Abstract: A method of managing the relationship between intermingled objects of different types for editing purposes. Management is through establishing separate and combined modes of operation. When a separate mode is selected, only a selected object will be affected by an edit action. When a combined mode is selected, selection of any object will result in all objects being affected by an edit action.

Abstract: A method of improving printer throughput by selecting a print velocity based on the characteristics of a line to be printed. Incorporated into an application program are all available printing velocities to be used for printing. As each line to be printed is buffered, it is analyzed. Based on the analysis, an optimum velocity is selected by the program for causing a printing of the line.

Abstract: A method of modifying a graphics data stream for improving printer throughput. The data stream is scanned and nulls preceding printable data are converted to text spaces. Text spaces are recognized by the printer to cause a printhead included in the printer to move directly to the first printable data position rather than homing first.

Abstract: A method of, and placing help information on a convenient but unneeded portion of a screen. Help information, when called, is placed on the screen adjacent an operating point, and positioned such that needed information adjacent the point is not covered up or blocked from view.

Abstract: A method of, and system for, building a screen and retrieving related portions of the screen through single button depression. The order with which various portions are built in building a screen is used upon recall of the screen and selection of one portion for controlling selection of related portions. Consider a wheel which is built by building a hub, spokes, rim, and tire in order. Later recall of the wheel and selection of the spokes will permit selection of either the hub or rim upon single button depression.

Abstract: A method of, and system for, accurately manipulating objects on a screen to obtain a desired layout. Objects are called or built and then manipulated in terms of rotation and/or displacement. Accurate manipulation is facilitated by displaying a readout of the extent of rotation and/or displacement. Upon obtaining a desired layout, the layout is stored, printed, used to drive a process, etc.

Abstract: A method of determining character width for proportional spacing printing based on information contained in a dot pattern table. For a selected character, the character dot pattern in the table is analyzed to determine leading blanks and the actual character width. To obtain an overall width for printing, a number of trailing blanks equal to the number of leading blanks is added to the number of leading blanks and the actual character width. As such, a character suitable for proportional spacing printing is in effect built.

Abstract: A method of reducing the need for a reverse indexing capability during multi-pass printing. In environments permitting narrow line spacings, requiring multiple passes to print a line, and where platen indexing is by full head height increments, indexing for completing printing for one line may result in an overshooting of a subsequent print line. Without reverse indexing capabilities, the subsequent line cannot be printed at a proper location or on the subsequent print line. A solution to reduce the occurrence of this problem is to index the platen only to the extent necessary to complete printing of a line on a subsequent pass.

Abstract: A method of, and system for, controlling a view of window information upon editing the information. The view is controlled based on mode selection. For normal information input operations, information scrolling is selected. Related existing information adjacent the newly input information will be viewable, but remote information will eventually be scrolled out of the window. For those instances where all existing information is to remain viewable upon input of additional information, border scrolling will result in a varying of the size of the window.

Abstract: Apparatus in a disc dictation system for concurrently ejecting a disc from the record/playback station into the unload station and loading a new disc from the load station into the record/playback station. The apparatus includes a carrier member which is movable from a preset home position below the load station, through the record/playback station, to the unload station. Attached to the carrier member are an ejector which disengages the used disc from the record/playback station and a picker which selects a new disc from the load station. The ejector and the picker are carried by the carrier member through its motion and respectively transfer the used disc to the unload station and transfer a new disc into the record/playback station.