US3130397A

US3130397A - Cathode ray tube display system having both specific symbol and generalized data control of the tube display

Info

Publication number: US3130397A
Application number: US765973A
Authority: US
Inventors: Elmer C Simmons
Original assignee: Laboratory For Electronics Inc
Current assignee: Laboratory For Electronics Inc
Priority date: 1958-10-08
Filing date: 1958-10-08
Publication date: 1964-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 1981-04-21

Description

A nl 21, 1964 E. c. SIMMONS 3,130,397

CATHODE RAY TUBE DISPLAY SYSTEM HAVING BOTH SPECIFIC SYMBOL AND GENERALIZED DATA CONTROL OF THE TUBE DISPLAY Filed 001;. e, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I I/VVENTOR ELMER c. SIMMONS ATTORNEY P 21, 1964 E. c. SIMMONS 3,130,397

CATHODE RAY TUBE DISPLAY SYSTEM HAVING BOTH SPECIFIC SYMBOL AND GENERALIZED DATA CONTROL OF THE TUBE DISPLAY Filed Oct. s, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY m R O m M xEEz M358 N M 4om w 02:2; M N c 2 m A A. N# E M mm xEZ: L 20.55% W 55085 E r 5 552 A W 2955mm 3 1 MN Ewmm Kim M63 0N 7 g 55.5 1 Q0861 SE28 1 2955mm 5 Kim Almokoudw .n woo: wmfi WN mm )L m; mm :286 159E @550 @258 05:3 922m \9 wzhmjmw 5.55% wzSmdw wzZwdw x A w. 2 3 A 2 p 21, 1964 E. c. SIMMONS 7 3, 7

CATHODEZ RAY TUBE DISPLAY SYSTEM HAVING BOTH SPECIFIC SYMBOL 7 AND GENERALIZED DATA CONTROL OF THE TUBE DISPLAY Filed Oct. 8, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 PWR. AMP. TO SELECTION MATRIX 25 PWR. AMP. TO SELECTION MATRIX 26 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,139,397 CATHGBE RAY TUBE BISPLAY SYSTEM HAVENG BOTH SPECIFIC SYR'EBGL AND GENERALIZED DATA CONTROL OF THE ills," E ElSPLAY Elmer C. Simmons, Whitman, Mass., assignor to Laboratory for Eiectronics, Inc, Boston, Mass., a corporation of Delaware Filed Get. 8, 1958, Ser. No. 765,973 8 Claims. (Cl. 349-324) The present invention relates in general to new and improved display apparatus, in pmticular apparatus for displaying symbols for any given length of time on a viewing screen in response to digitally coded data input signals.

Apparatus for displaying messages composed of alphanumeric data symbols is disclosed in a copending application by Murray E. Hale, Serial No. 713,665, filed February 6, 1958, and now abandoned, which is assigned to the assignee herein. The positional pattern of a high-velocity electron beam in a storage tube, of the type commercially available under the name Memotron, determines the pattern traced on the viewing screen by low-velocity electrons which are derived from a permanent source. Alpha-numeric data symbols are displayed by deflecting the high-velocity beam through a raster pattern, while simultaneously modulating the beam intensity with pulse signals which are representative of the desired data symbols. Depending on the pulse signal applied, a corresponding trace appears on the viewing screen in the shape of the desired data symbol and remains until intentionally erased. The pulse signals are derived from a magnetic core symbol matrix whose cores are pulsed sequentially. One such symbol matrix is disclosed in a copending application of Bernard M. Gordon et al., Serial No. 373,- 966, now Patent No. 2,920,312, filed August 13, 1953, and assigned to the assignee herein. Different core groupings are respectively connected by linking wires, the aforesaid pulse signals appearing on the latter. Appropriate selection means, which are responsive to the data characters encoded in the data stream, apply the pulse signal on the selected linking wire to the control grid of the direct-display storage tube to modulate the intensity of the high-velocity beam. While each individual pulse is responsible for producing a separate luminous spot on the face of the viewer, these luminous spots are spaced sufiiciently close in each raster pattern so that they cannot be resolved visually. Accordingly, the desired data symbol is traced out in a cont nuous line on the face of the viewer. Entire alpha-numeric messages can thus be represented on the viewing screen by applying step positioning signals in conjunction with successively represented data symbols in order to space the latter on the screen. The latter positioning signals are similarly applicable to the spacing of successive lines of the message written on the face of the viewer.

The above described technique for the representation of alpha-numeric messages presents a simple and flexible approach to the frequently encountered problem of changing or adding data symbols, inasmuch as additional core groupings of the core matrix are readily threaded with additional linking wires. It is unsuitable, however, for representation of maps, graphs, or other non-standardized line configurations from digital input data, since greater generality of the data symbols is required, as well as more flexibility in positioning the same. More specifically, to carry out such representation economically, apparatus is required for representing line configurations composed from generalized data symbols. If the map/ graph symbols are not generalized then a very large number of different symbols is required to represent all possible line configurations. A correspondingly large number of linked 3,130,397 Patented Apr. 21, 1964 ICC matrix core groupings would be necessary in that case, with the result that the symbol matrix becomes prohibitively expensive. On the other hand, for perfect generality each data symbol could take the form of a single dot, the total number of such dots which make up each raster pattern depending on the digital code employed. While this would limit the total number of different map/ graph symbols required, the positional data necessarily carried in the data stream with each dot, as well as the large number of dots individually called for as separate data symbols to represent a line configuration, would make ex ceedingly heavy demands on the storage capacity of the storage medium. Hence, such a technique is similarly uneconomical.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to overcome the foregoing disadvantages by providing novel display apparatus for representing maps, graphs or other non-standardized line configurations in response to digital data input signals and displaying such configurations continuously on a viewing screen until intentionally erased.

It is another object of this invention to provide simple and flexible display apparatus wherein map/ graph data symbols are combined in a desired manner in response to digital data input signals to represent desired line configurations on the face of a viewer until intentionally erased.

It is a further object of this invention to provide simple and flexible apparatus responsive to encoded data characters for displaying map/ graph line configurations composed from a group of generalized data symbols, or messages composed from alpha-numeric data symbols on a viewing screen of a direct-display storage tube until intentionally erased.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a simple and flexible system responsive to digitally encoded data characters wherein a direct-display storage tube is combined with a magnetic core symbol matrix to display map/graph line configurations composed from a group of generalized data symbols, as well as messages composed from a group of alpha-numeric symbols, on the viewing screen of said tube until intentionally erased.

These and other novel features of the invention together with further objects and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following detailed specification with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a group of generalized map/ graph data symbols adapted to be combined into map/ graph line configurations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a composite map/ graph data symbol and an alpha-numeric data symbol represented against a raster;

FIG. 3 illustrates a system for permanently displaying map/ graph line configurations and alpha-numeric messages on the viewing screen of a direct display storage tube until intentionally erased; and

FIG. 4 illustrates in greater detail the mode selection control of the system shown in FIG. 3.

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1 thereof, a group of generalized map/ graph data symbols capable of being combined into map/ graph line configurations is illustrated against an appropriate raster pattern. For purposes of identification only, all columns have been labeled with letters and all rows with numbers. It will be apparent from the above mentioned copending applications that for each map/ graph data symbol represented in FIG. 1 against its raster pattern, a corresponding core grouping connected by a linking wire exists in a 7 x 9 core raster of the symbol matrix. Where a six bit code is used, the maximum number of data characters which can be uniquely represented is 63. In practice, some data characters must be used for such functions as spacing, position control, case shift etc., and hence the full number is not available for symbol representation. A vast number of map/ graph line configurations can be generated by means of the symbols shown, particularly since two or more generalized data symbols can be combined within a given raster pattern to produce a composite symbol.

FIG. 2 shows a7 x 9 raster wherein the white circles illustrate a composite map/ graph data symbol made up of symbol A (i.e. column A line 2 of FIG. 1) and symbol F while the black circles represent an alphanumeric data symbol, as will be explained hereinbelow. With reference now to FIG. 3, a system is illustrated which is capable of representing map/ graph line configurations and/ or alpha-numeric symbols on the viewing screen of a direct-display storage tube. Digitally encoded data characters are stored in magnetic form on a suitable storage medium, e.g. a magnetic storage drum 11, successive data characters preferably being stored in series. Data readout is accomplished by means of magnetic head 12, such that electrical pulses corresponding to the binary digits comprising each data character appear in data stream 13. In a preferred embodiment respective bits appear in serial-serial form in the data stream, such that a single line data path is sufi'icient. Conventional selective gating units It 14, 15 and 16 respectively, are coupled to the data stream, each unit admitting predetermined data characters to the equipment connected thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, selective gating unit 10 admits data characters representative of positional control signals, the latter being combined with applied raster signals in buffer 19 prior to being applied to the deflection plates 2 of direct-display storage tube 3. The storage tube is of the type wherein the pattern described by a high-velocity electron beam impinging on a storage mesh determines the pattern traced on the viewing screen by low-velocity flood gun electrons penetrating the mesh. It will be understood that separate positioning signals are applied to the horizontal and vertical deflection plates respectively. Similarly, the raster signals are applied to both sets of deflection plates to cause the beam to follow a raster scanning pattern limited to a portion ofthe viewing screen. As shown in the drawing, means are provided for applying an appropriate signal whenever'it is desired to erase the trace on the viewing screen. Selective gating unit 14 admits data characters representative of case shift signals only, the latter being transmitted to case shift mode selector 36.

Selective gating units

15 and 16 respectively, admit it data characters to

decoders

22 and 21 connected thereto, each data character being selectively representative of a generalized data symbol or of an alpha-numeric data symbol, as will hereafter be explained. The number of input wires used by each decoder is determined by the digital code employed. In a preferred embodiment six input wires are used, while each of

outputs

23 and 24 respectively, represents n output wires. Similar to the case of the above-mentioned copending application Serial No. 713,665, each decoder consists of a conventional circuit wherein one of said n output wires is pulsed in response to a binary digital'code appearing on the input. Output 23 is connected to

selection matrices

25 and 26 respectively, while output 24 is connected to selection matrix 27. The selection matrices are susceptible of a variety of conventional instrumentations. In a preferred embodiment each selection matrix comprises n gates, each of said gates being connected to one of said It output wires of outputs Hand 24 respectively.

Outputs

31, 32 and 33 of respective selection matrices consist respectively, Of single output wires which are buffered together in buffer 34. The resultant video signal is amplified in amplifier 4, whence. it is applied to the control grid 6 of the directdisplay storage tube to modulate the intensity of the high velocity electron beam while the latter traces out the raster scanning pattern. Mode selector 36 which is set by hand to the desired mode is connected to a terminal 37 to receive case shift reset pulses. A case shift control unit 17 is connected to the mode selector and has separate control outputs connected to

selection matrices

25 and 26 respectively.

FIG. 4 illustrates in greater detail the combined mode selector and case shift control unit 17, applicable reference numerals having been retained where possible. As will be seen, mode selector 36 consists of a double throw switch adapted to apply the case shift and case shift reset si nals respectively, to wires 51 or 52, depending upon whether the switch is in the map-graph mode position or in the alpha-numeric mode position. A bistable flip-flop circuit 53 is connected to'wires 51 and 52 and is coupled to

selection matrices

25 and 26 respectively by

meansof power amplifiers

54 and 55.

In general, the limitation on the number of symbols which can be represented resides in the digital code used for the data characters of the data stream, rather than in the symbol matrix. More specifically, while the cores of the symbol matrix can be threaded with a very large number of wires, the 6 bit code employed in a preferred embodiment will accommodate only 63 unique data character codes. In the present invention, respective core groupings of the symbol matrix are linked such that pulse signals representative of generalized map/ graph data symbols as well as of alpha-numeric data symbols are obtained. The code of a given single data character herein may selectively represent either an alpha-numeric data symbol or a generalized map/ graph data symbol. Once a mode selection has been made, each data character, in conjunction with a case shift code (or the absence thereof), uniquely represents a given data symbol. In an alternative embodiment, a case shift code appears with each data character in the data stream. In the latter case, the selective gating units may selectrthe data characters admitted to the corresponding decoder. In the present embodiment, each generalized map/ graph data symbol is stored magnetically as one of n digitally encoded data characters which, but for the attendant case shift code (or the absence thereof according to the mode selected), is identical to a data character representative of an alpha-numeric data symbol. As shown in FIG. 2, the 'whole 9 x 7 core raster of the symbol matrix is used for the generalized map/ graph data symbols, while alphanumeric data symbols are confined to a 7 x 5 section of the core raster. As a result, a spaced separation occurs between adjacently represented alpha-numeric data symbols to aid the legibility thereof. Adjacently represented generalized map/ graph data symbols on the other hand, or composite symbols thereof, are adapted to join each other to form a continuous line configuration. The 7 x 5 section of the raster. is marked off in heavy lines in FIG. 2 and alpha-numeric symbol 2 is outlined therein in black circles. Magnetic core symbol matrix 42, which is pulsed from a timing source, has a first output 43 connected to

selection matrices

27 and 25 respectively, while a second output 44 is connected to selection matrix 26. Output 43 is representative of n output wires which link respectively, a first group of n separate core configurations confined to a 7 x 5 raster section of the symbol matrix. Output wires 43 are adapted to transmit pulse signals representative of n generalized map/ graph data symbols. Output 44 represents n output wires which link respectively, a second group of n separate core configurations utilizing the full 9 x 7 core raster. Output wires 44 are adapted to transmit pulse signals representative of n alpha-numeric symbols. where the number of alpha-numeric and map/ graph data symbols is not equal, the number of core configurations in respective groups will vary accordingly.

In operation, mode selector 36 is set manually to determine the mode which is normal to the system operation.

Assuming the selected normal mode to be the map/ graph mode, the representation of an alpha-numeric symbol then requires the occurrence of a case shift signal in order to It will be understood thatread the proper symbol out of the symbol matrix. In practice this is carried out by means of the output signals applied by case shift control unit 17 to

selection matrices

25 and 26, whereby the gates of the latter matrix are deactivated in the absence of a case shift signal. At the end of each writing a case shift reset pulse applied from terminal 37 keeps flip-flop 53 (FIG. 4) in the state where selection matrix 25 responds to the signals on line 23. For purposes of illustration, the following message in the data stream will be considered.

|3al10IBtzI20 With the data stream flowing from left to right the following operation results:

I z a l The foregoing operation is accomplished as follows in the apparatus: Step l-Selective gating unit 10 transmits a positioning signal to buffer 19 where it is mixed with the applied raster signal and is applied to deflection plates 2. For the sake of simplicity, positioning in general will be considered herein, although it is understood that respective horizontal and vertical positioning signals are applied to their respective deflection plates. Step 2The digital code representative of generalized map/ graph data symbol B moves to the input of selective gating unit while no data input code is received at selective gating unit 16. The output signal of selective gating unit 15 is applied to decoder 22 and causes the latter to pulse one of its 12 output wires 23. The timing source which pulses the cores of symbol matrix 42 sequentially, causes pulse sequences representative of generalized map/ graph data symbols to appear periodically on output wires 43, while pulse signals representative of alpha-numeric data symhols appear periodically on output wires 44. One of the gates of selection matrix opens in response to the pulse received via Wires 23 and admits the pulse sequence received on the corresponding wire 43. The pulse sequence representative of the desired generalized map/ graph data symbol B is thus applied to control grid 6 of storage tube 3 to modulate the intensity of the high velocity electron beam during the period that a raster scanning pattern is being traced out. The desired generalized map/ graph data symbol B is thus represented on the viewing screen within the area of the raster pattern. Step 3 is again instrumented through selective gating unit 10 which transmits a signal to deflection plates 2 to cause the beam to advance by four spaces. tep 4Pulse signals are transmitted by

selective gating units

16 and 15 respectively, to the corresponding

decoders

21 and 22. The position of the selective gating units relative to the data stream is such that the signal applied to decoder 21 calls for generalized map/ graph data symbol A while the signal appearing on decoder 22 requires generalized map/ graph symbol P In response to the respective decoder input signals, the appropriate wires are pulsed in

outputs

23 and 24 respectively. As a result, the proper gates open in

selection matrices

25 and 27 to transmit the desired pulse sequences received on the corresponding

wires

31 and 33 respectively. The latter signals are combined in buffer 34, and the resultant video signal is applied to control grid 6. A composite map/ graph data symbol, such as shown in white circles in FIG. 2, which combines generalized data symbols F and A appears on the viewer in response to the applied video signal. The beam advances by two spaces during step 5, the appropriate positioning signal being transmitted by selective gating unit 10. During step 6 the subsequently appearing case shift data character, designated as a herein, is admitted by selective gating unit 14 and is applied to mode selector 36. The flip-flop circuit, which is in the reset state, is set and the resultant signal disables matrix 25. Simultaneously, matrix 26 is enabled such that an alpha-numeric symbol is selected by the latter in response to the subsequently appearing data character in the data stream. The digital code representative of alpha-numeric data symbol B is transmitted by selective gating unit 15 to decoder 22, whence it pulses a gate of selection matrix 26. The latter gate opens to pass the desired pulse sequence appearing on the corresponding output wire 44. In response to the video signal applied to the control grid of the storage tube the letter B then appears on the viewing screen. A case shift reset pulse, periodically applied from terminal 37, resets the flip-flop circuit, enabling matrix 25 and disabling matrix 26 according to the normal system mode selected. During step 7 the beam advances 1 space on the viewing screen. In order to write another alphanumeric data symbol, a case shift signal is applied during step 8. Thereafter, selective gating unit 15, decoder 22 and selection matrix 26 cooperate in a manner similar to the operation described above to represent the numeral 3 on the viewing screen.

As previously explained, alpha-numeric symbols represented in adjacent spaces appear spaced from each other owing to the use of a 7 x 5 section of the 9 x 7 raster. Successive map/ graph symbols, on the other hand, which employ the entire 9 x 7 raster, may be chosen so as to touch each other and to represent a continuous line configuration.

Another case, wherein the normal system mode selected is the alpha-numeric mode, is illustrated below:

(G [B201] 00 [EaDsa] 20 [K] 15 I-! 05 Reading the foregoing from right to left in the direction of flow of the data stream, the following operation results:

(1) Advance 50 spaces.

(2) Do not write anything.

(3) Advance 51 spaces.

(4) Write letter K (alpha-numeric).

(5 Advance two spaces.

(6) Shift case and write composite map/ graph data symbol D E (7) Do not advance.

(8) Shift case and Write generalized map/ graph data symbol B Since the selected mode is alpha-numeric, case shift is necessary in order to represent map/ graph data symbols. In the operation above, a composite map/graph data symbol consisting of three generalized data symbols is written on the viewing screen by the expedient of writing a composite map/graph data symbol during step 6, failing to advance during step 7 and adding another map/graph data symbol during step 8. Any desired amount of compounding of generalized map/ graph data iyrlnbols is possible to represent a desired composite sym- From the foregoing description it will be seen that a simple and flexible system has been provided for the permanent display of map/ graph line configurations and/ or alpha-numeric messages, until intentionally erased. A large amount of information may thus be presented in an economical manner. Various modifications are possible in the system described above. Thus, an additional decoder may be provided together with another selective gating unit, said decoder feeding selection matrix 26 exclusively. In the latter case, the case shift control unit must be operative to place the input signal on one of the selective gating units which admit the data characters. Further modifications are possible in the manner of carrying the information in the data stream. While the information is carried in serial-serial manner in the preferred embodiment, it could readily be carried in serial-parallel fashion. In the illustrated embodiment case shift is a single-character operation. The system may readily be modified to use upper case and lower case codes with continuous strings of either upper or lower case characters. Further modification is possible in the manner of supplying the positional information. For example, in the ordinary tabular or message display it is simplest to move the beam horizontally one space per data symbol. Means mayreadily be incorporated in the above described system for automatically providing this operation in the alpha-numeric mode. Further modifications are possible in the number of selection matrices used, which can simultaneously admit a pulse sequence from the symbol matrix. The latter itself may be controlled from the case shift control unit to determine the system mode of operation. Additionally, as the name implies, the case shift operation described herein can be used to select upper or lower case alpha-numeric characters, instead of selecting between alpha-numeric and map/ graph characters.

Numerous modifications and departures may thus be made by those skilled in the art, all of which fall within the scope contemplated by the invention. Consequently, the invention herein disclosed is to be construed as limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for selectively representing line configurations composed of generalized data symbols, or messages composed of alpha-numeric data symbols on the viewing screen of a direct-display storage tube in response to applied input signals, said input signals comprising digitally encoded data symbols as well as case shift and positional data, a core symbol matrix having a plurality of core groupings each connected by a linking wire, means forsequentially pulsing said cores to produce pulse signals on respective linking wires each representative of one of said data symbols, said linking wires consisting of first and second groups carrying pulse signals representative of said alpha-numeric data symbols and of said generalized data symbols respectively, means responsive to said digitally encoded case shift data for selecting one of said groups, means responsive to said digitally encoded data symbols for applying pulse signals from the selected group to said direct-display storage tube to represent the corresponding data symbols on the screen thereof, and means responsive to said digitally encoded positional data to position said data symbols on said screen.

2. A system for selectively representing line configurations composed of generalized data symbols, or messages composed of alpha-numeric data symbols on the viewing screen of a direct-display storage tube in response to applied input signals, said input signals comprising digitally encoded data symbols as well as case shift and positional data, said direct-display storage tube being of the type wherein the pattern described by a high-velocity electron beam impinging on a storage mesh determines the pattern traced on a viewing screen by low-velocity flood gun electrons penetrating said mesh, said storage tube further comprising beam deflection plates, means for applying raster signals to said deflection plates to cause said beam to follow a limited raster scanning pattern, means for modulating said beam intensity, a core symbol matrix having a plurality of core groupings each connected by a linking wire, means for sequentially pulsing said cores to produce pulse signals on respective linking wires each representative of one of said data symbols, said linking wires consisting of first and second groups carrying pulse signals representative of said alpha-numeric and of said generalized data symbols respectively, means responsive to said digitally encoded case shift data for selecting one of said groups, means responsive to said digitally encoded data symbols for applying pulse signals from the selected group to 'said modulating means, said beam deflection plates being responsive to said digitally encoded positional data to position said data symbols on said screen.

3. A system for selectively representing line configurations composed of generalized data symbols, or

essages composed of alpha-numeric data symbols on the viewing screen of a direct-display storage tube in response to applied input signals, said input signals comprising data symbols as Well as case shift and positional data in digital code, a core symbol matrix having a plurality of core groupings each connected by a linking wire, means for sequentially pulsing said cores to produce pulse signals on respective linking Wires each representative of one of said data symbols, said linking wires consisting of first and second groups carrying pulse signals representative of said alpha-numeric andof said generalized data symbols respectively, means for determining a normal mode of system operation, means responsive to said case shift code in conjunction with said mode determining means for selecting one of said groups, means responsive to said input signals for applying said positional data to said direct-display storage tube in conjunction with a chosen pulse signal from the selected group to represent the corresponding data symbol at a predetermined position on the viewing screen, said last recited means being adapted for the simultaneous selection of a plurality of said pulse signals to represent a composite data symbol on said screen.

4. A system for selectively representing line configurations composed of generalized data symbols, or messages composed of alpha-numeric data symbols on the viewing screen of a direct-display storage tube in response to applied input signals, said input signals comprising data symbols as well as case shift and positional data in digital code, said direct-display storage tube being of the type wherein the pattern described by a highvelocity electron beam impinging on a storage mesh determines the pattern traced on a viewing screen by low-velocity flood gun electrons penetrating said mesh, said storage tube further comprising beam deflection plates, means for applying raster signals to said deflection plates to cause said beam to follow a limited raster scanning pattern, means for modulating said beam intensity, a core symbol matrix having a plurality of core groupings each connected by a linking wire, means for sequentially pulsing said cores to produce pulse signals on respective linking wires each representative of one of said data 7 symbols, said linking wires consisting of first and second groups carrying pulse signals representative of said alphanumeric and of said generalized data symbols respectively, means for determining a normal mode of system operation, means responsive to said case shift code in conjunction with said mode determining means for selecting one 'of said groups, said deflection plates being adapted to receive said positional data to position said beam, selection means responsive to said encoded data symbols for applying a chosen pulse signal from the selected group to said modulating means, said selection means being adapted to apply a plurality of said pulse signals simultaneously to represent a composite data symbol on said screen.

5. Apparatus for representing map/graph configurations on the viewing screen of a direct-display storage tube in response to a data stream containingsuccessive data characters in digital code, a predetermined number n of said data characters respectively being representative of generalized data symbols adapted to be selectively combined into said map/ graph configurations, said data stream further containing digitally encoded positional data in conjunction with said 11 data characters for positioning each of said data symbols on said screen, a plurality of selective gating units respectively coupled to said data stream, one of said selective gating units being 7 responsive to said digitally encoded positional data to transmit positional pulse signals to said storage tube, a decoder connected to each of the remaining ones of said plurality of selective gating units, each of said decoders having n output wires, each of said last recited gating units being adapted to admit said n data characters to the decoder connected thereto to pulse an output wire of the latter corresponding to the data character code received, a selection matrix corresponding to each of said decoders, each of said selection matrices comprising 11 gates having respective inputs thereof connected to said n output wires, a magnetic core symbol matrix comprising 11 core groupings each connected by a linking wire, respective linking wires being connected as another input to the gates of each of said selection matrices, means for pulsing said cores to obtain simultaneously occurring pulse signals on respective linking Wires, means for buifering together the output of said gates to obtain a resultant video signal, and means for applying said video signal to said storage tube.

6. Apparatus for representing map/ graph configurations on the viewing screen of a direct-display storage tube inresponse to a data stream containing successive data characters in digital code, a predetermined number n of said data characters respectively being representative of generalized data symbols adapted to be selectively combined into said map/ graph configurations, said data stream further containing digitally encoded positional data in conjunction with said n data characters for positioning each of said data symbols on said screen, said direct-display storage tube being of the type wherein the pattern described by a high-velocity electron beam impinging on a storage mesh determines the pattern traced on a viewing screen by low-velocity flood gun electrons penetrating said mesh, said storage tube further comprising beam deflection plates, means for applying raster signals to said deflection plates to cause said beam to follow a limited raster scanning pattern, means for modulating said beam intensity, a plurality of selective gating units respectively connected to said data stream, one of said selective gating units being responsive to said digitally encoded positional data to transmit signals representative thereof to said deflection plates, a decoder connected to each of the remaining ones of said plurality of selective gating units and having n output wires, each of said last recited gating units being adapted to admit said n data characters to the decoder connected thereto to pulse an output wire of the latter corresponding to the data character code received, a selection matrix corresponding to each of said decoders, each of said selection matrices comprising n gates having respective inputs thereof connected to said 11 output wires, a magnetic core symbol matrix comprising 12 core groupings each connected by a linking Wire, respective linking wires being connected as another input to the gates of each of said selection matrices, means for pulsing said cores to obtain simultaneously occurring pulse signals on respective linking wires, means for buffering together the output of said gates to obtain a resultant video signal, and means for applying said video signal to said modulating means.

7. A system for selectively representing map/graph configurations or messages on the viewing screen of a direct-display tube in response to a data stream, said map/ graph configurations being composed from a first group of generalized data symbols, said messages being composed from a second group of alpha-numeric data symbols, said data stream comprising digitally encoded data characters, predetermined ones of said data characters being selectively adapted to represent a data symbol of one of said first and second groups, said data stream further comprising encoded data characters representative of case shift and data symbol positioning signals, said direct-display storage tube being of the type wherein the pattern described by a high-velocity electron beam impinging on a storage mesh determines the pattern traced on a viewing screen by low-velocity flood gun electrons penetrating said mesh, said storage tube further comprising beazn deflection plates, means for applying raster signals to said deflection plates to cause said beam to follow a limited raster scanning pattern, means for modulating said beam intensity, a mode selector adapted to determine a normal mode of system operation, a caseshift control unit adapted to be actuated by said mode selector, a plurality of selective gating units respectively connected to said data stream, one of said selective gating units being responsive to said positioning code to transmit corresponding signals to said deflection plates, another of said selective gating units being responsive to said case shift code to transmit corresponding signals to said mode selector, a decoder corresponding to each of the remaining ones of said plurality of selective gating units, each decoder having a plurality of output wires, each of said last recited selective gating units being adapted to admit said predetermined data character codes to its corresponding decoder, a selection matrix corresponding to each of said decoders, one of said decoders having an additional selection matrix corresponding thereto, each of said selection matrices comprising a plurality of gates respectively connected to the output wires of its corresponding decoder, the selection matrices corresponding to said one decoder being adapted to be actuated from said case shift control unit, a magnetic core symbol matrix comprising a number of core groupings each connected by a linking wire, means for pulsing said cores to obtain simultaneously occurring pulse signals on respective linking wires, each one of a first plurality of said linking wires being connected to a corresponding gate of said additional selection matrix and being adapted to transmit pulse signals representative of alpha-numeric data symbols, each one of a second plurality of said linking wires being connected to corresponding gates of each of the remaining selection matrices and being adapted to transmit pulse signals representative of map/graph data symbols, means for buffering the outputs of said gates together to obtain a resultant video signal, and means for applying said video signal to said beam intensity modulating means.

8. Apparatus for forming a configuration from a composite of generalized symbols, said apparatus comprising a cathode ray tube of the type having a storage surface adapted to be written upon by an electron beam, means for causing said electron beam to trace a pattern whose area is a portion of the area of said storage surface, means for positioning said electron beam to cause said pattern to cover a selected portion of said storage surface and causing a plurality of said patterns to form a larger continuous raster upon said storage surf-ace, means for generating a plurality of pulse sequences, each sequence representing a difierent generalized symbol, and selector means responsive to input signals for causing the positions of said beam to be correlated with generalized symbols to be written upon said storage surface, said selector means causing the pulse sequence representing the generalized symbol related to a beam position to intensity modulate said beam when said beam is in the correlated position and while said pattern is being traced whereby the generalized symbols in adjacent patterns of said raster dorm a composite configuration.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,736,770 McNaney Feb. 28, 1956 OTHER REFERENCES Electronics, High-Speed Number Generator Uses Magnetic Memory Matrices, An Wang, May 1953, pp. 200-204.

Claims

1. A SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVELY REPRESENTING LINE CONFIGURATIONS COMPOSED OF GENERALIZED DATA SYMBOLS, OR MESSAGES COMPOSED OF ALPHA-NUMERIC DATA SYMBOLS ON THE VIEWING SCREEN OF A DIRECT-DISPLAY STORAGE TUBE IN RESPONSE TO APPLIED INPUT SIGNALS, SAID INPUT SIGNALS COMPRISING DIGITALLY ENCODED DATA SYMBOLS AS WELL AS CASE SHIFT AND POSITIONAL DATA, A CORE SYMBOL MATRIX HAVING A PLURALITY OF CORE GROUPINGS EACH CONNECTED BY A LINKING WIRE, MEANS FOR SEQUENTIALLY PULSING SAID CORES TO PRODUCE PULSE SIGNALS ON RESPECTIVE LINKING WIRES EACH REPRESENTATIVE OF ONE OF SAID DATA SYMBOLS, SAID LINKING WIRES CONSISTING OF FIRST AND SECOND GROUPS CARRYING PULSE SIGNALS REPRESENTATIVE OF SAID ALPHA-NUMERIC DATA SYMBOLS AND OF SAID GENERALIZED DATA SYMBOLS RESPECTIVELY, MEANS