Data Hiding Method Based on Block Relation in DWT Domain for Color Images

Secret data hiding in color images is more difficult than other formats since the any change of color images is easier to be noticed visually. This study proposes a new method for data hiding in the R, G and B components of color image using a visual model to control the embedding intensity. Firstly, a visual model is employed to calculate the block based just noticeable difference (JND). Then, two neighboring image blocks are selected each time from the color component with Hilbert scanning order, and transformed by discrete wavelet transform (DWT) respectively. Lastly, according to the JND and the secret bit, the means size relation of two relative detail sub-bands coefficients in DWT domain is adjusted to hide the data. The experimental results show that the proposed method has the property of high capacity, good imperceptibility and low bit error rate.