Computer implemented method for generating a hash value (110) is disclosed, the method comprises the following steps: i) Providing a first digital RGB image (112) having first RGB colors of a physical object (114); ii) Combining first transaction data (116) and the first digital RGB image (112), thereby generating a second RGB image (118) having second RGB colors; iii) Converting (128) color values of the second RGB image (118) from RGB color space (130) to a secondary color space (132) having at least four primary colors and determining (134) a number of respectively colored pixels for each primary color of the secondary color space (132); iv) Generating (136) the hash value (110) by converting the determined number of respectively colored pixels for each primary color of the secondary color space (132) to hexadecimal numerals.

An information processing apparatus is for arranging at least one dot, which expresses information relating to image data, in the image data. The information processing apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to create an edge image of the image data; determine a position near an edge in the edge image to be a position of the at least one dot; and arrange the at least one dot at the determined position in the image data.

An image processing apparatus includes a filtering processing unit that executes a filtering process to suppress background noise of input image data; a threshold setting unit that sets a binarization threshold for the input image data; a background noise determination threshold setting unit that determines that a tone value at which the number of pixels of background noise of the input image data reaches a peak is a background peak tone value and that sets, as a background noise determination threshold, a tone value having a density higher than a density of the background peak tone value and having a number of pixels within a specific range of percentages, of the number of pixels at the peak; a background noise reduction processing unit that executes a background noise reduction process on the input image data and a binarization processing unit that executes a binarization process on the input image data.

An image processing apparatus includes a filtering processing unit that executes a filtering process to suppress background noise of input image data; a threshold setting unit that sets a binarization threshold for the input image data; a background noise determination threshold setting unit that determines that a tone value at which the number of pixels of background noise of the input image data reaches a peak is a background peak tone value and that sets, as a background noise determination threshold, a tone value having a density higher than a density of the background peak tone value and having a number of pixels within a specific range of percentages, of the number of pixels at the peak; a background noise reduction processing unit that executes a background noise reduction process on the input image data and a binarization processing unit that executes a binarization process on the input image data.

Digital encoding methods are used to encode digital payloads in image and conductive ink carriers. These carriers are applied to objects by various printing technologies, together in one or more ink formulations or in separate ink layers on an object. The image payload is extracted from an image sensed with image sensor, while the conductive ink payload is extracted from an image sensed with a capacitive or resistive sensor or like device for sensing the modulation in conductivity of the printed conductive ink elements.

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 computer implemented method for generating at least one security label (110) using at least one printing device (112) is proposed. The method comprises the following steps: i) (114) generating a first digital image (116) comprising a plurality of colored pixels by printing a printer job with a printer control setting and scanning the printout using the printing device (112) thereby generating a digital fingerprint: ii) (118) providing a binary code (120) of identifier information: iii) (122) mapping the identifier information with the digital fingerprint by determining a binary code of the digital fingerprint and adding the binary code (120) of the identifier information to the color code of the first digital image (116); iv) (124) generating a second digital image (126) having a plurality of colored pixels different from the first digital image (116) by transferring the added binary codes into a color code of the second digital image (126): v) (128) printing the second digital image (126) on a substrate (129) thereby generating the security label (110).

An information processing apparatus is for arranging at least one dot, which expresses information relating to image data, in the image data. The information processing apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to create an edge image of the image data; determine a position near an edge in the edge image to be a position of the at least one dot; and arrange the at least one dot at the determined position in the image data.

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.