Data Disc Acm 72

8/3/2019 Data Disc Acm 72

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Computer Display Systemscost effective graphics for multi-terminal application


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Numbers are for computerspictures are for people.The need for computer generated graphics is clearlydemonstrated by the ever increasing amounts of data

available from computers. It is becoming more and moredifficult for people to use this increasing volume of datan any meaningful manner. Data must be reduced andportrayed in an easily assimilated format if it is toorm the basis for decision making.

But systems designers have thus far been frustratedby the lack of viable hardware alternatives for com-puter graphics. Available hardware has either been toocostly, too hard to program, too demanding of the CPUmemory, or it has not been functionally suitable.Because of these restrictions, graphic terminals haveoften not been used in systems where theyshould have been.

Data Disc display systems have been designed togive the systems designer a low-cost, multi-terminalgraphic display system that is easily interfacedwith people.

With these systems you can generate the graphicsrequired for efficient computer-operator communica-tions. You can draw bar charts and complex graphs;you can annotate the picture with easily read alpha-numerics in four character sizes. You can even generatemathematical symbols or foreign language charactersor any other special character. You have completecontrol over the display. With random access to alldisplayed points, you can make additions or deletionsat will; you can erase any rectangular area without

disturbing other areas, from the entire screen to a singledot. By using multiple channels, you can preservegrid lines, coordinates, or forms while changinghe data presented.

For optimum legibility in a specific application,you can display dark images on a light background oright images on a dark background. You can combinechannels for gray-scale or color displays. Even themost complex graphics can be made understandablehrough the use of color. And you may mix colorand monochrome display terminals in the same system.

To be maximally useful, a computer terminal mustbe located where it will be used. This often meansmultiple terminals. Data Disc systems are designed forsuch applications. A multichannel disc memory con-tinuously refreshes low-cost, daylight viewable TVmonitors. Each terminal is independent and can displaya different picture. And because of the Data Discbuilding block approach, you can design a uniquesystem to fit your unique requirements.


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Often data is much more meaningful when presentedin a graphic format. Here is a graphic presentation of

over two pages of numerical data. Note how compari-sons, trends, and perturbations are easily noted. Sucha display can greatly increase the efficiencyand accuracy of decision making.

The effectiveness of a computer graphics systemis only as good as the ease with which it is programmed.Programming with the Data Disc system is simple

enough that the system can be put to use in many ofthe application areas now served by the computer withonly an alphanumeric readout. Here you see theprogram required to generate one bar of theaccompanying bar chart and some annotation.


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Management Information Systems Managers rely on

current, complete information for decision making, butin many companies they are deluged by reports, forms,and statistics. Rapid access to their computer's database will give them the information they need; agraphic display of this data will allow them to see themeaning of the data much more rapidly. A graphicdisplay can replace many of the paper reports presentlyused. Because of the low cost of Data Disc systems,terminals can be located throughout the companyat central decision points.

Hospital Systems Television display systems canprovide a valuable extension to the present hospitalinformation system. A display terminal can give thephysician an instantaneous, up-to-date report of apatient's medical history. In the intensive care unit,displays provide continuous surveillance of datacollected from the patient. Because the Data Discsystem uses standard TV monitors, a hospital closedcircuit TV system could provide the informationright at the bedside.

Investment Analysis Current and historical marketinformation can be instantly available to the investmentanalyst in graphical as well as numerical form. Theanalyst can have access to summary high, low, andclose data; he can call for a graphic history of a seriesof selected transactions; he can review movingaverages of stock prices over long periods; he canget detailed financial information on hundreds ofselected companies. The ease of programming thesimple graphics used in financial analysis makes DataDisc systems ideal for investment analysis applications.

Computer-aided Design Graphic displays help thedesigner by giving him greater insight to the problem.Parameters can be varied, and the performance of themodel can be optimized. Alternative designs can beefficiently evaluated. Circuit diagrams and mechanicaldrawings can be stored in memory and modified asrequired; when recalled, they are complete with allmodifications incorporated. The multi-terminal designof the Data Disc system allows efficient use of theCPU through time sharing.


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Command Control The military and other govern-mental agencies (e.g., FAA, police, fire, and civildefense) have a need for centralized control centersto coordinate the activities of many independent units.

Automated Instruction The high cost of competentpersonal instruction will make some form of automatedinstruction necessary in the future. Because the DataDisc system is ideally suited to clustered displays, itoffers student input/output units at the lowest cost perstudent. The graphic capability provides the educa-tional advantages of pictures over words.

High Efficiency, Routine Computer Input The efficiency

of many routine computer input operations can beimproved by generation of a form on the CRT to befilled in by the operator. The Data Disc system is idealfor such applications because the form can be gen-erated on one channel and the data entered on another;the displays are superimposed on the CRT. The datacan be typed, checked, edited, and entered over andover again, while the form remains as a reference.

Process Control A flow chart of the entire systemcan indicate the status of any control point. Data Disccolor displays are especially helpful to separateprocesses or materials on the chart. A coded displaypoint can be programmed to indicate an alarm condi-tion. With such a system, faulty operation is detectedand corrected sooner, and the controller has instantaccess to information necessary to optimizethe operation.

High Speed, Soft Copy Readout A high speed, highdensity alphanumeric display can provide the pro-grammer with the means to "page through" the corememory of a large computer system very rapidly. Flowcharts and programs can be written, checked, andedited without waiting for a paper printout. With a

multi-channel Data Disc system, each programmer ina large organization can have an interactive displayas a programming aid.

The optimum display is often multi-color with bothalphanumeric and graphic readout. The versatility ofthe Data Disc hardware makes it an ideal choicefor many of these systems.


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A system designedfor maximum versatility.Because of the versatile building-block approach, youcan use Data Disc equipment to design an "off-the-

shelf" system with capability to match your uniquerequirements. The primary advantage of Data Discsystems will be found in multi-terminal systems ormulti-channel color systems where you can take fulladvantage of the disc refresh approach.

Display Only System This system provides CRTmonitors to display computer generated information.It is useful in applications where direct operatorinteraction is not desired, or where the operator inputalready exists as an independent system. Even thoughthis system has minimum capability, it can still providecomplex graphics and high density alphanumerics.Each channel can carry independent information, and

channels can be combined for color orgray-scale displays.

systems are ideal in multi-user or dedicated time-sharesystems. The basic system may be field expanded

to the full capacity of the display generator and discmemory, 16 or 32 terminals.

Full Capacity Interactive Display System This system

brings the full power of interactive graphics toyour computer installation. Graphic inputscan be made directly via a graphic trackball, or

indirectly via the keyboard; a hard copyprinter provides a permanent record of selecteddisplays; a video disc file makes reference to previousdisplays easy; a TV camera can even be integratedinto the system as an area monitor or an input for yourcomputer. You can even combine channels for coloror gray scale displays. The dedicated display processortakes most of the load off the CPU to maximizesystem efficiency.

Interactive Display System In this system, the

operator interacts with the display through the key-board. A graphic display can be altered by a seriesof programmed instructions and a display cursor. These


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The System Building Blocks Data Disc systems are

built around one of two central time-shared units: the6500 Graphic Display System or the 6600 TelevisionDisplay System. These units contain the computerinterface, the display generator, and the dedicateddisc memory. The independent display monitors aredriven from these central units; keyboards andtrackballs input directly into your computer through a

multiplexer.The 6500 Graphic Display System offers you

comprehensive graphic and alphanumeric capabilityat a very low cost per display. It will drive up to 16high-resolution display terminals or 32 medium-resolution display terminals simultaneously. Thecharacter entry rate is 2550 cps with an on-screencapacity of 4335 characters. There are 262,144individually addressable graphic points (512x512),and the graphic entry rate is one single valuedfunction per frame period.

The 6600 Television Display System will be used

for applications requiring high performance andextreme speed. The graphics entry rate is one pageof unlimited complexity every two or more frameperiods (depending upon the computer's speed); thealphanumerics entry rate is 30 pages per second.Display capacity is 3200 characters; there are 307,200(640x480) individually addressable display points. Thesystem will drive up to 16 independent display terminals

simultaneously. Channels can be combined for colorand gray-scale displays.

The 6612 Display Monitor is designed for usewith either the 6500 or the 6600 system. It has a highquality 14" monochrome CRT with P-39 phosphor.The terminal is housed in an attractive stand-alonecabinet.

The 6611 Display Keyboard is design compatible withthe display monitor; it is connected to the display unitby an umbilical cord so it can be positionedindependently. The keyboard uses 95 standardcharacter ASCII codes and there are several ASCII-coded function keys. Multiplexers and interfaces areavailable for most popular computers.

The 6514 Trackball provides an operator controlledcursor for direct graphic input on any channel. Theprogrammable cursor appears on the screen as amaximum white spot. The computer may position thecursor or may determine the cursor position selectedby the operator.

The 6648 Electrostatic Printer provides an exacthard copy of the display. The copy is clean and asdetailed as the display; both alphanumerics andgraphics are reproduced.

Interface Options: Data Disc has standard interfacesystems for most popular computers.


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D-400 5-72 / 10M

Printed in U.S.A.

686 West Maude AvenueSunnyvale, CA 94086(408) 732-7330

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Data Disc Acm 72

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