JPH0816762A - Pattern input device for framing pattern - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the pattern input device for framing pattern by providing a means for displaying a pattern and a frame surrounding the pattern based on display data and frame display data. CONSTITUTION:Image data from an image data input means 1 for reading a desired pattern image 1 are inputted to a stitch data/display data generating means 2 and based on these image data, the stitch data of embroidery sewing corresponding to this pattern image and the display data are generated. Based on the display data generated like this, a frame display data generating means 3 generates the frame display data, and these frame display data and the display data from the stitch data/display data generating means 2 are synthesized by a display data synthesizing means 4. Further, the framed display data synthesized by the display data synthesizing means 4 are displayed on a display means 6 and stored in a data storage means 5 built in a memory card or the device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pattern input device for adding a frame to a pattern.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An embroidery sewing machine is configured to perform embroidery sewing by drivingly controlling a sewing mechanism in X and Y directions based on given stitch data. The stitch data may be created by a maker or the like in advance and stored in the memory of the sewing machine in advance, or may be supplied by a memory card. In addition to this, the user reads an image desired by using an image scanner or the like. The applicant of the present application has proposed and realized a device for creating stitch data and display data based on the image data. When embroidery is performed by combining a plurality of such patterns, conventionally, it is necessary to finish the embroidery of one pattern and then perform the embroidery of the next pattern.
In recent years, there is an increasing demand for creating stitch data in which a plurality of patterns are combined in advance. On the other hand, in the case of a device for reading an image, when converting the image data read by the image scanner or the like into the stitch data, the stitch data suitable for the pattern shape is formed because it is uniformly converted by a predetermined algorithm. However, there is a problem that the finished embroidery seam may not match the pattern shape. On the other hand, when using the seam data created in advance, the manufacturer can consider the seams so that the seams are suitable for the pattern shape. Naturally, there was a problem that it could not be created. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for creating data in which a pattern from an image scanner capable of obtaining a free image and a pattern having predetermined stitch data are combined.

[0003]

From the above viewpoints, the inventors of the present application have been researching a device capable of creating pattern combination data, but when patterns are combined, it is difficult to position the patterns. It has been found that if some position display can be added to the pattern data, the work of combining patterns can be facilitated. The present invention has been made based on such knowledge, and an object thereof is to provide a pattern input device capable of adding a frame to a pattern.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a pattern input device for adding a frame to a pattern according to the present invention comprises means for reading a desired pattern image and providing image data corresponding to the pattern. A means for generating pattern data having stitch data and display data based on the image data, a means for generating frame display data representing a frame surrounding the pattern based on the data, the display data and the frame It is characterized by comprising a pattern and means for displaying a frame surrounding the pattern based on the display data. An image scanner or the like can be used as the means for giving the image data. The frame surrounding the pattern is naturally larger than the pattern, and is preferably a frame in contact with the outer shape of the pattern, and this frame is the smallest frame among the frames surrounding the pattern. By displaying such a frame, it is possible to easily combine the patterns.
That is, the positional relationship between the patterns can be easily grasped, and the size relationship can be easily recognized. The means for generating the frame display data may generate not only the frame display data but also data representing the reference position of the pattern. Examples of this reference position include the center of the pattern. Providing such a reference position facilitates further combination.
It is also possible to provide means for combining the pattern data having the display data and frame display data obtained in this way with another pattern, and means for changing the stitch data based on this combination. That is, an image based on the display data in the other pattern data and an image based on the display data including the frame display data may be combined on the display screen or the like. The other pattern data may be pattern data created in advance, or may be pattern data created by reading a desired image as described above. In this case, the pattern data may or may not include frame display data. The means for changing the stitch data, after combining the patterns by the combining means, based on the display data of the combined patterns,
The stitch data of the two pattern data is changed.

[0005]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an independent device is shown as the pattern input device, but the device is not limited to this and may be incorporated in a sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing. Further, various structures such as connecting the pattern input device and the sewing machine with a cable to supply data can be adopted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pattern input device of this embodiment is provided with a pattern combination section B in addition to the image reading section A so that patterns can be combined. It is also possible to configure only the image reading unit A and to incorporate the pattern combination unit B into the sewing machine X. Further, both the image reading section A and the pattern combination section B can be incorporated in the sewing machine X. In FIG. 1, the image data from the image data input means 1 for reading a desired pattern image I is inputted to the stitch data / display data generating means 2, and based on the image data, the embroidery sewing corresponding to the pattern image is carried out. The stitch data and the display data of are generated. Although any conventional method can be adopted as a method of creating stitch data from image data, for example, the method of Japanese Patent Application No. 3-42293 proposed by the applicant of the present application can be used. Then, the frame display data generating means 3 generates frame display data based on the display data generated here, and the frame display data and the display data from the stitch data / display data generating means 2 are combined with the display data synthesizing means 4
Are configured to be synthesized in. The display data with a frame synthesized by the display data synthesizing means 4 is displayed on the display means 6 and is also stored in the data storage means 5 incorporated in the memory card or the apparatus. Further, the stitch data generated by the stitch data / display data generating means 2 is also directly stored in the data storage means 5.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of an example of the generation of the frame display data in the frame display data generating means 3, and when the display data of the triangular pattern M is input, the coordinates of each dot of the display data are searched. Then, the coordinates where the x value and the y value show the maximum value and the minimum value, respectively, are detected. Then, a frame W formed by a straight line passing through the detected coordinates and parallel to the xy coordinate axes is formed. This frame W is the smallest frame W circumscribing the pattern M and surrounding the pattern M. It should be noted that it is possible to form a frame W that does not contact the pattern M in some cases. In this embodiment, the frame display data generating means 3 can also generate data indicating the reference position of the pattern M. As the reference position, the four corners of the frame W generated here, the center of the pattern M (that is, the center of the frame W), or the like can be generated. By forming the frame W in this manner, it is easy to create data of the reference position.

Next, the pattern combination section B will be described. In this embodiment, the stitch data and the display data from the data storage means 5 are sent to the combination means 11 as needed, and the patterns are combined here.
The pattern to be combined is 2 from the data storage means 5.
The above pattern may be used, or another pattern may be used. FIG.
Shows an example in which three identical patterns from the data storage means 5 are combined, and the frame W allows the positional relationship of the patterns M to be accurately combined.

In this embodiment, the pattern data storage means 1 is further provided.
2, the stitch data and the display data respectively corresponding to a plurality of predetermined patterns are stored therein. This stitch data is stitch data that matches the pattern. The pattern of the pattern data storage means 12 is selected by the selection means 13, and the stitch data and the display data corresponding to the selected pattern are supplied to the combination means 11, and the pattern data from the data storage means 5 is supplied. Can be combined with.

The data combined by the combination means 11 is displayed on the display means 6 and is temporarily stored in the combination data storage means 7 such as a memory card, and the stitch forming mechanism of the sewing machine X is based on this combination data. It is configured to perform embroidery sewing. The data storage means 5 and the combination data storage means 7 may be shared, and may be the same memory card or the like.

The combination means 11 is provided with a size adjusting means 8 so that at least one image of the pattern M to be combined can be enlarged or reduced. When the image is enlarged or reduced here, the signal is sent to the data changing means 10 to change the combination data stored in the combination data storage means 7.

The combination means 11 also has a position adjusting means 9
Is provided, and at least one of the patterns M to be combined is movable. By this movement, the positional relationship of the combined pattern M images can be changed. When the pattern M is moved here, the signal is similarly sent to the data changing means 10 to change the combination data stored in the combination data storage means 7.

The combination of the pattern M and the enlargement / reduction and movement thereof will be described with reference to FIG. Now, a frame pattern F relating to predetermined stitch data from the pattern data storage unit 12 and a bear pattern B obtained by uniformly converting an arbitrary image input from the data storage unit 5 by the stitch data / display data generation unit 2 When the images are combined, they are combined at a predetermined position as shown in FIG. The bear pattern B is provided with a frame W and a position mark P2 indicating the center of the frame W in the frame display data generating means 3, and the image of the frame pattern F is previously provided with a position mark P1 indicating the center of the pattern when the data is created. Has been done. Here, as shown in FIG. 9A, the frame W of the bear pattern B makes it easy to recognize that the size of the bear pattern B does not fit in the frame pattern F. Then, when the image of the bear pattern B is reduced by the size adjusting means 8, the state shown in (B) is obtained, and when the frame adjusting F and the bear pattern B are further moved by the position adjusting means 9 to bring them closer to each other, it is shown in (C). Then, the image of the bear pattern B enters the image of the frame pattern F (D). The display of the frame W may be erased when it is no longer necessary, or only the frame W may be displayed if necessary. In addition, here, frame pattern F and bear pattern B
Shows an example in which the images do not overlap each other, but the images can be overlapped with each other. In this case as well, the display of the frame W allows the images to be accurately superimposed. As described above, since the frame pattern F is the seam data created in advance, a relatively clean seam can be formed, but the pattern shape is only a predetermined shape. On the other hand, the bear pattern B is an arbitrary desired image, but since the stitch data is uniformly converted from the image data, the stitch is not sufficient. However, by combining the images in this way, it becomes possible to combine the freedom of the images and the good finish of the seams.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware construction of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows the external appearance of the apparatus. In FIG. 2, a CPU 70 performs basic control of a pattern input device according to a program stored in a program storage device 71 connected via a bus. The image scanner 15 is manually guided by the guide 1 as shown in FIG.
By driving the original image of the pattern on the original image placing portion 17 set to 6, the original image is read. The image data read by the image scanner 15 is converted into stitch data and display data by the CPU 70 according to a program stored in the stitch data / display data generation program storage device 20, and this data is temporarily stored in the program storage device 71. It is configured to be. When the user operates the frame formation command key 52 to issue a frame display data generation command, the CPU 70 follows the program of the frame display data generation program storage device 30 based on the display data of the program storage device 71, as shown in FIG. It is configured to generate the data of the frame W. At this time, if the reference position formation command key 53 is operated, the position mark P2 as shown in FIG. 9 is also given. The frame display data, the position mark, and the display data of the pattern M are combined by the CPU 70 according to the program stored in the display data combination program storage device 40, and become the pattern display data with the frame and displayed via the display control device 60. It is displayed on the device 61. At the same time, the data is stored in the memory card 51 via the memory card reading / writing device 50. The stitch data of the pattern M is also stored in the memory card 51 at the same time. The memory card 51 can be inserted / removed from the throttle of the memory card reading / writing device 50 as shown in FIG. 3, and the memory card 51 can be attached to the sewing machine X to perform embroidery sewing as will be described later. ing. The display device 61 is provided beside the guide 16 as shown in FIG. 3, and the frame formation command key 52 and the reference position formation command key 53 are provided above the display device 61.

One-side stitch data / display data storage device 7
In FIG. 7, previously created stitch data and display data corresponding to a plurality of predetermined patterns (images) are stored, and a selection key 8 provided on the image scanner 15 is stored.
By operating 0, desired pattern data can be taken out. The data retrieved from the stitch data / display data storage device 77 is temporarily stored in the temporary storage device 71.

The data combination device 73 is configured to combine the two data temporarily stored in the temporary storage device 71 and display them on the display device 61 via the display control device 60. Further, a size adjusting key 78 provided at the side of the size adjusting device 75 and the display device 61 is provided so that the user can change the size of the image by operating the size specifying key 78. Has become.
The data changing device 74 is configured to change the stitch data of the image according to the size change and store it again in the temporary storage device 71. On the other hand, a position designating key 79 installed beside the position adjusting device 76 and the display device 61 is provided, and when the user changes the position of the image using the position designating key 79, the data changing device 74 causes the stitch data of the image to be displayed. Is changed according to this position change and is stored again in the temporary storage device 71. Then, the completed combination data stored in the program storage device 71 is stored in the memory card 51 via the memory card reading / writing device 50, and is used for embroidery sewing in the sewing machine.

An embodiment of the sewing machine X for performing embroidery sewing will be described with reference to FIG. A memory card throttle 105 is provided on the side of the sewing machine main body, and the above-mentioned memory card 51 is inserted here, and framed pattern data stored in the memory card 51 and combination data combined in the combination means 11 are stored. Is designed to read. Then, embroidery sewing is executed based on this data. A carriage 118, which is an XY moving means, and an embroidery frame 1 supported by the carriage 118 are provided on the main body of the sewing machine.
A needle bar 120 and a needle 121, which are 19 and a stitch forming mechanism, are provided. A cloth is attached to the embroidery frame 119, and the carriage 118 moves in the xy directions and the needle bar 120 and the needle 12 move.
1 is moved up and down to perform embroidery sewing based on the data from the memory card 51. The embroidery sewing can be selected by the sewing mode selection button 104. When the embroidery sewing is not performed, the normal sewing mode is set and the needle bar 120 and the needle 121 are moved up and down and a feeding device (not shown). The normal sewing is performed by feeding the cloth. A display device 106 is further provided in the front portion of the sewing machine to display the pattern M based on the data from the memory card 51 and other various displays.

The operation of the image reading section A will be described with reference to FIG. When the image data is input from the image scanner 15 (step S1), the stitch data and the display data are created based on the program stored in the stitch data / display data generation program storage device 20 (step S2). By operating the frame formation command key 52, the user operates the frame W
Is instructed (step S3), a frame W is created as shown in FIG. 7, and the frame display data is created (steps S4, 5). Next, when there is a command to assign a reference position by operating the reference position formation command key 53 (step S6),
Data indicating a reference position such as P2 shown in FIG. 9 is created (step S7). Then, the display data of the pattern M, the frame display data, and the reference position data are combined according to the program of the display data combination program storage device 40 (step S8). Then, the combined display data is displayed on the display device 61 (step S9) and stored in the memory card 51 (step S10). The memory card 51 also stores stitch data at the same time.

Next, the operation of the pattern combination section B will be described with reference to FIG. When a predetermined pattern is selected by operating the selection key 80 and the stitch data / display data is selected (step S20), this data is temporarily stored in the temporary storage device 71 (step S21). On the other hand, the display data with the frame display data and the stitch data stored in the memory card 51 are read out (step S2
2) It is temporarily stored in the temporary storage device 71 (step S23). The data of the two images stored in the temporary storage device 71 is combined by the data combination device 73 (step S24), stored in the temporary storage device 71 (step S25), and displayed on the display device 61 (step S26). Then, when the size is changed by the size adjusting device 75 by operating the size specifying key 78 (step S27), the data changing device 74 is operated according to the change in the size.
Changes the stitch data (step S2
8). Similarly, if the position adjusting device 76 changes the image position by operating the position specifying key 79 (step S2).
9) Then, the stitch data is changed by the data changing device 74 according to the change of the position (step S30). The changed stitch data is stored in the memory card 51 (step S31), and the memory card 51 is stored in the sewing machine main body.
Is provided for embroidery sewing (step S32).

In the embodiment described above, since the frame W and the reference position can be added to the pattern M read by the image scanner 15, there is an effect that the size and the positional relationship can be easily grasped when the patterns are combined. . In addition, since it is possible to combine stitch data that can form a stitch that matches a previously created pattern and stitch data that corresponds to any desired image, it is possible to combine the freedom of the image and the goodness of the finish of the stitch well. Become.
Further, since the image can be displayed by the display data, the combination can be visually confirmed. Further, when combined, the images can be scaled up and down, the positional relationship of the images can be adjusted arbitrarily, and these can be confirmed by the displayed image.

[0021]

As described above, according to the first and second aspects of the invention, since it is possible to display a pattern with a frame, it is possible to easily combine the patterns. That is, the positional relationship between the patterns can be easily grasped, and the size relationship can be easily recognized. According to the third aspect of the invention, not only the frame display data but also the data indicating the reference position of the pattern is generated. Therefore, the positional relationship can be more easily grasped, and the pattern combination can be easily and accurately performed. . Further, in the invention of claim 4, the pattern data having the display data and the frame display data thus obtained is provided with a unit for combining with the other pattern and a unit for changing the stitch data based on this combination. There is an effect that the combination of the patterns can be easily performed on the display and the stitch data can be automatically converted according to the combination. Further, according to the invention of claim 5, the predetermined stitch data and the stitch data corresponding to the desired image can be combined, and an arbitrary image can be obtained while maintaining the quality of the stitch to some extent. According to the invention of claim 6, desired patterns can be combined with each other, and free embroidery pattern data can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an external view of an example of a sewing machine that performs embroidery sewing based on data created according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a frame adding operation.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a pattern combination using a frame.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a pattern combination using a frame.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: image data input means, 2: stitch data / display data generation means, 3: frame display data generation means, 4: display data combination means, 5: data storage means, 6: display means, 7:
Combination data storage means, 8: size adjustment means, 9: position adjustment means, 10: data change means, 11: combination means, 12: pattern data storage means, 13: selection means, 1
5: image scanner, 16: guide, 17: original image placement part, 20: stitch data / display data generation program storage device, 30: frame display data generation program storage device,
40: display data composition program storage device, 50: memory card reading / writing device, 51: memory card, 52:
Frame formation command key, 53: Reference position formation command key, 60:
Display control device, 61: display device, 70: CPU, 71:
Program storage device, 72: temporary storage device, 73: data combination device, 74: data change device, 75: size adjustment device, 76: position adjustment device, 77: stitch data /
Display data storage device, 78: size designation key, 79: position designation key, 80: selection key, 104: sewing mode selection button, 105: memory card throttle, 106: display device, 118: carriage, 119: embroidery frame, 120: needle bar, 121: needle.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Haruhi Tanaka, inventor, 1463 Asama-cho, Hachioji, Hachioji, Tokyo Jam no Sewing Machine Co., Ltd. Within Sewing Machinery Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinichi Fukada 1463 Asama-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Janome Eye Machinery Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A means for reading a desired pattern image and giving image data corresponding to the pattern, a means for generating pattern data having stitch data and display data based on the image data, and based on the data. And means for generating frame display data representing a frame surrounding the pattern, and means for displaying the pattern and the frame surrounding the pattern based on the display data and the frame display data. A pattern input device that adds a frame to a pattern. 2. The pattern input device for adding a frame to a pattern according to claim 1, wherein the frame surrounding the pattern is a minimum frame for surrounding the pattern. 3. The pattern input device for adding a frame to a pattern according to claim 1, wherein the means for generating the frame display data generates data representing a reference position of the pattern in addition to the frame display data. 4. A means for combining patterns on the basis of the display data and frame display data from the means for generating the pattern data, and the display data of other pattern data having stitch data and display data. The pattern input device for adding a frame to the pattern according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising: a unit that changes the stitch data based on display data of the pattern combined by the combining unit. 5. The pattern input device for adding a frame to a pattern according to claim 4, wherein the other pattern data includes predetermined stitch data and display data corresponding to a predetermined image. 6. The frame according to claim 4, wherein the other pattern data is pattern data generated by a unit that generates pattern data having stitch data and display data based on the image data. Pattern input device.