Sewing Machine Stitch Status Checking via Dual-Protocol Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sewing machine monitoring systems face challenges in real-time remote monitoring of stitching progress due to limitations in wireless communication, data load on hardware, and poor visibility of video transmission, especially when the user is mobile or the communication connection is interrupted.

Innovation Solution

A stitchwork status checking apparatus that uses different communication protocols for status and stitchwork data, employing CRC codes for data integrity and consistency checks, allowing for real-time monitoring via a wireless network, enabling precise data transfer and reducing communication errors, and allowing monitoring beyond the sewing machine's range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If video data is transmitted via wireless communication to monitor stitching progress, then real-time monitoring is enabled, but data quantity becomes remarkably large causing heavy load on hardware resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoidhardware resource load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential monitoring information (stitching progress status, thread break detection, completion status) from the full video data stream. Instead of transmitting complete video frames, the system transmits only critical status updates and alarm conditions, dramatically reducing data quantity while maintaining monitoring effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified digital representation (copy) of the monitoring information rather than transmitting the original video data. Status indicators, progress percentages, and alarm signals serve as compact copies that convey essential information without the bulk of video data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used for monitoring, then user mobility is improved, but communication errors occur when connection is lost requiring manual re-establishment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser mobilityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic reconnection mechanisms that cushion against communication failures before they affect the user. The system continuously monitors connection status and automatically re-establishes communication when interrupted, preventing the need for manual intervention and ensuring continuous monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the monitoring system continuously checks communication status and automatically adjusts by re-establishing connections. This closed-loop approach detects communication failures and triggers automatic recovery actions, maintaining reliable operation despite wireless connectivity challenges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Illumination intensity

If video transmission is used for monitoring, then stitching progress can be observed, but the video becomes fuzzy when communication status is poor reducing visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo visibilityVSAvoidcommunication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential visual information needed for monitoring - specifically stitching progress status, thread break conditions, and completion signals - rather than transmitting full video images. This extraction approach maintains visibility of critical information while avoiding the quality degradation associated with compressing and transmitting complete video frames over unstable wireless connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If a CCD camera is disposed near the sewing machine for monitoring, then stitchwork status can be checked, but the user's movable range is limited due to wired connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoiduser mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. The monitoring apparatus communicates with the sewing machine control unit via wireless signals, eliminating the physical cable that constrained user movement. This substitution maintains monitoring capability while enabling free movement within the wireless communication range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2835463B1Stitchwork status checking system, stitchwork status checking apparatus, stitchwork status checking method and stitchwork status checking program
Publication Date: 2016.01.13 JANOME CORP
  • EP2835463B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2835463B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2835463B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A stitchwork status checking apparatus includes a stitchwork data receiver unit that receives stitchwork data on a stitchwork pattern selected and currently stitched by a sewing machine, a converter unit that converts the received stitchwork data into a unique code, a status data receiver unit that receives a unique code converted based on the stitchwork data currently stitched by the sewing machine, and a code comparator unit that compares a code converted by the converter unit with a code received by the status data receiver unit. The stitchwork data receiver unit receives the stitchwork data through a transmission protocol that surely transmits data to a transmission destination. The status data receiver unit receives the code through a transmission protocol that transmits data to a transmission destination within a short time.