International Business Machines Corporation

Michael Eudell McBride

Howard Carl Tanner

Robert A Pascoe

Christine T Iwaskiw

James Padden

Nancy A Burns

Thomas J Ashford

Robert Glenn Bluethman

John Charlie Greek, Jr

Richard L Flagg

Roberta P Starbird

Wayne Finis Rogers

Robert G Acosta

A method for solving problems using an expert system in which the Rulebase includes a section having specific definitions of processes or procedures which are available to the expert system as a data source. The method allows data to be collected dynamically in response to and in accordance with parameters supplied by the expert system and at a time determined by the expert system. The ability of the expert system to provide meaningful conclusions is considerably enhanced when such type of data is made available since any process or procedure that can be executed on the host for the expert system can become a source of current data for analysis by the expert system. Computer hardware diagnostic applications can include running self-diagnostic procedures even on the host system.

Method for dynamically collecting current data from specified external

A system having two tab racks for controlling playout of sequentially stored text columns in a side-by-side format. During input keying set up of a job, desired tabs are set in a text tab rack and stored in a text buffer along with the text. These tabs will be in control for following keyed text. If new or additional tabs are required to define column boundaries during later playout, they are keyed, set, and stored prior to the text for the columns. In any event, the tabs in effect at the beginning of input keying of the columnar job will be in control for the column text. Upon later playout from the buffer and when the beginning of the first column is reached, a copy of the tabs set in the text tab rack is transferred to a column tab rack to control the column boundaries. If different tabs are required for the text in the columns, they must have been stored in the buffer after the beginning of the first column or playout must be interrupted for input keying of these tabs.

Tabulation control system having two electronic tab racks

An automatic format control for controlling text format upon playout from a text buffer loaded from segmented media, such as magnetic cards. At the beginning of a job and during input keying, format information made up of tab set locations, a measure length, index values, adjust modes, etc., is stored in a text buffer. The keying of this information causes appropriate printer format control settings. Text to be formatted and controlled by the printer according to this format information is then keyed and stored in the text buffer. A later change in format for the same page of the job is handled by keying new format information. This results in new printer tab, etc., settings. This new format information is also stored in the text buffer. Upon later recording onto a magnetic card, all format information is stored on the card along with the text. Also, the last format information recorded on the card is written into a format buffer. This last format information will remain in control until new format information is keyed and stored for a subsequent page. Thus, a history of format information from a previous card will be preserved in the event editing of text overlapping two consecutive cards becomes necessary.

Automatic format control for text printing system

A system for merging data flow having a typewriter electronically connected to a buffer, which is a dynamic electronic shift register, for inputting data into sections of the buffer and for merging the data in the sections into a single printout. System control logic is provided to allow (1) a separator, or partition, code to be input into the buffer for defining sections (2) codes corresponding to hold and operation flags to be input into the sections, and (3) text data codes corresponding to characters and switching and/or stopping points to be input into the sections. In addition, the system control logic is operable to allow the operator to insert characters into and delete characters from the sections of the buffer for text editing and revision. The sectioned buffer formed by the input of a separator code, or flag, can also be in electronic association with a record reader, or reader-recorder, such that the operator, by depressing a section store button and operating an alternate section button, can store the contents of records such as cards, tapes, etc., into the desired section of the buffer. With the codes and characters stored in the buffer, the section containing the first text to be printed is addressed, printout is initiated from the operation flag and continues until a switch code is encountered. Then the positions of the hold and operation flags contained in the two different sections are automatically exchanged and printout continues in the other section from the operation flag with the result being the merging of text stored in the sections.

System for merging data flow

A system for printing a plurality of sequentially stored text columns in a side-by-side format. Corresponding lines from each column are printed out on a print line in operator defined locations. After a line from one of the columns is printed on a print line, the carrier caused to escape, and any corresponding lines from succeeding columns are printed on the same line prior to causing a printer carrier return.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Michael Eudell McBride