`television programming,
`the teletext system is really giving the
`user little more flexibility in obtaining information than he gets
`from standard broadcasting. The amount of information available
`ata given time is severely limited and is controlled by the broad-
`casting outlet. The user can elect to view what is currently "'play-
`ing'' or not to view atall. This is satisfactory for getting theatre
`schedules, classified advertising, or stock quotations, but offers
`little hope -- in present form -- of making even a fraction of the
`contribution the print media make to learning and information
`dissemination,
`
` Although abstract information in textual form does overcome some
`
`Another current approach is to connect the user by wire to a large
`computer with significant mass storage and let the user "interro-
`gate'' the computer for precisely the information desired. This
`kind of system, usually called a ''viewdata'' system, gives the user
`a great deal of manipulative power over the information, one of the
`requirements we noted above for successful communication of ab-
`stract information and a high level of learning.
`
`However, connection to a central computer still bears some re-
`semblance to tribal participatory communications. For one thing,
`the managers of the database have a great deal of control over the
`structure of the database and information input and output,
`If users
`can extract information from the database but cannot make contrib-
`utions,
`then we are back to the problem of broadcast television: a
`limited power structure controlling the information flow to a pop-
`ulation, Such an arrangement is not likely to rival a free market
`in books and magazines as a source of serious information gather-
`ing and learning.
`
`But the system is really a two edged sword. For if each user can
`also make contributions,
`then the process becomes a loosely
`structured form of computer conferencing. Such conferencing is,
`by nature, a group activity and group dynamics can influence the
`flow of information, favoring, as we noted before, a continuous
`but slow progression of information while tending to reject or ig-
`nore discontinuous, possibly threatening or mystifying,
`insights.
`
`have studied the group dy-
`Roxanne Hiltz and Murry Turoff [4]
`namics of formal computer conferencing. Their findings indicate
`that although the group dvnamics of computer conferences, a
`conference form they advocate, are not the same as those ofa
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`conventional conference, group values and attitudes do affect the
`behavior of other participants.
`
`The use of a common database for exchange of information may
`not be as rigid a form of conference as the kind discussed by Hiltz
`and Turoff, but the influence of group dynamics on information
`flow must not be taken lightly. Any kind of centralization of com-
`munication (even just two competing newspapers merging owner-
`ship) tends to restrict the variety and flow of information to some
`extent.
`
`Most such centralization is a function of economic forces, News-
`papers merge because the cost of maintaining separate facilities
`is too great, As a result the power of the printed newspaper is
`diminishing. For media tend to be strengthened and made more
`useful by decentralizing. A good example is the use of closed
`circuit television in universities.
`In the early 1960s, many large
`universities invested millions in building central television centers
`then wiring their campuses to distribute the signal to various
`classroom buildings,
`
`A better approach is to make use of low cost storage devices and
`
`the introduction of
`Long before most such systems were paid for,
`low cost videotape recorders obviated the need for large wired
`systems. Each teacher could collect and store a library of tapes
`and choose to use them ina class at will. The more an individual
`can store and manipulate information,
`the more useful is that
`medium.
`
`Hardly a single computer scientist projecting the near future of
`digital communications fails to describe in glowing terms a vision
`of millions of home terminals hooked up to a huge central database.
`Yet the cost of solid state memory and magnetic mass storage
`devices (disks,
`tape, bubble memory chips) is decreasing rapidly,
`while labor and materials costs for laying cable are escalating.
`
`Wired systems are needlessly expensive, provide less than ideal
`utility as sources of information and learning, and further the
`knowledge gap between industrialized and non-industrialized na-
`tions. Since the cost and complexity of large wired systems would
`limit them to the wealthiest nations, smaller countries, who might
`have the greatest need for improving information distribution,
`could not enjoy the fruits of the new technology.
`
`
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`LSI microprocessor chips to give each user storage and manipula-~
`tive capability. Thus each individual can build his or her own mag-~-
`netic "library" just as scholars build a library of books and maga-
`zines,
`
`It has been argued that such proposals are unsatisfactory because
`people would not use electronic search and storage for "real!
`scholarship or study,
`that staring at a glowing screen is not as
`comfortable as picking up a book.
`
`in countries where large well stocked libraries, or
`Of course,
`even book stores, are few and far between,
`the scholar might be
`willing to make some sacrifices. But even more important,
`technological advancements may soon eliminate the cathode ray
`tube. Already there exists a flat screen terminal using a liquid
`crystal display of beautifully formed letters which are read by
`reflected light, as is a book. Furthermore,
`this screen is touch
`sensitive, so that a selection from an index displayed on the
`screen can be made simply by touching the chosen entry with the
`finger. How simple and elegant, and how unlike watching tele-
`vision.
`
`if each electronic text user is to store and manipulate
`Of course,
`his own library of information,
`the problem of getting the informa-
`tion to the user must still be faced. Here we turn again to the
`teletext concept,
`
`Radio frequency (RF) distribution is far less costly than wire, but
`unlike the RF teletext systems now in use,
`the system 1am pro-
`posing lets each user store (and later manipulate) the data received.
`This means the information need only be transmitted once (or
`occasionally) rather than continuously. This greatly increases the
`amount of data that can be transmitted in any given time period.
`
`In the second section of this paper I propose an RF distribution
`system that can be implemented by a
`television or FM radio
`station. This makes possible a large number of separate infor-
`mation sources. Each user can program his terminal to receive
`and store the data desired after consulting some kind of published
`"program!" schedule, After the information is received and stored,
`it can be rearranged, scanned, and read at high speed using the
`"computing'' power of the receiving terminal. Each user can add
`information to his own database from any source whatever, even
`originate and type in his own text.
`
`
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`Besides letting the user collect text from large scale electronic
`RF distribution sources,
`the kind of system lam proposing even
`allows for small scale electronic "publishing" by means of ex-
`changed magnetic disks or tapes, by using low power RF channels
`(such as amateur radio), or by exchanging data over telephone
`lines. On the other hand, using the kind of teletext system
`currently implemented in Great Britain,
`it is hard to imagine
`small scale electronic publishing.
`
`Obviously, what Iam proposing is that each user have a kind of
`home computer. But most present makers of home computers
`have missed the mark as far as attracting the person who de-
`sires to use computing power but who is not inherently interested
`in computer operation,
`
`In the United States we are seeing the rapid expansion of digital
`
`
`One can read a book without understanding the process of printing.
`And most people who watch television don't understand how the
`receiving set produces pictures, Yet, home computer manufac-
`turers produce products which require a fair amount of education
`to use, Their products are scaled down models of business or
`scientific computing systems (nearly always operated by trained
`specialists) and,
`indeed, most so-called "home" computers sold
`to date have been purchased for business, scientific, or school
`use, Only a tiny percentage are used in the home,
`
`the computer has become a
`For most home users of computers,
`kind of hobby in itself.
`Just as most radio amateurs are more
`interested in the process of radio transmission than in exchanging
`information about non-radio subjects, most home computer owners
`are preoccupied with the machine, not with information.
`
`The kind of intelligent data receiver I propose must not seem to be
`a computer. This brings us to the technological implementation
`of the communicative values we have been discussion, And that
`is the subject of the second section of this paper.
`
`§2. A RADIO/TELEVISION TEXT IMPLEMENTATION
`
`The technological elements of a text broadcasting system can be
`grouped into one of three general categories: the text generation
`system,
`the transmission medium, and the reception/display
`system. The transmission medium will be considered first.
`
`
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`data services using subcarrier channels of FM radio stations and,
`experimentally, of television aural carriers.
`
`The medium is known in the U.S. as Subsidiary Communications
`Authorization (or 'SCA") broadcasting, and has been available
`for many years for the transmission of special aural services,
`such as background music and radio reading services for the
`blind.
`In recent years,
`the Federal Communications Commission
`has allowed digital data to be broadcast over SCA channels, The
`use of SCA channels in the U.S, has been limited by F.C. C. man-
`date to services directed to limited groups of individuals, not to
`the general public at large, but the situation may be different in
`other countries, and may even change in the United States,
`
`The basic principles of SCA technology are very simple. FM
`modulation consists of generating an RF signal of a specific fre-
`quency,
`the carrier frequency,
`then modulating or deviating that
`carrier signal up to a legal maximum (in the U.S.) of + 75 kHz.
`An additional 25 kHz. deviation is reserved as a guardband,
`resulting in a total channel bandwidth of + 100 kHz for each FM
`station,
`
`FM stereo uses 4+ 53 kHz. of that envelope, which leaves + 22
`kHz. remaining for additional utilization. An SCA channel is
`created by establishing an audio sub-carrier above 53 kHz., usu-
`ally 67 kHz., and modulating it + 6kHz.
`If FM stereo multi-
`plexing is not used for the main FM channel,
`then two different
`subcarriers, or SCA channels, may be added to the FM signal.
`Each SCA channel has a useable program bandwidth of 5,000 Hz.
`As mentioned above, SCA channels may also be added to the aural
`carrier of television stations.
`
`Some engineers are concerned that the use of SCA channels will
`degrade the strength of the main channel. The addition of each
`SCA channel to an FM station reduces the strength of the main
`channel by 1 dB, an inaudible loss for an FM channel. The aver-
`age listener cannot detect a loss smaller than 3 dB. (This is not
`to be confused with AM broadcasting in whicha 3 dB loss reduces
`AM power by half.) By contrast, a monaural FM station that
`converts to FM stereo degrades its signal-to-noise ratio by
`approximately 20 dB.
`
`Some older stereo transmission equipment and older FM receivers
`have occasionally,
`in the past, been the cause of a slight ''whist-
`ling" effect resulting from SCA information creating interference
`
`
`
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`in the main channel in some listeners' homes. Modern SCA gen-
`erators, and the widespread use of phase locked loop stereo de-
`coders in most all high quality FM receivers made in the last five
`years, have virtually eliminated this problem. [ 2]
`
`SCA channels can be implemented at low cost. An FM station in
`the U.S, can add SCA capability for about $3, 000.
`
`Data information can directly modulate the SCA subcarrier through
`the use of a specially designed SCA generator[11,12]or the out-
`put of a standard asynchronous modem can be fed into the SCA
`audio input of the subcarrier generator. L 10] Of course, all of
`the standard code compaction and data multiplexing techniques
`used for wired communications can be utilized, so that a single
`FM subchannel can easily carry eight or more asynchronous simul-
`taneous program services.
`
`be implemented without paying royalties for the encoding process,
`
`Through the use of frequency division, or more sophisticated
`multiplexing techniques, itis possible to transmit voice in-
`formation and one or more channels of text information simul -
`taneously over the same SCA subchannel. This allows an in-
`structional lesson, for example,
`to be transmitted that consists
`of a lecture illustrated by digital text or graphics. Both speech
`and data are carried by a single SCA subcarrier without disturb-
`ing the FM or TV main channel programming. The versatility
`and basic simplicity of SCA text transmission make it an ideal
`medium not only for large scale text broadcasting, but also for
`use by individual school systems, and by the smallest nations.
`Also,
`the equipment is readily available and a working system can
`
`
`
`
`SCA data transmission is continuous transmission, not a burst
`system as is used by teletext systems that insert data into the
`television vertical blanking interval. So the transmission and
`reception technology of digital SCA is simple. Small stations as
`well as large networks can successfully offer data programming.
`The technology can offer individuals large amounts of data (avail-
`able from many data "'stations' devoted to specific kinds of text
`"programs ''),
`
`Several modulation schemes have been employed for digital SCA
`transmission with useful data rates of up to 9, 600 bits per second.
`Slower rates, 300 - 1200 bps., are more commonly adopted,
`partly because of the availability of low cost "off-the-shelf mod-
`ems for these standards. But the trend is toward higher rates.
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`The text generation system for use with SCA transmission can be
`very straightforward. The requirements for any broadcast text
`system are less complex than for interactive viewdata systems,
`because the central computer does not have to process any input
`from the receiving terminals.
`
`All that is required is enough mass storage to contain the infor-
`mation to be transmitted within a given time period, and enough
`processing power to handle the filing and serial transmission of
`the text. An effective text generation system for small to medium
`sized applications can be built around a relatively low cost micro-
`computer.
`
`Although a very large.text broadcasting system, capable of accept-
`ing information from a large number of sources, might be built
`around a larger mainframe computer,
`it is also quite possible to
`build a large system around a series of microcomputers, using a
`highly distributed processing architecture.
`
`Each text writer could have a small microcomputer with a text
`editor for preparing information to be broadcast. The prepared
`text could then be stored on a disk or tape, which in turn would
`be transferred to the communications microcomputer for trans-
`mission at the appointed hour. This kind of system would imitate,
`in text form, standard radio news gathering and broadcasting
`in which each reporter prepares tape recordings for final broad-
`cast from a central console,
`
`We noted earlier that they key to providing the text user with a
`truly powerful source of informationlies in the use of a receiving
`terminal with storage and search capability. We saw that most
`"home" computers were not simple enough to operate.
`
`This is largely because home computer manufacturers have model-
`ed their present systems on computers designed for business or
`science, Businesses usually have a limited amount of data (cus-
`tomer lists, payroll,
`ledger, etc.) to be processed over and over
`again (as new sales are made, payrolls are met, etc.). They are
`further designed to be able to handle a variety of tasks, each one
`formulated by an experienced programmer using one or more of
`the standard computer "languages, '!
`
`Although many home computer applications have been proposed by
`computer manufacturers,
`these are mostly scaled down versions
`of business or scientific programs. Balancing a checkbook is like
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`keeping a ledger; playing a computer game is like running a mil-
`itary or business simulation; and filing recipes is similar to filing
`receipts. But the general public does not perceive that a computer
`is needed for these home tasks, since their complexity is rarely
`even a fraction of that of their business counterparts.
`
`A much better model for a computer suitable to receive and file
`data received from digital SCA broadcasting stations is described
`by D. J, Rhodes and S.J. Marchant. [8] They constructed an
`electronic filing system -- they were careful not to call it a com-
`puter lest the term intimidate the non-technical -- to be used by
`manufacturing personnel possessing no computer training or in-
`terest, The system allows information to be filed electronically
`in a form not unlike that used to file information on paper ina
`file cabinet. Thatis, electronic 'pages'!' are created, with
`appropriate headings, and a means of editing the text pages is
`provided.
`
`has been presented, and an implementation using SCA technology
`
`The system is far less complex than standard word processing
`systems, and the computer was designed and optimized to per-
`form this single task. Thus,
`it requires no "programming" by
`the user and uses no "language. '' With the widespread avail-
`ability of low cost LSI components there is no longer a need for
`the general purpose programmable computer in many applications.
`Computer manufacturers would do well to design computers for
`specific applications, rather than to seek applications for an
`' arbitrarily designed home”! computer.
`
`The Rhodes and Marchant machine could be an excellent starting
`point for the development of a digital data receiver with great
`storage and indexing capability that would receive its input from
`RF signals (perhaps tuned to receive desired data "programs"
`automatically at certain times of the day) and make the data avail-
`able to the reader rapidly on demand, and in a useful indexed form
`
`the most popular magazine in the United States pro-
`Recently,
`claimed on its cover, "You'll have a library in your TV set.''[3 ]
`But the discussion inside simply reported on current teletext
`experiments.
`This paper has shown how unlike a "Library"
`most teletext, or even viewdata, systems are in providing the
`user the informational power and social utility of the printed
`word. But the overall design of a system providing greater power
`
`
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`and intelligent dedicated receiving terminals has been described.
`The implementation makes use of a technology that is available
`now and is suitable for use at large and small scale levels.
`Its
`design is based on an information structure capable of serving
`human needs as fully as possible in order to insure the growth of
`cultures and the stimulation of creativity.
`
`It is a technology appropriate to the needs of a diverse world,
`
`REFERENCES
`
`[1] DeFleur, Melvin L., Theories of Mass Communication,
`Second Edition, David McKay Company, Inc.
`(New York)
`1970
`
`[2]
`
`[3]
`
`Hedlund, Leonard, "FM and SCMO Update," Broadcaster,
`Vol.38, No.10, October, 1979 (Toronto)
`
`'TReadanyGood Television Lately?" TV Guide,
`Hickey, Neil,
`Vol. 28, No.7, (Radnor PA) Feb. 16, 1980
`
`[4] Hiltz,S,R.& Turoff, M., The Network Nation, Addison-Wes-
`ley Publishing Company,
`(Reading, Mass.) 1978
`
`[5]
`
`Hoffer, Eric, Reflections on the Human Condition, Harper and
`Row,
`(New York), 1973
`
`[6] Mander, Jerry, Four Arguments for the Elimination of
`Television, William Morrow and Co,, Inc.
`(New York), 1978
`
`[7] McLuhan, Marshall, Understanding Media: The Extensions
`of Man, McGraw-Hill Book Company,
`(New York), 1964
`
`[8]
`
`[9]
`
`''Not a Computer: A
`Rhodes, D.J., & Marchant, S.J.,
`Machine to Help Production, '' Computers and People,
`July-August, 1979 (Newtonville, Mass. )
`
`Somers, Eric, "Cultural Energy and the Personal Computer,”
`National Computer Conference '79 Personal Computing
`Proceedings, (New York), 1979 and in Computer Age, Vol. 1,
`No.2, January, 1980 (London)
`
`[10] Somers, Eric, "Digital Broadcasting 'Piggy-backing' FM
`Subchannels,'' Broadcasting Systems and Operation, Vol. 2,
`
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`No.4, April, 1979 (Colchester, UK)
`
`[11]
`
`
`'Digicast: A Status Report, ‘Intelligent
`,
`
`Machines Journal,
`(Woodside, Calif.) Oct. 31,1979
`
`[12]
`» ‘Sweden Carries Digital Information on FM
`Radio, ' BM/E's World Broadcast News , (New York)
`November, 1979
`
`
`
`
`
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`Fresiresenpssesnromneonseseonomnrwmmnctsonnetmemerrecntestne
`
`515
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`PRIVATE VIEWDATA SYSTEMS
`
`Alexander Korda
`
`Commercial Manager
`
`GEC Viewdata Systems
`
`Copyright ©1980 by Online Conferences Ltd.
`
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`GEC has had a long involvement with videotext systems dating from the
`early days of Teletext and Viewdata. Currently GEC builds a variety
`of domestic and business Prestel terminals together with the necessary,
`semiconductor components and modem and line terminating units.
`
`The GEC Computers Limited GEC 4080 computer is used by the Post Offic
`for Prestel and to date GEC Computer based Prestel systems have been.
`installed abroad as public systems in West Germany, Switzerland,
`the
`Netherlands and shortly in Hong Kong,
`in addition to the private
`Prestel system operated by VNU in the Netherlands.
`
`The GEC Hirst Research Centre developed a basic Data General Nova
`based Viewdata System nearly two years ago.
`GEC Viewdata Systems was
`set up in December 1978 to explore the market for private Viewdata
`Systems and early in 1979 a major new program was started to develop
`a powerful GEC 4000 series computer based Viewdata System.
`
`This GEC 4000 series package is intended to run on all of the GEC 4009.
`series computers and was conceived to cover from the outset all the
`features considered to be essential for a Viewdata System used in
`business applications.
`The first version of this system will be
`available for delivery in September 1980.
`
`
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`516
`
`THE GEC 4000 VIEWDATA SYSTEM
`
`GEC AND VIEWDATA
`
`the GEC
`In addition to the Viewdata System development program,
`Hirst Research Centre is developing advanced viewdata terminal products
`such as intelligent editing terminals and terminals capable of using
`Telesoftware.
`Such advanced products will have a major impact on the
`way in which private Viewdata Systems are used in the future.
`
`The GEC 4000 series system currently under development will have the
`following facilities:
`
`-
`-
`
`-
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`~
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`-
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`-
`-
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`-
`-
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`-
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`Extendable to over 100 ports and 100,000 frames
`Auto answer and direct connection
`
`Prestel compatible access
`
`Bulk update/retrieval from Prestel
`
`Bulk receive from intelligent editing terminals
`and other mainframes
`
`Comprehensive system operator facilities
`Comprehensive information security (User Number,
`Password and Closed User Groups)
`
`Powerful response frame capability
`Comprehensive editing system including "Macro
`commands" and automatic frame update
`Broadcast
`to selected users by the systen manager
`
`
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`THE GEC 4000 SERIES OF COMPUTERS
`
`Before looking at the facilities in more detail, it is important
`look at the reason for choosing the GEC 4000 series as the basis
`of our Viewdata System.
`
`to
`
`The GEC 4000 series of minicomputers already have an impressive record
`of proven reliability for use as viewdata computers in Prestel systems
`both in the U.K. and abroad.
`The basis of this is an excellent real
`time performance which derives from the use of a hard-wired executive
`(NUCLEUS)
`in which overheads on frequently invoked operations are much
`reduced. This also leads to a considerable reduction in space overheads.
`Together with the 0S4000 operating system this leads to a product very
`well suited for viewdata operations.
`The development of NUCLEUS led
`to the award of the Queens Award to Industry to GEC Computers Limited
`in 1979.
`
`the GEC 4000
`time performance,
`In addition to this excellent real
`series also offers a wide range of other software packages, and
`permits easy extension to more powerful minicomputers across the
`GEC 4000 range.
`The Post Office uses the GEC 4082 minicomputer, but
`most private systems are likely to be implemented on the smaller (and
`cheaper) GEC 4065,
`though some larger systems may require a machine
`as powerful as the 4085.
`
`The range of systems offered by GEC Viewdata Systems extends from
`4000 frames to in excess of 100,000 frames and from 8 ports to in excess
`of 100 computer ports.
`A typical 32 port 60,000 frame system would
`include a 4065 processor equipped with the GEC Computers Limited
`Programmable Communications Controllers and two 70 Mbyte discs, which
`would allow a duplicated database in excess of 60,000 frames.
`Such
`a system could be extended by adding additional disc storage, additiona!
`Programmable Communications Controllers, more central memory store,
`links
`to other mainframes and further peripherals.
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2111
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 545
`
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2111
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 545
`
`
`
`
`
`VIEWDATA FACILITIES
`
`518
`
`The first version of the GEC 4000 series software available for
`installation from September 1980 will include the following features,
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`Information retrieval
`
`Response frames
`
`Bulk update/retrieve
`Bulk receive
`
`Comprehensive editing package
`
`Database security and archiving
`
`Accounting
`
`User Facilities
`
`These are similar to Prestel so that the user should be able to
`use either Prestel type systems or the GEC 4000 series system
`without any retraining.
`The User facilities include:
`
`* n#
`* He
`
`*
`
`* 2G
`
`n
`
`oe
`
`display page n
`display previous frame
`(up to 8 previous frames)
`
`cancel current
`
`input line
`
`re-display current frame
`
`display choice n
`
`display next frame
`
`Pages can contain up to 24 frames
`
`Response Frames
`
`The system contains Prestel compatible response frames including
`information on the following:
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`address
`
`date and time
`
`user name
`
`user telephone number
`
`user fillable response fields
`
`In addition the system incorporates response frame enhancements
`including:
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
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`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
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`Read and Test user password
`
`Read and Test user identity number
`
`Read and Test optional password
`
`Last access date and time
`
`Port number
`
`Connect
`
`time
`
`Page access bill
`
`Pages viewed
`
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2111
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 546
`
`PMC Exhibit 2111
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 546
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Bulk Update/Retrieve and Bulk Receive
`
`519
`
`Bulk update permits the transmission of pages to other Viewdata
`Systems (such as Prestel) either at 300 or 1200 baud using
`asynchronous computer ports.
`The system will also permit bulk
`retrieval of information and the deletion of selected parts of the
`database in the other Viewdata System (such as Prestel).
`Pages to
`be bulk updated are stored in "mailbag" files, and up to 99 "mailbag"
`files may be stored in the system. This permits "mailbags" to be
`prepared for both transmission at different times or different dates,
`and for transmission to a variety of different viewdata computer
`centres.
`
`The Bulk Receive capability will support either information
`received from intelligent editing terminals, or the bulk input
`of preformatted material from another mainframe. The process
`will automatically update the database currently in use.
`
`Editing System
`
`The editing system permits the editor to perform the basic functions
`of adding, deleting, amd editing frames and to edit the frame
`table.
`It also allows the editor to access a number of special
`editing commands called "Macros". These enable complex functions
`to be performed with simple commands, examples of these functions
`includes:
`
`~
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`-
`
`~
`-
`
`Text insertion and deletion
`
`Line insertion and deletion
`
`Column insertion and deletion
`
`Repetition of a learnt string of characters
`as many times as is specified by the user
`Text may be scanned and every occurrence of
`a particular character replaced by another
`Response fields can be added to the frame
`Graphics can be deleted with the text remaining
`and text deleted with graphics remaining
`
`Alphagraphics may be used
`A frame may be viewed in black and white or
`old facilities
`
`-
`A report on the frame size may be obtained
`The system incorporates an auto-update feature, so that a frame
`that is currently being viewed by a user is automatically updated
`if it is changed by an editor.
`
`There are security restrictions on editors in the form of an
`editor password and master page number. Editors are only allowed
`to edit pages beginning with this number but
`there are additional
`flags in the software to indicate whether an editor may edit
`certain key pages such as the main index. Only certain editors
`may edit on the top and bottom line of a viewdata frame.
`
`The system manager is able to vary the user/editor access on
`different ports.
`In addition the system manager may broadcast
`information to users whilst they are on line.
`
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2111
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 547
`
`PMC Exhibit 2111
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 547
`
`
`
`
`
`520
`
`Database Security
`
`Comprehensive database security is provided by User Number and
`Passwords (including additional Optional Personal Passwords
`that may be changed by the user).
`
`Certain information frames can be restricted to users that are
`members of a particular Closed User Group.
`A total of 99 Closed
`User Groups are available on the system and these can be defined
`either by the system manager or editors so as to permit multi-
`level security.
`
`In addition each computer port may have a particular set of Closed
`User Groups assigned to it by the system manager.
`This is
`particularly useful when direct lines are used and particular
`information is to be restricted to specific "in-house" users.
`
`Archiving
`
`The system has an optional facility for automatically generating
`a second copy of
`the database.
`This will allow the system to be
`run in the event of a partial disc failure.
`The system manager
`may also copy either the whole disc or selected parts of that disc
`for archive purposes.
`
`Accounting
`
`Basic statistics on frame access and connection times are collected
`by the system, customised user filling and accounting can be
`provided if required.
`
`In summary the GEC 4000 system offers a wide range of features. We
`consider that the following features make it particularly attractive
`as a private Viewdata System:
`
`-
`
`~
`
`-
`
`-
`
`Powerful editor and Comprehensive
`security
`
`Port-dependant access control
`
`Easy extension to larger systen
`
`Easy customisation of system response
`by the System Manager
`
`
`
`
`PMC Exhibit 2111
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 548
`
`PMC Exhibit 2111
`Apple v. PMC
`IPR2016-01520
`Page 548
`
`
`
`521
`
`FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
`
`The system just described forms the basis of future viewdata system
`developments.
`In its first form this system will be applicable both
`to use as an "in-house" system and to run private viewdata bureaus using
`the Closed User Group facility.
`
`We are currently investigating further exten