Embroidery method and computerized embroidery machine

Abstract

The invention discloses an embroidery method and a computer embroidery machine, and the embroidery method generates a machine needle embroidery sequence according to embroidery thread color information corresponding to each machine needle and color embroidery sequence information corresponding to an embroidery pattern plate. According to the control system of the computerized embroidery machine, the needles are controlled to embroider successively based on the embroidery sequence of the needles, so that the working sequence of the needles is automatically controlled, manual setting of the embroidery sequence of the needles in related technologies is avoided, the labor intensity of operators is reduced, and the embroidery efficiency of the computerized embroidery machine is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of computer embroidery machines, and in particular to an embroidery method and a computer embroidery machine. Background Art

[0002] In the field of computer embroidery machine technology, there are many upper threads placed. When the pattern colors are complex, the upper thread colors and sequences need to be manually input, which is prone to errors and inefficient. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application hopes to provide an embroidery method and a computer embroidery machine, which are at least used to realize automatic control of the working order of the machine needle, avoid the manual setting of the machine needle embroidery order in the related technology, reduce the labor intensity of the operator, and improve the embroidery efficiency of the computer embroidery machine.

[0004] The present invention provides an embroidery method, comprising: Obtaining the embroidery thread color information corresponding to each needle, wherein a plurality of needles are arranged on the machine head, each needle matches one embroidery thread, and each embroidery thread has a different color; Acquire color embroidery sequence information corresponding to an embroidery pattern, wherein the embroidery pattern is provided with a pattern, the pattern includes a plurality of colors, and each color matches one of the embroidery threads; A needle embroidery sequence is generated according to the embroidery thread color information corresponding to each needle and the color embroidery sequence information corresponding to the embroidery pattern.

[0005] As an achievable method, after the embroidery thread corresponding to the machine needle is used up and the thread is replaced, the new embroidery thread color information corresponding to each machine needle is obtained again, and a new machine needle embroidery sequence is generated according to the new embroidery thread color information corresponding to each machine needle and the color embroidery sequence information corresponding to the embroidery pattern.

[0006] As an implementable method, when the embroidery threads corresponding to the plurality of needles are used up at the same time and the threads are replaced, the color information of the new embroidery threads corresponding to the needles is obtained once.

[0007] As an implementable manner, the embroidery thread color information corresponding to each of the needles is obtained at a preset time interval.

[0008] As an implementable manner, the obtaining of the embroidery thread color information corresponding to each needle includes: Acquire the embroidery thread image corresponding to each of the needles through an image collector; Determine a characteristic region in the embroidery thread image, wherein the color of the characteristic region is used to represent the color of the embroidery thread; Determine the color of the feature area based on the color of the pixels in the feature area The present invention also provides a computer embroidery machine, comprising a control system, an image collector or a color recognition sensor, and a plurality of machine needles.

[0009] Each of the needles is matched with an embroidery thread, and the embroidery threads have different colors; An image collector or a color recognition sensor, wherein the image collector is used to obtain the embroidery thread image corresponding to each of the needles.

[0010] The control system is electrically connected to the image collector, or the control system is electrically connected to the color recognition sensor.

[0011] As an implementable manner, it further comprises a wire rack, on which a plurality of winding members are provided, and each of the winding members is wound with the embroidery thread of a certain color. When the image collector is provided, the image collector is installed on the wire rack to obtain an image, and the image includes the embroidery thread at a preset position of each winding member.

[0012] As an implementable manner, it further comprises a wire rack, on which a plurality of winding members are provided, and each winding member is wound with the embroidery thread of a certain color. When the color recognition sensor is provided, the color recognition sensor corresponds to the winding member one by one, and each color recognition sensor is installed on the wire rack.

[0013] As an implementable manner, it further includes a wire clamp, which is used to detect whether to replace a new winding member, and the wire clamp is electrically connected to the control system. The control system detects the replacement of a new winding member according to the detection of the wire clamp, so that the image collector again captures images of the preset positions of each winding member, or the color recognition sensor again recognizes the color of the embroidery thread on the winding member.

[0014] As an implementable manner, the thread clamp detects the replacement of multiple new winding members at the same time, the image collector performs an image acquisition of a preset position of each winding member once, or the color recognition sensor performs an identification of the color of the embroidery thread on the winding member once.

[0015] The above scheme generates the needle embroidery sequence according to the embroidery thread color information corresponding to each needle and the color embroidery sequence information corresponding to the embroidery pattern. The control system of the computer embroidery machine controls each needle to embroider in sequence based on the needle embroidery sequence, thereby realizing automatic control of the needle working sequence, avoiding the manual setting of the needle embroidery sequence in the related art, reducing the labor intensity of the operator, and improving the embroidery efficiency of the computer embroidery machine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Other features, objects and advantages of the present application will become more apparent by reading the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments made with reference to the following drawings: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a pattern of an embroidery pattern plate provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a photo provided for an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a wire rack and a wire clamp provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another wire rack and a wire clamp provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 The present invention provides a flowchart of an embroidery method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the relevant invention, rather than to limit the invention. It is also necessary to explain that, for ease of description, only the parts related to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0018] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0019] The computer embroidery machine includes a machine head and a thread rack, which are arranged above and below the machine head. The machine head includes a needle bar rack and multiple needles, which are arranged on the needle bar rack at equal intervals in the same direction. The thread rack is provided with multiple windings, each of which is wound with embroidery thread of a certain color. The windings correspond to the needles one by one, and the embroidery thread output from the windings is led to the thread passing hole of the needle.

[0020] The winding member may be a wire reel, a wire drum, etc. The following embodiments are described with the winding member being a wire drum: For example, the machine head includes 6 needles: needle No. 1 to needle No. 6. Needle No. 1 matches the first thread barrel a, and the first thread barrel a is wound with red embroidery thread; needle No. 2 matches the second thread barrel b, and the second thread barrel b is wound with green embroidery thread; needle No. 3 matches the third thread barrel c, and the third thread barrel c is wound with yellow embroidery thread; needle No. 4 matches the fourth thread barrel d, and the fourth thread barrel d is wound with blue embroidery thread; needle No. 5 matches the fifth thread barrel e, and the fifth thread barrel e is wound with black embroidery thread; needle No. 6 matches the sixth thread barrel f, and the sixth thread barrel f is wound with white embroidery thread.

[0021] Figure 1An embroidery pattern is shown, and the pattern on the embroidery pattern includes a first part 10, a second part 20, a third part 30, a fourth part 40, a fifth part 50 and a sixth part 60, and the sixth part 60 is composed of a first annular area 61, a second annular area 62, a third annular area 63, and a fourth annular area 64. Among them, the first part 10 is blue, the second part 20 is green, the third part 30 is yellow, the fourth part 40 is red, the fifth part 50 is white, and the sixth part 60 is black.

[0022] When designing the pattern on the embroidery plate, those skilled in the art can set the embroidery order of each color by themselves, for example, setting the embroidery order of the colors corresponding to the embroidery plate to black, blue, green, yellow, red and white.

[0023] In the related art, the operator of the computer embroidery machine manually sets the embroidery sequence of each needle according to the color embroidery sequence corresponding to the above-mentioned embroidery pattern board. That is, first, the No. 5 needle embroiders the first annular area 61, the second annular area 62, the third annular area 63, and the fourth annular area 64 in sequence, then the No. 4 needle embroiders the first part 10; then, the No. 2 needle embroiders the second part 20; then, the No. 3 needle embroiders the third part 30; then, the No. 1 needle embroiders the fourth part 40; and finally, the No. 6 needle embroiders the fifth part 50.

[0024] If the number of needles on the needle bar rack increases, for example, 9 needles, 12 needles, etc., the operator of the computer embroidery machine needs to manually set the embroidery sequence of each needle, which further increases the labor intensity of the operator.

[0025] Based on this, the present application proposes an embroidery method that can automatically realize the embroidery sequence of each needle, reduce the labor intensity of the operator, and improve the embroidery efficiency of the computer embroidery machine.

[0026] like Figure 5 As shown, the steps of the embroidery method are as follows: S1, obtaining the embroidery thread color information corresponding to each needle; It should be noted that the embroidery thread color information can be obtained through a color recognition sensor. A color recognition sensor is correspondingly provided on each thread drum, and each color recognition sensor is electrically connected to the control system of the computer embroidery machine.

[0027] Alternatively, the embroidery thread color information can be obtained through an image acquisition device, which can be an industrial camera or an industrial video camera. The image acquisition device is electrically connected to the control system of the computer embroidery machine.

[0028] For example, Figure 3As shown, an image acquisition device is installed on the thread rack, and the image acquisition device is in a preset position. The image acquisition device can take photos or videos of the thread roller positions of all thread spools, and the embroidery thread wound on each thread spool can be presented in the image.

[0029] Specifically: S11, obtaining the embroidery thread image corresponding to each needle through an image collector; S12, determining the characteristic region in the embroidery thread image, the color of the characteristic region is used to represent the color of the embroidery thread; wherein, since the embroidery thread is concentrated at the thread roller position of the thread drum, the thread roller position of the thread drum is presented in the photo, which is helpful to identify the color of the embroidery thread on the thread drum. Therefore, the thread roller position of the thread drum is used as the characteristic region.

[0030] S13, identifying the colors of the pixels in the feature area to identify the color of the feature area.

[0031] According to the distribution and quantity of the pixels in the feature area, the main color in the feature area is identified. Since the color in the feature area is a single color, the main color in the feature area is the color of the embroidery thread wound on the bobbin.

[0032] The following is an explanation using an industrial camera as the image collector: The first bobbin a to the sixth bobbin f are arranged in sequence from left to right (or from right to left). The industrial camera takes pictures of all the bobbins, and the bobbin rollers of each bobbin can be shown in the pictures. Figure 2 As shown, a photo is shown, which shows the first to sixth thread bobbins a to f, and the thread bobbins rollers of each thread bobbin are clearly visible. The first thread bobbin a and the sixth thread bobbin f are respectively located in the edge area of ​​the photo.

[0033] The photo is uploaded to the control system of the computer embroidery machine, and the control system of the computer embroidery machine determines each characteristic area based on the photo: that is, the first characteristic area a1 of the first bobbin a is determined, the second characteristic area b1 of the second bobbin b is determined, the third characteristic area c1 of the third bobbin c is determined, the fourth characteristic area d1 of the fourth bobbin d is determined, the fifth characteristic area e1 of the fifth bobbin e is determined, and the sixth characteristic area f1 of the sixth bobbin f is determined. The first characteristic area a1 to the sixth characteristic area f1 are arranged in sequence from left to right.

[0034] The direction from the first bobbin a to the sixth bobbin f is used as the color recognition order. In this way, the color recognition of the pixels in the first characteristic area a1 determines that the color in the first characteristic area a1 is red; the color recognition of the pixels in the first characteristic area a1 determines that the color in the second characteristic area b1 is green; the color recognition of the pixels in the third characteristic area c1 determines that the color in the third characteristic area c1 is yellow; the color recognition of the pixels in the fourth characteristic area d1 determines that the color in the fourth characteristic area d1 is blue; the color recognition of the pixels in the fifth characteristic area e1 determines that the color in the fifth characteristic area e1 is black; the color recognition of the pixels in the sixth characteristic area f1 determines that the color in the sixth characteristic area f1 is white.

[0035] Thus, the color of the embroidery thread on the first thread reel a is determined to be red, the color of the embroidery thread on the second thread reel b is green, the color of the embroidery thread on the third thread reel c is yellow, the color of the embroidery thread on the fourth thread reel d is blue, the color of the embroidery thread on the fifth thread reel e is black, and the color of the embroidery thread on the sixth thread reel f is white. The color information of the embroidery thread on each thread reel is sent to the control system of the computer embroidery machine.

[0036] Of course, it is understandable that the direction from the sixth thread reel f to the first thread reel a may also be used as the color recognition order.

[0037] S2, obtaining color embroidery sequence information corresponding to the embroidery pattern; It should be noted that, according to the above description: when designing the pattern on the embroidery pattern, those skilled in the art can set the embroidery order of each color by themselves. Therefore, the color embroidery order information corresponding to the embroidery pattern is sent to the control system of the computer embroidery machine.

[0038] S3, generating a needle embroidery sequence according to the embroidery thread color information corresponding to each needle and the color embroidery sequence information corresponding to the embroidery pattern.

[0039] For example, the color embroidery order of the embroidery pattern is black, blue, green, yellow, red, and white. Correspondingly, the control system of the computer embroidery machine selects the fifth thread drum e, the fourth thread drum d, the second thread drum b, the third thread drum c, the first thread drum a, and the sixth thread drum f in turn based on black, blue, green, yellow, red, and white, thereby determining the order in which the needles embroider in sequence, that is, the needle embroidery order is: No. 5 needle, No. 4 needle, No. 2 needle, No. 3 needle, No. 1 needle, and No. 6 needle.

[0040] In addition, it should be noted that after the embroidery thread corresponding to the needle is used up and the thread is replaced, the new embroidery thread color information corresponding to each needle is obtained again. According to the new embroidery thread color information corresponding to each needle and the color embroidery sequence information corresponding to the embroidery pattern, a new needle embroidery sequence is generated.

[0041] For example, when the embroidery thread on the first bobbin a is used up, the operator replaces the first bobbin with a new black bobbin. The industrial camera takes photos of the first bobbin a to the sixth bobbin f again. The new photos and the color embroidery sequence information corresponding to the embroidery pattern are sent to the control system of the computer embroidery machine, and the control system of the computer embroidery machine generates a new needle embroidery sequence based on the two.

[0042] Or, for example, among the first to sixth thread reels a to f, the embroidery threads on the first thread reel a, the second thread reel b, and the fifth thread reel e are used up, and the operator replaces the new thread reels in sequence. The embroidery thread on the first thread reel a can be red, the embroidery thread on the second thread reel b can be green, and the embroidery thread on the fifth thread reel e can be black; or, the embroidery thread on the first thread reel a can be green, the embroidery thread on the second thread reel b can be red, and the embroidery thread on the fifth thread reel e can be black; or, the embroidery thread on the first thread reel a can be black, the embroidery thread on the second thread reel b can be red, and the embroidery thread on the fifth thread reel e can be green, and so on. After the three thread reels are replaced, the industrial camera only needs to take a picture once.

[0043] This can avoid taking photos many times and frequently, which helps to reduce the calculation amount of the control system of the computer embroidery machine and improve the embroidery efficiency of the computer embroidery machine.

[0044] Of course, it is understandable that the embroidery thread color information corresponding to each needle can be obtained at preset time intervals.

[0045] In summary, the present application generates a needle embroidery sequence according to the embroidery thread color information corresponding to each needle and the color embroidery sequence information corresponding to the embroidery pattern. The control system of the computer embroidery machine controls each needle to embroider in sequence based on the needle embroidery sequence, thereby realizing automatic control of the needle working sequence, avoiding the manual setting of the needle embroidery sequence in the related art, reducing the labor intensity of the operator, and improving the embroidery efficiency of the computer embroidery machine.

[0046] The present application provides a computer embroidery machine, which includes an image collector, a color recognition sensor and a thread rack.

[0047] like Figure 3 or Figure 4 As shown, the thread rack 70 includes a tensioner support rod 72 and a thread passing rod 71. Multiple thread spools can be placed on the thread rack 70. The tensioner support rod 72 is used to adjust the tension of the embroidery thread, and the thread passing rod 71 is used to guide the output direction of the embroidery thread. The tensioner support rod 72 is arranged close to the front side of the computer embroidery machine, and the thread passing rod 71 is arranged away from the front side of the computer embroidery machine. The lengths of the tensioner support rod 72 and the thread passing rod 71 both extend along the length direction of the computer embroidery machine, and the two are arranged in parallel. Figure 3 As shown, the lengths of the tensioner support rod 72 and the wire-passing rod 71 extend in the left-right direction.

[0048] When the computer embroidery machine is equipped with an image collector, Figure 3 As shown, the image collector is located above each wire drum of the wire rack through a support rod. In this way, after the image collector acquires an image, the position of the wire drum roller of each wire drum in the image is clearly visible.

[0049] When the computer embroidery machine is equipped with a color recognition sensor, Figure 4 As shown, the color recognition sensors correspond to the bobbins one by one. A mounting rod 73 is provided between the tensioner support rod 72 and the wire passing rod 71, and each color recognition sensor is mounted on the mounting rod 73.

[0050] When the embroidery thread on any of the first to sixth thread spools a to f is used up, the thread clamp 80 is used to determine whether the embroidery thread is used up. Specifically, the thread clamp 80 is provided with a thread wheel, and a sensing device 81 is provided at one end of the thread wheel. During the thread unwinding process, the embroidery thread passes through the thread wheel to drive the thread wheel to rotate. When the thread is exhausted, the thread wheel does not move. At this time, the sensing device 81 issues an alarm to prompt the operator to replace the new thread spool.

[0051] The alarm signal is also sent to the control system of the computer embroidery machine. The control system is set to send a signal to the industrial camera to take another photo after a preset time. That is to say, after the preset time, it is considered that the replacement of the thread bobbin is completed and the new thread bobbin is placed on the thread rack and embroidery can be carried out normally. At this moment, the industrial camera takes a photo again.

[0052] It should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like used above to indicate orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more.

[0053] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and an explanation of the technical principles used. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention involved in the present application is not limited to the technical solution formed by a specific combination of the above technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above technical features or their equivalent features without departing from the inventive concept. For example, the above features are replaced with the technical features with similar functions disclosed in this application (but not limited to) by each other.

Claims

1. An embroidery method, characterized in that: include: The embroidery thread color information corresponding to each needle is obtained, wherein a plurality of the needles are arranged on the machine head, each needle matches one embroidery thread, and the embroidery threads have different colors; the color embroidery sequence information corresponding to the embroidery plate is obtained, wherein the embroidery plate is provided with a pattern, the pattern includes a plurality of colors and embroidery sequences, and each color matches one embroidery thread; the needle embroidery sequence is generated according to the embroidery thread color information corresponding to each needle and the color embroidery sequence information corresponding to the embroidery plate.

2. The embroidery method according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the embroidery thread corresponding to the machine needle is used up and the thread is replaced, the new embroidery thread color information corresponding to each machine needle is obtained again, and a new machine needle embroidery sequence is generated according to the new embroidery thread color information corresponding to each machine needle and the color embroidery sequence information corresponding to the embroidery pattern.

3. The embroidery method according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the embroidery threads corresponding to the plurality of needles are used up at the same time and the threads are replaced, the color information of the new embroidery threads corresponding to the needles is obtained once.

4. The embroidery method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The embroidery thread color information corresponding to each of the needles is obtained at preset time intervals.

5. The embroidery method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The step of obtaining the embroidery thread color information corresponding to each needle includes: The embroidery thread image corresponding to each of the needles is obtained through an image collector; a characteristic area in the embroidery thread image is determined, and the color of the characteristic area is used to represent the color of the embroidery thread; the color of the characteristic area is determined based on the color of the pixel points in the characteristic area.

6. A computer embroidery machine, characterized in that: include: A plurality of machine needles, each of which is matched with an embroidery thread, and each of the embroidery threads has a different color; An image collector or a color recognition sensor, the image collector is used to obtain the embroidery thread image corresponding to each of the needles. A control system, the control system is electrically connected to the image collector, or the control system is electrically connected to the color recognition sensor.

7. The computer embroidery machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a wire rack, on which a plurality of winding members are provided, and each of the winding members is wound with the embroidery thread of a certain color. When the image collector is provided, the image collector is installed on the wire rack to obtain an image, and the image includes the embroidery thread at a preset position of each of the winding members.

8. The computer embroidery machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a wire rack, on which a plurality of winding members are provided, each of which is wound with the embroidery thread of a certain color. When the color recognition sensor is provided, the color recognition sensor corresponds to the winding member one by one, and each color recognition sensor is installed on the wire rack.

9. The computer embroidery machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: It also includes a thread clamp, which is used to detect whether to replace the new winding member. The thread clamp is electrically connected to the control system. The control system detects the replacement of the new winding member based on the thread clamp, so that the image collector captures images of the preset positions of each winding member again, or the color recognition sensor recognizes the color of the embroidery thread on the winding member again.

10. The computer embroidery machine according to claim 9, characterized in that: The thread clamp detects the replacement of multiple new winding members at the same time, the image collector collects images of preset positions of each winding member once, or the color recognition sensor recognizes the color of the embroidery thread on the winding member once.

Images