CN103782306A

CN103782306A - A method for encoding and simultaneously decoding images having multiple color components

Info

Publication number: CN103782306A
Application number: CN201280021269.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 茨弗科特维奇·斯洛博丹; 托马斯·C·阿拉西亚; 阿尔佛雷德·J·阿拉西亚; 凯里·奎因
Original assignee: Graphic Security Systems Corp
Current assignee: Graphic Security Systems Corp
Priority date: 2011-03-01
Filing date: 2012-03-01
Publication date: 2014-05-07
Also published as: WO2012118912A2; AU2012223367A1; AU2012223367B2; CA2828807A1; SG192997A1; EP2681692A2; EP2681692A4; ECSP13012903A; MX2013009995A; WO2012118912A3

Abstract

A method is provided for encoding a latent image having at least two color components into a visible image. A first and second image associated with first and second color components, respectively, are generated. The first image has a first pattern of elements and the second image has a second pattern of elements that are manipulated based on a corresponding color component provided in the latent image. A first and a second angle are assigned to the first image and the second image, respectively. The first image and second image are aligned by orienting the first pattern of elements according to the first angle and second angle, respectively. The aligned first image and second image are superimposed to render an encoded image that is decoded using a decoder that simultaneously display the first color component and the second color component of the latent image to present a color composite image.

Description

To there is the method that the image of multiple color components is encoded and decode simultaneously

Technical field

Present invention relates in general to anti-counterfeiting field, relate more specifically to use the electronics of coded image and the field of printed document protection.

Background technology

It is serious problem that document is distorted with product counterfeiting, has adopted various ways to be solved.A kind of method is used to the article application that will protect or the potential or hidden image of printing on the article that will protect.These potential or hidden images are normally can not checking when making them become visible Special Equipment.

A kind of method that forms latent image is with optical mode, image to be encoded, and makes in the time applying this image to object, can be by watching this image with corresponding decoding device.Such image can be used on almost any type of printed document, identification card and paper, label, currency and the seal including law documentation.Such image also can be applied to the commodity or the commodity packaging that are subject to forgery.

Can be by coded image being decoded and decoded picture and the authentication image of the expection authentication application of comparing being had to the article of coded image.Authentication image can comprise the distinctive information of authenticated article or the information for example, with one group of similar articles (, the product of particular manufacturer or plant produced) relevant.Can control the Production and application of coded image, make easily replica code image.In addition distorting that, coded image can be configured so that the information relevant with document or label to carry out is easy to see.

In existing system, in the time that coded image is decoded, will hide content and appear for monochrome image.Alternatively, appear by hiding content the identical image of color arranging for each position in color and the former figure that prints in the time not using decoding device.Seem brighter or darker although hide content compared with content visible, image is followed the color existing in content visible.Use art methods, can not design and hide the color outward appearance of content, and can not exist the mode of visual correlation to encode to hiding content to utilize in content visible between the color in the hiding content of the observable color of bore hole and decoding.Need a kind of processing and method that uses two or more color components hidden image to be carried out to Code And Decode.

Summary of the invention

The disclosure provides a kind of, based on coding parameter, latent image has been encoded to computer implemented method and the system in visual picture, and latent image has two or more color components that simultaneously appear in the time that demoder is placed on coded image.Demoder comprises the decoding parametric matching with coding parameter.The method produces the first image being associated with the first color component and the second image being associated with the second color component, and the first image has first pattern of element of the corresponding color component processing based on latent image and the second pattern of the element of corresponding color component processing based on latent image.Distribute the first angle and distribute the second angle to the second image to the first image.By aiming at the first image and the second image according to the first pattern of the first angle and the second angle orientation element respectively.The first image of aiming at and second doubling of the image of aligning are to obtain coded image.

It is a kind of to wherein embedding the computer implemented method and the system that have the composograph of latent image to decode that the disclosure also provides.Decoding latent image is included in the first and second color separations with different angles orientation in composograph, appears the first and second color separations by demoder is placed on composograph simultaneously.The method comprises: determine the first angle being associated with the first color separation of latent image and determine the second angle being associated with the second color separation of latent image.Based on determine the first angle distribute the first color component to the first color separation, and based on determine the second angle distribute the second color component to the second color separation.Provide demoder to show the first color component and second color component of latent image simultaneously, to present color composite image.

It is a kind of to wherein embedding the multilayer demoder that has the composograph of latent image to decode that another aspect of the present disclosure provides.Based on multiple coding parameters, latent image is encoded in composograph, and latent image is included in the first and second color separations with different angles orientation in composograph.By being placed on, multilayer demoder on composograph, appears the first and second color separations simultaneously.Multilayer demoder comprises ground floor, and ground floor has along the first element of the first angle orientation being associated with the first color separation of latent image.The second layer is attached to ground floor; The second layer comprises along the second element of the second angle orientation being associated with the second color separation of latent image.Ground floor and the second layer are relative to each other located, and make ground floor and the second layer appear the first color component and second color component of latent image, to present color composite image simultaneously.

It is a kind of to wherein embedding the single layer decoder that has the composograph of latent image to decode that another aspect of the present disclosure provides.Based on multiple coding parameters, latent image is encoded in composograph, and latent image is included in the first and second color separations with different angles orientation in composograph.By being placed on, single layer decoder on composograph, appears the first and second color separations simultaneously.Single layer decoder comprises along the first element of the first angle orientation being associated with the first color separation of latent image.Provide and directed the second element along the second angle being associated with the second color separation of latent image.The first element and the second element are relative to each other located, and make the first element and the second element appear the first color component and second color component of latent image, to present color composite image simultaneously.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a kind of, based on coding parameter, two latent images has been encoded to the computer implemented method in visual picture, latent image has the different content being associated with two or more color components, the rainbow effect appearing while demoder being placed on coded image to be created in.Demoder comprises the decoding parametric matching with coding parameter.The method comprises: produce the first image being associated with the first color component, the first pattern of the element of the corresponding color component processing based on providing in latent image is provided the first image.Produce the second image being associated with the second color component, the second pattern of the element of the corresponding color component processing based on providing in latent image is provided the second image, and the second latent image comprises the content different from the first latent image.The first image and second doubling of the image are to obtain coded image, and coded image is visually similar to visual picture in the time utilizing naked eyes to watch.

Accompanying drawing explanation

By read the present invention that understands that following detailed description can be more complete together with accompanying drawing, in the accompanying drawings, similarly Reference numeral is used to indicate similar element, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows according to the latent image by having two color components of the embodiment of the present invention and is encoded to the example in visual picture;

Fig. 2 shows according to the overlay chart of the halftone screen of the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows the phase shift fragment for half tone image according to the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 A-4C is schematically illustrating according to the component image for generation of composograph of the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 A-5B is schematically illustrating according to the component image element producing in the method for the generation composograph of the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is schematically illustrating according to the component image element producing in the method for the generation composograph of the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 shows the composograph producing according in the method for the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is schematically illustrating according to the component image for generation of composograph of the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is the process flow diagram that has been incorporated to the method for the composograph of latent image according to the generation of the embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 is according to the figure of the component image for generation of composograph of the embodiment of the present invention not;

Figure 11 is according to the diagram of being carried out the composograph that the visual picture of screen processing forms according to the method for the embodiment of the present invention by the composograph that uses Figure 10;

Figure 12 shows to use and is formed by visual picture according to the method for the embodiment of the present invention and for generation of the component image of composograph;

Figure 13 shows and uses according to the method for the embodiment of the present invention the visible and potential component image for generation of composograph;

Figure 14 uses according to the method for the embodiment of the present invention schematic diagram for generation of the element of a series of component images of composograph;

Figure 15 shows and uses according to the method for the embodiment of the present invention visual picture and two the potential component images for generation of composograph;

Figure 16 shows side view, backplan and the top view of the demoder two-layer according to having of the embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 17 A-17C shows the configuration of the difference for two layer decoder according to the embodiment of the present invention;

Decode when showing according to the embodiment of the present invention example single layer decoder of latent image color component of Figure 18;

Figure 19 shows the single layer decoder example of decoding according to the color component to frequency sampling of the embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 20 show according to the embodiment of the present invention to have the coding latent image of two or more color separations decode and simultaneously show digital decoder;

Figure 21 shows make to show the system of the composograph of the latent image coding that utilizes two or more color components according to the embodiment of the present invention for Code And Decode image simultaneously; And

Figure 22 shows can be for watching the lens element pattern of the image that uses the inventive method generation.

Embodiment

The disclosure provides the image to having colouring information to carry out the method for Code And Decode.Image (hereinafter referred to " composograph ") can comprise two or more latent images that are embedded in visual picture.Alternatively, composograph can comprise and is embedded in the latent image in visual picture with two or more color separations (color separation).Composograph is arranged on the article that are subject to change, distort and forge.

In the disclosure, " latent image " refers in visual picture and processes and hiding image.When according to latent image and visual picture generation composograph,, by means of latent image display device (" display device ") or decoding device, human eye can not distinguished latent image from composograph.One or more latent images can be hidden in visual picture, make impalpable latent image in the situation that there is no display device.In alternative example, latent image can be visible, but is not readable, this be because latent image content in composograph by scrambling systematically or otherwise process.The disclosure provides the technology for the latent image with two or more color components being encoded to visual picture.The disclosure also provides two or more latent images that use different colours component to produce has been encoded to the technology in visual picture.The disclosure also provides the technology of simultaneously two or more color components that are associated with latent image being decoded.In addition, the disclosure provides the digital technology for decoding as the latent image of different directional angle (orientation angle) or other color separation information to having color separation information.

As said, can use that optical encryption and optics are hidden and write (steganography) latent image is encoded in visual picture.In the disclosure, term " optical encryption " has been described latent image has been carried out to " scrambling " (, becoming not readable) until the optical decoder device of coupling is placed on to the processing of going scrambling on composograph to hiding content.

According to an example, can by latent image with the selected angular coding for each component in two or more color components in visual picture.For shadow tone (half tone) latent image, can by the shadow tone latent image being associated with two or more color components with one or more selected frequency codings in visual picture.Selected frequency can be identical for each component in two or more color components.Alternatively, selected frequency can be different for each component in two or more color components.In each color component, can be to latent image application phase shift (phase shifting) technology embedding in visual picture.For example, can carry out phase shift to shadow tone fragment (segment) or line grating (1ine gratings), to consider the density pattern of specific location latent image.Display device can comprise the element with the corresponding configuration of coding parameter.For example, halftone encoding parameter can comprise selected coding angle and coding frequency.Display device can also decode to provide by the density pattern to latent image color component the color depth of latent image.Therefore, in the time that display device is placed on composograph, latent image becomes visible.Those of ordinary skills should easily recognize, other technologies except the phase shift latent image of encoding can be provided.

Fig. 1 shows and uses two color components that latent image is encoded to the example in visual picture.Visual picture 110 comprises the first color component 112 and the second color component 114.Latent image 116 comprises heart-shaped 117 that uses the first color component to produce.Latent image 118 comprises the star item 119 that uses the second color component to produce.The composograph 120 generating comprises the latent image 116 and the latent image 118 that are embedded in visual picture 110.In the time that being decoded, the composograph 120 generating appears decoded picture 122.As described below, decoded picture 122 shows and comes from the heart-shaped item 117 of latent image 116 and the star item 119 from latent image 118, and heart-shaped item 117 and star item 119 show with the color component of their correspondences simultaneously.

In Fig. 1, colored latent image 116 and colored latent image 118 are encoded to respectively in the corresponding color component of visual picture 110.Can, by existing the section place of content by the half of the first color component half-tone picture image shift shadow tone frequency (halftone frequency), carry out the coding for the first color component in the first color component of latent image.For example, the first screen (screen) frequency can be 200 lines of per inch, and the first screen can be orientated and becomes 75 degree with transverse axis.Can be by existing the section place of content half-tone picture image shift to be carried out to the coding of the second color component in the second color component of latent image.The second screen resolution can be 200 lines of per inch, and the second screen can be orientated and becomes 15 degree with transverse axis.As described below, can be with the two-layer display device colored latent image of decoding, two-layer display device have with the ground floor of the shadow tone parameter matching of the first screen and with the second layer of the shadow tone parameter matching of the second screen.For example, the first screen can be corresponding to green grass or young crops, and the second screen can be corresponding to magenta.

Fig. 2 shows overlapping Figure 200 of halftone screen.Overlapping Figure 200 shows has the halftone screen 202,204 of all points equivalent processing of color component content of latent image.Therefore, the latent image of decoding should comprise in all positions consistent or identical color intensity level.This degree of depth by each color component tapers to two grades.Can carry out the modification of the method, to utilize for the more masstone grade of each color component, colored latent image be encoded.The quality of colored latent image of decoding can improve by the color depth that retains hiding latent image.In other words, not the set point place in decoding latent image provides limited number phase shift, for example, and full phase shift or without phase shift, but can be with meticulousr granularity retaining color component information during coding is processed.

Fig. 3 shows during coding is processed and uses the fragment 301 of double tone images of three phase in-migrations to carry out the example of phase shift with retaining color component.Those of ordinary skills it should be understood that the phase shift of any number can be for representing the color density value between 0-100%.In the corresponding color component of latent image, exist the section place of content to show displacement district, comprise the transposition of partial district 310 of 25% color density and the full displacement district 315 of 100% color density.During being shifted, fragment 301 is moved to the selection area 302 adjacent with fragment 301.Show without displacement district 305 for the latent image section that does not comprise content.

In the design of Fig. 3, expand, the amount of fragment displacement can be suitable with the density value of set point place latent image.For example, if density value is 100%, can apply the maximum shift (the normally half of decoder cycle) of encode fragment; If density value is 50%, 50% of the maximum possible that fragment can be shifted displacement; If density value is 25%, 25% of the maximum possible that fragment can be shifted displacement; By that analogy.Those of ordinary skills it should be understood that shift value can be any increasing progressively, for example, and 10%, 1%, 0.1%, 0.01% etc.

Optical decoder device will illustrate due to the region that has different densities and have different shift amounts, has therefore provided color depth to decoding latent image.According to an example, can determine the maximum color degree of depth and the maximum color number that can encode by the ratio of print resolution and code distinguishability.For example, if with 2400 dot printing images of per inch, and if with 200 line coded images of per inch, the width of code element is 2400/200=20 point.In the time that code element has been shifted the half (that is, 10 points have been shifted) of its width, conventionally realize the theoretical density of hidden image in coded image.Therefore, by applying 1,2 ..., 10 pixels displacement, can be for 10 different density ratings of each hidden image color separation coding.This obtains 10^4 different color altogether for four-color press.The method can for by high-quality colour Image Coding in visual picture.According to an example, if the method is used for monochromatic latent image, the latent image of encoding can show improved quality.This is due to the fact that can show with multiple brightness degrees rather than bianry image decoded picture.Above-mentioned design is also applicable to following scrambling example.

In the disclosure, term " optics is hidden to be write " has been described wherein expressly or has been encrypted the image of revising for again form the processing of visual picture by applying different conversion.For example, can be to the fragment line grating displacement being associated with color component, with display device on the pattern that presents element that provides match.It is invisible for naked eyes that latent image keeps, thereby until by the display device of coupling is placed on visual picture decoded.Multiple technologies can be for Code And Decode latent image and visual picture.

As described in detail below, can use software decoder or display device (for example, physics lens) to come with optical mode the decoding of coding latent image.Display device can comprise with element linear and that non-linear pattern is arranged.Can use come Code And Decode latent image or latent image color component with the band frequency that the band frequency (segment frequency) of display device or software decoder mates.For example, in selection area, make the distortion of latent image fragment, to hide latent image in the time with the naked eye watching.Coding latent image can produce in digital form, and as the U.S. Patent No. 5,708 of the U.S. Patent application mandate on January 13rd, 13/270,738 or 1998 of submitting on October 11st, 2011, described in 717, the full content of the two is incorporated herein by reference.Coding latent image can use special filming apparatus to produce with analog form, and as U.S. Patent No. 3,937, described in 565, its full content is incorporated herein by reference.

In order to realize image authentication, coding latent image is embedded in for example, in visual picture (, photo, color (tint) type image, document etc.), to form composograph.Composograph can be printed, invests or be associated on article, and article comprise document, identification card, passport, label, product, the packing of product, currency, seal, hologram etc.According to an example, coding composograph can use the generations such as visible ink, invisible ink, special inks, toner, dyestuff, pigment, paint, transmission print media.Alternatively, coding composograph can be at article epirelief seal, gravure, moulding, laser ablation, engraving etc., and is attached to article.Composograph is for authenticating items and promote anti-counterfeiting work.

The disclosure has been described the multiple technologies for multiple latent images or the latent image with two or more color components being encoded to corresponding visual picture.The technology for latent image being encoded to visual picture that common assignee is described comprises: (1) combines multiple components to create composograph, as the U.S. Patent application 13/270 of submitting on October 11st, 2011,738, its full content is incorporated herein by reference; (2) use and encrypt and steganography method, as the U.S. Patent No. 7 of authorizing on September 14th, 2010, the U.S. Patent No. 7,466 that on Dec 16th, 796,753,2008 authorizes, the U.S. Patent No. 6 of 876, authorizing on February 22nd, 2005, the U.S. Patent No. 5,708 that on January 13rd, 859,534 and 1998 authorizes, 717, its full content is incorporated herein by reference; And (3) use shorthand (stenographic) method, as the U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/447,886 that on March 1st, 2011 submits, the application requires the right of priority of this application, and its full content is incorporated herein by reference.

The application single layer decoding lens combined color image creating by combining multiple component images of decoding

According to an example, for example, can encode or the image of scrambling is divided into image section or the component image that relative to each other tone can be complementary.Can for example, carry out balance tone component image about selected feature (, color and luster (color shade) or other features).For example, based on selected parameter (, frequency) component image is sampled, and sampling after part can be configured to provide composograph, for example, composograph shows as monotone image for naked eyes.Monotone can be selected color and luster.As described herein, can arrange sampling according to the parameter defining in corresponding demoder or display device, corresponding demoder or display device can be for watching coding, scrambling or latent image.

In one example, can from least two different images, extract image section.Different images can be contributed separately and be encoded or scrambling obtains the image section of composograph.The image section that comes from least two different images can encode or scrambling together, to form the single composograph that can decodedly appear one or more hidden images.

According to an example, can in visual picture, " hide " one or more latent images by formation composograph as described herein.Can use such as halftone screen (halftone screen), random device (stochastic methods), dither method (dithering methods) etc. to present technology composograph is transformed to visual picture.In another example, can be by creating from the component image being obtained by the visual picture composograph of deriving of sample, hiding one or more latent images in visual picture.Can create composograph for the complementary inverse video part of each correspondence image part by obtaining.Can be according to the parameter such as such as frequency patterning image section and complementary inverse video part in couples, and can locate adjacent to each other multiple right, to present composograph.

According to an example, can, by latent image being nested on visual picture to the visual picture content area corresponding with latent image content area with identification, carry out coding.At the visual picture content area place of these identifications, can exchange or exchange inverse video content and corresponding picture material.By on composograph to each image section and complementary inverse video part to applying this technology, obtain coding composograph.This technology makes it possible to image is being encoded without latent image is divided into color separation in the situation that.Therefore, disclosure support for example, carrys out coded image by the single parameter (, colorimetric parameter) of revising composograph.

After producing composograph with digital form, can use for example halftone screen to present composograph.Owing to using for image section and the right expected frequency of the complementary inverse video part latent image of encoding, therefore can print halftone screen with following shadow tone frequency, this shadow tone frequency is greater than image section and the right expected frequency of complementary inverse video part.For example, shadow tone frequency can be at least twice of the expected frequency that image section and complementary inverse video part are right.In addition, can select halftone screen angle, to avoid for example printing More (Moir é) effect between screen and code element.Those of ordinary skills it should be understood that the multiple larger multiple that can use shadow tone frequency in the situation that synthetic images does not cause interference.

An example for generation of composograph comprises: carry out digital color encoder latent image by image section and complementary inverse video part, to produce coding color image.Another example for generation of composograph comprises: the dimmed and version that brightens of digital color encoder latent image.For blend of colors is comprised to the alternative technique of composograph: coloured image is transformed to color space, and separation of images is become intensity and color component by color space, for example, Lab, Yuv or HSI color space.Can use other color spaces.

After synthetic images carries out numerical coding, can use standard print technology (for example, halftone screen is printed, random screen is printed and shake is printed) and other printing techniques to print composograph.As described herein, if use shadow tone to print, can be to be greater than the frequency of display device or the frequency of demoder frequency by shadow tone set of frequency.For example, shadow tone frequency can be the frequency of display device or at least twice of demoder frequency.Those of ordinary skills it should be understood that the multiple larger multiple that can use shadow tone frequency in the situation that synthetic images does not cause interference.

As described herein, provide coded image with the form of the composograph that formed by multiple component images.The disclosure provides with many points of metering methods Information hiding to the method in composograph.

Utilize human eye can not distinguish the fact of minor detail in coded image to the use of component image.The image that coded image is normally printed or otherwise shown.Human eye tends to print or to show that the fine detail of image combines.Therefore, printer Design is for utilizing this mankind's tendency.Printer for example, in upper multiple tiny dots or other structures of producing of print media (, substrate, paper, plastics etc.).The size of each print point may diminish to ppt inch, and can not be by naked eyes visually-perceptible.Human eye averages to create color and luster to dot pattern.For example, spot size or dot density are determined the color and luster of perception.If print spot size larger, if or print point comparatively intensive, eyes can perceive darker color and luster.If the spot size of printing is less, if or print point comparatively disperse, eyes can perception more shallow color and luster.

According to an example, latent image can be divided into the component image of tone complementation.In the disclosure, term " tone complementation " has been described about particular color component image has been carried out to balance.Therefore, for example,, if watch together the corresponding element element of correspondence position on component image (from), eyes can perceive the color of about it, component colour being transferred in row balance.Term tone value or color and luster mean intensity level or color value.

Fig. 4 A shows the first and second component images of definition latent image.In component image 1, solid background 410 possesses the first color and luster of enclosing region 420.Provide the second color and luster to define the latent image shown in capitalization " USA ".Than component image 1, tone value reverses in component image 2.The second color and luster covered background region 410 ' and definition capitalization " USA " region 420 ' comprise the first color and luster.Carry out balance the first and second color and lusters about single color and luster, if make component image synthesize, bore hole only can perceive this single color and luster, and can not differentiate capitalization " USA ".Each component image can be known as original image " phase (phase) ".

According to an example, can be according to the pattern corresponding with the pattern of demoder or display device, be divided into mutually less element by each.For example, display device pattern can be defined by lens element.Lens element can be for example corresponding with the lens element of biconvex lens (1enticular lens) linear element (straight or bending) or fragment.Alternatively, lens element can be to be formed as the form of the two dimensional element matrix corresponding with for example fly lens of multicomponent lens.In the example shown in Fig. 4 B, component image is divided into square element 430,430 ' array.For example, square element 430,430 ' size and position can be corresponding to the elements of fly lens.Component elements pattern can comprise the frequency corresponding with the frequency of lens element one of (or element frequency).Component elements pattern can have the frequency identical with lens element frequency (or multiple lens element frequency) multiple frequencies of multidimensional pattern (or for).Alternatively, can to have be the frequency of lens element frequency multiple to component elements pattern.

As shown in Figure 4 B, the element corresponding with component image 1 and component image 2 430,430 ' systematically can be divided into daughter element 432,432 '.Can obtain sample from daughter element 432,432 ', and can combine to form the composograph 440 with average tone to sample, average tone matches with the tone that component image 1 and component image 2 is carried out to the color and luster of balance about it.As shown in Figure 4 C, element and daughter element are large to making easily to find out latent image.But, it should be understood that human eye can combine element if the element of composograph is enough little, make only to perceive single even color and luster.

In the time that naked eyes are watched single even color and luster or tone, composograph may seem not comprise content.But latent image is placed on while making the feature of demoder comprise the frequency corresponding with daughter element 432,432 ' pattern, shape and geometry on composograph and becomes visible at demoder or display device.In fact, when the latent image of suitably decoding when directional decoding device or display device on composograph 440.Demoder feature is configured to extract discretely by each composograph part of contributing in component image 1 and component image 2.This allows human viewer by watching demoder to watch latent image.Demoder feature can comprise amplification attribute, and the concrete component image that observer watches can change according to the visual angle by demoder.For example, from the first visual angle, beholder can see the image that has dark illustration in bright background.From the second visual angle, beholder can see the inverse video that has bright illustration in dark background.

Example component image shown in Fig. 4 A-4C comprises two color and lusters.But, it should be understood that the number of color and luster is unrestricted.According to an example for produce single external tone value at composograph, can carry out the multiple color and lusters that provide in two component images of balance about single tone value.Alternatively, can carry out balance component image about multiple tone values, in this case, the composograph of generation has multiple external tone values.

According to an example shown in Fig. 4 A-4C, composograph for example can be designed as, with for example, independent lens (, fly lens) with array (square or rectangular node) arranged in form and cooperates.However, it should be understood that and can form lens characteristics by any in fact pattern, these patterns comprise symmetrical pattern, asymmetric pattern, regular intermittent pattern or irregular spacing pattern.In addition, lens characteristics can be suitable for any shape.Can determine by the characteristic dimension of decoding lens the size of composograph element.As described herein, the sample frequency of component image can be calculated as to the multiple of demoder characteristic frequency.For example, the sample frequency of component image can be identical with the sample frequency of lens characteristics, or its two times or three times.

In the example shown in Fig. 4 C, the alternating segments of component image forms composograph, and this composograph has the matrix pattern of following form:

Should be understood that other system method can be for the part of collection and sequence component image, to form the element in composograph and/or composograph.Fig. 5 A and 5B for example show the component image 500 collected and sort, 500 ' part to form composograph 500 " the method for element.Can use the tone value that carries out balance about one or more selected tone values, construct component image 500,500 '.Value after balance can be for definition latent image.

In the example shown in Fig. 5 A and 5B, component image 500,500 ' is divided into there is separately daughter element 532, the element of 532 ' 2x2 pattern 530,530 '.This pattern is similar to the pattern using in the example of Fig. 4 C.Although should be understood that for each component 500,500 ' and show single example element 530,530 ', disclosure support is divided into whole composograph the grid of this component image.As shown in Figure 5A, from each element (or unit) 530 of the first component image 500, obtain daughter element A1 and the A2 that diagonal angle is relative.Similarly, from the corresponding element 530 ' of second component image 500 ', obtain daughter element B1 and the B2 that diagonal angle is relative.Can select B1 and B2 part, make their accurate location different with A2 part from A1, as shown in Figure 5A.Alternatively, can be from the position acquisition B part identical with A part, as shown in Figure 5 B.In either case, then use selection section to assign to construct composograph 500 ".In the example of Fig. 5 A, daughter element A1, A2, B1 and B2 all can be placed on to the corresponding element 530 of composograph 500 ' " in obtain the precise positions of daughter element A1, A2, B1 and B2.In the example of Fig. 5 B, B daughter element can be arranged in the composograph position slightly different with obtaining the position of B daughter element, to fill element 530 ".But, in these two examples, all obtain four sub-elements A 1, A2, B1 and B2 from identical cell position, to guarantee composograph 500 " in corresponding unit 530 " there is in either case identical external tone value.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that daughter element 532,532 ' can be other shapes except square.For example, daughter element 532,532 ' can include but not limited to arbitrary polygon, circle, semicircle, ellipse and combination thereof or a part.For example, component elements 530,530 ' can be divided into two or four triangle.Component elements 530,530 ' also can be formed as forming two rectangles of square element.For the image that will use fly lens to watch, can carry out size to component elements (or its part) and adjust and formalize, with the shape corresponding to demoder feature.Can use the combination in any of daughter element shape, make to form corresponding element shape in the time of combination daughter element shape.Disclosure imagination is mixed difformity, as long as keep the tone balance of expecting.Also can in composograph, use the daughter element of different size.Even if it is unequal to belong to the total area of each picture content, also can uses for the dark of one of picture content or transfer to compensate any difference compared with light tone.For example, for have 60% density that is associated with the first component account for the first image area of 50% and for thering is accounting for the second image area of 50% and can providing total color of 50% of 40% density that is associated with second component.But, use and there is accounting for the first image area of 75% and using 25% second image area of accounting for 20% density that is associated with second component to be also perceived as total color density of 50% of 60% density that is associated with the first component.Another kind method comprises the daughter element using from the different numbers of different components.For example, as long as keep tone balance, can from the first component, obtain two daughter elements, and can from second component, obtain four daughter elements.According to these examples, due to two component images being provided, therefore the half of each component image is used to form composograph.

Fig. 6 shows the embodiment that produces scrambling effect in composograph.In the method, from component image, obtain overlapping sampling section, and the size of reduction sampling section, to form non-overlapping or daughter element of composograph.Difference in size between component image part and the daughter element of composograph can be known as zoom factor or the daughter element reduction factor.For example, for zoom factor 3, the size of component image part should be three times of size of the daughter element of composograph.In this example, the size of component image part tapered to 1/3rd before being inserted into composograph.

Fig. 6 shows for constructing composograph 600 " the first and second component images 600,600 '.According to an example, from corresponding component image 600,600 ', obtain overlapping element 650,650 ', overlapping element 650,650 ' is according to zoom factor size reduction, and as daughter element 632 " be placed on element 630 " in to form composograph 600 ".Although should be appreciated that for each component image and only show two such daughter elements (, A1, A2, B1 and B2), overlapping element 650,650 ' covers two component images 600,600 ' entirety.Configuration and frequency and the daughter element 632 of each daughter element based on demoder feature " configuration locate.In embodiment shown in Figure 7, overlapping element is by daughter element 632 " position centered by.

In Fig. 6, the shadow region that is designated elements A 1 in the first component image tapers to 1/3rd in each dimension, to create the daughter element A1 (, application zoom factor 3) of composograph.Daughter element A1 is centered by the position corresponding with the center of elements A in component image 1.The large square that is designated elements A 2 tapers to 1/3rd in each dimension, to obtain composograph 600 " daughter element A2, similarly, daughter element A2 is centered by the position corresponding with the center of elements A 2.Carry out similarly operation to obtain composograph 600 " daughter element B1 and B2.

Figure 7 illustrates the effect that uses zoom factor to create composograph, Fig. 7 shows the composograph 700 being formed by the component image in Fig. 4.In composograph 700, the pattern arrangement of element and daughter element is the feature corresponding to matching and decoding device.Use zoom factor 4 to form the composograph of Fig. 7, it should be understood that and can form composograph with any zoom factor.Occur in scrambling mode although form the image section of composograph, matching and decoding device is placed on and on composograph, will obtains component image 410,410 ' " ressembling ", to be watched by observer.Subsequently, observer can see latent image in respective components image 410,410 ' 420,420 '.According to an example, when change his visual angle by demoder along with observer, latent image can seem mobile or " floating ".This floating effect is by using the crossover components part of convergent-divergent to produce.Zooming effect makes the Elements Diffusion of component image in multiple parts of composograph.By adjusting visual angle, demoder presents the information of the multiple parts that come from component image, thereby creates the mirage of floating.Conventionally, zoom factor is larger, and floating effect is more remarkable.On the other hand, by the part of component image is reduced by zoom factor, when the effective resolution of watching real component image by decoding lens may reduce.

In some embodiments of the invention, the element of component image can overturn before being used to form composograph.The flip portion of component image changes these parts in the time watching by demoder and seems unsteady direction.Between upset by the element at component image and non-upset alternately, when watch the different piece of real component image can seem along floating in the other direction by demoder.

In some cases, above effect can be applied to the single component image (or two identical component images) for producing non-tone balance coded image.For example, can to the application of composograph, use such image in decoder lens permanent attachment.In such application, tone balance is dispensable, and this is because latent image can be watched all the time by the demoder of permanent attachment.

According to an example, can form composograph by more than one potential (or other) image.For each such composograph, can create multiple component images by previously discussed method.Then part from each component image can be used to form single composograph.For example, if expect to use two latent images (image 1 and image 2), each latent image can be used to form two component images.Two component images can be divided into element and daughter element as Figure 4-Figure 6 separately.This can produce four component images, and each component image has corresponding element and daughter element.The composograph that is similar to Fig. 5 A and 5B can form with the daughter element A1 obtaining from the first component of image 1 and the daughter element A2 obtaining from the second component of image 1.Similarly, can obtain daughter element B1 from the first component of image 2, and obtain daughter element B2 from the second component of image 2.In another example, daughter element A1 and B2 can be from the component of image 1, obtained, and daughter element B1 and A2 can be from the component of image 2, obtained.Can sort to daughter element according to various ways.For example, can self, side by side, diagonal angle intersects or with any other modes daughter element that sorts.Composograph can produce human viewer can be according to the effect of seeing different latent images by the visual angle of demoder.When changing at visual angle, component image can replace and switch.In addition, zoom factor and turnover technology can together use with this technology.The multi-effect that this deviser that can create composograph can use.Can in this manner the latent image of arbitrary number be hidden in together, and the component image of arbitrary number can be for each latent image.

According to another example, the different zoom factor can be for the daughter element never obtaining with image.For example, zoom factor 2 can be for the daughter element obtaining from image 1, and zoom factor 8 can be for the phase obtaining from image 2.The daughter element obtaining from different images can seem in different depth in the time watching by demoder.Like this, can realize multiple 3D effect.

Fig. 8 show collect and the part of the component image that sorts to form the method for the element that uses the decodable composograph of biconvex lens.In Fig. 8, two component images 800,800 ' are divided into shape and the frequency element corresponding with the feature of demoder with " wavy " lens 830,830 '.As previously mentioned, create component image, to carry out balance about specific color and luster (or multiple color and luster).Same form composograph 800 by assembling from component image 800,800 ' daughter element 832,832 ' ".Can use zoom factor if needed.In this example, zoom factor is 1, and indication composograph element has the size identical with component image element (, component image element does not reduce).Collection discussed in this article and sort method also can be applied to the demoder of wavy demoder or any other types.In this example, can obtain the first component image part (for light gray part) from the geometric position identical with second component image section (for dark-grey part).The part of component image can have equal size.The component image part of combination or the element of composograph can cover the region of single decoding feature in composograph.

If enough little for creating the component image part of composograph, and if along identical color and luster to carrying out mutually balance, technology described herein can be created in the image that looks like color (, evenly color and luster) while printing.

Fig. 9 shows according to the conventional method 900 of the generation composograph of the embodiment of the present invention.Method 900 starts from S902, and provides latent image at S904 place.Use latent image, produce two or more component images at S906 place.As mentioned above, form these component images, make in each position, tone value is carried out to balance about selected tone value or color density.At S908 place, picture content is for generation of multiple pictorial elements that will be used to form composograph.According to the pattern of demoder feature and frequency, form and locate these composograph elements.As mentioned above, can be based on component elements being positioned and adjusted size with the frequency matching of demoder or as the frequency of the frequency multiple of demoder.In certain embodiments, construct component image element by composograph being divided into non-overlapping element or unit.In other embodiments, component image element can be formed as overlapping element or unit.

At S910 place, from each element of each component image, extract content.Component image being divided in the embodiment of non-overlapping element, the action of extracting content can comprise the daughter element that each element of each component image is divided into again to predetermined number.Then extract the picture material from daughter element.The daughter element of therefrom having extracted content can be inverse or the multiple of component image number.Therefore, if use two component images, from each element extraction half sub-pixel.

In embodiment at component image for generation of overlapping element, can extract the content of each element.As mentioned above, can be to the element application zoom factor extracting, to produce the daughter element that can be used to form composograph.

At S912 place, the content of extracting from component image is used to form composograph.This can be by being placed in the position corresponding with the position of therefrom extracting this daughter element content in component image and completing from the daughter element of each component.Method finishes at S914 place.

In method 900, provide arbitrarily or institute in steps and any variations can realize with any applicable data processor or the combination of data processor, and can or realize with the form of nonvolatile computer-readable medium with the software stored on arbitrary data processor.Once produce in digital form, coding composograph can be applied on substrate by any applicable printing, protruding seal, gravure, moulding, laser ablation or surface removal or deposition technique.Image can be printed with following medium: ink, toner, dyestuff, pigment, transmission print media, and as the U.S. Patent No. 6,980 that on Dec 27th, 2005 authorizes, described in 654, its full content is incorporated herein by reference; Non-visible (for example, ultraviolet or infrared) print media, as the U.S. Patent No. 6,985 that on January 10th, 2006 authorizes, described in 607, it is all incorporated herein by reference.

Should be appreciated that and exist various ways to form counter-balanced picture content.In various embodiments, can, by the part with formation second component by the part negate of one-component image, create counter-balanced component image part.If use the method, can carry out balance component image about 50% density, and composograph appears as 50% color for bore hole.In the time printing or otherwise show, can print adjacent to each other the element of composograph, and eyes can be by their average out to (60%+40%)/2=50%.Comprise the dimmed of colored latent image and the version that brightens are carried out to numerical coding for generation of another example of composograph.Can be designed for and carry out dimmed intensity/colour curve and make one-component dimmed by use, and the identical amount of amount that can make another component brighten dimmed with making the first component in each position.For blend of colors is comprised coloured image is transformed to the color space that image is divided into intensity and color component to the alternative technique of composograph, for example, Lab, Yuv or HSi color space, and intensity/colour curve as above is applied in these color spaces.Can use other color spaces.

In some embodiments of the invention, can be by integrated the composograph based on color or be embedded in visual picture, for example, arbitrarily visible works.In visual picture, for bore hole, can hide composograph, but in the time demoder being placed on the visual picture of printing or composograph, not be hiding but present composograph.The institute that can keep being associated with composograph produces effect (, occur floating, watching property of component image replace etc.).

To a kind of this method be application halftone screen technology as above, halftone screen utilization composograph as screen file (screen file) with halftone visual picture.This technology can be revised by adjusting the size of element the element of composograph, to imitate the density of same position place visual picture fragment.In the method, composograph has no more than two strength grades in its each color separation.The corresponding color separation of composograph is as the screen for visual picture.If the color component of composograph is not two-stage, can carry out pre-service to meet the need to color component.

Figure 10 and 11 shows the example of the method.Figure 10 shows two component images based on capitalization " USA " latent image structure 1000,1000 ', and they are used for the composograph 1000 that structure is formed by two component images 1000,1000 ' square element ".As described herein, basic composograph shows as monotone image for bore hole.But, amplify and show composograph 1000 " formed by multiple daughter elements.Each in these daughter elements is the projected square part of obtaining from component image 1000, one of 1000 ' corresponding element.Should be appreciated that all these daughter elements have same size and shape.Due to the variation of content in daughter element, in magnification region, there is the rectangle of change in size.Corresponding demoder is placed on to composograph 1000 " go up " ressembling " this content, make to watch the component image 1000,1000 ' with latent image.

Figure 11 shows visual picture 1110 and uses the composograph 1000 of Figure 10 " carry out the shadow tone 1110 ' of this image of screen processing.The half tone image 1110 ' not amplifying for bore hole seems not change.But, amplify and show image 1110 ' and formed by the square element that has carried out according to the tonal density of original image 1110 composograph of revising.In fact, by the composograph of Figure 10 1000 " be embedded in visual picture 1110.When demoder being placed on to coded image (, shadow tone works 1110 ') when upper, component image 1000,1000 ' will be visible.

Figure 12 shows the other method at visual picture 1200 interior hiding latent images.As discussed previously, can be by correspondence position be carried out to tone balance about different tonal densities in zones of different,

form component image

1210,1210 '.The method can be for creating component image 1210,1210 ', as shown in figure 12 according to visual picture 1200.One method is to make visual picture 1200 dimmed, to create the first duplicating image, and correspondingly makes visual picture 1200 brighten to create the second duplicating image.The region of mating with latent image can be sheltered from each duplicating image, and is replaced by the content of the masking regional from another duplicating image in each case.In the example depicted in fig. 12, the region of aiming at letter " USA " (, latent image) in visual picture 1200 exchanges in fact between duplicating image, to produce

component image

1210,1210 '.Then can component image be sampled and be combined, to create composograph 1210 by any technology discussed in this article ".Composite coding image 1210 " almost similar in appearance to original image 1200, but hiding message " USA " is wherein used demoder to watch, demoder is corresponding to being used to form composograph 1210 " size and the configuration of element of daughter element.

In visual picture, hide the other method of latent image and be that the two creates corresponding component image with visual picture and latent image.The method is shown in Figure 13 and 14.Figure 13 (with gray level) shows the colored visual picture 1300 of tiger, and girl's colored latent image 1310.In this example, visual picture 1300 is used to form four

identical component image

1300A, 1300B, 1300C, 1300D, these four

identical component image

1300A, 1300B, 1300C, 1300D are divided into element 1430A, 1430,1430C, 1430D, as shown in figure 14.For example, matching and decoding device can comprise rectangle or oval lens.In previous example, only show individual element for each component image, it should be understood that, element is formed on whole component image.Should also be understood that for demonstration purpose, figure 14 illustrates the element more much bigger than the actual element using in the inventive method.In the embodiment shown, each element of four components is divided into daughter element 1432A, 1432B, 1432C, 1432D.In this example, owing to producing composograph with six components altogether, therefore component image element is divided into six daughter elements.

Should be understood that the separation component image that in fact needn't create visual picture.Visual picture itself can be used for producing for forming element and the daughter element of composograph.

Latent image 1310 is for generation of two corresponding component image 1310A, 1310B.Second component image 1310B produces with the form of the inverse video of the first component image 1310A.The first and

second component image

1310A, 1310B are divided into element 630E, 630F, and element 630E, 630F can the overlapping elements of right and wrong (as shown in figure 11) or are similar to the overlapping element shown in Fig. 3.As the same in the component image corresponding with visual picture, each element of

potential component

1310A, 1310B is divided into daughter element 1432E, 1432B, 1432C, 1432D.Equally, form six daughter elements by each element.

In this example, object is that visual picture is visible and latent image is visible by means of demoder for bore hole, decoder configurations is corresponding with coding parameter, and coding parameter comprises the frequency of the element extracting from visible and potential component image 1300A, 1300B, 1300C, 1300D, 1310A and 1310B.Therefore,, in the time forming composograph, obtain used most of daughter element from visible component image 1300A, 1300B, 1300C and the 1300D corresponding with visual picture.In the example shown, from four visible component image 1300A, 1300B, 1300C and the 1300Ds corresponding with visual picture, extract four daughter elements (A1, B2, C4 and D5) in six daughter elements that use in each element 1422 of composograph 1420.From potential component image 1310A, the 1310B corresponding with latent image, extract two other daughter element (E3 and F6) using in element 1422.Daughter element E3 and F6 and four sub-elements A 1, B2, C4 and D5 extracting from visual picture interweave.The daughter element E3 and the F6 that from latent image, extract due to compensation make to exchange for the original image color of a daughter element and the inverse video color for another daughter element, and therefore daughter element E3 and F6 are invisible for bore hole.In other words, corresponding daughter element E3 and F6 are mixed into 50% color by eyes.In previous embodiment, daughter element and the position thereof of the element 1422 interior uses of composograph 1420 can change.

Because the daughter element that is derived from visual picture 1300 does not change by any way, therefore observer still can see the tiger image in composograph 1420 by bore hole.But, under suitably directed demoder, composograph element will visually divide into groups, and make for some visual angles, and observer (for example can see visual picture 1300, the tiger of Figure 13), for other visual angles, observer can see latent image 1310 (for example, the girl of Figure 13), and for some visual angles again, observer can see the inverse video of latent image 1310.Like this, at interior colored latent image 1310 and the inverse video thereof hidden of colored visual picture 1300.Can by the potential component image 1310A producing from

latent image

1310 and 1310B are applied to element upset and/or than 1 large zoom factor, to decoded picture interpolation additional effect.

In the modification of above embodiment, do not use for each composograph daughter element A1, B2, C4, D5, E3 and F6 the most of daughter elements that come from visual picture 1300, but can carry out pre-service to increase its contrast to visual picture 1300.This allows to reduce the daughter element number extracting from visual picture 1300 in order to hide latent image 1310.

In any embodiment described herein, can be the combination of bianry image, grayscale image, coloured image or any type image for the visible and latent image that creates composograph.Like this, utilizing the component image that demoder appears can be two-value, gray level or coloured image.

The multilayer demoder that latent image color component is decoded simultaneously

As described herein, composograph can comprise that two or more color components of use are encoded to the latent image in visual picture.Although composograph can comprise multiple color components, can mix to produce monotone image to color component.For example, mix cyan, magenta and the yellow of equal quantities.Technology described herein realizes seeming the Code And Decode of the colored latent image in uniform visual picture.Visual picture comprises content change, and observer can not be seen the color of utilizing decoding device to appear color to naked eyes is relevant.According to an example, latent image is divided into at least two the color component separation corresponding with color component available in visual picture.The definite coding parameter of feature based on by matching and decoding device, is encoded to the latent image of color separation in the corresponding color component of visual picture.For example, coding parameter can comprise relative angle for depositing particular color component and for example, frequency and other parameters for the decode element (, lens) of the composograph of decoding.

Figure 16 and 17 shows has two-layer multilayer demoder or the example of display device.Element (or lens) in every one deck of multilayer demoder is arranged according to selected frequency or the pattern of corresponding latent image color component.Element (or lens) in every one deck of multilayer demoder be also orientated with substrate on deposit latent image color component relative angle match.In the time that the coding parameter of latent image and the feature of corresponding presentation layer match, every one deck of the latent image of can simultaneously decoding.Those of ordinary skills it should be understood that can be for decoding and the latent image being associated more than two color components simultaneously more than two display devices.

Figure 16 shows the parts of two layer decoder.Show the first display device 1601 with side view 1602 and backplan 1604.Show the second display device 1610 with side view 1612 and top view 1614.As shown in the placed adjacent of the first display device 1601 and the second display device 1610 in Figure 16, ground floor element 1605 is orientated and is approximately perpendicular to second layer element 1615.Subsequently, be associated with two latent images two color component layers be orientated ground floor element 1605 corresponding to coupling and the angle of second layer element 1615.Therefore, each layer decoder to latent image simultaneously, to provide polychrome decoded picture.

Comprise rectilinear lens although the first display device 1601 and the second display device 1610 are illustrated as, those of ordinary skills should easily recognize, the first display device 1601 and/or the second display device 1610 can comprise non-linear lens.Non-linear lens arrangement can comprise wave-like line structure, in a zigzag structure, fish-bone structure, arcuate structure, without restraining structure etc.According to an example, the first display device 1601 and the second display device 1610 can comprise identical lens structure or different lens arrangement.In addition, multilayer lens can comprise the layer that uses different technologies to form, and for example, have and use the ground floor of molding lens array formation and the second layer that uses silk-screen printing technique to form.

As shown in Figure 17 A-17C, the first display device 1601 and the second display device 1610 can be located toward each other with various configurations.Arrow 1700 shows view direction.As shown in Figure 17 A, the first display device 1601 and the second display device 1610 can be orientated as ground floor element 1605 and second layer element 1615 are inwardly faced with each other.When ground floor element 1605 is during towards image orientation, ground floor element 1605 by the second display device 1610 to image decoding.In this case, the second display device 1610 is orientated as and coded image physical contact.

In the second example shown in Figure 17 B, the first display device 1601 and the second display device 1610 can be orientated as and make ground floor element 1605 and second layer element 1615 outwards opposing each other.In this configuration, the first display device 1601 can be positioned in slightly top of coded image, so that ground floor element 1605 can be focused on coded image.

In the 3rd example shown in Figure 17 C, the first display device 1601 and the second display device 1610 can be along equidirectional orientations, make ground floor element 1605 and second layer element 1615 the two towards upper.In this case, the curvature of ground floor element 1605 and second layer element 1615 can be designed so that ground floor element 1605 and second layer element 1615 focus on the bottom surface of multilayer demoder.

In above example, the frequency of ground floor element 1605 and second layer element 1615 can be identical or different.For example, the frequency of ground floor element 1605 and second layer element 1615 can be 250 lines of per inch.Alternatively, the frequency of ground floor element 1605 and second layer element 1615 can be: for 200 lines of layer 1 per inch and for 250 lines of layer 2 per inch.

The single layer decoder that latent image color component is decoded simultaneously

As described herein, composograph can comprise that two or more color components of use are encoded to the latent image in visual picture.Although composograph can comprise multiple color components, can blend color component, to produce monotone image.For example, equivalent volumes cyan, magenta and the yellow image that seems to have even brown tune that creates.Technology described herein has realized the Code And Decode of the colored latent image in the visual picture to seeming uniform visual picture or content change, and wherein, observer can not be by relevant the color of utilizing the color shown in decoding device to see to bore hole.

According to an example, latent image is divided into at least two the color component separation corresponding with color component available in visual picture.The definite coding parameter of feature based on by matching and decoding device, is encoded to the latent image of color separation in the corresponding color component of visual picture.For example, coding parameter can comprise relative angle for depositing particular color component and for example, frequency and other parameters for the decode element (lens) of the composograph of decoding.

Figure 18 shows the example microarray lens matrix 1800 being configured on individual layer.Come layout elements or lenticular lens elements 1802 according to the selected frequency of corresponding latent image color component or pattern.For example, path 1 (1810) and path 2 (1815) are illustrated as has same frequency, and path 3 (1820) is illustrated as and has upper frequency.According to an example, carry out controlled frequency by the distance of adjusting between the row of microarray element 1802 of respective path.Increasing distance between the row of microarray element 1802 can be corresponding to reducing frequency, and the distance reducing between the row of microarray element 1802 can be corresponding to increasing frequency.According to an example, lenticular lens elements 1802 can comprise identical lens structure or different lens arrangement.

Lenticular lens elements 1802 is also along the one or more orientations in path 1 (1810), path 2 (1815) and path 3 (1820), to mate the relative angle that deposits latent image color component on substrate.Although path 1-3 is illustrated as linear path, the disclosure is supported nonlinear path.Nonlinear path can comprise wave-like line path, in a zigzag path, fish-bone path, curved path, without constrained path etc.In the time that the coding parameter of latent image and the feature of individual layer microarray lens matrix 1800 match, every one deck of the latent image of can simultaneously decoding.Those of ordinary skills should easily recognize, can provide more than three paths to decode and the latent image being associated more than three color components simultaneously.Those of ordinary skills it will also be appreciated that and can arrange lenticular lens elements 1802 by other matrix configuration, and other matrix configuration supports have multiple decodings path of the equidistant lens element matching with the frequency of processing for encoding and angular orientation.Such matrix configuration comprises hexagonal mesh configuration, concentric ring configuration or other configurations.

According to another example, coding is processed and can be arranged that lenticular lens elements 1802 is to support variable frequency.In this case, along path, the change of distance between lenticular lens elements 1802.According to an example, if along the path orientation lenticular lens elements 1802 corresponding with the linear path of processing for encoding, lenticular lens elements 1802 can and re-create latent image to coded image sampling.By the part of fragment being sampled rather than the whole fragment of coded image being decoded, decoded picture can seem slightly sawtooth.But, if the frequency of the frequency that coding is processed and lenticular lens elements 1802 is enough high, for example, be greater than 140 lines of per inch, above-mentioned effect is not remarkable.

The single layer decoder that the color component of frequency sampling is decoded simultaneously

According to an example, latent image is divided into at least two the color component separation corresponding with color component available in visual picture.In this example, use four color components to separate, and the Linear Double convex lens decoding lens four color component composographs of decoding are provided.

As shown in figure 19, the biconvex lens line using in coding can being processed be divided into visual picture and latent image in four subsets of four points of color matchs providing.These four subsets comprise black-film section 1901, pornographic movie section 1902, pinkish red fragment 1903 and blue or green fragment 1904.In other words, 1/4th fragment can be for the black separation of encoding, and other 1/4th fragment can be for yellow separation of encoding, and 1/4th fragment can separate for the magenta of encoding again, and last 1/4th fragment can be for blue or green separation of encoding.

According to an example, can interweave to subset 1901,1902,1903,1904.For example, the lines such as the the the 1st, 5,9,13,17 comprise the first subset of the black-film section 1901 corresponding with black component.2nd, the lines such as 6,10,14,18 comprise the second subset of the pornographic movie section 1902 corresponding with yellow component.3rd, the lines such as 7,11,15,19 comprise the three subsetss of the pinkish red fragment 1903 corresponding with pinkish red component.4th, the lines such as 8,12,16,20 comprise the 4th subset of the blue or green fragment 1904 corresponding with blue or green component.The color component of latent image is encoded in suitable subset 1901,1902,1903,1904.In this example, be 1/4th of demoder frequency for the frequency of coding method.In this example, to the identical coding angle of each subset 1901,1902,1903,1904 application.

In Figure 19, show the image with green grass or young crops, magenta, Huang and the black color separation of printing by wire-mesh screen (line screen) with 25 degree.Together with the corresponding color component coding of each color component of visual picture and latent image.In the time that demoder is placed on composograph, demoder is decoded to all colours component including black component, yellow component, pinkish red component and blue or green component simultaneously.The composograph of decoding appears synthetic colored latent image.

The disclosure has been imagined some modification of said method.For example, do not use same frequency for all colours component, but more multi-thread repetition can be for one of color separation.This can cause the upper frequency for selected color separation.The disclosure is also imagined for different color separations and is used different screen elements.For example, straight fragment can be for some color separations, and wavy fragment can be used for other color separations.Another modification comprises arranges biconvex lens or microarray lens element, for example, to follow non-linear pattern (, concentric ring pattern).Can produce non-linear pattern by decoder element is divided into subset.Number of subsets can be mated with the color component number of latent image, and the color separation of latent image can be encoded in these subsets.

According to an example, should be to the color component of brighter image applications frequency sampling, brighter image comprises the image with the color separation in 0-25% density range.Disclosure imagination is carried out Code And Decode colour latent image by any lens pattern, wherein, by the different colours component coding of latent image in the element matching with the specified subset of demoder pattern in visual picture.Each color separation of coded image is used from the identical color separation of latent image and is printed.For example, the blue or green color separation of latent image is encoded in the blue or green color separation of visual picture.

Use multiple latent images to create rainbow effect or change color

Above example has been described the technology for creating the secondary color latent image that is encoded to visual picture.For example, the different colours component providing in composograph can be provided secondary color latent image.The degree of decoding colored latent image and match for the colored latent image of encoding mainly depends on quality and the resolution of the equipment for coded image being applied to article.

For high-quality and the disabled application of high-resolution printers, for example, print the passport image of coding a guy data, between the coloured image of decoding after may being difficult to apply image at the coloured image for encoding and to article, realize consistent color-match.This can be also the variation (for example, each passport photograph difference) of part due to visual picture.In these cases, for example, can complete authentication by adding the second latent image, the second latent image provides change color or lively color attribute to coding composograph, and without the good color coupling between expection coloured image and decoding coloured image.This coding processing can be carried out with producing for being embedded into the processing speed that the required lower limit processing speed of the personal information of visual picture is suitable.

In order to accelerate the processing for color separation being encoded to visual picture, can provide the monochromatic latent image of repetition.As described herein, reversion is processed can be for the treatment of the part of latent image or latent image.When on the coding visual picture that demoder is placed on to printing, latent image and around visual picture between the difference that can distinguish between colors.Alternatively, can be in the specific color separation that latent image is encoded to visual picture before, be provided for the processing of the brightness of the part that changes latent image or latent image.In the time demoder being placed on to the coding visual picture of printing, the brightness that changes latent image causes recognizable color distortion between latent image and visual picture around.

Reversion latent image or the brightness that changes latent image are encoded to for example, processing in visual picture (, photo) by latent image and for example, provide constant result being applied to individual document (, passport and driving license) Shi Buhui.A reason is, the photograph image of object is unique, thereby the photograph image of coding can comprise unique change color in the time decoding with optical decoder device.Can be applied to processing to authenticating individual document carries out standardized a kind of technology second latent image that provides as described below is provided.

Figure 15 shows the visual picture 1510 of indicated object photo, there is the first latent image 1515 of the first pattern that uses red component generation, there is the first latent image 1520 of the first pattern that uses blue component generation, and there is the second latent image 1525 of the second pattern that uses green component generation.As shown in the figure, the content of the first

latent image

1515,1520 is different from the content of the second latent image 1525.Those of ordinary skills it should be understood that can provide other guide difference between the first latent image and the second latent image.

According to an example, the first latent image 1515 shows the capitalization " JANE " presenting for black background, uses red component to produce capitalization " JANE ".The first latent image 1520 shows the capitalization " JANE " presenting for black background, uses blue component to produce capitalization " JANE ".Those of ordinary skills will readily appreciate that, can provide different content for the first latent image.

The second latent image 1525 shows the capitalization " JANE " presenting for white background 1527, uses green component to produce capitalization " JANE " 1526.The second latent image 1525 also shows the capitalization " JANE " presenting for black background 1528, and the disappearance based on ink produces capitalization " JANE ".Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that and can provide different high-contrast contents for the second latent image.

Use technology described herein, in visual picture 1530, produce composograph 1530 by

latent image

1515,1520,1525 is encoded to.Because the content providing in the second latent image 1525 provides more changeableization compared with the content providing in the first

latent image

1515,1520, therefore, the color component of the second latent image 1525 has been introduced change color in coding composograph 1530.As shown in decoded picture 1540, when watch coding composograph 1530 by demoder, the blue component that the red component that the variation of the green component of being contributed by the second latent image 1525 and the first latent image 1515 are contributed and the first latent image 1520 are contributed is combined.Therefore, introduce the second latent image 1525 and provide change color and lively color attribute to coding composograph 1530.Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that can provide more than two latent images and be encoded in visual picture.In addition, those of ordinary skills it should be understood that the variation that can introduce to random color component latent image.

To there is the numeral decoding device that the coding latent image of two or more color separations is decoded and show simultaneously

In the time that the composograph producing according to each embodiment of the present disclosure is printed or is otherwise associated with article, can watch the component image for generation of composograph by applying corresponding demoder.For example, demoder can comprise the software decoder that is programmed for decoding and shows two or more color separations corresponding with two or more component images simultaneously.This paper describes example software demoder.Component image can for example, by using the demoder (U.S. Patent No. 7 based on software, 512,249 (" ' 249 patent ") and No.7,630, the demoder of those that describe in 513 (" ' 513 patents ") based on software, its whole disclosures are incorporated herein by reference) can watch.Described in ' 249 patents and ' 513 patents, wherein expection occurs that the image in the region of coded image can catch and use the demoder based on software to decode with the image capture device such as such as scanner, digital camera or telecommunication apparatus.In certain embodiments, such demoder based on software can be by imitating the optical properties of the corresponding decoder lens composograph of decoding.Demoder based on software can also be used for the decoding digital version of the composograph that is not yet applied to article of the present invention.

According to an example, in latent image is embedded into visual picture before, latent image is divided into two or more color separations.Two or more color separations of latent image can be corresponding to non-existent color in visual picture.Therefore, each color separation of latent image can be encoded in the different color separations of visual picture.For example, can use coding techniques described herein that each color separation is encoded to separately in visual picture.

In the alternative example shown in Figure 20, latent image color separation 2025,2027 and 2029 can be encoded to respect to horizontal line 2022 in the multiple halftone screens with different angles location.These different angles are represented by line segment 2045,2047 and 2049.The plurality of halftone screen can be printed with same color.For example, can print with black ink the wire-mesh screen of latent image.Additionally, for the latent image with three color separations, can use with

spend the directed wire-mesh screen red component of encoding; Can use with

spend the directed wire-mesh screen green component of encoding; And can use with

spend the directed wire-mesh screen blue component of encoding.For example, if use two-way screen (, some screen), two latent images can be encoded in a screen and relative to each other with an angle of 90 degrees orientation.

Figure 20 shows digital coding image 2010, comprises visual picture 2020 and have three corresponding color components separating 2025,2027 and 2029 latent image.Visual picture 2020 can use black ink, gray level or multi-color ink to produce.Color component separates 2025,2027 and 2029 and can be embedded in visual picture 2020.According to an example, color component separates 2025,2027 and 2029 and can encode respectively, then merges or is embedded in visual picture 2020.Alternatively, can carry out processing, make color component separate 2025,2027 and 2029 and encode in the time embedding.In either case, in the situation that there is no software decode equipment 2030, color component separates 2025,2027 and 2029 and can not watch for naked eyes.

According to an example for embedding latent image or latent image and visual picture being merged, can sample to produce to visual picture the visual picture of the period 1 property pattern with the first preset frequency.Then the latent image with two color components is mapped to visual picture, the period 1 property pattern that makes visual picture is changing with having in latent image with corresponding position, the position of the picture material shown in two color components.Change to visual picture is enough little, makes their impalpables for naked eyes.But when software decode equipment 2030 is during with the frequency code displaying image corresponding with the first preset frequency, the change that software decode equipment 2030 is caught in visual picture shows latent image.

According to the other method for embedding latent image or latent image and visual picture being merged, first period 1 property pattern is applied on the latent image rather than visual picture with two color components.In this case, in the content being associated with the latent image with two color components, provide change.Then latent image is mapped to visual picture, and content based on coding latent image by pixel change the content of visual picture.Additive method can be used for embedding latent image or latent image and visual picture is merged.

Software decode equipment 2030 latent image 2025,2027 and 2029 of decoding in the upper code displaying image 2010 of graphic user interface (" GUI ").Below describe and digital decoding system 1800 carries out image processing shown in Figure 18, and can be configured to distribute designated color to each latent image (comprising monochromatic latent image).For example, can in visual picture, provide three monochromatic latent images.The first monochromatic latent image can be with 15 degree orientations, and the second monochromatic latent image can be with 30 degree orientations, and the 3rd monochromatic latent image can be with 60 degree orientations.Software decode equipment 2030 can be configured to detect the orientation of each monochromatic latent image, and distributes corresponding color component to color separation.Correspondingly, software decode equipment 2030 can be red to distributing with the first monochromatic latent image of 15 degree orientations, to the second monochromatic latent image assigned colors blue with 30 degree orientations, and distributes green to the 3rd monochromatic latent image with 60 degree orientations.Software decode equipment 2030 can merge the color of appointment, to produce the synthetic colored latent image for showing to user.For example, can merge distributed color, to obtain expectation color and luster.Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that and can use random color combination and any desired color and luster can be provided.

Figure 21 shows the example digital decode system 2100 for the coded image that is attached to article is authenticated.Encoder device 2110 is provided, comprises coder module 2112 and the merge module 2114 of communicating by letter with encoded information database 2140 via network 2120.Coder module 2112 and merge module 2114 are configured to carry out respectively coding and embedding operation.Color coding module 2112 can also be programmed for based on coding parameter, visual picture and latent image and produce the coded image that will be attached to article.Provide encoder interfaces module 2150, as the interface between user or document process module (not shown) and encoder device 2110.Color coding module 2112 can be configured to deposit coding parameter, visual picture and latent image are stored in encoded information database 2140, with follow-up for authenticating digital coding image.

Color coding module 2112 can also be stored in coded image in database 2140, and/or coded image is returned to encoder interfaces module 2150.Color coding module 2112 can also provide latent image to merge module 2114, and merge module 2114 is suitable for latent image to be embedded in visual picture.Embedding can there be is the coded image of latent image to return to encoder interfaces module 2150.

Software decoder or authenticator 2130 can comprise decoder module 2132 and the authentication module 2134 that can communicate by letter with encoded information database 440.Decoder module 2132 is suitable for obtaining coding parameter and/or coded image from encoded information database 2140.Decoder module 2132 can carry out decoding digital coding image with coding parameter.Decoder module 2132 can also be suitable for receiving the coded image that will authenticate and extracting latent image.Latent image can obtain from authenticator interface 460, and authenticator interface is suitable for as the interface between authentication requester and authenticator 2130.After to coded image decoding, decoder module 2132 can and/or be forwarded to authentication module 2134 by decoded picture return authentication device interface.Authentication module 2134 is suitable for extracting latent image from decoded picture, to compare with criteria of certification, criteria of certification can from multiple characteristics of image (as, shape description symbols, histogram, co-occurrence matrix, frequency descriptor, square, color characteristic etc.) derive.Authentication module 2134 can also be suitable for determining authentication result and this result being turned back to authenticator interface.Authentication module 2134 can comprise OCR software or bar code interpretation software, with from article information extraction.Those of ordinary skills should be understood that color coding module 2112, merge module 2114, decoder module 2132, authentication module 2134, encoded information database 2140, encoder interfaces module 2150 and authenticator interface module 2160 can be distributed in one or more data processors.For example, all these elements can be arranged on unique user data processor.Alternatively, the multiple assembly of digital decoding system 2100 can be distributed in multiple data processors in the mode of selective communication via network 2120.

In addition, the demoder based on software has been realized and has been used multiple color separations or the coding of complicated element pattern synthetic images geometrically.It is difficulty or unpractical that some lens element patterns and shape may manufacture optical lens physically.But these difficulties can not be applicable to the technology for creating image of the present invention, can not be applicable in addition the demoder based on software.Can design the demoder based on software with dirigibility, to make equipment user can adjust decoding parametric.Method described herein can be utilized " the software lens " with lens element, and lens element has variable frequency, complexity and/or irregularly shaped (including but not limited to ellipse, cruciform, triangle, random closed curve or the polygon forming), variable dimension or any combination in front characteristic.Can configure to apply method of the present invention based on certain lenses, even if physically can not manufacture this configuration.Described herein according to the method for component image establishment composograph, for example, creativeness based on geometric transformation (, mapping, convergent-divergent, upset etc.) is used, and does not need to create for this purpose physics lens.Provide lens configuration or standard based on software to allow user to realize the software lens of expectation.So software decoder can come to the decoding of coding composograph, to produce the decoded version of the component image for creating composograph by the some or all of characteristics of software lens.

Demoder can also comprise the display device of the latent image that is configured to decode.Display device can comprise with arbitrary shape configuration and have the lens with the lens element of arbitrary graphic pattern layout.For example, lens can comprise the lens element of arranging with symmetrical pattern, asymmetric pattern or the combination of the two.Lens can also comprise the lens element of arranging with regular pattern or irregular pattern.

According to an example, display device can comprise having with straight-line pattern, wave-like line pattern, in a zigzag pattern, concentric ring pattern, cross spider pattern, alignment point pattern, offset point pattern, gradient frequency (grad frequency) pattern, target pattern, catfish (herring) pattern or the biconvex lens of the lens of other patterned arrangement arbitrarily.Alternatively, display device can comprise the lens of the multidimensional pattern with lens element, for example, and fly lens.Multidimensional pattern can comprise straight-line pattern, square pattern, displacement square pattern, honeycomb pattern, wave-like line pattern, in a zigzag pattern, concentric ring pattern, cross spider pattern, alignment point pattern, offset point pattern, gradient frequency patterns, target pattern, catfish pattern or other patterns arbitrarily.Figure 22 illustrates some examples in these decoding lens.

One ordinarily skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is applicable to use widely and apply.Do not deviating under the prerequisite of essence of the present invention or scope, according to the present invention and the above description of this invention or rationally enlightened by the present invention and the above description of this invention, by clear of the present invention many other embodiment and change and many modification, modification and equivalent arrangements except embodiment described herein.

Although more than illustrate and described example embodiment of the present invention, should be appreciated that and the invention is not restricted to structure disclosed herein.Under the prerequisite of attribute, can realize the present invention with other concrete forms not deviating from the present invention spirit or refer to.

Claims

1. one kind is encoded to the computer implemented method in visual picture based on coding parameter by latent image, latent image has two or more color components that simultaneously appear in the time that demoder is placed on coded image, demoder has the decoding parametric matching with coding parameter, and described method comprises:

Produce the first image being associated with the first color component via processor, the first pattern of the element of the corresponding color component processing based on providing in latent image is provided the first image;

Distribute the first angle to the first image;

Produce the second image being associated with the second color component, the second pattern of the element of the corresponding color component processing based on providing in latent image is provided the second image;

Distribute the second angle to the second image;

By aiming at the first image according to the first pattern of the first angle orientation element;

By aiming at the second image according to the second pattern of the second angle orientation element; And

By second doubling of the image of the first image of aiming at and aligning, to obtain coded image, coded image is visually similar to visual picture in the time utilizing naked eyes to watch.

2. computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein, the first pattern of element and the second pattern of element configure according to the first coding frequency and the second coding frequency respectively.

3. computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein, the first pattern of element and the second pattern of element are processed according to phase-shift operations.

4. computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein, the first image of aiming at and second doubling of the image of aligning are comprised: overlapping with the second halftone screen that carries out patterning according to the second image by carry out the first halftone screen of patterning according to the first image.

5. computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein, the first pattern of element comprises at least one in wavy texture, zigzag structure, fish-bone structure and arcuate structure.

6. computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein, the second pattern of element comprises at least one in wavy texture, zigzag structure, fish-bone structure and arcuate structure.

7. computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein, the first image and the second image are monotone images, and demoder distributes color component during decoding.

8. one kind is encoded to the computer implemented method in visual picture based on coding parameter by latent image, latent image has two or more color components that simultaneously appear in the time that demoder is placed on coded image, demoder has the decoding parametric matching with coding parameter, and described method comprises:

Obtain the latent image with at least two color components via processor;

Generation has the inverse video of the latent image of anti-color value;

Determine the pattern of latent image element for each color component of latent image, this pattern comprises at least one element frequency and the element arrangements corresponding with decoding parametric, and latent image element provides content information; And

Form coded image, coded image has the pattern of the latent image element including at least one element frequency corresponding with decoding parametric.

9. computer implemented method according to claim 8, also comprise: visual picture is carried out to screen processing to produce the half tone image of the visual picture that is wherein associated with latent image, wherein latent image can not be watched for naked eyes, but can watch by demoder in the time that demoder is placed on coded image.

10. computer implemented method according to claim 8, also comprise the first screen of the halftone pattern corresponding with the first color component, the first pattern of the first screen definition latent image element, to be included as the described at least first frequency of twice of at least one element frequency.

11. computer implemented methods according to claim 10, also comprise the second screen of the half tone image corresponding with the second color component, the second pattern of the second screen definition latent image element, to be included as the described at least second frequency of twice of at least one element frequency.

12. computer implemented methods according to claim 8, wherein, at least a portion of latent image element comprises the geometric configuration of at least one selection from polygon, ellipse, part ellipse, circle and part circular.

13. computer implemented methods according to claim 8, wherein, for each component image, the pattern of latent image element comprises at least one in wavy texture, zigzag structure, fish-bone structure and arcuate structure.

14. 1 kinds are encoded to the computer implemented method in visual picture based on coding parameter by two latent images, latent image has the different content being associated with two or more color components, the color effects appearing while demoder being placed on coded image to be created in, demoder has the decoding parametric matching with coding parameter, and described method comprises:

Produce the second image being associated with the second color component, the second pattern of the element of the corresponding color component processing based on providing in latent image is provided the second image, and the second latent image has the content different from the first latent image; And

By the first image and second doubling of the image, to obtain coded image, coded image is visually similar to visual picture in the time utilizing naked eyes to watch.

15. computer implemented methods according to claim 14, wherein, the first pattern of element and the second pattern of element configure according to the first coding frequency and the second coding frequency respectively.

16. computer implemented methods according to claim 14, wherein, the first pattern of element and the second pattern of element are processed according to phase-shift operations.

17. computer implemented methods according to claim 14, wherein, the first image of aiming at and second doubling of the image of aligning are comprised: overlapping with the second halftone screen that carries out patterning according to the second image by carry out the first halftone screen of patterning according to the first image.

18. computer implemented methods according to claim 14, wherein, the first pattern of element comprises at least one in wavy texture, zigzag structure, fish-bone structure and arcuate structure.

19. computer implemented methods according to claim 14, wherein, the second pattern of element comprises at least one in wavy texture, zigzag structure, fish-bone structure and arcuate structure.

20. computer implemented methods according to claim 14, wherein, have from the second latent image of the first latent image different content and present second color component different with the first color component.