23. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the processing unit is configured to implement a saliency criterion to determine a portion of the input image to which the matrix code is to be applied, and wherein the processing unit is configured to calculate decode input values for each of said function areas, free cells and derived cells based on the portion of the input image to which the matrix code is to be applied.
23. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the processing unit is configured to implement a saliency criterion to determine a portion of the input image to which the matrix code is to be applied, and wherein the processing unit is configured to calculate decode input values for each of said function areas, free cells and derived cells based on the portion of the input image to which the matrix code is to be applied. 24. The apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein as part of the fusing of the input image and each of the calculated functions areas, the free cells, and the derived cells, the processing unit is configured to process decode input values of at least one of the free cells or derived cells using a robustness criterion that is associated with imaging conditions, to thereby adjust at least one decode input value accordingly.