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Enhancing the robustness of image watermarking against cropping attacks with dual watermarks

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A Correction to this article was published on 10 January 2020

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Abstract

In this study, a QR-based digital watermarking scheme that can use color images is proposed. The main purpose of this method is to enhance robustness against cropping attacks. To achieve this aim, each bit of the robust watermark has four copies, which are hidden in different image blocks. The embedding rule is designed based on the sinusoidal function, and the wavelength of the sinusoidal function controls the trade-off between imperceptibility and robustness. The four copies of the watermark bit may be inconsistent if the watermarked image undergoes cropping attacks. Therefore, after the four copies of the watermark bit are extracted, the actual value of the watermark bit is judged based on the result of the tampering detection. Experimental results indicate that improving robustness with the help of tampering detection results effectively assists in watermark extraction. In addition, the method is superior to other methods in terms of invisibility, robustness, and embedding payload.

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Change history

  • 10 January 2020

    In the original publication, Equation 19 was incorrectly presented. The original article has been corrected.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Information Management, Ming Chuan University, No. 5, Deming Rd., Guishan District, Taoyuan City, 333, Taiwan

    Ching-Sheng Hsu

  2. Department of Information Management, Chinese Culture University, No. 55, Huagang Rd., Shihlin District, Taipei City, 11114, Taiwan

    Shu-Fen Tu

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  1. Ching-Sheng Hsu
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  2. Shu-Fen Tu
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Correspondence to Shu-Fen Tu.

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The original version of this article was revised: Equation 19 was incorrectly presented.

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Hsu, CS., Tu, SF. Enhancing the robustness of image watermarking against cropping attacks with dual watermarks. Multimed Tools Appl 79, 11297–11323 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-019-08367-6

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