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Reversible data hiding using the dynamic block-partition strategy and pixel-value-ordering

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Abstract

The reversible watermarking algorithm based on pixel value ordering (PVO) embeds secret data by modifying the maximum and minimum values in a pixel block. The performance of this algorithm heavily depends on the inherent correlation among adjacent pixels within an image block. To improve the inherent correlation among adjacent pixels within an image block, a new method to incorporate the dynamic block-partition strategy into the PVO algorithm is proposed in this paper. This new method includes the following procedure: First, the host image is divided into non-overlapping regions according to the image pixel values; then, each region is partitioned into different blocks, which are subsequently classified according to the local complexity and predefined threshold values for embedding; and finally, watermark embedding is performed using the PVO-based algorithm. In the proposed method, the pixel values of each embedded block are located in a relatively small region to improve the inherent correlation and thereby enhance the embedding performance of PVO. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has a better embedding performance compared with that of the conventional PVO based algorithm.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2016YFB0800601) and the Key Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province (Grant No. 2017ZDXM-GY-014).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Integrated Service Networks, Xidian University, Xi’an, 710071, China

    Wengui Su, Xiang Wang & Qingqi Pei

  2. School of Mechanical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China

    Wengui Su & Fu Li

  3. School of Computer Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, 710071, China

    Wengui Su & Yulong Shen

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  1. Wengui Su
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  2. Xiang Wang
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  3. Fu Li
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  5. Qingqi Pei
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Correspondence to Xiang Wang.

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Su, W., Wang, X., Li, F. et al. Reversible data hiding using the dynamic block-partition strategy and pixel-value-ordering. Multimed Tools Appl 78, 7927–7945 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-018-6410-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-018-6410-x

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