Multi-counter register

Abstract

At the general area of a set of BCD counter means, each to contain individual accumulated counts, a system, called a multi-counter register, is generally located for its use that permits the individual reading of the counter means in a selective mode by local readout means at the general area or by a computer at a remote area by the use of a small number of address channels extending from the location of the counter means to the computer. The multi-counter register includes data storage means, having inputs to receive digital information and having outputs to transmit that digital information, sets of gate means that are connected in parallel at their outputs to these inputs of the storage means and that have their inputs connectable to different BCD counter means, means responsive to signals, including signals providing digital information, to enable selectively one of said sets of gate means so that the BCD counter means connected to that enabled set of gate means is operatively connected to said inputs of said data storage means for transfer of digital information from that BCD counter means to said storage means when it can be loaded, said signal-responsive means being operatively connected to said sets of gate means, and means to provide at least one signal to another input of said storage means so that it can be loaded at said inputs, connected to said sets of gate means, with the digital information in that BCD counter means connected to that set of gate means enabled by said signal-responsive means, said signal-providing means being operatively connected to said another input of said storage means. In one construction of the invention, in which there is selection and readout by a computer, the information entered into the storage means of the multi-counter register from one of the counter means is transmittted serially to the computer. Illustratively in that construction the storage means is shift register means. In another construction of the invention the information is transmitted in a parallel manner from the storage means of the multi-counter register to the computer. Illustratively in that construction the storage means includes data latch means. The system, when having computer selection and readout, can include local readout means. In that case, there are means for manual interrogation of any desired counter means and means to prevent the operation of the manual interrogation during the operation by the computer of the multi-counter register through the operations of enabling selected sets of gate means by the signal-responsive means, enabling the storage means to be loaded with information in the counter means, and transmitting the digital information to the computer.