Patent GB-823563-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to the reading and evaluation of tabular information
IPC: B07C3/14
Filed: 1957-01-22
Abstract: 823,563. Statistical apparatus. FREUDENHEIM, H. Jan. 22, 1958 [Jan. 22, 1957], No. 2352/57. Class 106 (1). In an arrangement for evaluating data carried on forms 10, Fig. 1, in the form of marks the forms are fed columnwise past a photoelectric sensing device, a pulse generating unit adapted to generate a plurality of groups of pulses each with a different number of pulses produces one of these groups for each column position, means are arranged to gate a selected group of pulses into a pulse counter when a mark is sensed and manually preset selecting means allot one of the group to each column position. The form 10 is ruled to provide columns having 52 squares and each horizontal row is concerned with a different event, say the forecast results of different football matches. Values 1, 2 or 3 are assigned to each row and a mark placed in a row having a value 3 scores 3. Five marks may be placed in each column and the values scored in each column are added individually, in a separate counter. The forms may be sorted into those having at least one column totalling a certain score and those not. The former are examined again to pick out the highest score. The form has a re-setting mark 11 and the horizontal rulings 12 provide synchronizing bars. Feeding and sensing.-The form is carried at uniform speed past photo-cells 31, 32, Fig. 2, one for each column and light reflected from the surface passes through windows 15a, 15b, &c., Fig. 1, from the columns to the corresponding photo-cells. Light from mark 11 and bars 12 passes through a slit 14 to a further photo-cell 19, Fig. 2, which generates first a broad resetting pulse and then a series of synchronizing pulses. During the sensing operation the forms may be flattened, e.g. by being stretched between two pairs of rollers or a glass roller may be used which serves also as a cylindrical lens. In another arrangement the forms are pressed flat by transparent belts or passed over the surface of a hollow glass drum having the light source and photo-cells within it. The sensing of a column, Fig. 3 (a), produces a photo-cell output as shown in Fig. 3 (c), the synchronizing pulses, Fig. 3 (d), being positioned so that one occurs at the point where the signal resulting from mark 17 is a maximum. Row pulses from the cell 19, Fig. 2, pass to a discriminator 20, the output (Fig. 3 (d)) of which passes to gates 33 and to a monostable multivibrator 28 adapted to produce on line 30 groups of one, two or three pulses (Figs. 3 (g), (h) and (i)). Row pulses are also applied to row switch 23 which connects them in turn to lines 24a, 24b, &c. These lines are plugconnected to counters 25, 26 and 27 which select the group of pulses that the multi-vibrator is to generate, the rows being thereby assigned their different values. The signals from column photo-cells 31, 32 pass to gates 33 so that where a mark is sensed the corresponding row pulse (Fig. 3 (e)) is allowed to be passed to a broadener 35 of which the output (Fig. 3 (f)) is used to gate the group of pulses on line 30 into counters 37. The counters have a presettable output 38 which is set to pass a signal line 39 if the target count is exceeded, this signal causing the form to be routed to an " accept " bin. Otherwise it passes to a reject bin. The mark 11 when it is sensed produces a reset pulse used for resetting the counters 37 and row switch 23. In another embodiment forms having areas forming separate pools areas and a vertical marginal line of synchronizing marks are sensed and sorted according to the score either from single pools areas or from such areas in combination. Sorting.-The forms are sorted in a machine, Fig. 8, which includes an endless belt 64 running at constant speed, the forms being fed to the belt by bands moving transversely at the side and synchronized to feed forms to the belt at spaced intervals. Locating pins on the belt engage holes previously punched in the form so that they pass accurately under the photo-cells in the sensing station 71. A number of pockets 85 are arranged under the belt and flaps 84 deflect the forms into corresponding pockets. If no flap is set, the forms pass to an end pocket 86. The forms are diverted into different pockets according to the scores obtained. In cases where combination bets, e.g. treble chance, are placed on the different pools areas a form scoring in two or more areas in combination is detected by a circuit which operates a flap placed first in the row of flaps so that when a form has a compound score it passes to the first pocket although other flaps will also be operated. The forms may be located during sensing by markings on the form which co-operate with photo-cells to make corrections for misalignment.