Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods according to the embodiments allow a wireless network be efficiently managed through activation and/or deactivation of network access points and/or multi-function devices having capability to serve as access points in the wireless network. An apparatus/server may be configured to manage the access points and multi-function devices based on a network database that is updated as multi-function devices are activated and/or deactivated as access point service providers, and as service conditions change within the network. The multi-function devices may comprise devices that are normally used in the network to provide at least one device function other than access point services. For example, the multi-function devices may include devices, such as printers, display monitors, docking devices, laptops, mobile tablets, or mobile phones, which are intended to provide conventional device functions (i.e., printing, displaying, docking, communicating).

Abstract: Information bits may be superimposed onto a transmitted image while reducing or minimizing the effects of the superimposed information bits on the transmitted image signal's frequency spectrum or image quality. A placement of superimposed information bits onto pixels of an image signal to be transmitted may be determined by testing a placement functions to determine whether the spectrum and/or image quality of the image signal with the superimposed information bits placed according to a placement function meets system criteria. Successive placement functions may be tested until an acceptable placement function is found. The information bits may be superimposed onto complete pixels or the information bits may be superimposed onto one or more least significant bits (LSBs) of each of the selected pixels. A transmitter may transmit superimposition information associated with a transmitted image to a receiver. A receiver may use the superimposition information to extract the information bits.

Abstract: Information bits may be superimposed onto a transmitted image while reducing or minimizing the effects of the superimposed information bits on the transmitted image signal's frequency spectrum or image quality. A placement of superimposed information bits onto pixels of an image signal to be transmitted may be determined by testing a placement functions to determine whether the spectrum and/or image quality of the image signal with the superimposed information bits placed according to a placement function meets system criteria. Successive placement functions may he tested until an acceptable placement function is found. The information bits may be superimposed onto complete pixels or the information bits may be superimposed onto one or more least significant bits (LSBs) of each of the selected pixels. A transmitter may transmit superimposition information associated with a transmitted image to a receiver. A receiver may use the superimposition information to extract the information bits.