JPH07313764A - Embroidery data preparing device for sewing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prepare embroidery data even concerning a fine area as well by inputting coordinate point data to be the base of embroidery data preparation and deciding an area to form embroidery stitches based on the inputted coordinate point when this point is only one point expressing an embroidery form. CONSTITUTION:The embroidery data preparing device prepares embroidery data required for operating an embroidery sewing machine. In this case, a coordinate point data input means 20 inputs the coordinate point data to be the base of embroidery data preparation. When the inputted coordinate point is the single point expressing the embroidery form or when the group of plural inputted coordinate points is turned to the single point by image processing or graphic processing, based on this point, an embroidery area deciding means 21 decides the area to form embroidery stitches. Besides, the area decided based on the single point can be the square with the single point as a center. Further, the embroidery data can be prepared as well so that the area decided based on the single point can be fully sewn up by zigzag sewing.

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 for a sewing machine, which automatically creates embroidery data based on coordinate points which are the basis of an embroidery pattern. The present invention relates to an embroidery data creation device for a sewing machine, which is capable of creating embroidery stitch data for a minute area in which coordinate points that are the only points that represent embroidery shapes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the field of industrial sewing machines, for example, a general-purpose personal computer system has been used.
There is provided an embroidery data creation device for a sewing machine that is configured by connecting an image scanner, a hard disk drive, etc. and that can easily create embroidery data from an original image of an arbitrary embroidery pattern. In recent years, due to diversified tastes of consumers, higher quality, and improved performance of embroidery sewing machines, even embroidery sewing machines for home use only need to form embroidery patterns based on prestored embroidery data. Not only that, there is also provided an embroidery data creation device that allows a user to form an embroidery pattern desired by a user and that is relatively inexpensive and easy to operate.

In these embroidery data creation devices,
First, a user traces an original image of an embroidery pattern with a coordinate point data input device such as a digitizer to input coordinate point data that is a basis for creating embroidery data. Embroidery data for intermediately creating coordinate point data by subjecting image data input using an image reading device such as an image scanner to image processing such as contour line extraction and thinning, and graphic processing. A production device is also provided. Then, the embroidery data creation device creates embroidery data that forms a seam along a line segment or a line segment group that connects a plurality of coordinate point data in the input order or the creation order, and creates a closed line surrounded by the line segment group. Embroidery data is created to fill the inside of the area with seams.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional embroidery data creating apparatus, when creating the embroidery data for forming the stitches along the line segment, at least two coordinate points are used. Create based on the data,
When creating embroidery data that fills the inside with seams, since it is created based on at least three coordinate point data, the only coordinate point that represents the embroidery shape from which the embroidery data is created is unique. With respect to a minute area such as a point (a single coordinate point that does not form a line segment or a closed area with other coordinate points), the area to be embroidered cannot be specified, and therefore the embroidery seam is formed. The sewing data could not be created.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to embroider even a minute area in which coordinate point data representing an embroidery shape which is a basis for creating embroidery data is the only point. (EN) Provided is an embroidery data creation device for a sewing machine that can create sewing data that forms a seam.

[0006]

To achieve this object, an embroidery data creating apparatus for a sewing machine according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a coordinate for inputting coordinate point data which is a basis for creating embroidery data. When the point data input means (20) and the coordinate point input by the coordinate point data input means are the only points representing the embroidery shape, or a plurality of coordinate point groups input by the coordinate point data input means An embroidery area determining means (21) is provided for deciding an area for forming an embroidery stitch based on that point when the only point is found by image processing or graphic processing.

The area determined based on the unique point may be a square with the unique point as the center.

Further, embroidery stitch data may be created so as to fill the area determined based on the unique point with zigzag stitches.

[0009]

In the embroidery data creating device for the sewing machine having the above-mentioned structure, the coordinate point data inputting means
When the coordinate point data which is the basis for creating the embroidery data is input, and the coordinate point input by the embroidery area determining means using the coordinate point data inputting means is the only point, or the coordinate point data inputting means is used. When the plurality of coordinate point groups input as a single point becomes the only point by the image processing, the area for forming the embroidery stitch is determined based on the point. Therefore,
It is possible to automatically create sewing data for a small area in which the coordinate point that is the basis for creating the embroidery data is the only point, so that the area can be embroidered.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an embroidery data creation device for a domestic embroidery sewing machine will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, although not shown, a domestic embroidery sewing machine will be briefly described. The embroidery sewing machine moves the embroidery frame, which is placed on the sewing machine bed and holds the work cloth, to a predetermined position indicated by the x and y coordinate system peculiar to the apparatus by the horizontal movement mechanism, while performing the sewing operation by the sewing needle and the hook mechanism. By doing so, the work cloth is embroidered with a predetermined pattern.

In this case, the horizontal moving mechanism, the needle bar, etc. are controlled by a control unit composed of a microcomputer, etc. Therefore, x, y of the work cloth for each needle is controlled.
By giving the embroidery data (stitch data) instructing the amount of movement in the direction (needle drop position), the control device
The embroidery operation can be automatically executed. Further, in this embodiment, a flash memory device is provided in the embroidery sewing machine, and the embroidery data is given from the outside by the flash memory (card memory). The embroidery data creation device described later has a function of creating such embroidery data.
The embroidery sewing machine is provided with a display unit for displaying various messages, and the user is instructed to change the color of the embroidery thread.

Next, the overall structure of the embroidery data creation apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
2 shows the appearance of the embroidery data creation device, and FIG. 3 shows the electrical configuration thereof. Here, the creation device main body 1 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and includes a CPU 2, a ROM 3, a RAM 4,
A flash memory device (FMD) 5 and an input / output interface 6 (I / O) are connected to each other via a bus.

As shown in FIG. 4, a liquid crystal display (LC) as a display means for displaying a message to the user on the screen 7a is provided on the upper surface of the main body 1 of the producing apparatus.
D) 7 is provided. The liquid crystal display 7 is controlled by a display control device (LCDC) 8, and the display control device 8 includes a display storage device (VRA).
M) 9 is connected. A flash memory 10 as a storage medium is detachably set in the flash memory device 5. Further, the creation apparatus main body 1 is provided with operation keys 11 for the user to give instructions such as selection of creation processing, and is connected to the CPU 2 via the input / output interface 6.

A binary image scanner 12 as an image reading means for reading the design image data of the original image which is the basis of the embroidery pattern is connected to the main body 1 of the creating apparatus through the input / output interface 6. ing.
In this case, the image scanner 12 is composed of a hand scanner that reads a monochrome monochrome image, and an operator holds the upper part of the image with his / her hand and directs the lower reading part onto the original image.
By pressing the button and moving it in one direction so as to trace along the original image, the pattern drawn on the original image is read as digital pattern image data in a raster format. The read pattern image data is for each pixel,
RAM with white or black density value (0 or 1)
4 will be stored.

In the present embodiment, an embroidery data creating apparatus having the above-described components is used as an example to create embroidery data based on an original image representing a "rice ball" as shown in FIG. . Here, we do not create embroidery data that fills the inside of the closed area with stitches, but create zigzag stitches along the contour line, and also create embroidery stitch data that corresponds to the internal "sesame" part. I want to do it. Further, the embroidery seam forming area to be applied to the “sesame” portion is assumed to be inside a small square, and the size W of one side thereof is stored in the ROM 3 in advance, but the description thereof will be described later in detail.

When the power of the main body 1 of the producing apparatus is turned on and the program for producing embroidery data stored in the ROM 3 is started, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is executed. First, in step S1, a message screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 7 which is the display device of the creation apparatus main body 1, and the user is prompted to read the original image. The image scanner 12 is used to read the original image shown in FIG. Then, in step S2, the data of the coordinate points representing the characteristics of the shape of the original image are extracted.

Here, the coordinate point data can be extracted by using various image processing methods such as contour line extraction processing and thinning processing, and graphic processing methods. Is omitted. The coordinate points extracted from the original image shown in FIG. 5 are shown in FIG. Here, p1 to p20 are extracted as the coordinate points for the "rice ball" contour line and the "seaweed" contour line, and one coordinate point for each of the five "sesame" is extracted from p21 to p25. Has been done. Next, in step S3, the number of points in the sequence of points for the contour line, that is, 20 is counted, and in step S4, it is determined that the number is not 1, and the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, p1 to p11
And p13 are sequentially connected, and a line segment group in which p9 and p12 to p20 are sequentially connected is used to create embroidery block data which is a basis for creating zigzag stitching data.

In step S8, embroidery stitch data for filling the inside of the created embroidery block with stitches is created. Then, in step S9, it is determined that the embroidery stitch data for all the extracted point sequences has not been created, and the process returns to step S3.

Next, in step S3, the number of points in the point sequence of p21 (unique point), that is, 1 is counted, and step S3 is performed.
In step 4, it is determined that it is the only point, and step S
Proceed to the process of 6. In step S6, the size W of one side of the embroidery seam forming area for the only point is set in the ROM 3
Read from. Then, in step S7, the coordinates of the four vertices of the square with one side W centered on the unique point are calculated.

Now, this calculation method will be described with reference to FIG. That is, two straight lines parallel to the x-axis, which are separated from the point P by a half of W, and two straight lines parallel to the y-axis, which are separated from the point P by a half of W, are obtained. , Four intersection points, that is, P1 to P4 are obtained. The area inside the square surrounded by P1 to P4 is the embroidery stitch forming area for p21, that is, the embroidery block.

Then, in step S8, embroidery stitch data for filling the inside of the created embroidery block with stitches is created. FIG. 9 shows the actual stitches performed by the embroidery stitch data created here. Here, the embroidery stitch data (zigzag stitch data) is such that the inside of the square is sewn with stitches in the y-axis direction from P1 to P4.

Then, in step S9, it is determined that the embroidery stitch data for all the extracted point sequences has not been created, and the process returns to step S3. Similarly, in steps S3 to S9, the embroidery stitch data for the unique points p22, p23, p24, p25 are created, and the embroidery stitch data for all the extracted point sequences are created in step S9. When judged, the program for creating embroidery data ends. In this way, the embroidery data of "rice ball" as shown in FIG. 10 is created. Among the steps of the above-described processing, the processing of step S3 and the hand scanner 12 used as an image reading unit are shown in FIG.
Of the means constituting the present invention shown in (1), it corresponds to the coordinate point data inputting means 20, and the processing of steps S6 and S7 corresponds to the embroidery area determining means 21.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the embroidery area determining unit 21 determines one side even for a minute area such as the above-mentioned "sesame" having only one coordinate point input by the coordinate point data inputting unit 20. Since the square area having the size of W is determined, the embroidery stitch data that fills the inside of the minute area can be created.

In the above embodiment, the image scanner 12 is used as the image reading means, but this may be a digitizer for inputting coordinate points by tracing the original image. In that case, the process of step S3 is necessary. Disappear. Further, the shape of the small embroidery area determined by the embroidery area determining means is a square, but this may be a circle, various polygons, or the like.
Other shapes that can define the area may be used.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be applied to, for example, a multi-needle embroidery sewing machine that automatically changes embroidery threads, and the main body of the producing apparatus is a general-purpose personal computer or the like. It is also possible to adopt a general-purpose image scanner of a stationary type, or to adopt a stationary general-purpose image scanner. Further, the image data reading device and the embroidery data creating device can be configured by different devices. The present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the above.

[0028]

As is clear from the above description,
According to the embroidery data creation device for a sewing machine of the present invention, an embroidery stitch is formed even in a minute area in which the coordinate point data that is the basis for creating the embroidery data is the only point that represents the embroidery shape. This has an excellent practical effect of being able to create sewing data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing components of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an embroidery data creation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the embroidery data creation device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a screen display of a liquid crystal display of the embroidery data creation device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an original drawing which is a basis of an embroidery pattern in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing coordinate point data extracted from an original drawing in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the embroidery data creation device.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining embroidery data creation by the embroidery data creation device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining embroidery data creation by the embroidery data creation device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pattern embroidered according to the embroidery data created by the embroidery data creation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 1 is a main body of the production apparatus, 2 is a CPU, 3 is a ROM,
4 is a RAM, 7 is a liquid crystal display, 10 is a flash memory, 11 is an operation key, 12 is an image scanner, 2
Reference numeral 0 represents coordinate point data input means, and 21 represents embroidery area determination means.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An embroidery data creation device for creating embroidery data necessary for the operation of an embroidery sewing machine, comprising coordinate point data input means for inputting coordinate point data which is a basis for creating embroidery data, and the coordinates. When the coordinate point input by the point data input means is the only point representing the embroidery shape, or the plurality of coordinate point groups input by the coordinate point data input means becomes the only point by image processing or graphic processing. In this case, an embroidery data creation device for a sewing machine comprising: an embroidery area determining means for determining an area for forming an embroidery stitch based on the point. 2. The embroidery data creation device according to claim 1, wherein the area determined based on the unique point is a square having the unique point as a center. 3. The embroidery data creation device according to claim 1, wherein the embroidery seam data is created so that the area determined based on the unique point is filled with zigzag seams.