JPH11104375A - Sewing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sewing machine whose management can be systematically carried out conveniently in the case of repair and the like. SOLUTION: An embroidery sewing machine M is provided with a touch panel 25, through which repair historical information, a serial number, or purchase information of the embroidery sewing machine M is inputted, and an EEPROM 26 storing the inputted repair historical information or the like. Besides storage of the repair historical information or the like, its alteration can be carried out, so that convenience in management of the embroidery sewing machine M can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of a sewing apparatus which includes a CPU and can electronically process information such as selection of a pattern to be sewn, and which can automatically perform a sewing process. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the field of sewing machines, a sewing machine included in the sewing machine is provided with a microcomputer including a CPU, or a computer controls the sewing machine to provide, for example, a pattern to be embroidered. Sewing machine including a so-called embroidery sewing machine, which can perform various processes such as automatically selecting a desired embroidery by simply selecting a touch panel or the like on the sewing machine or inputting from the computer. Is coming.

[0003]

However, in a sewing apparatus including a conventional embroidery sewing machine, for example, it is difficult to systematically store, for example, a history when the embroidery sewing machine has been repaired. Therefore, it is not possible to obtain information such as what kind of repair has been performed or how parts have been replaced in the embroidery sewing machine later, and the sewing apparatus cannot be rationally operated. There was a problem that it was difficult to manage.

Further, for example, purchase information such as the name of the shop where the sewing device was purchased, the date and time of purchase, or the free warranty period is not stored in the sewing device.
Therefore, when the so-called warranty, which is usually attached, is lost, there is also a problem that, in the case where the sewing device breaks down, it may not be possible to know which store to bring the sewing device to.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sewing machine including a sewing machine which can systematically manage repairs and the like with good convenience. is there.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for managing sewing devices, comprising: information relating to management of a sewing device, wherein the unique information is information unique to each sewing device. And input means, such as a touch panel, for inputting the unique information, and storage means, such as an EEPROM, for storing the unique information.

According to the operation of the first aspect of the invention, the input means is used for inputting the unique information.

[0008] The storage means stores the unique information.

Therefore, since the unique information can be stored and changed for each sewing device, the convenience in managing the sewing device can be improved by confirming the unique information from outside.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sewing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the storage means is a nonvolatile storage element.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1, since the storage means is a non-volatile storage element, the power supply of the sewing apparatus can be cut off. The stored unique information does not disappear.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the unique information is a repair history of the sewing apparatus corresponding to the unique information. Is configured to be repair history information indicating

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, since the unique information is the repair history information, when the sewing device is broken, Can be repaired after grasping the repair situation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the repair history information includes a plurality of pieces of information that have been executed until the sewing apparatus failed. It is configured to include the operation content of.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 3, the repair history information includes a plurality of operation contents executed until the sewing device fails. Since it includes, the cause of failure can be quickly searched.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the unique information relates to a purchase of the sewing apparatus corresponding to the unique information. It is configured to be purchase information.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, since the unique information is purchase information, management after purchase is facilitated.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the unique information is a serial number indicating the sewing apparatus to which the unique information corresponds. It is configured to be a number.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, since the unique information is a serial number, when the manufacturer is inquired about the sewing device, etc. The convenience in is improved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the unique information is sewn on a cloth.
Output means such as a main motor is further provided.

According to the function of the invention described in claim 7, in addition to the function of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6, the output means sews the unique information to the cloth.

Therefore, the content of the unique information can be confirmed by the cloth on which the unique information is sewn, and the quality of the operation state of the sewing device can be simultaneously confirmed based on the sewn result.

[0023]

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an embroidery sewing machine as a sewing device having an LCD display, a numeric keypad, and the like in a main body.

First, an overview of the embroidery sewing machine according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the embroidery sewing machine M according to the embodiment has an LCD (LCD) for displaying the operation status and the like of the embroidery sewing machine M when various sewing operations are performed on the body 1 by the embroidery sewing machine M. A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel 2; a card connector 3 to which an external ROM (Read Only Memory) card or the like storing a preset sewing pattern or the like; an external computer and an embroidery sewing machine M; And a power supply cable 5, a cloth fixing table 6 to which a cloth is fixed at the time of sewing, and a sewing needle 7 as an output means for actually performing sewing. Start / stop button 8 operated when starting and ending sewing
And a return button 9 operated when performing a reverse operation during sewing, a needle up / down button 10 operated when manually moving the sewing needle 7 up and down, and a thread operated when cutting a thread after sewing or the like. A cutting button 11 and a motor speed potentiometer 1 for adjusting the rotation speed of the motor for moving the sewing needle 7 up and down.
2 is provided.

A touch panel 25 is provided on the surface of the LCD panel 2 as input means including one or a plurality of buttons 25a for executing various input operations.

Further, in the cloth fixing table 6, a rotation for moving the fixed cloth in a plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the moving direction of the sewing needle 7 corresponding to the pattern to be sewn or the like is provided. A motor and a shuttle for storing the lower thread are built in.

Also, when actually sewing a sewing pattern,
In addition to the configuration of the sewing machine M shown by a solid line in FIG. 1, an embroidery frame 47 for fixing a cloth for embroidering a sewing pattern and an embroidery frame 47 according to the sewing pattern to be sewn as shown by a dotted line in FIG.
Moving body 4 for moving in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG.
6 and the moving body 46 corresponding to the sewing pattern to be sewn in FIG.
The embroidery frame 47 is moved in a direction parallel to the paper surface of
Embroidery device 45 for moving the robot in a direction parallel to the plane of FIG.
And are attached. In the embroidery device 45, the moving body 46 is driven and the moving body 46 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. An X-direction rotation motor 23 and a Y-direction rotation motor 24, which will be described later, are provided for moving the inside.

Next, regarding the internal configuration of the embroidery sewing machine M,
This will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

The operation of the embroidery sewing machine M is integrally controlled by a signal processing unit 15 provided therein.

As shown in FIG. 2, the signal processing unit 15 includes a CPU 16 for actually controlling the embroidery sewing machine M,
A ROM 17 for storing a control program and the like for operating the PU 16 in a readable manner in advance, and an R for temporarily storing data and the like necessary for controlling the embroidery sewing machine M in a readable manner.
AM (Random Access Memory) 18 and signal processing unit 1
5, a controller 19 for controlling connection of each component by the bus 20 and an input / output interface 21 described later, and a signal processing unit 15.
And an input / output interface 21 for connecting external components.

The signal processing unit 15 sends the external ROM card 22 inserted into the card connector 3, the communication connector 4, the LCD panel 2, and the external peripheral switch S (the above-described start switch) via the input / output interface 21. Buttons to be operated from outside, such as the / stop button 8, return button 9, and needle up / down button 10, are collectively referred to as an external peripheral switch S.), the touch panel 25, X
Direction motor 23, Y direction drive motor 24, and main motor 27 as output means for moving sewing needle 7 up and down.
And so on.

The operation of the embroidery sewing machine M according to the present embodiment is executed while being controlled by the CPU 16, and the programs corresponding to the processing operations shown in the following flowcharts necessary for that are stored in the ROM 17 in advance. Is stored in

In the signal processing section 15, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable) for storing unique information such as repair history information according to the present invention.
mable ROM (read / write ROM) 26. The EEPROM 26 is a memory capable of electrically rewriting the stored contents and maintaining the stored contents even when the power of the sewing machine M is turned off.

Next, the operation of the embroidery sewing machine M according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the embodiment described below, as the unique information unique to the embroidery sewing machine M, repair history information that is a record of repair of the embroidery sewing machine M, a serial number such as a serial number unique to the embroidery sewing machine M, and the embroidery sewing machine M This is an embodiment in the case where the present invention is applied to a case where purchase information, which is information acquired when purchasing a.

In the operation of the embroidery sewing machine M according to the present invention, first, when the power of the embroidery sewing machine M is turned on, various initial settings (initialization of the RAM 18, etc.) are executed (step S1), and A straight line pattern is selected as an initial setting value of the sewing process (step S2).

Next, a screen display process for displaying a screen (a screen as exemplified in FIG. 1) for selecting a pattern or the like to be sewn is performed on the LCD panel 2 (step S).
3).

Then, it is determined whether or not a pattern selection process has been performed using the displayed screen and the touch panel 25 disposed on the surface (step S).
4) When the selection process is executed (step S4; Y)
ES), the process returns to the step S3 to display a screen corresponding to the executed selection process. On the other hand, when the selection process is not executed or the selection process ends (step S4; NO), the sewing is performed next. Start operation starts /
It is determined whether the operation has been performed on the stop button 8 or the like (step S5).

When the start of sewing is instructed (step S5; YES), a sewing process is executed based on the information selected on the LCD panel 2 (step S6). Then start / stop button 8 again
Is operated to determine whether the end of the sewing process is instructed (step S7). If the end of the sewing process is not instructed (step S7; NO), the process returns to step S6 to continue the sewing process. When the end of the sewing process is instructed (step S7; YES), it is next determined whether or not the power of the embroidery sewing machine M has been turned off (step S8), and if it has been turned off (step S8). YES), the processing is terminated as it is, and when it is not determined that the processing has been terminated (step S
8; NO) Return to step S4 to select the next pattern or the like.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the instruction to start the sewing process is not given (step S5; N
O) Then, it is determined whether or not a repair history key for displaying repair history information has been operated (step S9).

Here, the repair history key does not appear on the outline of the embroidery sewing machine M. However, the repair history information of the present invention can be repaired by, for example, confirming the repair history information by the repairer of the embroidery sewing machine M. The user of the general embroidery sewing machine M does not need to see it because it is for grasping the situation. Therefore, in the embroidery sewing machine M of the present invention, the repair history key is arranged at a position where a general user cannot touch.

In addition to the repair history key, for example, the return button 9 and the needle up / down button 10
When the external peripheral switch S is operated in a special mode (for example, the same button is kept pressed for several tens of seconds), the operation may have a meaning as a repair history key.

If it is determined in step S9 that the repair history key has been operated (step S9; YES), the repair history information stored in the EEPROM 26 is displayed on the LCD panel 2 (step S10). . The operation in step S10 will be described later in detail.

When the repair history information is displayed, it is next determined whether or not an instruction to newly input the repair history information has been given on the screen of the repair history information (step S).
11) If not instructed (step S11; N)
O), the process directly proceeds to step S13, and when the input of the repair history information is instructed (step S11; YE)
S), input of repair history information and rewriting of the EEPROM 26 are executed (step S12). The operation of step S12 will also be described later in detail.

Then, it is determined whether or not the input of the repair history information has been completed (step S13). When the input has been completed (step S13; YES), step S8 is performed as it is.
If the processing has not been completed (step S13; N
O) Return to step S11 to continue inputting the repair history information.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that the repair history key is not operated (step S9; N
O) Next, it is determined whether or not there is a request from an external computer or the like to transmit the unique information including the repair history information to the computer via the communication connector 4 (step S14). When the request is received (step S14; YES), the unique information corresponding to the request is transferred to the computer (step S15).
Move to 8. The operation in step S15 will also be described later in detail.

If it is determined in step S14 that there is no request for transmission of unique information (step S14; N
O) Next, it is determined whether a serial number key for displaying a serial number has been operated (step S1).
6).

Here, the serial number key does not appear on the outline of the embroidery sewing machine M, but the serial number of the present invention is input by the manufacturer of the embroidery sewing machine M at the time of manufacture. Therefore, in the embroidery sewing machine M of the present invention, the serial number key is arranged at a position where the general embroidery sewing machine M cannot be touched so that the user of the embroidery sewing machine M does not change the serial number key.

The serial number key is, similarly to the above-mentioned repair history key, for example, when the above-mentioned external peripheral switch S is operated in a special mode.
The operation may be configured to have a meaning as a serial number key.

If it is determined in step S16 that the serial number key has been operated (step S16; YE
S) Then, the serial number information stored in the EEPROM 26 is displayed on the LCD panel 2 (step S17). The operation in step S17 will be described later in detail.

When the serial number information is displayed,
It is determined whether or not it is instructed to newly input serial number information on the screen of the serial number information (step S18). If not instructed (step S18; NO), the process directly proceeds to step S20. ,
When the input of the serial number information is instructed (step S18; YES), the input of the serial number information and the EEPR
The OM 26 is rewritten (step S19). The operation in step S19 will also be described later in detail.

Then, it is determined whether or not the input of the serial number information has been completed (step S20). When the input has been completed (step S20; YES), the process directly proceeds to step S8. (Step S2
0; NO), returning to step S18 to continue inputting serial number information.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the serial number key has not been operated (step S16).
16; NO) Next, it is determined whether or not a purchase information key for displaying purchase information has been operated (step S2).
1).

Although the purchase information key does not appear on the outline of the embroidery sewing machine M, the purchase information of the present invention is input by the seller when purchasing the embroidery sewing machine M, for example. In the embroidery sewing machine M, the purchase information key is arranged at a position where the general user cannot touch the general embroidery sewing machine M so that the user does not accidentally change the purchase information.

The purchase information key is configured so that, when the above-mentioned external peripheral switch S is operated in a special mode, the operation has a meaning as the purchase information key, similarly to the repair history key and the like. May be.

If it is determined in step S21 that the purchase information key has been operated (step S21; YES),
Next, the purchase information stored in the EEPROM 26 is L
It is displayed on the CD panel 2 (step S22). The operation in step S22 will be described later in detail.

When the purchase information is displayed, it is next determined whether or not it is instructed to newly enter the purchase information on the screen of the purchase information (step S23). (Step S23; NO), the process directly proceeds to Step S25, and when the input of the purchase information is instructed (Step S23; YES), the input of the purchase information and the rewriting of the EEPROM 26 are executed (Step S23).
24). The operation of step S24 will also be described later in detail.

Then, it is determined whether or not the input of the purchase information has been completed (step S25). When the input has been completed (step S25; YES), the process directly proceeds to step S8. Step S25; N
O), returning to step S23 to continue inputting purchase information.

Next, the operation of step S10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 4A, step S10
Is started, the repair history information stored in the EEPROM 26 is displayed on the LCD panel 2 (step S20). The display screen at this time is shown in FIG.
Explaining with reference to FIG. 5A, the repair history information stored in the EEPROM 26 is displayed in a manner as shown in FIG. In the case shown in FIG. 5A, the total time of the sewing process up to the present time, the number of operations associated with the sewing process (increases by one each time each button is operated), and the sewing needle 7 are replaced. The number of times, the number of times the embroidery sewing machine M was repaired,
Information indicating the contents of the last repair, the date and time of the last repair, the serial number (serial number) of the embroidery sewing machine M, and the contents of operations up to a predetermined number of times since the present time are displayed. These pieces of information are all information stored in the EEPROM 26.

When the repair history information is displayed on the LCD panel 2, a repair history input button 30 for instructing whether or not to input the repair history information is partially displayed on the screen.
Then, a repair history end button 31 for instructing to stop displaying the repair history information is displayed (step S21). If these buttons are illustrated with reference to FIG.
In the display screen shown in FIG. 5A, the above-described repair history input button 30 and the repair history end button 31 are displayed as buttons on the touch panel 25. Note that the repair history input button 30 is operated in accordance with the processing in step S11 described above, and the repair history end button 31
Is operated in accordance with the processing in step S13 described above.

When the display of the repair history input button 30 and the display of the repair history end button 31 are completed, the process proceeds to step S11 to execute an actual input operation.

Next, the operation of step S12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 4B, step S12
, The display screen on the LCD panel 2 is
The state is as shown in FIG. That is, the repair history input button 30 disappears from the screen of the LCD panel 2 when the process proceeds to step S12 due to the operation of the repair history input button 30 in step S11, and instead, is shown in FIG. 5B. Thus, the ten key 33 for actually inputting the value indicating the repair history information, the confirm button 35 for confirming the inputted value, the clear button 34 for canceling the input by the ten key 33,
A display unit 32 for displaying the value of each input item is displayed. Each of these buttons or numeric keys 33 is displayed as a button on the touch panel 25. Then, as described later, a number corresponding to each item on the display screen is input using the ten keys 33, and when the input is completed, the enter button 35 is operated to confirm the value. It will be displayed on the unit 32.

That is, in step S12, first, the screen shown in FIG. 5B is displayed (step S2).
5) Next, it is determined whether or not the ten key 33 or the like has been operated to input repair history information (step S26).
If there is no input (step S26; NO), the process directly proceeds to step S28 to determine whether or not to end the input of the repair history information.
ES) The process directly proceeds to step S13, and the repair history end button 31 is operated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that the new repair history information has been input by operating the confirm button 35 (step S26; Y).
ES) Next, the input new repair history information is written in the EEPROM 26 for each item (step S2).
7) Return to step S26 and repeat the input of the repair history information.

Next, the operation of step S15 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4D, step S15
When the process proceeds to step S30, the contents of the EEPROM 26 are transmitted as they are to the external computer via the communication connector 4 (step S30).

In the above-described embodiment, as one of the repair history information, the content of the operation performed on the embroidery sewing machine M up to the failure (that is, until the repair history information is displayed) is displayed. But for this,
In the embroidery sewing machine M, during the process of FIG.
At any time, an interrupt process for recording the operation state of the embroidery sewing machine M is executed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4C, as an interrupt process, the operation on the embroidery sewing machine M is constantly monitored (step S31), and it is determined whether or not there has been any change from the state of the embroidery sewing machine M up to that time (that is, whether there is any change) Is determined (step S3).
2) If it has changed (step S32; YES), the contents of the operation at that time are written in the corresponding portion of the EEPROM 26 (step S33), and the process returns to the original main routine.

This interrupt processing is always executed while the power of the embroidery sewing machine M is turned on.

Next, the operation of step S17 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 6A, step S17
Is started, first, the serial number information stored in the EEPROM 26 is displayed on the LCD panel 2 (step S35). The display screen at this time will be described with reference to FIG. 7A. The serial number information stored in the EEPROM 26 is displayed in a manner as shown in FIG. 7A. In the case shown in FIG.
The specific serial number and the date and time of manufacture of the embroidery sewing machine M are displayed. These pieces of information are all information stored in the EEPROM 26.

When the serial number information is displayed on the LCD panel 2, a serial number input button 39 for instructing whether or not to input the serial number information is displayed on a part of the screen. A serial number end button 40 for instructing to stop displaying the number information is displayed (step S36). FIG. 7A shows these buttons.
For example, in the display screen shown in FIG.
The serial number input button 39 and the serial number end button 40 described above are displayed as buttons on the touch panel 25. The serial number input button 39 is operated in accordance with the processing in step S18 described above, and the serial number end button 40 is operated in response to the processing in step S20 described above.

When the display of the serial number input button 39 and the serial number end button 40 is completed, next,
The process proceeds to step S18 to execute an actual input operation.

In the embroidery sewing machine M of the embodiment, when the serial number (which is originally invariable once input) is input again, for example, the substrate including the signal processing unit 15 is repaired or the like. When the board itself is replaced, the serial number may be re-entered on the board after the replacement.

Next, the operation of step S19 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 6B, step S19
, The display screen on the LCD panel 2 is
The state is as shown in FIG. That is, the serial number input button 39 disappears from the screen of the LCD panel 2 at the stage where the process proceeds to step S19 due to the operation of the serial number input button 39 in step S18, and instead, is shown in FIG. As described above, the numeric keypad 3 for inputting the value indicating the serial number
3 and the confirm button 3 for confirming the input value
5 and the clear button 34 for canceling the input by the ten keys 33 are displayed. Each of these buttons or numeric keys 33 is displayed as a button on the touch panel 25. Then, as will be described later, a number corresponding to the serial number to be input is input using the ten keys 33, and when the input is completed, the determination button 35 is operated to determine.

That is, in step S19, first, the screen shown in FIG. 7B is displayed (step S3).
7) Next, it is determined whether or not the ten key 33 or the like is operated to input a serial number (step S38).
If there is no input (step S38; NO), the flow directly proceeds to step S40 to determine whether or not to end the input of the serial number.
ES) The process directly proceeds to step S20, and the serial number end button 40 is operated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S38 that a new serial number has been input by operating the confirm button 35 (step S38; Y
ES) Next, the input new serial number is written in the EEPROM 26 as serial number information (step S39), and the process returns to step S38 to repeat the input of the serial number.

Next, the operation of step S22 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 6C, step S22
Is started, the purchase information stored in the EEPROM 26 is displayed on the LCD panel 2 (step S41). FIG. 8 shows the display screen at this time.
Explaining with reference to (a), the purchase information stored in the EEPROM 26 is displayed in a manner as shown in FIG. In the case shown in FIG. 8A, the purchase date and time,
The name and telephone number of the purchase store, the warranty period of the free repair, the name of the store in charge of the service that actually performs the repair, and the telephone number are displayed. These pieces of information are all information stored in the EEPROM 26.

When the purchase information is displayed on the LCD panel 2, a purchase information input button 41 for instructing whether or not to input the purchase information is displayed on a part of the screen. A purchase information end button 42 for instructing to stop the display is displayed (step S42). If these buttons are illustrated with reference to FIG. 8A, on the display screen shown in FIG.
And the purchase information end button 43 are displayed as buttons on the touch panel 25. The purchase information input button 41 is operated in accordance with the above-described processing in step S23, and the purchase information end button 42 is operated in accordance with the above-described processing in step S25.

When the display of the purchase information input button 42 and the purchase information end button 43 is completed, the process proceeds to step S23, where the actual input operation is executed.

In the case where the purchase information is rewritten in the embroidery sewing machine M according to the embodiment, for example, there is a case where the store and the service store are different due to moving or the like.

Next, the operation of step S24 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 6D, step S24
, The display screen on the LCD panel 2 is
The state is as shown in FIG. That is, the purchase information input button 41 disappears from the screen of the LCD panel 2 when the process proceeds to step S24 due to the operation of the purchase information input button 41 in step S23, and is replaced with the one shown in FIG. 8B. As described above, the ten key 33 for actually inputting a value indicating purchase information, the confirm button 35 for confirming the entered value, and the clear button 34 for canceling the input by the ten key 33 are displayed. Is done. Each of these buttons or numeric keypad 3
3 is displayed as a button on the touch panel 25. Then, as described later, a number corresponding to the purchase information to be input (when the purchase information is a character, a number associated with the character in advance) is input using the ten keys 33, and the input is completed. At this point, the user operates the confirm button 35 to decide.

That is, in step S24, first, the screen shown in FIG. 8B is displayed (step S4).
3) Next, it is determined whether or not the ten key 33 or the like is operated to input the purchase information (step S44). If there is no input (step S44; NO), the process directly proceeds to step S46 to transfer the purchase information. It is determined whether or not the input is to be ended. If the input is to be ended (step S46; YES), the flow directly proceeds to step S25, and the purchase information end button 4
Operate 3

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S44 that new purchase information has been input by operating the confirm button 35 (step S44; YE).
S) Next, the inputted new purchase information is stored in EEPRO.
Write in M26 (step S45) and step S4
Returning to step 4, the input of purchase information is repeated.

Next, the configuration of the EEPROM 26 in which each information is written in the above-described steps S27, S33, S39 or S45 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG.
The PROM 26 stores data for displaying each item described with reference to FIGS. 5, 7, and 8 above. That is, the sewing time data 26a for displaying the total time of the sewing process up to the present time, the operation number data 26b for displaying the number of operations associated with the sewing process, the sewing needle 7
Needle replacement count data 26 for displaying the number of times needles have been replaced
c, repair count data 26d for displaying the number of times the embroidery sewing machine M has been repaired, repair content number data 26e for indicating information indicating the previous repair content, and final repair for displaying the date and time of the last repair. Date and time data 26f, sewing machine serial number data 26g for displaying the serial number of the embroidery sewing machine M, operation procedure data 26h storing up to ten operations from the present time, and store data as purchase information 1 26i, sales date / time data 26j as purchase information 2, and service store data 26k as purchase information 3 are stored. Among them, the sewing time data 26a, the operation count data 26b, and the operation procedure data 26h are updated by the above-described interrupt processing shown in FIG. 4C. The operation procedure data 26h is stored as “operation procedure 1”, “operation procedure 2”... “Operation procedure 10” in ascending order.

On the other hand, the needle replacement count data 26c, the repair count data 26d, the repair content number data 26e, and the final repair date / time data 26f are input by the repairer who has performed the last repair.

Further, as for the repair content number data 26e, the repair content is previously associated with each number, and when updating the data, the corresponding number is inputted and stored.

Further, the sewing machine serial number data 26g is inputted by the manufacturer, and
i, sales date / time data 26j and service store data 2
6k is input by the store or the service store.

As described above, according to the operation of the embroidery sewing machine M of the embodiment, the repair history information, serial number or purchase information of the embroidery sewing machine M can be stored and displayed or changed. When the sewing machine M is broken, it is possible to repair the machine after grasping the past repair status and confirm the serial number or purchase information, so that the convenience in managing the embroidery sewing machine M is improved.

Further, repair history information and the like are stored in a nonvolatile EEP
Since the information is stored in the ROM 26, the stored repair history information does not disappear even when the power of the embroidery sewing machine M is turned off.

Further, since the repair history information includes a plurality of operations executed until the embroidery sewing machine M fails, the cause of the failure can be quickly searched.

Further, since the serial number of the embroidery sewing machine M is also stored, the convenience in the case of inquiring the manufacturer about the embroidery sewing machine M is improved.

Also, since the purchase information is also stored,
There is no need to separately prepare a guarantee, etc., and management after purchase of the embroidery sewing machine M becomes easy.

In the above-described embodiment, for example, when the serial number is checked and repair is requested,
Although the display is confirmed on the LCD panel 2, the serial number may be sewn to an unnecessary cloth or the like using the sewing needle 7, and the cloth may be brought to a service shop or the like. In this way, even when a general user who cannot operate the serial number key requests repair, it is not necessary to bring the embroidery sewing machine M to a service store or the like. Further, at a service store or the like where the cloth is brought in, it is possible to confirm at the same time whether the operating state of the embroidery sewing machine M is good by looking at the serial number sewn on the cloth.

In the above embodiment, when the repair history information, the serial number, or the purchase information is displayed,
Although the display is performed by operating a hidden key or the like, other than this, when sewing is not started (step S5; N
O), a display screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed, and when the display of the serial number is changed, the serial number button 36 is displayed.
, And the purchase information button 37 is operated to change the display of the purchase information, and the repair history information button 38 is operated to change the display of the repair history information. The process may move to step S10 (when the repair history information button 38 is operated), step S17 (when the serial number button 36 is operated) or step S22 (when the purchase information button 37 is operated).

Further, in the above embodiment, the embroidery sewing machine M
Touch panel 25 for inputting information and L for displaying information
In addition to the CD panel 2, the embroidery sewing machine M is connected to an external computer or the like via the external communication connector 4, and the above-mentioned repair history information, serial number, or purchase information is displayed on the computer. At the same time, when the information is changed, the computer may be configured to change the information.

Further, with respect to the serial number itself, in order to prevent theft of parts, etc., a discontinuous (intermittent) value may be given at the time of manufacturing instead of a continuous value for each embroidery sewing machine.

[0104]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, unique information can be stored and changed for each sewing device, so that the unique information can be confirmed from outside. Thereby, the convenience in managing the sewing device is improved.

Therefore, it is possible to systematically manage the sewing apparatuses with good convenience.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), since the storage means is a non-volatile storage element, the stored unique information does not disappear even when the power of the sewing apparatus is turned off.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first aspect
Or, in addition to the effect of the invention described in 2, since the specific information is the repair history information, when the sewing device is broken, the repair can be performed after grasping the past repair situation.

According to the invention described in claim 4, according to claim 3,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), since the repair history information includes the contents of a plurality of operations performed until the sewing device reaches a failure, the cause of the failure can be quickly searched.

According to the invention described in claim 5, claim 1 is provided.
Or, in addition to the effect of the invention described in 2, the management after purchase is easy because the unique information is purchase information.

According to the invention set forth in claim 6, according to claim 1,
Or, in addition to the effect of the invention described in 2 above, since the unique information is a serial number, convenience in the case of inquiring a manufacturer about the sewing device or the like is improved.

According to the invention of claim 7, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in any one of the above-described items 6, the content of the unique information can be confirmed by the cloth on which the unique information is sewn, and the quality of the operation state of the sewing device can be determined based on the sewn result. You can check at the same time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an overview of an embroidery sewing machine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of the embroidery sewing machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation of the embroidery sewing machine according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart I showing a detailed operation of the embroidery sewing machine according to the embodiment, (a) is a flowchart showing an operation of a repair history display process, and (b) is a flowchart showing an operation of a repair history input process. , (C) is a flowchart showing the operation of the interrupt processing, and (d) is a flowchart showing the operation of the unique information transfer processing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display mode of repair history information and the like;
(A) is a figure which shows the display mode of repair history information,
(B) is a figure showing a display mode of a repair history information input screen.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart II showing a detailed operation of the embroidery sewing machine according to the embodiment, wherein (a) is a flowchart showing an operation of a serial number display process, and (b) is a flowchart showing an operation of a serial number input process. , (C) is a flowchart showing the operation of the purchase information display processing,
(D) is a flowchart showing the operation of the purchase information input process.

7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a display mode of serial number information and the like, FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a display mode of serial number information, and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a display mode of a serial number information input screen; is there.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display mode of purchase information and the like, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display mode of purchase information, and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a display mode of a purchase information input screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a data structure in an EEPROM.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display mode of an information selection screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Body 2 ... LCD panel 3 ... Card connector 4 ... Communication connector 5 ... Power cable 6 ... Cloth fixing stand 7 ... Sewing needle 8 ... Start / stop button 9 ... Return button 10 ... Needle up / down button 11 ... Thread cutting button 12 ... Motor speed volume 15 ... Signal processing unit 16 ... CPU 17 ... ROM 18 ... RAM 19 ... Controller 20 ... Bus 21 ... I / O interface 22 ... External ROM card 23 ... X direction drive motor 24 ... Y direction drive motor 25 ... Touch panel 25a ... Button 26… EEPROM 26a… Sewing time data 26b… Operation count data 26c… Needle exchange data 26d… Repair count data 26e… Repair content number data 26f… Final repair date and time data 26g… Sewing machine serial number data 26h… Operation procedure data 26i… Sale Store data 26 j ... Sales date and time data 26k ... Service store data 30 ... Repair history input button 31 ... Repair history end button 32 ... Display section 33 ... Ten key 34 ... Clear button 35 ... Confirm button 36 ... Serial number button 37 ... Purchase information button 38 ... Repair history information button 39 ... Serial number input button 40 ... Serial number end button 41 ... Purchase information input button 42 ... Purchase information end button 45 ... Embroidery device 46 ... Moving body 47 ... Embroidery frame M ... Embroidery sewing machine S ... External peripheral switch

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. Information relating to management of a sewing device,
A sewing apparatus comprising: an input unit that inputs unique information that is information unique to each of the sewing devices; and a storage unit that stores the unique information. 2. The sewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is a nonvolatile storage element. 3. The sewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unique information is repair history information indicating a repair history of the sewing apparatus corresponding to the unique information. 4. The sewing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the repair history information includes a plurality of operation contents executed until the sewing apparatus reaches a failure. 5. The sewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unique information is purchase information relating to purchase of the sewing apparatus corresponding to the unique information. 6. The sewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unique information is a serial number indicating the sewing apparatus corresponding to the unique information. 7. The sewing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit for sewing the unique information on a cloth.