scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question

Showing papers on "Interface (computing) published in 1971"


Proceedings ArticleDOI
18 Oct 1971
TL;DR: The I/O System is described and some popular applications of it, illustrating these features, are presented, which permit one to take full advantage of all features of an I/o device but require considerable knowledge of the I/0 System and the device.
Abstract: An I/0 system has been implemented in the Multics system that facilitates dynamic switching of I/0 devices. This switching is accomplished by providing a general interface for all I/O devices that allows all equivalent operations on different devices to be expressed in the same way. Also particular devices are referenced by symbolic names and the binding of names to devices can be dynamically modified. Available I/0 operations range from a set of basic I/0 calls that require almost no knowledge of the I/O System or the I/0 device being used to fully general calls that permit one to take full advantage of all features of an I/O device but require considerable knowledge of the I/0 System and the device. The I/O System is described and some popular applications of it, illustrating these features, are presented.

59 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new system is described for recording behavioural events on a time scale, in a form which can be fed directly into a computer, and because a very simple frequency code is used, it is extremely cheap and easy to make.
Abstract: A new system is described for recording behavioural events on a time scale, in a form which can be fed directly into a computer. The user presses keys on a keyboard to denote behavioural events. The number of separate events which can be distinguished depends on the quality of equipment used, and can be over 60. The main disadvantage of the system is that no two events can be recorded simultaneously. The information is coded on magnetic tape, using an unmodified single channel domestic tape recorder. The encoding unit is light and battery driven, and together with the tape recorder can easily be taken into the field. The tapes are later played back through a simple interface to a small computer. The computer decodes them, and punches out a permanent paper tape record of which behaviours occurred, and when, to the nearest tenth of a second. These paper tapes can then be fed back into the same or another computer for analysis. In addition to recording discrete events, the system can be used as a simple analogue to digital converter. The main advantage of the system is that it is extremely cheap and easy to make. This is because a very simple frequency code is used, and the computer itself is programmed to perform the whole decoding operation.

49 citations


Patent
17 Mar 1971
TL;DR: In this paper, an automatic interface control system is provided for use between an aircraft environmental control system and a two spool auxiliary power unit, where the speed of one of the auxiliary power units spools is controlled by the interface controller.
Abstract: An automatic interface control system is provided for use between an aircraft environmental control system and a two spool auxiliary power unit. In response to the requirements of the environmental control system, the speed of one of the auxiliary power unit spools is controlled by the interface control system.

48 citations


Patent
30 Jun 1971
TL;DR: In this article, a method and system for handling digital information in the form of addressed messages is described, which includes a master communication loop such as a transmission cable and a plurality of sub-loops as well as devices are connected to the master loop through suitable interface units and sub-loop control units.
Abstract: A method and system is described for handling digital information in the form of addressed messages. The system includes a master communication loop such as a transmission cable. A plurality of sub-loops as well as devices are connected to the master loop through suitable interface units and sub-loop control units. In each of the sub-loops a plurality of devices capable of transmitting and receiving digitally coded messages are connected to the sub-loops through interface units. Two special characters precede the message and permits a sub-loop control unit to take control of the loop to transmit messages and to obtain further messages from the devices in the associated sub-loop. When a unit is permitted to transmit, it produces and transmits a third special character which is received by the other interfaces or stations which are ready to transmit and informs the other interfaces that they may not transmit. After an interface transmits its message or messages, it produces the first and second special characters which is received by the next interface in the loop that is ready to transmit and in this manner, the sequence of transmission is passed around the loop under the control of the interfaces in the loop.

41 citations


Patent
25 Jan 1971
TL;DR: In this article, a point-to-point DIGITAL Data Transmission System is described, which includes a PAIR of OPTICAL TRANSCIEVER UNITS, which can communicate with another node via LINE OF SIGHT (LOS) communications.
Abstract: DISCLOSED IS A POINT-TO-POINT DIGITAL DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM EMPLOYING PULSE MODULATED INFRARED OR LIGHT BEAMS THE SYSTEM INCLUDES A PAIR OF OPTICAL TRANSCIEVER UNITS WHICH LINK ONE COMPUTER INSTALLATION TO ANOTHER VIA LINE OF SIGHT COMMUNICATIONS. THE SYSTEM ALSO INCLUDES INTERFACE UNITS CONNECTING RESPECTIVE OPTICAL UNITS TO THEIR ASSOCIATED COMPUTER INSTALLATION. THE INTERFACE UNITS ENCODE, MODULATE, DEMODULATE AND TRANSFER RECIEVED DATA. THE SYSTEM INCLUDES MEANS TO AUTOMATICALLY SYNCHONIZE WIT H INCOMING DATA AND FURTHER PROVIDE A SOURCE OF SYNCHRONIZING SIGNALS FOR USE BY ASSOCIATED COMPUTER EQUIPMENT.

35 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article focuses on the human interaction characteristics of an information retrieval system, suggests some design considerations to improve man-machine cooperation, and describes a research system at Stanford that is exploring some of these techniques.
Abstract: This article focuses on the human interaction characteristics of an information retrieval system, suggests some design considerations to improve man-machine cooperation, and describes a research system at Stanford that is exploring some of these techniques. Librarians can only be of limited assistance in helping the naive user formulate an unstructured feeling in his mind into an appropriate search query that maps into the retrieval system. Consequently, the process of query formulation by the user, interactively with the information available in the system, remains one of the principal problems in information retrieval today. In an attempt to solve this problem by improving the interface communication between man and the computer, we have pursued the objective of displaying hierarchically structured index trees on a CRT in a decision tree format permitting the user merely to point (with a light pen) at alternatives which seem most appropriate to him. Using his passive rather than his active vocabulary expands his interaction vocabulary by at least an order of magnitude. Moreover, a hierarchically displayed index is a modified thesaurus, and may be augmented by adding lateral links to provide semantic assistance to the user. A hierarchical structure was chosen because it seems to replicate the structure of cognitive thought processes most closely, thus allowing the simplest, most direct transfer of the man's problem into the structure and vocabulary of the system.

35 citations


Patent
26 Aug 1971
TL;DR: In this paper, a hybrid loadflow computer arrangement includes an analog network simulator and a digital computer which acquires and processes on-line data and operator data related to the power system for which a loadflow problem is being solved.
Abstract: A hybrid loadflow computer arrangement includes an analog network simulator and a digital computer which acquires and processes on-line data and operator data related to the power system for which a loadflow problem is being solved. The analog simulator includes modular circuits representative of power system busses and lines and the interface between the digital computer and the analog network simulator is provided by analogto-digital and digital-to-analog converters and by line outage contact closure outputs. The hybrid arrangement operates iteratively, with the analog network simulator providing a bus voltage solution for a set of network simultaneous equations and the digital computer providing bus load and generation injection current calculations and convergence steering control. A program system employed in the digital computer preprocesses input data, determines automatic and operator contingency cases and provides contingency modified preprocessed data, generates basecase and contingency case steady state loadflow solutions for the preprocessed data, and monitors solution results.

27 citations


01 Oct 1971
TL;DR: The primary concern of this report has been with the development of such a measurement capability and the utilization of this capability to create (and iteratively improve) analytic models of the network behavior as well as the true system parameters.
Abstract: : The ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) computer network involves the interconnection of about twenty (as of 1971) different research computers across the country by means of a store-and-forward message switching net. The development of such a network is an expensive and complicated undertaking which involves a variety of engineering trade-offs and decisions. Since there has been little prior experience which directly relates to the design of such a network, an extensive measurement and evaluation capability was included in the message switching computers (the Interface Message Processors or IMP's). UCLA was designated to be the Network Measurement Center with the responsibility of defining the measurements that were necessary for the support of the analytic and simulation model activities, and to determine the performances of the network by the use of these measurement facilities. The primary concern of this report has been with the development of such a measurement capability and the utilization of this capability to create (and iteratively improve) analytic models of the network behavior as well as the true system parameters.

25 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
William C Carter, D.C. Jessep, A.B. Wadia, P.R. Schneider, Willard G. Bouricius1 
TL;DR: This paper delineates two parallel concepts embodied in the hardware and software functions required for recovery; detection, diagnosis, and reconfiguration for hardware, data integrity, checkpointing, and restart for the software.
Abstract: Recovery in a fault-tolerant computer means the continuation of system operation with data integrity after an error occurs. This paper delineates two parallel concepts embodied in the hardware and software functions required for recovery; detection, diagnosis, and reconfiguration for hardware, data integrity, checkpointing, and restart for the software. The hardware relies on the recovery variable set, checking circuits, and diagnostics, and the software relies on the recovery information set, audit, and reconstruct routines, to characterize the system state and assist in recovery when required. Of particular utility is a handware unit, the recovery control unit, which serves as an interface between error detection and software recovery programs in the supervisor and provides dynamic interactive recovery.

25 citations


Patent
Edstrom Gene Harold1
05 Aug 1971
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a system for diagnosing the operational capabilities of a connected peripheral subsystem for a data processing system, including interface checking between the subsystem and the rest of the system, device status, stacking status, capability of handling nonstackable status, verifying enable/disable operation, and checking device busy status and the like.
Abstract: Diagnostics in a peripheral subsystem for a data processing system are performed on a concurrent basis with other programs in the data processing system. The peripheral subsystem has capabilities of generating indications for the data processing system representative of operational conditions that could be encountered; the data processing system is programmed to respond to said indications for diagnosing the operational capabilities of the connected peripheral subsystem. Included in the diagnostics are interface checking between the subsystem and the rest of the data processing system, device status, capability of stacking status, capability of handling nonstackable status, verifying enable/disable operation, and checking device busy status and the like.

25 citations


Patent
29 Jun 1971
TL;DR: In this article, an automated control system for regulating urban traffic flow is described. Butts et al. describe a system that includes a central control facility linked with a plurality of remote terminals over a unitary communication channel, which is preferably equivalent to a voice grade, noncompensated telephone line.
Abstract: An automated control system is disclosed that is particularly adapted for use in regulating urban traffic flow. The system includes a central control facility linked with a plurality of remote terminals over a unitary communication channel, which is preferably equivalent to a voice grade, non-compensated telephone line. The central control facility includes a computer coupled through interface equipment with a master transceiver. The master transceiver couples the computer and interface equipment with the communication channel. Each of the remote terminals, which are coupled to the communication channel in parallel, party line fashion, includes a remote transceiver coupled through interface equipment to a traffic control device, such as a signal light. An emergency vehicle locator may also be included in each remote terminal. Vehicle detectors may be coupled to the communication channel through the remote terminals or through separate remote transceivers to provide a measure of traffic flow parameters.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
28 Jun 1971
TL;DR: The current user interface of the GSP system, its required inputs, modes of interaction, and its outputs, are described, and how GSP solves several classes of drafting design problems are described.
Abstract: This paper focuses on computer augmentation of some simple design tasks found in every architectural office - the design and contract specification of arrangements of objects and equipment within a space. Examples of such tasks include stairwells, restrooms, mechanical rooms, and kitchens. This type of design is not considered creative, for it consists of a variation of a standard design within a particular context. Rather, it is an example of the “dogwork” involved in realizing initial design conceptions. A major portion of an architectural firm's time and effort is currently expended on the production aspects of design, of translating schematic design into construction documents1.General Space Planner* (GSP) is an automated design, drafting, and problem solving system recently implemented on Carnegie-Mellon University's IBM 360/67 time-shared computer that begins to explore how arrangement problems and other production aspects of design can be either automated or augmented by the computer. This paper describes the current user interface of the GSP system, its required inputs, modes of interaction, and its outputs, and describes how GSP solves several classes of drafting design problems.

Patent
10 May 1971
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a testing system wherein a digital computer controls programmable testing devices which supply signals to, and receive signals from, a unit under test, where buffer interface equipment is connected to three input/output channels of the computer and includes a plurality of storage registers connected to the various programmable test devices.
Abstract: A testing system wherein a digital computer controls programmable testing devices which supply signals to, and receive signals from, a unit under test. Buffer interface equipment is connected to three input/output channels of the computer and includes a plurality of storage registers connected to the various programmable test devices. Information to be supplied to the test devices is received via one input/output channel and placed into storage. Test results are also placed into storage and transmitted back to the computer for analysis via a second channel. The third channel contains address information for selecting which storage registers receive or transmit the digital signals.

Patent
K Hirose1, K Muroga1, T Nakajo1, H Shirasu1, M Yamauchi1 
04 Nov 1971
TL;DR: A stored program controlled electronic switching system provided with large capacity economical peripheral memory equipments, such as magnetic drums, in which a part of the basic memory content, not subject to high speed access time, is stored permanently and also continuously varying information is periodically copied for the purpose of backing up the random access main memory devices as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A stored program controlled electronic switching system provided with large capacity economical peripheral memory equipments, such as magnetic drums, in which a part of the basic memory content, not subject to high speed access time, is stored permanently and also continuously varying information is periodically copied for the purpose of backing up the random access main memory devices to decrease the number of the main memory devices. The switching system comprises data channel devices consisting of channel multiplexer and sub-channel equipment in order to obtain a standard interface scheme between the central control units and various input-output devices. The system further comprises four-wire type trunk link network to be controlled by the same central control units for obtaining wider system flexibility for the application of accommodating data switching facility, trunk switching facility, etc.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper describes a small computer, Interdata Model 3, that has been microprogrammed to serve as an intelligent terminal and has instructions particularly designed for intelligent terminal programming.
Abstract: This paper describes a small computer, Interdata Model 3, that has been microprogrammed to serve as an intelligent terminal. The Interdata is connected to a System/360 multiplexor channel with a high-speed interface, and uses an ARDS direct view storage tube as a display console. The new Interdata target machine is patterned after the /360 (including all five instruction formats), but also has instructions particularly designed for intelligent terminal programming. These include instructions for character string manipulation, code conversion, list processing, coordinate manipulation, and virtual addressing. A powerful multiplexor channel, which allows the programmer to "overlap" I/O to several devices with a CPU program, has also been microprogrammed.

Patent
26 Aug 1971
TL;DR: In this article, a hybrid loadflow computer arrangement includes an analog network simulator and a digital computer which acquires and processes on-line data and operator data related to the power system for which a loadflow problem is being solved.
Abstract: A hybrid loadflow computer arrangement includes an analog network simulator and a digital computer which acquires and processes on-line data and operator data related to the power system for which a loadflow problem is being solved. The analog simulator includes modular circuits representative of power system busses and lines and the interface between the digital computer and the analog network simulator is provided by analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters and by line outage contact closure outputs. The hybrid arrangement operates iteratively, with the analog network simulator providing a bus voltage solution for a set of network simultaneous equations and the digital computer providing bus load and generation injection current calculations and convergence steering control. To converge the solution, the digital computer is programmed to change the generation reactive power at voltage regulated busses in each iteration as a function of the difference between the analog computed bus voltage and a specified bus voltage.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The evolution of the interface of computer science and statistics, the area of their interaction, has been documented only in part is summarized, with a structure for the interface introduced initially and an historical background for it presented in two parts.
Abstract: Current scientific, technical, and management progress is characterized by the generation of a tremendous amount of data for analysis. This, in turn, poses a significant challenge: to effectively and efficiently extract meaningful information from the large volume of data. Two relatively young professions, computer science and statistics, are intimately linked in any response to the challenge. They have consequently become indispensable to scientific, technical, and management progress, occupying a position at its very heart Computer science and statistics have each been separately documented by many books as well as numerous papers. However, the interface of computer science and statistics, the area of their interaction, has been documented only in part. This paper begins characterization of the entire interface by providing a structure and an historical background for it A structure for the interface is introduced initially, followed by an historical background for the interface presented in two parts. First to be summarized is the evolution of the interface from an interweaving of the mechanical prerequisites to the computer and mathematical prerequisities to computer science and of the foundations for probability and statistics. Development of statistics prior to 1900 then is reviewed.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
18 May 1971
TL;DR: The major goals of the SYMBOL computer research project have been to provide a more effective man-machine interface and to reduce the total cost of a digital system to the user.
Abstract: The major goals of the SYMBOL computer research project have been to provide a more effective man-machine interface and to reduce the total cost of a digital system to the user. The development of the multi-processing/multi-programming computer architecture with much of the executive system, memory management, and high-level language implemented in hardware is described in other related papers. The SYMBOL project also has investigated low-cost construction techniques suitable for equipment to be used in commercial/industrial environments.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Jan 1971
TL;DR: An extensive measurement capability has been implemented in the Interface Message Processors of the ARPA network of computers to provide insight into network behavior, and to support the analytic and simulation modeling work being done at UCLA.
Abstract: An extensive measurement capability has been implemented in the Interface Message Processors (IMP's) of the ARPA network of computers These measurement facilities were implemented by the network contractor, Bolt Beranek and Newman, Inc, to meet the measurement needs of the UCLA Network Measurement Center, and consist of software routines within the store-and-forward IMP's to accumulate statistics, periodically record snap-shots, trace selected messages through the net, and to be able to generate artificial traffic These capabilities have been augmented by routines at the Network Measurement Center to provide selective control over the data gathering functions, as well as, providing data reduction and print-out routines, and more extensive artificial traffic generation facilities The purpose of the measurement effort is to provide insight into network behavior, and to support the analytic and simulation modeling work being done at UCLA In this latter role, the measurements provide a means of verifying, or correcting, models of network behavior by performing appropriate tests in the actual network environment The result of several such efforts will be discussed

Journal ArticleDOI
S.W. Miller1
TL;DR: The primary purpose of this paper is to explore the parameters of display devices that might better serve the needs of highly interactive man-machine systems.
Abstract: The primary purpose of this paper is to explore the parameters of display devices that might better serve the needs of highly interactive man-machine systems. Examples of what is meant by "highly interactive" are those systems designed to aid editors in the acquisition, correction, and production editing of "camera-ready" textual information, assist with the development of design drawings in computer-aided engineering design, and provide for development and management information systems graphic reports that can be interacted with by the user. CRTs are the most versatile and ubiquitous form of display in the machine-to-man communication part of this interface. Two major technical drawbacks to CRTs for this function are the size of the work space and the resolution. To significantly increase either of these greatly increases the costs that are already too high for many applications. For the man-to-machine portion of the interface, the CRT has some undesirable characteristics.

Patent
17 Nov 1971
TL;DR: In this paper, an interface is coupled between a 20-bit serial word signalling stem and a 16-bit parallel word data processor, which buffers the transmission to an from the line, transfers to and from the processor in pairs of 10-bit half-words, and performs all repetitive functions to limit utilization of the processor.
Abstract: An interface is coupled between a 20-bit serial word signalling stem and a 16-bit parallel word data processor. The interface buffers the transmission to an from the line, transfers to and from the processor in pairs of 10-bit half-words, and performs all repetitive functions to limit utilization of the processor.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An experimental on-line network design system is proposed that consists of a small computer with graphic display equipment connected to a time-sharing computer and includes the necessary programming support for the equipment.
Abstract: An experimental on-line network design system is proposed. Called DESIGNPAD, it consists of a small computer with graphic display equipment connected to a time-sharing computer and includes the necessary programming support for the equipment. The system is designed to accept problems covering a broad spectrum of applications in the form of labeled block diagrams. The input/output medium, the man-machine interface, and the supporting data structures, particularly the cellular structure, are discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Some of the aspects of the hardware interface, and also some of the interaction between the computer and the CAMAC system are discussed.
Abstract: The typical CAMAC system is operated in conjunction with a small computer. In the usual case, the computer acts as a repository for data generated by CAMAC, and also controls and directs the CAMAC operations. This paper discusses some of the aspects of the hardware interface, and also some of the interaction between the computer and the CAMAC system.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The characteristics of computers which are directly pertinent to process communication are described, along with actual interface devices, in terms of both computer-process information flow and computer backup.
Abstract: Techniques of providing useful information about a process to a computer as well as methods by which the computer can control a process are discussed. A summary of typical sensors and actuators which might be found in a paper industry computer control project is included; in addition, there are some recommended guidelines to use in signal transmission, conditioning, and converting. The characteristics of computers which are directly pertinent to process communication are described, along with actual interface devices, in terms of both computer-process information flow and computer backup.

Journal ArticleDOI
David F. Sutter1
TL;DR: The control system for the NAL Main Accelerator Ring is based on a distributed multiplex technique which uses serial transmission of digital data to link 24 service buildings to a central computer system as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The control system for the NAL Main Accelerator Ring is based on a distributed multiplex technique which uses serial transmission of digital data to link 24 service buildings to a central computer system. Each service building contains logic for conversion of serial data to parallel format and parallel to serial. Data transmission cables form a large loop that extends around the four mile circumference of the accelerator so that data transmitted from a central communications controller goes to each service building sequentially and is then returned to the central controller. The communications controller is an integral part of the interface electronics for a MAC-16 minicomputer which serves as a real-time controller for ring subsystems. The MAC-16 is connected to control console electronics and to a second minicomputer used for Main Ring power supply fine control. In the near future, the MAC-16 will be linked to an XDS Sigma II computer that serves as a central controller for the entire complex.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Using such a low cost interface system, the experimentalist can build self-tailored procedures for fast and reliable acquisition, as well as for interactive data reduction, which enables him to analyse the data and obtain results during the experiment.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
Donald Karp1, Salomon Seroussi
01 Jan 1971
TL;DR: The architecture of a communications line protocol for computer networks is described, derived through an experiment with a computer network designed for heterogeneous machines, and which utilized existing software.
Abstract: The scope of this presentation is to describe the architecture of a communications line protocol for computer networks. Development and implementation details will be introduced where necessary to clarify the presentation.The need for an architecture to facilitate inter-processor communications has been a requirement to the computing industry for several years. The described line protocol was derived through an experiment with a computer network designed for heterogeneous machines, and which utilized existing software. Due to the inflexibility encountered by this approach, the architecture is being re-implemented using our own software.The line interface was defined with flexibility as the foremost requirement. The protocol developed utilizes a minimum set of line control characters. Information is passed in the header portion of the transmitted block providing the capability of identifying a wider range of line control and user related functions. Error recovery has been implemented based on the same type of messages and by transferring line timing responsibilities from the hardware to the software.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In two programs involving rapid scanning the authors have realized a six-fold gain in the efficiency of data taking and further gains are anticipated as more sophisticated programs of data analysis become available at the telescope.
Abstract: Two computerized data-acquisition systems have been designed and built at the Lowell Observatory. These systems, which are centered around the PDP-1 1 minicomputer, embody the following design concepts. 1. Software development is a large and continuing task. Everything possible should be done to facilitate this part of the development. 2. A keyboard is used for all manual data entry, which eliminates the need to interface to a large number of switches. 3. A cathode -ray 4ube display is used to achieve good communication between the astronomer and the system. 4. A highly reliable magnetic tape unit (DECTAPE) is used for storage of programs and data, which has increased the ease and speed of program development. 5. The computer has many desirable features, plus enough core (8K) to make programming relatively easy and rapid. 6. The entire system is under the control of a real-time monitor program. 7. All input-output is done in the background by the monitor program, which utilizes the advanced interrupt structure available on this machine. 8. The programming has been made extremely modular to facilitate further program development. The necessary hardware and software have been developed within six months, and the systems are now in use at the telescope. In two programs involving rapid scanning we have realized a six-fold gain in the efficiency of data taking. Further gains are anticipated as more sophisticated programs of data analysis become available at the telescope. Key words: instrumentation - data-aequisition system - computer

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The features of CAMAC are described to indicate the applicability of CAMac-compatible equipment and programming to real-time situations.
Abstract: CAMAC is a definite style for implementing the interface conditions which exidt when many channels of input/output information share a common data-processor/controller. The features of CAMAC are described to indicate the applicability of CAMAC-compatible equipment and programming to real-time situations. Some of these are illustrated by typical systems which use either a computer or a simpler device as the central processor/controller.