JP3739014B2 - Embroidery pattern combination device and embroidery sewing machine equipped with the combination device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an embroidery pattern combination device and an embroidery sewing machine equipped with the device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing is configured to perform embroidery sewing by driving and controlling the sewing mechanism in the XY directions based on the given stitch data.
The stitch data is created in advance by the manufacturer and stored in the sewing machine memory or supplied by a memory card, etc. In addition to this, the user reads a desired image using an image sensor or the like. Thus, an apparatus for creating stitch data based on the image data has been proposed and implemented by the applicant of the present application.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of a device that reads such an image, when image data read from an image sensor or the like is converted into stitch data, it is uniformly converted by a predetermined algorithm, so that stitch data suitable for the pattern shape is used. It is difficult to form the embroidery, and the finished embroidery seam may not match the pattern shape.
On the other hand, when using stitch data that has been created in advance, it can be created after considering the stitches to be suitable for the pattern shape on the manufacturer side. Of course, there was a problem that could not be created.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and provides a device capable of replacing a part of predetermined stitch data with desired image data, and a sewing machine equipped with the device. The purpose is to do.
[0004]
[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the combination apparatus of the present invention includes means for providing predetermined stitch data corresponding to a predetermined image, means for supplying image data corresponding to a desired image, and the image data. Means for generating seam data on the basis thereof, and means for replacing a part of the predetermined stitch data and the stitch data corresponding to the generated image in accordance with a predetermined command. The replacement means makes it possible to replace a part of the predetermined stitch data with the stitch data corresponding to the desired image, and one of the predetermined embroidery images having the stitch data suitable for the pattern shape. The part can be replaced with a desired embroidery image . Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the pattern shape while maintaining the stitch data that matches the pattern shape .
It is also possible to further provide means for providing display data for displaying the image based on the stitch data, and to specifically display the image by means for displaying the image based on the display data. By this display, the user can recognize an embroidery pattern created in advance from an image.
Further, a part of predetermined stitch data to be replaced may be displayed differently from other parts. For example, the color of the replacement target part can be displayed as a color different from other parts, or the part can be flashed. By displaying in this way, the user can visually recognize the replaceable portion, and when there are a plurality of replaceable portions, it is effective when selecting the replacement portion.
Further, the means for displaying may delete and display a part of the predetermined stitch data corresponding to a predetermined command. For example, when the replacement part is selected as described above, the part is deleted and displayed.
It is also possible to display a state in which a part of stitch data actually determined in advance is replaced by the replacing means.
When the data is replaced, the replacement unit preferably adjusts the size of at least one of the predetermined image or a desired image and then performs the data replacement. This size adjustment is desirably performed automatically by the replacement means, but may be performed by a user operation.
It is preferable that reference position data is given to the predetermined stitch data and the generated stitch data, and the image is aligned by replacing the data based on the reference position data. .
The stitch data replaced by the replacing means as described above can be stored by the storing means. The storing means is connected to a sewing machine or the like for performing embroidery sewing, and supplies the stitch data to the sewing machine or the like. The storage means may be a memory card such as a magnetic card or a ROM card, and the card may be mounted on a sewing machine or the like. The storage means may be a memory provided in a sewing machine or the like.
The above-described embroidery pattern combining device can be configured as a single unit, or by incorporating the combination device into a sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing and executing stitch formation based on the combined stitch data. It is also possible to configure to perform embroidery sewing.
[0005]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the embroidery pattern combining device is incorporated in an embroidery sewing machine, but the embroidery pattern combining device is configured separately from the sewing machine and connected to the sewing machine with a cable to supply data or a memory card. It is also possible to configure so as to supply data by, for example.
[0006]
In FIG. 1, a stitch data / display data storage means 1 (a means for giving predetermined stitch data corresponding to a predetermined image) is a memory provided in the sewing machine body, and includes a plurality of predetermined stitch data / display data storage means 1. Seam data corresponding to each pattern is stored. This stitch data is stitch data suitable for the pattern. In this embodiment, the stitch data / display data storage means 1 further stores display data corresponding to the stitch data (means for providing display data for displaying the image based on the stitch data) . A pattern in the stitch data / display data storage means 1 is selected by the selection means 2, and stitch data and display data corresponding to the selected pattern are displayed on the display means 6 ( means for displaying the image based on the display data) . Data replacement means 5 ( means for replacing a part of the predetermined stitch data and the stitch data corresponding to the generated image in accordance with a predetermined command) is supplied.
The data stored in the stitch data / display data storage means 1 can be partly replaced by an image, and the replaceable image portion data is provided with an index in this embodiment. In FIG. 6, a display different from the other parts is performed. In other words, in this embodiment, the image of the replaceable portion is displayed so as to have a different color from the other portions. Instead of changing the color, it may be displayed in a classified manner by shading, blinking, or displaying a mark.
[0007]
On the other hand, the image data input means 3 ( means for providing image data corresponding to a desired image) such as an image sensor is configured to read an arbitrary image I and send this image data to the stitch data generation means 4. The stitch data generation means 4 ( means for generating stitch data based on the image data ) creates stitch data based on the image data in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. In this embodiment, the display data is created at the same time. Any conventional method can be adopted as the method for creating the stitch data from the image data. For example, the method of Japanese Patent Application No. 3-42293 proposed by the applicant of the present application can be used.
[0008]
The stitch data and display data generated by the stitch data generating means 4 are also sent to the display means 6 and the data replacing means 5 in the same manner. The display data of the stitch data generation means 4 is combined with the display data from the stitch data / display data storage means 1 in the display means 6 so that two images are displayed.
[0009]
The data replacement unit 5 is configured to replace a part of the data from the stitch data / display data storage unit 1 with the data from the stitch data generation unit 4 in response to an instruction from the replacement instruction unit 8. . By replacing the data, it is possible to partially replace the image stored in the stitch data generating means 4.
The replaced data is displayed on the display means 6 and temporarily stored in the replacement data storage means 7 ( means for storing the stitch data replaced by the replacing means), and the stitch forming mechanism 11 of the sewing machine main body 11 The embroidery sewing is executed based on the combination data.
[0010]
In this embodiment, the data replacement means 5 is configured to perform data replacement after enlarging or reducing at least one of the image from the stitch data generation means 4 or the image from the stitch data / display data storage means 1. Yes. The data in the stitch data / display data storage means 1 and the data from the stitch data generation means 4 include reference position data indicating the reference position, and the data replacement means 5 determines the image position based on the reference position data. The data replacement is performed after the adjustment. The reference position data may be, for example, data indicating positions such as the center position of the image and the left and right and upper and lower end positions.
[0011]
The replacement of data (that is, an image) will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 2A, a frame pattern F composed of predetermined stitch data from the stitch data / display data storage means 1 and a combination pattern of a mountain pattern M and a ship pattern S drawn therein are selected. And displayed on the display means 6. Among the frame pattern F, the mountain pattern M, and the ship pattern S, the ship pattern S and the mountain pattern M are replaceable images, and are displayed in different colors from the frame pattern F, respectively.
On the other hand, an image of a bear pattern B obtained by uniformly converting an arbitrary image input from the image data input unit 3 by the stitch data generation unit 4 is displayed on the display unit 6 in the same manner.
Here, when the user operates the replacement instruction unit 8 to designate an image to be replaced, the data replacement unit 5 is activated to perform data replacement.
Now, when the replacement instruction unit 8 is operated to enter the replacement execution mode, the display unit 6 executes display by a signal from the data replacement unit 5. When the user operates the replacement instructing means 8 to designate the ship pattern S as a target to be replaced, an image from which the ship pattern S has been deleted is displayed on the display means 6 as shown in FIG. It has become.
In this embodiment, the image of the bear pattern B is simultaneously reduced and automatically converted into a size that fits within the frame pattern F.
[0012]
In this embodiment, the image of the frame pattern F and the bear pattern B are provided with a position mark P1 and a position mark P2, respectively, which serve as a reference for the position of the image.
The data replacement means 5 moves the frame pattern F and the bear pattern B as shown in (C) so that the position marks P1 and P2 coincide with each other, and finally the image of the bear pattern B is included in the image of the frame pattern F. The data of the state (D) entered is generated.
Here, an example in which the frame pattern F or the mountain pattern M and the bear pattern B do not overlap each other is shown, but it is also possible to overlap images.
In FIG. 2B, a state in which the bear pattern B is reduced is displayed, but this display is not always necessary. Further, FIG. 2C shows a state in which the pattern approaches, but this display can also be omitted. Furthermore, it is not necessary to delete and display the replacement target portion as shown in FIG. 2B. For example, various display modes such as displaying (D) directly from FIG. 2A are possible.
[0013]
As described above, the frame pattern F, the mountain pattern M, and the ship pattern S are stitch data created in advance, so that relatively beautiful stitches can be formed. However, the pattern shape is only a predetermined shape. On the other hand, the bear pattern B is an arbitrary desired image. However, since the seam data is uniformly converted from the image data, the seam is not sufficient. However, by replacing and combining the images in this way, it is possible to combine the freedom of the image and the quality of the seam well.
[0014]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of this embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows the appearance of the sewing machine. First, the appearance of an embodiment of the sewing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
On the sewing machine main body X, a carriage 118 as an XY moving means, an embroidery frame 119 supported by the carriage 118, and a needle bar 120 and a needle 121 as a stitch formation mechanism 112 are provided. A cloth is attached to the embroidery frame 119, and embroidery sewing is performed by moving the carriage 118 in the xy direction and moving the needle bar 120 and the needle 121 up and down. This embroidery sewing can be selected by a sewing mode selection button 104. When embroidery sewing is not performed, a normal sewing mode is set and the needle bar 120 and needle 121 are moved up and down and a feeding device (not shown). Normal sewing is executed by the cloth feed.
[0015]
In FIG. 3, a CPU 100 controls the sewing machine according to a program stored in a program storage device 101 connected via a BUS, and the sewing machine is operated at a speed designated by a rotational speed command device 103 which is a stepping type speed controller. The motor driving circuit 110 is controlled to rotate the sewing machine motor 111 so as to drive the stitch formation mechanism 112 at a sewing speed corresponding to the indicated speed. As shown in FIG. 4, the stitch formation mechanism 112 includes a needle bar 120, a needle 121, and a cloth feed mechanism (not shown), and executes predetermined sewing. The number of rotations of the sewing machine motor 111 is detected by a motor rotation detection sensor 113 and fed back to the CPU 100 to be used for speed control.
The sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing includes an XY motor driving circuit 115, an XY motor 116, and an XY moving mechanism 117 in addition to the sewing machine motor driving circuit 110. As shown in FIG. 4, the XY moving mechanism 117 includes a carriage 118 and an embroidery frame 119. The cloth attached to the embroidery frame 119 is moved in the XY direction to execute embroidery sewing.
The timing signal generator 114 is used for detecting the rotational phase of the upper shaft of the sewing machine body, detecting the vertical movement of the needle 121, and taking the timing of driving in the X and Y directions by the XY motor driving circuit 115. The CPU 100 inputs the timing signal and controls the XY motor driving circuit 115.
The above-described embroidery sewing and normal sewing are performed by operating the sewing mode selection button 104. The sewing mode selection button 104 is provided on the front portion of the sewing machine body as shown in FIG.
A display device 106 is further provided in the front portion, and various displays are performed by the display control device 105 in accordance with commands from the CPU 100 as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 70 denotes a temporary storage device.
[0016]
The stitch data / display data storage device 13 stores stitch data and display data created in advance corresponding to a plurality of predetermined patterns (images), and desired pattern data is extracted by operating the selection key 20. It can be done. Data taken out from the stitch data / display data storage device 13 is temporarily stored in the temporary storage device 70.
On the other hand, the image sensor 30 reads an arbitrary image and obtains image data. This image data is converted into stitch data and display data by the stitch data / display data generation device 40 and temporarily stored in the temporary storage device 70.
[0017]
The data replacement device 50 replaces a part of the data from the stitch data / display data storage device 13 temporarily stored in the temporary storage device 70 with the image data read by the image sensor 30 as described above. Yes. The data replacing device 50 is operated by a user operating a replacement operation key 81. The replaced data is configured to be displayed on the display device 106 via the display control device 105.
In addition, the data replacement device 50 can change the size of the image as shown in FIG. 2 at the time of replacement, and aligns the images.
The data replaced by the data replacement device 50 is configured to be stored again in the temporary storage device 70.
[0018]
Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG.
When a predetermined pattern is selected by operating the selection key 20 and the stitch data / display data is selected (step S1), this data is temporarily stored in the temporary storage device 70 (step S2).
On the other hand, when a desired image is read by the operation of the image sensor 30 (step S3), the image data is temporarily stored in the temporary storage device 70 (step S4) and then stitched by the stitch data / display data generation device 40. Data / display data is converted (step S5). This converted data is also stored in the temporary storage device 70 (step S6).
The data of the two images stored in the temporary storage device 70 are displayed on the display device 106 (step S7). When the replacement operation key 81 is operated to enter the replacement mode and the replacement portion is designated (step S8), a command is output from the data replacement device 50 to the display control device 105, and the replacement portion is displayed. It is erased (step S9). When a replacement instruction is issued by operating the replacement operation key 81 (step S10), the data replacement unit 5 adjusts the size of the image and aligns the image to execute data replacement (step S11). The replacement image is displayed (step S12). The user looks at the image and, if it is OK, executes an operation to that effect (step S13). If the user performs a NO operation, the process returns to step S8. The replaced stitch data is re-stored in the temporary storage device 70 (step S14) and provided for the sewing operation under the control of the CPU 100 (step S15).
It should be noted that the embroidery sewing may not be executed immediately but only the replacement data may be stored.
[0019]
In the embodiment described above, a part of the stitch data that can form the stitches that match the pattern created in advance can be replaced with the stitch data corresponding to an arbitrary desired image, so that the freedom of the image and the finish of the stitches are improved. It becomes possible to combine.
Further, since the image display can be performed by the display data, the replacement can be visually confirmed.
Further, since the enlargement / reduction of the image and the alignment of the image are automatically performed at the time of replacement, there are effects such as easy operation.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a part of predetermined stitch data can be replaced with stitch data corresponding to a desired image, and a pattern to be created while maintaining a certain level of stitch quality. The degree can be increased.
In the invention of claim 2, since display data corresponding to the stitch data is created and displayed on the display means, the replacement of the pattern can be visually confirmed.
In the invention of claim 3, the image portion corresponding to the replaceable data can be specifically visually confirmed.
Furthermore, in the invention of claim 4, the image corresponding to the data to be replaced can be erased and displayed, and in the invention of claim 5, the image in the replaced state can be displayed, so that visual confirmation becomes easier.
In the invention of claim 6, the size of the image is automatically adjusted at the time of data replacement, and in the invention of claim 7, the image alignment is automatically performed, so that the operation is simple. .
According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the replacement data is stored in the storage device, so that the replacement data can be used repeatedly, and the replacement data can be easily stored by using a memory card or the like.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing machine comprising the above-described embroidery pattern combination device, and executes embroidery stitches combining a high-quality stitch and a stitch of an arbitrary image in order to execute stitch formation based on the replaced stitch data. Can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of image replacement.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: stitch data / display data storage means, 2: selection means, 3: image data input means, 4: stitch data generation means, 5: data replacement means, 6: display means, 7: replacement data storage means, 8: replacement 11: stitch formation mechanism, 13: stitch data / display data storage device, 20: selection key, 30: image sensor, 40: stitch data / display data generation device, 50: data replacement device, 70: temporary storage device , 81: Replace operation key, 100: CPU, 101: Program storage device, 103: Rotational speed command device, 104: Sewing mode selection button, 105: Display control device, 106: Display device, 110: Sewing motor drive circuit, 111 : Sewing machine motor, 112: stitch formation mechanism, 113: motor rotation detection sensor, 114: timing signal generator, 115: XY mode Motor drive circuit, 116: XY motor, 117: XY moving mechanism, 118: Carriage, 119: embroidery frame, 120: needle bar, 121: needle.

Claims (9)

Means for providing predetermined stitch data corresponding to a predetermined image;
Means for providing image data corresponding to a desired image;
Means for generating stitch data based on the image data;
Means for replacing a part of the predetermined stitch data and the stitch data corresponding to the generated image according to a predetermined command;
An apparatus for combining embroidery patterns, characterized by comprising: Means for providing display data for displaying the image based on the stitch data;
Means for displaying the image based on the display data;
The embroidery pattern combination apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The display means displays a part of the predetermined stitch data differently from other parts;
The embroidery pattern combination apparatus according to claim 2. The means for displaying erases and displays a part of the predetermined stitch data corresponding to a predetermined command;
The embroidery pattern combination device according to claim 2 or 3. The display means displays a state in which a part of the predetermined stitch data is replaced by the replacing means;
The apparatus for combining embroidery patterns according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The replacing means replaces data after adjusting the size of at least one of the predetermined image or a desired image;
The embroidery pattern combination device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The predetermined stitch data and the generated stitch data include reference position data,
The means for replacing replaces data based on the reference position data;
The embroidery pattern combination device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Means for storing the stitch data replaced by the replacing means;
The embroidery pattern combination device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: An embroidery pattern combination device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Means for performing stitch formation based on the combined stitch data;
A sewing machine with embroidery sewing.

Images