GB647194A - Improvements in or relating to record card controlled calculating machines - Google Patents

Abstract

647,194. Statistical apparatus. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd., and BAILLIE, G. H. Feb. 17, 1947, No. 4602. [Class 106 (i)] A record card controlled machine in which relays are operated by impulses derived from the sensing of a record card is characterized by a circuit arrangement in which the impulse resulting from the sensing of a record in a given position on a card operates so as to set up a predetermined value on one or more value registering relays, and in which the impulses derived from the sensing of records in other, subsequently sensed, positions in the same column of the card are adapted to vary the circuit so that one of at least three different arbitrary values of which one value at least is multi-denominational, is set up in the value registering relays, the value finally registered being read out to control a recording, adding or multiplying device. A commutator brush 7 moves over a common bar 6 and individual contacts 8 in synchronism with the passage of a card between a reading brush 2 and conducting roller 1. Thus, if there is a perforation in the " 9 " position, a circuit is completed from positive line 4, through a contact breaker 5, common brush 3, roller 1, brush 2, bar 6, contact 9, relay R1 to negative. Relay R1 closes contacts R1b to establish a holding circuit, and contacts R1a which complete a circuit through contacts R3c, R2c to two relays representing the arbitrary amount 1s, 2d. If a second hole is sensed in position " 8 " in the card, relay R2 becomes energized and so changes the circuit that relays representing the arbitrary amount 2s, 4d become energized instead of those previously operative. Similarly the sensing of a hole in the " 7 " position causes the amount registered to be changed to 2s, Od, while a fourth perforation in the " 6 " position registers the original amount 1s, 2d. A hole in the " 5 " position, causing energization of a relay R7, may control the addition of an arbitrary amount to the amount registered. Further commutators 11, 12 (shillings) and 13, 14 (pence) read out the amount registered in the relays and, through magnets R5, R6 control printing or punching devices, or a multiplying, relay controlled network such as that described in Specification 599,767.