Color Managed Signal Embedding in Artwork

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image signal processing technologies face challenges in encoding information signals in host carriers like color artwork while minimizing luminance changes and maintaining robustness, especially when encoding information in printed objects such as product packaging and labels.

Innovation Solution

The described technology employs an image processing method that adjusts cyan, magenta, and yellow values in color artwork to embed an information signal, prioritizing minimal luminance change by offsetting changes in these values, and using a target reflectance value around 660 nm to ensure the signal's detectability under red-light illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cyan value is changed to achieve target reflectance value, then information signal robustness is improved, but luminance change increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation signal robustnessVSAvoidluminance change

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes cyan value to achieve target reflectance value for information signal encoding, while simultaneously adjusting magenta value in opposite direction to compensate for luminance changes. This parameter coordination allows maintaining signal robustness while minimizing visual perceptibility of the encoded information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If magenta value is changed to offset luminance change, then visual integrity is improved, but information signal robustness may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluminance stabilityVSAvoidinformation signal robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies counterweight principle by changing magenta value in opposite direction to cyan value change. This compensates for luminance alterations caused by cyan adjustment, thereby maintaining visual integrity while the cyan-magenta differential preserves the encoded information signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Loss of information

If reflectance value is altered to embed information signal, then data encoding capability is improved, but color accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation encoding capacityVSAvoidcolor accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent coordinates changes in both cyan and magenta values to achieve target reflectance value for information encoding. By adjusting two parameters simultaneously, the system embeds information signal while compensating for color shifts, thereby maintaining color accuracy despite information embedding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11070701B2Color managed embedding system for embedding signals in color artwork

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 DIGIMARC LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates generally to signal encoding for product packaging and other printed objects. One implementation utilizes a target reflectance value for image content combined with an encoded signal at or around 660 nm to guide color changes. Luminance change is controlled through opposing color shifts, while maintaining the target reflectance value. Other implementations are provided.