Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05C—EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05C5/00—Embroidering machines with arrangements for automatic control of a series of individual steps
  • D05C5/02—Embroidering machines with arrangements for automatic control of a series of individual steps by electrical or magnetic control devices
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05B—SEWING
  • D05B67/00—Devices incorporated in sewing machines for lubricating, waxing, or colouring the threads
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05B—SEWING
  • D05B19/00—Program-controlled sewing machines
  • D05B19/02—Sewing machines having electronic memory or microprocessor control unit
  • D05B19/12—Sewing machines having electronic memory or microprocessor control unit characterised by control of operation of machine
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05C—EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05C11/00—Devices for guiding, feeding, handling, or treating the threads in embroidering machines; Machine needles; Operating or control mechanisms therefor
  • D05C11/24—Devices for guiding, feeding, handling, or treating the threads in embroidering machines; Machine needles; Operating or control mechanisms therefor incorporating devices for dyeing or impregnating the threads
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05C—EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05C17/00—Embroidered or tufted products; Base fabrics specially adapted for embroidered work; Inserts for producing surface irregularities in embroidered products
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05C—EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05C7/00—Special-purpose or automatic embroidering machines
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
  • D05D—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES D05B AND D05C, RELATING TO SEWING, EMBROIDERING AND TUFTING
  • D05D2205/00—Interface between the operator and the machine
  • D05D2205/02—Operator to the machine

Definitions

• a (e.g., computerized) method of creating customized embroidery for a user includes capturing embroidery instructions from the user.
• the embroidery instructions include color instructions, for example, identifying multiple different colors.
• the colors include a start color and an end color.
• various embodiments include a start location and an end location (e.g., within the customized embroidery).
• various methods include receiving the embroidery instructions (e.g., including the color instructions) at an embroidery engine.
• various embodiments include creating a planned pattern of stitches, for example, from the embroidery instructions.
• the (e.g., color) instructions include an intermediate location within the customized embroidery and the first set of instructions, the second set of instructions, or both, include instructions for: gradually fading from the start color at the start location to the intermediate color at the intermediate location, gradually fading from the intermediate color at the intermediate location to the end color at the end location, or both.
• the planned pattern of stitches includes an outline design, for example, that includes multiple segments.
• the creating of the planned pattern of stitches from the embroidery instructions includes using shape, properties, or both, of each of the multiple segments.
• Another specific embodiment is a computerized method of creating embroidery
• the embroidery instructions include color instructions, for example, identifying multiple different colors, for instance, including a start color, an intermediate color (e.g., one or more intermediate colors), and an end color. Further, some embodiments include receiving the embroidery instructions (e.g., including the color instructions) at an embroidery engine (e.g., on a server), creating a planned pattern of stitches (e.g., from the embroidery instructions), or both.
• the method includes (e.g., using a computing device) capturing embroidery instructions from the user (e.g., in a browser window), for example, the embroidery instructions including color instructions, for instance, including a start location, an end location, or both.
• Some embodiments further include receiving the embroidery instructions (e.g., including the color instructions) at an embroidery engine (e.g., on a server), creating a planned pattern of stitches (e.g., from the embroidery instructions), or both.
• the stitching of the embroidery includes, or the instructions for stitching of the embroidery include instructions for, for instance, printing color (e.g., the multiple colors) onto a (e.g., common) strand of thread (e.g., immediately) before stitching.
• color may be printed in a gradient, for instance, or (e.g., gradually) faded, for example, from a start color to an end color, or from a start color to an intermediate color (e.g., and from the intermediate color to an end color).
• FIGS. 3 and 4 show vector paths 35 and 45 that may have the same shape.
• Vector path 35 may have been drawn (e.g., by the user), for example, into browser window 31.
• the returning of the rendering of the planned pattern of stitches (e.g., 262) to the browser (e.g., 251) for inspection by the user (e.g., in act 14) includes specifically returning a bitmap, for example, of the (e.g., planned) pattern of stitches (e.g., 262) to the browser (e.g., 251 , for instance, in window 31 or 41) for inspection by the user.
• the attributes include (e.g., desired) angle (e.g., 242 or 42) of the stitches (e.g., 49).
• the stitch angle e.g., 242 or 42
• the stitch angle is orthogonal to the vector path (e.g., 45) or the stitches (e.g., 49) are 90 degrees to the path (e.g., 45).
• whether the stitch angle (e.g., 242 or 42) is relative to the vector path (e.g., 45) at the stitch (e.g., 49), or is a fixed angle is selectable by the user.
• the user is prompted to make a selection (e.g., for stitching parameters 24).
• the fabric can be chosen either by the user (e.g., in act 11) or by the web site host (e.g., via embroidery engine 261), in various embodiments. Moreover, various embodiments allow (e.g., within stitching parameters 24) for the selection (e.g., in act 11) of a thread color, for example, from a pallet of threads defined by the web site host (e.g., via embroidery engine 261). In some embodiments, one or more such attributes are selectable by the user. In various embodiments, the user is prompted (e.g., at computing device 25 or browser window 251 or 31) to make a selection (e.g., for stitching parameters 24).
• the drawn strokes are stored on a server (e.g., 26) in some embodiments.
• the stitches e.g., 49, 46, or both
• the stitches can be recreated, in particular embodiments, from the strokes (e.g., of act 11 , captured vectors 22, stitching parameters 24, or a combination thereof), and can be repurposed, in some embodiments, for example, for various desired target fabrics, using settings appropriate to the target fabric.
• the resulting stitches e.g., 49, 46, or both
• the web session with the user e.g., provided in act 14
• the server e.g., 26
• some embodiments include defining or selecting (or both), for example, from a pre-defined color transition.
• such acts include displaying (e.g., act 14) a rendering (e.g., 43) of a (e.g., planned) pattern of stitches (e.g., created in act 13), for example, for inspection by the user.
• the (e.g., planned) pattern of stitches e.g., in rendering info 23
• has been created e.g., in act 13) from the (e.g., first set of) captured vectors (e.g., 22) and the desired stitching parameters (e.g., 24), for example.
• the user can change size or stitch type (e.g., of all or part of the drawing) and the system will automatically recalculate the stitches while maintaining the same color or color gradient (/.e., where the user has not changed the color instructions).
• changed instructions e.g., changed color instructions
• can be applied e.g., changed by the user.
• the computer program (e.g., 250) includes computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the computing device (e.g., 25), cause the computing device to draw the (e.g., planned pattern of stitches e.g., 262 or rendering 43) for inspection by the user using a recipe that includes multiple parameters based on a type of fabric (e.g., selected by the user).
• Some embodiments include color or color transitions, for example.
• color is printed (e.g., in act 17, by printer 271 , or both) onto “blank” (e.g., white) thread.
• bladek e.g., white
• dying machine or thread printer 271 may operate in conjunction with, or be part of, embroidery machine 27.
• the color is printed in various shades, along a length of the cone of the thread, or both, as examples.
• gradients of color e.g., from one color to another
• a gradient of color occurs when color change along a length of thread sufficient to form at least three (3) stitches.
• Various embodiments include outputting (e.g., in act 17) a first set of instructions for a thread printer (e.g., 271) to print, for example, the multiple different colors, for instance, onto a common strand of thread, for example, before the stitching of the customized embroidery (e.g., in act 17), for instance, for the user.
• a thread printer e.g., 271
• a second set of instructions for example, for an embroidery machine (e.g., 272), for instance, to stitch the customized embroidery (e.g., in act 17), for example, with the common strand of thread.
• a set of satin stitches may be created (e.g., in act 13), in particular embodiments, by drawing an outline (e.g., 2621) shape of a desired set of stitches (e.g., according to embroidery instructions captured in act 11) and assigning properties, which may include, as examples, lines defining stitch angles at various points in the shape, numerical values for the distance between the stitches (or density of the stitches), parameters for the type of underlay stitching, pull compensation that may be different for each kind of fabric on which the embroidery is stitched, a combination thereof, as examples, or more.
• all of this information together may be one segment of an outline design (e.g., 2621 , created in act 13, or both).
• actual stitch vectors to be performed by a stitching machine or an embroidery machine are generated (e.g., in act 13) by software.
• stitching machine 272 may operate in conjunction with, or be part of, embroidery machine 27.
• such stitch vectors may be generated (e.g., in act 13) from the outlines (e.g., 2621), for example, using the shape and properties of each segment (e.g., 2622) to guide the software or stitch engine on how to create the resulting stitches.
• the software will create (e.g., in act 13) a (e.g., gradual) fading of one color (e.g., 2461 or 54), into the other (e.g., 2463 or 57).
• additional (e.g., intermediate) colors e.g., 2462, 55, 56, or a combination thereof
• the sequence is defined by starting in color A (e.g., 2461 or 54), fading to B (e.g., 2462 or 55), then fading to C (e.g., 2463 or 56), etc. (e.g., 57).
• segment or group of segments e.g., 2622
• underlay stitches /.e., stitches which are hidden from view, for example, under other stitches, but are needed to, for example, stabilize the fabric in preparation for the visible stitches
• those stitches are assigned (e.g., in act 13) a single solid color, for example, so as not to impact the visible gradient of the overlay stitching.
• the stitch vectors are re-generated (e.g., in act 13) and the gradient pattern may be re-calculated and re-applied.
• Some embodiments provide color gradients (e.g., as described herein) and some provide a repeat of either a spot color sequence or a repeat of a gradient transition, as examples. Some embodiments can provide a combination of these.
• An example of a spot color sequence is a red/white transition within 20 cm of threads and repeat.
• a color gradient is a particular type of a color transition.
• the first set of instructions for the thread printer (e.g., 271), for example, to print the multiple different colors, for instance, onto the common strand of thread, for example, before the stitching (e.g., in act 17) of the customized embroidery (e.g., for the user) includes instructions for printing a repeat of, as examples, a spot color sequence, a gradient transition, or both.
• various embodiments are or concern (e.g., computerized) methods and software for creating (e.g., customized) embroidery.
• Some embodiments include importing existing artwork (e.g., not just drawn by the user).
• some embodiments include using text tools, for example, embroidery text tools, for instance, where the letters are outline shapes, for example, with predefined embroidery stitch parameters, for instance, such as angle lines.
• TTF True Type Fonts
• Embodiments include (e.g., in act 11) capturing a drawing (e.g., from a user), for instance, in a browser window (e.g., 251), (or desktop, tablet, or phone application, in various embodiments) for example, as captured vectors, transmitting, receiving (e.g., in act 12), or using (e.g., in act 13) the captured embroidery instructions or vectors and, in many embodiments, desired stitching parameters (e.g., at an embroidery engine, for example, 261 , for instance, on a server, for example, 26), and creating (e.g., in act 13) a (e.g., planned) pattern of stitches (e.g., 262), for example, from the embroidery instructions, captured vectors, desired stitching parameters, or a combination thereof.
• desired stitching parameters e.g., at an embroidery engine, for example, 261 , for instance, on a server, for example, 26
• creating e.g., in act 13
• Some embodiments include transmitting, returning, receiving, or creating a rendering of the (e.g., planned) pattern (e.g., 262) of stitches (e.g., in act 14), for example, to the browser, or in certain embodiments, transmitting, receiving, returning, or creating rendering vectors (e.g., to the browser), for example, for drawing the (e.g., planned) pattern of stitches (e.g., in the browser), for instance, for inspection (e.g., by the user).
• a rendering of the (e.g., planned) pattern e.g., 262
• transmitting, receiving, returning, or creating rendering vectors e.g., to the browser
• drawing the (e.g., planned) pattern of stitches e.g., in the browser
• for inspection e.g., by the user
• the method includes (e.g., at least) various acts.
• a method (e.g., 10) of creating embroidery includes at least acts of capturing embroidery instructions (e.g., act 11), receiving (e.g., in act 12) the embroidery instructions at an embroidery engine (e.g., 261), creating (e.g., in act 13) a planned pattern of stitches (e.g., 262), and stitching (e.g., in act 17) the embroidery.
• various embodiments include receiving (e.g., in act 12) the embroidery instructions (e.g., including the color instructions) for instance, at an embroidery engine (e.g., 261 , for instance, on server 26).
• various embodiments include creating (e.g., in act 13) a planned pattern of stitches (e.g., 262), for example, from the embroidery instructions (e.g., captured in act 11).
• the method includes stitching (e.g., in act 17) the (e.g., customized) embroidery (e.g., for the user), for instance, using the planned pattern of stitches (e.g., 262, created in act 13, or both).
• the stitching for example, includes printing (e.g., in act 17, with printer 271 , or both) the (e.g., multiple different) colors (e.g., captured in act 11 , for example, printing onto a common strand of thread), for instance, (e.g., immediately) before the stitching (e.g., in act 17) of the (e.g., customized) embroidery (e.g., for the user).
• the stitching e.g., in act 17
• “immediately before” means less than an hour before.
• the (e.g., common strand of) thread is printed (e.g., colored) within 45, 30, 15, 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 , 1 , or 1 minutes before the thread is stitched into the embroidery, as examples.
• the (e.g., common strand of) thread is printed (e.g., colored) in the moments before stitching, or as the thread is fed into the stitching machine, as examples.
• the printing includes printing the multiple different colors along a cone of the thread.
• the printing includes printing varying shades of the multiple different colors (e.g., identified in act 11), for example, along the common strand of the thread.
• the first set of instructions for the thread printer (e.g., 272), for example, to print the multiple different colors, for instance, onto the common strand of thread, for example, before the stitching (e.g., in act 17) of the customized embroidery for the user includes instructions for printing at least one gradient of at least one color, for example, along the common strand of the thread.
• the planned pattern of stitches e.g., 262, created in act 13, or both
• the color changes or fades over 1 , 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 different stitches, as other examples.
• the color instructions include a start location (e.g., 2471 , for example, within the customized embroidery), an end location (e.g., 2473, for instance, within the customized embroidery), or both.
• the stitching (e.g., in act 17) of the (e.g., customized) embroidery (e.g., for the user), for instance, using the planned pattern of stitches (e.g., 262, created in act 13, or both) includes (e.g., gradually) fading, for example, from the start color (e.g., 2461 or 54), for example, at the start location (e.g., 2471), to the end color (e.g., 2463 or 57), for example, at the end location (e.g., 2473), or both.
• the stitching (e.g., in act 17) of the (e.g., customized) embroidery (e.g., for the user), for instance, using the planned pattern of stitches (e.g., 262, created in act 13, or both) includes (e.g., gradually) fading from (e.g., the start color, for instance, 2461 , 54, or both) at the start location (e.g., 2471) to (e.g., the intermediate color, for instance, 2462, 55, 56, or a combination thereof) at the intermediate location (e.g., 2472), (e.g., gradually) fading from (e.g., the intermediate color) at the intermediate location to (e.g., the end color, for instance, (e.g., 2463, 57, or both) at the end location (e.g., 2473), or both.
• the start color for instance, 2461 , 54, or both
• the intermediate color for instance, 2462, 55, 56, or a combination thereof
• Such an intermediate stitch may be located, for example, a stitch between the intermediate location (e.g., 2472) and the end location (e.g., 2473), may have a color (e.g., partially faded) between the intermediate color (e.g., 2462) and the end color (e.g., 2463), or both.
• a stitch between the intermediate location (e.g., 2472) and the end location (e.g., 2473) may have a color (e.g., partially faded) between the intermediate color (e.g., 2462) and the end color (e.g., 2463), or both.
• the creating (e.g., in act 13) of the planned pattern of stitches (e.g., 262, for instance, from the embroidery instructions, for example, stitching parameters 24) includes using shape, properties, or both, for example, of each of the multiple segments (e.g.,
• Stitching parameters 24 described herein are examples. Still further, in certain embodiments, the (e.g., multiple different) colors of the color instructions (e.g., of stitching parameters 24) include a start color (e.g., 2461 , 54, or both), an end color (e.g., 2463, 57, or both), or both.
• start color e.g., 2461 , 54, or both
• end color e.g., 2463, 57, or both
• the printing (e.g., in act 17, with printer 271 , or both) of the (e.g., multiple different) colors (e.g., onto the common strand of thread) includes (e.g., gradually) fading, for example, from the start color (e.g., 2461, 54, or both) to the end color (e.g., 2463, 57, or both).
• a particular segment of the multiple segments (e.g., 2622) includes both the start color (e.g., 2461 , 54, or both) and the end color (e.g., 2463, 57, or both).
• the (e.g., in act 17, with printer 271 , or both) of the (e.g., multiple different) colors (e.g., onto the common strand of thread) includes (e.g., gradually) fading, for example, from the start color (e.g., 2461, 54, or both) to the end color (e.g., 2463, 57, or both
• Another specific embodiment is a computerized method of creating embroidery
• some embodiments include stitching (e.g., in act 17) the embroidery (e.g., for the user), for example, using the planned pattern of stitches (e.g., 262, created in act 13, or both), for instance, including (e.g., gradually) fading color of the embroidery, for example, from the start color (e.g., 2461 , 54, or both) to the intermediate color (e.g.,
• determination (e.g., in act 13) of color of an intermediate stitch between the start location and the end location is based on a determined (e.g., in act 13) length of thread between the start location and the end location, and a determined (e.g., in act 13) length of thread between the start location and the intermediate stitch.
• some embodiments include saving transitions, for example, and applying them to other embroidery outline designs, segments, or groups of segments, for instance.
• transitions to create “themes” such as sport team colors or country flag colors, as examples, then applying the themes, for instance, to one or more designs, segments or groups of segments, as examples.
• the stitch engine for each segment of the design, the stitch engine generates stitches corresponding to the shape, stitch type, and stitch parameters, for example. Even further, in some embodiments, the stitch engine also generates stitches to connect each of the shapes. Even further, in various embodiments, the user defines one or more color transitions. Even further still, in particular embodiments, the user selects one or more segments (e.g., the entire design) and applies a color transition to the selected segments. Optionally, in some embodiments, color transitions can be applied to other segments or selections of segments.
• each segment of the design is rendered on the screen by drawing the stitches that correspond to the segment in the stitch color. Further, in some embodiments, for segments that have a color transition applied to them, the color of each stitch is determined using the following formula for start color s (e.g., 2461 or 54), end color e (e.g., 2463 or 57), total number of stitches between each color transition n, and current stitch i:
• Some embodiments further include using this formula, for example, to calculate color of intermediate stitches between a start color and an end color.
• the system will need to output the design to two pieces of machinery: the printing device or thread printer (e.g., 271), which will color the thread, and the embroidery machine (e.g., 272), which will sew the stitches.
• a thread printer e.g., 271 prints an entire spool of thread before it is loaded on the embroidery machine (e.g., 272) and then stitched (/.e., “Type T”).
• the thread printer e.g., 271) is attached to the embroidery machine (e.g., 272) and prints the thread as it is fed into the sewing head of the embroidery machine (/.e., “Type C”).
• Certain embodiments include output calculations that include iterating through the stitches in the design and dividing them into sections based on the color.
• a new section is started if any of the following four statements is true:
• Both stitches are needle colors, but the needle is different.
• Both stitches are spot colors, but the ID of the spot color is different.
• the stitches are divided into sections based on the color.
• a new section is started each time there is a change in the color type of the stitch, compared with the previous stitch.
• two files are created.
• One file contains instructions for the thread printing device (e.g., 271).
• the “first set of instructions” described herein is an example.
• the other file has the stitch vectors in a format that is readable by the embroidery machine (e.g., 272).
• the “second set of instructions” described herein is an example.
• thread length for each section is added up. Thread length for a stitch is calculated, in some embodiments, as:

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
• Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
• Sewing Machines And Sewing (AREA)
• Automatic Embroidering For Embroidered Or Tufted Products (AREA)

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• 2020
  • 2020-10-19 US US17/074,222 patent/US12091797B2/en active Active
• 2021
  • 2021-08-25 JP JP2023547724A patent/JP7792422B2/ja active Active
  • 2021-08-25 CA CA3195279A patent/CA3195279A1/en active Pending
  • 2021-08-25 WO PCT/CA2021/051177 patent/WO2022082296A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2021-08-25 KR KR1020237015385A patent/KR102842353B1/ko active Active
  • 2021-08-25 EP EP21881402.8A patent/EP4229232B1/en active Active
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