A method of encoding graphical data to be displayed by an output terminal where the output terminal has plural modes of operation and procedures are undertaken to select, using past history and future anticipated operation, the fastest and most efficient mode of operation. In the faster modes, part of the information defining the location to be reached and the symbol to be displayed are stored and remembered. In these modes less information need be transmitted to the terminal to execute a move a...

A method and apparatus utilizes information describing linear line segments in terms (1) the horizontal scan line scan at which the line segment originates, (2) the horizontal position within the line of the point of origin, (3) the direction of the line segment, and (4) the horizontal scan line at which the line segment terminates to generate line segment information on a raster-scan type video display. The line segments can be combined to form polygonal areas that are capable of movement and c...

A method for filling a region inside a closed loop line of a pattern with pixel data having values identical to those of pixel data forming the loop line. One pixel datum of a pixel to be processed is extracted from the image memory, together with pixel data of its neighboring pixels by scanning the image memory at least one time. A logical operation is performed to decide whether or not a value of said one pixel datum should be changed to a value of the pixel datum identical to those of the pix...

In a CAD/CAM plotting system, graphic data relating to an object to be plotted is sequentially input in accordance with instruction of a CAD/CAM program so as to plot a desired shape of the object on a display screen. A schematic outline of the object is one-stroke-sketched on the display screen. The sketched outline of the object is processed in the pattern recongnition and data analysis. Thereafter, coordinate points of the processed outline corresponding to correct dimension values of the obj...

Line patterning apparatus for use with a vector generator comprises a memory storing a plurality of addressable line pattern bit strings. Each string comprises a series of ones and zeros defining a predetermined pattern of dots and/or dashes. Associated with each pattern string is a pattern restart string defining the length of the pattern. The bits of an addressed pattern string and the associated pattern restart string are serially provided by the memory in response to an addressing counter. T...

A graphics display system is disclosed including a memory circuit for storing vector data representing a graphics image, a raster memory circuit for rasterizing the vector data into a second memory for storage, and a processor for controlling the operation of the vector memory and raster memory circuits. The raster data can be displayed on a suitable cathode ray tube monitor, thereby displaying the graphics image on the monitor.

The computer display terminal disclosed herein employs a raster scan type display. For the purpose of encoding and manipulating the data which defines an image to be displayed, the scan area is considered to be divided into a rectilinear array of cells, i.e. rows and columns. The data defining the overall image is coded as a succession of data words, each representing a relatively simple image component lying within a single cell. To permit relatively complex images to be displayed, the apparatu...

A scan-conversion processor converts a graphic primitive defined by its outline to pixel data by storing edge data blocks containing the y-coordinates of the vertices of each edge, the x-coordinate of the lower vertex, and x-coordinate increment data. The edge blocks are linked in ascending order of teir minimum y-coordinate values into edge chains representing consecutive series of upward- or downward-inclined edges. Information indicating the edge inclination can also be stored in each edge da...

In the proposed geometric processing system geometry and space are partitioned into a plurality of subspaces by virtual partitioning lines passing characteristic points of the geometry and geometric sides. Pointers are respectively set for the characteristic points on the left and right side of each subspace. These two pointers set in one subspace point to each other. Each subspace is represented by such a pair of pointers. Based on the above-mentioned partition method, a plurality of subspaces ...

A method of converting image outlline data representative of segments defining an outline of an image area to be reproduced, into dot data representative of image dots which collectively represent the image area. In the method, the outline of the image area is superimposed on a coordinated pixel screen wherein a plurality of vertical pixel lines and a plurality of horizontal pixel lines cooperate to provide intersections defining a matrix of dot positions which are selectively used as the image ...