Electronic Watermark Embedding in Image Coding Parameters

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image coding technologies lack a reliable method to securely embed electronic watermarks in moving images and effectively identify falsifications, making it difficult to authenticate the integrity of recorded images, especially in legal and investigative contexts.

Innovation Solution

An image coding technology that uses a one-way function to generate embedding position information based on time-continuous data, allowing for the secure embedding of electronic watermarks in coding parameters within coding blocks of moving images, and a method to identify falsifications by comparing extracted watermark information with reference data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electronic watermark is embedded in coding parameters of moving images, then image authentication capability is improved, but vulnerability to detection and falsification remains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage authentication capabilityVSAvoiddetection and falsification vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the watermark embedding process by dividing the image into multiple coding blocks and embedding watermark bits in different coding parameters (motion vectors, quantization matrices, intra-prediction modes) across these blocks. This segmentation distributes the authentication information throughout the image structure, making it harder to detect and falsify any single portion without affecting the overall authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent embeds watermark information in the temporal dimension by utilizing time-continuous characteristics. The embedding position in each frame is determined by a one-way function that incorporates temporal information, creating a time-based authentication layer that prevents falsification by ensuring the watermark positions evolve predictably across frames according to the one-way function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If conventional watermark embedding is used in coded images, then ease of operation is improved, but ability to prevent image falsification deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewatermark embedding simplicityVSAvoidfalsification prevention capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by determining embedding positions using a one-way function before actually embedding the watermark bits. The embedding position information is generated in advance based on temporal continuity requirements, and this pre-determined positioning strategy is applied consistently throughout the coding process, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining strong falsification prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the one-way function - that mediates between the temporal information and the embedding position determination. This intermediary transforms time-based information into specific embedding positions without being reversible, thereby preventing falsification while maintaining ease of operation through automated position calculation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If watermark embedding position is fixed, then ease of operation is improved, but temporal continuity authentication capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveembedding position determinationVSAvoidtemporal continuity authentication
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the embedding position dynamic by linking it to temporal information through a one-way function. Instead of fixed positions, the embedding position changes dynamically across frames based on the temporal continuity requirements. This dynamic positioning maintains ease of operation through automated calculation while enabling temporal continuity authentication, as falsified frames would exhibit incorrect positional patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11082711B2Image coding device, image coding method, and image falsification identification program
Publication Date: 2021.08.03 JVC KENWOOD CORP
  • US11082711B2 patent drawing
  • US11082711B2 patent drawing
  • US11082711B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An image coding device adapted to code time-continuous pictures is provided. An embedding position information conversion unit acquires embedding position information indicating a position in a picture, by using a one-way function based on time-continuous information. An image coding unit selects a coding block in the picture based on the embedding position information, embeds electronic watermark information in a coding parameter used to code the coding block, and codes the coding block by using the coding parameter in which the electronic watermark information is embedded.