Michael George Bantum

US Patent:

6466209, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Dec 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

08/568905

Inventors:

Michael G. Bantum - San Diego CA

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G06F 1721

US Classification:

345432

Abstract:

A method for including additional data, such as identifying text, within a stored digital image, the additional data being hidden from view when the image is displayed. The method includes the step of identifying a region within the digital image which contains picture elements, or pixels, having either a constant intensity, hue or saturation value, or a random distribution of such values for the storage of âhiddenâ data. An pixel value is determined which differs slightly or blends well with the values contained within the image region into which the hidden data is to be written; and the additional data is saved within the constant or random content image region at this determined intensity value. The intensity value utilized for the encoding of the hidden data or text, although differing slightly from the intensity values of the background pixels within the image region into which the hidden data or text is written, is selected such that the difference between the pixel value of the background and the pixel value of the hidden data is indiscernible when the image is viewed by the human eye. The hidden data stored with the digital image may be identifying text which can be used to aid in the storage, recognition, classification, recovery and retrieval of digital images within a multimedia database.

US Patent:

58870814, Mar 23, 1999

Filed:

Dec 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/568900

Inventors:

Michael G. Bantum - San Diego CA

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G06K 978

US Classification:

382173

Abstract:

A method for combining multiple digital shape objects contained within a digitized document to obtain a distinct shape or hull dependent on the shapes of the original objects. This shape may thereafter be utilized to simplify storage, recognition, and classification of the digitized documents. The method for combining multiple digital images includes the steps of forming a connected, one-pixel thick boundary around the shape objects contained within a document; and collapsing the boundary around the contained digital objects, the boundary thereby attaining a distinct shape or hull dependent upon the shapes of the digital objects contained within the document. When necessary, pixels are deleted from the boundary to "shrink-wrap" or make taut the boundary around the contained objects.

US Patent:

57908052, Aug 4, 1998

Filed:

Apr 23, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/636612

Inventors:

Michael G. Bantum - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G06F 15163

US Classification:

39520078

Abstract:

A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for establishing an unlimited number of independent, client-based timers, synchronized with a timer kept on a central server, is disclosed. After forming a client-server connection, a client sends a synchronization message to a server. The client receives a return synchronization message from the server, and computes a round-trip interval time between sending and receiving, by sampling a local hardware clock. The sending and receiving of synchronization messages continues for a predetermined number of times, until the client receives a final synchronization message from the server, the final synchronization message including the current local server time. The client then calculates the average one-way trip interval and adds that value to the received current local server time, to provide the client with a reliable estimate of the local server time. By calculating the difference between the client's own local time and the calculated local server time, a constant is derived which can be used to calculate local server time for any and all future client local times.