Patent GB-1055846-A (GB)
Title: Data comparison system
IPC: G06F11/18
Filed: 1965-03-30
Abstract: 1,055,846. Data storage apparatus. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. March 30, 1965 [April 9, 1964], No. 13506/65. Heading G4C. A desired word is caused to be stored in a data storage unit by a number of steps in which the contents of the unit are compared with unknown input words and a corrective change is made whenever the result differs from the result of comparison with the desired word. In the form described,Fig. 1 (not shown), there are three storage and logic units, 2, 3, 4 and an input-output unit 5 for all three. The word to be stored has five bits, there being " 1 " and " 0 " storage elements for each bit position. Indicators a-e on the front of each unit show red and green lights for " 1 " and " 0 " respectively. There are also two lamps indicating the result of each comparison with an unknown input word. The " Yes " lamp is lit if the stored word is found to be contained in the input word and the " No " lamp if it is not. The three units operate in parallel so that if one should fail the other two will maintain proper operation, the output unit 5 taking the majority response. As a further safety precaution standby storage elements are provided in each unit which may be switched into operation to replace defective elements. The learning function to be described then causes the desired word to be set up in the replacement elements. The desired word, Fig. 3A (not shown), may be stored, for example, in unit 3. It is to be entered into unit 2. Initially unit 2 contains a word as shown in row 1, column k of the table, Fig. 3B (not shown). The first input word, e.g. from a punched or slotted card inserted in slot 11 of unit 5, is compared with the contents of units 2 and 3. Since the word stored in unit 2 is not contained in the input word unit 2 gives a " No " response. However, unit 3 gives a " Yes " response since the desired word is in the input word. This indication passes to unit 2 over a temporary teaching connection 12 and unit 2 thereupon recognises whether its indication was right or wrong and, if the latter, whether it is a " No/Yes " error (N/Y) or a " Yes/No " error (Y/N). In the case of the first input the error was N/Y as indicated in column M. In response to this sort of error all digits of the stored word which disagree with the corresponding digits of the input word are erased. In this case the central " R " is removed, leaving the word stored as in row 2, column k. This word is compared with the next input word and, since it is contained in it, a " Yes " is given. The result of comparison with the desired word in unit 3 is " No " so that a Y/N error is indicated. This causes all digits of the input word to be inverted and applied to the word stored in unit 2 even where this means that both the " 1 " and "0" elements will be set in some positions. The result is shown at row 3, column k. The process repeats with successive input words until the desired word is stored in unit 2. Having established the same word in units 2 and 3 the teaching jack 12 is removed and the normal operation of the apparatus causes the same word to be stored in unit 4. The process is identical except that the teaching input is the majority indication provided by the output unit 5. In the same way, if the word stored by any unit accidentally changes it is restored to the former condition by successive alterations under the control of the other two. The units may comprise conventional digital computer storage units and logical circuits. In a form described in detail, however, the storage units are relays and the contacts are arranged in logic circuits. The input is by conductive record cards co-operating with a row of five contact pairs. The edge of the card is notched so that corresponding contacts are not to bridge and indicate " 0 ". The other contacts are bridged and " 1 "s are indicated. The storage apparatus may be used for sorting data records.