Abstract: Apparatus for displaying an image defined by digital data representing the color content of the pixels of the image comprises a monitor; a first store for storing digital data representing an image at low resolution and a second store for storing digital data representing a magnified portion of the image at high resolution. A microcomputer is connected to the stores and to the monitor and an indicator assembly is acutable by an operator to select an area of an image displayed by the monitor. The microcomputer is responsive to a "magnify" signal from the indicator assembly to cause the monitor to display a portion of the selected after magnification, the portion being displayed within the selected area. The microcomputer suppresses pixels of the orginally displayed image within the remaining portion of the selected area, the degree of magnification being such that the magnified portion substantially fills the selected area.

Abstract: The present invention loads color registers of a color look up table in a color palette and recalls color data words from the color registers using only a single set of address and data channels. The color palette operates in two modes. In a normal mode one color code from a stream of pixel color codes received from a pixel map memory is employed to select one of the color registers. These color registers store color data words which define colors. A color data word stored in a selected color register is recalled and employed to control the color of a pixel on a raster scan video display. In a color look up table load mode, a predetermined number of the pixel color codes are loaded into the color look up table in a predetermined sequence, thereby defining a new set of colors. This technique multiplexes the existing data and control lines from the memory to the color palette for the two modes.

Abstract: A display system having a frame buffer comprising a plurality of memory planes, a display device for visually displaying images written into the frame buffer, and a controller for controlling image data operations. The display system is provided with an extended raster operation circuitry comprising an intraplane operation unit and an interplane operation unit. Operation results of the circuitry are written back to the frame buffer. The respective operation units perform operations specified by the controller. The intraplane operation unit performs operations on image data in each of the memory planes, separately, while the interplane operation unit performs operations on image data in at least two memory planes selected by the controller. There are no restrictions as to the positional relation between the intraplane operation unit and the interplane operation unit.

Abstract: A mouse operating pad to permit high resolution operation of a mouse at a work station. The pad includes a control surface which incorporates a uniform random texture permitting the tracking member to stably rest at any point on the control surface. The control surface is formed on a control layer which is supported on a resilient intermediate layer. The hardness of the intermediate layer and the control layer is chosen so that the control surface is isolated from any imperfections in the work surface. The pad is placed on a work surface and the mouse is operated on the control surface. Optionally when the control layer is formed of a transparent material, an information display surface can be provided on the side of the control layer opposite from the control surface that allows visual information to be permanently displayed, or in one embodiment of the invention, removably displayed.

Abstract: A speaking and hearing system for respirators, where the apparatus wearer is connected to a respiratory gas supply independent of the ambient air. A suppression, independent of acoustic signals, of the breathing noises of the apparatus wearer is provided by a switch device located in the respiratory gas line which reacts to the respiratory gas stream for the suppression of the breathing noises.

Abstract: An electrode structure for an AC matrix-addressed TFEL panel includes top and bottom sets of scanning electrodes, each located in a respective half of the panel, and top and bottom sets of data electrodes extending at right angles to the scanning electrodes where each electrode in the top and bottom set extends for a distance slightly less than halfway across the panel to provide a split screen display. The scanning electrodes are driven by driver amplifiers that simultaneously energize complimentary pairs of the scanning electrodes in the top and bottom halves of the panel driving them in line-by-line fashion. The top and bottom sets of data electrodes are driven simultaneously by top and bottom sets of electrode drivers simultaneously with each scan of the data electrodes. In this way the top and bottom halves of the panel are scanned simultaneously, and the writing of one frame of data is faster. Also, the column electrodes are shorter and therefore require less energy and consume less power per frame.

Abstract: A pixel rounding method and circuit for bit-map graphics displays. The pixel codes are divided into two groups "high" and "low", and pixels with "high" groups codes are rounded against pixels with "low" group codes. The rounding can be prerounding or postrounding and involves extending a rounded pixel partway into the adjacent (preceding or succeeding) pixel position. Rounding decisions are made by detecting diagonal relationships of "high" and "low" group codes in blocks in four pixel codes. A rounding circuit receives a pixel code stream and produces a version thereof which is delayed by one pixel period. In accordance with the rounding decisions, the original and delayed pixel code streams are selectively switched each half pixel period to provide a resultant pixel code stream which is used to generate the display.

Abstract: Self contained radio transmitting modules are mounted on power conductors at various places along electrical transmission lines. The modules are capable of measuring current, voltage, frequency and power factor (or the Fourier components thereof), the temperature of the conductor and the temperature of the ambient air. Up to fifteen modules may transmit on a single channel to a single local receiver. Each module transmits at intervals which are an integral number. The intervals between transmissions of all modules do not have a common factor and the average interval is the desired transmission rate.

Abstract: Attribute hierarchy system including hardware assisted by software for utilizing a stack structure of a multiple-level stack and a plurality of stacks for storing data and attributes. The stack structure provides that only the top of the stack is loaded and utilized. The software controls the hardware logic flow associated with the stack and the stacks. The hardware includes an attribute memory and character data storage, a character data counter and position register. An attribute mask and attribute processor control loading of the attributes. A command register pushes, pops or loads to the stacks along with a sequence controller input from the attribute processor. A command decoder determines sequence of operation for loading attributes and character into row buffers. A stack control flags when a valid load has occurred, and if no load occurred, the stack defaults and a copy operation occurs.

Abstract: Information presented on a visual display is varied in content and size through the use of a single operator-manipulated input device. The foregoing is accomplished through the use of a novel command signal generator which includes a pivotally mounted rotatable shaft, high-resistance switches operatively associated with the shaft and logic circuitry responsive to command signals provided by the switches and by shaft rotation sensors for generating display control signals.

Abstract: A unique intra-dot/inter-dot scanning system which gives superior quality speed performance. The intra-dot and inter-dot scanning system is applicable to both serial and line impact dot matrix printers, line and serial thermal printers, ink jet, laser and LCD printers, as well as computer monitors and television. The scanning is perpendicular to the beam's motion over the tube and one synchronized cycle is completed while the beam travels one-half dot diameter to three dot diameters. In the preferred embodiment, the raster scanning system is a cathode ray tube display having a source of an intensity modified electron beam and a main means for deflecting the beam to create a series of horizontal sweeps of the beam from the top to the bottom of a display screen; the deflection means comprises a secondary means for deflecting the electron beam; and, the driver means comprises signal producing means for applying a repetitive sinusoidal electrical signal to the deflection means.

Abstract: A crosspoint encoder having a n-key rollover data collection system in which all keystrokes are recognized. A phantom key detection routine detects phantom key conditions and provides for temporary storage of subsequent keystrokes until the phantom condition is removed thus ensuring uninterrupted recordation of all keystrokes.

Abstract: A display arrangement (LCD etc.) in which the control voltage range is enlarged by including in the control lines (13.sup.a, 13.sup.b) additional diodes (14) which are connected to a common point (15). In order to counteract a capacitive by-effect, additional diodes (17) are connected in parallel with opposite polarity. The enlarged control range provides a wider choice of LCD material or other electrooptical materials.

Abstract: A display matrix incorporates optical fibers to transmit light from light sources to the front of the display. An occulting device is associated with an assembly of fibers to modify the character of the light emitted to the front of the matrix, and a device controlling the actuation of the occulting of device makes it possible selectively to control the occulting of determined groups of fibers to transform the display as desired. The occulting device comprises a disc incorporating different light-modifying sectors capable of being interposed in the path of the light, as a function of a rotation controlled by the electromechanical actuation device which includes a rotor coupled to the disc and rotatable within a stator made of a material having good magnetic remanence and high permeability to provide the device with a very short response time and low input energy requirement.

Abstract: A data entry device having five keys, not in one plane, is held in and operated by one hand. Each key has two "on" positions and one "off" position. By using a single key or chord of keys to form characters, a surplus of possible combinations is generated. Because it is grippable and requires only one hand to operate, the user can utilized it while simultaneously walking, writing, reading, commuting, using a phone, holding a conversation, or engaging in related and unrelated activities.

Abstract: A switch apparatus comprising a nematic curvilinearly aligned phases liquid crystal material located between a pair of electrode means wherein a flexible substrate having a conductive segment formed therein may be positioned in a spaced substantially parallel relation to one of the electrode means. The flexible substrate has sufficient flexibility to deflect toward one of the electrode means in response to the application of pressure thereto so that at least a portion of the flexible substrate is deflected toward one of the electrode means to operatively couple the conductive segment to the electrode means to effect an input of information and to cause a display of the same.

Abstract: A device for performing colored editing for a document prepared and displayed by a word processor or microcomputer having a word processing function is disclosed which includes a character information storing means for storing information on each of characters displayed on a display screen, a color information storing means for storing information on the display color and background color of each of the characters, editorial area specifying means for specifying an area of the document displayed on the display screen, as an editorial area, an editorial area storing means for storing positional information of the editorial area specified by the editorial area specifying means, color setting means for setting the display color and background color of characters included in the specified editorial area of the document, and color information processing means for updating the contents of that portion of the color information storing means which corresponds to the specified editorial area, on the basis of color info

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of displaying a color picture image and an apparatus therefor, in which there are provided a first memory into which a code of graphic display to be displayed on a picture screen is stored at a position corresponding to a display position of the code on the picture screen and from which the stored code is read out in synchronism with raster scanning on the picture screen; a second memory into which color display dot pattern data of N bits per color picture element on the picture screen are stored; and a circuit in which color display signals R, G and B are formed on the basis of output data produced from the first memory and transferred to a picture screen display means; in which reading-out control of the first and second memories in the case of color display is performed in the same manner as in the case of monochromatic display; in which the display color of each color picture element constituted by N bits on the picture screen is designated by N bits of the color display dot pattern

Abstract: An X-Y direction input device includes a ball, a switchboard carrying push switches, first and second follower rollers rotated by the ball having axes perpendicular to each other, and rotation detecting means which all are enveloped by an outer shell. The push switches are activated by switch activating members exposed on the outer surface of the outer shell. The axes of the first and second follower rollers may be rotated by a desired angle with respect to an orientation of the outer shell.

Abstract: A drive circuit for producing scanning pulses to successively select row or column conductors of a matrix display device of the type having an active element provided for each display element in the matrix, the drive circuit comprising a shift register made up of a set of cascade-connected master-slave flip-flops, with both the master outputs and the "slave" outputs being utilized to form the scanning pulses. The number of flip-flop stages required is reduced by 1/2, by comparison with prior art drive circuits using master-slave flip-flops, and the frequency of the clock pulse signal required to drive the shift register is 1/2 of that required in the case of a prior art circuit.