Query and reply system with alphanumeric readout

Claim 2

In a system wherein a data processor develops and transmits character identification signals to apparatus controlling a printing device of the type comprising a plurality of individual character-forming elements, the printing device being arranged to print selected graphic symbols in a plurality of locations on a document, such as a savings bank passbook, with the particular characters printed in such locations corresponding to the character identification signals transmitted to the printer controlling apparatus by the data processor; that improvement wherein said printer-controlling apparatus comprises a memory having a plurality of units each assigned a corresponding one of said printing locations and adapted to store a character identification signal for determining the particular character to be printed in the assigned location; means responsive to signals from the data processor for storing each character identification signal in a particular memory unit as determined by the data processor; operating means responsive to character identification signals for controlling said character-forming elements to cause to be printed in any said locations graphic symbols corresponding to character identification signals directed to said operating means; and means for reading out said memory units in a predetermined pattern and directing the readout character identification signals to said operating means, the character identification signals controlling the graphic symbols in the locations on said document corresponding to the memory units from which the signals were read.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said memory is read out in a successive series of cycles; analyzer means responsive to the signals read out from said memory for recognizing a different class of characters during each of said cycles, such that characters of one class are detected in one cycle, characters of another class in a second cycle, and so forth; and means responsive to the analyzer output during each cycle for controlling said printing device to print out all of the characters of the different classes.

Claim 4

In a data-handling system of the type wherein a data processor develops and transmits character identification signals to apparatus controlling the operation of an output device comprising a plurality of individual character-forming elements for creating graphic symbols corresponding to the character identification signals; that improvement wherein said apparatus includes memory means having a plurality of distinct memory units each adapted to store a corresponding character identification signal, said memory units being assigned to respective character-forming elements of said output device for selecting the characters formed thereby in accordance with the particular character identification signal stored in the corresponding memory unit; means responsive to control signals from the data processor for directing each character identification signal to a specific memory unit as determined by said data processor; operating means responsive to character-identification signals for actuating said character-forming elements to produce corresponding graphic symbols; and means for reading out said memory units to said operating means in a predetermined pattern whereby said output device produces graphic symbols each having a placement and a character identity controlled by said data processor.

Claim 5

In a data-handling system of the type wherein a data processor develops and transmits character identification signals to apparatus controlling the operation of an output device comprising a plurality of individual character-forming elements for creating graphic symbols corresponding to the character identification signals; that improvement wherein said apparatus includes memory means having a plurality of distinct memory units each adapted to store a corresponding character identification signal, said memory units being assigned to respective character-forming elements of said output device for selecting the characters formed thereby in accordance with the particular character identification signal stored in the corresponding memory unit; means responsive to control signals from the data processor for directing each character identification signal to a specific memory unit as determined by said data processor; operating means responsive to character-identification signals for actuating said character-forming elements to produce corresponding graphic symbols; and means for reading out said memory units to said operating means in a predetermined pattern whereby said output device produces graphic symbols each having a placement and a character identity controlled by said data processor.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said character-forming elements comprise printing elements for printing graphic symbols on a document such as a savings bank passbook.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein each printing element carries a plurality of different print faces and is movable through a range of positions where the print faces can be made Operative; and means responsive to the character identification read out from each memory unit for stopping the respective printing element in a position corresponding to the code character stored in that memory unit.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said memory means is a cyclically operable, recirculating data storage means; said reading means comprising a shift register adapted to be loaded with a set of data bits each representing information concerning the positioning of a corresponding printing element.

Claim 9

In a data-handling system for processing transactions such as those involving savings bank accounts, apparatus comprising a central computer with data storage and computation means for processing queries concerning stored items of information, a plurality of remote stations coupled to said computer including data entry means for transmitting query messages thereto on a time-shared basis and means for receiving reply messages from said computer, each remote station also including printer means responsive to said reply messages for imprinting alpha-numeric characters in line format on a document such as a savings bank passbook; the improvement comprising the combination with each remote station of: a. a CRT display device operable to display graphic symbols corresponding to the query message characters developed by said data entry means; b. means selectively operable for transmitting the query message characters to the computer after a complete query has been assembled and presented on the CRT, whereby the operator at said remote station can check an assembled query message prior to transmission thereof to said computer; and c. cyclic memory means for storing character code signals, first means selectively responsive to the readout of character codes from said memory means for controlling said CRT, and second means selectively responsive to the readout of character codes from said memory means to control said printer means.

Claim 10

In a data-handling system for processing transactions such as those involving savings bank accounts, apparatus comprising a central computer with data storage and computation means for processing queries concerning stored items of information, a plurality of remote stations coupled to said computer including data entry means for transmitting query messages thereto on a time-shared basis and means for receiving reply messages from said computer, each remote station also including printer means responsive to said reply messages for imprinting alpha-numeric characters in line format on a document such as a savings bank passbook; the improvement comprising the combination with each remote station of: a. a CRT display device operable to display graphic symbols corresponding to the query message characters developed by said data entry means; b. means selectively operable for transmitting the query message characters to the computer after a complete query has been assembled and presented on the CRT, whereby the operator at said remote station can check an assembled query message prior to transmission thereof to said computer; and c. cyclic memory means for storing character code signals, first means selectively responsive to the readout of character codes from said memory means for controlling said CRT, and second means selectively responsive to the readout of character codes from said memory means to control said printer means.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, including first storage means for loading the query message characters in a particular sector of said memory means; and second storage means for loading the computer reply messages in said sector, replacing the query messages previously stored therein.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the memory means includes a section for storing computer reply messages to be presented on said CRT.

Claim 13

In a data-handling system of the type comprising a central computer with at least one remote station including manually operable data-entry means for transmitting query messages to the computer and a CRT display device for presenting graphic characters corresponding to the query data in a series of successive lines across the face of the CRT; that improvement wherein said remote station includes cyclic memory means having a portion thereof arranged to store characters developed by said data entry means and used for controlling the CRT presentation, each such storage portion being subdivided into storage sections for controlling corresponding lines of the CRT display, the individual character storage slots of each character storage section serving to control the graphic symbols presented in respective positions in the corresponding display line of said CRT; display control means coupled to said memory means and including analyzer means to determine whether any code signal to be stored in said portion represents a numeric or a nonnumeric character, first means responsive to the detection of a nonnumeric character for storing the corresponding code in the next available slot at the beginning of the line storage section, second means responsive to the detection of a numeric character for storing the corresponding code in the last character position of the line storage section, and shifting means responsive to such numeric detection for moving any previously stored numeric characters in that line storage section one character position backwards, so that such previously stored numeric characters appear in positions preceding the last character position of the line.

Claim 14

In a data-handling system of the type comprising a central computer with at least one remote station including manually operable data-entry means for transmitting query messages to the computer and a CRT display device for presenting graphic characters corresponding to the query data in a series of successive lines across the face of the CRT; that improvement wherein said remote station includes cyclic memory means having a portion thereof arranged to store characters developed by said data entry means and used for controlling the CRT presentation, each such storage portion being subdivided into storage sections for controlling corresponding lines of the CRT display, the individual character storage slots of each character storage section serving to control the graphic symbols presented in respective positions in the corresponding display line of said CRT; display control means coupled to said memory means and including analyzer means to determine whether any code signal to be stored in said portion represents a numeric or a nonnumeric character, first means responsive to the detection of a nonnumeric character for storing the corresponding code in the next available slot at the beginning of the line storage section, second means responsive to the detection of a numeric character for storing the corresponding code in the last character position of the line storage section, and shifting means responsive to such numeric detection for moving any previously stored numeric characters in that line storage section one character position backwards, so that such previously stored numeric characters appear in positions preceding the last character position of the line.

Claim 15

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the last two numeric characters in at least one of the display lines are presented in characters having a smaller size than the principal characters of the line.

Claim 16

In a system of the type wherein a data processor develops and sends character identification signals to apparatus controlling an output device for making graphic symbols corresponding to the character identification signals; the combination comprising a memory having a plurality of distinct units each adapted to store a corresponding character identification signal for determining a graphic symbol to be produced by said output device; said data processor being arranged to produce and send to said controlling apparatus groups of character identification signals together with tab control signals specifying the particular memory units where the character identification signals are to be stored; and directing means responsive to said tab signals for storing the character identification signals in the specified memory units.

Claim 17

In a system of the type wherein a data processor develops and sends character identification signals to apparatus controlling an output device for making graphic symbols corresponding to the character identification signals; the combination comprising a memory having a plurality of distinct units each adapted to store a corresponding character identification signal for determining a graphic symbol to be produced by said output device; said data processor being arranged to produce and send to said controlling apparatus groups of character identification signals together with tab control signals specifying the particular memory units where the character identification signals are to be stored; and directing means responsive to said tab signals for storing the character identification signals in the specified memory units.

Claim 18

Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said tab signals comprise two successive characters, the first one consisting of a predetermined code indicating the tab function is to be performed, and the second specifying the storage address where the character identification signals are to be stored.

Claim 19

Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, including a register for temporarily storing the tab address character; comparator means for comparing the stored tab address with successive addresses of the memory; and means responsive to the comparator output for inserting the character identification signals in the specified address in the memory.

Claim 20

In a system of the type wherein an input message developed at a remote station is transmitted to a central data processor which produces a corresponding reply message of character identification signals to be sent back to the remote station to control printing apparatus at that station; the improvement wherein said remote station additionally includes a display device operable to present to an operator graphic character symbols corresponding to the input message signals to permit review and editing thereof by an operator prior to transmitting the message to the data processor; a memory adapted to store character identification signals from the data processor in positions of the memory determined by the processor; and means to read out said memory to said printing means in a predetermined pattern so as to produce a sequence of graphic character symbols in accordance with the reply message developed by said processor.

Claim 21

In a system of the type wherein an input message developed at a remote station is transmitted to a central data processor which produces a corresponding reply message of character identification signals to be sent back to the remote station to control printing apparatus at that station; the improvement wherein said remote station additionally includes a display device operable to present to an operator graphic character symbols corresponding to the input message signals to permit review and editing thereof by an operator prior to transmitting the message to the data processor; a memory adapted to store character identification signals from the data processor in positions of the memory determined by the processor; and means to read out said memory to said printing means in a predetermined pattern so as to produce a sequence of graphic character symbols in accordance with the reply message developed by said processor.

Claim 22

Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said data display device comprises a CRT unit; said memory including cyclically operable means arranged to develop sequential readout signals corresponding to stored character codes; said memory having a sector thereof assigned to the CRT display for controlling the presentation thereof; said memory sector serving to store the reply message signals for controlling said printing means.

Claim 23

Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said readout means includes analyzing means to examine the individual characters as read out from the memory to determine the nature thereof; and actuating means under the control of said analyzing means for operating said printing means.

Claim 24

Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said readout means includes a shift register into the individual stages of which are loaded data bits reflecting the analysis of respective characters stored in said memory; and means for transferring the data bits stored in said shift register in parallel to said actuating means to control individual printer elements for making imprints in respective columns.

Claim 25

In a system of the type wherein data processing means produces character identification signals for actuating a line printer to imprint a series of characters represEnting an output message from the data processing means, the combination of a memory having a plurality of individual storage units each adapted to hold one of said character identification signals, each of said memory units being assigned a respective position on the line of print; means for directing each character identification signal to a specific memory unit as determined by said data processing means; and distribution means for reading out all of the units of said memory in a predetermined sequence to said line printer and for causing said printer to print out a series of characters corresponding to the signals read out from all of said memory units.

Claim 26

In a system of the type wherein data processing means produces character identification signals for actuating a line printer to imprint a series of characters represEnting an output message from the data processing means, the combination of a memory having a plurality of individual storage units each adapted to hold one of said character identification signals, each of said memory units being assigned a respective position on the line of print; means for directing each character identification signal to a specific memory unit as determined by said data processing means; and distribution means for reading out all of the units of said memory in a predetermined sequence to said line printer and for causing said printer to print out a series of characters corresponding to the signals read out from all of said memory units.

Claim 27

Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said printer comprises a plurality of controllable character-forming elements each adapted to imprint any one of a plurality of symbols corresponding to an applied control signal; said distribution means including a one-character storage register arranged to receive the character identification signals as they are read out from said memory; an analyzer for sensing each character in said storage register and to produce an output signal reflecting the presence of a predetermined characteristic respecting the nature of the character to be printed; a shift register responsive to the output of said analyzer for storing in the register stages a series of data bits reflecting the analyzed characteristics of each character read out from storage; and actuating means for reading out said shift register to said printer with each individual shift register stage controlling a corresponding character-forming element.

Claim 28

Apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein said memory is read out repetitively to said storage register, said analyzer serving to search for a different characteristic during each readout and to load said shift register with corresponding data bits, said actuating means being responsive to each set of data bits stored in said shift register.

Claim 29

Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said analyzer searches for a different numeric during each readout of said memory, so that each complete set of data bits in said shift register indicates whether a particular numeric is present in each respective memory unit.

Claim 30

Apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the character-forming elements of said printer comprise a series of adjacent type elements adapted to be moved to any of a plurality of positions in each of which a corresponding character can be printed; said shift register being successively loaded in a series of passes with sets of data bits representing the presence or absence of the successive characters adapted to be printed by said type elements; and means responsive to each set of data bits in said shift register for placing individual type elements in positions to print out the characters represented by the data bits then stored in the shift register.

Claim 31

In a system of the type wherein a data processor transmits character identification signals to peripheral apparatus controlling the operation of an output device adapted to produce on a document or the like graphic symbols corresponding to the character identification signal; that improvement wherein said peripheral apparatus includes memory means having a plurality of distinct units each arranged to store a corresponding character identification signal; means responsive to signals from the data processor for directing individual character identification signals to particular memory units as determined by said data processor; and means for reading out said memory units to said output device in a predetermined pattern so as to produce on the document graphic symbols each having a placement and character identity controlled by said data processor.

Claim 32

In a system of the type wherein a data processor transmits character identification signals to peripheral apparatus controlling the operation of an output device adapted to produce on a document or the like graphic symbols corresponding to the character identification signal; that improvement wherein said peripheral apparatus includes memory means having a plurality of distinct units each arranged to store a corresponding character identification signal; means responsive to signals from the data processor for directing individual character identification signals to particular memory units as determined by said data processor; and means for reading out said memory units to said output device in a predetermined pattern so as to produce on the document graphic symbols each having a placement and character identity controlled by said data processor.

Claim 39

Data-handling and manipulating apparatus comprising cyclical storage means having a plurality of sequential sections each subdivided into slots where individual digits can be inserted; means for inserting multidigit numbers into said storage sections, respectively and with the least significant digit of each number in the last storage slot of the corresponding storage section; means for inserting marker signals in the last slot of those storage sections containing numbers to be manipulated; means for reading out from said storage sections the digits in the marked slots; arithmetic means coupled to said reading means and operable to manipulate the digits from the marked slots to produce a resultant digit; and means for shifting said marker signals to the next set of storage slots in a direction progressing towards the beginning of each section, so that the new digit data thus marked can be read out for manipulation by said arithmetic means.

Claim 40

Data-handling and manipulating apparatus comprising cyclical storage means having a plurality of sequential sections each subdivided into slots where individual digits can be inserted; means for inserting multidigit numbers into said storage sections, respectively and with the least significant digit of each number in the last storage slot of the corresponding storage section; means for inserting marker signals in the last slot of those storage sections containing numbers to be manipulated; means for reading out from said storage sections the digits in the marked slots; arithmetic means coupled to said reading means and operable to manipulate the digits from the marked slots to produce a resultant digit; and means for shifting said marker signals to the next set of storage slots in a direction progressing towards the beginning of each section, so that the new digit data thus marked can be read out for manipulation by said arithmetic means.

Claim 41

Apparatus as claimed in claim 28, including CRT display means respoNsive to character data read out from said storage means and operable to present a series of numeric symbols corresponding to said stored numbers, each number being presented on a respective display line with the least significant digits aligned.

Claim 42

Apparatus as claimed in claim 29, including means for reinserting the resultant digit data in said storage means to be presented on said CRT aligned with the multidigit numbers.

Claim 43

Apparatus as claimed in claim 29, including a printer for developing printed symbols corresponding to data characters in said storage means; and control means responsive to data read out from said storage means for actuating said printer.

Claim 44

Apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said numbers and said resultant are stored in a predetermined portion of said storage means; a CRT display device for presenting characters corresponding to signals read out from said predetermined portion of said storage means; said printer control means being responsive to data signals read out from another portion of said storage means; and transfer means for storing in said other storage means portion character data read out from said predetermined portion, whereby the printer can be actuated without loss of presentation of the original characters of the CRT display.

Claim 45

Data-handling apparatus comprising cyclical storage means having a plurality of sequential sections each subdivided into slots where individual digits can be inserted; means for inserting multidigit numbers into certain sections of a first group of said storage sections; arithmetic means coupled to said storage means and operable to manipulate the inserted multidigit numbers to produce a resultant digits; means for inserting said resultant digits in another section of said first group of storage sections; CRT display means responsive to data read out from said first group of storage sections for presenting symbols corresponding to the inserted characters; printer means responsive to data read out form a second group of said storage sections to make corresponding imprints on a document or the like; and transfer means for inserting in said second group of storage sections data corresponding to that stored in said first group of storage sections, whereby to effect operation of said printer while retaining the display of characters on said CRT.

Claim 46

Data-handling apparatus comprising cyclical storage means having a plurality of sequential sections each subdivided into slots where individual digits can be inserted; means for inserting multidigit numbers into certain sections of a first group of said storage sections; arithmetic means coupled to said storage means and operable to manipulate the inserted multidigit numbers to produce a resultant digits; means for inserting said resultant digits in another section of said first group of storage sections; CRT display means responsive to data read out from said first group of storage sections for presenting symbols corresponding to the inserted characters; printer means responsive to data read out form a second group of said storage sections to make corresponding imprints on a document or the like; and transfer means for inserting in said second group of storage sections data corresponding to that stored in said first group of storage sections, whereby to effect operation of said printer while retaining the display of characters on said CRT.

Claim 47

Apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein said transfer means includes means responsive to control signals read out from said first group of sections for directing the individual numeric characters to particular storage slots as determined by as said control signals; said printer means including means to produce printed indicia in positions corresponding to the storage slots in which respective numerics are stored in said second group of storage sections.

Claim 48

Apparatus as claimed in claim 34, including means for inserting in said first group of storage sections characters identifying specific transactions as well as characters representing the numerics of such transactions; and means for directing said transaction identifying characters as control signals to said responsive means for determining the storage locations of said numeric characters.