Embroidery machine technical-support system and method and storage medium to implement the method

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6640153
  • Patent Number
    6,640,153
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, September 17, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, October 28, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
An embroidery machine technical support system includes at least one technical support server and a plurality of embroidery machines communicating with the technical support server through a public network. Each embroidery machine has an emulator in order for the embroidery machine to establish connection to the technical support server through the public network, receive a technical support page from the technical support server, send a technical information request signal to the technical support server using the technical support page, and receive corresponding technical information from the technical supporter server. The technical support server sends the technical support page when the embroidery machine establishes connection with the technical support server and sends technical information in response to the technical information request signal from the embroidery machine.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to an embroidery machine, and in particular, to an embroidery machine technical support system and a method allowing at least an embroidery machine to communicate with a technical support server located at a remote service center which provides the embroidery machine with various information and a storage medium having stored therein computer executable instructions to implement the method.




DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART




Generally, an embroidery machine comprises an embroidery operation program for automatically embroidering an embroidery design. The embroidery machine includes a storage, an input unit, a controller, an embroidery machine, and a fault detector. The storage stores an embroidery design data. The input unit inputs an embroidery design selection signal, and an embroidery operation start/stop signal from the user. The controller controls the embroidery machine in response to a user's request. The embroidery machine embroiders the selected embroidery design. The fault detector detects the fault of the embroidery machine if the embroidery operation is stopped by the fault of the embroidery machine.




Where the user inputs the selected embroidery design and the embroidery operation start signal, the controller controls the embroidery operation program stored in the storage to embroider the selected embroidery design. If the embroidery operation is stopped by the fault of the embroidery machine, the controller controls the display unit for displaying a fault message of the embroidery machine. The user should repair the embroidery machine after checking the fault message. However, when the user cannot repair the embroidery machine, the user makes a phone call to a system administrator of service center in order to request a repair service.




In case a request for on-site repair by the user, the system administrator shall correctly understand the fault of the embroidery machine so as to bring a correct embroidery part for repair. However the user may not know which embroidery-part is broken. Even though the user notices the correct fault embroidery-part, the user may not know the embroidery-part name. If so, the user may not explain the embroidery technical support information to the system administrator in detail and the system administrator may misunderstand the fault of the embroidery machine.




In this situation, if the system administrator may bring a wrong embroidery part for on-site repair, the system administrator returns to the service center to bring a correct embroidery part. Furthermore, some cases where the user recognizes a fault of the embroidery machine, an unnecessary on-site repair may occur. As above, there is a problem that the system administrator incorrectly diagnoses the fault of the embroidery machine in case that the user incorrectly explains the technical support information to the system administrator. Accordingly, there is strongly needed an embroidery machine technical support system for efficiently diagnosing the fault of the embroidery machine.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problem.




It is an object of the present invention to provide an embroidery machine technical support system and method allowing an embroidery machine to communicate with a technical support server of a remotely located service center in accordance with an user's manipulation so as to receive various information related to the embroidery machine.




In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an embroidery machine technical support system for diagnosing a fault of an embroidery machine, comprising: a communication network; an embroidery system coupled to the communication network for indicating that an embroidery operation is stopped by the fault of the embroidery machine, displaying a emulator drive guide message, displaying a technical support web page received from the communication network in response to an emulator drive signal inputted by an user, and transmitting technical support information, inputted into the technical support web page by the user, to the communication network; and a technical support server coupled to the communication network for providing the technical support web page to the communication network, diagnosing the fault of the embroidery machine by employing the technical support information inputted into the technical support web page in order to generate technical support information, and transmitting the technical support information to the embroidery system through the communication network.




In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for diagnosing the fault of the embroidery machine, comprising the steps of: (a) detecting that an embroidery operation is stopped by the fault of the embroidery machine and displaying a emulator drive guide message; (b) displaying a technical support page in response to a emulator drive signal inputted by an user; (c) transmitting technical support information, inputted into the technical support web page by the user, from an embroidery system to a technical support server; and (d) transmitting the technical support web page from a technical support server to the embroidery system, diagnosing the fault of the embroidery machine by employing the technical support information inputted into the technical support web page in order to generate technical support information, and transmitting the technical support information to the embroidery system. In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable medium storing program instructions, the program instructions disposed on a computer to perform a method for diagnosing the fault of the embroidery machine, comprising the steps of: (a) indicating that an embroidery operation is stopped by the fault of the embroidery machine and displaying a emulator drive guide message; (b) displaying a technical support web page in response to an emulator drive signal inputted by an user; (c) transmitting technical support information, inputted into the technical support web page by the user, from an embroidery system to a technical support server; and (d) transmitting the technical support web page from a technical support server to the embroidery system, diagnosing the fault of the embroidery machine by employing the technical support information inputted into the technical support web page in order to generate technical support information, and transmitting the technical support information to the embroidery system.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The above and other objects and features of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:





FIG. 1

is an exemplary block diagram illustrating an embroidery machine technical support system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is an exemplary block diagram illustrating an embroidery machine of the embroidery system shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a technical support server of the embroidery machine technical support system shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is a flow chart illustrating an embroidery machine technical support method according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 5

is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the technical support server of

FIG. 3

;





FIG. 6

is an exemplary view illustrating a technical support page provided by the technical support server shown in

FIG. 1

when a fault location search page is activated by selecting a search tap on the interface;





FIG. 7

is an exemplary view illustrating the technical support page of

FIG. 6

when a symptom-providing page is activated by selecting a symptom tap on the technical support page;





FIG. 8

is an exemplary view illustrating the technical support page of

FIG. 6

when a fault diagnosis page is activated by selecting a diagnosis tap on the technical support page;





FIG. 9

is an exemplary view illustrating the web page together with linked program windows when linked program buttons of the web page are clicked;





FIG. 10

is an exemplary view illustrating the web page of

FIG. 6

when a part information page is activated by selecting a part information tap on the technical support page;





FIG. 11

is an exemplary view for illustrating how the part information is provided on the part information page of

FIG. 10

;





FIG. 12

is an exemplary view for illustrating how technical information is provided on the part information page of

FIG. 10

;





FIG. 13

is an exemplary view for illustrating how detail information of each part is provided on the part information page of

FIG. 10

; and





FIG. 14

is a schematic view showing how a user obtains technical information on the embroidery machine from the technical support server through a public network using a personal communication terminal.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




Referring to

FIG. 1

, the embroidery machine technical support system comprises a plurality of embroidery machines


200


communicating with an technical support server


300


through a communication network


100


. The embroidery machine


200


requests technical information to the technical support server


300


through the communication network


100


so as to receive corresponding technical information from the technical support server


300


in response to the request.




The embroidery machine


200


establishes connection to the technical support server


300


in response to a user's manipulation so as to receive the technical support page from the technical support server


300


, such that the user requests technical support by filling out a request form in the technical support page. The technical support request signal is sent to the technical support server


300


such that the technical support server


300


responsively sends the requested information to the embroidery machine


200


.




The technical support request signal can be embroidery machine information or trouble diagnosis information request signal.




Referring to

FIG. 2

, the embroidery machine


200


includes a storage


210


, a fault detector


220


, a controller


230


, an input unit


240


, a display unit


250


, a communication interface


260


, and an embroidery machine


200


.




The storage


210


has an emulator


211


which is activated in response to user's request in order for the embroidery machine to communicate with the technical support server


300


, and stores the technical support information from the technical support server


300


through the emulator


211


. The fault detector


220


detects a fault of the embroidery machine


200


if the embroidery operation is stopped by the fault of the embroidery machine


200


. Then, the fault detector


220


produces and transmits a fault detection signal to the controller


230


.




The controller


230


outputs the emulator drive guide message in response to the user's input signal inputted from the input unit


240


or the fault detection signal generated by the fault detector


220


so as to operate the emulator


211


for connecting the embroidery machine


200


to the technical support server


300


.




The display unit


250


displays the fault detection signal, the emulator drive guide message, and the technical support web page from the technical support server


300


.




The communication interface


260


receives the technical support information from the technical support server


300


, and transmits the technical support request and the technical support information inputted through the input unit


240


and the fault detector


220


to the technical support server


300


.




Referring to

FIG. 3

, the technical support server


300


includes a fault-symptom information database


310


, an embroidery-parts information database


320


, an information-providing module


330


, a communication supporting module


340


, and an electronic bulletin board module


350


.




The fault-symptom information database


310


classifies and stores the fault symptom information inputted into the technical support page by the user. The embroidery-parts information database


320


classifies and stores an embroidery-parts information of embroidery parts configuring the embroidery machine


200


. The information-providing module


330


provides the technical support page to the embroidery machine


200


and provides the fault symptom information to the fault-symptom information database


310


. The communication-supporting module


340


supports a communication between the user at the embroidery machine


200


and a system administrator at technical support server


300


. The communication-supporting module


340


also supports a chatting and a moving picture for the sake of the communication between the user at the embroidery machine


200


and the system administrator at the technical support server


300


so that the fault of the embroidery machine


200


is diagnosed using a chatting and a moving picture. The electronic bulletin board module


350


registers an embroidery-part purchase request message and the embroidery fault diagnosis request message inputted by the user, and also registers a response message, with respect to the embroidery-part purchase request message and the embroidery fault diagnosis request message, to provide the user with the response message.




Referring to

FIGS. 6

to


8


, the technical support web page


600


includes a fault location search page


610


, a fault symptom-providing page


620


, a fault diagnosis page


630


, and a part information page


645


.




In

FIG. 6

, the fault location search page


610


provides a fault part list


660


to indicate the fault location. The fault location search page


610


includes a model name list box


640


, a fault subject box


650


, a fault part list box


660


, and a search button


670


. The fault subject box


650


displays a list of fault subject names. The fault part list box


660


displays fault embroidery-part names when the user selects one fault subject name in the list of the fault subject names. If the search button


670


is clicked, the fault symptom-providing page


620


provides a fault symptom list. The fault symptom-providing page


620


is linked to the fault diagnosis page


630


providing a fault diagnosis message.




Referring to

FIG. 8

, the fault diagnosis page


630


includes a moving picture menu item


633


, a chatting menu item


634


, and an e-mail menu item


635


. The moving picture menu item


633


is clicked by the user so that a moving picture of a fault processing, accomplished by the system administrator at the technical support server


300


, is provided. The chatting menu item


634


is clicked by the user so that the communication between the user and the system administrator is accomplished in a real-time chatting. The e-mail menu item


635


is clicked by the user so that the user can communicate with the system administrator in an e-mail.




The web page


600


further includes part information page


645


, which displays specification of a selected part when a model and a part of the embroidery machine


200


of that model is selected.




As shown in

FIG. 10

to

FIG. 13

, the part information page


645


is provided with a view frame


642


for showing an exploded perspective view of a module of the embroidery machine consisted of a plurality of parts, a drawing control bar


641


for adjusting the drawing presently displayed in the drawing display frame, a title section


643


for displaying title of the module presently displayed in the drawing display frame, a part list frame


644


for listing the names of the parts displayed in the view frame


642


.




For example, when the user selects ‘main relief valve and safety valve,’ its parts such as housing, plug taper, and valves are listed in the part list frame


644


and displayed in the view frame


642


.




Each part name listed in the part list frame


644


is hyperlinked with a corresponding specification web page informing details of the part such that the user can open the specification web page by clicking the corresponding part name.




Also, the part information page


645


is provided with a manual display such that the user can obtain how to solve a problem when a part is damaged.




The operation of the above structured embroidery machine technical support system will be described hereinafter.




Once the embroidery machine


200


is on, the controller


230


initializes the embroidery machine


200


.




When receiving the user input signal from the input unit


240


or the fault detection signal generated by the fault detector


220


, the controller


230


activates the emulator


211


so as to establish connection with the technical support server


300


. If the connection is established, the technical support server


300


sends the technical support page to the embroidery machine


200


such that the user fills out the request form and sends the request to the technical support server


300


. Consequently, the technical support server


300


responsively sends corresponding requested information to the embroidery machine


200


.




If the user selects a model of the embroidery machine in the model name box


640


and enters a name of a module of the embroidery machine in the title section


643


, the parts consisting of the selected module of the specific machine are listed in the part list frame


644


and displays the module as an exploded perspective view in the view frame


642


(see FIG.


10


).




If a part is selected in the part list frame


642


, the specification of the selected part is provided by the technical support server


300


.




Also, the technical support server


300


is provided with the manual through the part information service page such that when the embroidery machine


200


is malfunctioning, the user can troubleshoot the problem.




Referring to

FIGS. 2

to


8


, there is shown a fault diagnosis method for diagnosing a fault of the embroidery machine.




First, if the user presses a turn-on key to start the embroidery operation with the input unit


240


, the controller


230


initializes the embroidery machine


200


. At step S


400


, the controller


230


determines whether there is a fault detection signal received from the fault detector


220


. If there is not the fault detection signal received from the fault detector


220


, at step S


470


, the embroidery machine


200


performs an embroidery operation mode.




Otherwise, if there is a fault detection signal received from the fault detector


220


, at step S


410


, the display unit


250


displays the emulator drive guide message through the controller


230


.




At step S


420


, the controller


230


determines whether there is the emulator drive signal received from the input unit


240


. If there is not the emulator drive signal received from the input unit


240


, the embroidery machine


200


is switched to a standby mode.




Otherwise, if there is the emulator drive signal received from the input unit


240


, at step S


430


, the embroidery machine


200


is connected to the technical support server


300


through the communication network


100


.




At step S


440


, the display unit


250


displays the technical support web page


600


from the technical support server


300


through the communication interface


260


.




The user inputs the technical support information of the embroidery machine


200


into the technical support web page


600


. At step S


450


, the communication interface


260


transmits the technical support information inputted into the technical support web page


600


from the embroidery machine


200


to the technical support server


300


. At step S


460


, the technical support server


300


diagnoses the fault of the embroidery machine by employing the technical support information inputted into the fault diagnosis-detected web page


600


. Then, the technical support server


300


generates and transmits the technical support information to the embroidery machine


200


. Further, the embroidery machine


200


stores the technical support information in the storage


210


.




The steps S


450


and S


460


are explained in detail in

FIGS. 6

to


8


. First, referring to

FIG. 6

, the controller


230


controls the display unit


250


for displaying the technical support web page


600


from the technical support server


300


through the communication interface


260


.




At the fault location search page


610


, the user selects the model name in the model name list box


640


. Then, the fault subject list box


650


displays the fault subject list automatically in response to the inputted the model name. In case that the user selects the fault subject at the fault subject list box


650


, the fault part list box


660


displays the fault part list in response to the selected fault subject automatically. After selecting the fault embroidery-part in the fault parts list box


660


, the user clicks the search button


670


. Then, the fault symptom-providing page


620


is displayed. The fault location search page


610


also includes a table


680


. The table


680


is composed of 4 boxes, which are Ref.No.box, Parts No.box, Note box, and Name of parts box. The table


680


is filled out automatically in response to the selected technical support information at the fault location search page


610


.




Referring to

FIG. 7

, the fault symptom providing page


620


includes a keyword input box


621


, a table


622


, a fault symptom list box


623


, and a check button


624


. The fault symptom list box


623


displays a fault symptom list in response to the inputted information into the fault location page


610


. In case that the user inputs a keyword into the keyword inputting box


621


, the fault symptom list box


623


displays the fault symptom list in response to the inputted keyword. The table


622


is the same as the table


680


of the fault location page


610


. After the fault symptom list box


623


displays the fault symptoms, the user selects the fault symptom of the embroidery machine


200


, and the check button


624


. Then the fault diagnosis page


630


is displayed.




Referring to

FIG. 8

, the fault diagnosis page


630


includes a table


631


, and a fault diagnosis box


632


, an image menu item


633


, a chatting menu item


634


, and


12


. an e-mail menu item


635


.




The table


631


includes 5 boxes. Ref.No.Box, Parts No.box, Note box, and Name of parts box display (the same as the table


680


and the table


622


). A fault symptom box displays the selected fault symptom of the embroidery machine


200


in the fault symptom-providing page


620


. The fault diagnosis box


632


displays a fault diagnosis list in response to the inputted information of the fault symptom page


620


. Finally, the technical support information is transmitted from the technical support server


300


to the embroidery machine


200


. The technical support information is transmitted in the form of a moving picture file, image file and/or a document. Also the user communicates with the system administrator at the technical support server


300


. The moving picture menu item


633


provides the moving picture of a fault processing accomplished by the system administrator at the technical support server


300


. The user also produces the technical support information in the form of the moving picture file with a video tape recorder or a digital still camera, and transmits the technical support information in the form of the moving picture file to the technical support server


300


. The chatting menu item


634


provides a real-time chatting so that the communication between the user and the system administrator is accomplished. The e-mail menu item


635


provides an e-mail so that the user can communicate with the system administrator. Thus, the system administrator transmits the technical support information from the technical support server


300


to the embroidery machine


200


.




In the meantime, the technical support server


300


provides the technical support information to the embroidery machine


200


. Namely, referring to

FIGS. 6

to


8


, the technical support server


300


must program the technical support web page for providing the technical support information, which includes the fault location search page


610


, the fault symptom providing page


620


, and the fault diagnosis page


630


. Furthermore, the service computer system


300


shall include the fault symptom database


310


, the embroidery-parts information database


320


, the information providing module


330


, the communication supporting module


340


, and the electronic bulletin board module


350


.




Referring to

FIG. 5

, there is shown the fault diagnosis method for diagnosing the fault of the embroidery machine at technical support server


300


. At step S


500


, the information-providing module


330


transmits the technical support web page from the technical support server


300


to the embroidery machine


200


in response to the emulator drive signal inputted by the user. The user, at step S


510


, inputs the technical support information into the technical support web page, then the information providing module


330


provides the fault symptom information to the database. At step S


520


, the information providing module


330


operates with the communication supporting module


340


and the electronic bulletin board module


350


in sequence operation, and the electronic bulletin board module


350


stores the technical support information in the fault symptom information database


320


, which is inputted from the embroidery machine.




In case that the embroidery machine operation software is updated, the technical support server


330


informs the embroidery machine


200


of the software update such that the embroidery machine


200


automatically or manually downloads the embroidery machine operation software of the new version and updates the old one.




As shown in

FIG. 14

, the emulator can be installed in a personal computer (PC)


21


, personal digital assistant (PDA)


22


, notebook PC


23


, and mobile phone such that the user can usually obtained the same technical information from the technical support server


300


through data communication network.




As described above, since the embroidery machine is provided with the emulator in order for the embroidery machine to communicate with the technical support server, the user can obtain technical information on the embroidery machine from the remote technical support server in real time.




Also, the user of an embroidery machine can communicate with the system administrator using various tools such as drawings and motion pictures of the concerned parts of the embroidery machine, online chatting, and etc. such that the user can troubleshoot the present problem of the embroidery machine without a time consuming visit of the serviceman, resulting in reduction of the repairing time and enhancing the operation efficiency of the embroidery machine.




Furthermore, even though it is needed that the serviceman should visit for repairing the embroidery machine, the serviceman can reliably prepare the parts and devices needed to solve the problem of the embroidery machine.




Still more, the user can usually obtain various information on the embroidery machine and learn the specification and troubleshooting methods, and the user can get the ability for solving the trivial problems or malfunctioning of the embroidery machine, resulting in enhancement of work efficiency.




Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.



Claims
  • 1. An embroidery machine technical support system comprising:at least one technical support server; and a plurality of embroidery machines communicating with the technical support server through a public network, wherein each embroidery machine has an emulator in order for the embroidery machine to establish connection to the technical support server through the public network, receive a technical support page from the technical support server, send a technical information request signal to the technical support server using the technical support page, receive corresponding technical information from the technical supporter server, and the technical support server sends the technical support page when the embroidery machine establishes connection with the technical support server and sends technical information in response to the technical information request signal from the embroidery machine.
  • 2. A embroidery machine technical support system of claim 1 wherein the embroidery machine comprises: a storage containing embroidery operation programs and an emulator for connecting the embroidery machine to the technical support server;an input unit for inputting user's instruction so as to operate the embroidery operation programs and the emulator; a controller for the embroidery machine; a display unit for displaying operation status of the embroidery machine and the technical support page from the technical support server; a communication interface for supporting data communication between the embroidery machine and the technical support server.
  • 3. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 2 wherein the embroidery machine further comprises an error detector for detecting an error of the embroidery machine when the embroidery machine is malfunctioning and sending an error signal to the controller such that the controller displays an error message on the display unit and operates the emulator on the basis of user's instruction.
  • 4. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 3 wherein the emulator displays a message whether or not to establish connection to the technical support server, establish connection to the technical support server if the user instructs connection establishment, and display a technical support page received from the technical support server.
  • 5. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 4 wherein the controller sends a technical support request inputted through the technical support page to the technical support server and stores the information received from the support server.
  • 6. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 5 wherein the technical support information includes one of a moving picture file, an image file, and a document.
  • 7. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 6 wherein the technical support information is produced by a video tape recorder or a digital still camera.
  • 8. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 7 wherein the technical support information is stored in the storage means and reproduced on the display unit.
  • 9. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 6 wherein the technical support information is produced using a scanner.
  • 10. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 1 wherein the technical support server comprises:a fault-symptom information database for classifying and storing fault symptom information inputted into the technical support page by the user; and information providing means for providing the technical support page to the embroidery machine and providing the fault symptom information to the database.
  • 11. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 10 wherein the technical support server further comprises an embroidery-parts information database for classifying and storing embroidery-parts information of the embroidery parts configuring the embroidery machine.
  • 12. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 10 wherein the technical support server further comprises a communication supporting means for supporting a communication between the user at the embroidery machine and a system administrator at the technical support server.
  • 13. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 12 wherein the communication supporting means supports a chatting and a moving picture for the sake of the communication between the user at the embroidery machine and the system administrator at the technical support server so that the fault of the embroidery machine is diagnosed through a chatting and a moving picture.
  • 14. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 10 wherein the technical support server further comprises an electronic bulletin board for registering an embroidery-part purchase request message and an embroidery fault diagnosis request message inputted by the user, and registering a response message, with respect to the embroidery-part purchase request message and the embroidery fault diagnosis request message, to provide the user with the response message.
  • 15. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 1 wherein the technical support page includes a part information service page for displaying specification of a selected part when a model and part name of the embroidery machine is selected.
  • 16. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 15 wherein the part information service page comprises:a view frame for showing an exploded perspective view of a module of the embroidery machine consists of a plurality of parts; a title section for displaying title of the module presently displayed in the view frame; and a part list frame for listing the names of the parts displayed in the view frame.
  • 17. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 16 wherein each part name listed in the part list frame is hyperlinked with a corresponding specification web page informing details of the part.
  • 18. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 16 wherein the part information service page is provided with a manual display for displaying a manual of the embroidery machine and it parts.
  • 19. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 1 wherein the technical support page includes:a fault location search page for providing a fault part list to indicate the fault location after selecting an embroidery machine model name and a fault subject name; a fault symptom providing page for providing a fault symptom list when the user selects one fault embroidery-part in the fault part list and a search button on the fault location search page; and a fault diagnosis page for providing a fault diagnosis message when the user selects one fault symptom in the fault symptom list and a check button on the fault symptom-providing page.
  • 20. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 19 wherein the technical support page includes a moving picture menu item for providing a moving picture of a fault processing accomplished by a system administrator at the technical support server.
  • 21. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 19 wherein the technical support page includes a chatting menu item for providing a real-time chatting so that the communication between the user and the system administrator is accomplished.
  • 22. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 19 wherein the technical support page includes an e-mail menu item for providing an e-mail so that the user can communicate with the system administrator.
  • 23. An embroidery machine technical support method comprising the steps of:establishing connection between an embroidery machine and a technical support server; transmitting, with the technical support server, a technical support page to the embroidery machine; transmitting, with the embroidery machine, a technical support request to the technical support server through the technical support page; and transmitting, with the embroidery machine, corresponding technical information in response to the technical support request from the embroidery machine.
  • 24. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 23 further comprises a step of displaying a message on a display unit asking whether or not to establish connection with the technical support server.
  • 25. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 24 further comprises a step of storing the technical support information from the technical support server in a storage medium.
  • 26. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 24 wherein the technical support information includes one of a moving picture file, an image file and a document.
  • 27. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 26 wherein the technical information is provided to the user by displaying the technical information on a display unit.
  • 28. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 26 wherein technical support information is produced by a video tape recorder or a digital still camera.
  • 29. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 26 wherein technical support information is provided by a scanner.
  • 30. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 23 further comprises a step of supporting a communication between the user at the embroidery machine and a system administrator at the technical support server.
  • 31. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 30 wherein the communication supporting step includes supporting a chatting and a moving picture for the sake of the communication between the user at the embroidery machine and the system administrator at the technical support server so that the fault of the embroidery machine is diagnosed through a chatting and a moving picture.
  • 32. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 23 further comprises a step of registering an embroidery-part purchase request message and an embroidery fault diagnosis request message inputted by the user, and registering a response message, with respect to the embroidery-part purchase request message and the embroidery fault diagnosis request message, to provide the user with the response message.
  • 33. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 23 wherein the technical support page includes a part information service page for displaying specification of a selected part when a model and part name of the embroidery machine is selected.
  • 34. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 33 wherein a view frame for showing an exploded perspective view of a module of the embroidery machine consists of a plurality of parts;a title section for displaying title of the module presently displayed in the view frame; and a part list frame for listing the names of the parts displayed in the view frame.
  • 35. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 34 wherein each part name listed in the part list frame is hyperlinked with a corresponding specification web page informing details of the part.
  • 36. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 35 wherein the part information service page is provided with a manual display for displaying a manual of the embroidery machine and its parts.
  • 37. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 23 wherein technical support page includes:a fault location search page for providing a fault part list to indicate the fault location after selecting an embroidery machine model name and a fault subject name; a fault symptom providing page for providing a fault symptom list when the user selects one fault embroidery-part in the fault part list and a search button on the fault location search page; and a fault diagnosis page for providing a fault diagnosis message when the user selects one fault symptom in the fault symptom list and a check button on the fault symptom-providing page.
  • 38. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 37 wherein technical support page includes a moving picture menu item for providing a moving picture of a fault processing accomplished by a system administrator at the technical support server.
  • 39. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 38 wherein the technical support page includes a chatting menu item for providing a real-time chatting so that the communication between the user and the system administrator is accomplished.
  • 40. An embroidery machine technical support method of claim 39 wherein the technical support page includes an e-mail menu item for providing an e-mail so that the user can communicate with the system administrator.
  • 41. A computer readable storage medium stored an embroidery machine technical support program, the program comprises the processes of:establishing connection between an embroidery machine and a technical support server; transmitting, with the technical support server, a technical support page to the embroidery machine; transmitting, with the embroidery machine, a technical support request to the technical support server through the technical support page; and transmitting, with the embroidery machine, corresponding technical information in response to the technical support request from the embroidery machine.
  • 42. A computer readable storage medium of claim 41 wherein the embroidery machine technical support program further comprises a process of displaying a message on a display unit asking whether or not to establish connection with the technical support server.
  • 43. A computer readable storage medium of claim 42 wherein the embroidery machine technical support program further comprises a process of storing the technical support information from the technical support server in a storage medium.
  • 44. A computer readable storage medium of claim 42 wherein the technical support information includes one of a moving picture file, an image file and a document.
  • 45. A computer readable storage medium of claim 44 wherein the technical information is provided to the user by displaying the technical information on a display unit.
  • 46. A computer readable storage medium of claim 44 wherein the technical support information is produced by a video tape recorder or a digital still camera.
  • 47. A computer readable storage medium of claim 44 wherein technical support information is provided by a scanner.
  • 48. A computer readable storage medium of claim 41 further comprises a process of supporting a communication between the user at the embroidery machine and a system administrator at the technical support server.
  • 49. A computer readable storage medium of claim 48 wherein the communication supporting process includes supporting a chatting and a moving picture for the sake of the communication between the user at the embroidery machine and the system administrator at the technical support server so that the fault of the embroidery machine is diagnosed through a chatting and a moving picture.
  • 50. A computer readable storage medium of claim 41 wherein the method further comprises a process of registering an embroidery-part purchase request message and an embroidery fault diagnosis request message inputted by the user, and registering a response message, with respect to the embroidery-part purchase request message and the embroidery fault diagnosis request message, to provide the user with the response message.
  • 51. A computer readable storage medium of claim 41 wherein the technical support page includes a part information service page for displaying specification of a selected part when a model and part name of the embroidery machine is selected.
  • 52. A computer readable storage medium of claim 51 wherein a view frame for showing an exploded perspective view of a module of the embroidery machine consists of a plurality of parts;a title section for displaying title of the module presently displayed in the view frame; and a part list frame for listing the names of the parts displayed in the view frame.
  • 53. A computer readable storage medium of claim 52 wherein each part name listed in the part list frame is hyperlinked with a corresponding specification web page informing details of the part.
  • 54. A computer readable storage medium of claim 53 wherein the part information service page is provided with a manual display for displaying a manual of the embroidery machine and it parts.
  • 55. A computer readable storage medium of claim 41 wherein the technical support page includes:a fault location search page for providing a fault part list to indicate the fault location after selecting an embroidery machine model name and a fault subject name; a fault symptom providing page for providing a fault symptom list when the user selects one fault embroidery-part in the fault part list and a search button on the fault location search page; and a fault diagnosis page for providing a fault diagnosis message when the user selects one fault symptom in the fault symptom list and a check button on the fault symptom providing page.
  • 56. A computer readable storage medium of claim 55 wherein the technical support page includes a moving picture menu item for providing a moving picture of a fault processing accomplished by a system administrator at the technical support server.
  • 57. A computer readable storage medium of claim 56 wherein the technical support page includes a chatting menu item for providing a real-time chatting so that the communication between the user and the system administrator is accomplished.
  • 58. A computer readable storage medium of claim 57 wherein the technical support page includes an e-mail menu item for providing an e-mail so that the user can communicate with the system administrator.
  • 59. An embroidery machine technical support system comprising:at least one technical support server, the technical support server providing a technical support page and technical information in response to a technical information request signal through the technical support page; a plurality of communication terminals communicating with the technical support server through a public network, an embroidery machine having an emulator in order for the embroidery machine to establish connection to the technical support server through the public network, receive a technical support page from the technical support server, send technical information request signal to the technical support server using the technical support page, and receive corresponding technical information from the technical support server.
  • 60. An embroidery machine technical support system of claim 59 wherein the terminal is a personal computer.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
2001-60889 Sep 2001 KR
US Referenced Citations (3)
Number Name Date Kind
5662055 Hartwig et al. Sep 1997 A
6196146 Goldberg et al. Mar 2001 B1
6445970 Hedman et al. Sep 2002 B1