Patent GB-867307-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to electronic computers
IPC: G06F11/14
Filed: 1958-08-29
Abstract: 867,307. Digital electric calculating-apparatus. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Aug. 29, 1958 [Sept. 3, 1957], No. 27806/58. Class 106 (1). An electronic computer includes a data processing device having first and second input channels for receiving first and second data groups, respectively, and adapted to perform arithmetic operations on both said data groups, a storage device connected to the first channel and adapted to store the first data group, error detecting means connected to the second channel and adapted to indicate an error in the second data group and recycling means operable in response to an error indication from said error detecting means to read out the first data group from said storage means for repeated entry into said first channel, concurrently with re-entry of the second data group into said second channel and thereafter to effect a repetition of said arithmetic operations. General arrangement. Each data flow path shown in Figs. 2a-2f actually comprises five parallel bit lines on which data is present in a two-out-of five code. The input to the computer is from punched cards. Instruction words comprise eleven digits, comprising a three-digit operation portion including a sign digit, a four-digit address portion D specifying the storage location of the factor involved in the operation and a four-digit instruction portion I specifying the location of the next instruction. Instruction words are read from a drum 1, Fig. 2a, via a line " channel 2," the address and instruction portions passing to a programme register (PR) 4, Fig. 2f, and the operation portions passing to an operation register 5, Fig. 2e. An address register 6 is controlled by gating signals to receive firstly the instruction portion and then the address portion of the instruction words, the output therefrom feeding address selection means 12 which locate the data and instruction. The address register can also accept information from the computer console unit over lines 13a. The operation register 5 provides for address modification to modify either or both the D and I portions of an instruction. Accumulators 241-246 of the core shifting type operate to receive and issue data serially by digit and parallel by bit, input thereto being over lines 2a, 14a, 15. If an accumulator is specified by an operation code, its contents are read out to channel 1, but if specified by the data address portion, its contents are read out to channel 2. The main adder 2, Fig. 2c, is a core matrix. If an error is detected then the computer stops or transfers from the main programme to an error correction routine according to the position of a twoposition " error sense " switch. Provision is made for the machine automatically to perform a computer operation and card machine operation simultaneously. Timing arrangements.-The digits are spaced at 8 Ás. intervals and 600 are stored on one drum track, each digit interval being divided into four equal pulse intervals A-D. Twelve digits, DX, DO, D1-D10 of which DX is a space and DO a sign period make up each word. The words are divided into five drum sections of ten words each. Programme controls.-Each programme step takes place in two stages, an instruction or I half-cycle in which the required instruction is obtained, and a data or D half-cycle in which-the specified operation is performed. A restart to I signal from a latch 234, Fig. 4f, is developed during the D half-cycle and conditions an I control to be turned on and a D control to be turned off for the next I cycle. A restart to D signal from a latch 233, Fig. 4f, is effective in an I cycle. Programme steps occur continuously under control of a run control latch 219, Fig. 4c, which may be turned off in a D half-cycle and a manually-operated key is then effective when operated to initiate a single programme step cycle. Error recycling operation.-An, accumulator 240, Fig. 2b, called the re-add register is employed in display operations, dividing operations, and for temporarily storing the contents of another accumulator involved in an arithmetic operation when an error occurs in the operation. In an ordinary addition operation, A+B, the factor B is read from the drum on to channel 2, and via a switch 22 and decimal translator 24, to the adder 2, the factor A being entered into the adder 2 from the accumulator 241, Fig. 2b, via switch 25, channel 1 and a translator 28. The adder output is passed over lines 2a, 14a and switch 29 to the accumulator 241. The factor A is also entered from channel 1 into the re-add register 240. A validity check error circuit 70, Fig. 4d, provides an output wherever there are more or less than two bits on the five lines constituting channel 2 which output passes via a line 75, switch 76, Fig. 4a, to turn on a " drum error " latch 211, the output of which on line 79, turns on a " drum recycle " latch 210. The output on the line 79 also turns on via a switch 83 a " stored drum error " latch 214, the output of which is fed via an R.C. delay circuit to a switch 99 which is opened at digit 5 time of the next word by an "I, D restart " signal to set an " end drum recycle " latch 215. If the error does not disappear during the RC delay time, the computer stops since the " run control " latch 219 is turned off. In the word time following the word time in which the error occurs, the factor A is. transferred from the readd register 240 to the accumulator 241, the computer first being changed from an I halfcycle to a D half-cycle under control of signal developed by a switch 164, Fig. 4a, which passes a signal to turn on a latch 217, Fig. 4b, via a gate 167. The output from the latch 217 is effective on line 56, Figs. 4b and 4c, to turn a " D control " latch 222 and an I control latch 221 off. The A factor is now extracted from the re-add register 240, Fig. 2b, via a switch 170, line 171, and switch 29, to the accumulator 241. The accumulator 241 now containes A and the re-add register 240 contains zero. The add operation repeats itself for the time allowed by the RC delay circuit. Means are provided also to re-cycle instruction data from a storage location into the programme register if a validity check error occurs, the address register 6, Fig. 2f, being inhibited from being reset. The latches controlling a recycling operation are turned off during an instruction recycling operation. During the modification of an instruction, an " I adjust " latch 223, Fig. 4d, is normally turned on, but is turned off in the case of an error by a signal on the line 79. The modification latched 228-230, Fig. 4e, are also turned off in the event of an error, by a signal over the lines 79 and 143. Circuit diagrams of the computer components, such as inverters, cathode followers, switches (" and " devices), mixes (" or " devices), latches &c. are given (Figs. 12-21, not shown).