JP2003126576A - Setting method for automatically arranged embroidery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability, and shorten a period of time required for setting. SOLUTION: This setting method for the automatically arranged embroidery includes four stages. In the first stage (a step S51), information regarding the size of a pattern is inputted from designated pattern data. In the second stage (steps S52 to S55), information regarding the embroidery range is inputted by moving an embroidery frame. In the third stage (a step S56), a gap interval between patterns is numerically inputted. In the fourth stage (a step S57), at least the gap interval between the patterns is ensured, and a number of patterns which can be arranged in the embroidery range is calculated. Also, the corrected gap interval between the patterns in order to evenly arrange the number of patterns within the embroidery range is calculated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for automatically setting embroidery in which one pattern is arranged in a matrix to automatically form embroidery in accordance with a set value.
In the sewing machine, the left-right direction is conventionally referred to as the X direction (or the V direction), and the front-rear direction is referred to as the Y direction (or the H direction).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional automatic arrangement embroidery setting method,
The one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3100709 is exemplified. In this method, as shown in FIG. 7, first, an embroidery frame is moved by operating an operation panel (not shown),
The embroidery start point A of the pattern 60a to be sewn first in the embroidery range is made to coincide with the needle drop position of the embroidery sewing machine (position where the needle descends), and the position of the embroidery frame at that time is stored in the embroidery sewing machine as the first position. . Similarly, by moving the embroidery frame in the X direction, the embroidery start point B of the second pattern 60b to be sewn and the X
Pattern 60 at the embroidery limit point within the embroidery range regarding the direction
The embroidery start point C of c is stored. Next, the embroidery start point C
The embroidery frame is moved in the Y direction from, and the embroidery start point D of the pattern 60d adjacent to the pattern 60c in the Y direction and the embroidery start point E of the pattern 60e at the embroidery limit portion within the embroidery range in the Y direction are stored. . Then, by the distance Xab between the embroidery start points A and B and the distance Xac between the embroidery start points A and C, X
The number Nx of patterns that can be sewn in the embroidery range in the direction is calculated as follows, and the integer part thereof is adopted as the number. Nx = (Xac / Xab) +1 The number Ny of patterns that can be sewn in the embroidery range in the Y direction is calculated from the distance Ycd between the embroidery start points C and D and the distance Yce between the embroidery start points C and E. Then, the integer part is adopted as the number. Ny = (Yce / Ycd) +1

[0003]

However, in the setting method of the conventional example, it is necessary to specify as many as five embroidery start points A to E while moving the embroidery frame, which is troublesome and time consuming. .

Further, since the embroidery start point is set, the range of the pattern in the X and Y directions from the embroidery start point is confirmed in advance so that the pattern does not overflow from the embroidery range. In addition, five embroidery start points must be specified while paying attention to the range of the pattern, which causes a problem of poor operability.

Further, in order to form an actual pattern at the positions of the embroidery start points B to E, the embroidery start points A to E are set so that Xac and Yce are just integer multiples of Xab and Ycd, respectively. The position must be calculated in advance and the embroidery start point must be set based on the calculated value, which is troublesome. If this calculation is not performed, for example, at the embroidery start point E, the position may shift inside the embroidery range by the maximum distances Xab and Ycd in the X and Y directions, respectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a setting method of automatic array embroidery which solves the above problems, improves operability, and shortens the time required for setting.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the automatic arrangement embroidery setting method of the present invention provides information on an embroidery range by inputting design data and moving an embroidery frame. The step of inputting, the step of numerically inputting the space between patterns, the information on the size of the pattern included in the specified pattern data, the information on the embroidery range, and the space between the patterns based on the space between the patterns. Calculating the number of patterns that can be arranged within the range.

The step of inputting the information about the embroidery range is not particularly limited, but an example of inputting position information for specifying the embroidery range will be described below. The embroidery range is not limited to a rectangle, but may be a circle, a polygon such as a triangle or a pentagon, or a shape surrounded by a free curve. (1) The embroidery range is a rectangle, and the step of inputting information about the embroidery range is such that one vertex of the rectangle corresponds to the needle drop position of the sewing machine and the position of the embroidery frame at that time is set as the first position. A mode in which the diagonal side vertex of the one vertex is made to correspond to the needle drop position of the sewing machine, and the position of the embroidery frame at that time is inputted as the second position. (2) The embroidery range is circular, and the step of inputting information about the embroidery range is such that the center point of the circle corresponds to the needle drop position of the sewing machine and the position of the embroidery frame at that time is set as the first position. A mode in which one point on the circumference of the circle is made to correspond to the needle drop position of the sewing machine and the position of the embroidery frame at that time is input as the second position. (3) The embroidery area is circular, and the step of inputting information about the embroidery area is such that one point on the circumference of the circle corresponds to the needle drop position of the sewing machine and the position of the embroidery frame at that time is set to the first position. Input it as one position, make another point on the circumference correspond to the needle drop position of the sewing machine, and input the position of the embroidery frame at that time as the second position, and make another point on the circumference. A mode that corresponds to the needle drop position of the sewing machine and inputs the position of the embroidery frame at that time as the third position.

Further, instead of inputting the information about the embroidery range, a step of automatically setting preset information about the maximum embroidery range to be sewn in the embroidery frame as the information about the embroidery range is included. A mode is illustrated.

In the calculating step, the number of patterns that can be arranged in the embroidery range is calculated by securing at least the space between the patterns, and the patterns of the number are evenly arranged in the embroidery range. An example of calculating a corrected gap distance between patterns for performing is illustrated.

[0011]

1 to 6 show an automatic embroidery setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
First, the embroidery sewing machine 1 using this setting method will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the embroidery sewing machine 1 includes a control device 2 having a microcomputer (not shown) built therein. The control device 2 includes an operation panel 3 including a display unit 4, an input unit 5, and an FD (flexible disk) drive 6.
A spindle drive mechanism 7 for driving a needle and a shuttle (both not shown) and a frame drive mechanism 9 for driving an embroidery frame 8 formed in a rectangular frame shape are connected. And the control device 2
5 reads pattern data from the FD as a computer-readable recording medium into the storage unit 10 via the FD drive 6, controls the spindle drive mechanism 7 and the frame drive mechanism 9 based on the pattern data, and is shown in FIG. Thus, the pattern 11 is formed on the work cloth W stretched on the embroidery frame 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, the input section 5 of the operation panel 3 includes a power switch 20, a jog switch section 21, a numerical value input switch section 22 and a function switch section 23 of the embroidery sewing machine 1. Jog switch section 2
1 is an origin switch 21a for automatically positioning the work cloth W stretched on the embroidery frame 8 to a start point S with respect to the needle (not shown) of the sewing machine head, and moves the embroidery frame in the X direction. X-direction movement switches 21b and 21c for
It is provided with Y-direction movement switches 21d and 21e for moving the embroidery frame in the Y direction. Numerical value input switch section 2
2 is a numeral switch 22a for inputting the numerical data of 0 to 9 and C for erasing the already input data.
The L switch 22b and the SET switch 22c for confirming the input data are provided. Each function switch unit 23 includes four function switches 23a to 23d to which functions are appropriately assigned according to the processing being executed by the control device 2.

The pattern data is, for example, stitch data as hand movement data for forming the pattern 11 shown in FIG. 3, the size of the pattern (size lx in the X direction, size ly in the Y direction), and the maximum position with respect to the embroidery start point S. The data includes the coordinates (Xj, Yj) of the point J and the coordinates (Xk, Yk) of the point K as data, and the coordinates (Xe, Ye) of the embroidery end point E with respect to the embroidery start point S. The frame indicated by the chain double-dashed line in the figure is a virtual frame for explanation.

Next, a method of setting automatic arrangement embroidery (step S50) will be described in order with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this example, embroidery processing is performed within the rectangular embroidery range. First, from the pattern data stored in the storage unit 10, the data to be embroidered is designated, and the SET switch 22c of the operation panel 3 is pressed to store the data name in the storage unit 10 (step S51). This is the stage of inputting designating pattern data. The method of designating the pattern data is not particularly limited, but for example, the data name of the pattern data or a plurality of reduced images of the pattern 11 are displayed (see FIG. 2), and the jog switch section 21 or the function switch section 23 is selected from among them. The method of using and specifying is illustrated.

Next, the jog switch portion 21 of the operation panel 3 is operated to move the embroidery frame 8, and the point A (coordinate value: Xa, Ya) as one vertex of the rectangle of the embroidery range shown in FIG. Corresponding to the needle drop position of 1 (step S5
2) The SET switch 22c is pressed to store the position of the embroidery frame 8 at that time in the storage unit 10 as the first position (step S53). Next, the jog switch unit 21 is operated to move the embroidery frame 8 so that the point B (coordinate values: Xb, Yb) as the apex on the diagonal side of the point A shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the needle drop position of the embroidery sewing machine 1. Then, the SET switch 22c is pressed (step S54), and the position of the embroidery frame 8 at that time is stored in the storage unit 10 as the second position (step S55). These steps S52 to S55 are the steps of inputting information about the embroidery range.

Next, the numerical value input switch section 22 is operated to numerically input the minimum values ldx0 and ldy0 of the clearance gap between the handles in the X and Y directions, and the SET switch 2
Press 2c to store it in the storage unit 10 (step S5).
6). This is the step of inputting the gap distance between the patterns.

Then, the control device 2 calculates the number of patterns Nx, Ny in the X and Y directions and the gap intervals ldx, ldy between the patterns as follows (step S57). This is the calculation stage. First, in the X direction, the size 11 of the pattern 11 included in the designated pattern data, the size Lx of the embroidery range obtained from the input position Xb-Xa, and the minimum value ldx0 of the gap interval are set within the embroidery range. The number nx (real number) of patterns 11 that can be formed is calculated by the following formula. nx = (Lx + ldx0) ÷ (lx + ldx0) Pattern 1 consisting of the integer part of the number nx (real value) of this pattern 11
From the number Nx of 1s, the size lx of the pattern 11, and the size Lx of the embroidery range, the corrected gap interval ldx is obtained by the following formula. ldx = (Lx−1x × Nx) ÷ (Nx−1) Therefore, in the X direction, Nx patterns 11 are formed in the size Lx of the embroidery range with the corrected gap distance ldx.

Also in the Y direction, as in the X direction,
The size ly of the pattern 11 included in the specified pattern data and the size L of the embroidery range obtained from the input position Yb-Ya
The number ny (real number) of patterns 11 that can be formed in the embroidery range is calculated from y and the minimum value ldy0 of the gap interval by the following formula. ny = (Ly + ldy0) ÷ (ly + ldy0) Pattern 1 consisting of the integer part of the number ny (real value) of this pattern 11
From the number Ny of 1s, the size ly of the pattern 11 and the size Ly of the embroidery range, the corrected gap interval ldy is obtained by the following formula. ldy = (Ly−ly × Ny) ÷ (Ny−1) Therefore, in the Y direction, Ny patterns 11 are formed in the size Ly of the embroidery range with the corrected gap interval ldy.

When an instruction to start embroidery processing is input from the input unit 5 of the operation panel 3, the automatic operation is automatically performed according to the preset operating conditions (conditions such as the position and direction of the starting point). It moves to that point and embroidery processing is started.

According to the automatic arrangement embroidery setting method configured as described above, since the embroidery frame 8 is actually moved and set only in the embroidery range, the labor and time required for the setting can be reduced. It is possible and has good operability. Since the embroidery frame 8 is actually moved to set the embroidery position as the embroidery range in this way, the intermediate bar 15 is attached to the embroidery frame 8 as shown in FIG. Even if the range is appropriately narrowed, it is possible to deal with it without any problem. As for information other than the embroidery range, the information about the size of the pattern 11 is input from the specified pattern data, and the minimum values ldx0 and ldy0 of the space between patterns are numerically input. Since it is not necessary to move the frame 8, the operability is good and the time required for setting can be shortened.

Further, since the rectangular embroidery range is set by the position of one apex A of the rectangle and the position of the apex B on the diagonal side of the one apex, the embroidery start point of the pattern 11 is set. Unlike the conventional method of setting the embroidery range, it is not necessary to pay attention to the range of the pattern 11. Therefore, the operability is good, and the time required for setting can be shortened.

Further, at least the clearance gap ldx0 between the handles,
Number of patterns 11 that can be arranged within the embroidery range by securing ldy0 N
Since x and Ny are calculated and the corrected gap distances ldx and ldy between the patterns 11 for evenly arranging the patterns 11 in the embroidery range are calculated, the patterns are entirely arranged in the embroidery range. 1
1 can be evenly allocated, and unlike the conventional case, the position of the handle 11 on one end side of the embroidery range does not shift. Since the pattern 11 can be sewn to the full extent of the embroidery area in this manner, the material can be effectively used without waste.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be embodied with various modifications as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention, for example. (1) At the stage of setting the information about the embroidery range, the preset information about the maximum embroidery range that can be sewn in the frame of the embroidery frame 8 is automatically set as the information about the embroidery range. Specifically, the coordinates of the point A and the point B relating to the maximum embroidery range that can be sewn within the frame of the embroidery frame 8 are stored in the storage unit 10 in advance, and the coordinates are automatically set. To do. By doing this, when performing automatic array embroidery within the maximum embroidery range that can be sewn within the frame of the embroidery frame 8, it is not necessary to move the embroidery frame 8 to set the embroidery range, which further improves operability and reduces the time required for setting. Can be further shortened.

(2) The order of executing the step of inputting information on the size of the pattern 11 from the designated pattern data, the step of setting information on the embroidery range, and the step of numerically inputting the gap interval between the patterns Change accordingly.

(3) A preview screen showing a state when the automatic array embroidery is actually executed is displayed on the display unit 4 of the operation panel 3 before the embroidery is started. For example, it may be configured to display the state as shown in FIG. (4) The minimum value of the gap distance between the handles in the X and Y directions should be set in common. This way you only have to enter one minimum value. (5) Replace the FD drive 6 with a device that reads data from other recording media such as MO (magneto-optical) discs and CD (compact) discs.

[0026]

As described in detail above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the automatic arrangement embroidery setting method according to any one of 4 to 4, the operability can be improved and the time required for setting can be shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embroidery sewing machine using an automatic array embroidery setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an operation panel of the embroidery sewing machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating pattern data of the embroidery sewing machine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of the setting method.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the setting method.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modified example of the setting method.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a conventional method for setting automatic arrangement embroidery.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 embroidery sewing machine 2 controller 3 Operation panel 4 Display 5 Input section 8 embroidery frames 10 memory 11 patterns 21 Jog switch section 22 Numerical value input switch section

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A step of inputting designation of pattern data, a step of inputting information on an embroidery range by moving an embroidery frame, a step of numerically inputting a gap interval between patterns, and the designated pattern data. And a step of calculating the number of patterns that can be arranged within the embroidery range based on the information about the size of the pattern included in the above, information about the embroidery range, and the gap distance between the patterns. 2. The embroidery area is a rectangle, and the step of inputting information about the embroidery area is such that one apex of the rectangle corresponds to a needle drop position of the sewing machine.
The position of the embroidery frame at that time is input as the first position, the diagonal side vertex of the one vertex is made to correspond to the needle drop position of the sewing machine, and the position of the embroidery frame at that time is input as the second position. The automatic embroidery setting method described in 1. 3. A step of automatically setting, as the information on the embroidery range, preset information about the maximum embroidery range to be sewn in the frame of the embroidery frame, instead of inputting the information on the embroidery range. The automatic arrangement embroidery setting method according to claim 1. 4. The step of calculating calculates the number of patterns that can be arranged in the embroidery range while ensuring at least a gap between the patterns, and evenly arranges the number of patterns in the embroidery range. The method for setting automatic arrangement embroidery according to claim 1, wherein the corrected gap distance between patterns for calculating is calculated.