Digitally controlled computer animation generating system

Claim 1

A method of producing an animation sequence of a subject from a single still view of the subject comprising the steps of generating video signals representing each part of the subject as selectively divided into one or more parts; reproducing each of said parts of the subject on a separate raster section generated from parameter signals defining its size, shape, position, and structure; the generation of each raster section being synchronized with the generation of the video signals representing the part of the subject produced thereon, establishing a series of digital signals representing the parameters for each raster section over a given time interval, which digital signals are selectively varying over said time interval, and selectively varying the parameter signals over said time interval in response to the digital signals to produce changes in selected ones of the raster sections, thereby producing corresponding changes in the parts of the subject reproduced thereon.

Claim 2

A method of producing an animation sequence of a subject from a single still view of the subject comprising the steps of generating video signals representing each part of the subject as selectively divided into one or more parts; reproducing each of said parts of the subject on a separate raster section generated from parameter signals defining its size, shape, position, and structure; the generation of each raster section being synchronized with the generation of the video signals representing the part of the subject produced thereon, establishing a series of digital signals representing the parameters for each raster section over a given time interval, which digital signals are selectively varying over said time interval, and selectively varying the parameter signals over said time interval in response to the digital signals to produce changes in selected ones of the raster sections, thereby producing corresponding changes in the parts of the subject reproduced thereon.

Claim 6

A method of producing an animation sequence of a subject from a single still view still the subject comprising the steps of scanning each part of the subject as selectively divided into one or more parts to produce video signals representing each part, generating parameter input signals defining the size, shape, position and structure of a raster section for each of said parts of the subject, combining the parameter input signals to generate, in synchronization with the generation of the video signals representing each part of the subject, time varying coordinate signals defining a raster section, modulating the intensity of the electron beam of an electron beam device with the video signals representing each part of the subject while simultaneously directing the scan pattern of the electron beam with the coordinate signals produced in synchronization therewith to reproduce each part of the subject on a separate raster section, establishing a series of digital signals defining the parameters for each raster section over a given time interval, which digital signals are selectively varying over said time interval, and selectively varying the parameter input signals over said time interval in response to the digital signals, thereby producing corresponding changes in the scanning patterns of the electron beam, the raster sections produced thereby and the parts of the subject produced thereon.

Claim 7

A method of producing an animation sequence of a subject from a single still view still the subject comprising the steps of scanning each part of the subject as selectively divided into one or more parts to produce video signals representing each part, generating parameter input signals defining the size, shape, position and structure of a raster section for each of said parts of the subject, combining the parameter input signals to generate, in synchronization with the generation of the video signals representing each part of the subject, time varying coordinate signals defining a raster section, modulating the intensity of the electron beam of an electron beam device with the video signals representing each part of the subject while simultaneously directing the scan pattern of the electron beam with the coordinate signals produced in synchronization therewith to reproduce each part of the subject on a separate raster section, establishing a series of digital signals defining the parameters for each raster section over a given time interval, which digital signals are selectively varying over said time interval, and selectively varying the parameter input signals over said time interval in response to the digital signals, thereby producing corresponding changes in the scanning patterns of the electron beam, the raster sections produced thereby and the parts of the subject produced thereon.

Claim 14

A method of producing an animation sequence of an image, the sequence divided into frames between initial and final frames, the method comprising the steps of generating first sets of digital signals representing scan pattern parameters for the initial frame of the sequence, generating second sets of digital signals representing scan pattern parameters for the final frame of the sequence, generating further sets of digital signals using the initial and final digital parameter signals as references representing scan pattern parameters for each frame therebetween in accordance with selected functions defining the patterns of parameter change from frame to frame throughout the sequence, each set of digital signals in each frame representing a distinct scan pattern, converting the digital signals in each set of digital signals to analog signals, generating from each first set of analog signals a distinct scan pattern, the scan patterns from the first sets representing the image of the initial frame, and generating a distinct scan pattern from each further set of analog parameter signals for each subsequent frame through the final frame of the sequence to produce a series of images.

Claim 15

A method of producing an animation sequence of an image, the sequence divided into frames between initial and final frames, the method comprising the steps of generating first sets of digital signals representing scan pattern parameters for the initial frame of the sequence, generating second sets of digital signals representing scan pattern parameters for the final frame of the sequence, generating further sets of digital signals using the initial and final digital parameter signals as references representing scan pattern parameters for each frame therebetween in accordance with selected functions defining the patterns of parameter change from frame to frame throughout the sequence, each set of digital signals in each frame representing a distinct scan pattern, converting the digital signals in each set of digital signals to analog signals, generating from each first set of analog signals a distinct scan pattern, the scan patterns from the first sets representing the image of the initial frame, and generating a distinct scan pattern from each further set of analog parameter signals for each subsequent frame through the final frame of the sequence to produce a series of images.

Claim 21

A method of generating an image comprising the steps of generating horizontal and vertical sweep signals representing straight-line raster scans, establishing sets of digital data, the digital data in each set defining parameters representing the size, shape, position and structure of a raster section, converting the digital data in each set to analog parameter signals, combining the analog parameter signals in each set and the sweep signals in a selected manner and sequence to produce time varying coordinate signals representing a series of raster sections, generating modulation signals, combining the modulation signals with selected ones of the analog parameter signals, the digital signals defining selected raster sections including signals defining the frequency phase, amplitude, and waveform of the modulation signals.

Claim 22

A method of generating an image comprising the steps of generating horizontal and vertical sweep signals representing straight-line raster scans, establishing sets of digital data, the digital data in each set defining parameters representing the size, shape, position and structure of a raster section, converting the digital data in each set to analog parameter signals, combining the analog parameter signals in each set and the sweep signals in a selected manner and sequence to produce time varying coordinate signals representing a series of raster sections, generating modulation signals, combining the modulation signals with selected ones of the analog parameter signals, the digital signals defining selected raster sections including signals defining the frequency phase, amplitude, and waveform of the modulation signals.

Claim 38

A system for generating time varying coordinate signals for producing an animation sequence of an image on a display device, film, or video tape, the system comprising an analog network means having analog inputs and outputs, means for generating horizontal and vertical sweep signals representing straight line raster scans, circuit means associated with the analog network means for generating time varying coordinate signals representing a particular raster section at its outputs from a given set of parameter signals and The sweep signals at its inputs, the parameter signals defining the size, shape, position and structure of the raster section, digital input means for storing and transferring sets of digital data defining the parameters of each raster section to be generated, means for feeding digital data to the digital input means defining each parameter of each raster section to be generated, means for feeding the sets of digital data relating to the parameters of each raster section to be generated from the digital input means in a prescribed sequence, means for converting the sets of digital data from the digital input means to sets of analog parameter signals, means for feeding the sets of analog parameter signals and the sweep signals to the appropriate inputs of the analog network means to produce the time varying coordinate signals representing a series of raster sections, means to generate video signals representing each part of a subject divided into a selected number of parts, the generation of the video signals for each part of the subject being synchronized with the generation of the time varying coordinate signals representing a raster section, and means responsive to the video and coordinate signals for producing a display of the animation sequence of the subject.

Claim 39

A system for generating time varying coordinate signals for producing an animation sequence of an image on a display device, film, or video tape, the system comprising an analog network means having analog inputs and outputs, means for generating horizontal and vertical sweep signals representing straight line raster scans, circuit means associated with the analog network means for generating time varying coordinate signals representing a particular raster section at its outputs from a given set of parameter signals and The sweep signals at its inputs, the parameter signals defining the size, shape, position and structure of the raster section, digital input means for storing and transferring sets of digital data defining the parameters of each raster section to be generated, means for feeding digital data to the digital input means defining each parameter of each raster section to be generated, means for feeding the sets of digital data relating to the parameters of each raster section to be generated from the digital input means in a prescribed sequence, means for converting the sets of digital data from the digital input means to sets of analog parameter signals, means for feeding the sets of analog parameter signals and the sweep signals to the appropriate inputs of the analog network means to produce the time varying coordinate signals representing a series of raster sections, means to generate video signals representing each part of a subject divided into a selected number of parts, the generation of the video signals for each part of the subject being synchronized with the generation of the time varying coordinate signals representing a raster section, and means responsive to the video and coordinate signals for producing a display of the animation sequence of the subject.

Claim 47

A system for generating an animation sequence of an image composed of one or more raster sections, each raster section being defined in terms of size, shape, position and structure by analog parameter signals, the sequence divided into frames between initial and final frames, the system comprising analog network means having coordinate outputs and parameter inputs, means associated with the analog network means for generating time varying coordinate signals at its outputs representing a raster section of a size, shape, position and structure defined from a set of analog parameter signals at its input, digital computer means, means for feeding digital data to the digital computer means defining the parameters of the raster sections for the initial frame of the sequence, means for feeding digital data to the digital computer means defining the parameters of the raster sections for the final frame of the sequence, means associated with the digital computer means for establishing certain parameters of the raster sections between initial and final frames, means for generating as many sets of digital signals as there are raster sections composing the image for each frame, each set of digital signals defining the parameters of a raster section, means for loading the digital signals in each set in timed sequence into a series of interfaCe units beginning with the set defining the first raster section to be generated in the first frame and continuing in timed sequence through the set defining the last raster section to be generated in the last frame, means for simultaneously initiating the transfer of the digital signals from the interface units after the last of the series of interface units is loaded with one set of signals, means for loading the digital signals of the next set into the interface units as soon as the prior set is transferred therefrom, means for converting the digital signals from the interface units to analog signals, and means for applying the analog signals to the inputs of the analog network means to produce time varying coordinate signals at its outputs sequentially representing the raster sections of the image for each frame throughout the sequence.

Claim 48

A system for generating an animation sequence of an image composed of one or more raster sections, each raster section being defined in terms of size, shape, position and structure by analog parameter signals, the sequence divided into frames between initial and final frames, the system comprising analog network means having coordinate outputs and parameter inputs, means associated with the analog network means for generating time varying coordinate signals at its outputs representing a raster section of a size, shape, position and structure defined from a set of analog parameter signals at its input, digital computer means, means for feeding digital data to the digital computer means defining the parameters of the raster sections for the initial frame of the sequence, means for feeding digital data to the digital computer means defining the parameters of the raster sections for the final frame of the sequence, means associated with the digital computer means for establishing certain parameters of the raster sections between initial and final frames, means for generating as many sets of digital signals as there are raster sections composing the image for each frame, each set of digital signals defining the parameters of a raster section, means for loading the digital signals in each set in timed sequence into a series of interfaCe units beginning with the set defining the first raster section to be generated in the first frame and continuing in timed sequence through the set defining the last raster section to be generated in the last frame, means for simultaneously initiating the transfer of the digital signals from the interface units after the last of the series of interface units is loaded with one set of signals, means for loading the digital signals of the next set into the interface units as soon as the prior set is transferred therefrom, means for converting the digital signals from the interface units to analog signals, and means for applying the analog signals to the inputs of the analog network means to produce time varying coordinate signals at its outputs sequentially representing the raster sections of the image for each frame throughout the sequence.