US3577127A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Composer system for processing data in parallel columns
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1968-04-26
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Granted: 1971-05-04
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Expires: 1988-04-26
Abstract
Abstract The invention concerns composing systems including techniques and apparatus for achieving justification of columnar data. In one version, Method A, the system derives columnar data from a source media, such as the familiar ''''Presswire'''' paper tape having pairs of text columns arranged in successive justified lines, recognizes the occurrence of a code in the media identifying the center of the line between the two columns, if such occurs within a certain range, compares the line center code with a predetermined range about the center location of a previously entered line measure, and develops the necessary justification routines to insure that each of the double columns in successive lines is justified to a standard width thereby insuring that the gutter (or white space) between the column segments is of a uniform width and has straight edges. In a second version, Method B, data derived from the tape media is also scanned to determine the occurrence of the line center in successive lines, but the necessary justification routines for insuring a uniform placement of the gutter (or white space) is based upon a comparison of the center indicating code with a range about the center of the fixed width of both column segments in an individual line. The system readily accommodates a number of column segments greater than two in individual lines and column segments that differ in width. Also, it is receptive to input data derived from sources other than a paper tape media, and the output of the system, rather than being a printer, as described herein, can be any one of a number of composing entities, recording units, communicating units, or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 David Bishop
- 👤 David W Terry
- 👤 John E Jones
- 👤 Roderick S Heard
- 👤 William H Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:13
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41B; B41B25/00; B41B27/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A processing method for producing justified columnar data, comprising: A. providing in a machine input signals representative of input data groups, each of said input data groups having at least a pair of data columns and arranged according to a first width schedule, said signals including a distinctive signal indicative of columnar terminations within each of said data groups; B. converting in a machine the widths of said input data signals to width values according to a second width schedule; C. detecting by machine each said columnar termination signal; D. developing in a machine for each said data column columnar measure signals representative of a columnar measure of predetermined size from a stored data group measure based on said second width schedule, each of said columnar measures bearing a proportion to its related data group that is based on the number and size of all of the columns in its said related data group; E. justifying in a machine each said column according to its related columnar measure; and F. providing in a machine signals representative of said justified columnar data according to said second width schedule to a utilizing device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A processing method for producing justified columnar data, comprising: A. providing in a machine input signals representative of input data groups, each of said input data groups having at least a pair of data columns and arranged according to a first width schedule, said signals including a distinctive signal indicative of columnar terminations within each of said data groups; B. converting in a machine the widths of said input data signals to width values according to a second width schedule; C. detecting by machine each said columnar termination signal; D. developing in a machine for each said data column columnar measure signals representative of a columnar measure of predetermined size from a stored data group measure based on said second width schedule, each of said columnar measures bearing a proportion to its related data group that is based on the number and size of all of the columns in its said related data group; E. justifying in a machine each said column according to its related columnar measure; and F. providing in a machine signals representative of said justified columnar data according to said second width schedule to a utilizing device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: signals in step A are derived by reading Teletypesetter (TTS) tape, based on a TTS width schedule; and measure development and justification in steps D and E are based on a non-TTS width schedule.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2, wherein: signals in step F are provided to a printer to produce justified printed copy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: signals indicative of columnar terminations are primarily representative of space characters that may appear at other positions in a data group besides columnar terminations; and detection at step C is confined to a selected range on either side of a predetermined column separation point to insure that said distinctive signals are detected only when they represent column terminations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4, wherein: columnar terminations are indicated by Double Thin space input signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4, wherein: said data group measure represents the total width value of characters and white space in each data group.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 6, wherein: each said data group represents an individual line of data comprising a pair of data columns of substantially equal size; and said data group measure is a standard line measure and each said developed columnar measure is substantially one-half of said standard line measure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7, wherein: data is processed according to steps C-F on a columnar basis, the processing of each column being essentially independent of preceding or succeeding columns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 4, wherein: said data group measure is developed concurrently with the provision of the input signals in each data group and reflects the total fixed width of characters only in a data group being processed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 9, wherein: each said data group represents an individual line of data comprising a pair of data columns of substantially equal size; and said data group measure is a variaBle measure dependent upon the character width values in each line and each said developed columnar measure is also variable but substantially one-half of the related data group measure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 10, wherein: the detection of columnar termination signals at step C and development of a columnar measure at step D involves the processing and storage of signals at step A on a line-by-line basis in order to develop said variable measure for each line; and processing of data at steps E and F is on a columnar basis within each line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
147 words
A processing method for producing justified columnar data, comprising: A. providing in a machine input signals representative of input data groups, each of said input data groups having at least a pair of data columns, said signals including a distinctive signal indicative of columnar terminations within each of said data groups; B. detecting in a machine each said columnar termination signal; C. developing for each said data column columnar measure signals representative of a columnar measure of predetermined size from stored data group measure, each of said columnar measures bearing a proportion to its related data group that is based on the number and size of all of the columns in its said related data group; D. justifying in a machine each said column according to its related columnar measure; and E. providing in a machine signals representative of said justified columnar data to a utilizing device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
147 words
A processing method for producing justified columnar data, comprising: A. providing in a machine input signals representative of input data groups, each of said input data groups having at least a pair of data columns, said signals including a distinctive signal indicative of columnar terminations within each of said data groups; B. detecting in a machine each said columnar termination signal; C. developing for each said data column columnar measure signals representative of a columnar measure of predetermined size from stored data group measure, each of said columnar measures bearing a proportion to its related data group that is based on the number and size of all of the columns in its said related data group; D. justifying in a machine each said column according to its related columnar measure; and E. providing in a machine signals representative of said justified columnar data to a utilizing device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 12, wherein: signals indicative of columnar terminations are primarily representative of space characters that may appear at other positions in a data group besides column terminations; and detection at step B is confined to a selected range on either side of a predetermined column separation point to insure that said distinctive signals are detected only when they represent columnar terminations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 13, wherein: columnar terminations are indicated by Double Thin space input signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13, wherein: said data group measure represents the total width value of characters and white space in each data group.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 15, wherein: each saId data group represents an individual line of data comprising a pair of data columns of substantially equal size; and said data group measure is a standard line measure and each said developed columnar measure is substantially one-half of said standard line measure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 13, wherein: said data group measure is developed concurrently with the provision of the input signals in each data group and reflects the total fixed width of characters only in a data group being processed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 17, wherein: each said data group represents an individual line of data comprising a pair of data columns of substantially equal size; and said data group measure is a variable measure dependent upon the character width values in each line and each said developed columnar measure is also variable but substantially one-half of the related data group measure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 18, wherein: the detection of columnar termination signals at step B and development of a columnar measure at step C involves the processing and storage of signals at step A on a line-by-line basis in order to develop said variable measure for each line; and processing of data at steps D and E is on a columnar basis within each line.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for producing justified columnar data, comprising: means providing input signals representative of input data groups, each of said input data groups having at least a pair of data columns and arranged according to a first width schedule, saId signals including a distinctive signal indicative of columnar termination within each of said data groups; means for converting the width values of said inpuT data signals to width values according to a second width schedule; means for detecting each said columnar termination signal; means for developing for each said data column, columnar measure signals representative of a columnar measure of predetermined size from a data group measure previously stored according to said second width schedule, each of said columnar measures bearing a proportion to its related data group that is based on the number and size of all of the columns in its said related data group; means for justifying each column according to its related columnar measure; and means for providing signals representative of said justified columnar data according to said second width schedule to a utilizing device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for producing justified columnar data, comprising: means providing input signals representative of input data groups, each of said input data groups having at least a pair of data columns and arranged according to a first width schedule, saId signals including a distinctive signal indicative of columnar termination within each of said data groups; means for converting the width values of said inpuT data signals to width values according to a second width schedule; means for detecting each said columnar termination signal; means for developing for each said data column, columnar measure signals representative of a columnar measure of predetermined size from a data group measure previously stored according to said second width schedule, each of said columnar measures bearing a proportion to its related data group that is based on the number and size of all of the columns in its said related data group; means for justifying each column according to its related columnar measure; and means for providing signals representative of said justified columnar data according to said second width schedule to a utilizing device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: said means providing input signals is a media reader; and said utilizing means is a printer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein: said reader is a perforated tape reader that provides input signals based on a TTS width schedule; and said apparatus otherwise operates on a non-TTS width schedule.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: said data groups are lines of data each comprising a pair of columns separated by a Double Thin space.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein: said Double Thin spaces are present in said input data at positions other than at columnar terminations; and wherein said detection means includes means to detect Double Thin spaces only within a range on either side of a preselected columnar termination location to insure detection of columnar terminations only.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: said developing means includes means responsive to a data group measure of predetermined size that includes total fixed width and white space in a line of uniform length in developing columnar measures.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
200 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein: each data group comprises a line of data consisting of two data columns; and further comprising sequence control means including Read 1 means, Check means, Justify Calculations 1 means, Transfer 1 means, Read 2 means, Justify Calculation 2 means and Transfer 2 means and operable to control the sequence of operation and modes of said apparatus as follows: A. activate said Read 1 means to read input signals, stop upon recognition of a columnar termination signal, change mode to activate, B. said Check means to determine if columnar termination signal is within range about a predetermined column separation location, return to Read 1 mode if not in range, change mode to activate, C. said Justify Calculation 1 means if columnar termination signal is within range and justify a first data column based on a half line measure and activate said Transfer 1 means for output, change mode to activate, D. said Read 2 means to read remainder of data line, and when end of line is encountered change mode to activate Justify Calculation 2 means to justify remaining data column based on a half line measure and activate said Transfer 2 means for output.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein: said sequence control means includes means operable to change mode from Read 1 to Justify Calculation 2 in the event no columnar termination signal occurs in a data line or none occurs within range to justify entire line of data based on a full column measure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: said developing means includes means active in developing a columnar measure to concurrently develop said data group measure, the latter being of variable size and consisting of the total fixed width count only in individual data lines.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
189 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein: each data group comprises a line of data consisting of two data columns; and further comprising sequence control means including Read means, Scan means, Check means, Justify Calculation 1 means, TRansfer 1 means, Justify Calculation 2 means, and Transfer 2 means and operable to control the sequence of operation and modes of said apparatus as follows: A. activate said Read means to read input signals in entire line to detect presence of columnar termination signals, if do occur, change mode to activate, B. said Scan means to Scan entire line and when columnar termination signal occurs change mode to activate, C. said Check means to determine if columnar termination signal is within range of a predetermined column separation location, if not, activate said Scan means for further scanning, if so, change mode to activate, D. said Justify Calculation 1 means, justify first data column based on a half column measure and activate Transfer 1 means for output, change mode to activate, E. Justify Calculation 2 means, justify second data column based on a half line measure and activate Transfer 2 means for output.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: said sequence control means is operable to change mode from Scan mode directly to Justify Calculation 2 mode in the event no column termination signal occurs in a data line or from Check mode to Justify Calculation 2 mode if none is within proper range.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for producing justified columnar data, comprising: means providing input signals representative of input data groups, each of said input data groups having at least a pair of data columns, said signals including distinctive signal indicative of columnar termination within each of said data groups; means for detecting each said columnar termination signal; means for developing for each said column columnar measure signals representative of a columnar measure of predetermined size from a stored data group measure, each of said columnar measures bearing a proportion to its related data group that is based on the number and size of all the columns in its related data group; means for justifying each column according to its related columnar measure; and means for providing signals representative of said justified columnar data to a utilizing device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for producing justified columnar data, comprising: means providing input signals representative of input data groups, each of said input data groups having at least a pair of data columns, said signals including distinctive signal indicative of columnar termination within each of said data groups; means for detecting each said columnar termination signal; means for developing for each said column columnar measure signals representative of a columnar measure of predetermined size from a stored data group measure, each of said columnar measures bearing a proportion to its related data group that is based on the number and size of all the columns in its related data group; means for justifying each column according to its related columnar measure; and means for providing signals representative of said justified columnar data to a utilizing device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 31, wherein: said data groups are lines of data each comprising a pair of columns separated by a Double Thin space.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein: said Double Thin spaces are present in said input data at positions other than at column terminations; and wherein said detection means includes means to detect Double Thin spaces only within a range on either side of a preselected columnar termination location to insure detection of columnar terminations only.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 31, wherein: said developing means includes means responsive to a data group measure of predetermined size that includes total fixed width and white space in a line of uniform length in developing columnar measures.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 31, wherein: said developing means includes means active in developing a columnar measure to concurrently develop said data group measure, the latter being of variable size and consisting of the total fixed width count only in individual data lines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-03 | 1974-11-02 | 1975-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-03 | 1978-11-02 | 1979-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-03 | 1982-11-02 | 1983-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |