Computerized stitching including embroidering

A method for stitching using a plurality of stitching machines, comprising:

• establishing a network that includes a plurality of stitching machines including at least first and second stitching machines that can communicate with a control system that includes at least a first controller, said control system for use in providing a selected one of a synchronized mode and an unsynchronized mode;
• selecting a first pattern to stitch using said plurality of stitching machines;
• stitching at least the first pattern by said plurality of stitching machines, wherein when said synchronized mode is selected each of the stitching machines stitches the first pattern substantially synchronously and when said unsynchronized mode is selected each of the stitching machines stitches the first pattern independently of other of said plurality of stitching machines;
• wherein said establishing a network step comprises:
• configuring said network, by said control system, to include at least a first cluster of stitching machines within said plurality of stitching machines, said first cluster including at least said first stitching machine;
• setting said first cluster to operate in one of said synchronized mode and unsynchronized mode;
• and
• wherein said stitching step includes stitching at least the first pattern by said first cluster;
• wherein said configuring step further includes configuring said network to include a second cluster of stitching machines, each of said first and second clusters having at least one stitching machine, and
• wherein said setting step includes setting said first cluster to operate in one of said synchronized mode and unsynchronized mode and setting said second cluster to operate in one of said synchronized mode and unsynchronized mode.

A method for stitching using a plurality of stitching machines, comprising:

• establishing a network that includes a plurality of stitching machines including at least first and second stitching machines that can communicate with a control system that includes at least a first controller, said control system for use in providing a selected one of a synchronized mode and an unsynchronized mode;
• selecting a first pattern to stitch using said plurality of stitching machines;
• stitching at least the first pattern by said plurality of stitching machines, wherein when said synchronized mode is selected each of the stitching machines stitches the first pattern substantially synchronously and when said unsynchronized mode is selected each of the stitching machines stitches the first pattern independently of other of said plurality of stiching machines;
• detecting an error in said first stitching machine when said synchronized mode is selected;
• stopping stitching by said plurality of stitching machines;
• backing said first stitching machine at least to a point in said stitching pattern where said error occurred;
• stitching using said first stitching machine to a stitch count of other of said plurality of stitching machines after correction of said error;
• and
• continuing stitching said first pattern by said plurality of stitching machines.

A method for stitching using a plurality of stitching machines, comprising;

• establishing a network that includes a plurality of stitching machines including at least first and second stitching machines that can communicate with a control system that includes at least a first controller, said control system for use in providing a selected one of a synchronized mode and an unsynchronized mode;
• selecting a first pattern to stitch using said plurality of stitching machines;
• stitching at least the first pattern by said plurality of stitching machines, wherein when said synchronized mode is selected each of the stitching machines stitches the first pattern substantially synchronously and when said unsynchronized mode is selected each of the stitching machines stitches the first pattern independently of other of said plurality of stitching machines;
• choosing the first pattern from a plurality of available patterns;
• selecting a hoop size for use in stitching the first pattern, wherein when said synchronized mode is selected each of said stitching machines is set to have the same hoop size, and when said unsynchronized mode is selected each of said stitching machines can be set to different hoop sizes;
• and
• adjusting at least a first stitching setting, wherein when said synchronized mode is selected each of said stitching machines is set to have the same first stitching setting, and when said unsynchronized mode is selected each of said stitching machines can be set to different first stitching settings.

A method for stitching using a plurality of stitching machines, comprising:

• establishing a network that includes a plurality of stitching machines including at least first and second stitching machines that can communicate with a control system that includes at least a first controller, said control system for use in providing a selected one of a synchronized mode and an unsynchronized mode;
• selecting a first pattern to stitch using said plurality of stitching machines;
• stitching at least the first pattern by said plurality of stitching machines, wherein when said synchronized mode is selected each of the stitching machines stitches the first pattern substantially synchronously and when said unsynchronized mode is selected each of the stitching machines stitches the first pattern independently of other of said plurality of stitching machines;
• and
• wherein said stitching at least the first pattern step includes:
• detecting a command at said first stitching machine when said unsynchronized mode is selected;
• determining if said command is a flex-mode sync command;
• and
• performing said command on said first stitching machine when said command is not a flex-mode sync command, and synchronously performing said command on all of said plurality of stitching machines when said command is a flex-mode sync command.

A stitching apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of stitching machines including at least a first stitching machine and a second stitching machine;
• and
• a control communicating with said plurality of stitching machines, said control including at least a first controller, and in which said control configures said plurality of stitching machines to operate in a selected one of a synchronized mode and an unsynchronized mode in response to receiving a selection from a user of one of said synchronized mode and said unsynchronized mode;
• wherein said plurality of stitching machines and said control define a network in which at least a first pattern is stitched substantially synchronously by each of said plurality of stitching machines when said control provides said plurality of stitching machines in said synchronized mode, and in which at least a first pattern is stitched by said first stitching machine independently of other of said plurality of stitching machines when said control provides said plurality of stitching machines in said unsynchronized mode.

A stitching apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of stitching machines including at least a first stitching machine and a second stitching machine;
• and
• a control communicating with said plurality of stitching machines, said control including at least a first controller, and in which said control configures said plurality of stitching machines to operate in a selected one of a synchronized mode and an unsynchronized mode;
• wherein said plurality of stitching machines and said control define a network in which at least a first pattern is stitched substantially sychronously by each of said plurality of stitching machines when said control provides said plurality of stitching machines in said sychronized mode, and in which at least a first pattern is stitched by said first stitching machine independently of other of said plurality of stitching machines when said control provides said plurality of stitching machines in said unsynchronized mode;
• wherein said control is further operable to determine a maximum number of clusters enabled for said stitching apparatus;
• and
• wherein said control includes at least one dongle used in the determination of said maximum number of clusters enabled for said stitching apparatus.

A stitching apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of stitching machines including at least a first stitching machine and a second stitching machine;
• and
• a control communicating with said plurality of stitching machines, said control including at least a first controller, and in which said control configures said plurality of stitching machines to operate in a selected one of a synchronized mode and an unsynchronized mode;
• wherein said plurality of stitching machines and said control define a network in which at least a first pattern is stitched substantially synchronously by each of said plurality of stitching machines when said control provides said plurality of stitching machines in said synchronized mode, and in which at least a first pattern is stitched by said first stitching machine independently of other of said plurality of stitching machines when said control provides said plurality of stitching machines in said unsynchronized mode;
• and
• wherein said control is further operable to:
• determine the first pattern to be stitched by said plurality of stitching machines;
• determine a hoop size for use in stitching the first pattern, wherein when said synchronized mode is selected each of said stitching machines is set to have the same hoop size, and when said unsynchronized mode is selected each of said stitching machines may be set to have different hoop sizes;
• and
• determine at least a first stitching setting for stitching the first pattern, wherein when said synchronized mode is selected each of said stitching machines is set to have the same first stitching setting, and when said unsynchronized mode is selected each of said stitching machines may be set to have different first stitching settings.