Communications systems for a word processing system employing distributed processing circuitry

摘要

A communications system includes a plurality of data processing stations each having a first communications means connected to a common communications channel. Each of the data processing stations also includes a second communications means adapted to be connected to one or more associated units. Each station includes a contention resolving circuit connected to a processing means, the first communications means and the second communications means. The contention resolving circuit is further coupled to and controls access to a memory for the data processing station. Controlled units such as mass storage data entry and retrieval means and a keyboard for entering alpha numeric data information, each having a controlled unit communications means are provided. These units are connected by their associated communications means to the second communications means of respective ones of the plurality of data processing stations.