Abstract: A display architecture is disclosed which supports a variable, selectable number of bits per chip and a variable, selectable segment width. The architecture comprises a plurality of dynamic memory chips and a function generator. Each of the memory chips includes at least two data islands wherein each data island has its own data in/out line, chip select and increment bit supplied by the function generator. The function generator receives a starting address X.sub.o, Y.sub.o, the data path width N.sub.D and an encoded segment width S. A bit incrementer in the function generator generates increment bits A.sub.I based on the externally supplied modulo N.sub.D. The function generator generates the physical word address w.sub.o and physical bit address b.sub.o based on the starting address X.sub.o, Y.sub.o, the data path width N.sub.D and the encoded segment width S. Logic circuitry is provided which is responsive to an overflow bit produced by the bit incrementer to control spill and wrap functions.

Abstract: A technique is provided the user of an interactive computer graphics application which allows the user to attach lines to objects such that when the objects move, the lines will rubber-band to follow the object. The objects are provided with an attribute that describes their "stickiness". If an object is given the "sticky" attribute, then lines which touch or overlay the object will rubber-band to follow the object's movement. It is also possible to provide end points of lines with the "sticky" attribute so that the end points of lines can be attached to objects. Further, objects of arbitrary geometric shape can be attached to other objects of arbitrary geometric shape using the "sticky" attribute. The feature facilitates editing and revision of graphic files.

Abstract: A method of offline personal authentication in a multi-terminal system uses a secret user PIN, a secret key and other nonsecret data stored on a customer memory card and a nonsecret validation value stored in each terminal connected in a network. The technique of "tree authentication" is used which employs an authentication tree with an authentication tree function comprising a one-way function. An authentication parameter is calculated as a function of a personal key and a user identifier read from the user's card and the PIN entered by the user. The calculated authentication parameter is mapped to a verification value using the one-way function to the root of the authentication tree. The verification value obtained by mapping the calculated authentication parameter is then compared with a global verification value stored at the terminal. If the comparison is favorable, the system is enabled for the user; otherwise, the user is rejected.

Abstract: A marker light using an array (2) of light emitting diodes (12) in combination with lenses (3) provides a light beam of required intensity, shape and color for railroad applications. The light emitting diodes are arranged in various configurations to form the array (2). The lenses may be Fresnel lenses. Control circuitry (C) energizes the light emitting diodes at predetermined or variable flashing rates. Sensing circuitry (222) senses the failure of light emitting diodes in the array and provides an indication of such failure.

Abstract: A multiple window display system is provided for displaying data from different applications in a multi-tasking environment. The display system includes plural screen buffers (12.sub.l to 12.sub.n) for storing character codes and attribute codes of data which may be displayed on the display screen. Task selection means (26) selectively couples the output of a single selected one of the plural screen buffers to the character generator (16) and attribute logic (18) at any given time. Address modification means (20.sub.l to 20.sub.n, 22.sub.l to 22.sub.n) permits changes to be made in the display windows. The software driver includes screen control blocks (32), window control blocks (34), presentation space control blocks (36), presentation spaces (38), and a screen matrix (40) in system memory. The presentation spaces (38) receive application data for plural windows of the displayable area. Each window defines the whole or a subset of a corresponding presentation space.

Abstract: A multiple window display system is provided for displaying data from different applications in a multi-tasking environment. The display system includes plural screen buffers (12.sub.1 to 12.sub.n) for storing character codes and attribute codes of data which may be displayed on the display screen. Task selection means (26) selectively couples the output of a single selected one of the plural screen buffers to the character generator (16) and attribute logic (18) at any given time. Address modification means (20.sub.1 to 20.sub.n, 22.sub.1 to 22.sub.n) permits changes to be made in the display windows. The software driver includes screen control blocks (32), window control blocks (34), presentation space control blocks (36), presentation spaces (38), and a screen matrix (40) in system memory. The presentation spaces (38) receive application data for plural windows of the displayable area. Each window defines the whole or a subset of a corresponding presentation space.

Abstract: An operating system in a digital computer environment is run as a virtual machine on a virtual resource manager. In order to provide a more dynamic environment for the operating system, linkages are made between the operating system device drivers and the corresponding real and virtual devices of the virtual resource manager. This is accomplished by assigning a "token" to the virtual resource manager. A device dependent information file corresponding to the device is created. This file contains adapter dependent information including a hardward port address for the physical device. The "token" is placed in the operating system device driver at the time it is initiated. When the operating system device driver is "opened" to drive the device, it uses the "token" to communicate with the virtual resource manager device driver thereby accomplishing driver to driver binding.

Abstract: A dynamic row buffer circuit is disclosed for a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chip which enables the DRAM chip to be used for special function applications. The dynamic row buffer comprises a row buffer master register and a row buffer slave register. The row buffer master register comprises a plurality of master circuits (M1) and a plurality of slave circuits (S1). Likewise, the row buffer slave register comprises a plurality of master circuits (M2) and a plurality of slave circuits (S2). The row buffer master register is parallel load and parallel read-out with the outputs of the master register slave circuits being connected to the master circuits of the slave register. The row buffer slave register is a parallel load, serial read-out register with the output being shifted out of a secondary output port. The entire row buffer can be isolated from the memory array, and when so isolated, the memory array can be accessed through the primary input/output port in the same way as in an ordinary DRAM chip.

Abstract: A data entry screen for an interactive data entry system provides a means for identifying to a user those fields where data may be entered and those fields in which data must be entered. Initially, the formatted data entry screen is displayed to the user with mandatory data entry fields highlighted and optional data entry fields without highlighting. As data is correctly entered into either a mandatory or optional data entry field, the data is processed and redisplayed without highlighting. The interactive data entry system checks the correctness of data entered by the user in the mandatory and some of the optional data entry fields, and if an error is detected, the incorrectly entered data is redisplayed with highlighting whether the data was entered in a mandatory or an optional data entry field.

Abstract: A monitoring and alarm system of general purpose design can be customized for use with many different applications to provide sophisticated alarming and control functions based on logical relationships among several sensed variables. A central processing unit is connected to receive a plurality of inputs from various sensors, the variety and type of which are the choice of the user depending on the specific application to which the monitoring and alarm system is to be connected. The central processing unit is programmed to provide the user with an interactive display to first define the variables in the application and the states and/or limits of the variables. This action defines a logical group. Next, the user enters the alarm/action functions to be performed on the condition that all the conditions in the logical group are true. Once this interactive process has been completed, the central processing unit performs the alarm and control functions specified by the user.

Abstract: An inverter circuit having an output power transformer if provided with a replica driver transformer which is a miniature "clone" of the power transformer. The replica driver transformer uses the same core material as the power transformer and is designed to saturate before the power transformer thereby shutting off the drive to the power switching transistors and saving them from burn out which might otherwise be caused by power transformer saturation. Reset circuits can be included as part of the circuit to assure successful start up preventing first-half-cycle-instant-burnout-syndrome occurrence.

Abstract: A method for improving the performance of application programs which run under a disk operating system (DOS) is disclosed. The problem addressed is that of poor application performance caused by repetitive disk accesses when using large batch files. This problem is alleviated by using a batch file memory buffer of variable size, processing the most frequently used DOS/BATCH commands internally, and passing low usage commands to DOS by using a secondary command processor.

Abstract: A personal computer attachment is provided for a display station of the type that communicates with a host computer (48). The display station has a display unit (10) and a keyboard (12) to which a personal computer system unit (14) is attached. The personal computer system unit typically supports floppy diskette drives (16) and a printer (18). The display unit includes a CRT (38), a regeneration buffer (42), a keyboard adapter (46) and a feature bus (44). The personal computer system unit includes a system bus, a microprocessor, memory, a keyboard adapter and I/O interface connected to the system bus. A display adapter (26 or 28) is connected to the I/O interface. An analog input switch (52) is disposed between the buffer (42) and the analog circuits driving the CRT (38). This switch has a second input from the display adapter (26 or 28) and is controlled from inputs from the keyboard (12) to selectively supply image data from the buffer (42 ) or the display adapter (26 or 28).

Abstract: A wettable spray box for dispensing wettable agricultural spray powders in a tank of spray equipment so as to protect the operator from exposure to the powders is disclosed. The spray box comprises a box (10) with a lid (12) for attachment to the spray tank. The bottom of the box is fitted with a main pipe (18) which extends into the spray tank. A fill pipe (24) extends part way down the interior of the main pipe (18) and is connected to a source of water. One or more knives (34) within the box (10) are positioned to slit a bag of wettable powder which is inserted into the box. A water injector (40) extends into the slit bag, and a spray head (48) is positioned near the top of the box. An inserted bag is prevented from falling to the bottom of the box (10) by a rack or screen (28). In use, an unopened bag of wettable spray material is inserted into the box (10) and the lid (12) is closed to seal the box.

Abstract: A battery condition indicator provides an indication of both the charge used and the life remaining in a rechargeable battery. The time of use of the battery between charges is measured to provide an indirect measure of the charge remaining. The total time of service of the battery is measured to provide an indirect measure of the age or life of the battery.

Abstract: An electronic handwriting facility comprises a central processing unit (10), an all points addressable display (12), and an electronic tablet (14) and stylus (16). The handwriting facility simulates writing with a pen or pencil and paper. An electronic document is generated by periodically sending to the central processing unit (10) the absolute location of the stylus (16) in relation to the tablet (14). Each point is mapped to the display coordinate system, and the points are stored in point list. The handwriting facility is provided with a real-time rub-out erase feature wherein the handwriting facility is first set to the erase mode and then the points in the point list to be erased are identified. Real-time erasure is assured by using a grid overlaying the write area to limit the number of points searched to a small percentage of the total. The grid breaks the write area into a number of grid boxes. Only the grid boxes touched by the erase cursor are searched for erasure.

Abstract: A method of scheduling a meeting among terminal users who are provided with calendaring applications for storing and retrieving timed and dated events. Included is presentation to a meeting scheduler of a prompting screen with blanks for keying in desired times and dates, and prospective attendees. Based on keying to this screen, there is a comparison with the prospective attendees' calendars of events. The result of the comparison is an option list which is presented to the scheduler for selecting an available meeting time. Based on a selection from the option list, a meeting notification screen is built for transmitting to the attendees.

Abstract: A personal computer having an interactive all points addressable display terminal (44) and a cursor positioning device (52) is provided with a keyboard (28) for inputting alphanumeric character strings not exceeding a predetermined maximum length. Once the desired alphanumeric character string has been input, it can be selected as the current cursor character. As the selected current cursor character, the alphanumeric character string is displayed on the all points addressable display and movable by said cursor positioning device. When the alphanumeric character string is positioned at a desired location on the all points addressable display, it can be fixed in that location by reading the alphanumeric character string data into the display buffer.

Abstract: UNLOAD and LOAD utility programs (24) in computer system memory (16) are used to transfer user and system data from one set of direct access storage devices (10, 12, 14) to the same or another set of direct access storage devices. The originating or sending system is off-loaded as a single complete entity by a system command to a sequential media (FIG. 3) following the Initial Program Loadable system load program. The system load program, when Initial Program Loaded on the receiving system, determines the new hardware configuration and alters the loaded system control information to reflect the new device types and device addresses and loads the system to the new DASD configuration and prepares it for normal processing on the new system.

Abstract: A user-friendly procedure for the generation and display of geometric figures on a graphics screen uses a cursor placement device such as a joy stick to both define the initial position and size of the geometrical figure. Two specific examples are described: the generation of a circle and the generation of a square or rectangle. In the first example, the cursor is first positioned to point to the center of the circle at which point a small circle is drawn. The circle is expanded in response to the pressing of a designated key by the user until the desired size is attained. In the second example, the pointing by the cursor is to the upper left corner of the square or rectangle, and the square or rectangle is then expanded in response to the user deflecting the joy stick down and to the right.