US3899776A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable terminal
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1974-02-28
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1994-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A programmable terminal is disclosed in which a non-volatile memory in combination with decoding logic enables data collection and control of external devices. The memory can be programmed prior to assembly into the terminal or erased and programmed either on- or off-line. The terminal logs data in its entirety or only that data meeting programmed criteria. Specific examples of the use of the programmable terminal of the present invention are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 John S Sicko
- 👤 Jr Raymond J Hodsoll
- 👤 John T Adamchick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/10; G06F13/12; G06F13/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A programmable terminal for operating on-line or off-line to control or monitor a plurality of external devices comprising: memory means for storing program and control information; logic means coupled to said memory means and said external devices for converting information from said memory into control signals, said logic means including external selection means for selectively activating at least one of said external devices; comparison means coupled to said memory means and said external devices for comparing incoming information with information from said memory means; internal selection means, coupled to said memory means and said external devices, for selecting one of a plurality of internal signals for transmission from said terminal, said internal signals including said control signals and signals received from selectively activated external devices; and output means, coupled to said internal selection means, for providing an output signal from said terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A programmable terminal for operating on-line or off-line to control or monitor a plurality of external devices comprising: memory means for storing program and control information; logic means coupled to said memory means and said external devices for converting information from said memory into control signals, said logic means including external selection means for selectively activating at least one of said external devices; comparison means coupled to said memory means and said external devices for comparing incoming information with information from said memory means; internal selection means, coupled to said memory means and said external devices, for selecting one of a plurality of internal signals for transmission from said terminal, said internal signals including said control signals and signals received from selectively activated external devices; and output means, coupled to said internal selection means, for providing an output signal from said terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A terminal as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising: auxiliary memory means for temporarily storing a predetermined quantity of information, said auxiliary memory means being coupled to said internal selection means and coupled to and controlled by said logic means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A terminal as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising: receive decode means coupled to said memory means for applying input program and control information to said memOry means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A programmable terminal as set forth in claim 1 wherein said output means includes bit conversion means coupled to said internal selection means for converting digital data from parallel to serial format for transmission from said terminal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A programmable terminal as set forth in claim 1 wherein said internal selection means includes code generating means for converting binary coded decimal internal signals to teletypewriter code for transmission by said output means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A programmable terminal as set forth in claim 1 wherein the external selection means of said logic means comprises: a device decode circuit for selecting the external device being addressed; and a command circuit coupled to said logic means for supplying control signals to said external devices, causing the external device being addressed to respond.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A programmable terminal as set forth in claim 6 wherein said logic means further comprises: register means for storing output signals from said memory; function decoding means coupled to said register means for converting output signals from said memory into control signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
A programmable terminal for operating on-line or off-line in conjunction with external devices capable of providing signals to said terminal or carrying out commands from said terminal comprising: memory means for storing program and control information; logic means coupled to said memory means and said external devices for receiving signals from said devices and applying command signals to said devices under the control of said memory means; internal selection means, connected to said logic means, for selecting one of a plurality of signals internal to said terminal for coupling out of said terminal; and output means, coupled to said internal selection means, for transmitting said selected signal from said terminal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
110 words
A programmable terminal for operating on-line or off-line in conjunction with external devices capable of providing signals to said terminal or carrying out commands from said terminal comprising: memory means for storing program and control information; logic means coupled to said memory means and said external devices for receiving signals from said devices and applying command signals to said devices under the control of said memory means; internal selection means, connected to said logic means, for selecting one of a plurality of signals internal to said terminal for coupling out of said terminal; and output means, coupled to said internal selection means, for transmitting said selected signal from said terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
A programmable terminal as set forth in claim 8 wherein said logic means comprises: register means for storing output signals from said memory; function decoding means coupled to said register means for converting output signals from said memory into control signals; device decoding means coupled to said register means for selecting the external device being addressed; and command circuit means coupled to said function decoding means for supplying control signals to said external devices, causing the external device being addressed to respond.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
A programmable terminal as set forth in claim 9 wherein said logic means further comprises: comparison means, coupled to said memory means, said external devices, and said function decoding means, for comparing information from said memory with information from said devices, to produce a comparison signal; and means for coupling said comparison signal to said memory thereby providing closed loop control of an external device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A programmable terminal as set forth in claim 8 and further comprising: auxiliary memory for temporarily storing a predetermined quantity of information, said auxiliary memory means being coupled to said internal selection means and coupled to and controlled by said logic means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A programmable terminal as set forth in claim 8 and further comprising: receive decode means coupled to said memory means for applying input program and control information to said memory means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |