JPH038859A - Computer embroidery machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry out back-up of embroidery information memory by transcribing various kinds of information memorized in the non-volatile first memory to the read- and writable second memory, beginning an embroidery operation and subsequently re-transcribing the memorized information of the second memory on the stop of the embroidery operation to the first memory. CONSTITUTION:Various kinds of information including time information such as an embroidery time accumulation value, setting information such as a length unit, sewing parameter information such as size and inputted embroidery information such as a pattern code number and a sewing parameter on the interruption of the embroidery are memorized in the memorizing area of the first memory having plurally divided memory areas holding the memory after the interruption of the electric source while writing the number of the re-writing operations. After the various kinds of memorized information of the first memory are transcribed to the readable and re-writing second memory, the embroidery operation is carried out. When the embroidery operation is stopped, the memorized information of the second memory is re-transcribed to the first memory, and when the above-mentioned re-writing number reaches a prescribed value, the memory is transferred to the next memorizing area.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a computer embroidery machine having a memory backup function, and more particularly to memory backup control of various information related to embroidery work.

[Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventional embroidery machines have had the following problems. 1) Regarding the timing of lubricating the mechanical parts, the worker estimated and recorded the total embroidery time of the day, and lubricated the mechanism when it reached a predetermined value, so it was not possible to lubricate the mechanism at the correct timing. 2) Conventionally, sewing parameters are set to default values when the power is turned on, so when performing the same type of embroidery following the previous embroidery, it was necessary to reset the sewing parameters, which was troublesome. 3) If you are embroidering a pattern that takes a long time to embroidery, such as a one-point pattern, and you have to finish the embroidery part way through because the finishing time has come, or if a stitch defect such as skipped stitches occurs and the embroidery work is interrupted. , its resetting was troublesome when doing another embroidery work. 4) Battery-backed SRA, which has been commonly used as a memory device with a backup function
M (Static Random Accesses Mem
However, if the embroidery machine is not used for a long period of time, the battery may over-discharge, resulting in disadvantages in terms of cost and mounting space.

[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention] The present invention provides computerized embroidery 4 [in which embroidery is automatically performed according to a preset program] with a cumulative value of 5 embroidery times.
Time information such as EWING TIME and length unit L
Hardware setting information that is rarely changed after setting up an embroidery machine such as EN UNIT, sewing parameter information such as size SIZE, pattern code number and sewing parameter IFI in case embroidery is interrupted
The first function is to store interrupted embroidery information such as LE even after the power is turned off.
The first storage means is an EEPROM in which stored data can be electrically erased and electrically rewritten;
Divide M into multiple storage areas, and store the number of rewrites to EEPROM in one of these storage areas.
The various information including NT is stored in the first memory means RAM, and when the power is turned on to the embroidery machine, the various information is transferred from the first memory means to the readable/writable memory means RAM. Rewriting various information transferred to the storage means of 2.
In response to the embroidery stop signal of the embroidery machine, various information in the second storage means is transferred to the first storage means, and the number of rewrites WRIT is increased.
When E CNT reaches a predetermined value, it is moved to the next storage area of the E E F ROM divided into multiple parts, and furthermore, when the power is turned on to the embroidery machine, the cumulative value of embroidery time 5EWING TIME is set to a predetermined value. Each time the embroidery time is reached, a lubrication instruction is displayed.Furthermore, there are multiple sets of storage areas for the above-mentioned interrupted embroidery information. The present invention provides a computer embroidery 4II machine in which interrupted embroidery information necessary for re-execution of embroidery is registered, and the interrupted embroidery information is erased from a storage area when the embroidery execution is normally completed. , firstly, the cumulative value of embroidery time SEWINGTIM
Since time information such as E is stored in a non-volatile memory element (EEPROM), it can be used as maintenance information such as when to lubricate the embroidery machine without the need for the operator to manage the total work time etc. There is. Second, sewing parameter information such as size SIZE is EEP
Since the sewing parameters are stored in the ROM, there is no need to set the sewing parameters each time the embroidery machine is powered on, which improves usability. Thirdly, when embroidery is interrupted, the sewing parameters,
Interrupted embroidery information such as embroidery start point position and number of stitches is stored in EEPROM.
Since the embroidery data is saved in the embroidery file, it is easy to re-execute the embroidery. Fourth, the EEPROM is divided into multiple storage areas,
The various information and the number of rewrites to EEPRoM WRITE CNT are stored in one storage area,
When the number of rewrites WRITE CNT reaches a predetermined value,
Various types of information are stored in the next storage area of the EEPROM which is divided into a plurality of parts; therefore, the life of the EEPROM itself can be extended.

【Example】

The present invention will be explained below using examples. ○Configuration of Control Circuit Next, the configuration of the control circuit will be explained with reference to FIG. The central processing bag ff1cPU is connected to a data bus that transfers commands and embroidery data through bidirectional communication with the memory and the I10 device. The read-only memory ROM stores a program for controlling the automatic embroidery sewing machine. E E F ROM (ELECTRICALLY ER)
ASABLE and PROGRAM) JABLE
ROM) is the cumulative value of embroidery time 5EWING TI
This is a memory that stores and retains time information of the ME, etc., hardware setting information, parameter information, etc. even after the power is turned off. The random access memory RAM is a work area consisting of a stack area necessary for the CPU to operate, an area for storing flags, etc., a data area for temporarily storing embroidery data, and a data area for temporarily storing the contents of the EEPROM. It consists of a buffer area for storage, etc. The I10 interfaces l10-1 to l10-7 exchange data between peripheral devices and the CPU via the data bus DB. Some of the operation keys include the start key 5 TART key to start embroidery, the stop key 5 TOP key to temporarily stop embroidery stitching, the alphanumeric key ALPHABET key and the numeric key used when selecting patterns etc. C key Memory key for registering the pattern code of the selected pattern MEMORY key, read key for giving instructions to read the embroidery data of the selected pattern from floppy disks F and D READ key Pattern block arrangement information Array key LA to indicate
YOUT key, size key SIZE key for specifying pattern block size information, needle position key NEEDLE POS key for selecting the embroidery position relative to the needle position, FONT key for selecting the font,
Frame movement key JOG K for manually moving the embroidery frame
Includes EYS etc. The floppy disk drive FDD reads out the embroidery data stored in the floppy disk FD under the control of the 70 disk controller FDC, and reads out the embroidery data stored in the floppy disk FD via the data bus DB.
Store it in the AM data area. The sensor 5ENSOR has a plurality of sensors, and is used to obtain various signals for controlling the automatic embroidery machine.
RTHREAD, frame position detection sensor X, 5ENS, Y 5ENS that detects the position of the embroidery frame, needle phase detection sensor PHASE that detects the rotational phase of the upper shaft of the sewing machine,
Sewing machine speed detection sensor VELOCITY etc. The sewing machine motor ZM is a motor that drives the sewing machine. The pulse motors XMSYM respectively drive and control the embroidery frames in the XY force directions in this order. The actuators ACT are used to perform other embroidery stitches, such as a thread loosening solenoid, and are connected to the I10 interface l10-3~! It is connected to the CPU via 10-5. The liquid crystal display device LCD is used to display the pattern or pattern number when a pattern is selected, and also to display information from the embroidery machine. The buzzer BUZZER is connected to the CPU via the buzzer drive device BZDV and the I10 interface I10-7. The digital/analog converter D/A is the liquid crystal display device L.
CD brightness adjustment and buzzer BUZZER volume van
Outputs the voltage for Various types of information to be backed up Next, referring to FIG. 3, various types of information to be backed up after the embroidery machine is powered off will be explained. The various information shown below will be changed to EEPRO after the power of the embroidery machine is turned off.
The data is saved in the currently valid storage area of M, and after the embroidery machine is powered on, it is copied to the buffer area of the RAM on the embroidery machine side. The various types of information to be backed up can be roughly divided into time information, hardware setting information, sewing parameter information, and interrupted embroidery information. In Fig. 3, ■) Time information WRITE CNT is the number of times the EEPROM is rewritten, and when this value reaches a predetermined value, the EEPROM is divided into multiple parts.
Among the storage areas of the EPROM, one of the storage areas to which no data has been written is made valid, and information to be backed up from now on is stored in that storage area. This method can extend the life of the EEPROM. 5EWTNG TIME is the cumulative value of embroidery time, which allows you to know the total operating time of the embroidery Pa@, and can be used for maintenance of mechanisms such as lubrication, and for determining when to replace the sewing machine motor brush due to wear. I can do it. ON TIME is the cumulative value of the power supply time, and is the cumulative value of the power supply time.
It can be used as a guideline for determining when to maintain or replace electronic components such as TROLUMINESCENCE. 2) Hardware setting information LEN UNIT indicates the selected and set unit of pattern length, and is display data in inches or millimeters. A value that determines the volume of the buzzer is stored in DA BZ, and the volume can be adjusted by inputting the voltage of this value to the buzzer driving device. A value for adjusting the brightness of the LCD is stored in the DA LCD, and the brightness can be adjusted by inputting a voltage of this value to the LCD. LEN UNITSDA BZXDA The hardware setting information of the LCD can be changed by key operations on the embroidery machine, but the changed values are stored in the EEPROM, so they must be set every time the embroidery machine is turned on. There's no need. 3) Sewing parameter information SIZE, LAYOtJT, NEEDLE PO3゜FONT is sewing parameter information necessary when reading the compressed data of the embroidery pattern from the FD and expanding it to the needle seat source for each stitch. SIZE indicates the size of the pattern when developing the embroidery data. LAYOUT indicates the arrangement of patterns when developing embroidery data. NEEDLE PO3 indicates the initial needle position of the pattern when embroidering is executed. FONT is information for determining which font to read when reading pattern data from the FD. 4) Interrupted embroidery information #1 (IF I LE, HOME PO5, S
T CNT) ~ #n (I FILE, HOME
PO3°ST CNTl is interrupted embroidery information that is stored in the EEPROM when execution of embroidery is interrupted for some reason. I FILE records the code number of the interrupted pattern and the sewing parameters of the developing conditions. HOME PO5 records the embroidery position (first stitch value) of the interrupted pattern. ST CNT records the number of stitches at which embroidery was interrupted. Based on this interrupted embroidery information, embroidery can be resumed from the interrupted position. O Processing procedure The processing procedure of this embodiment will be explained below with reference to FIG. 1 (main program) and FIG. 2 (timer interrupt). These processes start when the embroidery machine is powered on. In FIG. 1 (Part 1), (STI) various information of the currently valid storage area of the first storage means, EEF ROM, which is divided into a plurality of storage areas, is transferred to the second storage means. Write to the RAM buffer area. The various information that is written includes: - Number of times EEPROM is rewritten WRITE CNT - Cumulative embroidery value during embroidery 5 EWING TIME - Cumulative value of energizing time - Time information such as N TIME - Unit of length of embroidery pattern LEN tJNIT - Buzzer sound DAI'lDA BZ ■DA value of LCD brightness DA Setting information of hardware such as LCD ■Sewing parameter information such as size, arrangement, initial needle position of embroidery pattern, font, etc. ■Information on patterns whose embroidery was not completed in the previous work This is interrupted embroidery information. (ST2-a) Check whether the cumulative value of embroidery time 5EWING TIME copied to the RAM buffer area has reached a predetermined value (lubricating time), and if so, 5T2-b
Execute. (ST2-b) The cumulative embroidery time of the embroidery machine has reached the lubrication time, so
Displays "Lubrication" on the LCD to alert the operator to the need to lubricate each mechanical part. This warning can be activated by pressing the 5EWING TIM key.
It is displayed when the power is turned on until E is cleared. (ST3-a) Hardware setting information (LENUNIT) shown in Figure 3
, DA BZ, DA LCD), execute 5T3-b. If not changed, proceed to the next step 5T4-a. (ST3-b) Key operations are used to change the length unit to millimeters or inches, and to change the buzzer volume and LCD brightness. (ST4-a) ALP) (Use the ABET key, NU, MERIC key, and MEMORY key to input the pattern you want to embroider, and press R.
Register in AM's working memory (work area). Furthermore, if there is interrupted embroidery, this pattern can also be selected by key operation and re-embroidered. (ST4-b) When it is desired to change the sewing parameters as development conditions for the pattern selected in ST4-a, the sewing parameters are changed by key operation. If no changes are made, the backed up parameters will be used. (ST5) The embroidery data corresponding to the input pattern is read from the 70-tube disk FD and stored in the data area of the RAM. (ST6) Wait for the START key to be pressed. When the 5TART key is pressed, embroidery begins. (ST7) Needle position detection sensor PHASE, thread breakage detection sensor UPP
Read and register the status of ERTHREAD, etc. 5 more TO
Check the state of the key to recognize whether the P key has been pressed. (ST8) If there is no interruption during detection of thread breakage, operation of the 5TOP key, color change, etc., execute ST9.5TIO1STII below. (ST9) Drive the sewing machine motor ZM to move the needle bar up and down. (ST I O) Determine whether the needle position detection sensor PHASE has reached the upper phase from the lower group, and when it has reached the upper phase, execute 5Tll. If not, proceed to 5T12. (STII) Move the embroidery frame to the position specified by the embroidery data to form the pattern. (ST 12) Determine if embroidery is finished, and if it is finished, 5T
Proceed to step 19, and if not finished yet, sT7-5T
Repeat step 12. - When there is a stop on the way The case where there is a stop on the way will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 (Part 2). (ST13) Stop the sewing machine motor ZM and stop the operation of the embroidery machine. (ST14) If the pattern currently being embroidered does not exist in the RAM buffer area as interrupted embroidery information, 5T15 is executed. If the interrupted embroidery information already exists, the process advances to 5T16. (ST l 5) Create an interrupted embroidery information area in the RAM buffer area for the pattern currently being embroidered, and store the pattern code number, sewing parameters, sewing start point coordinates, and current number of stitches in that area. register. (ST16) It is determined whether the number of rewrites WRITE CNT of the currently valid storage area of the EEPROM exceeds a predetermined value, and if it is the predetermined value, 5T17 is executed. (ST 17) Split into multiple parts? :The number of times WR is written to the memory area of the EEPROM that has not been written even once.
Check the value of ITE CNT and make the storage area valid. (ST 18) EEPROM (7) Increase the number of rewrites WRITE CNT by 1 and write this WRI in the RAM buffer area.
Various information including TE CNT is written and backed up in the currently valid storage area of the EEPR'OM. Then return to ST6 and wait for the 5TART key to be pressed. Even if the power to the embroidery machine is turned off or a key is operated to cancel embroidery execution for this pattern, the interrupted embroidery information for this pattern is backed up in the EEPROM, so embroidery can be restarted based on this information. It becomes possible to execute. In the case where embroidery ends normally, the process to be performed when embroidery ends normally will be described with reference to FIG. 1 (part 1) again. (ST19) Stop the sewing machine motor ZM and stop the operation of the embroidery machine. (ST20) Determine whether the interrupted embroidery information of the current pattern is registered in the RAM buffer area, and if it is registered, ST
Execute 21. (ST21) The registered interrupted embroidery information of the current pattern is deleted from the RAM buffer area. For patterns where embroidery did not finish properly and was interrupted,
When the same pattern is selected again in step 5T4-a and the embroidery is completed, the interrupted embroidery information is deleted from the buffer area. (ST22) The same process as ST16 is performed. (ST23) The same process as ST17 is performed. (ST24) The same process as ST18 is performed. After the processing, the process returns to ST4 to execute the next embroidery. -Timer interrupt Next, timer interrupt will be explained with reference to FIG. The timer interrupt is executed at 1 second intervals, and the power supply time is ON TIME and the embroidery execution time is 5EWING.
Accurately measure TIME. (ST30) Counts up at 1 second intervals and stores the power supply ON TIME up to the present time. (ST31) It is determined whether the sewing machine motor ZM is in operation, and if it is in operation, ST32 is executed. (ST32) Count up the embroidery execution time 5EWING TIME at 1 second intervals and store the embroidery time up to the present.

【Effect of the invention】

As described above, according to the present invention, firstly, time information such as the cumulative value of embroidery time 5EWING TIME is stored in the non-volatile memory element EEPROM, so that the operator can especially collect the work time. This has the advantage that it can be used as maintenance information, such as when to lubricate the embroidery machine, without having to manage it. Second, sewing parameter information such as size SIZE is EEP
Since the sewing parameters are stored in the ROM, there is no need to set the sewing parameters each time the embroidery machine is powered on, resulting in improved usability. Thirdly, when embroidery is interrupted, the sewing parameters,
Interrupted embroidery information such as embroidery start point position and number of stitches is stored in EEPROM.
i: Since the data is saved, the embroidery can be easily re-executed. Fourth, the EEPROM is divided into multiple storage areas,
Each of these storage areas stores the various information and the number of rewrites WRITE CNT to the EEPRoM, and when the number of rewrites WRITE CNT reaches a predetermined value, the various information is stored in the next storage area of the EEPROM divided into multiple parts. As a result, the life of the EEPROM itself can be extended.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings relate to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a 70-chart corresponding to the main program, FIG. 2 is a flowchart corresponding to the timer interrupt program, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing various information backed up after power is cut off. , FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit. EEPROM is the first storage means, and RAM is the second storage means. WRITE CNT is the number of times EEPROM is replaced, 5EWING TIME is the cumulative value of embroidery time, O
N TIME is the cumulative value of power supply time, and these are time information. LEN UNIT is the unit of length, DA BZ is the buzzer volume (7) DA value, D A L CD is the DA value of the LCD brightness, and these are hardware setting information. SIZE is the size setting value of the embroidery pattern, LAYOUT is the arrangement of the embroidery pattern, NEEDLE PO3 is the initial needle position of the embroidery pattern, and FONT is the font of the embroidery pattern, and these are sewing parameter information. I FILE is the interrupted embroidery code number and sewing parameters, HOME PO5 is the stitching start point coordinates, and 5TCNT is the number of stitches. Patent Yamagan Dai Janome Sewing Machine Industry Co., Ltd. Figure 1 (Part 2) 492- Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] I. In a computer embroidery machine that automatically performs embroidery according to a preset program, time information such as the cumulative value of embroidery time SEWING_TIME, and length unit LEN_UNIT, etc. can be almost changed after setting. The first function is to memorize and retain setting information on hardware that does not have embroidery, sewing parameter information such as size SIZE, and interrupted embroidery information such as the pattern code number and sewing parameter I_FILE when embroidery is interrupted even after the power is turned off. A computer embroidery machine characterized by having a storage means. II. The first storage means is an EEPROM in which stored data can be electrically erased and electrically rewritten;
Divide the ROM into multiple storage areas, and store the number of rewrites to the EEPROM in one of these storage areas.
The various information including the CNT is stored in the first storage means RAM, and when the power is turned on to the embroidery machine, the various information is transferred from the first storage means to the readable/writable RAM. The various information written in the second storage means is rewritten, and in response to the embroidery stop signal, the various information in the second storage means is transferred to the first storage means, and the number of rewrites is WRIT.
When E_CNT reaches a predetermined value, E_CNT is divided into multiple parts.
2. The computer embroidery machine according to claim 1, wherein the computer embroidery machine transfers to the next storage area of the EPROM. III. Cumulative value of embroidery time SEWI when turning on the power to the embroidery machine
2. The computer embroidery machine according to claim 1, wherein a lubrication instruction is displayed each time NG_TIME reaches a predetermined time. IV. There are multiple sets of storage areas for the interrupted embroidery information mentioned above, so when a stop occurs in the middle of the embroidery currently being executed, the interrupted embroidery information necessary to re-execute the embroidery is registered in the multiple sets of storage areas, and the embroidery is completed normally. The computer embroidery machine according to claim 1, wherein the interrupted embroidery information is deleted from the storage area when the embroidery execution is completed.