Block SMRT and knapsack optimization-based sequency selector for robust, imperceptible, and payload-efficient color image watermarking for binary watermark

Abstract

Watermarking is a generic strategy for overcoming numerous issues associated with multimedia security. Performance of a watermarking system in terms of imperceptibility, robustness and payload is highly dependent on the positions used for embedding. The choice of sequency packets plays an important role in the performance when Sequency-based Mapped Real Transform (SMRT) is used for embedding. A novel sequency selector for robust, imperceptible and payload-efficient color image watermarking of binary watermark is proposed using SMRT and two-level optimization. SMRT of block partitioned Cb channel of cover image is input to sequency selector where results of first-level optimization, based on imperceptibility and robustness, along with payload is optimized using knapsack optimization in the second level. The binary watermark is LSB embedded in SMRT coefficients present in each packet of the optimal combination of sequencies chosen by the sequency selector. Simulation results show better performance compared to existing optimized and non-optimized embedding techniques.

KEYWORDS:

• Information security
• Color image watermarking
• Sequency-based Mapped Real Transform (SMRT)
• Knapsack optimization

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Febina Ikbal

Febina Ikbal received her BTech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the Federal Institute of Science & Technology, Angamaly, Kerala, India, in 2011 and MTech in VLSI & Embedded Systems from the TocH Institute of Science and Technology in 2013. Currently, she is Research Scholar in the Division of Electronics Engineering, School of Engineering, CUSAT.

Rajamma Gopikakumari

Rajamma Gopikakumari graduated from TKM College of Engineering under Kerala University during 1984 and MTech and PhD from the Department of Electronics (DOE), Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT) in the years 1987 and 1998 respectively. She was working as a faculty member of Cochin University from 1990 and retired from service as a professor in 2020.