Development of an intelligent interactive graphics terminal

An intelligent system, based on a refreshed display device and associated memory, which permits conversational dialogue with two host systems concurrently and has interactive graphics capability, is described. Its use, both as an intelligent terminal and a graphics device, is illustrated within the context of the Durham Education and Research Multi Access Network (DERMAN). Details of the communications aspects, graphics protocol and display file management are given. Future lines of development of the system are discussed.