Process and apparatus for preparing data for cutting out and embroidering an applique

Data on the outline of an applique to be cut out and embroidered are inputted by a digitizer, etc. to a microcomputer only once. Data for cutting out the applique and data for embroidering it are both prepared from the inputted outline data for delivery to a cutting device and an embroidering machine, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for preparing data for 
cutting out an applique and embroidering it. 
2. Description of Related Art 
It has hitherto been usual to prepare separately by separate devices data 
which are required for controlling a cutting device for cutting out an 
applique, and data which are required for controlling an embroidering 
machine. It has been usual that data for cutting out an applique having a 
desired shape are prepared by a device attached to, or capable of being 
attached to the cutting device, and are used for cutting out the applique 
by the cutting device, while data for embroidering the applique are 
prepared by a device attached, or capable of being attached, to the 
embroidering machine, and are used for embroidering the applique to 
another piece of cloth by the machine. The following is a detailed 
description of the processes which have been employed for preparing the 
data. 
(A) Preparation of Cutout Data: 
A pattern 51 having, for example, an L-shaped outline is stuck to the board 
of a digitizer 50 in the device for preparing cutout data, as shown in 
FIG. 14(a). Then, the corner points C1 to C6 and arc-forming points R1 to 
R3 which form its L-shaped outline are picked up by a pointing device 52, 
such as a button cursor, whereby outline data are inputted to the device. 
The device prepares cutout data for the cutting device from the outline 
data. 
(B) Preparation of Embroidery Data: 
(1) The preparation of embroidery data is started by preparing temporary 
sewing data for positioning the applique on a piece of cloth. The pattern 
51 is stuck to the board of a digitizer 53 in the device for preparing 
embroidery data, as shown in FIG. 14(B). Then, the corner points C1 to C6 
and arc-forming points R1 to R3 are picked up by a pointing device 54, 
whereby the outline data are inputted to the device for preparing 
embroidery data. The device prepares, from the outline data, the temporary 
sewing data which enable the embroidering machine to make a series of 
appropriately pitched temporary stitches. 
(2) Fixed sewing data are, then, prepared for fixing the applique to the 
cloth along the temporary stitches. The corner points C1 to C6 and 
arc-forming points R1 to R3 are picked up again by the pointing device 54, 
as shown in FIG. 14(b), whereby the outline data are inputted to the 
device for preparing embroidery data. The device prepares, from the 
outline data, the fixed sewing data which enable the embroidering machine 
to make a series of fixed stitches (e.g. E stitches). 
(3) Then, satin stitch data are prepared for embroidering the applique 
fixed to the cloth. The pointing device 54 alternately picks up inner 
circumferential points I1, I2, . . . forming an inner circumferential line 
along and inwardly of the L-shaped outline on the pattern, and outer 
circumferential points O1, O2, . . . forming an outer circumferential line 
along and outwardly of the L-shaped outline to thereby prepare inner and 
outer circumferential data for the L-shaped outline. The device for 
preparing embroidery data prepares, from the inner and outer 
circumferential data, the satin stitch data which enable the embroidering 
machine to make a series of appropriately pitched satin stitches. 
The preparation of the cutout data and that of the embroidery data have 
hitherto been carried out separately from each other, as described at (A) 
and (B) above, but since the work of inputting the outline data for 
preparing the embroidery data is substantially identical to that for 
preparing the cutout data, its repetition has been a waste of labor. The 
waste of labor is extraordinary if it is necessary to cut out and 
embroider a wide variety of differently shaped appliques each in a small 
number, such as ones indicating racing numbers, as has recently been often 
the case. 
The separate preparation of the cutout and embroidery data has also called 
for separate devices including two digitizers 50 and 53, two 
microcomputers and displays (not shown), etc., and thereby created a great 
economic burden. Moreover, the installation of those devices has required 
a large space. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Under these circumstances, it is an object of this invention to provide a 
process which enables the efficient preparation of data for cutting out an 
applique and data for embroidering it by a single or common step of 
inputting work. 
This object is attained by a process which comprises the steps of inputting 
outline data for an applique only once, preparing data for cutting out the 
applique from the outline data, and preparing data for embroidering it 
from the outline data. 
The inputting of the outline data is carried out by, for example, using a 
pointing device and picking up the outline of a pattern attached to a 
digitizer. It is preferable to pick up a point somewhat ahead of an 
arbitrarily selected reference point along the outline of the pattern as a 
starting point, and a point somewhat beyond the reference point as an 
ending point, when inputting the outline data, so that cutout data may 
have a starting portion and an ending portion which cross each other. 
The inputting of the outline data may alternatively be carried out by 
employing, for example, an image scanner to read out the outline of the 
pattern. 
The data for embroidering the applique include temporary sewing data for 
positioning it on a piece of cloth. 
The data for embroidering the applique also include fixed sewing data for 
fixing it to the cloth. The fixed sewing data are, for example, prepared 
from inner and outer circumferential data which are prepared from the 
inputted outline data, and which are represented by a line extending along 
and inwardly of the outline and a line extending along and outwardly of 
the outline, respectively. 
The data for embroidering the applique further include satin stitch data 
for embroidering it to the cloth. The satin stitch data are, for example, 
prepared from inner and outer circumferential data which are prepared from 
the inputted outline data, and which are represented by a line extending 
along and inwardly of the outline and a line extending along and outwardly 
of the outline, respectively. 
The process may also include the step of storing at least one of the cutout 
and embroidery data in an external memory. 
The process may further include the step of transmitting at least one of 
the cutout and embroidery data directly to a cutting device or an 
embroidering machine, as the case may be. 
It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus which can be 
used in common for preparing both data for cutting out an applique and 
data for embroidering it, and which is, therefore, less expensive and 
calls for only a smaller space for installation. 
This object is attained by an apparatus which comprises means for inputting 
outline data on an applique, and means for preparing, from the outline 
data, both data for cutting out an applique and data for embroidering it. 
The means for inputting outline data may, for example, be a digitizer 
(including a small one called a tablet), an image scanner, a touch panel, 
a light pen, a mouse, or a tracking ball. The means for preparing data 
may, for example, be a microcomputer. 
The apparatus may also include an external memory for storing at least 
either of the cutout and embroidery data. The apparatus may further 
include means for transmitting at least one of the cutout and embroidery 
data directly to a cutting device or an embroidering machine, as the case 
may be. The transmitting means may, for example, be a transmission cable 
or a wireless transmission device. 
The process of this invention makes it sufficient to input the outline data 
on an applique only once, from which both of the cutout and embroidery 
data can be prepared. 
The apparatus of this invention includes only one means for inputting the 
outline data on an applique, from which both of the cutout and embroidery 
data can be prepared. 
Other and further objects of this invention will become obvious upon an 
understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or 
will be indicate in the appended claims, and various advantages not 
referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of 
the invention in practice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The invention will now be described more specifically with reference to 
FIGS. 1 to 13. An apparatus embodying this invention is shown in FIG. 1. 
The apparatus 100 includes a control device 1 which comprises a 
microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a connecting bus and an 
input-output interface. Connected to the control device 1 are a digitizer 
2 and a keyboard 3 which form an input unit, a display 4 which presents 
information in visual form, an X-Y plotter 5 as a printer, and a floppy 
disk unit 6 and a tape puncher 7 which form an external memory. The 
construction of the apparatus 100 as described above is merely 
illustrative, and therefore, the external memory, for example, may 
alternatively comprise a hard disk unit (including a removable one), a 
magnetic tape or card unit, a photomagnetic or photo disk unit, or an IC 
card unit. 
A device 10 for cutting out an applique comprises a panel 11 on which a 
piece of cloth for forming an applique is set, a cutting blade 12 to be 
driven in the directions of the X and Y axes, and reciprocatively driven 
in the direction of the Z axis as well, if required, an operating key 13 
and a floppy disk unit 14 as an input unit. The floppy disk unit 14 is fed 
with a floppy disk FD1 in which cutout data are stored through the floppy 
disk unit 6. 
The cutting blade 12 may be replaced by, for example, a heat cutter which 
relies upon melting by heat, a laser cutter, or a liquid jet cutter. If 
any external memory other than a floppy disk unit is used in the apparatus 
100 for preparing data, a corresponding memory need be also incorporated 
in the cutting device 10. 
The apparatus 100 can alternatively be connected to the cutting device 10 
by a transmission cable 15 as shown in FIG. 12, or by a wireless 
transmission device 16 as shown in FIG. 13, so that the cutout data 
prepared by the apparatus 100 may be transmitted directly to the cutting 
device 10. 
A machine 20 for embroidering an applique to another piece of cloth 
comprises a plurality of embroidery heads 21 each adapted to move up and 
down a needle carrying a needle thread, a bed 22 containing hooks and 
bobbins carrying bobbin threads, an embroidery frame 24 across which a 
piece of cloth 23 is stretched, and a drive unit 25 for the embroidery 
frame 24. A wagon 27 having castors 26 supports a device 30 for 
controlling the embroidering machine on a table 28. The machine 
controlling device 30 includes a control panel 31, a keyboard 32, a 
display 33 and a floppy disk unit 34 incorporated as an input unit in the 
control panel 31. The floppy disk unit 34 is fed with a floppy disk FD2 in 
which embroidery data are stored through the floppy disk unit 6. If any 
external memory other than a floppy disk unit is used in the apparatus 
100, a corresponding memory need be also incorporated in the machine 
controlling device 30. 
The apparatus 100 can alternatively be connected to the machine controlling 
device 30 by a transmission cable 15 as shown in FIG. 12, or by a wireless 
transmission device 16 as shown in FIG. 13, so that the embroidery data 
prepared by the apparatus 100 may be transmitted directly to the machine 
controlling device 30. 
The preparation of the cutout and embroidery data by a process embodying 
this invention and employing the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 takes place 
in the order of the steps as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the broken arrow 
lines in FIG. 2 shows the flow of data. The following is a detailed 
description of each step: 
(A) Inputting of Outline Data for an Applique: 
A pattern 8 having, for example, an L-shaped design is stuck to the board 
of the digitizer 2. Then, the corner points C1 to C6 and arc-forming 
points R1 to R3 which form its L-shaped outline are picked up by a 
pointing device 41, such as a button cursor or a stylus pen, as shown in 
FIG. 3(a), whereby outline data D1 are inputted only once. As the points 
are picked up one after another, a line connecting them appears on the 
display 4, as shown in FIG. 3(b). 
When the outline data D1 are inputted, it is preferable to pick up a point 
somewhat ahead of the first corner point C1 as a starting point S and a 
point somewhat beyond the last corner point C6 (equal to C1) as an ending 
point E, so that cutout data may have a starting portion and an ending 
portion crossing each other and thereby ensure that no outline portion 
remain uncut. 
(B) Automatic Preparation of Cutout Data: 
The control device 1 automatically prepares cutout data D2 represented by 
an L-shaped line, as shown in FIG. 4, from the outline data D1, and the 
floppy disk unit 6 stores the cutout data D2 in the floppy disk FD1. 
(C) Automatic Preparation of Embroidery Data: 
(1) The control device 1 automatically prepares, from the outline data D1, 
temporary sewing data D3 which are represented by an L-shaped line, as 
shown in FIG. 5, and which are required for positioning the applique on a 
piece of cloth. The floppy disk unit 6 stores the temporary sewing data D3 
in the floppy disk FD2. 
(2) Then, the control device 1 automatically prepares, from the outline 
data D1, inner circumferential data D4 represented by an L-shaped line 
extending along and inwardly of the L-shaped line representing the outline 
data D1, as shown in FIG. 6. 
(3) Then, the control device 1 automatically prepares, from the outline 
data D1, outer circumferential data D5 represented by another L-shaped 
line extending along and outwardly of the L-shaped line representing the 
outline data D1, as shown in FIG. 7. 
(4) Then, the control device 1 automatically prepares, from the inner and 
outer circumferential data D4 and D5, fixed sewing data D6 which are 
represented by an L-shaped line, as shown in FIG. 8, and which are 
required for fixing the applique. The data D6 are E-stitch data based on 
information on the direction and number of E-stitches as inputted to the 
control device 1 by the keyboard 3. The fixed sewing data D6 are, however, 
not limited to E-stitches, but may also be prepared to define a different 
form of stitches as shown in FIG. 9. The floppy disk unit 6 stores the 
fixed sewing data D6 in the floppy disk FD2. 
(5) Then, the control device 1 prepares, from the inner and outer 
circumferential data D4 and D5, satin stitch data D7 for embroidering the 
applique to another piece of cloth, as shown in FIG. 11. The control 
device 1 is so programmed as to divide a strip-shaped area between the 
lines representing the inner and outer circumferential data D4 and D5, as 
shown in FIG. 10, and to vary the directions of stitches to some extent 
from one portion of the area to another, so that the satin stitch data D7 
may present a beautiful figure having no overlapping stitches at any 
corner. The floppy disk unit 6 stores the satin stitch data D7 in the 
floppy disk FD2. 
Thus, the cutout data D2 are stored in the floppy disk FD1, and three kinds 
of embroidery data, the temporary sewing, fixed sewing and satin stitch 
data D3, D6 and D7, are stored in the floppy disk FD2. 
The floppy disk FD1 is put in the floppy disk unit 14 of the cutting device 
10, and the cutting device 10 is operated to cut out an L-shaped applique 
42 in accordance with the cutout data D2. The floppy disk FD2 is put in 
the floppy disk unit 34 of the embroidering machine 20, and the 
embroidering machine 20 is operated to make an L-shaped temporary stitch 
on the cloth 23 in accordance with the temporary sewing data D3. After the 
applique 42 is stuck by e.g. an adhesive to the cloth 23 along the 
temporary stitch, the embroidering machine 20 is operated again to fix the 
applique 42 to the cloth 23 in accordance with the fixed sewing data D6. 
Then, the embroidering machine 20 is so operated as to embroider the 
applique 42 to the cloth 23 in accordance with the satin stitch data D7. 
As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be 
made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be 
understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments 
thereof except as defined in the appended claims.