摘要:
A miniaturized computer controller system utilizes reprogrammable "read only" ultraviolet memory chips instead of conventional core memories to store a control program comprising variable information regarding all electrical elements in all electrical circuit lines of the controller. The memory chips are reprogrammable within the controller and thus delicate removal of the chips for reprogramming is eliminated. The controller utilizes a central processor removably interfitting with a reprogramming module that also communicates with a programming panel.When in a "monitor" mode, the programming panel, in conjunction with the reprogramming module, allows the operator to view any particular electrical circuit line while the controller is operating. A scroll switch on the programming panel further allows the operator to view sequentially higher or lower numbered electrical circuit lines while a trace switch provides for examining any electrical circuit line to which a currently viewed element is referenced.When in a " program" mode, the programming panel, in combination with the reprogramming module, replaces the variable memory "read only" chips and allows the controller to continue operation while the operator is programming, adjusting, or de-bugging the electrical circuit lines. Following the programming of the electrical circuit lines with the desired electrical elements, the information regarding these lines is transferred to the reprogrammable "read only" memory chips when the programming panel is in a "write" mode. In this mode all the information previously stored in the memory chips is first erased by ultraviolet light, followed by the insertion of the new information regarding the electrical circuit lines.Following the transferral of information to the memory chips, the reprogramming module is disconnected from the central processor and replaced by a removably interfitting power supply module, whereby the system operates with electrical circuit line information stored in the reprogrammable memory chips.
摘要:
A computer system especially for solution of real time inference problems is disclosed. The system includes a systolic cellular processor which provides predictable and responsive real time operation and fine grain programmability. The system comprises a plurality of separate processor cells each having its own local memory, the cells running simultaneously and operative to execute their respective program instructions. A global memory is coupled via a global bus to the processor cells and provides data to the cells and stores data from the cells. The bus provides effectively simultaneous access of all cells to the global memory. A further feature of the system is a novel parallel programming language using English syntax and which provides synchronous and predictable binding of code to each cell. A graphic work station is provided as a user interface to provide visual access to each cell or to cell groups for ease of control. The system can also function to emulate large scale integrated circuit processors by reason of the fine grain programmed operation of the system.
摘要:
A system to control a piece of construction equipment or other piece of heavy equipment at a remote location via a data network in which a user provides movement instructions via a graphical user interface at a user PC to a programmable controller interfaced to the data network and the hydraulic movement systems of the heavy equipment. The graphical user interface includes a visual representation portion and a user control portion. A visual representation of the moveable elements of the heavy equipment is provided to the user via the graphical user interface, and the user inputs movement instructions via the user control portion of the graphical user interface.
摘要:
A heat sink for a printed circuit board in comprised of a thermally-conductive plate having on one surface a thermally-conductive, electrically-insulative elastomer layer which conformally engages at leasts a portion of the back surface of the printed circuit board. The ends of pins of electronic components mounted on the board and desired to be cooled embed into the elastomer layer to provide a conductive path for transfer of heat from the electronic components to the elastomer layer and then to the thermally-conductive plate.
摘要:
A parallel process controller capable of expandable, parallel operating multi-function control of processes without degradation of performance. The process controller comprises up to N (where N is a positive integer) programmable command memory modules, and also comprises data memory modules, an input/output system, a high speed data bus (N-bus) and a general timing and control unit. Each command memory module performs the functional equivalent of a central processing unit with storage of instruction lines designatable by a user via a programming panel. Each command memory module operates autonomously, without regard to the other command memory modules and cyclically solves each of the user instruction lines in a short, fixed length of time. Each data memory module supplements data storage in the command memory modules. The N-bus is a high speed data bus that cyclically interconnects for a fixed length of time each command memory module during one of N control signals generated by the general timing and control unit, to any of the data memory modules and to the input/output system. During this length of time, the selected command memory module may address, read, or write in any location in any data memory module. An interconnectable programming panel may monitor, program, or control line status indicators for any instruction line within any command module or any line within any data memory module. The programming panel communicates with the controller via a dedicated channel of the input/output system.
摘要:
A systematic data memory error detection and correction apparatus periodically reads data from each addressable memory location, determines the presence or absence of an error in the addressed data memory location and, if an error is detected, corrects the error and writes the corrected data back into the addressed memory location. The apparatus may include circuitry for logging those areas of the data memory where errors have been detected, such logging showing either the address location where an error is detected or alternatively indicating the repetitiveness of an error at any particular addressed memory location. Such data logging facilitates determination of hardware or "hard" type errors as distinguished from non-hardware or "soft" type errors. The latter type errors are typically found in dynamic random access memories (dynamic RAM's) which occasionally and randomly have errors due to bombardment of cosmic energy and alpha particles, the latter typically due to minute radioactive elements in silicon materials used in the fabrication of such memories. When the present apparatus is used in conjunction with dynamic RAM's, the error detection and correction is typically performed during "refresh" times which are necessary for maintaining proper stored charge in such devices. By so doing, the access performance of the memory is not degraded by the error detection and correction apparatus.
摘要:
A digital computer with the capability of incorporating multiple central processing units (CPU's), utilizes an address and data bus between each central processing unit and from one to fifteen intelligent composite memory and input/output modules (MIO). Data is transferred to and from each MIO and the CPU synchronously by a bus during one phase of a three phase clocking cycle. During a second phase of the clocking cycle data on one or more low speed serial data channels within each MIO is transferred to and from the MIO and external devices. During the third phase of the clocking cycle data on a high speed direct memory access channel (DMA) is transferred to and from the MIO and one or more external devices. Additional CPU's can be interconnected with the first CPU by means of an inter-processor buffer module (IPB) which interconnects to the bus at one end and the additional CPU, by means of a bus, at its other end. The IPB may be a software modifiable MIO and can store data addressable by the two interconnected CPU's. In turn, the additional CPU and its associated bus interconnects by the second bus with from one to fifteen additional MIO's or IPB's, allowing cascading of CPU's and associated MIO's and IPB's. Since all data transfers to and from the MIO's and external devices occur at time phases separate from the first time phase in which the CPU communicates with the MIO's and IPB's, the computational speed of any CPU is independent of the quantity of data transferred between the MIO's and IPB's and associated external devices or additional CPU's.
摘要:
An interactive terminal which is capable of complete hand-held operation with total freedom of position and location is provided. The terminal incorporates a self contained full 128-character keyboard, a 20-character alphanumeric readout, and a 1000-character memory. The terminal allows the generation of all 128 ASCII characters plus "break." In order to assure review of any message, a conveniently positioned scroll switch is incorporated to advance or roll back any messsage in the memory for presentation on the display.When previous messages are displayed and incoming information is being received by the terminal, the light intensity of the displayed messages modulates to indicate to the operator that information is being received but not displayed. The unique, totally portable, hand-held interactive terminal is provided with a 20 key keyboard which is operated with one hand, while the other hand selects one of four different information levels for each key. Consequently, each of the 20 keys is capable of transmitting four different characters or other information thereby assuring easy, compact transmission of all numeric, alphabetic, and punctuation characters, and command information to an interconnected device.The interactive computer terminal prevents the transmission of information when more than one of the twenty keys of the keyboard is depressed simultaneously In addition, the terminal allows for the automatic transmission of any characters when the corresponding key is depressed for a short period of time. Furthermore, an audible alarm is incorporated which automatically sounds when improper keyboard operation is attempted.The interactive terminal provides for local operation that allows the invention to display information without transmitting this information to any interconnected device. The display of the present terminal incorporates a cursor that indicates the position, type and information level of the next character to be generated and transmitted if a keyboard key is depressed.Furthermore, the interactive terminal provides for the selection of various parameters; including communication speed, parity, half-duplex or full-duplex mode, upper or lower case alphanumeric transmission from the keyboard, and a "justify" operation for presenting of words on more than one line if these words are equal to or less than 10 characters.
摘要:
A computer system especially for solution of real time inference problems is disclosed. The system includes a systolic cellular processor which provides predictable and responsive real time operation and fine grain programmability. The system comprises a plurality of separate processor cells each having its own local memory, the cells running simultaneously and operative to execute their respective program instructions. A global memory is coupled via a global bus to the processor cells and provides data to the cells and stores data from the cells. The bus provides effectively simultaneous access of all cells to the global memory. A further feature of the system is a novel parallel programming language using English syntax and which provides synchronous and predictable binding of code to each cell. A graphic work station is provided as a user interface to provide visual access to each cell or to cell groups for ease of control. The system can also function to emulate large scale integrated circuit processors by reason of the fine grain programmed operation of the system.
摘要:
A programmable sequence controller is disclosed utilizing digital and analog inputs in order to generate digital output driver signals for the control of external systems or devices. The controller emulates mechanical sequence drums so that at any one time each of the simulated drums within the controller executes one of the addressable drum lines programmed within the drum. Each line of each simulated drum can be programmed to specify the energization or deenergization of any output driver as well as the energization or de-energization of any memory bit utilized by the controller in order to provide communication between drums. Each drum may also be programmed to have one or two sets of exit conditions, which if met, cause the controller to effectively rotate the drum to a specified drum line and execute this new drum line during the next scan of the controller. The controller can also sense emergency conditions and cause any or all of the drums to rotate to a specified line regardless of the drum line then being executed by the controller for each of the drums. An improved power-down, power-up circuitry insures an ordered and complete shutdown of the controller if any of a number of conditions exist, including utility AC failure and impending failure of several of the power supply voltages. Handshaking circuitry between the power supply and the remainder of the controller insures that the controller maintains memory validity for all types of shutdown situations, including momentary losses of any supply voltage.The programmable sequence controller includes a clock-calendar capable of continued operation during periods of extended power outages. The clock-calendar can be utilized in any drum line to form part of the control scheme.All programming of the simulated drum lines is performed through an interconnected data communication device such as a teletypewriter and utilizes a simple user-oriented language, with monitoring and diagnostic capability to facilitate debugging.