JP2000271359A - Embroidery sewing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily confirm an embroidery range and to improve the workability of trace operation by finding the embroidery range almost corresponding to the outline of an embroidery pattern from a polygon including a convex octagon, envelope polygon or circle corresponding to the shape of a working fabric holding frame to be used. SOLUTION: When convex octagon trace is selected, on the basis of minimum points P9 and P17 and maximum points P24 and P1 on X or Y coordinates, minimum points P5 and P13 and maximum points P20 and P28 on (X-Y) or (X+Y) coordinates and eight straight lines L1-L8 passing these points, a convex octagon TK (Q1-Q8) circumscribed to plural needle location points in one part of a lot of needle location points defining the outline of the embroidery pattern is found. Thus, even when using the elliptical or long circular working fabric holding frame, the embroidery range to the working fabric holding frame is easily confirmed, the operating time of trace operation can be shortened and the workability of trace confirmation can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an embroidery sewing machine, and more particularly to an embroidery range in which a work cloth holding frame and a needle bar are relatively moved based on embroidery data to perform a tracing operation in accordance with an embroidery pattern other than a rectangle. And what can be obtained by size.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a multi-needle embroidery sewing machine provided with only one arm or a plurality of arms, a work cloth holding frame for holding a work cloth on which embroidery sewing is performed or a movable cloth holding a plurality of work cloth holding frames. The frame is configured to be movable in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the XY coordinate system, has a needle bar switching mechanism, and, based on embroidery data, performs thread cutting with a thread cutting mechanism for each color change. The needle bar is switched, and colorful embroidery sewing can be performed with embroidery threads of a plurality of colors while moving and moving the work cloth holding frame.

Here, as the work cloth holding frame, not only a rectangle but also an elliptical shape lacking four corners of the rectangle so that a cloth holding frame suitable for the size and shape of the embroidery pattern to be embroidered can be used. In many cases, a plurality of types such as an oval shape and a circular shape are prepared, and a flat cloth or a cylindrical object having an arbitrary size can be held. By the way, in an embroidery sewing factory, in order to prevent an accident in which a sewing needle collides with a work cloth holding frame during embroidery sewing, usually, when performing embroidery sewing of an embroidery pattern based on embroidery data, processing is performed. By moving the cloth holding frame based on the embroidery data and performing a tracing operation for tracing the embroidery range, it is confirmed that the embroidery pattern is surely formed inside the mounted work cloth holding frame.

Accordingly, the applicant of the present application has disclosed Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 3-674.
In the “Sewing Machine with a Sewing Position Confirmation Function” described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 36, the occupation range of a rectangular shape circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern is calculated based on the embroidery data, and the work cloth holding frame is preceded by embroidery sewing. It was proposed to trace along the outline of the rectangular exclusive range. That is, the operator can visually check whether or not the entire rectangular exclusive range is provided inside the work cloth holding frame, thereby preventing a collision between the sewing needle and the work cloth holding frame beforehand. I have.

According to the technique described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-67436, the embroidery pattern has a shape close to an ellipse or an ellipse, that is, a shape in which no pattern exists at the four corners of a rectangle. Also, since the tracing operation is always performed to obtain the rectangular occupation range, the occupation range due to the tracing operation and the shape of the actual embroidery pattern may be significantly different,
This is a case where only the corners of the rectangular exclusive range to be traced partially protrude outside the work cloth holding frame, and there is no embroidery pattern at the protruding corners, and embroidery sewing is actually possible. In spite of this, when an error occurs, there is a problem that a work cloth holding frame one size larger than that is additionally required.

In addition, even if a work cloth holding frame that is slightly larger than the above is prepared, the work cloth held by the large holding frame swings, and the stitches of the embroidery pattern cannot be stitched neatly. There is. Therefore, Japanese Patent Publication 5-619
In the "embroidery machine" described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 54-54, an outer contour line composed of an overlapping point of the embroidery pattern, a sewing point, and an equation connecting the sewing points is calculated based on the embroidery data, and the outer contour line is calculated. A technique has been disclosed which allows a user to visually confirm with accuracy whether or not the entire embroidery range reflecting the shape and size of the embroidery pattern is set inside the work cloth holding frame by performing a tracing operation along the embroidery pattern. .

[0007]

As described above, in the technique described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-61954, the outer contour of an embroidery pattern for determining an embroidery area for a tracing operation is related to the embroidery area. Not only the outline of the embroidery pattern to be performed, but also for each of a large number of needle drop positions included in the embroidery data, all the overlapping points are calculated by calculation, and the equations of the straight lines and curves connecting the sewing points are calculated by calculation. In the case of a large embroidery pattern such as 20,000 stitches to 50,000 stitches, the amount of calculation processing becomes enormous, and not only the calculation processing time is prolonged, but also all the outlines are traced. There is a problem that the time is prolonged, and the workability and efficiency of the trace confirmation work are reduced.

An object of the present invention is to provide an embroidery range which is approximately defined by the outer shape of an embroidery pattern, according to the shape of a work cloth holding frame to be used.
By obtaining a polygon including a convex octagon, an envelope polygon, or a circle, the embroidery range can be easily confirmed, and the workability of the tracing operation can be improved.

[0009]

An embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, when embroidering an embroidery pattern based on embroidery data, a work cloth holding frame for holding a work cloth and a needle bar of the sewing means are used as embroidery data. An embroidery sewing machine capable of tracing an embroidery range by relatively moving the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data calculates a convex polygon of an integral multiple of 8 and includes the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data. The embroidery apparatus includes a calculating means for calculating the positions of a plurality of vertices, and a tracing means for tracing the embroidery range based on the plurality of vertices obtained by the calculating means.

The calculating means calculates a convex polygon having an integral multiple of 8, such as a convex octagon or a convex hexagon, based on the embroidery data by using some graphic operation logic or the like so as to include the embroidery pattern. And calculate the positions of a plurality of vertices constituting the convex polygon. As a result, the tracing means traces the embroidery area of the convex polygonal shape by relatively moving the work cloth holding frame and the needle bar based on the plurality of vertices.

In the embroidery sewing machine according to the present invention, when an embroidery pattern is sewn based on the embroidery data, the work cloth holding frame for holding the work cloth and the needle bar of the sewing means are relatively moved based on the embroidery data. In a traceable embroidery sewing machine that traces an embroidery range, a convex octagon circumscribing a part of a plurality of needle drop points out of a large number of needle drop points forming an outer shape of an embroidery pattern is determined in advance based on embroidery data. A calculating means for calculating the positions of the eight vertices of the convex octagon and a tracing means for tracing the embroidery range based on the eight vertices obtained by the calculating means, while performing the calculation according to the set predetermined calculation logic. It is provided.

Here, the predetermined arithmetic logic is XY
In the coordinate system, a straight line passing through the minimum point of the X coordinate and its minimum point, and a straight line passing through the maximum point of the X coordinate and its maximum point are obtained, and a straight line passing through the minimum point of the Y coordinate and its minimum point,
A maximum point of the coordinates and a straight line passing through the maximum point are obtained, and further, a straight line passing through the first inclination direction minimum point of the (XY) coordinates and the minimum point thereof, and a maximum point of the (XY) coordinates and the same A straight line passing through the maximum point is calculated, and a straight line passing through the second tilt direction minimum point of the (X + Y) coordinate and the minimum point thereof, and a straight line passing through the maximum point of the (X + Y) coordinate and the maximum point are calculated. A convex octagon may be calculated using eight points at which eight straight lines intersect as vertices.

The calculating means uses a predetermined arithmetic logic based on the embroidery data, and firstly, a convex part which circumscribes a part of a plurality of needle drop points out of a large number of needle drop points forming the outer shape of the embroidery pattern. The polygon is obtained by calculation, and this convex octagon 8
Calculate the position of two vertices. As a result, the tracing means traces the embroidery area of the convex octagonal shape by relatively moving the work cloth holding frame and the needle bar based on the eight vertices.

Here, the calculating means converts the embroidery data into X
When a convex octagon including a side having an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the X axis is calculated in the case of representing the Y coordinate (claim 3 dependent on claim 2), the inclination of 45 ° is calculated on the X axis. Is a part of a straight line having a slope of “1” or “−1”, the coordinates of the sides having these slopes of “1” and “−1” can be calculated without using a complicated trigonometric function. (X-Y) coordinates or (X + Y) coordinates can be used, and arithmetic processing can be simplified.

Here, the calculating means obtains, as a first vertex, a first or last needle drop point among a plurality of needle drop points when a straight line having an arbitrary inclination is translated. When a convex octagon is calculated by repeatedly obtaining a needle entry point intersecting the straight line as the next vertex when a straight line passing through the vertex is rotated about the vertex (claims dependent on claim 2) 4), by moving a straight line having an arbitrary inclination in parallel, the first needle drop point or the last needle drop point among a plurality of needle drop points included in the embroidery data is set as the first vertex. By calculating a straight line passing through the apex around the apex, the next convex octagonal vertex can be detected. That is,
By repeating the process of rotating the straight line passing through this vertex about the vertex and finding the next vertex of the convex octagon, finally, the convex octagon containing the embroidery pattern and substantially conforming to the outer shape of the embroidery pattern Can be obtained.

In the embroidery sewing machine of the fifth aspect, when embroidering an embroidery pattern based on embroidery data, the work cloth holding frame for holding the work cloth and the needle bar of the sewing means are relatively moved based on the embroidery data. In a traceable embroidery sewing machine that traces an embroidery range, when a straight line having an arbitrary inclination is translated based on embroidery data,
The first or last needle drop point among the plurality of needle drop points is determined as the first vertex, and the needle drop point that first intersects the straight line when the straight line passing through the vertex is rotated about that vertex is determined. By repeatedly calculating the next vertex to calculate the envelope polygon that contains the embroidery pattern,
The embroidery polygon is provided with a calculating means for calculating the positions of a plurality of vertices constituting the envelope polygon, and a tracing means for tracing the embroidery range based on the plurality of vertices obtained by the calculating means.

The calculating means translates a straight line having an arbitrary inclination in parallel based on the embroidery data, so that a needle drop point intersecting first or a needle intersecting last among a plurality of needle drop points included in the embroidery data. The falling point is determined as the first vertex, and the next outwardly convex vertex can be detected by rotating a straight line passing through the vertex about the vertex. That is, by repeating the process of rotating the straight line passing through the outwardly convex vertex around the vertex and finding the next outwardly convex vertex, finally the embroidery pattern is included and the embroidery pattern An envelope polygon substantially corresponding to the outer shape is obtained, and the positions of a plurality of vertices constituting the envelope polygon are calculated. As a result, the tracing unit traces the embroidery range of the envelope polygon by relatively moving the work cloth holding frame and the needle bar based on the plurality of vertices.

In the embroidery sewing machine according to the sixth aspect, when embroidering an embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data, the work cloth holding frame for holding the work cloth and the needle bar of the sewing means are relatively moved based on the embroidery data. In an embroidery sewing machine capable of tracing an embroidery range, a calculating means for calculating a circle containing an embroidery pattern based on embroidery data, and a tracing means for tracing the embroidery range based on the circle obtained by the calculating means It is provided with.

The calculating means calculates a circle including the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data by using some graphic operation logic or the like. As a result, the tracing means traces the circular embroidery range by relatively moving the work cloth holding frame and the needle bar based on the circle.

Here, the calculating means obtains a center point of a virtual rectangle circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern, and calculates a center point of the needle drop points which define the outer shape of the embroidery pattern up to the furthest point farthest from the center point. Is calculated as a radius, and a circle defined by the center point and the radius is calculated (claim 7 dependent on claim 6), first, the center point of the virtual rectangle circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern Is calculated, and the distance from the center point to the furthest point, which is the farthest point from the many needle drop points that define the outer shape of the embroidery pattern, is calculated as the radius. Finally, the circle defined by the center point and the radius is calculated. Therefore, a circle conforming to the embroidery pattern can be obtained with high accuracy.

In the embroidery sewing machine according to the present invention, when an embroidery pattern is sewn based on the embroidery data, the work cloth holding frame for holding the work cloth and the needle bar of the sewing means are relatively moved based on the embroidery data. In a embroidery sewing machine capable of tracing an embroidery range, a trace figure selecting means for selecting any of a plurality of types of trace figures, and a trace figure including an embroidery pattern based on embroidery data. It is provided with arithmetic means for calculating the trace figure of the shape selected by the trace figure selecting means, and tracing means for tracing the embroidery range based on the trace figure obtained by the arithmetic means.

The trace figure selecting means selects one of a plurality of types of trace figures, such as a convex octagon, an envelope polygon, and a circle, so that the trace figure of the selected shape is calculated. Therefore, the calculating means obtains a trace figure including the embroidery pattern of the specified shape by a calculation using a predetermined calculation logic based on the embroidery data. As a result, the tracing means traces the embroidery range of the selected trace figure by relatively moving the work cloth holding frame and the needle bar based on the trace figure obtained by the arithmetic means.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a multi-needle embroidery sewing machine. The multi-needle type embroidery sewing machine M will be described with reference to FIG. 1. An arm 3 of a sewing machine main body 1 is provided on a sewing machine table 2.
At its front end, a needle bar support case 4 supporting five needle bars 5 movably up and down is mounted so as to be movable in the left-right direction.
The needle bar support case 4 is moved in the left and right direction by the driving of the needle bar changing motor 9, and is moved to the driving position to reciprocate one of the selected needle bars 5 up and down by the driving of the sewing machine motor 10. Driven. Here, sewing machine table 2
An operation panel 18 provided with a plurality of operation switches, operation function keys, and a small liquid crystal display for embroidery sewing is mounted thereon.

At the lower ends of the needle bars 5, sewing needles 6 are respectively attached, and an embroidery thread 22 supplied from a thread spool 21 of a thread spool table 20 mounted on the arm 3 is provided with a corresponding thread tensioner 7. It is supplied to the sewing needle 6 via the balance 8. Below the sewing machine table 2, a cylinder bed 11 of the sewing machine main body 1 is extended forward. Inside the cylinder bed 11, a seam is formed on the work cloth in cooperation with the vertical movement of the sewing needle 6. And a thread cutting mechanism (not shown) for cutting the embroidery thread 22 and the lower thread when exchanging the embroidery thread 22 or at the end of embroidery stitching. I have.

Inside the sewing machine table 2, 1
A pair of Y-direction moving arms (only one is shown) 12 are provided so as to be movable in a Y-axis direction (front-back direction) in an XY plane by a Y-axis driving motor 13 (see FIG. 2). The portion protrudes upward so as to face the upper surfaces of both left and right end portions of the sewing machine table 2. These one pair of Y
A support member 14 extending in the left-right direction is provided between the upper end portions of the directional movement arms 12, and an X-direction movement arm 15 is provided on the support member 14 by an X-axis drive motor 16 (see FIG. 2). It is provided movably in the X-axis direction (left-right direction).

Further, an elliptical work cloth holding frame 17d is attached to the front end of the X-direction moving arm 15 as a holding frame for detachably holding the work cloth. Therefore, the work cloth mounted on the work cloth holding frame 17d is Y
It is moved in the Y-axis direction by a Y-direction moving arm 12 driven by a shaft driving motor 13, and is moved in the X-axis direction by an X-direction moving arm 15 driven by an X-axis driving motor 16,
Various embroidery patterns such as characters and figures are formed on the work cloth.

Next, the control system of the multi-needle embroidery sewing machine M is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG. Operation panel 18 and drive circuit 2 for driving sewing machine motor 10
4, a drive circuit 25 for driving the Y-axis drive motor 13,
A drive circuit 26 for driving the X-axis drive motor 16, a drive circuit 27 for the needle bar changing motor 9, and a drive circuit 28 for the thread cutting solenoid 19 are connected to the input / output interface 29 of the control device C, respectively. It is connected. Control device C
Is a CPU 31 and an input / output interface 2 connected to the CPU 31 via a bus 30 such as a data bus.
9, a ROM 32 and a RAM 33.

The ROM 32 stores embroidery data relating to each of a large number of embroidery patterns, a control program for embroidery sewing control for performing embroidery sewing by driving the Y-axis drive motor 13 and the X-axis drive motor 16 based on the embroidery data. A control program for embroidery range trace control specific to the present application, which will be described later, is stored. Here, the embroidery data of each embroidery pattern includes the coordinates of a plurality of needle drop points, and the coordinates of each needle drop point are stored as relative movement amounts. The RAM 33 is provided with various memories including a work memory necessary for sewing an embroidery of an embroidery pattern, various memories for temporarily storing a calculation result calculated by the CPU 31 and the like.

Next, an embroidery range trace control routine performed by the control device C of the multi-needle embroidery sewing machine M will be described.
This will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. However,
In the figure, reference numerals Si (i = 1, 2, 3,...) Represent each step. After an embroidery pattern to be used for embroidery sewing is selected on the operation panel 18, a trace key for performing a tracing operation is operated to execute the embroidery range trace control. Here, when an embroidery pattern is selected, it is assumed that the coordinates of each needle drop point included in the embroidery data of the embroidery pattern are converted into absolute coordinates in the XY coordinate system and stored.

When this control is started, a selection process for selecting a trace operation figure is executed (S1). That is,
In this figure selection processing, four options “1: rectangle, 2: convex octagon, 3: envelope polygon, and 4: circle” are displayed on the liquid crystal display of the operation panel 18, so that the desired one is selected. It is designed to be selected with the numbers "1" to "4". Then, when the "rectangle" of the "1" is selected in the figure selection processing (S2: Yes), rectangular trace processing control for tracing in a rectangle (see FIG. 4) is executed (S5).

This control will be described with reference to FIG. 8. First, in the XY coordinate system, the minimum point P9 of the X coordinate is set.
(x9, y9) and the vertical straight line L1 passing through its minimum point P9
"X = x9", a maximum point P24 (x24, y24) of the X coordinate and a vertical straight line L2 "X = x24" passing through the maximum point P24 are obtained by calculation (S10). Minimum point P17
(x17, y17) and a horizontal straight line L passing through its minimum point P17
3 "Y = y17", a maximum point P1 (x1, y1) of the Y coordinate and a horizontal straight line L4 "Y = y1" passing through the maximum point P1 are calculated (S11).

Finally, these four straight lines L1
The positions of the four vertices Q1 to Q4, which are the points where .about.L4 intersect, are calculated (S12). Here, the needle drop points P1, P2, P3,..., P31 of the embroidery pattern shown in FIG. 8 indicate a part of many needle drop points, and the coordinates of each needle drop point are represented by P1 (x1, y1), P2 (x2, y2), P3 (x3, y3) ...
P31 (x31, y31).

Then, based on the position data of these four vertices Q1 to Q4, the sewing needle 6 moves the vertices Q1, Q2, Q3,
A drive signal is supplied to each of the X-axis drive motor 16 and the Y-axis drive motor 13 so as to sequentially move in the order of Q4, the work cloth holding frame 17 is driven, and the trace operation is executed (S
13), this control and the embroidery range trace control are terminated, and the process returns to the main routine. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, in the rectangular work cloth holding frame 17s,
Since the rectangular embroidery range defined by the four vertices Q1 to Q4 is traced, it can be confirmed that the sewing needle 6 does not collide with the work cloth holding frame 17s during sewing of the embroidery pattern.

In the embroidery range tracing control, when the second "convex octagon" is selected in the figure selection processing (S2: No, S3: Yes), the convex octagon tracing control (step S2: No, S3: Yes) is performed. 5 (see FIG. 5).
6). This control will be described with reference to FIG. 9. First, in the XY coordinate system, the minimum point P9 (x9, y
9) and a vertical straight line L1 “X = x
9 "and the maximum value of the X coordinate P24
(x24, y24) and a vertical straight line L passing through this maximum value P24
2 "X = x24" is obtained by calculation (S20).

Next, a minimum point P17 (x17, y17) of the Y coordinate and a horizontal straight line L3 (Y = y17) passing through the minimum point P17 are obtained by calculation, and a maximum value P1 (x1 , y1)
And a horizontal straight line L4 passing through the maximum value P1 (Y = y1)
Are obtained by calculation (S21). Next, a minimum point P5 (x5, y5) of the first inclination direction (inclination direction of “1” where the inclination is 45 ° with respect to the X axis) of the (XY) coordinate, and this minimum point P5
A straight line L5 “Y = X−x5 + y5” in the first inclination direction that passes through is calculated, and the maximum point P20 (x20, y20) of the first inclination direction of the (XY) coordinate and this maximum point P20 are calculated. A straight line L6 "Y = X-x20 + y20" in the first inclined direction that passes is calculated (S22).

Further, it passes through the minimum point P13 (x13, y13) of the second inclination direction (inclination direction of "-1" where the inclination is 45 degrees with respect to the X axis) of the (X + Y) coordinate, and the minimum point P13. A straight line L7 “Y = −X + x13 + y13” in the second tilt direction is calculated, and the maximum point in the second tilt direction of the (X + Y) coordinate is obtained.
P28 (x28, y28) and a straight line L8 "Y = -X + x28, + y28" in the second inclined direction passing through the maximum point P28 are calculated (S23). Finally, eight vertices Q1 to Q8 which are the intersections of the convex octagons TK where the eight straight lines L1 to L8 intersect
The coordinates of 8 are calculated (S24). Here, needle drop points P1, P2, P3... P31 of the embroidery pattern shown in FIG.
Indicates a part of many needle drop points, and the coordinates of each needle drop point are represented by P1 (x1, y1), P2 (x2, y2), and P3 (x3, y3).
... P31 (x31, y31).

That is, the coordinate calculation will be described as follows.
First, the coordinates of the intersection Q1 of the straight line L4 and the straight line L5 are Y = y1
Since y1 = (x−x5 + y5), Q1 (x5 + y1−
y5, y1). Next, since the coordinates of the intersection Q2 of the straight line L5 and the straight line L1 are X = x9 and Y = (x9−x5 + y5), the coordinates are Q2 (x9, y5 + x9−x5). Next, the coordinates of the intersection Q3 of the straight line L1 and the straight line L7 are X = x9, and Y = (−
Since x9 + x13 + y13), Q3 (x9, y13 + x13−x
9) Next, the coordinates of the intersection Q4 of the straight line L7 and the straight line L3 are Y = y17 and y17 = (− x + x13 + y13), so that Q4 (x13 + y13−y17, y17).

Next, the coordinates of the intersection Q5 of the straight line L3 and the straight line L6 are Y = y17 and y17 = (X−x20 + y20), so that Q5 (x20 + y17−y20, y17). Next, the coordinates of the intersection Q6 of the straight line L6 and the straight line L2 are X = x24,
Since Y = (x24−x20 + y20), Q6 (x24, y20 + x2)
4 −x20). Next, the intersection Q7 of the straight line L2 and the straight line L8
Is X = x24 and Y = (− x24 + x28 + y28)
Therefore, Q7 (x24, y28 + x28-x24) is obtained. Then, the coordinates of the intersection Q8 of the straight line L8 and the straight line L4 are Y = y1 and y1 = (− X + x28 + y28), so that Q8 (x28
+ Y28 -y1, y1).

Next, based on the position data of these eight vertices Q1 to Q8, the sewing needle 6 is moved to the vertices Q1, Q2, Q3,.
The X-axis drive motor 16 is moved so as to sequentially move in the order of Q8.
A drive signal is supplied to the Y-axis drive motor 13 and the work cloth holding frame 17 is driven to perform a tracing operation (S25). The control and the embroidery range tracing control are completed, and the process returns to the main routine. I do. At this time, FIG.
As shown in the figure, since the embroidery range of the convex octagon TK defined by the eight vertices Q1 to Q8 is traced in the elliptical work cloth holding frame 17d, the sewing needle 6 is processed during sewing of the embroidery pattern. It can be confirmed that there is no collision with the cloth holding frame 17d.

In the embroidery range tracing control, when the third “envelope polygon” is selected in the figure selection processing (S2 · S3: No, S4: Yes), the envelope polygon tracing processing for tracing with the envelope polygon is performed. Control (see FIG. 6) is executed (S7). This control will be described with reference to FIG. 10. First, in the XY coordinate system, first, the maximum point P1 (x1, y1) of the Y coordinate is obtained by calculation as the first vertex (S30). Next, a horizontal line passing through the maximum point P1, that is, a straight line L10 in the horizontal direction is obtained, and the straight line L10 is rotated counterclockwise around the maximum point P1 to calculate the first point P5 as a vertex. (S31).

Next, the previous vertex, that is, at this time, S
A straight line L11 passing through the maximum point P1 obtained at 30 and the current vertex P5 obtained at S31 is rotated counterclockwise around the current vertex P5, and the first encountered point P9 is calculated as the vertex (S
32). If the current vertex P9 is not the maximum point P1 of the Y coordinate obtained first (S33: No), S32 to S33 are repeatedly executed, and the vertices P13, P17, P20, P24,
P28 is required. As a result, when the vertex P1 obtained after the vertex P28 matches the maximum point P1 of the Y coordinate (S3
3: Yes), all these vertices P1, P5, P9, P13, P17
, P20, P24, and P28 are sequentially arranged in the detection order, and the coordinates of the vertices Q1, Q2, Q3,...
34).

Here, the needle drop points P1, P2, P3... P31 of the embroidery pattern shown in FIG. 10 indicate a part of a large number of needle drop points, and the coordinates of each needle drop point are represented by P1. (X1, y
1), P2 (x2, y2), P3 (x3, y3) ... P31 (x31, y3
1). Next, the vertices Q1, Q2, Q3.
.., Based on the position data of Qn
To move sequentially in the order of 1, Q2, Q3,.
A drive signal is supplied to the X-axis drive motor 16 and the Y-axis drive motor 13, respectively, and the work cloth holding frame 17 is driven to execute a tracing operation (S35). This control and the embroidery range trace control are terminated. And return to the main routine.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of vertexes Q1 to Q8 are formed in the elliptical work cloth holding frame 17d.
Since the embroidery range of the envelope polygon HT defined by the above is traced, it can be confirmed that the sewing needle 6 does not collide with the work cloth holding frame 17d during sewing of the embroidery pattern. In the embroidery range tracing control, when No. 4 "circle" is selected in the figure selection processing (S2 to S4: No), circular tracing processing control for tracing in a circle (see FIG. 7) is executed (S8). .

This control will be described with reference to FIG. 11. First, in the XY coordinate system, the minimum point P9 of the X coordinate is set.
(x9, y9) and the maximum point P24 (x24, y24) are obtained by calculation (S
40), minimum point P17 (x17, y17) and maximum point P1 (x1, y1) of Y coordinate
Are obtained by calculation (S41). Next, the center point O of the virtual rectangle IS consisting of these two minimum points P9 and P17 and the two maximum points P1 and P24 is calculated (S42). That is, the X coordinate of the center point O is obtained by (x9 + x24) / 2, and Y
The coordinates are determined by (y1 + y17) / 2. Next, among the distances from the center point O to the needle drop points P1, P2, P3,... Pn, the furthest and farthest point P13 is determined (S43). Next, a circle CI defined by the center point O and a radius that is the distance to the farthest point P13 is calculated (S4).
Four).

Based on the circle CI, drive signals are respectively supplied to the X-axis drive motor 16 and the Y-axis drive motor 13 so that the sewing needle 6 follows a circular orbit, and the work cloth holding frame 1 is provided.
7, the tracing operation is executed (S45), this control and the embroidery range tracing control are completed, and the process returns to the main routine. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the embroidery range of the circle CI is traced in the circular work cloth holding frame 17c, so that the sewing needle 6 does not collide with the work cloth holding frame 17c during sewing of the embroidery pattern. Can be confirmed.

Here, S20 to S24 of the convex octagonal trace processing control (FIG. 5) and the control device C correspond to the arithmetic means of claim 2, and S25 and the control device C of the convex octagonal trace processing control. Corresponds to the tracing means of claim 2. S30 to S34 of envelope polygon trace processing control (FIG. 6)
And the control device C correspond to the arithmetic means of claim 5, and S35 of the envelope polygon trace processing control and the control device C correspond to the trace means of claim 5. S40 to S44 of the circular tracing process control (FIG. 7) and the control device C correspond to the arithmetic means of claim 7, and S45 and the control device C of the circular tracing process control correspond to the tracing device of claim 7. . The embroidery area trace control (FIG. 3) and the control device C correspond to the trace figure selecting means in claim 8.

As described above, when the convex octagon trace is selected, the convex octagon circumscribing some of the needle drop points among the many needle drop points that define the outer shape of the embroidery pattern is represented by the X coordinate or the X coordinate. Since the minimum and maximum points in the Y coordinate and the minimum and maximum points in the (X-Y) and (X + Y) coordinates are obtained, the embroidery range to be traced is the rectangular area used in the related art. Embroidery by tracing operation because it is a convex octagon with four corners cut off and it is a convex octagon that circumscribes some of the needle drop points among the many needle drop points that define the outer shape of the embroidery pattern The range can be checked with high accuracy in accordance with the outline of the embroidery pattern, and even when an elliptical or elliptical work cloth holding frame is used, it is easy to check the embroidery range for the work cloth holding frame.

Further, as described above, these four minimum points and four maximum points are connected to the straight lines L1 to L1 parallel to the X axis and the Y axis.
L4 and a straight line L5 having an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the X axis.
Eight sides can be easily obtained simply by obtaining L8, and position data of eight vertices Q1 to Q8 of a convex octagon circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern can be easily obtained based on these straight lines L1 to L8. Is possible, and the calculation processing time can be shortened. In addition, the total length of the eight sides forming the convex octagon circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern is shorter than the total length of the four sides forming the conventional rectangle circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern. The operation time of the trace operation performed by driving the cloth holding frame 17 can be shortened, and the workability of the trace confirmation operation can be improved.

When the envelope polygon trace is selected, a plurality of needle drop points among a large number of needle drop points that define the outer shape of the embroidery pattern are set as vertices, and the envelope multipoint that includes the embroidery pattern is included. The polygon is found by repeating the process of finding the next vertex by rotating the straight line passing through the previous vertex and the current vertex counterclockwise around the current vertex. Can be determined with high accuracy in accordance with the outline of the embroidery pattern, and even when an elliptical or elliptical work cloth holding frame is used, it is easy to confirm the embroidery range for the work cloth holding frame.

Further, as described above, by simply rotating the maximum point of the first Y coordinate and a straight line passing through it in the counterclockwise direction and sequentially finding the next intersection point, the envelope points circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern can be obtained. The linear expression of each side of the polygon and the positions of a plurality of vertices can be easily obtained, and the calculation processing time can be reduced. Further, since the total length of a plurality of sides forming an envelope polygon circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern is shorter than the total length of four sides forming a conventional rectangle circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern, The operation time of the tracing operation performed by relatively moving the cloth holding frame and the needle bar of the sewing means can be shortened, and the workability of the tracing confirmation operation can be improved.

When a circular trace is selected,
The embroidery range to be traced is determined by determining the center point O of the virtual rectangle IS circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern, determining the distance from the center point O to the farthest point as a radius, and defining the center point and the radius. Since the circle CI is obtained, the embroidery range by the tracing operation can be accurately obtained by the circle CI substantially conforming to the outer shape of the embroidery pattern. Even when a circular work cloth holding frame is used, the embroidery on the work cloth holding frame 17c is performed. The range can be easily checked.

Further, a circle CI substantially conforming to the outer shape of the embroidery pattern
Can be easily obtained from the center point and the distance to the farthest point, and the calculation processing time can be reduced.
In addition, since the circumference of a circle that is approximately defined by the outer shape of the embroidery pattern is shorter than the total length of four sides constituting a conventional rectangle circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern, the work cloth holding frame and the sewing means The operation time of the tracing operation performed by relatively moving the needle bar can be shortened, and the workability of the tracing confirmation operation can be improved.

A modification of the above embodiment will be described. (1) In the convex octagon trace control, a convex polygon having an integral multiple of 8, such as a convex hexagon including an embroidery pattern, may be calculated by using some graphic operation logic. (2) In the convex octagon trace control, the first or last needle drop point among a plurality of needle drop points when a straight line having an arbitrary inclination is translated is determined as a first vertex, By rotating a straight line passing through that point in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction, a plurality of vertices forming a convex octagon that is an integral multiple of 8 may be sequentially obtained.

(3) In the envelope polygon trace control, the first or last needle drop point among a plurality of needle drop points when a straight line having an arbitrary inclination is translated is determined as the first vertex. In addition, a plurality of vertices constituting the envelope polygon may be sequentially obtained by rotating a straight line passing through the point counterclockwise or clockwise. (4) The shape of the work cloth holding frame 17 attached to the front end of the X-direction moving arm 15 by detecting a dedicated recognition member for indicating the size and shape provided on the work cloth holding frame 17 with a detection sensor. The size and the size may be automatically detected, and the trace processing control of the figure corresponding to the detected shape and the size may be executed.

(5) Recognizing the shape and size of the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data of the embroidery pattern provided for embroidery sewing,
A trace operation figure such as a convex octagon or an envelope polygon according to the embroidery pattern may be automatically determined. (6) Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to various embroidery sewing machines having a work cloth holding frame or a movable frame, such as a multi-head embroidery sewing machine having a plurality of embroidery sewing machines.

[0056]

According to the first aspect of the invention, when sewing an embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data, the work cloth holding frame for holding the work cloth and the needle bar of the sewing means are relatively positioned based on the embroidery data. In the embroidery sewing machine capable of tracing by moving and tracing the embroidery range, the arithmetic means and the tracing means are provided. Since it is a polygon and a convex polygon that is an integral multiple of 8 that contains the embroidery pattern, the embroidery range by the tracing operation can be checked with high accuracy in accordance with the embroidery pattern. When the work cloth holding frame is used, it is easy to confirm the embroidery range for the work cloth holding frame.

Further, the total length of a plurality of sides forming a convex polygon of an integral multiple of 8 containing the embroidery pattern is larger than the total length of four sides forming a conventional rectangle circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern. Since the length is shortened, the operation time of the tracing operation performed by relatively moving the work cloth holding frame and the needle bar of the sewing means can be shortened, and the workability of the tracing confirmation operation can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when sewing an embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data, the work cloth holding frame for holding the work cloth and the needle bar of the sewing means are relatively moved based on the embroidery data. In an embroidery sewing machine capable of tracing to trace an embroidery range, an arithmetic unit and a tracing unit are provided, so that the embroidery range to be traced is
It is a convex octagon with four corners cut out of a rectangle used in the prior art, and a convex octagon circumscribing some of a plurality of needle drop points among a large number of needle drop points that define the outer shape of the embroidery pattern. Therefore, the embroidery range by the tracing operation can be confirmed with high accuracy in accordance with the outline of the embroidery pattern, and even when using an elliptical or elliptical work cloth holding frame, the embroidery range for the work cloth holding frame can be checked. It becomes easy to confirm.

Further, it is possible to easily obtain the positions of the straight lines and the eight vertices of each side of the convex octagon circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern, depending on the predetermined arithmetic logic, thereby shortening the arithmetic processing time. In addition, the total length of the eight sides constituting the convex octagon circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern is shorter than the total length of the four sides constituting the conventional rectangle circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern. Therefore, the operation time of the tracing operation performed by relatively moving the work cloth holding frame and the needle bar of the sewing means can be shortened, and the workability of the tracing confirmation operation can be improved.

Here, the calculating means converts the embroidery data into X
In the case where a convex octagon including a side having an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the X axis is calculated in the case of expressing with the Y coordinate, the inclination of 45 ° is “1” or “−1” with respect to the X axis. The coordinates of a side having a slope of “1” and “−1” can be obtained by using (X−Y) coordinates or (X + Y) coordinates. Can be simplified (claim 3).

Here, the calculating means obtains the first or last needle drop point among a plurality of needle drop points as a first vertex when a straight line having an arbitrary inclination is translated. If a straight line passing through the vertex is rotated about that vertex, the needle drop point that intersects the straight line first is calculated as the next vertex. Is calculated as the first vertex obtained by translating, and the process of rotating the straight line passing through this vertex around the vertex and obtaining the next vertex is repeated to calculate the convex octagon. (Claim 4) can be obtained efficiently and reliably.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, when sewing an embroidery pattern based on embroidery data, the work cloth holding frame for holding the work cloth and the needle bar of the sewing means are relatively moved based on the embroidery data. In an embroidery sewing machine capable of tracing to trace an embroidery range, an arithmetic unit and a tracing unit are provided, so that the embroidery range to be traced is
Since the embroidery pattern is a polygon that encloses the embroidery pattern obtained by cutting off the outer peripheral portion of the rectangular shape used in the past, the embroidery range by the tracing operation can be confirmed with high accuracy substantially in accordance with the outer shape of the embroidery pattern. Even when a work cloth holding frame having an oval shape is used, it is easy to confirm the embroidery range for the work cloth holding frame.

Further, the total length of a plurality of sides forming an envelope polygon including the embroidery pattern is shorter than the total length of four sides forming a conventional rectangle circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern. The operation time of the tracing operation performed by relatively moving the work cloth holding frame and the needle bar of the sewing means can be reduced, and the workability of the tracing confirmation operation can be improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, when sewing an embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data, the work cloth holding frame for holding the work cloth and the needle bar of the sewing means are relatively moved based on the embroidery data. In an embroidery sewing machine capable of tracing to trace an embroidery range, an arithmetic unit and a tracing unit are provided, so that the embroidery range to be traced is
Since the embroidery pattern is included in the circle, the embroidery range by the tracing operation can be accurately confirmed by a circle approximately conforming to the outer shape of the embroidery pattern. It becomes easy to confirm the embroidery range for the holding frame.

Further, the circumference of the circle enclosing the embroidery pattern is shorter than the total length of the four sides constituting the conventional rectangle circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern. The operation time of the tracing operation performed by relatively moving the needle bar can be shortened, and the workability of the tracing confirmation operation can be improved.

Here, the calculating means obtains the center point of the virtual rectangle circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern, and calculates the center point of the many needle drop points forming the outer shape of the embroidery pattern up to the furthest point farthest from the center point. When calculating the circle defined by the center point and the radius, the center point of the virtual rectangle circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern is calculated.
Since the distance to the farthest point is obtained as a radius and finally a circle defined by the center point and the radius is calculated, a circle conforming to the embroidery pattern can be quickly and accurately obtained. ).

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when sewing an embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data, the work cloth holding frame for holding the work cloth and the needle bar of the sewing means are relatively moved based on the embroidery data. In an embroidery sewing machine capable of tracing to trace an embroidery range, a trace figure selecting means, an arithmetic means, and a tracing means are provided, so that various kinds of trace figures such as a convex octagon, an envelope polygon, and a circle are provided. By simply selecting a trace figure of a desired shape, a trace figure of the selected shape is obtained by calculation, and the embroidery range of the trace figure can be traced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a multi-needle embroidery sewing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the multi-needle embroidery sewing machine.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of an embroidery range trace control routine;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a rectangle tracing process control routine;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a routine for controlling a convex octagonal trace process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an envelope polygon tracing process control routine;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a circular tracing process control routine;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for obtaining a rectangular trace range based on an embroidery pattern.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for finding a convex octagonal trace range based on an embroidery pattern.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for obtaining an envelope polygon trace range conforming to an embroidery pattern.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for obtaining a circular trace range conforming to an embroidery pattern.

[Explanation of symbols]

 M Multi-needle embroidery sewing machine 5 Needle bar 6 Sewing needle 12 Y-direction moving arm 13 Y-axis driving motor 15 X-direction moving arm 16 X-axis driving motor 17 Work cloth holding frame 31 CPU 32 ROM 33 RAM C Controller

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3B150 AA15 AA20 CB04 CE22 CE23 LA68 NA06 NA64 NB09 QA02 QA06 QA07 4L044 AA12 AA20 AB04

Claims (8)

[Claims] When embroidering an embroidery pattern based on embroidery data, a tracing range is traced by relatively moving a work cloth holding frame for holding a work cloth and a needle bar of a sewing means based on the embroidery data. An operable embroidery sewing machine which calculates an integral multiple of 8 of a convex polygon including an embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data, and calculates positions of a plurality of vertices constituting the convex polygon; An embroidery sewing machine, comprising: tracing means for tracing an embroidery range based on a plurality of vertices obtained by the arithmetic means. 2. A tracing method for embroidering an embroidery pattern on the basis of embroidery data, wherein a work cloth holding frame for holding a work cloth and a needle bar of a sewing means are relatively moved based on the embroidery data to trace an embroidery range. In an operable embroidery sewing machine, based on the embroidery data, a convex octagon circumscribing a part of a plurality of needle drop points out of a large number of needle drop points forming an outer shape of an embroidery pattern is set in a predetermined manner. Calculating means for calculating the positions of the eight vertices of the convex octagon, and tracing means for tracing the embroidery range based on the eight vertices obtained by the calculating means An embroidery sewing machine characterized by the following. 3. The arithmetic unit according to claim 2, wherein, when the embroidery data is represented by XY coordinates, the computing unit computes a convex octagon including a side having an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the X axis. Embroidery sewing machine. 4. The calculating means obtains, as a first vertex, a first or last needle drop point among a plurality of needle drop points when a straight line having an arbitrary inclination is translated. 3. A convex octagon is calculated by repeatedly calculating a needle drop point intersecting the straight line as a next vertex when a straight line passing through the vertex is rotated around the vertex. Embroidery sewing machine. 5. When embroidering an embroidery pattern based on embroidery data, a trace for tracing an embroidery range by relatively moving a work cloth holding frame for holding a work cloth and a needle bar of a sewing means based on the embroidery data. In an operable embroidery sewing machine, based on the embroidery data, when a straight line having an arbitrary inclination is translated, a needle drop point intersecting first or last among a plurality of needle drop points is set as a first vertex. In addition to calculating the envelope polygon that includes the embroidery pattern by repeatedly obtaining the needle drop point that intersects the straight line as the next vertex when the straight line passing through the vertex is rotated around that vertex, Calculating means for calculating the positions of a plurality of vertices constituting the envelope polygon; and a tray for tracing the embroidery range based on the plurality of vertices obtained by the calculating means. Embroidery machine, characterized in that it comprises a means. 6. A trace for tracing an embroidery range by relatively moving a work cloth holding frame for holding a work cloth and a needle bar of a sewing means based on the embroidery data when sewing an embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data. An operable embroidery sewing machine, comprising: arithmetic means for calculating a circle containing an embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data; and tracing means for tracing an embroidery range based on the circle obtained by the arithmetic means. An embroidery sewing machine characterized in that: 7. The arithmetic means finds a center point of a virtual rectangle circumscribing the outer shape of the embroidery pattern, and calculates a center point of a plurality of needle drop points defining the outer shape of the embroidery pattern up to the furthest point from the center point. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 6, wherein the distance is determined as a radius, and a circle defined by the center point and the radius is calculated. 8. When embroidering a embroidery pattern based on embroidery data, a trace for tracing an embroidery range by relatively moving a work cloth holding frame for holding a work cloth and a needle bar of a sewing means based on the embroidery data. In an operable embroidery sewing machine, a trace figure selecting means for selecting any one of a plurality of types of trace figures, and a trace figure containing an embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data, wherein the trace figure selecting means An embroidery sewing machine, comprising: a calculating means for calculating a trace figure having a shape selected in (1); and a tracing means for tracing an embroidery range based on the trace figure obtained by the calculating means.