Workstation for local and remote data processing

• US 4,665,501 A
• Filed: 09/30/1983
• Issued: 05/12/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Espirt Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Esprit Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Maurer, Allan, Livoti, Michael V., Saldin, Neil P., Strum, Bruce J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Archie E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAN, EMILY Y
• Application Number:
  US06/537,637
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File, 364/521, 340/720, 340/711, 340/721
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/128 for dedicated transfers to a network for protocol converters G06F13/387
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/153 using cathode-ray tubes

Abstract

A computer workstation includes a display monitor and keyboard that can be used as a smart terminal for remote data processing in a first operating mode and that can be used as part of a microcomputer in a second operating mode. To provide maximum software compatibility separate display generators are provided, one for each operating mode. A network operating mode can also be provided.

Claims

1. A workstation for performing both local and remote data processing, comprising:

a display unit, having a first display memory, a first display control circuit, a display monitor, a data communications port and a first keyboard input port, said display unit being responsive to displayable data designating signals supplied to said data communications port with a first data format and said keyboard input port with a first keyboard format for storing said data in said first display memory, and said first display control circuit being responsive to said data in said first display memory for generating first display signals with signal format for operating said display monitor;

a computer unit including a central processor unit, a second display memory, a second display control circuit, a second keyboard input port, at least first and second data communications ports, a keyboard output port and a control program for controlling said central processing unit, said keyboard output port connected to said first keyboard input port of said display unit for supplying signals including said displayable data designating signals thereto said first data communications port being connected to said data communications port of said display unit for exchange of signals including said displayable data designating signals therewith, said control program including a terminal mode control program for operating said central processing unit to couple data including said displayable data supplied to said second keyboard input port by a keyboard with second keyboard format to said keyboard output port with said first keyboard format at said keyboard outport port and to couple data including said displayable data between said first and second data communications ports with said first data format at said first data communications port and second data format at said second communications port compatible with a remote data source, said control program including a local display program for causing said central processing unit to supply data to said second display memory and to cause said second display control circuit to respond to data in said second display memory for generating second display signals with said signal format for operating said display monitor;

and a display signal switch coupled to said first and second display circuits and said monitor for supplying said first display signals to said display monitor when said central processing unit operates under said terminal mode control program and for supplying said second display signals to said display monitor when said central processing unit operates under said local display program.

2. A workstation as specified in claim 1 wherein said display signal switch is connected to said first display control circuit, and wherein said first display control circuit is arranged to generate a switch control signal in response to command signals from said central processing unit.

3. A workstation as specified in claim 1 wherein said second display control circuit includes a display data bus for coupling data from said central processing unit to said second display memory, and wherein said keyboard data output port is coupled to said display data bus for receiving said keyboard data from said central processing unit.

4. A workstation as specified in claim 3 wherein said keyboard data output port comprises a parallel to serial data converter.