Patent GB-852152-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to the conversion and storage of signals
IPC: H04L13/08
Filed: 1955-10-21
Abstract: 852,152. Strip-perforating machines. DIRKS, G. Jan. 21, 1957 [Oct. 21, 1955; Aug. 24, 1956], Nos. 30071/55 and 25884/56. Class 100(3) Apparatus for generating character representing pulse groups includes a set of keys corresponding to the different characters, a rotatable pulse generating member provided with a plurality of magnetised areas forming a track or tracks, the areas being arranged in groups each of which represents the code combination corresponding to a different one of the characters, means to sense the magnetised areas to generate, in each revolution of said member, pulse groups representing all the different characters, first signal gating means to which the pulse groups are applied, a plurality of pulse generating devices for generating timing pulses in synchronism with the rotation of said member, switching means operable to provide sequentially a plurality of separate switching paths during a revolution of said member, and means adapted on depression of a key to select one of the pulse generating devices and one of said paths to apply a pulse to the gating means to render it effective to pass the pulse group corresponding to the depressed key. The apparatus includes a typewriting unit 1 with keyboard 3, 7, 8, and a motor-driven shaft 9 carrying a plurality of rotary elements 11-17. Depression of a key causes operation of the perforating unit 21, character counter 29 to operate pointer 35 of indicator 34, and space counter 28 to move indicator scale 36. The element 15 is provided with axial rows of magnetic inserts 50 each corresponding to a character, space or function pulses for all such rows being transmitted by signal heads 58 in succession to the gating means 19 during each revolution of the shaft. The elements 16 are provided with rows of inserts corresponding to binary character widths, and pulses for all the rows are transmitted by signal heads 59 to gating means 20 in succession during each revolution. The separate elements 161, 162, 163 are interchangeable, each corresponding to a character fount, and rendered operative by switches 60 selectively closed by keys 61. A stationary brush 44 connects a series of brushes 43 on the element 11 in succession to ground. Each key connects one of the leads to the brushes 43 to one of leads leading to the right-hand of two series of signal heads 48 for inserts in the element 13. The inserts are spaced apart slightly more than the heads, so that in the period during which any one of the brushes 43 is grounded, each insert is sensed by one of the heads, such sensings being in succession. When the grounded head senses an insert, a pulse is transmitted to the unit 18 to open the gates of the units 19, 20, the time at which this happens depending on the key selected. The lefthand heads 48 are slightly staggered with respect to the right-hand heads, and one of them transmits a pulse to close the gates slightly after their opening. Opening of the gate of unit 19 allows the pulse transmitted thereto at that time from the element 15 to be passed to the perforating unit. Opening of the gates of unit 19 allows the pulse transmitted thereto at that time from the element 16 to be passed to pentodes 56 to allow pulses transmitted thereto from the element 14 to be passed to the counter 28 or 29, according to the position of a switch 25 controlled by the keys. The inserts in the element 14 sensed by heads 57 are arranged to transmit in succession pulses representing in binary form each possible width value from one unit upwards, the selected value being passed to the counters according to the key selected. The typewriter also produces a visible record of the line, characters in black ink and functions in red. The element 17 can be used to store the line to allow corrections before punching. The rotary pulse-generating elements may comprise cylinders of non-magnetic material having axial slots accommodating elongated permanent magnets having lugs extending outwardly to the surface at the desired places, or individual magnets may be accommodated in the slots or in slots in several discs side by side. According to the second Provisional Specification, there may alternatively be an electronic counter of decimal type, incorporating pulse-responsive multi-stage tubes or storage elements for counting, or a chain of flip-flops or magnetic coils, or a relay type electric counter such as a combined binary type or arranged in a wiring network, or a relaychain counter. A plurality of exchangeable storage means co-ordinate different combination signals to the keys selectively, and may be rotatable, or exchangeable matrices, or a multiple arrangement of exchangeable contact bars having slots or contoured edges or combination contacts. The signals are selected by control switches according to co-ordinated type magazines which are to be used, which switches are controlled by keys which also control optical indicating devices including an assembly of lamps, or electro-mechanical indicating means. Printing ribbons of different colours may be selected. Between a counting device and an indicating device is an electronic reduction gear delivering an operating signal for the indicating device at determined numerical values and emitting a signal at a determined counting stage, or a carry signal may be released from a determined stage of an electronic or magnetic counting chain or from a last stage of a tube. An electromagnetic reduction gear may deliver a carry signal from a relay chain. The pulseoperative motion device for the indicating means may magnetically operate windings switched selectively by a rotary pulse-wise movement of an armature, or may be of electromagnetic stepping-switch type, the armature driving a wheel. A second counter-operated indicating means may be actuated by a space key at a speed related to the movement of the scale according to the maximum justification rate. The indicator may include a row of lamps switched in stepwise on actuation of character keys and switched from the other end on actuation of the space key, and there may be two rows of lamps in more than one colour, with additional indicating functions within another row of the same or another colour. Alternatively, there may be a moving slot or blind in front of one or more lamps, or an indication by movement of the glow or the length of the glow in a multi-stage tube, or an electric meter or a cathode ray indicating means. An intermediate storage for at least two lines of characters used alternately may be combined with a cyclic storage. There may be a selection of storage localities according to the movement or position of the paper carriage, and a binary combination signal selection effected by combinations of contacts according to the movement of the carriage, or direct ten group selection of combinations. One group of localities may be actuated according to one line, a second group controlling the record unit for the preceding line, or there may be groups of localities for more than one line, correction and erasing taking place within a line before the localities control the recording unit. The intermediate storage may be a magnetic disc or drum. Selection may be made by a counter into which a number of the selected area is put, releasing a selection control signal when sensing or recording means operates in the selective sector. There may be switching from one sector to another by adding a number to the count. An exchangeable layer of film may carry the recordings with suitable registration devices. Keys may have a double significance, for the usual meaning or after actuation of a switch for other control commands. A special key may actuate a switch for a permanent switching over to a second meaning until released by a further depression thereof.