,Dec. 1, 1970

TAKEO MIURA ET AL

ANIMATABLE PICTURE-IMAGE REPRESENTING SYSTEM

Filed June 22, 1967

5 Sheets-Sheet 1

FIG. I

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Dec. 1, 1970

TAKEO MIIJRA ET AL

3,544,833ANIMATABLE PICTURE-IMAGE REPRESENTING SYSTEM

Filed June 22, 1967

5 Sheets-Sheet

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Dec. 1, 1970

TAKEO MIURA ET AL

3,544,833

ANIMATABLE PICTURE-IMAGE REPRESENTING SYSTEM

Filed June 22, 1967

5 Sheets-Sheet 3

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Dec. 1, 1970

TAKEO MIURA ET AL

3,544,833ANIMATABLE PICTURE-IMAGE REPRESENTING SYSTEM

5 Sheets-SheetFiled June 22, 1967

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Dec. 1, 1970 TAKEO MIURA ET AL

3,544,833ANIMATABLE PICTURE-IMAGE REPRESENTING SYSTEM

Filed June 22, 1967

5 Sheets-Sheet 5

FIG. 13

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United States Patent Office

TakeoMJapan ;

Japan;ashi,JapaClaims

U.S. CI.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREAn animatable picture-image representing system for

developing a number of component signals, each indicat-ing partial components of an original figure to be repre-sented . The component signals are prepared by analogicaloperational circuits, and are combined time-sequentiallyunder the control of a suitable sequence counter to forma picture-image on an oscilloscope. The animation ofthe picture-image on the oscilloscope observing screen iscarried out by means for deforming the component signalsoptionally and for deforming and displacing the compositepicture image.

This invention relates to an animatable picture-imagerepresenting system, and more particularly to a systemfor electrically representing animatable picture-images ona screen of an oscilloscope, for example.

In the field of caricature movies and the like, it hasheretofore been requirbd to manually draw numerousoriginal figures which are slightly different from eacho0her, and thereafter to picture the figures on a moviefilm time-sequentially. This method, particularly the draw-ing of numerous original figures is not avoidable and re-quires enormous labor, time and expense.

Accordingly, the general object of the present inven-tion is to propose anewsystem for generating electric sig-nals that are used to electro-optically represent animat-able picture-images, and by means of which it is possibleto remarkably reduce the labor, time and expense fordrawing the numerous original figures .Another object of the present invention is to provide

a new animatable picture-image representing system, ac-cording to which it is possible to optionally animate anoriginal picture-image into different appearances or posi-tions by electrical means.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro-vide an animatable picture-image representing systemusing analogical operation circuits.A further object of the present invention is to provide

an animatable picture-image representing system which isadaptable for preparing animatable movie pictures, visi-ble images for education, figures for advertisement andsimulated images for training simulators .

According to the present invention, a plurality of com-ponent signals, each indicating partial components of anoriginal figure to be represented are produced by analogi-cal operation circuits. and the like . These component sig-nals are time-sequentially combined to drive the observ-ing screen of an image-representing apparatus. The ani-mation of the picture-image on the observing screen ofthe image-representing apparatus is carried out by meansfor deforming the component signals optionally and fordeforming and displacing the composite combined pic-ture-image.These and other objects and advantages of ,the pres-

ent invention will become more apparent from the follow-

FIG. 5 shows a schematic circuit arrangement for mod-ifying the circuit of FIG1 4 in order to produce rotationof the picture-image on the screen ;

.FIGS. 6 and 7 show two different circuit arrangements

for making partial enlargement or shortening a picture-image on a screen ;FIG. 8 shows a schematic circuit arrangement for

producing a limited-zone image having a substantial uni-form brightness;

FIGS. 9a and 96 are graphical diagrams showing twodifferent picture-images obtained by the circuit arrange-ment of FIG. 8;FIG. l0a is a schematic circuit arrangement showing

a damped oscillation trigonometric function generatorwhich is a modification of the circuit of FIG. 4;FIG. 10b is a graphical diagram showing the picture-

image obtained by the circuit of FIG. 10a;FIG. 11 shows one example of an original figure of a

caricature image to be represented by a system accordingto the present invention;FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of an animatable

picture-image representing system comprising one embodi-ment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13 to 16 inclusive are schematic circuit arrange-ments showing the details of the component signal pro-ducers included in the system of FIG. 12 ; andFIG. 17 is a timing diagram showing one cycle of op-

ieration of the time sequential switching device or se-quence counter comprising a part of the animatable sys-tem shown in FIG. 12 .

FIGS . 1 to 10 illustrate various types of fundamentalcircuit arrangements which are used in building an ani-matable picture-image reproducing system according tothe present invention, and further illustrate certain basicprinciples by means of which the present invention oper-ates. In the following description, these fundamental cir-cuits will be first explained . Subsequently, a complete ani-matable system incorporating the fundamental circuit ar-rangements and its manner of operation will be described.

In general, a picture-image can be considered to be anaggregation of . a number of individual line-elements,

55 which can be classified as follows:(1) Smooth and continuous curves, each having be-

ginning and ending points, and(2) Smooth and closed curves, each composed, for

example, of a circle, ellipse, etc.Curves which have one or more folded points or sharp

discontinuities thereon can be classified into either group(1) to (2), since such folded points can be consideredto be the beginning or ending points of partial curveswhich form the components of the resultant curve.

One example of a curve classified into group (1) isshown in FIG. 1. Since this curve can be divided into threepartial curves AB, BC and CD in this case, it is possibleto approximate such partial curves to suitable paraboliccurves, by analogical methods. FIG. 2 illustrates one ex-ample of a circuit arrangement for implementing such ananalogical method. In this figure ; references Po, Po� Pr,P2, P3 and P, indicate potentiometers ; references Ir , Iz, Is

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3,544,833

Patented Dec. l, 1970

2ing description when taken in connection with the accom-

3,544,833 panying drawings, in which:ANIMATABLE PICTURE-IMAGE FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a curved line used for

REPRESENTING SYSTEM explaining one principle employed in the present inven-iura, 20-4 5-chome, Honda, Kokubunji-shl, tion :Janzo Iwata, 201 Megaridacho, Kodaira-shi, 5 FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit arrangement for produc-nd Junji Tsuda, 344 1 cho, Nakano, Hachioji. ing a picture-image of the curved line such as shown innFiled June 22, 1967, Ser. No. 648,100 FIG. 1 on the screen of an oscilloscope ;priority, application Japan, June 22, 1966, FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit arrangement showing a

41/40,078 modification of FIG. 2;Int. CI. H01j 29/70 10 FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit arrangement showing a

15-18 6 Claims trigonometric function generator used in the present in-vention;

and

and 14, integrators; and reference OSC, a cathode-rayoscilloscope for representation of the picture-image of thecurve. The potentiometers, integrators and cathode-rayoscilloscope all are conventional, commercially availablecircuit components and need not be described in detail.The initial values (b) and (d) of the respective integratorsJa and 14, which are given by the potentiometers Pa andP4, and determine the coordinates of the beginning pointA on the curve shown in FIG. 1. The initial values (a)and (c) of the respective integrators Ii and 13 are given bythe potentiometers Pt and P3, and the ratio m, of such ini-tial values (a) and (c) determines the inclination valueof the curve at the beginning point A thereof. The outputsignal of the integrator 13 is introduced to a vertical-axisterminal V of the oscilloscope OSC, and the output signalof the integrator 14, to a horizontal-axis terminal H. Whenthe suitable values of input signals (e) and (f) for theintegrators h and 13 are given by the potentiometers P9and Pua, it is possible to satisfy such conditions that theparabolic line on the screen of the oscilloscope OSCpasses through the point B, and that the tangential line ofsuch parabolic line coincides with that of the partial curveAB at the point Bthereof.The input-signal values (e) and (f) can be determined

beforehand by a suitable calculation step ; however, thesevalues can be also determined by a logical operation cir-cuit for obtaining the roots of the following algebraicfunctions:

y2=2 et".+at+b,

2,2=2 fP+ct+d,

a+etm2_c+ft ;

where: xz and y2 indicate the coordinates of the point B;nr2, the inclination value of the curve at the point B ; andt, time, respectively.After the partial curve AB has been completely repre-

sented, the input signal values (e) and (f) are switchedto different values determined by expression (1) for pointC. In this case, since the output signals of the integrators11 and 13 are maintained at certain values, the output sig-nals of the integrators 1: and 14 can be also maintained soas to continue smoothly through points B and C to D.Consequently, the inclination of the tangential lines on thecurve represented by the circuit arrangement shown inFIG. 2 is caused to be continuous. By repeating such anoperation as mentioned above at points B and C, it is pos-sible to represent the whole desired curve, such as a curveAD shown in FIG. 1, on the screen of the oscilloscopeOSC.FIG. 3 illustrates a circuit arrangement for representing

a curve having a folded point or sharp discontinuity. Inthis figure, the references used in FIG. 2 indicate similarparts. In this arrangement, additional input signals (g)and (h) which are produced in potentiometers Paa andPoa, are introduced to the integrators 12 and 14 throughswitching elements St and S2, respectively . According tothis arrangement, the new inclination value at the foldedpoint of the curve to be represented is given by the ratioof a value obtained, by adding the aditional input signal(g) to the output signal of the integrator h, to a valueobtained by adding the additional input signal (h) to theoutput signal of the integrator 13.When the input signals (e) and (f) for the integrators

h and 13 in FIG. 2 are maintained at zero value so as toset these integrators under the limited condition of theparabolic line, a straight line is represented on the screenof the oscilloscope . When all the integrators are reset atnew initial values corresponding to a new beginning pointand a new inclination value, it is possible to represent anindependent curve having a new beginning point.FIG. 4 illustrates one example of a trigonometric func-

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4tion generation circuit arrangement adapted for represen-tation of curves of the type classified into group (2) . Sincesuch curves can be considered to be a deformed circle, itis desirable to use a trigonometric function generation cir-cuit as shown in FIG. 4. In this figure ; references 15 andIe indicate integrators ; reference At indicates an amplifieror inverter which serves to amplify and invert one outputof integrator Is; Aa and A3 represent adders of conven-tional construction ; and Ps, PS� Pa, Pa . and P6b potenti-

10ometers, respectively. The output signal from the inte-grator 16 is introduced to the integrator 15, where such sig-nal is integrated . The output signal from the integrator 15is inverted by the inverter A, and then is fed. back to theinput of integrator Is. When the potentiometer Psb is setat an adequate value, sine and cosine waves can be takenout from the junction points Jt and Ja, and these wavesare introduced to terminals X and Y through the addersAz and A3. The signals from the terminal X and Y areused for driving the horizontal and vertical axes of theoscilloscope (not shown), respectively . When the multi-plying factors of the respective potentiometers PS and Paare set suitable values, a circular picture-image is repre-sented on the screen of the oscilloscope . When these mul-tiplying factors are simultaneously changed with equalvariation rates, the diameter of the circular picture-imageon the screen is caused to be enlarged or shortened. More-over, when the multiplying factor of one of the potenti-ometers Ps and Pa is changed, the circular picture-imagecan be deformed in one direction, for example, the hori-

30 zontal direction. Consequently, it is possible to representvariable kinds of picture-images consisting of a closedcurve, by adequately setting the multiplying factors of therespective potentiometers PS and Pa . Furthermore, it ispossible to make parallel displacement of the picture-

35 image by changing the multiplying factors of the potenti-ometers P5,, and Pea.FIG. 5 illustrates a circuit arrangement for causing ro-

tation of the picture-image on the screen of the oscillo-scope. In this figure, input terminals X and Y are to be

40 connected with the terminals X and Y in FIG. 4, respec-tively. References A4 and As indicate adders, and refer-ences P7, P8, P9 and Plo, potentiometers, respectively . Asis apparent from the figure, each of the adders A4 and Asserves to add the input signals X and Y to each other.

45 When the multiplying factors of the respective potentiom-eters P7, P9, P9 and Pt9 are set adequately, the picture-image on the screen is caused to rotate through a desiredangle.An unclosed curve (including a straight line) can be

50 considered to be an extremely deformed ellipse, the minoraxis of which is zero . Accordingly, in cooperation withor without such circuit arrangement as shown in FIG. 5,the circuit arrangement shown in FIG. 4 can also beused for representation of unclosed curves, as a sub-

55 stitution for the circuit arrangement shown in FIG. 2.FIG. 6 illustrates a circuit arrangement for making

partial enlargement or shortening of the picture-imageon the screen. In this case, one of the functional signals Xand Y (sine and cosine waves) is passed through a suit-

60 able function generator FGl. The function generator FGmay be of any known type for modifying _a signal inputthereto in accordance with a desired function . When thesignal X is processed by the function generator FGI, asshown in FIG. 6, the picture-image on the screen can be .

65 deformed in accordance with the desired function whilekeeping the symmetry in the vertical direction. On theother band, when the signal Y is processed by the functiongenerator, (not shown), the picture image on the screencan be deformed while keeping the symmetry in the hor-

70 izontal direction .FIG. 7 illustrates a modification of the circuit arrange-

ment shown in FIG. 6. In this case, a part of the signalX (sine or cosine wave) is introduced through a functiongenerator FGs to an adder A6, wherein the modified sig-nal X is added to the signal Y. By such operation . the

t .

5picture-image on the screen can be deformed at a desiredpoint on the Y-axis thereof. Similarly, by supplying thesignal Y through a function generator such as FG2 to theX signal in a mirror arrangement of FIG. 7, desired de-formation at a point on the X-axis can be obtained .

In some cases, it is desirable to represent a limited-zoneimage having a substantially uniform brightness. FIG. 8illustrates a circuit arrangement for such purpose. Thisarrangement is provided with two trigonometric functiongenerators IFG1 and IFGZ each of which comprise thesame structure as that of FIG 4. Output signals yt andy2 of both generators are introduced to an integrator 17through a switching element S3, and the output signalsx1 and x2 are introduced to an integrator Is through aswitching element S4. When the switching elements S3and S4 are caused to switch with a predetermined period,the initial values of the integrators 17 and I6 are changedperiodically . Accordingly, it is possible to represent alimited-zone image having a substantially uniform bright-ness, as shown in FIGS. 9a and 96 for example. Sincethe spaces between the respective scanning lines can bevaried by adjusting the switching speed of the switchingelements Sa and S4, the image brightness on the screenof the oscilloscope can be changed optionally .FIG. 10a illustrates a circuit arrangement for producing

an effect similar to that of FIG. 8. This arrangement hasa similar circuit structure to that of FIG. 4, except thatthe integrator I3 includes a feed-back circuit . A potentiom-eter P5b inserted into the feedback circuit is used for adamping element for the integrator Is. By using suchdamping element (potentiometer P5b), it becomes possibleto represent a whirlpool image on the screen of the os-cilloscope, such image being shown in FIG. 106, for anexample. When the damping constant K of the dampingelement of the integrator Is is selected adequately bysetting of the potentiometer P5b, a dislike image having asubstantial brightness over the whole surface thereof canbe obtained . If the operation of the circuit is suspendedbefore the inside diameter of the image reaches zero, arin_like image having a suitable width, can be obtained .

It is possible to represent a required picture-image onthe screen of the oscilloscope by suitably combining theabove-mentioned various analogical operation circuits .FIG. 11 shows one example of original figure or carica-tn-e image to be represented by the present invention.This caricature image is comrosed of seven closed curves,two rings and five second-degree curves. The closed curve11 indicates a body of the objective figure ; the curves12a and 12b, eyes; the curves 117 and 13b, a mouth;the tunes 14a and 14b, feet ; the rings 15a and 156, eye-balls; the second-degree curves 16a and 16b, three threadsof hair ; and the second-degree curves 17a and 17b, arms,respectively. According to the present invention, a pluralityof component signals, each of which indicates the partialfeatures of the figure shown in FIG. 11, are producedby the circuit shown in FIG. 12 which is -a schematicdiagram of one embodiment of a system according to tpresent invention.The arrangement shown in FIG. 12 is provided with

trigonometric function generator 21 and a damped-oscil-lation trigonometric function generator 22. The generator21 is composed of a function generator circuit as shownin FIG. 4, and the generator 22 is composed of a circuitas shown in FIG. 10a. The output of the generator 21 iscommonly supplied to a plurality of component signalproducers 23,24 and 26 through 31 to be described morefully hereinafter. The output of the generator 22 is sup-plied to a component signal producer 25. The details ofthese component signal producers 23 through 31 will behereinafter explained in connection with FIGS. 13through 16.The first component signal producer 23 produces a

component signal indicating the body 11 of the objectivefigure in FIG. 11 ; the second producer 24, an originalcomponent signal of the two component signals (one of

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6which is an inverted version of the original componentsignal) indicating the eyes 12a and 126; the third producer25, an original signal of the component signals indicatingthe eyeballs 15a and 156; the fourth and fifth producers

526 and 27, component signals indicating the curves 13aand 136 of the mouth; the sixth producer 28, an originalsignal of the component signals indicating the arms 17aand 17b; the seventh and eighth producers 29 and 30, com-ponent signals indicating the hair 16a and 166; and finally,the last producer 31, an original signal of the componentsignals indicating the feet 14a and 146, respectively. In-dicated with references St to S11 inclusive are switchingelements which are controlled by a sequence counter 32 .The output signals 12 and 15 from the component sig-

nal producers 24 and 25 are time-sequentially combinedwith each other by the switching element S1. In FIG. 12,the combined partial picture-image indicated by the refer-ences 12 and 15 is represented in the form of a combinedfigure for simplification of explanation . However, it shouldbe understood in practice that both signals 12 and 15 arearranged time sequentially and are not thus combined ex-cept in appearance on the face of the oscilloscope 38. Theother combined figures represented at various positionsin FIG. 12 should be also understood in the same manner.

25

A part of the combined signals 12 and 15 is introducedto the switching element S2 directly, and the remainderthereof is introduced to an inverter circuit 33. The co-ordinate of the combined signals on the X-axis (i .e . thehorizontal axis on the screen of the oscilloscope) is in-

30 vented into the opposite sign, and thereafter such in-verted signals are introduced to the switching element Sz.The switching element SZ serves to time-sequentially tom--bine the signals from the switching element St and theinverter 33 with each other under the control of the

35 sequence counter 32, and then component signals 12a,126, 15a and 156 indicating the eyes and eyeballs of theobjective figure can be obtained .

In the meantime, a part of the output signal 17 fromthe producer 28 is introduced to the switching elementS6 directly, and the remainder thereof is introduced toan inverter circuit 34, wherein the coordinate thereof onthe X-axis is inverted into the opposite sign . Consequent-ly, the signals 17a and 17b indicating the arms of theobjective figure are obtained from the switching elementS6 under the control of the sequence counter 32 . Similarly,the signals 14a and 14b indicating the feet of the ob-jective figure can be obtained from the switching elementSit under the cooperation of an inverter 35 and thesequence counter 32 .

Accordingly, all the component signals 11, 12a, 12b,13a, 136, 14a, 146, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b are in-troduced to the switching elements S3, S4, S5, S7, S3, S9and S1o , respectively . When the repeating cycle of boththe function generators 21 and 22 is selected at the clockcycle (or a multiple thereof) of the sequence counter 32,all of the output signals of the component signal pro-ducers 23 to 31 inclusive are caused to simultaneouslyand repeatedly develop in synchronism with the dock ofthe sequence counter 32 .

0

FIG. 17 is a timing diagram showing the operation ofthe switching elements S1 to S11 by the sequence counter32 . The switching elements S1 to S11 may comprise, forexample, across-bar switch the elements of which are setclosed or open by suitable excitation signals supplied fromsequence counter 32.

In FIG. 17, solid lines indicate that the switches areset at the upper side (state 1) thereof, and dotted linesindicate that the switches are set at the lower side (state2) thereof.

During the first repeating cycle of the sequence counter32 and generators 21 and 22, all the switching elementsS1 to S11 inclusive are set at the upper side (state 1) there-of as shown in FIG. 17. Consequently, the componentsignal 11 indicating the body of the objective figure is in-

75 troduced from . the producer 23 to the oscilloscope 38

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tentiometers P131, P132, P133, P134 and P135, the picture-and the partial image indicating the body 11 is repre-

images representing such eyes and eyeballs can beoption-rented on the screen of the oscilloscope 38 . ally deformed, and the positions thereof can be also op-During the second cycle, only the switching element

S3 is reset at the lower side (state 2) thereof, as shownin FIG. 17 and then the signal 12a indicating the righteye is introduced to the oscilloscope 38 . During the thirdcycle, the switching elements S2 and S3 are set at thelower side (state 2) thereof, as shown in FIG. 17 . In thiscase the signal 126 indicating the left eye is introduced 10to the oscilloscope 38 . During the fourth cycle, the switch-ing elements Sl and S3 are set at the lower side (state 2)thereof, as shown in FIG. 17 and then the signal 15aindicating the eyeball of the right eye is introduced to theoscilloscope 38 . During the fifth cycle, the switching ele- 15ments S1, S2 and S3 are set at the lower side (state 2)thereof, as shown in FIG. 17 and then the signal 156indicating the eyeball of the left eye is introduced to theoscilloscope 38 .

During the next cycle, only the switching element S4 is 20set at the lower side (state 2) thereof, as shown in FIG.17 and during the seventh cycle, only the switching ele-ment Ss is set at the lower side (state 2) thereof, asshown in FIG. 17. Consequently, the component signals13a and 136 are time-sequentially introduced to the os- 25cilloscope 38.

Similar time sequential switching operations are con-tinued until the component signal 146 indicating theleft foot of the objective figure is introduced to the os-cillator 38 . It therefore becomes possible to represent 30the objective figure on the screen of the oscilloscope 38by cyclically repeating the sequential switching opera-tions described above. The deformation or displacementof the whole picture-image on the screen can be carriedout by the circuits 36 and 37. In FIG. 12, shifters can 35also be used instead of the 5-axis inverters 33 and 35 inorder to make similar images.

The component signal producer 23 for the body of theobjective figure is composed of a circuit arrangement suchas shown in FIG. 7. The component signal producers 4024 and 25 are composed of the circuit arrangement shownin FIG. 13 . In this figure, a terminal 131 is connectedwith the junction point Jl of the generator shown in FIG.4 or 10; terminals 132 and 134 are connected with thejunction point J2 of such generator; and terminals 133and 135 are connected with a suitable direct currentsource (not shown) respectively. An X-axis signal is takenout from a terminal 136, and a Y-axis signal, from aterminal 137. Indicated by references A131 and A132 areadders, and a reference A133, an inverter. References P131,P132, P133, P234 and P13s indicate potentiometers, and areference 5131, a switching element corresponding to theswitching element Si in FIG. 12. (The switching elementSl in FIG. 12 is omitted for simplification.) The size ofthe partial picture image in the X-axis direction can beadjusted by using the potentiometer P1a1, and the size inthe Y-axis direction can be adjusted by using the potenti-ometer P134" The position of the picture-image on the X-axis or Y-axis can be adjusted by using the potentiometerP133 or P13s- The inclination of the image can be adjustedby using the potentiometer P132. The output signals fromthe potentiometers P131, P132 and P133 are introduced tothe adder A131 where these signals are added to eachother. A part of the output signal from the adder A131is directly introduced to an upper contact of the switch-ing element S131, and the remainder is introduced to alower contact of the element 5131 through an inverter A133.The output signals from the potentiometers P134 and P135are introduced to the adder A132, wherein those are addedto each other and the output signal from the adder A132is introduced to the terminal 137.According to this circuit arrangement, it is possible to

produce the component signals indicating the eyes 12aand 126 and the eyeballs 15a and 15b of the objectivefigure shown in FIG. 11 . By adjusting the respective po-

tionally displaced.FIG. 14 illustrates the details of the component signal

producers 26 and 27 for producing the signals 13a and136 in FIG. 12. In FIG. 14, the connections of respectiveterminals 141 through 145 with the trigonometric func-tion generator shown in FIG. 4 and with the direct-currentsource will be understood by referring to marks "sin,""cos" and "DC" attached to the respective terminals. Ref-erences P and A accompanied with a suffix indicate po-tentiometers and adders, respectively.

The size of the mouth of the picture-image on the screenof the oscilloscope can be varied by adjusting the po-tentiometers P141 and P143 , and the position of the mouthcan be displaced by adjusting the potentiometers P142and P145 " In this circuit arrangement, a part of the sinewave from the trigonometric function generator is intro-duced to the potentiometer P144 through a multiplier cir-cuit M141 of conventional construction for obtaining asquare of the sine-function. Accordingly, it becomes pos-sible to finely vary the facial expression of the objectivefigure by adjusting the potentiometer P144.FIG. 15 illustrates the details of the component signal

producers 29 and 30 for producing the signals 16a and16b indicating the hair of the objective figure . In case ofproducing the signal 16a indicating the central thread ofhair, a switching element 5151 is cut off. A multiplier M151is used for producing the second-de.-ree function signal.Potentiometers P151 and P153 are used for varying the sizeof the picture-image along the X-axis and Y-axis, respec-tively, and potentiometers P152 and P154, for displacing theposition of the picture-image.FIG . 16 illustrates the details of the component signal

producer 23 for producing the signals 17a and 17b inFIG. 12. A multiplier M1 6 1 is used for producing the sec-ond degree function signal . Potentiometers P161 and P164are used for varying the size of the picture-image alongthe X-axis and Y-axis, and potentiometers P162 and P165,for displacing the position of the. picture image. Indicatedby references A163 and A164 are inverters, and referenceS161, a switching element corresponding to the switchingelement S6 in FIG. 12. In this circuit, a part of the output

45 of the inverter A163 is introduced to the potentiometerP163, whereby the swinging motion of the arms can becontrolled .Though the details of the component signal producer

31 for producing the signals 14a and 146 indicating the50 feet of the objective figure have been omitted, it will be

apparent that such signals can be easily obtained by usinga circuit such as that shown in FIG. 4.The time period of one repeating cycle of the trigono-

metric function generators used in the embodiment of55 FIG. 12 is mainly determined by the time-constant of

the integrators included in such generators, and it is pos-sible to set up such time period at about 300 microsec-onds. Thus, even if the objective figure is composed of100 partial curves or lines, the required time to finish

00 one complete image trace of the objective figure shown inFIG. 11 on the screen of the oscilloscope is only 30milliseconds. Consequently, it is possible to represent astable picture consisting of about 33 frames per second byrepeating the same operation every 30 milliseconds.

C5

The deformation and displacement of one part of thepicture-image on the screen can be carried out by option-ally adjusting the potentiometers included in the respectivecomponent signal producers 23 to 31 inclusive in FIG. 12 .On the other hand the deformation and displacement of

70 the whole picture-image can be carried out by optionallyadjusting the deforming circuit 36 and displacing circuit37. Though the details of . such circuits 36 and 37 areomitted, the construction of such circuits will be apparentto a person skilled in the art when referring to the above-

,5 mentioned description .

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The deformation and displacement of the picture-imagecan be carried out manually. However, it is also possibleto carry out such adjustment under a predetermined pro-gram by using a suitable data processing system, suchas digital computer, hybrid computer and the like.For the purpose of moving all parts of the picture-

image on the screen, it is required to use a very compli-cated program. However, if the following points are con-sidered, such program can be simplified without requiringhigh-speed logical operations or conversions :

(1) In general cases, only limited portions of the pic-ture-image are required to be animated ;

(2) The whole picture-image can be animated by usinga suitable technique such as parallel displacement, rota-tion, conversion in coordinates and the like ;

(3) When a change of constants is given by a simpleequation with respect to time, the logical operation ofsuch constants can be carried out by an analogue com-puter having a relatively large time-constant in compari-son with that of the logical operation circuits for repre- 20senting the picture-image, and the obtained constants canbe indicated by a digital computer ;

(4) In case of representing caricature images, the num-her of partial curves and lines forming such image isrelatively small; and

25(S) A certain time-loss may be permitted for comple-

tion of the picture-image.While we have shown and described only one embodi-

ment of the present invention, it will be understood thatthe same is not limited thereto but is susceptible of nu- 30merous changes and modifications as will be apparent toa person skilled in the art. Therefore, we do not wishto be limited to the details shown and described hereinbut intend to cover such modifications and changes asdefined by the appended claims .

35We claim:1. An animatable picture-image representing system

comprising means for producing a plurality of compo-nent electrical signals each indicating partial componentsof an original figure to be represented, combining meanscoupled to the output of said component signal produc-ing means for combining the plurality of component sig-nals, and electro-optical means coupled to the outputof the combining means for representing a picture-imagecorresponding to the original figure in accordance withthe combined component si_rals,

wherein the combining means is a time sequentiallyoperated combining means and composite picture-image presentation is achieved due to the integratingeffect of the electro-optical means,

50

5

15

10said component signal producing means comprising at

least one trigonometric function generator and aplurality of analogical operation circuits for produc-ing the respective component signals for modifyingthe trigonometric function signal from said gener-ator,

at least one of said trigonometric function generatorsbeing a damped oscillation trigonometric generator.

2. An animatable picture image representing system10according to claim 1 wherein each of said analogical oper-

ation circuits comprises adding circuit means, means forsupplying the X-Y coordinate signals from said trigo-nometric function generator to the adding circuit meansas an input thereto, and potentiometric signal generatingmeans coupled to the input of the adding circuit meansfor modifying the output component signal in a desiredmanner.

3. An animatable picture-image representing systemaccording to claim 2 in which said analogical operationcircuits include potentiometric signal generating meansfor displacing the position and varying the sizes of thepartial components of the picture-image.4. An animatable picture-image representing system

according to claim 3 further including deforming meanscoupled intermediate the combining means and the elec-tro-optical means for deforming the whole picture-image.

5. An animatable picture-image representing systemaccording to claim 4 further including means coupledintermediate the combining means and the electro-opticalmeans for displacing the whole picture image.6. An animatable picture-image representing system

according to claim 5 and further including means coupledto the output of the component signal producing meansfor reproducing and inverting the position of selectedpartial components .

References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS

45RODNEY D. BENNETT, Primary ExaminerJ. D. BAXTER, Assistant Examiner

V.S. Cl. X,R,340-324.1

3.364,382 1/1968 Harrison ------------ 315-1840 3,.--422,419 1/1969 Mathews ----------- 315-18X__3,426,344 2/1969 Clark ------------- 315-18X

3,440,639 4/1969 Sander ------------- 315-18X