Sewing support method, sewing support program, storage medium and sewing device

Abstract

To provide: a sewing support method which performs confirmation of the effect on handling a failure that occurred before without causing a large load and labor on an operator, and which can quickly improve the failure; a sewing support program; a storage medium; and a sewing device.SOLUTION: A CPU of a portable terminal arrays a plurality of improvement approaches according to the type of failure based on first state data acquired from a sewing device, and displays it. A user selects an improvement approach, and achieves improvement of the failure according to the presented improvement plan. After the improvement, the CPU starts a reminder. When elapsed time or the production number reaches a set number after the improvement by the reminder (S63: YES), at a display part, "please image a code image of the sewing machine" is displayed (S64). According to the reminder, second state data regarding the state of the sewing device is acquired. The CPU compares the second state data with the first state data, and determines presence / absence of the effect with respect to the failure improvement of the improvement approach presented first.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sewing support method, a sewing support program, a storage medium, and a sewing device for supporting sewing. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which a manufacturer's service department creates failure analysis data based on sewing machine sewing parameters or failure data acquired via the Internet and distributes the data to the sewing machine. An operator can optimize the sewing machine system based on the distributed failure analysis data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-177673 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When verifying the countermeasures after a predetermined time has elapsed or after a predetermined number of productions have been made after dealing with the problem, if the operator is busy dealing with problems in other sewing machines during that time, there is a possibility that the operator will forget to verify the countermeasures while waiting for the predetermined time to elapse or the predetermined number of productions to be made.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sewing support method, a sewing support program, a storage medium, and a sewing device that can confirm the effectiveness of measures taken to address previous problems without placing a heavy burden or effort on the worker, and that can quickly improve the problem. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing support method for supporting sewing by a sewing device using a mobile terminal, the sewing support method comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring data on various states of the sewing device as first status data from the sewing device, an analysis step of analyzing the first status data, a response presentation step of extracting, from a plurality of improvement steps that correlate causes of various states with improvements to the respective states and contribute to improving the various states, the improvement steps corresponding to the analysis results as countermeasures, and presenting the extracted countermeasures on a screen of the mobile terminal in accordance with a predetermined adaptation order for the improvement steps, a timing setting step of setting, in a timer, a condition for notifying the sewing device of a time to verify the effect of executing the countermeasures, a second acquisition step of acquiring data on various states of the sewing device as second status data from the sewing device after the countermeasures have been presented based on the timer, a first determination step of determining whether the countermeasures are effective based on the first status data and the second status data, and a first change step of changing the adaptation order for the improvement steps based on the determination result.

[0007] When a malfunction or the like occurs in the sewing device, the mobile device acquires and analyzes data related to the malfunction as first status data, and presents improvement measures corresponding to the analysis results as countermeasures. At this time, the mobile device presents the countermeasures according to a preset adaptation order. After the user addresses the malfunction according to the adaptation measures, if a condition set in the timer is met, the mobile device acquires the status of the sewing device as second status data and compares it with the first status data. Based on the comparison result, the mobile device changes the adaptation order of the countermeasures that were effective in resolving the malfunction. As a result, when a similar malfunction occurs next time or later, the mobile device can present previously effective countermeasures with a higher priority. By updating the adaptation order, the mobile device can reduce the number of attempts the user needs to make to resolve the malfunction the next time a malfunction occurs, thereby enabling the malfunction to be resolved more quickly. Furthermore, by presenting highly effective countermeasures with a higher priority, the mobile device can make it easier for even users who are unfamiliar with resolving malfunctions to select an appropriate countermeasure. Furthermore, by setting conditions for acquiring second status data in the timer, the effectiveness of the countermeasures is checked not immediately after the countermeasures are implemented, but after a certain period of time according to the conditions or after production has progressed, so that the mobile terminal can more accurately determine whether the countermeasures are effective.

[0008] In a first aspect, the first status data and the second status data may include at least one of setting data indicating setting values ​​of sewing parameters and defect data indicating a defect. The sewing device may include a display device and may display a status image on the display device, the status image being encoded with at least one of the setting data and the defect data. The first and second acquisition steps may include a photographing step of photographing the status image and a decoding step of decoding the first status data or the second status data from the photographed status image. The portable terminal may acquire the first status data and the second status data by photographing the status image displayed by the sewing device and decoding the data. This eliminates the need for a separate connection to the sewing device, as compared to, for example, a wired or wireless connection to the sewing device. Therefore, the portable terminal may acquire the first status data and the second status data from multiple types of sewing devices and present appropriate response procedures for each.

[0009] In the first aspect, if the analysis result of the analysis step indicates that the first status data does not include the defect data, the mobile terminal may further include an information presenting step of presenting multiple types of defects on the screen of the mobile terminal. For example, if the sewing device is unable to detect a defect discovered by the user, the terminal device presents the types of defects to the user so that the user can select one. The mobile terminal can then promptly improve the defect by allowing the user to respond to the defect according to the displayed response measures.

[0010] In a first aspect, the mobile terminal may include a first receiving step of receiving a selection of a type of defect corresponding to the state of the sewing device from a plurality of types of defects displayed on the screen, a plurality of countermeasures including causes of defects causing the selected type of defect and solutions therefor, presented on the screen in accordance with the suitability ranking in the solution presenting step, and then a narrowing down step of selecting one or more countermeasures that exhibit symptoms according to the state of the sewing device, a second receiving step of receiving a selection of the countermeasure corresponding to the state of the sewing device from the narrowed down countermeasures, and an improvement presenting step of presenting the determined countermeasure on the screen of the mobile terminal.The mobile terminal can further narrow down the countermeasures appropriate for the content of the defect from the countermeasures including causes of the defect selected by the user, thereby achieving quicker and more reliable improvement of the defect.

[0011] In the first aspect, the method may further include a prompt display step of displaying on the screen of the mobile device a prompt to acquire the second status data from the sewing device by the second acquisition step when the condition set in the timer is satisfied. The mobile device prompts the user to acquire the second status data when the condition set in the timer is satisfied. The condition may be, for example, when a certain amount of time has passed since the previous problem was addressed or when a certain amount of production has been performed. Therefore, the user can recall verifying the effectiveness of the countermeasures applied to the previous problem even if they have forgotten to do so by receiving the prompt to acquire the second status data as a reminder. By prompting the user to verify the effectiveness of the countermeasures, the mobile device can appropriately change the application priority of the countermeasures, thereby more reliably addressing the problem.

[0012] In the first aspect, in the timing setting step, a count value prepared in advance for each improvement measure may be set in the timer as the condition. The mobile terminal prepares a count value in advance for each improvement measure as the condition to be set in the timer. Therefore, by verifying the effectiveness of the response measures at an appropriate time for each improvement measure, the mobile terminal can appropriately change the application order of the response measures and more reliably respond to the defect.

[0013] In a first aspect, the method may include a first storing step of storing the remedy selected in the second receiving step in a storage device of the mobile terminal in association with the first status data, a second storing step of storing the determination result of the effectiveness in the storage device in association with the first status data, and a list display step of displaying a list of the remedy associated with the first status data and the effectiveness on the screen of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal can display a list of the remedy and the effectiveness as a history of previous attempts to correct defects in the sewing device. Therefore, the user can quickly correct the defect based on the history.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing support method for supporting sewing by a sewing device using a mobile terminal, the sewing support method comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring data on various states of the sewing device from the sewing device as first status data, an analysis step of analyzing the first status data, a response presentation step of extracting, from a plurality of improvement measures that contribute to improving various states, the improvement measures that correspond to the analysis results as response measures, and presenting the extracted response measures on a screen of the mobile terminal in accordance with a predetermined adaptation order for the improvement measures, a timing setting step of setting, in a timer, a condition for notifying the sewing device of a time to verify the effect of executing the response measures, a second acquisition step of acquiring data on various states of the sewing device from the sewing device as second status data after the response measures are presented based on the timer, a determination step of analyzing the second status data and determining whether the condition set in the timer is satisfied, a second determination step of determining whether the response measures are effective based on the first status data and the second status data that is determined to satisfy the condition set in the timer, and a second change step of changing the adaptation order for the improvement measures based on the determination result.

[0015] When a malfunction or the like occurs in the sewing device, the mobile device acquires and analyzes data related to the malfunction as first status data, and presents improvement measures corresponding to the analysis results as countermeasures. At this time, the mobile device presents the countermeasures according to a preset adaptation order. After the user addresses the malfunction according to the countermeasures, the mobile device acquires the status of the sewing device as second status data based on a timer. If the second status data satisfies the condition set in the timer, the mobile device compares the second status data with the first status data. Based on the comparison result, the mobile device changes the adaptation order of the countermeasures that were effective in resolving the malfunction. As a result, when a similar malfunction occurs next time or later, the mobile device can present previously effective countermeasures with a higher priority. By updating the adaptation order, the mobile device can reduce the number of attempts the user needs to make to resolve the malfunction the next time a malfunction occurs, thereby enabling the malfunction to be resolved more quickly. Furthermore, by presenting highly effective countermeasures with a higher priority, the mobile device can make it easier for even users who are unfamiliar with resolving malfunctions to select an appropriate countermeasure. Furthermore, by setting conditions for acquiring second status data in the timer, the effectiveness of the countermeasures is checked not immediately after the countermeasures are implemented, but after a certain period of time according to the conditions or after production has progressed, so that the mobile terminal can more accurately determine whether the countermeasures are effective.

[0016] In a second aspect, in the timing setting step, a count value prepared in advance for each improvement measure may be set in the timer as the condition. The mobile terminal prepares a count value in advance for each improvement measure as the condition to be set in the timer. Therefore, by verifying the effectiveness of the response measures at an appropriate time for each improvement measure, the mobile terminal can appropriately change the application order of the response measures and more reliably respond to the defect.

[0017] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing support program for causing a mobile device to function to support sewing by a sewing device, the sewing support program causing a computer of the mobile device to execute the following steps: a first acquisition step of acquiring first status data relating to various states of the sewing device from the sewing device, an analysis step of analyzing the first status data, a response presentation step of selecting, from a plurality of improvement measures contributing to improving the various states, countermeasures corresponding to the analysis results, and presenting the selected countermeasures on a screen of the mobile device in accordance with a predetermined adaptation order for the improvement measures, a timing setting step of setting a timer to a condition for notifying a time to verify the effectiveness of the implementation of the countermeasures on the sewing device, a second acquisition step of acquiring, from the sewing device, data relating to various states of the sewing device as second status data after the countermeasures have been presented based on the timer, a first determination step of determining whether the countermeasures are effective based on the first status data and the second status data, and a first change step of changing the adaptation order for the improvement measures based on the determination result.

[0018] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing support program for causing a mobile terminal that supports sewing by a sewing device to function, the program including: a first acquisition step of acquiring first status data from the sewing device, the first status data being data relating to various statuses of the sewing device; an analysis step of analyzing the first status data; a response presentation step of selecting, from a plurality of improvement measures that contribute to improving the various statuses, a countermeasure that is the improvement measure corresponding to the analysis result, and presenting the selected countermeasure measures on a screen of the mobile terminal in accordance with a predetermined adaptation order for the improvement measures; and a condition for notifying the timing for verifying the effect of executing the countermeasure measures on the sewing device. a second acquisition step of acquiring data on various states of the sewing device as second status data from the sewing device after the countermeasures are presented based on the timer, a determination step of analyzing the second status data and determining whether the second status data satisfies the condition set in the timer, a third determination step of determining whether the countermeasures are effective based on the first status data and the second status data that is determined to satisfy the condition set in the timer, and a second change step of changing the application order of the improvement measures based on the determination result.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a program for causing a computer of a mobile terminal for assisting sewing by a sewing device to execute the following operations: a first acquisition step of acquiring first status data relating to various states of the sewing device from the sewing device, an analysis step of analyzing the first status data, a response presentation step of selecting, from a plurality of improvement measures contributing to improvement of the various states, countermeasures corresponding to the analysis results and presenting the selected countermeasures on a screen of the mobile terminal in accordance with a predetermined adaptation order for the improvement measures, a timing setting step of setting a timer to a condition for notifying a time to verify the effectiveness of the implementation of the countermeasures on the sewing device, a second acquisition step of acquiring, from the sewing device as second status data, data relating to various states of the sewing device, a first determination step of determining whether the countermeasures are effective based on the first status data and the second status data, and a first change step of changing the adaptation order for the improvement measures based on the determination result, thereby achieving the same effects as the first aspect.

[0020] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a program for causing a computer of a mobile terminal for assisting sewing by a sewing device to execute the following operations: a first obtaining step of obtaining first status data relating to various states of the sewing device from the sewing device; an analysis step of analyzing the first status data; a response presenting step of selecting, from a plurality of improvement measures contributing to improvement of various states, countermeasures as the improvement measures corresponding to a result of the analysis, and presenting the selected countermeasures on a screen of the mobile terminal in accordance with a predetermined adaptation order for the improvement measures; a timing setting step of setting, in a timer, a condition for notifying a time to verify the effect of executing the countermeasures on the sewing device; a second obtaining step of obtaining, from the sewing device as second status data, data relating to various states of the sewing device after the countermeasures have been presented based on the timer; a determination step of analyzing the second status data and determining whether the condition set in the timer is satisfied; a third determination step of determining whether the countermeasures are effective based on the first status data and the second status data determined to satisfy the condition set in the timer; and a second changing step of changing the adaptation order of the improvement measures based on the determination result. Therefore, the same effect as the second aspect is achieved.

[0021] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing device in which sewing is assisted by a mobile terminal, the sewing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring, when a malfunction occurs in a sewing operation, malfunction data indicating the malfunction and setting data indicating set values ​​of sewing parameters; a generation means for generating a status image in which the malfunction data and the setting data are encoded; and a display means for displaying the status image on a display screen of a display device. By displaying the status image in which data indicating the malfunction and parameters are encoded, the sewing device can cause the mobile terminal to acquire the first status data and the second status data without establishing a wired or wireless connection with the mobile terminal.

[0022] In a seventh aspect, the sewing device may further include a receiving means for receiving an input of an instruction to generate the status image, and when the instruction to generate the status image is received, the acquiring means may acquire the setting data, and the generating means may generate the status image by encoding the setting data. Even if a defect cannot be detected, the sewing device can cause the mobile terminal to acquire the first status data and the second status data by presenting the status image of the setting data in accordance with the input instruction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a sewing support system 1 and an electrical configuration of a mobile terminal 2 and a sewing device 3. FIG. [Figure 2] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a process in which a malfunction of the sewing device 3 is corrected using the mobile terminal 2. [Figure 3] 10 is a continuation of the explanatory diagram of the process of improving a malfunction of the sewing device 3 using the mobile terminal 2. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart of a code image display process executed in the sewing device 3. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart (1 / 3) of a sewing support process executed on the mobile terminal 2. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart (2 / 3) of a sewing support process. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart (3 / 3) of the sewing support process. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a reminding process. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a history display process executed in the mobile terminal 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The following description will discuss specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that the present invention can employ, and the configurations of the devices described are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0025] An overview of the sewing support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The sewing support system 1 includes a mobile terminal 2 and a plurality of sewing devices 3. The sewing support system 1 is a system that uses the mobile terminal 2 to support dealing with various conditions that occur in the sewing devices 3. In this embodiment, the explanation will be given taking as an example a case where support for dealing with various conditions is provided by presenting a method for resolving a problem that occurs during sewing operations. Note that the various conditions are not limited to problems with sewing operations. The sewing support system 1 may also be a system that presents various information about the sewing devices 3, such as, for example, "The power won't turn on," "I don't know how to install an option," or "I want to know the contact information for support."

[0026] The electrical configuration of the mobile terminal 2 will be described. The mobile terminal 2 is a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. The mobile terminal 2 includes a CPU 21 that handles control. The CPU 21 is electrically connected to a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a storage unit 24, a display unit 26, an input unit 27, a camera 28, and a communication I / F 29 via an interface circuit. The ROM 22 stores a boot program, a BIOS, etc. The RAM 23 stores counters (including timers), flags, temporary data, etc. The storage unit 24 is a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory. The storage unit 24 stores the programs for the processes executed by the CPU 21, an OS, and various tables.

[0027] The display unit 26 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device and can display various information. The input unit 27 is, for example, a touch panel and accepts operation input. The camera 28 generates and outputs a captured image of the capture range. The communication I / F 29 includes a communication module for connecting to a LAN and a public line network via an access point (not shown), and a communication module for connecting directly to the public line network.

[0028] The electrical configuration of the sewing device 3 will be described. The sewing device 3 is equipped with a CPU 31 that controls the sewing device 3. The CPU 31 is electrically connected to a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a memory unit 34, a drive circuit 35, a display unit 37, an operation unit 38, and a sensor 39 via an interface circuit. The ROM 32 stores a boot program and the like. The RAM 33 stores a timer, a counter, a flag, temporary data, various tables, and the like. The memory unit 34 is a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory. The memory unit 34 stores programs for processing executed by the CPU 31, various tables, and the like. The sewing device 3 does not need to have all of the above electrical configuration built in. For example, part of the electrical configuration of the sewing device 3 may be connected to an external device via an interface. In this case, the sewing device 3 may have a CPU, ROM, and RAM that control the electrical configuration provided inside the sewing device 3, as well as a CPU, ROM, and RAM that control the electrical configuration provided outside the sewing device 3.

[0029] The drive circuit 35 drives the drive motor 36A in response to a signal output from the CPU 31. The drive motor 36A collectively refers to various motors, such as a main motor that synchronously drives the needle bar and the shuttle, a feed motor that moves the holding mechanism that holds the sewing workpiece in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and a thread tension motor that generates tension in the thread tension regulator. The encoder 36B detects the rotational position of the output shaft of the drive motor 36A. The display unit 37 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device and can display various information. The operation unit 38 includes a pedal, operation keys, a touch panel, etc. The sensor 39 collectively refers to various sensors that detect the status of each mechanism of the sewing device 3. For example, a magnetic sensor provided in a tension detection mechanism through which the upper thread is guided via the thread tension regulator detects the tension of the upper thread.

[0030] Malfunctions that may occur in the sewing device 3 are described below. As an example of a malfunction, the sewing device 3 may produce a sewing defect. A sewing defect indicates that a normal stitch cannot be formed during the sewing operation. Sewing defects include thread loss, skipped stitches, false stitches, and poor thread tension. A thread loss is a defect in which the upper thread comes off the needle. A skipped stitch is a failure of the hook to capture the upper thread during sewing, resulting in a normal stitch not being formed on the fabric. A false stitch is a defect in which the bobbin thread is not fed properly, resulting in a stitch being formed only by the upper thread. A thread tension defect is a mismatch between the upper and bobbin threads that form a stitch on the fabric when the take-up lever lifts the upper thread. For example, if the upper thread is too tightly entangled with the bobbin thread, the fabric near the stitch will shrink. The sewing device 3 stores detection criteria corresponding to each of thread loss, skipped stitches, false stitches, and poor thread tension in the memory unit 34. Therefore, the sewing device 3 can identify the type of sewing defect. For example, based on the tension of the upper thread detected by the magnetic sensor of the tension detection mechanism, the CPU 31 can determine whether a sewing defect has occurred, and if a sewing defect has occurred, which sewing defect has occurred: loose thread, skipped stitch, fake stitch, or poor thread tightening.

[0031] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a process for correcting a malfunction using the mobile terminal 2 when a malfunction occurs in the sewing device 3 in the sewing support system 1 will be described. When the CPU 31 of the sewing device 3 detects the occurrence of a malfunction, including a sewing defect, through a diagnosis based on the detection results of the sensor 39 and the values ​​of the encoder 36B, the CPU 31 collects malfunction data indicating the details of the detected malfunction and setting data (setting values ​​of sewing parameters) indicating the operating state of the sewing device 3 (P2). The malfunction data is data for identifying the type of malfunction. For example, if the malfunction is a sewing defect, the data indicates whether the sewing defect is a thread break, a skipped stitch, or poor thread tightening. The setting data is information indicating the current operating state of the sewing device 3, and includes the "date and time," "model name (type)," "serial number," "number of stitches," "program number being sewn," "sewing pattern," "sewing speed," "needle thread tension," "rotary hook phase," "needle height," "operating time since power-on," "operating time since shipment (cumulative)," "production number for the selected sewing pattern," "thread information," "material (fabric) information," etc. This includes the output of the sensor 39 and the value acquired by the encoder 36B during the sewing operation. As shown in Fig. 2, the CPU 31 generates a code image Q by encoding the defect data and the setting data, and displays it on the display unit 37 (P3). The code image Q is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark).

[0032] However, in a situation where the sewing device 3 is unable to detect the malfunction, the user X may notice the occurrence of the malfunction (P1). In this case, the user X operates the operation unit 38 of the sewing device 3 (P2) to display the code image Q on the display unit 37 (P3). The code image Q generated in this case is an image obtained by encoding the setting data (setting values ​​of the sewing parameters) because the sewing device 3 is unable to detect the occurrence of the malfunction.

[0033] When a defect in the sewing device 3 is improved using the mobile terminal 2, a sewing support program (app) is installed in the storage unit 24 of the mobile terminal 2. The CPU 21 of the mobile terminal 2 may acquire the sewing support program by downloading it from a provider server via a public line network, or by connecting a storage medium storing the sewing support program to the mobile terminal 2 via an external interface (not shown) and reading the sewing support program. When the sewing support program is started, the mobile terminal 2 activates the camera 28 to capture a code image Q displayed on the display unit 37 of the sewing device 3 (P4). The CPU 21 of the mobile terminal 2 decodes the captured code image Q to acquire the defect data and setting data. Note that the CPU 21 acquires only the setting data from the code image Q generated based on the operation of the user X.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, when the sewing device 3 detects a malfunction, the type of the malfunction is identified by the malfunction data. In this case, the CPU 21 of the mobile terminal 2 presents the user X with a selection screen for selecting the cause of the malfunction (P6). On the other hand, when the user X discovers a malfunction, the type of the malfunction is not identified. In this case, the CPU 21 of the mobile terminal 2 presents the user X with a selection screen for selecting the type of malfunction (P5). The types of malfunction are displayed on the display unit 26 as selection buttons that the user X can operate. When the user X selects the type of malfunction that corresponds to the malfunction that has occurred in the sewing device 3, the CPU 21 presents the user X with a selection screen for selecting the cause of the malfunction, as described above (P6).

[0035] There are multiple causes (symptoms) of a single defect. For example, if poor thread tightening occurs, possible causes of the defect include "idling of the bobbin," "needle bending at the edge of the multi-layered portion, increasing fabric resistance," "increased fabric resistance," and "fluttering of the fabric." The CPU 21 lists on the display unit 26 improvement approaches that associate the causes of the defect that cause the type of defect detected and identified by the sewing device 3 with the improvement measures, and displays them as selection buttons that can be operated by the user X.

[0036] The improvement approaches are ranked in advance for each type of defect in order of likelihood of occurrence (in order of frequency of causing the defect), and are stored in the storage unit 24. In the following description, the ranked order is referred to as the adaptation order. On the selection screen for improvement approaches displayed on the display unit 26, the improvement approaches are displayed in order (from top to bottom in the example of FIG. 3) so that the improvement approaches with higher adaptation orders are displayed at the top for easier selection. In FIG. 3, for convenience, only the causes of the defect included in the improvement approaches are displayed on the selection buttons, but the causes and improvements may also be displayed on the selection buttons.

[0037] Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the order of application of improvement approaches that were effective in resolving the problem when the sewing support program was previously executed has been changed and they are displayed at the top. Therefore, the user X can select an improvement approach that is likely to be effective in resolving the problem he or she is facing, referring to the order of the improvement approaches displayed on the display unit 26. When the user X selects an improvement approach, the CPU 21 displays the cause of the problem and the improvement measures associated with the selected improvement approach on the display unit 26 (P9). The user X aims to resolve the problem of the sewing device 3 by implementing the displayed improvement measures.

[0038] On P6 in FIG. 3, when the selection buttons for the improvement approaches indicating the cause of the defect are displayed, the display unit 26 also displays a "diagnose" button. When the user X selects the "diagnose" button, the CPU 21 displays a consultation screen on the display unit 26 to inquire of the user X about the location and circumstances of the defect, which are difficult to detect with the sewing device 3, for a more accurate diagnosis (P7). A combination of answers to the consultation and an improvement approach are associated in advance. When the user X inputs answers to the displayed questions, the CPU 21 narrows down the improvement approaches. As a result of the narrowing down, the CPU 21 displays candidate improvement approaches that may be effective for improving the defect on the display unit 26 (P8). Furthermore, the improvement approaches excluded by the narrowing down are also displayed as candidates that are unlikely to be effective for improvement, so that they remain selectable. When the user X selects one of the narrowed down improvement approaches, the CPU 21 displays the cause of the defect and the improvement measures associated with the selected improvement approach on the display unit 26 (P9). The user X implements the displayed improvement measures to improve the defect of the sewing device 3.

[0039] Furthermore, in the sewing support program, after the user corrects the malfunction in accordance with the remedy, it is determined whether the remedy is effective. The effectiveness is determined, for example, by whether the production volume resulting from the sewing operation after the remedy is implemented has increased by a predetermined number from the production volume when the malfunction occurred. The mobile terminal 2 acquires setting data again from the sewing device 3 after the malfunction is resolved to obtain information on the production volume after the malfunction is resolved. Then, the mobile terminal 2 compares the production volume included in the setting data acquired when the malfunction occurred with the production volume included in the setting data acquired after the malfunction is resolved, and if the production volume has increased by a predetermined number from the production volume when the malfunction occurred, it is determined that the remedy implemented when the malfunction occurred was effective.

[0040] In the sewing support system 1, one mobile terminal 2 manages the status of multiple sewing devices 3. Therefore, if a user implements a remedy for a malfunction that occurred in one sewing device 3 and then another malfunction occurs in a second sewing device 3 before confirming the effect of the remedy, the user may need to deal with the malfunction of the second sewing device 3, putting off confirming the effect of the remedy for the first sewing device 3. In such a case, the user may forget to confirm the effect of the remedy for the first sewing device 3. Therefore, the sewing support program executes a process of activating a reminder so that the user will remember to confirm whether or not the remedy has been effective when the remedy for the malfunction of the sewing device 3 has been implemented. When the user performs an operation to acquire setting data again from the sewing device 3 in accordance with the reminder, the sewing support program can execute a process of comparing the production volume when the malfunction occurred with the production volume after the malfunction has been resolved and determining whether or not the remedy has been effective.

[0041] The code image display process executed in the sewing device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. When a user turns on the power of the sewing device 3, the CPU 31 reads a program from the ROM 32 and starts the code image display process. The CPU 31 diagnoses various conditions, such as malfunctions, of the sewing device 3 based on the detection results of the various sensors 39 and the encoder 36B. Below, various conditions that may occur in the sewing device 3 will be described using malfunctions as an example. If no malfunction is detected (S1: NO) and no code image is displayed by user operation (S3: NO), the CPU 31 waits for processing. If a malfunction is detected (S1), the CPU 31 collects malfunction data that identifies the type of malfunction in the code image display process (S2), and then collects setting data that indicates the operating status of the sewing device 3 (S5). If the user performs an operation to display a code image (S1: NO, S3: YES), the CPU 31 does not collect malfunction data but collects setting data (S5).

[0042] The CPU 31 encodes the collected data (fault data and setting data, or setting data) to generate a code image Q (see FIG. 2) (S6). The CPU 31 displays the code image Q on the display unit 37 (S7) and returns the process to S1. Note that the code image Q will be hidden when the user operates the operation unit 38 to end the display of the code image Q, or when a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0043] 5 to 8, the sewing support process executed on the mobile terminal 2 will be described. When the user starts the sewing support app on the mobile terminal 2, the CPU 21 reads a program from the storage unit 24 and starts the sewing support process. As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 21 starts the camera 28 and reads the code image Q (S11). When the code image Q is photographed by the user's operation, the CPU 21 decodes the code image Q and restores the defect data and setting data, or the setting data (S12). For convenience of explanation, the defect data and setting data, or the setting data obtained by decoding the code image Q, will be referred to as acquired data hereinafter.

[0044] Next, based on the model name and serial number included in the acquired data, it is determined whether the sewing device 3 to be supported is a device currently undergoing troubleshooting (S13). In the sewing support process, an improvement approach for an improvement corresponding to a problem that has occurred in the sewing device 3 is presented, and after the user has corrected the problem in accordance with the improvement approach, the acquired data is again acquired from the sewing device 3 to determine whether the improvement approach is effective. For convenience, the acquired data acquired when a problem occurs is referred to as first status data. When an improvement approach is presented by a process described below, the first status data is associated with the improvement approach and stored in the storage unit 24. At that time, an identifier indicating "effectiveness being confirmed" is assigned to the first status data. For convenience, the acquired data acquired again after the presentation of the improvement approach is referred to as second status data. The second status data is stored in the storage unit 24 after it has been determined whether the improvement approach presented for the first status data is effective.

[0045] Therefore, in S13, if first status data including the model name and serial number included in the acquired data is stored in the storage unit 24 and an identifier indicating "effectiveness is being confirmed" or "effectiveness can be determined" is assigned to the first status data, the CPU 21 determines that the sewing device 3 to be supported is a device in which a malfunction is being addressed and an improvement approach has been presented (S13: YES), and proceeds to S41 (see FIG. 7). On the other hand, if first status data including the model name and serial number included in the acquired data is not stored in the storage unit 24, or if the first status data is stored but an identifier indicating "effectiveness is being confirmed" or "effectiveness can be determined" is not assigned to the first status data, the CPU 21 determines that the sewing device 3 to be supported is a device before the malfunction is addressed, i.e., before the improvement approach has been presented (S13: NO), and stores the acquired data in the storage unit 24 as first status data (S14).

[0046] Next, the CPU 21 determines whether the first status data includes defect data (S16). If the sewing device 3 detects a defect, the first status data includes defect data (S16: YES) and the type of defect is known, so the CPU 21 proceeds to S19. The CPU 21 extracts multiple improvement approaches corresponding to the identified type of defect from the improvement approaches, arranges the extracted multiple improvement approaches in order of pre-ranked adaptability (see P6 in FIG. 3), and displays them on the display unit 26 (S19). If the defect is discovered by the user, the first status data does not include defect data (S16: NO). In this case, the CPU 21 displays a selection screen (see P5 in FIG. 3) for selecting the type of defect on the display unit 26 (S17). When the user selects the type of defect (S18), the CPU 21 extracts multiple improvement approaches corresponding to the selected type of defect from the improvement approaches, arranges the extracted multiple improvement approaches in order of pre-ranked adaptability (see P6 in FIG. 3), and displays them on the display unit 26 (S19).

[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, the user selects one improvement approach suitable for improving the defect from among a plurality of improvement approaches corresponding to the defect occurring in the sewing device 3, with reference to the application order (S21: NO, S26). Alternatively, the user operates the "ask an inquiry" button to narrow down the improvement approaches suitable for improving the defect (S21: YES). In this case, the CPU 21 displays an inquiry screen (see FIG. 3, P7) on the display unit 26 (S22) and accepts input of answers (S23). When the answers to the inquiry are input, the CPU 21 displays, as a narrowed-down result, improvement approaches that are previously associated with a combination of answers on the display unit 26 (S24). At this time, the CPU 21 displays the narrowed-down improvement approaches as candidates that may be effective for improvement, and displays the excluded improvement approaches as candidates that are less likely to be effective, so that both can be selected (see FIG. 3, P8).

[0048] The user selects one improvement approach suitable for improving the defect occurring in the sewing device 3, referring to the application ranking or the narrowed-down result of the medical interview (S26). The CPU 21 displays improvement measures corresponding to the selected improvement approach on the display unit 26 (S27, see FIG. 3, P9). The user tries to improve the defect in accordance with the displayed improvement measures. Note that a "More Information" button may be provided on the display screen of the improvement measures. The "More Information" button is, for example, a link to an external site, and can connect to a video site or an explanation site that shows specific steps of the improvement measures via a public line network. The CPU 21 stores the improvement approach selected in S26 and the type of defect selected in S18 or the type of defect included in the defect data in association with the first status data stored in the storage unit 24 (S28).

[0049] The CPU 21 sets a reminder (S31). The reminder is a function that notifies the user of an appropriate time to acquire setting data from the sewing device 3 after the implementation of an improvement measure in order to determine whether the improvement measure has been effective. The reminder is set to the elapsed time since the implementation of the improvement measure or the number of productions since the implementation of the improvement measure. The elapsed time is the time to prompt the user to acquire setting data, and is set to, for example, three days (72 hours) in a timer counter. The timer counter is activated in a reminder process described below and counts the elapsed time. The number of productions is the number of productions increased from the number of productions included in the setting data acquired when the malfunction occurred. If the number of productions at the time of the malfunction was 100, for example, the production counter is set to 150. The production counter is updated by the number of productions included in the setting data every time setting data is acquired from the sewing device 3. The set elapsed time or number of productions is stored in the storage unit 24. Note that in S31, an arbitrary elapsed time or number of productions is set by a user operation. However, the reminder may also be set by the user performing an operation to approve a pre-set default elapsed time or number of productions.

[0050] The CPU 21 sets a production number as a criterion for determining whether an improvement measure is effective and stores the number in the storage unit 24 (S32). Two types of criteria are set: an "effective change number" and an "ineffective change number." The "effective change number" is a production number used as a criterion for determining that an improvement measure is effective when the increase in production from the production number at the time of the defect occurrence is greater than the "effective change number" in a state where the defect does not recur after the defect has been improved. The "ineffective change number" is a production number used as a criterion for determining that an improvement measure is ineffective when the increase in production from the production number at the time of the defect occurrence is equal to or less than the "ineffective change number" in a state where the defect recurs after the defect has been improved. Note that in S32, the "effective change number" and the "ineffective change number" are set by a user operation; however, the "effective change number" and the "ineffective change number" may also be set as criteria by the user accepting the "effective change number" and the "ineffective change number" that are set as defaults.

[0051] The CPU 21 assigns an identifier indicating "effectiveness checking" to the stored first status data (S33). Next, the CPU 21 executes a reminder process to activate a reminder (S34), and ends the sewing support process. After the user implements the improvement measures for the sewing device 3, the user resumes the sewing operation of the sewing device 3.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 8, the reminding process is a process that is executed in parallel with the sewing support process. If malfunctions occur in multiple sewing devices 3 at the same time, the reminding processes corresponding to the respective sewing devices 3 are executed in parallel by overlapping activation. When the reminding process is executed, the CPU 21 reads the elapsed time or production number set in S31 from the storage unit 24 (S61). The CPU 21 activates a counter (S62). If the elapsed time is set in S31, the CPU 21 activates a timer counter and starts measuring time. If the production number is set in S31, the CPU 21 activates the production counter and updates it with the production number included in the setting data every time the second status data is acquired in S41.

[0053] The CPU 21 waits until the timer counter measures the set elapsed time or the production counter is updated to equal or exceed the set production number (S63: NO). When the timer counter measures the elapsed time or the production counter reaches the production number (S63: YES), the CPU 21 displays "Please take a picture of the sewing machine code image" on the display unit 26 (S64). The CPU 21 also changes the identifier of the first status data to "effectiveness determination possible" (S66) and ends the reminding process. When "Please take a picture of the sewing machine code image" is displayed on the display unit 26, the model name (type) and serial number included in the setting data are also displayed. The user realizes that it is time to check whether the improvement measures taken to resolve the problem with the sewing device 3 have been effective. The user identifies the target sewing device 3 based on the model name (type) and serial number and performs an operation to display the code image Q.

[0054] When the user launches the sewing support app in response to the reminder, the CPU 21 starts the sewing support process. The CPU 21 reads the code image Q displayed on the display unit 37 of the sewing device 3 in response to a user operation (S11) and restores the acquired data (S12). In this case, the acquired data includes only the setting data. Note that if the malfunction has not been resolved despite attempts to improve the malfunction, the CPU 31 of the sewing device 3 generates a code image Q from the malfunction data and the setting data and displays it on the display unit 37. In this case, the CPU 21 of the mobile terminal 2 also reads the displayed code image Q (S11) and restores the acquired data (S12). In this case, the acquired data includes the malfunction data and the setting data.

[0055] If first status data including the model name and serial number included in the acquired data is stored in the storage unit 24 and the identifier assigned to the first status data indicates "effect checking in progress" or "effect determination possible" (S13: YES), the CPU 21 proceeds to S41. As shown in Fig. 7, the CPU 21 stores the acquired data as second status data in the storage unit 24 (S41).

[0056] If the identifier of the first status data, including the model name and serial number included in the second status data, is not "effectiveness determination possible" but "effectiveness checking in progress" (S42: NO), the CPU 21 determines that the measurement of the elapsed time or the counting of the number of products produced by the reminder has not been completed and ends the sewing support process. If the measurement of the elapsed time or the counting of the number of products produced by the reminder has been completed and the identifier of the first status data has been changed to "effectiveness determination possible" (S42: YES), the CPU 21 determines whether the second status data includes defect data (S43).

[0057] If the second status data includes defect data (S43: YES), the defect in the sewing device 3 has not yet been resolved. The CPU 21 compares the number of productions after the implementation of the improvement measures included in the setting data of the second status data with the "number of ineffective changes." If the number of productions after the implementation of the improvement measures is greater than the "number of ineffective changes" (S45: NO), the defect in the sewing device 3 may be resolved in the future, and the improvement measures are expected to be effective. In this case, the CPU 21 changes the identifier of the first status data from "effectiveness determination possible" to "effectiveness being confirmed," resets the counter, restarts the reminder (S47), and ends the sewing support process. If the number of productions after the implementation of the improvement measures is less than the "number of ineffective changes" (S45: NO), the defect in the sewing device 3 is unlikely to be resolved by the improvement measures. Therefore, the CPU 21 changes the identifier of the first status data from "effectiveness determination possible" to "ineffective" (S46), and ends the sewing support process.

[0058] If the second status data does not include defect data (S43: NO), the defect in the sewing device 3 has been resolved by the improvement measures. The CPU 21 compares the number of productions after the implementation of the improvement measures included in the setting data of the second status data with the "number of effective changes." If the number of productions after the implementation of the improvement measures is less than the "number of effective changes" (S51: NO), the defect in the sewing device 3 has been resolved, but the number of productions is insufficient to determine that the improvement measures have resolved the defect. In this case, the CPU 21 changes the identifier of the first status data from "effectiveness determination possible" to "effectiveness being confirmed," resets the counter, restarts the reminder (S47), and ends the sewing support process. If the number of productions after the implementation of the improvement measures is equal to or greater than the "number of effective changes" (S51: YES), the defect in the sewing device 3 can be determined to have been resolved by the improvement measures. Therefore, the CPU 21 changes the identifier of the first status data from "effectiveness determination possible" to "effective" (S52).

[0059] Next, the CPU 21 changes the improvement approach associated with the first status data to the first one in the application priority order that corresponds to the type of the current malfunction, which is set for each type of malfunction, and rearranges the application priority order of the other improvement approaches in ascending order (S53). Therefore, if a similar malfunction occurs next time or later, the improvement approach that was effective in improving the malfunction in the current sewing support process will be displayed at the top of the improvement approach selection screen displayed in S19. The CPU 21 then ends the sewing support process.

[0060] Incidentally, the storage unit 24 of the portable terminal 2 stores first status data and the improvement approach therefor, and second status data and whether or not it was effective, as a history of how defects in the sewing device 3 have been dealt with. For example, when a new user is in charge of managing the sewing support system 1, the user may want to refer to the improvement approach taken by the previous user. As shown in FIG. 9, when a user operates the CPU 21 of the portable terminal 2 to display the defect improvement history, the CPU 21 reads a program from the storage unit 24 and starts a history display process.

[0061] The CPU 21 reads out from the storage unit 24 the type of defect, the improvement approach, and whether or not it was effective, which are associated with the first status data (S71). In this case, the CPU 21 also reads out from the storage unit 24 information such as "date and time," "model name (type)," and "serial number," which are included in the setting data of the first status data and the second status data. The CPU 21 arranges the read information in order of date and time, and displays it as a list on the display unit 26 (S72). The displayed list of information can be rearranged, for example, by model name (type), whether or not it was effective, etc. This allows the user to check the history of defect improvements made to the sewing device 3 using the mobile terminal 2.

[0062] As described above, when a malfunction or the like occurs in the sewing device 3, the mobile terminal 2 acquires data related to the malfunction as first status data, analyzes the type of the malfunction, and presents an improvement approach corresponding to the analysis result (type of malfunction) as a countermeasure. At this time, the mobile terminal 2 presents the countermeasure (corresponding improvement approach) according to a preset adaptation order. After the user addresses the malfunction according to the improvement approach, if the condition set in the reminder is satisfied, the mobile terminal 2 acquires the status of the sewing device 3 as second status data and compares it with the first status data. Based on the comparison result, the mobile terminal 2 changes the adaptation order of the improvement approach that was effective in solving the malfunction. As a result, when a similar malfunction occurs next time or later, the mobile terminal 2 can present the previously effective improvement approach with a higher priority. By updating the adaptation order, the mobile terminal 2 can reduce the number of attempts the user needs to make to solve the malfunction the next time a malfunction occurs, thereby enabling the malfunction to be quickly solved. Furthermore, by presenting highly effective improvement approaches with a higher priority, the mobile terminal 2 can make it easier for even users who are unfamiliar with improving malfunctions to select an appropriate countermeasure. Furthermore, by setting conditions for acquiring second status data in the reminder, the effectiveness of the improvement approach is checked not immediately after it is implemented, but after a certain period of time according to the conditions or after production has progressed, so that the mobile terminal 2 can more accurately determine whether the improvement approach is effective.

[0063] The mobile terminal 2 can acquire the first status data and the second status data by capturing the code image Q displayed by the sewing device 3 and decoding the data. Compared to connecting to the sewing device 3 via a wired or wireless connection, for example, there is no need to connect to each sewing device 3 separately. Therefore, the mobile terminal 2 can acquire the first status data and the second status data from multiple types of sewing devices 3 and present an improvement approach suitable for each.

[0064] For example, if the sewing device 3 is unable to detect a defect that the user has found, the mobile terminal 2 can prompt the user to select a type of defect by presenting the type of defect. The user can then address the defect in accordance with the suggested improvement approach, allowing the mobile terminal 2 to promptly improve the defect.

[0065] The mobile terminal 2 can further narrow down the improvement approaches suitable for the content of the defect from a plurality of improvement approaches that include the causes of the defect that cause the type of defect selected by the user through an interview, thereby achieving quicker and more reliable improvement of the defect.

[0066] The mobile terminal 2 prompts the user to acquire the second status data when the condition set in the reminder is met. The condition may be, for example, when a certain amount of time has passed since the previous problem was addressed or when a certain amount of production has been performed. Therefore, the user can recall verifying the effectiveness of the improvement approach applied to the previous problem even if they have forgotten to do so, because the reminder prompts the user to acquire the second status data. By prompting the user to verify the effectiveness of the improvement approach, the mobile terminal 2 can appropriately change the application order of the improvement approach, thereby more reliably addressing the problem.

[0067] The mobile terminal 2 prepares a preset count value (elapsed time or production volume) for each improvement approach as a condition to be set for the reminder. Therefore, the mobile terminal 2 can appropriately change the application order of the improvement approaches by verifying the effectiveness of each improvement approach at an appropriate time, thereby more reliably dealing with the defect.

[0068] The mobile terminal 2 can display a list of improvement approaches for each type of defect, along with whether or not they were effective, as a history of previous attempts to improve defects in the sewing device 3. Therefore, the user can quickly improve the defect based on the history.

[0069] When a malfunction or the like occurs in the sewing device 3, the mobile terminal 2 acquires data related to the malfunction as first status data, analyzes the type of malfunction, and presents an improvement approach corresponding to the analysis result (type of malfunction) as a countermeasure. At this time, the mobile terminal 2 presents the countermeasure (corresponding improvement approach) according to a preset adaptation order. After the user addresses the malfunction according to the improvement approach, the mobile terminal 2 acquires the status of the sewing device 3 as second status data according to a reminder. If the second status data satisfies the condition set in the reminder, the mobile terminal 2 compares the second status data with the first status data. Based on the comparison result, the mobile terminal 2 changes the adaptation order of the improvement approach that was effective in solving the malfunction. As a result, when a similar malfunction occurs next time or later, the mobile terminal 2 can present the previously effective improvement approach with a higher priority. By updating the adaptation order, the mobile terminal 2 can reduce the number of attempts the user needs to make to solve the malfunction the next time a malfunction occurs, thereby enabling the malfunction to be quickly solved. Furthermore, by presenting highly effective improvement approaches with a higher priority, the mobile terminal 2 can make it easier for even users who are unfamiliar with solving malfunctions to select an appropriate countermeasure. Furthermore, by setting conditions for acquiring second status data in the reminder, the effectiveness of the improvement approach is checked not immediately after it is implemented, but after a certain period of time according to the conditions or after production has progressed, so that the mobile terminal 2 can more accurately determine whether the improvement approach is effective.

[0070] In the above description, the CPU 21, the ROM 22, and the RAM 23 are examples of the "portable computer" of the present invention. The CPU 21 of the portable terminal 2 that executes the processes of S11, S12, and S14 is an example of the "first acquisition step" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the process of S16 is an example of the "analysis step" of the present invention. The improvement approach is an example of the "improvement means" and "response means" of the present invention. The display unit 26 is an example of the "screen of the portable terminal" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the process of S19 is an example of the "response presentation step" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the process of S32 is an example of the "timing setting step" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the processes of S11, S12, and S41 is an example of the "second acquisition step" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the processes of S45 and S51 is an example of the "first determination step" of the first aspect of the present invention and an example of the "second determination step" of the second aspect of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the process of S53 is an example of the "first changing step" in the first aspect of the present invention, and is an example of the "second changing step" in the second aspect.

[0071] The display unit 37 of the sewing device is an example of a "display device" of the present invention. The code image Q is an example of a "status image" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the process of S11 is an example of a "photographing process" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the process of S12 is an example of a "decoding process" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the process of S17 is an example of an "information presentation process" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the process of S18 is an example of a "first reception process" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the processes of S22 and S23 is an example of a "narrowing process" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the process of S26 is an example of a "second reception process" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the process of S27 is an example of an "improvement presentation process" of the present invention.

[0072] The CPU 21 that executes the process of S64 is an example of a "prompt display step" of the present invention. The memory unit 24 is an example of a "memory device" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the process of S28 is an example of a "first memory step" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the processes of S46 and S52 is an example of a "second memory step" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the process of S72 is an example of a "list display step" of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes the process of S42 is an example of a "determination step" of the present invention.

[0073] The CPU 31 of the sewing device 3 that executes the processes of S2 and S5 is an example of the "acquisition means" of the present invention. The CPU 31 that executes the process of S6 is an example of the "generation means" of the present invention. The CPU 31 that executes the process of S7 is an example of the "display means" of the present invention. The CPU 31 that executes the process of S3 is an example of the "reception means" of the present invention.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. The mobile terminal 2 is not limited to a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like, but may be, for example, a notebook PC or a terminal device assembled specifically for the sewing support system 1. The code image Q is not limited to a two-dimensional barcode, but may be a one-dimensional barcode, or an encoded code may be converted into a character string or the like and displayed. Alternatively, a dedicated code image may be used instead of a general-purpose one.

[0075] An improvement approach that has been effective in improving a defect is changed to the first place in the adaptation ranking, but the adaptation ranking may be weighted according to the number of times that an improvement approach that has been effective in improving a defect in the past, so that an improvement approach that has been effective in improving a defect not only last time but also in the past may be ranked higher.

[0076] Furthermore, an improvement approach that has been assigned an identifier indicating that it is ineffective may be moved down in the application order, changed from a potentially effective candidate to a candidate that is less likely to be effective, or moved to the bottom of the display order. Alternatively, an improvement approach that has been assigned an identifier indicating that it is ineffective may be changed so that it is not displayed for a certain period of time.

[0077] Alternatively, the application order may be changed taking into consideration both the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of the improvement approaches in improving the defect. For example, the application order may be weighted according to the proportion of the number of times an approach was effective among the number of times it was selected in the past.

[0078] Also, if improvement approaches based on the adaptation order are presented, it is not necessary to narrow down the improvement approaches through a medical interview. Also, when a selection screen for selecting the type of defect is displayed (see P5 in FIG. 3), it is possible to display only expected defects based on the setting data included in the first status data, for example, the type and thickness of the sewing material, the sewing speed, or the output of the sensor 39 or the encoder 36B during sewing operation, or to display them in order of likelihood.

[0079] The determination of whether or not the improvement is effective is not limited to whether or not the number of productions by the sewing operation after the improvement measure is implemented increases by a predetermined number from the number of productions when the defect occurred. For example, the improvement may be determined to be effective if the second status data does not contain any defect data. In this case, the process of S32 is not required.

[0080] The conditions set for the reminder are not limited to the elapsed time or the number of productions, but may be any conditions appropriate for determining the effectiveness of the improvement measures. For example, the number of stitches after the defect is resolved or the number of times the needle bar moves up and down may be set as the conditions for the reminder. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 2. Mobile devices 3 Sewing device 21,31 CPU 24 Memory section 26,37 Display section Q Code Image

Claims

1. A sewing support method for supporting sewing by a sewing device using a mobile terminal, comprising: In the mobile terminal, a first acquisition step of acquiring data relating to various states of the sewing device from the sewing device as first state data; an analyzing step of analyzing the first status data; a response presentation step of extracting, from among a plurality of improvement means that correlate causes of various conditions with improvement measures that contribute to improving the various conditions, the improvement means that correspond to the analysis results as response measures, and presenting the extracted response measures on the screen of the mobile terminal in accordance with a predetermined adaptation order for the improvement means; a timing setting step of setting a condition in a timer for notifying the sewing device of a timing for verifying the effect of the countermeasures being executed; a second acquiring step of acquiring data relating to various states of the sewing device as second status data from the sewing device after the response means is presented based on the timer; a first determination step of determining whether or not the countermeasure is effective based on the first status data and the second status data; a first change step of changing the adaptation order of the improvement means based on the judgment result; Having A sewing support method characterized by the above.

2. the first status data and the second status data include at least one of setting data indicating setting values ​​of sewing parameters and defect data indicating a defect, the sewing device is provided with a display device, and a status image obtained by encoding at least one of the setting data and the defect data can be displayed on the display device; The first acquisition step and the second acquisition step include: an imaging step of capturing the status image; a decoding step of decoding the first status data or the second status data from the captured status image; Including The sewing support method according to claim 1,

3. an information presenting step of presenting a plurality of types of defects on the screen of the mobile terminal when the first status data does not include the defect data as a result of the analysis by the analyzing step; The sewing support method according to claim 2,

4. a first receiving step of receiving a selection of a type of defect corresponding to the state of the sewing device from a plurality of types of defects displayed on the screen; a narrowing-down process of presenting a plurality of countermeasures including causes of the selected type of fault and remedies therefor on the screen in accordance with the application order in the countermeasure presentation process, and then narrowing down the countermeasures to one or more symptoms corresponding to the state of the sewing device; a second receiving step of receiving a selection of the response means corresponding to the state of the sewing device from the narrowed down response means; an improvement presentation step of presenting the determined countermeasure on the screen of the mobile terminal; The sewing support method according to claim 3, further comprising:

5. a prompting display step of displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal a message prompting the user to acquire the second status data from the sewing device by the second acquisition step when the condition set in the timer is satisfied; The sewing support method according to claim 1,

6. In the timing setting step, a count value prepared in advance for each of the improvement means is set in the timer as the condition. The sewing support method according to claim 1,

7. a first storage step of storing the response means selected in the second reception step in a storage device of the mobile terminal in association with the first status data; a second storage step of storing the result of the determination of the presence or absence of the effect in the storage device in association with the first status data; a list display step of displaying a list of the countermeasures associated with the first status data and the presence or absence of the effect on the screen of the mobile terminal; The sewing support method according to claim 4, further comprising:

8. A sewing support method for supporting sewing by a sewing device using a mobile terminal, comprising: In the mobile terminal, a first acquisition step of acquiring data relating to various states of the sewing device from the sewing device as first state data; an analyzing step of analyzing the first status data; a response presentation step of extracting, as response measures, improvement measures corresponding to the analysis results from among a plurality of improvement measures that contribute to improving various states, and presenting the extracted response measures on the screen of the mobile terminal in accordance with a predetermined adaptation order for the improvement measures; a timing setting step of setting a condition in a timer for notifying the sewing device of a timing for verifying the effect of the countermeasures being executed; a second acquiring step of acquiring data relating to various states of the sewing device as second status data from the sewing device after the response means is presented based on the timer; a determination step of analyzing the second status data and determining whether the condition set in the timer is satisfied; a second determination step of determining whether the countermeasure is effective or not based on the first status data and the second status data determined to satisfy the condition set in the timer; a second change step of changing the adaptation order of the improvement means based on the judgment result; Having A sewing support method characterized by the above.

9. In the timing setting step, a count value prepared in advance for each of the improvement means is set in the timer as the condition. The sewing support method according to claim 8,

10. A sewing support program that causes a mobile terminal to function to support sewing of a sewing device, The computer of the mobile terminal a first acquisition step of acquiring first status data from the sewing device, the first status data being data relating to various statuses of the sewing device; an analyzing step of analyzing the first status data; a response presentation step of selecting a response means that is the improvement means corresponding to the analysis result from among a plurality of improvement means that contribute to improving various states, and presenting the selected response means on a screen of the mobile terminal in accordance with a predetermined adaptation order for the improvement means; a timing setting step of setting a condition in a timer for notifying the sewing device of a timing for verifying the effect of the countermeasure means being executed; a second acquiring step of acquiring data relating to various states of the sewing device as second state data from the sewing device after the response means is presented based on the timer; a first determination step of determining whether or not the countermeasure is effective based on the first status data and the second status data; a first change step of changing the adaptation order of the improvement means based on the judgment result; A sewing support program characterized by executing the above.

11. A sewing support program that causes a mobile terminal to function to support sewing of a sewing device, The computer of the mobile terminal a first acquisition step of acquiring first status data from the sewing device, the first status data being data relating to various statuses of the sewing device; an analyzing step of analyzing the first status data; a response presentation step of selecting a response means that is the improvement means corresponding to the analysis result from among a plurality of improvement means that contribute to improving various states, and presenting the selected response means on a screen of the mobile terminal in accordance with a predetermined adaptation order for the improvement means; a timing setting step of setting a condition in a timer for notifying the sewing device of a timing for verifying the effect of the countermeasure means being executed; a second acquiring step of acquiring data relating to various states of the sewing device as second state data from the sewing device after the response means is presented based on the timer; a determination step of analyzing the second status data and determining whether the condition set in the timer is satisfied; a third determination step of determining whether the countermeasure is effective or not based on the first status data and the second status data determined to satisfy the condition set in the timer; a second change step of changing the adaptation order of the improvement means based on the judgment result; A sewing support program characterized by executing the above.

12. A mobile computer that supports sewing of the sewing device a first acquisition step of acquiring first status data from the sewing device, the first status data being data relating to various statuses of the sewing device; an analyzing step of analyzing the first status data; a response presentation step of selecting a response means that is the improvement means corresponding to the analysis result from among a plurality of improvement means that contribute to improving various states, and presenting the selected response means on a screen of the mobile terminal in accordance with a predetermined adaptation order for the improvement means; a timing setting step of setting a condition in a timer for notifying the sewing device of a timing for verifying the effect of the countermeasure means being executed; a second acquiring step of acquiring data relating to various states of the sewing device as second state data from the sewing device after the response means is presented based on the timer; a first determination step of determining whether or not the countermeasure is effective based on the first status data and the second status data; a first change step of changing the adaptation order of the improvement means based on the judgment result; A storage medium storing a program for executing the above.

13. A mobile computer that supports sewing of the sewing device a first acquisition step of acquiring first status data from the sewing device, the first status data being data relating to various statuses of the sewing device; an analyzing step of analyzing the first status data; a response presentation step of selecting a response means that is the improvement means corresponding to the analysis result from among a plurality of improvement means that contribute to improving various states, and presenting the selected response means on a screen of the mobile terminal in accordance with a predetermined adaptation order for the improvement means; a timing setting step of setting a condition in a timer for notifying the sewing device of a timing for verifying the effect of the countermeasure means being executed; a second acquiring step of acquiring data relating to various states of the sewing device as second state data from the sewing device after the response means is presented based on the timer; a determination step of analyzing the second status data and determining whether the condition set in the timer is satisfied; a third determination step of determining whether the countermeasure is effective or not based on the first status data and the second status data determined to satisfy the condition set in the timer; a second change step of changing the adaptation order of the improvement means based on the judgment result; A storage medium storing a program for executing the above.

14. A sewing device in which sewing is assisted by a mobile terminal, an acquiring means for acquiring, when a problem occurs in a sewing operation, defect data indicating the defect and setting data indicating set values ​​of sewing parameters; a generating means for generating a status image by encoding the defect data and the setting data; a display means for displaying the status image on a display screen of a display device; A sewing device comprising:

15. a receiving unit for receiving an input of an instruction to generate the status image, When an instruction to generate the status image is received, The acquisition means acquires the setting data, The generating means generates the status image by encoding the setting data.

15. The sewing device according to claim 14,

Images