JPH0457955A - Embroidery data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve outward appearance of embroidery sewing by setting a running stitch passage of overlapped parts partially overlapping the adjacent sides in a closed region formed from divided blocks of a prescribed pattern so as to surely pass through the blocks and preventing the above-mentioned running stitch from protruding from the aforementioned closed region. CONSTITUTION:In an embroidery data processor having preparing function of embroidery data and running stitch data, a running stitch passage passing through overlapped parts partially overlapping the respective adjacent sides of the adjacent blocks in plural blocks obtained by dividing a closed region, surrounded by external shape lines of a prescribed pattern previously memorized in a CPU memory based on data memory of the aforementioned closed region, and divided data memory specifying the plural blocks prepared by dividing the above-mentioned closed region is set so as to surely pass through the blocks. Thereby, protrusion of the running stitch from the aforementioned closed region is eliminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention relates to an embroidery data processing device, and particularly to the creation of running stitch data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When performing embroidery that fills a closed area with stitches, it may be necessary to change the direction of embroidery progress. When embroidering is performed for each closed area when multiple closed areas overlap each other, or when the embroidery start point and embroidery end point are determined in the closed area, and after starting embroidery from the embroidery start point, An example of this is a case where embroidery cannot be completed at the embroidery end point without changing the direction of embroidery progress. In this case, if the direction of embroidery progress is changed by passing outside the closed area, the embroidery thread will protrude from the embroidery stitches, resulting in poor appearance, and the protruding thread must be removed after embroidery, which is troublesome. On the other hand, if running stitches and embroidery are performed passing through the inside of the closed area from one point on the outline of the closed area to another point, the direction of embroidery progress can be changed through the inside of the closed area. Since the running stitches are covered by the embroidery stitches formed on top of them, they are not visible from the outside, and the embroidery thread does not protrude outside the closed area.It is also possible to continue embroidering without cutting the embroidery thread to cover the entire closed area. It is possible to create embroidery data that is filled with embroidery stitches.

When creating embroidery data for embroidery using running stitches and embroidery stitches as described above, the data processing device is configured to include running stitch data creating means and embroidery data creating means. In addition, in many cases, embroidery data is set by dividing a closed area into multiple blocks, and in this case, the running stitch data creation means divides the closed area to be filled with stitches on the embroidery machine. Based on the data defining the plurality of blocks consisting of the plurality of blocks, the outer shape of one of the blocks is passed through the other plurality of blocks from the running stitch start point set in one of the plurality of blocks. It is assumed that data for running stitches leading to an embroidery start point set on a line is created, and the embroidery data creation means is designed to create embroidery data that fills the closed area with stitches. The embroidery data creation means may be configured to create needle position data representing the position where the sewing needle penetrates the workpiece, or may be configured to create needle position data that represents the position where the sewing needle penetrates the workpiece, or the data that is the basis for creating the needle position data, such as the point and point that defines the block. It may also be used to create thread density data. Further, such an embroidery data processing device may be provided exclusively for one embroidery sewing machine, or may be provided separately from the embroidery sewing machine. The embroidery data processing device described in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-167875 filed by the present applicant is an example of an embroidery data processing device having such running stitch data creation means and embroidery data creation means. The data creation means determines the center of gravity for each of the plurality of blocks and sets a running sewing route by connecting the centers of gravity.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, when a running stitch path is set by connecting the centers of gravity determined for each of a plurality of blocks in this way, the running stitches may protrude from the closed area. An example of this is a case where adjacent blocks are divided so that their adjacent sides partially overlap, as in the case of a closed region 100 shown in FIG. 11. The closed area 100 includes the first to seventh blocks B+o+-
It is divided into B + ot, and after embroidering the first block B1゜,
Running stitches are performed from point Ps to point Pe, and the fifth block B. , and the sixth block B1゜6 are significantly different in size, the running stitch center of gravity ClO3 and G
,. 6 protrudes from the closed area 100, resulting in problems such as poor embroidery appearance or the need to cut out the protruding portion after embroidery is completed, which is troublesome.

The present invention provides an embroidery data processing device that can set a running sewing route without protruding from the closed area even when the closed area is divided so that adjacent sides of adjacent blocks partially overlap. This was done with this in mind.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the embroidery data processing device according to the present invention has a running stitch data creation means that includes a plurality of blocks formed by dividing a closed area, as shown in FIG. For blocks in which the adjacent sides of adjacent blocks partially overlap, an adjacent side overlapping part running stitching route setting means is provided for setting a running stitching route passing through the overlapping portion of the adjacent sides. Features.

Operation and Effect of the Invention The overlapping part of two blocks whose adjacent sides partially overlap is sandwiched between the two adjacent blocks, and the running sewing path passing through this overlapping part always passes through the blocks. Become. Therefore, even if the closed area is divided so that the adjacent sides of adjacent blocks partially overlap, the running stitches will not protrude from the closed area, improving the appearance of the embroidery. There is no need to cut out the running stitches, which improves work efficiency.

Embodiment FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an embroidery data processing apparatus which is an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a CPU (central processing unit) 10 is connected to a ROM (read-only storage means) 12 and a RAM (readable/writable storage means) 14 via a bus (shared signal transmission path) 16. CPUl
0 further includes a display means control circuit 18.0. Auxiliary storage means control circuit-20° Display means 26 .
Auxiliary storage means 28. Input means 30 and position designation input means 32 are connected. The input means 30 is the CPU10
It includes a keyboard with a large number of keyboards operated by an operator to control the operation of the system, and an imaging device such as a television camera and an image sensor for reading images. The display means 26 is a CR that displays images captured by the imaging device and data input from the keyboard.
It includes a T-display, and the position designation input means 32 includes a light ben (or mouse) for designating a position on the image display surface of the CRT display.

The present embroidery data processing device may be used by being directly connected to the embroidery sewing machine, or may be provided separately from the embroidery sewing machine and used independently. In the latter case, the created embroidery data may be recorded on a recording medium such as a Fronbi disk or a magnetic tape, and the embroidery sewing machine may be equipped with a reading device for these recording media.

As shown in FIG. 3, the RAM 14 includes a closed area data memory 361, a divided data memory 38. Embroidery data memory 4
0. Running stitch end block memory 42, running stitch route specified point memory 44. First block memory 46. A second block memory 48 and the like are provided together with the working memory.

The closed area data memory 36 stores data of points defining a closed area surrounded by outline lines (this data is read from the auxiliary storage means 28 when embroidery data is created).

) is stored, and the divided data memory 38 stores data obtained based on the division, such as point data defining a plurality of blocks obtained by dividing the closed region. In this embodiment, the closed region has a shape that can be divided into rectangular blocks, and the division is performed along dividing lines that are parallel to each other. Taking the closed region 60 having the shape shown in FIG. 5 as an example, its outer shape is defined by points P1 to pi4, and is divided into first to seventh blocks 81 to B. In addition, after this division, adjacent blocks are found, and the overlapping parts of the adjacent sides of the adjacent blocks are found, and the data of these adjacent blocks and the data of the adjacent sides overlap define the block for each block. It is stored in the divided data memory 38 together with the data. Overlapping adjacent sides include the first block B and the fourth block B4, for example, when the adjacent sides of adjacent blocks are exactly the same and all overlap, such as the third block B and the fourth block B4. When the lengths of the adjacent sides of the adjacent blocks are different and the shorter adjacent side is included in the longer adjacent side, as in the case of the second block B2, or as shown in FIG. 7, the adjacent block B There are cases where adjacent sides of *-1 and blocks B and l partially overlap each other. If the adjacent sides of mutually adjacent blocks are exactly the same, the two points that define the adjacent sides define the overlapping part, and these two points are stored in the divided data memory 38. In addition, if two adjacent sides overlap in part, the middle two points on the X and Y coordinates of the points that define each adjacent side (there are 4 points in total) mark the overlapping part. These two points are stipulated.
The points are stored in the divided data memory 38. The embroidery data memory 40 also stores embroidery data for embroidering a closed area by combining running stitches and embroidery lines.

The ROM 12 stores various controls necessary for embroidery, such as a running stitch data creation routine shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. Program is memorized. The CPU 10 creates running stitch data and embroidery line data while reading code data from the RAM 14 or the auxiliary storage means 28 based on these control programs. In this embodiment, the closed area is filled in by fold stitching, and fold stitch data is created as embroidery line data. As shown in Fig. 8, the tatami stitching is to alternately connect two opposing sides 2+ and 2g of block B.
When filling with seams, the side f,.

! , the sewing needle falls between the edges! , and sides i and z are connected with multiple stitches. In order to set the needle drop position where the sewing needle penetrates the workpiece when performing fold stitching, divide blocks, thread density (between adjacent units when multiple stitches from il to 12 are considered as one unit) Distance, number of units per certain length in the direction of embroidery progress, etc.) and stitch pitch (distance between adjacent needle drop positions within a stitch of I units) are required, and in this example, The embroidery data creation routine is supposed to create needle position data representing the position where the sewing needle penetrates the workpiece based on these data.

Furthermore, the embroidery order of a plurality of blocks formed by dividing the closed area, the embroidery start point and embroidery end point in the closed area, the start point between running lines, and the running stitch end point are set after the closed area is divided, and are stored in the embroidery data memory 40. is stored in In the case of the closed area 60, the embroidery start point P,1 is set to the point P1 of the first block B due to the embroidery of another nearby closed area (not shown), and the embroidery end point is set to P1. is set at point P of the second block B2, and the embroidery order is that after filling the first block B1 with embroidery stitches, the seventh block B, then the second block B! The embroidery is set in the order in which the embroidery is performed toward the second block B2 and ends at the second block B2. In order to perform embroidery in such an order, running stitches are required, and the running stitch route is created according to a running stitch data creation routine.

The creation of running stitch data will be explained below.

The running stitch data creation routine is started according to instructions from the embroidery line data creation routine. In other words, embroidery line data is created for one closed area or block, and when creating embroidery line data for a separate closed area or block, creation of running stitch data is instructed. Data of the line interval start point Ps and the running stitch end point Pe are supplied. In the closed area 60, as shown in FIG. 6, the first block B is embroidered first, so after the embroidery line data is created for the first block B1, the second block Bt to the seventh block B7 are embroidered. An instruction is given to create running stitch data for applying the running stitch data, and a running stitch data creation routine is executed. Note that the running line start point Ps is Ps, and the running stitch end point Pe is PI4. Also, in Fig. 6, the first block B1 is filled with a waveform pattern, which indicates that the embroidery has been completed, and in reality, as shown in Fig. 8, the two opposing sides are lined with multiple stitches. A connecting folding stitch is formed.

First, step 31 (hereinafter abbreviated as Sl).

The same applies to other steps), the running direction of the running stitch is determined based on the running line start point Ps and the running stitch end point Pe. The direction from Ps to Pe is the running direction. Next, in S2, the block Be to which the running stitch end point Pe belongs is determined. Is P14, the end point of the running stitch, the 7th block B? Therefore, the seventh block B is the running stitch end block Be, and is stored in the running stitch end block memory 42. Subsequently, in S3, the starting point Ps (P:+) between running lines is stored in the running sewing route specifying point memory 4.
4 is stored as the starting point Pc, and in S4, the block Be to which the starting point Pc stored in the running sewing route defining point memory 44 belongs is determined. Now, Pc=P, and the point P
, is a point that defines the boundary line between the first block B1 and the second block B2, and the first block B on the far side from the running stitch end point Pe is the block to which the starting point Pc belongs, and is stored in the first block memory. 46.

Next, in S5, it is determined whether or not the block Bc stored in the first block memory 46 is the running stitch end block Be. However, since the first block B1 is not the running stitch end block Be, this determination is not possible. The result is No, and in S6, a block Bn adjacent to block Bc in the running direction is determined and stored in the second block memory 48. Here, Bn=Bz. Thereafter, in s7, the overlapping portion Lc of each adjacent side of block Bc and block Bn is read out from the divided data memory 38. The overlapping portion Lc of adjacent sides between the first block B1 and the second block B2 is a line defined by points P and pi4, as shown in FIG. 6, and its midpoint coordinates P are calculated in S8. be done. Here, P is the point shown in ml in FIG.

Next, in S9, the starting point PC (P:I) and the midpoint Pa
(m+) is created and stored in the embroidery data memory 40. Then, in 310, the middle point P is stored in the running stitch path regulation point memory 44 and set as the starting point Pc. The block Bn stored in the block memory 48 is stored in the first block memory 46 as a block Bc. Here, Pc=m,,B
c=Bt, and after executing 310, the program execution returns to S5.

In S5, it is determined whether or not the second block B2 is the running stitch end block Be, but this determination is NO.
36 to S10 are executed in the same manner as in the above case. In this case, the second block B2 and the third block B,
The boundary line is point P.

The midpoint m2 is calculated, and the running stitch data connecting to the midpoint ml is created and stored in the embroidery data memory 40.

Thereafter, in the same manner, the third block B3 and the fourth block B4 are
midpoint ms of the adjacent side overlapping part between the fourth block B4 and the fifth block B, midpoint m4 of the adjacent side overlapping part between the fifth block B and the sixth block B6, The point ms and the midpoint m& of the overlapping portion of the adjacent sides of the sixth block B and the seventh block B are found, and the midpoint mt +
Running stitch data connecting m2 + ms + m and m6 is created. 6th block B, and 7th block By
If the midpoint of the overlapping part of the adjacent side is calculated and the running stitch data connecting m and mh is created, then Bc=B7
, P c =mh, and the determination in S5 becomes YES. Therefore, Sll is executed and the starting point Pc(m,)
Run stitch data connecting the run stitch end point Pe and the run stitch end point Pe are created and stored in the embroidery data memory 40, and the execution of the routine ends.

After creating the running stitch data, embroidery line data filling blocks Bt to B, that is, folding stitch data, is created according to the embroidery data creation routine. closed area 60
The folding stitch is performed so as to connect two sides perpendicular to a dividing line that divides the closed area 60 into a plurality of blocks. When the closed area 60 is divided by dividing lines that are parallel to each other, the distance between the two sides perpendicular to the dividing line may become long, but with folding stitches, these two sides are connected by multiple stitches. There is no risk of the seam becoming excessively large and floating or getting caught, as is the case when two sides are connected by one seam, and after the folding sewing data has been created for blocks B2 to B, If there are blocks or closed areas to be filled with folding stitches, folding stitch data and, if necessary, running stitch data are created for them.

As is clear from the above explanation, in this example,
CPU10. A portion of the ROM 12 and RAMI 4 that creates embroidery data based on closed area data, divided data, etc. constitutes an embroidery data creation means, and S9 of the ROM 12
and the part that stores Sll, CPLJIO and RA
The portion of M14 that executes these steps constitutes the running stitch data creation means, and S1 to S8 and 31 of the ROM 12
The portion that stores 0, the portion of the CPU 10 and the RAM 14 that executes these steps constitute the adjacent side overlapping portion running line route setting means.

In the above embodiment, the running sewing route was set to pass through the midpoint of the overlapping part of each adjacent side of adjacent blocks, but if it passes through the overlapping part, it may be set to pass through a point other than the midpoint. A sewing path may also be set.

In addition, the closed area may be divided by dividing lines that are not parallel to each other. For example, in kanji, straight lines are diagonal as in ``grass crown'' shown by the closed area 70 in FIGS. 9 and 10. There are various figures that intersect, and this closed area 70 is divided by dividing lines that are not parallel to each other.

When this closed area 70 is divided into the 11th to 15th blocks BLL to BIB shown in FIG. Among the total of four definition points that define each adjacent side, the middle two points, that is, the points that define the shorter adjacent side, are the points that define the overlapping portion. Furthermore, when the closed area 70 is divided into the 21st to 25th blocks E3z+ to E3zs as shown in FIG. 10, the 22nd block Bt□ is adjacent to any of the other four blocks, The overlap is determined for each adjacent block. In this case as well, the middle two points out of a total of four defining points that define each adjacent side are used as points that define the overlapping portion.

Furthermore, the closed area can be sewn using satin stitches (sewing method in which two opposing sides are connected with a single stitch, adjacent stitches are formed in close contact, and the processed fabric is filled with embroidery thread without any gaps), etc. It is also possible to fill in the area by sewing other than folding stitches.

In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing an embroidery data processing device which is an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows the RAM of the above processing device.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a running stitch data creation routine among the programs stored in the ROM. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a closed area in which embroidery data and running stitch data are created by the embroidery data processing device. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating creation of running stitch data for the closed area. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating setting of overlapping portions of adjacent sides of two adjacent blocks in the processing device. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating folding stitches that fill the closed area. Figure 9 and 1
FIG. 0 is a diagram showing another manner of dividing a closed region into which embroidery data and running stitch data are created by the embroidery data processing device of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the creation of conventional running stitch data. 60: Closed region B+, Bz, B3. B4. BS, Bh, B, Niblock

Claims (1)

[Claims] Based on data defining a plurality of blocks formed by dividing a closed area to be filled with stitches of an embroidery sewing machine, a running stitch start set in one of the plurality of blocks. running stitch data creating means for creating running stitch data from a point to an embroidery start point set on the outline of one of the blocks through another plurality of blocks; An embroidery data processing device having an embroidery data creation means for creating embroidery data to be filled in with the eyes, wherein each adjacent side of adjacent blocks among the plurality of blocks partially overlaps in the running stitch data creation means. The embroidery data processing apparatus is characterized in that, regarding the block, an adjacent side overlapping part running sewing route setting means is provided for setting a running sewing route passing through the overlapping part of the adjacent sides.