JPH0367435B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

(Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a needle position data processing device for automatic sewing machines, mainly embroidery sewing machines that create needle position data for complex embroidery patterns. (Prior art) Conventionally, in automatic embroidery sewing machines, the method of creating needle position data is to place an original drawing drawn on a predetermined sheet of paper on a tablet, and then
The terminal of the position detection mechanism installed so that it can be moved freely by hand in both the X and Y directions points to a point on the outline of the original drawing, and the coordinate data of the needle drop point is created by detecting the position information of that point. A method is proposed. The most advanced method is to read the original drawing from a video camera, store it in a storage device as a stitching program, and control an automatic stitching device based on the data stored in this storage device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-99989). No., Special Publication Showa 57-8908
No.) has been proposed. (Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, there is a problem in that it takes time and effort to input position information by aligning the seam directions on a conventional tablet because there is no reference on the tablet. Although the method is automatic,
It has been impossible to appropriately select the seam direction of patterns, patterns, etc. (Purpose) The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to select the seam direction appropriately according to the pattern, pattern, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a needle position data processing device for an embroidery sewing machine that can quickly set the stitch direction. (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention has a carrier on which an original picture is drawn, an imaging means for capturing an image of the original picture on the carrier, and an image display surface,
a display means for displaying an original image on an image display surface based on an image signal from the image pickup means; a contour point specifying means for specifying the specified contour point as a point; a contour display control means for causing the display means to display a contour line passing through the specified contour point; a reference line specifying means for specifying intersecting stitch direction reference lines, a reference line display control means for controlling display of the stitch reference line on the display means by the reference line specifying means, and an area surrounded by the contour line. vertex input means for specifying a point where the stitch direction reference line and the contour line intersect as the vertex of a block to be divided into a plurality of polygonal blocks;
Stitch density input means for inputting stitch density data for embroidering each block, and calculating needle position data for embroidering each block based on the vertex coordinate data and stitch density data. The gist thereof is to include a calculation means and a storage means for storing the calculated needle position data. (Function) In the apparatus of the present invention, when an original image on the carrier is imaged by the imaging means, the display means displays the original image on the image display surface based on an image signal from the imaging means. Then, the contour point specifying means specifies an arbitrary point on the image display surface of the display means on which the original image is displayed as the contour point of the desired embroidery stitch pattern.
Then, the contour line display control means displays a contour line passing through the designated contour points on the display means. Next, the reference line specifying means specifies a stitch direction line that intersects with the contour line displayed on the image display surface of the display means. The reference line display control means controls the display of the stitch reference line on the display means by the reference line designation means. The point where the stitch direction line and the contour line intersect is designated as a vertex by the vertex input means, and the area surrounded by the contour line is divided into a plurality of polygonal blocks. Then, when the stitch density data for embroidering each block is inputted by the stitch density input means, the calculation means calculates the stitch density data based on the vertex coordinate data and the stitch density data specified and generated by the vertex input means. Calculates needle position data for embroidering each block. The calculated needle position data is stored in the storage means. (Embodiment) An embodiment of an embroidery sewing machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. The sewing machine arm 1 is disposed on a table 2, and a needle bar support case 3 is supported at its front end so as to be movable along the direction of arrow X in FIG.
The five needle bars 4 are each supported by the support case 3 so as to be movable up and down, and each needle 5 is detachably attached to the lower end thereof. Different types of thread are supplied to each needle from a thread supply source (not shown) via a thread tension device 6 and thread take-up 7 on the needle bar support case 3. A needle selection motor 8 is disposed on the sewing machine arm 1 and is drivingly connected to the needle bar support case 3. When a predetermined needle bar selection signal is input to the needle selection motor 8, the needle selection motor 8 moves the needle bar support case 3 to select and arrange one needle 5 at a predetermined use position. It's becoming like that. The sewing machine motor 9 is disposed at the rear of the sewing machine arm 1, and its power is transmitted to the needle bar 4 in the use position through a power transmission mechanism (not shown) in the sewing machine arm 1.
The needle bar 4 is moved up and down. A sewing machine bed 10 is provided in a protruding manner on the sewing machine table 2 opposite to the needle bar 4 disposed in the use position, and has a thread ring catcher (not shown) for forming stitches on the workpiece cloth W in cooperation with the needle 5. ) is built-in. The needle 5, thread loop catcher, etc. constitute a stitch forming means. A pair of Y-direction moving frames 11 (only one shown) is disposed on both left and right edges of the sewing machine table 2 so as to be able to reciprocate in the Y-direction, and is driven by a Y-direction drive motor (not shown). Further, a support rod 12 is installed between both moving frames 11. X direction moving frame 13
is disposed at its base end so as to be movable in the X direction along the support rod 12, and is driven by an X direction drive motor (not shown). A work cloth holding frame 14 serving as work cloth holding means is attached to the X-direction moving frame 13, and is configured to detachably hold the work cloth W. Note that the relative position between the work cloth holding frame 14 and the needle 5 is changed in synchronization with the vertical movement of the needle 5 by the Y- and X-direction moving frames 11 and 13, the support rod 12, and the Y- and X-direction drive motor. A work cloth feeding device 15 is configured as a feeding means for transporting the work cloth holding frame 1.
4 and the needle 5, a stitch pattern such as embroidery is formed on the work cloth W. Next, to explain the electrical configuration of the sewing machine in this embodiment, the external storage device 16 is composed of a magnetic disk and a disk drive device, and the magnetic disk device stores a plurality of stitch pattern data as sewing data. There is. In this embodiment, the stitch pattern data includes a large number of relative position data indicating the relative position between the needle 5 and the work cloth holding frame 14, that is, the coordinates Cn of the needle drop position (hereinafter referred to as sewing point).
(n is an integer). The central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 17 includes contour line display control means, reference line display means, and calculation means. The program memory 42 consists of a read-only memory, and the drive control of this sewing machine and the disk display 3 consisting of a CRT as a display means.
It stores various control program for driving and controlling 5. The working memory 43 consists of a readable and writable memory, and is an area for temporarily storing various data, calculation results, etc. when creating needle position data, storing needle position data from the external storage device 16, etc. etc. On the operation keyboard 18 are a contour setting mode key 19, a line mode key 20, a smoothing mode key 21, a smoothing mode end key 22,
Various keys such as a load key 23, jog key 24, correction mode key 25, cancel key 26, one continuous contour line end key 27, one image block end key 28, and a sewing data creation mode key 29 are provided, and each key can be operated. CPU turns on signal when
Output to 17. The contour setting mode key 19 is used when setting the contour mode, and the line mode key 20 is used when inputting the coordinates of contour points. When this line mode is set, points input sequentially are connected with straight lines in that order. The smoothing mode key 21 is used to smoothly approximate a plurality of specified points with a curve, and the smoothing mode end key 22 is used to end the smoothing mode. The television camera 30, which serves as an imaging means for reading the original picture in black and white monotone mode, is composed of a CCD element called an area sensor and a control unit equipped with an attached IC for synchronization signal generation and timing generation. The image sensor 31 as a reading image pickup means is mainly equipped with a CCD element called a line sensor and a control unit including a synchronization signal generation IC, a timing generation IC, and the like. Both imaging means are used to capture images according to the hue, brightness, or saturation of the original pattern, or a combination thereof.
The image signal detected by the CCD element is compared with an adjusted gray threshold, and each pixel with a gray value of arbitrary intensity between white and black is classified as a brighter pixel or a darker pixel. The binarized signal is converted into a binary signal via the video interface 33.
Output to CPU17. In addition, especially when reading an original image in which various colors overlap and there is no border, it is necessary to use a color filter associated with each color or to select various tone settings to obtain the desired image. be. These problems can be solved by using a known color printing technique using photolithography. And the CPU
17 is the interface 3 based on the image signal.
6. Display 3 via CRT drive circuit 34
5 is displayed. A light pen 37 serving as a contour point specifying means, a vertex input means, and a reference line specifying means is connected to the position detection circuit 3.
8. It is connected to the CPU 17 via the interface 36, and when you point at the screen on the display 34, the position detection circuit 38 as a position detection means detects the position coordinates (hereinafter referred to as image) of the pointed point based on the pointed point. coordinates),
The CPU 17 stores the image coordinates in the image memory 44. In addition, the image memory 44 refers to the confirmed point group and stitch direction reference line when specifying and confirming the contour line, and stores the point group (turning point) on the screen at the time when the block processing is performed. The coordinate values representing the position are stored as is for one screen along with the lines (including curves) connecting them. Note that an image switching key (not shown) provided on the operation keyboard 18 is used to selectively display a signal on the display 35 based on an image signal read by the television camera 30 or the image sensor 31. Drive circuits 39, 40, 41 are interface 3
6 to the CPU 17, and controls and drives the needle selection motor 8, sewing machine motor 9, and work cloth feed device 15, respectively, based on control signals from the CPU 17. Now, data input for satin stitching using the needle position data processing device configured as described above will be explained. A power switch (not shown) is turned on to enable the CPU 17 of the needle position data processing device. Next, the original image is set to be imaged by the television camera 30 or image sensor 31, and the image switching key is used to switch to the reading means currently taking the original image G and display the image on the CRT display 35 (in this embodiment, the image is displayed on the TV camera 30 or the image sensor 31). (displayed on the screen as an image taken by the camera 30).
Note that the original image may be a photograph or a sample of an embroidery pattern already sewn onto the work cloth W. If the J pattern 51 and H pattern 52 are now displayed on the screen 35a of the display 35, turn on the reference line setting key (not shown) that also serves as envelope line setting on the operation keyboard 18 and use the line pen 37 to display the screen 35a. By instructing the desired position (point A), the CPU 17 displays the horizontal reference line 53 to be referred to on the screen 35a based on the control program. Then, the height of the camera 30 and the height of the camera 30 and the original image G are adjusted so that both patterns 51 and 52 fall within the setting range of the screen 35a, and the horizontal reference line 53 to be referenced is the same as the horizontal direction of the original image G. Align by relative rotation or relative movement. In addition, the stitch pitch is outputted to the CPU 17 by inputting the stitch pitch setting key 47 and the numeric keys 48 as data input means on the operation keyboard 18, and the CPU 17 stores it in a predetermined storage area of the working memory 43. Next, by pointing the point B located around the J or H pattern on the screen 35a with the line pen 37, an X-direction envelope line 54 corresponding to the X-direction of the work cloth feeder 15 of the automatic sewing machine is displayed. , by similarly indicating points C and D, the Y-direction envelope lines 55a and 55b corresponding to the Y-direction of the workpiece cloth feeding device 15 are displayed, and at least one of the X-direction and Y-direction envelope lines is displayed. The display image is enlarged based on an enlargement key (not shown) from the operation keyboard 18 so that the direction is the same as the boundary line 56a of the image display range 56 on the screen 35a. At this time, the conversion is performed between the lower left point E of the image display range 56, the envelope line 55a in the Y direction, and the
The image display range 56 is aligned with the intersection point F with the direction envelope line (horizontal reference line) 53, and the length YA of the pattern of the original image G in the Y direction is used as a reference.
It is preferable that the pattern is placed within the Y-direction range, and that the X-direction is set to the same enlargement ratio as the Y-direction enlargement ratio. At this point, the ratio between the pixels of the display 35 and the size and sewing data of the sewing pattern to be created from now on is fixed, and the working memory 43
The conversion ratio is stored in a predetermined storage area. For example, the length YD of the pixel display range 56 in the Y direction is
Assume that 400 dots and the length in the X direction XD are displayed as 600 dots. On the other hand, if the length of the pattern in the X direction is XA = 100, and the length of the pattern in the Y direction is YA = 80 mm, one dot in the Y direction of the image display range 56 is YA/400 = 80/400 = 0.2 mm, that is, 0.2 The resolution is mm, and if we apply this 0.2 mm to the X direction, then XA/XD1=0.2 (XD1 is the number of dots representing the pattern length after enlargement) Since XA=100, XD1=100/0.2=500, i.e. , the X direction after the pattern is enlarged is displayed as 500 dots. Therefore, the Y-direction envelope line 55b remains as shown in FIG. After enlarging as desired as described above, after instructing the Y-direction envelope line 55b with the light pen 37 to erase the Y-direction envelope line 55b, when the cancel key 26 of the operation seaboard 18 is turned on, the CPU 17 erases the Y-direction envelope line 55b. The direction envelope line 55b is deleted from the screen 35a. Note that, regardless of the dimensions of the original image G, the finished sewing dimensions may be specified and input, or the dimensions of XA may be used as a reference, and of course, the conversion ratios in the X direction and Y direction may be different. Therefore, you may enlarge or reduce the previous envelope line so that it fills the image display range. (1) Contour point data input Next, the steps for inputting the contour points of an image will be explained. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the size of the embroidery pattern to be sewn is an integral multiple of the minimum resolution of the work cloth feeder 15, and the coordinate system used in this embodiment is the image coordinate system of the screen using dots. and a needle position data coordinate system based on the resolution of the processing feed device 15. On the other hand, the numerical values used during arithmetic processing in the CPU 17 are displayed on the display 3.
5, the data input in the image coordinate system is converted into an exact numerical coordinate system using the light pen 37, and the results of these calculations are stored in predetermined areas of the working memory 43, respectively. When saved as needle position data, it is stored in the external storage device 16 in an exact numerical coordinate system. Then, when the data in the true numerical coordinate system is displayed on the screen on the display 35, it is converted into the image coordinate system, and when the workpiece cloth feeding device 15 is driven and controlled to convert it into needle position data for forming stitches, Coordinate transformation is performed in each coordinate system of the needle position data, and in the following explanation, it is assumed that these coordinate transformations are performed as necessary, and for the sake of convenience, explanation of coordinate transformation between the coordinate systems will be omitted. In FIG. 6, the operator turns on the contour setting mode key 19 to enter the contour setting mode, and uses the light pen 37 to set contour points along the contour of the J pattern 51 displayed on the image 35a.
Sequentially input from 1 to P15. At this time, two modes are appropriately selected from the operation keyboard 18. First, the line mode key 20 is input to set the line mode, and the lower left point F of the image display range 56 used in FIG. 4 is taken as the reference point for this stitch pattern. This reference point is used to automatically bring the relative needle position to point F at the end of the sewing cycle.
Note that this point F may correspond to the start position of the sewing cycle, and may also be used as a reference point for determining the size of this pattern in the X and Y directions when combining it with another stitch pattern. May be used as Next, point P1 is input using the light pen 37 while referring to the image within the image display range 56 on the screen and also with the operator's judgment. This input may take edge points on the outline of the image,
A point distant from the edge point on the image may be taken. Based on the data input with the light pen 37, the CPU 17 blinks and displays the designated point P1 on the screen 35a of the display 35.
If the desired position is reached, input the load key 23 to fix this point (that is, cancel the blinking display and change to a non-blinking display). Please note that inputting each item one by one is tedious, so
The newest input point may be displayed blinking, and the next point may be input using the light pen 37.
Then, the CPU 17 automatically fixes the previous point P1 and makes the point input at that time blink. In addition, in the contour setting mode, the first input P from the reference point (point F in this example)
Points are not connected by straight lines. Next, input the line mode key 20 from the operation keyboard 18 to set the line mode. Thereafter, when the user instructs to select point P2 in the same manner as described above, the CPU 17 lights point P1 on the screen 35a and causes point P2 to blink. And load key 2
When point P2 is also fixed as always lit by inputting 3, the CPU 17 displays an outline connecting both points P1 and P2 with a straight line. Furthermore, CPU1
7 is a working memory 43 that stores line type information as to whether those two points are connected by a straight line or a curved line.
I am learning to remember things. Next, since it is desired to form a curved line between points P2, P3, and P4 on the screen 35a, the smoothing mode key 21 of the operation keyboard 18 is pressed again. In this smoothing mode, P3 points, P4 points
Sequential selection instructions are made using the point and light pen 37, and after selecting and instructing point P4, the smoothing mode end key 22 is pressed. Then,
The CPU 17 displays a curve smoothly connecting points P2, P3, and P4, and blinks the curve. In addition, P
It is desirable to specify one or more points between points 3 and P2 and between points P3 and P4 in order to improve accuracy. In addition, if P3 point is not specified, P2・P
A semicircular arc having a diameter of 4 is created on either the left or right side in relation to the direction from point P2 to point P4. Also, when the curve connecting the blinking points P2, P3, and P4 is not the intended curve,
When the cancel key 26 is pressed, the CPU 17
is based on the on signal, leaving the P2 point and turning the P3 point on.
Erase the point P4 and the curve connecting it.
Then, the user presses the smoothing mode key 21 again from the operating keyboard 18 to input new points P3 and P4 in the same manner as described above. Once the intended curve is obtained, next point P4 ~ P
Enter line mode key 20 to connect each point up to 11 points with a straight line to enter line mode.
Points P5 and below are sequentially selected and instructed using the light pen 37, and each point from point P4 to point P11 is displayed as a straight line. Next, P11 points ~ P
Enter smoothing mode by inputting the smoothing mode key 21 to connect each point up to 15 points with a curved line, select and instruct each point using the light pen 37 sequentially from point P12, and
A curved line is displayed between each point from point 11 to point P15. Then, when the continuous contour end key 27 is pressed from the operation keyboard 18 in either the state where the P15 point is blinking or the state where it is fixed and constantly lit, the CPU 17 returns the P15 point. A blinking straight line is displayed between and the P1 point. In addition, in smoothing mode, P12 points to P1
When selecting points from 3 points to P14 points to P15 points, if the one-image block end key 28 is pressed before the smoothing mode end key 22 is pressed, the selected point is already fixed following the P15 point. The area between the P1 points is used as the end point to be smoothed. Then, when the smoothing mode end key 22 is input at this point, P12 points - P13 points - P14 points are input in the same way as above.
Draw a curve that smoothly connects the point ~ P15 point ~ P1 point
The CPU 17 calculates and displays it as a blinking curve. After displaying the blinking straight line or curve between P15 and P1 in this way, press the load key 2
When the key is input, the blinking straight line or curve is displayed as a constant light. As a result, a contour line 51a based on the J pattern 51 is determined, and each of the points P1 to P15 selected and fixed in this way becomes a turning point (inflection division point) of the contour of the image. When contour points are input, the coordinates (X, Y) are stored in a predetermined storage area of the working memory 43 in the fixed order starting from point F, and the X, Y positions are set with point F as the absolute origin. It is stored as the coordinate position. Similarly, for the H pattern 52, contour points P20 to P31 are selected and fixed using a light pen 37 or the like, and a contour line 52a is displayed. At this time, the coordinates of each contour point are similarly sequentially stored in a predetermined storage area of the working memory 43 as coordinate positions from point F. Furthermore, when the position of the adopted contour point is not the desired position, if the jog key 24 on the keyboard 18 is operated while the point is blinking, the position will be changed based on the key input at that time.
The CPU 17 moves the contour points in a dot pitch in an arbitrary direction. If it is desired to modify contour points that have already been fixed, enter the next modification mode after inputting the contour setting mode end key (not shown). (2) Modification mode When the modification mode key 25 is entered,
The CPU 17 is set to correction mode. and,
The fixed contour points are sequentially stored in predetermined areas in the working memory 43, so by keying in the number of steps using the numeric keys 48, the contour point to be corrected is selected. Next, Jiyog Key 24
When you operate the CPU, based on that keystroke.
Step 17 moves the contour point dot by dot and displays the point blinking. At this time, the CPU 17 cancels the display of straight lines or curved lines related to the contour points to be corrected. Furthermore, the CPU 17 can be activated by inputting 18 fixed keys (not shown) on the operation keyboard.
fixes the blinking display to a constant display, and CPU1
7 reads the line type information indicating whether the contour point to be corrected and the contour point adjacent to the contour point is connected by a straight line or a curve from the working memory 43, and creates a new line based on the line type information. Calculations are made between the corrected contour point and the adjacent contour point, and the two points are connected by a straight line or curve. In addition, when further contour points are to be added between already fixed contour points, when an addition mode key (not shown) on the operation keyboard 18 is inputted, the CPU 17 is set to the addition mode. Next, in order to select between which contour points a new contour point is to be added, the light pen 73 indicates and selects a pair of already fixed contour points adjacent to each other. Next, press the line mode key 20 or smoothing mode to select whether to connect the contour point to be added and one of the adjacent contour points (the contour point input earlier when inputting the contour point first) with a straight line or a curve. After selecting the mode using the key 21, one or more points to be added are indicated using the light pen 37. After that, when the load key 23 is pressed, the CPU 17 fixes the added contour point and calculates the added contour point and one of the adjacent contour points according to whether the selected mode is line mode or smoothing mode. and connect it to a straight line or curve. In the figure, P16 points, P17 points
Point, P18 point, and P19 point are contour points newly added in this way. (3) Creation of needle position data for each block Next, when the needle position data creation mode 29 is entered on the operation keyboard 18, the CPU 17 makes point F blink as the data reference point (start point) to clearly indicate the relative position. , enter needle position data creation mode. Next, when a reference slit mode key 49 as a setting means provided on the operation keyboard 18 is inputted, the CPU 17 sets the reference slit mode. Also, at this time, when the operator sets the inclination of the stitch direction reference line (reference slit) (the angle of inclination clockwise from the horizontal direction on the screen 35a) using the angle setting key 50, the CPU 17
stores this slope in a predetermined storage area of the working memory 43. In this reference slit mode, the operator specifies an arbitrary point on the displayed contour line to display a reference line having an inclination passing through the specified point on the screen 35a. A process is performed to find the intersection between the reference line and other contour lines of the pattern. That is, in FIG. 7, P6 is
When a point is selected and specified, the CPU 17 displays the position coordinates of point P6 and a stitch direction reference line S1 passing through point P6 and having an inclination within the image display range 56. Then, in order to find points on the contour divided by this reference line S1, the operator next selects and specifies points P7 and P8 with the light pen 37. Then, the CPU 17 calculates the coordinates of the intersection of the reference line S1 and the contour line connecting points P7 and P8, and displays the obtained intersection P34 in the image display range 56 with a brightness different from that of the reference line S1. Similarly, point P5 is selected and specified with the light pen 37 to display a reference line S2 having an inclination that passes through point P5, and then points P7 and P8 are selected and specified, and points P7 and P8 are displayed. The intersection point between the contour line connecting the points and the reference line S2 is determined, and the determined intersection point P35 is displayed in the image display range 56 with a brightness different from that of the reference line S2. Hereinafter, by performing the same procedure, the contour points P10, P8, P of the contour line 51a are
Reference line Sn (n is an integer) passing through 10, P1, P16, P15, P14, and P4, respectively, and contour line 5
Other intersections with 1a P36, P37, P38, P
39, P40, P41, P42, and P43 are displayed. Further, when the CPU 17 calculates and obtains the position of the intersection point and displays the intersection point on the screen 35a,
Only the straight lines S1a to S10a connecting the contour points designated and selected with the light pen 37 and the obtained intersection points are displayed, and other elements of the reference line are erased from the screen each time. In this manner, blocks B1 to B13 are performed within the contour line with reference to the reference line as shown in FIG. Next, the case where needle position data is created for each divided block will be explained. The case where each of the blocks B1 to B13 is filled with satin in this order as shown in FIG. 8 will be described. First, set the stitch density using the stitch density setting key 46 provided on the operation keyboard 18 (these values are stored in the working memory 43 and used each time unless specified again), and then press the light pen 37. At the vertices 101, 102 of block B1,
103, and then input the load key 23. Note that although the vertices 102 and 103 are taken on the straight line S6a, the specified vertices at this time may be on the contour line 51a or may be located at a position apart from the contour line 51a. In either case, 35a on the screen indicated by the light pen 37
The point is selected and CPU17
is to judge. Then, the CPU 17 uses the image coordinates of the vertex 101
When D101 (X _D101 , Y _D101 ) is replaced with needle position data coordinates from the conversion ratio, C101 (X, Y) = (X _C101 , Y _C101 ). Below, the CPU 17 calculates the needle position data coordinates (X _C102 , Y _C102 ) of the vertex 102 and the needle position data coordinates (X _C103 , Y _C103 ) of the vertex 103, and further calculates the stitch density N (N threads per 1 mm). ) is read from the working memory 43 and the vertices 102, 10 are
The coordinates of the midpoint M _1-2 between 3 are calculated according to the following formula. C _M1-2 of midpoint M _1-2 = [X _Ma , Y _Ma ] = [(X _C101 + X _C102 )
/2, (Y _C101 + Y _C102 /2] Next, connect the midpoint M _1-2 and the vertex 101 with a straight line to find this distance l _B1 , l _B1 = √ ( _C101 − _Ma ) ² + ( _C101 − _Ma ) ² Multiply this by the stitch density N to find the number of divisions m1. N×l _B1 = m1 Then, the CPU 17 divides the straight line element connecting the vertices 101 and 102 by this m1, and divides the division point 110,
Determine the coordinates of 111 and 112. Similarly, CPU1
7 also divides the line element connecting the vertices 101 and 103, and determines the coordinates of the division points 120, 121, and 122. Based on the coordinates of each point, the CPU 17 calculates needle position data consisting of the feed amount and sewing direction of the work cloth feed device 15 in the following order, and stores the calculation results in the external storage device 16. Vertex 101→Dividing point 110→Dividing point 121→Dividing point 112→Vertex 103 Similarly, block B2 is regarded as a rectangle, and after resetting the stitch density to an appropriate value using the stitch density setting key 46, the vertex 201 , 202 with the light pen 37, and then press the load key 23. Then, the CPU 17 replaces the image coordinates D201 (X _D201 , Y _D201 ) of the vertex 201 and the image coordinates D202 (X _D202 , Y _D202 ) of the vertex 202 with the needle position data coordinates (X _C201 , Y _C201 ), (X _C202 ,
Y _C202 ), read out the stitch density N (N threads per mm) from the working memory 43, and calculate the coordinates of the midpoint M _2-3 between the vertices 201 and 202 according to the following formula. do. C _M2-3 of _M2-3 = [X _Mb , Y _Mb ] = [(X _C201 + X _C202 )/
2. (Y _C201 +Y _C202 /2) Next, connect the midpoint M _1-2 whose coordinates were memorized in block B1 with a straight _line and calculate this distance l _B2 . l _B2 = √ ( _Ma - _Mb ) ² + ( _Ma - _Mb ) ² Multiply this by the stitch density _N to find the number of divisions m2. Divide the straight line element connecting 201 to the dividing point 210,
Determine the coordinates of 211 and 212. Similarly, CPU1
7 also divides the straight line connecting the vertices 103 and 202, and determines the coordinates of the division points 220, 221, and 222. Based on the coordinates of each point, the CPU 17 calculates needle position data consisting of the feed amount and sewing direction of the work cloth feed device 15 in the following order, and stores the calculation results in the external storage device 16. Vertex 103→Dividing point 210→Dividing point 221→Dividing point 212→Vertex 202 Hereinafter, when block B is a triangle, it is similar to block B1, and when it is a quadrilateral, it is processed similarly to block B2. Create needle position data at Note that if the original image has J and H edges, it is easy to make the edges of the J pattern 51 and H pattern 52 on the image stand out simply by changing the color tone of the screen 35a. If there is no such border, by referring to the color tone hierarchy (intensity enhancement) of the contents of each pixel, that is, each dot, on the display screen 35a, the horizontal, vertical, or both directions are sequentially scanned, and the contents of each pixel or dot of the display screen 35a are sequentially scanned, An automatic program that recognizes dots that have undergone a hierarchical change as contour points and displays a set of such points as a contour line, or a point on the contour line of an image that can be clearly determined to be an edge point (turning point). It would also be helpful if a program were adopted that automatically displays points to assist the operator. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments; for example, a set of points recognized as contour points is scanned horizontally or vertically or in both directions, and the above-mentioned points on the scanning line start from one point, Next, a point where there are two or more points in the vicinity of that point on a scanning line, or conversely, where two points that were close on a certain scanning line become one point on the next scanning line, is the edge point. As a point group representing other contours, the display is different from the point group representing other contours, for example by blinking at a specific number of cycles, or by adding a specific color if it is a color display. It is also effective to use automatic software that not only assists the worker with edge points but also automatically assumes that when the worker selects and designates the vicinity of these edge points with the light pen 37, this edge point is selected. Further, although the light pen 37 was used in the above embodiment, it is also acceptable to display and input points using a mouse or a tablet on the display 35. Furthermore, when the contour line is displayed, the contour points may be displayed blinking or in different colors so as to be distinguishable from the contour line, or the contour points of the image may be displayed in advance in a prominent manner on the screen 35a of the display 35. Display programs may be employed to assist. Further, in the embodiment described above, the sewing points are displayed on the screen 35a based on the image coordinate system, but instead, the images may be displayed on the true numerical coordinate system, or the actual needle drop points may be displayed on the screen 35a. It goes without saying that the image may be displayed in the needle position data coordinate system, or may be displayed in such a way that the display can be switched between both. (Effects of the Invention) As detailed above, the present invention allows the seam direction to be appropriately selected in accordance with the pattern, pattern, etc., and allows the seam direction to be quickly set in accordance with the pattern, pattern, etc. This can speed up data entry. Furthermore, since the outline can be set freely while referring to the original image, the present invention has excellent effects such as eliminating the need to recreate the original image itself even when the shape of the original image is to be modified slightly.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an electrical block circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention as a multi-needle sewing machine, Fig. 2 is an overall perspective view of the multi-needle sewing machine, and Fig. 3 shows an image displayed on the display. An explanatory diagram of the state, Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram when the envelope line is also displayed, Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram when the image is enlarged, and Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the image is enlarged.
The figure is also an explanatory diagram when specifying contour points, No. 7
The figure is an explanatory diagram when the reference line is displayed, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram when the reference line is displayed as a block, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the main part. 1 is a sewing machine arm, 3 is a needle bar support case, 5 is a needle, 14 is a work cloth holding frame, 15 is a work cloth feeding device,
16 is an external storage device as a storage means, 17 is an outline display control means, a reference line display control means, and a central processing unit (CPU) as a calculation means; 30 is a video camera as an imaging means; 31 is also an imaging means. 35 is a display as a display means, 37 is a light pen as a contour point specifying means, a vertex input means and a reference line specifying means,
46 is a stitch density setting key as a stitch density input means, 47 is a stitch pitch setting key, and W is a work cloth.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A carrier having an original image drawn thereon, an imaging means for capturing an image of the original image on the carrier, and an image display surface, the original image being displayed on the image display surface based on an image signal from the imaging means. a display means for displaying; a contour point designation means for designating an arbitrary point as a contour point of a desired embroidery stitch pattern on the image display surface of the display means on which the original image is displayed; a contour line display control means for displaying a contour line passing through the contour points on the display means; a reference line specifying means for specifying a stitch direction reference line that intersects the contour line displayed on the image display surface of the display means; , reference line display control means for controlling the display of a stitch reference line on the display means by the reference line specifying means; a vertex input means for specifying a point where a reference line and a contour line intersect; a stitch density input means for inputting stitch density data for embroidering each block; and the vertex coordinate data and stitches. A needle position for an embroidery sewing machine, comprising: a calculation means for calculating needle position data for embroidering each block based on the density data; and a storage means for storing the calculated needle position data. Data processing equipment.