IEWNet: Multi-Scale Robust Watermarking Network Against Infrared Image Enhancement Attacks

Infrared (IR) images record the temperature radiation distribution of the object being captured. The hue and color difference in the image reflect the caloric and temperature difference, respectively. However, due to the thermal diffusion effect, the target information in IR images can be relatively...

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Main Authors: Yu Bai, Li Li, Shanqing Zhang, Jianfeng Lu, Ting Luo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Imaging
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2313-433X/11/5/171
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author Yu Bai
Li Li
Shanqing Zhang
Jianfeng Lu
Ting Luo
author_facet Yu Bai
Li Li
Shanqing Zhang
Jianfeng Lu
Ting Luo
author_sort Yu Bai
collection DOAJ
description Infrared (IR) images record the temperature radiation distribution of the object being captured. The hue and color difference in the image reflect the caloric and temperature difference, respectively. However, due to the thermal diffusion effect, the target information in IR images can be relatively large and the objects’ boundaries are blurred. Therefore, IR images may undergo some image enhancement operations prior to use in relevant application scenarios. Furthermore, Infrared Enhancement (IRE) algorithms have a negative impact on the watermarking information embedded into the IR image in most cases. In this paper, we propose a novel multi-scale robust watermarking model under IRE attack, called IEWNet. This model trains a preprocessing module for extracting image features based on the conventional Undecimated Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (UDTCWT). Furthermore, we consider developing a noise layer with a focus on four deep learning and eight classical attacks, and all of these attacks are based on IRE algorithms. Moreover, we add a noise layer or an enhancement module between the encoder and decoder according to the application scenarios. The results of the imperceptibility experiments on six public datasets prove that the Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) is usually higher than 40 dB. The robustness of the algorithms is also better than the existing state-of-the-art image watermarking algorithms used in the performance evaluation comparison.
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publishDate 2025-05-01
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series Journal of Imaging
spelling doaj-art-c66dc348c60c41d6b6eeb8fae1fb311e2025-08-20T03:47:54ZengMDPI AGJournal of Imaging2313-433X2025-05-0111517110.3390/jimaging11050171IEWNet: Multi-Scale Robust Watermarking Network Against Infrared Image Enhancement AttacksYu Bai0Li Li1Shanqing Zhang2Jianfeng Lu3Ting Luo4School of Computer Science and Technology, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaSchool of Computer Science and Technology, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaSchool of Computer Science and Technology, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaSchool of Computer Science and Technology, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaCollege of Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaInfrared (IR) images record the temperature radiation distribution of the object being captured. The hue and color difference in the image reflect the caloric and temperature difference, respectively. However, due to the thermal diffusion effect, the target information in IR images can be relatively large and the objects’ boundaries are blurred. Therefore, IR images may undergo some image enhancement operations prior to use in relevant application scenarios. Furthermore, Infrared Enhancement (IRE) algorithms have a negative impact on the watermarking information embedded into the IR image in most cases. In this paper, we propose a novel multi-scale robust watermarking model under IRE attack, called IEWNet. This model trains a preprocessing module for extracting image features based on the conventional Undecimated Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (UDTCWT). Furthermore, we consider developing a noise layer with a focus on four deep learning and eight classical attacks, and all of these attacks are based on IRE algorithms. Moreover, we add a noise layer or an enhancement module between the encoder and decoder according to the application scenarios. The results of the imperceptibility experiments on six public datasets prove that the Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) is usually higher than 40 dB. The robustness of the algorithms is also better than the existing state-of-the-art image watermarking algorithms used in the performance evaluation comparison.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-433X/11/5/171infrared imagesimage enhancementmulti-scalerobust watermarkingnoise layerenhancement sub-network
spellingShingle Yu Bai
Li Li
Shanqing Zhang
Jianfeng Lu
Ting Luo
IEWNet: Multi-Scale Robust Watermarking Network Against Infrared Image Enhancement Attacks
Journal of Imaging
infrared images
image enhancement
multi-scale
robust watermarking
noise layer
enhancement sub-network
title IEWNet: Multi-Scale Robust Watermarking Network Against Infrared Image Enhancement Attacks
title_full IEWNet: Multi-Scale Robust Watermarking Network Against Infrared Image Enhancement Attacks
title_fullStr IEWNet: Multi-Scale Robust Watermarking Network Against Infrared Image Enhancement Attacks
title_full_unstemmed IEWNet: Multi-Scale Robust Watermarking Network Against Infrared Image Enhancement Attacks
title_short IEWNet: Multi-Scale Robust Watermarking Network Against Infrared Image Enhancement Attacks
title_sort iewnet multi scale robust watermarking network against infrared image enhancement attacks
topic infrared images
image enhancement
multi-scale
robust watermarking
noise layer
enhancement sub-network
url https://www.mdpi.com/2313-433X/11/5/171
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AT shanqingzhang iewnetmultiscalerobustwatermarkingnetworkagainstinfraredimageenhancementattacks
AT jianfenglu iewnetmultiscalerobustwatermarkingnetworkagainstinfraredimageenhancementattacks
AT tingluo iewnetmultiscalerobustwatermarkingnetworkagainstinfraredimageenhancementattacks