| 摘要 |
1,063,296. Electrical digital calculators. AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE & ELECTRIC CO. Ltd. May 25, 1964 [May 31, 1963], No. 21877/63. Heading G4A. A computer system includes data transfer means enabling any of a number of computers to call for connection to any other, or any peripheral unit, and means for selecting which of a number of such calls shall be taken next, according to a built-in system of priorities, and stored information on the availability and serviceability of the called units. The units are arranged in groups (of twelve, as described) with a common connection unit for each group, and each computer unit can send a transfer demand signal over its line (DM, Figs. 1A, 1B, not shown), to its connection unit and thence to a highway channel allocater over a line (M) (one for each unit) where a number designating the highest-priority calling unit is recorded. this is signalled via lines (A, E and 2) to all connection units to select the calling unit over lines (Y), which then sends its data-transfer instruction over lines (X, 1, and B) to the highway control unit. This instruction includes the designation of the called unit, which is checked in the compatability unit to ensure that the unit is not busy (if it is busy, and is not due to be released soon, the projected transfer is rejected), the message length (which is reduced as each block of data is transferred) and the address in the called unit and instructions therefor which are subsequently transferred via the divergence unit to the connection units to select and control the called unit. Data can then be routed between the units over a highway (3). A number of highways may be provided to allow more than one concurrent data transfer, and data may be stored to indicate the non-serviceability of units, and to enable the automatic selection of alternative units where appropriate. The units are illustrated schematically in Figs. 2-7 (not shown). |
