Patent GB-809633-A (GB)
Title: Preadjustable apparatus for selecting, according to multi-digit index numbers booking vouchers and the like as they are fed past the apparatus
Filed: 1957-03-06
Abstract: 809,633. Statistical apparatus. BRUNSVIGA MASCHINENWERKE A.G. March 6, 1957 [March 12, 1956], No. 7407/57. Class 106 (1). A device for sorting or taking information from selected ones of a series of records comprises a sensing station past which the records are passed, a store in which the digits of the characteristic numbers sensed on the records are set up, a comparison device connected to the store, adjustable groups of setting switches for manually setting up the digits of the required numbers and means for detecting when the sensed value agrees with the set value. The record may be a punched voucher and is passed between a light source 20 and sensing heads 21<SP>1</SP>-21<SP>n</SP> to produce pulses the number of which corresponds to the value of the data carried on the voucher. These pulses are amplified in amplifiers 22<SP>1</SP>-22<SP>n</SP> and passed to the stepping mechanism 23<SP>1</SP>-23<SP>n</SP> of stepping switches 24<SP>1</SP>- 24n each of which is set thereby to a position which corresponds to one of the digits sensed. The number of the sensing heads and associated circuits depends upon the number of digits of the number upon which the sorting or selecting process is to depend. A series of comparators 26<SP>1</SP>-26<SP>n</SP> are connected to the contacts of the stepping switches 24<SP>1</SP>-24<SP>n</SP>, each comparator having switching means 25<SP>1</SP>-25<SP>n</SP> &c. settable to the required numbers. When the digits set up in the stepping switches 24<SP>1</SP>-24<SP>n</SP> correspond to those set in switches 25<SP>1</SP>-25<SP>n</SP> of a comparator an associated one of relays 27<SP>1</SP>-27<SP>n</SP> are operated to transmit data subsequently read from the voucher to calculating apparatus over lines 28<SP>1</SP> &c. or operate sorting flaps over lines 29<SP>1</SP> &c. Each comparator is arranged as shown in Fig. 2 having banks of contacts 32<SP>1</SP>-32<SP>n</SP> to be controlled by the switching means 25<SP>1</SP>-25<SP>n</SP>, Fig. 1. The contacts of each bank are connected in common through a two-position switch 12 to resistors 14 which are themselves connected in common by line 15 through a resistor 18 to the grid of the first tube of amplifier 33. Switch 12 moves into contact with the contact bank when the associated setting switch 25<SP>1</SP>-25<SP>n</SP> moves to position one, that is if no value is set up, it connects the resistor 14 to the positive line as shown for contact bank 32<SP>n</SP>. The line 15 controls the operation of an amplifier 33 controlling relay coil 34 which operates the associated relay 27. In Fig. 2 value 2 has been set up on contacts 32<SP>1</SP>, values 3, 4 and 5 on contacts 32<SP>2</SP> and no value on the contacts 32<SP>n</SP>. A voucher with a number " 23 " will set the stepping switches 24<SP>1</SP>, 24<SP>2</SP> to values 2 and 3 as shown so that all the resistances 14 are connected to the positive supply. The negative grid bias on the first tube of amplifier 33 is adjusted so that the grid can only become positive when all the resistances 14 are connected to the positive supply, thereby causing the tube to conduct and energizing relay coil 34. The amplifier also responds when numbers " 24 " and " 25 " are sensed since the " 4 " and " 5 " contacts of bank 32<SP>2</SP> are also closed. Relay coil 34 closes switch 16 (27<SP>1</SP>-27<SP>n</SP> in Fig. 1) to allow the values subsequently read from the voucher to pass to the calculating apparatus. As many comparators as required are connected in parallel to the stepping switches 24<SP>1</SP>-24<SP>n</SP> to respond to other selected numbers so that values sensed from corresponding vouchers are passed through relay contacts 27<SP>1</SP>-27<SP>n</SP> associated with these comparators.