Biblio

Two-Dimensional barcodes are used as data authentication storage tool on several cryptographic architectures. This article describes a novel meaningful image authentication method for data validation using the Meaningless Reversible Degradation concept and QR Codes. The system architecture use the Meaningless Reversible Degradation algorithm, systematic Reed-Solomon error correction codes, meaningful images, and QR Codes. The encoded images are the secret key for visual validation. The proposed work encodes any secret image file up to 3.892 Bytes and is decoded using data stored in a QR Code and a digital file retrieved through a wireless connection on a mobile device. The QR Code carries partially distorted and stream ciphered bits. The QR Code version is defined in conformity with the secret image file size. Once the QR Code data is decoded, the authenticating party retrieves a previous created Reed-Solomon redundancy file to correct the QR Code stored data. Finally, the secret image is decoded for user visual identification. A regular QR Code reader cannot decode any meaningful information when the QR Code is scanned. The presented cryptosystem improves the redundancy download file size up to 50% compared to a plaintext image transmission.

With the advent of QR readers and mobile phones the use of graphical codes like QR codes and data matrix code has become very popular. Despite the noise like appearance, it has the advantage of high data capacity, damage resistance and fast decoding robustness. The proposed system embeds the image chosen by the user to develop visually appealing QR codes with improved decoding robustness using BCH algorithm. The QR information bits are encoded into luminance value of the input image. The developed Picode can inspire perceptivity in multimedia applications and can ensure data security for instances like online payments. The system is implemented on Matlab and ARM cortex A8.