JPH09188955A - Processing device for sewing data - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sewing date processing device able to judge whether the edited embroidery pattern is admitted in sewing operable zone or not. SOLUTION: This data processing device judges whether an sewing pattern selected according to the sewing pattern data corresponding to the shape of the sewing pattern is admitted in the range capable of sewing operation or not (step S44). In the case when the selected sewing pattern judged not to be admitted in sewing operable zone (step S44, YES), the other alignment capable of admitting the selected sewing pattern in sewing operable zone is detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sewing data processing device for processing sewing pattern data for forming embroidery in a domestic sewing machine or an industrial sewing machine.

[0002]

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

By the way, in recent years, even in the case of a domestic embroidery sewing machine, the sewing pattern data stored in advance is stored against the backdrop of the circumstances such as the diversification of tastes of consumers, the higher quality, and the improvement of the performance of the embroidery sewing machine. Not only the embroidery of the design based on, but also the editing of the embroidery pattern according to the demand of the user (for example,
There is a demand for a sewing data processing device which is relatively inexpensive and easy to operate, which enables enlargement / reduction, rotation, or change of pattern spacing or arrangement.

[0004]

However, in the conventional sewing data processing apparatus, when the embroidery pattern displayed on the display is edited, the edited embroidery pattern deviates from the sewable area. The edited embroidery pattern was displayed on the display as it was, and no corresponding measures were taken. Therefore, the operator has to perform the editing work again so that the edited embroidery pattern fits within the sewable area, which is very complicated. In particular, this is a problem when redistributing a complicated embroidery pattern.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a sewing data processing device capable of determining whether or not the edited embroidery pattern is accommodated in the sewable area. And

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a sewing data processing device, in which a sewing pattern is selected based on sewing pattern data corresponding to the shape of the sewing pattern. Means, determining means for determining whether or not the selected sewing pattern is accommodated in the sewable area, and when it is determined that the selected sewing pattern is not accommodated in the sewable area And a detection unit for detecting another arrangement state in which the selected sewing pattern can be accommodated in the sewable area.

According to the sewing data processing apparatus constructed as described above, the selecting means selects the sewing pattern based on the sewing pattern data corresponding to the shape of the sewing pattern, and the judging means selects the selected sewing pattern. However, it is determined whether or not it is accommodated in the sewable area. When it is determined that the selected sewing pattern is not accommodated in the sewable area, the detecting unit detects another arrangement state in which the selected sewing pattern can be accommodated in the sewable area. It

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the sewing data processing apparatus according to the first aspect, there is provided first notifying means for notifying the contents of the change to the other arrangement state detected by the detecting means. Further, it is configured to be provided.

According to the sewing data processing apparatus configured as described above, the first notifying means notifies the change content to the other arrangement state detected by the detecting means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the sewing data processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, when the detecting means cannot detect another arrangement state that can be accommodated in the sewable area, It is configured to further include second notifying means for notifying that it is not possible to detect another arrangement state.

According to the sewing data processing apparatus configured as described above, when the detecting means cannot detect another arrangement state that can be accommodated in the sewable area, the second notifying means causes another It is notified that the arrangement state cannot be detected.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the sewing data processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the detecting means does not detect another arrangement state that can be accommodated in the sewable area. When possible, it is configured to further include selection invalidating means for invalidating the selection of the sewing pattern.

According to the sewing data processing apparatus configured as described above, when the detecting means cannot detect another arrangement state that can be accommodated in the sewable area, the sewing pattern is sewn by the selection invalidating means. Selection is disabled.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the sewing data processing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a storage means for storing the sewing pattern data of the selected sewing pattern is further included. Provided, when the detection means can detect another arrangement state that can be accommodated in the sewable area,
The storage means is configured to update the sewing pattern data with the sewing pattern data in the other state.

According to the sewing data processing apparatus configured as described above, the storage means stores the sewing pattern data of the selected sewing pattern, and the detecting means stores another sewing pattern data in the sewable area. When the arrangement state can be detected, the storage unit updates the sewing pattern data with the sewing pattern data in the other state.

[0016]

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 on the case where the present invention is applied to a domestic embroidery sewing machine.

First, the entire system for performing embroidery will be described. The actual embroidery work is performed by the procedure in which the embroidery data processing circuit first creates embroidery data, and then the embroidery sewing machine embroiders a desired pattern based on the embroidery data.

FIG. 1 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. Embroidery sewing machine 20
A flash memory device, which is a device for reading an external storage memory, a liquid crystal screen 25 with a touch panel, an embroidery data processing device, and a control device. A worker inserts a flash memory 10 as an external storage memory that stores embroidery data into the flash memory insertion port 2
4 is inserted, 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. In addition, the operator edits the embroidery data using the touch panel,
The edited embroidery data is displayed on the liquid crystal screen. The control device including a microcomputer controls the horizontal movement mechanism of the embroidery frame 21 based on the embroidery data edited by the embroidery data processing device, and embroiders the work cloth 22. Here, the sewing machine that performs display based on the sewing data is described. However, two types of data, that is, display data and embroidery data (data indicating the needle drop position), are stored in the sewing machine in advance in the ROM or The sewing machine stored in the external ROM card, the sewing machine of the type that creates the embroidery position data from the display data, and the sewing machine that creates the display data and the embroidery data from the common data will also be described below. A data processing circuit can be applied.

Next, the structure of the embroidery data processing circuit will be described with reference to FIG. The embroidery data processing circuit
CP for performing various processing in embroidery data processing
U2, ROM for storing various processing programs and data
3, and a RAM 4 for storing various data such as image data of embroidery patterns and figures forming an embroidery frame. The embroidery data creation process described later is performed by the CPU 2 executing a program stored in the ROM 3 or an external recording medium.

Further, the embroidery data processing circuit includes a flash memory device 5, an interface 6, and an input section 11.
have. The flash memory 10 is inserted into the flash memory device 5, and the created embroidery data is stored in the flash memory 10. The input unit 11 is configured by a touch panel on a liquid crystal screen provided on the embroidery sewing machine 20, and is used for inputting a pattern selection and a layout instruction, which will be described later. Instruction information input from the touch panel is sent to the CPU 2 and RA via the interface 6.
M4.

The embroidery data processing circuit further includes a liquid crystal screen (LCD) 7 for displaying image data of an embroidery pattern, an embroidery area, etc. on the screen 25, and a display control device (LCDC) for controlling the liquid crystal screen 7. ) 8. Further, the display control device 8 includes an image storage device (VRAM) 9
Are connected and configured to enable monochrome bitmap graphics display.

In the above structure, the CPU2, R
The OM3, the RAM4, the interface 6 and the touch panel 11 correspond to the selecting means, the CPU2, the ROM3 and the RAM4 correspond to the judging means, the detecting means and the selection invalidating means, and the liquid crystal screen 7 corresponds to the first and second notifying means. And RA
The M4 or the flash memory 10 corresponds to the storage means.

Further, in the flow charts of FIGS. 3 and 4,
In step S10, the selecting means operates, and in step S40,
The determination means functions in S42 and S44, and in step S50.
The detection means functions in step S52, the first notification means functions in step S52, the second notification means functions in step S62, the selection invalidating means functions in step S64, and the storage means functions in steps S48 and S58.

Next, the operation of the sewing data processing circuit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of creating embroidery data. In the following processing, the screen display shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 will be described as an example. Here, FIG. 5 is an example of the pattern type selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal screen, FIG. 6 is an example of the pattern selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal screen, and FIG. 7 is an example of the screen showing the selected pattern. FIG. 8 is an example of a screen for notifying the content of change to another arrangement state, and FIG. 9 is an example of a layout screen displayed on the liquid crystal screen.

First, when the power source of the embroidery sewing machine 20 is turned on (step S2), the pattern type selection screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 25 (step S4). Next, the embroidery data processing circuit is in a standby state until one pattern type is selected from the displayed pattern type selection screen (step S6). Here, it is assumed that the pattern type 101 in FIG. 5 is selected. When the pattern type 101 of FIG. 5 is selected (step S6, YES), the pattern selection screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 25 (step S8).

At this time, when the "return" (return key) is pressed (step S9, YES), the screen returns to the pattern type selection screen (FIG. 5) again, and steps S4 to S9 are repeated. On the other hand, when the pattern selection screen (FIG. 6) is displayed, the embroidery pattern can be selected from the displayed patterns “a, b, c, ... Z” (step S10).

Here, the character string "DragonDrag
A case where a pattern composed of "c" is selected will be described.
When the sewing start key 26 (FIG. 1) and the layout key described below are not pressed (step S16, NO and step S20, NO), step S10,
S12 and S14 are repeated. That is, one pattern is sequentially selected from the displayed patterns "a, b, c, ... Z" (step S10), and the selected patterns are sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal screen 25 as shown in FIG. (Step S1
2), the subroutine shown in FIG. 4 is sequentially read (step S14).

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a process for determining whether or not the selected embroidery pattern can be accommodated in the sewable area will be described. In FIG. 4, W indicates the width of the entire selected embroidery pattern, and H indicates the maximum height of the selected embroidery pattern. In the embodiment, the sewable area is 180 mm in the vertical direction (height) and 13 in the horizontal direction (width).
It is assumed to have an area of 0 mm. The sewable area is set based on the embroidery frame 21 in which the front-back direction of the sewing machine is longer than the left-right direction of the sewing machine.

When the subroutine of FIG. 4 is read in step S14 of FIG. 3, the CPU 2 additionally processes the pattern selected this time to the pattern selected so far (step S40). In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the embroidery pattern made up of characters is additionally processed so as to be arranged laterally close to each other. Next, CPU
2 calculates the maximum outer shape of the selected embroidery pattern (step S42). That is, W = W + Wi (Wi: width of pattern selected this time) is calculated, and when H <Hi (Hi: height of pattern selected this time), H = Hi is calculated. That is, for the width W, the width Wi of the pattern selected this time is added to the width W of the pattern selected up to the previous time, and the maximum value H of the height is the width W of the pattern selected up to the previous time. The height H of the pattern selected this time rather than the maximum value H
The value of H is updated to Hi only when i is larger.

Next, the CPU 2 determines whether or not W> 130 mm or H> 180 mm (step S44). That is, in step S44, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the selected embroidery pattern is accommodated in the sewable area. When W> 130 mm or H> 180 mm is not satisfied (step S44, NO), the selected embroidery pattern can be accommodated in the sewable area, and thus the pattern selected this time is additionally displayed (step S46). The embroidery data of the selected embroidery pattern is stored in the RAM 4 or the external storage medium (step S48), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

On the other hand, W> 130 mm or H> 180 m
In the case of m (step S44, YES), since the selected embroidery pattern cannot be accommodated in the sewable area, it is determined whether 130 mm <W ≦ 180 mm and H ≦ 130 mm (step S50). ). That is, in step S50, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the selected embroidery pattern can be accommodated in the sewable area by rotating 90 degrees. In the case of 130 mm <W ≦ 180 mm and H ≦ 130 mm (step S50, YES), the selected embroidery pattern can be accommodated in the sewable area by rotating it by 90 degrees, and as shown in FIG. 8, for example. On the LCD screen 25, "The pattern will stick out of the frame.

If you want to combine more, please rotate the pattern. Is displayed to warn that the selected embroidery pattern deviates from the sewable area, and a 90-degree rotation key which is a key for rotating the selected pattern by 90 degrees is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 25 ( Step S52). With this configuration, it is possible to quickly and easily find out which key is operated to store the selected embroidery pattern in the sewable area. next,
The CPU 2 determines whether the 90-degree rotation key is pressed (step S54), and when the 90-degree rotation key is pressed (step S54, YES), the embroidery pattern is rotated 90 degrees (step S56). The embroidery data of the embroidery pattern rotated by 90 degrees is stored in the RAM 4 or the external storage medium (step S58), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. By storing the embroidery data of the selected embroidery pattern that can be accommodated in the sewable area in this manner, when the same embroidery pattern is selected later, the embroidery pattern that can be accommodated in the sewable area is stored. The embroidery data can be read quickly and easily. If the 90-degree rotation key is not pressed (step S54, NO), the CPU 2
It is determined whether or not "confirm" (confirmation key) has been pressed (step S60). When the confirmation key is pressed (step S
If YES, the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 3 without rotating the embroidery pattern by 90 degrees.

On the other hand, 130 mm <W ≦ 180 mm and H
If it is not ≦ 130 mm (step S50, NO), the selected embroidery pattern cannot be accommodated in the sewable area even if it is rotated by 90 degrees, and a warning to that effect is displayed on the screen (step S62). At the same time, the pattern selection input this time is invalidated (step S64), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. By displaying the warning screen in this way and invalidating the pattern selection input this time,
It is possible to prevent erroneous selection of an embroidery pattern that cannot be accommodated in the sewable area.

In the above description, the 90-degree rotation key is taken as an example for the process of determining whether or not the selected embroidery pattern can be accommodated in the sewable area according to the present invention.
The same applies to other keys such as a key for reducing the selected embroidery pattern, a key for changing or changing the arrangement of the selected embroidery pattern, and a key for rotating the selected embroidery pattern by a predetermined angle. The present invention can be applied.

When the "layout" (layout key) is pressed after the determination process in FIG. 4 is completed (step S2).
0, YES), a layout screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 25 (step S22). FIG.
This shows the case where the 90-degree rotation key is pressed in step S54, and it can be visually confirmed that the embroidery pattern can be accommodated in the sewable area by rotating the embroidery pattern by 90 degrees. The layout screen of FIG. 9 includes a sewable area 103 of the embroidery sewing machine, a rectangular frame 104 indicating the size of each selected embroidery pattern, eight arrow keys 105, a reset key 106, and a 90-degree rotation key 10.
7 and the completion key 108 are displayed. In addition,
The arrow key 105 is a key for moving the selected embroidery pattern (rectangular frame 104) in the sewable area 103 in the arrow direction. (In this embodiment, the arrow key is pressed once to move the selected embroidery pattern (rectangular frame 104) by 0.1 mm in the arrow direction.) The reset key 106 It is a key to return the edited embroidery pattern to the state before editing.
The 0 degree rotation key 107, like the 90 degree rotation key,
A key for rotating the selected embroidery pattern by 90 degrees about the center of the embroidery pattern as a rotation axis. Finish key 108
Will be described later.

The key arrangement shown in FIG. 9 is merely an example, and, for example, a horizontal inversion key for horizontally inverting the selected embroidery pattern, a key for changing the arrangement of the embroidery pattern, A key for changing the interval of the embroidery pattern and a key for enlarging / reducing the size of the embroidery pattern can be provided to change the arrangement state of the sewing pattern.

On the layout screen, the embroidery pattern can be edited with the above keys until the completion key 108 is pressed (step S24, NO). When the completion key 108 is pressed (step S24, YES), the screen returns to the screen (step S12) shown in FIG. At this time, when the worker presses the sewing start key 26 (FIG. 1) provided on the main body of the embroidery sewing machine (step S16, YES), embroidery data is created based on the selected embroidery pattern, arrangement, size, etc., and is controlled. Sewing is started under the control of the section (step S18).

The data of the pattern type selection screen (FIG. 5), the pattern selection screen (FIG. 6), the screen for notifying the changed contents (FIG. 8) and the layout screen (FIG. 9) are binary data. As the bitmap data, the embroidery sewing machine 20
The data is recorded in the internal ROM 3 or an external recording medium such as a floppy disk or a flash memory. These data are read out as needed in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 2 and displayed on the liquid crystal screen 25.

Although the present embodiment has been described by taking a sewing machine having a sewing mechanism as an example, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a data creating apparatus having no sewing mechanism.

[0040]

As described above, according to the sewing data processing apparatus of the first aspect, when it is determined that the selected sewing pattern is not accommodated in the sewable area, the selected sewing pattern is Since another arrangement state that can be accommodated in the sewable area is detected, the selected embroidery pattern can be accommodated in the sewable area quickly and easily.

Further, according to the sewing data processing apparatus of the second aspect, since the contents of the change to the other arrangement state are notified, the operation for accommodating the selected embroidery pattern in the sewable area is prompt. And it can be easily found.

Further, according to the sewing data processing apparatus of the third aspect, when another arrangement state that can be accommodated in the sewable area cannot be detected, the other arrangement state cannot be detected. Since the notification is given, it is possible to quickly and easily recognize that the selected embroidery pattern cannot be accommodated in the sewable area.

Further, according to the sewing data processing device of the fourth aspect, the selection of the sewing pattern is invalidated when another arrangement state that can be accommodated in the sewable area cannot be detected. It is possible to prevent erroneous selection of an embroidery pattern that cannot be accommodated in the possible area.

Further, according to the sewing data processing device of the fifth aspect, when another arrangement state that can be accommodated in the sewable area is detected, the sewing pattern data is detected by the sewing pattern data in the other state. Since it is updated, when the same embroidery pattern is selected later, the state of the embroidery pattern that can be accommodated in the sewable area can be read out quickly and easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a home embroidery sewing machine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an embroidery data processing circuit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of creating embroidery data.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of determining whether or not a rotated embroidery pattern is accommodated in a sewable area.

FIG. 5 is an example of a pattern type selection screen displayed on a liquid crystal screen.

FIG. 6 is an example of a pattern selection screen displayed on a liquid crystal screen.

FIG. 7 is an example of a screen showing a selected pattern displayed on the liquid crystal screen.

FIG. 8 is an example of a screen for notifying the contents of change to another arrangement state.

FIG. 9 is an example of a layout screen displayed on a liquid crystal screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... CPU 3 ... ROM 4 ... RAM 5 ... Flash memory device 7 ... Liquid crystal display 10 ... Flash memory 20 ... Home sewing machine

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A selection means for selecting a sewing pattern based on sewing pattern data corresponding to the shape of the sewing pattern, and determining whether or not the selected sewing pattern is accommodated in a sewable area. For determining another arrangement state in which the selected sewing pattern can be accommodated in the sewable area when it is determined that the selected sewing pattern is not accommodated in the sewable area. A sewing data processing device comprising: a detecting unit. 2. The sewing data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first notifying unit for notifying a change content to the other arrangement state detected by the detecting unit. . 3. A second notifying unit for notifying that the other arrangement state cannot be detected when the detection unit cannot detect another arrangement state that can be accommodated in the sewable area. The sewing data processing device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. A selection invalidating means for invalidating the selection of the sewing pattern when the detecting means cannot detect another arrangement state that can be accommodated in the sewable area. The sewing data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is characterized in that. 5. A storage means for storing sewing pattern data of the selected sewing pattern is further provided, and when the detection means can detect another arrangement state that can be accommodated in the sewable area, 5. The sewing data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit updates the sewing pattern data with the sewing pattern data in the other state.