Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed with which a graphics designer can select an exact color to be shown on a video display device. The apparatus includes a control element movable in a region having at least two geometrical dimensions, each position in the region corresponding to a different color. If the region is only two-dimensional, the color element position defines two of the three independent variables needed to define the desired color, and the third is controlled independently.

Abstract: A data processing device for writing various kinds of rule data easily and rapidly in a pixel image memory. Rule pattern store means stores a plurality of kinds of rule patterns in the line direction and a plurality of kinds of rules in the digit direction, the line and digit directions respectively being associated with those of an image data store area of the pixel image memory. Means is provided for selecting one of the rule patterns stored in the rule pattern store means and moving it to the pixel image memory. In response to a command entered through an input device, desired one of the rule patterns is selected and only a desired length of the selected rule pattern is moved.

Abstract: Apparatus for addressing a character memory of a data display system in which displayed data is composed of discrete characters the shapes of which are determined by selected dots of a dot matrix. When character information conforms to different character modes of the form m.times.n.times.b, where m.times.n is a bit matrix format which is repeated b times to provide b-bits per displayed character dot, the stored character information includes mode bits which identify the mode. These mode bits are read out by logic control and addressing means by a first address and are used to determine a second address which varies according to the size of the mode and how many bit patterns it contains. The two addresses select all of the dot information required for the display of characters in real time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed which permit selection of colors for display, and easy modification of displayed colors. The apparatus includes a microprocessor, a ROM with a stored program, a RAM with midifiable color data a CRT display for displaying color images, and a keyboard with a cursor-positioning key for identifying a pixel of a displayed color image, and a color menu and H (hue), L (lightness), S (saturation) color modification keys. In response to actuation of one or more of the color modification keys, the microprocessor, under control of the stored program, modifies the stored color data, and uses the modified color data to control the color guns (red, green, blue) of the CRT to modify the color of the identified pixel.

Abstract: A multiwindow display circuit comprises a horizontal boundary memory for storing horizontal boundary data of display windows, a vertical boundary memory for storing vertical boundary data of the display windows, a display address memory for storing an address of each of the display windows, a picture information memory for storing picture information related to the address stored within the display address memory, a bias value memory for storing bias values for the display windows, an address converter for adding a selected one of the bias values to the address of the display address memory to convert the display address, a window select circuit for selecting a single window from among the display windows, a display timing controller for changing a code representative of the single window, and a display responsive to the display timing controller for displaying any portion of the picture information memory in any area of the display.

Abstract: A display member (10) comprising a housing (14) having a chamber (12)with a viewing face (16) and a lamina member (24) movably mounted within said chamber (12) to be movable into a first position in which one face (26) of the member (22) in face to face contact with said viewing face (16) and a second position in which the one face (26) of the member (24) is out of contact with the viewing face (16) and the other face (25) is in face to face with a rear face (15) of the chamber (12) spaced rearwardly from the viewing face (16), drive means (22, 20) being provided to produce an attractive and/or repulsive force between said housing (14) and said member (24) to move said member (24) from said first or second position to the other position wherein no external drive means need be provided to maintain said member (24) in said first or second position, an opaque fluid filling said chamber.

Abstract: Active matrix display screen without intersections of the addressing row and column conductors.The display screen comprises a material with modifiable optical characteristics placed between a first wall and a second transparent wall. On the first wall is formed a matrix of elements, each comprising a switching element constituted by a thin film transistor and an electrode and on which there is also a group of row conductors. The other wall carries a group of column electrodes and a group of column conductors.Application to liquid crystal display screen.

Abstract: An X-Y signal generator comprising a guide block having parallel cylindrical guide surfaces at opposite edges of the block, and a sleeve closely fitting about the block and riding on those surfaces. A planar window area is arranged close to the sleeve along a flat face of the block, with an identifiable actuating part of the sleeve appearing within the window. Finger pressure on the actuating part permits finger movement and direction parallel to the cylindrical surfaces to slide the sleeve in that direction, and finger movement in the orthogonal direction rotates the sleeve about the cylindrical surfaces. Movement of a surface of the sleeve, preferably at the opposite side of the block from the window, is sensed to provide electrical signals corresponding to the direction and distance of movement. Preferably, light gratings aligned in each of the two directions are formed directly on the sleeve.

Abstract: A matrix-addressed display device having a cursor which is movable independently of the displayed information is disclosed. Two interrupt circuits are used to override or interrupt the refresh cycling of the displayed information and to relocate the cursor in the display device in response to a user input control such as a keyboard, joy stick or the like. One interrupt circuit comprises a pair of AND gates and an inverter, while the other interrupt circuit comprises a plurality of AND gate pairs with each pair having an inverter. The interrupt circuits enable the cursor to be moved to its new location prior to completion of the refresh cycling of the displayed information.

Abstract: The present system includes an optical reflective sensor, which is hand held and moved over a color density scaled grid, such as a gray scale grid, to produce analog signals which, when processed, become the basis for the direction of movement of a screen cursor. The analog signals are converted into binary coded signals and further into hexadecimal signals. Each hexadecimal signal is transmitted to eight AND gates whose other inputs represent a (gray scaled) value of a position from where the sensor could have been moved. Accordingly only one AND gate will produce an output signal and that output signal will only be produced if the move is a valid, or acceptable, move. If the sensor has been validly moved, the output signal of the selected AND gate will be interpreted (circuit-wise) to represent one of the directions of a compass. The output signal will be used to change the state of a bit map memory to thus move the screen cursor. Hence the screen cursor will follow the sensor.

Abstract: A visual display of the trend of a data source is provided through the use of bar-graph techniques and digital display means controlled by a computer system which analyzes the output of the data source in accordance with criteria established by an operator.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube provided on the exterior of its screen with a layer of polymeric piezoelectric material, for example polyvinylidene fluoride. Localized changes in physical stress on the layer, such as by way of localized pressure of heating on the layer, create a charge region which produces alteration of a beam current of an electron beam when the beam scans over the region. This alteration is detected, as by a sensing loop, to produce a data input.

Abstract: A visual display apparatus for generating an apparent visual message includes an annular drum which is rapidly rotated. Three columnar light banks are secured to drum face and each include a plurality of lights. A microprocessor and power unit is mounted to and rotates with the drums and activates the lights to generate a message or character on the drum which defines one message display frame. The microprocessor includes a program for each of the light banks for individually energizing the lights. The program includes a message program and a fixed program for processing of the message data. The message scrolls across the drum in the direction opposite the drum rotation, and the total message may consist of a plurality of frames. Each display frame covers less than the drum periphery and includes a start column and a spaced end column. A position sensor initiates the processor and generates a train of timing signals, one for each drum travel display column.

Abstract: A multi-window display station having main frame (host) interactive and local personal computer display data buffers is provided. The outputs of the two data buffers are merged, using a row or swath buffer, according to default or escape codes stored in one of the data buffers and the combined output drives a plasma panel display. Registers for modified data tags and for presence/absence of escape codes speed the panel update process. Means are included to provide alpha-numeric and graphic windows together on the panel screen.

Abstract: A color to monochromatic image transformation which transforms each color area of the original image into a corresponding area of a monochromatic image having a particular pattern of `light` and `dark` dots corresponding to and representing the original color of the area. The dot patterns are selected to provide both gray scale representations of the original colors and differing textural appearances for each color, so as to maximize the discrimination between the areas of the monochromatic image. The monochromatic dot patterns do not necessarily correspond exactly to the colors or gray scale values of the original colors, but are selected to provide visual impressions analogous to the visual impressions provided by the corresponding original colors.

Abstract: An image data output apparatus such as a laser beam printer or the like includes an input interface, a CPU, an output interface, a detachable ROM cartridge as a character pattern generator and the like. After the initializing operation, the input interface supplies a font select command of a font to be selected to the CPU. The CPU determines whether or not attributes designated by the font select command coincide with those of fonts of the apparatus stored in respective font registers. When no coincidence is established, the CPU selects a font having attributes near those designated by the font select command. If a font having the designated attributes does not exist in the character pattern generator, the apparatus can select and generate a font having the attributes near those of the font to be selected.

Abstract: The invention concerns data display devices or synoptic panels. The principal object of the invention is to provide a fastening device for electroluminescent diodes on a sealed display table. In order not to impair or damage the seal of the said table, the diode is fastened on a diode carrier support in a guide which is fastened at the rear of the table. The invention applies especially to sealed display tables.

Abstract: A video display controller is provided with a color palette circuit which is capable of converting, at a high conversion rate, color codes read from a VRAM (video RAM) into RGB color data to be supplied to a CRT display unit. The color palette circuit comprises a plurality of color data registers each storing one RGB color data and is supplied with a timing signal synchronized with the display timing of display elements on the CRT display screen. Each color code data including at least two color codes and read from an address of the VRAM is first supplied to a selection circuit which includes at least two decoders. Each decoder decodes the corresponding color codes to generate a selection signal which enables one of the color data registers to output the RGB color data contained therein.

Abstract: A display terminal presents alphanumeric and graphic data at different resolutions simultaneously. The durations of the individual alphanumeric and graphic dots have a fixed but non-integral ratio to each other, and are mixed together asynchronously to form a combined video signal to a CRT.

Abstract: A display system comprises a first image memory storing first image data, a second image memory storing second image data operable independently from the first image memory, a display selection and combination circuit, and two display units. The display selection and combination circuit connected to the first and second image memories is formed such that each of the display units displays a combination of data from the image memories according to a display request. Normally, the display units are cathode ray tubes or liquid crystal displays. Usually, one of the first and second image memories stores character information, such as letters and numerals, and the other stores graphic information, such as figures and curves.