IMAGE PROCESSING METHODS USING REVERSIBLE WATERMARKING

The ability to remove a watermark from an encoded image opens the possibility of various novel applications. Several such applications are detailed. One employs a reversible watermark in conjunction with a second (robust) watermark. In this arrangement, the payload of the reversible watermark conveys information about the robust watermark (e.g., encoding parameters, or an error signal), permitting removal of the robust watermark from an uncorrupted encoded image. By such arrangements, the encoded image can be fully restored to its pristine, unencoded state even if several different watermarks have been applied.