GB1589265A

GB1589265A - Apparatus and method for desplaying information derived from an information storage and/or processing machine via a telephone network

Info

Publication number: GB1589265A
Application number: GB1785276A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Post Office
Current assignee: Post Office
Priority date: 1977-07-26
Filing date: 1977-07-26
Publication date: 1981-05-07

Description

(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING INFORMATION DERIVED FROM AN INFORMATION STORAGE AND/OR PROCESSING MACHINE VIA A TELEPHONE NETWORK (71) We, the POST OFFICE, a British body corporate established by Statute, of 23 Howland Street, London, W1P 6HQ; do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a method of displaying information derived from an information storage and/or processing machine via a telephone network and terminal apparatus for an information handling system having one or more information storage and/or processing machines connectible to the terminal apparatus via a telephone network.

It has been proposed to provide for domestic and/or business consumers a simplified form of computer terminal by means of which information stored in a computer could be obtained from it over a public telephone. Such a system differs from a conventional computer terminal in the simplicity of its operation and the more restricted nature of the facilities offered to render it suitable for unskilled operators. One such system is known by the name "Viewdata" and amongst other facilities provides a succession of progressively more detailed indices by means of which an operator can derive a page of information for display on, for example, a cathode-ray tube screen. One major problem with such a system is that the information storage and/or processing machine is capable of a very high speed of operation but the rending speed of the user limits the rate at wh ch the information produced by the maze line can be assimilated. To some extent this difficulty can be overcome by the provo; ion of a very large number of individual outlets at the machine, but this could result in an excessive period of time being required to service any request made to the machine.

Moreover, the telephone network could become overloaded by calls to the machine occupying lines which much of the time would be inactive.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce the above difficulties.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided terminal apparatus for an information handling system having one or more information storage and/or processing machines connectible to the terminal apparatus via a telephone network, the terminal apparatus including means for connection to a telephone network, keyboard means coupled to the connection means to apply thereto information for transmission to one of the machines, means for receiving from one of the machines via the telephone network in response to the information transmitted packets of information respectively representing selected pages of data to be displayed, storage means coupled to the receiving means to receive therefrom and store one packet of information derived from one of the machines, cathode ray tube display means including raster scanning means, and character generating means connected to the storage means to receive therefrom in response to addressing of the storage means in synchronism with the operation of the raster scanning means signals representing information stored therein so as to enable the cathode ray tube display means to display the page for a plurality of raster scanning periods, wherein magnetic tape recording and replay apparatus suitable for audio signals only is provided connected to the connection means for recording and/or playing back signals received by the connection means representing at least some of the selected pages of data.

The recording means may be connected to receive signals directly from the telephone network. The recording/means may also be arranged to record signals sent by the terminal apparatus to one of the machines. Alternatively the connection means may include a modem and the recording means may be connected to receive the demodulated signals from the modem. The signals recorded by the recording means would be replayed to the same place in the circuit of the apparatus as that from which they were recorded, with the result they would be indistinguishable from the signals received directly from the telephone network.

In a simple example of the invention the recording means may take the form of a commercially available audio tape recorder and connected direct to the telephone line to record the two-way signal traffic over the line during a required time interval. In such an arrangement the recording means could be separately controlled from the rest of the apparatus. Alternatively the keyboard means may be provided with controls for the recording means and the recording means may be built into the apparatus.

More elaborate recording means may include, for example, a search facility by means of which a particular page of data identified by pressing keys on the keyboard means may be selected from the recording means, having previously been recorded thereon. The recording means may also be used to record interrogation signals for the information storage and/or processing machines so that the operator can use the recording means to send predetermined signals to the machines to derive therefrom particular information. Such a facility could, for example, fulfil the function of a daily newspaper, extract any messages specifically for a particular terminal apparatus or read the current market prices. The recording means could also be used to alert the machine to receive messages intended for specific recipients to be relayed by the machine in the manner of a telegram service.

The recording means may also be used to replay prerecorded records in the form of, for example, tape cassettes or cartridges, provided that the form of signals produced by the records is suitable for application to the particular place in the circuit of the apparatus to which the recording means is connected.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of displaying information derived from an information storage and/or processing machine via a telephone network, the method including transmitting from a keyboard of a terminal apparatus to the machine via the telephone network signals identifying selected pages of information, receiving at the terminal apparatus from the machine via the telephone network packets of information respectively representing the selected pages, recording on - a magnetic tape recording means intended for audio frequency signals only at least some of the packets of information received, replaying the recorded packets of information one packet at a time for storage in a storage means capable of storing one packet, converting the information stored in the storage means into video signals representing that information, and applying the video signals to a raster scanned cathode ray tube display means in synchronism with the raster scan to produce a prolonged display of a page of information.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect it will now be described with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawing, which shows in block diagrammatic form one example of apparatus in accordance with the invention.

In the drawing there is shown telephone apparatus 1 connected to a telephone line 2 by which it is connected to a telephone exchange (not shown). Between the line 2 and the telephone apparatus 1 there is provided a changeover switch 3 controlled by a connection 4 from a key pad 5. The switch 3 has a second output 6 to which the line 2 can also be connected, the output 6 being connected through isolation and protection circuit 7 to a modem 8. The key pad 5 has a further connection 9 by means of which it transmits signals to the modem 8. As indicated by the bidirectional arrows the mddem 8 is constructed to transmit signals to the telephone line 2 as well as receive signals from it. Signals received by the modem 8 are demodulated by it and the demodulated signals are applied via an input control circuit 10 to a memory 11. The memory is controlled by a memory control unit 12 which itself is controlled by the input control circuit 10. The output signals from the memory 11 are connected to a character generator and video output unit 13 which is controlled by a display control unit 14 which also applies signals to the memory control unit 12. The video/output signals produced by the unit 13 are applied to a display device 15 which is a cathode-ray tube.

As thus far described the apparatus shown in the drawing is an example of the terminal apparatus for the "Viewdata" system. The operation of the apparatus is as follows. Initially the changeover switch 3 is connected so that the telephone line 2 is connected to the telephone apparatus 1 and the operator when wishing to obtain information from an information storage and/ or processing machine forming part of the "Viewdata" system lifts the receiver on the telephone apparatus 1 and dials the number of the machine. When the connection is complete signals from the machine are heard through the receiver of the telephone 1. At this time a key on the key pad 5 is pressed which causes the switch 3 to change over and connect the line 2 to the output 6. The signals received from the machine are applied to the modem 8 and cause a display on the key pad 5 to indicate that the apparatus is connected to the machine. The modem 8 may include identification circuits which enable the information storage and/or processing machine to - identify the terminal apparatus and ensure that the correct subscriber account is charged. Conveniently the signals received from the machine at this time could represent basic index information which is transferred to the memory 11. The display control unit 14 which includes synchronising circuits for scanning oscillators with the display device 15 causes the memory control unit 12 to read information stored in the memory 11 in synchronism with the scanning of the device 15. The output signals from the memory 11 which may be in binary coded form are converted to character information by the circuits 13 which produce video output signals for the device 15 to cause it to generate a page of display representing the basic index as received from the information storage and/or processing machine.

When the operator has read the page of information on the device 15 he presses a key or a combination of keys on the key pad 5 which causes the modem 8 to transmit signals via the telephone line 2 to the machine calling up further information. When this is received it is stored in the memory 11 and repeatedly read therefrom by the memory control unit 12 in synchronism with the scanning of the display device 15 to produce the new page of information on the device 15.

This procedure can be followed as many times as is necessary for the operator to have displayed the information which he is seeking.

When the operator has completed his use of the system he presses a terminating key on the pad 5 which causes the switch 3 to change back and reconnect telephone line to the telephone apparatus 1 and effect the disconnection of the apparatus from the machine.

In the operation of the device just described it will be apparent that it is necessary to maintain the connection through the telephone line 2 to the machine as long as further information is required, and to overcome this difficulty there is provided in accordance with this example of the present invention an audio frequency tape recorder 16 which is connected through a switch 17 to the connection of the isolation and protection circuit 7 to the modem 8. There is also provided a second output from the memory 11 through control circuits 18 to a modulator 19 which is able to produce in response to information stored in the memory 11 signals suitable for transmission over the telephone line 2 to the information storage and/or processing machine. The output of the modulator 19 is connected to an input of the recorder 16. Broken lines 20 indicate control connections from the key pad 5 to the recorder 16, the switch 17, the control circuits 18 and the modulator 19.

The tape recorder 16 operates in the following way in conjunction with the remainder of the terminal apparatus. When the device 15 is displaying information which the operator will wish to refer to again, he depresses the key on pad 5 which causes the information stored in the memory 11 and which is being repeatedly read to produce the display on the device 15 to be passed via control 18 to the modulator 19. This information is modulated by the modulator 19 so that it has the same form as a signal received over the telephone line 2 and it is then recorded on the magnetic tape of the recorder 16 together with any address information which may be needed to locate the information later on. It will be apparent therefore that the operator will be able to record by means of the recorder 16 as many pages of information as he wishes. The information stored by the recorder 16 may be replayed through the switch 17 and the modem 8 into the memory 11 without the terminal apparatus needing to be connected to the telephone line 2, and in this way the line 2 can be used more economically.

In an alternative mode of operation the tape recorder can be arranged to record the signals received over the telephone line 2 as they occur at the output of the isolation and protection circuits 7 and they may be subsequently replayed through the modem 8 as if they had been received directly over the line 2.

The various components of the example of the invention just described may take any suitable from. For example, the magnetic tape may be stored in cassettes or cartridges or on reels. The isolation and protection circuits 7 are provided to ensure that there is no possibility of excessive loads being imposed on the telephone line 2 or of mains voltage being applied to the line due to a failure in any of the components of the apparatus. The modem 8 may be a conventional item able to receive a modulated audio frequency input and produce from it a suitable binary coded output and vice versa.

The memory 11 must be capable of storing the binary coded information constituting a full page display on the device 15. The control circuits 12 read the memory 11 repeatedly in synchronism with the scanning of the display and produce the binary data in sequential form by application to the character generator in video output circuits 13. The character generator may read only memory addressed by the binary output of the memory 11 and produce video signals for several adjacent lines of the display of the device 15 in such a way as to produce lines of alphanumeric information. In addition the character generator may be arranged to produce graphical information in response to the binary data in a manner similar to that proposed for CEEFAX and ORACLE dispalys. The modulator 19 may be similar to the modulator of the modem 8 and should produce similar signals. In a modification of the example the modulator 19 may be included in the modem 8 or may be the modulator of the modem 8 switched to receive the inputs of the control circuit 18 and to apply an output to the tape recorder 16.

In a simplified version of the invention the recorder 16 may be connected separately to the telephone line 2 and operated by controls on the recorder itself rather than through the key pad; in such an embodiment of the invention the recorder may be a com mercially obtainable unit.

Other modifications may be made to the invention. For example, a clock may be associated with the recorder to enable it to connect the terminal apparatus to the information storage and/or processing machine at, for example, 7 a.m., and select from the machine those pages of information which carry the day's news at that time, the recorder 16 recording the signals as they are received over the telephone line so that an operator can have a "pre-recorded newspaper" displayed to him by means of the device 15 without causing additional loading on the telephone line 2 at that time.

The recorder 16 can also be used to transmit to the machine at high speed quantities of information such as, for example, messages for other subscribers to the system. Such messages may be applied to the recorder 16 via the control circuit 18 or from the memory 11.

It would also be possible for information stored in the recorder of one terminal apparatus to be transmitted to the recorder of another terminal apparatus without passing through the information storage and/or processing machine.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Terminal apparatus for an information handling system having one or more information storage and/or processing machines connectible to the terminal apparatus via a telephone network, the terminal apparatus including means for connection to a telephone network, keyboard means coupled to the connection means to apply thereto information for transmission to one of the machines, means for receiving from one of the machines via the telephone network in response to the information transmitted packets of information respectively representing selected pages of data to be displayed, storage means coupled to the receiving means to receive therefrom and store one packet of information derived from one of the machines, cathode ray tube display means including raster scanning means, and character generating means connected to the storage means to receive therefrom in response to addressing of the storage means in synchronism with the operation of the raster scanning means signals representing information stored therein so as to enable the cathode ray tube display means to display the page for a plurality of raster scanning periods, wherein magnetic tape recording and relay apparatus suitable for audio signals only is provided connected to the connection means for recording and/or playing back signals received by the connection means representing at least some of the selected pages of data.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the recording means is connected to receive signals directly from the telephone network and to play back signals directly at a point on the connection means to which signals from the telephone network would be directly applied.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the connection means includes a modem having first terminals for connection to the telephone network and second terminals connected to the storage means and the recording means is connected to receive signals derived from and to replay signals to the second terminals of the modem.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein means is provided for enabling the recording means to receive for recording signals generated within the terminal apparatus, for example signals entered via the keyboard means.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim including means responsive to the keyboard means for enabling the selective transfer of signals from the connection means to the recording means, and means responsive to the receipt of the selected signals to activate the recording means to record the signals.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim including means responsive to the keyboard means for causing the recording means to replay selected signals and for transmitting them to one of the machines.

7. Terminal apparatus for an information handling system substantially as described herein with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawing.

8. A method of displaying information derived from an information storage and/or processing machine via a telephone network, the method including transmitting from a keyboard of a terminal apparatus to the machine via the telephone network signals identifying selected pages of information, receiving at the terminal apparatus from the machine via the telephone network packets of information respectively representing the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the character generator may be arranged to produce graphical information in response to the binary data in a manner similar to that proposed for CEEFAX and ORACLE dispalys. The modulator 19 may be similar to the modulator of the modem 8 and should produce similar signals. In a modification of the example the modulator 19 may be included in the modem 8 or may be the modulator of the modem 8 switched to receive the inputs of the control circuit 18 and to apply an output to the tape recorder 16. In a simplified version of the invention the recorder 16 may be connected separately to the telephone line 2 and operated by controls on the recorder itself rather than through the key pad; in such an embodiment of the invention the recorder may be a com mercially obtainable unit. Other modifications may be made to the invention. For example, a clock may be associated with the recorder to enable it to connect the terminal apparatus to the information storage and/or processing machine at, for example, 7 a.m., and select from the machine those pages of information which carry the day's news at that time, the recorder 16 recording the signals as they are received over the telephone line so that an operator can have a "pre-recorded newspaper" displayed to him by means of the device 15 without causing additional loading on the telephone line 2 at that time. The recorder 16 can also be used to transmit to the machine at high speed quantities of information such as, for example, messages for other subscribers to the system. Such messages may be applied to the recorder 16 via the control circuit 18 or from the memory 11. It would also be possible for information stored in the recorder of one terminal apparatus to be transmitted to the recorder of another terminal apparatus without passing through the information storage and/or processing machine. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Terminal apparatus for an information handling system having one or more information storage and/or processing machines connectible to the terminal apparatus via a telephone network, the terminal apparatus including means for connection to a telephone network, keyboard means coupled to the connection means to apply thereto information for transmission to one of the machines, means for receiving from one of the machines via the telephone network in response to the information transmitted packets of information respectively representing selected pages of data to be displayed, storage means coupled to the receiving means to receive therefrom and store one packet of information derived from one of the machines, cathode ray tube display means including raster scanning means, and character generating means connected to the storage means to receive therefrom in response to addressing of the storage means in synchronism with the operation of the raster scanning means signals representing information stored therein so as to enable the cathode ray tube display means to display the page for a plurality of raster scanning periods, wherein magnetic tape recording and relay apparatus suitable for audio signals only is provided connected to the connection means for recording and/or playing back signals received by the connection means representing at least some of the selected pages of data.

selected pages, recording on a magnetic tape recording means intended for audio frequency signals only at least some of the packets of information received, replaying the recorded packets of information one packet at a time for storage in a storage means capable of storing one packet, converting the information stored in the storage means into video signals representing that information, and applying the video signals to a raster scanned cathode ray tube display means in synchronism with the raster scan to produce a prolonged display of a page of information.

9. A method according to claim 8, including selecting the signals for recording on the recording means in response to signals entered by means of a keyboard.

10. A method of displaying information derived from an information storage and for processing machine via a telephone network, substantially as herein described with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawing.