Abstract: Apparatus for managing data and data requests within an associative memory device, wherein the associative memory device is responsive to requests from one or more using devices, such as a digital computer, to store, locate, retrieve, and modify, by means of decision logic, specific data which is stored in peripheral memory. The apparatus includes a number of elements which individually are capable of performing a number of general-purpose functions, which are in turn combined in specified sequences to form special-purpose functions. The special purpose functions and several of the general-purpose functions together provide the necessary data management capability for the associative memory device.

Abstract: An apparatus for searching stored data in accordance wit a search specification established by a digital computer. The data is stored in data tracks which form the storing medium on a memory device. The data is in the form of logical records, each record comprising a number of data fields. The search specification designates one or more of the data fields as range fields and may designate one field as a value field. The search specification also includes range field values and range field operators for each designated range field, and a value field operator for the designated value field. The apparatus includes a first processor, which comprises a variable number of first subprocessors equal to the number of data tracks simultaneously applied to the input of the apparatus. Each first subprocessor is operative to apply the range field values and operators against the designated range fields, and may also apply them against the designated value field, of each successive record in a data track.