Format-Preserving Encryption for Data Watermarking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data watermarking techniques rely on error-tolerant fields, limiting their applicability to datasets with few or no such fields, resulting in reduced watermark capacity and robustness.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using format-preserving encryption to embed watermarks in datasets without relying on error-tolerant fields by identifying and utilizing unused subsets within the data, transforming the data domain from a sparse to a denser representation through properties like locality and correlation, and applying reversible watermarking techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If existing data watermarking techniques are used that rely on error-tolerant fields, then watermarking can be performed in datasets with error-tolerant fields, but the watermark capacity is limited and applicability is restricted to datasets with few or no error-tolerant fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces format-preserving encryption as an intermediary mechanism that enables watermarking in fields without error tolerance. The FPE function acts as a mediator that transforms plaintext to ciphertext while preserving format constraints, allowing watermark embedding in the encrypted domain where traditional error-tolerant field methods cannot operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the domain parameters from plaintext to ciphertext by applying format-preserving encryption. This parameter transformation allows watermarking operations to be performed in the encrypted domain, fundamentally changing where and how watermarks can be embedded in the data structure.
2Quantity of substance
If watermark data is inserted into format-preserving encrypted fields, then watermarking capacity increases and applicability expands to datasets without error-tolerant fields, but the process requires identifying and mapping to unused subsets within encrypted data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis to identify unused subsets within the encrypted data domain before watermark insertion. By pre-identifying available capacity in the ciphertext space and preparing mapping relationships, the system avoids complex real-time computations during watermark embedding, reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the encrypted data domain into used and unused subsets. This segmentation allows the system to identify available capacity for watermark embedding and map watermark data to specific unused portions, managing complexity through structured division of the data space.
3Reliability
If format-preserving encryption is applied to preserve constraints over data format, then data integrity is maintained, but the available space for watermark embedding is reduced compared to unencrypted data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the watermarking operation to a different dimension by working in the ciphertext domain rather than plaintext. Format-preserving encryption creates a parallel encrypted space where watermarking can occur without compromising the original data format constraints, effectively adding a new dimensional space for watermark embedding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds watermark data within the encrypted field structure itself, nesting the watermark information inside the ciphertext. The watermark is mapped to unused subsets within the encrypted data, creating a nested structure where the original encrypted data contains embedded watermark information while maintaining external format compliance.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present systems and methods may provide data watermarking without reliance on error-tolerant fields, thereby providing for the incorporation of watermarks in data that was not considered suitable for watermarking.For example, in an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for watermarking data may comprise inserting watermark data into a field that requires format-preserving encryption.