Patent GB-904684-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to photographic type composing apparatus
IPC: B41B27/00
Filed: 1958-07-21
Abstract: 904,684. Photographic type-composing apparatus. INTERNATIONAL PHOTON CORPORATION. July 21, 1958 [Oct. 1, 1957], No. 23371/58. Drawings to Specification. Class 98 (1). In a photographic type-composing machine having transcription apparatus which is adapted to transcribe successive type-characters by repeating a cycle of transcription operations for each character and includes a code-reading unit for reading a code significant of the identity and width of a selected type-character to be transcribed, a projection unit for projecting an image of the selected character on to a light-sensitive recording surface, and a spacing mechanism for producing the appropriate spacing between characters images formed on said surface, means are provided responsive to first and second signals respectively to stop and restart the cyclically recurring transcription operations at a pre-arranged point in a cycle so that a different operation not allowed for in the cycle can be carried out during a period of no transcription, the first signal being initiated by the code-reading unit in response to a coded instruction for effecting the said different non- cyclic operation and the second signal being initiated by a device responsive to the completion of said non-cyclic operation. The invention is applied to a machine having justification calculating and storing mechanism as in Specification 857,791 and, as therein, including a pin register with provision for error correction as in Specification 691,738; and cyclic character transcription means closely similar to that of Specification 857,791 comprising means for selecting and photographing the desired character carried on a rotating master character disc as in Specification 699,556, an optical system including a travelling prism for along-the-line spacing across the film width as in Specification 691,763, and an escapement mechanism as in Specification 846,261 for controlling the intermittent advance of the prism; but differing in the means for interrupting the cycles of character transcription for performing other different non-cyclic machine operations such as change of font and change of point size by use of a lens of different magnification. Preferably, the cyclic operation is controlled by a timing device comprising a set of rotary cams and cyclic operation is interrupted and re-started by switching means comprising contacts of a relay energized by a first signal to disengage the drive to the cams, so that these stop at a selected point in the timing of the cycle, and de-energized by a second signal to re-engage the cam drive at the same point in the timing of the cycle when the desired non-cyclic operation has been completed. As described, the character disc carries sixteen fonts arranged in eight concentric circles with one font occupying each semicircle and the chosen font is selected as described in Specification 706,690. Changes in point size while using the same font are achieved by means of a lens turret which is rotated by a combination of fast and slow drives so as to change the lens quickly and yet bring the turret smoothly to rest. Indicator lamps are provided to show which lens is in use. The machine is controlled by a continuously rotating driving shaft rotating the character disc and also at half the speed a shaft on which are mounted continuously operating cams CCM maintaining a reference cycle, and which shaft is connected via a half-revolution type electromagnetic relayoperated clutch to a shaft carrying intermittently operating timing cams ICM controlling not only character transcription but other machine operations in response to code signals transmitted from the register when read by a movable reading carriage device as in Specification 691,761, all under the general control of a programme switch as in Specification 857,791. Reading of a character disc or lens turret change code causes the clutch for the cams ICM to be disengaged so that the cyclic procedure is halted and the reading carriage does not advance to the next position in the register and completion of the change operation causes the clutch to reengage. The Specification also states, without supporting specific description, that the reading carriage sensing and advance operations may be effected by other means than interrupting the drive to the cams ICM. The Specification also describes timing and control arrangements for automatic transcription doubling, i.e. allocating to a character twice the width recorded in the register, when the lens turret is positioned for large point sizes. Provision is also made for effecting transcription doubling independently of the lens in use and for reverting to normal spacing. For the large point sizes, the machine is adapted to effect double flashing exposure of the characters and double escapement, this occupying two cam cycles. The cam timing involved in inserting justifying leaders as in Specification 857,791 is also described. For tabulation, an auxiliary register comprising a perforated paper tape as in Specification 899,133 is employed, this auxiliary register being brought into use by a tabulation code in the main pin register which is held inoperative until an end of line code perforation is read in the auxiliary register and causes restoration of the operation of the main register. Vertical movement of the film for line spacing for subscript and superscript characters, especially in mathematical formulµ, may be effected by means of a ratchet solenoid driving the film under control of codes recorded in the pin register, while a vertical rule or row of characters may be produced by operation of a key which prevents escapement movement but couples the film to a continuous drive, the pin register not being operated. Specification 846,268 also is referred to.