Abstract: A connection condition between two adjacent original surfaces, selected from a plurality of connected original surfaces, is determined as to whether it is smooth, concave, or convex. Then, each of the original surfaces is offset at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface, to obtain an offset surface. Also, an original loop for each of the original surfaces is offset at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges to obtain an offset loop. Then, a new surface between two adjacent offset loops is interpolated when the connection condition is convex. A self-interference portion is removed when the connection condition is concave, so as to obtain a plurality of offset surfaces based on the plurality of original surfaces.

Abstract: A high performance computer graphics image computation system architecture is disclosed. The system architecture includes a computational processor ring which includes a plurality of closely coupled computational subsystems. The computational subsystems operate asynchronously and each is interconnected with two adjacent computational subsystems. The architecture of the processor ring allows rapid communication between the computational subsystems while avoiding a deadlock condition. The system architecture also includes a video processor ring wherein a plurality of video processors are synchronously linked together. A plurality of local communication paths couple the computational subsystems to the video processors. The video processor ring is able to move massive amounts of data, in the form of digital video signals, from various points within the system.

Abstract: A computer input system for Chinese and Japanese characters. The different strokes for composing the characters are classified into different groups, each identified by a code number. The strings of code numbers are stored in memory where the strings contain only as many code numbers as are necessary to identify the characters. Strings for two or more characters used together as compounds are also stored. When a code number entered by an operator matches a string stored, a controller causes the shape of the actual character to be fetched from memory and displayed. For some characters, partial characters are also stored and are fetched and displayed when the string of code numbers for such partial characters matches the code numbers entered to aid beginners. The string of code numbers representing each character follows exactly a traditional; writing sequence of the character from the very first stroke to the end of the string of code numbers.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a program memory having a parallel transfer program and a serial transfer program, a connector on the electronic apparatus to which a parallel transfer interface or a serial transfer interface is detachably connected, and a judging unit for judging the kind of the printer interface connected to the connector. A program suitable for the kind of the printer interface judged by the judge unit is called from the program memory by means of a program selecting unit. This enables the electronic apparatus to be connected for use with a parallel transfer printer and a serial transfer printer.

Abstract: In sequential processings of converting input picture data springs having unitary picture data in succession to picture data of a form adapted for displaying, storing the resultant picture data and then displaying the same in a display, a first detection data and a second detection data are monitored. The first detection data is indicative of commencement of the unitary picture data and is detected from the input picture data strings. The second detection data is indicative of termination of the conversion and is detected on the unitary picture data basis. If the second detection data has not been detected at the time when the first detection data has been detected, the unitary picture data detected with the first detection data is invalidated and the unitary picture data is left unprocessed.

Abstract: A graphics system uses a programmable tile size and shape supported by a frame buffer memory organization wherein (X, Y) pixel map into regularly offset permutations on groups of RAM (Random Access Memory) address and data line assignments. Changing the mapping of (X, Y) pixel addressed to RAM addresses for the groups changes the size and shape of the tiles. A pixel data/partial address multiplexing method based on programmable tile size reduces the number of interconnections between a pixel interpolator and the frame buffer without significantly increasing the number of bus cycles needed to transfer the information. A programmable pipelined shifter allows the dynamic alteration of the mapping between bits of the RGB (red, green, blue) intensity values and the planes of the frame buffer into which those bits are stored, as well as allowing those values to be truncated to specified lengths. Tiles are cached. Tiles for RGB pixel values are cached in an RGB cache, while Z values are cached in a separate cache.

Abstract: A printer for printing bit images in accordance with printing information and control information which includes a detector for detecting when a print engine enters a predetermined state such as an abnormal state. A memory stores data relating to at least one page of bit images being printed at the time the predetermined state is entered. When the printing engine recovers from the predetermined state, the data stored in the memory are read out to immediately restart the printing operation.

Abstract: A TV data capture device is used with a TV set or monitor to selectively extract, store, retrieve and display on the TV set or monitor extracted digital data. A composite video-digital signal is received from which digital data is removed by a digital data extractor. A memory unit, a permanent storage unit, and a microprocessor are also provided, enabling the user to store and retrieve from storage selected digital data previously extracted from the composite signal. A digital video converter converts extracted digital data to video signals for display of extracted digital data with the currently transmitted video signal.

Abstract: A raster image processor for an all points addressable marking engine includes a page memory having a data input and a write enable input. Halftone tints are applied to bit maps of objects stored in the page memory by applying a tint bit pattern to the data input of the page memory while a bit pattern representing the object is being applied to the write enable input of the page memory. Prior to applying the object bit maps to the write enable input of the page memory, the object bit maps may be combined with a texture bit pattern or clipped by a window bit pattern.

Abstract: The two-digit number displayed by a display apparatus (1) is adjusted by means of a microcontroller (4) in response to actuation of increment (5) and decrement (6) keys. Each new actuation of the increment key results in incrementation of the displayed number by unity. However, if this actuation is prolonged the first number in each succeeding higher ranking decade are next displayed in direct succession. Similarly, each new actuation of the decrement key results in decrementation of the displayed number of unity. However, if this actuation is prolonged the first number of the current decade and then the first number of each decade of successively lower rank are next displayed in direct succession.

Abstract: A method for clip checking three dimensional images for display on a computer display system. The display system includes a computer having a central processing unit(CPU) coupled to a memory and a cathode ray tube (CRT) display. The method of the present invention includes inputting a plurality of points comprising an image to be displayed, wherein each of the points is described by X,Y,Z and W world coordinates. The points are stored in the memory coupled to the CPU. The CPU executes a viewing algorithm which transforms the world coordinates for each point into view reference coordinates. The view reference coordinates have an origin at the viewpoint of the user, with the Z axis pointed outward in the direction of the display screen. Each of the points of the image are described by clipping bits X Right, X Left, Y Top, Y Bottom, Z Back, and Z Front. The view reference coordinate system permits the user to selectively enable/disable clipping quadrants in X,Y,Z and W space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for scanning and vectorizing artwork in which a grid is applied to photoplot artwork. Preferably the grid is automatically created from the scanned image of the artwork using the centerline of each line and the center of each pad in the artwork. The methods and apparatus also determine the rotation or skew of the artwork and adjust the image to compensate for any skew that is found. Grid spacing is determined from frequency plots of the artwork which show the number of lines and points that appear in each row of pixels and in each column of pixels. Fourier analyses of the frequency plots give the grid spacing.

Abstract: A display system includes a memory device, a central processing unit, a converting circuit and a display device. The memory device is for sequentially storing image data at addresses corresponding to positions in line and column directions of an original image to be displayed. The central processing unit controls the overall operation of the system and also retrieves the image data selectably either from every line or every Mth line. The converting circuit sequentially and temporarily stores the retrieved image data by extracting selectably either every bit or every Nth bit of the retrieved image data sequentially, M and N being integers greater than 1. These serial data formed by the converting circuit are displayed by the display device.

Abstract: In a line generator and a method for determining the individual pixels to be plotted for a line to be drawn in a display system, coded representations of a plurality of lines are stored in a line definition table. The coded representation of each individual line is a string of data items representing the transitions between adjacent pixels to be plotted for drawing the individual line. Preferably, only coded representations of lines up to a predetermined size (i.e. the length of the line in the case of a straight line) are stored in the line definition table. Strings of data items for representing the pixels to be plotted for longer lines to be drawn are still calculated as in the prior art. In this case, control logic determines whether there are coded representations of a line to be drawn in the line definition table, or not, and passes control to appropriate processing logic for determining the pixels to be plotted.

Abstract: An image processor including a memory for storing bit images of a graphic pattern or a character, a receiver for receiving information regarding an image to be outputted from an external apparatus, and an image writer for writing bit images on the memory in accordance with the received information. A timer is provided and starts to clock when the image writer begins to write bit images. A control circuit is also provided for forcibly stopping the operation of the image writer if the imaging operation by the image writer has not yet been completed upon the timer reaching or exceeding a predetermined period. The predetermined time period is determined in accordance with the bit images being a graphic pattern or a character.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus processes image data stored in a memory to thereby display an image on a display screen of a display unit under a control of a central processing unit (CPU). In one aspect of the invention, source data read from a source area of the memory are subjected to a rotation process and a logical operation and then converted to transfer data which will be written in a destination area of the memory by every word. In addition, first and last words within one line on the display screen are masked in accordance with predetermined first and second mask data. In another aspect of the invention, one of a wait mode and a not-wait mode is selected by wait control data outputted from the CPU. In the wait mode, the CPU is subjected to a wait state even in a memory read cycle. In the not-wait mode, the CPU is not subjected to the wait state normally in the memory read cycle.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a printer in which a memory for memorizing data to be printed is sent from an external processor and a capability for deleting data memorized in the memory is provided. Data in memory is deleted according to a control code sent from the external data processor or entered through an operation panel. A range of data to be deleted is determined based on a control code given.

Abstract: A graphics system comprising a screen processor which separately formulates the requests for access to a single word and the requests for access to a plurality of consecutive words, a bus arbitrator to arbitrate the requests for access to a single word and to select a request, and a DRAM Dynamic Random Access Memory, controller to arbitrate the requests for a plurality of words and the refresh requests. The DRAM controller preferably comprises an automatic system which directly generates line and column control signals. The automatic system is preferably constructed in the form of a PLA (Program Logic Array).

Abstract: A photo printer system comprises a magnetic storage for storing a print data sent from a host computer, a bit map memory for storing a print dot data, and a printer engine for printing the contents of the bit map memory. The system includes a program which operates on the magnetic storage to serve as an external storage for the host computer and on the bit map memory to serve as a cache memory in response to a data read/write command issued by the host computer, and a CPU which controls the execution of the program. At least in a non-print process mode, the system forms a data path so that the host computer can access to the bit map memory and magnetic storage so as to have a bidirectional data read/write operation. In another mode, the system forms a data path so that image data picked up with an image scanner is saved directly in the bit map memory and the image data is sent to the host computer by request.

Abstract: A method of converting continuous 3-D (three dimension) geometrical representations of polygonal objects into a discrete set of voxels in discrete 3-D voxel space. In one embodiment, a method is provided for converting a continuous 3-D polygon into a discrete set of voxels connected together in discrete 3-D voxel space. In this embodiment, voxel-based polygons having a wide variety of connectivities are generated. In another embodiment, a method is provided for converting a continuous 3-D polyhedron into a discrete set of voxels connected together in discrete 3-D voxel space. The method is incremental in nature and uses all integer arithmetic. The method is also characterized by decisional process loops, rather than brute-force type computational loops characteristic of prior art methodologies.