Abstract: A removable data cartridge is mounted in a data station cavity on a main computer. The cartridge has a securing bolt extending therethrough for securing the cartridge to the main computer. The bolt is turned by a knob on the front panel of the cartridge. The other end of the bolt engages a threaded aperture in the cavity. The cavity has indexing pins which engage indexing holes in the cartridge for permitting only the installation of cartridges compatible with the main computer. A solenoid mounted with the cartridge has a sliding pin for locking the cartridge into the cavity when the system is energized.

Abstract: Edge data is stored in a bit map, and clocked out pixel by pixel to form a pixel data stream for display. The edge data defines the regions or faces in the display image which have the same color. The face edges form transitions in the data stream (0-to-1 or 1-to-0), and are detected by an edge detector for generating sequential color addresses. The color data for each face is stored in a color memory in the order of appearance, and is accessed at each edge transition when a color change is required. The color address associated with each edge transition accesses the color for that face from the color memory. Each pixel in the display has a corresponding bit in the pixel map; and each color change in the display has a location in the color memory. The pixel data is sequentially accessed from the pixel memory by the pixel clock. The color data is sequentially accessed by the pixel transitions and synchronized into the display at each face edge.

Abstract: An arbitrary number of member computer stations are inter-connected by a "party" communication network. Each member station is normally in a high impedance Monitor Mode, for monitoring in-coming messages. The incoming messages latch the monitoring stations into a Receive Only Mode for preventing "interrupts" of on-going communications. Each station continuously monitors the input impedance from the network, to determine when the network is available for transmission. Member stations may enter the low impedance Transmit Mode only when the network is available, because all of the other stations are in the Monitor Mode. A high Z from the network indicates to each station that the network is available. A low Z indicates that another station is in the transmit Mode, and is in control of the network. The random entry of two (or more) parties at the same time is resolved by a Pre-Transmission Test Cycle.

Abstract: The door on an environmental chamber is provided with a single throw, multi-fingered over-center latching mechanism. The latching fingers extend from a common pivoting assembly, and are operated as a unit by a single handle. A hook on the end of each finger engages a post on the chamber housing. As the handle is operated, the over-center action of the pivoting assembly pulls the door towards the housing causing the gasket to seat. The over-center structure biases the latching mechanism in the latched position.

Abstract: Edge data codes forming an image to be displayed are entered into a random access memory map at addresses corresponding to the scanline number and pixel number of the edge in the display of the image. The edge codes may be entered into the memory map in any sequence (i.e. the sequence of availability, the sequence of generation, or the sequence of display). The addresses in the map which do not receive edge codes, are filled with zeros. The edge codes are retrieved form the map in display order to form a pixel data stream which in sequentially decoded by a look-up table and advanced through a pipeline latch for providing color and intensity control voltages to a D/A converter. Clocked pulses through a timing gate advance each new decoded edge code into the latch. The zeros between the edge codes are detected and disable the timing gate during the non-transition period between edge codes.

Abstract: A phase detector generates an error signal by comparing an input data rate F:in with an output clock rate F:out. The error signal is amplified and applied to the base of an emitter follower circuit. Current from a discharging capacitor within a clock ramp generator flows through the emitter follower and the emitter impedance. The ramp current is controlled by the error signal. The ramp rate F:out is determined by the peak to peak ramp voltage and by the rate of discharge of the ramp capacitor. Variations in the error signal due to F:in drift, cause a compensating change in F:out for continuously maintaining sync between F:in and F:out within each passband. Multi-passband capability is provided by a multi-level current generator which also supplies current through the emitter impedance. The ramp current is reduced to a lower level by an amount equal to the current from the multi-level current source due to the emitter follower action.

Abstract: A set of overlay images are established within a stack of memory maps for superpositioning over a host image on a raster display. The overlay images include legends, grids, cursors, graphs, formats, etc. which are primarily empty background with few actual image pixels. Overlay conflict between corresponding image pixels from different images is resolved by priority logic in accordance with the order of the image planes within the stack. The background pixels maintain a video switch in the host mode for continuing the flow of host data. The absence of background pixels in any plane (that is the presence of overlay image pixels in any plane) keys the video switch to the insert mode for substituting the overlay pixels for corresponding pixels of host data. The resulting composite data stream is decoded and presented to a D/A for display on a CRT. One overlay code is dedicated to background pixels in the overlay memory map, for indicating the absence of overlay pixels to control the status of the video switch.

Abstract: The isolation chamber has an aluminum outer housing with heat transfer fins extending therefrom on the outside vertical surfaces, and insulation material mounted along each inside surface thereof forming a thermally insulative shell. Large aluminum studs extend inwardly from the side surfaces of the housing through the insulative shell for supporting a solid state heat pump. Each pump has a set of inwardly directed heat exchange fins. Each stud and associated pump and inwardly directed set of fins forms a heat conductive path between the surrounding ambient air and the interior of the isolation chamber for controlling the heat flow therebetween. The combined configuration of the inner heat exchange fins defines a central cavity which is temperature controlled to within a desired operating temperature range. A card cage containing the electronic devices is installed in the temperature regulated central region.

Abstract: A display interface connected between a computer and a CRT device processes predetermined blocks of display data from predetermined locations in a memory of the computer to form pixels having predetermined characteristics in the display fields of the CRT device. A CRT display format of parameters such as color, pixel shape and size, and field shape and size, is controlled by input FORMAT DATA. The display resolution can be varied to accommodate the amount of data to be displayed within the desired field dimensions. The display data is retrieved from memory in data blocks, each of which is identified by a BLOCK ADDRESS. A single data block may occupy the entire display field; or may be displayed in a subfield simultaneously with other data blocks, or portions of data blocks, in the remaining subfields. The FORMAT DATA determines the subfield number and arrangement.