Data embedding scheme based on multi-matrix structure of turtle shell to avoid human eye perception

Abstract

Data embedding is a technique for embedding secret information into the carrier data, such as text, audios, images, and videos. Meanwhile, it also can ensure that the changes in the carrier data are imperceptible by human eye to avoid attracting the attention of malicious attackers. In this paper, we propose a data embedding scheme based on the multi-matrix structure of turtle shell (MMS-TDH). First, weighting is introduced to divide the cover image into various regions, i.e., a smooth region, a texture region and an edge region. Second, considering that the human eye is more sensitive to changes in the pixels in the smooth region than in the other regions, the smaller turtle shell matrix was used to ensure fewer changes in the pixels of the smooth region, and the larger turtle shell matrix was used for the edge region to improve the embedding capacity. This process ensures the flexibility of our scheme in balancing embedding capacity and image quality, and it also avoids the sharp decline in image quality when the turtle shell matrix enlarges. Extensive experimental results validated the expected merits of the proposed scheme.