Abstract:
The disclosure relates to digital signal processing such as digital watermarking, and the utilization of portable devices (e.g., smartphones) for such signal processing. One claim recites a smartphone comprising: a touch screen display; memory for storing a payload and for storing a digital image depicting a virtual card; means for processing the payload with an erasure code generator, in which the erasure code generator produces a plurality of outputs corresponding to the payload; means for embedding a first of the plurality of outputs in a first version of the digital image and proceeding with embedding until each of the plurality of outputs are respectively embedded in one of a plurality of versions of the digital image; and means for displaying embedded versions of the digital image so that a receiver analyzing captured image data representing the touch screen display can recover the payload. Of course, other claims and combinations are disclosed too.
Abstract:
One aspect of the technology includes recovering image affine transforms via CNN-based classification and regression. Another aspect of the technology is a CNN-based network to detect a presence/absence of a digital watermark signal and recovery of affine transform coefficients associated with an image template. Other aspects, features and arrangements are also described and claimed.
Abstract:
A surface is laser-etched to convey a 2D machine-readable code pattern. Various strategies are detailed to minimize the etching time. Some strategies include modifying the code pattern to reduce a path length traveled by the laser. Some strategies include modifying the code pattern to make it sub-optimal, i.e., making the code pattern a less-faithful approximation of an ideal code pattern. In some embodiments the etched surface is the surface of a plastic container, and the code pattern conveys information indicating the type of plastic of which the container is manufactured. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
Abstract:
The parameters of an optical code are optimized to achieve improved signal robustness, reliability, capacity and/or visual quality. An optimization program can determine spatial density, dot distance, dot size and signal component priority to optimize robustness. An optical code generator employs these parameters to produce an optical code at the desired spatial density and robustness. The optical code is merged into a host image, such as imagery, text and graphics of a package or label, or it may be printed by itself, e.g., on an otherwise blank label or carton. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
Abstract:
The present technology relates to image signal processing. One aspect of the present technology involves analyzing reference imagery gathered by a camera system to determine which parts of an image frame offer high probabilities of—relative to other image parts—containing decodable watermark data. Another aspect of the present technology whittles-down such determined image frame parts based on detected content (e.g., a cereal box) vs expected background within such determined image frame parts.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
A thermoplastic resin is molded to define a container bearing a surface 2D code signal, such as a digital watermark pattern. In some arrangements, the mold dimensions are tailored, and process parameters are selected, so that an indentation in the mold gives rise to a corresponding indentation—rather than a corresponding protrusion—in the shaped plastic. In other arrangements, a metal mold is provided with a patterned resin on its surface to define the 2D code signal. The resin may take the form of a rigid or non-rigid insert that can be removed or re-worked to change the code signal without changing the metal mold. A variety of other improvements and arrangements are also detailed.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
Aspects of the detailed technologies concern training and use of neural networks for fine-grained classification of large numbers of items, e.g., as may be encountered in a supermarket. Mitigating false positive errors is an exemplary area of emphasis. Novel network topologies are also detailed—some employing recognition technologies in addition to neural networks. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
Abstract:
In one aspect, a retail store includes a multitude of cameras, including a plurality of 3D cameras, and a plurality of other cameras. Certain of the cameras provide imagery from which a shopper's track through the store is monitored, and certain of the cameras are positioned to detect removal of items from store shelves. The store also includes a computer system that provides a database of information about store layout, indicating stock locations of different items. The computer system receives imagery from the cameras (or information derived from such imagery) and uses this data, together with information from the database and information derived from other sensors in the store, to produce a probabilistic tally of items selected by a store shopper. This tally includes an item bearing a barcode, but is produced without reading the barcode. Each item on the tally is associated with a confidence score that meets a computer system-determined threshold. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.