Abstract: Fault detection apparatus for segmented digital displays of a capacitive nature. Current probes interposed between the segment drivers and the segments detect the current pulses required by the on and off segments resulting from the square wave energization applied thereto. Discrepancies between the current pulses and the commanded data provide segment fault status. A serial bus transmits the display data from a Control Unit to the display and transmits the Segment Status Data from the display to the Control Unit. The current pulses are sampled pursuant to a pulse mode or square wave mode of operation.

Abstract: A portable communications receiver is disclosed having a receiver for receiving and detecting periodically transmitted selective call paging signals and data signals. In response to the selective call paging signal, a decoder generates control signals which allow storage of the data signals in a memory, and the display of the latest stored signals. A graphic characterization is provided for depicting the moving object. The effect of movement of the object is generated as the data signals are periodically updated and displayed. By individually animating the graphic characterization between updates, the effect of movement is enhanced. The data signals are periodically updated and include an absolute position signal for depicting an absolute position of the moving object. The data signals further include a relative position signal for depicting a relative position of the moving object relative to another moving object.

Abstract: Apparatus for displaying a sprite on a screen comprises sprite attribute tables each including coordinates indicating a display position of a sprite, a pattern code defining the sprite in regard to pattern data, and control data defining a display mode of the sprite. A sprite generator is addressed in accordance with the pattern code to supply the pattern data of a sprite to a pattern data buffer. The sprite is displayed in accordance with the coordinates thereof on the screen. Therefore, the sprite is moved on the screen only by changing the coordinates of a corresponding sprite attribute table.

Abstract: A display screen for alpha-numerical information is divided into sub-segments in such a manner that 40 connections can suffice.

Abstract: The number of pages of a multi-page document which can be stored in a buffer memory, when one or more of the pages of the document is substantially non-compressible, is increased by the invention. A machine, which is adapted to reproduce multi-page documents from image data of interleaved compressible and substantially non-compressible types of pages, includes multi-page buffer memory. The image data of the compressible page type is compressed and stored in the buffer memory. All pages of one type, either compressible or substantially non-compressible, are reproduced and the reproductions stored. Then, all the pages of the other type are reproduced, during which time, the stored reproductions of the one type page are delivered seriatim from storage into the reproduction document in collated fashion at the position corresponding to the position of the associated original in the multi-page document.

Abstract: A system for scanning a surface moving rapidly parallel to the surface has a scanning panel fixed adjacent the surface and having a row of image sensors spaced in the direction and a stationary focussing unit arranged between the panel and the surface for focussing the sensors on respective fixed locations spaced in the direction. Thus portions of the surface successively align themselves with the locations as the surface moves in the direction past the unit. A shift register has a plurality of input stages each connected to a respective one of the image sensors to receive and store an output thereof and an output stage. This register is cycled to advance the contents of the input stages downstream toward and into the output stage. An output unit connected to the output stage receives the contents thereof as an image signal and a clock is connected to the register for cycling same and thereby moving the contents of the input stages toward the output stage.

Abstract: A method for filling a region inside a closed loop line of a pattern with pixel data having values identical to those of pixel data forming the loop line. One pixel datum of a pixel to be processed is extracted from the image memory, together with pixel data of its neighboring pixels by scanning the image memory at least one time. A logical operation is performed to decide whether or not a value of said one pixel datum should be changed to a value of the pixel datum identical to those of the pixel data forming the loop line. In the logical operation, values of the pixel data of the neighboring pixels are used in addition to the value of said one pixel datum. A result of the logical operation is stored in a related storage region of the image memory in place of said one pixel datum.

Abstract: A vertical storage and retrieval system has a light bar at the operator's station that visually indicates selected bins on a conveyor shelf. The light bar comprises an elongated rectangular tubing flush with the work surface. Several identical electric modules are connected end-to-end and inserted into the tubing. Each module has an array of parallel circuits, each containing a light emitting diode, connected to an electric source. Through circuits connect the terminal circuit of each array of parallel circuits to an electrical sink. A branch circuit of each parallel circuit connects with the corresponding parallel circuit on the adjacent module. The circuits are arranged such that the end module remote from the electric source and sink may be severed and a portion of the module discarded without affecting the operation of the light bar.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-mode power supply for biasing an electrophoretic display and particularly for biasing the anode electrode of such a display. The supply contains first and second supply means each of which can operate as a constant voltage or constant current supply. The first and second supplies are respectively coupled to the anode electrode of the electrophoretic display so that during the Write Mode the display is operated with a constant current at a first polarity and operates with a constant current at a second polarity during the Erase Mode. Additional modes are shown where AC voltages are applied to the anode electrode either directly as in the case of a Slow Erase Mode or via a capacitor in the case of a Time 60 Cycle Mode for a given time period. In these modes the supplies are operated as constant voltage sources to enable suitable magnitude voltages to be applied to the anode electrode in order to provide optimum operating conditions for the electrophoretic display.

Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for driving an electrophoretic display during a writing mode. During this mode the cathodes that are not being written into are pulsed in regard to the pulsing of a grid that is being written into. The grid that is being written into is associated with a cathode line which line is caused to assume a writing mode for a longer duration than the pulse applied to the writing grid. At the same time cathode lines which are not being written into are pulsed for a time duration equivalent to the time duration of the writing grid pulse. By pulsing the electrodes in the manner described above, one increases the writing speed of the electrophoretic display while maintaining a bright uniform background for the display.

Abstract: A strip material (18) for forming an inductive loop (10) adapted to be applied to the surface of a roadway (12). The strip material (18) consists of and the loop (10) is formed from a ductile, flexible, flattened, extensible conductor (20) and a protective covering (22). A protective underlayment (24) is optional. The conductor (20) may be formed from a compressed, flattened metallic wire braid (28) or from a wire mesh containing 25% to 75% voids. The protective covering (22) may be formed from either combination unvulcanized elastomer precursor base sheet (30) and a vinyl based polymer support film (32), or a covering (26) selected from the group of epoxy, polyester, urethane and polyurethane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite picture information system that is able to compose pictures from digital data from separate sources. An extended (main) information processor (40) is mechanically configured so that an auxiliary information processor (10) can be docked with it. The extended and auxiliary information processors are each configured so that they can be independently operated and can each provide as an output an analog video signal defining a picture. When the information processors are docked, the auxiliary information processor stops generating its own video signal. Instead, it reads out digital display data based on a synchronizing signal provided by an extended (main) information processor, and provides its digital data to the extended (main) information processor.

Abstract: A display control circuit includes a video memory for storing display data assigned with a plurality of bits corresponding to each pixel of a display screen of a display device, and at least one color designation circuit. Each color designation circuit includes a rewritable color value register, a selector for selecting outputs from the color value register in accordance with color signal information of the display data read out from the video memory, an element number register for storing preset element numbers, an element number coincidence detector for comparing element number information of the display data read out from the video memory with the preset element numbers, and an output buffer, controlled in accordance with an output from the element number coincidence detector, for supplying a signal to a driver for the display device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for generating character images using a font compression algorithm that reduces the storage requirements associated with low-cost, high resolution printers. An expanded character image has original print slices and duplicate print slices identical to one or more of the original print slices where the duplicate print slices are eliminated in the compressed character image. The compressed character is expanded using a repetition mask that identifies the number and location of the duplicate print slices. The technique for expanding the compressed character is such that printing can be performed in real time, in either a forward or reverse direction with only minimal effects on processing. This invention also provides a means for supporting multiple pitches, such as 10 CPI, 12 CPI and Proportional Space Mode (PSM), within those storage constraints.

Abstract: A CRT display device with a picture-rearranging circuit in which a display address for accessing a memory to display data stored in the memory is calculated at a high speed by hardware, i.e., a calculator, which counts values from an address counter or a reading or writing address from a microprocessing unit and an offset address generated from the microprocessing unit, the offset address being used to change the picture-arrangement on a display panel.

Abstract: A point and select device is disclosed in which a sphere protruding from one major surface of a housing can serve as either a trackball or the moving element in a mouse. Actuators on either side of the device are selected according to the use of the device. The sense of motion for up/down is reversed between the two modes of operation.

Abstract: An image display apparatus is disclosed, in which a programmable counter is provided with a separate counter with the output thereof varied cyclically with the counting of horizontal sync signal pulses, the output of the counter is used to cull out the horizontal sync signal pulses supplied to the programmable counter, and pixel data of the same line is read out from a reflesh memory at least twice in a period, in which the input is culled. A display on a display panel having a fixed display resolution thus is obtained of display data of a lower resolution than the fixed display screen resolution.

Abstract: A communication system for a railway train has a proving circuit for proving conditions of the railway track ahead of the train. The proving circuit comprises a transponder associated with at least one rail of the track to form a rail circuit therewith. The response of the transponder to an interrogater on the train is dependent upon the condition of the rail circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a menu window from a menu bar on a display device in a computer controlled display system is described. The menu window is removed from the menu bar by positioning the cursor on a display device over a command option on the menu bar and then by manipulating a signal generating device to indicate to the computer display system that the user has selected the command option and then by manipulating a cursor control device to cause the cursor to cross a border of the menu window while the menu window is being displayed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic keyboard comprising transmitting elements and receiving elements activated in multiplex operation, with the changes in the luminous flux caused by actuation of keys resulting in a signal which defines the actuated key. The invention resides in arranging the transmitting and receiving elements in a main body of the keyboard which comprises a separate cover acting as optical and electromagnetic shielding. The space serving to guide the radiation is preferably separated and shielded from the space accommodating the elements and the electronic evaluating system. Various kinds of multiplex operation can be used to operate the keyboard.