Coordinate data creation device, sewing machine and program

Abstract

To produce a hand-drawn feeling in a sewing pattern by giving appropriate variation to each stitch and form a seam such that comfort and warmth can be felt, and to create a pattern expressing natural fluctuation without losing the original form of the pattern.SOLUTION: A coordinate data creation device of a sewing machine for creating coordinate data, comprises: a data storage unit for storing the order of sewing and the coordinate data on a needle location in association with each other; a coordinate data addition unit which, when the coordinate data on three or more needle locations consecutive in the order of sewing stored in the data storage unit is on a line, creates the coordinate data on a new needle location on the line inside the needle locations at both ends of the line, according to a distance between each of the needle locations at both of the ends of the line and the needle location located inside the needle locations at both of the ends; and an after-addition coordinate data creation unit for creating new coordinate data by adding a unique value to an X-coordinate value or a Y-coordinate value of the coordinate data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coordinate data creation device, a sewing machine, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, the position of a stitch in a sewing machine is determined by the amplitude position of the needle and the amount of feed of the fabric. Therefore, a pattern is created by connecting each needle point with a thread. Here, the positions at which the needles are dropped are determined stitch by stitch based on the pattern to be sewn, and the data is entered. In other words, basically, sewing data is often created so that the original shape can be faithfully reproduced in the stitches. Then, by connecting the needle points with straight lines in accordance with this sewing data, the original shape can be drawn with stitches. Therefore, by using a sewing machine, anyone can faithfully reproduce the pattern, and beautiful patterns can be formed on the fabric, appearing to have been sewn by an advanced seamstress. However, this actually gave the impression of being mechanical and cold.

[0003] To address these issues, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for creating stitches that have a comfortable, warm feel by providing appropriate variation for each stitch, giving the stitching a hand-drawn feel. Furthermore, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, even if the needle drop positions are in different sewing orders, the variation in coordinate data that results in the same coordinates is made the same, making it possible to transform the pattern to look hand-drawn while maintaining the original shape. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-5797 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the original needle drop point is varied. However, for example, when processing a pattern having a simple shape, the intermediate points of the needle drop points are sewn with thread and are therefore expressed as straight lines. In particular, when the distance between the needle drop points is large and there is variation, the linear expression becomes more noticeable. On the other hand, even if needle points are added, if the distance between any two points is relatively large, the stitching at that point may still be expressed in a straight line, making it difficult to express natural fluctuations.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a coordinate data creation device, sewing machine and program that can give a sewing pattern a handwritten feel by introducing moderate variation into each stitch, producing stitches that feel comfortable and warm, and can create patterns that express natural fluctuations without compromising the original shape of the pattern. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Mode 1: One or more embodiments of the present invention are a coordinate data creation device for a sewing machine that creates coordinate data consisting of X-coordinate values ​​and Y-coordinate values ​​of needle drop positions of a pattern to be sewn, the device including a data storage unit that associates and stores a sewing sequence with the coordinate data of the needle drop positions, and the coordinate data of three or more needle drop positions that are consecutive in the sewing sequence stored in the data storage unit. straight When the needle drop position is on a line, the needle drop position on the inside of the needle drop positions on both ends of the line is determined according to the distance between the needle drop positions on both ends and the needle drop positions on the inside of the needle drop positions on both ends. straight a coordinate data adding unit for creating the coordinate data of a new needle drop position on the line, and a coordinate data adding unit for adding the X-coordinate value or the Y-coordinate value of the coordinate data, random numberand a post-addition coordinate data creation section for adding the above to create new coordinate data.

[0008] Mode 2: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a coordinate data creation device characterized in that the coordinate data addition unit creates the coordinate data so that the multiple needle drop positions that make up the line are each equally spaced apart.

[0009] Mode 3: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a sewing machine including the coordinate data creation device according to any one of modes 1 to 3.

[0010] Mode 4: One or more embodiments of the present invention are a program for causing a computer to execute a coordinate data creation method in a coordinate data creation device for a sewing machine, the coordinate data creation device including a data storage unit that associates and stores a sewing sequence with coordinate data of a needle drop position, a coordinate data addition unit, and an added coordinate data creation unit, and creates the coordinate data consisting of an X coordinate value and a Y coordinate value of a needle drop position of a pattern to be sewn, the coordinate data addition unit adding the coordinate data of three or more of the needle drop positions that are consecutive in the sewing sequence stored in the data storage unit to the data storage unit, straight When the needle drop position is on a line, the needle drop position on the inside of the needle drop positions on both ends of the line is determined according to the distance between the needle drop positions on both ends and the needle drop positions on the inside of the needle drop positions on both ends. straight A first step of creating the coordinate data of a new needle drop position on the line, and the added coordinate data creating unit adding the X-coordinate value or the Y-coordinate value of the coordinate data, random number and a second step of generating new coordinate data by adding the calculated coordinates to the first coordinate. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, by providing a moderate amount of variation for each stitch, it is possible to give the sewing pattern a hand-drawn feel, producing stitches that feel comfortable and warm, while also creating a pattern that expresses natural fluctuations without compromising the original shape of the pattern. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is an electrical block diagram of a coordinate data creation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram when operating a screen in the coordinate data creation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen when operating the screen in a coordinate data creation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a process flow diagram relating to handwritten stitch conversion in the coordinate data creation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a pattern based on original data when needle drop points are automatically generated between needle drop points at both ends of a line according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a pattern after needle points are added when needle points are automatically generated between needle points at both ends of a line according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram for illustratively comparing a sewing image when a needle drop point is added and when a needle drop point is not added according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example comparison of a sewing image when a needle drop point is not added and when a needle drop point is not added according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating exemplary comparisons of sewing images when needle points are added according to the first embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] <Electrical configuration of the coordinate data creation device 10> The electrical configuration of a coordinate data creation device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the coordinate data creation device 10 of this embodiment includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a ROM 102, a working memory (RAM) 103, a display control device 104, an LCD display 105, a touch panel 106, a tact switch 107, a USB controller 108, an external medium 109, a sewing machine motor control device 110, an amplitude / feed motor control device 111, a sewing machine motor 110A, an amplitude motor 111A, and a feed motor 111B.

[0016] A central processing unit (CPU) 101 controls the overall operation of the coordinate data creation device 10 in accordance with a control program stored in a ROM 102 . In addition, the computer is connected to various devices via external input / output devices.

[0017] In this embodiment, the ROM 102 mainly functions as a storage unit that stores stitch data and function modules.

[0018] In this embodiment, the RAM 103 mainly functions as a working memory for temporarily storing working data and the like.

[0019] The ROM 102 stores various functional modules and data, such as a handwritten-style mode selection module 102A, a pattern selection module 102B, an absolute feed format conversion module 102C, an adjustment value generation module 102D, an adjustment value addition module 102E, a mechanism limit restriction module 102F, an identical point processing module 102G, a combination pattern generation module 102H, a combination pattern editing module 102I, a save / read module 102J, a stitch data K storage area, and a needle drop point addition module 102L between two points.

[0020] The handwritten-style mode selection module 102A is activated when the user presses the "handwritten-style" button on the operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 shown in FIG. 3, and is a module that fine-tunes the stitch data 102K for the pattern selected thereafter using a handwritten-style stitch conversion function.

[0021] The pattern selection module 102B is a module that selects a pattern with pattern number 1 stored in the ROM 102 of the sewing machine when the user presses, for example, button 1 among the "Pattern Selection" buttons on the operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 shown in FIG. 3, and reads in stitch data 102K for that one pattern.

[0022] The absolute feed format conversion module 102C is a module that accumulates the feed amounts of the relative feed amount stitch data 102K and converts it into a data format of absolute coordinates.

[0023] The adjustment value generation module 102D is a module that converts the random integer value generated when a pattern selection operation is performed by the user using the pattern selection module 102B into units of 0.1 mm, converts the random number value into a unit of length, and generates an adjustment value. Note that in a needle drop point addition module 102L, which will be described later, a corresponding adjustment value is also generated for the coordinate data of the generated new needle drop position (needle drop point).

[0024] The adjustment value addition module 102E is a module that adds the adjustment value generated by the adjustment value generation module 102D to each of the original amplitude value and absolute feed data. In addition, the corresponding adjustment value generated in the adjustment value generation module 102D is also added to the coordinate data for the new needle drop position generated in the needle drop point addition module 102L, which will be described later.

[0025] The mechanism limiting module 102F is a module that becomes effective when the processing result of the adjustment value adding module 102E exceeds the limit value of the amplitude / feed mechanism, and limits the execution of the processing result by the adjustment value adding module 102E.

[0026] The same point processing module 102G is a module that operates when there is other original data within the same or similar range of one original data, which is absolute coordinate data before adding an adjustment value, and performs processing so that the adjusted coordinates match the already adjusted coordinates.

[0027] The combination pattern generating module 102H is a module for temporarily storing in the working memory (RAM) 103 data that has been subjected to handwritten processing for data for one pattern. The combination pattern generation module 102H is a module that displays, via the display control device 104, one pattern of the pattern converted into a handwritten style on the “preview screen” of the operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 shown in FIG. Moreover, the combination pattern generating module 102H is a module that, when the same pattern is selected again by the user, fine-tunes the stitch data 102K using new random numbers to create a combination pattern.

[0028] The combination pattern editing module 102I is a module for deleting or adding patterns and changing combinations. Furthermore, the combination pattern editing module 102I is a module that performs fine adjustments to the pattern using new random numbers when a pattern is added.

[0029] The save / read module 102J is a module that writes the combined pattern data to an external medium 109 or the like. The save / read module 102J is a module that executes reading of the combined pattern data from an external medium 109 or the like.

[0030] When the coordinate data of three or more needle drop positions in a consecutive sewing order stored in the stitch data K storage area in the ROM 102 acting as a data storage unit is on a line, the two-point needle drop point addition module 102L creates coordinate data of one or more new needle drop positions at an appropriate distance on the line inside the needle drop positions at both ends of the line, depending on the distance between the needle drop positions at both ends and a needle drop position inside (between two points) of the needle drop positions at both ends. At the same time, the needle drop positions that were inside the needle drop positions at both ends before the new needle drop positions were added are moved along the line. The coordinate data created in accordance with the new needle drop position and the needle drop position that has moved along the line is stored in a stitch data K storage area in the ROM 102 that serves as a data storage section. The above has been described as adding one or more new needle drop positions to create an appropriate distance, and moving the needle drop positions that were on the inside of both ends before the addition. However, it is also possible to delete the needle drop positions that were on the inside of both ends before the addition, and then add multiple new needle drop positions so that the spacing between the needle drop positions is appropriate. The two-point needle point addition module 102L may create coordinate data so that the multiple needle points constituting the line after the coordinate data of the new needle points is generated are spaced equally apart.

[0031] The RAM 103 temporarily stores various functional modules, such as the OS and basic libraries, that are read from the ROM 102 . The RAM 103 also temporarily stores and saves data used in operations by the central processing unit (CPU) 101.

[0032] The display control device 104 is a device that controls display data to be displayed on a liquid crystal display 105, which will be described later.

[0033] The liquid crystal display 105 is a device that displays an operation screen such as that shown in FIG. The liquid crystal display 105 is electrically connected to the central processing unit (CPU) 101 via an external input / output device. In addition, liquid crystal display 105 has a multi-layer structure in which touch panel 106, which will be described later, is disposed on the lower side of the display surface of liquid crystal display 105, and touch panel 106 and liquid crystal display 105 are unitized as a "display unit." The liquid crystal display 105 displays patterns, characters, buttons, and the like.

[0034] The touch panel 106 is configured as a panel of a capacitance type or a resistive film type, and is electrically connected to the central processing unit (CPU) 101 via an external input / output device. Further, in consideration of the convenience of operation by the user, the touch panel 106 is disposed outside the coordinate data generating device 10 so as to be exposed and operable. Therefore, by touching the touch panel 106 with a finger, the user can select a handwritten style mode, a pattern, etc. while checking the selection on the screen.

[0035] When pressed by a user, the tactile switch 107 transmits instructions to the central processing unit 101, such as to start or stop sewing, raise or lower the needle, or thread the needle (not shown).

[0036] A USB (Universal Serial Bus) controller 108 connects the coordinate data creation device 10 to external devices such as an external medium 109 and executes control.

[0037] The external media 109 is, for example, a hard disk, a DVD recorder, etc., and pattern data and the like are written and stored under the control of the USB controller 108.

[0038] Based on instructions from a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a sewing machine motor control device 110 drives and controls a sewing machine motor 110A to move a needle bar up and down and control the process of forming stitches using a sewing needle, an upper thread, and a lower thread.

[0039] The amplitude / feed motor control device 111 controls the operation of the amplitude motor 111A and the feed motor 111B, thereby controlling the behavior of the needle bar of the sewing mechanism, the feed amount of the cloth by the feed dog, and the forward / rearward switching control. The amplitude / feed motor control device 111 controls the needle position and the feed amount of the fabric to change the stitch position and create stitches, thereby forming a pattern.

[0040] A central processing unit (CPU) 101 sequentially executes program modules stored in a ROM 102, and converts, for example, normal stitch data into handwritten-style stitch data. For example, the central processing unit (CPU) 101 moves each needle point of the normal stitch data by a small distance in the X and Y directions, and performs fine adjustments to different lengths and directions for all needle points, thereby creating a hand-drawn feel in the stitching pattern. More specifically, the central processing unit (CPU) 101 creates a coordinate sequence of needle drop points of a stitch image from the stitch data 102K. Then, the central processing unit (CPU) 101 generates random numbers, creates minute length adjustment values ​​(±1.0 mm), and adds the lengths to the coordinates of each needle drop point in the X and Y directions. Furthermore, if the needle drop points in the original data have identical or similar coordinates, the central processing unit (CPU) 101 may perform processing via the identical point processing module 102G to make the adjusted coordinates match the already adjusted coordinates, and may perform processing to create a combination pattern using stitch data 102K that has been converted to look handwritten. Here, the range of approximation refers to a predetermined range, and can be, for example, within ±0.2 mm. The range of approximation may be changed by the user as appropriate. The details of the process will be described later.

[0041] <Processing by the coordinate data creation device> The screen operation process and the handwritten-style stitch conversion process in the coordinate data creation device 10 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG.

[0042] <Screen operation processing> The creation of sewing data using the coordinate data creation device 10 according to this embodiment is performed by operating a screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 as shown in FIG. Therefore, before describing the detailed processing of the coordinate data creation device 10, the screen operation processing in the coordinate data creation device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0043] When a user selects a display mode in which an operation screen such as that shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 105, the central processing unit (CPU) 101 of the coordinate data creation device 10 first enters a standby mode in which it waits for the user to press an operation button, cursor button, pattern button, etc. by key input (step S101).

[0044] Next, the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines whether or not a pattern has been selected by the user (step S102).

[0045] If the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines as a result of the determination that the user has selected a pattern, i.e., that the user has input a pattern number, etc. ("Pattern Selection" in step S102), it then determines whether processing is in combination mode or handwritten-style mode (step S113). Regardless of whether the processing is in the combination mode or the handwritten style mode, the processing is performed and the patterns are stored in the order in which they were selected.

[0046] Returning to step S102, if the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines that the user has not selected a pattern, i.e., that the user has not input a pattern number, etc. ("No" in step S102), when the combination button is pressed ("Yes" in step S103), the combination mode is set and the process returns to step S101 (step S104).

[0047] On the other hand, if the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines in step S103 that the user has not pressed the combination button ("No" in step S103), it determines whether the user will press the handwriting-style button (step S105).

[0048] When central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines in step S105 that the user has pressed the handwriting style button ("Yes" in step S105), it sets the handwriting style mode and returns the process to step S101 (step S106).

[0049] On the other hand, if the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines in step S105 that the user has not pressed the handwriting-style button ("No" in step S105), it determines whether the user has pressed the cursor button (step S107).

[0050] If the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines in step S107 that the user has pressed the cursor button ("Yes" in step S107), it moves the cursor forward or backward through the pattern sequence stored in the ROM 102, and returns the process to step S101 (step S108).

[0051] On the other hand, if the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines in step S107 that the user has not pressed the cursor button ("No" in step S107), it determines whether or not the user has pressed the delete button (step S109).

[0052] If central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines in step S109 that the user has pressed the delete button ("Yes" in step S109), it deletes the pattern at the position indicated by the cursor, moves the subsequent patterns to the beginning, and returns the process to step S101 (step S110).

[0053] On the other hand, if the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines in step S109 that the user has not pressed the delete button ("No" in step S109), it determines whether or not the user has pressed the save button (step S111).

[0054] If the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines in step S111 that the user has pressed the save button ("Yes" in step S111), the pattern or combination pattern converted to a handwritten style is saved in an external medium 109 or the like so that it can be reused, and the process returns to step S101 (step S112).

[0055] On the other hand, if the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines in step S111 that the user has not pressed the save button ("No" in step S111), the process returns to step S101.

[0056] When the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines in step S113 that the user has pressed the pattern button in the handwritten-style mode (step S113), the CPU 101 calls a handwritten-style stitch conversion process (step S114). The handwritten stitch conversion process will be described in detail later.

[0057] On the other hand, if the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines in step S113 that the user has pressed the combination mode button ("Yes" in step S113) and the handwritten-style stitch conversion process in step S114 is completed, the pattern data is combined in the same manner as in combining normal patterns (step S115).

[0058] Then, the central processing unit (CPU) 101 displays a preview screen on the liquid crystal display 105 in step S116. This allows the user to check the converted status.

[0059] In addition, patterns converted in the handwritten style mode are treated the same as normal patterns, so editing operations such as deletion and addition are possible.

[0060] <Handwritten stitch conversion processing> The handwritten stitch conversion process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0061] When three or more consecutive needle drop points are on a line, one or more additional needle drop points are generated between the two points on both ends of the line. At the same time, the needle points that were inside the needle points at both ends before the new needle points were added are moved along the line. Variation can be increased by jittering the generated needle points and the needle points moved along the line. In addition, adding needle drop points increases the number of stitches, which increases the fluctuation. For this reason, for example, even if the distance between two points A and B is large and A and B fluctuate in opposite directions, it is possible to control the distance between the two points A and B so that it does not become too large. The above has been explained as adding one or more new needle points to create an appropriate distance, and moving the needle points that were on the inside of both ends before the addition. However, it is also possible to delete the needle points that were on the inside of both ends before the addition, and then add multiple new needle points so that the spacing between the needle points is appropriate. When adding a stitch to a line made up of three needle points, the coordinate data may be created so that the distance between the two points at both ends of the line is divided into thirds and the multiple needle points that make up the line are equally spaced from one another. Here, a "line" may be either a straight line or a curved line, is made up of a number of needle points, and functions as an element that constitutes a pattern. Then, processing is performed on the stitch to which the new needle drop point has been added as described above. Specifically, the data on the feed direction, which is the amount of relative movement, is first converted from the stitch data into a data string of absolute coordinates that indicate the positions of the needle points. Next, a random number is generated and an adjustment amount of ±1 mm or less is prepared for each needle point in order to shift the X and Y coordinates of the needle point. It should be noted that instead of generating random numbers as needed, adjustment data generated in advance may be stored in the form of a table. An adjustment amount based on a random number generated within the range of ±1 mm (as an example) is added to the data string of absolute coordinates indicating the needle drop point. In other words, the needle drop point is shifted slightly from the original point. The adjusted coordinate data is restricted in the amplitude direction so that it fits within the width of the mechanism (e.g., 8.8 mm), and the feed direction is also restricted so that the distance to the previous stitch is within the mechanism limit (e.g., 5 mm). Then, the feed direction is converted from the data string of the needle drop point in absolute coordinates into a relative movement amount, and the data is converted into a stitch data format for normal sewing. The details of the process will be explained below.

[0062] [Details on the handwritten stitch conversion process] To execute this process, as an initial operation, the user presses the "handwriting style" button on the operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 105 as shown in FIG. 3, and sets the handwriting style combination mode. Next, the user presses the pattern selection button to select a pattern.

[0063] First, based on the sewing sequence and needle drop position coordinate data stored in the data storage unit (ROM 102), when the coordinate data of three or more consecutive needle drop positions in the sewing sequence are on a line, the central processing unit (CPU) 101 of the coordinate data creation device 10 creates coordinate data of one or more new needle drop positions on a line inside the needle drop positions at both ends of the line at an appropriate distance, depending on the distance between the needle drop positions at both ends and the needle drop positions inside the needle drop positions at both ends (step S201). At the same time, one or more new needle points that were inside the needle points at both ends before the new needle points were added are moved along the line. Alternatively, the needle points that were inside the needle points at both ends before the new needle points were added may be deleted, and then multiple new needle points may be added so that the intervals between the needle points become appropriate.

[0064] The central processing unit (CPU) 101 of the coordinate data creation device 10 converts the stitch data 102K, to which the coordinate data was added in step S201 and in which the feed direction is a relative movement amount, into a data string of absolute coordinates by accumulating the relative feed amounts (step S202).

[0065] A central processing unit (CPU) 101 obtains two random numbers, one for amplitude and one for feed. Here, since the obtained random numbers are integers, they are converted into adjustment values ​​within ±1.0 mm (step S203).

[0066] The central processing unit (CPU) 101 adds the adjustment values ​​converted in step S203 to the coordinates in the amplitude direction and feed direction to perform fine adjustment (step S204).

[0067] However, since fine adjustment cannot be made beyond the limits of the mechanism, the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines whether the distance between the X-coordinate value of the coordinate data after fine adjustment of a certain needle drop point and the X-coordinate value of the coordinate data after fine adjustment of an adjacent needle drop point in the sewing sequence is within the limit of the feed mechanism (step S205). As for the amplitude, it is determined whether the value of the Y coordinate after fine adjustment is within the limit of the amplitude mechanism (step S205).

[0068] Here, based on the determination in step S205, if the mechanical limit in the feed (X coordinate) direction or the amplitude (Y coordinate) direction is exceeded, the fine adjustment process in step S204 is invalidated (step S206).

[0069] The limit value of the mechanism in the amplitude direction may be, for example, −4.4 mm or +4.4 mm, and the limit value of the mechanism in the feed direction may be, for example, a relative movement amount of −5.0 mm or +5.0 mm. The above relates to limitations in normal sewing, but in embroidery sewing, if the value of the coordinate data after fine adjustment exceeds the limit in the X-coordinate direction or Y-coordinate direction of the embroidery frame, the fine adjustment process in step S204 is invalidated (step S206). Although not shown, adjustment values ​​may be generated again and fine adjustment processing may be performed within the mechanical limitations.

[0070] On the other hand, if the amplitude direction and feed direction of the coordinates after fine adjustment have not reached the limit of the mechanism, the process proceeds to step S207.

[0071] The central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines whether one pattern of stitches has been completed (step S207). If the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines that stitches remain and one pattern is not completed, the process returns to step S203. In this case, the central processing unit (CPU) 101 generates a new random number for the next needle drop point and executes step S203 and subsequent steps.

[0072] On the other hand, if the central processing unit (CPU) 101 determines that one pattern has been completed ("YES" in step S207), it converts the feed data, which is absolute coordinates, into relative movement amounts and converts it into stitch data format (step S208). Then, all the processes are terminated.

[0073] <Example 1> Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a process will be described for automatically generating needle drop points between two points at both ends of a line when three or more needle drop points in succession in the sewing order are on the line.

[0074] As shown in Figure 5, some patterns have widely spaced needle points. When such patterns are subjected to conventional hand-drawn stitch conversion, the amplitude can change more than expected, and the resulting design can be quite different from the image of the original pattern.

[0075] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the coordinate data of three or more consecutive needle drop positions in the sewing order stored in the stitch data K storage area in the ROM 102 serving as the data storage unit is on a line, the coordinate data of a new needle drop position is created on the line inside the needle drop positions at both ends of the line, depending on the distance between the needle drop positions at both ends and the needle drop position inside the needle drop positions at both ends. For example, when the coordinate data of three or more consecutive needle drop positions on a line, such as the 13th, 14th, and 15th needles in Figure 5, coordinate data of a new needle drop position (the 20th or 21st needle in Figure 6) is created on the line inside the needle drop positions on both ends of the line (the 19th and 22nd needles in Figure 6) depending on the distance between the needle drop positions on both ends of the line (the 13th and 15th needles) and the needle drop position (the 14th needle) inside the needle drop positions on both ends. This addition of a needle point is different from simply adding a new needle point between two needle points that are one after the other in the sewing order, depending on the distance between those two needle points (for example, adding the 23rd needle in Figure 6 between the 15th and 16th needles in Figure 5). A line (for example, a straight line that is one side of a pattern) that is an element of a pattern and is made up of multiple needle drop points is considered as a single unit, and the content of the line (for example, the needle drop points that make up the interior of both ends of one side of the pattern) is changed (needle drop points are added) without changing the entire line (for example, both ends of one side of the pattern). The changes in content do not simply involve adding needle points to a line, but also include shifting existing needle points to the inside of the needle points at both ends of the line when adding needle points. By adding one or more new needle points at an appropriate distance and changing (shifting) the position of needle points that existed inside the needle points at both ends of the line before the addition, the line as a whole, which is an element of the pattern, is not changed, but the element content of the pattern is changed. In the above, we have explained how to add one or more new needle points to create an appropriate distance and move the needle points that were on the inside of both ends before the addition. However, it is also possible to delete the needle points that were on the inside of both ends before the addition, and then add multiple new needle points so that the spacing between the needle points is appropriate. The coordinate data created in accordance with the new needle drop position is then stored in the stitch data K storage area in the ROM 102, which serves as a data storage section. The two-point needle drop point addition module 102L may create coordinate data so that the multiple needle drop positions constituting a line are spaced at equal intervals. Here, the number of added stitches for the "new needle drop point" may be increased or decreased depending on the distance and the settings of the user, etc. The fluctuation itself is within a predetermined range, determined by automatically generated random numbers. For example, in this embodiment, the random number is ±1.0 mm.

[0076] Furthermore, even if the fluctuation is made small (for example, ±0.5 mm in amplitude), by adding new needle points, the number of stitches can be increased, making the pattern appear to fluctuate. FIG. 7(a) shows an image of the overall pattern when no needle points are added, and FIG. 7(b) shows an image of the overall pattern when needle points are added. Also, Figure 8 shows an image of what would happen if no new needle points were added to the original pattern, and random numbers were added only to the existing needle points, while Figure 9 shows an image of what would happen if new needle points were added to the original pattern, and random numbers were added to both the existing needle points and the newly added needle points.

[0077] <Actions and Effects> As described above, according to this embodiment and this example, the coordinate data creation device 10 is a coordinate data creation device for a sewing machine that creates coordinate data consisting of X and Y coordinate values ​​of the needle drop positions of a pattern to be sewn, and is equipped with: a data storage unit (ROM 102) that stores the sewing order and the coordinate data of the needle drop positions in association with each other; a coordinate data addition unit (needle drop point addition module 102L between two points) that creates coordinate data of a new needle drop position on a line inside the needle drop positions at both ends of the line in accordance with the distance between the needle drop positions at both ends and a needle drop position inside the needle drop positions at both ends when the coordinate data of three or more needle drop positions in a consecutive sewing order stored in the data storage unit (ROM 102) is on a line; and a post-addition coordinate data creation unit (adjustment value addition module 102E) that creates new coordinate data by adding a unique value to the X coordinate value or the Y coordinate value of the coordinate data stored in the data storage unit (ROM 102), respectively. Here, the "individual value to be added" refers to the random number adjustment length or random number adjustment value for amplitude or feed that is generated for each number of stitches. In other words, based on the sewing order and needle drop position coordinate data stored in the data storage unit (ROM 102), when the coordinate data of three or more consecutive needle drop positions in the sewing order is on a line, coordinate data of a new needle drop position is created on the line inside the needle drop positions at both ends of the line, depending on the distance between the needle drop positions at both ends and the needle drop position inside the needle drop positions at both ends. This addition of a needle point is different from simply adding a new needle point between two needle points that are one after the other in the sewing order, depending on the distance between those two needle points (for example, adding the 23rd needle in Figure 6 between the 15th and 16th needles in Figure 5). A line (for example, a straight line that is one side of a pattern) that is an element of a pattern and is made up of multiple needle drop points is considered as a single unit, and the content of the line (for example, the needle drop points that make up the interior of both ends of one side of the pattern) is changed (needle drop points are added) without changing the entire line (for example, both ends of one side of the pattern). The changes in content do not simply involve adding needle points to a line, but also include shifting existing needle points to the inside of the needle points at both ends of the line when adding needle points. By adding one or more new needle points at an appropriate distance and changing (shifting) the position of needle points that existed inside the needle points at both ends of the line before the addition, the line as a whole, which is an element of the pattern, is not changed, but the element content of the pattern is changed. Then, new coordinate data is generated by adding a unique value to the X coordinate value or the Y coordinate value of the coordinate data stored in the data storage unit (ROM 102). Therefore, by imparting appropriate fluctuations at short intervals while maintaining the texture of the original pattern, it is possible to give the stitching a hand-drawn feel, generate stitches that give a feeling of comfort and warmth, and create a pattern that expresses natural fluctuations without compromising the original shape of the pattern. In particular, by adding new needle points and changing (shifting) the position of needle points that existed inside the needle points at both ends of the line before the addition of new needle points, the content of the lines, which are elements of the pattern, is changed, and these needle points are made to fluctuate, so that a pattern that was previously expressed in straight lines becomes a pattern that expresses natural fluctuations by adding a small number of needle points. For example, three points on the line in Figure 5 (e.g., stitches 13 to 15) are spaced apart from each other. Even if a new needle point is simply added between two points (e.g., stitches 13 and 14), the other two points (e.g., stitches 14 to 15) remain spaced apart. Therefore, as in the present invention, by adding a needle point on the line formed by needles 13 to 15 in Figure 5 and shifting the needle point (14th needle in Figure 5) that existed on the inside of both ends (13th and 15th needles in Figure 5) before the addition on the line, the content of the line can be changed to like needles 19 to 22 in Figure 6. By doing this, a straight-line pattern like that in Figure 8 can be transformed into a pattern that expresses natural fluctuations like that in Figure 9, by adding fewer (one) needle points. The coordinate data includes coordinate data for either normal stitching or embroidery stitching. In addition, the process of adding a unique value to the X coordinate value or the Y coordinate value of the coordinate data refers to adding a unique value to the X coordinate value and the Y coordinate value of the coordinate data, but also includes a process of adding a unique value of zero to either the X coordinate value or the Y coordinate value or both of the coordinate data when the unique value for either the X coordinate value or the Y coordinate value or both of the coordinate data is zero, for example.

[0078] Furthermore, the coordinate data generating device 10 generates coordinate data so that the needle drop positions constituting a line are spaced at equal intervals. More specifically, one or more new needle points are added at an appropriate distance on the line, and the positions of the needle points that existed before the addition are changed (shifted) on the line inside the needle points at both ends of the line, thereby creating coordinate data so that the positions of the multiple needle points that make up the line are equally spaced. Therefore, by imparting appropriate fluctuations at short intervals while maintaining the texture of the original pattern, it is possible to give the stitching a hand-drawn feel, generate stitches that give a feeling of comfort and warmth, and create a pattern that expresses natural fluctuations without compromising the original shape of the pattern.

[0079] The coordinate data creation device 10 of the present invention can be realized by recording the processing of the coordinate data creation device 10 on a computer system or a computer-readable recording medium, and having the coordinate data creation device 10 read and execute the program recorded on this recording medium. The computer system or computer referred to here includes the OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

[0080] Furthermore, "computer system or computer" includes the homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW (World Wide Web) system is used. Furthermore, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system or computer in which the program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system or computer via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

[0081] The program may be for realizing part of the functions described above. Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system or computer, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program).

[0082] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included. For example, the coordinate data creation device 10 may be a separate device such as a personal computer, or may be a device built into a sewing machine or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10. Coordinate data creation device 101: Central Processing Unit (CPU) 102;ROM 102A; Handwriting style mode selection module 102B;Pattern selection module 102C; Absolute feed format conversion module 102D; Adjustment value generation module 102E; Adjustment value addition module 102F: Mechanism limit module 102G; Identical point processing module 102H: combination pattern generation module 102I;Combination pattern editing module 102J; Storage / Read Module 102L: Additional needle drop point module between two points 103: Working memory (RAM) 104: Display control device 105;LCD display 106;Touch panel 107;Tact switch 108;USB controller 109;External Media 110: Sewing machine motor control device 110A; Sewing machine motor 111; Amplitude and feed motor control device 111A; Amplitude motor 111B; Feed motor

Claims

1. A coordinate data creating device for a sewing machine that creates coordinate data consisting of X and Y coordinate values ​​of a needle drop position of a pattern to be sewn, a data storage unit that stores a sewing sequence and the coordinate data of the needle drop positions in association with each other; a coordinate data adding unit that, when the coordinate data of three or more of the needle drop positions that are consecutive in the sewing order stored in the data storage unit are on a straight line, creates the coordinate data of a new needle drop position on a straight line inside the needle drop positions at both ends of the line according to a distance between the needle drop positions at both ends and a needle drop position that is inside the needle drop positions at both ends; a post-addition coordinate data generating unit for generating new coordinate data by adding a random number to the X-coordinate value or the Y-coordinate value of the coordinate data; A coordinate data creation device comprising:

2. 2. The coordinate data creating device according to claim 1, wherein the coordinate data adding section creates the coordinate data so that the plurality of needle drop positions constituting the line are spaced at equal intervals.

3. A sewing machine comprising the coordinate data creation device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A program for causing a computer to execute a coordinate data creation method in a coordinate data creation device for a sewing machine, the coordinate data creation device including a data storage unit that associates and stores a sewing sequence with coordinate data of a needle drop position, a coordinate data addition unit, and an added coordinate data creation unit that creates the coordinate data consisting of an X coordinate value and a Y coordinate value of a needle drop position of a pattern to be sewn, the program comprising: a first step in which the coordinate data adding unit creates, when the coordinate data of three or more of the needle drop positions that are consecutive in the sewing order stored in the data storage unit are on a straight line, the coordinate data of a new needle drop position on a straight line inside the needle drop positions at both ends of the line, according to distances between the needle drop positions at both ends of the line and a needle drop position that is inside the needle drop positions at both ends; a second step in which the added coordinate data generating unit generates new coordinate data by adding a random number to each of the X coordinate value and the Y coordinate value of the coordinate data; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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