JP2014070284A - Embroidery control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve workability in modification of color specification by modifying the color specification by color change function easily by a read operation of bar code.SOLUTION: A bar code reader 34 for reading color of needle thread S and other thread as color information with a bar code is connected to an input-output control unit 29 of an embroidery control device 21. An embroidery control unit 27 of the embroidery control device 21 comprises: color specification update means for updating color specification of embroidery data by a color change function on the basis of the color information read with the bar code reader 34; and display control means for outputting information of the embroidery data whose color specification is updated by the color change function to a color indicating device 25, and making the color indicating device 25 display the color information on a screen.

Description

  The present invention relates to an embroidery control device for an embroidery machine that creates an embroidery pattern according to embroidery data, for example.

  In general, an embroidery machine known as an embroidery machine includes a spindle motor for reciprocating an upper thread side sewing needle, a color changing mechanism for changing the color of an upper thread (embroidery thread), and an embroidery object. Various actuators such as a frame moving motor for moving the embroidery frame (moving frame) holding (embroidery cloth) forward, backward, left and right on the base of the embroidery machine are mounted. In order to operate the embroidery machine by driving and controlling such various actuators, for example, an embroidery control device is provided on the base of the embroidery machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  This type of prior art embroidery control device is composed of a unit case that constitutes the outer shell of the device, an embroidery control unit that includes a plurality of electronic components and the like housed in the unit case, an internal memory unit, and the like. On the front side of the unit case, there are provided an operation unit including a plurality of operation switches and a color display for displaying information / data necessary for embroidery in color on the screen.

  On the other hand, an embroidery data creation device using a tablet or the like assigns a color change function (that is, a color designation function) to each needle drop point data among embroidery data in order to create embroidery patterns of multiple colors, For example, a red pattern for the 10th to 100th stitches, a blue pattern for the 101st to 200th stitches, and a yellow pattern for the 201st to 300th stitches. It is set as the structure to perform (for example, refer patent document 2).

  The embroidery data created in this way is read into the embroidery control device on the embroidery machine side, for example, via a portable storage medium or a communication line. When executing the embroidery by the embroidery machine, the color changing function (that is, the color specifying function) of the embroidery data is sequentially read for each stitch, and the color changing mechanism is not operated until the color specifying by the color changing function is changed. When the embroidery of the same color as the previous time is performed and the color specification by the color change function changes, the color change mechanism is operated based on the color specification at this time, and the desired color The sewing needle in which the embroidery thread is inserted is moved with respect to the embroidery cloth.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-328455 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-115539

  By the way, in the process of actually performing the embroidery work, a process of changing the color designation by the color changing function in the embroidery data to another color designation may be performed in order to change the sewing order, hue, etc. of the embroidery pattern. However, the color designation changing process according to the prior art needs to manually adjust the color tone (red, green, and blue) appropriately using the color adjustment dialog displayed on the screen of the color display. is there. For this reason, there is a problem that a great deal of time is spent on such color designation changing processing, workability is poor, and manual input errors are likely to occur.

  In particular, for the upper thread for embroidery, for example, there are a plurality of types of upper threads that are slightly different in color tone and color even with the same blue system thread, and other red systems, black system threads, etc. Things exist. For this reason, it takes a lot of time and effort to change the upper thread color on the color display screen as described above, and input errors and selection errors during color adjustment are likely to occur due to individual differences. There's a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to make it easy to change a color designation by a color change function using a barcode, and to improve workability when changing the color designation. An object of the present invention is to provide an embroidery control device that can improve the quality of the image.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a unit case provided with an operation unit on the front side, a main shaft of the embroidery machine, a color changing mechanism, and a frame moving mechanism provided in the unit case according to the operation of the operation unit. An embroidery control unit for driving and controlling, an internal memory unit in which embroidery data including a color change function is stored in an updatable manner, an input / output control unit for inputting / outputting external data to / from the internal memory unit, The present invention is applied to an embroidery control device that is provided on the front side of the unit case and includes a display unit that displays information and data necessary for embroidery on a screen.

  A feature of the configuration adopted by the invention of claim 1 is that the input / output control unit is provided with a barcode reading device that reads the color information of the embroidery thread by a barcode, and the embroidery control unit Based on the color information read by the barcode reader, color designation updating means for updating the color designation by the color changing function of the embroidery data, and the color designation of the color changing function updated by the color designation updating means The present invention has a configuration including display control means for outputting information on the embroidery data to the display unit and displaying it on the screen.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the barcode reader reads the color information of the embroidery thread from the thread color instruction sheet, which is a color sample of the embroidery data, using the barcode, and the thread color instruction sheet Has a configuration in which a bar code notation unit is provided in which different indication colors are indicated by bar codes for each of a plurality of predetermined embroidery patterns.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the input / output control unit is provided with a color sensor that reads the color of the embroidery thread as individual color information for each color, and the embroidery control unit includes: A bar code processing unit for converting the color information read by the color sensor into a bar code is used.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, color information of a plurality of embroidery threads (upper threads) can be individually read as bar code information by a bar code reader connected to the input / output control unit. Based on the color information read by the barcode reader, the embroidery controller can easily update the color designation by the color change function of the embroidery data and adjust the color on the screen of the display as in the prior art. Color adjustment work performed by displaying a dialog or the like can be eliminated. For this reason, the information on the embroidery data in which the color designation by the color change function is updated can be displayed on the screen of the display unit. For example, the work of reproducing the color of the upper thread on the screen of the display unit can be performed in a short time. Can be done easily. Therefore, the operator of the embroidery control device can easily change the color designation by the color change function of the embroidery data simply by operating the barcode reader, and the workability at the time of change can be improved. Moreover, the present invention can be applied with high versatility to the current embroidery control device.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the thread color instruction sheet, which is a color sample of the embroidery data, is provided with a barcode notation portion in which different instruction colors for each of the plurality of pattern areas of the embroidery pattern are represented by barcodes. Therefore, the operator can read the color information of each indicated color from each bar code notation portion of the thread color instruction sheet by manually operating the bar code reader close to the thread color instruction sheet.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the color information of the embroidery thread (upper thread) is not represented by a bar code, the color of each upper thread can be read as individual color information by using a color sensor. The bar code conversion processing unit of the control unit can perform processing to create a bar code from color information read by the color sensor (that is, to encrypt and display the bar code). In addition, when bar code of color information is newly created at the stage of creating a new thread color instruction, each instruction color is read by reading a different instruction color for each pattern area of the thread color instruction. Each can be represented by a bar code, and an operation of adding a bar code notation portion for each instruction color to the thread color instruction sheet can be easily performed.

It is a perspective view which shows the embroidery machine by embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which expands and shows the embroidery control apparatus in FIG. 1 with a barcode reader. It is a control block diagram which shows the whole structure of an embroidery machine. It is a front view which shows the thread | yarn color instruction document used as the color sample of embroidery data. It is a flowchart which shows the color specification change process by the color change function of the embroidery data using a barcode. It is a figure which shows the barcode used as the instruction code of a display color change start. It is a figure which shows the barcode used as a recognition code when the display color change process is completed. It is a figure which shows the barcode for designating the change target of a display color. It is a figure which shows the initial image before the display color change process displayed on the color screen of an embroidery control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the image after the display color change process displayed on the color screen of an embroidery control apparatus. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing an embroidery control device and one head portion in FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner. It is a flowchart which shows the barcode conversion process which writes color information, such as an upper thread, as a new barcode. It is a front view showing a color code table of the upper thread for embroidery. It is explanatory drawing which shows the color table stored in an internal memory part based on a color code. It is a figure which shows the barcode newly produced by the control processing of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the case where the embroidery control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a multi-head automatic embroidery machine will be described as an example, and will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an embroidery base constituting the main body of the multi-head type automatic embroidery machine, and the base 1 is supported by side frames 2 and 3 spaced left and right as shown in FIG. It extends horizontally in the front, rear, left, and right directions. Between the side frames 2 and 3, a head support 4 positioned above the base 1 and extending in the left and right directions is fixedly provided.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a head portion of an embroidery machine provided in plural on the front side of the head support 4, and a total of six of these head portions 5 are provided on the base 1 to constitute, for example, a six-head sewing head. doing. In addition, this shows one example, and on the base 1, there is a model in which, for example, the head portion 5 and the like extending from 2 to 56 heads are provided.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, these head portions 5 are provided on the front side of the head main body 6 and the head main body 6, and left and right with respect to the head main body 6 (arrow A in FIG. 11, Needle bar case 7 as a movable support that can be moved in the B direction), and provided on the needle bar case 7 and moved to the left and right together with the needle bar case 7 by the color changing mechanism 10 described later. And a later-described thread tension base 12.

  Further, the head main body 6 of each head unit 5 includes a balance driving unit and a needle bar driving unit (both not shown) driven by a main shaft motor 8 shown in FIG. 3 via a main shaft 9 (see FIG. 11). The balance 14 and the needle bar 15, which will be described later, are driven up and down by these driving units. The spindle motor 8 is provided, for example, on the back side of the head support 4 shown in FIG. Further, the head main body 6 is provided with a color changing mechanism 10 shown in FIG. The color changing mechanism 10 performs the color changing operation described later by moving the needle bar case 7 and the thread tension base 12 integrally to the left and right (in the directions indicated by arrows A and B in FIG. 11). It is.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a thread stand as an upper thread storage unit located above the base 1 and disposed above the head support 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the thread stand 11 is provided with a plurality of upper thread bobbins 11A (for example, a total of 54), and these upper thread bobbins 11A have red, green, blue, yellow, black, for example. A plurality of embroidery threads (hereinafter referred to as upper thread S) are wound. At the time of embroidery work, each upper thread S selected by the color changing mechanism 10 from these upper thread bobbins 11A is drawn out using a balance 14 or the like described later, and a large number of embroidery objects such as an embroidery cloth (not shown). Color embroidery is performed in accordance with the hand movement operation of the sewing needle 16 described later.

  Each upper thread bobbin 11A detachably provided on the thread stand 11 is arranged so as to form one set with the same number (for example, nine) of sewing needles 16 to be described later, and a six-head sewing head ( A total of 54 upper thread bobbins 11A are installed on the thread stand 11 for the six head portions 5). Each upper thread bobbin 11A, which is a set of nine, is wound with each upper thread S having a respective color in a wound state, and the order of each color is the same color order for each head unit 5. Is set in advance. That is, the upper thread bobbins 11A are arranged on the thread stand 11 in a predetermined order so that different colors of embroidery are not performed for each head portion 5 at the stage of operation preparation of the embroidery machine. It is what is done.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a thread tension base as a yarn path forming base that is provided between the thread stand 11 and the balance 14 and is provided in the head unit 5. The thread tension base 12 includes a plurality of (for example, nine) thread tension bases. A thread tension 13 is provided. These thread tensions 13 individually adjust the tension of each upper thread S guided from each upper thread bobbin 11A of the thread stand 11 toward each balance 14 described later.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a plurality of balances provided so as to protrude from the needle bar case 7 of the head portion 5 to the front side, and these balances 14 are arranged in parallel in the needle bar case 7 with intervals in the left and right directions as shown in FIG. (For example, a total of 9). Each balance 14 is rotatably supported by a balance support shaft (not shown), and swings up and down according to the rotation of the main shaft 9 by a balance drive unit (not shown) provided in the head body 6. Driven to move.

  When the color changing mechanism 10 moves the needle bar case 7 to the left or right and performs the color changing operation, for example, one of the nine balances 14 is selected by the color changing mechanism 10. Only the selected balance 14 is swung up and down. Further, the remaining balance 14 which is not selected is held at a predetermined standby position by a balance holding mechanism (not shown), and then stops at this standby position until it is selected by the color changing mechanism 10. It will not be swung up or down.

  A plurality of (for example, nine) needle bars 15 are provided in the needle bar case 7 and are located on the lower side of the balance 14. A sewing needle 16 can be attached to and detached from the lower end side of each needle bar 15. It is attached to. The needle bar 15 and the sewing needle 16 are driven up and down in accordance with the rotation of the main shaft 9 by a needle bar driving unit (not shown) provided in the head body 6.

  The needle bar 15 and the sewing needle 16 are selected by the color changing mechanism 10 similarly to the balance 14, and only the selected needle bar 15 is reciprocated up and down together with the sewing needle 16. The remaining needle bar 15 not selected by the color change mechanism 10 remains at the top dead center position together with the sewing needle 16 as shown in FIG. To be held.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes a moving frame as an embroidery frame disposed on the base 1 of the embroidery machine and positioned below each head portion 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the moving frame 17 is formed as a rectangular square frame, and holds the embroidery cloth or the like in a stretched state under a total of six head portions 5, for example. The moving frame 17 is moved left and right (for example, the X-axis direction) and forward and backward (for example, the Y-axis) on the base 1 together with the embroidery cloth by a frame moving mechanism 18 including a frame moving motor. Frame) in the horizontal direction.

  In this case, the motor of the frame moving mechanism 18 is provided on the lower surface side or the rear surface side of the base 1 and constitutes the drive source of the embroidery machine together with the spindle motor 8 and the like described above. When the moving frame 17 is moved by the frame moving mechanism 18, the sewing needles 16 on the head unit 5 side are moved up and down almost in conjunction with this movement. Thereby, an embroidery pattern corresponding to the embroidery data is realized for each head unit 5 on the embroidery cloth or the like.

  Reference numeral 19 denotes a plurality of needle plates provided on the base 1 located below each head portion 5, and these needle plates 19 are opposed to each head portion 5 above and below as shown in FIG. A total of six are arranged. In a state where the embroidery cloth is set on the moving frame 17, each needle plate 19 is completely covered by the embroidery cloth from above. Each needle plate 19 is provided with a needle hole 19A (see FIG. 11) at a position facing the sewing needle 16 selected by the color changing mechanism 10 above and below. In the needle hole 19A, the sewing needle 16 is inserted toward a lower hook side rotary hook (not shown) when the sewing needle 16 is moved on the head portion 5 side.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a controller of the embroidery machine, and the controller 20 includes an embroidery control device 21 provided on the base 1 and a drive control device 30 described later. The controller 20 controls the rotation of the spindle motor 8 (that is, the spindle 9) according to the embroidery data including the color change function, and drives and controls the color change mechanism 10, the frame moving mechanism 18, a jump mechanism 32 described later, and the like. It is.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the embroidery control device 21 includes, for example, a unit case 23 that is attached to one side frame 3 via a bracket 22 or the like and forms an outer shell of the embroidery control device 21, and the unit An operation unit 24 that is provided on the front side of the case 23 and includes a plurality of operation buttons or key switches that are manually operated by an operator, and a rectangular unit that is located on the upper side of the operation unit 24 and disposed on the front side of the unit case 23 A color display 25 as a display unit including a liquid crystal display, a power switch 26, an embroidery control unit 27, an internal memory unit 28, and an input / output control unit 29, which will be described later, are configured.

  The unit case 23 of the embroidery control device 21 corresponds to the nine upper thread bobbins 11A (that is, one head unit 5) that are closest to each of the upper thread bobbins 11A installed on the thread stand 11. A set of nine upper thread bobbins 11A) is installed at a position within a predetermined short distance (for example, 0.2 to 1.5 meters). In addition, the unit case 23 of the embroidery control device 21 is within a predetermined short distance (for example, 0.2 to 1.5 meters) even with respect to the placement portion 37 of the thread color instruction sheet 36 described later. It is installed at the position. As a result, a color sensor 35 (to be described later) is easily brought close to the upper thread bobbin 11A on the thread stand 11 and the thread color instruction sheet 36 on the placement unit 37, and the reading operation of each color is performed at the short distance. Can be done within range.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 24 of the embroidery control device 21 includes a numeric key 24A capable of inputting numerical values, a jog key 24B including four keys arranged on the left side of the numeric key 24A, and the jog key 24B. An origin key 24C arranged on the center side of the keypad and a total of seven soft keys 24D labeled "A" to "G" arranged on the upper side of the jog key 24B and the numeric keypad 24A.

  The jog key 24B of the operation unit 24 has functions for selecting embroidery data (program), setting (selecting) parameters, and the like. Further, when moving the moving frame 17 of the embroidery machine by a control signal from the embroidery control device 21, the operator manually presses one of the left and right keys of the jog key 24B (one-shot) to move it. The frame 17 can be moved on the base 1 by a predetermined amount of movement (for example, 0.1 mm) in the X-axis direction. On the other hand, when one of the upper and lower keys of the jog key 24B is manually pressed, the moving frame 17 can be moved on the base 1 by a predetermined amount of movement in the Y-axis direction. Further, when it is desired to increase the amount of movement of the moving frame 17, the moving frame 17 continues to move by the amount of movement corresponding to the operation time by pressing the jog key 24B for a long time.

  The origin key 24C of the operation unit 24 is a key for moving the moving frame 17 to the origin. When the origin key 24C is pressed while the moving frame 17 is at the origin, the moving frame 17 is moved to the position before moving to the origin in the preparation state, and the last in the driving state. Move to embroidery position.

  The soft key 24D of the operation unit 24 reads / writes embroidery data, inputs / outputs data, enlarges / reduces, etc. in accordance with the menu displayed on the screen of the color display 25, and further adjusts machine conditions. A so-called dialogue key is provided for performing setting, pattern change, pattern selection, pattern addition, pattern combination, color change change, and the like.

  The color display 25 is configured using, for example, a color liquid crystal monitor of 5 to 10 inches or more. On the screen 25A, an initial image 41 (see FIG. 9) before display color change processing, which will be described later, and display color change processing are performed. The subsequent image 42 (see FIG. 10) and the like are displayed. Further, the color display 25 has a function of displaying an image on the screen 25A of information necessary for controlling the embroidery machine, the operating state of the embroidery machine, the operation content on the operation unit 24 side, and the like.

  Reference numeral 27 denotes an embroidery control unit that constitutes a part of the embroidery control device 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the embroidery control unit 27 communicates signals (information) between an internal memory unit 28 and an input / output control unit 29 described later. ) And a CPU (not shown) for performing various arithmetic control processes necessary for driving control of the embroidery machine (that is, various actuators such as the spindle motor 8, the color changing mechanism 10, and the frame moving mechanism 18). It has.

  Further, the embroidery control unit 27 has a function of inputting an instruction signal to the CPU as operation information when a key switch (that is, each key 24A to 24D) of the operation unit 24 is operated, and on the screen of the color display 25. A function for controlling the image to be displayed on the screen, display contents, etc. according to a signal from the CPU, and a signal output from the CPU to the drive control device 30 described later (that is, motor drivers such as the spindle motor 8 and the frame moving mechanism 18) And a function for controlling signals for driving and controlling solenoid drivers such as the color change mechanism 10 and the jump mechanism 32.

  That is, the embroidery control unit 27 is configured to share a control circuit having a small control current value among a plurality of control circuits provided in the controller 20, so that it is accommodated in the unit case 23 of the embroidery control device 21. ing. On the other hand, control circuits such as a motor driver and a solenoid driver having a high current value (or controlling a high voltage) in the controller 20 are provided in a drive control device 30 described later.

  Reference numeral 28 denotes an internal memory unit that constitutes a part of the embroidery control device 21. The internal memory unit 28 is housed and provided in the unit case 23 of the embroidery control device 21, for example, ROM, RAM, nonvolatile flash memory Etc. are used. In the internal memory unit 28, control data necessary for driving and controlling the embroidery machine (that is, various actuators such as the spindle motor 8, the color changing mechanism 10, and the frame moving mechanism 18) is stored in an updatable manner. .

  Further, in the internal memory unit 28, a program for changing the color designation by the color changing function of the embroidery data using the barcode shown in FIG. 5, for example, the barcodes 38 to 40 shown in FIGS. For example, software including a dedicated program for recognition, a bar code processing program (see FIG. 12) for writing color information read from the color sensor 35 as a new bar code, and a color table 44 shown in FIG. Corresponding internal data and the like are stored.

  Here, Steps 3 to 6 shown in FIG. 5 are specific examples of color designation updating means for updating the color designation by the color changing function of the embroidery data, and Step 8 is a step in which the color designation of the color changing function is updated. This is a specific example of display control means for outputting embroidery data information to the color display 25 and displaying it on the screen. 12 is a specific example of a barcode conversion processing unit for converting color information into a barcode.

  Reference numeral 29 denotes an input / output control unit constituting an interface of the embroidery control device 21. The input / output control unit 29 controls the input / output of data from the outside to the internal memory unit 28. Here, an external storage device 33, a barcode reading device 34, a color sensor 35, and the like, which will be described later, are detachably connected to the connection terminal of the input / output control unit 29. The input / output control unit 29 stores the color information read using a bar code reading device 34 and / or a color sensor 35 described later in the internal memory unit 28 in an updatable manner according to the operation of the operation unit 24 by the embroidery control unit 27. Control and so on. The input / output control unit 29 is connected to, for example, an external editing machine, a pattern creation machine (both not shown), etc., as necessary via a communication line.

  A drive control device 30 is disposed on the lower side of the base 1 at a position close to the embroidery control device 21, and the drive control device 30 together with the embroidery control device 21 provided on the base 1 The controller 20 is configured. Here, the drive control device 30 is a driver circuit of the controller 20 that is driven and controlled in accordance with a control signal from the embroidery control unit 27 (that is, a motor driver such as the spindle motor 8 and the frame moving mechanism 18, and the color change mechanism 10 and (Including a solenoid driver such as a jump mechanism 32).

  Here, on the input side of the embroidery control device 21 of the controller 20, as shown in FIG. 3, an operation unit 24, a thread breakage sensor 31 and the like are connected, and further, an external storage device 33 and a barcode reader 34 which will be described later. The color sensor 35 and the like are arbitrarily selected and connected. A color display 25 is connected to the output side of the embroidery control device 21 of the controller 20, and the spindle motor 8, the color changing mechanism 10, the frame moving mechanism 18, the jump mechanism 32, etc. are connected to the output side of the drive control device 30. Is connected.

  The thread break sensor 31 is provided on the thread tension base 12 of each head unit 5 and individually detects whether or not a thread break has occurred in each upper thread S. The jump mechanism 32 is composed of a rotary solenoid or the like provided in each head unit 5 and controls jumping of the sewing needle 16 together with the needle bar 15. In other words, the jump mechanism 32 holds the sewing needle 16 in the hand movement stop state while the jump control is performed by the controller 20 (drive control device 30), and permits the needle movement operation of the sewing needle 16 when the jump control is released. It is.

  Reference numeral 33 denotes an external storage device that is detachably connected to the input / output control unit 29 of the embroidery control device 21. The external storage device 33 is a portable storage that incorporates a nonvolatile flash memory such as a USB memory. It is constituted by a medium or a small hard disk device. The external storage device 33 is used when, for example, embroidery data including a color change function created by an embroidery data creation device (not shown) is stored in the internal memory unit 28 shown in FIG. 3 in an updatable manner. .

  A bar code reader 34 is connected to the input / output controller 29 of the embroidery controller 21 via a lead wire 34A. The bar code reader 34 is configured as a handy type bar code reader so that an operator can manually operate the bar code reader 34. The bar code reader 34 reads a bar code notation unit 36C, bar codes 38 to 40, etc., which will be described later, at the front end. A portion 34B is provided. On the back side of the barcode reader 34, an operation switch 34C that is pressed (ON / OFF operation) by an operator with a fingertip or the like is provided. When the operation switch 34C is turned on, the barcode reader 34 performs a reading operation. To start.

  That is, the operator of the embroidery machine brings the reading unit 34B close to, for example, a bar code notation unit 36C of a thread color instruction 36 described later with the bar code reading device 34 held by a fingertip or the like. In this state, the bar code reader 34 starts the reading operation by pressing the operation switch 34C with the fingertip (ON operation), whereby each embroidery thread (that is, the upper thread) is read from the bar code notation 36C of the thread color instruction sheet 36. The color information corresponding to the color of S) is read with a barcode.

  In this case, the bar code color information is obtained by encrypting RGB converted data (see FIGS. 13 and 14) in which the three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are digitized by the bar code. It is written. For this reason, by using the color information based on the barcode, it is possible to handle 100 to 1000 or more types of color combinations as different color information (color identification information).

  Reference numeral 35 denotes a color sensor serving as a color identification device connected to the input / output control unit 29 of the embroidery control device 21. The color sensor 35 is connected to an input / output control unit 29 of the embroidery control device 21 via a lead wire 35A as shown in FIG. The color sensor 35 is configured as a handy type sensor that can be manually operated by an operator, and a reading surface 35B that is inclined obliquely is provided on the tip side thereof. On the back side of the color sensor 35, there is provided a switch part 35C that is pressed (ON / OFF operation) by an operator with a fingertip or the like. When the switch part 35C is turned on, the color sensor 35 starts a reading operation.

  Inside the color sensor 35, a white LED as a light emitting element and a photodiode (both not shown) as a light receiving element are provided. The color sensor 35 receives the white light from the white LED when the switch unit 35C is turned on, irradiates the detection target via the reading surface 35B, and receives the reflected light by the photodiode. The color of the detection object is detected from the wavelength of light. The color information read by the color sensor 35 is output to the embroidery control device 21 as RGB conversion data.

  That is, the operator of the embroidery machine approaches the upper thread bobbins 11A of the thread stand 11 while holding the color sensor 35 with a fingertip or the like as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The upper thread S is wound around the bobbin 11A. In this state, the switch portion 35C is pressed (ON operation) with a fingertip to energize (actuate) the color sensor 35, whereby the color of the upper thread S wound around one upper thread bobbin 11A is composed of RGB conversion data. Read as color information.

  After that, the color of the upper thread S wound around the other upper thread bobbin 11A is read in the same manner, and the operation is repeated for each upper thread bobbin 11A to change the color of each upper thread S. Each color information can be individually identified as RGB conversion data. Similarly, the color information serving as the color sample of the embroidery data can be read from the thread color instruction 36 'and the color code table 43, which will be described later, using the color sensor 35 as described later. Note that the reading surface 35B of the color sensor 35 does not necessarily have to be an inclined surface, and can be brought into flat and stable contact with an object to be detected (for example, the upper thread S or the thread color instruction sheet 36 '). Any reading surface can be used. Further, the light receiving element of the color sensor 35 is not limited to the photodiode described above, and a color sensor may be configured by an imaging element such as a CCD camera, for example.

  The color sensor 35 is connected to the input / output control unit 29 of the embroidery control device 21 via a lead wire 35A. When the color sensor 35 is not used, the lead wire 35A of the color sensor 35 is connected to the embroidery control device 21. It is also possible to remove it from the input / output control unit 29. Further, the barcode reader 34 can also be detachably connected to the input / output controller 29 of the embroidery controller 21 via a lead wire 34A.

  Reference numeral 36 denotes a thread color instruction sheet as a color sample of the embroidery data. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the thread color instruction sheet 36 has an embroidery pattern sample 36A “123456789” printed on it, and is displayed below it. Is a pattern number “C01”, “C02”, “C03” in which the color swatch 36B for each of the pattern areas “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”. Similarly, “C04”, “C05”,..., “C09” are printed. Further, the color sample 36B has a bar in which different instruction colors for each of a plurality of pattern areas (pattern numbers “C01”, “C02”, “C03”, “C04”, “C05”,. A code notation 36C is provided.

  Therefore, when reading the barcode from the barcode notation portion 36C of the thread color instruction 36, the operator approaches the color sample 36B of the thread color instruction 36 while holding the barcode reader 34, and sets the reading portion 34B to the color. Of the bar code notation 36C of the sample 36B, the bar code corresponding to one of the pattern numbers “C01”, “C02”, “C03”, “C04”, “C05”,. In this state, the bar code reader 34 is operated by the operation switch 34C.

  As a result, the colors of the pattern numbers “C01”, “C02”, “C03”, “C04”, “C05”,..., “C09” are read as color information composed of RGB conversion data by the barcode reader 34, respectively. It is done. As an example, in the thread color instruction 36, the pattern number “C01” is brown (brown), the pattern number “C02” is red, the pattern number “C03” is orange, the pattern number “C04” is yellow, The pattern number “C05” is green, the pattern number “C06” is blue, the pattern number “C07” is purple, the pattern number “C08” is black, and the pattern number “C09” is white.

  On the other hand, in the current thread color instruction 36 '(see FIG. 11), the bar code notation 36C is not described unlike the thread color instruction 36 shown in FIG. Therefore, when using the current thread color instruction 36 ', the color sensor 35 is used as shown in FIG. 11 to read the color of each pattern number as individual color information composed of different RGB conversion data. It is possible to write out the color information of each pattern number as a new bar code (for example, the bar code 45 shown in FIG. 15) by performing the bar code forming process shown in FIG. .

  Reference numeral 37 denotes a placement portion of the thread color instruction sheet 36 provided on the base 1 of the embroidery machine. The placement portion 37 is provided on the unit case 23 of the embroidery control device 21 as shown in FIGS. It is formed as a flat surface in order to place the thread color instruction 36 (or thread color instruction 36 ') at a predetermined position on the base 1 on the front side of the unit case 23 in the vicinity. The placement portion 37 of the thread color instructions 36 and 36 'is installed at a position within a predetermined short distance (for example, 0.2 to 1.5 meters) from the unit case 23 of the embroidery control device 21. Has been. For this reason, the operator reads the thread color instruction 36 (or the thread color instruction 36 ') in a state where the bar code reader 34 and / or the color sensor 35 is brought close to the mounting portion 37 of the base 1 by manual operation. Color information can be easily read.

  The bar code 38 shown in FIG. 6 is a bar code serving as an instruction code for “display color change start”, and the bar code 39 shown in FIG. 7 indicates that the display color change process has been completed as “OK”. 21 is a barcode serving as a recognition code to be recognized by 21. The internal memory 28 of the embroidery controller 21 stores software for recognizing the barcodes 38, 39, etc., and the embroidery controller 27 reads the barcodes 38, 39, etc. with the barcode reader 34. At this time, it is configured to execute an instruction, a command, and the like that are encrypted and written in each barcode.

  The barcode 40 shown in FIG. 8 is a barcode for designating a display color change target. In this case, as an example, a barcode indicating the needle number “N01” is encrypted and written. The initial image 41 before the display color changing process by the color display 25 shown in FIG. 9 includes needle numbers “N01”, “N02”, “N03” associated with the order of the needle bar 15 (sewing needle 16), for example. ..., display colors "C09" and "C10" are shown. For this reason, each barcode corresponding to the needle numbers “N01” to “N10” is created in advance. In FIG. 8, only the barcode 40 indicating the needle number “N01” is shown as an example. ing. A bar code table (not shown) on which bar codes of needle numbers “N01” to “N10” are written is arranged on the mounting portion 37 of the thread color instruction sheet 36 provided on the base 1. Alternatively, it may be arranged at a position different from the placement unit 37, or may be printed in advance on the same paper as the thread color instruction sheet 36.

  In the image 42 after the display color changing process by the color display 25 shown in FIG. 10, the display color of the needle number “N01” is set to a black or black color as an example with respect to the initial image 41 shown in FIG. has been changed. The color code table 43 shown in FIG. 13 shows, as an example for convenience of explanation, the case where the manufacture, distributor, etc. of the embroidery thread (that is, the upper thread S) creates it as a thread color sample. Not sold or published at the present time (when the present invention is filed). A color table 44 shown in FIG. 14 is a list (table) of color information stored in the internal memory unit 28 of the embroidery control device 21 in an updatable manner. Red (R), green (G), and blue (B ) Are converted into RGB converted data.

  Here, the color table 44 shown in FIG. 14 is created based on the color code table 43 shown in FIG. 13. For example, the color number “ND0001” is brown (brown), and RGB (147, 107, 74). It is quantified as. The color number “ND0002” is red and is digitized as RGB (255, 0, 0). The color number “ND0003” is orange and digitized as RGB (255, 128, 0). The pattern number “ND0004” is yellow and is digitized as RGB (255, 255, 0). The color number “ND0005” is green and is quantified as RGB (0, 127, 0).

  The embroidery control device 21 of the multi-head automatic embroidery machine according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration. Next, the operation thereof will be described.

  First, on the thread stand 11 of the embroidery machine, for example, nine upper thread bobbins 11A (a total of 54 upper thread bobbins 11A), each paired for every six heads 5, are installed. Then, each upper thread S individually pulled out from these upper thread bobbins 11A is guided to the front surface side of the thread tension base 12 serving as a thread path forming base, and is sandwiched between the respective thread tensions 13 to be held between each upper thread S. The tension of the can be adjusted. Next, on the downstream side of each thread tension 13, each upper thread S is guided to each sewing needle 16 while being inserted through a thread insertion hole (not shown) of each balance 14.

  Next, when the moving frame 17 is moved by the frame moving mechanism 18 in this state, the main shaft 9 is rotationally driven by the main shaft motor 8 in conjunction with this movement, and the balance driving unit and the needle bar driving unit of the head unit 5 are driven. , The needle bar 15 selected by the color changing mechanism 10 can be driven up and down together with the sewing needle 16 by the needle bar driving unit, and the sewing needle 16 is moved with respect to the embroidery cloth on the moving frame 17 side. can do. Further, the balance 14 selected by the color changing mechanism 10 is also driven up and down according to the rotation of the main shaft 9 by the balance driving unit.

  Then, the upper thread S of the desired color selected by the color changing mechanism 10 is moved from one of the upper thread bobbins 11A on the thread stand 11 through the thread tension 13 or the like by moving the balance 14 upward or downward. Supplied to the sewing needle 16 side. During this time, a rotary hook (not shown) on the lower thread side is rotated so that each upper thread S and the lower thread are entangled, and the lower thread is fed as the rotary hook rotates. The embroidery cloth on the moving frame 17 side is moved in the horizontal direction in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction by the frame moving mechanism 18. As a result, the upper thread S is sewn on the embroidery cloth on the moving frame 17 side as the sewing needle 16 moves, and each time the sewing needle 16 forms a seam on the embroidery cloth, the upper thread S becomes the sewing needle 16. The embroidery pattern is formed based on the embroidery data.

  By the way, in the process of actually performing the embroidery work, a process of changing the color designation by the color changing function in the embroidery data to another color designation may be performed in order to change the sewing order, hue, etc. of the embroidery pattern. However, the color designation changing process is very difficult when the color tone (red, green, and blue) is manually adjusted using a color adjustment dialog displayed on the screen of the color display 25 or the like. There is a problem that labor and time are consumed, workability is poor, and manual input errors are likely to occur.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the operation preparation stage before actually creating the embroidery pattern, the color designation changing process by the color changing function in the embroidery data shown in FIG. Workability when changing the specification can be improved.

  That is, when the power switch 26 of the embroidery controller 21 is turned on and the program shown in FIG. 5 is started, the bar code 38 (see FIG. 6) of “start display color change” is read by the bar code reader 34 in step 1. . That is, the operator of the embroidery control device 21 holds the barcode reading device 34 in order to perform the color designation changing process by the color changing function, and the reading unit 34B is moved to the “display color change start” barcode shown in FIG. The barcode is read close to 38. As a result, in step 2, the initial image 41 before the display color changing process is displayed on the screen 25A of the color display 25 as shown in FIG.

  Next, in step 3, it is determined whether or not the change target (display color number) has been selected by the jog key 24 </ b> B provided on the operation unit 24 of the embroidery control device 21. If “YES” is determined in Step 3, the operator can manually operate the jog key 24B to display the display color in any needle number among the needle numbers “N01” to “N10” displayed in the initial image 41 of FIG. Since it is selected whether or not to change, the process proceeds to the next step 5.

  On the other hand, when it is determined as “NO” in Step 3, the operator selects the needle number whose display color is to be changed by using the bar code reader 34 instead of the jog key 24B. For example, a barcode 40 (see FIG. 8) corresponding to the needle number “N01” is read by the barcode reader 34. As a result, a selection process is executed to select which needle number of the needle numbers “N01” to “N10” displayed in the initial image 41 of FIG.

  In the next step 5, for example, the “color input” barcode is read in order to change the display color of the needle number “N01”. As a specific example, one of the bar code notifying parts 36C of the thread color instruction sheet 36 shown in FIG. 4 is read as a “color input” bar code by the bar code reader 34. An image 42 after the display color changing process shown in FIG. 10 to be described later is an example in which the black barcode in the barcode notation unit 36C is read by the barcode reader 34 in the process of step 5. .

  In the next step 6, it is determined whether or not to change the display color other than the needle number “N01” described above. If "YES" is determined in the step 6, the process returns to the step 3 and the same process as described above is executed. If “NO” is determined in step 6, there is no other display color to be changed. Therefore, the process proceeds to the next step 7 where the “OK” bar code, that is, the bar code 39 shown in FIG. Reading is performed by the reading device 34. Thereby, the embroidery control unit 27 of the embroidery control device 21 recognizes that the display color change processing is completed as a code of “OK”.

  In the next step 8, the image 42 after the display color changing process shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the screen 25A of the color display 25 to notify the operator of the changed display color. That is, in the image 42 after the display color changing process shown in FIG. 10, for example, the display color of the needle number “N01” is changed to black and updated. Thereafter, the process is returned at step 9.

  Next, barcode processing for writing color information such as upper thread as a new barcode will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In this case, a color sensor 35 is detachably connected to the input / output control unit 29 of the embroidery control device 21 as shown in FIG. Note that the embroidery control device 21 may be connected to the color sensor 35 to another connection terminal while the barcode reader 34 is still connected as shown in FIG. In this case, the reading process by the barcode reader 34 and the reading process by the color sensor 35 can be performed in parallel. However, when performing the barcode conversion process shown in FIG. 12, it is not necessary to use the barcode reader 34 in particular. For this reason, in the embroidery control device 21 shown in FIG. 11, the case where only the color sensor 35 is connected is illustrated.

  That is, in the bar code conversion process shown in FIG. 12, the color sample to be newly registered in step 11 is prepared, for example, as the color code table 43 shown in FIG. The color code table 43 shows, as an example, a color sample of a thread created by the manufacture and sale of an embroidery thread (that is, the upper thread S). The color code table 43 is not necessarily limited to the color code table 43 shown in FIG. It is not limited. The normal color code table does not include RGB (digitized) data.

  In the next step 12, it is determined whether or not the three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are digitized in the color sample to be registered. In the color code table 43 shown in FIG. 13, for example, the color numbers “ND0001” to “ND0005” are digitized as RGB, and in this case, “YES” is determined in step 12. Is done. In other words, the color number “ND0001” is brown (brown) and digitized as RGB (147, 107, 74), and the color number “ND0002” is red and digitized as RGB (255, 0, 0). . In addition, the color number “ND0003” is orange and digitized as RGB (255, 128, 0), and the pattern number “ND0004” is yellow and digitized as RGB (255, 255, 0). “ND0005” is green and is digitized as RGB (0, 127, 0).

  Therefore, in this case, by inputting each RGB (numerical value) data for each color using the numeric keypad 24A provided on the operation unit 24 of the embroidery control device 21, a color table conversion process is performed in step 14. For example, the color table 44 shown in FIG. 14 is created as a list (table) of RGB (digitized) data stored in the internal memory unit 28 in an updatable manner.

  In the color code table 43 shown in FIG. 13, for example, the color number “ND0006” is blue, but its RGB (numerical value) data is not described. For this reason, the color number “ND0006” is determined as “NO” in the process of step 12. In this case, therefore, the process proceeds to the next step 13 where the color (display sample) to be registered is read using the color sensor 35. As an example of this, a blue display unit 43A, which is a display sample of the color number “ND0006”, is read as color information by the color sensor 35 from the color code table 43 shown in FIG.

  The object to be read by the color sensor 35 is not limited to this. For example, the color of the upper thread S wound around each upper thread bobbin 11A of the thread stand 11 shown in FIG. The sensor 35 may read the color information as described above. Further, when using the thread color instruction 36 'shown in FIG. 11 (for example, the thread color instruction where the barcode notation 36C is not written), the color information is obtained using the color sensor 35 as shown in FIG. Can be read.

  Here, the color information read by the color sensor 35 is composed of RGB conversion data in which the three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are digitized. Therefore, by reading the color information using the color sensor 35 in the process of step 13, individual color information composed of different RGB conversion data can be taken out. Even in this case, by performing the color table processing in the next step 14, for example, a list of RGB (digitized) data stored in the internal memory unit 28 in an updatable manner, for example, the color table 44 shown in FIG. Table).

  In the next step 15, the barcode conversion processing is executed by converting the RGB (digitized) data of the color table 44 shown in FIG. 14 into barcodes (that is, encrypted and represented by barcodes). Then, the process returns at the next step 16. As a result, for example, the color information to be registered can be written as a new barcode as in the barcode 45 shown in FIG.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the bar code reader 34 that reads the color information of the upper thread S and the like (for example, including the color information of the thread color instruction 36 shown in FIG. 2) by the bar code is used as the embroidery controller. The embroidery controller 27 of the embroidery controller 21 is connected to the input / output controller 29 of the embroidery controller 21. The embroidery controller 27 of the embroidery controller 21 updates the color designation by the embroidery data color changing function based on the color information read by the barcode reader 34. Designation updating means (see step 5 in FIG. 5) and display control means for outputting information on the embroidery data whose color designation by the color changing function has been updated to the color display 25 and displaying it on the screen (see step 8 in FIG. 5). It has composition which has.

  As described above, the embroidery control device 21 can individually read the color information related to the plurality of upper threads S as the barcode information by the barcode reading device 34 provided in connection with the input / output control unit 29. Based on the color information read by the barcode reader 34, the embroidery control unit 27 can easily update the color designation by the color change function of the embroidery data, and can be displayed on the display screen as in the prior art. Color adjustment work performed by displaying a color adjustment dialog or the like can be eliminated.

  For this reason, on the screen 25A of the color display 25, the information of the embroidery data in which the color designation by the color changing function is updated can be displayed as, for example, the image 42 after the display color changing process shown in FIG. The operation of reproducing the color state, color arrangement, etc. of the embroidery pattern created using the upper thread S of a plurality of colors as an image (image) on the screen 25A of the color display 25 can be easily performed in a short time. Therefore, the operator of the embroidery control device 21 can easily change the color designation by the color changing function of the embroidery data simply by operating the barcode reader 34, and the workability at the time of change can be improved.

  Moreover, color information using barcodes can be handled as different color information, for example, by combining RGB (digitized) data into barcodes, for example, 100 to 1000 or more color combinations, for example, Even with yarns of the same color system, the color discrimination performance can be greatly improved even for a plurality of types of yarn colors having slightly different color tones and hues. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied with high versatility to the current embroidery control device.

  On the other hand, the thread color instruction 36 serving as a color sample of the embroidery data includes, for example, pattern areas “1” and “2” that are predetermined color samples 36B among the embroidery sample 36A “123456789” shown in FIG. .., “3”, “4”, “5”... Are each provided with a bar code notation unit 36C in which different instruction colors are indicated by bar codes. For this reason, the operator can read the color information of each indicated color from each barcode notation portion 36C of the thread color instruction sheet 36 by manually operating the barcode reader 34 close to the thread color instruction sheet 36.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the color information related to the upper thread S for embroidery is not described by the barcode, the color of each upper thread S is read as individual color information by using the color sensor 35. The bar code processing unit (see FIG. 12) of the embroidery control unit 27 can perform processing for converting the color information read by the color sensor 35 into a bar code, that is, encoding the bar code and expressing it. it can.

  Further, the color information at the stage of creating a new thread color instruction separate from the thread color instruction 36 (for example, the stage of creating the thread color instruction 36 shown in FIG. 2 from the thread color instruction 36 ′ shown in FIG. 11). When the bar code is newly created, each color is indicated by a bar code by reading the color sensor 35 with different color for each pattern area of the thread color instruction 36 '. A bar code notation for each indicated color can be easily added to a new thread color instruction.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the embroidery data after the color designation change by the color change function can be output to the outside via the external storage device 33 such as a USB memory. For this reason, a plurality of embroidery machines and the like can appropriately use the embroidery data after the color designation change. Moreover, the present invention can be applied with high versatility to current embroidery machines.

  In the above embodiment, in the program shown in FIG. 5, steps 3 to 5 show specific examples of the color designation updating means by the color changing function, which is a constituent element of the present invention, and step 8 is the display control means. A specific example is shown. Further, in the program shown in FIG. 12, the process from steps 13 to 15 shows a specific example of a barcode processing unit for converting color information into a barcode.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the placement portion 37 of the thread color instruction sheet 36 is formed at a predetermined position on the base 1 on the front side of the unit case 23 of the embroidery control device 21 has been described as an example. . However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a thread color instruction sheet placing portion may be provided at a predetermined position on the base 1 on the rear side of the unit case 23. In this case, the unit case 23 of the embroidery control device 21 is rotated backward on the bracket 22 (for example, rotated so as to swing in the range of about 90 to 200 degrees), and the screen display of the color display 25 is confirmed. However, the operation unit 24, the barcode reader 34, and / or the color sensor 35 may be manually operated.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the multi-head automatic embroidery machine having a total of six head portions 5 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a single-head automatic embroidery machine having a single head part, and may also be applied to an embroidery machine having two or more head parts. is there.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 2, 3 Side frame 4 Head support 5 Head part 7 Needle bar case 8 Spindle motor 9 Spindle 10 Color change mechanism 11 Thread stand (upper thread storage part)
11A Upper thread bobbin 12 Thread tension stand 14 Balance 15 Needle bar 16 Sewing needle 17 Moving frame (embroidery frame)
18 Frame Movement Mechanism 20 Controller 21 Embroidery Control Device 22 Bracket 23 Unit Case 24 Operation Unit 25 Color Display (Display Unit)
26 Power Switch 27 Embroidery Control Unit 28 Internal Memory Unit 29 Input / Output Control Unit 30 Drive Control Device 33 External Storage Device 34 Bar Code Reading Device 35 Color Sensor 36, 36 ′ Thread Color Instruction 36C Bar Code Notation Unit 38-40, 45 Bar code 43 Color code table 44 Color table S Upper thread

A feature of the configuration adopted by the invention of claim 1 is that the input / output control unit is provided with a barcode reading device that reads the color information of the embroidery thread by a barcode, and the embroidery control unit Based on the color information read by the barcode reader, color designation updating means for updating the color designation by the color changing function of the embroidery data, and the color designation of the color changing function updated by the color designation updating means The bar code reader is configured to output color information of the embroidery thread from a thread color instruction sheet that is a color sample of the embroidery data. In the thread color instruction sheet, different instruction colors for each of a plurality of predetermined pattern areas of the embroidery pattern are represented by the barcode. Was in that the bar code indicating section and be provided with a a.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the input / output control unit is provided with a color sensor that reads the color of the embroidery thread as individual color information for each color, and the embroidery control unit includes: A bar code processing unit for converting the color information read by the color sensor into a bar code is used.

Furthermore , the thread color instruction sheet, which is a color sample of the embroidery data, is provided with a bar code notation section in which different instruction colors for each of the plurality of pattern areas of the embroidery pattern are indicated by bar codes. By manually operating the reading device close to the thread color instruction sheet, the color information of each instruction color can be read from each bar code notation portion of the thread color instruction sheet.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the color information of the embroidery thread (upper thread) is not represented by a bar code, the color of each upper thread can be read as individual color information by using a color sensor. barcode processing unit of the control unit can be performed from the color information read by the color sensor create a bar code (i.e., encrypted representation by a bar code) processing to. In addition, when bar code of color information is newly created at the stage of creating a new thread color instruction, each instruction color is read by reading a different instruction color for each pattern area of the thread color instruction. Each can be represented by a bar code, and an operation of adding a bar code notation portion for each instruction color to the thread color instruction sheet can be easily performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the color information related to the upper thread S for embroidery is not described by the barcode, the color of each upper thread S is read as individual color information by using the color sensor 35. The bar code conversion processing unit (see FIG. 12) of the embroidery control unit 27 converts the color information read by the color sensor 35 into a bar code, that is, performs a process for encrypting and representing the bar code. Can do.

Claims (3)

A unit case provided with an operation unit on the front side, an embroidery control unit that drives and controls the main shaft of the embroidery machine, the color changing mechanism, and the frame moving mechanism according to the operation of the operating unit provided in the unit case, and a color changing function Required for embroidery provided on the front side of the unit case, an internal memory unit that can store embroidery data including data, an input / output control unit for inputting / outputting external data to / from the internal memory unit In an embroidery control device comprising a display unit for displaying various information and data on a screen,
The input / output control unit is provided with a barcode reading device that reads the color information of the embroidery thread by a barcode,
The embroidery control unit includes color designation updating means for updating color designation by a color change function of the embroidery data based on the color information read by the barcode reader.
An embroidery control apparatus comprising: display control means for outputting information on the embroidery data, in which the color designation of the color changing function is updated by the color designation updating means, to the display unit and displaying it on the screen. .   The barcode reading device is configured to read the color information of the embroidery thread from a thread color instruction sheet serving as a color sample of the embroidery data by a barcode, and the thread color instruction sheet has a predetermined embroidery pattern. The embroidery control device according to claim 1, wherein a bar code notation unit is provided in which different indication colors are indicated by bar codes for each of a plurality of pattern areas.   The input / output control unit is connected to a color sensor that reads the color of the embroidery thread as individual color information for each color, and the embroidery control unit displays the color information read by the color sensor. The embroidery control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a bar code processing unit for encoding.

Images