Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing module for a modular automation system, for instance a modular stored-programmable control, in which the automation system includes a central unit and peripheral units such as input/output modules, subordinate to the central unit. The peripheral units can be coupled to each other via a device bus. A processing module comprises a processor, a memory, a blockable bus coupling element which can be coupled to the device bus, and a blockable central unit coupling element which can be coupled to the central unit, all of which are connected to each other via a module bus that is internal in the processing module. The processing module has a communication interface which is connected with the processor. In this way the central unit can be relieved to a considerable extent of communication activity.

Abstract: A computer architecture for an automated data storage library including a high-speed local bus with support for expansion slots and the ability to transfer data blocks in parallel. The high-speed local bus preferably adheres to industry standards for computers, thus providing the ability in a library to transmit data blocks in parallel on a local bus capable of supporting large bandwidth communications while supporting any expansion or add-in card designed to meet such industry standards. A PCI bus is preferred for the local bus.

Abstract: A delay gate is provided within a control unit to delay the reset signal by a predetermined period of time to monitor the time at which the reset signal passes through the busline. If the busline length exceeds a prescribed length, then an LED is turned on. Or a resistance proportional to the length of a duplex bus signal line is connected to each connecting portion, a reference resistance is provided internally of the control unit and one of the duplex signal buslines of the connecting portion is grounded while the other is connected through the reference resistance to a reference power supply to compare the potential difference between the reference resistance and the connecting point of the duplex signal busline with a reference signal so that, when the busline length exceeds a prescribed value, the LED is turned on.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for selecting groups of one or more cable television subscribers remotely from a billing computer using data fields in either the billing computer database or a system control computer database. A selection criteria language may be used for selecting subscribers based on data fields in the system control database. Once a group of cable subscribers has been selected, an on-screen message may be remotely created and transmitted to the selected subscribers using cable transmission apparatus. The method provides a way of correlating subscriber information in a comprehensive subscriber database (such as may exist on a billing computer) with other subscriber information in a more limited database stored on a system control computer to allow on-screen messages to be targeted at subscribers selected on the basis of criteria from either database.