One of the map/chart input stations is also equipped with a standard 
multi-color plotter. Annotations made by the analyst with the system 
software are stored in a file. This file can then be plotted directly 
on a registered chart or on an overlay sheet. Future plans include 
purchase of an alpha-numeric hardware board so digital text can be 
entered on the video screen then plotted with the annotations. 
The film input station is a little different than the other two. 
The x-y movement is accomplished by moving the platten, or transport 
stage itself, rather than the camera assembly. Also it has a 4" to 
4" field of view. Roll film as well as flat film from microfiche 
to 11" X 17" can be viewed. Once mounted, roll film can be advanced 
by means of a toggle switch located at the workstation. 
The host system contains the main processor, disk and tape drives, 
image processing hardware, line printer and System console. The 300 
lines per minute printer is used to put out hazard notices, formatted 
information regarding annotations, file listings, source code, etc. 
The main computer, is small but sufficient because the video switch 
and the station and plotter controllers take care of many functions 
locally. It has 512K bytes of memory, a floating point processor 
and a standard operating system. An array processor can easily be 
added in the future. There are two disk drives, both for removable 
10 megabyte discs. One disk stays in the drive and contains all the 
System software. The other drive is for the ‘user's disk which is 
put in at the beginning of a session and removed along with other 
materials at the end of the analyst's session. This is one of the 
security methods. No one else can have access to your files if you 
remove your disk. 
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