EP1878823B1 - Method and device for representing sewing processes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for representing sewing processes according to the features of patent claims 1 and 9.

Modern sewing machines and embroidery machines usually include a screen. This can be used to display information and (for touchscreens) to operate or control the sewing machine. In particular, it is known to display small images or icons of embroidery patterns for selection on a touch-sensitive screen.
From the US 5,983,817 is a connectable to a sewing machine control device known. This includes as a control device, a personal computer with a screen and input means for the menu-driven setting of various parameters - among other things, for example, embroidery patterns can be selected - and for controlling the sewing machine. If the control device does not recognize a connected sewing machine, a simulation mode is activated. In this case, pseudo signals are generated which correspond to the signals generated by a sewing machine during the sewing operation.
Traditionally, the complete stitch patterns and embroidery patterns are displayed on the screen.

Particularly with more complex patterns, the individual puncture sites and the sequence of needle punctures in the sewing material or the process of creating stitch patterns and embroidery patterns are poorly recognizable or not at all on the basis of the patterns shown on the screen. Furthermore, such conventional representations do not reflect the actual circumstances, since neither the color and structure of the sewing material, nor the colors of the upper thread and the lower thread are taken into account.

From the EP 1 676 945 A An apparatus for generating embroidery data is known, which comprises an input device with a stylus for specifying a web, along which web puncture points of an embroidery pattern are to be generated. The device comprises a processing unit which calculates the data of the puncture sites parallel to the specification of the web, taking into account the embroidery stitch width, embroidery stitch density or embroidery stitch angle with respect to the web. The calculated positions of the puncture sites are displayed on a screen. In a simulation mode, the puncture points calculated when the lane is entered can be virtually displayed on the screen by embroidery thread. In this case, a virtual light source can be defined, which influences the brightness of the illustrated puncture sites as a function of the proximity to the light source.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for realistically representing and / or simulating sewing and embroidering processes.

This object is achieved by a method and a device for representing sewing processes according to the features of claims 1 and 9.

With the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention, the development process of stitch patterns and embroidery patterns on a preferably high-resolution screen (for example on a part of the sewing machine screen or on the screen of a simulator or a computer with a simulation software) can be represented realistically or realistically. The color and possibly also the Depending on the embodiment of the invention, the structure of the screen part, which represents the sewing material, can be selected from a number of stored image templates (eg, bitmap patterns), or detected directly from the respective sewing material by means of a camera or a color sensor. Similarly, the colors and the strengths of the upper thread and the lower thread can be specified.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the visualization of the sewing or embroidery process can be done either during real operation of the sewing or embroidery machine or activated simulation mode. In simulation mode, the stitch formation in the sewing material is prevented, for example by the needle bar being decoupled from the main drive, or by the main drive of the sewing machine remaining switched off. For realistic representation of a sewing or embroidery image and its formation, it is therefore not necessary to sew on the real original material a sample sample. For visualizing a sewing or embroidery process, for example, the control values of the motors or stepper motors can be detected, which are used for the generation of the respective stitch or embroidery pattern, ie, for example, the control values of the stepper motors for longitudinal and transverse transport and for the stitch width or Swivel movement of the needle bar.
If the material is moved by means of conveyors, the slippage properties of the material can also be in shape slip factors for forward, backward, right and left movements. When displaying the "virtual" sewing image on the screen, these slip factors compensate for the difference between the feed movements of the feed dog and the actual material movement. Such slip factors and optionally other factors can be communicated to the sewing machine control, for example in an initialization routine.
When using hoop to move the material, no slip correction factors are required.

In addition to visualizing the generation of stitch and embroidery patterns, e.g. also the creation of buttonholes and the insertion of buttons or the stitch patterns generated by special needles in the sewing material are simulated.

Figur 1

eine Teilansicht einer Nähmaschine mit einem Bildschirm,

Figur 2

Eine Darstellung der Nähmaschine aus Figur 1 auf dem Bildschirm eines Simulators,

Figur 3a

ein erstes Teilbild zur Darstellung eines Nähvorgangs,

Figur 3b

ein zweites Teilbild zur Darstellung des Nähvorgangs,

Figur 3c

ein drittes Teilbild zur Darstellung des Nähvorgangs.

Based on some figures, the invention will be described in more detail below. Show

FIG. 1

a partial view of a sewing machine with a screen,

FIG. 2

An illustration of the sewing machine FIG. 1 on the screen of a simulator,

FIG. 3a

a first partial image for representing a sewing process,

FIG. 3b

a second partial image for displaying the sewing process,

Figure 3c

a third sub-screen for displaying the sewing process.

FIG. 1 shows a partial view of a sewing machine 1 with a machine screen, called screen 3 for short. The screen 3 is designed as a touch-sensitive screen (also called "touch screen" or "touch screen"). The sewing machine 1 comprises fixed operating elements 5a, eg in the form of real buttons, knobs and knobs. On the screen 3, which serves as a user interface, information and selection options can be displayed, for example, depending on the particular configuration of the sewing machine 1. In the example of FIG. 1 On screen 3, a selection menu for different sewing stitches is displayed. In this case, the individual stitch images by means of variable or virtual controls 5b, which are shown on the screen, for example, as buttons or control surfaces with a small, mostly simplified image or icon of the respective stitch type can be selected. The virtual buttons for selecting the Nähstichart additionally include a number to uniquely identify the respective stitch pattern.
Depending on the particular configuration of the sewing machine 1, for example, from the inserted into the needle holder Sewing needle 7, from the presser foot 9 connected to the fabric pressing rod and from the needle plate 11 used, only a part of all available stitch patterns can be used. It can therefore be provided that those stitch patterns, which are not usable in the respective configuration, can not be activated in this configuration and / or made recognizable as unusable stitch types, for example by being displayed with a different color.
On a part of the screen 3, a display window 13 for enlarged representation of the respectively selected stitch pattern can be displayed. With sufficient resolution of the screen 3, the individual puncture sites 8 or points of the sewing needle 7 in the display window 13 can also be displayed.

The information on the individual stitch patterns, ie, for example, the absolute or mutual relative position of individual puncture positions and their sequence are stored in a memory accessible to the sewing machine control (not shown). In an advantageous embodiment of the sewing machine 1, information for characterizing the material to be processed 2 (FIG. Fig. 3a, 3b and 3c ) and / or the upper thread and / or the lower thread are stored in suitable digitized form. Such information is, for example, color and / or structure of the sewing material 2, color of the lower thread, Slip properties of the material 2 or correction values for the transport of the material 2 by means of a conveyor. In the case of such correction values or factors, the slippage of the sewing material 2 in each sewing direction is compensated in such a way that the actual puncturing positions 8 of the sewing needle 7 in the sewing material 2 correspond to the predetermined desired values.

The visualization software includes a configuration menu which is used to set parameters that affect the stitch pattern.

For detecting the color and structure of the sewing material 2, a camera (not shown) may be provided, e.g. is formed on the sewing machine head or can be brought into operative connection with the sewing machine 1 via a corresponding interface. The detection and storage of an image of the fabric surface may be e.g. by pressing a button temporarily displayed on the touch panel 3.

Alternatively, a limited number of colors and structures in the sewing machine memory or in a memory assigned to the sewing machine 1, for example, be stored as a bitmap, then in each case that color and that pattern are selected which most closely match the actual fabric 2. The properties of the virtual Sewing material 2 are thus approximated, adapted or adjusted to the properties of the real material 2.

The detection of the fabric color or the color of the upper and lower thread can alternatively be done by means of a color sensor.
Optionally, other properties of the fabric 2, such as elasticity and structure and / or properties of sewing machine elements, such as the type of sewing needle used in the configuration menu, may be determined by selecting from a number of predefined stored parameters. Instead of the manual configuration, devices may also be provided for the automatic detection of one or more such parameters. A sewing needle 7 and / or other sewing machine elements can be provided with a code, for example with a color code or bar code or another non-contact detectable code, which can be stored for example on an RFID marker. Alternatively, mechanically scannable codings can be provided. When such codes are automatically detected, the sewing machine control or sewing visualization software can retrieve the associated stored information and automatically configure the corresponding items.

The sewing machine 1 comprises a real or a virtual operating element 5a, 5b for switching between the normal Sewing mode in which the stitch pattern is sewn on the fabric 2 under the sewing needle 7, and a simulation mode.

In the simulation mode, for example, the main motor of the sewing machine 1 is switched off or the needle bar is decoupled from the needle bar drive, such that no real stitching occurs in the sewing material 2 when the foot starter or a corresponding other operating element 5a, 5b is actuated. On the screen 3, the stitching process is displayed in this operating mode. Here are virtually the sewing needle 7, the puncture sites 8 in the fabric 2 and the previously formed seam 10 between the puncture sites 8 visible. In the Figures 3a, 3b and 3c is the section of the fabric 2 shown on the screen 3 for displaying the sewing process during the production of a stitch pattern with a simple sewing needle 7 each shown with a time interval. Alternatively, the stitch or embroidery pattern as a whole may be displayed weakly on the screen 3 or in a display window 13 of the screen 3 as a background. During the simulation of the sewing process, in each case the current position of the sewing needle 7 and the already formed part of the seam 10 are then highlighted.

When using special needles such as triple needles or sword needles these and the associated stitch patterns and seams similar to the sewing process with a sewing needle 7 close to reality on the screen 3 shown.
The speed in this virtual sewing operation is preferably adjustable or changeable by means of the foot control or the control element 5a, 5b provided for this purpose. In particular, in the simulation, the stopping and reversing the direction of the virtual sewing process can be provided. In this way, the formation process of a stitch pattern and its effect on the fabric 2 can be better understood and assessed. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, other parameters such as thread tension and type of fabric can be specified and taken into account. In the memory of the sewing machine 1, various properties such as thickness or slip factors can be stored for different types of fabrics. If the knotting between the lower thread and the upper thread takes place above the material 2 due to such factors, this can be taken into account in the simulation of the sewing process by also showing the knots and the portions of the lower thread visible from above.
The visualization software may optionally be designed to represent further operations, such as buttonholing. After completion of the border of the buttonhole then the production of the cutting gap on the screen 3 is virtually displayed. Then, for example, a matching button from a menu controlled Number of stored buttons selected and virtually passed through the buttonhole (no display). Preferably, only the buttons matching in size to the respective buttonhole are selectable. Images of buttons can be saved as bitmap in the same way as sewing material 2. Such images can be transmitted, for example, via the Internet or by means of data carriers to the memory which can be interrogated by the sewing machine control.

In the normal sewing mode, in contrast to the simulation mode, the stitch forming apparatus is activated so that the sewing pattern can be sewn onto the real sewing material 2. Optionally, the seaming process can be visualized analogously to the simulation mode on the screen 3 or not.

Instead of a transporter, an embroidery frame (not shown) may be used to move the sewing material 2 in the sewing plane. Since the fabric 2 is clamped in the hoop, slip-related puncture defects can not occur in this case. With an embroidery hoop, not only small stitch patterns, but also larger embroidery patterns can be created. Alternatively, any other transport devices for moving or positioning the material can be used relative to the stitch forming apparatus, such as roller drives, as in larger quilting devices be used. The visualization explained using stitch patterns also applies accordingly to embroidery designs. The term "sewing machine 1" in the present specification also includes other stitch forming machines, in particular embroidery machines or sewing machines 1 with embroidery frames.

According to an unclaimed alternative, stitching and embroidery may also be simulated on a simulator or computer and visually displayed on a simulator screen 3a, as shown in FIG FIG. 2 is shown. On the simulator screen 3a, the sewing machine 1 becomes substantially off FIG. 1 shown, with additional display windows 13 with information, status indicators and virtual controls 5 b can be displayed. In particular, a simulation window 13a is displayed between the upper arm and the lower arm, in which the creation process of the stitch or embroidery pattern is represented realistically. The finished stitch or embroidery pattern is not shown here as an overlay. The fabric 2 is displayed in the simulation window 13a as a background with the associated bitmap pattern. Visible are the sewing needle 7 and the already sewn portion of the seam 10 (essentially the upper thread) with the respective puncture sites 8 in the fabric 2.

Claims (10)

1. A method for representing sewing processes for the manufacture of an embroidery pattern on a sewing machine (1) comprising a control system, wherein information regarding insertion positions and their sequence are stored for said embroidery pattern in a memory which is accessible to the control system, characterised in that a virtual sewing material (2) is represented on a monitor (3), and that a virtual seam (10) is produced on said virtual sewing material (2) between the virtual sewing material (2) and the virtual sewing needle (7) by repeatedly inserting a virtual sewing needle (7) at the sequence of insertion positions with relative motions executed therebetween.
2. The method according to Claim 1, characterised in that at least one feature of the virtual sewing material (2) is approximated, adjusted or assimilated to the corresponding feature of a real sewing material (2).
3. The method according to any one of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the colours of the upper thread and of the lower thread of the virtual seam (10) are approximated, adjusted or assimilated to the colours of the upper thread and of the lower thread of a real seam (10).
4. The method according to any one of Claims 2 or 3, characterised in that at least some of the features of the virtual sewing material (2) or of the virtual seam (10) are automatically detected.
5. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that on sewing machines (1) the main drive or the power transmission from the main drive to the needle bar is deactivated by activating a simulation mode.
6. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the virtual sewing process is controlled by means of a foot pedal or another operating control (5a, 5b).
7. The method according to Claim 6, characterised in that the sewing speed and/or the sewing direction is/are influenced by means of said operating controls (5a, 5b).
8. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that in addition to the simulation of the sewing process further processes are simulated, in particular the manufacture of a button hole and the affixing of a button at a button hole.
9. A device for representing sewing processes on sewing machines (1), comprising a control system, a memory which is accessible to the control system and a monitor (3), wherein the memory or a memory area is configured to store sewing material features, characterised in that the control system comprises visualisation software for representing the sewing processes realistically according to the method according to Claim 1 on the monitor (3).
10. The device according to Claim 9, characterised in that an operating control (5a, 5b) for activating and/or deactivating a simulation mode is provided on sewing machines (1).

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