Abstract: A portable information handling system is assembled and disassembled by a keystone assembly that couples at an upper surface of the portable housing to overlap a keyboard assembly that covers processing components disposed in the portable housing. The keyboard assembly includes a membrane that has contact switches to detect key input presses and is supported by a housing cover that extends members into a housing interior to hold components in position, such as a speaker. The speaker has spring-biased connection pins with a dampener at the speaker housing to dampen vibrations. Contact pads extending from the keyboard membrane communicate speaker signals to the speaker to play audible sounds though the spring-biased connection pins.

Abstract: In implementations of systems for generating stroked paths, a computing device implements a stroked path system to receive input data describing a vector object having a filled path. The stroked path system generates a medial axis for the filled path by performing a medial axis transform on a boundary of the filled path. A stroke width is estimated based on distances between the medial axis and the boundary of the filled path that are normal to the medial axis. The stroked path system generates a stroked path for display in a user interface that is visually similar to the filled path based on the medial axis and the stroke width.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar, a feed mechanism, a swinging mechanism, a display device, and a control device. The control device determines whether each one of a plurality of sets of sewing data for sewing a pattern is editable, displays on the display device, editable pattern described by the sewing data that has been determined to be editable, and acquires a selection command that selects an object pattern from among the editable pattern. The control device also acquires edit command to edit the selected object pattern, edits object sewing data that are for the object pattern, in accordance with the edit command that has been acquired, and causes the sewing machine to sew the object pattern on a sewing workpiece, based on the edited object sewing data, by operating the feed mechanism that moves the sewing workpiece and the swinging mechanism that swings the needle bar.

Abstract: An embroidery data processor includes a color information acquiring unit configured to acquire color information of a workpiece cloth on which an embroidery pattern composed of a plurality of color-based pattern portions is sewn, a color storage unit configured to store data of defined colors, an assignment unit configured to randomly extract colors from the colors stored by the color storage unit for every color-based pattern portion, the extracted colors being used as thread color data specifying colors of the color-based pattern portions respectively, the assignment unit assigning the extracted colors to the respective color-based pattern portions, and a setting unit configured to set a predetermined extraction range containing a similar color or a contrast color based on the color information acquired by the acquiring unit. The assignment unit is configured to extract the color stored by the color storage unit in the set extraction range.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a sewing portion, a processor, and a memory. The sewing portion is configured to perform sewing on a work cloth. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform processes that include specifying an inside position that is a position inside a hole in at least one sequin that has been disposed on the work cloth in advance, creating sewing data based on the inside position that has been specified, and causing the sewing portion to sew the at least one sequin onto the work cloth, based on the sewing data that has been created. The sewing data includes at least needle drop point data and is data for sewing the at least one sequin onto the work cloth. The needle drop point data indicates a point where a sewing needle is to pierce the work cloth.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed, a needle plate, a needle bar, a needle bar swing mechanism, a lift mechanism, an optical detecting portion, and a control portion. The lift mechanism is configured to raise and lower a presser foot. The optical detecting portion is configured to optically detect a cord guided by the guide portion, and to output data representing the cord. The control portion is configured to calculate a width of the cord based on the data output by the optical detecting portion, calculate a height position of the presser foot based on the width of the cord, and cause the lift mechanism to move the presser foot to the height position.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed, a needle plate, a needle bar, a needle bar swing mechanism, an optical detecting portion, and a control portion. The optical detecting portion is configured to optically detect a cord pressed by a presser foot, and to output data representing the cord. The control portion is configured to calculate a width of the cord based on the data output by the optical detecting portion, calculate a swing width of the needle bar based on the width of the cord, and cause the needle bar swing mechanism to swing the needle bar with the swing width.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a temporal memory that stores stitchwork data currently stitched, and a first CRC data converter unit that converts the stitchwork data into unique codes. A stitchwork status checking apparatus includes a temporal memory that stores stitchwork data, a second CRC data converter unit that converts the stitchwork data stored in the local temporal memory into unique codes, and a CRC data converter unit that compares the codes converted by the first CRC data converter unit with the codes converted by the second CRC data converter unit. The stitchwork data stored in the temporal memory of the stitchwork status checking apparatus is the stitchwork data currently stitched by the sewing machine and transferred via a wireless network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a tufting machine configured for forming tufted carpet. The tufting machine can have a system controller in communication with the tufting machine and with a plurality of yarn feed controllers for controlling operation of yarn feed motors that are configured to supply yarn from a source of yarn to the tufting machine. The system controller is programmable to enable input of a plurality of predetermined yarn feed profiles for selected stitches of a programmed pattern to be tufted such that, although at least two of the predetermined yarn feed profiles can be different, substantially the same feed length of yarn is used from each of the plurality of yarns.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed, a sewing machine motor, a drive shaft, a needle bar moved up and down by the rotation of the drive shaft, a first feed mechanism can move the sewing object by making contact from below, a maximum value of the unit feed amount for the first feed mechanism being less than a specified length that is the length of a basting stitch, a second feed mechanism can move the sewing object by making contact from above, a maximum value of the unit feed amount for the second feed mechanism being not less than the specified length, and a control device controls the first feed mechanism such that the first feed mechanism does not move the sewing object and controls the second feed mechanism such that the second feed mechanism moves the sewing object with the specified length being defined as the unit feed amount.

Abstract: A sewing machine that includes a sewing device that includes a needle bar configured to attach a sewing needle, and a transport device configured to move a work cloth, a processor, a plurality of detection devices that are configured to detect ultrasonic waves, and a memory that is configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing machine to execute steps comprising specifying, when an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transmission source of the ultrasonic wave is detected by the detection devices, a position of the transmission source of the ultrasonic waves, based on the detected ultrasonic waves, specifying a sewing position on the work cloth based on the specified position of the transmission source, and moving the work cloth by the transport device in accordance with the specified sewing position.

Abstract: A method for creating a quilt block includes securing a backing in an embroidery hoop and attaching the embroidery hoop to an embroidery machine. A block selection is provided to the embroidery machine. The block includes one or more pieces that form the block. Selection of the block also includes a set of instructions for sewing the pieces together to form the block. A placement pattern is sewed on the backing according to the instructions. Each piece of the block is placed on a corresponding portion of the placement pattern. The pieces are then sewed to the backing to form the block.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a feed portion, a detection portion configured to detect ultrasonic waves, a processor and a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform processes that includes identifying a first position based on the ultrasonic waves, calculating a first distance based on the first position, causing the feed portion to feed the work cloth in accordance with first data, identifying a second position based on the ultrasonic waves after the feed portion has fed the work cloth in accordance with the first data, calculating as third distance based on the first distance and the second position, calculating a feed efficiency of the feed portion, correcting a fourth distance to a fifth distance based on the feed efficiency, and causing the feed portion to feed the work cloth in accordance with second data for feeding the work cloth over the fifth distance.

Abstract: The sewing machine includes a needle bar, a needle bar mechanism, a moving mechanism, a projector, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes comprising specifying, a plurality of times, a position of an ultrasonic wave transmission source on a workpiece based on ultrasonic waves, setting a first stitch pattern and a sewing position of the first stitch pattern, based on a plurality of specified positions, causing the projector to project an image that shows the first stitch pattern onto the workpiece in the sewing position, creating first stitch pattern data for sewing the first stitch pattern in the sewing position, and causing, based on the first stitch pattern data, the moving mechanism to move the workpiece and the needle bar mechanism to move the needle up and down.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle position detector configured to detect whether or not a needle is located at a needle-down position or a needle-up position, a first imaging member configured to image a first range of an underside of workpiece cloth while the workpiece cloth is being moved, a second imaging member configured to image a second range of the underside of the workpiece cloth while the workpiece cloth is being moved, an imaging control unit configured to control an imaging process so that the imaging process is executed when the needle is located at the needle-up position, based on detection result and so that the imaging process is stopped when the needle is located at the needle-down position, an image synthesis unit configured to synthesize the images obtained by the imaging units, thereby obtaining a synthesized image, and a display unit configured to display the synthesized image.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that instruct the apparatus to execute steps including acquiring pattern data, identifying a plurality of needle drop points, identifying a corresponding identified needle, storing needle drop point data and identified needle data in association with each other in the memory, identifying a continuous number of times, replacing, among the identified needle data stored in the memory, the identified needle data of the identified needle for which the identified continuous number of times is smaller than a threshold value, with other identified needle data corresponding to the needle drop point data of one of a previous needle drop point and a subsequent needle drop point in the order, and generating cut data based on the needle drop point data and the identified needle data stored in the memory.

Abstract: A sewing device includes a material wrapped around a spool (the spool rotating around an axis), and a needle with a hole through which the material passes. A material feeding mechanism moves the needle and feeds the material in a feeding direction, thereby unraveling the material from the spool and stitching the material into a workpiece. A controller controls the material feeding mechanism to move the needle to a first rest position above a top surface of the workpiece. The first rest position is determined by the following formula: PR1=PW1+AT; wherein PR1 is the first rest position; PW1 is a first position of the top surface of the workpiece; and AT is an amount of material to be used in forming a second stitch in the workpiece after forming a first stitch in the workpiece.

Abstract: Provided are a sewing design manufacturing management apparatus and method, which can provide information associated with sewing processes necessary for manufacturing an end product, on the basis of sewing design information. In order for a user to easily input information and data necessary for a sewing process, a design shape for each process is provided by analyzing the sewing design information of an end product generated or provided from the outside. The design shape for each process makes it easier to input sewing information and sewing data on a corresponding process. Working hours and cost may be calculated on the basis of at least one of the input sewing information and sewing data. The sewing information and sewing data may be transmitted to a corresponding sewing manufacturing device over a network, thereby setting work parameters for performing a necessary process.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a feed portion, a detection portion configured to detect ultrasonic waves, a processor and a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform processes that includes identifying a first position based on the ultrasonic waves, calculating a first distance based on the first position, causing the feed portion to feed the work cloth in accordance with first data, identifying a second position based on the ultrasonic waves after the feed portion has fed the work cloth in accordance with the first data, calculating as third distance based on the first distance and the second position, calculating a feed efficiency of the feed portion, correcting a fourth distance to a fifth distance based on the feed efficiency, and causing the feed portion to feed the work cloth in accordance with second data for feeding the work cloth over the fifth distance.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed, a sewing device, a projection portion, an item detection portion, and a control portion. The sewing device includes a needle bar and a feed portion that moves a work cloth. The projection portion projects, onto at least one of the bed and the work cloth, a projected image that includes at least one operation item that indicates an operation of the sewing device. The item detection portion detects whether a user's finger has touched a location, on the at least one of the bed and the work cloth onto which the at least one operation item is being projected by the projection portion, where one of the at least one operation item is being projected. The control portion operates the sewing device in accordance with the operation item that has been detected by the item detection portion.

Abstract: A sewing machine that includes a first reference setting portion setting, as a first reference, a reference for a first pattern sewn in a first holding position, a first layout identification portion identifying, as a first marker layout, a marker for the first reference, a first reference change portion changing the first reference after the first marker layout is identified, a second layout identification portion identifying, as a second marker layout, a marker for the changed first reference, a second reference setting portion setting, as a second reference, a reference for a second pattern sewn in a second holding position, a third layout identification portion identifying, as a third marker layout, a marker for the first reference in the second holding position or the changed first reference, and a setting portion setting the second pattern for the sewing target object in the second holding position.

Abstract: A sewing apparatus that includes a sewing device that performs sewing on a sewn object, a first operating device that is operative to input a command to execute an operation of the sewing device, a first detecting device that detects a preliminary operation state that is an operation state with respect to the first operating device that precedes an executing operation state, the executing operation state being an operation state for inputting the command to execute the operation of the sewing device, a notifying device that represents any one of at least two states that include a first state that corresponds to the preliminary operation state, and a control device that puts the notifying device into the first state in a case where the preliminary operation state is detected by the first detecting device.

Abstract: A sewing data generating device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores computer-readable instructions that instruct the sewing data generating device to execute steps including obtaining original image data of a pattern to be sewn on a work cloth, identifying a central line of the image, identifying a sewing start point and a sewing end point, and generating sewing data based on the sewing start point and the sewing end point. The sewing start point is one of a first point at which the central line and a contour line of the image intersect and a point separated from the first point. The sewing end point is one of a second point at which the central line and the contour line of the image intersect and a point separated from the second point. The second point is different from the first point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stitching a workpiece, such as a quilt, is disclosed. The method comprises displaying a predetermined pattern on a display and manipulating the predetermined pattern on the display. The display includes an indicator corresponding to a position of a sewing head relative to the workpiece. The method further includes moving a control handle operably connected to the sewing head to move the indicator relative to the pattern on the display and move the sewing head relative to the workpiece. Devices to practice the method include sewing machines having a sewing head moveable relative to a workpiece and a control handle operably connected to the sewing head to move the sewing head relative to the workpiece, wherein the display showing a pattern to be sewn is mounted relative to the control handle for movement with the control handle.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a creating portion that creates a projection image being an image that includes a characteristic point and that is to be projected onto a sewing object, a projecting portion that projects onto the sewing object the projection image created by the creating portion, an image capture portion that is mounted in a position being different from a position of the projecting portion and that creates a captured image by image capture of the characteristic point projected by the projecting portion, and a computing portion that computes a thickness of the sewing object based on the projection image created by the creating portion and the captured image created by the image capture portion.

Abstract: A display control apparatus includes a display control portion that is configured to cause a display portion to display a first display area and a second display area, the display portion being configured to display an image, the first display area being displayed adjacent to the second display area, the first display area being an area that displays first information that includes information that pertains to sewing, and the second display area being an area that displays second information that includes information that pertains to sewing and that is different from the first information, and a size change portion that is configured to change a size of at least one of the first display area and the second display area that are displayed on the display portion by the display control portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a tufting machine configured for forming tufted carpet. The tufting machine can have a system controller in communication with the tufting machine and with a plurality of yarn feed controllers for controlling operation of yarn feed motors that are configured to supply yarn from a source of yarn to the tufting machine. The system controller is programmable to enable input of a plurality of predetermined yarn feed profiles for selected stitches of a programmed pattern to be tufted such that, although at least two of the predetermined yarn feed profiles can be different, substantially the same feed length of yarn is used from each of the plurality of yarns.

Abstract: A sewing machine that is included in a sewing system includes a transfer device, a sewing device, an image capture device, a communication device, a data computation device, a first control device, a marker data acquisition device, a sewing condition acquisition device, a condition computation device, a correction device, and a sewing control device. The data computation device computes first marker data, and the first control device transmits the first marker data, through the communication device, to another sewing machine. The marker data acquisition device acquires, as second marker data, the first marker data. The sewing condition acquisition device acquires a sewing condition, and the pattern data acquisition device acquires pattern data. The condition computation device computes a correction condition. The correction device corrects the pattern data. The sewing control device performs the sewing in accordance with the corrected pattern data.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar to which a needle is attached, a needle bar rocking mechanism which rocks the needle bar, a needle plate having a needle hole through which the needle is passed, an imaging device which images a lower part of the needle bar, a setting section which sets a range of rocking motion of the needle bar based on an image obtained by the imaging device, and a control device which controls the needle bar rocking mechanism based on the range of rocking motion set by the setting section.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multi-piece article, such as a garment, comprises the following steps. First, at least two parts of the article are provided. Then, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is attached to each of the at least two parts of the article. Each of the RFID tags stores data including data identifying the part of the article associated with the RFID tag and manufacturing instructions identifying parts of the article to be connected. Next, the RFID tags including manufacturing instructions identifying matching parts of the article are scanned. Subsequently, the at least two parts of the article are connected together according to the manufacturing instructions obtained prior to the step of connecting the at least two parts so as to form at least a portion of the article.

Abstract: A system for forming multiple patterned, tufted articles, includes a tufting machine having a series of distinct machine sections each adapted to form a desired patterned, tufted articles and each operable independently of the other machine sections. A system control can be programmed with pattern parameters for each of the patterned tufted articles to be formed, and will control the machine sections to form each of the patterned tufted articles.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar to which a sewing needle is attached, a sewing machine motor that drives a needle bar mechanism for vertically driving the needle bar via a drive shaft, an information reading device, and a control device. The information reading device is disposed in the vicinity of a needle drop position of the sewing needle and reads out sewing information relating to sewing conditions for the sewing machine each time a mark attached to a work cloth enters into a communication range as the work cloth is moved, the sewing information being stored in an RFID tag included in the mark. The control device controls sewing based on the sewing information read out by the information reading device from the RFID tag.

Abstract: A sewing data creation apparatus for creating sewing data required for sewing by a sewing machine may include a unit pattern storage device to store pattern data of a unit pattern of a predetermined design. The apparatus may further include a pattern disposition device that determines a position of the unit pattern stored in the unit pattern storage device on a stitch path, the stitch path including a curve-like portion. Also, the apparatus may include a sewing data creation device that creates the sewing data for forming stitches on the stitch path and stitches of the unit pattern at the position determined by the pattern disposition device.

Abstract: A sewing data creation apparatus for creating sewing data used for sewing by a sewing machine, the apparatus may include a profile line network creation device that creates a profile line network. The apparatus may further include a starting point-and-ending point determination device that determines a starting point and an ending point of the stitch path. Further, a path creation device that creates the stitch path, a movement determination device that determines whether a partial path may be moved, a movement device that moves the partial path, an adjustment device that adjusts the stitch path by causing the movement device to move the partial path until there is no more partial path determined to be moved by the movement determination device and a sewing data creation device that creates the sewing data used to form stitches on the stitch path adjusted by the adjustment device may also be included.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for automatically generating embroidery designs from a scanned image. A described method of generating embroidery data from image data includes identifying an object from the image data, wherein the object corresponds to a contiguous portion of an image defined by the image data. The described method further includes determining a plurality of possible stitch angles for the object and determining respective numbers of fragments required to stitch the object for each of the possible stitch angles. The method further includes selecting a stitch angle from the plurality of possible stitch angles, wherein the selected stitch angle is to result in a least number of fragments to stitch the object, and generating the embroidery data based on the selected stitch angle.

Abstract: A software distribution system for sewing machine includes a server and a sewing machine. The server generates authentication key data dedicated for a sewing machine only upon initial transmission of medium identification data and sewing machine identification data from a terminal and stores the authentication key data in mapping with the medium identification data. If a valid medium identification data and an invalid sewing machine identification data are thereafter transmitted to the server, the stored data is not updated and the authentication key data is transmitted to the terminal.

Abstract: A sewing machine capable of sewing a manually moved workpiece cloth in free motion includes a carrier that carries the workpiece cloth and being manually moved to move the workpiece cloth; a support element that movably supports the carrier; a movement amount detector that detects an amount of carrier movement; a specifier that specifies a stitch pitch; a comparator that produces a comparison of the amount of carrier movement with the stitch pitch; a regulator provided at the support element and that regulates carrier movement; and a controller that controls the regulator such that the amount of carrier movement does not exceed the stitch pitch based on the comparison produced by the comparator.

Abstract: Trace process (i.e. process for moving an embroidery frame from a desired start position on the basis of outline data of an embroidery pattern) is performed. It is detected, during the movement, whether the moving embroidery frame has reached a predetermined movement limit position. When detected, a protrusion amount, from the embroidery frame, of a remaining outline portion is calculated on the basis of a current position of the outline data and the remaining portion. On the basis of the calculated protrusion amount, the start position is reset by being positionally displaced so as to avoid occurrence of the protrusion. In this way, setting a start position such that the embroidery pattern does not protrude beyond a movable range of the embroidery frame can be performed in a short time.

Abstract: A system and method for an interactive embroidery design specified by vector data and 3-dimensional data modifying shape and parameter data. A processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to create an adjustable design as indicated by artist input. The adjusted design is modified by embroidery machine operator input and is converted into stitch instructions for use by an embroidery machine to manufacture a custom embroidered product including the adjusted design.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and device for making garment. One embodiment, for example, includes a system that comprises a processing device and a sewing module that sews garment material to facilitate making the garment. The system further comprises memory that includes a thread count manager having instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executed by the processing device and include logic configured to instruct the sewing module to sew the garment material based on counting threads of the garment material rather than using the geometric shape of pieces of garment material.

Abstract: A method and device applicable to a sewing machine which has a needle and a gripper with a horizontally positioned lower bobbin for executing a seam with stitches in a sewing material being sewn, for compensating a deficiency in a longitudinal shift of the needle during a stitch being caused by an arcuate movement of the needle when it shifts sideways in a stitch, wherein the method includes the material being advanced by a feeder a length yn in the longitudinal direction of the seam on the basis of the seam setting, and wherein the sewing machine has a control including an algorithm causing the feed motor to set the feeder, so that at each stitch which includes sideways shifts of the needle it advances the sewing material a correction length en in the longitudinal direction of the seam, thereby compensating a corresponding deficiency in the needle's longitudinal shift relative to the material during the stitch being caused by the needle's arcuate sideways movement.

Abstract: A sewing machine capable of sewing while a workpiece cloth is moved by a manual operation includes a needlebar having a lower end to which a sewing needle is attached, a needlebar driving mechanism vertically driving the needlebar via a main shaft, a presser foot pressing the workpiece cloth, an imaging device imaging at least an area of the workpiece cloth near to the sewing needle, a movement amount operating device obtaining by operation a movement amount of the workpiece cloth based on image data supplied from the imaging device, a setting device setting a stitch pitch on the workpiece cloth, a comparing device comparing the obtained movement amount of the workpiece cloth and the set stitch pitch, a cloth movement limiter limiting movement of the workpiece cloth by the manual operation, and a control device controlling the cloth movement limiter according to a result of comparison.

Abstract: There is provided a embroidery data processing device, which includes an extracting system that extracts at least one embroidery region from embroidery data that has a stitch attribute corresponding to at least one predetermined setting, and a print data generating system that generates print data for the at least one embroidery region extracted by the extracting system based on the embroidery data of the at least one embroidery region extracted by the extracting system.

Abstract: Sewing data of multiple sewing targets stored in RAM of a sewing sequence determining apparatus is acquired. Permutations or combinations of the sewing targets are created as sewing sequence candidates. A number of needle bars N provided at a multi-needle sewing machine is acquired. An optimal thread replacement count is initialized. A thread replacement count is calculated for each of sewing sequence candidates, in the case where sewing operations are carried out by the multi-needle sewing machine equipped with N needle bars on the sewing targets in accordance with the sewing sequence candidates. A sewing sequence candidate of the fewest thread replacement count is determined to be an optimal sewing sequence candidate. The optimal sewing sequence candidate is displayed on a liquid crystal display and announced. Determination of sewing sequences at the time of carrying out sewing operations with respect to multiple sewing targets is easily achieved.

Abstract: This invention concerns the production of so called “hand tufted rugs”, carpets and wall hangings by use a “tufting machine” which employs a single hollow needle through which yarn is fed into a backing fabric, to form tufts of yarn. The machine comprises a yarn cutter, in the tufting head, which is selectively operable to cause the tufts to be cut or loop pile. A computer operated motion control system is operable under the control of a machine readable tufting design pattern comprising a series of vectors and associated control codes, to drive the tufting gun as follows: (a) to operate the mechanism and reciprocate the needle to insert tufts into backing fabric. (b) to operate the movement system and move the needle across a two-dimensional plane while inserting tufts, in accordance with the vectors. (c) to lift and lower the foot, in accordance with respective control codes. And, (d) to selectively operate the yarn cutter, in accordance with respective control codes.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for automatically generating embroidery designs from a scanned image. An embroidery data generating mechanism generates accurate embroidery designs. The embroidery data generating mechanism first reads an image data file, which contains bitmapping information generated from a software scanning tool, the information being related to an embroidery pattern that has been scanned. The scanned pattern is broken up into pixels, each pixel in the scanned image having a bitmap associated with the color of the pattern. Each unique color in the scanned pattern has its own unique bitmap. The embroidery generating mechanism also includes a segmentation mechanism and a chain-encoding mechanism which perform operations to enhance the quality of the bitmapped information and to separate regions of the scanned image into objects. A distance transform evaluation mechanism classifies each object as being either a thick object or a thin, predominantly regular object.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating embroidery data from image data automatically identify at least one image characteristic based on at least one of edge contour data and skeletal data. The identified at least one image characteristic includes at least one of a singularity, a discontinuity and a concavity. The methods and apparatus generate the embroidery data based on the at least one image characteristic.

Abstract: A software program for analyzing an embroidery design of stitches which design will be used by an embroidery machine to create an embroidered fabric. Grid software divides the embroidery design to be analyzed into a plurality of grid sections. Identifying software identifies each grid section having a stitch which is partially or completely underlying another stitch. Modification software removes underlying stitches or a portion thereof in each identified grid section. The size of each grid section may be increased or decreased in proportion to a stretch of the thread to be used to create the embroidered fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for creating custom-fitted garments wherein the customer provides critical information which is known to or easily ascertainable by the customer without assistance. Using this critical information, a controller applies rules contained in a model to estimate other critical dimensions necessary for the production of a selected garment, and which are not easily ascertainable directly by the customer without assistance. Using the actual and estimated critical dimensions, the controller determines the pattern data which is used to produce custom-made clothing which provides a superior fit to that which a customer would typically experience from the retail purchase of a similar mass-produced garment.

Abstract: A method is provided for indicating a fitting condition of a garment on a virtual model of a person. One or more fitting points and corresponding measurements of the garment relevant for examining the fitting condition of the garment on the virtual model are identified first. One or more fitting preferences for the garment are also indicated. Poor fit locations on the virtual model are then highlighted after examining the person's fitting preferences against the measurements of the fitting points. The person can use the virtual model for examining whether the garment fits well in order to make a purchase decision in an interactive remote shopping session.