Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring characteristics of a component color video signal. In one embodiment the luminance component of a color video signal is applied to the vertical input of a cathode ray tube display device and a chrominance component is applied to the horizontal input. The resultant dots and transitions therebetween produced by the display trace provide an indication of component bandwidth, amplitude and relative time between components. All components can be compared simultaneously by alternately applying one chrominance component with the luminance component, and the other chrominance component with an inverted luminance component. In another embodiment one chrominance component is applied to the vertical input and the other is applied to the horizontal input. Delay circuits are provided for use with a time-division multiplexed video signal to compare time multiplexed components simultaneously. A graticule is provided for relating the display trace to a standard display.

Abstract: Pixel information for a graphics display apparatus is stored in a bit map memory which may be considered as grouped into a number of bit planes corresponding to different separable surfaces or color patterns to be displayed by the apparatus. Information from a computer data bus is written into the proper surface by shifting a predetermined number of bit positions and write protecting information in the bit map memory representing surfaces other than the one it is desired to change.

Abstract: A dynamic signal shaper for a cathode ray tube display system is described. In some cathode ray tubes an electromagnetic lens is driven by a correction signal derived from the beam deflection signals. The required correction signal is proportional to the product of the squares of the horizontal and vertical deflection signals. The described signal shaper incorporates means for making the constant of proportionality independently adjustable for beam deflections in each corner of cathode ray tube screen.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for generating cursors in a multi-dimensional graphics display system uses line definition signals, each of which is representative of where along the horizontal display dimension one or more scan lines intersect a cursor to be presented. The apparatus includes a line definition memory for providing one or more line definition signals, and a line definition pointer circuit which responds to a scan line location by the vertical dimension, for selecting the line definition signal representative of the scan line. A generation circuit provides a cursor video signal at each horizontal location, as indicated by the selected line definition signal, where the represented scan line intersects the cursor to be presented.

Abstract: A method of structuring vectorized data obtained by scanning a drawing or other document comprising the steps of displaying on a computer controlled display screen a template image comprising template lines and nodes corresponding to the acquired image data and selecting portions of the acquired image data to be designated for inclusion in a restructured image data set by using a screen cursor to select the corresponding template lines displayed on the screen. Inclusion designations are subsequently and selectively removed as desired from portions of the acquired image data from the structured data set by using the cursor to select the corresponding lines and nodes on the screen. When the desired portions of the acquired data set are selectively designated for inclusion in the restructured data set, all remaining designated data is copied into the restructured image data.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based apparatus for testing the electrical condition of electronic circuitry, particularly computers, employs a buffer and a latch associated with each of the address bus and the data bus to provide electrical isolation of said buses. In using the apparatus, the integrity of a central testing "kernel" comprising the testing program itself with its testing data in ROM is first verified. The testing program then evaluates, in order, the data bus, the address bus, and then such additional and addressable circuitry as may be connected to said data bus and address bus. Incorporation of analog-to-digital converters permits determination of actual circuit node voltages, in addition to digital levels or the presence of open or short circuits.

Abstract: An electrical circuit is described that requires a reduced number of data bits for character-address and video-mode information by using a predetermined bit combination of the video-mode information as part of the character-address information. Character-address and video-mode information is output from a random access memory (RAM) to a character read only memory (ROM) and a video-mode detection circuit that produces outputs to enable video-mode circuits in the video control circuitry. One output of the video-mode detection circuit is coupled to an address input of the character ROM that has characters divided into two character sets. A predetermined bit combination of the video-mode information produces an output from the video-mode detection circuit that selects one of the character sets while the other bit combinations produce an output from the detection circuit that selects the other character set.

Abstract: A stand for a computer display terminal is described which enables the terminal to be tilted in a vertical direction, swiveled in a horizontal plane and adjusted in height. The height adjustment is accomplished by a pair of telescoping posts attached between a swivel base member and tilt carriage arms on opposite sides of the computer terminal. A gas cylinder is provided to counterbalance the weight of the terminal and is connected to the telescoping posts by flexible connectors, such as metal cables. As a result, the user adjusts the height by merely overcoming the friction of the telescoping posts the pulley system and the gas spring since the weight of the computer terminal is counterbalanced by the gas cylinder. A releasable brake is provided on the base member which also includes a glide means for enabling gliding movement of the stand over a support surface only when the brake means is released.

Abstract: A calibration strip (80) is described for use in calibrating an optical document digitizer. The strip (80) includes an optically detectible pattern including plural discrete blocks (82) with orthogonal first and second edges (84, 86). Edges (84) are parallel to the drum axis when strip (80) is mounted to the drum (10). As the drum (10) rotates, these first edges (84) are detected and provide a reference for a Y-coordinate axis. With the drum (10) stopped, the second edges (86) are detected by a scanning array (53), as it is stepped by a motor (60) along an X-coordinate axis. The microstep location of each of the detected edges (86) is stored. During document scanning, the array (53) moves along the X-axis to the known microstep locations. The strip (80) has shaft indexing and optics magnification patterns (210, 212).

Abstract: A dual regulated DC power supply produces an output voltage which is the sum of a variable DC control voltage and a floating DC voltage. The control voltage, generated by a first differential amplifier having an inverted input coupled to the power supply output through a feedback scaling circuit, varies in inverse relation to the change in power supply output voltage. The floating DC voltage is produced by isolating, rectifying and filtering the output of an oscillator having a peak voltage controlled by an applied bias voltage. The applied bias voltage is generated by a second differential amplifier coupled to compare the control voltage with a selected reference voltage so that a change in control voltage causes a change in the floating voltage. The control voltage changes rapidly in compensating response to transient changes in power supply voltage while the floating voltage changes more slowly in compensating response to output voltage changes due to sustained load swings.

Abstract: A latch and detent mechanism for use with a sliding tray 12 mounted in a cabinet 10 is disclosed. The mechanism includes a stationary detent bar 18 having one or more detent slots 22, a latch bar 20 that is pivotably coupled to the sliding tray with a finger 46 at one end for engaging a detent slot to lock the tray in position and a handle 14 at the other end for disengaging the finger to unlock the tray, and biasing means 54 for urging the finger toward the detent slot.

Abstract: A cross bar multiplexer includes a plurality of small memory units addressable to indicate combinations of output conductors. The outputs of a plurality of memory units are ORed to provide the outputs for a full array.

Abstract: A digital electron optics correction circuit for correcting the focus and astigmatism in a displayed image on a CRT is disclosed. The circuit includes a clock generator for generating a selected number of pulses between each horizontal blanking synchronization pulse. These clock pulses are then counted by an X-address counter and a first address signal is generated corresponding to a particular horizontal position on the CRT screen for each count of the X-address counter. A pulse generator circuit is also provided which is coupled to receive the vertical blanking synchronization pulses and which provides a selected number of output pulses for each vertical blanking synchronization pulse. A Y-address counter counts the output pulses from the pulse generator circuit and provides a second address signal corresponding to a particular vertical position on the CRT screen for each count.

Abstract: An end portion of an elongate member of generally cylindrical form, such as an optical fiber, is placed in a predetermined position utilizing a substrate having a surface that is defined by a generatrix that is a straight line, e.g. a flat surface. A foil of flexible material is secured to the surface of the substrate and defines with the substrate a generally straight, elongate passageway that is parallel to the generatrix of the surface and has a first portion of substantially uniform cross-section adapted to receive an end of the elongate member in closely fitting relationship and also has a second portion that tapers towards the first portion. The end portion of the elongate member is inserted into the first portion of the passageway by way of the second portion thereof.

Abstract: A line filter for a power supply includes a differential amplifier which is driven from across an inductor in series with a principal current carrying path of the power supply. The differential amplifier output is connected to a capacitance returned to ground for canceling common mode interference as may be generated in the power supply.

Abstract: A method of comparing first and second data acquired asynchronously allows an effective comparison therebetween even if aliasing errors have occurred during acquisition thereof. Bits of the first and second data are compared in groups of three to obtain relationships therebetween. These relationships indicate if first data is equal to the second data, or the first data can be shifted right and/or left to achieve the second data. This comparison is repeated on successive groups of bits, but the comparison bits used in each data are shifted by a bit for each comparison. If any relationship indicates that the first data was shifted right (or left), then all other comparisons must indicate that the first data matches or is shifted right (or left), for the first data to be found the same as the second data. The presence of both right and left shift relationships indicates that the first and second data cannot be the same.

Abstract: A circuit (11) for use in an associative memory device, one such circuit being associated with each word location in memory, for indicating a match when the word associated with a given circuit (11) is a match for a current portion of a search pattern and the previous word is a match for a previous portion of the search pattern. In operation of the circuit (11), a latch (23) is initialized to a match condition, and provides a match output, which is also applied to the next successive circuit, for the next successive word in memory. The latch (23) is controlled by an AND gate (21), to which is applied the output signal from the circuit for the previous word in memory and a signal indicating a match or non-match for the word in memory associated with circuit (11) containing AND gate (21).

Abstract: A compensation circuit is described for use in a line scan type recording apparatus where an electron beam is scanned on the face of a fiber optic cathode-ray tube (FOCRT) in synchronization with a movable recharging medium. The compensation circuit includes a charge pump circuit, an integrator circuit, and a current source. The charge pump circuit draws a constant charge from the integrator circuit in response to a repetitive series of stepper pulse corresponding to the velocity changes in the recording medium. The current source generates a constant current that flows into the integrator circuit and is equal to the average DC current flowing out of the integrator circuit via the charge pump circuit. The output voltage of the integrator circuit is used for controlling the vertical displacement of the electron beam of the FOCRT in synchronization with the movable recording medium.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled system is provided which is responsive to displacement information such as rotation rate and position of a rotary knob for controlling instrument functions such as display scrolling, the setting and display of measurement conditions (operating parameters), and the entering and display of alphanumeric data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for displaying a logic waveform on a raster scan display device such as a CRT. A part of an input logic signal is delayed for forming a former bit, and the input logic signal acts as a present bit. A memory device stores a special pattern determined in accordance with results of logic operation of the present and former bits. An image dot of the pattern is addressed by the present and former bits and raster line position (number) information, and the output therefrom is applied as an intensity control signal to the display device. Since the memory device does not need FONT information, this invention needs very little software manipulation of data, and the capacity of the memory device is small. In addition, this invention can display glitches and graticule tick marks.