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.

Methods and devices are provided to identify live broadcast content that are multiple identities. One method includes is based on-the-fly modification of the broadcast content during broadcast and includes receiving the content that already includes pre-existing identification information that is embedded in the content, embedding a number of additional watermarks into the content as the content is being transmitted for live broadcast, where the plurality of additional watermarks includes a new identification information for the content. Just at the embedding of the additional watermark is commented, the pre-existing identification information, the new identification information and a temporal relationship between the pre-existing and additional watermarks are transmitted to a remote database, which can be used to enable reception of information based on the pre-existing identification.

A neural network is applied to imagery including a machine readable code, to transform its appearance while maintaining its machine readability. One particular method includes training a neural network with a style image having various features. The trained network is then applied to an input pattern that encodes a plural-symbol payload. The network adapts features from the style image to express details of the input pattern, to thereby produce an output image in which features from the style image contribute to encoding of the plural-symbol payload. This output image can then be used as a graphical component in product packaging, such as a background, border, or pattern fill. In some embodiments, the input pattern is a watermark pattern, while in others it is a host image that has been previously watermarked. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Certain aspects of the present technology involve automated capture of several image frames (e.g., simultaneously in a single exposure, or in a burst of exposures), and application of a data-extraction process (e.g., watermark decoding) to each such image. Other aspects of the technology involve capturing a single scene at two different resolutions, and submitting imagery at both resolutions for watermark decoding. Still other aspects of the technology involve increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of a watermark signal by subtracting one image from another. Yet other aspects of the technology involve receiving focus distance data from a camera, and employing such data in extracting information from camera imagery. Smartphone camera APIs can be employed to simplify implementation of such methods. A great number of features and arrangements are also detailed. Embodiments of such technology can simplify image processing required for data extraction, with attendant reductions in required program memory and battery power consumption. Moreover, they can enlarge a system's operational envelopeenabling information to be extracted from imagery under conditions that lead to failure in prior art arrangements.

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 disclosed in the description is an image processing method comprising: accessing a design file to obtain image data, the image data comprising a plurality of color separations or channels, in which the image data comprises at least a 1D or 2D barcode represented therein and a first encoded signal encoded therein, the 1D or 2D barcode comprising a first plural-bit code and the first encoded signal comprising a second plural-bit code; operating a barcode reader to analyze the image data to decode the 1D or 2D barcode to obtain the first plural-bit code; operating a signal decoder to analyze one or more combinations of color separations or channels of the plurality of color separations or channels to decode the first encoded signal to obtain the second plural-bit code; determining whether the second plural-bit code conflicts with the first plural-bit code; and identifying a conflict based on said act of determining. Of course, other features and combinations are described as well.

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.

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 steganographic embedding and digital watermarking. One combination includes an image processing method comprising: obtaining data representing a digital image; using one or more processors, embedding an information signal within the data representing a digital image, the information signal comprising a synchronization component and a message component, said embedding yielding altered data; transforming the altered data to estimate a print and optical capture process, said transforming yielding transformed, altered data; for each of a plurality of regions within the transformed, altered data, generating detectability measures, in which a first detectability measure comprises a measure corresponding to synchronization component strength within region of the transformed, altered data, and in which a second measure comprises a measure corresponding to message component strength within the region of the transformed, altered data; based on a combination of the detectability measures from each of the plurality of regions, determining a likelihood that the altered data, once printed on a physical substrate, will be detectable from optical scan data representing such. Of course, other features and combinations are described as well.

The technology relates to advanced image signal processing. One claim recites an image processing apparatus comprising: memory for storing data representing a digital image; one or more processors configured for transforming the data by embedding a digital watermark therein, the digital watermark comprising a synchronization component and a message component; one or more processors configured for: attacking the transformed data to yield altered, transformed data; analyzing the altered, transformed data to obtain detectability measures therefrom, a first detectability measure comprising a measure corresponding to the synchronization component strength, and a second measure comprising a measure corresponding to the message component strength; based on a combination of the first detectability measure and the second detectability measure, predictingalong one or more swipe pathsa likelihood that the transformed data, once printed on a physical substrate, will be detectable from optical scan data representing such. Other claims and combinations are provided.