THE ELECTRIC AND AUTOMATIC TRANSCRIPTION OF STENOGRAPHIC SIGNS AND CHARACTERS INTO TYPOGRAPHIC CHARACTERS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, WILLIAM HENRY BECK of 115 Cannon Street in the City of London
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention for "THE ELECTRIC AND AUTOMATIC TRANSCRIPTION OF STENOGRAPHIC
SIGNS AND CHARACTERS INTO TYPOGRAPHIC CHARACTERS," to be as follows:-
In the specification of a patent granted to Gilbert Alfred Cassagnes dated
30th October A.D. 1883, No. 5151 and in the Provisional Specification filed with the
application for patent by me as a communication from the aforesaid Gilbert Alfred
Cassagnes dated. 1st May A.D. 1884 No. 7081, concerning the application to the
uses of telegraphy of the principles of mechanical stenography (an application
described in the said specifications under the name of "steno-telegraphy") and
especially those known and patented under the name of A. Michela's system of
mechanical stenography there are shown different methods of attaining the object
the inventor had in view namely the transmission to a distance of signs or letters
representing the phonetic sounds.
In the aforesaid specifications which describe the invention as applied to Michela's
method the printed band or tape has exactly the same appearance as the band or
tape produced by the stenographic machine itself. Although this printed band
or tape is really sufficient for the object, it renders necessary for its reading and
transcription into ordinary writing, the assistance of persons having a perfect
knowledge of the reading of the stenographic characters employed. This necessarily
increases the number of skilled persons required for this work, and also the time
required to execute the same, therefore a system of automatic transcription of the
signs or characters of stenography into ordinary letters of the alphabet would be
highly advantageous. It would facilitate the reading, diminish the time required
for it, and render unnecessary at the receiving station the employment of special
and skilled persons for the purpose of transcribing the printed bands.
The object of the present invention is therefore in a general manner the
automatic transcription of stenographic bands produced mechanically by any
system of macbines fitted with key-boards.
I will now proceed to describe the invention, but I may first observe that this
automatic transcription, while it presents evident advantages such as those just
enumerated, does not in any degree detract from the special value of the
stenographic system either as to its rapidity or as to the principles on which
it is founded.
The transmission as shown in Figures 1 and 2 is effected in the same manner
as described in the two above mentioned specifications, namely, by means of a

page_text: key-board the keys K of which when depressed make contacts at the transmitting
station T which close the circuits through which, the signal is transmitted to the
receiving station R.
The printing apparatus in the present case, although different with respect to the
number and nature of the letters or characters it is provided with, can also if
required be constructed in a manner similar to that of the two printing systems
described in the aforesaid specifications.
But the present invention adds to those two essential parts of the system a
third element, namely, the one required for the automatic transcription of the paper
band or tape, and which the inventor calls the combiner. It is placed at the
receiving station R, as shown at Y Figures 1 and 2, and its object is to receive
the transmitted signals and to combine them one with the other so as to cause the
printing apparatus to reproduce the letter or letters corresponding to the signals or
combinations of signals transmitted.
The combiner Y can be applied by its very principle to the automatic
transcription of any stenographic band mechanically produced by the action of a
keyboard, but, for the sake of clearness, I will illustrate its application to Michela's
stenographic system which the inventor has more especially in view. It is
understood that if another code or alphabet is used it can be easily adapted to
work the new method.
In order to make clearer the action of the combiner it may be useful briefly to
recall the stenographic method in question.
Michela's keyboard consists of twenty keys divided from the left hand side
into four series comprising respectively and in the following order from left to
right 6, 4, 4 and 6 keys.
The six keys in the first series form twenty-six combinations corresponding to
twenty-six letters and these combinations are the following:-Six combinations
of one key at a time; twelve combinations of two keys at a time, and eight
combinations of three keys at a time. In Michela's method there are never
depressed more than three keys at a time in each series. Of course these
twenty-six combinations do not represent the total number of possible combinations
but they are sufficient for the purpose of this method.
The four keys of the second series form eleven combinations which are: four
combinations of one key at a time; five combinations of two keys at a time, and
two combinations of three keys at a time.
The third and fourth series are identical with the second and first respectively,
the keyboard being perfectly symmetrical on each side of the centre line.
From the left hand side the. six keys in the first series are numbered 1, 2, 3, 6, 9
and 18 respectively. Those of the second series are numbered 1, 2, 3 and 6.
From the centre line the four keys in the third series are represented by the
numbers 6, 3, 2 and 1. Those of the fourth series by the numbers 18, 9, 6, 3, 2
and 1.

page_text: The keyboard, as nus aready been stated, being perfectly symmetrical, the
combinations of the third and fourth series are identical with those of the second
and first series respectively.
It therefore follows that the total number of necessary combinations to the
application of the method is seventy-four, transmitted to the receiving station, and
transformed by the action of the combiner into seventy-four letters, which are
printed by the apparatus on the paper band or tape.
I will now give a detailed description of the combineṛ.
The currents closed by the contacts under the keys K of the transmitting.
keyboard when they reach the receiving station R flow through electro-magnets
placed at the points marked 1, 2, . . 18; 1, 2, 6; 6... 1; 18,
in Figures 2 and S.
.
1,
These currents when they are produced by the depression of a single key pass
directly through the combiner as through an ordinary relay so as to put in motion
the style P bearing the corresponding letter.
When two simultaneous currents arrive in the same series through the
simultaneous depression of two keys belonging to the same series at the trans-
mitting station, they move two of the relays of the combiner and these two relays
close only one local circuit which therefore acts only on one printing style P
corresponding to the combination transmitted by the two keys depressed
simultaneously.
When these simultaneous currents arrive at the combiner in the same series the
combiner closes only one local circuit putting in motion the letter printing style P
corresponding to the combination transmitted by the three keys simultaneously
depressed.
It is also necessary that any combination of two currents corresponding to two
depressed keys should break automatically in the combiner the local circuits of
each one of these two keys taken singly.
In the same manner any combination of three keys should break also
automatically, the local circuits of each one of these keys taken one at a time
as well as the local circuits of these keys taken two at a time.
I will now describe the principle of the local circuits of the various combinations
of one, two and three keys respectively.
For the combination of one single key depressed at a time the current of the
line L (Figure 3) flows through the electro-magnet or relay E, attracts the
armature A which closes the local circuit of battery B, whose current then flows
through the electro magnet which moves the letter printing style P corresponding
to the key depressed at the transmitting station.
For the combination of two keys depressed at a time the typical circuit can be
represented by Figure 4 which represents only the local circuit. When two
currents arriving from the transmitting station attract, by means of electro-magnets
and armatures, the two contact plates 1 and 2 on the contact points placed under-
neath, the circuit of the local battery B is closed and the letter printing style P,
corresponding to the combination (1-2), is lifted by its electro-magnet.
'

page_text: It is evident from the Figure that this action can only take place when both the
contact plates 1 and 2 are simultaneously attracted.
Similarly, for the combinations of three keys depressed at a time the typical local
circuit is represented by Figure 5. When the three contact, plates 1, 2 and 3 are
simultaneously attracted by the action of three currents from the transmitting
station on the contact points placed, underneath; then and then only the circuit of
the local battery-B is completely closed and acts on the letter printing style P
corresponding to the combination (1-2-3).
It is easy to see from the examination of Figure 8 how the circuits of the com-
binations of one key and of two keys are arranged. The circuits of one key at a
time are represented by the dotted lines, those of two keys by the chain lines or
dash and dot lines and those of three keys by the continuous or full lines.
I will exemplify with more details, by means of the diagrams Figures 6 and 7,
the manner of arranging the circuits of the combinations of three keys at a time.
Figure 1 represents the local circuits of these combinations for the first and
fourth series of the keyboard (eight combinations). Each combination can be
represented by a triangle. Figure 6 contains eight such triangles corresponding to
the eight combinations of the first and fourth series.
•
The simultaneous attraction of any three contact plates closes therefore the local
circuit of one of these eight combinations by attracting the vertices of the triangle
by which it is represented.
In order however that the attraction of the contact plates 1 18 and 3 for
instance which causes the flow of a current through the electro-magnet of the letter
printing style P should not at the same time also cause the flow of a current
through the electro-magnet of the letter printing style P¹ which corresponds to the
combination (1-3-9), which would take place if the contact plates, or rings, were
continuous, it is necessary to make them in two pieces insulated frone another,
as shown in the figure. The letter printing style P¹ cannot then be moved at the
same time and only acts when the contact plate or ring g is attracted. This
diagram indicates, therefore, the solution of the question, namely; the causing to
flow through the electro-magnet of a letter printing style, and through it alone, a
current which moves it when the three keys corresponding to that style have been
depressed at the transmitting station.
Figure 7 gives the solution of the question for the series and 3 of the key-
board. It will be easily understood, on mere examination, after the explanation
which has just been given of Figure 6.
Figure 8 shows the general arrangement of all the combinations for the four
series of the keyboard. As far as the combinations of three keys at a time are
concerned, it is, after all, but the developement of the diagrams Figures 6 and 7.
Figure 8 also indicates the most advantageous arrangement for economy in the
number of batteries etcetera. The contact plates at points: 1, 2, 3 18 etcetera
are also modified and made in a greater number of segments for the working of thie
three kinds of combinations.
"
The circles P, P, P... stand for the electromagnets acting on the letter
printing styles.
The batteries B, B, B. . . feed the local circuits of the combinations of three
keys at a time.
The batteries B1, B¹ feed the local circuits of the combinations of one key, and
two keys at a time,
As already stated, it is necessary, when one combination of two keys is trans-
mitted, that the local circuits corresponding to each one of those keys taken singly
should be broken at the receiving station in order that the local circuit, corre-
sponding to the two keys taken at a time, should act alone.
It is also necessary, for the combinations of three keys, that the local circuits of
each one taken singly as well as those of the combinations of two at a time which
they can form amongst themselves, should be also broken, so as to leave only the
local circuit corresponding to the combination of the three keys at a time.

page_text: This result is obtained by means of the automatic arrangement shown in
Figure 8. The contact breaking electro-magnets E E E E are placed in
the local circuits of the combinations of two keys at a time, which circuits are
represented by the chain lines or dash and dot lines. These electro-magnets are
wound with two wires in order to avoid having two separate electros together with
twice the number of armatures.
When one of these wires is traversed by an electric current both armatures are
attracted and the circuits of the keys taken one at a time (which circuits are
represented by the dotted lines) are thereby automatically broken.
Similarly when the interrupting electros E E E E¹ traversed by the continuous
lines representing the local circuits of the combinations of three keys at a time, aro
magnetised by the passage of an electric current in one of those wires, they will
attract their armatures and will break automatically the circuits of the combinations
of one at a time and of two at a time.
It will be noticed on examining Figure 8 that the local circuits of the com-
binations of three keys at a time are interrupted at a, b, c, d etcetera. . a¹, b¹, c¹, d¹
etcetera and that the same letters are shown on the wires traversing the electro-
magnets E¹, E¹, E¹, E¹ in the lower part of the Figure. In reality these
circuits are continuous and the above mentioned electro-magnets are included in
them, but for the sake of making the drawing clearer it has been thought
advisable to place these electro-magnets lower down after however having given
the present explanation.
The combiner, as diagrammatically represented in Figure 8, gives therefore a
complete solution of the question of the automatic transcription of Michela's band
into ordinary characters, and as this method of stenography can be applied to all
languages it follows that this invention allows of the transcription of mechanical
stenography into the ordinary characters of the various countries where the
apparatus may be employed.
The combiner just described is given merely as an example in order that the
method of automatic transcription of bands produced by mechanical stenography
may be better understood, but it may be modified in various ways without
departing from the nature of the invention.
In the specification of a preceding patent the inventor has stated that as far as
Michela's method is concerned and by making use of the same wire or conductor
for two keys he could reduce to twelve instead of twenty the wires or conductors
of his electric cable not counting the return wire. By examining the combinations
given at the beginning of this specification it will be noticed that for the first and
fourth series of Michela's key-board key No. 1 forms no combination with key
No. 2, nor key No. 3 with key No. 6, nor key No. 9 with key No. 18. Use can
therefore be made of only three wires or conductors for each one of those two series
by making use of polarised relays and currents of different directions.
The second and third series will cach require three wires or conductors. Key No. 1
enters into po combination with key No. 2. The total number of requisite wires
or conductors is therefore twelve.
The method of connection just shown has also the valuable advantage of auto-
matically preventing the transmission of any erroneous signal. For instance, if,
through any mistake on the part of the manipulator, keys No 1 and No 2 were
depressed at the same time, no current would pass through the line, for one of the
keys would tend to transmit a current in the positive direction and the other in the
negative direction.
The printing part of the apparatus can be constructed on the same principle
as those described in the beforementioned specifications, but with seventy-four
printing styles bearing ordinary letters in the case of Michela's method or with a
number of styles corresponding to the number of combinations in the signal code
made use of.
The arrangement of the seventy-four letter printing styles, can obviously be
varied according to circumstances. They can be arranged in several rows, and

page_text: close to one another and be acted on directly by electro-magnets placed in a
similar manner to that indicated in the beforementioned specifications. This is
the disposition shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The printing can then be effected by the style itself pressing on an inking
ribbon.
•
The forward motion of the paper.can also be effected as in the apparatus shown
in the aforesaid previous specifications with paper bands having a width corre-
sponding to the width of the arrangement of the styles, and the printing can then
be done in syllabic lines placed one underneath the other. It can also be done by
placing the mechanism producing the motion of the paper at right angles to the
preceding position which would necessitate a paper band of a much smaller width
and would place the syllables one after the other in a continuous line.
In this case the paper band could have the width and the appearance of the
paper band of Hughes' printing telegraph for instance but the letters would be
neither side by side nor between two parallels. They would be placed at variable
heights on the width of the paper band.
For the printing of bands there can also be used instead of printing styles,
letters engraved on the circumference of printing wheels, discs or sectors, one for
each series or four altogether. These wheels, discs or sectors could be put in motion
by means of electricity, clock work, motors (such as turbines, gas and electro-motors,
etcetera) which motion would be, as in the existing printing telegraph, under the
control of the transmitted currents.
In this case the band, the motion of which would take place in a direction at
right angles to the planes of the wheels or discs bearing the letters, could have a
width. equal to a little more than the size of the letters or types, and the letters
could be side by side, and between two parallel lines. The printed band would
then present the same aspect as those of the ordinary telegraphs.
The printing could also be effected on chemically prepared paper by the action
of electricity instead of with ink.
It will be seen that Figure 8 is a diagram of one half only of the arrangement,
the other half would be a duplicate of that shown but in inverse order..

page_text: "
.
"
I, WILLIAM HENRY BECK of 115 Cannon Street in the City of London,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention for "THE ELECTRIC AND AUTOMATIC TRANSCRIPTION OF STENOGRAPHIC
SIGNS AND CHARACTERS INTO TYPOGRAPHIC CHARACTERS
and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying sheet of
Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon :-
In the specification of a patent granted to Gilbert Alfred Cassagnes dated
30th October A.D. 1883, N° 5151 and in the Provisional Specification filed with
the application for patent by me as a communication from the aforesaid Gilbert
Alfred Cassagnes dated 1st May A.D. 1884 No. 7081 concerning the application to
the uses of telegraphy of the principles of mechanical stenography (an application
described in the said Specifications under the name of "steno-telegraphy") and
especially those known and patented under the name of A. Michela's system of
mechanical stenography, there are shown different methods of attaining the object
the inventor had in view, namely, the transmission to a distance of signals or
letters representing the phonetic sounds.
In the aforesaid Specifications which describe the invention as applied to
Michela's method, the printed band or tape has exactly the same appearance as the
band or tape produced by the stenographic machine itself. Although this printed
band or tape is really sufficient for the object, it renders necessary for its reading
and transcription into ordinary writing, the assistance of persons having a perfect
knowledge of the reading of the stenographic characters employed. This necessarily
increases the number of skilled persons required for this work and also the time
required to execute the same. Therefore, a system of automatic transcription of
the signs or characters of stenography into ordinary letters of the alphabet would
be highly advantageous. It would facilitate the reading; diminish the time
required for it; and render unnecessary at the receiving station, the employment
of special and skilled persons for the purpose of transcribing the printed bands.
The object of the present invention is therefore in a general manner the
automatic transcription of the signs or characters of stenography produced on
bands by the manipulation of the keyboard of a stenographic machine into
ordinary printed letters of the alphabet.
I will now proceed to describe the invention but I may first observe that this
automatic transcription while it presents evident advantages such as those just
enuinerated, does not, in any degree, detract from the special value of the steno-
graphic system, either as to its rapidity or as to the principles on which it is
founded.
The transmission, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is effected in the same manner
as described in the two above mentioned Specifications, namely, by means of a
keyboard, the keys K of which, when depressed, make contacts at the transmitting

page_text: station T which close the circuits through which the signal is transmitted to the
receiving station R.
The printing apparatus, in the present case, although different with respect. to
the number and nature of the letters or characters it is provided with, can also, if
required, be constructed in a manner similar to that of the two printing systemes
described in the aforesaid specifications.
But the present invention adds, to those two essential parts of the system, a
third element, nainely, the one required for the automatic transcription of the
paper band or tape and which the inventor calls the "combiner." It is placed at
the receiving station R, as shown at Y, Figures 1 and 2, and its object is to receive
the transmitted signals and to combine them one with the other so as to cause the
printing apparatus to reproduce the letter or letters corresponding to the signals or
combinations of signals transmitted.
The combiner Y can be applied, by its very principle to the automatic
transcription of any stenographic band mechanically produced by the action of a
keyboard, but, for the sake of of clearness I will illustrate its application to
Michela's stenographic system which the inventor has more especially in view. It
is understood that, if another code or alphabet is used, it can be easily adapted to
work the new method.
In order to make clearer the action of the combiner, it may be useful briefly to
recall the stenographic method in question.
Michela's keyboard consists of twenty keys, divided from the left hand side, into
four series comprising respectively and in the following order from left to right,
6, 4, 4, and 6 keys.
The six keys in the first series form twenty-six combinations, corresponding to
twenty-six letters, and these combinations are the following:-Six combinations of
one key at a tine, twelve combinations of two keys at a time, and eight combina-
tions of three keys at a time. In Michela's method, there are never depressed more
than three keys at at time in each series. Of course, these twenty-six combinations
do not represent the total number of possible combinations, but they are sufficient
for the purpose of this method.
The four keys of the second series form eleven combinations which are:-four
combinations of one key at a time, five combinations of two keys at a time, and
two combinations of three keys at a time.
The third and fourth series are identical with the second and first respectively,
the keyboard being perfectly symmetrical on each side of the centre line.
Froin the left hand side, the six keys in the first series are numbered 1, 2, 3, 6, 9
and 18 respectively. Those of the second series are numbered 1, 2, 3 and 6. From
the centre line, the four keys in the third series are represented by the numbers
6, 3, 2 and 1. Those of the fourth series by the numbers 18, 9, 6, 3, 2 and 1.
These keys combine as follows:-

page_text: The keyboard, as has been stated, being perfectly symmetrical, the combinations
of the third and fourth series are identical with those of the second and first series
respectively.
It therefore follows that the total number of combinations necessary to the
application of the method is seventy-four, transmitted to the receiving station and
transformed, by the action of the combiner, into seventy four letters which are
printed by the apparatus on the paper band or tape.
I will now give a detailed description of the combiner.
The currents closed by the contacts under the keys K of the transmitting
keyboard, when they reach the receiving station R, flow through electro-magnets
placed at the points marked 1, 2,.... 18; 1, 2 . . 6; 6.... 1;
18.... 1, in Figures 2 and 8.
These currents, when they are produced by the depression of a single key, pass
directly through the combiner as through an ordinary relay so as to put in motion
the style P, bearing the corresponding letter.
When two simultaneous currents arrive in the same series, through the
simultaneous depression of two keys belonging to the same series at the trans-
mitting station, they move two of the relays of the combiner and these two relays
close only one local circuit which therefore acts only on one printing style P
corresponding to the combination transmitted by the two keys depressed
simultaneously.
When three simultaneous currents arrive at the combiner, in the same series, the
combiner closes only one local circuit, putting in motion the letter printing style P
corresponding to the combination transmitted by the three keys simultaneously
depressed.
It is also necessary that any combination of two currents, corresponding to two
depressed keys, should break automatically, in the. combiner, the local circuits of
each one of these two keys taken singly.
In the same manner, any combination of three keys should break, also auto-
matically, the local circuits of each one of those keys taken one at a time as well
as the local circuits of these keys taken two at a time...
I will now describe the principle of the local circuits of the various combinations
of one, two and three keys respectively.
For the combination of one single key depressed at a time, the current of the
line L (Figure 3) flows through the electro-magnet or relay E, attracts the
armature A, which closes the local circuit of battery B whose current then flows
through the electro-magnet which moves the letter printing style P corresponding
to the key depressed at the transmitting station.
For the combination of two keys depressed at a time, the typical circuit can be
represented by Figure 4 which represents only the local circuit. When two
currents arriving from the transmitting station, attract, by means of electro-
magnets and armatures, the two contact plates 1 and 2 on the contact points placed
underneath, the circuit of the local battery B is closed and the letter printing
style 'corresponding to the combination (1-2) is lifted by its electro-magnet.

page_text: It is evident from the figure, that this action can only take place when both the
contact plates 1 and 2 are simultaneously attracted.
Similarly, for the combinations of three keys depressed at a time, the typical
local circuit is represented by Figure 5. When the three contact plates 1, 2 and 3
are simultaneously attracted by the action of three currents from the transmitting
station, on the contact points placed underneath, then, and then only, the circuit of
the local battery B is completely closed and acts on the letter printing style P,
corresponding to the combination (1-2-3).
It is easy to see, from the examination of Figure 8, how the circuits of the
combinations of one key and of two keys are arranged. The circuits of one key
at a time are represented by the dotted lines; those of two keys by the chain
lines or dash and dot lines, and those of three keys by the continuous or full lines.
I will exemplify with more details, by means of the diagrams Figures 6 and 7,
the manner of arranging the circuits of the combinations of three keys at a time.
Figure 6 represents the local circuits of these combinations for the first and
fourth series of the keyboard, (eight combinations). Each combination can be
represented by a triangle. Figure 6 contains eight such triangles, corresponding
to the eight combinations of the first and fourth series.
The simultaneous attraction of any three contact plates closes therefore the local
circuit of one of these eight combinations by attracting the vertices of the
triangle by which it is represented.
In order however that the attraction of the contact plates 1, 18 and 3, for
instance, which causes the flow of a current. through the electro-magnet of the
letter printing style P, should not at the same time, also cause the flow of a current
through the electro-magnet of the letter printing style P¹ which corresponds to the
combination (1-3-9) which would take place if the contact plates, or rings, were
continuous, it is necessary to make them in two pieces insulated from one another,
as shown in the Figure. The letter printing style P¹ cannot then be moved at the
same time and only acts when the contact plate, or ring, 9 is attached. This
diagram indicates, therefore, the solution of the question, namely, the causing to
flow through the electro-magnet of a letter printing style, and through it alone, a
current which moves it when the three keys. corresponding to that style have been
depressed at the transmitting station.
Figure 7 gives the solution of the question for the series 2 and 3 of the keyboard.
It will be easily understood, on mere examination, after the explanation which has
just been given of Figure 6.
Figure 8 shows the general arrangement of all the combinations for the four
series of the keyboard. As far as the combinations of three keys at a time are
concerned, it is after all, but the developement of the diagrams, Figures 6 and 7.
Figure 8 also indicates the most advantageous arrangement for economy in the
number of batteries etcetera. The contact plates at points: 1, 2, 3 . . 18,
etcetera, are also modified and made in a greater number of segments for the
working of the three kinds of combinations.
1.
The circles P, P, P, stand for the electro-magnets acting on the letter
printing styles.
The batteries B, B, B,
keys at a time.
feed the local circuits of the combinations of three
The batteries B¹ B¹ feed the local circuits of the combinations of one key and
two keys at a time.
As already stated, it is necessary when one combination of two keys is trans-
mitted, that the local circuits corresponding to each one of those keys taken singly
should be broken, at the receiving station, in order that the local circuit corre-
sponding to the two keys taken at a time should act alone.
It is also necessary, for the combinations of three keys, that the local circuits of
each one taken singly as well as those of the combinations of two at a time which
they can form amongst themselves, should be also broken, so as to leave only the
local circuit corresponding to the combination of the three keys at a time.

page_text: This result is obtained by means of the automatic arrangement shown in
Figure 8. The contact breaking electro-magnets E, E, E, E are placed in the
local circuits of the combinations of two keys at a time, which circuits are repre-
sented by the chain lines, or dash and dot lines. These electro magnets are wound
with two wires in order to avoid having two separate electros together with twice
the number of armatures.
When one of these wires is traversed by an electric current, both armatures
are attracted and the circuits of the keys taken one at a time (which circuits are
represented by the dotted lines), are thereby automatically broken.
Similarly, when the interrupting electros E', E¹, E¹, E¹ traversed by the con-
tinuous lines representing the local circuits of the combinations of three keys at
a time, are magnetized by the passage of an electric current in one of those wires,
they will attract their armatures and will break automatically the circuits of the
combinations of one at a time and of two at a time.
....
It will be noticed, on examining Figure 8, that the local circuits of the com-
binations of three keys at a time are interrupted at a, b, c, d, etcetera. . .
a¹ b¹¢¹ d'
etcetera . . . and that the same letters are shown on the wires traversing the
electro magnets E¹, E¹, E¹, E¹ in the lower part of the Figure. In reality these
circuits are continuous, and the above mentioned electro magnets are included in
them; but, for the sake of making the drawing clearer, it has been thought
advisable to place these electro magnets lower down, after, however, having given
the present explanation.
The combiner diagrammatically represented in Figure 8, gives therefore a
complete solution of the question of the automatic transcription of Michela's band
into ordinary characters, and, as this method of stenography can be applied to all
languages, it follows that this invention allows of the transcription of mechanical
stenography into the ordinary characters of the various countries where the
apparatus may be employed.
The combiner just described is given merely as an example in order that the
method of automatic transcription of bands produced by mechanical stenography
may be better understood, but it may be modified in various ways without
departing from the nature of the invention.
In the specification of a previous patent, the inventor has already stated that as
far as Michela's method is concerned, and by making use of the same wire or
conductor for two keys, he could reduce to, twelve, instead of twenty, the wires
or conductors of his electric cable, not counting the return wire. By examining
the combinations given at the beginning of this specification, it will be noticed
that, for the first and fourth series of Michela's key board; key No 1 forms no
combination with key N° 2; nor key No 3 with key N° 6; nor key N° 9 with
with key No 18. Use can therefore be made of only three wires or conductors
for each one of those two series by employing polarized relays and currents of
different directions.
The second and third series will each require three wires or conductors.
Key N° 1 enters into no combinations with key N° 2. The total number of
requisite wires or conductors is therefore twelve.
The method of connection just indicated has also the advantage of automatically
preventing the transmission of any erroneous signal. For instance, if, through
any mistake on the part of the manipulator, keys N° 1 and N° 2 were depressed
at the same time, no current would pass through the line, for one of the keys
would tend to transmit a current in the positive direction and the other in the
negative direction.
The printing part of the apparatus can be constructed on the same principle as
those described in the beforementioned specification, but with seventy four printing
styles bearing ordinary letters, in the case of Michela's method or with a number of
styles corresponding to the number of combinations in the signal code made use of.
The arrangement of the seventy-four letter printing styles can obviously be
varied according to circumstances. They can be arranged in several rows, and

page_text: close to one another; and be acted on directly by electro-magnets placed in a
similar manner to that indicated in the beforementioned specification. This is
the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The printing can then be effected by the style itself pressing on an inking ribbon.
The forward motion of the paper can also be effected, as in the apparatus shown
in the aforesaid previous specification, with paper bands having a width corre-
sponding to the width of the arrangement of the styles and the printing can then
be done in syllabic lines placed one underneath the other.
It can also be done by placing the mechanism producing the motion of the paper
at right angles to the preceding position, which would necessitate a paper band
of a much smaller width and would place the syllables one after the other, in a
continuous line.
:
In this case, the paper band could have the width and the appearance of the
paper band of Hughes' printing telegraph, for instance, but the letters would be
neither side by side nor between two parallels. They would be placed at variable
heights on the width of the paper band..
For the printing of bands, there can also be used, instead of printing styles,
letters engraved on the circumference of printing wheels, discs, or sectors, one for
each series, or four altogether. These wheels, discs, or sectors, could be put in.
motion by means of electricity, clockwork, motors (such as turbines, gas, and
electro-motors etcetera) which motion would be, as in the existing printing
telegraphs, under the control of the transmitted currents.
In this case, the bands, the motion of which would take place in a direction at
right angles to the planes of the wheels or discs bearing the letters, could have
a width equal to a little more than the size of the letters, or types, and the letters
could be side by side and between two parallel lines. The printed band would
then present the same appearance as those of the ordinary telegraphis.
The printing could also be effected on chemically prepared paper, by the action
of electricity, instead of with ink.
It will be seen that Figure 8 is a diagram of one half only of the arrangement,
the other half would be a duplicate of that shown, but in reverse order.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First The general arrangements indicated in detail in the present specification.
Second-The system of automatic transcription of any stenographic band pro-
duced by a key board instrument substantially as herein before described.
Third The combiner constructed, arranged and applied substantially as herein-
before described.
Fourth The method of connecting the apparatus whereby the transmission of
erroneous signals is rendered impossible as herein before described.
Fifth The printing apparatus, consisting of letter printing styles acted upon by
electro-magnets, or consisting of letters placed or engraved on the circumference
of printing wheels, discs, sectors or other suitable devices or consisting of a system
of printing by means of electricity, on chemically prepared paper, the whole so
arranged and designed as to fulfil the desired object, namely the syllabic impression
of phonetic sounds, as herein before set forth and described.