Reversible data hiding scheme based on dual stegano-images using orientation combinations

Abstract

This work presents a novel reversible data hiding scheme based on combinations of pixel orientations located at two steganographic images to enhance embedding capacity and preserve good visual quality. Before secret data are embedded, the proposed scheme converts the data into a sequence of digits in a base-5 numeral system. The conversion then extends the abilitity to carry more secret data. When the secret data embedding procedure is performed, the original cover pixel value can only be modified by at most plus or minus one, thus ensuring that the stegano-image also has excellent visual quality. Moreover, image recovery does not require overhead information. Experimental results demonstrate that the embedding capacity is around 1.07 bpp and PSNR reaches 49.6 dB. The experimental comparison also reveals that the proposed scheme outperforms other related schemes in terms of embedding rate and retains a high visual effect of stegano-image.