Abstract:
The embroidery machine includes: 1) a function-setting unit  110  having a current-operation data storing key for storing current-operation data and an operation data retrieval key for retrieving stored previous-operation data; 2) an operation data storage unit  120  for storing data with respect to the current operation in response to a signal generated by the selection of the operation-data storing key at the function-setting unit  110 ; and 3) a control unit  130  for controlling storage of the current-operation data in the operation data storage unit  120 , checking whether there exist an operation stored in the operation data storage unit  120  if the operation data retrieval key is selected at the function-setting unit  110 , and controlling the performance of the corresponding embroidery operation as a result of the check.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to an embroidery machine, and more particularly to an embroidery machine with an operation-data storing function for storing data of currently performing embroidery operation, and a method for controlling the embroidery machine.  
         DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
         [0002]    In general, an industrial embroidery machine refers to a mechanical apparatus for embroidering desired pattern by moving the embroidery frame, into which an embroidery cloth is fixed, in X-axis or Y-axis direction, while a needle holder of a sewing machine which performs sewing operation moves up and down.  
           [0003]    The embroidery machine is designed to embroider on an embroidery cloth by moving the embroidery frame into which the embroidery cloth is fixed in X or Y direction. Accordingly, the precision in movement and lower vibration of the embroidery frame are closely involved with the quality of embroidery.  
           [0004]    An AC servo motor, or an induction motor whose speed is controllable is used as a power source for driving the needle holder of the embroidery machine, and a stepping motor which has an excellent positioning capability and is easy to control is used as a power source for driving the embroidery frame in X or Y direction.  
           [0005]    Usually, there are 12 to 24 sewing machines coupled with one shaft in order to improve embroidery productivity. Each sewing machine has 6 to 12 needle holders for embroidering with threads of various colors according to embroidery designs, and a thread of different color is held in each needle holder.  
           [0006]    These days, users seek an embroidery machine which provides not only easy input, copy, and storage but also simple edit of embroidery designs, and so on. Furthermore, users favor an automated embroidery machine with an automatic thread-color change function according to embroidery designs, a thread-cut function for cutting threads automatically after completion of an embroidery operation, an alarm function for stopping the embroidery machine and displaying an alarm when a thread is broken, a power-outage recovery function for continuing the embroidery operation when the embroidery machine is stopped due to power outage, and the like.  
           [0007]    In addition to efforts to improve the quality of embroidery, the manufacturers of embroidery machines adopt an industrial computer or a microcomputer into the embroidery machine so as to meet the desires of the users who favor multi-function embroidery machine. FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of such a conventional embroidery machine.  
           [0008]    As shown in the FIG. 1, the conventional embroidery machine comprises a function-setting unit  10  with function selection keys for setting various functions, a control unit  20  for generally controlling the embroidery machine with a memory stored with software programs necessary for the control of the embroidery machine, and a mechanism unit  30  for driving the needle holders and the embroidery frame according to the control of the control unit  20 . Furthermore, the control unit  20  may include a set-up data storage unit  40  for storing various set-up data to perform the embroidery operation (parameter data for driving the mechanism unit, such as embroidery operation speed, needle-holder selection data, etc.), and an internal or external embroidery design storage unit  50  for storing embroidery design data, while the FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the embroidery machine with an external one.  
           [0009]    The operation of the embroidery machine with such configuration is described with FIG. 2 as follows.  
           [0010]    First, a user selects a desired embroidery design among the embroidery designs stored in the embroidery design storage unit  50 , and sets the set-up data for performing the embroidery operation (parameter data for driving the mechanism unit, such as embroidery operation speed, needle-holder selection data, etc.) through the function-setting unit  10  in step S 1 . Then, the control unit  20  checks whether a start key for starting the embroidery operation is selected at the function-setting unit  10  in step S 2 . Subsequently, the control unit  20  drives the mechanism unit  30  in step S 3 , according to the parameter data set at the step S 1  if the start key is selected as a result of such check.  
           [0011]    Next, the control unit  20  reads embroidery data for the embroidery design selected by the user from the embroidery design storage unit  50  in step S 4 . Then, the control unit  20  determines whether the read-out embroidery data is an end code in step S 5 . After such determination, the control unit  20  stops the drive of the mechanism unit  30  so as to perform a principal-axis stop routine for stopping the drive of the needle holders and embroidery frame in step S 6 , then ends the embroidery operation.  
           [0012]    Alternatively, the control unit  20  checks whether a stop key is selected if the embroidery data read-out at the step S 5  is not an end code in step S 7 . The embroidery operation is performed if the stop key is not selected after such a check of stop key selection instep S 8 . On the contrary, if the stop key is selected, the drive of the mechanism unit  30  is caused to stop so as to perform the principal-axis stop routine for stopping the needle holders and embroidery frame in step S 9 . Then, it is determined whether the start key is selected from the function-setting unit  10  in step S 10 .  
           [0013]    If the start key is selected as a result of the determination at the step S 10 , the step S 3  is followed and the embroidery operation is caused to perform. On the contrary, if the start key is not selected from the function-setting unit  10 , the control unit  20  checks whether the operation end key is selected in step S 11 , and ends the embroidery operation when the operation end key is selected. In the meanwhile, if the operation end key is not selected, the step S 10  is followed subsequently and it is checked whether the start key is selected repeatedly.  
           [0014]    In such a conventional embroidery machine, a user has to wait until a currently performing embroidery operation is over or cancel the embroidery operation, in case of an unexpected urgent operation during an embroidery operation after reading a desired embroidery design from the embroidery design storage unit  50 .  
           [0015]    For instance, if the amount of the remaining work to complete the current embroidery operation is 30,000 stitches, the user has to wait about 35 minutes to complete the current embroidery operation for the urgent embroidery operation even when the operation speed is 850 rpm. Furthermore, it has other inconvenience in that a customer service representative for repair and maintenance ought to wait until the current embroidery operation is over when the service representative visits the user during an operation.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    The present invention is designed to overcome such problems, and therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide an embroidery machine with an operation-data storing function for storing data of currently performing embroidery operation when there is other urgent embroidery operation to be carried out beforehand, performing the urgent embroidery operation, and resuming the stored embroidery operation, and a method for controlling the embroidery machine.  
           [0017]    In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an embroidery machine with an operation-data storing function comprising: 1) a function-setting means having an operation-data storing key for outputting a signal to store current-operation data as previous-operation data according to user manipulation, and/or an operation data retrieval key for outputting a signal to read the stored previous-operation data; 2) an operation data storage means for storing data with respect to the previous operation; and 3) a control means for storing the current-operation data as previous-operation data of the embroidery machine when the signal from the function-setting means to store the current-operation data as the previous-operation data is inputted, and reading the previous-operation data stored in the operation data storage means when the signal from the function-setting means to read the previous-operation data is inputted, so as to drive a corresponding mechanism means.  
           [0018]    In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provide a method for controlling an embroidery machine with an operation-data storing function, the method comprising: 1) checking whether there exist previous-operation data stored in a storage means in response to a signal for reading the previous-operation data when the signal is inputted according to manipulation of a function-setting means by a user, and 2) controlling read-out of the previous-operation data and the drive of the embroidery machine according to the previous-operation data if there exist the previous-operation data stored in the storage means corresponding to the signal for reading the previous-operation data inputted by the user.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    The above and other objects and features of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional embroidery machine;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the embroidery machine of FIG. 1;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embroidery machine with an operation-data storing function according to the invention; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 4A and 4B show an operation flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the embroidery machine of FIG. 3.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]    Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an embroidery machine with an operation-data storing function according to the present invention. The embroidery machine of the invention comprises a function-setting unit  110 , an operation data storage unit  120 , and a control unit  130 . The function-setting unit  110  includes an operation-data storing key for storing current-operation data as previous-operation data, an operation data retrieval key for retrieving operation data of previously performed embroidery operation, and other function selection keys. And, the operation data storage unit  120  is stored with the previous-operation data. The control unit  130  controls storage of the current-operation data as previous-operation data in the operation data storage unit  120 , when the operation-data storing key of the function-setting unit  110  is selected by the user and accordingly a signal for storing the operation data is inputted. Furthermore, the control unit  130  checks whether there exist previous-operation data stored in the operation data storage unit  120  when the operation data retrieval key of the function-setting unit  110  is selected by the user and accordingly the signal for reading the previous-operation data is inputted. Then, the control unit  130  drives a mechanism unit  140  so as to perform a corresponding embroidery operation as a result of the check. In addition, the control unit  130  controls general operation of the embroidery machine according to the setting of the various function selection keys of the function-setting unit  110 .  
         [0026]    Where, there is provided a flash memory capable of keeping stored data even in the event of the power off, or a battery-loaded RAM (NVRAM: Non-Volatile RAM) for the operation data storage unit  120 . Alternatively, it is possible to incorporate a battery into the RAM so as to keep the stored data. While, the previous-operation data stored in the operation data storage unit  120  include a design name of the previous operation, a position of the design data in the memory, position data of the embroidery frame, a total stitch number of current operation, various parameter data for driving current mechanism unit (such as embroidery operation speed, needle holder data, etc.), and so on.  
         [0027]    The control unit  130  may consist of a microcomputer, or the like, and the function of the mechanism unit  140  is the same as the conventional one. The control unit  130  include a set-up data storage unit  150  for storing various set-up data (parameter data for driving the mechanism unit, such as embroidery operation speed, needle holder selection data, etc.) to perform the embroidery operation the same as the conventional one, and an internal or external embroidery design data storage unit  160  for storing various embroidery design data, while the FIG. 3 shows an example of the control unit  130  with an external one.  
         [0028]    The invention having such configuration as set forth above is described with the FIGS. 4A and 4B as follows.  
         [0029]    First, a user selects the operation data retrieval key of the function-setting unit  110  in order to retrieve operation data of a previously performed embroidery design in step S 111 . Then, the control unit  130  checks whether there exist the corresponding operation data in the operation data storage unit  120  in step S 112 . Also, various data required for performing the embroidery operation can be set through the function-setting unit  110  in the step S 111 .  
         [0030]    As a result of the check in the step S 112 , the user can select whether to perform the embroidery operation corresponding to the stored operation data if there exist the operation data in step S 113 . Next, the operation data stored in the operation data storage unit  120  is retrieved if the user selects to perform the stored operation in step S 114 , then the embroidery frame is cause to move to the position in accordance with the retrieved data S 115 . Then it is checked whether the user selects a start key of the function-setting unit  110  and correspondingly a start signal is inputted in step S 116 .  
         [0031]    If the start signal is inputted from the function-setting unit  110  as a result of the check in the step S 116 , the control unit  130  drives the mechanism unit  140  in step S 117  in accordance with the previous operation data retrieved in the step S 114 . Accordingly, the control unit  130  reads embroidery data in step S 118 , and checks whether the embroidery data is an end code in step S 119 .  
         [0032]    While, if there exists no stored operation as a result of the check in the step S 112  or the user does not select the stored operation to be performed in the step S 113 , it is checked whether the user selects the start key and accordingly the start signal is inputted in the step S 116 . If the start signal is inputted, the control unit  130  drives the mechanism unit  140  in accordance with the data set in the step S 111 , and reads the embroidery data so as to check whether the read-out embroidery data is an end code.  
         [0033]    If the embroidery data is an end code at the check result in the step S 119 , the mechanism unit  140  is controlled to perform the principal-axis stop routine for stopping the needle holder and embroidery frame in step S 120 , and ends the operation.  
         [0034]    On the contrary, if the embroidery data is not an end code at the check result in the step S 119 , the control unit  130  checks whether the user selects the stop key at the function-setting unit  110  and accordingly the stop signal is inputted in step S 121 . If no stop signal is inputted at the check result in the step S 121 , the embroidery operation is performed in step S 122 . Otherwise, if the stop signal is inputted at the check result in the step S 121 , the control unit  130  stops the drive of the mechanism unit  140  so as to perform the principal-axis stop routine for stopping the needle holders and embroidery frame in step S 123 . Then, it is checked whether the user selects the start key of the function-setting unit  110  and accordingly the start signal is inputted in step S 124 .  
         [0035]    If the start signal is inputted at the check result in the step S 124 , the step S 117  is followed and the embroidery operation is performed. On the contrary, if the start signal is not inputted, it is checked whether the user selects the operation end key of the function-setting unit  110  and accordingly the operation end signal is inputted in step S 125 . If the operation end signal is inputted, the control unit  130  ends the embroidery operation, otherwise, the operation end signal is not inputted, the control unit  130  checks whether the user selects the operation-data storing key so as to input an operation-data storing signal for storing the current-operation data as previous-operation data in step S 126 .  
         [0036]    If the operation-data storing signal is inputted from the function-setting unit  110 , the control unit  130  stores the current-operation data, such as a design name of the operation, a position of the design data in the memory, position data of the embroidery frame, a total stitch number of current operation, various parameter data for driving the mechanism unit, etc. of the currently performing embroidery operation as the previous-operation data in the operation data storage unit  120  in step S 127 , and ends the embroidery operation. Otherwise, if the operation-data storing signal is not inputted, the step S 124  is followed and it is checked whether the start signal is inputted repeatedly.  
         [0037]    In the present invention having such configuration, users can select the operation-data storing key in the function-setting unit  110  for storing the current-operation data as the previous-operation data in order to store the current-operation data, when an embroidery operation is stopped during the operation, such as incidental thread breakage or an operation stop key input, etc. Then, the current-operation data such as a design data name, a stored position of the design data in the memory, position data of the embroidery frame, a total stitch number of current operation, various parameter data for driving the mechanism unit (such as embroidery operation speed, needle holder selection data, etc.) or the like of the currently performing operation are stored as the previous-operation data in the operation data storage unit  120 , and the operation is finished.  
         [0038]    Furthermore, the user can check the operation data stored in the operation data storage unit  120  through the operation data retrieval key of the function-setting unit  110  after completing an urgent embroidery operation, and can select whether to perform the stored operation. If the user selects to perform the stored operation, the user can resume the previous embroidery operation by causing the embroidery frame to move to a corresponding operation position in accordance with the operation data stored in the operation data storage unit  120  so as to be in stand-by state.  
         [0039]    As described in the above, the present invention can provide various operation orders, since it is possible to perform an urgent operation prior to the currently performing operation when there is an unexpected urgent operation, and to resume the stored previous operation. Furthermore, the invention can provide higher quality of embroidery, since there is no need to hasten the current embroidery operation because it is possible to carry out an urgent operation first, and the invention is very conducive to the operation management of the embroidery machine operator.  
         [0040]    Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.