US3760375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Source data entry terminal
Assignee: Nortel Networks Inc
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Filing: 1971-07-26
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Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1991-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A source data entry device having a keyboard for data entry, a cathode ray tube for visual display of key-entered data, and magnetic recorders for storing entered data upon cassette-type magnetic tape cartridges, wherein control logic for the keyboard, visual display, recorders, and other input/output peripheral devices is centralized into a central logic unit, and wherein program-controlled data entry is made possible by a wired readonly memory which, in conjunction with the central logic unit, forms a programmed microprocessor whose functional configuration can be altered by changing the hardwired read-only memory.
Inventors
- 👤 S Irwin
- 👤 M Levine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14; G06F3/153; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0227; G06F3/023; G06F3/0232; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A source data entry terminal device for capturing and storing data for future processing or the like, comprising in combination: a keyboard data entry means for producing coded alphanumeric data representative of different keys upon actuation thereof; an optical display means for visual character read-out of such data; means for coupling coded data entered into said terminal to a data recorder or reproducer means; and a programmed microprocessor interfaced to each of said entry means, said display means and said coupling means; said microprocessor including a fixed-program read-only memory and a central logic unit embodying substantially all of the control logic for said entry means and display means; said read-only memory having a built-in program dedicating the terminal to a particular functional configuration and establishing an instruction set which time-shares said central logic unit with said entry means and display means to control the same in conformance with such functional configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A source data entry terminal device for capturing and storing data for future processing or the like, comprising in combination: a keyboard data entry means for producing coded alphanumeric data representative of different keys upon actuation thereof; an optical display means for visual character read-out of such data; means for coupling coded data entered into said terminal to a data recorder or reproducer means; and a programmed microprocessor interfaced to each of said entry means, said display means and said coupling means; said microprocessor including a fixed-program read-only memory and a central logic unit embodying substantially all of the control logic for said entry means and display means; said read-only memory having a built-in program dedicating the terminal to a particular functional configuration and establishing an instruction set which time-shares said central logic unit with said entry means and display means to control the same in conformance with such functional configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The data entry terminal of claim 1, wherein said read-only memory comprises a wired memory device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The data entry terminal of claim 1, including a buffer memory interfaced to said microprocessor for temporary storage of said data; said microprocessor program causing storage of such data in said buffer memory upon initial production thereof by said entry means and when the data is visibly read out by said display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The data entry terminal of claim 3, wherein said buffer memory comprises a delay line-type memory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The data entry terminal of claim 1, wherein said data recorder or reproducer means comprises a magnetic tape recorder and said coupling means comprises means interfacing said tape recorder with said microprocessor; said central logic unit also embodying control logic for said recorder, and said read-only memory program instruction set time-sharing said central logic unit with said recorder as well as with said entry means and display means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The data entry terminal of claim 5, wherein said tape recorder is of the type which records upon and replays cassette-type tape magazines comprising generally flat cartridges wholly enclosing a length of recording tape on the order of one-eighth inch wide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The data entry terminal of claim 5, further including a buffer memory interfaced to said microprocessor for temporary storage of said coded data; said microprocessor program causing storage of such data in said buffer memory upon initial production thereof by said entry means and when the data is visibly read out by said display.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The data entry terminal of claim 7, wherein said buffer memory comprises a delay line memory.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The data entry terminal of claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises a communications link for connecting the terminal to a remote data processing station, memory bank or another like terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The data entry terminal of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor further includes means providing multiple-location working storage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The data entry terminal of claim 10, wherein said last means includes a plurality of registers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The data entry terminal of claim 11, wherein said logic unit includes a program counter, and wherein at least one of said registers comprises an exclusive storage element for program counter addressing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The data entry terminal of claim 11, wherein at least one of said registers comprises an accumulator for logic unit instructions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The data entry terminal of claim 11, wherein said logic unit includes a program counter and at least one of said registers comprises an exclusive storage element for program counter addressing, and wherein at least one of said registers comprises an accumulator for logic unit instructions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The data entry terminal of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor includes a plurality of read/write latch storage locations, and wherein said keyboard data entry means is interfaced to said logic unit by one or more of said latches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The data entry terminal of claim 3, wherein said microprocessor includes a plurality of read/write latch storage locations, and wherein said keyboard data entry means and said buffer memory are each interfaced to said logic unit by certain of said latches.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
The data entry terminal of claim 16, wherein said data recorder or reproducer means comprises a magnetic tape recorder and said coupling means comprises certain of said latches interfacing said tape recorder with said microprocessor; said central logic unit also embodying control logic for said recorder, and said read-only memory program instruction set time-sharing said central logic unit with said recorder as well as with said entry means and display means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The data entry terminal of claim 17, wherein said microprocessor further includes multiple-register working storage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
122 words
A source data entry terminal device for capturing and storing data for future processing or the like, comprising in combination: a keyboard data entry means for producing coded alphanumeric data representative of different keys upon actuation thereof; an optical display means for visual read-out of data characters entered by said keyboard means; a magnetic tape recorder/reproducer means including at least one cassette-type magnetic tape magazine, for recording data thereon entered by said keyboard and read out by said display; and control means interfaced to said data entry means, said optical display means and said recorder/reproducer means and intercoupling the same for cooperative operation such that data entered by said keyboard means is visually displayed and magnetically recorded on said cassette tape magazines.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
122 words
A source data entry terminal device for capturing and storing data for future processing or the like, comprising in combination: a keyboard data entry means for producing coded alphanumeric data representative of different keys upon actuation thereof; an optical display means for visual read-out of data characters entered by said keyboard means; a magnetic tape recorder/reproducer means including at least one cassette-type magnetic tape magazine, for recording data thereon entered by said keyboard and read out by said display; and control means interfaced to said data entry means, said optical display means and said recorder/reproducer means and intercoupling the same for cooperative operation such that data entered by said keyboard means is visually displayed and magnetically recorded on said cassette tape magazines.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The data entry terminal of claim 19, including a buffer memory and means interfacing same with said keyboard, with said display, and with said recorder means, such that data entered from said keyboard is held in the buffer memory for visual display prior to being recorded.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The data entry terminal of claim 20, wherein said buffer memory comprises at least one delay line memory.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The data entry terminal of claim 20, wherein said control means includes a fixed-program microprocessor having a read-only memory means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The data entry terminal of claim 22, wherein said read-only memory comprises a wired device.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of source data capture, comprising the steps: generating coded signals representative of source data desired to be captured; and recording signals corresponding to those generated upon magnetic tape enclosed within cassette tape cartridges, of the basic type conventionally used for audio recording.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of source data capture, comprising the steps: generating coded signals representative of source data desired to be captured; and recording signals corresponding to those generated upon magnetic tape enclosed within cassette tape cartridges, of the basic type conventionally used for audio recording.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 24, including the step of visually displaying the data upon initial generation of said signals by use of such signals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 25, including the step of temporarily storing a plurality of said data-representative signals prior to recording the same.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 25, including the step of using a buffer memory to temporarily store the signals for the data bEing displayed while such data is displayed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said recording is done after the data has been visually displayed, and wherein the signals stored in said buffer memory are unloaded for recording.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of source data capture, comprising the steps: generating coded signals representative of alphanumeric source data desired to be captured; visually displaying the data of which said signals are representative by use of such signals; using a buffer memory to temporarily store the data being displayed; and recording the data on magnetic tape after the data has been visually displayed.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of source data capture, comprising the steps: generating coded signals representative of alphanumeric source data desired to be captured; visually displaying the data of which said signals are representative by use of such signals; using a buffer memory to temporarily store the data being displayed; and recording the data on magnetic tape after the data has been visually displayed.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 29, including the step of using a program format to generate said data-representative signals in a predetermined relative sequence, and visually displaying said data in such sequence.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 30, including the step of visually displaying format indicia in predetermined positional relationship to the visually-displayed data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 30, including the step of holding said program format in a buffer memory during data entry.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 32, including the step of loading said program format into said buffer memory by generating coded signals representative of characters defining said format and storing such signals in said buffer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 33, wherein said signals are generated by operation of a keyboard device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said format is used by recording it on magnetic tape and reproducing the recorded format prior to actual use.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 35, wherein said format is recorded on magnetic tape enclosed within cassette tape cartridges, of the basic type conventionally used for audio recording.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the format recorded on said tape is loaded into a buffer memory by replaying the tape, and the format is held in such buffer during data entry.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 29, including the steps of searching for a particular recorded record on a tape containing a plurality of such recorded records by generating coded signals representative of at least the beginning data characters in such particular record, temporarily storing such generated signals for search purposes, replaying the recorded tape to reproduce the coded signal records accorded thereupon, and comparing the temporarily stored signals with the reproduced ones to find the particular record sought.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 38, wherein said temporarily stored signals are stored in said buffer memory.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of implementing a source data entry terminal device, comprising the steps: connecting selected input/output peripheral components including at least a keyboard data display means to a buffer memory and to a central processor organization, and using said buffer memory for temporary storage of data entered by said keyboard means; incorporating control logic for all such peripheral components in the central processor and controlling each such component by the central processor, such that said peripheral components need have substantially no local control logic of their own; and dedicating the terminal to a given operational configuration by incorporating a fixed program in said central processor.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of implementing a source data entry terminal device, comprising the steps: connecting selected input/output peripheral components including at least a keyboard data display means to a buffer memory and to a central processor organization, and using said buffer memory for temporary storage of data entered by said keyboard means; incorporating control logic for all such peripheral components in the central processor and controlling each such component by the central processor, such that said peripheral components need have substantially no local control logic of their own; and dedicating the terminal to a given operational configuration by incorporating a fixed program in said central processor.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 40, including the step of interfacing said peripheral components to said central processor by use of dedicated temporary read-write storage latches serving only that purpose.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 41, including the step of interfacing said buffer memory to said central processor by using other of said latches.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 40, including the steps of providing multiple-register working storage as a part of said central processor, and dedicating at least one such register for use as an accumulator which stores instructions for a logic unit forming a part of said processor.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 40, including the steps of providing multiple-register working storage as a part of saiD central processor, and dedicating at least one such register for use in storing address information for a logic unit program counter comprising a part of said processor.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 44, including the step of dedicating at least one other of said registers for use as an accumulator which stores instructions for said logic unit.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 45, including the step of interfacing said peripheral components to said central processor by use of dedicated temporary read/write storage latches serving only that purpose.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3389404A
Cited
US3400371A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |