Patent GB-1024445-A (GB)
Title: Information storage, retrieval and handling apparatus
IPC: G11B27/10
Filed: 1962-10-05
Abstract: 1,024,445. Information retrieval; servo systems. INFORMATION RETRIEVAL CORPORATION. Oct. 5, 1962 [Oct. 9, 1961; April 3, 1962; June 7, 1962], No. 37861/62. Headings G4H and G4M.  General description.-Data storage apparatus comprises a scroll of film or a number of strips wound on adjacent portions along the axis of a spool, a part of the scroll or of a particular strip being selected for examination by means of a keyboard addressing unit which causes the spool carrying the film to be rotated and driven horizontally simultaneously, or in sequence, until the desired position is reached. The set of strips 37, Fig. 3, is inserted in the apparatus with the axes of spools 45, 47 horizontal, see Fig. 2. The cartridge 51 containing the spools is driven horizontally by a motor 91 and a rack 97, the position being sensed by photo-cells 101 adjacent a coded track 107. A coded track 117 on the right-hand side of the film is sensed by photo-cells 111 to determine the vertical position. A selected area of film is projected on to a screen 27 using either a wide- or a narrowangle lens 81 or 83. Vertical code track 117.-Each column (extending across the scroll or strips) is divided into three sub-columns which are associated with an area 141, 142, 143 on track 117, Fig. 4a. As shown, area 141 is transparent, area 142 represents the vertical position as a fourdigit binary coded decimal number (dark bits = 1), and area 143 is the inverse of area 142. Further marks 145, 146, 147 and 148 are used by the control circuitry to ensure correct positioning of the film as more fully described below. Areas 142, 143 are each sensed by means of an array of 16 lamps energized in accordance with the selected address and a single photo-cell which is blacked out when the actual position and selected address agree. Horizontal code track 107.-Similar to track 117, but only two address digits are necessary. Address selection and storage.-After operating clear button 261, Fig. 8a, to reset the store, seven keys on 10-key keyboard 25 are pressed in succession to enter a desired address and the manner of display. The first four keys enter the binary coded vertical address digit by digit, these being routed to relay stores 231-234 by stepping switch 203, banks 2-5. The fifth key pressed enters a digit 1, 2 or 3 in store 401 to select left, right or centre sub-column to be viewed with the narrow angle lens 83, or digit 4 to select centre sub-column to be viewed with the wide angle lens 81 (in this case all three sub-columns of the address are displayed). The last two keys pressed enter the horizontal address in stores 403, 405. Address and position comparison.-This will be described in connection with vertical positioning since the horizontal address selection is similar. While the address is being entered in the store, relay 265, Fig. 8a energizes lead 451 to actuate the vertical up drive 440, Fig. 8c, at slow speed, this movement continuing until a photo-cell P1 is blacked out by area 148 signifying that the film has been moved up one sub-column to the compare position. After the complete address has been entered, bank 6 of switch 203 moves to position 8 to energize relays 201, 205, Fig. 8b, and shortly afterwards starts drive motor 457 of switch 425. Relay 201 isolates the lamps of complement bank 177 from the associated storage relays MA1-MD1 etc., and connects them to corresponding contacts R of bank 1, switch 425. The lamps of the complement array are thus lit in succession by bank 1 of switch 425, and concurrently, bank 2 of this switch lights the lamps of the " true "  array 175 in accordance with the address registered in stores 231-234 by connecting the successive pairs of contacts P, Q associated with relay 205. The nature of the first discrepancy detected by P3, P4 determines the direction in which the film is moved towards the desired address. If desired the comparison of the least significant digits may be suppressed unless the three most significant digits are found to be in agreement. On completion of the comparison operation, switch 203 steps on to position 9 and relays 201, 205 are de-energized so that each array of lamps 175, 177 is lit according to the address in the store. Movement of the film towards the new position continues at high speed until photo-cells P2, P3, P4 are blacked out simultaneously, P2 detecting when each subcolumn is in register with the lamp arrays. A slow movement in the reverse direction is then initiated to eliminate any overrun. This positions the film on the centre sub-column of the selected address. If the sub-column on either side is required an additional slow movement is effected under control of the fifth address digit, such movement continuing until P2 is blacked out by the adjacent area 145 or 147. The projection lens 81 or 83 is likewise selected by the fifth digit.