Image hiding optimization using ant colony optimization algorithm

Deterioration in the quality on host media (such as image) usually occurs when the information (such as text or image) is hidden or embedded in the host. The smaller deterioration on host media after embedding the information, the system hiding is more successful because it shows there is no significant different between the original host image and the host image after embedded. This study proposes hiding information into a host image so that the deterioration is minimal using least significant bit (LSB) substitution and modified ant algorithm. The minimal deterioration is achieved when each pixels on the information is appropriate hidden on pixels on host media. The minimal deterioration as objective function is get by chasing the maximal peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). This proposed method is implemented on some hosts image with two image information. The results show the host embedded image has no the different significant with the original host image with PSNR between about 63-73.