SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WATERMARKING DIGITAL IMAGES

Systems and methods for applying and detecting cross dependent marks incorporated into an electronic or digital image to form a watermark. The electronic or digital image may include encoded information for example a machine-readable symbol. The watermarking may include an encoding and insertion sub-process that inserts one or more marks into an image at a first point in time for form a marked image, an extraction sub-process that extracts the marks at a second point in time, and a detection sub-process 108 that determines if any modifications have been made to the marked image. The marked image may be formed by determining a first original descriptor and first original mark within the image, determining a second original descriptor and second original mark within the image, and incorporating the first original mark into the second original descriptor and incorporating the second original mark into the first original descriptor.