- Email: [email protected]
Colour prints by phone
OisplaLJSneLus
One improvement under development is the use of DRCS (dynamically redefinable character sets). Devised at Martlesham, this sytem enables special characters and symbols to be created easily and cheaply within the terminal for d i ~ l a y on the screen. The special characters are generated within the Prestel computer. When needed, they are transmitted to the terminal, which has an extra character store normally left empty - where they can be held for use. DRCS can be used for a wide variety of special displays - the cup and saucer symbol on train timetables, for example, or foreign alphabets. It can also create line segments which can be used for drawings such as maps. Another development is picture Prestel which enables high-definition full-colour pictures to be displayed alongside the normal Prestel text. Like DRCS, the pictures are encoded and stored within the Prestel Computer for transmission to the terminal onTequest. Whole libraries of pictures can be stored in this way, to be used with the Prestel versions of catalogue shopping, advertising, signature verification, instructions and the like.
The actual images transmitted are only black and white but the edges contain coded information which reconstitute the colours. Hence the recipient can choose to print the picture in black and white and have the information to reconstitute the cQIour separately, or he can have colour prints made on the spot. The use of a 'preview scope' enables the recipient to decide how to use the information. Transmission time is no greater than for universal grey tone telepictu re transmission.
Deutscher Forschungsdienst, Ahrstrasse 45 (Wissenschaftszentrum), Postfach 20 50 06, D-3500 Bonn 2, FRG
Test data m a n a g e m e n t A data management system for dynamic testing applications is designed to provide frequency response data in an easily interpreted form. The unit, from Solartron, is based on their 1170 series frequency response analyzer and an Apple computer.
High integrity dynamic analysis has been available for some while, but one of the problems facing engineers has been the difficulty of manipulating, recording and accurately displaying test data. The availability of low-cost computer hardware has enabled this problem to be solved by the introduction of this data management system. The interactive capabilities of the software allow comprehensive management of the measured database to give more detailed analysis of areas of interest. The powerful graphics terminal offers a zoom and other manipulation features to allow a closer examination of any points. Options for the system include a flat bed plotter to give report ready graphs without additional programming, and a Videotek colour monitor with a 300 mm screen.
Solartron Electronic Group Ltd, Victoria: Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GUt4 7PW, UK
At present, the system takes about 15 seconds to send a picture and display it on the screen, using ordinary telephone lines and modems. This time could be significantly reduced using more sophisticated transmission methods and different forms of picture encoding.
British Telecom, 23 How~and Street, London WIP 6HQ, UK
Colour p r i n t s b y p h o n e A process enabling colour photographs to be transmitted by telephone is expected to benefit press and tv institutions which depend on news topicality. The system has been developed by the Institute of Information at Brunswick Technical University in conjunction with the German Research Association.c Data managementsystem incorporating an Apple ~1computer and graphicsdisplay
DISPLAYS. JANUARY 1981
157
One improvement under development is the use of DRCS (dynamically redefinable character sets). Devised at Martlesham, this sytem enables special characters and symbols to be created easily and cheaply within the terminal for d i ~ l a y on the screen. The special characters are generated within the Prestel computer. When needed, they are transmitted to the terminal, which has an extra character store normally left empty - where they can be held for use. DRCS can be used for a wide variety of special displays - the cup and saucer symbol on train timetables, for example, or foreign alphabets. It can also create line segments which can be used for drawings such as maps. Another development is picture Prestel which enables high-definition full-colour pictures to be displayed alongside the normal Prestel text. Like DRCS, the pictures are encoded and stored within the Prestel Computer for transmission to the terminal onTequest. Whole libraries of pictures can be stored in this way, to be used with the Prestel versions of catalogue shopping, advertising, signature verification, instructions and the like.
The actual images transmitted are only black and white but the edges contain coded information which reconstitute the colours. Hence the recipient can choose to print the picture in black and white and have the information to reconstitute the cQIour separately, or he can have colour prints made on the spot. The use of a 'preview scope' enables the recipient to decide how to use the information. Transmission time is no greater than for universal grey tone telepictu re transmission.
Deutscher Forschungsdienst, Ahrstrasse 45 (Wissenschaftszentrum), Postfach 20 50 06, D-3500 Bonn 2, FRG
Test data m a n a g e m e n t A data management system for dynamic testing applications is designed to provide frequency response data in an easily interpreted form. The unit, from Solartron, is based on their 1170 series frequency response analyzer and an Apple computer.
High integrity dynamic analysis has been available for some while, but one of the problems facing engineers has been the difficulty of manipulating, recording and accurately displaying test data. The availability of low-cost computer hardware has enabled this problem to be solved by the introduction of this data management system. The interactive capabilities of the software allow comprehensive management of the measured database to give more detailed analysis of areas of interest. The powerful graphics terminal offers a zoom and other manipulation features to allow a closer examination of any points. Options for the system include a flat bed plotter to give report ready graphs without additional programming, and a Videotek colour monitor with a 300 mm screen.
Solartron Electronic Group Ltd, Victoria: Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GUt4 7PW, UK
At present, the system takes about 15 seconds to send a picture and display it on the screen, using ordinary telephone lines and modems. This time could be significantly reduced using more sophisticated transmission methods and different forms of picture encoding.
British Telecom, 23 How~and Street, London WIP 6HQ, UK
Colour p r i n t s b y p h o n e A process enabling colour photographs to be transmitted by telephone is expected to benefit press and tv institutions which depend on news topicality. The system has been developed by the Institute of Information at Brunswick Technical University in conjunction with the German Research Association.c Data managementsystem incorporating an Apple ~1computer and graphicsdisplay
DISPLAYS. JANUARY 1981
157