Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Product assembly or manufacturing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2001-11-27
Nerbun, Peter (Department: 3765)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Product assembly or manufacturing
C112S102500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324441
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an embroidery data processor for processing embroidery data based on an optional image. The embroidery data is used in a sewing machine to sew embroidery stitches. The present invention also relates to a recording medium which stores therein a program for operating a computer, the program being used for embroidery data processing.
An embroidery sewing machine includes an embroidery frame disposed above a sewing machine bed, and a horizontal movement mechanism for moving the frame horizontally. The horizontal movement mechanism moves the frame, with a workpiece cloth supported therein, horizontally to positions indicated by an X-Y coordinate system of the sewing machine. In synchronization with this, sewing operations are performed using the sewing needle and shuttle mechanism to sew a desired embroidery pattern in the workpiece cloth.
A microcomputer is provided internally in the sewing machine. The microcomputer configures a control device for controlling operations of the horizontal movement mechanism, a needle bar that supports the sewing needle, and other components. The control device automatically performs embroidery operations according to embroidery data, which is otherwise known as stitch data. Embroidery data indicates the amount that the workpiece cloth needs to be moved between stitches, that is, from one stitch position to a subsequent stitch position, in order to properly align the needle with a desired position on the workpiece cloth for the subsequent stitch.
Embroidery data producing devices are available for producing embroidery data from optional images. One example of an embroidery data producing device produces embroidery data from data representing contours of figures or closed regions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
However, it has been difficult to automatically form embroidery data from pattern data such as photographic images. In one conceivable method, pattern data is converted into a mosaic image. The blocks of the mosaic image must be large enough to cross stitch or fill in with stitching. FIGS.
24
(
a
) and 24(
b
) show the relation of needle diameter and interstitch distance, also referred to as stitch width. In these drawings, N designates a sewing needle and T designates a needle thread. FIG.
24
(
a
) shows two adjacent stitches separated by a reasonable stitch width W
1
, and FIG.
24
(
b
) shows two adjacent stitches separated by an extremely small stitch width W2. Because the stitch width W
2
shown In FIG.
24
(
b
) is too narrow, the cloth between the two holes formed by the needle may tear, or the two holes can otherwise connect to form a large single hole. To prevent this, the stitch width needs to be about twice the diameter of the needle. Therefore, the mosaic of the pattern can not be formed from blocks smaller than twice the diameter of the needle.
For this reason, It Is impossible to represent details of a complicated pattern using a mosaic Image. For example, the facial photograph shown in
FIG. 4
converts into the mosaic image shown in
FIG. 25
, and the mosaic image of
FIG. 25
converts into the stitch data shown In FIG.
26
. As can be understood by these figures, vertical and horizontal lines stand out so that the eyes, nose, and other facial features of the man in the photograph become unrecognizable.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an embroidery data processor capable of automatically producing embroidery data that closely resembles an original pattern, even a complicated original pattern such as a photograph.
This and other object of the present invention will be attained by providing an embroidery data processor for converting an image data into an embroidery data comprising means for holding a first image as a first Image data from an original image, the first image data containing color data; means for storing a plurality of thread color data In which a relationship between thread color Information and color codes is stored; means for selecting a thread color information from the plurality of thread color data stored in the storing means, the selecting means dividing the first image into a plurality of blocks, each block having a first side and a second side shorter than the first side, and the selecting means also selecting a thread color information from the plurality of thread color data stored in the storing means based on each color data contained in each block; and means for producing embroidery data for performing embroidery stitching to each of the blocks with a selected color code corresponding to the selected thread color information.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a recording medium storing embroidery data processing program for operating a computer system, the program comprising a program for holding a first image as a first image data from an original image, the first image data containing color data; a program for storing a plurality of thread color data in which a relationship between thread color information and color codes is stored; a program for selecting a thread color information from the plurality of thread color data stored in the storing means. the selecting means dividing the first image into a plurality of blocks, each block having a first side and a second side shorter than the first side, and selecting a thread color information from the plurality of thread color data stored in the storing means based on each color data contained in each block; and a program for producing embroidery data for performing embroidery stitching to each of the blocks with a selected color code corresponding to the selected thread color information.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5794553 (1998-08-01), Futamura
patent: 6098554 (2000-08-01), Orii et al.
patent: 6158364 (2000-12-01), Orii et al.
Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Nerbun Peter
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
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