Improved center-folding based directional pixel value ordering for reversible data hiding scheme

Abstract

In the context of Reversible Data Hiding scheme (RDH), twin image-based methods have been widely used in recent years. Pixels of any cover image block are organized in ascending order and then modify the largest and smallest pixel to embed hidden information exploiting Pixel Value Ordering (PVO) techniques. The DPVO (Directional PVO) has been utilized in three orientations such as a horizontal, vertical and crosswise line applied one after other. Meanwhile, center folding method compresses the valuable hidden information and then embedded it within pixels of dual stego-images through averaging. The proposed scheme embed more than two data bits positions in any row of the image block which is possible by introducing a new parameter α, which was not reported by other PVO based RDH schemes. The Embedding Capacity (EC) is improved without compromising visual quality when the secret information is embedded using the center folding strategy combining with the DPVO scheme. The proposed method uses different image block sizes to demonstrate the relationship between the data hiding rate with visual quality of the stego image. The experimental outcomes indicate that the suggested method is suitable to embed high amount of hidden data with a good visual quality, that can be assured by comparing with other state-of-the-art methods. The intended result highlighted some impressive sublime features in the field of image identification, manipulation and forgery detection in which technical life stunts. This system profits enormously from numerous aspects of government and the private sector including education, economic protection, defence, intellectual property rights.