Patent GB-803688-A (GB)
Title: Book-keeping machine
Inventor: OBERMAN ROELOF MAARTEN MARIE
IPC: G06Q40/00
Filed: 1956-09-04
Abstract: 803,688. Statistical apparatus. STAAT DER NEDERLANDEN TEN DEZE VERTEGENWOORDIGD DOOR DE DIRECTEUR-GENERAAL DER POSTERIJEN, TELEGRAFIE EN TELEFONIE. Sept. 4, 1956 [Sept. 14, 1955], No. 26997/56. Class 106 (1). In a book-keeping machine for preparing addressed statements of accounts there is a source basic information, e.g. the balances of a series of accounts given in order of the number of the account, and a source of detail information, e.g. amounts to be added or subtracted from the account, information from these sources is passed to first and second auxiliary registers from which it is read out to a computer, the read-out devices from the first register being controlled by an account number read-out device in the second register so that the information passed to the computer from both registers relates to the same account, the results of the calculations performed being printed on a statement sheet and also recorded on a medium (e.g. tape) to form a new source of basic information. The machine shown has a sensing-device 100 for sensing basic data on a punched tape 101. This tape is called the balance tape because it contains in numerical order the balances of the various accounts. Record cards may replace this tape if desired. The information from the tape senser is passed on line 124 to a store 103 which has an incoming sequence switch 104 controlled by a device 105 coupled with the control device 102 of the tape senser. Switch 104 has parallel input paths and connects in turn to the different memory units of the store. The storage elements 106, 107, 108, &c. may be relays or magnetic cores. The information is read out of the store by two devices 109, 111 working under the control of devices 110, 112 respectively and which are adapted to read out information simultaneously on separate output terminals. Items which are to be added to or deducted from the balance for each account are read from punched or marked cards (or tape) 201 in a senser 200 under a control device 202. The information from senser 200 is passed to an auxiliary store having an input sequence switch 204 controlled by a unit 205 and storage elements 206, 207, 208, &c. A device 209 controlled by device 210 reads out the number of the accounts to which the detail card relates and which is to be dealt with next in the calculating unit 300. The device 211, under control device 212, reads out the amounts to be added or deducted and passes them to the accounting- machine 300. The account number from readout 209 is passed to the control device 112 which causes the balance of the next account to be dealt with to be passed to the accounting- machine 300 when an enabling signal is passed therefrom on line 301 showing that the current calculation is complete. The computer unit 302 passes the value of the old balance, the number of the account being dealt with and the amounts added or deducted to an auxiliary register 306 which retains this information until there is enough to proceed to the printing- machine 308 or until all calculations are complete on the account in question at which time the final balance is worked out by the computer and passed to the register 306. Another recording device 307 also receives the above information and also the information in register 103 through read-out device 109. The control device 110 is governed over line 310 from the recording unit 307. This may be a printing- machine and a punching or magnetic tape device. Tape 312 from this device is used in the sensing unit 100 as an input for later calculating operations. During the printing-out operation in device 308 the customer's name and address is also printed, this being derived from a record 401 (e.g. punched card or tape or magnetic tape) through a sensing device 400 controlled by a unit 402. The sensing device 400 is governed over a line 403 by the auxiliary register 203 so that the appropriate name and address is read out over line 311. The detail card 201 after passing through senser 200 is forwarded to a deflector 214 arriving at the same time as the data thereon is being dealt with in the computer 302. The deflector is controlled over line 316 to direct the card to one of two boxes 215, 216 according to whether or not the calculation required by the card is possible. For example if an amount to be subtracted exceeds the balance of the account, the card is passed to box 216. Instead of using a separate source 401 for the names and addresses they may be included on the tape 101, the auxiliary register 103 being enlarged accordingly, e.g. by use of a magnetic drum. Alternatively only those names and addresses need be recorded in the register 103 which relate to accounts which are to be operated upon, or the register may be still further simplified by arranging that only one or two names and addresses are stored therein at a time. At the end of operations on one account a signal is passed to cause the tape senser to pass the details of the next account into the register; the name and address being passed to a special store (having one or two storage units) by opening an input gate. Read-out is also via a gate. The read-out device 109 which supplies the recorder 307 may be omitted when a magnetic drum memory is used and the tape 101 transferred to the recorder 307 for the new balances to be punched thereon. Instead of a single card senser 200 there may be a number, for example three, adapted to read in turn groups of cards arranged in order of account number and passing the information in parallel to a distributing switch. At the end of the groups of detail cards relating to one account number a device detects the change of account number and steps the distributing switch to the next sensing unit.