A generalized object display processor architecture

Abstract

A multiprocessor architecture has been developed which addresses the problem of the display and manipulation of multiple shaded three dimensional objects derived from emperical data on a raster scan CRT. Fully general control of such parameters as position, size, orientation, rotation, tone scale, and shading are accomplished at video rates permitting real-time interaction with the display presentation. The GODPA architecture is based on a large number of relatively simple processing elements which access their own memory modules without input conflict. Reconstruction algorithms are used which do not require any complex arithmetic or logical high speed operations. This hardware organization is highly modular and expandible and is ideally suited for implementation with VLSI technology.