JPH082395B2 - Sewing pattern data input device for sewing machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for inputting sewing pattern data for automatically performing pattern sewing of a desired figure or the like on a sewing machine.

[Conventional technology]

For example, in an industrial sewing machine such as an electronic cycle sewing machine,
Some have a function of creating and storing data of a desired sewing pattern by a key input operation on the operation panel.

In addition to straight stitches, spline (curve) stitches, arc stitches, and other ordinary stitches, there are also input functions such as zigzag stitches and offset stitches, and even complex patterns can be relatively easily input.

To input a desired pattern using the sewing machine's pattern input function, hold the cloth or paper on which the pattern is drawn on the outer presser foot of the sewing machine, and place the tip of the sewing needle along the line forming the pattern. By moving the outer presser forward, backward, leftward and rightward so that at least two points on a straight line and a plurality of points on a curve (a large number of points are required where there is a strong bend) are input, each input is performed. The coordinate data of the points is stored, and the data of the needle entry points along the sewing pattern is created by using the data.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, since the sewing pattern data input device (input function) of such a conventional sewing machine does not have the function of discriminating the line type and the cusp, the type of the line forming the pattern (straight line, curved line, arc, etc.) If there is a point at which point changes and a point is in the middle of the curve, divide it and select the input function for each section and input the coordinate point, and the data of the needle entry point along the input sewing pattern Unable to create.

Therefore, for example, when inputting a sewing pattern in which a straight line and a curved line as shown in FIG. 9 are input, it is divided into three sections of the curved line 1, the curved line 2 and the straight line 1 as shown in the figure, and input in the following procedure. Was.

(1) Select the spline input function and set 0 on curve 1.
Enter the coordinate points of ~ 4.

(2) Select the spline input function again and input 5 to 10 coordinate points on the curve 2.

(3) Select the straight line input function and input the coordinate point 11 at the end of the straight line 1.

In this way, the input of the coordinate point was once terminated every time there was a cusp point in the curve of the sewing pattern, or the type of line changed, and the function was selected again to input the coordinate point. When inputting a complicated sewing pattern, the input work is complicated and troublesome.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and even in the case of a complicated sewing pattern in which a straight line and a curved line are combined, each coordinate point necessary for inputting the pattern can be input once. An object of the present invention is to enable data to be collectively input by selection, and thereby to be able to create needle drop point data along a sewing pattern input.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, input data for sequentially storing a plurality of input points and corner designation data along a sewing pattern input by key operation. The storage means 1, the input point grouping means 2 for dividing a plurality of input points stored in the storage means into groups by dividing them by designated corner points, and the number of the input points for each group grouped by the input point grouping means 2. Then, the line type discriminating means 3 for discriminating between the straight line and the curved line, and the needle drop point calculating means for performing the straight line or curved line interpolation for each group according to the discrimination result and calculating the needle drop point in each line. Four
A sewing pattern data input device for a sewing machine is provided, which comprises a pattern data storage means 5 for sequentially storing the calculated data of each needle drop point in a memory to form a series of sewing pattern data.

[Action]

According to the present invention, when a sewing pattern is input, a plurality of necessary input points on a line that constitutes the pattern are designated as corners at a point where a cusp and a line type in a curve change with a single function selection. When inputting while performing the input, the input data storage means 1 sequentially stores the coordinate data of each input point and the data for specifying the corner.

After that, the input point grouping means 2 divides the plurality of input points stored in the input data storage means 1 into groups by dividing them by the designated corner points, and the line type discriminating means 3 divides the input points in each group into groups. The number is used to determine whether it is a straight line or a curved line.

In accordance with the result of the determination, the needle drop point calculation means 4 performs linear or curved line interpolation for each group to calculate the needle drop point in each line, and the pattern data storage means 5 calculates each needle. The drop point data is sequentially stored in the memory to form a series of sewing pattern data.

Therefore, even with complicated stitching patterns that combine straight lines and curves, you can enter the coordinate points required to enter the pattern all at once with a single function selection. Data of needle drop points along the pattern can be created and stored in the memory as a series of sewing pattern data.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a main body of a sewing machine having a function as a sewing pattern data input device according to the present invention.

In this sewing machine, a sewing machine main body 10 is fixedly installed on a table 15, and a sewing needle 11 and a cloth presser 12 are attached to a head portion 10a thereof.

A frame-shaped outer presser 13 is provided so as to surround the sewing position by the sewing needle 11.

The outer presser 13 includes a lower frame 13a, an upper frame 13b, and an arm portion 13c that supports the lower frame 13a.The outer frame 13 is made of a cloth to be sewn in the sewing mode, or a cloth or paper with a graphic pattern drawn in the pattern input mode. Hold between 13a and upper frame 13b,
The XY drive mechanism 14 allows the table 15 to move freely in the left-right (X) direction and the front-back (Y) direction along the upper cotton.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the input section and the control section in this embodiment.

The input unit 16 is composed of an operation panel 18 having a large number of keys and a display and a pulse motor drive circuit 19.

The configuration and operation of the operation panel 18 will be described in detail later, but the pulse motor drive circuit 19 includes an X-axis drive pulse motor Mx and a Y-axis drive pulse in the XY drive mechanism 14 that moves the outer presser 13 described above. It is a circuit that drives the motor My in accordance with a command from the control unit 17, respectively.

The control unit 17 includes a control circuit 20 using a CPU that controls the entire apparatus as a whole, a straight line sewing (b1) and a spline sewing (b1).
2), read-only memory (ROM) 21 that stores sewing programs such as arc sewing (b3) and other various functions, and fixed data required for them, and input points and angle specification data that have been input. And a random access memory (RAM) 22 that is used as a working area by the control circuit 20 and also stores the needle drop point data calculated by the control circuit 20 as a series of sewing pattern data. , Which is the interface with the operation panel 18
It is composed of an / O circuit 23 and an I / O circuit 24 which serves as an interface with the pulse motor drive circuit 19.

The control unit 17 fulfills the functions of the respective means 1 to 5 according to the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a layout diagram showing a specific example of the operation panel 18 of this embodiment.

The operation panel 18 is provided with a display group including the displays 30 to 35 and a key group including the keys 41 to 59.

First, the display group will be described. The sewing display 30 is wholly lit in the sewing mode, and is lit only in the right end portion in the pattern input mode.

The error display 31 is a 7-segment display (fluorescent display tube, LED, liquid crystal, etc.). When an error occurs in the sewing mode, one of the error codes "1 to 9" is displayed, In the pattern input mode, "d" blinks, and at this time, 52, 54 to 56 of the numeric keys 51 to 59 described later are displayed.
Only 58 and 58 are valid.

All of the displays 32 to 35 are 3-digit 7-segment displays. The pattern number display 32 displays the mode and function. In the pattern input mode, the mode is "E: input",
Either "C: modify" or "A: add" as a function
"1: Straight stitch", "b2: Spline stitch", "b3: Arc stitch", etc. are displayed.

The X enlargement / reduction ratio display 33 displays the X enlargement / reduction ratio in the sewing mode, but in the pattern input mode, the sewing type code and speed, or the distance in the X direction is displayed as, for example, "X.
Display as "10".

The Y enlargement / reduction ratio display 34 displays the Y enlargement / reduction ratio in the sewing mode, but displays the stitch length in mm in the pattern input mode, or displays the Y-direction distance, for example, "Y.
Display as "10". Further, when the stitch length is input, the stitch lengths that can be selected are sequentially displayed.

The bobbin thread setting display 35 displays the bobbin thread setting value in the sewing mode, but displays the width of the zigzag stitch or the offset stitch in mm unit in the pattern input mode, or the number of input points and the point movement When displaying the distance.

Next, the key group will be described. When the feed advance key 41 is pressed, the position moves one stitch at a time from the current point toward the end point along the created pattern. To use the pattern input function, turn on the power switch while pressing this key 41.

When the feed / reverse key 42 is pressed, the position moves one stitch at a time from the current point toward the origin along the created pattern. When pressed during pattern input, the previous input point is canceled and the needle position is returned.

When the home return key 43 is pressed, the needle position returns from the current point to the home.

Only the names and functions of the following keys in the pattern input mode will be described.

The selection key 44 is a key for function selection.
When the desired function code is displayed at 32, pressing this selects that function.

The pattern No key 45 is not used in the pattern input mode, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

The confirmation key 46 is pressed when it is desired to confirm the input shape when finishing inputting one element. When this key 46 is pressed, the needle position moves from the sewing start of the input element according to the sewing shape and then stops at the end point of the element.

The end key 47 is pressed when finishing inputting one element. In this case, the input shape is not confirmed.

When setting a value such as the stitch length, the designating key 48 is pressed when the set value is reached.

The trial sewing key 49 is pressed when shifting to the trial sewing and returning to the pattern input mode again.

The cancel key 50 is pressed during the operation to cancel the operation.

Of the number keys 51 to 59 of "1" to "9", the input key 55
Is pressed when inputting the coordinate value data of the input point of the element.

The movement keys 52 and 58 are used to change the display of the function and the value by advancing and returning in sequence when selecting the function and setting the value such as the stitch length.

The four movement keys 52, 54 to 56, 58 are used to move the above-mentioned outer presser 13 to X,
Used to drive in the Y direction and move the needle position relatively to the point where you want to input.

Next, the procedure of the input operation by the operation panel 18 will be described by taking the case of inputting the sewing pattern shown in FIG. 5 according to this embodiment as an example.

First, after drawing the sewing pattern shown in FIG. 5 by the lower frame 13a and the upper frame 13b of the outer presser 13 of FIG. 1 to hold the paper,
While pressing the feed forward key 41 of the operation panel 18, the power switch (not shown) is turned on to enter the pattern input mode.

After that, the input of each input point and the corner designation on the sewing pattern shown in FIG. 5 is performed in the following procedure.

(1) Press the move key 52 or 58 to display the pattern number display 32.
After the function code “E.b2: Spline input function” is displayed on, the selection key 44 is pressed to select the function.

(2) Press the move key 52 or 58 to display the Y enlargement / reduction ratio indicator.
After the value of the desired stitch length is displayed on 34, the designation key 48 is pressed to register the value.

(3) Since the digitizing wait is on after the above operation, press the four move keys 52, 54 to 56, 58 and press the outer presser foot 13 until the sewing needle 11 in FIG. When it is moved and coincides, the input key 55 is pressed and the input point is input. Therefore, the coordinate value data of the input point becomes the third
It is detected by the control circuit 20 shown and stored in the memory 22.

By repeating this operation, points 0 to 3 in FIG. 5 are input.

(4) In order to specify that the position of input point 3 is a corner (cusp point), after inputting the input point as shown in the enlarged view in FIG. Is moved by 1 pulse (one of the four movement keys 52, 54 to 56, 58 is pressed once), and the input key 55 is pressed to input the designated corner point 4.

(5) Then, carry out the same operation as (3) and perform 5-9.
Enter the point.

(6) Since the corner is specified at the position of the input point 9, (4)
Input the designated corner point 10 by the same operation as.

(7) Next, perform the same operation as in (3), and input the 11th point.

(8) Press the confirmation key 46 or the end key 47 to complete the input of one pattern.

By such an input operation, the coordinate value data of the required input points 0 to 3, 5 to 9 and 11 of the sewing pattern shown in FIG. It is stored in the memory 22 in the control unit 17 in the figure.

Therefore, next, the control circuit (CPU) 20 of the control unit 17
The process of calculating the needle drop point data based on the data stored in the memory 22 and storing it as the sewing pattern data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7 and FIG.

When the process of FIG. 7 is started, first, in step 1, the memory is
The input point group stored in 22 is divided into groups by separating the corner designated points as marks, and in step 2, the data is extracted from the first group in group units.

Then, in step 3, it is determined whether the figure formed by the input point group of the group is a straight line or a curved line depending on whether the number of input points belonging to the group is "1" or "2" or more. For example, in the example of FIG. 5 described above, the input point of the first group is 0.
There are 4 points in 3 to 3, so the curve is the input point of the second group is 5
There are 5 points from ~ 9, so the curve and the input point of the 3rd group are 11 points.
Since it is only one point, it is judged as a straight line.

If the number of input points is "1", it is a straight line, so the tangent vector is corrected in step 4, and then the process proceeds to step 5.

This is the needle drop point calculation routine of the next step 5 in this embodiment. Since the routine for curves is used even in the case of a straight line, it is before and after at both ends A and B in the interpolation section as shown in FIG. Each tangent vector a obtained from the two points
On the basis of →, b →, usually (in the case of a curve), the interpolation processing shown by the broken line in (a) of the figure is performed. However, in the case of a straight line, this tangent vector becomes indefinite. B)
This is because it is necessary to correct the tangent vectors a →, b → at both ends A and B of the interpolation section so as to be in the same direction as the straight line AB as shown in FIG.

If the number of input points is "2" or more, it is a curve, and therefore the tangent vector is not corrected and the process proceeds to step 5.

In step 5, straight line or curved line interpolation is performed for each group (in this case, the same curve routine is used, and in the case of a straight line, interpolation is performed using the corrected tangent vector) to set the stitch length. Then calculate the coordinate value of each needle drop point.

Then, in step 6, the calculated data of each needle drop point is sequentially stored in the sewing pattern data storage area of the memory 22.

After that, it is checked whether or not all the input points have been processed, and if the processing has not been completed, the process returns to step 2, the data of each input point of the next group is taken out, and the above processing is repeated.

When all the input points have been processed, the processing of this routine ends.

Using the sewing pattern data created in this way, it is possible to perform automatic sewing according to the input pattern as in the conventional case.

In order to save the sewing pattern data created in this way, this data is read from the memory (RAM) 22, sent to an external storage device such as a floppy disk drive device (not shown), and stored in a recording medium such as a floppy disk. Good.

In the above embodiment, the sewing machine itself is provided with a function as a sewing pattern data input device so that it can be used by switching between the sewing mode and the pattern input mode. This is convenient because trial sewing can be performed immediately after the pattern data is input, and if desired, full-scale sewing can be started as it is.

However, a sewing pattern is drawn on the digitizer (figure creating device) using a pointing pen, the coordinate values are stored, and this pattern data is transferred to a sewing machine by a medium such as a cable or a magnetic disk for use, or the sewing machine is used. Needless to say, the present invention can be implemented even in the case where the workpiece holder is moved by using the jog key on the operation box which is separate from the above, and the sewing pattern is drawn and the coordinate values thereof are stored.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, by using the sewing pattern data input device for a sewing machine according to the present invention, even if a complex sewing pattern in which straight lines and curved lines are combined, each coordinate point necessary for inputting that pattern is used. Since the input of all can be input collectively by one function selection, the input efficiency is good, and the data of the needle entry point on the desired sewing pattern is calculated based on the data of each input point and the designated corner point. Then, the sewing pattern data can be automatically created.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a basic structure of a sewing pattern data input device for a sewing machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a main body of a sewing machine having a function as a sewing pattern data input device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the input unit and control unit in this embodiment, FIG. 4 is a layout diagram showing a concrete example of the operation panel 18 in FIG. 3, and FIG. An example of a sewing pattern to be input and an explanation diagram of its input points and corner designated points, FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory view around the corner designated points in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is sewing by the control unit 17 in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the pattern data creating process, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an interpolation section used for explaining the tangent vector correction process in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a conventional sewing pattern input procedure. 10 …… Sewing machine main body, 11 …… Sewing needle 13 …… Outer presser foot, 14 …… XY drive mechanism 15 …… Table, 16 …… Input section 17 …… Control section, 18 …… Operation panel 19 …… Pulse motor drive circuit 20 …… Control circuit (CPU) 21 …… Memory (ROM), 22 …… Memory (RAM) 30 to 35 …… Display unit, 41 to 59 …… Key

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP 62-170287 (JP, A) JP 60-148584 (JP, A) JP 62-277990 (JP, A) JP 62-253098 (JP , A) JP 61-37285 (JP, A) Actual development 55-170074 (JP, U) JP 60-54077 (JP, B2) JP 63-9245 (JP, B2) JP 61-24036 (JP, B2) JP 61-45492 (JP, B2) JP 60-43146 (JP, B2)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Input data storage means for sequentially storing a plurality of input points along a sewing pattern input by key operation and data for designating a corner, and a plurality of input points stored by the means. Input point grouping means for dividing into groups at designated points, and line type determining means for determining for each group divided by the means whether the line is a straight line or a curved line, Needle drop point calculation means for performing straight line or curved line interpolation for each group according to the determination result of the means to calculate the needle drop point in each line, and each needle drop point calculated by the means Sewing machine data input device for sewing machine, comprising: