Embroidery Data Generation Using Segmented Color Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing embroidery data generating devices often select unnatural thread colors due to limitations in commercially available thread colors, leading to inaccurate representation of image colors in embroidery patterns.

Innovation Solution

The device acquires available thread colors, divides the image into areas based on pixel data, determines representative colors for each area, and allocates thread colors that closely match the available colors, ensuring accurate color representation by minimizing color differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the closest available thread color is selected to represent image colors, then the number of thread colors is reduced and sewing burden is decreased, but unnatural colors may be selected that are far from the original image colors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesewing burdenVSAvoidcolor accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple divided areas based on pixel data, and representative colors are determined for each area. This segmentation allows the system to analyze color distribution across different regions and select multiple thread colors that collectively represent the original image colors more accurately, rather than selecting a single closest color for the entire image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from selecting a single closest thread color to allocating multiple thread colors based on color distance calculations. By calculating the distance between representative colors and available thread colors, and allocating threads that minimize overall color difference, the system achieves better color accuracy while still using a limited number of thread colors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple thread colors are used to represent image colors, then color accuracy is improved, but the number of threads to be prepared and replaced increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidthread preparation burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different divided areas are allocated different thread colors based on their representative colors. This local quality approach ensures that each area uses the most appropriate thread color from the available set, achieving accurate color representation in each region while using a manageable number of thread colors overall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allocates multiple thread colors to different divided areas rather than using a single color for the entire image. This partial action approach uses just enough thread colors to represent the image accurately without requiring all possible colors, balancing color accuracy with operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If a single thread color is selected for the entire image, then thread preparation is simplified, but the ability to accurately represent varying colors in different areas is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethread managementVSAvoidcolor representation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image is segmented into multiple divided areas, each with its own representative color. This allows the system to allocate appropriate thread colors to each area, achieving accurate color representation throughout the image while still using a limited number of thread colors for practical thread management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes from a single-thread-color approach to a multi-thread-color allocation system based on color distance minimization. By calculating and comparing colors across different areas and allocating threads that minimize overall color difference, the system achieves both accurate color representation and simplified thread management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8335584B2Embroidery data generating apparatus and computer-readable medium storing embroidery data generating program

Publication Date: 2012.12.18 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An embroidery data generating apparatus includes a thread color acquisition device that acquires available thread colors for an embroidery pattern, a line segment data generating device that generates line segment data, a dividing device that divides a whole area of an image into divided areas, a determining device that determines a representative color for each of the divided areas, an area thread color allocating device that allocates to the divided area at least one area thread color satisfying a predetermined condition, an associating device that associates the line segment data and the divided area, an embroidery thread color allocating device that allocates, from among the at least one area thread color, an embroidery thread color to each piece of the line segment data, a connecting line segment data generating device that generates connecting line segment data, and an embroidery data generating device that generates embroidery data.