Clustered terminals with writable microcode memories & removable media for applications code & transactions data

• US 4,468,750 A
• Filed: 01/04/1980
• Issued: 08/28/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Piller, Don W., Chamoff, Martin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas, James D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Williams, Jr., Archie E.
• Application Number:
  US06/109,700
• Time in Patent Office: 1,698 Days
• Field of Search: 364/900 MS File, 364/200 MS File, 364/402, 364/403, 364/404, 364/405, 364/401, 235/379, 235/381, 340/147 P
• US Class Current: 709/251
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/202 where processing functionality is redundant redundant communication control functionality G06F11/2005, redundant storage control functionality G06F11/2089
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2046 where the redundant components share persistent storage G06F11/2043 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/124 where hardware is a sequential transfer control unit, e.g. microprocessor, peripheral processor or state-machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/14 Systems including one or more distant stations co-operating with a central processing unit data transmission in general H04L; telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station H04Q9/00

Abstract

A clustered system of data-entry terminals includes a plurality of physically separate data-entry terminals coupled to a communications link in a cluster. Each of the terminals includes a programmable digital processor for transferring data and programs over the communications link. Each of the terminals further includes entry devices and display devices for communicating information between an operator and the programmable processor.

Claims

1. A clustered system of data-entry terminals, comprising:

(A) a communications link;

(B) a removable, non-volatile storage medium containing a plurality of application-code modules as well as at least first and second transaction data;

(C) a media terminal including

(a) direct-access storage means for removably holding said storage medium and for directly transferring said application-code modules and said transaction data,

(b) first input/output means for entering and displaying said first transaction data,

(c) first line-adapter means coupled to said communications link for transmitting said application-code modules and for receiving said second transaction data,

(d) first addressable storage means having a read/write part and containing microcode for loading different ones of said application-code modules into said read/write part,

(e) first programmable processing means coupled to the above media-terminal elements for executing both said microcode and any of said application-code modules in said addressable storage, and

(f) first enclosure means for housing the above media-terminal elements in a unitary physical package and for providing access to said removable, non-volatile storage medium;

(D) at least one satellite terminal including

(a) second input/output means for entering and displaying said second transaction data,

(b) second line-adapter means coupled to said communications link for transmitting said second transaction data to said media terminal and for receiving said applications-code modules from said media terminal,

(c) second addressable storage means having a read/write part and containing microcode for loading different ones of said application-code modules into said read/write part,

(d) second programmable processing means coupled to the above satellite-terminal elements for executing both said microcode and any of said application-code modules in said addressable storage means, and

(e) second enclosure means for housing the above satellite-terminal elements in a further unitary physical package.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said removable, non-volatile storage medium is a magnetic medium.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said magnetic medium is a flexible disk.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said direct-access storage means includes a third programmable processing means.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said third processing means is coupled to said second addressable storage means for communication with said second processing means.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second addressable storage means each have a read-only part for containing said microcode.