Selective scalable secret image sharing with verification

TLDR: The Salient map is introduced to develop a new method, in which the ROIs (region of interesting) of secret image can be revealed progressively, and to the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first SSIS that employs a meaningful shadow.

Abstract: Scalable secret image sharing (SSIS) is a new secret image sharing technique. The feature of scalability refers to the fact that the revealed secret information is proportional to the number of gathered shadows. Once all of the valid shadows are collected, the complete secret can be revealed easily. The kernel of secret information, however, may be leaked out with a few shadows collected in the existing SSIS mechanisms. This is because researchers seldom concerned about secret distribution. Thus, we introduce the Salient map to develop a new method, in which the ROIs (region of interesting) of secret image can be revealed progressively. Additionally, we introduce the concepts of meaningful shadow and verification to SSIS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first SSIS that employs a meaningful shadow. The leading adoption can greatly help reduce the attention of attackers in order to enhance the security, while the second concept can avoid malicious behaviors from outside attackers or dishonest members.