Method and apparatus for determining encoding availability, and computer product

• US 7,676,056 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Noda, Tsugio, Chiba, Hirotaka
• Primary Examiner(s): BHATNAGAR, ANAND P
• Application Number:
  US11/320,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20070071281A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/232, 382236-242, 380/210, 380/252, 380/287, 380/54, 713/176, 704/200.1, 704/273, 381/73.1, 348/460, 348/463
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/005 Robust watermarking, e.g. average attack or collusion attack resistant
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0051 Embedding of the watermark in the spatial domain
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0061 Embedding of the watermark in each block of the image, e.g. segmented watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0065 Extraction of an embedded watermark; Reliable detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp

Abstract

An embedding-availability determining unit determines an availability of embedding data into an image based on an input/output characteristic of a predetermined feature amount related to a combination of an output device that outputs an image in which the data is embedded to a medium and an input device that inputs the image that is output to the medium. A result output unit outputs a result of determination by the embedding-availability determining unit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for determining an availability of encoding data into an image, the apparatus comprising:

an input/output characteristic applying unit that applies an input/output characteristic of a feature amount, the input/output characteristic being related to a combination of an output device and an input device, to an image in which the data is embedded using the feature amount, wherein the output device outputs the image in which the data is embedded to a medium, and the input device inputs the image;

an embedding-availability determining unit that determines an availability of embedding the data in the image, without outputting the image in which the data is embedded to the medium, using the image to which the input/output characteristic is applied by the input/output characteristic applying unit; and

a result output unit that outputs a result of determining the availability by the embedding-availability determining unit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the embedding-availability determining unit determines the availability based on whether the feature amount that is obtained by applying the input/output characteristic to the image in which the data is embedded satisfies a predetermined condition.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the embedding-availability determining unit determines the availability based on a fraction of a partial image pertaining to a blind sector for the input/output characteristic from among the image in which the data is embedded.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

a plurality of input devices is provided, and

the embedding-availability determining unit determines the availability based on a worst input/output characteristic from among a plurality of input/output characteristics obtained by combining the output device with each of the input devices.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an embedding unit that splits the image into a plurality of blocks, and embeds the data into the image based on a difference between feature amounts of adjacent blocks; and

an optimum-value selecting unit that selects an optimum value of the difference based on the determination by the embedding-availability determining unit, wherein

the embedding unit re-embeds the data into the image by using the selected optimum value.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

the optimum-value selecting unit selects, when the embedding-availability determining unit determines that the embedding is available, a minimum value of the difference with which the embedding-availability determining unit can determine that the embedding is possible, as the optimum value.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

the optimum-value selecting unit selects, when the embedding-availability determining unit determines that the embedding is unavailable, a required minimum value of the difference with which the embedding-availability determining unit can determine that the embedding is possible, as the optimum value.

8. A computer-implemented method of determining an availability of encoding data into an image, the method comprising:

applying an input/output characteristic of a feature amount, the input/output characteristic being related to a combination of an output device and an input device, to an image in which the data is embedded using the feature amount, wherein the output device outputs the image in which the data is embedded to a medium and the input device inputs the image;

determining an availability of embedding the data in the image, without outputting the image in which the data is embedded to the medium, using the image to which the input/output characteristic is applied at the applying; and

outputting a result of determination at the determining.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein

the determining includes determining the availability based on whether the feature amount that is obtained by applying the input/output characteristic to the image in which the data is embedded satisfies a predetermined condition.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein

the determining includes determining the availability based on a fraction of a partial image pertaining to a blind sector for the input/output characteristic from among the image in which the data is embedded.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein

a plurality of input devices is provided, and

the determining includes determining the availability based on a worst input/output characteristic from among a plurality of input/output characteristics obtained by combining the output device with each of the input devices.

12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

splitting the image into a plurality of blocks;

embedding the data into the image based on a difference between feature amounts of adjacent blocks; and

selecting an optimum value of the difference based on the determination at the determining, wherein

the embedding includes re-embedding the data into the image by using the selected optimum value.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein

the selecting includes selecting, when it is determined that the embedding is available, a minimum value of the difference with which it can be determined that the embedding is possible at the determining, as the optimum value.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein

the selecting includes selecting, when it is determined that the embedding is unavailable, a required minimum value of the difference with which it can be determined that the embedding is possible at the determining, as the optimum value.

15. A computer-readable recording medium that stores a computer program for determining an availability of encoding data into an image, wherein

the computer program causes a computer to execute:

applying input/output characteristic of a feature amount, the input/output characteristic being related to a combination of an output device and an input device, to an image in which the data is embedded using the feature amount, wherein the output device outputs the image in which the data is embedded to a medium and the input device inputs the image;

determining an availability of embedding the data in the image, without outputting the image in which the data is embedded to the medium, using the image to which the input/output characteristic is applied at the applying; and

outputting a result of the determining.

16. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 15, wherein

the determining includes determining the availability based on whether the feature amount that is obtained by applying the input/output characteristic to the image in which the data is embedded satisfies a predetermined condition.

17. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 15, wherein

the determining includes determining the availability based on a fraction of a partial image pertaining to a blind sector for the input/output characteristic from among the image in which the data is embedded.

18. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 15, wherein

a plurality of input devices is provided, and

the determining includes determining the availability based on a worst input/output characteristic from among a plurality of input/output characteristics obtained by combining the output device with each of the input devices.

19. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 15, wherein

the computer program further causes the computer to execute:

splitting the image into a plurality of blocks;

embedding the data into the image based on a difference between feature amounts of adjacent blocks; and

selecting an optimum value of the difference based on the determination at the determining, wherein

the embedding includes re-embedding the data into the image by using the selected optimum value.

20. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 19, wherein

the selecting includes selecting, when it is determined that the embedding is available, a minimum value of the difference with which it can be determined that the embedding is possible at the determining, as the optimum value.