Embedding with Pixel Repetition for Reversible Data Hiding

Abstract

This paper presents a new Pixel-Repetition (PR) based embedding scheme to better utilize the redundancy of image data for a high-capacity Reversible Data Hiding (RDH) scheme. Each pixel of an input image is repeated to create an image-block of size 2×2 in the up-sampled image. The proposed embedding scheme maps the up-sampled pixels using a set of unique conditions to embed 4-bit of data in each 2×2 block. The mapping conditions also ensure the regeneration of the first-pixel of a block from the other pixels in the block, which allows embedding of additional data-bits in every first-pixels of a block. Unlike the existing schemes, the proposed scheme with the modified mapping conditions and embedding in the first pixel in each block ensures better utilization of the redundancy. Thus, the proposed scheme demonstrates a significant improvement in the embedding rate-distortion performance over the relevant RDH schemes.