JPH0417889A - Data making device for 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 data creation device for an embroidery sewing machine, and in particular, it is capable of creating zigzag stitches of a constant width along shape defining lines that define the shapes of characters and figures. This invention relates to a device that creates embroidery data for embroidering characters and figures by embroidering characters and figures.

2. Description of the Related Art It is already known that characters and figures can be embroidered by performing zigzag stitches at a constant width along a shape defining line.

The applicant has previously developed a data creation device that automatically creates embroidery data for performing zigzag stitch embroidery, and has filed a patent application. This is the case currently being filed as Japanese Patent Application No. 1-276700.

This device includes point sequence data representing each bending point of the polygonal line when the shape defining line is a polygonal line, and each polygonal point of the polygonal line when the shape defining line is a curved line; This device creates embroidery data from zigzag stitch width data representing the width of zigzag stitches to be performed along a shape defining line.

The band-shaped embroidery area to be filled with zigzag stitching is divided into multiple trapezoidal blocks to create embroidery data. Specifically, the embroidery data is created by dividing the band-shaped embroidery area to be filled in with zigzag stitches into multiple trapezoidal blocks. Imagine two virtual lines equal to the zigzag stitch width represented by the zigzag stitch width data, find the intersection of the virtual lines located on one side of the shape defining line, and calculate each line segment of the shape defining line. The embroidery data is created using a trapezoidal block determined by a total of four intersection points, two corresponding to each end, as one unit of embroidery program. To actually perform embroidery, needle position data, that is, data representing the position where the sewing needle penetrates the workpiece cloth, is required, but the embroidery data creation device creates trapezoidal block data representing the trapezoidal block described above as embroidery data. It is also possible to create the needle position data in the embroidery machine in parallel with the execution of embroidery.

By dividing the band-shaped embroidery wA area into a plurality of trapezoidal blocks in this manner and filling each of the trapezoidal blocks with zigzag stitches, embroidery data can be automatically created.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, the above-described developed device has a problem in that if the distance between two adjacent bending points is small compared to the size of the zigzag stitch width, the stitches overlap thickly and beautiful embroidery cannot be obtained. It turns out that there is a problem.

As shown in Figure 2, when the distance between two adjacent bending points is large relative to the zigzag stitch width, the trapezoidal block ABCD takes on a normal trapezoid whose legs do not intersect with each other. By filling in the space between the two bottoms with zigzag stitches, beautiful embroidery can be obtained where the threads are thick and do not overlap, but as shown in Figure 3, when the distance between two adjacent bending points is small compared to the width of the zigzag stitches, In this case, the two legs of the trapezoidal block ABCD intersect to form a special leg-crossing trapezoid in the shape of two triangles connected at their vertices, and if you fill in the space between the two bottoms with a zigzag stitch, As is clear from the figure, the threads overlap each other thickly, making it impossible to obtain beautiful embroidery.

An object of the present invention is to provide a data creation device for an embroidery sewing machine that can create embroidery data that can produce beautiful embroidery even when the distance between two adjacent bending points is small in relation to the width of the zigzag stitch. It is.

Means for Solving the Problem In order to solve this problem, the data creation device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5) point sequence data storage means 1 for storing point sequence data representing positions of dot sequences on the shape defining line defining the shape; and 5) zigzag stitch width data storage means 2 for storing zigzag stitch width data representing the zigzag stitch width. and,(
C) Based on the point sequence data and zigzag stitch width data stored in the re-storing means 1゜2, zigzag stitching is performed that is parallel to each of the line segments connecting two mutually adjacent points of the dot sequence and at a distance from each other. The staggered pattern is formed by imagining a first imaginary line and a second imaginary line that match the width, and two intersections between mutually adjacent first imaginary lines and two intersections between mutually adjacent second imaginary lines. A trapezoidal block data setting means 3 for setting trapezoidal block data for sewing, and (d) a trapezoidal block represented by the trapezoidal block data set by the trapezoidal block data setting means 3 is a leg-crossing trapezoid whose legs intersect with each other. If the block is a trapezoidal block, the trapezoidal block changing means 4 changes the leg-crossing trapezoidal block to a normal trapezoidal block whose legs do not intersect.

The trapezoidal block changing means may be of any type as long as it can change a leg-crossing trapezoidal block to a normal trapezoidal block. For example, each time the trapezoidal block set by the trapezoidal block data setting means becomes a leg-crossing trapezoidal block, It is also possible to combine the leg-crossing trapezoidal block and one adjacent normal trapezoidal block into one normal trapezoidal block. However, if the trapezoidal block changing means is configured to change the data after the trapezoidal block data setting means finishes setting data for the entire area of one stab wA, the leg-crossing trapezoidal block can be changed to two adjacent trapezoidal blocks on both sides. It becomes possible to process together with the normal trapezoidal block. For example, if one or more consecutive leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks form a leg-crossing trapezoidal block group, and normal trapezoidal blocks are adjacent on both sides, the leg-crossing trapezoidal block group and two normal A trapezoidal block is defined as one leg of each straight line connecting the intersection of the first imaginary lines of these two normal trapezoidal blocks and the intersection of the second imaginary lines of the two normal trapezoidal blocks, and the leg intersection of these two normal trapezoidal blocks is The trapezoidal block group is changed to two normal trapezoidal blocks, each with its other leg on the opposite side.

In addition, the above-mentioned first virtual line and second virtual line are generally separated by a distance corresponding to one-half of the zigzag stitch width from the line segment connecting two adjacent points (the line segment that constitutes the shape defining line). Although it is desirable to imagine them at separate positions, it is also possible to make the distance between them different, and in extreme cases, it is also possible to imagine one of the two virtual lines on the shape defining line. However, a trapezoid block becomes a leg-crossing trapezoid block only when a virtual line is placed inside the bend of the shape defining line, so if one virtual line is placed on the shape defining line,
If the other imaginary line is imaginary outside the bend of the shape defining line, the effects of the present invention cannot be obtained, and the imaginary line is excluded from the scope of the present invention.

Operation In the data creation device having the above configuration, the trapezoidal block data setting means sets the trapezoidal block data based on the point sequence data and zigzag stitch width data stored in the point sequence data storage means and the zigzag stitch width data storage means. do. When the plurality of trapezoidal blocks represented by the set trapezoidal block data are leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks, the trapezoidal block changing means changes the leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks to normal trapezoidal blocks. Therefore, all the trapezoidal blocks to be filled with zigzag stitches are normal trapezoidal blocks whose legs do not intersect.

Effects of the Invention Therefore, all actual embroidery is performed based on the normal block data, and the occurrence of areas where thick threads overlap can be avoided, resulting in beautiful embroidery.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an automatic sewing machine that performs embroidery based on embroidery data created by the data creation device according to the present invention. A sewing machine arm 12 is arranged on a table 10,
A needle bar support case 14 is attached to the front end of the needle bar support case 14 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The needle bar support case 14 supports five needle bars 16 so as to be movable up and down, and a needle 18 is attached to the lower end of each needle bar 16. Different types of thread are supplied to each needle 18 from a thread supply source (not shown) via a thread tension regulator 20 and thread take-up 22 on the needle bar support case 14. The needle bar support case 14 is driven and moved by a needle selection motor 24 attached to the sewing machine arm 12.
One of the five needle bars 16 and needles 18 is positioned at the use position.

The needle bar 16 positioned at the use position is connected to a sewing machine motor 26 via a power transmission mechanism (not shown) and is moved up and down. A sewing machine arm 28 protrudes from the sewing machine table 10 at a position opposite to the needle bar 16 in the use position, and works with the needle 18 to attach the workpiece cloth W to the sewing machine head 28.
A thread loop catcher (not shown) is provided for forming a stitch in the thread.

There are two Y-direction moving frames 3 on both sides of the sewing machine table 10.
0 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 4) is provided to be movable in the direction of arrow Y, and can be moved an arbitrary distance in both forward and reverse directions by a Y-axis drive motor (not shown). A support frame 32 is stretched between both Y-direction moving frames 30, and an X-direction moving frame 34 is supported by the support frame 32 so as to be movable in the direction of arrow X, and is driven by an X-axis drive motor (not shown). It can be moved any distance in both forward and reverse directions.

A work cloth holding frame 36 that removably holds the work cloth W is attached to the X direction moving frame 34, and the work cloth holding frame 36 can be moved to any position on the XY plane. . As described above, the X-direction moving frame 30°, the Y-axis drive motor, the X-direction moving frame 34. The X-axis drive motor, the work cloth holding frame 36, and the like constitute a work cloth feeding device 38.

The control section of this automatic sewing machine is shown in FIG. This control section is C
PU40. ROM42. The computer is mainly equipped with a RAM 44, and the CPU 40 has input/output ports 46. The needle selection motor 24. Sewing machine motor 26 and workpiece cloth feeding device 3
8 are connected. The CPU 40 further includes an external storage device 54 for recording data on a magnetic disk, magnetic tape, etc.
, an input device 58 is connected via an input control circuit 56 , and a display device 62 is connected via a display control circuit 60 . The input device 58 is used by the operator to perform input operations such as creating zigzag stitch data, instructing the start of embroidery, and selecting point sequence data on the shape defining line that defines the zigzag stitch. and a pointing device. Display device 62
is a means for displaying dot sequence data on a shape regulation line that defines zigzag stitches, block data of created trapezoidal blocks for zigzag stitches, etc. so that the operator can visually see them.
It is composed of cathode ray tubes, etc.

As shown in FIG. 6, the RAM 44 includes a point sequence data area 64 for storing point sequence data. A zigzag stitch width data area 66 for storing zigzag stitch width data, a trapezoidal block data area 768 for storing trapezoidal block data, and the like are provided. The ROM 42 also stores an embroidery data creation program shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8, as well as various programs for controlling the operation of the sewing machine. Hereinafter, creation of embroidery data will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7.8.

When creating embroidery data, first step 31 (
Hereinafter, it will be simply expressed as Sl. (Same for other steps)
At , point sequence data is read from the external storage device 54 and stored in the point sequence data area 64 of the RAM 44 .

The point sequence data is input by the operator through the input device 58 and stored in the external storage device 54.

Subsequently, in S2, the zigzag stitch width data is read from the external storage device 54 and stored in the zigzag stitch width data area 66 of the RAM 44. Note that the zigzag stitch width is displayed on the display device f62 based on this stored data, and if the operator wishes to change that value, he can input another value from the input device 58 and the zigzag stitch width will be displayed on the display device f62. The data in the stitch width data area 66 is changed to that value.

S3 based on the above point sequence data and zigzag stitch width data
In step S4, trapezoidal block data is created, and in step S4, the trapezoidal block data is stored in the external storage device 54 as embroidery data.

The step of creating trapezoidal block data in S3 above consists of the steps shown in FIG.

First, in 5301, two bending points adjacent to each other,
That is, points PJ and P. A line segment l is created by connecting 1 and 1. When the shape defining line is a broken line shown in FIG.
to P, , (P, .1 is the same as Pl), and the point sequence data is data representing each X-Y coordinate value of the points P, to P, .

Therefore, points P and PJ are mutually adjacent bending points.

1 can be created.

Next, at 5302, line segment 2J is parallel to line segment 2J! ,
Two imaginary lines uj and d, each separated by 1/2 of the zigzag stitch width, are drawn from 5303, and the intersection point of the adjacent imaginary lines uj- and U is 0. and virtual line d J-
The intersection point Q, between + and dJ is found, and the intersection points OJ, Q, and OJ, ,,Q
,. A trapezoidal block tJ defined by , is created.

Then, the trapezoidal block t created in 5304,
The two legs of , that is, the line segment 0. Q, and line segment 0. , +Q=
. , and intersect with each other. line segment! ,
, that is, two points adjacent to each other P4. If the zigzag stitch width is relatively small with respect to the distance between P1°1, the two legs of the trapezoid block shown in FIG. 10 will not intersect as shown.

Therefore, the determination result of 5304 is NO, and 530
6, a flag indicating that the block is a crossed-leg trapezoidal block is set to 0.

On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 11, the shape defining line is
Adjacent corner points whose distance from each other is relatively small, that is, point P,
Pj,,PJ. If it is defined by Z+Pj+ff, etc., the trapezoidal block obtained in the same manner as in the above case becomes a phase-crossing trapezoidal block in which two legs intersect with each other, as shown in FIG. Although only one leg-crossing trapezoidal block may occur independently, the first
In the example shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) occur consecutively. If the first one of these consecutively occurring leg-crossing trapezoids is represented by t, and the last one by t, then the legs adjacent to both sides of the leg-crossing trapezoid block group consisting of these leg-crossing trapezoid blocks Each normal trapezoidal block that does not intersect is 1. -,. 1. . It becomes 1. If the created trapezoidal block 1J is a crossed-legged trapezoidal block, the determination result in 5304 is YES, and in 5305, 1 is set in a flag indicating that it is a crossed-legged trapezoidal block.

Whether 5305 or 5306 is executed, in 5307, R
It is stored in the trapezoidal block data area 68 of AM44. Then, in 3308, it is determined whether or not the processing in 5304 to 5307 has been completed for all the trapezoidal block data.
Steps 5307 to 5307 are repeatedly executed.

When the processing for all the trapezoidal block data is completed, processing is performed after 5309 to change the leg-crossing trapezoidal block group and the two normal trapezoidal flocks adjacent thereto into two normal trapezoidal blocks, respectively.

First, in 5309, the trapezoidal block data area 6
It is determined whether there is a leg-crossing trapezoid block group based on whether the flag of each trapezoidal block data of 8 is 1,
Steps 5310 and 5311 are executed each time a leg-crossing trapezoid block is found. If a leg-crossing trapezoidal block group consisting of the three leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks ts, t5+1, and to shown in FIG. ,te. , and two normal trapezoidal pro,
will be changed accordingly.

That is, at 5310, the virtual line u, -1 and the virtual line U, as shown in FIG. 1, the intersection Os8, the imaginary line aS-+, and the imaginary line d. The intersection point Q- with 1 is found. Then, in 5311, the leg-crossing trapezoidal block group consisting of three leg-crossing trapezoidal blocks ts, t, , , t, and the normal trapezoidal blocks ts-+ and , l on both sides of the 14th leg-crossing trapezoid block group are Trapezoidal block OS as shown in the figure
-I Q $-10ill Q sO and trapezoidal block 0
．． , Q, and Oe + l Q e. , into two normal trapezoidal blocks.

S3] After executing 0.311, it is determined again in 5309 whether or not there is a leg-crossing trapezoid block group. The process of setting trapezoidal block data for the embroidery area is completed. Note that if the embroidery area does not include any leg-crossing trapezoid block group, 531
0 and 5311 are not executed, and in 5307 the trapezoidal program is stored in the trapezoidal program 2/ku data area 68.

The image data is used as is as embroidery data.

Through the above execution, the embroidery area including the leg-crossing trapezoidal block shown in FIG. 12 is changed to the embroidery area including only the normal trapezoidal flock shown in FIG. 13.

When embroidery is actually performed, the length of the line segment connecting the midpoints of the two legs of each trapezoidal block is divided by a predetermined embroidery stitch density to obtain the integer part of the quotient. , whose integer part divides the two bases of the trapezoidal block,
The needle position on each base is determined. Then, a zigzag stitch is performed in which the needle positions on both bottoms are alternately tied at every other needle position, resulting in the embroidery shown in FIG. 14.

As is clear from the above explanation, in this example,
The dot sequence data area 64 of the RAM 44 constitutes a dot sequence data storage means, and the zigzag stitch width data area 66 constitutes a zigzag stitch width data storage means. And CPU40.
ROM42 and RAM44 5301 to 5308
The part that executes 5309 to 3311 constitutes a trapezoidal block data setting means, and the part that executes 5309 to 3311 constitutes a trapezoidal block changing means.

In this embodiment, the embroidery data creation device is integrated with a control unit that controls the operation of the automatic sewing machine.
An embroidery data creation device is installed separately from the sewing machine, and the created embroidery data is stored on a magnetic disk.

It is also possible to record on a magnetic tape or the like.

When embroidering, the magnetic disk or magnetic tape is set in the magnetic disk reading device or magnetic tape reading device of the sewing machine, and read by the sewing machine's control computer.

In addition, in this embodiment, the trapezoid block is changed only when a leg-crossing trapezoid block occurs, but although the legs do not cross, the ratio of the two bottoms is large. , if there is a large difference in stitch density on each bottom, it is also possible to change the trapezoidal block in the same way as when a leg-crossing trapezoidal block occurs.

Although not illustrated in detail, it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining problems in a conventional embroidery data creation device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the main body of an automatic sewing machine equipped with an embroidery data creation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical control section of the automatic sewing machine. FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the RAM of the control section. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the embroidery data creation program stored in the ROM of the control section. 9 to 13 are diagrams for explaining the creation of embroidery data by the data creation device, and FIG. 14 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of embroidery using the created embroidery data. 12: Sewing machine arm 14: Needle bar support case 16: Needle bar 18: Needle 24: Needle selection motor 26: Sewing machine motor 28: Sewing machine head 38: Work cloth feeding device Fig. 1

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A dot sequence data storage means for storing dot sequence data representing the position of a dot sequence on a shape defining line that defines the shape of an embroidery area in which a zigzag stitch is to be performed with a predetermined zigzag width; a zigzag stitch width data storage means for storing zigzag stitch width data representing the width; and zigzag stitch width data storage means for storing zigzag stitch width data representing the width, and two points adjacent to each other in the dot sequence based on the point sequence data and zigzag stitch width data stored in both storage means. A first imaginary line and a second imaginary line that are parallel to each of the connecting line segments and whose distance from each other matches the zigzag stitch width are imaginary, and two intersection points of the first imaginary lines that are adjacent to each other are adjacent to each other. a trapezoidal block data setting means for setting trapezoidal block data for the zigzag stitch consisting of two intersection points of second virtual lines; and a trapezoidal block represented by the trapezoidal block data set by the trapezoidal block data setting means. is a leg-crossing trapezoidal block whose legs intersect with each other, trapezoidal block changing means for changing the leg-crossing trapezoidal block into a normal trapezoidal block whose legs do not intersect, data for an embroidery sewing machine. Creation device.