Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Ausarbeiten von Steuerdaten für eine Näh-Stickmaschine

摘要

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.