Touchscreen Path Conversion for Embroidery Machine Files

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Solution Overview

Problem

Generating embroidery machine files is a cumbersome process, especially when converting digital graphical primitives into linear needle point paths, and existing methods struggle to produce high-quality embroidery designs efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a touch screen to track user-drawn paths, converting them into needle point paths and jump stitches, which are then optimized and converted into embroidery machine files, allowing for direct user input to create embroidery designs without manual programming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If digital graphical primitives are converted into needle point paths, then embroidery design creation becomes automated, but the conversion process becomes cumbersome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of embroidery design creationVSAvoidcomplexity of conversion process

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical programming with a touch-based graphical interface system. Users draw paths directly on a touchscreen display, and the system automatically converts these graphical inputs into needle point paths and embroidery machine code, eliminating the need for manual programming and complex conversion processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a touchscreen interface as an intermediary between the user and the embroidery machine. This intermediary layer allows users to interact with the machine through intuitive graphical drawing rather than direct code programming, simplifying the design creation process while maintaining automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If embroidery machine files are generated manually by programmers, then design precision is maintained, but the process requires significant time and skill

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of embroidery designVSAvoidtime required for file generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic conversion of graphical paths into needle point paths and embroidery machine files without requiring manual programming. The touchscreen interface allows users to directly create designs that are automatically processed into machine-ready files, eliminating the need for skilled programmers and significantly reducing file generation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-processes the graphical path data into needle point paths and embroidery code before the actual embroidery execution. This preliminary automatic conversion ensures that when the embroidery machine operates, it receives precisely formatted instructions, maintaining design precision while eliminating time-consuming manual programming steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If existing conversion methods are used, then embroidery designs can be created, but the quality and efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of embroidery design creationVSAvoidquality of embroidery design

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical conversion methods with a touchscreen-based graphical input system. Users draw designs directly on the touchscreen, and the system automatically converts these drawings into high-quality needle point paths with precise stitch length calculations, significantly improving both the efficiency of design creation and the quality of the output compared to existing conversion methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11725319B1Converting drawn paths into an embroidery machine file

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 CREATEME TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Embodiments herein describe mapping user drawn lines into an embroidery machine file. For example, a user can use a stylus or her finger to draw an embroidery design on a touch screen of a user device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.). An embroidery application executing on the user device can convert the user movements into needle point paths. The application can then convert the needle point paths into the embroidery machine file.