Abstract: A document handling apparatus permitting simultaneous use by two operators comprises first and second stations located at opposite ends of a common document reader. Documents are supplied to the reader via a conveyor belt from either station, but reading of the document is effected only as the documents move from the first station to the second. When a document to be read is applied to the apparatus at the first station, the document is moved, via the conveyor belt, to the reader and then returned to the first station. On the other hand, when the document to be read is applied to the apparatus at the second station, the document is moved toward the first station beyond the reader, and then moved back toward the station. As the document passes the reader, the data recorded on the document are read. Means are included for recording data on the document, and then reading the document to detect any recording errors.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a data processing system including a program memory for storing a first instruction at a first address and a second instruction at a second address. The system includes a look-ahead feature in which the second instruction is stored in a buffer register while the first instruction is being stored in an execution register and is simultaneously being executed. A gate circuit controls the transmission of data between the buffer register and the execution register. If a third instruction having a third address is read into the program memory while the first instruction is being executed, the second and third addresses are compared. If the second and third addresses are identical, the gate circuit is inhibited and the second instruction is prevented from being transmitted to the execution register. Instead, the third instruction or a portion thereof, is transmitted to the buffer and execution registers, so that the third instruction is executed in place of the second instruction.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a carrier support for integrated circuit chips to be mounted subsequently on a substrate. A flexible strip of an inextensible insulating material is provided with equidistant openings in the center of each of which a chip is to be mounted. One of the faces of this strip is covered with a conductive film, the said film is cut away to form in each opening interface conductors which overhang towards the center of the opening. Before the conductive film is cut away, the film is coated with a layer of photosensitive lacquer which is partly removed to enable the film to be laid bare in regions which, in each opening, form part of an open-centered zone which surrounds that portion of the film in which the free inner ends of the interface conductors associated with this opening are to be produced.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a data processing system including a program memory for storing a first instruction at a first address and a second instruction at a second address. The system includes a look-ahead feature in which the second instruction is stored in a buffer register while the first instruction is being stored in an execution register and is simultaneously being executed. A gate circuit controls the transmission of data between the buffer register and the execution register. If a third instruction having a third address is read into the program memory while the first instruction is being executed, the second and third addresses are compared. If the second and third addresses are identical, the gate circuit is inhibited and the second instruction is prevented from being transmitted to the execution register. Instead, the third instruction, or a portion thereof, is transmitted to the buffer and execution registers, so that the third instruction is executed in place of the second instruction.

Abstract: Power supplies having power input excitation terminals and power output terminals are tested under differing load and excitation conditions. Excitation sources having differing parameters are selectively connected to the input terminals. A variable impedance load is connected to the output terminals. Voltage measuring apparatus is selectively connected to be responsive to the voltage derived from the selective connecting means and the voltage across the load and is selectively connected to a readout means. A dynamic signal source derives control signals for respectively controlling the parameters of the excitation sources, the impedance of the load, and the connections of the readout means and the measuring apparatus.

Abstract: An interface connects a data-processing unit to a group of m working stations, each including items of data emitting and receiving apparatus. The unit and each of the items of apparatus transmit and receive binary data in parallel characters in response to control signals generated by the unit. The characters are coupled between the interface and stations as serial bits via a separate channel that extends to each station. Each channel includes separate lines for sending the characters in opposite directions. At the interface, there are provided m transmitter/receiver circuits, one of which is associated with each of the m stations. There is a transmitter/receiver circuit associated with each item of apparatus at each of the stations. Each transmitter/receiver circuit includes a parallel to serial converter for each parallel input character supplied to it and a serial to parallel converter for each series character applied to it.

Abstract: An apparatus for positionally controlling the movable head assembly of a magnetic disc memory unit. In a first state, the head assembly is accelerated under substantially free conditions. In a second or deceleration state, the assembly speed is compared with and regulated by a series of theoretical speeds set in accordance with the actual speed attained by the movable head assembly during the first state.

Abstract: In printing data on paper sheets which are connected along lines of perforation, the paper advance relative to the printer is controlled to assure that the proper kind of data is printed in the appropriate area or areas of the sheet or sheets to which such kind of data has been assigned. Different levels of the sheet corresponding to these areas are identified by the number of spaces between such levels and the upper edge of the sheet and a control system is employed which monitors the position of the printing line with respect to the upper edge of the sheet and which controls the paper advance in accord with the levels of the areas.

Abstract: The disclosure describes improved apparatus for setting the states of storage elements in a data-processing system and for responding to the data read out of the storage elements. The apparatus includes a first error detector which enables an initial setting circuit to initially set a first storage element to a predetermined condition in response to an error. The initial setting circuit also disconnects the outputs of a second storage element while that element is receiving reference data and reconnects the outputs of the second storage element after the data has been written into that element. A second error detector monitors the outputs of the first and second storage elements as test signals are conducted to the storage elements.

Abstract: The disclosure describes apparatus for checking the operation of control circuits of the type used to actuate the hammers of a printer. A first gating matrix is addressed by a selector so that the control circuits are operated in groups during a plurality of sub-cycles of operation. Detectors which generate an error signal in response to the erroneous operation of each control circuit are connected to the gates of a second gating matrix arranged in the same manner as the first gating matrix. The selector also addresses the second gating matrix so that the detectors which generate error signals can be identified in an error register connected to the second gating matrix.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a construction in a printer of the type utilizing an endless character-bearing band which is carried in a cartridge and which is mounted in the printer on two pulleys in a tensioned state, the construction including means for changing the spacing of the two pulleys only after a cartridge has been placed within the printer with the means being in the form of a key which rotates a cam and which key has associated therewith means for moving a protective member relative to the band when the key is in an operative position. The construction further includes locking means for preventing the insertion of the key into an operative position until such time as a cartridge is in position and the cover of the printer has been closed.

Abstract: An electromagnetic striker apparatus. The apparatus includes a core member, a coil associated with the core member and an armature member. The apparatus also includes means for guiding the armature member in movement relative to the core member. In response to actuation of the coil, the armature moves from a rest position to a strike position, whereby a character key is driven against a print support. Under the influence of the guiding means, the armature moves substantially parallel to the magnetic flux lines within the armature.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately positioning a flexible strip, having lateral perforations, with respect to an image. The apparatus includes two supports, a stud member attached to the movable support and an intercepting arm attached to the fixed support. The stud member includes a working section for engagement of the lateral perforation and alignment of the strip and a biased sleeve for position maintenance of the strip. The intercepting arm stays action of the sleeve until alignment is substantially achieved.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an interface including data lines and address lines which address a memory. Control lines control the exchanges of data among the data lines, address lines, memory and data processing unit. A parity line provides a means of checking the accuracy of the information transmitted on the data or address lines.

Abstract: A data processing system having a common data bus to which access is gained by at least a control store, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and an emulator unit (EMU). The control store includes a microprogrammable switch for enabling either the EMU or the ALU to process instructions received on a common bus. Common opcode bits in the instruction are interpreted by either the ALU or the EMU and responded to thereby depending upon the state of a control register in the control store. The instructions are stored in a control store array in the control store coupled with the bus, and allows operation of either the ALU (native mode of operation) or the EMU (non-native mode of operation), dependent upon the microprogram's instruction in the control store thereby giving increased efficiency of operation of the system.

Abstract: The disclosure described improved apparatus for testing a data processing system including first and second functional members. First and second microprograms for testing the first and second functional members, respectively, are held in a read only store. If an error is detected in the first functional member while the data processing system is processing data, a circuit transmits the starting address of the first microprogram to an address register for the store, so that the first microprogram tests the defective first functional member. As the first functional member is tested, the symptoms needed to diagnose the defect are collected. If the first microprogram is completed without all of the symptoms required for diagnosis being collected, another circuit transmits the first address to the address register so that the first microprogram is executed again. The first microprogram continues to be executed until all of the symptoms needed for diagnosis are collected.

Abstract: A device for the precise positioning of a movable member includes means for generating signals permitting localization of successive stop positions of the moving member and means for generating a pulse whenever the member approaches any stop position within a distance that equals a given fraction of the distance between two successive positions; when the member approaches a prescribed stop position, the relevant pulse ensures the enablement of a circuit that controls the precise stopping of the member. The device is particularly useful for setting a magnetic head on a given track of a magnetic disc.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a printer in which characters are moved past a sheet support on an endless belt. Hammers move from a rest position to a strike position in order to strike the characters against the sheet. The time at which the hammers are moved from their rest positions so that the characters can be accurately struck irrespective of belt speed variations by means of a strike correction circuit arrangement which includes a first sensor means positioned with respect to the endless belt for generating a synchronizing pulse in response to the movement of a reference indicator on the belt past a first predetermined position and a second sensor means associated with the endless belt for generating a check pulse in response to movement of another indicator means on the belt past a second predetermined location.

Abstract: Striking device for a dot printer, comprising an electrodynamic coil connected with a striking hammer, subjected to the action of at least one magnetic field substantially perpendicular to its plane and connected to a fixed support by means of a deformable elastic suspension unit. The device is characterized in that the electrodynamic coil is formed by at least one spiral cut in a thin metal foil and in that the elastic suspension unit is formed by narrow metal strips which are coplanar with each other and with the spiral.

Abstract: A printing actuator is provided comprising a plurality of hammers and a permanent rotating shaft capable of actuating each of said hammers for striking. The printing actuator is characterized on one hand, in that each hammer is arranged for rotating round an axis and is integral with electromagnetic means including two poles opposite one another and, on the other hand, in that said shaft bears a plurality of transverse parallel discs made of a conductive material, the two poles being associated with a hammer and arranged on both sides of one of said discs.