US2333463A - Apparatus for recording statistical records - Google Patents

Description

2,333,463 APPARATUS FOR-RECORDING STATISTICAL RECORDS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 mela/Na morir Nov. 2, 1943. J, w. BRYCE Original Filed June 1'7, 1938 l FIGJA.r FIGJB. OHLI'FRT//YC MM RE'CR/NG M65' INV N OR ATT RNEY STI Nov. 2, 1943. .J` w. BRYCE APPARATUS FOR RECORDING STATISTICAL RECORDS ginal Filed June 17, 193s s sheets-sheet 2 Ori HLQENTOR y 'ATToRNE Nov. 2, 1943.` J. w. BRYCE 2,333,463

APPARATUS FOR RECORDING STATISTICAL RECRDS Olr'iginal Fi1ed.June 17, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGJZ.

INVENTO 0. R

` ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 2, 1943 euries APPARATUS FOR RECRDING STATKSTICAL RECORDS James W. Bryce, Glenltidge, N. J., assigner to international Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., o, corporation of .New York @.iriginai application June 17, 1938, Serial No. 214,461. Divided and this application March 19, 1941, Scritti No. 384,156

l Claim.

This invention relates to apparatus for recording dota on stetisticel record elements, end is e. division ci the zzo-pending application Serial No. 214,401, filed June l?, i938.

object ci the present invention resides .in the provision ci. en improved record element recording rappers-.tus wherein individuel recording memets ure positioned dncrentielly, which mug nets ure heid 'rc close proximity to, und opposite various :indes point positions of, e stationery megnetieehle record element, und ere energized momentarily, simultaneously, to record the desired dote, in term or discretely megnetiued crees et 'the different index point positions.

@ther objects of the invention will he pointed out in the following description und claim und illustreted in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by wey ci? example, the principle of the invention und 'the leest mode, which has been contemplated, ci' applying that principle.

in the drawings: 1

Figs. 1.4i, imh, and l-C show diagrammaticully the ohlitereting, recording, und reading ineens for detecting magnetic conditions on e. record.

Fig. 2 shows en emplier system including magnetic residing` means in the input circuit.

Fig. 3 shows e detailed view of e. control element.

Figs. 4 to 9 show detail sections of different forms ci control elements.

Fig. i0 shows e. cross sectional View of one type ot" record prepering device. 4 Fis. ll shows e detail section ci the device shown. in Fig. lo.

(Ci. 23d- 1.5)

upon a carrier or base; (3) or a, form of colloidal metal and sprayed or coated upon e, carrier 0r hase es a metallic coeting; (Il) or c. form of coating or layer of materiel deposited on e. carrier by an electrolytic process; 5) or may be in the form of a granular materiel such es filings and mixed in suitable paper used es a carrier; (6) or a form of nely divided metal powder incorporated in lil ' Fig. l2 is u circuit diagram of 'the control circuits for the device shown in Figs. 1o und 1l.

Control records iihe control records to he described and shown in Figs. 3 to 9 must fulfill certain requirements in order to he adaptable to accounting system processes. The records, ooi course, must c0m prise suitable niegnetizuble substances which, when subjected to controlling magnetic elds and removed therefrom, retain suitable remanent fluxes therein which will be effective to create or initiate current impulses when presented to suiteble detecting or sensing devices.

The magneti/roble materiel may be incorporated in or form part of the control record in various ways, for exemple. (1) the said material may he in the forni of o metallic wafer or strip, or individual wafers or strips; (2) or maybe in the form of metal powder or nliugs suitably fixed the pulp before manufacturing the peper carrier or hose.

Irrespectlve of the method employed to form the control records, it is imperative that the rec-- .ortis produced be cepeole of withstanding the stresses to which they ore subjected by the rapid und repeetedhendling of the records in the verious accounting machines. It is necessary that the records have sufficient rigidity and durability to be adaptedfor end capable of being electromechenicelly segregated, sorted and tabulated and withstand the exigencies of repeated operations. 1

It is also necessary to form the control records so as to be provided with et least one surface to readily receive legible matter such as various characters or marks formed by writing, printlng, or typewriting. This requisite is quite important in View of the :fact that the magnetic innuences impressed on the control records are not visually discernible and therefore 'the appearance and coniguration of the control records remain unchanged; that is, the records appear exactly the same ei'ter recording the date thereon as theyeppeerecl before recording of the data. was

effected. ln this manner, it is possible to identify the various discrete magnetic influences impressed on the records. Not only is it possible to identify the 'various recordings by the correspending characters written or printed on the surface of the records, but also the entire surface, or any part thereof, is free to be used for reception of additional data which it might be l desired to include thereon. The lutter feature is possible since the surface of the record is not altered or mutilated for the purpose of recording the particular data.

It is evident, too, thet subsequent entries of the legible characters may be made upon the surface of the record from time to time. This makes it possible to delete or strike out any of the printed or written characters as desired or add thereto, particularly in View of the fact that' the magnetic influences impressed on the records may be obliterated und substituted by new recordings from time to time. Sulcient space on the surface of the card should be available to receive the additional printed or wriitten recording identifying matter in the event it is desired merely to strike out the irrelevant legible matter.

With reference now to the figures, particularly Fig. 3, the control record D represents, in the present instance, a control element of standard size, that is, similar in size to the records for use with accounting machines of the well known Hollerith type, and comprising magnetizable material and having a surface capable of receiving legible characterizations.

The surface of the control record D in the igure is shown to be dividedinto a plurality of individual index point positions. In practice, it is to be understood that the said index point positions need not be indicated as shown in the figure and that the illustration used is merely for descriptive purposes, since it is impossible to show graphically the magnetic inuences impressed in the various control areas.

It is seen that a plurality of columnar areas I are provided along the minor axis of thel control record D and that each columnar area is subdivided into a plurality of code or index point positions 11, each position representing a certain value or characterization. columnar area, as shown, is divided into ten positions, the values of which increase in value from the top to the bottom of the record. In this respect, the index point positions are arranged and identied similarly as is the customary and well known arrangement of the Hollerith record. It is to the speciiic positions 11 where the discrete magnetic influences are directed and` impressed in accordance with the data desired to be recorded. It is evident, therefore, that the statistical information or data are arranged in the form of arbitrary indications coded according to their positions on the record.

The magnetic material may be in a form or state that it will not readily receive writing -or printing, and it is obvious that such a surface must be provided so as to enable the identification of the records and interpretation of the data impressed thereon. The term writing surface" is meant to include a surface which will readily take impressions from a pencil, pen, typewriter, hand stamp, printing press, or other kindred instrument. In Fig. 3, the entire plan surface of the control record is capable of receiving such legible impressions, and, as indicated on the record, the legible indications may be arranged at the head of the columns to interpret the code impressions in the corresponding columns. In addition to the columnar code indications, the remaining surface of the record is available and capable of receiving legible impressions, since the magnetic influences impressed on the record in the various positions do not alter the conilguration of the record, and the legible impressions in no way disturb or alter the effects of the magnetic impressions.

It should be mentioned at this time, that in addition to the different positions 11, a space l2 is provided available for the reception of additional magnetic impressions which can be used for various control purposes or in combination with the impressions disposed in the positions 11 to expand the number of code combinations on the records. It is well known that for certain control ,purposes "11 and 12 index point positions are provided on a control record and in such cases where this is desirable it is possible to impress the discrete magnetic influences to be utilized for control purposes in the 11 and 12" positions For example, eachv for any columnar area I0, in the space I2 designated on the record in the figure.

Referring now to Figs. 4 to 9, different forms of control records comprising magnetizable material will be described, and it is to be understood that each record described hereinbelow can be conditioned in the manner just described and the arrangement of the magnetic influences and legible impressions can be made in accordance with the description set forth in conjunction with the record D in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 4, the record is shown to comprise a carrier or base Il which may be of paper stock prepared from coniferous chemical pulp free from ground wood. although other material, preferably non-magnetic, may be used as a support or backing as long as it is strong and durable and capable of withstanding the stresses to which it is subjected. A wafer or foil of magnetic material Il is shown secured t0 the carrier I3 by any vsuitable bond or cementitious material I5, such as glue. In order to protect the foil or wafer of magnetic material, and also to provide a writing surface for the record, a layer of suitable paper I6, such as mentioned hereinbefore, is provided and secured to the magnetic wafer I4 by a layer of cementitious material I1.

It. should be mentioned at this time that it has been found that magnetic lines of force, when suitable coils are used and the proper voltages are applied thereto (depending upon the materials used in the record), will travel through nonmagnetic material and cementitious layers generally without hindrance or interruption.

Referring now to Fig. 5, a record is shown to comprise a sheet of suitable non-magnetic vma terial I8 such as paper, which is impregnated with granular magnetic material, generally indicated at I9, such as iron lings. Or, if preferred, the carrier IB may be made by depositing finely divided metal powder in the paper pulp so as to be incorporated therein before the manufacture of the magnetizable paper stock. The impregnated paper may then be treated and coated on both sides with layers of ink retaining varnish 20. The layers of varnish serve two purposes; (l) to protect the impregnated carrier I8, and (2) to provide a writing surface on the record.

In Fig. 6, the impregnated sheet I8 is shown to be covered with layers of suitable plain paper stock 2| secured to the impregnated stock by cementitious material 22. One of said layers of plain stock 2| should be capable of receiving printing or legible character marks.

In Fig. 7, one of the plies of paper stock 23 is coated with a metallic coating 24 and secured to the other by cementitious material 25. To this end, suitable metal powder or filings may be suspended in any suitable binder and sprayed or coated on one of the plies of paper stock. Colloidal iron may be used and sprayed thereon as a metallic coating. l

In Figs. -8 and 9, still another modification is shown to comprise two plies of suitable paper stock 26, having discrete magnetizable portions 21 at all the index `point positions formed on one of the said plies of paper stock. These portions may be coated on the paper stock similarly to the coating 2l described in conjunction with Fig. 7. A stencil plate may be used to cover the paper stock when the coating of the magnetizable material is to be applied thereto, or the portions 2l may be printed thereon similarly as ordinary printed matter. The magnetizable portions are positioned to correspond to the positioning of the index point positions Il (Fig. 3). The plies of stock 26 are then secured by the cementitious material 28.

It is seen from the foregoing description how I control records suitable for use in present day accounting systems can be formed, saidJ records Y y Recording apparatus Referring now to Figs. 10, 11, and 12, the recording apparatus shown therein is arranged to store the data represented by the different characters which are selected from a keyboard, and later are recorded in the form of discrete magnetic impressions upon the record elements; the impressions are recorded simultaneously, whereas the selected data to be recorded 'are set up column by column in the storing device. This device is similar in some respects to the record preparing device shown and described in detail in the U. S. Patent No. 2,015,795, issued to J. W. Bryce. Magnetic impression means, which may be diierentially positioned with respect to the magnetizable record element, are provided; the record feeding mechanism and the like are shown fully in the said Bryce patent, so for this reason, the following brief description is deemed to be suicient to understand the operation of the present type of recording device.

The record elements comprising magnetiaable material are fed from a hopper iti by means of the conventional picker mechanism l5 to feed rollers l? which advance each record element to a recording position where its movement is interrupted 'by a stop 18 and thus held in position until the recording is completed. Rollers 19 then engage the record element, advancing it to rollers 80 which deliver it to a discharge hopper 8l. A magnet 82, suitably secured to the frame of the machine, is disposed at 'the entrance of the record guide member G3. This magnet will be referred to as the obhterating magnet and is adapted to` create a magnetic ield along the entire length of the record. In this manner, as the record is fed, the entire record will be presented to the magnetic eld created by the magnet 82.

Individual recording magnets 84 are provided, one for each columnar area of the record in which it is desired to record the data characterizations, and are'adapted to be differentially areas to represent the different characterizations in each column. The individual magnets are mounted on individual selector bars $5 which are vertically slidable in suitable frame members and are normally drawn upward by spring-pressed fingers 86. The crossheady 8'! cooperating with the selector bars is elevated by link t9 and lever 89 secured to shaft 90. .An arm 9i, also secured to shaft 90, is provided with a follower roller riding in a groove in lbox cam 92 xed on shaft 93.

It will be understood that as the crosshead di rises all the bars 85 are elevated in unison, thus positioning the associated recording magnets 84.

'relay itil, titi, etc.

To differentially determine the movement of the selector bars, pawls 94 are provided, and cooperate with the ratchet teeth in bars 85. The said pawls are released by the call Wires 95 which connect to the proper armatures of the control magnets 9S. A pair of individual conducting strips 91 are provided for each recording'magnet 84 so that the said magnets can be energized at any of the different columnar positions. p

Provision is made in the form of a commutator mechanism generally designated 93 for controlling the selector bar control magnets et. An individual commutator mechanism is provided for each columnar area desired to be recorded. The said mechanism is controlled by the bank of individual keys et, each key operating one or more contacts itil which are connected to the different conducting bars lili to UM. ln addition to operating the associated contacts itt, each .key 9d is adapted to operate the common contacts m5, which in turn control the energization ci the control solenoids ii, ill", etc. A controllsolanoid is provided. for each columnar area desired to be recorded and comprises four groups of contacts ict, Miis etc., each group connected to each of the conducting bars Sdi to i 'l and to the magnets H2, lit, etc.I Each set ci magnets H2, its, etc., is connected to a single control The magnets iid, etc., are effective to control the positioning of the brushes lit, lie, etc., of the commutator niecha nisms $28. The purpose ci the niechan'mni is to initiate timed impulses to control the energi- Zation of the associated selector bar magnets whenever the positioned brushes lit complete a circuit through the associated conimutator con ducting rings, A complete description of the cornrnutator mechanism is set forth in the Bryce patent and reference can be made thereto .for further details. The times at which the impulses are initiated represent the original data set up in the storing device, namely, magnets lit, titl, etc.. In the Fig. 12, several ci the commutator .mechanisrns and storing magnets are shown diagramu -matically for several columnar positions or areas.

it will, of course, be understood that there is an individual unit (coinmutator mechanism and associated control magnets) for each columnar area of the record and that the disclosure has been limited to several units to avoid repetition of similar parts.

The operation of the device will now be described with particular reference to a spechc example. Let it be assumed that the characters 3,

' r 5, 8 are to be magnetically recorded in three col umnar areas of the record. Depression of the three key is effective to close the associated contacts itil and the common contacts K55 to establish the following circuits: one side of the line i2i, contacts m5, coil of the solenoid iil, contacts B of relay lid to the other side oi the line 22, energizing the said solenoid to connect the set of magnets il' to the conducting bars ll to ldd. Due to the closed contacts lili) associated with the operated key, magnets H2 connected to the bars it? and 84 and the common relay i i5 are energized. Energization of the said magnets H2 is eieotive to position the associated brushes H8 of the commutator device 98, so that when the commutator device is set in motion, a correctly timed impulse is initiated to energize the control magnet te 'to position the corresponding recording magnet td so that at a later time the magnet is effective 'to create a constant magnetic field directed to the three index point field of the corresponding column.

Energization of the relay ||5 causes the associated A and C contacts to be closed, and the B contacts to be opened thereby deenergizing the solenoid |06. and closing a circuit from the contacts |05 to the solenoid |01. Therefore, it is seen that upon operation of the ve key, the solenoid |01 is operated, permitting the magnet ||3 connected to bar |02 to be energized and also the common relay H6. Magnet ||3 conditions the corresponding commutator device 98 so as to be effective to initiate a single timed impulse to control the operation of magnet 96 upon operation of the said commutator. Operation of relay I I6 causes the solenoid |01-to be deenergized, and extends the circuit from contacts |05 to solenoid |08, so that upon the operation of the next key, namely, the eight key, the said solenoid is energized, Energization of the solenoid |08 permits the magnets ||4 connected to the bars |02 and |03 to be energized and also relay ||1. Energization of the magnets |I4 conditions its corresponding commutator mechanism 98 so as to initiate a properly timed impulse to energize the magnet 96 upon operation of the said mechanism.

Upon completion of the character storing operation, key |23 is operated to energize the magnets |24 and |25, the operation of which is effective 1) to initiate the feeding of a record to the recording position, (2) to start the positioning of the bars 85, and (3) to initiate operation of the commutator mechanisms 98 which in turn are then effective to initiate impulses to energize the circuits to the control magnets 96 at differential times, in accordance with p the setting of the brushes ||8, IIS, etc., so as to interrupt the upward movement of the recording magnets, namely at the 3, 5, and 8 index point positions,

During the time the record element is fed to the recording position, the CC--l contacts are operated to connect the alternating current source to the obliterating magnet 82 so that the said magnet is effective to create an alternating magnetic field which is impressed upon the element as it is fed past the magnet, thus obliterating all previous magnetic recordings on the record and restoring the magnetizable material thereof to a non-magnetized state, in this manner restoring the record to a condition so as to be receptive to a new recording after the record element is advanced to the recording position.

After all the recording magnets 84 are positoned in accordance with the setting of the commutator mechanisms, the cam operated contacts CC-2 are closed to permit the recording magnets to be energized thus impressing constant magnetic fields upon the said individual index point positions or areas of the record. The contacts CC-2 are operated only for a period sufiicient to impress the individual magnetic fields upon the record element. Upon removal of the magnetic fields from the record element, the

magnetlzable material thereof retains the recordings in the form of discrete magnetic impresslons, said impressions differentially positioned upon the record in accordance with the data originally -set up upon the keys 99. Upon completion of recording the data. upon the record, the record is discharged in the hopper 8|, and the control elements of the machine are restored to normal, so

, that additional records may be prepared in the manner just described.

It should be mentioned that by opening the switches |26 and closing the switches |21 and |28, any desired columnar areas can be skipped during the operation of the character storing devices. Opening of switch 26 is effective to ren-- der the corresponding solenoid |06 inoperative, and closure of switch |21 shunts the normally open contacts A of relay I5v to continue the cir- Acuit from the contacts |05 to the next solenoid tion of the keys 99.

Cil

desired to be energized upon subsequent opera- Closure of switches |28 causes the signal lamps |23 to be energized to indicate that the column to which it corresponds ls to be skipped without receiving an entry.

It is noted that at the uppermost position of the magnets 84, the associated conducting strips 81 are provided with insulating segments |30, so that when it is desired to skip any of the columns as just explained, the associated magnets 84 will not be energized when the corresponding selector bars 85 are positioned in the uppermost position which is beyond the l2 index point position.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single modification,

it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claim.

What is claimed is:

In an apparatus for magnetically recording data designations at selected index point positions, in various columns of a record sheet comprising material capable of being magnetized and retaining discrete magnetic spots; means to receive the record sheet and to hold the same in a fixed position; a plurality o f recording magnets. one for each column of the record sheet, said magnets having exposed poles and being mounted so as to be independently movable along parallel paths, to position their respective poles opposite any one of the index point positions of the rcspective columns of the record sheet; differential operating means for individually positioning said recording magnets at selected index point positions along their respective columns; and means to energize said recording magnets simultaneously after they are positioned, to make magnetic spots on the record sheet at said selected index point positions.

JAMES W. BRYCE.

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