Embedding Information in an Image for Fast Retrieval

摘要

A binary bit-string is encoded in a circular image. The circular image encodes substrings of the bit-string in sectors of the circular image and includes redundant bits, error correcting codes, and metadata pertaining to the encoding scheme. To encode the bit-strings, a circular image is generated that includes a center ring and a first ring. Outward from the first ring, additional rings represent bits in the bit-string according to the width of each ring. The exterior of the image includes an outer boundary ring. The width of the boundary rings is used to define the widths representing the value of each ring. To extract a bit-string from an image, the center of the circular image is identified and a direction is selected to evaluate the image outward, determining the boundaries of each ring. The boundaries are analyzed to determine the width of each ring and the encoded bit values.

主权项

1. A method for encoding a bit-string in an image, comprising:
defining a lesser thickness and a greater thickness; assigning each of the values 0 and 1 exclusively to the lesser thickness and the greater thickness; adding a solid circle of a first color with fixed radius to the center of a region in the image, and around the solid circle an inner boundary ring of a second color of either the greater thickness or the lesser thickness; for each successive bit in the bit-string:
selecting a thickness for the bit from the lesser thickness and the greater thickness that matches the assigned value;adding a ring of the selected thickness to the region that alternates from a prior ring in the region between the first color and the second color; adding an outer boundary ring of either the greater thickness or the lesser thickness, different from the thickness of the inner boundary ring; and storing the completed image.