US3702007A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Table driven program
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1970-12-07
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1990-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A new decision table and method of using the decision table with data processing apparatus are disclosed. A general purpose driver is provided for executing various decision tables. When a problem program reaches the point where a decision table is to be executed, the problem program calls the driver and identifies the selected decision table. The condition stub of the decision table includes a series of instructions from which the driver forms a condition mask. The driver selects the appropriate action according to the condition mask and a set of rules and an action stub in the decision table. The action may comprise a single instruction or series of related instructions or several independent instruction or groups of instructions.
Inventors
- 👤 Roderic A Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:24
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/448; G06F9/4482; G06F9/4484; G06F9/4486
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of operating in a data processing system to select from an action stub predetermined problem program instructions corresponding to the one of a set of predetermined problem program rules matching a set of input conditions expressed as multi-bit inputs and a condition stub having a set of problem program instructions for organizing said inputs as a condition mask comparable in organization with said rules, comprising, first, isolating said problem program to prevent modification, executing the instructions of said condition stub to form a condition mask, comparing said condition mask and said rules to identify the matching rule, executing said corresponding actions, and returning to said problem program.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of operating in a data processing system to select from an action stub predetermined problem program instructions corresponding to the one of a set of predetermined problem program rules matching a set of input conditions expressed as multi-bit inputs and a condition stub having a set of problem program instructions for organizing said inputs as a condition mask comparable in organization with said rules, comprising, first, isolating said problem program to prevent modification, executing the instructions of said condition stub to form a condition mask, comparing said condition mask and said rules to identify the matching rule, executing said corresponding actions, and returning to said problem program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said method is initiated by the step in said problem program of calling a program operating according to said method, and identifying said decision table.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method defined in claim 2 wherein said step of executing said instructions of said condition stub to form a condition mask comprises isolating a next instruction of said condition stub, executing said instruction to test the corresponding portion of said input, and forming a next bit of said condition mask in response to the results of said testing step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method defined in claim 3 wherein said step of executing said instruction to test a portion of said input comprises as part of said program, moving a next instruction from said condition stub to a save area, and executing said saved instruction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said rules comprise a care mask, a rule mask, and an action mask, and said step of comparing said condition mask and said rules includes combining a next entry of said care mask and said rule mask to form a logical AND function and comparing said AND function and said condition mask to detect a match.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
147 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said condition stub contains a distinct last instruction and said step of executing said instructions of said condition stub to form a condition mask includes, shifting a register one bit position to the left and entering a right most binary 0, transferring the next instruction of the condition stub to a save area, testing the instruction for said distinct instruction, executing the instruction if it is not said distinct instruction, testing the results of the execution of the instruction, adding a binary 1 to said register iN response to a predetermined result of said test and not adding a binary 1 to said register in the absence of said predetermined result, transferring the next instruction to said save area for a next instruction, and beginning said step of comparing said condition mask and said rules when said distinct instruction is found.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |