JPH09132859A - Embroidering data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the visibility of selected embroidery patterns. SOLUTION: A plurality of pattern data are memorized in an external ROM card set to an embroidery sewing machine. When a pattern is selected by a user, a plurality of patterns are displayed on one screen based on the data read out of the external ROM card. In addition, the items relating to the operations of the sewing machine are shown together with a plurality of embroidery patterns. When a pattern A' is decided, the screen is automatically switched and the selected pattern A' is enlarged on the screen in comparison with that when it is selected out. This enlarged presentation is done based on the data used in the display when it is selected out. Further, the frame surrounding the selected pattern is deleted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an embroidery data processing device for processing embroidery data necessary for an embroidery sewing operation in a sewing device for forming embroidery of a predetermined pattern such as a picture or a character on a work cloth. is there.

[0002]

For example, some sewing machines for home use are capable of forming embroidery of a predetermined pattern on a work cloth based on embroidery data corresponding to patterns such as pictures and characters. Has been done. In this product, embroidery data corresponding to a large number (many types) of patterns are stored in a built-in memory in advance or externally provided by a storage medium such as a memory card. The data is read out, and based on the embroidery data, the sewing needle drive mechanism and the cloth feed mechanism (embroidery frame) are controlled to execute the embroidery sewing operation on the work cloth.

In such a sewing machine, when the user performs an embroidery sewing operation of a desired pattern, a large number of patterns are displayed on a display device such as an LCD provided on the front surface of the sewing machine main body. The user sees it and selects and operates a desired pattern from it. In this case, when the user selects a pattern, as many patterns as possible are displayed on one screen of the display device so that the user's operation is not troublesome.
Further, in the selection screen when selecting a pattern, items related to sewing machine operation and sewing are displayed on the same screen together with a large number of patterns.

However, in recent years, the number (type) of patterns (embroidery data) and the above items tend to increase considerably in order to meet various demands of users, whereas the size of the screen of the display device is large. Since it is limited, the size of one pattern displayed on the display device becomes small, which makes it difficult for the user to see, which may lead to a mistake in pattern selection.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to prevent a mistake in selecting a pattern as much as possible while displaying a large number of patterns on a display screen when a user selects a pattern. An embroidery data processing device is provided.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an embroidery data processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention has a storage means for storing pattern data corresponding to a large number of patterns and a display of the patterns. Display means, a selection screen control means for displaying a large number of patterns on one screen of the display means based on the pattern data stored in the storage means, and a pattern displayed on the screen of the display means. Selection means for
Display switching means is provided for enlarging and displaying the pattern selected by the selecting means on the screen of the display means.

In this case, the display data for the enlarged display can be constructed by calculation from the data used for displaying the selection screen (the invention of claim 2), or the storage means can be used for the selection screen. It is possible to store both the display data used for the display and the display data used for the enlarged display (the invention of claim 3). Further, the selection screen control means is configured to display each pattern in a form in which each pattern is surrounded by a frame when the pattern is selected, and the display switching means is enlargedly displayed with the selected pattern removed from the frame. It may be configured to do so (the invention of claim 4). Further, on the selection screen when selecting the pattern, items related to the operation of the device and sewing may be displayed on the same screen together with the pattern (the invention of claim 5).

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to claims 1, 2, 4 and 5) will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a domestic embroidery sewing machine, and this embroidery sewing machine has both a sewing device and an embroidery data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the outer appearance of the embroidery sewing machine according to this embodiment. The sewing machine main body 1 is constructed so as to integrally have an arm portion 3 above a sewing machine bed 2. A needle bar 5 having a needle 4 at the tip of the arm portion 3.
And the needle 4 and the cloth presser 6 are provided. On the other hand, on the upper surface of the sewing machine bed 2, the needle bar 5
The needle plate 7 is provided corresponding to the above, and a shuttle mechanism (not shown) is provided on the lower surface side of the needle plate 7. Although not shown, the needle bar 5, the shuttle mechanism, the presser foot 6 and the like are synchronously driven by a sewing machine motor via a drive mechanism, and thereby perform a sewing operation.

The sewing machine bed 2 is provided with an embroidery frame 8 for holding the work cloth during the embroidery sewing operation, and the embroidery frame 8 and thus the work cloth is freely moved in the horizontal direction on the sewing machine bed 2. A horizontal movement mechanism 9 is provided for the purpose. In this case, the embroidery frame 8 has a substantially rectangular frame shape, and is composed of an outer frame and an inner frame. By sandwiching the work cloth between them, the work cloth is held in a stretched state inside the frame. It has become.

Although not described in detail, the horizontal movement mechanism 9 causes the embroidery frame 8 to be moved by a Y-axis motor (not shown).
The movable body 10 configured to move freely in the axial (front-back) direction is configured to move freely in the X-axis (left-right) direction by an X-axis motor (not shown). As a result, the work cloth held by the embroidery frame 8 is moved by the horizontal movement mechanism 9 to an arbitrary position based on the unique XY coordinate system. The embroidery sewing operation is executed by driving the needle bar 5 and the like by the drive mechanism while moving the work cloth by the horizontal movement mechanism 9.

A start / stop key 11 is provided on the front surface of the arm portion 3 on the distal end side, and a power switch 12 is provided on the lower portion of the right side wall surface of the sewing machine main body 1. In addition to the embroidery, the embroidery sewing machine of the present embodiment can of course perform various types of general practical sewing (straight stitch, zigzag stitch, bleed stitch, etc.). In this case, the cloth presser 6 can be exchanged between the illustrated embroidery sewing and the practical sewing.
Further, the horizontal movement mechanism 9 portion is detachably attached to the sewing machine bed 2, and when the embroidery sewing is not performed, this portion is removed together with the embroidery frame 8 and replaced with a flat table for general sewing. Is able to.

An LCD 13 as a display means for displaying various patterns and messages on the screen is provided on the front surface of the arm portion 3. A pattern selection screen (see FIG. 4) and a pattern confirmation screen (see FIG. 5) are displayed on the LCD 13 when the user performs embroidery as described later. Furthermore, this LC
A touch panel 14 (illustrated only in FIG. 2) that constitutes a selection operation unit is provided on the surface of D13. As is well known, the touch panel 14 is configured by arranging transparent electrodes vertically and horizontally, and can detect a position touched by a user with a finger in the touch panel 14 and function as a selection unit. .

As shown in FIG. 2, a control device 15 for controlling each mechanism is provided in the sewing machine main body 1. The control device 15 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and includes a CPU 16, a ROM 17, and an RA.
The M18, the controller 19 and the input / output interface 20 are connected to each other via a bus 21. The sewing machine motor (driving mechanism), the X-axis motor, the Y-axis motor, etc. of the horizontal movement mechanism 9 are controlled by the controller 15 via the controller 19. The LCD 13 and the touch panel 14 are connected to the input / output interface 20.

The ROM 17 has a control program L for controlling embroidery sewing operation and practical sewing operation of the sewing machine.
A control program for display control of the CD 13 and a data processing program for performing various data processing such as reading and editing of embroidery data are stored. At the same time, the ROM 17 stores pattern data corresponding to a large number of patterns relating to embroidery sewing. In this case, the pattern data stored in the ROM 17 is, for example, a pattern of characters or symbols such as kana, alphabets, numbers, or a decorative pattern having a relatively simple shape. still,
The ROM 17 also stores display data other than the embroidery pattern, such as display data for teaching.

The pattern data is, in this embodiment,
LCD for embroidery data and patterns required for embroidery sewing operation
Bitmap data necessary for displaying in FIG.
Display data consisting of a part of the above) and accompanying data (thread color data, etc.). Here, the embroidery data finally represents the amount of movement (needle drop position) of the work cloth in the X and Y directions for each stitch, but the embroidery data to be stored is the outer shape of the pattern. The final data is calculated from the data when the embroidery sewing operation is executed. It is also possible to share embroidery data and display data, or to store only one data and create the other data from that data.

Further, in this embodiment, an external ROM card 22 as a storage means is detachably connected to the control device 15. The external ROM card 22 stores pattern data (embroidery data, display data, and accompanying data such as color separation) corresponding to a relatively complicated pattern for a large number of patterns. Therefore, in this embodiment, the ROM 17 and the external R
Both of the OM cards 22 function as storage means. The external ROM card 22 can be connected to the control device 15 by allowing the user to attach / detach the external ROM card 22 to / from the card insertion hole 23 provided in the right side wall portion of the sewing machine body 1 as shown in FIG. It is supposed to be done by inserting.

With this, the control device 15 controls the ROM 1
Based on the program stored in 7 and the selection operation of the touch panel 14 by the user, each mechanism of the sewing machine is controlled to execute an embroidery sewing operation or a general practical sewing operation. At this time, as will be apparent from the description of the operation later, when the user selects a pattern, the control device 15 determines, based on the pattern data (display data) stored in the ROM 17 or the external ROM card 22. LCD
When a pattern selection screen in which a large number of patterns are displayed on 13 screens and the user performs a selection operation (touch operation on the touch panel 14) in that state, the selected pattern is enlarged and displayed on the screen of the LCD 13. A confirmation screen will be displayed. Therefore, the control device 15 functions as the selection screen control means and the display switching means according to the present invention.

Further, in the present embodiment, the ROM 17 and the external ROM card 22 have display data for the pattern selection screen, that is, display data for displaying the pattern in a small size in a frame (display data corresponding to each pattern. Bit map data) is stored, and the control device 15 is adapted to create display data for the confirmation screen (display data for enlarged display of the pattern) by calculation from the display data for the pattern selection screen. There is. Further, in this embodiment, the pattern is displayed on the confirmation screen with the frame removed.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6. When the power switch 12 of the sewing machine body 1 is turned on, the LCD 13 displays an unillustrated initial screen (menu selection screen). here,
When the user wants to execute the embroidery sewing operation, he / she operates the touch panel 14 to select the item of embroidery pattern selection.
Then, the control device 15 executes the pattern selection process in the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, first, in step S1, the LCD 1
A pattern selection screen is displayed on the screen of No. 3. FIG. 4 exemplifies one pattern selection screen for selecting a picture pattern. Here, based on the display data stored in the external ROM card 22, "panda" and "elephant" are displayed on one screen. , “Kirin”, etc., for example, 23 patterns A are displayed in a form surrounded by a rectangular frame B. in this case,
Although the pattern selection screen related to the pictorial pattern exists over a plurality of pages, the number of pages is suppressed as much as possible in order to reduce the number of operations by the user. Is displayed. Therefore, the display size of one pattern A is relatively small.

The user looks at this pattern selection screen and selects the pattern A on which embroidery is to be formed (step S2). This selection is performed by directly touching the portion of the screen (touch panel 14) of the LCD 13 where the desired pattern A is displayed with fingers. At this time, since the frame B surrounding the pattern A is displayed, the user can imagine the operation button, and the selection operation can be performed reliably. In addition, the desired pattern A on the displayed page
If does not exist, the user should operate the page feed.

The selection screen for selecting a pattern is
Items related to sewing machine operation and sewing are displayed on the same screen together with many patterns. Specifically, on the right side of many pattern groups, there are keys for using the sewing machine (teaching function), keys for specifying practical sewing such as straight lines and zigzags, keys for selecting patterns, and patterns. Keys such as keys are displayed for editing such as combining. Also, below the many pattern groups, keys for adjusting the screen contrast, keys for returning or advancing the screen to the previous screen ("return""previouspage""nextpage"), Keys for entering the end and keys for switching cards are displayed. For those keys as well, a box surrounds the words indicating their functions so that the key range can be identified.

When the pattern selection is performed by the user (Yes in step S2), the confirmation screen is displayed on the LCD 13 by the processing in step S3 and subsequent steps. FIG. 5 illustrates a confirmation screen when the “elephant” pattern A is selected on the pattern selection screen of FIG. 4. In this confirmation screen, an enlarged pattern A'in which the pattern A is doubled in this case in the vertical and horizontal directions is displayed in the upper left area of the screen, and along with this, sewing information is displayed. The sewing information display includes a display of the size of the necessary work cloth located in the upper right part of the screen, a color separation display C located below the enlarged pattern A ′, and the like.

This color separation display C is one of the patterns A
It shows which part is sewn with what kind of color thread and the sewing order. Here, the "inside of the elephant's face" is filled with emerald green thread, and a part of the "hat" is shown. Is sewn with light purple thread, "outline of elephant face" and "hat"
A part of is sewn with light reddish purple thread, and the sewing order is also from left to right. This sewing information data (data for color separation display C, etc.) is stored in the external R beforehand.
It is stored in the OM card 22.

In displaying such a confirmation screen,
In step S3, the sewing information is displayed on the LCD 13 based on the data stored in the external ROM card 22. Then, from the display data of the pattern A, display data for enlarged display is created. Here, first, step S
At 4, the process of removing the data of the frame B from the display data (bitmap data) of the pattern A including the frame B is performed,
In the next step S5, the data of the pattern A is converted to double the height and width. In this conversion, as shown in FIG. 6, if one bit of the original data is at the black level (a), the corresponding four bits (two vertically and horizontally) are set to the black level (b). ) Such a method.

Thus, the display data of the enlarged pattern A'is created by calculation, and in step S6, the enlarged pattern A'is displayed at a predetermined position of the LCD 13 (upper left part in FIG. 5) based on the display data. To be done. As a result, a confirmation screen is displayed on the LCD 13 together with the sewing information display (step S3). At this time, the enlarged pattern A ′, which is an enlarged pattern A, is displayed.
Will be displayed in an easy-to-see manner. Also, at this time,
Since the frame B is removed from the display, the user misunderstands that the frame B is also embroidered together, or the frame B indicates the size of the embroidery frame 8 with respect to the size of the pattern A. No more misunderstanding.

The user can check the pattern A by looking at this confirmation screen, and when it is confirmed that the desired pattern A can be selected, for example, a work cloth is set on the embroidery frame 8. At the same time, set the embroidery thread of the specified color (the first emerald green thread in the example of Fig. 5) and then start
When the stop key 11 is turned on, the embroidery data corresponding to the pattern A is read from the external ROM card 22 and the embroidery sewing operation is executed. Further, for example, it is possible to perform processing such as editing for performing embroidery in which the pattern A is combined with other character patterns or the like, and to perform the embroidery sewing operation after setting the layout for the embroidery frame 8. In addition, looking at the confirmation screen, pattern A
If the pattern is different from the desired pattern, the screen may be returned to the pattern selection screen again.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the LCD 13
A large number of patterns A are displayed on the pattern selection screen, and when the user selects the pattern A, the pattern A is enlarged and displayed on the next confirmation screen. As a result, unlike the conventional one, the confirmation screen is displayed while responding to the request to display as many patterns A as possible on the pattern selection screen so that the user's page turning operation is not so troublesome. Since the user can check the pattern A in the enlarged display, the pattern A
It is possible to prevent the selection mistake of. Further, in the present embodiment, the items related to the operation of the device and the sewing are displayed together with the pattern on the same screen, and therefore the pattern display tends to be small, but even in such a case,
The pattern recognizability can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the display data for enlarged display is created by calculation from the display data for pattern display on the pattern selection screen. Therefore, it is stored in the external ROM card 22 (or ROM 17). It is possible to effectively use the storage capacity of the external ROM card 22 (or the ROM 17) without requiring a large amount of display data to be set and increasing the cost.

Further, in the present embodiment, the pattern A is displayed in the form surrounded by the frame B on the pattern selection screen, and the frame B is removed in the enlarged display of the confirmation screen. The user can imagine the operation button, and the operation of the touch panel 14 can be surely performed, and it is possible to prevent problems such as misunderstanding due to the provision of the frame B on the confirmation screen.

In the above embodiment, the display data for enlarged display is created by calculation from the display data for pattern display on the pattern selection screen, but each pattern is relatively small for the pattern selection screen. Both the display data of the size and the display data for the enlarged display can be stored in advance (corresponding to claim 3). In this case, the processing of steps S4 and S5 in the flowchart of FIG. 1 can be omitted, and the calculation time can be shortened.
Further, it is possible to obtain an advantage that it is possible to perform a smooth enlarged and smooth enlarged display.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, many patterns and items related to the operation of the sewing machine are displayed. However, many patterns and items related to sewing (see "thread tension shown in FIG. 5"). , “Thread density”, “color change”, etc.) may be displayed on the same pattern selection screen.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but various expansions and changes can be made. For example, although the present invention is applied to a domestic sewing machine in the above-described embodiments, it may be applied to a sewing machine for business such as industrial use. Further, for example, a personal computer (notebook personal computer) or the like can be used, and the sewing machine It is also possible to apply it to a processing device for processing embroidery data.

Further, in the above embodiment, the work cloth side is moved with respect to the needle 4 by the embroidery frame 8. However, the embroidery pattern is formed while moving the needle (needle bar) side with respect to the work cloth. It can also be applied to things and those that form an embroidery pattern while moving both the needle and the work cloth, without using an embroidery frame,
It can also be applied to those that form embroidery by moving the work cloth back and forth and left and right by needle swing and feed dogs.

Further, the storage means is not limited to the ROM and the external ROM card, but only the ROM may be used, the RAM may be used, and various storage media including readable / writable media such as magnetic disks and optical disks may be stored. It can be used as a means. Also, as a display means, L
Not limited to a CD, a CRT display or the like may be used.
Then, a separate switch or keyboard may be used as the selection means, and the display content, the magnification of the enlarged display, and the like can be appropriately changed.

[0037]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the embroidery data processing device of the first aspect of the present invention, a large number of embroidery data processing devices are displayed on one screen of the display means based on the pattern data stored in the storage means. Since the selection screen control means for displaying the pattern and the display switching means for enlarging and displaying the pattern selected by the selection means on the screen of the display means are provided, a large number of display screens are displayed on the display screen when the user selects the pattern. While displaying the pattern, it is possible to prevent the mistaken selection of the pattern as much as possible.

In this case, if the display data for enlarged display is constructed by calculation from the data used to display the selection screen (embroidery data processing device according to claim 2), the storage capacity of the storage means can be made effective. Can be utilized. Alternatively, if the storage means is configured to store both the display data used for displaying the selection screen and the display data used for enlarged display (embroidery data processing device according to claim 3), the calculation time can be shortened. In addition to being able to perform, it is possible to perform a beautiful enlarged display.

Furthermore, the selection screen control means is configured to display each pattern in a form of enclosing each pattern at the time of pattern selection, and the display switching means is enlarged in a state where the selected pattern is removed from the frame. If it is configured to display (claim 4
Of the embroidery data processing device), it is possible to prevent inconvenience such as misunderstanding by the user due to a frame being added to the enlarged display. Also, on the selection screen when selecting the pattern,
Items related to device operation and sewing may be displayed on the same screen together with the pattern (embroidery data processing device according to claim 5), in which case the pattern display tends to be small on the selection screen. However, the recognizability of the pattern can be improved by the enlarged display.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a pattern selection processing procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration centering on a control device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the embroidery sewing machine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern selection screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of creating display data for enlarged display.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 1 is a sewing machine main body, 4 is a needle, 8 is an embroidery frame, 9 is a horizontal movement mechanism, 11 is a start / stop key, and 13 is L.
CD (display means), 14 is a touch panel (selection means),
15 is a control device (selection screen control means, display switching means),
17 is a ROM (storage means), 22 is an external ROM card (storage means), 23 is a card insertion hole, A is a pattern, B is a frame, and A'is an enlarged pattern.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A device for processing data necessary for an embroidery sewing operation in a sewing device for forming embroidery of a predetermined pattern such as a picture or a character on the work cloth while moving a needle and the work cloth relatively. A storage means for storing pattern data corresponding to a large number of patterns, a display means for displaying the pattern, and a large number of pieces on one screen of the display means based on the pattern data stored in the storage means. Selection screen control means for displaying the pattern, a selection means for selecting the pattern displayed on the screen of the display means, and a display switching for enlarging and displaying the pattern selected by the selection means on the screen of the display means. An embroidery data processing device comprising: 2. The embroidery data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the display data for enlarged display is created by calculation from the data used for displaying the selection screen. 3. The embroidery data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the storage means stores both display data used for displaying the selection screen and display data used for enlarged display. 4. The selection screen control means displays each pattern in a form surrounded by a frame at the time of selecting a pattern, and the display switching means enlarges and displays the selected pattern with the frame removed. The embroidery data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein 5. The selection screen for selecting the pattern includes
2. The embroidery data processing device according to claim 1, wherein items related to operation and sewing of the device are displayed on the same screen together with the pattern.