Abstract: The present invention relates to a decoder for converting compiled page information supplied in code into information which can be directed to a raster output scanner in the form of a serial pixel bit flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying an image represented by digital data defining the content of one or more pluralities of cells constituting one or more color separations is described. The digital data indicates for each cell whether the respective color is "present" or "absent". The apparatus comprises scanning means (15,16) for electronically scanning along a plurality of scan lines with a mask of preselected dimensions; the respective plurality of digital data corresponding to a region including a boundary for one or more of the color separations. Programmable logic determines at each position of the mask whether the portion of the color separation within the mask includes at least one cell the content of which indicates color "present"; and modifies the digital data at another, predetermined position within the mask to change the content of the respective cell or cells of the color separation to represent color "present" or color "absent" when color "present" is detected within the mask.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of non-contacting, non-destructive, on-line dimensional analysis and flaw detection of tubular products are disclosed. The apparatus includes penetrating radiation sources and detectors arranged about the product to be examined and a high-speed data processing system which employs novel computed tomography techniques to provide high precision dimensional estimates and flaw detection. The apparatus is capable of continuously determining the outside diameter, inside diameter, wall thickness, ovality, eccentricity, and weight-per-foot over a wide range of temperatures for essentially tubular products produced on a unit or continuous basis. The apparatus can also detect process-induced flaws in the products.

Abstract: Raster information can efficiently be supplied to a high speed printer, whereby system efficiency of a CAD system is elevated through the provision of a drawing output unit wherein a prescribed amount of element information consisting of one or two or more code data for preparing a pattern is stored in an element memory connected with a general bus, then the element information is transferred to an image processor through the general bus, the element information is converted into raster information composed of picture signal corresponding to actually recorded image in the image processor, the raster information is stored in a raster memory having a capacity which can store at least an amount corresponding to that contained in one page of the recorded image through a raster information dedicated bus, and thereafter the raster information read from the raster memory is transferred to the high speed printer through the raster information dedicated bus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to centrally collect measured values of a variable parameter from each of a plurality of work stations, and so as to facilitate quality control. Each work stations includes a sensor for generating an output signal which is a function of the variable parameter, and the output signal is converted to digital signals, which represent discrete increments within the measuring range of the variable parameter. The digital signals are stored during a predetermined period of time in a memory unit so as to be available for periodic scanning by the central computer, after which the stored signals are cleared so that the memory unit is free to record the values during the next period of time. Also, circuitry is provided whereby only the extreme values of the output signalsd ar stored, together with the mean value, which are adequate to provide a complete statement of the quality of the process and product being monitored.

Abstract: A system for displaying three dimensional surface structures employs the analysis of voxel elements defined by eight cubically adjacent grid locations which are associated with at least one physical property defined throughout a three dimensional body. The physical property measurements may be made with such systems as computerized tomographic x-ray systems, or magnetic resonance imaging devices. Surface structures are defined by a user selected threshhold value such as distinct values for skin and bone in medical diagnostic applications. Selected voxels are subdivided and means are provided for generating signal values associated with intermediate additional grid locations. Means are also provided for generating surface normal vectors associated with these grid locations.

Abstract: A method of operating a microcomputer for controlling a heat-reactivated dual-chamber gas adsorber ensures safe and reliable operation of the adsorber by recovering from disruption of the microcomputer execution sequence and sensing failure of the power control components which enable regeneration of the adsorbent. A non-volatile memory stores a code designating the "active-task" or subdivision of the adsorber cycle being controlled by the microcomputer. A reset circuit includes a watchdog timer responsive to disruption of the microcomputer's execution sequence. Upon reset of the microcomputer, the hardware components are set to an initial state and checked before resuming execution of the interrupted task. A purge circulation blower, for example, is turned on in the event that the heater cannot be turned off.

Abstract: Inorganic constituents of cigarette paper are identified and monitored by scanning a region of the infra red spectrum of the paper, computing first and second order derivatives of the scan, comparing the first and second order derivatives by a best fit comparison with reference spectral data, and computing concentrations in the paper of the identified inorganic constituents.

Abstract: The graphics data processing apparatus performs graphic data processing operations by combining data from two image arrays in accordance with a predetermined operation. This raster operation involves forming an image array having a pixel color code for each pixel of the combined image array formed from a combination of the color codes of corresponding pixels of the source and destination image arrays. The present invention includes a pair of data registers which define the difference in memory address between vertically adjacent pixels for the respective image arrays. This difference in memory address between vertically adjacent pixels is called the pitch and corresponds generally to the width of the display image in address space when any horizontal blanking interval is taken into account. In the present invention such raster operations can be performed on data which is stored in formats of differing pitch.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus and associated method for the measurement of valuable fluids in storage or at the point of transfer. More particularly, a calibration apparatus and method for use with capacitive liquid level measurement systems.

Abstract: A dot pattern source image stored in a pattern memory is moved to a specified location in the pattern memory in an angle of n.times.90.degree. (n=0, 1, 2, or 3) with respect to the source image. First, area definition is made for a rectangular source area including the source image to be moved and a rectangular destination area where the source area is to be positioned after the move processing. Then, the positions of four sides of the source and destination areas are compared to determine, for each side, whether there is a processable side region which is included in the destination area but not included in the source area. When such a processable side region is found along one side, the image data in a corresponding region of the source area is moved to the processable side region with a specified angle relative to the source image data.

Abstract: A device for picking up the position of an angle of a rotating part which is provided with angle markers 11 or teeth being simultaneously distributed over its circumference, whereby at least one angle marker and/or intermediate space between two angle markers is shaped differently serving as a reference marker 12. This can be realized, for example, by a wide or smaller angle marker or gap between two angle markers. The distance between two angle marker flanks is picked up by a counter 17 which counts a cycle frequency, whereby the counter is a free running continously counting counter. The instantaneously present counter level is transmitted into a storage 18 for each angle marker flank (ascending flank or rear flank) to be evaluated. Subtractions of two successive storage values and comparisons of successive corresponding differential values are performed for recognizing a reference marker.

Abstract: A measurement circuit for carrying out a method of compensation, in particular for a piezoresistive pressure transducer with a measurement bridge (7) and a following output/differential amplifier (15) further comprises a current supply circuit (13). To enable an optimal temperature compensation for the measurement bridge (7) with maximum resolution of the pressure measurement signal, a digitalized compensation circuit with an analog/digital converter (21), a memory (23) and at least one digital/analog converter (25, 27) is connected ahead of the output/differential amplifier (15). The temperature dependent voltage difference/input signal at the measurement bridge (7) is digitalized via the following converter (21) and converted to compensation values stored in the memory (23). These values are converted into an analog compensation signal in a converter (25, 27). For analog measured value determination per se, only error compensation is carried out in digitalized fashion (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the electronic delivery of a document, originated at a local site by a source which has a printer output that normally is connected to a printer, to one or more remote locations having printers or display devices which may differ from the printer normally connected to the printer output of the document generating source. Printer command signals which normally are provided at the printer output are converted to character and position data which represent the respective characters and their horizontal and vertical positions on each page of the document. The character and position data are transmitted to a remote location, either directly or via a distribution unit which transmits a document to one or more remote locations, whereat the data is reconverted to a form of driving a printer or other display device, resulting in a line-for-line conforming copy of the original.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus includes an illumination source for illuminating an object having a mark, a photoreceptor for receiving light reflected by the object, a converter for digitizing the output signal level of the photoreceptor, a circuit for determining a slice level on the basis of the data digitized by said converter, a device for comparing the digitized data and the slice level to extract a signal relating to the mark and determining the interval between the mark and a reference, and a device for causing relative movement between the object having the mark and the object having the reference mark to place them into alignment with each other.

Abstract: A method for distributing wire load among the layers of a multilayer interconnection package such that in each region of the package, the wire load is balanced among all layers and such that specified subsets of two-pin connections may be constrained to lie within the same layer.

Abstract: A battery testing and monitoring system specifically designated to continuously monitor overall battery voltage, conditions of individual cells or cell groups such as voltage, current and temperature as well as individual cell or cell group failures, conduction path failures and other conditions. The system is a portable or permanently installed unit having connectable thereto a programming/display/printer terminal which enables the programming of the monitor with various failure conditions as desired and also enables the printing of a permanent rocord of any testing procedure. Additionally, portable load units may be interconnected with the inventive monitor and the battery or batteries which are being tested and monitored so as to enable the testing and/or monitoring of such battery or batteries under controlled load conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining lead integrity of DIP devices, wherein the leads of the DIP devices extend from a track for supporting the DIP devices during passage through the apparatus. Included is a transmitter for the transmission of a signal, positioned so that the leads of the DIP devices traveling on the track intersect the transmitted signals and a receiver for receiving and converting a transmitted signal to an electrical signal, positioned so that as the leads of the DIP device intersect the transmitted signal, the receiver generates an electrical signal reflective of the intersection for determining the integrity of the leads based upon the electrical signal. The receiver includes receptors positioned on either side of the track such that each receptor receives the transmitted signal intersected by the leads as the DIP devices travel on the track.

Abstract: There is described a memory system for use in a data processing system having more than one bit mapped display station. The memory system uses a single memory array for storing at least one separate full screen of bit mapped video data for each display station. A single video controller controls the process by which video data is read from the memory array and then simultaneously transmitted to each of the display stations. Furthermore, a memory access control unit coordinates use of the memory by the video controller and the data processing unit and also translates address signals generated by the data processing unit so that it can access the video data for each display station using a contiguous set of address values.

Abstract: A defect corrector for a solid-state imager in which temperature tracking defect correction signals associated with the defective pixels are generated. The temperature tracking defect correction signals are combined with photoresponse signals from the corresponding defective pixels to provide defect compensation for the photoresponse signal developed from each of the defective pixels.