Correction-enabled reversible data hiding with pixel repetition for high embedding rate and quality preservation

Abstract

A novel correction-enabled Pixel Repetition (PR)-based Reversible Data Hiding (RDH) framework, featuring a new embedding scheme is presented. The proposed RDH scheme uses contextually redundant block pixels, generated via PR, in a two-phase adaptive embedding process, enhancing both image quality and data embedding rates. Specifically, each $2\times 2$ block encodes 4 bits of data using new mapping conditions that facilitate seed pixel reconstruction from remaining block pixels and provide additional embedding opportunities. Additionally, an innovative post-embedding error correction technique, based on $2^k$-bit error-correction, minimises post-embedding distortion, further improving image quality. This error correction approach augments data embedding robustness, vital for applications like medical imaging, telemedicine, and digital watermarking that requires high embedding capacity with minimum possible distortion. The proposed scheme surpasses existing state-of-the-art methods in embedding rate-distortion performance, validated through subjective and objective analyses. Furthermore, statistical analysis, including histogram and fragility testing, confirms the scheme's potential for image authentication across diverse multimedia applications. The correction-enabled RDH with PR offers enhanced embedding capacity and image quality preservation, making it particularly advantageous for applications requiring robust data hiding while maintaining visual fidelity.