.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the sewing machine 1 displays the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern. Therefore, the user can confirm whether or not the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern is set as intended by the user based on the display on the screen. As illustrated in the screen 240 of FIG. 11, the sewing machine 1 displays on the LCD 7 a composite image 244 including a red rectangle 245 indicating the position where the marker 110 is to be pasted. Therefore, the sewing machine 1 can prompt the user to place one or more signs 110 at the planned placement position. In addition, when the holding position of the sewing object 39 with respect to the embroidery frame 84 is in the first holding position, the sewing machine 1 only needs to execute processing for detecting the marker 110 only for the planned arrangement position. For this reason, the sewing machine 1 can simplify the process for detecting the arrangement of the markers 110 as compared with the case where the entire range inside the embroidery frame 84 is set as the detection target range. The planned placement position is automatically set in the vicinity of the first reference, particularly in the vicinity of both ends of the first line segment. In the present embodiment, the relative arrangement of the second reference with respect to the first reference is set as described above. Since the planned placement position is set as described above, the user can easily set the second holding position so that the sign 110 is placed within the imaging range. As described above, the sewing machine 1 sews the reference pattern and the next pattern on the sewing target 39 so that the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern is the arrangement designated by the user. be able to.

  Next, main processing executed in the sewing machine 1 of the second embodiment will be described. Although not shown, the main process of the second embodiment is different from the main process of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in the arrangement setting process of S60, and the other processes are the same. Hereinafter, the description of the same process as the main process of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the process of S60 different from the main process of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 22 and FIG. The main processing of the second embodiment is executed by the CPU 61 according to the main program stored in the ROM 62.

  In FIG. 22, the same step number is assigned to the process for executing the same process as the arrangement setting process of the first embodiment in FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 22, the arrangement setting process of the second embodiment is executed in S300, S63 is executed instead of S62, and S71 is executed instead of S70. This is different from the arrangement setting process of the embodiment. A description of the same processing as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the processing of S63, S300, and S71 different from the first embodiment will be described below using specific examples similar to those of the first embodiment. To do.

  In the second embodiment, the relative position of the second reference with respect to the first reference can be set numerically. In S63, for example, the screen 300 illustrated in FIG. 23 is displayed. On the screen 300, a pattern display field 301, a pattern information field 302, and an arrangement designation field 303 are displayed. The pattern display column 301 is the same as the pattern display column 201, and the pattern information column 302 is the same as the pattern information column 202. In the arrangement designation field 303, a second designation key group 304, a Y-axis direction distance setting key 306, an X-axis direction distance setting key 307, an OK key 256, and a sign detection key 259 are displayed. The second designation key group 304 is the same as the second designation key group 254 in FIG. The Y-axis direction distance setting key 306 is a key for designating the relative position in the Y-axis direction of the second reference embroidery coordinate system with respect to the first reference by a numerical value in mm units. The X-axis direction distance setting key 307 is a key for designating the relative position in the X-axis direction of the second reference embroidery coordinate system with respect to the first reference by a numerical value in mm units.

  Following S63, it is determined whether any second designation key in the second designation key group 304 has been selected. When the second designation key is selected (S64: YES), the process proceeds to S71, but the process of S71 is the same as S70 of FIG. On the other hand, if the second designation key is not selected (S64: NO), it is determined whether either the Y-axis direction distance setting key 306 or the X-axis direction distance setting key 307 is selected (S300).

  When the Y-axis direction distance setting key 306 or the X-axis direction distance setting key 307 is selected (S300: YES), in S71, the next pattern (N-1) is arranged as follows (N-1). The relative arrangement of the second pattern) is determined. The relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern is set based on the position moved by the distance specified by the distance setting key from the initial position of the second reference with respect to the first reference. The initial position of the second reference with respect to the first reference is a position set in the same manner as in S70 of FIG. 13 when any second specifying key included in the second specifying key group 304 is selected. In the pattern display field 301 of FIG. 23, a rectangle 258 for the arrangement of the first pattern 205 represented by the rectangle 206 when the distance setting keys 306 and 307 are selected after the second designation key 305 is selected. The relative arrangement of the second pattern 205 represented by is displayed. Specifically, according to the numerical values specified by the Y-axis direction distance setting key 306 and the X-axis direction distance setting key 307, the second reference is +10.0 (mm) in the X-axis direction from the initial position, and in the Y-axis direction. The relative arrangement of the rectangle 258 with respect to the rectangle 206 when moved relatively to −6.0 mm is displayed. On the other hand, when neither the Y-axis direction distance setting key 306 nor the X-axis direction distance setting key 307 is selected (S300: NO), it is determined whether the sign detection key 259 is selected and the temporary holding position process is instructed ( S65). When the temporary holding position process is not instructed (S65: NO), the process proceeds to S74. On the other hand, when the temporary holding position process is instructed (S65: YES), the process proceeds to S67, where the temporary holding position process is performed.

  In the sewing machine 1 of the second embodiment, the CPU 61 that executes S300 of FIG. 22 functions as the “numerical value acquisition unit” of the present invention. The CPU 61 that executes S71 functions as the “placement determining unit” of the present invention. According to the sewing machine 1 of the second embodiment, the user can set the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern by a simple operation of setting a numerical value. The main processing of the second embodiment is used, for example, when sewing a plurality of regular hexagonal patterns 311 on the screen 310 illustrated in FIG. 24 in a range wider than the sewable area 86. The user executes main processing when sewing patterns before and after changing the holding position of the sewing object 39 with respect to the embroidery frame 84. In the main processing, the first reference and the second reference are set for the rectangle 312 representing the range of the pattern 311 and the relative position of the second reference with respect to the first reference is adjusted. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 25, the pattern group 320 having nine patterns 311 can be sewn in a wider area than the sewn area 86.

  The sewing machine of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following modifications (A) to (E) may be added as appropriate.

  (A) The configuration of the sewing machine 1 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the present invention may be applied to industrial sewing machines and household sewing machines. In another example, the type and arrangement of the image sensor 50 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the image sensor 50 may be a photographing element other than a CMOS image sensor such as a CCD camera.

  (B) The arrangement of the reference pattern only needs to include at least one of the position and the angle of the reference pattern. Similarly, the arrangement of the next pattern only needs to include at least one of the position and angle of the next pattern.

  (C) The first reference is a reference specified by the user, and may be any reference including either the first line segment or the first point included in the first graphic representing the range in which the reference pattern is sewn. . Similarly, the second reference is a reference specified by the user and includes any one of the second line segment and the second point included in the second graphic representing the range in which the next pattern is sewn. Good. The first graphic may be a graphic representing the range in which the reference pattern is sewn, and may be, for example, a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon that accommodates the reference pattern in addition to the minimum rectangle in which the reference pattern can be accommodated. Alternatively, it may be an outline of a reference pattern. Similar to the first graphic, the second graphic may be a graphic other than the smallest rectangle in which the next pattern fits. The first point may be a point included in the first graphic, may be an arbitrary point on the first line segment, or may be a point not on the first line segment. Similar to the first point, the second point may be a point included in the second graphic.

  (D) The number of markers 110 used in the main process can be changed as appropriate. When the arrangement of the reference pattern is specified based on a plurality of signs 110, the arrangement of the reference pattern, particularly the inclination of the reference pattern, should be specified with higher accuracy than when the arrangement of the reference pattern is specified based on one sign 110. Can do. The arrangement of the sign 110 detected based on the image data may be at least one of the position and the angle of the sign 110. The configuration of the sign 110 may be changed as appropriate. The configuration of the sign 110 includes, for example, the size, material, design, and color of the sign. The reference for specifying the arrangement of the sign 110 (in the above embodiment, the first center point 111 of the sign 110) and the calculation method may be appropriately changed in consideration of the structure of the sign 110 and the like.

(E) The main process may be changed as appropriate. For example, the following changes may be added.
(E-1) The determination method of the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern may be changed as appropriate. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first reference is specified using the first specifying key, and the second reference is specified using the second specifying key. However, the present invention is not limited to this. More specifically, the first reference (second reference) may be arbitrarily specified by the user from line segments and points included in the first graphic (second graphic). In another example, the arrangement of the second reference with respect to the first reference is not limited to the case of the above embodiment, and may be changed as appropriate. In another example, the angle of the second line segment included in the second reference relative to the first line segment included in the first reference may be designated by a numerical value. In this way, the relative arrangement of the next pattern can be inclined by a desired angle with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern. In another example, the reference corresponding to the first reference and the second reference may be automatically set, and the user may set at least one of the relationship between the position and the angle between the set reference values numerically. Examples of the reference corresponding to the first reference and the second reference include a representative point of the first graphic (second graphic) and a representative line segment of the first graphic (second graphic). Representative points of the first graphic (second graphic) include, for example, the center point and end point of the graphic. The representative line segment of the first graphic (second graphic) includes a diagonal line of the graphic and any side constituting the graphic.

  (E-2) The timing for performing the process for determining the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern may be appropriately changed. For example, the timing at which the first reference and the second reference are acquired may be changed as appropriate. More specifically, a process for acquiring the first reference may be performed after the reference pattern is sewn.

  (E-3) The process of S72 of FIG. 13 may be omitted as appropriate. Similarly, the process of S192 in FIG. 9 may be omitted as appropriate. When the process of S192 in FIG. 9 is executed, the planned placement position may be a position that is within the embroidery frame and within the imaging range of the image sensor 50 at the first holding position and the second holding position. The planned placement position may be set by a user, for example. In another example, the display method of the planned placement position may be changed as appropriate. Specifically, the planned position of the center of the sign may be displayed in a pattern such as an asterisk, or the range in which the entire sign will be accommodated may be displayed as a graphic such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon.

  (E-4) A process of editing the Nth pattern may be executed between S40 and S60 of FIG. Examples of the process for editing the Nth pattern include a change in the size of the pattern, rotation, and inversion. In the process of editing the Nth pattern, when the pattern is rotated, a graphic representing the range of the rotated pattern may be reset.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sewing machine 7 Liquid crystal display 8 Touch panel 11 Embroidery frame moving mechanism 32 Needle bar drive mechanism 39 Sewing target object 50 Image sensor 61 CPU
62 ROM
63 RAM
64 EEPROM
84 Embroidery frame 110 Marking 205 Reference pattern, next pattern 206 Rectangle (first figure)
227 1st line segment 227A 2nd line segment 228 1st point 228B 2nd point 258 rectangle (2nd figure)
259 Sign detection key

Claims (8)

Photographing means for photographing a sign placed on the surface of the sewing object held in the embroidery frame;
Obtaining means for obtaining image data of the sign photographed by the photographing means;
A pattern to be sewn when the holding position of the sewing object by the sewing frame is the first holding position is a reference pattern, and sewing is performed when the holding position is a second holding position different from the first holding position. When the pattern to be sewn next to the reference pattern is the next pattern,
Arrangement determining means for determining an arrangement including at least one of a relative position and an angle of the next pattern with respect to an arrangement including at least one of the position and angle of the reference pattern;
An arrangement detecting means for detecting an arrangement including at least one of the position and the angle of the marker with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern, based on the image data acquired by the acquiring means;
Storage means for storing the arrangement of the sign as arrangement information;
Registration means for registering information relating to the arrangement including at least one of a position and an angle of a sign with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern detected by the arrangement detection means in the storage means as storage information;
An update unit that updates the stored information stored in the storage unit when the arrangement detection unit newly detects an arrangement including at least one of the position and the angle of the marker with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern;
When the storage information stored in the storage means relates to the sign taken at the second holding position, the storage information and the arrangement of the reference pattern determined by the arrangement determination means Setting means for setting an arrangement including at least one of a position and an angle of the next pattern with respect to the sewing object at the second holding position from the relative arrangement of the next pattern;
A sewing machine comprising: And further comprising an accepting means for accepting an instruction indicating that the sign has been replaced,
When the instruction is received from the receiving means,
The sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement detection unit detects an arrangement of the label after the replacement with respect to the label before the replacement. A first criterion that is a criterion designated by the user and that is a criterion that includes any one of the first line segment and the first point included in the first graphic representing the range in which the reference pattern is sewn. Acquisition means;
A second reference acquisition that is a reference specified by the user and that is a reference that includes a second line segment and a second point included in a second graphic representing a range in which the next pattern is sewn. Means,
Further comprising
The arrangement determining means is configured to determine the next of the reference pattern with respect to the arrangement based on the first reference acquired by the first reference acquisition means and the second reference acquired by the second reference acquisition means. The sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the relative arrangement of patterns is determined. Further comprising a numerical value acquisition means for acquiring the numerical value specified by the user, for specifying the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern;
The said arrangement | positioning determination means determines the said relative arrangement | positioning of the said next pattern with respect to the said arrangement | positioning of the said reference pattern based on the said numerical value which the said numerical value acquisition means acquired. The sewing machine according to Crab.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first display unit configured to display the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern determined by the arrangement determination unit on a screen. The sewing machine according to Crab.   The sewing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising second display means for displaying a planned arrangement position of the at least one sign on a screen. The first reference acquisition means is based on a first designation key designated by the user among a plurality of first designation keys combining the first line segment and the first point on the first line segment. Obtaining the first criterion,
The second reference acquisition means is based on a second designation key designated by the user among a plurality of second designation keys combining the second line segment and the second point on the second line segment. Obtaining the second criterion,
The arrangement determining unit is configured to display the relative arrangement of the next pattern with respect to the arrangement of the reference pattern, the first line segment represented by the first designation key acquired by the first reference acquisition unit. The stretching direction overlaps the second line segment represented by the second designation key acquired by the second reference acquisition means, and the first point represented by the first designation key is the first point The sewing machine according to claim 3, wherein the sewing machine is arranged so as to overlap the second point represented by a two-designated key. Moving means having a function of moving the embroidery frame holding the sewing object;
Sewing means for sewing a pattern on the sewing object by raising and lowering a needle bar to which a sewing needle is attached at the lower end;
First sewing control means for controlling the moving means and the sewing means to sew the reference pattern on the sewing object held by the embroidery frame in a state where the holding position is the first holding position; ,
By controlling the moving means and the sewing means, the sewing object held in the state where the holding position is the second holding position according to the arrangement of the next pattern set by the setting means. Second sewing control means for sewing the next pattern;
The sewing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: