Automatically generating embroidery designs

1. A method comprising:

segmenting image data into a plurality of objects including a first object;

recursively generating fragments from the first object and associating each fragment with information describing creation of the fragment, the information comprising a connection between a previous larger fragment and a smaller fragment generated from the larger fragment at a start edge or a start scan-line of the smaller fragment;

generating an order in which the fragments are to be sewn based on the information, the order to reduce thread cuts or increase path connectivity between the fragments; and

generating an image output file representative of an embroidery design based on the fragments and the order.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising computing a mid-line for each generated fragment, wherein generating the order is based on the mid-line.

3. A method as defined in claim 2 , further comprising using the mid-line for a first one of the fragments to determine a path to move from a first position to an entry point for a second one of the fragments.

4. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein recursively generating the fragments comprises generating a plurality of smaller fragments from at least one larger fragment.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

segment image data into a plurality of objects including a first object;

recursively generate fragments from the first object and associate each fragment with information describing creation of the fragment, the information comprising a connection between a previous larger fragment and a smaller fragment generated from the larger fragment at a start edge or a start scan-line of the smaller fragment;

generate an order in which the fragments are to be sewn based on the information, the order to reduce thread cuts or increase path connectivity between the fragments; and

generate an image output file representative of an embroidery design based on the fragments and the order.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 , wherein the instructions are further to cause the processor to compute a mid-line for each fragment.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 , wherein the instructions are further to cause the processor to use the mid-line for a first one of the fragments to determine a path to move from a first position to an entry point for a second one of the fragments.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 , wherein recursively generating the fragments comprises generating a plurality of smaller fragments from at least one larger fragment.

9. A computer readable storage device comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

segment image data into a plurality of objects including a first object;

recursively generate fragments from the first object and associate each fragment with information describing creation of the fragment, the information comprising a connection between a previous larger fragment and a smaller fragment generated from the larger fragment at a start edge or a start scan-line of the smaller fragment;

generate an order in which the fragments are to be sewn, the order to reduce thread cuts or increase path connectivity between the fragments; and

generate an image output file representative of an embroidery design based on the fragments and the order.

10. A computer readable storage device as defined in claim 9 , wherein the instructions are further to cause the processor to compute a mid-line for each fragment.

11. A computer readable storage device as defined in claim 10 , wherein the instructions are further to cause the processor to use the mid-line for a first one of the fragments to determine a path to move from a first position to an entry point for a second one of the fragments.

12. A computer readable storage device as defined in claim 9 , wherein recursively generating the fragments comprises generating a plurality of smaller fragments from at least one larger fragment.

13. A computer readable storage device as defined in claim 9 , wherein reducing the thread cuts comprises minimizing the thread cuts.

14. A computer readable storage device as defined in claim 9 , wherein increasing the path connectivity comprises maximizing the path connectivity between the fragments.