Systems Engineering Problems in Computer-Driven CRT Displays for Man-Machine Communication

Computer-driven cathode-ray tube (CRT) displays are becoming an important means of on-line man-machine communication, particularly for graphical input/output in laboratory investigations of computer-aided design techniques. Their operation, however, often requires so much of the computational resources of the associated computer that they are not yet considered economic or practical for general industrial use. This paper discusses the systems engineering problems in designing and using display systems, with emphasis on the hardware-software tradeoffs. As an example, a display specifically developed for computer-aided design applications is described which has unusual special-purpose computing capabilities for dynamic picture manipulations, including rotation, scaling, and translation of 3-dimensional images. it is concluded that there is much work ahead, and that the proper hardware-software organization for these complexes of computers, communication links, terminals, and men is a fertile field for the systems engineer.