JPH0716367A - Sewing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a sewing machine, by which control of sewing patterns can be easily carried out and the sewing patterns that compose designs can be easily selected. CONSTITUTION:Two or more embroidery patterns that compose a design are read in by a scanner 1 and the image data read in are stored in an image memory 2. The image data stored in the memory 2 is converted to stitch data, by which a sewing machine driver 5 can be operated, and stored in a stitch data memory 7. Before a design is sewed or an embroidery pattern is sewed, embroidery patterns necessary for composing a desired design are selected by a selection switch 41 and inputted to the sewing machine driver 5 to perform embroidery sewing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sewing machine, and more particularly, to embroidery stitching of one pattern data composed of a plurality of embroidery patterns formed at predetermined sewing positions so as to form one pattern when superposed. The present invention relates to a sewing machine device for performing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a sewing machine which sewes pattern data consisting of a plurality of embroidery patterns created at predetermined sewing positions. As such a sewing machine, there has been proposed a machine which inputs an image with a scanner and creates each embroidery pattern based on the image.

[0003]

In a sewing machine that reads multicolor image data and expresses a color image, an original image is created for each color, and the original image is read one by one and the stitch data is read for each. The embroidery pattern is created and sewn on the basis of each stitch data with a thread of each color, so that one pattern is sewn.

For example, FIG. 3 shows a simple example of one pattern to be sewn, in which one embroidery pattern, that is, a car and smoke, constitutes one whole pattern. The respective images are read by a scanner, the respective image data are converted into stitch data, and an embroidery pattern is sewn based on the stitch data, whereby one pattern is entirely sewn.

Incidentally, in FIG. 3, reference symbol M is a positioning mark provided to the image of the automobile and the image of the smoke, respectively.
In the method described in the 174699 publication, etc., the original image is drawn so that the positions of these marks match, and after scanning with a scanner, parallel movements or rotations based on the marks are corrected, and each embroidery pattern is equivalent. Create stitch data.

Each time the stitch data of each color is created, the color change code is narrowed as shown in FIG. 1 and sequentially stored in the memory. The color change code itself is
It is not necessary to specify the sewing color, and in actual sewing, the sewing mechanism of the sewing machine is simply stopped to change the thread there.

As described above, the method of arranging the first (color) stitch data, the second (color) stitch data, ... There is a problem in usability.

For example, the stitch data cannot be specified unless the addresses are checked in order from the top address.
Normally, sewing can be performed only in the order of arrangement in the memory as shown.

Further, when the entire stitch data constitutes one pattern data, only a part of the data is used (or not) for sewing, or the sewing order of each stitch data is changed. Cannot be done easily.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, to provide a sewing machine which can easily manage a sewing pattern and can easily select a sewing pattern which constitutes a pattern. .

[0011]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a plurality of embroidery patterns are arranged at predetermined sewing positions, and when they are overlapped with each other, one pattern is formed. Storage means for storing pattern data, means for selecting the order of forming embroidery patterns from the pattern data, and control means for reading and stopping one embroidery pattern according to the order selected by the selecting means each time the start switch is operated. And a sewing means for performing embroidery sewing based on the embroidery pattern read by the control means.

Further, according to the present invention, a means for sequentially inputting a plurality of embroidery patterns whose mutual sewing positions are arranged at predetermined positions so as to form one pattern when they are overlapped, into the storage means, and the input embroidery. Means for displaying patterns, means for selecting the order of forming embroidery patterns, control means for reading and stopping one embroidery pattern according to the order selected by the selecting means each time the start switch is operated,
And a sewing unit that performs embroidery sewing based on the embroidery pattern read by the control unit.

[0013]

According to the above construction, the selected embroidery pattern is sequentially input to the sewing means to perform the embroidery sewing, thereby determining the embroidery pattern to be used for the embroidery sewing regardless of the input order or the storage order. can do.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows the construction of a sewing machine device to which the present invention is applied. The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 can read multicolor image data with a scanner and express a color image by sewing. As described above, an original image is created for each color and
This is to read each sheet by a scanner, create stitch data for each, and sew each color based on each stitch data.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 is a handy scanner or a scanner having a two-dimensional reading surface,
It is possible to read a binary image of about several hundreds × several hundred dots.

Reference numeral 2 is an image memory for storing an image read by the scanner 1 (or input through another path), and is composed of a semiconductor memory or the like.

Reference numeral 3 is a display device such as an LCD,
The size is preferably such that the reading range of the scanner 1 can be referenced at one time.

Reference numeral 4 is a key switch for inputting various operations, and has a selection switch 41 for selecting an embroidery pattern which constitutes one pattern data. The selection switch 41 selects the image data read from the scanner 1 and stored in the image memory 2 or the stitch data created based on the image data and stored in the stitch data memory 7 to obtain the image data or the stitch data. Select an embroidery pattern corresponding to.

The key switch 4 is a start switch 4
Have two. The start switch 42 is used to start the sewing machine drive unit 5, and is operated at the start of sewing one embroidery pattern, and in the present embodiment, an embroidery pattern that forms one pattern data as described later. The sewing machine drive unit 5 is automatically stopped to change the thread each time the sewing machine is sewn, and the start switch 42 is also used to start sewing the next embroidery pattern after the change of the thread is finished. used.

Reference numeral 5 is a sewing machine drive unit having a known sewing mechanism. In order to sew an image as in this embodiment, it is preferable to have a cloth feeding mechanism using an xy table.

Reference numeral 7 is a memory for storing stitch data, and the stitch data here corresponds to each embroidery pattern which constitutes one pattern (see FIG. 3). The stitch data stored in the stitch data memory 7 is sent to the sewing machine drive unit 5 and used for sewing control.

Reference numeral 8 is a storage medium used for storing the created sewing machine data or a system program. The storage medium 8 is a floppy disk or the like.

Reference numeral 9 is a CPU composed of a microprocessor or the like, and the CPU 9 has a program memory composed of a ROM or the like built-in or connected thereto, and a control program described later is stored in this program memory.

In the hardware configuration of this embodiment, the flow of processing generally shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be considered.

4 and 5, the same step number is used for the same processing content, and step S11 is the scanner 1
The process of reading the original images corresponding to the embroidery patterns one by one and storing the image data in the image memory 2 is performed by aligning the image data stored in the image memory 2 using the marks, The process of storing the stitch data in the stitch data memory 7 by converting it into stitch data, which is a set of drop points, includes a step S13 in which the stitch data used for sewing, that is, individual embroidery patterns constituting one pattern, The process of designating the sewing order, step S14 stores the operation of the start switch 42 for starting the sewing process of step S15, and step S15 stores the stitch data stored in the stitch data memory 7 by the sewing machine drive unit 5. The process to sew and stop one embroidery pattern according to the selected order is performed. Each shows.

Either method shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 may be adopted, but as shown in these figures, the actual sewing operation is performed after the original image is read or converted into stitch data. Needless to say, the embroidery pattern to be used can be determined in the previous stage because the degree of freedom in data use can be significantly improved as compared with the conventional method in which all the patterns are used in the reading order. .

In such a structure, for example, only a part of the data is used (or not) for sewing, or the stitching order of each stitch data is changed to form a pattern consisting of, for example, four embroidery patterns. If the symbols A to D are given to the respective patterns, the selection order (sewing order) to be combined can be freely selected, such as AB, AC, CBA, and ABCD.

In order to enable the processing as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, it is preferable to store the management table having the format shown in FIG. 6 in the memory 7 or the storage medium 9 together with the stitch data.

For example, when the first (color) stitch data, the second (color) stitch data, ... Are created in response to a plurality of readings, these stitch data are stored in the memory 7 or the storage medium 9. When storing, the data is stored at an arbitrary address, and its start and end addresses (the end address is not necessary if a predetermined end code is stored at the end of the stitch data) are tabulated as shown in the figure, and the stitch data It is also stored in the memory 7 or the storage medium 9 together.

At the end of the table, the sewing end code of one pattern (car and smoke in FIG. 3) completed by combining these stitch data is stored.

By adopting such a storage format, it becomes possible to handle a plurality of stitch data independently, and as shown in FIG. 1, the stitch data is sequentially stored in a memory with a narrow color change code. Is different from Figure 4,
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, it becomes possible to determine which embroidery pattern to use before the actual sewing.

For example, reference numeral 73 in FIG. 7 indicates one pattern data, and the pattern data is composed of 71 neckline parts sewn in the first color and 72 tie parts. The pattern is such that a beautiful finish can be obtained by first sewing the neckline portion 71 and then sewing the tie portion 72 thereon. As described above, some embroidery patterns have to be sewn in a specific order.

As described above, when the sewing order is fixed, the conventional method has a one-to-one correspondence between the input order and the sewing order, so that image input is performed without error from the input operation stage of the scanner. There was a constraint that it had to be. However, according to the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, since it is possible to determine which embroidery pattern to use before the actual sewing, there is no restriction on the input order.
A desired embroidery pattern sewing order can be easily selected, and operability can be greatly improved.

Further, as is clear from the comparison between FIGS. 4 and 5, the position of step S13 is different in both figures. That is, in FIG. 4, all the embroidery patterns and the sewing order are designated in advance before the start of sewing, but in FIG.
Each time one embroidery pattern is sewn, the next embroidery pattern to be sewn is selected.

Although any of the processes shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be adopted, in the process shown in FIG. 4, all patterns can be examined in advance before sewing, and as will be described later, the thread can be sewn after one pattern is sewn. In the case of changing the thread, the processing flow becomes more natural when the pattern is selected as shown in FIG. 5 by using the opportunity of changing the thread.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the start switch 42 is used.
By pressing, the sewing of one embroidery pattern is repeated, but when the sewing of one embroidery pattern is completed in step S15, the sewing machine drive unit 5 is temporarily stopped to allow the user to change the thread.

As a configuration of the selection switch 41, for example, it is conceivable that the selection switch 41 is configured by a ten-key pad, and the embroidery pattern and the sewing order thereof can be designated by sequentially pressing the numbers corresponding to the reading order by the scanner 1. Conceivable.

Each time a predetermined key is pressed, the stitch data in the stitch data memory 7, that is, the images read in the image memory 2 corresponding to the embroidery pattern are sequentially displayed on the display 3, and a single key switch is used. A method of selecting the embroidery pattern corresponding to the displayed image by depressing the selection switch 41 configured from is also conceivable.

Further, in the above selection operation, it is preferable to utilize the display device 3 as much as possible as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 show display and operation examples when selecting an embroidery pattern which constitutes one pattern data and a sewing order thereof, and here, the pattern of FIG. 7 is taken as an example.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, the display device 3 is divided into two parts, a selection display part 31 and an original image display part 32. The selection switch 41 is the scroll switch 4
11 and a pattern selection switch 412.

By operating the two arrow keys of the scroll switch 411, the read embroidery patterns are successively displayed on the original image display section 32, and when the desired embroidery pattern is displayed, the pattern selection switch 41 is displayed.
By operating 2, the embroidery pattern being displayed on the original image display section 32 is selected (in reality, the corresponding stitch data in the corresponding stitch data memory 7 is selected as the one to be used for sewing), and selected. The selected embroidery pattern is displayed on the selection display section 31.

FIG. 8 shows a state immediately after the neckline portion 71 of FIG. 7 is selected. Note that the binary image data stored in the image memory 2 can be used for display control.

Next, when the tie portion 72 of FIG. 7 is selected, the tie portion 72 selected by overlapping the already selected neckline portion 71 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the selection display section 31. This overlay display is performed in a manner that allows the plurality of selected patterns to be viewed sufficiently (for example, in color display, XOR display or the like is used).
Is preferred. It is also conceivable to emphasize the selection made this time by displaying the portion selected this time in a dark display color and the portion displayed so far in a light display color.

As described above, by adopting the embroidery pattern selection method using the display device 3, by displaying the selected or selected embroidery pattern, the user can be visually informed of the selected content. It is possible to prevent selection mistakes.

When a plurality of embroidery patterns are sequentially selected, the final sewing state can be grasped by superimposing and displaying the selected patterns each time selection is made. , The work can be streamlined.

If the method of FIGS. 8 and 9 is used together with the processing procedure of FIG. 4, that is, if all patterns are selected before sewing, or if all patterns are not selected, the engine will not start. In this case, the sewing order can be determined by associating the selection order with the sewing order. However, the sewing order may be determined separately from the pattern selection using the ten keys or the like. Further, also in the case where selection is made one by one before sewing one pattern as shown in FIG. 5, the method of FIGS. 8 and 9 can be adopted.

[0048]

As is apparent from the above, according to the present invention, storage means for storing pattern data constituted by a plurality of embroidery patterns created at predetermined sewing positions, and a plurality of the embroidery patterns. An embroidery pattern used to sew one pattern data by the selecting means before the sewing is performed by the sewing means, and a sewing order thereof, which have means for selecting a pattern and sewing means for performing embroidery sewing based on the embroidery pattern. Since the selected embroidery pattern is sequentially input to the sewing means to perform the embroidery sewing, the embroidery pattern used for the embroidery sewing is not affected by the input order or the storage order. The sewing pattern can be determined easily, the sewing pattern can be easily managed, and the sewing pattern that constitutes the pattern can be easily selected. The sewing machine system may be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional stitch data storage format.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structure of a sewing machine adopting the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing image data processed by the apparatus of FIG. 2 or an embroidery pattern corresponding thereto.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the apparatus of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a different processing procedure in the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a stitch data management table in the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a pattern pattern to be sewn.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a display and an operation when an embroidery pattern is selected in the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a display and an operation when an embroidery pattern is selected in the apparatus of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Scanner 2 Image Memory 3 Display 4 Key Switch 5 Sewing Machine Drive 7 Stitch Data Memory 8 Storage Medium 9 CPU 31 Selection Display 32 Original Image Display 41 Selection Switch 42 Start Switch 411 Scroll Switch 412 Pattern Selection Switch

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An embroidery pattern forming order based on the pattern data, which stores a plurality of embroidery patterns whose sewing positions are arranged at predetermined positions and which forms one pattern when superposed. Selecting means, control means for reading and stopping one embroidery pattern according to the order selected by the selecting means each time the start switch is operated, and embroidery sewing is performed based on the embroidery pattern read by the control means. A sewing machine comprising: sewing means. 2. A management table for storing a storage address of each embroidery pattern of the storage means, and when reading an embroidery pattern, a desired embroidery pattern is accessed through the management table. The sewing machine according to Item 1. 3. A means for sequentially inputting into the storage means a plurality of embroidery patterns whose mutual sewing positions are arranged at predetermined positions so as to form one pattern when superposed, and the inputted embroidery patterns are displayed. Means, means for selecting the order of forming embroidery patterns, control means for reading and stopping one embroidery pattern in accordance with the order selected by the selecting means each time the start switch is operated, and means for reading by the control means A sewing machine including: sewing means for performing embroidery sewing based on an embroidery pattern. 4. The sewing machine according to claim 3, wherein, when a plurality of embroidery patterns are sequentially selected, the selected patterns are displayed in an overlapping manner by the display means each time the selection is performed. 5. The selection means is for selecting at least one or more embroidery pattern formation order from a plurality of embroidery patterns, and the control means is for reading out the selected embroidery pattern. The sewing machine described in 1.