Abstract: A multitask multiuser system provides for efficient transfer of data from a remote data base to individual subscribers and has particular utility in the distribution of stock market data. A primary provider distributes the incoming data directly to user tasks or to an inquiry provider or a monitor provider. The inquiry provider responds to specific inquiries by users for information in the data base. The monitor provider maintains lists of information which are being monitored by the host computer for individual users. The inquiry provider and the monitor provider do not repeat requests to the remote data base where a similar request is already pending from another user. Data transfer paths between task are established by a code module which may be linked to any of the tasks. The transfer paths are established using information from a configuration list and they are monitored by the operating system through a wait list established for each user tasks.

Abstract: An object based data processing system including an extensible set of object types and a corresponding set of "object managers" wherein each object manager is a program for operating with the data stored in a corresponding type of object. The object managers in general support at least a standard set of operations. Any program can effect performance of these standard operations on objects of any type by making an "invocation" request. In response to an invocation request, object management services (which are available to all object managers) identifies and invokes an object manager that is suitable for performing the requested operation on the specified type of data. A mechanism is provided for linking data from one object into another object. An object catalog includes both information about objects and about links between objects. Data interchange services are provided for communicating data between objects of different types, using a set of standard data interchange formats.

Abstract: A portable data storage card is provided for storing and carrying digital data to be accessed or modified at fixed locations. The pocket-sized card has a durable sealed case, devoid of electrical connectors. Data is stored in an internal Electrically Erasable PROM, which includes memory control circuitry. The card is inserted into a reader/programmer at a fixed location and receives power from an inductive source in the reader/programmer by means of an internal coil. Data transfer between the card and the external reader/programmer unit is effected by infrared optoelectronic devices, through the case of the card, which is transmissive to infrared light. The reader/programmer controls a user's access to the data stored on the card, requiring a user to supply a secure identification code to access the stored data. The case is opaque to visible light in order to hide the components from view.

Abstract: A method and apparatus editing and creating multidirectional or multidimensional text includes an editor responsive to keystrokes representing text characters and editing commands for generating a string of codes defining a text and a parser responsive to operation of the editor for reading the codes of the string and parsing the codes into encoded units. Each encoded unit is made up of a group of codes defining a group of characters that are positioned in an expression as a unit and the system further generates a unit structure for each encoded unit. Each unit structure contains information defining a visual representation of the corresponding encoded unit. The parser is responsive to operation of the editor for reading the unit structures and corresponding codes of the string and generating a visually displayable representation of the text.

Abstract: A data processing system provides a desk view which serves as a graphical user interface to the system. The desk view displays detailed miniaturized images of all documents possessed by the user. The compressed document images are user moveable and stackable in the desk view. The desk view also enables user selected operations including mailing, disposing, annotating, stapling, unstapling and printing of documents. User interaction with items of the desk view is communicated through an electronic stylus. Different actions with the stylus provide naturally expected effects. The stylus and desk view provide a simulation of a common office desk and user interaction therewith.

Abstract: Research apparatus for performing research on books stored either locally on magnetic or optical media or remotely in an on-line data base. A user of the research apparatus performs research in a project whose state is automatically saved on non-volatile storage, permitting a user to suspend and resume work on the project. The project state includes a list of the books being used by the project and for each book, the last location read and the last query executed on the book. The user selects one book as the current book, and when the selection is made, the research apparatus automatically displays text from the current book which contains the last location read. If there was a query active, the research apparatus automatically re-executes the query. If the current book is stored on an on-line data base, the research apparatus automatically establishes a connection with the on-line data base.

Abstract: In a multi-processor virtual memory system 10 a Reference and Change Table (RCT) 36 is located upon a Memory Control Unit (MCU) 25. The RCT 36 is responsive to accesses to any of the Memory Modules (MMs) 24-26 and generates and maintains status bits indicative of the reference and change activity of all of page frames of the system memory that are accessible by any of the CPUs 12A-12n. In that each of the CPUs 12A-12n has access to the page frames of the system memory each of the CPUs 12A-12n is further enabled, via privileged instructions, to test (read) and reset (clear) over a system bus 16 the memory page frame status bits that are generated and stored by the RCT 36. As such, the RCT provides to multiple data processors a centralized and readily accessible store of status information relating to page frames of the system memory.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing parity checking in an environment in which devices which perform parity checking and those which do not are connected to the same synchronous bus. The bus includes a parity enable line, which carries a parity enable signal indicating that the device transmitting data on the bus is a parity device which provides the parity of the data it transmits, a parity line, which carries the parity of the data being transmitted, and a parity error line which carries a parity error signal indicating whether the receiving device detected a parity error. The data is transmitted in a first bus cycle, the parity enable signal and the parity are transmitted in the following bus cycle, and the receiving device transmits the parity error signal in the next bus cycle after that.

Abstract: A computer based system for brush writing (calligraphy) employs a stylus operable on a working surface in a brush imitating manner. A digital processor receives signals indicative of stylus strokes during operation of the stylus, and establishes, in real time, images of brushed strokes. The images of brushed strokes correspond to the brush imiating operation of the stylus and are displayed in real time or printed at a desired later time. Geometric characteristics of the images of brushed strokes vary as a function of detected parameters of stylus operation. The function is user definable through a graph screen view. A teardrop shaped drawing primitive which changes as a function of stylus operation provides images of brushed strokes of Eastern calligraphy. A line primitive which changes as a function of stylus operation provides images of brushed strokes of Western calligraphy.

Abstract: A serial communications controller, adapted for transfer of data to memory in a direct memory access interrupt, generates a status word for each frame of data. To allow for uninterrupted transfer of data to memory from frame to frame, the status words are stored in a FIFO along with word counts corresponding to the frames to allow for subsequent identification of the addresses to which the data frames are assigned.

Abstract: A computer system having a digitizing tablet overlaying the display screen. The tablet serves as a user's primary input device. Various features of the system make it possible for the user to run and interact with standard programs designed for keystroke and mouse input and not designed for use with a tablet. In addition to the main processor, on which the user's programs are executed, there is an interface processor. In addition to a standard display buffer, there is an ink plane buffer for interface display data that is combined with the data from the standard display buffer on a pixel-by-pixel basis according to data from a mask plane buffer. The interface processor manages input from the tablet, presents feedback to the user by means of the ink and mask planes, and provides keystroke and mouse data to the main processor as if from a standard keyboard controller. The interface processor presents the user with a collection of simulated devices, including standard devices such as a keyboard and a mouse.

Abstract: A device for controlling a cursor on a data terminal display screen. The device is in the form of a headset and includes an orientation sensor which provides an electrical signal related to the orientation of the device without it being adjacent to any fixed surface. The orientation sensor includes a hollow spherical housing having at least one light source/detector pair mounted opposingly in the inner wall, along an axis extending through the center point of the housing. The housing is half-filled with a transparent liquid having a specified viscosity and index of refraction and half-filled with air. Light beams emitted from the sources are refracted upon passing through the boundary between the air and the liquid. As the orientation sensor rotates with respect to the vertical axis, the changing refraction angle of the light beam causes the detector to sense changing intensities of light, which are representative of the angle of rotation.

Abstract: A management communication terminal is formed by integrating an electronic, raster scanning camera with a personal computer. The terminal has a keyboard, a Winchester disk drive, a telecommunication controller, a cathode ray tube monitor, and a thermographic, raster image printer. Two such terminals define an office information system for the exchange of information produced at the keyboards and by the cameras. In each terminal, the coded data generated at the keyboard and the raster image data generated by the camera are temporarily stored in separate data buffers and from there are routed to the monitor, the printer and disk storage. The monitor and printer are able to display and print respectively, images created from the keyboard data, the camera data or a combination of the two. The camera data is compressed prior to storage and is reduced in resolution prior to application to the monitor.

Abstract: A mail circulation device enables serial delivery of a unique, non-interchangeable route package containing mail items and a route list of desired recipients, to each listed recipient. The mail items of the route package are originals, as sent by the sender, throughout the circulation. The route list also specifies the type of action each recipient is allowed to take with respect to the route package. Votes of approval and comments of the mail items of the route package by each recipient are recorded in a data file which associates the mail items and route list. The identity of recipients may be validated by requiring each recipient to enter a unique password for voting at the time of voting. The route list may be altered by specified listed recipients such that the mail items and altered route list are circulated, as the route package, to additional recipients or not circulated to initially listed recipients.

Abstract: A meeting management device of a computer system determines the optimal meeting date and time for a specified group of invitees within a set of specified time parameters. A subset of the invitees are designated as critical along with any specified pieces of equipment and desired meeting sites. Remote from personal calendars of the invitees, the device compares available dates and times of each critical invitee with each other and that of any critical pieces of equipment and meeting sites. The comparison determines common available dates and times in which to schedule the meeting. Available or unavailable dates and times of each invitee are defined in part by the invitee and in part by other scheduled meetings to which the invitee has been invited. The invitee may define available or unavailable dates and times automatically through his personal calendar or manually to mirror as much of his calendar as desired.

Abstract: A squeezable cursor control device provides movement of moveable entities displayed on a computerized display. In one application the squeezable cursor control device provides scrolling of window contents as a function of cursor position relative to the window. The cursor positioned within the window provides short range scrolling upon squeezing of two opposed portions of the control device. The cursor positioned outside the window provides medium and long range scrolling upon squeezing of the control device. Graphical indicators such as directional indications and elevator bars aid selection and specification of medium and long range scrolling. A graphical indicator of a user generated path provides direction and amount of scrolling in short range scrolling.

Abstract: An A output and a B output of a register file 16 are each provided to an associated multiplexer (18,20). Each multiplexer has as a further input a bus (CB00:31) that conveys a result from an ALU 22 via an ALU shifter 28. Outputs of the multiplexers are provided to corresponding A or B inputs of the ALU. Each multiplexer is controlled by an associated register file address comparator (24,26). The address comparators each have as an input corresponding register file A and B update and access addresses. The address comparators compare their associated register file update and access addresses to determine if the register file register selected for access is equal to the register file register selected for update. If these two addresses are found to be equal it is indicated that the result of an ALU operation during an instruction cycle N is to be used as an operand for an ALU operation during a cycle N+1.

Abstract: Computer apparatus provides distribution of processing among a plurality of loci of control. Specific loci of control include an origination point, an entry point to a recipient's mailbox, in a recipient's mailbox, an exit point from a recipient's mailbox and a completion point after a last recipient. Processing is performed in a foreground or background task, and interactively or non-interactively at each desired loci of control. Processing includes invocation of an application automatically upon receipt of subject data at a focus of control or upon manual command by the recipient at the locus of control. Pre-existing applications are invoked through a common interface between the present invention apparatus and pre-existing applications. A data update routine records recipient's modification of the data during recipient editing in multiple sessions at a locus. A recovery routine insures that at most the last editing session is lost in a system crash.