Patent GB-793101-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for sensing recorded data
Inventor: BROIDO DANIEL
IPC: G06K7/016
Filed: 1954-10-29
Abstract: 793,101. Statisticall apparatus. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd. Oct. 29, 1954, No. 31306/54. Class 106 (1). Apparatus for sensing a data-bearing document on which each data character is represented by two-out-of-six code component positions U, V, W, X, Y, Z comprises a group of six devices each operated by the sensing of one respective code component, means controlled by the devices operated for the U, V, W, X code components for representing a sensed character in a four-component additive code, means controlled by the device operated for the Z code component for operating the U and V component devices, and means controlled by the Y component device for preventing the Z component device operating the U and V component devices. The document, a cheque, Fig. 1, is shown having digital data recorded in columns, each column having six possible indexpoint-positions referred to as positions U, V, W, X, Y, Z. Between the fourth and fifth columns of the " amount " field is a column containing three holes T in the U, V and W positions. These are " timing " holes and are used to generate six timing pulses, one of which occurs as each data position is sensed, to render ineffective any pinholes not in correct data representing position. The timing and the data " digit " pulses are counted and if.more or less than the appropriate numbers of each are counted, the data sensed is rendered ineffective. The sensed data may be used for sorting but is described as controlling a printing mechanism of the kind disclosed in Specification 791,733, [Group XVI], having type bars controlled by energizing in appropriate combinations four electromagnets A, B, C, D, Fig. 2. Holes in the index positions U, V, W, X control magnets A, B, C, D respectively. A hole in position Z causes magnets A and B to be energized while a hole at position Y suppresses the effect of a hole at Z but has no effect when combined with a hole in any of the other four positions. The sensing means comprises sixteen photo-electric cells divided into four groups of four cells each, (only three groups being shown). Each group consists of two central cells 2 in line one behind the other (timing cells), parallel to the columns of data, and two outer digit cells 3 and 4 in line with the first of the two control cells parallel to the row of index positions U, and the columns of the amount data field are sensed sequentially in pairs, two columns by the digit cells 3, 4 in each group of cells. The method of aligning and feeding the cheque is known and is fully described in Specification 718,066, [Group XVI]. The output of each group of photo-cells 5, Fig. 2, is fed to a selector circuit 6 which initially selects the output of the first group of cells and feeds the output of the timing cells to a multicathode valve selector circuit 7 so that the discharge is stepped along one cathode for each timing pulse in known fashion. The outputs from cathodes " 1 " to " 6 " are fed to a respective one of the gates 8U to 8Z. These gates give an output pulse when both inputs are present, the other inputs being derived from the righthand digit cell. 3, so that when a digit output pulse (from cell 3) coincides with a timing pulse, an output is produced at the corresponding gate. The outputs from the gates 8U to 8Z are fed to magnet operating circuits 9A ... 9D, controlling the respective magnets A-D for the column in question. When a hole is sensed in position Z the discharge will be on cathode " 6 " and will operate the gate 8Z, the output of which operates both A and B magnets except when a hole is sensed in the Y position which operates a suppressor circuit 10. The output of the digit cell 3 is also fed to a " count two" trigger 11, a similar " count two trigger 11a being actuated by the output of the left-hand digit cell 4 (for which a duplicate set of gates 8U ... 8Z, and magnet operating circuits 9A ... 9D &c. is provided so that only if two holes are sensed in the appropriate pair of columns in the amount field, are outputs fed from these triggers 11, 11a to a gate 12. Similarly, provided six timing pulses only occur during the sensing of a column pair, a delay circuit 13 and trigger 14 controlled by the selector tube 7 apply a signal to the third input of the gate 12 which then feeds an output to a " count four " trigger 15 which then steps the selector 6 to render the next group 5 of photo-cells operative for sensing the next pair of data columns to actuate their respective magnets A ... D as above described. In this manner the eight amount data columns are sensed sequentially in pairs and when the last column pair has been sensed the count four trigger 15 is pulsed for the fourth time (to indicate that all the data holes in the cheque have been correctly sensed), and thereupon operates a relay 18 to effect completion of the printing cycle. Electromagnets 60 operated with the corresponding circuits 9A ... 9D set associated test contacts provided that the corresponding sequence bars in the printer are operated. A second set of test contacts 17 is set according to the position of the printer setting bars. Any disagreement between the conditions of the two sets of test contacts, indicating an error in the setting up of one or more of the type bars in the printer, precludes operation of the relay 18. The printing mechanism is synchronized with the sensing of the cheque data by using the timing pulses to control through a circuit 19 a clutch on the printing mechanism drive shaft. Modifications. The data may be recorded alternatively by printed marks sensed photoelectrically or by areas of ferro-magnetic material sensed electromagnetically.