Abstract
With the rapid growth of internet technology, image watermarking method has become a popular copyright protection method for digital images. In this paper, we propose a watermarking method based on \(4\times 4\) image blocks using redundant wavelet transform with singular value decomposition considering human visual system (HVS) characteristics expressed by entropy values. The blocks which have the lower HVS entropies are selected for embedding the watermark. The watermark is embedded by examining \(U_{2,1}\) and \(U_{3,1}\) components of the orthogonal matrix obtained from singular value decomposition of the redundant wavelet transformed image block where an optimal threshold value based on the trade-off between robustness and imperceptibility is used. In order to provide additional security, a binary watermark is scrambled by Arnold transform before the watermark is embedded into the host image. The proposed scheme is tested under various image processing, compression and geometrical attacks. The test results are compared to other watermarking schemes that use SVD techniques. The experimental results demonstrate that our method can achieve higher imperceptibility and robustness under different types of attacks compared to existing schemes. Our method provides high robustness especially under image processing attacks, JPEG2000 and JPEG XR attacks. It has been observed that the proposed method achieves better performance over the recent existing watermarking schemes.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Lin, C.-H., Chao, M.-W., Liang, C.-Y., Lee, T.-Y.: A novel semi-blind-and-semi-reversible robust watermarking scheme for 3D polygonal models. Vis. Comput. 26(6–8), 1101–1111 (2010)
Wang, J., Feng, J., Miao, Y.: A robust confirmable watermarking algorithm for 3D mesh based on manifold harmonics analysis. Vis. Comput. 28(11), 1049–1062 (2011)
Lee, H., Dikici, Ç., Lavoué, G.: Joint reversible watermarking and progressive compression of 3D meshes. Vis. Comput. 27(6–8), 781–792 (2011)
Cao, L., Men, C., Ji, R.: Nonlinear scrambling-based reversible watermarking for 2D-vector maps. Vis. Comput. 29(3), 231–237 (2013)
Su, Q.T., Wang, G., Jia, S.L., Zhang, X.F., Liu, Q.M., Liu, X.X.: Embedding color image watermark in color image based on two-level DCT. SIViP 9(5), 991–1007 (2015)
Keshavarzian, R., Aghagolzadeh, A.: ROI based robust and secure image watermarking using DWT and Arnold map. AEU Int. J. Electron. Commun. 70(3), 278–288 (2016)
Fazli, S., Moeini, M.: A robust image watermarking method based on DWT, DCT, and SVD using a new technique for correction of main geometric attacks. Opt. Int. J. Light Electron Opt. 127(2), 964–972 (2016)
Ansari, I.A., Pant, M., Ahn, C.W.: Robust and false positive free watermarking in IWT domain using SVD and ABC. Eng. Appl. Artif. Intell. 49, 114–125 (2016)
Purohit, N., Chennakrishna, M., Manikantan, K.: Novel digital image watermarking in SWT+SVD domain. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Signal, Networks, Computing, and Systems. Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, vol. 395, pp. 13–23 (2017)
Lagzian S., Soryani M., Fathy M.: Robust watermarking scheme based on RDWT-SVD: Embedding data in all subbands. In: International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Signal Processing (AISP), pp. 48–52 (2011)
Ling, H.-C., Phan, R.C.-W., Heng, S.-H.: Comment on "Robust blind image watermarking scheme based on redundant discrete wavelet transform and singular value decomposition". Int. J. Electron. Commun. 67(10), 894–897 (2013)
Yavuza, E., Telatarb, Z.: Comments on "A digital watermarking scheme based on singular value decomposition and tiny genetic algorithm". Digit. Signal Proc. 23(4), 1335–1336 (2013)
Zhang, X.-P., Li, K.: Comments on "An SVD-based watermarking scheme for protecting rightful ownership". IEEE Trans. Multimed. 7(3), 593–594 (2015)
Chang, C.C., Tsai, P., Lin, C.C.: SVD-based digital image watermarking scheme. Pattern Recognit. Lett. 26(10), 1577–1586 (2005)
Chung, K.L., Yang, W.N., Huang, Y.H., et al.: On SVD-based watermarking algorithm. Appl. Math. Comput. 188(1), 54–57 (2007)
Fan, M.Q., Wang, H.X., Li, S.K.: Restudy on SVD-based watermarking scheme. Appl. Math. Comput. 203(2), 926–930 (2008)
Lai, C.C.: An improved SVD-based watermarking scheme using human visual characteristics. Opt. Commun. 284(4), 938–944 (2011)
Makbol, N.M., Khoo, B.E., Rassem, T.H.: Block-based discrete wavelet transform-singular value decomposition image watermarking scheme using human visual system characteristics. IET Image Proc. 10(1), 34–52 (2016)
Makbol, N.M., Khoo, B.E.: Robust blind image watermarking scheme based on redundant discrete wavelet transform and singular value decomposition. Int. J. Eletron. Commun. (AEÜ) 67(2), 102–112 (2013)
Zhang, X.P., Li, K.: Comments on "An SVD-based watermarking scheme for protecting rightful ownership". IEEE Trans. Multimed. 7(3), 593–594 (2005)
Rykaczewski, R.: Comments on "An SVD-based watermarking scheme for protecting rightful ownership". IEEE Trans. Multimed. 9(2), 421–423 (2007)
Liu, R., Tan, T.: An SVD-based watermarking scheme for protecting rightful ownership. IEEE Trans. Multimed. 4(1), 121–128 (2002)
Lai, C.C., Tsai, C.C.: Digital image watermarking using discrete wavelet transform and singular value decomposition. IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas. 59(11), 3060–3063 (2010)
Hien, T.D., Nakao, Z., Chen, Y.-W.: RDWT domain watermarking based on independent component analysis extraction. Adv. Soft Comput. 34, 401–414 (2006)
Zhang, H., Wang, C., Zhou, X.: A robust image watermarking scheme based on SVD in the spatial domain. Future Internet 9(45), 1–16 (2017)
Gao, L., Gao, T., Zha, J.: Reversible watermarking in medical image using RDWT and sub-sample. Int. J. Digital Crime Forensics (IJDCF) 7(4), 1–18 (2015)
Lagzian, S., Soryani, M., Fathy, M.: A new robust watermarking scheme based on RDWT-SVD. Int. J. Intell. Inf. Process. 2(1), 22–29 (2011)
Rassem, T.H., Makbol, N.M., Khoo, B.E.: Performance evaluation of RDWT-SVD and DWT-SVD watermarking schemes. AIP Conf. Proc. 1774(050021), 1–9 (2016)
Liu, Z.J., Xu, L., Liu, T., Chen, H., Li, P.F., Lin, C., Liu, S.T.: Color image encryption by using Arnold transform and color-blend operation in discrete cosine transform domains. Opt. Commun. 284(1), 123–128 (2011)
Chen, W., Quan, C., Tay, C.J.: Optical color image encryption based on Arnold transform and interference method. Opt. Commun. 282(18), 3680–3685 (2009)
Deng, X.P., Zhao, D.M.: Color component 3D Arnold transform for polychromatic pattern recognition. Opt. Commun. 284(24), 5623–5629 (2011)
Liu, Z.J., Gong, M., Dou, Y.K., Liu, F., Lin, S., Ahmad, M.A., Dai, J.M., Liu, S.T.: Double image encryption by using Arnold transform and discrete fractional angular transform. Opt. Lasers Eng. 50(2), 248–255 (2012)
Basso, A., Bergadano, F., Cavagnino, D., Pomponiu, V., Vernone, A.: A novel block-based watermarking scheme using the SVD transform. Algorithms 2(1), 46–75 (2009)
Ernawan, F., Abu, N.A., Suryana, N.: Adaptive tchebichef moment transform image compression using psychovisual model. J. Comput. Sci. 9(6), 716–725 (2013)
Ernawan, F., Abu, N.A., Suryana, N.: An adaptive JPEG image compression using psychovisual model. Adv. Sci. Lett. 20(1), 026–031 (2014)
Abu, N.A., Ernawan, F.: Psychovisual threshold on large Tchebichef moment for image compression. Appl. Math. Sci. 8, 6951–6961 (2014)
Ernawan, F., Nugraini, S.H.: The optimal quantization matrices for JPEG image compression from psychovisual threshold. J. Theor. Appl. Inf. Technol. 70(3), 566–572 (2014)
Ernawan, F., Abu, N.A., Suryana, N.: An optimal tchebichef moment quantization using psychovisual threshold for image compression. Adv. Sci. Lett. 20(1), 070–074 (2014)
Ernawan, F., Mustaffa, Z., Aji, L.B.: An efficient image compression using bit allocation based on psychovisual threshold. Information (Japan) 9(9B), 4177–4182 (2016)
Ernawan, F., Kabir, M.N., Zain, J.M.: Bit allocation strategy based on psychovisual threshold in image compression. Multimed. Tools. Appl. 77(11), 13923–13946 (2018)
Ernawan, F., Kabir, N., Zamli, K.Z.: An efficient image compression technique using Tchebichef bit allocation. Opt. Int. J. Light Electron Opt. 148, 106–119 (2017)
Abu, N.A., Ernawan, F., Suryana, N., Sahib, S.: Image watermarking using psychovisual threshold over the edge. Inf. Commun. Technol. 7804, 519–527 (2013)
Ernawan, F.: Robust image watermarking based on psychovisual threshold. J. ICT Res. Appl. 10(3), 228–242 (2016)
Ernawan, F., Kabir, M.N., Fadli, M., Mustaffa, Z.: Block-based Tchebichef image watermarking scheme using psychovisual threshold. In: International Conference on Science and Technology-Computer (ICST), 27–28 October, pp. 6–10 (2016)
Ernawan, F., Ramalingam, M., Sadiq, A.S., Mustaffa, Z.: An improved imperceptibility and robustness of \(4\times 4\) DCT-SVD image watermarking using modified entropy. J. Telecommun. Electron. Comput. Eng. 9, 111–116 (2017)
Ernawan, F., Liew, S.C., Mustaffa, Z., Moorthy, K.: A blind multiple watermarks based on human visual characteristics. Int. J. Electr. Comput. Eng. (in press)
Ernawan, F., Kabir, M.N.: A robust image watermarking technique with an optimal DCT-psychovisual threshold. IEEE Access 6, 20464–20480 (2018)
Acknowledgements
We sincerely thank Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Malaysia, for providing financial support for this work through UMP Research Grant Scheme (RDU180358).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ernawan, F., Kabir, M.N. A block-based RDWT-SVD image watermarking method using human visual system characteristics. Vis Comput 36, 19–37 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00371-018-1567-x
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00371-018-1567-x