Stare 2–A Graphical Hard-Copy System

A short-turnaround graphical hard-copy system called Stare 2 has been designed and is in use at Bell Telephone Laboratories. It produces prints using a 1024x1436 matrix of overlapping dots on 11-by 17-in paper, at a speed of 2 to 10 prints per min. The system is connected to a large central computer (IBM System/370 Model 165), thus making pictures available within seconds of a program run. The output mechanism is a Gould Clevite 4800 electrographic printer with the stylus assembly modified to permit overlapping dots. A DEC PDP-15 computer controls the printer and also converts the data to the format required to drive the printer. Output may be produced at a location remote from the central computer since the connection to the hard-copy system is via a 2000-Bd transmission system.