Simplified operation, electronic control panel for industrial sewing machines

A control panel for an industrial sewing machine, said sewing machine comprising at least in part, an electric motor controlled through a microprocessor, and a control panel comprising a visual display and keys for programming said microprocessor and controlling said sewing machine,

• wherein the improvement comprises:
• a) a visual display comprising electronic means including an array of horizontal rows and vertical columns containing means for the display of graphic symbols and sewing operational parameters, which graphic symbols and operational parameters are related to microprocessor programs controlling the sewing operation of said sewing machine;
• and,
• b) keys for programming and controlling said sewing machine, said keys consisting essentially of:
• i) a first key means for scrolling through additional graphic symbols and operational parameters;
• ii) a second key means for selecting a position within a horizontal row of said visual display;
• iii) a third key means for selecting a position within a vertical column of said visual display;
• and,
• iv) a fourth key means for enabling, disabling, or changing the function corresponding to the selected graphic symbol, or for increasing or decreasing the selected operational parameter.