Patent GB-792965-A (GB)
Title: Data selection device
IPC: G06F7/02
Filed: 1955-04-28
Abstract: 792,965. Selecting digital data. RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA. April 28, 1955 [May 24, 1954], No. 12320/55. Class 106 (1). In a system for processing data in the form of serially arranged characters each represented by a combination of electrical signals, the characters being divided into groups, electrical apparatus for selecting a required sequence of characters or character groups in a message comprises a recognition arrangement for the signals, a switching device for determining whether characters or character groups are to be selected, a counter responsive to at least one of the signals from the recognition arrangement or to individual characters, and predetermined-count detectors, the recognition arrangement, counter and detectors being connected by circuit means, including bi-stable multivibrators, to provide a select data control output when the required sequence occurs. The selecting apparatus described is similar to that of Specification 769,910, but employs only a single counter 64, Fig. 2, having six cascade-connected bi-stable stages providing twelve outputs which are connected to presettable count detectors 66, 68, 70. The apparatus employs also bi-stable trigger circuits (called "multivibrators ") each having set and reset inputs Sand R for triggering the circuit to its " 1 " and " 0 " condition respectively so as to provide an operative gate-opening potential on the corresponding output. As illustrated in Fig. 1, characters in a 7-digit binary code, from one of three tape-reading stations 12, pass sequentially via lines 14 and " or " gate 16 and are set up on bi-stable multivibrators 20 whose outputs are applied to recognition gates 34. Each such gate (Fig. 3, not shown) is arranged to produce an output signal for a particular combination of binary digits, the signals ISS, SM, EM (corresponding to recognition of the character group separator, start message and end message code character signals) being applied to the data selection unit 10, the details of which are shown in Fig. 2. The unit 10 receives also for each character signal, a sequence of timing pulses TP2, TP3, TP5 and TP7 obtained as outputs from " or gate 18 and delay circuits 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32. The signal for selecting the required data is obtained from bi-stable multivibrator 36. The group/character switching device is a multivibrator 40, Fig. 2, which for group or " items " selection, is set to the " 1 " or " items " condition by a signal applied to its input S. The next signal SM then allows pulse TP2 to pass through coincidence gate 44 and reset the counter 64 and bi-stable multivibrators 36, 52, 62, 80 and 82 to the " 0 " condition. Each subsequent signal ISS (or EM) causes a triggering pulse TP3 to be applied via coincidence gates 50 and 58 to the counter. When the items start count, set up on detector 68, is reached, coincidence gate 74 is opened whereby pulse TP7 sets multivibrator 36 to provide the dataselection signal. This pulse also resets the counter and sets multivibrator 82 to prime gate 76 in place of 74. The signals ISS are again counted until the stop count, set up on detector 70, is reached when 76 is opened and pulse TP7 resets multivibrator 36, and sets multivibrator 62 thereby closing counter-input gate 58. When multivibrator 40 is set to the character " condition by a signal at input R, gate 42 instead of 44 is opened by the next signal SM and multivibrator 80 is set (not reset) thereby priming gate 72. The signals ISS are counted as in items selection, until the items count, set up on detector 66, is reached. When gate 72 is opened to pulse TP5 which resets multivibrator 80 and the counter 64, and sets multivibrator 52 whereby gate 54 is opened in place of 50. The counter then responds to pulses TP3 (one for each character), and the apparatus otherwise functions as in items selection, trigger 36 being set after the character count set up on detector 68 and reset after the count set up on detector 70.