Patent GB-853691-A (GB)
Title: A method and means for the automatic repetition of signal transmissions
IPC: H04L1/18
Filed: 1955-08-05
Abstract: 853,691. Code telegraph systems. DIRKS, G. Nov. 5, 1956 [Aug. 5, 1955], No. 22525/55 Class 40(3). In a signal transmission apparatus adapted to convert recorded signals into corresponding pulse sequences for transmission to a similar apparatus, and adapted also to receive pulse sequences from such similar apparatus and convert them into corresponding recorded signals in which the change-over from the transmitting condition to the receiving condition, and vice versa is dependent on the operation of a number of switches and in which after the transmission of a predetermined group of recorded signals the transmission is checked at the receiver for errors, the recorded signals are firstly applied as pulse sequences to a storage device at the transmitter and are also entered into a computer, and are subsequently transmitted as pulse sequences from the storage device and are again entered into the computer which includes means for comparing the two entries for identity and which, on the detection of identity produces a signal operative to initiate the conversion and transmission of the next group of recorded signals. The check signal provided by the computer for the group of signals recorded and transmitted is also transmitted with the group of signals and in the receiving arrangement, the received signals are stored and also passed to a computer which generates a check signal for the group. If this agrees with the check signal as transmitted, the stored signals are passed to a recording device for example, a reperforator. If, however, the check signals are not in agreement the receiving apparatus initiates a signal calling for a repetition from the transmitter of the erroneously received group of signals. The motor 13, operated by the closure of contact 70<SP>a</SP> of a relay 70 energized by actuation of a switch 68 drives through reduction gearing 14, 15 and clutches 19, 12 the shaft 23 of a distributer 20 and the shaft 11 of a tape-feeding arrangement 7, the shafts being normally held against rotation by latches 10, 24 operated by the armatures 9, 22 of magnets 8, 21. The distributer apparatus is set into operation by manual operation of a switch 72<SP>1</SP>, 72<SP>2</SP> operating the magnet 21 which allows one revolution of the distributer. Also the closure of contacts c, d by switch 72<SP>2</SP> energizes relay 73 which locks up over contacts 73<SP>a</SP>, 70<SP>c</SP>, so that, at the transmitter 73<SP>b</SP>, 73<SP>d</SP> are closed and contact 73c is opened. Towards the end of a cycle of the distributer a pulse is passed over lead 52 and switch 61<SP>6</SP> in its dotted-line position to operate, with a predetermined delay, a relay 66 which at contact 66<SP>a</SP> closes the circuit of the magnet 21 to release the distributer 26 for a further revolution. In the home or rest position of the distributer, a frequency signal from oscillator 76 passes via contact 73d operated by relay 73, conductors 56, 36 of distributer section 27 and switches 88<SP>6</SP>, 37<SP>a</SP> in the positions shown to the recording head 34. The perforations of the tape I sensed by pins 5<SP>1</SP>-5<SP>5</SP> allow pulses to pass from battery 78 to input 28 and exits 29<SP>1</SP>-29<SP>5</SP> of a section 25 of the distributer 20 which is effective to pass the signal elements to input 30 and exits 31<SP>1</SP>-31<SP>5</SP> of distributer section 26, and over connections 80<SP>1</SP>-80<SP>5</SP> to relays 81-85 of a transmitting and discriminating circuit 32. The pulse generated by the sensing of a perforation is effective through the distributer section 27 and inputs 33<SP>1</SP>-33<SP>5</SP> to allow the frequency from the oscillator 76 to pass via switch 88<SP>6</SP> and switches 37<SP>a</SP>, 37<SP>b</SP> to a recording head 34 operating in conjunction with a magnetic tape 38<SP>1</SP> rotated by a shaft 39 driven through reduction gearing 40 from the shaft 23, and completing a revolution in 85 steps corresponding to 85 revolutions of the distributer 20. The 85 revolutions are allocated to 80 characters and 5 revolutions are employed for the derivation of check signals and the transmission of service signals. A similar tape 38<SP>2</SP> driven from the shaft 39 can also be used for recording or sensing signals, the tape 38<SP>1</SP> being used for recording whilst the tape 38<SP>2</SP> is used for sensing, the respective operations being determined by the double switch 37<SP>a</SP>, 37<SP>b</SP>. If a perforation is sensed a pulse is passed from contact 81<SP>e</SP>-85<SP>e</SP> of the operated relay via associated conductor 92<SP>1</SP>-92<SP>5</SP> to one of the inputs 50<SP>1</SP>-50<SP>5</SP> from which it is passed to the corresponding exit conductor 51<SP>1</SP>-51<SP>5</SP> and switch arm 98<SP>b</SP>-98<SP>f</SP> in position n and lead 138<SP>1</SP>-138<SP>5</SP> to the appropriate binary stage 44<SP>1</SP>-44<SP>5</SP> of a first fivestage section of a computing circuit 43. The respective pulses of the five-unit signal are applied to the corresponding binary stages which change over in response to a pulse and partake of a carry-over operation from stage to stage. The binary stages in the second section 44<SP>6</SP>-44<SP>10</SP> of the computer 43 have carry-over means from stage to stage, a single entry for carry-over from stage 44<SP>5</SP> to stage 44<SP>6</SP> and the stage 44<SP>10</SP> has a carry-over connection to the discharge relay 48. In the final phase of the distributer, conductors 54, 52 are connected so that potential is applied to relay 66 operating with delay and closing contact 66<SP>a</SP> to energize magnet 21 to release the distributer 20 for a further revolution and also energizing relay 122 which at contact 122<SP>a</SP> completes the circuit of the magnet 8 to allow the arrangement 7 to step the tape 1. Also, the final phase of the distributer establishes a circuit between conductors 57, 58 energizing relay 102 which at contact 102<SP>a</SP> opens the holding circuit through connection 103 for those of the relays 81-85 which have been operated. The checking operation is initiated by the detection of a predetermined signal, e.g. carriage-return, on the tape 1, and a discriminating circuit in the relay arrangement 32 comprises contacts 81<SP>b</SP>-85<SP>b</SP> moved in accordance with the signal in association with fixed or pre set contacts 104-108 set up in accordance with the prearranged signal. When the signal is detected a circuit is completed through conductors 109, 110 and relay 94 which locks up over its operated contact 94<SP>a</SP> Relay 94 closes contact 94<SP>e</SP> operating relay 123 which locks up over contact 123<SP>b</SP> and at contact 123<SP>a</SP> opens the circuit of the magnet 8 so that the tape is not stepped. Contact member 94<SP>g</SP> also operated by relay 94 cuts off the passage of pulses from the tape to the distributer which, however, is kept in operation by the closure of contact 66<SP>a</SP> by the delayed relay 66. During the first rotation by the distributer after the checking signal has been sensed and detected, the five elements set up on the binary stages 44<SP>1</SP>-44<SP>5</SP> are sensed and passed to the recording head 34 and tape 38<SP>1</SP>, whilst during the subsequent revolution the binary stages 44<SP>6</SP>-44<SP>10</SP> are similarly sensed and recorded. The closure of contact 94<SP>C</SP> completes a circuit through connection 119 and the windings 81<SP>3</SP>-85<SP>3</SP> to conductors 120<SP>1</SP>- 120<SP>5</SP> and the plate circuits of the reading tubes of the binary stages 44<SP>1</SP>-44<SP>5</SP> so that the relays 81-85 are selectively operated according to the "1" condition of the corresponding tubes. A relay 98 energized over contact 94<SP>d</SP> closed by relay 94 and operating after a delay period corresponding to the time of a revolution of the distributer 20, moves switch 98<SP>a</SP> to the position 98<SP>a1</SP> so that for the second revolution of the distributer after the detection of the check signal, a circuit is completed over connection 138, windings 81<SP>4</SP>-85<SP>4</SP> of the relays 81-85 to connections 120<SP>6</SP>-120<SP>10</SP> leading to the plates of the reading tubes of the second set of binary stages 44<SP>6</SP>-44<SP>10</SP>, so that over selectively operated contacts 81<SP>c</SP>-85<SP>c</SP>, the second part of the check signal is recorded on the tape 38<SP>1</SP>. The operation of relay 94 also operated switch 94<SP>b</SP> from position m to position l so that potential is connected over conductor 144 and the upper contacts 81<SP>e</SP>-85<SP>e</SP> set according to the first part of this check signal to apply the complementary pulses to the binary stages which are all set to "1" and in the next cycle when the second part of the check signal is being recorded on the tape 38<SP>1</SP>, the switches 98<SP>b</SP>-98f are moved by the delayed relay 98 to the position o so that over the leads 51<SP>1</SP>-51<SP>5</SP> the complementary pulses from the upper contacts 81<SP>e</SP>-85<SP>a</SP> are applied to the binary stages 44<SP>6</SP>-44<SP>10</SP> to restore them to the "1" condition. When the 83rd area of the tape 38<SP>1</SP> is passing the signal head 34 a switch 145 operated by a projection 146 closes contacts q, r, so that a pulse passed to the first binary stage 44<SP>1</SP> clears all the binary stages 44<SP>1</SP>-44<SP>10</SP> to zero, and produces a pulse from stage 44<SP>10</SP> to a discharge circuit 48 operating relay 88 which moves contact 88<SP>6</SP> to position t interrupting the circuit from distributer section 27 to the recording head 34. During the passage of the 85th area past the head 34, contact 148 operated by projection 150 connects potential 149 through closed switch 187<SP>a</SP> to energize a relay 37 which operates switch members 37<SP>a</SP>, 37<SP>b</SP>, 37c from position b to position a so that signal head 34 is now connected throug