Providing character data for use by an embroidery machine
AssigneeVSM Group AB
InventorsAndrew Bennett Kaymer, Andrew Wyatt, Anders Pehrsson
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Abstract
The disclosure provides an embroidery data group for each character of a predetermined font, the consequent set of embroidery data groups being for use by an embroidery machine for inclusion in an embroidery design. The embroidery data groups are provided in such a way that each data group is individually selectable by the embroidery machine.
Claims41
A method of operating a computer system to provide character data for use by an embroidery machine, comprising the steps of:
- inputting font character data defining the characters of a predetermined font;
- generating, in a predetermined embroidery data format, a respective embroidery data group from the font character data of each respective font character;
- and
- outputting said embroidery data groups in such a way that each embroidery data group is individually selectable by an embroidery machine for inclusion in an embroidery design.
A method of operating a computer to produce an embroidery data group comprising an object-based description of a font character, from font character data describing the font character, the method comprising the steps of:
- analysing the font character data to identify one or more outline contours of the font character;
- associating the outline contours into one or more contour groupings, each contour grouping defining the outline of at least a part of the font character;
- selecting one or more cut lines across one or more of the contour groupings;
- dividing the contour groupings along the cut lines to yield a larger number of contour groupings;
- and
- defining a plurality of embroidery objects, each embroidery object being derived from a respective one of said larger number of contour groupings.
Apparatus arranged to provide character data for use by an embroidery machine, comprising:
- an input element for inputting font character data defining the characters of a predetermined font;
- a generator element for generating, in a predetermined embroidery data format, a respective embroidery data group from the font character data of each respective font character;
- and
- an output element for outputting said embroidery data groups in such a way that each embroidery data group is individually selectable by an embroidery machine for inclusion in an embroidery design.
Computer apparatus for producing an embroidery data group comprising an object-based description of a font character, from font character data describing the font character, the apparatus comprising:
- an outliner element for analysing the font character data to identify one or more outline contours of the font character;
- a grouping element for associating the outline contours into one or more contour groupings, each contour grouping defining the outline of at least a part of the font character;
- a outline selection element for selecting one or more cut lines across one or more of the contour groupings;
- a divider element for dividing the contour groupings along the cut lines to yield a larger number of contour groupings;
- and
- an object definition element for defining a plurality of embroidery objects, each embroidery object being derived from a respective one of said larger number of contour groupings.
A computer readable medium comprising computer program code arranged for operating a computer system to provide character data for use by an embroidery machine, the computer program code being arranged for:
- inputting font character data defining the characters of a predetermined font;
- generating, in a predetermined embroidery data format, a respective embroidery data group from the font character data of each respective font character;
- and
- outputting said embroidery data groups in such a way that each embroidery data group is individually selectable by an embroidery machine for inclusion in an embroidery design.
A computer readable medium comprising computer program code for operating a computer to produce an embroidery data group comprising an object-based description of a font character, from font character data describing the font character, the computer program code being adapted for:
- analysing the font character data to identify one or more outline contours of the font character;
- associating the outline contours into one or more contour groupings, each contour grouping defining the outline of at least a part of the font character;
- selecting one or more cut lines across one or more of the contour groupings;
- dividing the contour groupings along the cut lines to yield a larger number of contour groupings;
- and
- defining a plurality of embroidery objects, each embroidery object being derived from a respective one of said larger number of contour groupings.
A removable machine readable medium comprising a respective embroidery object group for each respective character of a predetermined font, said embroidery object groups being arranged so as to be individually selectable by an embroidery machine for inclusion in an embroidery design.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.