GB1448508A - Programmable billing system - Google Patents

Abstract

1448508 Pulse counting and multiplying; sheet counting and price calculating XEROX CORP 3 April 1974 [6 April 1973] 14837/74 Heading G4D A pulse multiplier provides a different number of output pulses for each of the input pulses in a sequence. In an arrangement for determining the price to be charged for photocopies the number added into an accumulator 71 for each copy produced reduces for each succeeding copy made from the same original. A binary counter 11 counts the input pulses at 12 representing copies made and for instance derived from a microswitch operated by the copies; the counter 11 is reset to zero each time a new original is inserted, indicated by a pulse at 14. The coded value of the count in counter 11 is applied on lines 2-5 to a read only memory 17 which delivers a corresponding value representing the price; as shown it delivers two alternative values 5, 6 which can be selected by signals on lines 36, 46 depending on whether the copies are black on white or coloured, for instance. A counter 61 is loaded with the output value from the ROM and then counts down from a clock 64. When the counter reaches zero it disables the clock by a bi-stable 72 and gate 66. The accumulator counts the clock pulses applied to the downcounter.