Patent Abstract:
A sewing machine that is capable of sewing an embroidery pattern includes a transfer device that transfers the embroidery frame, a storage device that stores embroidery data, a first selection device that selects first embroidery data, a first control device that performs sewing of the first pattern, an image capture device that captures an image, a first detection device that detects at least one of a marker position and a marker angle based on information for a first image, a second detection device that detects at least one of the marker position and the marker angle based on information for a second image, a difference computation device that computes at least one of a position difference and an angle difference, a second selection device that selects second embroidery data, a conversion device that converts coordinate data, and a second control device that performs sewing of the second pattern.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2009-078022, filed Mar. 27, 2009, and 2009-203638, filed Sep. 3, 2009, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a sewing machine and a computer-readable medium that stores a control program executable on a sewing machine. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a sewing machine and a computer-readable medium that stores a control program executable on a sewing machine that allows alignment of a work cloth in embroidery sewing. 
     In a known sewing machine that is capable of embroidery sewing, an embroidery pattern may extend beyond an embroidery area of an embroidery frame, due to a combination of sizes of the embroidery pattern and the embroidery frame. In such a case, the embroidery pattern is divided into a plurality of sub-patterns, and is sewn in several batches. This makes it necessary for a user to reposition the work cloth in the embroidery frame so that the sub-patterns of the embroidery pattern may be separately sewn. 
     A sewing machine is known that prevents misalignment in relative positions of a sub-pattern that has already been sewn on a work cloth and a sub-pattern that will be newly sewn. For example, a sewing machine is known in which reference marks are sewn in a plurality of positions on a work cloth. When a user repositions the work cloth, positions of the sewn reference marks may be aligned with positions of reference marks that are provided on the embroidery frame. Thus the relative positions of the sub-pattern that has already been sewn and the sub-pattern that will be newly sewn may be aligned. 
     SUMMARY 
     In the sewing machine that is described above, the user must visually align the positions of the sewn reference marks with the positions of reference marks that are provided on the embroidery frame. Accordingly, it may be difficult to set the work cloth accurately in the embroidery frame. Therefore, a position of the embroidery pattern after the work cloth has been repositioned may not be accurately aligned in relation to a position of the embroidery pattern before the work cloth is repositioned. 
     Various exemplary embodiments of the broad principles derived herein provide a sewing machine and a computer-readable medium that stores a control program executable on a sewing machine that are capable of accurately aligning relative positions of an embroidery pattern before and after a work cloth is repositioned. 
     Exemplary embodiments provide a sewing machine that is capable of sewing an embroidery pattern on a work cloth that is held by an embroidery frame. The sewing machine includes a transfer device that transfers the embroidery frame detachably attached thereto, a storage device that stores embroidery data that is data for sewing the embroidery pattern and that includes at least coordinate data that indicates a plurality of needle drop positions in relation to a reference position, each of the plurality of needle drop positions being a point where a needle pierces the work cloth, a first selection device that selects first embroidery data from the embroidery data that is stored in the storage device, the first embroidery data being embroidery data for a first pattern that is at least a portion of the embroidery pattern, and a first control device that performs sewing of the first pattern on the work cloth by controlling the transfer device based on the first embroidery data that was selected by the first selection device. The sewing machine further includes an image capture device that captures an image of the work cloth onto which a marker that can be affixed onto the work cloth is affixed, a first detection device that detects at least one of a marker position and a marker angle based on information for a first image, the marker position being a position of the marker that has been affixed onto the work cloth in relation to the reference position, the marker angle being an angle of the marker in relation to a reference direction, and the first image being an image captured by the image capture device of the work cloth on which the first pattern has been sewn by the first control device, and a second detection device that detects at least one of the marker position and the marker angle based on information for a second image, the second image being an image captured by the image capture device of the work cloth one of after a position of the work cloth on which the first pattern has been sewn has been changed in relation to the embroidery frame and after a position of the embroidery frame that holds the work cloth on which the first pattern has been sewn has been changed in relation to the transfer device. The sewing machine also includes a difference computation device that computes at least one of a position difference and an angle difference, the position difference being a difference between the marker position that was detected by the first detection device and the marker position that was detected by the second detection device, and the angle difference being a difference between the marker angle that was detected by the first detection device and the marker angle that was detected by the second detection device, a second selection device that selects second embroidery data from the embroidery data that is stored in the storage device, the second embroidery data being embroidery data for a second pattern that is at least a portion of the embroidery pattern and that is adjacent to the first pattern, a conversion device that converts coordinate data in the second embroidery data based on the at least one of the position difference and the angle difference that was computed by the difference computation device, and a second control device that performs sewing of the second pattern on the work cloth on which the first pattern has been sewn by controlling the transfer device based on the second embroidery data that includes the coordinate data that was converted by the conversion device. 
     Exemplary embodiments further provide a computer-readable medium storing a control program executable on a sewing machine that is capable of sewing an embroidery pattern on a work cloth that is held by an embroidery frame. The program includes instructions that cause a computer to perform the steps of selecting first embroidery data from embroidery data that is data for sewing the embroidery pattern and that includes at least coordinate data that indicates a plurality of needle drop positions in relation to a reference position, the first embroidery data being embroidery data for a first pattern that is at least a portion of the embroidery pattern, and each of the plurality of needle drop positions being a point where a needle pierces the work cloth, and performing sewing of the first pattern on the work cloth by controlling a transfer device based on the selected first embroidery data, the transfer device transferring the embroidery frame detachably attached thereto. The program further includes instructions that cause the computer to perform the steps of detecting at least one of a marker position and a marker angle based on information for a first image, the marker position being a position of the marker that has been affixed onto the work cloth in relation to the reference position, the marker angle being an angle of the marker in relation to a reference direction, and the first image being a captured image of the work cloth on which the first pattern has been sewn, and detecting at least one of the marker position and the marker angle based on information for a second image, the second image being a captured image of the work cloth one of after a position of the work cloth on which the first pattern has been sewn has been changed in relation to the embroidery frame and after a position of the embroidery frame that holds the work cloth on which the first pattern has been sewn has been changed in relation to the transfer device. The program also includes instructions that cause the computer to perform the steps of computing at least one of a position difference and an angle difference, the position difference being a difference between the marker position that was detected based on the information for the first image and the marker position that was detected based on the information for the second image, and the angle difference being a difference between the marker angle that was detected based on the information for the first image and the marker angle that was detected based on the information for the second image, selecting a second embroidery data from the embroidery data, the second embroidery data being embroidery data for a second pattern that is at least a portion of the embroidery pattern and that is adjacent to the first pattern, converting coordinate data in the second embroidery data based on the at least one of the computed position difference and the computed angle difference, and performing sewing of the second pattern on the work cloth on which the first pattern has been sewn by controlling the transfer device based on the second embroidery data that includes the converted coordinate data. 
     Exemplary embodiments also provide a sewing machine that is capable of sewing an embroidery pattern on a work cloth that is held by an embroidery frame. The sewing machine includes transfer means for transferring the embroidery frame detachably attached thereto, storage means for storing embroidery data that is data for sewing the embroidery pattern and that includes at least coordinate data that indicates a plurality of needle drop positions in relation to a reference position, each of the plurality of needle drop positions being a point where a needle pierces the work cloth, first selection means for selecting first embroidery data from the embroidery data that is stored in the storage means, the first embroidery data being embroidery data for a first pattern that is at least a portion of the embroidery pattern, and first control means for performing sewing of the first pattern on the work cloth by controlling the transfer means based on the first embroidery data that was selected by the first selection means. The sewing machine further includes image capture means for capturing an image of the work cloth onto which a marker that can be affixed onto the work cloth is affixed, first detection means for detecting at least one of a marker position and a marker angle based on information for a first image, the marker position being a position of the marker that has been affixed onto the work cloth in relation to the reference position, the marker angle being an angle of the marker in relation to a reference direction, and the first image being an image captured by the image capture means of the work cloth on which the first pattern has been sewn by the first control means, and second detection means for detecting at least one of the marker position and the marker angle based on information for a second image, the second image being an image captured by the image capture means of the work cloth one of after a position of the work cloth on which the first pattern has been sewn has been changed in relation to the embroidery frame and after a position of the embroidery frame that holds the work cloth on which the first pattern has been sewn has been changed in relation to the transfer means. The sewing machine also includes difference computation means for computing at least one of a position difference and an angle difference, the position difference being a difference between the marker position that was detected by the first detection means and the marker position that was detected by the second detection means, and the angle difference being a difference between the marker angle that was detected by the first detection means and the marker angle that was detected by the second detection means, second selection means for selecting second embroidery data from the embroidery data that is stored in the storage means, the second embroidery data being embroidery data for a second pattern that is at least a portion of the embroidery pattern and that is adjacent to the first pattern, conversion means for converting coordinate data in the second embroidery data based on the at least one of the position difference and the angle difference that was computed by the difference computation means, and second control means for performing sewing of the second pattern on the work cloth on which the first pattern has been sewn by controlling the transfer means based on the second embroidery data that includes the coordinate data that was converted by the conversion means. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique view of a sewing machine that is seen from the left front; 
         FIG. 2  is a left side view of a main portion of the sewing machine that shows a needle bar, a needle, a presser bar, and a presser foot, as well as a vicinity of the needle bar, the needle, the presser bar, and the presser foot; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram that shows an electrical configuration of the sewing machine; 
         FIG. 4  is a conceptual diagram that shows storage areas of a ROM; 
         FIG. 5  is a conceptual diagram that shows storage areas of a RAM; 
         FIG. 6  is a conceptual diagram that shows an embroidery data table; 
         FIG. 7  is a figure that shows an E1 pattern; 
         FIG. 8  is a figure that shows a first E1 pattern; 
         FIG. 9  is a figure that shows a second E1 pattern; 
         FIG. 10  is a figure that shows a shape of a marker; 
         FIG. 11  is a first part of a flowchart that shows sewing processing; 
         FIG. 12  is a second part of the flowchart that shows the sewing processing; 
         FIG. 13  is a third part of the flowchart that shows the sewing processing; 
         FIG. 14  is a figure that shows an example of a state in which the first E1 pattern has been sewn in a work cloth; 
         FIG. 15  is an explanatory figure that shows processing in which the marker is detected based on captured image data; 
         FIG. 16  is an explanatory figure that shows processing in which the marker is detected based on the captured image data; 
         FIG. 17  is a figure that shows an example of a state in which the first E1 pattern has been sewn in the work cloth; and 
         FIG. 18  is a figure that shows an example of a state in which the first E1 pattern and the second E1 pattern have been sewn in the work cloth. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment 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 of the sewing machine  1  that faces toward a user is referred to as the “front side,” and the opposite side is referred to as the “rear side.” The right side and the left side of the sewing machine  1  as viewed from the user are respectively referred to as the “right side” and the “left side.” 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sewing machine  1  is provided with a bed  11 , a pillar  12 , an arm  13 , and a head  14 . The bed  11  extends in the right-left 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 in the left end portion of the arm  13 . A needle plate (not shown in the drawings) is provided on 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. 3 ), and a shuttle mechanism (not shown in the drawings) are provided within the bed  11  underneath the needle plate. The feed dog feeds a work cloth to be sewn by a specified feed distance. The cloth feed mechanism drives the feed dog. The feed adjustment pulse motor  78  adjusts the feed distance. 
     An embroidery frame  34  that holds a work cloth  100  is disposed on the bed  11 . The area within the embroidery frame  34  is an embroidery area in which a stitch of an embroidery pattern may be formed. An embroidery frame transfer unit  92  that transfers the embroidery frame  34  may be attached to and detached from the bed  11 . A carriage cover  35  that extends in the front-rear direction is provided on the embroidery frame transfer unit  92 . The carriage cover  35  contains a Y-axis transfer mechanism (not shown in the drawings). The Y-axis transfer mechanism transfers a carriage (not shown in the drawings) in a Y direction (the front-rear direction). The embroidery frame  34  may be attached to and detached from the carriage. A frame attachment portion (not shown in the drawings) on which the embroidery frame  34  is attached is provided on the right side of the carriage. The frame attachment portion projects outward to the right from the right side face of the carriage cover  35 . An attaching portion (not shown in the drawings) that is provided on the left side of the embroidery frame  34  may be attached to the frame attachment portion. The carriage, the Y-axis transfer mechanism, and the carriage cover  35  are transferred in the X direction (the right-left direction) by an X-axis transfer mechanism (not shown in the drawings). The X-axis transfer mechanism is provided within the main body of the embroidery frame transfer unit  92 . Thus the embroidery frame  34  is transferred in the X direction. The X-axis transfer mechanism and the Y-axis transfer mechanism are respectively driven by an X-axis motor  83  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) and a Y-axis motor  84  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). A needle bar  6  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) and the shuttle mechanism (not shown in the drawings) are driven while the embroidery frame  34  is transferred in the X direction and the Y direction. In this manner, a pattern formation operation is performed that forms a pattern such as a stitch, an embroidery pattern, or the like in the work cloth  100  that is held by the embroidery frame  34 . In a case where an ordinary pattern, instead of an embroidery pattern, is sewn, the embroidery frame transfer unit  92  may be detached from the bed  11 . Ordinary sewing is then performed while the work cloth is fed by the feed dog. The embroidery frame  34  has a known configuration in which the work cloth  100  is held by being clamped between an inner frame and an outer frame, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. 
     The front face of the pillar  12  is provided with a liquid crystal display  15  that has a vertically long rectangular shape. Illustrations and names of commands that cause various types of commands to be executed are displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 . The various types of commands may be used, for example, to set and edit various patterns and to control the sewing work. Various types of set values that pertain to sewing, various types of messages, and the like are displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 . 
     A touch panel  26  is provided on the front face of the liquid crystal display  15 . Names for a plurality of patterns, function names for executing various types of functions, numerical values in various types of setting screens, and the like may be displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 . By using one of a finger and a special touch pen to touch a position on the touch panel  26  that corresponds to one of a pattern display portion and a setting portion on a screen that is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 , the user may select a sewing pattern, instruct a function to be executed, set a numerical value, and the like. Hereinafter, an operation of touching the touch panel  26  is referred to as a “panel operation.” 
     A configuration of the arm  13  will be explained. A top cover  16  to be opened and closed is attached to the top of the arm  13 . The top cover  16  is provided in the longitudinal direction of the arm  13 . The top cover  16  is axially supported at the rear upper edge of the arm  13  such that the top cover  16  may be opened and closed around the right-left directional axis. A thread spool housing  18  is provided close to the middle of the top of the arm  13  under the top cover  16 . The thread spool housing  18  is a recessed portion for housing a thread spool  20  that supplies a thread to the sewing machine  1 . A spool pin  19 , which projects toward the head  14 , is disposed on an inner face of the thread spool housing  18  on the pillar  12  side. The thread spool  20  may be attached to the spool pin  19  when the spool pin  19  is inserted through an insertion hole (not shown in the drawings) that is formed in the thread spool  20 . An upper thread (not shown in the drawings), which extends from the thread spool  20 , may be supplied to a needle  7  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) through a thread guide portion that includes a tensioner, a thread take-up spring, a thread take-up lever, and the like, which are not shown in the drawings. The tensioner is provided in the head  14  and adjusts thread tension. The thread take-up lever is driven reciprocally up and down and pulls the thread up. The needle  7  may be mounted in the needle bar  6 . The needle bar  6  is driven up and down by a needle bar up-and-down drive mechanism (not shown in the drawings) that is provided in the head  14 . The needle bar up-and-down drive mechanism is driven by a drive shaft (not shown in the drawings) that is rotationally driven by a sewing machine motor  79  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). 
     A sewing start-and-stop switch  21 , a reverse stitch switch  22 , a needle up-and-down switch  23 , a presser foot elevation switch  24 , an automatic threading switch  25 , and the like are provided at the bottom of the front face of the arm  13 . The sewing start-and-stop switch  21  may be used to start and stop the operation of the sewing machine  1 , that is, to instruct starting and stopping of sewing. The reverse stitch switch  22  may be used to input an instruction of feeding the work cloth  100  from the rear to the front, which is opposite to the normal feed direction. The needle up-and-down switch  23  may be used to input an instruction of switching between raising and lowering a stop position of the needle bar  6  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). The presser foot elevation switch  24  may be used to instruct raising and lowering a presser foot  47  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). The automatic threading switch  25  may be instruct starting of automatic threading, that is, leading the thread through the thread take-up lever, the tensioner, and the thread take-up spring, and finally threading the needle  7  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). A speed controller  32  is provided in the center of the bottom of the front face of the arm  13 . The speed controller  32  may be used to adjust a speed, that is, a rotary speed of the drive shaft, when the needle bar  6  is driven up and down. 
     The needle bar  6 , the needle  7 , a presser bar  45 , the presser foot  47 , and the surrounding area will be explained with reference to  FIG. 2 . The needle bar  6  and the presser bar  45  are provided on the underside of the head  14 . The needle  7  may be attached to the bottom end of the needle bar  6 . The presser foot  47 , which may hold down the work cloth, may be attached to the bottom end of the presser bar  45 . A lower portion  471  of the presser foot  47  is made of a transparent resin such that an image may be captured of the work cloth and stitches underneath the presser foot  47 . An image sensor  50  is provided such that the image sensor  50  may capture an image of the area that includes the needle drop point of the needle  7 . The needle drop point is the point at which the needle  7  is moved downward by the needle bar up-and-down drive mechanism and pierces the work cloth. The image sensor  50  includes a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor and a control circuit. An image may be captured by the CMOS sensor. In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a support frame  51  is attached to a frame (not shown in the drawings) of the sewing machine  1  in the interior of the head  14 . The image sensor  50  is fixed to the support frame  51 . 
     An electrical configuration of the sewing machine  1  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a control portion  60  of the sewing machine  1  includes a CPU  61 , a ROM  62 , a RAM  63 , an EEPROM  64 , a card slot  17 , an external access RAM  68 , and an input interface  65 , and an output interface  66 , which are connected to one another via a bus  67 . The sewing start-and-stop switch  21 , the reverse stitch switch  22 , the touch panel  26 , a lower-needle-position sensor  89 , the image sensor  50 , and a determination switch  41  are connected to the input interface  65 . The determination switch  41  may be used to determine the type of an embroidery frame. The needle up-and-down switch  23 , the presser foot elevation switch  24 , the automatic threading switch  25 , and the speed controller  32  are not shown in  FIG. 3 . Drive circuits  71 ,  72 ,  74 ,  75 ,  85 , and  86  are electrically connected to an output interface  66 . The drive circuit  71  drives the feed adjustment pulse motor  78 . The drive circuit  72  drives the sewing machine motor  79 . The drive circuit  74  drives a needle bar swinging-and-releasing pulse motor  80 . The needle bar swinging-and-releasing pulse motor  80  makes the needle bar  6  to swing and operates to release the needle bar  6 . The drive circuit  75  drives the liquid crystal display  15 . The drive circuits  85  and  86  respectively drive the X-axis motor  83  and the Y-axis motor  84  that move the embroidery frame  34 . 
     The CPU  61  conducts main control over the sewing machine  1  and executes various types of computation and processing in accordance with a control program. The control program is stored in a program data storage area  201  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) in the ROM  62 . The ROM  62  is a read-only storage element. The RAM  63  is a storage element that can be read from and written to as desired. The RAM  63  includes various types of storage areas that store computation results from computational processing by the CPU  61  as necessary. The sewing start-and-stop switch  21  is a button switch. The lower-needle-position sensor  89  is a sensor that detects the rotational phase of the drive shaft. The lower-needle-position sensor  89  is set up to output an ON signal if, as the drive shaft rotates, the needle bar  6  lowers from an upper needle position to permit the tip of the needle  7  to reach a position lower than the upper surface of the needle plate (not shown in the drawings). 
     The storage areas which the ROM  62  includes will be explained with reference to  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the ROM  62  includes the program data storage area  201 , an embroidery data storage area  202 , and other storage areas. Program data that is required in order for the CPU  61  to perform detection processing of a marker  120  (refer to  FIG. 10 ), sewing processing for an embroidery pattern (refer to  FIGS. 11 to 13 ), and the like is stored in the program data storage area  201 . 
     A plurality of pieces of embroidery data, which are required when an embroidery pattern (an E1 pattern  140  and the like (refer to  FIG. 7  and the like)) is sewn on the work cloth  100 , are stored in the embroidery data storage area  202 . The embroidery data include at least coordinate data (X, Y), which indicates positions of a plurality of needle drop points for an embroidery needle (the needle  7 ). When the embroidery sewing is performed in the sewing machine  1 , the X-axis motor  83  and Y-axis motor  84  are driven based on the coordinate data, so that the embroidery frame  34  is transferred in the X direction and Y direction. An embroidery data table  2021 , which will be described below, is stored in the embroidery data storage area  202 . The embroidery data is stored in the embroidery data table  2021 . 
     The storage areas which the RAM  63  includes will be explained with reference to  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the RAM  63  includes a selected data storage area  211 , a captured image storage area  212 , and other storage areas. 
     Of the embroidery data that is stored in the embroidery data storage area  202  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) of the ROM  62 , the embroidery data for an embroidery pattern that has been selected by a panel operation is stored in the selected data storage area  211 . As will be described in detail below, the coordinate data in the embroidery data that is stored in the selected data storage area  211  is changed in a case where at least one of a sewing position, a sewing angle, and the like of the embroidery pattern is changed. A captured image that has been obtained as a result of image capture by the image sensor  50  is stored in the captured image storage area  212 . 
     An example of the embroidery data table  2021  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 6 . In the present embodiment, an embroidery pattern is divided into a plurality of divided portions (sub-patterns), and the embroidery data includes embroidery data that correspond to each of the sub-patterns of the embroidery pattern. Hereinafter, a sub-pattern that forms at least a portion of the embroidery pattern is referred to as a “first pattern.” Embroidery data for the first pattern is referred to as “first embroidery data.” A sub-pattern that forms at least a portion of the embroidery pattern and that is adjacent to the first pattern is referred to as a “second pattern.” Embroidery data for the second pattern is referred to as “second embroidery data.” Hereinafter, an example will be explained in which the embroidery pattern is divided into two sub-patterns (the first pattern and the second pattern). 
     The embroidery pattern is divided into the sub-patterns and the embroidery data for each of the sub-patterns of embroidery pattern is stored, so that the embroidery pattern may be sewn on the work cloth  100  even in a case where the embroidery pattern is larger than the area within the embroidery frame  34 . That is because the first pattern and the second pattern may be separately sewn so that the embroidery pattern may be sewn in several batches. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a type of an embroidery pattern, first embroidery data for a first pattern that forms a portion of the embroidery pattern, and second embroidery data for a second pattern that forms another portion of the embroidery pattern are stored in association with one another in the embroidery data table  2021 . In the example that is shown in  FIG. 6 , first E1 data that is the first embroidery data and second E1 data that is the second embroidery data are stored in association with an embroidery pattern E1. In the same manner, first E2 data and second E2 data are stored in association with an embroidery pattern E2. 
     The embroidery pattern E1 (hereinafter referred to as an “E1 pattern  140 ”) that is stored in the embroidery data table  2021  will be explained in detail with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 9 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the E1 pattern  140  is an embroidery pattern that has the shape of a letter “A” in the Gothic font. The E1 pattern  140  includes a first E1 pattern  142  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) that is the first pattern and a second E1 pattern  143  (refer to  FIG. 9 ) that is the second pattern. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the first E1 pattern  142  is an embroidery pattern that has the shape of the left half of the letter “A” in the E1 pattern  140  (refer to  FIG. 7 ). The first E1 pattern  142  is sewn on the work cloth  100  by performing of the sewing processing based on the first E1 data. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the second E1 pattern  143  is an embroidery pattern that has the shape of the right half of the letter “A” in the E1 pattern  140  (refer to  FIG. 7 ). The second E1 pattern  143  is sewn on the work cloth  100  by performing of the sewing processing based on the second E1 data. The first E1 pattern  142  and the second E1 pattern  143  are sewn such that the second E1 pattern  143  abuts the right side of the first E1 pattern  142 , so that the E1 pattern  140  that is shown in  FIG. 7  is formed in the work cloth  100 . 
     Hereinafter, the first E1 data includes (Ax, Ay) as coordinate data. The second E1 data includes (Bx, By) as coordinate data. As shown in  FIG. 8 , a point  151  at the vertex at the top of the shape of the left half of the letter “A” of the first E1 pattern  142  is defined as an origin point (0, 0). As shown in  FIG. 9 , a point  152  at the vertex at the top of the shape of the right half of the letter “A” of the second E1 pattern  143  is also defined as the origin point (0, 0). The points  151  and  152  indicate the same point in the E1 pattern  140 . The origin point is not limited to the vertex at the top of the shape of a pattern. The origin point may be any point other than the vertex at the top of the shape of the pattern. 
     In the present embodiment, the sewing work for the E1 pattern  140  is performed as described below. Based on the first E1 data, the first E1 pattern  142  is sewn on the work cloth  100  that is held by the embroidery frame  34 . In order for the second E1 pattern  143  to be sewn such that the second E1 pattern  143  is adjacent to the right side of the first E1 pattern  142  that has already been sewn, the work cloth  100  is repositioned. After the work cloth  100  is repositioned, the second E1 pattern  143  is sewn on the work cloth  100  based on the second E1 data. 
     In the present embodiment, the marker  120  is used (refer to  FIG. 10 , details will be described below). The marker  120  may be affixed onto the work cloth  100 . In a case where the work cloth  100  has been repositioned, the marker  120  is used for computing the distance that the work cloth  100  has been moved in relation to the embroidery frame  34 . The second E1 data is converted based on the computed distance. Because sewing of the second E1 pattern  143  is performed based on the converted second E1 data, the second E1 pattern  143  is sewn such that the second E1 pattern  143  abuts the first E1 pattern  142  without any misalignment. 
     The marker  120  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 10 . The marker  120  that is shown in  FIG. 10  includes a base material sheet  94  that is transparent and that has a thin sheet shape. The size of the base material sheet  94  may be approximately three centimeters long and approximately two centimeters wide, for example. The shape of the base material sheet  94  may be rectangular, for example. The size and the shape of the base material sheet  94  are not limited to the size and shape described above. A first circle  101  and a second circle  102  are drawn on the upper surface of the base material sheet  94 . The second circle  102  is disposed above the first circle  101 . The diameter of the second circle  102  is smaller than the diameter of the first circle  101 . Line segments  103  to  105  are also disposed on the base material sheet  94 . The line segment  103  extends in the up-down direction and passes through a center  110  of the first circle  101  and a center  111  of the second circle  102 . The line segment  104  is orthogonal to the line segment  103  and passes through the center  110  of the first circle  101 . The line segment  105  is orthogonal to the line segment  103  and passes through the center  111  of the second circle  102 . The line segments  103  to  105  are each drawn such that the line segments  103  to  105  extend to the outer edges of the base material sheet  94 . 
     Of the four areas that are bounded by the circumference of the first circle  101 , the line segment  103  and the line segment  104 , an upper right area  108  and a lower left area  109  are filled in with black, and a lower right area  113  and an upper left area  114  are filled in with white. Of the four areas that are bounded by the second circle  102 , the line segment  103  and the line segment  105 , an upper right area  106  and a lower left area  107  are filled in with black, and a lower right area  115  and an upper left area  116  are filled in with white. All other portions of the marker  120  are transparent. 
     The colors with which the four areas of the first circle  101  and the four areas of the second circle  102  are filled in are not limited to being black and white. Other colors may be combined such that a contrast between the areas is clearly visible. Furthermore, in a case where the work cloth  100  is a fabric that is one of white and a color that is close to white, for example, the upper right areas  106 ,  108  and the lower left areas  107 ,  109  may be filled in with black, and the lower right areas  113 ,  115  and the upper left areas  114 ,  116  may be transparent. Conversely, in a case where the work cloth  100  is a fabric that is one of black and a color that is close to black, the lower right areas  113 ,  115  and the upper left areas  114 ,  116  may be filled in with white, and the upper right areas  106 ,  108  and the lower left areas  107 ,  109  may be transparent. Thus a marker may be used that has a color suitable for the color of the work cloth  100 . 
     The bottom surface of the base material sheet  94  is coated with a transparent adhesive. It is therefore possible to affix the base material sheet  94  onto the work cloth  100 . Ordinarily, the base material sheet  94  is affixed to a release paper (not shown in the drawings). The user may use the base material sheet  94  by peeling the base material sheet  94  off the release paper. 
     The sewing processing that is performed by the CPU  61  of the sewing machine  1  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 11 to 13 . The sewing processing is started by the CPU  61  in a case where a panel operation for starting the embroidery sewing has been performed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , when the sewing processing is started, a determination is made as to whether a panel operation for selecting a first pattern has been performed (Step S 1 ). If the panel operation for selecting the first pattern has not been performed (NO at Step S 1 ), the processing returns to Step S 1 . Then the panel operation for selecting the first pattern is continually monitored. If the first pattern has been selected (YES at Step S 1 ), first embroidery data that is embroidery data for the selected first pattern is read out from the embroidery data table  2021  that is stored in the ROM  62 . In a case where the first E1 pattern  142  has been selected as the first pattern, the first E1 data is read out from the embroidery data table  2021  as the first embroidery data (Step S 3 ). The first E1 data that has been read out is stored in the selected data storage area  211  of the RAM  63 . 
     A determination is made as to whether at least one of the sewing position and the sewing angle for the selected first pattern to be sewn on the work cloth  100  has been changed from their default states (Step S 5 ). If a panel operation for changing at least one of the sewing position and the sewing angle has not been performed (NO at Step S 5 ), the processing advances to Step S 9  without any particular processing performed. If the panel operation for changing at least one of the sewing position and the sewing angle has been performed (YES at Step S 5 ), the first embroidery data that is stored in the selected data storage area  211  of the RAM  63  is converted based on the panel operation (Step S 7 ). The converted coordinate data are stored in the selected data storage area  211  as the coordinate data for the first embroidery data. Then the processing advances to Step S 9 . 
     The conversion of the coordinate data at Step S 7  based on the panel operation may be performed by the method that is described below, for example. The panel operation causes the point  151  of the first E1 pattern  142  to be moved by an distance (Ox, Oy), after which the first E1 pattern  142  is rotated around the point  151  by an angle θ 1 . Assuming that the coordinate data for the moved and rotated first E1 data is indicated as (Ax′, Ay′), the coordinate data is obtained as follows.
         Ax′=(Ax+Ox) cos θ 1 −(Ay+Oy) sin θ 1      Ay′=(Ax+Ox) sin θ 1 +(Ay+Oy) cos θ 1      The obtained coordinate data (Ax′, Ay′) is stored in the selected data storage area  211  of the RAM  63  as the coordinate data for the first E1 data.       

     At Step S 9 , a determination is made as to whether the sewing start-and-stop switch  21  has been pressed (Step S 9 ). If the sewing start-and-stop switch  21  has not been pressed (NO at Step S 9 ), a determination is made as to whether a panel operation for terminating the sewing processing has been performed (Step S 13 ). If the panel operation for terminating the sewing processing has been performed (YES at Step S 13 ), the sewing processing is terminated. If the panel operation for terminating the sewing processing has not been performed (NO at Step S 13 ), the processing returns to Step S 9 . Then it is continually determined whether the sewing start-and-stop switch  21  has been pressed. 
     If the sewing start-and-stop switch  21  has been pressed to start the work of sewing (YES at Step S 9 ), processing for sewing the first pattern on the work cloth  100  is performed based on the first embroidery data that is stored in the selected data storage area  211  (Step S 11 ). Specifically, the X-axis motor  83  and the Y-axis motor  84  are driven based on the coordinate data that is included in the first embroidery data. The needle bar  6  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) and the shuttle mechanism (not shown in the drawings) are also driven as the embroidery frame  34  is transferred in the X direction and the Y direction. Thus the first pattern is sewn on the work cloth  100  that is held by the embroidery frame  34 . In a case where the first embroidery data has been converted at Step S 7 , the work of sewing the first pattern is performed based on the converted first embroidery data. Thus the first pattern is sewn on the work cloth  100  that is held by the embroidery frame  34 . 
     After the work of sewing the first pattern has been completed, the user may stick the marker  120  onto the work cloth  100  that is held by the embroidery frame  34 . The work cloth  100  onto which the marker  120  has been affixed will be explained with reference to  FIG. 14 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the first E1 pattern  142  that has the shape of the left half of the letter “A” has been sewn on the work cloth  100 . The marker  120  may be affixed onto a portion of the work cloth  100  that is close to the lower right corner of the embroidery frame  34 . The marker  120  may be affixed onto the work cloth  100  such that the line segment  103  is substantially parallel to the Y direction (the front-rear direction) in which the embroidery frame  34  is moved. In such a case, the second circle  102  is disposed along the line segment  103  in the rear side of the sewing machine  1  (in the upper side of the page in  FIG. 14 ), and the first circle  101  is disposed along the line segment  103  in the front side (in the lower side of the page in  FIG. 14 ). In  FIG. 14 , the broken lines indicate the planned sewing position for the second E1 pattern  143  that will be sewn next. In  FIG. 14 , the size of the work cloth  100  is actually larger than the size of the embroidery frame  34 , and the work cloth  100  extends beyond the embroidery frame  34 . The portion of the work cloth  100  that extends beyond the embroidery frame  34  has been omitted from the drawing. 
     In order for the second E1 pattern  143  to be sewn such that the second E1 pattern  143  abuts the right side of the first E1 pattern  142 , the area of the work cloth  100  in the right side of the sewn first E1 pattern  142  needs to be positioned substantially in the center of the embroidery frame  34 . Therefore, the work cloth  100  needs to be moved to the left and repositioned in the embroidery frame  34  before the work of embroidering the second E1 pattern  143  is performed. In the present embodiment, images of the marker  120  are captured by the image sensor  50  before and after the work cloth  100  is repositioned. The marker  120  is affixed onto the work cloth  100  in a position that is inside the embroidery frame  34  and close to the right side of the embroidery frame  34 . This allows the marker  120  to still be within the embroidery frame  34  after the work cloth  100  has been moved to the left. It is therefore possible for an image of the marker  120  to be captured by the image sensor  50 . 
     After the marker  120  has been affixed onto the work cloth  100  by the user, a determination is made as to whether a panel operation for starting the image capture of the work cloth  100  by the image sensor  50  has been performed, as shown in  FIG. 12  (Step S 15 ). If the panel operation for starting the image capture has not been performed (NO at Step S 15 ), a determination is made as to whether a panel operation for terminating the sewing processing has been performed (Step S 19 ). If the panel operation for terminating the sewing processing has been performed (YES at Step S 19 ), the sewing processing is terminated. If the panel operation for terminating the sewing processing has not been performed (NO at Step S 19 ), the processing returns to Step S 15 . Then it is continuously determined whether the panel operation for staring the image capture has been performed. 
     If the panel operation for starting the image capture has been performed (YES at Step S 15 ), the image of the work cloth  100  is captured by the image sensor  50  (Step S 17 ). The captured image is stored in the captured image storage area  212  of the RAM  63 . Next, processing is performed that detects the marker  120  that has been affixed onto the work cloth  100  based on the stored captured image (Step S 21 ). An example of the detection processing will be explained below. 
     A method for detecting the marker  120  based on the captured image will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 15 and 16 . First, two-dimensional coordinates in an image coordinate system are computed for the first circle  101  and the second circle  102  of the marker  120  (refer to  FIG. 10 ). The image coordinate system is a coordinate system for the image that has been captured by the image sensor  50 . The two-dimensional coordinates in the image coordinate system are computed based on a position in the image. Specifically, circumferences of a circle  161  and a circle  162  are identified in the captured image, as shown in  FIG. 15 , for example, by Hough transform processing, which is a known technique. The coordinates of a center  163  of the circle  161  and a center  164  of the circle  162 , and radii of the circle  161  and the circle  162  are computed. At this point, a circle that is included in a pattern or the like of the work cloth  100  itself may be identified in addition to the first circle  101  and the second circle  102  of the marker  120 . Hereinafter, coordinates that are computed for a center of a circle are indicated as (a, b) (for example, (a1, b1), (a2, b2), (a3, b3), and the like), and a radius that is computed for a circle is indicated as r (for example, r1, r2, r3, and the like). 
     A Harris operator, for example, which is a known technique, is used to compute coordinates  171  to  180  of corners, from the captured image, as shown in  FIG. 16 . Here, the corner refers to an intersection point at which a plurality of edges (portions that are each formed of a line, such as a contour) intersect with each other, among portions such as borderlines where brightness changes suddenly. Hereinafter, the computed coordinates of the corners are indicated as (s, t) (for example, (s1, t1, (s2, t2), (s3, t3), and the like). 
     The coordinates (a, b) of the center of the circle and the radius r of the circle, which are obtained by the Hough transform processing, are compared with the coordinates (s, t) of the corner, which are obtained by the Harris operator. In a case where coordinates (s, t) correspond to coordinates (a, b) and where coordinates (s, t) correspond to coordinates of a position whose distance from the coordinates (a, b) is equal to a radius r, it is determined that the coordinates (s, t) that correspond to the coordinates (a, b) are the coordinates of the center of a circle in the marker  120  that is shown in  FIG. 10 , and it is determined that the coordinates (s, t) that correspond to the coordinates of the position whose distance from the coordinates (a, b) is equal to the radius r are coordinates of an intersection point of a circumference of the circle and a line segment. Accordingly, it is determined that the coordinates (s, t) that correspond to the coordinates (a, b) are the coordinates of the center of one of the first circle  101  and the second circle  102 . Further, it is determined that the coordinates (s, t) that correspond to the coordinates of the position whose distance from the coordinates (a, b) is equal to the radius r are either: (i) the coordinates of the intersection point of the first circle  101  and one of the line segments  103  and  104 ; or (ii) the coordinates of the intersection point of the second circle  102  and one of the line segments  103  and  105 . Of the coordinates (s, t) that are the coordinates of the center of one of the first circle  101  and the second circle  102 , the coordinates that correspond to the center of the circle for which the value of the radius r that has been obtained by the Hough transform processing is greater are identified as the coordinates (i, j) of the center of the first circle  101 . On the other hand, the coordinates that correspond to the center of the circle for which the value of the radius r is smaller are identified as the coordinates (I, J) of the center of the second circle  102 . The coordinates of the centers of the first circle  101  and the second circle  102  in the marker  120  that is affixed onto the work cloth  100  are thus detected by performing the image processing that is described above. 
     Next, three-dimensional coordinate conversion processing is performed for the coordinates of the centers of the first circle  101  and the second circle  102  that have been computed. In the three-dimensional coordinate conversion processing, two-dimensional coordinates of the image coordinate system are converted into three-dimensional coordinates of an embroidery coordinate system (a world coordinate system). The embroidery coordinate system is the coordinate system of the X-axis motor  83  and the Y-axis motor  84 , which move the carriage (not shown in the drawings). In the present embodiment, the embroidery coordinate system previously corresponds to the actual three-dimensional coordinate system (the world coordinate system). The three-dimensional coordinate conversion processing may be performed using a known method. Coordinates (P1, Q1, R1) of the center of the first circle  101  and coordinates (P2, Q2, R2) of the center of the second circle  102  are computed by performing the three-dimensional coordinate conversion processing. 
     A marker position and a marker angle of the marker  120  are computed. The marker position is defined as coordinates of the center of the first circle  101  in relation to an origin point (the needle drop point). The marker angle is defined as the angle of a vector from the center of the first circle  101  to the center of the second circle  102  in relation to the X direction. The marker position of the detected marker  120  is specified as (P1, Q1, R1) based on the coordinates of the center of the identified first circle  101 . In the present embodiment, the Z axis coordinate of a point on the work cloth  100  is defined as zero (a fixed value). Therefore, based on the coordinates (P1, Q1, R1) of the center of the identified first circle  101  and the coordinates (P2, Q2, R2) of the center of the second circle  102 , a marker angle θ 2  of the detected marker  120  is obtained as θ 2 =tan −1  ((Q1−Q2)/(P1−P2)). 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , if the marker position and the marker angle have not been specified for failure of the detection processing at Step S 21  (NO at Step S 23 ), a screen for indicating that the marker  120  has not been detected is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) (Step S 25 ). The sewing processing is then terminated. 
     If the detection processing at Step S 21  has been successfully performed and the marker position and the marker angle have been specified (YES at Step S 23 ), in order for the second pattern to be sewn adjacent to the first pattern, the work cloth  100  may be temporarily removed from the embroidery frame  34 . Then the work cloth  100  may be moved such that the area of the work cloth  100  where the second pattern will be sewn (the area to the right of the portion where the first E1 pattern  142  has been sewn) is roughly in the center of the embroidery frame  34 , and the work cloth  100  may be once again held by the embroidery frame  34 . 
     The state in which the work cloth  100  has been repositioned will be explained with reference to  FIG. 17 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the work cloth  100  is in a state in which the work cloth has been moved to the left by a distance that is almost equal to the length of the embroidery frame  34  in the right-left direction. The right edge portion of the first E1 pattern  142  that has the shape of the left half of the letter “A” is disposed in an area of the work cloth  100  that is close to the left edge of the embroidery frame  34 . The marker  120  is affixed onto a portion of the work cloth  100  that is close to the lower left corner of the embroidery frame  34 . The line segment  103  of the marker  120  is in a state in which the rear end (the upper side of the page in  FIG. 17 ) of the line segment  103  in the Y direction is inclined slightly to the right. In other words, the work cloth  100  is held by the embroidery frame  34  in a state in which the rear side of the work cloth  100  in the Y direction is inclined slightly to the right, compared to the state before the work cloth  100  is repositioned. In  FIG. 17 , the broken lines indicate the planned sewing position for the second E1 pattern  143  that will be sewn next. In  FIG. 17 , in the same manner as in  FIG. 14 , the portion of the work cloth  100  that extends beyond the embroidery frame  34  has been omitted from the drawing. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , if the marker position and the marker angle have been specified (YES at Step S 23 ), a determination is made as to whether a panel operation for starting the image capture of the work cloth  100  by the image sensor  50  has been performed (Step S 27 ). If the panel operation for starting the image capture has not been performed (NO at Step S 27 ), a determination is made as to whether the panel operation for terminating the sewing processing has been performed (Step S 31 ). If the panel operation for terminating the sewing processing has been performed (YES at Step S 31 ), the sewing processing is terminated. If the panel operation for terminating the sewing processing has not been performed (NO at Step S 31 ), the processing returns to Step S 27 . Then it is continuously determined whether the panel operation for starting the image capture has been performed. 
     If the panel operation for starting the image capture has been performed (YES at Step S 27 ), the image of the work cloth  100  is captured by the image sensor  50  (Step S 29 ). The captured image is stored in the captured image storage area  212  of the RAM  63 . Next, the processing is performed that detects the marker  120  that has been affixed onto the work cloth  100  based on the stored captured image (Step S 33 ). The same method as the method that is used at Step S 21 , for example, may be used for the detection processing. The coordinates of the centers of the first circle  101  and the second circle  102  that are identified by the detection processing are indicated as (L1, M1, N1) and (L2, M2, N2), respectively. 
     In a case where the detection processing has been performed at Step S 33 , the marker position and the marker angle of the marker  120  are computed. A marker position of the detected marker  120  is specified as (L1, M1, N1) based on the coordinates of the center of the identified first circle  101 . Based on the coordinates (L1, M1, N1) of the center of the identified first circle  101  and the coordinates (L2, M2, N2) of the center of the second circle  102 , a marker angle θ 3  of the detected marker  120  is obtained as θ 3 =tan −1  ((M2−M1)/(L2−L1)). 
     If the marker position and the marker angle of the marker  120  have not been specified for failure of the detection processing at Step S 33  (NO at Step S 35 ), the screen for indicating that the marker  120  has not been detected is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) (Step S 37 ). The sewing processing is then terminated. 
     If the detection processing at Step S 33  has been successfully performed and the marker position and the marker angle of the marker  120  have been specified (YES at Step S 35 ), the difference between the marker positions that have been specified at Steps S 21  and S 33  and the difference between the marker angles that have been specified at Steps S 21  and S 33  are computed, as shown in  FIG. 13  (Step S 39 ). The differences correspond to the distance that the work cloth  100  has been moved, and may be computed as described below, for example. 
     The amount of change in the marker position in the X direction is indicated as Px, and the amount of change in the marker position in the Y direction is indicated as Py. In this case, based on the marker positions before and after the work cloth  100  is repositioned, the amounts of changes Px and Py are obtained as follows.
         Px=(L1−P1)   Py=(M1−Q1)   In the present embodiment, the Z coordinate of a point on the work cloth  100  is defined as zero (a fixed value), so an amount of change in the Z direction may not be computed.       

     The amount of change in the marker angle is indicated as θ 4 . In this case, based on the marker angles before and after the work cloth  100  is repositioned, the amount of change θ 4  in the marker angle is obtained as θ 4 =(θ 3 −θ 2 ). After the differences (the amounts of the changes) have been computed (Step S 39 ), the marker  120  that has been affixed onto the work cloth  100  may be peeled off the work cloth  100  by the user. The processing then advances to Step S 41 . 
     The second embroidery data for the second pattern that corresponds to the first pattern that has already been sewn is read out from the embroidery data table  2021  (Step S 41 ). The second embroidery data that has been read out is stored in the selected data storage area  211  of the RAM  63 . Next, the coordinate data in the second embroidery data that is stored in the selected data storage area  211  is converted based on the differences that have been computed at Step S 39  (Step S 43 ). The converted coordinate data is stored in the selected data storage area  211  as the coordinate data in the second embroidery data. 
     The conversion of the coordinate data may be performed as described below, for example. The second E1 data that has been read out from the embroidery data table  2021  is stored in the selected data storage area  211 . The second E1 data that is stored in the selected data storage area  211  is converted based on the computed differences (Px, Py, θ 4 ). 
     In a case where the coordinate data for the converted second E1 data is indicated as (Bx′, By′), the coordinate data is obtained as follows.
         Bx′=(Bx−L1) cos θ 4 −(By−M1) sin θ 4 +L1+Px   By′=(Bx−L1) sin θ 4 +(By−M1) cos θ 4 +M1+Py   The obtained coordinate data (Bx′, By′) is stored in the selected data storage area  211  of the RAM  63  as the coordinate data for the second E1 data.       

     As described above, the second embroidery data is converted based on the computed differences. The differences correspond to the distance that the work cloth  100  has been moved when the work cloth  100  was repositioned. The distance that the work cloth  100  has been moved is added to the coordinate data in the second embroidery data in a case where the work cloth  100  has been repositioned. Accordingly, the converted second embroidery data indicates the position that is adjacent to the first pattern that has already been sewn on the work cloth  100 , even after the work cloth  100  has been repositioned. 
     For example, the coordinate data in the second E1 data before the conversion indicates coordinates that show positions that are shown by the broken lines in  FIG. 14 . On the other hand, in a case where the first embroidery data has not been converted at Step S 7 , the coordinate data in the second E1 data that has been converted based on the computed differences for the marker  120  whose image was captured indicate coordinates that shows positions that are shown by the broken lines in  FIG. 17 . 
     Next, a determination is made as to whether the first embroidery data has been converted at Step S 7  (refer to  FIG. 11 ) as a result of the sewing position, the sewing angle, and the like of the first pattern being changed from the default states (Step S 45 ). If the first embroidery data has been converted (YES at Step S 45 ), the second embroidery data is converted based on parameters for the conversion of the first embroidery data which has been used at Step S 7  (Step S 47 ). The converted coordinate data is stored in the selected data storage area  211  of the RAM  63  as the coordinate data in the second embroidery data. The processing then advances to Step S 49 . If the first embroidery data has not been converted (NO at Step S 45 ), the processing advances to Step S 49  without any particular processing performed. 
     At Step S 47 , the conversion of the second embroidery data may be performed as described below, for example. It is assumed that the parameter for the conversion of the first embroidery data is defined as (Ox, Oy, θ 1 ), as shown, for example, in the method for converting the coordinate data at Step S 7  (refer to  FIG. 11 ). In a case where the coordinate data for the second E1 data for the second E1 pattern  143  that has been moved and rotated is indicated as (Bx″, By″), the coordinate data is obtained as follows.
         Bx″=(Bx′+Ox) cos θ 1 −(By′+Oy) sin θ 1      By″=(Bx′+Ox) sin θ 1 +(By′+Oy) cos θ 1      The obtained coordinate data (Bx″, By″) is stored in the selected data storage area  211  of the RAM  63  as the coordinate data for the second E1 data.       

     As described above, in a case where the coordinate data in the first embroidery data has been converted, the coordinate data in the second embroidery data is converted based on the conversion parameter that is used for the conversion of the first embroidery data. Accordingly, the coordinate data in the converted second embroidery data indicates the position that is adjacent to the first pattern that has been sewn based on the converted first embroidery data. 
     Next, a determination is made as to whether the sewing start-and-stop switch  21  has been pressed (Step S 49 ). If the sewing start-and-stop switch  21  has not been pressed (NO at Step S 49 ), a determination is made as to whether the panel operation for terminating the sewing processing has been performed (Step S 53 ). If the panel operation for terminating the sewing processing has been performed (YES at Step S 53 ), the sewing processing is terminated. If the panel operation for terminating the sewing processing has not been performed (NO at Step S 53 ), the processing returns to Step S 49 . Then it is continuously determined whether the sewing start-and-stop switch  21  has been pressed. 
     If the sewing start-and-stop switch  21  has been pressed to start the work of sewing (YES at Step S 49 ), processing for sewing the second E1 pattern  143  on the work cloth  100  is performed based on the converted second embroidery data that is stored in the selected data storage area  211  (Step S 51 ). Thus the second pattern is sewn in the position that is adjacent to the first pattern on the work cloth  100  that is held by the embroidery frame  34 . The sewing processing is then terminated. 
     An example of the work cloth  100  in a state in which the second E1 pattern  143  has been sewn after the first E1 pattern  142  was sewn will be explained with reference to  FIG. 18 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the second E1 pattern  143  has been sewn on the work cloth  100  such that the second E1 pattern  143  abuts the right edge portion of the first E1 pattern  142  that has the shape of the left half of the letter “A”. Because the coordinate data in the second E1 data has been converted based on the result of the detection of the marker  120  whose image was captured, the second E1 pattern  143  is sewn adjacent to the first E1 pattern  142  without any misalignment. This allows the E1 pattern  140  that has the shape of the letter “A” to be sewn on the work cloth  100 . 
     As explained above, in the present embodiment, the distance that the work cloth  100  has been moved in relation to the embroidery frame  34  when the work cloth  100  was repositioned is detected. Based on the detected distance, the second embroidery data for the second pattern is converted. Based on the converted second embroidery data, the second pattern is sewn. This makes it possible for the separately sewn second pattern to be disposed adjacent to the first pattern that has already been sewn on the work cloth  100  without any misalignment. Therefore, even in a case where an embroidery pattern is divided into a plurality of sub-patterns and is sewn on the work cloth  100  in several batches, the sub-patterns may be positioned adjacent to one another without any misalignment. It is also possible to sew accurately an embroidery pattern that is too large to fit within the embroidery frame  34  in several batches. 
     An adhesive is applied to the marker  120  that is used for detecting the distance of movement. The marker  120  may be used by being affixed onto the work cloth  100 . In a case where the marker  120  is no longer needed after the sewing has been performed, the marker  120  may be easily peeled off the work cloth  100 . It is therefore possible to prevent the marker  120  from interfering with the sewing work. It is also easy to change the position of the marker  120 . 
     The sewing machine  1  according to the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment that is described above, and various modifications are possible. In the present embodiment, the embroidery pattern is divided into two sub-patterns in advance, and the embroidery data that correspond to each of the sub-patterns (the first embroidery data and the second embroidery data) is stored in the embroidery data table  2021 . However, the number of the sub-patterns is not limited to two. The embroidery pattern may be divided into three sub-patterns in advance, and the embroidery data that correspond to each of the sub-patterns may be stored in the embroidery data table  2021 . 
     For example, the embroidery pattern may not be divided in advance and only the embroidery data that corresponds to the entire embroidery pattern may be stored in the embroidery data table  2021 . In a case where the embroidery pattern is divided into a plurality of sub-patterns and is sewn in several batches, the embroidery data that corresponds to each of the sub-patterns may be generated. The division of the embroidery pattern may be performed based on a panel operation by the user. 
     The sewing machine according to the present disclosure may be used in a case where an embroidery pattern of the letter “W” is repeatedly sewn on the work cloth  100  such that a plurality of the letters “W” are disposed adjacent to one another, for example “WWWWW”. In such a case, the embroidery pattern “W” that is sewn first may be defined as the first pattern, and the “W” that is sewn next may be defined as the second pattern. In this case, the first pattern and the second pattern are the same, so the first embroidery data and the second embroidery data may be the same. After the first pattern “W” is sewn, the work cloth  100  may be repositioned as necessary. Then the distance that the work cloth  100  has been moved may be computed, and the coordinate data in the second embroidery data for the second pattern “W” that will be sewn next may be converted based on the computation result. After the second pattern “W” has been sewn, the same sort of processing may be repeated using the embroidery pattern “W” that will be sewn next as the second pattern. Thus a plurality of the embroidery pattern may be sewn adjacent to one another without any misalignment. 
     It may be not necessary to detect the marker angles and to compute the difference of the marker angles, depending on the way that the work cloth  100  is repositioned. In such a case, only the marker positions may be detected, and the difference of the marker positions may computed. Alternatively, only the marker angles may be detected, and the difference between the marker angles may be computed. 
     In the present embodiment, the embroidery frame  34  holds the work cloth  100  by clamping the work cloth  100  with the inner frame and the outer frame. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-105138 discloses an embroidery frame and a detection device, the relevant portions of which are herein incorporated by reference. Although a detailed explanation is not given here, the embroidery frame that is described in the above publication is provided with an upper frame and a lower frame. A work cloth is clamped and held between the upper frame and the lower frame such that the work cloth is pressed from above and below. Furthermore, the embroidery frame that is described in the above publication includes a detection device that detects one of an edge of the work cloth and a reference line so that embroidery patterns may be continuously sewn. In the embroidery frame that is described in the above publication, when the work cloth is repositioned, it is possible to move the work cloth based on a detection result of the detection device. In such a case, parallel movement of the work cloth may be possible. In a case where the embroidery frame that is described in the above publication is used, it is not necessary to detect the marker angles and to compute the difference of the marker angles. Therefore only the marker positions may be detected and the difference of the marker positions may be computed. 
     In the present embodiment, the embroidery frame  34  is provided with a single attaching portion, which may be attached to and detached from the carriage of the embroidery frame transfer unit  92 . However, a plurality of attaching portions may be provided in a plurality of positions where the embroidery frame  34  may be attached to and detached from the carriage. Alternatively, the relative position where the attaching portion may be attached to the carriage, that is, the position where the embroidery frame  34  may be attached to the carriage, may be modifiable. In such cases, the distance of movement of the work cloth  100  that is held by the embroidery frame  34  in relation to the carriage may be detected by using the image sensor  50  to capture an image of the marker  120  that has been affixed onto the work cloth  100 . 
     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