Pitney Bowes Inc.

John K Frediani

Terrance L Lillie

Robert A Couper

Richard E Johnson

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.

Circuit for controlling character attributes in a word processing system

A data processing system embodying the present invention includes a plurality of data processing stations. Each station includes a first communications interface connected to a common communication channel and a second communications interface for communicating with one or more associated controlled units. Each station also includes a processor and a memory; the processor and the interfaces being operatively connected to the memory, so that each may access the memory, and to a contention resolving circuit for resolving memory access conflicts. The system also includes a first controlled unit comprising a mass storage device and a controlled unit communications interface connected to the second communications interface of a first one of the plurality of processors; a second controlled unit comprising a keyboard for entering data and a first, single line, display for displaying data and a controlled unit communications interface connected to the second communications interface of a second of the plurality of processors; and a third controlled unit comprising a second, multi-line, display for displaying data and a controlled unit communications interface connected to the second communications interface of a third of a plurality of processors.

Word processing system employing a plurality of general purpose

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.

Circuit for controlling information on a display

A communications system includes a plurality of data processing stations each having a first communications means connected to a common communications channel. Each of the data processing stations also includes a second communications means adapted to be connected to one or more associated units. Each station includes a contention resolving circuit connected to a processing means, the first communications means and the second communications means. The contention resolving circuit is further coupled to and controls access to a memory for the data processing station. Controlled units such as mass storage data entry and retrieval means and a keyboard for entering alpha numeric data information, each having a controlled unit communications means are provided. These units are connected by their associated communications means to the second communications means of respective ones of the plurality of data processing stations.

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Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America

John K Frediani