•• REF ID:A41.6 •. 9 

We claim: 

1. In a cryptograph, a. set of character elements constituting 

a keyboard, and a set of indicating ele.ments, said elements being elec-

.. trically interrelated; means comprising a series of sv1i tching devices to 

establish cryptographic r~lationships between said sets of elements; and 

. means to cause. said swi tch:ing devices to perform ccyptograp]1ic subs ti tut ion 

functions' and CI"Jptographic control. functions. 

2. In a cryptograph, a set of character elements constitutinf, a 

keyboard, and a set of indicating elements, said sets of elements being 

electrically. interrelate.d; means comprising a series of com.mutators to 

establish cryptogrA.phic relationships between said sets of elements; means 

to cause said commutators to perform cryptographic substitution functions 

and cryptographic control functions; and displacement mechanisms to effect 

displacenents of the commutat0rs when performing substitution functions, 

said mechanisms being electrically controlled by said comnutators when 

perfprming control functions. 

3. In a cryptograph, a keyboard corn.prising charA.cter elerients, 

end a p~uraltty of signaling devices, said element~ i:md said devices being 

electrically int.errelated; means for establishing cryptographic relations 

between said devices and said elements, said means including e. .first set 

of.commutators for performing cryptographic substitution functions, a""ld a 

second set of commutators for performing cryptog1'aphic control fup.ctions. 

--e6NFIDENT/At 

Declassified by NSA/CSS 

Deputy Associate Oir~ctor for ~~cy a~ ~~"'cords 

ora-'l3~D by g.yr , · 

@'pproved for Release by NSA on 12-05-2014 pursuantto E.O. 1352e 
• REF ID:A4161e9 

4. An apparatus RS claimed in claim 3, in which homologous 

conunutators are interchRngeable. 

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which said second 

set of commutators controls the operation of the first set of commutators. 

6. In a·cryptograph, a keyboard comprising a set of character 

elements and a set of signaling devices; means comprising a set of substitution commutators for establishing operative cryptographic relations 

between the said character elements and said signal1ng devices; displacement mechanisms to effect angular displacel!lents.of the substitution commutators; 

and means including a set of. control commutators .for controlling the displacement rn.eclmnisms. 

7. In a cryptograph, a set 01' character elements constituting a 

keyboard and a set of' signaling devices .electrically interrelated with said 

elements; means for establishing operative cryptographic relations between 

said devices and snid elements, including a set of ciphering commutators; 

and means to effect the aneular displacements of said co!1lmutators, including 

a set of control commutators adapted to effect the displacement operations 

individually. 

8. In a cryptograph, a set of chqracter elements constituting a keyboard, and a set of signalling devices e~_ectrical.ly interrelated therewith; 

means for establishing cryptographic relRtions between said e~ements an~ said 

devices, including a set of ciphering coI1U1utators; displacement·r:iechanisms to 

effect the angular displacements of said commutators; and .means to control 

the said mechanisms comprising a set of control commutators adapted to act 

upon said mechanisms individually. 
• 

~. In a cryptoeraph, a set of cl1aracter elements constituting 

a keyboard, and indicating devices in electrical::communicat ion with said 

elements; means comprisine a s'ingle set of cor:unutators to establish opernti ve crypt'ographic relations between said devices .and said elements, including 

electrical ·means to cause the same set of corrunutators- to perform both 

cryptographic substitution and cryptoe;raphic.control functions. 

10. In a cryptograph, a set of· chlU'acter elements cons ti tu ting 

a keyboard, and indicating devices in e.l,ectrical coll1r.lunication. vri th s.aid 

elements; means to establish cryptographic relationships between said devices and said elenents, comprising a set of COP'J!lutators; neans to vary 

said relationshi'ps; and means to cause the same set of commutators to 

perform both cryptographic substitution and cryptogra~iiiic control flUlctions. 

11. In a cryptograph, a set of cliaracter elements constituting 

a keyboard, and indicating devices in electrical coi0Jllunication witμ said 

elements; means to establish cryptographic. relationships between said devices and said elements, c·omprising a set of corruautators; means to vary 

said relationships; and means to cause the same set of cof:1f.1utators to perform both cryptor,raphic substitution and cryptographic control functions, 

said Means including .separate contacts and associqtecl conductors providing 

separate electrical channels through said col'.Wlutators. 

ti 
•• REF ID:A4161i11i&9 

.., 

12. In a cryptograph, a set of character elements constituting a 

keyboRrd, and indicating devices in electrical communication with said 

elements; means to establish cryptographic relationsr1ips betm=ien said devices 

and sai.d elements, comprising ·a single set of comr:'J.Utators; n.nd means to vary 

said relationships, including electrical conductors associated \'Jith the commutators to cause the same set to perform both .c I"[ptographic subs ti tu ti on and 

cryptogr9phic control functions, all corlllT\utators being interchangeable. 

13. In a cryptograph, a set of charact'er el_ements cons ti tu ting 

a keyboard,_ and a s·et of signaling devices, said elements and said devices 

beine electrically interrelated; means comprising a series a commutators to 

establish cryptographic re~ati-onships between said elem~nts· and said devices; 

and means to vary said relationships, including a plurality of' self-:controlled 

cipherinf, commutators arranged in cascade. 

14. An apparatus as. claimed in the preceding clRim, in which 

all ·Commutators are interchangeab'i_e. 

15. f\rJ. apparatus as claimed in Clair.l 13, in which homologous 

co:r.rr:mtators are interchangeable. 

16. In a cryptograph, a set of character elenents constitutinG 

:i keyboard, and a set of signaling d.evices; means to establish cryptop.:r'.lphic 

relationships bet~1een said elements i:i.nd said devices, said men.ns including 

a plurality of self-controlled ciphering cor.rrnutA.tors pr9vided \Ji th a single 

series of ring contacts; a c i,rcui t system interconnectine said eleI'!ents and 

said devices, and including said commutA:fors; and means operfi.tive nith 

said circuit system and including there in a switch mechanism to permit the same 

commutators to function alternately as ciphering commutators and as control 

commutators. 
•• REF ID:A41616jl 

,.,. 

1?. In a cryptop;raph, a keyboard corn.prising .a set of character 

elements,: and a set 6f signaling devices, said elements and said devices 

being electrically interrelated; means for eff~cting varying cryptographic 

rehitionshipR betv1een said elements and said de"Vices compris inp; a plurality 

of angularly displaceable commutators,said comnutators being provided with 

a single series of ring contacts; displaceI;lent mechanisms operative to 

effect the ang~lar displacement of said col'lillutators; and circuit means 

includin_g a swi tcl1ing mechanism o::;er.<iti ve to cause the sEl.me set of contacts 

to function alternately .for purposes of cryptograpt{c substitution and 

cryptof,raphic control. 

18. In a cryptograpr~, a keybof'..rd cor.iprising a set of chnracter· 

. elements; set of signaline; devices in electrical relation with said eler.ients; 

means for effectine varyinr, cryptograpliic relationships betv.reen said elenents · 

and said devices, including e. plurality of angularly displaceable comr·1Utators 

provided ':ri th a double series of ring· contacts; displacement n.echanisns 

operative to effect ffilgular Q.isplacements of said conmutators; raeans to 

prov:i.de electrical channels throu~h one of the series of' contacts to cause 

snid commutators to per:1lorm functions of cryptographic s.ubstitution, o.nd 

in sequential operations ?f said mec!;anisns to ;;rovide electricRl cJ:annels 

throueh the other of said series ·of contacts to cause said dO!TJl11utntors to 

perform functions of cryptoeraphic control. 

./ 
• REF ID:A4161ii9 ..... 

. 19. In a ccyptograph,_ a set of criaracter elements constituting 

a keyboard, and a set of indicRting elements, said.sets of elemen~s being 

electrically interrelated; means to establish and vary cryptoeraphic 

relationsI'..ips bet'J;een said sets. of elements, said means including a set 

of self-controlled corrunutators. 

20. An apparatus as chtimed in the precedin~ claim in which 

said commutators are· arranged· in c as co.de. 

21. In a cryptograph, a set of character element's constituting 

a keyboard, and a set of indicating elements, s.aid elements beinr; electricnlly 

interrelated; me'Jlls to estab~ishcryptographic rel~tions between said 

sets of elements, said means including a plurality of self-controlled commutators arr.anged in cusc:1de, said corunutators .being ·interclmne;eable. · 

22. In a cryptograph, a set of chriracter elenents constituting 

a keybofil'd, mtd a s_et of ,indicating eleuents; R circuit systef'l. operatively 

connecting said c·ets of eleI'lents; meanf: to establish cry.ritographic relationships between said sets of elements,. incl.ud int: a plurality of self-controlled 

commutators '3.rranged in cascade; and means including· a switch meclwnism in 

sa:j.d circuit system·t.o cause said commut3.tors to function alternntely both 

as c ipherine; c ommutatorfi and· as control commutators. 
• ·REF ID:A4161~ .._.. 

2'"';. In o: cryptograph, :1 set of character elements constituting 

a keyboard 1 ~:md & set of ind iC·'..i t inr, elf!Plent S, said elements be in~ elec trio.ally 

interrelated; means to establish cryptographic relntionships between said 

sets ·Of elements, said r.1Nms including o plurality of self-controlled coFtP.lUtators; and ~enns to cause sa~d commutators to perform both cryptographic 

subs ti tut ion functions and ·cryptographic control functions, said me<ms includinf, conce~tric rings of contacts on the obverse face and a corresponding 

number of concentric rings. of contucts on the reverse face of e acll C01'1f'1Utator, 

and conductors ·self.,.contained vii tll in each commutator for connecting the 

contacts on the obs-erse face with honoloe;ous contacts on the reverse face. 

24. In a cryptograph, a set of character elements constituting 

a keyboard, and a set of indicating elenents, said elements being electrically 

interrelated; means for effectint; varying cryptographic relationships between 

said sets of elements, said neans including a swi tchint; comrnutntor bearing 

two or more concentric· rings of contacts on the obverse face and a corresponding number of concentric rine;s of contacts on the reverse face, and conductors self-contained within each cor.'lillutator::ancl arranged irregulnrly for. 

connecting the contacts on the obverse face of each commutator with homologous 

contacts on the reverse face, 

25. In a cryptograph, a set of cl!aracter elements constituting a 

keyboard, and a set of indi'cat ing elements, said elements being electrically 

interrelated; means for effect in[': varying cryptogra:phic rehi.t ionships between 

said sets of elements, se.id means including n reversing commutator bearing 

two or riiore concentric rings of. even .numbers of· contacts on one of its faces, 

and means for electrically coupling the individual contacts of e.ach ring in 

pairs. 
• REF ID:A4161~ .., 

26. In a cryptograph, a set of character elements cons ti tut ing 

a keyboard, and a set of indicating elements, said elenents being electrically 

int~rrelated; means for effecting ~arying. cryptographic relationships between said sets of elements, said means includin~ .a set of juxtaposed, 

double-rine-contact switching conunutators, one of the two rings of contacts 

performing cryptographic substitution functions, and the other of said 

rine; of contacts performing cryptographic control functions. 

27. In a cryptograph; a keyboard comprising chnracter elements 

·and· corresponding signalling dev-ices, said elements and said devices being 

electrically interrelated; means for varying the connec·tions between said 

elements and said devices for the purpose pf effecting cryptoe;rnphic operations, said means including a set of juxtaposed, rotatable single-ringcontact switchinp, coJlUTlutators mounted upon a comr1on shaft; stepping.· 

piechanisms for eff.~cting. angular dis11lacements of· said cor.unutators in-· 

dividually; and electrical instrumentalities for controlling said stepping. 

mechanisms vrhereby the ·same commutators are eriployed alternately for 

effec:tinr; cryptogra'phic substitution functions and. cryptographic control 

ftinct ions, respecti.vely • 

. . , 

J 
I ~ I fl • REF ID :A4161f1P9 

..._, 

28. In· a cryptograph, a set of character elements constituting · 

a keyboard and a set of indicating elements; a circuit system operatively 

connectinr; said sets of elements; means for es ta bl ishing cryptographic 

relationships betweP.n said sets of elements, including n plurality of 

self-controlled corunutators, said commutators being interchangeab,le and 

being provided with a single row of ring contacts on the obverse and .. 

rev:erse faces, res.pectively; displacenent mechanisms operative to !?ffect 

angular displacements of said cor.unutators; i:ind means including a switch 

·mechanism in said circuit system and effeutive in ·sequential. operations 

of said mechanisms to provide electrical channels through said contacts 

to cause said commutators to perform CI"Jptographic substitution functions 

and cryptogrRphic control functions alternately. 

29. In a cryptograph, a set of character elements constituting 

a keyboard and a set of signalling devices electrically interrelated with 

said elements; means for establishing operative cryptogruphic rele.tionshi1Js 

between said devices imd said elements; including a set of ciphering COT'lmutators, inc ludi.ng "'- set of' control comnutators; and means operative with 

said control commutators to effect tl1e displacement oper1::tions individually in 

~ single step displacements. 

30. In a cryptograph, a set of character elements constituting 

a keyboard and a set of signalling devices electrically interrelated wi t.h 

SR id elements j means for es:t;ablish ing opera ti Ve cryptograpl1ic relationships 

.J 
,. r I ~ • REF ID:A4161Ejll .._,. 

between said devices and said elements, includinc a set of ciphering 

commutators; and means to effect the angular displacements of said 

cipheI:'ing co:rnrn.utators, including a set of control commutators; and means 

operative with said control cot'lffiutators to effect the displacement. oper::i.-

tions individually in plural step displacements. 

31. In a cryptograph, R set of character eler:ients const1 tuting a 

keyboard and a set of indicating elements, snid el•ments being.electrically 

inter!'elated; means comprising a set of substitution cornI'l.utators for establishing operative cryptographic relationships b~tw~en siid sets of elements; displacement mechanisms to effect angular displacements of the substitution cor.unutators; and means incluG.ing a set of control commutators 

for permutatively effecting the displacement operations. 

32. - In a cryptograph, a set of character elements constituting 

a keyboard, and a set of signalling devices elect:r;-.ically interrelated 

therewith; means for establishing cryptographic relationships between· 

said elements and said devices, including a set of ciphering commutators; 

displacement mechanisms to effect the angular displacements of said coinmutators;· aw-_ means including n set of control c orunutators for effecting 

the displacement operations permutatively in single step displacements. 

33. In a cryptograph, .a· set of character elements constituting 

a keyboard, ffi1d a set of sienalling .devices electrically ·interrelated 

therewith; menns for este.blishing. cryptographic relationships between s nid 

./ 
• 

elements and said devices, including a set of ciphering commutators; 

displacement mechanisms to effect th~ angular displacements of said 

commutators, in~luding a .set of. control commutators; and means operative 

with said control commutators to effect the displacement operations 

permutatiN;ely in plural step displacemen.ts. 

J