A novel quantum LSB-based steganography method using the Gray code for colored quantum images

Zhou

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

A novel and traceable quantum steganography scheme based on pixel value differencing (PVD) is proposed. In the proposed scheme, a quantum cover image is divided into non-overlapping blocks of two consecutive pixels. Then, by a series of reversible logic circuits, we calculate the difference value based on the values of the two pixels in each block and classify it as one of a set of continuous ranges. The secret image and operator information are embedded in the cover image by using the new obtained difference value to replace the original one. The number of bits of secret image that can be embedded in a block is determined, and the number of bits of operator information is decided by the range of the difference value belongs to. Moreover, when the embedded data is extracted from a stego image, it is not necessary to refer to the original cover image. The performance of the proposed scheme is based on the analysis of several categories of simulation results, such as visual quality, capacity, and robustness.

“…Although the LSB based methods presented by Heidari et al . 27,29,30,40 has higher PSNR, our proposed algorithm also achieves a satisfactory visual quality from invisibility analyses.…”

Section: Simulation Experiments and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Traceable Quantum Steganography Scheme Based on Pixel Value Differencing

Zhou

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

“…Six color images ''Lena'', ''Airplane'', ''Vegetables'', ''Baboon'', ''Stone'' and ''University'' of size . PSNR values of the simulation results, the embedding efficiency and the embedding capacity of six embedding methods based on matrix coding and the other embedding algorithms ( [25], [26], [28], [30]).…”

Section: Experiments Results and Performance Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…And the last embedding method employs two channels to hide secret information. Later, Heidari and Farzadnia [28] also presented a novel quantum LSB-based steganography method using the Gray code for quantum color images. The Gray code [33], also known as the reflected binary code (RBC), is an approach to encode an integer in the 2 n -ary numeral system into an n-bit binary sequence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Matrix Coding-Based Quantum Image Steganography Algorithm

Cheng

Wang

2019

IEEE Access

Embedding secret information into quantum carrier image for covert communication is one of significant research fields of quantum secure communication. Using good imperceptibility and high embedding efficiency of matrix coding, this paper proposes a novel matrix coding-based quantum steganography algorithm for quantum color images. In order to better apply matrix coding in actual demand, two different embedding methods are proposed. One embedding method is single pixel-embedded (1, 3, 2) coding, called SPE (1, 3, 2) coding for short. This method embeds two qubits of secret information into three least significant qubits (LSQbs) of a single pixel of quantum carrier image, and at most only one LSQb would be changed. The other embedding method is the multiple pixels-embedded (1, 3, 2) coding, called MPsE (1, 3, 2) coding, in which three LSQbs of multiple carrier pixels are utilized to embed two secret qubits. On account of experimental simulation obtained in the MATLAB environment, it shows that the new algorithm has good performance in the imperceptibility, the security, the embedding efficiency, and the embedding capacity. INDEX TERMS Quantum image steganography, matrix coding, quantum color images, imperceptibility, embedding efficiency.

“…Heidari et al [13] employed Gray code to implement the LSB steganography algorithm for quantum color images, but the quantum circuit complexity was high. Additionally, he proposed three LSB steganography algorithms for quantum color images [14].…”

Section: State Of the Artmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Embedding capacity is defined as the maximum amount of secret data hidden in the carrier image without influencing obvious distortion of the carrier image. In general, the embedding capacity is the ratio of the number of embedded secret bits to the total pixels of the carrier image, which is defined as follows: (13) In this scheme, the steganographic capacity is calculated as follows: (14) Similarly, Table 1 indicates that the embedding capacity of the scheme is up to 4 bits per pixel, and the visible steganographic capacity also has obvious advantages.…”

Section: Steganographic Capacitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Steganography of Quantum Color Images Based on Blocking and Gray Level Difference

Luo¹,

Shi²,

Oad³

et al. 2020

JESTR

Steganography of quantum images is restricted by high fidelity and robustness, which limit hiding capacity and decrease visual quality. To improve the concealment of steganographic embedding of secret messages and enhance embedding capacity, the present study proposed a quantum red-green-blue (RGB) image steganography based on image block and gray level difference. First, digital color images were represented by quantum models and divided into non-overlapping blocks. Second, reference pixels in the blocks were selected, and gray level difference between the reference pixels and the G channel of other pixels was calculated. Third, according to the location of the difference, different bit planes where secret messages were embedded into the R and the B channels of the carrier image were determined. Finally, steganographic image was divided into blocks. The G channel gray difference was calculated, and the original secret message was extracted. Results demonstrate that quantum RGB image steganography has a steganographic capacity of four bits per pixel, and its quantum circuit is less complex. In comparison with other quantum image steganographic methods, the proposed method ensures a large steganographic capacity while realizing satisfactory visual quality and steganographic concealment. The study provides reference significance for exploring data hiding and quantum image security based on quantum RGB image block.