Method and apparatus for constructing edit mask entry fields with multiple nonprogrammable terminals attached to a workstation controller

In a system comprising a host processor connected to a plurality of workstations through an intermediary workstation controller, wherein each of the workstations has at least a keyboard and display screen, the improvement in display screen panel presentation comprising:

• a) host processor means for constructing a display panel data stream having entry field identifiers and edit mask character separators arranged in predetermined positions in said entry field identifiers;
• b) means for transmitting said data stream to said workstation controller;
• c) workstation controller means for retaining said entry field identifiers and said edit mask character separator positions, and further means for constructing a display panel image including edit mask characters for transmission to a predetermined workstation;
• d) means for transmitting said display panel image from said workstation controller to said workstation, and means for transmitting signals from said workstation keyboard to said workstation controller;
• and
• e) workstation controller means for receiving said signals from said workstation keyboard and means for reconstructing said display panel image in response to said received signals, said reconstructed display panel image having unchanged edit mask characters regardless of the otherwise reconstructed display panel image.