US2973142A - Record analyzing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 28, 1961 R JENNER, JR 2,973,142

RECORD ANALYZING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 17, 1957 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 m 246 [7222877 for 242 .Fober'z f1. Jenner B his/4 may 230 b Feb. 28, 1961 R JENNER JR 2,973,142

RECORD ANALYZING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 1'7, 1957 '7 Sheets-Sheet '2 Feb. 28, 1961 JENNER, JR 2,973,142

RECORD ANALYZING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 17, 1957 T Sheets-Sheet 3 [n 1/6 H for Robe/*2 Kdenner rf/r Feb. 28, 1961 R. K. JENNER, JR 2,973,142

RECORD ANALYZING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 17, 1957 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.8

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RECORD ANALYZING APPARATUS V Filed Sept. 17, 195'? 7 Sheet s-Sheet 5 rzven 0/ Robert Krfenner' 1951 R. K. JENNER, JR ,9

RECORD ANALYZING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 17, 1957 'T Sheets-Sheet 6 Feb. 28, 1961 R. K. JENNER, JR 2,973,142

RECORD ANALYZING APPARATUS FiledSept.l'7,l957 TSheets-Sheet'? United States Patent RECORD ANALYZING APPARATUS Robert K. Jenner, Jr., Hamilton, Mass., assignor to A. Kimball Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 17, 1957, Ser. No. 684,525

4 Claims. (Cl. 235-6111) This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for analyzing records having data encoded therein. More particularly the invention relates to new and novel apparatus for analyzing such records and for controlling the operation of secondary devices according to the data analyzed. By way of illustration and not to limit the broader aspects of the invention, such secondary devices may include card reproducers, tabulators, high speed printers, and other high speed devices utilized in the data processing field.

For greatest production such secondary devices are adapted to be operated continuously rather than in an intermittent manner. To achieve such continuous operation the apparatus which analyzes the data encoded on records and in accordance thereto controls the operation of the secondary devices, generally must be capable of sensing and analyzing all the data from a source record in complete form rather than in a sequential intermittent form.

Typical of. such secondary devices is the high speed card reproducing machine disclosed in the Lake Reissue Patent No. 21,133. What may be said of this machine asa secondary device is generally applicable to other devices such as those mentioned above. This type of card reproducer is adapted to reproduce. record cards from other cards having the data recorded therein in the same coded form. To utilize card reproducers of this type to their fullest capacity each reproducing card is punched in a row byrow fashion rather than in a sequential columnar fashion thus requiring that all the data to be reproduced be available in its complete form before punching is commenced as well as during the entire punching cycle of the reproducer. Accordingly, apparatus for an-v alyzing the data on the original record card to control the reproducer must be capable of retaining the sensed data during the entire punching cycle of the reproducer.

Record analyzing devices, heretofore available, feed record cards to be reproduced from a magazine to a reading device. After the data in the card is sensed, the card is held at the sensing device until the reproducer has completed the punching of a corresponding card. With this sort of operation, the reproducer then stops while another record is fed to the analyzing device and sensed. Only then can the next punching cycle of the reproducer be commenced. With this sort of intermittent operation, the output of the reproducer is substantially reduced. from that possible when the reproducer is operated continuously.

However, when the reproducer is operating continuously there is available a very short interval of time (in the order of 187 milli seconds) to clear the data read from the previous record and to sense and have available in complete analyzed form the data from the next record to be reproduced. This short interval in which to clear, feed and sense sets almost impossible requirements for analyzing apparatus previously used. When such analyzing apparatus is operated within the required time interval, the analyzing operation is unreliable and accuracy is sacrificed. Thus for reliable operation the speed of analyzing apparatus heretofore available must be reduced resulting in intermittent operation and lower output of the reproducer.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide record analyzing apparatus which is capable of controlling continuous operation of secondary devices, such as the above-mentioned card reproducer. To this end the analyzing apparatus is provided with a data storing device which provides for storage of sensed data during the operating cycle of the secondary device. Storage of the data allows a sensed record to be released immediately after being sensed, thus allowing another record to be fed to the sensing apparatus during the operation of the secondary device. As soon as the secondary device has completed its operating cycle the data from the previous record is cleared from the storage device and data from the new record is sensed and stored in the interval between the end of the working cycle and the start of the next working cycle of the secondary device.

According to another object of the invention the analyzing apparatus is provided with means for converting the encoded data sensed from the record into another code form suitable for controlling the operation of a secondary device. The storing means acts on the converting means to store the converted data during the operation of the secondary device thus making the analyzing apparatus more versatile.

According to another object ofthe invention the converting means is provided with means to detect errors in the code utilized in the sensed record. To this end the converting means is provided with groups of selective electrical circuits which are adapted to convert multipositional coded data sensed from. a record into a single element code suitable for controlling secondary data processing devices. Each group of circuits includes both control circuits and error detecting circuits. The circuits of each group are selected by relays controlled by the record sensing means according to the data sensed. When a correct combination of code elements is sensed, the relays select a single control circuit in each group. However, when any incorrect combination of code elements is sensed, an error detecting circuit is selected by the relays.

If only control circuits are selected indicating an absence The above and other features of the invention including novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and thereafter pointed out in the claims. 1

In the drawings, I

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the record feeding and sensing mechanisms of the analyzing apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of apart of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1 with a portion of the side frame broken away;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation partly in section of one of the cam controlled contacts;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation on a larger scale of a portion of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a portion of the card reproducer illustrated in the Lake Reissue Patent No. 21,133;

Fig. 7 is a view of the card punching mechanism associated with the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view of a typical record to be analyzed in the form of a perforated merchandise tag;

Fig. 9 is a chart illustrating the code used to record data in the tag illustrated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a portion of a record card perforated by the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a wiring diagram of the control circuits of the invention;

Fig. 12 is a wiring diagram of a single data converting and storing unit; and

Fig. 13 is a timing diagram of the record feeding and sensing elements correlated with the operation of the cam controlled switches.

The invention will now be described by way of example in its application to the analyzing and reproduction of perforated data in a type of merchandise tag illustrated in Fig. 8. As therein illustrated, the tag is provided with a plurality of punched information index point positions arranged in twenty nine columns of 'four punching positions. A row A of twelve vertical columns each having four possible hole positions is arranged adjacent the upper end of the tag with another row B of twelve additional columns in line and directly below the row A. Five additional coltunns are provided adjacent the lower end of the tag. it should be apparent that additional columns of perforations could be provided in unused portions of the tag. The code used for punching data in the tag is a well-known four element modified binary code having the bit or positional values of l, 2, 4 and 7. The code, with corresponding digital values, is illustrated in Fig. 9. The tag is also provided with three locating and feed holes of relatively large diameter arranged in fixed positions relative to the data indicative perforations.

A typical record card in which the data recorded on the tag is to be reproduced is illustrated in Fig. 10. As therein illustrated, the card is provided with a number of vertical columns each having ten possible punching positions. For the present purposes only one position in each column is punched to record a single digit. The data represented in each column of the tag in the four bit code is decoded into its digital value which is then punched into one position of a corresponding column of the record card.

Tag reader The tag reader for feeding and sensing the tags to be reproduced is illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5. The tag feeding and sensing mechanisms utilized are generally similar to that illustrated in United States Patent No. 2,704,186, issued March 15, 1955, to K. J. Braun, and reference may be had thereto if additional information is desired. In the construction shown, the framework for the tag feeding and sensing mechanisms comprises a base plate 20 (Figs. 1 and 3) from which rises a box-like frame consisting of a forward wall 22 and two side walls 24 and 25. Fixed to the forward wall is a bracket 28 which at its upper side supports a table plate 30.

For driving the tag feeding and sensing mechanisms the tag reader is provided with a motor (not shown) which, bymeans of a chain 32 (Fig. 1), drives a driving member of a clutchmechanism 33. The clutch mechanism is not illustrated in detail but may be of any suitable type adapted to provide one revolution for each actuation of the clutch. To actuate the clutch there is provided a clutch magnet TC mounted on the side wall 25. The clutch is adapted upon energization of the magnet TC to cause rotation of a cam shaft 34, the shaft being journaled at opposite ends, in suitable bearings in the side walls 24 and 25. To the left of the side wall 24, as seen in Fig. l, the cam shaft has fixed thereto two earns 35 and 36, the purpose of which will presently appear.

Tag magazine and picker knife operation According to the illustrated construction, the punched tags are fed seriatim from the lower end of a magazine TM by means of a picker knife or sliding plate 38 (Fig. The magazine is of a construction similar to that illustrated in the above-mentioned Braun Patent No.

2,704,186, and reference may be had thereto for a detailed explanation. The tags are retained in the magazine in a vertical stack with the lowermost tag resting on the table plate 30. A weight W placed on the top of the stack insures that the lowermost tag rests on the table. The forward wall of the magazine is formed by an adjustable throat plate 39 which is spaced heightwise from the table plate 30 to form a tag slot adapted to allow only the lowermost tag to be fed therethrough. The picker knife 38 is confined for horizontal reciprocating movement between the table plate 30 and a cover plate 40 which is suitably spaced from the table and secured by screws 42 to the bracket 28. The knife 38 is secured by means of screws 44 to the underside of a block 46 which is mounted for horizontal sliding movements on a rod 48, the opposite ends of the rod being fixed to and carried by two plates 50 secured to opposite ends of the bracket 28. The block 46 is provided with a pin 52 which is received in a slot 54 in one end of a link 56, the opposite end of the link being pivotally mounted on the upper end of an arm 58 (Fig. 3) by means of a pin 60. The pin 52 in the block is yieldingly maintained against the lift end of the slot 54, as seen in Fig. 5, by means of a spring 61 which is carried at one end by the pin 60 and which at the other end is connected to the block by means of a link 62. The arm 58 is fixed to a shaft 64 which is journaled in the forward wall 22 and which has fixed to its outer end a bell crank 66. One arm 68 of the bell crank extends to the left, as seen in Fig. 1, and has pivotally connected thereto an upstanding link 70. Midway of its ends the link 70 is provided with a slot 72 (Fig. 3) which receives a pin 74 carried in one end of a lever 76. The pin 74 is yieldingly held against the upper end of the slot 72 by a spring 78 extending from the pin 74 upwardly to a pin 80 carried in the upper end of the link 70. The lever 76 is fulcrumed on a stud 82 projecting from the side wall 24 and carries at its rearward end a cam roll 84 which rides on the periphery of the cam 35. The cam 35 is illustrated in Fig. 3 in its 270 position and during the completion of its cycle of rotation the cam causes the lever 76 to be swung clockwise. Such movement of the lever acts through the spring 78 to swing the bell crank 66 and hence also the arm 58 in a counterclockwise direction. The link 56 is thus moved to the left and through the spring 61, the link 56, and the block 46 causes the picker knife 38 to feed the lowermost tag from the magazine TM. During the next cycle of rotation of the cam the picker knife is returned to its initial position and the weight W acting on the stack of tags forces the next tag onto the table plate 30 to be engaged and fed by the picker knife.

Tag feeding mechanism For feeding the tags after being fed from the magazine by the picker knife 38, the feeding mechanism is provided with three pairs of spaced feeding and locating pins which are carried by a pair of parallel bars 102 one of which appears in Figs. 1 and 5. The pins 100 project downwardly from the lower edges of their respective bars 102 which are carried at their left ends as illustrated in Fig. 5 by a slide block 104. The slide block is secured to a horizontal rod 106 by means of a setscrew 108. At opposite sides of the block the rod 106 is carried for horizontal sliding movements by a pair of heightwise reciprocating bearing blocks 110.

' Prior to their horizontal feeding stroke, the pins must first be moved downwardly to engage the feeding and locating holes in the tags. To this end the bearing blocks 110 are provided with vertical rods 112 which are carried for heightwise sliding movements in alined bores in a pair of parallel plates 114 and 116. The plates 114 and 116 are secured to the forward wall 22 and project forwardly therefrom. For additional support a bar 118 extends between the plates and is secured thereto by screws 120. Springs 122 on the r'ods112 confined be 5 tween-the lower surface of the'plate 116 and collars 124 secured to the rods urge the bearing blocks 110 and hence also the feed pins 100 downwardly. A pair of bars 130 is clamped to the upper ends of the rods 112 and to the upper end of a downwardly extending rod 132. The rod 132 extends through a bore in the plate 116 and is provided at its lower end with a block having a horizontal groove 134. For raising and lowering the feed pins by means of the rods 112 and 132, a lever 136 is journaled on a pin 138 extending forwardly from the bar 118. At its left end, as seen in Fig. 5, the lever is provided with a pin 140 which rides in the groove 134. The opposite end of the lever 136 is provided with a pin 144 which is received in a groove 146 of a block 148 fixed to a vertical rd 150: The-rod-ISO is mounted for heightwise sliding movements -in suitable bores in the plates -114and1'16. The upper end of the rod 150 has pinned thereto a rearwardly extending block 152 (Fig. 3) having a slot 154 adapted to receive a pin 156 carried by anarm 158. The arm 158 is fixed to a shaft 160 which is journaled at opposite ends in recessed portions of the side walls 24 and 25. To the left end of the shaft 160, as seen in Fig. 1, is fixed a rearwardly extending arm 162 connected by a depending link 164 to a cam lever 166. The cam lever is journaled on the stud 82 and is provided at its rearward end with a roll 168 which rides on the periphery of the cam 36. During rotation of the cam 36 the lever 166 is moved clockwise and, through the link 164, the arms 162 and 158 are swung counterclockwise. The rod 150 is thus moved up to swing the lever 136 counterclockwise moving the feed pins 100 down into the feeding and locating holes of tags resting on the table plate 30.

After their downward movement into the tags the feed pins are moved to the left to feed successive tags toward a read station R. To this end the block 104 is provided with a depending pin 173 which at its lower end carries a block 174 having a vertical groove 176. The groove 176 receives a pin 178 carried in the upper end of an arm 180 of the bell crank 66. Thus, when the bell crank 66 is swung counterclockwise under the influence of the cam 35, the feed pins 100 are moved to the left, as seen in Figs. 1 and 5, by the arm 180 While the picker knife is also moved to the left by the arm 58.

During successive cycles of the tag feeding mechanism, the tags are fed one at a time and in succession from the tag magazine TM (Fig. to an intermediate position by the picker knife 38 and from there are fed successively by the feed pins to a pre-read station PR, to a sensing station hereinafter referred to as a read station R and thereafter to a tag rceiver TR. To insure that the tag is stripped from the feed pins 100 upon arrival at the tag receiver, a pusher rod 190 is secured to the vertically reciprocating rod 150 by means of a horizontal bar 192 which is fixed to both rods by set screws 194. Thus as the rod 150 is moved down causing upward movement of the feed pins, the pusher rod 190 is moved down to engage the tag at the receiver, forcing the tag from the feed pins into the receiver.

Sensing mechanism In addition to feeding tags by means of the feeding and locating holes therein, the feed pins 100 also serve to position successive tags at the read station R at the end of each feeding stroke. For sensing the presence of code holes in the columns of the tag at'the read station, a Bowden wire 200 is provided for each code hole position in the tag. In the present construction, provision is made for one hundred and sixteen such wires at the read station. Each Bowden wire operates within a tubular casing 202 which has at its lower end an enlarged portion 203 positioned in holes provided therefor in-parallel plates 204 and 206. The plates are secured at opposite ends thereof to spacer blocks 208 and 210, secured to the bracket 28 and spaced therefrom by spacers 212, the blocks being secured to the bracket by screws 214. Another plate 216 is secured to the blocks 208 and 210 and is spaced below the plate 206 by suitable spacers so as to be directly above the tag path. The lower ends of the Bowden wires pass through holes provided therefor in the plate 216. The lower ends of the portions 203 are held against the upper surface of the plate 216 by clamping bars 217 which engage the upper ends of the portions 203. Referring toFigs. 2 and 3, the upper end of each casing 202 is received in spaced holes provided intwo parallel plates 230 which are secured to two cross bars 232. The cross bars at opposite ends thereof are secured to blocks 234 fixed to the side walls 24and 25, respectively, by screws 236. The upper end of each Bowden wire 200 is fixed to a U-shaped tube240 which is slidably mounted within a pair of plates 242 forming part of an oscillating unit 244. The oscillating unit 244 includes the plates 242 which are secured to a pair of cross plates 246 which in turn are fixed at opposite ends to a pair of blocks 248 (Fig. 3 by screws 250. Each block 248'has fixed thereto a forwardly extending slide pin 252 (Fig. 2) which is slidably received in bores 254 in the-blocks 234. The blocks 248 are also provided with inwardly extending pins 255 to which are pivoted links 256. The links 256 attheir forward ends are pivotally connected to the upper ends of arms 260 fixed to the shaft 160. Thus it may be seen that when the feed pins are raised from the tag by the action of the cam 36, the arms 260 are also swung clockwise'to move the oscillating unit 244 forward. The rearward end of each U-shaped tube 240 engages an associated sensing slide 266, each of the slides being slidably supported in rectangular slots punched in plates 268 and 270, respectively. A spring 272 encircles the reduced end of each slide 266 so that one end seats against the plate 270 and the other end against a shoulder 274 of the slide. In its initial position the oscillating unit 244 is held to the left of the position shown in Fig. 3 holding the U tubes 240 to the left by means of the forward plate 242 and hold ing the slides 266 to the left against the actionof their respective springs 272. To the rear of the plate 270 the reduced end of each slide terminates in an insulating block 276 which engages the end of a leaf spring contact 278 associated therewith. Thus when the Bowden wires are held retracted, the contacts 278 associated with the Bowden wires are held in rearward positions spaced from associated contacts 280. As the oscillating unit 244 is moved forwardly during the sensing cycle of the unit, the forward plate 242 moves away from the ends of the U tubes 240 allowing the springs 272 to urge the slides 266 forwardly and hence also urge the Bowden' wires down to probe the tag. Where a hole is present in the tag a Bowden wire passes through the hole allowing its associated contacts 278, 280 to close. Where no hole exists, downward progress of the Bowden wire is halted by the tag holding the associated contacts open.

Rea'der timing comacts Mounted adjacent the cam shaft 34 are six cam actuated heavy duty contacts 290, 292 (Fig. 4). The six sets of contacts are identical, only one set being shown in detail in Fig. 4. All six contacts however are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 11 as contacts C1 through C6.- As illustrated in Fig. 4, the contact 290 is carried on the upper end of a spring biased arm 294 while the contact 292 is carried by an adjustable but normally fixed plate 296. Each arm 294 carries an insulating block 297 which rides on the periphery of one of six cams 298: The timing for the various cams 298 is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 13, such timing being important to control the sequential operation of the various control circuits which coordinate the action of the tag reader and the card punching mechanism.

7 Card punch The card punch utilized for reproducing the data read from the tags into record cards is essentially the punching unit of the high speed IBM reproducer shown in the Lake Reissue Patent No. 21,133, granted June 27, 1939, and illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. As therein illustrated, a shaft 325 and gearing 327, 328 are in the driver train of the unit. The shaft 325 carries a number of cams which actuate a number of contacts including contacts P1, P2 and a circuit breaker 330 (Fig. 11), together with an emitter E, the function of which will be explained in connection with the wiring diagram.

Punches 331 of which there is one for each column of the record card are arranged in a single line across the length of the record card which is fed intermittently thereunder by feed rolls 326 so that only twelve steps of movement of the card and punches are needed completely to punch a card. For the present purposes of illustration, however, only numeric digits are to be represented in the card. Thus only ten of the steps of movement are actually utilized. Each punch 331 has associated therewith a punch magnet 333 which causes actuation of the punch generally in the following manner: Each punch magnet, when energized, attracts an interposer to a position under an oscillating bail. The bail acting on the interposer forces each punch associated with an attracted interposer through the card. For a detailed explanation of the above operation reference may be had to the above-mentioned Reissue Patent No. 21,133.

Decoding units Referring to Fig. 12, the means for converting or decoding the encoded data sensed from a single column on the tag is illustrated. The converting means will be hereinafter referred to as a decoding unit. It should be noted that there is a similar unit associated with each column on the tag, the following description being the same for all units. The circuits included in each unit are adapted to decode the information on the tag expressed in a multipositional or modified binary code to a decimal or one of ten bit code utilized in the card to be punched. The sensing contacts 278, 280 are diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 12 and when the sensing wires probe a tag at the reading station one contact is closed for each perforation sensed. As illustrated, the sensing contacts are designated #1, #2, #4 and #7.

Assuming, for example, that there are perforations in one column of the tag at the #1 and #4 bit positions representative of the digit 5, when the tag is sensed, the #1 and #4 sensing contacts 278, 280 will be closed. At the appropriate time in the cycle of the tag reader, a circuit is closed from the line wire L (Fig. 11), through a number of control contacts to be described, through the #1 and #4 contacts, through the decoding relays KDl and KD4 (Fig. 12), respectively, to the line wire L1. The decoding relays are thus energized transferring the contacts KDll and KD12 associated with the relay KDI and transferring the contacts KD41 through KD45 associated with the relay KD-i. Through a combination of transferred and non-transferred contacts a single closed circuit is formed through the decoding unit from a wire 332 through the lower contact KD12, the upper contact KD22, the lower contact KD43 and through the upper contact KD74 to a wire A leading through a common wire to the 5B position of the card punch emitter. Each decoding unit associated with a single column on the tag has a wire 332 leading therefrom to an individual punch magnet 333 associated with a corresponding single column on the record card to be punched.

It should be apparent that for any combination of sensing contacts that are closed in a single decoding unit as determined by perforations sensed in the tag, a corresponding circuit representative of the decimal bit is formed through the decoding unit from the wire 332 to one of the wires 0A-9A. However, at times there may be erroneous perforations in the tag such as three perforations being sensed in one column where there should be only one or two. Assume, for example, that the #1, #2 and #4 contacts have been closed through an error in the corresponding column of the tag. The decoding relays KDI, KD2 and KD4 will be energized transferring their associated contacts. In this instance an error circuit will be closed through the decoding unit from the wire 332 through the lower contacts KD12, KD22, KD42 and through the upper contact KD72 to an error line 336. It should be noted that each decoding unit is provided with an error line 336 which is connected in common to all other error lines from each unit for a purpose which will presently appear. For other erroneous combinations of perforations in the tag other error circuits will be closed through the decoding unit to the wire 336. The common wires 336 at the proper time in the cycle of the tag reader are connected through control contacts to error relays to be described.

Control circuits The wiring diagram for the control circuits for operation of the tag reader and card punch is illustrated in Fig. 11. As therein illustrated a source of alternating current power is supplied to the tag reader motor T and to a power supply unit through main switches MS. The power supply unit functions as a source of DC power across the line wires L and L1 to supply the control circuits. An independent source of DC. power, not shown, is supplied across the line wires M and M1 which supply independent power for the card punch circuits.

To condition the control circuits for normal automatic operation, the operator sets a pair of stop run switches SR1 and SR2 in the run position as illustrated, and also sets two switches T1 and T2 in the positions illustrated. As shown, the switches SR1 and SR2 are mechanically interconnected so that both switches are moved to corresponding positions. The switches T1 and T2 are also mechanically interconnected so that when one switch is closed the other is opened. In the present instance the switch T1 is closed, thus opening the switch T2. The circuits are also provided with a tag receiver switch TRl which remains closed during normal operation but is opened automatically when the tag receiver is full of tags. The switch TRl is designed to halt the automatic operation of the tag reader and card punch before the tag receiver becomes overloaded. A tag sensing switch TSP shown only in Fig. 11 is provided at the pre-read station PR (see also Fig. 5) to sense the presence of a tag during a sensing cycle of the tag reader. The switch TSP is closed when a tag is present at the pre-read station during the tag sensing cycle, but is opened if no tag is present at that time. Two other tag sensing switches TSRl and TSR2 shown only in Fig. 11 are provided at the read station R (see also Fig. 5). These switches are closed during the sensing cycle if a tag is present at the read station during the tag sensing cycle and are opened if no tag is present at that time.

As will be described, three cycles of the tag reader are required before the system is conditioned for automatic operation. That is, three operator initiated cycles of the tag reader are required to feed the first tag from the magazine M to the read station R where the tag may be sensed for data indicative perforations. To commence the first cycle, the operator closes a start switch S1, closing a circuit from the line wire L through a reset switch REl, the upper contact of relay contacts K14, a normally closed relay contact K25, the start switch S1, through the stop run switch SR2 and through the tag reader clutch magnet TC, to the line wire L1. Energization of the magnet TC causes the cam shaft 34 of the tag reader to commence its cycle of rotation to feed a tag 9. from the magazine to a position whereitmay be picked up by the feed pins100.

.Referringto the timing chart in Fig. 13, early in the tag reader cycle, .a cam switch C3 is closed but is inetfective since the tag sensing switch TSRI at the read station is;open. A cam switch C1 is nextclosed, closing 3,ClICl 1lt from the .line wire L through the tag receiver switchTRl, the switch C1, anorrnally closedrelay contactK24, througha control relay K1 to the line wire L1. When the relay K1 is energized, the normally. open relay contactsKl l. through Klgtare closed. Closing contacts K11 forms a holding circuit, around the contact C1, through a cam swtich C6 which is closed at this time, and through the contacts K11. The contact arm of the relay contacts Kl t is transferredtovits lower contacts opening the circuit to the tag reader clutch magnet TC. Cam switches 04 and a C2 are next actuated in succession but urin fie fivei i e e gt en it s W h SR at the read station, isopen.- but also has no effect at thistime since there was no tag to ibe sensed at the read statiqn as-will presently appear. The -cam switch C6 next opens, openingthe-holding circult to the control relay K1 but therelay remains energized through C1. The catnswitch C1 subsequently opens, thus opening the circuit to .the control relay K1. The control relay isdeenergized at this time since a parallelholding circuit-,does-notexistthrough either the switches TSP or TSRZ, The tag reader completes its tagtfeedingcycle and comesto a stop having fed a tag from i the magazine.

Theoperator onceagain depresses thestart switch S1 energizing the clutch magnet TCto commence a second cycle of the tag reader. Since the tag is sensed at the beginning of; the cycle of the tag reader, -no tag is found at either the pre-read or theread station. T herefore, the switches TSP, TSRI and TSRZ remain open, the cycle of operation of the cam controlled contacts C1 through C6 and their effect'being the same as the operation during the first cycle. :However, during the tag feeding cycle another tag. is fed from the magazine and the first tagis fed to the pre-readstation PR (Fig. 5) byv the feed pins 100.

The operator once again closes the start switch S1 to initiatea third cycle ofthe tagreader. During this cycle, a tag issensed at the pre-readstation closing the tag sensing switch TSP. Thus, during the third cycle of operation, the control relay K1 remains energized since even though the cam switches C1 and C6 are both open at one point in the cycle a holding circuit remainsclosed to the control relay through the tag sensing switch TSP. During the third cycle another tagis fed to the pre-read station and the first tag is fed to the read station. Since the relay K1 remains energized at the end of the tag reader cycle, the contactor K14 remains on its lower contact rendering the start switch S1 ineffective. Another contact K13 associated with the relay K1 also remains closed at the end of the tag reader cycle and as soon as the operator releases the start button, the start switch S2 is closed completing a circuit from the line wire M through the cam switch P2 operated from the cam shaft 325 of the card punch, through the'stop run switch SR1, the start switch S2, normally closed contacts K23, contacts K13, through a card punch clutch magnet CM to the line wire Ml. Upon energization of the magnet CM, the cam shaft 325 of the card punch is caused totcommence its cycle of rotationquicltly opening the cam contacts P2, and thus also opening the circuit to the clutch magnet CM. A blank card is fed from the card magazine to a position where it will be punched during the next cycle ofthe card punch. Near the end of the card punch cycle the cam switch P1 is closed for a short time closing a circuit from the line wire L through the reset switch REI, the lowercontact K14, the cam switch P1, theswitch T1, the stop run switch SR2, through the tag reader clutch magnet TC to the line wire L1. The

A cam switch C5 next closes 10 next cycle of operation of thetag reader is thus automatically initiated by the camswitch P1.

Duringthis cycle, when the tag is sensed, the tag sensingswitches' TSP, TSRl and TSR2 are closed. Also during the tag sensing cycle the sensing wires 200 probe the tag at'the read station for data indicative perforations. The sensing contacts 278, 280 associated with bit positions where perforations are found are closed by the action of each sensing wire passing through a perforation. Thus, when the cam switch C3 closes, a closed circuit is formed from the line wire L through the switch C3, the tag sensing switch TSRl, the K1 relay contacts K12, the cam switch C2 which is closed at this time, through those sensing switches 278, 280 which are closed, and through their associated decoding magnets KDl, KD2, KD4 or KD7 to the line wire L1. A single circuit in each decoding unit is closed as controlled by the energized decoding magnetsofeach unit. Thus, each decoding unit acts to form a single closed circuit corresponding to the code perforations sensed in the column of the tag associated therewith from each wire 332 through the decoding unit to one of the wires 0A-9A representative of the digit sensed from the tag. Each of the wires 0A-9A is connected in common to corresponding wires from each decoding unit, the common lines being connected to corresponding positions numbered 0B through 9B of the emitter E as illustrated in Fig. 11. The emitter includes a rotating brush 329.0perated from the cam shaft 325 of the card punch and connected to the line wire M through the circuit breaker 330. During the tag reader cycle under automatic operation, the cam switch C1 closes but has no effect on the relay K1 at this time since the relay is energized through itsholding circuit through the cam switch C6. Referring to the timing diagram in Fig. 13, the cam switch C4 closes, closing a circuit from the line wire L through the cam switch C3, tag sensing switch TSRl, the closed relay contacts K12, the cam switch C4, through a relay magnet K3 to the line wire L1. Energizing relay K3 closes twenty-nine contacts numbered K31 through K329 in lines 355 leading from each of the wires 332. In this manner, a; path is closed from eachwire 332, through each wire 355, connected thereto, through associated contacts K31 to K329, through a common line 357 leading from these contacts through an error relay K2 to the line wire L1. Closure of the cam switch C4 also closes a path from the line L to the common error lines 336 so thatif an error circuit is closed in any one of the decoding units, connecting the line 336 with one of the wires 332, a closed path will be formed from the line L to the line 336 through an error circuit in any one of the decoding units through one of the wires 332, through its associated wire 355, one or more of the contacts K31 to K329, the common wire 357, and through the relay K2 to the line wire L1. However, if no error circuit is closed in any of the decoding units, the error relay K2 will not be energized. For the present description' it will be assumed that no error has been formed and the error relay K2 has not been energized. The description of the operation of the error relay K2 will be subsequently described.

Storing the converted data in the decoding units Referring again to the timing diagram, the cam switch C2 next opens to check for errors in the decoding units which would have caused energization of relay K2 and a resultant openingof contacts K22, but it is assumed that none are present. Next in the cycle, the cam switch C4 opens deenergizing the relay K3 and opening the circuits from the wires 355 through the relay contacts K31 to K329 leading to the relay K2. The cam switch C5 then closes, closing a circuit from the line wire L, through the switch C5 to a common wire 359 which leads to one side of the contacts KDll, KD21, KD41 or KD71 of each decoding unit, see also Fig. 12. The other side of these contacts which may be called latching contacts lead to the relay magnets associated therewith. For each decoding relay that was energized by closure of the sensing contacts 278, 280, an associated latching contact KD11, KD21, KD41 or KD71 is closed. Thus, when the switch C5 is closed, a holding circuit is formed to each energized decoding magnet through the associated latching contacts to retain energization thereof when the sensing wires are retracted from the tag at the read station. After the switch C5 closes to hold the energized decoding relays, the cam switch C3 opens removing the power to the relays through the sensing switches. In this manner the converted data is retained or stored in the decoding units even though the sensing wires are removed from the tag.

The cam switch C6 next opens and shortly thereafter the cam contact C2 once again closes in preparation for the next cycle of operation. Opening C6 has no effect since the cam contact C1 remains closed to hold the control relay K1 energized. Shortly thereafter, however, the contacts C1 are opened but since the tag sensing switches TSP and TSR2 are still closed due to the presence of tags at the read and pre-read stations the control relay K1 remains energized. Since the tag sensing Switches TSP and TSR2 will be opened after the tag sensing operation, switch C6 once again closes having satisfied the control circuits that tags were present at the read and pre-read stations to hold the control relay K1 energized through the remaining portion of a cycle. However, during that portion of the cycle when both the C1 and C6 switches are open, the relay K1 will be deenergized if for some reason no tag is present at either the pre-read or read station during the sensing cycle.

Near the end of the tag reader cycle after the sensing wires have been retracted from the tag, the sensed tag is fed from the reading station to the tag receiver and new tags are fed to the pro-read and read stations. During this portion of the cycle the decoded information is stored in the decoding circuits through the cam switch C5 which has the effect of latching the decoding relays in energized condition. While the tags are being fed in the tag reader, the card punch is operating in its card punching cycle.

Card punching operation A blank card is fed intermittently row by row by the feed rolls 326 under the card punches 331 in timed relation to rotation of the brush 329 in the emitter E. The brush is intermittently connected to the line wire M through the circuit breaker 330. The emitter segments B-9B are individually connected to the corresponding lines 0A-9A of all decoding units. Thus, as the emitter brush makes contact with each segment of the emitter in succession as each row of the card is positioned under the punches, the corresponding digit lines 0A-9A of the decoder are successively closed to the line wire M. As previously described, there are separate circuits through each decoder unit from each wire 0A-9A to the wire 332, the arrangement being such that only one of the wires 0A-9A is connected to the wire 332. Each wire 332 leads to an individual punch magent 333.

By way of example, assume that the card has been fed so that the number row (see Fig. 10) of the card is under the punches. The emitter brush is then in contact with the segment 5B of the emitter. Thus all 5A lines from all decoder units are connected to the line wire M through the emitter. For each decoder unit in which a decoder path is closed indicating the digit 5, a closed circuit is completed from the line wire M through the circuit breaker 330, the brush 329, the emitter segment 5B, wires 5A, each decoder unit indicating the digit 5, the associated wires 332 and through the associated punch magnets 333 to the line wire M1. However, for the decoder units in which digits other than 5 are indicated no closed path is formed at this time and the associated punch magnets are not energized. Each punch magnet when energized causes punching in a particular column and in the appropriate row of the card by attracting an interposer under an oscillating bail. The bail acting on the attracted interposers forces only the associated punches through the card. The same operation of the card punching mechanism is repeated for each of the card rows, the emitter successively searching the wires 0A-9A of all decoder units for any closed paths that many exist. Where only numeric digits are to be recorded in the card, each punch is operated only once during the punching cycle for one card so that only one hole appears in each column of the record card.

Automatic cycling Near the end of the cycle of the card punch, the cam switch P1 is closed energizing the tag reader clutch magnet TC to initiate the next cycle of operation of the tag reader and shortly thereafter the cam switch P2 closes to energize the card punch clutch magnet CM to initiate the next cycle of operation of the card punch before the card punch reaches the end of its cycle. Early in the tag reader cycle before the new tag at the read station is sensed, the cam switch C5 is opened to unlatch, i.e., deenergize the decoding relays of all decoding units by opening the holding circuits therefor. In this manner, all stored information from the previous tag in the decoding unit is cleared before the information is sensed from the next tag to be decoded and stored in the decoding units. The cycle of operation described above automatically repeats as long as there is a tag at the pre-read and/or the read station and as long as there are cards to be punched in the card punch. However, as previously mentioned, if an error is detected in any decoding unit, the automatic operation is halted until the reset switches RBI and RE2 are manually operated as will presently be described.

Error circuit operation As previously described, any error in the punched code of any column in the tag results in an error path being formed through the associated decoding unit from the wire 332 to the error line 336. In the normal sequence of operation the cam switch C4 closes energizing the relay K3 to close the contacts K31 to K329 thus closing circuits from each of the wires 332 and 355 to the common line 357. Closure of the cam switch C4 also closes a circuit to the error line 336, through the error circuit detected in any decoding unit, the associated wires 332 and 355, a K3 contact, the common wire 357, through the error relay K2 to the line wire L1. Energization of the relay K2 operates relay contacts K21 through K25. The relay contacts K21 are thus closed to form a holding circuit from the line wire L through the reset switch REI, contacts K21, relay coil K2 to the line wire L1. The normally closed relay contacts K24 open deenergizing the control relay K1. When the relay K1 is deenergized, the contactor K14 is transferred to its upper contact opening the circuit through the cam contact P1 so that the tag reader clutch magnet TC will not be energized at the end of the card punching cycle. The relay contacts K11 are also opened preventing subsequent operation of the holding circuit to the relay K1 through the cam switch C6, tag sensing switches TSP or TSR2. The contactsK13 and K23 are also opened preventing energization of the card punch clutch magnet CM. The contacts K12 are also opened opening the circuits leading through cam switch C2 to the sensing switches deenergizing the decoding relays and also opening the circuit through the cam switch C4 to the error circuits leading to relays K2 and K3.

When cam switch C5 is closed during the remainder of the tag reader cycle, all the decoding relays have been deenergized due to the opening of the contacts K12 so that no decoded information is available to be stored in the decoding units. Thus, during the card punch cycle, the punch magnets are not energized and a card corresponding to the tag havingian.error isxfed without being punched. The errortag just sensed is also fed to the receiver and a new tag is fed to the read station during. the remaining portion, of the tag reader cycle. The errorrelay K2. remains energized throughitsholding circuit maintainingthe, qontactsKl l, K25 andK23 open preventing further operation of both the tag reader and the card punch.

To commence again the automatic operation of the tag reader and card punch, the operator depresses the reset switches RE1 and RE2, the two reset switches being mechanically interconnected so that as they are depressed the switch RE1 is opened while the switch RE2 is closed. Opening RE1 causes the error relay K2 to be deenergized closing the normally closed contacts K22, K23, K24 and K25. Closure of the reset switch RE2 closes the circuit to the control relay K1 from the line wire L, tag receiver switch TR1, reset switch RE2, now closed contacts K24, through the control relay K1 to the line L1. The holding circuit for the relay K1 through the cam switch C6 and contacts K11 is restored. Contacts K13 once again are closed energizing the card clutch magnet CM commencing another cycle of the card punch. The contacts K14 are also transferred to the lower contact allowing the tag reader clutch magnet TC to be energized when the cam switch P1 closes near the end of the card punch cycle. The control circuits again resume their normal automatic operation until such time as another error is detected in the decoding circuits.

Tag and card clearing circuits At times it is desirable to clear all tags or cards from the tag reader or card punch respectively without punching cards corresponding to the tags fed through the tag reader. To this end the stop run switches SR1 and SR2 are placed in their stop positions rendering a card clear switch CC and a tag clear switch CT effective. By closing the tag clear switch CT a circuit is closed from the line wire L through the tag receiver switch TR1, the tag clear switch CT, through the stop position of the switch SR2, through the tag reader clutch magnet TC to the line wire L1. As long as the tag clear switch is held closed, the cycle of the tag reader is repeated to feed the remaining tags from the tag magazine to the tag receiver. By closing the card clear switch CC, a circuit is closed from the line wire M through the cam switch P2, the stop position of the switch SR1, the card clear switch CC, and through the clutch magnet CM of the card punch to the line wire M1. As long as the card clear switch is held closed the card punch cycle will repeat itself until the cards are exhausted without being punched.

Independent operation of the card punch By changing the positions of the manual switches T1 and T2, so that the switch T1 is open and the switch T2 is closed, the card punch is not controlled by operation of the tag reader through the relay contacts K13 and K23, and the tag reader is not controlled by operation of the card punch through the cam contact P1. In this manner the card punch may be operated independently of the tag reader for a number of card punching operations for which the punch is designed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In apparatus for analyzing records having data encoded therein in a multi-position code, a sensing station having means to sense encoded data in a record positioned at said station, means for converting the sensed data into a single element code, said converting means including groups of electrical circuits, each of said groups including control circuits and error indicative circuits, relays controlled by said sensing means for selecting a single circuit in each group according to the encoded data sensedfrom said eserdts d ir tsm i aid e eali being. arranged in such manner that upon sens' ,ot correctly coded data indicative combinations from the record one of said control circuits is selected in each group and upon sensing of improperly, coded'cornbina tions from the record one of said error circuits ,is. se; lected, means eifective upon selection of an error circuit in any group for causing said relays to be rendered ineffective thereby clearing all converted data from said converting means, and means eflective upon non-selection of an error circuit for causing said control circuits to control the operation of a secondary device.

2. In apparatus for analyzing records having data encoded therein in a multi-position code, a sensing station having means to sense encoded data in a record positioned at said station, means for converting the sensed data into a single element code, said converting means including groups of electrical circuits, each of said groups including control circuits and error indicative circuits, relays controlled by said sensing means for selecting a single circuit in each group according to the encoded data sensed from said record, said circuits. and said relays being arranged in such manner that upon sensing of correctly coded data indicative combinations from the record one of said control circuits is selected in each group and upon sensing of improperly coded combinations from the record one of said error circuits is selected, means effective upon selection of an error circuit in any group for causing said relays to be rendered ineffective thereby clearing all converted data from said converting means, means efiective upon non-selection of an error circuit for causing said control circuits to control the operation of secondary devices, means also effective upon non-selection of an error circuit for establishing holding circuits for said relays whereby the converted data is stored in said converting means, means for rendering said sensing means inefiective while the data is thus stored, and means for feeding said record from said sensing station and for feeding another record to said station while the data is thus stored in said converting means.

3. In apparatus for analyzing records having data encoded therein in a multi-position code, a sensing station having means to sense data encoded in a record positioned at said station, means including groups of electrical circuits for converting the sensed data into a single element code, relays controlled by said sensing means for selecting a single circuit in each group according to the encoded data sensed from said record, said circuits and said relays being arranged in such manner that upon sensing of correctly coded data indicative combinations from the record one of said control circuits is selected in each group, means eflective upon sensing of any improperly coded combinations from the record for causing said relays to be rendered ineffective thereby clearing all converted data from said converting means, and means effective upon sensing of properly coded data indicative combinations for establishing holding circuits for said relays whereby converted data is stored in said converting means.

4. In apparatus for analyzing records having data encoded therein in a multi-po-sition code, a sensing station having means to sense data encoded in a record positioned at said station, means including groups of electrical circuits for converting the sensed data into a single element code, relays controlled by said sensing means for selecting a single circuit in each group according to the encoded data sensed from said record, said circuits and said relays being arranged in such manner that upon sensing of correctly coded data indicative combinations from the record one of said control circuits is selected in each group, means effective upon sensing of any improperly coded combinations from the record for causing said relays to be rendered ineffective thereby clearing all converted data from said converting means, means 16 efiective upon sensing of properly coded data indicative References Cited in the file of this patent combinations for establishing holding circuits for said relays whereby converted data is stored in said convert- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing means, and means for feeding said record from said 2,044,119 Lasker June 16, 1936 sensing station and for feeding another record to said 5 2,323,824 Maschmeyer July 6, 1943 sensing station while the data is thus stored. 2,675,177 Perrin Apr. 13, 1954

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