Patent Publication Number: US-7212880-B2

Title: Embroidery data processing device and computer program product

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority from JP 2005-203392, filed on Jul. 12, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The disclosure relates to an embroidery data processing device and a computer program product, and more particularly to an embroidery data processing device and a computer program product capable of creating applique sewing data for sewing applique of an inputted applique pattern on a fabric. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Hitherto, various ideas have been proposed About an embroidery data processing device and a computer program product for creating applique sewing data for sewing applique of an inputted applique pattern on a fabric. 
   For example, a proposed embroidery data processing device for creating applique sewing data comprises a fabric piece for applique having an intersection of two curves, a fabric, and satin stitches for sewing the fabric piece for applique on the fabric, in which a virtual line linking an intersection of inner periphery of one curve and other curve of satin stitches for sewing the two curves and an intersection of outer periphery is a border line of one curve and other curve, and the stitch direction of the one curve and the other curve is gradually changed along the border line near the border line (see, for example, Japanese patent application laid-open No. H6 (1994)-294065 (paragraphs [0010] to [0035], and FIGS. 1 to 14). 
   Such conventional embroidery data processing device, however, can display the inputted applique pattern in the display, and automatically create cutting data or sewing data for applique on the basis of the applique pattern, but when the fabric for applique is a pattern fabric, it is hard to distinguish the size or shape of the pattern of fabric piece for applique being cut along the cutting data. 
   SUMMARY 
   The disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances and has an object to overcome the above problems and to provide an embroidery data processing device and a computer program product capable of displaying a finished sewn state of fabric piece for applique being cut in an inputted applique pattern, so that an image of finished state of applique is shown easily even if the fabric for applique is a pattern fabric. 
   To achieve the above object, there is provided an embroidery data processing device comprising: a shape input device that inputs an applique pattern; an applique sewing data creating device that creates applique sewing data for sewing applique of the applique pattern on a fabric; a fabric image data input device that inputs fabric image data of the fabric for the applique; a fabric image display device that displays a fabric image on the basis of the fabric image data inputted by the fabric image data input device; an applique pattern display device that overlays and displays the applique pattern on the fabric image; and an applique image display device that extracts only the fabric image within the applique patterned overlaid on the fabric image out of the fabric image and displaying as an applique image, and displays an applique stitch image for sewing the applique on the basis of the applique sewing data by overlaying on the applique image. 
   In this embroidery data processing device, by inputting an applique pattern and inputting fabric image data of a fabric for applique, the fabric image is displayed. On the basis of the inputted applique pattern, applique sewing data is created. The inputted applique pattern is displayed on the fabric image. Only the fabric image within the applique pattern is extracted and displayed as an applique image. An applique stitch image for sewing applique according to the applique swing data is overlaid and displayed on the applique image. 
   As a result, by inputting the applique pattern and inputting the fabric image data of the fabric for applique, a finished sewn state of the applique fabric piece being cut in the inputted applique pattern from the fabric for applique is displayed, and the user easily obtains the image of finished state of applique even if the fabric for applique is a pattern fabric. 
   To achieve the above object, there is also provided a computer program product used and executed in an embroidery data processing device comprising: a computer readable recording medium; and a computer program stored in the computer readable recording medium, wherein the computer program includes: a shape input step of inputting an applique pattern; an applique sewing data creating step of creating applique sewing data for sewing applique of the applique pattern on a fabric; a fabric image data input step of inputting fabric image data of the fabric for the applique; a fabric image display step of displaying a fabric image on the basis of the fabric image data inputted in the fabric image data input step; an applique pattern display step of overlaying and displaying the applique pattern on the fabric image; and an applique image display step of extracting only the fabric image within the applique patterned overlaid on the fabric image out of the fabric image and displaying as an applique image, and displaying an applique stitch image for sewing the applique on the basis of the applique sewing data by overlaying on the applique image. 
   In this computer program product, the computer reads a program recorded in the computer program product, and displays the fabric image according to the inputted fabric image data of the fabric for applique. The computer also displays the inputted applique pattern on the fabric image. The computer extracts only the fabric image within the applique pattern, and displays as the applique image. According to the inputted applique pattern, the computer creates the applique sewing data, and displays the applique stitch image for sewing applique according to the applique sewing data by overlaying on the applique image. 
   As a result, by inputting the applique pattern and inputting the fabric image data of the fabric for applique, a finished sewn state of the applique fabric piece being cut in the inputted applique pattern from the fabric for applique is displayed, and the user easily obtains the image of finished state of applique even if the fabric for applique is a pattern fabric. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an outline of an embroidery data processing device in an exemplary embodiment; 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a control system of the embroidery data processing device; 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an applique preview processing program for displaying a finished state of applique; 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram of an example of a fabric image selection window and a size change window; 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram of an example of a display screen overlaying and displaying the fabric image for applique and an applique pattern; 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram of an example of a masking image corresponding to the applique pattern shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram of an example of an applique image displaying the masking image overlaid on the fabric image in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram of an example of applique sewing data created on the basis of the applique pattern in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram of an example of the display screen showing finished state of applique corresponding to  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram of an example of the display screen showing the applique pattern overlaid on other position of the fabric image of the fabric for applique; 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram of an example of the display screen showing a finished state of applique corresponding to  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram of an example of the display screen showing the fabric pattern of the fabric image of the fabric for applique in  FIG. 5  by reduction to about ½ overlaid on the applique pattern; 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram of an example of the display screen showing the finished state of applique corresponding to  FIG. 12 ; and 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram of an example of dragging, by using a mouse, the applique pattern on the fabric image of the fabric for applique in the embroidery data processing device in another exemplary embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   A detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of an embroidery data processing device and a, computer program product embodying the disclosure will now be given referring to the accompanying drawings. An outline of the embroidery data processing device of the exemplary embodiment is explained with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , an embroidery data processing device  1  mainly comprises a control main body  3 . The control main body  3  has a CRT display  4  for displaying an image, a pattern, a text and the like. The control main body  3  also includes a keyboard  5 , a mouse  6 , a flexible disk (FD) device  7 , a hard disk drive  8 , a CD-ROM device  9 , a flash memory device  10 , and an image scanner  11 . 
   In the FD device  7 , a flexible disk  7 A (see  FIG. 2 ) is detachably loaded as recording medium storing various programs, including an applique preview processing program described below. The hard disk drive  8  stores image data of various fabrics, various applique patterns, outline data, applique sewing data, embroidery data and others in the hard disk, or reads them out from the hard disk. The CD-ROM device  9  reads out the image data of various fabrics, various applique patterns, the outline data, and the embroidery data recorded in the CD-ROM. The flash memory device  10  has a detachable memory card  12  such as a nonvolatile flash memory, and is designed to write the applique sewing data and the embroidery data into the memory card  12 . The image scanner  11  reads original images, such as the fabric data of a fabric for applique and an applique pattern. 
   Such programs including the embroidery data processing programs and others described below are recorded in flexible disk  7 A, and other computer readable recording media such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a data card (an IC card, a magnetic card, etc.), an: optical disk (a CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), a magneto-optical disk (a MO, etc.), a phase change disk, and a magnetic tape,. and can be used by loading in the computer and starting up as required. Besides, programs mentioned above can be stored in the ROM or a backup RAM, and may be used by loading the ROM or the backup RAM in the computer. 
   A sewing machine main body  13  of an embroidery machine  2  has an arm  15  formed integrally above a bed  14 . The leading end of the arm  15  has a needle bar (not shown) having a sewing needle  16 . Above the bed  14 , an embroidery frame  17  for holding a fabric (not shown) is disposed. The embroidery frame  17  is designed to be moved to an arbitrary position depending on the own XY coordinate system of the apparatus by means of an embroidery frame moving mechanism  18 . By driving the needle bar and a hook mechanism (not shown) while freely moving the fabric by the embroidery frame moving mechanism  18 , an embroidery motion is executed on the fabric to form specified stitches and specified embroidery. 
   Further, at the right side of the sewing machine main body  13 , a card slot  19  is provided for loading the memory card  12 . 
   The embroidery frame moving mechanism  18  and the needle bar are controlled by a control device (not shown) composed of a microcomputer and others. In the control device, the applique sewing data and the embroidery data are given from outside by the memory card  12 . Therefore, the control device can execute an embroidery forming operation automatically on the basis of the data instructing the moving distance (needle drop point) in XY direction of the fabric stitch by stitch in the applique sewing data and the embroidery data. 
   An electrical configuration of embroidery data processing device is explained with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a control system of the embroidery data processing device. 
   In  FIG. 2 , a control device  20  built in the control main body  3  is mainly composed of a circuit of the microcomputer, and includes an input and output interface  21 , a CPU  22 , a ROM  23 , and a RAM  24  connected mutually through a bus line  25 . 
   The input and output interface  21  is connected to the CRT display  4 , the keyboard  5 , the mouse  6 , the flexible disk (FD) device  7 , the flash memory device  10 , the hard disk drive  8 , the image scanner  11 , and the CD-ROM device  9 . 
   In this configuration, the control device  20  reads the applique preview processing program and the embroidery data stored in the flexible disk  7 A through the FD device  7 , and executes applique preview process according to the read program. 
   The ROM  23  stores control programs necessary for operating the embroidery data processing device  1 , and various programs for processing other embroidery fabric image data of the fabric for applique. The RAM  24  includes a plurality of fabric image data memory areas for storing the fabric image data of the fabrics for applique being read in through the image scanner  11 , an applique pattern storage area for storing applique patterns being read in from the original image through the image scanner  11 , an applique image data memory area for storing applique image data created on the basis of the applique pattern, an applique sewing data memory area for storing applique sewing data and stitch data for applique cutting created on the basis of the applique pattern, and other necessary data memory areas for creating the applique image data. 
   In the embroidery data processing device  1  having such configuration, the applique preview process for displaying a finished state of applique by displaying the fabric image of the fabric for applique and overlaying and displaying the applique pattern on the fabric image is explained with reference to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 13 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , in step  101  (S 101 ), the CPU  22  reads in the fabric image data of the fabric for applique inputted through the image scanner  11 , and stores in the fabric image data memory area of the RAM  24 . When instructed to select the fabric image data from the keyboard  5  or the mouse  6 , the CPU  22  displays the fabric image selection window  31  (see  FIG. 4 ) for selecting the fabric image data on the CRT display  4 , reads out the selected fabric image data from the fabric image data memory area, and stores in the RAM  24 . 
   In S 102 , the CPU  22  reads in the size of the selected fabric image data, display magnification factor, and a position of the display portion of the fabric image data, through the fabric image selection window  31 . When an open button  38  of the fabric image display window  31  is clicked, the CPU  22  displays the selected display portion of the fabric image data in the specified size and magnification factor as a fabric image  41  (see  FIG. 5 ) on the CRT display  4 . The CPU  22  also displays a preview button  44  instructing display of a finished state of applique in the upper edge of the CRT display  4 . 
   The fabric image selection window  31  displayed when selecting the fabric image data is explained in  FIG. 4 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the fabric image selection window  31  displays a plurality of types of selectable fabric image data P 1  to P 4  stored in the fabric image data memory area. Before the fabric image of the selected fabric image data is actually displayed, it can be checked in a preview area  32 . 
   A size display region  33  is provided for displaying each size including a height and a width of the fabric image displayed on the CRT display  4 . At the lateral side of the size display region  33 , a size change button  34  is provided for instructing size change of the fabric image. When the user clicks the size change button  34 , a size change window  35  is displayed. 
   In the size change window  35 , if “hold aspect ratio” is selected, the CPU  22  maintains the aspect ratio of the fabric image. When “100%” of size width is selected and an OK button  36  is clicked, the CPU  22  displays the width size of the fabric image displayed on the display screen, corresponding to the width size displayed in the size display region  33 , and sets the fabric pattern to be displayed in actual size (100%). For example, when “hold aspect ratio” is selected, and “50%” of size width is selected and OK button  36  is clicked, the CPU  22  displays the width size of fabric image displayed on the display screen, corresponding to 2 times of the width size displayed in the size-display region  33 , and sets the fabric pattern to be displayed in ½ scale (50%). 
   In S 103 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , when the user manipulates the mouse  6 , and moves the cursor  42  to the left side position in the center of vertical direction on the fabric image  41  displayed on the CRT display  14 , and clicks by a specified number of times (for example, 2 times), the CPU  22  reads in the applique pattern  43  stored in the applique pattern storage area of the RAM  24 , moves the center of applique pattern  43  nearly to the clicked position of the cursor  42 , and overlays and displays the applique pattern  43  on the fabric image  41 . 
   In S 104 , the CPU  22  reads in the size and the relative position of applique pattern  43  displayed on the fabric image  41 , and stores in the RAM  24 . 
   In S 105 , when the user manipulates the mouse  6 , and moves the cursor  42  to the position of the preview button  44  and clicks, the CPU  22  reads out the size and the relative position of the applique pattern  43  on the fabric image  41  again from the RAM  24 , and makes a masking image  45  so as not to display by covering the outer portion of the applique pattern  43  of the fabric image  41  as shown in  FIG. 6 , and stores in the RAM  24 . 
   In S 106 , the CPU  22  overlays, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the masking image  45  on the fabric image  41  displayed on the CRT display  4 , and displays the applique image  47  by extracting only the fabric image in the applique pattern  43 . 
   In S 107 , the CPU  22  reads in the applique pattern  43  stored in the applique pattern storage area of the RAM  24 , and creates sewing data for applique to be attached to the fabric by creating the applique fabric piece from the fabric for applique on the basis of this applique pattern  43 , and stores in the RAM  24 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 8 , the applique sewing data comprises stitch data for applique cutting for forming applique cutting stitches  51  on the fabric for applique as target stitches for cutting the fabric for applique, stitch data for applique positioning for forming applique positioning stitches  52  on the fabric for applique as positioning stitches for gluing the cut applique fabric piece to the fabric, stitch data for applique mounting for forming applique mounting stitches  53  for mounting the applique fabric piece glued to the fabric on the fabric, and the stitch data for applique sewing for forming applique sewing stitches  54  for embroidering and sewing the applique fabric piece on the fabric by satin sewing stitches, etc. 
   In S 108 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , the CPU  22  displays an applique image  47  in the center of the CRT display  4 . The CPU  22  reads out the applique sewing stitch data from the RAM  24 , creates an applique sewing stitch image  56  showing applique sewing stitches  54 , and displays the applique sewing stitch image  56  by overlaying on the applique image  47 . 
   Further, the CPU  22  displays the change button  58  for instructing change of the applique image  47 , and the OK button  59  for instructing end of the applique preview process, in the upper edge of the CRT display  4 . 
   In S 109 , the CPU  22  judges whether the user has moved the cursor  42  to the position of the change button  58  and clicked or not by manipulating the mouse  6 . When the user has moved the cursor  42  to the position of the OK button  59  and clicked by manipulating the mouse  6  (No in S 109 ), the CPU  22  terminates this process and returns to the main flowchart. 
   When the user has moved the cursor  42  to the position of the change button  58  and clicked by manipulating the mouse  6  (Yes in S 109 ), the CPU  22  executes the process after S 101  again. 
   For example, as shown in  FIG. 10 , in S 103 , if the user has manipulated the mouse  6  to move the cursor  42  to the lower right side in the center of the fabric image  41  displayed on the CRT display  4  and clicked by the specified number of times as specified, the CPU  22  reads in the applique pattern  43  stored in the applique pattern storage area of the RAM  24 , and moves the center of the applique pattern  43  to the clicked position of cursor  42 , and displays the applique pattern  43  by overlaying on the fabric image  41 . In S 104 , the CPU  22  reads in the size and the relative position of the applique pattern  43  displayed on the fabric image  41 , and stores in the RAM  24 . 
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 11 , when the user has moved the cursor  42  to the position of the preview button  44  and clicked by manipulating the mouse  6 , the CPU  22  executes the process from S 105  to S 108 , and displays the applique image  61  formed of the fabric pattern at the lower right side in the center of the fabric image  41  in the center of the CRT display  4 . The CPU  22  further reads out the applique sewing stitch data from the RAM  24 , creates the applique sewing stitch image  56 , and displays the applique sewing stitch image  56  by overlaying on the applique image  61 . 
   Further, as shown in  FIG. 12 , in S 102 , when the user selects “holding of aspect ratio” on the size change window  35 , selects side width “50%”, and clicks the OK button  36 , the CPU  22  sets the width size of the fabric image displayed on the display screen, corresponding to 2 times of width size displayed in the size display region  33 , and displays the fabric image  63  of ½ scale (50%) of fabric pattern on the CRT display  4 . In S 103 , when the user manipulates the mouse  6 , and moves the cursor  42  to a slightly lower position of the center of the fabric image  63  displayed on the CRT display  4 , and clicks by a specified number of times, the CPU  22  reads in the applique pattern  43  stored in the applique pattern storage area of the RAM  24 , moves the center of the applique pattern  43  to the clicked position of the cursor  42 , and displays the applique pattern  43  by overlaying on the fabric image  63 . In S 104 , the CPU  22  reads in the size and relative position of the applique pattern  43  displayed on the fabric image  63 , and stores in the RAM  24 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 13 , when the user manipulates the mouse  6 , and moves the cursor  42  to the position of the preview button  44  and clicks; the CPU  22  executes the process from S 105  to S 108 , and displays the applique image  65  formed in the fabric pattern slightly lower at the lower side of the fabric image  63  nearly in the center of the CRT display  4 . The CPU  22  reads out the applique sewing stitch data from the RAM  24 , creates the applique sewing stitch image  56 , and displays the applique sewing stitch image  56  by overlaying on the applique image  65 . 
   As specifically described herein, in the embroidery data processing device  1  of the exemplary embodiment, the user selects the fabric image data of the fabric for applique by way of the fabric image selection window  31 , and sets the scale of the fabric image to be displayed on the CRT display  4  by the size change window  35 , and the selected fabric image.  41  of the fabric for applique is displayed. When the user manipulates the mouse  6 , and moves the cursor  42  to the desired position of the fabric image  41  or the like, and clicks by a specified number of times, the applique pattern  43  preliminarily inputted through the image scanner  11  is displayed at the position of the cursor  42  (S 101  to S 103 ). When the user clicks the preview button  44  by the mouse  6 , only the fabric image  41  within the applique pattern  43  is extracted, and applique images  47 ,  61 ,  65  are displayed, and applique sewing stitch image  56  is overlaid and displayed on the applique images  47 ,  61 ,  65  (S 104  to S 109 ). 
   Therefore, at the position specified by the mouse  6  of the fabric image  41  of fabric for applique or the like, a finished sewn state of applique fabric piece cut in applique pattern  43  is displayed, and the user can select various positions of the fabric for applique, and easily recognize the finished state of applique cut in applique pattern  43 , and the user can easily make a comparative evaluation on the applique finished states created from a plurality of positions of the fabric for applique in the pattern fabric. 
   By the size change window  35 , the user can easily change the display magnification rate of the fabric for applique, and can easily change the pattern of the fabric pattern of fabric for applique, and the user can easily obtain the images of finished state of the applique fabric piece different in size and position of the fabric pattern. 
   By the fabric image selection window  31 , the user can obtain displays of finished state of the applique fabric piece cut in the inputted applique pattern  43  in each one of a plurality of types of the fabric for applique, and the user can easily make a comparative evaluation on the finished states of the applique patterns created from the plurality of types of the fabrics for applique. 
   The invention is not limited to the foregoing exemplary embodiment alone, but may be modified within a scope not departing from the essential characteristics thereof. 
   (A) For example, as shown in  FIG. 14 , at S 103 , the applique pattern  43  shown in  FIG. 5  is dragged and moved by using the mouse  6 , and the applique pattern  43  is displayed at the moved position. In the process from S 104  to S 108 , at the moved position of the applique pattern  43 , the applique image may be created and displayed. 
   As a result, the user can easily change the cutting position of the fabric for applique in the applique pattern  43 , and easily obtains images of finished state of the applique fabric piece created from the desired portion of the fabric for applique such as the pattern fabric. 
   (B) In the exemplary embodiment, the applique pattern  43  is inputted through the image scanner  11 , but a plurality of applique patterns may be stored preliminarily in the ROM  23 , and a desired applique pattern may be selected from the plurality of applique patterns, and overlaid and displayed on the fabric image  41 . 
   While the presently exemplary embodiment of the disclosure has been shown and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.