United States Patent {191
`[45]
`Date of Patent:
`Agnew et 31.
`
`Patent Number:
`
`[11]
`
`4,509,122
`
`Apr. 2, 1985
`
`[54] METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE FILE
`TRANSFER CAPABILITY OF AN
`INTERACTIVE TEXT PROCESSING SYSTEM
`THAT IS EMULATING A HOST
`PROCESSING SYSTEM TERMINAL
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Palmer W. Agnew, Owego, N.Y.;
`John S. Coviello, San Jose, Calif;
`Linda S. Green, Vestal; Anne S.
`Kellerman, Endicott, both of NY.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`International Business Machines
`Corporation, Armonk, NY.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 442,817
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Nov. 18, 1982
`
`Int. Cl.3 ................................................ G06F 9/06
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl.
`.................................................... 364/200
`[58] Field of Search
`364/200 MS File, 900 MS File.
`364/300
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,891,974 6/1975 Coulter et a].
`...................... 364/200
`
`3,955,l80
`5/1976 Hirtle .........
`364/200
`4,077,058 2/l978 Appell et al.
`....................... 364/200
`
`Primary Exami‘ner—Raulfe B. Zache
`Attorney. Agent, or Firm—Saul A. Seinberg
`[57}
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method of transferring information between a host
`data processing system and the private storage media of
`an interactive text processing system, and the reverse,
`under control of the host while the text processing
`system is emulating a host
`terminal. All
`information
`intended to be written to or read from the text proces-
`sor’s diskette and commands therefor, are marked with
`a unique indicator that is recognized by emulation soft-
`ware and utilized thereby to steer said commands and
`information to a file transfer program and away from
`the emulated terminal screen. This is done in a manner
`that is transparent to the host which handles transferred
`information as though it were being written to or re-
`turned from the emulated screen.
`
`3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`24
`
`28
`
`FORHATTER
`“NF 1
`
`{ORMATTED
`DOCUIENI
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TERMINAL
`DISPLAY
`TERMINAL
`KEYBOARD
`
`
`
`
`20
`
`DOCUMENT
`lll DEF f0“!
`
`
`v?
`
`I
`norm
`
`Imsronns
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`,30
`
`W4
`PRINTER
`
`m LIBRARY
`oocuusut
`m m LSFORM
`
`32
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`44
`
`SYSTEM/370 VM
`HOST ENVIRONMENT
`_____.__._________
`
`DISPLAYWRtTER
`ENVIRONMENT
`
`45
`
`‘2
`
`T
`§
`______ ~_ _
`
`s E
`
`R
`
`DOINLOAD
`
`
`
`£0
`
`
`EDITOR}
`Ill!
`
`PRINTER
`FOHIIATTER
`
`
`
`ll"
`
`
`
`KEYBOARD
`
`
`
`
`EXHIBIT
`Petitioner — Kyocera
`
`PX 1025
`
`Kyocera PX 1025__1
`
`

`

`US. Patent Apr. 2, 1935
`
`Sheet 1 of3
`
`4,509,122
`
`24
`
`
`
`26
`20
`
`
`
`
`TERMINAL
`FORMATTER
`FORMATTED
`(DCF)
`DOCUMENT
`DISPLAY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EDITOR
`
`TERMINAL - mmécclAMFEé'Ju
`
`KEYBOARD
`— 22
`
`’50
`
`v M
`PRINTER
`
`32
`
`LIBRARY
`
`UP
`:
`
`DOWN
`
`UPLOAD
`
`TRANSFORMS
`[‘0'
`(A
`
`DOCUMENT
`INLSFORM
`
`IEco":
`
`TWSFERS
`
`TRANSFERS
`
`44
`
`45
`
`mspLAYWRHER
`ENVIRONMENT
`
`SYSTEM/370 VM
`T
`HOST ENvaNMENT
`g
`______ M __ fl____________
`5?
`E
`
`
`DOWNLOAD
`
`0
`
`a’42
`
`D
`w
`DISPLAY
`
`34
`
`36
`
`UN
`KEYBOARD
`
`_
`
`6A
`DISKETTE
`
`EDITOR/
`FORMATTER
`
`3g
`
`40
`0w
`PRINTER
`
`FIG.
`
`1
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_2
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_2
`
`

`

`US. Patent Apr. 2, 1985
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`4,509,122
`
`TEXT TYMNG
`
`34
`
`
`
`DW
`DISPLAY
`
`
` EDITDR/
`
`FORMATTER
`
`
`
`
`DW
`KEYBOARD
`
`
`
`FIG. 2A
`
`EMULKHON
`
`
`
`OW
`DISPLAY
`
`
`
`
`
`3
`
`6
`
`DW
`KEYBOARD
`
`
`
`HOST svsreu
`
`1
`
`50
`
`TERMINAL
`ERULATmR
`PROGRAM
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`52
`
`FIG. 28
`
`TRANSFER——
`
`OW
`DISPLAY
`
`34
`
`36
`
`OR
`KEYBOARD
`IIIIIIIIIII
`
`
`HOST SYSTEM
`
`DISK
`
`USER'S
`
`24
`
`
`FILE
`TRANSFER
`
`
`PROGRAM
`
`
`42
`
`FIG. 2C
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_3
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_3
`
`

`

`US. Patent Apr. 2, 1985
`
`Sheet3 of3
`
`4,509,122
`
`24
`
`
` TRANSFORM
`PROGRAMS
`
`
`
`
` CONTROL
`FILE TRANSFER
`
`
`
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`
`OTHER
`CMS
`
`CMS
`TERMINAL
`
`
`
`POCRAMS
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I'UP'A'DOWN')
`
`62
`
`58
`
`UPLOAD
`
`HOST STEERING PROGRAM
`
`I SYSTEM/370 VM
`l DISPLAYWRITER
`
`HOST ENVIRONMENT
`
`ENVIRONMENT
`
`DOWNLOAD -
`
`
`
`
`‘
`
`ANR LIIIII
`
`56
`
`ow STEERING
`
`PROGRAM
`
`FILE
`
`I
`
`ow 54
`DISPLAY
`
`
`
`TRANSFER
`
`”0‘3“”
`
`
`
`
` II
`
`OW
`KEYBOARD
`
`
`
`42
`
`EDI TOR/
`
`FORMATTER
`
`II
`I
`
`IIEY SELECTION
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_4
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_4
`
`

`

`1
`
`4,509,122
`
`METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE FILE
`TRANSFER CAPABILITY OF AN INTERACTIVE
`TEXT PROCESSING SYSTEM THAT IS
`EMULATING A HOST PROCESSING SYSTEM 5
`TERMINAL
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention is concerned with a method for con- 10
`trolling the file transfer capabilities of an interactive text
`processing system. More particularly, this invention is
`directed to achieving control of the attached diskette of
`an interactive text processing system while it is emulat-
`ing an attached host terminal.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Several different forms are known and commonly
`used for representing editable or revisable documents in
`information handling systems. Some examples are OIIA
`L3 used by Displaywriter and 5520 Systems, a form 20
`often
`called
`“Two-Baker”
`used
`by
`3790
`and
`DOSF/DPCX/SIOO, and the DCF input form used by
`Document Composition Facility and Professional Of-
`fice System. Displaywriter is a word processor, capable
`of and primarily intended for stand—alone operation, 25
`manufactured and sold by International Business Ma-
`chines Corporation (IBM Corporation).
`It includes a
`diskette drive and diskette on which the drive will write
`documents in L3 form and from which it will read the
`same. It is a type of text processor commonly known as 30
`a “what you see is what you get" or interactive system.
`The 5520 is a shared logic, multi-station text processing
`and office communication system that is also sold by
`IBM Corporation. The 3790, classifiable as a minicom-
`puter, is an intelligent text processing system. The 8100, 35
`which is also classifiable as a minicomputer is adapted
`using DOSF, a text processing package, and DPCX, a
`special operating system, as a text processing system.
`Both the 3790 and 8100 are manufactured and sold by
`IBM Corporation. Document Composition Facility 40
`(DCF) or SCRIPT/VS is a text processing program
`product sold by IBM Corporation. The Professional
`Office System or PROFS is a menu driven program
`product sold by IBM Corporation that is designed and
`particularly suitable for handling and managing a wide 45
`spectrum of office related tasks. It includes text process-
`ing capabilities that utilize the DCF form of editable
`text representation. In this type of text processing sys-
`tem, the operator imbeds textual matter in the document
`that is subsequently interpreted as one or more format— 50
`ting commands and is retained in the editable document
`form as textual matter. This document form, when sub-
`sequently interpreted, is formatted as a whole document
`or batch processed.
`These are several of the available text processing 55
`systems from IBM Corporation that can be employed to
`create, manipulate and format editable documents.
`There are also many other fine text processing systems
`and software support
`therefor available from other
`suppliers. Due to the overwhelming number of text 60
`processing systems now available, it is not uncommon
`to have a diverse mix of different text processors at any
`particular installation.
`Part of that mix is created by supplying a secretary
`with a Displaywriter while the principal the secretary 65
`works for is given a terminal that attaches to a host data
`processing system. Assuming that
`there are methods
`and implementing means for transforming the incom-
`
`2
`patible document forms created by each type of text
`processing system so that they can be edited by the
`different parties using their own text system, there still
`exists a need to transfer any document between the
`secretary and principal, and the reverse, probably sev-
`eral times.
`
`in addition to transforming documents
`Therefore,
`from one form to another and then back again, as re—
`quired, the ability to forward documents from one sys-
`tem to another to take advantage of such transform
`capability is required. One effort in this area is DISOSS,
`a sophisticated and large program that enables a Sys-
`tem/370 host to communicate with an 8100. This IBM
`Corporation program product is provided to permit a
`user to converse with the 8100 and a matching program
`therein DISOSS D, and thereby format a batch transfer
`job to be run by the host system. The dialog between
`DISOSS and DISOSS D is one between two good sized
`operating systems.
`Displaywriter can use a DISOSS D analog to pass its
`diskette based documents to and from a host system.
`However, this DW analog fills all of the available DW
`memory leaving no room for typing tasks. Transfers
`must be accomplished as separate tasks that consume
`large amounts of DW resources and operator time. The
`use of resident operating systems like DISOSS D or file
`handling mechanisms. such as, for example, a program
`to implement a “get file” and “put file" arrangement,
`leave the burden ofinformation transfer with the func-
`tion poor interactive text processor instead of with the
`host system that is designed to handle such tasks.
`
`OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`is a principal object of the present
`it
`Accordingly,
`invention to provide a method for transferring a docu-
`ment from the storage device of an interactive text
`processing system to the disk of a host system or the
`reverse in a manner that does not adversely impact the
`interactive text processor.
`It is also a principal object of the present invention to
`provide such a method wherein said transfer does not
`require the expansion of the interactive text processing
`system‘s memory.
`It is another object of the present invention to pro-
`vide a method of transferring information between a
`host and interactive text processing system in a manner
`that places the host in control of the text processor’s
`diskette storage.
`It is yet another object of the present invention to
`provide such methods wherein the host gains said dis-
`kette control while the text processor is emulating a
`terminal connectable thereto.
`
`These and other objects of the present invention are
`achieved by permitting a host system to supervise and
`control the file transfer capability of an interactive text
`processing system that
`is emulating a host
`terminal.
`When in emulation mode, the text processor invokes a
`control program to force definition of identifying faC>
`tors that determine the direction of transfer between
`host and text processor and the precise identity and
`location of the information to be transferred and to
`initiate file transfer. Once that has been accomplished, a
`file transfer program resident in the text processor is
`able to determine, by means of an express and unique
`identifier, whether any block of information is intended
`to support the emulation operation or the file transfer
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_5
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_5
`
`

`

`4,509,122
`
`3
`operation. A similar function, also responsive to said
`identifier, is provided for the host system.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention will be described further, by way of a
`preferred example thereof, with reference to the accom-
`panying drawings wherein like reference numerals have
`been used in the several views to depict like elements, in
`which:
`FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a simplified represen-
`tation of a unified but separable configuration of a host
`system and an interactive text processing system
`adapted to transfer information from one system to the
`other in accordance with the subject;
`FIGS. 2A—2C shows three possible modes of opera-
`tion of the text processor shown in FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 3 schematically depicts the functional relation-
`ships of the host and text processing systems, particu-
`larly when said text processing system is in its emulation
`or transfer operating modes.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`As previously noted, there are several different and
`incompatible forms used in which an editable document
`can be represented. However, due to inherent dispari-
`ties between forms,
`it
`is impossible to readily move
`editable document data streams from one text processor
`to another for editing purposes although the advantages
`to be gleaned thereby would be significant. The typical
`mix of incompatible text processing systems, in even a
`modest installation and the investment they represent,
`renders such a capability important. It would be partic—
`ularly advantageous to be able to move a document
`from a first text processing system to a second and back
`again, or even to a third or fourth type text processor, as
`many times as would be needed, to effect creation and
`complete editing of the document, without concern for
`the incompatibility of the respective document forms.
`A large and increasing number of principals use data
`processing terminals, such as those of the IBM Corpora-
`tion’s 3270 family, for many tasks, particularly word
`processing. A concomitant number of secretaries use
`Displaywriters (DWs) for word processing. Connecting
`DWs to host data processing systems allows principals
`and secretaries to cooperate in the creation, editing, and
`distribution of text documents. This connection is made
`through the use of an ANR interface, including appro-
`priate software therefor, which permits the text proces—
`sor to emulate a host system terminal. The details of this
`ANR interface, which form no part of the present in-
`vention, can be found in “An Introduction to the IBM
`3270 Information Display System”, manual number
`GA27-3739.
`OIIA L3, or Office Information Interchange Archi-
`tecture Level 3, an IBM Corporation designation, a
`document data stream form that was previously men-
`tioned, is the form used in IBM Corporation’s Display-
`writer (DW). It shall hereinafter be referred to as L3.
`Document Composition Facility, another IBM Corpo—
`ration designation,
`is a second document data stream
`form that was also previously mentioned. This is the
`form used for representing editable documents using
`SCRIPT/VS, for example. in a VM environment on ‘an
`IBM Corporation System 370 data processor. It shall
`hereinafter be referred to as DCF.
`One possible interconnection arrangement that can be
`used to couple a host processor, a System/ 370 operating
`
`5
`
`[0
`
`l5
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`in a VM environment, and a stand-alone Displaywriter
`(DW) is shown in FIG. 1. In the typical situation, a
`principal is provided with a terminal display 20 and a
`terminal keyboard 22 that are coupled to the host pro-
`cessor. In this example environment,
`the principal
`is
`also provided with other system capabilities, such as a
`disk 24, an editor 26 and,
`in this instance, a DCF
`(SCRIPT/VS) based formatter 28. Hard copy can be
`produced by spooling files to the system printer 30. In
`addition, if the need arises, the principal can access the
`system library 32 and move any appropriate file to or
`from their user disk 24. The library 32 is also available
`to the principal for archival storage purposes. The prin-
`cipal would create or edit a document by interacting
`with terminal display 20 and keyboard 22, using any
`additional tools as needed. The secretary, on the other
`hand, employs a Displaywriter to create and edit textual
`matter or documents. DW provides its own display 34
`and keyboard 36. It is very easy to use because what
`you see on display screen 36 is what you will get on the
`printer 40.
`The transform/transfer capability allows both secre-
`taries and professionals to utilize their respective text
`processing and editing capabilities in a fully cooperative
`manner. The DCF to L3 transform allows a secretary to
`view and edit documents entered or edited by their
`principal. A related L3 to DCF transform, which uses
`very different methods, permits the principal to view
`and edit documents entered or edited by the secretary.
`Either transform requires a facility for host control of
`the DW diskette files. In referring to the transfer of
`documents and the transformation of document files,
`“UPLOAD” will be used herein to indicate movement
`from DW to the host and “DOWNLOAD" will be used
`to indicate the flow of information from the host to
`DW. The term “UP" signifies a transform from an L3
`type document form to a DCF type document form.
`The term “DOWN” signifies a transform from a DCF
`document form to an L3 document form. Further de-
`tails of the L3 to DCF transform and the DCF to L3
`transform facilities can be found respectively in com-
`monly assigned and copending patent applications by
`Agnew et al US. patent application Ser. Nos. 442.827
`and 442,927 now US. Pat. No. 4,498,147.
`FIGS. 2A through 2C schematically depict the three
`operating modes of a Displaywriter
`that has been
`equipped with an ANR/host interface 50.
`In a first
`operational mode, see FIG. 2A, the DW is ready for
`normal text entry and editing. Under ANR and emula-
`tion software control, by means of a simple keystroke
`sequence, the DW can be placed in its terminal emula-
`tion mode wherein the host system converses with it
`believing that it is a typical terminal, such as, for exam-
`ple, a 3277 terminal manufactured and sold by IBM
`Corporation. This operational mode is shown in FIG.
`2B. In addition, when desired, the DW can be switched
`to a transfer mode of operation wherein information can
`be transferred between a user’s assigned host disk 24
`and the private DW storage media or diskette 42.
`Emulation transferring and typing capabilities can be
`achieved by loading the DW using a diskette containing
`its normal
`typing tasks program, which includes the
`editor/formatter 38, and also a diskette that includes an
`emulation program 52 that is compatible with the ANR
`interface 50 and a file transfer program 54 which consti-
`tutes an elementary diskette controller. At DW start-up,
`these programs are all
`loaded into DW memory and
`remain resident and accessible therein. When the DW
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_6
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_6
`
`

`

`4,509,122
`
`6
`placed on the emulated terminal screen by the CMS
`Terminal Interface 60.
`In any event,
`the proper and
`necessary information is thereby made available to Con-
`trol Program 64.
`the File
`When that aspect of the transfer is over,
`Transfer Interface 62 prepares a block of information
`for the File Transfer Program 54, which block is headed
`by the unique identifier byte noted above. When that
`block of information passes over the ANR link 50, it is
`interrogated by the DW Steering Program 56. When
`the unique identifier is encountered, the DW Steering
`Program “knows" that this block of information is not
`the next emulated terminal screen and so it is passed to
`the File Transfer Program 54.
`That block of information, assuming an upload is
`specified, will be a “File Open” command for the
`named document file on the named diskette. Subsequent
`blocks of information will be several “Read” com-
`mands. The information read from the named document
`file, in response to each read command, will be passed
`back to the File Transfer Program 54, which places the
`unique identifier in front of it so that it will be steered
`back to the File Transfer Interface 62 which will then
`write it out to the user‘s disk 24. Information is contin-
`ued to be read in this fashion until an End of File marker
`is detected whereupon the File Transfer Program is sent
`a “Close File” command that terminates the transfer.
`This action places an L3 form document on the user's
`disk where it can be reached by "UP“ 68 for transfor-
`mation to DCF form if desired.
`In the case of a download, the transfer of information
`to the diskette is preceded by an “Open File" command,
`followed by an appropriate number of “Write" com-
`mands in blocks that also contain the records of data to
`be written. When the end of the L3 document form is
`reached, a “Close File” command is sent to the "File
`Transfer Program" 54 and the download transfer is
`terminated. Note that a download transfer initially re-
`quires a diskette having the proper name and sufficient
`room to accept the file to be downloaded to be in the
`DW drive.
`It should also be noted that all blocks of information
`that belong to or command a file transfer are preceded
`with a unique steering byte. This insures that the infor-
`mation is forwarded to the correct program in both the
`host and DW environments. The use of the unique
`identifier prevents the transferred information from
`being mistaken for terminal screen data by either the
`Emulation Program 52 or the CMS Terminal Interface
`60.
`
`IO
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`5
`operator wishes to run in the emulation mode, a simple
`predefined keystroke sequence will switch the DW
`from normal to emulation operation. In this instance,
`the keystroke sequence requires the user to simulta-
`neously press the “CODE" and “ENTER” keys. The
`operator can thereafter toggle between the normal text
`entry mode and the emulation mode by repeating the
`above-given keystroke sequence.
`The emulation capability need be loaded just once a
`day. so no re—loading of that diskette or re-logging onto
`the host is required when changing modes. The text
`entry mode is suspended when the emulation mode is
`selected and vice versa. Either mode can be resumed
`where it left off when the user returns thereto. More-
`over, even if file transfer has been initiated and is run—
`ning. the user may return to and utilize the DW text
`entry mode as long as he does not wish to edit the same
`document being transferred. The ANR line remains
`alive while in the text typing mode. No re-logon is
`required when returning to the emulation mode. Fur—
`ther, messages can be received over the ANR line even
`when the DW is in typing mode. The operator is ad-
`vised that the invisible terminal screen has been updated
`by a flashing “message" indicator on the visible DW
`screen. This invites the operator to toggle into the emu-
`lation mode and review updated terminal screen.
`The file transfer capability functions in the manner
`explained below. It is schematically illustrated in FIG.
`3. The user first types in a document and has it saved to
`a diskette or merely places a diskette containing the
`document ofinterest in the diskette drive. The user then
`types a message or keyword on the keyboard which
`indicates that a transfer is to take place. This embodi-
`ment of the present
`invention uses the term “DHI—
`RUN" to invoke the transfer mode, but any other pre-
`defined message would be satisfactory.
`The trigger message is passed, via the ANR link 50,
`to a Host Steering Program 58. It serves to watch the
`ANR link 50 and determine, by examining the flow of
`information thereon, whether a particular block of in-
`formation should be steered to the CMS Terminal Inter-
`face 60 or to the File Transfer Interface 62. That deci-
`sion is made by ascertaining if a block of information is
`headed by a predetermined unique and otherwise un-
`used ANR attribute byte.
`In this instance,
`the start
`transfer message reaches the CMS Terminal Interface
`60 where it invokes and runs the program Control 64 as
`it would run any of the other CMS programs 66, if
`asked to. The File Transfer Interface 62 portion of
`Control 62 then takes over and continues the file trans—
`fer process. It is important to note that the operating
`location of Control 64, in the host, permits the Display-
`writer to be utilized as normally encountered, without
`the need for additional memory, a significant slowdown
`in usage or the imposition of constraints on use of the
`DW while file transfer takes place.
`The Control Program 64 may read a parameter file
`that contains all of the information necessary for the file
`transfer to take place. In all probability, with this type
`of capability, the user will have pre-edited the parame-
`ter file to include all of the necessary information
`needed for the transfer. Typically, this would include
`the name of the document and of the diskette for the
`DW environment and the file name, type and mode for
`the host environment. In addition, the user would also
`specify whether an upload or download was to take
`place. That
`information might also be solicited by
`means of a menu or response to programmed prompts
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`The actual programs required to implement the func-
`tions described herein, such as the File Transfer Pro-
`gram 54 or the File Transfer Interface 62, are consid-
`ered to be within the ability of a programmer having
`ordinary skill in this art. It is the combination of func-
`tions that enable file transfer under host control, which
`combination is implemented by the programming, that
`constitutes the present invention.
`Many specific details of the implementation of the
`present invention, as set forth generally in this descrip-
`tion of an embodiment thereof, will be found in Appen-
`dix A of the aforementioned patent applications by
`Agnew et al. To the extent necessary, this appendix is
`incorporated herein by reference.
`Although the present invention has been described in
`the context ofa preferred embodiment thereof, it will be
`readily apparent to those skilled in the appertaining art,
`that modifications and variations can be made therein
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_7
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_7
`
`

`

`4,509,122
`
`7
`without departing from its spirit and scope. Accord-
`ingly, it is not intended that the present invention be
`limited to the specifics of the foregoing description of
`the preferred embodiment. Instead, the present inven-
`tion should be considered as being limited solely by the
`appended claims, which alone are intended to define its
`scope.
`Having thus described our invention, what we claim
`as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent,
`is as
`follows:
`
`1. In cooperation with a hardware link and program-
`ming therefor that allows an interactive text processing
`system emulate a host data processing system terminal,
`a method for transferring information between a user’s
`host disk and the private storage media diskette of said
`text processor, said method comprising the steps of:
`(a) placing a master program to control information
`transfer in the host environment;
`(b) placing an elementary diskette control program,
`responsive to said master control program, in the
`text processing environment; and
`
`8
`(c) prefacing all blocks of information intended to
`flow between said user's disk and said diskette with
`a unique identifier that is recognized by said termi-
`nal emulation programming as not belonging to
`said emulation function so that it may be steered to
`said master program or said diskette control pro—
`gram, as required.
`2. The method according to claim 1 which comprises
`the additional step of having said master control pro-
`gram interrogate the user, prior to information transfer,
`via the emulated terminal, to solicit identifying informa—
`tion for the disk file and diskette parameters involved in
`the upcoming transfer and to fix the direction oftransfer
`desired.
`3. The method according to claim 1 which comprises
`the additional steps of providing a host steering pro-
`gram, using it to interrogate all information blocks en-
`tering the host environment from said text processing
`environment, detecting said unique transfer information
`identifier and thereby ascertaining which of said blocks
`of information are to be steered to said master control
`program.
`It
`*
`It
`If
`*
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`so
`
`65
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_8
`
`Kyocera PX 1025_8
`
`