Watermark Image Code Encoding with Multi-Level Color Intensity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current two-dimensional bar codes, such as QR codes, have limitations in information density and security, particularly in representing rich content like digital books or videos, and are vulnerable to malicious connections when scanned by image capturing devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of a watermark image code process that encodes data in a source image using multiple intensity levels of colors, allowing for higher information density and hidden encoding, enabling secure retrieval of information without remote server communication by using out-of-phase color planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional two-dimensional bar codes (QR codes) are used for encoding data, then the encoding process is simple and well-established, but the information density is limited and security is vulnerable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from binary encoding (2 intensity levels: black and white) to multi-level intensity encoding (multiple grayscale levels). Each module can represent multiple bits of information through different intensity levels, significantly increasing information density. The encoding complexity increases moderately due to the need for more sophisticated encoding algorithms, but this is acceptable given the substantial gain in information capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to traditional bar code encoding by utilizing the intensity/brightness dimension beyond just presence/absence of color. By encoding data in the intensity values of modules (not just black/white), the system adds an additional degree of freedom for information representation, thereby increasing information density without requiring larger physical space.
2Reliability
If traditional QR codes are used, then the technology is standardized and easy to implement, but security is compromised due to vulnerability to malicious connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security vulnerability by removing the requirement for remote server communication that enables malicious connections. The encoded image itself contains all necessary information for decoding and verification, eliminating the need for external server validation. This extraction of the vulnerable communication component significantly improves security while maintaining implementation feasibility through self-contained encoding/decoding functionality.
3Quantity of substance
If more information is encoded in the same space, then information density increases, but the encoding complexity and decoding difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining encoding standards, intensity level mappings, and decoding algorithms before actual encoding occurs. The system establishes a clear framework for multi-level intensity representation and predefined rules for encoding/decoding processes. This preliminary structuring reduces decoding difficulty despite increased information capacity, as the decoder knows exactly how to interpret different intensity levels according to predetermined rules.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including steps of obtaining the source image having a plurality of modules, where a module corresponds to a smallest element that can be encoded in the source image; obtaining input data to be encoded; and encoding the input data in one or more modules of the plurality of modules of the source image. For each respective module of the one or more modules, the encoding includes determining, based on a corresponding value of the input data to be encoded in the respective module, a particular intensity level of multiple intensity levels associated with a particular color, where a number of the multiple intensity levels is greater than two; and encoding the particular color having the particular intensity level in the respective module of the source image.