Adaptive Watermark Embedding for Robust Digital Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital watermarking methods struggle with embedding and maintaining watermarks in digital media, particularly during alpha blending and in real-time applications, leading to degradation of image quality and inability to provide additional services in digital TV systems.
Innovation Solution
A method for alpha blending that generates a watermark image by considering allowable pixel value and alpha value ranges, allowing for robust watermark embedding in video and audio signals without degrading broadcast signals, enabling seamless connection between broadcast receiving devices and portable terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional digital watermarking methods are used to embed watermarks in digital media, then ownership information can be marked, but the watermark becomes distorted or unreadable during media handling operations such as cropping, rotation, format conversion, and frame rate modification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the watermark embedding process adaptive to different media handling operations. The system dynamically adjusts watermark embedding parameters based on the specific operation being performed (cropping, rotation, format conversion), allowing the watermark to remain readable across various transformations without requiring fixed embedding positions or methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying watermark embedding characteristics such as position, orientation, and scaling factors according to the media handling operation. The system changes these parameters in real-time to compensate for distortions caused by cropping, rotation, and format conversion, ensuring the watermark remains detectable and readable
2Reliability
If complicated deformation processes such as alpha blending and DCT conversion are applied during watermark embedding, then the watermark can be embedded in the media, but the calculation requires much time causing significant restriction for real-time watermarking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential watermark embedding function from complex deformation processes. Instead of requiring full alpha blending or DCT conversion, the system isolates and applies only the necessary minimal transformations to embed the watermark, significantly reducing computational overhead while maintaining embedding robustness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing only the necessary portion of deformation operations required for effective watermark embedding. Rather than applying complete alpha blending or full DCT conversion sequences, the system applies just enough transformation to achieve robust embedding, reducing calculation time while maintaining effectiveness
3Ease of manufacture
If firmly determined modified contents are used in the watermarking method, then the watermark embedding process is well-defined, but the method cannot have flexibility to adopt different compression formats, securities, or performance conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a watermark embedding framework that can operate across multiple compression formats, security requirements, and performance conditions. The system uses a standardized embedding process that adapts to different formats (H.264, H.265, VP9) and security levels without requiring completely different implementation approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the watermarking method adaptable to different conditions. The system dynamically adjusts embedding parameters such as strength, position, and transformation based on the specific compression format, security requirements, and performance constraints, allowing the same base method to serve multiple purposes across varying conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a watermark embedding method. The method includes receiving an original image, generating a watermark image based on the selected watermark pattern, generating an alpha blended stego image by alpha blending the original image and the watermark image, and providing the alpha blended stego image, in which the watermark image is generated by considering at least one of allowable pixel value range and alpha value α range of the watermark pattern applied to a first pixel of the original image, wherein the at least one of allowable pixel value range and alpha value α range are determined by the difference of pixel value of the first pixel between the original image and the stego image by embedding the watermark pattern to the first pixel.