Selective data handling apparatus

Abstract

Abstract Raw data relating to a variety of parameters is analyzed to determine whether or not the current value or condition of the parameter is significant according to schedules of criteria which are subject to change. Criteria selection is adaptive, being dependent upon modes or conditions indicated by the parameter values being handled by the apparatus. Additionally, certain criteria may have floating limits, so that the base from which deviation is measured for the purpose of determining significance is adjusted whenever a significant condition (deviation from a base by more than a permissible amount) occurs. Additionally, fixed limits are provided, particularly for parameters of the type that can result in a dangerous condition whenever the value of the parameter exceeds certain upper or lower limits. A given parameter may be tested for both floating limit and fixed limit conformance, and provision is made to take similar as well as different action in dependence upon exceeding the different types of limits. Provision is made to transmit the data, in this embodiment to record it for further analysis at a later date, in dependence upon exceeding a fixed limit a number of times more than a number setable to indicate probable successive number of transients. Exceeding a fixed limit results in printing an identification of the parameter which exceeded a fixed limit together with Greenwich Mean Time at the time of occurrence and an indication of whether an upper or lower limit was exceeded. Thereafter, that parameter will not cause printing until such time as the parameter value again falls within fixed limits. The disclosure embodiment utilizes standard data processing components in a relatively simple data flow arrangement, will control provided by a parameter identification decode in a read only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) or large decoding matrix. The ROM provides for each given parameter: a transient index indicative of the number of probable transients, thereby to be ignored; floating limit deviations (referred to symbolically herein as deltas) for a plurality of modes, the correct one being selected in dependence upon a given mode of operation; the addresses of both upper and lower fixed limits for the given parameter; the address in storage of the previous value used as a base for floating limits; the address of current values in storage which permits storing the present value of the parameter until it can be determined, at the end of a scan of all parameters, whether or not these parameters are to be recorded; and the addresses of the transducers or sensors - that is the actual input equipment - with which the parameter is related. Any parameter can have more than one parameter identifying number, so that polling of parameters can include more frequent polling of certain key parameters interspersed with sequential polling of all parameters, simply by providing the same connections for additional parameter numbers as may be provided for the basic parameter number for a given parameter. Progression of logical sequence and control is provided simply by a parameter counter which counts successively for each parameter analysis period, thereby polling the various parameter numbers in sequenCe, together with a program counter which identifies four different function periods, each subdivided into eight times, there being clock signals to identify first and second halves of each of the clock times. Provision is made to utilize main storage as a printer buffer storage as well as a one-scan recorder buffer storage.

Inventors

• 👤 James Provenzano Jr
• 👤 John Saunders
• 👤 Henry Monterose

Bibliographic Details