US 4,319,130 AGrant
Device for the Automated Digital Transcription and Processing of Quantities and Units
Issue Date:1982-03-09
•10 Claims
•90 Drawing Sheets
Abstract
A calculator has an alphanumeric keyboard and an alphanumeric display, in order to enable entry and read out of data corresponding to specified physical quantities or the like. Internally, the calculator comprises means for transforming the input quantities as a function of the type of units entered by way of the keyboard, to a given type of unit for processing. The calculator further transforms a type of unit for display either to a specified type of unit or to a unit that either is most readable and understandable to an operator, in accordance with a given relationship, or has the smallest exponential products.
Metadata
Assignee
- VEB Applikationszentrum Elektronik Berlin
Inventor
- Alexander Spitzner
Application Information
Application Number:US 1295365
Filing Date:1980-03-12
Priority Date:1976-05-18
Art Unit:236
Classifications
IPC:
G06F 1502G06F 302
Field of Search:
364235705;709;710;715310
Patent Drawings (90 sheets)
Description
SUMMARY
A device for the automated digital transcription and processing of quantities and units is provided as an extension of the technology of calculators (EDPM, process computers, desk calculators, pocket calculators), data collecting and data output equipment as well as measuring, control and regulating equipment. It is a combination of electronic, sequentially operating individual circuits, which allows all quantities and units of a quantity system, such as e.g. 20 OHM/M, be put in by an alphanumeric keyboard, processed with each other and then read out by an alphanumeric output in the usual representation. When used in programmable equipment, programs of a high universality and transparency arise; e.g., the programmed quantity equation (v.multidot.t)/s=1 (v: velocity; t: time; s: path) replaces about 100,000 programmed numeric value equations. The device can be divided into several circuits complementing one another in function: input-transformation, automated processing, and output-transformation. The device can be in the form of LSI circuits. A pocket or desk calculator is described, and FIG. 6 shows the interaction of the most important assemblies.
APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for the automatic digital transcription and processing of quantities and units by means of a sequentially operating circuit including an alphanumeric input keyboard and an alphanumeric display.
The device is an extension of the hardware technology of calculators (electronic data processing systems, process computing systems, pocket calculators, and the like), measuring, control and regulating equipment, as well as of data collecting and data output devices.
Known technical solutions
In calculators of the usual design for calculating with quantities, a given generally accepted quantity equation is transcribed in a specific numeric value equation; that is, the calculation with quantities by calculators is always transcribed by a calculation with numeral digits tailored to the specific case of application.
For instance, in the quantity equation
v: velocity
t: time
s: path
the path "s" can be indicated in 19 different units (e.g., micrometer, meter, angstrom etc.), the time in 62 different units (e.g., nanoseconds, years, millions of years) and accordingly, the velocity in 1, 178 different units. In this case, the given quantity equation replaces 96, 596 numeric value equations, such as ##EQU1## Presently, in measuring, control, and regulating equipment the presetting of defined values via switches and the like and the display with analogously operating measuring instruments, optical recorders, or graphic output devices, permits the specific quantities to be displayed in units which are "coherent" and compatible.
The state of engineering of calculators necessitates the tracing back of each operation with quantities to an operation with numeric values; with the result that:
Extensive manual preliminary and secondary operations are necessary.
The established solutions (programmes) generally apply only to a special case.
The high percentage of manual work introduces a source of misinterpretations and errors.
Automated separation and stringing together of formulas by a calculator for a system solution is complicated.
Regarding the known state of engineering of measuring, control, and regulating equipment it can be critically stated:
The presetting or the display of values is directed only to the respective case.
Presetting or display devices adaptable to a great number of kinds of quantities, in the manner of writing of quantities that the technician is familiar with, are not known.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to the provision of a system enabling the present utilitarian value of calculators, measuring, control, and regulating equipment, as well as of data collecting and data output devices, to be greatly increased by:
the clearer and more rapidly understandable representation of quantities for and by the equipment;
the universal use of quantity presetting or display equipment for a great number of kinds of quantities;
the reduction of the requirements for the manual preliminary and secondary operations for the processing of quantities;
the rationalization of the programming of calculators due to the programming of quantity equations, as defined by the quantity equation rule;
the direct processing of quantities without limitation of the kinds of quantities of a quantity system; and
the potential of automation updating of the parameters of the data processing technology of quantities.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is based on the principle that homoscribtively represented quantities are reversibly unambiguously represented or transferred to autoscribtive quantities and that without further additional instructions autoscribtive quantities can be added, subtracted, multiplied, divided, raised to a power, or the roots can be extracted, by the array.
A homoscribtively represented quantity is a quantity representation form that is very understandable, easily perceptible and impressive for man, and which corresponds to the usual representation of quantities e.g., "96 KM/HR" for 96 kilometers per hour.
An autoscribtive quantity is the representation form for a quantity chosen for a fast and uncomplicated processing with the device, in the form of a sequence of numbers, for the numeric value and the autoscribtive unit of this quantity. An autoscribtive unit can be represented by two numbers as a packed unit or with n numbers as an unpacked unit; where n depends on the number of base units of the selected unit system. The two numbers of the packed unit are called numerator unit and denominator unit. The terms "homoscribtive" and "autoscribtive" are used interchangeably with the terms "homoscriptive" and "autoscriptive" throughout the specification and drawings.
A calculator according to the invention is characterized by the several facts as follows:
That homoscribtive quantities--such as "1 A" (1 Ampere), "50 GOHM" (50 gigaohms), "95 V/M" (95 volts per meter), "130 KA/HAR" (130 kiloamperes per hectare), which according to the generally accepted formation rules for units from elements of a provided set of abbreviations for elementary units (see table 1) and of abbreviations of prefixes (see table 2) are formed and stringed together with a numeric value--can be put into a calculator directly and immediately as one data entry.
That useful operations between quantities or between quantities and numbers are solved by the calculator immediately and independently, as for example:
With this feature, all those kinds of quantities are allowed, wherein the unit of the quantity is representable with elements of the provided set of elementary units as an exponential product. In the execution of the operations, the calculator uses the autoscribtive representation form of quantities.
That autoscribtive resulting quantities determined by the calculator are read out homoscribtively in an optimal, surveyable and impressive representation form. Thus, the output of "0.0351.times.10.sup.11 WB.S.A." (webers-seconds-amperes) is displayed in form of "3.51 GOHM". For this kind of quantity to be displayed, the calculator generates a homoscribtive unit with a minimum number of factors in the exponential product.
That autoscribtive quantities determined by the calculator for a specified kind of quantity are read out in a preset homoscribtive unit of this kind of quantity. For example, for a resulting quantity of velocity, the unit "KM/HR" (kilometer per hour may be preset, in which case the result is always read out in this unit--regardless of the units, in which the path is given (meters, inches, miles, kilometers, or angstroms . . .) or the time is given (picoseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, days or years . . . ).
That autoscribtive quantities determined by the calculator for a specified kind of quantity in a preset homoscribtive unit of this kind of quantity--with representation of the numeric value as fixed-point digits in the number area 0.001 to 999.999 and determination of a prefix for the homoscribtive unit--are read out. Thus, if for a resulting quantity of frequency the unit "HZ" (Hertz) is preset, the output of the quantity "3.times.10.sup.4 s.sup.-1 ", is given in the form of "30 KHZ" (30 kilohertz).
That when operating with quantities, the calculator executes extensive checking measures--e.g. whether useful quantities were made available for processing at all or whether the operations with quantities yield efficient new (measuring) units or kinds of quantities (this function is to be put on a level with the "dimension computing", which engineers and physicists use for checking the corrections of formulas).
A measuring or data collecting device extended according to the invention is characterized by the several facts as follows:
That at its output an autoscribtive quantity in the form of a pulse sequence is available, which represents unambiguously, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the quantity made available for processing.
That the autoscribtive quantity made available at the output of the device in the form of a pulse sequence, without limitation to the kinds of quantities used, can be processed by all assemblies and device units without special programming or matching (the prerequisite is that these devices are designed according to the technique for the automated processing of quantities described in this work).
A measuring or data output device extended according to the invention is characterized by the several facts as follows:
That it represents a given autoscribtive quantity in the form of a pulse sequence for a quantity measured or determined in the system in an optimal, surveyable and impressive homoscribtive representation form.
That a specified kind of quantity resulting in the system for a defined point can be read out a preset homoscribtive unit of this kind of quantity.
That it can read out any quantities, which are representable with a preset set of elementary units.
A control or regulating device according to the invention is characterized by the several facts as follows:
That the presetting of regulating variables, measured value limits and others is performed in the usual homoscribtive representation form.
That input and output assemblies of control and regulating devices are applicable without limitation to the kinds of quantities of the quantity system and therewith are universally applicable.
That the output of homoscribtive quantities is displayed as a character sequence in an optimal and surveyable representation form.
In order to provide the above results, the following requirements must be met:
(1)
The first requirement consists in the use of a defined set of abbreviations for prefixes and abbreviations for elementary units.
Prefixes are independent designations, or independent designations reduced to a few characters ("abbreviations"), for powers of the number 10.
Elementary units are units with independent designations, or independent designations reduced to few characters ("abbreviations"), for coherent or incoherent (measuring) units.
The defined set of abbreviations for prefixes and of abbreviations for elementary units has to meet the following requirements:
Only the characters of a limited character set are used.
The set of prefixes, as well as the set of elementary units, is not to contain homonymous abbreviations.
Abbreviations, which can be formed by the stringing together of an abbreviation of a prefix and an abbreviation of an elementary unit, may not be equal either to an abbreviation of the prefixes, or to an abbreviation of the elementary units; unless, the abbreviation has the same semantic content as its homonym (example: "KG" is the abbreviation of the elementary unit kilogram on the one hand, and, on the other hand, this abbreviation arises from stringing together the abbreviation of the prefix "K" (kilo) with the abbreviation "G" of the elementary unit gram.
In tables 1 and 2, a set of abbreviations for prefixes and of abbreviations for elementary units, which meets the requirement mentioned, is listed as an example--with this set the units of the fields of natural science, engineering, industry and economy can be represented to a large extent.
In table 3, which is a part of the list of table 1, a set of abbreviations for elementary units is set forth. Thus, with the physical-technical prefixes according to table 2, the physical-technical units are all representable.
Homoscribtive quantities can be represented by a defined set of abbreviations for prefixes and abbreviations for elementary units. A homoscribtive quantity is a closed string of characters consisting of a "numeric value" followed by an "abbreviation of the unit".
Example: 22 M/S2
Therefore, for the formation of the abbreviation of the unit the following general rules have to be followed:
All abbreviations of the elementary units according to table 1 or table 3 are allowed as abbreviations of the unit.
Examples: M, S, KG, V, H, HPW
Decimal parts and multiples of elementary units, which are represented by stringing together an abbreviation of a prefix with an abbreviation of an elementary unit, are allowed as abbreviations of the unit; such a unit is also called a "stringed unit" or "stringed-together unit" hereinbelow.
Examples: MM, MYS, KV
Integer powers of elementary or stringed-together units are allowed as abbreviations of the unit; so that in stringed-together units the exponent is related to the prefix, as well as to the elementary unit.
Examples: MM3, S-2
Derived units in form of exponential products are allowed as abbreviations of the unit. They are represented by inserting a period, ".", between the multiplicatively stringed factors of the exponential product.
Examples: OHM.M, A.S., KM.HR-1
Derived units in the form of exponential products can be represented such that on the left side of the character "/" all elements of the exponential product with a positive exponent are given and on the right side of that character all elements with a negative exponent are given, so that the negative sign of the exponent in the element is omitted.
Examples: KM/HR, A/MM2
For the formation of stringed units legal rules, international standards, and the traditional use are to be considered.
(Note: All combinations logically possible of the defined set are correctly interpreted by the device when they are put in; in the output the above mentioned instructions can be followed.)
Example: The unit "horsepower" is not to be stringed-together with decimal prefixes since there is no accepted usage of "microhorsepower", for example.
(2) The second requirement is that, for the defined set of elementary units, there is a basic number B of base units L and each elementary unit F is representable according to the formula
with
B=(L.sub.1, . . . , L.sub.k)
k: positive integer numeral digit
n: integer exponent
In table 4, as an example, the pertinent basic set of base units is represented for the set of elementary units defined in table 1.
In table 5, the pertinent basic set of base units is represented for the set of elementary units defined, for example, in table 3.
In table 6, the elementary units determined in table 1, for example, are listed in form of exponential products from base units.
The invention, for the extension of the device technology of calculators, data collecting and data output devices, measuring, control and regulating equipment for the automated digital transcription and processing of quantities and units thereby requires:
That an input device, designated as a circuit for the input transformation of quantities, is designed such that quantities in the form of digital data as homoscribtive quantities are transcribed in a form processable by the equipment or the device as autoscribtive quantity, without changing the content of the data;
That a processing device, designated as a circuit for the automated processing of autoscribtive quantities, is designed such that autoscribtive quantities can be processed with each other, resulting in data with a new content;
That an output device, designated as a circuit for the output transformation of quantities, is designed such that autoscribtive quantities can be transcribed and displayed by the equipment or the device in a form clear, familiar and easily impressive for man, without changing the content of the data.
According to the invention, a device for the automated digital transcription and processing of quantities and units, for the extension of the device technology of calculators, data collecting and data output devices, measuring, control and regulating equipment, comprises a digital, electronic, sequentially operating circuit having the following essential assemblies characterizing their functions (the numbers refer to the reference numerals in the drawings):
A control network 46, a calculating assembly 14,
a logical network 9, a compounder network 31,
a check code generator 10,
a unit generator-1 28 or
a unit generator-2 51,
a prefix generator 27,
a register for a homoscribtive unit 5,
a register for an autoscribtive unit 8,
a unit register 47, a coefficient register 48,
a numeric value register 3,
an address register 13,
a numeric value accumulator 24,
an accumulator for an autoscribtive unit 25,
a read-only memory for elementary units 16,
a read-only memory for prefixes 18, a read-only
memory for numeric values 20, a read-only memory for
groups of exponents to base units 23,
a display device 50 and an input keyboard 1.
The control network 46 combines the functions
of a control network-1 21,
of a control network-2 26,
of a control network-3 32, as well as
of a control network-4 34.
The character transfers between the assemblies and the character processing in the assemblies are performed bit serially and/or bit parallel.
The assemblies,
control network 46, control network-1 21,
control network-2 26, control network-3 32,
control network-4 34, logic network 9,
compounder network 31, check code generator 10,
unit generator-1 28, unit generator-2 51,
and prefix generator 27,
designed as a digital electronic circuits or logic networks, are also representable by a read-only programming memory and a microprocessor system.
The whole circuit arrangement can be divided into three circuits that complement each other in their functions:
Circuit arrangement for the input transformation of quantities.
Circuit arrangement for the automated processing of autoscribtive quantities.
Circuit arrangement for the output transformation of quantities.
In the circuit arrangement for the output transformation of quantities there are two variants to be distinguished:
Circuit arrangement for the controlled output-transformation of quantities.
Circuit arrangement for the optimal output transformation of quantities.
Thus the assemblies characterizing the function of the invention can be not only an element of all circuit arrangements, but also an element of only one subordinate circuit arrangement. With the circuit arrangements functionally complementing one another, six main functions can be realized.
(1) Representation of a homoscribtive quantity by an autoscribtive quantity with the circuit arrangement for the input transformation of quantities.
(2) Processing of two autoscribtive quantities to an autoscribtive resulting quantity with the circuit arrangement for the automated processing of autoscribtive quantities.
(3) Controlled representation of an autoscribtive quantity by a homoscribtive quantity with the circuit arrangement for the controlled output transformation of quantities, whereby the units of a certain set of kinds of quantities are fixed.
(4) Optimal representation of an autoscribtive quantity by a homoscribtive quantity with the circuit arrangement for the optimal output transformation of quantities, the circuit generating an optimal unit for any kind of quantity in a quantity system.
(5) Parameter-controlled representation of an autoscribtive quantity by a homoscribtive quantity including generation of a prefix for a given unit in dependence on the numeric value of the quantity with the circuit arrangement for the input transformation of quantities and the prefix generator 27.
(6) Parameter-controlled representation of an autoscribtive quantity by a homoscribtive quantity without generation of a prefix for the given unit with the circuit for the input transformation of quantities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention will be more clearly understood, it will now be disclosed in greater detail with respect to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 the representation of the symbols for assemblies of the FIGS. 2 to 6 and FIG. 8;
FIG. 2 the circuit arrangement for the input transformation of quantities
FIG. 3 the circuit arrangement for the automated processing of autoscribtive quantities;
FIG. 4 the circuit arrangement for the controlled output transformation of quantities;
FIG. 5 the circuit arrangement for the optimal output transformation of quantities;
FIG. 6 a circuit arrangement for the automated digital transcription and processing of quantities and units;
FIG. 7 an input/output field of a scientific-technical pocket or desk calculator with automated processing of quantities;
FIG. 8 a schematic representation of the functional principle of a pocket or desk calculator with automated processing of quantities;
FIG. 9 is a representation of the symbols for the circuit elements and assemblies shown in FIGS. 10 through 13;
FIG. 10 the logic circuit scheme for the input transformation of quantities (partial drawings: FIGS. 10a . . . 10y, 10za, 10zb);
FIG. 11 the logic clock sequence scheme for the input transformation of quantities (partial drawings: FIGS. 11a . . . 11k);
FIG. 12 the logic circuit scheme for the optimal output transformation of quantities (partial drawings: FIGS. 12a . . . 12z, 12za, 12zb); and
FIG. 13 the logic clock sequence scheme for the optimal output transformation of quantities (partial drawings: FIGS. 13a . . . 13k).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The circuit arrangement for the input transformation of quantities, as shown in FIG. 2, is a combination of assemblies such that by operation of the control network-1 21, the calculating assembly 14, the logic network 9, the check code generator 10, the address register 13, the numeric value register 3, the register for an autoscribtive unit 8, the read-only memory for numeric values 20, the read-only memory for elementary units 16, the read-only memory for groups of exponents to base units 23, the read-only memory for prefixes 18, as well as other switches and memories, can be controlled in an ordered sequence, when the register for a homoscribtive unit 5 and the numeric value register 3 are charged and the circuit is activated, e.g., via the input keyboard 1.
The loading of the register for a homoscribtive unit 5 and of the numeric value register 3 is performed via the input keyboard 1. The input keyboard 1 for the sequential character input of a homoscribtive quantity is designed in such a way that for letters a numeric value code is made available, and the letters are distinguishable from numeral digits and special symbols by a special bit. On the input keyboard 1, there are four different classes of keys:
1.sup.st class: operation keys (e.g. "+", ":");
2.sup.nd class: letter keys ("A" . . . "Z");
3.sup.rd class: numeral digit keys ("0" . . . "9") and special symbol keys ".", "-", "/", ";" and
4.sup.th class: switching keys (e.g. for switching in case of a multiply occupied key, switching from calculation with quantities to numeric calculating).
The input keyboard 1 is connected with an input disoriminator 2, which in combination with the control network-1 21, controls the input process.
When calculating with quantities,, each data setting has to start with the activation of a sequence of number digit keys. These characters are accepted in the given sequence in the numeric value register 3, designed as a shift register. When a letter key is activated, the input discriminator 2 activates the charging of the register for a homoscribtive unit 5, in which both this letter and all following characters are accepted, provided that the activated keys belong to the second or third classes. By pressing a key of the first or fourth classes the input of a quantity is finished.
The keys of the second or third classes can be used as input keys for programmed instructions at the same time, when the fourth class contains, e.g., a switching key "quantity", which is to be activated before the setting of a quantity and continues to be activated, until a key of the first or fourth class is activated.
Additionally, a display device 50 can be assigned to the input keyboard 1. The keyboard inserts a homoscribtive quantity in a n-digit numeric display 4 representing the numeric value, and into a p-digit alphanumeric display 6 representing the unit of the homoscribtive quantity.
The representation of the content of the register for a homoscribtive unit 5 to an autoscribtive quantity is performed in several timing cycles, which will be explained.
In the first timing cycle sequence, the homoscribtive unit is separated in factors of the exponential product; a factor is always located between two separators ("." or "/" or space). The logic network 9 divides the homoscribtive unit in cycles, character for character. The logic unit 9 controls a register 11 for a stringed-together unit to accept the stringed-together units of a factor and controls a register 12 for a factor exponent to accept the exponent of a factor of the exponential product for an intermediate storage, respectively. An exponent-sign switch 15, a sign-next factors switch 17, a factor-end switch 19, and an analysis-end switch 22 are switched by the logic network 9, as a sequence of the exponential product separation and for controlling the further cycle sequences of the control network-1 21.
The logic network 9 controls the flow such that, in the next shift cycle, the first character of the register 5, designated as shift register for a homoscribtive unit:
(1) is accepted in the shift register 11 for a stringed-together unit when this character is a letter, and when in the running cycle of separation of a factor, only if letters have been transferred up to now or the first character of the factor is concerned;
(2) causes a switching of the exponent sign switch 15 to "L", when this character is a "-", which follows the transfer of a letter;
(3) is accepted in the factor exponent register 12, when this character is a numeral digit, which follows the transfer of a negative sign or a letter;
(4) causes a switching of the sign-next factors switch 17 to "L", prepares the finishing of the representation of an exponential product factor by transfer of the factor-end switch 19 to "L", and the flow control is transferred to the cycle separation of a stringed-together unit, when this character is a "/", which follows the transfer of a letter or a numeral digit;
(5) is not exchanged and prepares the finishing of the representation of an exponential product factor by transfer of the factor-end switch 19 to "L", and the flow control is transferred to the cycle separation of a stringed-together unit, when this character is a ".", following the transfer of a letter or a numeral digit;
(6) is not exchanged and prepares the representation of a homoscribtive quantity by transfer of the analysis-end switch 22 to "L", and the flow control is transferred to the cycle separation of a stringed-together unit, when this character is a space following the transfer of a letter or a numeral digit; and
(7) is not exchanged and the flow control is transferred to the cycle truncation because of a syntactical error, when none of the cases (1) to (6) are concerned.
The exponent of the first factor of the exponential product is already stored in an exponent-1 register 7.
The second timing cycle sequence covers the cycle separation of a stringed-together unit. The stringed-together unit, stored in register 11, is separated into a prefix and an elementary unit. The timing cycle can be passed through multiply in a modified way. Under the control of the control network-1 21 the assemblies check code generator 10, calculating assembly 14, address register 13, and read-only memory 18 for prefixes, perform the separation of the actual stringed-together unit in such a way that by the calculating assembly 14, in a maximum of m subcycles per subcycle i, starting with i=1, the i-first characters are added to an ordinal number for the read-only memory 18 for prefixes and by the check code generator 10 from the sequence of i-first characters of the stringed-together unit bits to a check character for the accepted prefix and are compounded according to an established scheme. All characters of the stringed-together unit, from the (i+1) character for an ordinal number for the read-only memory 16 for the elementary units, are timely added in parallel or in series to it and, by the check code generator 10 from the sequence of all characters of the stringed-unit from the (i+1) character bits for a check character for the accepted elementary unit are compounded according to an established scheme.
The i subcycles are passed through as often as necessary, until the check character read from this read-only memory, via the determined ordinal number for the read-only memory 18 for prefixes, is equal to the check character for the separated prefix above, determined by the check code generator 10, and also when the check character read from this read-only memory, determined via the ordinal number for the read-only memory 16 for elementary units, is equal to the check character for the separated elementary unit, determined above by the check code generator 10.
The scheme for the generation of the check character (bit pattern mask) for an accepted prefix, as well as for an accepted elementary unit, can be established such that the first 3 bits of the first character, the first 2 bits of the second character, and the first 3 bits of the third character result in the check character.
After a positively finished i subcycle for the separation of a stringed-together unit, the calculating assembly 14 generates the numeric value of the autoscribtive quantity in steps by multiplying the content of the numeric value register 3 with the numeric value of the prefix, which was read via an actual ordinal number--that has been exchanged from the read-only memory 18 for prefixes--from the read-only memory 20 for numeric values, and with the numeric value of the elementary unit, which was also read via an actual ordinal number--that has been exchanged from the read-only memory 16 for elementary units--from the read-only memory 20 for numeric values 20, and by storing in the numeric value register 3.
In these multiplications, the switch positions of the exponent sign switch 15 and sign next factors switch 17 are considered further, before the multiplications of the numeric values read from the read-only memory 20 for numeric values are raised to a power with the content of the register 12 for a factor exponent, as determined by the position of the exponent sign switch 15 and sign next factors switch 17.
Further, after a positively finished i subcycle for the separation of a stringed-together unit, the calculating assembly 14 generates the unpacked unit of an autoscribtive quantity in the form of a sequence of exponents to base units in steps, while the unpacked-nominator unit and/or the unpacked-denominator unit of the actual stringed-together unit are/is added to the content of the register 8 for an autoscribtive unit, element for element, depends on the position in the sequence of exponents for base units. The unpacked-nominator unit and/or the unpacked-denominator unit have/has been read out from the read-only memory 23 for groups of exponents to base units via one or two actual ordinal numbers, have been exchanged from the read-only memory 16 for elementary units. In these additions the position of the exponent sign switch 15 and sign-next factors switch 17 are considered and, before the additions, the numeral digits read out from the read-only memory 23 for groups of exponents for base units are multiplied with the content of the register 12 to obtain a factor exponent, which takes into account the position of the exponent sign switch 15 and sign-next factors switch 17.
If the i subcycle is finished unsuccesfully, then sufficient shift cycles follow such that the register 11 for a stringed-together unit finishes a circulation. The stepping forward of the modified control and the beginning of the (i+1) subcycle of the second cycle sequence follow.
When, after a positive finishing of the cycle separation of a stringed-together unit, the factor-end switch 19 is "L", the control network-1 21 initiates a new cycle separation of an exponential product element.
When, after a positve finishing of the cycle separation of a stringed-together unit, the analysis-end switch 22 is "L", the cycle sequence of the array for the input transformation of quantities is duly finished.
When one of the conditions mentioned is not met, due to a syntactical error in the homoscribtive unit, the cycle sequence is truncated.
The read-only memories mounted in the array for the input transformation of quantities have the following design:
The read-only memory 16 for elementary units contains systematically, according to the sums via the numeric value code of the letters of the abbreviation of an elementary unit, the check character generated in dependence on the sequence of letters and one ordinal number each for the numeric value, the unpacked-numerator unit and the unpacked-denominator unit for the respective elementary unit.
The read-only memory 18 for prefixes contains systematically, according to the sums via the numeric value code of the letters of the abbreviation of a prefix for each prefix, the check character generated in dependence of the sequence of letters and an ordinal number for the numeric value of the prefix.
The read-only memory 20 for numeric values contains numeric values for the elementary units and prefixes in an established order.
The read-only memory 23 for groups of exponents for base units contains, in an established order, sequences of exponents for base units, which may be an unpacked-numerator unit or an unpacked-denominator unit.
An example of the circuit arrangement for the input transformation of quantities is shown in FIG. 10, and the logic clock sequence for it is shown in FIG. 11, in the form of a flow chart. Additionally, in Tables 7, 8, 9, and 10 the detailed arrangement of the read-only memories for elementary units 16, for prefixes 18, for numeric values 20, and for groups of exponents to base units 23, is given.
The circuit of FIG. 10 is to be operated with a single-phase clock, this conditions the use of the master-slave flip-flop. The circuit causes the digital transformation of an optionally arranged homoscribtive quantity, containing abbreviations of the elementary units according to Table 3b and abbreviations of the physical-technical prefixes according to Table 2; to an autoscribtive quantity consisting of a floating-point number (8 bytes with 2 bytes of exponent) and an 8-byte autoscribtive unit, each byte of the autoscribtive unit representing the exponent to a base unit in the sequence, e.g., second, meter, ampere, kilogram, kelvin, candela, steradian and radian. For instance if the homoscribtive quantity
is put in, it is transformed to the autoscribtive quantity
However, the same autoscribtive quantity is also determined by the circuit, if one of the following is put in as a homoscribtive quantity:
2 NTMI/HR (2 nautical miles per hour) or
3.704 KM/HR (3.704 kilometers per hour) or
6173.28 CM/MIN (6173.28 centimeters per minute) or
1.02888 M/S (1.02888 meters per second).
At the end of the transformation process, the numeric value of the autoscribtive quantity (102888.-05) in the numeric value register 3-3 and the autoscribtive quantity (-1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0) in the register for an autoscribtive unit 8, are stored for external interrogation.
The operation of the invention circuit will be demonstrated by the example of the transformation of the homoscribtive quantity, 6173.28 CM/MIN:
During the input via the input keyboard 1 (FIG. 10h) the input discriminator 2 (FIGS. 10d and 10e) performs the storage of "617328.+02" in the numeric value register 3-3 and of "00000000000NIM/MC" in the register for a homoscribtive unit 5 according to logic clock sequence, "Input and separation of a homoscribtive quantity", of the FIGS. 11c and 11d, and with it a coding is performed, as shown in FIG. 10h.
The logic network 9 (FIGS. 10f and 10g) during a first flow of the clock sequence, "Separation of a homoscribtive unit", according to FIGS. 11e and 11f, causes the loading of the register for a stringed-together unit 11, during the status 9-7 with the character sequence "MC".
The check code generator 10 (FIGS. 10o, 10s, 10t, 10u, 10w, 10x, 10y, 10za and 10zb) finishes the cyclic flow of the clock sequence "Separation of a stringed-together unit", according to FIGS. 11g and 11h, if the check characters determined in status 10-8 are equal to the stored check characters, stored in the storage positions of the read-only memory for prefixes 18 and of the read-only memory for elementary units 16, computed for it in the status 10-8 and in the status 10-11. The arrangement of the addresses becomes evident from FIGS. 10p and 10q, the outputs of the address counter 13-6="00". The conditions are fulfilled with the separation of the contents of the register for a stringed-together unit 11 into the partial-character sequences "C" and "0000M".
For the partial-character sequence "C", it follows that
according to the bit pattern mask already mentioned the check character is: "00000011"
according to FIG. 10p the address for ROM 18 (shifted code for "C") is: "011 1011 0"
For the partial-character sequence "0000M" it follows that
the check character is: "00000110"
the address for ROM 16 is: "0001 1110 00"
The check characters determined are equal to the check characters given in Table 7 and Table 8, respectively.
Due to the conditional latch "prefix" 10-19 set by the check code generator 10 in the status 10-18 by the control network 21-2 of the control network-1 21 (FIGS. 10r and 10v) in the clock sequence, "Building up the numeric value of the autoscribtive quantity", according to FIG. 11i, the factor corresponding to the prefix "C" is read out from the read-only memory for prefixes 18, split via the address register 13-5 according to FIG. 10q, and multiplied with the contents of the numeric value register 3-3; the exponent of the prefix is stored in ROM 18 in the last 6 binary positions-hence the range of numbers, -31.ltoreq. exponent.ltoreq.+31, is allowed.
The control network 21-3 (FIGS. 10m and 10n) of the control network-1 21 in the steps during the clock sequence, "Building up the autoscribtive unit of the autoscribtive quantity", according to FIGS. 11j and 11k, determines the contents of the register for an autoscribtive unit 8 by reading out, by means of repeated increments of the address counter 13-6 with the occupied positions "10" or "11" from the read-only memory for elementary units 16, two expanded addresses for the read-only memory for groups of exponents to base units 23: "00000010" and "10000000", wherein the first 2 bits are used for control purposes and the last 6 bits serve as a higher address part for reading the ROM 23, to which a lower address part of 3 bits is added by the address counter 13-7 for the corresponding base unit. The bytes of the ROM 23, according to Table 10, contain "1" as the first bit, if the attached exponent=0. The actual contents of the register for an autoscribtive unit 8, when this clock sequence is finished is: "0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0"
The logic network 9 (FIGS. 10f and 10g) during a second flow of the clock sequence, "Separation of a homoscribtive unit," according to FIG. 11e and FIG. 11f, causes the loading of the register for a stringed-together unit 11 during the status 9-7 with the character sequence "NIM".
The check code generator 10 (FIGS. 10o, 10s, 10t, 10u, 10w, 10x, 10y, 10za and 10zb) finishes the flow of the clock sequence, "Separation of a stringed unit", according to FIGS. 11g and 11h, after the first cycle, since prior to the summing of all lettes, the check character equivalence is determined under yes-condition 10.18 with:
Address (shifted code sum "M+I+N"): "0101 0110 00"
check character "00000110"
The control network 21-2 of the control network-1 21 (FIGS. 10r and 10v) during the clock sequence, "Building up the numeric value of the autoscribtive quantity", according to FIG. 11i, continues building up the numeric value by reading, with the higher address part "101010" read out from ROM 16, a coefficient (600000.-04) from the read-only memory for numeric values 20 and after considering the conditions (exponent=-1) multiplies it with the contents of the numeric value register 3-3 (result: "102888.-05").
The control network 21-3 of the control network-1 21 (FIGS. 10m and 10n) during the clock sequence, "Building up the autoscribtive unit of an autoscribtive quantity", according to FIGS. 11j and 11k, continues building up the autoscribtive unit by reading, with the higher address parts "000000" (not concerned) and "000001" read out from ROM 16, from the read-only memory for groups of exponents to base units 23 a sequence of exponents (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0) and after considering the conditions (reversal of signs) adds it, element for element to the contents of the register for an autoscribtive unit 8 (result: -1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0).
The circuit arrangement for the automated processing of autoscribtive quantities (FIG. 3) is such a combination of assemblies that by the control network-2 26
the calculating assembly 14,
the numeric value register 3,
the register 8 for an autoscribtive unit,
the numeric value accumulator 24, and
the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit
are controlled in an ordered sequence, when the registers and accumulators are charged and the circuit is activated by the bit sequence for the execution of a special operation with quantities, e.g., via the input keyboard 1.
The circuit adds or subtracts two autoscribtive quantities of the same kind of quantity without limitation, it multiplies or divides two autoscribtive quantities of the same or different kind of quantity, or it raises an autoscribtive quantity to a power or extracts its root, and makes available the resulting quantity in an autoscribtive form of representation always in the numeric value accumulator 24 and in the accumulator for an autoscribtive unit 25.
In the addition/subtraction of two autoscribtive quantities the calculating assembly 14 compares the content of the register 8 for an autoscribtive unit with the content of the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit, and in the case of an equality adds/subtracts the content of the numeric value register 3 to/from the content of the numeric value accumulator 24, and stores the sum in the numeric value accumulator 24.
In the multiplication/division of two autoscribtive quantities the calculating assembly 14 adds/subtracts, depending on the position, element for element, the content of the register 8 for an autoscribtive unit to/from the content of the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit. The calculating assembly 14 further multiplies/divides the content of the numeric value accumulator 24 with/by the content of the numeric value register 3, and the results are stored, in each case, in the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit and in the numeric value accumulator 24.
When an autoscribtive quantity is raised to a power, or when its root is extracted, the calculating assembly 14 checks whether the numeric register 3 contains an integer exponent with the mantissa "1", and whether the elements of the register 8 for an autoscribtive unit are always "0". In case of a fulfilled condition, the calculating assembly 14 divides the content of the accumulator for an autoscribtive unit 25, element for element, by the exponent/root-exponent of the numeric value register 3 and writes the result in the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit. Further, the calculating assembly 14 raises to a power, or extracts the root from, the content of the numeric value accumulator 24 with the content of the numeric value register 3 and stores the result in the numeric value accumulator 24.
The circuit arrangement for the controlled output transformation of quantities (FIG. 4) is a combination of assemblies operating such that with the control network-3 32
the calculating assembly 14, the compounder network 31,
the unit generator-1 28,
the prefix generator 27,
the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit,
the numeric valve accumulator 24,
the register for a homoscribtive unit 5,
the read-only memory 29 for homoscribtive units,
the address read-only memory 33, and
the address register 13
are controlled in an ordered sequence, when the circuit is activated by a starting impulse, e.g., via the input keyboard 1.
This circuit transforms an autoscribtive quantity stored in the numeric value accumulator 24 and in the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit without limitation of the kind of quantity to a homoscribtive quantity, thereby determining a suitable homoscribtive unit. From this homoscribtive quantity, the numeric value in the numeric value accumulator 24 and the homoscribtive unit in the register 5 for a homoscribtive unit are stored.
Using the content of the accumulator for an autoscribtive unit 25, the calculating assembly 14 determines a packed-numerator unit and a packed-denominator unit. These packed units are multiplied exponential products, analogous to the homoscribtive form of representation, whereby for a certain base unit a certain number is chosen, but not an abbreviation. The packed-numerator unit and the packed-denominator unit are compounded by the compounder network 31 to a small numeral digit area. The compounder network 31 is a logic network, which reduces a bit sequence for a certain large number to a bit sequence for a certain small number. These compounded packed units are ordinal numbers for reading a homoscribtive unit from the read-only memory 29 for homoscribtive unit in the register 5 for a homoscribtive unit. When a homoscribtive unit cannot be determined for the autoscribtive quantity, then the unit generator-1 28 generates a homoscribtive unit in the form of an exponential product for base units.
The prefix generator 27 separates a factor from the content of the numeric value accumulator 24, depending on its value, and shifts the abbreviation for a prefix as the first character into the register 5 for a homoscribtive unit.
The control network-3 32 clocks the controlled output transformation in the following way:
(1) The calculating assembly 14 determines a packed numerator unit in cycles from the content of the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit and stores it in the address register 13.
(2) In one cycle, the packed numerator unit is compounded in the compounder network 31 and written into the address register 13. By way of the compounded packed-numerator unit from an address read-only memory 33, an address for a section of the read-only memory 29 for homoscribtive units is read out. When an address cannot be read out from the address read-only memory 33, the control network-3 32 continues the cycle sequence according to (7).
(3) A repetition factor k is read into an auxiliary memory from the read-only memory 29 for homoscribtive units; k expresses how many denominator units of the given numerator unit homoscribtive units are established in the read-only memory 29 for homoscribtive units.
(4) Determination of the packed-denominator unit analogously to (1) with following compounding analogously to (2) and storing in the auxiliary memory 30.
(5) The calculating register 14 determines in k cycles, cyclic increase of the address according to (3), whether the compounded denominator unit is contained in the read-only memory 29 for homoscribtive units. When it is contained therein, the control network-3 32 causes a reading of a homoscribtive unit in the register 5 for a homoscribtive unit and an exponent to the first factor of the exponential product of the homoscribtive unit in the exponent-1-register 7 from the read-only memory 29 for homoscribtive units. When the search in all k cycles is finished negatively, the control network-3 32 continues the cycle sequence according to (7).
(6) In connection with the calculating assembly 14, the prefix generator 27 separates a factor from the content of the numeric value accumulator 24, depending on its value and the content of the exponent-1 register 7. The abbreviation of a prefix is inserted into the register for a homoscribtive unit 5. The representation of an autoscribtive quantity to a homoscribtive quantity is finished.
(7) The unit generator-1 28 generates a homoscribtive unit, and n cycles are run through, wherein n is equal to the number of base units of the quantity system employed. In each cycle, an exponential product factor is generated, when the corresponding element is not equal to zero. The first cycle is started with the last base unit of the established order. Within one cycle, which covers the generation of a factor, the exponent of the factor is first accepted from the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit into the register 8 for an autoscribtive unit, and subsequently the abbreviation of the base unit is accepted from the unit generator-1 28. Further, the exponent of the factor is stored in the exponent-1 register 7. The control network-3 32 continues the cycle sequence according to (6).
The circuit for the optimal output transformation of quantities (FIG. 5) is such a combination of assemblies that, by the control network-4 34
the calculating assembly 14, the unit generator-2 51,
the prefix generator 27,
the accumulator for an autoscribtive unit 25,
the numeric value accumulator 24,
the exponent-1-register 7, and
the register for a homoscribtive unit 5
are controlled in an ordered sequence when the circuit is activated by a starting impulse.
The circuit transforms an autoscribtive quantity stored in the numeric value accumulator 24 and in the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit without limitation of the kind of quantity of the quantity to a homoscribtive quantity, whereby the homoscribtive unit is generated in an optimal form of representation.
An optimal kind of representation of a homoscribtive unit is understood herein to refer to an exponential product with a minimum number of factors whereby the factors contain only certain units. These units may be:
reference units (derived units of the SI with independent names), such as Newton, Volt, Pascal;
base units, such as second, ampere; or
supplementary units, such as radian.
For instance, for quantities of specific resistivity, the unit OHM.M and not V.M/A is always generated.
The unit generator-2 51 generates an optimal kind of representation of the homoscribtive unit in connection with the calculating assembly 14. This unit contains such a combination of subassemblies that by a generator control circuit 45, in dependance on the control network-4 34:
a deficiency register 37, an overflow register 35, a reference unit register 41, a deficiency memory 38, and an overflow memory 36 all store an integer number in each case,
a reference unit counter 40,
a memory of the separated units 42, in which the abbreviations of certain elementary units circulate in an established order, and
a memory of the reference units 39, in which the exponents to base units of reference exponents to base units of reference units circulate in an established order,
are controlled such that, at first, if possible, from the content of the accumulator for an autoscribtive unit 25 reference units are separated and the remainder of the autoscribtive unit is represented with base units and supplementary units.
The unit generator-2 51 operates according to the following scheme:
(1) A separation attempt is started, when the given unit contains at least (k-1) base units of a group of reference units, whereby all reference units of a group contain the same k base units.
(2) In case of a fulfillment of (1), an evaluation of the deviation of the given autoscribtive unit from the individual reference units according to points is performed. A point means that a base unit with the exponent 1 deviates in relation to the base units considered. It is to be distinguished between efficiency points and overflow points.
(3) The reference unit with the smallest deviation is separated, but no more than the two deficiency points are allowed.
(4) A reference unit may be separated reciprocally and multiply.
(5) The remainder of the given autoscribtive unit after the separation of reference units is changed into an exponential product from base units and supplementary units.
The generation of a homoscribtive unit by the unit generator-2 51 is performed in several timing cycles, for example:
(1) The calculating assembly 14 determines the difference between the content of the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit and the content of the memory of the reference units 39, element for element, and sums the deficiency and overflow points, which are stored in the deficiency register 37 and in the overflow register 35, respectively, for the actual reference unit 1 in each case.
(2) When the content of the deficiency register 37 is >2, the flow according to (1) is repeated, but with a sign reversion of the elements of the content of the accumulator for an autoscribtive unit 25.
(3) When the content of the deficiency register 37 is >2, the memory 39 of the reference units makes available the reference unit i+1 and then continues according to (1) above, when the actual reference unit of the memory 39 of the reference units is not the last reference unit, then continuation is according to (6) below.
(4) The content of the deficiency register 37, of the overflow register 35 and of the reference unit counter 40 is accepted in the deficiency memory 38, the overflow memory 36 and the reference unit register 41, respectively, and the cycle sequence is continued, when the content of the deficiency register 37 and the content of the overflow register 35 are zero.
(5) The content of the deficiency register 37, of the overflow register 35 and of the reference unit counter 40 is accepted in the deficiency memory 38, the overflow memory 36 and the reference unit register 41, respectively, when the content of the deficiency register 37 is smaller as to its amount than the content of the deficiency memory 38; continuation of the cycle sequence is according to (1) with the reference unit (i+1), when the actual reference unit of the memory 39 for reference units is not the last reference unit.
(6) According to the content of the reference unit register 41 in the memory of the separated units 42, a bit is added to the content of the memory location assigned to a certain reference unit, according to its sign as in (2) above, when the content of the deficiency memory 38 is >3. From the content of the accumulator for an autoscribtive unit, the content of the memory 39 for reference units is subtracted from the reference unit indicated in the reference unit register 41 according to its sign as in (2) and the result is stored in the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit. Beginning a new sequence of timing cycles (1) . . . (6) with (1), the deficiency memory 38 is put to 3.
(7) When the content of the deficiency memory 38 is >2, the remaining content of the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit is transferred, element for element, in the memory 42 of separated units.
(8) During a full circulation of the memory 42 of separated units and of the memory 44 of unit abbreviations, one number each from the memory 42 of the separated units and after that an abbreviation of a unit from the memory 44 of unit abbreviations are exchanged, element for element, in the register 5 for a homoscribtive unit, when the respective number of the content of the memory 42 of separated units is >0. The first number is stored in the exponent-1 register 7 and at the first negative number a negative element switch 43 is turned on.
(9) In the register 5 for a homoscribtive unit the symbol "/" is shifted, when the negative elements switch 43 is "1".
(10) When the negative elements switch 43 is "1", a further full circulation of the memory 42 of separated units and of the memory 44 of unit abbreviations 44 follows. The amount of a number from the register 42 of separated units are first exchanged and after that the abbreviation of a unit from the memory 44 of the unit abbreviations are exchanged, when the respective number of the content of separated units 42 is <0.
Subsequently the prefix generator 27 connected to the calculating assembly 14 separates a factor from the content of the numeric value accumulator 24, depending on its value and on the content of the exponent-1 register 7. The abbreviation of a prefix is shifted from the prefix generator 27 in the register 5 for a homoscribtive unit. The optimal representation of an autoscribtive quantity to a homoscribtive quantity is finished.
A circuit example of the circuit arrangement for the optimal output transformation of quantities is shown in FIG. 12, the logic clock sequence for this circuit being represented in the form of a flow chart in FIG. 13, while Table 11 gives the detailed contents of the memory of reference units 39, arranged as ROM.
The circuit of FIG. 12 is operated with a single-phase clock. It effects the transformation of an optionally arranged autoscribtive quantity, consisting of a floating point number (exponent 2 bytes) and an autoscribtive unit (8 bytes) with each byte of the autoscribtive unit representing the exponent to a base unit in the sequence of second, meter, ampere, kilogram, kelvin, candela, steradian and radian--to a homoscribtive quantity, arranged from abbreviations of units to reference units (WB, V, H, OHM, SIE, F, T, N, PA, J, W, GY, C, LX, LM) and to base units (S, M, A, KG, K, CD, SR, RAD) as well as from abbreviations of physical-technical prefixes according to Table 2. The supplementary units radian and steradian are used as base units. For instance, the autoscribtive quantity
made available by the inventive device is transformed to the homoscriptive quantity
The circuit can be started from the status 34-10 (FIG. 12h, FIG. 13a), if the mantissa m of the numeric value of the autoscribtive quantity is arranged such that it fulfills the condition 1>m.gtoreq.10.sup.-1, if the exponent of the numeric value of the autoscribtive quantity (-5) is loaded in the numeric value accumulators 24-1 and 24-2 (FIG. 12q) and the sign-memory 45-55 (FIG. 12f), and if the autoscribtive unit (0, 0, 0, 0, 1, -2, 3, -3) was stored in the accumulator for an autoscribtive unit 25-1 (FIG. 12n).
With the status 34-18 (FIG. 12g, FIG. 13a), the circuit finishes the transformation. For the external interrogation the value of the exponent of the numeric value of the homoscribtive quantity is stored in the numeric value accumulator 24-1 and 24-2 (FIG. 12q) and the homoscribtive unit (M.MHOM) is stored in the register for a homoscribtive unit 5 (FIG. 12f).
The operation of the circuit will be demonstrated with the example of the transformation of the autoscribtive quantity mentioned above: the unit generator-2 51 (FIGS. 12i, 12j, 12n, 12s, 12x, 12y, 12z, 12za and 12zb) discriminates 7 groups of reference units:
group 1: The squares of the reference units WB, V, H, OHM, SIE, F, T, N, PA, J, W;
group 2: The reference units WB, V, H, OHM, SIE, F, T, N, PA, J, W;
group 3: The same as in group 2, but with blanking out of the base unit meter;
group 4: GY;
group 5: C;
group 6: LX;
group 7: LM;
The elements of the groups can be separated, repeated or reciprocated, during the clock sequence "Generation of a homoscribtive unit" (FIGS. 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f and 13g). If the group-counter 51-9 (FIG. 12j), arranged as a shift register, has the position "2", then after the 4th base unit in the status 45-5 (FIG. 13b), the signal "Separation" is set and, in connection with the memory of reference units 39 (FIG. 12n) and the reference-unit counter 40 (FIG. 12n), separation attempts for elements of the second group begin.
In the status 45-15 (FIG. 12y, FIG. 13c) the determination of the deficiency or overflow points by comparing the exponents from the accumulator for an autoscribtive unit 25-1 (FIG. 12n) and the exponents from the memory of reference units 39 (FIG. 12n) is carried out. In it, the address for the memory of reference units 39 is determined by the reference-unit counter 40 (FIG. 12n), the base-unit counter 51-8 (FIG. 12i) and the group-counter 51-9 (FIG. 12j) in connection with the selection network according to FIG. 12j. If the reference-unit counter 40 has the contents "0100", then in the status 45-27 (FIG. 12z, FIG. 13d) the overflow memory 36 is loaded with "0001" and an address register 41-2 (FIG. 12n) is loaded with "0100", respectively, with this the unit OHM is prepared for the separation. In the status 45-41 (FIG. 12za, FIG. 13f) within one cycle of base units the accumulator for an autoscribtive unit 25-1 (FIG. 12n) is loaded with the remaining "autoscribtive residual unit" (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0). During the status 55-43 (FIG. 12za, FIG. 13f) in the memory of the separated units 42 (FIG. 12p), arranged as RAM, the writing of a "+1" is carried out. All further separation attempts up to the 7th group are without success.
During the subsequent clock sequence, "Formation of a homoscribtive unit," (FIGS. 13h, 13i) the control-network-4 34-2 (FIGS. 12d, 12e) takes over the process control. The status 34-40 (FIG. 13i) is passed through as often as necessary, with an increment of the reference-unit counter 41-1 (FIG. 12n) taking place in each case, until in the status 34-34 (FIG. 13h), an exponent 0 is loaded into the exponent-1 register 7 (FIG. 12q); in the example it takes place with a counter condition of "0100". Since the conditional latch "1. element" 5-1 (FIG. 12e) is set, when passing through the status 34-45 (FIG. 13i) the abrupt transition to the clock sequence, "Generation of a prefix", takes place.
During one passage of the clock sequence, "Generation of a prefix", (FIGS. 13i, 13k) the prefix generator 27 (FIGS. 12l, 12m, 12q) in dependence on the value of the exponent of the first factor of the homoscribtive unit, which is stored in the exponent-1 register 7 (FIG. 12q), effects the separation of a coefficient from the exponent mentioned of the numeric value of the autoscribtive quantity. In the status 27-30 (FIG. 12g, FIG. 13i) a partial exponent (.DELTA.-exponent) is repeatedly subtracted from the value of the exponent of the numeric value ("0101"), until the remaining difference is smaller than the partial exponent made available. The number of subtractions is counted by the prefix-counter 27-1 (FIG. 12q). In each case the partial exponent in the status 27-24 and the status 27-25 (FIG. 12l, FIG. 13i) is loaded into the numeric value register 3-1 and 3-2 (FIG. 12q) via a selection network 27-2 (FIG. 12q) in dependence on the exponent-1 register 7 and prefix-counter 27-1. In the example, the status 27-32 (FIG. 13k), as FIG. 12q shows, is passed through only once, thus, on bus 353 the byte "010" for the generation of a prefix that resulted from the increment of the prefix-counter 27-1, is maintained. In the status 27-35 (FIG. 12x, FIG. 13k) the register for a homoscribtive unit 5 (FIG. 12f) is loaded with "M".
The control network-4 34 (FIGS. 12g, 12h) activates the mentioned clock sequence, "Formation of a homoscribtive unit", (FIGS. 13h, 13i) from status 34-35 (FIG. 13h). The reference-unit counter 41-1 (FIG. 12n) or the prefix counter 27-1 (FIG. 12q), a character counter 34-6 (FIG. 12f) and the lines of a preselection bus 351 drive the memory of the unit abbreviations 44 (FIGS. 12a, 12b and 12c), which is realized as a matrix memory with a selection network.
With the above-described system, via the lines of the preselection bus 351, groups of unit abbreviations or prefix abbreviations are fixed as follows:
group 1: WB, V, H, OHM, SIE, F, T, N;
group 2: PA, J, W, GY, C, LX, LM;
group 3: S, M, A, KG, K, CD, RAD, SR;
group 4: DA, H, K, MA, G, TA, PE, EX;
group 5: D, C, M, MK, N, PK, F, A.
During one cycle of the character counter 34-6 (FIG. 12f) in the status 34-38 (FIG. 13i) the characters "0", "H" and "M" are loaded into the register for a homoscribtive unit 5. The further process is evident from FIG. 13 in connection with FIG. 12.
In the parameter-controlled representation of an autoscribtive quantity by a homoscribtive quantity, including the generation of a prefix for the unit given as a parameter, (depending on the numeric value of the autoscribtive quantity) an autoscribtive quantity of a certain kind determined with the circuit for the automated processing of autoscribtive quantities is represented by a homoscribtive unit of the same kind of quantity, given as a parameter. In this case, the first factor of the exponential product of the given unit is not allowed to contain a prefix. The circuit combination necessary for this requires
the circuit for the input transformation of quantities,
the exponent-1 register 7, the unit register 47, the coefficient register 48, the numeric value accumulator 24, the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit, the register 5 for a homoscribtive unit, and the prefix generator 27.
The control network 46 controls the assemblies mentioned such that a homoscribtive unit made available as a parameter at the time T.sub.1 is represented by the circuit for the input transformation of quantities to an autoscribtive quantity, whereby both the autoscribtive unit and the homoscribtive unit are stored in the unit register 47, and the numeric value of this autoscribtive quantity is stored in the coefficient register 48.
The autoscribtive quantity to be represented by the parameter is the content of the numeric value accumulator 24 and of the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit and may be stored at the time T.sub.2, while T.sub.2 may be before or after T.sub.1.
The execution of the parameter-controlled representation occurs at the time T.sub.3.
(1) By means of the calculating assembly 14, the autoscribtive unit of the unit register 47 is checked with the content of the register 8 for an autoscribtive unit as to equality and, subsequently, the content of the numeric value accumulator 24 is divided by the content of the coefficient register 48, and the result is made available in the numeric value register 24.
(2) The homoscribtive unit of the unit register 47 is exchanged in the register for a homoscribtive unit 5.
(3) After separation of a factor from the content of the numeric value accumulator 24 by the calculating assembly 14 in connection with the prefix generator 27 and the content of the exponent-1 register 7, a prefix is inserted into the register 5 for a homoscribtive unit. The homoscribtive quantity determined is available in the numeric value accumulator 24 and in the register 5 for a homoscribtive unit.
In the parameter-controlled representation of an autoscribtive quantity by a homoscribtive quantity without generation of a prefix for a given unit (FIG. 6), an autoscribtive quantity of a specified kind of quantity determined, for example, with the circuit for the automated processing of quantities, is represented by a homoscribtive unit of the same kind of quantity given as a parameter. The circuit combination necessary for this corresponds to the circuit combination of the parameter-controlled representation with generation of a prefix, but it does not require the prefix generator 27 and the exponent-1 register 7.
The present invention will be further explained in relation to the practical application of a pocket or desk calculator for scientific-technical tasks.
FIG. 7 shows the essential elements of the input/output field 55. It serves for setting and displaying the input quantities and for the display of the output quantities. The input keyboard consists of 6 key lines, the first key line having operational keys, the second key line having numeral-digit keys, and in the subsequent key lines the letter and special symbol keys are combined. The input-key field also contains pressure-shift keys for the switching of calculating processes. The numeral digit keys "0" . . . "9" and the special symbol keys "." and ".uparw." serve for the input of numbers, numeric values to quantities or exponents to units. The letter keys "A" . . . "Z" and the special symbol keys "." and "/" serve for the input of units or, after the switching of the pressure shift keys "MAT", for the call of mathematical functions. The pressure shift key "KON" switches from stringed-together operations to constant operations. By clicking the pressure shift key "NUM" into place, the pocket or desk calculator is shifted to purely numerical operation in the sense of a usual calculator. The following operational keys are distinguished:
+--addition key (with input transformation)
---Subtraction key (with input transformation)
*--multiplication key (with input transformation)
:--division key (with input transformation)
U--unit key (with input transformation, for presetting a unit as a parameter)
=S--output key-1 (with controlled or optimal output transformation)
=U--output key-2 (parameter-controlled output without generation of a prefix)
R--register key
D--rounding key
C--clearing key
CE--input clearing key
The output field consists of an undervoltage display 56, an overflow display 57, a 12-digit-numeric display 58 (also 10-digit mantissa, two-digit exponent) for the representation of numbers and numeric values of quantities, of a 12-digit alphanumeric unit display 59 for the representation of homoscribtive units of the input or output quantities and of an error display 60.
FIG. 8 shows the most important functional groups of the extended calculator with the essential information lines. With the setting via the input/output field 55 the numeric value of the homoscribtive quantity is stored in the numeric value register 3, and its homoscribtive unit is stored in the register 5 for a homoscribtive unit.
The assembly input-transformation 61 (part of the circuit array for the input transformation of quantities) represents a given homoscribtive quantity by an autoscribtive quantity, when one of the keys "+", "-", "*", ":" or "U" is pressed. When one of the operational keys "+, -, *, :" is activated, a correction of the numeric value in the numeric value register 3 is performed, and the autoscribtive unit is intermediately stored in the register for an autoscribtive unit 8. When the operational key "U" is activated, then the homoscribtive unit and the autoscribtive unit are intermediately stored in the unit register 47, and the numeric value of the autoscribtive quantity determined as a parameter is intermediately stored in the coefficient register 48.
The assembly output transformation 62 (part of the circuit array for the output transformation of quantities) is activated by the key "=S", and transcribes the autoscribtive unit of the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit in a homoscribtive unit. This fills the register 5 for a homoscribtive unit, simultaneously the numeric value of the numeric value accumulator 24 is corrected, and the content of the numeric value accumulator 24, as well as the content of the register 5 for a homoscribtive unit, are displayed as homoscribtive unit in the input/output field 55.
When two autoscribtive quantities are stringed together ("+, -, *, :"), the calculating unit processes the contents of the numeric value register 3 and of the numeric value accumulator 24 to a new content of the numeric value accumulator 24, and the contents of the register 8 for an autoscribtive unit and of the accumulator 25 for an autoscribtive unit to a new content of the autoscribtive unit accumulator 25.
The control and clock unit 63 controls the connecting lines between the individual assemblies in dependence on the actuated input key. Additionally, this embodiment contains "i" quantity registers 64, for the intermediate storage of autoscribtive units, which can be accepted from the accumulators 24, 25 or stored back into them.
The following calculating examples are intended for the demonstration of the functional principles (abbreviations are made according to table 1 and table 2):
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Device for the automated digital transcription and processing of various quantities and units of a defined quantity system of the kind including units of the International System of Units, national units, and other NonInternational System units, wherein each input or output quantity is termed a homoscriptive quantity and has a first portion representing the numerical part of the quantity and a second portion termed a homoscriptive unit representing the unit of measurement in the form of an exponential product of units of the quantity, said device comprising: entry and display means including an alphanumeric display and an alphanumeric keyboard connected to the input of a numeric value register for storing the numerical part and to the input of a homoscriptive unit register for storing the homoscriptive unit; input transformation means connected to the output of said homoscriptive unit register and cooperating with said keyboard, a calculating assembly, and said numeric value register for transforming said homoscriptive quantity into an internally operable format, termed an autoscriptive quantity, having a first portion for storage in said numeric value register and representing the numerical part of the autoscriptive quantity and a second portion representing the autoscriptive units of the quantity in the form of exponents to base units of the quantity system; an autoscriptive unit register connected with the output of said input transformation means for storing the autoscriptive units; an exponent-1 register connected with the output of said input transformation means for storing the exponent of the first factor of the exponential product of the homoscriptive unit; calculating means selectively operably connected with said numeric value register and a numeric value accumulator for storing the numerical parts of a first and a second autoscriptive quantity and selectively operably connected with said autoscriptive unit register and an autoscriptive unit accumulator for storing the autoscriptive units of the first and the second autoscriptive quantity and being connected with said calculating assembly and connected to be controlled by said keyboard, said calculating means operating to process at least the first autoscriptive quantity to an intermediate result termed a third autoscriptive quantity upon a given signal by said entry means for storing in said numeric value accumulator and said autoscriptive unit accumulator, wherein the numerical part and the autoscriptive unit of the third autoscriptive quantity are processed separately and independently from each other; output transformation means connected with said numeric value accumulator, said autoscriptive unit accumulator, and said exponent-1 register and cooperating with said calculating assembly and a prefix generator for transforming the processed autoscriptive quantities into homoscriptive quantities suitable for display by said display means; said prefix generator being connected with said calculating assembly, said numeric value accumulator, and said exponent-1 register for generating a prefix in dependence on the contents of said numeric value accumulator and the contents of said exponent-1 register, the output of said prefix generator being connected to said homoscriptive unit register for storing said generated prefix; and control means operably connected for controlling and timing the entry, transcription, processing, and display of quantities.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said entry means includes an input keyboard having digit keys, letter keys, symbol keys, and operating keys and further comprises a coder means for generating letter codes differing from the outputs of said digit keys and said special symbol keys by a predetermined bit, the output of said coder means being selectively connected through an input discriminator to the input of said numeric value register and the input of said homoscriptive unit register, thereby controlling the storage of a first partial sequence of characters representing the numerical part of the input homoscriptive quantity in said numeric value register and the storage of a second partial sequence of characters in said homoscriptive register, said second partial sequence beginning with a letter and representing the homoscriptive unit of the input homoscriptive quantity in an alphanumeric character sequence, whereby the output of said numeric value register and said homoscriptive unit register can be displayed.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said alphanumeric keyboard of said entry means comprises the input keyboard for quantities and commands, and includes at least one pressure-shift key for the input of quantities, said pressure-shift key being arranged for actuation before the entering of a homoscriptive quantity, said actuation continuing until an operational key or another pressure-shift key is activated.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said input transformation means comprises: a logic network connected between the output of said homoscriptive unit register and the input of a stringed unit register and the input of a factor exponent register to perform a separation of a predetermined character sequence in dependence on the last character transferred and on the next character to be transferred said separation including cyclically separating the homoscriptive unit stored as an exponential product in said homoscriptive unit register into stringed-together units and exponents for storage in said stringed unit register and said exponent register, respectively, the output of said logic network being connected to control an exponent-sign switch, a sign-next factors switch, a factor-end switch, and an analysis-end switch; an elementary units read-only memory containing specific bit sequences for each elementary unit of a defined large set of elementary units, a prefixes read-only memory containing specific bit sequences for each prefix of a defined set of prefixes, wherein each specific bit sequence begins with a check character and further contains factors for relative addresses for a numeric values read-only memory, containing coefficients of incoherent elementary units, and for an exponents read-only memory containing groups of exponents to base units; a check code generator, connected with the output of said stringed unit register and containing at least one 1-bit memory for generating at least a first check character from at least one character of said stringed unit register according to a predetermined bit pattern mask, and being further connected with the outputs of said elementary units read-only memory and said prefixes read-only memory to provide one bit marking equality between the generated check characters and the read check characters from said elementary units read-only memory and said prefixes read-only memory; said calculating assembly being connected with the output of said stringed unit register and being controlled by said check code generator for cyclic determination of code sums to partial letter sequences from the letter sequence store in said stringed unit register for controlling an address register addressing said elementary units read-only memory and said prefixes read-only memory to separate a stringed unit into a prefix and an elementary unit, whereupon said calculating assembly in combination with the said numeric value register, said register for autoscriptive unit, said exponent register, said numeric values read-only memory, and said exponents read-only memory generates the autoscriptive quantity cyclically and in dependence on the status of said exponent-sign switch, said sign-next factors switch, said factor-end switch and said analysis-end switch, as controlled by said logic network.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said calculating means comprises a control network connected with said keyboard which includes at least an addition key, a subtraction key, a multiplication key, a division key, a power-raising key, and a root-extracting key, said keys being connected for starting the quantity processing by said calculating assembly, said control network being connected with said numeric value accumulator and said autoscriptive unit accumulator and having a byte-number equal to the number of base units of said quantity system for storing a first autoscriptive quantity and a second autoscriptive quantity and for processing at least one autoscriptive quantity in dependence on a predetermined signal by said entry means to an intermediate third autoscriptive quantity, wherein the numerical part and the autoscriptive unit of said third autoscriptive quantity are processed separately and independently from each other, and said control network being further connected for storage of said third autoscriptive quantity in said numeric value accumulator and in said autoscriptive unit accumulator.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said output transformation means for performing a controlled output transformation without qualitative limitation of the quantity stored in said numeric value accumulator and said autoscriptive unit accumulator, comprises: said calculating assembly connected with the output of said autoscriptive unit accumulator in combination with an address register which determines in cycles a packed numerator unit and a packed denominator unit from the positive and negative numbers stored in said autoscriptive unit accumulator, the results being compounded in a compounder network transforming specified bit sequences for specified large numbers to specified bit sequences for specified small numbers for use as addresses, whereupon a homoscriptive unit is read out from the output of a homoscriptive units read-only memory into said homoscriptive unit register; a unit generator having an input connected to the output of said autoscriptive unit accumulator and an output connected to the input of said homoscriptive unit register and operating to determine whether said homoscriptive units read-only memory contains a looked for homoscriptive unit and if not for transforming the positive and negative exponents to base units stored in said autoscriptive unit accumulator to a homoscriptive unit in the form of an exponential product of base units for storage in said homoscriptive unit register.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said output transformation means performs an optimal output transformation without qualitative limitation of the quantity stored in said numeric value accumulator, and said autoscriptive unit accumulator includes, wherein said transformation means includes said calculating assembly having an input coupled to said autoscriptive unit accumulator containing positive and negative numbers representing an autoscriptive unit to be transformed and being coupled with a unit generator, said unit generator including a reference unit memory containing a first sequence of bit combinations representing derived units of the International System of Units with special names, said reference unit memory including comparator means for performing a second sequence of bit combinations by switching on or switching off single bit combinations of said first sequence of bit combinations and by comparing the provided second sequence of bit combinations with the content of said autoscriptive unit accumulator, whereby the second sequence of bit combinations representing a homoscriptive unit contains a minimum number of bit combinations of the first sequence in the form of an exponential product of derived units of the International System of Units with special names and/or of base units.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said output transformation means performs a parameter controlled output transformation of a first autoscriptive quantity provided by said calculating means and stored in said numeric value accumulator and in said autoscriptive unit accumulator, wherein said output transformation means cooperates with said prefix generator for generation of a prefix without qualitative limitation of said first quantity, said output transformation means comprising a coefficient register for storing the numeric value of a second autoscriptive quantity and a unit register for storing the homoscriptive unit, the autoscriptive unit of said second quantity is given as an output parameter to said first autoscriptive quantity, whereby said coefficient register and said unit register are connected with the output of said input transformation means, which has transformed the second homoscriptive unit; said calculating assembly connected with the output of said autoscriptive unit accumulator and the output of said unit register to compare the autoscriptive unit of the first quantity with the autoscriptive unit of the second quantity, whereupon if equal said calculating assembly will be connected with said coefficient register and said numeric value accumulator for dividing the numeric value of the first autoscriptive quantity by the numeric value of the second autoscriptive quantity and the output of said unit register will be connected by said control means with said homoscriptive unit register for storing the second homoscriptive unit in said homoscriptive unit register.
9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said output transformation means for performing a parameter controlled output transformation of the first autoscriptive quantity provided by said calculating means and stored in said numeric value accumulator and said autoscriptive unit accumulator without generation of a prefix and without qualitative limitation of said first quantity, comprises control means for suppressing the activation of said prefix generator, whereby the second homoscriptive unit given as a parameter to said first quantity contains a prefix.
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said homoscriptive unit register, said numeric value register, said autoscriptive unit register, said exponent-1 register, said numeric value accumulator, said autoscriptive unit accumulator, said prefix generator, said input transformation means, said calculating means, said output transformation means, said control means, and said calculating assembly, comprise a microprocessor system including an operably interconnected microprocessor, a programmable read-only memory, a read-only memory, and a read-write memory.