COMPUTER WITH AUTOMATIC SWITCHING OF PERIPHERAL UNITS, AND PERIPHERAL UNIT SUITED FOR SUCH A SWITCHING

摘要

The computing installation comprises a plurality of digital computers and at least a terminal unit, for instance a printer, suitable for use in cooperation with any one of the computers. Each computer may deliver a request for access to the terminal. In response, a connection is established between the computer which issued the request and the terminal if the latter is free. Simultaneously, access to the terminal unit by the other computers is prevented for a predetermined time period or for the duration of the connection between the terminal unit and the computer which first issued an access request.