User's Manual Part 4

GLOSSARY
144 OMNI 3600 REFERENCE MANUAL
Byte A term developed to indicate a measurable
number of consecutive binary digits that are usually
operated on as a unit. For the Omni 3600, a byte
consists of eight bits. See also Bit.
Calendar/clock chip A microchip inside the
Omni 3600 terminal which keeps track of the current
date and time.
Card reader Also called magnetic stripe card read-
er. The slot on the right side of the Omni 3600 termi-
nal that automatically reads data stored in the
magnetic stripe on the back of a specially-encoded
card when you swipe the card through the slot.
Carrier Usually, an analog signal that is selected to
match the characteristics of a particular transmission
system. The carrier signal on a phone line is modu-
lated with frequency or amplitude variations to allow
a terminal to transmit or receive data using a mo-
dem. A carrier signal transmits data from a host com-
puter to an Omni 3600 terminal over an analog
telephone line.
Certificate Also called a digital certificate. A digital
document or file that attests to the binding of a public
key to an individual or entity, and that allows verifica-
tion that a specific public key does in fact belong to a
specific individual.
Character An element of a given character set. Al-
so, the smallest unit of information in a record. A let-
ter, numeral, or other symbol to express information.
CONFIG.SYS file A special keyed file that is
stored in terminal memory and which contains sys-
tem and application configuration parameters. Each
record in a CONFIG.SYS file is identified by an al-
phanumeric search key. In the Omni 3600 file sys-
tem, there is one password-protected CONFIG.SYS
file per file group (Groups 1–15). You can modify
CONFIG.SYS records using the keyed file editor.
See Keyed file editor.
CPU Abbreviation for central processing unit. The
principal operating part of a computer system that
controls the interpretation and execution of instruc-
tions stored in memory.
Data Information prepared, often in a particular for-
mat, for a specific purpose. Data is to be distin-
guished from applications or program instructions. In
the Omni 3600 terminal, application files and data
files can be stored in RAM or flash memory.
Data entry The process of using a keyboard, card
reader, or other device to input data directly into a
system.
Data packet A group of bits of fixed maximum size
and well-defined format that is switched and trans-
mitted as a composite whole through a packet
switching network. Any message that exceeds the
maximum size is partitioned and carried as several
packets. Data packets are formed by the controller in
the sending data terminal and the data is extracted
and reassembled by the controller at the receiving
end.
Dedicated line A leased or private telephone line
that is used for a particular communications pur-
pose, such as to connect an Omni 3600 base station
to a host computer. See Leased line.
Default A value, parameter, option, or attribute that
is assigned by the program or system when another
has not been assigned by the user.
Delete To remove a record, field, or item of data.
Diagnostics Techniques employed for detection
and isolation of malfunctions and errors in programs,
systems, and devices. In a diagnostic test, a pro-
gram or routine is run to detect failures or potential
failures. These tests and routines help detect and
isolate problems in a terminal or peripheral device.
Dial-up line A standard public telephone line. The
switching equipment on a dial-up line requires that a
party dial the other party before a connection can be
made.
Direct download The process of transferring files
and/or data from a download computer to a terminal
over a serial cable connection and in a local, as op-
posed to a remote, system environment.
Display The screen on the Omni 3600 terminal that
shows numerals, letters, and punctuation symbols in
selected fonts, graphics in various formats, informa-
tion entered from the keypad, as well as system
prompts and messages.