On unique framework-based implementation of a novel image watermarking scheme

To prevail over the trade-offs among the three major parameters, i.e., data transparency, robustness, and hiding capacity, is an enduring crisis in the domain of digital watermarking. In this paper, a new spatial image watermarking technique has been developed based on a model shopping pattern that could be followed at multi-stores to defy the spread-out of any contagious or airborne disease. This idea got motivated by the recent pandemic situation. Akin to maintaining distance among people on a shopping floor to avoid gathering, this proposed watermarking scheme embeds copyright information into the cover image maintaining certain distances to reduce visual distortion as well as to improve imperceptibility. Besides, unlike the conventional spatial domain-based watermarking algorithm, this proposed work tries to shift the embedding bit location in cover pixels towards the MSB, instead of LSB, to enhance robustness. The proficiency of this proposed method has been studied, and the innovation associated with this scheme has been found in improving robustness without affecting the visual quality, which has also been evaluated against some other existing relevant methodologies.