Patent GB-906294-A (GB)
Title: Application of coded indicia to records
IPC: G06K1/12
Filed: 1959-10-02
Abstract: 906,294. Selective punching machines. CUMMINS-CHICAGO CORPORATION. Oct. 2, 1959 [Oct. 20, 1958], No. 33440/59. Class 31 (2). [Also in Group XXXVIII] Apparatus for recording data on a cheque or the like in either a single-column or a multicolumn code comprises a series of punches, means for feeding the cheque relative to the punches, an input keyboard, a first means operable to cause the entered data to be recorded in the single-column code and second means operable alternatively to enter the data in the multi-column code. The recordings are made on cheques 10, Fig. 1, the lower part of which bears legible data and the upper part 10a of which is provided to receive the punched data. A row of sprocket holes 41 is provided across the cheque by which it is fed through the machine as described below. On the left-hand side of the cheque four groups of digits are recorded, each digit being represented by a single column of holes placed in certain ones of five positions 2-5 and 7. Positions 1 and 6 are blank in this code. On the other side of the cheque digits 39158 are recorded in a threecolumn code which is such that the pattern of holes produced is legible. In addition symbol " I " is recorded on the left to indicate that the following data is in the single column code and symbol " L " indicates that the following data is in the multi-column code. A "+" symbol indicates that the amount which follows is to be added to the account. Punch.-The blank cheques are fed from a stack by a friction roll 42, Fig. 5, and passed by a band 44 to a first feed drum 45 having sprocket-pins 46 for engagement with the holes 41 in the cheque. This is described in more detail in Specification 906,293 [Groups VIII and XIX]. The leading edge of the cheque, after passing round drum 45, is taken by a similar drum 48 which forwards the cheque to an output hopper. Between the two drums is a line of punches P1-P7 operable through levers 92 by cam 96. The cheque is fed in steps through the punching station by ratchet-wheels 78, 79, operated synchronously by a double-ended pawl 76 actuated by a lever 71. A punch is selected by energization of a solenoid S1-S7 which causes a retaining lever 86 to be released from catches 83 and to hook over the ends of levers 92. When the pivot shaft 91 is raised those levers 92 which are retained at their rear ends by the corresponding levers 86 actuate the associated punches with their forward ends; the others move idly. The cheque feeding pawl 76 is controlled by a cam 69 on a shaft 60 which makes a single revolution when the magnet 68 is energized. This advances the cheque by the width of one column. The punching operation is effected by cam 96 through a follower on the shaft 91. The cam-shaft 95 is driven in synchronism with shaft 60 and it also resets the levers 86 through cam 105. For the single column code a digit or the like is punched in each revolution of the shaft 60 but in the multi-column code, four revolutions are necessary since there are three columns to be punched and a column is left blank between characters. For the latter code a series of selector switches, W0-W9 W+, W- and WI, are provided, frictionally coupled to a shaft 115 driven through a gearing so as to rotate through 90 degrees for each revolution of shaft 60. The wipers of the switches are normally held stationary by catches 118 but when one of these is released by energization of a solenoid L0-L9, L+, L - or LI, the corresponding wiper rotates to each of four contacts in turn for each revolution of the shaft 60. Circuit.-Data is entered by keyboard switches K0-K9, K+, K- and K1, Fig. 6. If the single-column code is to be used it is preceded by the symbol I (Fig. 1) which is represented in the multi-column code by a hole in position " 4 " of the first column and position " 2 " of the third. This is entered by switch KI which applies a pulse from condenser CI through contacts LRI (transferred) to solenoid LI. This pulse is also applied through diode D2 to clutch coil 68 to cause shaft 60 to make a revolution. The wiper of the switch WI, selected by solenoid LI, moves to the first contact and through the " a " input line and a diode connection in coder 140 energizes the punch selector magnet S4. Rotation of shaft 95 then punches this " 4 " hole in the first column. A switch wiper 114 fixed to the shaft 115 engages contacts a, b, c and d in turn. At the end of the first punching cycle the shaft has made a quarter turn and wiper 114 rests on contact b to apply voltage from line 135 to clutch coil 68 to cause the shaft 60 to make another revolution. In the next column no holes are punched since the b input line from wiper switch WI is not connected with any of the output lines. At the end of this cycle the third column line c is energized and punch selector magnet S2 is operated to prepare to punch " 2 " in the third column which is then punched. When the switch wiper WI reaches the fourth contact, it energizes a coil 150 to release a latching relay LR whereby the contacts LR1-LR9, LR+, LR - and LRL return to the position shown. The preceding operation sets the machine to punch data in the single-column code and precedes it with a symbol I in the multi-column code. Single-column code operation.-When a key is pressed, the corresponding switch, say K4, Fig. 6, applies a pulse from condenser C4 through contacts LR4 (as shown) to terminal i4. This terminal is connected by diodes in recoder 125 to punch selector magnets S4 and S5. The pulse also passes through diode D1 to operate clutch coil 68 and rotate shaft 60 through one revolution and feed the cheque by one column's width. Towards the end of this revolution the cam 96 operates the selected magnets to punch holes " 4 " and " 5 " in the cheque and the punch comes to rest until the next key is pressed. Multi-column code punching.-Before multicolumn code punching can take place the latch relay LR will have to be moved to the transferred position. This is done by pressing the " L " key, closing contacts KL and applying a pulse to relay coil 128. It also energizes terminal iL and causes " 5 " and " 7 " holes to be punched in the cheque as an indication that the following data is in multi-column code. If now a key switch, e.g. K3, closes, the switch W3 is selected and as the shaft rotates through one revolution it moves over the first contact towards the seeond. In the first column, holes " 1 " and " 5 " are punched, in the second, holes " 1," " 2 " and " 6 " and in the third, holes " 1," " 2," " 4," " 5 " and " 7 " so that a legible figure 3 appears on the cheque. The fourth column is blank and returns the punch to rest. In a modification, the switches W0- W9 &c. are replaced by relays each having three contacts providing inputs to the sets of three column lines of the diode coders 125 and 140. The sets of relay contacts are energized in turn by a selector switch similar to switch 114 rotated by a stepping magnet through a cam contact CS, Fig. 5. A homing relay returns the switch to the initial position. Specification 906,295 also is referred to.