Hiding Authenticable General Digital Information behind Binary Images with Reduced Distortion

[[abstract]]A new approach to information hiding in binary images with the capabilities of hidden data authentication and image distortion reduction is proposed. The hidden information may be of any data form. Based on a new feature called surrounding edge count for measuring the structural randomness in an image block, pixel embeddability is defined from the viewpoint of minimizing image distortion. Accordingly, embeddable image pixels suitable for hiding secret data are selected. Furthermore, an error-correcting scheme is used both for hidden data authentication and for image distortion reduction. Finally, to increase the security of embedded data, a secret key and a random number generator are employed to randomize the locations of selected pixels into which secret data are embedded. Experimental results show the feasibility of the approach for real applications