Pattern-based fragile watermarking for color images

In this paper, a fragile watermarking scheme for color images is proposed. Tamper proofing and high-quality recovery can be achieved by using the self-embedding watermarking scheme. The embedding information including feature information, block-edge-pattern information, and authentication information are appropriately distributed over luminance and chrominance components of the color image in the YC_bC_r color space such that the quality of the watermarked image can be better obtained. In the process of tamper proofing, a multiple-option parity check method and morphological operations. The former is used to verify authentication information for obtaining better results of tamper proofing and the later is used to further improve the neighborhood connectivity of the results. In the process of tamper recovery, the feature information of the host color image and its corresponding block-edge-pattern information are properly extracted to achieve high-quality recovery of the tampered image. The simulation results show that the proposed watermarking scheme can effectively proof the tempered region with high detection rate and can restore the tempered region with high quality.