Abstract: This invention relates to a novel shift lock actuation mechanism useful, for example, in keyboard apparatus wherein a key stem supporting a key is shaped to mate with apertures in the keyboard supporting arrangements or as individual switches and as such contains oppositely disposed, inwardly deformable, flanged members for captivating the key stem within the key apertures and further includes a shift lock cam operably associated with a single turn C-shaped torsion spring member, one end of the C-shaped spring engaging key stem while the opposite end of the C-shaped spring is captivated by the cam, effective upon movement of the key stem to move the cam into one or the other of two positions effective to lock the key stem in a desired position so as to block or unblock light from light emitter-receptor apparatus indicating the position of the key.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a fixture for forming an assembly of parallel wires comprising a frame formed to define an open central space, the frame carrying two sets of spaced-apart pins around which a wire is wound to form the desired individual parallel wires. The pins are slanted to insure proper seating of the individual wires on the frame, and, in each set, the pins are aligned on a slanted line to facilitate the winding operation. The frame also carries rectangular pins to which the winding wire can be easily secured at the beginning and end of a winding operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display panel and method of making the panel. The panel is made up of a thin, flat envelope comprising a base plate and a face plate and including a relatively large-volume gas reservoir formed by an auxiliary plate spaced from and hermetically secured to the outer surface of the base plate. The reservoir communicates with the interior of the panel through one or more holes in the base plate. The reservoir is attached to the panel, and the panel is processed by a method which includes maintaining proper temperature distribution through the various parts of the panel.

Abstract: An interpretive-type digital data processing system, providing program protection and supporting one or more input high level languages. The system is comprised of a multi-level hierarchy of processors designatable in descending order as S, M, N and P processors is operable so that the processor at each level interprets instructions at the level above in a pipelined manner. Each of the S, M and N processors is provided with its own memory for respectively storing S, M and N instructions which are selected and fetched during system operation so as to provide a hierarchical interpretation of each input high level language. This is accomplished in a manner such that fetched M instructions are first processed by the N-processor in accordance with corresponding fetched N instructions before being employed by the M-processor for processing data.

Abstract: A pipelined interpretive-type digital data processing system supporting one or more input high level languages is comprised of a multi-level hierarchy of processors designatable in descending order as S, M, N and P processors and operable so that the processor at each level interprets instructions at the level above in a pipelined manner. Each of the S, M and N processors is provided with its own memory for respectively storing S, M and N instructions which are selected and fetched during system operation so as to provide a hierarchical interpretation of each input high level language. This is accomplished in a manner such that fetched M instructions are first processed by the N-processor in accordance with corresponding fetched N instructions before being employed by the M-processor for processing data.

Abstract: A data storage file, for use with removable data storage media, is provided with a latch mechanism. The removable, data storage media, is provided with a containing protective sleeve.When the removable media, contained within the protective sleeve, is inserted into the data storage file, the latch mechanism actively retains the removable media, allowing the independent withdrawal, from the data storage file, of the protective sleeve, leaving the removable media loaded in the data storage file.When the protective sleeve is re-inserted into the data storage file, so as to contain the removable media, already loaded in the data storage file, the latch mechanism lets go of the removable media, allowing the withdrawal, from the data storage file, of the removable media, contained in and together with the protective sleeve.The protective sleeve actively retaining the removable media, the removable media is within the protective sleeve at all times if it is not loaded in the data storage file.

Abstract: An improved copy-proof document is disclosed having a cancellation phrase and a background pattern each printed of a plurality of elements of a geometric shape having one or more smaller uncovered areas within said geometrically shaped element.

Abstract: Radix conversion apparatus which converts an input number in a first number system into an equivalent output number in a second number system by performing a plurality of successive divisions in accordance with a divide-by-radix iterative equation. A plurality of serial dividers are provided for performing the successive divisions required by the divide-by-radix iterative equation in a manner such that each division is serially performed beginning with the most significant input dividend digit and each output quotient is serially produced beginning with the most significant output quotient digit. The serial dividers are successively arranged so that each can begin its respective division as soon as the first quotient digit is produced by the previous serial divider.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting an input BCD number into its equivalent output binary number in a first mode of operation or an input binary number into its equivalent output BCD number in a second mode of operation. Each input or output number comprises at least one two-digit character. An addressable storage circuit selectively stores the characters of the input number, as well as subsequent interim characters from a combining circuit, in predetermined storage locations. A developing circuit is selectively responsive to each character read out from a storage location and to an associated lower digit of each delayed odd character from a delay circuit for developing an odd addend and an odd multiplier, which are utilized by a first conversion circuit to develop an odd character. The odd character is delayed by the delay circuit to produce the delayed odd character.

Abstract: Article tracking logic apparatus for monitoring plural articles passing through a modular article processing system. An article path actuator activates discrete logical paths for tracking each article within the processing modules. Each logical path includes an article position memory which updatably stores the position of an associated article within an activated path. An article tracking update means is provided within each logical path to cooperate with article position transducers and error detection logic to determine abnormal article transport conditions within an active path. Decode logic is provided within each logical path to provide the control unit for the processing system with the precise path and position therein where an error has occurred.

Abstract: A data storage file for use with removable media is provided with media bearing servo information indicative of its desired center of rotation. The data storage file is also provided with media locating apparatus, which prepositions the media within the data storage file prior to media rotation, and servo information decoding apparatus, which scrutinizes the servo information. As the media rotates, the servo information decoding apparatus monitors the position and behavior of the servo information on the media and so examines the distance between the actual and desired centers of rotation of the media. Should this distance prove unacceptably large, indication is given that the media should be reintroduced to the media locating apparatus before proper operation of the data storage file may take place.

Abstract: A reel-to-reel tape drive system is disclosed in which primary control signals are applied to motors to drive both the payout and takeup reels and in which secondary control signals are provided to first and second torque driving circuits which, responsive to the secondary control signals, continuously provide first and second tensioning control signals to the first and second reel motors respectively. The first and second tensioning control signals operate to activate the first and second reel motors to take up slack and provide tension in the tape when the first and second reel motors are not receiving primary control signals. Thus, slack is taken up when the reels are stopped and adequate tension is supplied prior to restart, enhancing starting and stopping performance of the tape transport mechanism.

Abstract: A serial-type data transmission channel employing a transmitter and a receiver and a plurality of coaxial cables interconnected therebetween with optical coupling being provided at the receiver. One of the coaxial cables is used to transmit data comprised of messages interposed with identifying data indicating whether a next following message is a data message or a control message. Another coaxial cable is used to transmit a clock at one repetition rate when a message is being transmitted and at another repetition rate when identifying data is being transmitted. The receiver employs the received clock to extract the message and identifying data from the received signals, and to also provide indications of message availability and of the type of message received.

Abstract: A BCD-to-binary converter employing a plurality of levels of logical circuitry which provides for the addition of BCD bits based on a powers of 2 expansion of each BCD digit. At least one level of logic circuitry comprises a PROM arrangement in which each PROM is of sufficient size to prevent a carry from being generated therefrom taking into account that a BCD digit cannot exceed a value of 9. Also, at least one PROM is provided with the capability of adding a greater number of BCD bits than the maximum PROM inputs available by proper choice of the particular BCD inputs applied thereto and the particular manner in which the PROM is programmed.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a display panel comprising a gas-filled envelope made up of a base plate and face plate and having anode and cathode electrodes supported on the base plate and forming an array of D. C. gas discharge cells. An apertured electrode arrangement is mounted between the base plate and face plate and defines, with an A. C. electrode on the face plate, an array of quasi A. C. gas discharge display cells, there being one A. C. cell for each D. C. cell. The A. C. electrode is a transparent conductive film which is coated with insulating material.The D. C. gas discharge cells are arrayed as a plurality of columns of scanning cells and, adjacent to the first column of these scanning cells, in a column of reset cells which are turned on before the first column of scanning cells are turned on in a scanning cycle.The panel also includes a keep-alive arrangement which comprises an electrode on the face plate of the envelope, the electrode being coated with a layer of insulating material, to form an A. C.

Abstract: Internal states of storage devices within a modular digital data processing system are made accessible using variable mode multi-bit shift register storage devices in each module. The inputs and outputs of the shift register storage devices in each module are interconnected by gating means within the module which may be selectably controlled to form separately selectable serial strings along which the bits of a selected string of a selected module may be caused to be shifted to a monitoring unit for monitoring, diagnosing and/or correcting purposes and then returned, via the string, to their original locations in the shift register storage devices of the selected module, after which normal data processing operations can be resumed, or other appropriate action taken. At least one string in each module is formed of monitoring storing devices which are not involved in data processing operations so as to permit the module to be monitored simultaneously with the performance of data processing operations.

Abstract: The internal states of a memory and other storage devices within a digital data processing system are made accessible for monitoring purposes using variable mode multi-bit shift register storage devices which are also used for the input-output register of the memory to be monitored. The inputs and outputs of the shift register storage devices are interconnected by gating means which may be selectably controlled to form separately selectable serial strings along which the bits of a selected string may be caused to be shifted to a monitoring unit for monitoring, diagnosing and/or correcting purposes and then returned, via the string, to their original locations in the respective shift register storage devices of the selected string, after which normal data processing operations can be resumed.

Abstract: Internal states of storage devices within a digital data processing system are made accessible using variable mode multi-bit shift register storage devices. The inputs and outputs of these shift register storage devices are interconnected by gating means which may be selectably controlled to form separately selectable serial strings along which the bits of a selected string may be caused to be shifted to a monitoring unit for monitoring, diagnosing and/or correcting purposes and then returned, via the string, to their original locations in the shift register storage devices, after which normal data processing operations can be resumed, or other appropriate action taken.

Abstract: A BCD to binary converter, particularly applicable for large numbers, employing an input level of code converter logic comprising PROM groups which provide a specially chosen initial conversion of the BCD number to be converted. Each PROM group comprises a plurality of individually programmed PROMs which provide for this initial conversion by directly converting successive sequential pairs of BCD digits into equivalent binary numbers taking into account their order of significance. A binary adder employing a plurality of PROM logic levels then provides for the binary addition of the binary bits produced by this initial conversion to provide the desired overall BCD to binary conversion.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a card cage made up of identical end plates, between which are secured upper channel members and lower channel members which are identical in structure and which include punched out portions, to which identical card-support members of any desired length can be secured.