US2262715A - System and apparatus for automatic facsimile telegraphy - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 11, 1941. R. J. wlsE ETAL 2,262,715

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE 'I'ELEG'RAPHY Filed April 22, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 llmHl """Hml INVENTORS RJJWISE 11. BY G.H.RIDINGS Nov. 11, 1941. R. Jv WISE ET AL. 2,262,715

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 22, 1939 v 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2

' ml p u m l Alum".

IHHHHV L3 INVENTORS R. .1. WISE G.H.RIDINGS A ORNEY Nov. 11, 1941. R. J. wlsE ETAL 2,262,715

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY I Filed April 22, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 G.H.RIDING$ WOQNW ulll hn Nov. 11, 1941. R. J. WISE 'ET AL' 2,262,715

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 22, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 C. FIG. 5 1!.11

"*1'111; ;i::1111. v v 192 HW 1 91E 8B f INVENTORS Nov. 11 1941.

R. J. WISE ETAL ,715

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 22, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 LINE 2 RwRn'E MESSAGE MESSAGE LIN E DEPOSIT BEING -MESSAGE MESSAGE TRANSMITTED ACCEPTED INVENTORS R. J. WISE G.H. RI DINGS 22 I ORNEY Nov. 11, 1941. R. J. WISE ETAL 2,262,715

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 22, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. IQ

LINE 2 LINE I n a E Y E m m m .E m u m m m a w c NwR 0 E R A M 0 A N E E .IRG T T 7 I G woo m c EwF Y E EEFE B DRRPROH INVERTER I l I I: 2 L 9 H 5 P m (EEW m u u r J 4 I 9 9 7 m L n M U I u m Im W S A Y 8 am am 6 7 Patented Nov. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES FATE T OFFICE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FACSIlVHLE TELEGRAPHY Raleigh J. Wise; Dunellen,

Ridings, Summit, N. J.,

and Garvice H. assignors to The Western Union'Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York 25 Claims.

The present invention relates to automatic telegraph systems and more particularly to automatic systems for transmitting messages, photographs and other forms of copy in facsimile.

An object of this invention is to provide a telegraph system having an automatic transmitting apparatus constructed and arranged to be operated. by an inexperienced person such, for example, as a member of the generalpublic,

A further object is to provide an automatic telegraph system in which a plurality of transmitters are connected to a single communication circuit in the manner of a party line system, the arrangement being such that when one, transmitter is in operation the others connected to the same circuit are automatically locked against use.

A further object is to provide a facsimile transmitter for use by the general public provided with a plurality of signs indicating steps to be followed by a customer inv using the transmitter, the illumination of the signs being controlled from a central oflice receiving apparatus.

A further object is to provide a facsimile telegraph constructed and arranged to automatically position a copy or message sheet on a suitable copyholder, for scanning purposes.

The foregoing and other objects of, the invention will appear from the following description of an illustrated embodiment of the invention:

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a View in front elevation of afacsimile machine embodying the invention in its preferred form;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view similar to Fig. 1, but having parts thereof broken away to afford a clear View of certain details of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational View taken partly in section on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional View in plan taken on line it of Fig. 2;

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views disclosing details of the optical scanning system, the latter being taken on lines 66. of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary detailed showing of the message feeding device for the copyholder;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the automatically operated closure for the message feeding device;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic showing of the electrical features of a control system in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic showingof the electrical features of terminal equipment of a line which is in communication with one or more of the facsimile machines of the present invention; and

Fig, 11 is afragmentary View of a modification.

In the present invention, a compact transmitting apparatus is provided for transmitting messages, pictures or other suitable copy to a central receiving oflice from which itis retransmitted to its destination. The transmitter has means for indicating to a customer the progress of operations and for directing him in the steps to be followed by him in operating the transmitter, all controlled by the operator at the central office. The transmitter can belocated' in any public or private place depending on' whether it is to be used by the public at large or by a single subscriber.

Referring to the drawings, and forthepresent to Figs. I to 8 thereof, a. machine constructed to embody the present invention is disclosed which comprises automatic; equipment enclosed in a box adapted to be secured to a wall or other suitable support by appropriate fastening means. This box, H) (Fig. 1) comprises a base or frame II, a cover l2, special features of which will be pointed out hereinafter, and a frame M designed to support the scanning apparatus and a message receiving chute it.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 4' of the drawings the scanning mechanism comprises a copyholder IT in the form of a scanning cylinder carried upon a shaft 18, mounted in suitable bearings it which are provided in the frame it;

The shaft i8 is driven from a synchronous or other. speed controlled motor 2i through a worm pinion 22 and a worm wheel 23', the latter being secured to the shaft it. A movablecarriage 24' supports the photo cell 2% and associated parts comprising an optical scanner. This carriage is free to move laterally upon lower and upper guide rails 25 and ii which extend transversely of the frame 14 and is biased to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5, :by a spring 28. A lead screw 33 propels the carriage at proper scanning speed when it is engaged by a half nut 34, in a manner to be described, and this lead screw is driven from the shaft ill by a pinion 3t thereon meshing with the gear 3'i secured to the end of the lead screw shaft, see Figs. 2 and 4.

A message chute t6, of'elongated rectangular box-shape extends from a slot or opening 39 in a recess 4| of the cover I? to a point adjacent the copyholder ll, and is positionedsubstantially tangentially thereto. The chute has a flared mouth 42 so that it will readily receive a flexible sheet such as a message form 43 (Fig. 1).

The copyholder Il has teeth 44 or cleats arranged circumferentially and extending beyond the periphery thereof. These teeth may be conveniently stamped from a sheet metal annulus of greater diameter than the cylinder Il, the annulus having an aperture which fits the shaft I8 and the teeth being formed at the. end of spokes 45 extending beyond the periphery of the scanning cylinder Il. The'cylinder I1 is made up of two parts 46 and 41 with the hub of the annulus clamped between them. The spokes 45, extending from the hub, are free to flexby reason of fillers or washers 48, which may be intee gral bosses of small diameter formed on adjacent faces of the cylinder parts 46 and 4l The teeth pierce the flexible sheet when it is held against them by a roller Il-a. As shown in Fig. 4 the teeth 44 will first pierce the sheet approximately in the center line of'the hub of the annulus. Then as the cylinder Il rotates, the tooth which has just pierced the sheet moves laterally, the spoke flexing to permit this movement. Further rotation of the cylinder allows the spoke to return to its normal plane and when this occurs, the paper is firmly held under the hook-like contour of the tooth provided by reason of [its sloping portion 49; The approximate center of the sloping portion 49 of each tooth is located in the periphery of the cylinder Il. It will be understood that if the cylinder I! is of considerable length, a plurality of sets of teeth spaced at axial intervals may be provided. A

modified form of tooth configuration is shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings. The teeth 44', illustrated thereon, all lie in the same plane and are hook-shaped as shown and point in the direction of rotation of the cylinder Il' so that they will catch and hold the message blank when itprojects slightly beyond the end of the chute I6. The paper is in contact with the drum, the edge thereof having been gripped between the roller Ill) and the drum H. The approaching tooth pierces the paper at some distance fromithe surface of the drum. The subsequent gripping action as the drum revolves swings the paper just pierced by the tooth under the leading edge of the hook-shaped tooth. Each tooth acting in this manner causes the paper to be held at each 1 point under the sloping leading edge of a tooth. The drag placed on the sheet by the continuous rotation against the roller 'Ilb keeps the paper securely seated at the root of each tooth. It will be understood that the roller Ilb is mounted in the same position as roller Ila. The mounting means will be explained later.

Inorder to enable the recording apparatus at the central station to correctly record a message it is necessary to have the copy sheet at the transmitter properly mounted on the scanning cylinder. For this purpose mechanism is provided to prevent the message or copy sheet from being inserted in the chute I6 in any but the correct position. The message blank 43 has a beveled edge 5I. A stop member 56, see Fig. 4, supported on a spring 52 extends across one end of the chute slot and has an inclined edge in position to be engaged by the beveled edge of the message sheet. When gthe sheet is inserted in the chute in such a way that the beveled edge 5| engages the inclined edge of the stop-56,-the latter will be pushed aside against the pressure of the spring support 52 and the sheet will pass down the chute. If the sheet is introduced into the .inder.

. the photo cell 26.

chute in any other manner the square corner will strike the top face of the stop 56 and further insertion thereof blocked. To facilitate Wrapping of the message sheet upon the drum, guide roller Ila is provided, which is journaled on a shaft 53. The guide roller is grooved to accommodate the teeth and holds the paper while it is pierced by the teeth, as explained above. Adjustment of the pressure of the .roller Ila on the drum is provided by a screw 53a which draws the arm 53b on the shaft 53 to flex the shaft slightly. To still further assure proper reception of the message blank on the cylinder, a cylindrical guide 54 is provided which surrounds one end of the cyl- This guide has an opening therein, as indicated at 56, and flaring members 51 and 58 serve to guide the edge of the message sheet into the opening 56.

To indicate the presence of a message sheet on the cylinder IT, a groove 62 is provided there- 'in which in the absence of a message blank receives a lever 63 which is secured to a rock shaft 64. It will be seen thatwhen a message blank overlies the surface of the cylinder Il, the lever 63 will be raised from the groove thereby rocking the shaft 64 which separates a pair of contacts 66 and 6l (Fig. 2), the latter extending radially from the shaft and being moved thereby. A torsion spring 68 tends topress the lever 63 into the groove 62.

The carriage 24 previously referred to will now be described in some detail. As previously stated, it is supported for movement on the lower guide rail 25 by the rollers 29 and is guided and maintained in its proper plane of movement by a U- shaped member lI affixed to the carriage and embracing the upper guide rail 21. The optical scanning system supported within the carriage comprises a lamp 12 positioned to project light through a lens tube 13 upon the surface of the copy on the scanning cylinder. Light is refiected from the copy through a lens tube 14, the lenses therein projecting an enlarged image of the illuminated surface of the paper and the markings thereon upon a non-reflective screen 16. The screen l6 is apertured as indicated at ll and a portion of the magnified image on the screen 16 is projected through the aperture '11 and the teeth of a light chopping wheellB on to The light chopping wheel l8 is carried onthe armature shaft 19 of a motor 86, the latter being rigidly secured to the frame- Work of the carriage. A spring member BI which may be conveniently formed as a loop of wire is secured to a bracket 82 fastened to the lens tube 14. The spring member 8|, see Figs. 3 and 4, presses the copy sheet 43 into close contact with the cylinder adjacent the spot of light which is projected by the lens tube 13.

The previously mentioned half nut 34 which cooperates with the lead screw 33 to propel the carriage to the right, as is viewed on Fig. 6 of the drawings, is carried between the ends of a lever 85 pivoted at 86 to a member Bl which is secured on the carriage. The pivoted armature 88 of a magnet 89 is connected to operate the lever 85 through a pivoted link 9I when the magnet 89 is deenergized. The biasing spring 92 for the armature 88 causes the armature to move and lift the half nut 34 from meshing engagement with the lead screw 33. The preferred circuit conmesa-71s nections for the magnet 8'9 will be described" here-- inafter in connection with Figs; 93nd" '10-ofthe drawings;

Toprevent insertion of the message blank-43 at an inappropriate time as described herein-' after; a-slide94- (Figs. 3 and-8') is adapted to be moved into position over" the endof the chute ingmeans 96 to a member 95-which is carried by the rods 91; the latter" sliding in apertured' brackets98' and-another spaced apertured bracket 99. Compressionsprings H12; oneencircling-eachrod, ten-d to retain the stop member 94' in position over the chute, forward movement of the rods being'limited by stop-membersin the form of collars I03. The stop member'94 maybe retracted by a link member I05- connected to the bracket 95'and the plunger of a solenoid magnet I08, the control of which'will be described here'- inafter.

Whenscanning of' a message sheet in position on the cylinder II iscompleted, it may be removed by member IIO-having a knife edge I II which is brought in contact with thesurface of the cylinder I'I by'energization of the magnet I I2, the'ar-' mature of' which carries the member III]. Since the blank isshorter' than the'circumference of the cylinder its leading edge is exposed to the action of member I I: The knife edge I II slips under the leading edge of sheet 43 thereby progressively peeling the sheet away-from the drum and disengaging it-from the teeth 44-. The magnet I I2 is supported in a stationary positionbeneath the cylinder upon a bracket I I4- secured to the framework I4; A roller II5 pivotally mounted on the U-shaped bracket 5- is caused to bear on the drum or paper at all times by a spring I H. The point of contact of this roller with the drum lies forward of the point of contact of the roller I'Ia and is also somewhat forward of the point of engagement of the edge III of the member H0. This roller serves to insure movement to the paper after the major part thereof has been unwrapped by the edge III and to holdthe edge'of the paper in contact with the cylinder until all of the teethhave been disengaged.

A box-or. bin 8 having'a sloping bottom I I9 is positioned beneath the cylinder [1 and catches and retains the message sheets-43 after they have been stripped from the cylinder I'I by the member I I6. Access to the pm I I8. is obtained through a hinged portion- I21 of the front panel whichzis securelylocked againstunauthorized access by the. lock I22.

The front of the casing. I2 is provided with a transparent window I23 through which operation of the more essential parts of the machine may be observed. However, indications of the performance of the machine in operation are provided by the signs I28, five in number in the specific embodimentselected for the purpose of illustration, which are illuminated at appropriate times by the lamps 128 (Figs. 2 and 9). The circuits governingoperation of these lamps will be described in detail in connection with Figs. 9 and of the drawings.

In operation of the mechanical parts of the apparatus thus far described, a person wishing to transmit a message by facsimile prepares a suitable copy or message sheet. 43. Where the machine is to be used for a commercial service, the message sheet-43=is generally provided with printed matter thereon indicated by the reference character-1 I29? and themessage will be placed be.-

proper position with respect toprinted matter also appearing thereon, the blankds inserted in the slot 39- in" the recess II with the cut-away portionthereofextending to the left asshown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Preparatory to the insertion of the blank, however, a. key switch indicated by the reference character BI is operated which conditions the circuitsi imamanner to be described hereinafter; The blank. as. it descends the chute I.6 presses-the stop member 50 to one side in the manner previously explained and is caught by the teeth 44 of the cylinder which pierce the. blank and. cause it to be rolled around the cylinder, the guide ring 54 and; the roller I'Iainsuring a snug-and'even fit of the blank onthe cylinder. The; electrical equipment to be described cau-sesthe lamp. I2 to light and the driving motor and. scanning motor to be started upon operation of the keyswitch I3 I. The

electromagnet 89. is energized by control apparatus located in the remote receiving station and the half nut 34 engages the leadscrew 33-which causes the message to be scanned. Upon completion of the scanningoperation the magnet I I2 is energizedwhich removes the message from the cylinder and it is deposited by gravity in the bin I I8 where it is guarded against unauthorized inspection until its removal through the. hinged panel I-2I by an authorized person having a key for the lock I22. Itwill be understood that while. in the preferred arrangement of the control equipmentto bedescribed operation of the magnets I 08, 89 and H2 are controlled from a distant receiver, these may be operated locally if desired or the magnet I08 and its stop member 94 may be omitted. Furthermore, the peeler blade III] may be mechanically operated. In this manner a simple facsimile transmitting or receiving machine is provided in which message copies which are wrapped on the copyholder may be mounted on and removed therefrom at any time without stopping the copyholder. I

Referrin to Fig. 9 of the drawings diagrammatically showing electrical features of the machine disclosed by Figs. 1 to 8 of the drawings, the lampsI28 for illuminating the signs I26 (Fig. 2) are shown in the upper part of the figure. They arelabeled as shown to correspond to the condition desired to be displayed by each sign upon illumination thereof and the lamps I28'wi1l be referred to in the following description by the assigned labels in Fig. 9. L indicates a communication circuit consisting of a pair of line wires LI and L2 which communicates with a distant receiver, shown in Fig. 10. The circuit is connected by way of condensers I35 and an amplifier I36 to the photocell .26. One of the line wires L2 is connected to a three position polar relay I31, the

other terminal of which is grounded, and the other line wire LI is connected in a similar manner to a three position polar relay I38. The tongue I39 of the polar relay I3I is capable of occupying three different positions depending upon whether its associated line wire is unenergized or is connected to a positive or a negative source of potential. The tongue I39 of the relay cooperates with two contacts m and s. The tongue I II of the relay I38 cooperates with contacts m and s.

The transmitter is started by operating the lock switch I3I causing the coil of a relay Hi8 (Fig. 9) to be energized, the armature I41 of which operates, a plurality of contacts by means ofv the multi-contactswitch arm I48. The arnea-th this printed matter. In-order that the-message will be recorded on the receiving sheet ini'ts:

mature I41 is adapted to be locked in the energized position by the, armature I49 of a magnet II. The armature I49 may also function to prevent movement-of thearmature I41 to its energized position under circumstances of operation toibe pointed out hereinafter. One set of contacts I53 operated by the rod I48 connects power to. tor 2|, the-chopper motor 8| and the plate supply't'o the tubes of the amplifier I36. accomplished over the conductors. I54 and I56. The filaments of the amplifier fed from the transformer I51 are left on at all times. The exciter lamp beam reflected from the drum through the pickup lens, the aperture and the light chopper to the photocell 26 causes a car- 'rier to be generated and passed through the amplifier to the two line wires LI and L2. This is "an important feature of the invention since it indicates clearly that the transmitter and other parts of the system are ready to operate. At the central station (Fig. 10), this carrier signalis picked up by a line amplifier I69 which is floating on the circuit at all times through normalization of the line jack I6I. This signal causesa relay I62 in the plate circuit of an out-j put tube to operate, lighting a light I63 by a relay I64, the purpose of which is to attract the attention of a station attendant. One of the contactsof the relay I64 lights a lamp I66 over the line jack I6I associated with the transmit ter and places plus potential on line L2, which causes the tongue of polar relay I31 (Fig. 9) to go to its marking contact This causes the armature I49 of the magnet I51 to lock the ar-- mature I41 in theoperated position, operates a relay I68 and lights the deposit message light. The pushbutton or lock switch I3I may now be released. Relay I68 operates the chute magnet I98 which opens the entrance to the chute I6, allowing the patron to deposit the telegram. The telegram is deposited in the chute in the proper manner. When it is completely wrapped around the drum, the drum contacts 66 and 61 open turn-- ing but the deposit message light, and. releasing the relay I68 which, in turn, releases relay I88 and closes the entrance to the chute. Operation of'the multi-contact switch arm I48 by the relay I46 has previously operated a relay I12 to disconnect a back contact I13. tacts 66, 61 control the circuit of relay I12, it will be apparent that opening'the .drum contacts releases the relay I12 permitting the contact I13 to close. The effect of this is to keep power on the machine as long as a copy sheet is on the scanning cylinder and to prevent the turning 011 of the machine through error by the main office attendant. The attendant at the mainofilce, seeing the lights I63and I66, plugs into the jack I6! with the plug. I16 associated with the recording equipment, disconnecting the line amplifier I59 from the lines LI and L2 and connecting a rotary switch I11 and the recording amplifier I19 to the line. An adjustment is madeby means of a pad I18 at the input of the recording amplifiers I19 until the indicator of the meter I8I associated with the amplifier indicates a predetermined value.- The rotary switch I11 has four sets of contacts and four switch arms which are operated together. Y The contact on each switch arm is in the form of a brush so that as the switch arms are moved, the contact of each maintains connection so that contact is made with the next point before the brush leaves the lastsucceeding point. During the above operations the rotary switch the machine including the driving mo-;

This is As the drum conhas been on the No. 1 position markedin Fig. 10-

Deposit message. I

After adjustment of the pad, the rotary switch is moved to the No. 2 position indicated on the drawings by the word Record. This No. 2 position places plus potential to line LI by Way. of the conductor I 88 and the second brush of the switch. At the transmitter this operates polar relay I38 to the marking contact 111. causing the half nut magnet to be nergized, moving the carriage along the copy to scan the same and at the same time lighting the light "message-being-transmitted. Also the No. 2 position of the rotary switch I11 at the main. oifice releases a coil I92 of a relay I93, allowing the other coil to be released by the actionof a relay I94, which is in the plate circuit.

of one of the recording amplifier tubes. The relay I94 responds to the black printed square I96 (Fig. 1) on the transmitting blank at the transmitter. Response of the relay I94 occurs in the following manner: While the scanning light at the transmitter is on, a carrier is received by the'amplifier I19 (with the plug I16 in the jack). dence 'of the scanning light on the spot I96 causes the received carrier to drop in amplitude, releasing the relay I94. This releases the relay I93 and deenergizes a phasing relay I98 which opens the circuit of a phasing latch magnet I99 on the recorder 20I (not shown in detail). A recorder suitable for the purpose is shown in the Wise et a1. application, Ser; No. 110,760, filed Nov. 13, 1936. The rotary switch I11 is left in the No. 2 position until the message has been transmitted. A contact 263 associated with the traveling scanner '(not shown) on the recorder 2M, operates a buzzer 264 or other signal after the traveling scanner of the recorder has traveled a sufficient distance to have recorded the message from the transmitter.

The rotary switch I11 is then moved to position No. 3 which removes plus potential from line L1, causing the carriage to return at the transmitter to the starting position and turning out the message being transmitted ligh This is brought about by movement of the tongue I4I of the polar relay I38 to its central position. At the recorder the No. 3 position of the rotary switch I11 locks up the phasing relay I93 and operates a relay 265 which causes the recorded drum to be removed from the recorder and a new will be moved by the attendant through the No. 4 to its No. 5 position. The No. 4 position of the switch I11 is to permit reversal of the potential to one line before reversing it on the I second. In passing through the No. 4 position a positive potential is again put on line LI, operating the polar relay I38 to its m contact and energizing the half-nut magnet 89. This closes a' set of contacts 298, the purpose of which is to keep the multi-switch locking relay I5I operative when positive potential is removed from line L2. The No. 5 position of the switch I11 applies negative potential to the line I2 which causes the relay I31 to move to the spacing contact which, through contacts 2| I on the relay I46 and contacts 2I2 on the half nut magnet, operates the peel magnet II2 to remove the blank from the drum. 3

After the message has been removed the rotary switch I11 is moved to the last position, No. 9, in which there is no potential on line LI Inciand negative potential on line L2. This places the tongue of the polar relay I38 in neutral position releasing the half-nut magnet 89 and opening the contacts 298 and 2I2. Simultaneously the tongue of the relay I31 engages the spacing contact 8. The multi-contact switch is-released and the switch arm I48 raised to the position shown in Fig. 9. This lights the message accepted light at the transmitter.

If, on the other hand, the recorded copy of the message is not satisfactory, the operator at the recording station may rerun the message with either increased or decreased power. That is, after the rotary switch has been placed in No. 3 position and the recorded copy has been read, if a lighter or darkercopy is desired, the operator can make a suitable adjustment of the pad I18 and then return the switch to its No. 2 position in which the recording operation will be repeated. If; on the other hand, the original message is not legible, it will be impossible to obtain a legible copy. In this event, the operator moves the rotary switch from its No. 3 position through the'Nos. 4,5 and 6 positions to the No. 7 position. The No. 6 position functions in the same way as No. 4 described above in that t puts a positive potential on both lines LI and U2 and provides for a changein potential on one lineat atime.

In No. 7 position a negativepotential is applied on line LI and a positive on line L2. Hence, the polar relay I38 is on the spacing contact s which lights the please rewrite message light and may also operate a buzzer to call the customers attention or that of an attendant at, the transmitter. The rotary switch is-then turned off and the plug I16 removed from the jack. When the customerv has rewritten his message, he operates the button I 3| again and proceeds as before.

The magnet I5I at the transmitter has a dual purpose. On the busy machineit will lock the relay I46 in the operated position. Where more than one machine are on a circuit as shown in Fig. 9 and assuming that machine 2I5 is busy the magnet I5I ofeach machine will lock the idle machine or machines in the unoperated position so that the idle machines may not be started as long as one machine on the circuit is busy. On the idle machines of the: circuit alight-reading line busy will appear while the circuit is being used by-one of the other machines. This condition is maintained on the idle machines when the machine in use in having the blank removed from its cylinder by the relay 35I. The power supply connection to each transmitter is indicated by reference characters 22I on Fig. 9, the alternating current leads from the source-22I being labeled A and B and certain connections thereto also being labeled in this manner.

The condensers 2I6 and ZI'I at the receiving station afford an easy path for the carrier ourrent from the transmitters on Fig. 9 to the amplifiers I59 and I I9 respectively and thechokes 2I8 keep the carrier frequencies'from entering the control apparatus.

The output of the amplifier I19 is fed to the recorder 20I by way of a signal inverter 2I9 of any known type if the recorder is of the electrochemical type,

From the foregoing complete description of an illustrated embodiment and its operation, it will be seen that anautomatic telegraph system is provided by the present invention. The invention also provides facsimile machines, which because of inventive features thereof, can be operated by unskilled persons.

While the invention has been explained in detail in connection with an illustrative embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms and, therefore, the invention is not limited except as indicated by the terms and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Automatic rotatable telegraph apparatus comprising a telegraph message sheet copyholder, means arranged circumferentially on said copyholder to receive and retain a telegraph message sheet and means independent of said first named means for conveying said message sheet to said receiving means on the copyholder in position to be received by said copyholder during movement at scanning speed for transmission of the message.

2. Automatic receiving means for the copyholders of a facsimile scanner comprising members on said copyholders designed to pierce and retain a flexible copysheet in position on said copyholder and means to receive and position said flexible sheet within reach of said members whereby the sheet will be pierced by said members in succession and drawn onto said copyholder during movement thereof.

3. In combination with a rotatable telegraph message sheet copyholder, means arranged circumferentially on said copyholder to receive a flexible telegraph massage sheetduring movement at scanning speed and to retain the same for transmission of the message thereon, means to position said flexible sheet adjacent to said copyholder and to permit movement of said sheet toward said copyholder as said copyholder receiving means engages said sheet, and means for automatically removing said sheet from said copyholder upon the completion of the transmission of said-message.

4. In a facsimile machine, a rotatable cylinder to receive a flexible sheet to be scanned, means arranged circumferentially on said cylinder adapted to engage and retain said sheet on said cylinder.during rotation at scanning speed, a feed chute for the sheet ending adjacent to said cylinder and means for engaging an end of the sheet to remove the sheet from the cylinder after a scanning operation.

, 5. An automatic telegraph system comprising a transmitting device, conveying means for delivering a message carrying sheet to said transmitting device, means in said transmitting device for receiving said sheet and automatically transmitting signals representative of the message'on the sheet, and means for preventing said conveying means from delivering another message carrying sheet to the transmitting device during transmission by the device of the message on the first named message sheet.

6. An automatic telegraph system comprising a transmitting device, conveying means for delivering a message carrying sheet to said transmitting device, means in said transmitting device for receiving said sheet when presented thereto in properly oriented position relative to said transmitting device, means for automatically transmitting signals representative of the message on said sheet, and means to reject said sheet when presented to said transmitting device in other positions relative thereto.

'7. An automatic telegraph system comprising a'transmitting device, conveying meansfor de livering a message carrying sheet of predetermined configuration to-said transmitting device, means in said transmitting device for receiving said sheet and automatically transmitting signals representative of the message on the sheet, and means associated with said conveying means and coacting with said predeterminedconfiguration of the message sheet for causing the same to be received by the transmitting device in proper position for transmission of the message on the sheet.

8. An automatic telegraph system comprising a transmitting device, conveying means for delivering a message carrying sheet to said transmitting device, means in said transmitting device for receiving said sheet and automatically transmitting signalsrepresentative of the message on the sheet, and selectively operable means associated with said conveying means for preventing the sheet from being delivered to the transmitting device until after a predetermined operation of said selectively operable means.

9. An automatic'telegraph system comprising transmittingapparatus for transmitting signals in accordance with a message control form, means for operatively associating said message control form with said transmitting apparatus for automatic transmission of the message,'receiving apparatus responsive to said signals for receiving the transmitted message, and signaling means including means at the receiving apparatus for selectively effecting retransmission of said message by said transmission apparatus to said receiving apparatus; i

10. In a facsimile machine, a scanner comprising a rotatable cylinder, tooth members projecting from said cylinder to pierce and retain a flexible sheet closely in contact with the periphery of said cylinder and means for pressing a sheet against said toothed members.

11. A facsimile machine comprising a copyholding cylinder, 2. cover for said machine, said cover having an aperture therein adapted to receive a message sheet, means for conveying said message sheet to said cylinder, a closure for said aperture, and meansfor operating said closure from a point remote from said closure.

12. Message sheet feeding and retaining means for the copyholder of a facsimile scanner, comprising means on said copyholder designed to pierce and retain a flexible sheet in position on said copyholder, and means to receive and position a flexible sheet within reach of said first named means whereby the sheet will be pierced by said first named means and drawn on to said copyholder during movement thereof.

13. In a facsimile machine, a. scanner comprising a rotatable cylinder, toothed members projecting from said cylinder to pierce and retain a flexible sheetclosely in contact with the periphery of said cylinder, and a roller in contact with said cylinder adjacent said toothed members to smooth said sheet on said cylinder.

14; A facsimile telegraph machine including a scanner comprising a rotatable cylinder, toothed members on said cylinder for piercing and retaining a message sheet in close contact with the surface ofsaid cylinder, a chute substantially tangential to said cylinder and having one end. thereof positioned adjacent said cylinder whereby a-flexible sheet passing through. said chute towards the cylinder will be seized by said toothed members and wrapped upon said cylinder.

15. 'A facsimile "machine including a scanner comprising a rotatable cylinder, toothed members projecting from said cylinder to pierce and retain a flexible sheet in contact with the periphery thereof, a message chute spaced from a line tangent to said cylinder and having one end thereof adjacent the periphery of said cylinder whereby a message sheet moved through said chute towards the cylinder will be seized by said toothed members and wrapped upon said cylinder during rotation thereof, a closure member for said message chute at its end opposite said cylinder, and means to operate said closure member from a remote point thereby to preventthere ception of a message sheet by said cylinder.

16. A facsimile telegraph system comprising in combination a scanning mechanism, a movable cylindrical copyholder therefor, means for feeding copy to said copy holder, and copy retaining means carried by said copy holder and actuated solely by operation thereof for securing copies thereon for scanning. I i

17. A facsimile telegraph system comprising in combination a transmitting device, a receiving device, a rotary copy holder for said transmitting device, a chute for feeding copy to said copy holder, means actuatedautomatically by move ment of said copyholder to secure said copy in place thereon for scanning, and means "responsive to a signal transmitted from said receiving mechanism for removing said copy from said holder, l v

18. A facsimile telegraph system comprising in combination a scanning mechanism, a movable copy holder therefor, means for delivering copy to said copy holder duringmovement thereof, and means actuated automatically by movement thereof for positioning and securing said copy thereon. t 19. A facsimile telegraph system comprising in combination a scanning mechanism, a"rota'ry cylindrical copy holder therefor, meansfor delivering copy to said copyholder during movement thereof, and means actuated by movement thereof for engaging said copy circumferentially thereof to position and secure said copy thereon. 20. A facsimile telegraph system including a communication circuit, a plurality of transmitting devices connected to saidcircuit, a receiving device connected to said circuit, a lockingmechanis'm associated with each transmitting device for preventing operation'thereofand ineans responsive to a predetermined potential'characteristic of said circuit for actuating said locking mechanisms;

21. A facsimile telegraph system including a communication" circuit, a plurality of transmit ting devices connected to said circuit, a receiving device connected to said circuit, a locking mechanism associated with each transmitting device for preventing operation thereof, and means for actuating said locking mechanisms from said receiving device.

22. A facsimile telegraph system including a communication circuit, a plurality of transmitting devices connected to said circuit, a receiving device connected to said circuit, a locking mechanism associated with each transmitting device for preventing operation thereof, and means actuated by operation of one/of said trans mitting devices for affecting the potential characteristic of said circuit, and means responsive to said potential characteristic for actuating the locking mechanisms on said other transmitting devices to prevent interfering operation'thereof;

24. An automtaic telegraph system comprising 10 a scanning mechanism, a chute for delivering to said mechanism a sheet having a beveled corner, means normally closing said chute against the passage of said sheet, said last means being operable by engagement with the beveled corner of said sheet when introduced into said chute in a predetermined position, to open said chute and permit the passage of the sheet therethrough.

25. An automatic telegraph system comprising a scanning mechanism, a chute for delivering to said mechanism a' sheet having a beveled corner, and a yielding stop extending into said chute to block the passage of a sheet therethrough, said stop adapted to be engaged and moved to inoperative position by the beveled corner of a sheet when introduced into said chute in a predetermined position relative to said mechanism, to permit the passage of said sheet therethrough, but to engage and prevent the passage of a sheet introduced into said chute in other 15 relative positions.

RALEIGH J. WISE. GARVICE H. RDJINGS.

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