Patent GB-1382723-A (GB)
Title: Method of and apparatus for transferring a pattern to a programme carrier
IPC: G05B19/42
Filed: 1972-03-21
Abstract: 1382723 Programme preparation FRANZ MORAT GmbH 21 March 1972 [21 April 1971] 13203/72 Heading G3N A program carrier for the control of a knitting machine is prepared by moving a transparent plastics pointer 47 on a co-ordinate table 45 along successive scanning lines over a coloured pattern 41. During the first scanning line an operator signals the colour of each textile point at which a colour change takes place, by means of contacts 1-6, to be stored in intermediate or line store 27, whereas in succeeding lines, operation of a contact 1-6 is necessary only for store points at which a pattern change exists with respect to the preceding line, writing-in being blocked by key P until a point where change is required is reached, whence key S is operated. For recurring colour sequences on a line, only the points defining the first sequence are manually coded, unit 88 ensuring that the line is completed by iteration of the manually coded part. Operation The X co-ordinate of table 45 increased by unity for each point, is fed to address unit 53 whose output is compared with that of timer controlled unit 57 scanning over free store addresses. When comparator 55 delivers a coincidence signal, gates 61 and 25 allowing passage of the corresponding pattern information, via memory 23, to intermediate or line store 27 which may be a random access core, drum or disc store, or a shift register or tape. Comparison unit 69 receiving the X address from 53 signals the end of a line, blocks storage, when coincidence between the pre-set line width number in unit 71 and the X address is reached. Table 45 may be moved over the pattern without data storage if contact P is closed, so that corrections can be made by closing contact S when a point to be corrected is reached. Recurring Sequences Contacts 109 are closed so that the first sequence is stored as before, and passes also to shift registers 97, 99, 101 feeding multi-plexers 91, 93, 95, the latter receiving also via counter 89 the number of points in a sequence. Upon opening of contacts 109 and a set of contacts (not shown) between units 23 and 25, and closing of contacts 108, further movement of table 45 controls the shifting of registers 97, 99, 101 leading to iterated sequence storage. Counter 89 may be pre-set to the number of points in a sequence, or may count the number of such points as the first sequence is stored. Preparation of program carrier Data from the store 27 is passed via gate 29, coder 31, permanently wired or program variable cross bar unit 33 and amplifier 35 to a tape punch 37 producing the program tape. Alternatively the program carrier is magnetic tape, film, a plate store or computer core store. Jacquard, or binding patterns may be produced. Should a line be dominated by a given colour, the whole line may be stored as having the colour, contacts P, S then being used to "correct" any different coloured region. Lamps 81, 83 controlled by supervision unit 75 indicate whether the pointer 47 is precisely on a line, lamps 87, 85 indicating excessive X movement beyond either the beginning, or end of a line. Modifications A positive or negative parity check may be provided. X and Y position corrections may be made to allow for pattern distortion. A system of lamps and mirrors may be used to illuminate the pointer tip in the colour selected. The X and Y positions may be transmitted using a keyboard.