Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

COVER: A Secure Blind Image Watermarking Scheme

  • Published:
Circuits, Systems, and Signal Processing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The robustness and imperceptibility of the watermarking algorithm are a pair of contradictory properties. When the robustness increases, the imperceptibility decreases. Most strategies proposed in the literature usually concentrate on improving robustness, but few consider the relationship between robustness and imperceptibility. To deal with this problem, a robust blind image watermarking method is proposed in this work, which is composed of a logistic-sine-COupling map, discrete waVElet transform, and appRoximate maximum eigenvalue of Schur decomposition, namely COVER. In the proposed COVER, an objective function and a two-stage search method are designed to determine the optimal embedding coefficient, thus balancing the imperceptibility and robustness of this work. Specifically, the host image is transformed into four sub-bands by discrete wavelet transform, and the low-low sub-band is further separated into non-overlapping blocks which can be calculated to get the approximate maximum eigenvalues (AMEs) of Schur decomposition. Especially, each AME is not contained in the real Schur decomposition, which effectively reduces the computational complexity. Then, the original AMEs of the host image are updated to complete the embedding process according to the binary feature of encrypted watermark and the proposed embedding method. Finally, the watermarked image is obtained. The experimental results show that all peak signal noise ratio values are above 42 dB, structural similarity index measure values are above 0.98, normalized correlation values are above 0.9, and all bit errors rates are less than 0.14. Compared with six state-of-the-art schemes, the proposed COVER has strong robustness, good imperceptibility, large capacity, and low computational complexity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

References

  1. A.M. Abdelhakim, H.I. Saleh, A.M. Nassar, A quality guaranteed robust image watermarking optimization with artificial bee colony. Expert Syst. Appl. 72(1), 317–326 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2016.10.056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. M. Ali, C.W. Ahn, An optimized watermarking technique based on self-adaptive DE in DWT-SVD transform domain. Signal Process. 94(1), 545–556 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sigpro.2013.07.024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. I.A. Ansari, M. Pant, Multipurpose image watermarking in the domain of DWT based on SVD and ABC. Pattern Recogn. Lett. 94(1), 228–236 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patrec.2016.12.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. I.A. Ansari, M. Pant, C.W. Ahn, Robust and false positive free watermarking in IWT domain using SVD and ABC. Eng. Appl. Artif. Intell. 49(1), 114–125 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2015.12.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. T.K. Araghi, A.A. Manaf, S.K. Araghi, A secure blind discrete wavelet transform based watermarking scheme using two-level singular value decomposition. Expert Syst. Appl. 112(1), 208–228 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2018.06.024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. M. Cedillo-Hernandez, F. Garcia-Ugalde, M. Nakano-Miyatake, H. Perez-Meana, Robust watermarking method in DFT domain for effective management of medical imaging. SIViP 9(5), 1163–1178 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11760-013-0555-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. L. Chen, J. Chen, G. Zhao, S. Wang, Cryptanalysis and improvement of a chaos-based watermarking scheme. IEEE Access 7(1), 97549–97565 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2926831

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. I.J. Cox, J. Kilian, F.T. Leighton, T. Shamoon, Secure spread spectrum watermarking for multimedia. IEEE Trans. Image Process. 6(12), 1673–1687 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1109/83.650120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. F. Ernawan, M.N. Kabir, A block-based RDWT-SVD image watermarking method using human visual system characteristics. Vis. Comput. 36(1), 19–37 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00371-018-1567-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. M. Gonzalez-Lee, H. Vazquez-Leal, J.F. Gomez-Aguilar, L.J. Morales-Mendoza, V.M. Jimenez-Fernandez, J.R. Laguna-Camacho, C.M. Calderon-Ramon, Exploring the cross-correlation as a means for detecting digital watermarks and its reformulation into the fractional calculus Framework. IEEE Access 6(1), 71699–71718 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2018.2882405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Y. Guo, B.Z. Li, N. Goel, Optimised blind image watermarking method based on firefly algorithm in DWT-QR transform domain. IET Image Proc. 11(6), 406–415 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-ipr.2016.0515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. W. He, Z. Cai, Y. Wang, High-fidelity reversible image watermarking based on effective prediction error-pairs modification. IEEE Trans. Multimed. 23(1), 52–63 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1109/tmm.2020.2982042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. D.I. Hernández Farías, R.G. Cabrera, T.C. Fraga, J.Z.H. Luna, J.F. Gomez Aguilar, Modification of the marching cubes algorithm to obtain a 3D representation of a planar image. Program. Comput. Softw. 47(3), 215–223 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0361768821030051

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  14. Z. Hua, F. Jin, X. Binxuan, H. Huang, 2D Logistic-sine-coupling map for image encryption. Signal Process. 149(2), 148–161 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sigpro.2018.03.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. S.L. Jia, A novel blind color images watermarking based on SVD. Optik 125(12), 2868–2874 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2014.01.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. X. Kang, F. Zhao, G. Lin, Y. Chen, A novel hybrid of DCT and SVD in DWT domain for robust and invisible blind image watermarking with optimal embedding strength. Multimed. Tools Appl. 77(11), 13197–13224 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-017-4941-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. X. Kang, Y. Chen, F. Zhao, G. Lin, Multi-dimensional particle swarm optimization for robust blind image watermarking using intertwining logistic map and hybrid domain. Soft Comput. 24(14), 10561–10584 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00500-019-04563-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. H.J. Ko, C.T. Huang, G. Horng, S.J. Wang, Robust and blind image watermarking in DCT domain using inter-block coefficient correlation. Inf. Sci. 517(1), 128–147 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ins.2019.11.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. L. Li, Y. Luo, J. Liu, S. Qiu, L. Li, A robust watermarking scheme with high security and low computational complexity, in Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social-Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, LNICST (2020), pp. 439–454. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63095-9_28

  20. J. Li, C. Yu, B.B. Gupta, X. Ren, Color image watermarking scheme based on quaternion Hadamard transform and Schur decomposition. Multimed. Tools Appl. 77(4), 4545–4561 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-017-4452-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. N. Liu, H. Li, H. Dai, D. Guo, D. Chen, Robust blind image watermarking based on chaotic mixtures. Nonlinear Dyn. 80(3), 1329–1355 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11071-015-1946-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Y. Liu, Y. Luo, S. Song, L. Cao, J. Liu, J. Harkin, Counteracting dynamical degradation of digital chaotic Chebyshev map via perturbation. Int. J. Bifurc. Chaos 27(3), 1–14 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1142/S021812741750033X

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  23. J. Liu, J. Huang, Y. Luo, S. Lvchen Cao, D.W. Yang, R. Zhou, An optimized image watermarking method based on HD and SVD in DWT domain. IEEE Access 7(1), 80849–80860 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2915596

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. D. Liu, Z. Yuan, S. Qingtang, A blind color image watermarking scheme with variable steps based on Schur decomposition. Multimed. Tools Appl. 79(11–12), 7491–7513 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-019-08423-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. J. Liu, S. Zhang, Y. Luo, L. Cao, Machine learning-based similarity attacks for chaos-based cryptosystems. IEEE Trans. Emerg. Top. Comput. 1(1), 1–14 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1109/tetc.2020.3048498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Y. Luo, D. Minghui, J. Liu, A symmetrical image encryption scheme in wavelet and time domain. Commun. Nonlinear Sci. Numer. Simul. 20(2), 447–460 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnsns.2014.05.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Y. Luo, D. Zhang, J. Liu, Y. Liu, Y. Cao, X. Ding, Cryptanalysis of chaos-based cryptosystem from the hardware perspective. Int. J. Bifurc. Chaos 28(9), 1–14 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1142/S0218127418501146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Y. Luo, R. Zhou, J. Liu, Y. Cao, X. Ding, A parallel image encryption algorithm based on the piecewise linear chaotic map and hyper-chaotic map. Nonlinear Dyn. 93(3), 1165–1181 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11071-018-4251-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Y. Luo, J. Lin, J. Liu, D. Wei, L. Cao, R. Zhou, Y. Cao, X. Ding, A robust image encryption algorithm based on Chua’s circuit and compressive sensing. Signal Process. 161(1), 227–247 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sigpro.2019.03.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Y. Luo, L. Li, J. Liu, S. Tang, L. Cao, S. Zhang, S. Qiu, Y. Cao, A multi-scale image watermarking based on integer wavelet transform and singular value decomposition. Expert Syst. Appl. 168(1), 1–30 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2020.114272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Y. Luo, Y. Liu, J. Liu, S. Tang, J. Harkin, Y. Cao, Counteracting dynamical degradation of a class of digital chaotic systems via unscented Kalman filter and perturbation. Inf. Sci. 556(1), 49–66 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ins.2020.12.065

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  32. N.M. Makbol, B.E. Khoo, Robust blind image watermarking scheme based on redundant discrete wavelet transform and singular value decomposition. AEU Int. J. Electron. Commun. 67(2), 102–112 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeue.2012.06.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. N.M. Makbol, B.E. Khoo, T.H. Rassem, Block-based discrete wavelet transform-singular value decomposition image watermarking scheme using human visual system characteristics. IET Image Proc. 10(1), 34–52 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-ipr.2014.0965

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. N.M. Makbol, B.E. Khoo, T.H. Rassem, K. Loukhaoukha, A new reliable optimized image watermarking scheme based on the integer wavelet transform and singular value decomposition for copyright protection. Inf. Sci. 417(1), 381–400 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ins.2017.07.026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. E. Moeinaddini, Selecting optimal blocks for image watermarking using entropy and distinct discrete firefly algorithm. Soft Comput. 23(19), 9685–9699 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00500-018-3535-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. S.A. Parah, J.A. Sheikh, N.A. Loan, G.M. Bhat, Robust and blind watermarking technique in DCT domain using inter-block coefficient differencing. Digital Signal Process. Rev. J. 53(1), 11–24 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsp.2016.02.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. S.A. Parah, N.A. Loan, A.A. Shah, J.A. Sheikh, G.M. Bhat, A new secure and robust watermarking technique based on logistic map and modification of DC coefficient. Nonlinear Dyn. 93(4), 1933–1951 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11071-018-4299-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. S. Qingtang, B. Chen, An improved color image watermarking scheme based on Schur decomposition. Multimed. Tools Appl. 76(22), 24221–24249 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-016-4164-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. S. Qingtang, G. Wang, G. Lv, X. Zhang, G. Deng, B. Chen, A novel blind color image watermarking based on Contourlet transform and Hessenberg decomposition. Multimed. Tools Appl. 76(6), 8781–8801 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-016-3522-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. S. Qingtang, G. Wang, X. Zhang, G. Lv, B. Chen, A new algorithm of blind color image watermarking based on LU decomposition. Multidimens. Syst. Signal Process. 29(3), 1055–1074 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11045-017-0487-7

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  41. S. Qingtang, Z. Yuan, D. Liu, An approximate Schur decomposition-based spatial domain color image watermarking method. IEEE Access 7(1), 4358–4370 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2018.2888857

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. D. Rajani, P. Rajesh Kumar, An optimized blind watermarking scheme based on principal component analysis in redundant discrete wavelet domain. Signal Process. 172(1), 1–13 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sigpro.2020.107556

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. S. Roy, A.K. Pal, A blind DCT based color watermarking algorithm for embedding multiple watermarks. AEU Int. J. Electron. Commun. 72(4), 149–161 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeue.2016.12.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Q. Su, Y. Niu, X. Liu, Y. Zhu, A blind dual color images watermarking based on IWT and state coding. Opt. Commun. 285(7), 1717–1724 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optcom.2011.11.117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. M. Urvoy, D. Goudia, F. Autrusseau, Perceptual DFT watermarking with improved detection and robustness to geometrical distortions. IEEE Trans. Inf. Forensics Secur. 9(7), 1–12 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1109/TIFS.2014.2322497

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Y. Wang, J.F. Doherty, R.E. Van Dyck, A wavelet-based watermarking algorithm for ownership verification of digital images. IEEE Trans. Image Process. 11(2), 77–88 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1109/83.982816

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. D. Wang, F. Yang, H. Zhang, Blind color image watermarking based on DWT and LU decomposition. J. Inf. Process. Syst. 12(4), 765–778 (2016). https://doi.org/10.3745/JIPS.03.0055

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. S. Xiao, W. Liu, Y. Guo, Z. Yu, Low-cost adaptive exponential integrate-and-fire neuron using stochastic computing. IEEE Trans. Biomed. Circuits Syst. 14(5), 942–950 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1109/TBCAS.2020.2995869

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 61801131 and the Guangxi Natural Science Foundation under Grant 2022GXNSFAA035632.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Electronic Engineering, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China

    Yuling Luo, Fangxiao Wang, Junxiu Liu, Liangjia Li & Shunsheng Zhang

  2. Department of Computer Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK

    Su Yang

Authors
  1. Yuling Luo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fangxiao Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Junxiu Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Liangjia Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Su Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Shunsheng Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Junxiu Liu.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Luo, Y., Wang, F., Liu, J. et al. COVER: A Secure Blind Image Watermarking Scheme. Circuits Syst Signal Process 41, 6931–6959 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00034-022-02099-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00034-022-02099-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation