Patent GB-931712-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for coding records
IPC: G06K1/05
Filed: 1959-09-09
Abstract: 931,712. Selective punching machines. ELECTRONIC ASSOCIATES Ltd. Sept. 9, 1959 [Sept. 25, 1958], No. 30738/59. Class 31 (2). [Also in Group XXXVIII] Apparatus for coding a record with an identifying sequence of characters of a code made up from a plurality of code characters comprises a plurality of elements adapted to be energized to code the record with the respective characters, a plurality of banks of control devices, the banks corresponding to the respective positions in the sequence of identifying characters, each bank including a plurality of control devices the number of which corresponds to the number of characters in the code, the respective control devices of each bank being adapted to be conditioned from a normally inoperative state to an operative state to ready one of the elements for energization, a coding switch, means responsive to the actuation of the coding switch for conditioning a control device of each bank to operative state and means for energizing the readied elements, through respective operative control devices of the banks, in sequence. The control may be for punching information into a card or tape or for incorporating information into a magnetic tape. As shown in Fig. 1, automatic data processing equipment 18 of the type in which a card placed in an opening 20 may be automatically coded with information contained in a prepunched card placed in an opening 22 has connected thereto by means of a cable 24 a console control which causes the equipment to punch other coded information on to the fresh card along with the information from the prepunched card. The control comprises a plurality of panel sections 10 arranged around a stool 12, each section carrying a plurality of coding switch plates 16 which correspond to frequently required items. The control also includes an auxiliary coding switch assembly 26 having a number of buttons 28 adapted to be actuated to cause a code number of an item other than a frequently required item to be punched on to a card. A quantity switch assembly 34 is mounted on the stool 12 and provided with buttons 36. The control is provided with indicators 40 each comprising ten neon glow lamps 42 corresponding to the respective digits 0 to 9. In the circuit shown in Fig. 2, three coding switch-plates 16 corresponding to the name of a frequently required product and two quantity switch buttons 36 corresponding respectively to an ordering unit and the number of ordering units are provided so that the product is represented by a code number having five digits, the plates 16 and buttons 36 corrosponding respectively to the digits of higher and lower significance. The plates 16 and buttons 36 are associated with normally-open switches 48 and 54 which are connected selectively to five groups 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 of bus-bars which are in turn connected to the corresponding relay windings 76, 84, 92, 100 and 102 of five columns 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 of relays. The relay windings of each column are each associated with three normally-open switches 78, 80, 82; 86, 88, 90; 94, 96, 98; 104, 106, 108; and 110, 112, 114, respectively. The columns of relays are read in sequence by means of stepping switches 182, 184 and 186, 188 to selectively energize punch solenoids 208. The arms 182, 184 of the stepping switches are adapted to be moved by means of a linkage 180 operated by a solenoid 176 which also operates a linkage 190 to drive a cam 192 arranged to move a switch arm 156 out of engagement with a contact 158 in the zero position of the stepping switches. The solenoid 176 is energized when a step-initiating relay winding 174 is energized. Manuallyoperable switches 218 are provided for coding a card with a number representing a product other than a frequently required one. To provide time for the punches to recover, an arm 214 is closed on contact 212 for only a part of the period of time making up a complete stepping cycle. A switch 134 may be operated to deenergize the relay windings should incorrect information be accidentally put into the apparatus. If more than one relay winding in a column is energized, a winding 140 is energized to move a switch arm 130 out of engagement with a contact 128 to interrupt the circuits of all the relay windings. The relay matrix may be replaced by other devices, e.g. flip-flop circuits, magnetic cores or magnetic tapes or drums.