United States Patent £191
`Bakula et al.
`
`[II]
`
`[45]
`
`4,204,206
`May 20,1980
`
`[54] VIDEO DISPLAY SYSTEM
`[75]
`Inventors: Ricbanl E. Bakula, India11)ntic;
`Edward C. McCarthy, Indian Harbor
`Beach, both of Fla.
`[73] Assignee: Harri5 Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio
`{21] Appl. No.: 829,045
`[22) Filed:
`Aug. 30, 1977
`(51]
`Int. Cl.l ............................................. G06K 15/20
`{52] u.s. Cl ..................................... 340/721; 340/799;
`364/900
`[58) Field of Search ................ 340/324 AD, 721, 799,
`340/731
`
`{56)
`
`3,685,039
`3,742,452
`3,792,462
`3,801,961
`3,848,246
`3,999,165
`4,129,858
`
`Referenees Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Flanagan ...................... 340/324 AD
`8/1972
`Albrecht et al. ............. 340/324 AD
`6/1973
`Casey et al. .................. 340/324 AD
`2/1974
`Coombe ....................... 340/324 AD
`4/1974
`Kendall et al. .................. 340n31 X
`11/1974
`Findley et al. .................. 340/731 X
`12/1976
`Hara ................................. 340n99 X
`12/1978
`
`Primary Examiner-David L. Trafton
`ABSTRACI'
`(57)
`The system includes a host computer having mass stor(cid:173)
`age facilities together with a plurality of video display
`terminals having editing capabilities. Facilities are pro(cid:173)
`vided so that each editing terminal may on power-up
`communicate with the host computer which then
`downloads a control program into the terminal and is
`stored in the terminal's main memory such as read/(cid:173)
`write random access memory (RAM). Data to be dis(cid:173)
`played at the terminal may be downloaded from the
`host computer in the same manner and, in addition, data
`may be entered by a local keyboard for display and
`editing purposes. Each terminal is a processor driven
`terminal with a common bus architecture and performs
`various functions in accordance with the control pro(cid:173)
`gram downloaded from the host computer. The termi(cid:173)
`nal is structured so that it may display text obtained
`from one or more input sources on different areas of a
`common display screen. The text in the different areas
`may be scrolled and edited independently of each other.
`
`15 Claims, 32 DrawiDI Fi~UJ"e~
`
`

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`4,204,206
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`US. Patent
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`May 20, 1980
`
`Sheet 3 of 16
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 20, 1980
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`Sheet 4 of 16
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`U.S. Patent May 20, 1980
`
`Sheet 5 of 16
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`4,204,206
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`

`U.S. Patent May 20, 1980
`
`Sheet 6 of 16
`
`4,204,206
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent May 20, 1980
`
`Sheet 7 of 16
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`4,204,206
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`U.S. Patent May 20, 1980
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`Sheet 8 of 16
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`U.S. Patent May 2o, 1980
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`Sheet 9 of 16
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`U 0 So Patent May 20, 1980
`US. Patent
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`U.S. Patent May 20, 1980
`US. Patent
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`May 20, 1980
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`Sheet 11 of 16
`Sheet 11 of 16
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`U.S. Patent May 20, 1980
`US. Patent
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`May 20, 1980
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`Sheet 12 of 16
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`U.S. Patent May 20, 1980
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`Sheet 13 of 16
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`

`U.S. Patent May 2o, 1980
`US. Patent May 20, 1980
`
`Sheet 14 of 16
`Sheet 14 of 16
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`U.S. Patent May 20, 1980
`US. Patent
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`May 20, 1980
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`Sheet 15 of 16
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`U.S. Patent May 20. 1980
`US. Patent
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`May 20, 1980
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`Sheet 16 of 16
`Sheet 16 of 16
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`1
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`VIDEO DISPLAY SYSTEM
`
`~
`
`BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF THE
`INVENTION
`This invention relates to video display systems and,
`more particularly, to an improved display terminal for
`copy origination and editing.
`Whereas the invention will be described herein with
`reference to a video display system capable for use in
`electronic newsroom operations, it is to be understood
`that the invention has other applications wherein it is
`desirable to provide a means for data entry and editing
`thereof.
`At this stage in the state of the art, video display
`systems are available to provide "electronic" news(cid:173)
`rooms. Some of these systems employ host computers
`having large storage banks for on line operation with a
`plurality of intelligent video display terminals. These 20
`terminals may be employed by writers who originate
`stories by entering text through the terminal's key(cid:173)
`board. The text is also displayed on the screen and may
`be edited by the writer-operator. Once the author is
`satisfied with the story, it is sent to the host computer 2~
`for storage along with stories entered by other writers.
`Other terminals are employed by editors. An editor may
`call up a story from the host computer for display. The
`called up story may have been entered into the host
`computer from a similar terminal or from such other 30
`sources as an optical reader or a wire line or from
`punch-tape and the like. The editor may scroll through
`the story and make changes as desired through the use
`of control keys on the terminals' keyboard. After the
`editor has completed his function, the edited story may 35
`then be stored in another location in the host computer
`for subsequent use. The subsequent use, for example,
`may be data outputted to a phototypesetter which may
`be used for constructing a printing plate to tum out
`newspaper copy.
`An editor using such a terminal as discussed above
`has several stories available to him from the storage
`bank at the host computer. For example, a sports editor
`may be interested in reviewing different wire stories
`regarding the same event. In deciding which story to be 4~
`edited for use in his newspaper, the editor might call up
`one story and review it from observing his display
`screen. Thereafter, the second story would be reviewed
`and then the editor would decide which story he would
`like to edit. A more desirable editing mode of operation so
`would be for the editor to have the facilities at his dis(cid:173)
`play terminal to simultaneously display the two stories
`on different areas of a common display screen. This
`then would provide a dual screen or dual column mode
`of operation. It would further be desirable in such a dual s~
`screen mode of operation that the editor have the facili(cid:173)
`ties at the terminal to scroll or otherwise edit one of the
`stories without acting upon the other story. In this way
`then the editor could use one of the stories as a base and
`then modify it in accordance with what he likes about 60
`the other story or the editor might modify both stories.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
`provide an improved video display system wherein a 65
`video display terminal is provided with facilities so that
`it may have such a dual screen mode of operation as
`discussed above.
`
`2
`It is a further object of the present invention to pro(cid:173)
`vide a system wherein data is fetched for one screen
`area and displayed and then at a midscreen location data
`is fetched for a second screen area and displayed.
`In accordance with one aspect of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion at least two groups of characters are displayed on
`different areas of a common video display screen. A
`main memory stores the characters which are to be
`displayed in each group of characters. The characters
`associated with each group are stored at addressable
`locations identified by a plurality of address vectors.
`The main memory also stores lists of address vectors
`associated with each group of characters to be dis(cid:173)
`played. A vector memory stores a selected list of ad(cid:173)
`dress vectors identifying a group of characters to be
`displayed. A first means responds to the address vectors
`stored in the vector memory means by addressing the
`main memory to retrieve the characters which are to be
`displayed. This data is provided to a video display
`means which includes a common display screen upon
`which the groups of characters are to be displayed. The
`display means responds to the characters supplied to it
`by the first means for purposes of displaying these char(cid:173)
`acters on the screen in frames. This is accomplished by
`cyclically scanning the screen from a first screen bound(cid:173)
`ary to a second screen boundary whereby the charac(cid:173)
`ters are displayed in progression from the first screen
`boundary to the second screen boundary. A second
`means loads the vector memory at least twice for each
`frame with different lists of address vectors from the
`main memory so that during each scanning of the screen
`at least two groups of characters are displayed in each
`frame with the groups being displayed in progression
`and on different areas of the screen.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ORA WINGS
`The foregoing and other objects and advantages of
`the invention will become more readily apparent from
`the following description of the preferred embodiment
`of the invention as taken in conjunction with the ap(cid:173)
`pended drawings wherein:
`FIG. 1 is an overall system block diagram illustrating
`for an application of the present invention;
`FIG. l is a schematic-block diagram illustration of a
`video display terminal in accordance with the present
`invention;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the keyboard
`layout for the keyboard of the terminal illustrated in
`FIG.l;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic-block diagram illustration of
`the CPU and interface circuitry;
`FIG. 5 is a schematic-block diagram illustration of
`the input/output control circuitry;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic-block diagram illustration of
`the memory and its interface with the common bus
`structure;
`FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the display screen
`of the terminal illustrated in FIG. l;
`FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the line vector
`table in the main memory;
`FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration showing the manner
`in which bytes of data are stored in a display butTer in a
`single column mode;
`FIG. 10 is similar to that of FIG. 9 but showing the
`display butTer in the dual or split screen mode;
`FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration showing the man(cid:173)
`ner in which enhancement data and character data are
`arranged for a character line;
`
`

`

`to
`
`3
`FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration showing the format
`of a data word;
`FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration showing the format
`of an enhancement;
`FIG. 14 is a schematic-block diagram illustration of s
`the timing generator circuitry;
`FIG. 15 is a schematic-block diagram illustration of
`the video generator circuitry;
`FIG. 16a through 16i are waveforms useful in under-
`standing portions of the circuitry described herein;
`FIG. 17 is a schematic-block diagram illustration of
`the cursor logic circuitry illustrated in FIG. 14;
`FIG. 18a through 18i are waveforms useful in de(cid:173)
`scribing both single and dual column operation;
`FIG. 19a through 19p are waveforms useful in de- IS
`scribing portions of the circuitry employed herein;
`FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of a pixel matrix;
`FIGS. 2la. b. and c are graphical illustrations show(cid:173)
`ing images formed on the video display;
`FIGS. l2a, b, and c are similar to that of FIGS. 21a. 20
`b, and c but showing a different combination of graphi(cid:173)
`cal images formed on the video display;
`FIGS. 23a. b, and c are similar to those of FIGS. 21a,
`b, c and 22a, b, and c but showing a different combina(cid:173)
`tion of graphical images formed on the video display; 25
`FIG. 24 is a schematic-block diagram illustration of
`the direct memory access circuitry;
`FIG. 25a through 25m are waveforms useful in de(cid:173)
`scribing the circuitry of FIG. 24; and,
`FIG. 26a through 26p are waveforms useful in de- 30
`scribing the circuitry of FIG. 24.
`
`4
`sources DIS and routed by host computer HC for stor(cid:173)
`age in the data base storage DBS.
`An editor, through the use of his editing terminal,
`may call up a story entered into the data base storage
`from either one of his writers or from one of the data
`input sources DIS. In this case, the proper keys on the
`terminal's keyboard will be actuated and the story will
`be retrieved from the data base storage and supplied
`under the control of the host computer HC to the termi(cid:173)
`nal requesting the story. The editor will now view the
`story on his display screen and make whatever editing
`corrections he requires, using the proper editing con(cid:173)
`trols on the keyboard. Once the edited story has been
`completed, the editor will actuate a send key on the
`keyboard and the edited story will now be stored at the
`data base storage but in a different location from the
`unedited story. An edited story located at the data base
`storage will, under computer control, be supplied to one
`or more of a plurality of data output devices DOD.
`Suitable output devices known in the art include type(cid:173)
`setters, papertape punches, printers and modems. Sys(cid:173)
`tems of the nature described thus far are well known in
`the art and have been installed in several newspaper
`facilities. No further description of the overall system
`will be presented herein unless it has particular concern
`with respect to the invention.
`
`Video Display Terminal (General)
`Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates a
`block diagram of a video display terminal in accordance
`with the present invention and which may be used in a
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`system such as that illustrated in FIG. 1. The terminal T
`General Description
`of FIG. 2 is a processor-driven terminal employing a
`Reference is now made to the drawings wherein the 3S common bus structure. The bus structure may be di-
`vided into an address bus AB, a data bus DB and a
`showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred
`embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes
`control bus CB. By way of example only, the address
`bus may _be a 16 bit bus and the data bus may. be an~ bit
`of limiting same.
`b~. An t~terface to the host computer H<? ts obtained
`FIG. 1 is a generalized block diagram illustrating a
`system to which the present invention applies. Here 40 wsth an anp~t/output co.ntrol 10. The anput/o.utput
`there is illustrated a host computer HC which for ex-
`control 10, m a conventtonal manner, commumcates
`ample, may take the form of a PDP-ll/3S c~mputer with the address bus, the data bus and the control bus.
`Also connected to the common bus is the central pro-
`with 64K words of memory obtained from Digital
`ceasing unit CPU, a bootstrap memory BS, a main ran-
`Equipment Corporation. Associated with the host com-
`puter is a large data base storage DBS and which ma)' 45 dom access memory M, a keyboard KB, and a video
`take the form of disc files, such as two 2.4 million byte
`display control VDC which includes a direct memory
`moving head discs. The system disclosed in FIG. 1 alsb
`access circuit DMA and a character generator CG.
`includes data input sources DIS which may include, for
`The character generator communicates in a conven-
`example, wire lines from which UPI and AP stories are
`tiona! fashion with a display means in the form of a
`obtained. Other input sources may include a paper tape so cathode ray tube CRT by way of a suitable video ampli-
`source or an optical (OCR) reader or a modem.
`tier VA and vertical and horizontal deflection amplify-
`ing circuitry DA. A power supply circuit PS is acti-
`These data input sources provide stories and the like
`which may be inputted under the control of the host
`vated upon closure of a switch SW to receive A. C. line
`computer HC by way a system multiplexer MX for
`power. The power supply provides the various DC
`storage in the appropriate file at the data base storage ss level signals required by the circuitry as well as an
`DBS. Also associated with the system is a plurality of
`output which carries an AC line signal to a power line
`synchronization generator PLS. For example, the AC
`editing terminals T1, T2, through TN. Each editing
`terminal takes the form of a processor driven video
`line signal may be a six volt RMS signal. The power line
`synchronization generator PLS provides output pulses
`display terminal having a keyboard and a display
`screen. With such a system, a news writer may use an 60 that are synchronized to the AC line signal, as shown by
`the waveforms in FIG. 2, and this provides output
`editing terminal to create a story which is displayed on
`the display screen. Once the writer is satisfied with the
`pulses to the character generator to provide a command
`story, he will actuate a send key and coded data repre-
`for start of frame (STRTFR). A control output is also
`sentative of the story will be supplied through the sys-
`obtained from the power supply circuit PS to provide a
`tem multiplexer MX to the host computer HC which 65 power-up signal (PWRURS).
`will then store the story in a particular storage location
`A general description of the operation of the terminal
`at the data base storage DBS for subsequent retrieval.
`is now presented. As the editor or writer commences
`Other stories may be obtained from the data input
`use of the terminal he will actuate a power-on switch
`
`

`

`4,204,206
`
`6
`5
`amplifier VA to control the blank/unblank operation of
`SW which will raise the power-up line PR WUPS. This
`the CRT. A full screen of display may include, for
`is routed to the control bus and from there to the pro-
`example, 27 lines of 72 characters each. Preferably, a
`cessor CPU. This causes, under program control, an
`interrogation of the bootstrap memory BS which then
`T.V. raster scan technique is employed and which in-
`supplies to the data bus DB some data in the form of a ~ corporates a vertical raster. The character generator
`provides to the video amplifier a serial bit stream which
`terminal identification. The bootstrap memory is a pro-
`grammable read only memory or other non-volatile
`corresponds to vertical display raster columns. As will
`storage facility. The terminal identification is supplied
`be brought out in greater detail hereinafter, each char-
`acter is displayed within a 12 X IS dot matrix. The dot
`by the data bus DB to the host computer HC by way of
`the input/output control 10. The host computer will 10 matrix hereinafter will be referred to in terms of pixels
`(picture elements). The normal character is 11 pixels
`now download program instructions to the terminal for
`storage in the main memory M. The terminal is now
`wide and with one pixel intercolumn spacing 12 vertical
`programmed to perform its intended operation, i.e.,
`raster scans are required for the display of each of the 72
`such as a sports editor terminal. In such case, the editor
`columns of characters on the screen. The depth of a
`will now employ the keyboard KB for transmitting a I~ character field is potentially IS pixels long. Each data
`character representative of text information is accompa-
`code to the host computer to ask for a particular story.
`Under the program control, the information provided
`nied by an additional 8 bit word of information which
`hereinafter is referred to as an enhancement character.
`by the keyboard KB will appear on the data bus line and
`then be transmitted by way of the input output control
`The enhancement character causes video modification
`10 to the host computer. The host computer will then 20 of the display of the data character. Consequently, the
`retrieve the requested story from the data base storage
`video stream as sent to the video amplifier is enhanced
`DBS and supply the story to the terminal. Under pro-
`or altered by the character generator as required to
`gram control, the terminal will route the story for stor-
`achieve the proper modified display.
`age in the main memory M. At this point, the main
`The keyboard KB includes a plurality of text entry
`memory M will store both program instructions for 2S keys and various indicator lights and a keyboard layout
`is illustrated in FIG. 3. There may be as many as 105 key
`internal operation of the processor as well as the data
`representing the text to be displayed on the CRT.
`switches located on the keyboard and it interfaces to the
`The data characters stored in main memory are read
`CPU such that presentation of the pressed key codes to
`the CPU is on an interrupt basis in a manner well known
`and routed to the character generator where the data
`characters are decoded to obtain the proper video dot 30 in the art. Most of the keys are conventional in the art
`pattern for display on the CRT screen. The main mem-
`and only mention here will be made. Thus, the main
`ory is accessed under the control of a direct memory
`keyboard includes a group of text entry keys for use in
`access control circuit DMA. This circuit operates in
`entering alphanumeric characters. In addition, there are
`response to control signals from the character generator
`keys to provide shift and shift lock, double and triple
`CG and fetches data from the memory with the data 3~ shift. The keyboard also includes a plurality of editorial
`then being supplied to the character generator by way
`mark-up keys to provide such functions as begin and
`of a data bus DB. The data received by the character
`end command, subformat, new paragraph, flush codes
`generator is then employed to provide video patterns
`for flushing left, center and right, define block (which is
`representative of data characters for display on the
`a key that inserts a block marker on the screen and
`cathode ray tube CRT.
`40 advances the cursor to the next character position).
`Before explaining the various circuits in detail, the
`There are also several text display control function keys
`following discussion is presented with respect to vari-
`to provide certain control functions. These include a
`ous blocks illustrated in FIG. :Z. For example, the pro-
`clear key 10, scroll-up key 12, scroll-down key 14, a
`cessor CPU serves to execute programs which are
`page-up key 16, and a page-down key 18. The clear key
`downloaded to the main memory M. The processor 4~ 10 is used by the operator when he desires to destruc-
`may take any convenient form of microprocessor such
`tively clear all text displayed on the screen from mem-
`as the Intel Microprocessor Model 8080 and which is
`ory. The scroll-up and scroll-down keys 12 and 14 per-
`described in detail in that company's User's Manual
`mit the operator to move the active display window on
`98-153C dated September, 1975. The reader is refer-
`a line basis.
`enced to that manual for a complete discussion of the ~ Momentary depression of the scroll up (down) key
`processor. Basically, it takes the form of an 8 bit ma-
`causes the display text to move up (down) one line on
`chine having an 8 bit bidirectional data bus, a 16 bit
`the screen, thereby forcing a line from the top (bottom)
`address bus, and has addressing capability for up to
`of the display to be transmitted to the host computer for
`64,000 8 bit bytes of memory.
`storage to allow room for the next contiguous line to be
`The bootstrap memory BS incJudes a programmable ~S displayed on the bottom (top) line which is received
`from the data base storage. If the scroll key is held
`read only memory (PROM). This is a non-volatile stor-
`age of a bootstrap program which, when executed by
`down then the scroll will repeat at a rate of, for exam-
`the CPU during the power-up sequence of the terminal,
`pie, 10 lines per second until released. When in the dual
`causes transmission of a message by way of the data bus
`screen mode, only the text which contains the cursor
`DB to the host computer HC requesting a download of 60 will be permitted to scroll. The page-up key 16 and the
`the terminal control program. The downloaded pro-
`page-down key 18 when actuated cause a page-up
`gram is stored in the terminal's main memory M which
`(down) operation which causes the next screen (previ-
`includes storage capacity for the text data to be dis-
`ous) full of text to be displayed.
`played on the CRT as well as working memory for use
`The cursor control keys are shown on the left side of
`by the CPU. The main memory M may take the form of 65 the keyboard and include a move left key :zo, move right
`key :Z.:Z. move up key 24, and move down key 26. Each
`a 16K 8 bit word random access memory.
`key includes an arrow designating the direction of
`The character generator converts the received data
`into a serial video stream which is applied by the video
`movement. The cursor controls permit the cursor to be
`
`

`

`7
`positioned at any one of the possible display character
`locations on the screen. A momentary actuation of one
`of the cursor control keys causes a one character posi(cid:173)
`tion movement of the cursor in the appropriate direc(cid:173)
`tion. The alternate cursor key 30 is used when the termi- 5
`nal is in a dual screen mode of operation. For example,
`during the dual screen operation in which two different
`stories in two side-by-side columns of text are displayed,
`editing functions and the like can take place only in that
`portion in which the cursor is located. Actuation of the 10
`alternate cursor key 30 causes the cursor to move from
`one column to the other column. Actuation of the home
`key 32 causes the cursor to move to its home position,
`normally in the upper left hand comer of the text being
`displayed. The next line key 34 acts as a carriage return 15
`on a typewriter in that it causes the cursor to be moved
`from its current position to the first character position
`on the line immediately below.
`The command keys shown on the upper portion of
`the keyboard are used in conjunction with a shift key 20
`such as key 36 or 38. For example, when the italic-bold
`key 40 is actuated in the unshift mode it will cause a
`bold video modification to be used to represent bold
`type face. In the shifted mode, actuation of the key 40
`will cause an italic video modification to be used to 25
`represent italic type face. Similarly, in the unshifted
`mode, actuation of key 42 will cause a video modifier of
`strike-through to be applied to characters on the dis(cid:173)
`play. In the shifted mode actuation ofkey 42 will cause
`an underline video modifier. Additional command keys 30
`includ