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 picture-based barcode encoding and decoding is provided herein. The method for picture-based barcode encoding includes: transforming an original data into an original data bitstream; performing an error correction on the original data bitstream for translating the original data bitstream into an error corrected bitstream; selecting all or part of the picture as an encoded area; calculating a data storage capacity of the encoded area; adjusting a size of the error corrected bitstream or a size of the encoded area for equalizing a data storage capacity of an encoded data bitstream and the data storage capacity of the encoded area; and adjusting a pixel value of the encoded area according to the encoded data bitstream.

A method for picture-based barcode decoding is provided herein. The method for picture-based barcode decoding includes the following steps: capturing all or part of a picture as a captured image; normalizing the captured image for generating a transformed image; calculating a mean color value of a plurality of blocks of the transformed image for generating a decoded data; performing an inverse error correction on the decoded data for generating an original data bitstream; transforming the original data bitstream into an original data; and outputting the original data with an output device.

This disclosure relates to advanced signal processing technology including steganographic embedding and digital watermarking. One combination disclosed in the description is an image processing apparatus including: electronic memory for storing an image, in which the image 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; means for decoding the 1D or 2D barcode from the image to obtain the first plural-bit code; means for analyzing data representing the image to obtain the second plural-bit code from the first encoded signal; means for determining whether the second plural-bit code conflicts with the first plural-bit code; and means for generating a conflict map, the conflict map comprising an identification of a code conflict, and a spatial location of the code conflict relative to the image. Of course, other features and combinations are described as well.

A method for reversible image data hiding includes steps of encrypting an original image by an encryption process to generate an encrypted image, embedding a message into the encrypted image by an embedment process to generate an embedded image, and extracting the message and the original image from the embedded image by a decryption and extraction process. The encryption process includes generating a key stream by using a secret encryption key, and generating an encrypted image by XORing the original image with the key stream. The embedment process includes generating an embedded image by embedding the message via XORing the encrypted image with a predetermined public key set.

A method for picture-based barcode encoding and decoding is provided herein. The method for picture-based barcode encoding includes: transforming an original data into an original data bitstream; performing an error correction on the original data bitstream for translating the original data bitstream into an error corrected bitstream; selecting all or part of the picture as an encoded area; calculating a data storage capacity of the encoded area; adjusting a size of the error corrected bitstream or a size of the encoded area for equalizing a data storage capacity of an encoded data bitstream and the data storage capacity of the encoded area; and adjusting a pixel value of the encoded area according to the encoded data bitstream.

An imaging system may output embedded data in an output frame. Selected bits of pixel data words, corresponding to data read out from imaging pixels and non-imaging pixels, may be modified to correspond to bits of embedded data. Modifying pixel data words may include receiving a pixel data word and decatenating the pixel data words into fragments of the data word. A first fragment may correspond to bits of the data word that are replaced by embedded data bits output from an embedded data engine. A second fragment may be modified using arithmetic circuitry based on whether the embedded data bits that replace the first fragment are the same as bits of the first fragment. An output data word may be produced that includes embedded data bits at its least significant bits, most significant bits, or intermediate bits.

The present specification describes examples of a computing device for reducing camera bus channels and bandwidth. The example computing device includes a plurality of tracking cameras to capture a plurality of tracking images. The computing device also includes a processor to receive the plurality of tracking images captured by the plurality of tracking cameras. The processor is to combine the plurality of tracking images into a carrier image. The computing device also includes a camera bus to transmit the carrier image.