Abstract: A self-sorting memory system (SSM) in which records to be sorted are stored in selected memory cells in random access memories. The system is constructed so that the amount of time required to sort the records depends only on the number of records to be sorted, that is, the sorting time depends upon the time required to feed the unsorted records serially into the system and the time required to output the sorted records serially from the system. The system also has the feature that additional unsorted records may be fed into the system and sorted with records already in the system after sorted records have been partially withdrawn from the system. The system is also capable of operating in a non-destruct mode in which sorted output records are returned to the system. For economical construction the system is made up of a plurality of identical modules, and the words making up each record are distributed among the modules for simultaneous processing.

Abstract: A format-changing data processing system is capable of storing successive input records (data words) in a random access memory and of retrieving the data words from the memory in accordance with predetermined instructions to produce the data words at the output of the system in a sequence having a changed sequential format as compared with the sequence of the input words. In a preferred embodiment of the system the instructions are stored in a second memory, and the data words flow into and out of the system simultaneously, and into and out of first and third memories, with the output words having a sequential format which is different from the sequence of input words, as established by the instructions in the second memory.

Abstract: A system is provided for sorting binary data records, which includes random access memory means for storing the data records and from which the data records may be retrieved in an ordered sequence. There is no sorting time mode within the system itself, and the system has but two modes of operation, an input mode and an output mode. The time required for sorting the data is dependent only on the rate at which the data records are fed into the system and the rate at which the data records are retrieved out of the system.