Identifying Terminals in Terminal-Oriented Systems

A terminal-oriented computer system that is to serve a variety of different terminal types can achieve the economy of statistical sharing of its access lines and can best take advantage of each terminal type, if it can fully identify the terminal type and speed at the time of terminal approach to the system. The advantages of more complete identification of terminal speed and type are developed. The properties of terminals are classified from the standpoint of their necessitating or facilitating such identification. Historical methods of determining the type of terminal approaching a system are discussed. A recognition character algorithm for simultaneously determining the terminal speed and type is described. Some terminal features are proposed that would permit the general application of such algorithms.