US3925776A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Display terminal system
Assignee: Research Corp
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Filing: 1974-04-18
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1994-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A system of display terminals each receiving from an image generator edges which commonly represent a selected twodimensional projection of three-dimensional objects. Each edge is defined by its intended position on a two-dimensional screen and by attributes for a portion of the screen adjacent the edge. These attributes may include color, brightness, shading and the like. Each display terminal has an edge memory which stores a set of edges ordered by the y-coordinate of their tops and are partially x-ordered. The stored edges are decoded into scanline segments, each segment being the scanline interval between two adjacent edges intersecting that scanline. Each segment is defined by its intended position on the display screen and by its other attributes such as color brightness. The segments are subsequently decoded into video raster points, each point being defined by its position on the display screen and by attributes such as brightness and color. Since only edges are transmitted from the image generator to the terminals, as opposed to a video raster, a relatively low capacity communication link can be used. Since edges are buffered at each display terminal, rather than video raster data, the edge memories inside the terminals need not be excessively large. The conversion of edges to segments and of segments to video raster is fast and efficient, and allows flickerless display of complex color images.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald J Swallow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:25
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/02; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14; G06F3/153; G09G5/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A system of display terminals, each for displaying a raster pattern along regular scanlines on a two-dimensional screen and each receiving edge definitions, each edge definition comprising signals defining a continuous, visible line on the screen and a plurality of selected visible attributes for a two-dimensional portion of the screen adjacent said continuous line, each display terminal comprising: edge memory means for storing edge definitions and means for storing in the edge memory means a selected set of edge definitions ordered along at least one coordinate of the screen; edge-to-segment decoder means for converting at least a selected subset of the edge definitions stored in the edge memory means to definitions of one-dimensional segments along each of a plurality of defined scanlines across the screen, each segment definition comprising signals defining the position and said attributes of a scanline portion adjacent the intersection of the scanline by an edge line, and segment-to-video decoder means for converting the segment definition signals into videO raster points on the screen, each video raster point being produced by an electrical signal defined by the attributes of the coinciding segment, to provide on the screen a video raster representation of at least a selected subset of the set of edges.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
205 words
A system of display terminals, each for displaying a raster pattern along regular scanlines on a two-dimensional screen and each receiving edge definitions, each edge definition comprising signals defining a continuous, visible line on the screen and a plurality of selected visible attributes for a two-dimensional portion of the screen adjacent said continuous line, each display terminal comprising: edge memory means for storing edge definitions and means for storing in the edge memory means a selected set of edge definitions ordered along at least one coordinate of the screen; edge-to-segment decoder means for converting at least a selected subset of the edge definitions stored in the edge memory means to definitions of one-dimensional segments along each of a plurality of defined scanlines across the screen, each segment definition comprising signals defining the position and said attributes of a scanline portion adjacent the intersection of the scanline by an edge line, and segment-to-video decoder means for converting the segment definition signals into videO raster points on the screen, each video raster point being produced by an electrical signal defined by the attributes of the coinciding segment, to provide on the screen a video raster representation of at least a selected subset of the set of edges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said attribute defined by an edge definition include brightness and brightness gradient for the screen portion adjacent the edge line, and said decoder means include means for converting said brightness and brightness gradient attributes of an edge into signals defining corresponding characteristics of corresponding segments and raster points on the screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system as in claim 2 wherein the attributes defined by an edge definition include color for the screen portion adjacent the edge line, and said decoder means include means for converting the signals defining said color attributes into signals defining corresponding characteristics of corresponding segments and raster points on the screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A system as in claim 3 wherein the attributes defined by an edge definition include a linear brightness variation flag specifying linear brightness variation between the two ends of a segment disposed between two intersections of its scanline by an edge line, and the converting means include means for converting the signals defining said linear brightness variation signals into corresponding signals defining corresponding raster points to provide smooth shading of pictorial information displayed on the screen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system as in claim 4 wherein the set of edge definitions in the edge memory means comprises definitions of a plurality of blocks of edges, each block including all edges which have at least a portion within a selected span of one of the coordinates of the screen and wherein the edge-to-segment decoder means comprise means for converting into segment signals the signals defining said blocks of edges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system as in claim 5 wherein the edge definitions stored in the edge memory means are ordered along each of two coordinates of the screen and the edge-to-segment decoding means comprise means for converting the edge signals into segment signals in accordance with said order of the edges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the attributes defined by an edge definition include color for the screen portion adjacent the edge line, and said decoder means include means for converting the signals defining said color attributes into signals defining corresponding characteristics of corresponding segments and raster points on the screen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the attributes defined by an edge definition include linear brightness variation between the two ends of a segment disposed between two intersections of its scanline by an edge line, and the converting means include means for converting the signals defining said linear brightness variation signals into corresponding signals defining corresponding raster points to provide smooth shading of pictorial information displayed on the screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the set of edge definitions in the edge memory means comprises definitions of a plurality of blocks of edges, each block including all edges which have at least a portion within a selected span of one of the coordinates of the screen and wherein the edge-to-segment decoder means comprise means for converting into segment signals the signals defining said blocks of edges.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the edge definitions in the edge memory means are ordered along each of two different coordinates of the screen and the edge-to-segment decoding means comprise means for converting the edge signals into segment signals in accordance with said order of the edges.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein: the edge memory means include a small memory section storing a subset of the set of edge definitions and a large memory section storing the remainder of the set of edge definitions; the edge-to-segment decoder means comprises means for converting to sEgments only the edge definitions stored in the small memory section; and the storing means comprises means for replacing the subset of edge definitions stored in the small memory section with a subset of edge definitions obtained from the large memory section after all edge definitions in the small memory section have been converted to segments.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the set of edge definitions in the edge memory means comprises definitions of a plurality of blocks of edges, each block including all edges which have at least a portion within a selected span of one of the coordinates of the screen, and wherein the storing means comprises means for storing in the small memory section the definitions of a complete block of edges.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the edge memory means comprises N banks and the storing means comprises means for storing the definitions of edges 1, N + 1, 2N + 1 . . . in the first bank, for storing the definitions of edges 2N + 2, 2N + 2 . . . in the second bank, . . . and for storing the definitions of edges N, 2N, 2N, . . . of said set of definitions of edges in the N-th bank.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein each edge definition comprises signals defining the x, y screen coordinates of one end of the edge line, the height and slope of the edge line, the brightness at one end of the edge line and the color for said adjacent portion of the screen, and said decoder means include means for converting the last recited signals into corresponding characteristics of corresponding segments and raster points on the screen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system as in claim 14 wherein said adjacent portion of the screen defined by an edge definition is the screen portion on one side of the edge line extending across the screen up to any other edge lines and said decoder means include means for converting the last-recited signals into corresponding characteristics of corresponding segments and raster points on the last-recited portions of the screen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as in claim 4 wherein the edge definition includes signals defining a gradient of brightness along the edge line and the decoding means includes means for converting the last-recited signals into corresponding characteristics of corresponding segments and raster points on the screen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein the edge definition includes signals defining a linear brightness variation for said screen portion adjacent the edge line and the decoder means include means for converting the last-recited signals into corresponding characteristics of corresponding segments and raster points on the screen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
110 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein: the edge memory means comprise a plurality of banks and the storing means comprise means for storing in each bank a subset of said set of definitions of edges; each bank comprises a small section and a large section and the storing means comprises means for storing in the small section a sub-subset of the subset of definitions of edges stored in the bank and for storing the remaining definitions of edges of the subset in the large section; and the edge-to-segment decoder means comprises means for converting to segments only the definition of edges stored in the small sections of the banks.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
90 words
A system as in claim 18 wherein: the set of edges is divided into blocks, each block including all edges which have a least a portion within a selected span of one of the screen coordinates; and the storing means comprises means for storing the definitions of a single block of edges distributed among the small sections of the memory banks, said small sections containing only the definitions of said single block of edges, and for storing the definitions of any other blocks of edges in the large memory sections.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
100 words
A display terminal, for displaying a raster pattern along regular scanlines on a screen, comprising: edge memory means; means for storing in thE memory means a set of edge definitions, each edge definition comprising signals defining a continuous edge position on the screen and a set of attributes for an associated continuous, two-dimensional portion of the screen; and means for converting at least a selected subset of the set of the edge definitions into signals defining the points of a video raster displayed on the screen, each raster point reflecting said attributes for the screen portion with which it coincides.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
100 words
A display terminal, for displaying a raster pattern along regular scanlines on a screen, comprising: edge memory means; means for storing in thE memory means a set of edge definitions, each edge definition comprising signals defining a continuous edge position on the screen and a set of attributes for an associated continuous, two-dimensional portion of the screen; and means for converting at least a selected subset of the set of the edge definitions into signals defining the points of a video raster displayed on the screen, each raster point reflecting said attributes for the screen portion with which it coincides.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
78 words
A display terminal as in claim 20 wherein the converting means comprise: edge-to-segment decoding means for converting the edge definitions of said subset into signals defining continuous segments of scanlines across said screen, each segment defined by a position on the screen and by a set of the attributes for the portion of the screen which which it coincides; and segment-to-video decoder means for converting each of said segments into signals defining the points of said video raster.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
A display terminal as in claim 21 wherein the means for storing the set of definitions of edges in the memory means comprises means for ordering the stored definitions of edges along a selected first coordinate of the screen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
A display terminal as in claim 22 wherein the storing means comprises means for storing the set of definitions of edges in the memory means divided into a plurality of blocks, each block including the definitions of all edges which have a portion within a selected span of said first screen coordinate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
A display terminal as in claim 23 wherein storing means comprises means for storing the definitions of edges in the memory means ordered along a selected second coordinate of the screen.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A display terminal as in claim 24 wherein the position of an edge and the associated continuous portion of the screen are adjacent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
A display terminal as in claim 25 wherein the attributes for the continuous portion of the screen associated with an edge include the color of said screen portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
A display terminal as in claim 26 wherein said set of attributes include brightness and brightness gradient for the edge position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
A display terminal as in claim 20 wherein the set of edges stored in the memory means are ordered along a selected first coordinate of the screen.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
A display terminal as in claim 20 wherein the set of edges stored in the memory means are divided into a plurality of blocks, each block including all edges which have a portion within a selected span of a first screen coordinate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
A display terminal as in claim 20 wherein the storing means comprises means for ordering the definitions of edges stored in the memory means along each of two coordinates of the screen.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
A display terminal as in claim 20 wherein the position of an edge and of the associated continuous portion of the screen are adjacent.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
52 words
A display terminal as in claim 20 wherein the attributes for the continuous portion of the screen associated with an edge include signals defining the color of said screen portion and the decoder means include means converting the last-recited signals into corresponding characteristics of corresponding segments and raster points on the screen.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
A display terminal as in claim 20 wherein said set of attributes include signals defining the brightness and brightness gradient for the edge position and the decoder means include means converting the last-recited signals into corresponding characteristics of corresponding segments and raster points on the screen.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
120 words
A display terminal system receiving definitions of edges from a single image generator and comprising a plurality of display terminals, each comprising: a display screen; edge memory means for storing definitions of edges; means for storing in the memory means a set of definitions of edges, each edge definition comprising signals defining a continuous edge line position on the screen and a set of attributes for an associated continuous portion of the screen; means for converting at least a selected subset of the set of definitions of edges into a video raster, each raster point defined by signals reflecting said attributes for the screen portion with which it coincides; and means for displaying said video raster on the display screen.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
120 words
A display terminal system receiving definitions of edges from a single image generator and comprising a plurality of display terminals, each comprising: a display screen; edge memory means for storing definitions of edges; means for storing in the memory means a set of definitions of edges, each edge definition comprising signals defining a continuous edge line position on the screen and a set of attributes for an associated continuous portion of the screen; means for converting at least a selected subset of the set of definitions of edges into a video raster, each raster point defined by signals reflecting said attributes for the screen portion with which it coincides; and means for displaying said video raster on the display screen.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of operating a display terminal for displaying a raster pattern along regular scanlines on a screen comprising the steps of: storing in the display terminal a selected set of definitions of edges ordered along at least one coordinate of the screen, each stored edge definition comprising signals defining a visible continuous line on the screen and selected visible attributes of a two-dimensional portion of the screen adjacent said continuous line; combining the signals comprising said selected set of definitions of edges to generate definitions of segments along each of a plurality of the scanlines on the screen, each segment definition comprising signals positioning a portion of a scanline adjacent an edge and causing selected brightness and other characteristics of said scanline portion; and combining the signals defining said segments to derive a sequence of video raster points on the screen to display thereby on the screen on video raster pattern representing at least a selected subset of the edges and of the adjacent two-dimensional portions of the screen.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of operating a display terminal for displaying a raster pattern along regular scanlines on a screen comprising the steps of: storing in the display terminal a selected set of definitions of edges ordered along at least one coordinate of the screen, each stored edge definition comprising signals defining a visible continuous line on the screen and selected visible attributes of a two-dimensional portion of the screen adjacent said continuous line; combining the signals comprising said selected set of definitions of edges to generate definitions of segments along each of a plurality of the scanlines on the screen, each segment definition comprising signals positioning a portion of a scanline adjacent an edge and causing selected brightness and other characteristics of said scanline portion; and combining the signals defining said segments to derive a sequence of video raster points on the screen to display thereby on the screen on video raster pattern representing at least a selected subset of the edges and of the adjacent two-dimensional portions of the screen.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of operating a display terminal for displaying a raster pattern along regular scanlines on a screen comprising the steps of: storing in a memory means a set of definitions of edges, each edge definition comprising signals defining a continuous visible edge position on the screen and a set of attributes for an associated continuous, two-dimensional portion of the screen; and combining said edges to generate a sequence of video raster signals for causing selected video raster points on the screen to form a visible pattern corresponding to said visible edges and adjacent screen portions.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of operating a display terminal for displaying a raster pattern along regular scanlines on a screen comprising the steps of: storing in a memory means a set of definitions of edges, each edge definition comprising signals defining a continuous visible edge position on the screen and a set of attributes for an associated continuous, two-dimensional portion of the screen; and combining said edges to generate a sequence of video raster signals for causing selected video raster points on the screen to form a visible pattern corresponding to said visible edges and adjacent screen portions.
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) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |