Patent GB-734935-A (GB)
Abstract: 734,935. Statistical apparatus. COMPAGNIE DES MACHINES BULL. June 3, 1952 [Oct. 2, 1951], No. 14006/52. Class 106 (1). [Also in Group VIII] A record card punching machine provided with means for automatically reproducing punched data from a master card on to a detail card and with operation control means controlled by keys is characterized in that it comprises a settable storage apparatus to store multi-item data, and detection means associated with reading means adapted to read a combination of perforations on the master card, the combination comprising a first perforation in a fixed predetermined position and a second perforation in another predetermined position in the same column, the detection means being operative, upon reading of the combination, to cause the automatic punching on the detail card of a perforation or perforations representative of a data item stored in the storage apparatus. Master card.-In columns 1 to 6 of the master card, Fig. 1, alphabetical combinations have been punched which represent the name " Dupont " according to the Bull code. These columns represent the M field, i.e. the " Master " or third stage constant field and when the columns of this field are analysed, the perforations are automatically reproduced on the detail card. This data may be considered as constant for a predetermined stack of cards to be punched. In each column from 7 to 24, the perforation " 12 " appears which indicates a " program field. When these perforations are analysed, certain operations will be carried out by the machine unless the operator prevents these operations by actuating manual means beforehand. Perforations " 7 " appear in columns 7, 8 and 9 and when each of these perforations is read in combination with a perforation " 12," the card carriage is advanced by one column. The " program " field also comprises two fields of semi-constants marked " second stage " (columns 10 to 15) and " first stage (columns 16 to 24). These columns are signalled by a perforation " 2 " or " 1 " respectively which, when analysed, indicate that a storage device will be put into action to control, column by column, the reproduction of the coded data it contains unless the operator has observed a change in the semi-constant data in his. control papers in which case he operates a control key which results in the operation of the storage device for re-setting it to zero and preparing for the entry of new constants. Electrical diagram.-Figs. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d when assembled according to Fig. 3 (not shown), form the theoretical electrical diagram of the machine. The punch-selecting electromagnets for punching the detail card are represented by O, I, II to XI and XII, Fig. 2a. The special master card is analysed column by column by means of brushes 60 and a contact roller 59, Fig. 2a, which permit the selective energizing of analysing relays 30 to 39 and 41 which correspond to the perforation positions 0 to 9 and 11 of a card column. A brush 82 is provided for analysing the perforation position " 12 ". The analysing circuits are completed by a contact 66a, Fig. 2b, in series with a general brush 61. Coding relays for storing semi-constants are represented by 10 to 19 and 21 and 22, Fig. 2c. The storage apparatus, Fig. 2c, comprises groups (each of 15 columns) of electromagnetic relays, each associated with a column selector. Each column of the device consists of six storage relays, e.g. MA1 to MF1, Fig. 2c, and a relay e.g. MZ1, Fig. 2d, for resetting to zero. Each column selector comprises a selector bank of which 68 is a common segment, 70 one of the isolated segments, and 69 a brush. Relays A to F, Fig. 2c, each control an alternating contact and may, or may not, be energized at the same time. When they are not energized, the common segment of the six positions from A to F are connected to the coding circuits, e.g. are in condition for entry of data into the storage device. When these relays are energized and their contacts reversed, the common segments are connected to the decoding circuits so that the storage device is in the read-out condition. The decoding relays are represented by 23 to 29, Fig. 2d. Alphabetical data is stored by means of a code in which positions A, B and C are used for coding figures 0 to 6, positions D and E are used for figures 7, 8 and 9, and position F is used for figure 11, which figures are allcomponents of the Bull code. The storage device also stores the " spacing " combination by means of positions A, D and F. Operation.-Assuming a master card is on the carriage and has arrived at the analysing position of column 1 and, at the same time, a detail card is also on the carriage in a corresponding position under the punching block, the automatic reproduction of the M field is immediately begun. In this case, perforations 2 and 7 representing the letter D are analysed. In this case, perforations 2 and 7 representing the letter D are analysed. Relays 32 and 37, Fig. 2a, are energized causing energization of electromagnets II and VII with consequent punching of perforations 2 and 7 in the detail card, the spacing of the carriage being automatically controlled in the usual manner when the punches rise again. The automatic punching of the other letters of the M field is carried out in the same manner. Since the second and first stage constants must be initially stored in the storage device, when the first detail card passes, the operator must first have depressed key 2 (associated with relay 43), Fig. 2d. Analysis of each of the columns 7, 8 and 9 causes the carriage to advance by one column. Analysis of perforation " 12 " in combination with perforation " 2 " causes the energizing of a detector relay 46, Fig. 2d, to put the coding line 125 under voltage and the machine is ready to store data in the storage device. The characters of the second stage are stored and reproduced column by column by depressing the corresponding keys of the numerical keyboard. The operator then proceeds in the same way for storing the first stage constant. After recording in the fifteen storage device columns has taken place and the master card is in the analysing position at column 25, the operator can then effect the punching of variable data on the detail card in the usual manner and finally bring the carriage to the " last column " position. The machine then ejects the first detail card, and a second detail card is brought to the carriage which then goes into the first column position. The switch 72, Fig. 2d, is closed for putting the machine into " automatic " operating condition. Provided there is no change in the semi-constants, the machine proceeds automatically every time the master card is in the analysing position of one of the columns 1 to 24. Automatic reproduction of columns 1 to 6 therefore takes place in the same way as for the first detail card and the skipping of columns 7, 8 and 9 occurs immediately afterwards. At column 10, the relays A to F are energized to put the storage device into the reading-out condition. The automatic reproduction of the second and first stage characters is carried out under control of the storage device as long as the operator has not noticed changes in the second and first stage constants. As soon as the operator notices such a change he must depress either key 1 (associated with relay 44) or 2 (associated with relay 43), Fig. 2d, before the arrival of a new detail card to the punching position. If, for example, key 1 is depressed, nothing is changed as long as the " second stage " field is being analysed. On the other hand, when the master card arrives in the analysing position of column 16 a detector relay 45, Fig. 2d, is energized and the detector relay 46 de-energized. The energization of relays A to F is thereby suppressed, thus suppressing the read-out condition of the storage device, the relays of column 7 of the storage device are re-set to zero, and voltage is applied to coding line 125 to restore the storing device to storing condition at least for the remainder of the columns. The operator then depresses the keys of the new first stage constant. Supplementary perforations " 8 " and " 9 " in the " program " field in combination with perforations " 12 " control " field skipping " and immediate ejection of the detail card respectively. For " semi-automatic " operation, the master card is punched with a perforation " 6 " in each first column of the second and first stage constant fields and switch 72 is left open. When the master card arrives at the analysing position of column 10, a supplementary detector relay 52 is energized to prevent the energization of the relays A to F and thereby prevent the reading-out of the storage device as well as the establishment of a feeding circuit of the " spacing electromagnet, Fig. 2b. As there is also no punching effected, the carriage stops and the operator has time to consult his control papers in order -to check whether the second stage constant changes or not. When this' constant is not modified, he depresses the " 0 " or duplication key (associated with relay 92), Fig. 2d. This cancels the effect of perforation " 6 " since the energization of relays A to F is again possible. Reproduction continues until the master card arrives in the analysing position of column 16 where a perforation " 6 " is again analysed. The carriage is therefore stopped in this position. In a case where the first stage is to be modified, the operator depresses key " 1 which has the effect of placing the storage device in a storing condition. The operator can then strike the new first stage constant. It may be desired to prepare a new master card owing to a change in the third stage constant, the other perforations remaining the same. In this case, the first master card is placed in the " master card " section of the carriage and the second master card in the " detail card " section and after havi