JPH0417890A - Data making device for embroidering machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a beautiful embroidery even when an adjacent twofold point distance is small compared to zigzag stitch width by reforming leg-crossed trapezoid block group and its two adjacent normal trapezoid blocks into two normal trapezoid blocks. CONSTITUTION:When a shape ruling line L is defined by adjacent folding points the mutual distance of which is rather small, a trapezoid block to be obtained is a leg-crossed trapezoid block in which two legs cross each other. In this instance, a crossing point Ose of imaginary lines us-1 and de+1 and another crossing point Qse of imaginary lines ds-1 and ue+1 are obtained. Then a leg- crossed trapezoid block group consisting of two leg-crossed trapezoid blocks ts and te normal trapezoid blocks ts-1 and te+1 adjacent on its both sides are reformed into two normal trapezoid blocks Os-1 Qs-1 Ose Qse and Qse 0se Oe+1 Qe+1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a data creation device for an embroidery sewing machine, and in particular, it is capable of creating zigzag stitches of a constant width along shape defining lines that define the shapes of characters and figures. This invention relates to a device that creates embroidery data for embroidering characters and figures by embroidering characters and figures.

2. Description of the Related Art It is already known that characters and figures can be embroidered by performing zigzag stitches at a constant width along a shape defining line.

The applicant has previously developed a data creation device that automatically creates embroidery data for performing zigzag stitch embroidery, and has filed a patent application. This is the case currently being filed as Japanese Patent Application No. 1-276700.

This device includes point sequence data representing each bending point of the polygonal line when the shape defining line is a polygonal line, and each polygonal point of the polygonal line when the shape defining line is a curved line; This device creates embroidery data from zigzag stitch width data representing the width of zigzag stitches to be performed along a shape defining line.

The band-shaped embroidery area to be filled with zigzag stitching is divided into multiple trapezoidal blocks to create embroidery data. Specifically, the embroidery data is created by dividing the band-shaped embroidery area to be filled in with zigzag stitches into multiple trapezoidal blocks. Imagine two virtual lines equal to the zigzag stitch width represented by the zigzag stitch width data, find the intersection of the virtual lines located on one side of the shape defining line, and calculate each line segment of the shape defining line. Embroidery data is created using a trapezoidal block determined by a total of four intersections, two corresponding to each end, as one embroidery block. To actually perform embroidery, needle position data, that is, data representing the position where the sewing needle penetrates the workpiece cloth, is required, but the embroidery data creation device creates trapezoidal block data representing the trapezoidal block described above as embroidery data. It is also possible to create the needle position data in the embroidery machine in parallel with the execution of embroidery.

By dividing the band-shaped embroidery III SI area into a plurality of trapezoidal blocks in this way and filling each of the trapezoidal blocks with zigzag stitches, embroidery data can be automatically created.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, the above-described developed device has a problem in that if the distance between two adjacent bending points is small compared to the size of the zigzag stitch width, the stitches overlap thickly and beautiful embroidery cannot be obtained. It turns out that there is a problem.

As shown in Figure 2, when the distance between two adjacent bending points is large relative to the zigzag stitch width, the trapezoidal block ABCD takes on a normal trapezoid whose legs do not intersect with each other. By filling in the space between the two bottoms with zigzag stitches, beautiful embroidery can be obtained in which the threads are thick and do not overlap.
When the distance between bending points is small, trapezoidal block ABCD
If the two legs of the cross intersect to form a special leg-crossing trapezoid in the shape of two triangles connected at their vertices, and the space between the two bottoms of the trapezoid is filled with a zigzag stitch, as shown in the figure, The threads overlap so thickly that beautiful embroidery cannot be obtained.

An object of the present invention is to provide a data creation device for an embroidery sewing machine that can create embroidery data that can produce beautiful embroidery even when the distance between two adjacent bending points is small in relation to the width of the zigzag stitch. It is.

Means for Solving the Problem In order to solve this problem, the data creation device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. a) dot sequence data storage means 1 for storing dot sequence data representing the positions of dot sequences on the shape defining line defining the shape; (C) Point sequence data stored in both storage means 1゜2.
and the zigzag stitch width data, a first imaginary line and a second imaginary line are created that are parallel to each of the line segments connecting two adjacent points of the point sequence and whose mutual distance matches the zigzag stitch width. , trapezoidal block data setting means 3 for setting the data of the trapezoidal block for the zigzag stitch, which is composed of two intersections between mutually adjacent first imaginary lines and two intersections between mutually adjacent second imaginary lines; (d) trapezoidal block data storage means 4 for storing the data of the trapezoidal block set by the trapezoidal block data setting means 3; and (e)
When the plurality of trapezoidal blocks represented by the data stored in the trapezoidal block data storage means 4 include a leg-crossing trapezoidal block whose legs intersect with each other, each leg-crossing trapezoidal block and both sides of the leg-crossing trapezoidal block are adjacent 2
two adjacent trapezoidal blocks, and the intersection between the first virtual line of one of the two adjacent trapezoidal blocks and the second virtual line of the other, and the intersection of the second virtual line of one and the first virtual line of the other. Trapezoidal block changing means for changing into two adjacent trapezoidal blocks whose legs do not intersect, with each connecting straight line as one leg and the leg on the opposite side of the two adjacent trapezoidal blocks from the leg-crossing trapezoidal block as the other leg. 5.

In addition, the above-mentioned first virtual line and second virtual line are generally separated by a distance corresponding to one-half of the zigzag stitch width from the line segment connecting two adjacent points (the line segment that constitutes the shape defining line). Although it is desirable to imagine them at separate positions, it is also possible to make the distance between them different, and in extreme cases, it is also possible to imagine one of the two virtual lines on the shape defining line. However, a trapezoid block becomes a leg-crossing trapezoid block only when a virtual line is placed inside the bend of the shape defining line, so if one virtual line is placed on the shape defining line,
If the other imaginary line is imaginary outside the bend of the shape defining line, the effects of the present invention cannot be obtained, and the imaginary line is excluded from the scope of application of the present invention.

Note that a plurality of leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks may occur consecutively. In that case, the trapezoidal block changing means changes the leg-crossing trapezoidal block group consisting of a plurality of consecutive leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks and the two normal trapezoidal blocks adjacent on both sides thereof into two normal trapezoidal blocks. It can be done. Also, depending on the shape of the shape defining line, one leg-crossing trapezoidal block, an adjacent leg-crossing trapezoidal block on one side, and a normal trapezoidal block adjacent to the other side may be changed into two normal trapezoidal blocks. In some cases, a group of three or more leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks can be changed into two normal trapezoidal blocks, and in these cases, the trapezoidal block changing means can be configured to perform such a change. It is.

Operation In the data creation device configured as described above, the trapezoidal block data setting means sets the trapezoidal block data based on the point sequence data and zigzag stitch width data stored in the point sequence data storage means and the zigzag stitch width data storage means. death,
It is stored in the trapezoidal block data storage means. When the plurality of trapezoidal blocks represented by the stored trapezoidal block data include a leg-crossing trapezoidal block, the trapezoidal block changing means is activated to change the leg-crossing trapezoidal block and the normal trapezoidal blocks adjacent to both sides thereof. Change to two adjacent trapezoidal blocks. Therefore, all the trapezoidal blocks to be filled with zigzag stitches are normal trapezoidal blocks whose legs do not intersect.

Effects of the Invention Therefore, all actual embroidery is performed based on the normal block data, and the occurrence of areas where thick threads overlap can be avoided, resulting in beautiful embroidery.

Moreover, the trapezoid block changing means changes the trapezoid block by changing the intersection between the first virtual line of one of the two adjacent trapezoid blocks adjacent to the leg-crossing trapezoid block and the second virtual line of the other, and the second virtual line of one of the two adjacent trapezoid blocks adjacent to the leg-crossing trapezoid block. Two legs, each with a straight line connecting the imaginary line and the intersection of the other first imaginary line as one leg, and the leg on the opposite side of the leg-crossing trapezoid block group of those two adjacent trapezoidal blocks as the other leg. Since it is usually a simple change of trapezoidal bronc, the change can be made in a short time, and data for the embroidery sewing machine can be created efficiently.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be explained in detail based on an open view.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an automatic sewing machine that performs embroidery based on embroidery data created by the data creation device according to the present invention. A sewing machine arm 12 is arranged on the chiffle 10,
A needle bar support case 14 is attached to the front end of the needle bar support case 14 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The needle bar support case 14 supports five needle bars 16 so as to be movable up and down, and a needle 18 is attached to the lower end of each needle bar 16. Different types of thread are supplied to each needle 18 from a thread supply source (not shown) via a thread tension regulator 20 and thread take-up 22 on the needle bar support case 14. The needle bar support case 14 is driven and moved by a needle selection motor 24 attached to the sewing machine arm 12.
One of the five needle bars 16 and needles 18 is positioned at the use position.

The needle bar 16 positioned at the use position is connected to a sewing machine motor 26 via a power transmission mechanism (not shown) and is moved up and down. A sewing machine bed 28 is protruded from the sewing machine table 10 at a position opposite to the needle bar 16 in the use position, and the workpiece cloth W is attached to the sewing machine bed 28 together with the needle 18.
A thread loop catcher (not shown) is provided for forming a stitch in the thread.

There are two X-direction moving frames 3 on both sides of the sewing machine table 10.
0 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 4) is provided to be movable in the direction of arrow Y, and can be moved an arbitrary distance in both forward and reverse directions by a Y-axis drive motor (not shown). A support frame 32 is stretched between both Y-direction moving frames 30, and an X-direction moving frame 34 is supported by the support frame 32 so as to be movable in the direction of arrow X, and is driven by an X-axis drive motor (not shown). It can be moved any distance in both forward and reverse directions.

A work cloth holding frame 36 that removably holds the work cloth W is attached to the X direction moving frame 34, and the work cloth holding frame 36 can be moved to any position on the XY plane. . As described above, the X-direction moving frame 30°, the Y-axis drive motor, the X-direction moving frame 34. The X-axis drive motor, the work cloth holding frame 36, and the like constitute a work cloth feeding device 38.

The control section of this automatic sewing machine is shown in FIG. This control section is C
PU40. ROM42. It is mainly a computer equipped with a RAM 44, and the CP[J40 has input/output ports 46. Said needle selection motor 24. via a drive circuit 48.50.52. A sewing machine motor 26 and a workpiece cloth feeding device 38 are connected. The CPU 40 further includes an external storage device 5 for recording data on a magnetic disk, magnetic tape, etc.
4 is connected, an input device 58 is connected through an input control circuit 56, and a display device 62 is connected through a display control circuit 6o. The input device 58 is used by the operator to perform input operations such as creating zigzag stitch data, instructing the start of embroidery, and selecting point sequence data on the shape defining line that defines the zigzag stitch. and a pointing device. Display device 6
2 is a means for displaying dot sequence data on the shape regulation line that defines zigzag stitches, block data of created trapezoidal blocks for zigzag stitches, etc. so that the operator can visually see them, and this device is constructed of a cathode ray tube or the like. .

As shown in FIG. 6, the RAM 44 includes a point sequence data area 64 for storing point sequence data. A zigzag stitch stitch data area 66 for storing zigzag stitch width data, a trapezoid block data area 768 for storing trapezoid block data, and the like are provided together with the working area. The ROM 42 also stores an embroidery data creation program shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8, as well as various programs for controlling the operation of the sewing machine. Below, the seventh
．． Creation of embroidery data will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When creating embroidery data, first step 31 (
Hereinafter, it will be simply expressed as Sl. (Same for other steps)
At , point sequence data is read from the external storage device 54 and stored in the point sequence data area 64 of the RAM 44 .

The point sequence data is input by the operator through the input device 58 and stored in the external storage device 54.

Subsequently, in S2, the zigzag stitch width data is read from the external storage device 54 and stored in the zigzag stitch width data area 66 of the RAM 44. Note that the zigzag stitch width is displayed on the display device 62 based on this stored data, and if the operator wishes to change the value, the zigzag stitch width can be changed by inputting another value using the input device 58. The data in the stitch width data area 66 is changed to that value.

S3 based on the above point sequence data and zigzag stitch width data
In step S4, trapezoidal block data is created, and in step S4, the trapezoidal block data is stored in the external storage device 54 as embroidery data.

The step of creating trapezoidal block data in S3 above consists of the steps shown in FIG.

First, in 5301, two bending points adjacent to each other,
That is, a line segment lJ is created by connecting the point P and P j *l. When the shape defining line is a broken line shown in Fig. 9, the shape defining line is defined by each bending point of the broken line, that is, points P1 to P, (P, , 1 is the same as P). The point sequence data is data representing each of the X-Y coordinate values of points P, P, 1.

Therefore, points P and p, which are mutually adjacent bending points,
, , can be created.

Next, at 5302, line segment! A line segment parallel to 1! ,
Two imaginary lines uj and dJ are drawn, each separated by 1/2 of the zigzag stitch width from
The intersection point Q between I and d is found, and the line segment! The intersections OJ, QJ and O, , , QJ corresponding to both ends of , respectively
A trapezoidal block defined by , , is created.

Then, the trapezoidal block 1J created in 5304
The two legs of , that is, the line segment 0. QJ and line segment Oj”l Q
It is determined whether or not j+1 intersect with each other. line segment! , that is, two points adjacent to each other P, + P
If the zigzag stitch width is relatively small compared to the distance between jeI, 2
The two legs do not cross.

Therefore, the determination result of 5304 is NO, and 530
6, a flag indicating that the block is a crossed-leg trapezoidal block is set to 0.

On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 11, the shape defining line is
Adjacent corner points whose distance from each other is relatively small, that is, point PJ-
+, 7, P.J. 1, the trapezoidal block obtained in the same manner as in the above case becomes a leg-crossing trapezoidal block in which two legs intersect with each other, as shown in FIG. The crossed leg trapezoidal block is
There are cases where only one occurs independently, and there are cases where multiple occur consecutively, but in the example shown in FIG. 12, two occur consecutively. The first of the successively occurring leg-crossing trapezoids is generally denoted by t, and the last one by t. In the example of Fig. 12, the two crossed-legged trapezoids each have 1
．． ．． 1. The normal trapezoidal blocks whose legs do not intersect, which are adjacent to both sides of the leg-crossing trapezoidal block group consisting of two or more leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks, are each 1. ,．． 1. .

It becomes 1. If the created trapezoidal block t is a leg-crossing trapezoidal block, the determination result of 5304 is YES.
Then, in 5305, a flag indicating that the block is a crossed-leg trapezoidal block is set to 1.

Whether 5305 or 3306 is executed, in 5307, the R
It is stored in the trapezoidal block data area 68 of AM44. Then, in 3308, it is determined whether or not the processing in 5304 to 5307 has been completed for all trapezoidal block data, and while the result of the determination is NO, 5304
Steps 5307 to 5307 are repeatedly executed.

When the processing for all the trapezoidal block data is completed, processing is performed after 5309 to change the leg-crossing trapezoidal block group and the two normal trapezoidal blocks adjacent thereto into two normal trapezoidal blocks, respectively.

First, in 5309, the trapezoidal block data area 6
Depending on whether the flag of each trapezoidal block data of B is 1, it is determined whether there is a leg-crossing trapezoidal block group,
3310.311 every time a leg-crossing trapezoid block group is found
Both steps are executed. If a leg-crossing trapezoidal block group consisting of two leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks t, s, and jp shown in FIG.
1-1°L8.1 are changed to two normal trapezoidal blocks.

That is, in 5310, the virtual line us-1 and the virtual line d
8°, the intersection Oso, the imaginary line d3-7 and the imaginary line u
The intersection point Q s e with @ 41 is found, and 5311
In, two leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks 1s, 1. A leg-crossing trapezoidal block group consisting of a leg-crossing trapezoid block group and two normal trapezoidal blocks adjacent to each other on both sides ts-I, t@. , and are two normal trapezoidal blocks, that is, the trapezoidal block OS-I Q ! shown in FIG. -105e Q 19 and the normal trapezoidal block Q,,O,,O0°+Qo. 1.

After executing steps 3310 and 311, it is determined again in step 5309 whether or not there is a leg-crossing trapezoid block group, and if so, the same process as above is performed, but if not, the determination result in step 5309 is NO, and one embroidery area is The process of setting trapezoidal block data ends. Note that - if the embroidery area does not include any leg-crossing trapezoidal block groups, steps 5310 and 5311 are not executed, and the trapezoidal block data stored in the trapezoidal block data area 68 in 5307 is used as embroidery data. Ru.

When embroidery is actually executed, the length of the line segment connecting the midpoints of the two legs of each trapezoidal block is divided by a predetermined embroidery stitch density, and the integer part of the quotient is calculated. The two bases of the trapezoidal block are divided by the integer part to determine the needle position on each base.

Then, a zigzag stitch is performed in which the needle positions on both bottoms are alternately tied at every other needle position, resulting in the embroidery shown in FIG. 14.

As is clear from the above explanation, in this example,
The dot sequence data area 64 of R and AM 44 constitutes a dot sequence data storage means, and the zigzag stitch width data area 66 constitutes a zigzag stitch width data storage means. And CPU40
．． ROM42 Oyohi RAM44 (DS301 to 33
08 constitutes a trapezoidal block data setting means, and the trapezoidal block data area 68 of the RAM 44 constitutes a trapezoidal block data storage means. Also, C
PU40. The portions of the ROM 42 and RAM 44 that execute steps 5309 to 5311 constitute trapezoidal block changing means.

In this example, ``If a plurality of leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks occur in succession, the leg-crossing trapezoidal flock group and the two normal trapezoidal flocks adjacent to it on both sides are changed into two normal trapezoidal blocks. However,
Depending on the shape of the shape defining line, even if a trapezoidal block adjacent to at least one side of one leg-crossing trapezoidal block is a leg-crossing trapezoidal block, it may be transformed into a normal block. For example, three leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks t, ts shown in FIG. 1. t, occurs continuously, these three leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks are processed in the same way as in this embodiment to form two normal trapezoidal blocks O,QSO,,QS@ and Qs,Os shown in FIG. ,O,Q,
The two leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks 1. shown in FIG. ,1. If these two leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks and one normal trapezoidal block jo++ on one side of them occur consecutively, the two normal trapezoidal blocks 0, Q, O,, Q, and QS! O
It can be changed to S e O@ + 1 Q e l +. Therefore, it is also possible that the trapezoidal block changing means performs such a changing process.

In addition, in this embodiment, the embroidery data creation device is configured integrally with the control unit that controls the operation of the automatic sewing machine, but the embroidery data creation device is provided separately from the sewing machine, and the created embroidery data is It is also possible to record on a magnetic disk or a magnetic tape. When embroidering, the magnetic disk or magnetic tape is set in the magnetic disk reading device or magnetic tape reading device of the sewing machine, and read by the sewing machine's control computer.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the trapezoid block is changed only when a leg-crossing trapezoid block occurs, but although the legs do not intersect, the ratio of the two bottoms is large. If there is a large difference in stitch density on each bottom, it is also possible to change the trapezoidal block in the same way as when a leg-crossing trapezoidal block is created.

Although not illustrated in detail, it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining problems in a conventional embroidery data creation device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the main body of an automatic sewing machine equipped with an embroidery data creation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical control section of the automatic sewing machine. FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the RAM of the control section. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the embroidery data creation program stored in the ROM of the control section. 9 to 13 are diagrams for explaining the creation of embroidery data by the data creation device, and FIG. 14 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of embroidery using the created embroidery data. FIGS. 15 to 18 are diagrams showing changes in trapezoidal block data in another embodiment of the present invention. 12: Sewing machine arm 14: Needle bar support case 16: Needle bar 18: Needle

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A dot sequence data storage means for storing dot sequence data representing the position of a dot sequence on a shape defining line that defines the shape of an embroidery area in which a zigzag stitch is to be performed with a predetermined zigzag width; a zigzag stitch width data storage means for storing zigzag stitch width data representing the width; and zigzag stitch width data storage means for storing zigzag stitch width data representing the width, and two points adjacent to each other in the dot sequence based on the point sequence data and zigzag stitch width data stored in both storage means. A first imaginary line and a second imaginary line that are parallel to each of the connecting line segments and whose distance from each other matches the zigzag stitch width are imaginary, and two intersection points of the first imaginary lines that are adjacent to each other are adjacent to each other. a trapezoidal block data setting means for setting data of a trapezoidal block for the zigzag stitch consisting of two intersections of second virtual lines; and a trapezoidal block data setting means for storing data of the trapezoidal block set by the trapezoidal block data setting means. a trapezoidal block data storage means; and when a plurality of trapezoidal blocks represented by the data stored in the trapezoidal block data storage means include a leg-crossing trapezoidal block whose legs intersect with each other, the leg-crossing trapezoidal block and its leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks are Two adjacent trapezoidal blocks that are adjacent to each other on both sides of the block, and The legs intersect, with the straight line connecting the intersection with the other first imaginary line being one leg, and the leg on the opposite side of the two adjacent trapezoidal blocks from the leg-crossing trapezoidal block being the other leg. a trapezoidal block changing means for changing two normal trapezoidal blocks into two normal trapezoidal blocks.