Abstract: A data terminal which enables a craft technician to communicate through a gateway processor to other computers includes a program language support library and an operating system which can receive a condensed form applications program and supplement the received program to create a fully executable applications program. This permits convenient downloading into the terminal over a conventional telephone circuit. Also disclosed is an improved interface through which a telephone circuit can be tested to determine if it is active and idle in a substantially non-invasive manner. Respective computer protocols can be entered in the terminal in association with telephone numbers of respective computers for automatic use whenever the respective computer is called. A limited display area of the terminal is controlled so that a larger page of text can be sequentially displayed through it as if the limited display area is scanning across the larger page of text.

Abstract: An improved craft technician's field terminal of the portable, hand-held type for use in communicating in diverse modes with a central technician access network. The terminal is connected to the telephone line in conventional manner in communication with the telephone access network; however, the terminal includes a SMART DIAL program that determines the type of service of the seized subscriber line thereby to facilitate out-dialing from the terminal. Job data can then be transmitted from the central network and downloaded to the terminal for instantaneous display. Re-transmission can be requested if needed. The terminal is capable of uploading data from the terminal display in either DTMF and/or ASCII to the central network. The craft technician's terminal contains a much greater storage capacity than any similar devices heretofore and it is capable of holding job order and response data for what amounts to greater than a full days technician work.

Abstract: An improved craft technician's field terminal of the portable, hand-held type for use in communicating in diverse modes with a central technician access network. The terminal is connected to the telephone line in conventional manner in communication with the telephone access network. Job data can then be transmitted from the central network and downloaded to the terminal for instantaneous display. Re-transmission can be requested if needed. The terminal is capable of uploading data from the terminal display in either DTMF and/or ASCII to the central network. The craft technician's terminal contains a much greater storage capacity than any similar devices heretofore and it is capable of holding job order and response data for what amounts to greater than a full days technician work. In addition, data displayed at the terminal may readily be transmitted for printer access while still being retained in the terminal storage.