Data processing apparatus, image processing apparatus, and method therefor

An image processing apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of candidate data corresponding to watermark data embedded into image data to embed the selected candidate data into said image data as said watermark data, comprising:

• image processing apparatus for dividing input data into a plurality of object blocks, each object block spatially distributed throughout an image and comprising an array of pixels, and using the object blocks as said image data for embedding;
• a variation indication data generation means for generating a plurality of variation indication data indicating variation between said image data and each of the image data obtained by embedding each of said plurality of candidate data, each of said plurality of candidate data comprised of a different block pattern having pixel element values adjusted from a selected basic pattern associated with an individual object block and having a same structure as said object block;
• a detectability indication data generation means for generating detectability indication data, each indicating the detectability of each of zero or more candidate data;
• a candidate data selection means, for employing said detectability indication data to select one of said candidate data that corresponds to variation indication data for variations that are smaller than a predetermined reference;
• and
• a data embedding means for embedding the selected candidate data as said watermark data in said image data, wherein said embedding is performed in a spatial domain.

A data processing method for selecting one of a plurality of candidate data corresponding to watermark data embedded into object data for embedding the selected candidate data as said watermark data, comprising:

• object processing including dividing input data into a plurality of object blocks distributed in a spatial domain, each object block comprising an array of pixels, and using the object blocks as said object data for embedding;
• a variation indication data generation step of generating a plurality of variation indication data indicating variation between said object data and each of the object data obtained by embedding each of said plurality of candidate data, each of said plurality of candidate data comprised of a different block pattern having pixel element values adjusted from a selected basic pattern associated with an individual object block and having a same structure as said object block;
• a detectability indication data generation step of generating a plurality of detectability indication data, each indicating the detectability of each of said plurality of candidate data;
• a watermark data selection step of selecting one of said candidate data based on said plurality of variation indication data and said plurality of detectability indication data;
• and
• a data embedding step of embedding the selected candidate data into said object data as said watermark data, wherein said embedding is performed in said spatial domain.

An image processing method for selecting one of a plurality of candidate data corresponding to watermark data embedded into image data for embedding the selected candidate data into said image data as said watermark data, comprising:

• image processing including dividing input image data into a plurality of image blocks, each image block spatially distributed throughout an image and comprising an array of pixels, and using the image blocks as said image data for embedding;
• a variation indication data generation step of generating a plurality of variation indication data indicating variation between said image data and each of the image data obtained by embedding each of said plurality of candidate data, each of said plurality of candidate data comprised of a different block pattern having pixel element values adjusted from a selected basic pattern associated with an individual object block and having a same structure as said object block;
• a detectability indication data generation step of generating detectability indication data, each indicating the detectability of each of zero or more candidate data;
• a candidate data selection step of employing said detectability indication data to select one of said candidate data that corresponds to variation indication data for variations that are smaller than a predetermined reference;
• and
• a data embedding step of embedding the selected candidate data as said watermark data in said image data, wherein said embedding is performed in a spatial domain.

A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform the method steps for selecting one of a plurality of candidate data corresponding to watermark data embedded into object data to embed the selected candidate data as said watermark data, said method steps comprising:

• object processing including dividing input data into a plurality of object blocks distributed in a spatial domain, each object block comprising an array of pixels, and using the object blocks as said object data for embedding;
• a variation indication data generation step of generating a plurality of variation indication data indicating variation between said object data and each of the object data obtained by embedding each of said plurality of candidate data, each of said plurality of candidate data comprised of a different block pattern having pixel element values adjusted from a selected basic pattern associated with an individual object block and having a same structure as said object block;
• a detectability indication data generation step of generating a plurality of detectability indication data, each indicating the detectability of each of said plurality of candidate data;
• a watermark data selection step of selecting one of said candidate data based on said plurality of variation indication data and said plurality of detectability indication data;
• and
• a data embedding step of embedding the selected candidate data into said object data as said watermark data, wherein said embedding is performed in said spatial domain.

A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform the method steps for selecting one of a plurality of candidate data corresponding to watermark data embedded into image data to embed the selected candidate data as said watermark data, said method steps comprising:

• image processing including dividing input image data into a plurality of image blocks, each image block spatially distributed throughout an image and comprising an array of pixels, and using the image blocks as said image data for embedding;
• a variation indication data generation step of generating a plurality of variation indication data indicating variation between said image data and each of the image data obtained by embedding each of said plurality of candidate data, each of said plurality of candidate data comprised of a different block pattern having pixel element values adjusted from a selected basic pattern associated with an individual object block and having a same structure as said object block;
• a detectability indication data generation step of generating detectability indication data, each indicating the detectability of each of zero or more candidate data;
• a candidate data selection step of employing said detectability indication data to select one of said candidate data that corresponds to variation indication data for variations that are smaller than a predetermined reference;
• and
• a data embedding step of embedding the selected candidate data as said watermark data in said image data, wherein said embedding is performed in a spatial domain.