Method for embedding information in a decorative label

A computer-implemented method for creating an encoder-decoder system for embedding information in a label, the method comprising:

• receiving an encoder specification indicative of one or more modification rules, each modification rule defining a type and/or magnitude of a modification to the label;
• defining a family of encoder functions and a family of decoder functions, each encoder function of the family of encoder functions configured to encode information as a respective modification of a label, each decoder function of the family of decoder functions configured to decode an image of a modified label into respective decoded information;
• and
• applying an iterative optimization process to determine an optimized encoder-decoder pair, the optimized encoder-decoder pair comprising an optimized encoder function and an optimized decoder function, the optimized encoder function selected by the iterative optimization process from the family of encoder functions and the optimized decoder function selected by the iterative optimization process from the family of decoder functions, the iterative optimization process being configured to determine the optimized encoder-decoder pair so as to at least approximately optimize a detection reliability of the optimized decoder function when decoding images of labels that have been modified using the optimized encoder function,
• wherein:
• each encoder function of the family of encoder functions is configured to receive a vector graphics representation of the label and to output a modification of the vector graphics representation;
• wherein the family of encoder functions is a parametric family of encoder functions, parametrized by one or more adaptable encoder parameters;
• wherein the family of decoder functions is a parametric family of decoder functions, parametrized by one or more adaptable decoder parameters, and wherein the iterative optimization process comprises iteratively adapting the one or more encoder parameters and the one or more decoder parameters;
• wherein the vector graphics representation includes a plurality of vector graphic primitives, each primitive having one or more properties;
• and wherein the modification of the vector graphics representation includes a modification of one or more of the primitives;
• and
• wherein the method comprises receiving an encoder specification indicative of one or more modification rules, each modification rule being specific to a particular label and defining a type and/or magnitude of a modification to specific primitives of the label.