JP3140182B2 - Embroidery sewing data creation device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an embroidery sewing data creating apparatus, and more particularly to an embroidery sewing data which can automatically determine an optimum stitch direction based on the shape of original image data and create embroidery sewing data with an improved appearance of sewing. Related to a creating device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, embroidery stitching data generation is performed in which an original image pattern drawn on a blank sheet is read by an image scanner, converted into binary data "0" and "1", and the binary data is converted into embroidery sewing data. An apparatus has been proposed and a patent application has been filed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2-250101).

[0003] The schematic configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes an image scanner as an example of an image input device, and a reading start button 22 is provided on a side surface thereof. The image scanner 20 is electrically and mechanically connected to an image-to-embroidery sewing data conversion device 24 by a dedicated cable 21 and a plug 23.

The image-to-embroidery sewing data converter 24 includes a display unit 25, an operation key unit 26, a card writer unit 27 for writing data from the RAM card 18, and the like.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a sheet on which an original pattern is written. Preferably, white paper is used as the paper 30, on which original patterns such as characters and pictures having a line width of 1 mm or more are drawn with a black pen or the like.

Next, the operation of the embroidery sewing data creating apparatus will be described. When the image scanner 20 is moved in the Y direction while pressing the reading start button 22, the original image pattern is read as binary data and stored in a memory (not shown) of the image → embroidery sewing data conversion device 24.

The image-to-embroidery sewing data converter 24 converts the binary data stored in the memory into embroidery sewing data. At this time, the image → embroidery sewing data conversion device 24
The sewing data is formed so that the embroidery is sewn in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the image scanner 20. In the example shown,
Since the image scanner 20 is moved in the Y direction, sewing data is formed so that embroidery is performed in the X direction. The formed sewing data is written to the RAM card 18.

For example, when embroidering a pattern that is long in the horizontal direction, it is better to embroider by forming the seam in the vertical direction than to perform embroidering by forming the seam in the horizontal direction. It is known that Conversely, it is known that forming a seam in the horizontal direction makes the finish more beautiful for a pattern that is long in the vertical direction than forming a seam in the vertical direction.

In other words, it is known that, when embroidering a long and thin pattern, if the sewing direction is selected in a direction parallel to this pattern, the sewing finish is not so beautiful.

[0010]

Therefore, in order to create sewing data that can be neatly sewn with a conventional embroidery sewing data creating apparatus, the moving direction of the image scanner 20 must be changed according to the original image pattern. Is complicated.

Also, depending on the original pattern, it is difficult to determine in which of the X and Y directions the stitches are formed to make the stitching clearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an embroidery sewing data creating apparatus which can eliminate the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and can automatically determine an optimal stitch direction without being restricted by a moving direction of an image scanner. It is in.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image data storage means for storing original image data read from an image input device, as shown in FIG. A distribution measuring unit 2 for measuring a distribution of image data stored in the image data storing unit 1 in at least two directions, and a comparing unit 3 for comparing the number of peaks or valleys in each direction from the distribution of the image data. A stitch direction setting means 4 for setting a direction perpendicular to the direction of the largest number of peaks or valleys as a stitch direction; and a stitch data conversion means 5 for converting the image data into stitch data in the set stitch direction. It is characterized by having the following. The stitch data converted by the stitch data converting means 5 is R
It is stored in the stitch data storage means 6 constituted by an AM card or the like.

[0014]

According to the present invention, by determining the number of peaks or valleys in the distribution of image data stored in the image data storage means, it is possible to determine in which direction the elements of the original image pattern tend to be longer. it can. The stitch direction setting means sets a stitch direction in a direction perpendicular to the long direction, and the stitch data conversion means converts the image data into stitch data in the set stitch direction.

By the above operation, the optimum direction of the conversion of the sewing data can be automatically determined, so that the user can freely read the original image without worrying about the reading direction, and can perform the embroidery sewing. Can improve the appearance of the finish.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the embroidery sewing data creation device of the present invention. Reference numeral 20 denotes an image reading device that reads an original image 30, and 40 denotes a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the operation of the embroidery sewing data creation device. ) And 41 are data storage means for storing image data read from the image reading apparatus 20, 42 is a program storage means for storing an operation program of the embroidery sewing data creating apparatus, and 43 is an embroidery data storage means. The embroidery data storage means 43 is composed of, for example, a RAM card.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a display control means, and reference numeral 25 denotes a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display unit 25 displays an operation sequence for instructing an operator, an original image pattern read by the image reading device 20, and the like.

Next, a schematic function of the embroidery sewing data creating apparatus will be described with reference to a functional block diagram of FIG.

When the original image pattern is read by the image reading device 20, the read image data is stored in the image data storage means 41a. Image data storage means 41
The image data stored in a is subjected to processing such as noise removal by the data processing unit 40a, and is stored in the processed data storage unit 41b. The image data stored in the processing data storage unit 41b is converted by the embroidery data conversion unit 40b into embroidery data such as folding stitching and zigzag stitching, and stored in the embroidery data storage unit 43.

Here, the image data storage means 41a and the processed data storage means 41b can correspond to the image data storage means 41 of FIG. 2, and the data processing means 40a and the embroidery data conversion means 40b are connected to the central processing unit. (CPU) operation.

The present invention relates to the embroidery data converting means 40b.
The feature of the present embodiment is that it is improved, and its embodiment will be described in detail below.

First, the principle of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Now, as shown in FIG.
Assuming that there is an original image pattern 51 composed of book lines, the image data of this original image pattern, that is, “0”, “1”
Distribution x in the x direction of "1" data among the data consisting of
yj and the distribution Yxi in the y direction are obtained. Next, the number of peaks in both the x and y directions is obtained from the distribution, and the magnitudes are compared. In the illustrated example, the number of peaks in the distribution Xyj in the x direction is 3, the number of peaks in the distribution Yxi in the Y direction is 1, and the number of peaks in the distribution Xyj in the x direction is larger.

As is apparent from FIG.
It can be said that the direction in which one graphic element is elongated is the direction in which the number of peaks is large. In the illustrated example, since the number of peaks in the distribution Xyj in the x direction is large, it can be said that the original image pattern 51 includes many graphic elements elongated in the x direction.

As described above, when it is determined whether the graphic element of the original image pattern 51 is elongated in the x direction or the y direction as a whole, sewing data is created in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction. As a result, the optimum stitch direction can be automatically determined.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above principle. In step S1, the number Cx of peaks in the x direction of the "1" (black) data in the binarized image data and the number C of peaks in the distribution in the y direction
and y. In step S2, the numbers Cx and C
y, the process proceeds to step S3 if Cx> Cy, and proceeds to step S4 if Cx ≦ Cy.

In step S3, the creation direction of the sewing data is set to the y-axis direction which is perpendicular to the x-axis direction, and in step S4, the creation direction is set to the x-axis direction which is perpendicular to the y-axis direction. In step S5, the image data is converted to stitch data,
For example, it is converted into folding sewing data. At this time, the stitch data is created so that the stitch advances in the direction set in steps S3 and S4.

Next, a specific example of step S1 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in step S11, the counters i and j are cleared. This counter i,
j indicates the number of the coordinates of the image data in the x and y directions, respectively, as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram when obtaining the distribution of the image data in the x and y directions.
0 shows an example of image data read.

In step S12, it is checked whether or not the image data "1" exists at the coordinate yj with respect to the coordinate xi in the x direction. If it is determined in step S13 that data of "1" exists, the process proceeds to step S14, where 1 is added to the distribution Yxi in the y direction. On the other hand, "1"
If it is determined that there is no data of step S15, step S15
Proceed to. In step S15, 1 is added to the counter j, and the flow advances to step S16 to determine whether or not j has overflowed. For example, in FIG. 9, since the counter j can count from 0 to j0, an overflow occurs when the counter j becomes larger than j0.

If the determination in step S16 is negative, the process returns to step S12, where the coordinate y with respect to the coordinate xi in the x direction.
At (j + 1), it is checked whether or not "1" of the image data exists. When data of "1" exists, 1 is added to the distribution Yxi in the y direction. The above processing is continued, and if step S16 becomes affirmative, the coordinates xi in the x direction are obtained.
Is obtained in the y direction.

In step S17, j ← 0, i ← i + 1
The process proceeds to step S18 to determine whether or not i has overflowed. For example, in FIG. 9, since the counter i can count from 0 to i0, an overflow occurs when the counter i becomes larger than i0.

When the determination in step S18 is negative, the process returns to step S12, and the above processing is repeated.

Therefore, if step S18 is affirmative, the number of "1" s in the y direction for each xi value, ie, y
This means that the direction distribution Yxi has been determined.

In steps S19 to S27, the same processing as described above is performed on the coordinate yj in the y direction. And
If step S27 is positive, it means that the number of "1" s in the x direction for each yj value, that is, the distribution Xyj in the x direction, has been determined.

In step S28 in FIG. 7, the number Cx of peaks in the distribution in the x direction and the number Cy of peaks in the distribution in the y direction are set to zero, and the counter values i and j are set to zero. Then, proceeding to step S29, it is determined whether or not the counter value i has overflowed. If this determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S30, where it is determined whether Yx (i + 1) ≧ Yxi holds. If this determination is affirmative, the distribution Yx (i) has a + (plus) gradient, so it is not regarded as a mountain, and the process proceeds to step S32, where i is incremented by one. Then, the processing of steps S29 and S30 is performed again.

If step S30 is negative, that is, if the distribution Yxi changes from a positive gradient to a negative gradient, the distribution Yx
Assuming that there is a peak in (i), the number Cy of distributions in the y direction is incremented by one in step S31.

In step S33, it is determined whether or not i has overflowed. If the determination is negative, the flow advances to step S34 to determine whether or not Yx (i + 1)> Yxi holds. . If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S35, where i is incremented by one. When step S34 is negative, it indicates that the distribution (Yxi) has a negative (negative) gradient.

If the step S34 is affirmative, the negative gradient of the distribution Yxi has turned into a positive gradient, so that it is determined that there is a valley. Then, the process proceeds to step S32 to repeat the above-described processing.

The above-described processing is executed, and step S2 is performed.
9 or S33 is affirmative, the distribution Y in the y direction
This means that the total number Cy of the mountains of xi has been obtained.

Steps S36 to S42 correspond to step S
Since the operation is the same as in steps 29 to S35, the description is omitted. By this processing, the total number Cx of the peaks in the distribution in the x direction is obtained.
Is determined.

When the number of peaks Cx in the distribution in the x direction and the number Cy in the distribution in the y direction are obtained by the above processing, the processing in step S1 in FIG. 5 is completed, and the number of peaks in step S2 is determined in step S2. The magnitudes of Cx and Cy are compared, and step S3 or S3
In step 4, the sewing data creation direction is set.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show specific examples in which the distribution Xyj in the x direction and the distribution Yxi in the y direction are obtained using the specific original image pattern 51. FIG. In FIG. 10, the original pattern 51 is “pumpkin”, the number of peaks Cx in the distribution in the x direction is eight, and the number Cy of peaks in the distribution in the y direction is ten. Therefore, the number Cy of the peaks in the distribution in the y-direction is greater than Cx, and the original image pattern has many elongated graphic elements in the y-direction. Therefore, the sewing data creation direction is set in the x-axis direction perpendicular to the y-direction.

In FIG. 11, the original pattern 51 is a "penguin", the number of peaks Cx in the distribution in the x direction is ten, and the number Cy of the peaks in the distribution in the y direction is eight. Therefore,
Since the number Cx of peaks in the distribution in the x direction is larger than Cy and the original pattern has many elongated graphic elements in the x direction, the sewing data creation direction is set in the y axis direction perpendicular to the x direction.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the moving direction of the image scanner 20 is either the x-axis or the y-axis, the graphic elements constituting the original image pattern can be displayed in either the x-axis or the y-axis. Is automatically determined, and the sewing data can be created in a direction perpendicular to the long direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the distributions in the two directions of the x and y axes are obtained. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the distribution may be 30 °, 45 °, 60 ° with respect to the x axis. Obtain the distribution of image data in three or more inclined directions, count the number of peaks of the image data in each direction, and determine whether the graphic elements constituting the original image pattern are the x-axis, 30 °, 45 °, 60 ° and It is also possible to determine which one in the y-axis direction is longer, and create the sewing data in a direction perpendicular to the longest direction.

The number of valleys may be obtained instead of the number of hills in the image data.

[0046]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the optimum direction of the conversion of the sewing data can be automatically determined based on the read original image pattern data. Without worrying about the direction,
The effect is that the original picture can be freely read and the finish of the embroidery stitching improves.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a function of a main part of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a hardware configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the configuration of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart showing a specific example of a subroutine S1 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the distribution of image data in the y and x directions.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram when the present invention is applied to an original pattern of “pumpkin”.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram when the present invention is applied to an original image pattern of “Penguin”.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an example of an embroidery sewing data creation device to which the present invention is applied.

[Description of Signs] 1 ... Image data storage means, 2 ... Image data distribution measuring means, 3 ... Comparison means of the number of peaks (or valleys), 4 ... Seam direction setting means, 5 ... Seam data conversion means

────────────────────────────────────────────────── (5) References JP-A-4-129585 (JP, A) Patent 2847947 (JP, B2) Patent 2731422 (JP, B2) Patent 2800365 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D05B 19/00-21/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An image data storage unit for storing original image data read from an image input device; a distribution measurement unit for measuring a distribution of image data stored in the image data storage unit in at least two directions; A comparison unit that compares the number of peaks or valleys in each direction from the distribution of the image data, a stitch direction setting unit that sets a stitch direction based on a comparison result of the comparison unit, and the image data, An embroidery stitching data creating apparatus, comprising: stitch data converting means for converting stitch data into stitch data in a stitch direction. 2. Original image data read from an image input device
An image data storage means for storing, of the image data stored in said image data storage means small
A distribution measuring means for measuring distribution in at least two directions, and a ratio of the number of peaks or valleys in each direction from the distribution of the image data.
The comparison means to compare and the direction in which the number of peaks or valleys is the largest is sewn in a direction perpendicular to the direction.
A stitch direction setting means for setting a stitch direction; and a stitch in the set stitch direction for the image data.
Seam data conversion means for converting the
An embroidery sewing data creation device characterized by the following . 3. The distribution measuring means according to claim 1, wherein said distribution measuring means comprises :
Direction distribution, and the stitch direction setting means,
Set either the x or y direction to the stitch direction
3. The embroidery sewing data according to claim 2, wherein
Creating device.