Patent GB-972036-A (GB)
Title: Data processing system
IPC: G06F7/24
Filed: 1962-11-30
Abstract: 972,036. Sorting data on tape. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Nov. 30, 1962 [Dec. 27, 1961], No. 45302/62. Heading G4M. In Specification 895,637 there is disclosed apparatus for sorting data on magnetic tape in which a number of read/write heads are spaced along the tape at intervals increasing in arithmetic progression. In the present apparatus this effect is achieved by looping the sort tape between equidistant heads 1H to 18H, the length of the loops decreasing in arithmetic progression. Records are transferred from input tapes TU1 to TU3 to an endless sort tape 1 through a head RW. The number of records to be sorted are entered manually on a drum switch 11 which sets up a number indicating the record length of the longest loop, that between heads 1H and 2H. Circuit 13 contains two counters: a feedback control counter and a loop control counter. If the setting of the drum switch is S,the feedback control counter, of capacity 63, is set to 64-5. This is transferred to the loop control counter. Initially all the sprockets guiding the tape 1 are turning but when the first character recorded from the input tapes passes head 1H all sprockets, except the first, stop and a loop forms between the first and second heads. Records are counted, the detection of each record stepping the loop control counter. When this counter passes from 63 to 64 (all zeroes), a pulse is emitted stepping the feedback control counter by one, and restarting the stopped sprockets. In this way a loop of length S has been formed between heads 1H and 2H. When the first record reaches head 3H all sprockets except the first two are stopped and the feedback control counter setting is transferred to the loop control counter. Again, the records are counted by the latter counter, and when it steps to zero, the sprockets are restarted and the feedback control counter stepped up by one. The loop between heads 2H,3H is of length S-1. This process continues until loops are formed between all the heads. As the data passes the heads it is transmitted to sorting circuitry 33,35,37 which orders it by magnitude and retransmits to the heads, head 15H for example, taking a higher order recordthan head 14H,from where it is rewritten on the tape. There are character buffer registers 29 through which the records pass and which allow for slight differences in sprocket characteristics. The comparison circuitry operates on records character by character but is not described in detail. When records reach head 18H they are transferred to output tape units TU4 to TU6. The sort tape is erased by a head DCE. The apparatus can also deal with variable length records. The length of the longest record is set on switches 7 and the records are then each caused to occupy this length of sort tape. Normally, more than one sort is necessary. The end of tape mark on the input tapes is used to reverse the functions of the tape units, TU1 to 3 becoming output tapes and the partially sorted data on tapes TU4 to 6 providing the input. The number standing in the feedback control counter gives the length of the first tape loop.