A data storage unit configured to store a sewing order and a coordinate data of a needle location in association with each other; a coordinate data adding unit configured to create the coordinate data of a new needle location on a line connecting three or more continuous needle locations in a sewing order stored in the data storage unit in accordance with a distance from the needle locations located at both ends of the line to the needle location located at an inside of the both ends when the three or more continuous needle locations are on the line; and an added coordinate data creating unit configured to create a new coordinate data by adding independent original values to the X-coordinate value or the Y-coordinate value in each of the coordinate data are provided.

A controller acquires sewing data for sewing an applique piece on a sewing target material, the applique piece having a shape having a hole, the hole being a closed area surrounded by at least part of the applique piece, identifies a contour of the applique piece while distinguishing an inner contour and an outer contour, the inner contour being the contour defining the hole of the applique piece, the outer contour being the contour other than the inner contour, determines, based on the acquired sewing data, whether an inner stitch and an outer stitch are arranged at positions closer to each other than a particular distance or at positions overlapping each other, and outputs an error notification in response to determining that the inner stitch and the outer stitch are arranged at positions closer to each other than the particular distance or at positions overlapping each other.

A controller acquires sewing data for sewing an applique piece on a sewing target material, the applique piece having a shape having a hole, the hole being a closed area surrounded by at least part of the applique piece, identifies a contour of the applique piece while distinguishing an inner contour and an outer contour, the inner contour being the contour defining the hole of the applique piece, the outer contour being the contour other than the inner contour, determines, based on the acquired sewing data, whether an inner stitch and an outer stitch are arranged at positions closer to each other than a particular distance or at positions overlapping each other, and outputs an error notification in response to determining that the inner stitch and the outer stitch are arranged at positions closer to each other than the particular distance or at positions overlapping each other.

Embroidery machines can produce patches without needing overlock machines. An outline definition for the outline of the patch is obtained and used to determine the exterior points of an exterior path. The interior points of an interior path that is inside the exterior path can also be determined. The exterior path and the interior path can be used to produce sewing data that includes an edge stitch pattern definition for an edge stitch pattern that includes a plurality of edge stitches that are arranged as a plurality of stitch bundles. The stitch bundles are fan shaped and extend from the exterior path to the interior path, the exterior points and the interior points indicate a plurality of needle penetrations for sewing the edge stitch pattern, and the sewing data is configured for use by an embroidery machine to sew the edge stitch pattern and thereby produce simulated overlock stitching.

Embroidery machines can produce patches without needing overlock machines. An outline definition for the outline of the patch is obtained and used to determine the exterior points of an exterior path. The interior points of an interior path that is inside the exterior path can also be determined. The exterior path and the interior path can be used to produce sewing data that includes an edge stitch pattern definition for an edge stitch pattern that includes a plurality of edge stitches that are arranged as a plurality of stitch bundles. The stitch bundles are fan shaped and extend from the exterior path to the interior path, the exterior points and the interior points indicate a plurality of needle penetrations for sewing the edge stitch pattern, and the sewing data is configured for use by an embroidery machine to sew the edge stitch pattern and thereby produce simulated overlock stitching.

A sewing machine determines a pattern from multiple patterns, as a first pattern. The sewing machine generates a projection image including a first image representing a sewing image of the first pattern in a sewing expected size thereof. The sewing machine projects the generated projection image onto a projection area. The sewing machine sews the first pattern on a workpiece in the sewing expected size based on pattern data for the first pattern.

A sewing machine determines a pattern from multiple patterns, as a first pattern. The sewing machine generates a projection image including a first image representing a sewing image of the first pattern in a sewing expected size thereof. The sewing machine projects the generated projection image onto a projection area. The sewing machine sews the first pattern on a workpiece in the sewing expected size based on pattern data for the first pattern.

A software activation system includes a sewing machine and at least one server connected via a network. The sewing machine acquires an authentication code corresponding to an activation target software that is at least one of a program and data not activated on the sewing machine, and transmits, to an authentication server included in the at least one server, an authentication request including the acquired authentication code. The server acquires an authentication key on the basis of the authentication request, when the authentication request is received by the first receiver; and transmits the acquired authentication key to the sewing machine. The sewing machine also receives the authentication key from the authentication server, determines whether the received authentication key satisfies a predetermined authentication condition, and activates the activation target software on the sewing machine when it is determined that the authentication key satisfies the predetermined condition.

A software activation system includes a sewing machine and at least one server connected via a network. The sewing machine acquires an authentication code corresponding to an activation target software that is at least one of a program and data not activated on the sewing machine, and transmits, to an authentication server included in the at least one server, an authentication request including the acquired authentication code. The server acquires an authentication key on the basis of the authentication request, when the authentication request is received by the first receiver; and transmits the acquired authentication key to the sewing machine. The sewing machine also receives the authentication key from the authentication server, determines whether the received authentication key satisfies a predetermined authentication condition, and activates the activation target software on the sewing machine when it is determined that the authentication key satisfies the predetermined condition.

The desired seams are formed while adding a hand-sewn taste to the sewing pattern without changing the tendency of the hand-sewn taste for the same pattern. A coordinate data storage unit for storing coordinate data which indicates a needle location of a pattern to be sewn, an addition value storage unit for storing an addition value which is added to each of the coordinate data, and an adjustment unit for adjusting the coordinate data or the addition value; and an added coordinate data creating unit for creating a new coordinate data where the pattern is deformed by adding the addition value adjusted by the adjustment unit to the coordinate data or by adding the addition value to the coordinate data adjusted by the adjustment unit or by adding the addition value adjusted by adjustment unit to the coordinate data adjusted by the adjustment unit are provided.