Raster to vector conversion system and method therefor

Abstract

A system and method for converting raster data in a memory plane to a vector number number such as a plotter. The method with copying the raster data into a working copy and then at a predetermined bit in the memory plane sequentially scans each bit to ascertain the presence of first or second states. The first state corresponds to the illumination of a corresponding pixel in the display monitor and the second state corresponding to a pixel which is not illuminated. When the first state is sensed, all vectors having beginning X,Y coordinates corresponding to the X,Y coordinate of the bit are identified. When more than one vector is identified, only one of the identified vectors is selected according to a priority scheme. All of the bits in the working copy corresponding to the selected vector are erased. The beginning X,Y coordinate and the ending X,Y coordinate of the selected vector form the vector output. All end-to-end contiguous vectors having beginning X,Y coordinates corresponding to the ending X,Y coordinate of the selected vector are then identified. If more than one end-to-end contiguous vector is present, only one vector is selected. This process continues as long as there are end-to-end contiguous vectors. When no more contiguous vectors are detected, the method returns to the next sequential bit to ascertain the state of that bit. This process continues until the entire raster data in the working copy is evaluated.