JP2009201621A - Sewing machine and sewing machine control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sewing machine capable of setting a sewing condition by a simple method, having no need of changing and setting the sewing condition in the middle of sewing, and having no need of post-processing after sewing, and a sewing machine control program. <P>SOLUTION: Marking needles 501-504 corresponding to a sewing pattern are used to fix working cloth 60. The sewing machine photographs the head parts 511-514 of the marking needles 501-504 by an image sensor, recognizes the shape by image processing, specifies the sewing pattern corresponding to the shape, and executes sewing processing. By that, blind stitching is executed in the case of recognizing the head part 511 in a "star" shape, zigzag stitching is executed in the case of recognizing the head part 512 in a "triangular" shape, straight stitching is executed in the case of recognizing the head part 513 in a "round" shape, and the sewing processing is stopped in the case of recognizing the head part 514 in an "×" shape. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sewing machine and a sewing machine control program. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sewing machine that executes sewing based on a mark arranged on a work cloth, and a sewing machine control program.

  Conventionally, when sewing a work cloth that is to be sewn using a sewing machine, it is common to mark the work cloth with a chaco pen, sewing thread, waiting needle, etc., and perform sewing according to this mark. Has been done. In this case, the sewer needs to perform sewing while changing the sewing conditions (sewing speed, sewing method, etc.) by himself / herself appropriately while moving the work cloth with reference to the mark on the work cloth. In order to sew a complex pattern, it is necessary to master the operation.

Under such circumstances, by imaging the base line drawn on the work cloth, detecting the base line width and base line color and specifying the corresponding stitch width and thread color, various stitch patterns along the base line A sewing machine capable of automatically performing sewing has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2007-289653 A

  However, the sewing machine described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is necessary to erase the base line drawn on the work cloth after sewing.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to set the sewing conditions by a simple method, and it is not necessary to change and set the sewing conditions during the sewing. It is an object to provide a sewing machine that does not require processing and a sewing machine control program.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a sewing machine according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a needle bar on which a sewing needle is attached, a sewing machine motor that drives a needle bar mechanism that drives the needle bar in the vertical direction via a sewing machine main shaft. A sewing machine that performs sewing on a work cloth by means of sewing means configured to include an image pickup means capable of picking up an image of a marker arranged on the work cloth in order to specify sewing conditions; and an image picked up by the image pickup means Discriminating means for discriminating the morphological characteristics of the image obtained as a result, sewing condition storage means for storing the morphological characteristics in association with sewing condition information which is information relating to the sewing conditions, and the discriminating means. The sewing condition information corresponding to the morphological feature is read out from the sewing condition storage means, and the sewing condition is specified based on the sewing condition information read out by the reading means. And, and a control means for controlling to sewing the sewing means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the discriminating means has at least one of the shape, color, and density of the sign as the morphological feature. It is characterized by distinguishing.

  Further, the sewing machine of the invention according to claim 3 is a needle swing that drives a needle swing mechanism that swings the needle bar in the left-right direction with respect to the cloth feed direction in addition to the configuration of the invention according to claim 1 or 2. And a feed amount adjusting motor that adjusts the feed amount of a cloth feed mechanism that transports the work cloth on the sewing bed at a predetermined feed amount, and the sewing condition information is the rotational speed of the sewing machine main shaft. Sewing speed data that is data related to the sewing machine, needle swing amount data that is data related to the amount of movement of the sewing needle in the left-right direction by the needle swing mechanism, and feed amount data that is data related to the feed amount of the work cloth by the cloth feed mechanism Including at least one of them, and the control means controls at least one of the sewing machine motor, the needle swinging motor, and the feed amount adjusting motor.

  A sewing machine according to a fourth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the marker is a waiting needle having a head portion and a needle portion.

  The sewing machine of the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to any of claims 1 to 3, the label is a seal on a label having an adhesive layer on one side. Features.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing machine control program that causes a computer to function as various processing means of the sewing machine according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

  In the sewing machine according to the first aspect of the invention, the sewing conditions are specified on the basis of the markers previously arranged on the work cloth, and the sewing is executed. Therefore, since the operation of interrupting the sewing operation during the operation and setting the sewing conditions is unnecessary, even a beginner who is not familiar with the sewing operation can sew a pattern in which the sewing conditions are combined in a complicated manner. It becomes possible.

  In the sewing machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, at least one morphological feature of the shape, color, and density of the sign is associated with the sewing conditions in advance. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, since it becomes easy to visually recognize the sewing condition in a state where the mark is arranged on the work cloth, even a beginner who is not familiar with the sewing operation This makes it possible to easily sew complex patterns.

  Further, in the sewing machine of the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the sewing speed, the amount of needle swing, and the cloth feed can be obtained only by placing a marker at a desired position. Since each sewing condition such as the amount can be easily set, even a beginner can easily sew a complicated pattern.

  Further, in the sewing machine of the invention according to claim 4, since the mark is constituted by a waiting needle, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, it is used for stopping the work cloth at the time of sewing. The waiting needle can also be used as an indicator for specifying the sewing conditions. As a result, it is possible to save the trouble of separately arranging the signs. In addition, after the sewing to the work cloth, the arranged marker can be easily removed.

  Further, in the sewing machine of the invention according to claim 5, since the sign is constituted by a sheet on the label, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, sewing to the work cloth is performed. After being broken, the attached label can be easily removed.

  Further, in the sewing machine control program of the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the computer can function as various processing means of the sewing machine.

<First embodiment>

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a sewing machine 1 embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used for explaining the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention, and the configuration of the apparatus described, the flowcharts of various processes, etc., unless otherwise specified. It is not intended to be limited to that, but merely an illustrative example.

  First, the physical configuration of the sewing machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sewing machine 1, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an arm head portion 4 a that is a tip portion of the arm portion 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the sewing machine 1 includes a bed portion 2, a leg column portion 3 erected vertically from the bed portion 2 at the right end portion of the bed portion 2, and a left direction from the upper end portion of the leg column portion 3. The main part of the configuration is an arm part 4 that extends opposite to the bed part 2 and an arm head part 4 a that is a tip part of the arm part 4. In addition, let the side in which the operator (sewing person) who operates the sewing machine 1 is located be the front, and the opposite side is the back. The side on which the pedestal 3 is located is the right side, and the opposite side is the left side.

  The bed 2 is provided with a needle plate 11 and a needle plate lid 12 that can be opened and closed. The needle plate 11 is formed with a square hole 34 in which a feed dog (not shown), which will be described later, can protrude and retract. Further, a hook mechanism (not shown) for accommodating a bobbin for lower thread (not shown) is provided below the needle plate 11, and the bobbin for lower thread can be attached and detached with the throat plate cover 12 removed. It is comprised so that it may become. Further, below the needle plate 11, a feed dog (not shown) for transferring the work cloth to be sewn at a predetermined feed amount, a cloth feed mechanism (not shown) for driving the feed dog, and a feed A feed amount adjusting motor 76 (see FIG. 3) for adjusting the amount is provided. A sewing machine motor 77 (see FIG. 3) is provided below the pedestal 3 and the driving force of the sewing machine motor 77 extends in the left-right direction in the arm 4 via a driving belt (not shown). It is transmitted to the sewing machine main shaft (not shown). Further, the driving force of the sewing machine motor 77 is transmitted to a lower shaft (not shown) extending in the left-right direction in the bed portion 2 by a transmission mechanism (not shown) provided in the middle of the sewing machine main shaft. ing. With such a configuration, a needle bar 8, a balance mechanism (not shown), a shuttle mechanism (not shown), a cloth feed mechanism, etc., which will be described later, are driven synchronously.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pedestal 3 is provided with a vertically long liquid crystal display 10, and function names and various messages for executing various functions necessary for sewing work such as pattern setting and editing. Etc. are displayed. A touch panel 111 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display 10. When an item displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 is selected with a finger or a dedicated pen, the touch panel 111 senses which item is selected. The As a result, various instructions can be input via the liquid crystal display 10. A connector 108 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the right side surface of the pedestal 3. Via this connector 108, various data and various programs can be taken into the sewing machine 1 or output to the outside of the sewing machine 1.

  An opening / closing cover 6 is attached to the upper portion of the arm portion 4 over the entire length of the arm portion 4. The opening / closing cover 6 is pivotally supported on the upper back surface portion of the arm portion 4 so as to open / close around the left / right axis of the arm portion 4. As shown in FIG. 1, when the opening / closing cover 6 is opened, a thread spool accommodating portion 15, which is a recess for accommodating the thread spool 21 around which the upper thread is wound, is provided near the center of the upper surface of the arm portion 4. From the right side surface of the yarn spool accommodating portion 15, a spool pin 17 for supporting the yarn spool 21 is provided in parallel to the arm portion 4. In addition, a needle bar 8 on which a sewing needle 16 (see FIG. 2) is mounted is disposed below the arm head 4a. In the arm head 4a, a needle bar mechanism (not shown) that drives the needle bar 8 on which the sewing needle 16 is mounted in the vertical direction, and a needle swing motor 78 that swings the needle bar 8 in the horizontal direction. (See FIG. 3) and a balance mechanism (not shown). Further, a presser bar 14 (see FIG. 2) having a presser foot 13 (see FIG. 2) for pressing the work cloth at the lower end is provided behind the needle bar 8. Further, in the arm portion 4, a thread guide groove for finally guiding the upper thread drawn from the thread spool 21 to the sewing needle 16 via a thread tension mechanism, a thread take-up spring, a balance (not shown), and the like. 7 is provided. Further, on the front surface of the arm portion 4, a sewing start / stop switch 91 for instructing start and stop of a sewing operation, a reverse stitching switch 92 for instructing reverse stitching, a needle up / down switch 93 for switching the position of the sewing needle 16 up and down, and sewing A plurality of operation keys 9 for instructing various sewing operations, such as a speed adjustment knob 94 for setting the speed, are provided.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, an image sensor 30 is formed on the presser foot 13 at the front of the needle bar 8 and slightly to the right of the needle bar 8 in the front view in the arm head 4 a. It is attached so that a position in the vicinity including the hole 13a can be photographed. The needle drop hole 13a is a hole through which the sewing needle 16 can be inserted. The image sensor 30 includes a CMOS sensor and a control circuit, and takes an image with the CMOS sensor. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a support frame 31 is attached to a frame (not shown) of the sewing machine 1, and the image sensor 30 is fixed to the support frame 31.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the sewing machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the sewing machine 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the control system of the sewing machine 1 has the control unit 100 as a core. The control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an EEPROM 104, an external access RAM 105, an input interface (I / F) 106, and an output I / F 107, which are connected to each other via a bus 110. The input I / F 106 includes the above-described sewing start / stop switch 91, reverse stitching switch 92, needle up / down switch 93, speed adjustment knob 94 (see FIG. 1), touch panel 111, and image sensor 30 (see FIG. 2). ) Are connected to each other. The output I / F 107 includes a feed amount adjusting motor 76 for adjusting the feed amount of the work cloth by the feed dog, a sewing machine motor 77, and a needle for driving the needle bar 8 (see FIG. 1) in the left-right direction. A drive circuit 71, a drive circuit 72, a drive circuit 73, and a drive circuit 74 for driving the swing motor 78 and the liquid crystal display 10 (see FIG. 1) are connected to each other. A connector 108 is connected to the external access RAM 105, and information stored in the external access RAM 105 can be output to the outside of the sewing machine 1 via the connector 108.

  The CPU 101 of the control unit 100 is responsible for the main control of the sewing machine 1 and executes operations and processes in accordance with various programs stored in the control program storage area 201 (see FIG. 4) of the ROM 102 which is a read-only storage element. It is. The RAM 103 is an arbitrarily readable / writable storage element, and is provided with a storage area for temporarily storing various data.

  Next, a storage area provided in the ROM 102 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a storage area provided in the ROM 102. As shown in FIG. 4, the ROM 102 includes a control program storage area 201, an initial setting information storage area 202, a sewing condition storage area 203, a possible sewing condition storage area 204, and other storage areas.

  Among these areas, in the control program storage area 201, the CPU 101 (see FIG. 3) performs morphological feature recognition processing and sewing control processing (see FIGS. 8 and 8) of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 (see FIG. 6). 9) is stored. A control program necessary for executing (9) is stored. The initial setting information storage area 202 stores initial setting information that is read when the CPU 101 is powered on or reset. For example, initial values of sewing condition information (described later) are stored. In the sewing condition storage area 203, sewing condition information, which is information related to the sewing conditions, is stored corresponding to each of the recognized morphological features of the head 51. The sewing conditions include a sewing pattern, a needle swing amount, a cloth feed amount, and a sewing speed (see FIG. 5, described later). The CPU 101 selects and reads one of a plurality of pieces of sewing condition information stored in the sewing condition storage area 203 and stores it in a drive sewing condition storage area (not shown, described later) of the RAM 103. Then, the drive circuits 71 to 73 (see FIG. 3) are controlled based on the stored sewing condition information, the feed amount adjusting motor 76 (see FIG. 3), the sewing machine motor 77 (see FIG. 3), and the needle swinging motor. 78 (see FIG. 3) is driven.

  Next, a storage area provided in the RAM 103 will be described. Although not shown, the RAM 103 is provided with a drive sewing condition storage area and other storage areas. In the drive sewing condition storage area, sewing conditions (sewing pattern, needle swing amount, cloth feed amount, sewing speed) of the sewing process being executed are stored. The CPU 101 (see FIG. 3) refers to the needle swing amount in the sewing condition information stored in the drive sewing condition storage area, and determines the drive amount of the needle swing motor 78 (see FIG. 3) according to the needle swing amount. calculate. The drive circuit 73 (see FIG. 3) is controlled based on the calculated drive amount. Further, the feed amount adjustment motor 76 (see FIG. 3) is referred to by referring to the cloth feed amount in the stored sewing condition information and the cloth feed amount of the feed dog by the cloth feed mechanism becomes the stored fabric feed amount. Is calculated. Then, the drive circuit 71 is controlled based on the calculated drive amount. Further, based on the sewing speed in the sewing condition information, the rotational speed of the sewing machine motor 77 is calculated so that the rotational speed of the sewing machine main shaft becomes the sewing speed. And the drive circuit 72 is controlled so that it may become the calculated rotational speed.

  Next, details of the sewing condition information stored in the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102. In the first embodiment, the sewing condition is specified by recognizing the plan view shape of the head 51 as a morphological feature of the head 51 (see FIG. 6) of the waiting needle 50. The sewing condition storage area 203 stores sewing conditions (sewing pattern, needle swing amount, cloth feed amount, sewing speed) necessary for executing sewing for each shape of the head 51 in plan view. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a sewing pattern 301, a needle swing amount 302, a cloth feed amount 303, and a sewing speed 304 are stored as sewing conditions, and these sewing conditions are stored in the head of the waiting needle 50. It is stored for each plan view shape of the part 51.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the sewing pattern 301 is “straight line”, the needle swing amount 302 is “0 mm” when the shape of the head 51 (see FIG. 6) of the waiting needle 50 is “round”. The feed amount 303 is stored as “2.5 mm”, and the sewing speed 304 is stored as “low speed (70 rpm)”. Further, when the shape of the head 51 in plan view is “heart”, the sewing pattern 301 is “straight line”, the needle swing amount 302 is “0 mm”, the cloth feed amount 303 is “2.5 mm”, and the sewing speed 304 is “ “High speed (750 rpm)” is stored. Further, when the shape of the head 51 in plan view is “triangle”, the sewing pattern 301 is “zigzag”, the needle swing amount 302 is “2.0 mm”, the cloth feed amount 303 is “1.4 mm”, and the sewing speed 304 Is stored as “medium speed (410 rpm)”. When the shape of the head 51 in plan view is “square”, the sewing pattern 301 is “zigzag”, the needle swing amount 302 is “3.5 mm”, the cloth feed amount 303 is “1.4 mm”, and the sewing speed 304 Is stored as “high speed (750 rpm)”. Further, when the shape of the head 51 in plan view is “star”, the sewing pattern 301 is “festival stitching”, the needle swing amount 302 is “0 mm”, the cloth feed amount 303 is “2.0 mm”, and the sewing speed 304 is “Low speed (70 rpm)” is stored. When the shape of the head 51 in plan view is “x”, “stop” is stored in the sewing pattern in order to stop the sewing control process. The CPU 101 (see FIG. 3) of the sewing machine 1 (see FIG. 1) in the first embodiment photographs the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 pierced on the work cloth with the image sensor 30 (see FIG. 2). Recognize the shape. Then, the sewing condition corresponding to the recognized shape is specified by referring to the sewing condition storage area 203.

  Next, an example of the waiting needle 50 used in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a physical configuration of the waiting needle 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the waiting needle 50 includes a head 51 and a needle 52 having a sharp tip connected to the head 51. The needle part 52 is a part for piercing and stopping the work cloth. The head 51 is a plate-like portion formed of plastic or the like, and is connected to the end of the needle 52 that is opposite to the tip. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, a waiting needle 50 in which the shape of the head 51 in plan view is “round” is illustrated. In the first embodiment, a plurality of waiting needles 50 having different shapes in plan view of the head 51 are pierced into the work cloth and fixed to the work cloth.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the state of the waiting needles 501 to 504 fixed to the work cloth 60 will be described. FIG. 7 is a view showing a state of the work cloth 60 set on the sewing machine 1 in a state where the waiting needles 501 to 504 are fixed. In addition, the sewing part which the operator assumes is shown with the dashed-dotted line 61 in the figure.

  In FIG. 7, the operator wants to sew from the rear to the front along the straight alternate long and short dash line 61 along the right end of the work cloth 60 (the work cloth 60 is transferred from the front to the rear). Is assumed. In such a case, the waiting needles 501 to 504 are made of a work cloth in a state where the needle parts 521 to 524 are orthogonal to the alternate long and short dash line 61 and the tips of the needle parts 521 to 524 are directed leftward from the right end side of the work cloth 60. 60 is inserted and fixed. The heads 511 to 514 of the waiting needles 501 to 504 are arranged on the right side of the alternate long and short dash line 61. By arranging the waiting needles 501 to 504 in this way, the heads 511 to 514 of the waiting needles 501 to 504 are processed with a feed dog on the right side of the presser foot 13 in the imaging region of the image sensor 30 (see FIG. 2). As the cloth 60 is transferred, it moves sequentially. In this way, the sewing machine 1 (see FIG. 1) recognizes the shape of the heads 511 to 514 of the waiting needles 501 to 504, and performs sewing.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, a total of four waiting needles 501 to 504 are inserted into the work cloth 60 and fixed in order from the rear to the front. In this manner, the work cloth 60 is fixed by the needle portions 521 to 524 of the waiting needles 501 to 504, and the position at which sewing is started and the position at which sewing is finished are specified. Specifically, a “star” shaped waiting needle 501, a “triangular” shaped waiting needle 502, a “round” shaped waiting needle 503, and an “×” shaped waiting needle 504 are arranged in this order from the top.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, a flowchart of the sewing control process executed by the CPU 101 (see FIG. 3) provided in the sewing machine 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a main flowchart of a sewing control process for performing sewing based on the morphological characteristics of the head 51 (see FIG. 6) of the waiting needle 50. FIG. 9 is based on the morphological characteristics of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50. 10 is a subroutine flowchart of a sewing condition specifying process for specifying a sewing condition. 8 and 9 is stored in a control program storage area 201 (see FIG. 4) of the ROM 102, and is executed by the CPU 101.

  First, a main flowchart of the sewing control process will be described with reference to FIG. The main flowchart of FIG. 8 is a process that is started when the operator turns on the sewing machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the main flowchart is activated, first, initialization processing of the sewing machine 1 is executed. In the initialization process, the CPU 101 reads out the initial setting information from the initial setting information storage area 202 of the ROM 102 (S11), and among the initial setting information read out here, initial information on the sewing conditions (sewing pattern, needle swing amount). , The cloth feed amount and the sewing speed) are stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103. Further, in this state, when various setting information is input via the touch panel 111 of the liquid crystal display 10, the speed adjustment knob 94, etc., the input setting information is stored as a sewing condition in the drive sewing condition storage area. Since the CPU 101 executes the sewing control process based on the sewing condition information stored in the drive sewing condition storage area, the sewing pattern, needle swing amount, cloth feed amount stored in the drive sewing condition storage area at this time, The sewing speed (referred to as “drive sewing condition”) is the sewing condition of the sewing control process executed in the default state.

  Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the sewing start has been instructed based on whether or not the sewing start / stop switch 91 has been pressed once (S13). Then, the CPU 101 waits until the sewing start is instructed by the operator (S13: NO → S13). When the sewing start instruction is made by the operator (S13: YES), the CPU 101 then determines whether or not the sewing end is instructed. Judgment is made (S14). If the sewing start / stop switch 91 is pressed again, it is determined that the end of sewing has been instructed (S14: YES), and the sewing process being executed is stopped for a new sewing (S12). Then, the process returns to the setting information acquisition process (S11) again.

  When the sewing start / stop switch 91 is not depressed again (S14: NO), the work cloth 60 arranged in the imageable region and the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 are then photographed by the image sensor 30. . The obtained image information is subjected to image processing, and morphological feature recognition processing of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is executed (S15). In the first embodiment, processing for recognizing the shape of the head 51 (shape recognition processing) is executed. The shape recognition process performed here is performed as follows, for example. First, image information obtained as a result of photographing is binarized by binarization processing, and position information of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 having a high brightness with respect to the work cloth is extracted. The lightness threshold is determined by a p-tile method, a mode method, a discriminant analysis method, a variable threshold method, or the like. Next, the position information of the light / dark boundary part (edge) of the image information is specified by edge detection, and the position information of the boundary line part between the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 and the work cloth 60 is extracted. As a filter used for edge detection, a primary differential filter, a Laplacian filter, or the like is used. Next, an edge forming a curve or a straight line is extracted by the Hough transform, and the shape of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is specified. Then, by determining whether the obtained shape is the same as the predetermined shape, the shape of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is recognized.

  Further, in the above-described image processing, the shape recognition process is executed by selecting the image information of the right part of the presser foot 13 from the entire image information photographed by the image sensor 30. By doing so, since the shape is recognized when the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 passes just to the right of the needle drop hole 13a of the presser foot 13, the sewing conditions can be changed at this timing. (S23, see FIG. 9, described later).

  If the CPU 101 cannot identify the shape of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 as a result of the shape recognition process (S17: NO), it is determined that the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 does not exist within the imageable region of the image sensor 30, and the RAM 103 The sewing is executed based on the driving sewing conditions stored in the driving sewing condition storage area (S19). Then, the process returns to S14, and the monitoring process (S14) of the sewing start / stop switch 91 and the detection process and the shape recognition process (S15) of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 are repeatedly executed.

  As a result of the shape recognition process, when the shape of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 can be specified (S17: YES), the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 is read and referenced (S18), and the plan view of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is obtained. The sewing conditions specified by the shape are stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103. Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the shape of the head 51 of the specified waiting needle 50 is “X”. When the shape of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “X”, the sewing pattern stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103 is “stop”, and the ongoing sewing control process needs to be terminated. Therefore, in such a case (S21: YES), the CPU 101 stops the ongoing sewing (S27), ends the series of sewing control processes, and again performs setting information for the case where new sewing is performed. The process returns to (11).

  On the other hand, when the shape of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 specified by the CPU 101 is other than “X” (S21: NO), the process proceeds to the sewing condition specifying process (S23, see FIG. 9). In the sewing condition specifying process, the sewing condition corresponding to the planar view shape of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is determined based on the sewing condition stored in the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102, and the sewing control process is executed.

  Next, a subroutine flowchart of the sewing condition specifying process will be described with reference to FIG. In the sewing condition specifying process, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 101 has a plan view of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 whose shape of the recognized head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is defined in the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102. It is determined whether or not the shape matches any of “circle”, “heart”, “triangle”, “square”, “star”, and “x” (S31). If none of them match, it is determined that the sewing condition specified by the recognized head 51 of the waiting needle 50 exceeds the sewing condition stored in the possible sewing condition storage area 204 of the ROM 102 (S31: NO). In such a case, since the sewing machine 1 cannot perform sewing based on the sewing conditions specified by the head 51 of the waiting needle 50, the CPU 101 cannot continue sewing on the liquid crystal display 10. In order to notify that, an error message such as "sewing cannot be performed with this sewing machine" is displayed (S47). Then, “1” is stored in the sewing stop flag, which is a flag indicating that the sewing is to be stopped, to be “ON” (S49), the sewing condition specifying process is terminated, and the process returns to the sewing control process (see FIG. 8).

  On the other hand, the plan view shape of the head 51 of the specified waiting needle 50 matches any of “circle”, “heart”, “triangle”, “square”, “star”, and “x”, and sewing with the sewing machine 1 can be executed. (S31: YES), the drive sewing condition stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103 is compared with the newly specified sewing condition, and the difference between the two sewing conditions is determined. Judgment is made (S33, S37, S41).

  First, the CPU 101 determines a sewing speed among the sewing conditions. Referring to the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102, when the sewing speed specified by the plan view shape of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is the same as the sewing speed stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103 ( (S33: YES), the process proceeds to S37 without changing the sewing speed stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103. On the other hand, when the sewing speed specified from the shape of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is different from the sewing speed stored in the drive sewing condition storage area (S33: NO), the specified sewing speed is driven. The sewing speed stored in the sewing condition storage area is overwritten and stored (S35). As a result, the rotational speed of the sewing machine motor 77 is set so that the rotational speed of the sewing machine spindle becomes the sewing speed. Then, the process proceeds to S37.

  Next, in S37, the CPU 101 determines a needle swing amount among the sewing conditions (S37). Referring to the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102, the amount of needle swing specified from the plan view shape of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is the same as the amount of needle swing stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103. In the case (S37: YES), the process proceeds to S41 without changing the needle swing amount stored in the drive sewing condition storage area. On the other hand, if the amount of needle swing specified from the plan view shape of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is different from the amount of needle swing stored in the drive sewing condition storage area (S37: NO), the specified needle swing is determined. The amount is overwritten and stored on the needle swing amount stored in the drive sewing condition storage area (S39). Thus, a drive amount is calculated such that the needle swing amount of the needle bar 8 by the needle swing mechanism becomes this needle swing amount, and the drive amount of the needle swing motor 78 is set. Then, the process proceeds to S41.

  Next, in S41, the CPU 101 determines the cloth feed amount among the sewing conditions (S41). Referring to the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102, the cloth feed amount specified from the plan view shape of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is the same as the cloth feed amount stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103. In the case (S41: YES), the process proceeds to S45 without changing the cloth feed amount stored in the drive sewing condition storage area. On the other hand, when the cloth feed amount specified from the plan view shape of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is different from the cloth feed amount stored in the drive sewing condition storage area (S41: NO), the specified cloth feed is determined. The amount is overwritten and stored on the cloth feed amount stored in the drive sewing condition storage area (S43). As a result, a driving amount in which the cloth feed amount of the feed dog by the cloth feeding mechanism becomes this cloth feed amount is calculated, and the drive amount of the feed amount adjusting motor 76 is set. Then, the process proceeds to S45.

  In S45, the CPU 101 controls the drive circuits 71 to 73 based on the sewing pattern, the sewing speed, the needle swing amount, and the cloth feed amount stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103, and the feed amount adjusting motor 76, By sewing the sewing machine motor 77 and the needle swinging motor 78, sewing is performed on the work cloth 60 (S45). Then, the process returns to the sewing control process (see FIG. 8).

  In the sewing control process, as shown in FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the sewing process stop flag is ON (S25). If the sewing processing stop flag is ON (S25: YES), the sewing condition cannot be specified by the recognized head portion 51 of the waiting needle 50, so that the sewing needs to be stopped. Therefore, the sewing is finished (S27), and the process returns to the setting information acquisition process (S11) again in order to perform new sewing. On the other hand, when the sewing process stop flag is OFF (S25: NO), the process returns to S14 and the sewing process is continued.

  Next, a specific procedure in the case where the sewing control process is performed based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 shows a sewing pattern applied to the work cloth 60 when the waiting needle 50 is arranged as shown in FIG. Prior to sewing with the sewing machine 1, the operator pierces the waiting needles 501 to 504 so that the heads 511 to 514 of the waiting needles 501 to 504 are positioned on the right side of the position to be sewn on the work cloth 60 to be sewn. Stop at 60. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the planar shapes of the heads 511 to 514 of the waiting needles 501 to 504 are “star” (head 511) “triangle” (head 512) “circle” (head 513) in order from above. A total of four waiting hands 501 to 504 are arranged so as to be “x” (head 514).

  First, sewing is started from the upper end portion of the alternate long and short dash line 61 (S11, S13). When the sewing control process is started (S13: YES), the work cloth 60 is photographed by the image sensor 30 of the sewing machine 1 (S15), but the head 511 of the waiting needle 501 is not detected in this state (S17: NO), sewing conditions of the sewing pattern, needle swing amount, cloth feed amount, and sewing speed read from the initial setting information storage area 202 of the ROM 102 and stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103 when the sewing machine 1 is started On the basis of the sewing, sewing is executed (S19). In the first embodiment, sewing is executed based on the sewing conditions: sewing pattern: straight line, needle swing amount: 0 mm, cloth feed amount: 1.4 mm, and sewing speed: low speed (70 rpm).

  Next, the needle drop hole 13 a of the presser foot 13 reaches the left of the portion where the waiting needle 501 having the “star” head 511 is disposed. At this timing, the head 511 of the waiting needle 501 is photographed by the image sensor 30, and the shape is recognized (S15). Then, the sewing condition corresponding to “star” is read from the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 and specified (S17: YES). After that, the drive sewing conditions stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103 are changed to the sewing pattern: festival stitch, needle swing amount: 0 mm, cloth feed amount: 2.0 mm, sewing speed: low speed (70 rpm) ( S33 to S43), sewing is executed based on these sewing conditions (S45).

  Next, the needle drop hole 13 a of the presser foot 13 reaches the left of the portion where the waiting needle 502 having the “triangular” head 512 is disposed. At this timing, the head 512 of the waiting needle 502 is photographed by the image sensor 30, and the shape is recognized (S15). Then, the sewing condition corresponding to the “triangular” shape is read from the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 and specified (S17: YES). Thereafter, the drive sewing conditions stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103 are changed to the sewing pattern: zigzag, needle swing amount: 2.0 mm, cloth feed amount: 1.4 mm, and sewing speed: medium speed (410 rpm). Then, sewing is executed based on these sewing conditions (S45).

  Next, the needle drop hole 13 a of the presser foot 13 reaches the left of the portion where the waiting needle 503 having the “round” head 513 is disposed. At this timing, the head 513 of the waiting needle 503 is photographed by the image sensor 30, and the shape is recognized (S15). Then, the sewing condition corresponding to the “round” shape is read from the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 and specified (S17: YES). Thereafter, the drive sewing conditions stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103 are changed to sewing pattern: straight line, needle swing amount: 0 mm, cloth feed amount: 2.5 mm, sewing speed: low speed (70 rpm) (S33). To S43), sewing is executed based on these sewing conditions (S45).

  Next, the needle drop hole 13 a of the presser foot 13 reaches the left of the portion where the waiting needle 504 of the “×” head 514 is disposed. At this timing, the head 514 of the waiting needle 504 is photographed by the image sensor 30, and the shape is recognized (S15). Then, the sewing condition corresponding to the “x-shape” shape is read from the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 and specified (S17: YES). Here, since the sewing condition corresponding to “x” is “stop” (S21: YES), the sewing is interrupted (S27). By performing the sewing as described above, the sewing is performed on the alternate long and short dash line 61 of the work cloth 60 in the order of “straight line”, “festival stitching”, “zigzag”, and “straight line”.

As described above, the waiting needles 501 to 504 are arranged on the work cloth to be sewn in advance, and the heads 511 to 514 are photographed by the image sensor 30 provided in the sewing machine 1. Then, the shape of the head 51 is recognized from the image information obtained by photographing, and sewing is performed based on the sewing conditions corresponding to the recognized shape. This eliminates the need to change the sewing conditions in the middle of sewing, and even an operator who is not familiar with the operation can sew a complex pattern.
<Second Embodiment>

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the sewing machine 1 embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used for explaining the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention, and the contents described are not intended to be limited only to them unless otherwise specified. It is merely an illustrative example. Further, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above only in the process relating to the shape recognition process (S15, see FIG. 8), and the remaining part is the same. Therefore, the description of overlapping FIGS. 1 to 4, 8 and 9 is omitted in the following.

  In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 provided in the sewing machine 1 stores the sewing condition (sewing pattern, needle swing amount) in the color of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50. , Cloth feed amount, sewing speed) are associated and stored. When sewing is executed, the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 that is previously arranged on the work cloth is photographed by the image sensor 30 to determine the color, and the sewing conditions corresponding to each color are stored in the sewing condition storage in the ROM 102. It is read from the area 203 and specified. Then, sewing is executed based on the specified sewing conditions.

  First, details of the sewing conditions stored in the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102. In the sewing condition storage area 203, sewing conditions at the time of sewing are stored for each color of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, a sewing pattern 401, a needle swing amount 402, a cloth feed amount 403, and a sewing speed 404 are stored as sewing conditions.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 11, when the color of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “blue”, the sewing pattern 401 is “straight line”, the needle swing amount 402 is “0 mm”, and the cloth feed amount 403 is “1. “4 mm” and the sewing speed 404 are stored as “low speed (70 rpm)”. When the color of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “yellow”, the sewing pattern 401 is “straight line”, the needle swing amount 402 is “0 mm”, the cloth feed amount 403 is “1.4 mm”, and the sewing speed 404 is “Medium speed (410 rpm)” is stored. When the color of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “white”, the sewing pattern 401 is “straight line”, the needle swing amount 402 is “0 mm”, the cloth feed amount 403 is “2.5 mm”, and the sewing speed 404 is “High speed (750 rpm)” is stored. Further, when the color of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “green”, the sewing pattern 401 is “zigzag”, the needle swing amount 402 is “2.0 mm”, the cloth feed amount 403 is “1.4 mm”, and the sewing speed 404. Is stored as “low speed (70 rpm)”. When the color of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “brown”, the sewing pattern 401 is “zigzag”, the needle swinging amount 402 is “2.0 mm”, the cloth feed amount 403 is “2.5 mm”, and the sewing speed. 404 is stored as “medium speed (410 rpm)”. Further, when the color of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “purple”, the sewing pattern 401 is “zigzag”, the needle swing amount 402 is “3.5 mm”, the cloth feed amount 403 is “1.4 mm”, and the sewing speed. 404 is stored as “high speed (750 rpm)”. In addition, when the color of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “pink”, the sewing pattern 401 is “matsuri stitching”, the needle swing amount 402 is “0 mm”, the cloth feed amount 403 is “2.0 mm”, and the sewing speed 404. Is stored as “low speed (70 rpm)”. Further, when the color of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “sky blue”, the sewing pattern 401 is “fall stitching”, the needle swing amount 402 is “0 mm”, the cloth feed amount 403 is “2.0 mm”, and the sewing speed 404. Is stored as “medium speed (410 rpm)”. Further, when the color of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “red”, “stop” is stored in the sewing pattern in order to stop the sewing control processing.

  Next, a specific procedure when the sewing control process is performed based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 shows a state in which the waiting needles 601 to 603 are arranged to sew the work cloth 60. Prior to sewing with the sewing machine 1, the operator pierces the waiting needles 601 to 603 so that the heads 611 to 613 of the waiting needles 601 to 603 are positioned on the right side of the position where the sewing is to be started on the work cloth 60 to be sewn. Stop at 60. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the colors of the heads 611 to 613 of the waiting needles 601 to 603 are “blue” (head: 611) “green” (head: 612) “red” (head: 613), a total of three waiting needles 601 to 603 are arranged.

  First, sewing is started from the upper end portion of the alternate long and short dash line 61 (S11, S13). When the sewing control process is started (S13: YES), the work cloth 60 is photographed by the image sensor 30 of the sewing machine 1, and the color is recognized (S15). In the color recognition processing executed here, for example, the image information is separated into three colors of RGB (red, green, and blue) by a color filter, and the colors of the image information are recognized by comparing each intensity. A plate system is used. As a result of executing the color recognition processing, it is determined that the color of the head 611 of the waiting needle 601 is “blue”, and the sewing condition corresponding to the color is read from the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 and specified. (S17: YES). Thereafter, the drive sewing conditions stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103 are changed to sewing pattern: straight line, needle swing amount: 0 mm, cloth feed amount 1.4 mm, and sewing speed: low speed (70 rpm) (S33 to S33). S43), sewing is executed based on these sewing conditions (S45).

  Next, the needle drop hole 13 a of the presser foot 13 reaches the left of the portion where the waiting needle 602 of the “green” head 612 is disposed. At this timing, the head 612 of the waiting needle 602 is photographed by the image sensor 30, and the color is recognized (S15). Then, the sewing condition corresponding to “green” is read from the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 and specified (S17: YES). Thereafter, the drive sewing conditions stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103 are changed to sewing pattern: zigzag, needle swing amount: 2.0 mm, cloth feed amount 1.4 mm, sewing speed: low speed (70 rpm) ( S33 to S43), sewing is executed based on these sewing conditions (S45).

  Next, the needle drop hole 13 a of the presser foot 13 reaches the left of the portion where the waiting needle 603 of the “red” head 613 is disposed. At this timing, the head 613 of the waiting needle 603 is photographed by the image sensor 30, and the color is recognized (S15). Then, the sewing condition corresponding to “red” is read from the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 and specified (S17: YES). Here, since the sewing pattern corresponding to “red” is “stop” (S21: YES), the sewing is interrupted (S27). By performing the sewing as described above, the sewing is performed on the alternate long and short dash line 61 in the work cloth 60 in the “straight line” “zigzag” sewing pattern in order from above.

As described above, the waiting needles 601 to 603 are arranged on the work cloth to be sewn in advance, and the heads 611 to 613 are photographed by the image sensor 30 provided in the sewing machine 1. Then, the colors of the heads 611 to 613 are recognized from the image information obtained by photographing, and sewing is executed based on the sewing conditions corresponding to the recognized colors. This eliminates the need to change the sewing conditions in the middle of sewing, and even an operator (sewer) who is not familiar with the operation can sew a complex pattern.
<Third embodiment>

  Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the sewing machine 1 embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used for explaining the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention, and the contents described are not intended to be limited only to them unless otherwise specified. It is merely an illustrative example. Further, the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above only in the process related to the shape recognition process (S15, see FIG. 8), as in the second embodiment. The parts are the same. Therefore, the description regarding the overlapping FIGS. 1 to 4, 8, and 9 is omitted in the following.

  In the third embodiment, unlike the first embodiment and the second embodiment, when a plurality of waiting needles 50 are arranged on the work cloth in the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 provided in the sewing machine 1. Sewing conditions (sewing pattern, needle swing amount, cloth feed amount, sewing speed) are associated with and stored in the density of the heads 51 in FIG. When sewing is performed, the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 that is previously arranged on the work cloth is photographed by the image sensor 30 to determine the density, and the sewing condition corresponding to the density is the sewing condition in the ROM 102. It is read from the storage area 203 and specified. Then, sewing is executed based on the specified sewing conditions.

  First, details of the sewing conditions stored in the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102. In the sewing condition storage area 203, sewing conditions at the time of sewing are stored for each density of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, a sewing pattern 411, a needle swing amount 412, a cloth feed amount 413, and a sewing speed 414 are stored as sewing conditions.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 13, when the density of the heads 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “sparse”, the sewing pattern 411 is “straight line”, the needle swing 412 is “0 mm”, and the cloth feed 413 is “2.5 mm”. The sewing speed 414 is stored as “medium speed (410 rpm)”. When the density of the heads 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “medium”, the sewing pattern 411 is “zigzag”, the needle swing 412 is “2.0 mm”, the cloth feed 413 is “1.4 mm”, and the sewing speed 414 is set. Is stored as “medium speed (410 rpm)”. In addition, when the color of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “dense”, the sewing pattern 411 is “matsuri stitching”, the needle swing amount 412 is “0 mm”, the cloth feed amount 413 is “2.0 mm”, and the sewing speed 414. Is stored as “medium speed (410 rpm)”.

  Next, a specific procedure in the case where the sewing control process is performed based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 shows a sewing pattern applied to the work cloth 60 when the waiting needles 701 and 702 are arranged on the work cloth 60. Prior to sewing with the sewing machine 1, the operator pierces the waiting needles 701 and 702 so that the heads 711 and 712 of the waiting needles 701 and 702 are positioned on the right side of the position where sewing is desired to be performed on the work cloth 60 to be sewn. Stop at 60. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the waiting needles 701 and 702 are arranged in order of “sparse” and “dense” from the top.

  First, sewing is started from the upper end portion of the alternate long and short dash line 61 (S11, S13). When sewing is started (S13: YES), the work cloth 60 is photographed by the image sensor 30 of the sewing machine 1, and the density of the heads 711 of the waiting needles 701 arranged is recognized (S15). The density knowledge processing executed here is, for example, how many shapes of the head 51 of the waiting needle that can be recognized by the shape recognition processing in the first embodiment are present in the imageable region of the image sensor 30. It is executed by judging. As a result of executing the density recognition process, it is determined that the density of the head 711 of the waiting needle 701 is “sparse”, and the sewing condition corresponding to the density is read from the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102. It is specified (S17: YES). Thereafter, the drive sewing conditions stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103 are set to sewing pattern: straight line, needle swing amount: 0 mm, cloth feed amount 2.5 mm, sewing speed: medium speed (410 rpm) (S33). To S43), sewing is executed based on these sewing conditions (S45).

  Next, the presser foot 13 reaches the left of the portion where the density of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 is “dense”. Then, at this timing, the head 712 of the waiting needle 702 is photographed by the image sensor 30, and the density is recognized (S15). Then, the sewing condition corresponding to “fine” is read from the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 and specified (S17: YES). After that, the drive sewing conditions stored in the drive sewing condition storage area of the RAM 103 are changed to the sewing pattern: festival sewing, needle swing amount: 0 mm, cloth feed amount 2.0 mm, sewing speed: medium speed (410 rpm) ( S33 to S43), sewing is executed based on these sewing conditions (S45).

  Next, the sewing start / stop switch 91 is once depressed by the operator (S14: YES). As a result, the sewing is interrupted (S12). By executing the sewing control process as described above, the sewing is performed on the alternate long and short dash line 61 in the work cloth 60 according to the sewing pattern of “straight line” and “festival sewing” in order from the information.

  As described above, the waiting needle 50 is arranged on the work cloth to be sewn in advance, and the head 51 is photographed by the image sensor 30 provided in the sewing machine 1. Then, the density of the head 51 is recognized from the image information obtained by photographing, and sewing control processing is executed based on the sewing conditions corresponding to the recognized density. This eliminates the need to change the sewing conditions in the middle of sewing, and even an operator (sewer) who is not familiar with the operation can sew a complex pattern.

  The needle bar 8 and the sewing machine motor 77 shown in FIG. 1 correspond to the “sewing means” of the present invention, and the sewing pattern 301, needle swing 302, cloth feed 303, sewing speed 304, and sewing speed 304 shown in FIG. The sewing conditions stored in the sewing pattern 401, the needle swing 402, the cloth feed 403, and the sewing speed 404, and the sewing pattern 411, the needle swing 412, the cloth feed 413, and the sewing speed 414 shown in FIG. This corresponds to the “sewing conditions” of the invention. Further, the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the “sign” of the present invention, and the CPU 101 that performs processing of photographing the work cloth in S15 shown in FIG. 8 via the image sensor 30 in FIG. It corresponds to “imaging means” of the invention. Further, the shape and color of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 and the density of the head 51 when the waiting needle 50 is arranged on the work cloth correspond to the “morphological features” of the present invention. Further, in S15 shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 101 that performs processing for determining the morphological characteristics of the image obtained as a result of photographing the waiting needle 50 corresponds to the “discriminating means” of the present invention. The sewing conditions stored in the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 correspond to the “sewing condition information” of the present invention, and the ROM 102 storing “sewing condition information” serves as the “sewing condition storage means” of the present invention. Equivalent to. Further, the CPU 101 that performs the process of reading the sewing condition storage area 203 of the ROM 102 in S18 shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to the “reading unit” of the present invention. In S19 shown in FIG. 8 and S45 shown in FIG. The CPU 101 that performs the process of controlling the sewing means in order to perform the sewing control process based on the sewing conditions thus obtained corresponds to the “control means” of the present invention. A control program stored in the control program storage area 201 of the ROM 102 for driving the sewing machine 1 corresponds to the “sewing control program” of the present invention.

  Needless to say, the sewing machine 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the sewing needles 50 are preliminarily arranged on the work cloth 60 and the sewing conditions are specified by the image sensor 30 of the sewing machine 1 photographing the head 51 of the waiting needle 50 and recognizing morphological features. As a modification, the sign according to the present invention can be configured as seals 801 to 804 (see FIG. 15). Below, with reference to FIG. 15, the sewing control process using the seal | stickers 801-804 which concerns on a modification is demonstrated. FIG. 15 is a view showing a state in which the seals 801 to 804 are affixed to the work cloth 60.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the seals 801 to 804 have a plurality of planar shapes (“star” (801), “triangle” (802), “circle” (803), “× character” (804)). Note that an adhesive layer is formed on one side of these seals, and is adhered to the work cloth 60 by this adhesive layer, thereby sewing in a desired sewing manner in the same manner as the waiting needle 50 described above. In actual sewing, the operator can sew sewing conditions associated with the shapes of the seals 801 to 804 on the work cloth 60 as shown in FIG. Then, when the work cloth 60 is set on the sewing machine 1, the seals 801 to 804 are sequentially placed by the image sensor 30 in the same manner as in the example using the waiting needle 50 described above. Then, the corresponding sewing conditions are specified, and the sewing machine motor 77, the needle swinging motor 78, and the feed amount adjusting motor 76 are controlled in accordance with the sewing conditions. In the case of using the seals 801 to 804, there is an advantage that handling is easy because the needle portion 52 is not provided like the waiting needle 50. On the other hand, since the work cloth 60 cannot be temporarily fixed, It is necessary to temporarily fix the path to be sewn by the sewing needle 16 with a basting thread or the like.

  In the present embodiment, as the morphological features of the image information obtained by photographing the head 51 of the waiting needle 50, the shape of the head 51, the color of the head 51, and the degree of congestion of the head 51 Is associated with the sewing conditions (sewing pattern, needle swing amount, cloth feed amount, sewing speed), and the sewing is executed by specifying the drive sewing conditions, but is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the driving sewing conditions may be specified by associating the sewing conditions with a combination of a plurality of morphological features, and the morphological that is different for each of the sewing conditions (sewing pattern, needle swing amount, cloth feed amount, sewing speed). Drive sewing conditions may be specified by associating features (shape, color, density) (for example, a sewing pattern is associated with the shape of the head 51, and a needle swing amount is associated with the color of the head 51). Further, the degree of congestion may be associated with the cloth feed amount).

  In the present embodiment, four sewing conditions (sewing pattern, needle swing amount, cloth feed amount, sewing speed) are associated with the morphological features of the head 51 of the waiting needle 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something. Therefore, the driving sewing condition may be specified by associating only one of these sewing conditions with the morphological feature.

1 is a perspective view of a sewing machine 1. FIG. It is an enlarged view of the arm head 4a. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the sewing machine 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a storage area provided in a ROM 102. FIG. It is a schematic diagram showing a sewing condition storage area 203 in the first embodiment. It is the external view which showed the shape of the waiting needle 50 in 1st embodiment. It is the figure which showed the mode of the work cloth 60 to which the waiting needle 50 was fixed. It is a main flowchart of a sewing control process. It is a subroutine flowchart of sewing parameter specification processing. The sewing pattern given to the work cloth 60 in the first embodiment is shown. It is a schematic diagram which shows the sewing condition storage area 203 in 2nd embodiment. The waiting needles 601 to 603 arranged on the work cloth 60 in the second embodiment are shown. It is a schematic diagram which shows the sewing condition storage area 203 in 3rd embodiment. The waiting needles 701 and 702 arranged on the work cloth 60 in the third embodiment are shown. The stickers 801 to 804 attached to the work cloth 60 are shown.

Explanation of symbols

1 sewing machine 8 needle bar 30 image sensors 50, 501, 502, 503, 504, 601, 602, 603, 701, 702, waiting needle 76 feed amount adjusting motor 77 sewing motor 78 needle swinging motor 101 CPU
102 ROM
203 Sewing condition storage area 103 RAM
801, 802, 803, 804 seal

Claims (6)

A sewing machine that performs sewing on a work cloth by sewing means that includes a needle bar with a sewing needle and a sewing machine motor that drives a needle bar mechanism that drives the needle bar in the vertical direction through a sewing machine spindle. And
An imaging means capable of imaging a sign placed on the work cloth in order to specify a sewing condition;
Discriminating means for discriminating the morphological characteristics of an image obtained as a result of being imaged by the imaging means;
Sewing condition storage means for storing the morphological features in association with sewing condition information that is information relating to the sewing conditions;
Reading means for reading out sewing condition information corresponding to the morphological features determined by the determining means from the sewing condition storage means;
A sewing machine comprising: control means for specifying a sewing condition based on the sewing condition information read by the reading means, and controlling the sewing means to perform sewing. The discrimination means includes
The sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the shape, color, and density of the sign is determined as the morphological feature. A needle swinging motor that drives a needle swinging mechanism that swings the needle bar in the lateral direction with respect to the cloth feeding direction;
A feed amount adjusting motor for adjusting a feed amount of a cloth feed mechanism that transports the work cloth on the sewing machine bed at a predetermined feed amount;
The sewing condition information is
Sewing speed data, which is data related to the rotational speed of the sewing machine spindle, needle swing amount data, which is data related to the amount of movement of the sewing needle in the left-right direction by the needle swing mechanism, and data related to the work cloth feed amount by the cloth feed mechanism Including at least one of the feed amount data,
The control means includes
The sewing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the sewing machine motor, the needle swinging motor, and the feed amount adjusting motor is controlled.   The sewing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mark is a waiting needle having a head portion and a needle portion.   The sewing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mark is a seal on a label having an adhesive layer on one surface.   A sewing machine control program for causing a computer to function as various processing means of the sewing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images