US3623011A — Time-shared access to computer registers

Claim 1

Independent Claim 73 words

A modular data processing system comprising a plurality of modules interconnected by normal data paths to form a data processing system, a source of automatic maintenance and diagnostic control signals, means independent of said normal data paths for interconnecting said source and said modules, and means, responsive to said control signals and utilizing said independent interconnecting means, for testing said modules while said module is an operational part of said data processing system.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 73 words

A modular data processing system comprising a plurality of modules interconnected by normal data paths to form a data processing system, a source of automatic maintenance and diagnostic control signals, means independent of said normal data paths for interconnecting said source and said modules, and means, responsive to said control signals and utilizing said independent interconnecting means, for testing said modules while said module is an operational part of said data processing system.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

The modular data processing system according to claim 1 wherein said source of control signals includes a manually controlled console.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 46 words

in response to the detection of an error condition in step 1, manually initiating more detailed semi-automatic test sequences over data paths separate and independent from said normal data paths, said semi-automatic test sequence continuing automatically until a fault is detected, and then operating an alarm,

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 46 words

in response to the detection of an error condition in step 1, manually initiating more detailed semi-automatic test sequences over data paths separate and independent from said normal data paths, said semi-automatic test sequence continuing automatically until a fault is detected, and then operating an alarm,

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

on failure of step 2 to isolate a fault to a single replaceable unit, initiating manual testing sequences over said separate data paths to identify said single replaceable unit.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

on failure of step 2 to isolate a fault to a single replaceable unit, initiating manual testing sequences over said separate data paths to identify said single replaceable unit.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 27 words

The modular data processing system according to claim 1 wherein said source of control signals includes at least one of said modules which is under program control.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 35 words

The modular data processing system according to claim 1 wherein said independent interconnecting means includes a time-shared data bus within each of said module for accessing the registers of that module on a time-division basis.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 58 words

The modular data processing system according to claim 2 wherein said console includes slow access storage means and fast access storage means, means for transferring data for current use from said slow access storage means to aid fast access storage means, and means for distributing data from said fast access storage means sequentially to said independent interconnecting means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 36 words

The modular data processing system according to claim 4 further including means for setting data into any register of each said module, and means for indicating the data stored in any register of each said module.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 16 words

The method of detecting and isolating faults in a data processing system comprising the steps of

Claim 13

Independent Claim 16 words

The method of detecting and isolating faults in a data processing system comprising the steps of

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 86 words

An automated testing and diagnostic system for a digital computer comprising, a data bussing system for providing access to selected storage points in said digital computer, said bussing system being separate and independent from the data paths used for computation in said computer, a source of a sequence of test instructions for reading and writing data from and into said selected storage points, and instruction distribution means for sequentially utilizing said test instructions to execute specified tests and return test data over said data bussing system.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 86 words

An automated testing and diagnostic system for a digital computer comprising, a data bussing system for providing access to selected storage points in said digital computer, said bussing system being separate and independent from the data paths used for computation in said computer, a source of a sequence of test instructions for reading and writing data from and into said selected storage points, and instruction distribution means for sequentially utilizing said test instructions to execute specified tests and return test data over said data bussing system.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

The automated testing and diagnostic system according to claim 8 wherein said instruction source includes a manually operated control console.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 22 words

The automated testing and diagnostic system according to claim 8 wherein said instruction source includes the internal storage of said digital computer.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 27 words

The automated testing and diagnostic system according to claim 8 wherein said data bussing system includes time-shared data links to a plurality of said selected storage points.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

The automated testing and diagnostic system according to claim 11 wherein each said time-shared data link includes bilateral switching means for gating signals selectively in either direction on said link.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 70 words

The automated testing and diagnostic system according to claim 9 wherein said console includes magnetic tape storage means for storing a plurality of said sequences of test instructions for possible use, a magnetic core storage means for storing one of said sequences of test instruction for current use, and means for transferring said one sequence of test instructions from a magnetic tape storage means to said magnetic core storage means.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 68 words

In combination a plurality of data processing units, a plurality of data storage units, means for interconnecting each of said units of each type to all units of all different types to form an operative data processing system, a automatic fault detection and isolation unit, and a data bussing system independent of said interconnecting means for connecting each of said units to said fault detection and isolation unit.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 68 words

In combination a plurality of data processing units, a plurality of data storage units, means for interconnecting each of said units of each type to all units of all different types to form an operative data processing system, a automatic fault detection and isolation unit, and a data bussing system independent of said interconnecting means for connecting each of said units to said fault detection and isolation unit.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 27 words

The combination according to claim 14 further including time-shared data links within each said unit for connecting storage elements in each unit to said data bussing system.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 28 words

The combination according to claim 15 further including bilateral switching means in each said time-shared data link for selectively gating data signals in either direction on said link.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 19 words

The combination according to claim 14 wherein said fault detection and isolation unit includes a manually operated control console.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 42 words

The combination according to claim 17 wherein said control console includes means for originating instructions for setting up test conditions over said data bussing system, means for receiving test results over said data bussing system, and means for displaying said test results.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 50 words

The combination according to claim 14 wherein said fault detection and isolation unit includes means for communicating with at least one of said data transfer control units, and means for accessing sequences of test instructions in at least one of said data storage units by way of said communicating means.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 64 words

The combination according to claim 17 wherein said control console includes a magnetic tape unit for bulk storage of a plurality of sequences of test instructions, a magnetic core storage unit for rapid access storage of one of said sequences of test instructions, and means for transferring said one sequence of test instructions from said magnetic tape unit to said magnetic core storage unit.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 33 words

The combination according to claim 20 wherein said magnetic core storage unit further includes a sequence of instructions for bringing said operative data processing system into full operation initially or following a Breakdown.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 112 words

A maintenance and diagnostic subsystem for use with a multi-element digital computing system including normal data paths interconnecting the elements of said system, said system comprising a source of test instructions for testing the various elements of said digital computing system, a test instruction distributing network for distributing said test instruction to said various elements of said digital computing system, said distributing network being separate from said normal data paths of said digital computing system, means for sequencing through said test instructions, one at a time, means responsive to said test instructions for detecting faults in said elements, and means for disabling said sequencing means in response to said fault detecting means

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 112 words

A maintenance and diagnostic subsystem for use with a multi-element digital computing system including normal data paths interconnecting the elements of said system, said system comprising a source of test instructions for testing the various elements of said digital computing system, a test instruction distributing network for distributing said test instruction to said various elements of said digital computing system, said distributing network being separate from said normal data paths of said digital computing system, means for sequencing through said test instructions, one at a time, means responsive to said test instructions for detecting faults in said elements, and means for disabling said sequencing means in response to said fault detecting means

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 43 words

The maintenance and diagnostic subsystem according to claim 22 wherein said source of test instructions comprises the internal memory of said digital computing system, and program means in said digital computing system for controlling said source of test instructions in said internal memory.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 44 words

The maintenance and diagnostic subsystem according to claim 22 wherein said source of test instructions comprises a control console having a repertoire of sequences of said test instructions in storage for prospective use, and means for accessing and utilizing selected ones of said sequences.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-11-22	1975-05-24	1975-11-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-11-22	1979-05-24	1979-11-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-11-22	1983-05-24	1983-11-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Time-shared access to computer registers

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