Abstract
Reversible data hiding in encrypted images (RDH-EI) is instrumental in image privacy protection and data embedding. However, conventional RDH-EI models, involving image providers, data hiders, and receivers, limit the number of data hiders to one, which restricts its applicability in scenarios requiring multiple data embedders. Therefore, the need for an RDH-EI accommodating multiple data hiders, especially for copyright protection, has become crucial. Addressing this, we introduce the application of Pixel Value Order (PVO) technology to encrypted reversible data hiding, combined with the secret image sharing (SIS) scheme. This creates a novel scheme, PVO, Chaotic System, Secret Sharing-based Reversible Data Hiding in Encrypted Image (PCSRDH-EI), which satisfies the (k,n) threshold property. An image is partitioned into N shadow images, and reconstruction is feasible when at least k shadow images are available. This method enables separate data extraction and image decryption. Our scheme combines stream encryption, based on chaotic systems, with secret sharing, underpinned by the Chinese remainder theorem (CRT), ensuring secure secret sharing. Empirical tests show that PCSRDH-EI can reach a maximum embedding rate of 5.706 bpp, outperforming the state-of-the-art and demonstrating superior encryption effects.