Monotone Embroidery Conversion via Intensity Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing embroidery sewing machines face difficulties in converting multi-color embroidery data into monotone data, as users find it challenging to determine the right thread colors for achieving balanced monotone results, and the process often requires a large number of threads, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

An embroidery conversion device and method that includes a base-color setting unit, gradation-data generating unit, gradation shade-number setting unit, and gradation-data converting unit to specify a base color and number of shades for monotone embroidery, allowing for the conversion of multi-color embroidery data into monotone data by generating gradation data based on intensity, brightness, hue, or saturation, and assigning similar thread colors, thereby simplifying the process and reducing the number of threads needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multi-color embroidery data is converted into monotone data using conventional methods, then thread colors can be changed, but the number of threads must be increased to maintain gradation effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor conversion capabilityVSAvoidnumber of threads

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter of thread intensity rather than using different thread colors. By adjusting the intensity parameter of a single thread color, the system can create gradation effects that previously required multiple thread colors, thereby reducing the number of threads needed while maintaining visual complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

A single thread type can serve multiple functions by varying its intensity parameter. Instead of requiring different thread colors for different shades, one thread can produce multiple visual effects through intensity modulation, making the thread universally applicable across different gradation levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If all thread colors in multi-color embroidery are simply changed to the same color, then monotone embroidery is achieved, but the pattern goes out of shape and loses design integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonotone conversion capabilityVSAvoidpattern shape accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly changing all thread colors to the same color, the invention applies parameter changes to individual thread intensities based on their original color values. This preserves the relative relationships between different embroidery areas, maintaining the pattern's shape and design integrity while achieving the desired monotone effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Each thread's intensity is adjusted locally based on its specific role in the pattern and its original color characteristics. This localized adjustment ensures that critical pattern features maintain their structural integrity while still achieving the overall monotone conversion goal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If users manually determine thread colors for monotone embroidery, then color balance can be achieved, but the process becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor balance qualityVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic color analysis and intensity assignment based on the original multi-color embroidery data. Instead of requiring users to manually analyze and determine appropriate thread colors, the system self-analyzes the color relationships and automatically generates the monotone conversion, preserving color balance without user intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the original embroidery data's color composition to determine appropriate intensity values for monotone conversion. By analyzing the distribution and relationships of original colors, the system provides feedback-driven intensity assignments that maintain the original pattern's visual balance and harmony

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10113256B2Embroidery conversion device for embroidery sewing machine, embroidery conversion method for embroidery sewing machine, and recording medium storing embroidery conversion program for embroidery sewing machine

Publication Date: 2018.10.30 JANOME CORP

AI summary

Provided is an embroidery conversion device for an embroidery sewing machine including: a base-color setting unit configured to set a base color; a gradation-data generating unit configured to generate gradation data expressing shading for monotone embroidery, based on an embroidery color specified for each of the embroidery areas; a gradation shade-number setting unit configured to set a number of shades in gradation for monotone embroidery used in execution of monotone embroidery; a gradation-data converting unit configured to convert the gradation data generated by the gradation-data generating unit into working gradation data of the number of shades in gradation set by the gradation shade-number setting unit, and to set the working gradation data as the embroidery color display data; and a recording unit configured to collectively record the embroidery color display data specified for each of the embroidery areas and embroidery stitch data.