Patent GB-803717-A (GB)
Title: Tape-controlled signal-transmitting apparatus
IPC: B41B27/10
Filed: 1956-06-15
Abstract: 803,717. Type-bar-making machines; strip-perforating apparatus; justifying-typewriters. FAIRCHILD CAMERA & INSTRUMENT CORPORATION. June 15, 1956 [July 11, 1955], No. 18593/56. Classes 100(3) and 100 (4) Tape-controlled signal-transmitting apparatus adapted to derive signals from a record tape in an order which is different from the order in which the signals are received, or to alter a signal being reproduced from the record tape by means of a succeeding signal recorded therein, comprises a stationary tape-reader device and a pivoted tape-reader device which is movable through a predetermined arc towards and away from the stationary tape-reader device, means for advancing the record tape through the pivoted tape-reader device, sets of reading and distributor contacts associated with each of the tape-reader devices, and an interlocking control circuit for the two tape-reader devices whereby the sensing of certain signals by either one of the tape-reader devices is effective to control the operation of the other. The coded tape 23, Fig. 1, is read in succession by readers 22, 21, the latter being mounted on a frame 25 pivotally mounted to allow the reader to operate through an arc along the tape length so as to adjust the distance between the two readers. The tape is looped between the readers, only one of which is operative to feed the tape at any one moment. The sensing arms 29 are operated by a cam 34, thereby setting, one for each code portion, levers 24 having arms 32, 46. A cam 42 actuates a lever 39 carrying levers 37 having extensions 43, 44, whereby an extension 47 of each lever 37 is moved up or down according to the position of the lever 24, depending on the presence or absence of a perforation. Each extension 47 actuates a cam slide to close or open a contact 50. A further cam closes a further series of contacts to complete with the contacts 50 the destributing circuits to the machine being controlled. The reader 22 is a mirror image of the reader 21, except that its frame 52 is rigid. Driving-mechanism. In order to add, for justification, a thin space for every spaceband in a line, the readers 21, 22 are associated with the circuits shown in Fig. 3. The contacts 110-115 and 100-105 are the contacts 50 and the said further contacts described above, and when the two contacts corresponding to one of the six code designations are closed, and the distributer clutch magnet 209 is energized through a timing contact 201, a signal is transmitted to the composing machine through timing contact 117 and a line 107. The tape is fed through the readers 21, 22 on energization of clutch magnets 207, 202 respectively. The distributer magnet 206 of the reader 22 is not operative. The line on the tape ends with a carriage return (CR) signal followed by a line feed (LF) signal for normal lines or a special control (SC) signal for lines where thin spaces are to be added. In operation, a manual switch 213 is closed momentarily, and the tape is positioned with the reader 21 a step in advance of the first character signal and the reader 22 a step in advance of the LF or special control signal. The series of contacts 126, 136, 146 of the reader 21 are closed on sensing of Space, CR, and LF or SC signals respectively, and the series 176, 186, 196 of the reader 22 on sensing of CR, LF or SC, and SC signals respectively. A series of relay magnets 212, 214, 216, 218, 219, 222 are arranged so as to cause the following sequence of operations. The manual switch 203 is closed, and the LF or SC signal read by reader 22. The line is transmitted by reader 21, and if the signal was SC the magnet 219 is energized on sensing of each space signal, whereupon an impulse is transmitted through contact 227 to contact 100 to add a thin space. Meanwhile, the following line is sensed but not transmitted by the reader 22, until the CR signal of the following line is sensed to stop the operation of the reader 22. The reader 21 proceeds to sense the CR and LF or SC signals of the first line, thereby stopping the tape feed for 21 and initiating a new cycle by re-starting the tape feed 22. Strip-perforating apparatus. A tape for use in the setting up type for a telephone directory is perforated with the exchange and number followed by the name and address, and the line is filled out with dots. The readers 21, 22 are used to prepare from the tape a further or output tape having the name and address first, followed by dots, exchange and number. The readers are associated with the circuits shown in Figs. 4 and 5 in which the distributing contacts through the timing contacts 68, 67 lead to a punch 232 for preparing the output tape. 207, 202 are the respective tape feed clutch magnets and 209, 206 the distributer clutch magnets, while relays 239, 233 connect the distributers to the punch at the appropriate times. The tape perforations consist of "beginning of exchange" (BX) signal, the exchange and number, "end of exchange" (EX) signal, name, address, dots, carriage return (CR) and line feed (LF). In the case of a name and address too long for one line, the following line will start with the name and address continuation, followed by CR and LF ("run-over lines"). The tape is positioned so that the reader 22 senses the EX signal at the first operation, while the BX signal is several positions to the right of the reader 21. Contacts 246, 256 of reader 21 and closed on receipt of EX, BX respectively, while contacts 266, 276, 296 of reader 22 are closed by signals CR, EX, LF respectively. Contacts 286 of reader 22 are closed to the circuit to relay 288 on receipt of BX, and to the dotted line circuit to relay 287 on receipt of any other signal. Further relays 247, 257, 238, 237, 236, 249, 241, 277, 297, 234, 267 are provided, and the circuit is arranged to cause the following sequence of operations. Reader 22 senses signal EX, whereupon the distributer is activated and the following name, address and dots transmitted to the punch. Reader 22 senses CR, which is not distributed but disassociates the reader 22 from the punch, sets up a circuit for run-over lines, and conditions the reader 21 to take over the transfer of intelligence to the output tape. When reader 22 senses LF, th control circuit of reader 22 is de-activated, and the tape is advanced until the BX signal of the next line is sensed, indicating a normal line, whereupon the tape is advanced and read but not distributed until EX is sensed and the feed is stopped, while the distributor is conditioned to resume operation when the punch is free. When the reader 21 senses BX, it transfers it (as an upper rail signal) to the output tape, followed by the exchange and number. When reader 21 senses EX, the distributer is rendered inoperative, and a special CR-LF circuit is initiated to insert the CR and LF codes in the output tape after the exchange and number. If the line is a carry-over line, the new line has no BX signal, and the sensing by reader 22 of any other signal causes the CR and LF codes to be inserted in the output tape, and the distributer of reader 22 to be re-activated. Justifying typewriters. For controlling a justifying typewriter to produce justified lines, a tape is used perforated in code first for the text, followed by JU signal, justification control signals, carriage return (CR) and line feed (LF) signals. The stationary reader 22 transmits the justification control signals via the transmission contacts 50, Fig. 1, i.e. the contacts in circuit with the timing contact 67, Figs. 6 and 7, while the pivoted reader 21 transmits the text. The series of contacts 366, 376 of reader 21 are closed by signals JU, LF respectively to energize relays 247, 367, and contacts 386, 396 of reader 22 by signals CR, JU to energize relays 387, 397. The tape feed to readers 21, 22 is controlled by clutch magnets 207, 202 and the distribution of signals by distributer magnets 209, 206. Relays 377, 239, 238, 237, 236, 233 are also provided, and the circuit is arranged to produce the following sequence of operations. The tape being positioned in readiness for reader 21 to sense the text and reader 22 the JU signal, the sensing of JU actuates the reader 22 to transmit the justification control signals. Reader 22 then senses CR, causing reader 21 to sense and distribute the text. When reader 21 senses JU, it causes the carriage return and line feed functions to be performed in the typewriter, and de-activates its own transmission mechanism, whereafter it continues to sense without transmitting until it senses LF, which transfers the control back to reader 22 and stops the tape feed of reader 21 until reader 22 again senses CR. Specifications' 531,337 and 562,551 [both in Group XL] are referred to.