Patent Abstract:
A sewing machine includes at least one ultrasonic wave detecting portion, a thickness detecting portion, a processor, and a memory. The at least one ultrasonic wave detecting portion is configured to detect an ultrasonic wave. The thickness detecting portion is configured to detect a thickness of a work cloth. The memory configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps that includes identifying a position, on the work cloth, of a transmission source of the ultrasonic wave, based on information pertaining to the ultrasonic wave that has been detected by the at least one ultrasonic wave detecting portion and on the thickness that has been detected by the thickness detecting portion, and controlling sewing on the work cloth based on the position of the transmission source that has been identified.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-055104 filed Mar. 12, 2012, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a sewing machine and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a sewing machine control program that allow sewing in a position specified on a work cloth. 
         [0003]    A sewing machine is known that can easily set a sewing position and a sewing angle, at which a desired embroidery pattern is to be sewn, on a work cloth. For example, a known sewing machine includes an imaging portion. After a user affixes a marker to a specified position on the work cloth, an image of the marker may be captured by the imaging portion. The sewing machine may automatically set the sewing position and the sewing angle of the embroidery pattern based on the captured image of the marker. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    However, with the above-described sewing machine, it may be necessary to affix the marker to the work cloth. Further, after the sewing machine has set the sewing position and the sewing angle of the embroidery pattern, the user may need to remove the marker affixed to the work cloth before sewing is performed. Therefore, the operation may be troublesome for the user. 
         [0005]    Embodiments of the broad principles derived herein provide a sewing machine and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a sewing machine control program that enable easily setting a position, on a work cloth, at which sewing is performed. 
         [0006]    Embodiments provide a sewing machine that includes at least one ultrasonic wave detecting portion, a thickness detecting portion, a processor, and a memory. The at least one ultrasonic wave detecting portion is configured to detect an ultrasonic wave. The thickness detecting portion is configured to detect a thickness of a work cloth. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute a step that includes identifying a position, on the work cloth, of a transmission source of the ultrasonic wave, based on information pertaining to the ultrasonic wave that has been detected by the at least one ultrasonic wave detecting portion and on the thickness that has been detected by the thickness detecting portion. The memory is also configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute a step that includes controlling sewing on the work cloth based on the position of the transmission source that has been identified. 
         [0007]    Embodiments also provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a control program executable on a sewing machine. The program includes computer-readable instructions, when executed, to cause the sewing machine to perform the step of identifying a position, on a work cloth, of a transmission source of the ultrasonic wave, based on information pertaining to a ultrasonic wave that has been detected by at least one ultrasonic wave detecting portion of the sewing machine and on a thickness that has been detected by a thickness detecting portion of the sewing machine, the at least one ultrasonic wave detecting portion being configured to detect the ultrasonic wave, and the thickness detecting portion being configured to detect the thickness of the work cloth. The program further includes computer-readable instructions, when executed, to cause the sewing machine to perform the step of controlling sewing on the work cloth based on the position of the transmission source that has been identified. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a sewing machine; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a presser foot lifting mechanism in a state in which the presser foot is separated from a work cloth; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the presser foot lifting mechanism in a state in which the presser foot is pressing the work cloth; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a receiver; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the receiver; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the receiver taken along a line I-I shown in  FIG. 5 , as seen in an arrow direction; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the sewing machine and an ultrasonic pen; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of the work cloth that is placed on a needle plate, showing positional relationships of respective coordinates in order to illustrate a method of calculating specified coordinates E; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing first main processing; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a sewing machine according to a second embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the sewing machine and an ultrasonic pen according to the second embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of the work cloth that is placed on a needle plate, showing positional relationships of respective coordinates in order to illustrate a method of calculating specified coordinates E according to the second embodiment; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing second main processing according to the second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Hereinafter, an embodiment will be explained with reference to the appended drawings. First, a physical structure of a sewing machine  1  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 1 . In the following explanation, the near side, the far side, the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of  FIG. 1  are respectively defined as the front side, the rear side, the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of the sewing machine  1 . In other words, a direction in which a pillar  12 , which will be explained below, extends is the up-down direction of the sewing machine  1 . A longitudinal direction of a bed  11  and an arm  13  is the left-right direction of the sewing machine  1 . A surface on which a switch cluster  21  is arranged is the front surface of the sewing machine  1 . 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sewing machine  1  includes the bed  11 , the pillar  12 , the arm  13 , and a head  14 . The bed  11  is longer in the left-right direction. The pillar  12  extends upward from the right end of the bed  11 . The arm  13  extends to the left from the upper end of the pillar  12 . The head  14  is provided on the left side of the arm  13 . The bed  11  is provided with a needle plate  22  (refer to  FIG. 2 ), a feed dog  34 , a cloth feed mechanism (not shown in the drawings), a feed adjustment motor  83  (refer to  FIG. 7 ), and a shuttle mechanism (not shown in the drawings). The needle plate  22  is disposed on an upper surface of the bed  11 . The feed dog  34  is provided under the needle plate  22  and may feed, by a specified feed distance, a work cloth  100  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) on which sewing is performed. The cloth feed mechanism may drive the feed dog  34 . The feed adjustment motor  83  may adjust the feed distance. The head  14  is provided with a needle bar mechanism (not shown in the drawings), a needle bar swinging motor  80  (refer to  FIG. 7 ), and a thread take-up mechanism (not shown in the drawings). The needle bar mechanism may move a needle bar (not shown in the drawings) in the up-down direction. A sewing needle  29  may be attached to the needle bar. The needle bar swinging motor  80  may swing the needle bar in the left-right direction. Two receivers  94  and  95  are provided on the rear portion of the lower edge of the head  14  such that the receivers  94  and  95  are separated to the left and to the right. The receivers  94  and  95  are configured to detect an ultrasonic wave transmitted by an ultrasonic pen  91  (to be explained below). It is assumed that the upper surface of the bed  11  and an upper surface of the needle plate  22  are substantially the same height. 
         [0024]    A vertically rectangular liquid crystal display  15  is provided on the front face of the pillar  12 . For example, keys that are used to execute various functions necessary to the sewing operation, various messages, and various patterns etc. are displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 . 
         [0025]    A transparent touch panel  26  is provided in the upper surface (front surface) of the liquid crystal display  15 . A user may perform an operation of pressing the touch panel  26 , using a finger or a dedicated touch pen, in a position corresponding to one of the various keys or the like displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 . This operation is hereinafter referred to as a “panel operation.” The touch panel  26  detects the position pressed by the finger or the dedicated touch pen etc., and the sewing machine  1  (more specifically, a CPU  61  to be described below) determines an item corresponding to the detected position. In this way, the sewing machine  1  recognizes the selected item. By performing the panel operation, the user can perform pattern selection and various settings etc. 
         [0026]    Connectors  39  and  40  are provided in the right face of the pillar  12 . An external storage device (not shown in the drawings), such as a memory card, can be connected to the connector  39 . Via the connector  39 , the sewing machine  1  can read pattern data and various programs into the sewing machine  1  from the external storage device, and can output pattern data and various programs to the outside of the sewing machine  1 . A connector  916  may be connected to the connector  40 . The connector  916  is provided on an end of a cable  915  that extends from the ultrasonic pen  91  (to be explained below). Via the connector  40 , the sewing machine  1  may supply electric power to the ultrasonic pen  91  and may detect various signals (a transmission start signal etc. that will be explained below) output from the ultrasonic pen  91 . 
         [0027]    The structure of the arm  13  will be explained. A cover  16  is attached to the upper portion of the arm  13 . The cover  16  is provided in the longitudinal direction of the arm  13 . The cover  16  is supported such that the cover  16  can be opened and closed by being rotated about an axis that extends in the left-right direction at the upper rear edge of the arm  13 . A thread spool pin (not shown in the drawings) is provided underneath the cover  16  in the interior of the arm  13 . A thread spool may be mounted on the thread spool pin. A thread spool may supply a thread to the sewing machine  1 . Although not shown in the drawings, an upper thread that extends from the thread spool may be supplied to the sewing needle  29  that is attached to the needle bar, via a tensioner, a thread take-up spring, and a thread take-up lever, which are provided on the head  14 . 
         [0028]    A sewing machine motor  79  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) is provided in the arm  13 . The sewing machine motor  79  may rotate a drive shaft (not shown in the drawings), which extends in the longitudinal direction of the arm  13 . The needle bar mechanism and the thread take-up mechanism are driven by the rotation of the drive shaft. 
         [0029]    The switch cluster  21  is provided in a lower portion of the front face of the arm  13 . The switch cluster  21  includes a sewing start/stop switch, a reverse stitch switch, a needle up/down switch, and a presser foot up/down switch, and the like. 
         [0030]    A presser bar  52  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) and a presser foot lifting mechanism  20  are disposed to the rear of the needle bar. The presser foot lifting mechanism  20  may move the presser bar  52  in the up-down direction. A presser foot  30  may be detachably (replaceably) attached to the lower end of the presser bar  52 . The presser foot  30  may apply pressure to the work cloth  100 . 
         [0031]    A structure of the presser foot lifting mechanism  20  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . The presser foot lifting mechanism  20  includes the presser bar  52 , the presser foot  30 , a rack member  54 , a retaining ring  55 , a presser foot lifting motor  56 , a drive gear  561 , an intermediate gear  57 , a pinion  58 , a presser bar guide bracket  59 , a presser bar spring  53 , a presser lifting lever  50 , and a potentiometer  51 . 
         [0032]    The presser bar  52  extends in the up-down direction. The presser bar  52  is supported by a sewing machine frame (not shown in the drawings) such that the presser bar  52  can be moved in the up-down direction. The rack member  54  has a toothed portion that meshes with the pinion  58  that will be explained below. The rack member  54  is provided around the upper end portion of the presser bar  52  such that the rack member  54  can be slid. The retaining ring  55  is fixed to the upper end of the presser bar  52 . The presser bar guide bracket  59  is fixed substantially in the center, in the up-down direction, of the presser bar  52 . The presser bar spring  53  is provided around the presser bar  52  in a position where the presser bar spring  53  is sandwiched between the rack member  54  and the presser bar guide bracket  59 . The presser foot lifting motor  56  is fixed to the sewing machine frame in a position to the right of the rack member  54 . The drive gear  561  is fixed to an output shaft of the presser foot lifting motor  56 . The drive gear  561  rotates integrally with the output shaft. The intermediate gear  57  is rotatably supported by the sewing machine frame. The intermediate gear  57  meshes with the drive gear  561  and may rotate in accordance with the rotation of the drive gear  561 . The pinion  58  is formed integrally with the intermediate gear  57 . The pinion  58  meshes with the toothed portion of the rack member  54 . 
         [0033]    A case is considered in which the presser foot lifting motor  56  is driven and the drive gear  561  is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction. In this case, the rotation of the drive gear  561  is transmitted to the intermediate gear  57  and the pinion  58 , and the rack member  54  is moved upward. As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the rack member  54  is moved upward, the upper end surface of the rack member  54  comes into contact with the retaining ring  55 , which is fixed to the upper end of the presser bar  52 . As a result of this, the presser bar  52  is raised and the presser foot  30  is also raised. A case is considered in which the presser foot lifting motor  56  is driven and the drive gear  561  is rotated in the clockwise direction, from a state in which the presser foot  30  is raised (refer to  FIG. 2 ). In this case, the rack member  54  is moved downward and the presser bar spring  53  that is in contact with the lower end surface of the rack member  54  is depressed downward, as shown in  FIG. 3 . As a result of this, the presser bar guide bracket  59  is depressed downward, and the presser foot  30  may press the work cloth  100  that is placed on the needle plate  22  downward. 
         [0034]    The presser lifting lever  50  is a known lever that is used when an operation (a manual operation by the user) to raise or lower the presser bar  52  is performed independently of the up-down movement (the raising and lowering) of the presser bar  52  by the presser foot lifting motor  56 . Although not explained in detail, the presser lifting lever  50  is pivotally supported by the sewing machine frame such that the presser lifting lever  50  can be swung. In accordance with the raising and lowering operation of the presser lifting lever  50 , the presser lifting lever  50  may come into contact, from underneath, with the presser bar guide bracket  59 , and the presser bar  52  may thus be moved in the up-down direction. 
         [0035]    The potentiometer  51  is provided on the left side of the presser bar  52 . The potentiometer  51  is a rotary potentiometer. Based on a resistance value that changes depending on an amount of rotation of the potentiometer  51 , the potentiometer  51  may detect a vertical position (a height position) of the presser bar  52 . A lever  511 , which extends to the right, is provided on a rotating shaft of the potentiometer  51 . The leading end of the lever  511  is in contact with an upper surface of a protruding portion  591 , which protrudes to the left of the presser bar guide bracket  59 . The leading end of the lever  511  is constantly biased to be in contact with the upper surface of the protruding portion  591  by a coil spring that is not shown in the drawings. 
         [0036]    The lever  511  rotates when the presser bar guide bracket  59  is moved in the up-down direction. As a result, the resistance value of the potentiometer  51  changes in accordance with an angle of rotation of the lever  511 . The CPU  61  (refer to  FIG. 7 ), which will be explained below, detects the vertical position of the presser bar  52  (the presser foot  30 ) based on a voltage that corresponds to the resistance value. Here, a position of the presser foot  30  when there is no work cloth  100 , namely, a position in which the presser foot  30  is in contact with the upper surface of the needle plate  22 , is taken as a reference position. The voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the potentiometer  51  when the presser foot  30  is in the reference position is set as a reference value by the CPU  61 . The CPU  61  detects the height position of the presser foot  30  by comparing the reference value with a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the potentiometer  51  in a state in which the presser foot  30  is pressing the work cloth  100 . By detecting the height position of the presser foot  30  in this way, the CPU  61  can accurately detect the thickness of the work cloth  100 . 
         [0037]    The ultrasonic pen  91  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 1 . For example, the user may use the ultrasonic pen  91  to specify a position on which sewing is to be performed on the work cloth  100 . The sewing machine  1  may identify the position specified by the user based on the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic pen  91  and on the transmission start signal (to be explained below), and may perform sewing in the specified position. 
         [0038]    A pen tip  911  is provided at the leading end of the ultrasonic pen  91 . The pen tip  911  can be moved toward the inside of a pen body of the ultrasonic pen  91  (in the rearward direction of the ultrasonic pen  91 ). Normally, the pen tip  911  is in a protruding position in which the pen tip  911  protrudes slightly to the outside from the pen body. When a force acts on the pen tip  911  in the rearward direction, the pen tip  911  enters into the pen body. When the force acting on the pen tip  911  is released, the pen tip  911  returns to the original protruding position. An electric substrate (not shown in the drawings) is provided in the interior of the ultrasonic pen  91 . The electric substrate may be connected to a control portion  60  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) of the sewing machine  1 , via the cable  915  that extends from the rear end of the ultrasonic pen  91 . 
         [0039]    A switch  912 , an ultrasonic transmitter  913 , and a signal output circuit  914  etc. are mounted on the electric substrate (refer to  FIG. 7 ). The switch  912  is provided facing the rear end of the pen tip  911 . The ultrasonic transmitter  913  is an ultrasonic wave transmission source. The ultrasonic transmitter  913  transmits an ultrasonic wave when the switch  912  is pressed. The ultrasonic transmitter  913  is provided in a position that is extremely close to the pen tip  911 . The signal output circuit  914  normally outputs a High signal to the sewing machine  1  via the cable  915 . Then, when the switch  912  is pressed, the signal output circuit  914  outputs a Low signal to the sewing machine  1  via the cable  915 . An output timing of the Low signal is the same timing as the transmission of the ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic transmitter  913 . Namely, the Low signal is a signal (hereinafter referred to as the “transmission start signal”) that indicates that the transmission of the ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic transmitter  913  has started. The signal output circuit  914  notifies the sewing machine  1  of the timing at which the ultrasonic wave is transmitted by the ultrasonic transmitter  913  by outputting the transmission start signal in this way. 
         [0040]    When the user holds the ultrasonic pen  91  with the user&#39;s hand and causes the pen tip  911  to touch a given position on the work cloth  100 , the pen tip  911  is moved in the rearward direction. When the pen tip  911  is moved in the rearward direction of the ultrasonic pen  91 , the rear end of the pen tip  911  comes into contact with the switch  912  and depresses the switch  912 . When the switch  912  is depressed, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter  913 . Further, the transmission start signal (the Low signal) is output from the signal output circuit  914 . The ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter  913  may be received by the receivers  94  and  95  (refer to  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0041]    The receivers  94  and  95  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6 . Structures of the receivers  94  and  95  are the same, and an explanation of the receiver  95  will therefore be omitted, and the receiver  94  will be explained. In the explanation below, the lower left side, the upper right side, the upper left side, the lower right side, the upper side, and the lower side in  FIG. 4  respectively define the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side, and the lower side of the receiver  94 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6 , the receiver  94  has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is slightly longer in the up-down direction. An opening  941  is provided in the center of the lower edge of the front surface of the receiver  94 . The opening  941  has an elliptic shape that is long in the left-right direction. A wall  942  around the opening  941  is a taper-shaped surface (an inclined surface) that becomes narrower from the outer side toward the inner side of the front surface of the receiver  94 . A microphone  944 , which is mounted on an electric substrate  943 , is provided, inside the receiver  94 , behind the opening  941 . A connector  945  is mounted on the upper end of the rear surface of the electric substrate  943 . The receiver  94  may be electrically connected to the sewing machine  1  by the connector  945  being connected to a connector (not shown in the drawings) provided on the sewing machine  1 . An orientation of the receiver  94  is determined by a direction of the opening  941  in relation to the microphone  944 . 
         [0043]    In a case where the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter  913 , the ultrasonic wave may be received by the microphone  944  of the receiver  94 . The receiver  94  may output the received ultrasonic wave, as an electrical signal, to the sewing machine  1  via the connector  945 . The sewing machine  1  may detect the ultrasonic wave in this way. 
         [0044]    An electrical configuration of the sewing machine  1  and the ultrasonic pen  91  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the control portion  60  of the sewing machine  1  includes the CPU  61 , a ROM  62 , a RAM  63 , an EEPROM  64 , and an input/output interface  65 , which are mutually connected via a bus  67 . The ROM  62  stores programs and data etc. that are used by the CPU  61  to execute processing. The EEPROM  64  stores data of a plurality of types of sewing patterns that are used for the sewing machine  1  to perform sewing. 
         [0045]    The switch cluster  21 , the touch panel  26 , a timer  27 , the potentiometer  51 , and drive circuits  71  to  77  are electrically connected to the input/output interface  65 . The timer  27  may measure time. The drive circuit  71  may drive the feed adjustment motor  83 . The drive circuit  72  may drive the sewing machine motor  79 . The drive circuit  73  may drive the presser foot lifting motor  56 . The drive circuit  74  may drive the needle bar swinging motor  80 . The drive circuit  75  may drive the liquid crystal display  15 . The drive circuits  76  and  77  may drive the receiver  94  and the receiver  95 , respectively. The drive circuits  76  and  77  include amplifier circuits that amplify the electrical signals output from the receivers  94  and  95  and transmit the amplified electrical signals to the CPU  61 . 
         [0046]    As described above, the switch  912 , the ultrasonic transmitter  913 , and the signal output circuit  914  are mounted on the electric substrate inside the ultrasonic pen  91 . The switch  912  is connected to the ultrasonic transmitter  913  and to the signal output circuit  914 . The signal output circuit  914  is connected to the CPU  61  via the input/output interface  65 . The signal output circuit  914  may output the transmission start signal to the CPU  61 . 
         [0047]    A calculation method used to calculate the position of the ultrasonic wave transmission source on the work cloth  100 , namely the position specified by using the ultrasonic pen  91 , will be explained. In the following explanation, the left-right direction of the sewing machine  1  is the X direction (X coordinates), the front-rear direction of the sewing machine  1  is the Y direction (Y coordinates), and the up-down direction of the sewing machine  1  is the Z direction (Z coordinates). As described above, the sewing machine  1  can perform sewing at the position on the work cloth  100  specified by using the ultrasonic pen  91 . Here, if the thickness of the work cloth  100  is not taken into account when identifying the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave, an error may occur in the position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the identified transmission source. In particular, the greater the thickness, the greater error may occur in the position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave. For that reason, there is a possibility that the sewing is performed in a position that is separated from the specified position by the amount of the error. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the thickness is taken into account and the position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave is calculated, thus inhibiting occurrence of an error. Hereinafter, a calculation method used to calculate the position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave will be explained. 
         [0048]    In the following explanation, “1” in the X coordinate, the Y coordinate, and the Z coordinate corresponds to a distance of “1 mm” from an origin. As shown in  FIG. 8 , coordinates of a center position of a needle hole (not shown in the drawings) in the needle plate  22  that is penetrated by the sewing needle  29  are assumed to be the origin (0, 0, 0). Coordinates B indicating the position of the receiver  94  are denoted by (Xb, Yb, Zb), and coordinates C indicating the position of the receiver  95  are denoted by (Xc, Yc, Zc). Coordinates E of the position specified on the work cloth  100  using the ultrasonic pen  91  are denoted by (Xe, Ye, Ze). Hereinafter, the coordinates E are referred to as “specified coordinates E.” A distance between the specified coordinates E and the coordinates B is referred to as a “distance EB.” A distance between the specified coordinates E and the coordinates C is referred to as a “distance EC.” 
         [0049]    The Z coordinate of the upper surface of the needle plate  22  is zero. Thus, the Z coordinates of the receivers  94  and  95  indicate, respectively, distances between the needle plate  22  and the receivers  94  and  95  in an orthogonal direction (the up-down direction) that is orthogonal to the upper surface of the needle plate  22 . As described above, the upper surface of the bed  11  and the upper surface of the needle plate  22  are substantially the same height, and therefore the Z coordinate of the bed  11  may be deemed to be zero. Then, the Z coordinates of the receivers  94  and  95  may indicate, respectively, distances between the upper surface of the bed  11  and the receivers  94  and  95  in an orthogonal direction (the up-down direction) that is orthogonal to the upper surface of the bed  11 . The coordinates B (Xb, Yb, Zb) and the coordinates C (Xc, Yc, are stored in advance in the ROM  62 . 
         [0050]    In the case of the above-described conditions, a relationship of the following Formulas (1) and (2) is obtained. 
         [0000]      ( Xb−Xe ) 2 +( Yb−Ye ) 2 +( Zb−Ze ) 2 =( EB ) 2   Formula (1):
 
         [0000]      ( Xc−Xe ) 2 +( Yc−Ye ) 2 +( Zc−Ze ) 2 =( EC ) 2   Formula (2):
 
         [0051]    Formulas (1) and (2) are the same as equations to calculate a spherical surface. In the present embodiment, the receivers  94  and  95  provided at the coordinates B and the coordinates C may receive the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic pen  91  (the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the specified coordinates E). Here, a speed at which the ultrasonic wave travels is assumed to be a sonic velocity V. A time period required from when the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic pen  91  at the specified coordinates E to when the ultrasonic wave reaches the receiver  94  (to be detected by the receiver  94 ) is a propagation time Tb. A time period required from when the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic pen  91  at the specified coordinates E to when the ultrasonic wave reaches the receiver  95  (to be detected by the receiver  95 ) is a propagation time Tc. In this case, the distance can be expressed as (speed×time). Thus, the distance EB between the specified coordinates E and the receiver  94 , and the distance EC between the specified coordinates E and the receiver  95  in Formulas (1) and (2) can be expressed by the following Formulas (3) and (4). 
         [0000]        EB=V×Tb   Formula (3):
 
         [0000]        EC=V×Tc   Formula (4):
 
         [0052]    Formulas (3) and (4) are substituted into Formulas (1) and (2), so that the following Formulas (5) and (6) can be obtained. 
         [0000]      ( Xb−Xe ) 2 +( Yb−Ye ) 2 +( Zb−Ze ) 2 =( V×Tb ) 2   Formula (5):
 
         [0000]      ( Xc−Xe ) 2 +( Yc−Ye ) 2 +( Zc−Ze ) 2 =( V×Tc ) 2   Formula (6):
 
         [0053]    In Formulas (5) and (6), the coordinates B (Xb, Yb, Zb), the coordinates C (Xc, Yc, Zc), and the sonic velocity V are known values and are stored in the ROM  62 . The propagation time Tb and the propagation time Tc can be calculated from a difference between a transmission timing T 1  and a detection timing T 2  of the ultrasonic wave, which will be explained below. The specified coordinates E may be coordinates of the position on the work cloth  100  specified using the ultrasonic pen  91 . Thus, Ze of the specified coordinates E (Xe, Ye, Ze) may indicate the thickness of the work cloth  100 . For that reason, Xe and Ye can be calculated by solving the simultaneous equations represented by the above-described Formulas (5) and (6). Here, taking orientations of the receivers  94  and  95  into account, the X coordinate “Xe” and the Y coordinate “Ye” of the specified coordinates E specified on the work cloth  100  using the ultrasonic pen  91  can be determined. The above-described Formulas (5) and (6) are stored in the ROM  62 . 
         [0054]    In the following explanation, in Formulas (5) and (6), distances in the up-down direction from the upper surface of the work cloth  100  to the receivers  94  and  95 , namely the distances (Zb−Ze) and (Zc−Ze), are referred to as “first distance values.” Distances from the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave (namely, the specified coordinates E) to the receivers  94  and  95 , namely the distances (V×Tb) and (V×Tc), are referred to as “second distance values.” 
         [0055]    First main processing will be explained with reference to a flowchart in  FIG. 9 . The first main processing is performed by the CPU  61  of the sewing machine  1  in accordance with the program stored in the ROM  62 . The first main processing may be started, for example, when an instruction is input via a panel operation to select the sewing pattern and to perform the sewing, in a state in which the presser foot  30  is pressing the work cloth  100 . In the following explanation, as a specific example, the coordinates B of the receiver  94  are denoted by (Xb, Yb, Zb) and the coordinates C of the receiver  95  are denoted by (Xc, Yc, Zc) (refer to  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , in the first main processing, first, the voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the potentiometer  51  is detected, and the thickness Ze of the work cloth  100  is detected using the method described above (step S 11 ). The thickness Ze indicates a height from the needle plate  22  (the bed  11 ). Next, the first distance values are calculated (step S 12 ). Specifically, the Z coordinates (Zb, Zc) of the receivers  94  and  95  stored in the ROM  62  are read out. Using the read out Z coordinates and the thickness Ze detected at step S 11 , the first distance value (Zb−Ze) for the receiver  94  and the first distance value (Zc−Ze) for the receiver  95  are calculated. At step S 22  to be described below, the first distance values (Zb−Ze) and (Zc−Ze) calculated at step S 12  are substituted into the above-described Formulas (5) and (6). 
         [0057]    Next, a determination is made as to whether the transmission start signal from the ultrasonic pen  91  has been detected (step S 13 ). If the transmission start signal has not been detected (NO at step S 13 ), the processing returns to step S 13 . When an arbitrary position on the work cloth  100  is specified using the ultrasonic pen  91 , the transmission start signal (Low signal) is output from the ultrasonic pen  91  (the transmission timing is notified), and the transmission start signal may be detected by the CPU  61 . The ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic pen  91  simultaneously with the output of the transmission start signal. The velocity of the ultrasonic wave (namely, the sonic velocity) is slower than the transmission speed of the transmission start signal and thus the ultrasonic wave reaches the receivers  94  and  95  at a later timing than the transmission start signal. 
         [0058]    If the transmission start signal has been detected (YES at step S 13 ), the timer  27  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) is referred to. A time at which the transmission start signal has been detected is identified as the transmission timing T 1  at which the ultrasonic wave has been transmitted (step S 14 ). The identified transmission timing T 1  is stored in the RAM  63 . Next, a determination is made as to whether at least one of the receiver  94  and the receiver  95  has detected the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic pen  91  (step S 15 ). If the ultrasonic wave has not been detected (NO at step S 15 ), a determination is made as to whether a predetermined time period (one second, for example) has elapsed (step S 16 ). If the predetermined time period has not elapsed (NO at step S 16 ), the processing returns to step S 15 . Namely, the sewing machine  1  stands by for 1 second until the ultrasonic wave is detected. 
         [0059]    For example, in a case where the ultrasonic wave does not reach the receivers  94  and  95  due to being blocked by an object or the like, the predetermined time period elapses. If the predetermined time period elapses (YES at step S 16 ), an error message indicating that the ultrasonic wave has not been detected is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  (step S 17 ). Through the above-described processing, the sewing machine  1  can notify the user that the error has occurred. Next, the processing returns to step S 13 . 
         [0060]    If the ultrasonic wave has been detected within the predetermined time period (YES at step S 15 ), the timer  27  is referred to. A time at which the ultrasonic wave has been detected is identified as a detection timing T 2  at which the ultrasonic wave has been detected (step S 18 ). The identified detection timing T 2  is stored in the RAM  63 . At step S 18 , the detection timing T 2  is identified for each of the receivers  94  and  95  that have detected the ultrasonic wave. Next, a determination is made as to whether the ultrasonic wave has been detected by both the receivers  94  and  95  (step S 19 ). If either of the receivers  94  and  95  has not detected the ultrasonic wave, it is determined that the ultrasonic wave has not been detected by both the receiver  94  and the receiver  95  (NO at step S 19 ), and the processing returns to step S 15 . In the following explanation, the detection timing T 2  of the receiver  94  is referred to as a detection timing T 2   b  and the detection timing T 2  of the receiver  95  is referred to as a detection timing T 2   c.    
         [0061]    If both the receivers  94  and  95  have detected the ultrasonic wave (YES at step S 19 ), the propagation times Tb and Tc required for the ultrasonic wave to reach the receivers  94  and  95  after the ultrasonic wave was transmitted are calculated (step S 20 ). The propagation times Tb and Tc are each calculated by subtracting the transmission timing T 1  from the detection timing T 2 . In other words, the propagation time Tb with respect to the receiver  94  is (T 2   b −T 1 ). The propagation time Tc with respect to the receiver  95  is (T 2   c −T 1 ). 
         [0062]    Next, the second distance values between the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave (namely, the specified coordinates E) and the receivers  94  and  95  are calculated (step S 21 ). Specifically, the propagation times Tb and Tc calculated at step S 20 , and the sonic velocity V stored in the ROM  62  are used to calculate the second distance value (V×Tb) with respect to the receiver  94  and the second distance value (V×Tc) with respect to the receiver  95 . 
         [0063]    Next, a position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave on the work cloth  100 , namely, the specified coordinates E (Xe, Ye, Ze) specified by the ultrasonic pen  91  are identified (step S 22 ). Specifically, (Xe, Ye) are calculated by solving the simultaneous equations represented by the above-described Formulas (5) and (6). In this way, the specified coordinates E (Xe, Ye, Ze) are identified. 
         [0064]    Here, the first distance values (Zb−Ze) and (Zc−Ze) in Formulas (5) and (6) have been calculated at step S 12 . The second distance values (V×Tb) and (V×Tc) have been calculated at step S 21 . Xb, Yb, Xc and Yc are stored in the ROM  62 . Thus, Xe and Ye can be calculated by solving the simultaneous equations represented by the above-described Formulas (5) and (6). The specified coordinates E (Xe, Ye, Ze) can be identified in this manner. 
         [0065]    Next, the identified coordinates (Xe, Ye, Ze) (namely, the position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave) is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  (step S 23 ). Through the above-described processing, the specified coordinates E of the position specified by the ultrasonic pen  91  can be notified to the user. An error message may be displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  in a case where the work cloth  100  cannot be moved such that the position, on the work cloth  100 , indicated by the specified coordinates E is moved to the needle drop point (the center of the needle hole in the needle plate  22 ). 
         [0066]    Next, a determination is made as to whether the sewing start/stop switch included in the switch cluster  21  has been pressed (step S 24 ). If the sewing start/stop switch has not been pressed (NO at step S 24 ), the processing at step S 24  is repeated. If the sewing start/stop switch has been pressed (YES at step S 24 ), the feed dog  34  is driven and the work cloth  100  is fed such that the X coordinate “Xe” and the Y coordinate “Ye” of the specified coordinates E specified at step S 22  are positioned at the needle drop point (step S 25 ). The specified coordinates E indicate the position, on the work cloth  100 , of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave. Next, sewing is performed on the work cloth  100  (step S 26 ). By the processing at steps S 25  and S 26 , the sewing is started from the position (the specified coordinates E) specified by the ultrasonic pen  91 . When the sewing is completed, the first main processing ends. 
         [0067]    In the present embodiment, when the user specifies the position on the work cloth  100  using the ultrasonic pen  91 , the position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave on the work cloth  100  (the position specified by the user) may be identified based on the ultrasonic wave detected by the receivers  94  and  95  and on the thickness Ze of the work cloth  100  detected by the potentiometer  51  (step S 22 ). In other words, the user may easily set the position on the work cloth  100  on which the sewing is to be performed, by using the ultrasonic pen  91 . Further, based on the identified position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave, the sewing may be performed at the position, on the work cloth  100 , specified by using the ultrasonic pen  91  (steps S 25  and S 26 ). As a result, it is possible to perform the sewing at the position on the work cloth  100  set by the user, and user convenience may be thus improved. 
         [0068]    As described above, in a case where the thickness Ze of the work cloth  100  is not taken into account when identifying the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave, an error may occur with respect to the identified position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the transmission source on the work cloth  100 . The greater the thickness Ze is, the greater error may occur with respect to the position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave. In the present embodiment, the thickness Ze of the work cloth  100  is detected and the position (Xe, Ye) of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave is identified using the detected thickness Ze (step S 22 ). As a result, even if the thickness Ze of the work cloth  100  changes, it is possible to accurately identify the position of the transmission source. In other words, even when the work cloth having the different thickness Ze is used, it is possible to accurately identify the position of the transmission source. The position of the transmission source can be highly accurately identified, and thus the sewing can be accurately performed at the position (the specified coordinates E) specified by the ultrasonic pen  91 . 
         [0069]    In the present embodiment, the second distance values can be calculated using the transmission timing T 1  and the detection timing T 2 . Then, the position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave on the work cloth  100  can be identified using the first distance values, the second distance values, the coordinates B (Xb, Yb, Zb) of the receiver  94 , and the coordinates C (Xc, Ye, Ze) of the receiver  95 . For that reason, it is possible to correct an error in the position of the transmission source resulting from an influence of the thickness Ze. Thus, the position of the transmission source can be identified with a high degree of accuracy. As a result, it is possible to accurately perform the sewing at the position specified by the ultrasonic pen  91 . 
         [0070]    When the user uses the ultrasonic pen  91  to specify the position on the work cloth  100 , the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter  913 . In addition, the transmission timing is notified by the transmission start signal being output from the signal output circuit  914 . As a result, in the processing at step S 22 , it is possible to identify the position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave on the work cloth  100 . The user can use the ultrasonic pen  91  to easily specify the position on the work cloth  100 . Thus, user convenience may be improved. 
         [0071]    A second embodiment will be explained. In the first embodiment, the ultrasonic pen  91  may transmit the ultrasonic wave and the transmission start signal. In the second embodiment, an ultrasonic pen  92  (refer to  FIG. 10 ) may transmit the ultrasonic wave but does not transmit the transmission start signal. 
         [0072]    In the second embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 10 , in addition to the receivers  94  and  95  of the first embodiment, the sewing machine  1  is provided with a receiver  96  that has the same structure as the receivers  94  and  95 . Specifically, the three receivers  94 ,  95  and  96  are provided on the sewing machine  1 . The positions of the receivers  94  and  95  are the same as those of the first embodiment. The receiver  96  is provided on the left surface of the pillar  12 , in a posture in which the opening  941  faces to the left. 
         [0073]    The ultrasonic pen  92  of the second embodiment is not provided with a cable that connects to the sewing machine  1 . The ultrasonic pen  92  accommodates a battery (not shown in the drawings). The ultrasonic pen  92  operates by electric power of the battery. Thus, in a case where the ultrasonic pen  92  is used, the cable does not cause interference. The ultrasonic pen  92  includes the ultrasonic transmitter  913  but does not include a signal output circuit. 
         [0074]    An electrical configuration of the sewing machine  1  and the ultrasonic pen  92  of the second embodiment will be explained with reference to  FIG. 11 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , in comparison to the sewing machine  1  of the first embodiment (refer to  FIG. 7 ), the sewing machine  1  of the second embodiment further includes the receiver  96  and a drive circuit  81 . The drive circuit  81  is connected to the input/output interface  65 . The drive circuit  81  may drive the receiver  96 . In comparison to the case of the first embodiment (refer to  FIG. 7 ), the ultrasonic pen  92  does not include the signal output circuit  914 . The ultrasonic pen  92  is not electrically connected to the sewing machine  1 . 
         [0075]    A calculation method used to calculate the position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave in the second embodiment, namely, a calculation method used to calculate the position specified by using the ultrasonic pen  92 , will be explained with reference to  FIG. 12 . In the following explanation, as shown in  FIG. 12 , coordinates D indicating the position of the receiver  96  are denoted by (Xd, Yd, Zd). A distance between the specified coordinates E and the coordinates D of the receiver  96  is referred to as a “distance ED.” Other conditions (the origin, the coordinates B, the coordinates C, the specified coordinates E, and the like) are the same as those of the first embodiment (refer to  FIG. 8 ). In this case, relationships of the following Formulas (7) to (9) are obtained. 
         [0000]      ( Xb−Xe ) 2 +( Yb−Ye ) 2 +( Zb−Ze ) 2 =( EB ) 2   Formula (7):
 
         [0000]      ( Xe−Xe ) 2 +( Yc−Ye ) 2 +( Zc−Ze ) 2 =( EC ) 2   Formula (8):
 
         [0000]      ( Xd−Xe ) 2 +( Yd−Ye ) 2 +( Zd−Ze ) 2 =( ED ) 2   Formula (9):
 
         [0076]    Formulas (7) to (9) are each the same as the equation to calculate a spherical surface. In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic pen  92  (the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the specified coordinates E) can be received by the receivers  94 ,  95 , and  96 , which are provided at the coordinates B, the coordinates C, and the coordinates D. A time period required from when the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic pen  92  at the specified coordinates E to when the ultrasonic wave reaches the receiver  96  (to be detected by the receiver  96 ) is a propagation time Td. The propagation times Tb and Tc are the same as in the first embodiment. The distances can be expressed as (speed×time). Thus, the distances EB, EC and ED between the specified coordinates E and the respective receivers  94 ,  95  and  96  can be expressed by the following Formulas (10), (11), and (12). 
         [0000]        EB=V×Tb   Formula (10):
 
         [0000]        EC=V×Tc   Formula (11):
 
         [0000]        ED=V×Td   Formula (12):
 
         [0077]    Further, Formulas (11) and (12) can be transformed into the following Formulas (13) and (14). 
         [0000]        EC=V×Tc=V ×( Tc−Tb )+ V×Tb   Formula (13):
 
         [0000]        ED=V×Td=V ×( Td−Tb )+ V×Tb   Formula (14):
 
         [0078]    The ultrasonic pen  92  of the second embodiment does not transmit the transmission start signal. Thus, in contrast to the first embodiment, the CPU  61  of the sewing machine  1  does not acquire the transmission timing T 1 . The CPU  61  may receive the detection timings T 2   b , T 2   c , and T 2   d  at which the respective receivers  94 ,  95 , and  96  have been detected the ultrasonic wave. T 2   d  is the detection timing of the receiver  96 . The CPU  61  does not acquire the transmission timing T 1 , and thus does not calculate the propagation times Tb, Tc, and Td for the ultrasonic wave to reach the respective receivers  94 ,  95 , and  96 . Therefore, the propagation times Tb, Tc, and Td are unknown values. However, the propagation time difference (Tc−Tb) in Formula corresponds to a difference between the detection timing T 2   c  and the detection timing T 2   b . The propagation time difference (Td−Tb) in Formula (14) corresponds to a difference between the detection timing T 2   d  and the detection timing T 2   b . Thus, the above-described Formulas (13) and (14) can be transformed into the following Formulas (15) and (16). 
         [0000]        EC=V ×( T 2 c−T 2 b )+ V×Tb   Formula (15):
 
         [0000]        ED=V ×( T 2 d−T 2 b )+ V×Tb   Formula (16):
 
         [0079]    The above-described Formulas (10) to (16) are substituted into the Formulas (7) to (9) and the following Formulas (17) to (19) are obtained. 
         [0000]      ( Xb−Xe ) 2 +( Yb−Ye ) 2 +( Zb−Ze ) 2 =( V×Tb ) 2   Formula (17):
 
         [0000]      ( Xc−Xe ) 2 +( Yc−Ye ) 2 +( Zc−Ze ) 2   ={V ×( T 2 c−T 2 b )+ V×Tb}   2   Formula (18):
 
         [0000]      ( Xd−Xe ) 2 +( Yd−Ye ) 2 +( Zd−Ze ) 2   ={V ×( T 2 d−T 2 b )+ V×Tb}   2   Formula (19):
 
         [0080]    In the above-described Formulas (17) to (19), the coordinates B (Xb, Yb, Zb) of the receiver  94 , the coordinates C (Xc, Yc, Zc) of the receiver  95 , and the coordinates D (Xd, Yd, Zd) of the receiver  96  are stored in advance in the ROM  62 . The sonic velocity V is stored in the ROM  62 . The detection timings T 2   b , T 2   c , and T 2   d  can be acquired by processing at step S 181  (refer to  FIG. 13 ), which will be described below. The specified coordinates E are the coordinates on the work cloth  100  that are specified using the ultrasonic pen  92 . Thus, Ze of the specified coordinates E (Xe, Ye, Ze) indicates the thickness of the work cloth  100 . As a result, the unknown values in the Formulas (17) to (19) are Xe, Ye, and Tb. Xe, Ye, and Tb can be calculated by solving the simultaneous equations represented by the above-described Formulas (17) to (19). In other words, the X coordinate “Xe” and the Y coordinate “Ye” of the specified coordinates E specified on the work cloth  100  using the ultrasonic pen  92  can be calculated. The above-described Formulas (17) to (19) are stored in the ROM  62 . 
         [0081]    In the following explanation, of the Formulas (17) to (19), distances in the up-down direction from the upper surface of the work cloth  100  to the receivers  94 ,  95 , and  96 , namely the distances (Zb−Ze), (Zc−Ze), and (Zd−Ze), are referred to as the “first distance values.” Distances from the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave (namely, the specified coordinates E) to the receivers  94 ,  95 , and  96 , namely the distances (V×Tb), {V×(T 2   c −T 2   b )+V×Tb}, and {V×(T 2   d −T 2   b )+V×Tb}, are referred to as the “third distance values.” 
         [0082]    Second main processing will be explained with reference to a flowchart shown in  FIG. 13 . In the second main processing, the same reference numerals are assigned to processing that is the same as that of the first main processing (refer to  FIG. 9 ) and a detailed explanation of that processing is omitted. In the following explanation, the coordinates B of the receiver  94  are denoted by (Xb, Yb, Zb), the coordinates C of the receiver  95  are denoted by (Xc, Yc, Zc) and the coordinates D of the receiver  96  are denoted by (Xd, Yd, Zd) (refer to  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0083]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , in the second main processing, first, similarly to the first main processing, the thickness Ze is detected (step S 11 ). Next, the first distance values are calculated (step S 121 ). Specifically, the Z coordinates (Zb, Ze, Zd) of the receivers  94 ,  95 , and  96  that are stored in the ROM  62  are read out. The read out Z coordinates and the thickness Ze detected at step S 11  are used to calculate the first distance value (Zb−Ze) for the receiver  94 , the first distance value (Zc−Ze) for the receiver  95  and the first distance value (Zd−Ze) for the receiver  96 . At step S 221 , which will be described below, the first distance values (Zb−Ze), (Zc−Ze), and (Zd−Ze) calculated at step S 121  are substituted into the above-described Formulas (17), (18) and (19). 
         [0084]    Next, a determination is made as to whether the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic pen  92  has been detected by at least one of the receivers  94 ,  95 , and  96  (step S 151 ). If the ultrasonic wave has not been detected (NO at step S 151 ), the processing at step S 151  is repeated. Namely, the sewing machine  1  stands by until the specified coordinates E are specified using the ultrasonic pen  92  and the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic pen  92  is detected. 
         [0085]    If the ultrasonic wave has been detected (YES at step S 151 ), the timer  27  is referred to. The time at which the ultrasonic wave has been detected is identified (acquired) as the detection timing T 2  at which the ultrasonic wave is detected (step S 181 ). The identified detection timing T 2  is stored in the RAM  63 . At step S 181 , the detection timing T 2  is identified for each of the receivers  94 ,  95 , and  96  that have detected the ultrasonic wave. Next, a determination is made as to whether or not the ultrasonic wave has been detected by all of the receivers  94 ,  95 , and  96  (step S 191 ). In a case where there is one or more of the receivers  94 ,  95  and  96  that have not detected the ultrasonic wave, it is determined that the ultrasonic wave has not been detected by at least one of the receivers  94  to  96  (NO at step S 191 ) and the processing returns to step S 151 . In the following explanation, the detection timings T 2  for the receivers  94 ,  95 , and  96  are referred to as detection timings T 2   b , T 2   c , and T 2   d , respectively. 
         [0086]    In a case where the ultrasonic wave has been detected by all of the receivers  94 ,  95 , and  96  (YES at step S 191 ), differences between the detection timings T 2 , namely, (T 2   c −T 2   b ) and (T 2   d −T 2   b ), are calculated (step S 31 ). 
         [0087]    Next, third distance values between the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave (namely, the specified coordinates E) and the receivers  94 ,  95 , and  96  are calculated (step S 211 ). Specifically, the detection timing T 2   b  identified at step S 181 , (T 2   c −T 2   b ) and (T 2   d −T 2   b ) calculated at step S 31 , and the sonic velocity V stored in the ROM  62  are used to calculate the third distance value (V×Tb) with respect to the receiver  94 , the third distance value {V×(T 2   c −T 2   b )+V×Tb} with respect to the receiver  95 , and the third distance value {V×(T 2   d −T 2   b )+V×Tb} with respect to the receiver  96 . Here, the value of the propagation time Tb is unknown, and the propagation time Tb remains as the unknown value. 
         [0088]    Next, the position of the ultrasonic wave transmission source on the work cloth  100 , namely, the specified coordinates E (Xe, Ye, Ze) specified using the ultrasonic pen  92  are identified (step S 221 ). Specifically, (Xe, Ye) and Tb are calculated by solving the simultaneous equations represented by the above-described Formulas (17) to (19). Thus, the specified coordinates E (Xe, Ye, Ze) are identified. 
         [0089]    Here, in the Formulas (17) to (19), the first distance values (Zb−Ze), (Zc−Ze), and (Zd−Ze) have been calculated at step S 121 . The third distance values (V×Tb), {V×(T 2   c −T 2   b )+V×Tb}, and {V×(T 2   d −T 2   b )+V×Tb} have been calculated at step S 211 . However, the propagation time Tb is unknown. The sonic velocity V is stored in the ROM  62 . Xb, Yb, Xc, Yc, Xd, and Yd are stored in the ROM  62 . Thus, the unknown values are Xe, Ye, and Tb, only. As a result, Xe, Ye and Tb can be calculated by solving the simultaneous equations represented by the above-described Formulas (17) to (19). In this way, the specified coordinates E (Xe, Ye, Ze) are identified. Next, the processing from steps S 23  to S 26  is performed in a similar manner to the first embodiment. 
         [0090]    In the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the user can easily set a position on the work cloth  100  on which the sewing is to be performed using the ultrasonic pen  92 . Further, the sewing can be performed on the work cloth  100  at the position set by the user. As a result, user convenience may be improved. In addition, even if the thickness Ze of the work cloth  100  is changed, the position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave (the position specified by the user) can be accurately identified. In other words, even if the work cloth  100  having a different thickness Ze is used, it is possible to accurately identify the position of the transmission source. Therefore, the sewing machine  1  can identify the position of the transmission source with a high degree of accuracy. As a result, the sewing can be accurately performed at the position (the specified coordinates E) specified using the ultrasonic pen  92 . 
         [0091]    In the second embodiment, the third distance values can be calculated from the detection timings T 2  at which the ultrasonic wave has been detected by the three receivers  94 ,  95 , and  96 . Then, it is possible to identify the position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave on the work cloth  100  using the first distance values, the third distance values, the coordinates B (Xb, Yb, Zb) of the receiver  94 , the coordinates C (Xc, Yc, Zc) of the receiver  95 , and the coordinates D (Xd, Yd, Zd) of the receiver  96 . As a result, an error in the position of the transmission source resulting from the influence of the thickness Ze can be corrected. Thus, the position of the transmission source can be identified with a high degree of accuracy. Accordingly, the sewing can be accurately performed at the position specified using the ultrasonic pen  92 . 
         [0092]    Strictly speaking, the identified position is not a position on the work cloth  100  that is touched and pressed by the pen tip  911 , but is a position of the ultrasonic transmitter  913  provided in the ultrasonic pen  91  (or the ultrasonic pen  92 ). However, the pen tip  911  and the ultrasonic transmitter  913  are arranged such that the pen tip  911  and the ultrasonic transmitter  913  are extremely close together. As a result, the position of the ultrasonic transmitter  913  may be regarded as being the position on the work cloth  100  that is touched and pressed by the pen tip  911 . 
         [0093]    The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications may be made. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the potentiometer  51  is used in order to detect the thickness Ze, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, light or an ultrasonic wave may be emitted toward the work cloth  100  and the thickness Ze may be detected by detecting the light or the ultrasonic wave reflected by the work cloth  100 . The sewing machine  1  may be provided with a camera. An image of the work cloth  100  may be captured by the camera and the thickness Ze may be detected based on the captured image. 
         [0094]    In the first embodiment, the first distance values are calculated at step S 12 , and the second distance values are calculated at step S 21 . Then, at step S 22 , the first distance values and the second distance values are substituted into Formulas (5) and (6), and (Xe, Ye) in the specified coordinates E are calculated. (Xe, Ye) in the specified coordinates E may be calculated using a different method. For example, the processing at steps S 12  and S 21  need not necessarily be performed. The values Xb, Yb, Zb, Ze, V, Tb, Xc, Yc, Zc, and Tc may be directly substituted into Formulas (5) and (6) at step S 22 , and (Xe, Ye) of the specified coordinates E may be thus calculated. In this case, the calculation of the first distance values (Zb−Ze) and (Zc−Ze) performed at step S 12  may be performed at step S 22 . Further, the calculation of the second distance values (V×Tb) and (V×Tc) performed at step S 21  may be performed at step S 22 . 
         [0095]    In the second embodiment, the first distance values are calculated at step S 121 , and the values calculated at step S 31  are used to calculate the third distance values at step S 211 . At step S 221 , the first distance values and the third distance values are substituted into Formulas (17) to (19), and (Xe, Ye) in the specified coordinates E and Tb are calculated. (Xe, Ye) in the specified coordinates E and Tb may be calculated using a different method. For example, the processing at steps S 121  and S 211  need not necessarily be performed. The values Xb, Yb, Zb, Ze, V, Xc, Yc, Zc, T 2   c , T 2   b , and T 2   d  may be directly substituted into Formulas (17) to (19) at step S 221 , and (Xe, Ye) of the specified coordinates E and Tb may be thus calculated. In this case, the calculation of the first distance values (Zb−Ze), (Zc−Ze), and (Zd−Ze) performed at step S 121  may be performed at step S 221 . Further, the calculation of the third distance values (V×Tb), {V×(T 2   c −T 2   b )+V×Tb}, and {V×(T 2   d −T 2   b )+V×Tb} performed at step S 211  may be performed at step S 221 . 
         [0096]    In the first embodiment, in a case where the electrical transmission start signal (the Low signal) from the ultrasonic pen  91  is detected, and the transmission timing T 1  is acquired (steps S 13  and S 14 ). However, the transmission timing T 1  may be detected using a different method. For example, an infrared transmitter may be provided in the ultrasonic pen  91 . Then, the ultrasonic pen  91  may transmit an infrared ray at the same time as transmitting the ultrasonic wave. Further, an infrared detector that may detect the infrared ray transmitted from the ultrasonic pen  91  may be provided in the sewing machine  1 . The infrared ray travels at the speed of light. Thus, the infrared ray reaches the infrared detector at substantially the same time as the start of transmission of the ultrasonic wave. As a result, the sewing machine  1  can set the transmission timing T 1  as a time point at which the infrared detector detects the infrared ray transmitted from the ultrasonic pen  91 . 
         [0097]    The sonic velocity V changes depending on ambient temperature. For example, a temperature sensor, such as a thermistor, may be provided in the sewing machine  1  and the temperature may be measured. Then, the sonic velocity V corresponding to the ambient temperature may be used. 
         [0098]    At step S 25 , the work cloth  100  is fed by the feed dog  34 . However, the work cloth  100  may be moved by a different method. For example, a known embroidery unit may be attached to the sewing machine  1 . The work cloth  100  may be held by an embroidery frame, and the embroidery frame may be moved in the X direction and in the Y direction. Then, the work cloth  100  may be moved such that the position, on the work cloth  100 , indicated by the X coordinate Xe and the Y coordinate Ye of the specified coordinates E calculated at step S 22 , namely the position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic wave on the work cloth  100 , is moved to the needle drop point. 
         [0099]    The positions of the receivers  94  to  96  in the first and second embodiments may be changed. For example, the positions of the receivers  94  to  96  on the sewing machine  1  may be changed. The receivers  94  to  96  may be disposed on the outside of the sewing machine  1 . The receivers  94  to  96  may be provided on an embroidery unit that can be attached to the sewing machine  1 . 
         [0100]    In the first embodiment, the time at which the transmission start signal has been detected is taken as the transmission timing T 1  (step S 14  in  FIG. 9 ), and the time at which the ultrasonic wave has been detected is taken as the detection timing T 2  (step S 18  in  FIG. 9 ). Then the difference between T 2  and T 1  is calculated and the propagation times Tb and Tc are calculated (step S 20  in  FIG. 9 ). However, the propagation times Tb and Tc may be calculated using a different method. For example, a time point at which the transmission start signal has been detected, namely, the transmission timing T 1  may be assumed to be zero seconds. Then, an elapsed time period from the time point at which the transmission start signal has been detected may be measured, and the elapsed time period until the ultrasonic wave has been detected may be taken as the detection timing T 2 . In this case, the times of the detection timing T 2  may become the propagation times Tb and Tc. 
         [0101]    In the first embodiment, the two receivers  94  and  95  are provided. However, the number of the receivers is not limited to two. In the first embodiment, it is sufficient that at least two receivers are provided. For example, the number of the receivers may be three or more. In the second embodiment, the three receivers  94 ,  95  and  96  are provided. However, the number of the receivers is not limited to three. In the second embodiment, it is sufficient that at least three receivers are provided. For example, the number of the receivers may be four or more. 
         [0102]    In the above-described embodiments, the ultrasonic pens  91  and  92  may be used when specifying the position. The device that may transmit the ultrasonic wave need not necessarily be in the form of a pen. Another device that is capable of transmitting the ultrasonic wave may be used. 
         [0103]    A third embodiment will be explained. The number of the receivers may be one. For example, it is assumed that the one receiver is the receiver  94  that is provided on the left lower edge of the head  14 . Then, with respect to the coordinates B indicating the position of the receiver  94 , specified coordinates indicating the specified position specified by the ultrasonic pen  91  are referred to as coordinates F. At this time, the X coordinates of the coordinates B and the coordinates F are assumed to be the same. In other words, the coordinates B are assumed to be (Xb, Yb, Zb) and the coordinates F are assumed to be (Xb, Yf, Zf). In this case, it is possible to calculate a distance FB between the coordinates F and the coordinates B, based on the propagation time required for the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic pen  91  that is at the coordinates F of the specified position to reach the receiver  94 . The coordinates B are known values. The Z coordinate “Zf” of the coordinates F is the thickness of the work cloth that is detected by the potentiometer  51 . Thus, with respect to the needle drop point that is the origin, the Y coordinate “Yf” of the coordinates F of the specified position can be calculated. 
         [0104]    The apparatus and methods described above with reference to the various embodiments are merely examples. It goes without saying that they are not confined to the depicted embodiments. While various features have been described in conjunction with the examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements of those features and/or examples may be possible. Accordingly, the examples, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative. Various changes may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the underlying principles.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3