JP2003079978A - Embroidering machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an embroidering machine capable of unfailingly and rapidly selecting a desired pattern without erroneous selection. SOLUTION: The embroidering machine comprises a storage means for storing therein a plurality of sewing data relating to patterns, a displaying means for displaying the images of the patterns stored in the storage means together with those of selection switches 29 arranged within the displaying ranges 22a to 22g of the patterns, wherein the former are smaller than the selection receiving ranges of the latter, transparent touch switches additionally provided on the displaying surface of the displaying means and capable of detecting touched positions, and a pattern selecting means for determining one of the patterns displayed by the displaying means as a selected pattern when a transparent switch relating thereto within the selection receiving range is pushed while determining it after another selection when a pattern displaying range outside the selection receiving range is pushed.

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.

Although not shown here, the pattern selection device provided in the conventional embroidery sewing machine displays a plurality of types of patterns of patterns on the display means, and the touch panel corresponding to the display range of each pattern. By providing the acceptance 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.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional embroidery sewing machine, since the pattern range in which the pattern is displayed is touched, the selection of the pattern is fixed at the same time. If you touch near the border of the pattern display, the unwanted pattern may be selected and confirmed, but if you fail to select the pattern like this,
There is a problem that the pattern selection cannot be redone quickly due to the following reasons (1) and (2).

(1) Once the selection is confirmed, the data stored in the pattern stored in the external storage device is read, but it takes time to read the data. That is, in an embroidery sewing machine, a floppy disk or smart media used in a personal computer or the like is used as an external storage medium, but it takes time to read data because the processing speed of the built-in CPU is slow.

(2) Once the selection is confirmed, the pattern data calculation process is executed, but the calculation process takes time. That is, in the embroidery sewing, the calculation processing takes time because the predicted sewing time is calculated from the needle drop data of the selected pattern and the pattern display data for displaying the pattern on the screen is created.

In order to avoid the above-mentioned problem, it is conceivable to provide a confirm key for confirming the pattern after selecting the pattern and proceeding to the next processing. In that case, the fingertip confirm key is selected after selecting the pattern. In recent sewing machines that tend to adopt a large screen, it is troublesome and troublesome to move the sewing machine, and there is another problem that the operation cannot be performed quickly.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides an embroidery sewing machine capable of surely and quickly selecting a desired pattern without selecting an incorrect pattern. It is an issue.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a storage means in which a plurality of stitch data relating to a pattern are stored in advance, a plurality of patterns of the pattern stored in the storage means are displayed, and the display range of each pattern is displayed. Display means for displaying the shape of the selection switch each having a size smaller than the selection acceptance range, a transparent touch switch attached to the display surface of the display means for detecting the touch position, and displayed on the display means. For any of the patterns, when the transparent touch switch in the selection receiving range is pressed, the corresponding pattern is confirmed as the selected pattern, and when the display range of the pattern outside the selection receiving range is pressed, Based on the sewing data relating to the selected pattern confirmed by the pattern selecting means and the selected pattern confirmed by the pattern selecting means after the confirmation operation is further executed, the stitch is sewn on the cloth by the start command. By and a stitch forming means for forming, it is obtained by solving the above problems.

That is, in the present invention, since the selection acceptance range for accepting and confirming the pattern selection is provided inside the pattern display range, it is possible to surely select only the corresponding pattern and select it. When the display range of the pattern outside the reception range is pressed, the confirmation operation is further requested, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the selection of the wrong pattern from being confirmed.

[0011]

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

The embroidery sewing machine 1 of this embodiment includes a sewing machine bed 2 and a sewing machine head 3 which is continuously arranged above the bed 2 through 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.

In the embroidery sewing machine 1, a main motor 12 of the sewing machine that moves the needle 8 up and down as a drive system that constitutes a stitch forming means, an X drive motor 13 and a Y drive motor 14 that move the embroidery frame 9. Are installed and are respectively connected to the driver 15. Further, the setting operation section 4 has a touch panel (transparent touch switch) 4a capable of detecting the touch position of the operator, and a display means 4b composed of a liquid crystal screen for displaying a pattern shape described later, and the touch panel 4a. Is attached on the screen 4b. The touch panel 4a may be of an analog type in which the touch position is specified by a voltage drop in the X and Y directions on the screen, or a digital type in which switching elements are arranged in a matrix.

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, A shape display means 17b for displaying the shape of the pattern in a predetermined arrangement on the display means 4b and displaying the shape of the selection switch in the display range of each pattern, and an instruction display means for generating and displaying an instruction mark described later. 17c and a pattern selecting means 17d, which will be described in detail later, are realized by a program read from the ROM 18, and various data can be written to and read from the RAM 19.

In the present embodiment, the pattern selecting means 17d
However, for any of the patterns displayed on the display means (screen) 4b, the touch panel 4 corresponding to the selection acceptance range
When a is pressed, the corresponding pattern is confirmed as the selected pattern, and when the display range of the pattern outside the selection receiving range is pressed, the confirmation operation is further executed and the selected pattern is confirmed. It has a function to do. One of the confirming operations is to press the selection switch, which is overlapped and displayed with the pointing pointer of the pointing mark described later,
The pointer is stored in the ROM 18 by the instruction display means 17c when the display range of the pattern outside the selection acceptance range is pressed, as will be described later in detail.
Based on the reception reference table as shown in FIG. 3, it is displayed so as to be superimposed on the corresponding selection switch.

Explaining the reception reference table of FIG. 3, the pattern key data regarding the pattern key and the selection reception data regarding the selection reception range are associated with the pattern numbers 1 to 7 corresponding to the respective patterns. There is. In the pattern key data, display positions on the screen of pattern keys 22a to 22g, which will be described later, which correspond to the display ranges of the patterns of pattern numbers 1 to 7, correspond to the selection switches displayed for each pattern in the selection reception data. Reception positions that define the selection reception range are set. Each of these positions represents the screen coordinates at the lower left of the rectangular range, and the selection acceptance range is set as a fixed value of a square of 36 dots vertically and 36 dots horizontally.

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. 4 when the operator selects a desired pattern group on a pattern group selection (menu) screen (not shown).

First, in step 1, when displaying a selection start screen shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later, the lower left position of the screen is set as the initial position at which the non-pointing pointer (one of the pointing marks) 23a of the arrow mark is first displayed. 20 dots wide,
(Vertical 20 dots) is set. Here, the touch panel 4a
The unit of the vertical and horizontal touch positions is the same as the vertical and horizontal display positions (screen coordinates) of the display means 4b, and as shown in the image of the screen coordinates in FIG. The edge is set to 239 dots horizontally and 329 dots vertically.

In step 2, the selection start screen 21 shown in FIG. 5 in which the selected pattern group (all or part) is displayed.
Is displayed on the display means 4b and the operator waits for a touch operation. On this screen, the pattern number 1 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed.
Pattern key 22a for selecting each pattern corresponding to ~ 7
22g are displayed in the display range of the corresponding pattern by the shape display means 17b, and the shape of the selection switch 29 is displayed for each pattern key. Each of these selection switches 29 is displayed within the selection acceptance range set for each of the pattern keys 22a to 22g in a size smaller than the range. Further, on this screen, the non-instruction pointer 23a is displayed by the instruction display means 17c.
It is displayed at the lower left of the screen at the initial position set in step 1.

In step 3, it is determined whether the pattern key is touched by touching the touch panel 4a of the setting operation section 4. That is, the touch input on each of the pattern keys 22a to 22g is monitored. Touch input to this pattern key is performed for each of the horizontal and vertical coordinates of the display position in the pattern key data described in the reception reference table of the ROM 18 shown in FIG. 3, and for each pattern key 22a to 22g as display data. The determination is made based on the touch position with respect to the actual pattern key range (display range) on the touch panel 4a, which is obtained from the preset display size.

If a touch input to any of the pattern keys is detected in step 3, the process branches to step 4. In this step 4, next to the reception position in the selection reception data also listed in the reception reference table of FIG. 3,
Each pattern key 22a on the touch panel 4a obtained from each vertical coordinate and the size of the reception range (horizontal 36, vertical 36)
It is determined whether or not the touch is on the selection acceptance range set for every 22 g. If the touched position is within the selection acceptance range of any pattern, the process proceeds to step 10 as a pattern selection for the corresponding pattern, and if it is outside the range, step 5
Proceed to. In step 5, as shown in FIG. 5, the arrow non-pointer 23a is displayed at the initial position set in step 1.

For the sake of convenience, the process from step 5 onward will be described assuming that the pattern key 22a is touched in step 3 here, but the pattern key 22a is outside the selection acceptance range (N in step 4). In the screen coordinates of FIG. 7, the selection acceptance range 28 of 36 × 36 size set in the pattern key 22a is set.
a is shown by a broken line.

In step 6, the center coordinates of the selection acceptance range 28a obtained in step 4 are obtained and set as the target position. In step 7, the data of the pointing position of the pointing mark (non-pointing pointer 23a) is updated from the current pointing position toward the target position, and as shown in FIG.
a is moved from the initial position to the updated designated position (within the pattern key 22b in the drawing) along the locus shown by the broken line, and is displayed.

In step 8, the updated coordinate data of the designated position is compared with the coordinate data of the target position. If the designated position has not reached the target position, the process returns to step 7, and if the target position is reached by further moving it. Advances to step 9, and the non-instruction pointer 23a is displayed so as to be displayed on top of FIG.
Pointing Pointer for Pointing Mark (one of the pointing marks) 2
The display is changed to 3b, and the state where the selection switch 29 is pointed is displayed. In step 9, the ROM 18
The pattern information display data stored in the shape of each color pattern (color part) is read out based on the pattern number described in the reception reference table of FIG. 3 and shown in the pattern selection screen of FIG. The corresponding pattern information 25a is displayed on the display means 4b.
Is displayed at the top of the screen and the process returns to step 3.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 4 that the touch position is within the selection acceptance range 28a, it is determined that the selection has been correctly made, the pattern selection is confirmed, and the process proceeds to step 10.
The confirmation of the selection in step 4 is performed not only in the case where the touch of the pattern key 22a performed in step 3 coincides with the selection acceptance range 28a from the beginning, but also as described above, the process returns from step 9 to step 3 and FIG. While the pattern selection screen shown is being displayed, the instruction pointer 23b is displayed again.
This also includes touching the position where is displayed. When the selection is confirmed in step 4 while the pointing pointer 23a is displayed, the pointer 23b disappears.

In step 10, the corresponding pattern number is obtained from the acceptance reference table shown in FIG. 3 based on the result of the determination that the selection acceptance range 28a is in step 4, and step 1
Go to 1. In this step 11, the corresponding sewing data is called from the ROM 18 from the obtained pattern number and R
At the same time as storing in the AM 19, display data of the finished shape of the pattern is created from this sewing data, and the estimated sewing time is calculated and stored in the RAM 19 as well.

In step 12, the sewing shape of the obtained pattern and the estimated sewing time are displayed on the display means 4b based on the layout screen as shown in FIG. 9, and the pattern selection processing is ended.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 3 that the pattern key has not been input, the operation proceeds to step 13 and the input of the select (ENTER) key 27 is determined. If a key input (ON) is detected, the process proceeds to step 14, and if no key input is detected, the process proceeds to step 16.

In step 14, as in the case of step 4, the abscissa and ordinate of the reception position and the size of the reception range (horizontal 36, vertical 36) of the selection reception data described in the reception reference table of FIG. ), The actual selection acceptance range on the display means 4b is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the position of the identification mark matches the range. That is, if the display position of the instruction mark (non-instruction pointer 23a, instruction pointer 23b) is within the selection acceptance range of any pattern, that is, as shown in FIG. 6, the instruction pointer 23 displayed in step 9 is displayed.
If b matches the selection acceptance range 28a of the pattern key 22a, the pattern selection is confirmed and the process proceeds to step 15,
If it is out of the range, return to step 3.

In step 15, the pattern number is obtained from the acceptance reference table of FIG. 3 based on the result of the determination in step 14 that it is within the range, and the process proceeds to step 11.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 13 that the selection key has not been input, in step 16 the confirmation (R
The input of the EVSTEP key 26 is determined. When an input is detected, in step 17, the shape data of the next color part which cannot be displayed at the upper part of the screen of FIG. Although not shown in the drawing, the displayed parts are sequentially moved to the left to be displayed in the empty right end area, and the process returns to step 3.

If the confirmation key 26 is not input in step 16, the input of the return key 24 is determined in step 18, and when the input is detected, the process branches to step 19 and in step 19 the pattern selection (menu) The screen is displayed and the pattern selection process ends. If no input is detected in step 18, the process returns to step 3.

As described above, in the present embodiment, as a result of touching the pattern key, the pattern is out of the selection acceptance range. Therefore, the selection screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed through the processing of steps 5 to 9 above. In this case, in order to confirm the pattern selection, both the method of touching the pattern key again in steps 3 and 4 and the method of using the selection key in steps 13 and 14 can be adopted.

It should be noted that, in the step 4, the process shown in FIG.
When a different pattern, for example, the selection switch 29 set to the pattern key 22g of the pattern number 7, that is, the selection acceptance range (not shown) is touched while the selection screen of As soon as the selection is changed, it is confirmed and the process proceeds to step 10. On the contrary, in the state of FIG. 6 in which the pattern 1 is displayed, when the display key 22g of the pattern 7 is touched on a display range outside the selection acceptance range, the instruction pointer 23b disappears from the pattern key 22a of the pattern 1 and By the step 5, the non-pointing pointer 23a of the arrow mark is redisplayed at the initial position, and steps 6 to 9 are executed as in the case of the pattern 1. Therefore, it is possible to easily change the pattern selection.

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

(1) Since the selection acceptance range for confirming the pattern selection is provided in the pattern display range (pattern key) smaller than the display range, it is possible to prevent the wrong pattern from being selected, and to be sure. You can select the desired pattern.

(2) Since the pattern information display range for confirming the pattern information is provided at the upper part of the screen other than the display range (pattern key) for accepting the pattern selection, the pattern information is confirmed before the pattern selection is confirmed. Therefore, erroneous selection can be reliably prevented.

(3) When the pattern information is displayed, the calculation process corresponding to the processes of steps 11 and 12 accompanying the pattern selection is not performed, so that the pattern can be confirmed quickly.

(4) Since the touched pattern key is pointed by the pointing pointer of the pointing mark even if the adjacent pattern display ranges are touched by mistake, the mistake can be easily discriminated. , You can reselect the desired pattern.

(5) If the selection switch within the pattern selection acceptance range has an instruction pointer, the selection of the pattern can be confirmed by touching the selection key. Therefore, the selection of the desired pattern is promptly confirmed. be able to.

(6) If the design selection switch has an instruction pointer, the pattern can be selected by touching the instruction pointer, so that even a beginner can easily understand the operation method.

(7) When the pattern selection acceptance range is directly touched, the selection of the pattern is confirmed without confirmation display, and the processing from step 4 to step 10 to step 12 is immediately performed. The pattern selection can be confirmed.

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.

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

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A desired pattern can be reliably and quickly selected without selecting an incorrect pattern.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an appearance of an embroidery sewing machine according to an 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 diagram showing the relationship among pattern numbers, pattern key data, and selection acceptance data.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a pattern selection start screen.

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

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the screen coordinates of the display means and the selection acceptance range.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between movement of an instruction mark and change display.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a layout 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

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 3B150 AA15 CB04 CE09 CE23 CE27                       GG04 LA66 LA67 LA72 LA73                       LA80 LB02 NA60 NA61 NA62                       NB18 QA06 QA07 QA08

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for storing a plurality of stitch data relating to a pattern in advance, a plurality of patterns of the pattern stored in the storage means are displayed, and the size of each selection display area is less than a selection acceptance range. The display means for displaying the shape of the selection switch, the transparent touch switch attached to the display surface of the display means for detecting the touch position, and the one of the patterns displayed on the display means. When the transparent touch switch in the reception range is pressed, the corresponding pattern is confirmed as the selected pattern, and when the display range of the pattern outside the selection reception range is pressed, the confirmation operation is further executed. A pattern selecting means which is later defined as a selected pattern, and a stitch forming means which forms a stitch on a cloth by a start command based on the sewing data relating to the selected pattern defined by the pattern selecting means. An embroidery sewing machine characterized by having. 2. When the display range of the pattern that is out of the selection acceptance range is pressed, an instruction display unit that displays an instruction mark on the corresponding selection switch is displayed, and the confirmation operation includes the instruction. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the selection switch on which the marks are overlapped is pressed. 3. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 2, wherein when the confirmation operation is executed, the instruction mark displayed on the selection switch is erased. 4. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 2, wherein the instruction mark is displayed so as to match a reference position preset in the selection acceptance range. 5. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 4, wherein the instruction mark moves from an initial position to a reference position set in a selection acceptance range of the corresponding pattern. 6. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 5, wherein the display form is changed when the instruction mark coincides with the reference position.