GB533026A - Improvements in or relating to photo-electric reading devices - Google Patents

Abstract

533,026. Photo-electric reading device for statistical records. DEUTSCHE HOLLERITH MASCHINEN GES. Aug. 2, 1939, No. 22450. Convention date, Aug. 3, 1938. [Class 40 (iii)] [Also in Group XIX] A statistical record of the kind comprising characters having combinations of index points arranged in an irregular non-linear manner as described in Specification 288,327, [Class 106 (i)], is read by means of a single light sensitive device and a fixed light source the light from which is focused at an analysing point on the record, the record being moved in one direction and the analysing point in a transverse direction whereby the index points of a character are scanned in succession in synchronism with other devices as required for the interpretation of the code and the uses thereof. As shown, a lamp 26 and a photoelectric cell 27 are mounted on a block 15 with lenses 28, 29 for focusing the light on a point of a record 10 moved past the block by rollers 23. The block is movable in the transverse direction by a screw 22, which is turned by a handle 21 to bring the light on the desired column of characters on the records. Lateral adjustment to bring the focus in alignment with the individual code marks is performed by a cam 38 bearing on the end of the screw 22, which is held against the cam by a spring 35. The cam is rotated in synchronism with a distributer 43, Fig. 5, in series with a selector switch 44 and a relay 57 in the output circuit of an amplifier 51 connected to the photoelectric cell. The selector switch 44 is set for the selected column of the record card for which the handle 21 has also been set. Then, when the relay 57 is operated by the marks on the record, the distributer 43 distributes the operation to the corresponding magnets 46 controlling circuits 50 of a sorting machine in a known way.