Patent Abstract:
A sewing machine may comprise a mounting portion configured to be mounted with an embroidery frame comprising a frame and an outer frame. The sewing machine may also comprise an image capturing device configured to capture an image including the embroidery frame mounted on the mounting portion. The sewing machine may further comprise a processor configured to execute instructions, and a memory. The memory may be configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps comprising identifying a mark from the captured image, wherein the mark is provided on the embroidery frame or on a work cloth held by the embroidery frame, determining a rotation angle of the frame with respect to the outer frame based on the identified mark, and notifying rotation information based on the determined rotation angle. The rotation information may be information for adjusting the rotation angle to a specified rotation angle.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-213137, filed on Sep. 28, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates to a sewing machine and a computer-readable medium. The sewing machine is configured such that en embroidery frame is detachably attachable to the sewing machine. The computer-readable medium stores a program for the sewing machine. 
     A sewing machine is widely known that is configured to sew am embroidery pattern using an embroidery frame. The embroidery frame is a circular form. The embroidery frame is configured to be rotatable to an intended angle. For example, the embroidery frame that comprises a pair of embroidery frames and an outer frame is configured to be attachable to the sewing machine. The pair of embroidery frames comprises a small embroidery frame and a big embroidery frame. The small embroidery frame is a circular form and the big embroidery frame is also a circular form. An inner diameter of the big embroidery frame is longer than an outer diameter of the small embroidery frame. A work cloth can be held between the small embroidery frame and the big embroidery frame. The outer frame can hold the pair of embroidery frames such that the pair of embroidery frames is rotatable. A fixation screw is provided on a side face of the outer embroidery frame. A triangular mark is provided on an upper face of the big embroidery frame and a plurality of scale marks indicative of angles are provided on the outer embroidery frame. The pair of embroidery frames can be rotated to the intended angle with respect to the outer embroidery frame by a user of the sewing machine, as the user looks at the triangular mark and the plurality of scale marks. After rotating, the fixation screw can be tightened by the user. In this manner, the pair of embroidery frames can be fixed to the outer embroidery frame. 
     SUMMARY 
     When the embroidery frame as described above is used by the user, the user has to adjust the pair of embroidery frames with respect to the outer embroidery frame, as the user looks at the triangular mark and the plurality of scale marks. In that case, the triangular mark or the scale mark may be covered by the work cloth. As a result, it may be difficult for the user to see the triangular mark or the scale mark. Alternatively, it may be difficult to increase accuracy of adjusting the angle, because the user has to adjust the pair of embroidery frames with respect to the outer embroidery frame by visually checking the triangular mark and the scale mark. 
     Various exemplary embodiments of the general principles herein provide a sewing machine and a non-transitory computer-readable medium which allows a user to adjust the angle of an embroidery frame easily. 
     Exemplary embodiments herein provide a sewing machine that comprises a mounting portion, an image capturing device, a processor, and a memory. The mounting portion may be configured to be mounted with an embroidery frame. The embroidery frame may comprise a frame configured to hold a work cloth and an outer frame configured to be detachably attached to an outside of the frame and configured to rotatably hold the frame. The image capturing device may be configured to capture an image including the embroidery frame mounted on the mounting portion. The processor may be configured to execute instructions. The memory may be configured to store computer-readable instructions therein, wherein the computer-readable instructions instruct the sewing machine to execute steps comprising identifying a mark from the image captured by the image capturing device, wherein the mark is provided on the embroidery frame or on the work cloth held by the embroidery frame, determining a rotation angle of the frame with respect to the outer frame based on the identified mark, and notifying rotation information based on the determined rotation angle. The rotation information may be information for adjusting the rotation angle to a specified rotation angle. 
     Exemplary embodiments also provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, instruct a sewing machine. The sewing machine may comprise a mounting portion and an image capturing device. The mounting portion may be configured to be mounted with an embroidery frame. The embroidery frame may comprise a frame configured to hold a work cloth and an outer frame configured to be detachably attached to an outside of the frame and configured to rotatably hold the frame. The image capturing device may be configured to capture an image including the embroidery frame mounted on the mounting portion. The computer-readable instructions may instruct the sewing machine to execute steps comprising identifying a mark from the image captured by the image capturing device, wherein the mark is provided on the embroidery frame or on the work cloth held by the embroidery frame, determining a rotation angle of the frame with respect to the outer frame based on the identified mark, and notifying rotation information based on the determined rotation angle. The rotation information may be information for adjusting the rotation angle to a specified rotation angle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is en oblique view of a sewing machine  1  on which an embroidery frame  9  is mounted; 
         FIG. 2  is a figure that shows a needle bar  6  to which a sewing needle  7  is attached, and an area around the needle bar  6 , as seen from the left side of the sewing machine  1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a figure that shows the needle bar  6  to which a cutwork needle  8  is attached, and the area around the needle bar  6 , as seen from the left side of the sewing machine  1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an oblique view of the embroidery frame  9 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an oblique view that shows an internal structure of the embroidery frame  9  that is shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded oblique view of the embroidery frame  9 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the embroidery frame  9 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram that shows an electrical configuration of the sewing machine  1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram of a data configuration of a outwork data table  59 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of cutwork processing; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart of frame rotation processing; 
         FIG. 12  is a figure that shows an example of an image that is displayed on a liquid crystal display  15 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a figure that shows another example of an image that is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 ; and 
         FIG. 14  is a figure that shows yet another example of an image that is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawings. A configuration of a sewing machine  1  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In  FIG. 1 , the side where a user of the sewing machine  1  is positioned is defined as the front side of the sewing machine  1 , and the opposite side is defined as the rear side. The left-right direction as seen by the user is defined as the left-right direction of sewing machine  1 . That is the face of the sewing machine  1  on which a switch cluster  25  that will be described later is provided is the front face of the sewing machine  1 . The longitudinal direction of a bed  11  and an arm  13  are the left-right direction of the sewing machine  1 , and a side on which a pillar  12  is positioned is the right side of the sewing machine  1 . A direction in which the pillar  12  extends is the up-down direction of the sewing machine  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sewing machine  1  includes a bed  11 , a pillar  12 , an arm  13 , and a head  14 . The bed  11  is a base portion of the sewing machine  1  and extends 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 end of the arm  13 . A needle plate (not shown in the drawings) is provided in the top face of the bed  11 . A feed dog (not shown in the drawings), a cloth feed mechanism (not shown in the drawings), a feed adjustment pulse motor  78  (refer to  FIG. 8 ), and a shuttle mechanism (not shown in the drawings) are provided within the bed  11 , underneath the needle plate. The feed dog may feed, by a specified feed amount, a work cloth on which sewing is performed. The cloth feed mechanism may drive the feed dog. The feed adjustment pulse motor  78  may adjust the feed amount. 
     In a case where embroidery sewing is performed with the sewing machine  1 , an embroidery frame  9 , which holds a work cloth  100 , may be disposed on the top side of the bed  11 . An area inside the embroidery frame  9  is an embroidery area in which stitches of an embroidery pattern can be formed. A moving unit  19  that is configured to move the embroidery frame  9  may be removably mounted on the bed  11 . A carriage cover  35 , which extends in the front-rear direction, is provided on the upper part of the moving unit  19 . A Y axis moving mechanism (not shown in the drawings) is provided inside the carriage cover  35 . The Y axis moving mechanism is configured to move a carriage (not shown in the drawings) in a Y axis direction (the front-rear direction of the sewing machine  1 ). The embroidery frame  9  may be removably mounted on the carriage. A mounting portion  351 , on which the embroidery frame  9  can be mounted, is provided on the right side of the carriage. The mounting portion  351  projects to the right from the right side face of the carriage cover  35 . An attachment portion  942  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) that is provided on the embroidery frame  9  may be mounted on the mounting portion  351 . The carriage, the Y axis moving mechanism, and the carriage cover  35  may be moved in an X axis direction (the left-right direction of the sewing machine  1 ) by an X axis moving mechanism (not shown in the drawings). The X axis moving mechanism is provided inside the body of the moving unit  19 . 
     The X axis moving mechanism and the Y axis moving mechanism may be respectively driven by an X axis motor  83  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) and a Y axis motor  84  (refer to  FIG. 8 ). A needle bar  6  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) and the shuttle mechanism (not shown in the drawings) may be driven as the embroidery frame  9  is moved in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction. In this manner, an embroidery sewing operation that sews a specified embroidery pattern or the like in the work cloth  100  that is held by the embroidery frame  9  and a cutwork operation that forms cuts in the work cloth  100  in a specified shape may be performed. In a case where an ordinary pattern, which is not an embroidery pattern, is sewn, the moving unit  19  may be removed from the bed  11 . Then ordinary sewing may be performed as the work cloth  100  is moved by the feed dog. 
     A vertically rectangular liquid crystal display  15  is provided on the front face of the pillar  12 . Images of various types of items, such as a plurality of types of patterns, names of commands that cause various types of functions to be performed, various types of messages, images that have been captured by an image sensor  48  (refer to  FIG. 2 ), and the like, may be displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 . A transparent touch panel  26  is provided on the front face of the liquid crystal display  15 . Using a finger or a special touch pen, the user may perform a pressing operation on the touch panel  26 . Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as a panel operation. The touch panel  26  may detect a position that is pressed by a finger or a special touch pen etc., and the sewing machine  1  may determine the item that corresponds to the detected position. Thus, the sewing machine  1  may recognize the selected item. By performing the panel operation, the user can select a pattern to be sewn or a command to be executed. 
     The structure of the arm  13  will be explained. An cover  16  is provided in the top part of the arm  13 . The cover  16  is axially supported such that the cover  16  can be opened and dosed by being rotated about an axis that extends in the left-right direction at the upper rear edge of the arm  13 . Underneath the cover  16 , that is, in the interior of the arm  13 , a thread container portion (not shown in the drawings) is provided that may contain a thread spool (not shown in the drawings) that supplies an upper thread. The upper thread may be supplied from the thread spool to a sewing needle  7  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) through a thread hook portion that includes a tensioner, a thread take-up spring, and a thread take-up lever, which are not shown in the drawings. The tensioner is provided in the head  14  and configured to adjust the thread tension. The thread take-up lever may be driven reciprocally up and down and pull the upper thread upward. The sewing needle  7  may be attached to the needle bar  6  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). The needle bar  6  may be moved up and down by a needle bar up-and-down moving mechanism (not shown in the drawings), which is provided inside the head  14 . The needle bar up-and-down moving mechanism may be driven by a drive shaft (not shown in the drawings) that is rotationally driven by a sewing machine motor  79  (refer to  FIG. 8 ). In other words, the needle bar  6  may be driven by the sewing machine motor  79 . 
     A switch cluster  25  is provided in the lower part of the front face of the arm  13 . The switch cluster  25  includes a sewing start/stop switch  21 . The sewing start/stop switch  21  may be used to start or stop the operation of the sewing machine  1 . That is, the sewing start/stop switch  21  may be used by the user to issue commands to start or stop the sewing. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the needle bar  6  is provided in the lower portion of the head  14 . One of the sewing needle  7  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) and a outwork needle  8  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) can be attached to the lower end of the needle bar  6 . A presser bar  45  is provided to the rear of the needle bar  6 . A presser holder  46  may be attached to the lower end of the presser bar  45 . A presser foot  47 , which may press down on the work cloth  100 , may be fixed to the presser holder  46 . The image sensor  48  is provided inside the head  14 . The image sensor  48  is configured to capture an image of an area that includes the embroidery frame  9  that is mounted on the mounting portion  351 . 
     The outwork needle  8  will be explained. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a cutting portion  89  is formed at the tip of the outwork needle  8 . The cutting portion  89  has a sharp-pointed shape (not shown in the drawings) in a front view and has a specified width in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction in  FIG. 3 ) in a side view. The front edge of the cutting portion  89  extends slightly lower than does the rear edge. The portion of the cutting portion  89  from the front edge to the rear edge is curved slightly upward. When the outwork operation is performed with the outwork needle  8 , a out that extends in the front-rear direction is formed in the work cloth  100 . The length of the cut is the same as the width of the cutting portion  89  of the outwork needle  8 . The outwork operation can be performed when the outwork needle  8  is attached to the lower end of the needle bar  6 . The embroidery sewing operation can be performed when the sewing needle  7  is attached to the lower end of the needle bar  6 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The embroidery frame  9  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 7 . In the explanation that follows, the up-down direction in  FIGS. 4 and 5  is defined as the up-down direction of the embroidery frame  9 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the embroidery frame  9  is formed by combining an inner frame  91 , a middle frame  92 , and an outer frame  94 , each of which has a circular frame shape. As shown in  FIG. 4 , in the embroidery frame  9 , the middle frame  92  is disposed to the outside of the inner frame  91  in the radial direction. The outer frame  94  is disposed to the outside of the middle frame  92  in the radial direction. The embroidery frame  9  is configured to clamp the work cloth  100  between the inner frame  91  and the middle frame  92  and has a structure in which the inner frame  91  and the middle frame  92  can rotate in relation to the outer frame  94 . The inner frame  91  and the middle frame  92  can be rotated about a rotational axis R shown in  FIG. 6 , in relation to the outer frame  94 . Note that, in the embroidery frame  9  according to the present embodiment, the rotational axis R passes thorough the center of each circle that is formed by each of the inner frame  91 , the middle frame  92 , and the outer frame  94  (specifically, frame portions  911 ,  921 , and  941 , which are described below). Hereinafter, the direction of the rotational axis R is simply referred to as an “axial direction”. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the inner frame  91  includes a circular frame portion  911 . The frame portion  911  has thicknesses in the axial direction and the radial direction. The inner frame  91  includes an adjustment portion  915  that can adjust the diameter of the inner frame  91 . The diameter of inner frame  91  may be adjusted according to the thickness of the work cloth  100  that is clamped between the inner frame  91  and the middle frame  92 . The adjustment portion  915  includes a parting portion  916 , a pair of screw mounting portions  917 , and an adjusting screw  918 . The parting portion  916  is a location where a portion in the circumferential direction of the frame portion  911  of the inner frame  91  is discontinuous through the axial direction. The pair of the screw mounting portions  917  are provided in upper portions of the frame portion  911  on both sides of the parting portion  916 . The pair of the screw mounting portions  917  project to the outside in the radial direction and are positioned opposite one another. The pair of the screw mounting portions  917  are provided with holes  9171 ,  9172  that are through-holes in a direction that is orthogonal to the faces of the screw mounting portions  917  that are opposite one another (refer to  FIG. 6 ). Of the two holes  9171 ,  9172 , the hole  9172  (the hole on the lower right in  FIG. 6 ) is provided with an embedded nut (not shown in the drawings) in which a threaded hole is formed. 
     The adjusting screw  918  is a threaded member that includes a large-diameter head portion  9181 , which the user may rotate by gripping with his fingers, and a small-diameter shall portion  9183  that extends as a single piece from the head portion  9181 . A male threaded portion  9182  is formed from roughly the center of the axial direction of the shaft portion  9183  to the tip. A narrow groove  9184  is formed in the shaft portion  9183  in a location that is close to the head portion  9181 . A retaining ring  9185  may be fitted into the narrow groove  9184 . The adjusting screw  918  may be mounted by passing the shaft portion  9183  through the hole  9171  and screwing the male threaded portion  9182  into the threaded hole in the embedded nut in the hole  9172 . In this state, with the retaining ring  9185  fitted into the narrow groove  9184  of the shaft portion  9183 , the adjusting screw  918  can be held such that it can rotate in the screw mounting portion  917  on the side where the hole  9171  is located and cannot move in the axial direction. At this time, if the user grips the head portion  9181  of the adjusting screw  918  with his fingers and performs a rotation operation, the screw mounting portion  917  on the side where the hole  9172  is located moves through the embedded nut in the axial direction of the shaft portion  9183 . The direction of that movement is determined by the direction of rotation of the adjusting screw  918 . In this way the adjusting screw  918  may be coupled with the pair of the screw mounting portions  917  and adjust the gap between the pair of the screw mounting portions  917  such as to make the gap wider or narrower. The adjusting of the gap between the pair of the screw mounting portions  917  adjusts the diameter of the inner frame  91  in accordance with the thickness of the work cloth  100 . For example, to the extent that the gap between the pair of the screw mounting portions  917  becomes narrower, the diameter of the inner frame  91  becomes smaller. Therefore, the embroidery frame  9  is able to clamp the work cloth  100  that has a greater thickness between the middle frame  92  and the inner frame  91 . Note that, for ease of explanation, the retaining ring  9185  is omitted from all of the drawings except  FIG. 6 . 
     A marker  110  is provided on an edge face on the top side of the inner frame  91 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the marker  110  is provided by the drawing of a first circle  101 , a second circle  102 , a first center point  111 , and a second center point  112  on the edge face on the to side of the inner frame  91 . The second circle  102  and the first circle  101  are contiguous with one another in the circumferential direction of the inner frame  91 . The diameter of the second circle  102  is smaller than the diameter of the first circle  101 . The first center point  111  is in the center of the first circle  101 . The second center point  112  is in the center of the second circle  102 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the middle frame  92  includes a circular frame portion  921 . The frame portion  921  has an inside diameter that is larger than the outside diameter of the frame portion  911  of the inner frame  91 . The middle frame  92  may be removably mounted on the inner frame  91  by removably mounting the frame portion  921  of the middle frame  92  on the outer side of the frame portion  911  of the inner frame  91  in the radial direction. As shown in  FIGS. 5 to 7 , a plurality of first engaging portions  930  are provided on the outer circumferential side face of the lower edge portion of the frame portion  921  of the middle frame  92 . The first engaging portions  930  are made up of a plurality of recessed portions  931 , each of which is formed approximately in the shape of a V. The plurality of the recessed portions  931  are formed at intervals of a specified angle, for example, every four degrees, around the entire outer circumferential side face of the tower edge portion of the frame portion  921  of the middle frame  92 . In their entirety, the plurality of the first engaging portions  930  are formed in the shape of a gear. Hereinafter, the portion of the middle frame  92  where the plurality of the first engaging portions  930  form the gear shape is called a gear portion  934 . The middle frame  92  can be locked to the outer frame  94  at one of a plurality of predetermined rotation angles (for example, one rotation angle every four degrees) by engaging a second engaging portion  947 , which will be described later, with one of the plurality of the recessed portions  931 . 
     A flange portion  929  is provided in a central portion in the axial direction of the outer circumferential side face of the frame portion  921 , on the upper side of the gear portion  934 . The flange portion  929  projects to the outside in the radial direction around the entire circumference of the frame portion  921 . A support portion  936  is provided on an inner circumferential side face of the lower edge of the frame portion  921 . The support portion  936  projects to the inside in the radial direction around the entire circumference of the frame portion  921 . The support portion  936  is a portion that supports a lower edge face of the inner frame  91 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the outer frame  94  includes a circular frame portion  941 . A support portion  946  that projects to the inside in the radial direction around the entire circumference of the frame portion  941  is provided on an inner circumferential side face of the lower edge of the frame portion  941 . The support portion  946  is a portion that supports a lower edge face of the middle frame  92 . The attachment portion  942  is provided on the outer side of the frame portion  941  in the radial direction. The embroidery frame  9  may be affixed to the sewing machine  1  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) by mounting the attachment portion  942  on the mounting portion  351  of the card age (refer to  FIG. 1 ). 
     A box-shaped coupling portion  943  is provided between the frame portion  941  and the attachment portion  942 . The coupling portion  943  couples the frame portion  941  and the attachment portion  942 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the interior of the coupling portion  943  is hollow. The second engaging portion  947  is provided in the coupling portion  943  near the edge on the side of the frame portion  941  (the side that faces toward the middle frame  92 ). In the present embodiment, the second engaging portion  947  is a flat spring  948 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a threaded attachment portion  956  that projects upward from a bottom face of the coupling portion  943  is provided inside the coupling portion  943 . A threaded hole (not shown in the drawings) is formed in the threaded attachment portion  956 . A base end portion  957  of the flat spring  948  is disposed on the top side of the threaded attachment portion  956 . A hole (not shown in the drawings) is provided in the center of the base end portion  957 . The base end portion  957  of the flat spring  948  is affixed to the threaded attachment portion  956  by attaching a screw  958 , which passes through the hole, to the threaded attachment portion  956 . 
     A free end portion  955  extends from the base end portion  957  of the flat spring  948 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the free end portion  955  is bent downward (refer to  FIG. 5 ) at the right edge (the right side in  FIG. 7 ) of the base end portion  957  and extends toward the front (toward the bottom of  FIG. 7 ). A protruding portion  952  is provided at the front end of the free end portion  955 . The protruding portion  952  is formed approximately in the shape of a V, such that it protrudes toward the middle frame  92 . The tip of the protruding portion  952  is able to engage with one of the plurality of the recessed portions  931 . At that time, the elastic force of the flat spring  948  energizes the protruding portion  952  in such a direction that the tip of the protruding portion  952  presses against the recessed portion  931 . 
     The engaging of the tip of the protruding portion  952  with one of the plurality of the recessed portions  931  and its pressing against the recessed portion  931  by the elastic force of the flat spring  948  can lock the middle frame  92  such that it cannot be rotated in relation to the outer frame  94 . In a case where the user rotates the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94 , one of the oblique faces of the recessed portion  931  (one of the oblique faces of the V shape) pushes the protruding portion  952  in a direction in which the protruding portion  952  is separated from the middle frame  92 , in opposition to the elastic force of the flat spring  948 . At this time, the free end portion  955  of the flat spring  948  bends such that the engagement of the protruding portion  952  and the recessed portion  931  is released. Then the protruding portion  952  engages with the recessed portion  931  that is adjacent to the recessed portion  931  with which the protruding portion  952  has been engaged previously. 
     If the rotating of the middle frame  92  is continued further, the engaging and the releasing of the engagement of the protruding portion  952  with one of the recessed portions  931  are repeated. The plurality of the recessed portions  931  are provided at four-degree intervals, so the user is able to set the angle of rotation of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  at four-degree intervals. 
     The mode in which the inner frame  91 , the middle frame  92 , and the outer frame  94  are combined will be explained. First, the user may place the middle frame  92  on a desktop or the like such that the gear portion  934  that includes the first engaging portion  930  is on the bottom side. Then the user may insert the inner frame  91  into the inner side of the middle frame  92  from the top side of the middle frame  92 , thus clamping the work cloth  100  between the inner frame  91  and the middle frame  92 . At this time, the user, by adjusting the adjustment portion  915 , may adjust the diameter of the inner frame  91  in accordance with the thickness of the work cloth  100 . In the explanation that follows, the frame that is formed by the combining of the inner frame  91  and the middle frame  92  is called an assembled unit  95 . 
     Next, the user may place the assembled unit  95  into the outer frame  94  from the top side of the outer frame  94 . At this time, the user may place the assembled unit  95  into the frame portion  941  such that the protruding portion  952  engages with one of the plurality of the recessed portions  931 . When the assembled unit  95  is placed into the outer frame  94 , a state is created in which the protruding portion  952  is engaged with one of the recessed portions  931 . Thus the second engaging portion  947  and the first engaging portion  930  may be engaged, and the rotation of the middle frame  92  (the assembled unit  95 ) may be locked in relation to the outer frame  94 . The inner frame  91 , the middle frame  92 , and the outer frame  94  can be combined as described above, to obtain the completed form of the embroidery frame  9 . Then the user may attach the completed form of the embroidery frame  9  to the carriage of the moving unit  19  that is mounted on the sewing machine  1  (refer to  FIG. 1 ). The user is able to rotate and lock the middle frame  92  (the assembled unit  95 ) in relation to the outer frame  94 . 
     An electrical configuration of the sewing machine  1  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 8 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , a control portion  60  of the sewing machine  1  includes a CPU  61 , a ROM  62 , a RAM  63 , an EEPROM  64 , and an input/output interface  65 , all of which are connected to one another by a bus  67 . Programs for the performing of processing by the CPU  61 , as well as data and the like, are stored in the ROM  62 . The EEPROM  64  includes at least a outwork data storage area  641 . A plurality of outwork data tables, an example of which is a outwork data table  59  (refer to  FIG. 9 ), are stored in the cutwork data storage area  641 . A plurality of embroidery data sets for the performing of embroidery sewing by the sewing machine  1  are also stored in the EEPROM  64 . 
     The sewing start/stop switch  21 , the touch panel  26 , and drive circuits  71 ,  72 ,  75 ,  85 ,  86 , and  87  are electrically connected to the input/output interface  65 . The drive circuit  71  may drive the feed adjustment pulse motor  78 . The drive circuit  72  may drive the sewing machine motor  79 . The drive circuit  75  may drive the liquid crystal display  15 . The drive circuits  85  and  86  may respectively drive the X axis motor  83  and the axis motor  84  that move the embroidery frame  9 . The drive circuit  87  may drive the image sensor  48 . By controlling the image sensor  98 , the CPU  61  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) can capture an image of the area that includes the embroidery frame  9  that is mounted on the mounting portion  351 . 
     The outwork data table  59  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 9 . The cutwork data table  59  that is shown in  FIG. 9  contains data for cutting out a plurality of areas  107  on inner sides of a plurality of flower petal patterns  106  in a flower pattern  105  (refer to  FIG. 12 ) that has been embroidered in the work cloth  100 . The cutwork data table  59  may be stored in the outwork data storage area  641  (refer to  FIG. 8 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , columns are provided in the outwork data table  59  for a variable N, frame rotation data, an X coordinate, and a Y coordinate, and data may be stored in association with each of the items. The variable N is a variable that indicates an order in which a cut is formed in the work cloth  100 . The frame rotation data are data that indicate predetermined rotation angles of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94 . The X coordinate and the Y coordinate are coordinates for predetermined needle drop points. Note that in the present embodiment, the coordinates at the center of the embroidery frame  9  in an image  151  that will be described later (refer to  FIG. 12 ) are defined as the coordinates of the origin point (X coordinate 0, Y coordinate 0), with the coordinate in the left-right direction defined as the X coordinate and the coordinate in the up-down direction defined as the Y coordinate (refer to  FIG. 12 ). In a case where the areas  107  on the inner sides of the flower petal patterns  106  are cut out, the middle frame  92  is rotated, in relation to the outer frame  94 , to each of the rotation angles based on the frame rotation data, in the order of the variables N 1 to 221. A cut is formed in the work cloth  100  by using the outwork needle  8  at each needle drop point that is defined by the X coordinate and the Y coordinate for the corresponding variable N. 
     Cutwork processing that is performed by the CPU  61  of the sewing machine  1  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 14 . In the explanation that follows, a case in which a outwork of the flower pattern  105  is created by cutting out the areas  107  on the inner sides of the four flower petal patterns  106  that are shown in  FIG. 12  will be explained as a specific example. 
     In the specific example, when the areas  107  on the inner sides of the four flower petal patterns  106  are to be cut out, the user attaches the cutwork needle  8  to the needle bar  6  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). The orientation of the cutting portion  89  of the outwork needle  8  is fixed such that the cutting portion  89  extends in the front-rear direction, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Therefore, in order to cut all four of the areas  107  out of the work cloth  100 , it is necessary to form cuts along the outlines of the inner sides of the flower petal patterns  106  as the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  (the assembled unit  95 ) is changed in relation to the outer frame  94 . Accordingly, the user performs a panel operation to cause the sewing machine  1  to perform the outwork processing, which causes the sewing machine  1  to cut out the areas  107  while changing the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  (the assembled unit  95 ) in relation to the outer frame  94 . In the outwork processing, various types of information are reported to the user so that the user can adjust the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  to a specified rotation angle. In the explanation that follows, the information for adjusting the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  to the specified rotation angle is called rotation information. 
     When a command to perform the cutwork processing is input by the panel operation. The CPU  61  of the sewing machine  1  reads out a program for the cutwork processing that is stored in the ROM 62 . The CPU 61  performs the cutwork processing in accordance with instructions included in the program that is read out from the ROM 62 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , in the cutwork processing after the embroidery frame  9  has been moved to an initial position where the center of the embroidery frame  9  is the needle drop point, the image sensor  48  is controlled such that the image  151 , which includes the area that includes the embroidery frame  9  that is mounted on the mounting portion  351 , is captured (Step S 11 ). The image  151  that is captured at Step S 11  is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  (Step S 12 ). An example of the displayed image  151  is shown in  FIG. 12 . Note that for the purpose of the explanation, only a portion of the work cloth  100  that resides on the inner side of the inner frame  91  is shown in  FIG. 12  (the same is true for  FIGS. 13 and 14 ). 
     The marker  110  that is provided on the embroidery frame  9  is identified based on the image  151 , the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  is detected based on the identified marker  110 , and the detected rotation angle is set to zero degrees (0°) (Step S 13 ). For example, in a case where the image  151  that is shown in  FIG. 12  is captured, the marker  110  that is provided on the embroidery frame  9  is identified. Any known method may be used for identifying the marker  110 . For example, the method may be used that is described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-172123, the relevant portion of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The detected rotation angle is then set as zero degrees, by storing in the RAM  63 , as a zero-degree line, a virtual line that links the origin point (the center position of the embroidery frame  9 ) to the coordinate position of the first center point  111  of the first circle  101  (Step S 13 ). In the explanation that follows, the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  that is detected at one of Steps S 13  and S 34  (described later) is called the detected angle. At Step S 13 , the detected angle is zero degrees. In the explanation that follows, the clockwise direction from the detected angle of zero degrees in  FIG. 12  is expressed as positive (+), and the counterclockwise direction from the detected angle of zero degrees is expressed as negative (−). 
     A determination is made as to whether or not one of the outwork data tables that are stored in the EEPROM  64  is selected by the user (Step S 14 ). At Step S 14 , a plurality of outwork patterns are displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 . The user selects one of the outwork patterns by performing the panel operation. When one of the outwork patterns is selected by the user, a determination is made that the corresponding one of the outwork data tables is selected (YES at Step S 14 ). In a case where none of the outwork data tables is selected (NO at Step S 14 ), the processing returns to Step S 14 . In the specific example, the cutwork data table  59  (refer to  FIG. 9 ) for cutting out the areas  107  on the inner sides of the flower petal patterns  106  is selected. 
     In a case where the cutwork data table  59  is selected (YES at Step S 14 ), the variable N is set to 1 and is stored in the RAM  63  (Step S 15 ). The detected angle that was detected at Step S 13  is compared to the rotation angle (hereinafter called the target rotation angle) that is based on the frame rotation data that correspond to the variable N in the outwork data table  59  (Step S 16 ). A determination is made as to whether or not the result of the comparison is that the detected angle matches the target rotation angle (Step S 17 ). In a case where the detected angle matches the target rotation angle (YES at Step S 17 ), the processing advances to Step S 22  (described later). 
     In the specific example, a determination is made that the detected angle of zero degrees does not match the target rotation angle of +44 degrees that corresponds to the variable N 1 (refer to  FIG. 9 ) (NO at Step S 17 ). In a ease where the detected angle does not match the target rotation angle (NO at Step S 17 ), information that indicates that the detected angle does not match the target rotation angle is reported as rotation information (Step S 18 ). At Step S 18 , a message that says, for example, “Please rotate the embroidery frame” is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  (refer to  FIG. 12 ). The user is thus able to know that it is necessary to rotate the embroidery frame  9 . In other words, the user is able to know that the detected angle does not match the target rotation angle. 
     The rotation angle (the target rotation angle) that is based on the frame rotation data is reported as rotation information (Step S 19 ). At Step S 19 , a message that says, for example, “Target rotation angle: +44°” is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  (refer to  FIG. 12 ). The user is thus able to recognize that the embroidery frame  9  needs to be rotated to +44 degrees. Next, frame rotation processing is performed (Step S 20 ). 
     The frame rotation processing will be explained with reference to  FIG. 11 . The frame rotation processing is processing for assisting the user in adjusting the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  to the target rotation angle by rotating the middle frame  92  (the assembled unit  95 ). As shown in  FIG. 11 , in the frame rotation processing, the image sensor  48  is controlled in the same manner as at Step S 11  (refer to  FIG. 10 ), such that the image  151 , which includes the area that includes the embroidery frame  9  that is mounted on the mounting portion  351 , is captured (Step S 31 ). The captured image  151  is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  (Step S 32 ). The marker  110  that is provided on the embroidery frame  9  is identified based on the captured image  151 , and the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  is detected based on the identified marker  110  (Step S 33 ). 
     The detected angle is reported as rotation information (Step S 34 ). At Step S 34 , the detected angle is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 , for example. The user is thus able to accurately recognize the current rotation angle. In the specific example, the initial detected angle is zero degrees, so a message that says, for example, “Current rotation angle: 0°” is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  (refer to  FIG. 12 ). 
     In the same manner as at Step S 16  (refer to  FIG. 10 ), the detected angle is compared to the target rotation angle (Step S 35 ). In the same manner as at Step S 17  (refer to  FIG. 10 ), a determination is made as to whether or not the result of the comparison is that the detected angle matches the target rotation angle (Step S 36 ). In a case where the detected angle does not match the target rotation angle (NO at Step S 36 ), the processing returns to Step S 31 . That is, the processing at Steps S 31  to S 36  is repeated until the user rotates the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  such that the detected angle matches the target rotation angle. The repeating of Steps S 31  to S 36  causes the image  151  of the embroidery frame  9  to be captured and displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  in real time (Steps S 31  and S 32 ) during the time that the user is adjusting the rotation angle of the middle frame  92 . The current rotation angle (the detected angle) of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  is also displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  in real time (Step S 34 ). 
     For example, in a case where the user has rotated the middle frame  92  clockwise to the position of +20 degrees, an image  152 , in which the middle frame  92  has been rotated to +20 degrees, and the message “Current rotation angle: +20°” are displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . Because the current rotation angle (the detected angle) is displayed in this manner, the user is able to easily adjust the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  to the target rotation angle while checking the current rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94 . When the middle frame  92  is rotated to the position of +44 degrees, as shown in an image  153  in  FIG. 14 , the determination is made that the detected angle matches the target rotation angle (YES at Step S 36 ), the frame rotation processing is terminated, and the processing advances to Step S 21  (refer to  FIG. 10 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , at Step S 21 , information that indicates that the detected angle and the target rotation angle match is reported as rotation information (Step S 21 ). At Step S 21 , the message “Rotation angle matches target rotation angle,” for example, is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 . Thus the user can easily know that the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  matches the rotation angle (the target rotation angle) that is based on the frame rotation data. 
     Based on the data that corresponds to the value of the variable N, a cut is formed (Step S 22 ). For example, in a case where the variable N in the outwork data table  59  is 1, the X coordinate is 27, and the Y coordinate is 9. Therefore, the X axis motor  83  and the Y axis motor  84  are driven, and the embroidery frame  9  is moved, such that the position specified by the X coordinate 27 and the Y coordinate 9 is the needle drop point. Then the needle bar  6  is driven, and a cut is formed by the outwork needle  8  at the position in the work cloth  100  that is specified by the X coordinate 27 and the Y coordinate 9 (refer to  FIG. 14 ). In  FIG. 14 , white circles represent needle drop points  108  for the outwork needle  8  for forming cuts in the work cloth  100  when the rotation angle that is based on the frame rotation data is +44 degrees (when the variable N is from 1 to 38). In the present embodiment, the work cloth  100  is cut in the front-rear direction of the sewing machine  1  (the orientation of the cutting portion  89  of cutwork needle  8 ), such that the white circles are joined. 
     The variable N is incremented (Step S 23 ). A determination is made as to whether or not the cutwork has been completed (Step S 24 ). At Step S 24 , the determination as to whether or not the cutwork has been completed is made by determining whether or not data such as the frame rotation data and the like that correspond to the current value of the variable N exist in the outwork data table  59 . For example, if the current variable N is 222, the data do no exist in the outwork data table  59 , so the determination is made that the cutwork has been completed. 
     In a case where the outwork has not been completed (NO at Step S 24 ), a determination is made as to whether or not it is necessary to change the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  (Step S 25 ), the determination being made by determining whether or not the rotation angle that is based on the frame rotation data in the outwork data table  59  has changed. For example, as shown in the cutwork data table  59  (refer to  FIG. 9 ), during the time that the variable N is from 1 to 38, the rotation angle that is based on the frame rotation data is +44 degrees and does not change. Thus, the determination is made that it is not necessary to change the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  (NO at Step S 25 ), the processing returns to Step S 22 . The forming of the cuts is continued. 
     In the case where the variable N changes from 38 to 39, for example, the rotation angle that is based on the frame rotation data changes from +44 degrees to zero degrees (refer to  FIG. 9 ). It is therefore determined that it is necessary to change the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  (YES at Step S 25 ), and the processing returns to Step S 18 . Information that indicates that the detected angle does not match the target rotation angle (zero degrees) is reported as rotation information (Step S 18 ), and the target rotation angle is reported (Step S 19 ). Then, in the same manner as in the previously described case where the middle frame  92  was rotated from zero degrees to +44 degrees, the user rotates the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  while referring to the image  151  of the embroidery frame  9  that is displayed at Step S 32  and to the detected angle that is displayed at Step S 34 . The user adjusts the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  to the target rotation angle of zero degrees. Then, when the detected angle matches the target rotation angle of zero degrees (YES at Step S 36 ), a cut is formed at the target rotation angle of zero degrees (Steps S 22  to S 23 ). 
     Thereafter, the forming of the cuts is continued by repeating the rotation of the middle frame  92  and forming of a cut in the work cloth  100 . Then, when it is determined that the cutwork has been completed (YES at Step S 24 ), the outwork processing is terminated. Thus the completed form of the flower pattern  105  is produced, in which all of the areas  107  have been cut out on the inner sides of the four flower petal patterns  106 . 
     The cutwork processing in the present embodiment is performed as described above. In the present embodiment, rotation information is reported that is information for adjusting the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  to a specified angle based on the detected angle (Steps S 18 , S 19 , S 21  in  FIG. 10 ; Step S 34  in  FIG. 11 ). Therefore, the user is able to adjust the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  by referring to the reported rotation information. It is thus possible for the user to easily adjust the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  without being required to look at a graduated scale or markings, as with the known embroidery frame. 
     More specifically, the sewing machine  1  reports the rotation information based on the detected angle and the frame rotation data (Steps S 18 , S 19  in  FIG. 10 ). It is thus possible for the user to easily adjust the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  by referring to the rotation information that is reported. Accordingly, the user is able to adjust the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  even more easily. 
     The sewing machine  1  is able to report the rotation information in a case where the detected angle matches the rotation angle (the target rotation angle) that is based on the frame rotation data (Step S 21 ). It is thus possible for the user to easily know that the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  matches the rotation angle that is based on the frame rotation data. Accordingly, the user is able to easily adjust the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94 . 
     The sewing machine  1  is able to report the rotation information in a case where the detected angle does not match the rotation angle (the target rotation angle) that is based on the frame rotation data (Step S 18 ). It is thus possible for the user to easily adjust the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  such that the rotation angle matches the rotation angle that is based on the frame rotation data. 
     The sewing machine  1  is able to report the rotation angle that is based on the frame rotation data as the rotation information (Step S 19 ). The user is therefore able to easily know the rotation angle (the target rotation angle) that is based on the frame rotation data. Thus the angle that is the target can be made clear, and the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  can be matched to it efficiently. 
     The sewing machine  1  is able to report the detected angle that is detected at Step S 33  as the rotation information (Step S 34 ). It is thus possible for the user to easily know the current rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94 . Accordingly, the user is able to adjust the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  while referring to the detected angle that has been reported. 
     The sewing machine  1  is able to display the detected angle (Step S 34 ) while also displaying the target rotation angle (Step S 19 ). It is therefore possible for the user to easily know that the current rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  does not match the target rotation angle. It is also possible for the user to adjust the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  even more easily by referring to the current rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  and to the target rotation angle at the same time. 
     In a case where the detected angle matches the rotation angle (the target rotation angle) that is based on the frame rotation data (YES at Step S 17  or YES at Step S 36 ), the needle bar  6  is driven, and the cutting is performed (Step S 22 ). In a case where the detected angle does not match the rotation angle (the target rotation angle) that is based on the frame rotation data (NO at Step S 17  or NO at Step S 36 ), the processing at Step S 22  is not performed, and the cutting of the work cloth  100  is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the work cloth  100  from being out by mistake in a case where the detected angle does not match the rotation angle that is based on the frame rotation data. 
     Because the rotation information is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  (Steps S 18 , S 19 , S 21  in  FIG. 10 ; Step S 34  in  FIG. 11 ), the user can easily know the rotation information by checking the liquid crystal display  15 . The convenience for the user can be thus improved. 
     Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment that has been described above, and various types of modifications can be made. For example, the rotation information is reported to the user by being displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  (Steps S 18 , S 19 , S 21  in  FIG. 10 ; Step S 34  in  FIG. 11 ), but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, one of a light emitting diode (LED) and a lamp may be provided, and in a case where the detected angle matches the target rotation angle, in a case where the detected angle does not match the target rotation angle, and the like, information may be reported to the user by causing the one of the LED and the lamp to one of turn on and flash. Information may be reported to the user by changing the color of the one of the LED and the lamp. In this case as well, the user is able to easily match the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  to the rotation angle that is based on the frame rotation data by adjusting the rotation angle while checking the one of the LED and the lamp. The sewing machine  1  may also be provided with one of a speaker and a buzzer, and information may be reported to the user in the form of sound. 
     In the embodiment the marker  110  is provided on the inner frame  91  of the embroidery frame  9  in the form of drawing, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, the marker  110  may be drawn on one face of a sheet of a specified size, and an adhesive is applied to the other face of the sheet. The sheet may then be affixed to the work cloth  100  that is clamped between the inner frame  91  and the middle frame  92 . In this case, the rotation angle of the middle frame  92  in relation to the outer frame  94  can be detected (Steps S 13  and S 33 ) based on the marker  110  that has been affixed to the work cloth  100 . 
     The embroidery frame  9  is not limited to the case of the present embodiment, and an embroidery frame that has a different structure may also be used, as long as it is a rotatable embroidery frame. For example, it is possible to use an embroidery frame that includes a frame member that is configured to hold the work cloth  100  and an outer frame that is configured such that it can be removably mounted on the outer side of the frame member and that is configured to rotatably hold the frame member. 
     It is not necessary for all of the rotation information that is described in the embodiment to be reported, and only a portion of the rotation information may be reported. The frame rotation data are used in the reporting of the rotation information in the embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, it is acceptable to report only the current rotation angle of the middle frame  92 , based only on the detected angle, without using the frame rotation data. 
     A specific example has been explained of an embodiment in which the middle frame  92  is rotated in relation to the outer frame  94  when the outwork is performed, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, the reporting of the rotation information and other procedures that are described above may also be performed in a case where the middle frame  92  is rotated in relation to the outer frame  94  while embroidery sewing is being performed with the sewing needle  7  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). 
     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