Coordinated Watermark Embedding for Artifact Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital watermarking technologies face challenges in embedding and extracting multiple watermark messages independently, leading to unwanted artifacts, reduced robustness, and increased computational complexity, particularly in distinguishing between copy control information (CCI) and extended payload (EP) watermarks.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves coordinating the embedding and extraction of multiple watermark messages by maintaining predefined relationships between them in spatial, temporal, and frequency domains, allowing for simultaneous embedding and extraction while minimizing overlap and optimizing watermarking energy, thereby enhancing transparency, robustness, and computational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple watermark messages are embedded independently into host content, then each watermark can be embedded using its own technique, but unwanted artifacts appear in the host content and robustness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent watermark embedding operations into a single coordinated embedding process. The watermark embedder embeds both CCI and EP watermarks simultaneously by coordinating their payloads and embedding them together, which prevents the accumulation of artifacts that would occur with multiple separate embedding operations and improves overall robustness
Solution Approach 2:
The watermark embedder is designed to perform multiple functions by embedding different types of watermarks (CCI and EP) with different payload sizes and requirements through a single unified process, allowing coordinated optimization of both watermark types while avoiding the limitations of separate specialized embedders
2Ease of operation
If multiple watermark messages are embedded independently, then each watermark can be processed separately, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the embedding processes for CCI and EP watermarks into a single coordinated operation. The embedder processes both watermarks together in one pass through the host content, reducing computational overhead compared to running separate embedding operations for each watermark type
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary coordination of watermark payloads before embedding, where the embedder prepares and coordinates the payloads of both CCI and EP watermarks in advance. This preliminary action allows the actual embedding to proceed more efficiently with reduced computational complexity during the embedding phase
3Adaptability or versatility
If CCI and EP watermarks are used for distinct applications with distinct techniques, then each watermark type can be optimized for its specific purpose, but the embedding and extraction operations become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The watermark embedder and extractor are designed as universal systems that can handle both CCI and EP watermark types through a single coordinated process. The embedder accepts different payload types and the extractor can retrieve both watermark types, maintaining application flexibility while simplifying operations by eliminating the need for separate specialized processing chains
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices and computer program products enable embedding and extraction of multiple watermark messages in a coordinated fashion to improve watermark transparency, robustness against impairments, security, and computational complexity of embedding and extraction of watermarks. Coordinated watermark embedding and extraction operations take advantage of a pre-defined relationship between the symbols of two watermark messages. The improved aspects of the watermarking system provide significant value to content owners, content distributors, and consumers at a small incremental cost.