A robust digital image watermarking technique using lifting wavelet transform and firefly algorithm

In this paper, an optimized and robust digital image watermarking technique based on lifting wavelet transform (LWT) and firefly algorithm is proposed. LWT is newer and faster generation of former wavelet transforms and firefly algorithm is an efficient optimizing algorithms. In current technique, base image decomposed by LWT into 4 sub bands then the first sub band separated into non overlapping blocks. After that blocks are sorted in order of descending based on standard derivation of each block. Selecting suitable blocks for special embedding process seems to be an optimization problem due to existence of a trade-off between imperceptibility and robustness. Firefly algorithm used to solve this trade-off while selecting primary blocks causes high robustness and low imperceptibility and vice versa. For improving security, Arnold transform applied to watermark and achieved scrambled image bits used as condition for embedding process. The proposed technique evaluated by variety of attacks like additive noise, average filter, median filter, sharpening filter and some other geometric and non-geometric attacks and experimental results showed its good imperceptibility and high robustness.

[1]  Xinbo Gao,et al.  Robust lossless data hiding using clustering and statistical quantity histogram , 2012, Neurocomputing.

[2]  Rupinder Kaur,et al.  Optimization of the Return Loss of Differentially Fed Microstrip Patch Antenna Using ANN and Firefly Algorithm , 2015, Wirel. Pers. Commun..

[3]  Aboul Ella Hassanien,et al.  An adaptive watermarking approach based on weighted quantum particle swarm optimization , 2015, Neural Computing and Applications.

[4]  Xin-She Yang,et al.  Nature-Inspired Metaheuristic Algorithms , 2008 .

[5]  Gholamreza Anbarjafari,et al.  A watermarking algorithm based on chirp z-transform, discrete wavelet transform, and singular value decomposition , 2015, Signal Image Video Process..

[6]  K. Suresh Manic,et al.  Firefly Algorithm with Various Randomization Parameters: An Analysis , 2013, SEMCCO.

[7]  Alan C. Bovik,et al.  Image information and visual quality , 2004, 2004 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing.

[8]  Chih-Chin Lai,et al.  Digital Image Watermarking Using Discrete Wavelet Transform and Singular Value Decomposition , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement.

[9]  Rajesh Mehta,et al.  Robust image watermarking scheme in lifting wavelet domain using GA-LSVR hybridization , 2018, Int. J. Mach. Learn. Cybern..

[10]  Gang Wang,et al.  Embedding color image watermark in color image based on two-level DCT , 2015, Signal Image Video Process..

[11]  Jin Wang,et al.  Hybrid additive multi-watermarking and decoding , 2013, Multimedia Systems.

[12]  Xuelong Li,et al.  Reversibility improved lossless data hiding , 2009, Signal Process..

[13]  Ekta Walia,et al.  A robust watermark authentication technique based on Weber’s descriptor , 2014, Signal Image Video Process..

[14]  Xuelong Li,et al.  Lossless Data Embedding Using Generalized Statistical Quantity Histogram , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology.

[15]  Xin-She Yang,et al.  Firefly Algorithms for Multimodal Optimization , 2009, SAGA.

[16]  E. S. Ali,et al.  Speed control of DC series motor supplied by photovoltaic system via firefly algorithm , 2014, Neural Computing and Applications.

[17]  利久 亀井,et al.  California Institute of Technology , 1958, Nature.

[18]  Firat Hardalaç,et al.  A new approach to optic disc detection in human retinal images using the firefly algorithm , 2015, Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing.

[19]  Xuelong Li,et al.  Robust Reversible Watermarking via Clustering and Enhanced Pixel-Wise Masking , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Image Processing.

[20]  Ingemar J. Cox,et al.  Dirty-paper trellis codes for watermarking , 2002, Proceedings. International Conference on Image Processing.

[21]  Satvir Singh,et al.  The Firefly Optimization Algorithm: Convergence Analysis and Parameter Selection , 2013 .

[22]  Jing Chen,et al.  SPIHT Algorithm Based on Fast Lifting Wavelet Transform in Image Compression , 2005, CIS.

[23]  AmiriTayebe,et al.  A new visual cryptography based watermarking scheme using DWT and SIFT for multiple cover images , 2016 .

[24]  Tariq Shah,et al.  A copyright protection using watermarking scheme based on nonlinear permutation and its quality metrics , 2014, Neural Computing and Applications.

[25]  S. El-Rabaie,et al.  Robust and secure fractional wavelet image watermarking , 2015, Signal Image Video Process..

[26]  Rajesh Mehta,et al.  A robust and efficient image watermarking scheme based on Lagrangian SVR and lifting wavelet transform , 2017, Int. J. Mach. Learn. Cybern..

[27]  S. M. Sameer,et al.  Firefly Algorithm for Joint Estimation of Frequency Offsets and Channel in OFDMA Uplink , 2014, Wirel. Pers. Commun..

[28]  Ling-Yuan Hsu,et al.  Collective blind image watermarking in DWT-DCT domain with adaptive embedding strength governed by quality metrics , 2017, Multimedia Tools and Applications.

[29]  Mohsen Ebrahimi Moghaddam,et al.  A new visual cryptography based watermarking scheme using DWT and SIFT for multiple cover images , 2015, Multimedia Tools and Applications.

[30]  Abdolrasoul Mirghadri,et al.  A new robust and non-blind digital image watermarking scheme based on integer wavelet transform , 2015, 2015 2nd International Conference on Knowledge-Based Engineering and Innovation (KBEI).

[31]  I. Daubechies,et al.  Factoring wavelet transforms into lifting steps , 1998 .

[32]  Xinbo Gao,et al.  Content-adaptive reliable robust lossless data embedding , 2012, Neurocomputing.

[33]  S. Q. Zhang,et al.  Research of the Lifting Wavelet Arithmetic and Applied in Rotary Mechanic Fault Diagnosis , 2006 .

[34]  Zhen Li,et al.  A Robust Audio Watermarking Scheme Based on Lifting Wavelet Transform and Singular Value Decomposition , 2011, IWDW.

[35]  Shuo-Tsung Chen,et al.  Optimization-Based Embedding for Wavelet-Domain Audio Watermarking , 2013, Journal of Signal Processing Systems.

[36]  Hsiang-Cheh Huang,et al.  Coevolutionary genetic watermarking for owner identification , 2014, Neural Computing and Applications.

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

[38]  Pingzhi Fan,et al.  An Efficient Watermarking Method Based on Significant Difference of Wavelet Coefficient Quantization , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Multimedia.

[39]  Xin-She Yang,et al.  Firefly algorithm, stochastic test functions and design optimisation , 2010, Int. J. Bio Inspired Comput..