JPH04266789A - Image data processing device for sewing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively eliminate a noise from image data generated at the time of reading an original image pattern via an image input device. CONSTITUTION:An image data memory section 41 stores the image data of an original image pattern read through an image input device. A check bit instruction section 42a instructs check bits in order, and a peripheral bit instruction section 42b instructs the peripheral bits thereof. A totally black and white judgement section 42e makes judgement as to whether peripheral bits read out from the aforesaid image data memory section 41 have the same color of black or white. When the peripheral bits are judged to have the same color, the aforesaid check bits are changed to that color. On the other hand, when the peripheral bits are judged not to be constituted of the same color, the check bits are held as data without any color change.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Field of Industrial Application] This invention relates to an image data processing method for a sewing machine, and in particular, after reading an original pattern to be embroidered from an image input device and creating image data, the image data is subjected to data processing such as noise removal. The present invention relates to an image data processing method for a sewing machine.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, original patterns such as designs and characters to be embroidered are read in from an image input device such as an image scanner.
An embroidery data creation device has been proposed that creates sewing data from read image data through image processing.

In this embroidery data creation device, black dots in image data are searched for in the horizontal direction (column direction), and when a black dot is found, the black dot is used as the starting point of sewing data. If the black dots are continuous in the column direction, sewing data of needle drop points is generated in the column direction from the starting point at a predetermined pitch. Thereafter, when a white dot is found, it is determined that the line of black dots has reached the end, and this end is set as the end point of the sewing data. After the above processing is completed,
It is determined that the process of converting the image data into sewing data in the column direction is completed, and the process moves on to converting the next column of image data into sewing data.

[0004] At this time, the image data converted to sewing data is erased. By continuously executing the above processing, sewing data is generated in the black portion of the original image data. For example, if the design of the original pattern is as shown in Figure 6 (
a) If it is a round shape 11 filled with black inside (the black filling has been removed in the figure for clarity), as shown in the figure, , sewing data is formed in the row direction at a predetermined pitch from point a as a starting point to point b as the end point.

[0005]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, if the image data read from the image input device contains noise, the inside may be filled with black, as shown in FIG. 6(b), for example. If white dot noise 12 is included in the round shape 11, the sewing data is formed starting from point a to point b, and then jump data to point c is formed, and the sewing data starts from point a and ends at point b. Sewing data will be formed up to point d. Even if the noise 12 is vertical line noise with a width of 1 bit, the sewing data as described above is formed.

[0006]Therefore, there has been a problem in that the presence of even a small 1-bit noise in image data significantly degrades the quality of the embroidery pattern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image data processing apparatus for a sewing machine that can eliminate the problems of the conventional apparatus described above and can effectively remove noise from image data.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image data storage unit that stores image data of an original pattern read by an image input device, and one or more bits from the image data. means for sequentially extracting check bit data of the extracted check bit data; means for extracting peripheral bit data of the extracted check bit data; means for determining whether the peripheral bit data are of the same color; It is characterized in that it includes a data conversion unit that converts the check bit data into the same color when it is determined that the color is the same, and leaves the check bit data as it is when it is determined that they are not the same color. .

[0009]

According to the present invention, check bits are sequentially extracted from the image data storage section. Further, its peripheral bits are also sequentially extracted. It is determined whether the peripheral bits are all the same color, black or white, or a mixture of black and white. When it is determined that they are all black or white, the check bits are converted to the same color. On the other hand, if the peripheral bits are not of the same color, the check bit is retained as the original data.

As a result of the above, it is possible to effectively remove noise in image data that occurs when an original image pattern is read by an image input device.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 shows an external perspective view of an embroidery sewing machine to which the present invention is applied.

In the figure, 10 is an embroidery machine capable of sewing patterns using a normal needle and cloth feed, and embroidery sewing by driving and controlling the embroidery frame. Start/stop key 11
, liquid crystal display section 12, pattern selection section 13, operation key section 14,
A card reader/writer unit 15 and the like is provided for reading data from and writing data to the RAM card.

Reference numeral 16 denotes an embroidery frame that holds the embroidery cloth, and the embroidery frame is detachably fixed to a carriage (not shown) connected to drive means for driving X and Y. The method of driving the embroidery frame 16 is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application No. 134217/1999 previously filed by the present applicant, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

The operation key section 14 includes an image scanner input mode selection key 14a for selecting an image scanner input mode, and an embroidery key 14a for instructing to convert original image data read from an image input device to be described later into embroidery data. It includes a data conversion key 14b and the like. Further, the liquid crystal display section 12 displays messages for instructing the sewing person on operating procedures of the sewing machine, original image data read from the image input device, and the like.

Reference numeral 20 denotes an image scanner as an example of an image input device, and a reading start button 22 is provided on the side of the image scanner.
is provided. The image scanner 20 is electrically and mechanically connected to the embroidery sewing machine 10 by a dedicated cable 21 and a plug (not shown).

Reference numeral 30 denotes a sheet of paper on which an original pattern is written. Preferably, white paper is used as this paper 30,
On this paper, original patterns such as letters and pictures with a line width of 1 mm or more are drawn with a black pen or the like.

The image scanner 20 may have, for example, an effective reading width of 63 mm, black and white binary gradation output, and 504 main scanning effective pixels.

Next, an outline of the hardware configuration of the embroidery sewing machine 10 will be explained with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. In addition,
Components that are the same as or equivalent to those in FIG. 7 are indicated by the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals with a suffix.

In the figure, 40 is a central processing unit that controls the entire operation of the embroidery sewing machine. Reference numeral 41 denotes an image data storage means for storing image data read by the image reading device 20. 42 is a data processing means for performing processing such as noise removal from the image data stored in the image data storage means 41; 43 is this data processing means 42;
This is a processed data storage means for storing processed data.

Further, 44 is an embroidery data storage means. This embroidery data storage means 44 corresponds to the RAM card 18 etc. installed in the card reader/writer section 15,
The embroidery data storage means 44 stores embroidery data obtained by converting the data stored in the processed data storage means 43 by the central processing unit 40.

45 is an internal pattern storage means, and 46 is a program storage means. This program storage means 46 includes
Image processing programs such as a program for controlling the data processing means 42, a program for converting data stored in the processed data storage means 43 into embroidery data, and a control program for controlling the overall operation of the embroidery sewing machine. is stored.

Reference numeral 47 denotes a rotational speed command means, which corresponds to a controller or the like that can be operated freely by the sewing person. 4
8 is a sewing machine motor drive circuit that operates in response to the rotational speed command means, and 49 is a sewing machine motor. 50 is a sewing machine motor rotational speed detecting means for detecting the rotational speed of the sewing machine motor 49. 51 is an upper shaft rotational phase detection means for detecting the rotational phase of the upper shaft of the sewing machine.

Further, 52 is a stepping motor drive circuit for driving an embroidery frame covered with cloth, 53 is an X-axis stepping motor driven by the drive circuit 52, and 54 is a Y-axis stepping motor. .

Next, the general operation of the embroidery sewing machine configured as described above will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when the embroidery sewing machine is powered on by turning on a power switch (not shown), initial settings are performed (step S1). Next, the operation key section 14
Mode selection is performed from the mode selection means inside (step S2), and when the lockstitch mode is selected (step S3 is negative), the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4,
When a pattern is selected from the pattern selection section 13, the central processing unit 40 stores sewing data for the selected pattern.
Select from the internal pattern storage means 45.

Thereafter, the process advances to step S5, and when the user presses the start/stop key 11 (step S5), the process proceeds to step S5.
6 is affirmative), the central processing unit 40 reads sewing data from the internal pattern storage means 45 in response to the detection signal from the upper shaft rotational phase detection means 51 and supplies it to the stepping motor drive circuit 52. The stepping motor drive circuit 52 drives the X-axis stepping motor 53 and the Y-axis stepping motor 54 based on the supplied embroidery data. As described above, sewing in the lockstitch mode is executed (step S7).

Next, in step S8, there is a key input.
If it is determined that this key is the start/stop key 11 (step S9 is affirmative), the lock stitch mode processing is ended.

Next, the operation of reading an original pattern from the image reading device 20 and creating embroidery data will be explained.

Before turning on the power to the sewing machine 10, a RAM card is set in the card reader/writer section 15,
Turn on the power. Then, the sewing machine is initialized as described above (step S1). Next, a mode is selected from the mode selection means (step S2), and when the embroidery mode is selected (affirmative in step S3), it is determined whether image input or embroidery stitching is to be performed (step S10).

When it is determined that image input has been selected by the image scanner input mode selection key 14a, (
Step S10 is affirmative), the process advances to step S11, the sewing machine enters the image scanner input mode, and a message saying, for example, "Please press the image scanner reading start button" is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 12. . On the other hand, if the sewing person determines that embroidery stitching is selected (step S10 is negative), step S
The process advances to step 14 to move on to pattern selection processing.

In response to the message in step S11, the sewing person places the paper on which the original pattern is drawn on a flat surface, places the image scanner 20 on the paper, and presses the reading start button 22 while pressing the When the original pattern is moved from the beginning to the last position, the original pattern is converted into binary data and stored in an image data storage means 41 provided in the sewing machine.

[0032] When the above storage is completed, step S12
Then, the binary data stored in the image data storage means 41 is subjected to processing such as compression processing and noise removal by the data processing means 42, and is stored in the processed data storage means 43. The original image data stored in the processed data storage means 43 is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 12. Note that the processed data storage means 43 is the image data storage means 4.
It may be the same as 1.

The original image data stored in the processed data storage means 43 is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 12. Therefore,
The user of the sewing machine confirms by checking the characters and pictures displayed on the liquid crystal display section 12 that the input data does not contain noise and is input correctly, and then presses the operation key 14.
When the user presses the embroidery data conversion key, embroidery data is generated by the image processing program stored in the program storage means 46 and stored in the embroidery data storage means 44, that is, the RAM card (step S13).

As described above, the original pattern read by the image reading device 20 is converted into embroidery data, and the R
Stored on the AM card.

When embroidering the characters or figures stored in the RAM card in this manner, the start/stop key 11 is turned on by key input (step S15) (step S16 is affirmative). Then, the embroidery data is read out from the RAM card, and the stepping motor drive circuit 52 operates the
, drive the Y-axis driving stepping motors 53 and 54. As a result, beautiful embroidery stitches are formed on the cloth (step S17).

When the process proceeds to step S14, the mode selection means selects an embroidery pattern from the RAM card installed in the card reader/writer section 15 of the sewing machine. Then, when the start/stop key 11 is turned on (step S16 is affirmative), the process proceeds to step S17, where the embroidery pattern is sewn.

[0037] In an embroidery sewing machine having the above-mentioned configuration and operating as above, the present invention provides the above-mentioned step S.
The feature is that the compression processing of No. 12 is improved, and one embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same or equivalent parts as in FIG. 8 are indicated by the same reference numerals or suffixes.

42a to 42g are the data processing means 4;
2, 42a is a check bit instruction section for instructing the image data storage section 41 to set a check bit;
Reference numeral 2b denotes a peripheral bit designation section that designates the peripheral bits above, below, left and right of the check bit. Further, 42c is a bit data holding section that holds the bit data specified by the check bit instruction section 42a, 42d is a peripheral bit data holding section that holds the peripheral bit data specified by the peripheral bit instruction section 42b, and 42e is a peripheral bit data holding section that holds the peripheral bit data specified by the peripheral bit instruction section 42b. An all-black/all-white determining unit 42f determines whether all of the peripheral bit data is black or white, and when it is determined to be all black by the all-black/all-white determining unit 42e, the check bit is set as a black bit, and all of the peripheral bit data is black or white. A data conversion section 42g converts the check bit into a white bit when the check bit is determined to be white, and a check bit update section 42g selects the next check bit when the conversion of the check bit is completed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the check bit instruction section 42a extracts the first check bit from the image data stored in the image data storage section 41 (step S1). Next, peripheral bits of the check bit are determined by the peripheral bit specifying section 42b, and the peripheral bits are extracted from the image data stored in the image data storage section 41 (step S2). ).

For example, in the specific example of FIG.
) is the check bit, and the four black bits on the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the white bit are the peripheral bits selected in step S2.

In step S3, the all-black/all-white determining section 42
By the action of e, it is determined whether all peripheral bits are black. If this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S4, where the check bit is set to black. Step S3
If the result is negative, the process proceeds to step S5, where it is determined whether all peripheral bits are white. If this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S6, where the check bit is set to white. The bit data set to black in step S4 and white in step S5 is stored in the processed data storage section 43 in step S7. Further, if step S5 is negative, the check bit is stored in the processed data storage section 43 as is. Said steps S4, S
Processing No. 6 is performed by the data conversion section 42f.

Next, in step S8, it is determined whether all the image data in the image data storage section 41 has been checked, and if the answer is negative, the process advances to step S9, where the next check bit is extracted. . Then, the same process as described above is repeated again from step S2.

When it is determined that all the image data in the image data storage section 41 has been checked through the above-described operations (step S8 is affirmative), all processing ends.

According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4(a), if a check bit is white and the surrounding bits above, below, left, and right are all black, the check bit becomes black. converted. Conversely, if the check bit is black and the surrounding bits above, below, left, and right are all white, the check bit is converted to white. As a result, the bit data after processing becomes as shown in FIG. 4(b).

If the surrounding bits are of the same color and the check bit is of a different color, there is a high probability that this check bit is noise, so according to this embodiment, this noise can be effectively removed. . As a result, when embroidery data is created using the image data processed according to this embodiment,
Since there is no noise, the black area of the original pattern will be embroidered with embroidery thread that stretches continuously in the horizontal direction from the starting point to the end point, and the embroidery thread will no longer fall into the white area of the original pattern. Therefore, beautiful embroidery patterns can be obtained.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the check bit is replaced by a check bit group consisting of a plurality of bits.

In step S11, a check bit group consisting of, for example, four bits is extracted, as shown in FIG. 5(a). In step S12, the upper, lower, left, and right peripheral bits of the check bit group are extracted. In the illustrated example, the peripheral bits are eight bits.

In step S13, it is determined whether or not the peripheral bits are all black. If this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S14, where the check bit group is converted to all black. In step S15, it is determined whether the peripheral bits are all white, and if this determination is affirmative, the check bit group is converted to all white. If step S15 is negative, the data is stored in the processed data storage unit 43 as it is without any conversion.

In step S18, the image data storage section 4
A determination is made as to whether all image data in 1 has been checked, and if the answer is negative, the process advances to step S19 and the next check bit is selected. Then step S again
Returning to step 12, the same operation as above is repeated again. The above operations are repeatedly executed, and when the determination in step S18 becomes affirmative, the entire process ends.

According to this embodiment, the image data of FIG. 5(a) is converted to the data of FIG. 5(b). In general, the distance between dots of image data is usually about 0.5 mm, and when forming embroidery stitches, it is difficult to express a space of 1 mm or less as a stitch. Therefore, when processing is performed in units of check bit groups as in this embodiment, it is possible to remove data that is difficult to express, and it is possible to obtain embroidery data that allows natural embroidery stitching.

In the above two embodiments, the image data extracted in steps S1 and S11 may or may not be subjected to compression processing. Also, steps S7 and S17
The image data stored in the processed data storage unit may be compressed.

[0053]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to effectively remove noise when an original image pattern is read by an image input device.

Furthermore, since it is possible to remove data that is difficult to express with embroidery stitches, it is possible to create embroidery data that allows natural embroidery stitches.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a concrete explanatory diagram of the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a concrete explanatory diagram of the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of converting image data into embroidery data.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embroidery sewing machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the embroidery sewing machine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the embroidery sewing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

42a... Check bit instruction section, 42b... Peripheral bit instruction section, 42c... Bit data holding section, 42d... Peripheral bit data holding section, 42f... Data converting section, 42g... Check bit updating section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image data storage section for storing image data of an original pattern read by an image input device, means for sequentially extracting one or more bits of check bit data from the image data, and a means for sequentially extracting check bit data of one or more bits from the image data; means for extracting peripheral bit data of bit data; means for determining whether or not the peripheral bit data are of the same color; 2. An image data processing device for a sewing machine, comprising: a data conversion unit that converts the check bit data into the same color and leaves the check bit data as it is when it is determined that the colors are not the same.