US3609319A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital plotter in which plotting speed is optimized in terms of a curve-fitting technique
Assignee: Electronic Associates Inc
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Filing: 1968-12-03
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1988-12-03
Abstract
Abstract Plotting of digital data is accomplished by optimizing plotting speed in terms of a curve-fitting technique. Segments of a curve whose x and y end points are specified, are defined in terms of a set of parametric equations represented by third order polynomials with distance as the independent variable. The curvature of these segments is then developed. Optimum plotting speed is then determined considering the requisite degree of curvature and the physical limitations of the plotter such as arm and pen mass and motor torque. This optimum plotting speed determines the rate of generation of the parametric equations in x and y and drives the system through a hybrid servosystem for the independent variable distance. Thus, the plotter is driven to the desired data points with a geometry independent of velocity.
Inventors
- 👤 William Clifford Jr
- 👤 John G Demko
- 👤 William K Kindle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A system for plotting digital data points comprising: means to compute optimum plotter velocity, distance between the data points, and the coefficients of polynomial equations for the data points; means connected to said computing means to receive said optimum velocity and to compare said optimum velocity with actual velocity; means connected to said comparison means to generate an accelerate or decelerate command signal; means to receive said accelerate or decelerate signal for incrementing or decrementing said actual velocity; means connected to receive said accelerate or decelerate signal to produce an incremental distance signal at a rate proportional to said actual velocity; means connected to receive said distance signal and to decrement said distance signal by said incremental distance signal; means connected to said computing means to receive said coefficients and said incremental distance signal and solve said polynomial equations at a rate proportional to the rate of said incremental distance signals for the time required to decrement said distance by said incremental distance: and, means to plot said solutions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A system for plotting digital data points comprising: means to compute optimum plotter velocity, distance between the data points, and the coefficients of polynomial equations for the data points; means connected to said computing means to receive said optimum velocity and to compare said optimum velocity with actual velocity; means connected to said comparison means to generate an accelerate or decelerate command signal; means to receive said accelerate or decelerate signal for incrementing or decrementing said actual velocity; means connected to receive said accelerate or decelerate signal to produce an incremental distance signal at a rate proportional to said actual velocity; means connected to receive said distance signal and to decrement said distance signal by said incremental distance signal; means connected to said computing means to receive said coefficients and said incremental distance signal and solve said polynomial equations at a rate proportional to the rate of said incremental distance signals for the time required to decrement said distance by said incremental distance: and, means to plot said solutions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
206 words
A plotting system for producing a continuous plot of data points in the form of digital signals employing an interpolating Curve-fitting technique for generating the configuration of segments between data points, said system comprising: a variable velocity plotting mechanism for plotting said data points and said segments; computer means for producing first output signals representing coefficients of an interpolating curve for defining said segment, second output signals representing the velocity at which said segment is to be plotted, and third output signals representing the length of said segment to be plotted; means connected to said computing means and to said plotting mechanism for producing a difference signal representing the sign and the magnitude of the difference between the velocity of said plotting mechanism and said second output signals; means connected to receive said difference signal and said third output signal for producing a binary control signal whose pulse repetition rate is a function of said difference signal; digital differential analyzer means connected to receive said first output signal, and said control signal for generating an output signal representing said segment at a rate proportional to said repetition rate; and means connecting said output signal to said plotting mechanism thereby producing a graphical plot of said segment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
206 words
A plotting system for producing a continuous plot of data points in the form of digital signals employing an interpolating Curve-fitting technique for generating the configuration of segments between data points, said system comprising: a variable velocity plotting mechanism for plotting said data points and said segments; computer means for producing first output signals representing coefficients of an interpolating curve for defining said segment, second output signals representing the velocity at which said segment is to be plotted, and third output signals representing the length of said segment to be plotted; means connected to said computing means and to said plotting mechanism for producing a difference signal representing the sign and the magnitude of the difference between the velocity of said plotting mechanism and said second output signals; means connected to receive said difference signal and said third output signal for producing a binary control signal whose pulse repetition rate is a function of said difference signal; digital differential analyzer means connected to receive said first output signal, and said control signal for generating an output signal representing said segment at a rate proportional to said repetition rate; and means connecting said output signal to said plotting mechanism thereby producing a graphical plot of said segment.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
208 words
A system for providing graphical plots of information points having the form of digital signals where curve fitting is employed to define the configuration of the portions of the plot between said points comprising: a digital computer for producing, with respect to a predetermined portion of said plot, first curve-fitting output signals for defining said predetermined portion, a second output signal representing the speed at which said portion is to be plotted, and a third output signal representing the length of said portion; comparison means connected to said computing means for receiving said second output signal for generating an incremental position signal having a pulse repetition rate functionally related to said second output signal; control means connected to said computing means for receiving said third output signal, and to said comparison means for receiving said incremental position signal to control the production of said position signal as a function of said third output signal; digital differential analyzer means connected to receive said first output signals and said incremental position signal for producing output signals defining said portion at a pulse repetition rate proportional to the pulse repetition rate of said position signal; and a plotting mechanism connected to said digital differential analyzer means for plotting said output signals.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
208 words
A system for providing graphical plots of information points having the form of digital signals where curve fitting is employed to define the configuration of the portions of the plot between said points comprising: a digital computer for producing, with respect to a predetermined portion of said plot, first curve-fitting output signals for defining said predetermined portion, a second output signal representing the speed at which said portion is to be plotted, and a third output signal representing the length of said portion; comparison means connected to said computing means for receiving said second output signal for generating an incremental position signal having a pulse repetition rate functionally related to said second output signal; control means connected to said computing means for receiving said third output signal, and to said comparison means for receiving said incremental position signal to control the production of said position signal as a function of said third output signal; digital differential analyzer means connected to receive said first output signals and said incremental position signal for producing output signals defining said portion at a pulse repetition rate proportional to the pulse repetition rate of said position signal; and a plotting mechanism connected to said digital differential analyzer means for plotting said output signals.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
197 words
A system for plotting digital data points employing curve fitting to plot segments between data points comprising: means to compute, for a given segment, optimum plotter velocity, distance between the data points, and the coefficients of polynomial equations for said curve fit; means connected to said computing means to receive said optimum velocity and to compare said optimum velocity with actual velocity; means connected to said comparison means to generate an accelerate or decelerate command signal as a function of said comparison; means to receive said accelerate or decelerate command signal for respectively incrementing or decrementing said actual velocity; means connected to receive said accelerate or decelerate signal to produce an incremental distance signal having a pulse repetition rate proportional to said actual velocity; means connected to said computer means to receive said distance signal for decrementing said distance signal by said incremental distance signal; means connected to receive said coefficients for said curve fit and said incremental distance signal to solve said polynomial equations at a rate proportional to the pulse repetition rate of said incremental distance signal for the time required to decrement said distance by said incremental distance; and means to plot said solutions.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
197 words
A system for plotting digital data points employing curve fitting to plot segments between data points comprising: means to compute, for a given segment, optimum plotter velocity, distance between the data points, and the coefficients of polynomial equations for said curve fit; means connected to said computing means to receive said optimum velocity and to compare said optimum velocity with actual velocity; means connected to said comparison means to generate an accelerate or decelerate command signal as a function of said comparison; means to receive said accelerate or decelerate command signal for respectively incrementing or decrementing said actual velocity; means connected to receive said accelerate or decelerate signal to produce an incremental distance signal having a pulse repetition rate proportional to said actual velocity; means connected to said computer means to receive said distance signal for decrementing said distance signal by said incremental distance signal; means connected to receive said coefficients for said curve fit and said incremental distance signal to solve said polynomial equations at a rate proportional to the pulse repetition rate of said incremental distance signal for the time required to decrement said distance by said incremental distance; and means to plot said solutions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said means for plotting said solutions includes a plotter mechanism and a hybrid servosystem for driving said mechanism, and said coefficient receiving means includes a plurality of digital differential analyzers connected in series, the output of said differential analyzers being connected to said hybrid servosystem.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said plotter mechanism may be driven at a range of speeds and wherein said rate of solutions determines a speed within said range.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
193 words
A plotting system for producing a graphical plot of data points in the form of digital signals, by employing an interpolating curve-fitting technique for generating the configuration of segments between data points, said system comprising: computer means for producing first output signals representing coefficients of an interpolating curve for defining said segments, second output signals representing the velocity at which said segments are to be plotted, and third output signals representing the length of said segments to be plotted; means connected to said computing means and to said plotting means for producing a difference signal representing the sign and the magnitude of the difference between the actual velocity of said plotting means and said second output signals; means connected to receive said difference signal and said third output signals for producing, for each segment, a control signal whose pulse repetition rate is a function of said difference signal; means connected to receive said first output signal and said control signals for generating, for each segment, a fourth signal representing said segment at a rate proportional to said repetition rate; and variable velocity plotting means for producing a graphical plot of said fourth signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
193 words
A plotting system for producing a graphical plot of data points in the form of digital signals, by employing an interpolating curve-fitting technique for generating the configuration of segments between data points, said system comprising: computer means for producing first output signals representing coefficients of an interpolating curve for defining said segments, second output signals representing the velocity at which said segments are to be plotted, and third output signals representing the length of said segments to be plotted; means connected to said computing means and to said plotting means for producing a difference signal representing the sign and the magnitude of the difference between the actual velocity of said plotting means and said second output signals; means connected to receive said difference signal and said third output signals for producing, for each segment, a control signal whose pulse repetition rate is a function of said difference signal; means connected to receive said first output signal and said control signals for generating, for each segment, a fourth signal representing said segment at a rate proportional to said repetition rate; and variable velocity plotting means for producing a graphical plot of said fourth signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The plotting system of claim 7 further including a hybrid servosystem connected to said plotting means for moving said plotting means in a continuous manner in response to said fourth signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The plotting system of claim 7 wherein said fourth signal generating means includes a plurality of serially connected digital differential analyzers.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
170 words
The method of producing a continuous graphical plot of data points in the form of discontinuous electrical signals employing interpolating curve fitting for generating the configuration of the plot between data points comprising the steps of utilizing computer means for generating from said data points first discontinuous electrical signals representing the coefficients of an interpolating curve for defining the configuration of a plot between said data points; second discontinuous electrical signals representing the velocity at which said configuration is to be plotted; and third discontinuous electrical signals representing the length of said configuration; generating a fourth discontinuous electrical signal representing the difference between the actual velocity of a plotting means and said second electrical signal, generating a fifth discontinuous electrical signal having a pulse repetition rate proportional to the magnitude of said fourth electrical signal; utilizing said first electrical and said fifth signal to generate a further electrical signal representing said configuration, at a rate proportional to said repetition rate; and plotting said further electrical signal on said plotting means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
170 words
The method of producing a continuous graphical plot of data points in the form of discontinuous electrical signals employing interpolating curve fitting for generating the configuration of the plot between data points comprising the steps of utilizing computer means for generating from said data points first discontinuous electrical signals representing the coefficients of an interpolating curve for defining the configuration of a plot between said data points; second discontinuous electrical signals representing the velocity at which said configuration is to be plotted; and third discontinuous electrical signals representing the length of said configuration; generating a fourth discontinuous electrical signal representing the difference between the actual velocity of a plotting means and said second electrical signal, generating a fifth discontinuous electrical signal having a pulse repetition rate proportional to the magnitude of said fourth electrical signal; utilizing said first electrical and said fifth signal to generate a further electrical signal representing said configuration, at a rate proportional to said repetition rate; and plotting said further electrical signal on said plotting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |