Data communication system

Claim 2

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieVed word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; and means connected to said controller means for using said unique character to determine the disposition of said received message character.

Claim 3

The combination as defined in claim 1 including: means connected to said controller means for using a portion of a received message character and a portion of said retrieved base address word to selectively inhibit the retrieval of a character control character from said memory.

Claim 4

The combination as defined in claim 1 including: means connected to said controller means for using a portion of a received message character and a portion of said retrieved base address word to selectively inhibit the retrieval of a character control character from said memory and means connected to said controller means to store and received message character in said memory when the retrieval of said character control character is inhibited.

Claim 5

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources and for storing said word in said controller means, said retrieved word corresponding to said one of said sources supplying said message character; means connected to said controller for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means coupled to said controller for using said unique character to determine the disposition of said received message character; means coupled to said controller for comparing a tag portion of said retrieved base address word with a tag portion of said unique character; means connected to said controller for modifying said tag portion of said retrieved base address word to correspond with said tag portion of said unique character; and means coupled to said controller for storing said modified base address word in said memory.

Claim 6

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources and for storing said word in said controller means, said retrieved word corresponding to said one of said sources supplying said message character; means connected to said controller for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means coupled to said controller for using said unique character to determine the disposition of said received message character; means coupled to said controller for comparing a tag portion of said retrieved base address word with a tag portion of said unique character; means connected to said controller for modifying said tag portion of said retrieved base address word to correspond with said tag portion of said unique character; and means coupled to said controller for storing said modified base address word in said memory.

Claim 7

The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein: said means for storing said modified base address word in said memory includes means for storing said modified word in the same address in memory from which said word was previously retrieved.

Claim 8

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; means connected to said memory for supplying a base address word corresponding to each of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing said control characters in a plurality of tables in said memory with each table containing character control characters corresponding to the message characters of a corresponding code set; a communications controller, said controller being conNected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a first message character is received from a first one of said sources and for storing said word in said controller, said retrieved word corresponding to said first one of said sources; means connected to said controller for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said first message character to obtain the address of a first character control character from said first table; means connected to said memory for retrieving said first character control character from said memory and for storing said first control character in said controller; means connected to said controller for comparing a tag portion of said retrieved base address word with a tag portion of said first control character; means connected to said controller for modifying said tag portion of said retrieved base address word to correspond with said tag portion of said first control character; means connected to said controller for storing the modified base address word in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said modified base address word from said memory when a second message character is received from said first one of said sources and for storing said modified word in said controller; means connected to said controller for combining a portion of said modified base address word with a portion of said second message character to obtain the address of a second character control character from a second table; means connected to said memory for retrieving said second control character from said memory and for storing said second control character in said controller; and means connected to said controller for using said second control character to determine the disposition of said second message character.

Claim 9

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; means connected to said memory for supplying a base address word corresponding to each of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing said control characters in a plurality of tables in said memory with each table containing character control characters corresponding to the message characters of a corresponding code set; a communications controller, said controller being conNected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a first message character is received from a first one of said sources and for storing said word in said controller, said retrieved word corresponding to said first one of said sources; means connected to said controller for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said first message character to obtain the address of a first character control character from said first table; means connected to said memory for retrieving said first character control character from said memory and for storing said first control character in said controller; means connected to said controller for comparing a tag portion of said retrieved base address word with a tag portion of said first control character; means connected to said controller for modifying said tag portion of said retrieved base address word to correspond with said tag portion of said first control character; means connected to said controller for storing the modified base address word in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said modified base address word from said memory when a second message character is received from said first one of said sources and for storing said modified word in said controller; means connected to said controller for combining a portion of said modified base address word with a portion of said second message character to obtain the address of a second character control character from a second table; means connected to said memory for retrieving said second control character from said memory and for storing said second control character in said controller; and means connected to said controller for using said second control character to determine the disposition of said second message character.

Claim 10

The combination as defined in claim 6 including: means for using a portion of a received message character and a portion of said retrieved base address word to selectively inhibit the retrieval of a character control character from said memory; and means connected to said memory to cause said received message character to be stored in said memory when the retrieval of said character control character is inhibited.

Claim 11

The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein: said means for storing said modified base address word in said memory includes means for storing said modified word in the same address in memory from which said word was previously retrieved.

Claim 12

The combination as defined in claim 6 including: means connected to said controller for using said first control character to determine the disposition of said first message character.

Claim 13

In a data communication system, a combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; means connected to said memory for supplying a base address word corresponding to each of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing said control characters in a plurality of tables in said memory with each table containing character control characters corresponding to the message characters of a corresponding code set; a communication controller, said controller being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for retrieving the base address word from memory when a message character is received from a first one of said sources and for storing said word in said controller, said retrieved word corresponding to said first one of said sources; means connected to said controller for combining a portion of said retrieved base address word with a portion of a received message character to obtain the address of a character control character in one of said tableS; means connected to said memory for retrieving a character control character from one of said tables in said memory and for storing said control character in said controller; means connected to said controller to use character control characters from a first table to determine the disposition of message characters in a first code set; means connected to said controller to use character control characters from a second table to selectively switch operations from said first table to a third table; means connected to said controller for using said character control characters from said third table to determine the disposition of message characters in a second code set; and means connected to said controller for using said character control characters from a fourth table to selectively switch operations of said third table to said first table.

Claim 14

In a data communication system, a combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; means connected to said memory for supplying a base address word corresponding to each of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing said control characters in a plurality of tables in said memory with each table containing character control characters corresponding to the message characters of a corresponding code set; a communication controller, said controller being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for retrieving the base address word from memory when a message character is received from a first one of said sources and for storing said word in said controller, said retrieved word corresponding to said first one of said sources; means connected to said controller for combining a portion of said retrieved base address word with a portion of a received message character to obtain the address of a character control character in one of said tableS; means connected to said memory for retrieving a character control character from one of said tables in said memory and for storing said control character in said controller; means connected to said controller to use character control characters from a first table to determine the disposition of message characters in a first code set; means connected to said controller to use character control characters from a second table to selectively switch operations from said first table to a third table; means connected to said controller for using said character control characters from said third table to determine the disposition of message characters in a second code set; and means connected to said controller for using said character control characters from a fourth table to selectively switch operations of said third table to said first table.

Claim 15

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to determine if said received message character is to be stored in said memory; and means connected to said memory to selectively store said received message character in said memory.

Claim 16

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to determine if said received message character is to be stored in said memory; and means connected to said memory to selectively store said received message character in said memory.

Claim 17

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to determine that said received message character is the terminate character of an incoming message; means connected to said memory for storing said terminate character in said memory; and means connected to said memory for storing a status word which indicates that a terminate character Has been received by said controller means.

Claim 18

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to determine that said received message character is the terminate character of an incoming message; means connected to said memory for storing said terminate character in said memory; and means connected to said memory for storing a status word which indicates that a terminate character Has been received by said controller means.

Claim 19

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to determine that a received message character is a terminate character and that said terminate character is to be followed by a predetermined number of additional characters; means connected to said memory for storing said terminate character and said additional characters; and means connected to said memory for storing a status word which indicates that a terminate character and the additional characters have been received by said controller means.

Claim 20

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to determine that a received message character is a terminate character and that said terminate character is to be followed by a predetermined number of additional characters; means connected to said memory for storing said terminate character and said additional characters; and means connected to said memory for storing a status word which indicates that a terminate character and the additional characters have been received by said controller means.

Claim 21

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to determine that a marker character has been received by said controller means; means connected to said memory for storing said marker character in said memory; and means connected to said controller means for providing a program interrupt when said marker character is received by said controller means.

Claim 22

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to determine that a marker character has been received by said controller means; means connected to said memory for storing said marker character in said memory; and means connected to said controller means for providing a program interrupt when said marker character is received by said controller means.

Claim 23

The combination as defined in claim 14 including: means for storing a status word in said memory when a program interrupt is provided by said controller means.

Claim 24

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of basE address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved words corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to determine that a marker character has been received by said controller means; means connected to said controller means for storing said marker character is said memory; and means connected to said controller means for storing a status word in memory which indicates that a marker character has been received by said controller means, said status word being stored after a final message character has been received by said controller means.

Claim 25

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of basE address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved words corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to determine that a marker character has been received by said controller means; means connected to said controller means for storing said marker character is said memory; and means connected to said controller means for storing a status word in memory which indicates that a marker character has been received by said controller means, said status word being stored after a final message character has been received by said controller means.

Claim 26

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to determine that said received message character is the terminate character of a synchronous message; and means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to cause said controller means to operate in a search mode when said terminate character is received by said controller means.

Claim 27

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to determine that said received message character is the terminate character of a synchronous message; and means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to cause said controller means to operate in a search mode when said terminate character is received by said controller means.

Claim 28

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for comBining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of indirect control words and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to retrieving an indirect control word from said memory; means connected to said controller means for using said indirect control word to determine an area in said memory where message characters are to be stored; and means connected to said memory for storing message characters in said area in said memory.

Claim 29

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for comBining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of indirect control words and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to retrieving an indirect control word from said memory; means connected to said controller means for using said indirect control word to determine an area in said memory where message characters are to be stored; and means connected to said memory for storing message characters in said area in said memory.

Claim 30

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of a first received message character to obtain the address of a first unique character control character in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said first unique character and for storing said first unique character in said controller means; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of indirect control words and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said first unique character to retrieve a first indirect control word from said memory; means connected to said controller means for using said first indirect control word to determine a first area in said memory where a first group of message characters are to be stored; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved base address word with a portion of a second received message character to obtain the address of a second unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said second unique character and for storing said second unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said second unique character to retrieve a second indirect control word; and means connected to said memory for using said second indirect control word to determine a second area in said memory where a second group of second message characters are to be stored.

Claim 31

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of character control characters and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of a first received message character to obtain the address of a first unique character control character in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said first unique character and for storing said first unique character in said controller means; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of indirect control words and for storing them in said memory; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said first unique character to retrieve a first indirect control word from said memory; means connected to said controller means for using said first indirect control word to determine a first area in said memory where a first group of message characters are to be stored; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved base address word with a portion of a second received message character to obtain the address of a second unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said second unique character and for storing said second unique character in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said second unique character to retrieve a second indirect control word; and means connected to said memory for using said second indirect control word to determine a second area in said memory where a second group of second message characters are to be stored.

Claim 32

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words, each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being Stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for checking lateral parity of a received message character and for developing a signal when a parity error is detected; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; and means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to selectively inhibit the checking of lateral parity of said received message character.

Claim 33

In a data communication system, the combination comprising: a plurality of sources of message characters; a memory for receiving and storing instructions and data; controller means, said controller means being connected between said memory and each of said sources; means connected to said memory for supplying a plurality of base address words, each of said words corresponding to one of said sources, said words being stored in said memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving a base address word from memory when a message character is received from one of said sources, said retrieved word corresponding to one of said sources supplying said message character, said retrieved word being Stored in said controller means; means connected to said controller means for checking lateral parity of a received message character and for developing a signal when a parity error is detected; means connected to said controller means for combining a portion of said retrieved word with a portion of said received message character to obtain the address of a unique character control character in memory; means connected to said memory for retrieving said unique character and for storing said unique character in said controller means; and means connected to said controller means for using a portion of said unique character to selectively inhibit the checking of lateral parity of said received message character.