Abstract

A business machine for communicating with remote and/or local data devices. A multiplexer selects the device to communicate with the business machine and sequences the operation of the machine through its several steps under control of a central processing unit. Those data devices with which the business machine communicates on a party line are coupled to the multiplexer through a communications controller which detects Attention signals, requests access to the memory, and in response to acknowledgement of access, transfers characters between the data device and the memory. The controller receives a block check character but generates a modified block check character which simplifies the utilization of that check. A video display can be provided with the business machine. The business machine is organized to permit clearing of the display screen independently of clearing of the corresponding memory locations and to permit rapid scrolling of text on the display screen, even when a relatively low speed microprocessor is utilized for the central processing unit.