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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