DE2422464A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR GENERATING CHARACTERS - Google Patents

Description

HELMUT Gll

FrCnI-Ui C -... iain 7f. May 8, 1974

llockwell International Corp., El Segundo, California

Method and device for generating characters

The invention relates to a method and a device for Generation of characters or characters and in particular such a digital system that requires minimal data storage and control of character display is obtained by calculations on the basis of a few stored parameters from which the Coding of each character or character composed.

Character generators are used in many fields, for example in common commercial photocomposing printing devices - earlier ones such devices were primarily optical in nature and used masks that corresponded to the character configurations were trained. Cathode ray tube displays were developed in which the sexton, pictures or stencils either can be formed optically or by means of digitally obtained signals. For example, U.S. Patent 3,324 discloses a light spot scanner optically coupled to an array of character representations to capture the digital signals for the picture or sample to get.

Other cathode ray tube stones used masks that were scanned for a purpose similar to that in

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U.S. Patents 2,275,017 and 2,379,880.

A rather violent method of character encoding is to identify or label each element or point of a matrix of points corresponding to the character segments when a character is superimposed on the matrix. A such a dot generating system is in U.S. Patent 3165145 disclosed. A serious disadvantage of this approach is that even with medium or poor Playback quality requires an extremely large storage capacity.

Another known type of coding essentially includes the resolution of the area of a character into narrow strips and quantization as well as storage of the initial coordinates and the length of each strip. One such method is described in U.S. Patent 3,305,841. In U.S. Patent 3,471,848 is an improvement on this Method disclosed in which the end points of successive strips are encoded in incremental form. This serves essentially to reduce the required storage capacity for the encoded character data.

An alternative approach is in U.S. Patent 3,422 discloses in which a character set is parsed to form multiple patterns or schemes appropriate for one or more characters apply and a substantially rectangular configuration with a plurality of line segments of a certain controlled length exhibit. Each character is encoded as a combination of selected coughs from these common patterns or schemes. Such a thing

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System can by reducing the required storage capacity impose great restrictions on the typeface or character set and, to some extent, distort the cause generated characters.

According to the invention, all characters of all typefaces or character sets to be stored in a memory are related to encoded a normalized square. The square essentially corresponds to the character to be displayed with the maximum point size.

Each character is analyzed or decomposed with respect to the coordinates of the square, in particular with respect to the outline or outline coordinate pairs that enclose a segment of the character between them, and thus the Define the limits of such a segment. Each character is thus through one or more of these pairs of outline lines Are defined. The coded information corresponding to the parameters of each character includes the Y coordinates of the Starting point or the starting points of each such pair of outline lines and the slope and curvature (more variable Direction parameters) of each such outline. In the square are the X coordinate distances or bit positions unit values along the X-axis. Thus, all slopes are due to incremental changes in the Y-coordinate of the outline defined for successive X coordinate parts. the Curvatures are then encoded according to certain predetermined radii of curvature that form the outline of the character are adapted. Each such curvature is determined by a sequence of incrementally changing slopes. About that in addition, the rate of increment or growth of the slope

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varies. A given curvature thus creates a sequence of incremental changes in slope, each of which is different Duration fixed, and the slope increments in turn determine the sequence of incremental changes in the Y coordinates. place.

The generation of a character by means of this coded and stored Parameter information is carried out according to successive calculation cycles, the successive X coordinate positions correspond. A sequence of successive calculation cycles represents a function of time which depends on the number of calculations to be carried out, which in turn depends on the number of outlines to be processed depends.

The representation of a character is finally carried out as a function of blanking and switching on or off a scanning beam, while he uses successive horizontal lines or line elements that are shifted or offset from one another to be led. Each pair of outline lines causes the scanning beam to be blanked and over the vertical displacement of the Outline pair is performed. As mentioned earlier, serve horizontal scale factors for correlating the line element function for each desired line density, with the calculated Y coordinate transition values in consecutive Calculation cycles as a function of both line density and the required point size of the representation can be generated.

According to the invention there is thus an advantageous digital method for generating characters or characters as well as a

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digital character generator created, the characters or characters on the basis of a normalized square accordingly the coordinates of an initial starting point of the outlines of the character are coded and variable Parameters define changes to these outlines, such as slope and curvature. All characters of all sizes and Formats are encoded to represent the maximum point size. Vertical scale factors allow characters to be generated for representations with any desired point size. Horizontal scale factors are used to implement the calculations based on the coded parameters of the normalized square into a desired point size of the representation as well as for adapting cyclical calculations to the line density or the resolution of a display cathode ray tube.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are described in more detail below.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a part of a 72 point serif display on a greatly enlarged scale with uniform horizontal and vertical scale factors (horizontal scale factor HSF = vertical scale factor VSF = i), which was generated according to the invention by means of coded commands,

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FIG. 2 shows an even greater enlargement of the line image (serif) according to FIG. 1, which encoded by means of the same Commands generated, but with 4 points with a vertical scale factor VSF of 18 and a horizontal scale factor Scale factor HSF of 24.774 was shown, with the inset drawing being the real one Representation with the same scale enlargement as in Fig. 1 shows,

3A shows a character which, by means of the commands, corresponds to the table according to Fig. 3B, based on a normalized square, was generated,

Fig. 3C shows the outline of the character shown in Fig. 3A with a designation corresponding to the commands according to FIG. 3B,

Fig. 4 is an instruction table indicating the formats,

5 shows a simplified square to illustrate the character coding,

FIG. 6 shows a simplified diagram of codable gradients, FIG. 7 shows a table of values for the gradients according to FIG. 6,

Figure 8 is a simplified square with a simple character configuration to explain the slope coding,

Fig. 9 is a command table for the character and the square according to Fig. 8,

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10 shows a table of calculated Y-coordinate values for successive X-coordinate positions, calculated for the orders after Pig. 9,

FIG. 11 shows a representation of a character which was generated by means of the encoded instructions according to FIG. 9;

12 shows a block diagram of a read-only memory for storing values of incremental changes the Y coordinate value for the corresponding slope values,

13A and 13B show the bit map of the read-only memory Fig. 12 for the basic numbers 2 and 10,

Fig. 13C is a table of values indicating the relationship between the representative slope values of Fig. 6 and binary values, with their bit place values as Address bits are used for the read-only memory according to FIG. 12,

1h shows a simplified block diagram of the sequence of the Y update or change function of the slope calculations,

15 shows a simplified representation of curvatures,

16 is a table showing the relationship between the curvatures of FIG. 16 and corresponding binary values and produces corresponding radii,

17 is an illustration of a sequence of slopes which approximates a circular curve with any Form the radius of curvature,

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18 shows a comparative illustration of a sequence of slopes, the one for the same X coordinate intervals and one to be approximated and the curve to be coded was generated,

19 shows a simplified one for a given curvature value k Table of the corresponding stored sequence of slope values m or predetermined numbers S ^ the Y coordinate change calculations to be made for each slope value as used for the extensive approximation of an arc to a circular one Curve can be used

Fig. 20 is a comparison between one corresponding to the curvature table according to Fig. 19 generated outer line and the circular arc to be approximated,

FIG. 21 is a table containing Y-coordinate change values which is calculated in accordance with the table of FIG became,

FIG. 22 shows a comparison drawing of an outline generated by means of the values in the table according to FIG. 21 and the line the approximate circular arc achieved thereby,

23 shows a simplified block diagram of a read-only memory for setting up the M change function in accordance with one another with the table according to Fig. 19,

24 shows a table of the bit values of the read-only memory according to FIG. 23,

Fig. 25 is a table showing the generation of differential curvatures by means of a single read-only memory, such as one

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Read-only memory according to FIGS. 23 and 24, which is programmed for a base radius r = 32 at k = 6 is,

Fig. 26 is a simplified block diagram illustrating the extraction of the M change function in accordance with Figs. 19 to 25 represents

27 shows a basic block diagram of an embodiment of the character generator according to the invention;

Fig. 27A is a flow chart explaining the operation of the character generator of Fig. 27;

28 shows a detailed block diagram of the computing and storage unit shown in the block diagram according to FIG. 27,

FIG. 29 is a detailed block diagram of that shown in FIG Y-unit,

29A shows a flow chart to illustrate the calculation of the Y function of the Y unit according to FIG. 29;

29B an illustration of the curve generation in relation to incrementally changed values of M and Y,

FIG. 30 shows a detailed block diagram of the Y-unit according to FIG. 28,

Fig. 3ΌΑ is a flow diagram of the functions of the Y-unit according to Fig. 30,

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- * 10 -

Pig. 31 shows a detailed block diagram of the K-unit Fig. 28,

Figure 31A is a table of values for the K decode logic circuit according to Fig. 31,

31B shows a table of the _{values stored in the S N} programmer shown in FIG. 31 for the read-only memory;

31C is a table of values for the MK decoding logic block according to FIG Fig. 31,

FIG. 32 is a detailed block diagram of the S-unit according to FIG. 28,

33 is a detailed block diagram of the scale, line and video control unit of FIG. 29;

Fig. 34 is a detailed block diagram of the horizontal scale unit according to Fig. 33,

35 shows a detailed block diagram of the central processing unit according to FIG. 27,

FIG. 36 is a detailed block diagram of the processor state unit of FIG. 35;

37 is a flowchart showing the sequence of the states of the system, and FIG

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Fig. 38 is a detailed block diagram of the outline follower unit according to Fig. 35.

Each character to be displayed. Character is usually one of several characters in a set, which is generally used as a font, typeface or character set (font or font style). It is assumed that each such character set for a representation in each Size must be available within a wide range of sizes. The typical terminology in letterpress or in the Typography relates the character sizes to points as the basic typographical unit, with a point approximately 1/72 of 2.54 cm, which is about 0.353 mm. One consisting of 9 points Character is thus determined by a square with a side length of 9 χ 1/72 of 2.54 cm = I / 8 of 2.54 cm = 3.175 mm. Accordingly, a character consisting of 72 points is defined by a square with a side length of 25.4 mm.

According to the invention, each character is stored accordingly a standardized common to all characters of all character sets Square coded. This square can be assigned to any coordinate system, the 1,024 coordinate or Bit parts in the Y direction and i.024 coordinates - or Has bit positions in the Y direction.

As will be described in more detail below, the invention requires System a minimum of storage space for the encoded character data. In particular, each character is made accordingly certain parameters encoded that define the outline of each part of the character, relative to the normalized Square, correspond. The parameters corresponding to the outer lines are thus derived in pairs and represent in the

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essentially represent the boundaries of the solid or filled areas or segments of each character. Although a standardized one here Square is assumed as the basis for the coding of the characters, the system according to the invention is actually not limited to a given square configuration in the sense of the typical typography square. Instead it is Horizontal dimension or width of the square or rectangle variable according to the width of a character.

The encoded and stored parameters of each character include the Y coordinates for the starting point of each outline and the slopes and curvatures of these outlines. In relation to the square, each bit position becomes of the X coordinate of the square surrounding the character is regarded as a unit distance, and a calculation is made below Reference to the stored parameters for each such successive X-bit position of the one surrounding the character Squares, i.e. at each calculation cycle, to determine the Y coordinates for this bit position of each Calculate outline.

Each character is displayed on the screen of a cathode ray tube with a high resolution, both in terms of the quality of the fluorescent screen and in terms of the control sensitivity of the scanning electron beam. While the scanning beam is guided over a vertical line, the calculated Y coordinates of the successive Outlines of each pair that the beam is alternately keyed out and bright, whereby this vertical part of the character segment between the outline

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couple is "filled in". The character generator according to the invention can be adapted to any desired scanning density of the display cathode ray tube. For example, the presentation cathode ray tube may have a total Presentation line width of 279, ² I mm. A fixed increment for the successive displacement of vertical scans over these specified

14 Maximum width is also fixed and can e.g. 2 Positions or bit positions, i.e. a total of 16,384 bit positions over a width of 279.4 mm or exactly 1,488 bits include per 25 ^ 4 mm. The sample density or resolution is adjustable and can be set to a maximum of 1/1488 of 2.54 cm, i.e. to 0.01705 mm or to 1/744 of 2.54 cm, i.e. to 0.0341 mm (i.e., one sample or one line for each bit position or each additional bit position). In the case of high quality display cathode ray tubes of the type used in the present consideration in connection with the character generator according to the invention are to be used, the spot size of the scanning beam can be controlled very precisely will. For this example, a point size of 0.038 mm can be used. With these values a Coverage of neighboring lines with a scanning density, i.e. a line shift of 1/744 of 2.54 cm, i.e. of 0.0341 mm.

An important point to note is that according to the invention the bit positions or divisions of the square from the sample. raster are independent, which also applies to the coding of the Sign applies, although the two must of course be correlated in order to obtain the representation function. The characters will specific for a maximum point size of the representation within of the normalized square. Horizontal and vertical

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Cal scale factors are then used to transform the calculated Introduced coordinate data for controlling the scanning beam of the cathode ray tube according to the desired point size of the representation. A single set of encoded Character data for any given character set is thus sufficient to represent all characters in that character set in any desired point size within the entire range of available point sizes.

A small computer receives the input data defining the character set and the size of the display as well as the special ones data to be displayed and causes the positioning of the scanning beam on the corresponding line as well as the generation the desired character spacing positions.

The number of lines of characters displayed on the cathode ray tube can also be computer-controlled according to the Size of the typeface or character set to be displayed to be selected. In one embodiment of the invention, the cathode ray tube display is used to provide a photosensitive Medium to expose that then incrementally on the cathode ray tube display of each character line is passed. The ability to display multiple lines of characters before the photosensitive image receiving medium is continued to a position for receiving several subsequent displayed lines of characters, allows higher Working speeds. In this regard, it is advantageous that the deflection of the scanning beam over successive vertically shifted character display lines is much faster and easier to carry out than the light-sensitive

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Borrowed medium incrementally for each individual display line to continue.

What has been said so far can thus be summarized in that each character of each character set, based on a normalized square, is coded and the data required to reconstruct a character are the initial coordinates of the character within the square, i.e. the starting position of the character outlines as well as various parameters such as direction and curvatures of the lines and curves indicating the outline. The creation of a character outline runs simultaneously with the representation of the character in accordance with the chronological order of the dashed intervals of the cathode ray tube display beam. However, as mentioned earlier, there is a relationship of .1: 1 between the calculation intervals and the dash intervals not required and although the same number in arithmetic operations to define or determine the outline of the character regardless of the point size of the desired generated character is carried out, the Y-coordinates, which are the output values for the control of the light key of the scanning beam are generated in relation to the horizontal scale factor which is the number of calculation cycles in Relation to the desired point size and line density of the cathode ray tube beam brings.

Calibrations: calculations and real representations

If, for example, it is assumed that the display has a maximum size of 72 points in a system, and further

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set that all characters are coded for this size and assume a normalized square of 2 bits (1024 bits), the scale factors are calculated as follows:

Horizontal scale factor (HSF) =

72

Point size

1024

Line density

(Equation l)

Vertical Scale Factor (VSF) =

Point size

Sawtooth rate

(Equation 2)

(It can be seen that fractional values can also result from the above calculations. These fractional values can be used as equivalents Binary numbers are, and in fact are, expressed in this way for further processing by the system obtain).

The relationship between the actual number of bars per character and the calculation cycles is:

Dashes per character = 1+

(Total number of calculation cycles) -1 Horizontal scale factor

(Equation 3)

where the integer number of bars is obtained by neglecting the fractions of the result.

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To illustrate what has been described above, FIG. 1 shows a 72-point line image in strong shown on a larger scale (see Fig. 3A) as it would be from a scanning cathode ray tube with a line density of 1024 Lines per 2.54 cm is generated. In Fig. 1 is for the purpose For a clearer representation, a line density with the same number of lines per 2.54 cm has been assumed as the number of Bit positions in the normalized square. It is also a character display for the maximum 72-point size, so that the computation of outlines is done on a lil basis relative to the initial coding of the character. From equations 1 and 2 it follows: horizontal scale factor (HSF) = vertical scale factor (VSF) = 1. It also follows from Equation 3 that the number of bars per character is equal to the number of calculation cycles.

In Fig. 1, the initial coordinates are the lower outline X = 200 and Y = 750 and those of the upper outline X = 200 and Y = 800. If this initial information is given, the ray of the cathode ray tube immediately begin scanning the first line at position X = 200, with the beam initially blanked, then blanked at Y = 750 and light at Y = 800 is blanked again. The vertical position of the beam during the line is determined by counting pulses from an 8 MHz clock determined which at a given sawtooth rate according to equation 2 thus the real physical position of the Sets the beam.

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- '18 -

During a given stroke the system calculates the positions the outline of the character for the following line. Since in Fig. I the horizontal scale factor (HSF) = 1, a calculation is made for each successive horizontal bit position, and a dash is also made for each Bit position executed. As will be described in detail below, an encoding of the character as in Fig. 1 would be Identify the line image as if there were no changes to the upper and lower outer lines from calculation cycle 200, at which it starts, up to cycle 250. The identical blanking and the beam is thus relieved for the duration of the period of 50 calculation cycles. However, it occurs at cycle 250 a change in the lower outline to the extent that a downward curvature is more or less regular Form runs up to calculation cycle 300. As suggested in Fig. I, the curve becomes incremental through a sequence Steps approximated, so that the Y-coordinate for the lower outline is in successive steps for a given number of calculation cycles decreases along the X-axis. For example, there is a first change in the lower Y coordinate of the calculation cycle 256 up to calculation cycle 260 (5 cycles), and another change is generated from cycle 261 to cycle 264 (4 cycles), etc.

Fig. 2 illustrates the more common situation in which the line density does not correspond to the bit positions of the normalized square on an i: l basis and instead shows a line density of 744 points per 2.54 cm. In addition, a 4-point line image is shown, which is 1/18 the size of the 72-point line image according to FIG. 1. According to equation 2, the vertical

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Scale factor (VSF) = 18 as shown in FIG. That
Line image is shown in Fig. 2 in the same size as in Fig. 1 because it is encoded on the normalized square basis. However, while FIG. 1 shows the line image enlarged 62.5 times the actual display size of a 72-point character, the display size of the 4-point line image according to FIG. 2 is shown in the inset of FIG. An estimate of the scale difference can also be made by comparison
of the cathode ray tube dot shown in Fig. 1 having a diameter of 0.038 mm can be obtained with the same dot shown in Fig. 2 for the 4-dot line image.

The position of the beam during each vertical stroke
is also identified by the 8 MHz clock,
However, while in FIG. 1 each clock pulse was counted as 1, each clock pulse instead causes the count to increase by 18 in the counter. The sawtooth rate of the
The scanning beam can therefore remain constant.

Equation 1 gives a horizontal scale factor (HSF) of 24.774, as also shown in FIG. 2. This implies that a vertical stroke is executed for every 24,774 computation cycles. In order to do this, an integer or an integer number of calculation cycles must be performed
a single dash, and therefore special circuitry is provided, as disclosed below, to accommodate the integer number of computation cycles
for successive strokes, giving an average horizontal scale factor (HSF) of 24.774.

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From the inset in Fig. 2 it can be seen that five strokes labeled 10 to 14 are made by the cathode ray tube to display the line art portion of the displayed character. Fig. 2 also shows in dashed lines the Traces of the point, the dark or solid lines in FIG. 2 denoting the calculation cycle to which the actual strokes are executed. It will of course be seen that the resolution of the character is substantially reduced is, however, the character is nonetheless of high graphic quality in view of the greatly reduced size. It can also be seen that once a stroke is started, the system continues to outline the characters and thus calculating the blanking and light-blanking positions of the scanning beam for the next stroke, and that many calculation cycles are required.

Encoding the character data;

This section takes a closer look at the basic operations of character encoding. In Fig. 3A a "J ^{11 is shown} as a capital block letter, the associated table shown in Fig. 3B containing the instructions for generating this character. The same character is shown in Fig. 3C to illustrate the outline of the character. The box in 3A designates the region of the character corresponding to the line images of Figures 1 and 2. The letter requires 500 arithmetic operations or calculation cycles with an initial Χ, Υ coordinate of 0/400. As can be seen from Fig. 3A, the character must be complete lines are filled in by cathode ray tubes, and thus in Fig. 3C pairwise outlines are determined which these regions to be filled

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determine. At the beginning of the character (X = O) there is a first Pair of outlines 1 and 2 are determined, and at cycle 200 a new pair of 3 and 4 begins. As shown in Pig, 3C, the Angle O, which is between £ 87.2 ° with respect to the horizontal, measured. The line defining the angle is the tangent to the curved border or outer line of the sign, as described below.

At its starting point, every character necessarily has at least one pair of outline lines for the letter shown "J" are the outer lines i and 2 with the common Y starting coordinate 400. While knowing the slope of the outline 1 is a prerequisite for the first calculation process or calculation cycle, the command "begin a." Outline pair "(BOLP) also denote the need for this additional information. This is in the last Column of Fig. 3B is set as 0 "computation cycles until next instruction". At the starting point the outline 1 is vertical directed downwards. This is called the Incline Change Command CM coded with Q = -87 »2 °. Again there is an O calculation cycle coded. Also, the outline becomes 1 at the starting point with a curvature change command (CE) with the curvature value +1/200 coded. The CK command is also used for the duration coded from 100 calculation cycles to the next command. The execution of the lines and the calculations now run for the associated horizontal scale factor up to the calculation cycle (c.c.) 100 further.

Next, a CM command to change the slope, and a CK command for changing the curvature of the outline 2 is given, which is then used for the following 100 calculation cycles

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-'22 -

last for. There is no change in command for outline 1 encoded and therefore the outer lines 1 and 2 are curved by means of arithmetic processes to be explained by the one shown Configuration defined up to calculation cycle 200. At the Calculation cycle (cc.) 200 begins the pair of outer lines 3, 4 according to the next BOLP command for the corresponding Y coordinate values 750 and 800 is coded. At c.c. 250 becomes a curvature change command for the outline 3 CK coded for a curvature K = 1/50, which lasts for 50 calculation cycles. It should be noted that the initial parts of the Outlines 2 and 3 and the entire outline 4 are horizontal, and that no CM command is required to set initial slopes for these outlines. It is also closed Note that no CM command is required for outline 3 before the CK command, as there is no change in the tangent course occurs at the point of the beginning of the curve.

Outlines 2 and 3 end at calculation cycle 300, this' is activated by the command "End of the outer line pair" (EOLP) fixed. 100 calculation cycles are made with the EOLP command coded. As will be explained in more detail below, the pair of outline lines that continue encompass the remainder of the character form, now the outer lines 1 and 4. The light key is thus between the outer lines 1 and 4 continuously, the. Outline 4 remains a straight line and outline 1 continues, to follow the curvature according to the previous CK instruction.

With »Calculation cycle 400 the outline 1 is also through a special form of the BOLP command defines, causing a restart of the line at cycle 400 of approximately one value Y = 400 is effected directly with a value Y = 700. This

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special BOLP instruction is described later and is used in the general for the adaptation of Y-position discontinuities or jumps in the iSark outer line with a middle X value used. The outline 1 is also created with a CM command for O = + 87.2 ° and 0 c.c. as well as with a CK command coded for a curvature of K = i / 50, the CK instruction remaining coded for 50th calculation cycles (c.c.). At the cycle 450 the CM command encodes a change in the incline 0 = 0 ° for 50 c.c, so that the outline 1 now runs as a horizontal line during the next 50 calculation cycles. Finally, an "end of character" (EC) command is used to mark the termination or completion of the Character coding and thus the completion of the calculations for generating the character display control values.

Pig » h illustrates the command format used in a realized operating system. The commands are based on a 16-bit word, with the commands BOLP and CDY each comprising two words. The 7 commands shown represent the entirety of the commands for generating any character. With the exception of the commands NOP and EC, each command not only identifies the operation to be carried out or the parameter to be controlled, but also the special outline to which it is related the number of calculation cycles to be executed until the next command. An operation code having i to 5 bit positions defines the respective instruction, and each instruction, with the exception of the BOLP instruction, contains a number of bits for coding the calculation cycles. While h bits are provided for this purpose in the CDY, CM, CK and EOLP instructions, the NOP instruction has 8 bit positions for this

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Purpose on. A coding of 0 to 15 calculation cycles during 4 bits allow until the next command, the NOP command allows coding from 0 to 255 calculation cycles. The NOP instruction is therefore useful where a longer or larger part of a character is to be generated without Outline information is required.

The two words of the BOLP command are consecutive the top and bottom outlines of a given pair, indicated by the indices S and L for smaller and larger Y coordinate values referred to as. The Y value is encoded by 9 bits from bit 8 to bit 16, although Y is one for computer purposes 16-bit number. The 10 most significant bits define the integer value of Y as part of 1024, while the 6 Lower Significance Bits are fractional bits used to approximate fractional or non-integer parts of the slope values required are. However, controlling the position of the beam using the BOLP instruction is common limited to a 9-bit value and allows pesting one Start Y coordinate of any even value from 512 of the 1024 bit positions of the Y coordinate axis. The BOLP command also has 4 bits J1 through J4 in each word indicating the particular outline to which the instruction relates. This enables a total of 16 outline lines and thus 8 outline pairs along each vertical part of a character. It should be noted that each remaining instruction is encoded with bits Ji through J4 to reflect the one to be modified Define the outline according to the associated command.

The CDY command is used to create an outline that is a straight slope. As already mentioned,

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Curvatures, curves and slopes are formed by incremental changes in the Y coordinate values. These incremental values are encoded in the CDY instruction in -14 bits ΔΎ _± to -AY ₁₄ plus a sign bit, so that the negative 4Y values are formed as one's complement. This gives a range of gradients of straight lines of a character outline from +255 63/64 to -255 63/64 with a resolution of i / 64. The introduction of the CDY instruction represents a compromise to be explained with regard to efficient use of the memory capacity for changes in slope and curvatures very extensive memory for the slope information to enable the generation of an exact straight line as it is necessary for a representation in graphical quality. On the other hand, if only a moderate number of slope changes are encoded, then CM commands to generate a long straight sloping line (such as an ^M M "or a" W ") would result in an odd or stepped line configuration, the quality of which would be unacceptable.

The command to change the slope (CM) therefore has 6 bits for slope information (thus encoding 2 = 64 different gradients are possible, which is considered a sufficient number). The command to change the curvature (CK) has 7 bits for curvature information, where K7 is a sign bit and thus + _ 2 = £ 64 detects curvatures will. Every CM and CK command is also with the outline number Ji to J4 coded.

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The "End of Outline Pair" (EOLP) command simply requires coding to determine the number of outlines the outer line with the smaller Y coordinate. The term "pair" appears in the EOLP instruction because the outline is always start and end in pairs. The command "end of character" (EC) is used by the system as the end of a character to be generated coded and recognized.

To facilitate understanding of the invention, another example is given in which the data level and the Parameters are greatly reduced in order to simplify the explanation of the calculations or calculation processes to be carried out, In FIG. 5, therefore, a square divided into 64 distance units in the X and Y coordinate directions is shown. In In accordance with the more complex previous representations, a baseline is defined in the square at Y = 21. This means that letters such as "Q" as well as many lower case letters such as p, q, y etc., which have parts which run below the baseline, enclosed by the square. The X coordinates can be made up of 6-bit binary numbers while the Y coordinates consist of 12-bit binary numbers can be formed. A point within the square can thus be defined by X = 6, Y = 7 33/64 (It should be noted that 2 bits define the integer value of Y and 2 bits define the fraction, which is therefore in 64ths is expressed). While Y can be resolved with this accuracy, the coordinates are the ultimate healing key and blanking of the scanning beam, only 6-bit numbers, and thus only form integer values of the Y coordinates. The need for fractions of Y values occurs when coding and computing slopes and curvatures as explained below.

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Slopes

In Fig. 6 "codable" slopes are shown in the form of a graph. The diagram shows rays for slopes M = 0 to M = 7, and in the coordinate diagram shown next to it, an angle Q is related to the X coordinate. Hence:

Δ Υ

^ - = tan O (equation h)

Since the X increments Δ X also correspond to successive calculation cycles or bit positions and can be defined as a unit value, 4X = 1 can be set. The following applies:

ΔΥ = tan O (equation 5)

In the preceding description it was already mentioned that slopes and curvatures are obtained by incremental changes in the Y-coordinate of successive lines. These changes thus represent the values ΔΥ . It can now be seen how these are related to the slope function M, which in turn is related to the angle 0. It can also be seen that for a desired slope of a character outline, Δυ must be dimensioned in accordance with equation 5.

The gradients M = 0 to M = 7 are converted into binary numbers consisting of 3 bits, as indicated in the table according to FIG.

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in which also the values for the angle O, the values for tan 0 and the calculated values for Λυ (Μ) are given.

In FIG. 8, a simplified geometrical representation to illustrate the change or "update" operation for Y as a function of the slope values M is shown. Fig. 9 contains a simplified list of encoded instructions for generating the. geometric configuration according to FIG. 8. The BOLP command contains the information for the initial coordinate Y _Q = 2 and Y. = 24 for the pair of outline lines O and 1, as shown in FIG. X = 4 was chosen arbitrarily as the X coordinate. O ₀ = 22.5 ° for the outer line O and 0 _± = -45 ° for the outer line 1, according to FIGS. 6 and 7, suitably correspond to M ₁ = 1 and M _Q = 5, the parameter information in the corresponding CM commands be coded. The system then continues to compute the 4Y values, ie the Y change function, and generates the shown slope outlines O and 1 until the EC command indicates completion of the character.

In FIG. 9, the column ΔY corresponds to the number of calculation cycles according to FIG. 4, and the value for the 'CM command for the outline is 14. It should be noted that the symbol in FIG 18 or over a ΔΧ = 14 extends.

It follows that 14 vertical scans (assuming there is a ratio of one scan to a computation cycle of 1) are required to trace the character Fig. 8, in addition, 13 "Y changes" for the outer lines O and 1 are required. The ones listed below Equations describe the change or update

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ization process or the "process of bringing up-to-date", where ΔΧ = 1 is defined for each change and j denotes the number of the outline. So the following applies:

Yj (X + ΔΧ) = ^Y j ( ^x > + ÄX * (τγ) j (equation 6)

Y. (X + 1) = Υ, (Χ) + Δυ (Μ,) (equation 7)

In addition, the following applies:

A Y (M.) =. = tan ö (equation 8)

Hence, since O _Q = 22.5 ° and O ₁ = -k5 ° :

^ Y (M ₀ ) = tan O ₀ = tan (22.5 °) ~ | J (equation 9)

Δυ (M ₁ ) = tan ö _± = tan (-45 °) = -1 (equation ok)

The specific change functions for the outer lines O and then result from the general expression according to equation 6 1 as follows:

Y ₀ (X + 1) = Y ₀ (X) + U (equation il)

Y ₁ (X + i) = Y ₁ (X) -1 (equation 12 ")

409846/0909

The table according to FIG. 10 illustrates the calculated coordinate values for Yq (x) and Y. (x) for successive values of X. From the corresponding diagram of the cathode ray tube representation according to FIG Y control the heating of the scanning beam, it can be seen that the outer line O is graded in successive groups of changed Y coordinate values. Nevertheless, it can also be seen from FIG. 10 that fractions of Y add up and possibly affect the integer value of Yq (x). The reason for neglecting the fractions of Y _Q (x). for example, a 6-bit digital-to-analog converter is used to generate the light key function associated with the deflection of the cathode ray tube scanning beam.

Equation 5 is usually calculated using a read-only memory (ROM), which has a capacity of 32 bits for the system described, which is in the form of 4 words, each consisting of 8 bits, "programmed" are as shown in FIG. The representation according to FIG. Is based on binary coded values in which N. the integer part of ΔΥ and N “the numerator value of the fraction Form i / 64 of 4Y, which can be expressed as follows leaves:

^{= N} i ⁺ bT (equation 13)

(M)

_{It should be noted that the inputs M 1} ⁺ and M ₂ ⁺ supplied to the read-only memory according to FIG. 12 are internally decoded values

409846/0909

for the M input fed to the read-only memory, the following Boolean ¹ see non-equivalence or "exclusive OR ¹¹ - {corresponds to equations:

M ₀ ⁺ = M ₀ ^ = M, (equation Ik)

K ₁ ⁺ = M. φΜ. (Equation 15)

The read only memory bit scheme for the different values of M ⁺ is shown in the table according to FIG. 13A in binary numerals- * notation, and the corresponding values for the basic number 10 are given in FIG. 13B.

From this it can be seen that the read-only memory is addressed with only 2 bits, which according to equations 14 and 15 is possible because the third bit M- for control of the sign of ΔΥ is used. In particular:

ΔY (M)> -0 for M ₃ = 1 (equation 16)

ΔΥ (M) - ^ 0 for M- = 0 (equation 17)

As
As can be seen from the above, the value of Y is then changed or brought up to date by adding or subtracting the ^ Y value (the subtraction being carried out by forming the one's complement). The full expression for the M addressing function is given in the truth table of Fig. I3C.

409846/0309

A simplified representation of a sequence of a Y change is shown in FIG. A 12-bit value, either initially obtained from a data source (such as a BOLP instruction) or containing a currently calculated Y-value, as will be described, is fed as an input to a 12-bit adder IO. The 3-bit word which defines an M slope value and which is obtained from a CM command is fed via suitable logic elements 12a and 12b to the 4Y read-only memory 13 (^ Y ROM 13) in order to store it in the manner indicated by FIGS. 12 and 13A to address and to feed the stored /! ÜY value from there to a one's complement logic element 14 (which also responds to the M_ value). The logic element 14 thus leads the value Λυ to the 12-bit adder 10 either for addition or

Subtraction (using the one's complement function) with the simultaneously supplied Y value. The resulting sum Y + Δυ is fed to a 12-bit memory or register 15 (latch 15), which in turn contains the resulting Y + AY value in the Y-coordinate memory with direct or random access as a new Y-coordinate value for use for stores a subsequent scan for display. This new value of Y can be fed to a further Y coordinate memory with direct or random access for accessing and controlling the scanning beam. The current Y coordinate value is then also fed back to the 12-bit adder for use in the subsequent Y change operation.

409846/0909

Curvatures:

Next, consider encoding curvatures. In Fig. 15 there is one consisting of four radii of curvature. arrangement each shown with two curvature polarities and denoted by K = 0 to K = 7. A binary number made up of 3 bits can encode these as one of four radii (2 bits) and one of two polarities (1 bit). So define k. and k "a desired radius of curvature r, and that third bit k_ defines the sign of the curvature. For a base radius r = 32, the table according to Fig. the relationship between the curvature k and its binary expression, as well as the desired value of r.

FIG. 17 relates what has been said so far to the generation of curves or curvatures. The radial lines M = 0 to M ₇ correspond to those in Fig. 6 and represent the directions of the slopes which can be approximated by successive Y changes, where M is constant, -While, however, a straight slope is generated at constant M, the outline curves when the slope of the outline changes according to varying values of M. In FIG. 17, the generated figure represents a sixteen-sided polygon, with changes in slope occurring _{at each position X Q} to X _7. The M value is thus changed in the present case in order to approximate a curve or a curvature, ie the circle according to FIG. 17. 17 thus illustrates that increasing M, ie, M -> M + 1, gives positive curvatures, while decreasing M, ie, M - ^ M - 1, gives negative curvatures. results.

409846/0909

If the curvature parameters k were the number of Y changes for each M change, a curve or curvature would result but not an approximation of a circular arc. For example, if k = 4 and (M -> M + 1) for every fourth change in Y, (ie, Y -> Y + ΔΥ) , the sequence of straight line segments shown in FIG corresponds to the circular arc shown in dashed lines.

To adjust the polygon more closely to the desired arc To achieve this, a new parameter S is introduced which, for a fixed curvature K, is a function of M and changes allowed by M after a different number of Y changes. This is illustrated in the table according to FIG. 19, whereby

S _n = number of times to make changes to Y for a given M before changing M,

S = number of changes to Y since the last change to M, and

K = 6 (corresponding to r = 32).

The table given in FIG. 19 corresponds to that of the Arc r = 32 straight line segments adapted to FIG set up. For the coordinates shown and the simplified representation considered here, namely Y = O, M = 4, and the values in the table according to Fig. 19 apply:

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Y - ^ Y + O (6 times, where M = 4 and then M - ^ 5)

Y ---> Y + 27/64 (12 times, where M = 5, then M - ^ 6)

Y -> Y + 1 (9 times, where M = 6, then M - ^ 7)

Y —- ^ Y + 2 27/64 (5 times)

These change functions are continued in full in the table according to FIG. 21, and those listed there are calculated Values cause the generation of a sequence of variable, incrementally changing Y coordinates that form the desired curve of the radius r = 32, as shown in FIG.

One way of calculating when to increase or decrease M in the form of an M change operation is to program a 64-bit read-only memory (ROM), as illustrated in FIG. 23 (6 binary inputs corresponding to 2 = 64) from which a single output J 'is obtained. This read only memory would be similar to the Y change read only memory of FIG. Referring to the corresponding bit value table of FIG. 24 for the read only memory, ο = 1 when S = S ^. is the point in time at which S is reset to 0001, and S is then incremented by 0001 as long as <f = 0.

The read only memory bit value table according to FIG. 24 shows that S = 1 if the value of S added up in each successive operation has the value S ^{n = 6, 9, 12 and 5 (for M +} = 0, 1, 2 or 3) assumes. It should be noted that the sum S _{gives n} = 6 + 12 + 9 + 5 = 32, namely the desired r.

409846/09 0 * 9

The foregoing description dealt with generation only positive curvatures r = 32. Different curvatures can be generated by programming a read-only memory for any desired curvature can be achieved. However, this requires a very large storage capacity and is therefore undesirably expensive.

An alternative and preferred solution is to make AM, -As and S _n (the reset value of S when S = S _n ) variable as functions of the curvature K. The table according to FIG. 25 gives various values of r for such variations in the values AM, As and S _n . Here r = 32 is the basic

KJ C

or base radius, as can be seen from the unit values of AM, AS and S _n.

26 is a block diagram of a circuit arrangement for generating the aforesaid curve or curvature generation function shown. The curvature value K of a CK instruction is fed to a decoding logic circuit 16 which also has the

^ Output of the read-only memory 17 (which corresponds to the read-only memory according to FIG. 23). The decoding logic circuit 16 emits outputs AM and AS, which are determined from the table according to FIG. 25 as a function of the value K and are supplied to adders 8 and 8 corresponding to the associated values M and S, which add the changed values M + ^ M and send S + 4s to their output. The changing operation of the circuit arrangement of Fig. 26 naturally assumes that Am = 0 when cT = 0. The changed values M + Δ Μ and S + As then represent the inputs for the read-only memory according to FIG. 23.

409846/0909

In the description so far, the basis is shown first on which characters are encoded as a function of a limited number of initial parameters that include an or define multiple outline pairs, as well as the slopes and curvatures, by the outline of each configuration are set. In addition, the instruction words stored in a memory and based on them were disclosed various calculations to produce any desired character of any one stored in memory Font or character set. In addition, in the form of simplified block diagrams, embodiments of the ones required to carry out the calculations have been made Hardware described * to again assign the Y coordinate values which provide control signals for the scanning beam to reproduce each character on a cathode ray tube. It can be seen that the memory requirements of the invention System are minimal compared to those of the prior art, and thus an extremely flexible and efficient system is obtained. Any desired font or character set encoded as described above can be stored in memory and the characters it contains can be of any desired font size be reproduced. The system can easily be scaled to any desired cathode ray tube scanning density adjust. The calculations are made simultaneously with the cathode ray tube scan and are due to the high processing speeds already completely completed before each scan line. So everyone can Operations can easily be performed at high speed because of the substantial speed limits by the circuit arrangement for beam deflection itself

409846/0909

stand. Of course, other display or Display devices can be used as cathode ray tubes.

Before proceeding in the description, it should be mentioned that the character generator according to the invention is only a part an overall character generation and display system, and thus the scanning electronics for the cathode ray tube, although they have timely control functions coordinated with the generator and the like, is not an integral part of the generator itself. Furthermore, the entire sequence control and coordination of operations controlled by a microcomputer which may be of a commercially available type and it is in the practice of the invention. Accordingly, these and other components of the whole are System not shown. The connection with them, however, is indicated in the corresponding block diagrams.

The name PACT appears in these block diagrams, which is an abbreviation for Profile Algorithm Calculation Technique (Profile Algorithm Computation Technique) represents, a designation that suitably the invention Character generation characterized.

The small computer receives the input characters to be generated. in any suitable coded form compatible with the computer, for example from a magnetic tape, from punched cards or punched tape or the like. The data entered into the computer designate the font or character set to be displayed and the point size of the display. The computer receives the

409846/0909

Information required to define the characters in a line display, the character spacing, the line spacing and other such information.

In Fig. 27 is a block diagram of the entire system with all main subsystems and the inputs and outputs of the character generator. The computer interface unit indicates the signal ON-OFF-RESET (IORESET) the central processing unit 26 (CPU 26) off and activated by this signal via the central computer unit 26, the entire system. The Hechner interface unit 20 also emits scanning pulses DS64 and DS65 to adjust the vertical and horizontal scale factors (l6-bit words, labeled Data 0 through Data 15) into the Scale, Line and Video Control Unit (SSVCU) 22. Also, the calculator gets from a disk or another Large capacity memory the data containing the instruction words of Fig. 4 which a given one to be represented Relate to the font or character set and then be stored in the PACT buffer 24. The buffer memory yields high-speed access for the processing and calculation functions. That of the computer central unit The supplied PACT start signal directs the calculations to the display of each character and is output from the computer under the control of the PACT buffer. Those with PACT O to PACT 15 designated l6-bit command words are from the PACT buffer 24 of the central processing unit (CPU) 26 and the arithmetic and memory unit (VCSü) 28 in response to a PACT command request issued by the central control unit 26 PACT REQ supplied.

409646/0909

A base system clock frequency of 2 MHz is provided by a main oscillator received in the scanning electronics 30 and fed essentially to the central computer unit (CPU) 26, from the base system clock in turn to the other operating systems is delivered. The SSVCU unit 22 leads the scanning electronics 30 to an SVS signal which is used to initiate and terminate each vertical bar of the cathode ray tube scanning beam serves. The signal SVS is also fed to the central processing unit in order to indicate whether a line is currently being drawn advances or advances and thereby the significantly faster computation processes of the system for the subsequent ones Coordinate calculation cycles with the much slower line intervals. The central computer unit 26 gives a command PFTF to the SSVCU unit 22 if a bar does not advance or advances to cause the unit 22 to execute certain load and transfer functions to be described and start a dash. Of the The PFTF instruction also requires that the calculations for the next stroke be completed. Thus also results good coordination for the reverse case, in which such a large number of calculations are carried out the previous stroke must be completed before the calculations are completed for the next stroke, i.e. the CRT then has to wait. However, this situation rarely occurs in practice.

One transfer function is the transfer of the calculated Y transition coordinate values from the CSU unit 28 to the SSVCU unit 22, which is denoted by RY7 to RY16. A 10-bit word is used in this way for every outline at this

409846/0909

transfer scanning. In this regard, it should be noted that the central processing unit 26 supplies the data Jl to Jh to the CSU unit 28 in order to identify each outline in the scan, as well as the command PFF, which is the command for the CSU unit 28, the Calculate parameters of the nearest outline (for each of the two or more outlines identified by Jl through Jk). The computation processes of the CSU unit 28 are interrupted and also certain outline parameters that were started during the processing of commands such as BOLP, DY, K, CK and CM, which were supplied to the CSU unit 28 by the central processing unit 26. Deletion and timing controls are also carried out by the central computer unit.

As will be described later, the output RY> BY from the CSU unit 28 to the central processing unit 26 is used during BOLP commands to arrange the outline numbers Jl to Jk in increasing values of their Y coordinates in order to prevent the transmission (RY7 to RY16) from the CSU unit 28 to be assigned to SSVCU unit 22. With such an arrangement in a buffer memory of the SSVCU unit 22, a very simple blanking / light keying operation results. As previously mentioned, a gated clock signal at a frequency of 8 MHz is emitted by the scanning electronics 30, the gate control function being that this signal is emitted when a vertical bar begins. The 8 MHz clock activates a counter in the SSVCU unit which, with a known sawtooth function of the scanning beam, is used to identify the physical position of the beam on its vertical line. This count is calibrated by the vertical scale factor (VSF),

40984 6/0909

and if they have a Y-coordinate in the buffer of the SSVCü unit, the light button signal is emitted. The light button signal is de »high-voltage video coupler 29 fed to the scanning and blanking of the cathode ray tube scanning beam during each vertical Stroke controls, and thus the formation of the character. Of the Beam is normally blanked and is blanked in or light-blanked when the position of the beam is a first Y coordinate value reached and thus corresponds to the lowest outline of a character. Considering the use of Outline pairs result in a very simple blanking and blanking operation in that, for each successive Y coordinate value, the blanking / blanking state is changed from the current to the opposite state he follows.

Other signals are briefly mentioned here. An ^M S ⁿ counter in the SSVCU unit is set to the horizontal hatred factor and is counted down by one with each calculation cycle by the signal PFFT from the central computer unit 26. If the counter reading is equal to zero, the signal SXZ is sent to the central computer unit 26. The central processing unit 26 requires the signal SXZ (for S = 0) to stop arithmetic operations, transfer Y coordinates (RY7 to RY16) to the SSVCU unit 22 after the current CRT scan is complete and to begin a line. The S counter function is used to relate the lines to the calculation cycles according to the horizontal scale factor (HSF).

409846/0909

The central computer unit 26 has an I counter that receives the 2 MHz clock from the Attast electronics 30. The I counter is loaded with the number of calculation cycles of an instruction being processed. He is controlled by the Signal PFFT counted down by one count using the 2 MHz clock, as is the case with the S-counter.

The central processing unit, the CSU unit and the SSVCU unit thus represent the main function blocks of the PACT processor Furthermore, the central processing unit (CPU) and the CSU unit work simultaneously with the SSVCU unit, to add the Y coordinates and outline parameters M, E and S. compute, as well as process any PACT commands that are required for a next successive line while the cathode ray tube is scanning a current line.

The foregoing description of FIG. 27 and its functions is easier with reference to the logic flow diagram of FIG. 27A to understand. Please note that the PACT START function sets both the I and the S counter to zero and the system in the P state (a base or return state) at which one of four operations begins:

1) Command processing (PT)

2) Outline calculation (PFF)

3) Y coordinate transmission (PFTF)

k) Waiting for completion or completion of the current cathode ray tube line (PFTT)

409846/0909

The block diagram according to FIG. 28 illustrates the computing and storage unit 28 (CSU 28) in more detail. The arithmetic and Storage unit 28 has an S-unit 32, a K-unit 34, an M-unit 36 and a Y-unit 38, the the latter three units receive the PACT 1-15 data from buffer 24, as shown in FIG. Each of these units receives from the central processing unit the system clock and the bits Jl to J4, which, in order to repeat it, define which of i6 possible outlines is to be processed or calculated. A logic unit 39 receives PFF (the command for calculation) and commands BOLP, CM and CK from the central computer unit 26 as well as the K status signal (which is triggered by a CK command word is formed). The unit 39 issues the commands SWE, KWE, MWE and YWE to the corresponding units that represent the commands for writing into the memories of these units. It should be noted that J1 to J4 of each Unit to identify the outline, for the parameters are calculated. The various schemes of data flow and commands entered into these units are described below. As already mentioned, the outputs of the computing and storage unit 28 are those of the SSVCU unit 22 supplied Y coordinates RY7 to RYi6. These values are calculated using the M parameters and transferred to the brought up to date, which are fed from the M-unit 36 to the Y-unit 38 and denoted by RM3 to RM8. The M parameters in turn are controlled by the K-unit and the S-unit. These basic blocks are discussed below considered separately.

In Fig. 29, the Y unit has a Y memory 40 with direct access and a CDY memory 42 with direct access each of which receives the Y coordinate data of commands,

409846/0909

which are supplied from the PACT buffer 24. The CDY memory with random or direct access, in particular, the Y increment data of the CDY command is received, while the Y memory with random or direct access, the Y coordinate data either from buffer 24 or from a memory or register 46 (latch 46) receives via a 2: 1 data selector 44 .. The

Register 46 stores the Y + ^ Y output of the i6-bit adder 48 to be described (the one on the Y-coordinate value brought up to date). The selector is controlled by PFP (see Fig. 27A) to determine the Y value for

the register 46 during the calculation of inline parameters to forward in a given calculation cycle and to forward a Y value from buffer 24, when a new command is received.

The CDY random access memory 42 is provided for the CDY instruction to facilitate the generation of long to allow straight slope lines instead of trying to compute such lines from M-values that are in a CM command are included.

Each of the memories 40 and 42 has sufficient capacity to store 16-bit locations corresponding to 16 outlines, which in turn are defined and addressed by the central computer unit 26 through the inputs J1 to J4 are.

The Y-unit also has a programmed read-only memory 52 (PROM) which stores the Λ Υ (M) values. At a Embodiment there are 64 values of M corresponding to 64 slopes stored, and thus 64 corresponding ΛΥ-values are in de *

409346/0909

Programmed read-only memory 52 is provided. The adjacent ΔΥ decoding logic circuit 54 generates the bits of highest significance AYg to ^ Y ₁ 5 »which are not stored in the programmed read-only memory 52 in order to simplify the circuit arrangement. Another 2: i data selector 56 normally selects the ΔΥ from the programmed ΛΥ read-only memory 52 and the decoding logic circuit 54 in order to supply them to the adder 48. A CDY instruction, however, yields DY from the central processing unit 26 and causes the output DYF at the memory 42 to cause the selector 56 to forward the CDY output of the memory 42 to the adder 48. Finally, as already mentioned, the updated Y-value is fed to the Y-memory 40 with direct access, from which bits RY7 to RYi6 are then used to control the cathode ray tube dot brightness / blanking of the SSVCU unit 22 are fed.

The comparator 50 is used during a trace back of the outline numbers at a time when a new outline transition pair begins during a BOLP instruction duration is. It is used to compare existing Y coordinate values (RY) from memory 40 with the Y coordinate value (BY) of the new one on the basis of the BOLP command from the buffer 24 and determines on the basis of their numerical Y coordinate values where the new outline numbers in the sequence of Outer line numbers should fall.

The flowchart of Fig. 29A is used to illustrate these operations. From the PFF instruction for calculating the outline, if DYF is false (θ), then determines the highest bit Significance of bits M3 to M8 of M-unit 56, i.e. bit 8,

409846/0909

whether to increase or decrease Y by ΔΥ . Bit M8 can therefore also be viewed as a sign bit.

The meaning of bit M8, which is either 0 or 1, can be readily seen in Figure 29B, which shows the effect of this value on the generation of positive slopes and curvatures. It should be noted that the curvature polarity is defined by the seventh curvature bit K7. If K7 = 0, the curvature is negative and M is reduced by Λ M. If K7 = 1, the curvature is positive and M is increased by -ΔΜ.

In FIG. 30, the M unit 36 according to FIG. 28 is shown. During a calculation period during which the M parameter exceeds the programmed Λϊ read-only memory or the look-up table (see Fig. 29), the value of M is itself in the M-Unit 36 updated. In particular, the M storage device 60 is shown with random or direct access, which saves the M parameters for each existing outline. (Please note the addressing inputs J1 to J4). These represent the coded slopes for each of the up to 16 outer lines. The M-value, which defines 64 possible slopes, comprises an 8-bit word having 6 bits defining the integers for 0 to 63 slope values and two bits, which specify a fraction of 0, i / 2, i / 4 or 3/4. The bits M3 to M8 defining the integer value become the Y-unit 38 supplied, as already mentioned.

Similar to the processes in the Y unit, the M parameter can be initiated by a PACT command, or the value can

409846/0909

be a changed value that was increased during a calculation cycle. A 2: i data selection circuit 62 operates therefore a selection of these inputs, i.e. either the input from PACT buffer 24 (which contains bit positions 2 to 7 of the CM command word according to Fig. 4) or that of the change circuitry controlled by PFF.

The change circuit arrangement has an 8-bit adder 64 and an 8-bit register 66 (8 bit latch 66). As already mentioned, the value of M is brought up to date or changed under the control of the K-unit and S-unit. Furthermore, the absolute value of AU, ie, | id M |, by which the change must be made, is supplied from the K-unit 34. The bit RK7, which represents the seventh bit of the K parameter, determines, according to its bit value 1 or 0, whether a curvature is positive (and M is increased) or whether a curvature is negative (and M is decreased), as out 29B can be seen.

The MZ signal from logic unit 39 is true for a BOLP command and is used to set M at the beginning of a pair of outline lines to M = 3i 3/4 (for which ^Δν = 0). The meaning of MZ is essentially that the selector 62 is disabled so that no input is supplied to the M memory with direct access.

The conditions for changing M are best seen in the flow chart of FIG. 30A. Like Figures 30 and 30A As can be seen, the central computer unit 26 emits the control signal PFF, which initiates the M calculation. The first Decision RKF includes whether a flag in the

409846 / 09Ü9

The K unit indicates that no curvature exists for a given outline (J1 to J4), the O decision where M _n = M _n ^ ₁ implies that M is not to be changed, ie that no curvature value for this outline was found in the K-memory with direct access. The second decision indicates whether the increment to be added M will cause an overflow, and if it does, M does not change again.

The third decision represents the main decision or the branching point for curved outlines, namely whether the S _n value stored in the S ^ look-up table exceeds the S parameter. If this is not the case, the logic circuit requests a change in M and RK7 in the last diamond (the sign bit of the curvature) determines whether a decrease or an increase is made. If this is the case, however, M remains unchanged.

If there is a change in M, FIG. 30 shows that the new value from adder 64 is in the memory or register 66 (latch 66) is stored to be written via the data selection circuit 62 in the M memory 60 with random or direct access.

Referring to Fig. 31, there is a detailed block diagram of the K-unit 34 shown. The K memory 70 with random or direct access receives the 7-bit curvature information from the buffer 24 according to the CK command. While the K memory with random or direct access in contrast to the Y unit and the M-unit is activated by the PACT command is closed recognize that the K-value did not change during the calculations

409846/0909

or is brought up to date. Bit Ki ₁ K2, K5 and K6 are fed to the K decoding logic circuit 72, which in turn outputs ΙΛμΙ. RK7 controls the one's's complement holding arrangement 73 and is fed to the M-unit 36 with I ^ MJ. A truth table for the K decode logic circuit is shown in FIG. 3IA. It should be noted that 14 m | - ^ S ₁ = 1 and Δ Sp = 0 are for base radii K6 = 1 and K5 = K2 = Kl = 0, respectively.

Bits K3 and K4 identify and select the base radius. Four S ^ look-up tables are used corresponding to four base radii, so that other desired curvatures are more easily approximated by normalizing the values Λ M and As in the Sjj table which is most closely related to a curve to be coded. The table of Figure 31B illustrates. the Sjj selection for K3 and K4 and the values of \ ΔΥ (Μ)! for M ⁺ from 0 to 31. (An extreme case would be to use a single S ^ table and calculate the desired number of radii by normalizing ÄS and Z \ M, the opposite extreme case would then be 6h different tables for S _n provided that 6k different radii or curvatures match. is) note that the data selector 76 outputs a selection function in response to K4 for this purpose.

The M, K decoding _{logic 76 controls the reset value S Q of} the S parameter as a function of K1, K2, K5 and K6, and a truth table for its input is given in FIG. 31C.

Referring to Fig. 32, there is a detailed block diagram of the S unit 32 shown. The S memory with either * or direct Access has a 4-bit part 80, which is the integer Value of S and a 4-bit part 82 that is the fraction of S for each of those identified by addresses J1 to J4

409846/0909

Stores 16 outline lines. A characteristic function of the S-unit is output by the comparator 84, which compares the value S "from the K-unit 3k with dem.von dem. S-Store 80 with direct access supplied increasing integer value of S (ie, S + 4Sp) ₁ compares.

If the comparator 8k produces an output A <B, the carry from the adder 86 and ^ S ₁ from the K unit 3k are added to the S value supplied to the adder 88 from the data selector 89. This S value is either S if the S count _{has exceeded S n} and has thus been reset to S or it is equal to the current value of (S + ^ Sp) ₁ ; The increased value is then applied to the direct access memory 80 as the changed or updated value.

It should be noted that an adder 81 is the fractional increment

Λ Sp is added to the stored increment S _p supplied by the memory 82 with direct access and the sum Sp-i- A Sp is supplied to the memory 82 with direct access as a change value.

The complementary logic output A> B of the comparator 84 is fed to a register 86. If so

(Sh- ASp) ₁ ^ S ^, an output of the arithmetic logic unit 39 is fed to the arithmetic and storage unit 28 (see Flg. 28).

As already stated, at S ^ ^s n, ^{m is} increased or decreased by '^ ^M ' according to K7, the MK decoding logic defines a new value for S _Q and Y is changed by successive

409Ö46 / 09Ö9

Calculations as puncturing the new value of M increased. Thus, a next segment of the curve approximation is corresponding generates the new Y coordinate transition values.

The scale, line and video control unit 22 (SSVCU) is shown in detail in the block diagram in FIG. The horizontal scale or normalizing unit 90 and the vertical scaling or normalizing unit 92 represent the main components represents, each as a response to the corresponding scanning pulses DS 65 and DS 64 the scale information of the input data 0 to 15 received from the computer interface unit 20, as already described.

An intermediate Y coordinate memory 94 (TY) receives the bits RY7 to RYl6, which represent the Y transition coordinate of each outline. The Y coordinates are used by the calculation and Storage unit 28 supplied in increasing numerical order, specifically by means of the command S1 from the central Calculator unit 26, the TY buffer 94 can store 16 words each consisting of 11 bits, the last Bit is normally 0. The cycle output from the central computer unit 26 sets the eleventh bit "1" if the last Y transition coordinate is read in. This is used to identify the last outline to be processed in one given calculation cycle, as will be explained below.

The TY latch 94 is controlled by a TY address counter 96 addressed, which is counted up by a TY clock of the sampling and video unit 98. Each by means of the address counter 96 read out from the TY buffer 94 Y coordinate value is fed to a comparator 100 to perform the comparison VY 3 * TY.

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It should be mentioned again that the vertical scale function allows the generation of a character of any desired point size from the encoded character data which is limited to the 72 point size or maximum point size for the specified coordinates of the square are related. The 8 MHz clock supplied to the vertical scale unit 92 by the scanning electronics 30 causes it a counter included in the vertical scale unit 92 for further counting or incrementing a value corresponding to the Corresponds to the normalization of the character to be displayed. If, for example, a 72-point character is to be displayed, the counter increases by one unit for each clock pulse input. Conversely, if a / t-point symbol is to be displayed, the counter would be continue counting by 18 with each clock pulse, namely by the ratio the display point size to the coded standard size.

Furthermore, the position output of the cathode ray tube point coordinate emitted by the scale unit 92 is compared in the comparator 100 with the Y transition coordinate which is read out from the TY buffer memory 9h. If the comparison results in VY i TY, an output is fed to the scanning and video unit 98, which then brightens the scanning beam by controlling the video coupler 29. As already mentioned, the beam is initially blanked and is therefore blanked when a first comparison is made. Due to the concept of the outer line pairs, each subsequent comparison then causes the beam to be switched from its current state to the opposite state, so that the next comparison again causes the beam to be blanked.

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-r 54 -

As soon as the scanning and video unit 98 receives a comparison signal receives from comparator 100, it performs. the TY address counter to the signal TY CLK to the TY-Zwi page memory 94 for reading to address the next transition coordinates.

The eleventh bit stored in the TY buffer 94 generates the output TYF when the last Y coordinate is sent to the comparator 100 is fed. VYiTY is defined in such a way that when this condition occurs, the beam is blanked for it Line takes place. The signal TY CLK is blocked and the scanning and video unit 98 (SVU) switches the signal SVS on to the opposite logical state and thus indicates to the central computer unit 26 that the line is now is completed. The scanning electronics 30 thus terminates another line formation and considers itself to be one next line function ready. The scanning electronics are therefore not designed to guide the beam over a fixed grid set. This property therefore allows higher operating speeds.

Details of the horizontal scanning unit 90 are shown in FIG. It should be mentioned again that also not integer Scale factors are possible according to the invention. A Register 110 contains the integer part of the horizontal scale factor and register 112 contains the fractional part the scale factor, which is supplied by means of the data inputs from the computer interface unit 20 and which is processed by DS 65 is read. The integer part of the register 110 is in the S counter 114 via the SI control of the central computer unit (CPU) 26 loaded. After each calculation cycle there

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the central processing unit 26 from the signal PFFT to the Enable S counter 114 so that it can be accessed by the next CLK input can be counted down or decreased. When the counter reaches a value 0 (the output "MIN"), the signal SXZ becomes the central computer unit 26 supplied, which then prevents further calculations until a new line has been initiated is.

The value contained in the fraction register 112 is fed to a 10-bit adder as input A in order to be matched with that in the fraction summation register 118 stored fraction at this time to be combined. The register 118 is initially to deleted to a value O, by means of the command CLEAR of the central processing unit (CPU) 26, which also resets the S counter 114.

The result of the addition in adder 116 produces a carry output (which e.g. with a scale factor of 5 i / 4 is called every fourth addition would occur), the carry output is transmitted through S2 from the central computer unit 26 to the S counter 114 linked in order to increase its count by 1. Of course, this is done after the S counter 114 has passed the Loading Koramando Sl is preset to the integer part of the horizontal scale factor.

The aforementioned operations of the S unit thus enable the Processing of non-integer horizontal scale factors. This is very important because it not only makes a very important difference precise adjustment to desired spot sizes achieved, but also the use of different cathode ray tube scanning densities is made possible.

409848 / 09Q9

The central processing unit (CPU) 26 is shown in more detail in FIG. 35 and has a processor status unit 120, an operation code decoding unit 122 and an outline follower unit (OSU) 126 as basic components. The operations. code decoding unit 122 receives the first five bits of each PACT command and forwards the appropriate commands to the associated units, as will be described below. Bits 8 to 11 of the commands, which contain the outline bits Jl to Jk, are fed to the outline follower unit (OSU) 124, which stores the values Jl to Jk as an output for the arithmetic and storage unit (CSU) 2 $. Finally, bits 12-15 of these instructions, which identify the number of computation cycles until the next instruction, are passed to processor state unit (PSU) 120.

Central processing units in data processing systems are known, and the structure of such a central processing unit to carry out the required for the system according to the invention a person skilled in the art will be familiar with basic sequence controls and control functions. The description of here Gateway central computer unit should therefore be limited to certain characteristic aspects that directly affect the. processing controls required for the system according to the invention are obtained.

FIG. 36 shows further details of the processor state unit and is used to illustrate the various outputs shown in FIG. It should be noted that each instruction BOLP, EOLP, CK and CDY is applied to a corresponding flip-flop B, E, K and DY, thereby causing the system to go P, as is the case with PFTF. the

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The consequence of the states is better from the flow diagram according to Fig. 37 can be seen from which it can be seen that the instructions EOLP and BOLP are also a sequence of sub-states for Have consequence.

Of particular importance is the I counter 130, which is based on the The number of calculation cycles is preset in PACT bits 12 to 15 and, in the case of the NOP command, also in bits 8 to 11 is included. The command NOP thus enables the logic element 132, so that these additional bits the ! .Counters can be fed. The I counter then becomes during the last calculation process of each successive calculation cycle by 1 up to the counter reading 0 counted down and generates the output IXZ, as already mentioned.

In Fig. 38, the outline follower unit 124 is shown. Two 16-bit shift registers with serial input and parallel Exit are provided. Register 140 stores the 4-bit outline numbers and register 142 stores in one a single bit identifying valid outline numbers in register 140 at the corresponding position.

The main functions to be carried out include the storage of the outline numbers as supplied by BOLP commands, and the elimination of such outlines previously stored on receipt of an EOLP command.

Unit 124 also organizes the outline by increasing Y coordinate values. The designation of outline numbers is of course within the range - from 0 to 15 for '

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Ji to J4 arbitrary. Once designated, however, the Parameters for this outline in the various stores (i.e., Y, M, K and S) stored under addresses determined by their corresponding outer line numbers J1 to J4,

The examples given for coded characters have shown that with the beginning of a new pair of outer lines or the end of an old pair of outer lines previously unrelated outer lines can form a pair. Alternatively, new outlines can have coordinate values that lie in the middle between existing values and form new pairs. These changes are made during states B and E. processed according to BOLP and EGLP commands.

Although there is no set order in which the Outline number gives and can not give, it is necessary that the outline numbers are in accordance with can be saved in a defined sequence according to the Y coordinate values.

This is necessary in order to enable the direct comparison function between the vertical normalization and the values read out from the TY buffer, as shown with reference to FIG. explains to enable what the brightness control for the strokes is obtained from. The outline follower 124 thus ensures this correct setting of the outline numbers based on the Y coordinate values of their respective ones Outlines. In a Y coordinate transfer operation from the computing and storage unit to the TY dual storage unit In FIG. 33, therefore, the Y memory 40 with direct access (FIG. 29) of the Y unit 38 (part of the computing and

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Storage unit 28, see FIG. 28) through the output of the central computer unit 26 relating to the outer line pairs J1 to J4 in the correct sequence of the outer line numbers addressed that of reading out the Y coordinate transition values in the required increasing order.

It is recalled from Fig. 29 that the comparison RY> ► BY is supplied as an output to the central computer unit 26 what in the more detailed block diagram of FIG. 35 in more detail than supply to logic unit 126 for the purpose further processing is shown.

These functions are shown somewhat schematically in Figure 38 to facilitate understanding of the process. The states B and E as well as RY> »BY corresponding to the BOLP and EOLP commands are fed to the logic unit 126 (FIG. 35), which then generates an output to the control unit 150 which indicates whether the Y coordinate is in the BOLP Command is smaller than a Y coordinate value read out from the memory at the same time. Again, it should be remembered that the read out Y coordinate value is identified by the outline numbers J1 to J4. At any given point in time, this outline number represents the output Jl to Jk from the data selector 152, which is fed to the computing and storage unit 28 in order to carry out the addressing.

In operation, registers 140 and 142 recirculate continuously under the control of a clock. The register 142 identifies the position of the at any time with the decoder block 144 Outline that has the smallest Y coordinate value. This state of the shift register is determined and stored in the

409846 / 09G9

cher flip-flops 146 loaded when the output of the 8: i data selector 143 indicates that the largest Y coordinate is being addressed and a different shift register state must be selected. The 8il data selector 141 is thus controlled so that the lowest Y-coordinate outline number for the data selector 152 during the next clock interval is read out.

When the Y coordinate value of a BOLP instruction is less than the the smallest existing Y coordinate value identified with it Is outlines (i.e., RYi> BY), the outline number becomes extracted from the recirculation by the shift register and recorded in the linking and storage unit 152, and the outline number for that identified by the BOLP instruction new outline is entered into the input stage of register 140 via unit 152. More precisely, since the command BOLP contains two words and two Y coordinate values that correspond to two outlines of a pair, with reference to FIG. 4 recall that the smaller coordinate value in the first BOLP word and the larger coordinate value is contained in the second BOLP word, the two successive ones become corresponding Outline numbers for the two Y coordinate values of the two BOLP words entered consecutively.

On the other hand, if the Y coordinate value of the BOLP command is larger than that of an existing outer line, the linkage and storage unit 152 the existing outline numbers en up to the point in time at which the comparison RY> BY is obtained.

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The opposite situation, namely in the sense that existing Outline numbers are eliminated from the shift register occurs with the EOLP instruction. This feature can be easier or can be carried out more easily. It should be noted that the EOLP instruction according to Fig. 4 is encoded with the outline number, which is the smaller Y coordinate of a pair of outlines to be terminated having. Thus, if this outline number from the PACT buffer fed to units 150 and 152 and a comparison is obtained in which the outline number is recirculated from the register 140, the comparison of the control unit 150 becomes communicated and the latter controls the linking unit 152 to this outline by blocking the recirculation to remove the outline number. The unit also switches 152 now from output 140A of the last digit to the output 140B the penultimate digit order to all consecutive Outline numbers to increment one place in register 140. This serves to keep all of the existing outlines to be stored in successive stages of the register 140, thereby achieving more efficient processing.

It is easy to see that the flag for identification valid outline numbers can be entered or removed from the shift register 142 by means of an essentially identical control of the logic unit 154, the latter being essentially parallel operations as Linking part of the unit 152 performs.

Finally, note that only eight outputs are obtained from each register 140 and 142. This is a result the unique arrangement of outlines in pairs. With appropriate timing, these eight

40 9 8 46/0909

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parallel outputs correspond to the outline with the lower Y coordinate at all times, so that in this case the system "knows" by itself that the next one is stored Outline is the associated outline of a pair with the higher Y coordinate. The reliability of this reference has already been carried out in connection with entering the outline of a new pair with the higher Y coordinate demonstrated the BOLP command. As already mentioned, only the outline with the lower one is in the EOLP instruction Y-coordinate coded. The deletion function performed by the control unit 150 thus serves both to delete the Outline for which a comparison is obtained as well as for deleting the next following outline. The EOLP command requires thus no second word to identify the outline with the higher Y coordinate as this would simply be redundant.

In short, the outline follower unit 124 serves to increase the arrangement of the outline in a correct order Y coordinate values must be adhered to. In addition, the outline numbers are in successive stages of register 140 is stored. Identifying the valid outlines Identification bits are correspondingly stored in register 142. The meaning of the identification bit and the decoding logic 144 therefore consists in the processing functions being initiated immediately with the outline of the lowest Y coordinate and can then be extended to all valid stored outlines. This means that it does not have to be intermittent during processing a full recirculation of each register can be made. This saves valuable computing time. For example, if only one pair of outer lines is registered,

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so the system can immediately identify the position of the outline, process the two outer lines and then be released for another processing function. The remaining 14 stages of the shift register do not need to be considered. In this example only one eighth of the processing time required, compared to a situation where all 16 stages of the shift register were checked and would have to be processed.

In the foregoing, the coding technique according to the invention and a very basic form of processing switching processing arrangement for the calculation of coordinates for to be generated Characters and finally an essentially complete detailed embodiment of an actual operating system a processing circuitry described. Numerous modifications and adaptations can of course easily be made by one skilled in the art of the method and the described embodiments in accordance with the concept of the invention. Some Examples of such modifications are given here. Even though the invention has been disclosed with reference to a square with right-angled coordinates, it is easy to see that other coordinate systems can also be used. Other than display systems with right-angled Coordinate division can be used. Furthermore, the coordinate system does not need the coding directly to the scanning scheme be related. The particular inventive system disclosed herein uses a square with right angles to encode Coordinates and a raster scanning scheme. Nonetheless, the invention is not so straightforward Relationship is limited, and alternative arrangements could include a right-angled coding square and circular scanning scheme

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or a polar coordinate coding system and either raster or circular or spiral scanning for the display. The steps required to correlate the coding system and the resulting calculations to define the coordinates of outlines with the control of the display for any desired scanning scheme to be used in the display will be well known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it should be recognized that the character configuration need not be defined by outline pairs, although there are significant advantages for certain applications using the concept of outline pairs as disclosed for a preferred embodiment of the invention. Instead, a character can also be defined by a single outline. This can be easily illustrated by letters such as "E", ⁿ F ^M , ^W I ^W , etc. If such a solution with a single outline is used, the basic coding measures described are still applicable. The coding in such a case would involve both increasing and decreasing the values of computation cycles, thereby determining the degree of usefulness of any given coded coordinate value or parameter value from which the position of points forming the outline position is calculated. In addition, it should be noted that even when the character is defined by two or more outlines, the concept of arranging the outlines in pairs is most useful for representing the coded function. Of course, each outline can be defined separately. In any of the proposed modifications and changes, the basic consideration is that the completeness of the mark should correspond to the desired use of a

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or several outlines at the resulting ones The coding and calculation functions taught by the invention are retained.

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Claims (1)

- 66 claims Method for coding characters or characters ^ characterized by the following process steps: Establishing a standardized coding square with X-Y coordinates and predetermined Y coordinate values, selecting a plurality of fixed values of parameter changes for at least one parameter for changes in direction of a line within the square, the fixed values Y-coordinate increments correspondingly relate to successive X-coordinate parts, and coding of the outer lines of a given character in relation to the square in accordance with: Storage of the Y starting coordinates of the outline of each pair of outline of a character as a command indicating the beginning of the pair of outline identified, storage of the corresponding parameter value of each having a change in direction Outline as a parameter change command, determination of the number of X coordinate positions from the first and each following command up to the corresponding next command and storage of the determined number in connection each with the first of two consecutive commands, and storing a command to terminate the Character. 2. A method for coding characters according to claim 1, characterized by coding the end of a pair of outline lines between the beginning and the end of a character as a command to end a pair of outer lines. 409846/0909 3. A method for coding characters according to claim 1, characterized in that the parameter is a slope. k. Method for coding characters according to Claim i, characterized in that the parameter is a curvature, 5. A method for coding characters according to claim i, characterized by assigning an outline number to each outline and saving the outline number in connection with each command that is specific to it this outline relates. 6. A method for coding characters according to claim 5 »characterized in that no outline number in Connection with the command to terminate a character is saved. 7. A method for coding characters according to claim 1, characterized by setting a second parameter by selecting a plurality of fixed values of the second Parameter, each fixed value of the second parameter being a change increment of the first parameter and thus defines a corresponding sequence of incrementally changed values of the first parameter. 8. Coding method according to claim 7, characterized in that for each value of the second parameter a sequence is predetermined Numbers of successive changes to the 409846/0903 Y coordinate that is the sequence of the values of the first parameter correspond, is set, and that that way predetermined predetermined values established for each value of the second parameter Numbers can be saved. 9. Coding method according to claim 8, characterized in that the first parameter is a slope and the second parameter is a curvature. 10. Coding method according to claim 9, characterized in that that a base radius of curvature by an incremental unit change for the sequence of the first parameter values is defined, and that any subsequent change in the Y-coordinate in the definition of the predetermined number is a unit value. 11. Coding method according to claim 10, characterized in that that different radii of curvature are defined in accordance with a sequence of first parameter values, wherein at least one change increment of the first parameter has a value other than the unit value, and each subsequent change in the Y coordinate has one value other than the unit value in accumulating the predetermined number for the corresponding values of the first Parameter and for each of the sequence of first parameter values corresponding to each value of the second parameter, having. 12. Coding method according to claim 10, characterized in that that different base radii of curvature are defined by corresponding different sequences of the first parameter values are. 409846/0909 13. Process for generating characters or characters, which are encoded according to the method of claim 2, wherein a first and each subsequent X-coordinate parts defines a computation cycle characterized by responding to each command at the beginning of a pair of outline lines corresponding to outline pairs starting with the first X coordinate position of the character identify the Y coordinate and define a starting point for this outline in relation to the square, and by calculating the Y coordinate value of each outline for the corresponding X coordinate location of the square according to the coded commands for the outline, in each subsequent calculation cycle. 14. A method for generating characters according to claim 13, characterized by calculating a new X coordinate value for each outline according to the Y coordinate increment, that for the value of the parameter change command for this outline in each subsequent calculation cycle as a response is stored on a parameter change command for this outline and calculating a Y coordinate value according to the next command for the outline to which the next command refers, after completion of a number of calculation cycles that correspond to the stored, specific number of X coordinate parts of a given command and terminating the calculations of Y coordinate values of the outline of a completed pair according to an instruction to terminate an outline pair and terminate all arithmetic operations corresponding to a command to terminate a character. 409846/0909 15. Method for generating characters for X and Y coordinate values determined in a normalized square with gate coded characters or characters, with successive X-coordinates successive calculation cycles define and each outline with respect to its Y starting coordinates in a command to the beginning of an outline pair is coded, as well as in a parameter change command, which relates to at least one first parameter for changes in direction, and contains one of a plurality of fixed values of the first parameter, each fixed value being a Y-coordinate nateninkrement defined, with a command to terminate of an outline pair for the outline of a pair in the meantime the beginning and the end of a character each command is also terminated with an outline number that identifies the outline to which it relates, an instruction to terminate a Character terminates all outlines of the character, and every command except the command to start a Outline is also coded with the number of calculation cycles, which is the number of X-digits of the next coded command for the character, characterized in that in a first calculation cycle corresponding to the command to start a pair of outer lines for each pair of outer lines with the X start - Coordinate parts of the character are started to Y starting coordinates to establish for each such outer line in relation to the square that in each subsequent calculation cycle the Y coordinate value of each outer line is consistent with its Y initial coordinate value and every simultaneous command relating to this outline 409846/0909 attests to the Y coordinate value for the corresponding . To define the X-coordinate position in relation to the square, by means of a parameter change command for each Outline, calculating a new Y coordinate value in accordance with a modification of the initial value by the amount of the increment identified by the parameter value encoded in the command, and by completing the computations of the Y coordinate values for each outline of a pair identified by a command to terminate of a pair of outer lines, and that the completion of the calculation of Y coordinate values for all outer lines occurs upon a command to terminate a character. 16. A method for generating characters according to claim 15, characterized in that characterized in that each instruction for the start of an outline pair which responds to such an initial instruction is performed to provide initial Y coordinate values for the outline of each such subsequent pair to identify an X-coordinate point of the square, the previous number of calculation cycles Commands to thereby initiate the creation of new outlines of the character. 17. The method of generating characters according to claim 16, wherein the characters are also in terms of a second parameter having a plurality of fixed values, each of which is a series of incremental changes of the first parameter, and wherein changing the first parameter in accordance with the increment a function of a predetermined number of changes 409846/0 909 the Y-coordinate is in correspondence with each successively changed value of the first parameter, characterized in that that any command to change the second parameter for a given outline is executed in order to achieve the To calculate the Y coordinate for this outline in each subsequent calculation cycle, namely by identifying the change increment of the first parameter corresponding to the second parameter and calculating the value of the first parameter from that value, identifying the incremental change value of the Y coordinate accordingly the calculated first parameter value and calculating a new Y coordinate value from this value in each subsequent one Calculation cycle for the predetermined number of changed values of Y, and further calculation of new ones successively Values of the first parameter after the computations have been completed for the predetermined number of changed Values of Y corresponding to this identified increment of change of the first parameter, which corresponds to the value of the second parameter, and calculating new changed ones Values of Y corresponding to the newly calculated value of the first parameter for the predetermined time of changes in the Values of Y in the following calculation cycles. 18. Method for the representation of characters, which according to the The method according to claim 15, wherein the display device a device for forming horizontally offset vertical lines on a display element corresponding to a desired line density, and wherein a scanning device is selectively controllable to scan each stroke on the display element to be palpated and to be palpated light, marked by referring 409846/090 of the calculation cycles corresponding to the effective displacement of successive X-positions of the square on the Line density of the display device, and a first component value of a horizontal scale factor and thereby each subsequent stroke to a certain number of calculation cycles in the character generation operation and by controlling the scanning and blanking of the scanning beam during each line according to the calculated Y coordinate values for the. cycle related to this line. 19 · Method for generating and displaying characters according to Claim 18, characterized by referring to the size of the characters to be displayed to a maximum size, according to which the character is encoded, to a second To form the component value of the horizontal scale factor, and by defining a number of calculation cycles. corresponding to the horizontal scale factor, thereby selecting the calculation cycle from which the Y coordinate information for controlling the scanner is obtained at each stroke. 20. A method for generating and displaying characters according to claim 19, wherein each stroke of the vertical scanning is carried out at a known, fixed sawtooth rate for the displacement on the display element, and wherein the characters are encoded in the normed square for a display of maximum character size, characterized by Obtaining the size of the items to be displayed 4098 46/0 909 Characters to the maximum size according to which the characters are encoded and to the sawtooth rate by a vertical Scale factor, and by scanning and blanking the scanner during each stroke according to the Y coordinate values of the outer lines, those in the calculation cycle for the stroke than from that vertical scale factor calibrated values are formed. 21. Procedure for coding characters or characters, characterized by defining a normalized square from I and Y coordinates with predetermined Y coordinate values, Relating each character to be encoded to the normalized square, forming and identifying Outlines of the sign, the outlines are arranged in pairs and each pair has a solid between them Contains continuous segment of the character, storing the starting Y coordinate of each outline of the Character in a corresponding command at the beginning of a line, storing the number of X coordinate parts to to the next command for the character in a command that relates to at least a pair of outlines, beginning with the beginning of a character and storing a command to terminate a character. 22. Procedure for coding characters or characters according to claim 21, characterized by storing the Y initial coordinate value of each outer line of each successive pair of outline and an identification of the outline in successive Commands at the beginning of a line. 409846/0909 23. A method for coding characters or characters according to claim 22, characterized by arranging a each successive command at the beginning of a line for pairs of outline lines that old the beginning of a character in front of a command that contains the number of X — coordinates— up to the next command. 24. Method for coding characters or characters according to claim 22, characterized by placing each successive command at the beginning of a line for pairs of outline lines following the start of a character in the order of the X-coordinate positions where the corresponding line pairs begin, where the number of X coordinate positions are stored in a corresponding directly preceding command and thereby set the X start coordinate location for each subsequent line. 25. A method for coding characters or characters according to Ämspruch 22, characterized by storing a Identification of an outline for at least one outline pair between the beginning and the end of a Character ends in a command to terminate a line and by storing the number of X coordinate digits to to the next command for the character in the command to terminate one line. 26. A method for coding characters or characters according to claim 21, characterized by selecting and defining a variety of slopes, each slope § r \ λ λ tr * tr \ r \ λ 4 U ö ο 4 υ / U i> U. has a vert which is the corresponding fixed increment of the Y coordinate for a change in the X coordinate UBi is set to a unit value, and by storage the outline identification and the corresponding slope name for each outline that includes a slope has, in a pitch change command. 27 .. Procedure for coding characters or characters 27. according to claim 26, characterized by selecting and defining a plurality of curvatures, each curvature has a sequence of incrementally changing slope values and each incrementally changed slope value one associated predetermined number of changes in Y corresponding to the Y increment for a given slope value, and storing the outline designation and the corresponding curvature designation for each outline that has a curvature in a curvature change command. 28. A method for generating characters which are coded according to the method according to claim 27, wherein each successive X-coordinate position has a calculation cycle defined, characterized by executing each instruction to start a pair of outlines for pairs of outlines that begin with the first X coordinate position of the character to identify the starting Y coordinate and to define a starting point for this outer line in relation to the square, and by determining the Y coordinate value of each outer line in each successive calculation cycle for the corresponding X coordinate 409846/0909 interface of the square in accordance with the Maintaining the initial value in the absence of one Change command for the outline and the calculation of a new, changed value corresponding to a change command for the outline. 29. A method for generating characters according to claim 28, characterized in that characterized in that when there is a slope change command for an outer line, a new Y coordinate value is calculated for this outer line in accordance with the Y coordinate increment that is used for the designated Slope is stored in the slope change command of each subsequent calculation cycle, and that at Existence of a command to end a pair of outline lines, the calculations of Y coordinate values for the Outlines of the terminated pair are completed, and that when there is a command to terminate a Sign all calculations are completed. 30. A method for generating characters according to claim 29, characterized in that when a curvature change command for an outline is present, the increment of the Change in slope for the coded, designated curvature is determined and a first slope value is calculated that the predetermined number of changes in Y and the Change increment of Y for the calculated first slope is determined that new values of Y accordingly the determined Y increment are calculated in each calculation cycle of this predetermined number, and that one next slope value is calculated and the increment is determined to add new values of Y in successive 409846/0909 Calculate calculation cycles on each completion of the corresponding predetermined number of this new value of Y calculations. 31. Method for coding characters or characters in relation to a normalized coding set of first and second coordinates, one character being by at least an outer line is determined, characterized in that a first coordinate value is stored, which is a Point on each outline corresponds, and that at least one value is stored which corresponds to the amount of the second Specifies the coordinate for which the first stored coordinate value corresponds to points on the outline. 32. Procedure for coding characters or characters according to claim 31, wherein the stored first coordinate value corresponds to a »starting point of the outline, thereby characterized in that an indication of the completion of a particular outline is stored, and that the step storing a value indicating the amount, including storing a value indicating the amount of the second coordinate between the starting point and the end corresponds to the outline. 33. Procedure for »Coding characters H» w. Characters according to claim 31, wherein an Aulenlinie direction «changes runs through, characterized in that d * 0 for at least one Parameters of changes in direction of a line related to a plurality of parameter values is selected for the coding coordinate set, each selected value being a A09846 / 0909 Increment of the first coordinate on consecutive Values of the second coordinate relates, and that for an outline with a change in direction the corresponding Parameter value saved in connection with the outline and at least one value indicating the amount of the second coordinate is stored for which the stored Parameter value corresponds to the change in direction. 3k. Method for coding characters or characters according to Claim 33 »characterized by a storage which relates each selected parameter value to the corresponding value of the increment of the first coordinate. 35. A method for coding a character or character according to claim 33 with a second parameter for changes in direction of a line, characterized in that a A plurality of values of the second parameter is selected, each selected value of the second parameter defines a change increment of the first parameter as well as a number of consecutive incremental values the first coordinate as a function of a sequence of incrementally changed values of the first parameter, and that for each outline a change of direction corresponding to the second parameter is obtained by storage the corresponding value of the second parameter in connection with the outline and storage at least a value which indicates the amount of the second coordinate for which the stored value of the second parameter of the corresponds to the second change of direction. 409846/0909 36. Method of generating characters according to the method according to claim 31, characterized in that the first coordinate value is for every second coordinate value is calculated according to the coded, stored values for the character outline. 37. Method for the representation of characters, according to the method are generated according to claim 36, characterized in that a desired scanning scheme for displaying a Character is selected, and that the calculated coordinate values with the selected scanning scheme for a desired Representation of the character can be correlated. 38. Method for the representation of characters, according to the method according to claim 36, wherein the representation is carried out by scanning a display element in a »desired scanning scheme with scanning paths that be controlled so that they surround an area of the display element in which the characters are displayed should, characterized in that the scanning in each scanning path is controlled in such a way that from the current one to an opposite state of the representation state and blanked state is switched at each interface, with the exception of the tangents of a scanning path and the outline of the character. 39. A method for generating characters for the purpose of displaying a character coded according to the method according to claim 31, characterized in that a display element is scanned in scanning paths of a desired scheme, 409846/0909 which are controlled in such a way that they cover an area of the Dar- Position element in which the character is to be displayed, with the scanning between a first a state that generates a representation and a second state that does not generate a representation can be controlled, that the first coordinate value of the outer line for every second coordinate value corresponding to the coded, stored Values for the outer line of the drawing is calculated and the calculated coordinate values with the scanning scheme and the display area are correlated, and that the scanning is controlled such that from the first a switch is made to the second state when the scan in each scan path exceeds the correlated calculated value of the Outline crosses. 40. The method for generating characters according to claim 31 »wherein a Character is defined by at least two outlines that form a pair and between them at least one segment of the character, characterized in that the first coordinate value for every second coordinate value is calculated according to the coded, stored values for each outline of each pair. 41. Process for the representation of characters or characters, which are generated according to the method according to claim 40, wherein the representation by scanning a representation element in a desired scanning scheme with scanning paths takes place, which are controlled in such a way that they give an area of the display element in which the Characters are to be displayed, characterized in that the scanning in each scanning path is controlled in this way 409846V0909 becomes that from a present to an opposite The state of the display state and the blanking state is switched for each interface, with the exception of tangents of a scanning path and the outer lines of the associated pair. 42. Process for the representation of characters or characters according to claim 41, characterized in that each scan is delimited outside of that by a pair of outer lines Character segment and is initiated in the blanked state. 43. Procedure for coding characters or characters, characterized by defining a normalized coding set of at least first and second coordinates, selecting a variety of parameter values for at least a parameter for changes in the direction of a line in relation to the coding set, each selected value being a Increment of the first coordinate relates to successive values of the second coordinate, encoding each one Outline of a given character with reference to the set of coordinates in accordance with: storage a first coordinate value which corresponds to a point on the outer line and storage of the corresponding one Parameter value for an outline alt a change of direction in connection bit of the outline and storage of at least one value that represents the amount of the second coordinate indicates for which the saved parameter value corresponds to the change in direction. 409846/0909 44. A method for coding characters or characters according to claim 43, characterized in that the corresponding Parameter value for each successive different one The change in direction of the outline is saved, and that the corresponding value indicating the amount is stored in connection with the storage of the associated parameter value. 45. Method for encoding characters or characters according to claim 43, characterized in that a character to be coded has at least a second outline, and in that the step of storing the length or the amount is storing a value representing the amount of the second coordinate until the next change in direction of an outline, in connection with the stored one Includes parameter value for an outline. 46. Character generator for generating characters which encode according to a normalized square from X and Y coordinates where each successive X coordinate value corresponds to a calculation cycle, each character is edited in a sequence of data commands, which click on the outline of the character segments and have a command to start a line that is the Y coordinate of each associated pair of outer unions identified, where outlines ^ change commands different fixed and set variable directions of the outline ^ as well as the Termination of a pair of outline lines, and a command denotes the end of a character, with each change command contains an identification of the outline on which it is referring 409840/0909 ORIGINAL INSPECTED refers, and a. Number of calculation cycles up to the following command, identified by a device, responsive to a line beginning command to identify an initial pair of outline lines and in connection therewith, store their respective Y-coordinates, by means for Calculation of a new Y coordinate value in each successive one Calculation cycle for each identified outline according to the associated change command, including maintaining an initial Y coordinate value for an outline that has no change, by means for changing the Y coordinate values in the storage means in accordance with that in each calculation cycle calculated new value, and by means of the coded number of the calculation cycle of each successive change command responds to the next command for the character when the coded number of calculation cycles is reached to request and receive a current order. 47. Character generator according to claim 46, characterized in that a buffer storage device for storing the consecutive commands one for each character generating associated character set is provided. 48. Character generator according to claim 46, characterized in that the responsive to a command at the beginning of a line Device comprises a Y unit which has a Y memory for storing the Y starting coordinates of a 409 8-4 6/0909 Contains outline starting pairs, the Y memory having a number of storage locations that one maximum number of outlines in a given calculation cycle and is addressable according to the identification number of each outline. 49. Character generator according to claim 48, characterized in that the Y-unit has a further memory with a plurality has incremental Y coordinate changes stored therein and by means of a corresponding Addressable increment identification number of a command which is coded to define a fixed increment of change in the Y coordinate for an identified outline, and that a device in each calculation cycle the current Y-coordinate from the Y-memory and the increment of Y from the further memory is added to a new one, updated by the increment to calculate the brought value of Y, and that a device stores the changed Y value in the Y memory location for the outline in each successive calculation cycle until a further change command for the outline or a command to terminate a character. 50. Character generator according to claim 48, wherein a change command encodes one according to a specific slope Contains slope change command and each slope as a predetermined increment of Y in each calculation— cycle is defined, characterized in that the Y unit also has a Y increment memory with a 409846/0909 Having a plurality of storage locations which are addressable by means of a coded slope designation, the saves the value of the Y increment in the corresponding position, and that the changing means comprises means which in each calculation cycle the Y-memory addressed for the outline identified by a slope change command and the Y increment memory Addressed according to the slope designation, to the corresponding Y coordinate value and the Y increment values and has means for calculating the obtained Y coordinate and the Y increment values to add a new value of Y, and that the changing device stores the Y using the new value calculated in this way Updates the value of Y. 51. Character generator according to claim 50, characterized in that that the arithmetic unit also has an M unit with an M memory corresponding to the number of the outline of a slope change command addressable is to save the slope designation of the command in the corresponding memory location, the M memory feeds the slope designation for each outline to the Y-increment memory of the Y-unit. 52. Character generator according to claim 51, wherein a further Outline change command contains a curvature change command for an identified outline, and wherein each specified curvature corresponds to a slope change increment and a sequence of slope values forms that is changed by the increment, each 409846/0909 changed slope value is used during a predetermined number S _n of calculation cycles in order to carry out a corresponding number of changes in the Y coordinate and to define a desired radius of curvature of the resulting outline, characterized in that the arithmetic unit furthermore has a K memory which corresponds to the outline identified by a curvature change command is addressable in order to store the curvature designation of the command in the corresponding memory location, as well as a K-decoding logic device which is responsive to a curvature designation received from the memory in order to output the slope increment corresponding to the designated curvature, and that a further memory stores a plurality of S _N values which correspond to the number of calculation cycles of Y changes for each changed slope value for a given curvature designation and corresponding to that of a curvature change command th curvature and each changed slope value is sequentially addressable in order to provide the corresponding S _N value as an output. 53. Character generator according to claim 52, characterized in that the computing device further comprises an S-unit for Accumulate a count S as a puncture of the number of changes in the Y coordinate for each sequence from to one given curvature-related slope values that the S-unit has an S-memory which corresponds to can be addressed with the outline identification in order to 409846/0909 save wärtigen value S corresponding to the number of Y changes for a given slope, that the K-Deeodierlogikeinrichtung the K-unit also generates an S-increment AES for a given curvature designation, and that the S-unit comprises an adder the value supplied by the K decoding logic in each calculation cycle and thus corresponding to each Y change ^ S to the value of stored in the S memory S for the corresponding outline to be added, and has a device that corresponds to the sum output of the adder changes the value of S stored in the S memory for the corresponding outline. Character generator according to claim 53, characterized in that the S-unit further comprises a comparator for comparing the changed value of S from the S-memory with the stored value S _{n of} the predetermined number of Y-changes from the memory of the K-unit in accordance with a present slope value to determine when the accumulated S-value corresponds to the predetermined value S, _T of Y changes, and means, responsive to the comparison means, for adding an incremental S-value As to the to continue the stored S-value by the adder if the S-value is smaller than the predetermined number S _n and alternatively to output a reset _{value S Q} instead of the changed S-value if the latter is equal to or equal to a predetermined number of Y changes Number exceeds. 409846/0909 55. Character generator according to claim 5 ^ t »characterized in that a decoding logic is also provided which is responsive to the slope value and the curvature designation in order to establish corresponding reset values S _Q. 56. Character generator according to claim 5 ^> characterized in that a device is also provided on the Output of the comparator responds when the increased value of S is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of Y-changes is to thereby change the slope label in accordance with that of the decoding logic to enable supplied increment of the slope change according to the curvature designation. 57- character generator according to claim 56, characterized in, that the curvature designation is positive or negative curvatures and that the sequence of slope values defined for a given curvature increases accordingly or is reduced. 58. Character generator according to claim 57, characterized in that that the Y-unit has a means for recognizing the effects of either increases or decreases has incremental slope changes to corresponding increasing or decreasing Y coordinate increments to the adder for the purpose of generating corresponding increasing or decreasing Y-changes, thereby selectively Outlines with positive and negative curvature can be defined. 409846/0909 59. Character generator according to claim 55 »characterized in that the store of the K unit storing the predetermined number of successive changes for a given curvature designation defines the base radius of curvature for unit increments of the value S, and that different radii of curvature from the stored number of changes for one given radius of curvature can be derived by selectively or combined increasing the S-count in accordance with non-unit values and increasing or decreasing the slope in accordance with non-unit values, and that the decoding logic receiving the output of the K memory corresponding integer values Δ M ₁ and Fractions AMp of the slope increments and integer values Λ Sj and fractions As of the change values of the S count are generated. 60. Character generator according to claim 59 »characterized by a memory for storing fractions S" of S values and an associated further adder for adding each fraction 4s "of an S change value to the stored S" value _} and a device for changing the S _p memory by storing the changed value S _p + Δ S _p for the outline in the Sp memory, and by a device for increasing the. Adder for the S and Δ Sj change increments when the successive changes in the value S _p , defined by the output of the S _p and 4s "adder, reach a unit. 409846/0909 61. Character generator according to claim 46, characterized in that that the device responsive to the coded calculation cycle number appropriately calculates a counter set for the coded number each change command has a facility responsible for completing the computations for all responses to outline lines calculated in a given cycle to count down the counter by one unit, and one Having means that is responsive to a count of zero in the counter to a next command for the To request characters. 62. Character generator according to claim 46, characterized in that a sequence control unit stores the identification numbers of the outer lines in an order that corresponds to a fixed order of Y-coordinate values of the thereby identified outlines. 63. Character generator according to claim 62, characterized in that a control unit is provided which has a buffer address counter and means responsive to the order of outline number designations responds, which are stored in the sequential control unit, to changed Y-coordinates of the outer lines in each To feed the calculation cycle to the buffer in a fixed sequence of coordinate values. 6k, character generator according to claim 63 for use with a display device which has a scanning device which executes a sequence of horizontally offset vertical lines, each vertical line being a fixed one 4098 k 6/0909 Sawtooth rate and the scanning device is normally blanked, and where the changed Y coordinate values of a given calculation cycle can be used to to control the blanking and highlighting of a scanning beam in a corresponding line of the beam, characterized by a vertical scanning unit for the scaling of the Y coordinate values of the normalized square for deflecting the beam in each line, and through a comparator for comparing the effectively calibrated coordinate position of the line relative to the Y coordinates of the normalized square with the specified sequence of changed Y coordinate values of the buffer, around light test and blanking control outputs in alternating order for each comparison of the vertically calibrated Output of the unit that is equal to or greater than the changed Y coordinate stored in the buffer memory is to generate for each such stored Y coordinate value in the specified sequence. 65. Character generator according to claim 64, characterized by a device for storing an identification of the Absence of further coordinate values in the buffer in connection with the last Y coordinate value and by means responsive to the stored identification at the last coordinate value obtained from Comparator is fed to the end of the Y coordinate information to identify and thereby end the current stroke. 409846/0903 66. Character generator according to claim 64, characterized in that that means for generating a clock signal during each vertical line and related to the sawtooth rate of the line is provided, and that the vertical scale unit means for receiving a vertical scale factor which is the size of a one to be displayed Character refers to a maximum point size that corresponds to the coding of the character in the normalized square, and comprises a counter and means to the To increase the counter in response to each clock pulse during a line by an amount equal to the vertical scale factor is equivalent to. 67. Character generator according to claim 64, wherein each vertical line of the display device in a predetermined horizontal spacing is carried out according to a desired line density, characterized by a hori- zontal scale unit for receiving and storing a horizontal scale factor that defines the calculation cycles of the normalized square for a character display of maximum size to the desired size of the one to be displayed Character and line density relates, and by means of reducing the stored horizontal Scale factor in accordance with the termination of the calculation cycle that generates an output, when the stored scale factor has been counted down to a minimum value, and by a device, the next following scan line of the display device in response to this output to the control the blanking and lighting of the scanning device in 4098 4 6/0909 - 9k - .Conformity with the specified sequence of Y coordinate values of the previous completed calculation cycle. 68. Character generator according to claim 67, wherein the horizontal scale unit first and second storage means for storing horizontal parts and fractions of the horizontal scale factor, characterized by an adder for receiving the fraction of the horizontal Scale factor in each calculation cycle and adding this fraction to a fraction sum value, by a fractional sum register for storing the fractional sum value and supplying it to the Adder, by a counter for storing the horizontal scale factor supplied from the first storage means and by a logic device for reducing the integer numbers stored in the counter Count for each calculation cycle and to increase the count in response to a carry output from the adder, when adding the fractional scale factor to the fractional sum of the register is therefore equal to or greater than one. 69. Character generator according to claim 68, characterized in that the device is based on the minimum output of the counter responds, thereby loading the horizontal scale factor into the counter for line formation for a subsequent To enable surgery. 409846/0909 70. Character generator according to claim 62, characterized in that the sequence control unit has a first recirculating Has shift register with a number of storage locations which correspond to the maximum number of outer lines, which can be processed, a second recirculating shift register with a corresponding number of storage locations which recirculates in synchronism with the first shift register and a connection device for inserting an identification bit in each stage of the second shift register for which a valid outline number is stored in the corresponding stage of the first shift register. 71. Character generator according to claim 70, characterized in that each shift register has parallel outputs and a decoding logic is provided, which is responsive to the parallel outputs of the second shift register in order to in The memory location of the first shift register corresponds to the position of an identification bit contained therein to identify who at any given point in time the Contains outline number corresponding to the lowest specified Y coordinate outline value and that one Data selector is provided for the stored outline identification numbers from the first shift register, which at its parallel outputs from the by the decoding logic identified point are supplied in the order of the plurality of identification numbers stored therein read out, and thereby avoid delays associated with a complete recirculation of a each shift register to receive the outputs of the identification numbers stored therein arise. 409846/0 9 09 72. Character generator according to claim 70, characterized in that that a first and second linking unit is provided which are assigned respectively to the first and second shift registers that a device on each stored identification number responds to the corresponding Y-coordinate value with the Y-coordinate value of a newly received command to compare the start of a line and determine whether the stored Y coordinate value is greater than the coded Y-coordinate value of the command, and that the linking device is based on this Comparison responds when the stored Y coordinate value exceeds the Y coordinate value of the command by the Recirculation of the corresponding identification number in to interrupt the first shift register and previously encoded the identification number of the new in the instruction Enter the outline. 73. Character generator according to claim 72, characterized in that the second linking device is parallel to the first Linking device is operable to add a further identifier bit to the corresponding shift register position of the enter the second shift register. 74. Character generator according to claim 70, characterized in that a further linking device is the second Shift register is assigned to control the recirculation of data therein and that also means a device is provided, the βμΐ a command to terminate a Line pair responds to the outer line identification number encoded therein for comparison with those in the first 409846/0909 Shift registers recirculating stored identification numbers to store, and that the linking device for the first shift register to the comparison between a currently recirculating outline number and the stored outline number from the Command responds to further recirculation of this To prevent outline number. 75. Character generator according to claim 73, characterized in that the linking device with the first shift register connected to its contents from a stage that is offset to the last stage in response to to receive and recirculate a prevention of the recirculation of a terminated outline number and thereby the recirculating outline numbers in consecutive Hold positions in the shift register. 76. Character generator according to claim 75, characterized in that the linking device for the second shift register in parallel with the linking device for the first shift register is operated in order to eliminate the corresponding identification bit and remaining identification bits from a Stage of the shift register, which is offset to the last stage, to recirculate and thereby the identification bits in the corresponding positions of the second shift register to identify valid outline numbers in the first shift register. 409846/0909