Robust and imperceptible image watermarking using chaotic map-integrated quantum-inspired multi-objective cuckoo...

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Information Security
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Increasing cyber threats necessitate secure multimedia data transmission.
• Existing watermarking techniques face challenges in balancing imperceptibility, robustness, and embedding capacity.
• Need for advanced optimization algorithms to improve digital watermarking performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel watermarking approach, Chaotic Map-integrated Quantum-Inspired Multi-Objective Cuckoo Search (CMQICS), for secure multimedia communication.
• To enhance watermark imperceptibility, robustness, and embedding efficacy.
• To improve payload capacity while minimizing visual distortion through a multi-image watermarking scheme.

Main Methods:

• Integration of quantum-inspired cuckoo search optimization with chaotic mapping for watermark embedding.
• Utilizing a multi-image watermarking scheme to increase payload capacity and reduce visual distortion.
• Employing a hybrid Discrete Cosine Transform-Two-Dimensional Discrete Wavelet Transform (DCT-2DWT) in the frequency domain with zig-zag scanning for attack resilience.

Main Results:

• Achieved a high Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) of approximately 89 dB, indicating excellent image quality.
• Obtained a Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) of 0.99, demonstrating high visual similarity.
• Demonstrated an average embedding time of around 1 second, showcasing efficiency.
• Randomness analysis confirmed the security of the embedded watermark.

Conclusions:

• The CMQICS watermarking approach offers superior imperceptibility, robustness, and embedding efficacy compared to existing methods.
• The proposed technique effectively addresses the critical need for secure and reliable multimedia communication in the face of cyber threats.
• CMQICS provides a promising solution for high-capacity, distortion-minimized digital watermarking.