Patent GB-946941-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus and method for reproducing and recording information
IPC: G03B27/46
Filed: 1960-02-02
Abstract: 946,941. Statistical apparatus. EASTMAN KODAK CO. Feb. 2, 1960 [Feb. 9, 1959], No. 3646/60. Heading G4M. Apparatus for handling photographic elements similar to the type disclosed in Specification 912, 224 is operable in any one of ten different modes to produce photographic duplicates of the elements with or without the addition of a code word in a sort field and/or to produce a printed record of data coded on the elements. Records. The elements, called cards, differ from those of the above mentioned Specification in having a masked portion 13, Fig. 3 which corresponds to the sort field 13 of the duplicate Fig. 4. Each card has a fixed field 12 of six columns, each of which is a 42 bit word made up of seven characters represented in a six bit excess three binary code. In each column the first character below timing mark 16 is a tag character. The image area 11 of each card is used for recording pages of a document, there being one or more cards per document. Part of the area 11 may alternatively be used for recording coded words similar to those in the fixed field 12. Each card relating to the same document has a first "S"- tagged word representing the document number in field 12, and this word is followed by a "Z"-tagged word in which the characters below the Z tag indicate (a) that the card is the first, an intermediate, or the last card of a group relating to the same document; (b) the number of cards in this group; (c) the number of the card within the group. The duplicates of each card are made by contact printing a continuous strip of film F, the code word 15 in the sort field 13, when added, being derived either from the card itself or from a punched tape. The film F may subsequently be divided into separate cards. Card feed. The cards are transported on an apertured disc 35, Figs. 11 and 19 which is rotated in steps through a Geneva gear 56, Fig. 11 so that when stationary between steps different apertures 257 are in register with a supply magazine, a sensing station, an exposure station and a receiving magazine. Cards are removed from the supply magazine and placed over the aligned aperture 257 by means of a cam actuated plunger 74 having a suction head, and a similar plunger 73 is used for removing a card from disc 35 and inserting it in the receiving magazine. Cards are retained in position over the apertures 257 on disc 35 by means of pins 260 and spring mounted pins 261 which overlie the edges of the card. Sensing station. The card is sensed in a similar manner to that described in Specification 912,224. Light from lamp 164, Fig. 12 is reflected by fixed mirror 165 through the card and the aperture in disc 35 on to a fixed mirror 171 which in turn reflects the code image on to a cam oscillated mirror 172 so that the code image is scanned column by column over a row of photocells 175. A solenoid 141 is energized during the sensing operation so as to pivot a lever 125 having tapered pins 128 which straddle the card and ensure that it is correctly positioned. Timing pulses. Cams CC, DD, FC, Fig. 11 coupled to the machine drive operate contacts which are included in circuits for performing the various sequences of operation necessary for operating in the different modes selected by the operator. A continuously rotated disc 185, Fig. 12 having a magnetic insert 186 and coupled to the scanning mechanism provides pulses indicating the beginning and end of a sensing operation. A photo-cell in array 175 provides pulses coincident with the sensing of the columns on the card. Exposure station. The strip of film F, Fig. 16 is fed from left to right in steps, contact prints of a card on disc 35 which is aligned with the exposure station being made by means of a lamp 152. During exposure of a card, the mask portion 13 covers the sort field of the duplicate then being made so that its code word 15, which is exposed in apreceding cycle, is not double exposed. At the same time as a duplicate is being made, the code word 15 for the next duplicate is projected on to the next section of unexposed film by means of bore 237 and aperture 238, the light pattern being derived from a code target, Fig. 13. This target is essentially the same as that described in Specification 841,047 and comprises 42 solenoid actuated pins 231 placed behind a slit 232. The solenoids 148 are actuated by signals from the output register of a magnetic core store, the code word being derived either from the card or from a punched tape (see modes B, C below). When a duplicate has been exposed the assembly 118, Fig. 16 is raised, suction is applied to lift film F away from the card, the film is advanced (the card disc 35 may or may not be advanced) and assembly 118 again lowered, this time suction is applied on the other side of film F to remove air from between the film and card. A solenoid actuated pin 296 co-operates with apertures 14 in the film F to ensure correct positioning. Lamp 145 may be selectively energized to expose the edges of the film strip so as to indicate the beginning or end of the strip or that a particular card along the strip is to be rejected. Modes of operation. Mode A. A straight duplicate is made of every card without the addition of a code word in the sort field. The number of cards handled and duplicates made are counted. Mode B1. The code words on the first card of each group are sensed and stored, and one duplicate is made of each card in the group for each of these code words, the appropriate code word being added to the sort field of each duplicate. The code words are re-circulated into the store so that successive words are available in the output register of the store as successive duplicates are made. The card disc is stepped on after all the required duplicates of each card have been made, the first card of a new group being detected by its different document number (S-tagged word) and the contents of the store then being replaced by data from this card just before the final duplicate of the preceding card is made, so that the first code word for the new group can be exposed on the next section of film through the aperture 238, Fig. 16 . Mode B2. Similar to B1, but the document number is typed out once for each group during the duplicating operation. Mode B3. Similar to B1 but all code words associated with a group of cards are typed out once during the duplicating operation. Mode C1. A group of coded words is read from a punched tape and stored. One duplicate of each card in the supply station is made for each file word, the appropriate file word being added to the sort field of each duplicate. Mode C2. A punched tape supplies a group of coded words for selected groups of cards, each group of words being preceded by the corresponding document number (S-tagged word). The first group of words is entered into the store and the card disc 35 is advanced until the appropriate document number is sensed from the first card of a group. A duplicate of each card in the group is then made for each coded word in the store. When a different document number is sensed, signifying the presence of the first card of another group in the sensing station, the next group of coded words is entered into the store from the tape and the above procedure repeated. Mode C3. Similar to C2 but all the groups of cards must be selected, a programme break occurring if a non-selected group of cards is detected. Mode D1. All code words on every card in the supply magazine are sensed, stored and typed out, no duplicates being made (see also G counter below). Mode D2. Similar to D1, but only the fixed field 12 of each card is typed out. Mode D3. Similar to D1, but only the document number is typed out. Multiplicity check on Z-tagged words is used in the B1, B2, B3, C2, C3, modes to initiate a programme break if the number of cards in a group relating to a particular document is incorrect. The two characters in the Z-tagged word of the first card of a group representing the number of cards in the group, is used to preset a counter. Each time a card with the same document number (S-tagged word) is detected at the sensing station, a pulse is applied to the counter to reduce the count by one. When the first card of a new group having a different document number is detected, the counter should register zero, and if it does not, an alarm sequence is initiated. G counter. In mode D1, all code words on a card are typed out. If the number of words is greater than 32, the core store capacity, the 33rd word read is stored in the input/output register when the overflow condition is sensed, and the G counter is set to one. When the contents of the store have been typed out, the state of the G counter is examined and causes a second sensing of the card. When the 33rd word has been read the second time, the store is cleared and the G counter advanced to two. If there are less than 66 words on the card, the G counter is subsequently reset to zero, but if overflow occurs again, the counter is advanced to three and a third reading of the card takes place after a second type out and clear. Specification 750,454 also is referred to.