Banded vector to raster converter

Claim 3

A method as in claim 1 wherein step (a) includes the steps of: for each of said vectors, determining the coordinates of the origin of said one vector; loading a representation of said one vector origin first and second dimension coordinates into first and second counters, respectively; and incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that after each said incrementation, said counters store a representation of coordinates of a point in said one vector.

Claim 4

A method as in claim 1 wherein said step (b) includes the step of comparing selected higher order bits of a representation of at least one dimension of said coordinates with a predetermined number to determine whether each of said coordinates is within said space.

Claim 5

A method as in claim 1 wherein said steps (a) and (b) include the steps of: determining the coordinates of the origin of said one vector; loading a representation of first and second dimensions of said one vector origin coordinates into first and second counters, respectively; repeatedly incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that after each said incrementation, said counters store a representation of coordinates of a point in said one vector; and for each of said coordinates, comparing at least one dimension of said coordinates representations with a predetermined number to determine whether each of said coordinates is within said space.

Claim 6

A method as in claim 4 wherein said comparing step further comprises the step of comparing selected higher order bits of at least one dimension of said coordinates representations with a predetermined number.

Claim 9

A method as in claim 6 wherein said steps (a) and (b) include the steps of: determining the coordinates of the origin of said one vector; loading a representation of first and second dimensions of said one vector origin coordinates into first and second counters, respectively; repeatedly incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that after each said incrementation, said counters store a representation of coordinates of a point in said one vector; and for each of said coordinates, comparing at least one dimension of said coordinates representations with a predetermined number to determine whether each of said coordinates is within said particular area.

Claim 10

A method as in claim 7 wherein said comparing step further comprises the step of comparing selected higher order bits of at least one dimension of said coordinates representations with a predetermined number.

Claim 11

A method as in claim 1 or 6 wherein said step (a) includes the step of determining said coordinates in accordance with the Bresenham method.

Claim 22

A method as in claim 14 wherein said steps (b) and (c) include the steps of: determining the coordinates of the origin of said one vector; loading a representation of said first and second dimensions of said one vector origin coordinates into first and second counters, respectively; incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that after each said incrementation, said counters store a representation of coordinates of a point in said one vector; and for each of said coordinates, comparing at least one dimension of said coordinates representations with a predetermined number to determine whether each of said coordinates is within said particular area.

Claim 23

A method as in claim 15 wherein said comparing step further comprises the step of comparing selected higher order bits of at least one dimension of said coordinates representations with a predetermined number.

Claim 24

A method as in claim 6 or 14 wherein said particular areas extend the entire distance of one dimension of said space.

Claim 27

A method as in claim 18 wherein said step (d) includes the step of comparing selected higher order bits of a representation of at least one dimension of said coordinates with a predetermined number to determine whether each of said coordinates is within said particular area.

Claim 30

A method as in claim 1, 11 or 20 wherein: said method further comprises the step of storing said vectors in a first memory prior to said step (a); and said retaining step further comprises the step of storing said coordinates in a second memory.

Claim 37

A method as in claim 24 wherein said steps (b) and (c) include the steps of: determining the coordinates of the origin of said one vector; loading a representation of first and second dimensions of said one vector origin coordinates into first and second counters, respectively; incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that after each said incrementation, said counters store a representation of coordinates of a point in said one vector; and for each of said coordinates, comparing at least one dimension of said coordinates representations with a predetermined number to determine whether each of said coordinates is within said second particular area.

Claim 38

A method as in claim 25 wherein said comparing step further comprises the step of comparing selected higher order bits of at least one dimension of said coordinates representations with a predetermined number.

Claim 39

A method as in claim 24 wherein said step (b) includes the step of determining said coordinates in accordance with the Bresenham method.

Claim 42

A method as in claim 28 wherein said step (d) includes the step of comparing selected higher order bits of a representation of at least one dimension of said coordinates with a predetermined number to determine whether each of said coordinates is within said second particular area.

Claim 43

A method as in claim 28 wherein: said first and second memories each includes first and second portions; and said method further comprises the steps of: loading vectors into said first memory first portion while vectors are being read out from said first memory second portion until said first memory first portion is completely loaded with vectors and all of the vectors in said first memory second portion have been read out and then loading vectors into said first memory second portion while vectors are being read out of said first memory first portion, and loading coordinates into said second memory first portion while reading out coordinates from said second memory second portion until said second memory first portion is entirely loaded with coordinates and all of said coordinates in said second memory second portion are read out, and then loading coordinates into said second memory second portion while reading out coordinates from said second memory first portion.

Claim 50

A method as in claim 10 or 33 further comprising the steps of: loading vectors into a first portion of said first memory while vectors are being read out from a second portion of said first memory until said first memory first portion is completely loaded with vectors and all of the vectors in said first memory second portion have been read out and then loading vectors into said first memory second portion while vectors are being read out of said first memory first portion; and loading coordinates into a first portion of said second memory while reading out coordinates from a second portion of said second memory until said second memory first portion is entirely loaded with coordinates and all of said coordinates in said second memory second portion are read out, and then loading coordinates into said second memory second portion while reading out coordinates from said second memory first portion.

Claim 55

A method as in claim 24 or 36 wherein said first particular areas and said second particular areas extend the entire distance of one dimension of said space.

Claim 58

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for serially selecting each of said vectors until all of said vectors have been selected; first means, coupled to said selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first determining means, for determining whether each of said coordinates is within said space; and means, coupled to said second determining means, for retaining said coordinates favorably determined by said second determining means.

Claim 59

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for serially selecting each of said vectors until all of said vectors have been selected; first means, coupled to said selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first determining means, for determining whether each of said coordinates is within said space; and means, coupled to said second determining means, for retaining said coordinates favorably determined by said second determining means.

Claim 60

Apparatus as in claim 39 wherein: said apparatus further comprises vector memory means for storing said vectors, said selecting means being coupled to said vector memory means; and said means for retaining includes raster memory means for storing said coordinates favorably determined in said second determining means.

Claim 61

Apparatus as in claim 39 wherein said first determining means further comprises: a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; and means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters after each incrementation represents the coordinates of a point in said selected vector.

Claim 62

Apparatus as in claim 39 wherein said first and second determining means further comprises: a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; and means, coupled to at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing at least one of said first and second counter outputs with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said space.

Claim 63

Apparatus as in claim 39 wherein said first and second determining means further comprises: a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of a selected vector selected by said selecting means into said first counter; means, coupled to said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; and means, coupled to at least one of said first and and second counters, for comparing selected higher order bits of at least one of said first and second counter outputs with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said space.

Claim 64

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of particular areas until all of said space has been covered; second means for serially selecting each of said vectors until all of said vectors have been selected for each of said particular areas; first means, coupled to said second selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first selecting means and said first determining means, for determining whether each of said coordinates is within said selected particular area; means, coupled to said second determining means, for retaining said coordinates favorably determined by said second determining means; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after said second selecting means has selected all of said vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 65

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of particular areas until all of said space has been covered; second means for serially selecting each of said vectors until all of said vectors have been selected for each of said particular areas; first means, coupled to said second selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first selecting means and said first determining means, for determining whether each of said coordinates is within said selected particular area; means, coupled to said second determining means, for retaining said coordinates favorably determined by said second determining means; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after said second selecting means has selected all of said vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 66

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: vector memory means for storing representations of said vectors; first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of particular areas until all of said space has been covered; second means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors have been selected for each of said particular areas; first means, coupled to said second selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first selecting means and said first determining means, for determining whether each of said coordinates are within said selected particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said second determining means, for storing said coordinates favorably determined by said second determining means; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting said coordinates stored in said raster memory means after said second selecting means has selected all of said vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 67

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: vector memory means for storing representations of said vectors; first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of particular areas until all of said space has been covered; second means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors have been selected for each of said particular areas; first means, coupled to said second selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first selecting means and said first determining means, for determining whether each of said coordinates are within said selected particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said second determining means, for storing said coordinates favorably determined by said second determining means; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting said coordinates stored in said raster memory means after said second selecting means has selected all of said vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 68

Apparatus as in claim 45 wherein: said raster memory means includes first and second portions; and said apparatus further comprises means, coupled to said raster memory means, for first directing coordinates from said first determining means in response to a favorable determination to said raster memory means first portion while said outputting means obtains coordinates from said raster memory means second portion until all vectors in said vector memory means have been processed by said second selecting means and said first determining means and said outputting means has output all of said vectors in said raster memory means second portion, and then directing coordinates from said first determining means in response to a favorable determination to said raster memory means second portion while said outputting means obtains coordinates from said raster memory means first portion.

Claim 69

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of particular areas until all of said space has been covered; second means for serially selecting each of said vectors until all of said vectors have been selected for each of said particular areas; means, coupled to said second selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; means, coupled to said first selecting means and said determining means, for comparing higher order bits of binary representations of at least one dimension of said coordinates with a predetermined number to determine whether said coordinates are within said selected particular area; means, coupled to said comparing means, for retaining said coordinates favorably compared by said comparing means; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after said second selecting means has selected all of said vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 70

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of particular areas until all of said space has been covered; second means for serially selecting each of said vectors until all of said vectors have been selected for each of said particular areas; means, coupled to said second selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; means, coupled to said first selecting means and said determining means, for comparing higher order bits of binary representations of at least one dimension of said coordinates with a predetermined number to determine whether said coordinates are within said selected particular area; means, coupled to said comparing means, for retaining said coordinates favorably compared by said comparing means; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after said second selecting means has selected all of said vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 71

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of particular areas until all of said space has been covered; second means for serially selecting each of said vectors until all of said vectors have been selected for each of said particular areas; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said first selecting means and said first and second counters, for determining whether said coordinates at outputs of said first and second counters are within said selected particular area; means, coupled to said determining means and said first and second counters, for retaining said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable determination; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after all of said vectors have been selected for one of said particular areas.

Claim 72

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of particular areas until all of said space has been covered; second means for serially selecting each of said vectors until all of said vectors have been selected for each of said particular areas; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said first selecting means and said first and second counters, for determining whether said coordinates at outputs of said first and second counters are within said selected particular area; means, coupled to said determining means and said first and second counters, for retaining said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable determination; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after all of said vectors have been selected for one of said particular areas.

Claim 73

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: vector memory means for storing said vectors; first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of particular areas until all of said space has been covered; second means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors have been selected for each of said particular areas; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said first selecting means and said at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing outputs of at least one of said first and second counters with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said comparing means and said first and second counters, for storing said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable comparison; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting the contents of said raster memory means after all vectors stored in said vector memory means have been selected for one of said particular areas.

Claim 74

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: vector memory means for storing said vectors; first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of particular areas until all of said space has been covered; second means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors have been selected for each of said particular areas; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said first selecting means and said at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing outputs of at least one of said first and second counters with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said comparing means and said first and second counters, for storing said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable comparison; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting the contents of said raster memory means after all vectors stored in said vector memory means have been selected for one of said particular areas.

Claim 75

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of particular areas within said space and for serially selecting each of said particular areas until all of said space has been covered; means, coupled to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of said vectors identified by said identifying and selecting means until all of said vectors in said selected particular area have been selected; first means, coupled to said selecting means for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first determining means, for determining whether each of said coordinates is within said selected particular area; means, coupled to said second determining means, for retaining said coordinates favorably determined in said second determining means; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after said second selecting means has selected all of said identified vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 76

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of particular areas within said space and for serially selecting each of said particular areas until all of said space has been covered; means, coupled to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of said vectors identified by said identifying and selecting means until all of said vectors in said selected particular area have been selected; first means, coupled to said selecting means for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first determining means, for determining whether each of said coordinates is within said selected particular area; means, coupled to said second determining means, for retaining said coordinates favorably determined in said second determining means; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after said second selecting means has selected all of said identified vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 77

Apparatus as in claim 44 or 50 wherein said particular areas have one dimension the same as one dimension of said space.

Claim 78

Apparatus as in claim 44 or 50 wherein said first and second determining means further comprises: a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said vector selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said vector selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; and means, coupled to at least one of said counters, for comparing at least one of said first and second counter outputs with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected particular area.

Claim 79

Apparatus as in claim 44 or 50 wherein said first and second determining means further comprises: a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said vector selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of a selected vector selected by said vector selecting means into said first counter; means, coupled to said vector selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; and means, coupled to at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing selected higher order bits of at least one of said first and second counter outputs with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected particular area.

Claim 80

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said particular areas have been stored; means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors identified by said identifying means and stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in each of said selected particular areas have been selected; first means, coupled to said selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first determining means, for determining whether each of said coordinates is within said selected particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said second determining means, for storing said coordinates favorably determined by said second determining means; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting said coordinates stored in said raster memory means after said second selecting means has selected all of said identified vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 81

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said particular areas have been stored; means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors identified by said identifying means and stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in each of said selected particular areas have been selected; first means, coupled to said selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first determining means, for determining whether each of said coordinates is within said selected particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said second determining means, for storing said coordinates favorably determined by said second determining means; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting said coordinates stored in said raster memory means after said second selecting means has selected all of said identified vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 82

Apparatus as in claim 45 or 54 wherein said second determining means includes means for comparing higher order bits of binary representations of at least one dimension of said coordinates with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates are within said selected particular area.

Claim 83

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of particular areas within said space and for serially selecting each of said particular areas until all of said space has been covered; means, responsive to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of said vectors identified by said identifying and selecting means until all of said vectors in said selected particular area have been selected; means, coupled to said vector selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; means, coupled to said determining means, for comparing higher order bits of a binary representation of at least one dimension of said coordinates with a predetermined number to determine whether said coordinates are within said selected particular area; means, coupled to said comparing means, for retaining said coordinates favorably compared in said comparing means; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after said second selecting means has selected all of said identified vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 84

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of particular areas within said space and for serially selecting each of said particular areas until all of said space has been covered; means, responsive to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of said vectors identified by said identifying and selecting means until all of said vectors in said selected particular area have been selected; means, coupled to said vector selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; means, coupled to said determining means, for comparing higher order bits of a binary representation of at least one dimension of said coordinates with a predetermined number to determine whether said coordinates are within said selected particular area; means, coupled to said comparing means, for retaining said coordinates favorably compared in said comparing means; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after said second selecting means has selected all of said identified vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 85

Apparatus as in claim 56 further comprising: vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing all of said vectors in each of said particular areas, said vector selecting means being responsive to said vector memory means; and said means for retaining includes raster memory means for storing said coordinates retained by said retaining means.

Claim 86

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying all vectors which have at least a portion in a corresponding one of a plurality of particular areas within said space and for serially selecting each of said particular areas until all of said space has been covered; means, coupled to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of said vectors in said selected predetermined area until all of said vectors have been selected; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said vector selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said vector selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for determining whether said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected particular area; means, coupled to said determining means and said first and second counters, for retaining said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable determination; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained in said retaining means after said second selecting means has selected all of said vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 87

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying all vectors which have at least a portion in a corresponding one of a plurality of particular areas within said space and for serially selecting each of said particular areas until all of said space has been covered; means, coupled to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of said vectors in said selected predetermined area until all of said vectors have been selected; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said vector selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said vector selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for determining whether said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected particular area; means, coupled to said determining means and said first and second counters, for retaining said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable determination; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained in said retaining means after said second selecting means has selected all of said vectors for one of said particular areas.

Claim 88

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said particular areas have been stored; means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in said selected particular area have been selected; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing outputs of at least one of said first and second counters with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said comparing means and said first and second counters, for storing said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable comparison; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting the contents of said raster memory means after all vectors stored in said vector memory means have been selected for one of said particular areas.

Claim 89

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said particular areas have been stored; means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in said selected particular area have been selected; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing outputs of at least one of said first and second counters with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said comparing means and said first and second counters, for storing said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable comparison; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting the contents of said raster memory means after all vectors stored in said vector memory means have been selected for one of said particular areas.

Claim 90

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space and for serially selecting each of said first particular areas until all of said space has been covered; first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of second particular areas within said selected first particular area until the entire said selected first particular area has been covered; second means for serially selecting each of said vectors identified by said identifying and selecting means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each second particular area; first means, coupled to said second selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first determining means, for determining whether each of said coordinates is within said selected second particular area; means, coupled to said second determining means, for retaining said coordinates favorably determined by said second determining means; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after said third selecting means has selected all of said identified vectors for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 91

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space and for serially selecting each of said first particular areas until all of said space has been covered; first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of second particular areas within said selected first particular area until the entire said selected first particular area has been covered; second means for serially selecting each of said vectors identified by said identifying and selecting means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each second particular area; first means, coupled to said second selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first determining means, for determining whether each of said coordinates is within said selected second particular area; means, coupled to said second determining means, for retaining said coordinates favorably determined by said second determining means; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after said third selecting means has selected all of said identified vectors for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 92

Apparatus as in claim 60 wherein said first and second determining means further comprises: a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; and means, coupled to at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing at least one of said first and second counter outputs with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected second particular area.

Claim 93

Apparatus as in claim 60 wherein said first and second determining means further comprises: a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of a selected vector selected by said first selecting means into said first counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; and means, coupled to at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing selected higher order bits of at least one of said first and second counter outputs with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected second particular area.

Claim 94

Apparatus as in claim 39, 44 or 60 wherein said first determining means includes means for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors in accordance with the Bresenham method.

Claim 95

Apparatus as in claim 63 wherein said first determining means further comprises: a first multiplexer having a first input responsive to the change in one dimension between ends of said selected vector; a second multiplexer having a first input responsive to the change in another dimension between ends of said selected vector; a first register coupled to an output of said first multiplexer; a second register coupled to an output of said second multiplexer; means, coupled to said first register and said second multiplexer, for transmitting the output of said first register to a second input of said second multiplexer; means, coupled to said second register and said first multiplexer, for transmitting the output of said second register to a second input of said first multiplexer; an AND gate having a first input coupled to the output of said second register and a second input; first arithmetic means having a first input coupled to the output of said first register and a second input coupled to the output of said AND gate, said arithmetic means producing an output related to the difference between said first input and said second input, the most significant bit of an output of said arithmetic means controlling said first and second multiplexers; second arithmetic means having a first input coupled to said first arithmetic means output and a second input, said second arithmetic means producing an output related to the sum of said first and second inputs, said second input of said AND gate and said second determining means being coupled to said second arithmetic means output; and an accumulator coupled to the output of said second arithmetic means, said second arithmetic means second input being coupled to the output of said accumulator.

Claim 96

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said first particular areas have been stored; first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of second particular areas within said selected first particular area until the entire said selected first particular area has been covered; second means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each said second particular area; first means, coupled to said second selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first determining means and said first selecting means, for determining whether each of said coordinates are within said selected second particular areas; raster memory means, coupled to said second determining means, for storing representations of said coordinates favorably determined in said second determining means; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting said coordinates stored in said raster memory means after said second selecting means has selected all of said identified vectors for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 97

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said first particular areas have been stored; first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of second particular areas within said selected first particular area until the entire said selected first particular area has been covered; second means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each said second particular area; first means, coupled to said second selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; second means, coupled to said first determining means and said first selecting means, for determining whether each of said coordinates are within said selected second particular areas; raster memory means, coupled to said second determining means, for storing representations of said coordinates favorably determined in said second determining means; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting said coordinates stored in said raster memory means after said second selecting means has selected all of said identified vectors for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 98

Apparatus as in claim 54 or 65 wherein said second determining means includes means for comparing higher order bits of binary representations of at least one dimension of said coordinates with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates are within said selected second particular area.

Claim 99

Apparatus as in claim 65 wherein: said raster memory means and said vector memory means each includes first and second portions; and said apparatus further comprises: means, coupled to said vector memory means, for first directing vectors from said identifying means to said vector memory means first portion while said first selecting means selects vectors from said vector memory means second portion until said identifying means has identified all vectors in one of said first particular areas and said first selecting means has selected all of said vectors in said vector memory means second portion, and then directing vectors from said identifying means to said vector memory means second portion while said first selecting means selects vectors from said vector memory means first portion, and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for first directing coordinates from said first determining means in response to a favorable determination to said raster memory means first portion while said outputting means obtains coordinates from aid raster memory means second portion until all vectors in said vector memory means have been processed by said second selecting means and said first determining means and said outputting means has output all of said coordinates in said raster memory means second portion, and then directing coordinates from said first determining means in response to a favorable determination to said raster memory means second portion while said outputting means obtains coordinates from said raster memory means first portion.

Claim 100

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space and for serially selecting each of said first particular areas until all of said space has been covered; first means, coupled to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of a plurality of second particular areas within said selected first particular area until the entire said selected first particular area has been covered; second means, coupled to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of said vectors identified by said identifying and selecting means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each second particular area; means, coupled to said second selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; means, coupled to said determining means, for comparing higher order bits of binary representations of at least one dimension of said coordinates with a predetermined number to determine whether said coordinates are within said selected second particular area; means, coupled to said comparing means, for retaining said coordinates favorably compared by said comparing means; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after said third selecting means has selected all of said identified vectors for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 101

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space and for serially selecting each of said first particular areas until all of said space has been covered; first means, coupled to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of a plurality of second particular areas within said selected first particular area until the entire said selected first particular area has been covered; second means, coupled to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of said vectors identified by said identifying and selecting means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each second particular area; means, coupled to said second selecting means, for determining the coordinates of a plurality of points in each of said selected vectors; means, coupled to said determining means, for comparing higher order bits of binary representations of at least one dimension of said coordinates with a predetermined number to determine whether said coordinates are within said selected second particular area; means, coupled to said comparing means, for retaining said coordinates favorably compared by said comparing means; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said coordinates retained by said retaining means after said third selecting means has selected all of said identified vectors for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 102

Apparatus as in claim 68 wherein: said apparatus further comprises vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing all of said vectors in each of said first particular areas, said second selecting means being coupled to said vector memory means; and said means for retaining includes raster memory means for storing said coordinates retained by said retaining means.

Claim 103

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying all vectors which have at least a portion in a corresponding one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space and for serially selecting one of said first particular areas until all of said space has been covered; first means, coupled to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of a plurality of second particular areas within said selected first particular area until all of said selected first particular area has been covered; second means, coupled to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of said vectors in said selected first particular area until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each second particular area; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for determining whether said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected second particular area; means, coupled to said determining means and said first and second counters, for retaining said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable determination; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said retained coordinates after said third selecting means has selected all of said vectors for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 104

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying all vectors which have at least a portion in a corresponding one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space and for serially selecting one of said first particular areas until all of said space has been covered; first means, coupled to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of a plurality of second particular areas within said selected first particular area until all of said selected first particular area has been covered; second means, coupled to said identifying and selecting means, for serially selecting each of said vectors in said selected first particular area until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each second particular area; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said second selecting means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for determining whether said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected second particular area; means, coupled to said determining means and said first and second counters, for retaining said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable determination; and means, coupled to said retaining means, for outputting said retained coordinates after said third selecting means has selected all of said vectors for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 105

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said particular areas have been stored; first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of second particular areas within each said first particular area; second means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors identified by said identifying means and stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each second particular area; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters; for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said first and second counters, and said first selecting means, for determining whether said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected second particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said determining means and said first and second counters, for storing said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable determination; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting the contents of said raster memory means after all vectors in said selected first particular area and stored in said vector memory means have been selected for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 106

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said particular areas have been stored; first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of second particular areas within each said first particular area; second means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors identified by said identifying means and stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each second particular area; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters; for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said first and second counters, and said first selecting means, for determining whether said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected second particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said determining means and said first and second counters, for storing said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable determination; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting the contents of said raster memory means after all vectors in said selected first particular area and stored in said vector memory means have been selected for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 107

Apparatus as in claim 71 wherein: said raster memory means and said vector memory means each includes first and second portions; and said apparatus further comprises: means, coupled to said vector memory means, for first directing vectors from said identifying means to said vector memory means first portion while said second selecting means selects vectors from said vector memory means second portion until said identifying means has identified all vectors in one of said first particular areas and said second selecting means has selected all of said vectors in said vector memory means second portion, and then directing vectors from said identifying means to said vector memory means second portion while said second selecting means selects vectors from said vector memory means first portion, and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for first directing coordinates from said first and second counters in response to a favorable determination to said raster memory means first portion while said outputting means obtains coordinates from said raster memory means second portion until all vectors in said vector memory means have been processed by the plurality of said loading means and said incrementing means and said outputting means has output all of said vectors in said raster memory means second portion, and then directing coordinates from said first and second counters in response to a favorable determination to said raster memory means second portion while said outputting means obtains coordinates from said raster memory means first portion.

Claim 108

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said first particular areas have been stored; first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of second particular areas within each said first particular area; second means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each said second particular area; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said first selecting means and at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing outputs of at least one of said first and second counters with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected second particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said comparing means and said first and second counters, for storing said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable comparison; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting the contents of said raster memory means after all vectors in said selected first particular area and stored in said vector memory means have been selected for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 109

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said first particular areas have been stored; first means for serially selecting each of a plurality of second particular areas within each said first particular area; second means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each said second particular area; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; means, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters so that the output of said first and second counters represents coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said first selecting means and at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing outputs of at least one of said first and second counters with a predetermined number to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected second particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said comparing means and said first and second counters, for storing said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable comparison; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting the contents of said raster memory means after all vectors in said selected first particular area and stored in said vector memory means have been selected for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 110

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said first particular areas have been stored; means for serially storing raster band numbers, each representative of a selected second particular area within each said first particular area; means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each second particular area corresponding to a number stored in said raster band storing means; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; a first register; a second register; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said first register, for loading the change in said first dimension between the origin and end of said selected vector in said first register; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said second register, for loading the change in said second dimension between the origin and end of said selected vector in said second register; means, coupled to said first and second counters and said first and second registers, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters in accordance with the Bresenham method, the output of said first and second counters representing coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said storing means and at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing higher order bits of at least one of said first and second counter outputs with one of said raster band numbers to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected second particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said comparing means and said first and second counters, for storing said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable comparison; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting the contents of said raster memory means after all vectors in said selected first particular area and stored in said vector memory means have been selected for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 111

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said first particular areas have been stored; means for serially storing raster band numbers, each representative of a selected second particular area within each said first particular area; means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each second particular area corresponding to a number stored in said raster band storing means; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; a first register; a second register; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said first register, for loading the change in said first dimension between the origin and end of said selected vector in said first register; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said second register, for loading the change in said second dimension between the origin and end of said selected vector in said second register; means, coupled to said first and second counters and said first and second registers, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters in accordance with the Bresenham method, the output of said first and second counters representing coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said storing means and at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing higher order bits of at least one of said first and second counter outputs with one of said raster band numbers to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected second particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said comparing means and said first and second counters, for storing said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable comparison; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting the contents of said raster memory means after all vectors in said selected first particular area and stored in said vector memory means have been selected for one of said second particular areas.

Claim 112

Apparatus as in claim 60 or 74 wherein said first and second particular areas have one dimension the same as one dimension of said space.

Claim 113

Apparatus as in claim 74 wherein said incremental changing means further comprises: a first multiplexer having a first input coupled to said first register; a second multiplexer having a first input coupled to said second register; a third register coupled to an output of said first multiplexer; a fourth register coupled to an output of said second multiplexer; means, coupled to said third register and said second multiplexer, for transmitting the output of said third register to a second input of said second multiplexer; means, coupled to said fourth register and said first multiplexer, for transmitting the output of said fourth register to a second input of said first multiplexer; an AND gate having one input coupled to the output of said fourth register; first arithmetic means having a first input coupled to the output of said third register and a second input coupled to the output of said AND gate, said arithmetic means producing an output related to the difference between said first input and said second input, the most significant bit of an output of said arithmetic means controlling said first and second multiplexers; second arithmetic means having a first input coupled to said first arithmetic means output and a second input, said second arithmetic means producing an output related to the sum of said first and second inputs, another input of said AND gate and said first and second counters being coupled to said second arithmetic means output; and an accumulator coupled to the output of said second arithmetic means, said second arithmetic means second input being coupled to the output of said accumulator.

Claim 114

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said first predetermined particular areas have been stored, said vector memory means having first and second portions; means for serially storing raster band numbers, each representative of a selected second particular area within each said first particular area; means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each second particular area corresponding to a number stored in said raster band number storing means; means, coupled to said vector memory means, for first directing vectors from said identifying means to said vector memory means first portion while said selecting means selects vectors from said vector memory means second portion until said identifying means has identified all vectors in one of said first particular areas and said selecting means has selected all of said vectors in said vector memory means second portion, and then directing vectors from said identifying means to said vector memory means second portion while said selecting means selects vectors from said vector memory means first portion; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; a first register; a second register; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said first register, for loading the change in said first dimension between the origin and end of said selected vector in said first register; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said second register, for loading the change in said second dimension between the origin and end of said selected vector in said second register; means, coupled to said first and second counters and said first and second registers, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters in accordance with the Bresenham method, the output of said first and second counters representing coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said storing means and at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing higher order bits of at least one of said first and second counters outputs with one of said raster band numbers to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected second particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said comparing means and said first and second counters, for storing said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable comparison, said raster memory means including first and second portions; means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting the contents of said raster memory means after all vectors stored in said vector memory means have been selected for one of said second particular areas; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for first directing coordinates from said first and second counters, in response to a favorable comparison, to said raster memory means first portion while said outputting means obtains coordinates from said raster memory means second portion until all vectors in one of said first and second portions of said vector memory means have been processed by the plurality of said loading means and said incrementing means and said outputting means has output all of said vectors in said raster memory means second portion, and then directing coordinates from said first and second counters, in response to a favorable comparison, to said raster memory means second portion while said outputting means obtains coordinates from said raster memory means first portion.

Claim 115

Apparatus for rasterizing vectors in a predetermined space comprising: means for identifying groups of vectors, each of said groups including all vectors which have at least a portion in a selected one of a plurality of first particular areas within said space; vector memory means, coupled to said identifying means, for serially storing representations of each of said groups of vectors until said vectors in all of said first predetermined particular areas have been stored, said vector memory means having first and second portions; means for serially storing raster band numbers, each representative of a selected second particular area within each said first particular area; means, coupled to said vector memory means, for serially selecting each of said vectors stored in said vector memory means until all of said vectors in said selected first particular area have been selected for each second particular area corresponding to a number stored in said raster band number storing means; means, coupled to said vector memory means, for first directing vectors from said identifying means to said vector memory means first portion while said selecting means selects vectors from said vector memory means second portion until said identifying means has identified all vectors in one of said first particular areas and said selecting means has selected all of said vectors in said vector memory means second portion, and then directing vectors from said identifying means to said vector memory means second portion while said selecting means selects vectors from said vector memory means first portion; a first counter; a second counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said first counter, for loading a first dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said first counter; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said second counter, for loading a second dimension coordinate of the origin of said selected vector into said second counter; a first register; a second register; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said first register, for loading the change in said first dimension between the origin and end of said selected vector in said first register; means, coupled to said vector memory means and said second register, for loading the change in said second dimension between the origin and end of said selected vector in said second register; means, coupled to said first and second counters and said first and second registers, for incrementally changing at least one of said first and second counters in accordance with the Bresenham method, the output of said first and second counters representing coordinates of points in said selected vector; means, coupled to said storing means and at least one of said first and second counters, for comparing higher order bits of at least one of said first and second counters outputs with one of said raster band numbers to determine if said coordinates at said first and second counter outputs are within said selected second particular area; raster memory means, coupled to said comparing means and said first and second counters, for storing said first and second counter outputs in response to a favorable comparison, said raster memory means including first and second portions; means, coupled to said raster memory means, for outputting the contents of said raster memory means after all vectors stored in said vector memory means have been selected for one of said second particular areas; and means, coupled to said raster memory means, for first directing coordinates from said first and second counters, in response to a favorable comparison, to said raster memory means first portion while said outputting means obtains coordinates from said raster memory means second portion until all vectors in one of said first and second portions of said vector memory means have been processed by the plurality of said loading means and said incrementing means and said outputting means has output all of said vectors in said raster memory means second portion, and then directing coordinates from said first and second counters, in response to a favorable comparison, to said raster memory means second portion while said outputting means obtains coordinates from said raster memory means first portion.