Information storage and retrieval system

A method, utilizing a digital data processing system having a memory system, for creating a digital coded multiple layer data base in such memory system comprising the steps of:

• a. forming, in a desired order of occurrence, and as input, a plurality of coded event signals, at least some event signals representing the same event and at least one event signal representing an event which is different from another, said event signals representing, in order of occurrence, a plurality of first level entries, said first level entries representing, in order of occurrence, at least one second level entry, some of said first level entries being the same and at least one being different;
• b. forming a first entry delimiter signal indicating a boundary among said event signals of each said first level entry;
• c. forming a second entry delimiter signal indicating a boundary among said first level entries of each said second level entry;
• d. forming a first event-time indication representing the order of occurrence of each said event signal and each said first entry delimiter signal;
• e. forming a second event-time indication representing the order of occurrence of each first entry signal and each said second delimiter signal;
• and
• f. entering the memory system a stored multi layered data base representing said input comprising the steps of
• 1. forming a first data base layer comprising the step of storing said memory system a retrievable first layer vector signal corresponding to each said different valued event signal and said first delimiter signal and including the step of forming in each said first layer vector signal a representation of those first event-time indications which represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding valued event signals or said first delimiter signals;
• and
• 2. forming a second data base layer comprising the step of storing in said memory system a plurality of retrievable second layer vector signals, those first level entries which are the same having a corresponding second layer vector signal and entries which are different each having a different corresponding second layer vector signal, at least one second level vector signal being included for said second delimiter, and including the step of forming in each said second layer vector signal a representation of those second event-time indications which represent the order of occurrence of the corrsponding first level entries.

A method, utilizing a digital data processing system having a memory system, for creating a digital coded multiple layer data base in such memory system comprising the steps of:

• a. forming, in a desired order of occurrence, and as input, a plurality of coded event signals, at least some event signals representing the same event and at least one event signal representing an event which is different from another, said event signals representing, in order of occurrence, a plurality of first level entries, said first level entires representing, in order of occurrence, at least one second level entry, some of said first level entries being the same and at least one being different, said event signals including at least one representing, for each first level entry, a first delimiter and including at least one representing, for each second level entry, a second delimiter;
• b. forming a first event-time indication representing the order of occurrence of each said event signal including those representing said first entry delimiter;
• c. forming a second event-time indication representing the order of occurrence of each first entry signal including those representing said second delimiter;
• and
• d. entering in the memory system a stored multi layered data base representing said input comprising the steps of
• 1. forming a first data base layer comprising the step of storing in said memory system a retrievable first layer vector signal corresponding to each said different valued event signal and for said first delimiter event signal and including the step of forming in each said first layer vector signal a representation of those first event-time indications which represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding valued event signals or said first delimiter event signals;
• and
• 2. forming a second data base layer comprising the step of storing in said memory system a plurality of retrievable second layer vector signals, those first level entries which are the same having a corresponding second layer vector signal and entries which are different each having a different corresponding second layer vector signal, at least one second level vector signal being included for said second delimiter event signals, and including the step of forming in each said second layer vector signal a representation of those second event-time indications which represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding first level entries or second entry delimiter signals.

A method, utilizing a digital data processing system having a memory system, for structuring a digital coded data base in such memory system comprising the steps of:

• a. forming ordered and coded input event signals representing first and second level entries, one or more input event signals representing a first level entry and one or more first level entries representing events in the second level entry, said input event signals and first level entries each including some which are the same and some which are different;
• b. forming a first event-time count representing the order of occurrence of individual ones of said input event signals;
• c. forming a second event-time count representing the order of occurrence of individual ones of said first level entries;
• and
• d. entering in the memory system a stored data base representing said input event signals comprising the steps of
• 1. forming a first layer comprising the step of
• a. forming a first layer event signal representative of those of said input event signals which represent the same value, a different first layer event signal being formed for input event signals representing different values;
• b. selecting a first storage area in the memory system corresponding to each said different input event signal;
• and
• c. selectively storing in each said first storage area a first layer vector signal which represents said first event-time counts for those of said input event signals which correspond to such first storage area, the selectively storing step being arranged to store only those first level entries not previously stored in the first layer and comprising the step of testing a first level entry to determine if the first event-time count for each one of the input event signals making up a first level entry is already represented in said stored first layer vector signals, and said step of selective storing, storing one or more vector signals representing only those first event-time counts which correspond to a first level entry which does not pass the last mentioned test;
• and
• 2. forming a second layer comprising the steps of
• a. forming a second layer event signal representative of those first level entries which represent the same value, a different second layer event signal being formed for each different valued first level entry;
• b. selecting a second storage area in said memory system corresponding to each one of said first level entries which differs from the others;
• and
• c. storing in each said second storage area a second level vector signal which represents said second event-time counts for those of said first level entries which correspond to such second storage area.

A method, utilizing a digital data processing system having a memory system, for structuring a digital coded data base in such memory system and for retrieving comprising the steps of:

• a. forming different input events for the data base;
• b. converting each input event to a unique input event signal in an input code, the input event signals representing first and second level entries, one or more input event signals representing a first level entry and one or more first level entries representing events in the second level entry;
• c. creating a data base in the memory system including the steps of
• 1. forming a first and a second event-time count representing the order of occurrence of, respectively, said input event signals and said first level entries;
• and
• 2. entering in the memory system a stored data base representing said input event signals comprising the steps of
• a. forming a first layer comprising the steps of
• 1. forming a first layer event signal representative of those of said input event signals which represent the same value, a different first layer event signal being formed for input event signals representing different values, and
• 2. selectively storing in said memory system a first layer vector signal corresponding to each said different valued input event signal, each said first layer vector signal representing the first event-time counts for the corresponding valued input event signal, the selectively storing comprising the steps of
• a. testing to determine if the first event-time count for each one of the input event signals making up a first level entry is already represented in said stored first layer vector signals, and
• b. enabling the selectively storing step for a first layer entry which does not pass the last mentioned test, and
• b. forming a second layer comprising the steps of
• 1. forming a second layer event signal representative of those first level entries which represent the same value, a different second layer event signal being formed for each different valued first level entry, and
• 2. storing in said memory system a second layer vector signal corresponding to each said different valued first level entry, each said second layer vector signal representing the second event-time counts for the corresponding valued first level entry;
• d. retrieving selected data from the data base including the steps of
• 1. forming a request represented by a plurality of request event signals which request may be stored in the data base,
• 2. forming a request event time signal for each said request event signal which together represent the relative order of occurrence of said request event signals,
• 3. utilizing said request event signals and request event time signals to interrogate the memory system and locate stored data including the request, and
• 4. forming an ordered set of layer event signals representing the located data;
• e. converting each said last formed layer event signal to an output event signal coded in the input code;
• and
• f. outputting the output event signals.

A method, utilizing a digital data processing system having a memory system, for structuring a digital coded data base in such memory system and for retrieving therefrom comprising the steps of:

• a. forming different input data events for the data base;
• b. converting each input data event to a unique input event signal in an input code;
• c. creating a data base in the memory system including the steps of
• 1. forming for each input event signal an event time indication which represents its relative order of occurrence;
• 2 interrogating the input event signal and forming a uniquely coded layer event signal for each different input event signal;
• 3. responding to the event time indication and the layer event signals for forming in the memory system a data base file which comprises a separately locatable event vector signal for each different layer event signal and including the step of forming in each such event vector signal a representation of those event-time indications which represent the order of occurrence of its layer event signal;
• d. retrieving selected data from the data base including the steps of
• 1. utilizing said request event signals and request event-time signals for locating the event vector signal in the data base in the memory system which represents the same event-time value as each event-time signal to be output;
• and
• 2. for each one of the plurality of event-time signals to be output forming the layer event signal which corresponds to the event vector signal that has been located;
• e. converting each said layer event signal to an output event signal coded in the input code;
• and
• f. outputting the output event signals.

A method, utilizing a digital data processing system having a memory system, for structuring a digital coded data base in such memory system and for retrieving portions of the data base, the structuring comprising the steps of:

• a. forming, in order of occurrence, a plurality of coded input event signals representing first and second level entries, one or more input event signals representing a first level entry and one or more first level entries representing events in the second level entry, said input event signals and first level entries each including some representing the same and some representing different values;
• b. forming a first event-time count representing the order of occurrence of individual ones of said input event signals;
• c. forming a second event-time count representing the order of occurrence of individual ones of said first level entries;
• and
• d. entering in the memory system a stored data base representing said input event signals comprising the steps of
• 1. forming a first layer comprising the steps of
• a. forming a first layer event signal representative of those of said input event signals which represent the same value, a different first layer event signal being formed for input event signals representing different values, and
• b. selectively storing in said memory system a first layer vector signal corresponding to each said different valued input event signal, each said first layer vector signal representing the first event-time counts for the corresponding input event signal, the selectively storing step being arranged to store only those first level entries not previously stored in the first layer and comprising the steps of
• 1. testing a first level entry to determine if the first event-time count for each one of the input event signals making up a first level entry is already represented in said stored first layer vector signals, and
• said step of selective storing, storing one or more vector signals representing only those first event-time counts which correspond to a first level entry which does not pass the last mentioned test, and
• 2. forming a second layer comprising the steps of
• a. forming a second layer event signal representative of each of a plurality of first level entries, a different second layer event signal being formed for each different first level entry, and
• b. storing in said memory system a second layer vector signal corresponding to each said different first level entry, each said second layer vector signal representing the second event-time count for the corresponding first level entry.

A digital data processing system having a memory, means for creating a digital coded multiple layer data base in such memory comprising:

• a. means for receiving, in a desired order of occurrence, and as input, a plurality of coded event signals, at least some event signals representing the same event and at least one event signal representing an event which is different from another one, said event signals, together, representing a sequence of entries, some of said entries being the same and at least one being different;
• b. means for forming a first and a second event-time indication, respectively, for each said event signal and for each said entry, representing the order of occurrence thereof;
• and
• c. means for entering in the memory system a stored multi layered data base representing said input comprising
• 1. means for forming a first data base layer comprising means for storing in said memory retrievable first layer event-time signals representing the first event-time indications and which represent the order of occurrence of the event signals;
• and
• 2. means for forming a second data base layer comprising means for storing in said memory retrievable second layer event-time signals which represent the second event-time indications and which represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding entries.

A digital data processing system having a memory system, for creating a digital coded multiple layer data base in such memory system comprising:

• a. means for forming, in a desired order of occurrence, and as input, a plurality of coded event signals, at least some event signals representing the same event and at least one event signal representing an event which is different from another, said event signals representing, in order of occurrence, a plurality of first level entries, said first level entries representing, in order of occurrence, at least one second level entry, some of said first level entries being the same and at least one being different;
• b. means for forming a first entry delimiter signal indicating a boundary among said event signals of each said first level entry;
• c. means for forming a second entry delimiter signal indicating a boundary among said first level entries of each said second level entry;
• d. means for forming a first event-time indication representing the order of occurrence of each said event signal and each said first entry delimiter signal;
• e. means for forming a second event-time indication representing the order of occurrence of each first entry signal and each said second delimiter signal;
• and
• f. means for entering in the memory system a stored multi layered data base representing said input and comprising
• 1. means for forming a first data base layer comprising means for storing in said memory system a retrievable first layer vector signal corresponding to each said different valued event signal and said first delimiter signal and including means for forming in each said first layer vector signal a representation of those first event-time indications which represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding valued event signals or said first delimiter signals;
• and
• 2. means for forming a second data base layer comprising means for storing in said memory system a plurality of retrievable second layer vector signals, those first level entries which are the same having a corresponding second layer vector signal and entries which are different each having a different corresponding second layer vector signal, at least one second level vector signal being included for said second delimiter, and means for forming in each said second layer vector signal a representation of those second event-time indications which represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding first level entries or second entry delimiter.

A digital data processing system having a memory system, for creating a digital coded multiple layer data base in such memory system comprising:

• a. means for forming, in a desired order of occurrence, and as input, a plurality of coded event signals, at least some event signals representing the same event and at least one event signal representing an event which is different from another, said event signals representing, in order of occurrence, a plurality of first level entries, said first level entries representing, in order of occurrence, at least one second level entry, some of said first level entries being the same and at least one being different, said event signals including at least one representing, for each first level entry, a first delimiter and including at least one representing, for each second level entry, a second delimiter;
• b. means for forming a first event-time indication representing the order of occurrence of each said event signal including those representing said first entry delimiter;
• c. means for forming a second event-time indication representing the order of occurrence of each first entry signal including those representing said second delimiter;
• and
• d. means for entering in the memory system a stored multi layered data base representing said input comprising
• 1. means for forming a first data base layer comprising means for storing in said memory system a retrievable first layer vector signal corresponding to each said different valued event signal and for said first delimiter event signal and including the step of forming in each said first layer vector signal a representation of those first event-time indications which represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding valued event signals or said first delimiter event signals;
• and
• 2. means for forming a second data base layer comprising means for storing in said memory system a plurality of retrievable second layer vector signals, those first level entries which are the same having a corresponding second layer vector signal and entries which are different each having a different corresponding second layer vector signal, at least one second level vector signal being included for said second delimiter event signals, and including means for forming in each said second layer vector signal a representation of those second event-time indications which represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding first level entries or second entry delimiter signals.

A digital data processing system having a memory system, for structuring a digital coded data base in such memory system comprising:

• a. means for forming ordered and coded input event signals representing first and second level entries, one or more input event signals representing a first level entry and one or more first level entries representing events in the second level entry, said input event signals and first level entries each including some which are the same and some which are different;
• b. means for forming a first event-time count representing the order of occurrence of individual ones of said input event signals;
• c. means for forming a second event-time count representing the order of occurrence of individual ones of said first level entries;
• and
• d. means for entering in the memory system a stored data base representing said input event signals comprising
• 2. means for forming a first layer comprising
• a. means for forming a first layer event signal representative of those of said input event signals which represent the same value, a different first layer event signal being formed for input event signals representing different values;
• b. means for selecting a first storage area in the memory system corresponding to each said different input event signal;
• and
• c. means for selectively storing in each said first storage area a first layer vector signal which represents said first event-time counts for those of said input event signals which correspond to such first storage area, the means for selectively storing comprising means for storing only those first level entries not previously stored in the first layer and means for testing a first level entry to determine if the first event-time count for each one of the input event signals making up a first level entry is already represented in said stored first layer vector signals, and said means for selective storing comprising storing means for one or more vector signals representing only those first event-time counts which correspond to a first level entry which does not pass the last mentioned test;
• and
• 2. means for forming a second layer comprising
• a. means for forming a second layer event signal representative of those first level entries which represent the same value, a different second layer event signal being formed for each different valued first level entry;
• b. means for selecting a second storage area in said memory system corresponding to each one of said first level entries which differs from the others;
• and
• c. means for storing in each said second storage area a second level vector signal which represents said second event-time counts for those of said first level entries which correspond to such second storage area.

A digital data processing system having a memory system, for structuring a digital coded data base in such memory system and for retrieving therefrom comprising:

• a. means for forming different input events for the data base;
• b. means for converting each input event to a unique input event signal in an input code, the coded input event signals representing first and second level entries, one or more input event signals representing a first level entry and one or more first level entries representing events in the second level entry;
• c. means for creating a data base in the memory system comprising
• 1. means for forming a first and a second event-time count representing the order of occurrence of, respectively, said input event signals and said first level entries;
• and
• 2. means for entering in the memory system a stored data base representing said input event signals comprising
• a. means for forming a first layer comprising
• 1. means for forming a first layer event signal representative of those of said input event signals which represent the same value, a different first layer event signal being formed for input event signals representing different values, and
• 2. means for selectively storing in said memory system a first layer vector signal corresponding to each said different valued input event signal, each said first layer vector signal representing the first event-time counts for the corresponding valued input event signal, the means for selectively storing comprising
• a. means for testing to determine if the first event-time count for each one of the input event signals making up a first level entry is already represented in said stored first layer vector signals, and
• b. means for enabling the means for selectively storing for a first layer entry which does not pass the last mentioned test, and
• b. means for forming a second layer comprising
• 1. means for forming a second layer event signal representative of those first level entries which represent the same value, a different second layer event signal being formed for each different valued first level entry, and
• 2. means for storing in said memory system a second layer vector signal corresponding to each said different valued first level entry, each said second layer vector signal representing the second event-time counts for the corresponding valued first level entry;
• d. means for retrieving selected data from the data base comprising
• 1. means for forming a request represented by a plurality of request event signals which request maybe stored in the data base,
• 2. means for forming a request event-time signal for each said request event signal which together represent the relative order of occurrence of said request event signals,
• 3. means for utilizing said request event signals and request event time signals to interrogate the memory system and locate stored data including the request, and
• 4. means for forming an ordered set of layer event signals representing the located data;
• e. means for converting each said last formed layer event signal to an output event signal coded in the input code;
• and
• f. means for outputting the output event signals.

A digital data processing system having a memory system for structuring a digital coded data base in such memory system and for retrieving therefrom comprising:

• a. means for forming different input data events for the data base;
• b. means for converting each input data event to a unique input event signal in an input code;
• c. means for creating a data base in the memory system comprising
• 1. means for forming for each input event signal an event-time indication which represents its relative order of occurrence;
• 2. means for interrogating the input event signal and forming a uniquely coded layer event signal for each different input event signal;
• 3. means for responding to the event-time indication and the layer event signals for forming in the memory system a data base file which comprises a separately locatable event vector signal for each different layer event signal and comprising means for forming in each such event vector signal a representation of those event-time indications which represent the order of occurrence of its layer event signal;
• d. means for retrieving selected data from the data base comprising
• 1. means for utilizing said request event signals and request event-time signals for locating the event vector signal in the data base in the memory system which represents the same event-time value as each event-time signal to be output;
• and
• 2. means, operative for each one of the plurality of event-time signals to be output, for forming the layer event signal which corresponds to the event vector signal that has been located;
• e. means for converting each said layer event signal to an output event signal coded in the input code;
• and
• f. means for outputting the output event signals.

A digital data processing system, having a memory system, for structuring a digital coded data base in such memory system and for retrieving therefrom comprising:

• a. means for forming, in order of occurrence, a plurality of coded input event signals representing first and second level entries, one or more input event signals representing a first level entry and one or more first level entries representing events in the second level entry, said input event signals and first level entries each including some representing the same and some representing different values;
• b. means for forming a first event-time count representing the order of occurrence of individual ones of said input event signals;
• c. means for forming a second event-time count representing the order of occurrence of individual ones of said first level entries;
• and
• d. means for entering in the memory system a stored data base representing said input event signals comprising
• 1. means for forming a first layer comprising
• a. means for forming a first layer event signal representative of those of said input event signals which represent the same value, a different first layer event signal being formed for input event signals representing different values, and
• b. means for selectively storing in said memory system a first layer vector signal corresponding to each said different valued input event signal, each said first layer vector signal representing the first event-time counts for the corresponding input event signal, means for selectively storing comprising means for storing only those first level entries not previously stored in the first layer and comprising
• 1. means for testing a first level entry to determine if the first event-time count for each one of the input event signals making up a first level entry is already represented in said stored first layer vector signals, and
• said means for selective storing comprising means for storing one or more vector signals representing only those first event-time counts which correspond to a first level entry which does not pass the last mentioned test, and
• 2. means for forming a second layer comprising
• a. means for forming a second layer event signal representative of each of a plurality of first level entries, a different second layer event signal being formed for each different first level entry, and
• b. means for storing in said memory system a second layer vector signal corresponding to each said different first level entry, each said second layer vector signal representing the second event-time count for the corresponding first level entry.

A method, utilizing a digital data processing system having a memory system, for creating and retrieving a digital coded multiple layer data base in such memory system comprising the steps of:

• a. forming, in a desired order of occurrence, and as input, a plurality of coded event signals, at least some event signals representing the same event and at least one event signal representing an event which is different from another one, said event signals, together, representing a sequence of entries, some of said entries being the same and at least one being different;
• b. forming a first and a second event-time indication, respectively, for each said event signal and each said entry, representing the order of occurrence thereof;
• c. entering in the memory system a stored multi layered data base representing said input comprising the steps of
• 1. forming a first data base layer representing the first event-time indications;
• and
• 2. forming a second data base layer representing the second event-time indications which in turn represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding first layer entries;
• d. retrieving from the first data base layer comprising the step of forming event signals corresponding to selected first event-time indications represented by the first data base layer;
• and
• e. selectively retrieving from the second data base layer comprising the steps of
• 1. forming a second level event identification signal, and thereby identify a corresponding first level entry, corresponding to selected second event-time indications represented in the second data base layer;
• and
• 2. selecting the first event-time indications for use in the step of retrieving from the first data base layer including the step of selecting first event-time indications, represented in the first layer, which are within the first level entries that are identified by such formed second level event identification signal.

A digital data processor having a memory system, for creating and retrieving a digital coded multiple layer data base in such memory system comprising:

• a. means for forming, in a desired order of occurrence, and as input, a plurality of coded event signals, at least some event signals representing the same event and at least one event signal representing an event which is different from another one, said event signals, together, representing a sequence of entries, some of said entries being the same and at least one being different;
• b. means for forming a first and a second event-time indication, respectively, for each said event signal and each said entry, representing the order of occurrences thereof;
• c. means for entering in the memory system a stored multi layered data base representing said input comprising
• 1. means for forming a first data base layer representing the first event-time indications;
• and
• 2. means for forming a second data base layer representing second event-time indications which in turn represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding first layer entries;
• d. means for retrieving from the first data base layer comprising means for forming event signals corresponding to those selected first event-time indications represented by the first data base layer;
• and
• e. means for selectively retrieving from the second data base layer comprising:
• 1. means for forming a second level event identification signal, and thereby identify a corresponding first level entry, corresponding to selected second event-time indications represented in the second data base layer;
• and
• 2. means for selecting those first event-time indications for use by the means for retrieving from the first data base layer including means for selecting first event-time indications, represented in the first layer, which are within the first level entries that are identified by such formed second level event identification signal.

A data processing method of retrieving, from a memory system, data which is contained in a multiple layered data base, each layer representing an ordered sequence of events and entries in which one or more events represent each entry, in each layer some events being the same and at least one being different, each layer comprising a plurality of separately retrievable event-time signals representing an event-time value for each occurrence of the events which identify the order of occurrence of the events, said data base comprising at least first and second layers, each of a plurality of events in said second layer having a different corresponding entry in said first layer, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming at least one second layer entry identification signal designating a selected second layer entry;
• b. generating a first layer entry identification signal designating each first layer entry which corresponds to event-time values represented in the designated second layer entry;
• and
• c. generating first layer event signals corresponding to the event-time values which are represented in the designated first layer entries.

A data processing method of retrieving, from a memory system, data which is contained in a multiple layered data base, each layer representing a sequence of entries, each entry having a sequence of events, some events being the same and at least one being different, said data base comprising at least first and second layers each being represented by a plurality of separately retrievable event-time signals, each said retrievable event-time signal representing at least one event-time value which in turn represents the order of occurrence of the corresponding events in the entries, each of a plurality of events n said second layer having a corresponding entry in said first layer, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. interrogating selected first layer event-time signals to form at least one first layer entry identification signal which designates event-time values in the second layer;
• b. interrogating the designated event-time values in the second layer to form at least one second layer entry identification signal;
• c. generating first layer entry identification signals designating the first layer entries which correspond to the second layer event-time values which are represented by event-time values in the designated second layer entry;
• and
• d. generating the first layer event signals corresponding to the first layer event-time values in the identified first layer entries.

A data processing method of retrieving, from a memory system, data which is contained in a multiple layered data base, each layer representing a sequence of entries, each entry having a sequence of events, some events being the same and at least one being different, said data base comprising at least first and second layers each being represented by a plurality of separately retrievable event-time signals, each said retrievable event-time signal representing at least one event-time value which in turn represents the order of occurrence of the corresponding event in the entries, each of a plurality of events in said second layer having a corresponding entry in said first layer, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming a request comprising at least one first layer event signal which designates at least one event-time value represented by the first layer event-time signal;
• b. interrogating the designated event-time values in the first layer to form at least one first layer entry identification signal which designates at least one second layer event;
• c. interrogating the designated event in the second layer to form at least one second layer entry identification signal;
• d. generating a first layer entry identification signal designating the first layer entries which correspond to second layer event-time values in the designated second layer entry;
• and
• e. generating a first layer event signal for output corresponding to each of the first event-time values represented in the designated first layer entry.

A data processing method of retrieving, from a memory system, data which is contained in a multiple layered data base, the data base representing a sequence of second level entries, each second level entry representing at least one first level entry, each first level entry representing at least one event, some first level entries being the same and at least one being different, some events being the same and at least one being different, the events including a first delimiter identifying a boundary of each first level entry and a second delimiter identifying a boundary of each second level entry, said data base comprising at least a first layer corresponding to said first level entries and a second layer corresponding to said second level entries, each layer being represented by a plurality of separately retrievable vector signals one for each different event of the corresponding layer, each said retrievable vector signal representing at least one event-time value which in turn represents the order of occurrence of the corresponding event, a vector signal being provided in said first layer for said first delimiter event and a vector signal being provided in said second layer for said second delimiter event, the data base events and first level entries forming the events and entries, respectively, in said first layer and the first level entries and second level entries forming the events and entries, respectively, in said second layer, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming a signal designating a desired second layer entry;
• b. utilizing event-time values in the second delimiter vector signal to locate the event-time values in the designated second layer entry of the second layer;
• c. generating a first layer entry identification signal designating each first layer entry which corresponds to a second layer vector signal which represents at least one of the located event-time values;
• d. utilizing the event-time values in the first delimiter vector signal to locate the event-time values in the designated first layer entry of the first layer;
• and
• e. generating a first layer event signal corresponding to each first layer vector signal which represents one of the located event-time values.

A data processing method of retrieving, from a memory system, data which is contained in a stored layered data base, said data base comprising at least first and second layers, each said first and second layer being represented by retrievable event-time signals representing one or more event-time values which in turn represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding events in the data base, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming events representing a request, the request being composed of a series of entries, a plurality of events representing a first level entry, a plurality of first level entries representing a second level entry;
• b. forming a first layer event coded signal representing each said request event in order of occurrence;
• c. selecting and retrieving event-time signals from the first layer;
• d. interrogating the retrieved event-time signals to form at least one first layer entry identification signal representing at least one entry in said first layer and identifying event-time values represented in the second layer event-time signals;
• e. selecting and retrieving the second layer event-time signals which represents the identified first layer event-time values;
• f. interrogating the event-time values represented by the retrieved second layer event-time signals to form at least one second layer entry identification signal;
• g. generating first layer entry identification signals for output representing the first layer entries which, according to event-time values of the second layer, are present in a second layer entry which is identified by said at least one second layer entry identification signal, the first layer entry identification signals for output being arranged in order of occurrence in the second layer of the data base as represented by event-time values of the second layer;
• h. generating first layer event coded signals for output representing the first layer events which, according to the event-time values of the first layer, are present in first layer entries of the data base which are identified by said first layer entry identification signals;
• i. ordering the first layer event coded signals for output in order of occurrence, within each first layer entry, as represented by the event-time values of the first layer, ordering the entries thereof in order of occurrence as represented by event-time values of the second layer;
• and
• j. outputting said first layer event coded signals for output.

A data processing means for retrieving, from a memory system, data which is contained in the multiple layered data base, each layer representing an ordered sequence of events and entries in which one or more events represent each entry, in each layer some events being the same and at least one being different, each layer comprising a plurality of separately retrievable event-time signals representing an event-time value for each occurrence of events which identify the order of occurrence of the events, said data base comprising at least first and second layers, each of a plurality of events in said second layer having a different corresponding entry in said first layer, the processing means comprising:

• a. means for forming at least one second layer entry identification signal designating a selected second layer entry;
• b. means for generating a first layer entry identification signal designating each first layer entry which corresponds to event-time values represented in the designated second layer entry;
• and
• c. means for generating first layer event signals corresponding to the event-time values which are represented in the designated first layer entries.

Data processing means for retrieving, from a memory system, data which is contained in a multiple layered data base, each layer representing a sequence of entries, each entry having a sequence of events, some events being the same and at least one being different, said data base comprising at least first and second layers each being represented by a plurality of separately retrievable event-time signals, each said retrievable evnt-time signal representing at least one event-time value which in turn represents the order of occurrence of the corresponding events in the entries, each of a plurality of events in said second layer having a corresponding entry in said first layer, the data processing means comprising:

• a. means for interrogating selected first layer event-time signals to form at least one first layer entry identification signal which designates event-time values in the second layer;
• b. means for interrogating the designated event-time values in the second layer to form at least one second layer entry identification signal;
• c. means for generating first layer entry identification signal designating the first layer entries which correspond to the second layer event-time values which are represented by event-time values in the designated second layer entry;
• and
• d. means for generating the first layer event signals corresponding to the first layer event-time values in the identified first layer entries.

Data processing means for retrieving, from a memory system, data which is contained in a multiple layered data base, each layer representing a sequence of entries, each entry having a sequence of events, some events being the same and at least one being different, said data base comprising at least first and second layers each being represented by a plurality of separately retrievable event-time signals each said retrievable event-time signal representing at least one event-time value which in turn represents the order of occurrence of the corresponding event in the entries, each of a plurality of events in said second layer having a corresponding entry in said first layer, the data processing means comprising:

• a. means for forming a request comprising at least one first layer event signal which designates at least one event-time value represented by the first layer event-time signal;
• b. means for interrogating the designated event-time value in the first layer to form at least one first layer entry identification signal which designates at least one second layer event-time signal;
• c. means for interrogating the designated event in the second layer to form at least one second layer entry identification signal;
• d. means for generating a first layer entry identification signal designating the first layer entries which correspond tosecond layer event-time value in the designated second layer entry;
• and
• e. means for generating a first layer event signal for output corresponding to each of the first event-time values represented in the designated first layer entry.

A data processing method of retrieving, from a memory system, a portion of a stored data base, the data base being represented by retrievable event-time signals which represent event-time values which in turn represent the order of occurrence for corresponding events in the stored data base, the event-time values representing the order of occurrence of events which make up a series of entries each containing at least one event, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming a request comprising a series of coded event signals representing the events of an entry;
• b. interrogating selected event-time values represented in the data base to locate a data base entry containing event-time values which represent events having a selectable predetermined degree of match with the events represented by the event signals of the request and forming an entry identification signal identifying such data base entry;
• and
• c. generating coded event signals for output representing the events which, according to data base event-time values, are present in the entry of the data base which is identified by said entry identification signal, said event signals for output being arranged in order of occurrence as represented by event-time values in such entry.

A data processing method of retrieving, from a memory system, a portion of a stored data base, the data base being represented by retrievable event-time signals which represent event-time values which in turn represent the order of occurrence for correspondng events in the stored data base, the evetnt-time values representing the order of occurrence of events which make up a series of entries each containing at least one event, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming a request comprising a series of coded event signals representing the events of an entry;
• b. forming at least one further coded signal representing the relative order of occurrence of individual event signals in the entry of the request;
• c. interrogating selected event-time values represented in the data base and utilizing said further coded signals in locating a data base entry containing event-time values which represent events having a predeterimed degree of match with the events represented by the event signals of the request and forming an entry identification signal identifying such data base entry;
• and
• d. generating coded event signals for output representing the events which, according to data base event-time values, are present in the entry of the data base which is identified by said entry identification signal, said event signals for output being arranged in order of occurrence as represented by event-time values in such entry.

A data processing method of retrieving, from a memory system, a portion of a stored data base, the data base being represented by a separately retrievable vector signal for each one of a plurality of different valued events, events of the same value being represented by the same retrievable vector signal, each said vector signal representing at least one event-time value each of which in turn represents the order of occurrence of the corresponding event in the stored data base, the vector signals representing a series of entries each containing at least one event, at least one vector signal having event-time values which identify the order of occurrence of a delimiter event, an identified delimiter event defining a boundary of each of said entries, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming a request comprising a series of coded event signals representing the events of an entry;
• b. forming at least one further coded signal representing the relative order of occurrence of individual event signals in the entry of the request;
• c. interrogating selected vector signals, which correspond to the events of the request, and comprising the step of utilizing said further coded signals and event-time values from the delimiter event vector signal in locating an entry containing event-time values which represent events having a predetermined degree of match with the events represented by the event signal of the request and forming an entry identification signal identifying such entry;
• and
• d. generating coded event signals for output representing the event which, according to data base event-time values, are present in the entry of the data base which is identified by said entry identification signal, said event signals for output arranged in order of occurrence as represented by event-time values in such entry.

A data processing method of retrieving, from a memory system, a portion of a stored data base, the data base being represented by retrievable event-time signals which represent event-time values which in turn represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding events in the stored data base, the event-time signals representing the order of occurrence of events which make up a series of entries each containing at least one event, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming a request comprising a series of coded event signals representing the events of an entry;
• b. forming at least one signal identifying an allowable degree of match between the events of the request and the events of an entry in the data base;
• c. locating a data base entry containing event-time values which represent events which either exactly or inexactly match the events of the request, comprising the steps of:
• 1. interrogating selected data base event-time values for locating at least one data base entry which has at least a predetermined number of event-time values representing events positioned within a preselected number of event positions relative to the same events in the request,
• 2. forming an intermediate entry identification signal identifying said at least one data base entry,
• 3. further interrogating, within the data base entry identified by said at least one intermediate entry identification signal to locate a data base entry which has at least a preselected degree of match, as to order and presence of events, with the entry of the request, and
• 4. forming an entry identification signal representing the last located data base entry;
• and
• d. generating coded event signals for output representing the events which, according to data base event-time values, are present in the entry of the data base which is identified by said entry identification signal, said event signals for output being arranged in order of occurrence as represented by event-time values in such entry.

A data processing method of retrieving, from a memory system, data which is contained in a multiple layered data base, each layer representing an ordered sequence of entries and events in which one or more events represent each entry, in each layer some such events being the same and at least one being different, each layer comprising retrievable event-time signals which represent event-time values which in turn identify the order of occurrence of the corresponding events, said data base comprising at least first and second layers, each of a plurality of events in said second layer having a corresponding entry in said first layer, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming a request comprising plural entries, each entry being represented by a least one coded event signal, the entries and events being ordered in order of occurrence;
• b. interrogating the first data base layer and locating, for each of a plurality of the request entries, at least one first layer entry having event-time values which represent events bearing at least a predetermined degree of match to events represented by the corresponding request event;
• c. interrogating those second layer even-time values for events which correspond to the located first layer entries to locate at least one second layer entry containing event-time values which represent first layer entries having a predetermined degree of match with the request entries;
• d. generating a first layer entry identification signal representing each first layer entry (second layer event) which, according to second layer event-time values, are present in the located second layer entry;
• and
• e. generating a first layer event signal corresponding to each event-time value contained in each first layer entry which is identified by each said first layer entry identification signal.

A data processing means for retrieving, from a memory system, a portion of a stored data base, the data base being represented by retrievable event-time signals which represent event-time values which in turn represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding event in the stored data base, the event-time values representing the order of occurrence of a series of entries each containing at least one event, the processing means comprising:

• a. means for forming a request comprising a series of coded event signals representing the events of an entry;
• b. means for interrogating selected event-time values represented in the data base to locate a data base entry containing event-time values which represent events having a selectable predetermined degree of match with the events represented by the event signals of the request and forming an entry identification signal identifying such data base entry;
• and
• c. means for generating coded event signals for output representing the events which, according to data base event-time values, are present in the entry of the data base which is identified by said entry identification signal, said event signals for output being arranged in order of occurrence as represented by event-time values in such entry.

A data processing means for retrieving, from a memory system, a portion of a stored data base, the data base being represented by retrievable event-time signals which represent event-time values which in turn represent the order of occurrence for corresponding events in the stored data base, the event-time values representing the order of occurrence of events which make up a series of entries each containing at least one event, the processing means comprising:

• a. means for forming a request comprising a series of coded event signals representing the events of an entry;
• b. means for forming at least one further coded signal representing the relative order of occurrence of individual event signals in the entry of the request;
• c. means for interrogating event-time values represented in the data base and utilizing said further coded signals in locating a data base entry containing event-time values which represent events having a predetermined degree of match with the events represented by the event signals of the request and forming an entry identification signal identifying such data base entry;
• and
• d. means for generating coded event signals for output representing the events which, according to data base event-time values, are present in the entry of the data base which is identified by said entry identification signal, said event signals for output being arranged in order of occurrence as represented by event-time values in such entry.

A data processing means for retrieving, from a memory system, a portion of a stored data base, the data base being represented by a separately retrievable vector signal for each one of a plurality of different valued events, events of the same value being represented by the same retrievable vector signal, each said vector signal representing at least one event-time value each of which in turn represents the order of occurrence of the corresponding event in the stored data base, the vector signals representing a series of entries each containing at least one event, at least one vector signal having event-time values which identify the order of occurrence of a delimiter event, an identified delimiter event defining a boundary of each of said entries, the means comprising:

• a. means for forming a request comprising a series of coded event signals representing the events of an entry;
• b. means for forming at least one further coded signal representing the relative order of occurrence of individual event signals in the entry of the request;
• c. means for interrogating selected vector signals, which correspond to the events of the request, and comprising means for utilizing said further coded signals and event-time values from the delimiter event vector signal in locating an entry containing event-time values which represent events having a predetermined degree of match with the events represented by the event signals of the request and forming an entry identification signal identifying such entry;
• and
• d. means for generating coded event signals for output representing the event which, according to data base event-time values, are present in the entry of the data base which is identified by said entry identification signal, said event signals for output being arranged in order of occurrence as represented by event-time values in such entry.

A data processing means for retrieving, from a memory system, a portion of a stored data base, the data base being represented by retrievable event-time signals which represent event-time values which in turn represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding events in the stored data base, the event-time signals representing the order of occurrence of events each of which make up a series of entries each containing at least one event, the processing means comprising:

• a. means for forming a request comprising a series of coded event signals representing the events of an entry;
• b. means for forming at least one signal identifying an allowable degree of match between the events of the request and the events of an entry in the data base;
• c. means for locating a data base entry containing event-time values which represent events which either exactly or inexactly match the events of the request and comprising
• 1. means for interrogating selected data base event-time values for locating at least one data base entry which has at least a predetermined number of event-time values representing events positioned within a preselected number of event positions relative to the same events in the request,
• 2. means for forming an intermediate entry identification signal identifying said at least one data base entry,
• 3. means for further interrogating, within the data base entry identified by said at least one intermediate entry identification signal to locate a data base entry which has at least a preselected degree of match, as to order and presence of events, with the entry of the request, and
• 4. means for forming an entry identification signal representing the last located data base entry;
• and
• d. means for generating coded event signals for output representing the events which, according to data base event-time values, are present in the entry of the data base which is identified by said entry identification signal, said event signals for output being arranged in order of occurrence as represented by event-time values in such entry.

A data processing means for retrieving, from a memory system, data which is contained in a multiple layered data base, each layer representing an ordered sequence of entries and events in which one or more events represent each entry, in each layer some such events being the same and at least one being different, each layer comprising retrievable event-time signals which represent event-time values which in turn identify the order of occurrence of the corresponding events, said data base comprising at least first and second layers, each of a plurality of events in said second layer having a corresponding entry in said first layer, the processing means comprising:

• a. means for forming a request comprising plural entries, each entry being represented by at least one coded event signal, the entries and events being ordered in order of occurrence;
• b. means for interrogating the first data base layer and locating, for each of a plurality of the request entries, at least one first layer entry having event-time values which represent events bearing at least a predetermined degree of match to events represented by the corresponding request event;
• c. means for interrogating those second layer event-time values for events which correspond to the located first layer entries to locate at least one second layer entry containing event-time values which represent first layer entries having a predetermined degree of match with the request entries;
• d. means for generating a first layer entry identification signal representing each first layer entry which, according to second layer event-time values, are present in the located second layer entry;
• and
• e. means for generating a first layer event signal corresponding to each event-time value contained in each first layer entry which is identified by each said first layer entry identification signal.

A data processing method for allowing inexact data retrieval, from a memory system, the data being contained in a multiple layered data base, each layer representing an ordered sequence of entries and events in which one or more events represent each entry, in each layer some events being the same and at least one being different, each layer comprising a plurality of retrievable event-time signals which represent event-time values which in turn represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding events, said layers being ordered from at least one higher layer to at least one lower layer, each of a plurality of events in the higher layer having a corresponding entry in the lower layer, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming a request represented by parts, the parts including lower level entry parts which represent at least one higher level entry part, each lower level entry part having at least one event part which is represented by at least one coded event signal, in the request the lower level entry parts and event parts being ordered in order of occurrence, the at least one higher level entry part corresponding to entries in the higher layer, lower level entry parts corresponding to entries in the lower layer (and events in the higher layer) and event parts corresponding to events in the lower layer;
• b. forming at least one signal indicating at least one allowable degree of match between the request and the data base;
• c. interrogating the lower layer and locating, for each of a plurality of the lower level request entries, at least one entry in the lower layer having event-time values which represent events bearing at least said indicated degree of match to events represented by the corresponding lower request event;
• d. interrogating those event-time values in the higher level which correspond to the located lower layer entries to locate at least one entry in such higher layer containing event-time values which represent a combination of entries in the higher layer having at least said indicated degree of match with the combination of lower entries in the request;
• e. generating a lower layer entry identification signal representing each lower layer entry (higher layer event) which, according to higher layer event-time values, are present in the located higher layer entry;
• and
• f. generating a lower layer event signal corresponding to the event-time values contained in each lower layer entry which is identified by each said lower layer entry identification signal.

A data processor for performing inexact data retrieval, from a memory system, the data being contained in a multiple layered data base, each layer representing an ordered sequence of entries and events in which one or more events represent each entry, in each layer some events being the same at least one being different, each layer comprising a plurality of retrievable event-time signals which represent event-time values which in turn represent the order of occurrence of the corresponding events, said layers being ordered from at least one higher layer to at least one lower layer, each of a plurality of events in the higher layer having a corresponding entry in the lower layer, the processor comprising:

• a. means for forming a request represented by parts, the parts including lower level entry parts which represent at least one higher level entry part, each lower level entry part having at least one event part which is represented by at least one coded event signal, in the request the lower level entry parts and event parts being ordered in order of occurrence, the at least one higher level entry part corresponding to entries in the higher layer, lower level entry parts corresponding to entries in the lower layer (and events in the higher layer), and event parts corresponding to events in the lower layer;
• b. means for forming at least one signal indicating at least one allowable degree of match between the request and the data base;
• c. means for interrogating the lower layer and locating, for each of a plurality of the lower level request entries, at least one entry in the lower layer having event-time values which represent events bearing at least said indicated degree of match to events represented by the corresponding lower request event;
• d. means for interrogating those event-time values in the higher level which correspond to the located lower layer entries to locate at least one entry in such higher layer contaning event-time values which represent a combination of entries in the higher layer having at least said indicated degree of match with the combination of lower entries in the request;
• e. means for generating a lower layer entry identification signal representing each lower layer entry (higher layer event) which, according to higher layer event-time values, are present in the located higher layer entry;
• and
• f. means for generating a lower layer event signal corresponding to the event-time values contained in each lower layer entry which is identified by each said lower layer entry identification signal.

Electronic data processing coded signal converting means comprising:

• a. means for storing at least the combination of given line value signal and given line number signal which represent a given value;
• b. means for forming a total number of lines value signal;
• c. means for converting such combination of given line value signal and given line number signal representing each different given value to any combination of equivalent line value signal and line number signal in a unique set thereof which includes the given signals, each line value signal representing at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value signal being related to another in the same set by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted, comprising:
• 1. means for responding to each different value represented by a provided number of lines signal for causing the converting means to form a different predetermined one of the equivalent line signals within the set which corresponds to the combination of given line signal and given line number signal;
• and
• 2. means for forming the equivalent number value signal corresponding to the formed equivalent line signal;
• and
• d. means for converting the total number of lines value signal to one or more values representing incremental movements which may be made by said converting means and for providing a corresponding number of line value signal to the converting means.

Electronic data processing coded signal converting means comprising:

• a. means for storing at least the combination of given line value signal and given line number signal which represent a given value;
• b. means for forming a number of lines value signal;
• and
• c. means for converting such combination of given line value signal and given line number signal representing each different given value to any combination of equivalent line value signal and line number signa in a unique set thereof which includes the given signals, each line value signal representing at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value signal being related to another in the same set by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted, comprising means for responding to each different value represented by the number of lines signal for causing the converting means to form a different predetermined one of the equivalent combination of line signal and line number signal within the set which corresponds to the combination of given line signal and given line number signal.

Electronic data processing coded signal converting means comprising:

• a. storage means for storing at least the combination of given line value signal and given line number signal which represent a given value;
• b. means for forming a number of lines value signal;
• c. means for converting such combination of given line signal and given line number signal representing each different given value to any combination of equivalent line signal and line number signal in a unique set thereof which includes the given signals, each line value signal representing at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value signal being related to another in the same set by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted, comprising:
• 1. means for responding to each different value represented by the number of lines signal for causing the converting means to form a different predetermined one of the equivalent combination of line signal and line number signal within the set which corresponds to the combination of given line signal and given line number signal;
• d. at least one decoder means for converting the line number signal in the storage means from a first compact code to a second expanded code for use by the converting means;
• e. encoder means for converting the equivalent line value signal formed by the converting means from an expanded code as provided by the converting means back to the first compact code;
• and
• f. means for storing the equivalent line value signal in such first code.

Electronic data processing coded signal converting means comprising:

• a. means for storing at least the combination of given line value signal and given line number signal which represent a given value;
• b. means for storing a total number of lines value signal;
• c. first decoder means for decoding the line value signal in the storage means from a first compact code to a second expanded code having an individual coded signal for any individual actual occurence value represented in the given line value signal;
• d. second decoder means for decoding the line value signal in the storage means form a first compact code to a second expanded code having an individual coded signal for any individual actual occurrence value represented in the given line value signal;
• e. means for converting the combination of given line value signal and given line number signal representing each different given value to any combination of equivalent line value signal and line number signal in a unique set thereof which includes the given signals, each line value signal representing at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, and comprising,
• 1. means for combining values represented by the actual occurrence values in the decoded line value signal and provided number of lines value signal for forming a shifted line value signal,
• 2. means for exclusive ORing the values represented by the actual occurrence values from the combining means and the first decoder means, and
• 3. means for forming an equivalent line value signal representing the results of the exclusive ORing which only representss actual occurrence values included in said possible set thereof;
• and
• f. means for converting the total number of lines value signal into a value representing the component power of two thereof and providing corresponding number of lines value signals to the combining means;
• g. encoder means for converting the equivalentline value signal from an expanded code back to the first compact code;
• and
• h. means for storing the converted equivalent line value signal in such first code.

An electronic data processing coded signal converting means comprising:

• a. means for storing a given line value signal to be compacted;
• b. means for storing a given line number signal, the given line value and line number signals representing a given value;
• c. means for forming a plurality of incremental number of lines value signals;
• d. means for converting such combination of given line value signal and given line number signal representing each different given value to any combination of equivalent line value signal and line number signal in a unique set thereof which includes the given signals, each line value signal representing at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value signal being related to another in the same set by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted;
• e. means for responding to each different value represented by the incremental number of lines value signals for causing the converting means to form a different predetermined one of the equivalent line signal within the set which corresponds to the combination of given signals;
• f. means for forming such equivalent line number signal which corresponds to the formed equivalent line value signal;
• and
• g. means for enabling the converting means to utilize an equivalent line signal formed for one incremental number of lines value signal as the given line value signal for the next incremental number of lines value signal.

An electronic data processing compactor for coded signals comprising:

• a. means for storing a given line value signal to be compacted;
• b. means for storing a given line number signal, the given line value and line number signals representing a given value;
• c. means for forming a plurality of incremental number of lines value signals;
• d. means for converting such combination of given line value signal and given line number signal representing each different given value to any combination of equivalent line value signal and line number signal in a unique set thereof which includes the given signals, each line value signal representing at lest one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value signal being related to another in the same set by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted;
• e. means for responding to each different value represented by the incremental number of lines value signals for causing the converting means to form a different predetermined one of the equivalent line signal within the set which corresponds to the combination of given signals;
• f. means for forming such equivalent line number signal which corresponds to the formed equivalent line value signal;
• g. means for enabling the converting means to utilize an equivalent line signal formed for one incremental number of lines value signal as the given line value signal for the next incremental number of lines value signal;
• h. means for interrogating the formed equivalent line value signals for one of selected length;
• and
• i. means responsive to the interrogating means for selectively storing a signal indicative of a formed equivalent line value signal having such selected length and of the corresponding equivalent line number signal.

An electronic data processing compactor for coded signals comprising:

• a. means for storing a given line value signal to be compacted;
• b. means for storing a given line number signal, the given line value and line number signals representing a given value;
• c. means for forming a plurality of incremental number of lines value signals;
• d. means for converting such combination of given line value signal and given line number signal representing each different given value to any combination of equivalent line value signal and line number signal in a unique set thereof which includes the given signals, each line value signal representing at least one digitallly coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value signal being related to another in the same set by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted;
• e. means for responding to each different value represented by the incremental number of lines value signals for causing the converting means to form a different predetermined one of the equivalent line signal within the set which corresponds to the combination of given signals;
• f. means for forming such equivalent line number signal which corresponds to the formed equivalent line value signal;
• g. means for enabling the converting means to utilize an equivalent line signal formed for one incremental number of lines value signal in place of the given line value signal for the next incremental number of lines value signal;
• h. means for providing the signals for use by the converting means corresponding to the stored given line value signal and comprising means for decoding the stored signals from a first compact code to a second expanded code for use by the converting means;
• i. means for encoding the equivalent line value signal, resulting from an individual incremental number of lines value signal, from such expanded code back to the compacted code;
• j. means for interrogating the length of the encoded equivalent line value signals for one of selected length;
• and
• k. means responsive to the interrogating means for selectively storing a signal indicative of an encoded equivalent line value signal having such selected length and of the corresponding equivalent line number signal.

Electronic data processing coded signal outputting means comprising:

• a. means for storing at least the combination of given line value signal and given line number signal which represent a given value;
• b. means for converting such combination of given line value signal and given line number signal representing each different given value to any combination of equivalent line value signal and line number signal in a unique set thereof which includes the given signals, each line value signal representing at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value signal being related to another in the same set by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted and comprising means for responding to each different value represented by a provided number of lines signal for causing the converting means to form a different predetermined one of the equivalent combination of line signal and line number signal within the set which corresponds to the combination of given line signal and given line number signal;
• c. means for forming a signal having a value representing the number of such possible occurrence values;
• d. means for determining a value related to the values of said number of possible occurrence value signals and the given line number signal;
• and
• e. means for forming and providing such number of lines value signal representing said determined value.

Electronic data processing coded signal changing means comprising:

• a. means for storing at least the combination of given line value signal and given line number signal which represent a given value;
• b. means for forming a signal representing at least one change occurrence value;
• c. means for forming a number of lines value signal;
• d. means for converting such combination of given line value signal and given line number signal representing each different given value to any combination of equivalent line value signal and line number signal in a unique set thereof which includes the given signals, each line value signal representing at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value signal being related to another in the same set by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted, comprising means for responding to each different value represented by the number of lines signal for causing the converting means to form a different predetermined one of the equivalent combination of line signal and line number signal within the set which corresponds to the combination of given line signal and given line number signal;
• and
• e. means for exclusive ORing the values represented by the equivalent line value signal and the change signal for forming a changed line value signal.

Electronic data processing method for checking for the presence of an actual occurrence value represented by a given line value which forms one of a set of unique line values, each line value in the set being represented by at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value being related to another by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted, each line value being assigned a unique line number, the actual occurrence value to be checked being in a line value of the set thereof other than the given line value, comprising the steps of:

• a. forming a signal representing a given line;
• b. forming a signal representing the line number of the given line signal;
• c. utilizing the value represented by the given line number signal for forming a signal representing the number of lines of displacement between the given line and a desired line value of the set of line values;
• d. forming a test signal representing a desired possible occurrence value to be checked for presence in desired line value;
• e. combining the values represented by the test signal and number of lines signal to form a further test signal identifying a further possible occurrence value for test;
• f. comparing values represented by the test signal and the given line signal for a predetermined relation;
• g. comparing values represented by the further test signal and the given line signal for a predetermined relation;
• and
• h. responding to the results of both comparing steps for forming a predetermined signal indicating presence of an actual occurrence value, in the desired line value, equal in value to that represented by the test signal.

Electronic data processing method for checking for the presence of an actual occurrence value represented by a given line value which forms one of a set of unique line values, each line value in the set being represented by at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value being related to another by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted, each line value being assigned a unique line number, the actual occurrence value to be checked being in a line value of the set thereof other than the given line value, comprising the steps of:

• a. forming a signal representing a given line;
• b. forming a signal representing the line number of the given line signal;
• c. utilizing the value represented by the given line number signal for forming a signal representing the number of lines of displacement between the given line and a desired line value of the set of line values;
• d. forming a test signal representing at least one possible occurrence value, a different test signal being formed for each different displacement;
• e. effecting an alignment between the occurrence values represented by the test signal and the given line value signal;
• f. comparing the aligned occurrence values represented by the test signal and the given line signal for values which are the same;
• and
• g. forming a first signal for an even number of signals which are the same and for forming a second signal for an odd number.

Electronic data processing method for checking for the presence of an actual occurrence value contained in a desired different form of a given value comprising:

• a. forming a given line value signal;
• b. forming a line number signal corresponding to the given line value signal;
• c. converting the combination of given line value and line number signals representing each different value to any combination of equivalent line value signal and line number signal in a unique set thereof which includes the given signals, each line value signal representing at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value signal being related to another in the same set by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted, and comprising the step of responding to each different value represented by a provided number of lines signal for causing the step of converting to form a different predetermined one of the combination of equivalent signals within the set which corresponds to the given signals;
• d. forming a length signal;
• e. forming a difference signal related to the difference in values represented by the given line value and line number signals;
• f. forming a first signal representing a largest component power of two and a second signal representing at least a second signal representing at least one remaining component power of two, the component powers of two representing the difference signal;
• g. providing a number of lines signal for the step of converting representing said remaining component powers of two to thereby cause a corresponding combination of equivalent signals to be formed;
• h. forming a test signal representing the value of an actual occurrence value which is to be checked in a desired one of the equivalent line signals of the equivalent set thereof;
• i. combining the values represented by the test signal and length signal to form a further test signal identifying a further occurrence value for test;
• j. comparing the values represented by the test signal and formed equivalent line value signal for a predetermined relation;
• k. comparing the values represented by the further test signal and the formed equivalent line value signal for a predetermined relation;
• and
• l. forming a signal indicating the presence of the actual occurrence value, in the desired equivalent line signal, equal in value to that represented by the test signal and in response to the results of both steps of comparing.

Electronic data processing signal changing method comprising the steps of:

• a. storing at least the combination of given line value signal and given line number signal which represent a given value;
• b. forming a change line value signal and a change line number signal representing at least one change occurrence value;
• c. forming a number of lines value signal;
• d. converting such combination of change line value signal and change line number signal to any combination of equivalent line value signal and line number signal in a unique set thereof which includes the change signals, each line value signal representing at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value signal being related to another in the same set by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted, comprising the step of responding to each different value represented by the number of lines value signal for causing the step of converting to form a different predetermined one of the equivalent combination of line value signal and line number signal within the set which corresponds to the combination of change line signal and change line number signal;
• and
• e. exclusive ORing the values represented by the equivalent line value signal and the given line value signal for forming a changed line value.

Electronic data processing means for checking for the presence of an actual occurrence value represented by a given line value which forms one of a set of unique line values, each line value in the set being represented by at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value being related to another by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted, each line value being assigned a unique line number, the actual occurrence value to be checked being in a line value of the set thereof other than the given line value, the processing means comprising:

• a. means for forming a signal representing a given line;
• b. means for forming a signal representing the line number of the given line signal;
• c. means for utilizing the value represented by the given line number signal for forming a signal representing the number of lines of displacement between the given line and a desired line value of the set of line values;
• d. means for forming a test signal representing a desired possible occurrence value to be checked for presence in desired line value;
• e. means for combining the values represented by the test signal and number of lines signal to form a further test signal identifying a further possible occurrence value for test;
• f. means for comparing values represented by the test signal and the given line signal for a predetermined relation;
• g. means for comparing values represented by the further test signal and the given line signal for a predetermined relation;
• and
• h. means for responding to the results of both comparing steps for forming a predetermined signal indicating presence of an actual occurrence value, in the desired line value, equal in value to that represented by the test signal.

Electronic data processing means for checking for the presence of an actual occurrence value represented by a given line value which forms one of a set of unique line values, each line value in the set being represented by at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value being related to another by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted, each line value being assigned a unique line number, the actual occurrence value to be checked being in a line value of the set thereof. other than the given line value, the processing means comprising:

• a. means for forming a signal representing a given line;
• b. means for forming a signal representing the line number of the given line signal;
• c. means for utilizing the value represented by the given line number signal for forming a signal representing the number of lines of displacement between the given line and a desired line value of the set of line values;
• d. means for forming a test signal representing at least one possible occurrence value, a different test signal being formed for each different displacement;
• e. means for effecting an alignment between the occurrence values represented by the test signal and the given line value signal;
• f. means for comparing the aligned occurrence values represented by the test signal and the given line signal for values which are the same;
• and
• g. means for forming a first signal for an even number of signals which are the same and for forming a second signal for an odd number.

Electronic data processing means for checking for the presence of an actual occurrence value contained in a desired different form of a given value comprising:

• a. means for forming a given line value signal;
• b. means for forming a line number signal corresponding to the given line value signal;
• c. means for converting the combination of given line value and line number signals representing each different value to any combination of equivalent line value signal and line number signal in a unique set thereof which includes the given signals, each line value signal representing at least one digitally coded actual occurrence value out of a set of monotonically ordered possible occurrence values, each line value signal being related to another in the same set by an exclusive OR of the actual occurrence values thereof and the actual occurrence values thereof relatively shifted, and comprising means for responding to each different value represented by a provided number of lines signal for causing the step of converting to form a different predetermined one of the combination of equivalent signals within the set which corresponds to the given signals;
• d. means for forming a length signal;
• e. means for forming a difference signal related to the differences in values represented by the given line value and line number signals;
• f. means for forming a first signal representing a largest component power of two and a second signal representing at least a second signal representing at least one remaining component power of two, the component powers of two representing the difference signal;
• g. means for providing a number of lines signal for the step of converting representing said remaining component powers of two to thereby cause a corresponding combination of equivalent signals to be formed;
• h. means for forming a test signal representing the value of an actual occurrence value which is to be checked in a desired one of the equivalent line signals of the equivalent set thereof;
• i. means for combining the values represented by the test signal and length signal to form a further test signal identifying a further occurrence value for test;
• j. means for comparing the values represented by the test signal and formed equivalent line value signal for a predetermined relation;
• k. means for comparing the values represented by the further test signal and the formed equivalent line value signal for a predetermined relation;
• and
• l. means for forming a signal indicating the presence of the actual occurrence value, in the desired equivalent line signal, equal in value to that represented by the test signal and in response to the results of both comparing means.

An electronic data processing revolver for revolving a binary coded input line signal to a new line signal in the same iso-entropicgram, comprising:

• a. means for storing an input line signal, the input line signal comprising a binary coded signal representing one or more actual occurrence values from a group of decreasing ordered possible occurrence values;
• b. means for serially providing individual actual occurrence value signals, comprising
• 1. first means responsive to the stored input line signal and to a first request signal for providing an actual occurrence value signal representing one of the actual occurrence values in the stored input line signal, said first means providing an actual occurrence value signal representing each said value of the input line signal in decreasing value order responsive to one of said first request signals for each such value;
• 2. second means responsive to the same stored input line signal and a second request signal for providing an actual occurrence value signal representing one of the actual occurence values in the stored input line signal, said second means providing an actual occurrence value signal representing each said value of the input line signal in decreasing value order responsive to one of said second request signals for each such value;
• c. means for providing a signal indicating a number of lines to be revolved;
• d. means for storing a new line;
• e. new line forming means comprising
• 1. shift means comprising means for combining values corresponding to the indicated number of line signal and the actual occurrence value signal provided by the first means and for each of the latter forming a corresponding shifted occurrence value signal,
• 2. first and second register means for storing, respectively, a shifted occurrence signal and an occurrence value signal provided by the second means,
• 3. means for selecting and storing in said new line storing means either the content of said first or second register means,
• 4. means for comparing the content of said first and second register means for indicating the relative values thereof,
• 5. enabling means comprising
• a. means responsive to an indication that the shifted signal in the first register means is the larger and comprising
• 1. means for providing said first request signal, and
• 2. means for enabling said selecting and storing means to select said shifted occurrence signal in the first register means for storage,
• b. means responsive to an indication that the unshifted occurrence signal in the second register means is the larger and comprising
• 1. means for providing said second request signal, and
• 2. means for enabling said selecting and storing means to select said unshifted occurrence signal in the second register means for the storage, and
• c. means responsive to an indication of equality in comparing for providing both said first and second request signals.

An encoder for converting to hybrid form a received series of absolute words in a decreasing value order comprising:

• a. means responsive to received previous and current absolute words for forming an output signal indicative of the difference therebetween;
• b. means for indicating absolute or bit string form of hybrid output comprising
• 1. means for indicating a preselected minimum difference between successively received absolute words for absolute form of output,
• 2. means for comparing the minimum difference indication and the previous and current difference signal and for indicating the value of the first being greater than, or less than equal to the latter;
• c. means for providing absolute form outputs comprising
• 1. means operative in response to said less than or equal to indication for outputting the stored current absolute word and an absolute flag;
• and
• d. means for providing bit string form outputs comprising
• 1. means responsive to said greater than indication for forming a set of ordered signals comprising a binary bit of one value separated by the number of binary bits of a second value corresponding to the value of said previous and current difference signal, and
• 2. means for selectively outputting said set of signals in association with a bit string flag and in a predetermined relation to an outputted absolute word.

An encoder for converting to hybrid form a received series of absolute coded words in decreasing value order, comprising:

• a. a current register for storing a currently received absolute word;
• b. means for storing a received absolute word in said current register;
• c. a previous register for storing a word received prior to the word in said current register;
• d. means for transferring a word from said current register to said previous register;
• e. means responsive to the stored previous and current absolute word for forming an output signal indicative of the difference therebetween;
• f. means for retaining the previous and current difference signal;
• g. means for indicating absolute or bit string form of hybrid output comprising
• 1. means for indicating a preselected minimum difference between received absolute words for absolute form of output,
• 2. means for comparing the minimum difference indication and the retained previous and current difference signal and for indicating the first being greater than, or less than or equal to, the latter;
• h. means for providing absolute form outputs comprising
• 1. means responsive to said greater than indication for outputting a signal representing the stored current absolute word and an absolute flag;
• and
• i. means for providing bit string form outputs comprising
• 1. means responsive to said less than or equal to indication for forming a set of ordered signals comprising a binary bit of one value separated by the number of binary bits of a second value corresponding to the value of said retained previous and current difference signal, and
• 2. means for selectively outputting a signal representing said set of ordered signals in association with a bit string flat and in a predetermined relation to an outputted absolute word.

A decoder for converting hybrid coded signals to absolute coded word signals, the hybrid signals representing a series of occurrence values of decreasing value, the hybrid signals comprising a series of received binary coded word signals including at least one absolute coded word and a bit string word, the bit string word representing an occurrence by the number of bits of displacement of a bit of predetermined value from an absolute word in the series of hybrid words, a hybrid word comprising a flag signal indicating the type of word, comprising:

• a. absolute word outputting means comprising means responsive to an absolute word flag signal of a received hybrid word signal for outputting the received word signal;
• and
• b. absolute word signal forming and outputting means comprising
• 1. means responsive to an absolute word signal and each said bit of predetermined value in a subsequent bit string word signal of a received hybrid signal for forming an absolute word signal indicative of actual value of each said bit of predetermined value, and
• 2. means for outputting each said formed absolute word signal.

A decoder for converting hybrid coded signals to absolute coded word signals, the hybrid signals representing a series of occurrence values of decreasing value, the hybrid signals comprising a series of received binary coded word signals including at least one absolute coded word and at least one bit string word, the bit string word representing an occurrence by the number of bits of displacement of a bit of predetermined value from an absolute word in the series of hybrid words, a received word comprising a flag signal indicating the type of word, comprising:

• a. absolute word outputting means comprising means responsive to an absolute word flag signal of a received word signal for outputting the received word signal;
• and
• b. absolute word signal forming and outputting means comprising
• 1. shift register means for storing a received bit string word signal,
• 2. means for repeatedly enabling the shifting of the content of the shift register means one bit position in the direction of the least significant bit of the bit string word signal,
• 3. means for providing an indication when a bit signal indicative of said predetermined value arrives at a preselected position with respect to the shift register means,
• 4. counter means,
• 5. means responsive to a flag signal indicating a received absolute word signal for setting said counter means to a state relative to a reference state corresponding to the value of such absolute word signal,
• 6. means for enabling said counter means to count one state towards said reference state for each such shift of said shift register means, and
• 7. means responsive to said indication of a bit for outputting a signal corresponding to the state of said counter means.

A method, utilizing a digital data processing system having a memory system for creating a digitally coded data base in such memory system from received events occurring in a desired sequence and for retrieving from the data base, a plurality of said events forming a first type entry and a plurality of first type entries forming events of a second type entry,

• a first delimiter event and a second delimiter event identifying the boundary of, respectively, a first type entry and a second type entry, said delimiter events being represented by at least one of said received events
• comprising the steps of:
• a. monitoring the occurrence of received events and forming a first event-time indication indicating the relative order of occurrence thereof in a first type entry;
• b. detecting the occurrence of received delimiter events;
• c. storing in said memory system, as data base, digitally coded event signal representations of the different types of received events of first type entries;
• d. utilizing the detection of first delimiter events and the first event-time indications for creating, in said memory system in a first data base layer, first digitally coded event time signals indicative of the relative order of occurrence in which received events of the first type entries occur;
• e. utilizing the detection of first delimiter events for forming second event time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of the events in the second type entries;
• f. utilizing the detection of second delimiter events and utilizing the second event-time indications for creating in said memory system, in a second data base layer, second digitally coded event-time signals which indicate the relative order of occurrence in which the events of the second type entries occur in each of a plurality of the received second type entries;
• and
• g. selectively reconstructing a series of events and at least first type entries in the order of occurrence as represented in the data base comprising the steps of:
• 1. designating a desired entry of the second data base layer;
• 2. designating a plurality of desired entries in the first data base layer;
• 3. selecting event signal representations from the data base;
• and
• 4. utilizing indications in the designated second entry of the data base and indications in the designated first layer of the data base for outputting event signals representing the selected event signal representations in the order in which they originally occurred.

A method, utilizing a digital data processing system having a memory system for creating a digitally coded data base in such memory system for received events occurring in a desired sequence and for retrieving from the data base, a plurality of said received events forming a first type entry and a plurality of first type entries forming events of a second type entry,

• a first delimiter event and a second delimiter event identifying the boundary of, respectively, a first type entry and a second type entry, said delimiter events being represented by at least one of said received events,
• comprising the steps of:
• a. monitoring the occurrence of said received events of the first type and forming a first event-time indication indicating the relative order of occurrence thereof in a first type entry;
• b. detecting the occurrence of received delimiter events;
• c. storing in said memory system, as data base, digitally coded signal representations of the different types of received events of first type entries;
• d. utilizing the detection of first delimiter events and utilizing the first event-time indications for creating in said memory system in a first data base layer, first digitally coded event-time signals indicative of the relative order of occurrence in which received events of the first type entries occur;
• e. utilizing the detection of first delimiter events for forming second event time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of the events in the second type entries;
• f. utilizing the detection of second delimiter events and utilizing the second event-time indications for creating in said memory system, in a second data base layer, second digitally coded event-time signals which indicate the relative order of occurrence in which the events of the second type entries occur in each of a plurality of the received second type entries;
• g. selecting event signal representations from the data base;
• and
• h. utilizing the stored digitally coded signals of the first and second data base layers for outputting selected event signals representing the selected event signal representations in the order in which they originally occurred.

A method, utilizing a digital data processing system having a memory system for creating and retrieving a digitally coded data base in such memory system comprising the steps of:

• a. monitoring the occurrence of received first type events making up a first type entry, and forming first event-time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence thereof in the first type entry;
• b. detecting the occurrence of received first and second delimiter events;
• c. utilizing the detection of first delimiter events for forming second event-time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of a series of second type events which make up a second type entry, first type entries forming second type events;
• d. storing in said memory system, as data base, digitally coded signal representations of at least the different types of received first type events;
• e. utilizing the detection of first delimiter events and the first event-time indications for creating in said memory system in a first data base layer, first digitally coded event time signals indicative of the relative order of occurrence in which received first type events occur in each of a plurality of first type entries;
• f. utilizing the detection of second delimiter events and the second event-time indications for creating in said memory system, in a second data base layer, second digitally coded event-time signals which indicate the relative order of occurrence of said second type events in each of a plurality of second type entries;
• and
• g. utilizing the data base event signal representations and the data base digitally coded event time signals for retrieving from the data base selected first and second type events in the order in which they originally occurred.

A method utilizing a digital data processing system having a memory for creating in such memory a digitally coded data base and for retrieving therefrom, comprising the steps of:

• a. monitoring the occurrence of received events and forming first event-time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of such received events in each of a plurality of first type entries;
• b. detecting the occurrence of delimiter events in the received first type events defining the bounds of second type events which form second type entries;
• c. utilizing the detection of delimiter events for forming second event-time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of the second type events within second type entries;
• d. storing in said memory, as data base, digitally coded event signal representations of at least the different types of received first type events;
• e. storing in said memory in a first data base layer, first digitally coded event-time signals representative of the first event-time indications;
• f. storing in the memory in a second data base layer, second digitally coded event-time signals representative of the second event-time indications;
• and
• g. utilizing the data base for outputting event signals representing the data base event signal representations in the order of occurrence within second type events as represented in the data base.

A method utilizing a digital data processing system having a memory for creating in such memory a digitally coded data base and for retrieving therefrom, comprising the steps of:

• a. monitoring the occurrence of received events and forming first event-time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of such received events in each of a plurality of first type entries;
• b. determining the bounds of at least second type events which form second type entries;
• c. utilizing the determination of bounds for forming second event time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of the second type events within second type entries;
• d. storing in such memory, as data base, digitally coded event signal representations of at least the different types of received first type events;
• e. storing in said memory in a first data base layer, first digitally coded event-time signals representative of the first event-time indications;
• f. storing in the memory in a second data base layer, second digitally coded event-time signals representative of the second event-time indications;
• and
• g. utilizing the data base for outputting event signals representing the data base event signal representations in the order of occurrence within second type events as represented in the data base.

Digital data processing means having a memory system and adapted for creating in the memory system a digitally coded data base from received events occurring in a desired sequence and for retrieving from the data base, a plurality of said events forming a first type entry and a plurality of first type entries forming events of a second type entry,

• a first delimiter event and a second delimiter event identifying the boundary of, respectively, a first type entry and a second type entry, said delimiter events being represented by at least one of said received events, the data processing means comprising:
• a, means for monitoring the occurrence of received events and forming a first event-time indication indicating the relative order of occurrence thereof in a first type entry;
• b. means for detecting the occurrence of received delimiter events;
• c. means for storing in said memory system, as data base, digitally coded event signal representations of the different types of received events of first type entries;
• d. means for utilizing the detection of first delimiter events and the first event-time indications for creating, in said memory system in a first data base layer, first digitally coded event time signals indicative of the relative order of occurrence in which received events of the first type entries occurs;
• e. means for utilizing the detection of first delimiter events for forming second event tiime indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of the events in the second type entries;
• f. means for utilizing the detection of second delimiter events and utilizing the second event-time indications for creating in said memory system, in a second data base layer, second digitaly coded event-time signals which indicate the relative order of occurrence in which the events of the second type entries occur in each of a plurality of the received second type entries;
• and
• g.means for selectively reconstructing a series of events and at least first type entries in the order of occurrence as represented in the data base comprising
• 1. means for designating a desired entry of the second data base layer;
• 2. means for designating a plurality of desired entries in the first data base layer;
• 3. means for selecting event signal representations from the data base;
• and
• 4. means for utilizing indications in the designated second entry of the data base and utilizing indications in the designated first layer of the data base for outputting event signals representing the selected event signal representations in the order in which they originally occurred.

Digital data processing means having a memory system and adapted for creating a digitally coded data base in such memory system from received events occurring in a desired sequence and for retrieving from the data base, a plurality of said received events forming a first type entry and a plurality of first type entries forming events of a second type entry,

• a first delimiter event and a second delimiter event identifying the boundary of, respectively, a first type entry and a second type entry, said delimiter events being represented by at least one of said received events,
• the data processing means comprising:
• a. means for monitoring the occurrence of said received events of the first type and forming a first event-time indication indicating the relative order of occurrence thereof in a first type entry;
• b. means for detecting the occurrence of received delimiter events;
• c. means for storing in said memory system, as data base, digitally coded signal representations of the different types of received events of first type entries;
• d. means for utilizing the detection of first delimiter events and utilizing the first event-time indications for creating in said memory system in a first data base layer, first digitally coded event-time signals indicative of the relative order of occurrence in which received events of the first type entries occur;
• e. means for utilizing the detection of first delimiter events for forming second event time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of the events in the second type entries;
• f. means for utilizing the detection of second delimiter events and utilizing the secod event-time indications for creating in said memory system, in a second data base layer, second digitally coded event-time signals which indicate the relative order of occurrence in which the events of the second type entries occur in each of a plurality of the received second type entries;
• g. means for selecting event signal representations from the data base;
• and
• h. means for utilizing the second stored digitally coded signals of the first and second data base layers for outputting selected event signals representing the selected event signal representations in the order in which they originally occurred.

Digital data processing means having a memory system and adapted for creating and retrieving a digitally coded data base in such memory system the data processing means comprising:

• a. means for monitoring the occurrence of received first type events making up a first type entry, and forming first event-time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence thereof in the first type entry;
• b. means for detecting the occurrence of received first and second delimiter events;
• c. means for utilizing the detection of first delimiter events for forming second event-time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of a series of second type events which make up a second type entry, first type entries forming second type events;
• d. means for storing in said memory system, as data base, digitally coded signal representations of at least the different types of received first type events;
• e. means for utilizing the detection of first delimiter events and the first event-time indications for creating in said memory system in a first data base layer, first digitally coded event-time signals indicative of the relative order of occurrence in which received first type events occur in each of a plurality of first type entries;
• f. means for utilizing the detection of second delimiter events and the second event-time indications for creating in said memory system, in a second data base layer, second digitally coded event-time signals which indicate the relative order of occurrence of said second type events in each of a plurality of second type entries;
• and
• g. means for utilizing the data base event signal representations and the data base digitally coded event time signals for retrieving from the data base selected first and second type events in the order in which they originally occurred.

Digital data processing means having a memory for creating in such memory a digitally coded data base and for retrieving therefrom, comprising:

• a. means for monitoring the occurrence of received events and forming first event-time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of such received events in each of a plurality of first type entries;
• b. means for detecting the occurrence of delimiter events in the received first type events defining the bounds of second type events which form second type entries;
• c. means for utilizing the detection of delimiter events for forming second event-time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of the second type events within second type entries;
• d. means for storing in said memory, as data base, digitally coded event signal representations of at least the different types of received first type events;
• e. means for storing in said memory in a first data base layer, first digitally coded event-time signals representative of the first event-time indications;
• f. means for storing in the memory in a second data base layer, second digitally coded event-time signals representative of the second event-time indications;
• and
• g. means for utilizing the data base for outputting event signals representing the data base event signal representations in the order of occurrence within second type events as represented in the data base.

Digital data processing means having a memory and adapted for creating in such memory a digitally coded data base and for retrieving therefrom, comprising:

• a. means for monitoring the occurrence of received events and forming first event-time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of such received events in each of a plurality of first type entries;
• b. means for determining bounds of at least second type events which form second type entries;
• c. means for utilizing the determination of bounds for forming second event-time indications indicating the relative order of occurrence of the second type events within second type entries;
• d. means for storing in said memory, as data base, digitally coded event signal representations of at least the different types of received first type events;
• e. means for storing in said memory in a first data base layer, first digitally coded event-time signals representative of the first event-time indications;
• f. means for storing in the memory in a second data base layer, second digitally coded event-time signals representative of the second event-time indications;
• and
• g. means for utilizing the data base for outputting event signals representing the data base event signal representations in the order of occurrence within second type events as represented in the data base.

Digital data processing means for creating in a memory thereof a digitally coded data base from received data, the received data being represented by plural types of entries, each of said types of entries comprising a plurality of definable entries which in turn are represented by a plurality of events, events of at least one type of entry comprising an entry of another type, comprising:

• a. means for forming for each such type of entry, an event-time indication of the order of occurrence for the events within the entries thereof;
• b. means for forming from said event-time indications and in the memory a layer of digitally coded signals, for each such type of entry, such that each layer represents the order of occurrence of the events within the entries of the corresponding type of entry;
• c. means for forming in the memory digitally coded event signal representations for different types of events received in the data for at least one such type of entry corresponding to one of the layers;
• d. means for forming signals representing the relation between the event occurrences, in one layer, and the corresponding entries, represented by event occurrences, of another layer;
• and
• e. means utilizing the stored event representations, the stored event-time signals and the signals representing the relation between events in one layer and corresponding entries in another layer for recreating events corresponding to the event representations in the order of occurrence in the received data.

A method using a data processor for retrieving, from a memory, a portion of a stored data base, the data base being represented by digital coded signals which represent the order of occurrence of plural events within each of plural entries, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming, as a request, a series of digital coded event signals representing events of an entry;
• b. forming, corresponding to individual events in the entry request, individual bias values which, from one end thereof to the other when in the order of occurrence of the corresponding events, have increasing values;
• c. utilizing the stored data base to form digital coded signals representing the data base order of occurrence for those events which are present in the request;
• d. utilizing the digital coded signals which are formed representing the data base order of occurrence and the bias values for identifying those data base entries which have a predetermined degree of match in order of occurrence of events with events of the request;
• and
• e. generating coded event signals for output representing the events present in the identified data base entry in the order of occurrence specified by such data base entry.

A method using a data processor for retrieving, from a memory, a portion of a stored data base, the data base being represented by digital coded signals which represent the order of occurrence of plural events within each of plural entries, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming, as a request, a series of digital coded event signals representing events of an entry;
• b. utilizing the request to form digital coded signals representing the order of occurrence of the events within the entry of the request;
• c. utilizing the stored data base to form digital coded signals representing the data base order of occurrence for those events which are present in the request;
• d. utilizing the digital coded signals formed in the last two steps for identifying those data base entries which have a predetermined degree of match in order of occurrence of events with events of the request;
• and
• e. generating coded event signals for output representing the events in the order of occurrence in which they are represented in the identified data base entries.

Data processing means for retrieving, from a memory, a portion of a stored data base, the data base being represented by digital coded signals which represent the order of occurrence of plural events within each of plural entries, the processing means comprising:

• a. means for forming, as a request, a series of digital coded event signals representing events of an entry;
• b. means for forming, corresponding to individual events in the entry request, individual bias values which, from one end thereof to the other when in the order of occurrence of the corresponding events, have increasing values;
• c. means for utilizing the stored data base to form digital coded signals representing the data base order of occurrence for those events which are present in the request;
• d. means for utilizing the digital coded signals which are formed representing the data base order of occurrence and the bias values for identifying those data base entries which have a predetermined degree of match in order of occurrence of events with events of the request;
• and
• e. means for generating coded event signals for output representing the events in the order of occurrence in which they are represented in the identified data base entries.

A data processing means for retrieving, from a memory, a portion of a stored data base, the data base being represented by digital coded signals which represent the order of occurrence of plural events within each of plural entries, the processing means comprising:

• a. means for forming, as a request, a series of digital coded event signals representing events of an entry;
• b. means for utilizing the request to form digital coded signals representing the order of occurrence of the events within the entry of the request;
• c. means for utilizing the stored data base to form digital coded signals representing the data base order of occurrence for those events which are present in the request;
• d. means for utilizing the digital coded signals formed by the last two named means for identifying those data base entries which have a predetermined degree of match in order to occurrence of events with events of the request;
• and
• e. means for generating coded event signals for output representing the events in the order of occurrence in which they are represented in the identified data base entries.

A method using a data processor for retrieving from a memory a portion of a stored data base, the data base comprising a plurality of layers, each layer comprising event-time values represeting the order of occurrence of events in each of a plurality of entries for the layer, the entries on at least one first layer corresponding to the events in a second layer, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming, as a request, a series of digital coded event signals representing events of first and second type entries, the events of second type entries being entries in the first type entry;
• b. utilizing the request to form digital coded signals representing the order of occurrence of the events within the respective entries of the request;
• c. utilizing the first and second layers of the stored data base to form digital coded signals representing the data base order of occurrence for those events in the data base which are present in the request;
• d. utilizing the digital coded signals formed in the last two steps for identifying data base entries in each said first and second layers which have a predetermined degree of match in order of occurrence of events with events of the request;
• and
• e. generating coded event signals for output representing the events, for at least one layer, in the order of occurrence in which they are represented in the identified data base entries.

Data processing means for retrieving from a memory a portion of a stored data base, the data base comprising a plurality of layers, each layer comprising event-time values representing the order of occurrence of events in each of a plurality of entries for the layer, the entries on at least one first layer corresponding to the events in a second layer, comprising:

• a. means for forming, as a request, a series of digital coded event signals representing events of first and second type entries, the events of second type entries being entries in the first type entry;
• b. means for utilizing the request to form digital coded signals representing the order of occurrence of the events within the respective entries of the request;
• c. means for utilizing the first and second layers of the stored data base to form digital coded signals representing the data base order of occurrence for those events in the data base which are present in the request;
• d. means for utilizing the digital coded signals formed by the last two named means for identifying data base entries in each said first and second layers which have a predetermined degree of match in order of occurrence of events with events of the request;
• and
• e. means for generating coded event signals for output representing the events, for at least one layer, in the order of occurrence in which they are represented in the identified data base entries.

A method, utilizing a digital data processing system, for creating in a memory thereof a digitally coded data base from received data and for retrieving from the data base, the received data being represented by plural types of entries, each of said types of entries comprising a plurality of definable entries which in turn are represented by a plurality of events, events of at least one type of entry comprising an entry of another type, comprising the steps of:

• a. forming for each such type of entry, an event time indication of the order of occurrence for the events within the entries thereof;
• b. forming from said event time indications and in the memory a layer of digitally coded signals, for each such type of entry, such that each layer represents the order of occurrence of the events within the entries of the corresponding type of entry;
• c. forming in the memory digitally coded signal representations of different types of events received in the data for at least one such type of entry corresponding to one of the layers;
• d. forming signals representing the relation between the event occurrences in one layer, and the corresponding entries, represented by event occurrences, of another layer;
• and
• e. utilizing the stored event representations, the stored event time signals and the signals representing the relation between events in one layer and corresponding entries in another layer for recreating events for output corresponding to the event representations and in the order of occurrence in the received data.

Digital data processing means, for creating in a memory thereof a digitally coded data base from received data and for retrieving from the data base, the received data being represented by plural types of entries, each of said types of entries comprising a plurality of definable entries which in turn are represented by a plurality of events, events of at least one type of entry comprising an entry of another type, comprising:

• a. means for forming for each such type of entry, an event time indication of the order of occurrence for the events within the entries thereof;
• b. means for forming from said event time indications and in the memory a layer of digitally coded signals, for each such type of entry, such that each layer represents the order of occurrence of the events within the entries of the corresponding type of entry;
• c. means for forming in the memory digitally coded event signal representations for different types of events received in the data for at least one such type of entry and hence corresponding to one of the layers;
• d. means for forming signals representing the relation between the event occurrences, in one layer, and the corresponding entries, represented by event occurrences, of another layer;
• and
• e. means for utilizing the stored event representations, the stored event time signals and the signals representing the relation between events in one layer and corresponding entries in another layer for recreating events for output corresponding to the event representations in the order of occurrence in the received data.