Patent GB-1304359-A (GB)
IPC: G06F3/02
Filed: 1969-12-22
Abstract: 1304359 Cash registers GROSS CASH REGISTERS Ltd 9 Dec 1970 [22 Dec 1969] 62226/69 Heading G4T  Apparatus such as a cash register or accounting machine which includes electronic means for effecting calculations from information applied to input means, has mechanical indicator means operatively connected with toothed movable elements which are moved to zero at the start of a cycle of operations and then allowed to advance through a series of positions, and stop means operable by the electronic means to stop the toothed elements in various positions so that the mechanical indicator means indicate the required applied or calculated information. Indicators.-In the embodiment described an indicator element comprises a pair of ciphered drums 45, 47 geared together, one visible to the operator and the other to a customer, the drum 45 being geared to a toothed disc 64. At the start of a cycle a solenoid 103, controlled by the electronic means, clutches cam-shaft 85 to a constantly running electric motor 98 and cam 83 acts on arm 76 to rotate sector plate 68 which carries a rod 66 engaging an edentate portion 65 of the toothed disc. The disc is rotated to its zero position and then as rotation of cam-shaft 85 continues is permitted to move through its number values under the action of a spring (see also, Figs. 3, 4, not shown). Synchronized to the movement of each drum is a timing disc 151 which generates a signal as each character is displayed, these signals being counted by timing counter 152A, Fig. 5, and the number compared with that in the result buffer 31E. When the value is the same solenoid 109 is actuated to arrest the toothed disc at this required position. Input; keyboard.-The input means preferably comprises a keyboard but may consist of cards bearing magnetized, shade distinguishable or punched data. The keyboard described has columns of composite keys, e.g. 1 to 9 and 1¢ to 9¢ or 11 to 19 which are all cycling keys and forms the subject of Specification 1,304,360. Two embodiments of keyboard are shown, one for the British monetary system and the other for dollars (Figs. 1 and 6, not reproduced). Other keys are provided for various functions, e.g. first key 15A for cycling the apparatus, keys I to IX for different types of commodity purchased, X key for sub-totals, Z key for cleaning totals and Amount Tendered key A/T which when depressed with key 15A causes the machine to cycle twice, and compute the change required. A table indicating which keys must be depressed for certain functions of the apparatus is shown in Fig. 7 (not reproduced). Operation.-The key stems 16 carry magnets 24 which actuate read switches 25 and the keyboard matrix (Fig. 9, not shown) is continuously scanned by means of a oscillator (116) and counters (117), (118). When a live key is detected a signal is sent to function decoder 31A to initiate a three scan cycle, scan 1 detecting which functions are to be performed and effecting the committal of the staticized information in bi-stables (130) to ferrite store 31D. The function decoder 31A controls arithmetic unit 31B and store control 31C which during scan 2 reads from the ferrite store the totals to be processed and transfers the information to the arithmetic unit where the keyboard amount is added to the totals in turn, while in scan 3 information that is required to be displayed is transferred to the result buffer 31E (see also the table Fig. 8, not shown). Printing.-Geared to each indicator drum 45 is a print wheel 49 and when the function performed is such that a ticket is required the function decoder sends a signal through ticket driver 33 to solenoid (172) which serves to effect one cycle of the printing mechanism (Fig. 11, not shown) by clutching cams (182), (183) to driven shaft (178), the cams operating various levers to print the required information on the wheels 49 on a ticket and to issue the ticket.