An optical code reader classifies a code depicted in input imagery, so that appropriate decoding actions can be invoked. This classification may identify, e.g., (a) whether the code is of a continuous tone or sparse mark variety, (b) which one of different reference signals it includes, and (c) which one of different protocols is used in expressing reference and payload signal components of the code. A great variety of other features and technologies are detailed as well.

Features from a style image are adapted to express a machine-readable code. For example, grains of rice depicted in a style image may be positioned to create a pattern mimicking that of a machine-readable code. The resulting output image can then be used as a graphical component in product packaging (e.g., as a background, border, or pattern fill), while also serving to convey a product identifier to a compliant reader device (e.g., a retail point-of-sale terminal). In some embodiments, a neural network is trained to apply a particular style image to machine readable codes. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

There is provided a method for embedding a digital watermark into and extracting a digital watermark from a numerical data set. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for embedding a digital watermark into a numerical data set. The method includes selecting portions of the numerical data set identified as data noise, the selected portions to be used for embedding the digital watermark into the numerical data set, the digital watermark being unique for each recipient of the numerical data. The method further includes replacing the least significant bit (LSB) of at least some of the selected portions of the numerical data set with at least portion of the digital watermark.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for encoding a watermark using a multichain blockchain. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes permission manager circuitry to detect a request from a requesting device, the request for watermark payload elements to encode in a media asset and blockchain client interface circuitry to allocate, via a first transaction on a blockchain maintained by a blockchain network, the water payload elements.

Imagery captured by an autonomous robot is analyzed to discern digital watermark patterns. In some embodiments, identical but geometrically-inconsistent digital watermark patterns are discerned in an image frame, to aid in distinguishing multiple depicted instances of a particular item. In other embodiments, actions of the robot are controlled or altered in accordance with image processing performed by the robot on a digital watermark pattern. The technology is particularly described in the context of retail stores in which the watermark patterns are encoded, e.g., on product packaging, shelving, and shelf labels. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

A method and apparatus for embedding a digital watermark in image content that is not visible to the human eye is performed on single-sensor digital camera images (often called ‘raw’ images) from a pixel-array. The raw image is transformed to generate preprocessed image coefficients, a watermark message is encrypted using a first key; the encrypted watermark message is randomized using a second key to form a watermark; and the watermark is embedded in randomly selected preprocessed image coefficients.

A system, method and computer program product for protecting a deep neural network image classifier against receiving perturbed images. A plurality of watermark bits are embedded into an original digital image intended for the deep neural network image classifier. The watermarked image is transmitted through a potentially adversarial environment. A potentially perturbed image intended for the deep neural network image classifier is received from the potentially adversarial environment. The potentially perturbed image is determined to be an adversely modified or benign image by determining whether the potentially perturbed image includes a plurality of embedded bits matching the plurality of watermark bits embedded into the original digital image. The potentially perturbed image is prevented from being provided to the deep neural network image classifier in response to determining that the potentially perturbed image is the adversely modified image.

Digital watermarking is adapted for the variable data printing. A reference signal serves as a proxy for optimizing the embedding a watermark in a host image to be printed. Using the reference signal, embedding parameters are generated, which are a function of constraints such as visual quality and robustness of the machine readable data. Adjustments needed to embed a unique payload in each printed piece are generated using the embedding parameters. These adjustments are stored in a manner that enables them to be efficiently obtained and applied within the RIP or press during operation of the press. Various other methods, system configurations and applications are also detailed.

A computer implemented method for embedding a marker in an image or video content including receiving an input image or frame for embedding, determining a binary message to be encoded within said input image or frame comprising bits sequences having an identical number of bits which is superior or equal to two, said binary message comprising at least a header part comprising at least two consecutive bits sequences which are not identical, detecting a region within said input image or frame such that the color within said region is uniform and that said region presents a chosen length and height, associating each possible bits sequence to a corresponding encoding color determined from the color within said uniform region and an encoding rule such that the respective colors are all different from one another, and generating a marker color table in which each element stores an encoding color associated to a bits sequence of the binary message, such that the color table constitutes a color encoding of the binary message, and embedding said marker in said region by appending directionally pixel blocks comprising at least a chosen number of pixels in an appending direction, the pixels within a given pixel block being each colored with the encoding color of an element of the marker color table, each element of the marker color table being associated with at least one pixel block.

Artwork carrying machine readable data is generated by editing artwork according to a data signal or transforming the data signal into artwork. The machine-readable data signal is generated from a digital payload and converted into an image tile. Artwork is edited according to the image tile by moving graphic elements, adapting intersections of lines, or altering line density, among other techniques. Artwork is generated from the data signal by skeletonizing it and applying morphological operators to a skeletal representation, such as a medial axis transform. Artistic effects are introduced by filtering the data signal with directional blurring or shape filters.