Patent US3733589A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3733589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Data locating device
Assignee: Shell Mex and BP Ltd
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Filing: 1970-09-15
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Granted: 1973-05-15
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Expires: 1990-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A data locating device for locating specific data from a store of data organized under a plurality of keywords arranged in a predetermined sequence, the device comprising apparatus for producing a plurality of electrical signals representing at least two successive characters of a keyword under which the said specific data is held in said data store, and apparatus for combining the electrical signals and, responsive to said combination, for producing a group of electrical signals representative of the location of the said specific data in said data store.
Inventors
- 👤 T Raymond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F7/00; G06F7/02; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/901; G06F16/9017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
300 words
A data locating device for locating specific data from a store of data organized under a plurality of keywords arranged in a predetermined sequence, the device comprising: means for producing a plurality of electrical signals representing at least two successive characters of a keyword under which the said specific data is held in said data store, and means for combining the electrical signals and, responsive to said combination, for producing a group of electrical signals representative of the location of the said specific data in said data store, said means for combining comprising a coded matrix circuit consisting of a plurality of interconnected gates coded in correspondence with the organization of the said data store, the gates being arranged in a plurality of sets, each set being in a separate section of the matrix circuit, an output side of at least one gate in a first set being connected with an input side of at least one gate in a second set, the gates in the first and second sets being connected for receiving, respectively, the signals representing said first and second successive characters, thereby causing the gates in the first set to receive signals representing the first character, which signals are passed by said at least one gate in the first set to said at least one gate in the second set for combination with the signals representing the second character received by the gates in the second set, whereupon the combined signals are supplied to an output of the said device and serve to represent the location of the specific data in the data store, optionally after such combined signals have been routed through at least one further section comprising a third set of gates for combination with signals representing at least one further of said successive characters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
300 words
A data locating device for locating specific data from a store of data organized under a plurality of keywords arranged in a predetermined sequence, the device comprising: means for producing a plurality of electrical signals representing at least two successive characters of a keyword under which the said specific data is held in said data store, and means for combining the electrical signals and, responsive to said combination, for producing a group of electrical signals representative of the location of the said specific data in said data store, said means for combining comprising a coded matrix circuit consisting of a plurality of interconnected gates coded in correspondence with the organization of the said data store, the gates being arranged in a plurality of sets, each set being in a separate section of the matrix circuit, an output side of at least one gate in a first set being connected with an input side of at least one gate in a second set, the gates in the first and second sets being connected for receiving, respectively, the signals representing said first and second successive characters, thereby causing the gates in the first set to receive signals representing the first character, which signals are passed by said at least one gate in the first set to said at least one gate in the second set for combination with the signals representing the second character received by the gates in the second set, whereupon the combined signals are supplied to an output of the said device and serve to represent the location of the specific data in the data store, optionally after such combined signals have been routed through at least one further section comprising a third set of gates for combination with signals representing at least one further of said successive characters.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
173 words
A device for automatically generating electrical signals representing the location of desired data elements within a data store which is organized in a predetermined sequence, said device comprising: means for sequentially generating first electrical signals representing successive characters of a keyword corresponding to said desired data element, and means for sequentially analyzing said first signals with respect to said predetermined sequence within a similarly organized directory and for logically effectively combining successive ones of said first signals in response thereto for producing second electrical signals representing the location of said desired data within said organized data store, said first-mentioned means comprising: keyboard means for generating character representing signals, directory selector means for receiving event representing signals and for selecting a particular one of a plurality of available directories in response thereto, and character interpretation means connected to said keyboard means for routing some of said character representing signals to said directory selector means as said event representing signals and for routing others of said character representing signals to said means for sequentially analyzing.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
173 words
A device for automatically generating electrical signals representing the location of desired data elements within a data store which is organized in a predetermined sequence, said device comprising: means for sequentially generating first electrical signals representing successive characters of a keyword corresponding to said desired data element, and means for sequentially analyzing said first signals with respect to said predetermined sequence within a similarly organized directory and for logically effectively combining successive ones of said first signals in response thereto for producing second electrical signals representing the location of said desired data within said organized data store, said first-mentioned means comprising: keyboard means for generating character representing signals, directory selector means for receiving event representing signals and for selecting a particular one of a plurality of available directories in response thereto, and character interpretation means connected to said keyboard means for routing some of said character representing signals to said directory selector means as said event representing signals and for routing others of said character representing signals to said means for sequentially analyzing.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
217 words
A device for automatically generating electrical signals representing the location of desired data elements within a data store which is organized in a predetermined sequence, said device comprising: means for sequentially generating first electrical signals representing successive characters of a keyword corresponding to said desired data element, and means for sequentially analyzing said first signals with respect to said predetermined sequence within a similarly organized directory and for logically effectively combining successive ones of said first signals in response thereto for producing second electrical signals representing the location of said desired data within said organized data store, said last-menTioned means comprising: a plurality of ordered sets of logic gates interconnected to represent said directory organized in said predetermined sequence, an input to at least one of a first set of said gates being connected to receive said first electrical signals representing a first letter in said keyword, an output from said at least one gate in the first set being connected as an input to at least one of a second set of said gates which is also connected to receive said first electrical signals representing a second letter in said keyword, and an output from at least one gate in a last one of said sets of gates being connected to provide said second electrical signals.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
217 words
A device for automatically generating electrical signals representing the location of desired data elements within a data store which is organized in a predetermined sequence, said device comprising: means for sequentially generating first electrical signals representing successive characters of a keyword corresponding to said desired data element, and means for sequentially analyzing said first signals with respect to said predetermined sequence within a similarly organized directory and for logically effectively combining successive ones of said first signals in response thereto for producing second electrical signals representing the location of said desired data within said organized data store, said last-menTioned means comprising: a plurality of ordered sets of logic gates interconnected to represent said directory organized in said predetermined sequence, an input to at least one of a first set of said gates being connected to receive said first electrical signals representing a first letter in said keyword, an output from said at least one gate in the first set being connected as an input to at least one of a second set of said gates which is also connected to receive said first electrical signals representing a second letter in said keyword, and an output from at least one gate in a last one of said sets of gates being connected to provide said second electrical signals.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
224 words
A device for automatically generating electrical signals representing the location of desired data elements within a data store which is organized in a predetermined sequence, said device comprising: means for sequentially generating first electrical signals representing successive characters of a keyword corresponding to said desired data element, and means for sequentially analyzing said first signals with respect to said predetermined sequence within a similarly organized directory and for logically effectively combining successive ones of said first signals in response thereto for producing second electrical signals representing the location of said desired data within said organized data store, said last-mentioned means comprising: directory data reading means for providing successive coded signals representing successive ordered individual characters of predetermined keywords in said directory which is organized according to said predetermined sequence, code interpretation means for decoding said coded signals, and character comparison means connected to said code interpretation means for successively comparing like ordered position of the decoded signals representing individual ordered characters of the predetermined directory keywords with similar signals representing individual characters of the desired keyword, said character comparison means indicating when a match has occurred or when the compared desired keyword character has a greater sequence value than the corresponding directory keyword character to provide start/stop control signals to said directory data reading means whereby the desired portion of the directory is located.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
224 words
A device for automatically generating electrical signals representing the location of desired data elements within a data store which is organized in a predetermined sequence, said device comprising: means for sequentially generating first electrical signals representing successive characters of a keyword corresponding to said desired data element, and means for sequentially analyzing said first signals with respect to said predetermined sequence within a similarly organized directory and for logically effectively combining successive ones of said first signals in response thereto for producing second electrical signals representing the location of said desired data within said organized data store, said last-mentioned means comprising: directory data reading means for providing successive coded signals representing successive ordered individual characters of predetermined keywords in said directory which is organized according to said predetermined sequence, code interpretation means for decoding said coded signals, and character comparison means connected to said code interpretation means for successively comparing like ordered position of the decoded signals representing individual ordered characters of the predetermined directory keywords with similar signals representing individual characters of the desired keyword, said character comparison means indicating when a match has occurred or when the compared desired keyword character has a greater sequence value than the corresponding directory keyword character to provide start/stop control signals to said directory data reading means whereby the desired portion of the directory is located.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
157 words
A device for automatically generating electrical signals representing the location of desired data within a data store, the contents of said store being organized in a predetermined sequence of successive characters of a plurality of keywords and being arranged in sections each of which contains data relating to one or more keywords, said device comprising: means for sequentially generating first electrical signals representing one or more successive characters of a keyword corresponding to said desired data, indexing means organized similarly to said contents of said data store and presenting coded indentities indicative of the content of each respective said section, means for associating said first electrical signals with the coded indentities of successive sections to determine by comparison which of said sections hold or holds said desired data, and means connected with said associating means for producing second electrical signals in response to said comparison representing the location of said desired data within said organized data store.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
157 words
A device for automatically generating electrical signals representing the location of desired data within a data store, the contents of said store being organized in a predetermined sequence of successive characters of a plurality of keywords and being arranged in sections each of which contains data relating to one or more keywords, said device comprising: means for sequentially generating first electrical signals representing one or more successive characters of a keyword corresponding to said desired data, indexing means organized similarly to said contents of said data store and presenting coded indentities indicative of the content of each respective said section, means for associating said first electrical signals with the coded indentities of successive sections to determine by comparison which of said sections hold or holds said desired data, and means connected with said associating means for producing second electrical signals in response to said comparison representing the location of said desired data within said organized data store.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein said indexing means comprises: a coded matrix circuit consisting of a plurality of interconnected gates coded in correspondence with the organization of the said data store.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
197 words
A data locating device for locating specific data from a store of data organized in a predetermined sequence under a plurality of keywords arranged in a predetermined sequence and being arranged in sections, each of which contains data relating to one or more keywords, the device comprising: means for producing A plurality of electrical signals representing at least two successive characters of a keyword under which the said specific data is held in said data store, and means for combining the electrical signals and, responsive to said combination, for producing a group of electrical signals representative of the location of the said specific data in said data store, said combining means comprising indexing means for producing a plurality of groups of coded signals corresponding respectively to keywords contained on successive ones of the said sections of the said data store, and means operably connected with said indexing means for successively relating the groups of coded signals with said electrical signals representing the said successive characters of the keyword and for producing electrical signals representing the location of the specific data in the data store when a said coded signal group matches said signals representing said successive characters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
197 words
A data locating device for locating specific data from a store of data organized in a predetermined sequence under a plurality of keywords arranged in a predetermined sequence and being arranged in sections, each of which contains data relating to one or more keywords, the device comprising: means for producing A plurality of electrical signals representing at least two successive characters of a keyword under which the said specific data is held in said data store, and means for combining the electrical signals and, responsive to said combination, for producing a group of electrical signals representative of the location of the said specific data in said data store, said combining means comprising indexing means for producing a plurality of groups of coded signals corresponding respectively to keywords contained on successive ones of the said sections of the said data store, and means operably connected with said indexing means for successively relating the groups of coded signals with said electrical signals representing the said successive characters of the keyword and for producing electrical signals representing the location of the specific data in the data store when a said coded signal group matches said signals representing said successive characters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
189 words
A data locating device according to claim 7 wherein: said relating means comprises a register for storing the signals representing the said successive characters, detecting means for detecting control code elements and basic code elements of said groups of coded signals, counting means for counting said groups of coded signals as they are successively produced by said indexing means, comparison means for comparing said basic code elements of said groups of coded signals with said signals representing said successive characters, and control means, said control means being responsive to an output signal provided by said control code element detecting means upon detection of control code elements of a said group of signals to release said signals representing a first of said successive characters to said comparison means, said comparison means then being operable to compare the said signals representing said first character with said basic code elements of the said group of coded signals, the control code elements of which were detected by said control code element detecting means, and thereafter to compare similarly signals representing at least said second of said successive characters with subsequent basic code elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
226 words
A data locating device according to claim 8 wherein the control code elements signify the position at which the character represented by the following basic code elements appears in a given keyword, said control code element detecting means supplying an output signal upon detection of each new position, the said signal uniquely representing that position, and wherein said control means comprises a first circuit for receiving said position signals and a second circuit, operably connected with the first circuit, for receiving signals from said comparison means produced thereby whenever a match is made between the coded signals representing one of the said successive characters and the basic code elements of one of said groups of coded signals, said second circuit being adapted to supply an output signal whenever a match has been made which identifies the position at which the match has been made, said first circuit being adapted to respond both to the signals indicating that a new position has been detected and to the signal identifying the position at which a match has been made either to produce a pulse for controlling said register to release encoded signals representing the next successive character to said comparison unit or, if the next detected position is previous to the next position to be matched, to produce a signal indicating that the required page has been determined.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
77 words
A data locating device according to claim 8 wherein said register includes inhibiting means comprising a set of bistables for receiving and storing encoded signals representing punctuation symbols and a plurality of gates for inhibiting the release of basic code elements representing characters of a keyword from said basic code element detecting means to said comparison means until after sAid basic code detecting means receives basic code elements indicative of a keyword containing the said punctuation symbols.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
122 words
A data locating device according to claim 8 wherein said comparison means comprises a plurality of gates adapted to compare coded signals representing said successive characters with basic code elements of said groups of coded signals at corresponding bit positions and as a result of said comparison being operable to supply a signal indicating that a page has been determined when the binary value of the basic code is greater than that of the coded signal, or to supply a signal indicating that a letter has been matched when the binary value of the basic code equals that of the coded signal, or to remain inoperative when the binary value of the basic code is less than that of the coded signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
123 words
A data locating device according to claim 8 wherein said counting means includes a counter stepped each time basic code elements are released from said basic code element detecting means to said comparison means, first and second switching circuits, and a gating circuit operably connected with said switching circuits, the first switching circuit being set to a predetermined condition in dependence on the stepping of the counter and the second switching circuit being adapted for receiving page marker signals and being set to a predetermined condition upon receipt of each of said marker signals, the arrangement being such that whenever said conditions are not set up simultaneously the gating circuit produces an alarm indicating an incorrect operating sequence of the data locating device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3018956A
Cited
US3548385A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |