Patent GB-1344333-A (GB)
Title: Data processing system
IPC: G07G1/10
Filed: 1971-05-07
Abstract: 1344333 Controlling sales and sales service INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP 7 May 1971 [30 June 1970] 13619/71 Heading A4T [Also in Division G4] A number of stations 101, 103, 105, e.g. supermarket check-out points, transmit voice messages to respective audio buffers 107, 109, 111 which are serviced by manually operated means after compression of the messages in time to enter the stored messages in a data processor, the results of the processing being returned to the appropriate station. In the described embodiment, each station A, B, C, includes a speech compression unit to reduce the duration of spoken messages, e.g. 6-digit item-designating codes by reducing interword silences or splitting a message into time slots of which certain ones are omitted from a transmitted message. Each audio buffer 107, 109, 111 includes a magnetic-tape having a loop between the write and read heads and driven via write and read clutches independently so that a complete 6-digit message can be stored prior to any of it being read out. The function of an audio buffer, besides providing buffer storage, is to further compress the voice messages in to shorter intervals while retaining intelligibility, the speed of playback being controlled by a word counter in the audio buffer which counts interword silences. The audio buffers are serviced in turn to supply the stored voice messages (if complete) to a keyboard operator headset, the item identity codes keyed in being used to access a random access memory which supplies the corresponding item description to a printer at the appropriate station A, B, C and the corresponding price to the total accumulates 259 associated with that station. When all items have been supplied by a station A, B, C, the total is transmitted from the accumulator 259 to the printer at that station. Detailed operation. A sequence pulse generator 263 comprising a chain of monostable circuits controls interrogation of the audio buffers using a sequence of pulses S1-S21. S1 tests keyboard "accept" switch (S2 causes a repeat of S1 if the switch is off), S3 tests the audio buffer A word counter to determine whether or not it holds a complete message, i.e. 6 digits. If a count of 6 is registered, S4 initiates processing of the message, if not, S3 causes a jump to S5 to test whether an A buffer message is still being processed. If the result of this test is affirmative S6 turns on followed by S5 to repeat the test until a negative result is obtained whereupon S7 causes a tone signal to be transmitted to station A to indicate readiness for the next message and S8 turns on, S8- S14 controlling an identical sequence for station B and this being followed by S15-S21 for station C then S1-S7 for station A again. The processing cycle initiated by S4, S11 or S18 is controlled by a process pulse generator 261 providing a pulse sequence P1-P27 to effect accessing of memory 245 according to micro-programme having branches controlled by central controls 251. P1 engages the read clutch in audio buffer A, B or C, the word counter in this buffer being decremented by 1 for each word read. P2 and P3 cause repeated tests of the word counter until it registers 3, then P4 disengages the read clutch. P5, P6 cause repeated tests of a keyboard counter until the 3 digits have been keyed in, when P7 re-engages the read clutch to play back the last 3 digits of the message. P8, P9 cause repeated tests of the audio buffer word counter until it registers 0, when P10 disengages the read clutch. P11, P12 cause repeated tests of the keyboard counter until it registers 3, when P13 tests the state of error detect circuit 345 which compares the module nine sum of the first 5 digits keyed in with the 6th digit (held in the memory address register). If an unequal result is obtained P14 requests an audio response from unit 247, e.g. a tape loop, drum or disc on which an audio recording of the word "repeat" has been made. P15, P16 cause repeated tests of a status trigger until the audio response has been completed, then P17 resets the appropriate buffer status trigger and the module 9 accumulator so that the next audio buffer may be interrogated. If an equal comparison result is obtained, a jump is made to P18 to test the contents of the memory address register for a special code indicating a request for a total. If a total request is not present, a jump is made to P22 to request a memory access operation, P23, P24 cause repeated tests of a status trigger until the access operation has been completed, then P25 gates the price field of the memory data register to the accumulator 259 appropriate to the buffer being processed and initiate printout of the item identity field at the corresponding station A, B or C. P26, P27 cause repeated tests of a status trigger until the print-out has been completed when a jump back to P17 is made. When a total request code is detected in the memory address register at P18, P19 initiates print-out of the total in the appropriate accumulator 259 at the corresponding station A, B, C and P20, P21 cause repeated tests of a status trigger until the print-out has been completed, when a jump back to P17 is made.