GB564619A - Improvements in or relating to key-operated digit transmitting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

564,619. Card punching systems. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd. March 31, 1943, No. 5191. Convention date, April 1, 1942. [Class 40 (i)] [Also in Group VIII] In a system for setting up multi-digit numbers with different numbers of digits from a single keystrip, each digit is first registered on the units register, each operation of a key after the first causing the digits so far registered to be transferred to the registers of the next higher order (units to tens, tens to hundreds, and so on). By this means the number can be keyed from left to right in the ordinary way without initial zeros to ensure registration of the digits in their proper places. The invention is described with reference to the control of a card punching machine of the kind described in Specification 362,529, [Group VIII]. In the drawings, the same relay may be shown in full lines in its energizing circuit and in dotted lines in various other positions adjacent certain of its contacts. Circuit operations. Operation of a digit key energizes the corresponding relay KC1 ... KC9 and completes a common circuit for a group of sequence controlling relays R1, R1<1> . . . R5. These relays operate in succession as indicated in Fig. 2, and remain operated while the key remains depressed and then fall in succession. The cycle is completed even if the key operation is very brief since the common key-actuated contact is shunted by a circuit closed by R1 and opened by R5. The digit relays complete circuits over one or more of four leads for the units group of register relays 101 ... 104, in the auxiliary or A section of the registering equipment. On the operation of R3, R3<1>, the relays 103-308 of the main or B section are unlocked and the setting of the A units register is taken up by the B units register. The A register remains locked until the next operation of a key, whereupon it takes up the new setting. On the operation of R1<1> the setting of the B units register is taken up by the A tens register. On the operation of R3, R3<1>, the B registers are cleared and the units and tens registers therein take up the setting of the units and tens A registers. On the depression of another key, the setting of the B units and tens registers is transferred to the A tens and hundreds registers and then the B register takes the setting of all three A registers. A number is then entered on an additional register set providing for a maximum of five digits, a key 120 being operated first, to cause the momentary operation of R11 which energizes R12, which locks. When the number has been registered, the key 120 is operated for a second time to operate R13 which initiates the transfer of the registered digits in turn to the punching magnets of the machine. When the machine completes its operation, all relays are unlocked. If a key is pressed while the punching machine is in action, a buzzer is sounded. If fewer than the maximum number of digits are keyed, the machine punches zeros for the unoperated registers.