JPH08309054A - Device for preparing data for patchwork - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily prepare data for performing industrial manufacture by forming the cutting data of respective patch pieces, the data for indicating sticking positions, data for performing coarse fix-sewing and finish sewing data based on the boundary line of a patch pattern extracted from inputted information. CONSTITUTION: This patchwork data preparation device 10 is constituted of a microcomputer 17 connected to a keyboard 11, a mouse 12, a color display 13, an X-Y plotter 14, a floppy disk drive unit 15 and a hard disk 16. Then, an image scanner 5 for inputting the design images of patchwork is installed and the boundary line of the patch pattern is extracted from the inputted information for indicating the entire design of the patchwork. Then, based on the boundary line, the data for segmenting the patch pieces from cloth, the data for indicating the sticking position where the patch piece is to be pasted to a stretched sheet S, the data for coarsely fix-sewing the patch pieces with each other and the finish sewing data are prepared.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data creating apparatus for sewing patchwork by stitching the edges of a plurality of patch pieces together.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the problems to be solved by the invention
A patchwork piece consisting of a large number of patch pieces as shown in FIG. 34 was manufactured by hand. That is, after the designer creates a patchwork design like the one in the figure,
Based on this, a pattern for each color for fabric cutting was manually created, the fabric was cut using this pattern to create patch pieces, and these were sewn by hand sewing. For this reason, there is a drawback that it takes a lot of man-hours and is not suitable for mass production.

On the other hand, a device for creating appliqué data as disclosed in JP-A-6-296781 is known.
This device inputs the outline of the appliqué piece with a digitizer, etc., and uses this information as a reference line to cut the appliqué piece from there, and to sew data to show the position of the appliqué piece to the base fabric, The sewing data for stopping the appliqué piece on the cloth and the embroidery sewing data for sewing the appliqué piece on the cloth by embroidery are created, and the cutting machine or the automatic embroidery machine is driven and controlled based on these data. . Therefore, there is a possibility that a data creation device for patchwork can be realized with reference to the technical idea of this device.

However, even if such conventional related techniques can be used, the pattern of the first patch piece must be manually created, which is very troublesome. In particular, when manufacturing a patchwork work in which the edges of a cloth piece as shown in FIG. 34 are sewn together, the matching of the edges of the patch pieces poses a problem. Will require considerable accuracy and is expected to be extremely troublesome.

The appliqué technique is merely a technique of completely overlapping and sewing appliqué pieces on a cloth, and is used as a patchwork technique in which end edges of a plurality of patch pieces are butted against each other. It cannot be diverted. Therefore, the present invention provides an apparatus capable of easily creating data for industrially manufacturing a patchwork work using an automatic embroidery sewing machine or the like,
The purpose is to automate patchwork manufacturing.

[0006]

A patchwork data creating apparatus of the present invention completed to achieve the above object is an entire patchwork constructed by stitching the edges of a plurality of patch pieces together. Design information input means for inputting information representing a design, boundary line extraction means for extracting a boundary line of a patch pattern from the input design information, and individual patch pieces based on the extracted boundary lines. The cutting data forming means for forming the data for cutting out the individual patch pieces from the cloth, and the sticking position of each patch piece on the spreading sheet based on the extracted boundary line. Data for forming the sticking position data, and based on the extracted boundary line, data for coarse tack sewing so that each patch piece does not move on the spreading sheet. And a finish stitching data forming means for forming finish stitching data based on the extracted boundary line and having dense stitches straddling the boundary line and covering the stitches of the lock stitch And sewing data forming means.

According to the patchwork data creating apparatus of the present invention, the boundary line extracting means extracts the boundary line of the patch pattern from the information representing the entire design of the patchwork input by the design information inputting means, and cuts it. The data forming means, the sticking position data forming means, the tack sewing data forming means, and the finish sewing data forming means all write the cut data of each patch piece and the sticking position of each patch piece based on this same boundary line. Data for sewing, data for coarse stop stitching to prevent movement of patch pieces, and data for finish sewing are formed.

Therefore, it is not necessary to input the information on the state of being decomposed into individual patch pieces, and it is sufficient to input the data showing the state when the design is completed. In addition, since each data to be formed is created based on the same boundary line, the relationship between the data is accurate, and for example, the finish sewing data that can surely cover the stop sewing data can be surely obtained. Can be formed.

Here, the design information input means may be constructed so as to input the design images all at once using an image scanner or the like, or the boundary line of the design images may be input as a sequence of points using a digitizer or the like. It may be configured to do so. Of course, the present invention is not limited to these, and it may be configured as a means for directly inputting a design image designed on the screen using a CAD device as information, or it may be dropped from the CAD device to a storage medium such as a floppy disk or a hard disk once. It may be configured to be stored in memory and read from these storage media.

Further, if the cutting data forming means is intended for a patchwork work of a type in which edges are completely abutted against each other, each closed figure surrounded by the boundary line is an individual patch piece. The boundary line itself can be used as a cutting line to form data. Further, in the case of such a patchwork work, the sticking position data forming means may be adopted as data for marking the boundary line itself on the spreading sheet.

On the other hand, if a patchwork work of a type in which the edges are slightly overlapped is intended, for example, the cutting data forming means may have a predetermined amount outside each figure for each closed figure surrounded by the boundary line. It is only necessary to set a line offset to, and form cutting data using this as a cutting line for each patch piece. However, in this case, with respect to the outermost line of the entire patchwork work (for example, the rectangular frame line L in FIG. 34), cutting data may be formed so as to match the boundary line extracted from the input design information. desirable. The sticking position data is matched with the cut data thus formed. Therefore, the sticking position is marked on the spread sheet so that the patch pieces may slightly overlap each other.

Here, more specifically, the disconnection data is
For example, it is formed as data for XY driving the cutters of various cutting devices such as a heat cutter, a laser cutter, and an air cutter, and data for instructing heat generation timing, laser output timing, and the like. In carrying out the present invention, what kind of cutting device should be used is not limited, and it is sufficient if cutting data suitable for the cutting device used can be formed.

[0013] As a method of notifying the sticking position of the patch piece,
The spreading sheet may be set on a plotter device or the like, and the plotter device may be driven based on the sticking position data to draw a line. Alternatively, the spreading sheet may be set on the embroidery frame and the automatic embroidery sewing machine may be stuck. It is also possible to drive the sewing machine on the basis of the position data and to perform walking sewing or the like. In the former case,
The "sticking position data" = "plotter driving data", and in the latter case, the "sticking position data" = "walking stitch data".
Of course, the sticking position data is not limited to these.

The data for the stop stitch may be data for coarsely stitching the adjacent patch pieces with stitches that cross the boundary between the patch pieces, or each patch piece may be fixed to the spread sheet. It may be data for sewing. As the tack stitch data that straddles the boundary line between patch pieces, for example, coarse satin stitch data can be cited.

This tie stitch data is necessary to prevent the patch piece from being pulled by the stitches and forming a gap between adjacent pieces when the finish stitch is suddenly performed. It can be said that it is more desirable to form the seam that crosses the boundary line with respect to the fastening data.
For example, in the case of a work in which the edges are just abutting, the adjacent patch pieces are stopped by the seams that cross the boundary line. Even if the edges are slightly overlapped, as long as they straddle the boundary line, the seams of the stop stitches are formed as stitches that stitch adjacent patch pieces together. Straddling the boundary line is also important in that the adjacent pieces can be reliably sewn together even if the alignment is slightly rough when the patch pieces are attached.

Since the stop stitch itself is finally covered with the finish stitch, any stitch may be used.
The stitch may be a simple zigzag stitch, a stitch like an E stitch, a stitch like a zipper or an operation mark, or a simple walk stitch. The finish sewing data can be, for example, satin stitch data with dense eyes, parallel tatami sewing data, or the like, but is not limited thereto. What is important is that this also crosses the boundary line, and from an aesthetic point of view, it is possible to make dense seams so as to cover the seams of the tie seams.

Here, the boundary line extracting means can be specifically configured as follows. That is, in the above patchwork data creating device, the design information input means is configured as a means for inputting design information in a completed state in which each patch piece is colored, and the boundary line extraction means receives the input. The patchwork data creating apparatus may be configured as a unit that extracts a position where the color of the colored design information changes as a boundary line.

In this case, the design information input means is not only a color readable image scanner capable of extracting colors and shapes from a colored design image, but also coloring by a computer device equipped with so-called graphic software. The design image data created as an item may be transmitted online or offline. In any case, it suffices to be able to input data that makes it clear which area is colored. Of course, the device of the present invention itself may be provided with a drawing function by such graphic software.

In this apparatus, the boundary line extracting means is
The position where the color of the input colored design information changes is extracted as a boundary line. More specifically, the boundary line extraction unit re-captures a specific color used in the design information as a difference between the portion of the color and the other portion, which is different from the portion of the specific color, based on the binarization information. It can be configured as a means for extracting the position where the binarization information changes as the boundary line of the patch pattern of the color. To explain this conceptually, it is possible to imagine a state in which only specific colors are painted black and the other parts are displayed white. Of course, the boundary line extracting means from the colored data is not limited to this.

In the patchwork data creating apparatus which extracts the boundary line based on the binarized information as described above, the color for extracting the boundary line by the boundary line extracting means is further specified. It is preferable to have a color specifying means. The color identification means may be configured to automatically determine the number of colors from the input design information and extract the boundary line while sequentially identifying the colors. The information is displayed as an image on a display means such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, and while observing the screen, the operator designates a position with a pointing device such as a mouse, a light pen, or a trackball, and the color is specified. May be.

Further, in the above-mentioned patchwork data creating apparatus, the design information input means is constituted as means for inputting design information in which the contour line of each patch piece is specified, and the boundary line extraction means is provided with the input. Characterized in that it is configured as means for discriminating each closed region by tracing a contour line specified in the designated design information and extracting each discriminated closed region as a boundary line of a patch pattern. It may be configured as a patchwork data creating device.

In this case, not by color coding, but by
Just as a contour line is drawn in a print, using the data that clearly indicates the contour line, the contour line is traced clockwise or counterclockwise, for example, and the shortest route among the closed routes is defined as the boundary of the patch pattern. It may be configured such that it is extracted as a line.

Instead of such automatic extraction, the design information input by the input means is displayed as an image on a display means such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display in the same manner as in the method using the color specifying means, and work is performed while watching the screen. A person uses a pointing device such as a mouse, light pen, or trackball to specify the position of the closed area, and the area is filled with black, and the other areas are displayed in white. You may make it extract the boundary line of a pattern.

That is, the design information input means is configured as a means for inputting design information in which the contour line of each patch piece is specified, and a display means for displaying a design image based on the data, and the display means. And a position designating unit for designating a position of a specific patch piece in the design image, wherein the boundary line extracting unit includes a closed region portion including the position designated by the position designating unit and a non-closed region portion. As a means for extracting the position where the binarized information changes as the boundary line of the patch pattern of the color, and the patchwork data creating device. It may be configured as.

The boundary line extracting means of the patchwork data creating apparatus may be constructed as follows. That is, the boundary line extracting means includes RGB data extracting means for extracting RGB data from the design information and differentiating means for differentiating the extracted RGB data, and the boundary line of the patch pattern is calculated based on the differentiating result. You may comprise as a means to extract.

By differentiating the RGB data, it is possible to extract the boundary line in the image by re-recognizing the part where the color does not change as low level data and the part where the color changes as high level data. After the boundary line in the image is extracted in this way, the boundary line may be traced later, or as described above, the specific closed region and other regions may be distinguished by binarization. It suffices to extract the boundary line of each patch pattern.

In these patchwork data creating devices, the data for marking the affixing position, the data for the stop sewing and the data for the finish sewing may be formed as data for a common coordinate origin. desirable. This is because, if the coordinate origins of these data are the same, it is possible to eliminate the work of positioning between the work of sticking, tacking, and finish sewing. Also, it can be said that such coincidence of the origins can be easily performed because each data forming means forms each data based on the boundary line extracted by the boundary line extracting means.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the patchwork creating system according to the first embodiment includes an image scanner 5 for inputting a patchwork design image, data for cutting out a patch piece from cloth, and this patch piece as a spread sheet. A data creating device 10 for creating data for describing a pasting position to be glued, data for roughly tack-sewing the patch pieces, and data for finish sewing.
And a cutting machine 20 for cutting patch pieces from the fabric
And an embroidery sewing machine 30 for sewing patch pieces together
Composed of and.

The image scanner 5 has a color identification function and is for taking in image information from a colored design image. The image scanner 5 is connected to the data creating device 10 and is configured to input the captured image information to the data creating device 10.

The data creating device 10 includes a keyboard 11
, Mouse 12, color display 13, XY
It is a microcomputer 17 to which a plotter 14, a floppy disk drive unit (FDD) 15, and a hard disk (HDD) 16 are connected. This X-
The Y plotter 14 is configured to draw a sticking position of the patch piece on the spreading sheet S in a diagram based on drawing data output online from the microcomputer 17. As the spreading sheet S, a paper that is easily dissolved in water or the like that can be dissolved and lost by washing with water after the completion of the patchwork is used.

The cutting machine 20 is a board surface 2 on which the dough is set.
1, the heat cutter 22, the operation key 23, the FDD2
4 and includes a microcomputer 25. Also, a liquid crystal display 2 for displaying messages
6 is also provided. The cutting machine data disk FD1 in which the cutting data created by the data creating apparatus 10 is recorded is inserted into the FDD 24. The microcomputer 25 reads the cutting data with the FDD 24, and X, Y
Drive the motors 27x and 27y to move the heat cutter 22 to X.
While Y-driving, the solenoid 28 is turned on / off to bring the tip of the heat cutter 22 into contact with / separated from the cloth, and the heat source unit 29 is turned on / off to cut the cloth.

When the cloth is set on the board surface 21, for example, when the cloth is a vinyl-coated cloth or leather and the cloth is clogged, a cloth such as an adsorption unit is used to set the cloth by suction. However, when using a normal cloth that cannot perform such adsorption, it is common to directly bond it with a spray glue or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the embroidery sewing machine 30 includes a plurality of embroidery heads 31, a bed 32 in which as many hooks and bobbin bobbins as the number of heads 31 are built, and an embroidery frame for setting a spreading sheet S. 33, operation keys 34, a color display 35, an FDD 36, and a control microcomputer 37. In the FDD 36, the embroidery machine data disk FD2 in which the tack sewing data and the embroidery data created by the data creating device 10 are recorded is inserted. The microcomputer 37, as shown in FIG.
The FDD 36 reads embroidery data and the like, drives the X, Y motors 38x, 38y to drive the embroidery frame 33 in XY, and drives the sewing machine motor 39 to execute stitch formation by the embroidery head 31. The display 35 is configured to display the progress of stitch formation.

Next, the detailed functions of the system of the embodiment will be described along the patchwork creation procedure. First of all, when creating a patchwork, a design image D as shown in FIG.
Create This is done by the hand of the operator. In addition, the color to be applied is determined by determining what kind of color is applied to which part. In the example of FIG. 4, the color is represented by the type of hatching.

When the preparation up to this point is completed, this design image is set in the image scanner 5 and the system is operated. The following processing is performed by the data creation device 1
0 shows the contents of the patchwork data creation program incorporated therein. First, as shown in FIG. 5, a process of importing image information from the design image D (S100) is executed, and then a boundary line extraction / registration process for each color (S200).
Then, the cutting data creation process (S300), the sticking position data creation process (S400), the tack sewing data creation process (S500), and the finishing sewing data creation process (S60).
Data is created in the order of 0). Then, the data storing process of the cutting data, the backtacking data and the finish sewing data in the floppy disks FD1 and FD2 (S70).
0) and plotter drive processing based on the sticking data (S8)
00) and are sequentially executed.

In the image information fetching process of S100, the image scanner 5 is driven to fetch the information drawn on the design image D as image information. Here, the color information in the image information is taken in as data that is separated into the three primary colors of RGB light.

In the subsequent color boundary extraction / registration processing of S200, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the type of color included in the image information is specified based on the RGB data read from the image scanner 5. (S202). At this time, the colors included in the image information are defined in the order of, for example, a color having high lightness, such as CLR1 = white, CLR2 = yellow, and so on. In the definition of the color here, the relationship between the color and the RGB data is set in advance in the memory, and since the detection error and the like are taken into consideration, it is considered that the colors are the same RG.
A predetermined width is provided in the range of B data. For example, the conditions are as shown in the table below.

[0038]

[Table 1]

When the types CLR1, CLR2, ... Can be defined by the number of colors applied to the design image D in this way, the image information is recognized as bitmap data, and the colors CLR1, CLR2 ,. Are added (S204). When the color has been defined for all bit information, n ← 1 and an initial value are set (S20).
6), CLRn is set as the extraction target color (S20)
8). Initially, CLR1 will be set as the extraction target color. Next, referring to the color definitions of all the bit information, the bits defined as CLRn set above are binarized as "1", and the other bits are binarized as "0" (S).
210).

Next, the bit map is sequentially scanned from the first row, and the bit at the portion where "0" is switched to "1" and "1" is switched to "0" is extracted as a color boundary point (S).
212). Then, by connecting these color boundary points, S
The boundary line of the color portion set in 208 is registered (S2
14). At this time, a point sequence forming a boundary line is registered together with the above-mentioned color definition called CLRn as position information with respect to the origin of the entire bitmap.

When the registration of the boundary line of the color portion set in S208 is completed in this way, change to n ← n + 1 (S21
6) Then, it is confirmed whether the changed n exceeds the number of colors defined in S204 (S218). If it does not exceed, the process proceeds to S208, and the boundary line is extracted and registered for the new color as described above. If n exceeds the number of colors, the process proceeds to the cut data creation process (S300).

In the cut data creation process (S300), as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, first, the extracted and registered boundary line data is read (S302). Then, based on the color definition associated with the boundary line data, an image is displayed on the display 13 in a state in which the inside of the boundary line is colored with the color (S304, FIG. 9A), and the operator A message prompting the user to input a color designation is displayed and the designation is waited for (S306, S308).

To specify the color, the mouse 12 is dragged to move the mouse cursor to the patch piece of the desired color and click to input.
At this time, a plurality of patch pieces can be designated. When the color is designated in this way, the patch piece defined by the color is set as the target patch piece in the RAM (S310), and only the target patch piece set in the RAM is left displayed and other patch pieces are displayed. The screen display is changed so as to erase the display of (S312, FIG. 9).
(B)).

Next, the square frame X of the cloth of the standard size is superimposed on the screen (S314, FIG. 10).
(A)). Then, an inquiry is made as to whether or not the patch piece should be moved (S316). If YES is input, a message prompting the user to move the patch piece is displayed and the operation waits (S3).
18, S320). When moving a patch piece, first drag the mouse 12 to move the mouse cursor to the patch piece you want to specify, click to specify the patch piece, and drag it to the position you want to move. , Position is determined by release.

Therefore, after S320, the display position of the patch piece is sequentially changed while tracking the movement of the mouse cursor so that the operator can easily visually recognize the movement position (S322). Then, after the movement is completed, that is, the mouse 12 is released (S324), the position of the patch piece is determined (S326).

Then, a message "Do you want to move other patch pieces?" Is displayed and the designation is waited (S32).
8) If YES is input, the process returns to S320, and the position of the patch piece is determined while sequentially displaying the movement state of the next specified patch piece.

If NO is input in S328, the process shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), the patch piece finally determined on the screen is registered as graphic data in the position coordinate system with respect to the origin of the square frame of the fabric superimposed on the screen (S330). Then, based on the registered graphic data, cutting data including drive control data for the X, Y motors 27x, 27y, ON / OFF control data for the solenoid 28, and ON / OFF control data for the heat source unit 29 is generated. Create and register (S332). At this time, if there is a hollow portion in each patch piece, the data of the portion is registered as the cutting order is earlier. This is because when the outer circumference is cut out and then the inside is cut out, the dough that has become smaller is cut, and the dough is prevented from slipping on the cutting machine. The specific cutting data is that the heat source unit 29 is turned on, the X, Y motors 27x, 27y are driven to move the heat cutter 22 to the cutting start position, the solenoid 28 is turned on, and the hollowing data and X along the outline data,
It becomes control data for driving the Y motors 27x and 27y.
Further, as movement data such as between the hollows, between the hollows and the outer shape portion, between the patch pieces, etc., the solenoid 28 is turned off to raise the heat cutter 22 once, and X, to the next cutting start position. When the Y motors 27x and 27y are driven, the solenoid 28 is turned on again to form control data for lowering the heat cutter 22.

When it is input in S316 that the movement is not necessary, the patch piece is fixed at the position as it is, and S330 is set.
Move to. After the cut data of patch pieces for one color is created and registered in this way, it is determined whether or not there is a patch piece in the entire patchwork that has not yet been created with cut data (S334). In some cases, an image of the entire patchwork in which only the remaining patch pieces are colored is displayed (S336, FIG. 11). And
Return to S306. Hereinafter, the above processing is repeated until the cut data can be created and registered for all patch pieces.

When the cut data is registered in S332, the data indicating what color the cut data corresponds to is also registered. Then, the data regarding this color is recorded at the beginning of the cut data. Therefore, the data regarding this color can also be made to function as the delimiter of the cut data.

Subsequent sticking position data creation processing (S400)
Are configured as shown in FIG. First, the data of the boundary line extracted and registered by the boundary line extraction / registration processing is read (S402). Then, based on this data, the plotter pen of the XY plotter 14 is horizontally moved and vertically moved to create and register the sticking position data for drawing all the boundary lines on the spreading sheet S (S404). . At this time, the drawing order is set to match the order in which the boundary lines are extracted and registered for each color by the boundary line extraction / registration processing. Further, when there is a boundary line between a plurality of patch pieces for the same color, it is defined that, for example, the outermost one is drawn in order. Of course, the order is not limited to this. The pasting position data is created according to the same coordinate origin as in the boundary line extraction / registration processing.

When the creation and registration of the patch piece sticking position data is completed in this way, a message "Please specify the embroidery frame." Is displayed on the screen and the specification is waited (S406, S408). When the embroidery frame is specified,
The embroidery frame data which is based on the relationship between the size and shape data of the embroidery frame registered in advance and the origin position of the embroidery sewing machine 30 is read (S410). Then, the coordinate origin of the sticking position data and the origin of the embroidery sewing machine 30 are matched,
Embroidery frame set data is created, and this is additionally registered in the attachment position data (S412). At this time, when the circular embroidery frame is selected, data indicating the position of the reference angle (for example, 0 degree) is also set, and the embroidery frame is displayed so that the reference angle position can be known in the subsequent plotter drive processing. Create drawing data for. Even if it is not circular, it is desirable to include the reference angular position in the embroidery frame drawing data in the same manner.

In this way, the pasting position data creation process (S40
0) is completed, next, tack sewing data creation processing (S5
00) is executed. This tack sewing data creation process (S
500) is configured as shown in FIG.

Here again, the boundary line extraction / registration process (S
The data of the boundary line extracted and registered in step 200) is read (S502). Then, for each patch piece, inner circumference data offset by a fixed distance inside each boundary line is created (S504). Note that this inner circumference data is not created for the side corresponding to the outermost frame L. Therefore, FIG.
In the patchwork illustrated in FIG. 14, the inner circumference data is created as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

After the inner circumference data is created in this manner, the tack sewing data is created and registered based on the inner circumference data of the adjacent patch pieces (S506). For example, as shown in FIG. 15A, when the inner circumference data of adjacent patch pieces are named inner circumference data S1 and inner circumference data S2, the fastening data here is as shown in FIG. The inner circumference data S1
(Point p1), inner circumference data S2 (point p2), inner circumference data S
2 (point p3), inner circumference data S1 (point p4), inner circumference data S1 (point p5), inner circumference data S2 (point p6), inner circumference data S2 (point p7), inner circumference data S1 (point p8) The needle drop points for forming coarse stitches are set so as to straddle the boundary line between adjacent patch pieces, such as.

Prior to creating the tack stitching data, a definition is given in advance as to which patch piece is to be made the tack stitching data. For example, in the process of S502, when the data of the boundary line extracted / registered by the boundary line extraction / registration process (S200) is read out, this is displayed on the display, and the operator can set the sewing order data creation order by manual input using the mouse. Can be defined as.
Further, the order of boundary line extraction / registration in S200 may be set, or the order may be determined from the center of the image to the outer side. Of course, the order may be defined by other rules. The tie-stitch data thus created is created as position data for the same coordinate origin as when the boundary line was registered in the boundary line extraction / registration processing.

In this way, the tack sewing data creation processing (S50
0) is completed, next, finish sewing data creation processing (S
600) is executed. This finish sewing data creation process (S600) is configured as shown in FIG.

Here again, the boundary line extraction / registration process (S
The data of the boundary line extracted and registered in step 200) is read (S602). Then, for each patch piece, inner circumference data offset by a certain distance inside each boundary line is created (S604). At this time, the above-mentioned offset is set to be slightly larger than the offset amount in the seam data creation processing (S500). This is because the backtack is surely covered by the finish stitch.

When the inner circumference data is created in this way, the order different from that at the time of creating the backtack data is determined in the same order as that in which the above backtack data is created, or by again displaying the display and manually designating. Finish sewing data is created and registered based on the inner circumference data of adjacent patch pieces (S606). As the finish sewing data here, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, the inner circumference data of the two adjacent patch pieces are the inner circumference data S11,
If it is named inner circumference data S12, inner circumference data S11 (point p11), inner circumference data S12 (point p12), inner circumference data S11 (point p13), inner circumference data S12 (point p14),
A needle drop point for forming a fine stitch is set such that the inner circumference data S11 (point p15), the inner circumference data S12 (point p16), ... I will do it. Of course, it is not necessary to use such a satin stitch. This finish sewing data is also created as position data for the same coordinate origin as when the boundary line was registered in the boundary line extraction / registration process, as in the case of the lock stitch data.

Regarding the information such as the pitch of the stitches when creating the data for the stop stitch and the finish stitch,
A fixed value may be registered in advance, or may be designated in the above processing. Further, in particular, regarding the finish sewing data, it is preferable that the color of the thread can be designated for each patch piece so that the data for the finish sewing in the multicolor sewing machine can be created. This is more desirable because the thread color can be selected to make the patchwork look more beautiful. In the case of performing such multicolor sewing, it is very suitable to manually input the order of finish sewing. In other words, while keeping an eye on the color of the patch piece, you can plan where and what color should be used for finish sewing, and define the order of finish sewing so as to minimize the number of thread changes and define it by manual input. Because.

Next, the data storage process (S700) will be described. In this processing, as shown in FIG. 18, the above-mentioned registered disconnection data is read (S702), and this is FD.
No. D15. The data is written in the data disk FD1 for the cutting machine mounted in the first drive (S704). Then, the above-mentioned registered lock stitch data and finish stitch data are read out (S706). The data is written in the embroidery machine data disk FD2 mounted in the 2nd drive (S708).

Next, the plotter drive processing (S800) will be described. In this process, as shown in FIG. 19, first, the registered sticking position data is read (S80).
2). Then, the message "Please set the expansion sheet." Is displayed on the display 13 (S80.
4), wait for OK to be input (S806). When OK is input, the plotter device 14 is driven to draw the sticking position of each patch piece on the spreading sheet S (S80).
8). Then, the set position of the embroidery frame is also drawn based on the embroidery frame set position data additionally registered in S412 (S810). At this time, the reference angle position is also drawn.

In this way, when the drawing of the sticking position of the patch piece on the spreading sheet S is completed, the next work is as follows.
The FD 1 is attached to the cutting machine 20 and the cutting work is started.
In this cutting operation, the CPU 25 of the cutting machine 20
As shown in FIG. 20, reads out the cut data from the FD 1 (S902), and displays the message “Please set a cloth of ** color” on the liquid crystal panel 26 based on the color data that appears first. It is displayed (S904). Then, it waits for the input of OK (S906). When OK is input, the X and Y motors 27x and 27y, the solenoid 28 and the heat source unit 29 are driven to cut the cloth (S908). Then, when the next color data appears, the cutting operation is once stopped (S910, S912), and S9 is executed again.
Return to 04 and encourage replacement of the dough. On the other hand, if the next color data does not appear and the data end appears (S910 = N
O, S914 = YES, the cutting operation is ended (S91).
6).

In this way, the necessary patch pieces are cut out from the fabrics of the respective colors. As the next work, the cut patch pieces are attached to the spread sheet S in which the attachment positions are drawn by spray glue. Then, the spreading sheet S is set on the embroidery frame 33 in accordance with the embroidery frame setting position drawn on the spreading sheet S (FIG. 21 (A)). In addition,
An arrow O in the figure is data indicating the reference angular position, and in this example, the spreading sheet S is aligned so as to coincide with the upper left corner of the rectangular frame.
By setting, the setting is correct. When the spreading sheet S is set in this way, the FD 2 is set on the embroidery sewing machine 30 and the embroidery sewing machine 30 is started.

The embroidery sewing machine 30, as shown in FIG.
Read the backtack data from FD2 (S1002),
The X, Y motors 38x, 38y and the sewing machine motor 39 are driven to execute tacking of patch pieces (S100).
4). At this time, control is performed assuming that the embroidery origin of the embroidery sewing machine 30 and the coordinate origin of the backtack data coincide. Therefore, as long as the stretched sheet S is correctly set according to the embroidery frame setting position, it is possible to accurately form the lock stitch stitch st1 between patch pieces (FIG. 21 (B)).

When this tie stitch is completed (S1006 =
YES), the driving of the sewing machine motor 39 etc. is temporarily stopped (S
1008), and then finish sewing data is read from the FD 2 (S1010). Then, according to the finish sewing data, the X, Y motors 38x, 38y and the sewing machine motor 3
9 is driven to execute finish sewing between patch pieces (S
1012, FIG. 21C). Also at this time, the embroidery sewing machine 3
The control is performed assuming that the embroidery origin of 0 and the coordinate origin of the finish sewing data coincide with each other. Therefore, as long as the stretched sheet S is correctly set according to the embroidery frame setting position, it is possible to accurately form the finish stitch stitch st2 between patch pieces. In this way, when the processing is completed up to the data end of finish sewing (S1014 = YES),
The driving of the sewing machine motor 39 and the like is stopped to complete the sewing operation (S1016).

After the patch pieces are sewn as described above, finally, the patchwork work is completed by washing with water and melting the spreading sheet S. As described above, according to the patchwork data creating apparatus of the present embodiment, the patch piece cutting data, the sticking position data, the stop stitching data, and the finish stitching data can be created by only creating one patchwork design image D. Can be created automatically. Then, based on these data, the plotter device 14 and the cutting machine 20
Further, it is possible to control the embroidery sewing machine 30 and automate the production of the patchwork. In particular, you can create data directly from the completed patchwork design,
The work can be simplified because there is no need to create a pattern for each patch piece.

Further, in this automation, each data other than the cut data has the same coordinate origin.
Since this further corresponds to the origin of the embroidery sewing machine 30, if the spreading sheet S is set correctly first,
Correctly complete the patchwork product.

Furthermore, since the arrangement of the cut data can be freely changed, there is an effect that the yield is high. Next, a second embodiment will be described. The hardware configuration of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, patchwork data is created using a design image D1 designed by an expression method such as a print in which the boundary line of the patch piece is clearly shown in black.

Therefore, first, as shown in FIG. 23, a design image in which the outline of each patch piece is clearly shown is set in the image scanner 5 to operate the system of the second embodiment. The main routine of the patchwork data creation program incorporated in the data creation device 10 of the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the image information import process (S100) is also the first
As in the case of the embodiment, the image scanner 5 is driven to take in the information drawn on the design image D as data separated into the three primary colors of RGB light.

The color boundary line extraction / registration processing of S200 is slightly different from that of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, first, as shown in FIG. 24, a bitmap for displaying a color image based on the RGB data read from the image scanner 5 is displayed. While creating the data, the contents of the design image are displayed on the display 13 as an input image (S220, FIG. 25 (A)).
Then, a message prompting the operator to input the patch piece is displayed and the specification is waited (S222, S22).
4). The patch piece here is also specified by the mouse cursor. Move the mouse cursor inside the patch you want to specify and click.

When the patch piece is designated, the RGB data value of the bit where the mouse cursor is located is set in the RAM (S226). Then, the value of RGB data of each bit is checked radially from this bit, and the black that first appears in all directions (R = 0, G = 0, B = 0)
Of bits are extracted (S228, S230). If black bits can be extracted in all directions in this way, all the bits between these bits and the bit set in S226 are made black, and all other bits are binarized to white,
This is displayed on the screen (S232, FIG. 25B). After that, the first bitmap is set as in S212 of the first embodiment.
Scan from line to line from "0" to "1", "1"
The bit of the portion that switches from "0" to "0" is extracted as the boundary point of the patch piece (S234). Then, by connecting the boundary points, the boundary line of the patch piece including the bit set in S226 is registered (S236). Also at this time, as in the first embodiment, the point sequence forming the boundary line is registered as the position information for the origin of the entire bitmap as the boundary line of the patch piece whose color can be specified by the RGB data set in S226.

The above processing is repeated until the boundary line registration of all patch pieces is completed (S238). The cutting data creation process and the like thereafter are exactly the same as in the first embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the fully automatic first embodiment in that the boundary line extraction / registration processing is semi-automatic. However, it is not so troublesome because it is semi-automatic.
This has the effect of giving a clear visual confirmation of the registration process and giving the peace of mind that the data was created correctly.

Next, the third embodiment will be described. Third
The hardware configuration of the embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. Also,
Similarly to the second embodiment, the patchwork data is created using the design image D1 designed by the expression method such as a print in which the boundary line of the patch piece is clearly shown in black.

As the third embodiment, the main routine itself of the patchwork data creation program incorporated in the data creation apparatus 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment. What is different is the content of the boundary extraction / registration processing for each color. In the color boundary extraction / registration processing in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, first, black bits are extracted based on the RGB data captured from the image scanner 5 and developed into a bitmap (S240). ). Then, of these black bits, for example, the one closest to the (0,0) point is started, and the outermost portion is tracked to the right and outer shape data is created (S242). Next, a black bit branched from this outline frame data is extracted, and one closed area is extracted by starting from the bit and tracing the black bits other than the outline frame data inward clockwise (S24).
4). Here, when the black bit is tracked, when it hits a branch point, the one on the right side is tracked, and this may be repeated until it returns to the outline frame data. FIG. 27 shows this state. That is, the closed area of one patch piece can be extracted by starting clockwise from the branch bit on the outline frame data and tracing the bit preferentially to the right side at the branch point as shown by the arrow in the figure. .

In this way, the black bit, that is, the boundary line clearly indicated in the design image is extracted, and the boundary line of each patch piece is extracted and registered by tracing this and specifying the closed region. If it is possible to identify that all black bits are the boundary lines of any patch piece by the above processing (S246), then the value of the RGB data of the bit inside each patch piece is checked, and The data of the boundary line is registered as a pair (S248). In this way, the color of the patch piece and the boundary line can be specified. The subsequent cutting data creation processing and the like are exactly the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Fourth
The hardware configuration of the embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. In this example, similarly to the first embodiment, the patchwork data is created using the design image D in which the boundary line of the patch piece is not clearly shown. As the fourth embodiment, the main routine of the patchwork data creation program incorporated in the data creation device 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment. What is different is the content of the boundary extraction / registration processing for each color.

In the boundary line extraction / registration processing for each color in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28, first, RGB data captured from the image scanner 5 and expanded into a bitmap are scanned line by line and differentiated. Yes (S250).
As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 29B, it is possible to form a binarized signal in which a position where the color changes is at a high level and a position where the color does not change is at a low level. Next, based on this binarized data, the outermost frame data is created by starting from the highest level bit, for example, the one closest to the (0,0) point, and tracing the outermost rightward direction. Yes (S252). After that, similarly to the third embodiment, the high-level bits branching from the outline frame data are extracted, the high-level bits other than the outline frame data are traced inward clockwise, starting from the relevant bits. One closed region is extracted by (S254). Here again, when the vehicle hits a branch point, the one on the right side is tracked, and this may be repeated until it returns to the outline frame data. In this way, the boundary line of each patch piece is extracted and registered.

When it is possible to specify that all the high-level bits are the boundary lines of any patch piece by the above processing (S256), the value of the RGB data of the bit inside each patch piece is checked. Then, this and the boundary data are registered as a pair (S258). In this way, the color of the patch piece and the boundary line can be specified. The subsequent cutting data creation processing and the like are exactly the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. Fifth
The hardware configuration of the embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. In this example, similarly to the first embodiment, the patchwork data is created using the design image D in which the boundary line of the patch piece is not clearly shown. As the fifth embodiment, the main routine of the patchwork data creation program incorporated in the data creation device 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment. What is different is the content of the boundary extraction / registration processing for each color.

In the boundary line extraction / registration processing for each color in the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 30, first, the RGB data captured from the image scanner 5 and developed into a bitmap is differentiated while scanning the RGB data line by line. Yes (S260).
As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 29B, it is possible to form a binarized signal in which the position where the color changes is at the high level and the other position is at the low level.

After that, the high level bit is defined as black in the bitmap (S262), and the image is displayed on the display 13 (S264). as a result,
The state is as shown in FIG. 25 (A) for explaining the second embodiment. Therefore, thereafter, as in the second embodiment, a message prompting the user to input the designation of the patch piece is displayed and the designation is waited for (S2
66, S268), while setting the value of the RGB data of the bit designated by the mouse cursor in the RAM,
The value of RGB data of each bit is checked radially from this bit, and the first black (R =
0, G = 0, B = 0) are extracted (S270 to S270)
S274). When the black bits can be extracted in all directions in this way (S274 = YES), these bits and S2 are extracted.
All the bits between the bits set in 70 are set to black, and all the other bits are changed to white and binarized (S276), and the bitmap is sequentially scanned from the first line to "0". From "1" to "1" and from "1" to "0" are extracted as the boundary points of the patch pieces (S278). Then, by connecting the boundary points, the boundary line of the patch piece including the bit set in S270 is registered (S280). Also at this time
As in the case of the embodiment, as a position information with respect to the origin of the entire bitmap, a point sequence forming a boundary line is registered as a boundary line of a patch piece whose color can be specified by the RGB data set in S270.

The above processing is repeated until the boundary line registration of all patch pieces is completed (S282). The cutting data creation process and the like thereafter are exactly the same as in the first embodiment. Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. The hardware configuration of the sixth embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, but in this example, the plotter device 14 is unnecessary. In this example, as shown in FIG. 31, the plotter drive processing is not included in the main routine. The first step is the pasting data creation process (S450).
It is slightly different from the embodiment.

The pasting position data creation process (S450)
32. First, the data of the boundary line extracted / registered by the boundary line extraction / registration processing is read out (S452). Then, needle drop point data for forming walking stitches on this boundary line is created and registered (S45).
4). More specifically, the boundary line data may be divided into points at a predetermined pitch, and these points may be set as needle drop points.
In this case, the order of stitch formation may be determined based on some definition, and needless to say the order may be semi-automatic or manual in order to specify the order. Also in this example, the sticking position data is created according to the same coordinate origin as in the boundary line extraction / registration processing.

As described above, there is no plotter drive processing,
In connection with the difference in the attachment position data creation processing, the embroidery sewing machine drive processing is also executed as different from the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. That is, first
Read the sticking position data from FD2 (S1102),
The X, Y motors 38x, 38y and the sewing machine motor 39 are driven to form stitches on the stretched sheet S set in the embroidery frame by walking stitches, which indicate the sticking positions of the patch pieces (S1104). Then, after all the pasting position data have been processed (S1106 = YES), as in the first embodiment, the backtack data and the finish stitch data are read from the FD 2 and the stop stitch and the finish stitch are executed (S).
1112 to S1126).

In this embodiment, since the walking stitch data, the stop stitch data, and the finish stitch data are all created with respect to the same coordinate origin, the positions of these stitches surely correspond to each other. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the patchwork can be accurately attached, the seams, and the finish stitch, and a beautiful patchwork can be provided.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above.
The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the embodiment, the data transfer from the data creating device 10 to the cutting machine 20 and the embroidery sewing machine 30 was performed offline by the floppy disks FD1 and FD2, but it may be performed online as with the plotter device 14. . Conversely, the plotter device 14 may be changed to offline instead of online.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a system of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a control system of the cutting machine in the first embodiment system.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a control system of the embroidery sewing machine in the first embodiment system.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a design image handled in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main routine in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of color boundary extraction / registration processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a cutting data creation process in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a cutting data creation process in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of image display during cutting data creation processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of image display during cutting data creation processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of image display during cutting data creation processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a sticking position data creating process in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a tack stitching data creation process in the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of tack sewing data creation processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of tack sewing data creation processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of finish sewing data creation processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of finish sewing data creation processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a data storage process in the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of plotter drive processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of a cutting work routine in the first embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a patchwork sewing operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of an embroidery sewing machine drive routine in the first embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a design image handled in the second embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a boundary line extraction / registration process for each color in the second embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of boundary line extraction / registration processing for each color in the second embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of color boundary extraction / registration processing according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of boundary line extraction / registration processing for each color in the third embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart of color boundary extraction / registration processing according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of boundary line extraction / registration processing for each color in the fourth example.

FIG. 30 is a flow chart of color boundary extraction / registration processing in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a main routine in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a sticking position data creation process in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of an embroidery sewing machine drive routine in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of patchwork.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 ... Color image scanner, 10 ... Data creating device, 11 ... Keyboard, 12 ... Mouse, 1
3 ... Color display, 14 ... XY plotter, 15 ... Floppy disk driver (FD
D), 16 ... Hard disk (HDD), 17 ...
・ Microcomputer, 20 ・ ・ ・ Cut machine, 21 ・
..Board surface, 22 ... Heat cutter, 23 ... Operation keys, 24 ... Floppy disk driver (FD
D), 25 ... Microcomputer, 26 ... Adsorption unit, 27x ... X motor, 27y ... Y motor, 28 ... Solenoid, 29 ... Heat source unit, 30 ... Embroidery sewing machine , 31 ... Embroidery head, 3
2 ... Bed, 33 ... Embroidery frame, 34 ... Operation keys, 35 ... Color display, 36 ... Floppy disk driver (FDD), 37 ... Microcomputer, 38x ... X Motor, 38y ... Y
Motor, 39 ... Sewing machine motor, D, D1 ... Design image, FD1 ... Data disk for cutting machine, FD
2 ... Data disk for embroidery machine, S ... Spread sheet.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A design information input means for inputting information representing the overall design of a patchwork, which is formed by stitching the edges of a plurality of patch pieces together, and a patch pattern from the input design information. Boundary line extracting means for extracting a boundary line, and cutting data forming means for specifying the shape of each patch piece based on the extracted boundary line and forming data for cutting out each patch piece from the cloth. , A patch position data forming means for forming data for marking a patch position of each patch piece on the spreading sheet based on the extracted boundary line, and each patch piece based on the extracted boundary line Stitching data forming means for forming data for coarse tacking so as not to move on the spreading sheet, and based on the extracted boundary line, straddle the boundary line and stop the stitching. Data generating apparatus for patchwork made and a finishing sewing data forming means for forming the data for finishing sewing by dense seam as obscure the seam of the stomach. 2. The patchwork data creation device according to claim 1, wherein the design information input means is configured as means for inputting design information in a completed state in which each patch piece is colored, and the boundary line. The patchwork data creating apparatus is characterized in that the extracting means is configured as means for extracting, as a boundary line, a position where the color of the inputted colored design information changes. 3. The patchwork data creation device according to claim 2, wherein the boundary line extraction unit separates a specific color used in the design information into a portion of the color and a portion of the specific color. A patchwork data creation device, characterized in that it is configured as a means for re-capturing as a distinction by the binarization information and extracting a changing position of the binarization information as a boundary line of the patch pattern of the color. 4. The patchwork data creating apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising color specifying means for specifying a color for extracting the boundary line by the boundary line extracting means. Data creation device for patchwork. 5. The patchwork data creation device according to claim 1, wherein the design information input means is configured as means for inputting design information in which a contour line of each patch piece is specified, and the boundary line extraction means. Is configured as means for discriminating each closed region by tracing the contour line specified in the input design information and extracting each discriminated closed region as a boundary line of the patch pattern. A patchwork data creation device characterized in that 6. The patchwork data creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the design information input unit is configured as a unit for inputting design information in which the contour line of each patch piece is specified, and A display unit for displaying a design image based on the display unit; and a position designating unit for designating a position of a specific patch piece in the design image on the display unit, wherein the boundary line extracting unit designates the position designating unit. As a means for re-capturing a closed region portion including the specified position and a non-closed portion as those distinguished by the binarized information, and extracting the position where the binarized information changes as the boundary line of the patch pattern of the color. A patchwork data creation device characterized by being configured. 7. The patchwork data creating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the boundary line extracting unit extracts RGB data from the design information, and an RGB data extracting unit that differentiates the extracted RGB data. And a means for extracting the boundary line of the patch pattern based on the differentiation result. 8. The patchwork data creating device according to claim 1, wherein the data for describing the attachment position, the data for stop stitching, and the data for finish sewing are , A patchwork data creation device formed as data for a common coordinate origin.