International Business Machines Corporation

Kent R Demke

Joanne L Mumola

Jerold D Dwire

Michael Anthony Ko

Neil D Lubart

Randy M Ortiz

A method and implementing system are provided in which the download program is designed to execute either from a command line in a main menu or from a diagnostics or service menu 201 as a service aid. The drive program 203 loads an executable file 205 which first reads from a drive specific data ('DSDATA') file 207. This allows the executable file 205 to configure itself to correctly perform micro-code download on a specific and designated drive device. The executable file program then proceeds to download the data contained in the drive binary firmware file 208 to a designated drive write buffer 209. The program then prompts the operator for final confirmation that the drive should be updated. Once the operator confirms the download, the executable file program issues the command to load the firmware into the drive.

Method and apparatus for microcode downloading

There is disclosed a technique for improving user perceived quality of an LCD device comprising optimizing the electrode width and inter-electrode spacing, and simultaneously causing inter-electrode spaces and information to appear dark while the background appears bright.

Perceived contrast of liquid crystal displays

In a word processing system having a keyboard display for data entry and modification, and a printer with a choice of pitch, the technique is presented for displaying on less than the entire CRT screen a representation of a full page of text being processed. The full page representation is in fact visually proportional to the yet unproduced printed output. The full page representation is made possible by using a 2.times.4 character representation structure to represent an 8.times.16 normal character. Proportionality within the represented data is achieved by displaying particular character representations more than once. The interval between multiply displayed representations is a function of the output pitch with which proportionality is desired and the size of a dot on the CRT screen.

Proportionality in minature displays

A technique for displaying a representation of a full page on less than an entire CRT screen in a word processing system. The full page representation uses character indicators to enable the word processing system user to appreciate format and spatial relationships with regard to page boundaries. Within the miniature page the interlinear spacing chosen by the operator for the hard copy output is properly represented. Integral line spacing is achieved by displaying blank lines as appropriate. Non-integral line spacing such as half-line spacing is achieved advantageously through manipulating the particular character construct utilized. A character representation matrix is usually blank at the top and blank or non-blank in the bottom half. Reversing top and bottom halves removes one half-line of interlinear spacing.

Multiple half-line spacing on a miniature page

A technique is disclosed which allows the display of a representation of a full page of text on the comparatively small CRT screen of a word processing system. For each character comprising a page of text a single bit is stored in the display buffer. On output each bit is displayed in one of two configurations of a 2.times.4 character box. In this way format and spatial relationship of text to page size can be displayed while a particular line is entered or edited to enable an operator to have a better perspective on the developing result.

Displaying a full page representation

There is disclosed a technique for displaying scrollable operating and scale lines simultaneously with an active miniature full page representation. Displayed on the operating line along with active characters is a cursor character. Displayed in the miniature full page are text indicators for representing accurately to the operator the format of the whole page of text. The miniature page is updateable upon keying. The position of the cursor within the miniature full page representation is indicated by blinking the associated character position and displaying peripheral arrows adjacent the outline of the miniature full page representation.

Interactive combination display

There is disclosed a technique for displaying on a relatively small CRT display, using less than the entire screen, a representation of a full page of text. The full page is represented using character indicators rather than recognizable characters. The full page representation is surrounded by an outline generated using the same character indicators as the formatted text representation rather than known graphic symbols. The outline is proportional to the ultimate hardcopy indicated by the user, and character indicators can be displayed right up to the page outlines.

Displaying a proportionally outlined miniature page

There is described a technique for use in a word processing system for displaying a representation of the full page of text on less than an entire CRT screen where the full page representation is proportional to the hard copy output which eventually results. Dynamic mode switching is employed which enables the output on a given line of the display of both full size characters and miniature character representations. Dynamic mode switching also provides control of the placement of the miniature page representation on the CRT screen.

Full page representation through dynamic mode switching

A system and method for generating properly proportioned alphanumeric characters and symbols in two vertical heights with a single character generator and a minimum of associated circuitry. The bits of video data stored in the character generator are stored such that the vertical segments of diagonal portions of the characters and symbols include no more than two bits per vertical segment of the diagonal portion. The video data bits representative of the pels of circular portions of the symbols are stored in an arrangement to generate a horizontally elongated elliptical shape when the character or symbol is displayed in the shorter of the two heights. Whenever possible, the diagonal portions of characters include no more than two diagonally disposed pels in the single high character size. For representation of a single dot portion of one of the characters or symbols, a pair of video data bits is stored to generate a pair of horizontally disposed pels on the display when the character or symbol is displayed in the shorter of the two vertical heights. Translation logic is described to efficiently provide for two sizes of characters with a minimum of additional hardware and with no additional character generator memory beyond that required for the smallest characters or symbols.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Kent R Demke