JPH0788264A - Multi-color embroidery pattern entering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a multi-color embroidery pattern entering device which allows acquiring multi-color image data at one run of reading operation from a sheet of original picture drawn in multiple colors. CONSTITUTION:Hue is divided by a hue dividing means 7 in accordance with the number of colors as specified by a number-of-colors entry means 3. An original picture drawn in multiple colors is one-run scanned by an image scanner 2, and image in applicable color is read, and the image data is divided by an image data dividing means 4 according to the hue divided. The data divided for each hue is accommodated in an image data storing means 11 together with the code of the hue.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multicolor embroidery pattern input device, and more particularly to a device for inputting color information and image information of a desired multicolor image together and converting this into stitch data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An embroidery pattern input device is known in which, when creating embroidery pattern data for an embroidery sewing machine, an original image is taken in by image input means such as an image scanner and converted into embroidery sewing data. If you want to obtain a multicolored pattern, etc., prepare a plurality of original images for each color, align these original images, and read each original image in multiple stages with an image input device, and then read each stage. A technique has been proposed and realized in which, when the color is designated and the embroidery sewing is performed by the sewing machine, the thread is changed at each read stage to realize the multicolor embroidery sewing.

[0003]

However, it is a great burden for the user to prepare a plurality of original images for each color, and to read the original images at the same position, which is a troublesome work. A method of using a full-color type image scanner or the like can be considered to improve this drawback, but even in this case, it is necessary to read the image multiple times for each number of colors, and the sewing color is specified as the original image color. When the number of colors is large, there is a problem that the number of colors of the embroidery thread on the sewing machine side cannot be used. The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention reads a desired multicolor image and converts the obtained image data into embroidery sewing data to perform multicolor sewing. An embroidery pattern input device, which reads a color and an image of a multicolor image and outputs image data including color information, a unit for setting a predetermined number of colors, and the set number of colors. Corresponding to, a means for dividing the hue, a means for dividing the image data for each of the divided hues, a means for converting each of the divided image data into embroidery sewing data, and the embroidery sewing data Is stored in association with the divided hues. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multicolor embroidery pattern input device for reading a desired multicolor image, converting the obtained image data into embroidery sewing data, and performing multicolor sewing. Multicolor image input means for reading color and image of, and outputting image data including color information, means for setting a predetermined number of colors and a predetermined color corresponding to the number of colors, and the set number of colors and A means for dividing the hue corresponding to the set color, a means for dividing the image data for each of the divided hues, a means for converting each of the divided image data into embroidery sewing data, Means for storing the embroidery sewing data in association with the divided hues.

[0005]

The multicolor image input means reads the color and image of the multicolor image and outputs the image data including the color information. When the number of colors is set by the means for setting a predetermined number of colors, the hue division is executed by the means for dividing the hue in accordance with the set number of colors. Then, the image data is divided for each of the divided hues by the dividing means, and each divided image data is converted into embroidery sewing data. The embroidery sewing data is stored by the storing means in association with the divided hue. In the invention of claim 2,
The multicolor image input means reads the color and image of the multicolor image,
Output image data including color information. When the predetermined number of colors and a predetermined color corresponding to the number of colors are input by the setting unit, the unit for dividing the hue divides the hue according to the set number of colors and the set number of colors. . The image data is divided by the dividing means for each of the divided hues, and each divided image data is converted into embroidery sewing data. The embroidery sewing data is stored by the storing means in association with the divided hue.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, the embroidery pattern input device X includes a full-color type image scanner 2 as a multicolor image input means. The image scanner 2 is connected to the input device main body A, and the image data read by this is input to the central processing unit 1 shown in FIG.

The input device main body A is provided with a guide 24, and an original image placing portion 25 set on the guide 24.
An original image having a multicolored pattern is placed thereon, and the image scanner 2 is run on the original image so that the image and the color information of the original image are read. It is also possible to freely travel on the original image and read the image without using such a guide 24. In addition, 20 is a scanner button for reading an image, 21 is a scanner dial for adjusting the lightness and darkness of reading, 31 is a liquid crystal display for performing various displays described later, 32 is a RAM card eject button of the stitch data storing means 6, and 33 is a power switch.

As shown in FIG. 2, the input device main body A has a mode selection key 49, a read key 50, a memory key 51, a color number input key 52, a sewing color designation key 53, and a color boundary change key 5.
4 and an operation command section 5 including a plurality of function keys such as an RGB input key 55. An operator operates these keys to cause the image scanner 2 to run on the original image to read an image. It is like this. That is, the operator operates the mode selection key 49 to select a color mode for reading a color original image and a monochrome mode for reading a monochrome original image. This mode is displayed by the image display means 8 of FIG. Bowl 31
Is displayed. The sewing color designating key 53, the color boundary changing key 54, and the RGB input key 55 have configurations according to other embodiments, and will be described later.

When the reading key 50 is operated, the central processing unit 1 enters the reading mode. Then, when the number of colors is input by the number of colors input key 52 according to the number of sewing threads, the number of colors signal is input by the number of colors input means 3. It is input to the central processing unit 1 and the hue dividing means 7 divides the hue according to the number of colors. By this operation, a natural color is set according to the divided hue.

FIG. 6 shows the state of hue division. This example shows a state in which the number of colors is set to 6, and the range of hue is divided into 6 color blocks of C1 to C6, and the respective central colors are set. The hue division range and the central color thereof are set in advance according to the number of colors, and the hue range is divided according to the setting.

After performing the above operation, the image scanner 2 is moved on the original image on the original image placing portion 25 while the scanner button 20 of the image scanner 2 is being pressed, so that the image and the color of the original image are changed. It is designed to be read by.

The image data accompanied with the read color data is sequentially sent to the central processing unit 1 and the central processing unit 1
Is configured to store the image data in the image data storage means 11.

When the reading of the image is completed, the image data dividing means 4 reads the image data and divides the image data based on the divided hue. In the example of FIG. 6, first, based on the discrimination data of C1, image data having color data belonging to this C1 is searched for, and the corresponding image data is divided into C1 color blocks (divided into the image data storage means 11). The range of hues) is memorized. And C2, C
Do the same work up to 3, ---, C6 and save the image data to C1.
To C6 are divided into color blocks, and each color block is stored in the image data storage means 11. It should be noted that the color discrimination of the image data can be performed by various methods, such as by making a predetermined bit block unit.

Next, when the storage key 51 is operated, the central processing unit 1 stores the image data for each color block stored in the image data storage means 11 in accordance with the program command from the stitch data conversion program storage means 10. The data is converted into stitch data of the embroidery pattern of the sewing machine and then input to the stitch data storage means 6. At this time, the image data is stored in association with the color code of the color block. Further, display data for displaying an image is created at the same time as the stitch data, and is stored in the stitch data storage means 6 in association with the color code.

The stitch data storage means 6 is a RAM card in this embodiment, and can be attached to and detached from the RAM card slot 30 of the input device main body A as shown in FIG. The stitch data storage means 6 storing the stitch data and the display data is removed from the input device main body A, and the RAM data is read from the RAM card reading unit 3 of the embroidery sewing machine main body Y shown in FIG.
When it is attached to the sewing machine 5, a colored image is displayed on the display unit of the main body Y by a predetermined operation based on the display data, and a predetermined operation follows the stitches of the embroidery pattern stored in the stitch data storage means 6. Further, the embroidery sewing machine main body Y is operated in accordance with the specified sewing color, and the pattern of the color specified by the sewing color specifying means 7 with the same pattern as the original image can be realized as an embroidery stitch.

In this embodiment, the image display means 8 is provided, and the data stored in the image data storage means 11 is sent to the liquid crystal display 31 so that the input device body A also uses the color block colors. It can be displayed in color.

The operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the operator operates the mode selection key 49 to select a color mode (steps 60 and 61), the central processing unit 1 enters the number of colors input state from the number of colors input means 3. When the operator operates the color number input key 52 to input a predetermined color number N (step 62), the hue dividing means 7 changes the hue range from C1 to CN according to the color number as shown in FIG. Divide (step 63). Then, a color code corresponding to the number of colors is set (step 64). Next, when the operator presses the reading key 50 of the input device main body A and runs the image scanner 2 on the original image while pressing the scanner button 20 of the image scanner 2, the image scanner 2 sequentially reads the image and color of the original image. , And sends the image data and color data to the central processing unit 1 (step 65). This image data is stored in the image data storage means 11 (step 66).

When the reading is completed, the image data dividing means 4 sets Ni = 1 and Ci = 1 (step 6).
7) The image data including the color data is read from the image data storage means 11, and the discrimination data of C1 is applied to each predetermined bit block of the data to extract the data belonging to the hue of C1 (step 68). Then, the image data belonging to C1 are sequentially stored in the image data storage means 11 (step 69). Then, Ni and Ci are incremented (step 70), and the above operation is repeated until the set number of colors N is reached (steps 71 and 72).

When the image data is divided for the total number N of colors and the operator operates the storage key 51, the central processing unit 1 stores the image data in the image data storage means 11 in accordance with the program in the stitch data conversion program storage means 10. The stored image data is converted into stitch data for each color block from Ci to CN (step 73), and the stitch data is stored in the stitch data storage means 6 in association with the color code (step 74). At this time, display data is also created similarly. When it is confirmed that the operation has ended, the operation ends (step 75). When the color mode is not selected in the step 61, the normal image input with a single density is executed (step 90), the image data is stored (step 91), and converted into the stitch data (step 91). 92). As described above, the stitch data with the color code can be obtained from one multicolor original image by one reading operation.

Next, a method of using the apparatus of the above embodiment will be described. First, the power switch 33 is turned on, and then the stitch data storage means 6 is loaded in the RAM card slot 30. Then, the mode selection key 49 is pressed to set the color mode, and the color number input key 52 is pressed to set the number of colors.
Now, as shown in FIG. 7, there is an original image of five colors of peach, yellow, light yellow, yellow green, and green, and a case where 3 is set as the number of colors for simplicity will be described. When the hue is divided into three color blocks, the central color of each is yellow, red, and green.

Hue division is automatically performed by setting the number of colors of 3, and blocks of hues C1 to C3 are formed. Then, the above-described multicolor original image is prepared, and the original image is placed on the original image placing portion 25 of the guide 24 (or another suitable place),
The image scanner 2 is placed on the upper end of the guide 24 as shown in FIG.
The image scanner 2 is moved to the lower end while pressing. As a result, the image reading unit 22 scans the top of the original image placing unit 25 from the upper end to the lower end to read the image of the selected color portion in the image of the original image on the original image placing unit 25.

During reading by the image scanner 2,
The image data is separated into hue blocks by the image data dividing unit 4 and stored in the image data storage unit 11. That is, the yellow and light yellow parts are classified into yellow blocks, and the pink parts are classified into red blocks. Green and yellow-green are classified into green blocks. When reading is completed,
By pressing the memory key 51, the image data is converted into stitch data for each color block and stored in the stitch data storage means 6. At this time, a code corresponding to the color block of the hue is added to the stitch data, and the image data for each color is completed. At this time, the display data is also created. As described above, from the original image shown in FIG. 7, image data divided into three color portions of yellow, red and green as shown in FIG. 8 can be obtained.

When all the steps are completed, the operator has a RAM
The card take-out button 32 is pressed to take out the stitch data storage means 6 from the input device main body A, and the embroidery sewing machine main body Y
By embedding the stitch data storage means 6 in the RAM card reading section 35 and operating the embroidery sewing machine main body Y, embroidery pattern sewing can be performed with images and colors corresponding to multicolor original images as shown in FIG. it can.

According to the embodiment described above, multicolor stitch data can be obtained from a multicolor original image by one reading operation. In addition, since the number of colors can be set arbitrarily, the hue is divided according to the number of colors, and multi-color stitch data divided according to the divided hue can be obtained, there is a limit to the number of sewing threads. Is also available.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment. In this embodiment, in addition to the structure of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, an embroidery thread color input means 9 is further provided, and the above-mentioned sewing color designation key 53 which is an operation key thereof is provided. By the embroidery thread color input means 9, the central color of the hue to be divided can be designated, and the boundary of hue division can be set arbitrarily.
FIG. 11 shows a state of hue division when the number of colors is 6 and arbitrary 6 central colors are designated.
In this case, the hue range changes depending on the distribution of the designated color. 9 is the same as that of FIG. 3 except for the embroidery thread color input means 9, and the description thereof is omitted.

In this embodiment, by operating the color boundary changing key 54 or the RGB input key 55, the color boundary for hue division as shown in FIG. 11 can be arbitrarily changed. This is because, in a pattern or the like in which a boundary is formed by different colors, adjacent different colors are also classified into the same color block depending on how the hue is divided, and the problem that the boundary does not appear in the stitch data occurs. Therefore, the color boundary may need to be changed.

The operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the operator operates the mode selection key 49 to select a color mode (steps 60 ', 61'), the central processing unit 1 enters the number of colors input state from the number-of-colors input means 3. When the operator operates the color number input key 52 to input a predetermined color number N, and also operates the sewing color designation key 53 to input a designated color (step 62 ′), the hue dividing means 7 causes the hue number to be the same. And the range of hues from C'1 to C'as shown in FIG. 11 according to the designated color.
Divide up to N (step 63 '). Then, a color code corresponding to the number of colors is set (step 6).
4 '). Next, when the operator presses the reading key 50 of the input device main body A and runs the image scanner 2 on the original image while pressing the scanner button 20 of the image scanner 2, the image scanner 2 sequentially reads the image and color of the original image. ,
The image data and color data are sent to the central processing unit 1 (step 65 '). This image data is stored in the image data storage means 11 (step 66 ').

When the reading is completed, the image data dividing means 4 sets Ni = 1 and C'i = 1 (step 6).
7 '), the image data including the color data is read from the image data storage means 11, and the discrimination data of C'1 is applied to each predetermined bit block of the data to extract the data belonging to the hue of C'1 ( Step 68). And then C '
The image data belonging to 1 is stored in the image data storage means 11 (step 69 '). Then, Ni and Ci are incremented (step 70 '), and the above operation is repeated until the set number of colors N is reached (steps 71', 7).
2 ').

When the image data is divided for the total number N of colors and the operator operates the storage key 51, the central processing unit 1 stores it in the image data storage means 11 in accordance with the program of the stitch data conversion program storage means 10. The stored image data is converted into stitch data and display data for each color block from C'i to C'N (step 73 '), and the stitch data and display data are associated with a color code to stitch data storage means. 6 (step 74 '). When the end of the operation is confirmed, the operation ends (step 75 '). When the color mode is not selected in the step 61, the normal image input with a single density is executed (step 90), the image data is stored (step 91), and converted into the stitch data (step 91). 92). As described above, the stitch data with the color code can be obtained from one multicolor original image by one reading operation.

According to the second embodiment described above, multicolor stitch data can be obtained from a multicolor original image by one reading operation. Moreover, since the number of colors can be set arbitrarily and the central color can be arbitrarily specified, the hue is divided at the desired boundary line according to the number of colors. Since multicolored stitch data that is divided according to the divided hue is obtained, it is possible to handle even if the number of sewing threads is limited.

[0031]

As described above, the multicolor embroidery pattern input device of the present invention reads a desired multicolor image, converts the obtained image data into embroidery sewing data, and performs multicolor sewing. A color embroidery pattern input device, which reads a color and an image of a multicolor image and outputs image data including color information, a unit for setting a predetermined number of colors, and the set color. A unit for dividing the hue according to the number, a unit for dividing the image data for each of the divided hues, a unit for converting each of the divided image data into embroidery sewing data, and the embroidery sewing And a means for storing data in association with the divided hues.
Multi-colored stitch data can be obtained by performing one reading operation. In addition, since the number of colors can be set arbitrarily, the hue is divided according to the number of colors, and multi-color stitch data divided according to the divided hue can be obtained, there is a limit to the number of sewing threads. Is also available. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multicolor embroidery pattern input device for reading a desired multicolor image, converting the obtained image data into embroidery sewing data, and performing multicolor sewing. Multicolor image input means for reading the colors and images of the above and outputting image data including color information, means for setting a predetermined number of colors and a predetermined color corresponding to the number of colors, and the set number of colors and A means for dividing the hue corresponding to the set color, a means for dividing the image data for each of the divided hues, a means for converting each of the divided image data into embroidery sewing data, Since the embroidery stitch data is stored in association with the divided hues, the multicolor stitch data can be obtained from the multicolor original image by one reading operation. Moreover, since the number of colors can be set arbitrarily and the central color can be arbitrarily specified, the hue is divided at the desired boundary line according to the number of colors. Then, since multicolored stitch data divided according to the divided hue is obtained,
Even if the number of sewing threads is limited, it is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing an original image placing portion 25 in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a sewing machine to which the stitch data storage means 6 according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of hue division according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a stitch data creating process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of stitch data obtained according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of hue division according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Central processing unit, 2: Image scanner, 3: Color number input means, 4: Image data division means, 5: Operation command section, 6: Seam data storage means, 7: Hue division means,
8: image display means, 9: embroidery thread color input means, 10: stitch data conversion program storage means, 11: image data storage means, 20: scanner button, 21: scanner dial, 24: guide, 25: original image placement section , 30: RAM card slot, 31: liquid crystal display, 32: RAM card eject button, 33: power switch, 35: RAM card reading section, 49: mode selection key, 50: reading key, 5
1: memory key, 52: color number input key, 53: sewing color designation key, 54: color boundary change key, 55: RGB input key.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazumasa Hara, 1463 Asama-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Within Jamome Machine Industry Co., Ltd. Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A multicolor embroidery pattern input device for reading a desired multicolor image, converting the obtained image data into embroidery sewing data, and performing multicolor sewing. A multicolor image inputting means for reading the image data and outputting image data including color information, a means for setting a predetermined number of colors, a means for dividing a hue according to the set number of colors, and the dividing Means for dividing the image data for each of the divided hues, means for converting each of the divided image data into embroidery stitching data, and means for storing the embroidery stitching data in association with the divided hues. A multicolor embroidery pattern input device comprising: 2. A multicolor embroidery pattern input device for reading a desired multicolor image, converting the obtained image data into embroidery sewing data, and performing multicolor sewing. A multicolor image inputting means for reading the image data and outputting image data including color information; a means for setting a predetermined number of colors and a predetermined color corresponding to the number of colors; and the set number of colors and the set color. Corresponding to, a means for dividing the hue, a means for dividing the image data for each of the divided hues, a means for converting each of the divided image data into embroidery sewing data, and the embroidery sewing data Is stored in association with the divided hues, and a multicolor embroidery pattern input device is provided.