GB1428664A - Document retrieval apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

1428664 Document retrieval apparatus OK PARTNERSHIP 29 Dec 1972 [29 Dec 1971(2)] 60176/72 Heading G4M A mechanized document retrieval apparatus comprises a first selector 8-1 which searches for a desired document in an accessed deck 22 of documents and a second selector 8-2, 8-3 which simultaneously searches for the document in a second deck containing documents which are awaiting filing or refiling in their respective decks. The decks are addressable, stored in trays 11 in a bank 60, and an apparatus is described which brings the desired tray to the first selector under control of a keyboard 10. Selector 8-2 selects from tray 11-2 which holds new cards and selector 8-3 selects from tray 11-3 which holds cards to be refiled, duplicated, copied or updated. Thus all the cards are accessible for search except during the brief periods when they are in the process of being updated, copied &c. The bank 60 (Fig. 2 and Figs. 8, 9, 10, not shown) comprises columns of trays surrounding a tray receiver which carries selected trays to selector 8-1. A high speed motor and a dual speed motor are provided for moving an elevator at high, medium or low speeds to access the desired tray under control of a photodetector. A light beam 273 from source 271 to detector 270 is used to detect whether a card has been successfully found after a search in a deck. A light source 275 and a phototransducer 276 detect whether a card in a deck belongs to another deck when only the deck identifying digits are keyed in and operate a signal light or buzzer. The cards in selectors 8-2, 8-3 can be periodically returned to their decks by selecting each tray in turn, selecting the cards belonging to that tray deck from selectors 8-2, 8-3, and manually inserting them in the tray. Card selection from a tray (Figs. 23A-23E, not shown).-This is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,478,877. The cards are randomly and vertically stored in a stack, and have a toothed lower edge, selective removal of the teeth representing a BCD code. Cards are selected by selectively raising bars corresponding to the teeth, which bars restrain the lateral movement of the undesired cards. Each card has a ferromagnetic chip in a side face thereof and, when a magnet is moved, the desired cards are shifted slightly laterally. The bars are then dropped, a locking bar engages the undersired cards, and the desired cards are removed from the stack.