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Title: Computer automated information system
Claims: What is claimed is: 1. An information storage, processing, retrieval and display system comprising: information storage and processing means; first and second interfacing means connected to the storage and processing means; user operated keyboard means connected to the first interfacing means for transmitting information requests through said interfacing means to the storage and processing means; output register means connected to the second interfacing means for receiving information through said interfacing means from the storage and processing means in accordance with the information requests; information retrieval and display means connected to the output register means and driven thereby for retrieving and displaying information in accordance with the information requests; printing means associated with the information retrieval and display means for printing the retrieved and displayed information; the printing means including a print request actuator operated by the user for providing a print request output, a printer connected to the print request actuator and actuated by the output therefrom, a supply of paper and means connected to the print request actuator and to the supply of paper and responsive to the print request output for actuating the supply of paper into cooperative relation with the printer whereupon the printer prints the retrieved and displayed information; said means for actuating the supply of paper including a flip-flop, print interfacing means connected through a normally open switch to the flip-flop, control means connected to the supply of paper and to the print interfacing means, logic means connected to the print request actuator and responsive to the print request output for operating a relay to close the normally open switch, the output of the flip-flop in one state being applied through the closed switch to the print interfacing means, and effective for driving said means to activate the control means for actuating the supply of paper into cooperative relation with the printer to print the retrieved and displayed information; and input register means connected to the retrieval and display means and to the second interfacing means for applying an interrupt from the retrieval and display means through said interfacing means to the storage and processing means when a retrieval and display sequence has been completed. 2. A system as described by claim 1, including: logic means connecting the keyboard means to the first interfacing means; a video system connected to the logic means and driven thereby prior to operation of the keyboard means for displaying selected alphanumeric and pictorial information; and the logic means being effective upon operation of the keyboard means for applying the information requests to the first interfacing means for transmittal to the storage and processing means and for driving the video system to display alphanumeric and pictorial information related to the information requests. 3. A system as described by claim 1, including: an out of paper sensor connected to the supply of paper for sensing an out-of-paper condition and connected to the flip-flop for thereupon triggering the flip-flop to provide an output in another state; and said output in another state being ineffective for driving the print interface means. 4. A system as described by claim 3, wherein: the out-of-paper sensor is connected to the logic means and responsive to an out-of-paper condition for rendering said means unresponsive to the print request output. 5. A system as described by claim 3, including: indicating means connected to the switch; and the indicating means being responsive to the flip-flop output in another state for indicating an out-of-paper condition. 6. A system as described by claim 3, wherein: the print request actuator is a coin actuated means; and coin return means is connected to the switch and responsive to the flip-flop output in another state applied therethrough for returning the coin when an out-of-paper condition exists. 7. An information storage, processing, retrieval and display system comprising: information storage and processing means; first and second interfacing means connected to the storage and processing means; user operated keyboard means connected to the first interfacing means for transmitting information requests through said interfacing means to the storage and processing means; output register means connected to the second interfacing means for receiving information through said interfacing means from the storage and processing means in accordance with the information requests; information retrieval and display means connected to the output register means and driven thereby for retrieving and displaying information in accordance with the information requests; the information retrieval and display means including; information search logic means connected to the output register means and driven thereby for retrieving information in accordance with the information requests; reader means connected to the information search logic means and driven thereby for providing controlling outputs; a microfilm and screen arrangement associated with the reader means and controlled by the controlling outputs therefrom for displaying the retrieved information; and input register means connected to the retrieval and display means and to the second interfacing means for applying an interrupt from the retrieval and display means through said interfacing means to the storage and processing means when a retrieval and display sequence has been completed. 8. A system as described by claim 7, wherein: the input register means is connected to the search logic means and to the second interfacing means for applying an interrupt through said interfacing means when a retrieval and display sequence has been completed. 9. A system as described by claim 8, wherein: the output register means provides a plurality of control bits and another plurality of select bits; and the retrieval and display means includes a plurality of retrieval and display devices each of which is selected by one of the select bits and driven by the plurality of control bits for retrieving and displaying information in accordance with the information requests. 10. A system as described by claim 9, wherein: the input register means is connected to the plurality of retrieval and display devices and to the second interfacing means for applying interrupts from the devices through the interfacing means to the storage and processing means when said devices complete a retrieval and display sequence. Other info: Inventors: Ciarlo, Louis A. (Wyckoff, NJ, US) Application Number: 513316 Filing Date: 1974-10-09 Publication_date: 1976-04-06 Assignee: DMA Data Industries, Inc. (Saddle Brook, NJ) Primary Class(es): 358/1.12 353/26A Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs: Primary Examiner: Shaw, Gareth D. Assistant Examiner: Thomas, James D. Attorney: |
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