Optimal image watermarking technique based on genetic algorithm

The robustness and the invisibility are important properties in an efficient image watermarking system. Since they conflict with each other, a watermarking system is difficult to satisfy them at same time. One good scheme to resolve this dilemma is to apply genetic algorithm (GA) to obtain the optimized solution. An optimal image watermarking technique based on GA was proposed. Arnold transform was utilized to obtain the scrambled watermark, and then the watermark embedding and extraction were implemented in digital wavelet transform (DWT) domain. The robustness and the invisibility of the watermarking system were optimized comprehensively by GA searching optimal parameters of embedding strength and times of Arnold transform. Simulated results show that both watermark robustness and invisibility can be achieved under different attack schemes.