Forms generating and information retrieval system

Claim 1

A forms generating and information retrieval apparatus, comprising: first means for storing a large number of independent, machine-readable form files, said first means including a compact disc reader and a compact disc detachably mounted in said compact disc reader and having written thereon in machine-readable form all of said large number of form files, each of said form files having associated therewith a unique identification code and having a plurality of information field identifiers; second means for storing a plurality of machine-readable information files, said second means including a magnetic media reader and a magnetic media mounted in said magnetic media reader and having written thereon in machine-readable form a plurality of information files each divided up into a plurality of fields each with its own identifier, each of said information files having associated therewith a unique identification code; processing means; access means for allowing an operator to communicate with said processing means, said access mean being utilized to allow said operator to selectively identify one of said form files and one of said information files by communicating to said processing means said respective identification codes and to selectively identify field identifiers of said selected form files; said processing means being in communication with said first means and said second means, said processing means being responsive to said operator selection of identification codes and field identifiers such that said processing means can direct said first means to locate a selected one of said form files corresponding to the respective identification code and transmit said selected forms file to said processing means for storing therein, and can direct said second means to locate a selected one of said information files corresponding to the respective identification code and transmit said selected information file to said processing means for storing therein, said processing means being active to merge said selected stored forms file with said selected stored information file fields as specified by said selected field identifiers; and means in communication with said processing means for printing said merged files.