JPH0377579A - Inputting device for sewing pattern data of sewing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prepare data of needle drop points along an inputted sewing pattern by inputting respective necessary coordinate points in a lump with one time of function selection even in a complicated sewing pattern. CONSTITUTION:Groups of input points stored in a memory 22 are grouped by dividing them according to the guide of corner designating points to take out the data in the group unit. Whether the pattern formed of the input point group in the group is a straight line or curve is judged according to whether the number of input points belonging to the group is '1' or at least '2'. When the number of input points is '1', it means the straight line, and when at least '2', the curve. The coordinate values of respective needle drop points are calculated with a seam length set by straight line or curve interpolation in each group, and the data of respective calculated needle drop points are stored sequentially in a memory 22. A prepared sewing pattern is used after the completion of the process of all input pints so that automatic sewing is carried out according to the inputted pattern similarly to the conventional sewing. Thus, the data of needle drop points on a desired sewing pattern are calculated so that the sewing pattern data can be automatically prepared.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a device for inputting sewing pattern data to enable a sewing machine to automatically sew a pattern such as a desired figure.

[Conventional technology]

For example, some industrial sewing machines such as electronic cycle sewing machines have a function that allows data for a desired sewing pattern to be created and stored by manual operation of keys on an operation panel.

And straight stitch, spline (curve)! ! stomach.

In addition to normal sewing such as arc stitching, there are input functions such as zigzag stitching and offset stitching, and there are also functions that allow you to input even complex patterns relatively easily.

To input a desired pattern using the pattern input function of a sewing machine, hold the cloth or paper with the pattern drawn on it in the machine's outer presser foot, and align the tip of the sewing needle along the lines that make up the pattern. By moving the presser foot in the front, back, left and right directions, and instructing input at at least multiple points on both ends of a straight line and on a curved line (multiple points are required for strongly curved areas), the coordinates of each input point can be determined. The data was stored and used to create needle drop point data along the sewing pattern.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, the sewing pattern data input device (input function) of such conventional sewing machines does not have a function to distinguish line types and cusp points, so
If there is a point where a straight line (2 curves, 2 circular arcs, etc.) change, or if there is a cusp in the middle of a curve, divide it there, select the input function for each section, and input the coordinate points, otherwise the input sewing pattern will not work. It was not possible to create needle drop point data along the .

Therefore, 1. For example, when inputting a stitching pattern that is a combination of straight lines and curved lines as shown in FIG. The data was divided into three sections (direct vA1) and entered using the following procedure.

(1) Select the spline input function and select O~ on 1 curve 1.
Input the coordinate point 4.

(2) Select the spline input function again and input 5 to 10 coordinate points on curve 2.

(3) Select the straight line input function and input the coordinate point 11 at the end of straight line 1.

In this way, there are points in the curves of the sewing pattern,
Every time the type of line changes, you have to finish inputting the coordinate points, select the function again, and then input the coordinate points. This makes inputting complicated and time-consuming work when inputting complex sewing patterns. There was a problem that it took a while.

This invention was made to solve these problems, and it has a single function that allows you to input each coordinate point required to input a complicated sewing pattern that combines straight lines and curved lines. It is an object of the present invention to enable batch input by selection and thereby create needle drop point data in accordance with the input sewing pattern.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has an input data storage that sequentially stores data specifying a plurality of input points and corners along a sewing pattern input by key operation, as shown in the functional block diagram in FIG. Means 1, input point grouping means 2 which divides the plurality of input points stored in the input points into groups by dividing them by specified corner points, and each group is divided into straight lines or curves according to the number of input points. a line type discriminating means 3 for discriminating the line type; a needle drop point calculating means 4 for calculating the needle drop point within each line by performing linear or curved interpolation for each group according to the discrimination result; This invention provides a sewing pattern data input device for a sewing machine comprising a pattern data storage means 5 which sequentially stores data of each needle drop point in a memory to form a series of sewing pattern data.

[For production]

According to this invention, when inputting a sewing pattern, multiple input points on a line forming the pattern are specified by corner designation at a cusp in a curve and a point where the line type changes by - times of function selection. If you type as you go.

The input data storage means 1 sequentially stores the coordinate data of each input point and the corner designation data.

Thereafter, the input point grouping means 2 divides the plurality of input points stored in the input data storage means 1 into groups by dividing them by specified corner points, and the line type discrimination means 3 divides the input points in each group into groups. Determine whether it is a straight line or a curved line based on the number.

Depending on the determination result, the needle drop point calculation means 4 performs linear or curved interpolation for each group.

The needle drop point within each line is calculated, and the pattern data storage means 5 sequentially stores the data of each calculated needle drop point in the memory to form a series of sewing pattern data.

Therefore, even if the sewing pattern is complicated with straight lines and curved lines, the input of each coordinate point required to input the pattern can be input all at once with a single function selection. Needle drop point data can be created and stored in memory as a series of sewing pattern data.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing the main body of a sewing machine having a function as a large pattern data input device according to the present invention.

In this sewing machine, a sewing machine main body 10 is fixedly installed on a table 15, and a sewing needle 11 and a cloth presser 1 are attached to a head part 10a.
2 is installed.

A frame-shaped outer presser foot 13 is provided so as to surround the sewing position of the sewing needle 11.

This outer presser foot 13 is made up of a lower frame 13a, an upper frame 15b, and an arm portion 13c that supports them. In the sewing mode, the cloth to be sewn is held, and in the pattern input mode, the cloth or paper on which a graphic pattern is drawn is held in the lower frame. The table 15 is held between the upper frame 15a and the upper frame 15b, and the XY drive mechanism 14
It can be freely moved in the left-right (X) direction and the front-back (Y) direction along the upper surface of the.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the input section and control section in this embodiment.

The input section 16 includes an operation panel 18 having a large number of keys and a display, and a pulse motor drive circuit 19.

The configuration and function of the operation panel 18 will be described in detail later, but the pulse motor drive circuit 19
This is a circuit that drives the X-axis movement pulse motor Mx and the Y@ drive pulse motor M in the XY fighting mechanism 14 that moves the motor according to commands from the control unit 17, respectively.

The control unit 17 includes a control circuit 20 using a CPU that centrally controls the entire device, and a straight stitch (BL).

Read-only memory (R
OM) 21, each input point and corner designation data, etc. that have been input are stored, and the needle drop point data calculated by the control circuit 20 is stored as a series of sewing pattern data, and the working area by the control circuit 20 is stored. It is comprised of a random access memory (RAM) 22 which is also used as an interface, an I10 circuit 23 which serves as an interface with the operation panel 18, and an I10 circuit 24 which serves as an interface with the pulse motor active circuit 1.

The control unit 17 performs the functions of each of the means 1 to 5 according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 described above.

FIG. 4 is a layout diagram showing a specific example of the operation panel 18 of this embodiment.

This operation panel 18 is provided with a display group consisting of displays 30 to 35 and a key group consisting of keys 41 to 5.

First, to explain the display group, the sewing display 30 is
When in m mode, the entire screen lights up, and when in pattern input mode, only the rightmost part lights up.

The error indicator 31 is a 7-segment indicator (based on a fluorescent display tube, LED, liquid crystal, etc.), and displays one of error codes "1 to 9" when an error occurs during sewing mode. When in pattern input mode, rdJ flashes, and at this time, press 5 of the number keys 51 to 5, which will be described later.
2.54-5 days.

and 58 are valid.

The displays 32 to 35 are all 3-digit, 7-segment displays, and the pattern number display 32 displays the mode and function when in pattern input mode.

The mode is "E: input J, rC; correction", rA: addition", and the nine functions are "bl: straight stitch J, rb".
2 varnish spline stitch J, rb3: arc stitch” etc. are displayed.

The X enlargement/reduction ratio display 33 displays the X enlargement/reduction ratio in the sewing mode, but displays the sewing type code and speed, or the distance in the
, 10J.

The Y enlargement/reduction ratio display 34 displays the Y enlargement/reduction ratio in the sewing mode, but displays the stitch length in mm in the pattern input mode, or displays the distance in the Y direction in, for example, r.
Display as Y, 10J.

Further, when inputting the stitch length, selectable stitch lengths are sequentially displayed.

The bobbin thread setting display 35 displays the bobbin thread setting value in the sewing mode, but in the pattern input mode, it displays the width of the zigzag stitch in mm units, or the number of input points and point movement. Displays the distance.

Next, the key group will be explained. When the forward feed key 41 is pressed, the position moves one stitch at a time along the created pattern from the current point toward the end point.

When using the pattern input function, turn on the power switch while pressing this key 41.

When the forward/backward key 42 is pressed, the position moves stitch by stitch from the current point toward the origin along the created pattern.

If pressed while inputting a pattern, the previous input point will be canceled and the needle position will be returned.

When the origin return key 43 is pressed, the needle position returns from the current point to the origin.

For the following keys, only the names and functions in the pattern input mode will be explained.

The selection key 44 is a key for selecting a function, and when pressed when a desired function code is displayed on the pattern NO display 32,
That feature is selected.

The pattern input function 45 is not used in the pattern input mode, so its explanation will be omitted.

The confirmation key 46 is pressed when the user wants to confirm the input shape when completing the input of one element. When this key 46 is pressed, the needle position moves from the sewing start of the input element according to the sewing shape, and then stops at the end point of that element.

The end key 47 is pressed to end the input of one element. In this case, the input shape is not confirmed.

When setting a value such as stitch length, the designation key 48 is pressed when the value to be set is reached.

The trial sewing key 4 is pressed when proceeding to trial sewing and when returning to the pattern input mode.

The cancel key 50 is pressed when the user wants to cancel an operation in the middle of the operation.

``1-9'' number keys 51-59.

The input key 55 is pressed when inputting coordinate value data of an input point of an element.

The movement keys 52 and 58 are used to change the display of functions and values by moving forward or backward when selecting a function or setting a value such as stitch length.

The four movement keys 52, 54 to 56, 58 are used to rotate the aforementioned external presser foot 13 in the X and Y directions and relatively move the needle position to the point to be input.

Next, an explanation will be given of an input operation procedure using the operation panel 18, taking as an example a case where the sewing pattern shown in FIG. 5 is input according to this embodiment.

First, the paper on which the sewing pattern shown in FIG. 5 is drawn is held between the lower frame 13a and the upper frame 15b of the presser foot 13 shown in FIG. Turn on to enter pattern input mode.

Thereafter, in the first step, each input point and corner designation on the sewing pattern shown in FIG. 5 are input.

(1) Press the movement key 52 or 58 to display the function code rE, b 2 spline input function on the pattern number display 32, and then press the selection key 44 to select that function.

(2) Press the movement key 52 or 58 to display the desired stitch length value on the Y enlargement/reduction ratio display 34, and then press the designation key 48 to record the value.

(3) After the above operation, it will be waiting for digitizing, so press the four movement keys 52, 54 to 56, 58,
Move the presser foot 13 until the sewing needle 11 in Fig. 2 matches the point you want to input, and when it matches, press the input key 55.
Enter that input point. Thereby, the coordinate value data of the input point is detected by the control circuit 20 of FIG.

It is stored in the memory 22.

Repeat this operation to input points O to 3 in FIG.

(4) In order to specify that the position of the input point 3 is a corner (cusp point), after inputting the input point, move the external presser foot 1 in either the x or y direction, as shown in the enlarged view in FIG. Move by one pulse (press any of the four movement keys 52, 54 to 58, 58 once), and press the input key 55 to input corner designation point 4.

(5) Continue to perform the same operations as in (3) to input points 5 to 9.

(6) In order to designate a corner at the position of input point 9, input corner designation point 10 using the same operation as in (4).

(7) Continue to perform the same operation as in (3) to input 11 points.

(8) Press the confirmation key 46 or end key 47 to finish inputting one pattern.

Through such input operations, the required input points O~3, 5~9, . . . of the sewing pattern shown in FIG. The coordinate value data of and 11 and the data of corner designated points 4 and 10 are stored in the memory 22 in the control unit 17 shown in FIG.

Therefore, next, the control circuit (CPU) 20 of this control section 17
However, the process of calculating needle drop point data based on the data stored in the memory 22 and storing it as sewing pattern data will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

When the process shown in FIG. 7 starts, first in step 1 the memory 2
In step 2, the input point group stored in step 2 is divided into groups using designated corner points as marks, and in step 2, the data is extracted from the first group in units of groups.

Then, in step 3, it is determined whether the figure formed by the input points of the group is a straight line or a curve, depending on whether the number of input points belonging to the group is "1" or "2" or more. For example, in the example of FIG. 5 mentioned above, the input points of the first group are 0 to
Since there are 4 points in 3, the input points of the second group are 5~
Since there are 9 and 5 points, the input point of the third group is 11.
Since there is only one point, it is judged as a straight line.

If the number of input points is "1", it is a straight line, so the tangent vector is corrected in step 4, and then the process proceeds to step 5.

In this embodiment, in the next step 5, the needle drop point calculation routine, the routine for curved lines is used even in the case of straight lines. Each tangent vector a found by the two points of
Based on →, b→, normally (in the case of a curve) the same figure (a)
Interpolation processing as shown by the broken line is performed, but in the case of a straight line, this tangent vector becomes indeterminate, so as shown in the same figure (b), the tangent vector a → at both ends A and B of the interpolation interval, This is because it is necessary to correct so that b→ is in the same direction as the direct @A-B.

If the number of input points is "2" or more, it is a curve, and the process proceeds to step 5 without correcting the tangent vector.

In this step 5, linear or curved interpolation is performed for each group (in this case, the same routine for curves is used, and in the case of straight lines, interpolation is performed using the corrected tangent vector), and the set stitch length is Calculate the coordinates of each needle drop point.

Then, in step 6, the calculated data of each needle drop point is sequentially stored in the wrapping pattern data storage area of the memory 22.

Thereafter, it is checked whether all the input points have been processed, and if the processing has not been completed, the process returns to step 2, the data of each input point of the next group is retrieved, and the above-described process is repeated.

Once all input points have been processed, this routine ends.

Using the sewing pattern data created in this manner, automatic sewing can be performed according to the input pattern in the same manner as in the past.

In order to save the sewing pattern data created in this way, this data is read from the memory (RAM) 22, sent to an external storage device such as a floppy disk drive (not shown), and stored in a recording medium such as a floppy disk. Just store it.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the sewing machine itself has a function as a sewing pattern data input device so that it can be used by switching between sewing mode and pattern input mode.
It is convenient because it can be provided without much increase in cost, and furthermore, it is possible to perform trial sewing immediately after inputting the sewing pattern data and, if desired, to start sewing in earnest.

However, it is not possible to use a digitizer (draw a sewing pattern using an instruction pen on a pattern making bag, memorize its coordinate values, and transfer this pattern data to a sewing machine using a medium such as a cable or magnetic disk), or use a sewing machine. It goes without saying that the present invention can be carried out even in a case where the workpiece holder is moved using a jog key on a separate operation box, and an ugly pattern is drawn and its coordinate values are memorized.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, by using the sewing pattern data input device for a sewing machine according to the present invention, even if the sewing pattern is a complex combination of straight lines and curves, each coordinate point required for inputting the pattern can be input once. The input efficiency is high because the data can be entered all at once by selecting the function, and the data of the needle drop point on the desired sewing pattern is automatically calculated based on the input data of each input point and specified corner point. Sewing pattern data can be created.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the basic configuration of a sewing pattern data input device for a sewing machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the main body of a sewing machine having a function as a sewing pattern data input device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an input section and a control section in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a layout diagram showing a specific example of the operation panel 18 in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the sewing pattern inputted according to this embodiment, its input points, and corner designated points. 6 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of the vicinity of the fixed loss point in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of sewing pattern data creation processing by the control section 17 in FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of interpolation intervals for explaining the tangent vector correction process in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the conventional sewing pattern input procedure. 10... Sewing machine body 11... Sewing needle 13...
・External presser foot 14...X Y II movement mechanism 1
5...Table 16...Input section 17...
・Control unit 18...Operation panel 1 day...
Pulse motor drive circuit 20...Control circuit (CPU) 21...Memory (ROM) 30-35...Display unit 22...Memory (RAM) 41-59...Keys Figure 1 vxZ diagram

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Input data storage means for sequentially storing a plurality of input points and corner designation data along a sewing pattern input by key operations; and a plurality of input points stored by the means. an input point grouping means for dividing input points into groups by separating them by specified corner points; and a line type determining means for determining whether each group divided by the means is a straight line or a curved line depending on the number of input points. , a needle drop point calculation means for calculating the needle drop point within each line by performing straight line or curved interpolation for each group according to the discrimination result of the means; and each needle point calculated by the means. A sewing pattern data input device for a sewing machine, comprising a sewing pattern data storage means for sequentially storing drop point data in a memory to form a series of sewing pattern data.