FE Hoppy has given you superb information, Colin, but he forget to mention one rather important item...
"Direct Lift Control" - Symmetrical variable deployment coupled to elevator or stabilizer input in order to "Directly control the lift" as apposed to indirect lift control by virtue of varying pitch and therefore AOA.
"Maneuver Direct Lift Control" - symmetrical automatic variable deployment of some or all pairs in order to reduce load factor during high speed maneuvers.
These functions of the spoilers are found only on one type of civil jet transport. And, they are fully automatic, requiring no separate pilot action.
It was manufactured by the Lockheed California Company at Palmdale California, and is called...the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar.
Sorry folks...but it's true.
Lockheed...far far ahead of everyone else, at the time.