Matrix display simulation

Claim 2

Matrix display simulation apparatus comprising the combination of: means for coding an input image into a first array of digital signals of magnitudes representing image density at each input image pixel; means for conforming the digital signal magnitudes representing predetermined numbers of adjacent pixels in said input image to a common value, a second array of said common value signals being capable of representing said input image in decreased resolution, larger pixel form; means for scaling the range of density values in said common value signal second array into a third array of predetermined dynamic signal range; fourth array random number means of predetermined numeric means and variance for amplitude modulating similar magnitude values in said predetermined dynamic range third array, thereby forming a pseudo noise modulated fifth array of pixel density values; cathode ray tube display means for reconstructing said fifth array of pixel density values into an output image having controlled resolution, dynamic range and pseudo noise modulation; grid writing means for obscuring from said display image a matrix element interstice simulating grid of periodically spaced orthogonal bands, said bands having controllable grid line spacing, width and pixel density.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for coding includes electronic scanning apparatus.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for equalizing includes a predetermined equalizing algorithm.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for controlling the viewing angle subtended by a display image pixel.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said viewing angle control means includes control of the display means to viewer separation distance.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for equalizing signal magnitudes includes: means for reducing the physical size of said input image by a predetermined area factor while maintaining fixed pixel element sensing resolution and means for replicating each pixel in the reduced image a predetermined number of times.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for maintaining the image density of said output image at a constant value between said grid bands.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said orthogonal grid bands are oriented in the horizontal and vertical directions on said display means.

Claim 12

Matrix display simulation apparatus comprising: a digital computer (100); a cathode ray tube visual monitor controlled by said digital computer (108, 112); means (102) for digitizing an input image pixel by pixel into a first array of numeric values, said digitizing including grey scale numeric values for each said input image pixel; means (116) cooperative with said digital computer and selective of predetermined periodic of said input image array pixel values for generating a second, smaller array of numeric values representative of said input image with reduced physical size and reduced pixel count; means (116) cooperative with said digital computer for generating and combining with said second smaller array numeric values a random noise signal; means (116) cooperative with said digital computer for replicating each of said noise combined, reduced size and pixel count array values to form a third numeric value array larger than said second array and of said input image first array size and reduced image resolution; means (116) cooperative with said digital computer for replacing each of said input image grey scale values with a grey scale value selected from a predetermined smaller range of grey scale values according to a predetermined selection relationship, thereby forming a fourth numeric value array; and means (116) for replacing selected periodic of said fourth array values with grid matrix interstice line grey scale values of predetermined line width and grey scale; whereby said apparatus enables a conveniently alterable matrix display simulation of said input image with selectable display grid line, grey scale resolution, pixel size and noise content.

Claim 13

Matrix display simulation apparatus comprising: a digital computer (100); a cathode ray tube visual monitor controlled by said digital computer (108, 112); means (102) for digitizing an input image pixel by pixel into a first array of numeric values, said digitizing including grey scale numeric values for each said input image pixel; means (116) cooperative with said digital computer and selective of predetermined periodic of said input image array pixel values for generating a second, smaller array of numeric values representative of said input image with reduced physical size and reduced pixel count; means (116) cooperative with said digital computer for generating and combining with said second smaller array numeric values a random noise signal; means (116) cooperative with said digital computer for replicating each of said noise combined, reduced size and pixel count array values to form a third numeric value array larger than said second array and of said input image first array size and reduced image resolution; means (116) cooperative with said digital computer for replacing each of said input image grey scale values with a grey scale value selected from a predetermined smaller range of grey scale values according to a predetermined selection relationship, thereby forming a fourth numeric value array; and means (116) for replacing selected periodic of said fourth array values with grid matrix interstice line grey scale values of predetermined line width and grey scale; whereby said apparatus enables a conveniently alterable matrix display simulation of said input image with selectable display grid line, grey scale resolution, pixel size and noise content.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for generating and combining random noise includes means for selectively generating additive and multiplicative noise.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for generating a second, smaller array and said means for replicating comprise a common means having elective reduction and enlargement capability.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means cooperative with said digital computer comprises computer software.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said computer software comprises a plurality of subroutines each capable of performing one of said means cooperative element functional steps.