Abstract: The present disclosure relate generally to color science and digital watermarking. A full color visibility model has been developed which has good correlation to subjective visibility tests for color patches degraded with a watermark. A relatively better correlation can be achieved with a model that applies a luminance correction to the contrast sensitivity functions (CSF). The model can be applied during the watermark embed process, using a pyramid based method, to obtain equal visibility. Better robustness and visibility can be obtained with equal visibility embed than uniform strength embed. Of course, other features, combinations and claims are disclosed as well.

Abstract: A program source data processing method and device are provided. The method includes: receiving program source data to be distributed; and converting program source data into contents to be distributed corresponding to different network types through interfaces corresponding to the different network types, wherein the different network types correspond to different interfaces. By the technical solution, the technical problems that an intermediate server for providing the program in the related art only can be used for processing and distributing program data of one network type, and cannot be provide concentrated processing of the different network types can be solved, the technical effect for meeting the requirement of program contents of different network types can be achieved, and the capacity of processing program source data at a service side can be improved.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to data hiding for product packaging and other printed objects. One embodiment embeds an information signal in a spot color for product packaging. 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). Other embodiments and combinations are described in the subject patent document.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements involving portable user devices such smartphones and wearable electronic devices are disclosed, as well as other devices and sensors distributed within an ambient environment. Some arrangements enable a user to perform an object recognition process in a computationally- and time-efficient manner. Other arrangements enable users and other entities to, either individually or cooperatively, register or enroll physical objects into one or more object registries on which an object recognition process can be performed. Still other arrangements enable users and other entities to, either individually or cooperatively, associate registered or enrolled objects with one or more items of metadata. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A smartphone senses a user's emotional reaction to certain output (e.g., an output from a smartphone's attempt to read a barcode printed in a newspaper). The phone then tailors its operation based on the sensed reaction (e.g., it may turn on a torch to better illuminate the newspaper, or vary image processing or decoding parameters).

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: In some arrangements, product packaging is digitally watermarked over most of its extent to facilitate high-throughput item identification at retail checkouts. Imagery of such packaging is analyzed to detect digital watermarking. One claim recites a method utilized at a retail checkout location comprising: receiving imagery representing a packaged item from a digital camera, the packaged item including digital watermarking hidden on its packaging, the packaged item moving relative to the digital camera; determining a region in the imagery corresponding to at least one relatively faster moving object; arranging watermark detection blocks over the determine region; an detecting the digital watermarking from the watermark detection blocks. Of course other claims and combinations are also provided.

Abstract: A nickel/zinc (Ni/Zn) flow battery employs a solid suspension charge material to maintain high charge density via stability of a suspension including a binder, conductive carbon and an electrolyte. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is employed as the anodic (anode) charge material and nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2) is employed as the cathodic (cathode) charge material, and form respective anodic and cathodic suspensions using carbon powder and additives to form particles having high stability and high energy density. The resulting suspensions are circulated in a charge cell connected to a load for providing electrical power.

Abstract: A smartphone senses a user's emotional reaction to certain output (e.g., an output from a smartphone's attempt to read a barcode printed in a newspaper). The phone then tailors its operation based on the sensed reaction (e.g., it may turn on a torch to better illuminate the newspaper, or vary image processing or decoding parameters).

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: A smartphone senses a user's emotional reaction to certain output (e.g., an output from a smartphone's attempt to read a barcode printed in a newspaper). The phone then tailors its operation based on the sensed reaction (e.g., it may turn on a torch to better illuminate the newspaper, or vary image processing or decoding parameters).

Abstract: A router includes a wide area network (WAN) interface, a switch circuit, and a driver. The WAN interface receives a multicast datagram from a multicast server and sends the multicast datagram to the switch circuit and the driver. The switch circuit obtains ports corresponding to a multicast address of the multicast datagram according to a switching table of the router, and distributes the multicast datagram to the obtained ports. The driver obtains interfaces corresponding to the multicast address of the multicast datagram according to a multicasting table of the router. The driver discards the multicast datagram if all the obtained interfaces are wired or multicasts the multicast datagram to the wireless interface if one of the obtained interfaces is the wireless interface.