Abstract: Improvements are made in how microprocessors execute logical exclusive OR instructions when the operands of this instruction are equal. XOR instructions with equal operands are used to clear registers and/or assign flags values without explicitly performing the actual XOR command. By setting or resetting these flags and/or clearing these registers directly, this mechanism allows these instructions to be paired with following dependent instructions simply by zeroing the dependent input of the following instructions. An architecture that hardwires the implementation into the microprocessor through logic gates is preferred. This will result in increased speed while reducing power consumption. Further, a full-sized ALU is not needed in order to execute the XOR instruction with equal operands. As this is a more direct procedure, a pipeline with a reduced capability ALU can be utilized.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a voltage shifter capable of interfacing between two circuitry each is operating in different voltage range. The voltage shifter comprises an input buffer for converting an external input signal switching within a high voltage range to an internal input signal switching within a low voltage range, an output driver for converting an internal output signal switching within the low voltage range to an external output signal switching within the high voltage range; and a reference voltage generator for generating a reference voltage to the input buffer and the output driver. In addition, the voltage shifter is designed such that each of the transistors within is protected against voltage breakdown so that the voltage shifter can be built by transistors using the low voltage process.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for translating a first address field into a second address field so that data associated with the first address field can be conveniently stored in standard sized memory without the need for expensive hardware normally associated with translation tables and the like. Preferably, the translation can be provided with a simple multiplexor, and where certain conditions exist, the actual memory required to store the data can be reduced.

Abstract: A novel electronic printing system for operating both a linear-raster electro-optical display device and a linear-raster type printer, which system is capable of integrating alphanumeric and/or graphics information and gray-scale or picture information, all on a single data base from which one may either (or both) print the data out on the printer as images, or display the data on the display device as images. The system includes look-up tables storing respective first and second subsets of a set of substantially disjoint multiple-bit binary index numbers. Each of the numbers of the first subset represent information corresponding to a respective gray-scale density level rendered as a respective matrix of points forming a corresponding gray-scale cell to be printed by the printer. Each of the numbers of the second subset represent information corresponding to a unique shape of an edge rendered as a respective matrix of points to be printed by the printer.

Abstract: A novel electronic printing system for operating both a linear-raster electro-optical display device and a linear-raster type printer, which system is capable of integrating alphanumeric and/or graphics information and gray-scale or picture information, all on a single data base from which one may either (or both) print the data out on the printer as images, or display the data on the device as images. The system includes look-up tables storing respective first and second subsets of a set of substantially disjoint multiple-bit binary index numbers. Each of the numbers of the first subset represent information corresponding to a respective gray-scale density level rendered as a respective matrix of points forming a corresponding gray-scale cell to be printed by the printer. Each of the numbers of the second subset represent information corresponding to a unique shape of an edge rendered as a respective matrix of points to be printed by the printer.