Data processing unit and pattern forming method

A printing and embroidering system having a positional data appending system that is adapted to append positional data indicating positions of a first image and a second image with respect to each other to first image data representing the first image to be formed by one of printing and embroidering and second image data representing the second image to be formed by the other one of printing and embroidering, a first image forming unit with a first fabric holding member, which is adapted to form the first image based on the first image data on a fabric being held by the first fabric holding member, and a second image forming unit with a second fabric holding member, which is adapted to form the second image based on the fabric being held by the second fabric holding member, wherein the first image forming unit is provided with a mark forming system, which is adapted to form a predetermined mark represented by the positional data on the fabric, and wherein the second image forming system is provided with a misalignment eliciting system, which is adapted to elicit a misalignment between a position of the predetermined mark formed on the fabric held by the second fabric holding member and a position represented by the positional data appended to the second image data prior to forming the second image.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Applications No. 2004-323501, No. 2004-323502, and No. 2004-323503, filed on Nov. 8, 2004, the entire subject matter of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

Aspects of the invention relate to a data processing apparatus and a method for image forming that are adapted to form an embroidery pattern in a predetermined position with respect to a printed pattern formed on a fabric with a printing device, and that are adapted to form a printed pattern in a predetermined position with respect to an embroidery pattern formed on a fabric with an embroidery sewing machine.

2. Related Art

Conventionally, various embroidery sewing machines that are adapted to form embroidery patterns on fabrics by driving frames to hold the fabrics in two directions independently based on data for the embroidery patterns have been used. Meanwhile, various techniques to form printed patterns on fabrics have also been suggested. As one of such techniques, an inkjet printing device that is capable of forming a printed pattern on a fabric by driving the fabric and a print head relatively in respective directions based on data for the printed pattern is suggested. When both of an embroidery pattern and a printed pattern are formed on a same fabric by using such an embroidery sewing machine and a printing device, generally the two patterns are formed either by forming the printed pattern with the printing device after forming the embroidery pattern with the embroidery sewing machine, or forming the embroidery pattern with the embroidery sewing machine after forming the printed pattern with the printing device.

Generally, each of the embroidery sewing machine and the printing device is respectively provided with a holding instrument such as a frame to hold the fabric. Therefore, when the embroidery pattern and the printed pattern is formed on the same fabric, a process to transfer the fabric from one of the frames of the embroidery sewing machine and the printing device to the other frame is required. In order to omit such a process, the frame for the embroidery sewing machine, of which height is relatively greater, can be considered of being also used as the frame for the printing device. However, in order to form the printed pattern on the fabric in a certain quality, the printing device is required to have the print head in a close proximity with the fabric. In such case, troubles may occur between the print head and the frame, such that the print head may interfere the frame when the frame is detached from or attached to the printing device, or the print head may interfere with the frame to be driven.

In Japanese Patent Provisional Publication 2004-263350, a technique to form an embroidery pattern on a fabric with an embroidery sewing machine based on data for the embroidery pattern that is created based on image data and to print an image on the fabric with an inkjet printing device based on image data is disclosed. In addition, in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication 2004-254987, a general embroidery sewing machine having a sewing system, a frame to hold a fabric, and a frame driving system is disclosed.

When both of an embroidery pattern and a printed pattern are formed by using the embroidery sewing machine and the printing device, as described above, a process to transfer the fabric from one of the frames of the embroidery sewing machine and the printing device to the other frame is required. In such case, it is difficult to form the embroidery pattern and the printed pattern in a predetermined location with respect to each other. However, in the process of transferring the fabric, if the fabric is held by the other frame to be positioned in a predetermined alignment with respect to the pattern (one of the embroidery pattern and the printed pattern) that is already formed on the fabric, both of the embroidery pattern and the printed pattern can be readily formed on the fabric in the predetermined alignment with respect to each other.

However, as the other frame is not provided with any mechanism to adjust the position of the fabric with respect to the pattern that is already formed on the fabric, having the fabric in the predetermined alignment has been difficult. When a size of the one of the frames of the embroidery sewing machine and the printing device and a size of the other frame are identical, the above-described problem can be solved by having a portion of the fabric that was held by the one frame to be similarly held by the other frame. However, even in such a method, the fabric can be easily be misaligned from the predetermined position, and the above-described problem cannot be easily solved. Therefore, in order to prevent the misalignment, a user is required to repeatedly adjust the position of the fabric with respect to the other frame by reattaching the fabric to the other frame, which may be time consuming and troublesome.

When the size of the one of the frames of the embroidery sewing machine and the printing device and the size of the other frame are not identical, even with a reference mark provided to the fabric, having the fabric in the predetermined position with respect to the other frame is even more difficult, as no positioning mechanism to align the fabric in position is provided to the other frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are advantageous, when an embroidery pattern is formed on a fabric after a printed pattern is formed and when a printed pattern is formed on a fabric after an embroidery pattern is formed, in that a data processing apparatus and a method for image forming that are adapted to form a reference mark on the fabric are provided so that the embroidery pattern and the printed pattern can be formed in a predetermined position with respect to each other on the fabric and a quality of the composed patterns can be improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

General Overview of Aspects of the Invention

According to some aspects of the present invention, a printing and embroidering system having a positional data appending system that is adapted to append positional data indicating positions of a first image and a second image with respect to each other to first image data representing the first image to be formed by one of printing and embroidering and second image data representing the second image to be formed by the other one of printing and embroidering, a first image forming unit with a first fabric holding member, which is adapted to form the first image based on the first image data on a fabric being held by the first fabric holding member, and a second image forming unit with a second fabric holding member, which is adapted to form the second image based on the fabric being held by the second fabric holding member, wherein the first image forming unit is provided with a mark forming system, which is adapted to form a predetermined mark represented by the positional data on the fabric, and wherein the second image forming system is provided with a misalignment eliciting system, which is adapted to elicit a misalignment between a position of the predetermined mark formed on the fabric held by the second fabric holding member and a position represented by the positional data appended to the second image data prior to forming the second image is provided.

Optionally, the second image forming unit may be provided with a data modifying system, which is adapted to modify the second image data based on the misalignment elicited by the misalignment eliciting system so that the misalignment is canceled when the second image is formed on the fabric by the second image forming unit, and wherein the second image forming unit may be adapted to form the second image based on the modified second image data.

Optionally, the printing and embroidering system may include a mark position input system, which is adapted to input the position of the predetermined mark formed on the fabric being held by the second fabric holding member, wherein the data modifying system may be adapted to modify the second image data so that the position represented by the positional data appended to the second image data corresponds to the position of the predetermined mark inputted by the mark position input system when the second image is formed on the fabric by the second image forming unit.

Optionally, the mark position input system may include a mark detecting system, which is adapted to detect the predetermined mark formed on the fabric by the first image forming unit and a fabric holding member drive system, which is adapted to drive the second fabric holding member, and wherein the mark input system may be adapted to input the position of the predetermined mark by driving the second fabric holding member and having the position of the detected mark coincided with a predetermined reference position fixed with respect to the second image forming unit.

Optionally, the misalignment eliciting system may be provided with a mark position recording system, which may be adapted to be detachably attached to the first fabric holding member and the second fabric holding member and to have the predetermined mark recorded on the fabric by the first image forming unit according to the positional data. The misalignment eliciting system may be adapted to elicit the misalignment between the position of the predetermined mark on the fabric that is held by the second fabric holding member with respect to the second fabric holding member and the position of the predetermined mark on the fabric that has been held by the first fabric holding member with respect to the first fabric holding member by having the mark position recording system along with the fabric attached to the second fabric holding member.

Optionally, the second fabric holding member may be adapted to modify a position of the fabric held by the second fabric holding member without modifying a position of the mark position recording system by allowing the fabric to be transferred to the second fabric holding member, so that the position of the predetermined mark recorded on the mark position recording system is coincided with the predetermined mark formed on the fabric.

According to some aspects of the present invention, a printing and embroidering method for a printing and embroidering system including a first image forming unit with a first fabric holding member, which is adapted to form a first image on a fabric being held by the first fabric holding member based on first image data representing the first image to be formed by one of printing and embroidering, and a second image forming unit with a second fabric holding member, which is adapted to form a second image on the fabric being held by the second fabric holding member based on second image data representing the second image to be formed by the other one of printing and embroidering, including a positional data appending step wherein positional data of the first image and the second image with respect to each other are respectively appended to the first image data and the second image data, a mark forming step wherein a predetermined mark corresponding to the positional data of the first image data is formed on the fabric by the first image forming unit, and a misalignment eliciting step wherein a misalignment between the position of the predetermined mark formed on the fabric that is held by the second fabric holding member and a position represented by the positional data that is appended to the second image data is provided.

Optionally, the printing and embroidering method may include a data modifying step wherein the second image forming unit modifies the second image data based on the elicited misalignment so that the misalignment is canceled when the second image is formed on the fabric by the second image forming unit.

Optionally, the printing and embroidering method may include a mark position input step wherein the position of the predetermined mark formed on the fabric that is held by the second fabric holding member is inputted, wherein the data modifying step may include a step to modify the second image data so that the position represented by the positional data that is appended to the second image data is coincided with the position of the predetermined mark inputted in the mark position input step when the second image is formed on the fabric by the second image forming unit.

Optionally, the mark position input step may include a detecting step to detect the predetermined mark formed on the fabric by the first imaging unit, a fabric holding member drive step to drive the second fabric holding member to have the detected mark coincided with a predetermined reference position fixed with respect to the second image forming unit, and an input step to input the position of the predetermined mark by having the position of the detected mark coincided with the predetermined reference position fixed with respect to the second image forming unit.

Optionally, the misalignment eliciting step may include a step to elicit the misalignment between the position of the predetermined mark on the fabric that is held by the second fabric holding member with respect to the second fabric holding member and the position of the predetermined mark on the fabric that is held by the first fabric holding member with respect to the first fabric holding member by having a mark position recording system, which is adapted to be detachably attached to the first fabric holding member and the second fabric holding member and to have the predetermined mark recorded on the fabric by the first image forming unit according to the positional data, along with the fabric attached to the second fabric holding member.

Optionally, the printing and embroidering method may include a step to allow the fabric to be transferred to the second fabric holding member, so that the predetermined mark formed on the fabric can be coincided with the mark recorded on the mark position recording system, wherein the second fabric holding member may be adapted to modify a position of the fabric held by the second fabric holding member without changing a position of the mark position recording system.

According to some aspects of the present invention, a printing unit with fabric holding member to provide printing on a fabric held by the fabric holding member based on image data, including a mark detecting system, which is adapted to detect a predetermined mark formed on a fabric, a mark position input system, which is adapted to input the position of the detected predetermined mark, and a modifying system, which is adapted to modify the image data so that a position represented by positional data that is appended to the image data can correspond to the position of the predetermined mark according to positional data appended to the image data and the position of the predetermined mark is provided.

Optionally, the mark position input system may include a mark position record input system, which is adapted to input a position of the detected predetermined mark with respect to the printing unit, and a fabric holding member drive system, which is adapted to drive the fabric holding member, and a pointing system, which is adapted to judge whether a predetermined reference position being fixed with respect to the printing unit is coincided with the position of the detected mark, and wherein a position of the predetermined mark with respect to the fabric holding member may be inputted by having the fabric holding member of the printing unit driven by the fabric holding member drive system and having the detected mark coincided with the predetermined reference position.

Optionally, the printing unit may include a mark position recording system, which is adapted to be de detachably attached to the fabric holding member and to record the position of the predetermined mark formed on the fabric based on the positional data, and a position adjusting system, which is adapted to elicit a misalignment between the position of the predetermined mark on the fabric held by the fabric holding member and a position of the predetermined mark formed on the fabric by having the mark position recording system attached to the fabric holding member with the fabric being held.

Optionally, the position adjusting system may be adapted to modify the position of the fabric held by the fabric holding member without changing a position of the mark position recording system.

According to some aspects of the present invention, an embroidering unit with a fabric holding member to provide embroidery on a fabric held by the fabric holding member based on image data, including a mark detecting system, which is adapted to detect a predetermined mark formed on a fabric, a mark position input system, which is adapted to input the position of the detected predetermined mark, and a modifying system, which is adapted to modify the image data so that a position represented by positional data that is appended to the image data can correspond to the position of the predetermined mark according to positional data appended to the image data and the position of the predetermined mark is provided.

Optionally, the mark position input system may include a mark position record input system, which is adapted to input a position of the detected predetermined mark with respect to the embroidering unit, a fabric holding member drive system, which is adapted to drive the fabric holding member, and a pointing system, which is adapted to judge whether a predetermined reference position being fixed with respect to the embroidering unit is coincided with the position of the detected mark. A position of the predetermined mark with respect to the fabric holding member may be inputted by having the fabric holding member of the embroidering unit driven by the fabric holding member drive system and having the detected mark coincided with the predetermined reference position.

According to some aspects of the present invention, a data processing unit, which is adapted to process embroidery data for forming an embroidery pattern on a fabric by an embroidering unit and printing data for forming a printed pattern on the fabric by a printing unit, including an embroidery data reading system, which is adapted to read the embroidery data, and a reference mark print data generating system, which is adapted to generate reference mark print data for printing a reference mark that indicates a reference position of the fabric in an embroidery area on the fabric in which the embroidery pattern is to be formed according to the embroidery data read by the embroidery data reading system is provided.

Optionally, the embroidery data may include a thread color data of the embroidery pattern. The reference mark print data generating system may be adapted to generate the reference mark print data for printing the reference mark in a color similar to a color of a thread of a patterned portion of the embroidery pattern that is to be formed on the fabric where the reference mark is to be printed based on the thread color data.

According to some aspects of the present invention, a data processing unit, which is adapted to process embroidery data for forming an embroidery pattern on a fabric by an embroidering unit and printing data for forming a printed pattern on the fabric by a printing unit, including a printing data reading system, which is adapted to read the printing data, and a reference mark sewing data generating system, which is adapted to generate reference mark sewing data for sewing a reference mark that indicates a reference position of the fabric outside a print area on the fabric in which the printed pattern is to be formed according to the printing data read by the printing data reading system is provided.

Optionally, the data processing unit may be provided with an embroidery data reading system, which is adapted to read the embroidery data. The reference mark sewing data generating system may be adapted to generate the reference mark sewing data for sewing the reference mark in a position outside an embroidery area on the fabric in which the embroidery pattern is to be formed according the embroidery data read by the embroidery data reading system.

According to some aspects of the present invention, a pattern forming method for forming an embroidery pattern and a printed pattern on a fabric by using an embroidery sewing machine having a sewing system with a needle and a frame drive system that drives a fabric holding frame and a printing unit having a print head and a frame drive system that drives a fabric holding frame, including a first step in which a predetermined data processing unit reads embroidery data for forming an embroidery pattern and print data for forming a printed pattern, a second step in which the data processing unit generates reference mark print data that is used by the printing unit for printing at least two reference marks indicating at least two reference positions on the fabric based on the sewing data and the print data read in the first step is provided.

Optionally, the method may include a third step in which successively to the second step the printing unit forms the printed pattern on the fabric held by the fabric holding frame based on the print data and forms the at least two reference marks on the fabric based on the reference mark print data at one point that is one of before and after the printed pattern is formed.

Optionally, the third step may include having the printing unit print at least two reference marks on a template that is attached to the fabric holding frame of the printing unit based on the reference mark print data and successively having the template and the fabric transferred from the fabric holding frame of the printing unit to the fabric holding frame of the embroidery sewing machine, while a position of the fabric with respect to the fabric holding frame of the embroidery sewing machine can be adjusted so that the at least two reference marks on the fabric are coincided with the at least two reference marks on the template.

Optionally, the method may further include a fourth step in which the at least two reference marks printed on the fabric in the third step are sequentially coincided with a predetermined sewing machine reference position by driving via the frame drive system the fabric holding frame of the embroidery sewing machine with the fabric transferred from the fabric holding frame of the printing unit, a fifth step in which the embroidery sewing machine modifies the embroidery data based on positional information obtained by having the at least two reference marks respectively coincided with the sewing machine reference position so that the embroidery pattern can be formed on the fabric in a predetermined position with respect to the reference marks, and a sixth step in which the embroidery sewing machine forms the sewn pattern on the fabric based on the embroidery data that is modified in the fifth step.

According to some aspects of the present invention, a pattern forming method for forming an embroidery pattern and a printed pattern on a fabric by using an embroidery sewing machine having a sewing system with a needle and a frame drive system that drives a fabric holding frame and a printing unit having a print head and a frame drive system that drives a fabric holding frame, including a first step in which a predetermined data processing unit reads embroidery data for forming an embroidery pattern and print data for forming a printed pattern, a second step in which the data processing unit generates reference mark sewing data that is used by the embroidery sewing machine for sewing at least two reference marks indicating at least two reference positions on the fabric based on the embroidery data and the print data read in the first step is provided.

Optionally, the method may further include a third step in which successively to the second step the embroidery sewing machine forms the embroidery pattern on the fabric held by the fabric holding frame and forms the at least two reference marks on the fabric based on the reference mark sewing data at one point that is one of before and after the embroidery pattern is formed.

Optionally, the method may further include a fourth step in which the at least two reference marks sewn on the fabric in the third step are sequentially coincided with a predetermined printing unit reference position by driving via the frame drive system the fabric holding frame of the printing unit with the fabric transferred from the fabric holding frame of the embroidery sewing machine, a fifth step in which the printing unit modifies the printing data based on positional information obtained by having the at least two reference marks respectively coincided with the sewing machine reference position so that the printed pattern can be formed on the fabric in a predetermined position with respect to the reference marks, and a sixth step in which the printing unit forms the printed pattern on the fabric based on the printing data that is modified in the fifth step.

According to some aspects of the present invention, an embroidery sewing machine including a sewing system with a needle, a fabric holding frame, which is adapted to detachably hold a fabric, a frame drive system, which is adapted to drive the fabric holding frame in two directions independently, a detecting system, which is adapted to detect at least two reference marks indicating at least two reference positions recorded on the fabric held by the fabric holding frame, and a frame drive instruction system, which is adapted to instruct the frame drive system to drive the fabric holding frame to have the at least two reference marks sequentially coincided with a predetermined sewing machine reference position by operating the frame drive system based on detected information from the detecting system is provided.

Optionally, the sewing machine reference position may be a stitch point of the needle.

Optionally, the frame drive instruction system may include a frame drive operation system, which is adapted to operate the frame drive system.

Optionally, the embroidery sewing machine may include a detection activating system that is operated to activate the detecting system.

Optionally, the frame drive instruction system may include an automatic positioning control system, which is adapted to control the frame drive system to have the reference marks to be automatically coincided with the sewing machine reference position.

Optionally, the embroidery sewing machine may include a detection activating system that is operated to activate the detecting system.

Optionally, the embroidery sewing machine may include a display system, which is adapted to display the sewing machine reference position and the reference marks.

Optionally, the display system may display the sewing machine reference position and the reference marks with an embroidery area, which is provided inside the fabric holding frame.

Optionally, the embroidery sewing machine may include an embroidery data modifying system, which is adapted to modify the embroidery data based on positional information obtained by having the at least two reference marks respectively coincided with the sewing machine reference position so that the embroidery pattern can be formed on the fabric in a predetermined position with respect to the at least two reference marks.

According to some aspects of the present invention, a printing unit including a fabric holding frame, which is adapted to detachably hold a fabric, a printing system with a print head that is adapted to print on a fabric held by the fabric holding frame, and a drive system, which is adapted to drive a point to be printed on the fabric by the print head is driven in two directions respectively by driving at least one of the fabric holding frame and the print head, wherein a positioning system, which is adapted to position a predetermined reference position on the fabric held by the fabric holding frame, is provided to the printing unit in a vicinity to the print head is provided.

Optionally, the drive system may include a frame drive system, which is adapted to drive the fabric holding frame in two directions respectively.

Optionally, the positioning system may include a positioning member with one of a cutout and a protrusion that is provided at a predetermined portion in a vicinity to the print head.

Optionally, the positioning system may include a movable positioning member, which is provided at the predetermined portion in the vicinity to the print head and is adapted to be carried close to and apart from the fabric held by the fabric holding member.

Optionally, the positioning system may include an emitting system, which is provided at a predetermined portion in a vicinity to the print head and may be adapted to emit spotlight to the fabric held by the fabric holding frame.

According to some aspects of the present invention, a printing unit including a fabric holding frame, which is adapted to detachably hold a fabric, a printing system with a print head that is adapted to print on a fabric held by the fabric holding frame, a drive system, which is adapted to drive a point to be printed on the fabric by the print head is driven in two directions respectively by driving at least one of the fabric holding frame and the print head, a detecting system, which is adapted to detect at least two reference marks indicating at least two reference positions recorded on the fabric held by the fabric holding frame, and a drive instruction system, which is adapted to instruct the drive system to drive at least one of the fabric holding frame and the print head to have the at least two reference marks sequentially coincided with a predetermined printing unit reference position by operating the drive system based on detected information from the detecting system is provided.

Optionally, the drive system may include a frame drive system, which is adapted to drive the fabric holding frame in two directions respectively, wherein the drive instruction system may include a frame drive instruction system, which is adapted to instruct the frame drive system to drive the fabric holding frame to have the at least two reference marks sequentially coincided with a predetermined printing unit reference position by operating the frame drive system.

Optionally, the printing unit reference position may be a predetermined position of the print head.

Optionally, the frame drive instruction system may include a frame drive operation system, which is adapted to operate the frame drive system.

Optionally, the frame drive instruction system may include an automatic positioning control system, which is adapted to control the frame drive system to have the reference marks to be automatically coincided with the printing unit reference position.

Optionally, the printing unit may include a detection activating system that is operated to activate the detecting system.

Optionally, the printing unit may include a display system, which is adapted to display the printing unit reference position and the reference marks.

Optionally, the display system may display the printing unit reference position and the reference marks with a print area, which is provided inside the fabric holding frame.

Optionally, the printing unit may include a print data modifying system, which is adapted to modify the print data based on positional information obtained by having the at least two reference marks respectively coincided with the printing unit reference position so that the printed pattern can be formed on the fabric in a predetermined position with respect to the at least two reference marks.

EMBODIMENTS

As shown inFIG. 1, pattern forming systems1,1A are provided with data processing units2,2A that include personal computers, embroidery sewing machines3,3A, and inkjet printing devices4,4A. The data processing units2,2A supply embroidery data (second image data) to the embroidery sewing machines3,3A and print data (first data) to the printing devices4,4A. Further, the data processing units2,2arespectively form an embroidery pattern6(for example, ‘brother’) by using the embroidery sewing machines3,3A based on the embroidery data and form a printed pattern7(for example, a rectangular pattern in the background of ‘brother’) by using the printing devices4,4A based on the print data. It should be noted that the data processing units2,2A can be equipped to the embroidery sewing machines3,3A respectively or to the printing devices4,4A respectively.

Each of the embroidery sewing machines3,3A and the printing devices4,4A is provided with a dedicated frame (a first and a second fabric holding frames). When both an embroidery pattern6and a printed pattern7are formed on a same fabric5, the fabric5is transferred from one of the frames of the embroidery sewing machines3,3A and the printing devices4,4A to the other frame. In such a case, the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7are required to be formed in a predetermined alignment with respect to each other, as shown inFIG. 2. In other words, the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7should not be in misalignment as shown inFIG. 3. The pattern forming systems1,1A are provided so that the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7can be formed in a predetermined position with respect to each other on the fabric5and a quality of the composed patterns can be improved.

First Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the pattern forming system1is configured to form the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7in a predetermined alignment with respect to each other on the fabric5with the printed pattern7formed on the fabric5by using the printing device4and the embroidery pattern6succeedingly formed on the fabric5by using the embroidery sewing machine3.

Hereinafter, the embroidery sewing machine3will be described. As shown inFIGS. 4 through 6, the embroidery sewing machine3includes a machine body10having a sewing system11with a needle13, a frame25to which the fabric5is removably held, and a frame drive unit30that drives the frame25in two directions (i.e., in an X direction and in a Y direction) respectively.

The machine body10includes a bed10a, a pillar10b, and an arm10c. The bed10ais provided with the frame drive unit30. The sewing system11is equipped with a motor12, a main shaft (not shown) that is rotated by the motor12, a needle bar (not shown) that is driven in up-and-down motions by driving force transmitted via the main shaft, the needle13that is held to the needle bar, a lower shaft (not shown) that is rotated by the driving force transmitted via the main shaft, and a rotary hook (not shown) that is rotated by driving force transmitted via the lower shaft. The needle13and the rotary hook work in cooperation with each other to manipulate an upper thread and a lower thread to sew the fabric5that is held by the frame25, which is attached to the frame drive unit30.

The machine body10is provided with an image sensor14at a free end of the arm10c(in a vicinity to the needle13), and a display15(a display system) and various switches16are provided on a front side of the pillar10b. The image sensor14is adapted to read an image of a predetermined area of the fabric5that is held by the frame25, which is attached to the frame drive unit30. In the present embodiment, the image sensor14is configured to read an image from a relatively small area, however, the image sensor14may be configured to read an image from a greater area that may approximately coincide with an entire embroidery area25ainside the frame25.

The machine body10is provided with a control unit20that includes a microcomputer with a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The control unit20is connected to the switches16, a main shaft position sensor21that detects a position of the rotating main shaft, the image sensor14, a drive circuit12aof the motor12, and a drive circuit15aof the display15respectively.

The frame drive unit30includes a casing31, which is provided integrally with or independently from the bed10aof the machine body10, a movable case32, which is arranged on the casing31and supported by the casing31so that the movable case32can be guided to move in an X direction, the carriage33, which is arranged inside the movable case32so that the carriage33can be guided to move in a Y direction, an X direction drive motor34that drives the movable case32in the X direction, and a Y direction drive motor35that drives the carriage33in the Y direction.

The control unit20of the machine body10is connected with a carriage position sensor36that detects a position of the carriage33(a position in the X direction and a position in the Y direction) of the frame drive unit30, a drive circuit34afor the X direction drive motor34, and a drive circuit35afor the Y direction drive motor35.

It should be noted that, on the fabric5, two cross-like reference marks8,9(seeFIG. 12) to indicate reference positions of the fabric5have been printed by the printing device4. When the fabric5is transferred to the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3, the fabric5is attached to the frame25so that the reference marks8,9are located inside the frame25(i.e., the embroidery area25a). The embroidery sewing machine3is provided with a detecting system37that detects the reference marks8,9indicating the two reference positions printed on the fabric5by the printing device4. The detecting system37includes the image sensor14, the control unit20, and the frame drive unit30, which have been described above.

The image sensor14, as described previously, is configured to read an image from a relatively small area on the fabric5that is held by the frame25. With the above-described configuration, the control unit20controls the frame drive unit30, which drives the frame25, when an instruction to detect the reference marks is received. Then the image sensor14scans an image of the entire embroidery area25aon the fabric5inside the frame25, and the image is analyzed so that the two reference marks8,9are detected. Thus, positions of the two reference marks8,9with respect to the frame25(i.e., the embroidery area25a), and positions of the two reference marks8,9and the embroidery area25awith respect to a sewing machine reference position13a(a current position), which is provided in a vicinity to the needle13, can be detected (calculated by the control unit20).

In the present embodiment, the various switches16including detection activating switch17(a detection activating system) that is operated to activate the detecting system37, a frame drive operation switches18(a frame drive operation system) that include four arrow keys to drive the frame drive unit30, and a position recording switch19are provided. The embroidery sewing machine3is provided with a frame drive instruction system38that instructs the frame drive unit30to drive the frame25so that each of the two reference marks8,9coincides with the sewing machine reference position13a(a predetermined sewing machine reference position) sequentially based on information from the detecting system37.

The frame drive instruction system38includes the frame drive operation switches18and the control unit20. Based on the information from the detecting system37, the frame drive instruction system37shows a positional relation of the sewing machine reference position13a, the two reference marks8,9, and the embroidery area25aon the display15, as shown inFIG. 14. Thus, a user can manipulate the frame25via the frame drive operation switches18by viewing the positional relation shown on the display15, and the control unit20receiving signals from the frame drive operation switches18drives the frame25by controlling the X direction drive motor34or the Y direction drive motor35, so that the two reference marks8,9are sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a.

After the two reference marks8,9are sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a, positional information (i.e., information of working position of the frame drive unit30, which is information of position of the carriage33detected by the carriage position sensor36) is recorded by operating the position recording switch19. The control unit20is provided with a function (an embroidery data modifying system) to modify the embroidery data so that the initial embroidery pattern6represented by the embroidery data, which is supplied by the data processing unit2, can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to the fabric5and the printed pattern7based on the positional information that is obtained by having the reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a.

Hereinafter, the printing device4will be described. As shown inFIGS. 7 through 9, the printing device4includes a frame55to which the fabric5is removably held, a device body40with a printing system41having a print head42to print on the fabric5held to by the frame55, and a frame drive unit60(a drive system) that drives the frame55in two directions (i.e., in an X direction and in a Y direction) respectively.

The device body40includes a bed40a, a pillar40b, and an arm40c. The bed40ais provided with the frame drive unit60. The print head42is fixed to the device body40at a free end of the arm40cin a close proximity to the fabric5that is supported by a carriage63, which is attached to the frame drive unit60. On the fabric5, ink from the print head42is ejected to form a printed image.

The device body40is provided with a display45(a display system) and various switches46on a front side of the pillar40b. The device body40is provided with a control unit50that includes a microcomputer with a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The control unit50is connected respectively to the switches46, a drive circuit42aof the print head42, a drive circuit47aof a purging motor47that is adapted to purge the print head42, and a drive circuit45aof the display45.

The frame drive unit60includes a casing61, which is provided integrally with or independently from the bed40aof the device body40, a movable case62, which is arranged on the casing61and supported by the casing61so that the movable case62can be guided to move in an X direction, the carriage63, which is arranged inside the movable case62so that the carriage63can be guided to move in a Y direction, an X direction drive motor64that drives the movable case62in the X direction, and a Y direction drive motor65that drives the carriage63in the Y direction.

The control unit50of the device body40is connected with a carriage position sensor66that detects a position of the carriage63(a position in the X direction and a position in the Y direction) of the frame drive unit60, a drive circuit64afor the X direction drive motor64, and a drive circuit65afor the Y direction drive motor65.

Hereinafter, the data processing unit2will be described. As shown inFIG. 10, the data processing unit2is adapted to process the embroidery data for forming an embroidery pattern6on the fabric5by using the embroidery sewing machine3and the print data for forming a printed pattern7on the fabric5by using the printing device4. The data processing unit2includes an embroidery data reading system70that is adapted to read the embroidery data, a print data reading system71that is adapted to read the print data, data adjusting system72, a reference mark print data generating system73that is adapted to generate reference mark print data for printing the two cross-like reference marks8,9indicating the two reference positions of the fabric5in an embroidery patterned area6a(seeFIG. 12) on the fabric5, in which the embroidery pattern6is formed based on the embroidery data read by the embroidery data reading system70, an embroidery data output system74, and a print data output system75.

The data processing unit2is adapted to modify the embroidery data read by the embroidery data reading system70and the print data read by the print data reading system71that represent for example sizes, colors, and positions of the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7to be formed. The data adjusting system72of the data processing unit2modifies the embroidery data and the print data.

The embroidery data includes thread color data of the embroidery pattern6. Based on the thread color data, the reference mark print data generating system73generates reference mark print data for printing the reference marks8,9in a similar color to a color of a thread of a patterned portion of the embroidery pattern6that is to be formed on the fabric5where the reference marks8,9are to be printed. It should be noted that when the embroidery data is modified by the data adjusting system72, the reference mark print data is generated based on the modified embroidery data.

With the above-described procedure, reference mark print data including reference mark positional data, which represents the positions of the two reference marks8,9, and reference mark color data, which represents the color of the patterned portion, are generated. Then, the reference mark positional data is added to the initial embroidery data to be generated as current embroidery data. Further, the embroidery data is supplied to the embroidery sewing machine3by the embroidery data output system74, as well as the print data and the reference mark print data are supplied to the printing device4by the print data output system75online or via a recording medium such as CD and FD.

Hereinafter, a pattern forming method will be described. As shown inFIG. 11, the pattern forming method includes steps1through6. In the first step, the data processing unit2reads the embroidery data for forming the embroidery pattern6and the print data for forming the printed pattern7. Next, in the second step, the data processing unit2generates the reference mark print data for printing the reference marks8,9that indicate the two reference positions of the fabric5based on the embroidery data and the print data read in the first step. Further, the data processing unit2supplies the embroidery data to the embroidery sewing machine3and the print data and the reference mark print data to the printing device4.

Next, in the third step, the printing device4forms the printed pattern7on the fabric5that is held by the frame55of the printing device4based on the print data received from the data processing unit2. Further, before or after the printed pattern7is formed on the fabric5, the printing device4prints the two reference marks8,9in the embroidery patterned area6abased on the reference mark print data received from the data processing unit2(seeFIG. 12). It should be noted that the two reference marks8,9are printed on positions that are spaced from each other to a certain extent (inFIG. 12, the reference marks8,9are located close to corners of the embroidery patterned area6aopposing to each other), and the reference mark print data for forming the reference marks8,9in such positions is generated in the second step.

Then, the fabric5is transferred from the frame55of the printing device4to the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3. In this regard, the fabric5is set in the frame25so that the reference marks8,9are brought inside the frame25(in the embroidery area25a). Therefore, if the reference marks8,9are located close to the corners opposing to each other, as described above, an approximate midpoint of the reference marks8,9can be a target to be set in the center of the frame25, and the embroidery patterned area6acan be positioned inside the frame25. Thus, a situation that the embroidery pattern6cannot be formed on the fabric5can be avoided.

With the frame25holding the fabric5attached to the frame drive unit30of the embroidery sewing machine3, the detecting system37of the embroidery sewing machine3is activated by an operation to the detection activating switch17. Next, the frame25is automatically driven by the frame drive unit30, and an entire image in the embroidery area25aon the fabric5inside the frame25is scanned by the image sensor14so that the two reference marks8,9can be detected (seeFIG. 13). Then the positional relation of the sewing machine reference position13aand the two reference marks8,9with the embroidery area25ais shown on the display15(seeFIG. 14).

Next, in the fourth step, the frame drive unit30of the embroidery sewing machine3drives the frame25so that the two reference marks8,9printed on the fabric5in the third step are sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a. In this regard, the user can manipulate the frame25through the frame drive operation switches18by viewing the positional relation shown on the display15. After the two reference marks8,9are sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a, positional information (i.e., information of working position of the frame drive unit30, which is information of position of the carriage33detected by the carriage position sensor36) are recorded by operating the position recording switch19.

Next, in the fifth step, based on the positional information that is obtained in the fourth step by having the reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a, the embroidery sewing machine3modifies the initial embroidery data so that the embroidery pattern6can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to the fabric5and the printed pattern7. Next, in the sixth step, the embroidery sewing machine3forms the current embroidery pattern6on the fabric5based on the embroidery data that has been modified in the fifth step (seeFIGS. 15 and 16).

Hereinafter, a sequence of processes that are executed by the data processing unit2will be described. As shown in a flowchart inFIG. 17(Si (i=1, 2, 3 . . . ) in the flowchart represents each step), when the process is started, the embroidery data and the print data are read (S1). If the embroidery data is required to be modified, outline of the embroidery pattern6to be formed with the embroidery data is extracted by a Stitch To Outline process (hereinafter referred to as an STO process) (i.e., a process to extract outlines of the embroidery pattern based on stitch point data that is included in the embroidery data. The stitch point represents a position of stitch point), and the embroidery patterned area6a(i.e., outlines of the embroidery pattern) is obtained (S2). Further, based on the embroidery patterned area6a, the reference mark positional data of the two reference marks8,9is generated (S3).

Next, the color data of the thread of the patterned portion of the embroidery pattern6that is to be formed on the fabric5where the reference marks8,9are to be printed is obtained (S4). Then, the reference mark color data representing a similar color to the obtained color is generated, and the reference mark print data including the reference mark positional data, which represents the positions of the two reference marks8,9, and the reference mark color data, which represents the color of the patterned portion, is generated (S5). Further, the reference mark positional data is added to the initial embroidery data (S6). Next, the process judges whether the embroidery pattern6to be formed on the fabric5is to overlap the printed pattern7to be printed (S7). If the embroidery pattern6is determined to overlap the printed pattern7(S7: Yes), color data of the overlapped portion of the printed pattern7is deleted (S8). Thus, the overlapped portion has no color to be printed. If the embroidery pattern6is determined not to overlap the printed pattern7(S7: No), as well as after S8, the embroidery data is output to the embroidery sewing machine3(S9). Then, the print data and the reference mark print data are output to the printing device4(S10), and the process ends.

Hereinafter, a sequence of processes that are executed by the printing device4will be described. As shown in a flowchart inFIG. 18(Si (i=20, 21) in the flowchart represents each step), when the process is started, the print data and the reference mark print data that are supplied by the data processing unit2are read (S20). Then, the printing system41and the frame drive unit60are controlled, and the printed pattern7and the two reference marks8,9are printed on the fabric5(S21), and the process ends.

Hereinafter, a sequence of processes that are executed by the embroidery sewing machine3will be described. As shown in a flowchart inFIG. 19(Si (i=30, 31, 32 . . . ) in the flowchart represents each step), when the process is started, the embroidery data that are supplied by the data processing unit2is read (S30). Then, in a reference mark detecting process (S31), the image sensor14is activated by an operation to the detection activating switch17, and the frame25is driven in a predetermined pattern so that the image on the fabric5is scanned and the two reference marks8,9are detected. Then, the sewing machine reference position13aand the reference marks8,9with the embroidery area25aare shown on the display15(S32).

Next, in a frame drive instruction/positional information recording process (S33), the frame drive unit30drives the frame25by an operation to the frame drive operation switches18so that the two reference marks8,9can be sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a. After the two reference marks8,9are coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a, the positional information (i.e., the information of working position of the frame drive unit30, which is information of position of the carriage33detected by the carriage position sensor36) is recorded by operating the position recording switch19. Next, based on the positional information, the initial embroidery data is modified by having the reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a, and the embroidery pattern6can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined position with respect to the fabric5and the printed pattern7(S34). Then, based on the current embroidery data that has been modified, the sewing system11and the frame drive unit30are controlled, so that the embroidery pattern6is formed (S35). Then, the process ends.

This pattern forming system1is advantageous in the followings.

With the detecting system37, the reference marks8,9that indicate the two reference positions recorded on the fabric5that is held by the frame25can be detected. Further, with the frame drive instruction system38, the frame drive unit30can have instructions to drive the frame25based on the detected information from the detecting system37so that the two reference marks8,9can be sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a. In other words, the two reference marks8,9can be respectively coincided with the sewing machine reference position13ain a simple and reliable manner, and based on the positional information obtained in such a manner, the embroidery pattern6can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined position with respect to the reference marks8,9.

With the above-described configuration, the printed pattern7can be previously formed to be in the predetermined position with respect to the two reference marks8,9on the fabric5before the embroidery pattern6is formed on the same fabric5, and the reference marks8,9as well can be formed on the fabric5prior to the embroidery pattern6. Therefore, in such a case that the embroidery pattern6is formed on the fabric5after the printed pattern7is formed on the fabric5that is held by the frame55of the printing device4and the fabric5is transferred to the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3, the embroidery sewing machine3is advantageous.

In other words, when the fabric5held by the frame55of the printing device4with the printed pattern7formed is transferred to the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3, the fabric5does not require to be positioned specifically with respect to the frame25as long as the two reference marks8,9and the embroidery patterned area6ain which the embroidery pattern6is to be formed are brought inside the frame25(i.e., the embroidery area25a) of the embroidery sewing machine3. Thus, the process to set the fabric5specifically in a predetermined position, which may be time consuming and troublesome, can be omitted. After the fabric5is transferred to the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3, and the detecting system37and the drive instruction system38are operated, the embroidery pattern6can be formed on the fabric5so that the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7can be formed in the predetermined position with respect to each other, and thus, a quality of the composed patterns can be improved.

As the frame drive instruction system38includes the frame drive operation switches18, which are used for operating the frame drive unit30, the frame25is configured to be driven by the frame drive operation switches18via the frame drive unit30to have the two reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a. Further, with the detection activation switch17that is operated to activate the detecting system37, the detecting system37can be stopped while sewing is performed by the embroidery sewing machine3, and after the fabric5is transferred to the frame25, the detecting system37can be activated when the embroidery pattern6is formed on the fabric5so that the two reference marks8,9recorded on the fabric5can be detected in the reliable manner.

With the display15that shows the sewing machine reference position13aand the two reference marks8,9, the sewing machine reference position13aand the two reference marks8,9can be easily recognized, and the user can manipulate the frame25by viewing the positional relation of the two reference marks8,9shown on the display15when the two reference marks8,9are sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a. Further, as the display15shows the sewing machine reference position13aand the two reference marks8,9as well as the embroidery area25ainside the frame25, the user can easily recognize the sewing machine reference position13aand the two reference marks8,9with the embroidery area25a.

Furthermore, with the embroidery data modifying system that modifies the embroidery data based on the positional information obtained by having the reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a, the initial embroidery data can be modified to be the embroidery data to be formed on the fabric5, so that the current embroidery pattern6can be formed on the fabric5specifically in the predetermined alignment with respect to the two reference marks8,9.

With the reference mark print data generating system73, the reference mark print data, which is for printing the two reference marks8,9indicating the reference positions of the fabric5, and for printing the reference marks8,9on the fabric5in the embroidery patterned area6a, in which the embroidery pattern6is formed based on the embroidery data read by the embroidery data reading system70, can be generated. Based on the reference mark print data, the two reference marks8,9can be printed on the fabric5by the printing device4.

When the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7are formed in the predetermined alignment with respect to each other on the fabric5with the printed pattern7formed on the fabric5by using the printing device4and the embroidery pattern6succeedingly formed on the fabric5by using the embroidery sewing machine3, as described above, the fabric5is required to be transferred from the frame55of the printing device4to the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3. In this regard, the data processing unit2is advantageous in forming the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to each other.

In other words, the two reference marks8,9are formed on the fabric5by the printing device4as well as the printed pattern7is formed to be in the predetermined position with respect to the reference marks8,9. Next, after having the fabric5transferred from the frame55of the printing device4to the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3, the embroidery pattern6can be formed to be in the predetermined alignment with respect to the two reference marks8,9on the fabric5. Accordingly, the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to each other. In addition, the reference marks8,9that are printed on the fabric5can be covered with the embroidery pattern6, therefore, an appearance and a quality of the composed patterns are improved.

The embroidery data includes the thread color data of the embroidery pattern6, and as the reference mark print data generating system73generates reference mark print data for printing the reference marks8,9in a color similar to a color of a thread of a patterned portion of the embroidery pattern6that is to be formed on the fabric5where the reference marks8,9are to be printed, the reference marks8,9printed on the fabric5are indistinctive with the embroidery pattern6covering over the reference marks8,9.

In the first step, the data processing unit2is adapted to read the embroidery data for forming the embroidery pattern6and the print data for forming the printed pattern7. In the second step, the data processing unit2is further adapted to generate the reference mark print data for printing the reference marks8,9that indicate the two reference positions of the fabric5by the printing device4based on the embroidery data and the print data read in the first step. Accordingly, the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to each other.

Following the second step, the printing device4is adapted to form the printed pattern7on the fabric5that is held by the frame55of the printing device4based on the print data, and before or after the printed pattern7is formed on the fabric5, the printing device4is further adapted to print the two reference marks8,9based on the reference mark print data. Accordingly, the printed pattern7can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined position with respect to the reference marks8,9, and the two reference marks8,9as well as the printed pattern7can be printed on the fabric5.

With the fabric5transferred from the frame55of the printing device4to the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3, the embroidery sewing machine3is adapted to manipulate the frame25via the frame drive unit30. Further, in the fourth step, the embroidery sewing machine3is adapted to have the two reference marks8,9printed on the fabric5in the third step to be sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a. In the fifth step, based on the positional information that is obtained in the fourth step by having the reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a, the embroidery sewing machine3is adapted to modify the initial embroidery data so that the embroidery pattern6can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to the reference marks8,9. In the sixth step, the embroidery sewing machine3is adapted to form the embroidery pattern6on the fabric5based on the current embroidery data that has been modified in the fifth step.

Accordingly, when the fabric5with the printed pattern7formed by the printing device4is transferred from the frame55of the printing device4to the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3, the fabric5does not require to be positioned specifically with respect to the frame25as long as the two reference marks8,9and the embroidery patterned area6ain which the embroidery pattern6is to be formed are brought inside the frame25(i.e., the embroidery area25a) of the embroidery sewing machine3. Thus, the process to set the fabric5in a predetermined position, which may be time consuming and troublesome, can be omitted, and the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7can be readily and reliably formed on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to each other.

The first embodiment can be altered as follows.

[Embroidery Sewing Machine] 1] The frame drive instruction system38may include the control unit20(an automatic positioning control system) that controls the frame drive unit30to have the two reference marks8,9to be automatically coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a. In such case, the frame drive operation switches18can be omitted, and the sewing machine reference position13aand the reference marks8,9are not required to be shown on the display15. In this regard, the two reference marks8,9formed on the fabric5that is held by the frame25can be detected by the detecting system37, and the positions of the two reference marks8,9(current positions) with respect to the sewing machine reference position13acan be detected. Therefore, the embroidery sewing machine3can be configured to calculate a distance in the X direction and a distance in the Y direction from the current positions to the sewing machine reference position13a, so that the frame25can be driven for the calculated distances in the two directions to have the reference marks8,9to be sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13a. In such case, the positional information of the reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the sewing machine reference position13acan also be automatically recorded. In this regard, the position recording switch19can be omitted.

2] The sewing machine reference position13a, which is located in the vicinity to the needle13, can be located in another position. The sewing machine reference position is preferable to be located in a vicinity of the free end of the arm10c(in a vicinity to the needle13) of the machine body10. In such a location, a positioning system for positioning the two reference marks8,9on the fabric5held by the frame25can be provided in a vicinity of the free end of the arm10c(in a vicinity to the needle13) so that the two reference marks8,9can be respectively coincided with the sewing machine reference position. Examples of such a configuration will be described below.

2-1] As shown inFIGS. 20 and 21, the positioning system including a positioning member80with a protrusion is provided at a predetermined portion of the arm10cof the machine body10. 2-2] As shown inFIGS. 20 and 22, the positioning system including a positioning member81with a cutout is provided at a predetermined portion of the arm10cof the machine body10.

2-3] As shown inFIG. 23, the positioning system including a movable positioning member82that can be positioned close to or far from the fabric5held by the frame25is provided at a predetermined portion of the arm10cof the machine body10. In this case, the movable positioning member82can be configured to move manually or automatically. 2-4] As shown inFIG. 24, the positioning system including a spotlight83as an emitting system that emits spotlight to the fabric5held by the frame25is provided at a predetermined portion of the arm10cof the machine body10.

3] The number of the reference marks is not limited to two, but may be more than two. 4] When each of the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7is a symmetrical pattern with respect to a point, the number of the reference mark can be one. In this case, the one reference mark can be formed as the symmetrical point of the pattern to be formed on the fabric.

[Printing Device] 5] The print head42of the device body40can be configured to be driven in the Y direction (or the X direction), while the frame drive unit60is configured to be driven only in the X direction (or the Y direction), so that the point to be printed by the print head42with respect to the fabric5can be moved in the two directions independently.

[Data Processing Unit] 6] The reference mark print data generating system73can be adapted to generate reference mark print data for printing reference marks indicating the reference positions of the fabric5in various shapes (for example dots, circles, line segments) other than the crosses. 7] The reference mark print data generating system73can be configured to generate reference mark print data for printing the reference marks8,9in colors other than a similar color to the color of the thread of the patterned portion of the embroidery pattern6that is to be formed on the fabric5.

[Pattern Forming Method] It should be noted that inFIG. 12the embroidery patterned area6ais provided inside the printed pattern7, however, the printed pattern7can be provided inside the embroidery patterned area6a. In such case, the reference marks8,9should be provided inside the embroidery patterned area6aand outside the printed pattern7.

Second Embodiment

In the second embodiment, as shown inFIG. 25, the first step and the second step are similar to the first step and the second step of the first embodiment.

In the third step, the printing device4forms the printed pattern7on the fabric5that is held by the frame55of the printing device4based on the print data received from the data processing unit2. Further, before or after the printed pattern7is formed on the fabric, the printing device4prints the two reference marks8,9based on the reference mark print data received from the data processing unit2(seeFIGS. 26,27). Then, as shown inFIG. 28, a template100, which is formed with a transparent or translucent plate, is attached to the frame55of the printing device4. Further, the printing device4prints the two reference marks8a,9aon the template100based on the reference mark print data (seeFIGS. 29,30).

Next, the fabric5is transferred from the frame55of the printing device4to the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3(seeFIG. 32) with the two reference marks8,9on the fabric5being misaligned with two reference marks8a,9aon the template100. Then, the position of the fabric5with respect to the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3is adjusted so that the two reference marks8,9on the fabric5are coincided with the two reference marks8a,9aon the template100(the fourth step).

With the above-described procedure, when the two reference marks8,9on the fabric5are coincided with the two reference marks8a,9aon the template100(seeFIG. 33), in the fifth step, after the template100is removed from the frame25, the embroidery sewing machine3forms the embroidery pattern7on the fabric5based on the embroidery data. It should be noted that, in the third step, the template100can be attached to the frame55before the printed pattern7as well as the reference marks8,9are formed on the fabric5, so that the reference marks8a,9acan be firstly printed on the template100, and the printed pattern7as well as the reference marks8,9can be formed after the template100is removed from the frame55.

For conducting the above-described method, the pattern forming system1in the first embodiment can be applied in use. In this regard, the image sensor14, i.e., the detecting system37, the detection activating switch17, the frame drive operation switches18i.e., the frame drive instruction system38, and the position recording switch19can be omitted. In other words, the fabric5can be set in the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3in the predetermined position by using the template100without a specific detecting system provided to the embroidery sewing machine3, and the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7can be formed in the predetermined alignment with respect to each other.

Third Embodiment

In the third embodiment, the pattern forming system1A is configured to form the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7in a predetermined alignment with respect to each other on the fabric5with the embroidery pattern6formed on the fabric5by using the embroidery sewing machine3A and the printed pattern7succeedingly formed on the fabric5by using the printing device4A.

Hereinafter, the embroidery sewing machine3A will be described. The embroidery sewing machine3A is configured similarly to the embroidery sewing machine3in the first embodiment except the image sensor14, i.e., the detecting system37, the detection activating switch17, the frame drive operation switches18i.e., the frame drive instruction system38, and the position recording switch19, which are not included in the embroidery sewing machine3A (seeFIGS. 4 through 5, andFIG. 35).

Hereinafter, the printing device4A will be described. The printing device4A is configured similarly to the printing device4in the first embodiment except an image sensor44, i.e., a detecting system67, a detection activating switch47, a frame drive operation switches48i.e., a frame drive instruction system68, and the position recording switch49, which are added to the printing device4A (seeFIGS. 36 through 38).

A device body40is provided with an image sensor44at a free end of an arm40c(in a vicinity to a print head42), and a display45(a display system) and various switches46are provided on a front side of a pillar40b. The image sensor44is adapted to read an image of a predetermined area of a fabric5that is held by a frame55, which is attached to a frame drive unit60. In the present embodiment, the image sensor44is configured to read an image from a relatively small area, however, the image sensor44may be configured to read an image from a greater area that may approximately coincide with an entire print area55ainside the frame55. A control unit50is connected to the image sensor44.

It should be noted that, on the fabric5, two cross-like reference marks8,9(seeFIG. 41) to indicate reference positions of the fabric5have been sewn by the embroidery sewing machine3A. When the fabric5is transferred to the frame55of the printing device4A, the fabric5is attached to the frame55so that the reference marks8,9are located inside the frame55(i.e., the print area55a). The printing device4A is provided with the detecting system67that detects the reference marks8,9indicating the two reference positions sewn on the fabric5by the embroidery sewing machine3A. The detecting system67includes the image sensor44, the control unit50, and the frame drive unit60, which have been described above.

The image sensor44is configured to read an image from a relatively small area on the fabric5that is held by the frame55. With the above-described configuration, the control unit50controls the frame drive unit60, which drives the frame55, when an instruction to detect the reference marks is received. Then the image sensor44scans an image of the entire print area55aon the fabric5inside the frame55, and the image is analyzed so that the two reference marks8,9are detected. Thus, positions of the two reference marks8,9with respect to the frame55(i.e., the print area55a), and a relative position (a current position) of the two reference marks8,9, and the print area55awith respect to a printing device reference position43a(a predetermined position43aof the print head42) can be detected (calculated by the control unit50).

In the present embodiment, the various switches46including detection activating switch47(a detection activating system) that is operated to activate the detecting system67, a frame drive operation switches48(a frame drive operation system) that include four arrow keys to drive the frame drive unit60, and a position recording switch49are provided. The printing device4A is provided with a frame drive instruction system68that instructs the frame drive unit60to drive the frame55so that each of the two reference marks8,9coincides with the printing device reference position43asequentially based on information from the detecting system67.

The frame drive instruction system68includes the frame drive operation switches48and the control unit50. Based on the information from the detecting system67, the frame drive instruction system67shows a positional relation of the printing device reference position43a, the two reference marks8,9, and the print area55aon the display45, as shown inFIG. 43. Thus, a user can manipulate the frame55via the frame drive operation switches48by viewing the positional relation shown on the display45, and the control unit50receiving signals from the frame drive operation switches48drives the frame55by controlling the X direction drive motor64or the Y direction drive motor65, so that the two reference marks8,9are sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a.

After the two reference marks8,9are sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a, positional information (i.e., information of working position of the frame drive unit60, which is information of position of a carriage63detected by a carriage position sensor66) is recorded by operating the position recording switch49. The control unit50is provided with a function (a print data modifying system) to modify the print data so that the initial printed pattern7represented by the print data, which is supplied by the data processing unit2, can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to the fabric5and the embroidery pattern6based on the positional information that is obtained by having the reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a.

Hereinafter, the data processing unit2A will be described. As shown inFIG. 39, the data processing unit2A is provided with a reference mark sewing data generating system73a, which is adapted to generate reference mark sewing data for sewing the two cross-like reference marks8,9indicating the two reference positions of the fabric5outside a print patterned area7a(seeFIG. 41) on the fabric5, in which the printed pattern7is formed based on the print data read by a print data reading system71, in place of the reference mark print data generating system73in the first embodiment.

The reference mark sewing data generating system73acan be configured to generate reference mark sewing data for sewing the two reference marks8,9outside the embroidery patterned area6aon the fabric5that is to be formed the embroidery pattern6based on the embroidery data read by an embroidery data reading system70. It should be noted that when the print data and the embroidery data are modified by a data adjusting system72, the reference mark sewing data is generated based on the modified print data and the modified embroidery data.

With the above-described procedure, reference mark sewing data including reference mark positional data, which represents the positions of the two reference marks8,9, and reference mark color data, which represents the color of the patterned portion, are generated. Then, the reference mark positional data is added to the initial print data to be generated as current print data. Further, the embroidery data as well as the reference mark sewing data is supplied to the embroidery sewing machine3A by an embroidery data output system74, and the print data is supplied to the printing device4A by a print data output system75online or via a recording medium such as CD and FD.

Hereinafter, a pattern forming method will be described. As shown inFIG. 40, the pattern forming method includes steps1through6. The first step is similar to the first step in the first embodiment. Next, in the second step, the data processing unit2A generates the reference mark sewing data for sewing the reference marks8,9that indicate the two reference positions of the fabric5based on the embroidery data and the print data read in the first step. Further, the data processing unit2A supplies the embroidery data and the reference mark sewing data to the embroidery sewing machine3A and the print data to the printing device4A.

Next, in the third step, the embroidery sewing machine3A forms the embroidery pattern6on the fabric5that is held by the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3A based on the embroidery data received from the data processing unit2A. Further, after the embroidery pattern6is formed on the fabric5, the embroidery sewing machine3A sews the two reference marks8,9based on the reference mark sewing data received from the data processing unit2A (the two reference marks8,9can be sewn prior to the embroidery pattern6, however, in such case, the reference marks8,9are formed outside the embroidery patterned area6a) (seeFIG. 41). It should be noted that the two reference marks8,9are sewn on positions that are spaced from each other to a certain extent (inFIG. 41, the reference marks8,9are located close to corners of the embroidery patterned area6aopposing to each other), and the reference mark sewing data for forming the reference marks8,9in such positions is generated in the second step.

Then, the fabric5is transferred from the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3A to the frame55of the printing device4. In this regard, the fabric5is set in the frame55so that the reference marks8,9are brought inside the frame55(in the print area55a). Therefore, if the reference marks8,9are located close to the corners opposing to each other, as described above, an approximate midpoint of the reference marks8,9can be a target to be set in the center of the frame55, and the print patterned area7acan be positioned inside the frame55. Thus, a situation that the printed pattern7cannot be formed on the fabric5can be avoided.

With the frame55holding the fabric5attached to the frame drive unit60of the printing device4A, the detecting system67of the printing device4A is activated by an operation to the detection activating switch47. Next, the frame55is automatically driven by the frame drive unit60, and an entire image in the print area55aon the fabric S inside the frame55is scanned by the image sensor44so that the two reference marks8,9can be detected (seeFIG. 42). Then the positional relation of the printing device reference position43aand the two reference marks8,9with the print area55ais shown on the display45(seeFIG. 43).

Next, in the fourth step, the frame drive unit60of the printing device4A drives the frame55so that the two reference marks8,9sewn on the fabric5in the third step are sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a. In this regard, a user can manipulate the frame55through the frame drive operation switches48by viewing the positional relation shown on the display45. After the two reference marks8,9are sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a, positional information (i.e., information of working position of the frame drive unit60, which is information of position of the carriage63detected by the carriage position sensor66) are recorded by operating the position recording switch49.

Next, in the fifth step, based on the positional information that is obtained in the fourth step by having the reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a, the printing device4A modifies the initial print data so that the printed pattern7can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to the fabric5and the embroidery pattern6. Next, in the sixth step, the printing device4A forms the printed pattern7on the fabric5based on the current print data that has been modified in the fifth step (seeFIG. 44). Further, if necessary, the reference marks8,9are removed by being unstitched.

Hereinafter, a sequence of processes that are executed by the data processing unit2A will be described (seeFIG. 45). As shown in a flowchart inFIG. 45(Si (i=101, 102, 103 . . . ) in the flowchart represents each step), S101and S102are similar to S1and S2in the first embodiment. Then, based on the embroidery data and the print data, further based on the embroidery patterned area6aif necessary, the reference mark sewing data of the two reference marks8,9is generated (S103). Further, the reference mark positional data is added to the initial print data (S104).

S105and S106are similar to S7and S8of the process of the data processing unit2in the first embodiment. If the embroidery pattern6is determined not to overlap the printed pattern7(S105: No), as well as after S106, the embroidery data and the reference mark sewing data are output to the embroidery sewing machine3A (S107). Then, the print data is output to the printing device4A (S108), and the process ends.

Hereinafter, a sequence of processes that are executed by the embroidery sewing machine3A will be described. As shown in a flowchart inFIG. 46(Si (i=120, 121) in the flowchart represents each step), when the process is started, the embroidery data and the reference mark sewing data that are supplied by the data processing unit2A are read (S120). Then, the sewing system11and the frame drive unit30are controlled, and the embroidery pattern6and the two reference marks8,9are sewn on the fabric5(S121), and the process ends.

Hereinafter, a sequence of processes that are executed by the printing device4A will be described. As shown in a flowchart inFIG. 47(Si (i=130, 131, 132 . . . ) in the flowchart represents each step), when the process is started, the print data that are supplied by the data processing unit2A is read (S130). Then, in a reference mark detecting process (S131), the image sensor44is activated by an operation to the detection activating switch47, and the frame55is driven in a predetermined pattern so that the image on the fabric5is scanned and the two reference marks8,9are detected. Then, the printing device reference position43aand the reference marks8,9with the print area55aare shown on the display45(S132).

Next, in a frame drive instruction/positional information recording process (S133), the frame drive unit60drives the frame55by an operation to the frame drive operation switches48so that the two reference marks8,9can be sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a. After the two reference marks8,9are coincided with the printing device reference position43a, the positional information (i.e., the information of working position of the frame drive unit60, which is information of position of the carriage63detected by the carriage position sensor66) is recorded by operating the position recording switch49. Next, based on the positional information, the initial print data is modified by having the reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a, and the printed pattern7can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined position with respect to the fabric5and the embroidery pattern6(S134). Then, based on the current print data that has been modified, the printing system41and the frame drive unit60are controlled, so that the printed pattern7is formed (S135). Then, the process ends.

This pattern forming system1A is advantageous in the followings.

With the detecting system67, the reference marks8,9that indicate the two reference positions recorded on the fabric5that is held by the frame55can be detected. Further, with the frame drive instruction system68, the frame drive unit60can have instructions to drive the frame55based on the detected information from the detecting system67so that the two reference marks8,9can be sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a. In other words, the two reference marks8,9can be respectively coincided with the printing device reference position43ain a simple and reliable manner, and based on the positional information obtained in such a manner, the printed pattern7can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined position with respect to the reference marks8,9.

With the above-described configuration, the embroidery pattern6can be previously formed to be in the predetermined position with respect to the two reference marks8,9on the fabric5before the printed pattern7is formed on the same fabric, and the reference marks8,9as well can be formed on the fabric5prior to the printed pattern7. Therefore, in such a case that the printed pattern7is formed on the fabric5after the embroidery pattern6is formed on the fabric5that is held by the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3A and the fabric5is transferred to the frame55of the printing device4A, the printing device4A is advantageous.

In other words, when the fabric5held by the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3A with the embroidery pattern6formed is transferred to the frame55of the printing device4A, the fabric5does not require to be positioned specifically with respect to the frame55as long as the two reference marks8,9and the print patterned area7ain which the printed pattern7is to be formed are brought inside the frame55(i.e., the print area55a) of the printing device4A. Thus, the process to set the fabric5specifically in a predetermined position, which may be time consuming and troublesome, can be omitted. After the fabric5is transferred to the frame55of the printing device4A, and the detecting system67and the drive instruction system68are operated, the printed pattern7can be formed on the fabric5so that the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7can be formed in the predetermined position with respect to each other, and thus, a quality of the composed patterns can be improved.

As the frame drive instruction system68includes the frame drive operation switches48, which are used for operating the frame drive unit60, the frame55is configured to be driven by the frame drive operation switches48via the frame drive unit60to have the two reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a. Further, with the detection activation switch47that is operated to activate the detecting system67, the detecting system67can be stopped while printing is performed by the printing device4A. After the fabric5is transferred to the frame55, the detecting system67can be activated when the printed pattern7is formed on the fabric5so that the two reference marks8,9formed on the fabric5can be sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43ain the reliable manner.

With the display45that shows the printing device reference position43aand the two reference marks8,9, the printing device reference position43aand the two reference marks8,9can be easily recognized, and the user can manipulate the frame55by viewing the positional relation of the two reference marks8,9shown on the display45when the two reference marks8,9are sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43aby operating the frame drive unit60via the frame drive operation switches48. Further, as the display45shows the printing device reference position43aand the two reference marks8,9as well as the print area55ainside the frame55, the user can easily recognize the printing device reference position43aand the two reference marks8,9with the print area55a.

Furthermore, with the print data modifying system that modifies the print data based on the positional information obtained by having the reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a, the initial print data can be modified to be the current print data to be formed on the fabric5, so that the printed pattern7can be formed on the fabric5specifically in the predetermined alignment with respect to the two reference marks8,9.

With the reference mark sewing data generating system73a, the reference mark sewing data, which is for sewing the two reference marks8,9indicating the reference positions of the fabric5, and for sewing the reference marks8,9on the fabric5outside the print patterned area7a, in which the printed pattern7is formed based on the print data read by the print data reading system71, can be generated. Based on the reference mark sewing data, the two reference marks8,9can be sewn on the fabric5by the embroidery sewing machine3A.

When the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7are formed in the predetermined alignment with respect to each other on the fabric5with the embroidery pattern6formed on the fabric5by using the embroidery sewing machine3A and the printed pattern7succeedingly formed on the fabric5by using the printing device4A, as described above, the fabric5is required to be transferred from the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3A to the frame55of the printing device4A. In this regard, the data processing unit2A is advantageous in forming the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to each other.

In other words, the two reference marks8,9are formed on the fabric5by the embroidery sewing machine3A as well as the embroidery pattern6is formed to be in the predetermined position with respect to the reference marks8,9. Next, after having the fabric5transferred from the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3A to the frame55of the printing device4A, the printed pattern7can be formed to be in the predetermined alignment with respect to the two reference marks8,9on the fabric5. Accordingly, the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to each other. In addition, as the reference marks8,9that are sewn on the fabric5are outside the printed pattern7, therefore, the printed pattern7can be normally formed on the fabric5and the sewn reference marks8,9can be removed afterwards, so that an appearance and a quality of the composed patterns are improved.

When the reference mark sewing data generating system73ais adapted to generate reference mark sewing data for sewing the reference marks outside the embroidery patterned area6aon the fabric5in which the embroidery pattern6is to be formed based on the embroidery data read by the embroidery data reading system70, the reference marks8,9can be formed on the fabric5so that the reference marks8,9can be reliably recognized.

In the first step and the second step, which are similar to the first and second steps in the first embodiment, the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to each other.

Following the second step, the embroidery sewing machine3A is adapted to form the embroidery pattern6on the fabric5that is held by the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3A based on the embroidery data, and before or after the embroidery pattern6is formed on the fabric5, the embroidery sewing machine3A is further adapted to sew the two reference marks8,9based on the reference mark sewing data. Accordingly, the embroidery pattern6can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined position with respect to the reference marks8,9, and the two reference marks8,9as well as the embroidery pattern6can be formed on the fabric5.

With the fabric5transferred from the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3A to the frame25of the printing device4A, the printing device4A is adapted to manipulate the frame55via the frame drive unit60. Further, in the fourth step, the printing device4A is adapted to have the two reference marks8,9sewn on the fabric5in the third step to be sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a. In the fifth step, based on the positional information that is obtained in the fourth step by having the reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a, the printing device4A is adapted to modify the initial print data so that the printed pattern7can be formed on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to the reference marks8,9. In the sixth step, the printing device4A is adapted to form the printed pattern7on the fabric5based on the current print data that has been modified in the fifth step.

Accordingly, when the fabric5with the embroidery pattern6formed by the embroidery sewing machine3A is transferred from the frame25of the embroidery sewing machine3A to the frame55of the printing device4A, the fabric5does not require to be positioned specifically with respect to the frame55as long as the two reference marks8,9and the print patterned area7ain which the printed pattern7is to be formed are brought inside the frame55(i.e., the print area55a) of the printing device4A. Thus, the process to set the fabric5in a predetermined position, which may be time consuming and troublesome, can be omitted, and the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7can be readily and reliably formed on the fabric5in the predetermined alignment with respect to each other.

The third embodiment can be altered as follows.

[Printing Device] 1] The frame drive instruction system68may include the control unit50(an automatic positioning control system) that controls the frame drive unit60to have the two reference marks8,9to be automatically coincided with the printing device reference position43a. In such case, the frame drive operation switches48can be omitted, and the printing device reference position43aand the reference marks8,9are not required to be shown on the display45. In this regard, the two reference marks8,9formed on the fabric5that is held by the frame55can be detected by the detecting system67, and the positions of the two reference marks8,9(current positions) with respect to the printing device reference position43acan be detected. Therefore, the printing device4A can be configured to calculate a distance in the X direction and a distance in the Y direction from the current positions to the printing device reference position43a, so that the frame55can be driven for the calculated distances in the two directions to have the reference marks8,9to be sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43a. In such case, the positional information of the reference marks8,9sequentially coincided with the printing device reference position43acan also be automatically recorded. In this regard, the position recording switch49can be omitted.

2] The printing device reference position43a, which is located in the vicinity to the print head42, can be located in another position. The printing device reference position is preferable to be located in a vicinity of the free end of the arm40c(in a vicinity to the print head42) of the device body40. In such a location, a positioning system for positioning the two reference marks8,9on the fabric5held by the frame55can be provided in a vicinity of the free end of the arm40c(in a vicinity to the print head42) so that the two reference marks8,9can be respectively coincided with the printing device reference position. Examples of such a configuration will be described below.

2-1] As shown inFIGS. 48 and 49, the positioning system including a positioning member90with a protrusion is provided at a predetermined portion in a vicinity to the print head42of the arm40cof the device body40. With the positioning member90, the user can have the reference marks8,9on the fabric5coincided with the protrusion of the positioning member90to be positioned reliably by viewing the positioning member90from the above. 2-2] As shown inFIGS. 48 and 50, the positioning system including a positioning member91with a cutout is provided at a predetermined portion of the arm10cof the machine body10in a vicinity to the print head42. With this positioning member91, the user can have the reference marks8,9on the fabric5coincided with the cutout of the positioning member91by viewing the positioning member91from the above.

2-3] As shown inFIGS. 51 and 52, the positioning system including a movable positioning member92that can be positioned close to or far from the fabric5held by the frame25is provided at a predetermined portion of the arm40cof the device body40in a vicinity to the print head42. In this case, the movable positioning member92can be configured to move manually or automatically. The movable positioning member92is adapted to be brought close to the fabric5, so that the movable positioning member92can indicate the reference marks8,9on the fabric5, therefore, the position of the fabric5can be reliably recorded. When printing is performed and the movable positioning member92is not used, the movable positioning member92can be separated from the fabric5so that the movable positioning member92does not interfere the printing operation.

2-4] As shown inFIG. 53, the positioning system including a spotlight93as a emitting system that emits spotlight to the fabric5held by the frame55is provided at a predetermined portion of the arm40cof the device body40in a vicinity to the print head42. The emitted spotlight is adapted to indicate the reference marks8,9on the fabric5, so that the position of the fabric5can be reliably recorded. In addition, the emitting system can be provided to a portion where the emitting system does not interfere the printing operation.

3] The number of the reference marks is not limited to two, but may be more than two. 4] When each of the embroidery pattern6and the printed pattern7is a symmetrical pattern with respect to a point, the number of the reference mark can be one. In this case, the one reference mark can be formed as the symmetrical point of the pattern to be formed on the fabric. 5] The print head42of the device body40can be configured to be driven in the Y direction (or the X direction), while the frame drive unit60is configured to be driven only in the X direction (or the Y direction), so that the point to be printed by the print head42with respect to the fabric5can be moved in the two directions independently.

[Data Processing Unit] 6] The reference mark sewing data generating system73acan be adapted to generate reference mark sewing data for sewing reference marks indicating the reference positions of the fabric5in various shapes (for example dots, circles, line segments) other than the crosses.

[Pattern Forming Method] InFIG. 41, the printed pattern7is to be provided inside the embroidery patterned area6a, however, the embroidery patterned area6acan be provided inside the print patterned area7a. In this regard, the reference marks8,9are formed outside the printed pattern7a.

According to the present invention, a printing and embroidery system including a mark input system, which is adapted to input position of a predetermined mark formed on a fabric that is held by a second fabric holding member, a data modifying system, which is adapted to modify a second image data based on the position of the mark inputted, is provided. With this system, the position of the mark formed on the fabric can be inputted, and the second image data can be modified based on the position of the mark so that the second image data can be printed or embroidered.

According to the present invention, the mark position input system includes a mark detecting system, which is adapted to detect the predetermined mark formed on the fabric, and a mark position input system, which is adapted to input the position of the detected mark. With this configuration, the position of the mark formed on the fabric can be detected, and the second image data can be modified according to the position of the detected mark to be printed or to be embroidered.

According to the present invention, the mark input system includes a fabric holding member drive system, which is adapted to drive the second fabric holding member, a pointing system, which is adapted to have the position of the detected mark coincided with a predetermined reference position of a second unit, and an operation system, which is adapted to be operated when the position of the detected mark is coincided with the predetermined reference position of the second unit. With this configuration, the position of the detected mark can be reliably inputted by driving the second fabric holding member and by having the position of the detected mark coincided with the predetermined position.

According to the present invention, a printing and embroiodery system including a mark position recording system and a position adjusting system is provided. The mark position recording system, which is detachably attached to the first fabric holding member and the second fabric holding member, is adapted to record the position of the predetermined mark formed on the fabric according to the positional data by being attached to the first fabric holding member. The position adjusting system is adapted to elicit a misalignment between the position of the predetermined mark on the fabric that is held by the second fabric holding member and the position of the predetermined mark on the fabric when the fabric was held by the first fabric holding member by having the mark position recording system attached to the position adjusting system. With this configuration, the printing and embroidery system can elicit the misalignment between the position of the predetermined mark on the fabric when the fabric is held by the second fabric holding member and the position of the predetermined mark on the fabric when the fabric is held by the first fabric holding member, so that the fabric is held by the second fabric holding member in a predetermined alignment without having a specific detecting system.

According to the present invention, the position adjusting system is adapted to change the position of the fabric held by the second fabric holding member without changing a position of the mark position recording system. With this configuration, the position of the fabric can be adjusted while the mark position recording system is in position in the second fabric holding member.

According to the present invention, a printing unit including a fabric holding member drive system that is adapted to drive a fabric holding member, a pointing system that is adapted to have a position of a detected mark coincided with a predetermined position of the printing unit, and an operation system that is adapted to be operated when the position of the detected mark is coincided with a predetermined position of a second unit so that the position of the detected mark is inputted is provided. With this configuration, the position of the detected mark can be reliably inputted by having the fabric holding member driven.

According to the present invention, a printing unit including a mark position recording system and a position adjusting system. The mark position recording system is adapted to be detachably attached to the fabric holding member so that a position of a predetermined mark formed on a fabric is recorded according to positional data. The position adjusting system is adapted to elicit a misalignment between a position of a predetermined mark on a fabric that is held by a fabric holding member and a position of the predetermined mark formed on the fabric by having the mark position recording system attached to the fabric holding member with the fabric being attached. With this configuration, the misalignment between the position of the predetermined mark on the fabric when the fabric is held by the fabric holding member and the position of the predetermined mark previously formed on the fabric can be elicited, so that the fabric is held by the fabric holding member in a predetermine alignment with respect to the fabric holding member.

According to the present invention, a printing unit including the position adjusting system that is adapted to change the position of the fabric without changing the position of the mark position recording system attached to the fabric holding member. With this configuration, the position of the fabric can be adjusted while the position of the mark position recording system attached to the fabric holding member is maintained.

According to the present invention, an embroidery unit including a fabric holding member drive system that is adapted to drive a fabric holding member, a pointing system that is adapted to have a position of a detected mark coincided with a predetermined position of the embroidery unit, and an operation system that is adapted to input the position of the detected mark by being operated when the position of the detected mark is coincided with a predetermined position of a second unit. With this configuration, the position of the detected mark can be reliably inputted by having the fabric holding member driven.

According to the present invention, an embroidery unit including a mark position recording system and a position adjusting system is provided. The mark position recording system is adapted to record a position of a predetermined mark formed on a fabric according to positional data. The position adjusting system is adapted to elicit a misalignment between a position of the predetermined mark on the fabric held by a fabric holding member and a position of the predetermined mark formed on the fabric by having the mark position recording system attached to the fabric holding member with the fabric being held. With this configuration, the misalignment between the position of the predetermined mark on the fabric when the fabric is held by the fabric holding member and the position of the predetermined mark previously formed on the fabric can be elicited, so that the fabric is held by the fabric holding member in a predetermine alignment with respect to the fabric holding member.

According to the present invention, an embroidery unit including the position adjusting system that is adapted to change the position of the fabric without changing the position of the mark position recording system attached to the fabric holding member. With this configuration, the position of the fabric can be adjusted while the position of the mark position recording system attached to the fabric holding member is maintained.

According to the present invention, a method for printing and embroidering is provided. The method include providing one of printing and embroidering based on a second image after a mark formed on a fabric in a predetermined position with respect to a first fabric holding member is coincided with a predetermined position with respect to a second fabric holding member. With this configuration, second image data can be printed or embroidered in a correct positional relation with respect to the second fabric holding member after having the fabric transferred from a first fabric holding member to the second fabric holding member.

According to the present invention, a method for printing and embroidering is provided. The method includes modifying second image data so that a misalignment between a position of a mark formed in a predetermined position with respect to a first fabric holding member and a predetermined position with respect to a second fabric holding member is corrected, and providing one of printing and embroidering on the fabric according to the modified second image. With this configuration, a first image data and the second image data can be printed and embroidered in a correct alignment with respect to each other after the fabric is transferred from the first fabric holding member to the second fabric holding member.

According to the present invention, a printing and embroidery system including a second image forming unit is provided. The second image forming unit is adapted to provide one of printing and embroidering on a fabric based on a second image after a mark formed in a predetermined position on the fabric with respect to a first fabric holding member is coincided with a predetermined position with respect to a second fabric holding member. With this configuration, the second image data can be printed or embroidered in a correct alignment with respect to the second fabric holding member after the fabric is transferred from the first fabric holding member to the second fabric holding member.

According to the present invention, a printing and embroidering system including a second image forming unit is provided. The second image forming unit is adapted to modify a second image data so that a misalignment between a mark formed in a predetermined position on a fabric with respect to a first fabric holding member and a predetermined position with respect to a second fabric holding member is corrected, and providing one of printing and embroidering on the fabric according to the modified second image. With this configuration, a first image data and the second image data can be printed and embroidered in a correct alignment with respect to each other after the fabric is transferred from the first fabric holding member to the second fabric holding member.