Programmable, asynchronous logic cell and array

A digital logic cell comprising:

• a. a set of exclusive-OR gates, each having at least two inputs and an output;
• b. a set of C-elements, each having at least two inputs and an output;
• c. a set of programmable switch assemblies having first, second, third and fourth signal leads, a logical one input lead for connection to a logical one source and a logical zero input lead for connection to a logical zero source;
• d. each of such switch assemblies comprising first and second single-pole, four-throw switches,
• (i) with regard to the first switch, the pole thereof being connected to the third signal lead of the switch assembly, a first throw being connected to the first signal lead, a second throw being connected to the second signal lead, a third throw being connected to the logical zero input lead and the fourth throw being connected to the logical one input lead, and
• (ii) with regard to the second switch, the pole thereof being connected to the fourth signal lead of the switch assembly, a first throw being connected to the first signal lead, a second throw being connected to the second signal lead, a third throw being connected to the logical zero input lead and the fourth throw being connected to the logical one input lead;
• e. the output of each exclusive-OR gate being connected to one of the first and second signal leads of first and second switch assemblies and each input of each exclusive-OR gate being connected to one of the third and fourth signal leads of each of two other switch assemblies;
• and
• f. the output of each C-element being connected to one of the first and second signal leads of third and fourth switch assemblies and each input of each C-element being connected to one of the third and fourth signal leads of each of two other switch assemblies.

A digital logic cell for use in implementing Petri Nets, comprising:

• a. a set of disjunctive means of a single type and a set of conjunctive means of a single type, each of the disjunctive and conjunctive means having at least two input leads and an output lead,
• (i) each disjunctive means having means for producing on its output lead a predetermined effect upon the arrival of a corresponding predetermined effects on one of its input leads,
• (ii) each conjunctive means having means for producing on its output lead a predetermined effect upon the arrival of corresponding predetermined effects on each of its input leads,
• such effects representing Petri Net tokens;
• and
• b. a set of programmable configuration switches for selectively, operatively interconnecting the disjunctive and conjunctive elements, each configuration switch having first and second inputs and at least one output.

An array of digital logic cells for use in implementing Petri Nets, comprising a plurality of cells each having (1) a set of disjunctive means of a single type, (2) a set of conjunctive means of a single type, and (3) a set of programmable configuration switches for selectively, operatively interconnecting disjunctive and conjunctive means;

• a. each of the disjunctive and conjunctive means having first and second input leads and an output lead;
• b. each disjunctive means having means for producing on its output lead a predetermined effect upon the arrival of a corresponding predetermined effect on one of its input leads;
• c. each conjunctive means having means for producing on its output lead a predetermined effect upon the arrival of corresponding predetermined effects on both of its input leads;
• d. such effects representing Petri Net tokens;
• e. each configuration switch having first and second input and at least one output;
• f. the conjunctive and disjunctive means of individual cells and groups of cells being connectable via programming of the configuration switches to implement Petri Nets which are safe and presistent, and in which each transition has no more than two shared input places and any transition with two shared input places has no other input places.

An array of digital logic cells for use in implementing Petri Nets, comprising a plurality of cells each having (1) a set of disjunctive means of a single type, (2) a set of conjunctive means of a single type, and (3) a set of programmable configuration switches for selectively, operatively interconnecting disjunctive and conjunctive means;

• a. each of the disjunctive and conjunctive means having first and second input leads and an output lead;
• b. each disjunctive means having means for producing on its output lead a predetermined effect upon the arrival of a corresponding predetermined effect on one of its input leads;
• c. each conjunctive means having means for producing on its output lead a predetermined effect upon the arrival of corresponding predetermined effects on both of its input leads;
• d. such effects representing Petri Net tokens;
• e. each configuration switch having first and second inputs and at least one output;
• f. the conjunctive and disjunctive means of individual cells and groups of cells being connectable via programming of the configuration switches to form a Petri Net switch having first, second and third input leads and first and second output leads, and wherein an effect received at the third input lead causes an effect to be produced (a) on the first of such output leads if an effect if also received at the first of such input leads and (b) on the second of such output leads if an effect is also received at the second of such input leads, provided that no such input effect has previously caused an effect to be produced on one of such output leads.