Abstract: A visual display for an electronic accounting computer comprising a keyboard and a console. The computer concurrently executes two programs. The console is provided with a changeover switch for selectively allocating the keyboard, the display and the console to one of the programs. As introduction from the keyboard is required, an operator guidance message is displayed. This message is replaced by the response of the operator when it is initiated. If the program not selected by the allocating switch requires attention, an operator call message is developed. The changeover switch is moved to select the program requiring attention. An appropriate message requesting the needed data is displayed, to be replaced by the data as the operator introduces it. The operator then repositions the allocating switch, and the message defining the next required introduction of the original program is displayed, so that data introduction may resume.

Abstract: In a computer for executing a program made up of a plurality of instructions stored in an operational memory, in which the system is controlled by a set of microprograms stored in a read-only memory, the program instructions to be executed are transferred one at a time to a scratch pad memory, where they are used to address corresponding microprograms in the read-only memory. The microinstructions of the addressed microprogram are transferred one at a time to a microinstruction register, where each one is used to control the generation of a plurality of sets of commands to various components of the machine for executing the program instruction. The control unit includes means for transmitting control signals and data to the peripheral units with the data being already decoded into a form in which it is able to directly control the data output mechanism of the peripheral unit, without further modifications by a peripheral unit control unit.

Abstract: A biprogrammable computer is provided with an operator actuable selector switch. Each position of the selector switch of the computer assigns the keyboard, the console and the display to a selected one of the two programs in progress, so that the data entered by the keyboard is automatically transferred to the memory zone allocated to the program selected at the same time the display displays messages of the selected program. If the program not selected by the selector switch must alert the operator to some abnormalities, it activates a lamp and an associated buzzer. The operator after the end of the keyboard operation, actuates the selector switch and removes the cause of the abnormality. Registers are provided for storing the point of interruption of a program being processed, as well as information for determining if the data being entered by the keyboard relates to the program selected.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling jumps in microprograms in a microprogrammable electronic computer. The apparatus comprises a plurality of bistable circuits. Selected words are transferrable into the bistable circuits in response to the execution of microprograms by the computer and at least one bistable circuit can be set to a state determined by whether a logical condition specified by a microinstruction is or is not met. In response to the state of a selected one of the bistable circuits, a jump in a microprogram may alternatively be or not be effected. The jump is dependent upon the state of the selected bistable circuit and independent of whether this state has been established by a transferred selected word or as a result of a logical condition.