Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking.

Abstract: An automatic object identification scanner is equipped with recognition units that provide detection results for objects and a controller that resolves potential conflicts in the results. One form of recognition unit detects product identifiers and flags in a digital payload that is encoded redundantly across packaging or labels applied to packaging. The controller gets detection results and evaluates them relative to a state data structure, which maintains state for identifiers obtained within a time interval, such as a timeout interval or waiting period after a detection result. Identifiers are reported to a POS system depending on logic that evaluates code priority and pending waiting periods.

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: In an exemplary embodiment, image content is rendered to include a digital watermark pattern at an essentially fixed scale, regardless of the size of screen on which the content is displayed. In one particular embodiment, CSS and JavaScript are responsive to the rendering context (which can include screen size, and/or viewer position) to define the geometry of a watermarked texture block, which is tiled to serve as a background of an HTML-defined page. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced image signal processing technology including encoded signals and digital watermarking.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to advanced signal processing including signal embedding, digital watermarking and steganography.

Abstract: Debug information is output from a point-of-scale scanner by disguising it as one or more product identifiers (e.g., Global Trade Item Numbers, or GTINs). Generation of such “faux GTINs” to convey the debug information can be activated by presenting a special machine readable code to the scanner. Repetitive patterns in the debug information are desirably varied to avoid triggering duplicate detection logic in the scanner, which might otherwise suppress outputting of such repetitive information.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Audio signal processing enhances audio watermark embedding and detecting processes. Audio signal processes include audio classification and adapting watermark embedding and detecting based on classification. Advances in audio watermark design include adaptive watermark signal structure data protocols, perceptual models, and insertion methods. Perceptual and robustness evaluation is integrated into audio watermark embedding to optimize audio quality relative the original signal, and to optimize robustness or data capacity. These methods are applied to audio segments in audio embedder and detector configurations to support real time operation. Feature extraction and matching are also used to adapt audio watermark embedding and detecting.

Abstract: The application discloses apparatus and systems for authenticating physical object, identification documents and security documents. Some such methods and apparatus involve signal encoding or digital watermarking.

Abstract: A variety of methods and systems involving sensor-equipped portable devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, are described. One particular embodiment decodes a digital watermark from imagery captured by the device and, by reference to watermark payload data, obtains salient point data corresponding to an object depicted in the imagery. Other embodiments obtain salient point data for an object through use of other technologies (e.g., NFC chips). The salient point data enables the device to interact with the object in a spatially-dependent manner. Many other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A steganographic digital watermark signal is decoded from host imagery without requiring a domain transformation for signal synchronization, thereby speeding and simplifying the decoding operation. In time-limited applications, such as in supermarket point-of-sale scanners that attempt watermark decode operations on dozens of video frames every second, the speed improvement allows a greater percentage of each image frame to be analyzed for watermark data. In battery-powered mobile devices, avoidance of repeated domain transformations extends battery life. A great variety of other features and arrangements, including machine learning aspects, are also detailed.

Abstract: Methods employ sensors in portable devices (e.g., smartphones) both to sense content information (e.g., audio and imagery) and context information. Device processing is desirably dependent on both. For example, some embodiments activate certain processor intensive operations (e.g., content recognition) based on classification of sensed content and context. The context can control the location where information produced from such operations is stored, or control an alert signal indicating, e.g., that sensed speech is being transcribed. Some arrangements post sensor data collected by one device to a cloud repository, for access and processing by other devices. Multiple devices can collaborate in collecting and processing data, to exploit advantages each may have (e.g., in location, processing ability, social network resources, etc.). A great many other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced signal processing technology including signal encoding and image processing. One implementation describes an encoding system including a masking module. The masking module scales or eliminates signal encoding adjustments based on an image's luminance or chrominance values. Of course, other implementations, combinations and claims are also provided.

Abstract: Signal detection adaptable to accommodate various lighting conditions, and to detect embedded signals according to anticipated lighting conditions likely to be present during image capture. A portable apparatus comprising: a camera for capturing data representing imagery or video; a touchscreen display; means for communicating and receiving data; means for obtaining data representing imagery or video, the imagery or video having been captured with said camera; means for obtaining lighting information associated with image capture of the imagery or video, in which the lighting information is associated with a light level or color temperature; and means for processing the data representing imagery or video to determine whether a signal is encoded therein, in which said means for processing utilizes obtained lighting information to determine whether the signal is encoded in the data representing imagery or video. Additional disclosure, combinations and claims are also provided.

Abstract: A spectral imaging device is configured to capture color images synchronized with controlled illumination from different color light emitting diodes. A processor in the device applies a coupling factor to sampled color images to convert sampled pixels into spectral channels corresponding to LED color and color filter. Multi-spectral spectricity vectors produced at pixel locations are used along with spatial information to classify objects, such as produce items.

Abstract: Mobile devices, such as smartphones, are severely battery-limited. The capabilities of mobile device processors have increased at exponential rates, but battery technologies have improved at much slower rates. As a consequence, it is ever more important that mobile devices be operated in battery-preserving manners. An aspect of the present technology concerns methods and arrangements enabling on-going recognition-processing of imagery and audio by different detectors, without the high battery drain that has characterized the prior art. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A variety of technologies having practical application in retail stores are detailed. One is an improved method of identifying items selected by customers. This method includes receiving sensor data from plural sensors, including (a) ceiling-mounted cameras that monitor tracks of customers through aisles of the store, and (b) inventory sensors that are positioned to monitor removal of stock from store shelves. This received sensor data is employed in evaluating plural alternate item identification hypotheses. These hypotheses include a first hypothesis that a customer selected an item having a first identity, and a second hypothesis that the customer selected an item having a second identity. A confidence score is associated with each of the first and second item selection hypotheses. These confidence scores are refined as sensor data is received, e.g., increasing a confidence score of one hypothesis, and reducing a confidence score of another.

Abstract: The present disclosure provide technology for encoded signal localization. One claim recites an apparatus comprising: memory for buffering image data, the image data having been captured with a camera and depicting product packaging or a product label; one or more processors programmed for: generating a spatial domain feature set representation of a portion of image data; evaluating the spatial domain feature set with a classifier to predict whether the portion of image data includes a transform domain encoded signal. Of course, other claims, and various combinations and embodiments are disclosed in this patent document.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements involving electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablet computers, wearable devices, etc., are disclosed. One arrangement involves a low-power processing technique for discerning cues from audio input. Another involves a technique for detecting audio activity based on the Kullback-Liebler divergence (KLD) (or a modified version thereof) of the audio input. Still other arrangements concern techniques for managing the manner in which policies are embodied on an electronic device. Others relate to distributed computing techniques. A great variety of other features are also detailed.