Funicular Diagram Generator for Generating an Automatic Graphical Display of a First Variable as a Function of a Second Variable

Abstract

This invention provides a funicular diagram generator. More particularly, the invention relates to a funicular diagram generator for use as an interface between a source medium having the form of a stepwise addressable sequential channel output of analogue signal samples and a recording medium in the form of a graph tracer having separate horizontal and vertical analogue deflection signal inputs, the generator providing means of graphically plotting and displaying the analogue signal samples in the form of a continuous funicular diagram consisting of adjacent connected straight-line segments joining adjacent data points having equally spaced abscissas. The funicular diagram generator includes a first and second sample-and-hold circuit means, a summing amplifier receiving the output of the sample-and-hold means, an analogue integrator receiving the output of the summing amplifier and the source medium analogue output signal and a means of sequentially stepping the source medium and the sample-and-hold circuit means in time relationed sequential steps to provide at the output of the analogue integrator a composite signal functioning as the vertical analogue signal which may be impressed on the horizontal and vertical inputs of the graph tracer to provide a funicular diagram display.