Abstract: There is disclosed a ribbon supply replacing technique for a printer or the like comprising a two ree coaxial ribbon cartridge (2) held stationary in the printer and having positioned adjacent thereto severing stations (40 and 42) for separating the cartridge with its exhausted ribbon supply from that ribbon remaining in the ribbon guide structure (6).

Abstract: A technique for displaying a representation of a full page on less than an entire CRT screen in a word processing system. The full page representation uses character indicators to enable the word processing system user to appreciate format and spatial relationships with regard to page boundaries. Within the miniature page the interlinear spacing chosen by the operator for the hard copy output is properly represented. Integral line spacing is achieved by displaying blank lines as appropriate. Non-integral line spacing such as half-line spacing is achieved advantageously through manipulating the particular character construct utilized. A character representation matrix is usually blank at the top and blank or non-blank in the bottom half. Reversing top and bottom halves removes one half-line of interlinear spacing.

Abstract: Multiple processes in an interrupt driven system are efficiently executed because each process has its own independently identified and addressable stack storage area including a process control block. Each process control block includes a link field for forming a distributed list of processes in dispatching priority order.

Abstract: A mechanism allowing nested resource locks among a plurality of related programs is provided by means of a lock counter which is incremented and decremented as programs LOCK and UNLOCK a resource but the resource is not released until a count is zero. A separate LOCK counter is provided for each resource in the system.

Abstract: Nickel and copper are plated over a thick anodic coating on an aluminum substrate as a step in the manufacture of printed circuit board substrates.

Abstract: A text processing system includes a first external storage area for text documents, an internal text storage buffer where, inter alia, edit operations are performed, and a third storage area in which text is formatted for display. The area for formatting text for display is related to the internal text storage buffer by a table containing pointers to the text storage area, one for each line to be displayed. The pointers are expressed relative to a single known address, that of the start of the line in the text storage buffer containing the point at which the edit operation is to occur.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed which allows the display of a representation of a full page of text on the comparatively small CRT screen of a word processing system. For each character comprising a page of text a single bit is stored in the display buffer. On output each bit is displayed in one of two configurations of a 2.times.4 character box. In this way format and spatial relationship of text to page size can be displayed while a particular line is entered or edited to enable an operator to have a better perspective on the developing result.

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique for displaying scrollable operating and scale lines simultaneously with an active miniature full page representation. Displayed on the operating line along with active characters is a cursor character. Displayed in the miniature full page are text indicators for representing accurately to the operator the format of the whole page of text. The miniature page is updateable upon keying. The position of the cursor within the miniature full page representation is indicated by blinking the associated character position and displaying peripheral arrows adjacent the outline of the miniature full page representation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique for displaying on a relatively small CRT display, using less than the entire screen, a representation of a full page of text. The full page is represented using character indicators rather than recognizable characters. The full page representation is surrounded by an outline generated using the same character indicators as the formatted text representation rather than known graphic symbols. The outline is proportional to the ultimate hardcopy indicated by the user, and character indicators can be displayed right up to the page outlines.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for and a method of printing complex characters using a high speed bidirectional on-the-fly printer. In accordance with the present method complex characters are printed in at least two steps. Once the first portion of a character has been printed and prior to the printing of the next character the carrier is turned around and again moved past the print position where the remaining portion of the first mentioned character is printed. This approach is termed "double turnaround".

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of multi-wire nonimpact printheads provides precise inter-wire spacing accuracy and repeatability of manufacturing steps to enable mass production.A plurality of slats are molded, one alongside another on a cylindrical support shell, parallel to the shell axis. A helical thread is engraved on the slats along the axial length of the support shell. A continuous wire is wrapped in the thread and the portions of the wire on the slats are encapsulated. The support shell and wrapped wire is cut between adjacent slats to obtain a plurality of printhead blanks. Each blank is machined to smooth the exposed print wires. The resultant printheads may be used in page- width nonimpact printers.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for implementing a technique of shingling a stack (10) of cut sheets using fluid jets. Air (34), or other fluid under pressure, travels through a drum having exit holes arranged about its periphery. The passage of the air causes the drum (30) to self-propel. As each fluid jet contacts the uppermost sheets in the stack, a roll-wave is created. Continued rotation of the drum causes a fluid jet to describe a linear path relative to the stack surface.

Abstract: A computer system having a CPU connected to I/O devices via a channel sets addresses into the I/O devices by the CPU. The I/O devices, for purposes of control, are grouped in types. To load device addresses or identifiers, the processor sends a type identifier to the I/O devices. The device having the highest ordered priority of the same type of device and which does not have an assigned identifier responds by inhibiting all lower ordered devices of its type. It is then loaded with its unique assigned identifier which results in the setting of a status latch therein. This setting allows the next lowest ordered device of the same type of devices to then be assigned and loaded with an identifier by the processor. This process continues until all I/O devices of the same type are loaded with identifiers. The process is then repeated for each other type of I/O devices in the system.

Abstract: In a high speed trail printer an improved electronic tab rack is provided. A method and apparatus are disclosed for decreasing the time required to determine the location of the next tab involving accessing a condensed tab rack. The condensed tab rack is set up when the tabs are entered and contains for each byte of the basic tab rack one bit indicating whether or not the associated tab rack byte specifies at least one tab stop position.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved interface apparatus and technique for real time transfer of characters from a text processor to a magnetic card recorder. Characters retrieved from a buffer are subject to reformatting and other operations, the duration of which varies within two character output cycles. The disclosed technique permits time, in effect, to be borrowed from succeeding character cycles. A character is processed and loaded temporarily in a register. The parallel character is then transferred to a serializer register which outputs serial bits to a card writer control for recording on a magnetic card. At the same time this transfer, serialization, and output is occurring the processor is preparing the next character to be written. A character can be output in real time so long as the interval between it and the preceding character is less than two character output cycles in length.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compact sheet feed apparatus suitable for attachment to a printer or the like, including a removable cartridge for holding a stack of sheets. The cartridge provides an intergral edge aligner surface and second sheets restraint during lateral shingling of sheets prior to feeding in a direction transverse to shingling.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for and a method of decreasing the time duration of playback of recorded speech without distortion. Speech recorded at a normal rate is played back at a higher rate using two variable length buffers in alternating fashion to receive sampled speech segments. Threshold analysis logic circuitry is provided to continually compare the output voltage levels of both buffers and to switch the output between the buffers to a using device when the voltage level of both buffers is approximately zero and of an equal amplitude. In this way output to the using device consists of segments from both buffers joined with a minimum of generated noise and no associated dead zone without regard to any predetermined segment length.

Abstract: A high speed printer wherein sheets of continuous forms are fed to the print station by a pin feed sprocket type mechanism drivingly engaging marginally punched holes in the sheets. Each sheet is accurately moved past the print station during print time under control of a pressure feed roll mechanism the operating characteristics of which are independent of the relative position or physical condition of the marginal holes engaged by the sprocket. This sprocket and pressure feed roll coaction results in precision alignment as among printing lines within a sheet being advanced through a high speed printer.

Abstract: A spherical wasp-waist shaped contour is formed on the surface of a magnetic head by rotating a lap plate against a single contact point on the head surface at a time. An arc along the head's length is defined by a fixed longitudinal radius. For each increment along the longitudinal arc, a different arc transverse thereto is defined by a variable transverse radius. The point of contact between the head and the lap plate moves along each transverse arc in sequence from one end of the longitudinal arc to the other and back again until the desired shape and depths are achieved. The longitudinal radius is fixed by the spacing selected between the lap plate on one side of the head and a longitudinal head rocking axis on the other side of the head. The transverse radius is determined by the spacing chosen between the lap plate and a transverse rocking axis placed on the same side of the head as the longitudinal rocking axis.