An Enhanced Dynamic Image Watermarking Framework based on Phase Congruency and Saliency

Abstract

Perceptual watermarking approaches achieve better image fidelity with the advantages of the Human Visual System (HVS). Saliency uses the advantages of this feature by identifying different visually perceptual regions of an image. Additionally, Phase congruency (PC) exploits those features of digital images by detecting the corner points. In the proposed method, the information hiding Capacity is generated from both bit depth maps created by comparing phase congruency results and saliency outcomes of an image that ascertains the low perceptually visible pixels (utilizing the Least Significant Bit (LSB) technique). The key idea is to ensure an additional layer of security using Symmetric Key Cryptography (SKC) and to hide information in a less observant area that is not easily perceptible inside the cover image. The experimental result analysis ensures better imperceptibility and robustness as it resists different attacks along with superior data hiding capacity.