Patent GB-1301842-A (GB)
IPC: G06C11/10
Filed: 1969-01-14
Abstract: 1301842 Automatic sales accounting BELL PUNCH CO Ltd 14 Jan 1970 [14 Jan 1969 2152/69 Heading G4T In a sales accounting system information coded by holes 9 on eard 5 and also printed on the card controls the setting of one of a number of type wheels 30. In one embodiment the card 5 is issued to an instalment purchase customer together with the token 1 (Fig. 1, not shown), which has embossed upon it the customer's identification number (x). When an instalment is to be paid, both card and token are inserted into the accounting machine (Fig. 3, not shown), the card being held by studs (24,25) on carriage (23). The carriage is then moved forward by means of a pinion attached to knob (21) until the first unused line is aligned with print hammers 36. The punched holes 9 code information in binary form, in this case that the card is for repaying credit by instalments. The holes are sensed by photo-cells 38, the signals causing decoding circuits 40 to operate solenoid TWSS which rotates one of the type wheels 30 so that the face bearing the symbol C is brought facing the type hammers 31. A binary code need not be used, thus only one hole may be punched, the information being conveyed by its position. The holes may be sensed by the mechanical means described in Specification 1,059,773, the mechanism comprising a plurality of racks each having a feeler resiliently urged downwardly so that the movement of a rack is stopped when its feeler engages a hole. The type wheels 35 which print the date are set by controls (20) whilst the old balance and the instalment are entered manually using the ten key keyboard (18) and the O.B. and I. operational buttons (19). The outstanding balance is computed by the arithmetic unit and printing wheel solenoids activated to set the outstanding balance on type wheels 35, the instalment also being set on type wheels 30. Provided none of the interlocks which open the electric circuits and energize warning lights (26) following error in, e.g., inserting the token or card are not activated, depression of the print button operates hammers 36 to record the outstanding balance, the instalment and the date on card 5, and hammers 31 to record the instalment and the code symbol C on record strips 28 and 29, carbon webs being provided between the type wheels 30, 35 and the records 5, 28, 29. The type on wheels 30 is compatible with optical character recognition equipment. The customer's number is also impressed on the record strips using the token 1 (Fig. 6, not shown). Should the customer have forgotten his card and token, his number is obtained from records and entered on the keyboard by the assistant. A single use card (44, Fig. 8, not shown) and a master token (43) bearing a number (z) indicating both the store department and that the transaction is an instalment repayment are inserted. Other cards may be provided for other customer transactions such as main order, the code symbol M being set up on the code type wheel in response to the appropriate holes in the cards. The token may be dispensed with and the information card given additional perforations which, on insertion of the card, sets up the customer's number on the type wheels.