Patent GB-538604-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to statistical or like records and record reading devices
IPC: G06V30/224
Filed: 1940-02-05
Abstract: 538,604. Photo-electric statistical records and apparatus. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd. Feb. 5, 1940, No. 2231. Convention date, Feb. 3, 1939. [Class 40 (iii)] [Also in Groups XVI and XIX] A statistical record adapted to be scanned photo-electrically is marked with characters the lines of which produce code marks in a straight line. Reference is made to Specification 288,327, [Class 106 (1)], for characters forming non-linear marks. As shown in Fig. 12, the code marks 1 are in a nine-unit code 2a, 2b ... 2i and are disposed along a vertical line of each character. The marks are wider than the scanning spot 23a to allow for lateral irregularity in the positions of the characters. To allow for vertical irregularity of the characters, the first mark is common to all the characters and is situated at any convenient level according to the shape of the character; and this mark is intended to produce a signal which unlocks and initiates the operation of a " storing " device. Scanning device. Record cards bearing the characters described above are fed in any suitable way, for example by rollers 8, Fig. 1, and reciprocating pawls 12, between plates 10, 11 formed with a slot 18, through which light from a lamp 5 passes to a cylindrical lens 20 and thence through apertures 23 in screens 21 to photo-electric cells 22. One cell is provided for each column of characters on the record. These cells may be arranged in staggered formation. Storing mechanism. One such mechanism is provided for each column of characters: Each mechanism comprises mainly an electromagnet 32, Figs. 2 and 3, controlling nine pins 38, which are mounted in slots in end supports 41, 43. Each pin can slide in its slots to occupy a backwards or forward position, and can also rock about a tail projection 49 so that the front end of the pin can either be in the raised position 48, Fig. 5, or the lowered position 47. The tail 49 co-operates with different insulated contacts 110 according to whether it is in the backward or forward position; and the front end is adapted to be held in its raised or lowered position by a plate 50, which is provided with a slot 53 to allow the passage of the front end through the plate as and when required. The storing mechanism comprises other details as will appear in the following description of its operation, starting with all the pins 38 in the lower position. When the scanning of a record begins in the device, Fig. 1, a cam 64, Fig. 3, synchronized with the scanner acts through a linkwork 61, 60 to move a bank of clamping plates 55 gradually to the right. The plate 50 is frictionally clamped between these plates, but is locked by the front end of the first pin 38 in the slot 53 until the first code mark reaches the scanning position, whereupon the cell circuit de-energizes magnet 32 and .allows the first pin 38 to fall helped by a spring 67. The plate 50 then begins to follow the movement of the bank of plates 55 to the left; and at each code step, the slot 53 allows the corresponding pin to be positioned above or below the plate 50 according to whether the character has a mark in the corresponding code position. At the end of the scanning operation, cam slots 77, 78, in bars 73, 74 attached to and following the movement of the bank of clamping plates 55, engage upper and lower shoulders 81, 82 on the pins 38 and move all the raised pins forward and all the pins in the lower position backward, so that the position of the tails 49 on the contacts 110 correspond to the code of the character just scanned. The cycle of operations is completed by the cam 64 causing the bank of clamping bars 55 and the parts associated therewith to be returned to the right. During the scanning of the next record character in the same column, the pins 38 are reset in fresh top and bottom positions corresponding to the code marks of the fresh character, but are not moved backward and forward until this re-setting is completed. During this scanning period therefor the tails 49 occupy positions corresponding to the code of the previous character, and use is made of this period to transmit signals through the tails 49 to any desired interpreter or decoding device. The tail of each pin 38 has a top lug 33 engaged by a spring pawl 130 to retain the pins in position until forcibly moved forward or backward by the bars 73, 74. The storing devices for the several columns of characters are arranged in staggered formation and their plates 50 are all operated by a common bank of clamping bars 55. Interpreter. The code set by the contact projections 49, Fig. 2, of the fingers 38 on the contact strips 110 is interpreted by means of a commutator, Figs. 10 and 11, comprising insulated discs 100 all connected together by a bolt 104 and having lugs 106 co-operating with rubbing contacts 105. One disc 100a makes contact over a complete circle to establish connection with a source of current. The lugs of the other discs are spaced to interpret the settings of the pins 38, the lugs being connected in two sets labelled " black " and " white " to the forward and backward contacts 110 of the storing device for use with a set of code marks divisible into two groups for operating a tabulating machine having two groups of characters on a type bar. The record characters of one set all have a mark in the second position of the code, and the record characters of the second set have no mark in this second position. Tabulator. The printing mechanism, Figs. 15 and 15a, operates on the principles described in Specification 425,838 [Group XVI], and comprises type carrying bars 145 adapted to be raised gradually by arms 144 pivoted at 143 and cooperating through a bail 142 and springs 146 with a lever 141 on a shaft 140 driven in synchronism with the scanning operation. The type bar is stopped at the correct height by a pawl 148 released by an electromagnet 150 controlled by the code interpreter. The type bar has two columns of characters in staggered formation corresponding to the two divisions of the code. These characters are secured to a type head 151 attached to a bar 155 slidably mounted on the bar 145 and urged downwards by a spring. The bar 155 may be held up against the spring by a pawl 156 or may be released by the pawl and moved down to a stop 158. In one position, one column of characters is operative; and in the other position, the other column. The character corresponding to the code is thus presented to the printing hammer 153. The pawl 156 is controlled as follows. When the type bar descends after printing, a bail 159 is raised and deflects the pawl 156 against a spring away from a step 157 on the bar 155, and this bar, if not already in its lower position against stop 158 moves down to that lower position. During the next cycle of operation, a comb 160 is gradually raised by a spring 165 under control of a camcontrolled bail 162. If the code character being interpreted belongs to one division, the comb 160 rises fully; but if the character belongs to the second division, a magnet 163 is energized and releases a pawl 164 which engages a step 161 on the comb 160 and limits its rise. A bail 168 is then moved upwards a definite distance and acts on an arm 167 pivoted on the comb 160. If the comb has been stopped by the pawl 164, the arm 167 can reach a projection 169 on the bar 155 and raise that bar to its upper position where it is retained by the pawl 156, but if the pawl 164 has not been operated and the comb has risen fully, the arm 167 cannot reach the projection 169 and the bar 155 remains in its lower position. An automatic total control device may also be provided comprising a control magnet adapted to be set in circuit by an appropriate switch.