Patent GB-1003922-A (GB)
Title: Combined comparator and parity checker
IPC: G06F7/02
Filed: 1962-02-27
Abstract: 1,003,922. Comparing and checking data. SPERRY RAND CORPORATION. Feb. 27, 1962 [March 24, 1961], No. 7711/62. Heading G4A. In a combined comparator and parity checking arrangement, data from two sources is compared for equality in a comparator, and signals produced in the comparator are applied to a parity checking circuit to check the parity of the data from the two sources. General arrangement.-In the computer output printer shown in Fig. 1, data is read from the core memory 108 to a buffer register 106 and data representative of the position of the printer typewheel is read from a magnetic code drum or disc moving with the typewheel to a code drum register 102. The data in the registers 106, 102 is compared in a comparator 100 and when equality is sensed, the comparator produces an output applied to set a core in a 65-bit storage register 120, thereby causing a symbol to be printed by the printing mechanism 112. The register 102 is capable of holding a 9-bit word consisting of 8 data bits plus one parity bit representing the typewheel position; whereas words in the buffer register 106 consist of twelve 5-bit " digits," each digit consisting of four data bits plus one parity bit. The 5-bit digits are applied to the comparator either singly or in pairs, according as the printing operation is in " numeric " or " alphameric " mode: in the " numeric " mode, the five bits are compared with bits 1-4 and 9 in the code drum register 102 and in the " alphameric " mode, the first 5-bit digit (most significant digit MSD) is compared with bits 5-9 and the second 5-bit digit (least significant digit LSD) is compared with bits 1-4 and 9 of the code drum register 102. Various outputs from comparator 100 are applied to. a parity checker 110 whereby the signals fed to the comparator may be checked. Comparator, Fig. 2.-(1) Numeric mode. A control signal COSTA is effective to enable a gate 208 and block a gate 209. Successive 5-bit digits M1-5 from the buffer register 106 are gated with signals D1-4, D9 from the code drum register 102, in true and complement form in gates 200, 201 (each of which represents four individual gates) and gates 204, 205. Signals CP 1A-4A from gates 200 and CP 1B-4B from gates 201 are supplied to four gates 206 to produce outputs CP1-4 which are fed to a gate 208 to produce an output CP via a gate 210, the output CP being "1" only when the inputs D1-4, M1-4 are equal. A signal CP9 and associated A and B signals are produced by a comparison of the parity bits, these signals being employed in the parity checker. (2) Alphameric mode. In this mode, control signals COSTA, COSTA alternate to enable gates 208, 209 alternately. During a COSTA signal, the gate 209 is effective to produce, via gate 210, an output CP representing the comparison of the most significant digit MSD of a pair, digits D5-8 from the code drum register 102 and M1-4 from the buffer register 106 being compared in gates 202, 203, 207. The output CP from the MSD comparison is applied to a temporary storage flip-flop (not shown) to await the LSD comparison which follows so that only equality in both digits produces a final output for the printer. The comparator is described in more detail in the Specification with reference to Fig. 4 (not shown). Parity checker, Fig. 3. (1) Numeric mode. The signal COSTA is effective and only the LSD part of the checker is effective. The comparator signals CP1-3 and associated A and B signals are applied to a group of four gates I-IV, shown as 302, Fig. 3. Two further gates V, VI, shown as 304 receive the comparator signals CP4, 9 and associated A and B signals. A computer parity bit has the value " 0 " or " 1 " so as to make the total of 1's in each computer digit ODD. The outputs of the gates 302, 304 are applied in true and complement form to gates 306, 308, the arrangement of gates being such that an output PCEB or PCEC is produced if an incorrect EVEN parity is detected in the input " comparison digit " CP1-4, 9, thereby setting an ERROR flip-flop 348. (2) Alphameric mode. In this mode, a check is performed on two " comparison digits " MSD and LSD successively, the arrangement of gates in the MSD check circuit being similar to that described for the LSD circuit. A flip-flop 334 is sot if the MSD digit has EVEN parity, the outputs of this flip-flop being arranged to control a gate 316, the output of which indicates the correctness or otherwise of the parity of the complete two-digit " comparison word." The parity checker is effective to provide an error signal if any of the data supplied from the registers 102 or 106 has incorrect parity, and this error signal prevents the activation of the printing mechanism. The parity checker is described in more detail in the Specification with reference to Fig. 5 (not shown). Specifications 942,000 and 1,003,923 are referred to.