JP3550185B2 - Sewing machine with image processing function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a sewing machine having an image processing function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the operation of the sewing machine, in order to confirm the position of the needle drop and the sewing state, it was necessary for the operator to visually bring the face close to the needle.
For example, at the start of sewing, in order to confirm the sewing start position of the first needle, it is necessary to manually rotate the flywheel of the sewing machine, lower the needle, and then visually check the position close to the cloth. Further, in sewing small parts such as blind stitches, the operator drives the sewing machine while visually checking the face close to the needle drop position.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as described above, it is extremely dangerous to bring the face close to the needle drop position, and there is a problem in that performing this while driving the sewing machine is particularly dangerous.
In addition, there are many parts such as presser feet in addition to the needle near the needle drop position.
If the sewing machine is stopped every time it is visually inspected to prevent danger, there is a disadvantage that the working efficiency becomes extremely poor.
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention captures an image in the vicinity of a sewing machine needle drop portion including at least a needle hole and a feed dog, and outputs an image signal based on the image signal from the image input unit. Control means for outputting a signal for displaying, an image display means for displaying an image based on a signal for displaying an image from the control means, and an image input means comprising a presser foot near the sewing machine needle dropping portion. Focusing means for photographing an image including the presser foot in a descending state, and adjusting a focus of the image input means so as not to photograph the presser foot in a state where the presser foot is raised, is further provided. I was able to solve the problem.
Also, the present invention provides a focal length measuring means for measuring a focal length of the image input means to a photographing target, and a focus adjustment for adjusting a focus of the image input means based on the focal length measured by the focal length measuring means. The problem could be solved by further providing means.
Further, the present invention can solve the problem by further including means for enlarging or reducing an image captured by the image input means.
[0005]
[Action]
According to the above configuration, the image near the needle drop can be viewed by the image display means, so that it is not necessary to bring the face close to the needle drop, and the danger in work can be eliminated. Further, the visual recognition can be performed more reliably than the visual observation, and it is not necessary to stop the sewing machine every time the visual observation is performed, so that the working efficiency can be improved.
Furthermore, depending on the photographing position near the sewing machine needle drop part, even when cleaning the feed dog or the shuttle, the work can be visually performed by the image display means without bringing the face close, and the danger of the work can be avoided and the work can be similarly performed. It is possible to improve efficiency.
[0006]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, an image input device 1 is built in a head Y of a sewing machine main body X, and an image of the vicinity of a needle drop portion Z is taken from a lower end of the head Y.
In this embodiment, a CCD camera is used as the image input device 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, a signal from the image input device 1 is input to a control device 2 mainly composed of a microcomputer, where it is converted into a display signal and displayed on the image display device 3 via a display control device 13. It is supposed to be.
[0007]
The image display device 3 uses a liquid crystal display panel in this embodiment, and is disposed on the front surface of the upper arm of the sewing machine main body X as shown in FIG. 1 so that the operator can easily see it.
The image input start button 5 is used to start and stop shooting and display of the vicinity of the needle drop portion Z by the image input device 1. An operation command of the image input start button 5 is input to the control device 2. In response, the control device 2 controls the image input device 1 to photograph the vicinity of the needle drop portion Z, and displays the image on the image display device 3.
[0008]
The image input device 1 is provided with a focus adjustment device 4, and the operator can turn the focus adjustment dial 10 of the focus adjustment device 4 to adjust an image near the needle drop portion Z. .
[0009]
FIG. 4 shows an example of an image displayed on the image display device 3. FIG. 4A is an image in a state where the presser foot 31 is lowered, in which the feed dog 32, the needle plate 33, and the square plate 34 are displayed.
(B) shows a state in which the presser foot 31 is raised. The presser foot 31 is not displayed by adjusting the position and the depth of focus of the image input device 1 to appropriate ones. In this image, the feed dog 32, the needle plate 33, the square plate 34, and the needle hole 30 which is the needle drop portion Z are displayed.
(C) shows a state in which the edge is sewn with the cloth T placed. In this way, it is possible to visually observe the vicinity of the needle drop portion Z in the state where the sewing is actually being performed.
[0010]
The operation will be described with reference to FIG.
The control device 2 always checks the operation of the image input start button 5 (step S1), and causes the image display device 3 to perform a normal display until the operation is performed (step S2). When the image input start button 5 is operated, the image input device 1 is turned on (step S3), an image signal is input (step S4), and this is converted into a display signal (step S5). Control is performed to cause the image display device 3 to display an image near the needle drop portion Z (step S6). The operator looks at the image display device 3 and determines whether the focus is appropriate (step S7). If the focus is not appropriate, the operator operates the focus adjustment dial 10 to cause the focus adjustment device 4 to adjust the focus ( Step S8). Then, the image display with the correct focus is performed (step S9), and the image display is continued until the operation is completed by operating the image input start button 5 (step S10).
[0011]
5 and 6 show another embodiment including a zoom mechanism and an automatic focusing mechanism.
In this embodiment, a CCD camera having a zoom mechanism is used as the image input device 1 ′, and the zoom mechanism is driven by a zoom driving device 6.
A zoom operation switch 8 is provided on the front surface of the sewing machine main body X in addition to the image input start button 5. By operating the zoom operation switch 8, the control device 2 instructs the zoom drive device 6 via the zoom control device 12. And drives the image input apparatus 1 to the zoom-in or zoom-out side.
[0012]
The image input device 1 'is further provided with a focal length measuring device 7, which measures the focal length up to the vicinity of the needle drop portion Z to be photographed by the image input device 1'. The focal length measured by the focal length measuring device 7 is input to the control device 2, and the focal length comparing device 11 compares the current focal length with the focal length measured by the focal length measuring device 7, and the focal length adjusting device 4 ' Is designed to automatically adjust the focus based on the comparison result so as to obtain an appropriate focus.
[0013]
The operation will be described with reference to FIG.
The control device 2 always checks the operation of the image input start button 5 (step S20), and causes the image display device 3 to perform a normal display until the operation is performed (step S21). When the image input start button 5 is operated, the image input device 1 'is turned on (step S22), an image signal is input (step S23), and this is converted into a display signal (step S24). To cause the image display device 3 to display an image near the needle drop portion Z (step S25).
The focal length measuring device 7 measures the focal length, and determines whether or not the focus is appropriate by comparison in the focal length comparing device 11 (step S26). If not, the focus adjusting device 4 'automatically adjusts the focus. Is performed (step S27). When the zoom operation switch 8 is operated (step S28), the control device 2 determines whether to zoom in or out (step S29), and drives the driving device 6 via the zoom control device 12 in that direction (step S30). ), The image input device 1 'is zoomed. Similarly, the focal length measuring device 7 measures the focal length, and determines whether or not the focus is appropriate by comparison in the focal length comparing device 11 (step S31). The focus is adjusted (step S32).
The image display is continued until the operation is completed by operating the image input start button 5 (step S38).
[0014]
With the above configuration, automatic focus adjustment can be performed by the focal length measurement device 7 and the focus adjustment device 4 ′. Further, zoom-in and zoom-out by the image input device 1 'can be performed, and an image in the vicinity of the needle drop portion Z can be displayed in an arbitrary size. In addition, at that time, the focal point is automatically adjusted by the focal length measuring device 7 and the focus adjusting device 4 ', and a clear image can be obtained.
[0015]
As described above, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image near the needle drop portion Z can be displayed on the image display device 3 and the focus can be adjusted. Therefore, the vicinity of the needle drop portion Z can be confirmed clearly and without danger. In addition, there is an effect that the confirmation during the operation of the sewing machine can be performed without any danger.
Further, in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, in addition to the above, automatic focus adjustment and zoom-in and zoom-out of an image are possible, and the focus is automatically adjusted with the zoom. It is possible to clearly display an image having a size.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the sewing machine having the image processing function of the present invention, the image near the needle drop can be visually observed by the image display means, so that it is not necessary to bring the face close to the needle drop and the danger in work can be eliminated. . Further, the visual recognition can be performed more reliably than the visual observation, and it is not necessary to stop the sewing machine every time the visual observation is performed, so that the working efficiency can be improved. Also, depending on the shooting position near the sewing machine needle drop part, even when cleaning the feed dog or the shuttle, the work can be performed visually by the image display means without bringing the face close, and the danger of work can be avoided as well as work It is possible to improve efficiency.
Further, in the invention according to claim 2, when the presser foot is falling near the sewing machine needle drop part by the focus adjusting means, the image input means takes an image including the presser foot, and the presser foot is raised. In this state, the focus of the image input means can be adjusted so that the presser foot is not photographed.
Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the focus is automatically adjusted, a clear image can always be obtained.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the image can be zoomed in and out, and an image of an arbitrary size can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of image display according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: image input device, 2: control device, 3: image display device, 4: focus adjustment device, 5: image input start button, 6: zoom drive device, 7: focal length measurement device, 8: zoom operation switch, 10 : Focus adjustment dial, 11: focal length comparison device, 12: zoom control device, 13: display control device, 30: needle hole, 31: presser foot, 32: feed dog, 33: needle plate, 34: square plate.

Claims (3)

An image input unit that captures an image near the sewing machine needle drop portion including at least the needle hole and the feed dog and outputs an image signal, and a signal for displaying the image based on the image signal from the image input unit. Control means for outputting, image display means for displaying an image based on a signal for displaying an image from the control means, and a state in which the presser foot is lowered near the sewing machine needle drop part The image further comprising a focus adjusting means for taking an image including the presser foot, and adjusting a focus of the image input means so as not to photograph the presser foot when the presser foot is raised. Sewing machine with processing function. A focal length measuring unit that measures a focal length of the image input unit to a shooting target, and a focus adjusting unit that adjusts the focus of the image input unit based on the focal length measured by the focal length measuring unit. The sewing machine according to claim 1, further comprising an image processing function. 3. The sewing machine having an image processing function according to claim 1, further comprising a unit for enlarging or reducing an image captured by the image input unit.

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