Abstract: A display system is disclosed utilizing a cathode ray display device utilizing three electron beams which are directed through a shadow mask to excite three-color phosphor dots, and which is incorporated in a system to alternately provide raster scan display signals and calligraphic display signals to obtain the benefits of both raster scan and calligraphic displays (dot or line drawings). A deflection unit is disclosed with the X and Y deflection coils each driven by two pairs of transistor circuits. The transistor circuits are controlled so that alternatively one transistor in each set passes current to provide bi-directional currents at desired levels to obtain specific beam displacement. A resistive element between individual deflection coils provides an indication of deflection current, which indication is processed by a differential amplifier to indicate displacement. In accordance with the instant position of the beam, a convergence unit is controlled to reflect spherical considerations.

Abstract: In a pipeline computer, current instructions executed in sequence are monitored for conditional and unconditional branch commands, as well as the readiness of condition codes, the meeting of branch conditions and split commands. A branch command initiates an interval of delay which affords prefetching target instructions while using pipeline contents to prevent a pipeline break and avoid lost time. Detection of a branch command actuates a register to store a sequence of target instructions. Unless a branch command is conditional, subsequent detection (delayed) of a split command shifts the stored target instructions into operation as the current instructions. For a conditional branch command, a jump or split to the target instructions is performed only if the condition is met. Otherwise the current instruction sequence is restored pending another branch command.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed utilizing a cathode ray display device utilizing three electron beams which are directed through a shadow mask to excite three-color phosphor dots, and which is incorporated in a system to alternately provide raster scan display signals and calligraphic display signals to obtain the benefits of both raster scan and calligraphic displays (dot or line drawings). A deflection unit is disclosed with the X and Y deflection coils each driven by two pairs of transistor circuits. The transistor circuits are controlled so that alternatively one transistor in each set passes current to provide bi-directional currents at desired levels to obtain specific beam displacement. A resistive element between individual deflection coils provides an indication of deflection current, which indication is processed by a differential amplifier to indicate displacement. In accordance with the instant position of the beam, a convergence unit is controlled to reflect spherical considerations.

Abstract: For use in a computer graphics apparatus, a data management system drives a multiple-window dynamic display. The display is formed by areas, e.g. pixels, and windows are variously defined in a display by assigning window codes to groups of areas. Image data for each area provided from a picture system is selectively registered in an image frame buffer in accordance with the defined windows. Valid data binary signals, designating currently valid image data in the image frame buffer are registered in three valid data buffers. The image data for each area is provided for a display from the selectively registered signals in the image frame buffer under control of the window codes and the valid data binary signals. Techniques are thus available for rapidly swapping portions of the frame buffer and selectively clearing and loading the image frame buffer. Areas not specified by signals from the image frame buffer are treated as background and driven with an appropriate display.

Abstract: To accommodate computer graphics delays, the future position and orientation of a simulated vehicle are predicted in an operating sequence by separate coordinated models that are fed data signals indicating the operator's control actions. The control actions are extrapolated to provide further data signals. A suspension model and a nonlinear chassis model operate sequentially with a road model to provide one reference-state input to a prediction model. Other inputs to the prediction model are from the drive train and steering extrapolation units controlled by driver inputs.

Abstract: Image data is composed from primitives (polygons) to attain data for displays with the removal of hidden surfaces and smooth-appearing edges. Defined polygons are tested for priority in a determined field of vision by scan conversion to specify individual picture elements (pixels). Polygon contention for pixels is resolved by determining the edge of intersection between the planes of such polygons and testing the signs of certain values in accordance with predetermined criteria. Subpixel priority is treated for similar resolution to provide improved antialiased images.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the production of real-time, computer-generated images as for projection on a curvilinear surface as on the inside of a dome. A general-purpose computer provides data for visual images and supplies the data in an ordered format. Such data is processed first with regard to viewpoint and second with regard to channel operation. Specifically, viewpoint processing incorporates an object manager and a polygon manager. Channel processing includes a geometric processor and a display processor. The display processor drives a projector for illuminating a spherical surface with the desired images. The geometric processor incorporates several well known elements including a rotator, clippers, a slope calculator and polygon buffer. Additionally, the geometric processor incorporates a segmenter and mapper which replaces the traditional perspective divider to process the data so as to generate images for curvilinear projection.

Abstract: A z-buffer technique of exhaustive sampling is disclosed for rendering general surfaces in a computer graphics system. The system avoids the need for surface normal calculations or the computation of surface intersections with either ray or plane. It employs a dense surface scan of the object, which produces sample points on the surface. The samples thus obtained are passed through viewing transformations and then sorted into a z-buffer. The z-buffer retains the nearest sample to the viewer for each pixel, recording its x, y and z co-ordinates in object space. The surface normal at each pixel is estimated by comparison of neighboring entries and the corresponding intensity value is computed according to a standard illumination model.As disclosed, the system is applicable to a wide variety of surface types, e.g. parametric, implicit and procedurally defined surfaces; and to a wide variety of display styles such as shadowing, texturing and hidden-line.

Abstract: A command language system is disclosed wherein memory stacks register specific definitions for generic names, which definitions are appropriately selected in timely response to a name, on the basis of stack arrangement. A structure is included for searching the stack in order and detecting the first definition for a name of current interest. Thus, the stack is used to define the order of the name searching. As a consequence, in the interpretation of command languages, the user is given control over the context in which the names are executed. Specifically, a command program wil behave according to the definitions of the commands in a current context. The system further includes structure for deleting definitions from the stack which have been used and for sensing the bottom of the stack as a function of control.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed utilizing a cathode ray display device utilizing three electron beams which are directed through a shadow mask to excite three-color phosphor dots, and which is incorporated in a system to alternately provide raster scan display signals and calligraphic display signals to obtain the benefits of both raster scan and calligraphic displays (dot or line drawings). A deflection unit is disclosed with the X and Y deflection coils each driven by two pairs of transistor circuits. The transistor circuits are controlled so that alternatively one transistor in each set passes current to provide bi-directional currents at desired levels to obtain specific beam displacement. A resistive element between individual deflection coils provides an indication of deflection current, which indication is processed by a differential amplifier to indicate displacement. In accordance with the instant position of the beam, a convergence unit is controlled to reflect spherical considerations.