An image transformation method includes: obtaining identification information of an original image; converting the identification information to an identification image; performing frequency domain transformation on the original image to obtain a pixel matrix of the original image in a frequency domain space; performing matrix decomposition on the pixel matrix to obtain an image brightness matrix; converting pixel values of corresponding pixels in the image brightness matrix based on pixel values of pixels in the identification image to obtain a converted brightness matrix; and performing inverse frequency domain transformation on the converted brightness matrix to obtain a transformed image including invisible identification information, and adding the invisible identification information to the original image.

Watermarking media content, in combination with blockchain and distributed storage networks, prevents the proliferation of Deepfake content. Digital watermarks are embedded in the audio and video tracks of video clips of trusted content producers at the time the videos are captured or before they are distributed. The watermarks are detected at the social media network's portals, nodes, and back ends. The embedded watermark imparts a unique identifier to the video, that links it to a blockchain. The watermarks also allow video source tracking, integrity verification, and alteration localization. The watermark detectors can be standalone software applications, or they can be integrated with other applications. They are used to perform three main tasks: (1) they alert the Internet user when he watches an inauthentic news video, so that he may discard it, (2) they prevent a Deepfake content from propagating through the network (3) they perform forensic analysis to help track and remove Deepfake content postings.

This application relates to the field of digital watermark technologies and discloses a digital watermark embedding method and extraction method, a digital watermark embedding apparatus and extraction apparatus, and a digital watermark system. The method includes obtaining a digital watermark of a composite file, splitting the digital watermark into N sub-watermarks according to a carrier quantity N of the composite file, each sub-watermark being corresponding to partial content of the digital watermark, embedding an i.sup.th sub-watermark in an i.sup.th carrier of the composite file, to obtain an i.sup.th target carrier, and integrating N target carriers into a target file. This application resolves a problem in the related technology that a digital watermark technology cannot ensure integrity of an order file, and protects carriers of a composite file, thereby ensuring security and integrity of the composite file.

A method for embedding the spread spectrum watermark into images with the self-adaptive embedding strength includes the following steps: designing a spread spectrum watermark capable of completely shielding a host signal interference by using prior knowledge of the host signal interference, self-adaptively adjusting a value of an embedding strength in the spread spectrum watermark with different host images, ensuring imperceptibility of each image while simultaneously maximizing robustness of the watermark, and finally embedding the spread spectrum watermark in the host image. The present disclosure can not only completely shield the host signal interference but also effectively withstand various common image processing attacks and geometric attacks, and at the same time, all the watermarked images can obtain consistent imperceptibility. The present disclosure can be applied to various watermarking techniques based on discrete cosine transform.

A watermark-based dynamic ad insertion (DAI) technique for presenting different users of content different advertisements based on the user's profile for content viewed on broadcast channels or in multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) channels. A number of solutions issues with watermark-based DAI are presented. Interoperability is addressed by providing a multiplexing technique so that the DAI watermarks do not interfere with other watermarks, such as ATSC 3.0 watermarks. Reliability is addressed by providing a matched filtering technique. Security is addressed by providing a mutual authentication technique.

Artwork carrying machine readable data is generated by editing artwork according to a data signal or transforming the data signal into artwork. The machine-readable data signal is generated from a digital payload and converted into an image tile. Artwork is edited according to the image tile by moving graphic elements, adapting intersections of lines, or altering line density, among other techniques. Artwork is generated from the data signal by skeletonizing it and applying morphological operators to a skeletal representation, such as a medial axis transform. Artistic effects are introduced by filtering the data signal with directional blurring or shape filters.

This disclosure relates to advanced signal processing technology including signal encoding. One combination includes an apparatus comprising: memory for storing image data, the image data comprising a plurality of color separations or channels, in which the image data comprises at least a first type of machine-readable symbology comprising a 1D barcode represented therein and a second type of machine-readable symbology comprising a first signal represented therein, in which the second type of machine-readable symbology comprises a different type of machine-readable symbology relative to the first type of machine-readable symbology, the 1D barcode comprising a first plural-bit code and the first signal comprising a second plural-bit code; a barcode reader configured to analyze the image data to decode the 1D barcode to obtain the first plural-bit code; a signal decoder configured to analyze one or more color separations or channels of the plurality of color separations or channels to decode the first signal to obtain the second plural-bit code; one or more processors configured to determine whether the second plural-bit code and the first plural-bit code conflict; and to identify a conflict based on a conflict determination. Of course, other features and combinations are described as well.

In one aspect, assembly of multi-part food packaging is checked by reference to payloads of steganographically-encoded digital watermarks printed across the packaging components. Marking all surfaces of the packaging components allows arbitrary orientation of feed stock in assembly equipment, and wide latitude in placement of inspection cameras along the packaging line. In another aspect, a scanner at a retail checkout station is alert to any gap detected in steganographic encoding on retail product packaging and, if found, alerts an operator to possible presence of an adhesive label with a misleading barcode. A great variety of others features and arrangements are also detailed.

Artwork carrying machine readable data is generated by editing artwork according to a data signal or transforming the data signal into artwork. The machine-readable data signal is generated from a digital payload and converted into an image tile. Artwork is edited according to the image tile by moving graphic elements, adapting intersections of lines, or altering line density, among other techniques. Artwork is generated from the data signal by skeletonizing it and applying morphological operators to a skeletal representation, such as a medial axis transform. Artistic effects are introduced by filtering the data signal with directional blurring or shape filters.

Features from a style image are adapted to express a machine-readable code. For example, grains of rice depicted in a style image may be positioned to create a pattern mimicking that of a machine-readable code. The resulting output image can then be used as a graphical component in product packaging (e.g., as a background, border, or pattern fill), while also serving to convey a product identifier to a compliant reader device (e.g., a retail point-of-sale terminal). In some embodiments, a neural network is trained to apply a particular style image to machine readable codes. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.