# Information hiding cameras: optical concealment of object information into ordinary images

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.07856 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.07856/

## Key facts

- Cited by 6 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 9 of its 43 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 15 Jan 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 9 of 9)

- [All-Optical Machine Learning Using Diffractive Deep Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1804.08711/) (2018)
- [Misalignment Resilient Diffractive Optical Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2005.11464/) (2020)
- [Steganographic Generative Adversarial Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1703.05502/) (2017)
- [To image, or not to image: Class-specific diffractive cameras with all-optical erasure of undesired objects](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2205.13122/) (2022)
- [End-to-end Trained CNN Encode-Decoder Networks for Image Steganography](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1711.07201/) (2017)
- [Universal Linear Intensity Transformations Using Spatially-Incoherent Diffractive Processors](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.13037/) (2023)
- [Data class-specific all-optical transformations and encryption](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.12873/) (2022)
- [Class-specific Differential Detection in Diffractive Optical Neural Networks Improves Inference Accuracy](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1906.03417/) (2019)
- [Complex-valued universal linear transformations and image encryption using spatially incoherent diffractive networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.03384/) (2023)

## Built on by (most cited first, 6 of 6)

- [Multiplexed all-optical permutation operations using a reconfigurable diffractive optical network](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.02397/) (2024)
- [Integration of Programmable Diffraction with Digital Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2406.10688/) (2024)
- [BlurryScope enables compact, cost-effective scanning microscopy for HER2 scoring using deep learning on blurry images](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.17557/) (2024)
- [Lying mirror using structured surfaces](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.15521/) (2024)
- [Structural Vibration Monitoring with Diffractive Optical Processors](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.03317/) (2025)
- [Illumination Angular Spectrum Encoding for Controlling the Functionality of Diffractive Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.04825/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Data protection methods like cryptography, despite being effective, inadvertently signal the presence of secret communication, thereby drawing undue attention. Here, we introduce an optical information hiding camera integrated with an electronic decoder, optimized jointly through deep learning. This information hiding-decoding system employs a diffractive optical processor as its front-end, which transforms and hides input images in the form of ordinary-looking patterns that deceive/mislead human observers. This information hiding transformation is valid for infinitely many combinations of secret messages, all of which are transformed into ordinary-looking output patterns, achieved all-optically through passive light-matter interactions within the optical processor. By processing these ordinary-looking output images, a jointly-trained electronic decoder neural network accurately reconstructs the original information hidden within the deceptive output pattern. We numerically demonstrated our approach by designing an information hiding diffractive camera along with a jointly-optimized convolutional decoder neural network. The efficacy of this system was demonstrated under various lighting conditions and noise levels, showing its robustness. We further extended this information hiding camera to multi-spectral operation, allowing the concealment and decoding of multiple images at different wavelengths, all performed simultaneously in a single feed-forward operation. The feasibility of our framework was also demonstrated experimentally using THz radiation. This optical encoder-electronic decoder-based co-design provides a novel information hiding camera interface that is both high-speed and energy-efficient, offering an intriguing solution for visual information security.