The present disclosure relates generally to data hiding for retail product packaging and other printed objects such as substrates. One embodiment embeds an information signal in a spot color for printing on various substrates. The spot color is screened, and overprinted with process color tint. The tint is modulated prior to overprinting with optimized signal tweaks. The optimization can include consideration of a detector spectral dependency (e.g., red and/or green illumination). Many other embodiments and combinations are described in the subject patent document.

The present disclosure relates generally to image signal processing, including encoding signals for image data or artwork. A color blend/print model is used to predict signal detectability and visibility as is printed on a particular substrate, which facilitates object grading prior to print runs.

The present disclosure relates generally to encoding signals for spot colors. In one implementation a substitute spot color+CMY tint is selected to replace an original spot color. The CMY tint can be transformed to carry an encoded signal. Of course, other features, combinations and technology are described herein.

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.

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.

The present disclosure relates generally to image signal processing, including encoding signals for image data or artwork. A color blend/print model is used to predict signal detectability and visibility as is printed on a particular substrate, which facilitates object grading prior to print runs.

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.

A pattern and spectrum security one-time printing of packaging verification method for verifying the authenticity of an external packing container of a commodity, which external packing container is printed with a security pattern on the surface using a specific spectrum of tangible fluorescent ink. The user checks the location of the security pattern by visualizing the tangible fluorescent ink on the external packing container, and then uses image capturing device to shoot the security pattern through a filter to capture the pattern image of the tangible fluorescent ink, a processor of the identification system loads in the captured pattern image, a software program in the processor matches the spectral band and shape of the captured pattern image with storage data in the database to verify the authenticity of the security pattern. The user can identify the authenticity of the commodity, enhancing commodity security and reducing the risk of being forged.