Sewing machine, non-transitory computer-readable medium and sewing machine system

A sewing machine includes an embroidery frame moving portion, a sewing portion, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of acquiring image data created by a device and obtained by capturing an image of a range that includes at least one reference mark and at least one indicator mark, computing positioning data based on the image data, specifying an embroidery pattern to be formed in a sewing workpiece clamped in an embroidery frame, setting at least one of a position and an angle of the embroidery pattern on the sewing workpiece, based on the positioning data, acquiring embroidery data, causing the embroidery frame moving portion and the sewing portion to form the stitches that make up the embroidery pattern in the sewing workpiece, based on the embroidery data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-027494, filed Feb. 15, 2013, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a sewing machine, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and a sewing machine system.

A sewing machine is known that in configured to easily set, on a sewing workpiece that is clamped in an embroidery frame, positions and angles where stitches that make up an embroidery pattern will be formed. For example, a sewing machine is known that is provided with an image capture device. The sewing machine may cause the image capture device to capture an image of a mark that a user has affixed to the sewing workpiece in a designated position. Based on the captured image of the mark, the sewing machine may automatically set, on the sewing workpiece, the positions and the angles for the stitches that make up the embroidery pattern.

SUMMARY

A camera is installed as the image capture device in the sewing machine that is described above. The configuration of the sewing machine is therefore complex, and the sewing machine is comparatively expensive.

Various embodiments of the broad principles derived herein provide a sewing machine, a non-transitory computer-readable medium and a sewing machine system that make it possible to easily set, on a sewing workpiece, at least one of a position and an angle where a stitch will be formed that makes up a portion of an embroidery pattern, without making the configuration of the sewing machine complicated.

Various embodiments herein provide a sewing machine that includes an embroidery frame moving portion, a sewing portion, a processor, and a memory. The embroidery frame moving portion is configured to be removably mounted with an embroidery frame and to move the embroidery frame in a movement direction. The sewing portion is configured to form a stitch in a sewing workpiece that is clamped in the embroidery frame. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of acquiring image data that are created by a device that is different from the sewing machine, computing positioning data based on the image data, specifying an embroidery pattern to be formed in the sewing workpiece that is clamped in the embroidery frame, setting at least one of a position and an angle of the embroidery pattern on the sewing workpiece, based on the positioning data, acquiring embroidery data, and causing the embroidery frame moving portion and the sewing portion to form the stitches that make up the embroidery pattern in the sewing workpiece, based on the embroidery data. The image data are image data that are obtained by capturing an image of a range that includes at least one reference mark and at least one indicator mark. The at least one reference mark is provided on the embroidery frame. The at least one indicator mark is positioned in an area inside the embroidery frame, on the sewing workpiece that is clamped in the embroidery frame. The positioning data are data that indicate at least one of a position and an angle of the at least one indicator mark in relation to the at least one reference mark. The embroidery data are data for forming stitches that make up the embroidery pattern, at the at least one of the position and the angle of the embroidery pattern on the sewing workpiece.

Various embodiments also provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions. When executed by a processor of a sewing machine including an embroidery frame moving portion configured to be removably mounted with an embroidery frame and to move the embroidery frame in a movement direction and a sewing portion configured to form a stitch in a sewing workpiece clamped in the embroidery frame, the computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform the steps of acquiring image data that are created by a device that is different from the sewing machine, computing positioning data based on the image data, specifying an embroidery pattern to be formed in the sewing workpiece that is clamped in the embroidery frame, setting at least one of a position and an angle of the embroidery pattern on the sewing workpiece, based on the positioning data, acquiring embroidery data, and causing the embroidery frame moving portion and the sewing portion to form the stitches that make up the embroidery pattern in the sewing workpiece, based on the embroidery data. The image data are image data that are obtained by capturing an image of a range that includes at least one reference mark and at least one indicator mark. The at least one reference mark is provided on the embroidery frame. The at least one indicator mark is positioned in an area inside the embroidery frame, on the sewing workpiece that is clamped in the embroidery frame. The positioning data are data that indicate at least one of a position and an angle of the at least one indicator mark in relation to the at least one reference mark. The embroidery data are data for forming stitches that make up the embroidery pattern, at the at least one of the position and the angle of the embroidery pattern on the sewing workpiece.

Various embodiments further provide a sewing machine system that includes a sewing machine, an embroidery frame, and a device. The sewing machine includes an embroidery frame moving portion, a sewing portion, a first processor, and a first memory. The embroidery frame moving portion is configured to removably mounted with the embroidery frame and to move the embroidery frame in a movement direction. The sewing portion is configured to form a stitch in a sewing workpiece that is clamped in the embroidery frame. The sewing portion includes a needle bar. The first memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the first processor, cause the first processor to perform the steps of acquiring image data that are created by the device, computing positioning data based on the image data, specifying an embroidery pattern to be formed in the sewing workpiece that is clamped in the embroidery frame, setting at least one of a position and an angle of the embroidery pattern on the sewing workpiece, based on the positioning data, acquiring embroidery data, and causing the embroidery frame moving portion and the sewing portion to form the stitches that make up the embroidery pattern in the sewing workpiece, based on the embroidery data. The image data are image data that are obtained by capturing an image of a range that includes at least one reference mark and at least one indicator mark. The at least one reference mark is provided on the embroidery frame. The at least one indicator mark is positioned in an area inside the embroidery frame, on the sewing workpiece that is clamped in the embroidery frame. The positioning data are data that indicate at least one of a position and an angle of the at least one indicator mark in relation to the at least one reference mark. The embroidery data are data for forming stitches that make up the embroidery pattern, at the at least one of the position and the angle of the embroidery pattern on the sewing workpiece. The embroidery frame includes a mounting portion and a clamping portion. The mounting portion is configured to be mounted on and removed from the embroidery frame moving portion. The clamping portion includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame and the second frame are configured to clamp a sewing workpiece. The clamping portion has the at least one reference mark that is disposed at a visible position on a side of the clamping portion that is opposite the needle bar in a state in which the sewing workpiece is clamped. The device includes an image capture portion, a second processor, and a second memory. The image capture portion is configured to create image data. The second memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform the steps of causing the image capture portion to create the image data by causing the image capture portion to capture the image of the range that includes the at least one reference mark and the at least one indicator mark, and outputting the image data to the sewing machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be explained with reference to the drawings. First, a sewing machine system100will be explained with reference toFIGS. 1 to 4. As shown inFIG. 1, the sewing machine system100mainly includes a sewing machine1, a portable terminal3, and an embroidery frame53. Each of the sewing machine1and the portable terminal3is configured to be connectable to a network9(refer toFIG. 4). The network9may be a public network, for example. Hereinafter, physical configurations of the sewing machine1, the portable terminal3, and the embroidery frame53will be explained in that order. The top side, the bottom side, the lower left side, the upper right side, the upper left side, and the lower right side inFIG. 1respectively correspond to the top side, the bottom side, the left side, the right side, the rear side, and the front side of the sewing machine1and the portable terminal3. The top side, the bottom side, the left side, the right side, the rear side, and the front side inFIG. 2respectively correspond to the rear side, the front side, the left side, the right side, the bottom side, and the top side of the embroidery frame53.

The sewing machine1is configured to sew an embroidery pattern. As shown inFIG. 1, the sewing machine1includes a bed11, a pillar12, and an arm13. The bed11is a base portion of the sewing machine1, and extends in the left-right direction. The pillar12extends upward from the right end of the bed11. The arm13extends to the left from the upper end of the pillar12, such that the arm13is opposite the bed11. The left end portion of the arm13is a head14.

A needle plate (not shown in the drawings) is provided in the top face of the bed11. A feed dog (not shown in the drawings), a feed mechanism85(refer toFIG. 4), a feed motor80(refer toFIG. 4), and a shuttle mechanism (not shown in the drawings) are provided underneath the needle plate, that is, inside the bed11. The feed dog may be driven by the feed mechanism85and is configured to feed a sewing workpiece in a specified feed direction (one of toward the front and toward the rear of the sewing machine1). The sewing workpiece may be a work cloth, for example. The feed mechanism85is a mechanism that is configured to drive the feed dog in the up-down direction and in the front-rear direction. A bobbin around which a lower thread is wound can be accommodated in the shuttle mechanism. The shuttle mechanism is a mechanism that is configured to form a stitch in the sewing workpiece by operating in coordination with a sewing needle28that is mounted on the lower end of a needle bar29, which will be described later. The feed motor80is a pulse motor for driving the feed mechanism85.

A well-known embroidery device2that is used during embroidery sewing can be mounted on the bed11. When the embroidery device2is mounted on the sewing machine1, the embroidery device2and the sewing machine1are electrically connected. When the embroidery device2and the sewing machine1are electrically connected, the embroidery device2can move a sewing workpiece5that is held by the embroidery frame53. The embroidery device2includes a body51and a carriage52.

The carriage52is provided on the top side of the body51. The carriage52has a three-dimensional rectangular shape, with its longer axis extending in the front-rear direction. The carriage52includes a frame holder (not shown in the drawings), a Y axis moving mechanism88(refer toFIG. 4), and a Y axis motor83(refer toFIG. 4). The frame holder is configured such that an embroidery frame can be mounted on and removed from the frame holder. A plurality of types of embroidery frames are available that differ from one another in at least one of size and shape. Hereinafter, when the plurality of the different types of the embroidery frames are referenced collectively, they will be called the embroidery frames53, and when one of the plurality of the different types of the embroidery frames is referenced without being specifically identified, it will be called the embroidery frame53. The configurations of the embroidery frames53and the types of the embroidery frames53will be described later. The frame holder is provided on the right side face of the carriage52. The sewing workpiece5that is held by the embroidery frame53is disposed on the top side of the bed11, below the needle bar29and a presser foot30. The Y axis moving mechanism88is configured to move the frame holder in the front-rear direction (in a Y axis direction). The moving of the frame holder in the front-rear direction causes the embroidery frame53to move the sewing workpiece5in the front-rear direction. The Y axis motor83is configured to drive the Y axis moving mechanism88. A CPU61of the sewing machine1(refer toFIG. 4) is configured to control the Y axis motor83in accordance with coordinate data that will be described later.

An X axis moving mechanism87(refer toFIG. 4) and an X axis motor82(refer toFIG. 4) are provided in the interior of the body51. The X axis moving mechanism87is configured to move the carriage52in the left-right direction (in an X axis direction). The moving of the carriage52in the left-right direction causes the embroidery frame53to move the sewing workpiece5in the left-right direction. The X axis motor82is configured to drive the X axis moving mechanism87. The CPU61of the sewing machine1is configured to control the X axis motor82in accordance with the coordinate data that will be described later.

A liquid crystal display (hereinafter called the LCD)15is provided on the front face of the pillar12. Images that include various items such as commands, illustrations, setting values, messages, and the like may be displayed on the LCD15. A touch panel26that is configured to detect a position that is pressed is provided on the front side of the LCD15. When the user performs a pressing operation on the touch panel26using a finger or a stylus pen, the position that is pressed is detected by the touch panel26. The item that has been selected within the image is then recognized based on the pressed position that has been detected. Hereinafter, the operation in which the touch panel26is pressed by the user will be called a panel operation. The user can use a panel operation to select a pattern to be sewn or a command to be executed.

A connector (not shown in the drawings) is provided in the right side face of the pillar12. The sewing machine1can be connected to an external device through the connector. Examples of the external device include a personal computer (PC), an image capture device, and a portable terminal, for example.

A cover16that can be opened and closed is provided in an upper portion of the arm13.FIG. 1shows the cover16in an opened state. A thread spool20may be accommodated underneath the cover16, that is approximately in the center of the interior of the arm13. An upper thread (not shown in the drawings) that is wound around the thread spool20may be supplied from the thread spool20, through a thread guide portion (not shown in the drawings) that is provided in the head14, to the sewing needle28that is mounted on the needle bar29. A plurality of operation switches21that include a start/stop switch are provided in a lower portion of the front face of the arm13.

A presser mechanism90(refer toFIG. 4), a needle bar up-and-down moving mechanism84(refer toFIG. 4), a needle bar swinging mechanism86(refer toFIG. 4), a swinging motor81(refer toFIG. 4), and the like are provided inside the head14. The presser mechanism90is a mechanism that is configured to drive a presser bar31, using a presser motor89(refer toFIG. 4) as a drive source. The needle bar up-and-down moving mechanism84is a mechanism that is configured to drive the needle bar29up and down in accordance with the rotation of a drive shaft (not shown in the drawings). The needle bar up-and-down moving mechanism84may be driven by a sewing machine motor79(refer toFIG. 4). The needle bar29and the presser bar31extend downward from the bottom edge of the head14. The sewing needle28can be mounted on and removed from the lower end of the needle bar29. The presser foot30can be mounted on and removed from the lower end of the presser bar31. The presser foot30can press against the sewing workpiece5from above such that the sewing workpiece5can be fed. The needle bar swinging mechanism86is a mechanism that is configured to swing the needle bar29in a direction (the left-right direction) that is orthogonal to the direction (the front-rear direction) in which the sewing workpiece5is fed by the feed dog. The swinging motor81is a pulse motor that is configured to drive the needle bar swinging mechanism86.

In the sewing machine1, when a stitch is formed using the embroidery device2, the embroidery frame53is moved by the Y axis moving mechanism88and the X axis moving mechanism87to a needle drop point that is indicated in terms of an embroidery coordinate system that is specific to the sewing machine1. The embroidery coordinate system is the coordinate system for the X axis motor82and the Y axis motor83that are configured to move the carriage52. In the present embodiment, the embroidery coordinate system is set as will now be described. The left-right direction of the sewing machine1is the X axis direction, and the direction from left to right is the positive direction on the X axis. The front-rear direction of the sewing machine1is the Y axis direction, and the direction from front to rear is the positive direction on the Y axis. The needle drop point is the point where the sewing needle28, which is positioned directly above a needle hole (not shown in the drawings), pierces the sewing workpiece5when the needle bar29is moved downward from above the sewing workpiece5. The stitches that make up the pattern on the sewing workpiece5may be formed by the driving of the shuttle mechanism (not shown in the drawings) and the needle bar29on which the sewing needle28is mounted, in concert with the moving of the embroidery frame53. The X axis motor82, the Y axis motor83, the needle bar29, and the like may be controlled by the CPU61, which is built into the sewing machine1and will be described later, based on the coordinate data, which will be described later. When an ordinary utility stitch pattern that is not an embroidery pattern is sewn, the sewing may be performed in a state in which the embroidery device2has been removed from the bed11, and the sewing workpiece5is moved by the feed dog (not shown in the drawings).

The physical configuration of the portable terminal3will be explained with reference toFIG. 1. The portable terminal3is a well-known multi-functional mobile telephone (that is, a so-called smartphone). On the top face, the portable terminal3includes an operation switch131, a touch panel132, and a display portion135. The operation switch131may be used for inputting various types of commands to the portable terminal3. Images that include various items such as commands, illustrations, setting values, messages, and the like may be displayed on the display portion135. The touch panel132is provided on the front side of the display portion135and is configured to detect a position that is pressed. When the user performs a pressing operation on the touch panel132using a finger or a stylus pen, the position that is pressed is detected by the touch panel132. The item that has been selected within the image is then recognized based on the pressed position that has been detected. The portable terminal3includes a camera136(refer toFIG. 4) on its bottom face. The camera136may be a well-known complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, for example.

The physical configuration of embroidery frame53will be explained with reference toFIG. 2. As shown inFIG. 2, the embroidery frame53includes a mounting portion58and a clamping portion54. The mounting portion58is configured to be mounted on and removed from the frame holder (not shown in the drawings) of the embroidery device2that is mounted on the sewing machine1. The clamping portion54includes a first frame55and a second frame56. The first frame55and the second frame56are configured to clamp the sewing workpiece5. The first frame55and the second frame56are each a rectangular frame-shaped member whose longer axis extends in the front-rear direction and whose corners are rounded. The inner circumferential shape of the second frame56is substantially identical to the outer circumferential shape of the first frame55. The first frame55is configured to be fitted inside of and removed from the second frame56. A parting portion57that is divided in a central portion of its longer dimension (the left-right direction) is provided on the front side of the second frame56. A tightening mechanism that tightens the second frame56in relation to the first frame55is provided in the parting portion57. The sewing workpiece5may be clamped between the first frame55and the second frame56and may be held in a taut state by the tightening mechanism.

In a state in which the clamping portion54has clamped the sewing workpiece5and the embroidery frame53is mounted in the frame holder of the embroidery device2, the top face of the first frame55can be visually recognized on the side that faces the needle bar29of the sewing machine1. Reference marks151to154are respectively disposed at the left rear, the right rear, the right front, and the left front of top face of the first frame55. Hereinafter, when the plurality of the reference marks151to154are referenced collectively, they will be called the reference marks150, and when one of the reference marks151to154is referenced without being specifically identified, it will be called the reference mark150. The reference mark150is a mark that is expressed in the form of a single round, black pattern (hereinafter simply called the round, black pattern). The reference marks150may be used as references when at least one of a position and an angle of an indicator mark110that will be described later is computed based on image data for an image of the embroidery frame53that is captured in a state in which the sewing workpiece5is clamped in the embroidery frame53. It is preferable for the positioning of the reference marks150to be determined by taking into consideration an area in which the indicator mark110is possibly disposed, that is, a sewing area45. The sewing area45is an area that is set inside the first frame55and within which a stitch can be formed by the sewing machine1. The sewing area45differs according to the type of the embroidery frame53. In the present embodiment, the reference marks150are disposed close to four corners of the sewing area45, respectively.

A type mark160is disposed on the front side of the top face of the first frame55. The type mark160is a mark that indicates the type of the embroidery frame53and the orientation of the embroidery frame53within a captured image that will be described later. As described previously, selected one of the plurality of types of the embroidery frames53that differ from one another in at least one of size and shape can be mounted on the embroidery device2. In the explanation that follows, a case in which selected one of three types of the embroidery frames53that differ in size can be mounted on the embroidery device2will be used as an example.FIG. 3shows schematic drawings of first frames551,552, and553for three types of the embroidery frames53. In the present embodiment, the type mark160includes at least one round, black pattern. The three types of the first frames551,552, and553respectively have type marks161,162, and163. Each of the type marks161,162, and163includes at least one round, black pattern, but the number of the round, black patterns is different from that for the other two. In the present embodiment, identification information (hereinafter called the ID) for identifying the type of the embroidery frame53is expressed in the form of the number of the round, black patterns that are included in the type mark160. In the present embodiment, a larger number that is indicated by the ID indicates that the size of corresponding embroidery frame53is larger than the size of an embroidery frame53for which the number that is indicated by the ID is smaller.

The type mark161of the first frame551of the embroidery frame53for which the ID is1includes one round, black pattern. The type mark162of the first frame552of the embroidery frame53for which the ID is2includes two round, black patterns. The type mark163of the first frame553of the embroidery frame53for which the ID is3includes three round, black patterns. Hereinafter, when the type marks161to163are referenced collectively, they will be called the type marks160, and when one of the type marks161to163is referenced without being specifically identified, it will be called the type mark160. Hereinafter, when the first frames551to553are referenced collectively, they will be called the first frames55, and when one of the first frames551to553is referenced without being specifically identified, it will be called the first frame55. In the present embodiment, the first frame55is mounted in the second frame56, with the side where the type mark160is provided being defined as the front side of the embroidery frame53. In the present embodiment, each of the reference marks150and the type marks160is printed on the top face of the first frame55during the manufacturing of the first frame55. Therefore, the position of each of the reference marks150and the type marks160is fixed in relation to the embroidery frame53.

An electrical configuration of the sewing machine1will be explained with reference toFIG. 4. A control portion60of the sewing machine1includes the CPU61, a ROM62, a RAM63, a flash ROM64, a communication interface65, and an input/output interface66. The CPU61, the ROM62, the RAM63, the flash ROM64, the communication interface65, and the input/output interface66are electrically connected to one another through a bus67. Various types of programs, including a program by which the CPU61performs second processing that will be described later, are stored in the ROM62, along with data and the like. A sewing area table, pattern data that will be described later, and various types of parameters for computing positioning data based on image data and the like are stored in the flash ROM64. The sewing area table is a portion of the table that is shown inFIG. 3, and it stores correspondence relationships between the IDs, relative positions of characteristic points P1to P4that are included in the reference marks150, and sizes of the sewing areas45. In the present embodiment, a characteristic point that is included in a mark (for example, the reference mark150) is a point that is used in processing that detects the mark and computes the position of the mark, based on image data for a captured image of the mark. The reference mark150of the present embodiment is a single round, black pattern. Each one of the characteristic points P1to P4that are included in the reference marks151to154is a center point of the round, black pattern. In the present embodiment, the sewing area45has a rectangular shape whose sides are parallel to the X axis and the Y axis, as shown inFIG. 2. Accordingly, the size of the sewing area45is expressed in the embroidery coordinate system in terms of its length along the X axis and its length along the Y axis, as shown inFIG. 3. The communication interface65is an interface for connecting the sewing machine1to the network9.

The operation switches21, the touch panel26, a detection portion27, and drive circuits70to76are electrically connected to the input/output interface66. The detection portion27is configured to detect whether or not the embroidery frame53has been mounted in embroidery device2, to detect the type of the embroidery frame53that has been mounted in the embroidery device2, and to input the detection results to the CPU61through the input/output interface66. The drive circuits70to76may respectively drive the presser motor89, the sewing machine motor79, the feed motor80, the swinging motor81, the X axis motor82, the Y axis motor83, and the LCD15.

An electrical configuration of the portable terminal3will be explained with reference toFIG. 4. The portable terminal3includes a CPU121, a ROM122, a RAM123, a flash ROM124, a communication interface125, and an input/output interface128. The CPU121performs control of the portable terminal3. The CPU121is electrically connected to the ROM122, the RAM123, the flash ROM124, the communication interface125, and the input/output interface128through a bus127. A boot program, a BIOS, and the like are stored in the ROM122. Data are stored temporarily in the RAM123. A program for causing the CPU121to perform first processing that will be described later, and various setting values are stored in the flash ROM124. The communication interface125is an interface for connecting the portable terminal3to the network9.

The operation switch131, the touch panel132, a microphone133, a speaker134, the display portion135, and the camera136are connected to the input/output interface128. The microphone133is configured to convert ambient sounds into audio data and inputs the audio data to the input/output interface128. The speaker134is configured to output sound based on audio data that is output from the input/output interface128. The display portion135is configured to display an image based on image data. The display portion135may be a liquid crystal display, for example. The camera136is configured to capture an image of a specified image capture range and creates image data. The created image data may be stored in the RAM123.

The indicator mark110will be explained with reference toFIG. 5. The indicator mark110is a mark that the user uses to indicate the positioning of an embroidery pattern200on the sewing workpiece5that is clamped in the embroidery frame53. When the user indicates the positioning of the embroidery pattern200with the indicator mark110, the user affixes the indicator mark110onto the sewing workpiece5that is clamped in the embroidery frame53, in an area of the sewing workpiece5that is inside the embroidery frame53, specifically inside the sewing area45. The indicator mark110includes a thin, white sheet108and a line drawing that is drawn in black on the top face of the sheet108. The sheet108has a square shape that is 2.5 centimeters high and 2.5 centimeters wide, for example. The line drawing that is drawn on the top face of the sheet108includes a first circle101, a first center point111at the center of the first circle101, a second circle102, a second center point112at the center of the second circle102, and line segments103,104,105, and106.

The first circle101is drawn with the center point of the square sheet108serving as the first center point111. The second circle102is drawn in a position where it is tangent to the first circle101and where a virtual straight line (not shown in the drawings) that passes through the first center point111and the second center point112is parallel to one side of the sheet108. The diameter of the second circle102is smaller than the diameter of the first circle101. The line segment103and the line segment104are line segments that are superposed on the virtual straight line (not shown in the drawings) that passes through the first center point111and the second center point112, and they respectively extend from the first circle101and the second circle102to an outer edge of the sheet108. The line segment105and the line segment106are line segments that are superposed on a virtual straight line (not shown in the drawings) that passes through the first center point111of the first circle101and is orthogonal to the line segment103, and each of them extends from an outer edge of the first circle101to an outer edge of the sheet108. In the present embodiment, the first center point111and the second center point112are characteristic points of the indicator mark110.

An embroidery pattern, the pattern data, and embroidery data will be explained using the embroidery pattern200that is shown inFIG. 6as an example. Note that the left-right direction and the up-down direction inFIG. 6respectively correspond to the X axis direction and the Y axis direction in the embroidery coordinate system.

The embroidery pattern200that is shown inFIG. 6is a pattern that represents an uppercase letter A. The pattern data are data for forming the stitches that will make up the embroidery pattern200when the embroidery pattern200is in its initial position. In the present embodiment, the initial position of the embroidery pattern200is set at the center of the sewing area45. The pattern data include coordinate data. The coordinate data indicate the positions of needle drop points and a sewing order of the needle drop points. In the present embodiment, the positions of the needle drop points are indicated in terms of the coordinates of the previously described embroidery coordinate system. All of the coordinate data in the pattern data are specified such that a center point202of the embroidery pattern200(more specifically, the center point of a rectangle201that is the smallest rectangle within which the embroidery pattern200can be contained) is congruent with the origin point of the embroidery coordinate system. The origin point of the embroidery coordinate system is the position at which a center point46of the sewing area45(refer toFIG. 3) becomes the needle drop point.

The embroidery data are data for forming the stitches that make up the embroidery pattern200at at least one of the position and the angle that the user has indicated by using the indicator mark110. In the present embodiment, the embroidery data are data for forming the stitches that make up the embroidery pattern200at the position and the angle that the user has indicated by using the indicator mark110. The embroidery data include coordinate data. In the present embodiment, all of the coordinate data in the embroidery data are specified such that the center point202of the embroidery pattern200(more specifically, the center point of the rectangle201that is the smallest rectangle within which the embroidery pattern200can be contained) is congruent with the first center point111of the indicator mark110in the embroidery coordinate system. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the coordinate data in the embroidery data are specified such that the slope of a line segment that links the center point202of the embroidery pattern200to a point203will match the slope of a line segment that links the first center point111and the second center point112of the indicator mark110in the embroidery coordinate system.

Processing that is performed in the sewing machine system100of the present embodiment will be explained with reference toFIGS. 7 to 11. First, with reference toFIG. 7andFIG. 8, the first processing that is performed by the portable terminal3will be explained. In the first processing, the portable terminal3performs processing that creates image data and outputs the created image data to the sewing machine1. Specifically, the portable terminal3, by controlling the camera136, creates image data for an image that is captured such that the image includes at least the reference marks150of the embroidery frame53and the indicator mark110, which is placed on the sewing workpiece5that is clamped in the embroidery frame53in an area of the sewing workpiece5that is inside the embroidery frame53. In the present embodiment, the user sets an image capture range such that all four of the reference marks150will be included in the captured image. One indicator mark110is affixed in the area inside the embroidery frame53. Based on the image data that have been created, the portable terminal3confirms that the reference marks150are included in the captured image, and thereafter outputs the image data to the sewing machine1through the communication interface125. The embroidery frame53for which the ID is 2 will be used in the following explanation.

The CPU121of the portable terminal3starts the first processing when the user inputs a command to start the first processing by operating the operation switch131. Specifically, when the CPU121detects the input of the command to start the first processing, the CPU121reads into the RAM123a program for performing the first processing, which is stored in the flash ROM124(refer toFIG. 4). In accordance with the instructions that are contained in the program, the CPU121performs the processing at the individual steps that will hereinafter be explained. Note that in the present embodiment, the user, prior to inputting the command to start the first processing, clamps the sewing workpiece5in the embroidery frame53and affixes the indicator mark110to the top face of the sewing workpiece5. In other words, the user completes the preparation for capturing the image before inputting the command to start the first processing.

As shown inFIG. 7, in the first processing, first, the CPU121determines whether or not an image capture command has been input (Step S1). The user may input the image capture command by operating the operation switch131, for example. The CPU121causes the display portion135to display an image that is represented by the most recent image data that the camera136has created. The image that is displayed by the display portion135corresponds to the image capture range of the camera136, and the center of the image is the center of the image capture range. The user may input the command to capture an image after confirming that the four reference marks150and the indicator mark110, which has been placed on the sewing workpiece5that is clamped in the embroidery frame53in an area of the sewing workpiece5that is inside the embroidery frame53, are located within the image capture range that is displayed by the display portion135of the portable terminal3, as shown inFIG. 8, for example. Note that in the interests of simplifying the processing and improving the precision of the detection of the reference marks150, the portable terminal3may also display a recommended range in which the reference marks150should be positioned, the recommended range being superimposed on the image that shows the image capture range. In that case, the user may adjust the image capture range by shifting the position of the portable terminal3such that the reference marks150are positioned within the recommended range, or by altering the focus of the camera136. The image may be captured with the embroidery frame53in a state of being mounted on the embroidery device2, and the image may also be captured with the embroidery frame53in a state of being removed from the embroidery device2. In order to simplify the image processing, it is preferable for the image to be captured with the embroidery frame53in a state of being removed from the embroidery device2. In a case where the image capture range is set in this manner, the image processing becomes simpler, because the needle bar29, the sewing needle28, the presser bar31, the presser foot30, and the like of the sewing machine1are not included in the captured image.

In a case where the image capture command has not been input (NO at Step S1), the CPU121waits until the image capture command is input. In a case where the image capture command has been input (YES at Step S1), the CPU121controls the camera136to create the image data for the image that has been captured of the image capture range, and then stores the image data in the RAM123(Step S2). Hereinafter, a specific example will be explained in which image data that represent the image that is shown inFIG. 8have been created by the processing at Step S2. Based on the image data, the CPU121detects the reference marks150in the captured image (Step S3). The captured image is an image that is based on the image data that were created by the processing at Step S2. The captured image may be an image that is represented by the image data that were created by the processing at Step S2, and the captured image may also be an image that results from some sort of processing, such as correction processing or the like, that is performed on the image data that were created by the processing at Step S2. Any known image detection method may be used for detecting the reference marks150. For example, the CPU121may detect the reference marks150by using edge extraction to extract the characteristic points. In the present embodiment, one characteristic point is extracted from each one of the reference marks150. Based on the image data for the image that is shown inFIG. 8, the characteristic points P1to P4are extracted from the reference marks151to154, respectively. In the present embodiment, the round, black patterns in the reference marks150are the same as the round, black patterns in the type mark160. The CPU121may distinguish between the reference marks150and the type mark160based on the positioning of the characteristic points, for example.

The CPU121determines whether or not all four of the reference marks150have been successfully detected (Step S4). As described above, in the present embodiment, the reference marks150are provided in the vicinity of the four corners of the sewing area45on the top face of the first frame55, respectively. Therefore, in a case where all four of the reference marks150are included in the captured image, the area inside the embroidery frame53and the indicator mark110are included in the captured image. Therefore, by the processing at Step S4, the portable terminal3confirms whether the four reference marks150are included in the captured image. In a case where at least one of the four reference marks150has not been detected (NO at Step S4), the CPU121displays an error message on the display portion135(Step S5) and returns the processing to Step Si. The error message in the processing at Step S5notifies the user that at least one of the reference marks150was not detected in the captured image and prompts the user to perform the image capture again. The user may check the error message and, after adjusting the image capture range, may input a command to perform the image capture again.

In a case where all four of the reference marks150have been successfully detected (YES at Step S4), the CPU121outputs the image data created at Step S2to the sewing machine1through the communication interface125(Step S6). In the present embodiment, the data that the portable terminal3transmits to the sewing machine1at Step S6include an address for the portable terminal3and the image data. An address for the sewing machine1may be input by the user during the first processing, and the address may also be stored in a storage device such as the flash ROM124or the like in advance. The CPU121determines whether or not the image data have been successfully transmitted (Step S7). In a case where a successful receiving message has been received from the sewing machine1, the CPU121determines that the image data have been successfully transmitted (YES at Step S7). In that case, the CPU121displays on the display portion135a message that notifies the user that the transmission of the image data was carried out normally (Step S9), and then terminates the first processing. In a case where the successful receiving message has not been received within a specified time period (for example, three minutes) after the image data were transmitted to the sewing machine1(NO at Step S7), the CPU121displays a transmission error message on the display portion135(Step S8), and then terminates the first processing. The transmission error message is a message that notifies the user that the transmission of the image data was not carried out normally.

The second processing that is performed by the sewing machine1will be explained with reference toFIGS. 9 to 11. The second processing is processing that sets the positioning of the embroidery pattern that has been selected by the user, based on the image data that have been transmitted from the portable terminal3, and then forms the stitches that make up the embroidery pattern according to the positioning that has been set. Specifically, the sewing machine1computes positioning data based on the image data that have been transmitted from the portable terminal3. The positioning data are data that indicate at least one of the position and the angle of the indicator mark110in relation to the reference marks150. The positioning data of the present embodiment are data that indicate both the position and the angle of the indicator mark110in relation to the reference marks150. Based on the positioning data, the sewing machine1sets at least one of the position and the angle of the embroidery pattern200on the sewing workpiece5that is clamped in the embroidery frame53. In the present embodiment, based on the positioning data, the sewing machine1sets both the position and the angle of the embroidery pattern200on the sewing workpiece5that is clamped in the embroidery frame53. Based on the position and the angle that have been set, and on the pattern data, the sewing machine1creates the embroidery data, which are the data for forming the stitches that make up the embroidery pattern200. Based on the embroidery data, the sewing machine1controls the embroidery device2and the needle bar up-and-down moving mechanism84to sew the embroidery pattern200on the sewing workpiece5that is clamped in the embroidery frame53.

The CPU61of the sewing machine1starts the second processing when the user inputs a command to start the second processing by a panel operation. When the CPU61detects the input of the command to start the second processing, the CPU61reads into the RAM63the program for performing the second processing, which is stored in the ROM62(refer toFIG. 4). In accordance with the instructions that are contained in the program, the CPU61performs the processing at the individual steps that will hereinafter be explained. In the present embodiment, the previously described first processing is performed at least between the processing at Step S41and the processing at Step S42, which will be described later.

As shown inFIG. 9, in the second processing, first, the CPU61accepts the selecting of an embroidery pattern to be sewn (Step S21). Specifically, the CPU61causes the LCD15(refer toFIG. 1) to display a screen that shows a plurality of embroidery patterns for which the pattern data are stored in the flash ROM64, for example. The CPU61waits for the user to select one of the displayed embroidery patterns by a panel operation (NO at Step S21). When the user selects one of the displayed embroidery patterns by a panel operation (YES at Step S21), the CPU61specifies the embroidery pattern that has been selected (hereinafter called the selected pattern) as an object to be sewn, and then displays the selected pattern on the LCD15(Step S22). The CPU61acquires the pattern data for the selected pattern from the ROM62and stores the pattern data in the RAM63. In the explanation that follows, a case in which the embroidery pattern200inFIG. 6has been specified as the selected pattern will be used as a specific example.

The CPU61performs image analysis processing to set the positioning of the embroidery pattern200specified at Step S22(Step S23). The image analysis processing will be explained with reference toFIG. 10. As shown inFIG. 10, the CPU61waits until a command to start processing to receive the image data from the portable terminal3is input (NO at Step S41). The command may be input by the user by a panel operation, for example. When the command is input (YES at Step S41), the CPU61waits until data is received from the portable terminal3(NO at Step S42). In a case where the CPU61has received data from the portable terminal3(YES at Step S42), the CPU61determines whether or not the image data are included in the received data (Step S43). In a case where the image data are not included in the data received at Step S42(NO at Step S43), the CPU61displays an error message on the LCD15(Step S44), and thereafter returns the processing to Step S41. The error message in the processing at Step S44is a message that notifies the user that the image data have not been received and prompts the user to perform the first processing once again using the portable terminal3. In a case where the image data are included in the data received at Step S42(YES at Step S43), the CPU61transmits the above-described successful receiving message to the portable terminal3(Step S45). As described above, the successful receiving message is used by the portable terminal3to confirm that the image data have been received normally by the sewing machine1.

The CPU61determines whether or not the embroidery frame53has been mounted on the embroidery device2, based on the result of detection by the detection portion27(refer toFIG. 4) (Step S46). In a case where the embroidery frame53has not been mounted on the embroidery device2(NO at Step S46), the CPU61causes the LCD15to display a message that prompts the user to mount the embroidery frame53on the embroidery device2(Step S47), and returns the processing to Step S46. In a case where the embroidery frame53has been mounted on the embroidery device2(YES at Step S46), the CPU61specifies the type of the embroidery frame53that is mounted on the embroidery device2, based on the result of detection by the detection portion27(Step S48).

The CPU61detects the reference marks150in the captured image based on the image data (Step S49). The captured image in the processing at Step S49may be an image that is represented by the image data acquired by the processing at Step S42, and the captured image may also be an image that results from some sort of processing, such as correction processing or the like, that is performed on the image data acquired by the processing at Step S42. In the same manner as the processing at Step S3inFIG. 7, any known image detection method may be used for detecting the reference marks150. For example, the CPU61may detect the reference marks150by using edge extraction to extract the characteristic points. In the present embodiment, one characteristic point is extracted from each one of the reference marks150. Based on the image data for the image that is shown inFIG. 8, the characteristic points P1to P4are extracted from the reference marks151to154, respectively. In the processing at Step S49, the CPU61detects, as reference positions, the positions of the respective characteristic points P1to P4of the reference marks150within the captured image.

The CPU61determines whether or not all four of the reference marks150have been successfully detected (Step S50). In a case where at least one of the four reference marks150has not been detected (NO at Step S50), the CPU61displays an error message on the LCD15(Step S58), and thereafter returns the processing to Step S42. The error message in the processing at Step S58notifies the user that at least one of the reference marks150was not detected based on the captured image and prompts the user to perform the image capture again using the portable terminal3. The user may check the error message and may adjust the image capture range by operating the portable terminal3. The user may then input the image capture command once again. In a case where all four of the reference marks150have been detected successfully (YES at Step S50), the CPU61acquires the actual relative position for each one of the characteristic points P1to P4included in the reference marks150that are in accordance with the type of the embroidery frame53, in relation to a standard position (Step S51). At Step S51, the CPU61acquires the actual relative position for each one of the characteristic points P1to P4in relation to the standard position, based on the type of the embroidery frame53specified by the processing at Step S48and on the sewing area table stored in the flash ROM64. In the present embodiment, the standard position is the origin point of the embroidery coordinate system, and the relative positions are expressed in terms of the coordinates of the embroidery coordinate system. By the processing at Step S51, the CPU61acquires the coordinates (X21, Y21), (X22, Y22), (X23, Y23), and (X24, Y24) as the relative positions for the characteristic points P1to P4, respectively.

Based on the image data, the CPU61detects the orientation of the embroidery frame53within the captured image. In the present embodiment, the CPU61determines that, of the four sides of the substantially rectangular first frame55, the side where the type mark160is located is the front side. Therefore, in the image inFIG. 8, the CPU61determines that the bottom side of the captured image is the front side of the embroidery frame53, and that the center points of the round, black patterns in the upper left, the upper right, the lower right, and the lower left of the image inFIG. 8respectively correspond to the characteristic points P1to P4of the reference marks151to154. Based on the orientation of the embroidery frame53, the CPU61assigns the coordinates (X21, Y21), (X22, Y22), (X23, Y23), and (X24, Y24) to the corresponding characteristic points P1to P4in the captured image (Step S52). For each of the characteristic points P1to P4of the reference marks150, in the processing at Step S52, the CPU61sets the relative position in relation to the corresponding reference position. The reference position is the position of the characteristic point in the captured image.

Based on the correspondence relationships between the reference positions and the relative positions for the characteristic points P1to P4of the reference marks150, the CPU61corrects the image that is represented by the image data that were acquired at Step S42(Step S53). In the processing at Step S53of the present embodiment, the CPU61corrects distortion in the captured image by using a known keystone correction method. In the processing at Step S53, the CPU61converts the captured image that is shown inFIG. 8into the captured image that is shown inFIG. 11. The captured image that is shown inFIG. 11is equivalent to an image that would be obtained when the embroidery frame53that holds the sewing workpiece5is placed in a horizontal state and the image is captured from directly above the embroidery frame53. The up-down direction and the left-right direction inFIG. 11respectively correspond to the Y axis direction and the X axis direction in the embroidery coordinate system.

Based on the image data, the CPU61detects the indicator mark110in the captured image (Step S54). Any known image recognition method may be used for detecting the indicator mark110. For example, the CPU61may perform edge extraction and perform pattern matching using a template that shows the outlines of the first circle101and the second circle102, as well as the line segments103to106. For example, within the captured image, in the processing at Step S54, the CPU61may detect the positions of the two characteristic points in the indicator mark110as indicator positions. In a case where the indicator mark110is not detected (NO at Step S55), there is a strong possibility that the indicator mark110has not been affixed in an appropriate position or that the indicator mark110is not located within the image capture range. Accordingly, the CPU61displays an error message on the LCD15(Step S57), and thereafter returns the processing to Step S42. The error message in the processing at Step S57is a message that prompts the user to affix the indicator mark110again in an area inside the sewing area45of the embroidery frame53.

In a case where the indicator mark110is detected (YES at Step S55), the CPU61computes, as the positioning data, data that indicate the position and the angle of the indicator mark110in relation to the reference marks150(Step S56). Hereinafter, the position and the angle of the indicator mark110will simply be called the positioning of the indicator mark110. The plurality (specifically, four) of the reference marks150are positioned on the embroidery frame53, and their relative positions are known. Therefore, the CPU61is able to acquire the coordinates in the embroidery coordinate system that correspond to the indicator positions by computing the coordinates based on the reference positions of the plurality of the characteristic points P1to P4that are included in the plurality of the reference marks150, on the known relative positions that correspond to the reference positions, and on the indicator positions. Each of the indicator positions is a position, in the captured image, of each of the at least one characteristic point that is included in the indicator mark110. In the present embodiment, the indicator mark110has the two characteristic points of the first center point111and the second center point112. Accordingly, the CPU61may compute, as the positioning data, data that indicate the coordinates in the embroidery coordinate system of the first center point111and the second center point112of the indicator mark110that was detected at Step S54, for example. The coordinates of the first center point111in the embroidery coordinate system represent the position of the indicator mark110on the sewing workpiece5, and are used to indicate the position of the embroidery pattern200. The coordinates of the first center point111and the second center point112in the embroidery coordinate system represent the angle of the indicator mark110, and are used to indicate the angle of the embroidery pattern200. In addition to being represented by the coordinates of the first center point111and the second center point112in the embroidery coordinate system, the angle of the indicator mark110may be represented by an angle in relation to a reference (for example, the X axis or the Y axis of the embroidery coordinate system). The CPU61thus ends the image analysis processing and returns the processing to the second processing shown inFIG. 9.

As shown inFIG. 9, after the image analysis processing (Step S23), the CPU61sets the positioning of the embroidery pattern200based on the pattern data for the embroidery pattern200specified at Step S22and on the positioning data computed at Step S56inFIG. 10, and displays the set positioning on the LCD15(Step S24). In the specific example, as shown inFIG. 2, the CPU61sets the positioning of the embroidery pattern200in relation to the embroidery frame53such that the center point202of the embroidery pattern200(more specifically, the center point of the rectangle201that is the smallest rectangle within which the embroidery pattern200can be contained) is congruent with the first center point111of the indicator mark110in the embroidery coordinate system. The CPU61sets the angle of the embroidery pattern200in relation to the embroidery frame53such that the slope of the line segment that links the center point202of the embroidery pattern200to the point203matches the slope of the line segment that links the first center point111and the second center point112of the indicator mark110in the embroidery coordinate system.

The CPU61corrects the pattern data such that the center point202of the embroidery pattern200is congruent with the first center point111of the indicator mark110in the embroidery coordinate system. The CPU61corrects the pattern data such that the slope of the line segment that links the center point202of the embroidery pattern200to the point203matches the slope of the line segment that links the first center point111and the second center point112of the indicator mark110in the embroidery coordinate system. The CPU61acquires the corrected pattern data as the embroidery data (Step S25).

The CPU61acquires information that indicates the range of the sewing area45that corresponds to the type of the embroidery frame53specified at Step S48inFIG. 10(Step S26). In the specific example, the CPU61refers to the sewing area table that is stored in the flash ROM64, and acquires the X axis length X25and the Y axis length Y25that represent, in terms of the embroidery coordinate system, the size of the sewing area45for the embroidery frame53for which the ID is2. By the processing at Step S26, the CPU61sets the sewing area45shown inFIG. 2inside the first frame55of the embroidery frame53. Based on the positioning of the embroidery pattern200that was set by the processing at Step S24and on the information that represents the sewing area45that was acquired at Step S26, the CPU61determines whether or not the embroidery pattern200can fit within the sewing area45when the embroidery pattern200is positioned as set by the processing at Step S24(Step S27). In a case where the rectangle201that is the smallest rectangle within which the embroidery pattern200can be contained fits entirely within the sewing area45, the CPU61determines that the embroidery pattern200can fit within the sewing area45. In a case where the embroidery pattern200cannot fit within the sewing area45(NO at Step S27), the CPU61displays an error message on the LCD15(Step S28). The error message in the processing at Step S28is a message that notifies the user that the embroidery pattern200cannot fit within the sewing area45and prompts the user to perform again the operations that set the positioning of the embroidery pattern200. The CPU61returns the positioning of the embroidery pattern200to the positioning prior to the performing of the processing at Step S24(the initial positioning) and displays the initial positioning on the LCD15(Step S29), and thereafter returns the processing to Step S23.

In a case where, as shown inFIG. 2, the embroidery pattern200can fit within the sewing area45(YES at Step S27), the CPU61waits until a command to start sewing is input. (NO at Step S30). The command to start sewing may be input by the user, using one of a panel operation and the operation switches21. In a case where the command to start sewing has been input (YES at Step S30), the CPU61performs processing that sews the embroidery pattern200on the sewing workpiece5in accordance with the embroidery data that were acquired at Step S25(Step S31). More specifically, the CPU61causes the embroidery device2to move the embroidery frame53by driving the X axis motor82and the Y axis motor83(refer toFIG. 4) in accordance with the embroidery data. By driving the sewing machine motor79to drive the needle bar up-and-down moving mechanism84in coordination with the moving of the embroidery frame53, the CPU61moves the needle bar29, on which the sewing needle28is mounted, up and down, thus sewing the embroidery pattern200on the sewing workpiece5that is clamped in the embroidery frame53. When the sewing of the embroidery pattern200is finished, the CPU61terminates the second processing.

According to the above-described sewing machine system100, the sewing machine1can compute the positioning data based on the image data that were created and transmitted by the portable terminal3. Therefore, the sewing machine1that is not provided with an image capture device can use the image data to compute the positioning data of the indicator mark on the sewing workpiece, which heretofore could only be done by a sewing machine that is provided with an image capture device. The sewing machine1and the portable terminal3can perform communication via the network9. Therefore, in comparison to a case in which the sewing machine1and the portable terminal3are connected via a cable, an operation is simple when the portable terminal3outputs the image data to the sewing machine1.

With a known sewing machine that is provided with an image capture device that has an image capture range that is smaller than the sewing area45in the embroidery frame53, cases occur in which the CPU must divide the entire sewing area45into a plurality of blocks, and then perform processing that detects the indicator mark110by successively moving the embroidery frame53to positions that correspond to the individual blocks. In contrast to this, the portable terminal3in the present embodiment is a separate unit from the sewing machine1. When the portable terminal3creates the image data, there is no restriction on the image capture range. In a state in which the embroidery frame53has been removed from the embroidery device2, for example, the portable terminal3is able to create the image data by capturing a single image that includes both the reference marks150and the indicator mark110that is positioned in the area within the embroidery frame53. Furthermore, by capturing an image of the embroidery frame53in a state in which it has been removed from the embroidery device2, the portable terminal3is able to create the image data in a state in which elements of the sewing machine1(for example, the needle bar29and the presser foot30) are not included in the image capture range. The sewing machine1is able to make the processing that detects the indicator mark110based on the image data simpler than it would be in a case where the elements of the sewing machine are included in the image capture range.

The sewing machine1is able to compute the positioning data by detecting the reference marks150, the indicator mark110, and the type mark160in the captured image, and automatically determining the type of the embroidery frame53and the orientation of the embroidery frame53within the captured image. Therefore, the user does not need to consider the orientation of the embroidery frame53within the captured image at the time when the image is captured. The user also does not need to input information to the portable terminal3for specifying the orientation of the embroidery frame53within the captured image. The sewing machine1can reliably avoid a situation in which the positioning data cannot be computed properly due to an inappropriate setting of the correspondence relationship between the orientation of the embroidery frame53within the captured image and the orientation at which the embroidery frame53is mounted on the embroidery device2.

The embroidery device2of the present embodiment is configured such that a selected one of a plurality of types of the embroidery frames53can be mounted thereon. The size and the shape of the embroidery frame53vary according to the type of the embroidery frame53. By the processing at Step S48, the sewing machine1can automatically detect the type of the embroidery frame53and can automatically acquire the relative positions that correspond to the type of the embroidery frame53. Thus, the sewing machine1can omit troublesome operations of the user, such as inputting the information to specify the type of the embroidery frame53or specifying the relative positions that correspond to the type of the embroidery frame53.

The sewing machine1is able to notify the user that at least one of the reference marks150and the indicator mark110has not been detected. Based on the result of the notification, the user is able to respond by performing the image capture again or the like. The sewing machine1is able to make the acquiring of the positioning data more convenient for the user than it would be in a case where the user is not notified that at least one of the reference marks150and the indicator mark110has not been detected. The portable terminal3transmits the image data to the sewing machine1when the four reference marks150are included in the captured image. Therefore, basically, there is no case in which the four reference marks150are not detected by the sewing machine1. Therefore, the sewing machine system100can improve the convenience of the user in comparison to a case in which the four reference marks150may not be detected by the sewing machine1.

Various types of modifications may be made to the sewing machine1in the embodiment that is described above. For example, at least one of the modifications in the examples (A) to (E) that are described below may be applied as desired.

(A) The configuration of the sewing machine1may be modified as desired. The sewing machine1may be a different type of sewing machine, such as an industrial sewing machine, a multi-needle sewing machine, or the like, for example. The sewing machine may also be a sewing machine that is configured as an integrated unit with the embroidery device, for example. Instead of being stored in the flash ROM64, the pattern data for the embroidery pattern may be stored in another storage device (for example, the ROM62) in the sewing machine1. In a case where the sewing machine1includes a structural element to which a storage medium such as a memory card or the like can be connected, the sewing machine1may acquire pattern data that are stored in the storage medium and store the pattern data in a storage device (for example, the flash ROM64) of the sewing machine1. In a case where the sewing machine1includes a structural element to which an external device can be connected, either by wire or wirelessly, the sewing machine1may acquire pattern data that are stored in the external device and store the pattern data in a storage device. The sewing workpiece may be any object in which a stitch can be formed.

A device that is provided with an image capture device may be any device other than the portable terminal3, such as a mobile telephone that is not a smartphone, a digital camera that is provided with a computation function, or the like, for example. A CCD camera or the like may be used as the image capture device, as long as the image capture device can capture an image and output the image data of the image. The structure of the embroidery frame, such as its shape, size, or the like, may be modified as desired. For example, the embroidery frame may be such that the clamping portion of the embroidery frame includes an upper frame (a first frame) and a lower frame (a second frame) and that the upper frame and the lower frame are configured to clamp the sewing workpiece from above and below. In that case, in a state in which the sewing workpiece is clamped, the visible position on the side that faces the needle bar of the sewing machine is on the top face of the upper frame.

(B) The configurations of the various types of marks (the indicator mark110, the reference marks150, and the type mark160) may each be modified as desired. For example, at least one of the size, the material, the design, and the color of a mark may be modified. The characteristic points of the marks that are used in the processing that is described above may be modified as desired. In a case where the marks that are described above include line segments that intersect one another, for example, the CPU121may identify a point of intersection as a characteristic point. The CPU121may also identify an endpoint of a line segment as a characteristic point.

The number of the indicator marks110and the number of the characteristic points that any one indicator mark110contains can be modified as desired. In a case where the positioning of the embroidery pattern is specified based on a plurality of the indicator marks110, the positioning of the embroidery pattern, particularly the angle of the embroidery pattern, can be set with greater precision than in a case where the positioning of the embroidery pattern is specified based on one indicator mark110, based on the image data. It is acceptable for the CPU61to detect at least one of the position and the angle of the indicator mark110as the positioning of the indicator mark110. The characteristic points (in the embodiment that is described above, the first center point111and the second center point112of the indicator mark110) for specifying the positioning of the indicator mark110and the method for computing the positioning may be modified as desired, taking into account the structure and the like of the indicator mark110.

In the same manner, the number of the reference marks150and the number of the characteristic points that any one reference mark150contains can be modified as desired. For example, in a case where one reference mark includes a plurality of characteristic points, it is acceptable for only one reference mark to be provided. In a case where the CPU61performs keystone correction based on the characteristic points of the reference marks, as in the embodiment that is described above, it is preferable that at least one reference mark that includes a total of at least four characteristic points is provided.

(C) The configurations of the pattern data and the embroidery data and the methods for creating the pattern data and the embroidery data, may be modified as desired. For example, in a case where the embroidery pattern is a pattern to be sewn in a plurality of colors, the pattern data and the embroidery data may include thread color data. The thread color data indicate the colors of the threads that will form the stitches. The setting of the coordinates in the embroidery coordinate system may be determined in advance and may be modified as desired. The coordinate system for the coordinates that are indicated by the positioning data that are computed based on the image data may be different from the embroidery coordinate system, as long as the coordinates can be converted between the two systems. In that case, the sewing machine1may perform processing that converts the positioning data into data for the embroidery coordinate system.

(D) The program that contains the instructions for performing the first processing inFIG. 7, and the data for the first processing, may be stored in a storage device in the portable terminal3by the time the portable terminal3executes the program. The program that contains the instructions for performing the second processing inFIG. 9, and the data for the second processing, may be stored in a storage device in the sewing machine1by the time the sewing machine1executes the program. Therefore, the method for acquiring the program and the pattern data, the route by which the program and the pattern data are acquired, and the device that stores the program may each be modified as desired. The programs that the processors of the portable terminal3and the sewing machine1execute, as well as the pattern data, may be received from another device through a cable or by wireless communication and may be stored in a storage device such as a flash memory or the like. The other device may be one of a PC and a server that is connectable through a network.

(E) The individual steps of the first processing inFIG. 7may not necessarily be performed by the CPU121, and some or all of the steps may be performed by another electronic device (for example, an ASIC). The individual steps of the above-described first processing may also be performed through distributed processing by a plurality of electronic devices (for example, a plurality of CPUs). The order of the individual steps of the first processing in the embodiment that is described above may also be modified as necessary, and steps may also be omitted and added. Furthermore, based on a command from the CPU121, the operating system (OS) or the like that is running in the portable terminal3may perform some or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the embodiment that is described above may be implemented by that processing. In the same manner, the individual steps of the second processing inFIG. 9may not necessarily be performed by the CPU61, and some or all of the steps may be performed by another electronic device (for example, an ASIC). The individual steps of the above-described second processing may also be performed through distributed processing by a plurality of electronic devices (for example, a plurality of CPUs). The order of the individual steps of the second processing in the embodiment that is described above may also be modified as necessary, and steps may also be omitted and added. Furthermore, based on a command from the CPU61, the operating system (OS) or the like that is running in the sewing machine1may perform some or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the embodiment that is described above may be implemented by that processing. For example, at least one of the modifications in the examples (E-1) to (E-5) that are described below may be applied as desired.

(E-1) In a case where only one type of the embroidery frame53can be mounted in the sewing machine1, in a case where the user inputs the type of the embroidery frame53, and the like, the processing at Step S48inFIG. 10may be omitted. Further, the type of the embroidery frame53may be detected based on the type mark160in the captured image. In that case, the CPU61may compare the type of the embroidery frame53detected based on the detection result of the detection portion27with the type of the embroidery frame53detected based on the type mark160, and may determine whether or not the types of the embroidery frame53match. In a case where it is determined that the types of the embroidery frame53do not match, the embroidery frame53of a different type from the embroidery frame53used for the image capture has been attached to the embroidery device2. In that case, the CPU61may display an error message on the LCD15. By doing this, based on the error message, the user can understand that the embroidery frame53of a different type from the embroidery frame53used for the image capture has been attached to the embroidery device2. In that case, in the sewing machine system100, it is possible to avoid a situation in which sewing of the embroidery pattern is performed in a state in which the embroidery frame53of a different type from the embroidery frame53used for the image capture has been attached to the embroidery device2.

(E-2) In a case where the orientation of the embroidery frame53in the captured image is fixed, the sewing machine1may omit the processing at Step S52that specifies the orientation of the embroidery frame53in the captured image. In that case, the sewing machine1may associate each one of the plurality of the characteristic points that are included in the reference marks150in the captured image with the corresponding relative position according to predetermined relationships. Specifically, in a case where the up-down direction and the left-right direction in the image that is shown inFIG. 8respectively correspond to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the embroidery frame53, the sewing machine1may associate the characteristic points in the upper left, the upper right, the lower right, and the lower left of the image with the relative positions of the characteristic points P1to P4, respectively. It is not necessary for the CPU61to specify the orientation of the embroidery frame53in the captured image based on the positioning of the type mark160. For example, in a case where the reference mark150has directionality, such as in a case where the reference mark150is the same sort of mark as the indicator mark110, for example, the CPU61may specify the orientation of the embroidery frame53in the captured image based on the orientation that is indicated by the reference mark150.

(E-3) Some or all of the processing at Steps S5, S8, and S9inFIG. 7can be omitted as necessary. In the same manner, some or all of the processing at Steps S28inFIGS. 9, S44, S47, S57, and S58inFIG. 10can be omitted as necessary. At each of the steps cited above, the notification may be provided by audio instead of by the processing that displays the error message.

(E-4) The sewing machine1and the portable terminal3may also be configured not to be connectable to the network9. In that case, the sewing machine1and the portable terminal3may also be connectable through a communication cable. In that case, the portable terminal3outputs the image data to the sewing machine1through the communication cable in the processing at Step S6inFIG. 7. The sewing machine1may acquire the image data that have been output through the communication cable.

(E-5) The CPU61of the sewing machine1may set one of the position and the angle of the embroidery pattern based on the positioning data. For example, in a case where the CPU61sets the position of the embroidery pattern based on the positioning data, the CPU61may set the angle of the embroidery pattern to an initial angle. The reference to be used when the CPU61sets one of the position and the angle of the embroidery pattern based on the positioning data may be set in advance, and may be modified as desired.