Digital watermarking is adapted for the variable data printing. A reference signal serves as a proxy for optimizing the embedding a watermark in a host image to be printed. Using the reference signal, embedding parameters are generated, which are a function of constraints such as visual quality and robustness of the machine readable data. Adjustments needed to embed a unique payload in each printed piece are generated using the embedding parameters. These adjustments are stored in a manner that enables them to be efficiently obtained and applied within the RIP or press during operation of the press. Various other methods, system configurations and applications are also detailed.

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.

Imagery captured by an autonomous robot is analyzed to discern digital watermark patterns. In some embodiments, identical but geometrically-inconsistent digital watermark patterns are discerned in an image frame, to aid in distinguishing multiple depicted instances of a particular item. In other embodiments, actions of the robot are controlled or altered in accordance with image processing performed by the robot on a digital watermark pattern. The technology is particularly described in the context of retail stores in which the watermark patterns are encoded, e.g., on product packaging, shelving, and shelf labels. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

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.

Approaches for processing a machine-readable link are described. The machine-readable link is readable by a computing system to obtain access to digital content using a communication network.

A steganographic digital watermark signal is decoded from host imagery without requiring a domain transformation for signal synchronization, thereby speeding and simplifying the decoding operation. In time-limited applications, such as in supermarket point-of-sale scanners that attempt watermark decode operations on dozens of video frames every second, the speed improvement allows a greater percentage of each image frame to be analyzed for watermark data. In battery-powered mobile devices, avoidance of repeated domain transformations extends battery life. A great variety of other features and arrangements, including machine learning aspects, are also detailed.

Digital encoding methods are used to encode digital payloads in image and conductive ink carriers. These carriers are applied to objects by various printing technologies, together in one or more ink formulations or in separate ink layers on an object. The image payload is extracted from an image sensed with image sensor, while the conductive ink payload is extracted from an image sensed with a capacitive or resistive sensor or like device for sensing the modulation in conductivity of the printed conductive ink elements.

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.

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.

Digital watermarking is adapted for the variable data printing. A reference signal serves as a proxy for optimizing the embedding a watermark in a host image to be printed. Using the reference signal, embedding parameters are generated, which are a function of constraints such as visual quality and robustness of the machine readable data. Adjustments needed to embed a unique payload in each printed piece are generated using the embedding parameters. These adjustments are stored in a manner that enables them to be efficiently obtained and applied within the RIP or press during operation of the press. Various other methods, system configurations and applications are also detailed.