JPH05140855A - Embroidery data preparing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the title system designed to simplify setting embroidering endpoint by processing block data, yarn density data and the data at the starting point by a data-developing means, endpoint-discriminating means and starting point-altering means. CONSTITUTION:Embroidering stitch data are prepared by a data-developing means 2 based on the block data, yarn density data and the data at the starting point each inputted in a data storage means 1. Needle location point, the stitch data's endpoint, is discriminated by an endpoint-discriminating means 3; if this endpoint differs from that specified by the endpoint data in the data storage means 1, the starting point is altered by a starting point-altering means 4 to a contour point in the direction virtually rectangular to the embroidering direction.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an embroidery data creating apparatus, and more particularly, when creating stitch data for embroidering a block or a group of blocks, at the end point of the embroidery sewing specified for this block or group of blocks. The present invention relates to a sewing machine in which the starting point of embroidery sewing is changed to a contour point which is opposite to this so as to match the actual final needle drop point.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the applicant of the present application has disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-42740, for example, in order to store embroidery data for embroidery patterns with a storage capacity as small as possible.
An embroidery pattern such as characters and figures is divided into a plurality of embroidery areas (blocks), block data indicating a plurality of contour line elements for defining the contours of these blocks, and stitches formed in the blocks by embroidery threads. The embroidery area data including the thread density data defining the number is stored, the position data of the needle drop point for each block is obtained based on the block data and the thread density data, and the needle drop position data is used. An embroidery pattern storage / reproduction device has been proposed in which the embroidery pattern is sewn by embroidery.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the block is a rectangular block H, the embroidery area data is the thread density data and a pair of contour line elements facing each other 1 It is composed of the block data consisting of the coordinates of the 1st point 1H to the 4th point 4H which define the main side of the pair, and the 1st point 1H at the beginning means the start point of the embroidery sewing of the block H, and The 4th point 4H at the end means the end point of the embroidery sewing. Therefore, when the stitch data of a so-called V-shaped stitch pattern is obtained by expanding this embroidery area data, the first main side h1 and the second point 2H defined by the 1st point 1H and the 3rd point 3H The second main side h2 defined by the fourth point 4H and the second main side h2 are divided by the number of divisions based on the yarn density data, and the coordinates of the first point 1H (starting point) and the needle drop position on the first main side h1 The coordinates of the needle drop position on the second main side h2 are alternately stored. That is, the final needle drop position of embroidery sewing is the 3rd point 3H or the 4th point 4H depending on the number of divisions.
And in this case, the fourth point is 4H.

By the way, in addition to the block H, two blocks I, which are substantially the same as the block H, are provided as shown in FIG.
When the embroidery area data consisting of these two blocks H and I is edited by the operator, the block H
If the 1st point 1H, which is the starting point of No. 3, is determined to be the position shown in the figure for some reason, the final needle drop position is set to the 3rd point 3H in consideration of the positional relationship with the block I. Editing work is performed so that the number 3H is added.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when the stitch data of a so-called reverse N-type stitch pattern is obtained from the embroidery area data of the block H, the first main side h1 and the second main side h2 are threaded. Divided by the number of divisions based on the density data,
The coordinates of the 1st point 1H (start point) and the coordinates of the 2nd point 2H, the first
The coordinates of the needle drop position which is the division point on the main side h1 and the coordinates of the needle drop position on the second main side h2 are alternately stored up to the fourth point 4H (end point). That is, the start point and the end point have a diagonal positional relationship, and moreover, the stitch direction of the first stitch from the 1st point 1H to the 2nd point 2H and the last stitch from the 3rd point 3H to the 4th point 4H. The seam direction is a direction from the first main side h1 to the second main side h2.

In the same manner as described above, when the two blocks H and I are arranged so that they are in contact with each other at one vertex, when the operator edits the embroidery area data composed of these blocks H and I, When the 1st point 1H, which is the starting point of the block H, is determined at the position shown in the figure for some reason, the final needle drop position becomes the 3rd point 3H in consideration of the positional relationship with the block I. In the manual mode, the editing work is performed so as to add the third point 3H.

[0007]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention As shown in FIG.
When the stitch data of the V-shaped stitch pattern is obtained from the embroidery area data consisting of the two blocks H and I, if the final needle drop point and the 4th point 4H, which is the end point, do not match like the block H, the final stitch In order to change the drop point to the 3rd point 3H, the 3rd point 3H must be added in the manual mode for the block H, which makes the editing work when creating the embroidery area data very troublesome. With addition of No. 3H as the needle entry point, No. 4H 4H
Since the embroidery seam from the 3rd point to the 3rd point 3H is added, the thread density is increased only in this embroidery portion, and there is a problem that the appearance and the texture are deteriorated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when the stitch data of the reverse N-type stitch pattern is obtained from the embroidery area data consisting of two blocks H and I, the final needle drop point is set to 3
In order to change to the number 3H, the number 3H must be added to the block H in the manual mode in the same manner as described above, which makes the editing work when creating the embroidery area data very troublesome. Since 3H is added as a needle drop point, an embroidery stitch extending from the 4th point 4H to the 3rd point 3H is added, so that the thread density is increased only in this embroidery portion, and the appearance and texture are deteriorated. There are problems such as things to do.

An object of the present invention is to create an embroidery data creating apparatus capable of simplifying setting of an end point of embroidery sewing in a block or a group of blocks to be embroidered and capable of creating stitch data capable of improving the appearance and texture of the embroidery sewing. To provide.

[0010]

The embroidery data creation apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is a cloth whose position is independently controlled in the X direction and the Y direction in the embroidery sewing machine, as shown by the solid line in the functional block diagram of FIG. To drive the moving means, stitch data that defines the needle drop point of embroidery sewing is created based on block data that defines the contour points of the block or block group to be embroidered and thread density data that defines the thread density. In the device for creating embroidery data,
Based on the block data, the thread density data, the data storage means storing the data defining the start point and the end point of the embroidery sewing, the block data, the thread density data and the start point data stored in the data storage means, The data developing means for creating stitch data for embroidery sewing, the end point determining means for determining the needle drop point which is the end point of the stitch data obtained by the data developing means, and the end point determined by the end point determining means are the end points of the data storage means. When the start point is different from the end point defined by the data, the start point changing means is provided for changing the start point to a contour point facing in a direction substantially orthogonal to the embroidery sewing direction.

In the embroidery data creation apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, as indicated by a solid line and a virtual line in the functional block diagram of FIG. The stitch data is recreated based on the yarn density data and the start point data changed by the start point changing means.

[0012]

In the embroidery data creation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, with respect to the block or blocks to be embroidered,
Since the block data defining the contour points, the thread density data defining the thread density, and the data defining the start point and the end point of the embroidery sewing are stored in the data storage means, the stitch data of the embroidery sewing is expanded. It is created based on the block data, the yarn density data and the starting point data stored in the data storage means by the means. The needle drop point, which is the end point of the stitch data obtained by the data expanding section, is determined by the end point determining section, and when the end point determined by the end point determining section is different from the end point defined by the end point data of the data storage section, The starting point is changed by the starting point changing means to a contour point facing the embroidery sewing direction in a direction substantially orthogonal thereto.

In this way, the needle drop point which is the end point of the calculated stitch data is discriminated, and when the needle drop point which is the end point does not coincide with the specified end point, the start point is set so that they coincide with each other. Since the contour points are changed to face each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the embroidery sewing direction, when creating block data for embroidery sewing with a so-called reverse N-type stitch pattern, the needle drop corresponding to the end point is made by the manual mode. Editing work for manually inputting points can be omitted, and the creation of data in the data storage means is simplified. When the starting point is changed to the opposite contour point via the auxiliary needle drop point provided in the block, the embroidery stitch for changing the starting point via the auxiliary needle drop point is the stitch of the embroidery stitch. Since it is hidden by, the thread density at the starting point changed portion does not increase, and the appearance and texture of embroidery sewing can be improved.

In the embroidery data creation device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the embroidery data creation device operates in substantially the same manner as the first aspect, but differs in the following points. That is, the new stitch data when the starting point is changed by the starting point changing means is recreated by the data developing means based on the block data and the yarn density data and the starting point data changed by the starting point changing means.

Thus, when the starting point is changed,
Since the stitch data is recreated on the basis of the changed starting point, the stitch data for the embroidery sewing using the so-called V-shaped stitch pattern is required. Other than this, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained.

[0016]

According to the embroidery data creation apparatus of the first aspect, as described in the section [Operation], the block data, the thread density data, the start point and the end point of the embroidery sewing are defined in the data of the data storage means. Data for storing the data to be stored, a data developing means, an end point determining means, and a starting point changing means are provided to determine the needle drop point which is the end point of the calculated stitch data, and is defined as the needle drop point which is this end point. When the end point does not match, the start point is changed to a contour point that faces the end point in a direction substantially orthogonal to the embroidery sewing direction so that they match, so a block for embroidery sewing with a so-called reverse N-type stitch pattern. When creating the data, the editing work of manually inputting the needle entry point corresponding to the end point by the manual mode can be omitted, and the creation of the data to be stored in the data storage means or the editing work thereof can be omitted. It is significantly simplified. When the starting point is changed to the opposite contour point via the auxiliary needle drop point provided in the block, the embroidery stitch for changing the starting point via the auxiliary needle drop point is the stitch of the embroidery stitch. Since it is hidden by, the thread density at the starting point changed portion does not increase, and the appearance and texture of embroidery sewing are improved.

According to the embroidery data creation apparatus of the second aspect, as described in the section [Operation], when the starting point is changed, the block data and the thread density data and the starting point changed by the starting point changing means are changed. Since the stitch data is re-created based on the above data, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained, and the stitch data for the embroidery sewing can be obtained by using the so-called V-shaped stitch pattern.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to an embroidery data creation device that creates stitch data (needle drop position data) for stitching an embroidery area made up of blocks or block groups. As shown in FIG. 2, the embroidery data creation device 1 basically has a CR for displaying characters and images.
A T display device 10, a keyboard 11, an external storage device 12 such as a hard disk device, and a coordinate input device (mouse) 1 for inputting coordinates of defined points defining an embroidery area.
3 and a control box 14 to which they are connected. The control box 14 incorporates a control device C and a floppy disk drive device 16 (see FIG. 3) described later.

Next, the control system of the embroidery data creating apparatus 1
It is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG. The input / output interface 20 of the control device C has a keyboard 1
1, an external storage device (corresponding to data storage means) 12,
Coordinate input device 13, display drive circuit 15 for CRT display device 10, floppy disk drive device (FDD)
Floppy disk controller (FDC) for 16
17 and 17 are connected to each other.

The keyboard 11 is used for inputting embroidery patterns and stitch densities to be applied to the work cloth, and is necessary for inputting keys and data for designating embroidery patterns such as alphabets, numbers and symbols. Various keys are provided. Further, the external storage device 12 is provided with an embroidery data memory 30 for storing embroidery region data (pattern contour data) relating to a plurality of types of embroidery patterns such as characters and figures in association with embroidery pattern numbers.

Here, as the embroidery area data stored in the embroidery data memory 30, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a first block group 3 including two rectangular blocks B1 and B2 and two blocks B3. 4, the embroidery area data of the embroidery area including the second block group 4 including B4 and B4 is as follows. First, regarding the first block group 3 including the two blocks B1 and B2, thread color number data and thread The density data, and the first main side and the second side of the block B1 that face each other.
The coordinate data of the block B1 consisting of the 1st points b11 to 4th points b14 defining the main side, and the 3rd points b23 to 4th defining the opposing first and second main sides of the block B2. The coordinate data of the block B2 composed of the point b24 and the coordinates defining the end point b24 of the embroidery sewing are stored. Further, regarding the second block group 4 composed of the two blocks B3 and B4, the thread color number data and the thread density data are stored. , Block B3
No. 1 b that defines the first main side and the second main side opposite to each other
The coordinate data of the block B3 including the 31st to 4th points b34 and the coordinate data of the block B4 including the 3rd point b43 to the 4th point b44 defining the first main side and the second main side of the block B4 which face each other. And the coordinates defining the end point b44 of the embroidery sewing are stored. Therefore, each block B1 to B4
For each, based on the storage order of these 1st coordinate to 4th coordinate,
The needle drop positions on the first main side and the second main side are sequentially obtained from the first point side and the second point side in the sewing order. still,
The first point b11 defines the starting point of the embroidery stitching of the first block group 3, and the first point b31 defines the starting point of the embroidery stitching of the second block group 4.

The control device C comprises a CPU 21, an input / output interface 20 connected to the CPU 21 via a bus 24 such as a data bus, a ROM 22 and a RAM 23. The ROM 22 stores a control program for stitch data development processing control, which will be described later, peculiar to the present invention. The RAM 23 has a data memory for storing the embroidery area data read from the external storage device 12,
Thread color memory, thread density memory, working memory, CP
Various memories for temporarily storing the calculation result calculated in U21 and memories such as a counter and a pointer are provided.

Next, FIG. 6 shows the routine for controlling the stitch data expansion process performed by the embroidery data creation device 1.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of However, in this stitch data development processing control, a so-called V-shaped stitch in which the needle drop position on the first main side and the needle drop position on the second main side are alternately connected from the start point of embroidery sewing It is controlled so as to be developed into the stitch data of the pattern. Incidentally, reference numeral S in the figure
i (i = 30, 31, 32 ...) Is each step.

When the embroidery pattern to be embroidered is selected on the keyboard 11 and the start of sewing is instructed, this control is started. First, the count P and Q and the memories M and N are started.
Are cleared (S30), the embroidery area data of the selected embroidery pattern is read from the embroidery data memory 30 of the external storage device 12, and the thread color number data of the embroidery area data is stored in the thread color memory. The yarn density data is stored in the yarn density memory, and the data of a plurality of blocks is stored in the data memory (S31). Next, the number of block groups (total number of block groups) is searched based on these block group data and stored in the block group number memory N (S32).

Next, "1" is set to the block group counter P to specify one block group (S33),
Next, the number of blocks included in the block group designated by the block group counter P is retrieved and stored in the block number memory M (S34). Next, "1" is set to the block counter Q to specify one block (S3
5) Then, the stitch number counter K for counting the number of stitches is cleared (S36). Next, the number of divisions obtained by dividing the average length of the pair of main sides, which are the first and second main sides of the block designated by the block counter Q, by the needle drop interval pitch (stitch pitch) based on the thread density is obtained. The number of stitches (the number of embroidery stitches) based on the number of divisions is set in the stitch number counter K (S37).

Next, the count value of the block counter Q is incremented by "1" (S38), and when the count value Q is less than the number of blocks M (S39: No),
S37 to S39 are repeated. Then, when the stitch number is calculated for all blocks included in the block group counter P and the count value Q becomes larger than the block number M (S39: Yes), based on the starting point data and the total stitch number K, the final value is determined. End point E1 in the block
That is, the last needle drop points in the last block are No. 3 and 4
It is calculated which of the points is the number (S40), and the coordinates of the end point E2 stored in the block group designated by the block group counter P are read (S41).

Next, the calculated end point E1 and the predetermined end point E2 are collated, and if they do not coincide (S42: No), the start point is opposed to this in a direction substantially orthogonal to the embroidery sewing direction. The change processing of the start point for changing to the second point (contour point) is executed (S43). For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, two blocks B in the first block group 3
Block B2 obtained based on the total number K of stitches 1 and B2
When the end point E1 of the block B1 is the third point b23 and the read end point E2 is the fourth point b24, the end point E1 and the end point E2 do not match. Therefore, as shown in FIG. The (starting point), the needle drop point t at the center of the block B1, and the second point b12 corresponding to the first point b11 are sequentially stored in the working memory. That is, the first point b11, which is the original starting point, is changed to the second point b12.

Next, the value of the block counter Q is set to "1" (S44), and the finally determined start point data, block data and yarn density data of the block designated by the block counter Q are set. The number of divisions is determined based on the number of divisions, the needle drop points on each main side are calculated based on this number of divisions, and the V-shaped stitch pattern is formed from the start point on the first main side so that the leading block becomes a V-shaped stitch pattern. Needle drop position and second
The needle entry positions on the main side are alternately stored in the working memory in an arrangement sequence in which the needle entry positions are alternately arranged. For each of the second and subsequent blocks, the final needle entry of the block immediately before is stored. Working memory as needle drop position data in an arrangement sequence in which every other needle drop position on the first main side and the needle drop position on the second main side are alternately arranged so that the points are connected in a V-shaped stitch pattern. Are sequentially stored in (S4
5).

Next, the count value of the block counter Q is incremented by "1" (S46), and when the count value Q is less than or equal to the number M of blocks (S47: No),
S45 to S47 are repeated, and the needle drop position is sequentially obtained for each block of the block group designated by the block group counter P. Then, when the block count value Q is larger than the number M of blocks (S47: Yes), the count value of the block group counter P is incremented by "1" to indicate the next block group (S48), and the count value P Is less than the number N of block groups (S4
9: No) and S34 to S49 are repeated, and the needle drop positions are sequentially obtained for all the block groups. And
When the block group count value P is larger than the block group number N (S49: Yes), this control ends.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, with respect to the first block group 3, stitch data forming a V-shaped stitch pattern starting from the changed second point b12 and ending at the set fourth point b24 is generated. The second block group 4 is stored in the working memory, and the original starting point (the first point b
The stitch data, which is a V-shaped stitch pattern starting from 31) and ending at the set fourth point b44, is stored in the working memory.

As described above, the stitch data which is the end point E1 is determined by the calculated stitch data, and when the needle drop point which is the end point E1 and the defined end point E2 do not match, these match. As described above, since the start point b11 is changed to the second point b12 which is opposed to the start point b11 in the direction substantially orthogonal to the embroidery sewing direction, when the block data for so-called V-shaped stitch pattern is created, the manual mode is set. As a result, the editing work of manually inputting the needle drop point corresponding to the end point (4th point) b24 can be omitted, and the creation of the embroidery area data or the editing work thereof is significantly simplified. Also, since the starting point is changed to the opposite point 3 or 4 via the auxiliary needle drop point provided in the block, the embroidery stitch for changing the starting point via this auxiliary needle drop point is the embroidery stitch. Since it is hidden by the seam, the thread density at the start point change part does not increase,
You can improve the appearance and texture of embroidery sewing.

The needle drop point t provided for changing the starting point is a predetermined distance (for example, from point 1 and point 2).
It may be provided at a position within the block that is about 5 mm apart. In addition, as a block forming the embroidery area data,
The first and second main sides may be composed of blocks made of curves or arcs. It is also possible to store a control program for controlling stitch data expansion processing in the external storage device 12. The embroidery data creation device of the present invention can be incorporated into various sewing machines capable of embroidery sewing. still,
Instead of the embroidery area data, closed area data (outline data) representing a closed area related to the outline of the embroidery area is stored in the embroidery area data memory 30, and the entire closed area is reduced in size based on the closed area data. It is also possible to divide into a plurality of partially closed regions and use block data obtained from the data of these plurality of partially closed regions.

[0033]

Second Embodiment When obtaining a plurality of needle drop position data from embroidery area data, regarding each block, regarding a plurality of needle drop positions on the first main side and a plurality of needle drop positions on the second main side, It is also possible to control so as to create stitch data of a so-called N-type stitch pattern that is sequentially and alternately connected from the starting point of embroidery sewing.

That is, FIG. 9 shows a routine of the stitch data development processing control for obtaining the needle drop position data.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of Incidentally, S60 to S6
Since 4 and S70 to S75 are the same as S30 to S34 and S44 to S49 of the stitch data expansion processing control, description thereof will be omitted. After the block number is retrieved and stored in the block number memory M in S34, the end point E
The 4th point in the final block is set as 1 (S
65), the coordinates of the end point E2 stored in the block group designated by the block group counter P are read (S4).
1).

Next, as a result of collating the calculated end point E1 with the preset end point E2, if they do not match (S67: No), the starting point inversion processing is executed in the same manner as described above (S68). .. Next, with respect to all the blocks included in the block group designated by the block group counter P, the coordinates of the 1st point and the coordinates of the 2nd point are exchanged, and the coordinates of the 3rd point and the coordinates of the 4th point are replaced. Are replaced (S69). Then, the process proceeds to S70, in which the needles are arranged in an N-type stitch pattern arrangement order in which a plurality of needle drop positions on the first main side and a plurality of needle drop positions on the second main side are alternately connected in each block. The data is sequentially stored in the working memory as drop position data. Therefore, also in this case, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configurations of claims 1 and 2. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an embroidery data creation device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the embroidery data creation device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating embroidery area data including a plurality of block groups.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embroidery area including first and second block groups.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a stitch data expansion control routine.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a disagreement between an end point of embroidery sewing and a predetermined end point in a block group.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a start point changing process for matching the end point of embroidery sewing with a predetermined end point.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a stitch data expansion control routine according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a V-shaped stitch pattern in which the end point of embroidery sewing is moved to a desired end point according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an inverted N-type stitch pattern in which an end point of embroidery sewing is moved to a desired end point according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Embroidery Data Creation Device 12 External Storage Device 21 CPU 22 ROM 23 RAM 30 Embroidery Data Memory C Control Device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A block data and thread density defining an outline point of a block or a block group to be embroidered in order to drive a cloth moving means whose position is independently controlled in an X direction and a Y direction in an embroidery sewing machine. In an embroidery data creation device that creates stitch data that defines a needle drop point of embroidery sewing based on specified thread density data, a block data of the block or blocks, thread density data, a start point of embroidery sewing, and Data storage means for storing data defining an end point; data expansion means for creating stitch data for embroidery stitching based on the block data, thread density data and start point data stored in the data storage means; The end point discriminating means for discriminating the needle drop point, which is the end point of the stitch data obtained by the data developing means, and the end point discriminating means. When the point is different from the end point defined by the end point data of the data storage means, the start point changing means changes the start point to a contour point facing in a direction substantially orthogonal to the embroidery sewing direction. Characterized embroidery data creation device. 2. The data expanding means is configured to recreate stitch data based on the block data and thread density data and the start point data changed by the start point changing means. The embroidery data creation device according to claim 1.