JPH09137358A - Embroidery data treating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an embroidery data treating device capable of quickly and readily making embroidery data even about a new closed region created by the combination of plural patterns in making of an embroidery pattern. SOLUTION: This embroidery data treating device has an input means for inputting image data corresponding to plural patterns, a duplication detecting means for detecting existence of mutually superposed part in the plural patterns according to the image data, a synthesizing means for producing synthetic image data corresponding to a synthesized pattern of the plural patterns by synthesizing drawing element data of the plural patterns when a superposed part is detected, an embroidery region setting means for detecting a figure region and an inside-excepting region contained in the synthesized figure data and setting the detected regions to the embroidery region, a sewing character imparting means for imparting the sewing character to the embroidery region and an embroidery data making means for making the embroidery data of the embroidery region according to the image data corresponding to the embroidery region and imparted sewing character.

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 for forming embroidery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the field of industrial sewing machines, for example, there has been provided an embroidery data processing apparatus which uses a microcomputer to create highly accurate embroidery data in a short time. The embroidery data processing device includes, for example, a general-purpose personal computer system, an image scanner, a keyboard, a mouse, a hard disk drive, and a C.
It is configured by connecting an RT display and the like, and it is possible to create embroidery data for multicolor sewing from an original image of an arbitrary embroidery pattern.

By the way, in recent years, in the background of circumstances such as diversification of tastes of consumers, upgrading of quality, and improvement of performance of embroidery sewing machines, even embroidery sewing machines for home use have previously stored embroidery data. There is a demand for a relatively inexpensive and easy-to-operate embroidery data processing device that enables not only a design based embroidery but also a design desired by a user. In particular, it is desired to be able to create embroidery data of a multicolor pattern using embroidery threads of a plurality of colors.

In the conventional embroidery data processing device, an original image of an embroidery pattern for which embroidery is desired to be created is read by an image scanner or the like, or traced by a mouse or the like to generate image data showing the shape of the pattern. Then, for the closed region included in the image data, the worker
The embroidery data of the multicolor pattern is created by setting the sewing attributes such as the stitch direction. In such an embroidery data processing device, individual figures included in the embroidery pattern, that is,
Sewing attributes such as thread color are set for each figure area. Therefore, it is possible to edit the position of the embroidery pattern and enlarge / reduce the figure in units of these individual figures.

[0005]

However, when creating an embroidery pattern, it is sometimes desired to combine two or more figures to create a new embroidery pattern. For example, a figure already stored as image data, for example, a figure A of a star shown in FIG. 5A and a figure of a crescent moon B shown in FIG. 5B are combined to create a figure shown in FIG. However, there are cases where this is desired to be used as an embroidery pattern. In such a case, as described above, the conventional embroidery data processing device can set the sewing attribute only for each figure unit, so that the sewing attribute can be set only for the inside of the figures A and B. That is, as in the closed areas C and D in FIG. 6, the sewing attribute cannot be set for a newly created closed area due to a combination of a plurality of figures,
Therefore, embroidery cannot be applied.

In such a case, if a newly created closed area is set as a closed area to be embroidered (hereinafter referred to as "embroidery area") by tracing with a mouse, the embroidery can be performed inside the closed area. It is possible. However, since the operator needs such a manual input work every time the figures are combined, the work is complicated and time-consuming.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in creating an embroidery pattern, embroidery data can be created quickly and easily for a new closed area formed by combining a plurality of figures. An object is to provide a processing device.

[0008]

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is, in an embroidery data processing device, an input means for inputting image data corresponding to a plurality of figures, and the plurality of figures mutually. Overlap detection means for detecting whether or not there is an overlapping portion based on the image data, and when the overlapping portion is detected, pixel data of the plurality of figures are combined to correspond to a combined figure of the plurality of figures. Synthesizing means for generating synthetic image data, embroidery area setting means for detecting a graphic area and a hollow area included in the synthetic figure based on the synthetic image data, and setting the embroidery area as embroidery area, Embroidery data for the embroidery area is created based on the sewing attribute adding means for giving a sewing attribute, the image data corresponding to the embroidery area, and the added sewing attribute.繍 data creation unit, configured to have.

According to the embroidery data processing device configured as described above, the operator inputs image data corresponding to a plurality of figures desired to be used as an embroidery pattern by using the input means. After that, the overlap detecting means detects whether or not the plurality of figures have portions overlapping each other. If there are overlapping portions, the synthesizing means synthesizes these figures to generate synthetic image data corresponding to the synthetic figure. Next, the embroidery area setting means detects a graphic area and a hollow area included in the composite graphic based on the composite image data, and sets these as the embroidery area. After that, the worker gives the sewing attribute to each embroidery area by the sewing attribute giving means, and the embroidery data generating means creates the embroidery data of the embroidery area based on the image data corresponding to the embroidery area and the given sewing attribute. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the embroidery data processing apparatus according to the first aspect, when the overlapping detecting section detects overlapping portions, the combining section specifies a plurality of figures to be combined. It is configured to have a graphic designating means.

According to the embroidery data processing apparatus configured as described above, the operator designates, by the figure designating means, a figure to be combined with the figure among a plurality of figures in which overlapping portions are detected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the embroidery data processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the embroidery area setting means is newly created by combining the closed areas included in the plurality of figures and the combining means. It is configured to detect the closed region generated in the.

According to the embroidery data processing device configured as described above, the embroidery area setting means detects a closed area included in a plurality of figures to be combined and a closed area newly generated by combining. To do.

The invention according to claim 4 is the embroidery data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The image data is binary bit map image data, and the overlap detecting means is configured to calculate a logical product of image data corresponding to the plurality of figures.

According to the embroidery data processing device configured as described above, the overlap detecting means calculates the logical product of the binary bit map image data corresponding to the plurality of figures to calculate the plurality of figures. Detect overlapping parts.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the embroidery data processing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
The image data is binary bitmap image data, and the synthesizing unit is configured to calculate a logical sum of the image data corresponding to the plurality of figures.

According to the embroidery data processing apparatus configured as described above, the synthesizing means calculates a logical sum of binary bit map image data corresponding to the plurality of figures to correspond to the synthesized figure. Generate composite image data.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following description will be made when the present invention is applied to an embroidery data processing device for a domestic embroidery sewing machine.

First, the entire system for performing embroidery will be described. The actual embroidery work is performed by first creating embroidery data by the embroidery data processing device and then supplying the embroidery data to the embroidery sewing machine to embroider a desired design.

FIG. 2 shows the external structure of the embroidery data processing device according to the present invention. The embroidery data processing device 1 has an image scanner 12 for inputting an embroidery pattern, and creates embroidery data based on the image data of the embroidery pattern read by the image scanner 12. The created embroidery data is stored in the flash memory (card memory) 10. The operator sets the flash memory 10 on the sewing machine for embroidery. Then, the stored embroidery data is read from the flash memory 10 and embroidery is performed based on the embroidery data.

FIG. 3 shows the outer shape of a domestic embroidery sewing machine.
The embroidery sewing machine 20 is arranged on the sewing machine bed, and moves the embroidery frame 21 holding the work cloth 22 to a predetermined position indicated by the XY coordinate system unique to the apparatus by the horizontal movement mechanism.
By performing the sewing operation with the sewing needle 23, the work cloth 22 is embroidered with a predetermined pattern. The embroidery sewing machine 20 has a built-in flash memory device. When the operator inserts the flash memory 10 storing the embroidery data into the flash memory insertion port 24, the stored embroidery data is read out. The embroidery data usually includes coordinate data indicating the position of the needle drop point in the XY coordinate system.
A control device including a microcomputer controls the horizontal movement mechanism of the embroidery frame 21 based on the read embroidery data and embroiders the work cloth 22.

Next, the configuration of the embroidery data processing device 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The embroidery data processing device 1 includes a CPU 2 for performing various processes in the embroidery data process, a ROM 3 for storing various processing programs and data, image data of graphics forming an embroidery pattern, and an overlap detection process described later. And a RAM 4 for storing various data such as the result of the additional closed area detection processing. The embroidery data processing described later is basically performed by the CPU 2 executing a program stored in the ROM 3.

Further, the embroidery data processing device 1 includes a flash memory device 5, an interface 6, an input section 11,
It has an image scanner 12 and a mouse 13. The flash memory 10 is inserted into the flash memory device 5, and the created embroidery data is stored in the flash memory 10.
Is stored within. The input unit 11 is the embroidery data processing device 1.
The input buttons K1-K3 are provided on the main body of the machine and used for inputting sewing attributes, predetermined instructions, etc., which will be described later. The image scanner 12 is used to read the original image of the embroidery pattern desired by the operator, and creates image data corresponding to the read embroidery pattern. The mouse 13 is used by the operator to trace the contour line of the image data read by the image scanner 12 to create the contour line data of the embroidery pattern. In addition, mouse 1
3 is also used for designating the orientation of each figure, the mutual positional relationship, and the like when synthesizing the figures. The instruction information input from the input unit 11 and the image data created by the image scanner 12 and the mouse 13 are supplied to the CPU 2 and the RAM 4 via the interface 6.

Further, the embroidery data processing device 1 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 7 for displaying image data of an embroidery pattern, an embroidery area, etc. on the screen 7a, and a display control device (control device) for controlling the liquid crystal display 7. LCDC) 8,
It has. An image storage device (VRAM) 9 is connected to the display control device 8 so that monochrome bitmap graphic display can be performed.

In the above structure, the flash memory 10, the image scanner 12 or the mouse 13 corresponds to the input means, the mouse 13 corresponds to the figure designating means,
The input unit 11 corresponds to the sewing attribute imparting means. Also, CP
The U2, the ROM 3 and the RAM 4 correspond to the overlap detecting means, the combining means, the embroidery area setting means, and the embroidery data creating means. Further, in the flowchart of FIG. 1, step S
2, the overlap detecting means functions, the combining means functions in step S5, the embroidery area setting means functions in step S8,
In step S10, the embroidery data creating means functions.

Next, an embroidery data processing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5 to 7. FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing embroidery data processing. The following processing will be described by taking as an example the case where the figures A and B shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B are combined to create embroidery data of an embroidery pattern as shown in FIG.

First, the operator inputs the image data D _A of the star figure A shown in FIG. 5A and the image data D _B of the crescent figure B shown in FIG. 5B (step S1). .
This process is carried out by reading out these graphics from the storage medium, if these graphics are already stored in the storage medium as binary bit map image data, such as a floppy disk or flash memory. If image data for these figures has not been created,
The image scanner 12 uses these figures drawn on the base paper.
It is created by reading using the mouse or tracing the outline with the mouse 13. The input bitmap image data D _A and D _B are expanded in the storage area in the RAM 4. Correspondingly, figures A and B are independently displayed on the screen 7a of the liquid crystal display 7. The relative positional relationship between the graphic A and the graphic B is determined by inputting the bitmap image data D _A and D _B.
However, it is also possible to configure so that the mutual positions can be corrected after the input as described below. That is, the operator operates the mouse 13 while looking at the screen 7a to arrange the figures A and B in a desired direction and position. In this example, the worker moves one of the graphic A and the graphic B to the other position and performs the work of arranging them in the positional relationship shown in FIG. Thereby, the relative position of each pixel of the image data D _A and the image data D _B is determined, and the corresponding embroidery pattern is displayed on the screen 7a.

Next, an overlap detection process for the graphic A and the graphic B is performed (step S2). That is, the CPU 2 detects whether or not there is a portion where the graphic A and the graphic B overlap in the arrangement determined in step S1. This process is based on the determined figure A
And B in the positional relationship, the logical product (AND) of the image data D _A and the image data D _B is calculated for each corresponding pixel. As a result, when there is a pixel for which the result of the logical product operation is “1”, it is determined that there is an overlapping portion between the figure A and the figure B, and when there is no pixel for which the result is “1” does not exist. , It is determined that there is no overlapping portion between the graphic A and the graphic B. In the example of FIG. 6, since the logical product is "1" at the intersection of the contour line of the figure A and the contour line of the figure B, it is determined that there is an overlapping portion.

If there is no overlapping portion (step S
3: No), the process proceeds to step S9, and the embroidery data is created by the procedure described below as in the normal case. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an overlapping portion (step S3: Yes), the CPU 2 inquires of the operator whether or not two figures may be combined (step S4). According to the positional relationship of the figures determined in step S1,
This is because the operator may desire to make corrections because it was later found that the overlap portion was not intended by the operator. Therefore, when the instruction not to perform the synthesis is given (step S4: No), the process is step S1.
Then, the positional relationship between the graphics A and B is reset or corrected. On the other hand, if an instruction to perform composition is given (step S4: Yes), graphic composition processing is performed (step S5). This synthesizing process is performed by the logical sum (OR) of the bitmap image data D _A and D _B of the graphics A and B.
It is performed by calculating. As a result, synthetic image data D _M (one piece of bitmap image data) corresponding to the synthetic figure M shown in FIG. 6 is generated.

Next, it is judged whether or not the composite figure M includes a closed area (hereinafter referred to as "additional closed area") other than the closed area included in the original figure (step S).
6). This process is performed as follows. First, a boundary pixel in which the composite image data D _M , that is, the binary bitmap image data D _M is raster-scanned in an appropriate order and its pixel value is inverted from 0 to 1 or from 1 to 0 is determined. Explore. Then, a chain loop of one closed boundary pixel is extracted according to the boundary line tracking algorithm by using it as a starting point pixel. As a result, the contour line defining one closed region is detected. Next, the same raster scanning is performed only inside the detected contour line, and when the boundary pixel as described above is detected, one closed contour line is extracted with the boundary pixel as a starting point. It can be seen that the contour line thus extracted exists inside the closed region defined by the contour line detected first. If such a process is repeated recursively until no boundary pixel found by raster scanning is present, the composite image data D
It is possible to extract all closed regions defined by the contour lines included in _M. By this processing, the closed areas C and D shown in FIG. 6 are detected. The CPU 2 stores the image data of the additional closed area thus detected in the RAM 4.

When the additional closed area is detected (step S7: Yes), the detected closed area is additionally set as the embroidery area to be embroidered (step S8). That is,
At the stage where the figure A and the figure B are simply combined, the embroidery area is only inside the figure A and inside the figure B. Therefore, the closed regions (middle void regions) C and D newly detected in step S6 are newly set as embroidery regions. When the embroidery area is set in this manner, the sewing attribute can be set for the closed areas C and D. On the other hand, when the additional closed region is not detected (step S7: No), the process proceeds to step S9. Such a result is obtained, for example, when the graphic A and the graphic B are combined in the positional relationship shown in FIG. Therefore, in this case, only the insides of the graphic A and the graphic B are embroidery areas.

Next, sewing attributes are assigned to all the closed areas set in the embroidery area (step S9). This applying work refers to the embroidery pattern displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 7a, and the operator determines the color of the thread to be embroidered, the stitch density, the stitch pitch, the stitch form, the stitching direction, etc. for each embroidery area. This is performed by inputting the sewing attribute via the input unit 11. It should be noted that, instead of performing the sewing attribute assigning work by the operator's input work as described above, an appropriate sewing attribute may be stored in the ROM 3 in advance and automatically assigned. Good.

When the setting of the sewing attribute for each embroidery area is completed, the CPU 2 makes a determination based on the image data indicating the outline of each embroidery area stored in the RAM 4 and the sewing attribute set in step S9. Embroidery data is created (step S10). The embroidery data referred to here generally consists of a set of needle drop point coordinate data in an embroidery area to be embroidered. The created embroidery data is stored in the flash memory 10. This is the end of the embroidery data processing.

When embroidery is actually performed after the embroidery data is created by the above method, the operator inserts the flash memory 10 into the insertion opening 24 of the home-use sewing machine 20 and corresponds to the desired design. Enter the file name.
As a result, the corresponding embroidery data is read out, and the embroidery is performed under the control of the controller.

In the above description, the additional closed area detected in step S6 is newly set as the embroidery area while the figures A and B are set in the embroidery area in advance. Alternatively, all the closed areas detected in step S6 may be automatically set as embroidery areas. This method is effective when a plurality of figures are combined so that the closed area of the original figure is deformed and a closed area having a different shape appears.

[0036]

As described above, according to the embroidery data processing device of the first aspect, a closed area newly generated when a plurality of figures are combined is detected and set as the embroidery area.
Therefore, it is possible to embroider in a desired manner even in a closed area other than the inside of the original figure. Further, since such setting is automatically performed using the image data of each figure to be combined, it is possible to quickly and easily create the embroidery data.

Further, according to the embroidery data processing device of the second aspect, since the operator designates a portion of the overlapping portions of the plurality of figures to synthesize the figure, only the desired portion can be synthesized. , The degree of freedom of the operator is increased.

Further, according to the embroidery data processing apparatus of the third aspect, the embroidery area setting means detects both the closed area and the newly created closed area of a plurality of figures to be subject to the king of kingdom. It is possible to set the sewing attribute for the newly generated closed area without omission.

Further, according to the embroidery data processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, since the overlap detecting means detects the overlap by the logical product of the binary bit map image data, the overlap can be detected by a simple logical operation. Therefore, the circuit required for calculation can be simplified.

According to the embroidery data processing device of the fifth aspect, since the synthesizing means synthesizes the binary bit map image data by the logical sum, the graphic synthesis can be performed by a simple logical operation. The circuit required for calculation can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing embroidery data processing by an embroidery data processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an embroidery data processing device.

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

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an embroidery data processing device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a graphic combined as an embroidery pattern.

6 is a diagram showing an example of a figure after the figure shown in FIG. 5 is combined.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the figure after the figure shown in FIG. 5 is combined.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Embroidery data processing device 2 ... CPU 3 ... ROM 4 ... RAM 5 ... Flash memory device 7 ... Liquid crystal display 10 ... Flash memory 12 ... Image scanner 13 ... Mouse 20 ... Home sewing machine

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Overlapping means for inputting image data corresponding to a plurality of graphics, and overlapping detection means for detecting, based on the image data, whether or not there are overlapping portions in the plurality of graphics. A synthesizing unit that synthesizes pixel data of the plurality of figures to generate synthesized image data corresponding to the synthesized figure of the plurality of figures when a portion is detected; and the synthesized figure based on the synthesized image data. The embroidery area setting means for detecting the graphic area and the hollow area included in the embroidery area and setting the embroidery area, the sewing attribute adding means for giving the sewing attribute to the embroidery area, and the image data corresponding to the embroidery area are added. An embroidery data processing device for creating embroidery data of the embroidery area based on the sewing attribute. 2. The embroidery data processing according to claim 1, further comprising graphic designating means for designating a plurality of graphics to be synthesized by the synthesizing means when the overlapping detecting means detects overlapping portions. apparatus. 3. The embroidery area setting means detects a closed area included in the plurality of figures and a closed area newly generated by the composition by the composition means. Data processing device. 4. The image data is binary bitmap image data, and the overlap detecting means calculates a logical product of image data corresponding to the plurality of graphics. An embroidery data processing device according to any one of the above. 5. The image data is binary bit map image data, and the synthesizing means calculates a logical sum of image data corresponding to the plurality of graphics. An embroidery data processing device according to claim 1.