US2098305A

US2098305A - Communication system

Info

Publication number: US2098305A
Application number: US102112A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry J Nichols
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Current assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Priority date: 1936-09-23
Filing date: 1936-09-23
Publication date: 1937-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 1954-11-09
Also published as: FR830761A; DE728553C; GB502692A

Description

, Nov. 9, 1937. H. J. NICHOLS 2,098,305

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Filed Sept. 25, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIEr- \Z ATTORN EYS Nov. 9, 1937. H. J. NICHOLS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 23, 1936 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS HQ J. NICHOLS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Filed Sept. 23, 1 36 Nov. 9, 1937.

3 She ets-Sheet s INVENTOR ATTOR N EYS aaaziitts, 1931 UNITED STATES 'PATEN I .or-rlca oommmca'rron SYSTEM- llarryl. Nichols,

Binghamton, N. Y., assigns! to IntcrnationalBusiness Machin es Corporation,

New York, N. Y., a. corporation of New York Application September 23, 19st, Serial No. "102.112

' 19 Claims. (cl. 184-115) tions arranged in predetermined coded positions on a record card or the like.

It is a further object to provide a rapid and accurate communication system for use in conjunction with a tabulating card or the like having data recorded thereon and adapted to re- Produce the card with corresponding data at a remote point.

It is a further object to provide novel methods for the transmission and reproduction of any-desired intelligence arranged as above described.

-A further object is to provide a system adapted to the remote controlof card punching apparatus, and a novel form of such apparatus particularly adapted to remote control.

Afurthe r obiect is to provide an apparatus for, selecting a desired group or plurality of BI'Oups of such arbitrary indications for transmission and reproduction.

4 A further object is to provide a novel form of tabulating card feed mechanism.

Other objects and. advantages will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connection with the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawings:-

Fig.1 shows a form of record card adapted for main connection with the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of an automatic transmitter forming a part of the invention, and illustrating the scanning process;

- g. 3 is a side view in part section on line 3--3 .of the transmitter shown in Fig. 2;

Fig, 4 is a detailed view-showing a preferred construction of the card feed belt of the inven- Fig. 5 shows in somewhat schematic form the scanningv arrangement comprising part of the transmitter of Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the automatic perforator showing the general arrangement of the card feed mechanism and the drive means therefor;

Fig. I isa side view of the perforator showing further details of the card feed mechanism, and the arrangement of the p n ng n m;

Fig. 8 shows the general arrangement of the punchfactuating magnets and their associated link work, on the line H of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a detailed end view of the rotary contactor arrangement of Fig. 8 showing the relations of cam and contactor elements;

Fig. 10 shows, in schematic forin, the actuating means for the positive clutch of the perforator Dower drive;

8. ll shows, in schematic form, the electrical circuits of the transmitter;

Fig. 12 shows, in similar manner, the electrical circuits of the recorder; and

F18. 13 shows in schematic manner the novel arrangement by which any desired part of the tabular data may be selected for transmission.

The present invention provides for the transmission of intelligence of any desired sort, but

is arranged more particularly for the transmission of statistical data. For example, the invention provides a system for the transmission and reproduction of any of the types of information commonly contained on tabulating cards and the like. Insuch cards, the statistical information or data is arranged in the form of arbitrary indi cations coded according to their. position on the card. The indications may be-in the form of holes punched into the card,- for example, or of marks of contrasting color or reflection characteristics with respect to the remainder of the card. For the purposes of this invention, cards of this nature will be referred to as record cards with indexed data.

A common form of tabulating card containing 80 columns may be used, and the card shown as an example in Fig. 1 is a form of record card adapted to the purposes of the invention, althou h it is to be understood that record cards may have any form suitable to the transaction or data to be transmitted. In the present instance.

a it is supposed that the record card (hereinafter termed the original) is one adapted to record data useful for production control, cost accounting, inventory accounting, and like processes related tomass production. Thecards may be. conveniently identified by serial numbers composed of numerals and signs, and may contain any desired coded information as to the article, mate- IfiaL'prOcess, operation or transaction to which they pertain, coded in the cards by any desired form of punching machine.

The coded information may be recorded in I various divisions of the card termed fields, and

arranged in vertical columns, and in horizontal levels orlines in well known manner. The vertical columns provide space for a punched hole spaces in which a shift operation is recorded for the designation or printing of signs, etc., thus providing twelve indications in each column. A card having 80 columns thus contains 960 coding areas. This of course is described as typical, as any desired number or arrangment of the fields etc. of the card may be provided.

The blank space at the head of each column may be utilized for printing, and also provides an underlap interval in the scanning process in I which a synchronizing signal is transmitted. By underlap interval is meant that interval provided in the scanning process between the scanning of the different columnar fields of the card and during which a synchronizing signal is transmitted. The fields may be blank, or may be printed to indicate the interpretation of the coded positions, thus permitting of visual verification.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, a stack of record cards I is shown in position for automatic positioning and scanning, these steps forming part of the transmission process. The originals are placed in the hopper 2 in a predetermined position, the correct registry of the cards being facilitated by the diagonally clipped upper left' corner of the record card or other non-regular feature. A pair of spaced feed belts 3 driven by motor 5, with suitable transmission means therebetween, remove the cards one at a time from the bottom of the stack, and advance each card to the scanning position. Feed belts 3 are preferably constructed of metal strips of predetermined length overlapped at the ends and joined to form a continuous belt. The outer edge of the overlap (see Fig. 4) provides an edge of suitable thickness to engage only one card from the stack, thus insuring single draw-out of the cards. Each belt is provided with holes for engagement with the teeth of the drive sprockets, and with guide projections 3g which guide the edges of the card.

Feed belts 2 are driven by feed sprockets 4 fixed to shaft 8, which in turn are intermittently driven by cam disk 1 operating on spur gear 6, likewise fixed to shaft 8. Cam disk I, which is firmly mounted on drive shaft 5' of drive motor 5, is provided with one transfer tooth by which it advances gear 6 one tooth pitch during a short arc of its revolution. Gear 6 preferably has the same number of teeth as there are vertical column units in the card interval (say 90 column units). Hence drive motor 5 makes 90 revolutions for each revolution of feed sprocket l which in turn advances feed belt 3 one card interval, 1. e., the length of a card plus the space between cards. Drive shaft 5' also carries fixedly mounted thereon pinion 21 which in turn drives gear 28 fixed to counter shaft 25. Scanning sprocket l0, fixedly mounted on counter shaft 25, drives scanning belt ll provided with notches along each edge adapted to engage with a double row of teeth on scanning sprocket l0. Scanning belt II is stretched taut between scanning sprocket ll and idler sprocket l0. Scanning belt II is also provided with equally spaced-scanning slits ils, the slit spacing being slightly greater than the width of a record card, thus providing an "underlap interval in the scanning process.

The feed belts and scanning belt are so coordinated by the drive arrangement described that in the "underlap interval between crossscannings of the record card, the record card is advanced along its length one column unit. The design of the gear trains, the diameters of the sprockets, and other design factors are so chosen that successive vertical columns of a record card are accurately positioned over the scanning slot 208 in table 20 each time a scanning slit lis traverses the record card during the scanning process. It is to be noted that the feed and scanning systems are positively related, so that once being established, the proper registry conditions are maintained indefinitely.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 5, a light source It is mounted in hood it over scanning belt II by suitable mounting means not shown. A condenser prism i2 is positioned between light source I4 and scanning belt il in such relation as to focus the light upon the path of the scanning slits He, thus a narrow strip of light moves along scanning slot 203 as each scanning slit makes its traverse. Mounted below table 22 of the transmitter is a light responsive device 2|, preferably a photoelectric tube or cell of elongated form, the length of the cathode thereof being sufficient to extend beyond the ends of the scanning slot 22. Photocell 2| is housed in hood 22 to exclude extraneous light. The record cards are moved over the scanning slot 20s during the scanning process as previously described, and when a scanning slit [is comes into incidence with a punched hole, light from light source H is momentarily projected on the light reactive surface of photo-cell 2i, causing a momentarily increased current fiow therein in well understood manner. .The light fiashes on photo-cell 2| generate electric signal impulses by means presently to be described.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 'I, there is shown the mechanism of the automatic card punching machine, termed the perforator or recorder. Drive motor Iii, of substantially uniform speed characteristics, and preferably of the same speed as motor 5 at the transmitter, drives drive shaft 20 upon which the phase corrector mechanism II is mounted. Sleeve II, the driven member of the phase corrector, is rotatable for correction purposes by the phase corrector in relation to drive shaft 30'. Clutch 2!, ofany desired type, but preferably positive in action, couples sleeve 25' to auxiliary shaft "a under the control of clutch magnet M2. (See Fig. 10). Auxiliary shaft 250 carries cam disk 1 and also cams II to inclusive, of rotary contactor ll, one for each of the twelve punch units, and three associated with the synchronizing function, making fifteen in all. The rotary contactor assembly ll is equivalent to a rotary distributor of the type commonly used in printing telegraph apparatus. and such rotary distributors or other means having a similar function may be used in lieu of the rotary contactor assembly shown. The cams ll, etc. have a single rise which closes paired contacts 4i, etc. when in engagement therewith. The rises are staggered in a spiral configuration so that one revolution of auxiliary shaft Ila closes each of the contact pairs in sequence. A slight underlap interval intervenes between the closing of each pair of contacts, thus providing a synchronizing and selecting margin.

The recorder is provided with a card hopper '2, in which a supply of unpunched cards or blanks 6|, preferably identical with the cards in which the original data was recorded, are stacked. A feed belt 63 is driven by sprocket II, which in turn is driven intermittently by gear '8 and cam disk 61, the latter being driven by auxiliary shaft 350. The construction, size, arrangement and operation of the card feed mechanism at the recorder is preferably identical with that at the transmitter. Since the blanks correspond in aoaasos card feedrequirements at the transmitter andv recorder are the same. At the recorder a punching mechanism replaces the scanning mechanism at the transmitter, and by proper coordination of the two mechanisms, holes are punched in the blank cards in the same positionsthey occupy on the original card; hence an exact duplication of the original is obtained.

Referring to Fig. "l, the punching mechanism comprises a series of individually actuated punches II, (in this case if) properly spaced and guided by guide piece It, and mating with suitable holes in die piece I! mounted in table II of the recorder. The punches and holes may be of round section, or of rectangular section, depending on the type of tabulating equipment for which the cards are intended, being illustrated as rectangular in the present instance to conform with the holes in record card I.

The series of punches II are preferably actuated individually by electromagnetic means, as

for example means comprising a solenoid" operating through link work upon pivotally mounted toggle pair ll, It. link I4 has its lower end pivotally connected to punch II by means of a pin joint Pl; link It has its upper end pivotally supported by fixed pivot Pl, mounted on bracket 62b, and the two links are pivotally joined at knuckle ioint P2. Clevis It is pivotally connected to P2 in common with links I4 and", and is in turn operatively'connected to the solenoids by connecting rod 11. The toggle pair ll.

and II is returned to unoperated position against stop .18 by retractile spring II. The mechanism described is preferably uniform for all punches.

Because of the narrow spacing of the punch centers, the actuating solenoids ll are preferably grouped in a systematic staggered arrangement such as indicated in Fig. 8. The solenoids are preferably arranged in three levels or banks. The plungers or armatures 02 of the middle level of solenoids are preferably connected directly to clevis II by connecting rod- 11, which may be a separate part or integral therewith. The upper and lower banks are operatively connected to the toggle pair 14-15 by suitable link work, as for example, a system comprising lever 03, pivoted at fulcrum P4, and pivotally connected to plunger 82 and connecting rod 11 by pin joints PI and PI respectively. The figure shows two magnets in each bank, the position of the remaining magnets being indicated.

Theoperation of the punching mechanism is as followsz-The solenoid 8|, upon being energized, attracts its plunger 82, which reciprocates connecting rod 11 (either directly or by means of lever 83) straightening toggle pair II, II which exert a downward thrust on punch H in well understood manner. After release of the magnetic pull, retractile spring is restores the toggle to position against stop It. The card 6| is thus punched at a position depending upon which one of the punches is operated. The solenoids II are selectively energized in accordance with the printing signals. sent from the transmitter by means of rotary contactor 40 its will be more fully described hereinafter. I

Referring now to Figs, 3 and 11, the.transmission offsynchronizing and printing signals is accomplished in the following manner. The printing signal generating means has for its main elements light source ll, a light reactive device or photo-cell 2|, scanning belt II, a record card I,

and an electronic relay Tl controlled by photocell II. The synchronizing signal generating means has for its main elements cam Ill mount ed on the drive shaft I (or otherwise coordinated in motion with scanning belt ll), contacts Ill operatively associated with cam I00, and electronic relay Tl controllable thereby. Cam I is relation to the movement of the scanning belt that the scanning belt is in the underlap portion of its cycle. Contacts III preferably are notclosed during the entire underlap interval, but only during a portion thereof.

The signal transmission circuit has as its main elements power source or battery B, electronic relay Tl, line transformer Trl, and cut-off relay Ll. light reactive device Ill and shunting switch x are associated with the selection of columns or fields from which data is to be transmitted, which feature will be described hereinafter. Relay L2 and associated card switches X2 and X! are associated with the control of the photo-cell 2| during intervals when a card is not in position over the scanning slot. Relay L3 and associated card switches XI and X4 are associated with the control of the sending of synchronizing signals, both in connection with establishing synchronism of the recorder, and to provide automatic termination of the feed of blanks at the recorder when the last card of a batch of original cards has been run through the trans- -mitter.

sistance is fairly high facilitating its application to the function of controlling electronic relay Tl While electronic relay Tl may be of various types, the preferred form is a gaseous triode comprising a hot cathode, control 'grid and anode or plate all mounted in a sealed glass envelope containing an atmosphere of gas or vapor. 'Iriodes of this type provide the advantages of ease of control, large current carrying capacity, quick ionization anddeionization, and a high ratio of power controlled to control power. As is well understood, the grid of the typical gaseous triode can initiate ionization, but thereafter loses control and some means for reducing the anode voltage below the deio'nization potential must be employed to assist the grid in terminating the ionization current. Such, means is -represented by cut-off relay Ll. InFig. l1 capacitor Cl serves under normal conditions to hold the grid of TI at cathode potential, while resistors RI and R3 serve to limit the grid current to safe the solenoids ll described in connection with Figs. 7 and 8. The magnets named are each in branch plate-circuits of T2, the ionization current being interrupted at the rotary contactors or by a cut-off relay similar to Ll of Fig. 11, if desired. Battery B2 holds the grid of T2 at a potential below the trip point. Cam switch X operated in accordance with the position of the feed belt 63 and card switch X0 located so that it is operated by the card as it approaches the punch position and in a position generally corresponding to that of switch Xi at the transmitter, serve to cause registration of the first blank card in proper position to obtain placement of the punched holes in the proper columns, and to provide for run-out of the final card on which recording has been accomplished. Resistor R2 is a grid-current suppressor resistor to limit the grid current 0!,12. The nature and function or the various elements of the signalling and control circuits of the transmitter and duplicator will be more fully disclosed in connection with the description of the operation of these circuits.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 11, transmission of signals is efiected as iollowsz-Assunm that power is turned on the transmitter, and that the feed belt and scanning belt are in motion at the proper speed. In this condition, which may be termed the standby condition, electronic relay TI is supplied with operating potentials but remains non-ionized by reason of Cl holding the grid at a bias low enough to prevent ionization. Assuming now that a stack of original cards bearing tabular data is placed in the feed hopper. feed belt I advances the bottom card until the card passes between the contacts of card switch XI (see Fig. 11) whereupon the circuit through relay L0 is broken permitting contacts I03 to close as indicated. A circuit is thus partialLy established from positive battery via contacts ill and conductor I04 to contacts "I and thence to the grid of TI. When contacts i0i are closed by the further rotation of cam I00 (mounted on shaft 5') positive potential is applied to the grid of TI, ionizing same. A pulse of current through TI and the plate circuit thereof, through the primary of line transformer Tri, and the winding of cut-oi! relay Li, transmits a signal impulse to the line, the pulse being terminated by the opening of the contacts of relay Ll whose action is timed to open the circuit at the proper time to produce a signal impulse of desired predetermined duration. The signal impulse initiated by the action of cam I00, repeated each time scanning belt I I reaches a predetermined phase position, constitutes the periodic synchronizing signals. Synchronizing signals are transmitted so long as the contacts of either card switch XI or K4 are held open by the passage of a card. As shown. switch Xi islocated so,that it is operated by the forward edge of the card before the card reaches the scanning slot, and switch Xl in series therewith is located beyond the scanning slot so that it remains operated until the trailing edge of the card has passed beyond the scanning position. Hence synchronizing signals are sent until after the last card in the stack has travelled beyond the scanning slot 20:.

When a card approaches the scanning slot 208, it opens the contacts first of card switch X2 and then of XI which are connected in parallel. The opening of the latter contacts breaks the circuit through the winding of relay L2, whose contacts III are released and close themselves, thereby establishing a circuit from positive battery via cell.

contacts ill and conductor it! through photocell II to the grid of Ti. It should be noted that photo-cell II is not made operative until after a card has covered scanning slot 208, and thereafter, when the scanning slot becomes uncovered by reason of running out of cards, or by reason of gaps between cards, photo-cell ii is rendered inoperative. This precautionary feature avoids the possibility of false printing signals being transmitted by reason of light passing unobstructed from the light source to the photo- When photo-cell 2| is made operative, as a scanning slit ils moves into incidence with a hole in the record card, a beam of light passes from the light source to the photo-cell, illumihating the latter. As is well known, the eifect of increased light striking a photo-cell is to decrease its resistance. Photo-cell 21 is connected in a circuit leading to positive battery, hence, upon the illumination of photo-cell 2|, the potential of the grid of T is raised. Electronicrelay Ti is thus tripped, a current pulse is transmitted and terminated by cut-oi! relay Ll as in the previous case, hence the printing signals and synchronizing signals are of like duration and amplitude. It is to be noted, however, that while the synchronizing signals are periodic, the printing signals are aperiodic, their occurrence being determined by the position of the punched holes in the record card.

Referring now to Figs. 6, '7, and 12, the synchronizing and printing signals are utilized at the recorder in the following mannerz-Assuming that power has been turned on at the recorder, and that a supply of blank cards has been placed in hopper 02, the contacts of card switch X6 and cam switch X! will be considered as closed, completing a circuit from the positive side of battery Bl through the windings of magnet M2, and return via either or both of the switches named to negative battery. Magnet M2 is thus energized, actuating pawl H2 (see Fig. 10) which releases clutch stop its causing the clutch jaws to engage and couple power to the card feed mechanism. The bottom card is thus fed from hopper 62 and is advanced by feed belt 63 until the card opens the contacts of card switch X6 as shown in Fig. 12. Cam switch X5 is so coordinated in motion with feed belt 03 that shortly before a card reachw card switch X8, the contacts oi x5 open. Thus when the card opens the contacts of xi, the contacts of X5 being also open, clutch magnet M2 is deenergized, releasing pawl II! which intercepts the stop pin on clutch 38, disengaging same and uncoupling the power drive. This action effects the stopping of rotary contactor 40 in a predetermined registry position with switch 42 being closed as shown in Fig. 12. Simultaneously therewith cam switch H0 stops, and remains in the open circuit position shown. Also the card is stopped at a predetermined distance from the center line of the punches ll. Card switch XI at the transmitter is located to initiate the sending of synchronizing signals when an original card is at the same predetermined distance from the center line of scannin slot 200. In this way, a blank card is stopped at the correct registry position so that upon resumption of feed motion in response to the'first synchronizing signal from the transmitter, the first blank card will be moved into position under punches 1| simultaneously with the positioning of an original card over scanning slot Initial corresponding alignment of the two cards having thus been secured, the alignment is thereafter and feed maintained automatically by the synchronizing Thus under the control of the card the rotary distributor is brought into a predetermined position with respect to the synchronizing operation and the card itself also occupies a predetermined position with respect to the punch mechanism.

When thetlrst synchronizing signal is received at the recorder, relay T2 is tripped, energizing clutch magnet M2 and releasing clutch 39. thus applying power to the card feed, independently of switches XI and X. Following synchronizing signals hold clutch magnet M2 energized permitting the card feed to continue in unison with that at the transmitter. As the blank card moves over the line of punches, printing signals from the transmitter arrive to trip T2, and the resulting current pulses therethrough are distributed to the punch actuating magnets Mt-Ml! in proper timed order to select the punch operations corresponding with the punched holes of the original. In this way a duplicate card is prepared, reproducing exactly the holes punched in the original. After across the line of punches,

the duplicate is delivered to a receiving pocket not shown.

Should the rotary contactor depart from synehronism with the incoming synchronizing signals, the synchronizing pulse will be received either at the time contacts 4 l are closed or when contacts 43' are closed, depending upon whether the receiving machine is' advanced or retarded in phase with reference to its proper position. If the pulse occurs when contacts II are closed, corrector magnet MI is energized which then applies a corrective action to the rotary contactor in the sense required to return it to proper synchronous position; corrector magnet M3 operates similarly in response-to a departure from synchronism in the opposite direction and applies corrective action in the opposite sense. Any suitable means for applying the corrective action as controlled by the two corrector magnets may be used as desired. One form of such suitable means for corrective purposes upon reception of the synchronizing impulses is shown in Patent No. 2,053,091, issued to W. S. Lemmon, in which the solenoids I! and It are equivalent to appllcants magnets MI and M3. In any case where a common source of synchronous power is available at both transmitter and recorder, the corrective magnets MI and M3 with their associated switch gear may be omitted. Magnet M2 will then control the driving operation of the rotary contactorv in accordance with the periodic received signals.

Card switches XI and X4 which control the sending of synchronizing signals from the transmitter. are so spaced that synchronizing signals are sent continuously so long as a card occupies the scanning position at 'the transmitter. As the last card passes switch point X4, the synchronizing signals cease. However, the card at the recorder has already passed switch X6 so that this switch is closed and hence clutch magnet M2 remains energized through these contacts while the card feed continues to run out the last duplicate and bring a new blank into registry position ready for the following run. As was described in connection with registry of the initial blank card,

contacts x5 open just as or before a card reaches precisely to the registry point in preparation for a subsequent operation.

In the foregoing description, it was assumed that data from all columns of the original would be transmitted. It is sometimes desirable, however, to transmit the data from certain columns only, and means are provided by the invention for accomplishing such selective transmission.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 13, drive shaft l5 of card feed sprocket 4' carries mounted thereon a column selector wheel ill, which in cooperation with light source 4 and photo-cell l2l enables the columns from which data is to be transmitted to be selected at will. Selector wheel H3 has its periphery divided into as many. angular divisions as there are column units in the card feed interval (in this case 90). Eighty of these divisions, corresponding to the eighty columns of the record card, are numbered serially from one to eighty. These numbers are marked on housing piece 6, which also serves as a retainer member for segments or interceptors ll'l, one of which is provided for each of the'eighty numbered divisions. The remaining divisions. representing the feed underlap interval, are not used.

Each segment piece is movable for a limited distance in an axial direction. but by reason of the fit of the .parts and a light pressure exerted by housing 6, will remain in the position to which moved. Selector wheel I II has a polished chamfered rim 3a, preferably cut at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the axis of the wheel. The arrangement of light source Ill and photo-cell I2| with respect to this rim are such that a beam of light from light source H4, being focused on rim l I3a by condenser lens iii, will normally be reflected to photo-cell i2l. Each segment piece I I1 is preferably provided with a small hole lllh properly placed so as to' aid in adjustment of the position of the segment pieces. Access to these adjusting holes is afforded by slots in housing 6 as shown in Fig. 13. Photo-cell l2l is housed in a suitable hood I22 to prevent extraneous light affecting its operation.

The operation of the selector arrangement is as follows:-By reference to an original card, the numbers of the columns which are not to be transmitted are noted, and as the selector wheel is slowly rotated, the corresponding segment pieces are slid to their extended position by means of a small pointed instrument, the remaining segment pieces being movedwithin the hous-gg Referring now to Fig. 11, it will be seen that I upon opening switch X, the final step in making the selector arrangementeflective, photo-cell i2! is placed in series with photo-cell 2i. Because of the high dark resistance of the photo-cells, when placed in series it is necessary to illuminate both photo-cells simultaneously in order to trip electronic relay TI. As a consequence, when the columns corresponding to the extended segment pieces of selector wheel H8 are being scanned, photo-cell I2| will not be illuminated, and the scanning of those particular columns will be ineflective to produce or transmit printing signals irrespective of punch marks therein. In order to obtain full transmission of the data, a cut-out switch x is provided which in practice is made readily accessible to the operator for that pur- Dose so that photo-cell III can be readily cut out of the circuit and its function eliminated.

It will be evident that the simple arrangement shown provides great flexibility and convenience as regards the setting of the transmitter for selective transmission of data.

While the methods and forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise methods and forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A communication system of the character described for use with a tabulating card containing a plurality of columns each having a plurality of positions for indications thereon, means including light responsive means for scanning the positions of each column and successive columns, a single communication circuit, means for transmitting a signal in accordance with the position of each of said indications over said com- Irinication circuit, a recorder, means ior receiving said signals, the recorder having a blank card corresponding to said tabulating card. means for moving said blank card intermittently through successive columns, and means controlled in response to said signals for reproducing indications on said blank card corresponding to the respective positions of said indications on said tabulating card.

2. A communication system of the character described which comprises a tabulating card having data arranged therein in the form of punches in predetermined coded positions, means including light responsive means for scanning said card, a single communication circuit, means for transmitting signals indicative of the position or each of said punches over said communication circuit, a recorder, a blank card at said recorder, and means operated in accordance with said signals for producing on said blank card punches corresponding in position to those on said record card.

3. A communication system of the character described which comprises a tabulating card having indications arranged thereon in predetermined coded positions, a scanning device for scanning said card, means-tor transmitting signals indicative oi the position oi. each of said indications, means for transmitting signals indicative oi the position of said scanning device, a recorder, a blank card at said recorder, means controlled in accordance with said second mentioned signals for maintaining said recorder in synchronous operation with said scanning device, and means controlled in accordance with said first mentioned signals for reproducing on said blank card indications corresponding to those of said tabulating card.

4. A communication system 0! the character described for reproducing an original card having indications thereon comprising scanning means for said card, means for feeding said card into scanning position, means for transmitting signals indicative of the position of said indications and of the position of said original card, a recorder having a blank card, meahs at said recorder for reproducing indications on said blank card corresponding to those on said original card in accordance with received signals, means for feeding said blank card into predetermined position with respect to said reproducing means, and means controlled in response to the feeding of said original card for initiatins feed of said blank card.

5.'A communication system of the character described for reproducing an original card record comprising means for feeding said original card. means for transmitting periodic signals when said card reaches a predetermined position, a recorder having blank cards corresponding to said original card, means controlled in response to said periodic signals for initiating feed 0! said blank card to establish corresponding position 01' said blank card with said original card.

6. A communication system oi the character described for reproducing an original record card comprising means for feeding said original record card, means for transmitting periodic signals when said card reaches a predetermined point, a recorder having a blank card, means ior bringing a blank card into predetermined position in said recorder corresponding to said predetermined point, and means controlled in response to said periodic signals for initiating the feeding 0! said blank card to establish movement of said blank card in corresponding relationship to said original card.

'7. A communication system or the character described for reproducing an original record card comprising scanning means for said card, means for advancing said card toward scanning position, means for transmitting a signal when said card reaches a predetermined point in advance 0! said scanning position, arecorder having a blank card, means at said recorder for reproducing the indications on said original card, means for moving said blank card toward reproducing position, and means controlled in response to said signal for initiating the feeding of said blank card from a position corresponding to said predetermined point, to eflect corresponding positioning of said blank card with respect to said original card.

8. A communication system of the character described for reproducing a record card comprising scanning means for said card, means for feeding said card toward a scanning position with respect to said scanning means, means for transmitting a signal indicative of a predetermined position of said card in advance of said scanning position, and means rendering said scanning means operative only when said card occupies said scanning position.

9. A communication system of the character described for reproducing the indications on a tabulating card or the like comprising means for scanning said tabulating card, means for moving said card toward and into scanning position with respect to said scanning means, means for sending periodic signals indicative oi the position of said scanning means, means for initiating the sending oi said periodic signals when said card reaches a predetermined position in advance of scanning position. v

10. A communication system of the character described for reproducing the indications on a ing said card toward and into scanning position with respect tosaid scanning means, means for sending periodic signals indicative oi the position of said scanning means, means for initiating the card passes to a predetermined position beyond said scanning position.

' 11. A communication system of the character described for reproducing the indications on a 5 tabulating card or the like comprising means for scanning said tabulating card, means for moving said card toward and into scanning position with respect to said scanning means, means for sending periodic signals indicative of. the position of u said scanning means, means for initiating the sending of said periodic signals when said card reaches a predetermined position in advance of scanning position, a recorder having a blank card, meansat said recorder for reproducing indicag tions corresponding to those upon said original card, means for feeding said blank card into cooperative positioning with respect to said reproducing means, and means for initiating the feeding of said blank card in accordance with said no perodic signals.

12. A communication system'ofthe character described for reproducing the indications on a tabulating card or the like comprising means for scanning said tabulating card, means for moving 5 said card toward and into scanning position with respect to said scanning means, means for sending periodic signal indicative of the position oi said scanning means, means for initiating the sending oi saidperiodic signals when said card reaches a predetermined position in advance of cooperative positioning with respect to said reproducing means, means for initiating the feeding of said blank card in accordance with said periodic signals, and means controlled in response to said periodic si nals roiregulating said 0 feeding means to maintain said blank card in a position corresponding to that of saidtabulating card.

13. A communication system of the character described for reproducing a tabulating card or 5 the like having data arranged thereon in the form of indications, the card having a plurality of columns each containing a plurality of positions, comprising means for moving said card intermittently a distance corresponding to the i spacing of said columns, means for scanning the positions of each column while the card is stationary in scanning position, means for trans mitting timed signals corresponding to each movement of the card, and means controlled by said scanning means for transmitting signals intermediate said timed signals in accordance with the positions of said indications on the card.

14. In a communication system of the character described for reproducing a tabulating card or the like having dfata arranged thereon in the form of indications, the card having a plurality of columns each containing a plurality of positions, the combination of means for intermittently moving said card longitudinally a distance corresponding to the spacing of said columns to bring each column successively into a scanning position, and means traversing the card at right angles to the direction of movement thereof for scanning the positions of each column while the card is stationary in scanning position.

15. A communication system of the charac described for reproducing a tabulating card or thelikehavingdataarrangedthereoninthe form of indications, the card having a plurality of columns each containing a plurality of positions, comprising means for moving said card intermittently corresponding to the spacing of said columns, means for scanning the positions of each column while the card is stationary in scanning position, means for transmitting timed signals corresponding to each movement of the card, and means controlled by said scanning means for transmitting nals intermediate said timed signals in accordance with the positions of said indications on the card, a recorder having a blank card, means at said recorder for receiving said signals, means for feeding said card forward intermittently corresponding to the spacing of the columns on said tabulating card, means controlled in response to said timed signals for controlling said feeding means to cause feed of said blank card in accordance with movement of said tabulating card, and means actuated in response to said intermediate signals for controlling said recorder to reproduce on said blank card the indications on said tabulating card.

16. A remote controlled card punching mechanism of the character described having a blank card comprising means .for receiving periodic synchronizing signals and aperiodic control signals, card punching means including a plurality of punches at diflerent spaced points, feeding means controlled in response to said periodic signals for feeding said blank card into punching position with respect to said punchingmeans, and means controlled in response to said aperiodic signals for effecting selective operation of said punches.

17. A communication system of the character described for reproducing a tabulating card or the like comprising a record card having a plurality of columns with data arranged in the form of predetermined indications in such columns. means for scanning said card, means controlled by said scanning means for transmitting signals in accordance with the position of said indications, and selectively operable means for causing the on of signals in response to indications in only predetermined ones of said columns.

18. A communication system of, the character described for reproducing a tabulating card or the like comprising a record card having a plurality of columns with data arranged in the form of predetermined indications, in such columns, means for scanning said card, means controlled by said the like comprising a record card having a pin rality of columns with data arranged in the form of predetermined indications in such columns, meansfor scanning the indications on said card.

- feeding means for feeding said card intermittently by'a column width into scanning relation with said scanning means, and selective means movable with said feeding means for controlling the operation of the scanning means to render said means non-responsive to selected columns of said plurality of columns.

man! J. mcnons;