Abstract: A vision system provides an apparatus and method for obtaining an image of a manufacturing apparatus that is electrically controllable. The vision system has a video bus that transmits the actual pixel value synchronized with a pixel clock, frame and line strobes which are used to synchronized each unit of the vision system, a field index bit, and provision for a pixel valid bit are included. A gray scale image of the manufacturing apparatus is obtained and is used to generate control commands that control the manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: A system and data structure for generating bitmap representations of characters and symbols from their outline representations. The outline representation is treated as being composed of a hierarchy of zones formed in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The zones are completely character-specific. Each zone defines the extent of some feature of the character. The zonal definition of the character comprises part of the information in the data structure. In generating the bitmap, the boundaries of the zones are mapped to specific pixel locations in a bitmap em-square of selected resolution and size. The available pixels are then allocated to the zones. After each level of zone has received its pixel allocation, the pixels assigned thereto are then distributed among the next lower level of zones and the process is repeated iteratively until all zones have received their pixel allocations or it is no longer possible to make allocations.

Abstract: A digitally operated printer, particularly a laser printer, has a control system which controls supply of operational signals to the printer from a signal source. The control system incorporates a converter which converts groups of input signals into larger groups of operational signals. The operational signals are generated in correspondence with coded information carried by the input signals, e.g. by reference to a store of predetermined operational signals. The larger groups of signals are fed at a faster rate than the input signals, so that the effect is to enhance the grey tones produced by the printer.

Abstract: A polygon filling control apparatus including an image memory unit divided into a plurality of block memories and a plurality of linear interpolation operation units (DDAs) for generating filling pixel data for different line segments. Output data supplied from side interpolation circuits are selectively supplied to the DDAs concerned and simultaneously linearlly interpolated, and the filling pixel data generated by the different DDAs are simultaneously written into the image memory unit.

Abstract: A control device for use with a drawing output unit, which selects from a plurality of image data stored in an image memory, corresponding to a set of drawings of various sizes, image data of a set of drawings whose size matches an output size of paper present in the drawing output unit, and preferentially transfers the selected image data from the image memory to the drawing output unit.

Abstract: An image information processing system includes an image data input portion, an image data-base portion, a high-speed image data-base portion, a buffer memory, and an image data output portion. The image data-base portion stores highly compressed data; the high-speed image data-base portion stores high-speed compressable data; and the buffer memory stores data for a current output. The image data-base portion, the high-speed image data-base portion and the buffer memory are given a hierarchical structure. The image information processing system includes any combination of data for area blocking, a unit for stacking, a unit for adding sound information, and a unit for linking data.

Abstract: A document processor receives a document prepared by a different type of device, recognizes and registers a table in the document. It composes and outputs a document with the original form of the table being maintained.

Abstract: A memory device having a plurality of addressable memory locations, each of which can be defined uniquely by an address having an X component and a Y component. The 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 at locations corresponding to grid points lying substantially on a line from a location (X.sub.0 +e*dX, Y.sub.0 +f*dY) to a location (X.sub.0 +p*dX, Y.sub.0 +q*dY), where X.sub.0, Y.sub.0) is a grid point and e, f, p, and q are integers. The memory device is loaded by a method which includes(a) setting s=floor (p/q)______________________________________ PInc = p - sq -q NInc = p -sq AErr.sub.0 = PInc ______________________________________(b) for each value of i in the range from 0 to q-1, executing ______________________________________ If AErr.sub.i >= 0 then X.sub.i+i : = X.sub.i + (s + 1)dX AErr.sub.i+1 : = AErr.sub.i + PInc else X.sub.i+1 : = X.sub.i + sdX AErr.sub.

Abstract: A document producing apparatus comprises an input unit for inputting descriptive contents such as characters or figures which contstruct a document and a format which defines a sheet size of a paper sheet used, a sheet direction of portrait or landscape in which the sheet is to be used, and a layout of the descriptive contents in each page, a storage unit for storing therein the descriptive contents and the format inputted from the input unit, a display unit for selectively displaying the contents stored in the storage unit, and an in-document layout editing unit for displaying on the display unit a layout of a plurality of pages forming the document so that page information of the respective pages are partitioned in due order from a leading page and for every predetermined number of pages and are arranged in one display image, the page information including at least the sheet size and the sheet direction stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A document processing system includes a display pattern memory having an address space in one-to-one corresponding with a printable area of a printing unit and a display unit for displaying character pattern dot information stored in the display pattern memory. A superposition determination unit for determining based on a predetermined operation a superposition between a character pattern of a character code read from the character pattern memory and stored in the display pattern memory and a character pattern to be sequentially input while a character print position is designated and an indication unit for indicating the determination result by the superposition determination unit.

Abstract: A depth map generating apparatus comprises a three-dimensional (3D) region setting section and first through third processors. The 3D region setting section defines and sets a 3D region of a given shape to enclose an object, the 3D region being defined in 3D coordinates. The first processor performs a coordinate computation for each pixel of the projection plane to attain a first distance in a desired view direction between a projection plane set in accordance with the view direction and the surface of the 3D region. The second processor executes a ray tracing process to attain a second distance in the view direction between the surface of the 3D region and the surface of the object. The third processor adds the first and second distances for each pixel of the projection plane.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a 3-dimensional frame memory. The frame memory is made up of a plurality of memory planes which are logically stacked in a depth direction (Z direction) and are accessed independently. The apparatus also includes a memory controller which can access a plurality of memory areas of the frame memory. These memory areas can be located in any desired position in the depth direction, and can each have a desired number of bits in the depth direction, regardless of a bit length of image buses contained in the apparatus and connected to an image processor, and the memory controller. The image processor receives data through the image buses, logically operates the data and outputs it to the image buses. When in read mode, the memory controller converts the data read out from the memory areas of the frame memory into the type of data which can be transferred through the image buses.

Abstract: Image data is read by an image reading unit (21) and is supplied to a first storage unit (22) in which the received image data is written onto a removable storage medium (23), e.g., magnetic tape. The removable storage medium (23) is then removed from the first storage unit (22) and its contents are transferred to a second storage unit (26) which uses nonremovable storage medium, e.g., a hard disk. An image editing unit (24) is coupled to the second storage unit (26) and constantly fetches and edits the image data therein to create edited image data. Thus, image reading processing by means of the image reading unit (21) and image editing processing executed by means of the image editing unit (24) can proceed simultaneously. This reduces the overall idle time of each of the aforementioned storage/recording units.

Abstract: A medication clock for producing a record of a patient in complying with a medication schedule. A data base is provided which stores the time and date of each medication that the patient takes including those medications taken in response to an alarm by the clock as well as medications taken by the choice of the patient. The dosage schedule may be programmed by reading of information written by the pharmacist.

Abstract: When displaying raster test patterns memory is saved by using comparators which allow a prediction as to which scan line contains valid display information. When a valid scan line is reached, and when the correct horizontal position on said scan line is achieved data is displayed. A Y register holds the value of a valid scan line i.e., one containing picture information and an X register holds the value of the horizontal position of the picture information. Video is provided from a shift register, the output of which is converted to an analog composite video signal. Control logic is provided to load the register.

Abstract: The label generation apparatus enables the user to define a label of arbitrary size, shape and characteristics. Each label in a series of labels includes unique indicia that individually identify each label according to any predefined sequence. The label generation apparatus includes a template generation capability that enables the user to define the basic label format having one or more writable indicia fields. These one or more writable indicia fields can be used to provide each label with individual identifying indicia according to any predetermined sequence. The label generation apparatus also includes an indicia generation capability that produces the individual identification according to various characteristics that are specified by the user of this apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhanced line endpoint positioning in an analog vector display, for use in high resolution color film recording and other high resolution imaging processes associated with computer generated graphics.

Abstract: A display system comprises a data base memory for storing data representing a picture, a display device for displaying the picture, and manipulation means for causing the display device to display a cursor at a position which is under user control. The picture is composed of objects and each object is represented in the data base memory by a segment which represents both the object and the position of the object in the picture. A pointer, which divides the address domain of the display device into at least two regions, is generated. The manipulation means provides a signal which identifies the region of the pictures in which the cursor is positioned, and this signal is compared with the contents of the data base memory to facilitate selection of an object which lies in the identified region of the picture.

Abstract: A method for drawing a convex geometric figure to framebuffer storage uses a plurality of update arrays which tile the framebuffer, each having a determined origin with respect to the framebuffer. Each update array has a multiplicity of concurrently updatable pixel storage sites, each specified by an offset from array origin. A figure is specified by a set of directed segments which form its perimeter. To access only those update arrays which tile the figure, the following methodology is used. A first update array which is known to be part of the figure is accessed. Tests are then performed to find whether the figure extends to arrays above or below the accessed array. If so, the array address is stored and marked for either or both extensions. In one embodiment, a test is performed for left extension, and the steps are repeated until no further left extension is found. Returning to the initial array, the steps are repeated for right extension to complete the horizontal subset.

Abstract: A texture mapping apparatus for the real-time display of a figure in which an animated image has been mapped. The apparatus includes a device which generates 2D (2 dimensional) source coordinates data which provide a source for texture mapping data corresponding to 3D (3 dimensional) destination coordinates data which in turn provide destinations for texture mapping data. A first dual port memory stores the 2D source coordinates data, and a second dual port memory stores animated image data. The 2D source coordinates data are read out from the first dual port memory to the second dual port memory as destination addresses. Color data read out from the second dual port memory are supplied to a display unit.