Abstract: In this graphics display system with arbitrary overlapping viewports, a display graphics image is assembled by acquiring from a source of image graphics data line portions of said image defined by a set of sequential control word sequences contained in a control table. Advantageously, each control word sequence includes at least one first control word defining a line portion of single viewport, and a continuation field. At least some of the control word sequences also include at least one continuation control word which defines a line portion of another independent but overlapping viewport. To produce the display, the system includes means responsive to the control words for acquiring graphics data specified therein and providing the same for use in the displayable image.

Abstract: In an input control device for use with an electric typewriter, word processor or computer, provided are a special back key which inputs the command for moving a visual indicator in a direction toward the beginning of a line of data, and a special advance key which inputs the command for moving the indicator in a direction toward the end of the line. With the special back key depressed, the indicator is moved to the beginning of the line when the indicator is within a data string and to the end of data string when the indicator is outside the data string. With the special advance key depressed, the indicator is moved to the end of the data string when the indicator is positioned within the data string except at the end of the data string and to the end of the line when the indicator is outside the data string except at the end of the data string.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for interconnecting memory slot machines, for example parking meters or ticket vending machines. Each slot machine (B.sub.1, B.sub.2, . . . ) includes a circuit (C.sub.1, C.sub.2, . . . ) which receives data to be transferred. These circuits are interconnected by a seizure loop (18; 20, 22) and by a data transmission loop (26, 28). When information becomes available at a slot machine, this causes the seizure circuit to be powered up, thereby supplying power to the data transfer loop and to the data-receiving circuits (C.sub.1, C.sub.2, . . . ) of the other slot machines. Once the information has been transmitted to the other slot machines, the above-mentioned circuits are no longer powered.

Abstract: The power transmitted by an r.f. transmitting and receiving station, such as a mobile station, to a fixed base station, is controlled as a function of power received by the mobile station to obtain a constant receiving power level in the fixed station despite variations in the relative location of the stations. The power received by the mobile station is measured and sampled at predetermined instants. At each predetermined instant, the power to be received by the mobile station at a following predetermined instant is estimated as a function of the measured power, to derive an estimated power. R.f. signal power transmitted by the mobile station is reduced between the successive instants in proportion to the estimated power.

Abstract: A transmission control system for a transmission system including a plurality of transmission lines inclusive of closed loops has a plurality of network control processors (NCPs) and devices connected thereto, respectively. Upon issuing of data by a device, an identification code, such as identification number or code allocated inherently to the, is added to the data to be sent to the associated NCP connected to that device, while upon reception of data from the associated NCP, the identification code is checked to avoid duplicate reception of the same data. Also, inter-networking devices may be provided to check the duplicated relaying of the same data between loops. To this end, the transmission control system includes a plurality of transmission lines, a plurality of devices connected to the plurality of transmission lines, respectively, and interconnecting units for interconnecting the plurality of transmission lines through the devices.

Abstract: A subscriber communication system includes a base station in a network with a plurality of subscriber stations, wherein control information is communicated between the base station and the subscriber stations over a radio control channel (RCC) at a frequency selected by the base station from a plurality of predetermined frequencies. The a base station transmits control messages including a unique network number over the RCC. Each subscriber station processes the network number in the control message received over the RCC to enable the subscriber station to process the control message in accordance with whether the subscriber station is in the same network as the base station. The timing of communications transmitted by a subscriber station over a given communication channel between a base station and the subscriber station is refined upon initial establishment of the communication channel.

Abstract: A loudspeaker and enclosure assembly, comprising: a load bearing member exhibiting good thermal conductivity; at least one loudspeaker mounted on the load bearing member and in thermal engagement therewith; and, an enclosure having walls formed of rigid light-weight material mounted on the load bearing member to enclose the at least one loudspeaker, whereby the assembly is easily moved and mounted and thermal energy generated by operation of the loudspeaker is effectively dissipated through the load bearing member. The enclosure may be a rigid foam-filled member defining a generally funnel-shaped bore therein to form a horn for the loudspeaker, whereby a modular construction of interchangeable integrally formed enclosures and horns can be achieved.

Abstract: A high resolution video graphics system for use with a processor and characterized by improved memory expandability particularly in connection with color display. The high resolution video graphics system includes a video memory which is preferably comprised of a plurality of video memory planes and video counter means for providing display timing. There are basically four buses that are used with the system including a control bus, a read bus, a write bus, and an address bus. A multiplexer means is provided for receiving either video counter addresses or direct addresses from the processor. There is associated with the video memory means for converting to serial output data which the preferred embodiment includes a series of shift registers corresponding to the number of separate memory planes employed. In the preferred embodiment the system has three memory planes, each of 16K by 16 capacity.

Abstract: An external controller embodied in a portable card communicates by wireless signal with a controller mounted internally of a vehicle to control locking and unlocking operations of the vehicle doors in response to coincidence between codes respectively stored in the internal vehicle controller and the external controller, and manually entered through door switches mounted externally of the vehicle. Such door opening operation may be performed even with the portable card unintentionally left in the vehicle.

Abstract: A small sound generating device such as may be incorporated into a child's stuffed doll or the like. The device includes a cover having a sound radiating hole formed therein, a holding plate, a sound generating element supported between the cover and the holding plate, a touch plate case, and a circuit board supported between the rear side of the holding plate and the touch plate case. A contact switch is provided on the rear side of the circuit board, and the touch plate of the contact switch is exposed through a window formed in the touch plate case.

Abstract: To check the signals of the electrodes of a 7-segment display, the device comprises a multiplexing assembly, a detector of the level of the signals, a generator of clock signals of different frequencies, a pulse counter, and an anomaly detector.

Abstract: An automatic utility meter reading and monitoring system comprises at each customer premises at least one sensor for automatically reading the amount of usage of a utility service, processing means for accepting data for said at least one sensor, and a communications interface connected to said microcomputer, and at a central office a main computer for accepting data relating to the amount of usage of the utility service at each customer premises over a remote link connected to said communications interface, said main computer being arranged to poll said microcomputers periodically at said customer premises on a basis to obtain therefrom billing and local management information. The continuous polling of said customer premises not only allows for easy conversion to time-of-day metering, but also provides information relating to load distribution on an ongoing basis.

Abstract: A color display matrix array having parallelogram shaped display elements and the elements in one row all have a slant to the right, while the elements in the immediate adjacent row have a slant to the left.

Abstract: The present invention constitutes a cursor image (36) for use in graphics imaging systems for providing images with three-dimensional qualities. The cursor indicates position within a three-dimensional space. The cursor comprises a reference symbol (38) located at a reference point (58) on a reference plane (60), a pointer symbol (40) located pointing to the position (42), and a tether symbol (44) connecting the reference symbol and the pointer symbol. The cursor image includes depth cue features which assist the observer in gauging the depth of the position being indicated. The cursor is preferably displayed with a stereoscopic imaging system (10) employing a liquid crystal stereo switch unit (16). In such a system the cursor image is displayed on a cathode-ray tube (12) in left and right perspective projections (46) and (48) of differing binocular disparity which are used by the observer to form a single three-dimensioinal image of the cursor.

Abstract: A device for weakening the incident light passing through a transparent emissive display system so as not to drown the emitted light is disclosed which utilizes two polarizing filters one at least of which is placed before the screen so as to selectively attenuate the incident light. A photoelectric cell measures this incident light and controls a motor which rotates one of the filters so as to adjust the attenuation to the initial intensity.

Abstract: A character pattern converting circuit is adapted to control a character pattern expressed in the form of a dot matrix and received from a character generator and to deliver the character pattern so converted, and includes a first switching circuit for switching the order of bits constituting the character pattern provided from the character generator; a matrix circuit having shift registers arranged in the form of a matrix, the shift registers being adapted to shift upon permitting the character pattern from the first switching circuit to be entered in succession in the row or column direction thereof and to be delivered in the row direction thereof, respective bits of the character pattern simultaneously or selectively in conformity with the mode of the concerning conversion; a second switching circuit for switching the order of the bits constituting the character pattern provided from the matrix circuit in conformity with the mode of the concerning conversion; and a matrix control part for controlling the

Abstract: A raster scan display system of the type which includes an anti-aliasing circuit for controlling the pixel brightness to remove the stair-step effect common to raster scan displays, wherein the improvement comprises gamma correction means supplied with the anti-aliased display data for correcting for non-linearity in the relationship between the pixel intensity data and the actual intensity of the corresponding pixel of the raster scan display.

Abstract: A component audio/video system includes a system controller coupled to supply selection and control commands to a plurality of peripheral audio/video devices and to receive status messages therefrom. The devices may be selected to form a number of different recording configurations involving combinations of one or more recording signal sources and one or more devices for recording the signals. The system controller enters one of a number of different control modes for turning power off to the signal sources and recording devices depending on the status messages identifying recording configurations to enable continued recording by some devices when others run out of recording or playback media.

Abstract: A graphics display system including a circuit that receives graphics information to be displayed and a memory that stores the graphics information in a memory array that includes a portion that directly corresponds to the image area for display. The memory provides a single access operation to the array during a single memory cycle. Circuitry is provided that is connected to the receiving means and to the memory that provides graphics information to an N by M portion of the memory array during a single memory cycle (wherein N and M are integers each greater than one). A display is connected to the memory that displays the graphics information contained in the image area array portion of the memory. The graphics display system further includes the capability to provide a patterned line intersection where the continuity of the line pattern is maintained along the intersection of the lines.

Abstract: The hydraulic brake system with slip control comprises two master cylinder pistons for the operation of the vehicular brakes and in which hydraulic medium tapped from the wheel brake during slip control is returned to the wheel brakes from an auxiliary pressure source via a master cylinder piston gasket acting as check valves. The operating stroke of the master cylinder pistons is limitable by suitable pressurization of a positioning piston. An open connection between the working chambers of the master cylinder and a reservoir is provided, in the brake-released position, solely via the control valve so as to enable the brake circuits connected with the master cylinder to be pressurized right from the beginning of the braking action.