Abstract: A logic cell is described having four inputs, four outputs, a control store, means for multiplexing the four inputs onto two leads and logic means that operate in response to the signals on the two leads and signals from the control store to product output signals which are applied to the four outputs. Illustrative logic functions provided by the logic means include a cross-over or identity function, a change in the routing direction of an input signal, NAND and XOR gates and a D-type flip-flop. The selection of two of the four inputs as well as the selection of the particular logic function that is implemented is controlled by control bits stored in the control store. Numerous such logic cells are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix such that each cell has four nearest neighbor cells, one to its left (or to the West) one to its right (or to the East), one above it (or to the North) and one below it (or to the South).

Abstract: An improved handle and latch assembly for a portable personal computer. The computer includes a cover. To open the cover, the user grasps the handle and pushes it a slight distance toward the computer. The handle is slideably coupled to the cover of the personal computer. A locking member is moveably disposed within the cover. A pair of locking hooks extend out of the cover and engage with slots in the keyboard section of the computer. When the handle is moved inward, it contacts the locking member and moves it, thereby releasing the hooks, and allowing the cover to be opened.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for reducing flicker in an interlaced computer generated raster-scanned display. Several circuits and methods are described for implementing vertical filtering. In general, the data for a given pixel on the nth, nth+1, nth+2 . . . nth+N line is read from memory and convolved to provide data for a given pixel on a display line before pixel data for other pixels along these lines is read from memory.

Abstract: A method for building an inverse color look-up table in a color graphics system. The inverse color look-up table accepts as an address input RGB color information and provides as a data output index information for indexing a color look-up table. The method initializes an array of data elements, each of said data elements for storing said index information, each of said data elements corresponding to a color position in RGB color space. A first index value is stored in the array, the first index value corresponding to an index for the color look-up table. The first index value is stored in a first of the data elements, the first data element corresponding to a color represented by the first index value in the color look-up table. An address of the first data element is also stored in a queue means. For a second of the data elements, it is determined whether the second data element has been assigned an index value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for performing multi-gauge arithmetic operations in a microprocessor CPU. Special purpose instructions facilitate parallel processing of individual bytes or half words of data words without requiring that the processor's mode be separately controlled. A byte/half word mode flag is provided to control the "width" of narrow gauge operation. Add partial, substract partial and compare partial instructions operate on corresponding bytes or half words of two operands and return independent byte or half word results. Multiply partial instructions multiply byte or half word multiplicands by a common multiplier and return independent byte or half word products. The multi-gauge arithmetic operations of the present invention have particular application to graphics processing where repetitive operations are performed on large arrays of pixel data.

Abstract: A multi-component transformer to be used in conjunction with surface mounting technology. Transformer windings are provided by a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel and disposed around a ferrite core. A portion of the winding is disposed in a spacer member or alternatively is formed from tracings of a circuit board. A portion of a ferrite core is disposed above the conductors. Then a bridge member, which is U-shaped and has a plurality of conductors disposed in a dielectric body, is disposed to overlie a portion of the magnetic core overlying the first tracings. The conductors of the bridge member are coupled to the underlying tracings such that the tracings form a continuous loop around a portion of the magnetic core to function as a winding of a transformer. Alternative embodiments are disclosed in which variations of the multi-component provides variations in the design.

Abstract: A self-terminating network of stations connected by coaxial cable segments with each cable segment having ends with cable connectors for coupling to matching device connecters. Each connector has a switchable termination circuit de-activated by coupling to a matching connector. An uncoupled connector will serve as a terminator. The device connector can be a tap connector for mounting on a printed circuit board, for minimizing the length of the tap, and reducing the distrubance to an attached coaxial cable network.

Abstract: A circuit for providing control signals of selectable lengths capable of being driven off of either the rising or falling edge of a clock pulse, the circuit comprising apparatus for providing signals indicating a mode of operation for access to a matrix of memory elements, apparatus responsive to the signals provided by the apparatus for providing signals indicating a mode of operation for providing signals indicating a clock period during which a control signal is to commence and the edge of the clock signal at which such signal is to commence, and apparatus responsive to the signals provided by the apparatus for providing signals indicating a mode of operation for providing signals indicating a clock period during which a control signal is to terminate and the edge of the clock signal at which such signal is to terminate.

Abstract: An improved hinge assembly for a personal computer system. The hinge is comprised of a tubular portion which is rigidly connected to the cover unit of the computer. A part of the tubular hinge is left open to form a passageway into the cover unit. The tubular portion rotates relative to the main body section of the computer. The tubular portion has a longitudinal section removed from near its mid-point, forming a gap. This gap is closed by a curved cover element. The cover element is held stationary with respect to the main body section of the computer. Thus, when the cover unit is opened, the tubular portion rotates relative to the cover element. A cable connecting the electrical components in the cover unit to the main body section passes through an opening in the curved cover element, is bent, travels through the tubular section, parallel to its central axis, is bent again and passes into the cover unit.

Abstract: A CPU with an interface to two different RAMs which operate at different rates. The interface circuit includes a decoder which examines the addresses from the CPU and determines whether a faster cycle or slower cycle is needed. The slow RAM provides video signals to a video display. The fast RAM includes an image of the video signals stored in the first RAM. When the video signals are read by the CPU, they are read only from the fast RAM, however, when it is necessary to update the video signals, they are written into both the slow and fast RAMs.

Abstract: A multiple contact coaxial shell connector combines coaxial, shielded, and multiple contacts in a single connector which need not have angular orientation before mating. The connector is formed by a post, shell, and connector body. The post is formed as an insulating contact-carrying post having multiple electrical contact bands spaced along the length of the post. The post is surrounded by one or more shells, where each shell is formed as an insulating contact-carrying shell coaxially encircling and spaced from the post, each shell having multiple electrical contact rings spaced along the length of the shell. The shell can also contain a encircling shielding layer. The post and shell are mounted at one end to a connector body, leaving the other end open for access to the multiple contacts by a matching socket. The socket has complementary recesses to mate to the connector post and shell, and has leaf spring contacts to contact the multiple contact rings and bands of the post and shell.

Abstract: A hierarchical filing system provides a cataloging of data stored in various locations within a memory device. An upside-down tree type structure provides a downwardly expanding cataloging structure wherein directories provide for further branchings. A branching from a directory is terminated when a file is reached. Each directory is assigned a unique directory identifier value. Then, each file or directory is coupled with the directory identifier value of its parent to provide the interconnection necessary to form the cataloging structure. The complete cataloging structure is organized in the leaf nodes of a B-Tree structure and distributed in an ascending order of the key values to provide a systematic search for a given key. Each file is capable of storing a predetermined number of location description information when data is segmented into non-contiguous segments in memory. A file extents record is used to maintain record of the further segmentation.

Abstract: A connection system for coupling a memory card or other device to a computer system. The connection system utilizes a sliding rack of contacts to provide electrical coupling between the card and the connections system. This sliding rack of contacts is pushed back as a card is inserted and allows the card to be inserted wiht minimal force. The card may then be released by applying a small amount of pressure and then releasing the card. A spring device in the connection system will then force the card out of the connection system to a position where it may be easily removed. The preferred embodiment of the present invention produces an audible and tactile click when the card is properly inserted into the connection system housing. Another audible and tactile click is produced when the card is released. The preferred embodiment also utilizes a flexible circuit for coupling a contact assembly on the sliding rack of connectors to the computer system or other device.