JP2003079977A - Embroidering machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an embroidering machine capable of rapidly and easily selecting a desired pattern even when touch keys for selecting patterns displayed on a selection screen are small. SOLUTION: The embroidering machine stores therein sewing data of a plurality of patterns in advance, displays the displaying ranges of the patterns in an array on a displaying means, selects a desired pattern out of the displayed patterns by way of a selecting means, and forms the stitches of the pattern on a cloth. The selecting means additionally comprises transparent touch switches capable of detecting touched positions on the pattern displaying surface of the displaying means, pattern displaying touch keys 27a to 27m for selecting a desired pattern by touching the position of a transparent touch switch corresponding to the displaying range of the desired pattern, and four-way selection keys 21 to 24 for sequentially selecting in a desired direction adjacent pattern displaying range units displayed in an array on the displaying means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is to quickly and easily select a desired pattern from a plurality of types of patterns displayed on a pattern selection screen installed in an embroidery sewing machine, particularly a domestic embroidery sewing machine. Regarding embroidery sewing machines that can

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a domestic embroidery sewing machine is provided with a pattern selection device for selecting a desired pattern from a plurality of types of patterns. Such a pattern selection device has a setting operation unit that is operated when an operator selects a pattern, and the setting operation unit displays a pattern shape as shown in FIG. 2 described later. A means (screen) and a touch panel attached to the display means and capable of detecting a touch position in response to a touch operation by an operator.

A pattern selection device provided in a conventional embroidery sewing machine displays a plurality of types of pattern shapes on a display means and displays each pattern as shown in FIG. By providing a touch panel acceptance range corresponding to the display range, when the operator touches the touch panel, the touch position is detected and the pattern displayed in the acceptance range corresponding to the position is selected. It has become.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, (1)
When many patterns are arranged and displayed on the same screen, the display range of each pattern becomes narrow. Further, in (2) embroidery, some stitches have different stitch sizes, and when the size of the stitch pattern is expressed on the selection screen according to the stitch size, the display range may be narrowed. When the display range of the pattern is narrowed in this way, in the conventional embroidery sewing machine as described above, the operator touches the display range of the pattern on the screen with the finger to select the corresponding pattern. Depending on the condition, it is easy for the touch detection position to move out of the pattern display range by hitting the tip of the nail or finger, or to move out of the pattern display range when the finger is thick, making it difficult to select the desired pattern. There was a problem.

In order to avoid the above problem, the pattern display need not be made narrow but may be made large in some cases, but in this case, the patterns that can be arranged on one screen are limited. , It is impossible to meet the user's request to compare and select many patterns on the same screen.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is possible to quickly and easily select a desired pattern even when the selection screen includes a pattern with a narrow pattern display range. An object is to provide an embroidery sewing machine that can be used.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, sewing data relating to a plurality of patterns is stored in advance, and the display range of each pattern is arranged and displayed on the display means so that a desired pattern can be selected from the plurality of displayed patterns. In the embroidery sewing machine for selecting the pattern of No. 1 by the selecting unit and forming the stitches of the pattern on the cloth, the touch unit is provided with a transparent touch switch on the pattern display surface of the display unit as the selecting unit. A pattern display touch key for touching the position of the transparent touch switch corresponding to the display range of the desired pattern to select the corresponding pattern, and each pattern in which the display range is arranged and displayed on the display means are moved in a predetermined direction. The above problem is solved by providing a direction selection key for sequentially selecting adjacent display ranges as a unit.

That is, in the present invention, when selecting from a plurality of patterns displayed on the screen, either a method of touching a touch switch with a finger or a method of sequentially designating with a direction selection key can be used. Since this is done, even when the display range of the pattern is narrow, it is possible to easily and surely select.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the outer appearance of an embroidery sewing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the outline of the relationship between a control system and a drive system of the sewing machine. .

The embroidery sewing machine 1 of the present embodiment comprises a sewing machine bed 2 and a sewing machine head 3 which is continuously arranged above the bed 2 via a rising portion, and the rising portion has a rising portion. A setting operation unit 4 included in the pattern selection device is provided. The pattern selection device is composed of the setting operation unit 4 and the control means 17 described later.

Further, the embroidery sewing machine includes a sewing machine bed 2
An embroidery device 5 is connected to the embroidery device 5, and an embroidery frame 9 is attached to the embroidery device 5 via a connecting member 7 by a carriage 6 so as to be moved in the X and Y directions in conjunction with the vertical movement of the needle 8. Has been. The embroidery frame 9 is composed of an outer frame 10 and an inner frame 11, and a cloth (not shown) is sandwiched between the two to hold the embroidery frame 9.

The embroidery sewing machine 1 has a main motor 12 as a drive system for moving the needle 8 up and down, an X drive motor 13 for moving the embroidery frame 9, and a Y drive motor 14 for moving the embroidery frame 9.
Are installed and are respectively connected to the driver 15.
Further, the setting operation unit 4 includes a touch panel (transparent touch switch) 4a capable of detecting a touch position of an operator,
The touch panel 4a has a display means 4b formed of a liquid crystal screen for displaying a pattern shape described later.
It is attached above. As the touch panel 4a,
Either an analog method in which the touch position is specified by a voltage drop in the X direction or the Y direction on the screen or a digital method in which switching elements are arranged in a matrix may be used.

Further, the embroidery sewing machine 1 is provided with a control means 17 comprising a CPU (central processing unit) connected to the driver 15 and the setting operation section 4 via an I / O port 16 as a control system. Has been done. This control means 17
In addition to the movement control means for controlling the X drive motor 13 and the Y drive motor 14 for moving the embroidery frame 9, a position detection means 17a for detecting a touch (press) position of the touch panel 4a constituting the pattern selection device, Shape display means 17b for displaying a pattern shape in a predetermined arrangement on the display means 4b.
And the pattern selecting means 17c which will be described later in detail,
It is realized by the program read from
Further, various data can be written in and read from the RAM 19.

In this embodiment, the pattern selecting means 17c
However, as will be described in detail later, when a pattern is selected by the up, down, left, and right four-direction selection keys, a specific pattern is selected based on the selection reference table stored in the ROM 18 shown in FIG. The pattern selected by the figure display means 17b is displayed on the display means. In the selection reference table, 1 to 13 are pattern numbers, 27a to
27 m is a pattern display touch key corresponding to the display range of each pattern on the screen, which will be described in detail later.

FIG. 4 is an example of a pattern selection start screen displayed on the display means 4b of the setting operation section 4 of the embroidery sewing machine of this embodiment.

This is a screen displayed when the pattern selection is started. The pattern selecting means 1 is provided at the bottom of the screen.
Left selection key 21 for inputting a pattern selection signal to 7c,
An upper selection key 22, a lower selection key 23, and a right selection key 24 are arranged, and an enter (ENTER) key 25,
A return key 26 and is arranged. Also, these 21 and 2
A pattern display area is formed above the display area of the 6 key, and pattern numbers 1 to 13 indicated by 27a to 27m are formed in the area.
The patterns of a plurality of types of patterns are displayed by the pattern display touch keys of different sizes. When these pattern display touch keys are touched (pressed), their positions are detected by the position detection means 17a, and the corresponding patterns are displayed on the display means 4b by the shape display means.

With the above-described structure, in the present embodiment, the patterns 1 to 3 in which the shapes are respectively displayed in the pattern display area are described.
Each display touch key (display range) 27a to 27 of the pattern 13
As a method of selecting a desired pattern from among m, a method of touching the touch panel 4a at a key position corresponding to a display range similar to the conventional one is used, and the selection of FIG. 3 is performed using the four-direction selection keys 21 to 24. It is possible to adopt a method of sequentially designing adjacent patterns according to the table.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The embroidery sewing machine of this embodiment starts the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 5 when the operator selects a desired pattern group on the pattern group selection (menu) screen (not shown).

First, in step 1, the pattern display touch keys 27a to 27b for selecting the respective patterns 1 to 13 shown in FIG. 4 in which the selected pattern group (all or part) is displayed. A selection start screen including 27 m is displayed on the display means 4b, the pattern number is cleared to 0 in step 2, the initial state without pattern selection is set, and the operator waits for a touch operation.

After setting the pattern number to 0 as described above, in steps 3 to 7, it is determined whether or not the pattern selection input is made by touching the touch panel 4a of the setting operation unit 4.
That is, the left selection key 21 in step 3, the upper selection key 22 in step 4, the lower selection key 23 in step 5, and step 6
To monitor the touch input to the right selection key 24, to each of the pattern display touch keys 27a to 27m in step 7,
When the touch input of any key is detected, the process branches to corresponding steps 11 to 15, respectively.

More specifically, when the left selection key 21 is touched (turned on) in step 3, step 1
Go to 1. In this step 11, the data of the selection reference table shown in FIG. 3 in the ROM 18 is referred to, the number at the time of left selection corresponding to the original pattern number is obtained, and it is set to the selected pattern number. Proceed to 16. For example, 1 if the original pattern number is 0 (no selection), 1 if 1
If 0 is set to 2, 13 is set to the selected pattern number.

Similarly, in step 4, the up selection key 22
If is touched, the upper selection reference table is selected in step 12, if the lower selection key 23 is touched in step 5, the lower selection reference table is selected in step 13, and the right selection key 24 is touched in step 6. In this case, a number is obtained from each of the right selections in the selection reference table, set as the selected pattern number, and the process proceeds to step 16.

In this embodiment, the four-direction selection key 21 is used.
When using No. 24 to 24, the pattern selection is automatically executed according to the selection reference table (data) shown in FIG. 3, but the first key operation is As shown in the upper, lower, left, and right selection display fields corresponding to the original pattern number 0 (clear) in the upper row, the pattern number is all 1 and the pattern display in parentheses (pattern display key) is 27a. There is. Therefore, in the first touch operation of the direction selection keys, the pattern (house) of No. 1 of the pattern display touch keys 27a is selected by using any of the four direction keys, and as shown in FIG. The corresponding display range of the display area is highlighted, and in the selected pattern display area at the top of the screen, the currently selected pattern figure is the component 1 that constitutes the pattern.
~ 3 is displayed together.

If any of the pattern display touch keys 27a to 27m is touched in step 7, the process proceeds to step 15. In this step, the number corresponding to the touched pattern display touch key (27a to 27m ⇒ 1-1
3) is set as the pattern number, and the process proceeds to step 16.

In step 16, the pattern display touch key (1 to 13 ⇒ corresponding to the set (selected) pattern number is selected.
27a to 27m) are displayed in reverse, information of the selected pattern is displayed on the upper part of the screen of the display means 4b, and the process returns to step 3.

If step 16 is selected, for example, when the selected pattern number is 1, the pattern display touch key 27a is reversed as shown in FIG. 6, and the house is displayed at the top of the screen. Display the "house" pattern selection screen.
If the pattern number is 3, similarly, as shown in FIG. 7, the corresponding pattern display key 27c is reversed to display the "cat" pattern selection screen. Furthermore, if the pattern number is 4,
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, reverse the pattern display key 27d,
Display the “Bat and Ball” pattern selection screen.

In this sewing machine 1, not only the case where all the patterns are selected by using the direction selection keys as described above, but the "bat and ball" pattern of No. 4 is used as shown in FIG.
If you want to select from the pattern selection start screen of (1),
6 is displayed by touching the pattern display touch key 27a as in the conventional case, (2) the right selection key 24 is touched on this screen to display FIG. 7, and (3) the down selection key 2 is then displayed.
It can also be selected by touching 3 to display FIG.

If no input is detected in the determinations in steps 3 to 7, the process proceeds to step 8, and in step 8, it is determined whether or not there is an input by the return key 26. When the input is detected, the process proceeds to step 17, where a pattern group selection (menu) screen (not shown) is displayed, and the pattern selection process ends.

If the input of the return key 26 is not detected in step 8, the process proceeds to step 9. In this step 9, it is judged from the pattern number whether or not the pattern has been selected. If the pattern number is 0, it is judged as unselected and the process returns to step 3
Otherwise, it is determined that the selection has been made and the process proceeds to step 10. In this step 10, it is determined whether or not the enter key 25 has been input. If the input is detected, the process proceeds to step 18, and if the input is not detected, the process returns to step 3.

In step 18, the pattern data corresponding to the pattern number is read from the ROM 18 and stored in the RAM 19, and the layout screen as shown in FIG. 9 is added with the stitched shape of the pattern and displayed on the display means 4b. The pattern selection processing ends.

According to this embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Since the pattern can be selected by the direction selection key, the corresponding pattern can be surely selected even if the pattern display touch key is small.

(2) Since both the direction selection key and the pattern display touch key can be used, the pattern can be efficiently selected by properly using the display range corresponding to the size of the pattern display touch key. be able to.

By (3) and (2), even a small pattern display touch key which is not suitable for touch operation can be arranged, so that a large number of patterns can be impressed by arranging many patterns on one screen. Can be attached.

By (4) and (3), many patterns can be arranged on one screen, so that many patterns can be compared on the same screen, and the number of screens can be reduced even when the total number of patterns is large. , The desired pattern can be quickly selected.

Next, an embroidery sewing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the embroidery sewing machine of this embodiment, a part of the pattern selection screen is added to the selection screen of the alphabet character pattern similar to that shown in FIG. Except for the selection start screen shown in FIG. 10 in which the pattern display key is made smaller, it is substantially the same as the case of the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, since the "A" pattern display key has the same size as the conventional size, by touching (turning on) the key with a finger, the A pattern shown in FIG. 11 can be displayed on the selected screen. it can. The underline of A displayed on the upper part of the screen is a cursor, indicating that this pattern is not fixed. Then, on this screen, right select key 2
When 4 is touched, the screen shown in FIG. 12 in which the pattern B is selected is displayed. By touching the enter key 25 in this state, the screen in which the pattern B is confirmed (memory) shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, and the cursor is moved. The next pattern can be selected.

According to the present embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the method of touching the pattern display key to input the corresponding pattern and the method of touching and inputting the direction selection keys 21 to 24 are available. Since both can be used, in the case of a display key of the same size as the conventional one such as pattern A, touch the key directly to input, and touch because it is smaller than conventional as in pattern B. In the case of a pattern that is difficult to perform, it is possible to select the pattern by inputting it with the direction selection key. Therefore, it is possible to select the pattern quickly, easily, and surely.

The present invention has been specifically described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the specific structure of the embroidery sewing machine is not limited to that shown in the above embodiment.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the pattern selection start screen is displayed in the clear state is shown, but, for example, the pattern 1 may be displayed first.

The example of the pattern displayed on the pattern selection screen is not limited to that shown in the above embodiment.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if the pattern display touch key that can be touch-input and is displayed in the pattern selection screen has a small size, the desired pattern can be selected quickly and easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the outer appearance of an embroidery sewing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a relationship between a control system and a drive system of the embroidery sewing machine.

FIG. 3 is a chart showing the correspondence between the operation of the direction selection key and the selected pattern.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a pattern selection start screen displayed on the embroidery sewing machine of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a selection screen in which pattern 1 is selected.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a selection screen in which the pattern 3 is selected.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a selection screen in which the pattern 4 is selected.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a layout screen created from the confirmed pattern data.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a pattern selection start screen displayed on the embroidery sewing machine of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a selection screen in which a pattern A is selected.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a selection screen in which the B pattern is selected.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a selection screen in which a pattern B is confirmed.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional alphabet pattern selection screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Embroidery sewing machine 2 ... Sewing bed 3 ... Sewing machine head 4 ... Setting operation section 4a ... Touch panel 4b ... Display means 5 ... Embroidery device 6 ... Carriage 8 ... Needle 9 ... Embroidery frame

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Sewing data relating to a plurality of patterns is stored in advance, the display range of each pattern is arranged and displayed on a display means, and a desired pattern is selected from the displayed plurality of patterns by a selecting means. In the embroidery sewing machine that forms the stitches of the pattern on the cloth, a transparent touch switch capable of detecting a touch position is attached to the pattern display surface of the display unit as the selection unit to correspond to a display range of a desired pattern. The pattern display touch key for touching the position of the transparent touch switch to select the corresponding pattern, and the patterns in which the display ranges are arranged and displayed on the display means are sequentially displayed in units of adjacent display ranges in a predetermined direction. An embroidery sewing machine having a direction selection key for selecting. 2. The pattern selection by the direction selection key is executed based on a selection reference table showing a correspondence relationship between a display range of each pattern and a display range of an adjacent pattern. The embroidery sewing machine described in. 3. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the pattern selected by the selection means is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other patterns arranged and displayed on the display means. 4. Each time the direction selection key is operated, the patterns in the display areas adjacent to each other in the corresponding direction sequentially change to a display state in which they can be distinguished from other patterns. The embroidery sewing machine described in 1. 5. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the direction selection key is a four-direction selection key.