Watermarking Artifact Visibility Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video watermarking techniques struggle to objectively assess and avoid visible artifacts introduced by watermark embedding, particularly blocking artifacts in H.264/AVC video streams, which can lead to noticeable distortions.

Innovation Solution

A method using a baseline luminance fidelity model and a blockiness fidelity model to predict the visibility of artifacts, incorporating propagation mapping and threshold-based classification to identify and avoid changes that would introduce visible artifacts, allowing for the selection of invisible watermarking candidates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If watermark embedding is performed in video stream, then watermarking robustness is improved, but visible artifacts are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewatermarking robustnessVSAvoidvisible artifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by predicting artifact visibility before watermark embedding occurs. The system calculates visibility metrics for potential watermark modifications and pre-identifies which changes would create visible artifacts, allowing the selection of invisible watermarking candidates before the actual embedding process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary visibility prediction mechanism that mediates between the watermark embedding process and the final video output. This intermediary system evaluates potential watermark changes using luminance fidelity and blockiness models, acting as a filter that prevents visible artifacts from reaching the final video stream

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If objective visibility measurement is implemented, then artifact detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveartifact detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the visibility measurement task into two distinct components: a luminance fidelity model that measures brightness changes and a blockiness fidelity model that measures blocking artifacts. This segmentation allows each model to specialize in detecting specific types of artifacts, improving overall measurement precision while keeping individual model complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by employing threshold-based classification that converts continuous visibility measurements into discrete visible/invisible categories. This approach simplifies the interpretation of complex measurement data and enables automated decision-making about which watermark candidates to accept or reject

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2321768B1Blockiness and fidelity in watermarking

Publication Date: 2023.10.04 CONTENTARMOR

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AI summary

A device to measure pressure is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises at least one element comprising two layers (24, 26) separated by a space, wherein a dimension of the space changes over a variable time period in response to a voltage applied across the two layers and a measuring module configured to measure the time period, wherein the time period is indicative of the ambient pressure about the device.