Processing and providing an image in which a plurality of symbols are encoded

An information providing apparatus, comprising:

• circuitry configured to receive or retrieve an image in which a plurality of symbols is to be encoded, encode the plurality of symbols in the image, the plurality of symbols being encoded in the image using luminance values of a plurality of pixels included in the image, and provide the image in which the plurality of symbols is encoded to a reception apparatus, wherein a luminance value used to encode at least one of the plurality of symbols is set by an operator, and a slice point is determined based on a highest luminance value used to encode the symbols.

A method for providing an image in which a plurality of symbols is encoded, the method comprising:

• receiving or retrieving an image in which the plurality of symbols is to be encoded,
• encoding, by circuitry of an information providing apparatus, the plurality of symbols in the image, the plurality of symbols being encoded in the image using luminance values of a plurality of pixels included in the image, and providing, by the circuitry, the image in which the plurality of symbols is encoded to a reception apparatus, wherein a luminance value used to encode at least one of the plurality of symbols is set by an operator, and
• a slice point is determined based on a highest luminance value used to encode the symbols.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for providing an image in which a plurality of symbols is encoded, the method comprising:

• receiving or retrieving an image in which the plurality of symbols is to be encoded, encoding the plurality of symbols in the image, the plurality of symbols being encoded in the image using luminance values of a plurality of pixels included in the image, and providing the image in which the plurality of symbols is encoded to a reception apparatus, wherein a luminance value used to encode at least one of the plurality of symbols is set by an operator, and a slice point is determined based on a highest luminance value used to encode the symbols.