Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced signal processing technology including signal encoding and digital watermarking. Image areas are selected in an encoded digital design, and corresponding areas from a printed version of the encoded digital design are evaluated to determined signal robustness after printing.

Abstract: Images depicting items in a waste flow on a conveyor belt are provided to two analysis systems. The first system processes images to decode digital watermark payload data found on certain of the items (e.g., plastic containers). This payload data is used to look up corresponding attribute metadata for the items in a database, such as the type of plastic in each item, and whether the item was used as a food container or not. The second analysis system can be a spectroscopy system that determines the type of plastic in each item by its absorption characteristics. When the two systems conflict in identifying the plastic type, a sorting logic processor applies a rule set to arbitrate the conflict and determine which plastic type is most likely. The item is then sorted into one of several different bins depending on a combination of the final plastic identification, and whether the item was used as a food container or not. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The present disclosures relates to decoding machine readable indicia (e.g., a 1D or 2D barcode) in imagery, and related image processing technology. One claim recites a method of locating a barcode within imagery, comprising: converting the imagery to greyscale imagery; evaluating a plurality of blocks within the greyscale imagery, each of the plurality of blocks comprising n×m pixels, where both n and m are positive integers; for each block of the plurality of blocks, determining a value representing pixel diversity within the block; masking the greyscale imagery based on values of the plurality of blocks, in which blocks with a value below a predetermined value of pixel diversity are masked out or excluded; searching the masked, greyscale imagery to determine whether is includes a barcode represented therein. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too.

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: 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: The present disclosure relates to color localizing machine-readable indicia (e.g., a 1D or 2D barcode) found in imagery, and related image processing technology. One implementation involves locating regions associated with a first color and locating regions associated with a second color and creating a centroid for each of the located regions. A metric can be established for a color region couple comprising a located first color region and a located second color region, the metric including: i) a distance between a located first color region centroid and a located second color region centroid, and ii) a ratio of areas of the located first color region and the located second color region. Of course, other implementations, technology and combinations are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced signal processing technology including signal encoding and digital watermarking. Image areas are selected in an encoded digital design, and corresponding areas from a printed version of the encoded digital design are evaluated to determined signal robustness after printing.

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: 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: This disclosure relates to advanced signal processing technology including signal encoding and digital watermarking. Image areas are selected in an encoded digital design, and corresponding areas from a printed version of the encoded digital design are evaluated to determined signal robustness after printing.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to advanced signal processing technology including steganographic embedding and digital watermarking.

Abstract: Images depicting items in a waste flow on a conveyor belt are provided to two analysis systems. The first system processes images to decode digital watermark payload data found on certain of the items (e.g., plastic containers). This payload data is used to look up corresponding attribute metadata for the items in a database, such as the type of plastic in each item, and whether the item was used as a food container or not. The second analysis system can be a spectroscopy system that determines the type of plastic in each item by its absorption characteristics. When the two systems conflict in identifying the plastic type, a sorting logic processor applies a rule set to arbitrate the conflict and determine which plastic type is most likely. The item is then sorted into one of several different bins depending on a combination of the final plastic identification, and whether the item was used as a food container or not. A variety of 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.