Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Reference pixel-based reversible data hiding scheme using multi-level pixel value ordering

  • Published:
Multimedia Tools and Applications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Traditional PVO (Pixel Value Ordering) can embed at most two data bits in a row or column of a smooth image block, which is unable to fulfil current demands. To improve embedding capacity, we propose a reference pixel-based reversible data hiding scheme using multi-level PVO with PEE (Prediction Error Expansion) where more than two data bits can be embedded in a smooth block in each iteration while maintaining good visual quality and security. This scheme is different because it uses smooth block selection and takes bin difference (-1) into account when embedding secret data within more than two pixels. By choosing the neighbouring and current block’s pixel, this technique determines the smooth block. The reference pixel-based Multi-Level PVO (MPVO) method enhances the embedding performance as well as the image quality. With a block size of \(\mu =(3\times 3\)), the suggested technique has an average embedding capacity (EC) of over 70,000 bits and an average PSNR of over 40 dB. The experimental results shows that the proposed scheme is relatively greater in concentration with security, image quality and capacity of secrets than the other state-of-the-art schemes. The desired result highlighted certain impressive magnificent qualities in the areas of steganography, security controls, and digitally fraud identification, without which the development of technology would be severely hindered. This programme has significant benefits for both the public and private sectors in the areas of intellectual property rights and health care units.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Alattar AM (2004) Reversible watermark using the difference expansion of a generalized integer transform. IEEE transactions on image processing 13(8):1147–1156

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  2. Benseddik, M. L., Zebbiche, K., Azzaz, M. S., & Sadoudi, S. (2022). Interpolation-based reversible data hiding in the transform domain for fingerprint images. Multimedia Tools and Applications, 1-28

  3. University of California, Berkeley, “The Berkeley Segmentation Dataset and Benchmark”, http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Research/Projects/CS/vision/grouping/BSR/BSR_bsds500.tgz. Accessed on December 11, 2017

  4. Chang CC, Nguyen TS, Lin CC (2015) A reversible compression code hiding using SOC and SMVQ indices. Information Sciences 300:85–99

    Google Scholar 

  5. Chang J, Ding F, Li X, Zhu G (2021) Hybrid prediction-based pixel-value-ordering method for reversible data hiding. Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation 77:103097

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chen, F., He, H. & Huo, Y. Self-embedding watermarking scheme against JPEG compression with superior imperceptibility. Multimed Tools Appl 76, 9681-9712 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-016-3574-0

  7. Fridrich, J., Goljan, M., & Du, R. (2001, October). Reliable detection of LSB steganography in color and grayscale images. In Proceedings of the 2001 workshop on Multimedia and security: new challenges (pp. 27-30)

  8. Huang F, Qu X, Kim HJ, Huang J (2015) Reversible data hiding in JPEG images. IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology 26(9):1610–1621

    Google Scholar 

  9. Jain NK, Kasana SS (2018) High-capacity reversible data hiding using modified pixel value ordering approach. Journal of Circuits, Systems and Computers 27(11):1850175

    Google Scholar 

  10. Jana, B. High payload reversible data hiding scheme using weighted matrix, Optik, Volume 127, Issue 6, 2016, Pages 3347-3358, ISSN 0030-4026, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2015.12.055.

  11. Jana B (2016) Dual image based reversible data hiding scheme using weighted matrix. International Journal of Electronics and Information Engineering 5(1):6–19

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  12. Jana B, Giri D, Mondal SK (2016) Dual-Image Based Reversible Data Hiding Scheme Using Pixel Value Difference Expansion. IJ Network Security 18(4):633–643

    Google Scholar 

  13. Jana B (2016) High payload reversible data hiding scheme using weighted matrix. Optik-International Journal for Light and Electron Optics 127(6):3347–3358

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  14. Jana B, Giri D, Mondal SK (2017) Partial reversible data hiding scheme using (7, 4) hamming code. Multimedia Tools and Applications 76(20):21691–21706

    Google Scholar 

  15. Jana, B. (2017). Reversible data hiding scheme using sub-sampled image exploiting Lagrange’s interpolating polynomial. Multimedia Tools and Applications, 1-17

  16. Jung KH (2017) A high-capacity reversible data hiding scheme based on sorting and prediction in digital images. Multimedia Tools and Applications 76(11):13127–13137

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kaur G, Singh S, Rani R, Kumar R (2021) A comprehensive study of reversible data hiding (RDH) schemes based on pixel value ordering (PVO). Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering 28:3517–3568

    Google Scholar 

  18. Kaur G, Singh S, Rani R (2021) PVO based reversible data hiding technique for roughly textured images. Multidimensional Systems and Signal Processing 32(2):533–558

    Google Scholar 

  19. Kodak Lossless True Color Image Suite, http://r0k.us/graphics/kodak/. Accessed on December 11, 2017

  20. Kumar R, Jung KH (2020) Enhanced pairwise IPVO-based reversible data hiding scheme using rhombus context. Information Sciences 536:101–119

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  21. Kumar, R., Kim, D. S., Lim, S. H., & Jung, K. H. (2019, June). High-fidelity reversible data hiding using block extension strategy. In 2019 34th international technical conference on circuits/systems, computers and communications (ITC-CSCC) (pp. 1-4). IEEE

  22. Lee, C. F., Wang, K. H., Chang, C. C., & Huang, Y. L. (2009, February). A reversible data hiding scheme based on dual steganographic images. In Proceedings of the 3rd international conference on ubiquitous information management and communication (pp. 228-237)

  23. Lee CF, Huang YL (2013) Reversible data hiding scheme based on dual stegano-images using orientation combinations. Telecommunication Systems 52(4):2237–2247

    Google Scholar 

  24. Lee, S. K., Suh, Y. H., & Ho, Y. S. (2004, November). Lossless data hiding based on histogram modification of difference images. In Pacific-Rim Conference on Multimedia (pp. 340-347). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  25. Lee GJ, Yoo KY (2015) An improved double image digital watermarking scheme using the position property. Multimed Tools Appl 74:7261–7283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-014-1980-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Li X, Li J, Li B, Yang B (2013) High-fidelity reversible data hiding scheme based on pixel-value-ordering and prediction-error expansion. Signal processing 93(1):198–205

    Google Scholar 

  27. Li S, Hu L, Sun C, Chi L, Li T, Li H (2020) A reversible data hiding algorithm based on prediction error with large amounts of data hiding in spatial domain. IEEE Access 8:214732–214741

    Google Scholar 

  28. Liu H, Lin D, Kadir A (2013) A novel data hiding method based on deoxyribonucleic acid coding. Computers & Electrical Engineering 39(4):1164–1173

    Google Scholar 

  29. Liu G, Liu H, Kadir A (2014) Hiding message into DNA sequence through DNA coding and chaotic maps. Medical & biological engineering & computing 52:741–747

    Google Scholar 

  30. Lu TC, Wu JH, Huang CC (2015) Dual-image-based reversible data hiding method using center folding strategy. Signal Processing 115:195–213

    Google Scholar 

  31. Lu TC, Tseng CY, Wu JH (2015) Dual imaging-based reversible hiding technique using LSB matching. Signal Processing 108:77–89

    Google Scholar 

  32. The National Library of Medicine presents MedPix®, https://openi.nlm.nih.gov/gridquery.php?q= &it=x. Accessed on December 11, 2017

  33. Meikap, S., & Jana, B. (2017). Extended directional IPVO for reversible data hiding scheme. In Communication, devices, and computing (pp. 47-58). Springer, Singapore

  34. Meikap S, Jana B (2018) Directional PVO for reversible data hiding scheme with image interpolation. Multimedia Tools and Applications 77(23):31281–31311

    Google Scholar 

  35. Meikap S, Jana B (2019) Directional pixel value ordering based secret sharing using sub-sampled image exploiting Lagrange polynomial. SN Applied Sciences 1(6):645

    Google Scholar 

  36. Meikap S, Jana B (2021) Improved center-folding based directional pixel value ordering for reversible data hiding scheme. Multimedia Tools and Applications 80(4):5617–5652

    Google Scholar 

  37. Sudipta, M., Biswapati, J., Prasenjit, B., & Kumar, S. P. (2021). High Payload RDH Through Directional PVO Exploiting Center-Folding Strategy. In Proceedings of International Conference on Frontiers in Computing and Systems (pp. 659-670). Springer, Singapore

  38. Mielikainen J (2006) LSB matching revisited. IEEE signal processing letters 13(5):285–287

    Google Scholar 

  39. Nikolaidis N, Pitas I (1998) Robust image watermarking in the spatial domain. Signal processing 66(3):385–403

    Google Scholar 

  40. NingXiong M, Fan C, Shanjun Z et al (2022) Reversible data hiding based on global adaptive pairing and optimal 2D mapping set. Multimed Tools Appl. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-022-13705-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Ou B, Li X, Zhao Y, Ni R (2014) Reversible data hiding using invariant pixel-value-ordering and prediction-error expansion. Signal processing: image communication 29(7):760–772

    Google Scholar 

  42. Ou B, Li X, Wang J (2016) Improved PVO-based reversible data hiding: A new implementation based on multiple histograms modification. Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation 38:328–339

    Google Scholar 

  43. Ou B, Li X, Wang J (2016) High-fidelity reversible data hiding based on pixel-value-ordering and pairwise prediction-error expansion. Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation 39:12–23

    Google Scholar 

  44. Peng F, Li X, Yang B (2014) Improved PVO-based reversible data hiding. Digital Signal Processing 25:255–265

    Google Scholar 

  45. Qin C, Chang CC, Hsu TJ (2015) Reversible data hiding scheme based on exploiting modification direction with two steganographic images. Multimedia Tools and Applications 74(15):5861–5872

    Google Scholar 

  46. Qu X, Kim HJ (2015) Pixel-based pixel value ordering predictor for high-fidelity reversible data hiding. Signal Processing 111:249–260

    Google Scholar 

  47. Sharp, T. (2001, April). An implementation of key-based digital signal steganography. In International workshop on information hiding (pp. 13-26). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  48. Su Q, Chen B (2018) Robust color image watermarking technique in the spatial domain. Soft Computing 22(1):91–106

    Google Scholar 

  49. Thodi DM, Rodríguez JJ (2007) Expansion embedding techniques for reversible watermarking. IEEE transactions on image processing 16(3):721–730

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  50. Tian J (2003) Reversible data embedding using a difference expansion. IEEE transactions on circuits and systems for video technology 13(8):890–896

    Google Scholar 

  51. Turner LF (1989) Digital data security system. Patent IPN wo 89(08915):21

    Google Scholar 

  52. Nottingham Trent University, UCID Image Database. http://jasoncantarella.com/downloads/ucid.v2.tar.gz. Accessed on november 6, 2019

  53. University of Southern California, “The USC-SIPI Image Database”, http://sipi.usc.edu/database/database.php?volume=misc. Accessed on December 11, 2017

  54. Verma VS, Jha RK, Ojha A (2015) Significant region based robust watermarking scheme in lifting wavelet transform domain. Expert Systems with Applications 42(21):8184–8197

    Google Scholar 

  55. Wang XY, Zhang SY, Wen TT, Yang HY, Niu PP (2019) Coefficient difference based watermark detector in nonsubsampled contourlet transform domain. Information Sciences 503:274–290

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  56. Weng S, Zhao Y, Pan JS, Ni R (2008) Reversible watermarking based on invariability and adjustment on pixel pairs. IEEE signal processing letters 15:721–724

    Google Scholar 

  57. Weng S, Pan JS, Jiehang D, Zhou Z (2018) Pairwise IPVO-based reversible data hiding. Multimedia Tools and Applications 77(11):13419–13444

    Google Scholar 

  58. Wu H, Li X, Zhao Y, Ni R (2019) Improved reversible data hiding based on PVO and adaptive pairwise embedding. Journal of Real-Time Image Processing 16(3):685–695

    Google Scholar 

  59. Wu H, Li X, Zhao Y, Ni R (2020) Improved PPVO-based high-fidelity reversible data hiding. Signal Processing 167:107264

    Google Scholar 

  60. Xiang, H., Yuan, J., & Hou, S. (2016). Hybrid predictor and field-biased context pixel selection based on PPVO. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2016

  61. Yao H, Mao F, Qin C, Tang Z (2021) Dual-JPEG-image reversible data hiding. Information Sciences 563:130–149

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  62. Zhao W, Yang B, Gong S (2018) A Higher Efficient Reversible Data Hiding Scheme Based on Pixel Value Ordering. J. Inf. Hiding Multim. Signal Process. 9(4):918–928

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and associate editor or their valuable suggestions that greatly improved the manuscript.

Funding

We declare this work is an independent work and no financial assistance has been received for the work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Science, Hijli College, Paschim Medinipur, Pin-721306, Rangamatia, West Bengal, India

    Sudipta Meikap

  2. Department of Computer Science, Vidyasagar University, Paschim Medinipur, Midnapore, West Bengal, Pin-721306, India

    Biswapati Jana

Authors
  1. Sudipta Meikap
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Biswapati Jana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Sudipta Meikap: Conceptualization, Data creation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Software, Validation, Visualization, Writing - original draft, Writing - review and editing. Biswapati Jana: Conceptualization, Supervision, Visualization, Validation, review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Biswapati Jana.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of interest

We declare we have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Meikap, S., Jana, B. Reference pixel-based reversible data hiding scheme using multi-level pixel value ordering. Multimed Tools Appl 83, 16895–16928 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-023-16171-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-023-16171-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation