A display processor design

This paper describes the results of a collaborative design effort aimed at development of a general purpose display system for the SDS-940 time-shared computer. The important features of the system evolved gradually from a number of separate design goals. We wanted a display system that would: 1. Contain an extensive but straightforward set of display generating commands. 2. Be able to generate pictures from highly complex data structures. 3. Allow easy access to display files from user programs in the main computer. 4. Provide some immediate feedback and interactive processing service to the display user, and be able to call upon the main computer for more extensive service. 5. Permit attachment of special purpose display generation and interactive hardware, as well as multiple display consoles. 6. Be capable of time-sharing its central resources among separate console-users.