Methods and programs

Abstract

To provide a method and program that contributes to making embroidery data available to users. [Solution] The method includes an application reception step, an examination step, and an authorization step. The application reception step is a step of receiving application data from a first device, which includes embroidery data for sewing a pattern onto a sewing machine (S99). The examination step is a step of examining the embroidery data (S102). The authorization step is a step of authorizing a second device, which is different from the first device, to download the embroidery data via the internet (S151).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and a program for providing embroidery data. [Background Art]

[0002] A digital content sales method is known, in which content uploaded to a server by an applicant is published so that a user other than the applicant can purchase the content. The sales method described in Patent Document 1 accepts upload of cut data for cutting a sheet-shaped cutting object with a cutting machine. In the sales method, information of the cut data is published on a web page. The sales method accepts a purchase request for cut data from a user who has accessed the web page. The user downloads the purchased cut data to the cutting machine and causes the cutting machine to cut the cutting object according to the cut data. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] United States Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0339260 Specification [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In conventional platforms, no study has been made on allowing users to upload embroidery data, which is data different from cut data, so that the users can acquire the embroidery data.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method and a program that contribute to making embroidery data acquirable by users. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] A method relating to a first aspect of this disclosure includes an application receiving step and an authorization step. The application receiving step is a step of receiving application data from a first device, which includes embroidery data for sewing a pattern onto a sewing machine. The authorization step is a step of authorizing a second device, different from the first device, to download the embroidery data via the Internet. The method of the first aspect contributes to allowing a second device, different from the first device, to download the embroidery data contained in the application data received from the first device. The method contributes to making the information of the embroidery data available to users.

[0007] The examination step of the method in the first embodiment may include examining whether to make the embroidery data accessible by the second device. The method may further include, after the examination step, a disclosure step of disclosing the embroidery data in a state accessible by the second device. The method contributes to improving the eligibility of the disclosed embroidery data compared to a case where the examination step does not include examining whether to make the embroidery data accessible by the second device.

[0008] The examination step of the first embodiment of the method may include the business operator examining the embroidery data. The application reception step may include receiving the application data from the first device of an applicant different from the business operator. The authorization step may include authorizing the download of the embroidery data to the second device of a user different from the business operator and the applicant. The method contributes to the examination of the embroidery data contained in the application data received from the first device by a business operator different from the applicant. The method contributes to improving the objectivity of the examination compared to a method in which the applicant examines the embroidery data.

[0009] The method of the first embodiment may further include a disclosure step after the examination step, in which the embroidery data is made public in a state accessible to the second device. The method contributes to making the embroidery data contained in the application data received from the first device public to a second device different from the first device. The method contributes to making the information of the embroidery data viewable by users.

[0010] The application receiving step of the method in the first embodiment may include receiving the application data, which includes the embroidery data, in a state inaccessible to the second device. The publication step may include, after the examination step, setting the embroidery data in a state accessible to the second device. The method contributes to making the embroidery data included in the application data received from the first device accessible to the second device after the embroidery data has been examined.

[0011] The examination step of the method in the first embodiment may include examining whether the embroidery data meets predetermined criteria. The publication step may include setting the embroidery data to be accessible by the second device if the embroidery data meets the predetermined criteria, and not setting the embroidery data to be accessible by the second device if the embroidery data does not meet the predetermined criteria. The publication step of the method contributes to making only the embroidery data that meets the predetermined criteria among the embroidery data included in the application data received from the first device publicly available. The method contributes to improving the convenience for users of the second device when viewing the published embroidery data compared to a method in which all embroidery data included in the application data received from the first device is made public.

[0012] The prescribed standards for the method of the first embodiment may be determined by the business operator. This method contributes to unifying the prescribed standards compared to a method in which the prescribed standards are determined by a party other than the business operator.

[0013] The authorization step of the method in the first embodiment may include, upon receiving a retrieval request from the second device requesting the acquisition of the embroidery data, allowing the second device to download the embroidery data if the requirements for acquiring the embroidery data are met. A retrieval request requests the acquisition of embroidery data. The specified case is when the requirements for acquiring the embroidery data are met. The authorization step of the method contributes to making it easier for the first device to send application data compared to a method that unconditionally allows the download of embroidery data.

[0014] The application reception step of the first embodiment of the method may include receiving the application data via the application page. The authorization step may include authorizing the second device to download the embroidery data via the Internet from a public page different from the application page. The method contributes to making it easier to send application data from the first device compared to a method in which the application page and the public page are the same page. The authorization step of the method contributes to making it easier to view the published embroidery data via the second device compared to a method in which the application page and the public page are the same page.

[0015] The application page of the first embodiment of the method may be a page accessible by the first device but not accessible by the second device. The public page may be a page accessible by both the first and second devices. The method contributes to preventing the second device from acquiring information about the embroidery data before the embroidery data is reviewed.

[0016] The method of the first embodiment may further include a sewing step in which the sewing machine sews the pattern according to the embroidery data. The sewing step of the method contributes to a user of a second device, separate from the first device, having the sewing machine sew according to the embroidery data transmitted by the first device to the server.

[0017] The method of the first embodiment may further include a transmission step of transmitting the embroidery data from the second device to the sewing machine. The transmission step of the method contributes to saving the user the trouble of storing the embroidery data in the sewing machine, compared to a method that does not include a transmission step.

[0018] The method of the first embodiment may further include a generation step in which the applicant generates the embroidery data. The generation step of the method contributes to clarifying the generator of the embroidery data compared to a method that does not include a generation step.

[0019] The application receiving step of the first embodiment of the method may include the first device transmitting the application data by accessing the application page. The publication step may include publishing the embroidery data on a publication page different from the application page, in a state accessible by the second device. The method contributes to making it easier to transmit application data from the first device compared to a method in which the application page and the publication page are the same page. The authorization step of the method contributes to making it easier to view the published embroidery data via the second device compared to a method in which the application page and the publication page are the same page.

[0020] The examination step of the first embodiment of the method may include the examination of the embroidery data by having the operator's third device access a management page different from the application page and the public page. This method contributes to making it easier for the operator to perform the examination compared to a method in which the management page and the application page or public page are the same page.

[0021] The acquisition requirement of the first embodiment of the method may include the completion of settlement for the purchase cost of the embroidery data. The first embodiment of the method may further include a sales information transmission step of transmitting sales information indicating that the embroidery data has been purchased to the first device. The acquisition requirement of the method contributes to ensuring the collection of purchase costs from users of the second device, compared to a method that allows the download of embroidery data regardless of whether settlement for the purchase cost of the embroidery data has been completed. The sales information transmission step of the method contributes to making the sales information verifiable to applicants using the first device.

[0022] The disclosure step of the method in the first embodiment may include disclosing a thumbnail image showing the pattern, which is generated based on the embroidery data. The disclosure step of the method contributes to making it easier for users of the second device to understand the finished pattern compared to a method in which the thumbnail image is not disclosed.

[0023] The program executed by the server according to the second aspect of this disclosure includes instructions for executing application reception processing, examination result transmission processing, and permission processing. The application processing is the process of receiving application data from a first device, which includes embroidery data for sewing a pattern onto a sewing machine. The examination result transmission processing is the process of transmitting the results of the examination of the embroidery data to the first device. The permission processing is the process of, after transmitting the results of the examination of the embroidery data to the first device, permitting a second device, different from the first device, to download the embroidery data via the Internet. The program in the second aspect contributes to permitting a second device, different from the first device, to download the embroidery data included in the application data received from the first device. The program contributes to making the information of the embroidery data available to users. The program contributes to permitting a second device, different from the first device, to download the embroidery data included in the application data received from the first device, after transmitting the results of the examination of the embroidery data to the first device.

[0024] The method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure includes a first display step, an upload step, and a second display step. The first display step is a step of causing a first device of an applicant to display an application screen for uploading selection data, which is at least one piece of data selected from embroidery data and print data. The embroidery data is data that causes a sewing machine to sew an embroidery pattern. The print data is data that causes a printer to print a print pattern. The upload step is a step of accepting the upload of the selection data based on the application screen. The second display step is a step of causing a second device of a user different from the applicant to display a publication screen showing the selection data. The first display step of the method contributes to improving convenience when the applicant operates the first device to transmit the selection data. The first display step contributes to improving the applicant's convenience compared to a method in which only embroidery data can be included in application data.

[0025] The first display step of the method according to the third aspect may include causing the first device of the applicant to display an application screen for uploading the selection data, which is at least one piece of data selected from the embroidery data, the print data, and cut data. The cut data may be data that causes a cutting machine to cut a cutting pattern. The first display step of the method contributes to improving convenience when the applicant operates the first device to transmit the selection data. The first display step contributes to improving the applicant's convenience compared to a method in which cut data cannot be included in application data.

[0026] The method according to the third aspect may further include, after the upload step, an examination result display step of causing the first device to display a result of examination of the embroidery data. The examination result display step of the method contributes to allowing the applicant to grasp the result of the examination of the embroidery data.

[0027] The method according to the third aspect may further include, after said second displaying step, a third displaying step of causing said first device to display sales information indicating that said embroidery data has been purchased. The third displaying step of the method contributes to allowing the applicant to grasp the sales status of the embroidery data.

[0028] The method according to the third aspect may further include a type selection step of accepting selection of a type of said selection data from among embroidery designs, cut designs, and print designs. Said second displaying step may include causing said second device to display said publication screen showing said selection data of said type specified by said second device. The second displaying step of the method contributes to improving convenience for a user of the second device, compared to a method that does not accept specification of selection data from the second device.

[0029] Said type selection step of the method according to the third aspect may include accepting selection of said type of said selection data based on a file format of said selection data. The type selection step of the method contributes to reducing the possibility that an incorrect type is selected, compared to a method that accepts selection of the type of selection data regardless of the file format of the selection data.

[0030] Said type selection step of the method according to the third aspect may include, when said file format is a first data format, making said embroidery design selectable, and when said file format is a second data format different from said first data format, making said cut design and said print design selectable, and accepting selection of said type. The type selection step of the method contributes to appropriately setting options for the type of selection data in accordance with the file format of the selection data.

[0031] The method of the third embodiment may further include a category selection step for accepting the selection of a category for the selected data. The second display step may include displaying the public screen showing the selected data for the category specified on the second device on the second device. The second display step of the method contributes to improving the convenience of the user of the second device compared to a method in which the second device does not accept category selection.

[0032] The categories of the method in the third embodiment may include a main category and subcategories associated with the main category. Compared to methods where the categories are not divided into main categories and subcategories, the categories of the methods contribute to the selection of hierarchical categories.

[0033] The subcategory of the method in the third embodiment may be selectable when the main category is selected, and may not be selectable when the main category is not selected. The categories of the method contribute to improving the likelihood that the main category and the subcategory will be appropriately selected.

[0034] A method relating to a fourth aspect of this disclosure includes a generation step, an application step, and a sales information receiving step. The generation step is a step of generating embroidery data to cause a sewing machine to sew a pattern. The application step is a step of sending application data, including the embroidery data, to a server. The sales information receiving step is a step of receiving sales information from the server indicating that the embroidery data has been purchased by the user. The method contributes to receiving sales information for embroidery data. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a processing data provision system 7, which includes a first device 1, a second device 2, a third device 3, and a server 4. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart illustrating the method of providing processing data executed by the processing data provision system 7. [Figure 3] This is a timing chart of the processing data provision method executed by the processing data provision system 7. [Figure 4] Figures 4(A) and 4(B) are explanatory diagrams of the transitions on application screen G1. [Figure 5] Figures 5(A) and 5(B) are explanatory diagrams of the transitions in the first screen G10. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram for application screen G20. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart of the processing data application and application acceptance process. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart of the input update process. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart of the processing data evaluation and review processes. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart for the process of publishing processed data. [Figure 11] Figures 11(A) to 11(C) are explanatory diagrams of the screens displayed on the display 28 of the second device 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the processing data provision system 7 (hereinafter referred to as "System 7") comprises a first device 1, a second device 2, a third device 3, and a server 4. System 7 provides a system for selling processing data over the Internet 5. The processing data of this embodiment includes at least one of the following data: embroidery data, cut data, and print data. In this embodiment, the processing data includes at least embroidery data, and more specifically, the processing data includes three data: embroidery data, cut data, and print data. The server 4 receives the processing data and application data including the applicant's identification information (ID), for example, application data including embroidery data and the applicant's ID, from the first device 1 via the Internet 5. When the server 4 receives the application data from the first device 1, it stores the application data in the server 4's memory 44, which will be described later.

[0037] The business operator reviews whether the processing data meets predetermined criteria. Specifically, the business operator reviews the processing data stored as application data in the memory 44 of the server 4 using the third device 3. The review may be performed manually by the business operator or automatically by the third device 3 used by the business operator. The review is to determine whether the embroidery data should be accessible by the second device 2. The third device 3 transmits the results of the review, which determines whether the processing data meets predetermined criteria, to the server 4. If the business operator reviews the processing data to meet the predetermined criteria, it instructs the server 4 to publish the processing data information via the internet 5. This allows the second device to obtain the processing data from the server 4 via the internet 5. The server 4 receives a request to obtain the processing data from the second device 2. If the second device 2 meets the acquisition requirements, the server 4 allows the second device 2 to download the processing data.

[0038] The second device 2 transmits the processing data downloaded from the server 4 to the processing device. The processing device is one of the following: a sewing machine 8, a cutting machine 9, or a printer 10. If the processing data is embroidery data, the second device 2 transmits the embroidery data to the sewing machine 8. The sewing machine 8 is a sewing machine capable of performing embroidery sewing according to the embroidery data received via the internet 5.

[0039] If the processing data is cut data, the second device 2 transmits the cut data to the cutting machine 9. The cutting machine 9 is configured to perform the process of cutting a sheet-like medium according to the cut data received via the Internet 5.

[0040] If the processing data is print data, the second device 2 sends the print data to the printer 10. The printer 10 is configured to print an image onto a medium according to the print data received via the Internet 5.

[0041] The electrical configurations of the first device 1, second device 2, third device 3, and server 4 of System 7 will be described in order. In the following, embroidery data will be used as an example of processing data. Processing data may be selected from three types of data: embroidery data, cut data, and print data.

[0042] The first device 1 is a device capable of communicating with the server 4. The first device 1 is a PC (personal computer) used by the applicant. The applicant is, for example, a person who creates embroidery data and applies to the server 4 to publish the embroidery data on the internet 5. The applicant generates the embroidery data using an embroidery data generation program installed on the first device 1. The applicant accesses a dedicated web page for applications, i.e., the application page, using the first device 1. The applicant sends application data, including the embroidery data and the applicant's ID, to the server 4 via the application page using the first device 1, and applies to publish the embroidery data on the internet 5.

[0043] The first device 1 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a memory 14, a communication interface 15, an input / output interface 17, a display 18, and an input interface 19. Hereinafter, the communication interface 15 will be referred to as "communication IF15," the input / output interface 17 as "I / O17," and the input interface 19 as "input IF19."

[0044] The CPU 11 is electrically connected to the ROM 12, RAM 13, memory 14, communication IF 15, and I / O 17 via the bus 16. The CPU 11 controls the first device 1. The ROM 12 stores the boot program and BIOS, etc. The RAM 13 stores temporary data.

[0045] The communication interface 15 is an interface for connecting the first device 1 to the internet 5. The CPU 11 can send and receive data with other devices and servers 4 connected to the internet 5 via the communication interface 15. The display 18 and input interface 19 are connected to the I / O 17. The display 18 is capable of displaying images and is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input interface 19 is, for example, a mouse and keyboard and is used to input various types of information.

[0046] The second device 2 is, for example, a smartphone used by the user. The user is, for example, a person who purchases embroidery data published on the internet 5 and has the sewing machine 8 sew the embroidery pattern. Specifically, the user uses the web browser on the second device 2 to access a webpage dedicated to public access, i.e., a public page, and views and purchases the embroidery data. The user operates the second device 2 to send the purchased embroidery data from the second device 2 to the sewing machine 8. The sewing machine 8 sews the embroidery pattern based on the received embroidery data.

[0047] The second device 2 includes a CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, memory 24, communication interface 25, input / output interface 27, display 28, and input interface 29. Hereinafter, the communication interface 25 will be referred to as "communication IF25," the input / output interface 27 as "I / O27," and the input interface 29 as "input IF29."

[0048] The CPU 21 controls the second device 2. The CPU 21 is electrically connected to the ROM 22, RAM 23, memory 24, communication IF 25, I / O 27, display 28, and input IF 29 via the bus 26. Various programs and settings are stored in the ROM 22. Temporary data is stored in the RAM 23. The memory 24 is a non-volatile memory device. Various settings necessary for executing the main process are stored in the memory 24.

[0049] Communication IF25 is an interface for connecting the second device 2 to the Internet 5. The CPU 21 can send and receive data with other devices connected to the Internet 5, such as the sewing machine 8, cutting machine 9, printer 10, and server 4, via communication IF25. I / O 27 is connected to the display 28 and input IF29. The display 28 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. Input IF29 ​​is, for example, a touch panel and is used to input various instructions.

[0050] Third device 3 is a device capable of communicating with server 4. Third device 3 is a PC used by the business operator. The business operator is one or more people responsible for the management and operation of server 4. The business operator reviews the embroidery data and authorizes its publication on the internet 5 via server 4. The business operator accesses a dedicated management webpage, i.e., the management page, via third device 3 and receives the embroidery data. Server 4 stores the management page in memory 44. The business operator reviews the embroidery data. The business operator accesses the management page via third device 3, enters the review results, and authorizes the publication of the embroidery data on the internet 5.

[0051] "The business operator reviews the embroidery data" includes, in accordance with the business operator's instructions, a third party or a third-party device such as device 3 determining whether the embroidery data meets the prescribed standards. Therefore, "the business operator reviews the embroidery data" is not limited to the business operator directly reviewing the embroidery data.

[0052] The third device 3 comprises a CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, memory 34, communication IF 35, input / output interface 37, display 38, and input interface 39. Hereinafter, the communication interface 35 will be referred to as "communication IF 35," the input / output interface 37 as "I / O 37," and the input interface 39 as "input IF 39."

[0053] The CPU 31 is electrically connected to the ROM 32, RAM 33, memory 34, communication IF 35, and I / O 37 via the bus 36. The CPU 31 controls the third device 3. The ROM 32 stores the boot program and BIOS, etc. The RAM 33 stores temporary data.

[0054] The communication interface 35 is an interface for connecting the third device 3 to the internet 5. The CPU 31 can send and receive data with other devices and servers 4 connected to the internet 5 via the communication interface 35. The display 38 and input interface 39 are connected to the I / O 37. The display 38 is capable of displaying images and is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input interface 39 is, for example, a mouse and keyboard and is used to input various types of information.

[0055] Server 4 is a device capable of communicating with the first device 1, the second device 2, and the third device 3. Server 4 is, for example, a web server that accepts application data including embroidery data and publishes the embroidery data on the Internet 5. Server 4 is equipped with a CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, memory 44, a communication interface 45, and an input / output interface 47. Hereinafter, the communication interface 45 will be referred to as "communication IF 45," and the input / output interface 47 will be referred to as "I / O 47."

[0056] The CPU 41 is electrically connected to the ROM 42, RAM 43, memory 44, communication IF 45, and I / O 47 via the bus 46. The CPU 41 controls the server 4. Various programs are stored in the ROM 42. Temporary data is stored in the RAM 43. The communication IF 45 is an interface for connecting the server 4 to the internet 5. The CPU 41 can send and receive data with other devices connected to the internet 5 via the communication IF 45.

[0057] Server 4 stores the application page, the public page, and the management page. Server 4 stores the application page, the public page, and the management page as different data. The application page, the public page, and the management page are, for example, web pages created in HTML format. The devices and uses for accessing the application page, the public page, and the management page are different. The application page is the page accessed by the first device 1. The first device 1 accesses the application page and transmits application data including processing data.

[0058] The public page is a page accessible by the second device 2. The second device 2 accesses the public page and displays the processed data. Users can view and purchase processed data via the public page. The management page is a page accessible by the third device 3, which is used by the business operator running System 7. The application page, the public page, and the management page may each be a single page or multiple pages. In this embodiment, the server 4 sets up a unique application page for each applicant. This unique application page for each applicant is managed, for example, using the applicant's identification information.

[0059] The method for managing the application page, public page, and administration page separately can be set as appropriate. The application page and administration page are each assigned a universal link or app link, which is a link that can be used on both the web and the app, as follows. The business operator assigns a unique domain to each of the application page, public page, and administration page. Server 4 may separate folders by domain in the virtual host settings. Server 4 in this embodiment performs authentication processing for the application page, making it a page that can only be accessed by the first device 1 used by applicants with access rights. Server 4 performs authentication processing for the administration page, making it a page that can only be accessed by the third device 3 used by business operators with access rights.

[0060] In this specification, transmitting data for displaying various pages on a display from server 4 to other devices means that server 4 transmits information to be displayed on a display based on the transmitted data to the other devices. Receiving data for displaying various pages on a display from server 4 means that the other devices receive information to be displayed on a display based on the received data from server 4.

[0061] Referring to Figures 2 to 13, the method executed in System 7 will be explained. The method relates to a technology in which the applicant transmits processing data to Server 4 using First Device 1, and the user retrieves it from Server 4 using Second Device 2. The method is executed using First Device 1, Second Device 2, Third Device 3, and Server 4. As a specific example, the case where the processing data is embroidery data will be explained.

[0062] As shown in Figure 2, for example, the applicant's first device 1 generates processing data (S1). The step of generating processing data by the applicant's first device is the generation step. The processing data may be generated by any known method. Specifically, the applicant's first device 1 may start an embroidery data generation program and generate embroidery data by the first device 1 in the following procedure. The first device 1 receives input of image data showing a flower illustration when IF19 is operated by the applicant. Based on the image data, the first device 1 sets needle drop points in the areas indicated by the colors for each color included in the illustration and determines the order in which the set needle drop points are connected. The first device 1 generates embroidery data including the sewing order, coordinate data of the needle drop points, and thread color data.

[0063] The embroidery data is data for causing the sewing machine 8 to sew an embroidery pattern. The needle drop point is the point where the sewing needle, attached to the lower end of the needle bar of the sewing machine 8, descends and pierces the workpiece held in the embroidery hoop. The coordinate data of the needle drop point is indicated by XY coordinates that show the relative position of the embroidery hoop to the needle bar, with a predetermined point as the origin. The origin can be set as appropriate; for example, the horizontal center of the embroidery hoop is located below the needle bar. The coordinate data of the needle drop point can be replaced with data indicating the needle drop point. The coordinate data of the needle drop point may also be data indicating the amount of movement of the embroidery hoop in the XY direction. The sewing order indicates the order in which the sewing needle is dropped into the needle drop point according to the coordinate data. For example, the order in which the coordinate data is stored may be the sewing order. The embroidery data only needs to include data indicating the needle drop point. The embroidery data may also include thread color data.

[0064] When the first device 1 detects an instruction from the applicant to access the application page entered by operating the input IF19, it accesses the application page. The first device 1 performs processing to establish a communication connection, such as a handshake, between the first device 1 and the server 4 that manages the application page. Once the communication connection is established, the applicant's first device 1 executes the processing data application process shown in Figure 7, according to the program stored in the ROM 12 (S2).

[0065] The CPU 11 executes the following steps according to the instructions contained in the program read into RAM 13. The first device 1 receives various parameters necessary for executing the processing data application process from the server 4, or the first device 1 stores various parameters necessary for executing the processing data application process in memory 14. The first device 1 stores various data obtained during the processing data application process in memory 14 as appropriate.

[0066] In response to the first device 1 accessing the server 4, the CPU 41 of server 4 executes the following steps according to the program stored in ROM 42 in order to perform the application acceptance process shown in Figure 7. The first device stores various parameters necessary for performing the application acceptance process in memory 44. The first device 1 stores various data obtained during the application acceptance process in memory 44 as appropriate.

[0067] As shown in Figure 7, once a communication connection is established between the first device 1 and the server 4, the CPU 41 of the server 4 sends display data to the first device 1 (S98). The display data is data for displaying the application screen shown in Figures 4(A) to 6 on the display 18 of the first device 1. The display data may be sent all at once in S98, or it may be sent in multiple parts depending on the progress of processing in the first device 1.

[0068] The CPU 11 of the first device 1 receives display data from the server 4 and displays the application screen G1 on the display 18 based on the received data (S11). The application screen G1 is a screen for uploading selected data, which is data selected from embroidery data, cut data, and print data.

[0069] As shown in Figure 4(A), the application screen G1 includes a field G2, a checkbox G3, and key images G4 to G6. The applicant manipulates field G2 using input IF19, and the CPU 11 uploads the selected data to server 4. Checkbox G3 is used to indicate whether the applicant agrees to the terms and conditions set by the business operator. If checkbox G3 is checked, the CPU 11 determines that the applicant has agreed to the terms and conditions. If checkbox G3 is not checked, the CPU 11 determines that the applicant has not agreed to the terms and conditions. The initial state of checkbox G3 is unchecked.

[0070] Key image G4 is selected when you enter an instruction to display the previous page. The previous page is, for example, the page where you enter an instruction to display application screen G1. Key image G5 is selected when you cancel the processing of the processed data application. Key image G6 is selected when you enter an instruction to display the next page.

[0071] The CPU 11 of the first device 1 determines from column G2 whether or not the processing data has been uploaded to the server 4 (S12). The applicant's first device 1 can upload at least one of three types of processing data—embroidered data, cut data, and print data—from column G2. In a specific example, the applicant uses the first device 1 to select embroidery data stored in memory 14 as the selected data, and the first device 1 uploads the selected embroidery data to the server 4. If the CPU 11 determines that the processing data has not been uploaded to the server 4 (S12: NO), it waits at S12. If the CPU 11 determines that the processing data has been uploaded to the server 4 (S12: YES), it updates the application screen G1 as shown in Figure 4(B).

[0072] In the application screen G1 shown in Figure 4(B), column G2 displays the file name and a thumbnail image of the processing data uploaded to server 4. CPU 11 may generate a thumbnail image based on the processing data and display it in column G2. In this specific example, CPU 11 retrieves the thumbnail image from server 4. CPU 41 of server 4 analyzes the embroidery data and identifies the coordinates of line segments based on the coordinate data of the needle drop point for each color indicated by the thread color data. CPU 41 draws the line segments on a virtual canvas in the colors indicated by the thread color data. CPU 41 converts the image into a file in an appropriate format and resizes the image to thumbnail size. CPU 41 sends the image data indicating the thumbnail image to the first device 1. CPU 11 may display the image indicated by the image data included in the processing data as a thumbnail image in column G2.

[0073] The CPU 11 determines whether or not it has detected the selection of checkbox G3 based on the input result of input IF 19 (S13). If the CPU 11 determines that the selection of checkbox G3 has been detected (S13: YES), it updates the value of checkbox G3 (S14). If checkbox G3 is not checked and is operated on, the CPU 11 checks checkbox G3. If checkbox G3 is checked and is operated on, the CPU 11 unchecks checkbox G3.

[0074] If CPU11 determines that it has not detected a selection of checkbox G3 (S13:NO), or if it processes S14, it proceeds to process S15. CPU11 refers to checkbox G3 and determines whether the applicant has agreed to the terms and conditions (S15). If CPU11 determines that the applicant has not agreed to the terms and conditions (S15:NO), it determines whether it has detected a selection of key image G4 based on the output result of input IF19 (S16). If CPU11 determines that it has detected a selection of key image G4 (S16:YES), it terminates the processing data application process. If CPU11 has not detected a selection of key image G4 (S16:NO), it returns to processing S13. Thus, if CPU11 determines that the applicant has not agreed to the terms and conditions (S15:NO), it does not accept the selection of key image G6.

[0075] If CPU11 determines that the applicant has agreed to the terms and conditions (S15:YES), it executes process S17. Based on the output result of input IF19, CPU11 determines whether or not it has detected the selection of key image G6 (S17). If CPU11 has not detected the selection of key image G6 (S17:NO), it executes process S16.

[0076] If CPU 11 determines that it has detected the selection of key image G6 (S17: YES), it executes the process in S19. CPU 11 determines whether the file format of the selected data uploaded in S12 is the first data format (S19). The first data format in this embodiment is a data format specific to embroidery data, and more specifically, it is the PES format. CPU 11 in this embodiment determines whether the file format is the first data format based on the file extension of the selected data file.

[0077] If CPU 11 determines that the file format of the data uploaded in S12 is the first data format (S19: YES), it executes the process in S20. CPU 11 displays the first screen G10 shown in Figure 5(A) on display 18 (S20). The first screen G10 is displayed when the file format is the first data format.

[0078] As shown in Figure 5(A), the first screen G10 includes fields G11 to G14 and key images G4 to G6. Field G11 is for entering the title of the processed data. Field G12 is for entering the sales price of the processed data. The value in field G12 may be pre-set or set by the applicant. The initial value of field G12 is, for example, $4.99.

[0079] Column G13 indicates the type of processing data. In column G13 of the first screen G10, embroidery designs can be selected, while cut designs and print designs cannot.

[0080] Column G14 indicates the category of the pattern shown by the processing data. In this embodiment, the category is data that classifies the object shown by the pattern. The category includes a main category and subcategories associated with the main category. The subcategory is data that further classifies the object classified by the main category. Examples of main categories include Food, Animal, Plant, and Insect. When the main category is Plant, examples of subcategories include Flower, Leaf, Tree, and Cactus. Subcategories are selectable when a main category is selected, and not selectable when no main category is selected.

[0081] Key images G4 to G6 are the same as key images G4 to G6 on application screen G1. When the applicant operates input IF19, the first device 1 inputs items in fields G11 to G14. In this embodiment, items in fields G11 to G14 are required fields. If the required fields are not entered, the CPU 11 does not accept the instruction to display the next page.

[0082] If CPU11 determines that the file format of the data uploaded in S12 is not the first data format (S19: NO), it performs the process in S21. CPU11 displays a second screen on display 18 that is different from the first screen (S21). The second screen is displayed when the file format is a second data format different from the first data format. The second screen includes fields G11 to G14 and key images G4 to G6, similar to the first screen. In field G13 of the second screen, cut design and print design can be selected, but embroidery design cannot. The data format of the cut data and print data in this embodiment is "SVG format". The data format of the cut data is the same as the data format of the print data. CPU11 cannot identify the type of selected data based on the extension of the cut data and print data. Therefore, CPU11 accepts the selection of the type of selected data from the applicant.

[0083] Following the processing in S20 or S21, the CPU 11 determines, based on the detection result of input IF19, whether or not an input operation has been detected in any of the fields G11 to G14 (S22). If the CPU 11 determines that an input operation has been detected (S22: YES), it executes the input update process (S23).

[0084] As shown in Figure 8, during the input update process, the CPU 11 determines whether or not it has detected an operation on column G11 based on the detection result of input IF19 (S81). If the CPU 11 determines that it has detected an operation on column G11 (S81: YES), it updates the title of column G11 according to the detection result of input IF19 (S82). If the CPU 11 determines that it has not detected an operation on column G11 (S81: NO), it determines whether or not it has detected an operation on column G13 based on the detection result of input IF19 (S83).

[0085] If CPU 11 determines that it has detected an operation on column G13 (S83: YES), it displays the candidate types of selected data in column G13 (S84). If the first screen G10 is displayed in S20, the only candidate type of selected data is embroidery design. If the second screen is displayed in S21, there are two types of selected data: cut design and print design.

[0086] Based on the detection result of input IF19, CPU11 determines whether or not it has detected a selection of the type of data to be selected from the candidates displayed in S84 (S85). CPU11 accepts the selection of the type of data to be selected from embroidery design, cut design, and print design (S85). S85 is the type selection step. The type selection step includes accepting the selection of the type of data to be selected based on the file format of the selected data (S84, S85). More specifically, if CPU11 determines that the file format is the first data format (S19: YES), it makes the embroidery design selectable (S20, S84). If CPU11 determines that the file format of the processing data is a second data format different from the first data format (S19: NO), it makes the cut design and print design selectable (S21, S84).

[0087] If CPU11 determines that it has not detected a selection of the type of data to be selected (S85:NO), it waits at S85. If CPU11 determines that it has detected a selection of the type of data to be selected (S85:YES), it changes the type of data to be selected based on the detection result of input IF19 (S86).

[0088] If CPU 11 determines that it has not detected an operation on column G13 (S83: NO), it performs the process in S87. Based on the detection result of input IF19, CPU 11 determines whether or not an operation on column G12 has been detected (S87). If CPU 11 determines that it has detected an operation on column G12 (S87: YES), it updates the normal price in column G12 according to the detection result of input IF19 (S88).

[0089] If CPU 11 determines that it has not detected an operation on column G12 (S87: NO), it performs the process in S89. Based on the detection result of input IF19, CPU 11 determines whether or not an operation on column G14 has been detected (S89). If CPU 11 determines that it has not detected an operation on column G14 (S89: NO), it terminates the input update process and returns the process to the processed data application process. If CPU 11 determines that it has detected an operation on column G14 (S89: YES), it displays the category list G15 shown in Figure 5(B) in column G14 (S90). The category list G15 is included in the display data sent from server 4 in S98, for example, and is stored in memory 14.

[0090] As shown in Figure 5(B), category list G15 includes main categories and subcategories. Subcategories are displayed in the column to the right of the main categories. Subcategories become selectable when a main category is selected.

[0091] In category list G15, "Plant" is selected as the main category. The selected main category is displayed in a different way than the unselected main category. In this embodiment, the selected main category is displayed with a black background and white text. The unselected main category is displayed with a white background and black text.

[0092] In category list G15, "Flower" is selected as the subcategory. A check mark is displayed to the left of the selected subcategory's name. The applicant operates input IF19 to select the desired main category and subcategory from the displayed category list G15.

[0093] The CPU 11 determines whether or not it has detected a category selection from the category list G15 based on the output result of input IF 19 (S91). The CPU 11 accepts the category selection of the selected data (S91). If the CPU 11 determines that it has not detected a category selection (S91: NO), it determines whether or not to terminate the category selection operation (S92). If the CPU 11 determines that a category other than column G14 has been selected based on the output result of input IF 19, it decides to terminate the category selection operation.

[0094] If CPU11 determines that it has not detected an operation to select a category (S92: NO), it returns to processing S91. If CPU11 determines that it has detected an operation to select a category (S92: YES), it terminates the input update process and returns to processing data application processing. If CPU11 determines that it has detected a category selection (S91: YES), it updates field G14 based on the selected category (S94). After processing S82, S86, S88, or S94, CPU11 terminates the input update process and returns to processing data application processing.

[0095] If CPU 11 determines that it has not detected an input operation (S22: NO), or if it processes S23, it proceeds to process S24. Based on the output of input IF19, CPU 11 determines whether or not it has detected the selection of key image G6 (S24). If CPU 11 determines that it has not detected the selection of key image G6 (S24: NO), it proceeds to process S25. Based on the output of input IF19, CPU 11 determines whether or not it has detected the selection of key image G5 (S25). If CPU 11 determines that it has detected the selection of key image G5 (S25: YES), it returns to processing S11.

[0096] If CPU11 determines that it has not detected the selection of key image G5 (S25: NO), it proceeds to process S26. Based on the output result of input IF19, CPU11 determines whether or not it has detected the selection of key image G4 (S26). If CPU11 determines that it has detected the selection of key image G4 (S26: YES), it terminates the processing data application process. If CPU11 determines that it has not detected the selection of key image G4 (S26: NO), it returns to process S22.

[0097] If CPU 11 determines that key image G6 has been selected (S24: YES), it determines whether the required fields have been filled in (S27). If CPU 11 determines that any of fields G11 through G14 are blank (S27: NO), it displays an error message on display 18 (S28) and returns to processing in S22. The error message can be pre-set, for example, "Please fill in the required fields."

[0098] As shown in Figure 5(C), if the CPU 11 determines that each of the required fields G11 to G14 has been filled in (S27: YES), it performs the process in S29. The CPU 11 displays the application screen G20 for confirming the application details on the display 18, as shown in Figure 6 (S29).

[0099] As shown in Figure 6, application screen G20 includes fields G21 and G22, and key images G4, G5, and G23. Field G21 is a thumbnail image of the processed data uploaded in S12. Field G22 contains the content of the required items set on the first screen G10 or the second screen. Key images G4 and G5 are the same as those on application screen G1.

[0100] Key image G23 is selected when registering the processed data uploaded in S12 and the contents shown in column G22 to the memory 44 of server 4. Until key image G23 is selected, the processed data has been uploaded to server 4, but the process of registering the application data as subject to review has not been completed, and it is only temporarily registered on server 4. The applicant checks the thumbnail image and the contents of the required fields displayed on the application screen G20 and selects key image G23.

[0101] The CPU 11 determines whether or not it has detected the selection of key image G23 based on the output of input IF 19 (S30). If the CPU 11 determines that it has not detected the selection of key image G23 (S30: NO), it determines whether or not it has detected the selection of key image G5 based on the output of input IF 19 (S32). If the CPU 11 determines that it has detected the selection of key image G5 (S32: YES), it returns to processing S19.

[0102] If CPU 11 determines that it has not detected the selection of key image G5 (S32: NO), it determines whether it has detected the selection of key image G4 (S33). If CPU 11 determines that it has detected the selection of key image G4 (S33: YES), it terminates the processing data application process. If CPU 11 determines that it has not detected the selection of key image G4 (S33: NO), it returns to processing S29.

[0103] If CPU 11 determines that the selection of key image G23 has been detected (S30: YES), it executes an application step to send application data, including embroidery data, to server 4 (S31). The application data includes processing data, application details obtained via the application screen, and applicant identification information (ID). CPU 11 sends the application data to server 4 with enhanced security, for example, through encrypted communication. Any encryption method can be used, such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). The application data is sent from first device 1 to server 4 in a state where second device 2 cannot access it.

[0104] The state in which "the second device 2 is inaccessible" can be achieved, for example, by restricting access to the application page to the applicant and by enhancing security when sending application data. In this embodiment, server 4 restricts access to the application page to the applicant by authenticating the applicant using, for example, the applicant's ID and password when logging in. Server 4 may also make the second device 2 inaccessible by informing only the applicant of the address information of the application page. CPU 11 terminates the processing data application process.

[0105] The CPU 41 of Server 4 receives application data from the first device 1. In a specific example, the CPU 41 of Server 4 receives application data from the first device 1 of an applicant different from the business operator via an application page published on Server 4 (S99). The application data includes at least embroidery data to be sewn by the sewing machine 8. In the process of S99, the CPU 41 accepts the upload of selected data based on the application screen. The CPU 41 then terminates the application acceptance process.

[0106] The CPU 41 of Server 4 executes the processing data evaluation process (S3) as shown in Figure 2. In response to receiving the application data from the first device 1, the CPU 41 of Server 4 executes the following steps according to the program stored in ROM 42 in order to perform the processing data evaluation process shown in Figure 9. The first device 1 stores various parameters necessary for performing the processing data evaluation process in memory 44. The first device 1 stores various data obtained during the processing data evaluation process in memory 44 as appropriate.

[0107] As shown in Figure 9, the CPU 41 registers the application data received from the first device 1 to a management page different from the application page (S41). "Registering to a management page" means storing it in the server 4 in association with the management page. Before the processing of S41, the business operator cannot view the information contained in the application data from the management page. Before the processing of S41, the business operator will be able to view the information contained in the application data from the management page. The CPU 41 determines whether the type of selected data contained in the application data is an embroidery design or not (S42). If the CPU 41 determines that the type of selected data is an embroidery design (S42: YES), it automatically analyzes whether the embroidery data contained in the application data meets predetermined criteria (S43).

[0108] The prescribed standards are determined by a business operator different from the applicant. The prescribed standards are set considering safety and finish when the processing equipment performs processing according to the processing data. When the processing data is embroidery data, the prescribed standards may include a first standard. The first standard is, for example, that no more than a first threshold number of needle drop points are set at a specific point. The first standard contributes to reducing the possibility of holes being made in the sewn material by preventing more than a first threshold number of needle drop points from being formed at a specific point.

[0109] If CPU41 determines that the type of selected data is not an embroidery design (S42: NO), it determines whether the type of selected data is a cut design (S44). If CPU41 determines that the type of selected data is a cut design (S44: YES), it automatically analyzes whether the cut data included in the application data meets predetermined criteria (S45). The predetermined criteria when the processing data is cut data may include a second criterion. The second criterion is, for example, that there are no parts where the width of the cutting pattern is less than or equal to the second threshold. The second criterion helps to reduce the possibility that parts where the width of the cutting pattern is less than or equal to the second threshold will tear off and the cutting pattern will not be cut into the intended shape.

[0110] If CPU41 determines that the selected data is not a cut design (S44:NO), it automatically analyzes whether the print data included in the application data meets the prescribed criteria (S46). The prescribed criteria when the processing data is print data may include a third criterion. The third criterion is, for example, that the size of the printed pattern does not exceed the size of the paper. The third criterion contributes to reducing the possibility of the printed pattern extending beyond the paper.

[0111] Following S43, S45, or S46, the CPU 41 determines whether the analysis results from S43, S45, or S46 meet the prescribed criteria (S47). If the CPU 41 determines that the analysis results do not meet the prescribed criteria (S47: NO), without requiring review by the business operator, the CPU 41 associates the information regarding the rejection determination with the application data and registers it in memory 44 (S56). In the case of S56, the CPU 41 does not disclose the processing data and related information included in the application data.

[0112] If CPU41 determines that the analysis results meet the predetermined criteria (S47:YES), it registers the application data in the "awaiting review" column on the management page (S48). The "awaiting review" column displays application data for which the business operator has entered the review results, in the order of registration. CPU41 determines whether the third device 3 used by the business operator has accessed the management page (S49). CPU41 waits in S49 until the third device 3 accesses the management page (S49:NO).

[0113] When the operator initiates the review process, they operate the input IF39 of the third device 3 to input a start command to begin the review process. Upon detecting the start command, the CPU 31 of the third device 3 executes the following steps according to the program stored in the ROM 32 in order to perform the review process shown in Figure 9. The third device 3 stores various parameters necessary for performing the review process in the memory 34. The third device 3 also stores various data obtained during the review process in the memory 34 as appropriate.

[0114] The CPU 31 of the third device 3 accesses the management page stored in the memory 44 of the server 4 (S100). The third device 3 performs processing to establish a communication connection, such as a handshake, between the server 4, which manages the management page, and the third device 3.

[0115] When the CPU 41 of server 4 establishes a communication connection with the third device 3 (S49:YES), it transmits the review data to the third device 3 (S50). The review data includes data for displaying the review screen on the display 38 of the third device 3 and processing data included in the application data registered for review.

[0116] When the CPU 31 of the third device 3 receives inspection data from the server 4 (S101), it displays an inspection screen on the display 38 based on the received inspection data (S201). The inspection screen includes an input field for entering the inspection result and a key image that instructs the server 4 to send the inspection result entered in the input field. Based on the processing data received in S101, the business operator uses the third device 3 to perform an inspection step to inspect the embroidery data (S102). The business operator operates the third device 3 to access a management page different from the application page and the public page (S100) and inspects whether the processing data meets predetermined criteria. S102 is the inspection step. The inspection in this embodiment includes an inspection to determine whether to allow the second device 2 to access the embroidery data.

[0117] The prescribed criteria for S102 are set by the business operator for each type of processing data, from a different perspective than S43, S45, or S46. If the processing data is embroidery data, the business operator actually sews the embroidery pattern with the sewing machine 8 according to the embroidery data. If the embroidery pattern is sewn correctly, the business operator enters "pass" as the inspection result in the input field on the inspection screen. If the embroidery pattern is not sewn correctly, the business operator enters "fail" as the inspection result in the input field on the inspection screen. Whether or not the embroidery pattern is sewn correctly may include, for example, the following perspectives: namely, whether or not a hole is made in the workpiece, whether or not the amount of shrinkage of the workpiece is within the allowable limit, and whether or not the sewing time is within the allowable limit.

[0118] The CPU 31 determines whether or not a transmission instruction has been detected based on the detection result of the input IF 39 (S202). The CPU 31 determines that a transmission instruction has been detected if it detects that the operator has entered the examination result into the input field on the examination screen using the input IF 39 and that a key image has been selected. If the CPU 31 determines that no transmission instruction has been detected (S202: NO), it waits in S202.

[0119] If CPU31 determines that it has detected a transmission instruction (S202:YES), it sends the review results entered in the input fields to server4 via the management page (S103). CPU31 then terminates the review process. If multiple application data are registered, CPU31 may perform the process of sending the review results to server4 for each application data.

[0120] The CPU 41 of server 4 determines whether or not it has received the examination results from the third device 3 (S51). If the CPU 41 determines that it has not received the examination results (S51: NO), it returns the process to S51. If the CPU 41 determines that it has received the examination results (S51: YES), it registers the received examination results on the management page (S52). The CPU 41 determines whether or not the examination results received in S51 are pass or fail (S53).

[0121] If CPU 41 determines that the examination result is a pass (S53: YES), it associates information indicating the pass judgment with the application data and registers it on the management page (S54). CPU 41 outputs a publication instruction to the publication page (S55). If CPU 41 determines that the examination result is not a pass (S53: NO), it associates information indicating the fail judgment with the application data and registers it on the management page (S56). After processing S55 or S56, CPU 41 terminates the processing data evaluation process. As shown in Figure 3, when an applicant accesses the application page using the first device 1 and sends a first disclosure request to server 4, server 4 sends the examination result to the first device 1 (S104). The first disclosure request requests disclosure of the examination result. Processing S104 is an examination result step in which server 4 sends the results of its examination of the embroidery data to the first device 1. If CPU 11 of the first device 1 determines that it has received the examination result from server 4 (S105), it displays the examination result on display 18 (S106).

[0122] As shown in Figure 2, after the processing data evaluation process, the CPU 41 of the server 4 determines whether the evaluation result associated with the application data is a pass or a fail (S4). If the CPU 41 determines that the evaluation result associated with the application data is a fail (S4: NO), the process ends. If the CPU 41 determines that the evaluation result associated with the application data is a pass (S4: YES), the processing data publication process begins. In detail, in order to execute the processing data publication process, the CPU 41 executes the processing data publication process, which includes the following steps, according to the instructions contained in the program stored in the ROM 42 (S5). Various parameters necessary for executing the processing data publication process are stored in memory 44. Various data obtained during the processing data publication process are stored in memory 44 as appropriate.

[0123] As shown in Figure 10, in the processing data publication process, the CPU 41 performs a process to acquire information indicated by the processing data according to the type of processing data. Specifically, the CPU 41 determines whether the type of selected data included in the application data is an embroidery design (S61). If the CPU 41 determines that the type of selected data is an embroidery design (S61: YES), it performs the process in S62. The CPU 41 analyzes the embroidery data included in the application data and obtains the number of stitches based on the number of needle drop points (S62).

[0124] CPU41 analyzes the embroidery data included in the application data and obtains the thread color based on the thread color data (S63). CPU41 obtains the sewing time based on the number of stitches obtained in S62 and the number of thread colors obtained in S63 (S64). CPU41 obtains the size of the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data (S65). CPU41 generates a thumbnail image showing the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data (S66).

[0125] After the review step in S102, CPU 41 performs a publication step (S67) to make the embroidery data accessible to the second device 2. In the publication step, after the review step, CPU 41 sets the embroidery data to a state accessible to the second device 2 (S67). The publication step includes setting the embroidery data to a state accessible to the second device 2 if the embroidery data meets predetermined criteria (S67). CPU 41 controls whether a published page is made public or private by, for example, changing the permissions of a directory or file on server 4. The publication step also includes not setting the embroidery data to a state accessible to the second device 2 if the embroidery data does not meet predetermined criteria (S56). The predetermined criteria include passing a review set by the business operator. In this embodiment, "public" means making the data accessible to at least the second device 2.

[0126] "Publishing embroidery data" includes publishing the information represented by the embroidery data. The information represented by the embroidery data is, for example, a thumbnail image. "Publishing embroidery data" does not necessarily include making the embroidery data itself available for acquisition by the second device 2. The CPU 41 of this embodiment publishes the information represented by the processing data, using the data acquired in S62 to S66 as the information represented by the embroidery data (S67). The publication step publishes the embroidery data on a publication page different from the application page, in a state accessible by the second device 2 (S67). The CPU 41 of this embodiment does not make the embroidery data itself available for acquisition by the second device 2 on the publication page.

[0127] If CPU41 determines that the type of selected data is not an embroidery design (S61: NO), it determines whether the type of selected data is a cut design (S68). If CPU41 determines that the type of selected data is a cut design (S68: YES), it obtains the cutting time required to cut the cutting pattern based on the cut data included in the application data (S69). For example, CPU41 obtains the cutting time based on the length of the cutting line segment indicated by the cut data. CPU41 obtains the size of the cutting pattern based on the cut data (S70).

[0128] CPU41 publishes the cut data (S71). S71 includes publishing the cut data on a different publication page from the application page, in a state where the second device 2 can access it. CPU41 uses the image shown in the cut data as a thumbnail image. CPU41 publishes information including the thumbnail image, cutting time, and size on the publication page.

[0129] If CPU41 determines that the selected data type is not a cut design (S68: NO), it obtains the size of the print pattern based on the print data (S72). CPU41 publishes the print data included in the application data (S73). S73 includes publishing the print data on a different publication page from the application page, in a state where the second device 2 can access it. CPU41 uses the image shown in the print data as a thumbnail image and publishes the thumbnail image and the size of the print pattern on the publication page. CPU41 may also include the size of the print pattern on the print data publication page. After processing S67, S71, or S73, CPU41 terminates the processing data publication process.

[0130] As shown in Figure 2, after the processing data is made public, the user's second device 2 executes the purchase process (S6). The purchase process involves the user operating the second device 2 to access the public page on server 4 and purchasing the processing data published on the public page.

[0131] As shown in Figure 3, the CPU 21 of the second device 2 accesses the public page (S107). The CPU 41 of the server 4 sends data to the second device 2 to display the public page on the display 28 of the second device 2. Based on the data received from the server 4, the CPU 21 of the second device 2 displays screen J1 shown in Figure 11(A). Screen J1 is a screen for extracting information on processed data published on the public page according to the type and category of selected data and displaying it on the display 28.

[0132] Screen J1 includes fields J2 and J3, and a key image J4. Field J2 is for specifying the type of selected data. Field J3 is for specifying the category. Key image J4 is selected when sending an instruction to server 4 to extract processed data registered on the public page based on the conditions shown in fields J2 and J3. In screen J1, embroidery design is selected as the type of selected data.

[0133] The user operates the input IF29 ​​of the second device 2 to select key image J4 on screen J1 with "Plant / Flower" selected as the category. When the CPU 21 detects the selection of key image J4, it sends an extraction instruction to server 4. The extraction instruction is a command to extract processing data according to the conditions shown on screen J1.

[0134] The CPU 41 of server 4 receives an extraction instruction from the second device 2. The CPU 41 extracts processing data from the processing data registered on the public page that satisfies the conditions indicated by the extraction instruction received from the second device 2. The CPU 41 executes a second display step (S108) in which it sends information of embroidery data that satisfies the conditions indicated on screen J1 to the second device 2. The second display step is a step in which the public screen showing the selected data is displayed on the second device 2 of a user different from the applicant. Through the second display step, the CPU 41 displays on the second device 2 a public screen showing the type of selected data specified on the second device 2. Through the second display step, the CPU 41 displays on the second device 2 a public screen showing the category of selected data specified on the second device 2.

[0135] The CPU 21 of the second device 2 displays screen J10, shown in Figure 11(B), on the display 28 based on the information transmitted from the server 4 (S109). Screen J10 displays thumbnail images and titles of embroidery data that satisfy the conditions specified by the second device 2. As shown in Figure 11(B), screen J10 includes the thumbnail image J11 and title J12 of the embroidery data published in the S67 process. Screen J10 is a screen accessible from the second device 2, which is displayed when the second device 2 accesses the public page.

[0136] In Figure 11(B), when the user of the second device 2 selects the thumbnail image J11, a public screen J20 displaying the details of the embroidery data is displayed, as shown in Figure 11(C). The public screen J20 includes the thumbnail image J11 and the title J12. The public screen J20 includes an image J21 and the applicant's name J22, based on the application details included in the application data received in S99. The public screen J20 includes the embroidery pattern size J23 acquired in S65, the sewing time J24 acquired in S64, the number of stitches J25 acquired in S62, and the thread color list J26 acquired in S63. The public screen J20 includes a key image J27, which is selected when sending the application for acquisition of processing data shown on the public screen J20 to the server 4.

[0137] The user of the second device 2 checks the contents of the public screen J20 displayed on the display 28 and selects the key image J27. The CPU 21 of the second device 2 detects the selection of the key image J27 based on the detection result of the input IF 29. The CPU 21 sends an acquisition request to the server 4 via the server 4's public page requesting to acquire the embroidery data displayed on the public screen J20 (S120).

[0138] When the CPU 41 of server 4 receives an acquisition request from the second device 2, it registers the sales information based on the received acquisition request on the management page (S121). Server 4 sends payment data to the second device 2. The payment data is data used to display a payment screen on the display 28 of the second device 2, prompting the user to proceed with purchasing the processed data. The process of sending payment data to the second device 2 may be performed by the provider instead of server 4. The provider provides a platform for accessing the public page on the second device 2.

[0139] The CPU 21 of the second device 2 displays a payment screen on the display 28 based on the payment data received from the server 4. The user of the second device 2 enters a payment instruction to pay for the purchase of the processed data according to the payment screen. The CPU 21 of the second device 2 detects the payment instruction based on the detection result of the input IF 29. The CPU 21 sends data for settling the purchase of the processed data to the provider (S122). The data for settling the purchase cost includes, for example, the purchase cost and credit card information. The payment of the purchase cost is completed by the process in S122.

[0140] The provider sends a payment completion notification to the public page on server 4, informing the service provider that the payment has been completed (S123). The provider deposits the purchase cost, minus the provider's margin, into the business operator's account (S124). The business operator deposits the cost of the applicant's portion of the processed data into the payment system, which acts on behalf of the business operator (S125). When the payment due date arrives, the payment system deposits the applicant's portion of the cost into the bank account specified by the applicant (S141). The payment due date can be set as appropriate, for example, at the end of the month. The business operator accesses the management page by operating the third device 3 and registers the payment information on the management page (S142).

[0141] The CPU 41 of Server 4 registers the payment information on the application page corresponding to the applicant's identification information when the payment information is registered on the management page (S143). The payment information registered on the application page is sent from Server 4 to the first device 1 when the applicant accesses the application page and sends a second disclosure request to Server 4 (S144). The second disclosure request requests the disclosure of payment information. When the first device 1 receives the payment information from Server 4, it displays the payment information on the display 18 (S145).

[0142] The CPU 41 of server 4 registers sales information on the application page if certain conditions are met (S126). The conditions are met if sales information is registered on the management page in S121 and permission is granted to the second device 2 to acquire processing data in S151.

[0143] Sales information may include any information related to the purchase of processed data included in the application data sent by the applicant to the server 4 when the first device 1 was operated. Sales information may include, for example, identification information of the processed data, the date and time the processed data was purchased, the amount, and identification information of the user who made the purchase. The identification information of the processed data may be information assigned by the server 4, or it may be information such as the title entered by the applicant when they entered the application data. Sales information may also include the cumulative number of processed data purchased during a specified period, the cumulative sales amount, and identification information of the user who made the purchase.

[0144] The registered sales information is transmitted from the server 4 to the first device 1 in a predetermined case (S127). The predetermined case is when the applicant accesses the application page and sends a third disclosure request to the server 4. The third disclosure request requests the disclosure of sales information. The server 4 transmits the sales information to the first device 1 in a data format that can be displayed on the display 18. The process in S127 is a sales information transmission step in which sales information indicating that embroidery data has been purchased is transmitted to the first device 1.

[0145] The first device 1 performs a sales information receiving step, receiving sales information from the server 4 (S128). In a specific example, the sales information receiving step is the step of receiving sales information indicating that embroidery data has been purchased (S128). The first device 1 receives the sales information from the server 4 in a data format that can be displayed on the display 18. The first device 1 displays the sales information on the display 18 (S129).

[0146] Server 4, upon receiving a payment completion notification from the provider, performs an authorization step that permits the second device 2 to acquire the processed data for which payment has been completed (S151). The authorization step is to permit the second device 2, which is different from the first device 1, to download the embroidery data via the Internet 5 (S151). In the specific example, the authorization step includes permitting the download of embroidery data to the second device 2 of a user different from the business operator and the applicant (S151).

[0147] In the authorization step, CPU 41, upon receiving an acquisition request from the second device 2 (S149), authorizes the second device 2 to download the embroidery data in a predetermined case (S123) (S151). An acquisition request requests to acquire embroidery data. The predetermined case is when the requirements for acquiring the embroidery data are met. The acquisition requirements include the completion of payment for the purchase of the embroidery data (S150). In the authorization step, CPU 41 authorizes the second device 2 to download the embroidery data via the Internet 5 from a public page different from the application page (S151).

[0148] After Server 4 authorizes Second Device 2 to acquire processing data, the user operates Second Device 2 to send a transmission request to Server 4 via the public page (S152). The transmission request requests to download purchased processing data. In response to receiving the transmission request from Second Device 2, Server 4 sends the embroidery data, which is the processing data indicated in the transmission request, to Second Device 2 (S153). The user operates Second Device 2 to perform a transmission step in which the processing data downloaded from Server 4 is sent to the processing device corresponding to the processing data (S154). In this specific example, Second Device 2 sends the embroidery data to the sewing machine 8 (S154). If the processing data downloaded from Server 4 is cut data, Second Device 2 may send the cut data to the cutting machine 9. If the processing data downloaded from Server 4 is print data, Second Device 2 may send the print data to the printer 10.

[0149] The processing device performs the processing. The user drives the processing device to process the workpiece according to the processing data transmitted in S154. In a specific example, the sewing machine 8 performs the sewing process (S7). The user has the sewing machine 8 sew a pattern according to the embroidery data. The sewing process is an example of a processing process. If the processing data is cut data, the user has the cutting machine 9 cut the medium according to the cut data. If the processing data is print data, the user has the printer 10 print the image according to the print data. System 7 then completes the method for providing processing data.

[0150] In the above embodiments, the first device 1 is an example of the first device of this disclosure. The second device 2 is an example of the second device of this disclosure. The third device 3 is an example of the third device of this disclosure. The server 4 is an example of the server of this disclosure. The sewing machine 8 is an example of the sewing machine of this disclosure. The cutting machine 9 is an example of the cutting machine of this disclosure. The printer 10 is an example of the printer of this disclosure. S7 is an example of the sewing step of this disclosure. The application data is an example of the application data of this disclosure.

[0151] S99 is an example of the application receipt step for this disclosure. The processing of S99 is an example of the application receipt processing for this disclosure. S151 is an example of the approval step for this disclosure. The processing of S151 is an example of the approval processing for this disclosure. S47 and S102 are examples of the review step for this disclosure. S67 is an example of the publication step for this disclosure. S1 is an example of the generation step for this disclosure. S154 is an example of the transmission step for this disclosure. S84 and S85 are examples of the type selection step for this disclosure. S98 is an example of the initial display step for this disclosure.

[0152] S99 is an example of the upload step in this disclosure. S91 is an example of the category selection step in this disclosure. S108 is an example of the second display step in this disclosure. S127 is an example of the sales information transmission step in this disclosure. S128 is an example of the sales information reception step in this disclosure. S106 is an example of the review result display step in this disclosure. S129 is an example of the third display step in this disclosure. The processing in S104 is an example of the review result transmission processing in this disclosure.

[0153] The method of the above embodiment includes an application reception step, an examination step, and an authorization step. The application reception step is a step of receiving application data from the first device 1, which includes embroidery data for sewing a pattern onto the sewing machine 8 (S99). The examination step is a step of examining the embroidery data (S47, S102). The authorization step is a step of allowing a second device 2, which is different from the first device 1, to download the embroidery data via the Internet 5 after the embroidery data has been examined (S151). The method of the above embodiment contributes to allowing a second device 2, which is different from the first device 1, to download the embroidery data included in the application data received from the first device 1. The method contributes to making the information of the embroidery data available to the user after the embroidery data has been examined.

[0154] The review step includes reviewing whether or not to make the embroidery data accessible by the second device 2. The method includes, after the review step, a publication step in which the embroidery data is published in a state accessible by the second device 2. The method contributes to improving the eligibility of the published embroidery data compared to a case where the review step does not include reviewing whether or not to make the embroidery data accessible by the second device 2.

[0155] The review step includes the business operator reviewing the embroidery data (S102). The application reception step includes receiving the application data from a first device 1 belonging to an applicant different from the business operator (S99). The authorization step includes authorizing the download of the embroidery data to a second device 2 belonging to a user different from the business operator and the applicant (S151). The method contributes to the review of the embroidery data contained in the application data received from the first device 1 by a business operator different from the applicant. The method contributes to improving the objectivity of the review compared to a method in which the applicant reviews the embroidery data.

[0156] The method includes a publication step (S67) in which the embroidery data is made public after the examination step, in a state accessible to the second device 2. The method of the above embodiment contributes to making the embroidery data included in the application data received from the first device 1 public to the second device 2, which is different from the first device 1. The method contributes to making the information of the embroidery data viewable by users.

[0157] The application reception step includes receiving application data containing embroidery data that is inaccessible to the second device 2 (S99). The publication step includes setting the embroidery data to an accessible state for the second device 2 after the examination step (S67). The method contributes to making the embroidery data contained in the application data received from the first device 1 accessible to the second device 2 after the embroidery data has been examined.

[0158] The review step includes reviewing whether the embroidery data meets predetermined criteria (S47, S102). The publication step includes setting the embroidery data to be accessible by the second device 2 if the embroidery data meets the predetermined criteria (S67). The publication step also includes not setting the embroidery data to be accessible by the second device 2 if the embroidery data does not meet the predetermined criteria (S56). The publication step of the method contributes to making only the embroidery data that meets the predetermined criteria among the embroidery data included in the application data received from the first device 1 public. The method contributes to improving the convenience for users of the second device 2 when viewing the published embroidery data compared to a method in which all embroidery data included in the application data received from the first device 1 is made public.

[0159] The prescribed standards are determined by the business operator. This method contributes to unifying the prescribed standards compared to methods where the prescribed standards are determined by parties other than the business operator.

[0160] The authorization step, upon receiving a request for acquisition from the second device 2 (S149), includes allowing the second device 2 to download the embroidery data in predetermined cases (S123) (S151). A request for acquisition requests the acquisition of embroidery data. The predetermined cases are when the requirements for acquiring embroidery data are met. The authorization step of the method contributes to making it easier to send application data from the first device 1 compared to a method that unconditionally allows the download of embroidery data.

[0161] The application reception step includes receiving the application data via the application page (S99). The authorization step includes authorizing the second device 2 to download the embroidery data via the Internet 5 from a public page different from the application page (S151). This method makes it easier to send application data from the first device 1 compared to the method where the application page and the public page are the same page. The authorization step of this method makes it easier to view the published embroidery data via the second device 2 compared to the method where the application page and the public page are the same page.

[0162] The application page is accessible by the first device 1, but not by the second device 2. The public page is accessible by both the first device 1 and the second device 2. This method helps to prevent the second device 2 from obtaining embroidery data information before the embroidery data is reviewed.

[0163] The method includes a sewing step (S7) in which the sewing machine 8 sews a pattern according to the embroidery data. The sewing step of the method contributes to a user of a second device 2, separate from the first device 1, having the sewing machine 8 sew according to the embroidery data transmitted from the first device 1 to the server 4.

[0164] The method includes a transmission step (S154) to send embroidery data from the second device 2 to the sewing machine 8. Compared to a method without a transmission step, the transmission step of this method contributes to saving the user the trouble of storing embroidery data in the sewing machine 8.

[0165] The method includes a generation step in which the applicant generates embroidery data (S1). The generation step in the method contributes to clearly identifying the generator of the embroidery data compared to a method that does not include a generation step.

[0166] The application reception step includes the first device 1 accessing the application page and transmitting the application data (S99). The publication step includes publishing the embroidery data on a publication page different from the application page, in a state accessible by the second device 2 (S67). This method makes it easier to transmit application data from the first device 1 compared to a method where the application page and the publication page are the same page. The authorization step of this method makes it easier to view the published embroidery data via the second device 2 compared to a method where the application page and the publication page are the same page.

[0167] The review step includes reviewing the embroidery data by having the operator's third device 3 access a management page different from the application page and the public page (S100) (S102). This method makes it easier for operators to conduct reviews compared to a method where the management page and the application page or public page are the same page.

[0168] The acquisition requirement includes the completion of payment for the purchase of the embroidery data (S150). The method includes a sales information transmission step that transmits sales information indicating that the embroidery data has been purchased to the first device 1 (S127). The acquisition requirement of the method contributes to ensuring the collection of purchase fees from users of the second device 2, compared to a method that allows the download of embroidery data regardless of whether payment for the purchase of the embroidery data has been completed. The sales information transmission step of the method contributes to enabling applicants using the first device 1 to verify the sales information.

[0169] The publication step includes publishing a thumbnail image showing the pattern, which was generated based on the embroidery data (S67). The publication step of the method contributes to making it easier for users of the second device 2 to understand the finished pattern compared to the method in which the thumbnail image is not published.

[0170] The program executed by server 4 includes instructions for server 4 to execute application reception processing, examination result transmission processing, and permission processing. Application reception processing is the process of receiving application data from first device 1, which includes embroidery data for sewing a pattern onto the sewing machine 8 (S99). Examination result transmission processing is the process of transmitting the results of the examination of the embroidery data to first device 1 (S104). Permission processing is the process of, after transmitting the results of the examination of the embroidery data to first device 1, granting permission to a second device 2, which is different from first device 1, to download the embroidery data via the Internet 5 (S151). The program in the above embodiment contributes to allowing a second device 2, which is different from first device 1, to download the embroidery data included in the application data received from first device 1. The program contributes to making the embroidery data information available to the user.

[0171] The method includes a first display step, an upload step, and a second display step. The first display step is the step of displaying the application screen on the applicant's first device 1 (S98). The application screen is a screen for uploading selected data, which is data selected from at least one of the embroidery data and print data. The embroidery data is data that causes the sewing machine 8 to sew an embroidery pattern. The print data is data that causes the printer 10 to print a print pattern. The upload step is the step of accepting the upload of the selected data based on the application screen (S99). The second display step is the step of displaying a public screen showing the selected data on a second device 2 of a user different from the applicant (S108). The first display step of the method contributes to improving the convenience of the applicant when they operate the first device 1 to send the selected data. The first display step contributes to improving the convenience of the applicant compared to a method in which only embroidery data can be included in the application data.

[0172] The first display step is to display an application screen on the applicant's first device 1 for uploading selected data, which is at least one data selected from embroidery data, print data, and cut data (S98). The cut data is data that causes the cutting machine 9 to cut a cutting pattern. The first display step of the method contributes to improving the convenience of the applicant when they operate the first device 1 to send the selected data. The first display step contributes to improving the convenience of the applicant compared to a method in which cut data cannot be included in the application data.

[0173] The method includes a review result display step, after the upload step, which displays the results of the review of the embroidery data on the first device 1 (S106). The review result display step of the method helps the applicant understand the results of the review of the embroidery data.

[0174] The method includes a third display step, after the second display step, which causes the first device 1 to display sales information indicating that the embroidery data has been purchased (S129). The third display step of the method helps the applicant understand the sales status of the embroidery data.

[0175] The method includes a type selection step that accepts the selection of a type of data from among embroidery designs, cut designs, and print designs (S85). The second display step includes displaying a public screen on the second device 2 showing the type of selected data specified on the second device 2 (S108). The second display step of the method contributes to improving the convenience of the user of the second device 2 compared to a method in which the second device 2 does not accept the specification of selected data.

[0176] The type selection step includes accepting the selection of the type of data to be selected based on the file format of the data to be selected (S84, S85). Compared to a method that accepts the selection of the type of data to be selected regardless of the file format of the data to be selected, the type selection step of the method contributes to reducing the possibility of selecting an incorrect type.

[0177] The type selection step includes enabling the selection of embroidery designs if the file format is the first data format (S19:YES) (S20, S84). The type selection step includes enabling the selection of cut designs and print designs if the file format is a second data format different from the first data format (S19:NO) (S21, S84), and accepting the type selection (S85). The type selection step of the method contributes to appropriately setting the selection of types of selected data according to the file format of the selected data.

[0178] The method includes a category selection step that accepts the selection of a category for the selected data (S91). The second display step includes displaying a public screen on the second device 2 showing the selected data for the specified category on the second device 2 (S108). The second display step of the method contributes to improving the convenience of the user of the second device 2 compared to a method that does not accept category selection from the second device 2.

[0179] A category includes a main category and subcategories associated with that main category. The categorization of methods contributes to the selection of hierarchical categories compared to methods where the categories are not divided into main and subcategories.

[0180] Subcategories are selectable only when a main category is selected; otherwise, they are not selectable. The method categories contribute to improving the likelihood that both the main category and the subcategories will be appropriately selected.

[0181] The method includes a generation step, an application step, and a sales information receiving step. The generation step is a step of generating embroidery data to cause the sewing machine 8 to sew a pattern (S1). The application step is a step of sending application data, including the embroidery data, to the server 4 (S31). The sales information receiving step is a step of receiving sales information from the server 4 indicating that the embroidery data has been purchased by a user (S128). The method contributes to receiving sales information of the embroidery data from the server 4. The method contributes to the server 4 selling the embroidery data information to the user, that is, making it available to the user. The sales information receiving step of the method contributes to the applicant being able to understand the sales status of the embroidery data.

[0182] The methods and programs of this disclosure are not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. For example, the following modifications may be made as appropriate. This disclosure is executable in various ways and may be implemented, for example, in the form of a non-temporary computer-readable medium storing a program, and a system.

[0183] As a recording medium for storing a program, a "non-temporary, tangible medium" such as ROM (Read Only Memory), as well as tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, programmable logic circuit, etc., can be used. The recording medium may also be RAM (Random Access Memory) for deploying the program. The program may be supplied to a computer that executes the program via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the program, such as a communication network and broadcast waves. One aspect of this disclosure can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0184] (A) The configuration of System 7 may be changed as appropriate. System 7 may or may not include processing equipment. The types of selected data may include embroidery designs. The types and number of selected data may be changed as appropriate. The types of selected data may not include cut designs or print designs. The types of selected data may include plot designs from a plotter.

[0185] The sewing machine 8 can be any sewing machine capable of sewing embroidery patterns, and may be an industrial sewing machine or a multi-needle sewing machine equipped with multiple needle bars. If the sewing machine 8 is a multi-needle sewing machine, the number of needle bars is not particularly limited. A single processing device may be capable of performing processing according to multiple types of selection data. For example, the cutting machine 9 may be capable of performing the process of cutting cutting patterns as well as the process of drawing drawing patterns as a plotter. The sewing machine 8 may be capable of performing the process of sewing embroidery patterns as well as the process of cutting cutting patterns. The type of printer 10 may be changed as appropriate, and may be an inkjet printer or a label printer.

[0186] The configurations of the first apparatus 1 and the third apparatus 3 may be changed as appropriate, and may include, for example, a smartphone or tablet device. The displays 18, 28, and 38 only need to be capable of displaying images, and may include, for example, an organic EL display, a plasma display, a plasma tube array display, or an electronic paper display using electrophoresis.

[0187] Input IF19, 29, and 39 may be a touch panel, keyboard, mouse, or other devices such as switches or joysticks. Some or all of the embroidery data, cut data, and print data may be transmitted or received wirelessly from the second device 2 or server 4. The second device 2 may omit the processing in S154 and, for example, transfer some or all of the embroidery data, cut data, and print data via a storage medium such as a USB memory stick.

[0188] (B) The programs executed by Server 4 only need to be stored in the storage device of Server 4 before each CPU 41 executes the corresponding program. Therefore, the method of acquiring the programs, the acquisition path, and the devices that store the programs can be changed as appropriate. The programs executed by Server 4 may also be received from other devices via cable or wireless communication and stored in storage devices such as memory. Other devices include, for example, PCs and servers connected via a network.

[0189] (C) The entity that performs each step of the method may be changed as appropriate. The processing performed on server 4 is not limited to the example where it is performed by CPU 41, and some or all of it may be performed by other electronic devices, such as ASICs. The processing performed on first device 1 is not limited to the example where it is performed by CPU 11, and some or all of it may be performed by other electronic devices. The processing performed on second device 2 is not limited to the example where it is performed by CPU 21, and some or all of it may be performed by other electronic devices. The processing performed on third device 3 is not limited to the example where it is performed by CPU 31, and some or all of it may be performed by other electronic devices.

[0190] Each step of the method may be distributed among multiple electronic devices, such as multiple CPUs. The steps of the method can be reordered, omitted, or added as needed. The following modifications may be made to the method as appropriate:

[0191] The method may omit or modify the review steps. The method may perform only S47 or S102 as the review steps. The review may be performed by the applicant or the user. The prescribed criteria may be determined by a third party different from the business operator, applicant, or user. The review steps do not have to be performed by accessing the management page. The review steps may be performed by the business operator acquiring embroidery data stored on a storage device such as a USB memory. The review results may be transmitted to the server 4 via the applicant's first device 1 or application page.

[0192] The method may omit or modify the publication step. The publication step may be performed before the review step. The publication step may include setting the embroidery data to be accessible by the second device 2 if the embroidery data does not meet the prescribed criteria. The publication step may also include publishing the review results of the embroidery data to the publication page in association with the embroidery data.

[0193] The evaluation results may be expressed as an evaluation value. The evaluation value may be expressed as a numerical value or as a rating such as excellent, good, or acceptable. The publication step may include the second device 2 storing the embroidery data in an access storage location. The publication step does not have to publish a thumbnail image showing the embroidery pattern generated based on the embroidery data. The publication step may publish the image uploaded to server 4 when the application data was sent to server 4, or a photograph of the embroidery pattern actually sewn during the evaluation, as a thumbnail image. The thumbnail image does not have to show the entire pattern; it may be an image in which part is intentionally hidden.

[0194] The method may omit or modify the second display step. The items displayed on the public screen may be changed as appropriate. The method may not accept the selection of the type of selected data in the second device 2. The method may not accept the selection of a category in the second device 2.

[0195] The application reception step may be modified as appropriate. The application reception step may include receiving application data, including embroidery data, in a state accessible to the second device 2. The application reception step may also include receiving application data, including embroidery data, without going through the application page. The application reception step may be performed by the operator's third device 3.

[0196] The authorization step may be modified as appropriate. The authorization step may include allowing the download of embroidery data in response to the second device 2 accessing the public page, regardless of whether or not it has received an acquisition request from the second device 2. The acquisition requirements may be modified as appropriate and do not have to include the completion of payment for the purchase of embroidery data. The acquisition requirements may include being subscribed to a fixed-price subscription service. The acquisition requirements may include being subscribed to a subscription service and the number of processed data downloads within the contract period being within the purchase limit specified in the subscription service.

[0197] The application page may be the same page as the public page. The application page may also be the same page as the administration page. The application page, public page, and administration page may each be managed by a single server 4, or by multiple servers 4. In other words, the server that receives application data including processing data from the first device 1, the server that receives the processing data review results from the third device 3, and the server that publishes the processing data to the second device 2 may be different servers.

[0198] The method may omit the sewing step. The method may omit the transmission step. The method may omit the generation step. The generation step may be performed by someone other than the applicant.

[0199] The method may omit the sales information transmission step. The method may omit the sales information reception step. The timing at which the sales information transmission step and the sales information reception step are performed may be changed as appropriate. The sales information transmission step and the sales information reception step may be performed at a predetermined frequency, such as once a month. In the sales information transmission step, sales information may be transmitted from server 4 to first device 1 without going through the application page.

[0200] The first display step may be omitted or modified. Items and layouts displayed on the application screen may be changed as appropriate. The method may allow only embroidery data to be uploaded from the application screen, and cut data or print data may not be uploadable.

[0201] The method may omit or modify the type selection step. The type selection step may be omitted based on the file format of the selected data. The method may not restrict the selectable types based on the file format.

[0202] The method may omit or modify the category selection step. Categories may include only the main category, or applicants may optionally enter additional categories. Subcategories may be selectable regardless of whether a main category has been selected. The processing of the first device 1, the second device 2, the third device 3, and the server 4 is directed towards data, but in this specification, for the sake of explanation, the processing is sometimes described by the content of the data. For example, "Server 4 transmits sales information to the first device 1" means "Server 4 transmits data indicating sales information to the first device 1." The content of the data may include, for example, acquisition requests, disclosure requests, sales information, and review results. [Explanation of symbols]

[0203] 1: First device, 2: Second device, 3: Third device, 4: Server, 7: System, 8: Sewing machine, 9: Cutting machine, 10: Printer, 4: Processing data output device, 7: Terminal device, 9: Printer, 11, 21, 31, 41: CPU, 11, 24, 34, 44: Memory, 18, 28, 38: Display

Claims

1. Application data including embroidery data for sewing a pattern onto a sewing machine, and an application receiving step of receiving the application data from a first device, A review step for reviewing the aforementioned embroidery data, After reviewing the embroidery data, the authorizing step grants permission to a second device, different from the first device, to download the embroidery data via the internet. A method characterized by including the following.

2. The examination step includes examining whether the embroidery data is accessible to the second device, The method according to claim 1, further comprising a disclosure step of making the embroidery data accessible to the second device after the examination step.

3. The aforementioned review step includes the business operator reviewing the embroidery data, The application receiving step includes receiving the application data from the first device of an applicant different from the business operator, The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the permission step includes allowing the download of the embroidery data to the second device of a user different from the business operator and the applicant.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising a disclosure step of making the embroidery data publicly available in a state accessible to the second device, after the examination step.

5. The application receiving step includes receiving the application data, which includes the embroidery data in an inaccessible state to the second device. The method according to 4, characterized in that the disclosure step includes, after the examination step, setting the embroidery data to a state accessible by the second device.

6. The aforementioned review step includes reviewing whether the embroidery data meets predetermined criteria, The aforementioned publishing step is, If the embroidery data satisfies the predetermined criteria, the embroidery data is set to a state accessible by the second device. The method according to the fifth, characterized in that, if the embroidery data does not meet the predetermined criteria, the second device does not set the embroidery data to a state that can be accessed by the second device.

7. The method according to 6, characterized in that the aforementioned prescribed standards are determined by the aforementioned business operator.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the authorization step includes, in response to receiving an acquisition request from the second device requesting to acquire the embroidery data, authorizing the second device to download the embroidery data if the requirements for acquiring the embroidery data are met.

9. The aforementioned application receiving step includes receiving the application data via the application page, The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the permission step includes allowing the second device to download the embroidery data via the Internet from a public page different from the application page.

10. The aforementioned application page is a page that is accessible by the first device but not accessible by the second device. The aforementioned public page is characterized in that it is a page accessible by the first device and the second device. The method according to claim 9.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a sewing step of causing the sewing machine to sew the pattern according to the embroidery data.

12. A transmission step from the second device to the sewing machine to transmit the embroidery data. The method according to 11, further comprising:

13. The method according to the previous version, further comprising a generation step in which the applicant generates the embroidery data.

14. The application receiving step includes the first device accessing the application page and transmitting the application data, The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the publication step includes publishing the embroidery data on a publication page different from the application page, in a state accessible by the second device.

15. The method according to 14, characterized in that the review step includes reviewing the embroidery data by having the operator's third device access a management page different from the application page and the public page.

16. The acquisition requirements include the completion of payment for the purchase of the embroidery data. The method according to 8, further comprising a sales information transmission step of transmitting sales information indicating that the embroidery data has been purchased to the first device.

17. The method according to 4, characterized in that the disclosure step includes disclosing a thumbnail image showing the pattern, which is generated based on the embroidery data.

18. A program executed by a server, Application data including embroidery data for sewing a pattern onto a sewing machine, and an application reception process that receives the application data from the first device, A review result transmission process that transmits the results of reviewing the embroidery data to the first device, After transmitting the results of the review of the embroidery data to the first device, a permission process is performed to allow a second device, which is different from the first device, to download the embroidery data via the internet. A program characterized by including instructions for executing a program.

19. A first display step in which an application screen for uploading selected data, which is at least one selected data from embroidery data and print data, is displayed on the applicant's first device, wherein the embroidery data is data that causes a sewing machine to sew an embroidery pattern, and the print data is data that causes a printer to print a print pattern, Based on the aforementioned application screen, an upload step is performed to accept the upload of the selected data, A second display step involves displaying the public screen showing the selected data on a second device of a user different from the applicant, A method characterized by including the following.

20. The method according to 19, wherein the first display step includes displaying an application screen on the applicant's first device for uploading selected data, which is data selected from at least one of the embroidery data, print data, and cut data, and the cut data is data that causes a cutting machine to cut a cutting pattern.

21. The method according to 19, further comprising a review result display step in which the results of the review of the embroidery data are displayed on the first device after the upload step.

22. The method according to 19, further comprising a third display step of causing the first device to display sales information indicating that the embroidery data has been purchased, after the second display step.

23. The process further includes a type selection step that accepts the selection of the type of data from among embroidery designs, cut designs, and print designs. The method according to 19, characterized in that the second display step includes causing the second device to display the public screen showing the selected data of the type specified by the second device.

24. The method according to 23, wherein the type selection step includes accepting the selection of the type of the selected data based on the file format of the selected data.

25. The method according to 24, wherein the type selection step includes allowing the selection of the embroidery design if the file format is a first data format, and allowing the selection of the cut design and the print design if the file format is a second data format different from the first data format, and accepting the selection of the type.

26. The process further includes a category selection step that accepts the selection of categories for the aforementioned selected data, The method according to 19, characterized in that the second display step includes displaying the public screen showing the selected data for the category specified on the second device on the second device.

27. The method according to 26, characterized in that the category includes a main category and a subcategory associated with the main category.

28. The method according to 27, characterized in that the subcategory is selectable when the main category is selected, and not selectable when the main category is not selected.

29. A generation step that generates embroidery data to sew patterns onto a sewing machine, An application step of sending application data including the aforementioned embroidery data to a server, A sales information receiving step in which the server receives sales information from the server indicating that the embroidery data has been purchased by a user. A method characterized by including the following.

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