Sticking Information in Plain Sight: Encoding and Detecting Hidden Stickers in the Real World

Christina Shatford, Szymon Rusinkiewicz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

While there are many techniques (e.g., QR codes) that convey information via visual patterns, many applications would benefit from having those codes be imperceptible to the human eye. We present a method for designing subtle code-conveying patterns that can be printed on transparent sticker paper, then applied to real-world surfaces. An image of a scene with an encoded sticker can be sent through our localization and decoding modules, where the sticker subsection is robustly localized and decoded. We jointly optimize the encoding, localization, and decoding modules end to end, taking into account both imperceptibility and accuracy. Notably, we also account for human error when placing stickers, as pixel-perfect alignment is not something that can be reliably expected. Our model encodes and decodes 100-bit secrets, which, with BCH error correction, means that a sticker could encode 56 data bits with 40 parity bits. Experimental results show that this method is robust to sticker placement errors while being easy to deploy in the real world.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings - SIGGRAPH 2025 Posters
EditorsStephen N. Spencer
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery, Inc
ISBN (Electronic)9798400715495
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 10 2025
EventSIGGRAPH 2025 Posters - Vancouver, Canada
Duration: Aug 10 2025Aug 14 2025

Publication series

NameProceedings - SIGGRAPH 2025 Posters

Conference

ConferenceSIGGRAPH 2025 Posters
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityVancouver
Period8/10/258/14/25

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design
  • Computer Networks and Communications

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