Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6321670
-
Patent Number
6,321,670
-
Date Filed
Monday, June 19, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, November 27, 200122 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 112 47519
- 112 1025
- 112 47004
- 112 47006
- 112 445
- 112 454
- 112 456
- 112 457
- 112 458
- 700 138
- 700 136
- 700 137
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
In a sewing machine, a plurality of patterns are displayed on a pattern selection area of a display. Then, when one of the patterns displayed on the pattern selection area is selected, the selected pattern is displayed in a realistic manner on a pattern display area on the display. At this time, at least a part of the pattern display area is displayed while the pattern selection area is displayed. Therefore, the operator can see and grasp the pattern with a realistic image through the pattern display area while selecting the pattern.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a display apparatus for a sewing machine with a pattern sewing or forming function for displaying a pattern selection area, in which a plurality of patterns can remain displayed and a pattern can be selected therefrom, and a pattern display area, in which a selected pattern can be displayed and edited, on the same screen during the selection of the pattern.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, a sewing machine with an embroidery function has a sewing mechanism for forming stitches by driving a needle bar, a thread take-up, and a rotary hook, and an embroidery frame driving mechanism that moves and drives an embroidery frame in crosswise directions independently. A controller controls and actuates the sewing mechanism and the embroidery frame driving mechanism based on sewing data (including sets of stitch data) for an embroidery pattern, to embroider the pattern on a work cloth set in the embroidery frame.
The sewing machine basically pre-stores pattern data (including sewing data) for embroidery patterns in a ROM of the controller and a ROM card that is detachably inserted into the controller. A pattern (or pattern data) selected from the embroidery patterns stored can be edited before embroidering, such as repositioning, magnifying/reducing, and mirroring.
A sewing machine with embroidery function, having a display and plural touch keys representing various functions through the display, is structured to display a pattern selection screen on the display when selecting an embroidery pattern, and a pattern edit screen on the display when editing the selected embroidery pattern.
On the pattern selection screen, a plurality of embroidery patterns (character patterns and picture patterns) are displayed in a pattern selection area that accounts for the most part of the display. A desired embroidery pattern is selected with a touch of the display as a pattern to be used with embroidering. When a character pattern is selected, the selected character pattern is displayed in an area except for the pattern selection area of the pattern selection screen, for confirmation.
After the pattern is selected, the pattern selection screen is switched to the pattern edit screen. On the pattern edit screen, the selected pattern is displayed in the pattern display area (corresponding to a size of the embroidery frame in which embroidery is available), so that it can be edited with a touch of pattern edit keys such as eight direction keys.
In the conventional sewing machine with embroidery function, especially when a character pattern is selected, it is displayed in an area outside of the pattern selection area of the pattern selection screen. However, as the area is very small, an operator can only confirm the selected character pattern. The operator can not see and grasp the layout of the pattern such as the size and the orientation of the pattern and the array orientation of the pattern especially consisting of a plurality characters.
Therefore, it is not until the selected character pattern is displayed in the pattern display area on the pattern edit screen that the operator can see and grasp the layout of the pattern. Because the operator can not grasp the layout when selecting a character, the operator is likely to change the character pattern when the layout is displayed on the pattern edit screen after the character selection. In this case, it is necessary to change the display from the pattern edit screen to the pattern selection screen again for re-selection of a character pattern, which is very troublesome.
In a conventional sewing machine, the pattern size and the array orientation are set in advance, and a character pattern for embroidery is selected. However, the pattern size and the array orientation are not yet seen on the display when the pattern is selected, therefore, the similar problem still exists, and the preset information on the pattern size and the array orientation does not function effectively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a display apparatus for a sewing machine with a pattern sewing or forming function, in which a display can show at least a part of a pattern selection area and a pattern display area simultaneously when a pattern is selected, so that an operator can see and grasp the size and orientation of the pattern and the orientation of the character string when a plurality of character patterns are selected, in the pattern display area.
In this regard, the display apparatus for a sewing machine of the invention may include a display, a pattern selection area controller that displays a pattern selection area on the display, the pattern selection area controller displaying at least one pattern on the pattern selection area, a selection device that selects the pattern displayed on the pattern selection area, a pattern display area controller that displays a pattern display area on the display, the pattern display area controller displaying the selected pattern in a realistic manner on the pattern display area, and a display controller that controls the display to display at least a part of the pattern display area while the pattern selection area is displayed.
According to the display apparatus structured as described above, a selection device selects the pattern displayed on the pattern selection area, a pattern display area controller displays a pattern display area on the display, the pattern display area controller displays the selected pattern in a realistic manner on the pattern display area, and a display controller controls the display to display at least a part of the pattern display area while the pattern selection area is displayed. Therefore, the operator can see and grasp the pattern with a realistic image through the pattern display area while selecting the pattern.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the display apparatus may further include an edit device that edits the pattern displayed on the pattern display area. Therefore, the operator can see the pattern to be edited before editing it while selecting the pattern.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the realistic manner may be related to at least one of pattern size, pattern orientation, or arrangement orientation. Therefore, the operator can recognize pattern size, pattern orientation, or arrangement orientation of the selected pattern.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the display may include a touch key panel including at least one touch key, and the selection device may include the touch key. Therefore, the operator can select the desired pattern using the touch key in a simple manner.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the display controller may control the display to display the pattern selection area and the pattern display area without overlapping each other. According to the display apparatus structured as described above, the whole pattern selection area and the whole pattern display area can be displayed on the same screen of the display. Therefore, the operator can recognize the whole selected pattern with a realistic image without interfering with the selection of the pattern.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the display controller controls the display to display the pattern selection area overlapping a part of the pattern display area, and the pattern display area controller displays at least a portion of the pattern on an un-overlapped part of the pattern display area, where the pattern selection area is not overlapped. Therefore, the operator can recognize the selected pattern with a realistic image without interfering with the selection of the pattern. Further, the space of the display can be used efficiently.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, when a character pattern is selected by the selection device, the whole character pattern can be displayed on the un-overlapped part of the pattern display area. According to the display apparatus structured as described above, the content of the whole character pattern can be recognized by the operator.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, when selection of the pattern is completed, the display controller may control the display to cancel displaying the pattern selection area. In addition, the pattern display area controller may display the selected pattern in a substantially center portion of the pattern display area. Therefore, after selection of the pattern is completed, the whole selected pattern display area is displayed. Further, the selected pattern is displayed very clearly at a substantially center portion of the pattern display area.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the display controller may control the display to display information on a remaining part of the display except for the pattern selection area and the pattern display area. Therefore, the remaining part of the display can be used efficiently by displaying various kinds of information thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electronically controlled sewing machine according to the invention;
FIG. 2
is an exemplary embodiment of a control block diagram of the electronically controlled sewing machine according to the invention;
FIG. 3
is a structure of an exemplary embodiment of pattern data stored in a memory;
FIG. 4
is an exemplary embodiment of a pattern type selection screen displayed on a display;
FIG. 5
is an exemplary embodiment of a character pattern selection screen displayed on the display;
FIG. 6
is the character pattern selection screen of
FIG. 5
after character patterns are selected;
FIG. 7
is an exemplary embodiment of a pattern edit screen displayed on the display;
FIG. 8
is the pattern edit screen of
FIG. 7
in which proportional spacing is applied;
FIG. 9
is pattern type selection screen of
FIG. 4
displayed on a display;
FIG. 10
is an exemplary embodiment of a picture pattern selection screen displayed on the display;
FIG. 11
is an exemplary embodiment of a pattern edit screen after a picture pattern is selected;
FIG. 12
is an exemplary embodiment of a sewing information screen showing thread color names displayed on the display;
FIG. 13
is the sewing information screen of
FIG. 12
showing thread numbers displayed on the display;
FIG. 14
is an exemplary embodiment of a screen including a color palette;
FIG. 15
is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a pattern selection and edit control (¼);
FIG. 16
is the flowchart of a pattern selection and edit control ({fraction (2/4)});
FIG. 17
is the flowchart of a pattern selection and edit control (¾);
FIG. 18
is the flowchart of a pattern selection and edit control ({fraction (4/4)}); and
FIG. 19
is a character selection screen according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Various exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Various exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described embodied in an electronically controlled sewing machine having a detachable embroidery frame driving device (embroidery device) that enables embroidery of various patterns. Although the invention is described in relation to an electronically controlled sewing machine having an embroidery device, it should be appreciated that the invention is applicable to an electronically controlled sewing machine including a pattern sewing or forming device for forming a pattern or patterns, for example, a button hole, using, for example, utility stitching or zigzag stitching.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, an electronically controlled sewing machine M has a bed
1
, a standard portion
2
that stands on the bed
1
, an arm
3
extending from the upper part of the standard portion
2
so as to face the bed
1
.
The bed
1
includes a feed dog, a feed dog up and down moving mechanism (not shown) that moves the feed dog up and down, a feed dog back and forth moving mechanism (not shown) that moves the feed dog back and forth, and a thread loop taker (e.g. a vertical axis oscillating shuttle) that contains a lower thread bobbin and incorporates with a needle
6
that moves up and down to make a stitch. An embroidery frame driving device
30
is detachably fixed to a free bed, generally known as a free arm, of the bed
1
.
On the side of the standard portion
2
, there is a slot
2
a
in which a memory card
40
, for example, a ROM card, having a large amount of embroidery pattern data is connected to an internal connector
13
(refer to FIG.
2
). A floppy disk drive (FDD)
29
(refer to
FIG. 2
) is provided inside under the slot
2
a
, with a disk slot
2
b
in which a floppy disk
45
is inserted.
The arm
3
includes a needle bar driving mechanism (not shown) that moves a needle bar
5
having the needle
6
at the bottom up and down, a needle bar swinging mechanism (not shown) that swings the needle bar
5
in the direction perpendicular to a feed direction of a work cloth, and a thread take-up driving mechanism (not shown) that moves a thread take-up in accordance with the up and down movement of the needle bar
5
. A start/stop switch
12
that orders the start and stop of sewing operation is provided on the front of the head
4
of the arm
3
. The feed dog moving up and down mechanism, the needle bar driving mechanism, and the thread take-up driving mechanism are driven by a machine motor
17
. The needle bar swinging mechanism is driven by a stepping motor
18
for swinging the needle bar. The feed dog back and forth driving mechanism is driven by a stepping motor
19
for moving the feed dog back and forth (refer to FIG.
2
).
On the front of the standard portion
2
, a display
10
, such as a color liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided in a portrait orientation. The LCD
10
is designed to display various screens according to circumstances: such as a pattern type selection screen
50
shown in
FIGS. 4 and 9
, a character selection screen
60
shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6
, a pattern selection screen
80
shown in
FIG. 10
, a pattern edit screen
70
shown in
FIGS. 7
,
8
, and
11
, and a sewing information screen shown in
FIGS. 12 and 13
.
The LCD
10
has a plurality of touch keys
11
(
FIG. 2
) which are transparent electrodes placed in a matrix thereon. Selection of a desired embroidery pattern or an order of a function can be realized simply by pressing a corresponding touch key
11
.
The embroidery frame driving device
30
includes a casing
30
a,
an embroidery frame
31
, or other work holder, that holds a work cloth detachably, a movable member
32
having a Y direction driving mechanism that moves the embroidery frame
31
in the Y direction (backward and forward), and an X direction driving mechanism, included in the casing
30
a,
that moves the movable member
32
in the X direction (leftward and rightward). The X direction driving mechanism is driven by a first stepping motor
33
, and the Y direction driving mechanism is driven by a second stepping motor
34
(FIG.
2
).
When the embroidery frame driving device
30
is attached to the free bed of the bed
1
, the motors
33
and
34
are electronically connected to a controller C of the sewing machine M via a connector
14
. The controller C controls and drives the motors
33
and
34
, to move the embroidery frame
31
, in which a work cloth is set, in the X- and Y-axis directions individually to perform an embroidering operation.
Next, an exemplary embodiment of a control system of the sewing machine M will now be described.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, the controller C has an input interface
21
, a CPU
22
, a ROM
23
, a RAM
24
, a flash memory
25
(nonvolatile memory electrically rewritable), an output interface
26
, and a floppy disk controller (FDC)
28
that drives the FDD
29
, which are all connected via a bus
27
, such as data bus.
The input interface
21
is connected to the start/stop switch
12
, the touch keys
11
, and a timing signal generator
16
that detects a plurality of rotating phases of the sewing machine main shaft. The output interface
26
is connected to the motors
17
,
18
, and
19
, and a display controller (LCDC)
20
for the LCD
10
.
The first and second stepping motors
33
and
34
are connected to the output interface
26
via the connector
14
. A ROM
41
of the ROM card
40
is connected to the bus
27
via the connector
13
.
The ROM
23
prestores basic control programs such as a sewing control and a display control required to sew utility stitch pattern, a control program required for selecting and editing an embroidery pattern to be embroidered, a sewing control program required to sew the selected and edited pattern.
T he pattern data memory
23
a
of the ROM
23
, stores as shown in
FIG. 3
, character pattern data related to letters and numerals, and picture pattern data such as animals, flowers, and frames. Character patterns and picture patterns are categorized into groups designated with numbers (like character pattern No.1, character pattern No. 2, character pattern No. 3, or picture pattern No.1, picture pattern No. 2, picture pattern No. 3).
Both character pattern data and picture pattern data are constructed of display data of bit data, sewing data consisting of pieces of stitch data (representing a stitch point position), and accompanying data (such as thread color code, sewing time), respectively.
As a picture pattern is made up of a plurality of blocks (e.g., first block, second block, and third block) which are sewn with different colors respectively, the display data, the sewing data, and the accompanying data are made for each block. A stop code SC suspends sewing operation at the end of each block for thread changing, and it is stored in the last of the sewing data for each block.
The ROM card
40
has a plurality of versions available on the sewing machine M. Pattern data for a plurality of embroidery patterns (e.g. the first embroidery pattern, the second embroidery pattern, the third embroidery pattern) are stored in the ROM
41
of each ROM card
40
with the same structure in the ROM
23
. The FD
45
is also available for storing pattern data and editing them. The RAM
24
includes various memories (e.g., flag memory, pointer memory, counter memory, register, buffer) required for each control described above.
In the sewing machine M, as shown in
FIGS. 4
to
14
, the LCD
10
is designed as a vertically long rectangle (aspect ratio being 2:3). The pattern display area
51
is established in the portrait orientation on the upper left of the LCD
10
with a size of approximately ⅗ of the LCD
10
. In the pattern display area
51
, the selected pattern can be edited while being displayed.
As shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6
, when a character pattern is selected, the LCD
10
simultaneously shows the pattern display area
51
and a character pattern selection area
61
where a character pattern is selectable on the same screen (the character selection screen
60
) in piles. The whole character selection area
61
is displayed. A remaining displayable area
62
, that is a part of the pattern display area
51
and does not overlap the character pattern selection area
61
, is displayed.
The pattern display area
51
appears on the upper left of the LCD
10
, and the character selection area
61
substantially in a quadrangle appears in the center of the LCD
10
. Thus, the remaining displayable area
62
is positioned on the left and the top of the character selection area
61
.
When the selected character pattern is in a vertical writing orientation wherein the normal orientation of the letters relative to each other is maintained, as shown in
FIG. 6
, the whole character pattern is displayed in the left part of the remaining displayable area
62
. On the contrary, when the selected character pattern is in the horizontal writing orientation although it is not shown, the whole character pattern is displayed in the upper part of the remaining displayable area
62
.
The pattern display area
51
and the character selection area
61
are displayed on a part of the LCD
10
. The remaining part of the LCD
10
, especially the lower part of these areas
51
and
61
, is designed to show various function keys such as a size (L/M/S) key
64
, a character array key
65
, a SET key
66
, a CANCEL key
67
, and a Memory Recall key
57
.
On the other hand, as shown in
FIG. 10
, when a picture pattern is selected, the pattern display area
51
and a picture pattern selection area
81
are displayed overlapping on the same screen (a picture pattern selection screen
80
) of the LCD
10
. The whole picture pattern selection area
81
is displayed. A remaining displayable area
82
, that is a part of the pattern display are
51
and does not overlap the picture pattern selection area
81
, is displayed on the upper portion of the LCD
10
relative to the picture pattern selection area
81
.
The pattern display area
51
and the picture pattern selection area
81
are displayed on a part of the LCD
10
. The remaining part of the LCD
10
, especially in the lower part of the LCD
10
relative to these areas
51
and
81
, is designed to show various function keys such as a CANCEL key
83
, a SET key
84
, and the Memory Recall key
57
.
After the selection of the character pattern is completed, the pattern selection screen
60
of
FIG. 6
is switched to the pattern edit screen
70
of FIG.
7
. At this time, the pattern selection area
61
is cleared, and the selected character pattern is displayed in the center of the pattern display area
51
. Even in selecting a pattern, the pattern can be displayed for confirmation in the remaining displayable area
82
of the pattern selection screen
80
of FIG.
10
.
As shown in
FIGS. 7
,
8
, and
11
, when a character or picture pattern to be embroidered is edited, eight-direction keys
71
to input an order to move the pattern in one of the eight different directions within the pattern display area
51
of the pattern edit screen
70
, are displayed in a rectangular direction key display area
72
which is on the right of the pattern display area
51
. A center key
73
to input an order to position the pattern in the center of the pattern display area
51
, is displayed in the center of the eight direction keys
71
with a three dimensional effect. These keys function in the same manner as the touch keys
11
.
The pattern edit screen
70
shown in
FIG. 7
is structured to display pattern edit keys arranged horizontally, including the SIZE key
74
, the SPACING key
75
, and the ADD PATTERN key
76
, under the pattern display area
51
and the direction key display area
72
. The pattern edit screen
70
shown in
FIG. 11
is structured to display the SIZE key
74
, the mirror key
79
, the ADD PATTERN key
76
. In both cases, the pattern edit screen
70
further includes edit keys such as the Memory Recall key
57
on the lower part of the LCD
10
.
The direction key display area
72
is divided into the five areas, each displaying one or two direction keys
71
a
of the eight direction keys
71
. In the area displaying the two directly-opposed keys, these keys are displayed in connection and the center key is displayed in the center of these keys with a three dimensional effect.
Next is an explanation about routines regarding the pattern selection control executed in the controller C with reference to the flowcharts of
FIGS. 15
to
18
. The routines will be explained on the assumption the character pattern “brother” with normal font, and the picture pattern “Santa Claus” are taken for example. In the flowcharts, Si (i=1, 2, . . . ) stands for a procedure step.
As shown in
FIG. 15
, when the power is turned on, and this control is started, initialization such as clearing each memory in the RAM
24
is performed (S
1
). When the embroidery frame driving device
30
is attached to the machine M, the pattern type selection screen
50
of
FIG. 4
, in which a pattern type is selected, is displayed on the LCD
10
(S
2
).
The pattern type selection screen
50
shows the pattern display area
51
, on the right, vertically from the top, three different font character pattern selection keys
52
, two picture pattern selection keys
53
, a special character selection key
54
, a ROM card selection key
55
, and an FD selection key
56
. The screen
50
displays further keys such as the Memory Recall keys
57
below the pattern display area
51
and the above-mentioned keys.
When a pattern type is selected by pressing one of the font character pattern selection keys
52
(the top one, for example) (S
3
: Yes) and the selected pattern type is character pattern (S
4
: Yes), the character pattern selection screen
60
of
FIG. 5
is displayed on the LCD
10
(S
5
). When a character pattern type is selected, a plurality of lowercase letters are initially displayed on a first page of the matrix indicated by tab
61
a.
If display change tab
61
b
is pressed, another kind of letters, for example, uppercase, or capital letters can be displayed.
When the RETURN key
63
, which is on the upper right of the character pattern selection area
61
, is pressed (S
6
: Yes), the procedure returns to S
2
and the pattern type selection screen
50
is displayed again. When the RETURN key
63
is not pressed (S
6
: No), and letter keys “b”, “r”, “o”, “t”, “h”, “e”, and “r” are pressed and selected (S
7
: Yes), each letter is displayed in the remaining displayable area
62
on the left of the screen and placed so that their reading orientation is parallel to a vertical line (S
8
). Finally, “brother” of the selected letters is arranged lengthways in the remaining displayable area
62
as shown in FIG.
6
.
When “brother” is selected with the conditions that the pattern size is set to L (large) using the size key
64
and the array orientation is set to vertical orientation using the character array key
65
, “brother” is displayed in the L size and the vertical array in the remaining displayable area
62
. After that, the SET key is pressed (S
9
: Yes), the pattern “brother” is decided to be embroidered, and the procedure goes to S
10
of FIG.
16
. When the CANCEL key
67
is pressed, the selection of the pattern “brother” is canceled.
When the SET key
66
is pressed, the pattern edit screen
70
of the
FIG. 7
is displayed on the LCD
10
as shown in
FIG. 16
(S
10
). When the ADD PATTERN key
76
is not pressed (SI
1
: No) and one of the eight direction keys
71
is pressed (S
12
: Yes), the repositioning process (S
13
) is performed, the pattern “brother ” is moved in the direction the pressed key
71
a indicates within the pattern display area
51
. When the center key
73
is pressed (S
14
: Yes), centering (S
15
) is performed, and the pattern “brother” is placed in the center of the pattern display area
51
.
When the SPACING key
75
is pressed (S
16
: Yes), the RETURN key
75
A is displayed instead of the SPACING key
75
, and character proportional spacing keys
75
a
and
75
b,
and the RESET key
75
c
are displayed between the pattern display area
51
and the SPACING key
75
, with the same color, as shown in FIG.
8
.
At the character proportional spacing process (S
18
), the character proportional spacing key
75
a
is used to widen the spacing among letters “brother”, for example, from the spacing indicated in
FIG. 7
to the spacing indicated in FIG.
8
. The character proportional spacing key
75
b
is used to reduce the spacing. The RESET key
75
c
enables returning to the initial character spacing. When the RETURN key
75
A is pressed, the character proportional spacing process is terminated.
When the SPACING key
75
is not pressed (S
16
: No) and another key is pressed (S
19
: Yes), a process corresponding to the key pressed is performed (S
20
). After that, or when another key is not pressed (S
19
: No), the procedure returns to S
11
. When the ADD PATTERN key
76
is pressed, the editing of the pattern “brother” is completed, the procedure returns to S
2
, the pattern “brother” remains displayed in the pattern display area
51
, and the pattern type selection screen
50
is displayed on the LCD
10
as shown in FIG.
9
.
As shown in
FIG. 15
, when the picture pattern selection key
53
, representing a cat and flower, is pressed (S
3
: Yes), and the picture pattern type is selected (S
21
: yes), the procedure goes to S
24
of FIG.
17
. On the other hand, when the picture pattern type is not selected and another key, such as the ROM card key and the FD key, is pressed (S
21
: No, S
22
: Yes), a process corresponding to the key pressed is performed (S
23
) and the procedure returns to S
3
.
When the picture pattern type is selected, as shown in
FIG. 17
, the picture pattern selection screen
80
appears on the LCD
10
(S
24
). When the picture pattern type is selected, a plurality of picture patterns registered on the first page, indicated by page tab
81
a,
are displayed, as shown in FIG.
10
. When another page tab
81
b
corresponding to page 2 to page 5 is selected, picture patterns registered on the page of the tab selected can be displayed.
When the CANCEL key
83
is pressed (S
25
: Yes), the procedure returns to S
2
and the previous pattern type selection screen
50
of
FIG. 9
is displayed. When the CANCEL key
83
is not pressed (S
25
: No) and the pattern “Santa Claus”
87
is selected from a plurality of picture patterns (S
26
: Yes), the pattern edit screen
70
of
FIG. 11
appears on the LCD
10
(S
27
).
On the pattern edit screen
70
, the display of the picture pattern selection area
81
is cancelled, the pattern “Santa Claus”
88
is displayed in the center of the pattern display area
51
overlapping the character pattern “brother”. As with the pattern edit screen of
FIGS. 7 and 8
, the eight direction keys
71
and the center key
73
are displayed.
When the ADD PATTERN key
76
is not pressed (S
28
: No) and one of the eight direction keys
71
is pressed (S
29
: Yes), a repositioning process is performed (S
30
), where only the pattern “Santa Claus” is moved in the direction that the pressed key
71
a indicates within the pattern display area
51
. When the center key
73
is pressed (S
31
: Yes), centering is performed (S
32
), and only the pattern “Santa Claus” is positioned in the center of the pattern display area
51
. When the sewing information key
78
is pressed (S
33
: Yes), the editing of the picture pattern “Santa Claus” is completed and the sewing information screen
90
of
FIG. 12
appears on the LCD
10
(S
27
).
The picture pattern “Santa Claus”
88
is, for example, made up of the following six blocks: a first block
88
a
consisting of a part of the hat and the clothing, a second block
88
b
representing the presents, a third block
88
c
consisting of a part of the hat, the beard, and the belly-warmer tie, a fourth block
88
d
representing patterns in the clothing, a fifth block
88
e
representing the shoes and the outline, and a sixth block
88
f
representing the present bag. Each block
88
a
to
88
f
is provided with bit data, sewing data, and accompanying data.
On the sewing information screen
90
, the right side of the pattern display area
51
shows sewing information on each block of the embroidery pattern. The sewing information on each block (area sewn with one color) is a set of a thread spool icons representing the colors of the threads used therein, a color name of each thread, and a sewing time, which are found from the thread color code and sewing time data allotted in each block stored in the accompanying data. The sewing information is displayed in order of embroidery. In
FIG. 12
, for example, the first embroidery is the character pattern “brother” embroidered with lilac color thread for 1 minute, and the second one is the first block
88
a
of the picture pattern “Santa Claus”
88
embroidered with yellow thread for 5 minutes.
The sewing information screen
90
further shows various keys such as the REEDIT key
91
, the COLOR # key
92
, and the MEMORY key
93
below the pattern display area
51
. Further below, keys such as the Memory Recall key
57
are provided as with the previous screen.
When an area displaying a thread color or number to be changed is specified(S
391
) and the color change key
94
, which is on the upper right corner of the screen, is pressed (S
40
: Yes), a color palette
96
is displayed on the upper part of the LCD
10
(S
41
) as shown in FIG.
14
. The color palette
96
shows different colors (
54
colors, for example) each in a small rectangle. When a desired color rectangle
97
is pressed and specified (S
42
: Yes), the specified color (the rectangle
97
) is enlarged (S
43
).
Even if the rectangle
97
is enlarged, another color rectangle can be pressed and selected. The color rectangle is enlarged while it is selected. When the OK key
98
is pressed (S
44
: Yes), the thread color name and code currently set in the selected block are changed to those of the specified color (S
45
), and the procedure returns to S
34
.
When the color change key
94
is not pressed (S
40
:No), and another key is pressed (S
36
: Yes), a process corresponding to the key pressed is performed (S
37
). When another key is not pressed (S
36
: No), the procedure returns to S
28
.
For example, when an area representing a thread color or number is pressed on the sewing information screen
90
of
FIGS. 12 and 13
, a presser foot mark
95
is displayed therein, and a block composed of the pattern “brother” or “Santa Claus”
88
, in which the thread is used, becomes a target of thread color change. When the thread color is changed, the sewing information for the block is also changed.
When the start/stop switch
12
is turned on, first the character pattern “brother” is embroidered as the sewing mechanism of the needle bar driving mechanism and the embroidery frame driving device
30
are driven and controlled based on the sewing data set in each character. Then, the picture pattern “Santa Claus”
88
is embroidered as the sewing mechanism of the needle bar driving mechanism and the embroidery frame driving device
30
are driven and controlled based on the sewing data set in each of first to sixth patterns
88
a
to
88
f.
The sewing mechanism and the embroidery frame driving device
30
are suspended when the embroidery is completed per block (that is, when the pattern “brother” is embroidered and each block of the pattern “Santa Claus”
88
is embroidered). During the suspension, the thread spool is changed by the operator. After the thread is changed, the start/stop switch
12
is turned and the following block is embroidered with the thread changed. All blocks are embroidered in this manner.
When the MEMORY key
93
is pressed on the sewing information screen
90
of
FIGS. 12 and 13
, the pattern currently being displayed and edited can be stored in the flash memory
25
. When the Memory Recall key
57
is pressed and a specified operation is made with a touch of screen, the pattern stored in the flash memory
25
can be called up and used for embroidery.
According to the machine M, when a character pattern is selected, the pattern display area
51
and the character pattern selection area
61
are simultaneously displayed overlapping on the same screen (the character pattern selection screen
60
) of the LCD
10
, as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6
. The screen
60
is designed to display the whole of the character pattern selection area
61
and the remaining displayable area
62
that is a part of the pattern display area
51
and is not overlapped with the area
61
.
As shown in
FIG. 6
, when the selected character pattern is made up of a group of letters and the array orientation is set to the vertical orientation (each letter being placed so that their reading orientation is parallel to a vertical line), all letters can be displayed in the remaining displayable area
62
which is on the left. This enables the operator to see and grasp the size and the orientation of the pattern and the array orientation of the pattern on the whole in the pattern display area
51
. Therefore, the selected character pattern can be easily changed during the selection of the character pattern, which can make full use of the capabilities of presetting of the size and the array orientation of the pattern made of the group of letters.
Because the whole of the character pattern can be displayed in the remaining displayable area
62
, not only the layout, such as the size and the orientation of the character pattern and the array orientation of the character pattern, but also the contents of the pattern (what letters have been selected) can be grasped during the selection of an embroidery pattern. When the character pattern is placed horizontally so that the letters assume their normal orientation relative to each other, the whole of the character pattern can be displayed in the remaining displayable area
62
which is on the top of the screen.
After the character pattern selection is completed, the pattern selection screen
60
of
FIG. 6
is switched to the pattern edit screen
70
of FIG.
7
. At this time, the display of the character pattern selection area
61
is cancelled and the selected character pattern is displayed in the center of the pattern display area
51
. Therefore, the pattern can be placed in the center of the pattern display area
51
, which is the initial position for editing the pattern.
As the LCD
10
is designed in the portrait orientation, the pattern display area
51
and the character pattern selection area
61
(or the picture pattern display area
81
) can be displayed in the upper part of the LCD
10
, and various information can be displayed in the remaining part, that is, below the pattern display area
51
and the character pattern selection area
61
(or the picture pattern display area
81
).
In the embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6
, the display data for one or more sets of character patterns, which are arranged in the matrix of lines and columns on the LCD
10
, are created from the sewing data for each character pattern. The display data for one or more sets of the picture patterns, which are arranged in the matrix of lines and columns on the LCD
10
as shown in
FIG. 10
, are pre-stored in the ROMs
23
and
41
.
The display data for the character patterns can be pre-stored in the ROMs
23
and
41
. The display data for the picture patterns can be created from the sewing data for each picture pattern, without being pre-stored.
As shown in
FIG. 19
, a liquid crystal display
10
A which is longer in the portrait orientation than the LCD
10
, can be provided so as to display the pattern display area
51
and the character pattern selection area
61
simultaneously without overlapping each other on the same screen (the character pattern selection screen
60
A) of the LCD
10
A. When a picture pattern is selected, the picture pattern selection area
81
can be displayed in the same position as the character pattern selection area
61
.
Through the longer display
10
A, the operator can see and grasp the layout of the pattern such as the size and the array orientation of the pattern without any interference with the embroidery pattern selection. The display
10
A can display the size key (L/M/S)
64
, the array key
65
, the SET key
66
, the CANCEL key
67
, the Memory Recall key
57
, and other function keys below the character pattern selection area
61
(or the picture pattern selection area
81
).
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope and of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A display apparatus for a sewing machine, comprising:a display; a pattern selection area controller that displays a pattern selection area on the display, the pattern selection area controller displaying at least one pattern on the pattern selection area; a selection device that selects a pattern displayed on the pattern selection area; a pattern display area controller that displays a pattern display area on the display, the pattern display area controller displaying the selected pattern in a correct user selected orientation on the pattern display area; and a display controller that controls the display to display at least a part of the pattern display area while the pattern selection area is displayed.
- 2. The display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an edit device that edits the selected pattern displayed on the pattern display area.
- 3. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the realistic manner is related to at least one of pattern size, pattern orientation, and arrangement orientation.
- 4. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display comprises a touch key panel including at least one touch key, and the selection device comprises the at least one touch key.
- 5. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display controller controls the display to display the pattern selection area and the pattern display area without overlapping each other.
- 6. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display controller controls the display to display the pattern selection area overlapping a part of the pattern display area, and the pattern display area controller displays at least a portion of the selected pattern on an un-overlapped part of the pattern display area, where the pattern selection area is not overlapped.
- 7. The display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when a character pattern is selected by the selection device, the whole character pattern can be displayed on the un-overlapped part of the pattern display area.
- 8. A display apparatus for a sewing machine, comprising:a display; a pattern selection area controller that displays a pattern selection area on the display, the pattern selection area controller displaying at least one pattern on the pattern selection area; a selection device that selects a pattern displayed on the pattern selection area; a pattern display area controller that displays a pattern display area on the display, the pattern display area controller displaying the selected pattern in a realistic manner on the pattern display area; and a display controller that controls the display to display at least a part of the pattern display area while the pattern selection area is displayed, wherein when selection of the pattern is completed, the display controller controls the display to cancel displaying the pattern selection area.
- 9. The display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pattern display area controller displays the selected pattern in a substantially center portion of the pattern display area.
- 10. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display controller controls the display to display information on a remaining part of the display except for the pattern selection area and the pattern display area.
- 11. A method for controlling a display apparatus of a sewing machine, comprising:displaying a pattern selection area on a display, the pattern selection area displaying at least one pattern on the pattern selection area; selecting a pattern displayed on the pattern selection area; displaying a pattern display area on the display, the pattern display area displaying the selected pattern in a correct user selected orientation on the pattern display area; and displaying at least a part of the pattern display area while the pattern selection area is displayed.
- 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising editing the selected pattern on the pattern display area.
- 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the realistic manner is related to at least one of pattern size, pattern orientation, and arrangement orientation.
- 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the display comprises a touch key panel including at least one touch key, and selecting the pattern includes selecting a touch key.
- 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the pattern selection area and the pattern display area are displayed without overlapping each other.
- 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the pattern selection area is displayed overlapping a part of the pattern display area, and at least a portion of the selected pattern is displayed on an un-overlapped part of the pattern display area, where the pattern selection area is not overlapped.
- 17. The method of claim 16, wherein when a character pattern is selected, the whole character pattern can be displayed on the un-overlapped part of the pattern display area.
- 18. A method for controlling a display apparatus of a sewing machine, comprising:displaying a pattern selection area on a display, the pattern selection area displaying at least one pattern on the pattern selection area; selecting a pattern displayed on the pattern selection area; displaying a pattern display area on the display, the pattern display area displaying the selected pattern in a realistic manner on the pattern display area; displaying at least a part of the pattern display area while the pattern selection area is displayed; and cancelling displaying the pattern selection area when selection of the pattern is completed.
- 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the selected pattern is displayed in a substantially center portion of the pattern display area.
- 20. The method of claim 11, further comprising displaying information on a remaining part of the display except for the pattern selection area and the pattern display area.
- 21. A memory medium containing routines for controlling a display apparatus of a sewing machine, comprising:a routine for displaying a pattern selection area on a display, the pattern selection area displaying at least one pattern on the pattern selection area; a routine for selecting a pattern displayed on the pattern selection area; a routine for displaying a pattern display area on the display, the pattern display area displaying the selected pattern in a correct user selected orientation on the pattern display area; and a routine for displaying at least a part of the pattern display area while the pattern selection area is displayed.
- 22. The memory medium of claim 21, further comprising a routine for editing the selected pattern on the pattern display area.
- 23. The memory medium of claim 21, wherein the realistic manner is related to at least one of pattern size, pattern orientation, and arrangement orientation.
- 24. The memory medium of claim 21, wherein the display comprises a touch key panel including at least one touch key, and the routine for selecting the pattern includes selecting a touch key.
- 25. The memory medium of claim 21, wherein the pattern selection area and the pattern display area are displayed without overlapping each other.
- 26. The memory medium of claim 21, wherein the pattern selection area is displayed overlapping a part of the pattern display area, and at least a portion of the selected pattern is displayed on an un-overlapped part of the pattern display area, where the pattern selection area is not overlapped.
- 27. The memory medium of claim 26, wherein when a character pattern is selected, the whole character pattern can be displayed on the un-overlapped part of the pattern display area.
- 28. A memory medium containing routines for controlling a display apparatus of a sewing machine, comprising:a routine for displaying a pattern selection area on a display, the pattern selection area displaying at least one pattern on the pattern selection area; a routine for selecting a pattern displayed on the pattern selection area; a routine for displaying a pattern display area on the display, the pattern display area displaying the selected pattern in a realistic manner on the pattern display area; a routine for displaying at least a part of the pattern display area while the pattern selection area is displayed; and a routine for cancelling displaying the pattern selection area when selection of the pattern is completed.
- 29. The memory medium of claim 28, wherein the selected pattern is displayed in a substantially center portion of the pattern display area.
- 30. The memory medium of claim 21, further comprising a routine for displaying information on a remaining part of the display except for the pattern selection area and the pattern display area.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
11-175687 |
Jun 1999 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (6)