Patent Grant
12054866
A sewing status verification system is known that includes a sewing machine and an embroidery status verification device. An embroidery status verification application is installed in the embroidery status verification device. The embroidery status verification application receives, from the sewing machine, status data indicating a status of a pattern currently being sewn, and draws image data on a display portion. The image data includes an embroidery completion drawing, an embroidery status such as a number of stitches required to complete the embroidery, a thread replacement event, and the like.
In the above-described system, the status data is transmitted to the embroidery status verification device from the sewing machine at a timing at which it is necessary to replace the thread in the sewing machine. The embroidery status verification device receives the status data and displays the thread replacement event on the display portion. For example, the user recognizes that the thread replacement is necessary to continue the sewing by the sewing machine as a result of the thread replacement event being displayed on the display portion of the embroidery status verification device.
It is necessary for the sewing machine to stop the sewing during a period from when the thread replacement becomes necessary in the sewing machine to when the thread is replaced by the user and it is possible to re-start the sewing. In a case where the user recognizes the thread replacement event displayed when the thread replacement becomes necessary, and after that, the user starts preparations to replace the thread, a time period during which the sewing by the sewing machine is stopped becomes longer, compared to a case in which the thread replacement is carried out at a timing as soon as the thread replacement is necessary. Thus, as a result, a time period until the sewing is complete becomes longer.
Regardless of the thread replacement event, for example, also in the case of an event that is displayed for the sewing completion of a first embroidery pattern, when a second embroidery pattern is continuously sewn, if preparation for the sewing of the second embroidery pattern is started after the sewing of the first embroidery pattern is complete, a time period during which the sewing by the sewing machine is stopped becomes longer, compared to a case in which the sewing of the second embroidery pattern is started at a timing immediately after the completion of the sewing of the first embroidery pattern.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a sewing machine and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium with which, by performing notification in advance of a timing at which sewing is to be stopped, a user can make preparations for operations required as a result of the stopping of the sewing.
Various embodiments herein provide a sewing machine includes a sewing portion include a sewing portion, a communication portion, a processor, and a memory. The sewing portion is configured to sew an embroidery pattern based on sewing data. The communication portion performs communication with an information processing device. The memory is configured to store a plurality of notification conditions for notifying the information processing device of an extent of progress of sewing of the embroidery pattern, the notification conditions including a first notification condition for notifying that the extent of progress is a first extent and a second notification condition for notifying that the extent of progress is a second extent, and computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes. The instructions include first acquisition processing, second acquisition processing, first determination processing, first transmission processing, second determination processing, and second transmission processing. The first acquisition processing acquires the sewing data. The second acquisition processing acquires the extent of progress, based on sewing information specified by the sewing data acquired by the first acquisition processing. The first determination processing determines whether the extent of progress acquired by the second acquisition processing satisfies the first notification condition stored in the memory. The first transmission processing controls the communication portion and transmits, to the information processing device, first extent information indicating the first extent, when the first determination processing determines that the first notification condition is satisfied. The second determination processing determines whether the extent of progress acquired by the second acquisition processing satisfies the second notification condition stored in the memory. The second transmission processing controls the communication portion and transmits, to the information processing device, second extent information indicating the second extent, when the second determination processing determines that the second notification condition is satisfied.
Various embodiments also provide a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform processes. The instructions include acquisition processing, first determination processing, first output processing, second determination processing, and second output processing. The acquisition processing acquires an extent of progress of sewing of an embroidery pattern. The first determination processing determines whether the first notification condition for notifying that the extent of progress acquired by the acquisition processing is a first extent is satisfied. The first output processing outputs first extent information indicating the first extent, when the first determination processing determines that the first notification condition is satisfied. The second determination processing determines whether a second notification condition for notifying that the extent of progress acquired by the acquisition processing is a second extent is satisfied. The second output processing outputs second extent information indicating the second extent, when the second determination processing determines that the second notification condition is satisfied.
Various embodiments also provide a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform processes. The instructions include first transmission processing, first determination processing, storage processing, prediction processing, second determination processing, first output processing, third determination processing, and second output processing. The first transmission processing transmits, to a sewing machine, a transmission request requesting transmission of an extent of progress of sewing of an embroidery pattern. The first determination processing determines whether the extent of progress transmitted from the sewing machine in response to the transmission request transmitted by the first transmission processing is received. The storage processing stores the received extent of progress in a memory, when the first determination processing determines that the extent of progress is received. The prediction processing predicts, when the first determination processing determines that the extent of progress is not received, the extent of progress based on the extent of progress stored in the memory and an elapsed time period from a time point of storing the extent of progress in the memory. The second determination processing determines whether a first notification condition for notifying that the extent of progress predicted by the prediction processing is a first extent is satisfied. The first output processing outputs first extent information indicating the first extent, when the second determination processing determines that the first notification condition is satisfied. The third determination processing determines whether a second notification condition for notifying that the extent of progress predicted by the processing is a second extent is satisfied. The second output processing outputs second extent information indicating the second extent, when the third determination processing determines that the second notification condition is satisfied.
For example, the sewing machine sets, as the first extent, the extent of progress of the sewing at a timing before a timing at which the sewing is to be stopped, and sets, as a second extent, the extent of progress of the sewing that has progressed further than the extent of progress specified by the first extent. In this case, the sewing machine can transmit the first extent information to the information processing device at a timing before the timing of stopping the sewing, and can transmit the second extent information to the information processing device at a subsequent timing. Thus, the sewing machine can notify the information processing device in advance of the timing at which the sewing is to be stopped. As a result, a user that recognizes this notification can make preparations in advance for operations required as a result of the stopping of the sewing. Thus, the sewing machine can shorten a time period required until completion of sewing of an embroidery pattern.
Embodiments embodying the present disclosure will be described in order, with reference to the drawings. The referenced drawings are used to illustrate technological features that can be adopted by the present disclosure, and configurations and the like of devices described herein are not intended to limit the present disclosure to those configurations and the like, and are simply explanatory examples.
Configuration of Notification System 1
As shown in
Using an upper thread of a thread spool housed in a housing portion (not shown in the drawings), and a lower thread of a bobbin housed in a shuttle (not shown in the drawings), the sewing machine 2 sews the embroidery pattern on a cloth fixed to an embroidery frame (not shown in the drawings). The information processing device 3 is a known smartphone. The information processing device 3 performs notification to the user by displaying, on an LCD 308, the extent of progress of the sewing of the embroidery pattern by the sewing machine 2. When a notification application installed in an operating system (OS) of the information processing device 3 is activated, and a state is obtained in which the user can perform an operation (an active state), the extent of progress is notified by the running application displaying the extent of progress on the LCD 308. Hereinafter, the application being executed in this type of state will be referred to as “running in the foreground.” Normally, the application that is running in the foreground is displayed furthest to the front on the LCD 308. On the other hand, when the application is activated but is in a state in which the operation by the user is not possible (a non-active state), the extent of progress is notified by a message indicating the extent of progress being displayed on the LCD 308 by a push notification function installed in the OS. Hereinafter, the application being executed in this type of state will be referred to as “running in the background.”
The OS includes a sleep function. The sleep function is one of energy saving functions. When an operation is not performed on the information processing device 3 for a certain period of time, the OS transitions to a sleep state. When the OS is in the sleep state, the display of the LCD 308 is turned off, and the functions of the application are stopped. However, even when the OS is in the sleep state, when a push notification command is received from a server, the sleep state is released, and the message indicating the extent of progress can be displayed on the LCD 308.
The server 6 is a push notification distribution server. The server 6 distributes, to the information processing device 3, a command (hereinafter referred to as a “notification instruction”) to cause the push notification to be executed in the information processing device 3. The server 5 is a management server. The server 5 receives a request from the sewing machine 2, and asks the server 6 to distribute the notification instruction. The push notification is a function by which, when an information update relating to the application installed in the OS of the information processing device 3 has occurred, or when the information processing device 3 receives information relating to the application from the server 6, the OS displays that fact on the LCD 308.
The sewing machine 2 and the information processing device 3 are connected to a LAN 7A via an access point 8. Using the access point 8, the sewing machine 2 and the information processing device 3 can communicate with each other via the LAN 7A. Further, the information processing device 3, the servers 5 and 6, and the access point 8 are connected to a public network 7B. The sewing machine 2 is connected to the public network 7B via the access point 8. The sewing machine 2, the information processing device 3, and the servers 5 and 6 can communicate with each other via the public network 7B. Communication performed between the sewing machine 2 and the information processing device 3 for notifying the user of the extent of progress of the sewing machine 2 is sometimes performed via the LAN 7A without passing through the public network 7B (a path R1), and is sometimes performed via the LAN 7A and the public network 7B by passing through the servers 5 and 6 (a path R2).
Electrical Configuration
As shown in
The sewing data includes needle drop data indicating, in a sewing order, coordinates of needle drop points for forming stitches configuring the embroidery pattern. Further, when the threads of the plurality of colors are used when sewing the embroidery pattern, the sewing data includes the needle drop data and color data. The color data indicates an order of the color of thread used when performing the sewing. The needle drop data specifies the coordinates of the needle drop points per color when performing the sewing using the threads of each of the plurality of colors.
Further, the sewing data sometimes includes a re-attachment flag. The re-attachment flag indicates that it is necessary to re-attach the cloth to the embroidery frame. The re-attachment flag is set on the basis of a size of the embroidery pattern to be sewn, and a size of a sewable region defined by the embroidery frame. This will be described in more detail below. When sewing the embroidery pattern that is larger than the sewable region, after sewing a portion of the embroidery pattern, the sewing machine 2 can sew another portion of the embroidery pattern so as to be joined up with the portion of the embroidery pattern that has already been sewn, on the cloth whose fixing position with respect to the embroidery frame has been changed by the user. When sewing the embroidery pattern larger than the sewable region, the re-attachment flag is set for changing the fixing position of the cloth with respect to the embroidery frame.
In addition, the sewing data sometimes includes a replacement flag. The replacement flag is set when the sewing using a color among the plurality of colors is complete, and the thread is to be replaced with the thread of another color.
The plurality of notification conditions indicate conditions when the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern is notified to the information processing device 3 as the extent of progress. Here, when the threads of the plurality of colors are used for the sewing in the sewing of the embroidery pattern, the “remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern” indicates the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing by each of the threads of the plurality of colors. Furthermore, when the size of the embroidery pattern is larger than the size of the sewable region, the “remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern” indicates the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the portion of the embroidery pattern before the fixing position of the cloth with respect to the embroidery frame is changed. Similarly, when the size of the embroidery pattern is larger than the size of the sewable region, the “remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern” indicates the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the other portion of the embroidery pattern after the fixing position of the cloth with respect to the embroidery frame is changed.
The plurality of notification conditions include at least a first notification condition and a second notification condition. The first notification condition is for performing notification that the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing is a first remaining time period. The first remaining time period is three minutes, for example. The second notification condition is for performing notification that the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing is a second remaining time period that has advanced from the first remaining time period. The second remaining time period is zero minutes, for example. In other words, the second notification condition is for performing notification that the sewing of the embroidery pattern is complete.
Note that, in the above description, the number of the notification conditions is not limited to two, and may be three or more. The first remaining time period (3 minutes) and the second remaining time period (zero minutes) are examples, and may be other values. It is sufficient that the second remaining time period be a value that has advanced from the first remaining time period, and the second remaining time period may be a value larger than zero minutes, for example. In this case, the notification may be performed before the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern.
The drive circuit 205 drives an upper shaft motor 206 and a cloth feed motor 207 in accordance with a signal output by the CPU 201 on the basis of the sewing data stored in the storage 204. The upper shaft motor 206 causes a sewing needle that is connected to a needle bar (not shown in the drawings) to reciprocate in the up-down direction. The cloth feed motor 207 moves a cloth feed mechanism (not shown in the drawings) in the horizontal direction. By simultaneously driving the upper shaft motor 206 and the cloth feed motor 207, the sewing machine 2 can perform the sewing of the embroidery pattern on the cloth fixed to the embroidery frame. The LCD 208 can display various information relating to the sewing. The operation portion 209 includes a pedal, operation keys, a touch panel, and the like that are not shown in the drawings. The communication I/F 210 is a communication module for connecting to the LAN 7A and the public network 7B via the access point 8. The communication I/F 210 can perform communication with the information processing device 3 via the path R1 using a communication function for performing the communication with the information processing device 3 via the LAN 7A. The communication I/F 210 can perform communication with the information processing device 3 via the path R2 using a communication function for performing the communication with the information processing device 3 via the public network 7B.
As shown in
The touch panel 305 detects a position of a touch operation. The microphone 306 converts ambient sound into audio data and outputs the audio data. The speaker 307 outputs audio on the basis of the input audio data. The LCD 308 displays an image on the basis of image data. The camera 309 generates a captured image obtained by capturing an imaging range, and outputs the captured image. The communication I/F 310 includes a communication module for connecting to the LAN 7A and the public network 7B via the access point 8, and a communication module for directly connecting to the public network 7B.
As shown in
As shown in
In the following description, when the CPU 201 of the sewing machine 2 performs various processing, this will be referred to as “the sewing machine 2 performs . . . ”. When the CPU 301 of the information processing device 3 performs various processing, this will be referred to as “the information processing device 3 performs . . . ”. When the CPU 501 of the server 5 performs various processing, this will be referred to as “the server 5 performs . . . ”. When the CPU 601 of the server 6 performs various processing, this will be referred to as “the server 6 performs . . . ”.
Main Processing
Main processing performed by the sewing machine 2 will be described with reference to
Furthermore, the size of the embroidery pattern to be sewn on the basis of the sewing data stored in the storage 204 is larger than the sewable region defined by the embroidery frame. Thus, after a first portion, which is a portion of the embroidery pattern, has been sewn using the thread of the second color, the fixing position of the cloth with respect to the embroidery frame is changed by the user, and subsequently, the second portion, which is a remaining portion of the embroidery pattern, is sewn using the thread of the second color. In other words, the re-attachment flag is set in the sewing data to stop the sewing in order for the user to re-attach the cloth with respect to the embroidery frame after the first portion is sewn using the thread of the second color. Thus, first needle drop data for sewing using the thread of the first color, second needle drop data for sewing the first portion of the embroidery pattern using the thread of the second color, and third needle drop data for sewing the second portion of the embroidery pattern using the thread of the second color are included in the sewing data, in the sewing order (in order of the first needle drop data, the second needle drop data, and the third needle drop data).
Note that each of the needle drop data specifies the coordinates of the plurality of needle drop points. Further, subsequent to the first needle drop data for the sewing using the thread of the first color, the replacement flag for replacing the thread with the thread of the other color is further included in the sewing data, and, subsequent to the second needle drop data for sewing the first portion of the embroidery pattern using the thread of the second color, the re-attachment flag for re-attaching the cloth with respect to the embroidery frame is further included in the sewing data. The upper thread of the first color that is used first when sewing the embroidery pattern is attached to the sewing machine 2. The upper thread attached to the sewing machine 2 will be referred to as a “sewing thread in use.”
The sewing machine 2 sets to “0” a first notification flag and an immediately after flag, which are stored in the RAM 203, and initializes the flags (step S11). The first notification flag indicates whether or not first notification processing has been performed at step S41 to be described later (refer to
The sewing machine 2 reads out and acquires the first notification condition and the second notification condition stored in the storage 204 (step S13). The sewing machine 2 reads out the sewing data stored in the storage 204 (step S15). Further, the sewing machine 2 acquires the needle drop data that is first in order in the needle drop data included in the sewing data (step S15). More specifically, of the three sets of needle drop data included in the sewing data, the sewing machine 2 acquires the first needle drop data for the sewing using the thread of the first color. On the basis of a number of the needle drop points specified by the acquired first needle drop data (hereinafter referred to as a “number of stitches”) and a time required per sewing stitch, the sewing machine 2 calculates a sewing time required to perform the sewing using the sewing thread in use (step S17). The time required per sewing stitch is calculated using a prescribed rotation speed of the upper shaft motor 206. On the basis of the first needle drop data read out by the processing at step S15, the sewing machine 2 drives the upper shaft motor 206 and the cloth feed motor 207, and starts the sewing of the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use of the first color (step S19).
The sewing machine 2 determines whether the needle drop data acquired by the processing at step S15 is the needle drop data to be sewn first in the sewing data (step S21). When it is determined that the needle drop data is the needle drop data to be sewn first (yes at step S21), the sewing machine 2 advances the processing to step S27. The sewing machine 2 continues the sewing of the embroidery pattern started by the processing at step S19 (step S27).
The sewing machine 2 identifies the number of stitches sewn by continuing the sewing, that is, the number of stitches that have already been sewn. The sewing machine 2 subtracts the identified number of stitches that have already been sewn (hereinafter referred to as a “second number of stitches”) from the number of stitches specified by the needle drop data acquired by the processing at step S15, that is, from the number of stitches specified by the first needle drop data, which is a total number of stitches required to sew the embroidery pattern using the thread of the first color (hereinafter referred to as a “first number of stitches”). By multiplying a calculation result obtained by subtracting the second number of stitches from the first number of stitches by the time required per sewing stitch, the sewing machine 2 calculates the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing using the sewing thread in use, as the extent of progress (step S29). The sewing machine 2 advances the processing to step S31 (refer to
As shown in
The sewing machine 2 determines whether the remaining time period calculated as the extent of progress by the processing at step S29 (refer to
The sewing machine 2 determines whether the remaining time period calculated as the extent of progress by the processing at step S29 (refer to
As shown in
Note that condition (1) is determined on the basis of whether or not the remaining time period calculated as the extent of progress by the processing at step S29 (refer to
Next, the sewing machine 2 determines whether a state is obtained of standing by for completion of re-attaching the cloth fixed to the embroidery frame (step S57). The sewing machine 2 determines whether the state is obtained of standing by for the completion of the re-attaching of the cloth fixed to the embroidery frame on the basis of whether the following three conditions are satisfied (step S57).
When any one of conditions (a) to (c) are not satisfied, the sewing machine 2 determines that the state is not obtained of standing by for the completion of the re-attaching of the cloth fixed to the embroidery frame (no at step S57).
Next, the sewing machine 2 determines whether the sewing of the whole embroidery pattern is complete (step S61). The sewing machine 2 determines whether the sewing of the whole embroidery pattern is complete on the basis of whether the following condition is satisfied (step S61).
When condition (i) is not satisfied, the sewing machine 2 determines that the sewing of the whole embroidery pattern is not complete (no at step S61). The sewing machine 2 returns the processing to step S27 (refer to
As shown in
The first notification processing will be described with reference to
After sewing the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use, the sewing machine 2 determines whether to perform the sewing of the embroidery pattern using a next other thread as the sewing thread in use (step S83). More specifically, the sewing machine 2 determines whether the replacement flag subsequent to the first needle drop data acquired at step S15 is included in the sewing data. It is assumed that, after the sewing using the first color that is the color of the sewing thread in use, the sewing of the embroidery pattern is performed using the thread of the second color as the next thread. On the basis of the replacement flag for replacing the thread with the thread of another color included in the sewing data subsequent to the first needle drop data for the sewing using the thread of the first color acquired by the processing at step S15 (refer to
Note that, in addition to the first extent information and the second color information transmitted at step S87, the sewing machine 2 may also further transmit, to the information processing device 3, first color information indicating the first color that is the color of the sewing thread in use. In addition, the sewing machine 2 may further transmit, to the information processing device 3, replacement notification information for performing notification that it is necessary to replace the sewing thread in use.
As shown in
As shown in
It is assumed that an error occurs during the continuous sewing of the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use. In this case, as shown in
The error processing will be described with reference to
When it is determined that the difference is within the predetermined range (yes at step S101), the sewing machine 2 advances the processing to step S103. The sewing machine 2 transmits, to the information processing device 3, information for notifying the occurrence of the error (hereinafter referred to as “error notification information”), and information indicating the remaining time period calculated as the extent of progress by the processing at step S29 (hereinafter referred to as “fourth extent information”) (step S103). A method of transmitting the information to the information processing device 3 will be described in detail later (refer to
On the other hand, when it is determined that the difference between the remaining time period calculated as the extent of progress by the processing at step S29 (refer to
The sewing machine 2 determines whether the detected error has been resolved (step S107). During a period in which the detected error is not resolved (no at step S107), the sewing machine 2 returns the processing to step S107, and stands by until the error is resolved. Here, for example, the user operates the sewing machine 2 to resolve the error. When it is determined that the detected error has been resolved (yes at step S107), the sewing machine 2 ends the error processing and returns the processing to the main processing. As shown in
The sewing of the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use is continued (step S27). It is assumed that, as a result, the remaining time period calculated by the processing at step S29 matches the second remaining time period (zero minutes). As shown in
The sewing machine 2 sets the immediately after flag stored in the RAM 203 to “0” (step S45). The sewing machine 2 transmits the second extent information to the information processing device 3 (step S47). A method of transmitting the information to the information processing device 3 will be described in detail later (refer to
As shown in
On the basis of the color data included in the sewing data stored in the storage 204, the sewing machine 2 identifies the second color that is the color of the thread to be used after the sewing by the sewing thread in use that is the first color. The sewing machine 2 displays the identified second color on the LCD 208 and prompts the user to replace the upper thread. The sewing machine 2 stands by until the replacement of the upper thread is complete (no at step S53). After replacing the upper thread, the user performs an input operation, via the operation portion 209, indicating that the replacement is complete. When the input operation is received, the sewing machine 2 determines that the replacement of the thread to the new sewing thread in use is complete (yes at step S53). The sewing machine 2 sets the first notification flag stored in the RAM 203 to “0” (step S55). The sewing machine 2 returns the processing to step S15 (refer to
As shown in
The sewing machine 2 determines that the second needle drop data acquire by the processing at step S15 is not the needle drop data to be sewn first in the sewing data (no at step S21). The sewing machine 2 determines whether the sewing time calculated by the processing at step S17 is less than the first remaining time period (three minutes) (step S23). In other words, the sewing machine 2 determines whether the remaining time period of the sewing based on the second needle drop data newly acquired at step S15 already satisfies the first notification condition. When it is determined that the sewing time is less than the first remaining time period (three minutes) (yes at step S23), the sewing machine 2 sets the immediately after flag stored in the RAM 203 to “1” (step S25). The sewing machine 2 advances the processing to step S27.
The sewing of the first portion of the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use of the second color is continued (step S27). The remaining time period calculated by the processing at step S29 (refer to
On the other hand, as shown in
Here, after the sewing using the sewing thread in use ends, when performing the sewing using the thread of another color (yes at step S83), the first extent information and the like are transmitted to the information processing device 3 (step S87). However, the color of the sewing thread in use is the second color, and the sewing of the embroidery pattern using the thread of another color is not performed. On the basis of the color data included in the sewing data, the sewing machine 2 determines that the sewing of the embroidery pattern using the next thread of the color different from the sewing thread in use of the second color is not to be performed (no at step S83). Note that this determination may be performed on the basis of whether the replacement flag is included in the sewing data after the second needle drop data acquired at step S15.
Next, after the sewing using the sewing thread in use, the sewing machine 2 determines whether to perform the re-attachment of the cloth fixed to the embroidery frame, on the basis of the re-attachment flag (step S89). More specifically, the sewing machine 2 determines whether the re-attachment flag subsequent to the second needle drop data acquired at step S15 is included in the sewing data. When the re-attachment flag is included in the sewing data, the sewing machine 2 determines to perform the re-attachment of the cloth after the sewing based on the second needle drop data acquired at step S15 (yes at step S89). In this case, the sewing machine 2 transmits, to the information processing device 3, the first extent information indicating the first remaining time period (three minutes) (step S91). In addition to the first extent information, the sewing machine 2 may transmit, to the information processing device 3, re-attachment information indicating that the re-attachment of the cloth to the embroidery frame is necessary. A method of transmitting the information to the information processing device 3 will be described in detail later (refer to
The sewing machine 2 further continues the sewing of the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use. As a result, it is assumed that the remaining time period calculated by the processing at step S29 shown in
As shown in
As shown in
It is assumed that the sewing machine 2 continues the sewing of the second portion of the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use, and the remaining time period calculated by the processing at step S29 (refer to
Here, after ending the sewing using the sewing thread in use, when the sewing is performed using the thread of another color (yes at step S83), the first extent information and the like are transmitted to the information processing device 3 (step S87). Further, after ending the sewing using the sewing thread in use, when the re-attachment of the cloth is to be performed (yes at step S89), the first extent information and the like are transmitted to the information processing device 3 (step S91). However, on the basis of the color data included in the sewing data, the sewing machine 2 determines that the sewing of the embroidery pattern using the next thread of the color different from the sewing thread in use of the second color is not to be performed (no at step S83). Furthermore, when the re-attachment flag subsequent to the third needle drop data newly acquired at step S15 is not included in the sewing data, the sewing machine 2 determines that the re-attachment is not to be performed after the sewing using the sewing thread in use (no at step S89). In this case, since the sewing using the thread of the other color is not to be performed after the sewing using the sewing thread in use of the second color (no at step S83), and the re-attachment of the cloth is not to be performed (no at step S89), this means that the sewing of the whole embroidery pattern is complete, by the completion of the sewing using the sewing thread in use.
The sewing machine 2 determines whether the remaining time period calculated as the extent of progress by the processing at step S29 (refer to
When the sewing of the second portion of the embroidery pattern is continued using the sewing thread in use, and the remaining time period calculated by the processing at step S29 (refer to
The sewing machine 2 further continues the sewing of the second portion of the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use of the second color. It is assumed that, as a result, the remaining time period calculated by the processing at step S29 matches the second remaining time period (zero minutes). As shown in
As shown in
Hereinafter, when no distinction is made between the first extent information (step S87 and step S91, refer to
Setting Processing
Setting processing will be described with reference to
The sewing machine 2 determines whether an input operation to input the first remaining time period as the first notification condition has been detected via the operation portion 209 (step S111). When the input operation to input the first remaining time period has been detected (yes at step S111), the sewing machine 2 acquires the first remaining time period input by the input operation (step S113). The sewing machine 2 stores the acquired first remaining time period in the storage 204 (step S115). The sewing machine 2 advances the processing to step S117. On the other hand, when the input operation to input the first remaining time period has not been detected (no at step S111), the sewing machine 2 advances the processing to step S117.
The sewing machine 2 determines whether an input operation to input the second remaining time period as the second notification condition has been detected via the operation portion 209 (step S117). When the input operation to input the second remaining time period has been detected (yes at step S117), the sewing machine 2 acquires the second remaining time period input by the input operation (step S119). The sewing machine 2 stores the acquired second remaining time period in the storage 204 (step S121). The sewing machine 2 ends the setting processing. On the other hand, when the input operation to input the second remaining time period has not been detected (no at step S117), the sewing machine 2 ends the setting processing.
Communication Processing
First communication processing and second communication processing will be described, as communication sequences in the notification system 1, with reference to
The sewing machine 2 constantly detects, as the extent of progress, each of the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern using the thread of the first color, the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the first portion of the embroidery pattern using the thread of the second color, and the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the second portion of the embroidery pattern using the thread of the second color. When the detected remaining time period changes (step S501), the sewing machine 2 stores the extent of progress information indicating the remaining time period after the change in the storage 204 (step S503). When the application is running in the foreground, the information processing device 3 transmits, to the sewing machine 2 via the LAN 7A, a command requesting the extent of progress information (referred to as a “transmission request”), using a transmission function of the application (hereinafter referred to as a “App transmission function”) (step S401). At this time, the transmission request is relayed via the access point 8. The sewing machine 2 receives, via the LAN 7A, the transmission request transmitted from the information processing device 3 (step S505).
When the extent of progress information is stored in the storage 204 by the processing at step S503, the sewing machine 2 acquires the extent of progress information (step S507). The sewing machine 2 transmits the acquired extent of progress information, via the LAN 7A, to the information processing device 3 that has transmitted the transmission request (step S509). At this time, the extent of progress information is relayed via the access point 8. The information processing device 3 receives the extent of progress information transmitted from the sewing machine 2 via the LAN 7A, using a reception function of the application (hereinafter referred to as an “App reception function”) (step S403). Using a display function of the application (hereinafter referred to as an “App display function”), the information processing device 3 displays the remaining time period indicated by the received extent of progress information on the LCD 308 (step S405). In this way, the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern in the sewing machine 2 is notified to the user of the information processing device 3. As described above, since the information processing device 3 periodically transmits the transmission request, the information processing device 3 periodically displays the remaining time period on the LCD 308.
In the above description, the sewing machine 2 may include the color information indicating the color of the sewing thread in use during the sewing, in the extent of progress information transmitted to the information processing device 3 in response to the transmission request. Further, the sewing machine 2 may include ratio information indicating a ratio of a portion, of the whole embroidery pattern, for which the sewing is already complete, in the extent of progress information transmitted to the information processing device 3 in response to the transmission request.
When it is determined to transmit the notification information to the information processing device 3 by performing the main processing (refer to
For example, when it is determined that the first notification condition is satisfied (yes at step S37, refer to
The second communication processing is performed in parallel with the first communication processing. In the second communication processing, the communication is performed via the path R2 (refer to
As shown in
The server 5 receives the notification request via the public network 7B (step S621). When the ID that is the same as the ID included in the received notification request is stored in the storage 504, the server 5 transmits the notification request to the server 6 via the public network 7B (step S623). The server 6 receives the notification request via the public network 7B (step S721).
For example, when it is determined that the first notification condition is satisfied (yes at step S37, refer to
The server 6 acquires the ID included in the received notification request. The server 6 identifies the information processing device 3 identified by the acquired ID. Furthermore, the server 6 acquires the notification content information included in the notification request. The server 6 transmits, to the information processing device 3 via the public network 7B, the notification instruction for performing the push notification of notification content indicated by the acquired notification content information (step S723). The notification content information is included in the notification instruction. The transmission of the notification instruction including the notification content information from the server 6 to the information processing device 3 is referred to as “the notification content is notified by the push notification”.
In response to the notification content being notified by the push notification by the server 6, the information processing device 3 receives the notification instruction via the public network 7B, using a reception function of the OS (hereinafter referred to as an “OS reception function”) (step S413). In this case, the information processing device 3 acquires the notification content notified by the push notification, on the basis of the notification content information included in the received notification instruction. Using a display function of the OS (hereinafter referred to as an “OS display function”), the information processing device 3 displays, on the LCD 308, the push notification for notifying the user of the notification content indicated by the acquired notification content information (step S421).
Note that the first communication processing and the second communication processing are performed in parallel. Thus, for example, when the communication session between the sewing machine 2 and the information processing device 3 is continuing, the sewing machine 2 transmits the first extent information and the second extent information to the information processing device 3 via the path R1 (step S513). On the other hand, for example, when the session between the sewing machine 2 and the information processing device 3 has been disconnected, the sewing machine 2 can transmit the first extent information and the second extent information to the information processing device 3 via the path R2 using the push notification (step S523).
Effects and Operations
The sewing machine 2 sets the first remaining time period (three minutes) as the extent of progress indicating the timing three minutes before the timing of the replacement of the sewing thread in use that is necessary for continuing the sewing. Further, the sewing machine 2 sets the second remaining time period (zero minutes) as the extent of progress indicating the timing of the replacement of the sewing thread in use that is necessary for continuing the sewing. The sewing machine 2 transmits the first extent information to the information processing device 3 at the timing before the timing of the replacement of the sewing thread in use, and transmits the second extent information to the information processing device 3 at the timing of the replacement of the sewing thread in use. Thus, the sewing machine 2 can notify the information processing device 3 in advance of the timing at which the sewing is to be stopped. Thus, the user that recognizes the notification can perform, in advance, an operation necessary before the stopping of the sewing, that is, preparations for the replacement of the sewing thread in use. In this case, the sewing machine 2 can shorten a time required until the sewing of the embroidery pattern is complete.
The sewing machine 2 acquires the first remaining time period input by the user via the operation portion 209 (step S113), and stores the input first remaining time period in the storage 204 (step S115). Further, for example, the sewing machine 2 acquires the second remaining time period input by the user via the operation portion 209 (step S119), and stores the acquired second remaining time period in the storage 204 (step S121). Thus, the user can set the timings at which the sewing machine 2 transmits the first extent information and the second extent information to the information processing device 3 to desired timings.
When the first notification condition is satisfied (yes at step S39), the sewing machine 2 transmits the first extent information indicating the first remaining time period (three minutes) to the information processing device 3 (step S87, step S91), and when the second notification condition is satisfied (yes at step S35), the sewing machine 2 transmits the second extent information indicating the second remaining time period (zero minutes) to the information processing device 3 (step S47). The first remaining time period (three minutes) or the second remaining time period (zero minutes) is displayed on the information processing device 3. Thus, on the basis of the first extent information transmitted from the sewing machine 2 to the information processing device 3, the user can ascertain the remaining time period until the sewing of the embroidery pattern is complete. As a result, the user can appropriately perform the replacement operation of the sewing thread in use that is necessary for continuing the sewing of the embroidery pattern, on the basis of the remaining time period. Further, the user can recognize that the sewing of the embroidery pattern is complete, on the basis of the second extent information transmitted from the sewing machine 2 to the information processing device 3.
The sewing machine 2 can transmit the first extent information to the information processing device 3 for each of the plurality of colors of thread used to perform the sewing. Further, when performing the sewing of the embroidery pattern using the next thread that is different from the sewing thread in use, after sewing the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use of the first color (yes at step S83), the sewing machine 2 transmits, to the information processing device 3, the second color information indicating the second color that is the color of the thread to be sewn subsequent to the sewing thread in use, and the first extent information indicating the first remaining time period (three minutes) (step S87). As a result, the sewing machine 2 can cause the user to prepare, in advance, the thread of the second color necessary at the time of the replacement of the sewing thread in use.
When the first notification condition is satisfied during the sewing using the thread of the second color (yes at step S39), and the color of the thread to be sewn subsequent to the sewing thread in use of the second color is not specified (no at step S83, no at step S89), instead of the second color information, the sewing machine 2 transmits, to the information processing device 3, the notice information giving advance notice of the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern (step S99). In this case, the user can recognize that the sewing of the whole embroidery pattern is to be completed by the end of the sewing using the thread of the second color. Thus, the user can recognize, in advance, that the replacement operation of the sewing thread in use is not necessary.
When the sewing of the whole embroidery pattern is completed by the end of the sewing using the sewing thread in use of the second color, the sewing machine 2 determines whether the remaining time period satisfies the third notification condition (step S97). The third remaining time period (one minute) indicated by the third notification condition is less than the first remaining time period (three minutes) and is greater than the second remaining time period (zero minutes). When the third notification condition is satisfied, (yes at step S97), instead of the first extent information, the sewing machine 2 transmits, to the information processing device 3, the third extent information indicating the third remaining time period (one minute) (step S99). In this case, the sewing machine 2 can cause a timing at which the user is notified of the third extent information before the completion of the sewing of the whole embroidery pattern to be closer to a timing at which the sewing of the whole embroidery pattern is complete.
When, at the time point at which the sewing using the sewing thread in use of the second color starts, the sewing time is less than the first remaining time period (three minutes) (yes at step S23), the sewing machine 2 does not transmit the first extent information to the information processing device 3 even when the condition to transmit the first extent information is satisfied (no at step S81). In this way, the sewing machine 2 can resolve a failure in which the time until the completion of the sewing from the transmission of the first extent information becomes shorter than the first remaining time period.
When, at the time point that the error occurs, the difference between the remaining time period until the completion of sewing and the first remaining time period (three minutes) is within the predetermined range (yes at step S101), the sewing machine 2 transmits the error notification information and the fourth extent information indicating the remaining time period to the information processing device 3 (step S103). In this case, the user can recognize the occurrence of the error, and the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing.
In response to the transmission request from the information processing device 3, the sewing machine 2 transmits the remaining time period to the information processing device 3 (step S509). Further, regardless of whether or not the transmission request has been received, the sewing machine 2 can transmit the first extent information when the first notification condition is satisfied (step S513), and can transmit the second extent information when the second notification condition is satisfied (step S513).
The sewing machine 2 can transmit the first extent information and the second extent information to the information processing device 3 via the LAN 7A (step S513). Further, the sewing machine 2 can also transmit the first extent information and the second extent information to the information processing device 3 using the push notification via the public network 7B (step S523). Thus, even when the communication via either the LAN 7A or the public network 7B is not possible, the sewing machine 2 can transmit the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern to the information processing device 3.
The sewing machine 2 subtracts the second number of stitches, which is the number of already sewn stitches, from the first number of stitches, which is the total number of stitches required to sew the embroidery pattern, and multiplies the result of the subtraction by the time required per sewing stitch. In this way, the sewing machine 2 calculates, as the extent of progress, the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern (step S29). In this case, the sewing machine 2 can calculate the remaining time period with a high accuracy.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with various example structures outlined above and illustrated in the figures, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that may be presently unforeseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the example embodiments of the disclosure, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative of the invention, and not limiting the invention. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to embrace all known or later developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents. Some specific examples of potential alternatives, modifications, or variations in the described invention are provided below:
The information processing device 3 may acquire the extent of progress information indicating the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern from the sewing machine 2. On the basis of the remaining time period indicated by the acquired extent of progress information, the information processing device 3 may determine whether each of the first notification condition and the second notification condition is satisfied. The information processing device 3 may output the first remaining time period when the first notification condition is satisfied, and may output the second remaining time period when the second notification condition is satisfied. The programs of the processing performed by the CPU 301, the first notification condition, and the second notification condition may be stored in the storage 304 of the information processing device 3.
Main processing according to a modified example will be described with reference to
An activation timer to re-activate the OS from the sleep state is provided in the OS. The activation timer can re-activate the OS from the sleep state at a set activation time, and can cause the functions of the application to be executable. Furthermore, a time register indicating a current time is provided in the OS.
When the main processing is started, the information processing device 3 determines whether the main processing has been started as a result of the OS being re-activated from the sleep state (step S200). When it is determined that the main processing has not been started as a result of the OS being re-activated from the sleep state (no at step S200), the information processing device 3 causes the processing to transition to step S201. The information processing device 3 sets a first notification flag stored in the RAM 303 to “0”, and performs initialization (step S201). The information processing device 3 reads out and acquires the first notification condition and the second notification condition stored in the storage 304 (step S203). The information processing device 3 initializes the activation time set in the activation timer (step S205). The information processing device 3 initializes a first notification time and a second notification time stored in the RAM 303 (step S207).
Using the App transmission function, the information processing device 3 transmits, to the sewing machine 2, a transmission request that is a command requesting the extent of progress information (step S211). Note that, when the sewing machine 2 receives the transmission request, the sewing machine 2 transmits, to the information processing device 3, the extent of progress information indicating the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern. Using the App reception function, the information processing device 3 receives the extent of progress information transmitted from the sewing machine 2 in response to the transmission request (step S215).
The information processing device 3 stores the remaining time period indicated by the received extent of progress information, as the extent of progress, in the storage 304 (step S216). On the basis of the remaining time period stored in the storage 304 and the current time acquired from the time register, the information processing device 3 calculates a time at which the remaining time period will become the first remaining time period (three minutes) (hereinafter referred to as the “first notification time”) (step S217). The information processing device 3 stores the calculated first notification time in the RAM 303 (step S217). On the basis of the remaining time period stored in the storage 304 and the current time acquired from the time register, the information processing device 3 calculates a time at which the remaining time period will become the second remaining time period (zero minutes), that is, the time at which the sewing of the embroidery pattern will be complete (hereinafter referred to as the “second notification time”) (step S217). The information processing device 3 stores the calculated second notification time in the RAM 303 (step S217).
On the basis of the first notification time and the second notification time stored in the RAM 303, the information processing device 3 calculates, as the activation times at which the OS is re-activated from the sleep state, each of a time earlier than the time satisfying the first notification condition and a time earlier than the time satisfying the second notification condition (step S219). The times earlier than the times satisfying the first notification condition and the second notification condition are calculated taking into account a time required for performing at least step S211 and step S215 at least one time from when the OS is re-activated from the sleep state. The information processing device 3 sets the calculated activation times in the activation timer (step S221). In this way, even if the OS transitions to the sleep state, the OS is re-activated from the sleep state at least at the times satisfying the first notification condition and the second notification condition, and can be in a state in which the application is executable. The information processing device 3 advances the processing to step S223.
Note that a plurality of the times earlier than the time satisfying the first notification condition, and a plurality of the times earlier than the time satisfying the second notification condition may be respectively calculated as the activation times and may be set in the activation timer. Further, a time later than the current time may be calculated as the first notification time. In this type of case, the information processing device 3 may calculate only a time earlier than the second notification time as the activation time, and set this time in the activation timer, and need not necessarily set a time earlier than the first notification time in the activation timer.
The information processing device 3 determines whether a first notification flag stored in the RAM 303 is set to “0” (step S223). When it is determined that the first notification flag is set to “0” (yes at step S223), the information processing device 3 determines whether the first notification condition is satisfied (step S225). When the current time acquired from the time register has not passed the first notification time stored in the RAM 303, the information processing device 3 determines that the first notification condition is not satisfied (no at step S225). In this case, the information processing device 3 returns the processing to step S211.
When the activation time set in the activation timer is reached in the sleep state, the OS is re-activated from the sleep state. When it is determined that the main processing has been started by the OS being re-activated from the sleep state (yes at step S200), the information processing device 3 initializes the activation time set in the activation timer (step S243). The information processing device 3 advances the processing to step S223.
When it is determined that the first notification flag is set to “0” (yes at step S223), the information processing device 3 determines whether the first notification condition is satisfied (step S225). When the current time acquired from the time register has passed the first notification time stored in the RAM 303, the information processing device 3 determines that the first notification condition is satisfied (yes at step S225). In this case, the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern is equal to or less than the first remaining time period (three minutes). The information processing device 3 displays the first remaining time period (three minutes) on the LCD 308 (step S227). In order to avoid repeatedly determining whether the first notification condition is satisfied or not, the information processing device 3 sets the first notification flag stored in the RAM 303 to “1” (step S229). The information processing device 3 returns the processing to step S211.
After performing the processing at step S211 to step S221, the information processing device 3 determines whether the first notification flag stored in the RAM 303 is set to “0” (step S223). When it is determined that the first notification flag is set to “1” (no at step S223), the information processing device 3 advances the processing to step S233. Thus, after the first remaining time period (three minutes) is once displayed on the LCD 308 (step S227), the determination as to whether the first notification condition is satisfied or not (step S225) is not repeated. The information processing device 3 determines whether the second notification condition is satisfied (step S233). When the current time acquired from the time register has not passed the second notification time stored in the RAM 303, the information processing device 3 determines that the second notification condition is not satisfied (no at step S233). In this case, the information processing device 3 returns the processing to step S211.
After performing the processing at step S211 to step S221, the information processing device 3 determines that the first notification flag is set to “1” (no at step S223). When the current time acquired from the time register has passed the second notification time stored in the RAM 303, the information processing device 3 determines that the second notification condition is satisfied (yes at step S233). In this case, the sewing of the embroidery pattern is complete. The information processing device 3 displays the second remaining time period (zero minutes) on the LCD 308 (step S235). The information processing device 3 ends the main processing.
As described above, in place of the sewing machine 2, the information processing device 3 determines whether the first notification condition and the second notification condition are satisfied (step S225, step S233). Thus, while suppressing a load on the sewing machine 2, the information processing device 3 can notify the user when the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern has reached the first remaining time period (three minutes) and has reached the second remaining time period (zero minutes). Further, even when the OS has transitioned to the sleep state, the information processing device 3 can release the sleep state of the OS, and can notify the user of the first remaining time period and the second remaining time period.
The information processing device 3 may predict the first notification time and the second notification time when information processing device 3 has not been able to receive the extent of progress information from the sewing machine 2. The sewing machine 2 may perform the sewing of the embroidery pattern using the threads of the plurality of colors.
Main processing according to a modified example will be described with reference to
Using the App transmission function, the information processing device 3 transmits the transmission request to the sewing machine 2 (step S311). The information processing device 3 determines whether the extent of progress information transmitted from the sewing machine 2 in response to the transmission request has been received by the App reception function (step S315). When it is determined that the extent of progress information has been received (yes at step S315), the information processing device 3 acquires the remaining time period indicated by the received extent of progress information, and stores the acquired remaining time period in the storage 304 (step S316). On the basis of the remaining time period stored in the storage 304 and the current time acquired from the time register, the information processing device 3 calculates the first notification time (step S317) and stores the calculated first notification time in the RAM 303 (step S317). On the basis of the remaining time period stored in the storage 304 and the current time acquired from the time register, the information processing device 3 calculates the second notification time (step S317) and stores the calculated second notification time in the RAM 303 (step S317). The information processing device 3 advances the processing to step S319.
The information processing device 3 calculates the activation times corresponding to each of a time earlier than the first notification time stored in the RAM 303, and a time earlier than the second notification time (step S319). The information processing device 3 sets the calculated times in the activation timer (step S321). Note that a plurality of the times earlier than the time satisfying the first notification condition, and a plurality of the times earlier than the time satisfying the second notification condition may be respectively calculated as the activation times and may be set in the activation timer. Further, a time later than the current time may be calculated as the first notification time. In this type of case, the information processing device 3 may calculate only the time earlier than the second notification time as the activation time, and set this time in the activation timer, and need not necessarily set the time earlier than the first notification time in the activation timer. The information processing device 3 advances the processing to step S323 (refer to
As shown in
When the OS in the sleep state reaches the activation time set in the activation timer, the OS is re-activated from the sleep state. When it is determined that the main processing has been started as a result of the OS being re-activated from the sleep state (yes at step S300), the information processing device 3 initializes the activation time set in the activation timer (step S343). The information processing device 3 advances the processing to step S323 (refer to
Further, after transmitting the transmission request to the sewing machine 2 from the second time onward (step S311), when it is determined that the extent of progress information has not been received (no at step S315), the information processing device 3 advances the processing to step S345. On the basis of the remaining time period indicated by the extent of progress information stored in the storage 304 by the processing at step S316 and on an elapsed time from when the extent of progress information is stored in the storage 304 by the processing at step S316, the information processing device 3 predicts the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern (step S345). For example, when the remaining time period indicated by the extent of progress information stored in the storage 304 is X minutes, and the elapsed time from when the extent of progress information is stored in the storage 304 is Y minutes, the information processing device 3 calculates the time at (X−Y) minutes from the current time, and uses that as the predicted remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern. The information processing device 3 stores the predicted remaining time period in the storage 304 (step S345).
The information processing device 3 calculates the first notification time on the basis of the predicted remaining time period (step S317), and stores the calculated first notification time in the RAM 303 (step S317). The information processing device 3 calculates the second notification time on the basis of the predicted remaining time period (step S317), and stores the calculated second notification time in the storage 304 (step S317). The information processing device 3 calculates the activation time (step S319), and sets the calculated activation time in the activation timer (step S321).
As shown in
After performing the processing from step S311 to step S321 shown in
The information processing device 3 determines whether the second notification condition is satisfied (step S333). When the current time acquired from the time register has not passed the second notification time stored in the RAM 303, the information processing device 3 determines that the second notification condition is not satisfied (no at step S333). The information processing device 3 returns the processing to step S311 (refer to
On the other hand, when the current time acquired from the time register has passed the second notification time stored in the RAM 303, the information processing device 3 determines that the second notification condition is satisfied (yes at step S333). In this case, this indicates that the sewing of the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use is complete, or that the re-attachment of the cloth with respect to the embroidery frame is necessary. The information determines whether the sewing of the embroidery pattern is complete (step S334). When, after the sewing of the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use, the sewing of the embroidery pattern using the thread of another color is to be performed, or the re-attachment of the cloth is necessary, the information processing device 3 determines that the sewing of the whole embroidery pattern is not complete (no at step S334). The information processing device 3 displays the second extent information indicating the second remaining time period (zero minutes) on the LCD 308 (step S337). The information processing device 3 sets the first notification flag stored in the RAM 303 to “0” (step S341). The information processing device 3 returns the processing to step S311 (refer to
When, after the sewing of the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use, the sewing of the embroidery pattern using the thread of the other color is not to be performed, the information processing device 3 determines that the sewing of the whole embroidery pattern is complete (yes at step S334). In this case, the information processing device 3 displays the second extent information indicating the second remaining time period (zero minutes) on the LCD 308 (step S335). The information processing device 3 ends the main processing.
As described above, even when the information processing device 3 cannot receive the extent of progress information from the sewing machine 2 (no at step S315), the information processing device 3 can predict the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern (step S345). Thus, even when the information processing device 3 cannot receive the extent of progress information from the sewing machine 2, the information processing device 3 can notify the user of the first extent information and the second extent information on the basis of the predicted remaining time period.
The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. The information processing device 3 is not limited to being the smartphone, and may be a PC, a tablet PC, a dedicated device provided with the LCD 308, or the like. A configuration may be adopted in which the sewing machine 2 can be directly connected to the public network 7B without passing through the access point 8. The notification system 1 need not necessarily include the server 5. In this case, for example, in order to request the transmission of the notification instruction from the server 6 to the information processing device 3, the sewing machine 2 may directly transmit the notification request to the server 6 via the LAN 7A and the public network 7B. The sewing machine 2 and the information processing device 3 may be directly connected, without passing through the access point 8, using wireless direct (WiFi Direct).
The sewing machine 2 calculates the remaining time period until the sewing is complete, as a parameter indicating the extent of progress of the sewing of the embroidery pattern. The extent of progress may be indicated by another parameter. For example, the extent of progress may be a number of stitches of the sewing of the embroidery pattern that are complete, a ratio of the number of stitches of the sewing of the embroidery pattern that are complete, a time required to sew the embroidery pattern, or the like. In this case, the sewing machine 2 may store, in the storage 204, the number of stitches, the ratio, the time, or the like, both as a first extent for determining whether the first notification condition is satisfied, and as a second extent for determining whether the second notification condition is satisfied.
In the setting processing (refer to
The sewing machine 2 may calculate the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern for each of groups including a plurality of colors, and may determine whether the first notification condition and the second notification condition are satisfied, respectively, on the basis of the calculated remaining time period. In this case, for example, on the basis of the remaining time period for the sewing of the embroidery pattern using threads of a plurality of colors included in a first group, when it is determined that the first notification condition is satisfied, the sewing machine 2 may transmit, to the information processing device 3, color information including a plurality of colors included in a second group to be used subsequent to the first group.
When the first notification condition is satisfied during the sewing using the thread of the second color (yes at step S39), and the thread of the color to be sewn subsequent to the sewing thread in use of the second color is not specified (no at step S83, not at step S89), the sewing machine 2 may transmit the notice information as it is to the information processing device 3, without changing the first notification condition to the third notification condition (step S99). Further, the sewing machine 2 may transmit the first extent information to the information processing device 3 in addition to the notice information.
The sewing machine 2 may set a plurality of the third notification conditions when the sewing of the whole embroidery pattern is complete by the ending of the sewing of the second portion using the sewing thread in use of the second color. The sewing machine 2 may transmit the third extent information to the information processing device 3 (step S99) every time each of the plurality of third notification conditions is satisfied (yes at step S97). When, at the time of starting the sewing of the first portion or the second portion of the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use of the second color, the sewing time is less than the first remaining time period (three minutes) (yes at step S23), the sewing machine 2 may transmit information indicating the sewing time to the information processing device 3 (no at step S81). The sewing machine 2 need not necessarily perform the processing at step S21, step S23, and step S25. In other words, the sewing machine 2 may transmit the first extent information to the information processing device 3 even when, at the time of starting the sewing of the first portion or the second portion of the embroidery pattern using the sewing thread in use of the second color, the sewing time is less than the first remaining time period (three minutes) (yes at step S23).
When, at the time point at which the error occurs, the difference between the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing and the first remaining time period (three minutes) is within the predetermined range (yes at step S101), in addition to the error notification information and the fourth extent information indicating the remaining time period, the sewing machine 2 may also transmit error type information indicating the type of the error to the information processing device 3 (step S103).
When it is determined that the first notification condition or the second notification condition is satisfied, the sewing machine 2 may store the first extent information or the second extent information in the storage 204 for a fixed time period. When the transmission request transmitted from the information processing device 3 is received within the fixed time period, the sewing machine 2 may transmit, to the information processing device 3, the first extent information or the second extent information stored in the storage 204, and the extent of progress information indicating the remaining time period. In this case, the sewing machine 2 need not necessarily transmit the first extent information to the information processing device 3 even when the first notification condition is satisfied, and need not necessarily transmit the second extent information to the information processing device 3 even when the second notification condition is satisfied.
Even when the application is running in the foreground, when the OS has transitioned to the sleep mode, the information processing device 3 cannot receive the notification information from the sewing machine 2 using the App reception function. In contrast to this, after transmitting the notification information to the information processing device 3 via the LAN 7A, when the sewing machine 2 cannot receive an ACK from the information processing device 3, the sewing machine 2 may transmit the notification information to the information processing device 3 using the push notification via the server 5 and the server 6. Even when the OS is not in the sleep state and the application is running in the foreground, the information processing device 3 may perform the push notification when the notification information is received from the server 6. In this case, the sewing machine 2 may always transmit the notification instruction to the information processing device 3 using the push notification via the servers 5 and 6.
A prediction method when the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern is predicted in the information processing device 3 is not limited to that of the above-described embodiment. For example, the information processing device 3 may acquire, from the sewing machine 2, a start notification transmitted when the sewing machine 2 starts the sewing, and a sewing time required to sew the embroidery pattern. The information processing device 3 may predict the remaining time period by calculating the remaining time period until the completion of the sewing of the embroidery pattern on the basis of an elapsed time from a timing at which the start notification is received, and the sewing time.
In the modified examples, the information processing device 3 need not necessarily perform each of the processing steps for causing the OS to be re-activated from the sleep state (step S205, step S207, step S216, step S217, step S219, step S221, step S305, step S307, step S316, step S317, step S319, step S321, and the like). For example, the information processing device 3 may acquire the first and second notification conditions (step S203, step S303), may transmit the transmission request to the sewing machine 2 (step S211, step S311), and may receive the extent of progress (step S215, step S315). The information processing device 3 may determine whether the received extent of progress satisfies the first notification condition (step S225, step S325), and may display the first remaining time period when the first notification condition is satisfied (step S227, step S327). Further, the information processing device 3 may determine whether the received extent of progress satisfies the second notification condition (step S233, step S333), and may display the second remaining time period when the second notification condition is satisfied (step S235, step S337).
This application is a Continuation Applications of International Application No. PCT/JP2020/014763, filed on Mar. 31, 2020. The entire content of the priority application is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10626533 | Yamanashi | Apr 2020 | B2 |
| 10883209 | Kongo | Jan 2021 | B2 |
| 20010004717 | Zhang et al. | Jun 2001 | A1 |
| 20130035780 | Abe | Feb 2013 | A1 |
| 20150040810 | Kongo et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20190024276 | Nguyen | Jan 2019 | A1 |
| 20190062971 | Kamihira | Feb 2019 | A1 |
| 20200318271 | Park | Oct 2020 | A1 |
| 20220411978 | Shibata | Dec 2022 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| H09-70487 | Mar 1997 | JP |
| H10-328455 | Dec 1998 | JP |
| 2001-170384 | Jun 2001 | JP |
| 2009-142609 | Jul 2009 | JP |
| 2011-182262 | Sep 2011 | JP |
| 2015-33468 | Feb 2015 | JP |
| 2018-55493 | Apr 2018 | JP |
| WO-2021019834 | Feb 2021 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Jul. 7, 2020 Search Report issued in International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2020/014763. |
| Sep. 29, 2022 International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued in International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2020/014763. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220411978 A1 | Dec 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2020/014763 | Mar 2020 | WO |
| Child | 17822963 | US |
