Abstract: A symbology and text generator for use in a graphics rendering processor. The generator accesses font data stored in a processor display memory and generates symbols and text in dot matrix and stroke coded format. A typewriter controller is included which controls symbol and text spacing and live feed functions. The typewriter controller provides for symbol, text, and line of text rotation. Symbol scaling is also provided. A color multiplexer provides for symbols and background field colors. The colors are reversible.

Abstract: Text, graphics, or other selected objects of a computer screen are selected and converted into a "visual clipboard" which is attached to a convenient boundary of the screen. The visible clipboard is preferably implemented on a pen-based computer system where the object is selected by a stylus, is dragged to a boundary, and is converted to a clipboard icon at the boundary. Multiple clipboard icons may be produced by the user, and can be moved from one boundary location to another. The contents of the clipboard can be inserted or "pasted" into an application program by dragging the clipboard icon with the stylus to the desired insertion location. Preferably, each clipboard is provided with indicia representative of the contents of the clipboard.

Abstract: A computer-controlled graphics display system providing improved means for selecting objects for joint action. The invention helps the user of a graphical user interface more easily select a group of objects that are meaningfully related to each other. Objects are usually created serially in time by a user, but they are typically selected by spatial grouping in graphical user interfaces. The invention shows that such a spatial grouping can be refined by considering the temporal grouping of objects. Algorithms are proposed which combine both spatial and temporal grouping to produce the most appropriate grouping of objects, i.e., groupings that most likely conform to the user's intentions.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method is disclosed for mixing animation sequences with computer graphics information for presentation on a computer display screen. The animation sequences may be stored in compressed format in a standard storage medium. An animation sequence generator retrieves these compressed animation sequences, decompresses them into pixel information, and sends them to a single line store for synchronization with the computer graphics pixel information. Pixels from the animation sequences and from the computer graphics generator are mixed, windowed and overlaid in a digital mixer. The output of the digital mixer is sent to a visual display system such as a video digital-to-analog converter driving a computer display monitor.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention permit the efficient management of the display of a panoramic or wide-angle image on a display device in a data processing system. The panoramic image typically includes a number of segments wherein only a portion of those segments may be displayed on the display device at selected resolutions. The method and system of the present invention includes displaying a substantially circular icon, having a defined periphery. Each portion of the defined periphery corresponds to one or more of the segments making up the panoramic image. A moveable control element is displayed along a selected arc about the periphery. One or more of the segments of the panoramic image corresponding to each portion of the defined periphery within the selected arc may then be selected and is displayed on the display device by manipulating the position of the moveable control element.

Abstract: Traditionally, it has been difficult to share data among diverse computer applications and platforms because of underlying differences in data formats. Although the meaning or purpose of the data may be similar or identical (for example, two appointments entered using separate computer applications), the differences in data formats required by the various computer applications and platforms renders such sharing difficult. A method is disclosed for the translation of dissimilarly-formatted data between disparate computer applications and platforms. The method also provides for the dynamic reconciliation of conflicts in the data (for example, two appointments scheduled at the same time) based on both the content of the data and on specific preferences indicated by the user of the translation facility.

Abstract: A method of generating a second, substantially anti-aliased, representation of a character from a first representation. The second representation is comprised of horizontal lines of dots that are shifted horizontally relative to dots of the first representation, each dot of the first representation having a value DOT1 associated therewith. The method include a step of, for each horizontal line (1-m) within the first representation of a character and for each dot (1-j) within a horizontal line, (a) determining a modifying value (DOT1k) associated with a dot(k) of the first representation, DOT1k being a function of DOT1 of the dot(k). The method includes another step of determining a value (DOT2k) of a corresponding dot for the second representation, the value of the corresponding dot being determined in accordance with the expression DOT2k=((DOT1-DOT1k )+DOT1(k-1)), where DOT1(k-1) is a modifying value of an adjacent dot on the horizontal line.

Abstract: Process for electronically printing envelopes in which a list of recipient and sender names and addresses are stored in libraries in memory for selective accessing when programming an envelope print job, with programming control to adjust the location of the recipient's address printed on the envelopes, a postage stamp, and programming control to change the postal rate printed with the postage stamp on envelopes.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for permitting a user of a data processing system to display particular ones of multiple overlapping graphic objects. A subregion within a display is specified by the user. A set of overlapping graphic objects which are at least partially displayed within the subregion is then determined. The specified display order of only these graphic objects which are at least partially displayed with the specified subregion is temporarily altered, in response to a user input.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for permitting automatic interaction between data and multiple applications in a data processing system. A selectable graphic representation associated with each application is displayed within the data processing system and after user selection of a particular graphic representation, designated data is automatically transferred to or utilized to access the associated application. A distinctive highlight overlay is associated with each graphic representation and utilized to graphically highlight data selected by user for interaction with a selected application. Alternately, data selected by a user may be utilized to automatically select a particular application to transfer that data to or for access and the distinctive highlight overlay associated with the particular application is then utilized to visually confirm access to that application.

Abstract: A document processing apparatus, such as English word processor, displays layouts of several pages of the documents on page basis in the respective rectangular layout display areas on a display together with format information including top margin, bottom margin, print line numbers in each page of the documents. When the layout display mode is selected, at least the layout of the page of the documents pointed out by a cursor when the document data has been displayed is displayed on one part of the display and the associated format information is displayed on another part of the display by, for example, line numbers.

Abstract: An automatic interface layout generator for database systems is disclosed herein. The automatic generator includes a specification tool for specifying a set of block descriptions representative of specified portions of a database. A block layout generator produces interface objects to be included within an interface of the database, wherein each of the interface objects corresponds to one of the block descriptions and includes a plurality of layout fields. A layout quality parameter is determined for each of the interface objects based on arrangement of the layout fields within the interface objects. A block placement generator arranges sets of the interface objects into block configurations within the interface. A placement quality parameter for each of the block configurations is derived based on a set of block placement rules and on the layout quality parameters, and a final block configuration is selected by comparing the placement quality parameters corresponding to particular block configurations.

Abstract: A computer-utilizing security system and method involving a collection of personally selected strong-reaction sensory and/or historical multimedia-type cues in combination with a related set of structured information. The cue combination is submitted by one or more individuals to be authorized to access a secure environment, so that when a multimedia cue along with a set of queries contained in and regarding the related information are presented for gaining entry to the secured environment, an authorized individual may readily respond to the queries with correct reactions based on strong personal recall.

Abstract: A windowing control for a video display includes a programmed controller, a video display including a screen and a raster for scanning the screen, a first memory having a first area for storing data to be displayed in a first window defined on the screen and a second area for storing data to be displayed in a second window on the screen and a second memory for storing the addresses of the data to be displayed in the first and second windows and the transitions between the windows. The controller includes a processor programmed to load data into the first and second memory means and a memory controller for initiating the transfer of data from the first and second memory to a pixel multiplexer. The processor is also programmed to load new address data into the second memory means for each complete raster scan so that the position of the data within the window has the appearance of horizontal (panning) or vertical (scrolling) movement.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for processing alphanumeric and graphics information recorded in page form on a system to create a data base which can be searched and edited, wherein the following steps take place automatically:A) determination of digitized page images;B) a first phase of processing digitized page images providing: verification that these pages are sequential, determination of the characteristic elements on each page, determination of the angle of deviation, mask formation, window formatting, alignment correction, identification of characteristic elements, image segmentation; recording in separate files the digitized page images, the digital image entities and the digitized segmented images accessible for editing;C) a second processing phase consisting of optical character recognition of the components relative to the alphanumeric data from the segmented images and recording the data in a file to create a data base which can be searched.

Abstract: A data processing system includes an operating system, a graphical user interface and a plurality of applications programs. The graphical user interface generates a window relating to an executing application programs. Menu items relating to an application program may be represented by an icon. A selected group of objects is defined over a portion of the menu and represented by a metaphor. The graphic metaphor, here an icon ring is displayed on a display device. The icon ring is evocative of an ordered arrangement of items of the selected group, includes the icon for a particular object open to selection, and is subject to direct manipulation for reordering of the underlying selected group.

Abstract: The method and apparatus permit the automatic generation of a meeting agenda for a requested meeting concerning a document stored within a data processing system. A document, such as an invention disclosure document, is stored within a data processing system and identified as the subject of a desired meeting. Evaluation comments by a plurality of users within the data processing system regarding the identified document are tabulated and utilized to create a meeting agenda automatically in response to a request for a meeting. Desired meeting parameters including at least: a desired meeting duration; a desired date span; and a list of desired attendees are selected by a meeting requester and copies of the automatically created meeting agenda are automatically transmitted to each desired attendee in conjunction with a notice of the scheduled meeting. Printed copies of the meeting agenda may also be automatically created in response to a scheduled meeting.

Abstract: A method for automatically linking program execution status information during the execution of a program to display the execution status information of the program by a multi-window display having a plurality of sectioned areas for use in the development of the software program.

Abstract: A network multi-media production and authoring system. A real-time network referred to as an "AV LAN" is defined. Coupled to the AV LAN are a number of shared multi-media production resource devices. These multi-media production resource devices include video tape recorders, audio tape recorders, video titling devices, graphics devices, special effects generators, etc. Also connected to the AV LAN are a number of workstations which are used to control the production resources connected to the AV LAN. The production resources are connected to the AV LAN through an interface unit known as a `device translator`. The device translator is a microprocessor driven device that translates coded messages received over the AV LAN into specific commands which the particular production resource understands.

Abstract: A mathematically describable outline font and system for generating cursively concatenated text output using context-sensitive letter forms drawn from a single, standard ASCII character set. In creating such letter forms, each letter of the alphabet, is reduced to its basemost, non-context-sensitive form and joined by context dependent connector characters, as determined upon base letterform pairs. Special characters and connectors are also substituted in the presence of predetermined adjacent character pairs, providing an unbroken sequence of output characters which simulates human cursive handwriting as taught by the Zanerian method. Unlike script fonts currently available in the art which rely on overlapping or disjointed connector components in an attempt to simulate handwriting, the font and system of type generation disclosed by the present invention produces electronically set type having interconnected cursive characters and a common stroke width.