JPH08218266A - Embroidery pattern-making device for machine capable of embroidery sewing and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To eliminate seam defects based on seam data in a predetermined direction by partitioning images read from an original drawing in plural regions and forming seam data of suitable directions to each region. CONSTITUTION: In an embroidery pattern-making device of an embroidery machine, an original drawing is read by a reading means 3 such as a scanner, etc., of an image information giving means 1 and the read image is input into an image region partitioning means 4 and partitioned in plural regions, each region is selected by a region selecting means 16 one by one and whether a radial seam is formed in each region or a seam in a predetermined direction is formed is selected. When the radial seam is selected, a base position of the image is set by a base position operation means 5, a base line is set in radial directions from the center of the image, produced seam data are memorized in a storage medium 14, which is read by the machine side and the embroidery work is carried out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an embroidery pattern data generating device and method for a sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As embroidery pattern data used for a sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing, it is usual that a sewing machine maker or the like manually creates pattern data suitable for a pattern and supplies it to a user using a memory card or the like. . However, there is a demand for a device that enables not only the pattern supplied by the manufacturer side but also the pattern desired by the user. Therefore, the user reads a desired image using a scanner or the like, and embroiders it from the image data. Devices for generating pattern data have been developed and are becoming popular.

[0003]

However, in such an embroidery pattern data generating device, it is difficult to create a seam suitable for an image, and the seam data in a uniform direction such as a horizontal direction or a diagonal direction is uniformly used. Therefore, in the case of a pattern with a narrow width such as a contour line, the generated stitch data often does not match the image. FIG. 13 shows a state of the embroidery pattern when the seams are uniformly formed in the horizontal direction, and the arrow portion becomes a problem. That is, a seam is formed in the horizontal direction in this narrow portion, one seam becomes extremely long, the sewing is not finished neatly, and the appearance becomes bad. There is a problem that appears in. The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an embroidery pattern data generating device of a sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing according to the present invention has means for giving information representing an image and the image in a plurality of areas. And a means for generating seam data for performing embroidery sewing of the sewing machine based on the information representing the image, wherein at least two seam data in different directions are provided in accordance with the divided areas. And means for generating. The means for providing the information representing the image typically includes a means such as a scanner for reading an image from a desired original image and generating image data. Besides, it is also possible to supply image data created by CAD or the like. The dividing means divides the image into two or more areas. The area may be automatically divided into predetermined areas, or the position and size of the area arbitrarily divided by the user may be determined. The shape of the area to be divided is a rectangle divided by a straight line in the preferred embodiment, but it is not limited to this and can be divided by various shapes. This shape may be automatically determined or may be arbitrarily designated by the user. The means for generating seam data generates seam data in at least two different directions, and generates seam data in a predetermined direction for each divided area. As the stitch direction, in addition to the stitches in a constant direction such as the lateral direction, the vertical direction, and the diagonal direction, there are stitches in which the direction such as a radial direction around a predetermined point is not constant. The direction of such stitches may be automatically set to a predetermined direction, or may be arbitrarily designated by the user. As described above, by dividing the image into a plurality of areas and generating stitch data in different directions depending on the areas,
It is possible to suppress the generation of seams that do not match the image as shown in FIG.

[0005]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, the embroidery pattern data generation device X includes an image information adding means 1. The image information giving means 1 can be provided with a means for giving data created using CAD or the like, a device for reading an original image to obtain image data, and the like. In the embodiment, the image information giving unit 1 has a reading unit 3 such as a scanner, and the reading unit 3 can read an original image desired by the user and output image data. This image data is supplied to the image area dividing means 4.

A reading means 3 for reading an original image G as shown in FIG.
When read by, the image data of dots as shown in FIG. 7 is generated in the image information giving means 1, and this image data is inputted to the image area dividing means 4 through the mode selecting means 15, and here, FIG. The outer region line L as shown in
The area surrounded by is divided by a dividing line N so as to be divided into a plurality of areas. In the example of FIG. 8, it is divided into three regions in the vertical direction by two dividing lines N1 and N2, and the upper region 50, the middle region 51, and the lower region 52
Is formed. The outer region line L is a straight line parallel to the x and y coordinates passing through the points of maximum and minimum values in the x and y directions of the image, thereby forming a rectangular area. The outer area line L is automatically set by the image area dividing means 4. Although the dividing line N can be automatically set by the image area dividing means 4, the dividing area designating means 9 allows the user to set it at an arbitrary position according to the image. Further, the dividing line N does not necessarily have to be a straight line, and may be a curved line. Also, the size of the divided area is arbitrary,
The size, position, shape, and the like of these divided areas can be arbitrarily set by the user by operating the divided area specifying means 9.

The mode selecting means 15 allows the user to select whether or not to perform image area division. That is, when a single stitch in a predetermined direction is formed without dividing the area, the image data is sent to the constant direction stitch data generating means 8. The fixed direction stitch data generation means 8 is adapted to convert the entire image data into fixed direction stitch data. In this embodiment, horizontal stitch data is formed.

The image data divided into areas by the image area dividing means 4 are sequentially selected by the area selecting means 16 and whether a radial seam is formed or a seam in a fixed direction is generated for each of the areas. It is supposed to be selected. This selection may be arbitrarily made by the user or may be automatically determined according to a predetermined rule. When the radial seam is selected automatically or by designation, the image reference position calculation means 5 first sets the image reference position. In the example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the centers P1 and P2
Is set so that radial seams are formed in the upper region 50 and the lower region 52. As the centers P1 and P2, the midpoints of the dividing line N1 and the dividing line N2 are used in this example, but it is also possible to use the center or center of gravity of the image in each divided region. After the center is set, the reference line setting means 6 sets a radial reference line from the image center P, and sets radial stitches along the radial reference line.

In the example of FIG. 8, stitches in a constant direction are formed in the middle region 51, the middle region 51 is designated by the region selecting means 16 to select the stitch in the constant direction, and further the stitch direction designating means 18 is provided. Allows the stitch direction to be specified arbitrarily. The predetermined direction stitch data generating means 17 responds to this designation as shown in FIG.
In No. 1, stitch data in a fixed direction (here, the horizontal direction) is formed. The user can specify the direction of the seam and the divided area forming the seam in a certain direction as described above, but the area selecting means 16 can also automatically set the area.

FIG. 10 shows an example of another area division.
Here, 6 by the division line N1, the division line N2, and the division line N3.
The area is divided into two areas, the area center P is set in each area, and radial seam data is formed in each area based on the center P. FIG.
1 indicates the state of the stitch data. Here, for the sake of simplicity, the stitch data of two areas are shown,
The same applies to other areas.

FIG. 12 shows an example of still another area division. This classification method is a method in which an image is divided into four quadrants, and the subdivision is repeated until the image exists in only one quadrant. For example, in the example of FIG. 12, the entire image is first
It is divided into 4 quadrants, I, II, III, and IV, and each divided area is further divided into 4 quadrants.
Divide into quadrants. As shown in (B), taking the area II as an example, the area II is further divided into areas a, b, c, and d. Even in this case, since the image exists in each quadrant, a, b, c and d are each further divided into four quadrants. As shown in (C), when the area b is taken as an example, the area b is further divided into four quadrants, and the image exists in two areas. Therefore, the area is further divided into four quadrants. In (D), the area is divided into four quadrants, and in this state, the image exists only in one quadrant. Therefore, with this region as the final division unit, the center of the region and the like are obtained, and the stitch data is radially formed from this center point. In this way, by repeating the division of the four quadrants, it becomes possible to obtain the stitch data more suitable for the image.

The outer region line L, the dividing line N, the center point P and the like are imaginary and need not be represented as points or lines on the image as shown in FIGS. In the embodiment, the position, size or shape of the inner area line M is displayed on the display means 12 so that the user can set the position.

This embodiment is further provided with display data generating means 11 and display means 12 so that the image read by the reading means 3 can be displayed on the display means 12. Then, as described above, the outer area line L, the section line N and the center P are displayed on the display means 12.

The stitch data generated by the radial stitch data generation means 7 and the fixed direction stitch data generation means 8 or the stitch data generated by the predetermined direction stitch data generation means 17 and the display data generated by the display data generation means 11 are stored in a storage medium. The sewing machine 14 is configured to read the data stored in the storage medium 14 on the sewing machine side and execute the embroidery sewing. Alternatively, it is configured to be directly sent to the sewing machine main body 13 and used for embroidery sewing.

The above-mentioned embroidery pattern data generating device X
May be configured by the device alone or may be incorporated in the sewing machine main body. Further, it is possible to adopt various modes such as incorporating a part into the main body of the sewing machine and leaving the remaining part as an independent device.

FIG. 2 is a concrete hardware configuration diagram in which the embroidery pattern data generating device X is mainly composed of a microcomputer, FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the data generating device X, and FIG. 4 is a main part thereof. It is an enlarged plan view. As shown in FIG. 3, when the lid of the data generating device X is opened, a display device 31, operation buttons and the like are provided inside thereof, and a scanner 30 connected to the main body by a cable or the like is provided.

The scanner 30 is connected to the central processing unit 20 as shown in FIG. 2, so that the image data of the read original image is output to the central processing unit 20 and temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 27. Has become. The original image is placed on the original image placing section 40, and the image is read by manually scanning the scanner button 41 and scanning the scanner 30 from the top to the bottom as shown in FIG.

The central processing unit 20 has a category designation button 32.
Is provided, and whether or not to divide the read image into areas can be selected from automatic setting and manual setting. In the case of manual setting, the position, size and shape of the divided area can be specified here. The area division is the image area division program storage device 28.
It is executed according to the program stored in. The read image and the data of the area division by the division designation button 32 are converted into display data by the display data generation program stored in the image display data generation program storage device 26 and displayed on the display device 31, and the user displays the display device 31. You can operate the area division while watching.

When the area division is completed, the area selection button 33
The areas divided by are sequentially designated, and the stitch is designated by the stitch type designation button 35 for each area. . In the example of FIG. 8, radial seams are specified in the upper area 50 and the lower area 52, and horizontal seams are specified in the middle area 51. The type of stitch can be automatically set, and in this case, the central processing unit 20 is designed to generate predetermined stitch data for each area.

Classification designation button 32, stitch type designation button 35,
The area selection button 33 is displayed on the display device 3 as shown in FIG. 3 or 4.
It is installed on the right side of 1.

When radial seam generation is selected automatically or manually, the central processing unit 20 reads the image data read by the scanner 30 and stored in the temporary storage unit 27, and stores it in the central processing program storage unit 21. The calculated program calculates the center P as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, and the program stored in the reference line setting calculation program storage device 23 sets the reference line radially from the center. Then, the stitch data is generated based on the reference line by the program stored in the radial stitch data generation program storage device 24, and this stitch data is stored in the stitch data / display data storage device 34. At the same time, the image display data generation program storage device 26
Thus, the display data of the stitch is generated and the display data is stored in the stitch data / display data storage device 34. Further, when the stitch data generation in a fixed direction such as the vertical direction or the horizontal direction is designated or automatically set, the central processing unit 20 uses the program from the predetermined direction stitch data generation program storage device 25 to generate the stitch data in the predetermined direction. To generate. Seam data /
In this embodiment, the display data storage device 34 is a removable RAM card or the like, and can be detached from the generator X and attached to the sewing machine main body.

When the conventional stitch data generation in a fixed direction is selected without performing the area division by the division designation button 32, the central processing unit 20 stores the program stored in the predetermined direction stitch data generation program storage device 25. Accordingly, in this embodiment, horizontal stitch data is generated.

As shown in FIG. 3, the data storage device 34 is attachable / detachable in the card slot 44. When the stitch data and the display data are stored, the data storage device 34 is pulled out from the card slot 44 and the sewing machine main body is shown in FIG. Y
It is configured to be attached to the RAM card reading unit 45 and used for embroidery sewing. The display data is also used for displaying on the display unit 46 of the sewing machine main body Y.

The operation will be described with reference to FIG. Scanner 30
When the image is read by (step S1), the image data is temporarily stored in the temporary storage device 27 (step S1).
2), display data is generated from the image data by the program of the image display data generation program storage device 26, and displayed on the display device 31 (step S3). It is determined whether or not the data is re-input (step S4), and if the data is re-input, the process returns to step S1. If there is no re-input, it is judged whether or not the image area division is instructed by the division designation button 32 (step S5). If not, stitch data in a fixed direction is generated for all the images (step S15). ). When the image area division command is issued, the image area is divided according to the program of the image area division program storage device 28 (step S
6). The shape, size, position, etc. of the divided areas are set to predetermined ones in the case of automatic setting, and are set according to the set contents in the case of manual setting. Then, it is judged whether or not the stitch type of each divided area is automatically set (step S7),
If it is not automatically set, it is determined whether or not radial stitches are designated for each divided area (step S8). With respect to the area in which the radial stitches are designated, a predetermined reference position is calculated by the program of the central calculation program storage device 21 (step S9), and the center is set as a reference by the program of the radial stitch data generation program storage device 24. A reference line is set, and radial stitch data is generated based on the reference line (step S10).

When the automatic setting of the sewing direction is selected in step S7, predetermined stitch data is generated for each divided area (step S12).

When the manual setting of the sewing direction is selected by the stitch type designation button 35 in step S8, the stitch data of the set sewing direction is generated in each area (steps S13 and 14). The stitch data and the display data generated as described above are stored in the stitch data / display data storage device 34 (step S11), and the operation ends.

[0027]

As described above, according to the embroidery pattern data generating apparatus and method of the sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing of the present invention, an image is divided into a plurality of areas, and the stitches in a direction suitable for each of the divided areas. Since the data can be formed, it is possible to eliminate the conventional defect of the seam based on the seam data in a fixed direction.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

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

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

FIG. 4 is an external front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an original image reading operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of image data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a region dividing operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a stitch forming state for each area according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of another area division according to the embodiment of the present invention.

11 is an explanatory view of a stitch forming state in the area division of FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of still another area division according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an external view of the sewing machine main body for explaining a mounting mode of the data storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional stitch forming state.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: image information giving means, 2: stitch data generating means,
3: reading means, 4: image area dividing means, 5: image reference position calculating means, 6: reference line setting means, 7: radial stitch data generating means, 8: constant direction stitch data generating means, 9: divided area designating means Reference numeral 10: selection means, 11: display data generation means, 12: display means, 13: sewing machine main body, 14: storage medium, 15: mode selection means, 16: area selection means, 17: predetermined direction stitch data generation means, 1
8: stitch direction designating means, 20: central processing unit, 2
1: Central calculation program storage device, 23: Reference line setting calculation program storage device, 24: Radial stitch data generation program storage device, 25: Predetermined direction stitch data generation program storage device, 26: Image display data generation program storage device, 27 : Temporary storage device, 28: Image area classification program storage device, 30: Scanner, 31: Display device, 32: Classification designation button, 33: Area selection button, 34: Stitch data / display data storage device, 35: Stitch type designation Button, 40: Original image placement section, 41: Scanner button, 42:
RAM card eject button, 43: power switch, 44: card slot, 45: RAM card reading section, 46: display section, 50: upper area, 51: middle area, 52: lower area.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A means for giving information representing an image, a means for dividing the image into a plurality of areas, and a means for generating stitch data for performing embroidery sewing on a sewing machine based on the information representing the image. An embroidery pattern data generation device for a sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing, comprising: means for generating stitch data in at least two different directions according to the divided areas. 2. The embroidery pattern data generation device of the sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for giving information representing the image reads an image from a desired original image and generates image data. 3. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for generating the seam data forms a seam in a radial direction based on a predetermined reference position in the divided predetermined area. Embroidery pattern data generation device. 4. The embroidery pattern of a sewing machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the position and size of the divided area and the shape of the divided area can be arbitrarily designated. Data generator. 5. The image is divided into a plurality of areas based on given image data, a seam direction for performing embroidery sewing of a sewing machine is determined for each area, and a seam in the determined direction is determined. A method for generating embroidery pattern data of a sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing, which is characterized by generating data.