Abstract: A font converting device converts (dot density conversion) a down-line load font received through an interface device into a font represented by a dot matrix of the same size as that of a resident font stored in first memory and stores the converted down-line load font in a second memory. A control circuit selectively reads the fonts of the first memory (resident font) or the fonts of the second memory (converted down-line load font) in conformity to a font code included in print data, edits dot image data, and then provides the same to a printing unit to be controlled, namely, a printer in a narrow sense. Only the rarely used down-line load font is subjected to dot density conversion so that the print dot density of the converted down-line load font coincides with that of the print dot density of the printer to be controlled, while a frequently used font of a print dot density coinciding with that of the printer is stored as resident font.

Abstract: A system is described in which a user enters a search term at a user location, that search term being associated with a plurality of image objects which are stored at a plurality of geographically diverse locations within the system. The search term is then transmitted to a central index location where there is stored a central index which includes the object name and location and associated data for each of the distributed objects associated with the search term. Optionally, the associated data may be transmitted from the central location back to the user location for display to the user, who can then select which of the several objects or perhaps all of the objects to be accessed from the diverse geographic storage locations. The user can enter his selection at the user location and that selection will be transmitted back to the central index location.

Abstract: A painting-out pattern reference system comprises a graphic data memory for storing drawn graphic data to be displayed on a display screen, in the form of a bit image, the graphic data memory having a horizontal size of 2.sup.n .times.m words (where "n" and "m" are natural numbers); a pattern data memory storing a unitary painting-out pattern in the dorm of a bit image for defining the unitary painting-out pattern, the pattern data memory having a horizontal size of 2.sup.

Abstract: In a printing device, all the print data is printed out without any print command when a predetermined time is counted after a reception buffer has run out of data. It is also possible to ensure an error-free, proper automatic print operation by providing a facility of discriminating between suspension of data transmission for the reason of processing and real stop of data transmission and another facility of selecting whether or not to carry out the automatic printing.

Abstract: A two-dimensional fast Fourier transform converter utilizes parallel digital fast Fourier transform processors and a frame serial processing path to convert two-dimensional images of large pixel count (512.times.512 or higher) and high dynamic range (16 bits of pixel intensity quantization) at a rate equal to or exceeding real time processing rate of 30 frames/second. The parallel processors are organized for performing the row and column transformations in a highly parallel and efficient manner. In one embodiment, a uni-directional processing path with segmented image data busses to streamline the data movement is used. In a second embodiment, a bi-directional processing path is utilized such that the fast Fourier transform processors perform row and column conversions sequentially, thus reducing by a factor of two the number of individual fast Fourier transform processors required.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing output data representative of an output image consisting of output image segments each defined by output picture elements such that each output image segments corresponds to each input picture element. The apparatus includes a pattern data memory for storing at least one set of basic output-image unit pattern data each representative of a basic pattern of position of output picture elements defining a basic output image area, and a device for preparing the output data for each output image segment whose pattern of positions of output picture elements is identical with the basic pattern represented by any set of basic output-image unit pattern data stored in the memory. The output data are prepared based on the appropriate set of unit pattern data, without determining the positions of the output picture elements lying within the outline of that output image segment obtained from the corresponding input picture element.

Abstract: A video signal processing system includes a memory for holding digital data, input and output channel circuitry for reading data from and writing data to the memory and processing circuits for processing data read from the memory to produce data to be written to the memory. Each of the input and output channels produces two types of memory request signals, a normal request signal and an urgent request signal. The normal request signal is produced to gain access to the data in the memory for normal read and wire operations. The urgent request signal is produced to access the memory when the processing circuitry is in a paused state waiting either to obtain data from the input channel or to provide data to the output channel. The normal read and write request signals are handled with substantially equal priority by first scheduling circuitry. The urgent request signals are handled by second scheduling circuits according to a fixed priority scheme.

Abstract: A computer graphics hidden surface removal system and process are provided for processing a display list representing a plurality of objects to provide an image on a display device. A primary viewing volume is initially determined from a desired viewpoint by defining top, bottom, left side, right side, primary far and primary near clipping planes. The viewing volume is then divided into a plurality of slices including a first slice at the primary far clipping plane and a last slice at the primary near clipping plane. The other slices are in between. Signals representing portions of the objects found in each of the slices are loaded into a display memory buffer one slice at a time progressing sequentially through the slices starting with the first slice and ending with the last slice.

Abstract: An image output command method, in an image processing system comprising an input controller to dot and compress density or tone data for an image read out by an input unit and for temporarily staying the compressed image data at a buffer; a work station to picture-edit not only a code information edited by an editing input unit but also the image data by the use of an input operating means and a display means; a file server connected to the input controller and the work station by bus lines and for storing the image data, code information and edited data picture-edited by the work station in the file server; and an image setter for reading out the edited data stored in the file server and subjecting the edited data to a required data processing, which comprises the steps of: reading out the stored data from the file server, separating respective image data which constitute one page and commands which edit respective images when the images are transferred to the image output unit via the image setter and are

Abstract: A solid modelling system for generating a spatial representation of an object defined by a structure having a plurality of linked nodes representing the object in terms of solid geometric primitives combined by a logical expression, which is adapted to recognize redundant primitives automatically. Bitmap generation logic (BGL) is provided for traversing at least certain of the nodes in the structure for generating a bitmap representing the part of the logical expression defined in the traversed nodes and redundant primitive logic (RPL) is provided for testing the bitmap for logical redundancies indicative of redundant geometric primitives. Each bit in the bitmap is representative of a respective one of the constituents of the primitives, a constituent being the volume formed by the intersection of primitives or their complements, and, in order to test for the redundancy of a primitive u, the RPL tests for equivalence of the corresponding utrue and ufalse constituents in the bitmap.

Abstract: A method for displaying three dimensional images starts by initially forming a "stripped" partition of a view window by passing a contractible, vertical attachment through each scene vertex in the view window. Faces from the scene are chosen and added to a planar partition by selecting a vertex of the chosen face; locating its corresponding vertical attachment and traveling along the line segment which is initiated at that vertex. As the line segment traverses each region and makes region to region transitions, the partitions are updated. Concurrently, each new region in the partition has a visibility pointer assigned to it. When an entire scene face has been added, a set of visibility pointers associated with regions interior to the added scene face enable depth comparisons to be carried out.

Abstract: A memory device having a plurality of addressable memory locations, each of which can be defined uniquely by an address word having an X component and a Y component, which memory locations correspond respectively to grid points in a rectangular array at a pitch dX in the X direction and a pitch dY in the Y direction, is loaded with data values Q. In a first operating cycle, a first address word defining a memory location corresponding to a first grid point is generated. In a second cycle, a first value of Q as a function of X and Y is computed, and concurrently a second address word defining a memory location corresponding to a second grid point is generated. In a third cycle, the first value of Q is compared with a previous value of Q for the first grid point, and concurrently a third address word defining a memory location corresponding to a third grid point is generated and a second value of Q is computed.

Abstract: In a data processing device of the handy type having a central processing unit (CPU) arranged to include a calculating mode for performing calculation and a memorandum pad mode for storing data and for reading the stored data in response to the operation of a reading key, the CPU can be changed to the memorandum pad mode by a operation of a reading key so that reading of the data of the memorandum is started with easy operation.

Abstract: Linear combining apparatus for digit-serial data performs addition, subtraction and comparison functions on a systolic basis. Signals are afforded the apparatus indicating the occurence of the most significant digits of the digit-serial signals being linearly combined.

Abstract: A lunch box type electronic apparatus such as a laptop computer or word processor, including a keyboard unit, a display unit and a body electrically connected thereto, in which a supporting device slidably supports the display unit onto the body between a shutup position where the display unit is shut up onto the body and an operative position where the apparatus is operated, while the face to face relation between the rear surface of the display unit and the front surface of the body is kept during the sliding movement of the display unit with respect to the body, and a slant angle varying device for the display unit is arranged in the upper portion of the front surface of the body.

Abstract: A bit plane partitioned graphics display system prioritizes large numbers of classes of information prior to relaying the information to the color lookup table. This allows the color lookup table to process only 12 or less bits of information at a time.

Abstract: A print format changing system includes a printer, a device for inputting print format-related information, and a memory containing an edit table region for storing the print format-related information input by the input device, thereby rewriting the print format-related information stored in the edit table region of the memory so as to change the format of data printed out by the printer.

Abstract: A rasterization system is provided to control the formatting and manipulations of font and character information to perform real-time rasterization of images of selected characters to be output to a column-oriented printing or display apparatus. The rasterization system is comprised of a programmable data processor for receiving input data and font data and for generating print data and control signals for outputting the selected characters. The programmable data processor performs the real-time rasterization of the input data (representing the desired characters to be printed) and the font data (representing the outlines of the particular size and font of the selected character set) by creating an intermediate edge list data base before completing the fill or rasterization process required to generate the pixel output data used to print the selected characters on the tape.

Abstract: A digital arithmetic logic unit in which the carry chain is subdivided into a series of bit fields allowing independent and simultaneous data manipulation to be undertaken in each of the bit fields. Division of the carry chain is achieved via a carry chain selector consisting of a series of multiplexers, one being placed between each pair of adjacent stages of the carry chain. Each multiplexer has two data inputs, one of which forms the carry to the next stage of the carry chain. The carry selected either continues the computation or defines the end of one bit field and provides the least significant carry-in bit to the next bit field. This selection of the carry by the multiplexer is under control of a programmable register, thus allowing variable division of the carry chain.

Abstract: Touch dialogue User Interface (U.I.) for programming a reproduction machine using a touch control CRT screen with display providing a message area, U.I. state selections, and plural tabbed file folders, each file folder when opened in turn displaying a smaller card file of tabbed cards with adjacent work area, each card in the card file when opened providing a display of icons representing first level machine programming selections for touch selection, each icon when touched displaying further icons representing second level programming selections in the work area for touch selection.