CA1196431A

CA1196431A - Apparatus and method for the storage of graphic patterns

Info

Publication number: CA1196431A
Application number: CA000391825A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Otmar Popp
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Siemens AG
Priority date: 1980-12-10
Filing date: 1981-12-09
Publication date: 1985-11-05
Also published as: EP0053661A3; DE3046513C2; EP0053661A2; DE3046513A1

Abstract

ABSTRACT

"APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE STORAGE OF GRAPHIC PATTERNS"

An input unit E provides means (keyboard TA, scanner A) for inputting coarse graphical patterns (comprising a combination of graphical elements within a character array) and alphanumeric characters (a combination of pixels (smaller than graphical elements) within a character array). A converter UM1 assigns code words CW1, CW2 for the character arrays which can be recognised in character generators Z1, Z2 used to drive a VDU with screen BS. To enable fine graphic patterns to be viewed on a larger scale when input, the pattern is input as a coarse pattern and converted in a converted UM2 arranged to organise the graphic elements into pattern arrays to which respective code words CW3 are assigned and each of which is such that the graphic elements in it correspond in number and relative position within the array to the pixels in a character array. The converter UM2 converts the pattern arrays into character arrays by transforming the respective graphic elements into pixels which provide data words which are stored (S2) under addresses provided by the code words CW3.

(Fig. 7)

Description

~ This invention relates to apparatus and method for the s~orage of graphic and other patterns for display on a visual display unit.
The new telecommunications service "Screen Text"
("videotext interactivP") allows information stored in a central control to be called up via a telephone line with the aid of a television or similar visual display unit 3 (VDU). The items of information are displayed on the screen of the V.D.U. which acts as an output unit. The display can comprise alphanumerical characters and/or graphic patterns.
One screen content is refexred to as one page. It contains for example 960 character arrays which are arranged in 24 rows each comprising 40 character arrays. In the event of the display of alphanumerical characters, one character is displayed in a character arrayO The character -~ array consists for example of 8 x 10 or 8 x 12 pixels by which the individual characters are represented. Coarse graphic patterns are displayed on the basis that each character array is split into 2 x 3 graphic elements and the graphic pattern constructed from the possible combi-nations of light and dark graphic elements.
A predetermined supply of characters and the possible combinations of graphic elements are stored in character generators in the output unit. Employing code words which represent addresses in the character generator, .~ ;

~2~

data words which are assigrled to the pixels of the characters or to the graphic elements,-are read out from the character generators and fed to an image control unit which controls the display of the characters and of the patterns of the screen. Display can take place in eight colours which are governed by corresponding control signals although only ~ne colour can normally be used within a character array. The assignment of the code words to the characters and to the combinations of graphic elements is known for example from the magazine "Funkschaul' 1977, Vol.
18, page 78-82.
For the representation of fine graphic patterns whose resolution is more than ten times that of the coarse patterns, the output unit can contain a further character generator which stores the graphic patterns not by means of the graphic elements but, similarly to the characters, by means of pixels. Following an appropriate switching signal, data words assigned to the individual pixels of the character arrays are read out from this character generator ZO with the aid of code words and are conducted to the image control unit. The character generator for the fine patterns is normally designed as a write-read store in order to be able able to provide display of different patterns depending upon the application. In the event of a mixed display of fine pattexns, characters andJor coarse patterns, firstly the data words of the fine patterns are input from a central control into the character generator under the addresses determined b~v the code words. Then the code words for the characters and/or graphic elements are transferred and at those points at which the character arrays are to be filled with the fine patterns the corresponding code words for the character generator are transmittedO The supply of fine patterns in the write-read store is known as DRCS
(dynamically redefinable character set).
From the publication "Datensichtgerate" in NTZ
Report 15, 1973, page 27-31 it is known to provide a data viewing device not only with a character generator for the alphanumerical characters but also with a further character generator for circuit symbols. The circuit symbols are displayed similarly to the characters by means of pixels within the character arrays. However this further character generator is designed as an ROM and its contents cannot be modified by the user.
However it would be conceivable to design the further character generator as a write-read store and to input different circuit symbols depending upon the particular application~ The circuit symbols could be input by means of a keyboard. In accordance with the pixels of a character array such a keyboard would consist for example of 8 x 10 kevs. It would also be possible to provide 8 or 10 keys and to input the patterns of each character array respectively row by row or column by column. Since the characters are displayed in a relatively small form on the ;; screen, it would be favourable to represent the corre-3~ .

sponding character array in enlarged orm on the screen at the time of input.
Although in this way it would be possible to input the patterns of individual character arrays~ it would be relatively complicated to input a pattern which extends over several character arrays. Such a pattern might consist for example Qf a trade mark, a large symbol, or a text (3 in a different script, for example in arabic or cyxillic.
It is an aim of the invention to enable a simple input of fine graphic patterns not only when one individual character array is ~ be used but even when the pattern extends over several character arrays.
According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided apparatus for storing ~raphic and other patterns for display on a visual display unit, said apparatus including means for input of a ~ine graphic (::? pattern, whose display is to be based on a first gridpattern, as a coarse graphic pattern based on a second grid pattern coarser than the first and comprising one or more pattern arrays each including a predetermined number of graphic elements, means for assigning a code word signal to the or each pattern array, means or converting the or each pattern array into a respective corresponding character array of the first grid pattern in which each character array comprises a plurality of pixels corresponding in number and relative position within the array to the graphic elements of each of the pattern arrays, and means for storing the character arrays, produced by the conversion, under addresses determined by said code word signals.
According to a second aspect of this invention . 5 there is provided a method of storing graphic and other patterns for display on a visual display unit, said method including the steps of providing an input of a fine graphic pattern, whose display is to be based on a first grid pattern, as a coarse graphic pattern based on a second grid pattern coarser than the first and comprising one or more pattern arrays each including a predetermined number of graphic elements, assign.ing a code word signal to the or each pattern array, converting the or each pattern array into a respective corresponding character array of the first grid pattern, in which each character array comprises a plurality of pixels corresponding in number and relative position within the array to the graphic elements of each of the pattern arrays, and storing the character arrays, produced by the conversion, under addresses determined by said code word signals.
A particularly advantageous input of the patterns is achieved if the enlarged (coarse) representation of the fine pattern in the second grid pattern takes place on an original which is scanned opto-electronically. Here it is advantageous to scan the original line-wise by means of a scanning unit. It is also possible to effect the ; opto-electronic scanning using a video camera. Regardless ~9~
,. .

of whether the coarse patterns or the enlarged fine patterns are scanned, it is possible to use the same scanlling units.
A further possibility consists in effecting the enlarged display of the fine graphic pattern on a visual display unit by means of a keyboard. The V.D.U. exped-iently consists o~ a viewing device provided with a screen. The keyboard csn also be used to correct or amend patterns originally represented in a different manner.
The keyboard comprises for example a number n x m keys each of which are assigned to the pixels of a character array. The patterns cf the various character arrays are then input by means of an appropriate switching of the keyboard to the different character arrays. The keyboard can also comprise n or m keys in order that the patterns of each character array ma~- be represented row-wise or line-wise. Another advantageous possibility consists in , ~ .
using a key~oard which is provided for the input and correction of the coarse graphic patterns and wherein 20 keys are assigned to respective graphic elements within a character array. It is also possibie to provide keys which determine the colour of each character array. The input can also be effected with an enlarged representation of the fine graphic pattern on a printed visual data carrier.
It is f~mdamentally possible to assian respective colours to the character arrays in the enlarged represent-ation. A small storage requirement in the character generator fox the fine patterns is achieved however if the character arrays which are combined to form a pattern array each have the same colour. In this case it is expedient if the colours of the enlarged representation of the fine graphic pattern are stored within the data for the respective pattern arrays.
In the case of a mixed display of fine graphic patterns and coarse graphic patterns and/or characters it is advantageous for the fine and coarse patterns to be separa~ely input and for the corxesponding code words to be input as addresses in the character arrays on which the fine graphic patterns are represented. If the input takes place employing originals which are scanned opto electronicall~ it is favourable that in the original lS provided wi~h the coarse graphic pat~ern, in the character arrays on which the fine graphic patterns a're to be C- represented the addresses of the corresponding pattern arrays are represented by a point code. In order to be able to distinguish the point code from the other graphic patterns it is advantageous for the point code to be represented in a colour which is impermissible for the representation of the characters and/or graphic patterns.

3~

An embodiment of this invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Fig~ 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a coarse graphic pattern produced during operation of apparatusembodying this invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a text formed during operation of the apparatus;
(~`3 Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a fine graphic pattern produced during operation of the apparatus;
Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an original in which fine graphic patterns are represented in enlarged form;
Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an original which contains a coarse graphic pattern and addresses, coded by means of a point code, for fine graphic patterns;
, Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a representation of a coarse graphic pattern, a fine graphic pattern, and alphanumerical characters on the screen of an output unit; and FigO 7 is a block circuit diagram of apparatus for producing graphic and other patterns on a visuai display unit and embodying this invention.
The coarse graphic pattern illustrated in Fig. 1 is formed by individual light or dark graphic elements GE, of which 2 x 3 are in each case combined to form a character array ZF. All possible combinations of the graphic elements GE within the character array ZF are stored in a character generator of the output unit such as a television device~
The graphic pattern is constructed by calling up the corresponding combinations by means of assigned code words in the character generator and are fed to an image control unit which displays the pattern on a screen of the television device. For example the character array ZF1 is assiyned the code word 0100000 and the character array ZF2 is assigned the code word 1100000. The pattern is stored in the form of the code words in a store and can be repeatedly read out therefromO The store is arranged for example in a central control and the code words are transferred to a further store in an output unit, said fuxther store being followed in operational flow by the character generator. The input of the pattern into the store can be effected via a viewing device and a keyboard which contains six keys respectively (~ assi~ned to the graphic elements GE. Extensive patterns can be represented by means of the original artwork which is '_hen scanned opto-electronically line by line by means of a scanner or superficially by means of a video camexa. It is also possible to input the patterns by means of a graphic in-pUt terminal Then the corres~onding code woxds are produced and stored. All in all 960 character arrays ZF can be represented on the screen these being arranged in 24 rows each comprising 40 chara~ter arravs.
In addition to the coarse graphic patterns, as 3~

illustrated in Fiy. 2 it is also possible to represent texts by means of a further character generator. Each alphanumerical character of the text is likewise represented in a character array ZF which is of the same size as the S character arrays ZF illustrated in Fig. 1. However the characters are represented not by the graphic elements GE
but by image points or pixels BP which are considerably ? smaller than the graphic elements GE. For example 8 x 10 pixels BP are arranged in each character array ZF. The character itself has a size for example of 5 x 7 pixels BP.
These characters are likewise called up by corresponding code words in the character generator. For example the character "V" is called up by the code word 1010110 and the character "I" is called up by the code word 1001001 in the character generator.
The character generators for the coarse patterns and the characters are normally designed as ROMs. In ~3 addition to these two character generators a further character generator designed as a write-read store can be provided by means of which fine graphic patterns may be represented by pixels similarly to the characters.
Fig. 3 illustrates a portion of a fine graphic pattern which is represented by the pixels BP over a plurality of character arrays ZF. These character arrays ZF are the same size as the character arrays ZF in Figs.l and 2. In the same way as in the representation of the characters, these charac-ter arrays ZF are likewise formed 131~

from 80 pixels BP which are arranged in n = 8 columns and m = 10 rows. The individual character arrays ZF are likewise addressed by code words in the character generatox.
The fine patterns are input into the store of the central control or into the corresponding dharacter generator in that firstly, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the pattern is represented in enlarged form by the graphic elements GE
with the input aid of the keyboard, the original artwork or (~ by means of a printed representation. The representation is likewise provided for example by an original which is then scanned opto-electronically~ In order to represent the patterns in the individual character arrays in Fig. 3, in accordance with the n x m pixels BP, n x _ graphic elements GE are combined to form a pattern axray MF. Then, employing a control unit, each graphic element GE is assigned one pixel BP so that each pattern array MF in Fig. 1 is trans-formed into a character array ZF corresponding to Fig. 3.
(~ For example the pattern array MF in Fig. 1 is transferred into the character array ZF3 in Fig. 3.
A ~otal of 48 pattern arrays MF can be provided on the original, each of which arrays is assigned a code word by way of address. If the pattern array MF in Fig. 1 has the address 1, this corresponds to the code word 0110001. The address 1 can also be represented by a point code which is formed from the graphic elements GE of a character array ZFPo If eight different colours can be used in the representation, the point code, as explained in detail in the following, is represented in another colour which is impermissible for the representation.
In the case of the representation illustrated in ~ig. 4~ a plurality of patterns are entered in 32 pattern arrays MF in one original. The pattern arrays 1 to 7 contain cyrillic letters, whereas the pattern arrays o to t contain a coherent arabic text, and the pattern arrays 8, 9 to f, ~ to n and v xepresent a coherent graphic pattern.
~ The addxesses of the corresponding pattern arrays MF are represented on the right hand side by a point code in character arrays ZFP.
As in the case of the representation of the coarse patterns, the original is scanned at the time of input and the input dat~ is stored in a store in which for example each dark graphic element GE is assigned a binary value 1.
Employing a control unit, the graphic elements GE are converted into pixels BP and stored in a store. From this C3 store the pixels are input into the central control store and if required into the corresponding character generator of the output unit.
In the case of the representation shown in Fig. 5 it has been assumed that both coarse patterns and also a part of the fine patterns illustrated in Fig. 4 and a text are to be represented on the output unit (e.g. tele~ision set). Following the scanning of the original corresponding to Fig. 4, the original illustrated in Fig. 5 is scanned for the coarse pattern Gl. At those points at which the 3~ .

fine pattern is to be represented the addresses of the corresponding pattern array MF are represented by the corresponding point code in character ar~ays ZFPl to ZFP3.
Expediently the text is input later by means of an appropriate keyboard.
, Following the input, output is effected in accordance with the illustration in Fig. 6. The scanned -~ pattern Gl is represented as pattern G2 by the graphic .,, elements GE. Following the call-up of the corresponding character arrays ZF in the write-read store by means of the addresses represented by the point code, the patterns G3 to G5 are represented as fine patterns and following input by means of the keyboard the text is represented as text T.
Further details of the apparatus will now be given referring to Fig. 7. The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 7 contains an input unit E for the input of the graphic patterns and the characters, a control unit SE which serves to prepare the patterns and characters which are to be represented, and an output unit AE which serves to provide representations of the patterns and characters. The input unit E contains a keyboard TA for the input of the characters and a scanning unit A for the input of the ~atterns represented on original plates V. The scanning unit A is followed by an image store B in which each scanned graphic element GE is stored.
The control unit SE contains a first converter UMl ~l~G43~

which on the one hand convexts the characters input by means of the keyboard TA into corresponding code words CWl and wnich on the other hand, on the input of a coarse pattern, combines the graphic elements GE to form character arrays ZF and assigns ~he latter corresponding code words CW2.
The converter UMl is followed by a store Sl which stores the code words CWl and CW2 of one page i.e. of 960 character ~-~ arrays~ The control unit SE also contains a second converter UM2 which in the event of the input of ine patterns combines the n x m graphic elements GE to form a pattern array MF
and converts the graphic elements GE into pixels BP and the pattern arrays MF into character arrays ZF. The pixels BP
are assembled to form data words DW, transferred to a store S2, and stored therein under addresses determined by code words CW0 The output unit AE likewise contains a store S3 in which the code words CW of one page may be stored and further contains three character generators Zl to Z3. The character generator Zl stores the possible combinations of the graphic elements GE within a character array ZF.
The character generator Z2 contains the pixels BP of the characters and the data words DW of the store S2 can be input into the character generator Z3. In dependence upon the code words CW stored in the store S3 and appropriate switching signals, binary character sequences are read out from the character generators Zl to Z3 and transferred to an image control unit BST provided with a screen BS in 3~L

order to provide representations of the corresponding patterns and characters.
If both coarse and fine patterns and characters are to be represented by the output unit AE, firstly the original plate V corresponding to Fig. 4 with the fine patterns represented in enlarged form is scanned by means of the scanning unit A. Via the image store B and the change-over switch Ul whe~ in thebroken line position, corresponding scanning signals are fed to the converter UM2 which produces the data words DW assigned to the pixels BP from the scanned graphic elements GE and stores these in the store S2 under the appropriate addresses. Then an original corresponding to Fig. 5 is scanned by means of the scanning unit A and via the change-over switch Ul is fed to the converter UMl.
The latter produces the code words CW2 assigned to the pattern Gl and stores these in the store Sl. The points in f the character arrays ZFPl to ZFP3 are recognised by the converter UM1 as addresses which represent the code words CW3 and are stored by said converter, appropriately characterised, in the store Sl. Then the text T is input via the keyboard TA and in the converter ~Ml is converted into corresponding code words CWl which are likewise stored in the store Sl in a specially characterised fashion.
Prior to representation on the output unit AE the content of the store S2 is transerred via the change-over switch U2 (broken line position) to the character generator Z3.

3~

Then the code words CW stored in the storP S1 are transferred to the store 53 of the output unit AE. When the pattern G2 is represented on the screen BS, the store S3 is connected via the change-over switch U3 to the character generator Zl and the appropriate graphic elements GE are rPpresented on the screen BS. In the case of the represen-tation of the patterns G3 to G5 the change-over switch ~3 connects the store S3 to the character generator Z3 and ~he ~ fine patterns are represented. Then the store S3 is connected via the change~over switch U3 to the character generator Z2 in order to represent the text T.
The output unit AE can form part of a television device which is suitable for the "screen text" ("Video text interactive") telecommunications service. In this case the code words CW are transferred to the output unit AF via a telephone line FL. The 'latter is connected to a central control Z in which the contents of the stores Sl and S2 are normally stored ready for call-up. The input unit E
and the control unit SE are provided for those providing the information who set up the pages which are to be called up.
The characters and 'the graphic patterns can be represented in eight different colours. The desired colour is characterised by appropriate switching signals. Expediently the enlarged representation of the fine patterns takes place in the particular desired colour so that the converter UM2 can determine the particular colour of the corresponding pattern array MF and character array ZF. The appropriate 3~

switching signal can be fed via a switch SW and the converter UM1 to the store Sl where it is stored together with the corresponding address of the character array ZF.
As it is not normally possible to modify the colour within a character array ZF it can be expedient to select _ and m to be such that the boundaries of the pattern array MF coincide with the boundaries of the character arrays ZF in order to prevent, as illustrated in Fig. 1, individual character arrays ZF belonging to a plurality ln of pattern arrays M~'. This is achieved for example when it is selected that n = 8 and m = 12. In this case the pattern array l~F comprises 4 x 4 character arrays ZF.
The switch SW enables the transfer of the code words C~3 from th~ converter UM2 to the converter UMl so that the enlarged form of the fine pattern can be displayed as for a coarse pattern~
C` The apparatus described above has the advantage that the same input means can be used for ~he fine graphic pattern as for the coarse graphic pattern. The simultaneous representation of a plurality of character arrays also allows simple input and possible correc~ion of graphic patterns which extend over several character arrays.

Claims

1. Apparatus for storing graphic and other patterns for display on a visual display unit, said apparatus including means for input of a fine graphic pattern, whose display is to be based on a first grid pattern, as a coarse graphic pattern based on a second grid pattern coarser than the first and comprising one or more pattern arrays each including a predetermined number of graphic elements, means for assigning a code word signal to the or each pattern array, means for converting the or each pattern array into a respective corresponding character array of the first grid pattern in which each character array comprises a plurality of pixels corresponding in number and relative position within the array to the graphic elements of each of the pattern arrays, and means for storing the character arrays, produced by the conversion, under addresses determined by said code word signals.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said converting means includes means for producing data words assigned to the pixels for storage in said storing means under said addresses.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein means are provided for input of alphanumeric characters to be represented by predetermined character arrays in the first grid pattern, said alphanumeric input means being connected to means for producing code word signals assigned to the respective character arrays and means being provided for stor-ing said code words.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means are provided for input of coarse graphic patterns to be displayed as such, said course pattern input means being connected to means for storing data regarding the graphic elements of the coarse pattern, said latter storing means being connected to means for combining said graphic elements into said character arrays and for assigning appro-priate code words to said character arrays and means being provided for storing said latter code words.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the data relating to each pattern array includes the colour of the relevant portion of the fine graphic pattern represented by that pattern array.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means are provided for input of an address for each pattern array said address being provided in the appropriate character arrays.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said addresses are represented by a point code in the character arrays.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said point code is in a colour reserved for that purpose and not allowed for pattern display.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein opto-electronic scanning means is provided for fine and coarse pattern input by scanning an original representation of the relevant pattern.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a keyboard is provided for input of fine patterns and of alphanumeric characters.

11. A system for displaying graphic and other patterns, said system including a visual display unit, character generators for driving the visual display unit, apparatus according to claim 1 and control means arranged to receive stored pattern signals from said apparatus and to supply the signals to said character gener-ators so as to produce the appropriate display on said visual dis-play unit.

12. A method of storing graphic and other patterns for dis-play on a visual display unit, said method including the steps of providing an input of a fine graphic pattern, whose display is to be based on a first grid pattern, as a coarse graphic pattern based on a second grid pattern coarser than the first and compris-ing one or more pattern arrays each including a predetermined number of graphic elements, assigning a code word signal to the or each pattern array, converting the or each pattern array into a respective corresponding character array of the first grid pat-tern, in which each character array comprises a plurality of pixels corresponding in number and relative position within the array to the graphic elements of each of the pattern arrays, and storing the character arrays, produced by the conversion, under addresses determined by said code word signals.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said fine graphic pattern is input as a coarse graphic pattern represented on an original visual display carrier which is scanned opto-electron-ically.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein said scanning takes place line-by-line.

15. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein said fine graphic pattern is input as a coarse graphic pattern via a keyboard.