Provided is a method of embedding and extracting watermark data that is robust against geometric distortion and low-quality photographing and for which the probability of successfully extracting watermark data for an original image is high, while the probability of successfully extracting the watermark data in the case of unauthorized copying is seriously impaired. The data embedding method according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a step of converting the noise-based image using watermark data, and a step of adjusting the original image using the converted noise-based image.

This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking. We disclose methods, systems and apparatus for selecting which ink(s) should be selected to carry an encoded signal for a given machine-vision wavelength for a package design. We also disclose product packages, and methods to generate such, including a sparse mark in a first ink and an overprinted ink flood in a second ink. The first ink and the second ink are related through tack and spectral reflectance difference. Of course, other methods, packages, systems and apparatus are described in this disclosure.

An image reading apparatus compares a difference in luminance value between a pixel of interest in image information acquired via a reading unit and a pixel separated from the pixel of interest by a first distance with a first threshold value. Further, the image reading apparatus compares a difference in luminance value between the pixel of interest and a pixel present within a range to a pixel separated from the pixel of interest by a second distance that is larger than the first distance with a second threshold value. The image reading apparatus determines whether or not the pixel of interest is an edge pixel at an original end portion based on results of those comparisons, and determines an original size based on a result of the determination.

A digital watermarking system and method are disclosed. In one respect, the disclosed digital watermarking includes generating an extracted signal by applying a watermark extractor to an original image, generating a mixed signal by mixing the first signal with a periodic watermark signal using a local weighting factor for the periodic watermark signal that attenuates a strength of the watermark signal in proportion to a pixel luminance level, and replacing the extracted signal in the original image with the mixed signal to generate a marked image, wherein the watermark signal is extractable from the marked image using the watermark extractor.

This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking. We disclose methods, systems and apparatus for selecting which ink(s) should be selected to carry an encoded signal for a given machine-vision wavelength for a package design. We also disclose product packages, and methods to generate such, including a sparse mark in a first ink and an overprinted ink flood in a second ink. The first ink and the second ink are related through tack and spectral reflectance difference. Of course, other methods, packages, systems and apparatus are described in this disclosure.

A method of printing authentication indicia by applying an at least amplitude-modulated halftone print in a detection zone to an object uses adjoining halftone cells, in each of which a halftone dot is printed from a matrix of printable halftone elements, individual tone values of the halftone print corresponding in each case to a halftone plane of a halftone mountain for a halftone dot. In this process, the assigned screen plane of the screen mountain is modified in the detection zone in a predetermined manner for a plurality of tone values of screen dots to be printed, so that a predetermined matrix image of the screen elements to be printed is assigned to it while the tone value of the print remains constant.