Integration of Technical Drawings in a Data Bank System

Technical drawings are indispensable data in presenting, explaining, and transferring technical and scientific information. Patent applications and utility models are a field in which the illustrative and explanatory function of drawings is particularly important. This paper describes the joint storage of text and drawings in one database, the conversion of digitized graphical data into vector graphics output format and the combined transmission of text and graphics via telecommunication networks to various types of terminals. The advantages of vector graphics over raster graphics for storing, transmitting and displaying technical drawings are discussed.