Article Abstract:
The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) is attempting to standardize interfaces and define system components of a small-batch manufacturing control system by constructing a flexible manufacturing test bed. Four major technologies are involved in the architecture standardization. The manufacturing systems control is the most important standard and has five levels of command: facility, shop, cell, work station, and equipment. Artificial intelligence will aid control in reaction and planning. Multiple data-base management systems, data directory, and data dictionary interfaces will be standardized for distributed data administration. Standards for communication are needed for information to be transferred between control processes. Finally, user interfaces will become standardized for inexperienced users. Proposed organizations of the first three technologies are illustrated with block diagrams.
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Article Abstract:
According to a recent Harris poll, a majority of the United States public fear that technological advances in computers and video have made invasion of personal privacy likely. Most believe a master file of important information about a person could be easily assembled over networks from various sources. Legislation concerning privacy issues has been minimal since the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Right to Financial Privacy Act in 1978. Packet switching is one means of preventing digital communications interception. Legislation may be forthcoming to put video taping and digital data tapping under Fourth Amendment safeguards.
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Article Abstract:
Although many states have some type of computer-crime laws, the only federal laws are in the areas of privacy and electronic funds transfer (EFT), with wire and mail-fraud statutes serving in some cases. Most laws focus on the perpetrator of the crime, and some find the system operator responsible for losses due to the breach of his system. To be effective, computer laws must combine with technical procedures and ethics to prevent crimes.
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