IMPROVEMENTS IN FAC SIMILE OR AUTOGRAPHIC TELEGRAPHY
Year: 1885

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
cat.
a s 3
I, PATRICK BERNARD DELANY, a citizen of the United States residing at
84 -Broad Street, New York City, State of New York; U.S.A. Electrical Engineer,
"do hereby declare the nature of iny invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN FAC SIMILE
OR AUTOGRAPHIC TELEGRAPHY, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
In the well-known systems. of Bakewell, Caselli, and others, fac-simile trans-
mission has been accomplished by a single stylus at each station which either
traversed a stationary surface or under which the transmitting or receiving surface
was caused to move. This method is however slow in operation and is more or less
imperfect in its results."
The system of Bonelli was designed to overcome these last-mentioned objections.
to the autographic systems in use, and, as is well-known, Bonelli employed a series
For comb of styluses or fingers at each station, and a cable of conductors equal in
number to the fingers at each station, the corresponding fingers at the stations being
connected by an independent wire. This systein produced very satisfactory results
on short lines, but the number of wires employed made the system so expensive as
to render it impracticable on long lines, and the induction in the cable was so great
that the efficiency of the momentary impulses sent through the cable was very
much reduced.
"
1
For the reasons above stated, and perhaps others, the ingenious autographic
systems which have heretofore been invented have not been practically successful,
and their use has been very limited.
Under my improved system herein described and illustrated I employ combs
containing twelve fingers; more or less,. at each station in connection with a single
main line wire. I am therefore able to transmit manuscript, maps, and pictures
with rapidity and accuracy.
In British letters patent No. 4787 granted to me October 9, 1883, I have shown
systems of synchronous movements which I prefer to employ in my. present
invention; though, obviously, so far as the systems of. synchronous correction are
concerned, other systems than those disclosed in said patent inay be employed in
connection with my invention. In that patent I have illustrated tables of insulated
contacts arranged in a circular series over which synchronously actuated circuit-
completers are caused to traverse. Some of said contacts taken at regular intervals
in the series are devoted to maintaining the synchronous movements of the

page_text: Fig. 8 is a diagram view showing two connected stations, and illustrating the
principle of automatic transmission.
Figs. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate respectively the transmission of a picture, manuscript,
and a map.
Fig. 12 is a diagram view in which a relay is employed to effect the fac-simile
reproduction by a local circuit.
Fig. 13 is a diagram view illustrating another manner of transmission.
Referring now especially to Fig. 8, A is the rotating disk which may be rotated
as described in my prior patent, and a is the trailing circuit-completer which is
mounted on the spindle of the disk A. B is the table of insulated contacts on
which, in this instance, 84 insulated contacts are shown arranged in a circular
series. These contacts may be said to be arranged in six sub-series, each containing
fourteen contacts. It will be observed that the contacts numbered 13 and 14 are
unconnected in any manner, and it is proposed to utilize them for the synchronous
correction of the apparatus, as described in the patent above referred to. Twelve
contacts, one from each group, are connected together and to a line marked 1 at
station Y, the corresponding contacts at station X are similarly connected to a
line marked 1. Each of these lines is connected with an insulated stylus or
finger f. Twelve other contacts at each station are similarly connected to lines
marked 2, which are also connected to insulated fingers marked f, and the
remaining contacts are similarly connected in circuits marked 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11 and 12, which are also connected with insulated fingers f. As the
synchronously moving trailing fingers a traverse the tables of contacts they rest
upon corresponding contacts at the same time. When therefore they rest upon
contacts connected with the circuits marked 1, there is a completion of the circuit
from the insulated finger f in circuit 1 at one of the stations to the corresponding
finger at the other station. When the trailing fingers move on to the contacts
with which the circuits marked 2 are connected, the main line circuit is completed
between those two circuits, and so on. If the trailing fingers are therefore
rotated, say three times a second, the circuit will be completed between the corre-
sponding lines at the two stations eighteen times per second. This gives a number
of impulses which permits of working at high speed, as will presently be described.

page_text: The fingers fare arranged in a comb, as it is termed, being mounted in close
proximity to each other in a block of vulcanite or other insulating material, as will
be described hereafter. Their points are in close proximity to each other, as will
be clearly seen from the drawing, and rest upon plates C which are caused to
move under the fingers at approximately equal rates of speed by suitable clock-
work, or other mechanism, several forms of which are shown and hereafter
described.
A battery MB is shown as connected with the metallic plate C at station X,
which we will call the transmitting station; while at station Ỷ the metallic plate C
is connected with the ground. If a message be written on the plate.C at the
transmitting station with insulating fluid, and a sheet of Bain paper be laid on the
plate Cat station Y wherever the ends of the fingers fat the transmitting station
rest directly upon the plate, the circuit from the battery MB at the transmitting
station will be independently completed through each of the lines from 1 to 12,
say, eighteen times per second through the fingers at the receiving station to the
ground. The effect of this will be to produce a discoloration of the paper.
Whenever one or more fingers at the transmitting station; however, rest upon
the insulating ink, as the plate C passes under the fingers, that circuit or circuits
will be broken so that no discoloration of the paper will take place under the
corresponding fingers at the receiving station. It will therefore be obvious that
when the comb of fingers f is drawn over the line of writing on the plate Cat
the transmitting station, that lino of writing will be automatically reproduced at
the receiving station, being represented by light lines surrounded by a dark ground
produced by chemical decomposition on the Bain paper.
The completions of the circuit through each of the lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9,10,
11, 12, occurs at such frequent intervals that the effect is precisely the same as if
the corresponding fingers at the two stations were each connected by independent
main lines, as in the system of Bonelli above referred to.
By the use of a broad comb of fingers, a wide space may be covered in each
traverse of the plates C, so that a high speed of transmission may be obtained.
In the diagram view, Fig. 8, to which sole reference has been had up to this time,
the received words are indicated at station Y by black lines on a white ground, but
this is done merely for convenience of illustration. The representation would be
different, as above mentioned, with the battery arranged as shown in the figure.
It is, however, entirely practicable, and is so well understood as not to need illus-
tration or particular description to arrange the transmitting battery according to
the plan of either Caselli or Bonelli; so that the battery will be shunted at the
transmitting station when the fingers rest upon the conducting surface, but will be
sent to line when the fingers rest upon the non-conducting parts of the surface, and
with that arrangement of battery the transmitted matter will be represented at the
receiving station by the dark lines caused by chemical decomposition.
Fig. 11 represents a map in process of transmission. Pictures and any designs
may of course be transmitted.
The fingers are mounted in a block F of vulcanite or other suitable insulating
material, as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 7. The fingers are passed through slots or
apertures in the block and are held firmly and adjustably by set-screws f¹. The
block F is pivoted in a frame G which works on a screw-threaded shaft H. The
ends of the fingers or styluses are normally pressed downward by the coil spring g
which is adjusted by a screw-bolt g¹ which passes through the frame G. On the
other side of the bearing of the block F is a bolt g' which is normally pressed
upwardly, its upward motion being limited by a collar g³ which abuts against the
frame G. This bolt serves as a back-stop to limit the depression of the ends of the
fingers. The bolt g² may, however, be pressed down by a cam G' so as to elevate
the ends of the fingers and maintain them so against the depressing tendency of the
spring g. Thus when the plate C, shown in Fig. 8, has reached the end of its
movement the cam G¹ is turned so as to elevate the fingers to hold them out of
contact with the plate while it is retracted. The lateral position of the comb

page_text: relatively to the plate C is changed by rotating the shaft H which causes the
frame G to travel laterally on it until the comb is brought into proper position:
The fingers are then depressed again and the plates are started on another
movement.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3; which illustrate an organization which may be
adapted for use in connection with a reciprocating bed-plate, C, I-represents the
frame, of the instrument, and K any ordinary clock-work by means of which the
bed-plate C is moved end wise; the plate being driven by a rack C¹ in which a
pinion of the clock-work engages. The clock-work may be driven by a spring, as
illustrated in Fig. 2, or by a weight, as shown in Fig. 3. In either event the
imovement of the plates at the two stations can be made approximately equal:
Two lugs or vertical standards L rise from each side of the frame about midway
of its length. The screw-shaft Hhas its bearings in these lugs. The frame G
which carries the comb travels on a string bar M which connects the standards L, L.
When therefore the shaft H is rotated, the frame G is caused to travel laterally, on
the string bar.
As the invention is not dependent upon any special form of mechanism for
accomplishing these purposes, and as this class of machinery is comnion and well-
understood and is fully illustrated in the drawing, further explanation of it is
deemed unnecessary, as the structure and mode of operation will be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
Instead of employing a reciprocating bed-plate C, a rotating cylinder may be
used, as in the well-known Bakewell system. Specific description is unnecessary...
In the diagram, Fig. 12, I have shown an arrangement for obtaining the fac-
simile reproduction of the transmitted matter by means of a local battery. To
avoid the unnecessary multiplication of lines in the drawing only one stylus f in
the comb is shown as connected in its circuit. In this diagram the apparatus is
shown as transmitting from Y to X. In the arrangement shown in this figure the
combined power of the local battery LB and the main battery M. B passes through
the plate C, finger f, line u, and switch U to the table of contacts and main line;
for it will be perceived that the branch of the local circuit t and the branch V are
both open, the former at the switch W and the latter at the back contact of the
armature 8. The transmitting batteries at Y are therefore constantly thrown upon
the main line subject to the rapid interruptions of, say, eighteen per second, caused
by the rotation of the trailing fingers.
At station X, which is shown in condition for reception, the switch U is connected
with the coil of the relay R, while the switch W is in connection with the back
contact of the-armature 's' of the electro-magnet S. The armaturer at X is drawn
to its front contact by the current on the main line, and the momentary inter-
ruptions due to the traverse of the rotating fingers a are not of sufficient duration
to permit the armature to leave that contact long enough to operate the armature s¹;
as is presently described. The armature r of the relay R being therefore practically
constantly drawn against its front stop, completes. the local circuit s of the
magnet S, and draws its armature s' against its front contact. If now there is a
sheet of Bain paper on the plate Cat station X, and a message be written in
insulating ink on the plate C at station Y, so long as the main current is permitted.
to traverse the line, as above described, no effect will be produced at station X ;
but when one or more of the fingers f at station Y come in contact with the
insulating surface on the plate C the current from the battery at Y is interrupted
for a sufficient length of time to permit the armaturer of the relay R at station X
to leave its front contact, interrupt the circuit s, and permit the armature s¹ to fall
against its back stop. In that condition the circuit of the local battery L B will be
completed as follows: From battery through the plate C, finger or fingers f, line u, t,
switch W, armature &¹, line v, to opposite pole of the battery, and a discoloration will
be produced on the Bain paper. Each circuit being equipped with apparatus such
as just described, it will be obvious that the characters on the plate C at the trans-
mitting station will be reproduced on the sensitive paper at the receiving station by

page_text: discolorations on the paper: This arrangement, however, can only be used where
the interruptions of the main line caused by the rotation, of the fingers occur with
such rapidity as not to permit the armature to leave its front contact, sufficiently
long to operate the armature s¹. I prefer, however, the arrangement shown in
figure 13, as by it sharper and more distinct characters may be produced at the
receiving station.
In the arrangement shown in this figure the transmitting battery is only sent
into the line when a character or portion of a character is to be transmitted. In this
arrangement I employ a three-part switch and two relays: The apparatus is shown
in position for transmission from X to Y: In this figure, as in the former figures,
I have only shown one group of contacts and their connections at each station.
The transmitting battery M B is connected with the armature s² of the
magnet S. The front stop of this armature against which it is drawn by the
attraction of the magnet S is insulated. The rear stop is however connected by a
line with the switch U; thence to the table of contacts and line. The circuit of
the local battery L B is normally closed and runs in the direction indicated by the
arrow, passing through the coil of the magnet S to the switch Us, finger f, plate C,
back to opposite pole of the battery. The armature 8' is therefore drawn against
its front stop whenever the circuit, between the finger f and the plate C is un-
interrupted. If the finger, however, runs upon the insulating surface representing
the message to be transmitted, this local will be interrupted; the armature s² will
go to its back stop, and the main battery will pass to line through the line u¹, and
switch U¹.
When
At station Y the switch is connected with the line passing through the coil of the
receiving relay R. When the transmitted impulse sent from station X; as just
described, is received at Y, the armaturer of the relay R is drawn from its back
stop, thus breaking the circuit of the local battery L. B: This circuit normally
passes from one pole of the battery through the armature r, back contact, line 8,
Bwitch U2, coil of the magnet S², to the opposite pole of the battery L B¹.
this local therefore is interrupted by the reception of an impulse, as described, the
circuit s is broken, and the armature 83 of the magnet S2 falls against its back
stop. This completes the circuit of the local battery LB through the armature s²,
its back stop, line u¹, switch U³, line u², to finger f, plate C, line u³ to opposite
pole of the battery: If there is a sheet of Bain paper, therefore, on the plate C, a
discoloration is produced. Of course by merely reversing the positions of the
switches, U1, U2, U³, which are controlled by a common rock bar of insulating
material at each station, messages may be transmitted from Y to X. I prefer this
arrangement for the reason that the line is not constantly occupied by the current,
but impulses for actual transmission only are sent into the line.
The distinguishing characteristic of my invention which gives my system the
capacity for high speed of working and at the same time permits its use on an
economical basis is the fact that a large number of independent circuits in which
the combs are connected are made or completed through a common main line wire.
So far as the preparation of the message to be transmitted is concerned, or so far-
as the material or manner of reproduction of the characters transmitted are
concerned, they form no part of my invention.
Various ways of printing or representing a character, map or message to be
transmitted upon a metal plate or sheet of tin-foil, or other material, are well.
known in the art; so also other paper or material, or systems of reproduction other
than that involved in the use of Bain paper, may be used. So far also as the broad
principle of my invention is concerned, other synchronous methods than those
described in my patent before referred to may be employed to effect the required
sub-division of the circuit, as has been described; and the apparatus at the two.
stations which are to be maintained in synchronism may either be driven elec-
trically, or in any other suitable way.
:
In order to eliminate statical and other disturbances from the main line, which
on long lines might interfere with the effective working of the apparatus, discharge:

page_text: contacts placed between the insulated contacts on the table and connected with
the ground may be employed, as fully set forth in my prior letters patent.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a fac-simile or autographic system, the combination of a single main line
conductor, a series of corresponding terminal lines at each end of the main line,
devices by which the circuits of the pairs of corresponding terminal lines are
successively completed through the common main line, and a contact finger or
stylus connected with each of said lines.
2. The combination of a main line, a series of insulated contacts at each end of
the main line, synchronously-actuated circuit-completers which traverse said
contacts and momentarily place them in, communication with the main line, a
series of independent lines at each end of the main line each of said lines being con-
nected with one or more of the contacts on the table of contacts, the corresponding
lines at the two stations being connected with corresponding contacts, as described,
and the fingers or styluses for automatic transmission connected in said lines.
3. The combination of a main line, a series of insulated contacts at each end of
the main line, synchronously-actuated circuit-completers which traverse said
contacts and momentarily place them in communication with the main line, some
of said contacts being devoted to maintaining the synchronous movement of the
apparatus, a number of independent lines at each station among which the remainder
of the contacts are distributed, the corresponding lines at the two stations being
connected with corresponding contacts, and the fingers or styluses for automatic
transmission connected in said lines.
4. The combination of a main line, a series of insulated contacts at each end
of the main line, synchronously actuated circuit-completers which traverse said
contacts and momentarily place them in communication with the main line, a
number of independent lines in each of which some of said contacts are connected,
the corresponding lines at the two stations being connected with corresponding
contacts, fac-simile telegraphic transmitting and receiving devices, contact fingers
connected in each of said lines, a relay in each of said lines, and a local circuit
which is completed through each of said fingers in response to the action of
the relay to reproduce the transmitted characters at the receiving-station, as
described.
5. In a fac-simile or telegraphic system, the combination of a single main line
conductor, a series of corresponding terminal lines at each end of the main line, the
circuit of each pair of corresponding terminal lines being completed through the
common main line, mechanism by which the circuit between said corresponding
terminals is successively independently completed, electric devices for automatic
transmission by which an impulse of electricity is sent into the line only when
a character or portion of a character is being transmitted, and receiving devices
for receiving and recording said impulses.
6. The combination of a main line, a series of insulated contacts at each end
of the main line, synchronously actuated circuit-completers which traverse said
contacts and momentarily place them in communication with the main line, a
series of independent lines at each end of the main line each of said independent
lines being connected with one or more of the contacts on the table of contact,
the corresponding lines at the two stations being connected with corresponding
contacts, the contact fingers or styluses for automatic transmission connected in
said lines, devices for sending a transmitting impulse into the line only when
a character or portion of a character is to be transmitted, and receiving devices.
7. The combination of a main line, a series of insulated contacts at each end
of the main line, synchronously-actuated circuit-completers which traverse said
contacts and momentarily place them in communication with the main line, a 5
series of independent lines at each end of the main line, each of said lines being

page_text: connected with one or more of the contacts on the table of contacts, the corre-
sponding lines at the two stations being connected with corresponding contacts,
the fingers or styluses connected in said lines, the plates C over which the styluses
traverse, the relays R and S, the main batteries, the local batteries, their circuits
and connections, and the switches.