Abstract: A circuit for controlling attributes of a plurality of characters on a display. The circuit has a processor for controlling transfer of data associated with characters to be displayed and a communications device connected to the processor. A display controller is also provided for controlling the display of characters. An external controller is connected to the communications device and to the display controller for providing attributes corresponding to the displayed characters. The external controller also has provision for controlling the display of a set of characters in addition to the set normally controlled by the display controller.

Abstract: A cursor control system provided for word processing apparatus of the type having a keyboard for entering alphanumeric data and including two displays. A first display displays a plurality of lines of text. A first display control circuit is coupled between the keyboard and first display and includes a first cursor control circuit for causing visual marking of a predetermined number of characters to be exhibited on the first display. The cursor control circuit is actuated by the keyboard. A second display control circuit includes a second cursor control circuit for causing visual marking on the second display of those marked characters on the first display which are also exhibited on the second display.

Abstract: An attribute control system is provided in a word processing system of the type having a keyboard for entering alpha numeric data. A display control circuit is coupled between a display, which displays a plurality of lines of alpha numeric text, and the keyboard. The display control circuit controls the information exhibited on the display. The display control circuit means includes a character attribute control circuit having a latch for latching attribute signal information entered from the keyboard. The attribute signal information remains in the latch until the attribute latch is cleared or another attribute signal is entered from the keyboard.

Abstract: A control system is provided in a word processing apparatus to enable both foreground and background processing. A controlled circuit for controlling the operation of a storage means, a data processing means for performing data processing operations, and a second controlled circuit means coupled to a keyboard for controlling the transfer of information to and from the keyboard are each operatively connected to a data bus. The data bus enables communications among the units. The keyboard is provided with indicator means adapted to be actuated by a signal generated in the data processing means to indicate a predetermined condition in the data processing means. The keyboard may further be provided with a switch actuable to be in a first condition such that the keyboard is conditioned for data entry for a background processing mode and a second condition such that the keyboard is conditioned for data entry in a foreground mode of operation.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling information on a display includes two character generators. Each character generator is coupled to a row counter and a character latch which latches character information. The row counter is energized by line synchronization information. A width generator is coupled to both the character latch and a counter. Two shift registers are connected respectively to the first and second character generators and to a means for generating output signals for application to the display. The counter coupled to the width generator has its output signals applied to the character latch and to the output signal generating means for the display.

Abstract: A word processing system is provided which includes a processing apparatus for processing textual information and for controlling a plurality of controlled units. The processing apparatus further includes a memory apparatus for storing such textual information. The system also includes a first controlled unit comprising a data entry device for entering textual and command information into the processing apparatus and a second controlled unit responsive to the processing apparatus for printing the textual information. The processing apparatus is responsive to the command information to perform editing operations, including insertion and deletion of characters on the textual information, to store in the memory apparatus the edited textual information and information defining the inserted and deleted characters and to select and print either the edited information, the information as originally stored in the memory apparatus or the edited information with the deletions restored.