JP2006198309A - Composite data processing apparatus and embroidery data processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To minimize a positional deviation between an embroidery pattern and a printed pattern as much as possible when printing a printed pattern by overlapping with an embroidery pattern embroidered on a fabric, and to make it possible to fuse embroidery and printing.
SOLUTION: Pre-selected embroidery data is read (S11), an envelope area for enclosing a plurality of embroidery areas included in an embroidery pattern is obtained based on the read embroidery data (S13), and the center position of the envelope area Is obtained (S14). On the other hand, for each embroidery area, a rectangular area is obtained (S15), the center position of each embroidery area is obtained (S16), and the center-to-center distance from the center of the envelope area to the center of each embroidery area is obtained (S17). If there is no overlapping area in the embroidery area (S19: No), the embroidery processing is performed so that the embroidery area is closer to the center position of the envelope area, that is, the shorter the distance between the centers, the earlier the embroidery processing is performed. The sewing order of the areas is determined (S21).
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  In the present invention, when an embroidery pattern is embroidered on a fabric and a printed pattern is printed overlapping with the embroidery pattern, the sewing order of the embroidery pattern is adjusted so as to deal with any shrinkage or sewing of the fabric caused by the embroidery. The present invention relates to a method for changing or continuously processing embroidery and printing.

  Conventionally, using embroidery data composed of a large number of needle drop data (so-called stitch data), not only embroidery is performed on a fabric by an embroidery sewing machine, but recently, the embroidery data is expanded into print data which is bitmap data, The embroidery pattern can be printed with a printer.

  For example, the fabric (fabric) processing method described in Patent Document 1 extracts an outline of an embroidery area based on embroidery data created from image data, and further applies the entire embroidery area defined by the outline. By developing the data into bitmap data, print data to be printed on at least a part of the embroidery area is created from the embroidery data, and the embroidery thread is embroidered on the fabric based on the embroidery data. In addition, a combined processing technique of embroidery processing and printing processing is disclosed in which printing is performed by an ink-jet printer based on print data so that gloss can be exhibited on the entire surface of the embroidery region and the texture of the embroidery can be expressed. .

In recent years, printers capable of printing on fabric have been put into practical use. Therefore, for example, there is a demand to print a T-shirt or the like using a printer and embroider it with an embroidery sewing machine so as to fuse the goodness of embroidery with the goodness of printing and create a textured T-shirt. There is.
JP 2004-263350 A (pages 6-7, FIG. 3)

  In general, a fabric in which an embroidery pattern is embroidered by an embroidery sewing machine has a shrinkage, and the larger the embroidery pattern is, the more the embroidery is embroidered on a fabric that is excellent in contractibility, the more the shrinkage becomes. Therefore, when print data and embroidery data are created based on image data of an image depicting a plurality of patterns, printed using the print data, and embroidered using an embroidery machine using the embroidery data In the printing technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, since the fabric stitches are not dealt with, misalignment occurs in the printed pattern on which the embroidery pattern is printed.

  For this reason, when the embroidery pattern and the printed pattern are overlapped, a part of the embroidery pattern protrudes from the printed pattern, and the three-dimensional feeling and texture feeling in which the embroidery pattern and the printed pattern are mixed are impaired. There is a problem such as that.

  The composite data processing apparatus according to claim 1 is a composite data processing apparatus for processing embroidery data for embroidering an embroidery pattern on a fabric with an embroidery machine and print data for printing on the fabric with a printer. Embroidery area defining means for obtaining each embroidery area based on embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern including a plurality of embroidery areas, and a plurality of embroidery areas obtained by the embroidery area defining means An envelope area calculating means for calculating an envelope area enveloping with a shape, a center calculating means for calculating the center position of the envelope area obtained by the envelope area calculating means, and a plurality of embroidery areas closer to the center position so as to be embroidered earlier. Sewing order determining means for determining a sewing order related to the embroidery region.

  When each embroidery area included in the embroidery data is obtained by the embroidery area demarcating means based on the embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern including a plurality of embroidery areas, the envelope area calculating means calculates the plurality of embroidery areas. An envelope area that envelops the embroidery area in a predetermined shape is calculated, and the center position of the envelope area thus obtained is calculated by the center calculation means. Then, the sewing order for the plurality of embroidery areas is determined so that the embroidery area closer to the center position is embroidered first.

  When the embroidery process is first executed on the embroidery area close to the center position of the envelope area based on the sewing order determined in this way, the embroidery causes a slight shrinkage on the fabric. However, the stitch shrinkage is distributed radially outside the first embroidered pattern. Therefore, the embroidery area to be embroidered after the next is mostly located outside in the radial direction with respect to the first embroidery pattern, so any embroidery area to be embroidered after the first is embroidered first. Since it is affected only by the shrinkage due to the embroidery sewing, the positional deviation of the embroidery area to be embroidered after the second is very small.

  Therefore, after performing embroidery processing on these plurality of embroidery areas, if printing is performed using print data overlapping with these plurality of embroidery areas, there will be no misalignment between the first embroidery area and the print area, Moreover, the positional deviation between the embroidery pattern embroidered in the second and subsequent embroidery areas and the print area is very small.

  The composite data processing apparatus according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the sewing order determining means calculates the center positions of the plurality of embroidery areas, and the center position of the plurality of embroidery areas and the center position of the envelope area. The sewing order is determined based on the above.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the first or second aspect, the envelope area calculation means calculates an envelope area that envelops a plurality of embroidery areas in a rectangular shape.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the composite data processing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the sewing order determining means determines at least a part of overlapping embroidery areas from the arrangement order of the embroidery data. The sewing order is determined so that the sewing order is set in advance.

  The composite data processing device according to claim 5 is a composite data processing device for processing embroidery data for embroidering an embroidery pattern on a fabric by a embroidery machine and print data for printing on the fabric by a printer. Embroidery area defining means for obtaining each embroidery area based on embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern including a plurality of embroidery areas, and all or a plurality of embroidery areas obtained by the embroidery area defining means A duplication detection means for detecting whether or not a part and a print area printed with print data overlap at least partially, and an embroidery area and a print area that at least partially overlap upon receiving a detection result of the duplication detection means Through the arrangement sequence of the embroidery data and the print data corresponding to the embroidery area and the print area so that the embroidery process and the print process for the overlap area are continuously executed. It is obtained by a process order setting means for setting the processing order.

  When each embroidery area included in the embroidery data is obtained by the embroidery area demarcating means based on the embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern including a plurality of embroidery areas, the duplication detecting means obtains the plurality of embroidery areas. Whether or not all or a part of the embroidery area overlaps at least partially with the print area printed with the print data is detected. For at least partially overlapped embroidery area and print area, the embroidery processing for the overlap area is performed. The processing order is set through the arrangement order of the embroidery data and the printing data corresponding to the embroidery area and the printing area.

  That is, for at least partially overlapping embroidery areas and print areas, the embroidery process and the print process are continuously executed as a set based on the determined processing order. For this reason, sewing shrinkage occurs each time embroidery processing is performed. By executing the embroidery processing and printing processing as a set, the effect of misalignment due to sewing shrinkage caused by previous embroidery processing can be substantially avoided. This eliminates the misalignment between the embroidery area and the print area relative to the overlapping area.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the composite data processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the processing order setting means is configured to be able to set the processing order of the embroidery processing and the printing processing based on an operator's designation.

  An embroidery data processing apparatus according to claim 7 is an embroidery data processing apparatus for processing embroidery data for embroidering an embroidery pattern on a cloth by an embroidery machine, and includes an embroidery pattern including a plurality of embroidery areas. Embroidery area defining means for obtaining respective embroidery areas based on embroidery data for sewing, and an envelope area calculating means for calculating an envelope area for enclosing a plurality of embroidery areas obtained by the embroidery area defining means in a predetermined shape Center calculating means for calculating the center position of the envelope area obtained by the envelope area calculating means, and sewing order determining means for determining the sewing order for a plurality of embroidery areas so that the embroidery area closer to the center position is embroidered first. It is equipped with.

  In this case, the operation is the same as that of the above-described first aspect, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composite data processing apparatus for processing embroidery data for embroidering an embroidery pattern on a fabric with an embroidery machine and print data for printing on the fabric with a printer. Since the area defining means, the envelope area calculating means, the center calculating means, and the sewing order determining means are provided, the embroidery processing is performed on the embroidery area close to the center position of the envelope area based on the sewing order determined in this way. When executed, the embroidery causes slight stitch shrinkage, but the stitch shrinkage is distributed radially outside the first embroidered pattern, and any embroidery area embroidered after the second The positional deviation of is also very slight.

  Therefore, after performing embroidery processing on these embroidery areas and then printing with print data overlapping these embroidery areas, the initial embroidery pattern and its print area will not be misaligned. The degree of positional deviation between the embroidery pattern embroidered in the second and subsequent embroidery areas and the print area can be remarkably suppressed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the sewing order determining means calculates the center positions of the plurality of embroidery areas, and determines the sewing order based on the center positions of the plurality of embroidery areas and the center position of the envelope area. Therefore, the sewing order of the embroidery determined in the order close to the center position of the envelope area can be obtained accurately and accurately based on the center position, and the displacement of the embroidery area to be embroidered later can be minimized. . Other effects similar to those of the first aspect are obtained.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the envelope area calculating means calculates an envelope area that envelops a plurality of embroidery areas in a rectangular shape, it is possible to simplify the envelope area calculation, and to perform complex data processing. Speed up can be achieved. Other effects similar to those of the first or second aspect are achieved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the sewing order determining means determines the sewing order so as to be a predetermined sewing order determined from the arrangement order of the embroidery data for a plurality of at least partially overlapping embroidery regions. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a predetermined sewing order with respect to the vertical relationship between the embroidery patterns embroidered in the plurality of overlapping embroidery regions, and to express the texture of the plurality of embroidery patterns without any loss. . Other effects similar to those of any one of claims 1 to 3 are provided.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composite data processing apparatus for processing embroidery data for embroidering an embroidery pattern on a fabric with an embroidery machine and print data for printing on the fabric with a printer, An area demarcation unit, an overlap detection unit, and a processing order setting unit are provided. The embroidery process and the printing process are set as a set based on the determined processing order for at least partially overlapping embroidery areas and printing areas. Since it is executed continuously, stitch shrinkage occurs in the fabric every time the embroidery process is performed. By executing the embroidery process and the printing process as a set each time, the stitch shrinkage generated by the previous embroidery process occurs. The influence of the positional deviation can be substantially avoided, and the positional deviation between the embroidery area and the printing area with respect to the overlapping area can be eliminated.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the processing order setting means is configured to be able to set the processing order of the embroidery processing and the printing processing based on the designation of the operator. The degree of freedom for setting the processing sequence of the embroidery process and the printing process can be increased. Other effects similar to those of the fifth aspect are obtained.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an embroidery data processing apparatus for processing embroidery data for embroidering an embroidery pattern on a fabric using an embroidery machine, the embroidery area defining means, the envelope area calculating means, and the center calculation. Since the means and the sewing order determining means are provided, the same effect as in the first aspect can be obtained.

  The composite data processing apparatus according to the present embodiment embroidery an embroidery pattern on a fabric with an embroidery sewing machine, and when a printed pattern is printed with a printer so as to overlap the embroidery pattern, each of a plurality of embroidery areas is embroidered. By changing the sewing order to be printed and the printing order to be printed, the shrinkage of the fabric caused by embroidery stitching (so-called sewing shrinkage) is dealt with.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, an embroidery sewing machine 2 having an inkjet printer 3 is electrically connected to the composite data processing apparatus 1, and the frame driving device 4 connected to the embroidery sewing machine 2 has various shapes. The embroidery frame 5 is detachably mounted so that the embroidery frame 5 can be moved and driven in two orthogonal directions (X direction and Y direction) not only at the time of embroidery sewing but also at the time of printing by the inkjet printer 3.

  The composite data processing apparatus 1 includes a personal computer shown in FIG. 2, and includes a control apparatus 10 that controls the entire control, a mouse 11 connected to the control apparatus 10, a keyboard 12, an image scanner 13, a color display 14, and the like. It has. The control device 10 includes a microcomputer including a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, and a bus 24 for connecting them, a hard disk drive (HDD) 26 connected to the bus 24 and having a hard disk (HD) 25, an input / output interface 27, and the like. Have

  Also connected to the bus 24 are a flexible disk drive (FDD) 28 for a flexible disk and a CD-ROM drive 29 for a CD-ROM. The input / output interface 27 includes a keyboard 12, a mouse 11, an image scanner 13, a display drive circuit 30 for driving the display 14, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 31 through the embroidery sewing machine 2. Are connected to each other.

  The ROM 22 stores a startup program for starting the personal computer when the personal computer is turned on. In the RAM 23, an image data memory for storing image data for a printed pattern read from the image scanner 13, a flexible disk, or a CD-ROM, an embroidery data memory for storing embroidery data for an embroidery pattern, and arithmetic processing by the CPU 21 are performed. Various memories, buffers, pointers, counters, and the like for storing calculation results are provided as necessary.

  On the other hand, the hard disk 25 incorporates an OS (operating system), various drivers and application programs for enabling the mouse 11, the keyboard 12, the image scanner 13, the display 14, and the like. Read control program for reading image data and embroidery data recorded from a flexible disk or CD-ROM, data input control program for storing the read image data or embroidery data in an image data memory or embroidery data memory, image data Print data creation control for creating print data from image data, control program for embroidery data creation control for creating embroidery data from image data, print data creation control program for creating print data from embroidery data, composite data processing described later A control program for the control (Fig. 4, see FIG. 14) or the like, also various control programs are stored.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an embroidery sewing machine body 2a of the embroidery sewing machine 2 includes a control unit 42, various operation switches 43, a spindle connected to the composite data processing apparatus 1 via a communication interface (communication I / F) 41. A position detection sensor 44, a sewing machine motor 45, a drive circuit 46 thereof, and the like are provided. The main shaft (not shown) is rotationally driven by the sewing machine motor 45, and the needle bar is reciprocated up and down by a needle bar vertical drive mechanism (not shown). The sewing needle attached to the needle bar and the thread provided on the bed portion Embroidery stitches are formed on the fabric W held by the embroidery frame 5 in cooperation with a catching mechanism (not shown).

  The ink jet printer 3 includes a control unit 51, various operation switches 52, a print head 53 in which four rows of ink nozzles for four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) are unitized, a head lifting motor 54, and a purge driving motor. 55, purge moving motor 56, drive circuits 57-60 for these print head 53 and motors 54-56 are provided. When the print head 53 receives a print command from the control unit 51, the print head 53 ejects ink from the ink nozzle toward the lower fabric W due to the bending of the piezoelectric ceramic actuator.

  The frame drive device 4 includes a carriage position detection sensor 61, an X direction drive motor 62 that moves the embroidery frame 5 mounted on the frame drive device 4 in the X direction, its drive circuit 63, and the embroidery frame 5 in the Y direction. A Y-direction drive motor 64 and its drive circuit 65 are provided. When the frame driving device 4 receives a frame movement signal from the control unit 42 of the embroidery sewing machine body 2a or the control unit 51 of the ink jet printer 3, the frame driving device 4 drives the X direction driving motor 62 and the Y direction driving motor 64 to move the embroidery frame 5 to X. The direction is moved in the Y direction.

  Next, a composite data processing control routine executed by the control device 10 of the composite data processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 14. However, the symbol Si (i = 11, 12, 13,...) In the figure is each step.

  When “composite data processing” is selected from the main menu (not shown) displayed on the display 14, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a “composite data processing menu” is displayed. With K, the embroidery process related to the selection item “1”, that is, “a plurality of embroidery areas included in the embroidery pattern, is continuously executed from the embroidery area close to the center position (X, Y) of the embroidery pattern, When “Execute continuously” is selected, the first composite data processing control shown in FIG. 4 is started.

  When this control is started, first, embroidery data selected in advance by an operator from among a plurality of embroidery data stored in a CD-ROM or hard disk is read and stored in the embroidery data memory of the RAM 23 (S11). ). Next, based on the embroidery data, in order to obtain the outline contour of a plurality of embroidery areas included in the embroidery area, that is, the embroidery area specified by the stitch type and thread color, such as satin seams and tatami seams, An embroidery data analysis process is executed (S12).

  The analysis process of the embroidery data will be briefly described. First, each needle drop point (total of n) included in the embroidery data is set to Pi (i = 1, 2,..., N) in the sewing order. . An initial value “1” is set to the variable i, and an orthogonal coordinate system is set with the needle drop point Pi as the origin. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an X axis is provided in a direction from the needle drop point Pi to the needle drop point Pi + 1, and the counterclockwise direction is centered on the needle drop point Pi with respect to the X axis. The Y axis is provided in the direction rotated 90 °, the coordinates (Xi + 1, 0) of the needle drop point Pi + 1 and the coordinates (Xi + 2, Yi + 2) of the needle drop point Pi + 2 are read, and the coordinates of the RAM 23 are read. Store in memory.

  Next, the values of Xi + 1 and Xi + 2 are compared. If Xi + 1 is larger, the attribute of the needle drop point Pi + 1 is set to the temporary contour, and Xi + 2 ≧ Xi + 1. In the case of, the attribute of the needle entry point Pi + 1 is set as a temporary run. Here, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the needle drop point Pi + 1 is a contour point, the stitches Si and Si + 1 on both sides thereof are folded back. In this case, the value of Xi + 2 is smaller than the value of Xi + 1 (Xi + 2 <Xi + 1).

  Therefore, in this case, if the attribute of the needle drop point Pi + 1 is a temporary contour in the sense that it can be estimated as a contour point, and the needle drop point Pi + 1 is a running point, as shown in FIG. + 2 ≧ Xi + 1. Accordingly, in this case, the attribute of the needle drop point Pi + 1 is assumed to be a temporary run in the sense that it can be estimated as a run point. The needle drop points P1 and Pn are forcibly given a temporary running attribute.

  As described above, when the value of the variable i is sequentially increased, these processes are repeatedly executed. When i + 1 = n, that is, for all the needle drop points Pi + 1 where i + 1 = 2 to n−1. The attribute of provisional contour or provisional running is given. Therefore, the classification of the stitch format is performed as follows. First, while setting 1, 2, 3,... Sequentially to the variable i, it is determined whether or not the provisional contour attribute is given to the needle drop point Pi + 1. If Pi + 1 is a temporary run, the next large value is set in the variable i and the determination is made again.

  On the other hand, when the needle drop point Pi + 1 is a temporary contour, it is determined whether or not the needle drop point Pi + 1 is adjacent to the needle drop point assigned the provisional running attribute, that is, the needle drop point Pi or Pi. Judge whether any of +2 is a temporary run. If it is adjacent to the temporary run, Yi + 2 stored in the loop in which the needle drop point Pi + 1 is given the temporary contour attribute is read.

  If the needle entry point of the temporary contour arranged before and after the needle entry point Pi is different from Yi + 2 stored in the same manner, the stitch attribute of the needle entry point Pi + 1 is temporarily set. In the case of a tatami contour and the same sign, the stitch attribute of the needle entry point Pi + 1 is assumed to be a temporary run.

  On the other hand, when the needle drop point Pi + 1 of the temporary contour is not adjacent to the needle drop point of the temporary run, and the sign of Yi + 2 is alternately replaced with the front and back temporary contours, the needle drop point If Pi + 1 is a temporary satin contour and the signs of Yi + 2 are not alternately changed, the needle drop point Pi + 1 is assumed to be a temporary run.

  Finally, the shape of the needle drop points before and after, the thread density, the tatami pattern, etc. are detected from the data of all the needle drop points to which the attribute of the temporary tatami outline is given, and the outline outline of the embroidery pattern is based on the detected data. Is executed, and the embroidery area by the stitches for performing the stitching is confirmed.

  In addition, for all needle drop data to which the attribute of temporary satin contour is given, the shape and thread density of the needle drop points before and after are detected, and the outline contour of the embroidery pattern is determined based on the detected shape. Then, the embroidery area by the satin stitch for performing the satin stitch is determined.

  Finally, with respect to the data of the remaining needle entry points that have not been established as temporary tatami contours or temporary satin contours, use the needle entry points as running points to confirm according to the stitch pitch and shape, and perform running stitching. Determine the embroidery area by running seams.

  Next, based on the embroidery data, an envelope area that envelops a plurality of embroidery areas included in the embroidery pattern in a rectangular shape is calculated (S13). In this calculation process, a rectangular envelope area is obtained based on the maximum and minimum values of the X axis in the XY coordinate system of the stitch data and the maximum and minimum values of the Y axis.

  Next, the center position (X, Y) of the envelope area is obtained based on the four coordinates (X, Y) corresponding to the four corners of the rectangular envelope area (S14). Next, for each embroidery area, a rectangular area enveloping each embroidery area is obtained by calculation based on the maximum and minimum values of the X axis and the maximum and minimum values of the Y axis in the XY coordinate system. (S15). This calculation process is obtained in the same manner as S13 described above.

  Next, a calculation process for calculating the center position (X, Y) of the embroidery area is executed for each embroidery area (S16). This calculation process is obtained in the same manner as S14 described above. Next, based on the center position (X, Y) of the envelope area obtained in S14 and the center position (X, Y) of each embroidery area, the distance between the center of each embroidery area with respect to the center of the envelope area is determined. Each distance is determined (S17).

  Next, it is determined whether or not any of the plurality of embroidery areas overlaps (S18). If any of the embroidery areas overlaps (S19: Yes), a plurality of overlapping embroidery areas is determined. Duplicate information is added for (S20). Next, a sewing order determination process for determining the sewing order for the embroidery area is executed based on the center-to-center distance of each embroidery area and the overlap information (S21), and finally detected by the analysis process of S12. For each embroidery area, print data creation processing for creating print data to be printed in a solid form is executed (S22), and this control is terminated and the process returns to the main routine.

  That is, the print data created by this print data creation process has color information for printing in the same color as the thread color defined by the thread color code included in the embroidery data embroidered in the embroidery area. . Therefore, a plurality of embroidery areas included in the embroidery pattern are sequentially embroidered by the embroidery sewing machine 2 based on the sewing order determined in S21, and then by the inkjet printer 3 based on the print data created in S22. Printing is performed on all embroidery areas. This printing process does not necessarily have to be performed sequentially in the embroidery area, and as with a general printer device, printing is performed along the printing direction from one end side to the other end side of the fabric W. It ’s fine.

  Here, the embroidery area demarcating means is constructed from the first composite data processing control, especially S12, and the envelope area calculating means is constructed from the first composite data processing control, especially S13, etc. Sewing order determining means is composed of S18-21 and the like.

  Next, as described above, the operation and effect of the first composite data processing control for changing the sewing order for embroidery processing when embroidering a plurality of embroidery areas included in the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data will be described.

  First, when the operator selects the selection item “1” with the block cursor K from the “composite data processing menu” shown in FIG. 6, the pre-selected “circle pattern” embroidery data is obtained as shown in FIG. It is stored in the embroidery data memory of the RAM 23. As shown in FIG. 8, this “circular pattern” is composed of four large and small first circular patterns SH1 to SH4, and each of the first circular pattern SH1 to the fourth circular pattern SH4 is a satin stitch. Consists of eyes.

  That is, the “circle pattern” embroidery data is composed of a first circle pattern SH1 to a fourth circle pattern SH4, and each stitch data is a relative value for setting a movement amount (cloth feed amount) to the next stitch. Each of the first circular pattern SH1 to the fourth circular pattern SH4 is provided with a thread color code at the head and a thread trimming code at the tail.

  Therefore, based on the embroidery data, the envelope area HE that envelops the embroidery areas E1 to E4 of the four first circular patterns SH1 to SH4 is obtained by the process of S13 described above, and the envelope area is determined by the process of S14. From the coordinates (X, Y) of the four corner points KA to KD forming HE, the center position HC (X, Y) of the envelope area HE is obtained. Further, based on the stitch data of the first circular pattern SH1 to the fourth circular pattern SH4, rectangular areas HE1 that envelop the embroidery areas E1 to E4 of the first circular pattern SH1 to the fourth circular pattern SH4 by the process of S15. HE4 is required for each. In S16, the center positions c1 to c4 (X, Y) of the embroidery areas E1 to E4 are obtained from the rectangular areas HE1 to HE4, respectively, and the embroidery area is stored in the center position table of the RAM 23 as shown in FIG. The center positions (X, Y) are stored in correspondence with E1 to E4.

  Next, the center distances D1 to D4 from the center position HC (X, Y) of the envelope area HE to the center positions c1 to c4 of the embroidery areas E1 to E4 are obtained by the processing of S17, as shown in FIG. The center distances D1 to D4 are stored in the center distance table of the RAM 23 so as to correspond to the embroidery areas E1 to E4. In this case, D3 <D2 <D1 <D4.

  By the way, since the embroidery area E1 of the first circular pattern SH1 and the embroidery area E2 of the second circular pattern SH2 partially overlap, as shown in FIG. In the first embroidery area E1, “overlapping sewing order 1” is stored, and in the next embroidery area E2 to be embroidered, “overlapping sewing order 2” is stored.

  Next, based on the center-to-center distances D1 to D4 and the overlapping sewing order, the sewing order for the embroidery areas E1 to E4 is finally determined in S21 as shown in FIG. That is, since the embroidery area E3 with the center distance D3 is the closest to the center position HC of the envelope area HE, the embroidery area E3 as the sewing order “1”, the “embroidery area E1” as the sewing order “2”, and the sewing order “ “Embroidery area E2” is determined as “3”, and “Embroidery area E4” is determined as the sewing order “4”.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, on the fabric W set on the embroidery frame 5, the embroidery area E3, first the embroidery area E1, the embroidery area E2, and the embroidery area E4, in this order, based on the determined sewing order. Sequential embroidery patterns are sewn. When the embroidery process is first executed on the embroidery area E3 close to the center position HC of the envelope area HE based on the sewing order determined in this way, a slight shrinkage occurs due to the embroidery.

  However, the stitch shrinkage is distributed radially outside the first embroidered pattern embroidered in the embroidery region E3. Therefore, since the embroidery areas E1, E2, and E4 to be embroidered after the next are located outside the first embroidery area E3 in the radial direction, any of the embroidery areas E1a, E2a, and E4a to be embroidered after the second embroidery area E3. The positional deviation of is also very slight.

  Therefore, after the embroidery processing is performed on the plurality of embroidery areas E1a, E2a, and E4a, as shown in FIG. 13, the inkjet printer 3 thereafter prints the plurality of embroidery areas E3, E1a, E2a, and E4a with print data. In this case, the first embroidery pattern SH1 in the embroidery area E1 and the print area E3 are not misaligned, and the embroidery patterns SH1, SH2, embroidered in the second and subsequent embroidery areas E1a, E2a, E4a. The positional deviation between SH4 and its print areas E1, E2, E4 can be remarkably suppressed.

  Further, when determining the sewing order of the four embroidery areas E1 to E4, the center positions c1 to c4 of the four embroidery areas E1 to E4 are respectively calculated, and the center positions c1 to c4 of the four embroidery areas E1 to E4 and the envelope area HE are calculated. Since the sewing order is determined on the basis of the center position HC, the sewing order determined in the order closest to the center position HC of the envelope area HE can be obtained accurately and accurately from the center positions c1 to c4. The positional deviation of the embroidery areas E1a, E2a, E4a to be embroidered can be minimized.

  In addition, since the envelope area HE that envelops the four embroidery areas E1 to E4 in a rectangular shape is calculated during the calculation process of the envelope area HE, the envelope area HE calculation can be simplified, and the composite data processing can be performed quickly. Can be achieved.

  Further, when the sewing order is determined, the sewing order is determined so as to be a preset sewing order determined from the arrangement order of the embroidery data for a plurality of embroidery areas E1 and E2 that at least partially overlap. A predetermined sewing order can be maintained with respect to the vertical relationship between the embroidery patterns embroidered in the plurality of embroidery areas E1 and E2, and the texture of the plurality of embroidery patterns can be expressed without any loss.

  By the way, "composite data processing" is selected from the main menu (not shown) displayed on the display 14, and for example, as shown in FIG. 15, a "composite data processing menu" is displayed. When the selection item “2”, that is, at least partially overlapping embroidery area and print area is selected by the block cursor K, “continuous execution of embroidery process and print process” is selected, the second item shown in FIG. Composite data processing control is started.

  When this control is started, embroidery data selected in advance from among a plurality of embroidery data stored in a CD-ROM or hard disk is read and stored in the embroidery data memory of the RAM 23 (S31). Next, based on the embroidery data, in order to obtain the outline contour of a plurality of embroidery areas included in the embroidery area, that is, the embroidery area specified by the stitch type and thread color, such as satin seams and tatami seams, An embroidery data analysis process is executed (S32).

  Since this analysis process is the same as that described above with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the description thereof is omitted. Next, based on the plurality of embroidery areas obtained by the analysis process, a print data creation process for creating print data for printing in a solid pattern on the embroidery area is executed for each embroidery area (S33). In this case, the print color of the print data created corresponding to each embroidery area has the same color information as the thread color code indicating the embroidery thread color included in the embroidery data embroidered in the embroidery area. .

  Next, the print data for each embroidery area created in S33 is rearranged so as to have the same arrangement as the arrangement order of the embroidery areas embroidered by the embroidery data (S34). Next, when the embroidery process and the printing process are continuously performed, a “processing order setting screen” (see FIG. 16) for setting which of the embroidery process and the printing process is executed first is displayed on the display 14. Therefore, the processing order for preferential processing by the worker is set (S35).

  Next, based on the priority order of the embroidery process and the print process set in S35, a process order setting process for setting the process order of the embroidery process and the print process is executed (S36). Return to routine. That is, in the processing order setting process of S36, in the case of the processing order in which the embroidery process is preferentially performed, the embroidery data of the first embroidery area, the print data printed in the embroidery area, the second The processing order is set in the order of the embroidery data of the embroidery area to be embroidered first, the print data to be printed in the embroidery area, and so on.

  However, in the case of the processing order in which the printing process is preferentially performed according to the “processing order setting screen”, the embroidery process and the printing process are reversed in the processing order setting process in S36, and the embroidery process is performed after the printing process. Will be executed. Here, the embroidery area demarcating means is composed of the second composite data processing control shown in FIG. 14, particularly S32, and the processing order setting means is composed of S34 to S36, etc. of the second composite data processing control.

  Next, as described above, when performing embroidery processing and printing processing on a plurality of embroidery areas included in the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data, the second composite data processing control for continuously executing the embroidery processing and the printing processing is performed. The operation and effect will be described.

  First, when the operator selects the selection item “2” with the block cursor K from the “composite data processing menu” shown in FIG. 15, the embroidery data of the “circle pattern” selected in advance is stored in the RAM 23 as shown in FIG. Stored in the embroidery data memory. As shown in FIG. 17, this “circular pattern” is a pattern in which four first circular patterns SH1 to SH4 are linearly arranged.

  Therefore, based on the analysis result obtained by analyzing the embroidery data, the embroidery areas E1 to E4 of these four first circular patterns SH1 to SH4 are obtained in S32, and each embroidery area E1 to E4 is determined in S33. The print data for the print area F1 is obtained so that the print data to be printed in a solid shape is obtained in the print areas F1 to F4 having the same size and shape, and the arrangement is similar to the arrangement sequence of the embroidery areas embroidered in S34. The print data in the print area F2, the print data in the print area F3, and the print data in the print area F4 are rearranged in this order. However, the color data of the same color as the thread color to be embroidered is stored in the print data of the embroidery areas E1 to E4.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the processing order setting screen for embroidery processing and printing processing is displayed on the display 14, so that the operator uses the block cursor K to select the processing order of “1” (embroidery processing → 18, the processing order table stored in the RAM 23 includes an embroidery area E1 in the processing order “1”, a printing area F1 in the processing order “2”, and a processing order “3” as shown in FIG. Embroidery area E2, print order F2 in process order “4”, embroidery area E3 in process order “5”, print area F3 in process order “6”, embroidery area E4 in process order “7”, and process order “8” A print area F4 is set for each.

  As described above, since the processing order is set, the first circular pattern SH1 is first embroidered in the embroidery area E1 by the embroidery sewing machine 2 on the fabric W set on the embroidery frame 5 based on the processing order table. After that, the ink jet printer 3 prints a solid shape on the print area F1, then the second circular pattern SH2 is embroidered on the embroidery area E2, and then the solid image is printed on the print area F2, and then on the embroidery area E3. After the three-circle pattern SH3 is embroidered, it is printed in a solid shape in the print area F3. Further, after the fourth circle pattern SH4 is embroidered in the embroidery area E4, it is printed in a solid shape in the print area F4.

  In this case, since the embroidery process and the printing process are continuously executed as a set for the overlapping embroidery areas E1 to E4 and the printing areas F1 to F4 based on the determined processing order, the embroidery patterns SH1 to SH4 are used. Sewing shrinkage occurs every time embroidery processing is performed, but embroidery processing and printing processing are executed as a set each time, so that the effect of misalignment due to sewing shrinkage caused by previous embroidery processing can be substantially avoided. Thus, the positional deviation between the embroidery area and the printing area with respect to the overlapping area can be eliminated.

  That is, first, by sewing the embroidery pattern SH1 in the embroidery region E1, the fabric W is sewed and the fabric W at the outer peripheral portion of the embroidery region E1 moves to the embroidery region E1 side. However, this shrinkage is very small compared to the size of the printing area E1. By the way, when embroidery sewing is sequentially performed on the embroidery areas E2, E3, and E4, the position deviation of the embroidery area E1 that was initially embroidered according to the embroidery is shifted to the other embroidery areas E2, E3, and E4. It becomes the maximum compared to the positional deviation.

  However, as described above, since the embroidery process for the embroidery area E and the print process for the print area F are alternately executed as a set, only a slight positional deviation occurs in the print area F1 with respect to the embroidery area E1. The other embroidery areas E2 to E4 and the print areas F2 to F4 are executed each time the embroidery process and the print process are performed, so that the embroidery area is generated by the stitch shrinkage generated by the previous embroidery process. The positional deviation between E2 to E4 and the print areas F2 to F4 can be eliminated.

  Next, a modified form of the embodiment will be described.

  1) Only when the second composite data processing control shown in FIG. 14 is partially changed and the embroidery area and the print area at least partially overlap based on the pre-created embroidery data and print data. The embroidery process and the printing process may be executed continuously. That is, as shown in FIG. 20, when this control is started, first, embroidery data of a pre-selected embroidery pattern is read (S31), and further pre-created print data is read (S31A).

  Next, as described above, the embroidery data analysis process is executed (S32), and whether or not the plurality of embroidery areas included in the embroidery pattern to be embroidered and the print area to be printed at least partially overlap. Is detected (S37), and in the case of overlap (S38: Yes), as described above, the order of the embroidery process and the print process is set via the embroidery process and print process order setting screen displayed on the display 14. (S35).

  Next, on the basis of the overlapping embroidery area and the print area detected in S38, the processing order of the embroidery process and the printing process is set with respect to the overlapping embroidery area and the print area in the priority order set in S35. (S36A). Here, in particular, the duplicate detection means is constituted by the composite data processing control shown in FIG. In this case, the embroidery process and the print process can be processed as a set only in the embroidery area and the print area that overlap each other, and the misalignment between the embroidery pattern and the print pattern corresponding to the overlap area is eliminated as much as possible. can do.

  2] The embroidery data read in S11 and S31 of the composite data processing control shown in FIGS. 4 and 14 may be created from image data of a color image read by the image scanner 13.

  3] In the above-described embodiment, the single embroidery pattern SM including the plurality of embroidery areas E1 to E4 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present embodiment is applied to an embroidery pattern in which a plurality of embroidery patterns are combined. May be.

  4] Although the composite data processing apparatus 1 is provided separately from the embroidery sewing machine 2, the control unit 42 of the embroidery sewing machine 2 may be configured to have the composite data processing apparatus 1 as well. In this case, it is not necessary to separately prepare the composite data processing apparatus 1 composed of a personal computer, and the embroidery sewing machine 2 can be used effectively.

  5) Instead of the composite data processing apparatus 1 that processes embroidery data and print data in combination, an embroidery data processing apparatus that processes embroidery data and a print data processing apparatus that processes print data are provided separately. The embroidery data processing device and the print data processing device may be connected to the embroidery sewing machine 2 in parallel.

  6) The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can implement the present invention by adding various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention includes those modifications.

1 is a connection diagram of a composite data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, an embroidery sewing machine having an inkjet printer, and a frame driving device. FIG. It is a block diagram of the control system of a composite data processing apparatus. It is a control system block diagram of an embroidery sewing machine, an inkjet printer, and a frame drive device. It is a flowchart of the 1st compound data processing control. It is explanatory drawing explaining the detection principle of the contour point in case a return seam is included. FIG. 6C is a view corresponding to FIG. 6A when the folded seam is not included. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a composite data processing menu. It is a chart explaining the data structure of embroidery data. It is explanatory drawing explaining the embroidery data which has four 1st-4th circular patterns. It is a chart explaining the setting content of a center position table. It is a graph explaining the setting content of the center distance table. It is a chart explaining the setting contents of the overlapping embroidery area table. It is a figure explaining the setting content of a sewing order table. It is a top view of the fabric by which the embroidery process and the printing process were performed to the fabric. It is a flowchart of the 2nd compound data processing control. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a composite data processing menu. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an order setting screen for embroidery processing and printing processing. It is explanatory drawing explaining the embroidery data which has four 1st-4th circular patterns. It is a chart explaining the setting contents of a processing order table. It is a top view of the fabric by which the embroidery process and the printing process were performed to the fabric. FIG. 15 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 14 according to a modified embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Composite data processing apparatus 2 Embroidery sewing machine 3 Inkjet printer 10 Control apparatus 22 ROM
W Fabric

Claims (7)

A composite data processing device for processing embroidery data for embroidering an embroidery pattern on a fabric with an embroidery machine and print data for printing on the fabric with a printer,
Embroidery area delimiting means for obtaining each embroidery area based on the embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern including a plurality of embroidery areas;
An envelope area calculating means for calculating an envelope area for enveloping a plurality of embroidery areas in a predetermined shape by the embroidery area defining means;
Center computing means for computing the center position of the envelope area obtained by the envelope area computing means;
Sewing order determining means for determining a sewing order for the plurality of embroidery areas so that an embroidery area closer to the center position is embroidered first;
A composite data processing apparatus comprising:   The sewing order determining means calculates a center position of each of a plurality of embroidery areas, and determines a sewing order based on the center positions of the plurality of embroidery areas and the center position of the envelope area. The composite data processing device described.   The composite data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the envelope area calculation unit calculates an envelope area that envelopes the plurality of embroidery areas in a rectangular shape.   The sewing order determining means determines the sewing order so that a predetermined sewing order determined from the arrangement order of the embroidery data is set for at least a plurality of embroidery regions that partially overlap. The composite data processing device according to any one of? A composite data processing device for processing embroidery data for embroidering an embroidery pattern on a fabric with an embroidery machine and print data for printing on the fabric with a printer,
Embroidery area delimiting means for obtaining each embroidery area based on the embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern including a plurality of embroidery areas;
Overlap detection means for detecting whether or not all or a part of the plurality of embroidery areas obtained by the embroidery area defining means and the print area printed with the print data at least partially overlap;
In response to the detection result of the overlap detection means, at least partially overlapping embroidery areas and print areas are assigned to the embroidery areas and print areas so that the embroidery process and the print process for the overlap areas are continuously executed. A processing order setting means for setting the processing order via the arrangement order of the corresponding embroidery data and print data;
A composite data processing apparatus comprising:   6. The composite data processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the processing order setting means is configured to be able to set the processing order of embroidery processing and printing processing based on an operator's specification. An embroidery data processing device for processing embroidery data for embroidering an embroidery pattern on a fabric with an embroidery machine,
Embroidery area delimiting means for obtaining each embroidery area based on the embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern including a plurality of embroidery areas;
An envelope area calculating means for calculating an envelope area for enveloping a plurality of embroidery areas in a predetermined shape by the embroidery area defining means;
Center computing means for computing the center position of the envelope area obtained by the envelope area computing means;
Sewing order determining means for determining a sewing order for the plurality of embroidery areas so that an embroidery area closer to the center position is embroidered first;
An embroidery data processing apparatus comprising:

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