US3002685A - Counting and readout apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 3, 1961 D. TELLEP comm-nus AND moon-r APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR DAVID TELLEP E a- 0%,

GENT/ Filed June 3, 1958 3, 1961 n. TELLEP 3,002,635

COUNTING AND READOUT APPARATUS Filed June 3, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .FIG- 3a- Oct. 3, 1961 D. TELLEP 3,

COUNTING AND READOUT APPARATUS Filed June 3, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 --\\R SET 202 CARRY EXIT CARRY EX RO CTR 2 FIG-.313-

' r 3,002,685 A I APPARATUS David -Te ls,a1iadic tt, N. ssig or o mun-national BusinassMachiues Corporation, Ne York, N.Y.,.a o poration o jN w Y rk Fi d June s, 1958, Ser. No. 739,557

16mi s.- (Cl.2 3592) This invention relates to a count accumulating mechanism and to the readout and reset apparatus therefore and is more particularly directed to apparatus for receiving, counting, and storingsu'ccessive single electrical impulses and adapted for-use in a data logging system.

Information is the basis upon which a data logging system is built. In the count accumulating phase of such a system, industry has been serviced in the past through the use of many count accumulating devices which are slow in their operation of receiving count impulses and I which must be temporarily: rendered inoperative to enable resetting the counters. However; modern industrial operationshave .created an urgent needfor a more-rapid operating count accumulating device which can be rapidly reset, and furthermore, which can be reset while count accumulating continues uninterrupted.

The count accumulating, readout and reset apparatus comprising the present-invention is intended to be a general improvement over the count accumulating devices previously offered 'to industry for count accumulation, and one that 'is particularly adapted for use in a data logging system. The invention has been embodied in an arrange. ment for counting at arelatively high rate of speed, as for example, a range of 600 to 1500 counts per minute with readout and reset to occur in less than four seconds. It is obvious that there are many applications in which the accumulation of numbers or time intervals are required for the control of-equipment. The counting apparatus of the present invention is flexible and "by modification can be adapted to a varietyof data logging system configurations, a

An object of the invention is to provide an .accumulat-' ing device of this characterhavingmeans to store counts at high speed, means to readout said counts to printing instrumentalities and the like, and means for resetting the counters. 1 Another object of the invention is to provide accumulat- United States PatentQ ice ing apparatus of this character having a simple and rugged construction capable of standing up under usage at high i speeds.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an accumulator of e impulse con o led type which operates rapidly but efliciently.

It is another object ofthe present invention to provide a an accumulating device of the character described having a plurality of high speed counters with novel means for effecting counter readout. I

A still further object of the present. invention is to provide an accumulating device capable of receiving count impulses while previously stored counts are being readout and the counters are being reset.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an accumulating device with means for signalling the position of the counter wheels; that is, whether the wheels rest at zeroorat some digit other than zero.

A preferred embodiment of the invention involves, in its general organization, a series of impulse counters which are arranged in groups for cumulatively counting various items, periods of timeretc. A counter group with v one subgroup of. counters. princ p e; applied I the counter units.

3,002,685, Patented Oct. 3, 1961 in the preferred embodiment is that readout and reset must occur in a minimum of time while counting at a maximum rate. To accommodate this condition, alternate'subgroups are used in the low-order positions such that readout and reset of the high-order subgroup and one low order subgroup is occurring while new count entries are being applied to the alternate low-order subgroup. The transferofiinput between the alternate loworder subgroups is arranged to occur at a time such that there will be no error of count.- .Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of examples, theprinciple of theinvention and the best mode, which has been'contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings: 1 FIG. 1 is. a view showing the construction of one of FIG; 2 is an isometric view showing the contacts and operating mechanism of the counter units.

FIGS. 3a and 3b together constitute a wiring diagram for five orders of an accumulating mechanism according to the present invention, and wherein FIG. 3b should be placed tothe right of FIG. 3a.

In'all of the above describedviews,'like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout. vA

An accumulating mechanism embodying the invention is electrically shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. This embodiment of the mechanism comprises a counter group with seven counter units subdividedinto three groups, two low-order :subgroups of two counters each and one subgroup .of three counters and electrically interconnected in a manner to be described. The arrangementiof the preferred embodiment is adapted to receive and store successive pulses to a total of five digits .It is to be understood that'thisshowing is merely illustrative of one application ofrthei present count accumulating apparatus. Other multi-denominational accumulative arrangements are possible by the use of more or fewer counter units struction of one of the counter units, there is shown a counter unit. mounted on an individual plate 9. A hot: magnet lohas an armature 11 which is pivoted to a frame member 12. The .righhhandrend .ofthe armature 11 engages a lever 13 which is pivoted on a stud 14." Pivoted on a stud '15 carriedby the lever 13 is an operating pawl 16.,and said pawl is urged by a spring 17-, which is extended "from .the'pawl 16 to a bracket 18 fastened on plate 9,- into engagement with a tooth of a ratchet wheel 19 (see FIG. 2). i I v 7 "'It is evident that when by thecore of the energized-roe magnet 10, it will rock thelever 13 clockwise about its pivotal stud 14 and pawl 16 will be moved to thevright under the now idle ratchet wheel 19 to engage the next tooth'to the right thereof. In such position, the pawl 16 is in a position to rotate the ratchet wheel '19 clockwise one ratchet tooth when magnet 10. isdeenergized. .Whenm m 10in deenersized, th tensiOtL spri g 17 will rock the lever 13 counterclockwise to sfiect t e -t h v. 'otat m theratchet wheell9 with pawl-1o striking against a the a mature is attracted by member 20. In this manner, a unit count.is entered for each reciprocation of lever 13.

The accumulator wheel assembly for each order consists of an add ratchet wheel '19, a ratchet wheel 21 (FIG. 2) which is associated with the detent mechanism to be described, and two control cams 22 and 23 associated with the units carry mechanism. By any suitable means the ratchet wheels 19 and 21 and two cams 22 and 23 are fastened to the shaft 24 which is suitably journalled in the plate 9.

The detent mechanism consists of a detent lever 25 which is pivoted on the stud 14 and which has a hook portion 25a which rides over the teeth on ratchet wheel 21 whenever said wheel is rotated clockwise. However, due to the cut of the teeth on ratchet wheel 21, the hook portion 25a of lever 25 will prevent the ratchet wheel 21 from turning counterclockwise and consequently shaft 24, ratchet 19 and earns 22 and 23 are prevented from retrograde motion in a counterclockwise direction. The levers 13 and 25 are free to pivot on stud 14. A spring 29 mounted in the block assembly 28 bears against the detent lever 25 and maintains the hook portion 25a of the lever in engagement with the ratchet wheel 21.

The s contact cams 22 and the 9s contact cam 23 operate a series of three levers, namely, the HTS reset lever 30, the lOs contact lever 31 and the 9s contact lever 32 which are pivoted on a shaft 33. Carried on the left ends of the levers 30, 31 and 32 are insulating blocks 34, 35 and 36, respectively, which normally overlie a series of spring contacts, namely, the 10s reset contact 37, the 10s contact 38 and the 9s contact 39, respectively, mounted in frame member 40. The cams 22, 23 are shown in the position they occupy whenever the accumulator ratchet wheel 19 stands at zero and in this position the contacts 37, 38 and 39 will be opened. Whenever the levers 30, 31 or 32 are pivoted counterclockwise, the associated spring contact blades will be pressed against terminal blocks 41 to complete circuits which will be presently described.

Referring to FIG. 2, cam 22 is provided with notches 22a and 22bwhich are effective at each half revolution of the accumulator wheel when it represents zero to allow 10s contact lever 31 to rock clockwise to open 10s contact 38, said 10s contact 38 being closed at all other times. 10's reset contact 37 is similarly operated by means of the bent portion 30a of lever 30 overlying 10s contact lever 31 for operation therewith. 10s contact 38 is used to clear the counter as will be described, and the 10s reset contact 37 is used to control the duration of thereset operation and the nonreset indication lights, in the event such are used. The 9s contact cam 23 is provided with projections 23a and 2311 which are alternately effective at each half revolution of the accumulator wheel, when it represents 9, to rock the 9s contact lever 32 counterclockwise and close the 9s contact 39. As a 'result, a units carry entry is made to an accumulator wheel when the next lower order wheel passes from 9 to zero, by circuitry to be described.

' Electrical connections The electrical connections for the preferred embodiment of the apparatus are shown in the FIGS. 3a and 3b. Herein the apparatus is seen to comprise a two-position low-order subgroup having counters C-l andVC-Z, an alternate two-position low-order subgroup having counters 0-6 and C-7, and a three-position high-order subgroup having counters 0-3, 0-4 and 0-5. To further explain the operation of the counter, with reference to FIG. 3b, it may be noted that the two-position low-order subgroup comprising the counters C-1- and 0-2 receive the counter entry pulses via plughub 60, as will be more fully described later in the description. These pulses pass via the normally closed points 202-2 to energize the 0-1 counter magnet 10. As previously pointed out, when the counter magnet is energized the armature is attracted. When the counter magnet 10 is deenergized, the drive pawl advances the counterone step. The 0-1 9s contact 39 closes at the 9 position; This contact is used to furnish the carry pulse to the next higher order counter position via the normally closed points 202-4. The C-l 9s contact 39 remains closed until the 0-1 counter is advanced one more step to the zero position at which time the 0-1 9s contact 39 opens again.

The 0-1 10s contact 38 opens only when the counter unit is at the zero" position. This contact provides a circuit to the counter magnet 10 for the reset pulses until the zero position is reached.

The 10s reset contact 37 is operated by the lOs contact lever 31, through the bent portion 30a of the 10s reset lever 30, as previously described. The function of this contact is to provide a hold for the reset circuitry. The last counter unit to reach zero is the one that opens the hold circuit.

Only the units position counter of each low-order subgroup receives a count pulse. The ninth pulse distributed to the units position counter will set up the ratchet pawl to advance the ratchet, and when this pulse ceases,

the ratchet and cams will advance to the 9 position. The 9s contact lever 32 following the 9s contact cam 23 raises on the lobe of the 9s cam 23 and, in turn closes the 9s contact 39. The 9s contact 39, being closed, directs the next count pulse to the 10's position counter and sets up the ratchet pawl of this counter unit. The counter advances one step when the pulse is terminated. The same pulse is directed to the units positions counter, advancing the counter to zero. If the 10's position counter had been standing at 9," with the 9s carry contact being closed, the termination of the carry pulse advances the 10's position counter to zero and the hundredths position counter to one.

The contacts of the counter units are opened and closed mechanically with the l0s reset and 10s" contacts operated together and the 9s contact operated separately. The following chart shows the points at which the contacts are either open or closed:

Contacts 1 101s" Counter Reading Reset X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Key: X=closed contact, =opened contact.

The counter outputs are wired via the respective counter readout plughubs 51 through 57 to a serially operated recording device such as a typewriter or tape perforator. Readout is accomplished by impulsing the 9 through 0'? plughubs 59 in sequence from high-order to loworder under the control of a programmer (not shown). Consequently, the counters are readout by impulsing the readout brushes 63 for each of the counter units by a series of programmed pulses, proceeding from the highorder position toward the low-order position. The position of each of the readout brushes 63 will depend upon the actual count stored in the respective counter unit.

order to low order. order subgroups comprising the C-1 and C-2 counter units will be applied to plughubs 76 and 77, respectively, j which unconnected by way of the relay points 72-7 now transferred, to the commutating contact Qbviously, it is necessary thatthe counter units do not advance during the'time' that they are being readout.

4 Referring nowfto FIG. 3a, the functions and operations of the accumulating control relays will be explained presently. Relay 70 is a count entry control relay. Relay 71 is a pulse duration control relay, characterized by the fact thatfit is a slow. pickrelay. In other words, the relay coil must be energized fora ten millisecond period before the armature picks up which provides electrical count pulses at "suificient duration to insure thatthe counter units will .be properly advanced. Relay 72 serves as analternate low-order switch to provide readout and count entry control. Relay 73 serves to control the energizing of relay 72 at a no-count discrimination time. Relay 74 serves to control the deenergization of relay 72 at a no-count-discrimination time. Some of these controls-clays have two coils, one a pick coil denotedbya fP and the other a hold coil denoted by an H. Other of the relays are of the well-known latch type which are latched through the energization of the latch coil denoted by LP and tripped by the energization of the latch trip coil denoted by LT.

The count pulses originate in a pulse source 61 which, for example, may be a synchronous motor driven cam for producing pulses representative of. time increments in hundredths of minutes. are equally acceptable for use with the preferred embodiment... Th count pulses originating in the pulse source ,61 serve to energize the pick coil for relay 70. The hold coil for relay 70 remains energized through the 70-2 contacts transferred and the'norrnally closed contact points 71-1. The energization of relay 70 causes 6 devices 3 the C- and 3-2 ounter it .The r ad out si nal for the hig order subgroup is pp ed to t -3. 10-4 and 0-5 c unters by' way of the p ughubs .55,

Other pulse generating means:

the coil ofthe slow'pick relay 71 to be energized with I the +48 volt DC. by way of the transferred contact points 70-2; The +48 volts DC. is coupled via contact points 70-2transferred, contact points 71-1 normally closed, and-the 72-3 normally closed contact points to the O-lcounter magnet coil 10 (FIG. lb) to effect a count entry. When relay 71 picks it opens the circuit to the hold coil for relay 70 by opening the contact points 71-1, which also opens the circuit to the C-1 counter magnet coil 10. When C-1 counter magnet 10 is deenergized, this causes the counter to be advanced one step, as previously described.

. Readout signal occurs, the count must be entered into the counter units beforethe readout signal can become elfective which is controlled as follows. When the armature of theslow pick "relay 71 is attracted, the pick coil for relay 72'will be energized through the contact points 71-2 transferred and contact points 73-1 now closed because of the energization of relay 73. However, if a count entry was notin process at the time latch relay 73 was energized, the relay 72 will be energized through the normallyiclosed contact points 70-2 and the now closed contact points 73-1. Thus, it should be obvious that if a count entry cycle is in process, the energizing of relay 72will' be delayed until the count entry cycle has beenterminated, and if thecount entry cycle is not in process relay 72 will become energized immediately.

A circuit for the'hold'coil of relay 72 is completed by Wayof contact point 74-1 normallyclosed and relay points 72-1 now closed. A readout is accomplished by pulsing the counter units in sequence from the high The readout signal for the low- ,54'and 53. re p ct v ly; The read u p lsesfor ea thecounter units will be present at the plughubs 59 which may be'plug'ahly connected with a serial recording me ns (n tshownl If 'a' count" entry 'y le is initiated during readout relay 70 will be energized in the Same manneras previously described. The +48 Volt DC. potential will be applied via'contact points 70-2 transferred, the normally closed contact points 71-1 and contact points 72-3 now transferred to the units position 0-6 counter magnet of the alternate low-order subgroup comprising the. C-6 and C-7 counter magnets. In this manner, counts are entered into the alternate low-order subgroup while read: out is being etfected'from the'low-order subgroup comprising the 0-1 and 0-2 counter When a readout has been completed, the program control 62 will provide a readout 06" signal which energizes the latch trip coil of relay 73. This same readout ofi signal is applied to the pick coils of reset relays 2 05 and 206 for the high-order subgroup comprising the countermagnets 0-3, and The hold coils of thereset relays 205 and 206 will remain energized by a +48 volt D.C. potenfialapplied through the parallel connected 105 reset contact points of counter units C-3,'C-4 and C-5 in series with contact points 205-1. The same readout off signal is applied via the contact points 72-6, transferred, to the pick coil of reset relay 202 for the-low-or'der subgroup comprising the counter magnets 04 and 0-2. The hold coil of the reset relay 202 will remain energized .by the potential appliedthrough the parallel connected "10s reset contact points of counter units C-1 and C-2 in series with the contact points 202-1. Rapidly occurring reset pulses are applied .to the reset pulse plughub 64- froma reset pulse source 65. The reset pulses are p'roduced'in the reset pulse source 65 by applying 6O cycle current as an input to a half-wave rectifier and then utilizing the half-wave outputs from the half-wave rectifier as reset pulses in a conventional and well-known manner. With the hold coils of reset relays 202, 205 and 206 energized, the reset pulses will cause each of the counters -C-1,C-2, (3-3, 0-4 and 0-5 to advance until their respective"l0s reset contacts open. When all of the counter units in a 'particularsubgroup have been reset, the hold 'coil'of the reset relay(s) for that subgroup will be deenergi'zed. At this point, all of the counters are set to zero. a In the preferred embodiment, the reset cycle should be completed in less than a second. During the readout and reset of the low-order When the next readout signal occurs, the readout on? signal from the program control 62 will be applied by way of the transferred contact point 72-2 and the normally closed contact points 73 -2 serving to energize the latch pick coil of the latch relay 74. The energization of relay 74 causes the contact point-74-1 to open there- 'by. interrupting the circuit to the hold coil for relay 72. "If a count entry cycle is in process, the hold coil for relay '72 will remain energized through the serially connected contact points 71-2 normally closed and 70-1 and 72-1.. When the count entry has been completed, the energizationof the relay 71 will transfer the contact point .71-2 thereby breaking the holdcircuit for relay 72. The

deenergization of the relay 72 will cause the count entry pst s al to b to .the o or r s smp comprising the counter magnets 1 and 0-2 through the normally closed contact points 72-3. Carry control will be transferred by the transfer of the contact points 725; low-order readout control will be transferred from the low-order subgroup comprising counter magnets C-1 and 0-2 to the low-order group comprising counter magnets C-6 and C-7 through the restoring to the normal position of relay contact points 727 and 72--8.

Recapitulating, by application of the novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment of an accumulating device, it has been shown how count entry pulses can be introduced to an accumulating mechanism while readout or reset is occurring concurrently,

and how readout or reset of the counter unit can occur while count entry pulses are being introduced into the accumulating mechanism at a relatively high rate of speed.

While there havebeen shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An accumulating system comprising three groups of serially connecteddenominational counter units adapted to receive discrete count representing pulses to efiect stepby-step movement of the counter unit; carry contacts on each counter unit; a carry circuit controlled by each of said carry contacts connecting the counter unit with the unit of the next higher denomination with a group to effeet the addition of carry pulses to the counter unit of the nexthigher denomination; readout means associated with each of said counter units for emitting digit repre senting signals; a count pulse source; count entry circuits coupled to said count pulse source; a means to selectively initiate readout and reset operations; a count entry and readout control means coupled to said means to selectively initiate readout and reset operations having alternative positions in response to readout signals; circuit means completed by said readout control means when in a first position connecting the lowest denomination counter unit of the first of said counter groups with said count entry circuits for advancing the lowest denomination counter unit in a stepeby-step manner in response to pulses supplied by said count pulse source, and for connecting the carry contacts of the highest denomination counter unit of the first of said counter groups with the lowest denomination counter unit of the third counter group, and for enabling the readout means of the second of said counter groups; circuit connections completed by said readout control means when in a second position connecting the lowest denomination counter unit of the second of said counter groups with said count entry circuit for advancing said. lowest denomination counter unit in a step-bystepmanner in response to pulses supplied by said count pulse source, and for connecting the carry contacts of the highest denomination counter unit of the second of said counter groups with the lowest denomination counter unit of the third counter group, and for enabling the readout means of the first of said counter groups; a source of reset pulses reset contacts on each counter unit to interrupt the supply of reset pulses to the respective counter units when the counter unit reaches zero during a resetting operation; and selectively operable reset control means for alternatively connecting the denominational counter units of the first and third groups with said source of reset pulses to effect the resetting operation. of said first and third groups of counter units.

2. An accumulating system comprising three groups of serially connected denominational counter units each denominational counter unit having electro-magnetic elements adapted to receive discrete count representing pulses to effect step-by-step movements of the counter unit, carry contacts on each counter unit, a carry circuit controlled by each of said carry contacts connecting the counter unit with the unit of the next higher denomina: tion within a group to eifect the addition of carry pulses to the counter unit of the next higher denomination, readout means associated with each of said counter units for emitting digit representing signals, a count pulse source, count entry circuits coupled to said count pulse source, a means to selectively initiate readout and reset operations, a count entry and readout control switch means coupled to said means to selectively initiate read out and reset operations having alternative positions in response to readout signals, circuit means completed by said switch means when in a first position connecting the electro-magnetic element of the lowest denomination counter unit of the first of said counter groups with said count entry circuits for advancing the lowest denomina tion counter unit in a step-by-step manner in response to pulses supplied by said count pulse source, circuit connections completed by said switch means when in the first position for connecting the carry contacts of the highest denomination counter unit of the first of said counter groups with the electro-magnetic element of the lowest denomination counter unit of the third counter group, circuit connections completed by said switch means when in the first position for enabling the readout means of the second of said counter groups, circuit connections completed by said switch means when in a secondposi tion connecting the electro-magnetic element of the lowest denomination counter unit of the second of said counter groups with said count entry circuit for advancing said lowest denomination counter unit in a step-by-step manner in response to pulses supplied by said count pulse source, circuit connections completed by said switch means when in the second position for connecting the carry contacts of the highest denomination counter-unit of the second of said counter groups with the electro magnetic element of the lowest denomination counter unit of the third counter group, circuit connections com pleted by said switch means when in the second position for enabling the readout means of the first of said counter groups, a source of reset pulses, reset contacts on each counter unit to interrupt the supply of reset pulses to the respective counter units when the counter unit reaches Zero during a resetting operation, a reset control means for each of said counter groups responsive to said means to selectively initiate a reset operation for connecting'the reset .contacts with said source of reset pulses, circuit connections completed by said switch means when in the first position for connecting the reset control means, for the first of said counter groups with said means to initiate a reset operation, and circuit connections completed by said switch means when in the second position for connecting the reset control means for the said second of said counter groups with said means to initiate a reset operation to effect resetting operations in an alternating manner.

3. An accumulating system comprising three groups of serially connected denominational counter units each denominational counter unit having electromagnetic elements adapted to receive discrete count representing pulses to effect step-by-step movement of the counter unit, carry contacts on each counter unit, a carry circuit controlled by each of said carry contacts connecting the counter unit with the unit of the next higher denomination within a group to efiect the addition of carry pulses to the counter unit of the next higher denomination, readout means associated with each of said counter units for emitting digit representing signals, a count pulse source, count entry circuits coupled to said count pulse source, a means to selectively initiate readout and reset operations, a count entry and readout control relay switch means coupled to said means to selectively initiate readout and reset operations having alternative positions as a result of the energization or deenergization of said relay switch means in response to readout signals, circuit means completed by said relay switch means when in an energized position connecting the electromagnetic element of th lowest denomination counter unit of the first ofsaid. unt r groups with said count entry circuits for advancing the lowest denomination counter unit in a step-by -step'man ner in response to pulses supplied by said count source, circuit connections completed by said relay switch means when in an energized position forconnecting the carry cont-acts of thehighest denomination counter unit of the first of said counter groups with the electro-magnetic element of the lowest denomination counter unit of the third counter group, circuit connections completed'by said relay switch means when in an energized position for enabling the readout means of the second of said groups, circuit connections completed by said relay switch means when in adeenergized positionfconnecting the electromagnetic element of 'the' f-lowest denomination counter unit of the second of said counter groups with said count entry circuit for advancing said lowestdenomlination counter unit in a step-by-step manner in response to pulses sup'plied'by said count pulsesource, circuit connections completed'by said relay switch means when in a deenergized position for connecting the carry contacts of the highest denomination counter unit of the second of said counter groups with the electro-magnetic element of the lowest denomination counter unit of the third counter group, circuit connections completed by said relay switch means when in the deenergized position for enabling the readout means of the first "of said counter groups, a source of reset pulses, reset contacts on each counter unit to interrupt the supply of reset pulses to vthe respective counter units when the counter unit reaches zero (during a resetting operation, a resetrelay control means each of said counter groups responsive to said means to selectively initiate areset operation forconnect- :ing the reset contacts with said-source of rwet pulses, circuit connections completed by said relay switch when an energized position for connecting the reset relay control means for the first of said counter groups with said means to initiate a reset operation, and circuit fnoininational counter unit being adapted to receive discrete countrepresenting pulses to efie'ct steps-by-step movement of.the counter unit, carry contacts on each counter unit, a carry circuit controlled by each of said carry contacts connecting the counterunit with the counter uni ofthe. next higher denomination a, soup to efiect the additionof ca y Pulses to the' counter ofsthe next is d omination, reado nis n ass ciat d wit eachof said counter units for emitting digitrepresenting ign s, source 3 p ses a coun e ry co t o m an r s an veto a o n p s s u ce, ce n tiy rs ts on c bly en r z d y sa squn fle n o trol means, as means to selectively initiate readout and reset operations, a count entry and readonteontrol switch means having alternative positionsin response to, readout signals, an energizing control means for said count entry and readout control switch means responsive to said meansffor selectively initiating "readout opera'tionsfa deenergizing control means for said count entry and readout control switch means responsive to "said means for selectively initiating readout operations, circuit means completed by saidswitchmeans when in a first position connecting the lowestdenomination counter unit of the first of said counter groups with said count entry circuits for advancing the lowest denomination counter unit in a step-by-step manner in response to pulses supplied to count entry control means by said'countzpuls'e'source, circuit ccnnectionscompleted by saidiswitch means when unit in a step-byestepmanner in response to pulse: sup

pliedto said count entry control by said count pulse source, circuit connections completed by said switch means when in the alternate position for connecting the carry contacts of the highest denomination counterunit of the second of said counter groups with the lowest denomination counter unit of the third counter group for count accumulating purposes, circuit connections com pleted by said switch means when in the alternate position for enabling the readoutmeans of the first of said counter groups, a source of reset pulses, reset contacts on each counter unit to interrupt the supply of reset pulses to the respective counter units when the counter unit reaches zero during -a resetting operation, a reset control means for each of said counter groups responsive to said means to selectively initiate a reset operation forconnecting the reset contacts with said source of reset pulses to'efiect resetting thereof during a reset operation, circuit connections completed by said switch means when in thefirst position for connecting the reset control means for the first of said counter groups with said means to initiate a reset operation, and circuit connections completed by said switch means when in the alternate position for connecting the reset control means for said second counter groups with said source of reset pulses to eflect resetting thereof during a reset operation;

,5. An accumulating system comprising three groups of serially connected denomination-a1 counter units each denominational counter unit being adapted to receive discrete count representing pulses to effect step-by-step movement of the counter unit, carry contacts on each-counter unit, a carry circuit controlled by each of said carry contacts connecting the counter unit with the counter unit'of, the next, higher denomination within a group to efiect the addition of carry pulses to the counter unit of the next higher denomination, readout means associated with each of said counter units for emitting digit representing signals, circuits connecting the readout means for the third group of counter units with a set of readout terminals, a source of count pulses, a count entry control relay responsive to said count pulse source, a power 7 source, count entry circuits controllably energized from said power source by said count entry control relay, 2 means ,to selectively initiate readout and reset operations, a count entry and readout control relay switch means having alternative positions as a result of the energization or deenergi'zation of said relay switch means in response to readout signals, an energizing control relay for said count entry and readout control relay switch means responsive to said means for selectively initiating readout Operations, a deenergizing control relay forsaid count entry and readout control relay switch means responsive to said means for selectively initiating readout operations, circuit means completed by said relay switch means when in an energized position connecting the lowest denomination counter unit of the first of said counter groups with said count entry circuits for advancing the lowest denomination counter unit in a step-by-step manner in response 10 pulses supplied to said count entry control relay by said count pulse source, circuit connections, completed .by said relay switchmeans when in an energized position for I connecting the carry contacts of the highest denominalion counter unit of the first of said counter groups with the lowest denomination counter unit of the third counter a 11 group for count accumulating purposes, circuit connections completed by said relay switch means 'when in an energized position for connecting the readout means of the second of said counter groups with a set of readout terminals to enable readout of the second counter group, circuit connections completed by said relay switch means when in a deenergized position connecting the lowest denomination counter unit of the second of said counter groups with said count entry circuits for advancing the lowest denomination counter unit in a step-by-step manner in response to pulses supplied to said count entry con trol relay by said count pulse source, circuit connections completed by said relay switch means when in a deenergized position for connecting the carry contacts of the highest denomination counter unit of the second of said counter groups with the lowest denomination counter unit of the third counter group for count accumulating purposes, circuit connections completed by said relay switch means when in the deenergized position for connecting the readout means of the first of said counter groups with the set of readout terminals to enable readout of the first counter group, a source of reset pulses, reset contacts on each counter unit to interrupt the supply of reset pulses to the respective counter units when the counter unit reaches zero during a reset operation, a reset relay control means for each of said counter groups responsive to said means to selectively initiate a reset operation for connecting the reset contacts with said source of reset pulses to effect resetting thereof during a reset operation, circuit connections completed by said relay switch means when in an energized position for connecting the reset relay control means for the first of said counter groups with said means to initiate a reset operation, and circuit connections completed by said relay switch means when in a deenergized position for connecting the reset relay control means for said second counter groups with said source of reset pulses to eifect resetting thereof during a reset operation.

6. A count accumulating system comprising a pair of low-order counter groups each group having a plurality of denominational counter units, a high-order counter group having a plurality of denominationalcounter units, electromagnetic means associated with each of said counter units adapted to receive discrete count representing pulses to efiect a step-by-step movement of the counter units, carry contacts on each counter unit, a carry circuit controlled by each of said carry contacts connecting the counter unit with the electro-magnetic means of the counter unit of the next higher denominations within a group to effect the addition of a unit digit representing carry pulse to the counter unit of the next higher denomination, a readout commutating means on each of the counter units, an impulse source, a circuit commonly connecting the commutating means of all counter units with said impulse source, circuits connecting the readout commutating means for the high-order counter units with a set of high-order readout terminals, a source of count pulses, a count entry control means responsive to said count pulses for controlling count entry circuits, a program control means to selectively initiate readout and reset operations, a low-order count entry and readout control switch means having alternative positions, means responsive to said program means for controlling said low-order count entry and readout control switch means, circuit means completed by said count entry and readout control switch means when in a first position connecting the electro-magnetic means of the lowest denomination counter unit of the first of said low-order counter groups with said count entry circuits for advancing the lowest denomination counter unit in a step-by-step manner in response to pulses supplied to said count entry control means by said count pulse source, circuit connections completed by said count entry and readout control switch means when in. the first position for connecting the carry amidst contacts of the highest denomination counter unit of the first of said low-order counter groups with the electromagnetic means of the lowest denomination counter unit of the high-order counter group, circuit connections completed by said count entry and readout control switch means when in the first position for connecting the readout commutating means of the second of said low order counter groups with a set of low-order readout terminals,

. circuit connections completed by said county entry and readout control switch means when in a second position connecting the electro-magnetic means of the lowest denomination counter unit of the second of said loworder counter groups with said count entry circuits for advancing said lowest denomination counter unit in a step-by-step manner in response to pulses supplied to said count entry control relay by said count pulse source, circuit connections completed by said count entry and readout control switch means when in the second position for connecting the carry contacts of the highest denomination counter unit of the second of said loworder counter groups with the electro-magnetic means of the lowest denomination counter unit of the high-order counter group, circuit connections completed by said count entry and readout control switch means when in the second position for connecting the readout commutating means of the first of said low-order counter groups with the set of low-order readout terminals, a source of reset pulses, reset contacts on each counter unit to in,- terrupt the supply of reset pulses to the respective counter unit electromagnetic means when the counter unit reaches zero during a resetting operation, a reset control means for each of said counter groups responsive to said program controlmeans for connecting said reset contacts with said source of reset pulses, circuit connections completed by said count entry and readout control switch means when in the first position for connecting the reset control means for the first of said low-order counter groups with said program control means to efiect reset thereof during a reset operation, and circuit connections completed by said count entry and readout control switch means when in the second position for connecting the reset control means for said second of said low-order counter groups with said source of reset pulses to efiect resetting thereof during a reset operation.

7. A count accumulating system comprising a pair of low-order counter groups each group having at least one denominational counter unit, a high-order counter group having atleast one denominational counter unit, electromagnetic means associated with each of said counter units adapted to receive discrete count representing pulsesto effect a step-by-step movement of the counter unit, carry contacts on each counter unit, a carry circuit controlled by each of said carry contacts connecting the counter unit with the electro-magnetic means of the counter unit of the next higher denomination a group to effect the addition of a unit digit representing carry, pulse to the counter unit of the next higher denomination, a readout commutating means on each of the counterunits, an impulse source, a circuit commonly connecting the commutating means of all counter units with said impulse source, circuits connecting the readout commutating means for the high-order counter units with a set of highorder readout terminals, a source of count pulses, a count entry control relay responsive to said count pulses for controlling count entry circuits, a program control means to selectively initate readout and reset operations, a loworder count entry and readout control relay s'witch having alternative positions as a result of the energization or deenergization of said relay switch, relay means responsive to said program means for controlling an energizing circuit for said switch r'e1ay, relay means responsive to said program means for controlling a deenergizing circuit for said relay switch, circuit means completed by said relay switch when men energized position connecting the electro-magnetic means of the lowest denomination counter unit of the first of said low-order counter groups with said count entry circuits for advancing the lowest denomination counter unit in a step-by-step manner in response to pulses supplied to said count entry control. relay by said count pulse source, circuit connections completed by said relay switch when in an energized position for connecting the carry contacts of the highest denomination counter unit of the first of said low-order counter groups with the electro-magnetic means of the lowest denomination counter unit of the high-order counter group, circuit connections completed by said relay switch when in an energized position for connecting the readout commutating means of the second of said low-order counter groups with a set of low-order readout terminals, circuit connections completed by said relay switch when in a deenergized position connecting the electromagnetic means ofthe lowest denomination counter unit of the second of said low-order counter groups with said count entry circuits for advancing said lowest denomination counter unit in a. step-by-step manner inresponse to pulses supplied to said count entry control relay by said count pulse source, circuit connections completed by said relay switch when in a deenergized position for connecting the carry contacts of the highest denomination counter unit of the second of said low-order counter groups with the electro-magnetic means of the lowest denomination '14 counter unit of the high-order counter group, circuit connections completed by said relay switch when in the deenergized position for connecting the readout commutating means of the first of said 'low-order counter groups with the set of low-order readout terminals, a source of reset pulses, reset contacts on each counter unit to interrupt the supply of reset pulses to the respective counter unit electro-magnetic means when the counter unit reaches zero during a resetting operation, a reset relay control means for each of said counter groups responsive to said program control means for connecting the reset contacts with said source of reset pulses, circuit connections completed by said relay switch when in an energized position for connecting the reset relay control means for the first of said low-order counter groups with said program control means to effect reset thereof during a reset operation, and circuit connections completed by said relay switch when in a deenergized position for connecting the reset relay control means for said second of said low-order counter groups with said source of reset pulses to effect resetting thereof during a reset operation in an alternating manner.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,793,806 Lindesmith May 28, 1957

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