Video Watermarking via Chrominance Modulation in Pixel Rows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video watermarking techniques, such as the ATSC A/335 standard, often result in visible artifacts and slow data decoding, making them unsuitable for widespread use as they can distract viewers and fail to meet the requirements for timely data substitution in digital television systems.
Innovation Solution
The method involves embedding data in the top and/or bottom rows of pixels within a digital video frame by modulating color-difference components, while maintaining the luminance component unchanged, and modifying the subsampling format to increase chrominance information, allowing for rapid and imperceptible data decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If data is embedded in video frames using conventional methods (e.g., ATSC A/335 standard), then data can be conveyed with the video signal, but the data becomes visible to viewers causing distraction and complaints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively modifying only specific pixel rows (top and bottom rows) of the video frame while leaving the majority of the frame unchanged. This localized modification allows data embedding in a small portion of the image where it does not affect overall visual quality, resolving the contradiction between data embedding capability and visible artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of pixel value modification by adding binary data to specific pixel rows with controlled amplitude. By adjusting the amplitude parameter and selecting specific rows, the system embeds data while keeping modifications below the threshold of human visual perception, thus eliminating visible artifacts.
2Loss of information
If conventional watermarking methods are used, then data can be embedded in video, but data decoding becomes slow and cannot meet requirements for timely content substitution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video frame into multiple pixel rows and selects only the top and bottom rows for data embedding. This segmentation approach concentrates the data payload in specific locations that can be processed independently and quickly, enabling fast decoding without requiring processing of the entire frame, thus resolving the contradiction between data embedding capability and decoding speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by embedding data only in the top and bottom pixel rows rather than throughout the entire frame. This partial embedding reduces the processing burden for decoding while maintaining sufficient data capacity, enabling timely content substitution.
3Loss of information
If data is embedded in visible portions of the video frame, then data can be conveyed, but video quality is compromised and viewers are distracted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating data embedding in the top and bottom pixel rows, which are less perceptible to viewers, while maintaining high quality in the central and majority portions of the frame. This localized approach preserves overall video quality while enabling data embedding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color-difference components (chrominance) for data embedding in the top and bottom rows, modifying color information rather than luminance. Since human vision is less sensitive to color changes than brightness changes, this method embeds data while maintaining perceived video quality and avoiding viewer distraction.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and computer-program products are provided for adding and decoding data to a digital video signal in a visually imperceptible manner. For example, an encoded video frame can be obtained, and one or more blocks of the encoded video frame can be decoded. Binary data can be added to a subset of pixels from a set of pixels of the one or more blocks. For instance, a pixel component can be modulated to add the binary data. The one or more blocks can be re-encoded using at least one coding mode. The re-encoded one or more blocks can be added to the encoded video frame.