Image Marker Embedding via Uniform Region Color Sequences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steganography techniques lack a compression-resistant method for embedding and detecting markers in images or videos that is computationally efficient and resistant to lossy compression, particularly in web applications where third-party components are not desirable.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for embedding a marker in an image or video by determining a uniform region, associating each bit sequence with a unique encoding color, and generating a marker color table, allowing for detection with linear complexity and resistance to lossy compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If feature-aware steganography methods are used to encode messages by altering image features, then the marker can be detected with full control over visual appearance, but the method requires stringent control over the entire visual appearance of the medium which is not desirable in web applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the marker embedding process from the entire image processing workflow by focusing only on a specific uniform region. Instead of controlling or analyzing the whole image, the method isolates a small uniform region and performs marker embedding exclusively there, thereby achieving marker detection without requiring control over the entire visual appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the image processing task by dividing the image into a uniform region and non-uniform regions. The marker embedding and detection operations are confined to the uniform region segment, which has specific properties (uniform color, sufficient size). This segmentation allows marker detection without requiring control over the rest of the image.
2Reliability
If compression-aware steganography solutions are used to hide information in compressed media, then the information can be retrieved from compressed content, but there are as many compression algorithms and variants as implementations making a universal solution difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of marker representation from pixel-level modifications to color-block patterns. By encoding marker information as sequences of distinct colors rather than subtle pixel variations, the marker becomes resilient to compression artifacts. The detection process compares color sequences rather than exact pixel values, providing compatibility across different compression algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the marker information in the form of a color sequence that can be extracted and detected independently of the original image content. The color table stores reference color sequences that can be compared against compressed image data without requiring the original uncompressed image, enabling universal detection across different compression formats.
3Measurement precision
If existing marker detection methods are used, then markers can be detected in images, but the detection process does not have linear complexity and is computationally intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the marker to self-identify through its unique color sequence pattern. The marker contains an identifier that automatically distinguishes it from regular image content during detection. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external analysis algorithms, allowing for fast linear-time detection by simply scanning for the characteristic color sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses distinct color changes within the uniform region to encode marker information. By creating a sequence of pixels with different colors (from the color table) within an otherwise uniform region, the marker becomes detectable through simple color sequence matching. This approach transforms the detection problem into a straightforward pattern recognition task with linear complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method for embedding a marker in an image or video content including receiving an input image or frame for embedding, determining a binary message to be encoded within said input image or frame comprising bits sequences having an identical number of bits which is superior or equal to two, said binary message comprising at least a header part comprising at least two consecutive bits sequences which are not identical, detecting a region within said input image or frame such that the color within said region is uniform and that said region presents a chosen length and height, associating each possible bits sequence to a corresponding encoding color determined from the color within said uniform region and an encoding rule such that the respective colors are all different from one another, and generating a marker color table in which each element stores an encoding color associated to a bits sequence of the binary message, such that the color table constitutes a color encoding of the binary message, and embedding said marker in said region by appending directionally pixel blocks comprising at least a chosen number of pixels in an appending direction, the pixels within a given pixel block being each colored with the encoding color of an element of the marker color table, each element of the marker color table being associated with at least one pixel block.