Abstract

We have presented an algorithm of digital image watermarking for gray scale images which we implemented in frequency domain. Before inserting the watermark, we added the Hamming codes row wise as well column wise. Two encryption techniques were implemented on the ECC inserted watermark for its security. The pixel position for inserting the watermark was calculated using starting row and column number for that 8×8 block. Pixel embedding strength is calculated using criteria that low frequency is robust in general signal processing attacks, thus choosing less value to be embedded and vice-versa. Results show that the watermarking algorithm is robust against common signal processing attacks. The algorithm is tested against multiple attacks also.

Keywords:

DCT, DWT, error correcting codes, frequency domain, watermarking,

References

1. Abdul, W., P. Carre and P. Gaborit, 2009. List decoding of reed solomon codes for wavelet based colour image watermarking scheme. Proceeding of the 2009 16th IEEE International Conference on Image Processing (ICIP), pp: 3637-3640.
   CrossRef    
2. Akhaee, M.A., S.M.E. Sahraeian and C. Jin, 2011. Blind image watermarking using a sample projection approach. IEEE T. Inform. Forensics Sec., 6(3): 883-893.
   CrossRef    
3. Cika, P., 2009. Watermarking scheme based on discrete wavelet transform and error-correction codes. Proceeding of the 16th International Conference on Systems, Signals and Image Processing (IWSSIP 2009), pp: 1-4.
   CrossRef    
4. Dan, B. and S. James, 1998. Collusion-secure fingerprinting for digital data. IEEE T. Inform. Th., 44(5): 1897-1905.
   CrossRef    
5. Domingo-Ferrer, J. and J. Herrera-Joancomarti, 2000. Short collusion-secure fingerprints based on dual binary Hammin gcodes. Electr. Lett., 36(20): 1697-1699.
   CrossRef    
6. Guyeux, C. and J.M. Bahi, 2010. An improved watermarking scheme for internet applications. Proceeding of the 2010 2nd International Conference on Evolving Internet (INTERNET), pp: 119-124.
   CrossRef    
7. Hongtao, G., S. Fulin and Z. Yong, 2002. Color image text watermarking using wavelet transform and error-correcting code. Proceeding of the 2002 6th International Conference on Signal Processing, 2: 1584-1587.
   CrossRef    
8. Hossein, R., M. Reza and E.M. Mohsen, 2010. A new robust watermarking scheme to increase image security. EURASIP J. Adv. Signal Process., 2010: 1-30.
   
9. Jayalakshmi, M., S.N. Merchant and U.B. Desai, 2008. Optimum retrieval of watermark from wavelet significant coefficients. Inform. Secur., 2(4): 119-128.
   CrossRef    
10. Kung, C.M. and T.K. Troung, 2006. Visual robust oblivious watermarking technique using error correcting code. Proceeding of the International Conference on Communication Technology (ICCT '06), pp: 1-4, 27-30 2006.
    CrossRef    
11. Limin, G., H. Jiwu and Y.Q. Hi, 2003. Analysis of the role played by error correcting coding in robust watermarking. Proceedings of the 2003 International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS '03), 3: III-798-III-801.
    CrossRef    
12. Man, X. and J. Jian-Guo, 2009. A novel watermarking algorithm in entropy coding based on image complexity analysis. Proceedings of the International Conference on Multimedia Information Networking and Security (MINES '09), 2L18-20: 126-129.
    
13. Nayak, J., P.S. Bhat, M.S. Kumar and U.R. Acharya, 2004. Reliable transmission and storage of medical images with patient information using error control codes. Proceedings of the 1st IEEE Indicon 2004 India Annual Conference, pp: 147- 150.
    CrossRef    
14. Seung, W.J., T.H. Le and K. Sung-Jea, 2011. A new histogram modification based reversible data hiding algorithm considering the human visual system. Signal Process. Lett., 18(2): 95-98.
    CrossRef    
15. Shijun, X., J.K. Hyoung and H. Jiwu, 2008. Invariant image watermarking based on statistical features in the low-frequency domain. IEEE T. Circuits Syst. Video Technol., 18(6): 777-790.
    CrossRef    
16. Solanki, K., N. Jacobsen, U. Madhow, B.S. Manjunath and S. Chandrasekaran, 2004. Robust image-adaptive datahiding using erasure and error correction. IEEE T. Image Process., 13(12): 1627-1639.
    CrossRef    PMid:15575157    
17. Terzija, N., M. Repges, K. Luck and W. Geisselhardt, 2002. Digital image watermarking using discrete wavelet transform: Performance comparison of error correction codes. Proceeding of Visualization, Imaging and Image Processing.
    
18. Xiaolong, L., Y. Bin and Z. Tieyong, 2011. Efficient reversible watermarking based on adaptive prediction-error expansion and pixel selection. IEEE T. Image Process., 20(12): 3524-3533.
    CrossRef    PMid:21550888    
19. Yongqing, X., Miros\&\#322 and P. Aw, 2008. M-ary phase modulation for digital watermarking. Int. J. Appl. Math. Comput. Sci., 18(1): 93-104.
    
20. Zhang, Y., L.C. Lin, Q.S. Li and ZT. Jiang, 2009. A blind watermarking algorithm based on block DCT for dual color images. Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Electronic Commerce and Security (ISECS '09), 1: 213-217.
    

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

Open Access Policy

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

Copyright

The authors have no competing interests.