JPS62192877A - Graphic display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily scroll only a plane to be scrolled by preparing plural scroll propriety tables, designating scroll direction by an input device corresponding to respective tables and executing the scroll. CONSTITUTION:The combination of the propriety of scroll for respective planes of a frame buffer is executed, namely, plural scroll propriety tables 71-7n to determine a scroll pattern are prepared. When the scroll direction is designated by input devices 21-2n corresponding to respective scroll propriety tables 71-7n, shifting coordinate calculating processing parts 31-3n determine the scroll pattern in accordance with the scroll propriety tables 71-7n, and executes the scroll in accordance with the pattern.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a graphic display device that is connected to, for example, a host computer and displays graphics such as power system diagrams.

B. Summary of the Invention The present invention has a frame buffer consisting of a plurality of branes having a pixel set larger than the number of pixels on the screen, and moves the area corresponding to the screen on the branes according to a specified scroll direction. In a graphics display device that performs scrolling, a plurality of scroll direction designation inputs are used, and depending on which one is selected, the combination of scrollability of each brain is determined, and only those brains determined to be scrollable are scrolled. This makes it possible to scroll only a specific figure from among the superimposed figures, and allows for convenient and efficient display operations.

C Conventional technology and The problem that the invention aims to solve Definitions of abbreviations used herein are as follows.

・HIF, host interface.

・SB, , Segment buffer.

・MTX, Matrix calculator. Matrix operator.

・CLP... Clipping device.

・DDA, digital differential analyzer. Digital vector generator.

・FB, frame buffer.

・LT... Lookup table. Also known as color map.

・IM, input machine. Input device.

・VIP, video interface.

・TB...table.

・AD、、、、Address.

・Pn, ..., brane n, (n is an integer greater than or equal to 0) Graphic display devices (graphic CRTs) have traditionally been CAD
, CAM, CAE, and other fields, it is often used as a terminal that connects to a host computer and displays graphics (including characters). There are also devices, such as workstations, that are physically integrated with a host computer that performs general-purpose business processing and are responsible for graphic display processing. Recently, the field of use as a terminal device for displaying equipment drawings has been increasing in online systems and drawing management systems that monitor and control equipment installed in a wide area.

Under such circumstances, there is a demand for reducing the load on host computers that perform various general-purpose tasks and improving the responsiveness of display processing, and there is a trend toward increased intelligence in graphic display devices. In other words, the graphic display device performs most of the graphic display functions. The graphic display device having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 will be described in detail below.

First, the graphic display device l has a host interface (HIP) for transmitting and receiving data to and from a host computer. The HIF receives various display instructions and graphic information from the host computer and transmits them to the display processor (CPU). Furthermore, in response to a request from the host computer, it receives various display-related information from the CPU and transmits it to the host computer.

SB is a memory that stores graphical information in descriptive representation (numerical values, symbols). The graphic information is managed in a hierarchical structure. The lowest layer is a concrete graphic entity (display graphic shape 9 position coordinates 1 display color, etc.). Above these, there is information on various attributes (visible attributes, detected attributes, etc.) for each graphical entity. Note that the positional coordinates of the graphic entity do not directly indicate the pixel position on the screen, but are coordinates on a virtual large screen, so-called world coordinates.

From the graphic information stored in this SB, graphic information in a range (a rectangular area determined by world coordinate values) required to be displayed is cut out.

This cutting process requires a matrix calculator (MTX) that performs parallel translation and rotation transformation of the displayed figure, a CRT monitor (
Clipping B (CLP) and the like are used to remove portions that do not extend beyond the displayable area corresponding to a CRT (CRT).

Furthermore, the line segment of the graphical information of the cut out descriptive expression is determined from the corresponding frame buffer (F
B) A digital differential analyzer (1) DA) that expands the 0N10FF information of the above bits is prepared.

The FB is a memory having bits that correspond one-to-one to each pixel on the CRT screen, at least to the extent that the number of bits corresponds to the number of pixels on the screen. In color display, a plurality of memory brains are provided, and column data in which a set of bits corresponding to the same pixel are arranged in each brain is used as the color code of the pixel corresponding to the bit. Furthermore, in recent years, look-up tables (LT) that store color codes in advance have been introduced.
).

The mainstream is a graphic display device which has a color map, uses the bit column data as an address, reads out the contents of the address in the LT, and uses it as the color code of the corresponding pixel. In such a graphic display device, overlapping priority display is possible. That is, first, a priority order is determined for each brane of the FB, and similarly, a priority order indicating which of the figures to be displayed is to be displayed with priority when superimposed is determined. Next, for each LT address, store the display color code of the figure to be expanded to the highest priority brain among the combinations of brains corresponding to the bit whose bit content is turned on in the LT part of the address. . Then, figures in the display range are cut out from the SB, and each figure is bit-developed into the FB brain corresponding to its priority order. On the other hand, when several figures in each brane overlap, L T is referred to by using the bit string corresponding to the pixel in the overlapped part as an address. Since the color code of the highest priority display figure when figure sets overlap is stored in advance, the display after overlapping is realized.This will be explained in Fig. 5.Display figures...
There are 3, 3 and 4, and the priority of superimposition priority display is from the highest to highest. The display colors are red, green, and blue.

The priority order of the FB brains is P2. Pi
.

The order shall be PO. Display figures・,mu,■ are each P2
．． Assume that the bits are expanded to Pi and PO. The set of bits corresponding to one pixel read out from each brane of FB is P2. It is assumed that they are arranged in the order of Pi and PO and serve as the reference address of LT.

The combinations of overlapping figures in each pixel, the corresponding LT reference addresses, and the LT contents of the addresses are shown below. (The part where the bit content of the address is x indicates that either O or I is acceptable.) <Graphic overlapping combination><LT reference address><LTcontent> 1,
・,mu, ■ l××red 2,・,mu Same as above Same as above 3 ・ Same as above
Same as above 4, Mu, ■ 01 x Green 5, Mu Same as above Same as above 6, ■ 001 Blue 7, No overlap 000 Background color Also, figure overlapping combinations are shown in the figure. The numbers written on the surface surrounded by line segments are the numbers assigned to the above-mentioned graphic overlapping combinations. The screen displayed on the screen as described above is as shown in the figure.

LT is a table that stores the luminance of the three basic primary colors R, G, and H. R stored at each address,
A unique color is expressed by combining the G and B luminance colors.

The video interface (VIP) reads out the contents of the FB, uses the bit string corresponding to each pixel as an address, reads out the color code of the LT, and sends a video signal (R, G, B, separate) to the CRT.

It also generates a synchronizing signal (vertical synchronizing signal: VD, horizontal synchronizing signal: HD) to the CRT. These operations are independent of CPU control and are always executed at high speed and cyclically. The mechanism up to video signal generation will be explained using FIG. VIP generates a bit address (FBAD) corresponding to a certain pixel for each plane of the FB. The bit contents thus read out are arranged in respective predetermined positions to create an LT reference address.

With this LT reference address, the contents of the corresponding LT are R,
Read in G and B units. The read contents are sent to the DA converter. Here, the signals are DA converted to generate R, G, and B video signals, respectively. The above processing is performed one after another in the order in which the pixels are arranged.

These processes are executed extremely fast and cyclically, so to the human eye, the image appears as a single screen, aided by the afterimage phenomenon.

The CRT performs refresh drawing using a rask scan display method. In other words, upon receiving the r Various colors are displayed by combining colors.The designation of pixels, that is, the radiation position of the beam, is controlled by horizontal synchronization signals and vertical synchronization signals.In other words, the electron beam is scanned horizontally from the upper left of the screen,
Sequentially scan the required number of lines to the bottom right, 30 to 60 per second.
Make it twice. The value of 30 to 60 times is called a vertical scanning frequency (refresh rate), and is generally set to a value close to the lower limit within a range that does not cause flickering.

The CPU analyzes and executes input information from the host computer and IM. However, most of the specific processing is performed by each dedicated processor (MTX, CLP, VIF, etc.), and in reality, these are often controlled.

The input device (IM) is used by an operator to input various information to the graphic display device. There are many different types available depending on the purpose. As standard, there is a ghee board. Devices for manually inputting coordinate values include digitizers, tablets, and the like.

Furthermore, there are joysticks, trackballs, etc. for moving figures and cursors on the screen.

Now, in the above-mentioned graphic display device, it takes a considerable amount of time to cut out the graphic information in the display range from the SB and develop it as bit information on the FB. Although it depends on the amount of graphical information to be cut out, the equipment management drawings and the like drawn on the above-mentioned map contain a considerable amount of information per unit display area and take a lot of time. Even with the fastest speeds currently in use, it takes several seconds to draw a fast drawing. In a typical system, the time is usually between a dozen seconds and a few tens of seconds. on the other hand. S by applying the concept of world coordinates
There is a demand to store graphical information of a drawing that is much wider than the screen surface in B, and to cut out and display the necessary parts. At this time, in order to see outside the area that has already been displayed, even if it is in the vicinity of the already displayed area, it is necessary to clear the FB, cut out the area from the SB, and expand the bits to the FB again.

In this case, even if you just look at the neighboring parts, it will be erased once and then displayed again, and it will take several seconds at the fastest.

In other words, the shock of erasure interrupts the human gaze, and the long interruption causes physiological irritation and stress. This cannot be said to be a graphic display device with good responsiveness and easy handling.

In recent years, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the display of the screen set to the plane has an FB consisting of a plane with a bit number corresponding to the screen with a pixel set much larger than the number of pixels on the screen. Scroll display is achieved by reading only the bit contents of the rectangular part (screen corresponding area) corresponding to the area and making it displayable, and by moving the screen corresponding area freely on the plane according to the scroll direction input from the IM. Graphical display devices have been put into practical use.

This mechanism will be explained using the example shown in FIG. 1
When a scroll direction is input from M2, the movement coordinate calculation processing unit 3 reads the coordinates of the current tube surface corresponding area from the tube surface corresponding area coordinates TB4, and moves according to the scroll direction and the determined unit movement amount. Calculate the coordinates of the tube surface corresponding area and set them as new tube surface corresponding area coordinates. On the other hand, VIP5, independently of these calculation processes, reads the bit contents of the rectangular area on each brane determined by the screen corresponding area coordinates at that time, creates an LT reference address, and LT contents of the address. The process of reading out the data and generating the corresponding R, G, and B video signals is performed cyclically at high speed. If input in the scrolling direction continues, the screen will move continuously from the area corresponding to the screen on the screen, and the screen will appear to scroll on the screen. The screen example shown in FIG. 7 shows a case in which the screen is moved from the tube surface corresponding area drawn by the broken line in the FB plane to the tube surface corresponding area drawn by the dashed line by human force in the scrolling direction. In this case, the displayed contents on the screen change as shown in A to B in the figure. In other words, the screen appears to scroll diagonally upward and to the left. This scrolling function makes it very easy and smooth to view the neighboring area of the display area on the screen in a drawing that is wider than the screen, improving man-machine functionality and performance.

However, in this scrolling function, since the tube surface corresponding area coordinates on each plane of the FB are all common, the tube surface corresponding areas of all planes move in the same way. That is,
Anything on the brain will scroll in the same way. This is inconvenient because there may be things displayed on the plane that you do not want to scroll depending on the case. Further, in the portion where the figures on each plane overlap, the part of the figure with a lower priority cannot be seen as long as the figure is scrolled.

In order to see this, the only way to see it is to delete a graphic that has a higher priority than the graphic in the overlapping area, or shift the overlapping area and redisplay it. However, erasing high-priority graphics goes against the desire to view them simultaneously. Also, redisplaying takes time and
Machine performance is poor. An example is shown in FIG. It displays an underground line diagram, and overlays the window display of the equipment wiring diagram and operation messages on top of it for priority display. Brain P2 has equipment wiring diagram and operation diagram.
Message, the brain P1 is a window of the equipment wiring diagram, and the brain PO is a bit expansion of the underground line diagram. The set of bits corresponding to one pixel read out from each brane of FB is P2. They are arranged in the order of PL and PO, and serve as the reference address for the LT. The contents of each address of LT are as shown in the figure for priority display.

Here, a case will be considered in which the tube surface corresponding area set in each plane is moved from a location surrounded by a broken line to a location surrounded by a dashed-dotted line. When this movement is executed, the screen display changes as shown in the figure. In other words, the entire screen including device wiring diagrams and operation messages scrolls. In this case, the problem is that if you want to display a window such as a device wiring diagram fixedly at a specific position on the screen, it violates that request, and similarly, operation messages are fixedly displayed on the bottom line of the screen. (This is the mainstream idea in systems that use graphic display devices.)
The part of the underground line diagram that overlaps with the equipment wiring diagram window cannot be seen even if you scroll. The only option is to shift the overlapping parts of the track map and redisplay it.)To reiterate, the man-machine problems caused by such a scrolling function can be summarized as follows.

(1) When performing superimposed display, the figures on all planes are scrolled in the same way, so the figure on the plane that you do not want to scroll is scrolled.

(2) When displaying an overlapping display, it is not possible to scroll only a specific brain, so it is not possible to scroll and see the overlapping parts of figures other than the one with the highest priority among the group of overlapping figures.

In order to solve such problems, the inventor of the present invention set up a unique tube surface corresponding area for each brane, instead of the tube surface corresponding area coordinates TB that were common to each brane in the past. Using the screen corresponding area coordinates TB of , and using the scroll enable/disable TB that sets scrollability for each brane, calculate the coordinates in the screen corresponding area coordinates TB for the branes set to be scrollable according to the scroll direction input value. We are considering a method to update the value. According to such a method, it is possible to scroll only a specific figure among the figures displayed in an overlapping manner.

Now, generally speaking, in a graphic display system that performs preferential overlapping display of multi-windows, the back of the base is used to scroll the diagram while displaying the window at a fixed position on the screen, as in the power distribution system control system in the example above. It is more desirable from an ergonomic point of view that each window and the background screen of the base can be freely scrolled and displayed. In other words, it is a way of using the image of pulling out only the one you want to see from a stack of multiple drawings, and it allows the operator to easily imagine the very natural movements of everyday human activities, which is desirable for the operator.

In the graphic display device that has already been considered, in order to scroll only what the operator wants, it is necessary to set the scroll enable/disable TB to enable scrolling only for the brain that expands the figure that the operator wants to scroll, and then specify the scroll direction from IM. All you have to do is enter it.

The following two methods can be considered for setting the scrollability TB. One is a method in which an operator inputs and sets data one by one for each brane starting from 1M. The other method is to register several sets of this setting data in TB units in the post computer, and when you input the combination name etc. from IM, the request is notified to the host computer, and the host computer sends the request to the graphic display device. This is a method of transmitting the data and setting the data.

Here, IM which assumes a scroll brain is also a man.
Since it is a machine device, it is desirable that it be easy to use and have good responsiveness. To do this, we first need to be able to specify scroll brains easily and with a few operations. Further, immediately after designation, the relevant scroll brain must become effective instantaneously, and only the relevant scroll brain must be scrolled by human force in the scrolling direction immediately after that. Of the two scroll brane designation methods described above, the former cannot be called "simple and requires fewer operations." Operations such as setting scroll enable/disable for each scroll brain are too complicated. Furthermore, such a complicated operation takes time to complete the settings, and it is very difficult to instantly enable the designated scroll brain. The latter, 1 from IM
Instructions can be given by motion, and the operation is simple and requires few motions. However, processing time is required from the instruction to the completion of data setting. Also, the load on the post computer increases. Both methods have problems as described above. Therefore, there is a need for an easy-to-use and responsive mechanism for freely specifying the scroll plane.

The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and provides a graphic display that allows scrolling of only a specific graphic from among overlappingly displayed figures, and allows convenient and efficient display operations. The purpose is to provide equipment.

Means and action for solving problem D9 The mechanism of the present invention is shown in FIG.

First, a plurality of new scroll enable/disable TBs 7, which can independently set scroll enable/disable for each plane, are added. ~7n will be provided. Each TB7 is similar to the "graphic display device" mentioned above, and when there is a human force in the scroll direction from the corresponding IM, the coordinates of the corresponding area on the screen are made to correspond to it. This determines whether to move the object or leave it stationary. Each element of TB7 corresponds to a plane, and its contents indicate whether the plane can be scrolled. Set this content in advance. Note that this TB7 is writable and readable.

Next, independent scroll direction designation IM2 corresponding to each scroll enable/disable TB7 on a one-to-one basis are newly provided by the number (2, to 2n) corresponding to the scroll enable/disable TB7. For example, one of these scroll direction designation IM2. When the scroll direction is input from the rM2. This is valid only for scroll enable/disable TB7I corresponding to .

In addition, tube surface corresponding area coordinates TB6 are provided for independently setting the tube surface corresponding area for each plane. This TB6
Each element corresponds to each plane and stores unique tube surface corresponding area coordinates.

The tube surface corresponding area coordinates to be stored indicate at least one starting point of the rectangle. For example, since the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the tube surface is fixed, the coordinates of one vertex of a rectangle may be used.

Furthermore, the coordinates may be XY coordinate values on a plane, or may be addresses of bits directly on a plane. In short, any method is sufficient as long as all bits corresponding to all pixels on the tube surface can be specified in the plane. Note that the TB6 is writable and readable.

Furthermore, if there is human power in the scroll direction from each scroll direction designation IM, the corresponding scroll availability TB
Recognizes the scrollable plane by referring to the scroll enable/disable TB, calculates the movement coordinates from the scroll direction and the current screen corresponding area coordinates of the plane, and calculates the movement coordinates from the screen corresponding area coordinates TB. A new number (31 to 3n) of movement coordinate calculation processing units 3 corresponding to scroll availability TB and scroll direction designation IM are provided.

The movement amount of the screen corresponding area for one scroll direction input is common to all the corresponding scrollable planes, so first calculate the movement amount, and then calculate the movement amount as the screen corresponding area of each scrollable plane. The basic calculation method is to add or subtract from the coordinate values of .

On the other hand, 5 is a VIP as an image processing section, and VII"5
reads the screen corresponding area coordinates TB6, recognizes the unique screen corresponding area of each plane, and synchronizes and sends out the unique read address for the bit corresponding to the same pixel to each plane and reads its contents. Has a function. Now, using the bit string corresponding to the read pixel as the LT reference address, the contents of the LT are read and converted into R, G,
The processing up to the generation of the B signal is similar to the processing described in the prior art section. Of course, these processes are executed cyclically and at high speed. Through these processes, it is possible to display overlapping display even in tube surface corresponding regions having different coordinates in each plane.

In the above mechanism, when actually used, the user usually determines the scroll pattern in advance. That is, for a combination of planes to be scrolled in response to one scroll direction input, scrollability is set for each plane in the scrollability TB. This one combination is used as a scroll pattern, and the required number of scroll patterns is set in TB units.

When there is a scroll direction designation input from one scroll direction designation IM, the scroll enable/disable T corresponding to that IM is displayed.
Only the area corresponding to the tube surface of the scrollable plane set to B moves in accordance with the scroll direction, and the requested scroll pattern is immediately realized. This is because each user-defined scroll pattern corresponds to each independent scroll direction designation M on a one-to-one basis, and the operator simply selects the scroll direction designation IM and inputs the direction from that IM. This allows the scrolling to be performed at the same time as specifying the scroll pattern. Also, for the same reason, even if scroll directions are input from multiple scroll direction specifying IMs at the same time, the corresponding scroll patterns will be executed independently, and multiple scroll patterns can be executed and viewed simultaneously on the screen. I can do it.

E. Embodiment FIG. 2(A) shows an embodiment of the present invention. F'B is composed of three planes in which the figure shown in the figure is developed in bits.
It has an LT as shown in the figure, and is arranged in such a manner that the bit string read out for one pixel from each plane is used as an address, starting from the highest level. The order is Pi and PO. It also has two scroll direction designations IM-a and IM-b, and a corresponding scrollability TB as shown in FIG. 2 (13).
It is assumed that two sets of TB-a and TB-su are respectively set. Here, as shown in the figure, a tube surface corresponding area is set as shown by the broken line in each plane, and at the same time, by inputting a unique scroll direction from the scroll direction designation IM-a and IM-b, the area shown by the dashed line is Consider the case of moving. FIG. 3 shows the scroll display in this case. Scroll direction designation If the scroll direction input from I M -a is in the diagonally lower left direction, P2. P
Only plane P2.i is scrollable. Only the area corresponding to the tube surface of PL is moved to the dashed line. Further, when the scroll direction input from the scroll direction designation I M-b is in the diagonally upper right direction, only the PO can be scrolled in TB-b, and only the area corresponding to the tube surface of the plane PO moves to the dashed-dotted line portion. Therefore, on the tube surface, P2. The window part on PL is diagonally downward to the left,
The map of O appears to scroll diagonally upward and to the right.

In this way, scrolling patterns can be arbitrarily and independently selected and scrolling can be achieved simultaneously.

F1 Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention provides a plurality of scroll enable/disable tables that determine scroll enable/disable combinations, that is, scroll patterns for each brane of the frame buffer, and scrolls when the scroll direction is specified by the input device corresponding to each of the scroll enable/disable tables. A pattern is determined, and scrolling is executed according to the pattern. Therefore, the present invention has the following effects.

(1) When displaying bit-expanded figures in multiple brains in priority overlapping display, scroll only the brain you want to scroll and display it fixedly like the device wiring diagram window or operation message in the example above. You can keep things fixed without being affected by human scrolling.

(2) When displaying an overlapping display, even if the part is stacked below the highest priority among the overlapping figures and cannot be seen, only the plane in which the figure in that part is bit-expanded can be scrolled. By manually adjusting the settings and scrolling, you can easily and smoothly view the images.

(3) Regarding the designation of the scroll plane, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the scroll direction designation IM and the scroll pattern, so that the scroll pattern and the scroll direction can be designated at the same time. Therefore, a man-machine device that is extremely easy to use and has excellent responsiveness is realized.

(4) Since each set of scroll direction specification IM and scroll enable/disable TB that determines the scroll pattern is independent, even if scroll direction input from multiple scroll direction specification IMs is made at the same time, each scroll can be scrolled independently. can be executed in parallel. Therefore, convenient and efficient display operations are possible.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the main part of the present invention, FIG. 2 (A') is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between scrolling and planes according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (B) is a scrolling enable/disable table. 3 is a screen display diagram showing the state of scrolling according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the graphic CRT; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of overlapping figures; FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the mechanism of video signal generation, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the scroll processing mechanism of the conventional device, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the scrolling state of the conventional device. 2, (2, ~2n)...input device, 3, (3+~
3n) - Movement coordinate calculation processing unit, 5... video interface, 6... tube surface corresponding area coordinate table, 7. (
7, to 7n)...Scrollability table. Figure 2 (A) Hats off to Trading Co., Ltd. 1 Figure 3 Figure 5 Figure 7 Explanatory diagram of the menu of scroll processing for the capture i device
stomach

Claims (1)

[Claims] A scrolling device having a frame buffer composed of a plurality of planes having a number of bits corresponding to a screen with a pixel set much larger than the number of pixels on the screen, and which is input from a scrolling direction specifying input device. In a graphics display device, the area corresponding to the screen surface is moved on a plane depending on the direction, the bit contents of the area corresponding to the screen surface are read out by the image processing section, and a video signal is generated based on the bit string. A tube surface corresponding area coordinate table that stores the tube surface corresponding area coordinates for setting a unique tube surface corresponding area, and a plurality of screens that indicate whether scrolling is possible for each of the planes and that have different combinations of planes that can be scrolled or not. a set of scrollability tables, a plurality of scroll direction designation input devices corresponding to these scrollability tables, and a selected scrollability table corresponding to each of the scrollability tables and the screen corresponding area coordinate table. 1. A graphic display device comprising: a plurality of movement coordinate calculation processing units that update values of coordinates of a tube surface corresponding region of a scrollable plane according to a scroll direction input value.