The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 05, 1981
Filed:
Oct. 10, 1978
Martin E Chamoff, Rochester, MN (US);
Irving L Miller, Pine Island, MN (US);
Donald L Thorson, Rochester, MN (US);
Other;
Abstract
A reconfigurable 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 for communicating information between an operator and the programmable processor. At least two of the terminals are media terminals further including a storage for containing both data from the terminals and programs for all of the terminals in the cluster. Selection circuitry is provided to designate any one of the media terminals as a primary media terminal, such that all other terminals in the cluster, including others of the media terminals, exchange both data and programs with the primary media terminal. The selection circuitry is operable to designate different ones of the media terminals as the primary media terminal without the requirement of any physical reconfiguration of the cluster of terminals.