JP3761902B2 - Multicolor embroidery pattern input device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a multicolor embroidery pattern input apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for inputting color information and image information of a desired multicolor image and converting them into stitch data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art An embroidery pattern input device is known that, when creating embroidery pattern data for an embroidery sewing machine, takes an original image by image input means such as an image scanner and converts it into embroidery sewing data. If you want to obtain a multicolored pattern, etc., prepare multiple original images for each color, align these original images, read multiple levels for each original image using the image input device, and A technique for realizing multi-colored embroidery sewing by changing the thread at each reading stage when embroidery sewing with a sewing machine is designated and realized.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, preparing a plurality of original images for each color and reading them with their positions aligned is a great burden on the user, and there is a drawback that the work is troublesome. A method using a full-color type image scanner or the like is also conceivable to remedy this drawback, but in this case as well, it is necessary to read multiple times for each number of colors, and the sewing color is defined as the color of the original image. When the number of colors is large, there is a problem that the number of colors of the embroidery thread on the sewing machine cannot be used. As a result, there is a problem that the boundary due to color coding may not be reproduced.
The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To accomplish the above object, a multicolor embroidery pattern input device for desired reading the multicolor image, the multicolor sewing converts the image data obtained in the embroidery sewing data, a plurality Corresponding to means for providing image data including color information of a multi-color image that has been divided into a plurality of parts with the same color, division number command means for instructing the number of hue divisions, and the number of divisions from the command means means for dividing the hue to the division number and, means for arbitrarily changing the color boundaries of the divided color by means of the divided corresponding to the operation command by an operator, said each divided hue or Means for separating the plurality of parts for each of the changed hues , thereby dividing the image data, means for converting the divided image data into embroidery sewing data, and converting the embroidery sewing data into the hue; A means to remember And it said that there were pictures.
[0005]
[Action]
The means for providing image data outputs image data including color information of a multicolor image that has been painted in a plurality of portions with a plurality of colors . In accordance with a command from the division number command means, the hue is divided by the means for dividing the hue into a predetermined number, and the color boundary of the divided hue is changed by the means for changing the color boundary. The plurality of portions are separated for each divided hue or each changed hue , whereby the image data is divided by means for dividing, and the divided image data is converted into embroidery sewing data. The embroidery sewing data is stored in a means for storing the embroidery stitch data in relation to the hue.
[0006]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, the embroidery pattern input device X includes a full-color type image scanner 2 as multicolor image input means. The image scanner 2 is connected to the input device main body A, and image data read by the image scanner 2 is input to the central processing unit 1 shown in FIG.
[0007]
The input device main body A is provided with a guide 24, and an original image of a multicolor pattern is placed on the original image placing portion 25 set on the guide 24, and the image scanner 2 is run on the original image. Thus, the original image and color information are read. It is also possible to read the image by running on the original image freely without using such a guide 24.
In addition, 20 is a scanner button for reading an image, 21 is a scanner dial for adjusting the density of reading, 31 is a liquid crystal display for performing various displays described later, 32 is a RAM card eject button of the stitch data storage means 6, Reference numeral 33 denotes a power switch.
[0008]
As shown in FIG. 2, the input device main body A includes a mode selection key 49, a reading key 50, a storage key 51, a color number input key 52, a sewing color designation key 53, a color boundary change key 54, an RGB input key 55, and the like. An operation command unit 5 including a plurality of function keys is provided, and an operator operates these keys to cause the image scanner 2 to run on the original image so as to read an image.
That is, when the operator operates the mode selection key 49, a color mode for reading a color original picture and a monochrome mode for reading a black and white original picture are selected. This mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display by the image display means 8 of FIG. Displayed on the device 31.
The sewing color designation key 53, the color boundary change key 54, and the RGB input key 55 will be described later.
[0009]
When the reading key 50 is operated, the central processing unit 1 enters the reading mode. Next, when the number of colors is input by the color number input key 52 in accordance with the number of sewing threads, the color number signal is processed by the color number input means 3 through the central processing. Input to the apparatus 1, the hue is divided by the hue dividing means 7 according to the number of colors.
By this operation, the natural color is set according to the divided hue.
[0010]
FIG. 6 shows a state of hue division. This example shows a state in which the number of colors is set to 6, and the hue range is divided into 6 color blocks of C1 to C6, and the respective center colors are set. The hue division range and the center color are set in advance according to the number of colors, and the hue range is divided according to the setting.
[0011]
In the embodiment, an embroidery thread color input means 9 is further provided, and the above-described sewing color designation key 53 as an operation key is provided.
The embroidery thread color input means 9 can designate the center color of the hue to be divided, and the boundary of hue division can be arbitrarily set.
[0012]
The boundary lines of the divided hues can be changed by the color boundary changing unit 12 and the color boundary changing key 54 which is an operation key thereof.
This is because, in a pattern or the like in which a boundary is formed by different colors, adjacent different colors are classified into the same color block depending on how the hue is divided, and the boundary does not appear in the stitch data. Because.
When such a situation occurs, it can be dealt with by changing the boundary of hue by the color boundary changing means 12.
When the boundary is changed by the color boundary changing unit 12, the image display unit 8 can be operated while confirming the color display of the sewing image based on the image data.
[0013]
This boundary change includes a method of rotating the entire hue to the right or left as shown in FIG. In this case, the range of each hue block does not change. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to arbitrarily change each boundary by operating the RGB input key 55 described above. In this case, the block range can also be changed.
[0014]
After performing the above operation, the image scanner 2 is moved on the original image on the original image placing unit 25 while pressing the scanner button 20 of the image scanner 2, whereby the image scanner 2 reads the image and color of the original image. It is like that.
[0015]
The image data with the read color data is sequentially sent to the central processing unit 1, and the central processing unit 1 is configured to store the image data in the image data storage unit 11.
[0016]
When the image reading is completed, the image data dividing means 4 reads the image data and divides the image data based on the divided hues. In the example of FIG. 6, first, based on the discrimination data of C1, image data having color data belonging to this C1 is searched, and the corresponding image data is divided into C1 color blocks (divided into the image data storage means 11). (Hue range).
The same operation is performed for C2, C3,-, and C6, the image data is divided into color blocks C1 to C6, and each color block is stored in the image data storage means 11.
It should be noted that the color discrimination of the image data can be performed by various methods, for example, for each predetermined bit block unit.
[0017]
Next, when the storage key 51 is operated, the central processing unit 1 performs the embroidery of the sewing machine on the image data for each color block stored in the image data storage means 11 in accordance with the program command from the stitch data conversion program storage means 10. After being converted into the stitch data of the pattern, it is input to the stitch data storage means 6. At this time, the image data is stored in association with the color code of the color block.
In addition, display data for image display is created at the same time as the stitch data, and is associated with the color code and stored in the stitch data storage means 6.
[0018]
The seam data storage means 6 is a RAM card in this embodiment, and can be attached to and detached from the RAM card slot 30 of the input device main body A as shown in FIG. If the seam data storage means 6 storing the seam data and display data is removed from the input device main body A and is attached to the RAM card reading unit 35 of the embroidery sewing machine main body Y shown in FIG. A colored image is displayed on the display unit of the main body Y based on the embroidery machine, and the embroidery sewing machine main body Y is operated according to the stitches of the embroidery pattern stored in the stitch data storage means 6 by a predetermined operation and according to the specified sewing color. The color pattern designated by the sewing color designation means 7 with the same pattern as the original picture can be realized as an embroidery stitch.
[0019]
In this embodiment, the image display means 8 is provided, and the data stored in the image data storage means 11 is sent to the liquid crystal display 31 so that the input device main body A also performs color display based on the color block color. It can be done.
[0020]
The operation will be described with reference to FIG.
When the operator operates the mode selection key 49 to select a color mode (steps 60 and 61), the central processing unit 1 enters the color number input state from the color number input means 3. When the operator operates the color number input key 52 to input a predetermined color number N (step 62), the hue dividing means 7 changes the hue range from C1 to CN as shown in FIG. 6 according to the number of colors. Divide (step 63). As described above, the center color may be designated by the embroidery thread color input means 9. Then, a color code corresponding to the number of colors is set (step 64).
Next, when the operator presses the reading key 50 of the input device main body A and moves the image scanner 2 on the original image while pressing the scanner button 20 of the image scanner 2, the image scanner 2 sequentially reads the image and color of the original image. The image data and color data are sent to the central processing unit 1 (step 65). This image data is stored in the image data storage means 11 (step 66).
[0021]
When the reading is completed, the image data dividing unit 4 sets Ni = 1 and Ci = 1 (step 67), reads the image data including the color data from the image data storage unit 11, and reads each predetermined bit block of the data. The data belonging to the hue of C1 is extracted by applying the discrimination data of C1 to (step 68). Then, the image data belonging to C1 is sequentially stored in the image data storage means 11 (step 69). Ni and Ci are incremented (step 70), and the above operation is repeated until the set number of colors N is reached (steps 71 and 72).
[0022]
When the total number N is completed, the image display means 8 displays the image in color from the image data and also displays the color block information as shown in FIG. 6 (step 73). When the operator operates the color boundary change key 54 (step 74) and the designated color is input by the color boundary change key 54 (step 75), the boundary of the color block is changed (step 76). In the case of hue rotation, the color designation in step 75 is not necessary. When the end of the change is confirmed (step 77), the process returns to step 67, and the image data dividing operation is executed according to the newly divided hue.
[0023]
If there is no boundary change operation in step 74 and the operator operates the storage key 51, the central processing unit 1 stores the image data stored in the image data storage means 11 in accordance with the program of the stitch data conversion program storage means 10. Each color block from Ci to CN is converted into stitch data and display data (step 78), and the stitch data and display data are stored in the stitch data storage means 6 in correspondence with the color code (step 79).
When it is confirmed that the operation has been completed, the operation is terminated (step 80).
If the color mode is not selected in step 61, image input at a normal single density is executed (step 90), the image data is stored (step 91), and converted to stitch data (step 91). 92).
As described above, stitch data with a color code can be obtained from a single multicolor original image by a single reading operation. Further, the boundary between hues divided by automatic setting or color designation can be changed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the generation of data in which the boundary between different colors does not appear in embroidery. In addition, since the boundary can be changed while viewing a specific color image by the image display means 8, the operability is very good.
[0024]
Next, a method of using the apparatus of the above embodiment will be described.
After the power switch 33 is first turned on, the seam data storage means 6 is inserted into the RAM card slot 30. Then, the mode selection key 49 is pressed to set the color mode, and the color number input key 52 is pressed to set the number of colors. Now, as shown in FIG. 9, there are five original images of peach, yellow, light yellow, yellow-green, and green, and a case where 3 is set as the number of colors will be described. Further, when the hue is divided into three color blocks, the central colors are assumed to be yellow, red, and green.
[0025]
By setting the number of colors of 3, the hues are automatically divided to form blocks of hues C1 to C3. Then, if necessary, the color boundary change key 54 or the RGB input key 55 is operated to change the hue boundary as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. This is performed while viewing the display on the liquid crystal display 31. Then, the above-described multicolor original image is prepared, the original image is placed on the original image placing portion 25 (or other appropriate location) of the guide 24, and the image scanner 2 is placed on the upper end of the guide 24 as shown in FIG. After the operation, the image scanner 2 is moved to the lower end while pressing the scanner button 20. As a result, the image reading unit 22 scans the upper part of the original image placing unit 25 from the upper end to the lower end, and reads the image of the color portion selected from the original images on the original image placing unit 25.
[0026]
During reading by the image scanner 2, the image data is separated into blocks of hue by the image data dividing unit 4 and stored in the image data storage unit 11. That is, yellow and light yellow parts are classified as yellow blocks, and peach parts are classified as red blocks. Green and yellow-green are classified as green blocks.
When the reading is completed, the storage key 51 is pressed to convert the image data into stitch data for each color block and store it in the stitch data storage means 6. At this time, a code corresponding to the color block of the hue is attached to the stitch data, and the image data for each color is completed. At this time, display data is also created.
As described above, image data divided into three color portions of yellow, red, and green as shown in FIG. 10 is obtained from the original picture shown in FIG.
[0027]
When all the steps are completed, the operator presses the RAM card eject button 32 to take out the stitch data storage means 6 from the input device main body A, and attach the stitch data storage means 6 to the RAM card reading unit 35 of the embroidery sewing machine main body Y. By operating the embroidery sewing machine main body Y, the embroidery pattern can be sewn with images and colors as shown in FIG.
[0028]
According to the embodiment described above, multicolor stitch data can be obtained from a multicolor original image by one reading operation. Moreover, the number of colors can be arbitrarily set, the hue is divided according to the number of colors, and the division boundary of the hue can be arbitrarily changed. Since multi-color stitch data divided according to the divided hues is obtained, even if the number of sewing threads is limited, it can be dealt with.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the multicolor embroidery pattern input device of the present invention reads a desired multicolor image, converts the obtained image data into embroidery sewing data, and performs multicolor stitching. A multi-color image input means for reading the color and image of a multi-color image that has been painted in a plurality of parts with a plurality of colors and outputting image data including color information, and a division for instructing the number of hue divisions An arbitrary color boundary of the hue divided by the number command means, the means for dividing the hue into the number of divisions corresponding to the number of divisions from the command means, and the means for dividing according to the operation command by the operator Means for changing to each of the divided hues or for each of the changed hues , thereby dividing the plurality of parts, thereby dividing the image data, and converting the divided image data into embroidery sewing data. Means for converting and the embroidery Because and means associated and stored in the hue have data by one read operation from colored separately obtained original into multiple parts in multiple colors, it is possible to obtain a multi-color stitch data. In addition, the number of colors can be arbitrarily set, the hue is divided according to the number of colors, the boundary of the hue can be changed, and multicolor stitch data divided according to the divided hue is obtained. Even if the number of sewing threads is limited, there is an effect that it can be handled.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing an original image placing unit 25 in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an external view of a sewing machine to which a stitch data storage unit 6 is attached according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of hue division according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of hue boundary change according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of another example of hue boundary change in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a process for creating stitch data according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of stitch data obtained by an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: central processing unit, 2: image scanner, 3: color number input means, 4: image data division means, 5: operation command section, 6: stitch data storage means, 7: hue division means, 8: image display means , 9: Embroidery thread color input means, 10: Stitch data conversion program storage means, 11: Image data storage means, 12: Color boundary changing means, 20: Scanner button, 21: Scanner dial, 24: Guide, 25: Original image mounting 30: RAM card slot, 31: liquid crystal display, 32: RAM card eject button, 33: power switch, 35: RAM card reading unit, 49: mode selection key, 50: reading key, 51: storage key, 52: Color number input key, 53: Sewing color designation key, 54: Color boundary change key, 55: RGB input key.

Claims (3)

A multicolor embroidery pattern input device for converting image data consisting of a desired multicolor image into embroidery sewing data and performing multicolor sewing,
Means for providing image data including color information of a multi-color image that has been painted in a plurality of parts with a plurality of colors ;
A division number command means for commanding the number of hue divisions;
Means for dividing the hue into the number of divisions corresponding to the number of divisions from the command means ;
Means for arbitrarily changing the color boundary of the hue divided by the means for dividing in response to an operation command by an operator ;
Means for separating the plurality of portions for each of the divided hues or for each of the changed hues , thereby dividing the image data;
Means for converting the divided image data into embroidery sewing data;
Means for storing the embroidery sewing data in relation to the hue;
A multicolor embroidery pattern input device characterized by comprising: The means for dividing the hue into a predetermined number performs the hue division in a predetermined hue range corresponding to the division number .
The multicolor embroidery pattern input device according to claim 1. A means for designating a central color of the hue;
Means for dividing said color to a predetermined number, performs the division of color hue range corresponding to the designated central color,
The multicolor embroidery pattern input device according to claim 1.

Images