A vehicle computer includes a watermark memory and a watermark processor programmed to execute instructions stored in the watermark memory. The instructions executed by the watermark processor include receiving an image captured by a camera, selecting a set of random pixel locations, generating a random watermark, and embedding the random watermark into the image at the set of random pixel locations. Another vehicle computer includes a validation memory and a validation processor programmed to execute instructions stored in the validation memory. The instructions executed by the validation processor include receiving a watermarked image, determining a random watermark, detecting an embedded watermark in the received watermarked image by selecting a set of random pixels and analyzing the selected set of random pixels for the random watermark, and authenticating the watermarked image as a result of determining that the watermarked image includes the random watermark at the set of random pixel locations.

Provided is an apparatus for embedding a plurality of forensic marks comprising: a pre-processing unit configured to: embed a watermark 0 symbol in each section content of an original content and store 0-section contents as a 0-content file and embed a watermark 1 symbol in each section content of the original content and store 1-section contents as a 1-content file; and embed random information in at least one section content among the 0-section contents and the 1-section contents and store random information section contents as a random information content file; and a distribution unit configured to: select corresponding section contents of the 0-content file and the 1-content file using predetermined information that is based on metadata; if a random information section content is present, select the random information section content instead of a 0-section content or a 1-section content; and output the selected random information section content as a distribution content.

Systems and methods are described for obfuscating variants of content segments. Variants of content segments can be used to encode an identifying sequence in a transmission of content. The variants of the content segments can each include one or more marked frames and one or more unmarked frames. Variations can be introduced into the unmarked frames for each of the variants of the content segments.

A computer-implemented method for creating an encoder-decoder system for embedding information in a decorative label. The method includes defining a family of encoder functions and a family of decoder functions. Each encoder function of the family of encoder functions configured to encode information as a respective modification of a decorative label. Each decoder function of the family of decoder functions configured to decode an image of a modified decorative label into respective decoded information. The method includes applying an iterative optimization process to determine an optimized encoder-decoder pair. The optimized encoder-decoder air includes an optimized encoder function and an optimized decoder function. The optimized encoder function is selected by the iterative optimization process from the family of encoder functions and the optimized decoder function is selected by the iterative optimization process from the family of decoder functions.

The present disclosure relates generally to signal encoding for printed objects. One implementation selects an embed direction based on a minimal visibility axis of a 1 JND ellipse at a certain color center. One claim recites an apparatus comprising: memory for storing chromatic contrast sensitivity data representing multiple color encoding angles; one or more multi-core processors configured for: using the stored chromatic contrast sensitivity data, generating an ellipse around a first color center; and from the ellipse, determining a signal encode direction, the signal encode direction comprising an angle α representing a negative angle between the ‘a*’ axis in an CIELAB space and a direction of minimum sensitivity of an encoded signal, in which the angle α comprises −9 degrees≥α≥−25 degrees. Other technology described.

Systems and methods are described for obfuscating variants of content segments. Variants of content segments can be used to encode an identifying sequence in a transmission of content. The variants of the content segments can each include one or more marked frames and one or more unmarked frames. Variations can be introduced into the unmarked frames for each of the variants of the content segments.

The present disclosure relates generally to signal encoding for printed objects. One implementation selects an embed direction based on a minimal visibility axis of a 1 JND ellipse at a certain color center. One claim recites an apparatus comprising: memory for storing chromatic contrast sensitivity data representing multiple color encoding angles; one or more multi-core processors configured for: using the stored chromatic contrast sensitivity data, generating an ellipse around a first color center; and from the ellipse, determining a signal encode direction, the signal encode direction comprising an angle α representing a negative angle between the ‘a*’ axis in an CIELAB space and a direction of minimum sensitivity of an encoded signal, in which the angle α comprises −9 degrees≥α≥−25 degrees. Other technology described.

The first image data is converted into the second image data defined by a color space that depends on an output apparatus that outputs image data. Additional information is multiplexed on the converted second image data by using a multiplex parameter.

Methods and systems for invisible watermarking of images and video are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for watermarking video comprises selecting a block corresponding to a subset of pixels in a video frame. The block has quantized coefficients generated during encoding of the block. A modification function is applied to a candidate quantized coefficient (QC) in the block to incorporate a bit of a watermark message. The modification function is based on a set of configuration parameters.

A method for concealing data in an image or a video stream inside a compression chain, being implemented by a computer and including a structuring and processing phase, during which at least one image is structured into blocks including coefficients, a phase of converting and quantifying blocks so as to generate converted and quantified coefficients, with entropic coding intended to code the converted and quantified coefficients. The method includes a step of concealing data, during which bits of the data are concealed by modifying converted and quantified coefficients located in a high frequency zone of at least some of the blocks that relate to the luminance component of the video stream and that are intra-coded. This modification is performed after the quantification but before the entropic coding.