Apparatus for identification and removal of a sign signal character superimposed

In a data processing system including a storage unit and a central processing unit, said storage unit randomly storing groups of data signals, a predetermined number of said data signal groups being transferred to said central processing system from said storage unit in response to certain control signals for processing;

• wherein a preselected one of said transferred data signal groups can be include a data character consisting of a decimal integer and a sign, apparatus for removing said sign from said character in said predetermined data signal group comprising:
• data signal group selection means coupled to said storage means for selecting said preselected data signal group from said transferred groups in response to other control signals;
• extraction means coupled to said data signal selection means for removing said sign from said character in said preselected group;
• alignment means coupled to said storage means for arranging said transferred predetermined number of data signal groups in a pre-established order;
• combining means coupled to said alignment means and said extraction means for storing a first and a second comparable sequence of data signal groups, said combining means including means for replacing a data group in a determined position in said first sequence with a data signal group in a comparable determined position in said second sequence in response to a switch signal, wherein said predetermined data signal groups from the alignment means are stored in said first sequence in said pre-established order, and wherein said preselected data signal group with said sign removed is stored in each position of said second sequence before being processed by the central processing system,
• switching means coupled to said combining means for generating said switch signal in response to additional control signals.