Artwork generated to convey digital messages, and methods/apparatuses for generating such artwork

Abstract

A neural network is applied to imagery including a machine readable code, to transform its appearance while maintaining its machine readability. One particular method includes training a neural network with a style image having various features. The trained network is then applied to an input pattern that encodes a plural-symbol payload. The network adapts features from the style image to express details of the input pattern, to thereby produce an output image in which features from the style image contribute to encoding of the plural-symbol payload. This output image can then be used as a graphical component in product packaging, such as a background, border, or pattern fill. In some embodiments, the input pattern is a watermark pattern, while in others it is a host image that has been previously watermarked. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

1 . A method of generating artwork for labeling of a food package, comprising the acts:
 receiving imagery that encodes a plural-bit payload therein;   neural network processing the imagery to reduce a difference measure between the processed imagery and a style image, yielding an output image; and   incorporating some or all of the output image in artwork for labeling of a food package;   wherein the plural-bit payload persists in the output image, enabling a compliant decoder module in a retail point of sale station to recover the plural-bit payload from an image of the food package.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  in which the distance measure is based on a difference between a Gram matrix for the processed imagery and a Gram matrix for the style image. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  in which the style image includes various features, wherein the neural network adapts features from the style image to express details of the received imagery, to thereby yield an output image in which features from the style image contribute to encoding of said plural-bit payload. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  in which the style image depicts a multitude of items of a first type, wherein the neural network processing adapts scale, location, and rotation of said items as depicted in the output image to echo features of the received imagery, to thereby produce an output image depicting plural of said items in a configuration that encodes said plural-bit payload. 
     
     
         5 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A food package having artwork printed thereon, the artwork encoding a payload including a Global Trade Item Number identifier, the artwork having first and second regions, the first region including a background pattern that has been stylized from a watermarked input image using a neural network. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 18  in which the second region includes a watermarked image that has not been stylized using a neural network, wherein the watermark included in the second region is geometrically-aligned with a watermark signal included in the first region, wherein a detector can jointly use signals from both regions in decoding the payload. 
     
     
         20 . The food package of  claim 18  in which the first region includes a background pattern that has been stylized from a watermarked input image using a neural network, and then false-colored. 
     
     
         21 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method comprising the acts:
 obtaining a watermark signal, the watermark signal encoding an identifier and being represented by watermark signal elements of a first size;   stylizing the watermark signal in accordance with a style image, the style image depicting a multitude of items of a first type; and   employing the stylized watermark signal in printing on an object;   wherein the stylized watermark signal enables the object to be identified by a camera-equipped apparatus; and   the items depicted in the style image have a size that is between 0.5 and 25 times said first size.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  in which the watermark signal is a host image that has been encoded with a watermark payload. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27  in which the watermark signal is solitary, i.e., not encoded in a host image. 
     
     
         30 - 54 . (canceled)