Visual search methods and systems
First Claim
1. A watermark decoding method comprising the acts:
- obtaining first and second images of a scene captured by a camera, the scene depicting an object having a digital watermark pattern printed thereon, the first image having a first resolution, and the second image having a second resolution less than the first resolution;
interpolating the second image to produce a third image having the first resolution;
subtracting the third image from the first image to yield a fourth, difference image; and
applying a watermark decoding process to data consisting of said fourth image, to yield a plural-bit watermark payload earlier encoded in said object;
wherein said first and second images are gathered in a single exposure, during which light is directed onto a single imaging sensor via a single optic path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Certain aspects of the present technology involve automated capture of several image frames (e.g., simultaneously in a single exposure, or in a burst of exposures), and application of a data-extraction process (e.g., watermark decoding) to each such image. Other aspects of the technology involve capturing a single scene at two different resolutions, and submitting imagery at both resolutions for watermark decoding. Still other aspects of the technology involve increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of a watermark signal by subtracting one image from another. Yet other aspects of the technology involve receiving focus distance data from a camera, and employing such data in extracting information from camera imagery. Smartphone camera APIs can be employed to simplify implementation of such methods. A great number of features and arrangements are also detailed. Embodiments of such technology can simplify image processing required for data extraction, with attendant reductions in required program memory and battery power consumption. Moreover, they can enlarge a system'"'"'s operational envelope—enabling information to be extracted from imagery under conditions that lead to failure in prior art arrangements.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A watermark decoding method comprising the acts:
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obtaining first and second images of a scene captured by a camera, the scene depicting an object having a digital watermark pattern printed thereon, the first image having a first resolution, and the second image having a second resolution less than the first resolution; interpolating the second image to produce a third image having the first resolution; subtracting the third image from the first image to yield a fourth, difference image; and applying a watermark decoding process to data consisting of said fourth image, to yield a plural-bit watermark payload earlier encoded in said object; wherein said first and second images are gathered in a single exposure, during which light is directed onto a single imaging sensor via a single optic path.
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2. An image processing method comprising the acts:
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through an API of a device operating system, instructing a device camera to capture a first single exposure of a scene, the scene including an object, the object having artwork printed thereon, the artwork having been encoded to steganographically convey a digital watermark payload, said single exposure being characterized by collection of light directed onto a single image sensor during a single light collection interval; through said API, also directing first and second different versions of said single exposure to be stored in first and second memories, respectively; and processing data stored in both the first and second memories in extracting said steganographic digital watermark payload from the scene. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An imaging system comprising:
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a camera having an image sensor; a processor; and a memory; wherein the memory contains software that causes the system to perform acts including; instructing the camera to capture a first single exposure of a scene, said single exposure being characterized by collection of light directed onto said image sensor during a single light collection interval; directing first and second different versions of said single exposure to be stored separately in said memory; and processing the first and second different versions of said single exposure, stored separately in said memory, in extracting a steganographic digital watermark payload from a depiction of an object printed with a digital watermark, included in the camera-captured scene. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An imaging system comprising:
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a memory; a camera, including an image sensor, to capture a first single exposure of a scene, said single exposure being characterized by collection of light directed onto said image sensor during a single light collection interval; first means for directing first and second different versions of said single exposure to be stored separately in said memory; and second means for processing the first and second different versions of said single exposure, stored separately in said memory, in extracting a steganographic digital watermark payload from a depiction of an object printed with a digital watermark, included in the camera-captured scene.
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Specification