DE2226290C2 - Device and method for displaying information on a display device that can be refreshed cyclically - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for displaying information on a cyclically refreshable Display device according to the preamble of claim 1 and such a method according to the preamble of claim 28.

In the case of display systems, the display devices such. B. a cathode ray tube, use none Have memory properties, an external memory must be provided. The information is out read out the memory in any predetermined sequence and each time to rewrite the Display device used. Usually there is a fixed allocation between the storage locations for one Characters in the memory and a display location for the character on the display device. Be rr'hrere Display devices are written from a single memory, so there are separate memory locations for each Requires character to appear on each of the display devices

Although this system described above is sufficient for many applications, this can become a door lead to redundant storage of information when a given unit of information such. Legs News script or a ticker indicating stock market data, on a number of from the memory described display devices is to be displayed. Will be the data to be displayed on all Display devices at a common point

it indicated the above problem so far solved by using suitable logic circuits, however, one is in sections split display is used and the user receives the

Option to display special types of information in different areas or sections given to the display device, the problem of making optimum use of the memory becomes more complicated.

In addition, the memory usually are to be displayed on a given display means characters in successive, or at least interdependent memory locations stored, ie _t memory locations from each other by a uniform number of characters separated so that reading out of the memory and of the distribution of the extracted character on the suitable display devices a fixed clock arrangement can be used. In the case of a display divided into sections, in which some stored information sections are displayed in different or even in the same section part of a number of different display devices, while on the other hand, during the same refreshing or regeneration process of the display devices, the information to be displayed in each of the other display sections is different Memory areas are released, a division of the memory for successive readout for each of the display devices is no longer possible. In addition, if the operator is given the opportunity to choose between several types of display when displaying the information, it is possible to display a given piece of information in different sections in different ways and also to display different types of information and pieces of information in each of the display types, there is no possibility to store the information necessary for the various kinds of information in any predetermined order with a corresponding efficiency.

A display divided into sections in general and a display divided into various types divided display in particular, it is therefore necessary to save the memory for rewriting to obtain information to be displayed on the display device in another way. Ideally, it should allow any piece of information to be displayed on one or more display devices is intended to be stored in memory only once, and should have maximum flexibility in the allocation of Memory areas or memory sections for controlling the display of information on an or allow several sections of the associated display devices.

The display devices indicated above are usually a keypad or other Input device for data provided, so that it is possible for an operator to enter a given Request data display section, change the data displayed in this display section, carry out various processing operations, preselect display types or carry out other functions. A visible inscribed marldening on the display usually indicates the point on the display where a new character will appear or the one Editing function will begin. A controller stores an indication of the location of the Enrollment marking and effects functions that were preselected with the keypad and those on the specified position m the corresponding memory area be initiated. Used in the above

If the type of display is changed, the point at which the Inscription marking is to be arranged for the new type of display. The inscription mark was always on the Position of the first character of the first display section is arranged, so this requires a relatively simple one Way of working. However, there are several types of information displayed that the operator can use can not control. These types of information are commonly referred to as common displays and include such pieces of information as news scripts, stock market data tickers and others of one shared source information. If a new type of display is selected, one must be Determination must be made which sections contain common indications and the inscribing mark must be placed at the first character position of the first section, which is not a common Includes ad. If all sections contain common displays, this special operating mode no enrollment mark will be displayed. In addition, the operator can given to indicate a particular type of display in which he will arrange the marking would like to. To carry out this function, the system must be able to determine the type of display that is used in each of the sections appears, and the position of the write mark at the first character position of the first section or the next section, which contain the desired type of information.

There may also be applications where more than one section of the display is used to display a certain type of information is required. Make two or more sections this way chained together, there must be a way that the assembly could become the first of the chained together Sections each return if z. B. provided a write mark in the starting position or a similar function is to be performed.

Another problem that can arise with a display using different types of display is that the information displayed in a given section may be periodically updated for a given type of display. In conventional displays, such as newsletters, this is of course done continuously, with appropriate changes being made in the memory portions containing this information. However, in order to conserve memory, a special memory area may be used to different ^f In orrnationsarten store for different types of displays. If one of the types of information is periodically updated, it is advantageous if this information can be retained and the renewal of this information is continued during the time during which the information is not displayed. However, if the special memory area is used to display a different type of information in the newly selected display type, the memory area must be cleared and the renewal of the information prevented. Suitable facilities must therefore also be provided to carry out these functions.

Finally, the operator should be able to determine the type of information and / or the Change the order of the information displayed in each of the different display modes. the

The system must therefore be able to respond to commands to change the display type and to carry out them be able to refresh the memory contents as necessary.

Although the requirements stated above exist especially in cyclically refreshed display devices, as many of these requirements are equally necessary for other reading devices of Datenversibeitungseinrichtungen when they split into different types of information infor- _{| Q} mationsabschnitte Show will. The expression display or display device chosen in the following description is therefore generally related to readout devices for data processing devices.

The US-PS 35 73 732 relates to a Vorrich- _{| 5} processing for displaying information on a cyclically • uffrischbaren display device. A storage device, preferably formed by a magnetic drum, has a plurality of addressable storage sections, wherein, for example, the individual storage section _JQ can comprise a plurality of tracks of the magnetic drum. The information sections to be displayed on the display device are stored in each of these addressable memory sections. A, a gate control unit having the darzustel- _M loin information in each refresh cycle is selectively read out to the display device. This indicator is not divided into display sections, but it corresponds to each of the individual sections of information an instantaneous frame of Anzei- _χ geeinrichtung. Using a keyboard, changes and new entries can be made at locations in the storage devices that are determined by their addresses. It is not possible to combine the multiple information sections during a refresh cycle.

From DE-OS 18 12 541 an arrangement for displaying data on several television screens is known, in which the control is carried out by a central control device. A subdivision of each Screens in sections is not provided. The individual display lines of a screen are displayed in Multiplex mode is displayed one after the other. The information for the entire image is saved. Specific addressing of individual sections is not possible.

From DE-AS 12 50 662 it is known to use a sequential addressing device in a matrix printer that prints the matrix-shaped characters in columns, in which the control word read out from a read-only memory as a _{function of an M character code for driving the required column needles} also at the same time has a section in which the address for the following control word is contained. The following control word _Μ is used to drive the needle for the next column and in turn contains an address for the then following control word

GB-PS 10 45 929 describes the possibility of addressing a particular memory location in an image memory to _Μ. The address memories designed as shift registers are changed cyclically so that the memory locations are read out one after the other in a corresponding manner. An association between section addresses and information to be displayed for _f5 the various display sections is not provided.

The invention is based on the object of a

Apparatus and a method of the type mentioned to indicate that a better and more versatile Enable use of the display device and in which the refreshing of the displayed Nonetheless, information can be carried out easily.

The device according to the invention has the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. The Method according to the invention the features of claim 28.

In the device according to the invention, the display device, for example the screen of a cathode ray tube, divided into several sections or segments, and those in the respective sections Information to be displayed is stored in corresponding memory sections. To now one after the other read out the correct memory sections and send them to the display device to refresh the information displayed to be supplied, the address memory contains those addresses which are assigned to the memory sections of the Specify the display sections to be displayed. These The configuration of the device according to the invention allows the elements to be represented in the individual sections To store information at any point in the storage device, since after each refresh process of a display section is followed by the refreshing operation of the next following display section, in which the next corresponding address is used. Recognizes the particular advantage of this facility one considering the possibility of a change in a certain section of the display device the information presented is to take place. For example, it is conceivable that first in a display section a price overview is displayed, and that then in the same display section certain messages are to be displayed. To the appearance and freshening up of the new To achieve information, it is only necessary in the device according to the invention that in the To change the addresses of the relevant new section stored in the address memory. So it is omitted complicated restoring processes. The device according to the invention proves to be particularly advantageous, if several display devices are provided that are controlled from a central point. With the According to the invention, it is possible to have a plurality of display sections on all display devices to be provided and the display sections on the individual devices optionally and independently of one another to use for the representation of certain information.

Preferred developments of the invention are characterized in subclaims 2 to 27 and 29 to Ή.

An embodiment of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing individual shows

F i g. 1 shows an illustration of an exemplary display for a preferred embodiment,

Fig. 2 to 5 representations showing the different types indicate in which the display can be divided into sections,

F i g. 6a and 6b together form a schematic block diagram the installation of a preferred embodiment,

F i g. 7 shows the representation of a keypad which, in connection with the in FIGS. 6a and 6b Embodiment is usable,

F i g. 8a and 8b together form a diagram that shows the in

a Siiuerbereich of the in F i g. 6a shown memory represents containing information,

Fig.9 a? showing part of the information * Illustration that starts at the beginning of one of the sections in the in Fig. 6a is included,

Fig. IOA and IOB together form a generalized Flow diagram of the functions performed by the system as a function of the various input signals from the keypad,

F i g. 11 is a flow diagram of the functions involved in Display of the stored information can be carried out,

Figure 12 is a flow diagram of the functions involved in a change in the type of information or the composition of the information performed which are displayed on a given display device during one or more display modes,

13A shows a representation of the mask used for the original assignment and construction of a Display type is displayed,

13B shows the illustration of one selected as an example Mask that is displayed when a display type is changed,

Figures HA through 14F are a detailed flow chart of the functions performed when a display mode or function key is pressed on the keypad, the figures, as in Fig. 14 represented, summarized,

15A and 15B together show a schematic block diagram of a control unit which is used for the in F i g. 6B is to be used.

Fi g. Figure 1 shows a representation of a typical display which appears on the screen of a cathode ray tube or the screen of a similar display device employing the teachings of the invention. The in F i g. 1 shown special display is provided for an information system indicating stock exchange data. For the sake of explanation, the following description primarily refers to such a system. FIG. 2 shows the diagram of the display shown in FIG. From the F i g. 1 and 2 it can be seen that in this display scheme three lines are used to display the "New York Stock Exchange ticker" and three lines for the "American Stock Exchange ticker". A three-line space is then provided between two sections, which are followed by six lines of P. ice information that relate to a particular exchange. Then follows a further existing three line spacing und'weitere six lines, which are used for the display of financial information, either for storage in the system of the display zv itself or to any other terminal of the system are generated. The last six lines can, however, also display the information from the news fonts of a news service. As best seen in Fig. 2, the lines of the display are usually 40 characters wide, extending from a display position assigned to the fifth character to a display position assigned to the 44th character. However, in order to achieve a marüms! "Expansion for the display of a moving ticker, the full 48 possible characters would be used for each ticker line

The individual characters of the in Fig.! shown Advertisements are made by? I'äb '»s' ~ e! Msnsivierung individual formed from seven index points the on each The characters appear in one of five scanning tests are therefore generated in a 5 χ 7 matrix of 35 index points. Each of the lines is separated by a number of Generates scan jumps required for the given number of characters. A circuit for Generation of characters of the type mentioned is described in US Pat. No. 3,500,327. It's also on it indicate that the display has a letter marking 10 contains. This marking is given by intensifying all 35 index points at one Character position causes, The writing mark indicates the character position on the display at which a new, character received by the system will be stored and displayed or at which a required Editing function will begin. More about the egg writing marking is given in the following Description given.

From the following description it will be more clearly understood that the 24 lines of those shown in FIGS Display is divided into eight sections of 3 lines each. In the case of the in FIG. 2 display scheme the first three-line section shows the »New York Stock Exchange ticker«, the second, three-line section Section the "American Stock Exchange Ticker", the third three-line section gives a space section which is a blank line, followed by a line of spaced dots and finally has another blank line. The fourth and fifth sections are used for a price display, the The sixth section again indicates a space and the seventh and eighth sections are used for display of business information.

The scheme shown in Figure 2 is only one possible of the many schemes or ways in which the eight sections of the display can be used. As in F i g. As shown in Fig. 3, the first three sections are used in the same way as in Fig. 3. 1. However, the the last five sections of the display are concatenated to form a fifteen-line area Form display of business information. In Fig.4, all eight sections of the display are with one another concatenated to display business information, while in Fig. 5 the 48-character one Ticker display of the first two sections has been replaced by a conventional 40 characters, 6Z; t'en, so two sections having area, the z. B. to display price or business information can be used. In addition to changing the size of the groups of sections and areas for Different display types, can also use the information displayed in each section of the display for different types of display can be changed. Thus, the first group of sections can be in a form shown in FIG. 5 shown Display a first type of price information in a first display type, the second section group one the second type of price information and the third group of sections contain business information, while in a second display type the first section group is business information, the second Section group a first type of price information

5Q and the third group of subsections News Fonts may contain. With such a display, there are almost unlimited possibilities for variation of the possible display types. In the following description it is indicated,

g, how these different display types are generated and

"*" can be controlled- ».

In dc-F: g ^c \ -md 6B is a general circuit diagram Si. «Jic Ar-Sage-, .- ^ cti a preferred embodiment-

Example of the invention shown The system is used for Control of multiple terminals 12 used, each of which has a display device 14 and a keypad 16 Each of the display devices 14 can display information of the FIG. 1 to 5 shown Show.

The information for controlling and rewriting the display on each of the display devices 14 is contained in a memory 18 with a free access sequence, e.g. B. can be a magnetic core memory. The memory 18 jo is divided into a number of areas. The first few address storage locations of the memory 18 form an input buffer area 18Λ, where the information from one of the keypads 16 or from any other external device can be stored for a certain period of time. The second group of memory areas are the control areas 18A. A control area 18B is provided for each of the display devices 14a FIG. 8 shows in detail the control area for one of these display devices. As in F1 g. As shown in bA, each control area for each display device usually includes an area 20 which contains the section addresses in memory 18 for the sections used to rewrite each of the eight sections of a display on a given display device. Area 22 of control area 180 usually contains only one word as an indication for the location of the write mark 10 including the section address of the mark. An area 24 contains a keypad jump address and various spar words. The function of the words contained in this area will be explained later. An area 26 of the control area contains various words for the screen scheme, each of which indicates the type of information in each section for different modes of operation of the display device. An area 28 contains the section addresses for all four modes of operation of the display device , the section address for one of these display modes also appearing in area 20. _w

Areas 18C of memory 18 are conventional sections containing pieces of information such as tickers, news scripts, and the like. The information these sections can be displayed on any display device, but only in a single form and cannot be changed. The remaining areas. Areas 18D. of the memory are work areas that are individually assigned to the display device and which can contain price, business or other types of information to be displayed on the display devices.

The information in the memory 18 is read out under the control of addressing signals which are received on lines 30 from an addressing circuit 32. The addressing information is sent to the addressing circuit 32 via a line 34 from the OR gate 36. At the OR gate 36 μ the information is received via a line 38 from the control unit 40 and via a line 42 from a word counter 44 and a register 46 for the section numbers. The _Μ control unit 40 performs various processing operations and generates various address and information output signals for the memory 18. The control unit 40 is typically a program-controlled processing system for a specific or general purpose. A lineage trained for a special purpose. which can perform some of the functions required by the control unit 40 is shown in FIG Figures 15A and 15B and described later.

As can be seen in more detail later, each addressable memory location in the memory 18 has a word address which is usually divided into two characters. The system has a clock circuit 48 for the display, see FIG. 6B. This clock circuit has a counter 50 for the character clock which runs synchronously with the speed at which the display passes the character positions on a display device 14 and which is usually reset to zero when it reaches a count of 40 a counter 52 for the line clock, which is further counted by the line clock on a line 53 when the character counter has been reset to zero and which is reset itself when it reaches an error level of 24. Furthermore, a counter 54 is provided for the section clock, the the section clock continues to count on a line 55, which is always generated when the counter for the clock pulse has been reset to zero. The counter for the section clock resets itself to 0 when it has reached a count of 8 As will be seen shortly, N devices are scanned for each character count 56 provided. This counter is reset to 0 when it reaches a count of N , where N is the number of terminals of the system and generates a character clock on line 51. when it is reset. The display device clock appears on an output line 60 from counter 57, the character clock appears on an output line 62 from counter 50. the line clock appears on an output line 64 from counter 52 and the section clock appears on an output line 66 from counter 54. The however, various clock lines have not been connected to the switching points of the circuits at which they are needed. Instead, appropriately labeled and labeled lines appear at each of these points.

The line 51 carrying the character clock is connected to a divider 68 for division by the number 7 and generation of the word clock on a line 70. The word clock on the line 70 is passed to the word counter 44 for further counting, the word counter 44 being used to display the word positions in each area 18C or 18D which is read out by the display devices 14 at any given time for rewriting. The registers 46 contain the section addresses in the areas 18C or 18O of the memory 18 of the sections which are read out at any given time for rewriting the displays on the corresponding attracting devices 14. A section register 46 is provided for each display device. The appropriate one is given to one of the registers 46 in each case from the on /. In this way, the content of the first of the registers 46 on the lines 42 is read out during the clock time I in order to read out the word of the address area specified in the register 44 from the memory 18.

Are all the words read out for the sections that are indicated by the addresses in register 46, control unit 40 generates address output signals on lines 38 to find the next section address in area 20 of the control areas for each of the

Notices via lines 72 to the appropriate register 46 read out. The control unit also simultaneously generates a signal on a line 74 to the To see through gate circuit 76 and thus to pass the address signals. The address of the Memory area used to control the display of the section on each display device 14 which is rewritten at any given time, is thus stored in register 46 for the display device

Those from areas 18C and 18D of memory t8 Words read out are given to a character generator 84 via a line 80 and a buffer and control circuit 82. The buffer and control circuit 82 takes into account that two characters are read out during each cycle and ensures that at each given time the correct character of these characters is given to the character generator. The character generator 84 can be any device that is capable information is to be received in a transmission and storage code, e.g. B. the seven bit ASCII code, and the characters received in a corresponding 35-bit video character convert as required for display.

The video output signal on the line 86 from the character generator 84 is via an OR gate 88 to a multiplex controller 90 is given. This control receives the clock from the clock line 60 as a further input signal. The controller 90 causes each of characters generated by the character generator 84 over the transmission line 92 to control the display the correct one of the display devices 14 is transmitted.

Is under the control of the address inputs from control unit 40 on lines 48 When information is read from the memory 18, this information reaches a data register 94 via lines 93, in which it is stored. The information in the data register 94 can either be given to the control unit 40 or under control of the control unit 40 via lines 95 are stored again in the memory 18. The control unit 40 can also store information in memory 18 by transferring this information to the Data register 94 is given.

As already indicated above, the control areas 180 have one for each display device Area 22 containing the address at which the write mark will be placed for any given display device. During the frame return time each time a display device is rewritten, the contents of the area 22 for each Display device over lines 96 read out and placed in a corresponding register of an enrollment marking register 98. The contents of the register 98 are compared in a circuit 100 with clock signals from the circuit 48. Does the measure indicate that the The display of a given display device is located at a location which contains the write-in marking for this display device the circuit 100 has an output signal on a line 102 which is a special character generator 104 which generates the symbol for the inscription marking, namely a video code with which all 35 Index points for the marking shown in Fig. 1 are intensified, and on a line 106 there. the Signals on line 106 are transmitted via a

, "

OR gate 88 given to the multiplex controller 90, in order to be distributed by this to the respective display devices.

In Fig.7 is the arrangement of a keypad shown as it is for the in F i g. The keypads 16 shown in FIG. 6B can be used. From Fig. 7 it can be seen that the keypad has a full set of letter keys 110, a full set of numeric keys 112, a Group edit buttons 114, a group of buttons 116 to form fractions, four for selection keys 118 used for the display type, a key 120 for business information, a key 122 for price information, a key 124 for requesting the structure a display type a key 126 for transmitting the structure of a display type additional keys 128, the can be used to carry out further special functions, a delete key 130, a key 132 for the starting position, a transfer button 134, a printout button 136, and a monitor button 138. Depressing any of these buttons causes a suitable code signal to be emitted via a transmission line 140 and shown in FIG. 6B a suitable intermediate unit 142 to the control unit 40. The manner in which these various encoded Input signals to the control unit 40 are used, will be briefly described.

The F i g. 8A and 8B show an illustration of the contents of the control area 180 of the memory 18 for a certain display device. From this figure it can be seen that the first four words of this area Display control words each contain two section addresses in memory 18 for sections contains the information to be displayed in the specified section positions on the display device contain. The first control word therefore contains the section addresses in the first and second Section of information to be displayed. In the case of the in FIG. 1 display training shown Section I contains the section address in conventional area 18C in which the information for the »New York Stock Exchange Ticker« is stored. The address of the second section is the address in area 18C of the section containing the information for the "American · Stock Exchange Ticker". The address in the first character position of the second control word is the address of the section containing the information for the space between has two sections. As the sixth section of the display also provides the information for such a Contains space is the memory address for the second character position of the third control word for the Display the same as that for the first character position of the second control word. The first four words shown in Fig. 8 are the words in area 20 in Fig.6A. As a result of these words, the in the register 46 stored characters given to the display devices.

The fifth control word for the display contains the address at which the write-in marker 10 is to be displayed in the display. It can be seen that this address has both a display section address, a display bit address and a display word address. The fifth control word corresponds to the area 22 shown in FIG point out that the control word for the display also has five bits which are used to indicate the type of a Display characters can be used to be displayed at a predetermined position on the display.

This sign just flashes. to notify the operator that there is a change in the Screen or one of the other display modes has taken place The in characters contained in these bits can be changed, in order to also change the character displayed at this particular point in the display.

The next word, the sixth word of the control area, is the indirect jump address specified by the keypad. The function of this word will be explained _{later in.} The next word on the display contains two characters that are the saving addresses for the section. The function of these characters will also be described later. The sixth and seventh words of the display are represented by the _{| 3} area 24 shown in FIG. 6A

The eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh words of the control area are umbrella scheme words. The first character of each of these words is used to indicate which type of information is stored in each of the two section areas of the display for each of the four possible display types of the display device. To understand the present invention, it is assumed that there are only three types of functions, namely a conventional one Type of function, such as for the ticker and news fonts, which are the same for all advertisements and cannot be changed by the operator, price displays that enable the operator to select a specific part of information from which he wants information. However, the operator does not make any changes! and business information that can be fully controlled by the operator. Zv. ei Bi »are used to indicate the type of function that is displayed in each of the three groups made up of two, -, sections for each of the four display types. In addition, the second character of the first screen scheme word contains the screen scheme word for the type of display that is currently continuously displayed, namely the word for the valid display type and the second character of the second screen scheme word contains the screen -Sehen-v Word for the last and previously displayed type of display, namely the word for the previous display type. The four screen scheme words form the _4- , area 26 of the in FIG. 6B.

The last control area, the area 28 of the control part of the memory for the respective display device, contains the four display control words which are used for each of the four possible display modes of the display device. If a certain type of display is preselected for the display, then, as will be seen later, the words contained in area 28 for this type of display are transferred to the positions of the four words in area 20. π

F1 g. 9 shows the first two words of each of the work areas of area 18D of memory 18. These words are used for control purposes. The first of these words contains a pointer for a display section, namely the bits I to J of the first _bn character which indicates the relative position of the section within the eight sections that are displayed in the selected display type. The second character of this word contains an indication of the position of the inscription mark within the section. It should be pointed out that this information must necessarily be stored in the work area, since the operator can work in a different display section or in a different display type from that in which the memory area is used, and because the address of the write-in mark in area 22 of the memory only contains the information for the position of the write-in marking for the section in which work is currently being carried out. When the operator indicates that the write-in mark is in the given section, the stored address of the write-in mark is used to obtain the address stored in area 22 of the memory.

The second word of this area contains information in the first character position and in bits 1 to 4 of the second Character position unrelated to the present invention Bits 7 and 8 of the second characters are the first and last bits of a section, which are used in a manner to be described later Concatenation of sections can be used. Bit 6 is the A2 control bit that is used to prevent a Information renewal in a section for price odc business information used when this section is used for business information. That Bit 5 is not used in connection with the present invention

The F i g. 10A and 10B show a flow chart showing the various functions performed when various keys on the keypad 16 are pressed. In connection with these figures, it is first assumed that the operator presses one of the alpha-numeric keys 110, 112 or one of the edit keys 114, 130, 132, 136 or 138. Conditions branches the system from step 150 via the in FIG. From step 152 shown in FIG. 10B to step 154 . If the control unit 40 determines that an edit or data write key has been pressed, it determines the address of the consecutive display type word for the device which generates this command, the address of the write-in marking for the address part 2Γ of the device and the address of further control words, if this is required. The control unit generates address output signals on line 38 which cause these characters to be read from memory via line 93 into data register 94. Finally, the control unit takes the required words again from the data register 94 and stores them in suitable registers in the control unit. It should be noted at this point that the memory 18 has an access speed which is usually about 10 times greater than the speed at which characters are required for a display device 14 to be rewritten. Thus, many memory accesses for various control and other functions can be made between each access under control of lines 42 for the purpose of rewriting the display device.

The controller then decodes the received input signal (step 156). During the step, the control unit uses the retrieved function word, ie the progressive display type word, to determine whether the function commanded is a valid function for the section in which the write-in mark is located. Is z. For example, if the continuous display type word indicates that all sections are conventional sections, any writing of data or any editing function is invalid. In the same way, an attempt to edit text in a price information section is referred to in this appendix as

an invalid input signal is detected u Is detected by the Control unit during step 158 determines that the attempt to write data is invalid, so will this input signal from the system ignores (step 160), on the other hand, the control unit give an error signal to memory 18 during step 160, which is displayed on dpm command desk will.

If the commanded operation is valid, the system proceeds to step 162 during which the section which contains the write mark is determined. This determination is made from the information of the Write mark made the retrieved from area 22 of the control area of the memory will. The control unit then runs a suitable micro-program to carry out a required function di rch (step 164). This function can be carried out in a conventional manner and constitute the necessary operations not part of the present invention.

There are some functions, such as that of the button 130 commanded deletion or the arrangement of the write-in markers in the .g commanded by the key 132 Starting position that may make it necessary that the function executing the micro-program occurs in more than one section when two or more sections are used for specific display purposes are chained together. During step 166, the system therefore checks whether the function is suitable for its Execution of more than one section required If such a function is available, it uses the chaining bits at bit positions 7 and 8 of the second control word in each section (see FIG. 9) when the working micro-program reaches the end of a section to determine whether all required sections in the chain have been followed (step 168). Were not all sections of the chain are observed, the system goes back to step 164, the control unit taking the Carry out the function in the next section

If either as the result of the indication during step 166 that only one section is involved. or as a result of an indication during step 168 that all sections have been observed and the function have been completed, it has been determined that the function has actually completed. goes the Attachment to step 170. During this step the control unit determines the new position of the write-in marking as a result of the carried out Function, saves this address in the register for the write marking Jer control unit and then transmits this address to both the word for the Writing mark in the area 22 of the memory 18 as well as the first word of the work area or work areas involved in the operation. If more than one area was involved in the operation, step 170 includes the deletion of the write-in marking in the area in which it was originally was specified and stores a new entry for the write-in marking in the new area in which this is arranged With the completion of step 170, the control unit has completed its work process, which was initiated by pressing a key commanding data input or processing, and is ready to accept a new input signal.

If, as a result of the pressing of a key in step 150, it is determined that the key is on the key pad N

120 for business information or the J23 key for Price information was pressed, then there is an affirmative output signal when in FIG. 1OA shown Step 174, which detects the pressing of a function key. If the key 120 for business information is pressed, the write-in mark should be in the Moving the starting position of the first section for business information that follows the section where the write-in mark is currently located. Similarly, when you press the Price information button 122 moves the inset mark to the first section containing the price information that follows the section in which the Registered mark is currently located

In order to effect the functions specified above, in the first operational step 176 the continuous screen scheme word is read out from the area 26 of the memory 18 and read into a register of the control unit 40. As indicated above, this is an existing two-step operation that includes the readout of the word in ^ s data register 94 and the transfer of the Wones from the data register 94 in the control unit 40

The next operational step 178 is to determine the particular function; h whether it will !: to business ¹ = - or price information is the continuing display mode word in the control unit 40 is then scanned, starting with the section that follows the portion of the Einschreibmarkierung instantaneously containing to the next display section with the find the desired function (step 180). This step is described in more detail later. Basically, it involves searching for a two-bit code in the sequential display-style word of each section, starting with the section following the section currently containing the inscription mark, and selecting the first section which is the desired code having

If the desired section has been found, the address of the starting position of this section will be used determined by the control unit and the new address for the write-in marking in area 22 of the Control area (step 182). From Fig. 8A it can be seen that the area 22 represents the fifth control word for the display and thus is the word used to indicate the position of the inscription mark. Additionally, during step 182 the pointer in the first control word of the section that originally contained the write-in marker, the Move the write-in marking to the starting position and the control word for the write-in marking the section to which the writing mark was moved is also set to the starting position demonstrate. When these steps have been completed, the system is ready to receive a new input signal from the keypad.

It is assumed that one of the four keys 118

were pressed for the display types (Fig. 7). That

Pressing one of these buttons changes the Type of display of the relevant display device. It

is z. B. Assume that the four display modes in the F i g. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are shown. Therefore t is initially the display of type 1, with one shown in FIG. 2

_b 5 is performed and the

Button for display type 2 is pressed, the Type of display to the one shown in FIG. 3 switched. If at step 150 shown in FIG. 10A

determines that a key determining the display type has been pressed, an affirmative answer is determined in step 190. During step 192, the display words for the display type M are transmitted in the area 28 of the control areas for the respective display device in the area 20 which is the control word area of the memory for the respective display. During step 194, the currently consecutive display type word in the first screen scheme word of area 26 in the control area of the respective display device is transferred to the position of the previous display type word in the same area and the screen scheme word of the selected display type , e.g. B. display type 2 is transferred to the position of the respective consecutive display type word. Steps 192 and 194 thus set the control area of the memory for the new display type.

As indicated above, a given memory area of the work areas 18D can be used to store both price or business information for different types of display. If the area is used to store price information, the system will continue to want the stored information each time the price information is changed are not displayed during the time during which the price information is displayed, so that the latest and most current information is always available on the display device when the display mode for price information is selected again is not used to display business information During step 196 the system checks whether the previous display type word holds a price information section, and stores the address of this section :, in one of two saving addresses in the second word of the Area 29. The system then checks to see if the portion at the stored address is being used in the current current display mode to store business information, using the current display type word for that determination. If the section is used for business information in the currently running display mode, the section is cleared and the A2 bit (FIG. 9) in the second control word of the area is marked to prevent information renewal. This operation will be explained in detail later

During step 198, a determination is also made of the number of chained Sections carried out in the new display type and the concatenation bits, bits 7 and 8 of the second control word of each chained section are marked accordingly to have the relationship = to be specified between the sections.

The final step in changing the display mode of step 200 includes determining the position of the Einschreibmarkierung with the new display mode, and stores an indication of the new position of the _t Einschreibmarkierung. Basically, this includes capturing the first non-conventional section of the display and storing the home address of that section in area 22 of the control area of the memory. The pointer bits of the control words _{f of} the various sections involved are also set to indicate the appropriate addresses. When step 200 is ended, the system is ready to display information in the new display type.

F i g. Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the system according to the invention for controlling the segmented display. From Fig. 11 it can be seen that at the cycle time of a section X (step 210). the address of the section X in the area 20 for the display control word for each display device is read into the corresponding section register 46 (step 212). If X is therefore equal to 1, the address of section I in the first control word of each control area 18S is read into the assigned section register 46.

The system then proceeds to step 214, during which each of the indicators 14 from area 18C or 18D identified in section register 46 is rewritten. Assume that on the display device 1 in the first section, as shown in FIG. 1, the “New York Stock Exchange ticker” is displayed, the first character of the ticker section is read from the conventional areas 18C and the video code signal for this character is read out via the multiplex control 90 during the cycle time of the first display device distributed on the display device 14/4. If the second display device 14ß also displays the "New York Stock Exchange ticker" in its first section, this same ticker character is read out during the clock for the second display device and its video code signal is sent to the display device 14S. Was the first and second character read out for each display device 14 and ι on the display device rewritten, so the count in the 'word counter is incremented 44 and subsequently read out the second word for each of the specified in the registers 46 sections.

While this sequence of operations is being performed, the display clocks of the clock circuit 56 in the comparison circuit 100 with the positions of the write-in marking indicated in the registers 98 compared. If the counter reading for the clock is the same as the counter reading for a stored one Position of the registered marking, which is the case with conventional information such as the "New York Stock Exchange Ticker", indicating section is not the case, the comparison circuit 100 generates a positive Output signal on line 102 which is an affirmative output signal after step 216 in the Flowchart corresponds to This causes the display of the write mark (step 218) in which the special character generator 104 is turned on. The resulting write-in marking code signal, in which all 35 bits are activated, passes through the OR gate 88 and via the multiplex control 90 on the screen of the specified display device. The in F i g. 1 indicated mark 10 is therefore displayed in this way

At the same time, the system checks whether the end of the section has been reached (step 220). When the clock circuit 56 indicates by its character and the count of the clock that the end of the section has been reached, the control unit 40 generates an output signal on the line 74 and outputs an address signal via the line 38 to the memory address circuit 32 in order to obtain the to retrieve the next section address stored in registers 46 for each of the indicators. Is recognized during step 222X as not equal to XN , where XN specifies the last section, the eighth in the example chosen here

Is section, then the section address is simply incremented (step 224). If X was originally equal to 1, then X is counted to 2 during step 224 and the system goes back to step 212 so that the new section, e.g. B. Section 2, is rewritten on each display device. It should be noted that it takes about 6 characters to rewind each Zr-Ie on the display screen. Therefore, 6 character display times or approximately 60 memory cycles are available for the transfer of the new section information from memory 18 to registers 46. This transmission can therefore be effected without any delay in the display.

If it is determined during step 222 that X equals XN , i.e. that e.g. B. the eighth section of the display device is the one just described, then X is reset to AO, ie at the _na »oUo _n on Roicniol vuirH V luöhrenil Λακ ^ fhrittpc OOf,

is reset to I and the system goes back to step 212 to effect the rewriting of a new frame of the respective beginning display. From the description it can be seen that with the aid of the system according to the invention the display of a display divided into sections can be cyclically rewritten with information that is read out from different areas of a memory. Since the areas can be read out of the memory in any sequence according to the addresses indicated by the control registers, the areas used to rewrite the display need not be consecutive on a given display device and, in fact, do not even need a relationship with one another, being the same area for rewriting more than one section on the respective display device, e.g. For the sections representing the spaces, or for rewriting the same or different areas on different display devices during a respective frame. In this way, a display system of high efficiency and versatility is obtained.

Referring to Fig. 12, there is shown a flow chart of the operation of the system required for the display mode structure. A display type construction can occur under one or two different conditions. Initially, the operator carries out a display type construction of the original assignment to select the information to be displayed in the four different display types on his display device. The operator can later decide that he wishes to change the displayed information or the displayed scheme for one or more of the display types. In this second condition, the operator causes a change in the display type structure. Since the operation of a display type structure for the original assignment and a change in the display type structure is essentially the same, with the exception of the _{mask provided in each case ω} , the operations to be carried out under these two different conditions are described together.

In the flowchart shown in Fig. 12, when a display type structure is desired (step 221), the write-in mark is moved to a portion containing business information (step 223). If the inscription mark is not already arranged on a section containing business information, this can easily be achieved by pressing the key 120 assigned to the business information on the keypad. If the first section of the display is a section containing business information, this can also be reached by pressing the key 132 assigned to the starting position.

If the write-in marking is in the section containing business information, then by pressing the key 124 assigned to a display type structure, a structure mask is requested from the control unit (step 225). The mask provided for the display type structure of the original assignment has the scheme shown in FIG. 13A with dH stripe dots, one of which is provided for each of the three possible section areas of the memory in each of the four lines. Each line represents a different type of display. At the right end of the screen are the abbreviations used to indicate the five different types of information that can be displayed in the sections. The code TKR, which is written on one of the stripes, causes the "New York Stock Exchange ticker" and the "American Stock Exchange ticker" to be displayed in the section. This is the one in the first section of FIG. 1 information displayed. The NEWS code at a stripe point causes news information to be displayed in the corresponding section. If more than one piece of message information is available in the system, an additional code is required so that the operator can select the message service that is required in each case. The code M / 5 indicates business information and causes this information to be displayed in the desired section. The code QTE means price information, while the code SWi means exchange monitoring information. With the exchange monitoring information, a ticker-like display is generated for a single exchange, which indicates either the prices alone or price and quantity information for a specific number of the most recently carried out transactions. Of course, the system can also be provided for the selection of other types of information for display in each of the sections, the types of information available being different for applications that are not related to stock market data.

FIG. 13B shows what the mask can look like after the display modes 1 to 4 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 type shown have been entered. In contrast, instead of a display type structure, it leads to the original Assigning a change in the display type structure, the displayed mask is as in FIG. 13B with the pieces of information currently displayed in each of the sections correspondingly are specified.

It should be noted that. although eight sections are provided on the display, the mask only has spaces for specifying the content of only three sections. The reason is because of this described example of the invention that sections 1 and 2, 4 and 5, and 7 and 8, respectively are chained together. With the exception of the case where two adjacent groups of these sections Containing business information, Sections 3 and 6 respectively indicate the spaces between the Sections. Do adjacent groups of sections contain business information, such as this one in the F i g. 3 and 4 is shown, the one intermediate

space-specifying section between these groups of sections by a further, business information containing section replaced. The names provided in the mask for three sections are therefore sufficient to fully identify the advertisement.

If a mask for the display structure is shown on the screen, the operator fills in all the spaces when he carries out a display type structure for the initial assignment, or he changes the information areas to be displayed in selected fields when he changes the Performs display mode (step 227). In the latter case, the operator examines each to change information part, scans a plus sign in front of this field in order to identify _{it] 5} as a change and then scans a marking for the new section type.

Is filling the screen or changing the mask over, se the Bedienungsp convinced? Rso ⁿ visually that the keyed information matches his wishes (step 228) and then presses the button 126 for transmitting the display mode structure (step 230). This step can cause the mask to be transferred to a larger central data processing unit, in which section assignments, screen schema words and the like are generated for the new display type or display types and then returned to memory 18 for storage. In the case of the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown here, however, it is assumed that the control unit 40 contains appropriate circuits for performing these functions. Therefore, when the key 126 is pressed, the control unit makes various checks to ensure that all of the rules for assigning the display sections have been followed (step 232). If the control unit determines that there is an error in the display type structure, it generates the mask again on the display device which prompted the input of the mask, the incorrect data being masked out (step 234). The operator can then fill in the correct data.

If the control unit determines that the display type structure is correct, it carries out routine work processes to generate the required screen format words and store these words in area 26 of the Stores and generates the various display type words and stores these words in area 28 of the Memory (step 236). The control unit can also generate an acknowledgment or similar signal that appears on the screen of the display device which caused the display mode to be set up. Is the step 236 all information required for the new display type structure is stored in the system and the system can resume normal operation.

14A and 14F, summarized, constitute a detailed flow chart of the operation to be performed when a function key or display mode key is pressed. From Fig. 14A is _m can be seen that after the determination that a Anzeigeart- or function key has been pressed, first the further determination is made as to whether it was a Anzeigeart- or a function key (step 240). It is first assumed that one of the " ₃ " two function keys 120 or 122 on the keypad 16 has been pressed. Under these conditions, the mode of operation reaches step 242, during which the currently running display type word is read from the area 26 of the memory 18 into a suitable register of the control unit 40. It should be noted that this is the same process as in step 176 of Fig. 10. Thereafter, it is determined whether the depressed function key was the price information requesting key 122 (step 244). If the desired function means price information, a bit is set in a register of the control unit (step 246). If it is determined during step 244 that the function requests business information instead of price information, step 246 is skipped and the system goes directly to step 248.

During step 248 it is determined which section should be checked first. Two bits are stored in the last two bit positions of the register of the control unit which stores the currently running display mode word to address the section which will be checked first during the determination of the location of the write mark. It is assumed that the section indicated as the next section to be checked is the first section. In this condition, the system proceeds to step 250A during which it is determined whether the first section contains conventional information. This is done by examining the code for the first section in the control unit register which contains the word indicating a conventional display mode. If the first section has conventional information, as e.g. B. is the case when a ticker information, as in FIG. 1 is displayed, the system advances to step 252A to determine if all sections have been checked. Have all sections been checked, e.g. For example, if the first section test has checked the second section, an output signal is generated in step 258 which feeds the system back to its normal control program.

However, as in the example chosen here, step 252/4 generates an indication that all sections are still have not been checked, the system goes to step 250β to check whether the second section contains conventional information. If the second section contains conventional information, then the Go to step 252B to again determine that all sections have been checked. Were all sections checked, the system is returned to its normal control program, while, if not all sections have been checked, the system proceeds to step 250C to determine whether the third section contains conventional information. The third section contains conventional Information, the system goes to step 252C either one of its alternative output signals Return of the system to the normal control program or the system to proceed to step 250A cause.

Since steps 254 are used to determine the section that contains the desired function, with the exception of Circumferential parts regardless of this, wekher section than any conventional IT. < cnüialtender section is found to be the same these steps are shown and described in detail only in connection with the first section, wherein Of course, what has been said with regard to this first section also applies to the remaining sections the first section is not conventional information, the system goes to step 256Λ to determine whether

the first section contains pricing information. This can again be determined from the two-bit code of the stored current display type word for the first section. Regardless of whether the answer to step 256/4 is affirmative or negative, it is determined in the next step whether the display mode key has been pressed (step 258/4 or step 260A). As will be seen later, the reason for this is that the functions required in step 254Λ are performed at the end of the operations that are required both when a display mode key or a function key has been pressed. If it is assumed that price information is displayed in the first section and that the display / display type key has not been pressed, at the next very ti of the operation it is determined whether the desired function, ie the printed function key is a key for the price information (step 262 , 4 ^. If the section contains price information, but the desired function is not price information, then the system returns to step 252/4 to either complete the operation or to check the next section the system goes on to step 264/4 in order to store information relating to price information in the area 24 of the control part of the memory for the respective display device at the jump address initiated by the keypad.

If it is determined during step 256/4 that the The function stored in the first section does not concern price information, the function must be business information concern, since only three types of functions are possible in the system, namely conventional, Price and business information, and it has already been established that the section is neither conventional Information still contains price information. Under these conditions, the system goes from step 260/4 to step 266,4 to determine whether the pressed function key is the business information key 120 was. If this key was not pressed, the system goes back to step 252/4 to either do that again carry out the normal control program or check the next section. Concerned, however, the Requested Business Information function, then the system proceeds to step 268Λ for the Branch address to store an item indicating business information.

From step 264/4 or step 268Λ the Appendix to Step 270A During this step, a pointer is stored indicating the section in on which the write-in marking is arranged. The system then arrives at step 2724 the second section is specified in the last two bit positions of the register that currently contains the stores current display mode word so that this second section will be the first next during the Step 248 is the section to be checked

As noted above, the operations in boxes 2545 and 254C are identical to thorns im Box 254/4, with the exception of the section numbers given in steps 270.4 and 272.4 1 and 2. In box 254F, the section numbers are increased by 1, while in Box 254C the digit for step 270C a 3 and the digit for step 272C becomes a 1.

From step 272-4, Π O'ier C, the appendix goes to step 274, during which the memory address of the section is determined which contains the Hinsch; -ibnia! V-?

tion contains. During step 276, the write-in mark becomes the home position thereof Section moves and during the following step 278 the determined new address for the Writing marking both in area 22 of the control area 18S of the memory and in which the Position of the control word specifying the write-in marking for the section in which the write-in marking is now arranged, saved. The inscription mark is also removed from the position in which it was previously ordered. Upon completion of step 278, the plant returns to normal Control program back.

If it is determined during step 240 that one of the display mode keys 118 has been pressed, then the Appendix from step 240 to step 280 (Fig. 14B). During step 280 this becomes present current display type word in the area 26 of the memory 18 for the respective display device to the place of Transfer the previous display word. From Figure 8A it can be seen that this is through the Movement of the word by one word position down is achieved.

With the next operational step 282, the address of the new display type word is determined. This is the address of the screen scheme word for the new selected display mode. During step 284 the detected new display type word is retrieved from memory, in data register 94 and stored by data register 94 in the location of the currently running display type word for the transmit respective display device.

The next operational step 286 involves determining and storing the addresses of the Display sections for the new display type. These are the addresses of the display words in area 28 of the Memory for the respective display device for the selected new display type.

From step 286 the system proceeds to step 288, during which the previous display type word in area 26 of the memory is retrieved and stored in a register of the control unit. This word is used to determine whether any of the sections of the previous display type had price information stored and causes the address or addresses of those sections to be overridden. The operations performed when performing this step 290 are identical for the three possible display sections and are therefore shown in detail only for the first section. The first step during operation 290Λ, step 292/4 is the determination from the preceding display type word whether the first section is a section containing price information. Step 292ß, not shown here, determines whether the second section is a section containing price information, and step 292C, also not shown here, determines whether the third section is price information. If the first section does not contain any price information, the system continues to step 292ß. If the first section contains free information, the ZUTP system goes. Step 294A during which the address for the first section for this price information is retrieved. During step 296Λ, the Sr; - _: i * "locations for the price information rftire-i" »are read out of the area 24 of the memory for the respective display unit-hiiinj and i: r is checked during step ¥ & Ä. Plant whether the during the step

294Λ the retrieved address is stored in one of the characters of the saving address read out during step 296A. If the price information address read out during step 294A has already been saved in one of the locations in the memory for the savings addresses, it does not need to be saved again and the system continues to step 292A. If, on the other hand, the price information address determined during step 294A has not yet been canceled, then the system goes to _{) Q} step 300A, during which a vacated savings word is entered. During step 302A, the address determined during step 294A is stored in the vacated savings address determined during step 300A. The system goes to step _J5 then 292S further to determine whether the second A bjchnitt contains price information whose address is to be stored. If a determination is performed that is either stored price information or not stored is the facility to _χ to the operations in the case 290Cdargestellten above to determine whether the third section contains in the previous display mode Preisinformatior ^ n, whose address is stored soil were the Operations prescribed in box 290C are ended _, so the system goes to step 204 (FIG. 14C). During step 304, the addresses of the display sections determined during step 286 are used to control the writing of the display words at these addresses in the addresses of the display control _words in area 20 of the memory for the respective display device.

From step 304 the system goes to step 306. Step 306 is the first step of the operation, the determines whether the canceled during operation 290 Section addresses cannot be used with the current display mode. As stated above, must when the sections are used in the current display mode, the area is cleared and etne ongoing renewal of the area can be prevented. During step 306, the currently used display type word is displayed in area 26 of the Recovered memory for the respective display device and in a register of the control unit 40 saved. During step 308, the two saving address words for the price information in the range 24 of the memory for the respective display device recovered and also in suitable registers stored in the control unit.

The system then proceeds to step 310 to _{determine M} whether an address is stored in the location for the first canceled address. If this location is free, the system continues to step 312 to determine whether the second location is also free for a canceled address. If the second location is also free, then the work steps / to determine whether a canceled address is to be deleted are not necessary and the system continues to step 314 (FIG. 14E). the next step in the next way of working.

If the space for the first savings address is not free, so the system goes from step 310 to step 316. During this step, a notice bit indicating the last bit of the control unit register storing the current display type word is set to indicate that the space has been checked for the first canceled address. If during step 312 found that the second place was canceled for one

60 Address is not free, the system goes to step 318, during which the notice bit is reset to indicate that both places are reserved for the Addresses have been checked.

From step 316 or step 318, the system goes to step 320, during which it is determined whether the address specified at the point for the canceled address is used in the new display type. This step is done by comparing the Address at the location for the canceled addresses with the section address in the display control word of the Area 20 of memory 18 is carried out for the respective display device. If the canceled address is not used in the new display type, then this is done the system goes to step 322, during which it is determined whether both addresses are canceled were examined. If the hint bit is a 1, which indicates that both canceled addresses have not yet been examined, the system goes from step 322 to Step 312. If the notice bit is a 0, indicating that both addresses have been examined, the system leaves from step 322 to step 314 to begin the next operation.

If the section specified with the canceled address is used during the new display type, then so The system moves from step 320 to step 324. During this step, the current Display type word used to determine whether the section in question in the new display type for Price information is used. If the section for Price information is used in the new display type then the address can still be canceled and on The system returns to step 322. Will the section at of the new type of display is not used for price information, the system goes from step 324 to step 326, during which the address stored in the place of the canceled address is vacated. During step 128, the A2 control bit becomes. bit 6 in the second control word of FIG. 9, for the through the revoked address specified section is set to a renewal of the data in this To stop stepping. During step 330, the remaining portion of the section is cleared The system then loops back to step 322 to determine if both addresses are examined became.

The sequence of operations has thus been described which enables the address of a price information containing section is canceled for data renewal if the section is not for a no price information significant function is used during the new display mode, and that the Section and the reserved address franked if the section during the new type of display for a no price information but z. B. Business information significant function is used.

As in Fig. I4E shown, the system begins with the Step 314 the operations used to determine the Sections that are concatenated in the desired display type and for concatenation related sections are required. During step 314, a notice bit is set in the Set registers of the control unit which store the currently valid display type word in order to use it indicate that all sections show conventional information. This is a check hint bit that

is reset when the displayed condition is not right.

From step 314 the system goes to step 340. During this step, the currently valid display type word is checked to determine whether the first section contains conventional information (Figure 14F). During step 342 the current display style word is checked, un. determine whether the first section Geschäftsinformatton does not contain business information Contains the first section, so he must contain pricing information, as previously stated, during step 340 that it is cut no conventional information-containing waste _J5 From the foregoing, it became clear that a Section containing precise information consists of two display sections. The first two sections must therefore be chained together.

To do this, the system goes from step _M 342 to step 344, during which the address of the first section as indicated by the display control word is retrieved and stored in a suitable register of the control unit. During step 346, the values 000 and 001 are set as the first and last pointer bits indicating the write-in marking in a suitable register of the control unit. These bits indicate. that the first and second display sections are the first and last links 11 1 of the chain. _x

During step 348, the address of program step 350 indicated by 13 is stored in a suitable register in the control unit as the return address for the pointer bit for the further operation beginning with step 352 (FIG. 14D) is set and the Plant then goes to step 352.

During step 352, the address of the write mark for the first section becomes the Chain (see FIG. 9) stored in a suitable register of the control unit. The control unit causes then that the pointer part for the display section of this word, bits 1 to 3 of the first character of the word, is cleared during step 354 and the new value is the first value during step 346 The set value is 000 in this case. is stored in these bit locations during step 356. This last operation came about by forming the OR new bits can be effected with the 000 bits already stored in the memory locations.

During step 358 the system checks whether the _Μ pointer bits have been stored for all sections, ie the bit values entered for the pointer are compared with the zjiper bits of the write-in marking of the last display, which are stored in the register of the control unit. If the last section of the chain has not yet been reached, the section address is incremented during step 360, the pointer value is incremented during step 362 and the system returns to step 354. It should be noted that step 360 assumes that the concatenated _M sections are stored in memory 18 in consecutive section addresses. If the control unit cannot ensure that chained sections are arranged in this way during the display type construction, the further counting step 360 is replaced by a step in which the next section address is retrieved from the display control word in area 20 of the memory for the given display device . If only two sections are chained together, beirr. Reaching step 358 produces an indication that the pointer bit has been stored in the last section of the chain and the system proceeds to step 364. During step 364, the return word stored during step 348 is used to direct the system to return to step 350 control (Fig. 14F).

During step 350, the address of the first section is retrieved again and in one appropriate register and finally, during step 366, the address of the second Section retrieved and stored in a register. During step 368, a 16 is set in a suitable register of the control unit to return to step 370 The system then proceeds to step 372 (FIG. 14D) which the first step in the operation is to store the concatenation bits.

During step 372, the address of the second control word becomes the first portion of the chain During the following step 374, the chaining bits in positions 7 and 8 of the second character of this word to indicate that the section is the first section of the chain. This is established by setting bit 8 to 0 and bit 7 reached on 1

The section address is then incremented during step 376, as in step 360 it is assumed that there are successive sections in the chain. During the step 378 the system checks whether the section now examined is the last section of the chain. This section is is not the last section of the chain, the system proceeds to step 380 during which the concatenation bits of that section are set to indicate that this section is neither the first nor the last section of the chain. This is by putting of both chaining bits to 1 reached.

From step 380, the system returns to step 376, the section information being further counted, so that the next section of the chain is examined. If it is determined during step 378 that the last section of the chain has been reached, as was the case with the If step 378 is reached for the first time from step 368, then the system goes wetter to step 382. During step 382, the concatenation bits of the section being examined are set so that they indicate that it is the last section of the chain. This is achieved by setting bit 8 to I and bit 7 to 0

During step 384, the system then recovers the currently valid display type word and resets the notice bit set during step 314 during step 386. While In the next work step 388, the system recovers the return address stored during step 368 and uses this stored address, to now return to step 370 (Fig. 14E).

The facility can go to step 370 from either step 340 if the first section is considered a Conventional information containing portion has been determined or from step 388. During step 370, the current display type word is checked to see if the second section displays conventional information. The second section does not show a conventional one Information on, the system continues to step

390 to determine if the second section is displaying business information. If the second section is displaying business information, then the system proceeds to step 392 to determine if the third section is displaying business information. The determinations during steps 390 and 392 are made using the current display type word. If it is determined during step 390 that the second section is displaying price rather than business information, or if it is determined during step 392 that the third section does not contain any business information, the system proceeds to step 394. It should be noted that in each of the above specified conditions the fourth and fifth sections are concatenated, but the chain does not extend beyond the fifth section In the following step 396 _M , the values 003 and 004 are specified as the first and last pointer bits for the write-in marking. Step 3% is equivalent to step 346, with the exception that it is provided for the middle group of sections instead of the upper group of sections _a . During step 398, the address of step 400 is used as the return address in a suitable register of the control unit and the system then proceeds to step 352 to have the pointer bits for the string recorded in the memory areas _x which are used for the display of the fourth and fifth display sections. When the recording of these pointer bits has ended, the system runs from step 364 to step 400, during which the address of the fourth segment is retrieved _J5 and stored in area 20 under the control of the display control word. During step 402, the memory address of the area used to rewrite the fifth display section is retrieved and stored. During step 404, the address labeled 17 of step 406 is stored as a return address in a suitable register of the control unit and the system then proceeds to step 372 (FIG. 14D) to record the concatenation bits in the appropriate bit positions in the areas whose addresses were recovered during steps 400 and 402. If step 388 is reached again, the system continues to step 406.

Step 406 can also be reached if _{Μ is determined} during step 370 that the second section displays conventional information. During step 406, the current display type word is used to determine whether the third section is displaying conventional information. If the third section displays conventional information, the system proceeds to step 408 to determine whether all of the sections have conventional information. This is you the hint bits reaches ^r ch check whether this now zuriickge- ^ is set, which was set during step 314th If the notice bit has not been reset, then all sections contain conventional information and the system continues to step 410, during which the display of the write-in marking in area 22 of the memory for the respective display device is cleared. This step is necessary because there is no write-in mark when all sections display conventional information. From step 410 the system returns to its normal control program.

It is determined during step 408 how it z. B. in Her in F i g. 1 is the case that If at least one group of the sections does not display conventional information, the system runs from Step 408 to step 41Z

During step 412, the last two bits in the registers storing the current display t word are set to indicate that the first section will be examined as the first section. The system then proceeds to step 248. It should be recalled that this is the first step of the operation, the means for determining and storing the locations of Einschreibmarkierung both in the field 22 of the control section and in the control word, the first control word for which Inscription marking of each section used in the display is used. When the writing of the writing marks is finished, the working methods required when pressing a display type key are ended and the system returns to its normal control program.

From Fig. 14F it can be seen that if it is determined during step 342 that the second portion Indicates business information, the system continues to step 414 During this step it is determined whether the second section is business information displays The second section does not display any business information. then only the first and second will be Section chained together and the system proceeds to step 344. The second group is the Sections, d. H. Sections 4 and 5 showing business information, then at least the first five sections of the display are chained together and the system advances to step 16 at Determine whether the third group of sections also shows business information. If the third group of sections does not display any business information, then the function steps required to chain the first five sections together are carried out and the system continues to step 418. During step 418, the address of the first segment of the chain is retrieved. During the In step 420 the value 000 becomes the first display section of the chain and 004, i.e. H. the fifth section, becomes stored in a suitable register of the control unit as the last display section of the chain. The attachment then proceeds to step 422 where step 424 is specified as the return address for the pointer bit generation operation. The system is running then to step 352 (Fig. 14D) with the pointer bits are recorded in each of the five memory areas, which are used to rewrite the first five Display sections are used. If this work process is ended, the system returns to step 424 during which the first section address e is recovered. During step 426 the fifth section address becomes the address of the last Portion of the chain, and step 406, labeled 17, is used to specify a Return address used during step 428. The system then goes to step 372 (Fig. 14D) so that the concatenation bits for the five sections used in the chain are recorded.

If it is determined during step 416 that the third group of sections also contains business information, then a display of the

in Fig. 4, in which all eight sections the display are chained together. Under these conditions, the system runs from step 416 to Step 430. During step 430, the address of the memory area used for rewriting the first display section is used, and during the following step 432 the values 000 and 007 are specified as the first and last pointer bits, respectively. During step 434, the number indicated by 20 designated address of step 436 is specified as the return address and the system then runs to Generation of the pointer bits back to start step 352. At the end of this work process, the system returns back to step 436 to retrieve the address of the first section. During the following In step 438, the address of the memory area used to rewrite the eighth display section is retrieved and during step 440 the address designated by 18 of step 408 is specified as the return address for the operation for generating the chaining bits. The system is running then to start step 372 for the tagging bits generating operation.

There are two other possible concatenation bit compositions. The first appears when it is determined during step 392 (Fig. 14E) that the third group of sections contains business information. Under these conditions a Display of the general type shown in Fig. 3 is generated and the last five sections, sections 4 to 8 are concatenated with one another. Under these conditions, those with steps 492, 494 and 4% specified operations carried out before the plant to the work process for the generation of the Pointer Bits Continues After returning from operation, it leads to the generation of the pointer bits the system goes through steps 498,500 and 502 before proceeding to the chaining bit generation process. The return from the creation of these bits happens to η step 408.

The last possible type of concatenation occurs. if it is determined during step 406 that the third Section does not contain conventional information. On this condition, the seventh and eighth will be Section chained together. To achieve this, the system continues from step -406 to the Perform steps 504, 506 and 508 before the plant to the operation for generating the Pointer bits continues. These steps are essentially the same as those given above Steps and are therefore not described again in detail. When returning from work to When the pointer bits are generated, the system executes the steps 510,512 and 514 before going to work Generation of the chaining bits continues. Again, these steps are essentially the same as that steps indicated above and are therefore not explained again in detail. The return of this operation happens again to step 408.

From the flow charts and description above, a programmer or a designer of logic circuits who is skilled in this field provides the appropriate software or hardware to carry out the required functions produce. As indicated above, these functions can be performed both in hardware and exclusively exclusively in software or in any Combinations of hardware and software realized will. The choice of a particular type of equipment will depend on the various economic and other considerations depend on the nature of the realization, except where unless otherwise stated, the functions to be performed do not form part of the present invention

To further assist a person skilled in the art in using the teaching according to the invention, FIGS 15A and 15B in the form of a block diagram of a control unit designed as hardware, which is used as a Control unit 40 can be used to perform most of the functions noted above can.

As shown in FIG. 15B can be seen, a signal on a line 600 from an input / output intermediate circuit 142 (FIG. 6B) is given as an information input signal to the input decoder 602. the Control unit 40 periodically scans each of the terminals 12/4 to see if a Ta ^c ': has been pressed. If the control unit detects that the keypad being scanned is emitting an input signal, this input signal is sent to the input decoder 602 via a suitable intermediate circuit for the arrangement the control unit knows which of the terminals it is scanning at that time at which the input signal is received, it can also determine which terminal has generated this signal. The special one Circuit for generating this message and for Receipt of the appropriate switching commands does not form part of the present invention and is therefore also not further described.

The decoder 602 decodes the input character and produces an output signal on one of the four Lines 604, when a display mode key 118 is pressed, produces an output on one Line 606, when a key 120 indicating business information has been pressed, generates an output signal on line 608 when the price information key 122 is pressed, generates an alarm signal on one of the lines 610 when a the edit buttons 114, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 etc. is pressed, generates an output signal one or more of the lines 612. if one UO or 112 key pressed for data entry generates an output on line 615 when button 124 is used to request a Display modes assembly was pressed and generates an output signal on a line 616. when the key

126 was pressed to transmit a display type structure. The selection lines 604 are via a OR gate 618 combined. Therefore appears on an output line 620 of the OR gate 618 Output signal whenever a display type selected. The lines 606 and 608 associated with business and pre-information are on the Inputs of an OR gate 622 out. A signal on an output line 624 of the OR gate always appears when a function key

gO was pressed. The lines 610 assigned to processing signals and the lines 612 for the Data inputs are fed to the inputs of an OR gate 626. On an output line 628 from OR gate 626 always appears Output signal when either data is entered or a processing function is carried out.

Before the operation of the in Figs. 15A and 15B

of the circuit shown to perform the various functions required, address facilities 630 will be described. These represent a group of circuits in which the addresses of the memory 18 are stored in which various information for each of the display devices is stored. Thus, an address device 631 stores the address of the economy address word in the area 24 for each display device. An address 632 _{stores) 0} addresses of the Abschni'tadressenstapel, that is the display type words in area 28 for each display device. Address means 633 stores the addresses of the display control words in area 20 of the memory. An address device 634 stores the addresses in the _{] 5} memory of the previous display type words in area 26 of the memory, an address device 635 stores the addresses of the display type words or screen scheme values in area 26 of the memory and an address device 636 the address of the current display type - _w gen Display word in that area of memory. Address means 637 stores the addresses of the write mark words in area 22 for each of the display means. An input to each of the address devices is the display device clock arriving on line 640 which acts as an address input to each of the address devices. Each address device is fed in such a way that it generates an output signal when it receives signals from both the upper and lower inputs J ₀ or, in the case of the four address devices which have middle inputs, when the middle input line carries signals. Appropriate logic circuits are provided in each address device to perform the above functions.

First it is assumed that the input signal to the decoder 602 is a processing or data input causing input signal. From Fig. IOB it can be seen that the first step under these conditions is the determination of the control area address for the display device and reading out the current display type Word, and so on, is in the control unit. This is signaled to the processing or data input line 628 via the OR gate 642 and the line 644 to one of the switching inputs of the address device 636 for the current display type word and the simultaneous connection of the line 628 as one of the switching inputs to the address means 637 for Einschreibmarkierung achieved understanding _χ the following description, it is assumed that the control unit includes a clock signal generator holding is started upon receipt of an input signal, if necessary for the input operations are completed and generates a clock signal whose sequence in synchronization with the access rate of the memory It should be pointed out that access to the memory is required for approximately every 10 cycles of the memory in order to rewrite the display. A suitable device, e.g. B. to suppress the _ω clock sequence during this time interval is also provided. However, this device does not specifically form part of the present invention and will therefore not be further described.

At the time Cl of the clock of the control unit appears " a signal on line 646 that completes addressing for the current display style word switches through to the current display mode address for the one indicated on line 640 Display device via lines 648, OR gate 650 (FIG. 15A) and lines 38 to give the address memory 18, whereby the desired word in the data register 94 (Fig. 6A) is read. At the time Cl of the clock signal of the control unit, a signal also appears on the Line 652 which turns on gate 654 (Fig. 15A), in order to transfer the contents of the data register on line 95 via lines 656 to register 658 for to let the display type word through. A signal appears on the line at cycle time C2 of the control unit 660, which completely switches through the address device 637 for the write-in marking, so that it is on Address output on lines 648 which is optionally the write-in tag word for the display device giving the command to store it in the data register 94. That Clock signal C2 is also provided on line 662 (Fig. 15B) to turn on gate 664, so that the data for the write-in mark on line 95 at this time via lines 666, the OR gate 668 and lines 670 can be given so that it is in register 672 for the write-in marking or the savings address can be saved. The operations required by step 154 are shown in effected this way.

The Pscoding of the function required in step 156 is carried out in the decoder 602. The next step 158 of the operation is carried out by the test circuit 674 (FIG. 15B) for a valid function. The inputs for this test circuit are the output lines 610 and 612 of the decoder, which indicate the function to be performed, the output lines 676 from register 658 for the display type word and the output lines 678 from register 672 for the write-in marking. The test circuit 674 ensures that ζ. Β. no attempt is made to change a conventional information displaying section. If the commanded function is invalid, nothing else happens (step 116 in Fig. 10B).

If the test circuit 674 determines that the commanded function is valid, it gives a signal over the line 690 to completion circuit 692. Completion circuit 692 also receives inputs Lines 610 and 612 from decoder 602. on lines 678 from register 672 for the write mark and from data register 94 over lines 95. If necessary, the completion circuit 692 can provide information by sending an address signal via the line 694 and the OR gate 650 to request to address the memory 18 or a signal on line 694 is used to store the data from the The enforcement circuit uses the information generated in the memory. The enforcement circuit sends in this way Information on lines 696, OR gate 688 and lines 97 to the data register. One of the Functions of the executive circuit 692 is the data renewal for the write-in marking and the Storage of this new data in the area 22 of the appropriate control area 18A The enforcement circle 692 emits output signals in this way on lines 698, which via the OR gate 668 and lines 670 cause the new data of the write-in mark to be stored in the register 672. While These addressers are suitable times: the write-in marks via lines 678 to the Gate circuit 700 given. The gate circuit 700

is switched through at these times by a signal from the execution circuit on line 702, which is transmitted via the OR gate 704 and line 706 to the through-connection input of gate 700. the Output signals from gate 700 are applied to the data register via lines 708 and OR gate 688 given. The various functions described for the executive circuit 692 cause the functions shown in FIG. 1 OB functions 162 to 170 shown.

It is now assumed that in one of the keypad | ₀ a function key for business or price information was pressed. Under these conditions, the OR gate 622 produces an output signal on the line 624 which is given via the OR gate 642 as one of the gating inputs to the address means 636 for the current display type word. During time C1, this address device is fully switched on and produces an address output signal which, in the manner described above, causes the current display type word to be stored in register 658. The in F i g. First step 176, indicated in FIG. 10A, is performed in this manner. The second step 178, with which the respective function is determined, is carried out by the decoder 602.

The next two steps 180 and 182 of the operation are performed by circuit 712 (FIG. 15A) for determining the location of the write mark for the mode of operation. Two of the inputs to this circuit are obtained on lines 606 and 608 for business and pricing information. The first six bits of the current display type word in register 658 are provided to test circuit 714. This test circuit generates output signals on one or more of the lines 715 depending on whether the area groups 1, 2 or 3 store price information, and also generates output signals on one or more suitable lines of the lines 716 depending on whether one or more of the Area groups contain conventional information. Lines 715 and 716 provide two additional inputs to circuit 712. The last two bits in register 658 at this time indicate the first section to be checked during this operation. These bits are passed over lines 718 to a decoder circuit 720 for checking the first section. The output signal of the decoding circuit 720 is given as a further input signal to the switching circuit 712 via lines 722. The output of the 5 ,, data register on line 95 is a further input signal for the circuit 712. When pressing a function key, so this is the only required input signals for the circuit 712. An additional and later-described Eingangssi- J ₅ gnal is used when the circuit makes determinations for the location of the write mark when a display mode key is pressed

From the input signals supplied, the circuit 712 determines the section which has the desired _ω function and the position of the write-in marking for this section. The address of the section in the memory 18 is caused by signaling via a line 723 Access of the display control words for _{ω to} the display device. The words are provided to circuit 712 over lines 95. The circuit then produces output signals on lines 724 which are provided through OR gate 668 to store the desired write-in tag address in register 672. The final step of this operation includes an output from circuit 712 on line 726 which detects an address at which the write tag address is stored for reading through OR gate 650 to address memory 18, and a signal on line 728 causes that is given via the OR gate 704 in order to switch through the gate 700 so that the address of the write-in marking in the register 672 can reach the data register via the OR gate 688. The required arrangement of the writing mark is made in this way.

It is now assumed that the display mode keys 118 are printed on a keypad 16. Under these Conditions is the signal on the display type line 620 via the OR gate 642 at time Cl given to enable the address means for the current display type word fully so that the Address of the current display type word is given to the memory address circuit. This causes that the current display type word is read into the data register 94 and also that that word is stored in register 658 in the manner indicated above. Reading the however, the current display type word in register 658 has no effect at this time. Of the Clock pulse C1 is delayed by half a clock time and then via line 740 as one of the Switch-through input signals to the address device 634 for the respective preceding display type word given. The signal on the line 620 turns on the address means 634 completely, so that the address of the previous display type word at this point in time to the memory address register is given. This causes the current display type word to be stored in the data register is written back into the memory location for the previous display type word. Step 280 shown in FIG. 14B is applied to this Carried out in a manner At clock time C3, a signal is sent via line 742 to one of the switch-through inputs given to address means 635 for the display type word. The other through-input of this one Address device is connected to a signal-carrying line 604. In addition to the gating input signal line 604 also provides an address input to the address facility 635 for the display type word. The address of the desired display-style word is made this way via lines 648 and the OR gate 650 to the memory address circuit. In this way Step 282 shown in FIG. 14B is performed The clock C3 is delayed by half a clock time and passed on via lines 646 to thus to give the address of the current display type word to the memory address circuit 32. That Display type word that is currently in C3 in the data register was read in, is thus in memory 18 at the memory location for the current display type word The stored in FIG. Step 284 shown in Figure 14B is performed in this manner

At cycle times C4, C5, C6 and C 7, switch-through input signals are sent to the address device 632 for the section addresses, with the additional address and gating signals from the

41 42

Signal-carrying lines of lines 604 derived At the time CIl signals appear again on the

will. The outputs of the address device lines 646 and 652 which cause the

S32 are the consecutive addresses for the four current display words in register 658 for the

Display type words of the newly selected display type. These display-type words in the manner previously indicated

Words will be stored in the data register 94 5 one at a time. The step shown in Fig. 14C

read in. Each of the clock pulses C 4 through C7 is performed 306 in this manner. Since the

delayed by half a cycle time and saved via line 746 in register 672 during the previous

when gating input signals to the address separate operation were stored, the step became

direction 633 given for the display control words. 308 already carried out.

This address facility is set at this time by a 10 The saving address in register 672 is via

Signal on line 620 voli switched through. On lines 678 as a set of input signals to the

in this manner, each of the display type words that are included in circuit 756 (FIG. 15A) for checking a section

Data registers are read in, the corresponding to its use in the new display type

the word memory location of the area 20 for the given. The associated with the price information

Display control words of the respective display device 15 lines 715 carry the second set of input

saved. Steps 286 and 304 of FIG. 14B signals for circuit 756. A signal C12 on the

and 14C are performed in this way. Line 758 turns on circuit 756 to thereby

At time CS , a signal will again be on the line to perform functions 310-330 in FIG. 14C. 740 given, whereby the preceding display type- Basically, this circuit determines whether the word for the respective display device is read into the 20 section at the saving address in the new display data register. The clock signal CS art for a function that does not specify any price information is also used via the line 652 for switching through. If the canceled address is passed on when the gate 654 is processed, so that it uses the new display type for a no price information content of the data register to the register 658 for the containing function, the circuit generates display type words. ^{The 25 75} G shown in FIG. 14B has an output signal on line 760, which represents step 288 is performed in this manner. deleted address. Circuit 756 generates

During the time C9, a signal is also transmitted via the output signals on lines 762 and 764,

Line 748 as a gating input to which causes the A2 bit to occur, which is the

Address facility 631 for the canceled or marked section to request a renewal of the data of the

Savings words given. To stop the signal on the display type 30 section and those in the area

Line 620 switches this address device to delete completely stored data. Can the memory

constantly through, so that the address of the saving word of its areas does not delete itself, this can

Display device to the memory address circuit. Erase by successively addressing the

32 is given. At time C9 a word of the section and writing zeros in also appears Signal on line 662 that gate 664 35 these words from the cleared data register

gates to the word at the spar address that are made in. As with circuit 750, the

the data register has been read in via the OR required section addresses from circuit 756

Member 668 to the register 672 for the write mark via lines 95 depending on address commands

or pass on the savings address. len received on line 765. Line 765 is

The contents of the register 672 on lines 678 ₄₀ through an OR gate 725 with the address of establishment

are connected as a set of the input signals to the 633 for access to the display control words

Address circuit 750 (Fig. 15A) for testing for the. At time C13 a signal appears on the line

Price information in the section and override 748 that allows access to the address of the savings word in

given the address of the price information. A causes the memory and a signal appears on the

Another set of input signals to this circuit 45 line 766, which via the OR gate 704 to

are the three output lines 715 for price information switching through the gate 700 is given so

from test circuit 714 for the section. One of these the savings address in register 672 to the

or more of these lines leads depending on the data registers there to it in the called

of which signal whether to write during the previous storage position for the economy address.

Display type Sections with price information are available. 50 At the beginning of time C14, the current

the goods. Circuit 750 is stored in register 658 by a display type word

Clock signal C10 on line 752 is turned on. The word is sent to test circuit 714 for the section

Circuit 750 performs those in boxes 290Λ, 290S and given. The resulting output signals on the

290C in Fig. 14B. You lines 715 and 716 are presented as input signals

determines in this way whether any of the _Μ a circuit 770 for determining the first and

Section groups given in the previous display type of the last section of a chain. At the time C14

Price information contained, determines whether the address will be a signal over a line 772 and that

se, like the memory address, for price information OR gate 774 for switching through the circuit 770

indicating sections, previously saved and given to the beginning of step 340 of the

stores the address over lines 754 and the _Μ Fig. 14E required provisions for the first

OR gate 668 in the save register 672, if this and the last section of the chain are to be carried out. These Address has not been previously saved. The for switching generates output signals on line 776,

these provisions currently required storage space for the required information

Cut addresses are to be addressed via lines 95 in dependence and receive information from the

memory access commands received via the 55 data registers via the lines 95. The from the

Line 755, OR gate 725, and line 727 circuit 770 is detected via

passed to the memory device 633 for the display control lines 780 in order to be transferred from a circuit

words are given. 782 for writing the pointer bits and a circuit

44.

/ 84 to be used to write the concatenation bits. Circuit 782 causes the pointer bits to be written in the operation indicated by steps 352 to 364 of FIG. 14D executes the specified work process. If the circuit 770 has set up a first chain, it generates an output signal on the line 786, which switches the circuit 782 on. Circuit 782 generates address output signals _{| Q} on lines 788 to enable information indicative of the pointer bits to be stored in memory 18 on lines 790. If the circuit 782 completes its function, it generates an output signal on line 792, which turns on the circuit 784 to _{|; j} execute its function. This circuit generates address output signals on lines 794, which cause the information of the concatenation bits appearing on lines 796 to be stored in the memory.

ιιιιν. u..ni.v

_6th

it produces an output on line 7% which is used as an input to AND gates 798 and 800 is given. If all eight sections have not yet been checked, no signal will appear on the Output line 802 from circuit 770 at this time and an inverter 804 generates an output signal, which completely switches the AND gate 798 through, so that this is an output signal on the line 806 generated. This signal is given via the OR gate 774 for switching through the switching circuit 770, the determines the first and last section of the new chain.

If all sections of the new display type have been checked, a signal appears on line 802 which, if a signal appears on line 7% at the same time, completely switches AND gate 800 through, which then generates an output signal on line 808. The signal on line 808 is applied to the last two bit positions of the current display type word, which _{is stored in register 658 for the 4Q} display word, to set these bits and thereby point to the first section. The signal on line 808 is also passed to switch 712 to determine the locations of the write mark and to store those locations for the new type of display. The circuit 712 operates to perform these functions in the same way as it works when you press a function button If this operation is completed, then all nacli pressing a Display key functions required loading _M ends and the circuit is to receive a new input signal ready.

When a command key 124 for display type construction is pressed, the decoder 602 generates an output signal on line 614 which activates a generator 820 (FIG. 15B) for generating a mask for the display type construction which generates output signals on lines 822 which be given via the OR gate 688 to the memory 18 for storage. The generator 820 need not generate address signals output _Μ, since the mask is stored in the storage locations, which are indicated by the Einschixifamarkierung the display device. Since exists when filling the masks for each display means to another mask, a mask memory is provided 824 _ω, via line 826 a Anzeigeeinrichüings clock receives UNJ the supply of a suitable mask to the Maskengi-ncrar '· "at any given time causes.

If the mask is filled out in a suitable manner and checked visually, the operator presses the task 126 for the transmission of the established mask. This causes the decoder 602 for generating an output signal a ″ f of the transmission line 616 for the mask, the signal of which as Gating signal is given to the test circuit 830 for the mask (Fig. 15A). This circuit or another circuit within the system causes, among other things Reading out the generated mask and forwarding it to the circuit 830 via lines 95. The circuit 830 checks whether all conditions for the display type structure have been met and generates an output signal on line 832 if these conditions have been met.

If, on the other hand, the mask is invalid, the circuit 830 generates an output signal on the line 834, which controls a generator 836 emitting an error signal in order to Därnü a Fchicrsigiiäi äüi uci Lciiuiig S3S to create. The signals on the lines 838 are passed through the OR gate 688 to im Memory 18 to be stored at addresses indicated by lines 840.

The signal on the line that has been checked for correctness 832 turns on circuit 842 to provide a display type word and section addresses for the new Display type generated. This is a relatively complex circuit that has many inputs and outputs, only a few of which are shown here. The output signals of this circuit are via lines 844 are stored in memory and are also stored in address means 635 for the Display type words via lines 846 and via the address facility 632 for the section addresses via Lines 848 stored.

In this manner there has been provided circuitry which causes information to be generated and displayed on a segmented display in a variety of possible display modes. Although each display device is provided with eight portions in the described preferred embodiment of the invention, and it is possible to display simultaneously to different three types of information on the · sn ads, these indicated values are of course only exemplary and it may be a greater or lesser number of sections and / or different types of display can be obtained on each of the display devices without departing from the teaching of the invention. Likewise, the variety of types of information available for display may require that e.g. B. to provide more bits in each of the display type words to distinguish the type of information displayed in each section and the number of different display types can be changed on each display device.

Various alternatives for both the hardware and the Software specified for carrying out the invention and, as also already indicated, can the mix between hardware and software for different applications of the invention itself change. Home! in Fig. 6A rmr a single memory for Storage of both the display and the Sieuerinformaiior; p.s goxsig; was, can of course also separated ». Register or memory for Every function is provided

Address devices 630 can also be accommodated in a specific part of the memory 18 or, as shown, be separate entities. Although the invention is detailed in connection with a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it is understood that the above and also other changes in the overall arrangement and in individual parts as part of the Expert knowledge can be made without departing from the teaching of the invention.

With 19 sheets of drawings

Claims (44)

Patent claims: 1. A device for displaying information on a cyclically refreshable display device, with a memory device having a plurality of addressable memory sections each containing a section of information to be displayed and a control unit through which the information to be displayed can be read selectively on the display device in each refresh cycle, characterized in that the display device (14) is subdivided into several different display sections, on each of which one of the information sections stored in the addressable memory sections (185, C) can be selectively displayed, that the section addresses of the memory sections belonging to a refresh cycle can be stored in a memory area (20), and that, after a complete refreshing process, a certain display section can call up the section address assigned to the respective following display section from the memory area (20) by the control unit (40) is 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of display devices (14Λ to 14 / VJ are provided and that the memory addresses of the display sections currently displayed on each of the display devices (14/4 to XAN) can be stored in the memory (20). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an addressing circuit (32) is provided which reads an addressed memory area (for example 16C; for each display device (14/4 to XAN) , and that the memory (18) a Multiplex device (^ J) is connected downstream, which successively feeds the information read out from the respective addressed memory area to the display devices (14/4 to 14 / yj) 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the information in the addressed memory area is read out character serially. 5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that an addressed memory area for refreshment can be connected to several display devices and that in the address memory area (20) the address of the respective memory area (18C 18DJ in which each display device (XAA to XAN) allocated memory area is stored 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that input devices (16) are provided for new information that an indication of this on the display device (14) is shown where the new information is to be displayed and that this indication of the display in a further memory (22) is stored, during which the display position is refreshed Specification is generated again. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that for each display device (14Λ to XAN) a \ e display position can be different, that the indication of the display position for each display device (14.4 to XAN) can be saved separately and that when refreshing the respective indication of the display position is generated for each display device (14A to \ AN). 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the information on a display device (14) in several different ways correspondingly different Combinations of display sections can be displayed that a memory (28) for storing the Memory addresses of sections to be displayed in each of the display types, display type selection means (118) and circuit (94) for Transferring the memory addresses corresponding to the selected A "display type into the memory (20) are provided for the memory addresses of the sections to be displayed at the moment 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a circuit (98), which, in the case of a new display type, determines the position at which the position information for the new Information takes place 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that some of the displayed information sections all display devices (14Λ to \ AN) are common and compulsorily, not controllable by an operator, can be displayed, and that with the circuit (98) for indicating the display position of the first information section not displayed together is selected. 11. Device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a memory section for different types of display contains the same or different information or in certain display types is not used at all that a first circuit (750) determines whether a is in a particular Type of display used memory element is to store different information in the next operating mode and that in this case the Memory section (18C 18D; is cleared by means of a circuit (756). 12. The device according to claim 11 characterized in that the contents of a given memory section are periodically updated that a second circuit determines whether a memory element used in the previous display mode is periodically updated has been to prohibit updating when the first circuit (750) determines that a other information is to be stored and that if the information is the same, the address of the memory section is reserved for ongoing updating remain. 13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a new combination of sections for at least one of the display types indicating device (124) is provided which is connected to a circuit (820) for displaying a display type mask on the display device (14). that a circuit (110,112) for entering data in this mask is provided and that upon completion of the input of the new data, the memory addresses of the in Changed operating modes to be displayed sections determined and in the address memory (20) get saved. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized characterized in that a circuit for indicating the completion of the mask formation and a further Circuit (830) is provided for checking the validity of the data entered into the mask. 15. The device according to claim 13, characterized characterized in that a memory (824) is provided for a mask which is to be displayed for a display device (14) in each display type Information and that a circuit (820) is provided for retrieving the mask. 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that with a plurality of display devices for each a mask indicating the information to be displayed is stored and that the mask for a display device (14 <4J is generated _{,! 0} whose display type is to be changed. 17. Device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that two or more display sections are related to each other contain standing information and that these display abs < sections of a circuit (770) can be specified. 18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that the first and last of a sequence of sections are specified which _{contain information OT} which are related to one another. 19. The apparatus according to claim 17 characterized in that each display section provides an indication of its relative position within a sequence of sections containing interrelated _a relationship information. 20. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized characterized in that when selecting one of several display modes, the related segments in the selected Type of display can be determined and that for each related section an indication of its relative position is stored in the sequence. 21. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a Specification of the type of information to be displayed in each of the display sections is stored. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, characterized by a variety of functions that are associated with the be carried out _w in a given section displayed informa- tion, specified circuit and a test apparatus (674) that determines whether the specified function is valid for the indicated type of information in the display section. 23. Apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the information type indication circuit, the information specifying employed in the memory to the display position for an indication to be displayed r "men -uen information to determine _Μ. 24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that the first as the display position Display position of the next section is selected, which follows the section that originally contains the information that the specified Type of information indicates. 25. Apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that (up i4n 14/4) an indication is stored on the in each _Μ Anzeigeäbschnitl each display means to be displayed of information in a plurality of display devices. 26. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that with several different Display types For each display type, an indication of the information to be displayed in each of the display sections Type of information is saved and that when selected a given type of display the associated type of information indication in the storage device for the information type specification is transmitted. 27. The device according to claim 26, characterized in that an indication of the in each Display section during the previous display type displayed information types is stored and that when a new display type is selected the content of the display type indication storage device is transferred to the information type storage device in the previous display type 28. A method for displaying several stored information sections by means of a cyclically refreshable display device with selective reading of the stored information sections to be displayed in each refresh cycle, characterized in that the memory addresses of the information sections currently displayed stored and after a complete refresh process of a certain display section, the the section address assigned to the following display section is retrieved from the memory will. 29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that several display devices (14Λ to ΆΝ) are used that when reading the memory (18) therefrom in a certain sequence the contents of a selected memory area (18C MD) are read out for each display device and that the information read out from each selected memory area is given to the associated display device. 30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that the address of the memory area (18C, MD) used for refreshing each of several display units (14.4 to i4N ) is stored stored addresses is finished. to determine whether all the sections of the display device have been refreshed, that the above-mentioned storing operation is repeated with the next addresses of memory areas if the refreshing of all the sections has not yet been completed. and is repeated with the addresses of the first memory area when the refreshing of all sections is finished 31. The method according to claim 28, 29 or 30, characterized in that an indication of the Display location is stored at which new information entered into the system will appear, and that an indication (10) of this indication is generated. 32. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 31, characterized in that the information can be displayed on the display device (14) in several different ways, wherein Each of these types represents a different combination of sections that the memory addresses of the in each of these types to be displayed sections are stored and that for determining the addresses to be used for refreshing the display unit (14) are those for a selected one Display type stored addresses can be used. 33. "learn l. ^ Ch claim 32, characterized in that when you select a new display type for this the display position is determined at which new information can be entered, and that a Indication of the display position determined in this way will. 34. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that when a new display type is selected, it is determined whether a memory area (18C, \% D) used to refresh the display device (14) in the new display type was used in the previously displayed display type, and that the memory area is freed if it was used for the previous display type. 35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that the contents of a given memory area (18C MD) can be periodically brought up to date, that it is determined whether a memory area used in a previous display type is periodically renewed, that the information is renewed is prevented when the memory area is used to display different information in the currently displayed display mode, and that the updating of the information in the memory area is continued if it is not used to store different information in the currently displayed display mode. 36. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that it is indicated that a new one Combination of sections for at least one of the display types is desired that on the Display device (14) a mask that specifies the type of display is displayed that new information is entered in the mask that the mask is transmitted to a processing means (830) that the memory addresses of the sections to be displayed in each changed display type are generated, and that the generated addresses are stored. 37. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that that it is checked whether the information transmitted to the processing device (830) is valid. 38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that the displayed mask with hidden Error data depending on an error determination during the validity check again is produced. 39. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 38, characterized in that two or more of the displayed sections can contain related information and that for these the relative position of a section within a chain containing the sections with the information used is specified. 40. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 39, characterized in that an indication of the in type of information to be displayed in each of the display sections is stored. 41. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that one in a given Section to be displayed information is specified and that the function to be performed stored information about the type of information is used to determine whether the specified Function is a valid function for the type of information displayed in the display section. 42. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 41, characterized in that the stored Specifying the type of information is used to determine the display position at which the Information indicating the display position should occur. 43. The method, in particular according to one of claims 28 to 42, characterized in that an inscription mark at a point in a predetermined section from a number of different ones Information sections are attached by at least two different ones Types are that the type of information section is indicated in which the write mark should be ordered to indicate the type of information to be displayed in each section Indication is stored that the specified type of information in a predetermined sequence are compared with the types of sections stored and that the write mark is on a selected location of the section that is the first stored indication that corresponds to the specified type of information. 44. The method according to claim 43, characterized in that that the write-in mark is at the initial position of the first display section indicating the specified type of information following the section in which Write mark is currently placed, that the selected sequence is chosen so that the first section follows the section in which the Eia ^ hreibmarkierung is arranged that this the next section follows and so on, with the first section following on from the last section is the following section, and that the selected location is the starting position of the section.