Digital Watermarking is a technique for casting invisible watermarks (tags) into digital material. In principle, the technique can be used in conjunction with sound, image, and video clips. Bestel3D.nl processes mainly satellite images and aerial images. Applying Digital Watermarking techniques in this context is therefore a logical step.
The problem
We are releasing aerial images to customers such as engineering companies and public (semi) governmental organisations. The images are not to be published on the internet. A digital watermark spread out over the entire image can reveal such abuse, even if only a tiny portion of the image is made available. It is also possible to detect if a small part of the image has been changed or if properties have been modified.
How did the idea originate?
A customer came to us with a question whether digital images could invisibly be secured. With help of an IPC grant, our company reviewed the various options. The grant enabled us to hire a specialist.
The issues
Algorithms are available to spread a watermark within an image or a video feed. There is however no standard at the moment. The methods are also complex and often the result of a university spin-off (not always a guarantee that the resulting software solution is sound and reliable). The robustness of the watermarking technique is also a challenge: Digital watermarks often disappear during an edit operation. The processing must also be fast: "If the embedding or the reading of a watermark takes more than a few seconds then the technology is generally speaking not acceptable"
Target
Our company developed a digital watermarking application primarily for in-house and customer's use. However, we see a broad application in other sectors, such as stock photo agencies. "I actually hope to get in touch with a company that is capable of marketing the service so that we can concentrate on the technology."
Interested in Digital Watermarking? Contact us