A general pixel mapping based reversible data hiding in encrypted images

Reversible data hiding in encrypted images enables secure data embedding while preserving content privacy. However, existing pixel-mapping-based reversible data hiding in encrypted images methods, such as Manikandan and Zhang’s method, produce blurry marked images that limit their applicability in buyer-seller watermarking protocols requiring high visual quality. This paper first clarifies a misstatement of independence from the encryption techniques in pixel-mapping-based reversible data hiding in encrypted images and then proposes a general framework for pixel-mapping-based reversible data hiding in encrypted images. We still use pixel mapping, but in a general way to propose a general pixel-mapping-based reversible data hiding in encrypted images and provide a better marked image quality, more suitable for validation. Furthermore, our general pixel-mapping-based reversible data hiding method in encrypted images also has enhanced embedding rate. The proposed method can be established by selecting appropriate parameters of our general framework based on application requirements. In addition, the visual performance and embedding rate are theoretical analyzed, and the feasibility and advantages of the proposed method are demonstrated through experiments.