Character generator

Claim 2

For use with a cathode-ray tube having X- and Y-axis deflection means for producing beam deflections parallel to X and Y axes to describe a character, a character generator comprising, a plurality of magnetic cores, means for sequentially energizing said cores one at a time, at least one set of wires for producing information to generate a predetermined character, at least one wire of which is wound on selected ones of said cores to produce, upon energization of said cores, a sequence of pulses representative of incremental changes in beam deflection, charging means, means connecting said wires to said charging means, said charging means being responsive to the pulses produced in said wires to produce constant current output signals each corresponding to an increment of X- or Y-axis deflection, and first and second storage means connected to said charging means for receiving the X-axis constant current output signals and the Y-axis constant current output signals, respectively, said first and second storage means thereby each producing a deflection voltage corresponding to the sum of the charging means output signals representing increments of deflection in the respective axis, said first and second storage means being adapted for connection to the X- and Y-axis deflection means, respectively, to apply deflection voltage thereto.

Claim 3

A character generator according to claim 1 including an intensity circuit adapted for connection to the electron gun of the cathode-ray tube for blanking and unblanking the cathode-ray tube beam in response to intensity control pulses applied to said intensity circuit, wherein said at least one set of wires includes at least one wire wound on selected ones of said cores tO produce intensity control pulses for the predetermined character upon energization of said cores, wherein said charging means are adapted to produce output signals which are substantially shorter in duration than the time between energizations of successive magnetic cores, and wherein said intensity circuit is adapted to produce unblank signals during the period said charging mans are off, said character generator thereby producing characters defined by a series of dots.

Claim 4

A character generator according to claim 1 wherein said charging means are adapted to produce output signals which are substantially equal in duration to an integral multiple of the time period between energizations of successive cores, for defining characters by means of line segments.

Claim 5

A character generator according to claim 1 wherein each of said storage means comprises a capacitor.

Claim 6

A character generator according to claim 1 including a plurality of sets of wires, one set for each character to be generated, wherein the means connecting the wires to the charging means comprise selecting switch means between each set of wires and said charging means, and wherein means are provided for selectively closing said selecting switch means to select characters for generation.

Claim 7

A character generator according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said storage means comprises a capacitor, wherein diminishing means are provided including a further capacitor and diminishing switch means selectively coupling said further capacitor in parallel with said capacitor in said one storage means, and wherein means are provided to selectively close said diminishing switch for a time interval sufficient to generate one character; thereby to diminish the character in at least one axis.

Claim 8

A character generator according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said storage means comprises a pair of capacitors, and wherein enlarging switch means are provided to selective disable one of said pair of capacitors in said one storage means, and wherein means are provided to selectively open said enlarging switch means for a time interval sufficient to generate one character, thereby to enlarge the character in at least one axis.

Claim 9

A character generator according to claim 1 wherein one wire in at least one set is wound on a magnetic core following the last magnetic core used for generation of the character associated with that set, and wherein means are provided responsive to production of pulses in said one wire for stopping further sequential energization of said cores.

Claim 10

A character generator according to claim 1 wherein said wires in each of said sets are wound on the cores to produce a binary code representative of incremental changes in beam deflection in both X and Y axes upon energization of each core, and wherein said charging means include a binary code converter for decoding said binary codes and initiating production of constant current output signals corresponding thereto.

Claim 11

A character generator according to claim 1 wherein each set contains at least two wires, one wire defining X-axis deflections and the other wire defining Y-axis deflections.

Claim 12

A character generator according to claim 1 wherein each set contains at least four wires, two wires defining first and second orders of magnitude of X-axis deflection, respectively, and the other two wires defining first and second orders of magnitude of Y-axis deflection, respectively.

Claim 13

A character generator according to claim 1 wherein a first wire in each set is wound upon selected ones of said cores to produce upon energization of said cores, a first sequence of pulses of uniform amplitude, each pulse representing an incremental change in beam deflection on one axis; a second wire in each set is wound upon selected ones of said cores to produce, upon energization of said cores, a second sequence of pulses of uniform amplitude, each pulse representing an incremental change in beam deflection in the other axis; And said charging means comprise a first charging means responsive to pulses produced in said first wire of each set and providing output signals to said first storage means, and a second charging means responsive to pulses produced in said second wire of each set and providing output signals to said first storage means.

Claim 14

A character generator according to claim 12 wherein said first wire in at least one set is wound to produce a first sequence comprising both positive polarity and negative polarity pulses; said second wire in at least one set is wound to produce a second sequence comprising both positive polarity and negative polarity pulses; and each of said charging means is adapted to produce constant current output signals of one polarity in response to positive pulses and constant current output signals of the other polarity in response to negative pulses; whereby positive increments of deflection are produced by pulses of one polarity and negative increments of deflection are produced by pulses of the other polarity.

Claim 15

A character generator according to claim 12 including an intensity circuit coupled to the electron gun of the cathode-ray tube for providing intensity control signals to the gun in response to intensity control pulses; wherein a third wire in at least one set of wires is would upon selected ones of said cores to produce, upon energization of said cores, a third sequence of pulses, said third sequence of pulses being representative of the intensity variations required to generate the character; and the pulses in said third sequence are coupled from said third wire via said connecting means to said intensity circuit; whereby the pulses in said third sequence control the intensity of the cathode-ray tube.

Claim 16

A character generator according to claim 12 wherein said charging means are adapted to produce output signals which are substantially shorter in duration than the time between energizations of successive magnetic cores, and wherein said intensity circuit is adapted to produce intensifying signals during the period said charging means are off, said character generator thereby producing characters defined by a series of dots.

Claim 17

A character generator according to claim 12 adapted to generate signals describing a selected one of a plurality of characters, comprising: a plurality of selection terminals, one terminal being provided for each of the plurality of characters; means to selectively apply a selection signal to one of the selection terminals for a time interval sufficient to generate one character, said one selection terminal being maintained by said selection means substantially above a predetermined threshold potential and the balance of said selection terminals being maintained by said selection means substantially below said threshold potential; a first deflection control terminal coupled to the input of said first charging means; and a second deflection control terminal coupled to the input of said second charging means; means biasing each deflection control terminal toward a reference potential, said reference potential being below said threshold potential; wherein one set of wires is provided for each of the plurality of characters; wherein said means connecting said wires to said charging means comprise said first and second deflection control terminals, said biasing means, and a plurality of diodes, one diode being provided for each wire; wherein a first end of every wire in each set is coupled to one of said selection terminals, said terminal being common to all the wires of the set; wherein the second end of each wire is coupled to the anode of one of said diodes; wherein the cathode of every diode coupled to the first wire of any set is coupled to said first deflection control terminal; and wherein the cathode of every diode coupled to the second wire of any set is coupled to said second deflection control terminal; whereby, every diode coupled to a wire of the set which is coupled to the selection terminal above tHe threshold potential is conductive and passes every pulse produced in the wire coupled thereto when said cores are sequentially energized; and every diode coupled to a wire of a set which is coupled to a selection terminal below the threshold potential is nonconductive and passes none of the pulses produced in the wire coupled thereto when the cores sequentially energized.

Claim 18

A character generator according to claim 12 adapted to generate signals describing a selected one of a plurality of characters, comprising: a plurality of selection terminals, one terminal being provided for each of the plurality of characters; means to selectively apply a selection signal to one of the selection terminals for a time interval sufficient to generate one character, said one selection terminal being maintained by said selection means substantially below a predetermined threshold potential and the balance of said selection terminals being maintained by said selection means substantially above said threshold potential; a first deflection control terminal coupled to the input of said first charging means; and a second deflection control terminal coupled to the input of said second charging means; means biasing each deflection control terminal toward a reference potential, said reference potential being above said threshold potential; wherein one set of wires is provided for each of the plurality of characters; wherein said means connecting said wires to said charging means comprise said first and second deflection control terminals, said biasing means, and a plurality of diodes, one diode being provided for each wire; wherein a first end of every wire in each set is coupled to one of said selection terminals, said terminal being common to all wires of the set; wherein the second end of each wire is coupled to the cathode of one of said diodes; wherein the anode of every diode coupled to the first wire of any set is coupled to the first deflection control terminal; and wherein the anode of every diode coupled to the second wire of any set is coupled to said second deflection control terminal; whereby, every diode coupled to a wire of the set which is coupled to the selection terminal below the threshold potential is conductive and passes every pulse produced in the wire coupled thereto when said cores are sequentially energized; and every diode coupled to a wire of a set which is coupled to a selection terminal above the threshold potential is nonconductive and passes none of the pulses produced in the wire coupled thereto when the cores are sequentially energized.

Claim 19

A character generator for providing signals describing a selected character to drive the X-axis deflecting devices and the Y-axis deflecting devices of a two axis graphical display, comprising: a plurality of magnetic cores; means for sequentially energizing said cores; a plurality of sets of control wires wound on said cores, at least one of said sets comprising at least one X-axis control wire wound on selected ones of said cores to produce a first sequence of pulses at uniform amplitude upon energization of said cores, and at least one Y-axis control wire wound on selected ones of said cores to produce a second sequence of pulses of uniform amplitude upon energization of said cores the winding of said X-axis control wire and said Y-zxis control wire upon said cores being a function of the shape of the selected character, said first sequence of pulses being representative of the sequence of X-axis deflections required to generate the selected character, and said second sequence of pulses being representative of the sequence of Y-axis deflections required to generate the selected character; first and second charging means each providing constant current output signals in response to receipt of pulses; gating means for passing pulses from the X-axis and Y-axis control wires of a selected one of said sets of control wires corresponding to the selected character to said first and second charging means, respectively; and first and second storage means, said first storage means being connected to receive and accumulate the constant current signals from said first charging means, and said second storage means being connected to receive and accumulate the constant current signals from said second charging means, said first storage means providing an output voltage signal representative of the X-axis deflections required to generate the selected character, and said second storage means providing an output voltage signal representative of the Y-axis deflections required to generate the selected character.

Claim 20

A character generator for providing signals describing a selected character to drive the X-axis deflecting devices and the Y-axis deflecting devices of a two axis graphical display, comprising: a plurality of magnetic cores; means for sequentially energizing said cores; a plurality of sets of control wires wound on said cores, at least one of said sets comprising at least one X-axis control wire wound on selected ones of said cores to produce a first sequence of pulses at uniform amplitude upon energization of said cores, and at least one Y-axis control wire wound on selected ones of said cores to produce a second sequence of pulses of uniform amplitude upon energization of said cores the winding of said X-axis control wire and said Y-zxis control wire upon said cores being a function of the shape of the selected character, said first sequence of pulses being representative of the sequence of X-axis deflections required to generate the selected character, and said second sequence of pulses being representative of the sequence of Y-axis deflections required to generate the selected character; first and second charging means each providing constant current output signals in response to receipt of pulses; gating means for passing pulses from the X-axis and Y-axis control wires of a selected one of said sets of control wires corresponding to the selected character to said first and second charging means, respectively; and first and second storage means, said first storage means being connected to receive and accumulate the constant current signals from said first charging means, and said second storage means being connected to receive and accumulate the constant current signals from said second charging means, said first storage means providing an output voltage signal representative of the X-axis deflections required to generate the selected character, and said second storage means providing an output voltage signal representative of the Y-axis deflections required to generate the selected character.

Claim 21

A character generator according to claim 18 comprising: an intensity circuit adapted to provide intensity control signals to the intensity control device of the graphical display in response to intensity control pulses; wherein at least one set of control wires includes at least one intensity control wire wound on selected ones of said cores to produce a third sequence of pulses upon energization of said cores, said third sequence of pulses being representative of the sequence of intensity variations required to describe the character; and wherein said gating means are operable to receive pulses from said intensity control wire and to provide pulses to said intensity circuit; whereby the pulses in said intensity control wire control the intensification of the graphical display.

Claim 22

A character generator according to claim 19 wherein: said charging means are adapted to provide constant current output signals each having a duration substantially equal to an integral number of said periods between successive core energization, and said intensity circuit is adapted to provide intensifying signals each having a duration substantially equal to an integral number of periods between successive core energizations, whereby the character is described on the graphical display as a plurality of sequentially connected straight line strokes.

Claim 23

A character generator according to claim 20 wherein: said charging means are adapted to provide constant current output signals, each beginning upon the receipt of a pulse from an associated control wire and ending upon the receipt of the next pulse from the same wire; and at least one wire of at least one set of control wires is wound to produce at least one pair of adjacent pulses spaced apart in time by an interval substantially equal to a plurality of the periods between successive core energizations; whereby the charging means receiving said pair of pulses produces an extended constant current signal with a duration of a plurality of the periods between successive energizations; and whereby the storage means receiving said extended constant current signal provides a deflection voltage without discontinuities during said interval.

Claim 24

A character generator according to claim 21 wherein: an X-axis control wire of at least one set of control wires is wound to provide at least one pair of adjacent X-axis pulses spaced apart by an X-axis interval substantially equal to a plurality of the periods between successive core energizations; a Y-axis control wire of the same set is wound to produce at least one pair of adjacent Y-axis pulses spaced apart by a Y-axis interval substantially equal to a plurality of the periods between successive core energizations; said X-axis interval and said Y-axis interval coincide in time for a plurality of the periods between successive core energizations; whereby a straight line segment is generated on the graphical display without discontinuities during the interval of coincidence.

Claim 25

A character generator according to claim 19 wherein: each pulse produced in an axis control wire represents a predetermined increment of deflection on the graphical display; each charging means provides a discrete constant current output signal in response to each pulse received from the associated control wire; each discrete constant current output signal has a duration substantially less tHan the period between successive energizations of the cores; each intensity control signal has a duration not more than the difference between the core energization period and the duration of the constant current signal; whereby the character id described as a pattern of sequential dots on the graphical display device.

Claim 26

A character generator according to claim 18 wherein: at least one of said storage means comprises a storage capacitor; proportioning means are provided comprising a further capacitor, proportioning switch means connected to selectively couple said further capacitor in parallel with said storage capacitor, and means is selectively actuate said proportioning switch means according to a dimension of the character to be described; whereby the dimension of the character generated on the graphical display in at least one axis is the smaller of two predetermined dimensions when said storage capacitor and said further capacitor are coupled in parallel, and the larger of the two predetermined dimensions when said capacitors are not coupled in parallel.

Claim 27

A character generator according to claim 18 wherein: one X-axis control wire in each set is wound to produce said first sequence of pulses; said first sequence of pulses comprises both positive polarity and negative polarity pulses; one Y-axis control wire in each set is wound to produce said second sequence of pulses; said second sequence of pulses comprises both positive polarity and negative polarity pulses; one Y-axis control wire in each set is wound to produce said second sequence of pulses; said second sequence of pulses comprises both positive polarity and negative polarity pulses; and said first and second charging means are each adapted to produce constant current output signals of one polarity in response to positive pulses and constant current output signals of the other polarity in response to negative pulses; whereby the sequence of X-axis deflections and Y-axis deflections required to generate the character are determined by said one X-axis control wire and said one Y-axis control wire.

Claim 28

A character generator according to claim 18 adapted to generate signals describing a selected one of a plurality of characters, comprising: a plurality of selection terminals, one terminal being provided for each of the plurality of characters; means to selectively apply a selection signal to one of the selection terminals for a time interval sufficient to generate one character, said one selection terminal being maintained by said selection means substantially above a predetermined threshold potential and the balance of said selection terminals being maintained by said selection means substantially below said threshold potential; a first deflection control terminal coupled to the input of said first charging means; a second deflection control terminal coupled to the input of said second charging means; means biasing each deflection control terminal toward a reference potential, said reference potential being below said threshold potential; wherein one set of wires is provided for each of a plurality of characters; wherein said gating means comprise said first and second deflection control terminals, said biasing means, and a plurality of diodes, one diode being provided for each wire; wherein a first end of every wire in each set is coupled to one of said selection terminals, said one terminal being common to all the wires of the set; wherein the second end of each wire is coupled to the anode of one of said diodes; wherein the cathode of every diode coupled to the X-axis control wire of any set is coupled to said first deflection control terminal and wherein the cathode of every diode coupled to the Y-axis control wire of any set is coupled to said second deflection control terminal; whereby, every diode coupled to a wire of the set which is coupled to the selection terminal above the threshold potential is conductive and passes every pulse produced in the wire coupled thereto whEn said cores are sequentially energized; and every diode coupled to a wire of a set which is coupled to a selection terminal below the threshold potential is nonconductive and passes none of the pulses produced in the wire coupled thereto when the cores are sequentially energized.

Claim 29

A character generator according to claim 18 adapted to generate signals describing a selected one of a plurality of characters, comprising: a plurality of selection terminals, one terminal being provided for each of the plurality of characters; means to selectively apply a selection signal to one of the selection terminals for a time interval sufficient to generate one character, said one selection terminal being maintained by said selection means substantially below a predetermined threshold potential and the balance of said selection terminals being maintained by said selection means substantially above said threshold potential; a first deflection control terminal coupled to the input of said second charging means; a second deflection control terminal coupled to the input of said second charging means; means biasing each deflection control terminal toward a reference potential, said reference potential being above said threshold potential; wherein one set of wires is provided for each of the plurality of characters; wherein said gating means comprise said first and second deflection control terminals, said biasing means, and a plurality of diodes, one diode being provided for each wire; wherein a first end of every wire in each set is coupled to one of said selection terminals, said one terminal being common to all wires of the set; wherein the second end of each wire is coupled to the cathode of one of said diodes; wherein the anode of every diode coupled to the X-axis control wire of any set is coupled to said first deflection control terminal; and wherein the anode of every diode coupled to the Y-axis control wire of any set is coupled to said second deflection control terminal; whereby, every diode coupled to a wire of the set which is coupled to the selection terminal below the threshold potential is conductive and passes every pulse produced in the wire coupled thereto when said cores are sequentially energized; and every diode coupled to a wire of a set which is coupled to a selection terminal above the threshold potential is nonconductive and passes none of the pulses produced in the wire coupled thereto when the cores are sequentially energized.

Claim 30

A character generator for providing signals describing a character to drive the X-axis deflecting devices and the Y-axis deflecting devices of a two-axis graphical display, comprising: a number N of magnetic cores; means for sequentially energizing said cores; at least one set of control wires wound on said cores, said set comprising M deflection control wires, each of the M wires being wound on selected ones of said cores to produce a coded sequence of pulses of uniform amplitude upon energization of said cores the winding of said deflection control wires upon said cores being a function of the shape of the character, whereby the M deflection control wires produce a sequence of N binary coded words each of M binary bits; gating means comprising deflection gating means connected to receive binary coded words from said deflection control wires; code converter means connected to receive binary coded words from said deflection gating means, and adapted to produce in response to said words at least one sequence of deflection control signals representative of the sequence of X-axis deflections required to generate the character and at least one sequence of deflection control signals representative of the Y-axis deflections required to generate the character; first and second charging means, said first charging means being connected to receive the sequence of X-axis deflection control signals from said code converter, and said second charging means being connected to receive the sequence of Y-axis dEflection control signals from said code converter said first and second charging means each providing constant current output signals in response to said deflection control signals; first and second storage means, said first storage means being connected to receive and accumulate the constant current signals from said first charging means, and said second storage means being connected to receive and accumulate the constant current signals from said second charging means, said first storage means providing an output voltage signal representative of the X-axis deflections required to generate the character, and said second storage means providing an output voltage signal representative of the Y-axis deflections required to generate the character.

Claim 31

A character generator for providing signals describing a character to drive the X-axis deflecting devices and the Y-axis deflecting devices of a two-axis graphical display, comprising: a number N of magnetic cores; means for sequentially energizing said cores; at least one set of control wires wound on said cores, said set comprising M deflection control wires, each of the M wires being wound on selected ones of said cores to produce a coded sequence of pulses of uniform amplitude upon energization of said cores the winding of said deflection control wires upon said cores being a function of the shape of the character, whereby the M deflection control wires produce a sequence of N binary coded words each of M binary bits; gating means comprising deflection gating means connected to receive binary coded words from said deflection control wires; code converter means connected to receive binary coded words from said deflection gating means, and adapted to produce in response to said words at least one sequence of deflection control signals representative of the sequence of X-axis deflections required to generate the character and at least one sequence of deflection control signals representative of the Y-axis deflections required to generate the character; first and second charging means, said first charging means being connected to receive the sequence of X-axis deflection control signals from said code converter, and said second charging means being connected to receive the sequence of Y-axis dEflection control signals from said code converter said first and second charging means each providing constant current output signals in response to said deflection control signals; first and second storage means, said first storage means being connected to receive and accumulate the constant current signals from said first charging means, and said second storage means being connected to receive and accumulate the constant current signals from said second charging means, said first storage means providing an output voltage signal representative of the X-axis deflections required to generate the character, and said second storage means providing an output voltage signal representative of the Y-axis deflections required to generate the character.

Claim 32

A character generator according to claim 28 comprising: an intensity circuit adapted to provide intensity control signals to the intensity control device of the graphical display in response to intensity control pulses; wherein; least one set of control wires further comprises at least one intensity control wire wound on selected ones of said cores to produce another sequence of pulse upon energization of said cores, said other sequence of pulses being representative of the sequence of intensity variations pulses to generate the character; and said gating means include intensity gating means connected to receive pulses from said intensity control wire and to provide pulses to said intensity circuit; whereby the pulses in said intensity control wire control the intensification of the graphical display.

Claim 33

A character generator according to claim 29 wherein: said code converter means are adapted to produce deflection control signals each having a duration substantially equal to an integral number of the periods between successive core energizations; said charging means are adapted to provide constant current output signals each having a duration equal to the duration of the deflection control signal coupled thereto; and said intensity circuit is adapted to provide intensifying signals each having a duration substantially equal to an integral number of the periods between successive core energizations; whereby; the character is described on the graphical display as a plurality of sequentially connected straight line strokes.

Claim 34

A character generator according to claim 30 wherein: the code converter means are adapted to provide deflection control signals, each beginning upon the receipt of a binary coded word from the deflection control wires of a set and ending upon the receipt of a later binary coded word from the deflection control wires of the same set; the deflection control wires of at least one set of wires are wound to produce at least one extended deflection control signal extending over an interval substantially equal to a plurality of the periods between successive core energizations; whereby the charging means receiving said extended deflection control signal produces an extended constant current output signal with a duration of a plurality of the periods between successive energizations; and the storage means receiving said extended constant current signal provides a deflection voltage without discontinuity during said interval.

Claim 35

A character generator according to claim 31 wherein: the deflection control wires of at least one set of wires are wound to produce at least one extended X-axis deflection control signal extending over an interval substantially equal to a plurality of the periods between successive core energizations, at least one extended Y-axis deflection control signal extending over an interval substantially equal to a plurality of the periods between successive core energizations, said extended X-axis deflection control signal being coincident in time for a plurality of the periods between successive core energizations; whereby a straight line segment is generated on the graphical display without discontinuities during the interval of coincidence.

Claim 36

A character generator aCcording to claim 29 wherein: the code converter means are adapted to produce sequences of deflection control pulses; said charging means are adapted to provide constant current output signals each having a duration substantially equal to an integral number of the periods between successive core energizations; and said intensity circuit is adapted to provide intensifying signals each having a duration substantially equal to an integral number of the periods between successive core energizations; whereby: the character is described on the graphical display as a plurality of sequentially connected straight line strokes.

Claim 37

A character generator according to claim 33 wherein: the charging means are adapted to provide constant current output signals each beginning upon the receipt of a pulse from a sequence of deflection control pulses and ending upon the receipt of the next pulse from the same sequence; the deflection control wires of at least one set of wires are wound to produce at least one pair of deflection control pulses spaced apart in time by an interval substantially equal to a plurality of the periods between successive core energizations; whereby the charging means receiving said pair of pulses produces an extended constant current signal with a duration of a plurality of the periods between successive core energizations; and the storage means receiving said extended constant current signal provides a deflection voltage without discontinuities during said interval. 35 A character generator according to claim 34 wherein: the deflection control wires of at least one set of wires are wound to produce at least one pair of X-axis deflection control pulses spaced apart in time by an X-axis interval equal to a plurality of the periods between successive core energizations and at least one pair of Y-axis deflection control pulses spaced apart in time by a Y-axis interval equal to a plurality of the periods between successive core energizations, said X-axis interval and said Y-axis interval being coincident in time for a plurality of the periods between successive core energizations; whereby a straight line segment is generated on the graphical display without discontinuities during the interval of coincidence.

Claim 38

A character generator according to claim 28 wherein: at least one of said storage means comprises a storage capacitor; proportioning means are provided comprising a further capacitor, proportioning switch means connected to selectively couple said further capacitor in parallel with said storage capacitor, and means to selectively actuate said proportioning switch means according to a dimension of the character to be described; whereby the dimension of the character generated on the graphical display in at least one axis is the smaller of two predetermined dimensions when said storage capacitor and said further capacitor are coupled in parallel, and the larger of the two predetermined dimensions when said capacitors are not coupled in parallel.