Method for automatically generating chain stitches

In a method for automatically generating chain stitched stitch patterns in a computer aided design system comprising a computer means capable of generating stitch patterns for controlling a stitching apparatus in accordance with a selected chain stitch pattern generated by said computer means, wherein said chain stitched stitch patterns comprise stitch patterns having a polygon type shape and an associated fill density;

• the improvement comprising:
• selecting a stitch pattern for said computer means to generate for controlling said stitching apparatus, said selected stitch pattern having an associated polygon type shape having an outer edge;
• determining a medial axis for said selected polygon type shape in said computer means;
• constructing a plurality of spaced apart polygon type shapes in said computer means which are concentric to said selected polygon type shape and extending from said outer edge to said medial axis, said computer constructed polygon type shapes being spaced apart from an adjacent concentric polygon type shape by a predetermined distance comprising a determinant of the fill density associated with said selected polygon type shape;
• sorting said constructed polygon type shapes in said computer means in order for providing for proper sequencing and minimal jumping of said selected stitch pattern in said stitching apparatus from one part of said associated shape to another part of said associated shape;
• and
• generating a plurality of chain stitches in said computer means and placing said plurality of computer generated chain stitches in said stitching apparatus on the perimeter of at least one of said computer constructed concentric polygons at a predetermined length under control of said computer means;
• whereby said chain stitches are automatically generated from said selected stitch pattern.