COMPUTER GENERATED TV IMAGERY

Raster scan now can generate solid object scenes at real-time TV speeds. Elements of pictures are created with high precision, though scenes tend to have a 'stylized' appearance. The system is being used by the Navy in a jet trainer simulator. Digital numbers describe the models, dimensions, color, etc. These numbers are stored in a core memory and are collectively called the data base. Data bases can contain moving models as well as static terrain and buildings. The dynamics and position of these models can be anything that can be described by mathematical equation - linear or highly nonlinear. Furthermore, many data bases can be stored off line on magnetic disks or tape ready for immediate change of environment merely by reloading the active memory. . . from airport to aircraft carrier at sea, from submarine to highway, to lunar terrain. Models in the data base are made up of many simple straight line segments called edges. The end points of these edges are called vertices. By the use of simple geometry, the pierce points on the visual plane of rays from the eyepoint to each vertex can be computed. The edges so defined are used to enclose faces with assigned colors. The faces, in turn, form solid objects and models. . . all in true perspective because of the geometric calculations.