Abstract
In 2021, Lu et al. proposed a reversible data hiding (RDH) scheme for interpolated images based on a multilayer center-folding strategy with a high embedding rate and image quality. However, their data encoding method and the chosen block size are not optimal, leaving the watermarked image quality and the embedding rate to be improved. To further reduce the distortion caused by embedded data, we propose an improved RDH scheme for interpolated images using an improved data encoding method. First, an improved two-layer data encoding method is proposed, which encodes the original data \({\varvec{R}}\) by comparing the amplitude of \({\varvec{R}}\) and its complement and the center folding strategy to form a new encoding pair \(({\varvec{R}}^{''}, {\varvec{F}})\). Thereafter, the neighbor mean interpolation method proposed by Jung and Yoo is used to generate an interpolated image divided into \({\varvec{m}}\times {\varvec{m}}\) non-overlapping blocks. Additionally, the interpolated pixels in each block are pre-processed to solve the overflow/underflow problem. Finally, the encoded data \({\varvec{R}}^{''}\) and \({\varvec{F}}\) are embedded into the pre-processed interpolated pixels to achieve blind extraction. We theoretically prove that the image quality obtained with a block size of \(2\times 2\) is superior to that of many other blocks. The results of extensive experiments on the BossBase, BOWS-2, NCID, and SIPI databases confirm that the proposed scheme outperforms several state-of-the-art schemes, with the average PSNR value improved by \(\sim \) 7.58 dB when 3-bit data are embedded into each interpolated pixel. These results indicate that our proposed scheme is effective.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
Data will be made available on request.
References
Biswapati J (2016) High payload reversible data hiding scheme using weighted matrix. Optik 127(6):3347–3358
Dragoi IC, Coltuc D (2014) Local-prediction-based difference expansion reversible watermarking. IEEE Trans Image Process 23(4):1779–1790
Hassan FS, Gutub A (2020) Efficient reversible data hiding multimedia technique based on smart image interpolation. Multimed Tools Appl 79(4):30087–30109
Hu J, Li TR (2015) Reversible steganography using extended image interpolation technique. Comput Electr Eng 46:447–455
Jung KH, Yoo KY (2009) Data hiding method using image interpolation. Comput Stand Interfaces 31(2):465–470
Jung KH, Yoo KY (2015) Steganographic method based on interpolation and LSB substitution of digital images. Multimed Tools Appl 74(6):1–13
Ke Y, Zhang MQ, Liu J, Su TT, Yang XY (2020) Fully homomorphic encryption encapsulated difference expansion for reversible data hiding in encrypted domain. IEEE Trans Circuits Syst Video Technol 30(8):2353–2365
Lee CF, Huang YL (2012) An efficient image interpolation increasing payload in reversible data hiding. Expert Syst Appl 39(8):6712–6719
Lee CF, Weng CY, Kao CY (2019) Reversible data hiding using Lagrange interpolation for prediction-error expansion embedding. Soft Comput 23(19):9719–9731
Li X, Zhang W, Gui X, Yang B (2017) Efficient reversible data hiding based on multiple histograms modification. IEEE Trans Inf Forensics Secur 10(9):2016–2027
Li D, Zhou J, Sun W, Yan D, Wang R (2020) First steps toward concealing the traces left by reversible image data hiding. IEEE Trans Circuits Syst II Express Briefs 67(5):951–955
Lu TC, Wu JH, Huang CC (2015) Dual-image-based reversible data hiding method using center folding strategy. Signal Process 115:195–213
Lu TC, Huang SR, Huang SW (2021) Reversible hiding method for interpolation images featuring a multilayer center folding strategy. Soft Comput 25:161–180
Malik A, Sikka G, Verma HK (2020) A reversible data hiding scheme for interpolated images based on pixel intensity range. Multimed Tools Appl 79(7):18005–18031
Mohammad AA, Al-Haj A, Farfoura M (2019) An improved capacity data hiding technique based on image interpolation. Multimed Tools Appl 78:7181–7205
Ni Z, Shi YQ, Ansari N, Wei S (2006) Reversible data hiding. IEEE Trans Circuits Syst Video Technol 16(3):354–362
Tai WL, Yeh CM, Chang CC (2009) Reversible data hiding based on histogram modification of pixel differences. IEEE Trans Circuits Syst Video Technol 19(6):906–910
Tang M, Hu J, Song W, Zeng S (2015) Reversible and adaptive image steganographic method. AEÜ-Int J Electr Commun 69(12):1745–1754
Tang L, Wu D, Wang H, Chen M, Xie J (2021) An adaptive fuzzy inference approach for color image steganography. Soft Comput 25(16):10987–11004
Thodi DM, Rodriguez JJ (2007) Expansion embedding techniques for reversible watermarking. IEEE Trans Image Process 16(3):721–730
Tian J (2003) Reversible data embedding using a difference expansion. IEEE Trans Circuits Syst Video Technol 13(8):890–896
Wahed MA, Hussain N (2019) High capacity reversible data hiding with interpolation and adaptive embedding. PLoS ONE 14(3):e0212093
Wu H, Li X, Zhao Y, Ni R (2020) Improved ppvo-based high-fidelity reversible data hiding. Signal Process 167:107264
Xiong X (2019) Novel scheme of reversible watermarking with a complementary embedding strategy. IEEE Access 7:136592–136603
Xiong X, Wang L, Li C, Ye Z, Chen Y, Fan M, Zhu Y (2022) An adaptive high capacity reversible data hiding algorithm in interpolation domain. Signal Process 194:108458
Yang CN, Hsu SC, Kim C (2017) Improving stego image quality in image interpolation based data hiding. Comput Stand Interfaces 50:209–215
Yang CH, Weng CY, Chen JY (2022) High-fidelity reversible data hiding in encrypted image based on difference-preserving encryption. Soft Comput 26(1):1727–1742
Yao H, Liu X, Tang Z, Hu Y, Qin C (2018) An improved image camouflage technique using color difference channel transformation and optimal prediction-error expansion. IEEE Access 6:40569–40584
Funding
This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (62062023), the Natural Science Foundation of Education Department of Gui-zhou Province (2021[310]), and the Natural Science Foundation of Science and Technology Department of Guizhou Province (ZK[2021] 316).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that we have no conflict of interest.
Ethical approval
This article does not contain any studies with human participants and/or animals performed by any of the authors.
Informed consent
This article does not contain any studies with human participants and/or animals.
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.
About this article
Cite this article
Xiong, X., Li, Z., Chen, Y. et al. Effective reversible data hiding scheme for interpolated images using an improved data encoding strategy. Soft Comput 28, 3491–3508 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00500-023-09169-7
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00500-023-09169-7