Reversible data hiding technique based on prediction error expansion and complexity gene

Data hiding is the process of concealing the existence of one type of information into another. In reversible data hiding techniques, original host image can be successfully restored from the marked image after the exact extraction of the secret information. In recent years, various modifications of this technique have been proposed. In this paper, the reversible data hiding technique based on prediction error expansion is modified by hiding the secret information using selective embedment as per complexity gene. Information hiding starts from the most complex block to lowest one which is evaluated on the basis of complexity gene. It also uses the Arnold cat map to encrypt the secret information, thus provide one more level of security to the scheme. Simulation results shows that the modified method has better PSNR, more information hiding capacity & enhanced levels of security then the existing technique.