Patent GB-721869-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to a statistical machine record card
IPC: G06K19/04
Filed: 1951-03-22
Abstract: 721,869. Statistical apparatus. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. March 22, 1951 [March 31, 1950], No. 1336/53. Divided out of 721,828. [Class 106 (1). A statistical record card for use with the apparatus described in Specification 721,828 comprises a plurality of columns having a fixed number of markings disposed within one deck or area to represent the tens digit of a two-digit number and a second fixed number of markings disposed within an another deck or area to represent the units digit of the number. The arrangement of decks and markings is shown in Fig. 1, and is such that there are always five markings in a column disposed between the two decks I and L as shown with no marking in the upper deck U. These coded numerical markings represent lower case letters of the alphabet as indicated along the top of the card. By this means data is recorded on the card with five markings distributed among the twelve possible recording positions in each column to provide easier mechanical interpretation and more data than is usual on a particular size of card. The 792 possible five hole combinations are distributed between the decks so as to form " index," major " and " minor " series which are broadly distinguishable in that the " index ' series contains no perforations in deck U, the " major " series contains a perforation in either the X or Y position in deck U and the " minor " series has perforations in both X and Y positions of deck U. The " index " series is subdivided into what is termed sub-series A1, A2, B1 and B2, shown in Figs. 1-4 inclusive and representing the various letters and numerals indicated at the top of the card in each case. The character of the coding indicates the particular sub-series as may be seen from these Figures, thus the absence of perforations in deck U identifies a card as being in the " index " series the grouping of either four or five holes in a single deck identifies it as an alphabet character. The location of these four or five holes in deck I would identify it as an upper case letter, while if the four or five holes occur in deck L it would be identified as a lower case letter. The " major " series is sub-divided into C1, C2, D1, D2 and E, illustrated in Figs. 5-9 inclusive, and represent the various characters indicated at the top of the card in each case. The identity is established by the presence of a hole in the X or Y position. The sub-series C1 and C2 are identifiable by the four-hole arrangement within decks I and L respectively, the E series is identifiable by the split-up of the remaining four holes with two in each of the lower decks, whilst the D1 and D2 series . are identifiable respectively by the presence of three-hole combinations in the lower and intermediate decks respectively. The " minor series is shown in Figs. 10-13 inclusive and represents the various characters shown at the top of the card in each case. The " minor series is sub-divided into subseries F1 F2, G1 and G2. This series is identifiable by the presence of a hole in both the X and Y positions in the upper deck U. Minor series F1 is identifiable by five-hole combinations in which three occur in deck L. Minor series F2 is that in which three holes of the combination occur in deck I. Minor series G1 is identified by the arrangement of three holes of the combination with two in deck I and one in deck L. Minor series G2 is identified by the arrangement of three holes of the combination with two in deck L and one in deck I. Fig. 15 shows in tabular form a summary of the various combinations, showing the total combinations available.