Patent GB-582822-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for punching record cards
IPC: B05D1/06
Filed: 1944-07-28
Abstract: 582,822. Punching statistical cards. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd. July 28, 1944, No. 14470. Convention date, July 29, 1943. [Class 31 (ii)] Card punching apparatus in which a single punching machine punches data derived from a plurality of control stations, comprises a plurality of keyboards, one at each station, two data storage devices at each station, means under control of each keyboard for setting up data in one storage device and, when the data have been set up, for transferring the data to a second storage device, means for controlling the punching machine to punch in successive cards the data set up in the plurality of second storage devices, and means for clearing each second storage device when the data in it have been punched. The complete system is shown in Fig. 14, in which a high-speed punching machine P of the type described in Specification 442,534 is controlled by three operators at whose stations are keyboards K1, K, &c. for setting up data in storage units DS1, DS2 &c., each storage unit comprising a primary unit from which the data is transferred after completion of the set-up to a secondary unit, the secondary units being connected to a sequencing unit S which controls the passage of data into the punching machine. Primary set up. The depression of a numeral key 100 (L. H., Fig. 3) closes the circuit of an associated relay KC1 &c. which closes a contact KC1-1 &c in a network for energizing one or more of four relays K1-K4 according to the code shown. The depression of the key also closes a common bail contact 104 which serves to establish holding circuits alternately for a relay C1 (in the case of the 1st, 3rd, 5th &c. digits entered) and C2 (in the case of the 2nd, 4th, 6th &c. digits). The closure of C1-1 contacts (L. H. of Fig. 4, "COL. 1") by relay C1 completes a circuit through AS3, B1, C1-1 and KCO-1 contacts, and those contacts which have been closed by relays K1 to K4, to energize and establish holding circuits for corresponding relays 11, 12, 13 or 14. These relays also close a circuit through a relay A which prepares the next line of contacts ("COL 2") for the entry of the next digit. The contacts C1-1 open when C1 is de-energized and C2 is energized to set up the second digit in relays 21-24, energize relay B and so on. In the example chosen to illustrate the operation of the apparatus, provision is made for setting up a four-figure "bank" number followed by an eight-figure "amount" number. Where an "amount" number of less than eight digits is to be entered it is not necessary to enter zeros to the left of the first significant figure, the denominations being correctly positioned when the number is transferred to the secondary storage device upon depression of the manual bar on the keyboard. Depression of the manual bar after entering a "bank" number of less than four figures causes the skipping of intervening columns and conditions the circuit for entry of the next digit (the first significant digit of the amount number) in COL. 5. This is done by the energization of a relay AS (Fig. 3) which breaks the circuits of columns 1, 2 and 3 (Fig. 4) de-energizes (if necessary) relay C2 and energizes Cl. The relays A, B, C &c. (Fig. 4) also serve to transfer contacts A3, B3, C3 &c. (top of Fig. 4) thus completing a circuit for a relay S4, S3, S2 &c., according to the number of significant digits in the number entered, and the appropriate S relay controls contacts in the secondary storage unit (Fig. 7) for correctly positioning the denominations upon transfer of the data to that unit. Secondary storage device. The second depression of the manual bar 102 (Fig. 3) after entry of the amount number causes the successive energization of a number of relays MBR, R2, R3 &c. (Fig. 3) and supplies an impulse to a relay T1 which closes circuits from line 117 (Fig. 7), appropriate contacts 11-2, 21-2 (according to the relays 11, 21 &c. energized in the primary unit), denominational shift contacts (under the control of the appropriate S relay of the primary unit) and energises and establishes holding circuits for corresponding relays 111,221 &c. The amount number is transferred at the same time in a similar manner. The energization of a relay DOA opens the holding circuits of the relays 11, 12, 13 &c. of the primary unit thus making it available for the entry of further data. Sequencing unit and punching. The transfer of data from primary to secondary storage unit is signalled in the sequencing unit and, by means of circuits and relays (not shown) the position of that data in the "queue" passing to the punching machine is established. The punching machine comprises an emitter, the rotating brush 62, Fig. 2, of which passes over insulated segments 63 which are connected by wires 150 and cable 151 to a translator (Fig. 10). As the punching machine becomes available to receive data from a particular secondary unit the arm 62, commencing' with the segment representing "9" sends impulses along successive wires 150 through contacts under the influence of relays 111, 112 &c. of the secondary unit (Fig. 7), to wires 155 representing the numbers 1 to 9. In this way the data is de-coded and transmitted to the punching machine in the normal Hollerith code, passing through contacts RO1, 1-12 and cable 156 to energize the appropriate punch control magnets 76, Fig. 2. Warning signals. A lamp L1 at each operator's position is illuminated when an attempt is made to transfer data (by a second depression of the manual bar) from the primary to the secondary unit before the latter has been cleared. The presence of a set-up in the secondary unit is indicated by the illumination of a second lamp L2. In addition a buzzer is provided which sounds if an operator attempts to depress the digit keys when previously set information in the primary storage unit has not been transferred to the secondary unit, or if the operator omits to depress the manual bar between entry of the "bank number' and the "amount."