US3914745A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for aligning textual character fields
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1973-12-26
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1993-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A system and method are disclosed for providing vertical decimal point alignment in columns of textual characters wherein each level of the column includes a group of textual characters including a decimal point. This alignment is automatically provided regardless of the number of characters to the left or right of the decimal point in each group. The system includes a keyboard connected to generate codes for input into a recirculating memory. Control circuitry responsive to the keyboard generation of a decimal tab control code causes subsequently entered text codes to be stored in the memory in a contiguous group. A backspace code is automatically stored in the memory as each of these text codes is stored. The backspace codes form a contiguous group that precedes the first of said subsequently entered text codes. A printer connected to the memory backspaces as each backspace code is entered into the memory. A keyboard generated decimal point code is input into the memory as a text code, but no further backspace codes are stored in the memory corresponding to the decimal point code or to text codes entered after the entry of the decimal point code. Upon keyboard generation of a field-end code (such as a carrier return or tab), the character codes, including the decimal point, are printed. A plurality of groups of characters, therefore, may be entered into the memory in this manner to allow vertical alignment of the decimal points.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Walter Cooper
- 👤 James Bradley Unruh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:09
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J5/00; B41J5/30; B41J5/31; B41J5/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
497 words
A system for arranging the sequence of textual codes upon input of said codes into a recirculating memory having an operation flag code defining an operating point therein said system being operative to print said codes so arranged, comprising: a keyboard for generating textual character codes, a decimal tab control code and a field-end code; a decimal tab flag code generator for generating a decimal tab flag code; a decoder connected to said memory for generating an OP FLAG signal in response to the detection, at a point in said memory, of said operation flag code and for generating a DEC TAB FLAG signal in response to the detection of said decimal tab flag code at said point in said memory; decimal tab flag code input gating means connected to said decimal tab flag code generator, said memory, said keyboard, and said decoder and responsive to the generation of said OP FLAG signal and the keyboard generation of said decimal tab control code for inserting said decimal tab flag code into said memory at a storage location ahead of said operation flag; a backspace code generator for generating backspace codes; backspace code input gating means connected to said keyboard, said backspace code generator, said memory, and said decoder and responsive to the keyboard generation of one of said textual character codes and said DEC TAB FLAG signal for inserting one of said backspace codes into said memory in a memory storage location next succeeding the memory storage location of said decimal tab flag code; textual character code input gating means connected to said keyboard, said memory, and said decoder and responsive to the generation of said one of said textual codes and said OP FLAG signal for inserting said one of said textual codes into said memory in a memory storage location next preceding the storage location of said operation flag code; said backspace code input gating means and said textual character code input gating means cooperating with said keyboard, said backspace code generator and said decoder to provide for the storage isn said memory of said decimal tab flag code followed by a contiguous stream of backspace codes, followed by a contiguous stream of textual character codes, followed by said operation flag code; a decimal point latching means connected to said keyboard and said backspace code input gating means for inhibiting the input of backspace codes into said memory after the keyboard generation of a decimal point textual character code; a printer and printer gating means connecting said printer to said memory, said printer gating means being connected to said backspace code input gating means for enabling said printer to backspace once as each of said backspace codes is inserted into said memory; and a print latching means connected between said keyboard and said printer gating means, said print latching means responding to the keyboard generation of said field-end code for enabling said printer gating means to print said textual character codes inserted into said memory.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
497 words
A system for arranging the sequence of textual codes upon input of said codes into a recirculating memory having an operation flag code defining an operating point therein said system being operative to print said codes so arranged, comprising: a keyboard for generating textual character codes, a decimal tab control code and a field-end code; a decimal tab flag code generator for generating a decimal tab flag code; a decoder connected to said memory for generating an OP FLAG signal in response to the detection, at a point in said memory, of said operation flag code and for generating a DEC TAB FLAG signal in response to the detection of said decimal tab flag code at said point in said memory; decimal tab flag code input gating means connected to said decimal tab flag code generator, said memory, said keyboard, and said decoder and responsive to the generation of said OP FLAG signal and the keyboard generation of said decimal tab control code for inserting said decimal tab flag code into said memory at a storage location ahead of said operation flag; a backspace code generator for generating backspace codes; backspace code input gating means connected to said keyboard, said backspace code generator, said memory, and said decoder and responsive to the keyboard generation of one of said textual character codes and said DEC TAB FLAG signal for inserting one of said backspace codes into said memory in a memory storage location next succeeding the memory storage location of said decimal tab flag code; textual character code input gating means connected to said keyboard, said memory, and said decoder and responsive to the generation of said one of said textual codes and said OP FLAG signal for inserting said one of said textual codes into said memory in a memory storage location next preceding the storage location of said operation flag code; said backspace code input gating means and said textual character code input gating means cooperating with said keyboard, said backspace code generator and said decoder to provide for the storage isn said memory of said decimal tab flag code followed by a contiguous stream of backspace codes, followed by a contiguous stream of textual character codes, followed by said operation flag code; a decimal point latching means connected to said keyboard and said backspace code input gating means for inhibiting the input of backspace codes into said memory after the keyboard generation of a decimal point textual character code; a printer and printer gating means connecting said printer to said memory, said printer gating means being connected to said backspace code input gating means for enabling said printer to backspace once as each of said backspace codes is inserted into said memory; and a print latching means connected between said keyboard and said printer gating means, said print latching means responding to the keyboard generation of said field-end code for enabling said printer gating means to print said textual character codes inserted into said memory.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
137 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a delete code generator for generating delete codes, said keyboard including means for generating an error-correct code, an error-correct latching means connected to said keyboard for maintaining a first condition in response to the keyboard generation of said error-correct code, and delete code input gating means connected between said delete code generator and said memory, said decoder including means for decoding said backspace code and said textual character code, said delete code input gating means being enabled by said decoder and said first condition of said error-correct latching means for replacing and said backspace codes said textual character codes following said backspace codes, stored in said memory, with delete codes upon decoding said backspace codes and said textual character codes, until said operation flag code is decoded by said decoder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising a printer space code generator for generating printer space codes, said space code generator being connected to said printer gating means, said error correct latching means being connected to said printer space code generator and Said printer gating means for causing said printer to space forward one space for each of said backspace codes in said memory replaced by said delete codes, during said first condition of said error-correct latching means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |