JP2748154B2 - Embroidery pattern input device for sewing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to an embroidery pattern input device for a sewing machine,
More particularly, the present invention relates to an embroidery pattern input device of a sewing machine which controls an actuator for driving an embroidery frame by an external operation to trace an original image on the embroidery frame and create embroidery data based on coordinate information of the actuator.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, inputting an embroidery pattern requires an input device such as a digitizer, and inputting an embroidery pattern requires specialized knowledge and techniques. Therefore, for these reasons, input of an embroidery pattern cannot be easily performed in a general household or the like.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

The present invention relates to a stitch forming apparatus including a needle mounted on a lower end of a needle bar that is moved up and down by a driving device, and a thread catcher that cooperates with the needle to catch a thread formed on the needle. An embroidery frame which is capable of holding a work cloth and driven by an embroidery data and driven by an actuator on a sewing work surface of the stitch forming section in an X direction and a Y direction orthogonal to the X direction. In the sewing machine having an external control, an actuator is controlled by an external operation to move the embroidery frame, an original image on the embroidery frame is traced with a needle point, an input result is displayed as a contour line on a display device provided on the sewing machine frame, and the actuator is moved The embroidery pattern of the sewing machine, wherein the coordinate information of the sewing machine is written to a temporary storage device built in the sewing machine, converted into data, and then written to an external storage device. The present invention does not require an input device such as a digitizer for inputting an embroidery pattern as in the past, and does not require specialized knowledge and technology for inputting an embroidery pattern. There is an effect that an embroidery pattern can be easily input even in a general household.

【Example】

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to examples. 1) First Embodiment General Configuration of Embroidery Sewing Machine First, a general configuration of an embroidery sewing machine according to a first embodiment will be described with reference mainly to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. In FIG. 3, a stitch forming section 10 of the sewing machine 1 is formed with a needle 12 mounted on a lower end of a needle bar 11 which is moved up and down by a driving device (not shown) and cooperates with the needle to form the needle. And a thread catcher (not shown) for catching the wound thread. The embroidery frame 13 is capable of holding a work cloth, and is driven by an actuator on the sewing work surface of the stitch forming unit 10 in an X direction and a Y direction orthogonal to the X direction by a drive unit driven by embroidery data. It is supposed to be. A control panel 15 provided on the entire surface of the sewing machine 1 includes a display device.
An LCD, a plurality of keys, LEDs, etc. are provided. An external storage medium 43 is detachable from the writing / reading device. In this embodiment, the writing / reading device 42 is a floppy disk, and the writing / reading device is a floppy disk drive. ○ Schematic configuration of control circuit Next, the schematic configuration of the control circuit is mainly described in the fifth section.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. Sewing mode key 4
1. The input mode key 40 selects "sewing mode" or "input mode" by respective operations. When the sewing mode key 41 is pressed, the LED 11 is turned on and "SEWING MODE" is displayed at the bottom of the display device LCD, and the sewing operation is enabled. When the input mode key 40 is pressed, the LED 10 is turned on and “input mode” is displayed at the bottom of the display device LCD, so that a mode in which a pattern can be input is established. For pattern input, the X and Y stepping motors XM and YM as actuators are driven by the X and Y setting keys 35 to 38, and the original of the line drawing fixed to the embroidery frame 13 is relatively moved by the needle point of the sewing machine 1. Trace and write the coordinates of the needle point with respect to the origin O (FIG. 7) set on the embroidery frame 13 into a random access memory (hereinafter RAM) built in the sewing machine. The X setting keys 35 and 36 drive the X stepping motor XM in the X direction by the pressing operation thereof, and move the embroidery frame via the driving mechanism. By operating the X setting key 35, the embroidery frame 13 is moved in such a direction that the needle point of the sewing machine is relatively away from the origin O of the embroidery frame by a fixed amount. The reverse is true when the X setting key 36 is operated. The coordinates of the needle point are the X stepping motor XM and the Y stepping motor with respect to the origin O set on the hoop frame 13.
It is obtained by counting the number of rotation steps of YM. The X enlargement key 24 and the X reduction key 25 are operated when the movement amount of the embroidery frame moved by a certain amount by operating the X setting key is enlarged or reduced in this order, and the values are displayed on the indicator 23. By operating the Y setting key 38, the embroidery frame 13 is moved in such a direction that the needle point of the sewing machine relatively moves away from the origin (FIG. 7) of the embroidery frame. The reverse is true when the Y setting key 37 is operated. Writing of the coordinates to the RAM is performed when the coordinate input key 39 is operated as described later. The read-only memory ROM stores embroidery data built in the sewing machine 1, a sewing control program in the sewing mode, a display program as an input control program in the input mode, a plurality of data conversion programs, and the like. I have. The RAM includes a work area for temporarily storing various data and the like when the central processing unit CPU is operated, a data area 1 for temporarily storing intermittent coordinate information with respect to the origin O of the embroidery frame 13 by tracing the original image with the needle point, and a data area 1 for the data area 1. It has a data area 2 for storing embroidery data converted by the data conversion program based on the coordinate information and other areas. The writing / reading device 42 writes the embroidery data stored in the data area 2 of the RAM to the external storage medium 43 in the input mode, or writes the embroidery data to the external storage medium 43 in the sewing mode.
Is a device that reads embroidery data stored in the sewing machine and stores the embroidery data in a data area 2 of a RAM built in the sewing machine. Next, the remaining various keys described above will be briefly described. In this embodiment, the shape input key is an arc input input key 26.
And a line input designation key 27 for designating the shape of a contour line when inputting coordinates by tracing, each having a designated number of coordinates. The number of designated coordinates of the arc input designation key 26 is three at the beginning of the input after the key is pressed, and is three during the input including the current input point. The linear input designation keys 27 each have two points. The coordinate input key 39 is
A key for storing coordinates in the data area 1 of M. The stop key 28 is a key for instructing thread change of the sewing thread.
The sewing machine stops during embroidery work, and the display
A message "Please change the upper thread" is displayed. The stitch keys 20 to 22 are selected when editing the converted data in the data area 2 of the RAM. In the present embodiment, three types of stitch keys are shown, but the types can be further increased. The input end key 29 is operated when the coordinate input by the trace is completed. The editing release key 30 is a key for releasing editing of coordinate data by tracing. The registration key 31 is a key for writing the converted or edited embroidery data stored in the data area 2 of the RAM into the external storage device 43. The plurality of keys 45 include a numeric keypad and other keys. The numeric keypad is used for performing various numerical inputs, code inputs, and the like in the sewing mode and the input mode. Next, the input processing procedure of the original image pattern will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. In FIGS. 1 and 2, (Sn) (n = 1, 2, 3
...) indicate each step of the input process. The input processing procedure of the original image pattern is started by turning on the LED 10 by pressing the input mode key 40. (S1) The embroidery frame 13 is moved by operating necessary keys among the X and Y setting keys 35 to 38, and the starting point of the original image is adjusted to the needle point. In FIG. 7, OP is an original image fixed on an embroidery frame, and a line-shaped heart-shaped figure OP1 and a circular figure OP2 are drawn. The point A is set as a starting point, and tracing of the original image OP1 is started from this point. First, the embroidery frame 13 is operated by operating the X and Y setting keys 36 and 37.
Is moved from the current position PP of the needle point, and the needle point is adjusted to the point A. (S2) (S3) When the arc input designation key 26 or the straight line input designation key 27 is pressed among the shape designation keys, the designated code is stored in the data area 1 of the RAM. In FIG. 7, when the arc input designation key 26 is pressed, the designated code is stored in the data area 1 of the RAM. (S4) It is determined whether the arc input designation key 26 among the shape designation keys has been pressed. When the arc input designation key 26 is pressed, (S5) to
The loop of (S8) is repeated until it is determined in step (S8) that the designated number of coordinates has been input. Similarly, when the straight line input designation key 27 is pressed, the loop of (S9) to (S12) is repeated until it is determined in step (S12) that the designated number of coordinates has been input. (S5) to (S8) This is an input loop at the time of arc input designation. In FIG. 7, when the arc input designation key 26 is pressed at the point A, the coordinate input key 39 is pushed, and then the X setting key 36 is pushed, Hoop
13 moves to the right by the fixed amount X1, and the point B is located below the needle point. By pressing the coordinate input key 39, the alignment of the point A with respect to the origin O set on the embroidery frame 13 is written in the data area 1 of the RAM. Next, the embroidery frame 13 is moved upward by pressing the Y setting key 37, and the point C is positioned below the needle point. Here, the coordinate input key 39 is pressed, and the coordinates of the point C are stored in the data area 1 of the RAM. Then, by the same operation of the X and Y setting keys 36 and 37, the point E is positioned below the needle point. When the coordinate input key 39 is pressed, three points A, C and E are set in the data area 1.
And the specified number of coordinates has been entered, and the next (S13)
Proceed to. In this case, after the point C is positioned below the needle point, if the embroidery frame is moved rightward by the fixed amount X1 in the same manner as described above by pressing the X setting key 36, the current writing point C of the original picture and the next The distance from the writing point increases, which is not preferable. In such a case, the X reduction key 25 (24 is an X enlargement key) is set in advance by reducing the amount of movement of the embroidery frame 13 in the X direction as X2 and X3. The moving amount is displayed on the indicator 23. The above is a description of the case where the original image OP1 is traced to the left from the start point A. When the original image OP1 is traced to the right from the start point, the same operation is repeatedly performed using the X setting key 35 and the Y setting key 38. (S9) to (S12) This is an input loop when a straight line input is specified. (S5) to (S8)
The input is performed in the same manner as in the input loop described above, and if it is determined in (S12) that the designated number of coordinates has been input, the process proceeds to the next (S13). In FIG. 7, since the arc input is designated, the designated number of coordinates is three points A, C, and E. (S13) An arc or a straight line is displayed on the display device LCD. In FIG. 7, an arc connecting the three points A, C and E is displayed on the display device LCD. (S14) In the step of determining whether the input point has returned to the start point A,
The input operation of (S2) to (S14) is repeated, and in FIG. 7, the user makes a round around the heart-shaped figure OP1, returns to the starting point A, and presses the coordinate input key 39. Proceed to (S15). (S15) In the step of judging whether or not the input end key 29 has been operated, in FIG. 7, if it is operated at the time when the coordinate input of the circular graphic OP2 has been completed, the process proceeds to (S19). Proceed to (S16). (S16) This is a step for determining whether the stop key 28 for changing the color of the upper thread has been operated. In this embodiment, the color change is considered in units of the original images OP1 and OP2 in FIG. , The coordinate input starting from the starting point A is 1
When the operation returns to the start point A and the operation returns to the input of the next original image OP2, the operation is selected. When the stop key 28 is operated, the process proceeds to (S17). (S17) When the stop key 28 is operated, the star mark is turned on at the point A as shown in FIG. 8, and the process returns to (S1). If the stop key 28 is not operated, the process returns to (S1) without lighting the star. When the stop key 28 is operated, the sewing machine stops at this position during embroidering, and a message "Please replace the upper thread" is displayed on the display device. The state such as the display of the sewing machine is cleared by replacing the upper thread and driving the sewing machine again. The above operation is repeated, and the input of the original images OP1 and OP2 is completed. When the input end key 29 is operated in (S15), the operation proceeds to (S19). (S19) In the step of determining whether or not the edit release key 30 has been operated, if the edit release key 30 has been operated, the flow proceeds to (S20); otherwise, the flow proceeds to the following steps (S21). (S20) This is a data conversion step. When the edit cancel key 30 is operated, the coordinate data in the data area 1 is converted into stitch data by the coordinate conversion program, and the process proceeds to (S25) and stored in the data area 2 of the RAM. . The stitch data is data of straight stitching along the contour line of the original image, and the stitch pitch thereof can be set in advance by using a numeric keypad. (S21) to (S24) This is a processing procedure in the edit mode. If the stylus tip is located at an arbitrary position on the contour line of the original image without operating the edit release key 30, the first edit mode is set, and the stylus tip is contoured. If it is located at an arbitrary position in the line, the second editing mode is set. Each of these editing modes can be freely selected by moving the position of the needle tip with respect to the original image until the stitch key is operated. In the first editing mode, when a desired key, for example, the stitch key 21 among the stitch keys 20 to 22 is pressed in (S23), the data is stored in the data area 1 of the RAM by the conversion program for the first editing mode. The coordinate data is converted, and a stitch having a width inside the contour line is displayed on the display device LCD by the display program as shown in FIG. 10, and an embroidery pattern as shown in FIG. Is done. Similarly, in the second editing mode, in (S23), a desired key among the stitch keys 20 to 22, for example, the stitch key
When the user presses 21, the coordinate data stored in the data area 1 of the RAM is converted by the conversion program for the second editing mode, and the display program fills the display device with stitches as shown in FIG. The exhausted display is performed, and an embroidery pattern as shown in FIG. FIGS. 12 and 13 show display examples when the stitch key 22 is operated in the first edit mode and the second edit mode, respectively. (S25) (S26) In (S25), stitch data of straight stitching along the contour line of the original image converted in (S20), the first edited data or the second edited data converted in (S24) One of the conversion data is in the data area 2 of the RAM
And displayed on the display device LCD in (S26). (S27) to (S29) (S27) is a step of determining whether or not the registration key 31 has been operated. When the registration key 31 has been operated, the process proceeds to (S29) and the stitch data in the data area 2 of the RAM is stored in the external memory. The data is written to the storage medium 43. When the sewing mode key 41 is operated without operating the registration key 31, the program of the pattern input processing is terminated by the discrimination in (S28), the sewing mode is set, and embroidery sewing is enabled. 2) Second Embodiment-Schematic Configuration of Embroidery Sewing Machine The schematic configuration of the embroidery sewing machine of the second embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. In these figures, the first embodiment (FIG. 3, FIG.
Parts and parts similar to those shown in FIG. 15 and 16, reference numeral 15 'denotes a control panel of the sewing machine, which is different from the first embodiment in that an X setting dial 50 is used instead of the X and Y setting keys 35 to 38 of the first embodiment. , Y setting dial 51 and no display device. That is, the present embodiment is directed to a sewing machine having no display device. In this embodiment, the X setting dial 50 and the Y setting dial are used.
When the original image is traced by 51 and the coordinate input key 39 is operated, the upper axis of the sewing machine makes one revolution, leaving a needle hole in the original image of line drawing, and the coordinates of the point are stored in the data area 1 of the RAM. The state of the input mark is confirmed by the needle holes, and by continuing the input, the outline of the input figure remains as a plurality of needle holes in the original image, and the input state can be confirmed. In the present embodiment, the upper axis of the sewing machine is rotated once by using the coordinate input keys 39 to input coordinates, leaving a needle hole in the original line drawing and storing the coordinates of the point in the data area 1 of the RAM. But manually rotate the upper shaft of the sewing machine about once,
It is also possible to configure so that the coordinates of the point are stored in the data area 1 of the RAM. Next, a schematic configuration of the control circuit will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the same components as in the first embodiment (FIG. 6)
The parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that, instead of the X and Y setting keys 35 to 38 of the first embodiment, an X setting dial 5 is used.
0, the use of the Y setting dial 51 and the absence of the display device. Further, the read-only memory ROM differs from the first embodiment in that the display program (for LCD) among the input control programs in the input mode is not stored. Others are the same as the first embodiment. Next, the input processing procedure of the original pattern will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 2. FIG. First, in FIG. 14, the same steps as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. In this figure, the points different from the first embodiment are the three steps, which are different from the steps (S6 ') and (S10') and the input result to the LCD of (S13) in the first embodiment. There is no step to display. Steps (S6 ') and (S10') are steps in which the upper end of the sewing machine makes one rotation by operating the coordinate input key 39, leaving a needle hole in the original image, and moving to the next (S7) (S11). In FIG. 14, when the input of the original image pattern is completed and the input end key 29 is operated, the process proceeds to the step (S19) of the flowchart of FIG. 2 indicated by the page connector “2” in (S15). However, in the second embodiment, the step (S2
There is no step of displaying the input result shown in 6) on the display device LCD. Others are all the same. 3) Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The third embodiment is similar to the X setting dial 5 of the second embodiment.
0, Y setting dial 51 and X setting dial 50, Y setting dial 51 and various keys used in the input mode among various keys, etc. are combined into one frame 53, and an input device 55 which is detachably attached to the sewing machine by a connection cable 54. And is used only at the time of inputting the original image pattern, and is functionally the same as the second embodiment. With this configuration, it is possible to make the input device 55 optional, and in the sewing mode, the control panel 15 ″ has no operation unit such as an extra key mainly used in the input mode, so that the design is simple. However, there is an advantage that the operation in the sewing mode is simplified.

【The invention's effect】

As described above, according to the present invention, the input of an embroidery pattern does not require an input device such as a digitizer as in the related art, and the input of an embroidery pattern does not require specialized knowledge and technology. And the like, an effect that an embroidery pattern can be easily input can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 13 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is the first half of a flowchart showing the original image pattern input processing procedure, and FIG. 2 is the second half of the flowchart showing the original image pattern input processing procedure. The part except for (S26) in the figure is common to the latter half of the flowchart showing the original image pattern input processing procedure of the second embodiment and the third embodiment. 3 is an external perspective view of the sewing machine viewed from the entire surface, FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the sewing machine viewed from the rear, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of the control panel, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control circuit, FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the input of the original image, FIG.
FIG. 10 is a display example in the first edit mode, FIG. 11 is a display example in the second edit mode, and FIG. 12 is a display example when a different stitch key is operated in FIG. 10 in the first edit mode. FIG. 13 is a display example at the time of operating a stitch key different from FIG. 11 in the second editing mode. FIGS. 14 to 17 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is the first half of the flowchart showing the original image pattern input processing procedure, FIG. 15 is an external perspective view of the sewing machine viewed from the entire surface, FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a main part of the control panel, and FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a control circuit. is there. FIG. 18 is an external perspective view of the sewing machine viewed from the entire surface according to the third embodiment. 1 is a sewing machine, 10 is a seam forming portion, 11 is a needle bar, 12 is a needle, 13
Is the hoop, 43 is the external storage device, LCD is the display device, OP
Is an original image, RAM is a temporary storage device built in the sewing machine, XM is an X stepping motor as an actuator, and YM is a Y stepping motor as an actuator.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP 1-16786 (JP, B2) JP 6-102113 (JP, B2)

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A stitch forming portion having a needle mounted on a lower end of a needle bar which moves up and down by a driving device, and a thread wheel catcher which cooperates with the needle to capture a thread loop formed by the needle; A sewing machine having an embroidery frame capable of holding a work cloth and being driven in an X direction and a Y direction orthogonal to the X direction by an actuator on a sewing work surface of the stitch forming section by a driving section driven by embroidery data. A means for generating coordinate information and shape information as a contour line from an original image, a display device for displaying the contour line, and a first device for temporarily storing the information
Storage means, and second storage means for storing stitch data generated by converting the information stored in the storage means,
The stitch data stored in the second storage means is converted as straight stitches of at least the given pitch on the contour, stitches of a fixed width inside the contour, and stitches covering the entire inside of the contour. An embroidery pattern input device for a sewing machine, wherein the embroidery pattern input device is any one of the generated data. Means for generating coordinate information and shape information as contour lines from the original image, moving the embroidery frame by operating the actuator, and tracing the original image on the embroidery frame with a needle point. 2. The embroidery pattern input device for a sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the embroidery pattern input device recognizes a contour line based on the coordinate information and the shape information. 3. The embroidery pattern input device for a sewing machine according to claim 1, further comprising stitch selection means for selecting the stitch type to be converted. 4. The input of the contour line is performed by moving the embroidery frame in one of the X and Y2 directions by a certain amount for each operation, and tracing the movement of the embroidery frame in the other direction on the original image by the operation. 3. The embroidery pattern input device for a sewing machine according to claim 2, wherein the contour of the original image on the embroidery frame is intermittently traced by performing a desired amount for the embroidery frame.