Electronic Sewing Machine With Vocal Instrumentalities

The invention relates to an electronic sewing machine, and more particularly to vocal instrumentalities which issue electronic composite voice as parameter with respect to operations and indications for selecting patterns to be stitched.

A conventional electronic sewing maching has been incorporated with memories of small type which enable to store a plurality of patterns and an order of generating the patterns, control shapes of the patterns, and so on. However, if the sewing machine has been multi-functioned, an operation is complicated accordingly so that the machine operator makes errors in handling operational sequences or others.

The present invention has been developed to avoid disadvantages of the prior art.

The objects of the invention are attained by a pattern selecting means including a plurality of pattern selecting switches each operated to select a pattern to be stitched; indicating means including a plurality of lamps each selectively lighted to indicate a pattern selected by a pattern selecting switch; stitch forming means for producing a selected pattern of stitches, including a needle vertically and laterally reciprocated to penetrate a fabric to be stitched and a fabric feeding device for transporting the fabric relative to the needle; operating means for the functions of the sewing machine including an operating element operated to adjust a lateral swinging movement of the needle and an operating element operated to adjust a fabric feeding amount; a central processing unit having memory means memorizing logic signals for selectively effectuating the function operating means of the sewing machine under a control of predetermined program; voice address generating means for cooperating with the central processing unit, said voice address generating means being provided with the logic circuits of voice codes for generating the instructions of voice with respect to the manipulations of the operating means and the results thereof in a predetermined order; memory storing voice parameters which are to be read out when addressed by the voice address generating means; voice synthesizing means for synthesizing the voice parameters read out from the memory to thereby generate voice wave signals; speaker means receiving the voice wave signals to announce the instructions of voice with respect to the manipulations of the generating means and the results thereof in a predetermined order.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

FIG. 1 is an outlined view of a sewing machine revealing an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit; and

FIGS. 3-A and 3-B are control flow charts.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in reference to the attached drawings. A machine body 1 is, as shown in FIG. 1, provided with pattern select switches 2, pattern indicators 3, a numeral figure indicator 4, a memory switch 5, a cancel switch 6, indicators 7, 8, a needle amplitude adjuster 9, a fabric feed adjuster 10, and lighting indicators 11, 12, an elongate indicator 13 and a speaker 14. The pattern select switches 2 constitute a ten-key. The pattern indicator 3 indicator 3 indicates by lighting pattern index to be selected by said pattern select switch 2 and the selected pattern together with the pattern number. The numeral indicator 4 indicates the number of the selected pattern in two figures, and the instant embodiment shows 30 patterns in the pattern indicator 3. The memory switch 5 is operated together with the pattern select switch 2, and is to store the plurality of the patterns in the memory. The cancel switch 6 cancels the function of the memory switch 5. The indicators 7,8 indicate operations of these switches 5, 6. The needle amplitude adjuster 9 and the fabric feed adjuster 10 are served by their pushing operation, and the amount of the former and the amount of the latter are each controlled by their rotating operation, and when further operations are made, preceding operations are returned to the automatic set of said selected patterns. The lighting indicators 11, 12 indicate that the function of their adjusters are effective.

In the sewing machine of the present embodiment, groups comprising the pattern indicators 3 are used as a satin pattern. When the satin pattern is selected, the fabric feed adjuster is worked as an elongater, and in this case when the fabric feed adjuster 10 is operated in the first operation and the feed of the pattern is controlled, the adjusting value of the first operation is locked by the pushing operation of the second operation. By this operation of the feed adjuster 10, magnification of enlargement of the elongater in the fabric feed direction can be controlled 1 time to 5 times. Then the elongater indicater 13 is lighted together with the indicator 13. The speaker 14 is for informing in voice an indication, alarm, caution or erroneous operation in relation with each of said operating parts and the indicating parts.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit incorporated in the machine body 1. The structure of the ordinary stitching function follow the contents of Japanese patent application No. 145,280/78 by the same applicants. A brief explanation will be made. A read-only-memory (ROM.sub.1) stores stitch control signals, and the other ready-only-memory (ROM.sub.2) stores program control signal for forming stitches in accordance with stitch control signals read out from the memory (ROM.sub.2), conducting ordinary functions of the sewing machine, and conducting functions relating to a later mentioned issue of voice. A central processing unit (CPU) carries out the program control basing on each of program control signals. A random access memory (RAM) temporarily stores process and result of each of the programs. (I/O) is an input-output port. A key (KEY) comprises a matrix which is designated by pushing the switches 2, 5, 6 or the adjusters 9, 10 and is read out by the central processing unit (CPU), and indicates the indicators 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13 shown by the indicator (LED) via a decoder (De) and indicates the numeral indicator 4 by numeral. Variable resisters (VRw) (VR.sub.F ) are each controlled by rotation of the adjusters 9, 10 and the data thereof are changed into digital values by an analog-digital transformer (A/D) to be given to the central processing unit (CPU). A sensor (SEN) detects rotation phase of the sewing machine, and determines the timing of stitch control, as well as detects the position of a control motor driving a stitch control device, and gives these signals to the central processing unit (CPU). A vocal signal memory (ROM.sub.3) comprises commercial tips, and stores vocal parameters concerning voice-issue. A vocal composite device (SYN) comprises commercial tips, and reads out the vocal parameter from the vocal signal memory (ROM.sub.3), and gives the read parameter as a vocal wave signal to the speaker 14 via an amplifier (AMP). The central processing unit (CPU) carries out the program control which also works functions as the vocal address code generating device for reading out from the vocal signal memory (ROM.sub.3).

An explanation will be made to actuation of the above mentioned structure in reference to the control flow chart. In FIG. 3-A, when the program is started and receives an input of the key (KEY) and if this input is made by the ten-key, i.e., by operation of the pattern selecting switch 2, the memory stores a pattern number of two-figure numeral effected by two operations. If the pattern number is not a cancelled or added keyword, a lamp is lighted in correspondence to the selected pattern, and the number of the selected pattern is lighted in the numeral indicator 4. The vocal address corresponding to said pattern number is extracted by the central processing unit (CPU). Subsequently, the voice output program shown in a sub-routine (a) is started, and the vocal address is given to the vocal signal memory (ROM.sub.3) via the vocal composite device (SYN). The vocal composite device (SYN) reads out in succession the vocal parameters corresponding to said vocal address from the memory (ROM.sub.3) and changes them into vocal wave signals and gives to the speaker 14. In this case, the speaker says, e.g., "BLIND STITCH", and since this is not an elongater, the program is finished. If said key input is not due to the operation of the pattern select switch 2, a discrimination is made as to whether or not the key input is a memory editing mode in FIG. 3-B via a juncture (1). This fact means that if a routine shown with "97" or "99" is not performed it is not a memory editing mode. For example, when a memory stitch is carried out and when the memory switch 5 is operated, one of the selected patterns is stored, and in this case, the speaker says "MEMORY" via a juncture (2). A plurality of patterns are successively stored by combination of the pattern selection and the memory designation operation, and the voice is issued each time as said. When the cancel switch 6 is operated, cancellation is made on a stored pattern by the memory switch 5 operated prior to the cancel switch 6, and "CANCELLED" is issued in voice. When the needle amplitude adjuster 9 is once pushed, "AMPLITUDE MANUAL" is voiced, and when further pushed, "AMPLITUDE AUTO" is issued. If the fabric feed adjuster 10 is once pushed, "FEED MANUAL" is said, and if further pushed and the selected pattern is not the satin pattern, "FEED AUTO" is voiced as in the operation of the needle amplitude adjuster 9. If it is the satin pattern and is not the preceding elongater, the voice of "ELONGATOR" is issued. When the value of the variable resistor is changed by rotation of the fabric feed adjuster 10, the magnification of the elongator is determined which is divided into 5 steps basing on the rotation of the fabric feed adjuster 10 by the sub-routine of the elongater shown with (b) in FIG. 3-B, and "SECOND", "THIRD" or others are voiced. In the present embodiment when the designations by the operation of the pattern select switch 2 are 97, 98, 99, those are made key-words of cancelled or added designations for the operater to alter part of the stored patterns or correct the memory order, and if they are the key-words, the program waits for a next key-input. If they are made by operation other than the memory switch 5, a flag of one figure is set and the program returns to a juncture (3). If they are made by operation of the memory switch 5, and said key word is 97, a designation is made for confirming the memory content, and a pointer 1 where the order of the pattern included in the memory (RAM) is stored, is preset. For example, if the name and order of the stored pattern are shown with the names of A, B, C, E, F, for the pointers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, the pointers are counted up in succession, and the names of A, B, C, . . . are voiced and the program is finished at determined timing. Although not shown in the flow chart, the key-input is the memory editing mode during the above mentioned operating period, and this mode is released by said finishing. The key-word 98 designates cancel and addition of the stored patterns, and will be a memory editing mode when said designation is made and "STORED MEMORY IS RELEASED AND ADDITION IS OK" is issued in voice, and the name of the pattern corresponding to the pointer 1 is voiced. If the machine controller (not shown) is not operated and the memory switch 5 is operated continuously, this is a designation for counting up each time of operating the pointer, and the name of the pattern and the memory order are voiced successively each time of the operation. When the cancel switch 6 is operated, this operation is designated of cancelling the pattern in said memory order, and this is cancelled and the name of the cancelled pattern is voiced. During or before the process of said counting-up, when the pattern number is designated by the pattern selecting switch 2, the patterns in the memory order are changed and this fact is voiced. When the controller is operated in the memory editing mode, an expression that it is not a stitching mode, is voiced to issue warning. In the memory editing mode, when the key word 99 is designated by the pattern select switch 2, "STORED PATTERN IS CHANGED" is voiced and the editing mode is released.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also fine a useful application in other types of electronic sewing machines.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an electronic sewing machine, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.