US250697A - wheless - Google Patents

Description

4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. WHELESS.

ART 0F AND MEHANISMFOR PHNETIG NOTATION.

Patented Deo. 13,1881.

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(N0 Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. WHELESS.

ANT 0F AND MNGHANISM PoR PHONBTIG NOTATION.

No. 250,697. Patented Dec. 13,1881.

(No Model.)

' -4 Sheets-Sheet 3. M., WHELESS.

ART OF AND MBGHANISM FOR PHONETIGNOTATION.

Patented Dec. 13.18 81.

PETRs. Pham-hummm, wnshingum u c (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4` M. WHELES-S.

ART 01?' AND MEGHANISM POB. PHONBTIG NOTATION. No. 250,697.

Patented Dec. 13,1881.

N. PETERS. Plwlo-lhhogmplver. WashnrgnwA D4 C.

Nrran MALONE vWHELESS, OF "WASHINGTON,

'raras DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OF'ONE-HAIJF TO PHILIP VALLAOH, JAMES G.'SMITH, AND JOHN F.

`ANCONA, ALL OF SAME PLAGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,697, dated December 13, 1881.

Application tiled May l1, 1881.

To all whomv it may concern:

Beit known that I, MALoNE WHnLEss, of l/Vashington, in the District ofColumbia, have invented certain improvements in the art ot' 5 phonetic notion and in mechanism employed for recording characters denoting the consonantal and vowel sounds of the human voice, and by which the simultaneous transmission l' a copy thereof throughau electric wire or other agent may be effected to similar mechanism located at a remote station,ot' which improvements the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference heilig had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specitication, in which- Figure 1 illustrates my tabular system or method oi' arranging characters to serve as eX- ponents of the sounds to be recorded.- Fig. 2 is a perspective view oia mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention, to be operated bythe reporter in the application of my improved art for recording upon a strip of paper. Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views of two sets or series of' keys, to be manipulated by the operator when the mechanism connected therewith (shown in Fig. 2) is to be actuated. Fig. 5 is a perspective view ofthe lower portion ofthe mechanism shown in Fig.2. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section through the center ofthe mechanism shown in Fig.2. Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section on the line x :vof Figs. 2 and 6. Fig. S is an elevation of the rear side of the series of keys shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a section on the line y y ofFig. S. Fig. 10 is a plan of the under side of the keys shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 1l represents a speci- Incn ot` the work done by the recording mechanism; Fig.' 12, a sectional detail, to be referred to. Fig. 13 shows the order in which the characters are arranged atthe printing-line .fr fr, Fig. 2 or 6.

In order to make a correct ccrbatm report of speech by the phonographic methods at present employed, the reporter is compelled to perform two or more separate and distinct operations to form a syllableto wit, one t'or a vowel and one or more for the consonant or consonants-for a syllable may have one,two, three,

(No model.)

four, or even tive consonantal sounds. For instance, the word thrash is but one syllable 5o and contains five consonants. Experience, however, teaches us that it is beyond the mental and physical capacity of any stenographer to make a legible report, capable ot' translation, ot' all the characters as rapidly as the human 55 voice can articulate if he combines the vowel with the consonantal characters as he transcribes. Consequently, to keep pace with the voice, the reporter discards the characters indicating the vowels of a syllable or word, and 6o writes only the consonantal characters. The omission to write the vowel characters results in much confusion, an incomplete phonetic representation of the language being produced,

which is always difticult, and often impossible, to interpret, as the same consonant or combination ot' consonants, with a vowel prciixed, would have quite a dit'terent meaning were the vowel placed thereafter. For instance, in the consonant outlines t and k,77 we can make 7o many words by changing the relative location therewith ot' the t'teen vowel sounds-for eX- ample, tak, take; tk, took; ttik, attack; atck, attic. The vowel sounds can be permuted about consonantal outlines so as to make a different word at each permutation, leaving the reporter to translate the greater part ot' his notes from memory, `and even should he, by years of practice, become sufficiently expert to read instantly his own notes, they cannot be l8o utilized by others.

To provide a means by which a positively intelligible verbatim record of speech may be obtained with rapidity equal to its utterance is the object of my present invention.

My invention consists in a system of phonetic notation in which the elementary vowel sounds and combinations of vowel sounds in the language, and the elementary consonant sounds and combinations of consonant sounds 9o in any syllable ofthe language, are represen ted by characters and permutations thereof; second, in providing three groups ot' characters, one of which is used to represent the vowel sounds and combinations of vowel sounds, another to represent the consonant sounds and combinations of consonant sounds coming before the vowel in any syllable, and one to represent the consonant sounds and combinations of consonant sounds coming after the vowel; and myinvention further consists in a method of arranging the printing-characters in a phonetic recording-machine, which consists in dividing such printing-characters into groups, one of which represents the vowels, one the consonant soundspreceding the vowel, and one the consonant sounds succeeding the vowel sound in a syllable, whereby I ain enabled to simultaneously record the sounds in any one syllable.

My invention finally consists in certain novel arrangements of the keys upon the key-board, as will hereinafter be fully explained and pointed out in the claims.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand my invention, I will now describe (by reference to Fig. l) a convenient tabular system of notation invented by me, and the application of said system to a simple mechanism manipulated by the fingers for recording instantly, legibly, and in a manner capable of interpretation the characters representing the sounds of the human voice.

In my system ot'phonetic notation illustrated in Fig. l of drawings I have chosen numbers from l to 25, which numbers, together withV their permutations, I shall use for the purpose of recording the sounds of the language. By reference to this ligure it will be seen that the numbers from 10 to 15, inclusive7 and their permutations have been chosen to represent the vowels and diphthon gs, the n umbers from 1 to 9,. inclusive, and their permutations to represent the consonant sounds and combinations of consonant sounds which precede the vowel-sounds of a syllable, and the numbers 16 to 25, inclusive, and their permutations to represent consonant sounds and combinations of consonant sounds which succeed the vowel sounds of a syllable. The object which I desire to attain by this selection of characters and the use of permutations of the same to represent sounds or combinations of sounds is to be able to record any syllable of the language without the duplication of a character, even though such syllable contain a repetition of the same sound. Take, for example, the word did.7 It will be observed that in this word the consonant sound d7 comes before and after the vowel. Therefore, it' the word is recorded by the ordinary system of phonetics, the character representing the sound d will be duplicated, while, by my system, the d preceding the vowel will be represented by one character, 6, as shown in the drawings, while (l," following the vowel, will be represented by a different character, 22, as shown in the drawings.

It will be observed that by this system not only does the character represent the sound, butl indicates positively the position of that sound in the syllable. Another characteristic of my improved system, as will be observed by reference to the drawings, is that where several consonant sounds come together, either preceding or succeeding the vowel, this comhina-tion of sounds, instead of being represented, asin the ordinary system, by an aggregation ot' characters which represent the individual sounds of which the combination is composed, is represented by a single character, or permutation of characters, where necessary. For instance, in the word mark by the ordinary system of phonetics, it would be written, irst, by writing the sign for the sound m,77 then the sign for the sound a, then the sign for the sound r, and finally the sign for the sound Z, while, by my system, I write the sign for the sound m, then the sign for the sound a,- then, instead of the sign for the sound 11, which is 34, and the sign for the sound l, which is 16, 23, I write the permutation 17, 20, 22, which is the sign i'or the combined sound rl wheni'ollowiug a vowel.

While in the ordinary writing of the pen there would be no advantage in the system such as I have here described, yet, when this system ot recording is effected by the use of a machine such as is hereinafter described, its advantages become very marked and apparent, the first advantage being, as hereinbefore stated, because of no character being duplicated in a syllable, I am enabled to report the characters representing all the sounds of any one syllable of the language simultaneously; second, by the permutation of characters I am enabled to record characters representing a very large number of sounds and combination of sounds, with the use of a very few keys and printing-characters. This result is shown in a very marked manner in the lett-hand diagram of Fig. l. The number of independent printing-characters and corresponding keys indicated in that figure is only ten; and yet, by the use of these ten printing-characters and their permutations, I am enabled to record all the possible consonant sounds and combinations of consonant sounds which can occur preceding a vowel in any syllable ot' the language, (fifty-three in all.)

Instead of employing numerical figures and their permutations as representatives for denoting sounds, other signs, symbols, marks, or characters may be used, if desired, without departing from the spirit of my phonetic system. Nor is it necessary that the exact number of twenty-ve keys be used, as I could, by a larger or smaller number of permutations, increase or decrease the number ot' keys.

In Fig. 2 of said drawings, A represents the base of a frame-work, having posts a rising from its corners for supporting a table or platform, B, near each end of which is located a transverse strip, b, upon the top of which is vsecured by screws c a thin horizontal plate, d,

of brass, of such width that its inner edge projects considerably beyond the inner face ot' the strip b, on which it rests.

Under the projecting portion of each brass plate d, and secured thereto by screws c, are arranged a series of fourteen bifureated or horse- IIO IZO

shoe magnets, C, their inner branches and surrounding coils of wire slightly converging toward each other. The outer end, f, of the wire of each magnet Gis led through the transverse strip b, whereit is connected with a wireleading indirectly to each of a series of keys, D E, (to be hereinafter deseribed,) interposed between the magnets C and the battery. (Not shown.) These outer ends, f, of the several wires, properly insulated, preferably pass ont through the strip bat acominon convenient point, g,located near one ofits ends, as this arrangement economizes space. The inner end ofthe wire ot'each magnet G terminates'in contact with and is brazed to the upper surface of the brass plate d at a point immediately thereover.

To an upright binding-post, z', rising from the upper side of one of the brassplates (l is secured a wire, j, which returns indirectly to the battery in a manner hereinafter to be eX- plained. The two brass plates (l are connected by an electric wire, k, leading from the binding-post li ot' one to the under side of the other at a point near its corresponding end.

Underneath the bit'nrcated ends ofeach magnet C is located the outer end of a long lever, F, bearing a soft piece of iron or armature, Z. The two series of levers (fourteen in each series)-'z7. e., one for each magnet-are pivoted to posts on, rising from two transverse metallic strips, Gr, secured by screws to the upper side of the platform or table B, said strips being onopposite sides thereof` and parallel to each other. The inner ends ofthe twenty-eight levers F converge toward each other and extend to a central line passing transversely across the platform or table, the inner ends of one series of levers alternating with the inner ends of the opposite series. The under side of the innerend of each lever is provided with a metal type bearing a numerical ligure, the several types being numbered froin 0 1 to 27, inclusive. Vhen these levers F are in their normal positions their outer ends are drawn and held down by springs u, so as to come into contact with a transverse strip or rest, H, thus holding the armatures l out of contact with the magnets G above them when the electric circuit is broken, in which position the types are held above and out of contact with a horizontal bed, l, extending transversely across the center of a rectangular opening, p, made in the center of the table or platform I3. This bed consists of a strip of wood anda strip of rubber secured to its upper side. Upon this bed and over the tops of two small guide-rolls, q, (one on each side of the bed,) rests a strip of paper, r, or othersuitable material upon which the type are to print or register the figures denoting the phonetic utterances of the voice of the person whose speech is to be recorded. This recording-strip 1^ may be of paper chemically prepared by dipping it in a solution of carbonized ink, which paper is colorless until decomposed by the passage of the electric current through the type when it comes into contact with the paper.

` froln the base of the frame-work.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a strip of carbonized ribbon, s, between the type and an ordinary strip of soft white paper, said carbonized ribbon s resting on the latter and being employed for supplying the inking material or dye-stuff to give color tothe impressions made by the type. This earbonized ribbon s is fed transversely across the bed I by turning one of a pair of revolving pins o r spools, K, on which it is wound, by which means a new portion of the ribbon is brought into place to be utilized when the inking or dyeing material in theportion previously under the type has been extracted thereby.

The mechanism by which the feed of the recording-paper is effected will now be described.

To the upper sideof the base A are secured two standards. L L, in the upper ends of which are formed inclined slotted bearings t, in which' turn the outercends of the shaft u of a metal spool, M. One end ofthe paper strip on which the record is to be made is secured to the shaft u and the paper wound thereon. The outer end ofthe paper is conducted up through one side of the rectangular opening p, over the two small guide-rolls q and printing-bed I, down through the other side of the openingp in the directions of the arrows, (see Fig. 6,) and between the roll N and the pressure-roll P to a convenient place within the control of the opcrater.

The feed of the paper strip is produced in the following manner: The roll N revolves in bearings in the tops of standards Q, rising Each ofthe outer ends of the shaft of this roll carries a toothed or ratchet wheel, It, into which engages a pawl, c, pivoted to the upper end of a rocker arm or lever, S, pivoted to a stud, T. projecting from the side of the standard Q, the pawl e being pressed into contact with the teeth of the ratchet. R b v a bent spring, w, the forward movement ofthe pawl being produced by an armature, a', at the lower end of the lever S being drawn (when the circuit. is closed) into contact with the ends of a horseshoemagnet, U, located in a horizontal positionon a bed placed on the base A of the frame-work, the breaking of the circuit allowing a coiled spring, V, to assert itseltI and carry the armature forward against an adjustable stop, Z, secured to the outside of the standard Q, the location ofthe stop being such as to limit the throw of the pawl c to the space between two teeth, and consequently the same amount of revolution of the roll N. The tensile or retractive power of the spring V is adjusted by turning a nut, b', over a screw-connection, c', at the opposite end of the spring.

The pressure-roll P, between which and the roll N the paper strip passes, has its bearings in blocks d', free to slide in rectangular openings cut in the sides of the standards Q, the degree with which the roll I) presses the paper against the roll N being regulated by increasing the tension of the springs c (the upper ends of which rest against said bearings) by turning IOO in or out the thumb-screwsf', a certain amount of friction being necessary to prevent the slipping of the paper, and thus insure its positive feed at the required times.

I will now describe the construction and arrangement ofthe two series of keys D E. In the left-hand series, D, there are grouped fifteen keys, and in the right-hand series, E, there are thirteen keys. Each key consists of a cylindrical pin or plunger, g', passing vertically through a circular key-board, A', of wood, and provided at its top with an annular enlargement or head, h', ot1 a convenient size for the application ot the ngers thereto, the heads being separated sufficiently to avoid the liability ot one head being touched accidentally when the head of a contiguous key is being operated oli. The heads ot' the keys are respectively numbered with the figures correspending to those of the types ot the levers operated thereby. The keys are arranged in rows. The heads of the keys-for instance, those of keys 22, 23, 24, and 25-are in one row and are operated solely by the large iinger of thelefthand. Therelativeheightstowhichthe heads of the keys project above the key-board A' are also made different to conform to the length of the lingers hy which they are respectively operated. Thus the key o, operated by the little finger, projects up higher from the surface of the board A' than the keys 26 27, operated by the contiguous finger, while the heads of the keys 22 23 24 25, operated by the long finger, are arranged in a horizontal vplane nearest the surface of the disk A', this difterence in the relative heights of the keys and the arrangement of them in independentrows serving to guide the iingers to their proper places.

To the under side ot' each circular board A' is afxed a circular plate, B', of brass, of the same diameter, the pin of each key also passing through this plate B', and being reducedy in diameter at its lower projecting end, so asto form a shoulder, t', against which bears the free end of a dat spring, k', pivoted to the plate by a screw, Z', the free end ot' the spring 7c' being provided with a circular opening to admit of its encircling the lower reduced end of the pin g', by which construction it will be seen that each key is depressed by the application of a finger upon its head against the resistance of the spring under it, the removal of the tinger allowing the key to be returned to its normal position by the resiliency ot' the Spring.

The plate B', of brass, under the wooden keyboard A' is located above and separated a short distance from alowercircular block, G',ot` wood, of larger diameter than the board A', the latter with its circular plate B' being secured to the block C' by three screw-posts, m', over the lower end ot' each of which is turned a circular screw-nut, n', the space between the under side ofthe brass disk B' and the top of the wooden block or disk C' being limited by three metallic sleeves 9' )assin over the three screwosts 7 7 m', this space being sufficientto allow of the unrestrained action of the springs 7c' on the keys D E.

Within the lower disk, C', directly in line with each key and a short distance under its point or lower end, is located the brass head q' of a screw, the point otwhich projects through the disk C', and has connected therewith the end ot' a wire, r', which is held in place by a nut, s', turned down upon a washer, t', slipped over the screw-thread. From this brass-headed screw, which lterm a contactblock, the wire r' is led around and under the head of a screw, u', passing through the disk G', a washer being interposed between the head ofthe screw a' and the wire, to prevent its being disengaged.

Over the upper end of the screw u'isturued a cylindrical post, c', designated a bindingpost,7 which thus holds it in a vertical position on the upper side of the disk C', a circular opening being formed diametrically through the binding-post for the reception of one end of a wire which leads to and is coiled around one ofthe magnets C, a small clamping or set screw being employed for securely confining the end ot' this wire.

The various electri'c connections will now be briefly recapitulated. A copper wire, a", leads from one pole of a galvanic battery (notshown) to each horizontal brass plate b", projecting out from the periphery of the under side of' the circular brass plate B' on the under side of each wooden disk A', through which the keys pass. The galvanic current passes through said wire a" to this brass plate B', thence to the keys D E, which, on being depressed, come into contact with their respective circular contactblocks q' in each lower disk C'. The current passes through the blocks g', touched by the keys, thence through the wires r' which connect the screws of these blocks g' with the screws u' ofthe corresponding binding-posts et, thence through the wires c", connecting said bindingposts with the outer ends,f, ot' the wire coils d." surrounding the corresponding magnets C, said ends fbeing grouped together and conducted out at the corner g ot' the frame-work. The current then causes the lower bifurcated ends ofthe operating magnets to attract their armatures l, which consequently elevate the outer ends of their respective levers, and depress, with a prompt and forcible impact, the types at their inner ends, making a clean legible impression on the recording-strip of the tigures representing the exact sounds uttered by the human voice. Simultaneous with the depression of the keys the current, after attracting the armatures l, passes through the inner end oi' the coiled wire d" to the brass plate d, to which it is brazed,thence through said plate to the binding-post t', thence through the wire j, secured thereto, into and through the Wire coils surrounding the electro-magnets U, which attract the armatures a' of the paper-feeding mechanism, the drawing of the armatures a' into contact with theends of the magnets causing the hooked pawls c" to be advanced under and to engage with the next teeth of the ratch- IOO IOS

IIO

IZO

hand.

ets R, and being returned to t-heir normal position by the retraction of the springV on the release of the armatures a at the instant the pressure of the ngers is removed from the operating-keys.

Operation: In order to illustrate the application of my invention, I will now give an cX- ample of the manner of manipulating the mechanism in recording asentence. Suppose, for instance, a person during a speech remarks, When in the course of human events, and it is desired to record his remarks as rapidly as they are delivered, for the word When 7 I depress key No. 3 of the right-hand series, E, with the little finger of the right hand,and at the same time key No. 5 ot same series with the third finger of the right hand; also, at same time, I depress key No.12 with the forefinger of the right hand, and key 13 with the thumb of same hand. Simultaneously I depress key 16 of left-hand series, D, with the thumb ot' left hand, and key 20 with forefinger of same This completes the record of the word When. At the sarne time I depress the key 0 of series D with the little finger ot' the left hand, this character indicating the termination ot' a word.

In the foregoing operation the various fingers and thumbs of both hands are brought down on their respective keys, as it were, at one operation, the result ot the depression of these keys being that the type bearing the gures corresponding to the phonetic sounds ot' the word when 7 are, through the electric connections explained, brought down on the recording-strip, the impressions being legibly made thereon. The tingers are now instantly removed together, causing all the types corresponding to the keys touched to rise at once from the recording strip, the feeding-pawl which (during the time when the circuit was closed) was carried forward, now engages with the next tooth of the ratchet, the retractingspring V on the breaking ot the circuit gives the required revolution to the feed-roll, and thus advances the recording-strip about oneeight of an inch to present a new surface to be acted on by the next series of operatingtypes in imprinting the iigures corresponding tothe next word in, in which the keys Nos. 1l and 13 of the right-hand series, E, are depressed with the forefinger'and thumb of the right hand simultaneously with the depression of keys Nos. 16 and 20ct the left series, D, with the left thumb and left foreiinger, respectively. Each of the remaining words the course of human events is recorded with the y same facility, each syllable at one operation,

tions ofthe mechanism described, and I shall make essential changes therein and omit many of its details which will materially reduce its cost, render it more compact, and give the reporter greater facility of action. For instance, I shall locate all of the keys on one board and place it directly over the type and paper-feeding mechanism.

I intend to make the frame -work of the mechanism of circular form.

I also intend to so arrange the keys that they will make a passing contact in descending, and not rest upon the contact-blocks, as is now the case.

I intend to dispense with the use of levers and have the type directly under or attached to the keys. I may also retain the type in a stationary position and cause the recordingstrip to feed and receive their impressions during` its motion without departing from the spirit of my invention.

From the foregoing it is evident that the keys of the instrument may be located at one point and the recording or printing mechanism at a distant point, the two being connected by an electric circuit, and the message be recorded at such distant point with the same facility that it might be recorded by the instrument located at the station where the keys are, or the record may be taken down by a series of recording-instruments located at distant points, the whole being connected by an electric circuit.

I claiml. The combination of a set of different printingcharacters representing consonant and vowel lsounds arranged, substantially as described, in three groups, those ot' one group representing consonantal sounds which precede vowels, those of another group vowel sounds, and those of another group consonant sounds succeeding vowels, whereby the several sounds are represented by different characters and permutations thereof, and the impressions of said characters and permutations occupy ixed positions in the order specified.

2. The combination ofthe different printingcharacters arranged in a single line with the keys for the two hands arranged in groups, as

described, whereby a simultaneous pressure upon a number ot' keys will print in the order named, in a single line, characters or permutations thereof representiu g consonant sounds preceding vowels, vowel sounds, and consonant sounds succeeding vowels.

3. Thehereinbefore-described method of phonetically recording words, which consists in providing a set of characters which singly and by permutation shall represent the vowel sounds and combinations of vowel sounds and the consonant sounds and combinations ofcousonant sounds, and then, by simultaneously inlpressing single characters or permutations thereof', record a whole syllable or more at a single operation.

4. Two series of keys, each series arranged in rows for the application thereto of the re- IOC IIC

spective n gers and thumb of each hand of the operator, one row of keys for each linger, in combination With a printing mechanism provided, substantially as described, with typecharacters, which singly and by permutations represent the elementary sounds arranged as precedents7 and terminalsf7 as described, constructed to operate substantially as set forth.

5. The hereinbefore-described method of ar ranging the printing-characters in a phonetic recording-machine, which consists in dividing said printing-characters into three groups, one for consonant sounds preceding the vowel sound of any syllable, one for the vowel sounds, and one for the consonant sounds succeeding the vowel sound of any syllable, the sounds being represented by single characters and permutations th ercof, arranging these groups, substantially as described, so that when impresive fingers operating the same, as and for the purpose specified.

7. Two series of keys, D E, of relative heights Acorresponding to the relative lengths of the respective ngers operating the same, one series operated by the right hand and the other series by the left hand, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 3d day of May, 1881.

MALONE VHELESS.

In presence of- NORMAN W. S'rEARNs, H. W. S'rEARNs.

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