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Wang 711 I/O Writer Data Sheet
Reference Data Sheet for the Wang 711 I/O Writer December, 1971
The 711 I/O Writer peripheral for the
Wang 700-Series advanced
electronic calculators is a modified IBM Selectric II typewriter that
provides both output from the calculator on the printing part of the
typewriter and input to the calculator from the keyboard of the typewriter.
The IBM Selectric II typewriter is modified by Wang Laboratories to allow
keys pressed on the typewriter keyboard to be encoded and sent to the
calculator in response to instructions in a program stored in the calculator.
The typewriter is also modified similar to the
Wang 701 Output Writer,
with a series of solenoids and linkages mounted underneath
the typewriter that allow activation of the rotate and tilt mechanism
of the Selectric II's printer type ball to print characters,
the mechanism to trigger a print operation. Along with the basic
printing operations, there are solenoids and linkages to perform carriage
operations such as Carriage Return, Index (linefeed), Backspace, and Tab.`
Provisions were also made to set and clear tab stops, all under
program control. Lastly, there is a modification to the typewriter that
allows the calculator to turn the power to the typewriter on and off under
program control. This mechanism physically operates the power switch.
The various electromechanical modifications require additional space
beneath the typewriter, which is visible as a black spacer beneath
the typewriter. The circuitry
that interfaces the Selectric to the calculator is
contained on a circuit board utilizing small and medium-scale TTL ICs
and various power transistors to drive the solenoids that
operate the typewriter, as well as conditioning and timing the
signals from the typewriter keyboard. This circuit board is located in the
spine of the work table that the typewriter sits on. Two cables from the 711
connect to the calculator through the I/O and TYPEWRITER ports on the back
panel of the calculator.
Another modification is a cutout in the upper cabinet of the typewriter
to the right of the keyboard that provides control functions and status
indications for the 711, such as the "I/O / LOCAL" switch that, in the LOCAL
position allows
the Selectric II typewriter to be operated as a typewriter, disconnecting
it from the calculator, and in the I/O position, connects the typewriter
to the calculator for complete operation by the calculator.
The typewriter is affixed to the work surface of the table, but can be
tipped up from the front on hinges at the back of the typewriter chassis
to allow adjustment and servicing of both the Wang-added mechanisms, as
well as the Selectric mechanism.
table.
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