JPS62194890A - Display control system of computer embroidering machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a computer-controlled display control system for an embroidery machine.

(Conventional technology and its problems) When trying to display the shape of characters for embroidering numerical or alphabetic character patterns, it is difficult to display the character shapes because these are relatively simple in shape and have a relatively small number of characters. The display data is stored in the microcomputer's semiconductor storage device, etc., and when a character is selected, the microcomputer reads it out and controls the display. If it is complicated and has a large number of characters, it will be stored in a semiconductor memory device.

There are problems in terms of space and cost to implement this.

(Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides individual character patterns indicating the shape of each character for each block of a floppy disk as an external storage device. Character display data for electrically displaying the shape of the character pattern ≠ -) is stored, and when a character is selected, it is read out by microcomputer control and displayed on the display of the embroidery machine. This is what I did.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes an embroidery frame, within which a needle 2 that moves up and down is positioned to hold an object to be embroidered. 3 is the embroidery frame X-Y
This is an X-Y axis section i7J mechanism section for position control.

The part that forms the embroidery thread into the object to be embroidered is composed of the needle 2 that moves up and down and a bobbin thread cover (not shown). Although the sewing machine main body 4 itself belongs to the range of so-called straight stitch sewing machines, it does not require a cloth feed dog and a presser foot, which are included in ordinary home sewing machines. The sewing machine main body 4 and the X-Y
The driving vJ Nada structure 3 is fixed onto a pedestal 5 with bolts or the like.

Inside the X-Y drive groove section 3 are an X-axis drive stepping motor and a Y-axis drive stepping motor, which will be described later, and a mechanism driven by them, as well as a power switch,
A power transformer, a power circuit, a driver circuit for the stepping motor, etc. are installed inside.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 6 denotes a control box that controls and manages all operations on the sewing machine main body 4 side, including a floppy disk drive section 7, a key panel section 8, and an LCD control box.
It has a bidet 42 and a lid 14, and incorporates various electronic control circuits.

The power source of the electronic circuit is the X −Y ! Various signals are received from the power supply circuit in the IJ control section and exchanged with the main body section 1 via a connecting cable. The embroidery pattern data is written on a normal floppy disk at the stage of creating the original data, and when the embroidery machine user inserts it into the floppy disk drive section 7, the necessary data is read.

FIG. 4 is an explanation of the key panel section 8.

Numeric keys 10 are used when selecting character numbers and setting manual spaces.

The clear key 11 is used to clear erroneous inputs made by the numeric keys 10, return to the sewing origin during a stop during sewing, and the like. When the all clear key 12 is pressed, all selected character numbers registered and stored using the numeric keys 10, a registration key to be described later, and a registration end key are automatically cleared and a return to the frame origin is automatically performed.

Also, if the number key 10 rOJ is pressed while the machine is stopped midway, the frame will move backward, and if "5" is pressed, the frame will move forward.

The registration key 13 is pressed after selecting a character number to register that character number, and the registration end key 14 is pressed after all the character numbers of the characters to be embroidered have been registered. As a result, desired character embroidery data, character display data, character enlargement/reduction ratio data, and other management data are read from the floppy disk. The spacing key 15 is a manual space key, and is used when setting the space between characters to an arbitrary value instead of fixed standard data. Set the space interval using the number key 10 and press the interval key 1.
Press 5 for manual space. This mode continues until the all clear key 12 is pressed. The bobbin winding key 16 is used to wind the bobbin of the sewing machine onto the bobbin. When this key is pressed, the sewing machine enters the winding mode, and when the start key 17 is pressed, the sewing machine starts. Only the upper shaft rotates without the embroidery frame moving. Therefore, the bobbin thread can be wound around the bobbin fitted to the bobbin winder @18. The rotational speed of the upper shaft during the pin winding mode can be adjusted as appropriate by pressing one of the number keys 10 "1" to "5". When the stop key 19 is pressed, the rotation of the upper shaft is stopped and the pin winding mode is canceled.

The character arrangement key 2o is used to select the direction and arrangement of characters to be embroidered.As shown in the figure, the directional arrangement is likened to the characters rAJ rBJ, "lateral pressure arrangement J21, r product arrangement J22," root Stop arrangement j23, "vertical inverted arrangement" 24,
They are a "horizontal backward arrangement" 25 and a "lateral forward arrangement" 26, and by repeatedly pressing the character arrangement key 20, the LEDs 27 for displaying each arrangement are lit in sequence. It is sufficient to stop the pressing operation when the desired arrangement state is reached. The array status code at that time is registered. This function performs coordinate transformation of data.
This is performed every 90° from 100° to 270°, and coordinate transformation at any angle between them is not performed. Therefore, if only the angle code is registered, coordinate conversion may be executed for each stitch immediately before sewing using a fixed program.

When the power is turned on, the most frequently used array 21 is automatically set.

The character size key 28 is used to change the thickness of characters to be sewn, and by repeatedly pressing this key 28, enlarged, standard, and reduced sizes can be selected. Its status can be determined by the LED 29 on each status indicator. In addition, measures for kanji, kanji gyosho, alphabet,
Since each number, kana, etc. has its suitability for enlargement, standardization, and reduction, in order to increase the degree of freedom, enlargement rate and reduction rate data are also provided for each character data in the floppy disk.

The feed direction designation key 30 is a key for driving and feeding the embroidery frame 1, and can move the embroidery frame to a desired location. The direction is indicated by an arrow on each key. The centering key 31 is used to embroider a plurality of characters by dividing them around a certain needle position. The head stitching key 32 is used to start sewing from a fixed needle position.

When the power is turned on, the centering state is automatically set.

Therefore, no operation is required to perform centering stitches. If this is to be head stitched, the head stitch key 32 may be pressed. To return to centering stitching from the head stitching state, the centering key 31 can be pressed.

The start key 17 is used to enter the embroidery N operation state by pressing the start key 17 after registering or completing registration of a desired character number.

Only the embroidery frame 1 is moved so as to form a rectangular motion axis trace in order to indicate with the tip of the sewing machine needle 2 the outer part of the embroidery range of all the characters to be sewn by pressing the start key 17 for the first time. This makes it possible to check whether the embroidery area to be sewn falls within the range of the embroidery frame 1. If the stop key 19 is pressed during this movement, the sewing machine returns to the sewing origin.

At this point, if the sewing origin is moved by pressing the feed direction designation key 30 as appropriate and the start key 17 is pressed again, that point becomes the sewing origin, and the embroidery frame is moved again to indicate the outside of the same embroidery area. . Embroidery hoop transfer I
71 After the range confirmation is completed, press the start key 17 for the second time.
When the centering mode is selected by pressing, the embroidery operation starts after the centering operation is performed.

In the head stitching mode, the embroidery day operation starts from the sewing origin.

The stop key 19 is used to stop the sewing machine mid-operation. A restart from a stopped state is performed using the start key 17. When moving the frame to indicate the embroidery range described above, if the movement limit of the X-Y mechanism is exceeded, the frame will not be moved and a warning will be displayed to indicate this condition, which will be described later.

In addition, when moving the rectangular frame mark indicating the embroidery area, the system pauses at each right angle point of the rectangular trajectory to further ensure confirmation, and also takes into account expansion and reduction from compressed character data to final embroidery data. Conversion is performed to the extent possible within the pause time. This is because the conversion time for all embroidery characters is relatively long, and if the conversion is attempted all at once, the waiting time may cause unnecessary pain to the operator.

In addition, the present invention performs this conversion not only within the movement range of the frame, but also during actual embroidery operation, in order to prepare the sewing data to be sewn next. It is divided into two parts. Moreover, the conversion time is automatically controlled according to the sewing machine rotation speed, which changes every moment based on the stitch information. Therefore, when the sewing machine speed is slow, more conversions are possible and efficiency is improved.

The purpose of changing the speed according to each stitch information is to slow down the sewing machine because when the relative movement of the embroidery frame 1 is large according to the stitch information, the driving time of the step motor for driving the X-Y axes becomes longer. This is because if you do not do this, there is a risk that the needle 2 will hit the fabric while the embroidery frame 1 is moving.

33 is an abnormal condition display section, which indicates the upper thread breakage condition and the lower thread remaining m.
The reduced state and the embroidery hoop transfer #J mechanical limit state are displayed by LEDs at respective locations.

Next, the control circuit block diagram shown in FIG. 5 will be explained.

The CPU is a general purpose microprocessor. ROM is read-only memory, RAM is random access memory,
Ilo is a programmable input/output interface that exchanges data between peripheral devices and the microprocessor CPU. The above CPU and ROM
RA lvl and Ilo constitute the main microcomputer in this system.

In the case of the present invention, the floppy disk FD mainly stores embroidery data (pattern data related to character shapes), pattern display data, enlargement/reduction data, etc. on both sides (as shown in Fig. 6). 0.1) on each side. Note that SE indicates a sector and T indicates a track. The FDD is a floppy disk drive, and by rotating the floppy disk FD, data can be read and written while being accessed randomly. FDC is a floppy disk controller and is connected between the floppy disk drive FDD and the microprocessor CPU. The ink face of the floppy disk drive FDD differs from the bus structure from the microprocessor CPU, making it difficult to connect. In addition, there are high-speed pulse signals, independent level signals, etc. for control. Therefore, the floppy disk controller FDC writes the necessary data to its internal register, and by sending a command, it can perform seek, read, write, and initialize. etc. can be performed automatically.

SVM is a slave microcomputer for X-axis control. The slave microcomputer SVM+
is program memory, data memory, ALIJ, I1
It is a one-chip microcomputer with built-in interface registers to facilitate information exchange with a zero port, timer/counter, clock, and system data bus. In the present invention, this slave microcomputer runs a slave program related to X-axis control,
According to commands from the main unit, it is possible to drive the necessary steps in the necessary direction, detect the frame thickness point, and determine the position of the mushroom based on that.

The time rate of slow-up and slow-down control of the step motor drive is also performed by the slave computer SVM+.

SVM is a slave microcomputer for Y-axis control, and its configuration, purpose, and function are equivalent to the slave microcomputer SVM+ for X-axis control described above.

SVM is a slave microcomputer for controlling the sewing machine motor that drives the main shaft of the sewing machine, and issues start, stop, and speed control commands to the sewing machine motor circuit in accordance with commands from the main machine. Data and commands are exchanged between the slave microcomputers SVM+, SVMZ, SVM3 and the main microcomputer while checking the status bits of these slave microcomputers. Then, it is determined whether the data is a command or not based on the address input from the microprocessor CPU. OvX is a driver for driving the X-axis step motor, and DVY is a driver for driving the Yllll step motor.

SC is a speed control circuit for starting, stopping, speed ili'l control, etc. of the sewing machine motor M, and constitutes a phase control circuit using a thyristor element. Power supply circuit PSC
is a circuit that supplies DC constant voltage power to various electronic circuits. The key panel section 8 described in FIG. 4 forms a key matrix, and each line of the matrix is connected to the input/output interface I10, which constitutes a part of the main microphone and computer described above.

DISPLAY34 is LED27, LED29, LE
This is a display section consisting of a D33 and an LCD (liquid crystal display) 9 shown in FIG. SL is an upper thread breakage sensor, which is a photosensor provided at a thread take-up spring section in the upper thread path of the sewing machine. The sensor has a light shielding piece attached to the thread take-up spring, and emits light at a position opposite to the light shielding piece.
A light receiving element is attached. When the upper thread is pulled up by the thread take-up, the spring is pulled up by the tension of the thread, and the position of the light-shielding piece is moved to the light-shielding side.

Therefore, if light is not shielded at a rotational phase of the sewing machine that should normally be shielded, this is because the needle thread is broken and the light shielding piece is not displaced because the tension of the thread is not applied to the thread take-up spring. This system is programmed so that when this upper thread breakage condition is detected a plurality of times, it is officially recognized as an upper thread breakage condition. S2 is a lower thread remaining sensor, which detects when the remaining amount of lower thread becomes less than a certain m. The sensor is equipped with a light emitting and light receiving element so that light passes through the lower thread winding part of the bobbin, and the light is blocked by the wound bobbin thread, and when the light reaches the light receiving surface, the lower thread remains. Recognize that the amount is decreasing.

In the case of this system, an infrared LED is used as the light emitting element,
In addition, since the light is emitted at a relatively high frequency and amplified on the receiving side, detection over a relatively long distance is possible. In addition, on the light receiving side, the presence or absence of light reception is converted into an ON, -0FF signal, and the signal is sent to the LE for notification of lower thread remaining in the abnormality display section 33.
Connected to D. When the number of bobbin threads decreases and light reaches the light receiving element, there is a phase in which members of the sewing machine hook structure block the light due to rotation of the sewing machine. therefore,
L for notification when the bobbin thread is less than m while the sewing machine is rotating
The ED will continue to blink.

Ss is an upper shaft rotation phase sensor of the sewing machine for detecting the brake signal output phase and the X-Y axis drive phase. The brake signal output phase is set near the top dead center phase of the thread take-up of the sewing machine, and the X-Y axis drive phase, that is, the embroidery frame drive phase, is set to a phase in which the sewing machine needle is positioned above the workpiece cloth.

The thread loosening solenoid SQL is used when only the embroidery frame 1 is moved by the drive key described above while the upper shaft of the sewing machine is stopped, that is, when the needle is stopped at the top dead center phase of the thread take-up, or when there is a jump code even during embroidery operation. may temporarily stop the sewing machine and move only embroidery hoop 1. In this case, due to the large amount of movement m, fabric slippage or thread breakage may occur, so the solenoid SQL is used to release the pressure on the thread tensioner, loosen the upper thread tension, and remove the weft thread. This is to ensure that the drawer moves smoothly.

Also, when guiding the upper thread into the thread path of the sewing machine while the sewing machine is stopped at the beginning of work, if the thread tension device is closed, there is a risk that the thread will not enter the thread tension disc. Therefore, when guiding the upper thread to the thread path, the solenoid SQL is sucked so that the thread is always stored in the thread tension disc.

The digital switch DS is used to change the stitch pitch of embroidered characters, and the switch position set by the operator is encoded and read into the computer.

3M7 is an X-axis circumferential step motor, which is driven in steps by pulses from the X-axis driver Dvx. SMz
is the Y-axis circumferential step motor, and the Y-axis driver DVY
Driven by. SL is the initial position sensor for the X axis, S
s is a Y-axis initial position sensor. When the power is turned on and when the all clear key 12 is pressed, an initial setting operation is performed in which the embroidery frame is moved until the tip of the needle 2 is located at the center of the embroidery frame 1 with the needle in the above state. At this time sensor S4
, Sr are used. SL is a speed sensor that detects the rotational speed of the sewing machine.

7 to 9 are flowcharts for realizing each of the functions, operations, etc. described above.

Figure @1 is a flowchart relating to reading data from a floppy disk FD, and is related to the subroutine rFDREADJ in the flowchart of Figure 7.

This flowchart is started by pressing the registration end button 14 after all desired characters have been registered.

If a disk is not inserted, it waits until it is inserted. When it is inserted, it reads the number of the floppy disk FD, and if the floppy disk FD is not for embroidery, it requests a disk replacement. In the case of embroidery, it is checked whether there is a number that matches the registered character number, regardless of the desired order of character registration.

If not, a request is made to replace the floppy disk FD. If there is a registered character number, predetermined data is read.

Continue reading until you reach the code that indicates the end of one character. When a one-character end code is received, check whether reading of all characters has been completed. If it does not end, check whether there are other registered character numbers. At this time, the order of registration is irrelevant, and even the last character in the character array is read if it exists. If not, a request is made to replace the floppy disk FD, and if there is, the process repeats the reading process as before, and when all the registered characters have not been read out, a pattern is displayed in accordance with the order of the registered characters.

Then, all character array data is rearranged in the order of character registration. This is for when sewing the embroidery frame. Finally, set the enlargement and reduction parameters and finish.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the procedure for performing each "display" in FIG. 1. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, when the code of the register in FIG. 9 is displayed on the LCD. Figure 12 shows how the display data of the character pattern of the kanji "A" is stored on the floppy disk FD and the correspondence between the display and the storage and reading order is from line 0 to line 7. For each bit from 0 to 7, read out the presence or absence of the blacked part in the figure, and when this is completed, read the presence or absence of the black part in the figure from 8 to F, and then similarly read 0 for lines 8 to F. The presence/absence of bits up to 7 bits and from bits 8 to F bit is read out.

Display-related data for each ANK, such as alphabets and numbers other than kanji, is stored in the read-only memory ROM of the microcomputer, and upon receiving these messages including the disk number display, these are read out and read out in the same way.
It is displayed on the CD disc 714 section 9.

Initial setting of the display is performed immediately after the power is turned on, and designation items for each operation designation are similarly displayed.

(Effect of the invention) As described above, according to the present invention, complex /
/ -, A--1 The pattern display data for many characters in the shape is stored on a floppy disk along with the pattern data for embroidery, so the cost is relatively low, and when a character is selected, its shape is directly displayed. This makes it convenient to check when selecting a pattern.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an external view of the embroidery machine according to the present invention, Fig. 3 is an external view of the control box, Fig. 4 is a detailed view of the key panel, Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the control circuit, and Fig. 6 is a floppy Explanatory diagram of the disk, Fig. 7 (A), Fig. 7 (
B), FIG. 8, FIG. 9(A), and FIG. 9(B) are flowcharts of the flowchart CD drive for realizing each function, operation, etc. of the embroidery machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a display. This is an example of correspondence between data and display. In the figure, LCD display 114 section 9 and DI 5PLAY
1 is a display section, numeric key IO is a character selection device, 14 is a registration end key, FD is a floppy disk, a microprocessor (CPU) is a main element of a microcomputer, and a random access memory (RAM) is a storage section thereof. Patent Applicant: Janome Minn Kogyo Co., Ltd. Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 9 Figure '(B,)-2 LOOP4 Figure 11 0: BCDEF to L23456789 C---------・---・----- D--------・---・-----・ Figure 12 Procedural Amendment (Method) % Formula %! , Incident Display 1986 Patent Application No. 37589 2
, Title of the invention Display control method for computer embroidery machines 3, Relationship with the amended case Patent applicant address 3-1-1 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (224) Name Janome Sewing Machine Industry Co., Ltd. Telephone contact ( 042B
) (61) 3121 Yasuo Araki 4, Date of amendment order April 22, 1985 5, Subject of amendment Applicant column of application and drawing 6, Contents of amendment As shown in the attached sheet, amendments to drawings are first attached to the application. A document of the drawing (no change in content)

Claims (1)

[Claims] A floppy disk in which pattern data representing the shapes of various types of embroidery characters are stored in each block for each character, and character display data for displaying the shapes of the characters in the blocks are stored; , a character selection device for selecting and operating a desired character from among the various types of embroidery characters, and when the selection of the desired character is completed, the character display data is displayed under display control by a microcomputer and displayed on the display section. A display control method for a computer embroidery machine, characterized in that a display is displayed on the computer.