Abstract: Methods of applying LSI and microprocessors to the design of microprocessor-based LSI implementation of mainframe processors are described. A mainframe instruction set is partitioned into two or more subsets, each of which can be implemented by a microprocessor having special on-chip microcode or by a standard off-the-shelf microprocessor running programs written for that purpose. Alternatively, one or more of the subsets can be implemented by a single microprocessor. In addition, a subset of the partitioned instruction set can be implemented by emulating software, by off-chip vertical or horizontal microcode, or by primitives. But, however partitioning is implemented, the end result thereof is to keep the critical flow paths, associated with the most frequently used instruction subset, as short as possible by constraining them to a single chip.

Abstract: A method of transferring information between a host data processing system and the private storage media of an interactive text processing system, and the reverse, under control of the host while the text processing system is emulating a host terminal. All information intended to be written to or read from the text processor's diskette and commands therefor, are marked with a unique indicator that is recognized by emulation software and utilized thereby to steer said commands and information to a file transfer program and away from the emulated terminal screen. This is done in a manner that is transparent to the host which handles transferred information as though it were being written to or returned from the emulated screen.

Abstract: A method of transforming a first editable form of a document prepared by an interactive text processing system into a second and incompatible editable form for use in another interactive or batch text processing system through the use of a transform mechanism is described. A significant step of this method requires the identification of a limited number of key state variables, whose values collectively identify the necessary state information for transforming the first document form to the second. After the key state variables have been identified, the actual number of combinations thereof is determined. For each first document form input item encountered by the transform mechanism, and for each combination of key state variables in which that input item can be encountered, one or more output items for the second document form is explicitly defined as the transform thereof. In addition, the state of the transform mechanism after each such transform has occurred, must also be specified.

Abstract: A print head for use in an electrolytic matrix printer is described. In this print head, predetermined ones of a plurality of electrodes are permanently grounded and are thereby forced to always function as cathodes. The remaining electrodes serve as print electrodes and, depending on the information needed during a given print cycle, either print or are not energized. These print electrodes, therefore, are constrained to always function as anodes. Fixing the function of the electrodes in the print cycle prevents reverse current flow in an electrode from print cycle to print cycle and placing the permanently grounded electrodes intersticially between and about the print electrodes to isolate them, in particular, further enhances this effect. This is particularly beneficial when using platinum print electrodes that form a protective passivation layer which is destroyed by the reverse current flow resulting from alternating electrode functions.

Abstract: A method of transforming a first editable form of a document prepared by a batch text processing system into a second and incompatible editable form for use in another batch or an interactive text processing system through the use of a transform mechanism is described. A significant step of this method requires the identification of a limited number of key state variables, whose values reflect information concerning source document controls that have been read in a sequence thereof. The next step requires a definition of control compatibility, which source document controls are compatible with other source controls that set the state variables to their current values in that sequence. After control compatibility has been determined, it will be necessary to define the output items that need to be written for the target document as part of the transformation of any possible input sequence.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting controlled and accurate moistening of an object is described. A hollow rotor is provided with at least one shaped portion in its surface, that portion having a row of nozzles therein. The nozzles are drilled completely through the rotor sidewall so that they comprise a conduit between the rotor's center and the outer surface of the rotor. An apertured plate and shutter plate are movably mounted between an object to be coated and the rotor. Fluid is delivered to the center of the rotor from a supply thereof by means of an inlet tube. The rotor is coupled at its other end, which is sealed to prevent fluid escape, to a motor and driven thereby to eject fluid from the nozzles, aided by the vacuum effect of the shaped rotor portion. Only that fluid escaping through the exposed section of the slot in the apertured plate strikes and thereby coats the object to be moistened.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the parity of data bits that have been disassociated from their parity bits and regrouped by a data byte shifter/converter or like apparatus. The lack of usually available parity bit association is overcome by generating a parity bit for each of the groups, including the parity bits, formed by the disassociative procedure. The group parity bits are then logically checked by an appropriate number of exclusive OR gates to determine their overall parity. A resultant parity signal is thereby generated which accurately reflects the parity state of the original data, unless an even number of bit errors have occurred. An odd number of bit errors is detected and, if appropriate, then alarmed.

Abstract: A method of controlling the pH of a print reaction zone in an electrolytic matrix printer is described. Appropriate amounts of a buffering agent are included in the treated surface layer of the recording medium used in the printer to hold the pH of the print reaction zone in the range of 5.0 to 7.0 and, preferably, between 6.0 and 6.5. The pH of the electrolytic reaction zone can also be held in the desired range by adding appropriate amounts of a buffering agent to a supply of recording medium moistening fluid, either before and/or during actual printing, the latter step enabling dynamic buffering control if needed. The described method halts or reduces the degradation of print electrodes by effecting a balance between excess quantities of acid or base material generated in the print reaction zone during printing.

Abstract: Apparatus for locally coding image information and then controlling the delivery of voltage pulses based thereon to the print electrodes of a matrix printer for multicolored image reproduction is described. Control of the print electrode pulses is based on both pulse amplitude and pulse width variations. This concurrent control capability facilitates multicolor printing using a dye matrix that has interleaved dyes which are alternately amplitude and duration sensitive.The control apparatus, which includes a stacked memory, reads the local image data, which defines a set of pulse profiles for the particular dye matrix used, into the memory. Thereafter, this information is incrementally retrieved by appropriate means and delivered simultaneously to all of the printer's electrodes before any recording medium registration problem becomes discernible. After all memory information is printed, it is reloaded and the new image information is printed.

Abstract: A color display system that employs a penetration type CRT, a control circuit and storage elements for holding the information to be displayed to obtain multicolored rastered images is described. The CRT is capable of exhibiting a predetermined number of colors. The storage elements hold information that defines one frame for each displayable CRT color screen. The control circuit supplies appropriate video and drive signals for each color frame to be displayed, at the proper time and sequence, to the CRT. In particular, the control circuit is adapted to provide drive signals for horizontal and vertical electron beam deflection circuits that cause the beam to be scanned, both horizontally and vertically, at a rate that is a multiple of the predetermined number of colors to be displayed and the conventional scan rate for horizontal and vertical deflection.

Abstract: In a microprogrammed processor consisting of several circuitized chips, which are to be synchronously operated, each chip is provided with its own local clock generator or T-ring for deriving therefrom timing signals required during the subphases of micro instruction execution. A master clock connected to all of the T-rings by lines of equal length forces the individual T-rings to operate synchronously and keeps them operating in such a manner. In addition, reset circuitry is provided for forcing all of the T-rings to their first timing interval for initial synchronization thereof or, at an appropriate time, when a micro instruction requiring less than the maximum number of available T-ring timing signals is executed.The timing signals which are locally produced are subject to little delay on their way to the various local switching points.

Abstract: Error detection and correction apparatus for a programmable logic array (PLA) having AND and OR logic combinations merged therein is disclosed. The output lines from the AND and OR logic elements are coupled in such a manner that their functions form complete groups containing, if possible, all minterms. Missing minterms are added, as necessary, by special output lines or logic elements provided for that purpose to complete a group. If a minterm occurs on two or more function lines, the corresponding minterm is entered as a correction term into an error detection logic means, one of which is associated with each group of logic output lines. The error detection logic means are also utilized to test whether one, and only one, of the output lines in a grouping of function lines has a binary 1 value.Error correction signals are generated by mixed group error detection means, the inputs of which are connected to a function line of another function group.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling gray scale in the charge sensitive media of a matrix printer by using constant amplitude write pulses. Their use is intended to overcome registration problems caused by constant movement of the charge sensitive recording media during the actual print cycle. This control method and apparatus are implemented by varying, as a function of the desired intensity of one or more pixels to be printed, the effective write time and the number of constant amplitude pulses applied to any one or more of a plurality of print electrodes over a complete write cycle. The normal printer write cycle is divided into a number of subdivisions, that number being a function of the maximum permissible allowable error that can be perceived by a human eye. Further, the write pulse waveforms used are derived so that there is not more than one write cycle subdivision difference at either termination point of any intensity pixel printed therewith.

Abstract: In executing and controlling internal data flow for a particular program, it is often necessary to delay execution of an instruction by the insertion of an appropriate number of wait cycles. Thus, it may be necessary to interrupt instruction execution, for example, to insert a given number of wait cycles for channel access to common storage of the data processing system, for reloading a data or instruction buffer, or for a like situation. In such cases, the control unit has to ignore the particular instruction awaiting execution and execute another forced operation instead.An appropriate code is provided for a NO OPERATION instruction, say all bits zero. When a forced operation is to be executed, this code can be generated with fewer logic means at the output of the instruction register. As a result, there are no control signals active at the output of the decoder. The signals indicating forced operations have to be considered by the decoder only if a control signal is to be generated.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a photomask having at least three distinct zones of light transmissibility is disclosed. A first mask is made from a predetermined pattern, this mask having only two distinct zones of light transmissibility. A second mask, made by contact printing of a diazo film, is formed from a selected portion of one zone of the original pattern, which zone has the greater light transmissibility. The second mask, being a contact print, is the photographic opposite of the first. The two masks are then aligned with the selected portion of the second mask superimposed over its original location in the first mask and a composite latent image thereof is formed in a suitable emulsion. This composite image is then developed and fixed on an appropriate support to form a photomask having at least three density zones.

Abstract: A single level packaging arrangement and connector for large or very large scale integrated circuit chips is disclosed. This arrangement utilizes dual function optical transducers and fiber optic cables as the transmission medium by which most, if not all, chip I/O communication is effected.The top portion of the connector acts as a conductive collar which serves as both a heat sink and a shield against stray external signals. A chip site is formed in the top portion of the connector and the chip removably lodged therein. The top portion of the connector also includes connector pads which are utilized to make solderless connection to deformable chip pads and to dual purpose optical transducers. Thermal grease, which is forced into and fills site cavities provided for that purpose, assists in conducting heat from within the connector to thereby enhance the heat dissipation characteristics of the chip site.

Abstract: A preheating pad and assembly for electrolytic printing apparatus is provided. The pad is adjustably mounted to the write head of the printer for movement normal to the recording medium used therein. The pad is fabricated from a ceramic chip and includes a resistive heating element that is protected by a thin bottom layer provided for that purpose.It is joined to an insulated carrier arm by a spring which serves to electrically and mechanically couple the pad and the print head. The biasing effect made possible by the spring allows the pad contact pressure with the recording medium surface to be tuned or adjusted as required. In operation, the pad's position is adjusted to force moisture deposited by an applicator on the surface of the recording medium to penetrate the recording medium's surface layer while simultaneously heating both the surface layer's constituent materials and the fluid being driven therein.

Abstract: A printing device having a document feed path defined therein and a platen fixedly mounted adjacent the feed path, the platen having a plurality of character segments formed thereon. A plurality of impact members, there being at least one thereof for each character segment, are also positioned adjacent the document feed path and positioned thereat so that one of said impact members will strike one of the character segments. A spool-to-spool ribbon drive is adapted to position a print ribbon between the platen and the document in the feed path therefor and causes printing of each character segment where it is struck by an impact member. A document feed assembly is provided for moving each document along the feed path.

Abstract: In a radar system utilizing same, a segmented chirp waveform is built up by frequency hopping trains of simple chirp pulses. Each chirp pulse in a train is identical and is transmitted on one of a set of discrete carrier frequencies. The carrier frequencies are uniformly spaced in a predetermined bandwidth and are used in linear sequence. After transmitting on the last carrier frequency, the entire pattern is repeated, starting again at the first carrier frequency. The returns from the individual pulses are digitized and stored and the history thereof is then assembled by a digital signal processor into a high resolution image.

Abstract: In a data processing or transmission system which includes at least two synchronized clocks, for example--T-rings A and B which generate timing pulses Tai and Tbi for microinstruction execution, synchronism is checked by logic circuitry which receives pulses from the clocks. At least one of the pulses is delayed by one or more pulse period durations ti. The logic circuit output signal is used as an input to an indicator latch which is periodically set by an independent check oscillator or clock. In a preferred embodiment, the delays are introduced by master-slave flip-flops, which receive predetermined combinations of the T-signals and set by the independent check clock.Several delay latches and associated AND gates may be used for different logical combinations of delayed and undelayed T-signals. This scheme can easily be expanded to accommodate more than two synchronously operating clocks.