US PATENT CLASS 345
Class Notes


Current as of: June, 1999
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345 /   HD   COMPUTER GRAPHICS PROCESSING, OPERATOR INTERFACE PROCESSING, AND SELECTIVE VISUAL DISPLAY SYSTEMS



DEFINITION

Classification: 345/

This class provides for processes and apparatus for selective electrical control of two or more light-generating or light-controlling display elements* in accordance with a received or stored image data signal. The image data includes character, s:graphical information or display attribute data. The image data may include, for example, information data from a peripheral input device, from the reception of a television signal, from the recognition of image data, or from the generation or creation of image data by a computer.

This class also provides for digital data processing systems or methods for data processing for visual presentation, wherein the processing of data includes the creation or manipulation of s:graphic objects (e.g., artificial images), text or use of an operator interface by a digital data processing system prior to use by or within a specific

display system.

SCOPE OF THE CLASS

(1) Note. This class includes a display controller* for accessing image data. The display control includes, for example, control between a display memory and the display elements*. The display control may be performed by a processor, wherein enhancements for a previously created and stored image are provided. Examples of such display control include display memory addressing, display screen energizing, and received image data control in response to input signals applied to the display control to provide an enhanced image for display. A specific display system* in combination with a data processor or computer is classified herein.

(2) Note. The display elements* of this class include, for example, (1) a CRT display wherein visual elements* of the image or message originate at the light-emitting screen of a cathode-ray tube, (2) a flat panel display (non-CRT display system*) wherein visual elements* of image or message are the result of light producers or light controllers arranged in a tangible mechanical grouping or array, (3) any matrix arrangement of light-generating or light-controlling display elements* with selective electrical display control, or (4) any plural arrangement of segmented light-generating or light-controlling display elements* with selective electrical display control.

(3) Note. Claimed subject matter directed to a display function (waveform) generator combined with a display is classified herein unless there is claimed structure relating to the manner in which the waveform is detected or measured.

(4) Note. Significantly claimed structure external to this class, claimed in combination with subject matter under the class definition above, which displays or produces an image or message related to such external structure or its function, is classified in the class appropriate to the external structure; however, nominally claimed structure external to this class, claimed in combination with subject matter under this class definition, is classified in this class unless provided for in the appropriate external class.

(5) Note. This class provides for peripheral input devices which include a manually actuatable selective means (e.g., keyboards, light pens, joysticks, mice, and touch tablets etc.) to selectively input the information data to the selective display control which translates the selective input into a message symbol or image, (e.g., a character or s:graphic object) on the display to an observer. (6) Note. User or operator interfaces having an interactive process being performed in relation to a display are classified herein. Significantly claimed structure external to a recited operator interface, claimed in combination with operator interface subject matter under this class

definition, which displays or produces an image or message related to such external structure or its function, is classified in the class appropriate to the external structure. However, nominally claimed structure external to the operator interface subject matter, claimed in combination with operator interface subject matter under this class definition, is classified in this class unless provided for in the appropriate external class.

(7) Note. This class also provides for display storage devices such as display memory with more than nominal recitation of their organization and structure claimed for storing the previously created or generated data to be displayed on the display.

(8) Note. Graphic objects of this class are defined by their coordinates, shape, size, and attributes. Such s:graphic objects define a portion of a displayed image and may be a combination of computer generated objects and real life images.

(9) Note. Information processing for creating a visual image which includes more than a nominal recitation of information processing is classified herein.

(10) Note. The use of a memory system for processing in conjunction with a data presentation/computer s:graphics system (e.g., for manipulating the addressing or contents of image or text data stored in a memory) is classified herein.

(11) Note. Font generation for display and font processing to form the character patterns is classified herein.

(12) Note. Windowing techniques which can include interactive processes are classified herein.

(13) Note. Color information processing wherein the color in the image is calculated, is classified herein (e.g., shading, interpolating color values in a polygon).

(14) Note. Generation or manipulation of three dimensional or perspective display information or objects, generation or control of a mapping pattern, or animation are classified in this class.

(15) Note. Systems which display a change of appearance, where the change is computer generated (e.g., creation or modification of hairstyles or clothing to be overlaid with a video image or a model), are classified in this class.

REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

40, Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting, particularly

406, for display device with gas or liquid movement.

74, Machine Element or Mechanism, particularly

471, for control elements which move in two planes.

116, Signals and Indicators, particularly

200+, for various indicators.

178, Telegraphy, especially

18.01+, for digitizing writing tablets, stylus, and circuits.

200, Electricity: Circuit Makers and Breakers, particularly

5+, for multiple switch control. 235, Registers, especially

375+, for systems controlled by data bearing records which may include selective display; various subclasses for basic machines and associated indicating mechanisms for ascertaining the number of movements of various devices and machines, plus machines made from these basic machines alone (e.g., cash registers, voting machines), and in combination with various perfecting features, such as printers and recording means.

250, Radiant Energy,

200+, for light detection using photocell circuitry. For light source array or matrix, see subclass 553.

257, Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes), appropriate subclasses for single, plural, and integrated element solid-state light source.

273, Amusement Devices: Games, appropriate subclasses for TV games using display device.

313, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices, for some light sources, per se. Note

498+, for solid-state type device and subclasses 484+ for gaseous discharge display panel.

315, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems, appropriate subclasses for structure of cathode-ray tube energizing circuits and

169.1+, for structure of panel display devices (e.g., electroluminescent and gas display).

324, Electricity: Measuring and Testing,

121, for measuring and testing electricity using a CRT.

326, Electronic Digital Logic Circuitry, appropriate subclasses for electronic digital logic circuits; and appropriate subclasses for generic digital logic devices, circuity, and subcombinations thereof, wherein nonarithmetical operations are performed upon discrete electrical signals representing a value normally described by numerical digits.

327, Miscellaneous Active Electrical Nonlinear Devices, Circuits, and Systems,

108+, for miscellaneous current driving circuits.

340, Communications: Electrical,

825+, for controlling one or more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals over a smaller number of communication lines or channels, particularly subclass 825.02 for tree or cascade selective communication, subclasses 825.03+ for channel selection, subclass 825.05 for a plurality of controlled devices connected by a communication line in a closed series configuration, subclasses 825.06+ for communication systems where status of a controlled device is communicated, subclasses 825.2+ for synchronizing selective communication systems, subclasses 825.5+ for lockout or priority in selective communication systems, subclasses 825.52+ for addressing, and subclasses 825.57+ for pulse responsive actuation.

341, Coded Data Generation or Conversion,

22+, for bodily actuated code generation relating to a keyboard; and various subclasses for electrical pulse and digit code converters (e.g., systems for originating or emitting a coded set of discrete signals or translating one code into another code wherein the meaning of the data remains the same but the formats may differ).

342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation),

142, for radar display systems using a CRT display.

348, Television, appropriate subclasses for systems and subsystems for display of television (real time scanned produced) signals.

349, Liquid Crystal Cells, Elements and Systems, appropriate subclasses for the details of a liquid crystal cell structure. 352, Optics: Motion Pictures,

87, where motion picture animation will be found.

353, Optics: Image Projectors, appropriate subclasses for specifics of optics involved with an image projector.

359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,

237+, for structure relating to an optical modulator and subclasses 443+ for projection screens.

360, Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval, which is an integral part of Class 369 following

18, for record carriers and systems wherein information is stored and retrieved by interaction with a medium and there is relative motion between a medium and a transducer, for example, magnetic disk drive devices and control thereof, per se.

362, Illumination, appropriate subclasses for a specific illumination device and particularly

227+, for plural light sources for general lighting uses.

364, Electrical Computers and Data Processing Systems,

144, 146, and 188+ for data processing control system with operator control interface and display, subclasses 474.22+ for CAD/CAM product manufacturing having user interface. 365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval,

106+, and 120+ for storage systems using visible light for the retrieval of stored information instead of for the display of a selected image (message or data); and various subclasses for addressable static singular storage elements or plural singular storage elements of the same type (i.e., the internal elements of memory, per se).

368, Horology: Time Measuring Systems or Devices,

223+, for displays of time (i.e., watches).

369, Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval, particularly

99+, for information handling in conjunction with a dynamic store; and various subclasses for record carriers and systems wherein information is stored and retrieved by interaction with a medium and there is relative motion between a medium and a transducer.

377, Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, or Shift Registers: Circuits and Systems,

112+, for display control with registers; and various subclasses for generic circuits for pulse counting.

379, Telephonic Communications,

96, for displaying digital information on a terminal.

380, Cryptography, 3+, for stored information access or copy prevention (e.g., software program protection or computer virus detection) in combination with data encryption, and subclasses 22 through 25 and 50 for electric signal modification and other appropriate subclasses.

382, Image Analysis, for previously scanned image data and for image recognition, processing and nominal display relating to such recognition; and various subclasses for operations performed on image data with the aim of measuring a characteristic of an image, detecting variations, detecting structures, or transforming the image data, and for procedures for analyzing and categorizing patterns present in image data.

400, Typewriting Machines, particularly

83+, for typewriting machines including a display.

434, Education and Demonstration,

1+, for system performing distant object energy sensing wherein said systems include a display, subclasses 307+ and 323+ for educational system including a CRT.

463, Amusement Devices: Games,

1+, where there is recited a method or apparatus for moving or processing information specified as game or contest information (e.g., a video game, etc.), especially subclasses 31+ for specifics of processing visual information data in a game or contest appropriate for Class 463.

705, Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, or Cost/Price Determination, appropriate subclasses for user interface specific to business practice.

707, Data Processing: Database and File Management, Data Structure or Document Processing,

1+, for database specific user interface and subclasses 500+ for document processing specific user interface.

708, Electrical Computers: Arithmetic Processing and Calculating, 270+, for mathematical function generation and subclass 849 for specialized analog function generation including a CRT display.

714, Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery, various subclasses for generic electrical pulse or pulse coded data error detection and correction.

GLOSSARY:

The following terms have been defined for purposes of classification in this class. In the class and subclass definition of this class, terms used in a sense defined below are indicated by an asterisk(*). When these terms are not indicated by an asterisk(*) in the definitions, the meaning is not restricted to the glossary definitions below.

ADDRESS DATA

Data that represent or identify a source or destination. (also see: Data)

ALPHA - NUMERIC

Any symbol found in the ASCII character set.

BUS

A conductor used for transferring data, signals, or power.

COMPUTER A machine that inputs data, processes data, stores data, and outputs data.

DATA

Representation of information in a coded manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing. Also see: Address Data; Instruction Data; Status Data; User Data.

DISPLAY CONTROLLER

An electrical circuit which actuates a display device* in accordance with received image data*.

DATA PROCESSING

See PROCESSING, below.

DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

An arrangement of processor(s) in combination with either memory or peripherals, or both, performing data processing.

DISPLAY DEVICE

A communication device which converts image data* into a visual image*.

DISPLAY ELEMENT Means for producing a visual effect in a display device* comprised of a plurality (e.g., matrix) of such means.

DISPLAY SYSTEM

A system which comprises one or more display terminals* or one or more display devices*.

DISPLAY TERMINAL

A unit which comprises at least one display device* and user interface control means (e.g., mouse).

IMAGE DATA

The information provided to form the visual image*.

INFORMATION

Meaning that a human being assigns to data by means of the conventions applied to that data.

INSTRUCTION DATA

Data that represent an operation and identify its operands, if any. (also see: Data) MEMORY

A functional unit to which data can be stored and from which data can be retrieved.

PERIPHERAL

A functional unit that transmits data to or receives data from a computer to which it is coupled.

PROCESSING

Methods or apparatus performing systematic operations upon data or information exemplified by functions such as data or information transferring, merging, sorting, and computing (i.e., arithmetic operations or logical operations).

(1) Note. In this class, the glossary term data is used to modify processing in the term data processing; whereas the term digital data processing system refers to a machine performing data processing.

(2) Note. In an effort to avoid redundant constructions, in this class, where appropriate, the term address data processing is used in place of address data data processing.

PROCESSOR

A functional unit that interprets and executes instruction data.

STATUS DATA Data that represent conditions of data, digital data processing systems, computers, peripherals, memory, etc. (also see: Data)

USER DATA

Data other than address data, instruction data, or status data. (also see: Data)

VISUAL ELEMENT

The smallest constituent part of a composite visual image*. A visual element* may be the visual effect produced by a display element*.

VISUAL IMAGE

The resultant image shown by the display device*.