JP2005095304A - Embroidery sewing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an embroidery sewing machine that facilitates a layout operation on an editing screen when an editing screen is displayed after a plurality of patterns are selected on the selection screen.
[Solution]
When you select multiple patterns and then switch to the edit screen, all selected patterns are displayed as the initial position overlaid on the center of the sewing area on the edit screen. By adopting the sort control that automatically displays the pattern in the sewing area as appropriate, it is possible to easily check the specified pattern when performing a specified operation to move the pattern. The operation of moving the designated pattern to a desired position for embroidering with a sewing machine can be performed immediately and accurately.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an embroidery sewing machine, and more particularly to a layout operation for a plurality of selected patterns.

Conventionally, there has been an embroidery sewing machine capable of forming embroidery stitches on cloth based on embroidery sewing data corresponding to each pattern, from small patterns such as letters and one-point patterns to large patterns. Is provided.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-290083

In such a sewing machine, a transparent touch switch is disposed on the front surface of a liquid crystal display device provided in the sewing machine. A selection screen for selecting a desired embroidery pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen. When the operator presses the position where the desired pattern is displayed from among many pattern displays, the sewing machine touches the pressed touch. A pattern corresponding to the position of the switch is determined and stored as a selected pattern.

Next, the operator switches the display device to the editing screen. This edit screen has a sewing area corresponding to the embroidery frame mounted on the sewing machine, the selected pattern displayed in the sewing area, and a layout instructed to move in eight directions instructing movement of the pattern adjacent to the sewing area. The key is displayed.

On the editing screen immediately after the pattern is selected, the pattern layout position is displayed as the initial position in the center of the sewing area. Therefore, when the operator performs a layout operation to move the selected pattern to an arbitrary arrangement position to be sewn on the cloth by operating the layout key, the direction in which the selected pattern displayed on the editing screen is operated. Appears to move to. Thereafter, when the start switch of the sewing machine is operated, the sewing machine sequentially sews the selected pattern at the layout position.

However, in the above-described conventional example, when selecting a plurality of selected patterns and individually performing layout operations, if a plurality of pattern selections are continuously performed and then switched to the edit screen, all the selected patterns are set as initial positions in the sewing area. Since the images are displayed overlapping each other at the center, a plurality of patterns actually selected cannot be confirmed.
In addition, when an operation is performed to specify one pattern to be moved in order to move the selected pattern, the operator can identify the specified pattern by changing the density display of the specified pattern to a non-designated pattern. However, there is a problem that the designated pattern cannot be identified in a display state in which a plurality of patterns overlap.

Therefore, for the time being, the operator appropriately designates one pattern to be moved, and operates this layout key to move the pattern from the center position of the display screen to the periphery, by sequentially performing the operation for all the patterns. Make it possible to distinguish the shapes of individual patterns. After that, it is necessary to designate each pattern again and operate the layout key to move to a desired position for embroidering with a sewing machine. When 30 to 40 patterns are selected continuously on the selection screen, this work is a troublesome work that takes a very long time.

Further, when one pattern to be moved is specified, the embroidery frame is moved by driving the XY motor of the sewing machine so that the position of the embroidery frame corresponding to the position where the pattern is displayed becomes the needle down position. Moved automatically. Next, when the layout key is operated to move and display the pattern, the XY motor is driven to move the embroidery frame in response to the movement operation, which causes a problem that the noise of the mechanical system is intense.

  In the present invention, when a plurality of patterns are selected on the selection screen and then switched to the editing screen, all the selected patterns are displayed as initial positions overlapping the center of the sewing area of the editing screen. With a simple operation, all selected patterns are automatically scattered and displayed within the sewing area, so that when a specified operation is performed to move the pattern, the specified pattern can be easily confirmed. Another object of the present invention is to provide an embroidery sewing machine that can immediately and accurately perform an operation of moving the designated pattern to a desired position for embroidering with the sewing machine.

  To achieve the above object, in the embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1 of the present invention, sewing data storage means for storing embroidery sewing data and display data for a plurality of patterns, and an arbitrary pattern from the plurality of patterns A pattern selection means for selecting a pattern, a plurality of patterns selected by the pattern selection means, a selected pattern storage means for storing an initial position or a rewritten position as an arrangement position of each pattern, and storage in the selected pattern storage means Display means for displaying the stored pattern at the stored arrangement position, and instructing to move the position of an arbitrary pattern from the plurality of selected patterns displayed on the display means, the stored in the selected pattern storage means The layout means that rewrites the pattern placement position to the placement position after the movement, and calculates the placement position of each pattern so that all or part of the pattern is displayed on the display means. The distribution instruction means for instructing to rewrite the arrangement position of each pattern stored in the selected pattern storage means to the calculated new arrangement position, and the sewing data of the pattern stored in the selected pattern storage means are stored. Sewing means for forming an embroidery seam on the cloth by moving the embroidery frame supporting the cloth to XY based on the arranged position.

In the embroidery sewing machine according to claim 2 of the present invention, sewing data storage means for storing embroidery sewing data and display data for a plurality of patterns, display means for displaying the patterns, and a selection screen is displayed on the display means. A pattern selecting unit for selecting an arbitrary pattern from the plurality of patterns displayed on the display unit; a plurality of patterns selected by the pattern selecting unit; A selected pattern storage means for storing the position of the selected pattern, and an edit screen for editing the pattern by displaying the pattern stored in the selected pattern storage means at the stored arrangement position, and displaying the pattern displayed on the display means. A pattern editing means for editing, a switching means capable of switching the display screen from a selection screen to an editing screen, and a display means for displaying the editing screen by operating the switching means. The arrangement position of each pattern is calculated so that all or part of the selected pattern to be displayed is displayed, and the arrangement position of each pattern stored in the selected pattern storage means is calculated as the new arrangement position. And an initial distribution means for rewriting the data.

  In the embroidery sewing machine according to claim 3 of the present invention, when the sorting instruction means or the initial sorting means performs sorting twice or more, the placement position different from the placement position of each pattern calculated last time is computed and the selection is performed. The arrangement position of each pattern stored in the pattern storage means is rewritten again.

  In the embroidery sewing machine according to claim 4 of the present invention, when distribution is instructed by the distribution instruction means or the initial distribution means, the arrangement position is calculated so that the entire shape of each selected pattern is displayed on the display means, In the case where there is a pattern that cannot be displayed on a part or all of the figure, the arrangement position of the pattern on which the entire figure is displayed is rewritten in the selected pattern storage means and displayed on the display means.

  In the embroidery sewing machine according to claim 5 of the present invention, when there is a pattern in which a part or all of the figure cannot be displayed when the sorting is performed twice or more by the sorting instruction unit or the initial sorting unit, the display unit The pattern to be displayed is replaced with at least a part of the patterns that were not displayed at the time of the previous sorting.

  In the embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, the display positions of a plurality of selected patterns displayed on the display means are automatically moved so that all or a part of the shapes of the patterns are displayed. Work to move the pattern one by one can be eliminated.

The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 2 displays an edit screen after the sorting means is automatically executed when the display means is switched from the selection screen for selecting the pattern to the edit screen for operating the arrangement position of the selected pattern. Therefore, editing work can be made extremely easy.

  Since the embroidery sewing machine according to the third aspect can be assigned in advance to a position approximate to the layout operation performed thereafter, the layout operation can be facilitated.

Since the embroidery sewing machine according to the fourth aspect can be displayed on the editing screen so that the patterns do not overlap, it can be recognized immediately that there are too many selected patterns, and the selected patterns can be easily reselected.

  The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 5 can select a pattern that cannot be displayed because there are too many selected patterns when displayed so that the patterns do not overlap on the editing screen. be able to.

Embodiments of an embroidery sewing machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of an embroidery sewing machine according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 4 are flowcharts of the present invention.

  1 is a CPU as a control means provided in the sewing machine main body, 2 is a sewing machine motor for rotating the sewing machine main shaft to move the needle up and down, and simultaneously moving the cloth feed dog to the cloth feed, and 3 is a vertical body portion of the sewing machine main body. Is a liquid crystal display device (display means).

Reference numeral 4 denotes an XY motor that is mounted in an embroidery device that is detachably attached to the main body of the sewing machine and moves the embroidery frame that supports the cloth to XY. When the embroidery device is mounted on the sewing machine body, power can be supplied through the CPU 1 and the connector provided on the sewing machine body, and the CPU 1 detects the mounting of the embroidery device and drives the feed dog when the embroidery device is not mounted. The embroidery frame is driven by the XY motor to switch to the embroidery mode in which the seam is formed from the practical sewing mode in which the seam is formed. In the embroidery mode, the selection screen can be changed from the pattern display for practical sewing to the pattern for embroidery sewing during the pattern selection operation described later, and the edit screen for the selected pattern can be displayed. Thus, the feed movement of the feed dog is stopped while moving the needle up and down, and the XY motor is driven to form an embroidery stitch.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a start / stop switch arranged on the jaw of the sewing machine. Reference numeral 6 denotes a transparent touch switch arranged on the front surface of the liquid crystal display device. When the switch displayed on the liquid crystal display device is pressed, the transparent touch switch 6 A command signal is input to the CPU 1 to detect and execute the function of the switch.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a spindle detector which is mounted on the spindle and detects the upper and lower positions of the needle and a predetermined rotation angle and inputs a spindle position signal to the CPU 1. The CPU 1 detects the position from the spindle detector 7 during embroidery sewing. Each time a signal is received and it is detected that the needle has moved up and down, the XY motor is driven based on the embroidery stitch data to move the embroidery frame by one stitch, thereby forming a stitch.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a ROM (sewing data storage means) that stores embroidery sewing data and display data for a plurality of embroidery patterns, a sewing execution program, and a program for selecting and editing an embroidery sewing pattern, which will be described later. A RAM (selected pattern storage means) temporarily stores information such as a selected pattern, an arrangement position, other flags, and a counter value as information generated during the operation.

Next, the pattern selection and editing of the sewing machine set to the embroidery mode will be described.
In the embroidery mode, the sewing machine displays a selection screen including a pattern display unit for displaying a plurality of embroidery patterns and a selection pattern display unit on the liquid crystal display device. When an operator presses an arbitrary pattern displayed on the pattern display unit, the CPU 1 detects the operation, determines a selected pattern corresponding to the pressed position, stores it in the RAM 9, and stores it in the selected pattern display unit. The shape of the pattern is displayed (pattern selection means).

When the selected embroidery pattern is a character, for example, when a plurality of characters are selected continuously such as “ABC”, the CPU 1 discriminates “ABC” as one pattern and stores it in the RAM 9 and also selects the selected pattern. The character “ABC” is displayed on the display unit.

When the “separation” key displayed on the liquid crystal display device is operated in the middle of selecting a character, for example, when “A”, “B”, “separation”, and “C” are pressed. The pattern before and after the “separation” key is operated is discriminated as another pattern, and two independent patterns “AB” and “C” are selected and stored in the RAM 9 and “ Like “AB, C”, the characters “AB”, the separator “,” and the character “C” are displayed.

When a plurality of small embroidery patterns such as one-point patterns or large embroidery patterns with a large number of stitches are selected in succession, the individual patterns are individually stored in the RAM 9 as one pattern and selected. The displayed patterns are displayed in order of selection.
The embroidery pattern may be selected by mixing the characters or one-point pattern.
FIG. 5 shows three independent character patterns and three graphic patterns as an example of pattern selection.

Thus, when the operator finishes selecting a desired pattern and operates the “edit” key (switching means) displayed on the selection screen, the CPU 1 edits the display on the liquid crystal display device 3 from the selection screen. Switch to the screen.

An editing operation (pattern editing means) on the editing screen will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
On the edit screen, an embroidery frame attached to the sewing machine displays a box indicating the sewing area in which the sewing machine can be embroidered, a sorting key, a pattern designation key, a layout key, a center key, a frame edge key, an enlargement key, a reduction key, and rotation. The key, combination key, and editing end key are displayed.

On the editing screen immediately after the pattern is selected, the pattern layout position is displayed as the initial position in the center of the sewing area. FIG. 6 shows the display state of the edit screen when the six patterns in FIG. 5 are selected and then switched to the edit screen. All the centers of the selected patterns are displayed at the center position of the sewing area and finally selected. A shadow of a circular figure and a shadow of a pattern that protrudes from the circular figure are displayed. A square line surrounding the pattern represents a sewing area.

Next, the operator performs pattern distribution as a preparation for moving the selected pattern to a predetermined position to be embroidered.
The algorithm for allocating the patterns calculates the size of the patterns and arranges the patterns so as not to be sequentially overlapped in a predetermined direction or at predetermined intervals.
The distribution is executed by operating a distribution key (distribution instruction means) (S1).

The CPU 1 executes distribution control (S2) in which the selected pattern overlapping the center in the sewing area as shown in FIG. 6 is sequentially arranged in the sewing area as shown in FIG. This distribution can be performed many times. Each time a distribution instruction is given, the pattern distribution position is shifted within the sewing area, and then the desired embroidery is performed during the layout movement operation to move to the pattern embroidery position. Allows selection of a position close to the position. The algorithm for shifting the pattern position shifts the pattern distributed in the sewing area by one pattern every time it is distributed.

Therefore, the number of operations of the distribution key is counted to determine a pattern for starting the distribution. The distribution key operation counter N has an initial value = 0, and 1 is added to N = 1 (S10). The N value is read into a distribution counter M for determining a pattern to be distributed (S11).

Next, distribution calculation is started. Since M = 1 this time, the first pattern “A” is read out of the six selected patterns “A” to “Circular pattern” stored in the RAM 9 in the pattern selection order (S12). .
Next, a square frame (enclosed frame) surrounded by the maximum vertical and horizontal values of the pattern is calculated as the size of the pattern (S13), and is calculated so as to be arranged at the upper left of the sewing area (S14). After determining whether the pattern protrudes (S15), the arrangement position is stored in the RAM 9 and a display of arranging "A" at the upper left of the editing screen is performed (S16).

Next, the number of patterns that have been distributed is counted (S18), and the number of patterns that have been distributed is 1, which is different from the number of selected patterns 6. Therefore, the distribution does not end (S19), and 1 is added to the distribution counter M. Thus, M = 2 and the second pattern is read (S20).
Thereafter, in the same manner, the second pattern “B” is read from the RAM 9, the size is calculated, and the calculation is repeated so as not to overlap the left of the “A” and at a predetermined interval. It is. Thereafter, in the calculation of the sorting position in S14, when the surrounding frame of the pattern overlaps the right end of the sewing area, the pattern is repeatedly arranged at a predetermined interval below “A” and then arranged again on the right side. . Thus, the sort display shown in FIG. 7 is performed.

If the number of selected patterns is large and the pattern protrudes from the lower right of the sewing area (S15), this is discriminated and the operator is allowed to display the pattern shape and the pattern selection invalid or overlap display permission. indicate. When the operator instructs invalidation of pattern selection, a flag for non-display and sewing is set without deleting the pattern from the RAM. Further, when the operator supports the overlap display, the arrangement position for packing the patterns so that the surrounding frames of the patterns partially overlap is calculated, the arrangement position is stored in the RAM 9, and the arrangement position on the editing screen is set. Pattern display is performed (S16).
When the arrangement position by the distribution of the six selected patterns is determined in this way, the pattern number counter becomes 6 (S18), and upon completion of the distribution of the six selected patterns (S19), the screen returns to the editing screen.

Here, when the distribution key (S1) is operated again, the distribution start pattern counter becomes N = 2, “2” is input to M, and the distribution pattern selection starts from the second selection pattern “B”. It starts (S10-12). After calculating the size of “B”, the center of the pattern is arranged at the upper left of the sewing area as shown in FIG. 8 (S14-19). Next, M = 3, the third selected pattern “C” is read, and the center of the pattern is arranged to the right of the “B”. Similarly, when the arrangement of five selected patterns from “A” to “triangular figure” is determined, if 1 is added to M in S20, M = 7, but the number of selected patterns exceeds six. When M = 1, the first selected pattern is discriminated (S20), and the first selected pattern “A” is read out and arranged at the lower right as shown in FIG. (S14). Then, the pattern number counter becomes 6 (S18), and since it is the same as the selected pattern number 6, the distribution screen is returned to the editing screen by the end of sorting (S19).

As described above, when the sorting key is operated a plurality of times, the arrangement position of the selected pattern is displayed so as to be separated in the display of the sewing area every time the operation is performed. A sorting position can be selected in advance.

Next, the operator operates a pattern designation key for designating one pattern from a plurality of patterns displayed in the sewing area (S3). The operation of the designation key can be performed a plurality of times. In the first operation, the fact that the display density of the first selected pattern “A” has been changed and designated is highlighted. The pattern is highlighted in the order selected by repeating the designation operation many times. Since all patterns are displayed so as to be recognizable by the distribution control, the designated pattern can be reliably identified.

Next, when the layout operation is performed to move the pattern designated by the pattern designation key to an arbitrary arrangement position on the cloth by operating the switch in the eight directions as the layout key, the selected pattern displayed on the editing screen is manipulated. Is displayed so as to move a predetermined amount of movement in the selected direction.
In this way, all the selected patterns can be individually moved to a predetermined arrangement position by designating the pattern whose arrangement position is to be moved with the pattern designation key and moving with the layout key.

When a selected pattern is displayed on the editing screen and a new pattern is additionally selected, the combination key (S9) can be operated to return to the selection screen on which the already selected pattern is displayed. .
On the edit screen, in addition to the editing operation using the layout key and the distribution instruction key, the displayed pattern is enlarged or reduced by operating the enlargement key or reduction key, and displayed by operating the rotation key. A desired editing operation is performed on the pattern so as to rotate the pattern on the pattern by a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction (S7, S8).

When the pattern editing is thus completed, the editing end key is operated (S11). The display screen changes to a sewing screen, and a layout display of the selected pattern, a plurality of color parts constituting the pattern to be sewn are displayed in the sewing order, and a sewing time is further displayed. Next, when the operator operates the start / stop switch 5, the sewing machine sequentially reads out and sews the selected pattern in the order of selection at the laid out position.

It has been described that the sorting operation by the sorting means of the selected pattern is performed by one or more operations of the sorting key. However, even when the sorting screen is automatically switched to the editing screen, the sorting can be automatically executed. Good (initial distribution means).
That is, FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which a sorting operation is executed when switching the display to the editing screen shown in FIG. As a condition for automatically executing the sorting operation, for example, when there are two or more selected patterns (S30), and the plurality of selected patterns are arranged to overlap the center of the sewing area as an initial value, the editing screen is displayed. Before display, the distribution control shown in FIG. 3 is performed once in advance (S31), and the selected pattern is displayed on the editing screen at a new arrangement position rewritten in the RAM 9 after distribution (S16) (S32). Thus, the layout operation by the layout key can be performed immediately after the editing screen is displayed, and the convenience of editing work can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the selection pattern distribution algorithm calculates a square frame drawn by the maximum value of the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the pattern as the pattern size, and sequentially selects a plurality of selected patterns from the upper left to the right or at predetermined intervals. Although it arrange | positions so that it may vacate and it may repeat in the same way from the lower part when it overlaps with the right end, it is not restricted to this.

For example, the calculation of the pattern size may use the actual shape of the pattern. In this case, if the pattern has irregularities, it may be arranged to include the pattern if the next selected pattern is in the depression. Good.

In addition, the start position for arranging the patterns is not limited to the upper left, and may be any of the lower left, upper right, or lower right. It is.

In addition, the pattern distribution position in the sewing area may be fixed in advance in, for example, a matrix in the sewing area, and the arrangement position may be stored so that the selected pattern is sequentially applied to each position.

In addition, when arranging the patterns sequentially according to the size of the pattern, or when arranging them in a fixed shape, the arrangement shape may be rounded with a plurality of patterns, or the outer periphery of the sewing area may be surrounded, By disposing the components downward, it is possible to facilitate subsequent layout operations.

Further, when the size of the pattern is determined, a large pattern that occupies more than half of the sewing area may be arranged near the center and a small pattern may be arranged around the center.

Also, when changing the arrangement order of patterns, instead of shifting one pattern each time the pattern is sorted, the operator inputs in advance the number of patterns to be shifted, or two or three patterns. It may be shifted. Or you may make it determine the selection pattern to move next using a random number.

Furthermore, although it has been described that all the patterns are sorted so as not to overlap each other, a part of the patterns may be displayed overlapping each other. That is, depending on the pattern, the layout operation may be performed so that the pattern overlaps, and it is only necessary to be able to discriminate when the pattern is designated at that time.

Control block diagram of an embroidery sewing machine according to the present invention It is an operation flowchart of the edit screen of the embroidery sewing machine according to the present invention. It is a flowchart of distribution control of the present invention. It is a flowchart of distribution control of the present invention. It is a display example of a selection screen showing the state of pattern selection FIG. 5 is an example in which the pattern selected in FIG. 5 is displayed by switching to the editing screen. FIG. 6A is a first display example of an editing screen in which the pattern selected in FIG. 5 is distributed and controlled. FIG. 6 is a second display example of an editing screen in which the pattern selected in FIG. 5 is assigned again.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 Sewing motor 3 Liquid crystal display 4 XY motor 5 Start / stop switch 6 Transparent touch switch 7 Spindle detector 8 ROM
9 RAM

Claims (5)

Sewing data storage means for storing embroidery sewing data and display data for a plurality of patterns;
Pattern selecting means for selecting an arbitrary pattern from the plurality of patterns;
A plurality of patterns selected by the pattern selection means, and a selected pattern storage means for storing an initial position or a position after rewriting as an arrangement position of each pattern;
Display means for displaying the pattern stored in the selected pattern storage means at the stored arrangement position;
When instructed to move the position of an arbitrary pattern from a plurality of selected patterns displayed on the display means, layout means for rewriting the arrangement position of the pattern stored in the selected pattern storage means to the arrangement position after movement;
The layout position of each pattern is calculated so that all or part of the pattern is displayed on the display means, and the calculated layout position of each pattern stored in the selected pattern storage means is calculated. A distribution instruction means for instructing to rewrite the position;
Sewing means for forming an embroidery seam on the cloth by moving the embroidery frame supporting the cloth to XY based on the arrangement position where the sewing data of the pattern stored in the selected pattern storage means is stored; Embroidery sewing machine characterized by Sewing data storage means for storing embroidery sewing data and display data for a plurality of patterns;
Display means for displaying a pattern;
A pattern selection unit that displays a selection screen on the display unit and selects an arbitrary pattern from the plurality of patterns displayed on the display unit;
A plurality of patterns selected by the pattern selection means, and a selected pattern storage means for storing an initial position or a position after rewriting as an arrangement position of each pattern;
A pattern editing means for displaying a pattern stored in the selected pattern storage means at a stored arrangement position and editing a pattern, and editing the pattern displayed on the display means;
Switching means capable of switching the display screen from a selection screen to an editing screen;
When the editing screen is displayed by the operation of the switching means, the arrangement position of each pattern is calculated so that all or some of the shapes of each selected pattern displayed on the display means are displayed, and the selected pattern storage means An embroidery sewing machine comprising initial distribution means for rewriting a stored arrangement position of each pattern to the calculated new arrangement position. When sorting is performed twice or more by the sorting instruction means or the initial sorting means, a placement position different from the previous placement position of each pattern is calculated, and the placement position of each pattern stored in the selected pattern storage means is calculated. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the embroidery sewing machine is rewritten again. When there is a pattern in which the placement position is calculated so that the entire shape of each selected pattern is displayed on the display means when a sorting instruction is given by the sorting instruction means or the initial sorting means, and a part or all of the figure cannot be displayed. The embroidery sewing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the arrangement position of the pattern in which the entire figure is displayed is rewritten in the selected pattern storage means and displayed on the display means. If there is a pattern that cannot be displayed in part or all of the figure when it is distributed more than once by the distribution instruction means or the initial distribution means, the pattern that is displayed on the display means is not displayed at the time of the previous distribution. The embroidery sewing machine according to claim 4, wherein the sewing machine is replaced with at least a part of the pattern.

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