CA1169325A - Hand-operated device for establishing correlations under sets of data - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
There is disclosed a hand-operated device for establish-ing correlations among sets of data, especially for diagnostical and pharmaceutical purposes. The device is formed as a card-pack having at least one register card, a decoding card and data cards.
A first set of data is on the register card and further sets of data are on the data cards in coded form. The information for decoding the data cards is contained in the decoding card. The device is primarily characterized in that the data cards, as well as the register card and decoding card, are pivoted on a common shaft and arranged independently from each other, each data card having a register lug correlated to one element of the first set of data, and the register lugs being arranged as a thumb-index.

Description

1 ~ B~3~5 The invention relates to a hand-operated device for establishing correlations between two sets of data, especially for diagnostical and pharmaceutical purposes.
For establishing correlations by hand among various sets of data, punched cards are previously known. For this purpose, the punched cards are laid one on the other and trans-illuminated. The data are contained on the punched card according to a certain encoding system. On the trans-illuminated cards, a decoding card is laid, and the existence of correlations is shown by the light visible or not visible a-t certain places of the card pack. The meaning of these spots are read out by laying a decoding card on the trans-illuminated pack.
However, there exists a great difficulty in using such punched cards in that the cards must be arranged very accurately one on the other before and after using them. This is a very hard and time-consuming task, especially if a great number of cards are used. Therefore, their adoption has been limited in many fields by this inconvenience, and has been made in some cases simply impossible. But there is a great need for a hand-operated device for establishing correlations among various sets of data which can be used in a simple and quick way and which does not necessitate a complicated structure and preparations. Such fields of applica-tion are medical diagnostics, pharmaceutics, and technical trouble detection. These are examples wherein a phenomenon, symptom or a consequence can have reasons and-visa-versa, these reasons can cause various symptoms or consequences. By a given group of symptoms or assembly of phenomena, certain reasons can be made ~` probable, certain other reasons can be excluded by filtering-out ~1- ~' .
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the contradictions precludiny some correlations with the help of the punched cards.
The main object of our invention is to eliminate all inconveniences mentioned above and provide a device for establish-ing correlations among sets of data operable by hand in a simple, quic~ and reliable manner, which requires little room, uses the punched card system and, at the same time, serves also for the collection of inormation.
The invention provides hand-operated device for establish-ing correlations among sets of data, especially for diagnostical and pharmaceutical purposes, said de~ice being formed as a card-pack having at least one register card, a decoding card and data cards, a first set of data being contained on the register card and further sets of data being contained on the data cards in a coded form, the information for decoding the data cards being contained on the decoding card, characterized in that the data cards as well as said register card and decoding card are pi~otally mounted on a common shaft and arranged independently from each of the other, ` each data card having a register lug correlated to one element of said first set of data, said register lugs being arranged as a thumb-index.
The importance of this solution lies in that the punched card system i5 adapted for operation by hand. Furthermore, the cards can be easily arranged for trans-illumination, i.e. for establishing the correlations and decoding the meaning of them.
For a card pack ha~ing many cards and, thus, being quite thick or bulky, the common shaft of the data cards, the register card and the decodinq card can be cur.ed for holding the pivoted ', ' `~ 3 3 693.~

out cards of the card pack in a position wherein each card accurately covers the o~her.
The card pack can be held by a support plate which has a stop-piece, whereon the cards pivoted out of the card pack will abut and thus, will be registered to cover each other exactly.
The stop-piece can be perpendicular to the plane of the support plate and have a greater height than the thickness of the card pack.
To hold the cards pivoted out of the card pack, the device can have a second support plate pivotable together with the cards and this support plate, too, can be provided with a centering hole and, furthermore, a stop-piece for aligning the pivoted out cards.
Each of the data cards and the decoding card can have a centering hole arranged for accurate registration with the center-ing hole provided in the second support plate.
For an accurate determination of position, a dowel pin is provided having a cone shaped end, this dowel pin is insertable to the centering hole of the second support plate through the centering holes provided in the cards in their pivoted out position.
To aid pivoting out of the cards, the dowel pin can have - a hook on its other end. In a further embodiment, the register lugs of the data cards can have a lug hole for engagement by the hook of the dowel pin.
For the possibility of containing information on the data card other than the elements of t~e data sets, the data card can be divided into two parts comprising a signal field fox the elements of the second set of data and a free field.
The place of an element of the second set of data on the ' : .
' ' ,: ~ ' 1 1 ~9325 data card is called "addressl'. These addresses can be ~ormed to let through more or less light in the course of their trans-illumination, always according to the probabi~ity of the correla-tion.
On the above mentioned free field of the data cards, information independent from the signal field can be entered.
For looking up information independent from that of the signal field, auxiliary register cards can be provided in the card pack.
A very simple realisation of the invention is given if - the data cards are formed as punched cards.
In distinguishing among probabilities, each element of the second set of data can be formed for corresponding to two addresses on the punched cards. Thus, in the case of greater probability of correlation, both addresses can be punched on the data cards formed as punched cards, and in the case of smaller probability, only one address is punched.
The device according to the invention can be used with additional packs of cards, i.e. more sets of data, wherein each set of data can be headed, i.e. separated from the previous set or pack by separate register cards.
Other details and objects of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawing, Figure 1 shows a plan view of one embodiment of the device of this invention in a position of usage.
Figure 2 is a plan view of one data card as used in the embodiment of Figure 1.

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Figure 3 illustrates the embodiment o~ Figure 1 in plan view in the position of s-torage.
Figure 4 shows a plan view of the decoding card of the embodiment in ~igure 1.
Figure 5 is a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in a position similar to that in Figure 1.
The hand-operated device of this invention is embodied ~ in this example as shown in Figure 1 for diagnostical purposes.;~ Thus, the data cards 1 are ~ormed as punched cards containing medical symptoms as information~ Furthermore, in the card pack are a register card 2 and a decoding card 3, the latter being arranged preferably on the top of the card pack or immediately under register card 2.
In the situation shown in Figure 1, four data cards 1 and the decoding card 3 are pivoted out of the card pack and ` brought into a position covering each other whilst register card 2 is on the top of data cards 1 that remain in their initial position.
The elements of the card pack are each pivoted near to the upper end on a shaft 5; thus, they can be pivoted out of the card pack independently of each other. Below the card pack, a support plate 4 is provided whereon the cards on shaft 5 are laid in their initial position. Thls support plate 4 has a side stop-piece 8 perpendicular to the plane o~ support plate 4 that promotes the arranging of the cards pivoted out of the card pack by impact on this stop-piece 8. The device has under support plate 4 another support plate 4' (Figure 5) which is pivoted out together with the cards and is under the data cards 1 and decoding card 3, thus r like support plate 4, it can not be seen in Figure 1.

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1 i 693~5 ~long a shorter side of the cards adjacent to shaft 5, a stop-piece 6 is arranged on support plake 4' perpendicular to its plane. Each of the data cards 1, register card 2 and decodiny card 3 has a centering holP 13. Furthermore, support plate 4' has a centering hole lO, too. Centering holes 13 of the cards pivoted out of the card pack cover exactly centering hole lO of support plate 4'.
In the arrangement in this invention, a dowel pin 20 is provided one end of which has a cone shaped form l9, the other end has a hook 22. This dowel pin 20 can be pushed through centering holes 13 of the cards pivoted out of the card pack and lying on support plate 4' and into centering hole lO of the support plate 4'. By this, the position of the cards wherein one covers accurately the other, can be fixed.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown) support plate . 4' can be formed as a co~er of the card pack which can be turned under the cards pivoted out of the card pack. In other respects, the support plate 4' formed as a cover has the same function as the one described above.
Figure 2, shows a data card l used as a card of s~mptoms.
The data card l is divided into two parts, the first one containing the encoded elements of the second set of data i9 referred to as signal field 14,~the other one without an~ marking as free field .~ 12. In Figure 2, the upper part of data card l has a hole ll for shaft 5, whilst centering hole 13 is provided at the lower part of .: the data card 1 adjacent to the signal field 14. The information can be looked up wlth the help of auxiliar~ register cards. For this purpose, both sides of data card l can be used.

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As can be seen in the Figures, data cards l have a register lug 17 on one of their longer sides. The register lugs 17 are placed in different positions on each data card 1, thus, they are arranged in the initial position as a thumb-index of a book or the like. In this preferred embodiment, each register lug 17 has a lug hole 18 for promoting pivoting out of the data cards l which can be aone by clamping the hook 22 of dowel pin 20 into the lug hole 18.
However, the end of dowel pin 20 having hook 22 can be formed in other ways too, e.g. for promoting pivoting out of the cards with the aid of a suction-grip end.
Each of register lugs 17 arranged like a thumb-index is aligned with a line of register card 2. Thus, to each element of the first set of data containea on register card 2, exactly one data card l formed as a card of medical s~mptons of certain illness is correlated.
In Figure 3, the hand-operated device in this invention ` is shown in closed, initial position with the decoding cara 3 removed. In this position, the card pack is limited on both longitudinal sides by stop-pieces 6 and 8 and is supported by support plates ~ and 4'. On the -top of the card pack, register card 2 can be seen, the lines of which align with the register lugs 17 of data cards 1. In this way, register cara 2 is narrower than data card l; more exactl~, it has the width of data card 1 without the register lug 17. For better distinction, each line of register card 2 can be markea with another color and, at the same time, register lug 17 can be marked as well with the same color as the respective line of register card 2 to which it is correlatea.

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Naturally, register card 2 also has a shaft hole 11.
In Figure 4, decoding card 3 is shown separated from the card pack. Preferably, it is fabricated of a transparent material, e.g. of plastic. It is formed as a data card 1 with a square grid having so many squares as many "places", i.e. elements of the second set of data card 1 has. In each of the squares, a code number is written. These code numbers are listed on a separate list whereon they correspond to an illness. Preferably, this list can be arranged on the decoding card 3 itself, e.g., on its part corresponding to free field 12 of data card 1. Furthermore, the list can be written on a separate card ha~ing the measurements of a register card 2 which can be arranged in the card pack. Decoding card 3, like data card 1, has a shaft hole 11 and a centering hole 13.
In Figure 5, the device is shown in a position similar to that in Figure 1, i.e. in a position of usage. As is clearly apparent, shaft 5 of a thick card pack must be curved to place the cards pivoted out of the pack in a position exactly covering each other. This exact position is fixed by the dowel pin 20 passed through centering holes 13 of data cards 1 and decoding card 3 and engaged with its cone shaped end 19 into the centering hole 10 of support plate 4'. The cards in this position can be trans-illuminated and, thus, one can ascertain which element of data card 1 pass light through. The corresponding code numbers are looked up in the decoding list which is arranged most preferably on decoding card 3. The trans~illumination can be effected in a simple manner by holding the cards against light. In this way, we can quickly establish a correlation among one element of the first :

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set of data ana many elements of one or more set/sf o~ data.
Naturally, it is of no importance ~rom what kind of elements the sets of data are gathered. In the example described, there are medical symptoms in the first set and illnesses in the second set.
The device in this invention can be used in practice for diagnostical purposes as follows.
The medical symptoms of a treated person are located on register card 2 and the corresponding data cards 1 are then pivoted out of the car`d pack (the register lugs of these cards are aligned with the given symptoms, i.e. with lines of register card 2). The pivoting out can be done with the aid of hook 22 on dowel pin 20 or simply by hand. The data cards chosen according to the given symptoms are laid on support plate 4' and abut stop-piece 6. After this, a decoding card 3 is also pivoted out on the top of data cards 1 and the cards will be fixed in this position exactly cover-ing each other by pushing through dowel pin 20. The device is then held against a light and the illuminated code numbers read out and decoded as mentioned above.
Each square of data cards 1 has room enough for two punches, for two so called "addresses". Therefore, if at a given element of the set of data, a higher probability is found than at some other elements, the square corresponding to this element can be punched twice, at both addresses. This as a probability near to 1 ~100 %). Where this probability is near to 0,5 (50 %), only one address will be punched and where to 0 (0 %~, none of the addresses will be punched. In this way, we can get by the trans-illumination of the data cards 1 pivoted ou-t not only a "yes-or-no"
(digital) information, but on the basis of the brightness in " I 1 693~5 certain places of data read out on decoding card 3, we can derive a conclusion or for the probability of the correlation.
After decoding the result, the device can be closed fan-wise by pivoting back the cards into the card pack.
There follow two examples of using the device according to our invention in practice.
Example 1: Establishing a diagnosis in rheumatological illnesses From among data cards 1 containing general and anam-nestical infor~ations, the ones Eor "MALE" and "YONNG" are pivoted out; from the data cards 1 with symptoms, the one for "MONARTHRITIS
of LARGE JOINT"; from the dermal symptoms, the one for "PSORIASIS";
from the mycoderm symptoms, the one for ~'URETHRITIS". These symptoms written above with capital letters are chosen rom the symptoms listed on register card 2. The cards pivoted out are centered, brought into register by dowel pin 20, and then trans-illuminated. One can see, that in this case light comes through at element having code number 49 o-E signal field 1~ on both addresses and at element with code number 51 only on one address.
With the help of decoding card 3 and the decoding list, a diagnosis can be established: great probability of Reiter disease, less probabillty of Postdysenteric arthritis, the existence of the latter being controllable with the help of e.g. laboratory tests.
Example 2: Pharmaceutical treatment of rheumatic and other connected diseases and conditions; choice of medica-ments In this case, the illnesses are listed on register card

2, and the elements of the second set of data are the medicaments which are contained in data cards 1. Thus r da-ta cards 1 the , . -10-, ` ~

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register lug 17 of which is aligned with the ~ollowing illnesses will be pivoted out: "R~EUMATOID ARTHRITIS", "DIABETES MELLITUS"
and 'IACUTE ULCER", since the treated person suffers in this example from diabetes and acute duodenal ulcer. After fixing and trans-illumination, the decoded result ls as follows:
"INDOMETHACIN SUPPOSITORY" and "LOCAL STEROID", both with the same probability.
As it is clearly apparent from the foregoing, the device of this invention can be used for many other purposes than those described or mentioned here. The free fields 12 of data cards 1 can be used for storing auxiliary informations other than in data field 14, e.g. in connection with the correlations found or with the elements of the data sets.
The device has a form of a pocket book, thus, it occupies little space and is a compact unit. Furthermore, the amount of the stored data or information can optionally be enlarged or changed.
The cards in the card pack can easily be removed and/or replaced.
Taken into consideration the data preparation time o~
a computer, too, the device gives a result within a considerably shorter period of time than that of a computer. In addition, the use of our device is not restricted to a given place. These two aspects can hàve a great importance when a quick correlations establishment is needed, e.g. in emergency situation or in medical ~ diagnostical cases.
;~ The hand-operated device according to this invention can also find application as an educational appliance or school equip-ment. For example, in medical school-books the îllnesses are listed and to each illness are correlated the symptoms. In con-~ 1 ~9325 trast, the practitioner finds certain symptoms and from them, he must establish a diagnosis. On free field 12 of data cards 1 containing the illnesses, each illness can be described in detail, thus, the two methods can be combined, since on the basis what is found on a data card 1, further symptoms can also be learned.
Finally, the hand-operated device of the invention can be used as a descriptive booklet for products or for advertisement purposes.

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Claims (16)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Hand-operated device for establishing correlations among sets of data, especially for diagnostical and pharmaceutical purposes, said device being formed as a card-pack having at least one register card, a decoding card and data cards, a first set of data being contained on the register card and further sets of data being contained on the data cards in a coded form, the information for decoding the data cards being contained on the decoding card, characterized in that the data cards as well as said register card and decoding card are pivotally mounted on a common shaft and arranged independently from each of the other, each data card having a register lug correlated to one element of said first set of data, said register lugs being arranged as a thumb-index.

2. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said common shaft of the data cards, the register card and the decoding card is curved to permit holding of the cards when pivoted out of the card-pack in an accurate registered position.

3. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the card pack is held by a support plate having a side stop-piece for aligning the cards pivoted out of the card pack, said stop-piece being perpendicular to the plane of the support plate and emerging higher than the thickness of the card pack.

4. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein for holding the cards pivoted out of the card-pack, a second support plate pivotable together with the cards is provided having a centering hole and a stop-piece for aligning the cards.

5. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein each of the data cards and the decoding card has a centering hole accurately registering with said centering hole of the second support plate in the pivoted out position.

6. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 5, including a dowel pin having a cone shaped end insertable to the centering hole of said second support plate through the centering holes of the cards in the pivoted out position.

7. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said dowel pin has a hook on its other end for pivoting out the data cards.

8. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said register lugs of the data cards have a lug hole for engagement by said hook of the dowel pin.

9. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each data card is divided into two parts comprising a signal field con-taining the encoded elements of said second set of data and a free field.

10. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the addresses of the elements of said second set of data on the data cards is formed for letting through more or less light according to the probability of the correlation between the elements of said sets of data.

11. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said free fields of the data cards contain information independent from that of the signal field.

12. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the card-pack has auxiliary register cards for looking up information independent from that of the signal field.

13. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said data cards are formed as punched cards.

14. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 13, wherein each element of said second set of data corresponds to two addresses on the punched cards.

15. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein both addresses are punched on the punched card in the case of greater probability of correlation of a given element of the second set of data, whilst in the case of smaller probability only one address is punched.

16. Hand-operated device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein under one decoding card more than one pack of data cards, i.e. more than one set of data is arranged, each pack, i.e. each set of data being headed by a separate register card.