Adaptive Digital Watermarking for Tamper-Resistant Data Marking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital watermarking methods are vulnerable to unauthorized removal and manipulation, compromising data authenticity and security, particularly in the context of vehicle data sharing and software obfuscation, leading to potential revenue loss and technical malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method iteratively applies multiple manipulation schemes to data entries, including checksums and formatting changes, with artificial entries, to create resilient digital watermarks, and uses AI to adapt and enhance these schemes, making unauthorized removals detectable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital watermarks are embedded directly into file content using steganographic methods, then data authenticity and traceability are improved, but the file usability is compromised and the watermark becomes easily removable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata authenticityVSAvoidfile usability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the digital watermark into multiple discrete manipulation schemes that can be independently applied to different data entries. Each manipulation scheme operates as a separate, identifiable transformation, allowing the watermark to be distributed across the data structure rather than embedded as a single continuous signal, thus preserving data usability while maintaining authenticity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming data entries through multiple manipulation schemes that modify various parameters of the data (such as formatting, structure, or representation) without altering the core data content. This allows the watermark to be embedded through parameter transformations rather than direct content modification, preserving data usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If simple digital watermarks are used, then implementation complexity is reduced, but the watermarks become easily removed and manipulated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewatermark implementationVSAvoidwatermark protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by using multiple manipulation schemes that can be dynamically selected and applied to different data entries. The system adapts the watermarking approach based on the data characteristics and threat model, making the watermark protection dynamic rather than static, thus increasing resilience against removal while maintaining manageable implementation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple manipulation schemes into a unified watermarking system. Each manipulation scheme acts as a composite component that works together with others to create a robust watermark protection mechanism, where the combination of multiple simpler schemes achieves stronger protection than a single complex scheme.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If multiple manipulation schemes are applied iteratively, then watermark resilience against removal is improved, but the processing time and computational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewatermark resilienceVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining multiple manipulation schemes that can be quickly applied to data entries. These schemes are prepared in advance with optimized parameters and logic, allowing rapid execution during the watermarking process. This reduces the computational overhead of iterative application while maintaining high watermark resilience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by applying manipulation schemes to only the necessary portions of the data structure rather than uniformly across all data. This selective application reduces processing time while maintaining sufficient watermark protection, as the critical watermarked entries are identified and processed efficiently without unnecessary computational overhead on the entire dataset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4623373B1Computer-implemented method and system for marking data with a digital watermark
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
  • EP4623373B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4623373B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4623373B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for marking data with a digital watermark (1), characterized by the following method steps carried out by a computing unit (2): a) providing an initial data set (3); b) reading at least one manipulation scheme from a watermark database (5) communicatively connected to the computing unit (2); c) applying a manipulation (6) following the manipulation scheme to each entry (4) of the initial data set (3) in order to generate a marked data set (7); d) providing the marked data set (7) for use; e) receiving a data set (8) to be checked; f) ascertaining a match probability (9) for the data set (8) to be checked; g) if the match probability (9) is greater than a defined threshold value: comparing the entries (4) of the data set (8) to be checked with a corresponding marked data set (7) determined for the data set (8) to be checked; and h) carrying out steps a) to g) again, wherein, for an entry (4) having the same data type as an entry (4) for which it has been established in step g) that a manipulation (6) has been removed, the computing unit (2) uses a different manipulation scheme from the watermark database (5).