| abstract |
A multiline inquiry-response system is realized by employing a minicomputer system. Predetermined signals are digitally encoded and stored in a disk memory. In response to requests from one or more lines, the computer central processor determines which digital words are required from the disk. The digital words are read from the disk memory to a plurality of registers in one or more of a plurality of dedicated buffer storage stages in a core memory. Each buffer stage is assigned to a designated output line. A direct memory access output multiplexer (DMAMUX) is employed to read the digital words from the registers in the loaded dedicated buffer storage stages to corresponding output lines without substantial processor control. To this end, the multiplexer monitors address signals transmitted in the computer system to detect which ones of the buffer storage stages include registers that have been loaded with digital words from the disk memory. Then control signals are generated by the multiplexer which are employed to effect reading the digital words from the registers in the loaded buffer storage stages in a prescribed sequence to corresponding requesting lines without programmed intervention of the processor. |