Showing papers on "Interface (computing) published in 1984"

Training wheels in a user interface

Abstract: New users of high-function application systems can become frustrated and confused by the errors they make in the early stages of learning. A training interface for a commercial word processor was designed to make typical and troublesome error states “unreachable,” thus eliminating the sources of some new-user learning problems. Creating a training environment from the basic function of the system itself afforded substantially faster learning coupled with better learning achievement and better performance on a comprehension post-test. A control group spent almost a quarter of their time recovering from the error states that the training interface blocked off. We speculate on how this training strategy might be refined, and more generally, on how function should be organized in a user interface.

Building a user-derived interface

Abstract: Many human-computer interfaces are designed with the assumption that the user must adapt to the system, that users must be trained and their behavior altered to fit a given interface. The research presented here proceeds from the alternative assumption: Novice behavior is inherently sensible, and the computer system can be made to adapt to it. Specifically, a measurably easy-to-use interface was built to accommodate the actual behavior of novice users. Novices attempted an electronic mail task using a command-line interface containing no help, no menus, no documentation, and no instruction. A hidden operator intercepted commands when necessary, creating the illusion of an interactive session. The software was repeatedly revised to recognize users' new commands; in essence, the interface was derived from user behavior. This procedure was used on 67 subjects. The first version of the software could recognize only 7 percent of all the subjects' spontaneously generated commands; the final version could recognize 76 percent of these commands. This experience contradicts the idea that user input is irrelevant to the design of command languages. Through careful observation and analysis of user behavior, a mail interface unusable by novices evolved into one that let novices do useful work within minutes.

Environmental control system

Abstract: An environmental control system for use in a greenhouse or another structure which requires the control of an ambient condition regulating element in response to a plurality of sensed parameters. The system includes a plurality of sensor elements and actuator elements, which communicate with a central control through communication interface units. In an illustrated embodiment the interface units communicate over previously installed AC power lines by frequency shift keyed signals. The interface units communicate to the peripheral control elements and the central control unit through serial digital signals. The central control maintains a protocol where, in response to operator inputs, time slots are assigned to different peripheral control elements to configure the system. Each peripheral control element is thereby addressed during its time slot and a sensor responds with data corresponding to a sensed parameter and an actuator executes a command. A unique framing character is generated by the central control at the beginning of each assigned time slot for alerting the peripheral control elements an address will next be generated and for synchronizing multiple central controls to a common time slot clock.

System for handling transactions including a portable personal terminal

Abstract: A system including a portable personal terminal which may be used for handling a wide variety of financial, shopping, and other transactions. The personal terminal is credit-card sized, is intelligent, includes a plurality of transaction totals and is constructed to be user-friendly. An interface module is used to couple the terminal to other systems for on-line uses.

Communication control apparatus for digital devices

Abstract: Communication control apparatus for interconnecting one or more digital devices to one or more other digital devices, or more specifically for interconnecting a moderate to large number of user terminals, main frame computer systems, minicomputers, remote digital devices, and the like, using some of the concepts inherent in statistical multiplexers, intelligent switches, and local area network devices, all implemented in a compact configuration to produce a flexible and cost effective approach to data communication interfaces. The communication control apparatus replaces and simplifies the actual terminal connections from the computer interface(s) and then adds substantial system enhancements for the manager while retaining software and protocol transparency. A local communication bus is provided for routing of data and control signals internally of the control apparatus. A plurality of synchronous or asynchronous line adapters trans- receives corresponding synchronous or asynchronous serial data inputs on a similar corresponding plurality of line ports from respective device terminals, the input data being selectively applied to the local communication bus. A high speed data composite transmission line is provided for transreceiving data between the control apparatus and a remote digital device, such as a host computer. A link interface at the local end of the composite transmission line provides a communication path between the local communication bus and the composite transmission line. A digital device (computer) interface adapter at the remote end of the composite transmission line communicates data between the high speed composite transmission line and a processor bus of the digital device, and a supervisor and bus control device provides source and destination routing control of data on the local communication bus between the line adapters and the link interface.

Computer controllable robotic educational toy

Abstract: An interface receives a high and low voltage signal from a single contact or pin of an output port of a multipurpose microcomputer and uses such signal to control the electrically-powered movement or action of a robot as determined by the programming of the microcomputer. The robot has a sensor connected to the interface and detecting whether or not a preselected condition exists at the robot. The interface sends a high and low voltage input signal to a second single contact or pin of the microcomputer port to communicate the condition of the robot sensed by the sensor. The robot is designed and constructed by the user from interchangeable parts, and the user writes essentially all of the computer programming in a simplified language. By a series of experiments, the student learns computer terminology and programming and robotic technology.

Digital multi-customer data interface

Abstract: A communication method and digital multi-customer data interface (104) for interconnecting a number of customer terminals (100, 101) to a main packet switching network (107) of a local area data service system (108) that provides data communication services such as interactive video text service between data service vendors and customers. The digital multi-customer interface utilizes a main processor (225), control circuit (208), and multicustomer protocol controller (230) to implement the protocol functions for the communication of packets and control information over individual serial transmission paths (111). The multi-customer protocol controller comprises a control processor (209) and a formatter circuit (207) for synchronously communicating packets for a plurality of customer terminals (100, 101) via customer line units (201) and customer lines (109, 110). The control processor performs byte-to-packet and packet-to-byte functions between the main processor and the formatter circuit. The formatter circuit is shared in common by all of the customer lines and performs the functions of assembling and disassembling data bytes from and to individual data bit signals, performing error cyclic redundancy checks and generations, performing flag recognition and generations, and performing bit stuffing and unstuffing. The control circuit handles communication of all control and status information between the main processor and the customer line units. The control buffer periodically transmits the control information received from the main processor to all of the customer units and receives back from them status information which is stored for later use by the main processor.

Device for controlling the application of power to a computer

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring the state of the phone line, directly or as reflected by signals from the modem, and controlling the application of power to a computer so that the computer is powered in response to an incoming call. The apparatus includes a controllable power switching element interposed between the power source and the computer's power input, and logic circuitry responsive to the state of the phone line or modem interface for controlling the power switching element. An alarm clock also controls the power switching element to power the computer up at a predetermined time.

The Automated Reasoning System ITP

Abstract: This report describes a system designed to provide a portable environment for the study of automated reasoning. The system is built on the LMA automated reasoning subroutine package. This program is not part of LMA itself but illustrates the level of inference-based system that can be constructed from the LMA package of tools. It is a clause-based reasoning system supporting a wide variety of techniques which have proven valuable over the years in a long-running automated deduction research project. In addition, it is designed to present a convenient, interactive interface to its user.

Microprocessor control of a variable reluctance motor

Abstract: A working closed-loop microprocessor control system is described for a variable reluctance motor. The system incorporates features such as the separate control of both lead angle and conduction angle. The paper addresses the problem of implementation of the control strategy rather than the best choice of control switching angles. Rotor-position measurement and motor-phase-current measurement are used for feedback purposes. Interface circuitry between the microprocessor system and power system is designed to make efficient use of both hardware and software. Some waveforms are presented to illustrate the relative idle time of the microprocessor.

Busy signal interface between master and slave processors in a computer system

Abstract: A 32-bit central processing unit (CPU) having a six-stage pipeline architecture with an instruction and data cache memory and a memory management units, all provided on a single, integrated circuit (I.C.) chip. The CPU also contains means for controlling the operation of a separate I.C. chip co-processor that is dedicated to performing specific functions at a very high rate of speed, commonly called an extended processing unit (EPU). The EPU is provided with interface circuits that generate control signals and communicate them to the controlling CPU.

The role of context and adaptation in user interfaces

Abstract: A user interface can be viewed as a means of mapping user tasks to system tools. Context and adaptation are important features of a user/system interaction that can be used to simplify the task to tooi mapping and thereby improve the interface. A system based on these features would be able to adapt its actions to be appropriate for a given context. Two systems are used as examples of the use of context and adaptation. The POISE system provides assistance to the users of an office system based on models of office tasks. The adaptive document-retrieval system chooses the most effective search strategy for retrieving relevant documents in a given context. The techniques used to implement context and adaptation in these systems are considerably different, but in both systems the user interface is made more effective.

Display interface apparatus

Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing externally generated display data with a display terminal so that the externally generated data can be displayed on the display terminal, the apparatus including means for storing the externally generated display data, means responsive to the display control signals of the display terminal for generating addresses for accessing the storage means, wherein the access addresses are in synchronism with the display control signals, and means for logically combining the internally generated display data and the synchronized externally generated display data.

Expandable sequence control system

Abstract: An expandable sequence control system including a central controller unit for sequentially controlling a plurality of I/O devices connected thereto through a plurality of I/O interface modules is disclosed herein. A terminal block is formed on each I/O interface module for connection between the interface module and the I/O devices. Each of the I/O interface modules is provided at its opposite ends with respective ports which are to be electrically coupled to the central controller unit or connected to each other by means of flexible cables. These ports of each I/O interface module are electrically interconnected through a feeder passage incorporated therein such that a desired number of the I/O interface modules can be added to the system by coupling the feeder passages thereof with the flexible cable connecting between the ports of adjacent I/O interface modules. Accordingly, a plurality of the I/O interface modules can be arranged in tandem or parallel relationship with each other depending on the requirements of a space in which the system is to be installed, giving rise to flexibility in arranging the plural I/O interface modules in a limited space.

Interface circuitry for interconnecting touch tablet with a computer interface

Abstract: Interface circuitry is provided for interconnecting a source of positional data such as a touch tablet with a computer interface. The circuitry acquires voltages from the source of positional data which represent the data. An acquired voltage is compared with a ramped voltage. At the time of crossover the internal capacitor of the computer interface is rapidly charged above the threshold level to provide positional data from the external source to the computer interface.

Computer memory back-up

Abstract: The interface apparatus couples a video recording device to the parallel data channel of a computer system and also to the computer video output circuitry, so that both digital information (such as computer programs or data files) and analog information (such as video signals for displaying on a TV monitor) may be stored on the same video recording medium. The apparatus thus permits storage of both digital information and human readable information in convenient back-to-back relationship. The interface also permits the computer video monitor to directly display stored or live video broadcasts, without computer intervention. The invention thus allows the display of graphic, photographic and motion picture information in analog format, thereby eliminating information loss through digitizing. An automatic search mode of the invention permits the computer to direct the video recording device to search for a predetermined location on the recording medium at high speed without human intervention.

Device interface controller for input/output controller

Abstract: A device interface controller provides a sophisticated communication link between a central processor and peripheral digital apparatus. The device interface controller provides simultaneous read and write operations with the peripheral digital apparatus. The device interface controller communicates with the peripheral digital apparatus, providing data to that apparatus and receiving data from that apparatus, as well as commanding the apparatus to perform functions peculiar to the selected device.

Data network interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flexibly interconnecting the nodes (9, 10, n) of a local data network to achieve reliable internodal data transmission while minimizing the extra data processing load on the host processors of each node. An interface processor (100) is provided at each node which controls transmission and reception of data packets and the communication of data from and to the location in node storage associated with the program processes which generate and receive the data. Different protocols are provided for different types of messages and are controlled by the interface processor in order to provide high reliability data transmission where needed. Destination addresses are associated with each data packet to provide flexible routing of data.

Manipulation device such as an industrial robot having at least one sensor

Abstract: A manipulation device, such as an industrial robot has at least one sensor connected to a control unit through a programmable sensor interface. The programmable sensor interface includes at least one microprocessor and at least one memory. Each sensor has three signal ranges, the limits of these ranges being selectable by thresholds which can be stored in the memory. The microprocessor is programmed to classify the signal received from a sensor in one of the signal ranges, and to transmit the result of the classification to the control unit. Activation of the individual sensors is undertaken by the control unit through a serial interface or through a parallel interface.

Intelligent interface for electronic cash register

Abstract: An intelligent data acquisition interface for deriving and decoding data from the interface between a printer driver and a printing mechanism in an electronic cash register is shown. The apparatus is responsive to a wide variety of predetermined character position timing pulses available for various types of electronic cash registers (ECRs) to decode the characters as appropriate control signals are provided to the printing mechanism. As the apparatus collects and decodes data, it is loaded into a buffer within a microprocessor. When the device detects the provision of a complete print row of material for the receipt on the ECR, the contents of the buffer is transmitted serially, preferably in ASCII coded format, to a utilization system over a standard 9600 baud serial data link. The device is controlled by a microprocessor 65 having a program memory, and ECR specific look-up tables stored in an interchangeable PROM.

Digital Control Systems

Abstract: Publisher Summary A control system consists of two main parts. One is the object being controlled, often referred to as the plant, and the other is the controller. With the plant, it is possible to identify certain outputs, which are variables to be controlled and certain control inputs, which are variables to be manipulated, so as to achieve the desired control action. A system where either the input or output signal is digital is referred to as a digital system, and a control system where the controller is a digital system is referred to as a digital control system. The first step in the analysis and design of digital control systems is the mathematical modeling of the analog system being controlled. The two most common models are transfer-function models and state-variable models. The next step is to configure the analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog subsystems (D/A), to interface the controlled system with the digital controller. Finally, suitable performance measures must be specified and a design algorithm developed. With the increase in computing power it can be expected that digital control theory will be developed for the design of increasingly complex systems. The chapter observes that future developments in digital control theory can be expected to be more intimately related to the theory and operation of computers and computer networks.

CARGuide: on-board computer for automobile route guidance

Abstract: This paper describes the Computer for Automobile Route Guidance (CARGuide), a prototype system designed and built at Carnegie-Mellon University. CARGuide is a portable, microcomputer-based system to aid drivers in route finding and navigation in city streets. Given starting and destination intersections, CARGuide calculates an optimum route to the destination, displays portions of the street map containing the route, and highlights the streets on the route by flashing them on a display. It provides automatic or manual zooming into the map picture and speaks driving directions along the route. Both hardware and software design is explained in the paper. The hardware consists of a 68000 processor on a Multibus, bubble memories for secondary storage, a 128 x 128 dot matrix fluorescent display, a speech synthesizer, RAM, control and interface logic for the components, and a keyboard. A total of six circuit boards are used, four of them designed at CMU. A compact street map database is constructed from a regular street map and is stored in CARGuide's half megabyte secondary storage. An efficient optimum route-finding scheme was implemented, which uses a divide and conquer method and precomputed routes to improve the performance of a shortest-path algorithm. For optimum route calculations, streets are given weights estimating the travel time, and penalties are introduced for turns and crossing intersections. CARGuide has been tested by implementing a portion of the Pittsburgh street map.

An optimum-seeking approach to the design of automated storage/retrieval systems

Abstract: This paper reports on an optimum-seeking approach to the design of automated storage/retrieval systems. The method was developed to improve the effectiveness with which simulation models of such systems can be used as design aids. The system modeled consists of several aisles of storage bins, storage retrieval devices (stacker cranes), closed loop conveyor, work stations, and input/output buffers to interface with the conveyor. Since simulation models are only descriptive in nature, there is no algorithmic way proceed toward an optimum design specification. Starting with an expected value or balanced flow model, however, the simulation can be used to develop a cost effective design. An interactive program assists the designer in developing the expected value model. From this point, optimum-seeking rules or heuristics are used in conjunction with the simulation model to reach a local optimum solution. Several rules are proposed and evaluated.

Exchange system including plural terminals for voice and data transmission

Abstract: An exchange system includes a plurality of terminal devices, a plurality of interface devices for transmitting signal data and control data among the terminal devices and the interface devices on the basis of a two way bidirectional burst transmission system, and a control circuit which assigns a time slot to a PCM highway according to control data transmitted through a control highway from one of the interface devices, and transmits within the assigned time slot the signal data through the PCM highway to a selected one of the interface devices, through the PCM highway. Each of the terminal circuits generates 2-bit mode data representing the type of the terminal device. The control circuit assigns one or two time slots to the PCM highway according to the mode data.

An object-oriented office data model

Abstract: Office activities involve the sharing of a large quantity and variety of stored information. Consequently computer-based systems for managing office information (referred to as office information systems) demand a specification of the structure and organization of information present within the system. Current database management systems and their underlying data models lack the flexibility required by office information systems. In this thesis a data model for the specification of data structures, operations, and constraints relevant to office information systems is presented. The model relies on techniques from conceptual data modelling to specify the structure and semantics of common office objects. The unusual features of the model include a constraint mechanism based on triggers, templates for presenting objects in different media, and unformatted data types such as text and audio. The representation of the office environment is described. An example is given of a high-level interface for which user commands can be translated to model operations.

Input/output device controller for a data processing system

Abstract: An input/output (I/O) device controller for a data processing which is implemented on a single printed circuit board, includes a terminal control section, an I/O control section, a processor section and a timing generator section. The terminal control section includes a keyboard interface, an RS232 interface for transmitting and receiving data from the system host CPU over an RS232 line, and a video control section interface. The I/O control section includes a plurality of different I/O interface and control units for connecting the section to a number of different I/O devices and a system I/O bus interface and control unit for interfacing the section to the system I/O bus. The processor section manages the operations of the terminal control section as well as the I/O control section.

Digital interface for acoustic and electrically amplified pianos

Abstract: A digital keyboard interface for a keyboard operated musical instrument, such as a piano, includes at least one switch associated with each key on the keyboard and positioned therebeneath. Key actuation produces a corresponding associated switch actuation. The keyboard interface is readily installed within an acoustic or electronic piano and includes adjustments for height and side-to-side alignment to provide precise registration of keys and switches and to provide simplified installation of the interface within the piano. A switch matrix includes a plurality of rows that assign switch closure information to corresponding data byte bit positions in a digital data stream. A shift register sequentially, and on a one-at-a-time basis, actuates a series of matrix columns to read a set of swtiches associated with the column. Thus, each switch operated in an actuated column corresponds to a data byte bit position in the data stream which is further processed to generate a serial data stream for external devices. One embodiment of the invention provides switches of the type having two contact sets by which key velocity information may be transmitted to an external electronic musical instrument or memory device. The invention also provides an interface for collecting and transmitting piano pedal information.