Information verification system and digital data input unit

Claim 1

A system for selectively checking from a plurality of remote locations information accumulated at a central location comprising a plurality of remote inquiry units disposed at spaced locations to be accessible to persons requiring periodic access to information accumulated at a central location, each said unit having a keyboard of 10 number keys individually representing the digits 0 through 9 respectively, a series of digit display wheels rotatable about a common axis with each wheel bearing the digits 0 through 9 individually spaced on the circumference of the wheel and each wheel having a normal standby position common to all of said wheels, means in each unit for rotating and stopping said wheels in representing a multidigit number inserted into the unit by successively depressing the appropriate number keys making up said number whereby collectively said wheels display said multidigit number, and a sending key for operating the unit to transmit digital signals representing said multidigit number, operation of the unit in response to said sending key also acting to reset said wheels to said normal standby position, and a central information storing unit connected to each of said inquiry units to receive said digital signals representing multidigit numbers, said storing unit having means therein for comparing said digital signals as received from said inquiry units with stored information and for returning a reporting signal to the respective inquiry units indicative of the presence or absence of stored information in said storing unit corresponding to said digital signals; said information storing unit further including an enabling signal sender which transmits in succession enabling signals unique to each inquiry unit respectively, said enabling signal when detected by the inquiry unit to which it is unique, activating such inquiry unit to enable it to transmit digital signals representing a multi digit number while the remaining inquiry units are blocked from transmitting digital signals.

Claim 2

A system for selectively checking from a plurality of remote locations information accumulated at a central location comprising a plurality of remote inquiry units disposed at spaced locations to be accessible to persons requiring periodic access to information accumulated at a central location, each said unit having a keyboard of 10 number keys individually representing the digits 0 through 9 respectively, a series of digit display wheels rotatable about a common axis with each wheel bearing the digits 0 through 9 individually spaced on the circumference of the wheel and each wheel having a normal standby position common to all of said wheels, means in each unit for rotating and stopping said wheels in representing a multidigit number inserted into the unit by successively depressing the appropriate number keys making up said number whereby collectively said wheels display said multidigit number, and a sending key for operating the unit to transmit digital signals representing said multidigit number, operation of the unit in response to said sending key also acting to reset said wheels to said normal standby position, and a central information storing unit connected to each of said inquiry units to receive said digital signals representing multidigit numbers, said storing unit having means therein for comparing said digital signals as received from said inquiry units with stored information and for returning a reporting signal to the respective inquiry units indicative of the presence or absence of stored information in said storing unit corresponding to said digital signals; said information storing unit further including an enabling signal sender which transmits in succession enabling signals unique to each inquiry unit respectively, said enabling signal when detected by the inquiry unit to which it is unique, activating such inquiry unit to enable it to transmit digital signals representing a multi digit number while the remaining inquiry units are blocked from transmitting digital signals.