Patent GB-546274-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to calculating, statistical or tabulating machines
IPC: G06F7/40
Filed: 1939-11-06
Abstract: 546,274. Calculating-machines. record-card control. JENNINGS, H. W. K. (Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation). Nov. 6, 1939, No. 29507. Addition to 546,272. (Class 106 (i)] In the record-card-controlled machine according to the parent Specification two numbers are compared and the machine registers the relationship ; in particular, the lesser of the two numbers is registered. In the present invention this lesser, registered, number is compared with a further number, and a predetermined number (a monetary charge corresponding to the further number) is registered if that lesser number is equal to or less than the further number. The apparatus of the parent Specification is for charging electricity, gas, or water various successive rates according to the consumption. The present apparatus shown is that of the parent Specification modified to make a minimum charge if the consumption is equal to or below a predetermined minimum figure. The first fourteen units of consumption are charged at the first rate and the minimum charge ($0.48) is made for a consumption of twelve units or less. The auxiliary comparing mechanism involved consists of six columns of sensing means 515, 516, Fig. 4, which read the six columns at the bottom right-hand comer of the office card, Fig. 2, coacting with an extra contact 60D (lug 60F and line 63E), Fig. 3. In addition to these, the following additions are made, viz. relays 185-188, 194, and 61, Fig. 8; relay and contacts 209 and line 194B, Fig. 7 (not shown); tens contacts 264S, 264T, 177, 178, &c., units contacts 179, 179D, &c., and line 63E, Figs. 20 and 21 ; contact X3 and line 194B, Fig. 6 (not shown). If the consumption exceeds the minimum of twelve it is broken up into the various rates as in the parent Specification, but the minimum action automatically cuts out these additional, normal, circuit actions. The meter card, Fig. 1, is the same as in the previous case and shows a meter reading of 443 (holes 67DD, 67HH, 67GG) for September and of 455 (holes 27DD &c.) for October. Except for the modification stated above, the field card, Fig. 2, is also the same as previously and is arranged for a first step rate (columns 81 ... 90) on fourteen units and a second step rate (columns 300 ... 309) on the next twenty-five units. The columns 184, 184A, 184B are punched to correspond to a minimum consumption figure of twelve and the columns 189, 189A, 189B to correspond to a related minimum charge of $0.48. In the nett consumption register 56, 57, 58, Fig. 3, the bar 60, through lug 60A, opens contacts 60B when lugs 56X, 57X, 58X move inwards radially of wheels 56C, 57C, and 58C when all the wheels are at zero and align notches in their peripheries with the lugs. Bar 60 carries also a lug 60F which closes contacts 60D as the bar moves inwards. This connects earth over contacts 172X, Fig. 3 (bottom right), line 48Y, contact 60D, and line 63E, Figs. 3 and 4, cable 116), Figs. 4 and 21, and line 63E, Figs. 21 and 20, to the added contacts such as 264S and 177. For the minimum consumption sensing device (bars 184, 184A and 184B and their contact fingers) to cause a minimum charge operation, it is necessary for it to earth both the conductors 66C and 66D, Fig. 4, from those conductors in cables 181, 182, and 183 that have been earthed. The conductors earthed in cables 181 and 183 are of digital significance corresponding to the tens digit of the consumption amount set up in the first rate step register and if this consumption amount exceeds the minimum consumption amount represented by the perforations aligned with bars 184, 184A, 184B, only one or neither of conductors 66C and 66D is earthed, but if the amount is equal to or less than the predetermined minimum punched in the office card, both lines 66C and 66D are earthed to initiate the minimum charge operation. E.g., if the consumption is 09 the units No. 9 finger of bar 184B does not register with a card hole (office card punched for minimum 12) and fails to extend the circuit to line 66C. But the tens order fingers read the holes 184EE and 184HH and earth both conductors 66C and 66D. Bars 189, 189A and 189B with their sensing fingers detect the monetary charge perforated in the bottom right-hand three columns of the office card, Fig. 2. When conductors 66C and 66D are earthed as above from bars 184 &c. they energize minimum charge control relays 185 and 186, Fig. 8, which in turn energize relay 187. Contacts 187C of the latter, through line 187F, Figs. 8 and 4, connect earth to the bars 189, 189A, 189B. Hence the fingers of monetary significance corresponding to the minimum charge amount punched in the field card are earthed and effective through conductors in cable 190, Figs. 4 and 7 (the latter not shown), and shift relay 209, Fig. 7 (not shown), for setting up the counting relays, Fig. 5 (not shown), preparatory to their controlling the entry of the monetary amount in the cost accumulating register, Fig. 18 (not shown). When the contacts 60D, Fig. 3, are closed by the movement of bar 60 due to wheels 56C &c. reaching zero, contacts 264S and 264T, Fig. 20 (over lines 264U and 264V) connect earth from line 63E to the appropriate conductors in cables 181 and 183, Fig. 21 ; and contacts 179 connect earth to cable 182 over lines 179A. Hence these cables 181, 182, 183 are earthed, Fig. 4, for action over the appropriate sensing fingers as above set out. For a consumption, say, of twelve (i.e. below the first step rate fourteen) the amount is transmitted through the consumption register 56, 57, 58 to the first step register, Fig. 15 (not shown), so that the numeral wheels of the latter display twelve. Meanwhile gearing and shafting inter-connecting these numeral wheels and the right-hand portions of the number wheel assemblies in the tens and units denominations of the consumption register 56 - 58 cause these right-hand portions to be moved subtractively by twelve. This brings the consumption wheels back to zero and at this time the notches 56C, 57C, 58C register with the lugs 56X, 57X, 58X, Fig. 3, and allow bar 60 to move down, Fig. 3, so that contacts 60D are closed to initiate the minimum consumption operation as set out above. If the consumption exceeds the minimum, when the consumption register wheels return to zero, either or both of the control relays 185, 186, Fig. 8, fail to energize and hence relay 187 is not energized. This disables the minimum consumption operation and the consumption figure is broken down into the various rate step by the full sequence of operations set out in the parent Specification.