What is Digimarc Discover?

The Digimarc Discover mobile application is a demonstration of the world’s best discovery software for smartphones. Powered by the Digimarc Discover Mobile SDK, it showcases the superior scanning performance that connects consumers, store associates, and others to online experiences. Digimarc provides the exclusive capability to empower mobile applications to scan Digimarc Barcodes, 1D and QR codes, better than any other software available and all in one comprehensive package.

Digimarc Discover enables you to use your iOS or Android device to detect imperceptible Digimarc Barcodes in product packaging, print and audio media. The app also offers a best-in-class 1D traditional barcode scanner and scanning support for QR codes. Scan Digimarc Barcodes in enhanced product packages and media, 1D traditional barcodes, and QR codes to connect to additional information, video, and other mobile experiences. For demonstration examples you can check out immediately, go to the Demo Materials page on your desktop computer.

Visit the Demo Materials page to experience Digimarc-enabled print and audio for yourself.

What is a Digimarc Barcode?

A Digimarc Barcode is a unique signal (or pattern) that is added into product packaging, print, and audio media to trigger experiences on mobile devices. Digimarc Barcodes can’t be seen or heard by people but mobile devices, computer and POS image-based scanners with more sensitive “eyes and ears” and powered with Digimarc technology can detect them.

How do I use Digimarc Discover to detect Digimarc Barcodes in product packaging, print & audio media?

  • First, you need product packages or print and audio material enhanced with Digimarc Barcodes. The Digimarc Discover mobile app is also open for use by brands, agencies, retailers, and publications who want immediate availability of Digimarc technology. A number of publications use it as the chosen application for their magazines. Brands, agencies, and retailers often use the Digimarc Discover mobile app to immediately demonstrate the possibilities to internal and external stakeholders, as well as for market trials while they work to integrate the technology into their own new or existing mobile applications. Visit Digimarc.com for a list of brands and publications powered by Digimarc technology.

    For demonstration examples you can check out immediately, go to the Demo Materials page on your desktop computer.
  • Launch the Digimarc Discover app on your mobile device.
  • To detect Digimarc Barcodes the app must be in the camera view screen.
  • In a well-lit area, hold your device about 6 – 7 inches away and parallel to the printed page and let the camera focus. If the Digimarc Discover app doesn't detect the Digimarc Barcode right away, slowly move the camera toward the product package or print media until you hear the sound or feel the vibration indicating the Digimarc Barcode was scanned.
    • Chime and vibration alerts can be turned on or off by tapping the “∙∙∙” icon in the app.
  • Each scan will display the card in the center of screen; which will then fade into a smaller card in the lower area of the screen when the user either scans a new item or following a few seconds after moving away from the scanned content
  • Each card includes a small badge on the top right corner to display what type of code was scanned
  • All past and present scans are stored in the activity section for quick retrieval
  • The microphone and flashlight can now be toggled by pressing the microphone or lightning bolt

It doesn't seem to be scanning the Digimarc Barcode. What's wrong?

  • First, confirm the product package or print media is enhanced with Digimarc Barcodes. This is often indicated through an icon and/or other instructions on the product package or print media.
  • It is important to hold the device at the correct distance from the printed page. This distance varies from device to device. If you start 8 inches (20 cm) away and slowly move closer, you should read the Digimarc Barcode between 4 and 8 inches. (10 and 20 cm). Also, be sure to allow time for the camera to focus.
  • Good lighting is also important. A general rule is if your eyes can read the printed page without straining, the device should be able to detect the Digimarc Barcode. A well-lit page with no shadows reads best. Many devices allow use of the flash LED to improve lighting, if necessary.
  • The mobile device should be held parallel to the print media, book, product package, or signage. The app works best when the device is not tilted at an angle.
  • If the printed piece is on glossy paper, try to position the print away from the direct light source to reduce any glare.
  • Digimarc Barcodes are usually placed throughout the product package, image or article you are reading but often not in the margins, borders or other white space areas.

Does the Digimarc Discover app recognize all music?

Digimarc Discover identifies audio enhanced with Digimarc Barcodes embedded into TV & radio advertisements, music, in-store audio and more. Audio trials are currently underway in select markets. In the meantime, visit the Demo Materials page to experience audio enhanced with Digimarc Barcodes for yourself.

You can also enhance your own audio files by creating an account on our Digimarc Barcode Manager.

How do I use the Digimarc Discover app to identify audio Digimarc Barcodes?

  • First, you need audio content enhanced with Digimarc Barcodes. Audio enhanced with Digimarc Barcodes is currently underway in select markets. For demonstration examples you can check out immediately, go to the Demo Materials page on your desktop computer.
  • To detect Digimarc-enhanced audio in the app, launch the Digimarc Discover app.
  • Make sure you have given the app permission to access your microphone. You can manage the permission from within the Settings area of your device. We do not record audio.
  • If your microphone is enabled, you will see an animated microphone in the top left corner of the camera view screen.
  • No direct action is needed by you. While Digimarc-enhanced audio is playing, try not to obstruct the microphone with your hand.
  • Once you provide audio permission, you can choose to tap the animated icon on and off at your discretion.
  • When Digimarc-enhanced audio is found, you will see the discovery appear as a small card at the bottom of the screen. Tap the card to connect to the mobile experience.

If you’re interested in trying the service, simply go to Digimarc Barcode Manager to create an account or login to an existing account. You can quickly create your own Digimarc-enhanced audio content with audio files you have the license to modify or via the sample track we have provided.

I cannot scan Digimarc Barcodes in audio. What's wrong?

Several factors influence audio detection. First, the audio must be enhanced with a Digimarc Barcode(s). Generally, scanning reliability increases the closer you are to the sound source. Avoid areas with very loud ambient noise, and make sure that you are not covering the device's microphone.

Another possibility is that you have not allowed the app access to your microphone. If you have allowed microphone access, you will see an animated microphone icon located in the top left-hand corner of the camera view screen. If you do not see this icon, you will need to go into the Settings of your mobile device to enable the microphone for Digimarc Discover.

How do I use Digimarc Discover to read 1D Traditional Barcodes and QR codes?

Our best-in-class 1D traditional barcode scanner is one of most recent additions to the Digimarc Mobile SDK. Digimarc Discover provides a fantastic demonstration of its capabilities. It provides the best user experience by not requiring alignment of the code, scanning at greater range of distances, perspective, and with challenging 1D codes found on metallic, flexible packaging, shrink wrap packaging, damaged or distorted codes, etc.

  • First, locate a 1D traditional barcode on a product package.
  • Launch the Digimarc Discover app on your device. The app must be in the camera view screen.
  • In a well-lit area, allow the camera to focus. Our scanner does not require alignment. The 1D traditional barcode simply needs to be in the camera view. There is no need to center the code in the camera view. Detection should occur immediately.
  • The Digimarc Discover app will take you to the Google Product Search to click on options associated with the 1D barcode. However, if you are a third-party developer interested in powering your new or existing app with our scanner, the mobile experience can be defined by you.

Have fun experimenting with the scanner’s capabilities!

QR codes are 2D (square) barcodes that can be used to link you to a website. For QR code detections, point the device at the QR code. It will open to the associated online destination.

Why would a link or discovery expire?

The creators of the Digimarc-enhanced content buy a one year activation of the mobile link associated with a Digimarc Barcode when they create it. This link may be renewed each year by the creator of the content, or it may expire.

If you are the creator of this Digimarc-enhanced content, please check your account on the Digimarc Barcode Manager to ensure that you have activated the link. Or if it has expired, you might consider renewing this link if it is still popular.

Do I need to be connected to the Internet to use the Digimarc Discover app?

The app will allow you to scan Digimarc-enhanced media and other symbologies when offline. You will not be able to access the online content until you re-establish a wireless network or a Wi-Fi connection.

What mobile devices does the Digimarc Discover app support?

The Digimarc Discover app works on all iPhone devices 5 and above, iPod Touch (4th generation+) and iPad 2, 3, Air, mini and Pro. Digimarc tests many Android devices, focusing on popular models such as Google Pixel, LG Nexus 5X, Galaxy S6, Nexus 6P, Samsung S8, LG G5 and others running the later Android OS releases. The app requires iOS 10 or higher and Android OS 4.2 or newer.

New Android devices are released at a rapid rate and Digimarc tests a subset of these devices, focusing on a popular models running the later Android OS releases. Camera quality, driver implementation and good lighting make the largest difference in the performance of the app.

The app requires iOS 10 and higher or Android 4.2 and higher.

What are the technical specifications for integration of the Digimarc Discover Mobile Software Development Kit into a new or existing application?

  • iOS:
    • Xcode 8.0 or newer
    • iOS 8.0 or newer
  • Android:
    • Android Studio 2.3 or 2.3.x
    • Android OS 4.2 or NEWER
  • Symbologies Supported:
    • Digimarc Barcode for packaging, print and audio media
    • 1D traditional Barcodes (UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN 8, EAN 13, Code 39, Code 128, DataBar – Stacked, Expanded Stacked, Omni-Directional, Stacked Omni-Directional)
    • QR Codes