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: Deterministic identifiers fuel reliable efficient capture of product discovery, purchase and consumption events, which in turn enable more reliable product recommendation, more accurate shopping list generation and in-store navigation. A mobile device, equipped with image and audio detectors, extracts product identifiers from objects, display screens and ambient audio. In conjunction with a cloud-based service, a mobile device application obtains product information and logs product events for extracted identifiers. The cloud service generates recommendations, and mapping for in-store navigation. The detectors also provide reliable and efficient product identification for purchase events, and post shopping product consumption events.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to image signal processing, including encoding signals for image data or artwork. An aggregation module predicts likely detection of an encoded signal, including modeling detection in an environment in which an encoded signal is swiped in front of a camera system comprising at least two cameras.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to signal decoding and icon (e.g., a logo, shape, icon, etc.) detection. In some implementations, a first response is provided upon signal decoding but no icon detection within first captured image data, and a second response is provided upon signal decoding and icon detection within the first captured image data. Other aspects, combinations and implementations are described as well.

Abstract: The geometric pose of a patch of watermark data is estimated based on the position of a similar, but non-identical, patch of information within a data structure. The information in the data structure corresponds to a tiled array of calibration patterns that is sampled along at least three non-parallel paths. In a particular embodiment, the calibration patterns are sampled so that edges are globally-curved, yet locally-flat. Use of such information in the data structure enables enhanced pose estimation, e.g., speeding up operation, enabling pose estimation from smaller patches of watermark signals, and/or enabling pose estimation from weaker watermark signals. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A person's smartphone serves as a security token—used variously to establish the user's authorization, and to test the bona fides of the counter-party system. In one illustrative ATM arrangement, a bank's computer system and the user's smartphone share secret information across a network. The smartphone employs this shared secret to generate a corresponding image, which is displayed on its screen. The displayed image is sensed by a camera in the ATM, which sends corresponding data back to the bank computer system. The bank computer system analyzes the received data and responds by sending information to the ATM authorizing a transaction. By such arrangement, authentication of the transaction involves one-way optical communication of visual information between the ATM and the smartphone, and two-way network communication of information between the ATM and the bank computer system. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to signal decoding and icon (e.g., a logo, shape, icon, etc.) detection.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced signal processing technology including steganographic embedding and digital watermarking. One combination disclosed in the description includes an image processing method.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking. One claim recites a printed object comprising a machine-readable signal therein, the printed object comprising: a substrate; a first color printed on a substrate, the first color printed on the substrate so as to include holes without the first color, the holes arranged corresponding to the 2-d spatial pattern representing the machine-readable signal; a second color printed in the holes, in which the first color and the second color comprise a spectral reflectance difference at or around 660nm in the range of 8%-60%, in which the second color is printed in the holes with a trap of 1-4 pixels, and in which the machine-readable signal is detectable from image data captured with red-light illumination, the red-light illumination comprising a peak illumination at or around 660nm, in which the trap comprises a spread trap, in which the second color overlaps the first color.

Abstract: A system senses audio, imagery, and/or other stimulus from a user's environment, and responds to fulfill user desires. In one particular arrangement, a discovery session is launched when the user speaks a cueing expression, which serves to switch the system from a lower activity state to a heightened alert state. The system may recognize that the speech expresses a user request that requires analysis of camera-captured imagery to fulfill. In response the system can apply an operation, such as a recognition operation (e.g., barcode decoding), to the imagery and take an action based on resulting information. Operation of the system can be aided by collateral information, such as context. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to signal processing such as digital watermarking and other encoded signals. One claim recites a method of offsetting color casting for a printed object associated with a retail product. The method includes: providing a first additive that absorbs light energy at or around a center wavelength of an illumination source; providing a second additive that absorbs in the ultra-violet spectrum, yet fluoresces at or around the center wavelength of the illumination source, wherein a combination of spectral responses of the first additive and the second additive offset color casting; printing the first additive, second additive and a color on the printed object, wherein the printing conveys an encoded plural bit signal. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided in the specification with reference to specific implementations and related examples.

Abstract: An image processing method determines a geometric transform of a suspect image by efficiently evaluating a large number of geometric transform candidates in environments with limited processing resources. Processing resources are conserved by using complementary methods for determining a geometric transform of an embedded signal. One method excels at higher geometric distortion, and specifically, distortion caused by greater tilt angle of a camera. Another method excels at lower geometric distortion, for weaker signals. Together, the methods provide a more reliable detector of an embedded data signal in image across a larger range of distortion while making efficient use of limited processing resources in mobile devices.

Abstract: Differential modulation schemes encode a data channel within host signal or noisy environment in a manner that is robust, flexible to achieve perceptual quality constraints, and provides improved data capacity. Differential arrangements enable a decoder to suppress host signal or other background signal interference when detecting, synchronizing and extracting an encoded data channel. They also enable the incorporation of implicit or explicit synchronization components, which are either formed from the data signal or are complementary to it.

Abstract: A method for low latency audio watermark embedding buffers samples of an audio stream in a buffer, including previous blocks of audio samples in the audio stream. It computes a perceptual mask from the audio samples in the buffer, generates a watermark signal; and applies the perceptual mask to the watermark signal for the first block to produce a mask-applied watermark signal. It inserts the mask-applied watermark signal into the audio samples of the first block without waiting for a subsequent audio block of samples in the audio stream and outputs watermarked audio of the first block.

Abstract: A decade from now, a visit to the supermarket will be a very different experience than the familiar experiences of decades past. Product packaging will come alive with interactivity—each object a portal into a rich tapestry of experiences, with contributions authored by the product brand, by the store selling the product, and by other shoppers. The present technology concerns arrangements for authoring and delivering such experiences. A great variety of other features and technologies are also detailed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced signal processing technology including signal encoding.

Abstract: Optical code signal components are generated and then transformed into signal bearing art that conveys machine readable data. The components 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 transforms tiles of an optical code or image embedded with the optical code into signal-bearing art using stipple, Voronoi, Delaunay or other graphic drawing methods so as to retain prioritized components of the optical code. 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: A camera captures video imagery depicting a digitally-watermarked object. A reference signal in the watermark is used to discern the pose of the object relative to the camera, and this pose is used in affine-transforming and positioning a graphic on the imagery as an augmented reality overlay. Feature points are also discerned from the captured imagery, or recalled from a database indexed by the watermark. As the camera moves relative to the object, the augmented reality overlay tracks the changing object depiction, using these feature points. When feature point-based tracking fails, the watermark is again processed to determine pose, and the overlay presentation is updated accordingly. In another arrangement, feature points are extracted from images of supermarket objects captured by multiple users, and are compiled in a database in association with watermark data identifying the objects—serving as a crowd-sourced repository of feature point data.

Abstract: Imagery captured by a point-of-sale scanner (e.g., in a supermarket) for purposes of barcode decoding, is contrast-enhanced preparatory to use for watermark decoding—despite the fact that such operation may sometimes result in contrast between certain pixels being diminished. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.