Method of and apparatus for preparing sewing data for a multi-needle embroidery sewing machine

Abstract

In a data preparing method and apparatus for an embroidery sewing machine, when a first memory stores outline data of an embroidery pattern, a reference direction determining device computes a length or a width of the embroidery pattern as a reference direction based on the outline data. Based on the outline data and the reference direction, a first computing device computes outline data of closed areas into which the embroidery pattern is divided by a segment intersecting the reference direction at a predetermined angle. Based on the outline data computed by the first computing device and the direction of the segment, a second computing device computes needle location data or block data that is related with needle location for embroidering the closed areas. The direction in which the segment extends corresponds to a stitch-forming direction. The needle location data or the block data is stored into a second memory device. By providing the closed-area outline data, the data for embroidering the closed areas can automatically be prepared. Therefore, an operator does not have to designate closed areas having a configuration for facilitating the computation of the data. This automatic data preparing unit thus saves time. Even an unexperienced operator can easily prepare the data.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.