Patent US3723803A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3723803A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Generation, display and animation of two-dimensional figures
Assignee: Computer Image Corp
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Filing: 1970-07-06
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1990-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A system for automatically generating, displaying and animating two-dimensional figures comprising straight line segments, animations of the figures including gross size, gross position, shape and rotational animation sequences. Means are also provided for maintaining the figure closed through any animation sequence and establishing boundary conditions for the figure.
Inventors
- 👤 L Harrison
- 👤 F Wells
- 👤 F Honey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:13
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G1/00; G09G1/06; G09G1/08; G06; G06G; G06G7/00; G06G7/12; G06G7/26; G06G7/28; G09G1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for generation, display and animation of twodimensional figures comprising a display device for displaying the animated figure in response to coordinate inputs to the display device, means for generating first and second coordinate voltages for each line segment of the figure to be displayed, means for sequentially applying the first and second coordinate voltages to the coordinate inputs to the display device for sequential generation of the line segments of the figure, and means for animating the figure which last-named means comprises manually variable input means for defining the first and second coordinate voltages for each line segment of the figure to be displayed, whereby manual operation of selected ones of the manually variable input means over a given interval of time produces corresponding changes in the coordinate voltages being generated and hence the form of the figure being displayed over that same interval of time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for generation, display and animation of twodimensional figures comprising a display device for displaying the animated figure in response to coordinate inputs to the display device, means for generating first and second coordinate voltages for each line segment of the figure to be displayed, means for sequentially applying the first and second coordinate voltages to the coordinate inputs to the display device for sequential generation of the line segments of the figure, and means for animating the figure which last-named means comprises manually variable input means for defining the first and second coordinate voltages for each line segment of the figure to be displayed, whereby manual operation of selected ones of the manually variable input means over a given interval of time produces corresponding changes in the coordinate voltages being generated and hence the form of the figure being displayed over that same interval of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
The system of claim 1 including a timing gate generator for generating a sequence of pulses to define a complete generation cycle, the number of the pulses being at least as great as the number of line segments in the figure to be displayed, means for establishing coordinate voltages for each line segment of the figure, means for gating the coordinate vOltages in response to the sequential pulses of the timing gate generator for sequential generation of the line segments of the figure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 including means for regulating the intensity of each line segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 2 including means for regulating the beam intensity of the display device for each of the line segments, the intensity means including means for establishing voltage inputs defining the intensity of each of the line segments, and means for gating the intensity voltages in response to the sequential pulses of the time gate generator for controlling the intensity of each line segment as it is generated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 including means for varying the gross position of the figure on the display device, which last-named means includes means for generating gross position voltage functions, and means for selectively adding the gross position voltage functions to the first and second coordinate voltages
Claim 7
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for generation, display and animation of two-dimensional figures comprising a display device for displaying the animated figure in response to coordinate inputs to the display device, means for generating first and second coordinate voltages for each line segment of the figure to be displayed, means for sequentially applying the first and second coordinate voltages to the coordinate input to the display device for sequential generation of the line segments of the figure, means for selectively varying one or more of the first and second coordinate voltage over time thereby changing the form of the figure and producing animation, and means for automatically closing the figure as one or more first and second coordinate voltages are varied.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for generation, display and animation of two-dimensional figures comprising a display device for displaying the animated figure in response to coordinate inputs to the display device, means for generating first and second coordinate voltages for each line segment of the figure to be displayed, means for sequentially applying the first and second coordinate voltages to the coordinate input to the display device for sequential generation of the line segments of the figure, means for selectively varying one or more of the first and second coordinate voltage over time thereby changing the form of the figure and producing animation, and means for automatically closing the figure as one or more first and second coordinate voltages are varied.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the closing means includes means for automatically generating the last line segment of the figure to join the end of the second to last line segment to the end of a selected one of the previously generated line segments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
99 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the closing means further includes means for tracking the first and second coordinate waveforms of the selected one line segment and the second to last line segment of the figure, and for holding the voltage values corresponding to the ends of the selected one line segment and the second to last line segment, and means for generating a signal equal to the algebraic difference between the voltage values corresponding to the selected one line segment and the second to last line segment for use in generating the last line segment of the figure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 5 including means for rotating the figure about its point or origin, whereby the displayed figure can be made to roll across the screen of the display device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the rotating means includes means for transforming the first and second coordinate voltages to a second coordinate system rotated through a prescribed angle with respect to the original coordinate system, and means responsive to a voltage input function for defining the angle of rotation, whereby a variation in the voltage input produces a corresponding change in the angle of rotation.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for generation, display and animation of two-dimensional figures comprising a display device for displaying the animated figure in response to coordinate inputs to the display device, means for generating first and second coordinate voltages for each line segment of the figure to be displayed, means for sequentially applying the first and second coordinate voltages to the coordinate inputs of the display device for sequential generation of the line segments of the figure, means for selectively varying one or more of the first and second coordinate voltages thereby changing the form, size or position of the figure being displayed, and means for establishing boundary conditions that the figure cannot exceed as it is being animated.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for generation, display and animation of two-dimensional figures comprising a display device for displaying the animated figure in response to coordinate inputs to the display device, means for generating first and second coordinate voltages for each line segment of the figure to be displayed, means for sequentially applying the first and second coordinate voltages to the coordinate inputs of the display device for sequential generation of the line segments of the figure, means for selectively varying one or more of the first and second coordinate voltages thereby changing the form, size or position of the figure being displayed, and means for establishing boundary conditions that the figure cannot exceed as it is being animated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the boundary means includes means for generating signals defining The boundary conditions, means for detecting the coordinate voltages corresponding to the maximum degree the figure exceeds the boundary conditions, means for generating offset voltages equal to the difference between the detected voltages and the boundary condition voltages, and means for adding the offset voltages to the coordinate voltages as the figure exceeds the boundary conditions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the detecting means includes peck detectors for detecting and holding the voltages corresponding to the maximum degree the figure exceeds the boundary condition during one generation cycle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the boundary means includes dual networks for generating the offset voltages on alternate generation cycles.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of generating, displaying and animating two-dimensional figures comprising the steps of generating first and second coordinate voltages defining each line segment of the figure to be displayed, each of which coordinate voltages is established by manually variable input means, sequentially applying the first and second coordinate voltages to coordinate inputs of a display device for sequential generation of the line segments of the figure, and manually varying selected ones of the manually variable input means over a given time interval to animate the figure by producing corresponding changes in the coordinate voltages over the same time interval.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of generating, displaying and animating two-dimensional figures comprising the steps of generating first and second coordinate voltages defining each line segment of the figure to be displayed, each of which coordinate voltages is established by manually variable input means, sequentially applying the first and second coordinate voltages to coordinate inputs of a display device for sequential generation of the line segments of the figure, and manually varying selected ones of the manually variable input means over a given time interval to animate the figure by producing corresponding changes in the coordinate voltages over the same time interval.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 15 including the step of automatically closing the figure as one or more first and second coordinate voltages are varied.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the closing step includes the step of automatically generating the last line segment of the figure to join the end of the second to last line segment to the end of a selected one of the previously generated line segments.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the closing step further includes tracking the first and second coordinate waveforms of the selected one line segment and the second to last line segment of the figure, holding the voltage values corresponding to the ends of the selected one line segment and the second to last line segment, generating a signal equal to the algebraic difference between the voltage values corresponding to the selected one line segment and the second to last line segment, and generating the last line segment as defined by the algebraic difference signal for automatically closing the figure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15 including the step of establishing boundary conditions that the figure cannot exceed as it is animated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the establishing step includes the steps of generating signals defining the boundary conditions, detecting the coordinate voltages corresponding to the maximum degree the figure exceeds the boundary conditions, generating offset voltages equal to the difference between the detected voltages and the boundary condition voltages, and adding the offset voltages to the coordinate voltages as the figure exceeds the boundary conditions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the establishing means further includes the step of generating offset voltages for each generation cycle.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of generating, displaying and animating two-dimensional figures comprising the steps of generating first and second coordinate voltages defining each line segment of the figure to be displayed, sequentially applying the first and second coordinate voltages to coordinate inputs of a display device for sequential generation of the line segments of the figure, and automatically generating the last line segment of the figure to join the end of the second-to-last line segment to the end of a selected one of the previously generated line segments which last step further comprises tracking the first and second coordinate waveforms of the selected one line segment and the second-to-last line segment of the figure, holding the voltage values corresponding to the ends of the selected one line segment and the second-to-Last line segment, generating a signal equal to the algebraic difference between the voltage values corresponding to the selected one line segment and the second-to-last line segment, and generating the last line segment as defined by the algebraic difference signal for automatically closing the figure.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of generating, displaying and animating two-dimensional figures comprising the steps of generating first and second coordinate voltages defining each line segment of the figure to be displayed, sequentially applying the first and second coordinate voltages to coordinate inputs of a display device for sequential generation of the line segments of the figure, and automatically generating the last line segment of the figure to join the end of the second-to-last line segment to the end of a selected one of the previously generated line segments which last step further comprises tracking the first and second coordinate waveforms of the selected one line segment and the second-to-last line segment of the figure, holding the voltage values corresponding to the ends of the selected one line segment and the second-to-Last line segment, generating a signal equal to the algebraic difference between the voltage values corresponding to the selected one line segment and the second-to-last line segment, and generating the last line segment as defined by the algebraic difference signal for automatically closing the figure.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for generation, display and animation of two-dimensional figures comprising a display device for displaying the animated figure in response to coordinate inputs to the display device, means for generating first and second coordinate voltages for each line segment of the figure to be displayed, means for sequentially applying the first and second coordinate voltages to the coordinate inputs to the display device for sequential generation of the line segments of the figure, means for varying selected ones of the coordinate voltages to animate the display by changing over time its shape, size or position, and means for defining the first and second coordinate voltages for at least one line segment of the figure in response to the first and second coordinate voltages of one or more of the other line segments of the figure regardless of the variations of the selected ones of the coordinate voltages, whereby at least one line segment is automatically generated in relation to one or more of the other line segments as the figure is animated.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for generation, display and animation of two-dimensional figures comprising a display device for displaying the animated figure in response to coordinate inputs to the display device, means for generating first and second coordinate voltages for each line segment of the figure to be displayed, means for sequentially applying the first and second coordinate voltages to the coordinate inputs to the display device for sequential generation of the line segments of the figure, means for varying selected ones of the coordinate voltages to animate the display by changing over time its shape, size or position, and means for defining the first and second coordinate voltages for at least one line segment of the figure in response to the first and second coordinate voltages of one or more of the other line segments of the figure regardless of the variations of the selected ones of the coordinate voltages, whereby at least one line segment is automatically generated in relation to one or more of the other line segments as the figure is animated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |