Optimised blind image watermarking method based on firefly algorithm in DWT-QR transform domain

Firefly algorithm (FA) is one of the newly developed nature inspired optimisation algorithm, inspired by the flashing behaviour of fireflies that a firefly tends to be attracted towards other fireflies with higher brightness. Thus FA has two advantages: local attractions and automatic regrouping. Based on these good properties, a novel image watermarking method based on FA in discrete wavelet transform (DWT)-QR transform domain is proposed in this study. Structural similarity index measure and bit error rate are used in the objective function to trade-off invisibility and robustness. The experiment results show that the proposed image watermarking method not only meet the need of invisibility, but also has better or comparable robustness as compared with some related methods.

[1]  Yashar Naderahmadian,et al.  Fast Watermarking Based on QR Decomposition in Wavelet Domain , 2010, 2010 Sixth International Conference on Intelligent Information Hiding and Multimedia Signal Processing.

[2]  Jumana Waleed,et al.  A Survey of Digital Image Watermarking Optimization based on Nature Inspired Algorithms NIAs , 2014 .

[3]  Dimitris E. Koulouriotis,et al.  Moment-based local image watermarking via genetic optimization , 2014, Appl. Math. Comput..

[4]  Yashar Naderahmadian,et al.  Fast and robust watermarking in still images based on QR decomposition , 2013, Multimedia Tools and Applications.

[5]  Michael G. Strintzis,et al.  Locally optimum nonlinearities for DCT watermark detection , 2004, IEEE Transactions on Image Processing.

[6]  Patrick Siarry,et al.  Differential evolution algorithm for the selection of optimal scaling factors in image watermarking , 2014, Eng. Appl. Artif. Intell..

[7]  Amir-Masoud Eftekhari-Moghadam,et al.  An image segmentation approach based on maximum variance Intra-cluster method and Firefly algorithm , 2011, 2011 Seventh International Conference on Natural Computation.

[8]  Amer Draa,et al.  An opposition-based firefly algorithm for medical image contrast enhancement , 2015, Int. J. Inf. Commun. Technol..

[9]  Chang Wook Ahn,et al.  Comments on "Optimized gray-scale image watermarking using DWT-SVD and Firefly Algorithm" , 2015, Expert Syst. Appl..

[10]  Xueyi Ye,et al.  A SIFT-based DWT-SVD blind watermark method against geometrical attacks , 2014, 2014 7th International Congress on Image and Signal Processing.

[11]  Jeng-Shyang Pan,et al.  Dual watermarking algorithm based on the Fractional Fourier Transform , 2013, Multimedia Tools and Applications.

[12]  Millie Pant,et al.  A robust image watermarking technique using SVD and differential evolution in DCT domain , 2014 .

[13]  Nasrin M. Makbol,et al.  Robust blind image watermarking scheme based on Redundant Discrete Wavelet Transform and Singular Value Decomposition , 2013 .

[14]  Millie Pant,et al.  An image watermarking scheme in wavelet domain with optimized compensation of singular value decomposition via artificial bee colony , 2015, Inf. Sci..

[15]  Khaled Loukhaoukha,et al.  Image Watermarking Algorithm Based on Multiobjective Ant Colony Optimization and Singular Value Decomposition in Wavelet Domain , 2013 .

[16]  Yen-Shou Lai,et al.  An SVD-based image watermarking in wavelet domain using SVR and PSO , 2012, Appl. Soft Comput..

[17]  Mauro Barni,et al.  Improved wavelet-based watermarking through pixel-wise masking , 2001, IEEE Trans. Image Process..

[18]  Kuo-Liang Chung,et al.  On SVD-based watermarking algorithm , 2007, Appl. Math. Comput..

[19]  P. Bao,et al.  Image adaptive watermarking using wavelet domain singular value decomposition , 2005 .

[20]  Millie Pant,et al.  Robust and false positive free watermarking in IWT domain using SVD and ABC , 2016, Eng. Appl. Artif. Intell..

[21]  Jun Lang,et al.  Blind digital watermarking method in the fractional Fourier transform domain , 2014 .

[22]  Rajesh Mehta,et al.  LWT- QR decomposition based robust and efficient image watermarking scheme using Lagrangian SVR , 2015, Multimedia Tools and Applications.

[23]  Huafei Sun,et al.  Image watermarking via fractional polar harmonic transforms , 2015, J. Electronic Imaging.

[24]  Huafei Sun,et al.  Image watermarking using polar harmonic transform with parameters in SL(2, r) , 2015, Signal Process. Image Commun..

[25]  Ersin Elbaşi,et al.  A new approach of nonblind watermarking methods based on DWT and SVD via LU decomposition , 2014 .

[26]  Punam Bedi,et al.  Optimized gray-scale image watermarking using DWT-SVD and Firefly Algorithm , 2014, Expert Syst. Appl..

[27]  Ahmad A. Mohammad.  A new digital image watermarking scheme based on Schur decomposition , 2011, Multimedia Tools and Applications.

[28]  Taha H. Rassem,et al.  Block-based discrete wavelet transform-singular value decomposition image watermarking scheme using human visual system characteristics , 2016, IET Image Process..

[29]  Yifan Zhou,et al.  Multilevel Image Segmentation Based on an Improved Firefly Algorithm , 2016 .

[30]  T. Kanimozhi,et al.  An integrated approach to region based image retrieval using firefly algorithm and support vector machine , 2015, Neurocomputing.

[31]  Roshan Jahan.  Efficient and Secure Digital Image Watermarking Scheme using DWT-SVD and Optimized Genetic Algorithm based Chaotic Encryption , 2013 .

[32]  Pradeep K. Atrey,et al.  Image watermarking in real oriented wavelet transform domain , 2014, Multimedia Tools and Applications.

[33]  Muhammad Nazeer,et al.  Digital image watermarking using partial pivoting lower and upper triangular decomposition into the wavelet domain , 2015, IET Image Process..

[34]  Korris Fu-Lai Chung,et al.  Feature based robust watermarking using image normalization , 2010, Comput. Electr. Eng..

[35]  Veysel Aslantas,et al.  DWT-SVD based image watermarking using Particle Swarm Optimizer , 2008, 2008 IEEE International Conference on Multimedia and Expo.

[36]  Hamid Tairi,et al.  A new robust watermarking scheme based on PDE decomposition , 2013, 2013 ACS International Conference on Computer Systems and Applications (AICCSA).

[37]  Hsiang-Cheh Huang,et al.  Survey of Bio-inspired Computing for Information Hiding , 2015, J. Inf. Hiding Multim. Signal Process..