Abstract: A system for creation and completion of goal oriented electronic forms creates a graphical image data file which defines: a graphical image of a form for display and printing; a graphical image of tree branches, tree nodes, and conclusions in association with fields of the form; reading and writing links between form fields and data sources and destinations; and links to other forms which, with the original form, comprise a related stack of forms. The system includes a form creation mode and a run time mode. The trees are defined by an application developer using the form creation mode to establish both qualitative and quantitative relationships between the various fields on the forms thereby providing the basis for the goal oriented prompting for the application user using the run time mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method used to perform image rendering is capable of producing complex, high resolution images for a continuous synchronous raster image output device, such as a laser printer or a video display, using a minimum of random access memory. High level graphics instructions defining an image to be displayed or printed are provided by a processor executing an applications program. These instructions are interpreted to generate a set of graphics orders that are subsequently processed to create a bitmap image for output to a display or printer device. The graphics order processing system is independent of the central processor and thereby significantly reduces the central processor's image output overhead.

Abstract: An apparatus and method used to perform image rendering in a manner which is capable of producing complex, high resolution page images where a continuous synchronous raster image output device, such as a laser printer, using a minimum of random access memory. The invented technique decomposes basic graphics functions into a compact series of orders commands suitable for real time processing and then generates the output page image in real time. The graphic content of a page is defined in much less memory then the rendered image would otherwise require, but is in a form that can be processed and deliver to the output device at the speed required by the output device. This is accomplished by the use of graphics functions which are represented as low level primitives which can be converted to bit mapped images in real time.

Abstract: When the horizontal size of a display character is given by 9 dots, 8-dot font data is stored in a font register, and 1-dot display attribute data is stored in a register. Display attribute data is data for designating the 8th dot of a character pattern to be displayed. A selector converts 9-dot data supplied from the font register and the register to serial data on the basis of a counter value of a counter and supplies the serial data to a CRT when 80 characters are to be displayed in the horizontal direction on the CRT having a horizontal resolution of 720 dots per scanning line. When an FPD having a horizontal resolution of 640 dots per scanning line is to be used, the selector converts only 8-dot font data supplied from the font register to serial data on the basis of a counter value from the counter and supplies the serial data to the FPD. As a result, eighty 8-dot characters are displayed in the horizontal direction of the FPD despite that display of 9-dot characters is designated.

Abstract: A mixed-mode transmission control apparatus for transmitting a mixed-mode document data from a transmitting terminal to a reception terminal via a network. The apparatus includes a storage part in which at least a transmitting terminal identifying data and a page number denoting each page of the mixed-mode document data are stored, a generating part for generating an identification block into which at least the terminal identifying data and the page number are transferred from the storage part, an editing part for editing the mixed-mode document data before transmission so as to add the identification block thereto, and a control part for transmitting the mixed-mode document data, to which the identification block is added, to the reception terminal by performing a predetermined data transmission procedure.

Abstract: An electronic spreadsheet system of the present invention includes a notebook interface having a plurality of notebook pages, each of which may contain a spread of information cells, or other desired page type (e.g., Graphs page). Methods are provided for rapidly accessing and processing information on the different pages, including displaying a plurality of page identifiers for selecting individual pages, and further including a preferred syntax for referencing information. Additional methods are provided for editing cells and blocks of cells.

Abstract: A method of producing a raster font from a contour font entailing the steps of deriving font metrics and character metrics of font characters in terms of arbitrary font units; scaling the font characters to a selected size and output resolution (pixels per unit length); altering the thickness of vertical and horizontal strokes of each character to a desired thickness, from the measured font metrics and character metrics, and including a difference applied to the thickness of the strokes by the printer process, to cause the strokes to be close to an integer number of pixels and thickness and to compensate for thinning and thickening which the printing engine might produce; bringing the leading and trailing edges of the characters to integer pixel locations, where such locations are based on and scaling the character between the leading and trailing edges proportionally therebetween, and producing a rasterized font from the altered contour font character.

Abstract: A fast, highly efficient method for storing computer display information (13) which contains both text and graphics (26, 27). The method separates text (26) from graphics (27) compressing, storing each separately to optimize compression. The method allows use of multiple text fonts (21) on the same display (13) and is simple enough for an 8-bit microcomputer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-based electronic checklist system (10) that is interfaced with a crew alert system (12). The system provides both normal checklists (i.e., checklists for use during routine operation of the airplane) and non-normal checklists for use with crew alert messages that are supplied by the crew alert system. Non-normal checklists that are not associated crew alert messages are also provided. Status indicators are provided to indicate the completion state of non-normal checklists; the completion state of normal checklists, and, when applicable, the existence of a normal checklist that has not yet been used during that particular flight program. Checklist line items of each checklist are displayed in a manner that distinguishes between closed-loop items (i.e., checklist items for which the system operator need not respond); and open-loop line items (i.e., items requiring an operator response).

Abstract: A sequence of documents is delivered to an optical scanner in which each document is scanned to form a digital image representation of the content of the document. In one embodiment, the image representation is converted into code (ASCII) and is automatically examined by data processing apparatus to select search words which meet predetermined criteria and by which the document can be subsequently located. In another embodiment, the image is not converted. The search words are stored in a non-volatile memory in code form and the entire document content is stored in mass storage, either in code or image form. Techniques for selecting the search words are disclosed, including establishing a font table and constructing images of entered search words from the table.

Abstract: A data processing system supports preparation of a software application by coordinating the efforts of a metaprogrammer and a plurality of system users responsible to the metaprogrammer. The data processing system includes a plurality of workstations, each having a display and a user input device. Each of the workstations is connected to shared memory for access to data objects stored therein. One data object is a blank project container which includes a plurality of subject objects relating to phases in a product life for a software application. The metaprogrammer is authorized to replicate a blank project container to provide a project specified container available in shared memory to system users selected to work on a particular software application. The project specific container includes a plurality of subject objects relating to phases in a product life for the software application package. Data objects are stored in memory categorized within subject objects of the project container.

Abstract: A graphics display has the capability of displaying both alpha numeric images and graphic images and properly blending these images. The blending is done timely and efficiently while still utilizing a memory structure wherein the graphic pixmap is stored in one memory and the alpha pixmap is stored in a second memory. A priority value is assigned to each pixel of the display. The priority value indicates what the desired display structure is to be. The priority value, the graphic pixel value, and the alpha pixel value are all polled and the appropriate pixel value is transmitted to a display device.

Abstract: An electronic spreadsheet consists of an array of cells into which a user can enter formulas and values. The contents of the spreadsheet cells are translated into a query in a high-level logic language such as the Pure Logic Language (PLL). The query is then re-written according to the rules of the logic language, to produce an answer. The answer is then translated back into formulas and values which can be displayed on the spreadsheet. The system provides a number of facilities not available on conventional electronic spreadsheets: it provides the ability to give generalised answers containing formulas rather than simply numbers, and provides the ability to solve goal-seeking problems, working backwards from a desired result.

Abstract: An electronic spreadsheet system of the present invention includes a notebook interface having a plurality of notebook pages, each of which may contain a spread of information cells, or other desired page type (e.g., Graphs page). Methods are provided for rapidly accessing and processing information on the different pages, including displaying a plurality of page identifiers for selecting individual pages, and further including a preferred syntax for referencing information. Additional methods are provided for editing cells and blocks of cells.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a font for creating strings of glyphs representing characters in a language having a handwritten, or other, appearance. The method starts with the step of categorizing each glyph within a set of glyphs to be utilized to create the font according to a set of predefined ligature types. The set of predefined ligature types includes a null ligature type which corresponds to glyphs which are next to a white spaces or next to other glyphs with proper null ligature types. Since each glyph has a left side and a right side, or in some languages, a top and bottom, each of the glyphs is operative to be categorized in as many as two ligature type categories (glyphs could also be categorized in the same ligature type category twice). After the glyphs are categorized, values associated with ligatures of the glyphs categorized within each of the ligature type categories are averaged to produce representative ligature values for each of the ligature type categories.

Abstract: The desired size of a series of letters is found by cutting out only a portion within a frame surrounded by a predetermined frame line among image information formed by a series of stroke letters. A band frame is created having a predetermined width on both sides of the frame line, and it is determined whether or not each stroke letter is on the outside of the band frame on the band frame or on the inside of the band frame. Display processing is carried out such that, when the stroke letter is on the outside of the band frame, a display is inhibited; when the stroke letter is on the inside of the band frame, the display is kept intact, and when determined that the stroke letter is on the band frame, a scissoring processing is carried out to display the stroke letter on the screen of a display device.