Adaptive robust watermarking scheme based on RIME optimization with integer wavelet transform, singular value decomposition, and Hadamard transform

Existing watermarking schemes typically use binary or grayscale images as watermarks, which cannot meet the needs for color image copyright protection in the Internet of Things environment. To address these issues, we propose an adaptive robust watermarking scheme in YCbCr color space, based on integer wavelet transform, Hadamard transform, and singular value decomposition (SVD). Applying the Hadamard transform to SVD can effectively enhance the anti-interference capability of watermarking technology. The scheme utilizes the rime optimization algorithm (RIME) to identify the optimal embedding strength factor for each image, thereby achieving a balance between imperceptibility and robustness. To ensure the security of the watermark information, the algorithm employs dual encryption techniques, using the scrambled generalized Gray code transform and the four-dimensional hyperchaotic Lorenz system to encrypt the watermarked image. The experimental results show that the peak signal-to-noise ratio of watermarked images is above 54 dB, the structural similarity index metric is close to 1, and a hiding capacity of 0.125 bpp has been achieved. The normalized cross-correlation of the watermarked images extracted after various attacks is above 0.9. Compared with existing watermarking schemes, this scheme has significant advantages in terms of invisibility and robustness. (c) 2024 SPIE and IS&T