Data embedding method using photo effects with resistance to compression

This work aims to integrate data embedding capability into common photo effects, which simplifies the 2-step process of achieving photo effect and data embedding. Specifically, three novel data embedding methods using photo effect are put forward. A preliminary study is first conducted on popular editing software to identify the commonly available photo effects. The photo effects are found to be sketch, halftone, and vintage, and they are modified to incorporate the data embedding capability. The data embedding algorithms are designed in a way so that the embedded data can survive compression. Three prototypes are built as proof of concepts to verify the feasibility of achieving photo effect generation and data embedding simultaneously. Experiments are carried to verify the basic performance of the proposed data embedding method, including embedding capacity, image quality and robustness against compression.