Embroidery data processing apparatus and method of producing embroidery data
AssigneeBrother Koygo Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorMasahiro Mizuno
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An embroidery data processing apparatus for sewing an embroidery pattern, where an outline that defines the shape of an embroidery area intersects with itself at a point or points, the outline is divided into a plurality of segmental outlines at self-intersecting points, such that a plurality of segmental closed areas are defined by the segmental outlines. An underlying stitch area outline is established in the interior of each of the segmental closed areas, and underlying stitch data is produced for each segmental closed area. Thus, the apparatus of the invention can produce appropriate sewing data for forming underlying stitches even where the outline that defines the shape of the embroidery area intersects with itself.
Claims20
An embroidery data processing apparatus for producing embroidery data used for forming underlying stitches in a closed area that is enclosed by an outline that defines a shape of an embroidery area, comprising:
- dividing means for dividing the outline into a plurality of segmental outlines at at least one self-intersecting point, a self-intersecting point being a point at which the outline intersects itself, the segmental outlines defining a plurality of segmental closed areas, respectively, which are connected to each other at the at least one self-intersecting point;
- underlying stitch outline setting means for establishing a plurality of segmental underlying stitch area outlines that define respective shapes of a plurality of segmental underlying stitch areas in which underlying stitches are formed, such that each of the segmental underlying stitch areas is located inside a corresponding one of the plurality of segmental closed areas defined by the segmental outlines into which the outline is divided by the dividing means;
- and
- underlying stitch data producing means for producing segmental underlying stitch data used for forming underlying stitches in each of the plurality of segmental underlying stitch areas defined by the segmental underlying stitch area outlines.
A method of producing an embroidery data used for forming underlying stitches in a closed area that is enclosed by an outline that defines a shape of an embroidery area, comprising the steps of:
- dividing the outline into a plurality of segmental outlines by at least one self-intersecting point, a self-intersecting point being a point at which the outline intersects with itself, the segmental outlines defining a plurality of segmental closed areas, respectively, which are connected to each other at the at least one self-intersecting point;
- establishing a plurality of segmental underlying stitch area outlines that define respective shapes of a plurality of segmental underlying stitch areas in which underlying stitches are formed, such that each of the segmental underlying stitch areas is located inside a corresponding one of the plurality of segmental closed areas defined by the segmental outlines into which the outline is divided;
- and
- producing segmental underlying stitch data used for forming underlying stitches in each of the plurality of segmental underlying stitch areas defined by the segmental underlying stitch area outlines.
A storage medium for storing a program to create embroidery stitch data to including underlying stitch data, for an embroidery pattern, the program comprising:
- a routine for dividing the outline into a plurality of outline segments, each outline segment containing at least one self-intersecting point, a self-intersecting point defined as a point where the outline crosses itself;
- a routine for establishing an inner outline segment within each outline segment of the plurality of outline segments;
- a routine for designating inner outline segments to receive underlying stitches;
- a routine for producing underlying stitch data for those inner outline segments designated to have underlying stitches;
- and
- a routine for producing embroidery stitch data for each outline segment of the plurality of outline segments.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.