An Approach Towards Information Systems with Very Large Numbers of Subscribers

Abstract

The Federal Ministry of Research and Technology (BMFT) took the initiative in starting a project concerning two-way cable television in 1976 at the Heinrich-Hertz-Institute. The two-way cable television provided a model for investigating the possibilities of new screen-orientated, interactive systems for large numbers of subscribers using alpha-numerics, graphics, motion-pictures, and sound. One of the most important research aspects proved to be the construction of a computer control centre which would cater for this type of hybrid information system. At present a laboratory model of such a control centre is being developed by the Heinrich-Hertz-Institute in collaboration with the Computer Industry. This model is based on a mini-computer multi-processor system.