Patent GB-818235-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to the storage of digital electric signals
IPC: G06K1/14
Filed: 1956-04-14
Abstract: 818,235. Electric digital-data-storage apparatus. DIRKS, G. July 15, 1957 [April 14, 1956 (2)], Nos. 11414/56 and 11415/56. Class 106 (1). [Also in Group XVI] In an apparatus for transferring signals a first carrier having a plurality of groups of signals recorded thereon, each group being associated with a block marker signal and a group of synchronizing signals, is sensed by signal transfer means which controls the recording of corresponding signals, including marker and synchronizing signals, on a second signal carrier. In a first embodiment a three-channel magnetic tape 1, Fig. 1, carries numerical data and associated marker signals. Channel 3, Fig. 2, which is sensed by a reading head 10, contains signals 6 separating each multi-digit number, channel 4, sensed by a head 11, contains digit-separating signals 7/1 ... 7/n, and channel 5, sensed by a head 12, contains groups of signals 9 representing the digit values. Tape-to-drum transfer.-Closure. of a switch 35 supplies a positive pulse to open gates 25 and 24, the latter passing a marker signal, when picked up by a head 28 from a constantlyrotating magnetic drum 2. The marker signal opens gates 47, 48, 49 in the circuits of the tapesensing heads 10, 11 and 12, and also passes through the gate 25 to fire a gas tube 20 and, Via a line 42, reclose the gate 25. The firing of tube 20 momentarily energizes a solenoid 19 which releases an arm 17 to allow a tape feed roller 13 to be driven via a slipping clutch, through one revolution. In accordance with the presetting of one of the switches 59/1 . . . 59/n, the recorded signals picked up from the tape 1 by the heads 10, 11 and 12 are re-recorded on the selected group of three channels on the drum 2. Feeding,cards or sheets.-In a second embodiment, data recorded in binary-decimal code 113, Fig. 5, on flexible cards or like sheets 66, together with marker signals 112, is to be transferred to a constantly-rotating magnetic drum. A plurality of multi-digit numbers may be recorded in each column, double signals 111 in column 108 defining the separation of numbers while single signals 112 separate the decimal digits. Each sheet has a projecting edge 93, Fig. 4, at both front and rear, and any sheet can be selected from the stack by an arrangement including a reversible motor 72 driving, through a slipping clutch 74, a threaded shaft 70 which is released for rotation by a switch-controlled solenoid 78. Each rotation of the threaded shaft, which is also transmitted by a chain 99 to a similar shaft 71, raises or lowers the stack (according to the setting of a switch 68) by the thickness of one sheet. When brought to a selected position, tapes 82, 83 driven through a magnetically-controlled clutch 92 by a motor 91, are driven in a counterclockwise direction, and lugs 90 on the tapes engage the projections 93 at the front edge of the selected sheet, withdrawing the latter from the stack. This operation is facilitated by solenoid-controlled levers 101 (only one of which is shown) which are rocked to engage a lower projection 102 between the sheets at the selected point and support the upper part of the stack during extraction and re-insertion of the selected sheet. The tape lugs 90 pull the selected sheet towards a drum 61 and engage its forward edge between spring fingers 106 in a slot 105 in the drum; the latter is then released by a solenoid 81 for rotation by a motor 62 during which movement the sheet is wrapped round the drum, its rear edge also being held in the slot 105. The various channels on the sheet now pass under several sets of sensing heads 65, 65a two of which have been selected for read-out to the drum 2, Fig. 6, by closing one of several switches 115. A further selection of the address of the number required in the selected column will have been made by closing one of a series of switches 118 in the cathode circuits of a counting tube 119; this will bring the glow to the position representing the complement of the required number. In one column 110 of the sheet a single datum signal 114 is picked up by a head 104 and, after a start switch 120 has been operated to open a gate 122, passes through the latter to set the glow in the tube 119 into the selected position and open a gate 125. Signals picked up by the selected head 65a are now passed to a monostable flip-flop 126 and a gate 127 controlled thereby; in the case of a double signal 111, Fig. 5, the first element triggers the flip-flop 126 and opens the gate 127 to allow the second element through before the circuit flops back. This signal passes through the gate 125 and steps on the counter 119. Single signals 112 separating digits cannot pass through to the gate 25. When the counter 119 passes through the 9--0 stage a carry pulse opens a gate 129 so that when the marker signal 26 on the drum 2 is picked up by a head 28 the signal passes through gate 129 and opens gates 130 and 131 to allow transfer of data and marker signals from the selected heads 65, 65A to selected recording heads 135, 135a associated with the drum 2. Transfer from drum to tape, from tape to tape and from sheet to sheet, is also mentioned. Moreover the digit and marker signals may be recorded in a single track. Instead of magnetic signals, black marks on paper tape may be sensed photo-electrically to control the punching of a further record in a second paper tape.