Abstract: An image processing apparatus coupling at least two image processing systems connected to a network. The network couples image information to each system, and each system displays at least one image. Each system includes a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit couples information to and receives information from the network. The control unit includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a partitioned memory space, including, both common and personal memory. The personal memory of each system contains one or more personal images that can be viewed only by the respective system, wherein each system is controlled to access only its respective personal memory. Under control of the CPUs in the respective systems, a common image is coupled to each system over the network and commonly displayed on each system. While the common image is commonly displayed on each system, it is edited by the first image processing system.

Abstract: A workstation with multiple, functionally related displays clustered under and controlled by a common transparent overlay control device. The position of a hand-held stylus is sensed by the overlay control device and is used as a system input to control system operations, system communications and input, manipulation and editing of images displayed on the displays. Control of certain workstation operations is achieved by directing the stylus towards function symbols which are affixed to the overlay surface. Actuators or other adjustment mechanisms are provided for adjustment of the height and pitch of the workstation for the comfort of the operator. Further, the workstation provides integrated data audio communication over ordinary narrow-band telephone lines or high speed data lines with other linked workstations.

Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for generating high resolution color computer generated graphic elements, such as lines, circles and curves, using a modified color-under coding system. A portion of the original luminance grey scale is reassigned or reallocated for substitution with data for high resolution graphic elements. High resolution graphic data are introduced by a user-operated input device via a control device such as a computer. The input luminance signal is digitally limited and stored in video random access memory (VRAM). A level detector detects the Y signal level to determine the presence of certain Y signal levels. Memory look-up tables provide appropriate user-determined substitute values for the Y, I and Q data values where certain, preselected Y signal levels are detected.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for rapidly compressing, expanding, and displaying broad band information which is transmitted over a narrow band communications channel. In the preferred embodiment, a video image is cyclically assembled in low resolution and high resolution phases from digitized data representing gray level intensity for individual pixels which have been grouped into pixel. During the initial cycle of the low resolution phase, a representative sample of cell intensity values is transmitted by a sending station to a receiving station according to a video compression routine. The receiving station then uses a video expansion routine to calculate an intensity value for those pixels whose intensity values were not transmitted and displays an initial image. This image is refined during subsequent low-resolution cycles by additional transmissions from the sending station which replace the calculated cell intensity values with an actual or better approximation value for that pixel.