Split screen smooth scrolling arrangement

Abstract

The present invention is employed in a system which has a bit map memory connected to a CRT display device and the CRT display device can display a fixed region of information and a scrollable region of information. In a preferred embodiment, the system uses a graphic display control circuit to change starting addresses and length ending values of the fixed and scrollable regions in the bit map memory. By changing the starting address one scan line per frame, without any actual transfer of data in memory, from one location to another location, the present system effects a 'smooth' scroll. The system is able to scroll upward and downward. The system uses logic circuitry to load an off screen segment of the bit map memory with additional scrollable information, so that (in an upward scroll load) as a top line of the scrollable information region is no longer displayed, new information will be displayed at the bottom line of said scrollable region. On the other hand during a downward scroll, a bottom line of information on the scrollable region of the screen will fade out and new information is added, from the off screen region, of the bit map memory to provide information for a new top line. In addition the system has the ability to reorganize the information in the bit map memory in the event the size or location of the fixed region is to be altered.