Image hiding in time-averaged moiré gratings on finite element grids

Image hiding scheme based on time-averaged moiré fringes on finite element grids is proposed in this paper. This visual communication scheme is based on the formation of time-averaged moiré fringes in the digital dichotomous cover image when it is oscillated according to a predefined Eigen-shape. Initial phase scrambling and phase normalization algorithms are used to encode the secret in the cover image. Theoretical relationships between the amplitude of the Eigen-shape, the order of the time-averaged moiré fringe and the pitch of the deformable one-dimensional moire grating are derived. Computational experiments are used to illustrate the efficiency and applicability of this image hiding scheme in practical applications.