Image protection based on visual cryptography and statistical property

In this paper, a novel intellectual property protection scheme for digital images based on visual cryptography and statistical property is proposed. The result of comparing two pixels that are selected randomly from the host image determines the content of the master share. Then, the master share and the watermark are used to generate the ownership share according to the encryption rules of visual cryptography. Our method does not need to alter the original image and can identify the ownership without restoring to the original image. Besides, our method allows multiple watermarks to be registered for a single host image without causing any damage to other hidden watermarks. Moreover, it is also possible for our scheme to cast a larger watermark into a smaller host image. Finally, experimental results will show the robustness of our scheme against several common attacks.