Abstract: A mail circulation device enables serial delivery of a unique, non-interchangeable route package containing mail items and a route list of desired recipients, to each listed recipient. The mail items of the route package are originals, as sent by the sender, throughout the circulation. The route list also specifies the type of action each recipient is allowed to take with respect to the route package. Votes of approval and comments of the mail items of the route package by each recipient are recorded in a data file which associates the mail items and route list. The identity of recipients may be validated by requiring each recipient to enter a unique password for voting at the time of voting. The route list may be altered by specified listed recipients such that the mail items and altered route list are circulated, as the route package, to additional recipients or not circulated to initially listed recipients.

Abstract: Computer apparatus provides distribution of processing among a plurality of loci of control. Specific loci of control include an origination point, an entry point to a recipient's mailbox, in a recipient's mailbox, an exit point from a recipient's mailbox and a completion point after a last recipient. Processing is performed in a foreground or background task, and interactively or non-interactively at each desired loci of control. Processing includes invocation of an application automatically upon receipt of subject data at a focus of control or upon manual command by the recipient at the locus of control. Pre-existing applications are invoked through a common interface between the present invention apparatus and pre-existing applications. A data update routine records recipient's modification of the data during recipient editing in multiple sessions at a locus. A recovery routine insures that at most the last editing session is lost in a system crash.

Abstract: Microprocessor controlled analog-to-digital converting apparatus. For each analog signal input line there is a comparator having one input connected to the associated analog signal input line. A ramp generator is connected in common to the other input of all of the comparators. A multiplexing arrangement is operated by the microprocessor to couple a selected one of the comparators to a storage register in the microprocessor. The selected comparator compares the voltage of the analog input signal to the ramp voltage. If the analog voltage is higher, the comparator output remains inactive and the microprocessor causes a count to be stored in the storage register. The ramp generator is toggled to increase the ramp voltage by a predetermined step. The comparison of the analog voltage and ramp voltage is repeated. If the comparator output remains inactive, another count is accumulated in the storage register and the ramp generator is toggled to increase its voltage by another step.