Abstract: Apparatus for downloading videotex information via a host computer includes a group of local terminals installed at a variety of locations. The terminals receive and store macro programs from the host computer. The local terminal then activates the macro programs via a set of function input devices, which generate macro program activating signals.

Abstract: The method and apparatus enables a terminal to access a computer located at a distance therefrom by an uncomplicated, easy-to-understand, log-on procedure. The system includes a group of terminals which are each able to access a host computer. If desired, the host computer is, in turn, adapted to extend the communication path from the terminal, through the host computer, to the remotely located service computer. The user can establish the communication path to the host computer by a single activation of a terminal key. By activating a single other key, the path is then extended from the host computer to the service computer. The activation of a single further key causes the execution of a selected program.

Abstract: This specification describes an information retrieval system such as a videotext or teletext system in which data is stored in conventional tree format, and the user has the usual capability to move vertically through the tree structure, but also has a novel capability to browse horizontally therethrough. This capability is achieved by providing each page of information with a browse link page pointer. The browse feature can be operated on an automatic repeat basis at a selected repetition rate, yet such automatic operation suspended at any time. In addition the user can return to normal vertical search procedure whenever desired.

Abstract: In information retrieval system includes a help feature, wherein a help key on a terminal can be actuated and a host computer responds by determining the identity of a page of basic information being transmitted at the time the help key is operated, determining the location of a page of subsidiary information associated with the currently transmitted page of basic information, and transmitting that associated page of subsidiary information to the terminal for display thereby. A system guide aspect enables the system to provide guide information adapted to assist in the use of other data subgroups. A bookmark facility involves the use of a mark request key on the terminal and a mark record device operable in response to the actuation of the mark request key to create a record of the storage location of the one of the pages being transmitted to the terminal for display thereby at the time of such actuation. A search request key on the terminal enable transmission of a search request to the host computer.

Abstract: The information retrieval method and apparatus includes a group of geographically widely-distributed terminals, which accept a remotely located host computer. Each terminal includes a memory for storing a plurality of items of call origination information. A call original circuit transmits individual ones of the items of call origination information via a communication path to the switching system for causing it to extend the path to the host computer. Logic circuits transfer a first one of the items of call origination information indicative of the geographically shortest communication path, to the call origination circuit in an attempt to extend a communication path, of the geographically shortest length, to the host computer. If the attempt proves unsuccessful, the logic circuit sends automatically a second one of the items of call origination information, indicative of the next shortest communication path length.