Abstract:
Computer-aided dermatological analysis requires accurate color data. Color accuracy can be improved by compensating captured imagery based on reference color data. In one particular arrangement, reference color data is acquired from blood. In another arrangement, imagery captured from a banknote is used as reference data. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
Abstract:
The availability of high quality imagers on smartphones and other portable devices facilitates creation of a large, crowd-sourced, image reference library that depicts skin rashes and other dermatological conditions. Some of the images are uploaded with, or later annotated with, associated diagnoses or other information (e.g., “this rash went away when I stopped drinking milk”). A user uploads a new image of an unknown skin condition to the library. Image analysis techniques are employed to identify salient similarities between features of the uploaded image, and features of images in this reference library. Given the large dataset, statistically relevant correlations emerge that identify to the user certain diagnoses that may be considered, other diagnoses that may likely be ruled-out, and/or anecdotal information about similar skin conditions from other users. Similar arrangements can employ audio and/or other physiologically-derived signals. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
Abstract:
A method of digital watermark decoding in which watermark signal components, which are embedded with different levels of redundancy in a host content signal, are selectively accumulated. In the process of decoding embedded data, components embedded with more redundancy are weighted appropriately to improve recovery of embedded data. Components embedded with less redundancy may be more reliably recovered as well by leveraging knowledge of related components encoded more robustly. Missing, weak or error prone components may be recovered based on relationship with more reliable components, and in particular, based on relationship with components embedded with higher redundancy and decoded with higher reliability. These techniques are exploited through error correction coding schemes, including convolutional codes, and explicit and implicit weighted repetition coding schemes.
Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a smartphone-based virtual wallet, that manages payment options available to a user. One claim recites portable device comprising: a touch screen display; a video camera; a microphone for capturing ambient audio; memory for storing an image, and for storing components of a virtual wallet; and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured for: controlling the video camera to capture imagery corresponding to a checkout terminal's display, the display displaying imagery including digital watermarking information hidden therein, the information including transaction information; processing captured imagery to decode the digital watermarking to obtain the transaction information; receiving user input corresponding to payment information included in a component of the virtual wallet; controlling communication with a remotely located third party, so that the transaction information and payment information are provided to the third party; outputting a request for user confirmation based on a request received from the third party; and controlling communication with the remotely located third party so that a user confirmation is provided to the third party. A great variety of other features, arrangements and claims are also detailed.
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:
This patent document relates generally to steganography and digital watermarking. One claim recites, in a watermark encoder, a method of encoding auxiliary information in an image or video comprising: using a programmed electronic processor, computing a change in an attribute of an image or video sample to encode auxiliary information in the image or video; and changing color values of the image or video sample to effect the change in the attribute, in which changes to color values are determined based at least in part on both: i) visibility of the changes, and ii) anticipated watermark detection. Of course, other claims are provided too.
Abstract:
This patent document relates generally to steganography and digital watermarking. One claim recites, in a watermark encoder, a method of encoding auxiliary information in an image or video comprising: using a programmed electronic processor, computing a change in an attribute of an image or video sample to encode auxiliary information in the image or video; and changing color values of the image or video sample to effect the change in the attribute, in which changes to color values are determined based at least in part on both: i) visibility of the changes, and ii) anticipated watermark detection. Of course, other claims are provided too.
Abstract:
Content fingerprints and watermarks are combined in various ways for content identification applications. Fingerprints are used to identify content generally while watermarks provide more detailed localization of parts within the content, and vice versa. Fingerprint techniques are further used for signal synchronization and other pre-processing steps to assist in digital watermark decoding. A variety of fingerprint/watermark techniques identify characteristics of the channel of content from content samples.