Description of the Systems Design Laboratory Display Consoles

摘要

Six display consoles were purchased for the Systems Design Laboratory (SDL) to facilitate rapid, accurate communications between the SDL data processing facilities and the display operators. These consoles may be connected to any computer able to control IBM 729 series magnetic tape drives. Each console contains a 2048-word magnetic core memory for storing display data which is coded in a highly efficient manner. It also contains display storage in the form of a 64-frame film strip any frame of which may be presented on the display. Display generation is very rapid and is capable of showing alphanumeric and special characters, straight lines, and points. The appearance of a number of the special characters is under control of the data processor's program. The display operator is provided with switches, a light pencil, and a typewriter able to generate inquiries or statements for entry into the data processor's program. (Author)