Method and apparatus of controlling an embroidery machine
Transcription
Method and apparatus of controlling an embroidery machine
Patentamt J E u r o p European a i s c h e Patent s Office Publication number: PATENT (45) Date of publication of patent specification: 19.09.90 1 6 3 B1 Office europeen des brevets EUROPEAN 0 221 SPECIFICATION int. ci.5: D 05 C 5/04, D 05 B 2 1 / 0 0 ® Application number: 86903118.7 (22) Date of filing: 18.04.86 (§) International application number: PCT/AU86/00104 (§) International publication number: WO 86/06423 06.1 1.86 Gazette 86/24 Method and apparatus of controlling an embroidery machine. Priority: 19.04.85 AU 206/85 Date of publication of application: 13.05.87 Bulletin 87/20 Publication of the grant of the patent: 19.09.90 Bulletin 90/38 Designated Contracting States: ATCHDEFRLI CO References cited: EP-A- 147 087 US-A-4116144 US-A-4122 786 US-A-4258 636 US-A-4413 574 Proprietor: WILCOM PROPRIETARY LIMITED 126 Cleveland Street Chippendale, NSW 2008 (AU) Inventor: PONGRASS, Robert, Gabor 126 Cleveland Street Chippendale, NSW 2008 (AU) Inventor: WILSON, William, Brian 126 Cleveland Street Chippendale, NSW 2008 (AU) Representative: Boydell, John Christopher et al Stevens, Hewlett & Perkins 5 Quality Court Chancery Lane London, WC2A1 HZ (GB) CO to CM CM O a. LJJ Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1 ) European patent convention). Courier Press, Leamington Spa, England. EP 0 221 163 Description Technical field This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling an automatic embroidery machine or the like. Background art Embroidery machines have been used for many years. These machines have generally been controlled by a program punched into a paper tape although recently electronic storage means have been deployed. The program on the paper tape etc. which control the embroidery machines are generally in one of two formats, either a tape data format or a condensed data format. Both of these formats control the position of the work table of the machine plus other special functions such as change thread, start, stop etc. A so-called tape data format contains the step by step commands which the machine executes, for example move x axis four steps move y axis minus two steps stitch etc, (see US —A— 4258636). It is the lowest level of information on which a machine can work and is often referred to as low level language as each step to be performed by the machine is encoded on the tape. A so-called condensed data format is a higher level language of pattern storage. This information contains the necessary parameters from which designs can be generated. This format does not tell the machine how far to move the work table etc. but requires the machine or design computer to generate the actual table movement sequence (incremental steps). Each embroidery design requires a different program. The programs are generated on a design embroidery machine, a design computer or the like, often called "punching machines" where the designer programs the design machine to generate the desired design. The program thus produced may be stored in, for example, the form of a punched paper tape or the like. To redesign the embroidery design, for example, to vary the density of the stitches or the size of the design or even the orientation of the design, requires reprograming and producing a new paper tape program for the production machines. Designs which are generated in a condensed data format can be varied in size and stitch density since the information required for generation of incremental steps is provided in the nature of the condensed data format language, however this type of format is generally provided only on the so called "punching machines" which are used for creating the original designs and is not normally used on production machines. A tape data format is normally used to drive production machines and generally cannot be varied. However, in recent times, these tape programs are able to be manipulated to provide scaling effects. That is, the size of a given design may be increased or decreased but this scaling is limited in its effect. The scaling is achieved by varying the actual stitch length, that is the incre- 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 B1 mental value between co-ordinate points is varied thus providing longer stitches or shorter stitches which in turn increase or reduce the size of the design. Even though the design may be scaled the actual number of stitches in the design stays the same. This has the disadvantage that when increasing the size of the design the density of the stitches may not be sufficient to provide adequate coverage by the fill stitches and satin stitches leaving areas where the base material shows through. Also, when decreasing the size of the design the stitches may tend to bunch up causing areas of unsatisfactory quality. This problem has been overcome by using the condensed data format in which the density is determined by the machine when calculating the required stitch depths, but no machine nor device has previously been able to vary the actual stitch density of a design recorded in a tape data format. Disclosure of the invention Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a method and an apparatus for varying the stitch densities of tape data format programs so as to overcome the aforementioned problems. Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention consists in a method of producing a modified embroidery pattern for an embroidery machine by means of a stitch processor, including the steps of (a) transferring from an input reader device to the stitch processor a stitch-by-stitch definition of an embroidery pattern in the tape data format incorporating fixed, step-by-step successive stitch commands, each command defining an individual stitch movement to form an individual stitch, successive commands defining successive individual stitch movements to form sequences of individual stitches which together constitute the embroidery pattern; (b) said stitch processor analysing each sequence of individual stitches throughout the embroidery pattern, and determining the stitch types, the area, the stitch lengths, and the stitch spacings for each sequence; (c) manually inputting to the stitch processor via an input device any required variations in the design represented by the pattern; and then (d) said stitch processor generating new stitch commands to modify the pattern and ensure that the stitch density in each sequence is within specified limits. Preferably, the method further includes the step of communicating the modified stitch commands to the automatic embroidery machine to produce a desired modified design. Preferably, the low level language program is read from a punch paper tape or other equivalent electronic device. Preferably, the predetermined parameters include modifying the stitch commands to vary the size of the design while maintaining the stitch density. Preferably, the predetermined parameters include modifying the stitch commands to vary the stitch density independent of any scaling modification. EP 0 221 163 Preferably, the predetermined parameters include modifying the stitch commands to vary the stitch density of each different stitch type independently. Preferably, the predetermined parameters include modifying the stitch commands to vary the orientation of the design. Preferably, the predetermined parameters include modifying the stitch commands to produce a mirror image of the original design. Preferably, the predetermined parameters include modifying the stitch commands to maintain the length of the stitches less than a maximum length. Preferably, the predetermined parameters include modifying the stitch commands to maintain the length of each stitch type less than a respective maximum length. Preferably, the modified stitch commands are communicated directly to the automatic embroidery machine. Preferably, the stitch commands are modified to provide stitch spacings as a function of stitch length of certain stitch types. Preferably, the low level language program is interpreted to recognise irregularities and inconsistencies in certain stitch types and the stitch commands are modified to smooth out the irregularities or inconsistencies. In another aspect the present invention consists in a stitch processor comprising: (a) an input reader device for reading from a storage medium data relating to an embroidery pattern; (b) a stitch processor operable to receive from said input reader device a stitch-by-stitch definition of an embroidery pattern in tape data format incorporating fixed, step-by-step successive stitch commands, each command defining an individual stitch movement to form an individual stitch, successive commands defining succesive individual stitch movements to form sequences of individual stitches which together constitute the embroidery pattern; said stitch processor including means for analysing each sequence of individual stitches throughout the embroidery pattern, and determining the stitch types, the area, the stitch lengths, and the stitch spacings for each sequence; (c) an input device by means of which may be inputted to the stitch processor required variations in the design represented by the pattern; and wherein said stitch processor further includes (d) generating means for automatically generating new stitch commands to modify the pattern and ensure that the stitch density in each sequence is within specified limits. Preferably, the device can modify the stitch commands provided by the input device in accordance with predetermined parameters to produce modified stitch commands for controlling the embroidery machine. Preferably, the stitch commands are modified 5 w 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 so 55 60 65 B1 to vary any combinations of the following features of the design: size, indepenent of stitch density; stitch density, in all or any combination of each different stitch type; orientation of the design; maximum fill stitch length; maximum running stitch length; and maximum jump and satin stitch length. Preferably, the stitch commands are modified to produce a mirror image of the original design. Preferably, the stitch commands are modified to produce stitch spacings as a function of stitch length for certain stitch types. Preferably, the stitch commands are modified to smooth out irregularities and inconsistencies in the original low level language program. is machine Preferably, the embroidery replaced by a plotter to produce a pictorial representation of the modified design. is machine Preferably, the embroidery replaced by an output device for recording the modified stitch commands. Brief description of the drawings Notwithstanding any other forms that may fall within its scope, one preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which. Figure 1 is a black box diagram of the preferred embodiment showing connections to program input devices and an embroidery machine; Figure 2 is a block diagrm of the arrangement in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a black box diagram of another embodiment of the invention connected in a stand alone arrangement. Modes for carrying out the invention From Figure 1 it can be seen that the preferred embodiment of the invention, known as a Stitch Processor (S/P), comprises two physical units, the S/P board (1) containing the various electronic devices for processing the stitch program and a S/P keyboard/display (2) interconnected by cable (6). Of course, these could be constructed as a single physical unit if so desired. The S/P board (1) is connected to the processor board of the embroidery machine (3) via cable (7) for parallel transmission of information. The S/P board (1) is connected to a device (4) for inputting the desired program via cable (8). In this case the device is a (8) channel paper tape reader, but could be other devices such as a floppy disk reader or equivalent electronic or magnetic information transfer device such as magnetic tape or ROM device. Thus it can be seen that the S/P is inserted between the reader (4) and the embroidery machine (3). In operation the S/P appears to the reader (4) as the embroidery machine and appears to the embroidery machine (3) as the EP 0 221 163 reader. The S/P board (1) may also or alternatively be connected to a computer system (5) via cable (9) for direct production of computer generated designs, the computer system (5) functioning as the program input device. The S/P keyboard/display (2) is provided to enable an operator to key in parameters for the required variations to the design. These parameters are transmitted to the stitch processor (S/P) board (1 ) which uses them in its built-in algorithms to automatically produce the modified design. Default values result in no modification to the design. Modifications to the design include:1. variation in size (scaling); 2. variation in stitch density in all or any combination of the three different basic stitch types used, i.e. satin stitch, running stitch and fill stitch (also known as ceeding stitch or geflect stitch), although other stitch types may also be varied; 3. variation in the orientation of the design (i.e. the design may be rotated); 4. the design may be reversed to produce a mirror image of the original design; 5. variation in fill stitch length; 6. variation in running stitch length; and 7. variation in the maximum stitch length (as is used in satin stitch and jump commands). Any combination of the above modifications may be made on the one design. The scaling process varies the size of the design while maintaining the original density of the design unless the operator has also requested that it (the density) also bealtlered by some parameter value. This allows enlargement of the design without the previous disadvantage of gaps appearing in the design or a reduction in the size of the design without bunching of the stitches. Figure 2 shows the block diagram of the apparatus wherein it can be seen that the stitch processor board (1) comprises: a central processing unit (11), having a 8086 chip (12), a 8087 chip (13), a timer (14) and an interrupt controller (15), all connected to a common data/address bus (10)alsoconnectedtothebusare: anEPROM (16), containing the S/P progrom memory; RAM (1 7) for temporary storage of data; serial interface (UART) (18), for serial communication with the S/P keyboard/display (2) and the computer system (5); parallel I/O interface (19), for communication with the embroidery machine (3) and program reader (4); address latches (20); and data latches (21). The S/P board (1) receives instructions from the operator via the keyboard (2), about which stitch types and what parameters to change in the design. The S/P board uses these parameters in its algorithms to automatically calculate the desired variations. The display provides the operator with a visual verification of the inputted information and a reminder of the next step to be performed by the operator. Once a design has been started the display displays the progress of the design including the number of steps of the program read and the number of steps executed by the machine. The S/P board receives the data supplied by the s w 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 B1 reader 4 or computer system (5), interprets the type of stitch being ordered by the program and the area involved. It then calculates the new steps required to modify the design as required and outputs the new steps to the embroidery machine's processor for controlling the machine to produce the required modified design. The information supplied to the S/P board via the reader (4) or computer system (5) is in the form of low level language (i.e. tape data format). The stitch processor can also be adapted to modify a stitch spacing as a function of stitch length. This is desirable as the longer a stitch is the closer the stitches should be to maintain the visual density of the stitch pattern. This can be accomplished at the same time as the stitch processor is determining the stitch type, the area of the pattern and the stitch density of the modified design. At the same time the stitch processor can be adapted to detect irregularities in the stitch pattern and to vary the modified design to smooth out the irregularities and inconsistencies to produce a neater design. Sometimes, especially in old programs, small irregularites were allowed to remain in the stitch program to avoid the expense of redesigning the entire program. The S/P may also be used to produce modified programs which are recorded for future use or which may be directly outputted to a plotter or the like to produce a pictorial representation of the modified design. This is readily accomplished by the connnections shown in Figure 3, wherein the S/P keyboard/ display are connected to an input device and to an output device. The in put device may be a ny type of program input device including, but not limited to, any of the following: paper tape reader, floppy disk reader, magnetic tape or cassette reader, bubble memory reader, EPROM or ROM reader, design computer system, etc. The output device may be any type of output device including, but not limited, to any of the following: paper tape puncher, floppy disk recorder, magnetic tape recorder, PROM programmer, graphics display system, plotter etc. Although the preferred embodiment has been described as a separate processor device, the invention may well be incorporated into an automatic embroidery machine as an integral part of the machine's processor. Claims 1. A method of producing a modified embroidery pattern for an embroidery machine (3) by means of a stitch processor (1 ), including the steps of: (a) transferring from an input reader device (4, 5) to the stitch processor (1) a stitch-by-stitch definition of an embroidery pattern in tape data format incorporating fixed, step-by-step successive stitch commands, each command defining an individual stitch movement to form an individual stitch, EP 0 221 163 successive commands defining successive individual stitch movements to form sequences of individual stitches which together constitute the embroidery pattern; (b) said stitch processor (1) analysing each sequence of individual stitches throughout the embroidery pattern, and determining the stitch types, the area, the stitch lengths, and the stitch spacings for each sequence; (c) manually inputting to the stitch processor (1 ) via an input device (2) any required variations in the design represented by the pattern; and then (d) said stitch processor (1) generating new stitch commands to modify the pattern and ensure that the stitch density in each sequence is within specified limits. 2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising the step of communicating the new stitch commands to an automatic embroidery production machine operative to produce a modified embroidery pattern. 3. A method as claimed in either one of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the embroidery pattern is stored as a low level language program on one of the devices contained in the following group; punched per tape, floppy disk, magnetic tape, ROM, PROM, EPROM, buble memory and a design computer system. 4. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein in step (c) the variations include varying the size of the embroidery pattern, and in step (d) the stitch processor maintains the original stitch density of each sequence. 5. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein in step (d) the stitch processor varies the stitch density independently of any scaling variation. 6. A method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein in step (d) the stitch processor varies the stitch density of each stitch type independently. 7. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein in step (c) the variations include varying the orientation of the pattern. 8. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein in step (c) the variations include producing a mirror image of the original pattern. 9. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein in step (d) the stitch processor maintains the length of the individual stitches less than a maximum length. 10. A method as claimed in Claim 8, wherein in step (d) the stitch processor maintains the length of each stitch type less than a respective maximum length. 11. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein in step (d) the stitch processor provides stitch spacings as a function of stitch length of certain stitch types. 12. A method as claimed in Claim, 1 wherein step (b) includes detecting irregularities and inconsistencies in certain stitch types, and wherein in step (d) the stitch processor smooths out the irregularities and inconsistencies. 13. Stitch processor equipment to produce a modified embroidery pattern for an embroidery machine (3) said equipment comprising: 5 w w 20 25 30 35 40 45 so 55 60 B1 8 (a) an input reader device (4, 5) for reading from a storage medium data relating to an embroidery pattern; (b) a stitch processor (1) operable to receive from said input reader device a stitch-by-stitch definition of an embroidery pattern in tape data format incorporating fixed, step-by-step successive stitch commands, each command defining an individual stitch movement to form an individual stitch, successive commands defining sucessive individual stitch movements to form sequences of individual stitches which together constitute the embroidery pattern; said stitch processor including means for analysing each sequence of individual stitches throughout the embroidery pattern, and determining the stitch types, the area, the stitch lengths, and the stitch spacings for each sequence; (c) an input device (2) by mans of which may be inputted to the stitch processor (1) required variations in the design represented by the pattern; and wherein said stitch processor (1) further includes (d) generating means for automatically generating new stitch commands to modify the pattern and ensure that the stitch density in each sequence is within specified limits. 14. Stitch processor equipment as claimed in Claim 13, and further comprising means (7) for communicating the modified stitch commands to an automatic embroidery production machine operative to produce an embroidery pattern. 15. Stitch processor as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the generating means is operative to ensure that the stitches in each sequence comply with one or any combination of the following: the stitch density remains within specified limits independently of changes in the size, or orientation; or reflections of the pattern; the stitch density, in all or any combination of each stitch type remains within specified limits independently of changes in the size, or orientation; or reflections of the pattern; a maximum fill stitch length; a maximum running stitch length; and a maximum jump and satin stitch length. 16. Stitch processor equipment as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the generating means is operative to produce stitch spacings as a function of stitch lengths for certain stitch types. 17. A stitch processor as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the generating means is operative to smooth out irregularities and inconsistencies in the stitch density of sequences of a pre-recorded embroidery pattern. 18. A stitch processor as claimed in Claim 13, and further comprising means for plotting a pictorial representation of the modified pattern. 19. A stitch processor as claimed in Claim 13, and further comprising means for recording the new stitch commands. Patentanspruche 65 1. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines modifizierten EP 0 221 163 Stickmusters fiir eine Stickmaschine (3) mittels eines Stichprozessors (1), gekennzeichnet, durch folgende Schritte: (a) Obertragung einer Stich-fiir-Stich-Definition eines Stickmusters aus einer eingangsseitigen Lesevorrichtung (4, 5) zum Stichprozessor (1) in Banddatenformat, das festgelegt, schrittweise aufeinanderfolgende Stichbefehle umfasst, jeder Befehl eine individuelle Stichbewegung zur Bildung eines einzelnen Stiches bestimmt, aufeinanderfolgende Befehle aufeinanderfolgende einzelne Stichbewegungen zur Bildung von Folgen einzelner Stiche bestimmen, die zusammen das Stickmuster bilden; (b) der Stichprozessor (1) jede Folge einzelner Stiche durch das ganze Stickmuster analysiert und die Sticharten, die Fla'che, die Stichlangen und die Stichabstande fur jede Folge bestimmt; (c) manuelle Eingabe in den Stichprozessor (1) mittels einer Eingabevorrichtung (2) jeglicher erforderlicher Anderungen in dem vom Muster dargestellten Design; und anschliessend (d) der Stichprozessor (1) neue Stichbefehle erzeugt, um das Muster zu modifizieren und sicherzustellen, dass die Stichdichte in jeder Folge innerhalb spezifizierter Grenzwerte bleibt. 2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet durch den weiteren Schritt der Obertragung der neuen Stichbefehle an eine automatische Stickmaschine, die ein modifiziertes Stickmuster herstellen kann. 3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Stickmuster als ein in Einfachsprache gehaltenes Programm auf einer der Einrichtungen folgender Gruppe gespeichert ist: gelochtes Papierband, Diskette Magnetband, ROM, PROM, EPROM, Blasenspeicher und ein Designcomputersystem. 4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Schritt (c) die Anderungen eine Anderung der Grosse des Stickmusters umfassen, und dass im Schritt (d) der Stichprozessor die urspriingliche Stichdichte jeder Folge beibehalt. 5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Schritt (d) der Stichprozessor die Stichdichte unabhangig von jeglicher Massstabsanderung andert. 6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Schritt (d) der Stichprozessor die Stichdichte einer jeden Stichart unabhangig andert. 7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Schritt (c) die Anderungen eine Anderung der Ausrichtung des Musters umfassen. 8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Schritt (c) die Anderungen die Herstellung eines Spiegelbildes des Ausgangsmusters umfassen. 9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Schritt (d) der Stichprozessor die Lange der einzelnen Stiche kleiner als eine Maximallange halt. 10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Schritt (d) der Stichpro- 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 so 55 60 65 B1 10 zessor die Lange einer jeden Stichart kleiner als eine jeweilige Maximallange halt. 11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Schritt (d) der Stichprozessor Stichabstande als Funktion der Stichlange bestimmter Sticharten liefert. 12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt (b) das Erfassen von Unregelmassigkeiten und Widerspruchlichkeiten in bestimmten Sticharten umfasst, und dass im Schritt (d) der Stichprozessor die Unregelmassigkeiten und Widerspriichlichkeiten glattet. 13. Stichprozessoranlage zur Erzeugung eines modifizierten Stickmusters fur eine Stickmaschine (3), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anlage umfasst: (a) eine eingangsseitige Lesevorrichtung (4, 5) zum Auslesen von das Stickmuster betreffenden Daten aus einem Speichermedium; (b) einen Stichprozessor (1), der von der eingangsseitigen Lesevorrichtung eine Stich-furStich-Definition eines Stickmusters in Banddatenformat empfangen kann, das festliegende, schrittweise aufeinanderfolgende Stichbefehle umfasst, jeder Befehl eine einzelne Stichbewegung zur Bildung eines einzelnen Stiches bestimmt, aufeinanderfolgende Befehle aufeinanderfolgende einzelne Stichbewegungen zur Bildung von Folgen einzelner Stiche bestimmen, die zusammen das Stickmuster bilden; der Stichprozessor eine Einrichtung zur Analyse jeder Folge einzelner Stiche durch das ganze Stickmuster aufweiset, und zur Bestimmung der Sticharten, der Flache, der Stichlangen und der Stichabstande fur jede Folge; (c) eine Eingabevorrichtung (2), mittels welcher dem Stichprozessor (1) erforderliche Anderungen in dem durch das Muster dargestellten Design eingegeben werden konnen; und der Stichprozessor (1) ferner umfasst: (d) eine Generierungseinrichtung zur automatischen Generierung neuer Stichbefehle zur Modifizierung des Musters und zur Gewahrleistung, dass die Stichdichte in jeder Folge innerhalb spezifizierter Grenzwerte liegt. 14. Stichprozessoranlage nach Anspruch 13, und weiterhin gekennzeichnet durch eine Einrichtung (7) zur Obertragung der modifizierten Stichbefehle an eine automatische Stickmaschine, die ein Stickmuster herstellen kann. 15. Stichprozessor nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Generierungseinrichtung einsetzbar ist, um zu gewahrleisten, dass die Stiche in jeder Folge einem Merkmal oder jedlicher Kombination folgender Merkmale entspricht: die Stichdichte bleibt innerhalb spezifizierter Grenzen unabhangig von Anderungen in der Grosse oder der Ausrichtung oder von Reflexionen des Musters; die Stichdichte in alien Sticharten oder in jeglicher Kombination einer Stichart bleibt innerhalb spezifizierter Grenzen, unabhangig von Anderungen in der Grosse, der Ausrichtung oder von Reflexionen des Musters; 11 EP 0 221 163 maximale Fullstichlange; maximale laufende Stichlange; und maximale Sprung- und Plattstichlange. 16. Stichprozessoranlage nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Generierungseinrichtung einsetzbar ist, um Stichabder Stichlange fur als Funktion stande bestimmte Sticharten zu erzeugen. nach 13, Anspruch 17. Stichprozessor dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Generierungseinrichtung einsetzbar ist, um Unregelmassigkeiten und Widerspriichlichkeiten in der Stichdichte der Folgen eines vorweg aufgezeichneten Stickmusters zu glatten. 18. Stichprozessor nach Anspruch 13, ferner gekennzeichnet durch eine Einrichtung zum Plotten einer Bilddarstellung des modifizierten Musters. 19. Stichprozessor nach Anspruch 13, ferner gekennzeichnet durch eine Einrichtung zum Aufzeichnen der neuen Stichbefehle. 5 10 15 20 Revendications 1. Procede pour produire un motif de broderie modifie pour une brodeuse (3) au moyen d'un processeur de points (1), comprenant les etapes suivantes: (a) le transfer!, depuis un dispositif de lecteur d'entree (4, 5) au processeur de points (1), d'une definition point par point d'un motif de broderie sous une presentation des donnees en bande, comportant des commandes de points fixes, successives, pas a pas, chaque commande definissant un mouvement de point individuel pour former un point individuel, des commandes successives definissant des mouvements successifs de points individuels pour former des suites de points individuels qui constituent ensemble le motif de broderie; (b) I'analyse par le processeur de points (1) de chaque suite de points individuels dans tout le motif de broderie et la determination par ce processeur des types de points, de la zone, des longueurs de points et des espacements des points pour chaque suite; (c) I'introduction manuelle dans le processeur de points (1), au moyen d'un dispositif d'entree (2), de tous changements necessaires dans le dessin represents par le motif; puis (d) la generation par le processeur de points (1) de nouvelles commandes de points afin de modifier le motif et d'assurer que la densite de points dans chaque suite soit comprise dans des iimites specifiees. 2. Procede selon la revendication (1), comprenant en outre I'etape consistant a communiquer les nouvelles commandes de points a une brodeuse de production automatique en vue de la production d'un motif de broderie modifie. 3. Procede selon la revendication (1) ou (2), dans lequel le motif de broderie est memorise sous la forme d'un programme a langage detaille dans I'un des dispositifs compris dans le groupe suivant: bande perforee, disque sou- 25 30 35 40 45 so 55 60 65 B1 12 pie, bande magnetique, memoire morte (ROM), (PROM), memoire morte programmable memoire morte programmable electriquement (EPROM), memoire a bulles et systeme d'ordinateur de conception. 4. Procede selon la revendication 1, dans lequel, pour I'etape (c), les changements component la variation de la grandeur du motif de broderie et, pour I'etape (d), le processeur de points maintient la densite de points originale de chaque suite. 5. Procede selon la revendication 1, dans lequel, pour I'etape (d), le processeur de points varie la densite de points independamment d'un eventuel changement d'echelle. 6. Procede selon la revendication 5, dans lequel, pour I'etape (d), le processeur de points varie la densite de points independamment pour chaque point. 7. Procede selon la revendication 1, dans lequel, pour I'etape (c), les changements component le changement de I'orientation du motif. 8. Procede selon la revendication 1, dans lequel, pour I'etape (c), les variations comportant la production d'une image-miroir du motif original. 9. Procede selon la revendication 1, dans lequel, pour I'etape (d), le processeur de points maintient la longueur des points individuels inferieure a une longueur maximale. 10. Procede selon la revendication 8, dans lequel, pour I'etape (d), le processeur de points maintient la longueur de chaque type de points inferieure a une longueur maximale respective. 11. Procede selon la revendication 1, dans lequel, pour I'etape (d), le processeur de points determine des espacements de points en fonction des longueurs de points de certains types de points. 12. Procede selon la revendication 1, dans lequel I'etape (b) comporte la detection d'irregularites et d'incompatibilites dans certains types de points , et dans lequel, au cours de I'etape (d), le processeur de points fait disparaTtre les irregularites et incompatibilites par repartition. 13. Equipement de processeur de points servant a produire un motif de broderie modifie pour une brodeuse (3), equipement qui comprend: (a) un dispositif de lecteur d'entree (4, 5) pour lire des donnees relatives a un motif de broderie d'un support d'information; (b) un processeur de points (1) capable de recevoir de ce dispositif de lecteur d'entree une definition point par point d'un motif de broderie sous une presentation des donnees en bande, comprenant des commandes de points fixes, successives, pas a pas, chaque commande definissant un mouvement de point individuel pour former un point individuel, les commandes successives definissant des mouvements successifs de points individuels pour former des suites de points individuels qui 13 EP 0 221 163 constituent ensemble le motif de broderie; le processeur de points comportant des moyens pour analyser chaque suite de points individuels dans tout le motif de broderie et pour determiner les types de points, la zone, les longueurs de points et les espacements des points pour chaque suite; (c) un dispositif d'entree (2) au moyen duquel les changements necessaires dans le dessin represents par le motif peuvent etre introduits dans le processeur de points (1); et dans lequel le processeur de points (1) comprend en outre (d) un moyen generateur pour generer automatiquement de nouvelles commandes de points afin de modifier le motif et d'assurer que la densite de points dans chaque suite soit comprise dans des limites specifiees. 14. Equipement de processeur de points selon la revendication 13 et comprenant en outre un moyen (7) pour communiquer les commandes de points modifiees a une brodeuse de production automatique capable de produire un motif de broderie. 15. Processeur de points selon ia revendication 13, dans lequel le moyen generateur est capable d'assurer que les points de chaque suite soient conformes a I'une des prescriptions suivantes ou a une combinaison quelconque des prescriptions suivantes: la densite de points doit rester a I'interieur de limites specifiees, independamment de change- 5 w is 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 B1 14 ments de la grandeur, de I'orientation ou de reproductions symetriques du motif; la densite de points, dans tous les types de points ou dans une combinaison quelconque de types de points, doit rester a I'interieur de limites specifiees, independamment de changements de la grandeur, de I'orientation ou de reproductions symetriques du motif; la longueur de points de remplissage doit correspondre a une longueur maximale; la longueur de points courants doit correspondre a une longueur maximale; et la longueur de points de saut et de satin doit correspondre a une longueur maximale. 16. Equipement de processeur de points selon la revendication 13, dans lequel le moyen generateur est capable de produire des espacements de points en fonction de longueurs de points pour certains types de points. 17. Processeur de points selon la revendication 13, dans lequel le moyen generateur est capable de faire disparattre, par repartition, des irregularites et des incompatibilites dans la densite de points de suites d'un motif de broderie preenregistre. 18. Processeur de points selon la revendication 13 et comprenant en outre un moyen pour tracer une repesentation visuelle du motif modifie. 19. Processeur de points selon la revendication 13 et comprenant en outre un moyen pour enregistrer les nouvelles commandes de points. EP 0 221 163 B1 3/P xeraoAftP p/SPLAY & PAP£& TAPS /ZSAD£P sSTJTXZM /*&0<Z££SO/=Z COMPUTSP, 3YSTEM MAGH/K/JS: / 7 < 3 . / s 2 - EP 0 221 163 B1 / F / G . 2 . * EP B1 0 221 163 K£Y3OAf*D Pf SPLAY ■ „.„',, /AfPUT *£"C£ PROCESSOR 0£\/lC.E P / G . S