Selective Digital Image Watermarking for Integrity Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital images are susceptible to unauthorized editing, which can mislead viewers about their original content, and existing watermarking methods do not effectively prevent or detect such modifications.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that performs image analysis to identify areas containing predetermined objects, generates watermark information representative of the content, and applies a digital watermark to the image, making unauthorized modifications more recognizable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a digital watermark is applied to the entire digital image, then the watermark information is visible and ownership can be established, but the image quality and visual appearance are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies watermarking selectively to specific identified objects rather than the entire image. The system identifies particular objects of interest and applies watermarks only to those regions, preserving the overall image quality while still establishing ownership and protecting critical content areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the digital image into multiple regions or objects and applies watermarking only to specific segments containing identified objects. This segmentation approach allows the watermark to be applied locally rather than globally, reducing the impact on overall image quality while maintaining protection effectiveness.
2Reliability
If watermarking is applied to prevent unauthorized copying, then ownership protection is improved, but the watermark can be removed or altered by determined unauthorized persons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds watermark information directly into the pixel data of identified objects during the initial image processing stage. By incorporating the watermark at the fundamental pixel level rather than as a separate overlay layer, the watermark becomes more resistant to removal and alteration in subsequent editing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the watermark information with the actual pixel data of the identified objects. Rather than placing a separate watermark layer on top of the image, the watermark is combined with the object's pixel information, making it more difficult to separate and remove without also affecting the object itself.
3Reliability
If visible watermark information is overlaid on the digital image, then unauthorized copying is dissuaded, but the visual appearance and aesthetic quality of the image are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies watermarking only to specific identified objects within the image rather than across the entire image. This localized approach minimizes the visual impact on the overall aesthetic quality while still providing adequate protection for the most valuable or vulnerable content areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies parameters such as watermark opacity, size, and placement to optimize the balance between protection effectiveness and visual acceptability. By adjusting these parameters, the system can reduce the visual intrusiveness of watermarks while maintaining their protective function.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital image can be watermarked by a computer-implemented method. An image analysis process can be performed on the digital image to identify an area of the digital image containing at least one predetermined object. Watermark information representative of content of the identified area can be generated, and a digital watermark containing the generated watermark information can be subsequently watermarked/overlaid onto the digital image.