Patent GB-721877-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to record-card-controlled machines
IPC: G06F11/10
Filed: 1951-06-12
Abstract: 721,877. Digital electric calculating-apparatus; statistical apparatus. COMPAGNIE DES MACHINES BULL. June 12, 1951 [June 17, 1950; March 2, 1951], No. 13952/51. Class 106 (1). In a record-card controlled machine, electric apparatus for computing from a number, of which each of the digits is recorded as a single perforation in a distinct column of a card, a check symbol which corresponds to two figures obtained respectively in a predetermined manner from two series of separate figures associated according to a predetermined code with the digits, different combinations of two separate figures for any determined digit being used for adjacent denominations of the number, comprises distinct pulse distributing means adapted under control of means for sensing in parallel the columns of the card to enter the two series of separate figures, in the form of electrical pulses according to the predetermined code, into two corresponding distinctly operated sets (which may contain only one channel) of computing channels arranged according to the predetermined manner. In the machine described, perforated record cards are fed from a magazine MS, Fig. 1, past number-sensing contact brushes b1-b9 so that corresponding relays of columns I-IX, Fig. 2a, are energized at differential times depending on the position of perforations in the corresponding card columns. Each card is then fed past a brush bl, for sensing the check symbol recorded in a special card column, and normally to a receiver CE. If the sensed check symbol does not agree with the one computed from the sensed number, an electromagnet E may be energized to deflect the card through a flap CL into a receiver CS or, alternatively, the machine may be stopped or signalling means may be actuated. Each number digit has two code figures or digits associated therewith, one having values 0 or 1 (represented by relays 11-19) and the other values 0-7 (represented by relays 21-29, 31-39 and 41-49 corresponding to values 1, 2 and 4, respectively). The coding is effected by lines A-D, Figs. 2a and 2b, to which timed voltage impulses are applied from a distributer D, and is different for columns I-III, column IV having the same code as column I and so on. For example, if digit 6 is sensed for column II, impulses on lines B, C will be fed through brush relay contacts to relays 12 and 42 corresponding to code digits 1-4, whereas for the same digit sensed in column I the impulses will be fed to relays 31 and 41 so as to represent code digits 0-6. Holding circuits for these code-digit-representing relays are completed for the major portion of a cycle through contacts C1, Figs. 2a and 3, and at cycle point 12, after all the relays have been set up, contacts C2 supply potential to relay contact chains Ch1-4 which cause selective operation of relays 74-78 to register the check-symbol-representing code digits for the whole number. These code digits represent one of 24 symbol letters according to a combinational code given in the Specification. Ch 1 determines the remainder when dividing by 3 of the sum of the digits represented by relays 11-19, and supplies potential to lines L1, L2, Fig. 2b, to energize relays 75, 74 for remainders 1, 2 respectively. Ch 2-4 similarly operate to base 8, so that Ch 4 supplies potential to L<1>1 and one-representing relay 78 and " carry " potentials through rectifiers such as 522 to lines 622-628 and two-representing relays 52-55; Ch 3 supplies potential to tworepresenting relay 51 and " carry " potentials to four-representing relays 62-65; Ch 4 supplies potential to four-representing relay 61. Subsequently, contacts C3, Figs. 2b and 3, close to supply potential through the contact chains of relays 51-55 and 61-65 respectively to four-representing relays 72, 73 and 71 and via line L<1>2 to two-representing relay 77; and contacts C4 supply potential through the contact chain of relays 71-73 to line L<1>4 and fourrepresenting relay 76. Relays 74-78 close contacts to energize corresponding relays 81-85 which are held through most of the following cycle through contacts G5, Figs. 2b and 3. The setting of these relays is translated into two code digit-representing impulses, supplied through the relay contact chain shown and contacts C6, C7 to relay 79 by the distributer D which supplies timed impulses corresponding to the card-sensing points 9, 8 ... 0, 11 of the cycle, Fig. 3, to correspondingly numbered lines. At the same time, impulses from brush b<1>, Fig. 1, arriving at S<1>, Fig. 2b, energize a relay 80, and if the computed and sensed check symbol do not agree, one of the relays 79, 80 will be energized without the other and potential will be supplied from C5 to terminal U which may energize electromagnet E, Fig. 1, as described above. In a modification. Fig. 2c (not shown), the card sensing and check symbol comparison are effected during a single cycle, the relays 81-85 being energized directly from lines L1, L2, LL<1>1, L<1>2, L<1>4 and setting up a contact chain for selectively energizing two of a column of eleven relays corresponding to the card index positions. A similarly relay column is provided for the sensed check symbol, the relays being energized through a rotary distributer switch connected to the brush corresponding to b<1>. Comparison contacts similar to those for relays 79, 80, Fig. 2b, are associated with each pair of corresponding relays in the two columns, and if one relay in any pair is energized without the other an impulse is sent to terminal U. This arrangement could be incorporated in a reproducing punch, the check symbols, not recorded on the control cards, being computed and recorded on the newly punched cards together with the data to be reproduced. Specifications 702,214 and 702,219 are referred to.