Sewing machine and computer readable medium

The sewing machine includes an irradiation unit that irradiates a reference mark providing a basis for locating a workpiece or a sewing pattern in sewing the workpiece placed on a sewing machine bed; a relocation unit that moves the reference mark irradiated on the bed or the workpiece; an imaging unit that captures an image of a predetermined view range including the reference mark irradiated on the bed or the workpiece; a movement identifying unit that identifies a direction of movement and an amount of movement of the reference mark being specified and moved by a user based on the image including the reference mark captured by the imaging unit; and a control unit that controls the relocation unit such that the reference mark irradiated on the bed or the workpiece is moved in correlation with the direction and the amount of movement identified by the movement identifying unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application 2011-031987, filed on, Feb. 17, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a sewing machine provided with an irradiation unit that irradiates reference marks based upon on which a workpiece and patterns are located when the patterns are sewn on the workpiece placed on the sewing machine bed. The present disclosure also relates to a computer readable medium storing a control program used for relocating the irradiated reference mark to the desired position.

BACKGROUND

When sewing a workpiece with a sewing machine, the layout of the patterns are typically determined by taking a certain spacing from the edges of the workpiece or from an existing pattern on the workpiece. For instance, the user may wish to sew stitches arranged in a straight line that is located at a certain spacing from the edge of the workpiece. To address such requirements, sewing machines have been proposed that is provided with a marking unit that is configured to irradiate reference marks on the sewing machine bed or the workpiece so that location of patterns such as straight stitches or the location of the workpiece can be determined based on the reference mark.

One example of such marking device employs two marking lamps that irradiate cruciform reference marks on the workpiece that indicate the start position and the end position of the straight stitch. In more detail, the marking unit primarily comprises a frame, and adjustment base, an end-point marking lamp and a start point marking lamp. The frame extends in the direction in which the workpiece is fed and the end-point marking lamp is secured on one end of the frame. The start-point marking lamp is provided movably on the frame by way of the adjustment base. The start-point marking lamp, provided on the adjustment base, is moved with the adjustment base which is driven by a step motor. Marking unit is further provided with a counter for inputting the distance, in other words, the amount of movement of the start-point marking lamp.

The counter comprises an input unit provided with buttons for specifying the amount of movement of the start-point marking lamp through numerical input and a display unit for displaying the inputted amount of movement. During the sewing operation, the user is to input the amount of movement of the start-point marking lamp, which is given by the distance between the start point and the end point, through the buttons provided at the input unit. Responsively, the step motor is driven in accordance with the inputted distance to move the start-point marking lamp.

The marking unit, however, requires the user to make numerical inputs of distance through the input unit in order to move the reference mark, that is, to move the marking lamps which can be cumbersome to the user. Further, the location of the irradiated reference mark needs to be verified through the user's eyes and if the reference mark is not located as desired, the numerical input and verification cycle needs to be repeated until the reference mark is properly located, which is again, cumbersome to the user.

SUMMARY

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a user friendly sewing machine that allows the user to readily move the location of the reference mark irradiated on the sewing machine bed or the workpiece to the desired location. The present disclosure also relates to a computer readable medium storing a control program that allows the above described facilitated relocation of the reference mark.

In one aspect, a sewing machine includes an irradiation unit that irradiates a reference mark providing a basis for locating a workpiece or a sewing pattern in sewing the workpiece placed on a sewing machine bed; a relocation unit that moves the reference mark irradiated on the bed or the workpiece; an imaging unit that captures an image of a predetermined view range including the reference mark irradiated on the bed or the workpiece; a movement identifying unit that identifies a direction of movement and an amount of movement of the reference mark being specified and moved to a desired direction by a user based on the image including the reference mark captured by the imaging unit; and a control unit that controls the relocation unit such that the reference mark irradiated on the bed or the workpiece is moved in correlation with the direction of movement and the amount of movement identified by the movement identifying unit.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become clear upon reviewing the following description of the illustrative aspects with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first embodiment of the present disclosure is exemplified through a household sewing machine hereinafter referred to as sewing machine M and will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 1 to 6.

Referring toFIG. 1, sewing machine M is primarily configured by bed1, pillar2, and arm3that are structurally integral. Pillar2extends upward from the right end of a laterally oriented bed1. Arm3extends leftward from the upper portion of pillar2and terminates into head3a. Arm3contains a laterally extending main shaft not shown of the sewing machine. Pillar2contains sewing machine motor4shown inFIG. 4that drives the main shaft in rotation through a timing belt not shown wound around the main shaft. Description will be given hereinafter with an assumption that the direction in which the user/operator positions himself/herself to face sewing machine M is the forward direction and the opposite side, naturally, is the rear direction. Further, the direction in which pillar2is located relative to the center of bed1is assumed as the rightward direction and the opposite side, is assumed as the left direction.

Referring toFIG. 2, head3ais provided with needle bar6and presser bar8not shown. Needle bar6has sewing needle5attached to it, whereas presser bar6has presser foot7attached to it. Though not shown, arm3further contains components such as a needle-bar drive mechanism, a needle-bar swing mechanism, a thread take-up drive mechanism, and a presser-bar drive mechanism. The needle-bar drive mechanism moves needle bar6up and down through the rotation of the main shaft. The needle-bar swing mechanism swings needle bar6in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the workpiece is fed. In the first embodiment, needle bar6is swung in the left and right direction. The thread take-up drive mechanism drives the thread-take up and down in synchronism with the up and down movement of needle bar6. The presser-bar drive mechanism drives presser bar8up and down.

At the upper portion of arm3, openable/closable cover11is provided that, when opened, reveals storage13defined on the forward mid portion of arm3for storing thread spool12. Needle thread12aonly shown inFIG. 2drawn from thread spool12is engaged with a number of components such as the thread take-up that define a thread passageway to be ultimately supplied to sewing needle5.

On the front side of arm3, various key switches9are provided for user operation. Though not described in detail, key switches9include start/stop switch9afor starting and stopping a sewing operation, pause key9a, a reverse stitch key, a needle lifting/dropping key, a thread cut key, and speed adjustment dial. On the front face of pillar2, a sizable and vertically elongate liquid crystal display10capable of displaying in full color is provided, which is hereinafter simply referred to as LCD10.

LCD10displays various information such as selection of patterns that can be sewn, names of various functionalities to be executed in a sewing operation, and various messages that are outputted. Examples of patterns that can be sewn include utility stitches such as straight stitches and zigzag stitches, decorative patterns of plants, geometric figures, etc. and various types of patterns that can be sewn with sewing machine M. LCD10also displays images captured by the later described image sensor20shown inFIG. 2.FIG. 3illustrates screen30displayed on LCD10that shows one example of such image which shows a plan view of the periphery of presser foot7. Reference symbol P shown inFIG. 3is a needle drop point.

On the front side of LCD10, touch panel14is superimposed which is configured by a matrix of transparent touch switches for inputting coordinate information. LCD10and touch panel14are thus, configured as a display/input unit capable of outputting images and inputting coordinate information through the same screen. The touch switch employs, for instance, a resistance sensitive type and is configured by a matrix of resistors aligned in the longitudinal and lateral directions spaced at predetermined intervals as represented by Xn and Yn inFIG. 3. When the user touches a given location on the touch switch typically by his/her fingers, the intersection of the longitude and the latitude of the sensed resistor is scanned to detect the touched location.

By sensing the location of the touch, various judgments can be made such as what to display, what to select (e.g., patterns to be sewn and functions to be executed), and what to specify (e.g., parameters to be specified). When LCD10is displaying the screen shown inFIG. 3, the longitudinal and lateral coordinates on touch panel14of the displayed screen correspond to the X direction representing the left and right direction and the Y direction representing the forward and reward direction. The coordinates, hereinafter also referred to as the X coordinate and the Y coordinate are sensed on touch panel14by the variation in the resistance value of the resistor residing in the location corresponding to the touched location. Touch panel14is not limited to the resistance sensitive type that identifies the touched location based on the coordinate system, but may employ other types that are capable of identifying the touched location.

On the side surface of pillar2, a connecting port not shown is provided for allowing removable connection of mouse15serving as a pointing device. Mouse15may also be connected to sewing machine M through wireless communication.

On the upper surface of bed1, needle plate1ais provided. Within bed1below needle plate1a, components such as a feed mechanism, a horizontal rotary hook mechanism, and a thread cutter are provided neither of which are shown. The feed mechanism drives a feed dog up and down and back and forth. The horizontal rotary hook mechanism contains a bobbin and forms stitches in cooperation with sewing needle5. The thread cutter mechanism cuts needle thread and bobbin thread.

Sewing machine M is further provided with an irradiation unit that irradiates a reference mark when sewing workpiece cloth CL shown inFIG. 3placed on bed1. The reference mark serves as a reference for locating workpiece CL or locating the pattern to be sewn on workpiece CL. The irradiation unit will be described with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

The irradiation unit comprises laser pointer17which is located at the forward lower edge of head3aso as to be located forward and leftwardly upward from presser foot7or needle drop point P. Laser pointer17comprises a cylindrical body17aand mounting section17bthat are structurally integral. Mounting section17bis mounted on movement motor19. Though not shown, body17aincludes a light emitting section that emits a laser beam, optics such as lens for spreading the laser beam linearly. Laser pointer17is thus, configured as a marking light that irradiates reference mark16on bed1or workpiece CL. Laser pointer17is one example of the irradiating unit. Reference mark16is exemplified as a straight baseline oriented in the forward and rear direction but is not limited to the same.

Transfer motor19comprises a step motor for example and is secured on the machine frame of head3asuch that its rotary shaft19ais oriented in the Y direction. Rotary shaft19aallows the attachment of mounting section17bof laser pointer17. Thus, laser pointer17is disposed on head3aso as to be oriented downward and rearwardly rightward toward bed1. Transfer motor19is one example of a relocation unit that, when driven, makes adjustments in the disposition, in this case, the inclination of laser pointer17to relocate the irradiated reference mark16in the X direction.

At the forward lower edge of head3aimage sensor20is provided so as to be located forward and rightwardly upward from presser foot7or needle drop point P. In first embodiment, image sensor20is configured, for instance, by a small CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) imaging device. Image sensor20is one example of an imaging unit that captures images of a predetermined view range including reference mark16irradiated on bed1or workpiece CL. Image sensor20is thus, configured to capture images of reference mark16as well as the periphery of presser foot7. The captured images are displayed on LCD10as shown inFIG. 3. Thus, displaying the captured images on LCD10allows the user to readily recognize the location of both reference mark16and presser foot7on bed1or workpiece CL.

Next, a description will be given on a control system sewing machine M with reference to the block diagram ofFIG. 4.

Controller21, responsible for overall control of sewing machine M, is primarily configured by a microcomputer including CPU22, ROM23, RAM24, EEPROM25. Controller21establishes connections with components such as key switches9including start/stop switch9a, touch panel14, mouse15, and image processing circuit22to which image sensor20. Controller21further establishes connection with components such as LCD10, sewing machine motor4, movement motor19, and laser pointer17through drive circuits26,27,28, and29that drive the foregoing components.

ROM23pre-stores items such as a control program for controlling the sewing operation, sewing data of sewing patterns, and a display control program that controls LCD10. ROM23further pre-stores a relocation control program that controls movement motor19by identifying the direction and the amount of movement of reference mark16.

Controller21is one example of a control unit and identifies the direction and the amount of reference mark16inputted by the user through the software configuration of sewing machine M, that is, through the execution of the relocation control program as will be described below.

In starting a sewing operation, controller21captures an image of reference mark16located in the proximity of presser foot7by image sensor20. The captured image is displayed on LCD10and is also subjected to a later described image processing by image processing circuit22whereby controller21identifies reference mark16. Touch panel14and controller21are examples of a movement identifying unit that identifies the direction and amount of movement through user's touch operation of touch panel14. The “touch operation” includes (a) placing the user's finger in contact with touch panel, (b) moving the finger while maintaining the contact, and (c) releasing the finger placed in contact with touch panel14. The “touched location” indicates the location where the finger contact is established on touch panel14. The touch operation may be effected by a touch pen instead of the user's finger.

Controller21acquires the X coordinate by scanning based on the variation in the resistance of the resistor located in the touched location. By determining whether or not the acquired X coordinate corresponds to the location of reference mark16displayed on LCD10, controller21determines the presence/absence of the specification of reference mark16by the user. Controller21stores the X coordinate into RAM24which is one example of a storage device, and compares the X coordinate stored in RAM24with the X coordinate obtained in the subsequent scanning. Thus, controller21determines whether or not the user's finger movement on touch panel14, in other words, the user's instructions on the direction of movement is rightward or leftward. Further, the amount of movement of the specified reference mark16is calculated based on the difference between the X coordinate acquired when reference mark16was specified and the X coordinate acquired when the user's finger was released from touch panel14.

The process flow involved in the user input through touch panel14and the correlated movement of reference mark16will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6. The flowcharts ofFIGS. 5 and 6indicate the process flow of relocation control program executed by control unit21and each step of the process flow are identified by reference symbols Si (i=11,12,13. . . ).

After the main power of sewing machine M is turned on, laser pointer17is positioned to irradiate reference mark16at initial position xSshown inFIG. 3that is located for instance, 10 mm to the right of needle drop point P on bed1or workpiece CL. The user is prompted to initiate the irradiation of reference mark16on screens not shown displayed on LCD10for making various settings through touch panel14operation. Laser pointer17thus, irradiates reference mark16appearing as a straight base line at initial position xSlocated on bed1or workpiece CL (step S11). Alternatively, a dedicated switch may be provided for starting and stopping the irradiation of reference mark16.

The following description is based on an example in which the user wishes to form a straight stitch located more than 10 mm away from one of the side ends of workpiece CL as shown in broken line ofFIG. 3. In this case, reference mark16needs to be moved to the right. In order to relocate reference mark16to the desired location, the user is to select “relocate reference mark16” through the operation of touch panel14in the setting screen (step S12: YES). Responsively, relocation process of the irradiated reference mark16is executed as shown inFIG. 6. To elaborate on the relocation process, image sensor20captures images of a predetermined range of area including reference mark16and presser foot7from the forward and rightwardly upward direction (step S21). As a result, a substantially planar image partially showing the predetermined range of area is displayed on screen30of LCD10as can be seen inFIG. 3(step S22). Further, though not shown in the flowchart, known image processing of the captured images is executed by image processing circuit22such as binarization and outline extraction. The image processing obtains the location of reference mark16on LCD10(step S23).

The user, on the other hand, operates touch panel14to relocate the irradiated reference mark16to the desired position. Controller21acquires the X coordinate by scanning based on the variation in the resistance of the resistor located in the touched location and stores the acquired X coordinate into RAM24. Then, a judgment is made as to whether or not the acquired X coordinate corresponds to the location of reference mark16displayed on LCD10, whereby controller21determines the presence/absence of the specification of reference mark16by the user (step S24). In case the x-coordinate is not in the location corresponding to reference mark16(step S24: NO), steps S24and25are repeated until the user's finger is no longer in contact with touch panel14. In case the user's finger is released from panel14(step S25: YES) without any specification of reference mark16(step S24: NO), the process is terminated without relocating the irradiated reference mark16. An end key may be provided additionally on screen30of LCD10to end the process through operation of the end key.

FIG. 3shows how reference mark16is specified. As shown in a solid line, reference mark16is specified by placing the user's finger over reference mark16of LCD10(step S24: YES). By comparing the X coordinate obtained when reference mark16is specified and the X coordinate obtained by re-scanning, a judgment is made as to whether or not the user's finger was moved to the left or the right on touch panel14(step S26). To summarize, repetitive scanning executed during the touch operation causes multiple X coordinates to be stored into RAM24. Then, the direction and the amount of reference mark16movement is calculated (step S27) based on the difference of the X coordinate obtained when the user's finger was released from touch panel14and the X coordinate (xS) when reference mark16was specified.

For instance, assuming that reference mark16is specified at initial location xSand the user's finger was released from touch panel14at location xEas shown by double-dot-chain line indicated inFIG. 3, controller21identifies a rightward movement in steps S26and S27and the distance (xE-xS) of the rightward movement is calculated as the amount of movement. Based on the direction and the distance thus identified, controller21translates the same into the direction and the amount of rotation of movement motor19through calculation (step S28). The result of calculation is converted into a signal which is outputted to drive movement motor19in rotation and consequently change the angle of inclination of laser pointer17(step S29). Accordingly, reference mark16irradiated on bed1or workpiece CL is moved to a location to the right of the initial position and being spaced by the distance corresponding to the amount of finger movement (xE-xS). The foregoing steps S21to S29are repeated until the user completes the relocation process of reference mark16(step S25: YES).

As described above, the user is allowed to readily relocate the irradiated reference mark16to the desired location by direct finger operation of touch panel14.

According to the first embodiment, sewing machine M is provided with a movement identifying unit that identifies the direction and the amount of movement of reference mark16based on the user's specification of the image of reference mark6displayed on LCD10and the subsequent movement of reference mark16in the desired direction. Controller21implements this feature through execution of the movement identifying process (steps S22to S27) that identifies the direction and the amount of movement and the motor control process (steps S28and29) that controls movement motor19to move reference mark16irradiated on bed1or workpiece CL in the direction and distance corresponding to the identified direction and distance. Thus, by capturing an image of a predetermined range of area including reference mark16, the user is allowed to specify reference mark16through the captured image and move reference mark16to the desired location. The direction of movement and the amount of movement made by user operation can be identified through the captured image. Accordingly, controller21is allowed to move the location where reference mark16is irradiated by driving movement motor19by based on the identified direction of movement and the amount of movement. Thus, cumbersome tasks such as numerical input of movement amount and verification of the resulting movement amount can be eliminated to allow the user to readily relocate reference mark16to the desired location.

Movement identifying unit specifies reference mark16displayed on LCD10and further identifies the direction and the amount of movement of reference mark16made through LCD10. Thus, the user is allowed to readily make necessary inputs for relocating reference mark16by utilizing the resources displayed on LCD10.

Touch panel14is provided on LCD10and detects the specification of reference mark16as well as the direction and the amount of movement of reference mark16. Thus, the user is allowed to readily relocate the irradiated reference mark16to the desired position by operating touch panel14on LCD10directly, thereby improving the usability of the system.

Image sensor20captures the image of reference mark16as well as the periphery of presser foot7and LCD10displays the captured image. Thus, the user is able to readily recognize the location of the irradiated reference mark16and the location of presser foot7.

FIG. 7illustrates a second embodiment and the elements that are identical to those of the first embodiment are identified with identical reference symbols and are not re-described. Description will be given on the difference from the first embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that mouse15serves as an example of movement identifying unit to specify reference mark16and determine the direction and the amount in which reference mark16is moved.

Step S24shown inFIG. 6is replaced, for instance, by the user's clicking of left button15aprovided on mouse15in which response, the current location of the mouse cursor on LCD10is read. Then, a judgment is made as to whether or not the coordinates of the mouse cursor and the coordinates of reference mark16on LCD10are identical, in other words, whether or not the X coordinates of the mouse cursor and the reference mark16are identical as represented by xS′ inFIG. 7. If the X coordinates are identical, reference mark16is deemed to have been specified. In screen30′ ofFIG. 7, the specified reference mark16and mouse cursor, hereinafter also referred to as cursor31are represented by a solid line.

Further, step S27of the first embodiment is replaced by a judgment on the presence/absence of the so called dragging operation, in which the mouse15is moved by the user while maintaining the depression of left button15a. If the drag operation was performed and the so called drop operation, in which depression of left button15ais released by the user after the drag operation is performed, the location where the drop operation was performed, represented as xE′ inFIG. 7is read. Based on the difference between coordinate xE′ read at the drop operation and xS′ read at the specification of reference mark16, the direction and the amount of movement of reference mark16instructed by the user can be identified (step S27).

According to the second embodiment, mouse15is used as a pointing device to specify reference mark16and instruct the direction and the amount of movement. As a result, the operation of instructing the relocation of reference mark16can be simplified. Further, the advantages of the first embodiment in which the user is allowed to readily make necessary inputs for relocating reference mark16through the resources displayed on LCD10can also be obtained in the second embodiment as well.

The user's operation of mouse15is not limited to the drag and drop operation. Alternative operations utilizing the right button may be employed as well. If the mouse comes with a wheel, the specification of reference mark16, and determination of the direction and the amount of movement may be made based on the direction and the amount of rotation of the wheel.

FIG. 8illustrates a third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the user is allowed to directly specify reference mark irradiated on bed1or workpiece CL with the user's finger. The processes indicated inFIGS. 5 and 6, namely steps S11to S13and steps S21to S29are replaced by the following.

In starting a sewing operation, laser pointer17irradiates linear reference mark16from the light emitting section on initial position xSlocated on bed1or workpiece CL (step S31). Then, image sensor20captures images of a predetermined range of area including reference mark16and presser foot7from the forward and the rightwardly upward direction (step S32). During this time, controller21determines whether or not the user has directly specified reference mark16located on bed1or workpiece WL by his/her finger based on the captured images (step S33). The image recognition of reference mark16and the user's finger may be carried out through known methods. For instance, image processing circuit22may be configured to binarize the captured image and extract its out line, whereafter the image may be further processed by template matching for the finger and reference mark16recognition. The direction and the amount of finger movement may be detected by background subtraction.

In the absence of the user's finger specification of reference mark16(step S33: NO), the irradiated reference mark16is not relocated, meaning that the relocation process is terminated and the control is return to proceed with the sewing process. In the presence of the user's finger specification of reference mark16(step S33: YES), a judgment is subsequently made as to whether or not the finger movement was directed rightward (step S34). More specifically, controller21identifies the direction and the amount of movement of reference mark16based on the difference between the X coordinate when the user's finger was released from bed1or workpiece CL and the X coordinate (xS) when reference mark16was specified (step S35). Based on the direction and the distance thus identified, controller21translates the same into the rotational direction and the rotational amount of movement motor19through calculation (step S36). The result of calculation is converted into a signal which is outputted to drive movement motor19in rotation and consequently change the angle of inclination of laser pointer17(step S37). Accordingly, reference mark16irradiated on bed1or workpiece CL is relocated to the right or left from the initial position to the location in the distance corresponding to the amount of user's finger movement. The foregoing steps S32to S37are repeated until the user completes the relocation process of reference mark16(step S33: NO).

Thus, the user is allowed to directly instruct the relocation of reference mark16located on bed1or workpiece WL without having to operate any input operation units such as touch panel14or mouse15. Steps S33to S35of the third embodiment are examples of movement identifying routine and steps36and S37are examples of the control routine.

As described above, controller21is one example of a calculating unit, and executes a calculation routine which is exemplified as steps S34and S35. Based on the images captured by image sensor20, the calculation routine calculates the direction and the amount of movement of reference mark16which is carried out by specifying reference mark16through placement of the user's finger over reference mark16irradiated on bed1or workpiece CL and moving the finger to the desired location while maintaining contact with the reference mark16displayed on LCD. Thus, the direction and the amount of the user's finger movement are translated into rotation of movement motor19to allow relocation of reference mark16. As a result, a user friendly interface can be provided that allows instructions for reference mark16relocation to be given directly by associating the user's finger movement to the movement of the reference mark16.

The present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing embodiments but modified or expanded as follows.

Irradiation unit is not limited to laser pointer17that irradiates laser beam, but may be configured by a projecting unit that projects a certain image on bed1or workpiece WL. The projecting unit may be configured as a compact projector comprising a light emitting section employing an LED, optical lens, and light blocking section. The mark formed on the light blocking section may be varied to provide various shapes of reference marks such as cruciform and circular marks in addition to the liner baseline.

In the foregoing embodiments, the relocation of the reference mark was explained through X directional movement representing the left and right directional movement, but the relocation may also be made in the Y direction or even diagonally. That is, in the first to the third embodiments, the operation of touch panel14, the operation of cursor31through mouse15, and the operation through direct finger contact on bed1or workpiece CL may be executed through acquisition of Y coordinates or both X and Y coordinates by controller21. This will allow the Y coordinates to be identified in addition to the X coordinates in determining the direction and the amount of movement of the reference mark. The reference mark is moved in the Y direction and/or diagonally by transferring the irradiation unit by the relocation unit.

The operation of touch panel14of the first embodiment, and the operation through direct finger contact on bed1or workpiece CL of the third embodiment are not limited to finger operation but may be done with touch pens or the like. The mouse serving as the pointing device in the second embodiment may be replaced by other devices such as a joy stick and a track ball.

The computer readable medium storing the relocation control program is not limited to ROM23provided to controller21but may come in the form of a CD-ROM, flexible disk, DVD, memory cards, or the like. Reading the relocation program from the computer readable medium into the computer provided in the controller of the sewing machine will provide operation and effect similar to those discussed in the foregoing embodiments.

The foregoing description and drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and are not to be construed in a limited sense. Various changes and modifications will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. All such changes and modifications are seen to fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.