GB598019A - Improvements in or relating to record card controlled machines - Google Patents

Abstract

598,019. Statistical apparatus. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd. Aug. 28, 1945, No. 22169. Convention date, Aug. 31, 1944. [Class 106 (i)] [Also in Group XXXVII] A record-card controlled machine includes a pair of magnet coils adapted to be energized by impulses transmitted from the sensing stations of two record cards, and a contact-operating armature pivoted between the magnets and normally biassed to one of two positions in which it remains when both coils are energized. The group control designations of two successive cards are read concurrently at brushes UB and LB respectively (Fig. 1) and the detection of a card perforation at e.g. the lower brushes LB completes a circuit from wire 335, card lever contacts 59, contactbreakers 61, contacts L11B, through the reading brushes LB and plug board connections 316 to energize the pick-up coil 359 of the " B " relay (see also Fig. 2) for the appropriate denomination. The circuits for the upper brushes UB and the " A " relays are similar and where both A and B pick-up coils 359 are energized concurrently there will be no change in the positions of the armatures 365, 372. However, if e.g. the pick-up coil 359 of the " A " relay is energized first, the armature 365 is rocked clockwise, closing contacts A2, A3 and opening contacts A1. The closing of contacts A3 sets up a holding circuit for the holding winding 360 of the " A " relay so that subsequent energization of the pick-up coil 359 of the " B " relay is ineffective to attract the armatures 365, 372. The prior energization of the " A " relay in this manner breaks the circuits of relays 366, 370 and initiates a total-taking operation if the cards are arranged in ascending sequence and a switch S is therefore in its " A " position. Where a card is out of sequence, however, a " B " relay is energized and total-taking is inhibited. In this case a relay 380 is energized which, by opening contacts 380b, stops the machine. An indicator lamp 384 is illuminated. The circuit provides for superior control by a higher denomination when a digit changes from 9 to 0 in the normal sequence.