A MV-Based Steganographic Algorithm for H.264/AVC without Distortion

H.264/AVC video is one of the most popular multimedia and has been widely used as the carriers of video steganography. In this paper, a novel motion vector (MV) based steganographic algorithm is proposed for the H.264/AVC compressed video without distortion. Four modules are introduced to eliminate the distortion caused by the modifications of motion vectors and guarantee the security of the algorithm. In the embedding block, the motion vector space encoding is used to embed a (2n+1)-ary notational number into an n-dimension vector composed of motion vectors generated from the selection block. Scrambling is adopted to disturb the order of steganographic carriers to improve the randomness of the carrier before the operation of embedding. The re-motion compensation (re-MC) block will re-construct the macroblock (MB) whose motion vectors have been modified by embedding block. System block plays the role of the generator for chaotic sequences and encryptor for secret data. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed algorithm can achieve high embedding capacity without stego video visual quality distortion, it also presents good undetectability for existing MV-based steganalysis feature. Performance comparisons with other existing algorithms are provided to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithm.     

基于编码模式的H.264/AVC视频信息隐藏算法

本文提出一种基于编码模式的H.264/AVC信息隐藏方法,通过调制某些宏块的编码模式,分别在Ⅰ帧、P帧和B帧中嵌入隐秘信息.对帧内4x4预测模式的宏块,是通过调整宏块中某个4×4块的编码模式嵌入隐秘信息;对P帧和B帧其它类型的宏块,则是通过调整宏块的编码模式嵌入隐秘信息,模式调整后对宏块做了优化处理.在模式调制过程中引入率失真代价,取得了较好的率失真平衡,减小了隐秘信息嵌入后对视频质量和视频码流的影响.该算法可以实现隐秘信息的快速提取,满足视频实时处理的要求,实验仿真结果证明了该算法的有效性.     

AVC/H.264标准中高效运动估计硬件结构设计

为解决视频编码标准AVC/H.264中运动估计高计算复杂度问题,提出了一个高效运动估计硬件实现结构.该结构能够实现多尺寸块运动估计处理,并且具有高流水效率和高性价比的特点.结构灵活性强,通过改变PE单元和加法树的流水级数能够达到面积和计算能力的折中.实验表明,该结构在搜索窗为65×65时,针对图像尺寸为720×576的视频,每秒最高可以编码48幅图像.     

Optimal Mode Decision Method for Interframe Prediction in H.264/AVC

Studies show that encoding technologies in H.264/AVC, including prediction and conversion, are essential technologies. However, these technologies are more complicated than the MPEG-4, which is a standard method and widely adopted worldwide. Therefore, the amount of calculation in H.264/AVC is significantly up-regulated compared to that of the MPEG-4. In the present study, it is intended to simplify the computationalexpenses in the international standard compression coding system H.264/AVC for moving images. Inter prediction refers to the most feasible compression technology, taking up to 60% of the entire encoding. In this regard, prediction error and motion vector information are proposed to simplify the computation of inter predictive coding technology. In the initial frame, motion compensation is performed in all target modes and then basic information is collected and analyzed. After the initial frame, motion compensation is performed only in the middle 8×8 modes, and the basic information amount shifts. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method and assess the motion image compression coding, four types of motion images, defined by the international telecommunication union (ITU), are employed. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that the developed method is capable of simplifying the calculation, while it is slightly affected by the inferior image quality and the amount of information.     

一种基于预测模式的H.264/AVC视频信息隐藏改进算法

提出了一种基于帧内预测模式调制的H.264/AVC视频信息改进隐藏算法.选择参考像素亮度值接近的帧内4×4块,通过对预测模式值进行调制以实现隐秘信息的嵌入,而预测模式调制过程是将最优预测模式变为满足嵌入条件的具有率失真开销最小的预测模式,以尽量减小预测模式的改变对视频客观质量的影响.信息的提取过程不需要原始载体视频,也...     

Fast mode decision based on systematic deployment of predictive resources for H.264/AVC

Abstract

This paper presents a well organised fast mode decision scheme for H.264/AVC that systematically integrates and deploys applicable predictive resources using constructive compromise. This scheme is constructed by primary SKIP mode checking, spatial prior temporal hard decision (STHD), and succinct mode decision (SMD). The STHD is connected with the predictive macroblocks searched. In STHD, only when spatial hard decision fails, temporal hard decision is performed using the potential partition characteristic vector (PPCV) addressed. If it fails, too, then SMD takes care of mode checking also using PPCV. The SMD consists of succinct P16?×?16 mode decision and succinct geometric/statistical extension examination, which are formed as an effective two-stage judgment. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method by systematically deploying the predictive resources can achieve 58–74% runtime savings in encoding QCIF, CIF and high definition videos with low performance losses. In addition, most processes of the proposed scheme could be implemented on logical operations, only.     

A Cauchy distribution-based ternary hypothesis testing for bipolar additive watermark detection in H.264/AVC video

Abstract

The statistical distribution of discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients is important for video watermarking since they are the main carriers for watermark embedding. For the statistical distribution of intra-coded DCT coefficients in the H.264/AVC video stream, non-parametric hypothesis test is utilised to verify that Cauchy distribution is better than generalised Gaussian distribution (GGD). Moreover, ternary hypothesis test is introduced into the detection of bipolar additive watermarks. By adjusting the watermark strength parameter, the detector performance can be guaranteed. Experimental results show that for those bipolar additive watermarks in the H.264/AVC stream, the proposed approach can achieve a detection accuracy of more than 80% on average.     

Reversible Data Hiding Based on Run-Level Coding in H.264/AVC Video Streams

This paper presents a reversible data hiding (RDH) method, which is designed by combining histogram modification (HM) with run-level coding in H.264/advanced video coding (AVC). In this scheme, the run-level is changed for embedding data into H.264/AVC video sequences. In order to guarantee the reversibility of the proposed scheme, the last nonzero quantized discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients in embeddable 4×4 blocks are shifted by the technology of histogram modification. The proposed scheme is realized after quantization and before entropy coding of H.264/AVC compression standard. Therefore, the embedded information can be correctly extracted at the decoding side. Peak-signal-noise-to-ratio (PSNR) and Structure similarity index (SSIM), embedding payload and bit-rate variation are exploited to measure the performance of the proposed scheme. Experimental results have shown that the proposed scheme leads to less SSIM variation and bit-rate increase.     

Fast intra prediction mode decision for H.264/AVC video coding

Abstract

Intra coding is used for reducing the spatial redundancy in video coding. H.264 supports several macroblocks of predictions for intra coding such as luma block four 16×16 modes, nine 4×4 modes and chroma block four modes, which significantly improve intra coding efficiency, but increase the encoding complexity. In order to select the best mode, we need to calculate the cost of the various modes. In this paper, a fast intra prediction mode decision for H.264/AVC video coding is proposed. Based on Laplacian, this intra prediction mode decision detects edges and selects the best mode for the block. This mode decision can shorten the time to reduce the encoding time. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm achieves an encoding time saving of 70% on average.     

自适应六边形-菱形运动估计算法及其在H.264中应用

运动估计是视频图像编码中运算量很大的部分,也是影响系统实时性能的瓶颈。为了减少图像编码的运算量,文章介绍和分析了用于视频编码标准H.264的基于六边形的搜索算法(HS),在此基础上根据H.264多模式的运动估计提出自适应六边形-菱形整像素算法,它体现了粗定位和准确定位的并行处理思想,仿真结果表明在获得与HS快速算法相当的图像质量和信噪比的情况下,可提高H.264视频编码的速度和效率。     

Design and implementation of real‐time software‐based H.261 video codec

ITU‐T H.261 is a video coding standard for videophone and video‐conferencing applications on LAN and ISDN, which requires a great amount of computing power for DCT and motion estimation, traditionally provided by hardware. Since motion estimation is a major problem in developing real‐time video codec, in this paper we propose a simple and fast motion estimation algorithm to reduce searching time. Mainly, a real‐time software‐based H.261 video codec is investigated and implemented, in which several fast methods such as programming technique and Intel MMX? instruction are used to improve computing speed. The experimental results have demonstrated that our H.261 codec can compress video in CIF format over 30 fps and in QCIF at 105 fps, and can achieve a very high decoding rate. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 12, 73–83, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.10013     

Spatially Separating Redox Centers on Z‐Scheme ZnIn2S4/BiVO4 Hierarchical Heterostructure for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Photocatalysis technology using solar energy for hydrogen (H₂) production still faces great challenges to design and synthesize highly efficient photocatalysts, which should realize the precise regulation of reactive sites, rapid migration of photoinduced carriers and strong visible light harvest. Here, a facile hierarchical Z‐scheme system with ZnIn₂S₄/BiVO₄ heterojunction is proposed, which can precisely regulate redox centers at the ZnIn₂S₄/BiVO₄ hetero‐interface by accelerating the separation and migration of photoinduced charges, and then enhance the oxidation and reduction ability of holes and electrons, respectively. Therefore, the ZnIn₂S₄/BiVO₄ heterojunction exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance with a much higher H₂‐evolution rate of 5.944 mmol g^?1 h^?1, which is about five times higher than that of pure ZnIn₂S₄. Moreover, this heterojunction shows good stability and recycle ability, providing a promising photocatalyst for efficient H₂ production and a new strategy for the manufacture of remarkable photocatalytic materials.     

Masonry buildings at the borderline to high‐rise – Part 2 / Mauerwerksbauten an der Hochhausgrenze – Teil 2

For the verification of framing shear walls of masonry, the decisive combination of actions derives from the interaction of vertical and horizontal actions. In this article, a method based on simple truss models is extended for the transfer of horizontal actions. It is demonstrated how the required verifications of load‐bearing safety can be performed with the results of the structural calculation. As an example, the application of the method for a seven‐storey building with calcium silicate blockwork or Poroton brick masonry is described.     

Reliability of masonry walls subjected to in‐plane loading: A slip failure along head joints / Zuverlässigkeit von Mauerwerkswänden bei Belastung in der Ebene: Versagen entlang der Stoßfugenflucht

Masonry structures are a sustainable, economical and traditionally widely used type of construction. However, current masonry design codes are rather conservative, so there is a growing need for revision i.e. calibration of safety factors to improve the allocation of material resources. In this paper, we investigate the probability of occurrence of slip failure along head joints (perpends) in masonry subjected to in‐plane loading. An appropriate limit state function is established and the masonry material properties and loads are defined as random variables in order to simulate likelihood of occurrence of a slip failure regime along the head joints. Furthermore, an example of masonry wall with probabilistic analysis outcomes using Monte Carlo simulation is presented and recommendations for further work are provided.     

Performance labels for assessing the sustainability of buildings – from offices to detached and semi‐detached houses / Gütesiegel für die Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung von Gebäuden – Vom Bürobau bis zu Ein‐ bis Zweifamilienwohnhäusern

For some time now, certain types of buildings in Germany have been required to undergo a sustainability assessment. Increasingly, that now also includes residential buildings. A research project is currently underway to develop and test suitable criteria for the assessment of small residential buildings, the preliminary results of which were showcased at the BAU 2015 trade fair in Munich. With the help of examples, this article presents the criteria and provides some information on their application.     

Reinforced bending load‐stressed masonry – Suggestions for future designs / Bewehrtes biegedruckbeanspruchtes Mauerwerk – Vorschläge für zukünftige Bemessungen

European standardization bodies are currently working on the amendment to EN 1996‐1‐1, which will also affect the evaluation of reinforced masonry in Germany. For that reason, discussion suggestions are being made here for revisions to lay the groundwork for building materials evaluations and especially, evaluations of bending load‐stressed masonry walls or beams at their serviceability limit state (SLS) for load‐bearing capacities. Information already presented in E DIN 1053‐3:2008‐03 [N3] is being incorporated as well. Characteristic values for the compressive strength of the masonry parallel to the bed joints f_k,∥ are essential for the design of reinforced masonry, although they are currently not included in national application documents for Germany. For the time being, they can be mathematically calculated using conversion factors for the characteristic compressive strength values vertical to the bed joints f_k or by using the declared axial compressive strengths of the masonry units. The ultimate strains for masonry in general should be set consistently at ?_mu = ∣–0.002∣ as several masonry types do not exhibit higher compressive strain values. The use of steel strains higher than ?_su = 0.005 does not change any measurement results. Varying stress‐strain curves of the constitutive equations on masonry under compressive strain (parabolic, parabolic‐rectangular, tension block) lead to differing values of recordable bending moments despite having the same mechanical reinforcement percentage at higher normal forces. Therefore, clear guidelines should be made for the type of applicable constitutive equation for masonry walls under compressive strain. With the introduction of a tension block, the number values of the reduction factors λ for the compression zone height x, which is dependent on limit strains, and where applicable, reduced compressive strength, need to be determined, as with reinforced concrete construction. A modification of the bending moment based on the second order theory according to [N4] is presented for the calculation of reinforced masonry walls in danger of buckling. The use of reduction factors for the load capacity of the masonry cross section, such as for unreinforced masonry, does not appear to be appropriate as buckling safety evidence because here, the design task is the determination of a required reinforcement cross section.