Patent GB-1142622-A (GB)
Title: Monitoring systems and apparatus
IPC: G06Q99/00
Filed: 1966-03-07
Abstract: 1,142,622. Monitoring systems. TELECONTROL CORP. 7 March, 1966 [8 March, 1965], No. 9961/66. Heading G4H. A monitoring system in which a plurality of machine stations 50 (Fig. 2C) are connected to a data recorder at a central station for continuously accumulating and processing information relating to events occurring at each machine includes an address register generating address signals identifying each station so that data from the addressed station is entered, a memory 90 connected to the addidss register in which the data accumulated from each station is stored and processing apparatus 66, 70 (Figs. 2A, 2C) updating the stored data in repsonse to incoming data. Address signal generator.-A magnetic drum store 90 (Fig. 2A) which stores 100 seven-digit five-bit binary coded decimal words on each track has a track 90a on which the two digit addresses of 100 machines are stored (each address being in digit positions C, D of the seven digit positions A-G). The addresses are read out serially by head 94 via an address reshape circuit to a parity flip-flop (ATF, Fig. 9, not shown) in a parity check circuit. The set output of the flip-flop is applied to a parity check flip-flop (ATC), set at the beginning of each digit time slot and, with an odd parity check, if set at the end of each digit time slot enables shift registers (228, Fig. 9, not shown), (229, Fig. 10, not shown) to which the two fourbit address digits are fed. The shift registers feed gating amplifiers (236, Fig. 9, not shown), (238, Fig. 10, not shown) so that each digit is converted first to a signal on two out of seven leads (QUA-QUG, Fig. 9, not shown) (QTAQTG, Fig. 10, not shown) and then by twelve banks of NAND gates to an output on one of a hundred lines which enables one of the hundred switching circuits (270-272, Fig. 14, not shown) to transmit data from its associated machine or from the console (56). Transfer of data from the console.-All information relating to one machine is stored in the same bit positions on the tracks of the magnetic drum 90 (Fig. 2A) apart from the address data on track 90a which is shifted by one word length. Data is entered from the console by operating one of a hundred push-button switches (280, Fig. 14, not shown) on the control panel 108 (Fig. 2C) of the console to operate a relay (274, Fig. 14, not shown) at the associated switching circuit together with a button representing the type of data to be entered, e.g. machine number and also a data entry button. The data is set up on seven uniselectors (such as 376-378, Fig. 18, not shown) which are sequentially pulsed when the data entry flip-flop is set to cause read-out on one of ten lines (S1A-S1L). These signals are converted to binary coded decimal signals (Fig. 19, not shown) together with a parity bit and then fed to the read/write amplifier 104 (Fig. 2A) which is enabled by a gating signal, the timing of which is dependent on when the address signal from address track 90a passes through the closed contact of the relay 274 (Fig. 14, not shown) operated by the push-button (280). One of the reading heads is enabled in accordance with the type of data button operated. To automatically enter data for all machines an additional flip-flop (ALS, Fig. 15, not shown) is set to initiate a cycle of stepping switch (286) which first operates the address relay (274, Fig. 14, not shown) at the first station and when all the data for that station has been entered steps to its next position. Entry of data from machine station.-Data transmitted from the machine station 50 (Fig. 2C) comprises a piece count input on lead 51a and a time count input on cable 53a. The first is either a binary " 1 " or " 0 ", a change from " 0 " to " 1 " between two successive interrogations indicating that a piece has been made. The time count input comprises a two-channel signal, 0, 0; 0, 1 or 1, 0 indicating that the machine is switched off, that it is making a piece or that it is not making a piece respectively. These signals are fed to control relays (276, 278, 279, Fig. 14, not shown) in the associated switching circuit (270, 272) so that when the associated switching circuit is enabled by the address register the signals are fed on leads 64, 68 to up-dating circuits 66, 70 respectively. Up-dating of the piece count word.-The piece count words are recorded in binary coded decimal form together with a flag digit representing the last piece count input on a track 90c (Fig. 2A) of the magnetic drum. They are read out serially by a head 114 into a shift register track 95 (operating as a delay) from which they are read by a further head 117 into a shift register 116 in the updating circuit 66. As they are shifted through shift register 116 the parity of the digits is checked a parity error flip-flop inhibiting the circuitry if the parity is incorrect. The flag digit which is stored in binary form as either a 5 or 0 enters the shift register 116 as the new piece count input is entered into circuit 112. The flag digit is transmitted as a " 1 " or " 0 " on lead 116a to circuit 112 and only if the flag digit is a " 0 " and a piece count input is " 1 " is an adder 120 enabled to increment the piece count word by 1. The new piece count word and the new flat digit are then rewritten by head 128 into the correct portion of track 90c together with the new parity bit generated by a parity flip-flop. Updating of the time count input.-The time count word comprises two parts, a first fourdigit portion representing the working time and a second three-digit portion representing the resting time. Updating of the time count word is effected in a similar manner to the piece count word except that a signal is generated either at the fourth or seventh digit time from an update circuit to increment either the first or second part of the word in accordance with whether the machine is working or not. If the machine is switched off neither part of the word is amended. Read out of data to the output buffer.-The station and the data at that station which are to be read out are again entered by pushbuttons at the console so that either one of the heads 106a-106c (Fig. 2A) is enabled to read out data relating to the machine or employee or the piece count data or the time count data are read out from shift registers 116, 134 respectively to the data synchronizer 150 (Fig. 2B). ). An address select signal is generated when the data relating to the selected station is available so that the required word is fed to hold register 152. The data signal from the console indicating the type of data to be read out, e.g. employee number sets one of five flipflops (WLA-WLE, Fig. 32, not shown) in the word locator 156 (Fig. 2B), the state of which is compared with a five-stage ring counter pulsed as the drum 90 rotates, the hold register 152 transferring its data to the write head of a message assembly track 90h (Fig. 2A) when the state of the counter agrees with the word locator. This process is repeated until all the required data relating to one machine is in its correct order on the message assembly track. The data is in fact recorded in the same position in all the message slots, i.e. the message is repeated 20 times to reduce the time the output buffer has to wait for read-out. Display of data.-To display data a decoder (760, Fig. 31, not shown) connected to the hold register is enabled by a display data signal from the console to convert the data to decimal form for display. Read out from message assembly track.-When the last word of the data, usually the piece count word, is in the word locator 156 (Fig. 2B) a transfer flip-flop in a bit transfer circuit 170 (Fig. 2C) is set to prime an AND gate in transfer control circuit 176. When the output device is ready, e.g. when a teletypewriter has completed printing of a message the AND gate is enabled so that data is read from the message assembly track on to the output buffer track 90b (Fig. 2A). This data is recirculated until the teletypewriter is ready to receive data from the output buffer. Since the first digit transmitted should be the most significant digit G of the employee number, the teletypewriter switches into the recirculating line a five-bit shift register to extend its length by one digit so that the digit G is read back into the output buffer track in the position previously occupied by digit A of the next word (the piece count word). The next message marker pulse then immediately precedes the digit slot occupied by the most significant digit so that when this message marker pulse sets an end of delay flipflop this digit is read-out in parallel to a fourstage register, the parity bit not being read in. When the next digit is requested by the teletypewriter the process is repeated. A parity check circuit (830, Fig. 34, not shown) checks the parity of the digit transmitted an error character being printed at the end of the message if any of the digits are incorrect. The stepper switch at the consol may be utilized to read out the stored data from all the stations sequentially. Alternative read out.-The output from all the memories may be read into a copy register (900, Fig. 36, not shown) which comprises one track on the magnetic drum 90 for each type of data, i.e. five tracks so that at the end of, for example, a work shift the message assembly register may be disabled and the copy register enabled to accept transfer of all data on the drum. When the output device, e.g. computer becomes available the data can be read out as before. A transanction register again on drum 90 holds the data from the message assembly register until the computer comes on line. The magnetic drum may be replaced by magnetic discs, cores or delay lines. In place of addresses being recorded on the address track 90a pulses may be recorded which are read out and used to step a counter which then generates the addresses.