JP2880305B2 - Sewing machine image data processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image data processing apparatus for a sewing machine, and more particularly to an image data processing apparatus for a sewing machine capable of converting image data such as designs and characters input from an image input device into sewing data suitable for embroidery. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, embroidery data is stored in a memory such as a ROM or the like, and a sewing operator selects a desired embroidery pattern from a panel of a sewing machine at the time of sewing. A sewing machine is used.

When sewing an embroidery pattern using a sewing machine, it is generally necessary to pay attention to the shrinkage of the cloth during sewing. Was taken into account.

[0004]

In recent years, an image data processing apparatus for reading an original image pattern such as a pattern or a character to be embroidered from an image input device such as an image scanner and creating sewing data by image processing from the read original image data. Has been proposed.

However, in this image data processing apparatus, there is a problem that no consideration is given to shrinkage of the cloth during sewing because the original image pattern read from the image input apparatus is undefined. . In addition, there is a problem that the image of the embroidery pattern after sewing and the image of the original image pattern may be different.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image data processing apparatus for a sewing machine which eliminates the above-mentioned problems of the conventional apparatus and can automatically create embroidery data in which the shrinkage of the cloth during sewing is minimized. It is in.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image data storage unit for storing image data of an original pattern read from an image input device, and stores the image data in horizontal and vertical directions. Horizontal and vertical scanning means for reading the image data, black dot counting means for counting the number of continuous black dots from the image data read from the image data storage unit, and the number of continuous black dots is predetermined. When the number is less than the predetermined number, there is provided a missing black dot adding means for adding a missing black dot so as to reach the predetermined number.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the image data in the selected direction is read from the image data storage by one of the horizontal scanning means and the vertical scanning means. In the read image data, the number of continuous black dots is counted by the black dot counting means, and if the number is smaller than a predetermined number, for example, three, the missing black dots are added by the insufficient black dot adding means. Is done.

As a result, a graphic element having a narrow line width of one or two continuous black dots is expanded to a line width of three black dots. Therefore, when the embroidery pattern is sewn using the embroidery data obtained by converting the image data corrected by the present invention, the shrinkage of the cloth can be reduced as much as possible.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the appearance of an embroidery sewing machine to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an embroidery sewing machine capable of performing pattern sewing using normal needles and cloth feed and embroidery sewing for driving and controlling an embroidery frame. Start / stop key 1
1, liquid crystal display section 12, pattern selection section 13, operation key section 1
4. A card reader / writer unit 15 for reading data from and writing data to the RAM card is provided.

Reference numeral 16 denotes an embroidery frame for holding an embroidery cloth. The embroidery frame is detachably fixed to a carriage (not shown) connected to driving means for X and Y driving.
The method of driving the embroidery frame is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2-134217 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-28392) filed earlier by the present applicant.
), The description is omitted.

The operation key section 14 includes an image scanner input mode selection key 14a for selecting an image scanner input mode, and an embroidery instruction for converting original image data read from an image input device described later into embroidery data. A data conversion key 14b and the like are included. Further, the liquid crystal display unit 12 displays a message for instructing a sewing operator on an operation procedure of the sewing machine, original image data read from the image input device, and the like.

Reference numeral 20 denotes an image scanner as an example of an image input device.
Is provided. The image scanner 20 is electrically and mechanically connected to the embroidery sewing machine 10 by a dedicated cable 21 and a plug (not shown).

Reference numeral 30 denotes a sheet on which an original image pattern is written. Preferably, white paper is used as the paper 30, on which original patterns such as characters and pictures having a line width of 1 mm or more are drawn with a black pen or the like.

As the image scanner 20, for example, a scanner having an effective reading width of 63 mm, binary grayscale output, and 504 main scanning effective pixels can be used.

Next, an outline of a hardware configuration of the embroidery sewing machine 10 will be described with reference to a block diagram of FIG. In addition,
4 that are the same as or equivalent to those in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 40 denotes a central processing unit for controlling the entire operation of the embroidery sewing machine. Reference numeral 41 denotes image data storage means for storing image data read by the image reading device 20. 42 is a data processing means for performing processing such as noise removal from the image data stored in the image data storage means 41, and 43 is a data processing means 42
Is processing data storage means for storing the data processed in step (1).

Reference numeral 44 denotes embroidery data storage means.
The embroidery data storage means 44 corresponds to the RAM card 18 or the like mounted on the card reader / writer section 15,
The embroidery data storage means 44 stores embroidery data obtained by converting the data stored in the processing data storage means 43 by the central processing unit 40.

Reference numeral 45 denotes internal pattern storage means, and 46 denotes program storage means. In this program storage means 46,
An image processing program such as a program for controlling the data processing means 42, a program for converting data stored in the processing data storage means 43 into embroidery data, and a control program for controlling the overall operation of the embroidery sewing machine Is stored.

Reference numeral 47 denotes a rotational speed command means, which corresponds to a controller or the like which can be freely operated by a sewing person. 4
Reference numeral 8 denotes a sewing machine motor drive circuit that operates in response to the rotation speed command means, and 49 denotes a sewing machine motor. Reference numeral 50 denotes sewing machine motor rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the sewing machine motor 49. Reference numeral 51 denotes an upper shaft rotation phase detecting means for detecting a rotation phase of the upper shaft of the sewing machine.

Further, 52 is a stepping motor drive circuit for driving the embroidery frame on which the cloth is stretched, 53 is an X-axis drive stepper motor driven by the drive circuit 52, and 54 is a Y-axis drive stepper motor. .

Next, a schematic operation of the embroidery sewing machine having the above configuration will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

First, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on to turn on the embroidery sewing machine, an initial setting is performed (step S1). Next, mode selection is performed by the mode selection means in the operation key section 14 (step S2), and when the lockstitch mode is selected (step S2).
3 is negative), and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, when a pattern is selected from the pattern selection unit 13, the central processing unit 40 selects sewing data for the selected pattern from the internal pattern storage unit 45.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5, where the user presses the start / stop key 11 (step S5).
6 is affirmative), the central processing unit 40 reads the sewing data from the internal pattern storage means 45 in response to the detection signal from the upper shaft rotation phase detection means 51, and supplies it to the stepping motor drive circuit 52. The stepping motor drive circuit 52 drives the X-axis driving stepping motor 53 and the Y-axis driving stepping motor 54 based on the supplied embroidery data. The sewing in the lockstitching mode is executed as described above (step S7).

Next, in step S8, there is a key input,
When it is determined that this key is the start / stop key 11 (Yes at step S9), the processing in the lockstitch mode is ended.

Next, the operation of reading an original image pattern from the image reading device 20 and creating embroidery data will be described.

Before turning on the power of the sewing machine 10, a RAM card is set in the card reader / writer section 15,
Turn on the power. Then, the sewing machine is initially set as described above (step S1). Next, mode selection is performed by the mode selection means (step S2). When the embroidery mode is selected (step S3 is affirmative), it is determined whether image input or embroidery is performed (step S10).

If it is determined that the image input has been selected by the image scanner input mode selection key 14a (Yes at Step S10), the process proceeds to Step S11.
The sewing machine enters the image scanner input mode, and a message indicating, for example, "Press a reading start button of the image scanner" is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 12. On the other hand, when it is determined that the embroidery stitch is selected by the sewing operator (No at Step S10), the process proceeds to Step S14 and proceeds to the process of pattern selection.

In response to the message in step S11, the sewing man places the paper on which the original pattern is drawn on a flat surface, and places the image scanner 20 on the paper.
When the user moves the original image pattern from the beginning to the last position while pressing the reading start button 22, the original image pattern is converted into binary data and stored in the image data storage means 41 provided in the sewing machine.

When the above storage is completed, step S12 is performed.
The binary data stored in the image data storage means 41 is subjected to processing such as compression processing and noise removal by the data processing means 42, and is stored in the processing data storage means 43. The original image data stored in the processing data storage unit 43 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 12. Note that the processing data storage unit 43 is provided in the image data storage unit 4.
It may be the same as 1.

The original image data stored in the processing data storage means 43 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 12. Therefore,
The user of the sewing machine confirms from the characters and pictures displayed on the liquid crystal display section 12 that the input data does not contain noise and is correctly input, and then operates the operation keys 14.
When the embroidery data conversion key is pressed, embroidery data is generated by the image processing program stored in the program storage means 46 and stored in the embroidery data storage means 44, ie, the RAM card (step S13).

As described above, the original image pattern read from the image reading device 20 is converted into embroidery data,
Stored on the AM card.

When embroidering characters or figures stored in the RAM card in this manner, the start / stop key 11 is turned on by key input (step S16 is affirmative). Then, the embroidery data is read from the RAM card, and the stepping motor drive circuit 52 drives the X and Y axis driving stepping motors 53 and 54 based on the embroidery data. As a result, beautiful embroidery stitches are formed on the cloth (step S17).

At step S14, an embroidery pattern is selected from the RAM card mounted on the card reader / writer 15 of the sewing machine. And start /
When the stop key 11 is turned on (Yes at Step S16), the process proceeds to Step S17, and the sewing of the embroidery pattern is executed.

In the embroidery sewing machine having the above-described structure and operating as described above, the present invention
There is a feature in that the image processing of No. 12 is improved, and an embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same or equivalent components as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals or with suffixes.

In the figure, 40a is a horizontal scanning means,
40b is a vertical scanning means. Reference numeral 41 denotes an image data storage unit, and reference numeral 42a denotes black dot counting means for counting the number of black dots of the image data read from the image data storage unit 41. The black dot counting means 42a is composed of, for example, a counter, and is reset when a white dot is input.

42b is a one-dot delay means, 42c is a latch means for latching the count value of the black dot counting means 42a when a white dot is input, and 42d is a latch means 42c.
Is an insufficient black dot adding means for adding an insufficient black dot when the number latched in is 1 or more. The missing black dot adding means 42d determines that the number of continuous black dots is, for example, "3".
Is determined in advance, the number of black dots is added to the number of black dots latched by the latch means 42c, and a total of 3
It works to be individual. On the other hand, if the number latched by the latch means 42c is 3 or more, the insufficient black dot adding means 42d does not output black dots. 42e is an OR gate.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, the image data stored in the image data storage unit 41 is scanned and read in the horizontal direction by the horizontal scanning unit 40a. In step S2, the black dot counting means 42a counts the number of black dots in the image data. The one-dot delay means 42b delays the image data by one dot and outputs it.

In step S3, the number of continuous black dots is counted by the black dot counting means 42a. The black dot counting means 42a counts up when black dots continue. Thereafter, when a white dot is input, the count value of the black dot counting means 42a is latched by the latch means 42c, and the black dot counting means 42a is reset.

Next, proceeding to step S3, it is determined whether or not the number of black dots is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of dots (for example, three). If this determination is negative, step S
Proceeding to No. 4, the missing black dots are added. On the other hand, when the determination in step S3 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S5.

In the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, the missing black dot adding means 42d monitors the value latched by the latching means 42c, and when the predetermined number is "3" as described above, the latching means 42d. It operates when the value of 42c is 1 or 2, and outputs an insufficient black dot to the OR gate. For example, when the value of the latch unit 42c is 1, two black dots are output, and when the value of the latch unit 42c is 2, one black dot is output. When the value of the latch means 42c is 0 or 3 or more, no black dot is output.

As described above, the image data storage unit 41
The image data read from the memory is a one-dot delay unit 42b.
After passing through the OR gate 42e, when the number of continuous black dots is less than three, the black dots are corrected to be continuous by the insufficient black dot adding means 42d and stored in the processing data storage means 43. Is done.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not one line in the horizontal direction has been checked. If the result is negative, the process returns to step S1 and the above processing is repeated. When step S6 becomes affirmative, the process proceeds to step S6, and it is determined whether or not all the rows have been checked. If this determination is negative, the process returns to step S1, and the above-described processing is executed again.

By the above operation, when step S6 becomes affirmative, it means that all the image data stored in the image data storage unit 41 has been processed.

For example, when the image data stored in the image data storage section 41 is as shown in FIG. 3A, the image data is converted as shown in FIG. You. For example, two consecutive black dots in the second row of FIG. 5A are converted into three consecutive black dots as shown in FIG. Similarly, two consecutive black dots in the fifth and seventh rows of FIG. 7A are added with one black dot as shown in FIG. It will be converted into three consecutive black dots.

Returning to FIG. 2, the processing of steps S7 to S12 is executed following step S6. In this processing, image data stored in the image data storage unit 41 is scanned in the vertical direction, and the same processing as described above is performed.

In FIG. 1, the horizontal scanning means 4
The same operation as described above is performed by using the vertical scanning means 40b instead of 0a. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

In the example of FIG. 3, the first, second, fifth, and
Black dots are added on lines 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10;
One or two continuous black dots are converted into three continuous black dots by adding two or one black dot.

As described above, when a graphic element having one or two black dots and a thin line width is converted into sewing data as it is and sewing is performed, there is a high possibility that the cloth shrinks. According to the method, a graphic element having a small line width is automatically corrected to a line width of 3 dots, so that the problem that the cloth shrinks during sewing can be solved. Therefore, the sewn pattern has a shape similar to the original image pattern, and the quality of the embroidery pattern can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the predetermined number of dots is set to "3". However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the number of dots may be set to four or more. The number of dots may be freely selected by the sewing user from the panel of the sewing machine.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the narrow image data in both the horizontal and vertical directions are corrected. However, any one of them can improve the shrinkage of the embroidery thread as compared with the conventional one.

[0054]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when a graphic element smaller than a predetermined line width exists, the embroidery data of the line width is automatically corrected. Therefore, there is an effect that the cloth hardly shrinks after sewing.

Further, an embroidery pattern similar to the original image pattern can be created, and the quality of embroidery can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a specific explanatory diagram of the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embroidery sewing machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the embroidery sewing machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the embroidery sewing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

40a: horizontal scanning means, 40b: vertical scanning means, 42a: black dot counting means, 42b: one-dot delay means, 42c: latch means, 42d: insufficient black dot adding means.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image data storage unit for storing image data of an original image pattern read from an image input device, horizontal and vertical scanning means for reading the image data in horizontal and vertical directions, and the image data storage unit And black dot counting means for counting the number of continuous black dots from the image data read from the memory device. When the number of the continuous black dots is smaller than a predetermined number, the number of continuous black dots is insufficient to reach the predetermined number. A missing black dot adding unit for adding missing black dots to at least one of the image data read in the horizontal and vertical directions. An image data processing device for a sewing machine.