Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for unmanned aerial vehicle authorization and geofence envelope determination. One of the methods includes determining, by an electronic system in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), an estimated fuel remaining in the UAV. An estimated fuel consumption of the UAV is determined. Estimated information associated with wind affecting the UAV is determined using information obtained from sensors included in the UAV. Estimated flights times remaining for a current path, and one or more alternative flight paths, are determined using the determined estimated fuel remaining, determined estimated fuel consumption, determined information associated wind, and information describing each flight path. In response to the electronic system determining that the estimated fuel remaining, after completion of the current flight path, would be below a first threshold, an alternative flight path is selected.

Abstract: An image background remover is disclosed that performs background removal of JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) compressed image data without first performing a complete decompression of the compressed image data.

Abstract: An image processing system as disclosed, including at least one input processing device functionally coupled to at least one output processing device, document information configured in a format such as scanning format or a document creating format converted to a common exchange format, and a common exchange format being converted to a format such as a document viewing format or document printing format. An image processing method also disclosed, including inputting document information, converting inputted document information configured in a document format such as a scanning format or a document creating format to a common exchange format, and converting the common exchange format to a document format such as a document viewing format or a document marking format.

Abstract: Image data is analyzed line by line to identify pixels having similar color and edge characteristics. The pixels on one line are linked to pixels on another line, if they share similar characteristics. The linked pixels are then grouped together in regions and the average color of the region is calculated. An image map is generated that identifies the regions to which the pixels belong, along with a final table of the regions appearing in the image.

Abstract: A blob identifier uses edge continuity signal to analyze to how to combine the current pixel into an existing or into the background image, or start a new blob. The blob identifier outputs a lists of blob identifiers on a line-by-line basis.

Abstract: A highly efficient method and system for eliminating halftone screens from scanned documents while preserving the quality and sharpness of text and line-art is disclosed. The method and system utilizes a single channel screen frequency estimator module, which generates a screen frequency estimate for image data. The module generates a signal based on the highly filtered image signal at low contrast levels, and based on a reliable estimate to the halftone frequency at higher contrast levels. The single channel screen estimate module has adequate performance in resolution ranges from 300 to 600 dpi.

Abstract: The image data is processed into a background plane and a plurality of foreground planes. Holes are inserted onto the background plane, in regions which are assigned to a foreground plane. The background plane is sub-sampled, and holes remaining in the sub-sampled image are filled with the average color of the non-zero sub-sampled pixels over pre-determined blocks such as JPEG blocks. If a block is entirely made of holes, the block is filled with a constant color that is propagated from the average color of a previous block. The resulting background plane is far smoother than the original image data and thus can be effectively sub-sampled and highly compressed without adverse deterioration in reconstructed image quality.

Abstract: The image data is initially processed in a manner that is similar to that used to convert the image data into 3-layer mixed raster content format. After the image data is initially processed through a first stage of the three-layer segmentation process, rather than completing the segmentation into foreground and background planes, the image data is analyzed to identify regions having similar image characteristics. These regions are grouped together in cluster if they share color characteristics and are spatially close. The clusters are then sorted according to their size, and placed into a binary foreground plane based on one or more color characteristics. Each cluster gathered into a binary foreground plane having the same color as the color of the cluster.

Abstract: The image data is analyzed to identify blobs having similar characteristics. Various blobs are gathered together and placed into a foreground plane based on one or more color characteristics and/or spatial characteristics. Each blob gathered onto a foreground plane has a color that is similar to a color associated with that foreground plane. One or more portions of the image data that is not mapped into any foreground plane may be mapped into a background plane.

Abstract: Reduced size images may be generated by separating dimensions that span the original image into a plurality of groups so that data in each group of one or more dimensions may be processed differently from data of other groups. For example, for two-dimensional images, pixels of selected lines may be completely discarded or skipped while pixels of remaining lines may be processed along the x-dimension to obtain data of the reduced size image. The main advantages include very fast and efficient implementation, minimal storage requirements, and good image quality.

Abstract: Image representation is performed by dividing a source image into foreground, background and selector planes. The foreground plane is selected to contain mainly line type art or textual type information, the background plane mainly contains image data, and the selector plane identifies whether the image data is maintained in either a specific plane or a combination of planes. A color is selected, by averaging or selecting an appropriate value based on overflow or other criteria, to replace each color in the foreground plane. Error in portions of the foreground plane resulting from replacing foreground colors is fed into corresponding portions of the background plane. Each plane is then compressed using compression schemes appropriate for the type of data maintained in each plane (LZW for the foreground, and JPEG for the background and lossless fax LLITT, for example).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for de-screening an image signal utilizing a bank of filters to provide several increasingly blurred versions of the original image signal is disclosed. At any given time, one or more of the blurred versions are created, on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The outputs from a selected pair of blurred signals are then blended together to create a variable blending output that can vary smoothly from no blurring to maximum blurring in a smooth and continuous manner. In addition, the apparatus and methods provide enhanced text and line art by using a variable un-sharp masking mechanism with independent post-blur sharpening control, and detect and enhance neutral (no-color) output pixels.

Abstract: A thin film coating deposited on a substrate, the substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The coating comprises a first dielectric layer, on the first surface of the substrate, having an index of refraction n.sub.1 and having an optical thickness of about d; a second dielectric layer, on the first dielectric layer, having an index of refraction n.sub.2 and having an optical thickness of about d; and a third dielectric layer, on the second dielectric layer, having an index of refraction of n.sub.1 and having an optical thickness of about 2d. The coaing is substantially reflective over at least two regions of wavelengths, each region separated by a region of high transmissiveness. In one aspect, the first dielectric layer is silicon dioxide, the second dielectric layer is titanium dioxide, and the third dielectric layer is silicon dioxide.