Abstract: The present invention generally provides an image display system having display means, image memory means for storing image data in the form of rows and columns of pixels with each pixel having a value representing the intensity level thereof, processor means for processing the image data on a selectable basis and in a selectable manner, and display memory means for receiving and storing image data from the processor means for use by the display means. The method of the present invention provides for displaying images from image data in the form of rows and columns of pixels with each pixel having a value representing the intensity level thereof, comprising the steps of: storing the image data in a random access memory means; selectively reading the image data from the random access memory means; selectively processing the image data read form the random access memory means; storing the processed image data in a display memory means for display purposes; and displaying the stored processed image data.

Abstract: A magnetic tape drive emulator provides interface compatibility between a computer system having an industry standard tape drive interface and a peripheral image acquisition processing system. The emulator receives signals that are normally applied to a magnetic tape drive system and converts them into data signals which are formatted for general access by the image acquisition processing system. In addition, the magnetic tape drive emulator converts signals generated by the peripheral processing system into data signals which are formatted for access by the computer system through the standard tape drive interface.