Patent GB-817517-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to the storage of signals
IPC: G06F3/023
Filed: 1956-03-08
Abstract: 817,517. Electric digital-data-storage apparatus. DIRKS; G. June 11, 1957 [March 8, 1956], No. 7250/56. Class 106 (1). A pulse generator for use with a signal storage device, comprises a number of pulse generator elements equally spaced over a fixed distance, a different number of sensing devices equally spaced over the same distance, and means for producing relative movement between the pulse generator elements and the sensing devices so that each element is sensed in turn by each sensing device to generate a pulse. In all the embodiments described numbers are entered from a keyboard into a magnetic drum store each track of which accommodates a multi-denominational number. Each digit space in a track can receive up to nine equal-value signals to represent a digit, and these signals are generated by a vernier arrangement of eleven signal elements 12/1 to 12/11 moving in synchronism with the magnetic drum past ten stationary sensing devices 5/1 to 5/10. The signal elements may be magnetically recorded signals, sections of magnetized material, photo-electrically sensible marks, &c. In a first embodiment the digits to be recorded are set up, one at a time, on a keyboard 6. Depression of a key (e.g. 11/6 for the first digit) causes discharge of a capacitor 36 through the lower key contacts and a common resistor 42, the pulse developed across the latter switching on a control gate 25. When a sensing head 4/1 subsequently detects a datum signal 14 a pulse passes via line 21, switch arm 9 and an amplifier 23, through the gate 25 to switch on a further control gate 34. This allows signals picked up by the sensing head (5/4), as selected by the depressed key, to pass via the upper key contacts (43/6) to line 44 and thence through an amplifier 45 and the gate 34 to switch open a further gate 33. Due to the vernier relationship between the signal elements 12/1 to 12/11 and the heads 5/1 to 5/10, the heads following the selected one (5/5 to 5/10) will pick up signals in rapid succession to be passed through the gate 33, line 52, and amplifier 53, to a recording head 20 which will record a number of pulses equivalent to the value of the digit key depressed, in the digit space 7/1. When the datum signal 14 passes the next sensing head 4/2 another pulse passes via line 28 and arm 10 to a line 29 and, via an amplifier 30, switches off the gates 25, 33 and 34, and, upon release of the depressed key (11/6), a circuit is completed for recharging the capacitor 36 by current which also energizes a relay 38 to step on the arms 9 and 10 by one step. The next time one of the keys 11/1... 11/9 is depressed the sensing head 4/2 will initiate the recording sequence, selecting the digit space 7/2, and so on. Instead of recording, data may be read out from the selected storage space by a similar arrangement. In a second embodiment (Fig. 3, not shown), a counter is used to control the selection of the storage area in which recording is to take place, instead of the heads 4/1, 4/2 ... &c., and the stepping switch 9, 10. In a third embodiment (Fig. 5, not shown), control of the number of pulses to be recorded in the storage track in accordance with the setting of a key, is exercised by a counter. Other combinations of the features disclosed in the three embodiments are also suggested. Moreover, a magnetizable disc or tape may be used instead of a drum and the heads may be moved instead of the record surface. The keyboard may be replaced by relays, electronic switches, &c., and instead of magnetic pulse pick-up devices, photo-cells may be employed. Details of amplifying and gating circuits and a counter employing a known type of counting tube are also described. Specifications 786,021, 786,033 and 786,034 are referred to.