Ample filters of invertible sheaves

Let $X$ be a scheme, proper over a commutative noetherian ring $A$. We introduce the concept of an ample filter of invertible sheaves on $X$ and generalize the most important equivalent criteria for ampleness of an invertible sheaf. We also prove the Theorem of the Base for $X$ and generalize Serre's Vanishing Theorem. We then generalize results for twisted homogeneous coordinate rings which were previously known only when $X$ was projective over an algebraically closed field. Specifically, we show that the concepts of left and right $\sigma$-ampleness are equivalent and that the associated twisted homogeneous coordinate ring must be noetherian.