Patent GB-863429-A (GB)
Abstract: 863,429. Accounting machines; statistical record-sheet machines. NATIONAL CASH REGISTER CO. Dec. 3, 1959 [Dec. 22, 1958], No. 41075/59. Class 106 (1). An accounting-machine has a circuit for comparing a control number sensed from an inserted ledger card with a control number entered on the keyboard and a circuit for a machine-cycleinitiating relay controlled by the comparison circuit, various control keys and a function control switch to determine in which particular types of operation the comparison circuit shall be effective to prevent a machine operation when the control numbers are not the same. The invention is applied to the machine described in Specification 852,827 which is adapted for dealing with banking transactions and which has a circuit for comparing an account number read (together with an Old Balance) from a magnetic record on the back of an inserted ledger card with an account number set up in a special keyboard. In this prior machine, the comparison was effected during the Balance Pick-up Operation only but in the present modified machine, the sensed number is stored and a comparison can be effected during each of a complete posting sequence of operations or during Deposit entries only, the account number keys being released during each operation and then re-set. For this purpose the function control switch is set to a new position, " Posting II." The function control switch may now also be set to an " Add " position in which all of the pick-up and storage circuits are disabled. Account number keyboard.-As described in Specification 852,827, each key of three columns of keys controls a switch, and a pair of slides 111, 112 for each column latch a depressed key, release a previously depressed key and release all the keys if two adjacent keys are depressed. Each column now has a blank key stem 403 co-operating with both slides so that if it is depressed all the keys are released. These stems 403 may be depressed by rocking a shaft 395 and this is effected by cams 386, 387 when a pitman 381 is lowered by a lever 370. Movement of the latter may be blocked by a link 364 controlled by a cam 362 positioned by the function control switch but is permitted when the latter is set to the " Posting II " position. The lever 370 is also controlled by a notched control disc 378 positioned by the Row 2 control keys so that the key-release mechanism is ineffective in operations initiated by control keys not used in posting. Auxiliary differential mechanism.-Each column of account number keys is associated with an auxiliary differential mechanism, Fig. 3, generally similar to the mechanisms described in Specification 852,827. A differential arm 140 is rocked by a driving member 147 on a shaft 139 until arrested by the release of a pawl 148 controlled by a solenoid 150. The arm 140 is connected to plates 170 by which the magnetic recording of a digit represented by the setting of the differential mechanism may be controlled. An aligner 179 co-operates with the plates 170 and is actuated by a cam 189. In certain operations and throughout a " Posting II " sequence, a solenoid. Fig. 7 (not shown), is energized to prevent the disengagement of the aligner so that the auxiliary differential mechanisms remain set to the account number sensed from the ledger card. To enable these differential mechanisms to be set under the control of the account number keys, the switches 122, Fig. 16, of the latter are connected to wiper switches 241 driven by the driving-shaft 139 and in series with means for de-energizing the solenoids 150. Checking account numbers.-As described above, the auxiliary differential mechanisms are set in a Balance Pick-up operation in accordance with the account number sensed from the card and are held so set throughout a " Posting II " sequence. Coupled to each differential arm 140, Fig. 3, is a wiper switch 220, Fig. 16, the points of which are connected to the respective account number keyboard switches 122. The three denominational groups of switches are connected in series so that if all of the account number digits as sensed are the same as those set up on the keys, a relay K318 is energized. Contacts K318A1, Fig. 17, of this relay form one circuit path to the machine-cycle-initiating relay K307, the path also including a switch SC22Al closed by depression of any Row 2 control key except an Overdraft key. The comparison contacts may be by-passed by closing manual switches K315A2 or 481 but the latter is in series with a switch SC25B2 which is opened by depression of the Deposit key so that when the switch 481 is closed, comparison is still effected in Deposit operations. All of these circuit paths are bypassed by the function control switch 470 except when it is in the " Posting II " position shown.