Abstract: The invention relates to the recording and use of microprogrammes which may be stored either in a fixed control store or the central store of a processer.Microinstructions of the same format, which may be stored either in the static store or the central store, are carried out in the same way with no excess cycles.

Abstract: The disclosure describes improved apparatus for transferring data from the main memory of a data processor to a peripheral permanent storage unit, such as a data recording holder driven by a driving device, in response to a failure of the main electrical supply to the data processor. The apparatus includes frequency converters for supplying voltage to the processor for about 500 milliseconds after the power fails. Logic and selector circuitry reads the contents of main memory into a selected permanent storage unit within the 500 millisecond time period so that the perishable data in main memory will not be lost.

Abstract: A sequence of microinstructions contained in the memory of a computer includes different sub-sequences of microinstructions which may not only begin but also end at different microinstructions of the sequence. When a sub-sequence is called, registers store the return address as well as the address of the last line of the sub-sequence and a comparator causes the computer to resume processing from the return address when the address of the line processed becomes identical to that of the stored address of the last line of the sub-sequence.

Abstract: An improved connector is disclosed which is adapted to connect circuits on a printed circuit board to circuits on a printed circuit connection panel. A plurality of connectors are mounted on the printed circuit connection panel and are arranged so that their central longitudinal axes are parallel to and at a distance from one another so as to allow a printed circuit card to be inserted between two adjacent connectors and to be held in position therebetween. A novel set of spring strips directly bias the contact blades of the connector into contact with the circuits on the printed circuit cards.

Abstract: A first test and diagnosis device to check a data processing unit. The device includes means for manually testing and passing diagnostics on the first unit, as well as other means for automatically testing and diagnosing the first unit through a second data processing unit. The latter means are comprised of maintenance circuitry, contained within the first unit and linked to the second unit in such a way as to allow the second unit to conversationally interact with the first unit. This interaction is comprised of a sequence of input and output microdialogues performed by means of the maintenance circuits. The test and diagnosis microprograms may be contained in either unit.

Abstract: A high speed printer receiving line-by-line character data from a computer employs a number of sets of hammers and a belt carrying a number of sets of characters. The belt travels continuously past the hammers and the spacing between characters is greater than the spacing between hammers so that, during one cycle in which all characters of a set have passed successively into alignment with a given hammer, there are a number of scan cycles in which a number of different hammers (one from each set) are aligned with characters a given number of successive subscan times, where the aforementioned number of scan cycles is equal to the number of characters in a set. Thus, the designation of a particular scan cycle for any given hammer uniquely defines the character which will be struck by that hammer during that subscan uniquely related to that hammer.

Abstract: A device for reading a binary coded magnetic recording. The device includes a reading head producing a reading signal, a digitizer, and a mechanism for modulating the reading signal to substantially reduce distortion caused by the physical characteristics of the reading head and magnetic recording.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for the rapid processing of the data in a data processing system having a segmented memory, wherein descriptors representing the characteristics of the segments are employed in retrieving from memory and processing each segment, and wherein means is provided for the rapid locating of the descriptors for the segments most frequently utilized.

Abstract: The disclosure describes improved techniques for using a general or parametered microinstruction for more than one application. A read/write store provides at a first address a storage location for the parametered microinstruction. The parametered microinstruction is calculated according to data values stored in a table in order to accommodate the various applications. In one embodiment, an arithmetic and logic unit combines first and second values from the table in order to form or calculate a microinstruction having first and second parameters. The calculated microinstruction then is stored in the read/write store at the first address. This techniques enables the calculated microinstruction to be carried out in the same manner as non-parametered microinstructions.