Patent GB-1005775-A (GB)
Title: Accounting machine
Filed: 1964-04-17
Abstract: 1,005,775. Statistical apparatus; accounting machines. NATIONAL CASH REGISTER. CO. April 17, 1964 [April 22, 1963], No. 15944/64. Headings G4M and G4T. An accounting machine includes a common sensing device which senses two items of fixed data from a first record medium, stores the items in separate storage devices, senses two variable data items sensed from a different record medium, and through differential mechanism enters these variable items in a pair of totalizers; and comprises a selectively operable device which causes the read-out from the storage device of one or the other of the fixed data items, and causes such read-out c selectively entered in one or bo totalizers in accordance with the setting of a selection key. The machine described is basically cribed in Specification 852,827 adapted for automatic control in a manner simi described in Specification 895,369, except that the punched tape reader is dispensed with and two magnetic record cards are provided for each account, the data read from the first card replacing the data read from the tape. The machine is particularly adapted for " credit union " schemes in which employees make payments by regular deductions from their wages in order to save and/or to pay off loans. The first card gives the amounts of these regular payments and these payments are recorded on the second card together with the dates when payments are made and the current loan and share balances. The employee pays, say, $10 per week as share payments and these payments are added to the share balance on the second card. Loan transfer payments of, say, $20 per month are transferred from the share account to the loan account and thus these amounts are deducted from both accounts. Card feeding.-Both cards are similar to those used in the machine described in Specification 852,827, i.e. they have information magnetically recorded on the back and printed on the front. The card feeding and sorting unit is as described in Specification 867,293. The first or factor memory card of each pair has an extra magnetic spot on its rear face. This spot is used to energize a feed relay to prepare for entry of the second or account card. Interlocks.-If the factor memory card is not received first, the feed relay is not energized and a " verify sequence " lamp is illuminated. The account numbers on the two cards are checked for agreement by a comparator similar to that described in Specifications 852,827 and 863,429; also a gate check circuit locks up as in Specification 852,827 if the " sequence " spot or the " line finding " spot are improperly positioned or if any additional magnetic spots are improperly recorded in the line finding channel. Data entry and storage.-The fixed information is read from the factor memory card and used to set the differential members as in Specification 852,827. The differential members are geared to type mechanism similar to that described in Specifications 447,481 and 280,828. A set of storage switches are arranged to be controlled in a similar manner to the type wheels. Each switch consists of fixed contacts 233, 234 and wiper contacts 236 mounted on a rotatable annulus 238. Internal teeth on the annulus mesh with pinions 244 on rectangular shafts 231. The shafts 231 are rotated by corresponding differential members in known manner, and the particular shaft 231 on which the pinion 244 is mounted corresponds to the differential member from which it is set. A second interengaging pinion is mounted on an inner shaft 231 and one or other of the two pinions is rigidly attached for rotation with its shaft 231 while the other rotates freely on its shaft. Thus the position of each pair of wipers 236 corresponds to the setting of its associated differential member. The storage switches 225 corresponding to loan and share payments are positioned at the right-hand end (Fig. 6B) of the switch line and those of the square shafts 231 which are used to set these storage elements are disengageably coupled at 252 so that after they have been set under control from the factor memory card, the right-hand portions of these shafts can be drawn to the right against spring action to disengage the couplings and allow the loan and share payment storage switches to remain set during sensing of the account card. The data sensed from the account card is passed from the differential members directly into the totalizers. The sequence of operations is controlled by multi-level stepping switches as in Specification 798,017, and the outputs of these switches are connected through plug boards so that the programme can be varied. After the old loan and share balance have been entered into the totalizers, the stepping switches cause the loan and share payment storage switches to be sensed and the settings of the switches are used to operate key actuating solenoids as in Specification 895,369 to set the differential mechanisms so that these amounts can be entered into the totalizer to produce the new balances. Sorting. Cards for accounts having particular characteristics such as having a share balance of more than $2000, may be " outsorted " as in Specification 867,293. Overdraft mechanism is as in Specification 648,389. Specification 905,388 also is referred to.