Sewing machine work support system and sewing machine work support method

Abstract

To support sewing work of a sewing machine by an operator.SOLUTION: A sewing machine work support system has a display, which displays an enlarged actual image, and a processor. The processor generates the enlarged actual image for supporting a sewing work using a sewing machine, and causes the display to display the enlarged actual image so as to be superimposed on an actual image including the sewing machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a sewing work support system for a sewing machine and a sewing work support method for a sewing machine.

Background Art

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a technology using augmented reality (AR) is known for assisting the work of unskilled workers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technical field related to sewing machines, there is a demand for technology to assist the sewing work of workers.

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification aims to assist the sewing work of sewing machine operators.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This specification discloses a sewing work support system for a sewing machine. The sewing work support system for a sewing machine includes a display for displaying an augmented reality image and a processor. The processor generates an augmented reality image for assisting the sewing work using the sewing machine and causes the display to display the augmented reality image so as to be superimposed on a real image including the sewing machine.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, the sewing work of sewing machine operators is supported.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present technology is not limited to the embodiments. The components of the embodiments described below can be combined as appropriate. Also, some components may not be used.

[0010] [Work Support System] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing a work support system for a sewing machine 1 according to an embodiment. The work support system supports the sewing work of an operator of the sewing machine 1 using augmented reality (AR: Augmented Reality). In the following description, augmented reality is abbreviated as AR as appropriate.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the sewing machine 1 includes a sewing machine head 2, a needle bar 4, a balance 5, a thread conditioner 6, a needle plate 7, a presser 8, a bobbin case 9, and a motor 10.

[0012] The needle bar 4 holds the sewing needle 3 and reciprocates in the vertical direction. The needle bar 4 is supported by the sewing machine head 2. The needle bar 4 is disposed above the needle plate 7 and can face the surface of the sewing object S. The upper thread is hung on the sewing needle 3. The sewing needle 3 has a thread passage hole through which the upper thread passes. The sewing needle 3 holds the upper thread on the inner surface of the thread passage hole. As the needle bar 4 reciprocates in the vertical direction, the sewing needle 3 reciprocates in the vertical direction while holding the upper thread.

[0013] The thread balance 5 supplies the upper thread to the sewing needle 3. The thread balance 5 is supported by the sewing machine head 2. The thread balance 5 has a balance hole through which the upper thread passes. The thread balance 5 holds the upper thread on the inner surface of the balance hole. The thread balance 5 reciprocates in the vertical direction while holding the upper thread. The thread balance 5 reciprocates in conjunction with the needle bar 4. By reciprocating in the vertical direction, the thread balance 5 pays out or pulls up the upper thread.

[0014] The thread tension regulator 6 applies tension to the upper thread. The upper thread is supplied from the thread supply source to the thread tension regulator 6. In the path through which the upper thread passes, the thread balance 5 is disposed between the sewing needle 3 and the thread tension regulator 6. The thread tension regulator 6 adjusts the tension of the upper thread supplied to the sewing needle 3 via the thread balance 5.

[0015] The needle plate 7 supports the sewing object S. The sewing needle 3 held by the needle bar 4 faces the needle plate 7. The needle plate 7 has a needle hole through which the sewing needle 3 can pass. The sewing needle 3 passing through the sewing object S supported by the needle plate 7 passes through the needle hole.

[0016] The presser 8 presses the sewing object S from above. The presser 8 is supported by the sewing machine head 2. The presser 8 is disposed above the needle plate 7 and holds the sewing object S between it and the needle plate 7.

[0017] The bobbin case 9 holds the bobbin housed in the bobbin case. The bobbin case 9 is disposed below the needle plate 7. The bobbin case 9 rotates in conjunction with the needle bar 4. The bobbin case 9 supplies the lower thread. The bobbin case 9 scoops up the upper thread from the sewing needle 3 that has passed through the sewing object S supported by the needle plate 7 and passed through the needle hole of the needle plate 7.

[0018] The motor 10 generates power. The motor 10 has a stator supported by the sewing head 2 and a rotor rotatably supported by the stator. When the rotor rotates, the motor 10 generates power. An angle sensor 12 for detecting the rotation angle of the rotor is provided on the motor 10. The power generated by the motor 10 is transmitted to each of the needle bar 4, the balance 5, and the bobbin 9 via a power transmission mechanism (not shown). The needle bar 4, the balance 5, and the bobbin 9 are interlocked. When the power generated by the motor 10 is transmitted to the needle bar 4, the needle bar 4 and the sewing needle 3 held by the needle bar 4 reciprocate in the vertical direction. When the power generated by the motor 10 is transmitted to the balance 5, the balance 5 reciprocates in the vertical direction in conjunction with the needle bar 4. When the power generated by the motor 10 is transmitted to the bobbin 9, the bobbin 9 rotates in conjunction with the needle bar 4 and the balance 5. The sewing machine 1 sews the sewing object S by the cooperation of the sewing needle 3 held by the needle bar 4 and the bobbin 9.

[0019] The upper thread from the thread supply source is passed through the thread conditioner 6 and then through the balance 5 to the sewing needle 3. When the motor 10 rotates and the needle bar 4 descends, the sewing needle 3 held by the needle bar 4 penetrates the sewing object S and passes through the needle hole provided in the needle plate 7. When the sewing needle 3 passes through the needle hole of the needle plate 7, the lower thread supplied from the bobbin 9 is hung on the upper thread hung on the sewing needle 3. With the lower thread hung on the upper thread, the sewing needle 3 rises and retreats from the sewing object S. When the sewing needle 3 penetrates the sewing object S, the sewing machine 1 stops the sewing object S. When the sewing needle 3 retreats from the sewing object S, the sewing machine 1 moves the sewing object S to the back side of the sewing machine 1. The sewing machine 1 reciprocates the sewing needle 3 while repeating the movement and stop of the sewing object S to form a seam on the sewing object S.

[0020] The sewing work support system of the sewing machine 1 includes the so-called AR glasses 20. The AR glasses 20 are worn on the head of an operator who performs sewing work using the sewing machine 1. The operator operates the sewing machine 1 to perform sewing work. When the operator operates the sewing machine 1, an AR image (augmented reality image) for supporting the sewing work using the sewing machine 1 is displayed on the AR glasses 20. The AR image is an image of the procedure of the sewing work. The AR glasses 20 display a real image including the sewing machine 1 and the AR image in a superimposed manner. By superimposing the AR image on the real image and displaying it, the sewing work of the operator is supported, and the operator can perform the sewing work properly and efficiently.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the AR glasses 20 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the AR glasses 20 include a controller 21, a sensor group 22, a camera 23, and a display 24.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the controller 21 according to the embodiment. The controller 21 includes a computer system 1000. The computer system 1000 includes a processor 1001 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory 1002 including a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage 1003, and an interface 1004 including an input / output circuit. The functions of the controller 21 are stored in the storage 1003 as a computer program. The processor 1001 reads the computer program from the storage 1003, expands it in the main memory 1002, and executes processing according to the computer program. Note that the computer program may be distributed to the computer system 1000 via a network.

[0023] The sensor group 22 detects at least the sewing machine 1. The sensor group 22 detects the state of the AR glasses 20. The sensor group 22 includes an external sensor, a position sensor, and a motion sensor. The external sensor detects the relative position (relative distance) between the AR glasses 20 and the sewing machine 1, and the outer shape of the sewing machine 1. As the external sensor, a three-dimensional sensor that detects three-dimensional data of the sewing machine 1 is exemplified. As the three-dimensional sensor, a laser scanner is exemplified. The position sensor detects the position of the AR glasses 20. As the position sensor, a GNSS receiver that detects the absolute position of the sewing machine 1 is exemplified. The motion sensor detects the movement of the AR glasses 20. As the motion sensor, an inertial sensor (IMU), an acceleration sensor, and a gyro sensor are exemplified.

[0024] The camera 23 images at least the sewing machine 1. A plurality of cameras 23 are provided. The cameras 23 are provided, for example, on the left and right parts of the AR glasses 20.

[0025] The display 24 is arranged in front of the operator's eyes. As shown in FIG. 1, the AR glasses 20 are worn on the operator's head so that the display 24 is arranged in front of the operator's eyes. The display 24 displays a real image including the sewing machine 1. The display 24 is a transmissive type. The real image in front transmitted through the transmissive display 24 is displayed on the display 24. The operator can visually recognize the real image (external world) in front through the transmissive display 24. An AR image is projected onto the display 24. The AR image is displayed on the display 24 so as to overlap the real image. The operator can visually recognize the real image with the AR image superimposed thereon.

[0026] The processor 1001 generates an AR image for assisting the sewing operation using the sewing machine 1. The processor 1001 causes the AR image to be displayed on the display 24 so that the AR image overlaps the real image including the sewing machine 1.

[0027] Next, an example of a method for generating an AR image will be described. The processor 1001 calculates the position, size, and shape of the sewing machine 1 in the real space based on the real image of the external world captured by the camera 23 and the relative position (relative distance) between the AR glasses 20 and the sewing machine 1 and the outer shape of the sewing machine 1 detected by the sensor group 22. The position of the sewing machine 1 in the real space is the three-dimensional coordinates of the sewing machine 1 in the real space. The processor 1001 generates a predetermined AR image based on the three-dimensional coordinates of the sewing machine 1 and positions the AR image on the real image so that the AR image overlaps the real image.

[0028] Since the head of the operator wearing the AR glasses 20 moves, the image captured by the camera 23 is a moving image. The processor 1001 calculates the change in the relative position between the AR glasses 20 and the sewing machine 1 based on the movement of the AR glasses 20 detected by the sensor group 22, and generates an AR image so as to overlap the real image based on the change in the relative position.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the real image and the AR image displayed on the display 24 according to the embodiment. The real image includes the sewing machine 1. The real image also includes an image 31 of the hand of the operator performing the sewing operation using the sewing machine 1. The image 31 of the hand is an image of the hand in the real space. The AR image is an image 32 showing the movement of the hand of the operator performing the sewing operation. The image 32 is displayed on the display 24 so as to overlap the real image. The image 32 is displayed on the display 24 so as to overlap the image 31.

[0030] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the image 32 is an image showing the movement of the operator's hand when sewing work was performed in the past. The processor 1001 acquires a past image that is an image showing the movement of the operator's hand when sewing work was performed in the past. The past image is stored in the storage 1003. The processor 1001 acquires the past image from the storage 1003. Note that the past image may be stored in a server disposed outside the AR glass 20. The processor 1001 may acquire the past image from the server via a wireless communication system. The processor 1001 generates the image 32, which is an AR image, based on the past image.

[0031] Note that the content and procedure of the sewing work in the past image are the same as those of the sewing work by the operator in the real space.

[0032] While visually recognizing the image 31, which is a real image, and the image 32, which is an AR image, the operator can move his or her hand so that the sewing work is properly performed. Since the operator can perform the sewing work while referring to the movement of his or her own hand in the past, the operator can utilize his or her own advantages in the past sewing work or find his or her own points for improvement. The sewing work of the operator is supported by the image 32, which is an AR image, and the operator can properly and efficiently perform the sewing work.

[0033] When the operator is an unskilled worker, the image 32 may be an image showing the movement of the hand of a skilled worker when performing sewing work. The processor 1001 acquires a skilled image that is an image showing the movement of the hand of a skilled worker when performing sewing work. The skilled image is stored in the storage 1003. The processor 1001 acquires the skilled image from the storage 1003. Note that the skilled image may be stored in a server disposed outside the AR glass 20. The processor 1001 may acquire the skilled image from the server via a wireless communication system. The processor 1001 generates the image 32, which is an AR image, based on the skilled image.

[0034] Note that the content and procedure of the sewing work in the skilled image are the same as those of the sewing work by the operator in the real space.

[0035] While visually recognizing the image 31 which is a real image and the image 32 which is an AR image, the operator can move his / her hand so that the sewing work is properly performed. Since the sewing work can be carried out while referring to the movement of the hand of the skilled operator, the operator can find his / her own points for improvement. The sewing work of the operator is supported by the image 32 which is an AR image, and the operator can properly and efficiently perform the sewing work.

[0036] [Effect] As described above, in the embodiment, the work support system of the sewing machine 1 includes a display 24 for displaying an extended reality image and a processor 1001. The processor 1001 generates an image 32 which is an AR image for supporting the sewing work using the sewing machine 1, and causes the display 24 to display the image 32 so as to be superimposed on the real image including the sewing machine 1.

[0037] According to the embodiment, since the image 32 is displayed on the display 24 so as to be superimposed on the real image, the sewing work of the operator is supported, and the operator can properly and efficiently perform the sewing work.

[0038] By displaying the image 32 showing the movement of his / her own hand in the past, the operator can perform the sewing work while referring to the movement of his / her own hand in the past, and can utilize his / her own advantages in the past sewing work or find his / her own points for improvement.

[0039] By displaying the image 32 showing the movement of the hand of the skilled operator, the operator can perform the sewing work while referring to the movement of the hand of the skilled operator, and can find his / her own points for improvement. The image 32 showing the movement of the hand of the skilled operator contributes to the training of the operator.

[0040] [Another Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a real image and an AR image displayed on a display according to another embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the real image and the AR image are displayed on the display 24 of the AR glasses 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the real image and the AR image may be displayed on a display provided in the tablet terminal 40. The processor 1001 is provided in the tablet terminal 40. The processor 1001 causes the real image and the AR image to be displayed on the display of the tablet terminal 40.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0041] 1... Sewing machine, 2... Sewing machine head, 3... Sewing machine needle, 4... Needle bar, 5... Balance, 6... Thread conditioner, 7... Needle plate, 8... Presser, 9... Bobbin, 10... Motor, 12... Angle sensor, 20... AR glasses, 21... Controller, 22... Sensor group, 23... Camera, 24... Display, 31... Image, 32... Image, 40... Tablet terminal, 1000... Computer system, 1001... Processor, 1002... Main memory, 1003... Storage, 1004... Interface, S... Sewing target.

Claims

1. A display for displaying an augmented reality image, and a processor, comprising the processor is configured to generate the augmented reality image for assisting in sewing work using a sewing machine, and cause the display to display the augmented reality image so as to be superimposed on a real image including the sewing machine, A sewing machine work support system.

2. The augmented reality image is an image showing the procedure of the sewing work, The sewing machine work support system according to claim 1.

3. The augmented reality image is an image showing the movement of the hand of an operator performing the sewing work, The sewing machine work support system according to claim 1.

4. The processor is configured to acquire a past image, which is an image showing the movement of the hand of the operator when sewing work was performed in the past, and generate the augmented reality image based on the past image, The sewing machine work support system according to claim 3.

5. The processor is configured to acquire a skilled image, which is an image showing the movement of the hand of a skilled operator when sewing work was performed, and generate the augmented reality image based on the skilled image, The sewing machine work support system according to claim 3.

6. Generating an augmented reality image for assisting in sewing work using a sewing machine, and causing the display to display the augmented reality image so as to be superimposed on a real image including the sewing machine, A sewing machine work support method.

7. The display is a transmissive display, and the real image in front of the transmissive display is displayed, The sewing machine work support system according to claim 1.

8. The display is provided on a tablet terminal, and the processor causes the display of the tablet terminal to display the real image and the augmented reality image, The sewing machine work support system according to claim 1.

Images