Patent GB-1102714-A (GB)
Title: Data processing systems
IPC: G06F15/78
Filed: 1965-02-04
Abstract: 1,102,714. Data processing systems; recording and playback. G. H. DIRKS. 4 Feb., 1965, No. 31544/64. Headings G4A, G4C, G4M and G5R. [Also in Division B6] A data processing system includes at least two input storage devices, at least two output storage devices, a processing storage means corresponding to each input device, each such storage device and means being adapted to store a plurality of words and being capable of circulating the stored words in a closed loop, a first signal transfer means for selectively transferring words from each input storage device to the corresponding storage means, a plurality of reading stations for each storage means so arranged that the reading stations each read a different stored word at the same time, control means, a second signal transfer means for selectively transferring words read by any of the reading stations to the control means, and a third signal transfer means for selectively transferring words read by any of the reading stations to the output storage devices, the control means being responsive to words read from the processing storage means to control the first, second and third signal transfer means to effect the transfer in a simultaneous mode of selected words through all three of the signal transfer means. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 51 for sorting data from input discs 771-773 on to output discs 774-776 the input discs are respectively connected by way of AND-gates 786a- 786c to write heads 788a-788c associated with tracks 789a-789c of a processing storage disc 777, all the discs being mechanically interconnected as indicated by drive connection 778. Each track 789a-789c can accommodate ten (or more) information units (I.U.'s) each comprising a key field (according to which the I.U.'s are to be sorted) and one or more data fields. Each track 789 has associated with it ten (or more) read heads 791a-791j the signals from which are applied to AND-gate matrix 792a, 792b or 792c of a processing control 793 which senses the key field signals from the groups of three read-heads 791 in a cyclic manner in phase with the disc rotation so that the same I.U.'s are sensed at successive read positions until processing of that group of I.U.'s is complete when sequentially following I.U.'s are sensed. Signals from control 793 are fed via an optional store 790 to a three-way comparator 794 connected to a transfer control 796 also having an input AND-gate matrix 797a, 797b and 797c to which signals from the read heads 791a to 791j are applied. Two I.U. periods after a set of three I.U.'s has been sensed by control 793, one of them, as determined by comparator 794, is transferred by control 796 to an output disc 774-6. One I.U. period later, a second one of the three is transferred followed, after another I.U. period, by the last remaining one. As soon as an I.U. has been transferred, another I.U. is fed-in (under the control of the comparator 794 and gates 786a-786c) the next time the vacant location passes under write heads 788a, 788b or 788c. The tracks 789a-789c always store enough I.U.'s to maintain a continuous flow of I.U.'s through the transfer station 798 (which may be controlled by a stored programme control 804) to the discs 774- 776 to which the I.U.'s are transferred (in groups of three) in turn. After the initial sorting, the input and output discs are interchanged (in function) and the process repeated, sorting the I.U.'s into groups of 9, then 27, 81 and so on. Tables V and VI (not shown) illustrate the above three-way sorting process. Twoway (Fig. 53, not shown) and one-way (Figs. 16 - 20, not shown) sorting processes are also described. Larger groups than three may be sorted but the hardware necessary becomes increasingly complex. The apparatus may be used for merging. The read/write heads of the discs 771-776 may be switched from track to track in the time corresponding to gaps provided in these tracks so as to facilitate continuous operation of the system or the tracks may be joined into one continuous track as illustrated in Fig. 72 (not shown). An arrangement for enabling continuous transfer of information to and from input/output tracks by using multi -head buffer tracks is discussed (Fig. 15, not shown). The I.U.'s may be stored in four times interlaced manner in the tracks, retiming means being provided to obtain synchronism between signals from different time slots. Format tracks may be provided for defining the ends of variable length fields within the I.U.'s and also their type. Separate clock tracks are provided in association with tapped delay lines or counters. Arithmetic operations (all four rules) may be performed on predetermined fields of I.U.'s during their passage through the system. The sorter may form part of a larger data processing apparatus including a keyboard input and printer output. An eight bit alpha-numeric code (including 1-bit for parity) is used (cf Table II-not shown). Two and three-way comparators are illustrated in Figs. 161, 163 (not shown), respectively. In a modification (Fig. 160, not shown) the input and output stores comprise core stores and processing (such as sorting of I.U.'s) takes place in an array of delay line stores. Exchangeable discs:-An exchangeable disc arrangement involving a friction drive for bringing the disc initially up to speed followed by a positive drive coupling established by a dog on a slip-ring is disclosed in Fig. 55e (not shown). Crosswise recording on tape and cards.-In a method of recording data on magnetic tape by means of multiple heads on a rotating disc having its axis of rotation perpendicular to the plane of the tape (Fig. 70, not shown), a single longitudinal address track may be provided which may be scanned at high speed to provide rapid access to selected portions of the recorded data. The tape may be perforated. Record cards of equal size to conventional punched cards (Figs. 142-146, not shown) may include a visible print area (3612), a punch area (3611) and a magnetic area (3613) for the recording and sensing of data by means of a multi-head rotating disc (3618). The heads may be in equiradial or staggered radial arrangement or a combination of the two and the cards may be fed in a step-by-step or a continuous manner. The cards may be fed in either of two transverse directions parallel to their shorter and longer sides, respectively. Crosswise recording on tape and cards in a single data processing system is disclosed in Fig. 55a (not shown). Flexible discs.-In an arrangement utilizing discs composed of a flexible material (Fig. 155, (not shown) the discs rotate on a cushion of air. Read/write heads may be mounted above and below the discs and resiliently urged into contact with them whereby the discs become slightly distorted in the region of the heads (Fig. 156, not shown). An air cushion may be provided between the heads and the discs (Fig. 157, not shown). Other matter disclosed in the Specification includes an off-line printer (Fig. 158, not shown, described in Division B6 Abridgment), time slot changing devices (Figs. 26-35, not shown) for obtaining synchronism between signals in interlaced stores, arrangements for transferring data between different types of stores (including discs, delay lines, drums and core stores, Figs. 37, 38, 48, 138, for example, not shown) and multiplex input arrangements for assembling words from a plurality of keyboard inputs in disc buffer tracks (Figs. 153-4, not shown).