Abstract: In a dumb terminal to which an auxiliary device may be attached, improvements in display definitions. In the transfer of data between a host computer and the terminal or an auxiliary device, and in character generation memory. In the area of display definition, pages may be mapped onto the terminal's display memory and viewports may be mapped onto pages. Page and viewport definition are independent of each other and settable modes permit a viewport to follow the active position. In the area of transfer of data, the source of data for the host computer and the destination of data from the host computer may be specified independently. Improvements in flow control ensure that the host computer can always change the destination of data and gain control of the terminal. Improvements in access control ensure that neither the terminal nor the auxiliary device can monopolize transfer between it and the host.

Abstract: A system console 30 is enabled to read registers from memory boards 12 and 14 and to set registers within the memory boards which control the disabling of one or more memory arrays 16-22. The information read from the memory boards is indicative at least of which of the memory arrays has malfunctioned. The registers are within a memory logic array 40, one of which is disposed upon each of the memory boards 12 and 14 and also upon a memory controlling unit 26, the memory logic arrays being coupled together by a bit serial scan bus 42. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the memory logic arrays 40 are comprised of a highly integrated gate array semiconductor device, each of which is identical. Each memory logic array is provided with a base address input from a preceding memory logic array and computes a base address for a subsequent memory logic array.

Abstract: An electrostatic optical fiber switch. An aperture in the switch housing allows for switching movement of the end of a fiber. This aperture is formed in part by a groove in which the depth and width of the groove increases continuously with distance toward the end of the fiber. This forms a smoothly curving surface for restraining and aligning the switching end of the fiber when the electrostatic field is applied. This arrangement substantially reduces the voltage required to operate the switch by prior electrostatic switches.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing the processing of data across a plurality of loci of control which are connected by a mail system. The apparatus includes a package which contains files of various types and a route specifying the order in which the package is to be circulated among the loci and the processing to be done at each locus. Each locus includes programs executable by users which can manipulate the contents of the package. The programs automatically take the type of file being manipulated into account. The manipulations include modifying the unexecuted portion of the route. Each locus further includes a process which executes the route as modified, a process which tracks the package and receives control commands, and a process which handles errors detected by the other components or by users. The tracking processes maintain data bases for locating the package.

Abstract: An expert system shell and expert systems created thereby. The expert system shell creates a knowledge base consisting of terms and their definitions, the definitions making up a hierarchy of definitions in which each definition depends only on definitions at lower levels in the hierarchy or on values obtained from sources external to the knowledge base. The expert system shell creates the knowledge base by asking the expert to define a given term and then asking him to define all undefined terms which appear in the definition of the given term. Because the hierarchy is created in this fashion, the definitions are guaranteed to be complete and non-contradictory. Expert systems created using the expert system shell employ an inferencing engine which determines the value of a given term by evaluating its definition. In the course of the evaluation, the definitions of terms required to define the given term are evaluated and external values required for the evaluation of the definitions are obtained.

Abstract: A distributed reference and change table 36 for a virtual memory system 10 has a number of storage locations at least equal to the maximum number of data blocks of an associated read/write physical memory. A memory module 24 has a plurality of data words organized into n number of data blocks. The memory module includes an integral reference and change table having at least n storage locations each having at least two bits, one bit indicating the occurrence of an access (reference) to a corresponding data block and the other bit indicating if the access was a write (or change) type of access. A plurality of such memory modules are physically and electrically coupled to a common memory carrier module, each of the plurality of memory modules having an integral reference and change table.

Abstract: An interactive system has a component which manages interactions with the user and a component which manages data transformations. Communication between the interactive component and the data transformation component is by means of a state manager component. The state manager component includes an expected state description, which describes operation of the interactive system as a set of states and transitions therebetween, and an active state description, which describes as much of the present and past state of the interactive system as is required to determine the next state and to "back out" of the present state is response to user inputs specifying "cancel" or "undo" operations.

Abstract: A graphics adapter of the type whose operation is controlled by control data stored therein. The graphics adapter has two sets of loadable control data, one of which is used by a graphics processor in the graphics adaptor and the other of which is used by the processor for the system in which the graphics adapter is used. Because each processor has its own set of control data, control of the graphics adapter is rapidly and easily switched between the processors. Included in the graphics adapter is graphics control apparatus which contains storage for two sets of control data and operates under control of one or the other of them as determined by signals from the graphics adapter. The graphics control apparatus further includes state storage for retaining state necessary for resumption of operation for one processor after the other has used the graphics adapter. The graphics control apparatus can perform both byte and word operations and can emulate byte operations while operating in word mode.

Abstract: In a relational database management system, errors can be corrected by an interactive user so that noninteractive operation can continue. A fetch module operates against a cursor to retrieve a record occurrence noninteractively for a selected operation. The selected operation is validated; an error condition can be set. When the selected operation is valid, the operation is performed, and a return signal is provided, causing the fetch module to retrieve the next record occurrence. When the selected operation is invalid, the fetch module responds to the error condition by operating interactively to display the previously retrieved record occurrence with an error message.

Abstract: Apparatus and method whereby a first digital computer system may be controlled by a second digital computer system. The two digital computer systems are connected by data transfer apparatus. A program in the second digital computer system constructs a call protocol specifying a routine to be called in the first digital computer system. The data transfer apparatus transfers the call protocol to the first digital computer system, and a program in the first digital computer system performs the call. Also disclosed are a return protocol which may be employed to return data from the called routine to the second computer system, call protocols containing arguments, the use of call and return protocols to call system and user routines, and preferred forms of the call and return protocols.

Abstract: A loosely-coupled computer system certains global resources and is made up of stand-alone systems connected by a data link. Each stand-alone system includes a global identifier list which contains identifiers for global resources and the locations of those resources. The global identifier list in each system is identical to those on other systems. Each system further includes a global identifier list maintenance system, an outbound global resource system, an inbound global resource system, and a communications system. When a request for a global resource is made in a stand-alone system, the outbound global resource system determines whether the resource is local or remote. If the resource is remote, the outbound global resource system makes a resource access message and sends it via the communications system to the remote system where the resource is located.

Abstract: A memory assignment method used with a disk file management system operating with a hard disk memory wherein data is stored in appropriate ones of a number of discrete files on the disk, and each file has an assigned amount of memory space exclusively associated therewith for the storage of data that should be in the file. The disk file management system keeps track of how much of the memory dedicated to the exclusive use of each file on the disk is yet available for the storage of data in each file, and also keeps track of how much of the memory on the disk is yet available for storage but has not yet been assigned to the exclusive use of any particular file.

Abstract: Apparatus for temporarily attaching one object to another object which includes a channel on one object, a form on the other object which may be slidably inserted into the channel, a flap on one object, and means for engaging the flap on the other object. The objects are connected to each other by sliding the form into the channel and then engaging the flap with the engagement means. When engaged, the flap prevents sliding motion, and thereby ensures that the form does not slide out of the channel.

Abstract: Interactive system for manipulating the dictionaries used in text to speech conversion systems. The text to speech conversion system includes a system for converting text to a phonemic representation thereof according to rules and a system for generating speech output which pronounces a text from a phonemic representation of the text. The dictionaries contain phonemic representations of texts which are incorrectly converted by the text to phonemic representation conversion system. The interactive system includes input apparatus for receiving dictionary manipulation commands including a play command from a user of the interactive system and a command execution system for receiving the dictionary manipulation commands and executing them.

Abstract: An indexed sequential file is made accessible for random or sequential reading of records while allowing concurrent modification to the file. Each ordered group of records in the file is associated with timestamps referencing a deletion time of the group and the time that the group was last modified. During a current search in a group for a desired record, the timestamp referencing a deletion time of the group is compared to a search time established at the beginning of the search. For a sequential reading the timestamp referencing a last modification time of a group containing the desired record is compared to a respective timestamp corresponding to the reading of the preceeding record. The comparisons provide indications of whether the group to which the desired record belongs is currently the group to be searched. The most recently modified and deleted groups are stored in a cache memory.

Abstract: A multitask multiuser system provides for efficient transfer of data from a remote data base to individual subscribers and has particular utility in the distribution of stock market data. A primary provider distributes the incoming data directly to user tasks or to an inquiry provider or a monitor provider. The inquiry provider responds to specific inquiries by users for information in the data base. The monitor provider maintains lists of information which are being monitored by the host computer for individual users. The inquiry provider and the monitor provider do not repeat requests to the remote data base where a similar request is already pending from another user. Data transfer paths between tasks are estabilished by a code module which may be linked to any of the tasks. The transfer paths are established using information from a configuration list and they are monitored by the operating system through a wait list established for each user task.

Abstract: A system for taking and retrieving telephone messages. The system is used with a PBX and includes a central computer, operator stations for taking telephone messages, and retrieval stations permitting retrieval of messages either locally or via a telephone call. The central computer includes a disk drive and is connected via a RS 232 link to the PBX. Information about parties having telephones connected to the PBX and messages in the ASCII codes for those parties are stored on the disk drive. Each operator station includes a personal computer which is connected by an adapter to a telephone line from the PBS and by a data link to the central computer. The personal computer has a keyboard and display. When a call is forwarded to an operator station, the central computer provides information about the caller to the PC, which displays it on the station display. Messages for the caller are entered using the PC keyboard and forwarded by the PC to the central computer.

Abstract: Address generating apparatus for use in a computer system which includes a bus processor, a memory requiring 24-bit addresses, and a plurality of I/O processors, some of which generates 22-bit addresses and others of which generate 24-bit addresses on a system bus connecting them with the memory. The apparatus provides a 2-bit prefix to the address on the system bus when the address on the bus comes from a 22-bit device. The 22-bit devices are specified by a mask register and the prefixes by a set of prefix registers, one for each of the devices. When bus grant logic in the computer system determines which of the devices is to have control of the system bus, logic in the address generating apparatus determines from the mask register whether the device which is to receive control requires a prefix. If it does, the address generating apparatus outputs the device's prefix to the system bus's two most significant address lines at the same time as the device outputs a 22-bit address to the remaining address lines.

Abstract: In a system for editing documents having text and voice components, portions of a document are selected by cursor control to display text characters and associated voice symbols or tokens representing the voice component position and time-length.

Abstract: An information processing system having a memory for storing instructions and operands, a central processor unit which includes a mechanism for fetching and decoding instructions and operands and a bus connected between the processor unit and memory. An associated floating point unit is coupled to the bus and is responsive to floating point instructions for performing floating point operations. The floating point unit and the central processing unit may perform operations independently of the other or may be synchronized to one another, depending upon the type of instruction. A floating point instruction is determined to be a member of a first group of instructions requiring interlock of operation between the central processor unit and the floating point unit or is determined to be a member of a second group of instructions not requiring interlock of operation.