Abstract: A non-contact electrical transformer coupling is disclosed that provides electrical power and full duplex digital communications between a host computer and a removable IC memory card. A unique two-part host magnetic core assembly having a quadrafid design forming multiple poles is provided with printed circuit windings and is disposed to receive the IC memory card embedded with core pole pieces and associated printed circuit card windings to complete the magnetic flux paths and transformer coupling. The configuration of the poles and windings form completely independent channels, each of which behaves like a wide-band ferrite core transformer. The independence of each channel enables this unique magnetic core and associated windings to couple relatively large amounts of power to the circuitry of the IC memory card and establish a high-speed bidirectional data link between the host and card.

Abstract: The invention discloses a non-contact way to provide electrical power and two-way digital communications between a host computer and its peripheral modules, such as IC memory cards, modems, and A/D converters. A special magnetic core is employed to provide efficient transfer of both large amounts of electrical power and high speed digital communications through transformer action. Peripheral modules requiring different power supply voltages or different data voltage levels can be accommodated and intermixed with modules of other types in the same host system. The mechanical design of the connector includes detent structure to align the assembly in three dimensions, both upon mating, and under mechanical environmental stress conditions during operation. The magnetic core has both power supply and data windings; the data winding has sections of opposite polarity so that the power supply signal imposed on the data winding cancels itself.

Abstract: A character generator system suitable for creating a character display on the screen of a standard TV receiver is disclosed. The character generator system includes a sync generator which generates timing and synchronizing signals that create a 263 line, non-interlaced, roster. The character generator system also includes a character generator adapted to receive binary signals that define the character display. The character generator is timed and synchronized by the sync generator so as to create a charater video signal suitable for creating the character display as the screen of the TV receiver is scanned. Color is added to the character video signal by a chroma generator in a manner such that the background is in one color and characters are in another color. The 263 line raster (non-interlaced) results in a color display without color fringing.