Adaptive multi-predictor based reversible data hiding with superpixel irregular block sorting and optimization

ABSTRACT

Reversible data hiding (RDH) is a special class of steganography that is capable of recovering the original cover image upon the extraction of the secret data. The main goal of this paper is to develop different adaptive predictors based on superpixel irregular block sorting. Firstly, a superpixel irregular block and sorting strategy is proposed which is applied to histogram shifting for the first time. Then, a multi-directional edge classification method is proposed, which divides pixels into strong edge pixels, normal edge pixels, and weak edge pixels. Moreover, strong edge pixels and normal edge pixels are further divided into four directions. According to edge classification, the most appropriate adaptive multi-predictor is proposed. Finally, an optimization-based data hiding strategy is proposed. The proposed scheme focuses on constructing a sharp enough histogram. The investigational results demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves large capacity, high image quality, and low complexity.

KEYWORDS:

• Superpixel irregular block
• multi-directional edge classification
• adaptive multi-predictor
• optimization
• sharp enough histogram
• histogram shifting
• block sorting
• reversible data hiding

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The test images are downloaded from the USC-SIPI, KODAK, and UCID.

Code availability

The materials might remain accessible for permanently.

Additional information

Funding

Supported by National Science Foundation of China (No.61976109, 62006108, 61601214, 61877007); Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program (No.XLYC2006005); Liaoning Provincial Education Department Program (No. WQ2020014); Scientific Research Program of Liaoning Province (No.LJKZ0963).

Notes on contributors

Hui Shi

Hui Shi, (1981-), Ph. D, associate professor, master supervisor, School of Computer and Information Technology, Liaoning Normal University. Her research interests include information hiding, digital watermarking and image processing.

Baoyue Hu

Baoyue Hu, (1998-), Master student, School of Computer and Information Technology, Liaoning Normal University. Her research interests include information hiding, digital watermarking and image processing.

Yanli Li

Yanni Li, (1997-), Master student, School of Management, Liaoning University of International Business and Economics. Her research interests include information hiding, digital watermarking and image processing.

Jianing Geng

Jianing Geng, (1998-), Master student, School of Computer and Information Technology, Liaoning Normal University. Her research interests include information hiding, digital watermarking and image processing.

Yonggong Ren

Yonggong Ren, (1974-), Ph. D, Professor and Ph. D. Supervisor, School of Computer and Information Technology, Liaoning Normal University. His research interests include artificial intelligence and image processing.