Patent GB-546272-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to calculating, tabulating or statistical machines
IPC: G06F7/40
Filed: 1939-10-23
Abstract: 546,272. Calculating machines; record-card control. JENNINGS, H. W. K. (Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation). Oct. 23, 1939, No. 28514. [Class 106 (i)] A statistical calculating machine is arranged for computing charges of commodity consumed at different rates on a scale according to the quantity consumed the products at the different rates being computed and the total added. The invention is illustrated in a perforated recordcard controlled machine for calculating the cost of gas, electricity or water consumed, where the first portion of the consumption is charged at a first rate (e.g. multiplier 7), the next portion is charged at a second rate (e.g. 6), and the remainder at a third rate (e.g. 1/3 ). The machine is controlled by a meter card, Fig. 1, having twelve fields (each field of four columns) for receiving the holes representing the twelve monthly meter readings and an office card, Fig. 2, for controlling the various rate multiplications. There is an office card and a meter card for each consumer and on each pair the consumer's identification number is punched in the cards at 1BB, 1CC, Fig. 1, and 2AA, 2BB, Fig. 2. Only if the cardhole reading fingers read numbers which agree in a pair of cards is a series circuit formed to the start key 3, Fig. 8, to permit the machine to be started. The last meter reading and the previous meter reading are taken from the meter card and set up on register 48-50 and 75-77 respectively, Fig. 3, from which the settings are transmitted in opposite senses to a third register 56-58 which thus shows the month's consumption. From thence, according as this consumption exceeds the quantities allotted to the first and second charge rates, the appropriate amounts are set up on registers, respectively Figs. 15, 16 and 17 (not shown), from which they are then retransmitted seriation to three separate sets of multiplying circuits. Each set of multiplying circuits, e.e. that shown in Figs. 20 and 21 for the first stage, is arranged for the correct fixed multiplier (7) as follows, 21 being a continuation of the bottom of Fig. 20: ten switches MO, M1 ... M9 at the left for the tens denomination are controlled by a lug on a disc 97B rigid with the tens numeral wheel in the first rate register Fig. 15 (not shown) which lug closes the appropriate switches. Ten multiple switches MIO, MI1 ... MI9 at the centre for the units denomination are controlled by a lug on a disc rigid with the units wheel in the register, Fig. 15 (not shown), so that the appropriate multiple switch has all its contacts shown. In actual construction each set of ten switches is arranged circumferentially round the appropriate disc. These switches are wired to three sets of conductors 492, 493, 494 each of ten lines so that whatever number is set up on the register, Fig. 15 (not shown), the circuit is made live to those lines 492 ... 494 which represent the amount multiplied by the multiplier 7. Conductors 492, 493, 494 are for the hundreds, tens, and units denominations respectively. E.g. if only unit numeral " 1 " is registered the switch MI1 is closed and a circuit passes through contacts 260A to the " 7 " line 494 ; if units numeral " 2 is registered a circuit is made to the " 4 " line 494 through switch M12 and another to the " 1 " line 493. Two similar sets of circuits, Figs. 22, 23 (not shown) and Figs. 24, 25 (not shown) are provided for the second fixed multiplier (6) and the fixed remainder multiplier (1/3). Finally, the products thus selected in the conductors 492 ... 494 &c. are transmitted to a cost accumulating register, Fig. 18 (not shown), which indicates the total charges. Bifurcated cards.-Each meter card, Fig. 1, has twelve fields (each of four columns) in which are punched the monthly meter readings and a field of two columns in the top right hand corner for the consumer's identification number. In each set of four columns the left hand column denotes the month of the year and the other three the meter reading. E.g. the two fields for September and October are shown punched in Fig. 1. In the first, hole 211CC denotes "9" " and holes 67DD, 67FF represent a meter reading of " 404." In the second, hole 212CC denotes " 10 " and holes 27DD, 27EE and 27FF represent the next meter reading of " 455." Each pair of holes 1BB, 1CC, Fig. 1, and 2AA, 2BB, Fig. 2, denotes identification number " 12." In the office card, Fig. 2, the two rows of columns across the centre thereof are punched according to the amounts which are to serve as the limits for charging at the first and second rates. Holes 115CC, 115DD, 115EE represent the fixed multipliers 7, 6, and 1/3 respectively. Consumption registration.-The three registers shown in Fig. 3 are each of three denominations. The figures for the last meter reading, say October, are taken from the meter card, Fig. 1, and set up on the top register 48, 49, 50. Concurrently, through interconnected wheels controlled by electromagnet clutches, this reading is rolled into the central consumption register 56- 58, previously zeroized. The previous meter reading, September, is then taken from the meter card and entered into the bottom register 75, 76, 77. Again concurrently, this reading is rolled into the consumption register but in the opposite sense, i.e. subtractively to the previous entry, so that the net consumption for October is registered The electromagnetic clutches controlling the various entry wheels of the above registers are energized over timed circuits from the main machine cycle control. Sequence relays ; counting relays.-From the card-reading the circuits pass to a set of sequence relays, Fig 8, and thence through sets of shift relays, Figs. 7 and 6 (not shown) to three denominational sets of counting relays, Fig. 5. These counting relays control the entries with the registers shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 8 each operation is controlled by a pair of relays 4, 5 or 6, 7 or 8, 9 or 20, 21. The operation is effected by the lower relay 4 or 6 or 8 &c. of a pair as it is de-energized. The interlocked circuits are such that in successive cycles the relays are deenergized in sequence from left to right so that as each de-energization occurs the related operation takes place. In Fig. 5 the upper double line 37, 36, 35, 34 ... of counting relays is for the hundreds denomination, the central section 71, 70 ... for the tens denomination, and the lowest section 152C, 152B ... for the units denomination. In each denomination the pairs of relays correspond to the digits 1 ... 9 from left to right. The pair of relays corresponding to the significant digit read in that denomination off the meter card is energized and all pairs of less value, i.e. to the left. At operation, the circuit is broken and remade, one pair of relays being left de-energized and a stepping relay 40 energized at each step, so that after the lowest pair has been de-energized, the relay 40 has been energized a number of times equal to the significant digit. Stepping relay 40 controls the numeral wheel for the corresponding denomination in the register. Counting apparatus ; transfer mechanism ; zeroizing mechanism.-The number wheel assembly for a denomination, for example; the tens, consists of a sleeve 57M, Fig. 19, loose on, but lockable by a clutch 57A to, a motor driven shaft 59, and fast with a sleeve a number wheel 57; carry-one wheel 57W, and a zeroizing wheel 57B, also loose on the sleeve a shunting wheel 57F for setting the reading from the counting relay, gear wheel 57E, one cam wheel 57D for closing the multiple switches at a digit value, carry-one contact wheel 57S and a back stop wheel 57G. These wheels are fast together and lockable to the sleeve by a clutch 57R when energized by one of two circuits. The carry-one for tens and hundreds energizes relays 110 and 160, Fig. 5, respectively and the zeroizing wheel contacts cooperate in circuits with zero-setting relays such as 172, Fig. 3, and a slow relay 170, Fig. -8. Circuits are traced in detail for three different sets of consumption figures. The counting relays, sequence relays, and product apparatus are the subject-matter of separate Specifications 546,294, 546,295 and 546,296.