US2355282A - Transmission system for statistical data - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 8, 1944.

FIGJ.

A. H. DICKINSON TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR STATISTICAL DATA Filed Feb. 3, 1959 I gu J a I '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 AiToRNEY A g- 8, 4- A. H. DICKINSON 2,355,282

TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR STATISTICAL DATA Filed Feb. 3, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 v. VENTOR ATTORNEY W? 1944- A. H. DICKINSON 2,355,282

TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR STATISTICAL DATA Filed Feb. 5} 1939 7 She'ts-She'et 3 I r 2 l ENTOR ATTORNEY Aug; 8, 1944. I

A. H. plCKlNSON TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR STATISTICAL DATA Filed Feb. 5, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 mwE WMII ATTORNEY Aug. 8, 1944. A. H. DICKINSON TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR STATISTICAL DATA Filed Feb. 3, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 43 u 53 m A m AT'I'ORNEY Aug. 8, 1944. A. H. DICKINSON A TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR STATISTICAL DATA Filed Feb. 3, 1939 'T Sheets-Sheet 6 dnn mmqmuve BY m ATTORNEY l- 1944. A. H. DICKINSON 2,355,282

TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR STATISTICAL DATA Filed Feb: 3, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 HGBQ.

Flee:

" .FIGSQ.

i l l i I 1-lli L L 1} A A A L FlG.9b.

:1 FIGJO.

WISE I4 m INVENTOR pang? ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 8 1944 UNITED STATES, PATENT orsics 2,355,282 TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOE STATISTICAL DATA Arthur H. Dickinson, Bronxville, N. Y., assignor to International Business Machines Comration, New York, N. Y., a corporation oi New York 7 Application February 3, 1939, Serial No. 254,411

9 Claims.

This invention relates to transmission systems for statistical data and, more particularly, to systems of the type wherein data accumulating and recording unitsare provided at a secondary station to be operated in accordance with data transmitted from a primary station.

It is the general object of the present inven of the data in accordance with diflerent phase re lationships. Still another object of the inventionis to provide means to form a succession of impulses which by their phase differences represent difierent columns of statistical and control data, to transmit these impulses simultaneously, and to separate the same into component impulses to effect entry into, and operation of, accumulating and recording units of an accounting machine.

A further object-is the provision of means .whereby different phases are used to distinguish one column of data from another irrespective of the differential time at which they become chectivc.

A still iurther object is to provide means whereby a plurality of different phases representing columns of statistical data are employed to modulate a carrier wave for simultaneous transmission and, upon transmission, are separated from. the latter and further separated into distinct impulses for shooting control of an ac counting machine at a distant point.

It is also an object of the invention to provide record control of the operations of a distantly located accounting machine in their proper sequence by signals of different phase relationships.

Another object resides in the provision of automatic group control means which is responsive to a series of impulses of different phase relationships transmitted simultaneously to compare these impulses with control indicia appearing on record cards to effect control of both transmitting and receiving units in accordance with record groups.

An additional object is the provision of means whereby corresponding phase relationships are established for corresponding columns of record cards presented successively at a sensing station and the time at which like phase relationships are established on successive record cards is compared by automatic group control means to control accumulating, total taking, and resetting operations of'an accounting machine at a distant oint. p In the usual electrical tabulating and accounting machines, the general circuit pattern comprises a single circuit extending to an analyzing unit where the record card, by its passage therethrough and the data indications it bears, causes a number of parallel circuits to be completed to,

the automatic group control, accumulating, and recording units, the parallel circuits thereupon combining over a single circuit for the return to the source of power supply. According to the present invention, however, a plurality of sources of energy are provided and are transmitted simultaneously under record control over a single medium, whereupon the original plurality of electrical characteristics are reestablished as distinct impulses for the control of accumulating and recording units. The fact that a single carrier medium rather than parallel circuits is utilized becomesparticularly advantageous where the accumulating and recording units of an accounting machine are remotely located with respect to its card feeding and analyzing unit: It is to be remembered, nevertheless, that the present invention is equally applicable to an accounting machine of the usual compact structure.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. i is an outside view 01 the record feeding and analyzing mechanism showing the card feed and reset clutching devices, which mechanism is located at the transmitting station.

Fig. 1a is a detail section on line ia-ia 'of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is a detail view of the controlling devices of the accumulator resetting mechanism at the receiving station.

Fig. 3 is a central section of the printing mechanism at the receiver.

Fig. 4 is a detail of an impulse emitting commutator associated With the printing mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a plan sectional view showing the main driving and operating mechanism for the printing unit.

Fig. 6 is" a view of one order of the accumulator.

Fig. '7 is a. representative diagram of the circuits associated with the transmitter.

Fig. 7a is a diagram of the circuits at the receiver.

Fig. 8 is a timing chart of the circuit closing devices utilized in the circuits at the transmitter.

Fig. 8a is a timing chart of the circuit closing devices employed in the receiver circuits.

Figs. 9, 9a, and 9b show the relationship of the wave shapes of the currents energizing the various units of the system.

Fig. 10 illustrates the relationship of the outof-phase impulse wave forms for one embodiment of the invention.

The machine to which the features of the present invention are applied is similar to that shown in the U. S. Patent #1,976,617 issued to C. D. Lake and G. F. Daly on October 9, 1934. That patent illustrates and explains in more extensive detail the manner of organization and mode of operation of the various units of a well known type of accounting machine. In the present application, these units will be explained in only as much detail as will be necessary to point out the manner in which the objects of the present invention may be realized.

Before setting forth the general operation of the machine, the various mechanical units will be described and their relationship pointed out thereafter.

Card feeding mechanism The card feeding mechanism shown in Fig. 1 is identical with that shown and described in the aforementioned patent except that provision is made in the form of a clutching device for in terrupting the card feeding operations without stopping the main drive shaft. As described in the said Lake I: Daly Patent 1,976,617, the main drive shaft, which is the shaft l3 in the patent, is normally held stationary in a certain angular position, known in the art as the D" position. Upon energization of a solenoid, it is released and clutched to a constantly running pulley member. Similar arrangements are utilized in accordance with the present invention to start the main drive shafts of the independently located card feeding and manifesting mechanisms from corresponding D positions at the same instant, by clutching them simultaneously to two synchronized motor drives, in a manner to be explained. The analyzing brushes are indicated at U3 and LB, and a stack of record cards R are successively advanced by picker 3 to pairs of feed rollers III which serve to advance the cards past the upper and lower brushes U3 and LB in succession. The shafts upon which rollers II are mounted are provided with gears at their extremities, arranged as shown in Fig. 1 for operation by a main driving gear II which is freely mounted upon a shaft 3 and which has connection with an arm I! through a sleeve 1 (Fig. 1a). Arm It carries a spring-pressed clutching dog [3 normally held in the position shown by an armature latch II which is adapted to be controlled by clutch magnet Between gear II and arm l are located gear l3 and clutch driving disc 14 freely rotatable upon the sleeve 1. Gear l3 has connection generally designated l2 with main drive shaft 3 which is in operation as long as it is clutched to the driving pulley, as described in the Lake and Daly Patent 1,976,617. Energization of magnet l3 causes dog It to be tripped into engagement with disc l4, and the card feeding mechanism thereupon causes the records T to be advanced past the brushes U3 and LB. Card feeding operations continue as long as magnet l3 remains energized.

During total taking cycles of operation to be explained later, magnet I3 is deenergized and thus card feeding will not take place during such cycles.

games:

Printing mechanism The printing mechanism is shown in Fig. 3 where type bars 23 are carried by cross-head 2| which is slidable vertically on rods 22. Springpressed arms 23 pivoted to the cross-head at 24 have their free ends butting the lower extremity of the type bars so that, as the cross-head moves upwardly, the type bars are urged in the same direction. The reciprocating movement of the cross-head is controlled from shaft 19' corresponding to shaft I! of Fig. 1, the latter being continually driven from the main operating shaft 6 at the transmitter, whenever the main clutch is engaged, and the former being driven from a corresponding shaft (not shown) at the receiver which is kept in synchronism and constant phase relationship to shaft 6, in a manner to be described hereinafter. Shaft l3' has secured thereto a clutch driving element 25 notched to cooperate with a clutching dog 26 carried by and pivoted to listing cam 21. Clutch releasing arm 28 cooperates with dog 23 to hold the parts in the position shown when magnet 29 is deenergized. Energization of magnet 23 causes arm 28 to rock in a counterclockwise direction releasing dog 26 for engagement with element 25 whereupon the listing cam rotates with shaft l9 and, through follower arm 33, effects the rocking of shaft 3i.

Secured to shaft 3| are arms 32 whose free ends have link connection to the cross-head 2i causing the latter to be reciprocated once for each revolution of the listing cam. As the type bars move upwardly, the type elements 33 successively pass the printing position opposite platen 34 and ratchet teeth 35 successively pass the toe of the stop pawl 36. Energization of printing magnet 31 effects the tripping of latch 33, permitting stop pawl 36 to engage one of the ratchet teeth 35 and thus positioning the corresponding type element opposite the platen.

Associated with each type bar 23 is a springpressed printing hammer 40 pivoted at 4|. The hammer normally rests against an operating bail 42 also pivoted at 4|, the bail being operatively connected to a tripping member 43 which is biased in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 44. The lower extremity of one arm of member 43 is in latching cooperation with an arm 45 pivoted at 46 to the cross-head operating lever 32. As the lever 32 is rocked in a clockwise direction to elevate the cross-head 2| and the type bar 20, the pivot 43 is moved upwardly therewith and causes the tripping member 43 to be rocked clockwise against the action of spring 44. The connection between the ball 42 and the member 43 is such that the ball is rocked counterclockwise away from the type elements 33. As the lever 32 reaches its utmost extremity of travel, a pin 41 carried by arm 45 brings about the release of the tripping member 43 so that the latter is rocked rapidly in a counterclockwise direction by the action of spring 44. The hammer bail 42 is concurrently rocked in a clockwise direction against the hammers 40 causing the latter to strike the type elements 33 which are in a printing position to effect printing there-.

from.

Accumulating mechanism The adding mechanism is identical to that shown and described in patent referred to and the description thereof will accordingly be limited to a brief explanation of its manner of operation. The accumulator drive shaft 53 (Fig. 6) is geared directly to the main drive shaft at the receiver (not shown) which corresponds to; and is kept in synchronism and constant phase relation with shaft at the transmitter (Pig; 1). The annular relationship between the teeth on the main clutch ratchets and the armatures of the synchronous motors TM and TMr is initially established by timing marks on the respective elements. The ratchets have a tooth for each possible angular position at which they may be pulled into synchronous speed. Thus, if the engaging pawls of the clutches are tripped slightly ahead of the tooth in which they are to engage, a slight variance in the tripping time will not cause any detrimental effect in view of the fact that they are engaged at the same instant by the driving faces of the next ratchet teeth. Shaft 53 is thus kept in operation as long as the driving motor at, the receiver is clutched thereto and the driving ratio is such that this shaft makes one revolution for each record feeding cycle at the transmitter. A clutch element 54, slidably mounted on shaft 53 but keyed for rotation therewith, is provided for each denominational order of the accumulator. The element 54 is provided with a groove in which fits the short arm of a lever 55 pivoted as shown and having a block 56 normally held as in Fig. 6 by armature latch 51 of an adding magnet 58. A leaf spring 59 bears against the extremity of the longer arm of lever 55 and moves the same in a counterclockwise direction upon release of block 56 by armature 51. This movement brings clutching member 54 into engagement with cooperating teeth 60 which are integral with a gear til loosely mounted on shaft 53. Gear when thus coupled to shaft 53, causes the rotation of a gear 62 meshing therewith and consequently the -displacement of accumulator index wheel 63. The rearward extremity of member 55 is adapted to be engaged by a finger 64 toward the end of the cycle for the purpose of disengaging the clutch element 5E from teeth Eli and relatching block 58 on armature, 51.

Briefly summarizing the adding operation, it is noted that magnet 58 may be energized at various points in the cycle of the machine, depending upon the location of a data indication in a column of the record card being analyzed by the lower brushes LB. Th s energization may occur in response to a digit indication in any of the index point positions from 9 to l inclusive. Should a digit indication be in the 9 index point position, clutch element 56 is tripped nine steps before finger 64 is operated to declutch it. Similarly, a digit indication in the "1 index net 58 also causes the closing of a pair of so-' called accumulator-list contacts 58a associated therewith to establish circuits to the print magnets on listing cycles which will be described later in connection with the circuit diagram.

Read-out mechanism Also driven by gear BI is a gear 65- Since the ratioof gears 65 and H is 2:1, the former will turn through a half revolution for each revolution of the latter. Carried by and insulated from gear is a pair of electrically connected brushes I, one of which cooperates successively with the conducting segments 61 while the other coopcrates with an arcuate conducting strip 88.

The relationship of the parts is such that, when the index wheel 53 is in its zero position, one of the brushes 58 is in contact with the zero segment 61 and the other brush is in contact with the strip 88, thus forming an electrical connection between the two. If the wheel 63 is displaced to indicate, say, "8," then one of the brushes 56 will be in contact with the "8 segment 61 and the other brush will be in contact with the arcuate strip 60.

The positioning of the brushes 66 provides a convenient electrical read-out mechanism for controlling total printing operation and the electrical circuits involved in these functions will be more fully explained with reference to the circuit diagram.

Accumulator resetting mechanism driven forwardly to the zero position during a single revolution of shaft 69.

Referring to Fig. 2, shaft 69 carries a gear 19 at its extremity which is in engagement with gear H mounted upon reset shaft 72. Goal- II, of which there is one for each accumulator, is coupled to the resetting shaft 12 in the well known manner more fully explained in the patent above referred to. At the extremity of shaft 12 is a gear 13 (see also Fig. 5) which is adapted to be driven by an intermediate gear 14 which is secured to shaft l5 which corresponds to shaft 15 shown in Fig. 1. Also fixed to shaft 15 is an arm 16 which carries a spring-pressed clutch dog 17' normally held in the position shown in Fig. 2 by a latching arm 18' supported by arma= ture shaft 19' of magnet armature 88'.

Energization of magnet 86' causes dog 11 to be released for engagement with clutch driving element 82. Element 82' is integral with a gear 83' which meshes with a gear 34', secured upon the shaft H which is running constantly as long as the main drive shaft is clutched to the driving pulley. With this arrangement, drive olement 82 is in constant rotation and whenever it is desired to effect resetting of the accumulatois. magnet 8| is energized to provide a connection between the element 82 and the resetting shaft 12. Resetting is usually an accompaniment of total taking and, by virtue of an intermittent gear connection, occurs during the latter part of a total taking cycle after the totals have been printed.

Although there are no accumulators at the transmitter, a reset clutch is provided as shown in Fig. 1 for operating the P cams which are mounted on shaft 15 and have circuit controlling contacts associated therewith. This clutch mechanism is similar to that just described for the accumulators at the receiver and corresponding parts at the transmitter are given the s me reference characters without the primes.

The clutch is engaged during a total taking cycle,

to cause the P cams to operate their associated contacts to control the machine during a printing cycle at the receiver. If the printing is accompanied by a resetting operation at the receiver, then both reset clutches function in unison as will be better understood upon explanation of the wiring diagram. It should be mentioned that proper speed and phase relationship of shafts i5 and are maintained, since the drive shafts l9 and I! at the transmitter and receiver, respectively, are operated in exact speed and phase relationship. The reset magnets II and II are energized at the same time in the cycle, under control of the related cam contacts, to cause driving engagement of the related clutch mechanisms 11 and 82, and I1 and 82', respectively, at the same time.

Circuit controlling devices In Fig. 4 is shown a so-called emitter which cooperates with the read-out devices of the accumulator for total printing operations. Carried by a stud l5 coaxially with the shaft 15' is a pair of electrically connected brushes 86, one of which contacts with conducting segments 81 while the other wipes over a common arcuatc conducting strip 88. The brushes 86 are carried by a gear 89 driven through an idler 90 from a gear 9| carried by constantly running shaft 19'. The emitter used for controlling total printing operations is timed so that a brush 8i successively contacts with each of the segments 81 as the corresponding type elements 33 of Fig. 3 approach printing position oppositev platen 34.

A plurality of cam-controlled contacts, operable only during printing and reset cycles, are provided at the receiver, these contacts being prefixed with the letter T but bearing the subscript r to distinguish them from the P cams already referred to at the transmitter. The Pr cams are mounted on a shaft 02 driven from shaft I5. Similar cam controlled devices prefixed with the letter L" are carried by or may be driven from shaft is at the transmitter and shaft I! at the receiver and these are in constant operation as long as the driving pulleys are clutched to the main drive shafts. It will be noted in the timing chart (Figs. 8 and 8a) that the P and Pr cams are two-cycle cams This is for the reason that the drive ratio between the cam shaft and the drive shaft is such that these cams make only one revolution for two revolutions of the drive shaft. It is understood that the purpose of such a gear ratio is to provide sufficient time for a total printing cycle to occur. The contacts associated with the constantly running cams at the receiver are provided with a subscript r to distinguish them from the L-cam contacts at the transmitter.

The usual circuit breakers I33 and m are provided at the transmitter and receiver respectively and are timed to make at the beginning of each index point in the machine cycle and break before the end thereof to control circuits to the accumulators and print magnets as will be explained later.

Contacts I50, ii! are operated by the conventional upper and lower card levers which, in turn, are actuated by cards passing the upper and lower sensing stations, respectively. Card lever contacts serve the purpose of preventing initial operation of the feeding mechanism except upon depression of the start key I29 (Fig. 7). These contacts are instrumental in causing the feeding mechanism to stop at the end of a cycle upon a card feeding failure or when the machine runs out of cards.

All cam contact devices are indicated in the timing diagrams (Figs. 8, 8a) where their relative timing may be observed.

General explanation of the circuit diagram The wiring diagram of the electric circuits is shown in Figs. 7 and 7a wherein the various cam contact devices are diagrammatically shown and suitably labeled L, Lr or P, Pr as Just explained. The exact timing of these contact devices is shown in Figs. 8, 8a to which reference may be made for the actual time in the cycle of operation during which they function. Due to the presence of numerous interlocking relays in the circuits both at the transmitter and receiver, it has not been advisable in all instances to show relay magnets and their associated contacts in close proximity to one another.

For purposes of clarity in the wiring arrangement the relay contact points are shown in the circuits which they control and their relay magnets are repeated adjacent thereto. Furthermore, the contacts are designated with the same reference numeral as their controlling magnet, followed by a lower case letter.

Synchronizing meana-The driving motors at the transmitter and receiver may be operated in synchronism by any well known means, a preferred method being that illustrated in the U. 8. Patent #1,505,158, issued to De Loss K. Martin on August 19/1924. This method will now be explained briefly in connection with Figs. 7 and 7a and if more detailed description is desired, reference may be made to the above Martin patent. The obvious purpose'of maintaining the driving mechanism at each station in synchronism is to assimilate most nearly the condition of an accounting machine having the usual compact structure in which the various units are driven from a common, constantly running drive shaft.

At the transmitter (Fig. 'l) a pair of alternators 98 and 98 are provided to supply electrical power at two different frequencies. The frequency set up by alternator becomes the carrier frequency of the system whereas the frequency established by alternator 96 is utilized purely as a synchronizing frequency. Upon the closing of switch SI, a circuit is completed from ground Gi, alternator 9S, alternator 9i, switch Si now closed, either through filter 98 to ground G2 or via conductor 99 through transmitter Hill to ground GI. Filter 98 is comprised of suitable circuit elements which may be inductance, capacitance, or resistance. Filters are generally classed as high pass, low pass and band pass filters, filter 98 being of the low pass type and designed to permit the synchronizing frequency but not the carrier frequency to pass therethrough. The synchronizing frequency which appears at the output of the filter is fed to the input of an amplifier 91, then upon closing of switch S2, the output circuit of amplifier 51 affords a power supply through switch S2, motor TM, to ground G4. Motor TM is a synchronous motor and is thereby driven at synchronous speed in accordance with the controlling frequency of the alternator 98. It is noted that both the synchronizing frequency and the carrier frequency are impressed upon the transmitter and that the output of the transmitter is in turn impressed upon the aerial and transmitted therefrom as radiant energy in the well known manner.

It will be understood that wherever an amplifier such as I! is shown hereinafter, the power supply is included in the diagrammatic outline representation of the amplifier and its connected surface. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the representative showing includes as many stages of amplification as are necessary to provide sufficient p wer to operate whatever load may be connected to its output.

Whenthe receiving device Ill receives this radiant energy from the transmitter, it is demodulated and its output includes a signal having a frequency corresponding to the synchronizing frequency mentioned above. Receiver II" is shown diagrammatically in box form but is understood to include the fundamental sections which comprise the radio frequency amplifier, a detector or demodulator, and an amplifier for the output of the detector, and that such amplification is provided as will be necessary to supply a current of sufiicient strength to operate the various relays and magnets of the accumulators and print unit.

In thepresent system it will be noted that at the transmitter a current havin a given frequency is provided for synchronizing purposes. This current is amplified at the transmitter to drive the motor TM at a fixed speed. The same current is also utilized to modulate the transmitter from which it is sent to the receiver as radiant energy in the well known manner. The radiant.

energy is demodulated by the receiver, the output of which includes a current having the synchronizing frequency. The latter current is separated from the total output of the receiver and is amplified to drive the motor 'IMr at the same fixed speed as TM. It will be appreciated in this method of synchronizing that, although the power employed for driving th motors at the transmitter and receiver respectively is supplied locally, a current of predetermined frequency is utilized commonly at both transmitter and receiver for controlling the respective local source of power.

The feed mechanism is driven by motor I'M through shaft 6 and accumulators and print mechanism by motor TMr, through the corresponding shaft of the receiverinct shown) and the shafts 53; and i9, as previously explained. Since motors TM and TM? are driven at identical speed by cur rent of the same frequency, and since the main drive shafts are clutched to their driving pulleys at the same-instant and thus started from the a D" position simultaneously, as previously described, the shafts at the transmitter and. at the receiver are driven in a synchronous relationship closely approximating the condition normally attained by actual mechanical connection between these 'parts in the usual tabulating machine structure.

Phase transformers-The source of energy which drives the motors TM and TMr in the manner just described is also sent to energize a phase transformer at the transmitter and receiver upon the closing of switches S4 and S5, respectively. The internal connections of these transformers are not shown but may be of the type explained in detail in the U. 8. Patent 2,153,178, issued to Clyde J. Fitch and dated April 4, 1939. The action of the phase transformers is to take single phase synchronous alternating currentand sub-divide the same into as many equally spaced phases as may be required by the system. The turns ratio of the windings are such that the voltages delivered across the free ends of the secassesses r for automatic group control and group indication,

". andthe remalnlngfour (PHI! to I.) are employed in controlling theroutine operations of the units at the receiver, all of which will be'described hereinafter. Different phase sine wave currents are taken oi! the various phase connection outlets of the secondary of the transformer at the transmitter but it is obvious that a plurality of let us say cycle sine waves cannot be transmitted simultaneously over the working channel of, a

. single radio network to eilect the different operations of system referred to above. In order to overcome this dimculty the wave shapes similar to that of a sine wave are changed to the forms illustrated in Fig. 10, one methodof which will now be described.

Wave form modify ng and impulse generating circuits-Referring now to Fig. 9, a sinusoidal wave form of the alternatin current is shown and is similar to the current wave forms developed by each of the plurality of secondary circuits previously explained. These sinusoidal current waves may then be impressed upon any type of full wave rectifier to change the current wave shape to conform to that shown in Fig. 9a which is representative of the pulsating current wave forms. In turn the rectified current wave forms may then be applied as follows: First of all, it will be understood that if the voltage applied to the grid of a thermionic tube is made sufficiently negative with respect to the cathode, current flow in the input or plate circuit is suspended. When such suspension occurs, the cut-01f point of the tube is said to have been reached. The so-called cut-oi! point of a thermionic tube and the value of the negative potential which must be applied to the grid thereof to cause it to attain this cut-oi! point are de pendent upon the operating characteristics of the particular tube employed. Now if the voltage rectified wave forms corresponding and similar to those of the current wave forms shown in 9a are impressed on the grid of the thermionic tube, for example, and the voltage is suilicient to drive the tube far below its plate-current cut-off point, the shape of the current waves in the plate circuit will be altered to conform. to the shapes shown in Fig. 9b. The characteristics of the circuits may be selected and adjusted so that the length of the base of the short impulses shown in Fig. 9b is approximately one-sixteenth of the distance between the impulses. Of course it is obvvious that the particular wave shapes may yary according to the characteristics of the circuits ondary; circuits are equal. For purposes of illustration, sixteen such secondary circuits are provided and are designated PHI to IE. Eight of employed, and it is evident by the method just described or by conversions based upon the same being applied across a center tapped resistor I35 I in each of these tube circuitssc that the wave shape of the current flowing through this-resistor, or the voltage across'it, similar to that shown in Fig. 9. A resistor III is connected between the cathode of the tube and the centertap of resistor IOI, the terminals of which are connected to the two rectifier plates of the] said tube Therefore, the wave shape of he: rectified current through resistor 182' and the" voltage "across this resistor is similar to that shown by the pulsating wave in Fig. 9a. The grid of the tube may be also connected to the center tap of the resistor Ill, the grid being normally at zero bias due to the fact that no current is passing through resistor Ill. Then voltage across resistor Ill may be applied between the grid and cathode of the said tube. If the said voltage is of sufficient value the tube may be driven far below its plate current cut-off point to obtain a plate current having a wave shape similar to that shown in Fig. 9b. This is impressed accordingly on the connected out-put circuit which includes the plug wire connection between Jacks I32 and Ill, lower brush LB, contact roll Ill, normally insulated from brush LB by a record card being fed therebetween, relay contacts LCLf which are closed when a card is at the lower brushes, circuit breakers Ill, now closed, transformer I31, conductor Ill, transformer Ill, to positive terminal Bl+. The negative terminal B3- is connected directly to the cathode, and current flows through the triode plate circuit just described upon electrical connection between the brush LB and the contact roll I" through a digit indication in the corresponding column of the record card. This current flow lasts for only a comparatively short time, however, because the bias on the grid is not a constant factor but varies in timed relationship with the frequency of the A. C. supply coming from the secondary of the phase transformer.

The said supply is impressed upon the full wave rectifier and therefore the rectified voltage impressed on resistor Ill immediately drives the grid bias negative with respect to the cathode to a sumcient value to prevent further flow of plate current in the triode output circuit. The plate current is thus reduced to a substantially zero value, and remains so until the grid bias is reduced nearly to zero again, whereupon a pulse is impressed upon the output circuit of the triode. This pulse is utilized as a signal and is sent from the transmitter to the receiver to control one of the various functions of the machine to be described later.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that if sixteen separate phases spaced 11 electrical degrees apart are taken off of the secondary of the phase transformer and connected to sixteen electrical circuits embodying a tube of the type Just described so that the terminals of the separate resistors III are Joined with the terminals of the secondary windings of each phase, sixteen series of short impulses similar to those shown in Fig. may be generated. It will be noted that no two impulses overlap or occur at the same time, and therefore any number of phases may be transmitted over the single carrier medium simultaneously.

Referring now to Fig. 7a, a plurality of receiving circuits are connected to the secondary of the phase transformer at the receiver. As these circuits are all alike, a description of one of them, for example the one leading from the transformer connections PHrIl, will sumce. This circuit includes a diode triode tube Ill and an ordinary triode tube Illa having adding magnet ll in the plate circuit thereof. The operation of the diode triode tube Ill in rectifying and changing the wave form of the A. C. current supply from PHrII is the same as that already described for the tube circuits at the transmitter. The grid of tube Illa is connected in the cathode circuit of tube Ill and is arranged to be normally biased to cut-off. Negative potential of a supply source represented by terminal Blris applied to the cathode of a tube Ill, the plate of which is connected by a conductor Ill, Illa to one side of a resistance Ill and a condenser CI, each of which lead to the cathode circuit of tube Ill and, consequently, to the grid of tube Illa. Positive potential of the same supply source denoted by terminal BIr+ is applied to the anode of tube Ill.

Another source of potential is employed and is represented by terminals Blr+ and Blr-. Terminal B2r+ is positive with respect to terminal B2rand the latter may be considered slightly positive with respect to a common wire Illa. It will be noted that terminal Blr+ is also positive to wire Illa, whereas BIris negative with respect to wire Illa.

When a signal is received at the receiver, it is impressed on the high biased tube Ill and via conductor Ill, Illa to the circuits embodying the tube Ill. Condenser CI becomes charged to actuate the grid of tube Illa in such a manner that, assuming the phase relationship of the signal is the same as PHrII, tube Illa is caused to pass a virtually steady current through its plate circuit to energize adding magnet ll thereby eilecting addition in that particular order of the accumulator. It will be noted that tube Illa, normally inoperative, becomes operative only upon reception of a signal of the .phase corresponding to the phase PHrII. The signal phase and the tube circuit phase must agree in order that the tube Illa may be operated since the bias placed on the grid of tube Illa by each of these supply sources individually is insumcient to cause a flow of current through the windings of adding magnet ll.

At the transmitter (Fig. 'l) the same arrangement of tube circuits is provided in connection with the control magnets III of the group control mechanism generally designated 60. The tube circuits, including tubes III to Ill, are piuggable from lacks Ill to the phase connections PHI to l of the phase transformer. The signal supply comes through transformer Ill and tube Ill to selectively operate the tubes Illa to Illa according to which of the phases PHI to l the signal phase corresponds.

Initial reset cycle-Slightly above the tube circuits Just described in Fig. 7 is located theusual group control mechanism generally designated GC, and as is usual in tabulating machines, it is first necessary to set up the group control holding relay magnet Rll before the card feeding mechanism previously described can be set in operation. This is eilected by depression of the reset key to close contacts I", thereby completing a circuit from right side of line Ill, contacts Ill, relay coil Rll, to left-hand side of line Ill. The lines Ill and Ill are connected through a main switch MB to a suitable source of supply ,W which provides the electrical energy for energizing the transmitter circuits such as the one just described. Energization of magnet Rll closes its contacts Rllc in the upper part of Fig. 7 which will thereupon complete a circuit from right side of line Ill, stop key contacts Ill, contacts Rlla now closed, main drive clutch magnets Ill, to line Ill. Magnets Ill, upon becoming energized, cause a coupling of the drive motor to the main drive shaft l, mentioned above, and, incidentally, also causes the closing of contacts Illa which provide a holding circuit for magnets Ill through cam contacts Ll to line Ill. Cam contacts LI open toward the end of each cycle, and at such tima the circuit is maintained through e ther contacts QCLe or LCLe which are in s?es with stop key/contacts I'I. Cam contact 'PI are provided to cooperate with contacts LI by overlapping the break in the later contacts during a reset cycle, to maintain the magnet I30 energized for two machine cycles. The timing chart may be observed in Fig. 8. The manner in which one or more of these contacts in the holding circuit may be opened to interrupt th same will be explained hereinafter.

The relay magnet R30, energized by depression of the reset key, closes a second pair of contact points R301; to complete a circuit from line I05, cam contacts L2, contacts R30b, reset magnet 0I, to line I08. As explained in the mechanical description, energization of magnet II causes a cycle of operation oi the P cam contacts at the transmitter to control various circuits of the system. Contacts P'I (at the lower part of Fig. 7), for example, close to energize the group control relay magnet R43 from line I06, cam contacts P'I, relay magnet R43, contacts LCLc or L23, to line I05. The manner in which the group control mechanism GC functions in the system will be described later.

Prior to the closing of cam contacts P1 to energize magnet B43 in the manner just described, however, relay magnet R49 is energized by a circuit from line I06, relay magnet R43, cam contacts LIO, relay contacts R43d, cam contacts P9, to line I05. Magnet R49, upon energization, closes contacts R49d to complete the output circuit of tube In for causing transmission of a control signal ofa characteristic phase (PHI) to the receiver, this output or plate circuit being traceable from negative terminal 133-, cathode and plate of tube 12?, relay contacts R49d now closed, via conductor I09 through the primary winding of transformer I35 to positive terminal 33+. Pulses are thus set up in the secondary winding of transformer I35 by transformer action and are applied to the input of'fllter I 33 which is of such a construction as to pass pulses of the control signal to transmitter I0fi. At the transmitter these pulses are superimposed on the carrier wave and transmitted to receiver IOI (Fig. 70.). Corresponding pulses are set up in the output circuit of the receiver on conductor I02. Filter I45 permits pulses representing the control signal to pass through it and along conductor I4? to the primary winding of transformer I43.

The secondary winding of the transformer I46 is connected to the grid element of a highly biased tube I85 and, upon energization of the primary winding, transformer action occurs, which reducesthe bias on the grid of tube I85 sufllciently to cause this tube to pass current. The output circuit of the tube includes negative terminal BIr-, cathode and anode elements of tube I05, conductors I88 and I86a, to and through resistance I83a, thereby creating a voltage drop which charges the condenser CIa in parallel therewith, then through cathode and plate of tube I 48 to terminal BIr+. The resistance I83a and condenser CIa have connection with the grid element of tube Idila so as to reduce the bias on the grid and cause a flow of current through the plate circuit of this tube to energize magnet I5t. A separate power source, denoted by terminals B2r+ and B2r-, is provided for tube I4 0a and similar tubes in the same row '(Fig. 'la) and the arrangement is such that, when any of these tubes is conditioned to .pass current, its connected magnet is energized from this power source.

Contacts I54d close when magnet I54 is energized to complete a circuit for energizing the reset magnet 0I' from line I, reset magnet 3|, contacts- I54a. now closed, cam contacts L21 to line I40. Lines I40 and MI are connected to a suitable source of supply Wr through the main switch MST. The energization of magnet 3| causes the resetting of the accumulators, to clear out any old amounts which may be standing therein and prepare the accumulators for new entries, The main clutch I30, of course, must be energized to drive the adding wheels through the reset just described. Referring to the lower part of Fig. 7, contacts I30b close upon energization of the main clutch I30, so that tube I25 supplies power at a characteristic phase PHI4 to the receiver over a circuit similar to that previously traced for a signal of phase PHIi except that the circuit from terminal BIr- (Fig. 7a) through conductors I86 and I86a now passes through circuits associated with tube I49 to bring about a change in the bias on the grid of tube mm for causing the latter tube to pass current to energize its related magnet I53 in the same manner as described for tube I400. Relay contacts I53a close to energize the main clutch I30; Briefly, then, upon depression of the reset key both main clutches and both reset magnets are energized concurrently to cause the operation oi the P cams at the transmitter and the operation of the Pr cams and the reset of the accumulators at the receiver. Immediately following the reset cycle, the feeding of record cards may be initiated upon depression of the start key.

Starting circuit.-With relay magnet R43 energized and the accumulators cleared, depression of the start key to close contacts I29 completes a circuit from line I05, conductor I23, cOntacts I29, relay magnet R33, relay contacts R4322, relay magnet R32 to line H3. The contacts Rflb will he in their normal deenergized position because when magnet R43 is energized, the circuit to magnet R49 is broken. Relay contacts R330; are in parallel with the previously mentioned contacts 1330!; and complete the following circuit through the main clutch magnet [30: from line I05, stop key contactsJDi', relay contacts R3341 now closed, main clutch magnet I30, to line I08. The energization of magnet I30 is again accompanied by the energization of the main clutch magnet I30 at the receiver by means of the previously described circuit energized from tube I26. Thus, the main drive shafts of the transmitter and the receiver start and continue to run at identical speed and phase relation.

Relay magnet R32 is provided with a pair of contacts R32a which are adapted upon closure to complete a circuit to the card feed control relay magnet R39. This circuit is traceable from line I05, relay magnet R39, contacts R32a now closed, stop key contacts I0'Ia (operable concurrently with the contacts I01), contacts R43c of the group control relay magnet R43 which are now closed, cam contacts P3, to line I05. This circuit, it will be observed, can only be completed when the group controlrelay magnet 43 is energized- Magnet R39 closes its contact points R30!) which are wired in series with card feed clutch. magnet I3 to-energize the latter so that records commence to feed. Contacts R3911 also close to provide a holding circuit for magnet R39 through lower card lever relay contacts LCLb which close as the first record card reaches the lower brushes.

Card lever circuits-As the record cards are energisation of main advanced ast the upper set of analyzing brushes UK, the usual upper card lever contacts Ill are closed to complete a circuit from line Ill, contacts Ill, magnet UCL. to line Ill. Magnet UCL controls a number of contacts which are disposed in various circuits for controlling purposes. One of these contacts, for example UCLe pointed out above as being in the holding circuit for the main clutch Ill, helps interrupt this circuit if cards fail to feed past the upper brushes. Declutch III is always accompanied by deenergization of main clutch Ill at the receiver. because contacts Illb (Fig. 7) open to break the previously described control circuit to the receiver from tube Ill, with the result that the main drive shafts are simultaneously latched up in the D position, in the well known manner. Since the card lever contacts Ill open between successive cards, a holding circuit is provided through contacts UCLa and cam contacts Ll which serve to maintain magnet UCL energized during the interval when contacts Ill are open. In a similar manner, the

receiving station (Fig. 7a) the transmission circult is identical with that previously described. The circuit from terminal BIr over conductors Ill and Illa is now completed, however, through the circuits embodying tube Ill to Blr+. 'hibe Ill, it will be noted. has its rectifying portion operating under the influence of phase PHrI2 which corresponds to the phase PHIl controlling tube In (Fig. '1). Upon operation of tube Ill, the associated tube Illa is caused to pass current from the source denoted terminals 1321'- and B1r+ through the related magnet ll. The circuit just traced energizes the adding magnet ll for one order of the accumulator to turn its adding wheel in a manner previously described to effect addition.

Group controL-When the group control switch Ill (Fig. 7) is set to the ON position, cards are allowed to continue to feed as long as the control indicia on successive cards assing the upper and lower brushes remain the same. The prinlower card lever relay contacts Ill cause energixation of lower card lever relay ISL and the contact points LCLa cooperate with cam contacts Ll to provide a similar holding circuit.

Listing circuits.The circuit for the listing magnet ll (Fig. 7a) is completed from line Ill, cam contacts Llr, cam contacts PIlr, TAB-LIST switch set to the list position, upper and center straps of relay contacts GI'c, listing magnet ll, to line Ill. Through this circuit magnet ll is energised during each cycle of operation of the machine and the printing mechanism will function accordingly.

As the record cards advance past the lower brushes LB at the transmitter, circuits are provided for communicating the descriptive data analyzed by these brushes through accumulator list contacts lla to the printing magnets 31 at the receiver which control the stopping of the type bars as already explained in operation of the printing mechanism given hereinbcfore. The list contacts lla are closed upon energization of the adding magnets as the latter receive impulses from the analyzing brushes LB at the transmitter. The adding circuit will be explained later. The closing of a pair of accumulator list contacts lla completes a circuit to a print magnet ll as follows: from line Ill. circuit breaker contacts Ill now closed, the particular contacts lla which are also now closed, the print magnet 81 in series therewith, LIST-TAB switch set to LIST. to line Ill. Print magnet ll upon energiaation stops the upward movement of the type bar it controls to effect the listing of the digit analysed on the record card at the transmitter.

Adding circuits-The circuits for adding into the accumulators are completed simultaneously with the listing circuits just described when all the list control switches are set for listing. when the switches are set to the other position, no listing occurs but adding into the accumulator takes place as data entries are read from each card passing the lower brushes LB. A representative adding circuit is traceable from terminal Bl-, cathode and plate of tube I22, Jack Ill, plug wire to Jack Ill, brush LB through the hole in the card in the corresponding column, contact roll Ill, relay contacts LCL/ now closed, circuit breaker contacts Ill, primary winding of transformer Ill, conductor Ill, primary winding of transformer Ill to terminal 33+. Prom transformer Ill over to transformer Ill at the ciple is the same as that shown in Patent #1376517 previously referred to. A representative control circuit is from terminal Bl, cathode and anode of tube III, jack Ill, plug wire to jack Ill, lower brush LB. through hole in the card in the corresponding column, contact roll Ill, contacts LCLI now closed, circuit breaker contacts Ill also now closed, primary winding of transformer Ill. conductor Ill, primary winding of transformer Ill to Bl+. Through the transformer action of transformer ill, the negative bias on the grid element of tube Ill is lowered to a sufllcient extent to cause this tube to pass current. The output circuit of this tube is traceable from terminal BI-, cathode and anode of tube Ill, through the circuits connected with tube Ill which are similar to those previously described at the receiver, through the cathode and anode of this tube, tov terminal BI+. Operation of tube Ill causes Illa to be conditioned for passing current from terminal 32-, through cathode and anode of tube Illa, magnet III connected thereto, jack Ill, plug wire to jack Ill, upper brush UB in the corresponding column, hole in the card, contact roll Ill, contacts LII and LI! now closed to terminal 32+. It will be noted that the circuit just traced depends upon the fact that the hole in the record card at the upper and lower brushes is the same in the particular column onwhich the control is operating. Energization of the particular magnet ill by the circuitiust traced causes the closing of its I'Ila contact points which are in series with one of the control magnets I12 and provide a circuit to energize the latter from line Ill, magnet IIl, contacts Illa, common conductor I'll to line Ill. Contacts I'lla close when magnet IIl becomes energized to provide a holding circuit through cam contacts Lll, and contacts Illb also close to complete a circuit for maintaining the group control relay magnet Rll energized. The latter circuit is traceable from line Ill. relay contacts Rlla, relay magnet Rll, conductor Ill, contacts IIlb now closed, jack I'll, plug wire to Jack Ill, through left and center stra of contacts UCLc now closed. to line Ill. This circuit is not set up upon the occurrence of a group change and the relay magnet R is deenergized on the next cycle when Lll breaks, the card feed mechanism continuing under is momentum to the end of the cycle where it is latched up by the card feed clutch ll. The operations just described are well known in the tabulating art and are dewith the reset clutch magnet which energizes magnet II is traceable from line scribed in detail in the previously mentioned Patent #1976517.

Total printing and reset cycle from line I06, relay magnet R40, cam contacts LII, contacts R4Id now closed, cam contacts P0, to line I05. Energization of relay magnet R40 closes its contact points R480 which are in series The circuit ing of the totals standing in the accumulators at the receiver. This is broughtaboutssfollows:- at the start of the cycle a circuit completed from line I06, relay contacts R4317, relay contacts R490 now closed, contacts LCLg now closed since there is a card at the lower brushes, relay magnet 200, cam contacts LIB, to line I06. Energization of relay magnet 200 causes its contact points 200a to close, thereby to complete a circuit to the receiver from terminal 38-, cathode and anode of tube I20, cam contacts L24 now closed, contacts 200a, conductor I09, primary winding of transformer I35 to terminal 33+. The transmission circuit from transformer I35 to transformer I46 at the receiver (Fig. 7a) is as previously described herein. A circuit is completed from BIr--, cathode and anode of tube I86, conductors I86 and IBM, through the circuits connected with tube I 30, cathode and anode of this tube to terminal BIr+. It will be understood from what has gone before that this results in the conditioning of tube I38a for the passage of current from the source denoted by terminals B2rand B2r+ to energize magnet I55. Energization of magnet I55 by the circuit just traced completes an obvious circuit for energizing total print control magnets I9I, I92 which are then maintained energized through contacts I92e and cam contacts LI8r. Contacts I9Io-.-d and I92a-d connect the readout mechanism of the accumulators with the print magnets 3I, the latter becoming energized at differentiai times under the control of the total printemitter as its brushes 86 sweep the segments 81, in a manner already described, to stop the type bars in accordance with the totals standingin the accumulators and thus effect printing of these totals.

The total printing operation is followed by a resetting of the accumulators to clear the same in preparation for new entries to be made therein from the following group of record cards. This is so well knownin the art that further description here is deemed unnecessary.

Automatic resumption of card feeding Cam contacts L2 are provided to energize the start relay magnet R22 near the end of the resetting cycle of operations to pick up and energize the card feed clutch magnet I8. The circuits involved in the starting of the machine have controlled thereby will proceed in the same manner as above.

Group indication cycle.-0n the first tabulating cycle after a reset, if certain machine switches are properly thrown, a group indication is effected in the following manner: the GI magnet (Fig. 'l) is energized by a circuit from line I06, relay magnet GI, contacts 20"), contacts L25, switch III in the position shown for group indication, lower card lever contacts I52, to line I05. Relay magnet G1 is held energized through its contacts (31a and cam contacts LI. Shortly after the energization of magnet GI, cam contacts L26 make .(see timing chart Fig. 8) to complete a circuit for energizing the control magnet 20I. The circuit is traceable from line I06, magnet 20I, contacts L26, now closed, switch IOI in the position shown for group indication, contacts GIc now closed, contacts GIa also now closed, cam contacts L1, to line I05. Magnet 20I is maintained energized through its. contact points "It: which now close and cam contacts PII. Energization oi magnet 20I causes .normally closed contacts 20Ib'to open in order to prevent the energization of magnet GI on subsequent tabulating cycles prior to the next group change.-

Magnet GI, when energized, causes contacts GIb to close and a circuit is completed when contacts L21 close from terminal 33-, cathode and anode of tube I25, contacts L21, contacts GIb, conductor I09, primary winding of transformer I85, to terminal 33+. The transmission circuit is the same as previously traced down to and been already traced in detail and the operations through the primary winding of transformer I 46 (Fig. 7a). A circuit is then completed from terminal BIr-, conductors I86, I86a through the circuits embodying tube I39, cathode and anode of tube I39, to BIr+. Tube I39a is then conditioned to pass current to energize magnet I52 in the same manner as already described for similar tubes and magnets. Energization of magnet I52 closes its contacts I520. to complete an ob-= vious circuit for energizing the group indication relay magnet GI at the receiver. Contacts GI'c close to provide a holding circuit for magnet GI through cam contacts LIr. Contacts GI'h also close and a circuit is completed, as was traced previously for the magnet I52 as far as conductor I86a, then through the circuits embodying tube I59, cathode and anode of this tube to terminal Bir+. Operation of tube I 59 influences tube I59a in the now understood manner'to bring about the energization of print magnet 37 connected thereto. Energization of print magnet 31 effects the usual group indication, this circuit being completed only on the first card cycle after a reset because of the fact that magnet GI at the transmitter is deenergized when U breaks and contacts GIb open to break the plate circuit of tube I25. It is understood that the list clutch magnet 29 is energized for this cycle to set the printing mechanism in operation to print the group indication just referred to. The specific circuit is traceable from line I, list clutch magnet 28, center and lower strap of contacts GIc now closed, cam contacts PIUr, cam contacts L2r, to line Hi6.

Summary of operation It is seen, then, from the above description how a plurality of displaced signals are generated at the transmitting station, by the use of a phase transformer and tube circuits leading from the secondary connections thereof.

Certain of these signals are effective to control the routine operations of an accounting machine at the receiving station. Others are initiated as the analysing brushes contact digit indications in the data columns of the record card, the relative displacement of each of the latter signals being representative of the data column from which it originates. Where more than one column of the record card contains statistical data with like digit values, then a characteristiccolumnar signal for each is set up simultaneously, for all practical purposes. Btrictb speaking the two signals are displaced from each other according to predetermined phase relationships assigned to them and do not interfere with each other.

. Eachsignal passedtothetransmitterhasboth primary and secondary differentiating characteristics, the former being a constant phase timingwhichisusedtosegregatethesignalinthe correct channel of the receiving station; the latter being a variable distinguishing characteristic. preferably a differential timing, which is translated by, suitable manifesting means into apartoularcharaoter. Thesignalsformacom-' bined wave on a common carrier medium, and this wave is transmitted to the receiver where similar tube circuits and a phase transformer are-provided to cause the incoming signals to select their various orders in the accumulatins and printing mechanisms, or functional control devices in accordance with the phase of said signals.

Thegroupcontrolsignalsasitwillberemembered,donotgotothcreceiver. 'fhereishowever, at the tranmitter a combined wave formed of these signalsand a separation out by means of further tube circuits to provide for the normal operation of the group control mechanism.

It will be appreciated that the number of signals being sent is ever-changing and the collumnar relationship of the data is destroyed in the combination of the signals with the carrier wave. At the receiver the signals are separated accordingtotheirplnsesandthecolumnar relationship of the data is thereby reformed, as is manifested by the operation of the correspondingordersoftheaccumulatorortypebars.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single modificationitwillbeunderstoodthatvariousomissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its opera tion may be made by those skilled without departing from the spirit of tion. It is the intention, therefore, to only as indicated by the scope claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a system for ctmcurrently manifestinlna plurality of characters in definite relative positions, electrical transmitting means and receiving means interconnected by a single medium of transmission, alternating current means for generating a number of signals constantly differentiatedbyphasedisplacementtoidentifyeach with a particular one of said positions. control means adapted to impart to the individthe' invenual signals secondary distinguishing charac- I.

teristics representative of the signiiications of the characters in the positions to which they respectively appertaimsaid trammitting means being responsive to said signals to transmit assess:

the phase displacement and secondary distinguishing characteristics of the signals passed by said control means, means operatively connected to said receiving means for segregating the signals received thereby, according to their phases, and manifesting means comprising a plurality of units operatively associated with said segregating means so as to be individually controlled by the respective segregated signals, the units of said manifesting means being diiferentially responsive to the signals in dependence upon the secondary distinguishing characteristics, to manifest the characters in their proper relative positions.

2. In a system for concurrently manifesting a plurality of characters in definite relative positions, electrical transmitting means and receiving means interconnected by a single medium of transmission, alternating current means for generating a number of signals constantly differentiated by phase displacement to identify each with a particular one of said positions, control means adapted to pass the signals individually to said transmitting means at differential times representative of the significations of the characters in the positions to which-they respectively appertain, said transmitting means being responsive to said signals to transmit to said receiving means signals reproducing the phases and differential timing of the signals passed by said control means, means operatively connected to said receiving means for segre ting the signals received thereby, according to their phases, and manifesting means comprising a plurality of units operatively associated with said segregating means'so as to be individually controlled by the respective segregated signals, the units of said manifesting means being differentially responsive to the signals in dependence upon the differential timing thereof, to manifest the characters in their proper relative positions.

8. In a system for manifesting data from a record sheet whereon indicia appear in a plurality of columns and identify characters individually by their locations in particular index point positions in the columns, means to feed the record sheet in the direction of its columns, analysing means comprising sensing devices assigned to the respective columns to analyse the columnssimultaneouslyastherecordsheetis fed, alternating current means for generating a plurality of signals constantly differentiated b phase displacement and conducting said signals to the respective sensing devices of said analyzm t ll ing means, transmitting means and receiving means interconnected by a single medium of umm transmissionmeanstoconveysignalspassing t 1 mm through said analysing means as indicia are sensed, to said transmitting means for trans- I mission to said receiving means, the signals being differentially timed in accordance with the index point positions of the indicia, means operatively connected to said receiving means for wgregating the signals received thereby, accord- 0 ing to their phase displacement, and manifesting means comprising a plurality of units operatively associated with said segregating means so as to be individually controlled by the respective segregated signals, the units of said manifesting means being differentially responsive to the sigads in dependence upon the differential timing thereof, to manifest the characters in their proper relative positions.

4. In a system for manifesting a plurality of to said receiving means signals re d fl multi-order items of data composed of characters which vary in the individual orders, electrical transmitting means and receiving means interconnected by a single medium of transmission, alternating current means forenergizing said transmitting means for each item to transmit through said medium wave groups differentiated by phase displacement to identify the re spective orders of the data, means controlling the operation of said ene'rgizingmeans so as to impart secondary distinguishing characteristics to the wave group of each phase representative of the signification of the character in the order to which it appertains, means connected to said receiving means for'segregating the wave groups of different phases in different channels, and multi-order manifesting means comprising individual control means for its different orders D- eratively associatedwith the respective channels of said segregating means, said control means being adapted to respond to said wave groups differentially in each order in dependence upon the secondary distinguishing characteristics of the wave group, to manifest the characters in their proper relative positions.

5. In a system for manifesting multi-order data composed of characters which vary in the individual orders, electrical transmitting means and receiving meansinterconnected by a single medium of transmission, alternating current means for energizing said transmitting means to transmit through said medium wave groups differentiated by phase displacement to identify the respective orders of the data, cyclically operating means controlling the operation of said energizing means, adapted to determine independently for each order, the fraction of each cycle during which a wave group of the phase pertaining to the respective order is transmitted; means connected to said receiving means adapted to segregate the wave groups of different phases in different channels, multi-order manifesting means comprising individual control means for its different orders operatively associated with the respective channels of said segregating means, said control means being adapted to respond to said wave groups differentially in each order, according to the intra-cyclical timing of each wave group.

6. In a system for manifesting multi-order data represented by sensible indicia on a record sheet, the indicia representing different characters by their placement at different index point positions in the columns pertaining to their respective orders, electrical transmitting means and receiving means interconnected by a single medium of transmission, means associated with said transmitting means for feeding the record sheet in the direction of its columns at a constant rate, analyzing means connected with said transmission means, comprising devices for sensing the individual columns of the record sheet, a plurality of alternating current sources for generating signal waves differentiated by phase displacement, and means for connecting said sources individually to the respective sensing devices of said analyzing means, whereby said transmitting means is energized to tr nsmit through said medium signal waves idcntifle with the respective columns of the record sheet by their phase and distinguished by their differential ,timing to represent different characters;

means connected to said receiving means for segregating said signal waves in different channels, according to their phases manifesting means comprising a plurality of manifesting elements representing different orders of the data, to be manifested, driving means for said manifesting means operating in synchronism with said record sheet feeding means and having means for imparting differential movements to said manifestingelements, and control means operatively associated with the respective channels of said segregating means, adapted to determine the extents of the differential movements of the different manifesting elements, in dependence upon the differential times of the respective signal waves to determine the characters to be manifested.

7. In a system for manifesting multi-order data composed of characters which vary in the individual orders, transmitting means and receiving means interconnected by a single medium of transmission, a plurality of parallel chan-- nels, one for each order of the data, alternating current means for generating and delivering to the respective channels a number of signal waves differentiated from each other by phase displacement, said parallel channels being joined by a common channel to said transmitting means, means controlling said parallel channels individually to release therethrough signal waves of the respective phases, individually differentially timed to represent the significations of the characters in the respective orders of the data, whereby discrete or complex waves are set up in said common channel for transmission by said transmitting means; receiving means for segregating the signal waves in different channels, according to their phases, and multi-order manifesting means comprising individual control means for its different orders operatively associated with the respective channels of said segregating means, said control means being adapted to respond to said signal waves differentially in each order in dependence upon the differential timing of the signal wave.

8. A system as described in claim 7, wherein the signal waves of different phases set up in said common channel are discrete or complex depending upon whether the characters they represent are different or identical.

9. A system as described in claim 3, wherein said record sheet feed means are adapted for cyclical operation to feed a record card during each cycle, means normally adapted to stop said feed means at the end of each cycle, means for restraining said stopping means for operation, a control circuit including control means for said restraining means, means normally conditioning said control circuit by impulses in phase with the signal transmitted by one of said sensing devices, means whereby a signal from said last mentioned sensing device can be impressed upon said control circuit to combine with the normal conditioning impulses thereof to energize said control circuit, and means comprising a second analyzing means adapted synchronously to sense another card than the one sensed by said first analyzing means, to interrupt the energization of said control circuit upon a disagreement of indicia on the two cards ARTHUR H. DICKINSON.

means connected to said Patent No. 2,555,282.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

August 8 191414 ARTHUR H DICKINSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: one. column, line 15, after the syllable ".teristics" and-before the comma insert --thereof--; page 11, secon i column, line 56, for "for" read. --from--;

and. that the said Letters Patent-hou1dbe read with this correction therethe case in the Patent Office.

in that the same may conform to the record of Signed and. sealed this 10th day of October, A. D. 19%..

Page 10 sec- Henry Van Arsdele (Sea 1.) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

a Patent No. 2,555,282.

CERTIFICATE OF DORRECTIOR.

August 8, 191114.

ARTHUR H. DICKINSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 10, sec-- and column, line 15, after the syllable .teristics and-before the comma insert --thereof--; page 11, seco ng. column, line 56, for "for" read --from--; and that the said Letters Patentrshould be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of October, A. D. 19m

Henry Van Arsdale (35 1) I Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Images