Automata (computer)

This is a page about the analog computer. For the species of sentient machines living in the Steamworks, see Automata.

Automata
An Automata tabletop computer
Developer & manufacturer	Illuminata Steamworks Division
Released	Early 86 PC
Introductory price	4,900ꕥ
Mathematical capability	Third-degree polynomials
Removable storage	512 pages of text (including the summary of contents)
Made in	The Steamworks

The Automata is an analog computer developed by the Rossan consumer appliance company Illuminata. It is the first general-purpose computer to be developed by a Rossan company, and it is the first tabletop computer to be released on the global market. It was created in the context of the international computer development race, with great efforts being placed into funding Yotumic analog computers that would aim to disrupt the T'vaqi digital computer industry. The Rossan design, developed in an exceedingly short time, came into the competition after analog designs from the Steamworks were adapted and simplified to basic mathematical computation.

In contrast with most modern computers, the Automata does not require electric power to be functional, as most of its operations can be performed through simple mechanical means, requiring only keystrokes or hand cranks to power them. However, electrical power is still a recommended option, especially for complex operations on the calculator, which may take several minutes to complete without motor power. An optional, though highly important electrically powered module is capable of reading and storing data on magnetic cassettes, which allows previous inputs to be recreated on subsequent uses of the machine. While calculations can be done without electricity, data may only be stored if power is available.

Function

Interface

The Automata furnishes a thick screen covered from the inside with a thin layer of aluminium powder. A series of levers, pendulums and typographical elements inside of the interface container is capable of sliding across and hitting the screen, displacing the powder and revealing the darkness inside the box, giving the illusion of drawing black lines on the screen. Due to the limited mobility of the machinery inside, the screen is divided into three parts: a table, the drawing area, and the page label. The division of the interface is made visually using a transparent sheet that can be inserted to be displayed across the glass. While the sheet may be removed, the movement of the typewriter and the graphing tools are both confined to their limited areas. Unlike electric computers, the interface does not emit light on its own, requiring illumination for work in the dark.

The Automata's interface may be cleared if necessary, whether to erase data or to begin a new page. A button on the top of the screen can be pressed, activating a mechanism that gently shakes the screen, allowing the powder to cover it again. In cases of incomplete clears, the computer is composed of a series of red-colored, detachable screen segments, which can be taken out together or individually and shaken in order for the powder to cover the screen.

Table

The table is designed with room for a simple title on top, and 12 rows split into two columns. Though additional rows and columns may be made using inputted characters, the basic design is made to accommodate a 12-month dataset. Each table cell may receive up to two rows of input of 64 characters each, giving the left side of the screen a total capacity of 3200 characters, or approximately 600 words. Letter keys and numbers can directly be inputted from the keyboard, which activate typewriting levers that strike against the screen. Additionally, the computer is capable of automatically inserting calculated numerical values into the text, using a separate mechanism which receives input from the graphing portion of the screen rather than the keyboard itself. Eight gears are spun according to this input, facing the correct digit towards the screen. Due to the analog nature of the mechanism, the digits may occasionally not be aligned perfectly with the rest of the text, especially when it comes to less-valuable digits. Though capable of printing numbers up to eight digits in length, the machine is set to only allow four digits by default. The mechanism can be adjusted using a knob outside to allow for changes in decimal places. Due to the spatial constraints inherent to the technology, the Rossan numerals have been simplified to fix inside of a single character box, with only one digit per character.

Date and Page Label

Despite its capability to print text, the date label follows a different mechanism as compared to the table. Due to the fact that the typewriter levers cannot reach it, it is instead governed by a different, gear-based mechanism that allows it only to print two values: the page number, if applicable, and based on the position of the magnetic tape, and the date, which may be adjusted using a knob on the right side of the interface.

Drawing Area

The drawing area is the most complex part of the Automata, and involves a mechanical calculator, which tunes the positions of several levers and pendulums behind the screen. Capable of all of the the basic operations, the analog calculator is a difference engine with the power to calculate third-degree polynomials. Due to size limitations, the only numbers smaller than 512 can be used in more complex polynomials. The output is directly tied to a mechanism with a connecting rod, which is able to graph the polynomials on the interface at several levels of zoom, calibrated on a knob on the outside. The calculator only engages if the user cranks the handle on the right side of the computer, a process which can be facilitated with electrical power. The drawing mechanism is usually off by default, but can be activated manually with a lever on the outside which brings the stylus at the tip of the mechanism up to the screen, allowing it to draw on it. After the calculation is complete, the mechanism disengages and goes back to the default position, alongside the calculator, which resets to zero.

Keyboard

The keyboard, in addition to holding all keys from the Rossan script and numerical input, also has several additional functions. The "ERASE", "WRITE" and "DRAW" buttons allow for the basic functionality of the magnetic tape to be put in motion. A series of keys in the middle of the keyboard is used for mathematical operations, allowing addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and polynomials.

Magnetic Tape Receiver

The Automata is capable of storing up to 512 pages of inputs on a standard Illuminata storage cassette tape. This figure, however, includes the mandatory 12 pages of the summary of contents to be found at the beginning, used to locate documents on cassettes storing dozens of pages. The summary titles are based on the first 16 characters at the top of the page. Inside, the Automata has a looping temporary memory tape which records previous inputs, since the last time a page was cleared. The memory tape is capable of storing the previous 3600 keystrokes, which can then be written down on the insertable, permanent memory tape. This tape can also be taken out, and replaced with a new one. Though the function of the computer is analog, the tape stores all of the keys that were pressed in a digital format. These can later be retrieved by moving to the correct spot on the tape and pressing the DRAW button on the keyboard. Depending on the length of the page, it may take anywhere from 2 to 30 seconds to load a document, due to the need to retype every character individually. Despite its lack of speed, the Automata's memory system still has an advantage in its low physical size, allowing for stacks of paper to be represented inside of a small cassette tape.