Apparatus for processing embroidery data so as to enlarge local blocks of adjacent embroidery patterns

An apparatus for processing embroidery data relating to a plurality of embroidery image patterns to be formed on a workpiece by a sewing machine, each of said embroidery image patterns having an outline consisting of a plurality of segments, said apparatus comprising;

• a first embroidery data memory for storing original image pattern data representative of said plurality of embroidery image patterns;
• blocking means for dividing each of said embroidery image patterns into a plurality of blocks, on the basis of outlines of said embroidery image patterns, the outline of each of said blocks having a plurality of segments;
• pattern data changing means for changing said original image pattern data into modified image pattern data which cause a movement of each of at least one segment of the outline of at least one of said blocks of at least one of two adjacent ones of said plurality of embroidery image patterns, which at least one segment is adjacent to at least one segment of the other of said two adjacent embroidery image patterns, said movement occurring in a direction toward the other of said two adjacent embroidery image patterns;
• and
• a second embroidery data memory for storing said modified image pattern data.

An apparatus for processing embroidery data including stitch-position data representative of stitch positions defining an embroidery to be formed on a workpiece by a sewing machine, said apparatus comprising:

• image reading means for reading an original embroidery image corresponding to said embroidery to be formed on the workpiece, and generating original embroidery image data representative of said original embroidery image, said original embroidery image consisting of a combination of a plurality of letters which are arranged such that the adjacent letters are partially superimposed on each other, said image reading means reading said plurality of letters such that said letters are distinguished from each other;
• outline generating means for generating outlines of said letters on the basis of said original embroidery image data;
• determining means for determining whether the outline of each one of said letters should be changed so as to enlarge, in at least one direction, an area which is partially defined by said outline of said each one of said letters;
• outline changing means for changing said outline of said each one of said image patterns, if said determining means determines that said outline of said each one of said letters should be moved;
• and
• stitch-position data generating means for generating stitch-position data representative of stitch positions defining said embroidery to be formed within the outlines of said combination of letters which include said outline changed by said outline changing means.

An apparatus for processing embroidery data relating to a combination of a plurality of letters to be formed on a workpiece by a sewing machine, said plurality of letters being arranged such that the adjacent letters are partially superimposed on each other, each of said plurality of letters having an outline consisting of a plurality of segments, said apparatus comprising:

• a first embroidery data memory for storing original image pattern data representative of said plurality of letters;
• pattern data changing means for changing said original image pattern data into modified image pattern data which cause a movement of each of at least one segment of the outline of at least one of two adjacent ones of said plurality of letters, which at least one segment is adjacent to at least one segment of the other of said two adjacent letters, said movement occurring in a direction toward the other of said two adjacent letters;
• and
• a second embroidery data memory for storing said modified image pattern data.