Abstract:
An electronic bulk storage having the characteristics of a sequential access storage device, such as a disk or a drum, but which has a low-access time and a variable instantaneous data rate. Data re stored parallel by word in a plurality of electronically rotatable memory elements selectable by a memory selection matrix. Each element has a feedback loop for recirculating data and when selected, a group of elements is read or written in parallel to a word at a time by electronically rotating the selected memory elements.
Abstract:
An improved tape storage rack and tape cartridge handler is provided for tape cartridges having a generally elongated cylindrical shape. The cartridge handler fetches the cartridge from any location in the rack but returns the cartridge to a position that is most readily accessible to the cartridge handler. Since the most recently fetched cartridges tend to be the most frequently used cartridges, this tape cartridge storage device tends to keep the most often used cartridges in the position for fastest access, and the average access time for the cartridge handler is reduced. In one embodiment of the invention cartridges are located in tandom on a removable sleeve in cells of the rack. A cartridge removed from a sleeve is returned to the outer most cartridge position of the sleeve so that the distance that the sleeve must be removed from its cell is kept low. In a second embodiment of the invention, cartridges are stacked one on top the other in vertical columns of the rack. When a cartridge is removed from a rack, any higher positioned cartridge is dropped one position and the cartridge that has been removed is later returned to the upper most position of its column in the rack. Thus, a high portion of the cartridge fetching operations are made at the uppermost positions of the rack.
Abstract:
This specification discloses a bubble domain memory in which data is arranged for immediacy of access in accordance with its last use. The memory comprises a plurality of parallel shift registers in which data can be accessed in parallel. In other words, each of the shift registers contains a bit of a page or word so that by the performance of one shifting operation all of the bits of the page or word can be accessed. Data in each shift register is arranged in its order of last use so that the access position K of a shift register having K bit positions contains the last bit of information used and the position K-1 preceding the access position K in the shift register contains the bit of data used just previously to the data in the access position K and so on. In these shift registers the shift positions are arranged in loops for shifting the data between the positions of the shift register. Two such loops are provided, one of the loops contains all the shift positions so that data in any position in the shift register can be shifted into the access position K of the register for reading or writing. The other loop contains all the positions of the shift register but the access position K. This second loop is for reordering the data in the shift register in order of last use after data has been shifted into the access position K for reading or writing by the first loop.
Abstract:
A PRINTED CIRCUIT ON A CIRCUIT BOARD IS ARRANGED TO GIVE A SEQUENTIAL PULSE OUTPUT WHEN THE CIRCUIT IS COMPLETED. A CHANNEL IS ATTACHED TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD SO AS TO CROSS VARIOUS CIRCUIT LINES. AT EACH CROSS POINT BETWEEN A CIRCUIT LINE AND THE CHANNEL, THERE IS A GAP IN THE CIRCUIT SUCH THAT THE GAP CAN BE BRIDGED BY A CONDUCTIVE PELLET TRAVELLING THROUGH THE CHANNEL THUS COMPLETING THE CIRCUIT TO PROVIDE THE PULSE OUTPUT. THE DEVICE CAN BE PROGRAMMED OR PRECONDITIONED BY PROVIDING A SECOND CHANNEL WHICH CROSSES THE CIRCUIT LINES AND WHICH HAS GAPS IN THE CIRCUIT LINES WHERE THE SECOND CHANNEL CROSSES. A RESERVOIR OF CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL IS CONNECTED TO THE SECOND CHANNEL AND IS ADAPTED TO BE ENERGIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN ASSOCIATED DEVICE SUCH AS A CAMMED COUNTER WHEEL. THE CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL RISES AND EBBS IN THE SECOND CHANNEL IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE RESERVOIR THUS BRIDGING A CORRESPONDING NUMBER OF GAPS. THE CONDUCTIVE PELLET, AS IT PASSES THROUGH THE FIRST CHANNEL, PRODUCES PULSES AT THE OUTPUT BY COMPLETING THE CIRCUITS OF ONLY THOSE CIRCUIT LINES WHICH ARE PRECONDITIONED BY HAVING THE SECOND GAPS IN THE SECOND CHANNEL BRIDGED BY THE CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL THEREIN.
Abstract:
An input/output interface switching apparatus for switching I/O interfaces connecting I/O control units between channels. The I/O interface switching apparatus provides means for attaching one or more strings of control units to one or more channels and provides a means for switching these strings of control units between the channels under configuration control. The switching apparatus is so arranged that a single failure within one interface affects at most only the channel to which the interface is associated. A switching matrix is provided, within the apparatus, which is physically centralized to minimize the number of I/O interface cables and connectors. The switching functions are, however, logically decentralized from a reliability standpoint so that a single component failure will not result in total switching system failure.
Abstract:
This specification discloses a stored charged storage cell for implementation in monolithic memories. The storage cells are fabricated in an array form and are connected to accessing means for reading and writing information into and out of the array. An integrated circuit diffused common sensing line is connected to either selected rows or columns for reading and writing. These sensing lines are connected to a switchable current source. The cell itself clamps the output voltage swing and thus reduces power dissipation. The storage cells each comprise a pair of semiconductor elements for storing digital information on an associated parasitic capacitor. The pair of semiconductor devices are interconnected and operated in an AC mode so as to eliminate direct current paths and thus further prevent unnecessary power dissipation.
Abstract:
An electronic bulk storage having the characteristics of a sequential access storage device. Data are stored parallel by word in a plurality of electronically rotatable memory elements selectable by a memory selection matrix. Each element has a feedback loop for recirculating data and when selected, a group of elements at an address N is read in parallel a word at a time by electronically rotating data bits stored in the selected memory elements at an address. Controls are provided to select memory elements N+1 whenever elements at address N are selected by the selection matrix. First data is read out of the elements at address N and then data is read out of the elements at address N+1 without any time lost for reselection of memory elements.
Abstract:
An input/output interface switching apparatus for switching I/O interfaces connecting I/O control units between channels. A matrix of transistor cross-point switches is provided for attaching one or more strings of control units to one or more channels. These strings of control unit are switched between the channels under configuration control. The cross-points are arranged so that a single failure within one interface affects at most only the channel to which the interface is associated. The switching matrix is physically centralized to minimize the number of I/O interface cables and connectors. The switching functions are, however, logically decentralized from a reliability standpoint so that a single component failure does not result in total switching system failure.