A lsqb steganography method based on differential steganography

Abstract

The application discloses an LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography, which comprises the following steps: performing differential steganography on a secret image, and expanding the obtained image; converting the obtained image and a cover image into a quantum image in NEQR form, and embedding information of the secret image into a predetermined area of the cover image; transmitting the transmission image to a receiving end by using TCP / IP; extracting the least significant bit of the gray value of each pixel of the image at the receiving end, converting the extracted NEQR image into a classical form image; finding the embedded area from the obtained image, compressing the image extracted from the area into the size of the secret image, and performing accumulation processing on the obtained image to restore the secret image. The application improves the concealment of the transmission secret image, and enhances the security and integrity of information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of quantum computing and image processing technology, and in particular relates to an LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of computers and related information technologies, the means of stealing important information are also constantly increasing. This not only endangers the national economy and national defense security but also seriously disrupts market order. Therefore, information security technology is becoming an important research direction in the field of information technology. Image steganography is a security technology that hides secret information on an unrelated image carrier and transmits the secret information through a public transmission medium to evade the attacker's scrutiny. Currently, steganography mainly uses single methods. However, as both attackers and defenders continuously iterate their technologies, single security technologies are easily compromised by attackers trying different methods, leading to the leakage of critical information.

[0003] Recently, with the deepening research on deep learning-based steganalysis, image steganography needs to enhance the quality of stegated images and improve the robustness of steganalysis to improve its resistance to detection. Currently, embedding-based steganography methods remain the mainstream in image steganography. In order to improve anti-steganography performance while embedding, different secret information encoding methods and processing models have been proposed to fit the features of the carrier image or to use the distortion generated during image transmission to deceive the detection model and realize the transmission of secret information.

[0004] However, the aforementioned steganography methods rarely employ image information as the secret information, and the applicable secret information is relatively simple, easily detected by detection models, and lacks a suitable transmission method, making it susceptible to interference from errors generated during transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography, which improves the confidentiality of image information during transmission and enhances the security and integrity of information.

[0006] To achieve the objective of this invention, this invention provides an LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography, comprising the following steps:

[0007] Step 1: Select a grayscale image of a certain size as the cover image and the secret image, wherein the cover image is larger than the secret image;

[0008] Step 2: Perform differential steganography on the secret image, followed by image enlargement;

[0009] Step 3: Convert the enlarged secret image and the cover image into a quantum secret image and a quantum cover image in NEQR format, and embed the information of the quantum secret image into a predetermined area of ​​the quantum cover image to obtain a steganographic image;

[0010] Step 4: Use TCP / IP to send the steganalysis image to the receiving end to recover the complete steganalysis image;

[0011] Step 5: Extract the least significant bit of the grayscale value of each pixel in the received image, and convert the extracted NEQR format image into a classic format image;

[0012] Step 6: Locate the predetermined region embedded in the classic image, compress the image extracted from the region, and then perform cumulative processing to finally restore the secret image.

[0013] Furthermore, the grayscale image of a certain size in step 1 is 2. n ×2 n The cover image and 2 n-2 ×2 n-2 The secret image, where n is an integer.

[0014] Furthermore, step 2 includes the following steps:

[0015] 2-1. Differential Steganography: Differential steganography is performed on the secret image, and the grayscale value of each pixel is:

[0016] Y'(:, j)=Y(:, j)-Y(:, j-1)+256, j∈[2, n-2 ];

[0017] Y′(i,1)=Y(i,1)-Y(i-1,1)+256, i∈[2, n-2 ];

[0018] Where i is the row number and j is the column number;

[0019] 2-2. Number system conversion: After the secret image is encoded by the differential steganography, the grayscale value of each pixel is represented by a 9-bit binary number as c8C7C6C5C4c3C2C1c0.

[0020] 2-3. Enlarging the image: Extract each bit of the 9-bit grayscale value of each pixel from low to high. The bits with the same position are arranged according to their relative positions in the secret image to form an image of the same size as the secret image. There are a total of 9 images. The 9 images are filled into an image of the same size as the cover image with each pixel having a grayscale value of 0, according to certain rules and without overlap, to obtain the enlarged secret image. The filled area is the encoding area.

[0021] Furthermore, step 3 includes the following steps:

[0022] 3-1. Conversion Form: Measure the size of the image to be converted, determine the number of qubits (2n) describing the image size, and use a quantum register to convert the classical image into a quantum image in NEQR form. The conversion result is:

[0023]

[0024] in For g-bit qubits, the pixel grayscale information of a pixel is encoded, |i>=|y n- 1y n-2 …y0>|x n-1 x n-2 …x0> represents the vertical and horizontal position information of a pixel encoded using n qubits respectively;

[0025] 3-2. Embedded Information: Using a quantum comparator, the lowest two qubits of the grayscale value of the pixel in the quantum secret image are compared with the lowest two qubits of the grayscale value of the corresponding pixel in the quantum cover image. If the comparison results are different, a unitary operation is performed on the lowest qubit of the grayscale value of the pixel in the quantum cover image to finally obtain the steganographic image.

[0026] Furthermore, step 4 includes the following steps:

[0027] 4-1. Establish a connection: Using the TCP / IP protocol, create a socket interface to establish a stable connection between the sender and receiver;

[0028] 4-2. Data Encapsulation: The steganographic image data is segmented and encapsulated into data packets suitable for network transmission. The data packets contain partial image information and control information.

[0029] 4-3. Data transmission: The encapsulated data packet is sent to the receiving end through the socket interface;

[0030] 4-4. Receipt Confirmation: After receiving the data packet, the receiving end sends an confirmation message to the sending end to confirm that the data packet has been successfully received;

[0031] 4-5. Data Reassembly: The receiving end reassembles the received data packets according to the packet sequence number to restore the complete steganalytic image.

[0032] Furthermore, step 5 specifically includes:

[0033] Extract the lowest qubit of each pixel in the NEQR steganographic image to obtain an NEQR image of the same size. By measuring the qubits representing the pixel positions in the NEQR image, determine the gray value of each pixel one by one until the entire image is filled, and finally obtain the classical form of the image corresponding to the NEQR image.

[0034] Furthermore, step 6 includes the following steps:

[0035] 6-1. Image reconstruction: Extract the least significant bit of the grayscale value of each pixel from the nine encoded regions of the classic image, and superimpose them bit by bit to synthesize an image of the same size as the secret image, with grayscale values ​​encoded by 9-bit binary numbers;

[0036] 6-2. Accumulation and Restoration: Perform the following calculations on the grayscale values ​​of each pixel in the image obtained in step 6-1:

[0037] Y(i,1)=Y(i-1,1)+Y′(i,1)-256, i∈[2,2 n-2 ];

[0038] Y(:,j)=Y′(:,j)+Y(:,j-1)-256,j∈[2,2 n-2 ];

[0039] Where i is the row number and j is the column number; the final result is the restored secret image.

[0040] An electronic device includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that the processor implements the aforementioned LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography when executing the program.

[0041] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, the computer instructions being used to cause the computer to execute the above-described LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography.

[0042] A computer program product includes computer program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the aforementioned LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography.

[0043] Compared with the prior art, the significant progress of the present invention is as follows: (1) The present invention uses a combination of multiple steganography methods and improves the encoding method of pixel values ​​in differential steganography, reducing the range of least significant bit steganography of the cover image and reducing the change to the original image; (2) The present invention uses a quantum computer to embed the least significant bit, which does not affect the quality of the steganographic image generation and improves the computational efficiency.

[0044] To more clearly illustrate the functional characteristics and structural parameters of the present invention, further explanation is provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0045] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0046] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the steganography system designed in this invention.

[0047] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the results of the steganography strategy in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0049] Combination Figure 1 This invention provides an LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography, comprising the following steps:

[0050] Step 1: Select a grayscale image of 2. n ×2 n The cover image and 2 n-2 ×2 n-2 The secret image, where n is an integer, serves as both the cover image and the secret image, with the cover image being larger than the secret image;

[0051] Step 2: Perform differential steganography on the secret image, followed by image enlargement;

[0052] 2-1. Differential Steganography: Differential steganography is performed on the secret image, and the grayscale value of each pixel is:

[0053] Y'(:, j)=Y(:, j)-Y(:, j-1)+256, j∈[2, 2 n-2 ];

[0054] Y′(i,1)=Y(i,1)-Y(i-1,1)+256, i∈[2,2 n-2 ];

[0055] Where i is the row number and j is the column number;

[0056] 2-2. Number system conversion: After the secret image is encoded by the differential steganography, the gray value of each pixel is represented by a 9-bit binary number as c8c7c6c5c4c3c2c1c0.

[0057] 2-3. Enlarging the image: Extract each bit of the 9-bit grayscale value of each pixel from low to high. The bits with the same position are arranged according to their relative positions in the secret image to form an image of the same size as the secret image. There are a total of 9 images. The 9 images are filled into an image of the same size as the cover image with each pixel having a grayscale value of 0, according to certain rules and without overlap, to obtain the enlarged secret image. The filled area is the encoding area.

[0058] Step 3: Convert the enlarged secret image and the cover image into a quantum secret image and a quantum cover image in NEWR format, and embed the information of the quantum secret image into a predetermined area of ​​the quantum cover image to obtain a steganographic image;

[0059] 3-1. Conversion Form: Measure the size of the image to be converted, determine the number of qubits (2n) describing the image size, and use a quantum register to convert the classical image into a quantum image in NEWR form. The conversion result is:

[0060]

[0061] in For g-bit qubits, the pixel grayscale information of a pixel is encoded, |i>=|y n- 1y n-2 …y0>|x n-1 x n-2 …x0> represents the vertical and horizontal position information of a pixel encoded using n qubits respectively;

[0062] 3-2. Embedded Information: Using a quantum comparator, the lowest two qubits of the grayscale value of the pixel in the quantum secret image are compared with the lowest two qubits of the grayscale value of the corresponding pixel in the quantum cover image. If the comparison results are different, a unitary operation is performed on the lowest qubit of the grayscale value of the pixel in the quantum cover image to finally obtain the steganographic image.

[0063] Step 4: Use TCP / IP to send the steganalysis image to the receiving end to recover the complete steganalysis image;

[0064] 4-1. Establish a connection: Using the TCP / IP protocol, create a socket interface to establish a stable connection between the sender and receiver;

[0065] 4-2. Data Encapsulation: The steganographic image data is segmented and encapsulated into data packets suitable for network transmission. Each data packet contains partial information about the image and control information (including sequence number and integrity verification).

[0066] 4-3. Data Transmission: The encapsulated data packet is sent to the receiving end through the socket interface; the TCP protocol ensures reliable data transmission and ensures accurate data delivery even under poor network conditions.

[0067] 4-4. Receipt Confirmation: After receiving the data packet, the receiving end sends an confirmation message to the sending end to confirm that the data packet has been successfully received;

[0068] 4-5. Data Reassembly: The receiving end reassembles the received data packets according to the packet sequence number to restore the complete steganalytic image.

[0069] Step 5: Extract the least significant bit of the grayscale value of each pixel in the received image, and convert the extracted NEQR format image into a classic format image;

[0070] Extract the lowest qubit of each pixel in the NEQR steganographic image to obtain an NEQR image of the same size. By measuring the qubits representing the pixel positions in the NEQR image, determine the gray value of each pixel one by one until the entire image is filled, and finally obtain the classical form of the image corresponding to the NEQR image.

[0071] Step 6: Locate the predetermined region embedded in the classic image, compress the image extracted from the region, and then perform cumulative processing to finally restore the secret image.

[0072] 6-1. Image reconstruction: Extract the least significant bit of the grayscale value of each pixel from the nine encoded regions of the classic image, and superimpose them bit by bit to synthesize an image of the same size as the secret image, with grayscale values ​​encoded by 9-bit binary numbers;

[0073] 6-2. Accumulation and Restoration: Perform the following calculations on the grayscale values ​​of each pixel in the image obtained in step 6-1:

[0074] Y(i,1)=Y(i-1,1)+Y′(i,1)-256, i∈[2,2 n-2 ];

[0075] Y(:,j)=Y′(:,j)+Y(:,j-1)-256,j∈[2,2 n-2 ];

[0076] The secret image was eventually restored.

[0077] Example

[0078] An embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below. The simulation is performed using MATLAB programming, and the parameter settings do not affect the generality. This embodiment verifies the effectiveness and convergence of the proposed steganography method in the following scenario:

[0079] The sender of the image will Figure 2 The "Secret image" is embedded in the cover image as secret information, that is... Figure 2 The “Cover image” forms Figure 2 The "Stego image" is generated and sent to the receiving end via TCP / IP. The receiving end extracts the secret information from the "Stego image" to obtain... Figure 2 The “Extracted image” in the image.

[0080] contrast Figure 2 The “Stego image” and “Extracted image” show that the secret image embedded in the cover image is reproduced very well without error, proving the effectiveness of the steganography method.

[0081] In summary, the LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography proposed in this invention combines two steganography methods. By selecting a portion of the cover image as the LSQb encoding region, it can improve the anti-detection capability of the steganographic image while ensuring complete restoration of the secret information.

[0082] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0083] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography, characterized in that, It comprises the following steps: Step 1, selecting a certain size of gray image as cover image and secret image, the cover image is larger than the secret image; Step 2, difference steganography is carried out on the secret image, and then image expansion is carried out; 2-1, difference steganography: the secret image is subjected to difference steganography, and the gray value of each pixel is: ； ； wherein is a row number, is a column number; 2-2, conversion of base: after the secret image is encoded by the difference steganography, the gray value of each pixel is expressed by 9-bit binary number as ; 2-3, expand the image: from low to high, extract each bit of 9-bit gray value of each pixel, the number of same bits is combined into an image of the same size as the secret image according to the relative position in the secret image, and the image has 9 images, which are filled into an image with the same size as the cover image and the gray value of each pixel being 0 without overlapping according to a certain rule, to obtain the expanded secret image, and the filled area is the encoding area; Step 3, converting the expanded secret image and the cover image into quantum secret image and quantum cover image in NEQR form, and embedding the information of the quantum secret image into the predetermined area of the quantum cover image to obtain a stego image; Step 4, sending the stego image to the receiving end by using TCP / IP to recover the complete stego image; Step 5, extracting the lowest bit of the gray value of each pixel of the image at the receiving end, and converting the extracted image in NEQR form into a classical form image; Step 6, finding out the embedded predetermined area from the classical form image, compressing the image extracted from the area, and then performing accumulation processing to finally restore the secret image.

2. The LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography according to claim 1, characterized in that, The size of the gray scale image in step 1 is the cover image and the secret image, n is an integer.

3. The LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step 3 comprises the following steps: 3-1, conversion form: measuring the size of the image to be converted, determining the number of quantum bits 2n describing the size of the image, and converting the classical form image into a quantum image in NEQR form by using quantum register, and the conversion result is: ； wherein is bit quantum bit encodes pixel gray scale information of the pixel, is respectively n quantum bits encoding vertical and horizontal position information of the pixel; 3-2, embedding information: comparing the lowest two bits of the gray value of the pixel of the quantum secret image with the lowest two bits of the gray value of the corresponding pixel of the quantum cover image by using quantum comparator, if the comparison result is different, performing unitary operation on the lowest quantum bit of the gray value of the pixel of the quantum cover image, and finally obtaining a stego image.

4. The LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step 4 comprises the following steps: 4-1, connection establishment: using TCP / IP protocol, creating a socket interface, and establishing stable connection between the sending end and the receiving end; 4-2, data packaging: dividing the stego image data, and packaging into a data packet suitable for network transmission, the data packet containing part of the image information and control information; 4-3, data transmission: sending the packaged data packet to the receiving end through the socket interface; 4-4, receiving confirmation: after receiving the data packet, the receiving end sends confirmation information to the sending end to confirm that the data packet has been successfully received; 4-5, data recombination: the receiving end recombines the received data packet according to the packet sequence number to recover the complete stego image.

5. The LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step 5 is specifically: The lowest quantum bits of each pixel of the steganographic image in the form of NEQR are extracted to obtain a NEQR image of the same size. The corresponding gray value of each pixel is determined by measuring the quantum bits representing the pixel position in the NEQR image, until the entire image is filled, and finally the image in the form of NEQR corresponds to the image in the form of classic.

6. The LSQb steganography method based on differential steganography according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step 6 comprises the following steps: 6-1, Reformatting the image: extracting the binary lowest bits of the gray scale of each pixel in the 9 encoding areas of the image in the form of classic, and superimposing and synthesizing an image of the same size as the secret image, whose gray scale is encoded by 9 binary numbers; 6-2, Accumulative restoration: performing the following operation on the gray scale of each pixel of the image obtained in step 6-1: ； ； wherein is a row number, is a column number; resulting in a reduced secret image.

7. An electronic device comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that, The processor implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 6 when executing the program.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising: The non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores computer instructions for causing the computer to execute the method of any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. A computer program product comprising computer program instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 6.

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