Image multiplexing and encryption using the nonnegative matrix factorization method adopting digital holography

In this paper, a joint multiple-image encryption and multiplexing system, which utilizes both the nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) scheme and digital holography, is proposed. A number of images are transformed into noise-like digital holograms, which are then decomposed into a defined number of basis images and a corresponding weighting matrix using the NMF scheme. The determined basis images are similar to the digital holograms and appear as noise-like patterns, which are then stored as encrypted data and serve as the lock in an encryption system. On the other hand, the column vectors in the weighting matrix serve as the keys for the corresponding plain images or the addresses of the multiplexed images. Both the increased uniformity of the column weighting factors and the parameters used in the digital holography enhance the security of the distributed keys. The experimental results show that the proposed method can successfully perform multiple-image encryption with high-level security.