JPH0841773A - Embroidery method and embroidery CAD device for knit products - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To facilitate the input of embroidery data to a knit product and to easily and correctly embroider a stretchable knit product. [Structure] A monitor image 4 in which the loop aspect ratio of the knit data image 2 is corrected is displayed on the monitor, and embroidery data is input while referring to this image. Further, a plurality of positioning points 11 to 13 are designated at positions to be covered with embroidery, and the positioning points are expressed on the garment 24 as tacks or eyelets. The embroidery data image and the positioning point are combined with the contour of the monitor image, the actual size hard copy 20 is printed out and set on the embroidery frame, and the laser marker is set at the positioning point. Next, the garment 24 is set on the embroidery frame, and the garment is stretched and corrected until the positioning point fits the laser marker.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an embroidery method for a knit product and an embroidery CAD device used therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is difficult to embroider to fit a knit pattern of a knit product. For example, it is difficult to embroider along a pattern such as intarsia or jacquard to provide a composite pattern of a knit pattern and embroidery.
This is partly because there is a problem in the process of inputting embroidery data. In the process of designing the knit data, the aspect ratio of each loop in the knit data is not corrected. Therefore, the knit image representing the knit data is distorted vertically and horizontally, and it is difficult to input the embroidery pattern while referring to the distorted image. For example, if the contour of the intarsia pattern is distorted, it is difficult to input the embroidery pattern after correcting the distortion and the position where the embroidery data should be while referring to the distorted image.

The next problem in fitting the embroidery pattern to the knit pattern is expansion and contraction of the knit. When the input of the embroidery data is completed, the knit product must be positioned on the positioning means such as the embroidery frame in order to drive the embroidery machine. If positioning is performed using the contour of the product, the embroidery position will shift due to the stretchability of the knit. Therefore, the knit pattern and the embroidery pattern do not fit. Then, even if the embroidery position can be positioned with respect to the knit pattern, the stretchability of the knit causes further problems. If the knitted product that has been knitted has expanded or contracted from the size expected by the embroidery data, the knit pattern and the embroidery pattern do not match.

Therefore, in order to provide the composite pattern of the knit pattern and the embroidery, the knit is knitted and measured, and the embroidery data is created in accordance with this. However, there is no point in measuring unless you are accustomed to stretching the knit, and it is difficult to measure itself. Further, since trial knitting is necessary, it is difficult to produce a large variety of products in small quantities or to produce one product, and a composite pattern of a knit pattern and embroidery is used only for high-quality products.

[0005]

An object of the present invention is to realize a composite pattern of a knit pattern and embroidery. In particular, 1) a composite pattern can be designed without trial knitting, and 2) an embroidery pattern and a knit pattern can be easily fitted. It is to be able to do (Claim 1
5).

[0006]

According to the present invention, the process of inputting an image representing knit data, correcting the aspect ratio of the loop of this image to convert it into a monitor image, and displaying the monitor image, and the embroidery data with reference to the monitor image. And a step of displaying the input embroidery data by superimposing it on the monitor image,
A step of designating a plurality of positioning points at positions to be covered with embroidery data on the monitor image, inputting the designated positioning points in the knit data image, and a hard copy of at least the positioning points at the actual size of the knit product to be knitted. As a step of printing out, the step of converting the knit data image into the control data of the knitting machine and knitting the knit product, and setting the hard copy on the positioning means for the embroidery machine, and setting the marker at the positioning point of the hard copy. After the positioning, the knitted product is set on the positioning means, the step of aligning the positioning point of the knitted product with the marker, and the step of embroidering the knitted product are provided. is there.

Also, the present invention is a means for inputting an image representing knit data, a means for inputting embroidery data, a means for inputting a positioning point, and a frame for storing a knit data image. A memory, a unit for converting the knit data image into a monitor image in which the aspect ratio is corrected, a monitor for displaying an image in which the monitor image, the image representing the input embroidery data, and the input positioning points are combined, An embroidery CAD device provided with a printer for outputting at least the above-mentioned positioning points as a hard copy at the actual size of a knit product to be knitted, and means for converting a knit data image into control data of a knitting machine.

The knit data is data that specifies the type of knitting for each stitch, and in addition to this, data that specifies the type of yarn and the like may be included. The image representing the knit data is a knit data image, and the knit data image is converted into knit data by the time it is converted into the control data of the knitting machine, and the conversion relationship between the image and the stitch type is until the conversion into the control data of the knitting machine. Specify in. In the knit data image, the number of pixels per eye is basically constant and does not reflect the gauge or the like, and the image is distorted vertically and horizontally because the loop aspect ratio is uncorrected. Then, the loop aspect ratio of the image of the knit data is corrected to obtain a monitor image. In this invention, since the embroidery data can be input while referring to the monitor image,
It becomes easy to design a composite pattern of a knit pattern and embroidery.

Next, a positioning point is designated, and this is knitted as a stitch that can be distinguished from the surrounding stitches such as an eyelet and a tuck so that it can be identified on the knit product. On the other hand, the hard copy including the positioning points is printed out, and the hard copy simulates the knit product in actual size. The positioning point is within the embroidery area and is not visible after embroidering and does not scratch the product. The hard copy is set on the positioning means, and the marker is aligned with the positioning point. After that, the knit product is set on the positioning means, and the positioning point of the knit product is fitted to the marker. If the two do not fit, the knit product is stretched. Since the positioning point is on the portion to be embroidered, it is possible to position the exact position to embroider. The knit has elasticity,
The hard copy simulates the size according to the specifications of the knit product, and the embroidery data is created based on this size. If the hard copy is used as a reference, the knit product and the embroidery data can be fitted to each other without modifying the embroidery data. The present invention is particularly effective when embroidering the contour of a knit pattern, and preferably, a knitting machine and a marker for positioning means are provided.

[0010]

EXAMPLE An example is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 show the design of a composite pattern of a knit pattern and embroidery and positioning on the embroidery frame, FIG. 3 is a flowchart thereof, and FIG. 4 shows the hardware of the embroidery CAD device used. Describing from the hardware configuration of FIG. 4, reference numeral 40 is a main bus, 42 is a host processor, and 44 is a drawing processor. The host processor 42 is a general-purpose processor that manages the entire CAD device, and the drawing processor 44 is a high-speed processor dedicated to image processing and need not be provided. Four
A general-purpose memory 6 stores various parameters necessary for controlling the apparatus, gauge data, and the like. Reference numerals 48 and 50 are frame memories, and here, it is shown as if there are two types of frame memories 48 and 50, but this is merely for convenience of description.
An area may be assigned to one frame memory, or one frame memory may be divided into color spaces to effectively form two types of frame memories 48 and 50. The frame memory 48 is a knit data image frame memory, and the frame memory 50 is a affine-transformed monitor image frame memory.

In the embodiment, the frame memory 48 is provided with a capacity for three frames so that the three types of knit patterns of the intarsia pattern, the jacquard pattern, and the organization can be managed independently. Correspondingly, the frame memory 50 has a capacity of 3 frames. As a result, one knit design is divided into three types, intarsia, jacquard, and organization, which can be designed independently, modified / changed / copied independently, and saved independently. And the design patterns of intarsia pattern, jacquard pattern, organization are independent from each other,
Design becomes easy. Then, these three types of data are integrated into one knit design. Correspondingly, the frame memory 50 is also provided with a capacity for a plurality of frames. In the embodiment, one unit of knit data is divided into three types, but it may be divided into two types such as intarsia and its organization or jacquard and organization.

A memory 52 for embroidery data stores the embroidery data as, for example, vector data. An affine transformation unit 54 affine transforms the knit data image stored in the frame memory 48 into a monitor image and stores it in the frame memory 50. Affine transforming means 50
Also performs an inverse affine transformation from the frame memory 50 to the frame memory 48. The affine transformation means 54 transforms an address (x, y) of a pixel in the frame memory 48 into an address (ax + by + c, dx + ey + f), and its role is to adjust the aspect ratio of the loop in the knit data image according to, for example, gauge data. It corrects and converts it into an image similar to the real thing. The above a to f are constants, and the direction of the knit course is set in the frame memories 48 and 50.
When it is parallel to the x-axis or the y-axis of, the e / a is the correction constant of the aspect ratio. Here, the affine transformation unit 54 is used for the correction of the aspect ratio, but the invention is not limited to this, and the pixel at the address (x, y) is assigned to the address (ax, b).
Any pixel that can be converted into the pixel of y) may be used. Reference numeral 56 is a synthesizing unit that synthesizes images divided into three types, intarsia, jacquard, and tissue, in knit data creation so that the synthesized design can be confirmed. Further, in the embroidery design, a monitor image of the frame memory 50 is combined with an image representing embroidery data and a positioning point,
It is displayed on the graphic monitor 58. When the embroidery data image and the positioning points are written in the frame memory 50, the synthesizing unit 56 is unnecessary. Reference numeral 60 denotes a knitting machine data creating unit that converts the knit data image stored in the frame memory 48 into knitting machine control data. The knitting machine data creating means 60 itself is known, for example, from Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-21661, and is known as a knit CAD system. , It may be specified before conversion to knitting machine data.

When moving to the I / O system of the apparatus, a scanner 62 scans, for example, a pattern and inputs the contour of the knit design to obtain pattern data. 64 is a disk drive,
Reference numeral 66 is a magnetic disk, for example, a combination of a hard disk drive and a hard disk, a floppy disk drive and a floppy disk, or a magneto-optical disk drive and a magneto-optical disk. 68 is a tablet, 70 is a stylus, and 72 is an input / output for the tablet 68. Reference numeral 74 is an input / output for the printer 76, and reference numeral 78 is a keyboard for designating device control commands, gauge data, and the like.

To show the correspondence between the hardware configuration of FIG. 4 and the scope of the claims, a scanner 62, a disk drive 64, a tablet 68 and a stylus 70, a keyboard 78, etc. are used for inputting a knit data image. As described above, the pattern data is read by the scanner 62, the designed knit data image stored in the magnetic disk 66 is read and corrected using the stylus 70, or each vertex position of the knit pattern is numerically input from the keyboard 78. Pattern data. These input means 62 to 7 are also used for inputting embroidery data and positioning points.
8 can be used, but the highest operability is to specify embroidery data and positioning points on the tablet 68 using the stylus 70. The input coordinates for the knit data image are specified using the coordinate system of the frame memory 48, and the coordinates of the embroidery data are specified by the coordinate system after aspect ratio correction, for example, the coordinate system of the frame memory 50.

When inputting embroidery data, the contour of the area to be embroidered is designated by the stylus 70 while referring to the monitor image displayed on the graphic monitor 58. Next, use the stylus 70 to specify the direction of the embroidery line at several places,
The density of embroidery lines is designated from the keyboard 78. Then, a large number of embroidery lines are generated at the specified density of the embroidery lines so as to interpolate between the embroidery lines input by the host processor 42 or the drawing processor 44. The positioning point for embroidery is, for example, the stylus 70, which is 2-3 in the embroidery area.
Specify and enter the positioning point of the location. The input positioning points are stored in the embroidery data memory 52 together with the embroidery data, and are stored in the knit data image of the frame memory 48 by the host processor 42 or the drawing processor 44 as special eyes such as eyelets or tacks. It should be noted that a color yarn different from that of the surrounding knitted fabric may be assigned to the positioning point and stored in the frame memory 48. However, in this case, a point of different yarn occurs locally with respect to the surrounding knitted fabric structure, For example, in the case of the intarsia knitting, it is a burden on the knitting. The position of the garment with respect to the hard copy becomes perfect because the plane can be determined by specifying, for example, two to three positioning points, and particularly three points.

The operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the embodiment, the knit product has three types of knitting methods of intarsia, jacquard, and organization, and the embroidery is applied along the contour of the intarsia pattern, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, when pattern data is input by the scanner 62 and gauge data is input by the keyboard 78, the number of garment wales and the number of courses are determined. Therefore, the pattern data is converted so that one pixel corresponds to one loop,
The knit data image 2 in the frame memory 48 is used. Use the stylus 70 to input the following knit data images.
The knit data is individually written as a knit data image 2 in the knitted fabric structure divided into types. The three types of knitted fabrics of intarsia, jacquard, and tissue can be designed independently and their mutual fitting is confirmed by displaying a synthetic image on the monitor 58 via the synthesizing means 56.

The knit data image in the frame memory 48 is converted by the affine conversion means 54 so as to correct the aspect ratio of the loop, and the monitor image 4 in the frame memory 50 is converted.
And is displayed on the graphic monitor 58. As a result, the designer is only aware of the monitor image 4, and the designer designs by looking at an image similar to the actual garment with the loop aspect ratio corrected. Since the knit data image 2 has an uncorrected aspect ratio, it is distorted from the garment to be knitted, for example, a circle is distorted into an ellipse as shown in the upper left of FIG. However, in the monitor image 4, such distortion is eliminated, the design intended by the designer is displayed as it is, and the design can be smoothly performed without considering the distortion and its correction. 6 to 10 are, for example, 5 types of intarsia patterns.
By designating the boundaries of No. 1 and the types of colored threads in each of the patterns 6 to 10 with the stylus 70, the keyboard 78, etc., the knit design for the intarsia is completed. Similarly, organizational data such as pockets, eye reduction and increase, round neck, etc.
Design using the knit data image related to the organization.
If there is a jacquard design other than this, design using a jacquard knit design image. These three designs are integrated and converted into knitting machine control data.

The embroidery data is input while displaying the monitor image 4 on the graphic monitor 58. For example, it is assumed that an embroidery pattern is generated along the contours of the patterns 9 and 10 and a composite pattern of the intarsia patterns 6 to 10 and the embroidery pattern is designed. In this case, first, the stylus 70 is used to specify the range in which the embroidery line is input. Next, the direction of the embroidery line in each area is designated at several places, and the density of the embroidery line is designated by the keyboard 78 or the like. Then, a large number of embroidery lines are generated so as to interpolate between the designated embroidery lines with a predetermined density. In this process, an algorithm called fill in the field of image processing is applied to embroidery, and the shaded areas 16 and 18 in FIG. 1 are embroidery areas.

When the input of the embroidery data is completed, the positioning points 11 to 13 are designated. In the exemplary embodiment, a positioning point 1 is provided so that the surface of the garment can be completely determined.
Although three points 1 to 13 are designated, two points may be designated. The positions of the designated positioning points 11 to 13 are stored in the embroidery data memory 52, the coordinates thereof are inversely affine-transformed by the affine transformation means 54, and input to the knit data image 2 of the frame memory 48 as a predetermined stitch such as an eyelet or a tuck. To do. The positioning points 11 to 13 can also be used to specify an embroidery start point or the like for the embroidery head of the embroidery machine. In the process of inputting embroidery data and positioning points, embroidery areas 16 and 18 and positioning points 11 to 11 are displayed on the monitor image 4.
13 is combined and displayed on the graphic monitor 58. For this reason, the designer is
The positions of the embroidery areas 16 and 18 and the positions of the positioning points 11 to 13 with respect to 10 can be input while recognizing them on the screen.

Embroidery data and positioning points 11-13
When the input is completed, the hard copy 20 is output using the printer 76. The hard copy 20 has a size of 1: 1 with the garment to be knitted, and a predetermined position of the hard copy 20, for example, the lower left corner of the hard copy 20 in the embodiment is used as the reference point of the hard copy 20. Then, the coordinates of the first positioning point 11 with respect to this reference point are transferred to the embroidery machine as a part of the embroidery data. The hard copy 20 displays the contours (pattern image) of the knit product, the boundaries of the patterns 6 to 10 and the embroidery areas 16 and 18 in addition to the positioning points 11 to 13, but the minimum required is three positioning points. 11 to 13 are displayed. The hard copy 20 also displays monitor data in a knit design together with positioning points 11 to 13 on an image representing the color of each thread, bending, shading, and overlapping of loops, that is, a loop simulation image. Anything is fine.

The knit data image 2 is converted into the control data of the knitting machine 22 by the control data creating means 60 of the knitting machine, and is output to the magnetic disk 66 to knit the garment 24. The knitting may be a simple knitting based on the stitch data, but it is preferable to knit while controlling the yarn length of each loop to knit a garment close to the gauge data.

Turning to FIG. 2, the garment 2 on the embroidery frame 26
4 sets will be described. For example, the hard copy 20 is set on the embroidery frame 26 on the embroidery bed of an embroidery machine (not shown). The embroidery frame 26 is provided with, for example, an origin mark 28, and the origin (the lower left corner in the embodiment) of the hard copy 20 is aligned with the origin mark 28. This alignment is offset correction of the positioning of the garment 24. Further, the origin mark 28 may not be provided, and for example, in the case of FIG. 2, the lower left corner of the embroidery frame 26 may be used as the origin mark. On the upper portion of the embroidery frame 26, three laser markers 30 to 32 are provided so that their directions can be changed by a universal joint or the like. Then, the laser marker 30 is positioned at the positioning point 11, the marker 31 is positioned at the point 12, and the marker 32 is positioned at the point 13.

After this, for example, the hard copy 20 is removed and, instead, the garment 2 is set by steam treatment or the like.
Attach 4. Since the laser markers 30 to 32 have already been positioned with respect to the hard copy 20, the positioning points 11 to 13 of the garment 24 are aligned with the laser markers 30 to 32. This results in garment 2
4 is positioned with respect to the hard copy 20. The markers 30 to 32 are above the garment 24, and unlike the case where the garment 24 is irradiated from below, the markers can be easily read even if the garment 24 is thick. Since the garment 24 is often expanded or contracted based on gauge data or the like, when the point 11 is aligned with the laser marker 30, for example, the points 12 and 13 are often the markers 3.
Does not fit 1,32. In such a case, the garment 24 is stretched or contracted until the positioning points 11 to 13 fit the laser markers 30 to 32, and the positioning points 11 to 13 are moved to the markers 30 to 32.
To fit.

Points 11 to 13 are laser markers 30 to
When fitted to 32, the embroidery start point on the garment 24 coincides with the head embroidery start point. This is because the position of the hard copy 20 is positioned by the origin mark 28 and the offset between the origin mark 28 and the embroidery start point is transferred to the embroidery machine as embroidery data. Also garment 24
The portion to be embroidered above fits perfectly on the embroidery areas 16, 18 on the hard copy 20. This is because the garment 24 is positioned with respect to the hard copy 20 at three points, and the expansion and contraction of the garment 24 has been corrected based on the hard copy 20. Furthermore, since the expansion and contraction of the garment 24 is corrected, the sizes of the embroidery data and the garment 24 correspond to each other, and both can be fitted without modifying the size of the embroidery data. If embroidery is performed using an embroidery head of an embroidery machine (not shown), the intarsia pattern 6
The embroidery patterns 16 and 18 accurately positioned with respect to 10 are generated, and a composite pattern of the intarsia pattern and the embroidery pattern can be realized.

In the embodiment, the embroidery can be performed without trial knitting, and further, the knitting pattern can be designed by the same device to design the embroidery pattern. For example, it is possible to produce one product. Although the laser markers 30 to 32 are shown as the markers, it is sufficient that the positions of the positioning points 11 to 13 on the hard copy 20 can be designated when the garment 24 is set on the embroidery frame 26. Laser marker 3 here
The reason why 0 to 32 are used is that they do not hinder the setting and removal of the garment 24 and can be easily recognized. In the embodiment, the monitor image 4 in which the aspect ratio of the knit data image 2 is corrected is used as the original image at the time of embroidery, but an image simulating a state in which the knitting yarn of the knit is knitted as a loop may be used as the original image.

[0026]

According to the present invention, a composite pattern of a high-value-added knit pattern and embroidery can be easily realized.
~ 5). In particular, 1) it is possible to design a composite pattern without trial knitting, and the embroidery data is entered while referring to the monitor image with the loop aspect ratio corrected. 2) Fitting the embroidery pattern and the knit pattern And the expansion and contraction of the knit product can be easily corrected. 3) The positioning mark provided on the knit product is hidden by the embroidery and does not damage the product (claims 1 to 5).

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a process up to printout of a hard copy and knitting of a knit product in an example.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a process of setting a knit product on an embroidery frame and stretching correction in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an algorithm of an embroidery method for a knit product in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embroidery CAD device according to an embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 knit data image 52 embroidery data memory 4 monitor image 54 affine transformation means 6-10 intarsia pattern 56 composition means 11 to 13 positioning point 58 graphic monitor 14 embroidery data image 60 knitting machine data creating means 16, 18 embroidery area 62 scanner 20 hard copy 64 disk drive 22 knitting machine 66 magnetic disk 24 garment 68 tablet 26 embroidery frame 70 stylus 28 origin mark 72,74 input / output 30-32 laser marker 76 printer 40 main bus 78 keyboard 42 host processor 44 drawing processor 46 general-purpose memory 48 , 50 frame memory

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A step of inputting an image representing knit data, converting the loop aspect ratio of this image to convert it into a monitor image, and displaying the monitor image, and inputting and inputting embroidery data while referring to the monitor image. A step of displaying the embroidery data overlaid on the monitor image, a step of designating a plurality of positioning points at positions to be covered by the embroidery data on the monitor image, and inputting the specified positioning points in the knit data image, Steps for printing out the positioning points of the knit product as a hard copy at the actual size of the knit product to be knitted; knitting the knit product by converting the knit data image into control data for the knitting machine; After setting the marker to the positioning means of, and aligning the marker with the positioning point of the hard copy, knitting Setting the knit product on the positioning means, aligning the positioning point of the knit product with the marker, and the step of embroidering the knit product after aligning the positioning point with the marker. How to embroider knit products. 2. The knit according to claim 1, further comprising the step of expanding and contracting the knit product so that the positioning point of the knit product fits the marker when the positioning point does not fit the marker. How to embroider on the product. 3. At least a part of the embroidery data,
The embroidery method for a knit product according to claim 1, wherein the knit product is located at a boundary of the knit pattern in the knit data image. 4. A unit for inputting an image representing knit data, a unit for inputting embroidery data, a unit for inputting a positioning point, and a frame memory for storing a knit data image. A unit for converting the aspect ratio of the knit data image into a monitor image, a monitor for displaying an image in which the monitor image, an image representing the input embroidery data and the input positioning point are displayed, and at least the above An embroidery CAD device provided with a printer for outputting a hard copy of the positioning points at the actual size of the knit product to be knitted, and means for converting the knit data image into control data for the knitting machine. 5. A knitting machine for knitting a knit product based on the control data, a positioning means for positioning the knit product with respect to the embroidery machine, and a knit at a hard copy positioning point on the positioning means. The embroidery CAD device according to claim 4, further comprising: a marker for aligning a positioning point of the product.