JPH04266791A - Shadow sewing machine and formation of shadow sewing seam by the sewing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the need of additionally preparing shadow sewing data by forming a shadow sewing section with back and surface sewing sections of characters and patterns via the overlapped seam of different color threads dislocated for selected characters, patterns or the like between the first and second sewing. CONSTITUTION:A sewing machine has a needlebar controlled in vertical reciprocating motion, and can perform embroidery stitching by forming a seam on a cloth set to an embroidering frame 13 mounted on the carriage of an X-Y drive mechanism 12 so controlled as to be interlocked with the rotation of an upper spindle. A control program memory device ROM 1 stores a machine control program, while pattern data and embroidering data are stored in a pattern memory device ROM2. In case of shadow sewing, the second embroidery sewing of embroidery characters and patterns can take arbitrary coordinates within a range overlapped with the first embroidery characters or the like. As a result, the preparation of additional shadow sewing data is not required, and memory capacity can also be reduced.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to the application of sewing machines.
In particular, the present invention relates to a sewing machine capable of forming shadow stitches for selected characters, patterns, etc., and a method for forming shadow stitches using the sewing machine.

0002

[Prior Art] Shadow stitching is a sewing method in which the stitches of the shadow stitched section 2 are formed close to the stitches of the surface stitched section 1 of embroidered characters, etc., as shown in Fig. 11. The formed shadow stitches can give embroidered characters and the like a three-dimensional effect. Conventionally, when performing shadow stitching with an embroidery sewing machine, stitch data for the shadow stitching section 2 was added to the embroidery data for the surface stitching section of each character, pattern, etc. to be embroidered and created separately.

0003

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In the conventional example described above,
When performing shadow stitching with an embroidery machine, as described above, it is necessary to create and add data for the shadow stitching section 2 of the shadow stitching individually to each embroidery data such as letters and patterns to be embroidered. However, it takes a lot of time to create the data, and this is especially true when it comes to making it possible to perform multiple types of shadow stitching in arbitrary widths and orientations for characters, patterns, etc., and the time required to create the data becomes enormous. The storage capacity required to store the created data also becomes large, which poses a practical problem.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] Firstly, the present invention provides overlapping stitching using threads of different colors by shifting the positions of selected characters, patterns, etc. in the first and second stitches in a sewing machine. To provide a shadow stitch sewing machine capable of forming shadow stitches consisting of a shadow stitch part of formed characters, patterns, etc. and a surface stitch part.

A second aspect of the present invention is to sew letters, patterns, etc. on a sewing machine by overlapping stitches using threads of different colors by shifting the positions of the selected letters, patterns, etc. in the first and second stitches. To provide a method for forming a shadow stitch of a sewing machine, which forms a shadow stitch consisting of a shadow stitch part and a surface stitch part.

Thirdly, the present invention provides a sewing machine with a group of pattern selection keys for selecting characters and patterns, a display device for displaying selected characters and patterns, and a device for specifying the direction of shadow stitching. A plurality of groups of shadow stitch selection keys are provided, and the start point of the second embroidery stitch can be changed from the start point of the first embroidery stitch to the start point of the first embroidery stitch according to the operation of one key in the shadow stitch selection key group. To provide a shadow stitch sewing machine in which a shadow stitch part is automatically set to a shifted position and a shadow stitch part is attached in an appropriate direction to a surface stitch part by overlapping stitches to form a shadow stitch seam.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the sewing machine, characters, patterns, etc. are selected by a group of pattern selection keys, the selected characters, patterns, etc. are displayed on a display device, and one of the plurality of shadow stitch selection keys is selected. Depending on the operation of one key, the start point of the second embroidery stitch is automatically set to a position shifted from the start point of the first embroidery stitch, and the overlapping stitch is applied to the surface stitching area as appropriate. To provide a shadow sewing method for a sewing machine in which a shadow sewing part is attached in the direction of , and a shadow sewing seam is formed.

[0008]

[Operation of the invention] According to the present invention, there is no need to create new data for shadow sewing in order to perform shadow sewing. After that, all you have to do is select the direction of shadow stitching by operating the desired key from a group of multiple shadow stitch selection keys. Compared to the previous example, it requires less time and effort, and there is no need to create new sewing data for the shadow stitching area, so the data storage capacity can be significantly reduced compared to the conventional example, and the range of applications for embroidery sewing can be greatly expanded. It has the effect of being able to be expanded to.

[0009]

[Embodiment] - General structure of the sewing machine First, the general structure of the sewing machine will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, the sewing machine 10 has an upper shaft (
The needle bar 11 is equipped with a needle bar 11 whose vertical and reciprocating movement is controlled by a needle (not shown), and is attached to the carriage of an X-Y drive mechanism 12 (Fig. 5) whose drive is controlled in synchronization with the rotation of the upper shaft in the embroidery sewing mode. Stitches are formed on the cloth set in the embroidery frame 13 so that embroidery can be performed.

In FIG. 4, the operation panel 15 on the front of the sewing machine has a pattern selection key group 20 for selecting letters, patterns, numbers, etc. and a plurality of shadow stitch selection key groups 3.
0, etc., the embroidery key 35 for specifying the embroidery stitch mode of the sewing machine, the normal stitch key 36 for specifying the normal stitch mode, the memory key 37 for registering the selected embroidery pattern, and the selected pattern. Function key section KEY2 including a cancellation key 38 for cancellation, etc.
A display device LCD for displaying selected patterns and the like is also provided.

General structure of the control circuit of the sewing machine Next, the general structure of the control circuit of the sewing machine will be explained with reference to FIG. In the figure, an arithmetic unit CPU is a device that controls the entire control circuit. The control program storage device ROM1 stores a control program for the sewing machine. The pattern storage device ROM2 stores a plurality of pattern data selected in the normal sewing mode specified by the normal stitch selection key 36 and a plurality of embroidery stitch data selected in the embroidery stitch mode specified by the embroidery stitch selection key 37. remembered.

The start key 39 is an operation key that alternately drives and stops the stitch forming mechanism 40 when operated. That is, the start key 39 is a key that has the function of starting the sewing machine when operated when the sewing machine is stopped, and stopping the operation of the sewing machine when operated during operation. The display device LCD displays instructions necessary for sewing when and after selecting a pattern. A stitch forming mechanism 40 as a stitch forming means includes a needle bar 11, a hook (not shown), etc., which are driven and controlled by a sewing machine motor MM.

The XY motors XM and YM are driven by XY motor drive circuits XD and YD, and are switched to control the XY drive mechanism 12 as XY drive means by the switching mechanism 41 in the embroidery sewing mode, and the embroidery frame 13 is controlled by the switching mechanism 41. XY control. The X motor XM is switched to control the stitch forming mechanism 40 by the switching mechanism 41 in the normal sewing mode.

Shadow stitching Shadow stitching will be explained below with reference to FIG. The alphabet "A" will be used as an example of an embroidery character and pattern for shadow stitching. In the same figure, the coordinate origin S1 of the first embroidery stitch of the embroidery character "A" is the coordinate origin (0,0), and the coordinates of the start point S2 of the second embroidery stitch with respect to the start point S1 are S2 (X ,Y), the coordinate S2(X
, Y) can take any coordinate within the range where the first embroidery character (becomes the shadow stitching part 4) and the second embroidery character (becomes the surface stitching part 5) overlap, This makes it possible to perform arbitrary shadow stitching on selected characters, patterns, etc.

For example, in the example of shadow stitching 1 shown in FIG. 6, the XY coordinates of the second starting point S2 are
= Xa (Xa is a negative value), Y = Ya (Ya is a positive value), and in the example of shadow stitching of the character string "AB", the shadow stitching part 4 is the surface stitching part 5 as shown in FIG. is formed at the bottom right of the

Furthermore, in the example of shadow stitching 2 shown in FIG. 8, the XY coordinates of the second start point S2 are X=
Xb, Y=Yb (Xb, Yb are positive values), and in the example of the character string "AB", as shown in Figure 9, unlike the case of shadow stitch 1, the selected characters, patterns, etc. A shadow stitched portion 4 is formed at the lower left of the surface stitched portion 5. In addition to the shadow stitching 1 and shadow stitching 2 described above, by selecting the coordinates of the second starting point to be different from these coordinates, various forms of shadow stitching are possible.

Outline of Sewing Machine Control Below, an overview of the control of the sewing machine when performing embroidery stitches and shadow stitches will be explained.

1) Embroidery Stitching If you want to sew the embroidery pattern "AB", for example, first operate the embroidery key 35 to enter the embroidery stitching mode, and then press the pattern selection key in the pattern selection key group 20. 21 to select "A" and press the memory key 37, "A" will be displayed on the display device LCD, then select "B" by operating the pattern selection key 21 again and press the memory key 37.
When you press , "AB" is displayed on the display device LCD. When the start key 39 is pressed in this state, the letters "AB" are embroidered.

2) Shadow stitching For example, when performing shadow stitching for the embroidery pattern "AB", first select the character "AB" by operating the pattern selection key 21 and memory key 37 in the same way as for embroidery stitching. is selected and memorized, and "AB" is displayed on the display device LCD.

Next, the shadow stitch key 31 of the shadow stitch key group 30 is operated. When the start key 39 is pressed in this state, shadow stitching for the letters "AB" is started, the first stitch of "AB" is formed, and after returning to the first starting point, it is stopped, and the display The LCD will instruct you to change the upper thread color. When you start the sewing machine after following the instructions and replacing the upper thread with a different color than the upper thread used for the first time, the embroidery hoop will be different from the needle drop point for the second time than the starting point for the first time. After moving to the starting point, overlapping stitches are performed from that position to form shadow stitches. In this way, generally, by using a dark colored thread in the shadow stitching section 4 and a light colored thread in the surface stitching section 5, shadow stitching that gives a three-dimensional effect to the selected letters and patterns can be achieved. can be formed.

Procedure for controlling the sewing machine The procedure for controlling the sewing machine will be explained below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the same figure, Sn (n=
1, 2, 3...) indicate the steps of each process.

S1 When the power is turned on, related memories and the like are set to the initial state. S2, S3 Select normal stitching or embroidery stitching using the mode selection keys. If normal stitching is selected, the process proceeds to S4 and subsequent steps, and if embroidery stitches are selected, the process proceeds to S8 and subsequent steps.

1) Normal sewing mode (S4 to S7) S4,
S5 Select the desired normal sewing pattern by operating the keyboard in S4, check the input status of the keys in S5, and press the start key 3.
Wait until 9 is pressed. When the start key 39 is pressed, the process advances to S6. The sewing in S6 and S7 in S6 is executed until a stop instruction is given using the stop key or the like in S7. When there is an instruction to stop, the process returns to S2.

2) Embroidery mode S8 A desired embroidery pattern is selected by operating the keyboard.

- Shadow stitch 1 S9 The input state of the key is checked, and it is determined in S9 whether shadow stitch 1 is selected. If so, the process proceeds to S10 and subsequent steps; otherwise, the process proceeds to S12. S10, S11 In S10, the key input state is checked and the process waits until the start key is operated. When the start key is pressed, shadow stitch 1 in S11 is executed. Details will be described later.

- Shadow stitch 2 S12 The input state of the key is checked, and it is determined in S12 whether it is shadow stitch 2. If this is the case, the process proceeds to S13 and thereafter, and if not, the process proceeds to S15. S13, S14 Wait until the start key 39 is operated, and when the start key 34 is pressed,
Shadow stitch 2 in S14 is executed. Details will be described later.

- Embroidery sewing S15 The input state of the keys is checked to determine whether the start key has been operated. When the start key is operated, the process advances to S16. S16 Execute embroidery stitching of the selected embroidery pattern.

Control procedure for shadow stitching The control procedure for shadow stitching will be explained below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Shadow stitching 1 and shadow stitching 2 differ in the starting point of the second stitching, which becomes the surface stitching portion 5, but are similar in terms of control, so shadow stitching 1 will be explained as an example of shadow stitching. In the same figure, Sn (n=2
1, 22, 23...) indicate the steps of each process.

S21 The sewing of the shadow stitch portion 4 of the shadow stitch 1 is performed until it is determined in S22 that the shadow stitch has been completed. S23, 24 When the sewing of the shadow stitch section 4 is completed, the embroidery frame 13 returns to the first starting point with respect to the needle drop point, the sewing machine stops, and an instruction to change the needle thread is displayed on the display screen of the display device LCD. Is displayed. Check the input state of the S25 key and wait until the start key is operated.

S26 When the start key 39 is pressed, the embroidery frame 13 moves to the specified second start point position relative to the needle drop point. S27, S28 The sewing of the surface stitching portion 5 (bright thread portion) of the shadow stitching in S27 is executed until it is determined that the sewing is completed in S28, and when the sewing of the surface sewing portion 5 is completed, the process returns to the main routine.

[0031]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, there is no need to create new data for shadow sewing in order to perform shadow sewing. After selecting the embroidery pattern, all you have to do is select the direction of the shadow stitch by operating the desired key from the multiple shadow stitch selection keys, so you can create sewing data for the shadow stitch section individually for shadow stitching. It requires less time and effort than the conventional method, and since there is no need to create new sewing data for the shadow stitching section, the data storage capacity can be significantly reduced compared to the conventional method, and the embroidery sewing Remarkable effects can be obtained, such as greatly expanding the range of applications.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 10 relate to embodiments of the present invention,

[Figure 1] Flowchart of the main control program of the sewing machine

[Figure 2] Flowchart of subroutine program for shadow sewing control

[Figure 3] External perspective view of the sewing machine

[Figure 4] Diagram showing the main parts of the sewing machine operation panel

[Figure 5] Block diagram of sewing machine control circuit

[Figure 6] Diagram showing movement of the start point of shadow stitching 1

[Figure 7]
Diagram showing the embroidery result of shadow stitch 1

[Figure 8] Diagram showing movement of the start point of shadow stitching 2

[Figure 9]
Diagram showing the embroidery result of shadow stitch 2

[Figure 10]
Diagram showing the relationship between the first and second start points of shadow stitching

[Figure 11] Diagram showing an example of conventional shadow stitching

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Sewing machine 12 XY drive means 13 Embroidery frame 20 Pattern selection key group 30 Shadow stitch selection key group 40
Stitch forming means LCD Display device ROM2 Pattern storage device

Claims

[Claims] 1. Stitch forming means having a needle that reciprocates up and down and forming a stitch; pattern storage means storing sewing data for a plurality of sewing patterns; Equipped with an XY drive means that controls the relative position of the needle drop point and the embroidery frame, it is possible to form stitches and perform embroidery by controlling the embroidery frame in XY in synchronization with the rotation of the upper shaft of the sewing machine. On a sewing machine, the shadow stitched portion and surface stitched portion of a selected letter, pattern, etc. are formed by overlapping stitches using threads of different colors by shifting their positions in the first and second stitches for the selected letter, pattern, etc. A shadow stitch sewing machine characterized by forming a shadow stitch consisting of. 2. Stitch forming means that has a needle that reciprocates up and down and forms a stitch; pattern storage means that stores embroidery data for a plurality of embroidery patterns; Equipped with an XY drive means that controls the relative position of the needle drop point and the embroidery frame, it is possible to form stitches and perform embroidery by controlling the embroidery frame in XY in synchronization with the rotation of the upper shaft of the sewing machine. On a sewing machine, letters, patterns, etc. are sewn by overlapping stitches using threads of different colors, shifting the positions in the first and second stitches for the selected letters, patterns, etc.
A method for forming a shadow seam on a sewing machine, comprising forming a shadow seam consisting of a shadow seam part of a pattern, etc. and a surface seam part. 3. Stitch forming means that has a needle that reciprocates up and down and forms a stitch; pattern storage means that stores embroidery data for a plurality of embroidery patterns; Equipped with an XY drive means that controls the relative position of the needle drop point and the embroidery frame, it is possible to form stitches and perform embroidery by controlling the embroidery frame in XY in synchronization with the rotation of the upper shaft of the sewing machine. The sewing machine includes a group of pattern selection keys for selecting characters and patterns, a display device for displaying the selected characters, patterns, etc., and a group of multiple shadow stitch selection keys for specifying the direction of shadow stitching. In preparation, in response to the operation of one of the shadow stitch selection keys, the start point of the second embroidery stitch is automatically set to a position shifted from the start point of the first embroidery stitch, and the overlap is performed. A shadow stitch sewing machine characterized in that a shadow stitch section is attached in an appropriate direction to a surface stitch section by sewing to form a shadow stitch seam. 4. Stitch forming means that has a needle that reciprocates up and down and forms a stitch; pattern storage means that stores embroidery data for a plurality of embroidery patterns; Equipped with an XY drive means that controls the relative position of the needle drop point and the embroidery frame, it is possible to form stitches and perform embroidery by controlling the embroidery frame in XY in synchronization with the rotation of the upper axis of the sewing machine. In the sewing machine, characters, patterns, etc. are selected using a group of pattern selection keys, the selected characters, patterns, etc. are displayed on the display device, and the first The start point of the second embroidery stitch is automatically set to a position shifted from the start point of the first embroidery stitch, and a shadow stitch is attached in an appropriate direction to the front seam section by overlapping stitches. A sewing machine shadow sewing method characterized by forming a seam seam.