JP4717132B2 - Embroidery data generator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an embroidery data generation apparatus.

In recent years, sewing machines capable of performing embroidery that have an advanced embroidery function and have an embroidery function are spreading. This embroidery sewing machine has an embroidery frame movable in the X and Y directions, and is configured to perform embroidery by holding a cloth as an embroidery object and moving the cloth side.
By the way, in recent years, there has been a demand for diversity in embroidery expressions, and not only simple embroidery but also various embroidery by sewing decorations such as yarns and ribbons.
When a string-like body such as wool is sewed, a method of sewing by dropping a needle on the center line (on the axis) of the wool (FIG. 13 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-115796) is generally performed. Also, do not drop needles on wool or ribbons, but stagger the stitches to press down the wool by forming the staggered seam so that the needles are dropped across the top surface in the width direction and the wool and ribbon are pressed down. A method is also known (FIG. 11 of JP-A-5-117756, Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-112519).
In addition, the applicant of the present application can improve the conventional embroidery sewing machine, and by sewing a string-like body such as a yarn or ribbon along the center line from the back side, decorative stitching that does not appear on the front side of the yarn is possible Have been developed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-310969, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-093059).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-311761 proposes an apparatus for generating the staggered decorative stitch data.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-117956 Japanese Patent Publication No.7-112519 JP-A-10-310969 JP 11-093059 A JP-A-8-311761

By the way, the decorative stitch for sewing such a decorative product is different from a normal embroidery stitch (needle drop point) as described above, and stitch data for decorative sewing is necessary. Stitch data created by a manufacturer or the like is sold on a CD ROM or the like and cannot be created on the user side.
Devices that can automatically generate embroidery stitch data from image data are widespread, and there is an environment in which embroidery stitch data can be freely generated on the user side. However, decorative stitch data is automatically generated from image data. There is a problem that there is no device to generate automatically and the degree of freedom of embroidery is limited. If it is possible to generate both embroidery stitch data and decorative stitch data from image data, embroidery stitches and decorative stitches can be selected appropriately, improving the degree of freedom of embroidery and realizing various embroidery stitches. Therefore, there has been a demand for an apparatus that can automatically generate not only embroidery stitch data but also decorative stitch data at the same time.
The decorative stitch data generation of the above-mentioned document 5 determines the arrangement position of the yarn, ribbon, etc. in advance, and based on this arrangement position data, as described above, the needle is not dropped on the yarn, ribbon, etc. This is for obtaining extremely limited stitch data by generating staggered stitch data in which the needle is dropped so as to straddle the width direction and the yarn or ribbon is pressed down. Therefore, decorative stitch data for sewing wool or the like cannot be generated. Further, neither embroidery stitches nor decorative stitch data can be generated, and the user can obtain both embroidery stitch data and decorative stitch data from the image data, so that various embroidery stitches are not realized.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described situation, and can generate both embroidery stitch data and decorative stitch data from image data, whereby the user can select embroidery stitches and decorative stitches. An object of the present invention is to provide an embroidery data generation apparatus that can be appropriately performed and can perform various embroidery stitches.

In order to achieve the above object, an embroidery data generation apparatus according to the present invention provides means for providing image data representing a shape to be embroidered, and stitch data representing embroidery stitches of the shape to be embroidered based on the image data. A stitch data generating device for generating, a decorative stitch data generating device for generating decorative stitch data for sewing a string-like body to an embroidery object based on the image data or the stitch data, and a type of the string-like body A decorative stitch condition input device that specifies at least the thickness among the thicknesses, and the decorative stitch data generation device is configured to perform stitches corresponding to at least the thickness in accordance with the specification by the decorative stitch condition input device. The decorative stitch data of the pitch P of the line is generated.
As the image data, for example, an original image read from an image scanner or the like and converted into dot data can be used. The stitch data is stitch data for embroidery that has been conventionally used, and is usually composed of coordinate data of needle drop points. The coordinate data of the needle entry point can be used in the same way for the decorative stitch data for sewing the string-like object which is an ornament, and it is usually rougher than the stitch data, and is generated based on the stitch data. Is possible.
This embroidery data generation device can be configured to generate both stitch data and decorative stitch data from image data representing the shape to be embroidered. In this case, the decorative stitch data may be generated directly from the image data, or the stitch data may be generated first and generated based on the stitch data.
The decoration stitch data generation device generates decoration stitch data of the pitch P of the stitch line corresponding to the thickness of the string-like body input by the decoration stitch condition input device, so that the decoration adapted to the target string-like body Stitch data can be obtained.
In addition, a generation data selection device is provided, and stitch data is generated by the stitch data generation device, decoration stitch data is generated by the decoration stitch data generation device, or both stitch data and decoration stitch data are generated. It can be configured to be selectable. When the shape to be embroidered is composed of a plurality of unit patterns, stitch data is generated for each unit pattern, decorative stitch data is generated, or both stitch data and decorative stitch data are generated. It is desirable to be able to select either.
Further, a stitch change input device is provided so that the decorative stitch data can arbitrarily change 1 to 3 among the stitch direction θ, the stitch width W, or the stitch line pitch P by the operation of the operator. desirable.
Further, it is possible to further include a display data generating device for generating display data indicating a finished state based on the generated stitch data and decorative stitch data. By this display data, embroidery sewing or decorative stitch sewing is possible. Can be selected based on the visual confirmation of the finished state.

As described above, according to the embroidery data generation apparatus of the present invention, the decorative stitch data can be generated from the captured image data, and therefore, data for an embroidery sewing machine or the like that can automatically perform decorative stitch sewing can be easily generated. Is possible. In addition, since both normal stitches and decorative stitches can be generated, there is an effect that various embroidery can be realized according to the user's wishes.
Further, the decorative stitch data becomes decorative stitch data of the pitch P of the stitch line corresponding to the thickness of the string-like body input by the decoration stitch condition input device, so that the decorative stitch data suitable for the target string-like body is obtained. Can be obtained.

The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the image data in one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the normal seam and decoration stitch in one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart figure explaining the operation | movement in one Embodiment of this invention. The external appearance perspective view which shows a sewing machine main body. Explanatory drawing of the display / operation panel in a sewing machine main body.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a data generation apparatus X according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view thereof.
In FIG. 1, the CPU 1 controls the entire data generation device X. Data is generated by the decorative stitch data generation device 3, the display data generation device 4, and the stitch data generation device 5, and the data is stored in the memory card 20. It is supposed to let you.

The image scanner 11 reads a desired original image and sends the dot data of the image to the data generation apparatus X main body. On the data generation device X side, the image data is temporarily stored in the data storage device 2.
The image data input device 12 inputs image data through a storage medium or the like, and is configured to be able to input image data created by image data generation software such as CAD. This image data is also stored in the data storage device 2.
These image data are configured to be appropriately displayed on the display device 10 corresponding to a predetermined operation.

As the data generation device, a decorative stitch data generation device 3 and a stitch data generation device 5 are provided, and the generation data selection device 14 can select which data is generated. It is also possible to command to generate both data.
The seam data generation device 5 generates normal embroidery stitches, and is configured to generate embroidery stitch data such as normal tatami stitches.
On the other hand, the decorative stitch data generating device 3 generates decorative stitch data for sewing yarns, ribbons, and the like to an embroidery object. That is, a decorative stitch is generated in which a needle is dropped directly on the yarn or ribbon almost along the center line (axis) of the yarn or ribbon, and the yarn or ribbon is sewn and fixed to a cloth or the like.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the difference between the stitch data and the decorative stitch data. When embroidering the leftmost English letter A with normal stitches, if the stitch width W is about 3 to 7 mm and the stitch line pitch P is about 0.4 to 0.6 mm, yarn or the like is used for decorative stitches. Therefore, a stitch width W = 2 to 4 mm and a stitch line pitch P = 1.5 to 2.5 mm are suitable stitches. That is, in the case of decorative stitches, the stitch width is generally small and the pitch is large.
That is, when sewing a string of wool or ribbon, the stitch line is usually formed along the center line (axis) of the wool or ribbon, so the stitch line pitch is a decorative yarn or ribbon. It becomes the pitch corresponding to the width of. For this reason, the pitch of the decorative stitch is generally larger than the pitch at which the embroidery seams are in close contact. In addition, by reducing the stitch width, the supply amount of the yarn and ribbon can be reduced to reduce the rampage during the supply of the yarn and ribbon, and the needle can be reliably dropped and sewn cleanly. Further, by reducing the stitch width, the yarns and ribbons are compressed and a sense of volume can be produced, so that the stitch width of the decorative stitch is smaller than that of the embroidery stitch.
The stitch direction θ may be determined in advance, or an appropriate angle may be automatically set according to the figure. Or you may make it a user set arbitrarily by operation.
The decorative stitch data in the decorative stitch data generating device 3 may be generated directly from the image data, or may be generated from normal stitch data generated by the stitch data generating device 5. In this embodiment, it is generated directly from image data.

The decorative stitch condition input device 15 designates the type of ornament, the thickness of the yarn or ribbon that is the ornament, and in response to the designation, the ornament stitch data generation device 3 designates the stitch width W and the stitch. Decorative stitch data is generated by selecting an appropriate line pitch P.
As described above, since the pitch P of the stitch line corresponds to the width of the string-like body, the pitch P of the stitch line is determined in advance as a default value corresponding to the thickness (diameter) of the yarn or ribbon. Is possible. The stitch width W can also be preset in advance according to whether the string-like body is a yarn or a ribbon, and other materials.
Further, the decorative stitch data can be set by the user with the stitch width W, the stitch line pitch P, and the stitch direction θ by the stitch change input device 16 and can be changed later. With this configuration, the user can generate optimal decorative stitch data that takes into account various conditions such as the material and shape of the yarn and ribbon, the pattern shape to be embroidered, and the balance between embroidery and decorative sewing. Become.

As described above, the user can select whether to generate normal stitch data or decorative stitch data by the generation data selection device 14, and the selection is made for each pattern or for each unit pattern forming the pattern. It can be set to.
FIG. 3 shows an example of the structure of a pattern which is a shape to be embroidered. This pattern M is composed of unit patterns m1 to m5, and the color of the embroidery thread is changed for each unit pattern m. It is configured. When the image scanner 11 is used, an original image for each unit pattern m is prepared and read for each unit pattern m.
The user can display the pattern M and each unit pattern m on the display device 10 and can select data to be generated for each unit pattern m by the pattern / unit pattern selection device 13. For example, the unit pattern m1 to unit pattern m4 can be designated as normal stitches, and the unit pattern m5 can be designated as a decorative stitch using wool as a decoration. It is also possible to specify the generation of both normal stitch data and decorative stitch data for each unit pattern m. In this embodiment, both data are generated.

As described above, display data indicating the finished state is generated in the display data generation device 4 based on the generated data. In the case of decorative stitch data, data that can display the stitched state of wool or the like is generated. This display data is generated for each of the stitch data and decorative stitch data.
Based on this display data, the user selects whether to use embroidery stitches or decorative stitches while confirming the finished state of both the stitch data and decorative stitch data on the display / operation panel 30 of the sewing machine main body Y described later. It is comprised so that it can perform.

The stitch data, decorative stitch data, and display data generated as described above are stored in the memory card 20 for each pattern M and for each unit pattern m.
The memory card 20 can be inserted into and removed from the data generating apparatus X, and the memory card 20 is inserted into the sewing machine main body Y in FIG.

The sewing machine body Y has a needle mechanism 36 and an embroidery frame 35. By moving an embroidery object such as a cloth mounted on the embroidery frame 35 in the XY axis direction, the embroidery corresponding to the data in the memory card 20 is obtained. Is supposed to be done.
In the case of a decorative stitch, a yarn K or the like which is a decorative object is prepared and attached to the needle mechanism 36, and the yarn K is sewn to a cloth or the like attached to the embroidery frame 35 by the decorative stitch. In the case of decorative stitches, it is desirable to use a transparent thread for the upper thread of the needle mechanism 36.

A display / operation panel 30 is provided in the sewing machine main body Y, and a pattern is displayed by display data stored in the memory card 20. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the same pattern as in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display / operation panel 30. Here, the unit pattern m1 to the unit pattern m5 are displayed together with the pattern M, and it is possible to select whether to execute the sewing based on the stitch data or the sewing based on the decorative stitch data for each unit pattern m. Has been.
With the above configuration, various sewing operations can be realized.

The operation will be described with reference to FIG.
When image data is input to the data generation device X from the image scanner 11 or the image data input device 12 (step S1), it is once stored in the data storage device 2 (step S2). When the user selects a pattern or a pattern and a unit pattern with the pattern / unit pattern selection device 13 (step S3), the selected pattern is displayed on the display device 10 (step S4). When data to be generated is selected by the generation data selection device 14 (step S5), normal stitches or decorative stitches, or normal seams and decorative stitches are generated (steps S6, 7, 8). When all the selected patterns or unit patterns are selected (step S9), display data is generated by the display data generating device 4 (step S10), and all the generated data is stored in the memory card 20 (step S11). ).

1: CPU, 2: data storage device, 3: decorative stitch data generation device, 4: display data generation device, 5: stitch data generation device, 10: display device, 11: image scanner, 12: image data input device, 13 : Pattern / unit pattern selection device, 14: generated data selection device, 15: decorative stitch condition input device, 16: stitch change input device, 20: memory card, 30: display / operation panel, 31: sewing method selection key, 35 : Embroidery frame, 36: Needle mechanism.

Claims (7)

Means for providing image data representing the shape to be embroidered;
A stitch data generating device for generating stitch data representing an embroidery stitch having a shape to be embroidered based on the image data;
A decorative stitch data generating device for generating decorative stitch data for sewing a string-like object to an embroidery object based on the image data or stitch data;
A decoration stitch condition input device for designating at least the thickness among the types and thicknesses of the string-like bodies;
The decorative stitch data generating device generates decorative stitch data of a pitch P of a stitch line corresponding to at least the thickness in response to designation by the decorative stitch condition input device;
An embroidery data generation device characterized by the above. Means for providing image data representing the shape to be embroidered;
A stitch data generating device for generating stitch data representing an embroidery stitch having a shape to be embroidered based on the image data;
A decorative stitch data generating device for generating decorative stitch data for sewing a string-like object to an embroidery object based on the image data or stitch data;
Generation data selection for selecting whether to generate stitch data by the stitch data generating device, to generate decorative stitch data by the decorative stitch data generating device, or to generate both stitch data and decorative stitch data Equipment,
A decoration stitch condition input device for designating at least the thickness among the types and thicknesses of the string-like bodies;
The decorative stitch data generating device generates decorative stitch data of a pitch P of a stitch line corresponding to at least the thickness in response to designation by the decorative stitch condition input device;
An embroidery data generation device characterized by the above. The shape to be embroidered is composed of a plurality of unit patterns,
The generation data selection device can select whether to generate stitch data, decorative stitch data, or both stitch data and decorative stitch data for each unit pattern.
The embroidery data generation device according to claim 2. A stitch change input device for allowing an operator to change 1 or 2 or 3 among the stitch direction θ, stitch width W and stitch line pitch P of the decorative stitch data;
The embroidery data generation device according to claim 1, 2 or 3. A display data generating device for generating display data indicating a finished state based on the generated stitch data and decorative stitch data;
The embroidery data generation device according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4. The string-like body is a yarn;
The embroidery data generation device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. The string is a ribbon;
The embroidery data generation device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

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