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Robust blind image watermarking scheme using a modified embedding process based on differential method in DTCWT-DCT

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Abstract

This research paper presents a modified blind and robust image watermarking scheme that combines dual-tree complex wavelet transform (DTCWT) and discrete cosine transform (DCT) domains. A key challenge for researchers is to determine the optimal locations for embedding watermarks in the low-frequency coefficients of the hybrid domains, ensuring both imperceptibility and security. To identify the most effective sequence for the watermark embedding process, a differential approach is implemented on two correlated DCT-transformed vectors derived from DTCWT wavelet low-frequency coefficients. The watermark data does not need to be extracted from the original image. The proposed scheme aims to assess the efficiency improvement against various image processing attacks. We utilized fifteen grayscale images from the UCI-sipi image database, each with a size of 512 × 512 pixels, to evaluate the proposed scheme. The experimental results demonstrate that our scheme outperforms existing schemes in common image attacks such as geometric attacks, compression, filtering, and noise addition.

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

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Acknowledgements

We would like to show our gratitude to University Malaysia Pahang for supporting this study as part of the research outcome for PhD work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Computing, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26600, Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia

    Mohamed Lebcir & Suryanti Awang

  2. Center of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence & Data Science, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Lebuh Persiaran Tun Khalil Yaakob, 26300, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

    Suryanti Awang

  3. Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Djelfa, Djelfa, Algeria

    Ali Benziane

Authors
  1. Mohamed Lebcir
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  2. Suryanti Awang
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  3. Ali Benziane
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Correspondence to Mohamed Lebcir.

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Lebcir, M., Awang, S. & Benziane, A. Robust blind image watermarking scheme using a modified embedding process based on differential method in DTCWT-DCT. Multimed Tools Appl 83, 61379–61405 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-024-18185-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-024-18185-0

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