A watermark image may be generated that includes a first set of encoded pixels each of which is assigned a first transparency value and a second set of encoded pixels each of which is assigned a second transparency value, the second transparency level being different from the first transparency level. The encoded pixels may be distributed among a set of blank pixels such that each encoded pixel neighbors one or more blank pixels in the watermark image, and in particular at least two blank pixels in the watermark image. Herein, each blank pixel may be assigned the second transparency value. The watermark image may be overlaid and blended over a background source image to create an encoded source image. A decoder system may recover encoded information from the encoded source image.

An image processing apparatus includes a first obtaining unit configured to obtain an original image, a second obtaining unit configured to obtain a first multiplexed image created by embedding first information in the original image by a first method in which a shape of a pattern is changed, a third obtaining unit configured to obtain a second multiplexed image created by embedding second information in the first multiplexed image by a second method in which a density of a pattern is changed, the second information being a different type of information from the first information, and a control unit configured to perform control of outputting print data for a print original by using the second multiplexed image.

An image processing method is provided for acquiring additional information from image information obtained by shooting a printed product on which the additional information is multiplexed by at least one of a plurality of different multiplexing methods, the method comprising: attempting decoding of the additional information from the image information by a plurality of different decoding methods corresponding to the plurality of different multiplexing methods; and outputting, by a unit, the additional information successfully decoded.

A system and method for localizing an area of interest likely containing a digital watermark is disclosed. Image frames may be segmented into multiple tiles. A pixel having the maximum grayscale or other value and a pixel having the minimum grayscale or other value in each tile may be identified. Maximum and minimum image maps may be generated from the image frame by replacing each tile with the respective maximum and minimum grayscale or other value pixels. A background map may be generated based on a moving average of the grayscale values of the pixels in the image maps. Foreground map(s) may be generated based on the difference of the values from the image maps to the background map. A region of interest may be determined based on the background and foreground maps and provided to a watermark decoder. Content contained in the digital watermark may be read.

A portable device uses a microphone to listen to ambient audio, ascertains a corresponding identifier, and uses the identifier to enable one or more further functions. One of these can be internet search. Such functionality can also be based on digital datawithout requiring a microphone-equipped device.

Sparse signal modulation schemes encode a data channel on a substrate in a manner that is robust, flexible to achieve perceptual quality constraints, and provides improved data capacity. The substrate is printed by any of a variety of means to apply the image, with sparse signal, to an object. After image capture of the object, a decoder processes the captured image to detect and extract data modulated into the sparse signal. The sparse signal may incorporate implicit or explicit synchronization components, which are either formed from the data signal or are complementary to it.

A system and method for localizing an area of interest likely containing a digital watermark is disclosed. Image frames may be segmented into multiple tiles. A pixel having the maximum grayscale or other value and a pixel having the minimum grayscale or other value in each tile may be identified. Maximum and minimum image maps may be generated from the image frame by replacing each tile with the respective maximum and minimum grayscale or other value pixels. A background map may be generated based on a moving average of the grayscale values of the pixels in the image maps. Foreground map(s) may be generated based on the difference of the values from the image maps to the background map. A region of interest may be determined based on the background and foreground maps and provided to a watermark decoder. Content contained in the digital watermark may be read.

To generate a security mark, a system prints test pattern marks of varying frequencies on a first substrate. The system copies the test pattern marks onto a second substrate. The system analyzes the copy to identify a frequency or period range for test patterns that exhibit a high level of contrast as compared to the original. It then uses the identified range to generate an array of cells having pantograph marks of various foreground/background frequencies/periods. The system prints the array and generates polygons that contain cells in which the foreground is visually distinguished from the background. The system identifies the polygon having an inner point having a largest range to edge. It identifies the frequency/period of the background pattern and of the foreground pattern of the cell that contains the inner point. It then generates a pantograph mark having a background and foreground that correspond the identified frequencies or periods.

An image processing device is provided to generate electronic document data representative of at least one physical document having at least one page. A unique document identifier value is determined to identify the at least one page, the unique document identifier being determined based on an end document identifier value associated with an electronic document project managed by a document management system. An annotated electronic document is generated by embedding data representing the unique document identifier within the at least one page of the electronic document data. An information file is generated and includes at least one characteristic associated with the annotated electronic document. The information file and annotated electronic document are communicated to the document management system for incorporation into an associated electronic document project stored therein.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining, by a pixelation device, an arrangement of pixels for generating representations of data for a document; adjusting, by an increment module and based on the arrangement of pixels, an optical density of one or more pixels included in the arrangement; associating, by the pixelation device, a plurality of distinct types of credential data with one or more line patterns included in the arrangement of pixels; and generating, by the pixelation device, multiple line patterns at a document, the multiple line patterns encoding the plurality of distinct types of credential data.