Abstract: A microprocessor, having a memory element containing a plurality of multi-bit instruction words, an arithmetic logic (ALU) unit coupled to the memory element and responsive to at least a portion of each of the instruction words for performing data manipulations, and a controller for generating address signals that are communicated to the memory element to cause sequential access of the instruction words, includes a storage element that interconnects certain of the signal lines that communicate the instruction words to the ALU to the controller. In response to a first predetermined instruction word the storage element receives and stores the portion of the instruction word being conducted to the ALU. In response to a second predetermined instruction word, the content of the storage element is transferred to the controller to form an address signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for the generation of a number of elliptical images on a raster scan video display screen by storing information indicative of a predetermined model image, and for each elliptical image to be displayed, storing data indicative of the vertical and horizontal eccentricity of each image, and its display location. During display time, the vertical eccentricity, horizontal eccentricity, and display location binary information for each elliptical is accessed and used to sequentially read selected portions of the model image information to produce therefrom address signals indicative of the location of individual horizontal display elements that make up the desired elliptical image. The address signals are applied to a random access memory to store marker information indicative of the elliptical image at memory locations corresponding to the position on the display screen that the image will take.

Abstract: A deformable switch keyboard assembly with a flexible unitary top member, a compressible intermediate switch assembly layer and a bottom member providing mechanical support for the intermediate assembly and mechanical isolation for the switching function.The top member has a plurality of switch site defining regions extending in a first direction and located in a predetermined array to define the keyboard. The intermediate switch assembly has a plurality of switch sites each underlying a different one of the top member projections. The bottom member has first and second sets of projections extending toward the top member, each of the first set of projections underlying a different one of the switch sites and providing a compression contact beneath the intermediate switch assembly when the corresponding top member region is actuated to advance in the first direction.

Abstract: A releaseable hinge mechanism for use with a cover member, a bottom housing member having a deflectable support wall and a top housing member having a facing margin adjacent the support wall. A hinge is connected to the cover member and includes a central elongate portion terminating in a flatted distal end with a pair of flanking pivot pin portions received in a pair of cradle members located on the support wall. A compound bracket located on the facing margin has a spaced pair of relatively inflexible brace portions in facing relation with the flatted distal end and normally engaged in surface contact with the flatted end when the cover member is opened. The compound bracket includes a deflectable finger located between the pair of brace portions and arranged for surface contact with a pressure finger located on the top edge of the flatted distal end when the cover member is moved between a closed position and the opened position.

Abstract: A decoding circuit is coupled to the signal lines that communicate address signals to a memory unit. When a predetermined address is communicated, the decoding circuit produces a supplemental signal that is coupled to the memory unit and used to select one of a plurality of groups of memory locations. The communicated address signals specify the memory location of the selected group to be accessed.

Abstract: A joystick controller in which a conventional handle is moveable radially with respect to its axis relative to an axial pivot location from the nominal rest position of the handle is disclosed. A plurality of pressure-actuated switches are disposed in a common plane normal to the axis of the handle in its rest position. The switches circumscribe the approximate pivot location of the handle. A deformable resilient annular member is superimposed over the switches. The annular member is fixed to the handle so that displacement of the handle from its rest position causes an arcuate portion of the annular member to press against at least one of the switches. The annular member thus actuates selected switches depending on the direction in which the handle is displaced by the operator.

Abstract: A single device for driving a pair of floppy discs, preferably the smaller mini floppy discs, is disclosed herein and identified as a dual floppy disc machine. A drive motor is coupled to a pair of rotatable spindles mounted side by side. The spindles receive respective floppy discs thereon, and are driven at a speed not to exceed 50 rpm, much lower than the speed of conventional floppy disc machines. A pair of read/write heads are provided which have a capacity of reading no more than 20,000 bits per second, again well below conventional rates but sufficient for the speeds used in the present invention. A single carriage has both read/write heads mounted thereon in spaced relationship, and is moveable along an axis bisecting a line connecting the centers of the spindles. As a result, the read/write heads are moveable in unison radially relative to the respective spindles. A stepping motor is coupled to the carriage to move the carriage along its axis.

Abstract: A radio frequency oscillator-modulator for use in a video game includes an oscillator circuit, formed from a first differentially connected, emitter-coupled transistor pair having base/collector cross-coupling, that is dc coupled to the differential inputs of a second differentially connected, emitter-coupled transistor pair that forms the modulator circuit. The modulation signal is applied through a resistance to the connected emitters of the modulator circuit to vary the drive current thereof. The radio frequency oscillator-modulator includes bias circuitry that establishes a low level of operation that provides for great linearity and low R.F. radiation.

Abstract: A number of moving objects and stationary playfield objects are generated on a video display screen by sharing memory and circuitry on both a physical and time-share basis. Video graphics data for playfield and motion objects is stored in a read-only memory (ROM). An object attribute memory, which may be updated at any time, is scanned during each horizontal retrace interval to provide information used to selectively read moving object video data from the ROM and assemble and store a complete horizontal line of moving object video graphics data in a separate staging memory. During active scan time of the horizontal video display line, the assembled line of moving object video data is accessed from the staging memory and communicated to the display screen via appropriate video circuitry to produce the video of the moving objects.

Abstract: An improved dome switch is disclosed in which the configuration of the dome is modified to avoid premature wear of the circular contact. Specifically, the marginal portions of the dome is physical contact with the circular contact are provided with reverse curvature relative to the curvature of the remainder of the dome. The dome switch is incorporated in devices in which the switch is mechanically actuated, such as in a video game joy stick, or manually actuated, such as in the keyboard of a hand-held calculator.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a plurality of audio sound effects such as shots, explosions, and airplane and car sounds, used in electronic games utilizes a variable clock driving a variable digital noise generator whose audio output amplitude is shaped by either of two types of control units. In one type the density or duty cycle is varied by selectively ANDing together outputs from a polynomial counter. In a second embodiment a digital to analog converter utilizing gated resistive summing provides the amplitude control the gates being driven by a four bit data register which in turn is driven by the game control means.

Abstract: The resolution of relatively low resolution type information signals is enhanced by inserting black level signals between adjacent picture elements at predetermined positions in each odd horizontal scanning line, and inserting black level signals between adjacent picture elements at different predetermined positions in even horizontal scanning lines. The black level signals are inserted by extinguishing a CRT beam in accordance with phase displaced clock signal trains, preferably phase displaced by 180.degree..