EP0053661A2 - Method for entering graphics - Google Patents

Abstract

At output units (AE) which are suitable for the "videotex" of the communications service, graphics patterns can be represented in a coarse pattern by graphics elements (GE) and alphanumeric characters can be represented in a fine pattern by means of picture elements (BP). Furthermore, it is possible to represent graphics patterns in accordance with the characters in the fine pattern. The patterns represented by the picture elements (BP) are stored in a random-access memory (Z3). They are input by first representing the graphics patterns in a coarse pattern by means of the graphic elements (GE) and subsequently allocating a picture element (BP) to each graphics element (GE). The picture elements (BP) are combined to form character fields (ZF) and are stored. They are called up by code words (CW3) and represented at the output unit (AE). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method for storing graphic patterns which can be represented on an output unit, wherein rough graphic patterns can be represented on the output unit by combinations of graphic elements arranged in character fields in a rough first raster, whereby alphanumeric characters by means of those arranged in the character fields Pixels can be represented in a fine second raster, fine graphic patterns can be represented in the same way as the characters in the character fields by pixels in the second raster and the output unit contains character generators, in each of which a supply of character fields with combinations of graphic elements , with the characters and with the fine graphic patterns. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement for performing the method.

With the new telecommunications service "on-screen text" ("Videotex interactive") it is possible to call up information stored in a control center via a telephone line with the aid of a television set. The information is displayed on the screen of the television set serving as the output unit. The representation can be done by alphanumeric characters and / or graphic patterns.

A screen content is called a page. For example, it contains 960 character fields arranged in 24 rows with 40 character fields each. When displaying alphanumeric characters in each Character field represented a character. The character field consists, for example, of 8 x 10 or 8 x 12 pixels with which the individual characters are displayed. Coarse graphic patterns are represented by dividing each drawing field into 2 x 3 graphic elements and building up the graphic patterns from the possible combinations of light and dark graphic elements.

A predetermined supply of characters and the possible combinations of the graphic elements are stored in character generators of the output unit. Using code words that represent the addresses of the character generator, the picture elements of the characters or, after a corresponding switch symbol, data words assigned to the graphic elements are read from the character generators and fed to an image control unit that controls the display of the characters and the patterns on the screen. The display can be made in eight colors, which are defined by appropriate control characters, but only one color can be used within a character field. The assignment of the code words to the characters and the combinations of the graphic elements is known, for example, from the magazine "Funkschau" 1977, Issue 18, pages 78-82.

For the display of fine graphic patterns, which have a resolution more than ten times greater than the rough patterns, a further character generator can be provided in the output unit, in which the graphic patterns are not represented by the graphic elements, but, in a similar way to the characters, through the pixels are stored. After a corresponding changeover character, data words assigned to the individual pixels of the character fields are also read from this character generator and the image control is activated supplied. The character generator for the fine patterns is usually designed as a read-write memory in order to be able to display different patterns depending on the application. In the case of a mixed representation of fine patterns, characters and / or coarse patterns, the data center of the fine patterns is first stored in the character generator at the addresses given by the code words. The code words for the characters and / or graphic elements are then transmitted, and the corresponding code words for the character generator are transmitted at those locations where the character fields are to be filled with the fine patterns. The supply of fine patterns in the random access memory is referred to as DRCS (dynamically redefinable character set).

From a publication "Data Display Devices" in NTZ Report 15, 1973, pp. 27-31, it is known to provide, in addition to a character generator for the alphanumeric characters, a further character generator for circuit symbols in a data display device. The circuit symbols are represented in a manner similar to the characters by pixels within the character fields. However, this further character generator is designed as a read-only memory and its content cannot be changed by the user.

However, it would be conceivable to design the further character generator as read-write memory and to store different circuit symbols depending on the application. The circuit symbols could be entered using a keyboard. Such a keyboard consists, for example, of 8 × 10 keys corresponding to the pixels of a character field. It would also be possible to provide 8 or 10 keys and to enter the pattern of each drawing field line or column. Because the characters on the screen are relatively small , it would be beneficial to enlarge the corresponding character field on the screen when entering.

In this way, it would be possible to enter the patterns of individual character fields, but it would be relatively cumbersome to enter a pattern that extends over several character fields. Such a pattern is, for example, a company logo, a larger symbol or a lettering in a different font, for example in Arabic or Cyrillic.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method and an arrangement with which fine graphic patterns can be entered in a simple manner not only when a single character field is to be filled, but also when the pattern extends over several character fields .

• a) die feinen graphischen Muster werden. durch die für die Darstellung der groben graphischen Muster vorgesehenen Graphikelemente entsprechend dem ersten Raster vergrößert dargestellt,
• b) jeweils n x m Graphikelemente, die den für die Darstellung der Zeichen vorgesehenen Bildpunkten eines Zeichenfeldes entsprechen, werden zu einem Musterfeld zusammengefaßt,
• c) jedem Musterfeld wird ein Codewort als Adresse zugeordnet,
• d) jedes Musterfeld wird durch Zuordnung der Gra^phikele- mente zu den Bildpunkten in ein Zeichenfeld des . zweiten Rasters umgesetzt,
• e) die auf diese Weise erzeugten Zeichenfelder werden unter den durch die Codewörter angegebenen Adressen im entsprechenden Zeichengenerator gespeichert.

According to the invention, the object is achieved in the method of the type mentioned at the outset by the following method steps:

• a) the fine graphic patterns will be. shown enlarged according to the first grid by the graphic elements provided for the representation of the rough graphic patterns,
• b) nxm graphic elements which correspond to the pixels of a character field intended for the representation of the characters are combined to form a sample field,
• c) a code word is assigned as an address to each sample field,
• d) each pattern field by assigning the Gra ^p hikele- elements of the pixels in a character field. second grid implemented,
• e) the character fields generated in this way are at the addresses specified by the code words stored in the corresponding character generator.

The method according to the present invention has the advantage that the fine graphic pattern to be entered can be input in the same way as the rough graphic pattern and thus the same means can be used. By simultaneously displaying a plurality of character fields, graphic patterns that extend over several character fields can be conveniently entered and, if necessary, corrected.

A particularly advantageous input of the pattern is. achieved when the enlarged representation of the fine pattern is made in the first raster on a template that is scanned optoelectronically. It is advantageous here if the scanning of the original takes place line by line using a scanning unit. It is also possible to carry out the optoelectronic scanning using a video camera. Regardless of whether the coarse patterns or the enlarged fine patterns are scanned, the same scanning units can be used.

Another possibility is that the enlarged representation of the fine graphic pattern is carried out by means of a keyboard on an output unit. The output unit is expediently a viewing device provided with a screen. The keyboard can also be used to correct or change patterns depicted in other ways. The keyboard has, for example, a number of nxm keys, which are each assigned to the pixels of a character field. The input of the patterns of the different character fields is then carried out by switching the keyboard to the different character fields. The keyboard can also have n or m keys to display the patterns of each character field line by line or line by line. Another An advantageous possibility consists in using a keyboard which is provided for the input and correction of the rough graphic patterns and in which a key is assigned to a graphic element within a drawing field. Furthermore, keys can be provided with which the color of a drawing field is defined. The entry can also be made in that the enlarged representation of the fine graphic pattern is carried out by means of a writing tablet.

Basically, it is possible to assign a color to each drawing field when enlarged. However, a small memory requirement in the character generator for the fine patterns is achieved if the character fields combined to form a pattern field each have the same color. In this case it is useful if the color of the enlarged representation of the fine graphic pattern is stored within each pattern field.

In the case of a mixed representation of fine graphic patterns and rough graphic patterns and / or characters, it is advantageous if the fine and the rough patterns are entered separately and the corresponding code words are entered as addresses in the character fields on which the fine graphic patterns are represented will. If the input is made using templates which are scanned optoelectronically, it is advantageous if the template provided with the coarse graphic pattern on the character fields on which the fine graphic patterns are to be represented, the addresses of the corresponding pattern fields by a dot code in the Character fields are displayed. In order to be able to distinguish the point code from the other graphic patterns, it is advantageous if the point code is in a for the representation of the characters and / or graphic patterns illegal color is displayed.

An advantageous arrangement for carrying out the method is characterized by an input unit, by means of which the predetermined fine graphic pattern can be input into a memory, by a control unit, which assigns the picture elements to the graphic elements, and by a memory, in which the picture elements combined into character fields can be stored at addresses defined by code words.

It is advantageous here if a scanning unit is provided as the input unit, which scans the templates provided with the graphic patterns line by line.

• Fig. 1 einen Ausschnitt aus einem aus Graphikelementen gebildeten groben graphischen Muster,
• Fig. 2 einen Ausschnitt aus einem aus alphanumerischen Zeichen gebildeten Text,
• Fig. 3 einen Ausschnitt aus einem aus Bildpunkten gebildeten feinen graphischen Muster,
• Fig. 4 einen Ausschnitt aus einer Vorlage, bei der feine graphische Muster durch Graphikelemente vergrößert dargestellt sind,
• Fig. 5 einen Ausschnitt aus einer Vorlage, die ein grobes graphisches Muster und durch einen Punktcode codierte Adressen für feine graphische Muster enthält,
• Fig. 6 einen Ausschnitt aus einer Darstellung eines groben graphischen Musters, eines feinen graphischen Musters und alphanumerischer Zeichen an einer Ausgabeeinheit,
• Fig. 7 ein Blockschaltbild einer Anordnung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens.

An implementation of the method is explained in more detail below with the aid of drawings. Show it:

• 1 shows a section of a rough graphic pattern formed from graphic elements,
• 2 shows a section of a text formed from alphanumeric characters,
• 3 shows a section of a fine graphic pattern formed from pixels,
• 4 shows a detail from a template in which fine graphic patterns are shown enlarged by graphic elements,
• 5 shows a detail from a template which contains a coarse graphic pattern and addresses coded by a point code for fine graphic patterns,
• 6 shows a section of a representation of a rough graphic pattern, a fine graphic pattern and alphanumeric characters on an output unit,
• Fig. 7 is a block diagram of an arrangement for performing the method.

The rough graphic pattern shown in FIG. 1 is formed from individual light or dark graphic elements GE, of which 2 × 3 are combined to form a drawing field ZF. All possible combinations of the graphic elements GE within the character fields ZF are stored in a character generator of the output unit, for example a television set. For the construction of the graphic pattern, the corresponding combinations are called up by code words assigned to them in the character generator and fed to an image control unit which displays the pattern on a screen of the television set. For example, the code word 0100000 is assigned to the character field ZF1 and the code word 1100000 to the character field ZF2. The pattern is stored in the form of code words in a memory and can be read out repeatedly from it. The memory is arranged, for example, in a control center and the code words are transferred to a further memory in an output unit, which is followed by the character generator. The pattern can be entered into the memory on a display device by means of a keyboard which contains six keys assigned to the graphic elements GE. Comprehensive patterns can be displayed on a template, which is then optoelectronically scanned line by line using a scanner or area-wide using a video camera. It is also possible to enter the patterns using a writing tablet. The corresponding code words are then generated and stored. A total of 960 ZF character fields can be displayed on the screen, which are arranged in 24 lines with 40 character fields each.

In addition to the rough graphic patterns, it is possible, as shown in Figure 2, to display texts with the help of a further character generator. Every alpha Numeric characters of the text are also shown in a character field ZF, which has the same size as the character fields ZF shown in FIG. However, the characters are not represented by the graphic elements GE, but by pixels BP, which are significantly smaller than the graphic elements GE. For example, 8 x 10 pixels BP are arranged in each character field ZF. The character itself has a size of 5 x 7 pixels BP, for example. These characters are also called up by appropriate code words in the character generator. For example, the character "V" is called by code word 1010110 and the character "I" by code word 1001001 in the character generator.

The character generators for the rough patterns and the characters are usually designed as read-only memories. In addition to these two character generators, a further character generator designed as a read-write memory can be provided, by means of which fine graphic patterns can be represented by pixels BP in a manner similar to the characters.

FIG. 3 shows a section of a fine graphic pattern which is represented by the pixels BP in a plurality of character fields ZF. These character fields ZF also have the same size as the character fields ZF in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the same way as in the representation of the characters, these character fields ZF are also formed from 80 pixels BP, which have n = 8 columns and m = 10 Rows are arranged. The individual character fields ZF are also addressed by code words in the character generator

The input of the remote patterns in the memory of the Centrale or the corresponding character generator is used the pattern initially, according to FIG. 1, is shown enlarged by the graphic elements GE using the keyboard, the template or the writing tablet. The representation is also made, for example, on a template which is then scanned optoelectronically. For a representation of the patterns in the individual character fields of FIG. 3, graphic elements GE are combined to form a pattern field MF corresponding to the nxm pixels BP nxm. A pixel BP is then assigned to each graphic element GE using a control unit, so that a pattern field MF in FIG. 1 merges into a character field ZF in accordance with FIG. 3. For example, the pattern field MF in FIG. 1 merges into the character field ZF3 in FIG. 3.

48 template fields MF can be provided on the template, each of which is assigned a code word as an address. If the pattern field MF in FIG. 1 has the address 1, this corresponds to the code word 0110001. The address 1 can also be represented by a radio code which is formed from the graphic elements GE of a character field ZFP. If eight different colors can be used in the display, the radio code, as explained in more detail below, is displayed in a further color that is not permitted for the display.

In the illustration in FIG. 4, several patterns are entered in one template in the 32 pattern fields MF shown. The pattern fields 1 to 7 contain Cyrillic letters, while the pattern fields o to t contain a coherent Arabic lettering and the pattern fields 8 to n and v represent a coherent graphic pattern. The addresses of the corresponding sample fields MF are shown on the right by a dot code in the character fields ZFP.

As in the representation of the rough patterns, the template is scanned during input and stored in a memory in which, for example, each dark graphic element GE is assigned a binary value 1. Using a control unit, the graphic elements GE are converted into pixels BP and stored in a memory. From this memory, the pixels are saved to the central store and, if necessary, to the corresponding character generator of the output unit.

The representation in FIG. 5 assumes that. Both rough patterns and part of the fine patterns shown in FIG. 4 and a text are to be displayed in the output unit. After scanning the template according to FIG. 4, the template shown in FIG. 5 is scanned with the rough pattern G1. At those points where the fine pattern is to be displayed, the addresses of the corresponding pattern field MF are represented by the corresponding point code in the character fields ZFP1 to ZFP3. The text is expediently entered later using an appropriate keyboard.

After the input, there is an output corresponding to the representation in FIG. 6. The scanned pattern G1 is represented as pattern G2 by the graphic elements GE. After calling up the corresponding character fields ZF in the read-write memory, the patterns G3 to G5 are represented as fine patterns by the addresses represented by the dot code, and the text is represented as text T after input by the keyboard.

Further details are described below together with the block diagram shown in Figure 7, The arrangement shown in FIG. 7 contains an input unit E for the input of the graphic patterns and the characters, a control unit SE for the preparation of the patterns and characters to be displayed and an output unit AE for the display 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 patterns shown on the templates V. The scanning unit A is followed by an image memory B, in which each scanned graphic element GE is stored.

The control unit SE contains a first converter UM1, which on the one hand converts the characters entered by means of the keyboard TA into corresponding code words CW1 and which on the other hand combines the graphic elements G3 into character fields ZF when a rough pattern is entered and assigns corresponding code words CW2 to them. The converter UM1 is followed by a memory S1 in which the code words CW1 and CW2 each have one page, i.e. of 960 character fields are saved. The control unit SE also contains a second converter UM2, which, when the fine patterns are input, combines the n x m graphic elements GE into a pattern field MF and converts the graphic elements GE into pixels BP or converts the pattern fields MF into character fields ZF. The pixels BP are combined into data words DW and transferred to a memory S2 and stored there under addresses specified by code words CW.

The output unit AE also contains a memory S3 in which the code words CW of a page can be stored and three character generators Z1 to Z3. The possible combinations of the graphic elements GE are stored in a character field ZF in the character generator Z1. The character generator Z2 contains the pixels BP of the characters. and in the character generator Z3 are the data words DW of the memory S2 storable. Depending on the code words CW stored in the memory S3 and the corresponding switch characters, binary character strings are read from the character generators Z1 to Z3 and transmitted to an image control unit BST provided with a screen BS in order to display the corresponding patterns or characters.

If both coarse and fine patterns and characters are to be displayed on the output unit AE, the template V corresponding to FIG. 4 is first scanned with the fine patterns shown in enlarged form by means of the scanning unit A. Corresponding scanning signals reach the converter UM2 via the image memory B and the changeover switch U1 in the position shown in dashed lines, which converter generates the data words DW assigned to the pixels BP from the scanned graphic elements GE and stores them in the memory S2 under the corresponding addresses. Subsequently, a template corresponding to FIG. 5 is scanned by the scanning unit A and fed to the converter UM1 via the changeover switch U1. This generates the code words CW2 assigned to the pattern G1 and stores them in the memory S1. The converter UM1 recognizes the dots in the character fields ZFP1 to ZFP3 as addresses which represent the code words CW3 and stores them appropriately identified in the memory S1. Subsequently, the text T is entered using the keyboard TA and converted in the converter UM1 into corresponding code words CW1, which are also stored in the memory S1 in a particularly marked manner.

Before being displayed on the output unit AE, the content of the memory S2 is transferred to the character generator Z3 via the changeover switch U2.

The code words CW stored in the memory S1 are then transferred to the memory S3 of the output unit AE. When the pattern G2 is shown on the screen BS, the memory S3 is connected to the character generator Z1 via the changeover switch U3 and the corresponding graphic elements GE are shown on the screen BS. When the patterns G3 to G5 are shown, the changeover switch U3 connects the memory S3 to the character generator Z3 and the fine patterns are shown. The memory S3 is then connected to the character generator Z2 via the changeover switch U3 in order to display the text T.

The output unit AE can be part of a television set that is suitable for the telecommunications service "screen text" ("Videotex interactive"). In this case, the code words CW are transmitted to the output unit AE via a telephone line FL. This is connected to a central station Z, in which the contents of the memories S1 and S2 are usually stored ready for retrieval. The input unit E and the control unit SE are provided for the information providers who create the pages to be called up.

The characters and graphic patterns can be displayed in eight different colors. The desired color is identified by the appropriate shift symbol. The fine pattern is expediently displayed in the desired color, so that the converter UM2 can determine the respective color of the corresponding pattern field MF or drawing field ZF. The corresponding switch symbol can be fed to the memory S1 via a switch SW and the converter UM1 and stored there together with the corresponding address of the character field ZF.

Since the color usually cannot be changed within a character field ZF, it may be expedient to choose n and m so that the boundaries of the pattern field MF coincide with the boundaries of the character fields ZF in order to prevent that, as shown in FIG individual character fields ZF belong to several sample fields MF. This is achieved, for example, by choosing n = 8 and m = 12. In this case, the pattern field MF consists of 4 x 4 character fields ZF:

Claims (10)

1. A method for storing graphic patterns that can be represented on an output unit, wherein rough graphic patterns can be represented on the output unit by combinations of graphic elements arranged in character fields in a coarse first raster, alphanumeric characters by pixels in the character fields in a fine manner second raster can be represented, fine graphic patterns being able to be represented in the same way as the characters in the character fields by pixels in the fine second raster and wherein the output unit contains character generators, in each of which a supply of character fields with combinations of graphic elements with the characters and stored with the fine graphic patterns,
marked by
following process steps: a) the fine graphic patterns (G3 to G5) are represented by the graphic elements (GE) provided for the representation of the rough graphic patterns (G1, G2) in accordance with the first grid, b) nxm graphic elements (GE) which correspond to the pixels (BP) of a character field (ZF) provided for the representation of the characters (Z) are combined to form a pattern field (MF), c) a code word (CW3) is assigned as an address to each sample field (MF), d) each pattern field (MF) is converted into a drawing field of the second grid (ZF) by assigning the graphic elements (GE) to the pixels (BP), e) the character fields (ZF) generated in this way are stored in the corresponding character generator (Z3) at the addresses specified by the code words (CW3). 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the enlarged representation of the fine graphic pattern (G3 to G5) takes place in the first grid on a template (V) which is scanned optoelectronically. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the scanning of the original (V) by means of a scanning unit (A) is carried out line by line. 4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the enlarged representation of the fine graphic pattern (G3 to G5) by means of a keyboard (TA) on an output unit. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that. the color of the enlarged representation of the fine graphic pattern (G3 to G5) is stored within each pattern field (MF). 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the enlarged fine graphic patterns and the coarse graphic patterns are entered separately and on the character fields (ZFP1 to ZFP3) on which the fine graphic patterns (Ge to G5) are shown the corresponding code words (CW3) are entered as addresses. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that during the optoelectronic scanning of the template provided with the rough graphic patterns (G1) to the Character fields (ZFP1 to ZFP3) on which the fine graphic patterns (G3 to G5) are to be displayed, the addresses (P1 to P3) of the corresponding pattern fields (MF) are represented by a dot code in the character fields (ZFP1 to ZFP3). 8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the point code is shown in an inadmissible color for the representation of the characters (Z) and / or graphic pattern (G). 9. Arrangement for performing the method according to claim 1, characterized by an input unit (E), by means of which the enlarged fine graphic pattern (G3 to G5) can be entered into a memory (B), by a control unit (SE), which the graphic elements (GE) is converted into pixels (BP) from character fields (ZF) and contains a memory (S2) in which data words (DW) assigned to the pixels of the character fields (ZF) can be stored under addresses defined by code words (CW3) are. 10. The arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the input unit (E) contains a scanning unit (A) which scans with the graphic patterns (G) provided templates (V) line by line.

Images