JPH0772389B2 - Management device in automatic embroidery machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a management device for an automatic embroidery machine, and more particularly, to an embroidery pattern corresponding to the sewing data for realizing an embroidery sewing operation. The present invention relates to the ability to store and display management data indicating the characteristics of.

[Conventional technology]

In an automatic embroidery machine, sewing data corresponding to various embroidery patterns is stored in an external storage device such as a paper tape, and the external storage device such as a paper tape storing the sewing data corresponding to a desired embroidery pattern is set, This sewing data is transferred and stored in an internal storage device. The data stored in the external storage device such as a paper tape as the data related to the embroidery pattern is conventionally only the sewing data for realizing the embroidery sewing operation corresponding to the embroidery pattern, which is directly transferred and stored in the internal storage device. To be done. The automatic embroidery machine reads the sewing data transferred and stored in the internal storage device and executes the embroidery sewing operation according to the read sewing data.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the conventional embroidery machine as described above, the storage device is
Since only the sewing data actually required to realize the sewing operation of the embroidery pattern is stored, what kind of pattern is the embroidery pattern corresponding to the sewing data once stored in the general-purpose internal storage device? The fact (that is, the characteristics of the embroidery pattern or the sewing data) has to be confirmed only by the operator himself remembering it or actually performing the embroidery. Therefore, it was inconvenient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and stores management data indicating characteristics of an embroidery pattern corresponding to the sewing data for realizing the embroidery sewing operation,
It is intended to provide a management device for an automatic embroidery machine that can display.

[Means for solving problems]

A management device according to the present invention includes sewing data storage means for storing sewing data for realizing an embroidery sewing operation corresponding to an arbitrary embroidery pattern, and sewing data read from the sewing data storage means. A management for storing management data indicating characteristics of an embroidery pattern corresponding to the sewing data stored in the sewing data storage means, which is applied to an automatic embroidery machine having means for executing an embroidery sewing operation according to the above. The data storage means and the content of the management data stored in the management data storage means are set, and the content of the predetermined type of management data among a plurality of types of management data is manually set arbitrarily. The contents of the manual setting means and the management data of another predetermined type among the plurality of types of management data are determined based on the contents of the corresponding sewing data. The setting means includes an automatic setting means for automatically setting by performing the above calculation, a reading means for reading the management data from the management data storage means, and a display means for displaying the read management data. It is a thing. This is shown in FIG. 1 as shown in FIG. 1. 1 is sewing data storage means, 2 is means for performing embroidery sewing operation, 3 is management data storage means, 4 is setting means, 5 is reading means, and 6 is Display means.

[Action]

Corresponding to the embroidery pattern corresponding to the sewing data stored in the sewing data storage means 1, the contents of the management data indicating the characteristics are appropriately set by the setting means 4, and the set management data is stored in the management data storage means 3. To do. The management data stored in the management data storage unit 3 is appropriately read by the reading unit 5 and displayed by the display unit 6.

This management data is not directly related to the sewing operation, and the sewing operation can be executed without this, but it is useful for informing the operator of the characteristics of the embroidery pattern in some way. Information. For example, useful data to be registered as management data are "pattern name data" indicating the name of the embroidery pattern corresponding to the sewing data, "total stitch number data" indicating the number of stitches in the embroidery pattern, and the embroidery. It is possible to increase “color change number data” indicating the number of thread color changes in the pattern, “maximum range data” indicating the maximum range from the embroidery sewing start point of the pattern in the embroidery pattern, and the like. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and other appropriate types of data may be registered as management data.

The setting of the management data by the setting means 4 may be either manual setting or automatic setting. That is, the setting means 4 includes a manual setting means for manually and arbitrarily setting the contents of a predetermined type of management data among a plurality of types of management data, and another predetermined type of management data among the plurality of types of management data. And an automatic setting means for automatically setting the content of the item (1) by performing a predetermined calculation based on the content of the sewing data corresponding thereto. In that case, the operator may set a desired name for the "pattern name data" by a manual setting means. Also, "total stitch number data", "color change number data", "maximum range data",
It is preferable that the automatic setting means automatically perform the setting by performing a predetermined calculation based on the content of the sewing data. As a result, depending on the characteristics of various management data,
Since the data contents can be set manually or automatically, the data can be easily set and the data contents can be freely set according to the wishes of the operator, which is very easy to use. Becomes

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a control system of an automatic embroidery machine to which the management device according to the present invention is applied. CP
The operation of the entire automatic embroidery machine is controlled by a microcomputer including U11, program ROM 12 and working RAM 13. The data RAM 14 manages sewing data for realizing a desired embroidery pattern and "pattern name data", "total stitch number data", "color change number data", "maximum range data", etc. corresponding to the embroidery pattern. It stores data and the like. The operation panel 15 includes various setting switches, a display and the like. The paper tape reader 16 is used for sewing data recorded on the paper tape (X and Y data for instructing the position of the embroidery frame for each stitch, and function data for instructing each operation of the embroidery sewing machine such as color change, sewing machine main spindle stop, jump, etc.). (For example, data directly related to the embroidery sewing operation) is read out, and the paper tape 17 on which the sewing data for realizing an arbitrary embroidery pattern is recorded is set. The sewing data read from the paper tape 17 via the paper tape reader 16 is transferred and stored in the data RAM 14.

The X-axis pulse motor 18 moves the embroidery frame 20 in the X-axis direction, and the Y-axis pulse motor 19 moves the embroidery frame 20 in the Y-axis direction. A drive signal is applied to the pulse motors 18 and 19 via a pulse motor driver 21. The main spindle motor 22 rotationally drives the sewing machine main spindle 23 of the automatic embroidery machine, and as is well known, the needle bar and the shuttle are driven according to the rotation of the sewing machine main spindle 23. Although the automatic embroidery machine is further provided with other devices and equipment, those not directly related to the present invention are not shown. Each device exchanges signals with the microcomputer via the interface I / F.

An example of the switches and the display provided on the operation panel 15 is shown in FIG. The start switch SW1 is a switch for rotating the sewing machine spindle, and the stop switch SW2 is a switch for stopping the sewing machine spindle. The data input switch SW3 is a switch operated when inputting or setting various data. The tape / memory selection switch SW4 is a switch for selecting whether to read the paper tape data or the embroidery sewing data of the data RAM 14.
The tape start switch SW5 is a switch operated when the reading of recorded data on the paper tape 17 by the paper tape reader 16 is started.

The ten-key switch TKY is a switch for inputting various numerical data, and some of the key switches are also used for moving the cursor of the display DPY.
The step switch SW6 is a switch operated when the work is advanced to the next step in various data setting operations. The set switch SW7 is operated when registering the numerical data input by the ten-key switch TKY.

The display DPY is for displaying the data being set at the time of setting various data, or for displaying this to confirm the contents of various set data,
"Management data" related to the present invention is also appropriately displayed on the display DPY. For example, a liquid crystal display can be used as the display DPY.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the memory map of the data RAM 14. The data RAM 14 roughly includes a pattern data directory 14A and a pattern data memory unit 14B. The pattern data memory unit 14B can store pattern data corresponding to a plurality of types of embroidery patterns, and the pattern data areas P1, P2, P3 (each of which stores pattern data corresponding to registered pattern data ( For example, it is assumed that there are three types of registered pattern data). The area in the pattern data memory section 14B where the pattern data is not yet registered is blank. The pattern data directory 14A is a storage area for each pattern data registered in the pattern data memory unit 14B (that is, each pattern data area).
P1, P2, P3 ...) is recorded.

The pattern data directory 14A has a pattern number, a start address (the head address of each area P1, P2, P3 ...) and an end address for each pattern data area P1, P2, P3 ... Registered in the pattern data memory section 14B. (The last address of each area P1, P2, P3) is stored respectively. Pattern number is each area P
It is a number that is arbitrarily set, such as "1", "2", "3" ... for each of 1, P2, P3 ..., and identifies registered pattern data. At the time of registration, when an arbitrary pattern number is set by data input, a directory corresponding to the pattern number is opened in the pattern data directory 14A. When an arbitrary pattern number is designated by data input during reading, the pattern data directory 14
The start address corresponding to the pattern number is read from A, and any one of the pattern data areas P1, P2, P3, ... Corresponding to the pattern number is specified by this and accessed there.

Each pattern data area P1, P2, P3 ... Is composed of a management data memory area CME and a subsequent sewing data memory area SME. Management data memory area CME is for storing management data according to the present invention. The sewing data memory area SME is for storing sewing data for realizing a desired embroidery sewing. The management data memory area CME has areas for storing various management data, in this example, “pattern name data”, “total stitch number data”, “color change number data”, and “maximum range data”. Specifically, the "maximum range data" is composed of "+ X axis maximum range data", "-X axis maximum range data", "+ Y axis maximum range data" and "-Y axis maximum range data". The sewing data memory area SME includes embroidery data such as well-known sewing data (X and Y data for instructing the position of the embroidery frame, and function data for instructing each operation of the embroidery sewing machine such as color change, sewing machine spindle stop, jump, etc.). Data for directly relating to the sewing operation) is stored for each stitch. The memory size of the management data memory area CME is constant regardless of the embroidery pattern, but the memory size of the sewing data memory area SME differs depending on the embroidery pattern (corresponding to the number of stitches of the embroidery pattern).

Next, among the operations executed by the automatic embroidery machine shown in FIG. 2 under the control of the microcomputer, the operation of the part particularly corresponding to the management device will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIG.

When the power of the automatic embroidery machine is turned on, first, as shown in FIG. 5, a predetermined initial routine is performed and then a sewing machine spindle stop routine is performed. The processing operation of the portion corresponding to the management apparatus according to the present invention and other various data setting processing operations are executed in this sewing machine spindle stop routine. This sewing machine spindle stop routine is always executed during non-operation, and when the start switch SW1 is turned on, the operation routine is started.
In the operation routine, the sewing machine spindle 23 is driven to
The sewing data for each stitch is sequentially read from the sewing data memory area SME in synchronization with the rotation, and the embroidery sewing operation is performed based on this.

An example of the sewing machine spindle stop routine is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to (b). First, in the stop initial routine, a predetermined initial process is performed when the sewing machine is stopped. In the next step 30, it is checked whether the mode is the data input setting mode. The data input setting mode can be set by turning on the data input switch SW3.

If it is the data input setting mode, the process proceeds to step 31 and it is determined whether the paper tape data is taken in or the pattern data area of the data RAM 14 is read. The selection of whether to read the paper tape data or to read the pattern data area of the data RAM 14 is performed by operating the tape / memory selection switch SW4.

When importing paper tape data, the first step is
Go to 32 (Fig. 6 (b)) and set the arbitrary pattern number and set the directory corresponding to that pattern number to the pattern data directory.
Perform processing to open at 14A. The design number is set by inputting a desired number with the ten-key switch TKY. In this case, it is possible to display the pattern number registered with the pattern data or the pattern number not registered with the pattern data on the display device DPY, and to select and set the desired pattern number from the unregistered pattern numbers. Good. The pattern number data set and input is stored in the pattern data directory 14A. At the same time, the computer determines the start address of the pattern data area corresponding to the pattern number, and the start address data is stored in the pattern data directory 14A in correspondence with the storage of the pattern number data. In this way, the directory corresponding to the pattern number set and input is the pattern data directory.
It will be opened at 14A.

In the next step 33, pattern name data is set and registered. The desired pattern name data is set and input using the ten-key switch TKY and the display DPY. Fig. 7 shows the indicator D in that case.
This is an example of a PY display. The pattern number selected and set in the previous step is displayed on the top row, and the letters that make up the name (pattern name) currently being set are displayed on the bottom row. Is a character search section consisting of 26 letters of the alphabet and katakana characters. When the cursor in the character search section is aligned with a desired character position by operating a key of the cursor key function in the ten-key switch TKY and the step key SW6 is turned on, the character at the cursor position is displayed in the upper name column. In this way, desired characters are selected one by one and displayed in the name column, and when the desired name is completed, the set key SW7 is turned on. This completes the setting input of the desired pattern name data, and stores it in the pattern name data storage position in the management data memory area CME in the pattern data area corresponding to the pattern number in the pattern data memory unit 14B. In this way, the setting and registration of the pattern name data is completed. The pattern data area corresponding to the pattern number can be specified by the start address data in the directory corresponding to the pattern number opened in the previous step. As the cursor in the character search portion of the display device DPY, the character corresponding to the cursor position may be blinked without using a special cursor display.

In the next step 34, it is checked whether the tape start switch SW5 has been turned on, and it waits until it is turned on. The operator sets the paper tape 17 having a desired embroidery pattern on the paper tape reader 16, and when the setting is completed, the tape start switch SW5
Turn on. When the tape start switch SW5 is turned on, the process goes to step 35.

In step 35, first, as the write address (data memory address DMA) of the data RAM 14, the start address of the sewing data memory area SME corresponding to the design number currently being processed is designated. This start address can be specified by the start address data in the directory corresponding to the pattern number and the memory size of the management data memory area CME which is known in advance.

Further, in this step 35, the color change counter in the working RAM 13 is reset. Also working RAM1
The + X axis maximum range register + XM, −X axis maximum range register −XM, + Y axis maximum range register + YM, and −Y axis maximum range register −YM in 3 are cleared respectively. Also, the X of the embroidery frame,
Y X-axis accumulated movement amount register X that stores the accumulated movement amount of each axis
a and Y-axis cumulative movement amount register Ya (this is also working RAM
(In 13)). It also clears the stitch counter (also in working RAM 13).

In the next step 36, the paper tape reader 16
The sewing data (X, Y data and function data) for one stitch recorded in 17 is read, and the read sewing data for one stitch is transferred to the data memory address DMA.
The data is written into the address in the data RAM 14 designated by (at the beginning, this is designated by the processing of step 35 as the head address of the sewing data memory area SME corresponding to the design number).

In the next step 37, the data memory address DMA is advanced by one stitch.

In the next step 38, of the stitch data for one stitch read by the paper tape reader 16, the X data ground is set to X.
The value of Y data is added to the contents of the Y-axis cumulative movement amount register Ya by adding to the contents of the axis accumulated movement amount register Xa, and the contents of each register Xa, Ya are updated by the respective addition results. As is well known, the X and Y data of one embroidery frame has positive and negative values. As a result, each register Xa, Ya
Means that the X, Y movement amount of the embroidery frame for each stitch is added and subtracted and accumulated, and data indicating the accumulated movement amount from the embroidery start point in the current stitch is stored in each axis cumulative movement amount register Xa, Ya. Remembered.

In the next steps 39 and 40, the contents of the X-axis cumulative movement amount register Xa are compared with the contents of + X-axis maximum range register + XM and -X-axis maximum range register -XM, respectively, and if "+ XM <Xa" is satisfied. For example, register the contents of Xa in + XM (step 4
3) If "-XM>Xa" is satisfied, change the contents of Xa to -XM
Register with (step 44).

In the next steps 41 and 42, the contents of the Y-axis cumulative movement amount register Ya are compared with the contents of the + Y-axis maximum range register + YM and the -Y-axis maximum range register -YM, respectively, and if "+ YM <Ya" is satisfied. For example, register the contents of Ya in + YM (step 4
5) If “−YM> Ya” is satisfied, change the contents of Ya to −YM
Register with (step 46).

As a result, finally (when the processing for all stitches is completed), from the embroidery start point in the stitch that is the furthest away from the embroidery start point in the + X axis direction, the −X axis direction, the + Y axis direction, and the −Y axis direction. The cumulative movement amount of is registered in each maximum range register + XM, -XM, + YM, -YM.
Thus, the maximum range data registered in each maximum range register + XM, -XM, + YM, -YM indicates the range (spread) of the embroidery pattern. It can be used as a material for determining where to set the starting point.

In the next step 38, the paper tape reader from step 36
Of the stitch data for one stitch read by 16,
Check if the content of the function data is a color change code. If it is a color change code, the content of the color change counter is incremented by 1 (step 48).

In the next step 49, the contents of the stitch counter are incremented to indicate the next stitch.

At the next step 50, at step 36, the paper tape reader
Of the stitch data for one stitch read by 16,
It is checked whether the content of the function data is an end code indicating the end of the embroidery pattern. If it is not finished yet, the process returns to step 36, and the processes of steps 36 to 50 similar to the above are repeated for the next stitch indicated by the stitch counter.

When the sewing data of all stitches have been loaded into the sewing data memory area SME corresponding to the design number, the function data becomes the end code, and the process proceeds to step 51.

In step 51, the current value of the data memory address DMA is used as the end address data, and the pattern data directory
Register in the directory corresponding to the pattern number in 14A. In addition, the maximum range data for each axis stored in each maximum range register + XM, -XM, + YM, -YM is stored in the "maximum range data" storage area in the management data memory area CME corresponding to the pattern number. , "+ X axis maximum range data", "-
They are stored as "X-axis maximum range data", "+ Y-axis maximum range data" and "-Y-axis maximum range data", respectively. Also,
The content of the stitch counter is the "total stitch number data" in the management data memory area CME corresponding to the pattern number.
Is stored in the storage area as “total stitch number data”. Further, the content of the color change counter is stored as "color change count data" in the "color change count data" storage area in the management data memory area CME corresponding to the pattern number.

As described above, when registering the sewing data for realizing the desired embroidery pattern in the data RAM 14, any "pattern name data" corresponding to the embroidery pattern is manually set and stored in the management data memory area CME. Register in (process of step 33),
Moreover, "total stitch number data", "color change number data", and "maximum range data" are automatically calculated based on the content of the sewing data, and are set and registered in the management data memory area CME. (Processing of steps 38 to 51). Thus, in the management data memory area CME corresponding to the sewing data memory area SME storing the sewing data corresponding to an arbitrary embroidery pattern, various management data indicating the characteristics of the embroidery pattern, that is, "pattern name data arbitrarily named" ] And "total stitch number data", "color change number data", "maximum range data" according to the content of the embroidery pattern
Is set and registered.

After step 51, the procedure goes to step 52 (Fig. 6 (a)).
In step 52, the data RAM 14 is switched to the read mode and its read address (data memory address DM
As A), specify the start address of the sewing data memory area SME corresponding to the currently selected pattern number.

In step 53, other processing when the sewing machine is stopped is performed. In step 54, it is checked whether the start switch SW1 is turned on, and N
If it is O, the process returns to step 30, but if it is YES, the process returns to the main routine to enter the operation routine (FIG. 5).

Next, reading of management data will be described. If you want to read the registered management data from the management data memory area CME and display it on the display DPY and check its contents, turn on the data input switch SW3 to enter the data input setting mode and select tape / memory. Switch SW4
Is operated to select reading of embroidery sewing data from the data RAM 14. Then, the process proceeds from YES in step 30 to step 31, and then from step 55.
go to.

In step 55, the desired pattern number to be read is designated by key input of the ten-key switch TKY.

In the next step 56, the management data registered in the management data memory area CME corresponding to the pattern number specified in the previous step, that is, "pattern name data", "total stitch number data", "color change count""Data" and "maximum range data" are read out respectively and displayed on the display DPY. FIG. 8 shows a display example of the contents of these management data on the display device DPY. The operator looks at this display and determines whether or not the embroidery pattern to be embroidered is good. If yes, turn on the set switch SW7. In step 57, it is determined whether or not this embroidery pattern is acceptable, that is, whether or not the set switch SW7 is turned on. If YES, go to step 52 and prepare to read the sewing data from the sewing data memory area SME. If NO, the process returns to step 55 to perform a process of confirming and displaying the content of the management data regarding another pattern number.

In the above embodiment, the "pattern name data" can be set only when the paper tape data is loaded, but the name setting may be changed at other times.

If the contents of the "total stitch number data", "color change number data", and "maximum range data" are known in advance, these may be manually set.

Further, the management data set and registered in the data RAM 14 may be stored and recorded in a paper tape or other external memory together with the corresponding sewing data.

The display means for displaying the management data is not limited to the liquid crystal display, and may be an electric / electronic device such as a CRT display or an LED display, a hard copy device such as a print printer, or a voice generating device.

Further, in the above embodiment, the management device according to the present invention is integrated into the automatic embroidery machine, but it may be attached to an existing automatic embroidery machine as a separate unit.

Further, the control system of the automatic embroidery machine may be connected to a general-purpose communication network so that setting information of various management data can be supplied from a computer system or the like in a remote place.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the management data indicating the characteristic of the embroidery pattern corresponding to the sewing data for realizing the embroidery sewing operation can be stored and displayed. Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator himself to remember in advance what kind of pattern the embroidery pattern corresponding to the sewing data sewing data stored in the storage device is, or to actually perform the embroidery, It has an excellent effect that it can be confirmed extremely easily. In addition, the data content can be set manually and automatically according to the characteristics of various management data, so that the data can be set easily and the data that the operator desires can be set. Since the contents can be freely set, it has an excellent effect of being extremely easy to use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of a management device in an automatic embroidery machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram schematically showing a control system of an embodiment of the management device in an automatic embroidery machine according to the present invention. Fig. 3, Fig. 3 is a plan view showing an example of the operation panel in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the data RAM in Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is executed by the microcomputer in Fig. 2. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are flowcharts showing an example of a sewing machine spindle stop routine in the main routine of FIG. 5, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example on the display unit of FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of the management data on the display unit of FIG. is there. 1 ... Sewing data storage means, 2 ... means for performing embroidery sewing operation, 3 ... management data storage means, 4 ... setting means, 5 ... reading means, 6 ... display means, 14 ... data RAM , 15 …… Operation panel, 16 …… Paper tape reader, 17
…… Paper tape, 20 …… Embroidery frame, 23 …… Sewing machine spindle, CME
…… Management data memory area, SME …… Sewing data memory area.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A sewing data storage means for storing sewing data for realizing an embroidery sewing operation corresponding to an arbitrary embroidery pattern, and the sewing data is read from the sewing data storage means, and the embroidery is read according to the read sewing data. A management device applied to an automatic embroidery machine having means for executing a sewing operation, the management data storage storing management data indicating characteristics of an embroidery pattern corresponding to the sewing data stored in the sewing data storage means. Means for setting the content of the management data stored in the management data storage means, and manually setting the content of the management data of a predetermined type among a plurality of types of management data manually. Means and a content of another predetermined type of management data among the plurality of types of management data, and a predetermined calculation based on the content of the corresponding sewing data. Automatic embroidery including setting means including automatic setting means for automatically setting by performing, reading means for reading the management data from the management data storage means, and display means for displaying the read management data. Management device in the machine. 2. The management data includes pattern name data indicating the name of the embroidery pattern, data indicating the number of stitches in the embroidery pattern, data indicating the number of times of thread color change in the embroidery pattern, embroidery sewing start in the embroidery pattern. The management device for an automatic embroidery machine according to claim 1, which includes at least one of data indicating a maximum range from a point. 3. The sewing data storage means stores the respective sewing data corresponding to a plurality of types of embroidery patterns, and the management data storage means stores various embroidery patterns stored in the sewing data storage means. 2. The management data is stored in each of the storages, and the reading means selectively reads the management data corresponding to the desired embroidery pattern from the management data storage means. Management device for automatic embroidery machines.