Computerized embroidery machine diagnostics

A method for obtaining stitching machine information, comprising:

• performing a first set of operational procedures including a first operational procedure related to components of said stitching machine including at least a first component thereof, said components of said stitching machine including:
• an x-axis motor, a y-axis motor, a z-axis motor, a picker motor, a grabber motor, a color change motor, a hoop member and a thread detector and in which said performing step includes performing a second set of operational procedures, said second set of operational procedures including a plurality of the following:
• monitoring proper operation of said x-axis motor, monitoring proper operation of said y-axis motor, monitoring timing associated with said z-axis motor, monitoring proper operation of said picker motor, monitoring proper operation of said grabber motor, monitoring a position associated with said color change motor, monitoring at least one limit associated with said hoop member, and monitoring thread break using said thread detector;
• determining operational information related to said performing step;
• and
• outputting at least a first message that includes information related to whether a fault exists associated with said first component and, when a fault exists associated with said first component, providing an indication thereof.

A system for obtaining information from a stitching machine, comprising:

• stitching machine components including a plurality of the following:
• stitching machine electronics, x-axis motor, y-axis motor, z-axis motor, picker motor, grabber motor, trimmer motor, jump stitch motor, take up lever motor, color change motor, thread detector and hoop member;
• memory that stores at least one set of operational procedures that includes configuring said stitching machine electronics and checking predetermined positions for a number of the following:
• said x-axis motor, said y-axis motor, said z-axis motor, said picker motor, said grabber motor, said trimmer motor, said jump stitch motor, said take up level motor and said color change motor;
• at least one processor in operative communication with said memory for use in implementing said at least one set of operational procedures;
• and
• a first computer display located at a first site having said stitching machine components, said first computer display displaying a status output related to a predetermined position of each of said x-axis motor, said y-axis motor and said z-axis motor;
• wherein a status message is output related to whether a fault exists associated with at least one of said stitching machine components, said status message being output using said first computer display.

A method for remotely diagnosing a stitching machine, comprising:

• providing a customer network in communication with a stitching machine computer that controls a stitching machine;
• providing a service network in communication with a service computer;
• establishing a communications connection between said customer network and said service network by means of a communications network;
• executing diagnostic software by said service computer;
• communicating with said stitching machine computer related to said diagnostic software using said customer network, said service network and said communications network;
• controlling said stitching machine computer based on said executing step;
• and
• diagnosing by a technician said stitching machine using said service computer and said diagnostic software.

A system for remotely diagnosing a stitching machine, comprising:

• a stitching machine having a number of components for stitching on a stitching material;
• a stitching machine computer in communication with said stitching machine;
• a customer network in communication with said stitching machine computer;
• a service computer located remotely from said stitching machine and said stitching machine computer;
• a service network in communication with said service computer;
• a communications network for establishing a communications connection between said customer and service networks;
• wherein said service computer includes at least one processor that executes diagnostic software and a computer screen that displays diagnostic related information, said customer network receiving said diagnostic related information from said service network using said communications network and in which said diagnostic related information displayed on said computer screen of said service computer is used by a technician operating said service computer to diagnose at least one fault associated with at least one component of said stitching machine.

A method for remotely diagnosing a stitching machine, comprising:

• providing a stitching machine having a number of components in communication with a stitching machine computer;
• monitoring at least a number of said plurality of components including:
• monitoring whether a break occurs in upper thread of said stitching machine;
• monitoring whether a break occurs in lower thread of said stitching machine;
• monitoring whether a rack used to move said hoop is moving in a x-direction;
• monitoring whether said rack is moving in a y-direction;
• and
• monitoring retraction of a picker of said stitching machine;
• diagnosing remotely said stitching machine using a service computer that is in communication with said stitching machine computer using the Internet when at least a first fault occurs related to at least one of said rack, said upper thread, said lower thread and said picker.