Patent GB-778916-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to statistical record card controlled apparatus
IPC: G06K17/00
Filed: 1954-06-29
Abstract: 778,916. Statistical apparatus. ROSE, H., and SPINGIES, E. June 29, 1954 [July 11, 1953], No. 19062/54. Class 106 (1). In a machine for evaluating punched record cards carrying descriptive and arithmetical data, the record cards (not necessarily of uniform size) in unsorted order are fed one at a time to a sensing device F, Fig. 1, by a feeding mechanism which spaces the cards equally one from another. After evaluation the cards are deflected into hoppers K11, K12, &c. in dependence on a comparing operation so that cards bearing the same characteristics are sorted into the same hoppers, the comparing devices also being operative to select totalizing (or other calculating) units so that the data from all cards bearing a certain characteristic is entered as it is sensed into the same totalizer unit. As each card passes under the sensing device the values recorded in each column are added and the total printed or punched in at the bottom of the card. The machine is provided with switching means in the form of a multicontact three-position switch which causes the following operations to be carried out:- Position 1: The individual columns of each card are added up and the totals are written at the ends of the columns and a perforation is made indicating the totals. Position 2: Operation as above and in addition the totals are entered in totalizer units corresponding to the card characteristics so that the totals of all cards of each characteristic are added up. Position 3: The column totals arrived at in a previous passage through the machine (with the switching means in position 1) are entered into the totalizer units, only the totals being entered of those cards whose characteristics agree with the setting of the comparing device. Card feeding and spacing.-The cards are fed from a stack by a rubber wheel (Fig. 15, not shown) mounted on an arm for reciprocation over the stack, the wheel being rotatable in one direction only. The forward stroke of the arm separates a card and feeds it towards the sensing means but on the return stroke the wheel ,rotates idly. The cards are fed over a table 1, Figs. 1, 2, inclined at an angle to the horizontal by forwarding belts B1, B2 exposed through slots in the table, the cards bearing on the belts only by their weight. The table is flanged along its lower edge and rollers R, driven at the same speed as the belts, engage the card through gaps in the flange. The belts B1 B2 and rollers R are driven by a motor M2 controlled by a manually operable switch. Light-sensitive cells V1, V2, V3 are arranged above the table 1 in the direction of movement of the card and spaced apart by the length of the cards plus the gap between them. The cells are connected to fire thyratrons Th1, Th2, Th3 controlling relays R7, R9, R11 controlling in turn relays R6, R8, R10. Relay R10 is controlled by relay R11 or relay R9, relay R8 by relays R9 or R7 and relay R6 by relay R7 or a contact K1 operated by the passage of the card. Each relay R6, R8, R10 is adapted when energized to hold down a pair of stops H1, H2, H3 which normally project into the path of the card. The arrangement is such that as the first card moves under the cells V3, V2, V1 the stops are held but as soon as the rear edge of the card clears the first cell V3 the corresponding stop H3 is raised to hold up the second card. When the trailing edge of the first card clears the cell V2, stop H2 rises but stop H3 is lowered by energization of relay R10 (through contacts R9-I) so that the card moves forward to the next stop H2. When cell V1 is cleared by the first record the stops H2 are withdrawn and stops H1 rise. Finally the lagging edge of record 2 clears the contact K1 and the stops HI are withdrawn. By this means the desired spacing between cards is maintained, the stops moving up and down in a continuous sequence during the feeding of a stream of cards. Contacts Sch3, Sch2, Schl are spaced apart along the path of the cards and control relays R3, R2, the contacts of which govern the operation of a motor M1 driving a forwarding belt B3 for the cards. The motor has a speed control enabling the relay SRS to double the speed of the belt B3. Sensing mechanism.-The perforations in the card are read by photo-electric means, a series of light-sensitive cells F1-Fn being arranged above the table 1, as shown in Fig. 5. The cells are carried in a casing 20, the lower wall being in the form of a grid, one for each cell, having holes 21-1, 21-2 ... 21-9. In front of this grid is a second similar grid, one for each cell, movable longitudinally under the action of an electromagnet AM1 ... AMn to close the first grid. The table 1 is provided with a row of holes 1-1, 1-2, ... 1-9 for each cell F1 ... Fn. A lamp Li is mounted below the table. The leads Ab1, Ab2, &c. (Fig. 1) from the cells F1-Fn are connected to the grids of tubes VR1, VR2 ... VRn, the anodes of which are connected via lines L1, L2... Ln to the totalizer units R, Fig. 3, and comparing units T, Fig. 4. The anodes of valves VR1 &c. are also connected to relays AR1 ... ARn whose contacts AR1-1 ... ARn-1 control the magnets AM1-AMn actuating the shutters 22, Fig. 5. The perforations are arranged according to a key (Fig. 7) spaced similarly to the holes in the table. The magnets AM1 ... AMn are normally energized so that the shutters are kept in the position of Fig. 5 with the shutter hole 22.1 in line with the hole 1.1 of the table. The first perforation in the card column causes a beam of light to fall on the corresponding cell F1-Fn and this causes a signal to pass to the grid of the corresponding amplifier valve VR and the corresponding shutter magnet is disconnected. The shutter then returns by spring action to the other position where all the remaining holes in the shutter coincide with the holes in the table. As the card passes under the cells F1-Fn the perforations cause a number of pulses to pass, equal to the value of the perforations. The pulses are amplified in valves VR and transmitted by lines L1 ... Ln to the calculator counters RZ1 ... RZn and the selectors TW1- TWn of the comparing devices T1-Tn. Card contacts K2, K3 control relays R4, R5. Contacts R4-1 actuate a counter GZ counting the cards. Sorting.-The sorting flaps to pockets KL1, KL2 ... KLN are actuated by pull magnets ZM1, ZM2 ... ZMn controlled by relays ZR1 &c. of each comparing unit so that where a correspondence between the characteristics sensed and the setting of the comparing unit is detected, the corresponding pocket is opened and receives the card. Comparing device.-Each device T1 ... Tn has a series of comparing units, each unit comprising a part TW1-TWn responsive to the signals relays from the sensing mechanism and a part W1-Wn which is settable by a selector dial WS. The dial WS is connected to the appropriate ones of the selectors W1-Wn. by a manually operable switch. The dial is then actuated to send pulses to the selectors. Both parts TW1 ... TWn and Wl ... Wn comprise solenoids adapted to reciprocate pawls as the pulses are received. The pawls co-operate with ratchet wheels which are thereby rotated in steps by the pulses and the wheels are coupled to switch arms as shown in Fig. 21. The lower switch arms are set to one of ten possible positions by the impulses from the dial WS. When the signal from the sensing means contains an equal number of pulses, a circuit is completed through the switch arms to a relay ZR1 and a counting device BZ-I recording the number of records with the characteristics set-up on that particular comparing device. Lines 9-I... 9-n carry a signal indicating that a -positive comparison has been made and actuate the corresponding pocket control magnets ZM1 ... ZMn (Fig. 1) and also the printing or punching devices DMl.... DMn associated with individual columns of the card. A positive comparison also actuates a relay R1-I (&c.), thereby connecting line 7 to the selectors RZ1 ... RZn of the corresponding totalizer unit. When the code at the head of a column agrees with the setting of the comparing device the values recorded in that column are then entered in the corresponding totalizer unit for addition or subtraction. Totalizer units.-The totalizers each comprise a number of selectors RZ1 ... RZn each consisting of a switch arm actuated by a solenoid operated pawl (of the kind used in the comparing devices in Fig. 21). Relays UR1 ... URn-1 are associated with the selectors and are connected in groups in series with relay contact RZ1. Contacts UR1-1 ... UR(n-1)-1 connect the selector RZ of one denominational position with the stepping magnet of the selector of next higher position through a condenser C1 ...Cn-1 whereby tens transfer is effected. The drive to each selector is capable of being used for addition and subtraction by means of a differential gearing, Fig. 22. The drive wheel 1013 is coupled to the pawl operated stepping wheel 1012, actuated by the setting coil of the selector, e.g. RZ1. The planetary gears 1014 are mounted in a detent ring 1015 into which the armature of a magnet 1016 engages when the value entered is to be subtractive. The armature locks ring 1015 so that the gears 1014 cause reversal of rotation. For additive entries the ring is free and rotates with the driving gear 1013, the gears 1014, moving with the ring, act as a direct coupling between gears 1013 and 1017. The driving gear 1017 from the gearing is coupled to the switching arm of the selector. The values arrived at by the totalizer unit are transferred electrically to recording devices printing or punching the results on the card.