JP3144070B2 - Embroidery data creation 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 embroidery data creating apparatus for creating embroidery-related data necessary for executing an embroidery operation in a sewing machine for embroidering a figure comprising one or more embroidery areas on a work cloth. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an embroidery sewing machine for automatically executing an embroidery forming operation on a work cloth is operated based on stitch data for designating each needle drop point. The present applicant has automatically created embroidery-related data (such as the stitch data or block data) in such an embroidery sewing machine, and has developed an embroidery data creation apparatus for correcting and editing the data. (Eg, Japanese Patent Application No. 1-266546).
No.).

[0003] This embroidery data creating apparatus is configured by connecting an image scanner, a keyboard, a hard disk drive, a CRT display, and the like to a personal computer body, for example. For example, stitch data is created from an original image of an embroidery figure created by an operator as follows. That is, first, from the image data obtained by reading the original image with the image scanner,
Outline data that defines the outline of each embroidery area of the embroidery figure is determined.

[0004] From the outline data, each embroidery area is divided into a plurality of blocks such as quadrangles continuous in the embroidery traveling direction, and block data indicating the positions of the vertices of each block is created. Further, by performing so-called single stitch development from the block data, stitch data for designating a needle drop position for each stitch is created. At this time, the data at each stage is stored, for example, on a hard disk. It is well known that stitch data is created directly from outline data without using block data.

In general, when newly creating stitch data as described above, the embroidery sewing machine performs test sewing to check the embroidery state, and corrects the stitch data when necessary. I have to. In this case, directly correcting the stitch data is extremely time-consuming, so the outline data is called and corrected, and the corrected outline data is developed into the stitch data again.

[0006]

By the way, as shown in FIG. 7, in the embroidery pattern A of, for example, "petals", two adjacent portions of the inner embroidery region R1 and the outer embroidery region R2 are connected. Embroidery is performed in such a manner that each embroidery thread is stitched with a different color. In this case, the embroidery area R1
The stitch data for each of the embroidery areas R1 and R2 is created from the two outline data of the outline data indicating the outline of the embroidery area R2 and the outline data indicating the outline of the embroidery area R2.

Here, when the operator wants to correct the stitch data, for example, the outline data of the embroidery area R1 is called, the constituent points are picked up and moved, and the outline data (the embroidery area R1) is moved.
Is corrected.

However, if the corrected constituent point is located at the boundary with the embroidery area R2, the outline data of the embroidery area R2 can be obtained simply by correcting the outline data of the embroidery area R1. Since the (stitch data) is the same as before, when embroidery is performed, a situation may occur in which embroidery overlaps or the interval increases at the boundary between the embroidery area R1 and the embroidery area R2. For this reason, in the conventional embroidery data creation device, when correcting the outline data of the embroidery region R1, the outline data of the embroidery region R2 adjacent thereto must also be corrected, and the trouble of the operator increases. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to simplify the work of correcting embroidery-related data when changing the shape of an embroidery area even if there are adjacent embroidery areas. The present invention provides an embroidery data creation device capable of performing the following.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an embroidery data generating apparatus for forming an embroidery of a figure comprising two or more embroidery areas on a work cloth. Storage means for storing embroidery-related data relating to each of the embroidery areas, and input means for instructing a change in the shape of the embroidery area. a data modifying means for modifying the embroidery relevant data relating to an embroidery area in question based on the instruction of the input means, the shape change of
Embroidery-related data for other embroidery areas adjacent to the embroidery area
Specifying means for specifying whether to modify the data,
When the modification is designated by the designation means, the embroidery-related data relating to another embroidery area adjacent to the embroidery area whose shape has been changed is also modified in accordance with the modification of the data modification means. Region data correcting means.

An embroidery data creating apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention.
Embroidery a figure consisting of two or more embroidery areas on a work cloth
Contour of each embroidery area in the sewing machine to be formed
Embroidery operation from outline data
Creates the necessary embroidery-related data.
Embroidery area outline data is independent for each embroidery area
Outline data storage means for storing in an
Input means for instructing a change in the shape of the embroidery area;
Based on the instruction of the input means, the outgoing embroidery area
Outline data correction means for correcting outline data
And according to the correction of the outline data correction means,
Of another embroidery area adjacent to the embroidery area whose shape has been changed.
An adjacent area data correction method that also corrects outline data
And a step.

[0012] In this case, the embroidery area may include an embroidery area composed of only lines .

[0013]

According to the embroidery data creating apparatus of the first aspect , when the input means instructs to change the shape of the embroidery area, the embroidery-related data of the corresponding embroidery area stored in the storage means is stored. , Are corrected by data correction means. Then, by the designation means, the embroidery area is adjacent to the embroidery area.
Correction of embroidery-related data for another embroidery area is specified.
Then, in accordance with the correction, the embroidery-related data relating to the embroidery area adjacent to the embroidery area whose shape has been changed is also corrected by the adjacent area data correction means.

Therefore, even if the operator wants to change the shape of the boundary portion when there is an adjacent embroidery area, the operator only needs to instruct the shape change for one embroidery area, and the embroidery related to another adjacent embroidery area can be changed. Modification of data
Can be automatically executed . Moreover, neighbors
If you do not want to change the shape of other embroidery areas,
Embroidery for other neighboring embroidery areas
Related data can be left unchanged.

According to the embroidery data creating device of the second aspect,
When the input means instructs to change the shape of the embroidery area,
Applicable from the outline data storage means
Outline data that defines the outline of the embroidery area
The data is corrected by the trial data correcting means. This place
Creates embroidery-related data necessary for performing embroidery operations
Since the outline data of the previous stage is corrected,
You can change the shape of the embroidery area without hassle
it can.

Then, the shape is changed according to the correction.
Outline data of the embroidery area adjacent to the embroidery area
Will be automatically corrected at the same time,
At this time, the outline data of each embroidery area is
Since each is provided in an independent form, the embroidery area
If the outline of the area touches,
If the embroidery areas overlap, or if adjacent embroidery areas
Supports when outlines are separated by a specified width
And appropriate corrections can be made.

The embroidery area is not limited to an area having a fixed area surrounded by a predetermined contour line, but may include an area composed only of lines. Can be done .

[0018]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, FIG.
The case where the shape of one “petal” portion in the embroidery figure A of “flower” as shown in FIG.

First, although not shown, the embroidery sewing machine will be briefly described. The embroidery sewing machine performs a sewing operation by a sewing needle and a shuttle mechanism while moving a work cloth arranged on a sewing machine bed to a predetermined position indicated by an x, y coordinate system unique to the apparatus by a horizontal movement mechanism. A predetermined embroidery is applied to the work cloth.

In this case, the horizontal moving mechanism, the needle bar and the like are controlled by a control device. Therefore, the movement amount (needle drop position) of the work cloth in the x and y directions for each stitch, etc. Is given, the control device can automatically execute the embroidery operation. The embroidery data creation device according to the present embodiment has a function of creating such stitch data.

In recent years, an embroidery sewing machine that executes an embroidery operation while automatically performing one-stitch development by providing block data as embroidery-related data has been provided. When the embroidery sewing machine has such a function, the embroidery data creation device only needs to perform processing up to creation of block data, and the final stitch data is equivalent regardless of which one is created. .

Next, the overall configuration of the embroidery data creating apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 shows the overall appearance of the embroidery data creation device. Here, the creation device body 1 is composed of, for example, a general-purpose personal computer body, and as shown in FIG.
U2, ROM3, RAM4, floppy disk drive (FDD) 5, and input / output interface 6 are connected to each other via a bus 7.

The CRT display 8 for displaying the embroidery figure A or the like on the screen 8a, the input means of the present invention for the operator to give various instructions, and the like.
A keyboard 9 and a mouse 10 as designating means , for example, an image scanner 11 for inputting image data of an original image of the embroidery figure A newly created by an operator, and a hard disk drive for storing a file of the created data. External storage device 12 is connected via the input / output interface 6.

The ROM 3 stores a program for executing creation of embroidery-related data such as stitch data and a program for editing and correcting the created data. As shown in FIG. 4, the RAM 4 has a counter 4a, a block data area 4b, a stitch data area 4c, and an outline data area 4c.
d and the like are provided together with the working area 4e.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the creation apparatus main body 1 first reads the image of the graphic A by the image scanner 11 and, based on the image data, outline data for defining the outline of each embroidery area of the embroidery graphic A. Create Next, from the outline data, each embroidery area is divided into a plurality of blocks such as quadrangles continuous in the embroidery traveling direction, and block data indicating the positions of the vertices of each block is created. Then, by performing so-called single stitch development from the block data, stitch data for designating a needle drop position for each stitch is created.

Each data created in this way is stored in the data area of the RAM 4 each time it is created. After the creation process is completed, each data file is stored in the external storage device 12. Therefore, the RAM 4 or the external storage device 12 functions as a storage unit according to the present invention.

When, for example, new stitch data is created using the embroidery data creating apparatus configured as described above, the operator causes the embroidery sewing machine to perform trial sewing and checks the state of the embroidery. For example, when it is desired to change the shape of each embroidery area constituting the embroidery figure, the user can operate the keyboard 9 to execute a data correction program. In the present embodiment, this correction operation is performed by correcting the outline data, and thereafter, the corrected outline data is developed into the stitch data again.

At this time, the creating apparatus body 1 corrects the outline data relating to the corresponding embroidery area based on the instruction of the operator by the software configuration, and the outline data relating to another embroidery area adjacent to the embroidery area. Is also configured to correct. Therefore, the creation apparatus main body 1 functions as the data correcting means and the adjacent area data correcting means according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, the outline data
Next to the embroidery area where the shape was changed (the shape was changed)
Outline data on the embroidery area of the
Data and stitch data)
Can be specified by the operator using the keyboard 9 or the like.
ing. The details of the outline data correction processing procedure will be clarified in the description of the flowchart below.

Next, the operation of the embroidery data creating apparatus thus constructed will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 5 to 7. For example, the embroidery figure A of "flower" as shown in FIG. 7A is composed of nine embroidery areas R1 to R9, and one "petal" portion is also shown in FIG. As described above, the embroidery area is composed of two embroidery areas R1 and R2 in which embroidery is performed in different colors on the inside and outside. Here,
In order to avoid complicating the description, it is assumed that all the outlines (outlines) of the embroidery regions R1 and R2 are formed of straight lines.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the embroidery area R1
Are composed of the constituent points P1, P2, P3, P4, P
5, P6 (, P1) are sequentially connected by a straight line. On the other hand, the outline of the embroidery region R2 is
7, P8, P9, P4, P3 (, P2) are sequentially connected by a straight line. These outline data of the embroidery regions R1 and R2, as shown in FIG. 6, Ri Do from the data of their construction point coordinates, a separate form for each embroidery area
Is provided . In this case, the coordinate system is set so that the value of the coordinates does not become negative, and the coordinates (-1,-) containing the negative value are set.
The coordinates up to the point before 1) are the coordinates of the constituent points.

Although not shown, if the outline has an arc shape, the point at each end of the arc and any one of the intermediate points may be used.
Outline data is set by setting a point as a constituent point and adding data indicating an arc.

Now, for the shapes of the embroidery areas R1 to R9 shown in FIGS. 7A and 5, the operator changes the color of the “petal” as shown in FIG. 7B, for example. In some cases, the shape of (the boundary between the embroidery areas R1 and R2) may be changed so as to mesh in a so-called sawtooth shape, so that the two embroidery threads are mixed to blur the color. In such a case, the operator operates the keyboard 9 to activate the data correction program. Then, the creation apparatus main body 1 executes a data correction process according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, first, in step S1, all outline data relating to the embroidery figure A is read. The outline data is as shown in FIG. 6 described above, and based on this outline data, C
An outline of the embroidery figure A as shown in FIG. 7A is displayed on the screen 8a of the RT display 8.

In the next step S2, the operator is asked whether or not the outline data (shape of the embroidery area) is to be corrected. If the operator selects to perform the correction work (Yes in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3. To specify the outline to be modified (the embroidery area whose shape is to be changed).
In this case, for example, the embroidery area R1 (or the embroidery area R2) is selected. In step S4, step S3
It is determined whether there is an outline adjacent to the outline specified by. In the example of the embroidery area R1 described above,
Since there is an adjacent embroidery area R2, the determination result is Yes.

Then, in step S5, the operator
The outline data of the adjacent embroidery area R2 (embroidery
The operation to specify whether to modify the
In other words, when it is specified that correction is to be made (step S
(Yes at 5), proceed to the next step S6 and do not modify
If it is specified (No in step S5),
The process proceeds to step S8 described below.

In step S6 , an outline correction operation is performed by the operator. This correction operation is performed by, for example, operating the mouse 10 on the screen 8a of the CRT display 8 to designate a constituent point and move the constituent point. For example, a constituent point P3 is designated, and the point P3 is moved to a desired position on the screen 8a up, down, left, and right. Then, the coordinates (25, 5) of the original point P3 are corrected to the coordinates of the moved position.

In step S7 , the outline data of the outline (embroidery area R2) adjacent to the specified outline (embroidery area R1) is corrected. This correction is to search for a component point having the same coordinates as the component point specified in step S6, and to correct the coordinates if moved, in step S6. In the case of the above construction point P3, the embroidery area R2
Are also common, so the coordinates are corrected.

At this time, in step S6 , when the number of constituent points is insufficient to deform the outline,
Specifies the addition of a point. For example, as shown in FIG.
When a new component point P10 is added to the intermediate portion on the line connecting the component points P2 and P3, the line connecting the points P2 and P3 is common to both the embroidery area R1 and the embroidery area R2. Therefore, the data of the constituent point P10 is also added to the outline data of the embroidery area R2.

After the outline data is corrected, the process returns to step S2, and it is asked whether to continue the correction. On the other hand, if there is no outline adjacent to the outline specified in step S3,
( No in step S4), and outlying neighbors
Is specified (step S
No in step 5), in step S8 , the above step S
Correction work similar to that of Step 6 is performed, and the process returns to Step S2.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the correction work is not to be performed, the corrected outline data is stored in the external storage device 12 in step S9 . When stitch data is created from the outline data (Yes in step S10 ), the stitch data is first developed into block data by a known method (step S1).
1 ) After that, it is developed into stitch data (step
S12 ). Finally, the stitch data is created and stored in the external storage device 12 (step S 13).

According to this embodiment, the operator only needs to correct the outline data of one embroidery area, and automatically corrects the outline data of the embroidery area adjacent to the embroidery area. Will be done. Therefore, when the shape of the boundary portion between two embroidery areas is changed as in the related art, one outline data must be corrected, and then the outline data of the adjacent embroidery area must be corrected. In contrast, the operator only needs to correct the outline data for one embroidery area. As a result, the correction work is simplified as compared with the related art, and the burden on the operator is greatly reduced.

Moreover, the shape of another embroidery area adjacent to the embroidery area is changed.
If you do not want to do this, the operator will indicate so.
If you change the outline data of another embroidery area
Without the need to change
Outline data can be modified more finely according to
It is a function.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the case where two embroidery areas R1 and R2 are adjacent to each other and there is a configuration point common to both outline data is described as an example. However, the embroidery figure B of “petal” in this embodiment is As shown in FIG. 8, two adjacent embroidery areas R11 and R12 partially overlap by a predetermined width, that is, embroidery partially overlaps.

In this case as well, the constituent points P11 to P11 of the embroidery area R11
The coordinates of P20 and the coordinates of the constituent points P21 to P27 of the embroidery area R12 are stored as outline data. Here, the constituent points P13 and P21 and the constituent points P14 and P21 are stored here.
22, the constituent points P15 and P23 and the constituent points P16 and P24 are in a corresponding relationship, and when one constituent point is moved and corrected, the other constituent point must be moved by the same moving distance. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the correspondence is stored in outline data in advance.
In FIG. 9, the coordinates (-1, -1) indicate that there is no corresponding constituent point.

With such a data structure,
Just as in the above embodiment, the outline data of the embroidery area adjacent to the embroidery area can be automatically corrected by simply performing the operation of correcting the outline data of one of the embroidery areas. The modification work can be easily completed.

In each of the above embodiments, the embroidery area is
A case has been described in which a target having a certain area surrounded by a predetermined contour line is embroidered with a seam that fills the embroidery area. For example, as shown in FIG. , It is possible to facilitate the correction work in various types of embroidery.

That is, the embroidery figure C of "petals" shown in FIG. 10A has an outer embroidery area R21 and an inner embroidery area R
22 and an embroidery area R23 composed of a so-called sawtooth line located at the boundary between the embroidery areas R23. As shown in FIG.
Embroidery is performed to fill the area 22, and embroidery is performed by zigzag stitching along the embroidery area R23. Also in this case, by storing the constituent points of each embroidery area in association with each other, the constituent points of one outline
Individual outline data can be automatically corrected.

[0049] In the above you施例, adjacent embroidery area
Whether to modify the outline data of the
It is configured that over data specifies, by modifying one of the outline data of the adjacent embroidery region, so as to automatically correct the outline data of the embroidery region other <br/> hand unconditionally configuration You can also.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the embroidery areas are adjacent to each other has been described as an example where the embroidery areas are adjacent to each other. When there is another embroidery area through a predetermined width, or as in the embroidery figure D shown in FIG. 11, the outline of the outer circumference of the inner embroidery area R31 is the outline of the inner circumference of the outer annular embroidery area R32. Even if they match,
The present invention can be applied to the case where the embroidery areas are adjacent to each other.

In addition, the present invention can be implemented with appropriate changes without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, instead of correcting outline data, block data as embroidery-related data may be corrected. Things.

[0052]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the embroidery data creating apparatus of the present invention, by modifying the embroidery-related data of one embroidery area, the embroidery-related data relating to the embroidery area adjacent to the embroidery area is corrected. Can also be corrected automatically
Since that, when changing the shape of the embroidery region, even if there is adjacent embroidery area, in which exhibits a practically superior effect of being able to dispense easily correcting work of embroidery related data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for correcting outline data.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing contents of a RAM;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an outline of an embroidery figure;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of outline data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an embroidery figure;

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5, showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of an embroidery figure showing another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an outline of an embroidery figure showing another different embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 1 is a main body of the creating apparatus, 2 is a CPU, 3 is a ROM,
4 is a RAM, 8 is a CRT display, 9 is a keyboard, 10 is a mouse, 11 is an image scanner, 12 is an external storage device, and A, B, C, and D are embroidery figures.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An embroidery-related data necessary for performing an embroidery operation in a sewing machine that forms an embroidery of a figure composed of two or more embroidery areas on a work cloth is created. Storage means for storing embroidery-related data; input means for instructing a change in the shape of the embroidery area; data correction means for correcting the embroidery-related data for the corresponding embroidery area based on an instruction from the input means; In another embroidery area adjacent to the embroidery area whose shape has been changed,
Specify whether to modify the embroidery related data
And because of the designating means, when the modifications specified by the specifying means, in response to said modification of data modification means, also fixes the embroidery relevant data for other embroidery area adjacent to the embroidery region shape is changed An embroidery data creating apparatus, comprising: 2. Embroidery of a figure comprising two or more embroidery areas
Each of the needles in a sewing machine formed on a work cloth.
Embroidery from outline data that defines the outline of the embroidery area
Creates embroidery-related data necessary for performing the operation.
I, said the outline data of each embroidery area, each embroidery area each
Data storage means for storing data in an independent form
When an input means for instructing a change of shape of the embroidery region
If, Au embroidery area in question based on the instruction of the input means
Outline data correction means for correcting outline data
And according to the correction of the outline data correcting means,
Outer areas of other embroidery areas adjacent to the embroidery area whose shape has been changed
Adjacent area data correction means for correcting even the trial data
An embroidery data creation device, comprising: 3. The embroidery area comprises only lines.
Also according to claim 1, wherein that you become comprise those
Of embroidery data creation apparatus.