US2755022A

US2755022A - Apparatus for safeguarding against errors in accounting documents

Info

Publication number: US2755022A
Application number: US216887A
Authority: US
Inventors: Knutsen Knut Andreas
Original assignee: Compagnie des Machines Bull SA
Current assignee: Compagnie des Machines Bull SA
Priority date: 1950-03-31
Filing date: 1951-03-22
Publication date: 1956-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 1973-07-17

Description

July'17. 9 K. A. KNUTSEN APPARATUS FOR SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 22, 1951 l/ #35 a #10! Gig/12 Gill/3 67104- iii! 1 rllll July 17, 1956 K A. T-(NUTSEN 2,755,022

APPARATUS F"OR SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS Filed March 22 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Hg. 4a

A7 ur l4 24 /9: A11 yrs! 3 July 17, 1956 K. A. KNUTSEN 2,755,022

APPARATUS FOR SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS Filed March 22, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.4:

ZZZ 8754 fiur 140 21 6: $140755 2,.- 7

July 17, 1956 Filed March 22 1951 K. A. KNUTSEN APPARATUS FOR- SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 EVE/V764 Mar 6 0 2495195 15:17:

6/ fig4c MW $4M r K. A. APPARATUS FOR SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS July 17, 1956 KNUTSEN 2,755,022

Filed March 22, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 I I l Hg. 4 d

NUTS K. A. APPARATUS FOR SAFEGUAR G AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS Filed March 22, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 24 E 158 F w h at ML w gas a 9 A\ B i 2 3 6 7 a 9 mvrmrrm- 6 g g awg-aag g g g ur 6 00x595 Kn/7- 556/ (MW, 4 v 6 July 17. 1956 K. A. KNUTSEN 2,755,022

APPARATUS FOR SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS Filed March 22, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 G0 6/ G2 G3 G4 G5 66 United States Patent APPARATUS FOR SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS Knut Andreas Knutsen, Paris, France, assignor to Compagnie des Machines Bull (Societe Anonyme), Paris, France Application March 22, 1951, Serial No. 216,887 Claims priority, application France March 31, 1950 13 Claims. (Cl. 235-6L6) suitably determined, called the control symbol.

The known devices have for object to reveal a possible error m an isolated figure simultaneously with a possible error in the transposition of two successive figures.

When it is desired to achieve a device of this type for figures written according to the decimal system of numeration: there may be used the control by eleven, in which case there must be available, to write the symbol, a special sign to designate the figure ten; or there may be used a control with a base less than eleven.

In this case the control system fails to detect certain errors which depend on the chosen base, but a special sign is no more required for representing the number ten. For example a control device with a base 3, which is adapted to calculate the sum of the digits of a number to be registered and deduce from this sum the greatest integral multiple of 3 which it contains, will not detect digital error equal to 3 or 6 or 9. These

numbers

3, 6, 9 are said to be the gaps" of the control device, An object of the present invention is to obtain as good a protection against errors as that which is provided by the control by eleven when one wants to check the listing on a card or the like, by an accounting machine, of a datum printed or, more generally, readable on an accounting document handled by this machine. This result can be obtained in many different ways, but two devices are hereafter disclosed which make it possible to calculate the remainder of the division by an integer called base of the sum of the digits of the number or datum to be checked. Devices for this pattern can easily be arranged according to the base chosen. Another device, which is a variant of the above mentioned devices -is also hereafter disclosed, permits of computing the remainder of the division by an integral base of a number equal to the algebraic sum of the digits of increasing denominational orders of the number to be checked, when said digits are alternatively given and signs, the lower order digit being positive. Such a device, working with a base 11, can replace the device SC in the Figure 2 of the above-mentionedpatent application Ser; No. 190,507 of October 17, 1950. These three control devices deliver partial symbols. The invention consists essentially in the use, in a single checking device, of at least two devices of this kind, whose bases are such that the gaps inherent to one of them are suppressed by the other or others and vice versa-Q According to the present invention: in order to use a checking symbol for-a number comprising several figures, it is not indispensable that the number formed by combining these figures with the checking symbol or control symbol has a simple arithmetical property, as was the case with the control by eleven. A symbol can also be computed through the application of a linear algebraic formula which can be applied not only to the digits of a number to be checked but also to those which conventionally represent a group of letters. This symbol is simply marked or otherwise registered besides the said number. The devices according to the present invention are above all devised to check the identity of the symbol registered on the accountingdocument with the checking symbol which they calculate.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, in order to obtain the definitive symbol there are added together the partial symbols furnished by two control devices'whose bases have been suitably selected.

Specifically, one can use '3 and 5, or 4 and 5, or 3 and 7, or 4 and 7, or 5 and 6.

A control or check made according to the present invention comprises A first register forcalculating a partial symbol corresponding'to a first base p and to the datum listed by the accounting machine; I

A second register, similar or not to the first one, for calculating another partial symbol corresponding to a second base q and to the said datum;

A comparing unit which is adapted to add the two partial symbols and to compare the checking symbol with thesymbol-registered on the handledaccounting document.

If it is desired to register the checking symbol this comparing unit can be made to control its registration by connecting it with a regular card-punching machine or the like. Checking devices of this pattern can be used with figures corresponding to a numeration system with a non-decimal base. If, for example, it is desired to control groups of letters and figures, a given arithmetic value will be assigned to each letter of the alphabet: there can thus be obtained a system based on 34 (24 letters plus 10 figures, the O and the'I being confused with the corresponding figures 0 and 1).

According to the invention, three calculating devices will be provided, having for example, such bases as, 2, 5, 7 or 3, 4, 7 or 3, 5, 7, according to the embodiment of the invention desired, and one device for comparing the sum of the three partial symbols with the symbol appearing in the accounting document.

Fig. l is a circuit diagram of a relay actuated register, which meters numerical impulses;

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of a comparing unit;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a checking device arranged according to the present invention;

Figs. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, taken together and assembled according to Fig. 5 show the complete circuit diagram of the checking device schematically shown by Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows the outline of the Figs. 4a to 4d when assembled;

Fig. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of a register adapted to calculate a partial symbol corresponding to the base 5;

Fig. 7 represents a second embodiment of a part of the register of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 represents a third embodiment of a part of the register of Fig. 6;

In order to understand the action of a checking device as shown in Figs. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, attention must first be given to Fig. l, which represents a cyclic totalizer which has a storing capacity equal to 5 and no carry-over device. This totalizer, shown in rest position, stores therefore one unit or zero every time a positive pulse, pertaining to a train of substantially periodical'pulses is'applied to the admission terminal of the totalizer.

Five relays are shown, R to R14 (plus a relay RS in series with the relays R11 to R14); the signalling devices no to m, respectively corresponding to the registered dig ts 0 to 4, represent electromagnetic relays as is shown in Fig. 4a, etc. Each of the relays R11 to R14. has two contact units. One of them is quick closing and the other one slow closing. In another embodiment each windlng R11 to R14 is replaced by two relays connected in parallel and respectively provided with two contact units. One of these relays is slow acting and the other one is qulck acting. In the Figure 1 the

contact units

10, 11, 21, 31, 41, are quick closing. The

contact units

15, 25, 35, 45, 55, are slow closing. The delays in closing of the latter contact units are substantially equal and smaller than the repetition period of the metered pulses. Trains of penodical positive pulses, hereafter called numerical, are impressed on the input terminal e. (The relay E limits the duration of this impulse by opening its delay contact 71.) Line M, at which a positive voltage is applied permanently forms with the line N the inputs of a holding circuit for the relays R11 to R14. An initial impulse applied to line L, with the system at rest (position 0), passes through 55 and energizes R11, which is maintained by the line M and the contact unit 11 when RS has opened its contact 55 with delayed action. This relay prepares the passage of the second impulse to Rrz by its slow closing contact 15, which closes. This is then positioned 1, whence the next following positions are achieved, each in turn, every time that an impulse appears at L. Each relay which is excited under the influence of an impulse cuts off the holding circuit for the relays of lower numbers and prepares by its slow closing contact the feeding of the relays of a higher number by the following impulse.

The device operates in the manner described until an impulse reaches R0. This relay opens its contact 10, which cuts off the holding circuit for all the relays, and the system reverts to the position 0.

A register as shown in Fig. 1 having a storing capacity equal to 4, can replace the counting part of the checking unit which is shown in Fig. 2 of the patent application Ser. No. 190,507 of October 17, 1950, hereabove quoted.

This counting part does not make any carry-over and consists in a sequence switch which receives trains of numerical pulses to be metered from a similar, step-by-step transmitting sequence switch. The number of pulses in each train is equal to the digit which is listed or printed by the accounting machine associated with the checking device. The use of the register of Fig. 1 in a comparing unit according to the invention, is hereafter explained in connection with the schematic circuit diagram of Fig. 2. At the top thereof are to be seen the similar signalling devices (0, 1 and 2 within a square) of a register P1 with the base 3 and also those (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 within a square) of a similar register or counter P2 with the base 5. It is assumed that each signalling device consists of an electromagnetic relay, which is inserted in the connections connecting the input terminal of the corresponding relay R with the input line N (Fig. 1). Each relay comprises a contact unit normally open and a pair of such contact units, when closed, are adapted to short-circuit one or the whole, of the series connected resistors: 100, 101, which are inserted in a

circuit

106, 107, 126, 108, 109, 110 comprising the D. C. source 126. Other series connected resistors 112 118 are connected in parallel with the resistances 100 106. Any of the resistors 112 to 117 of the symbol registering device Q can be connected to any of the resistors of the counter P2 by the connection 132-133134135 and one of the contact units 119 125 respectively controlled by the relays Do to De. The latter are fed by 8 lines 127, seven of which are connected to distinct keys of a keyboard, adapted to convert the symbol printed or marked on the accounting document into an appropriate positive pulse. This keyboard is shown in the diagram of Figures 4a to 4d. Any of the resistors 100 to 105 is equal to any of the 4 resistors 112 to 117. The

resistors

106 and 118 are equal and very large with respect to the resistors 100. For example the resistor 106 has a 10,000 ohms resistance and the resistor 100, a ohms resistance. The relay 134, 534, inserted in the

connection

132, 133, 134, 534, 135 is adapted to close a contact unit 137 and to trigger in that way a signalling device 138, when it is traversed by a current of adequate intensity. The

rectifiers

145, 136, preferentially of the copper-oxide pattern, exert a currentlimiting action with respect to the relay 134, 534 when the error made by the accounting machine is great. It is supposed, by way of example, that resistance 106 =10,000 ohms and that resistance 100:100 ohms. The closing of one of the contact units 1 and 0 of the counter P1 causes one or both

resistors

100, 101. to be short circuited by the

corresponding connection

128, 129, 130 or 131, 129, 130. If it is assumed that the counter P2 has registered 4, the counter P1 the digit 0, and the symbol registered in Q is 4, the terminal 110 is connected with the terminal a. If resistance 106==rr, resistance 100 =R, the current intensity in

line

107, 118, :1'1, the current intensity in

line

107, 106, 110, 131, 129, 130

=iz, the following equation is obtained: (r1+6R)i1 (r1+4R)iz whence V115aV1:o=4Ri1 by substituting for i1 its value derived from Equation 1:

By the conjugate limiting effect of the resistor 133 and the setting of the relay 134-534, the latter exerts no action on the contact unit 137. Neither does it exert such an action when the sum of the partial symbols respectively in the counters P1 and P2 equals the marked symbol registered in Q.

If there is an error, a current passes through the relay 134--534, which actuates the contact unit 137.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a checking device according to the present invention. The identical elements in Figures 2 and 3 have the same reference numbers. In this checking device a key-board 139, handled by a typewriter, converts into positive pulses, which it transmits to a sequence switch the successive digits of a number listed on a table or the like by a tabulating machine or any other accounting machine, as a result of the transfer therein of this number, marked on a printed accounting document, which indicates also the number symbol. These digits are then successively transmitted by the sequences switch, in form of trains of numerical positive pulses, in the first place to a pulse counter P2, working with the base 5, in the second place to a second pulse counter P1, working with the base 3, by way of the

connections

143, 145, 146 and 143, 145, 147 which comprise a pulse distributor 145, controlled by the key-board through the

connection

148, 149. The sequence switch 140 is a selector of the pattern shown in Fig. 2 of the above-mentioned patent application Ser. No. 190,507, filed on October 17, 1950. The pulse counter P1 and P: are like those shown by the enclosed Figure 1. The key-board 139 is also adapted to transfer to the symbol register Q, in the same form as to the sequence switch, the symbol which is marked on the said accounting document and corresponds to the transferred number. This symbol is equal to the sum of the remainders of the division by 5 and 3 of the sum of the digits of the said printed number. The

units

139, 140, P1, P1, Q, 14. 11 sonnected to an energizing D. C. source 126. The Comparing unit, which is called upon to compare the checking symbol, that is the sum of the partial symbols registered in the counters P1 and P2 with the symbol registered in the register Q, is the same as that hereabove disclosed in connection with Fig. 2. The

resistors

102, 103, 104, 105 are schematically represented by the rectangle 540 which is connected to the output 150 of the pulse counter P2. The

resistors

100, 101 are schematically represented by the rectangle 141, which is connected to the output 152 of the second pulse counter P1. The

resistors

112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 are schematically represented by the rectangle 142, which is connected to the output 151 of the symbol register Q. The rectangle R represents schematically the aggregate formed by the resistor 133, the relay 134, 534, and the

rectifiers

145 and 136 in Figure 2. It is connected to the block 540 and to the block 142 by the

terminals

132 and 135 respectively. The resetting to Zero of the symbol register Q is controlled by a resetting device 153 through the connection 154 and the resetting of the counters P1 and P2 is controlled by the said device, operating in conjunction with the sequence switch 140 by means of the

connection

155, 156.

Electrical lamps

157 and 158, mounted on the pulse counters P1 and P2, let know when lit that these counters are set or reset to zero.

The Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d showthe complete circuit diagram of the checking device schematically shown by the Figure 3. In these figures the contact units are shown in rest position. The key-board comprises 14 digit keys that are closed by manual depression. The

keys

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 are respectively connected to the sequence switch 140 by the connections 159, 160, 161-162, 163, 164-165, 166, 167-168, 169, 170-171, 172, 173- 174, 175, 176-177, 178-179, 180-181, 182. The six first connections respectively comprise six two-way contact units, 160, 163, 166, 169, 172, 175, that are the parts of an electromagnetic relay 173 which can be inserted by the digit key G in the

circuit

107, 184, 185, 186, 187, 108, in parallel with a similar relay 188. The latter relay controls the normally open contact unit 189, which is mounted in series with the relay 190 in the

line

191, 192, 193 which connects the negative terminal 108 of the source 126 one of the springs of the

digit keys

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, U. When the relay 183 is deenergized the

digit keys

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are connected to the symbol register Q by the connections 159, 160, 195-162, 163, 196-165, 166, 197-168, 169, 198-171, 172, 199- 174, 175, 200. The digit key zero is permanently connected to this symbol register by the

connection

201, 194. The role of the digit keys U, T and S will be indicated hereafter. The sequence switch is very similar to a selector of automatic telephone with eleven positions. It comprises an electromagnet 201 which is adapted, when energized, to give a ratchet 202 a rotating step-by-step motion by means which will be described hereafter. In its rotational movement about the shaft 203 the ratchet 202 drives four rows of double contact brushes, keyed at 90 apart. For the sake of clarity only two

rows

204, 205 and 206, 207 are represented. These brushes move, during the rotation of the wheel 202, over contact studs and sectors arranged in four superposed banks, forming two pairs. In the upper bank eleven contact studs 211 to 221 are spaced over an angle somewhat smaller than 90. In the immediately subjacent bank an input stud 222 and a contact sector 223 are successively brought into contact with the studs of the upper bank by the brush 204 which, in its initial position, connects the

studs

211 and 222. In this same position the brush 206 of the preceding row of brushes is in contact neither with the stud 221 nor with the sector 223. In the other pair of banks the upper bank comprises an input stud 208 and a contact sector 209, whilst the lower bank comprises an input stud 210 and a contact sector 223. The

sectors

223 and 209, which are connected to one another, are connected to the source 126 by the

line

107, 184, 224,

228, 229. When the

brushes

204 and 205 have rotated through from their shown initial position two other brushes, not shown, respectively come into contact with the

studs

211, 222 and 208, 210. Each of the hereabovementioned connections, which connect the keyboard 139 with the sequence switch is a part of a circuit comprising, when the corresponding digit key is depressed, the terminal 107 of the source 126, the

line

184, 185, the said connection, a dry rectifier, a relay, the

line

225, 226, 227, 186, 108. Each one of these relays R1, R2, R3 R9 controls one of the cut-off contact units C1, C2 C9 and one of the holding contact units M1 to M8. Each of the latter contacts is connected to the positive terminal 107 of the source by the sector 209 and the

connection

230, 231, 232, 233, which comprises a cut-off contact unit 234, controlled by a relay 235. This relay is inserted in the

circuit

221, 235, 226, 227, 187, 108 whose completion is secured by the passage of a brush over the contact stud 221.

As it has been hereinabove said, the electromagnet 201 is called upon to rotate intermittently the ratchet 202. The energizing

circuit

108, 187, 227, 201, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240 of this electromagnet comprises a contact unit 238, controlled by a relay 241 and a make-contact unit 239, controlled by the above mentioned relay 190. Under conditions which will be hereafter examined, the

contact units

238 and 239 are closed and the electromagnet 201 energized. It attracts then a blade 240, which rocks about a pin 241. This attraction tightens a spring 242 and an insulating push rod 245, mounted on the lever 240, displaces the blade 246 so as to open a contact 247. A pawl 248, rotatably secured at the end of the lever 240, is adapted to engage one of the forty-four peripheral recesses of the ratchet 202. When the electromagnet 201 is no longer energized, the spring 242 pulls the lever 240, causing the pawl 248 to rotate the ratchet 202 in the direction of the arrow 251 till the pawl is stopped by the stop 249. The corresponding step displacement of the brush 204 brings it into contact with the contact stud 212. A counter-pawl 250 prevents the ratchet 202 from rotating back when the pawl 248 is retracted by the clockwise movement of the lever 240. The rotation of the ratchet closes again the contact unit 247, that causes a new one step rotation of the ratchet and this motion goes on automatically till the brush 204 has taken the initial position of the brush 206 shown by Fig. 4b.

The contact studs 212 to 220 are respectively connected to cut-off contacts C1 to C9, that form a chain 255-252 which is terminated by an output 252 of the sequence switch. In the connection pertaining to the stud 220 is inserted a cut-01f contact 281 which is controlled by a relay 282. Another output 253 of the sequence switch and the cut-off contact C1 are connected by the

line

254, 255, 256, 237 to the

feeding line

237, 238, 239, 240 of the electro-magnet.

Either

output

252, 253 can be connected to the pulse distributor 145 by a make-and-break contact unit controlled by a relay 257. The pulse distributor, which is enclosed in a rectangle marked in dash-and-dot pattern, comprises a make-and-break contact unit 258 and a relay 259 which controls it. The latter relay is inserted in an energizing

circuit

107, 184, 185, U, 148, 149,259, 260, 227, 187, 108 which is completed by depressing the finger key U. When this key is in rest position either

output

252, 253 of the sequence switch is connected with the pulse counter P2 by the

line

261, 262. When the key is depressed either switch output is connected to the pulse counter P1 by the

line

263, 264. The counter P2 is a specific embodiment of the counter of Fig. 1, in the point that the rectangles lie, in, us, H3, 14 in the Figure 4a are substantially identical relays, individually controlling 2 contact units and that a lamp 158 acts as a clearing indicator. Direct current energy is fed to the pulse counter Pz by the

lines

266, 265, 228, 224, 107 and 267,

268, 227, 193, 187, 108. The five

contact units

270, 271, 272, 273, 274 represents the

contact units

4, 3, 2, l, of the counter P2 of Figure 2 and are connected in parallel, by the

connection

132, 269 to the signalling unit R, which is itself connected to the symbol register Q by the

line

275, 135. Four

other contact units

275, 277, 278, 279 of the relays 144 to 111 are respectively connected, by the resetting connections 291, 292-293, 294-295, 296, 297-298, 299, 300 to the energizing lines of the relays R14, R13, R12, R11. The latter lines are respectively connected to the

digit keys

4, 3, 2, 1. The two sets of

contact units

291, 293, 295, 298-492, 294, 297, 300 are a part of the resetting device 153 and are respectively controlled by the relays 301, 302. The contact unit 280 is adapted to switch on and out the indicating lam 158. The three relays V0, V1, V2 of the pulse counter P1 are substantially identical to the relays 110 to m of the counter P1. The

contact units

283, 284, 285 correspond to those referenced 0, 1, 2, in the counter P1 of Fig. 2. The

contact units

286, 287, 288 are connected in parallel to the positive terminal 107 of the source by the

line

289, 290, 185, 184. The contact units 287 and 288 are respectively connected by the

connections

303, 299, and 304, 296 to the 2 resetting connections which correspond to the relays 111 of the counter P2. The

contact units

303 and 304 are controlled by a relay 305. The two relays 301 and 305 are connected in parallel on the one hand, to a contact stud of the three-pole, double-throw switch 306 normally open, which is adapted to control, as will be shown hereinafter, either the resetting of the pulse counter P2, or that of the pulse counter P1. In its two closing positions, by way of its terminals 30611 or 306b, it is adapted to energize the

relays

307, 308 and 309. The relay 307, when energized, closes the contact unit 310 which energizes the relay 257. The relay 308, when energized, opens the contact unit 311 inserted in the holding

circuit

224, 312, 323, 321, 319, 320 of the relay 321 and, more generally, of the

other relays

313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318 of the symbol register Q. The energizing of the relay 309 closes the contact unit 322 and connects the output 254 of the sequence switch to a printing device shown in M in Figure 3, which is adapted to register the sum of the partial symbols, hereinabove called checking symbol. The operation of the checking device represented by the Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is as follows:

The operator registers first the symbol marked or printed on the accounting document besides the number to be transferred into the machine, which is for example 7859. This symbol being 6, he depresses the finger key 6 and a positive pulse energizes the relay 321 of the symbol register Q. The latter relay closes its two contact units and is held energized by the holding circuit hereinabove mentioned and thus completed. The relay 134 of the signalling unit is then connected to the positive terminal of the source 126 through the resistor 118. After this registration, the operator releases the digit key 6 and depresses the key G. By so doing the relays R1 to R9 of the sequence switch are connected to the terminals 159 to 181 of the keyboard and the contact unit 184, controlled by the relay 188, gets closed. A locking finger key not shown is simultaneously depressed and keeps the key G depressed when it is released by the operator. When the latter wants it to come into its undepressed position, he depresses once more the locking key, as is usual in the regular writing machines for typing words in capital letters. The operator depresses then the key S, which is also provided with a locking key not shown and remains depressed after releasing. The switch 238 gets closed and the relay 241 is held energized by the

connection

330, 331, 332. The operator types afterwards the number 7859 in the usual manner. When he depresses the key 7 he energizes the relay 190 through the

line

177, 192, what entails the closing of the contact unit 239 and the sending of a positive impulse into the electromagnet 201 through the switch 238. The ratchet 202 turns through and seven positive pulses, transmitted by the output 253 of the sequence switch, produce the registration of 2 in the pulse counter P2. The passage of the brush 204 on the contact stud 221 clears the sequence switch by the opening in 234 of the holding circuit of the relays R1 to R9 by means of the relay 235. The depressing of the key 8, which takes place immediately after, entails the registration of zero in the counter P2. The depressing of the key 5 entails the registration of zero in the counter and finally the depressing of the key 9 causes the digit 95=4 to be registered in this counter. The lamp 158, which was lit just before the depressing of the key S, is now extinguished. The operator depresses now the key U, which remains depressed after releasing by means of a locking key of the pattern herein above mentioned. The output 253 of the sequence switch is now connected to the input terminal 264 of the pulse counter P1. The operator types again the number 7859 and this counter finally registers the digit 2=7+8+5+927. In that condition the input 269 of the signalling unit R is connected to the terminal of the resistor 105 and the terminal 109 of the resistor 100 is connected to the negative terminal 108 of the source by the

connection

325, 326. The other input 275 of the unit R being connected to the upper terminal of the resistor 117, the relay 134 is deenergized and does not bring the signalling device 138 into action.

The checking being now over, the operator unblocks the key U and sets the change-over switch 306 into the upper position of closing, in which the terminal 306b is connected to the positive terminal of the source through the

line

265, 266, 327. He could have as well let the key depressed and set the switch 306 into its lower position of closing, what would have caused the clearance of the counter P1. The closed contact unit 276 in relay 114 is now connected at 328 with the line 169, and a positive pulse propagating towards 170 energizes the relay R Simultaneously, through the terminal 306b, the

relays

307, 308 and 309 are energized and the symbol register is set to zero. The said positive pulse propagates along the

path

328, 169, 168, 240, 239, 238, 237 on the one hand to the electro-magnet 201, on the other hand to the output 254 of the sequence switch via the

line

237, 256, 255. The ratchet 202 is put in rotation and three other positive pulses are set through the said output. Then six positive pulses are sent into the pulse counter P2, in step with the passage of the brush 204 over the studs 215 to 220. This counter receives a pulse number equal to the complement to 10 of the digit therein registered. It registers therefore zero and the lamp 158 is again lit. As soon as the operator sees it lit he depresses the key U and puts the switch 306 in its lower closing position, for which the relay 282 is energized through the terminal 306a and opens the contact unit 281. Simultaneously the relays 301 and 305 are deenergized whilst the relay 302 remains energized. As a result the

relays

307, 308 and 309 are again energized and the closed contact unit 288 of the relay v: of the counter P1 is connectcd at 329 to the line 163, 164 through the

connection

304, 296, 297. Two positive pulses propagating in opposite directions along this line and the therewith connected elements reach simultaneously the relay R2 and the electromagnet 201, which are energized, and the output 254 of the sequence switch. The ratchet 202 is again put in rotation and one supplementary ulse traverses the said output 254. As the contact unit 281 is opened, only seven positive pulses are sent by the sequence switch output 252 into the pulse counter P1. In other words this counter receives the complement to 9 of the digit therein registered and is reset to zero. The lamp 157 is then lit and indicates that the resetting of this pulse counter is done. The operator unblocks then the key S in the manner hereinabove disclosed and depresses then the key T, what energizes the relay 333 and opens the holding circuit of the relay 241. The checking device is now put again in its initial inoperative condition, but if other checkings are to be done it goes without saying that the key S must remain blocked. An appliance not shown permits to out 01f automatically the

connection

254, 322 of the sequence switch with the printing device every time the signalling device 138 is brought into action.

Fig. 6, which is composed of two parts 60: and 6b separated by the broken line XX, shows an embodiment of a register which differs from that in Figures 1 and 4 in the point that it produces numerical impulses with its own means, without cooperating with a sequence switch as shown in Fig.- 4d. In other words Fig. 6 shows a self-contained register which has a storing capacity equal to 5 and is derived from the device of Fig. l. The relays in Fig. 6 are shown at rest position and the elements performing in the register of Fig. 6 the same functions as in that of Fig. I bear the same reference numbers.

In Fig. 6b keyboard F6, located in a rectangle F6 marked in dash-and-dot pattern, is adapted to control the punching or the printing in a card of the partial symbol calculated by the register. This key-board permits also converting into positive pulses a number printed or listed by the accounting machine to be checked, as a resultof its tabulation from an accounting document handled by this machine. This key-board comprises 9 digit keys, which act as contact units and are referenced 1 to 9. It comprises moreover the keys A and B which,

as will be shown hereafter, permit connecting and disconnecting from a source 341 the 9 elec'tromagnets G1 to .G9. All the keys are connected to the positive terminal 340 of a D. C. source 341 by a

connection

342, 343, 345 and the digit keys are connected in pairs to the register, by four input lines L1, L2, L3, L4. These lines are respectively connected to the relays E1, E2, E3, E4 whlch are of a well known pattern adapted to limit the duration of the pulses sent into the register, as is readily seen. The

keys

1 and 6 which transmit pulses of value 1, are connected at 336 to the line L1. The

keys

2 and 7 producing pulses of value 2 are connected at 337 to the line L2. The

keys

3 and 8, producing pulses of value 3, are connected at 338 to the line L3. The

keys

4 and 9, producing pulses of value 4, are connected at 339 to the line L4.

The relay Rs of the register controls the

contact units

54, 55, 56, 57, 58 four of which, referenced 55 to 58, are slow opening. The relay R11 controls the contact units 11 to 18 the relay R12 controls the contact units 21 to 28, the relay R13 controls the contact units 31 to 38, the relay R14 controls the contact units 41 to 48 and the relay R0 controls the contact unit 10. It is assumed'that the delays in closing of the contact units 15 to 18, to 28, to 38, to 48 are substantially equal and smaller than the minimum time interval elapsed between'two successive key depressings. The same assumption is done for the delays in opening of the contact units to 58. We shall assume to start with, that the successive impulses applied to the register come solely through line L1. It is readily seen that the operation is analogous to that indicated in Fig. 1. The register being assumed to be at rest, an initial impulse passesthrough 55, closed, and excites R11, which is maintained energized by 14, now closed, 23, 32, 41; 55 opens with delayed action and 15 closes similarly. A second impulse passes through 15 and excites R12 which opens 23, which cuts the holding circuit of R11; R12 is maintained energized by 24 closed, 33, 42 and 11 now closed. The relays R11, R12, R13, R14, R0 are thus each excited in turn, while the register registers one unit more at each impulse.

If we now'assume that the successive impulses come solely through L2, the initial impulse passing through 56 excites R12 which is maintained by 24, 33, 42, 11;56

is opened with delayed action and 26 closes similarly. The following impulse, passing through 26, excites R14, which by opening 42 cuts off the holding circuit of R12; R14 is maintained by 44, 13, 22 now closed, 31. Like wise, a subsequent impulse excites R11; another R13; another R0. The register registers two units more with each impulse.

It can similarly be shown that an impulse applied at L3 causes the result obtained at U0 to U4 to advance three rows at a time; or four rows when the impulse comes through L4. a

If the punching or printing in a card or the like of the number listed by the machine is wanted or if the partial symbol calculated in the register must be printed or punched in a document or card the key B is depressed, what energizes the relay 344.

It remains energized after releasing the key B through the holding circuit 345, 347,348 and closes the contact unit- 350. The latter connects all the electromagnets G to the negative terminal 346 of the source.

When one wants thereafter to render these magnets inoperative, one depresses the key A, what results in the opening of the contact unit 348 by the relay 349.

Fig. 7, which must be juxtaposed to Fig. 6 so that the broken lines XX of both of them be confounded and the line L'4 of Fig. 7 is a colinear extension of line L4 of Fig. 6, shows a four-pole reversing switch limited by a rectangle I. It connects the input lines of the register with the 4 output terminals 339 to 336 of the keyboard F7, which presents a 5th output terminal 350; connected to a digit key 0. As has been said hereinabove, the device represented by the part 6a of Fig. 6 and by Fig. 7 permits computing the remainder of the division by 5 of a number equal to the algebraic sum of the sum of the digits of increasing denominational orders of the number to be checked, when said digits are alternatively given and signs, the lower order digit being positive. In the reversing switch I the line L'r is connected to the terminal 64a of the contact unit 64, the line Us is connected to terminal 63a of the contact unit 63, the line L'3 is connected to the terminal 62a of the contact unit 62 and the line U4 is connected to the terminal 61a of the contact unit 61.

These 4 contact units are controlled by a relay 351, whose energizing

circuit

352, 93, 353 can be alternately closed and opened by a cam 92, when the latter is given an intermittent rotating movement by the ratchet wheel 91. The operation of this pawl-and-r'atchet gear will be explained hereafter. The four relays E1 to E4 are respectively provided with four pairs of contact units e1, en, es, e4. One of the units of each pair, designated by the subscript a, is quick-acting, the other one being slow-acting and marked with a little cross. Each quickacting contact unit is a part of the holding circuit of the corresponding relay. All holding circuits have the same negative terminal 354 and the same positive terminal 355. This terminal is connected by the

connection

365, 356, 357 both to the zero line and to relay 1, whose energizing

circuit

356, 357, 358 is completed by the closing of any quick-acting contact unit or by the depressing of the key 0. It results therefrom that when ever a digit of the number to be entered in the register is typed on the keyboard the relay I is energized and puts in motion the pawl-ratchet gear combined with the cam 92, which is shown in Fig. 1 of the hereinabove mentioned patent application Ser. No. 190,507 of October 17, 1950. The pawl a is rotatably mounted at the end of an armature 90, which can rock about a pin 90b and is permanently drawn clockwise by a spring 94. When the relay I is energized, it attracts the armature 90, what tightens the spring 94, and retracts the pawl 90a. When the relay is deenergized in consequence of the release of the key, the spring 94 pulls the armature 90 clockwise, causing the pawl to rotate the ratchet through 90. Keyed on the shaft 359 is a cam 92 which, ac

cording to its position, raises or lowers the movable spring of the contact unit 93 so as to close or open the latter. The rotation of the ratchet is limited by a stop 90b. It is supposed that the number to be entered into the register is 230, and that in its rest position the contact unit 93 is open. The key is first depressed, what causes the armature 90 to rotate from its rest position, shown in the figure. When this key is released the armature comes back in its rest position and the cam 92 takes the position shown. The key 3 is then depressed and a positive impulse impressed on the line L2, when it is released the cam 92 turns again through 90 and the relay 351 is deenergized. The key 2 is finally depressed and an impulse sent on the line L2. The register finally registers 2+2=4.

The register shown by Fig. 6 can obviously be made on identical principles for a base different from 5.

Figure 8 offers a variant embodiment of the part 61) of Fig. 6. The relays of this embodiment are represented at rest position. Here the 4 relays E1 to E4 have been replaced by a single relay E with 4 contacts 71 to 74 (a fifth contact 70 serving to actuate the reverser unit each time that a 0 or a space is introduced) and two sets of stop cells c and c1 serving to prevent the impulse on one line from crossing to another by the connections established. Relays T and 351 of Fig. 6 have, for their part, been replaced by a group of 3 relays R'0, R'11, R'S connected to form a totalizer of the type of Fig. 1 but operating with a base 2. On the analogy of relays R0 to R14 and Rs of Fig. 1, these relays are respectively designated by the reference letters R'o, Rrr, R's. The relay R'u controls the

contact units

360 and 361, the relay Ro controls the contact unit 362. The relay Ru is of well-known slow-operating and slow-releasing type, the relay R'o is quick-acting, and the relay R's slow-releasing only, so that the duration of the attraction of the latters armature is equal to about the pulse repetition period. These features can be obtained, for example, by the use of a copper slug fitted over an end of the relay core. The trigger unit 363 inserted in the time 364-360 permits transmitting the relay Rn every two positive pulses. This trigger unit is similar to that disclosed in Fig. 1 of the patent application Ser. No. 171,684, filed on July 1, 1950, by K. A. Knutsen. The input 36311 of this trigger unit is a symmetrical point of the input circuits of the two triodes included in this unit. The output 36312 is a tap of the resistive load of the output circuit of one of these triodes. The two relays R'n and R'S can be replaced by a single one of the slow-operating and slow-releasing type, which controls the contact units 61 to 64, 360 and 361. The arrangement comprising these 3 relays is thus equivalent to a reversing switch. It is necessary, for the register unit of Fig. 6, or that of Fig. 7 and part 6a of Fig. 5, or that of Fig. 8 and part 60 of Fig. 6 to operate conveniently, that the delays in opening of the contact units inserted in the lines L1 to L4 and controlled either by the relays E1 to E4 in case of Figs. 6 and 7, or by the relay E in case of Fig. 8, are less that those of the contact units controlled by the relays R of the totalizer proper. In fact any numerical pulse must die away as soon as it has energized any of these relays R, Rn for example, so that it cannot energize a second relay, whose energizing circuit is established by the slow-acting contact which is controlled by this relay Rn.

Obviously, such a register, which has been described for a base, can be carried out on identical principles for any base. Furthermore, if, for example, a 7 is registered in a 3 base register, the circuits (not shown) will be such that the digit will be introduced at the terminal 1 as if it were a 1; if it is an 8, on terminal 2, etc.

It will be seen that a register of the type'of Fig. 6 operates on the following principles:

For each output position of the register there is a corresponding relay and for each digit that can be introduced a line of excitation;

The relays exert reciprocal control always in the same direction, i. e. each relay prepares the excitation of the relay located one position ahead through the line corresponding to the digit 1, that of the relay located two positions ahead through the line corresponding to the digit 2, etc.

The excitation of a relay assures its holding and cuts off all the others;

The admission of a digit in subtraction is obtained by exciting the line corresponding to the digit which is complementary to the base figure, by the action of a reverser.

To complete the description of a control device pursuant to the invention, there remains to be explained the operation of a comparer device; for this purpose, by way of example, Fig. 2 may be examined. At the top appear the output devices (0, 1 and 2 within a square) of a 3 base register and also those (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 within a square) of a 5 base register. It is easy to arrange for a contact to be closed in said device when a voltage there appears, by means of a relay or under the direct action of relays R0, R11, etc. (see Fig. 1). Below, the reading terminals LE collect the voltage according to the result read, cor responding to the symbol registered on the document, which actuates a contact corresponding to that of the relays D0 to D6, which is excited. Above and below are high resistances acting as potentiometers to and 112 to 117, 100 to 105 are placed in series with a

resistance

106 and 112 to 117 with a resistance 118. It is preferable if 118:106 and if, to simplify and to obtain a symmetrical arrangement, that each resistance 112 to 117 is to be equal to each resistance 100 to 105. Thus, for example, 118: 106=10,000 ohms and each element of one of the potentiometers=100 ohms. In these circumstances, for a voltage of 100 volts applied between s and t, the fall of voltage at the terminals of an element of any potentiometer will be about equal to 1 v., or 6 v. for 6 elements. The closing of one of the contacts of the counter P1, brings into circuit the corresponding element or elements of the potentiometer of P1, which is tantamount to increasing by so many units the picked up voltage. Furthermore, the closing of a contact of the counter P2 likewise permits the employment of a number of elements corresponding to the figure indicated by the counter, so that between 132 and t there is obtained practically the sum of the voltages corresponding to the sum of the partial symbols supplied by the counters P1 and P2. 'Ihis total voltage must be equal to the voltage corresponding to the registered symbol, which appears between points 135 and t." If there is an error, a current will pass into one of the relay coils 134 and 534 placed in series with a resistance, each relay coils being mounted in series with an unidirectional element; at the terminals, two dry rectifiers and 136 set up in opposition, or any other limiter, such as two diodes, permit limitation of the current when the error is important. The relay actuates a contact which itself releases any suitable available utilization device 138: a light, sound or block signal, etc., accord ing to any of the known methods.

Of course, the details of execution can be modified in numerous ways, such as doubling the relays and contacts, adding known elements, etc., without exceeding the scope of the invention. Specifically, the comparer device may be made to consist, on the one hand, of a totalizer of a known model and any known combination of comparison, for example by relays and alternating contacts, actuating the devices for utilization of the comparison; it can also, following a principle of analogous to that of Fig. 2, operate on alternating current which permits of conveniently adding the voltage supplied by separate transformers for each register, voltage which afterwards may be rectified; the compared voltages may be applied to different grids of the same electronic tube, etc. Finally, it is possible to generalize further the principle of the invention by forming the definitive symbol, not by addition of partial symbols, but by virtue of any previously 13 established correspondence provided, for example, -on a switchboard;'the comparer device, in this case, will be required, on the one" hand, to effect the said correspondence by combinations of contacts and, on the other, to compare the symbolfthus obtained with the symbol registered on the accounting document.

I claim:

1. Device for detecting erroneously transcribed data accompanied by a checking item on a record for accounting machines, 'c'omprisinga plurality of differently operating calculating apparatuses, means for successively entering into each of said apparatuses numbers corresponding to the distinct items to be controlled except said checking item, means for detecting the result of each apparatus, calculating means receiving the results so detected to calculate in a predetermined manner a single value characteristic of the entered numbers, and means for comparing said single value with the checking item and for operating utilization means according to the results of such comparison.

2. Device for detecting mistranscription in a series of figures including a checking figure on a record for accounting machines, comprising a plurality of differently operating calculating apparatuses, electric means for successively entering into each apparatus the figures of the series except said checking figure to obtain a representative voltage for each apparatus, means to transform into a resulting single voltage the voltages furnished by the different apparatuses, said single voltage being representative of a resulting figure according to a pre-determined relation, and means for comparing such resulting figure with the checking figure and for evidencing an error in case of a discrepancy between the last two figures.

3. Device for detecting mistranscription in a series of figures accompanied by a checking figure, on a record for accounting machines, comprising a plurality of differently operating calculating apparatuses, means for successively entering into the apparatuses all the figures of the series except said checking figure, means for adding together the results furnished by the ditferent apparatuses, and means for comparing the figure resulting from such addition with the checking figure and for evidencing an error in case of a discrepancy between the last two figures.

4. Device for detecting erroneously transcribed data accompanied by a checking item on a record for accounting machines, comprising a plurality of cyclic counters of different counting capacity, means for successively entering into said counters numbers corresponding to the distinct items of the data to be controlled except said checking item, alternately in true value and in complement to the capacity of the respective counter according to the order of succession of said distinct items, means for detecting the result of each apparatus, calculating means receiving the results so detected to calculate in a predetermined manner a single value characteristic of the entered numbers, and means for comparing said value with the recorded values of the checking item and for operating utilization means according to the result of such comparison.

5. Device for detecting erroneously transcribed data accompanied by a checking item on a record for accounting machines, comprising two differently operating calculating apparatuses, means for successively and simultaneously entering into both said apparatuses numbers corresponding to the distinct items of the data to be controlled except said check item, means for detecting the result of each apparatus, calculating means receiving the results so detected to calculate in a predetermined manner a single value characteristic of the entered numbers, and means for comparing said value with the recorded value of the checking item and for operating utilization means according to the result of such comparison.

6. Device for detecting mistranscription in a series of digits accompanied by a checking item, on a record for accounting machines, comprising a plurality of cyclic counters of different counting capacity one at least of these capacities being of a numeral value difiering from the numeration basis of said series of digits, electrical means for successively entering all of said digits of said series into each of said counters, alternately in true value and in complement to the capacity of the respective counter according to the order of succession of said digits to obtain a representative voltage for each counter, means for detecting the representative voltage for each counter, means to transform the voltages so detected into a resulting single voltage, said single' voltage being representative of a resulting digit according to a pre-established relation, and means for comparing the value of said resulting digit with the recorded value of the checking item and for operating utilization means according to the result of such comparison.

7. Device for detecting erroneously transcribed data accompanied by a checking item on a record for accounting machines, comprising data entry means to enter each datum into a plurality of differently operating calculating apparatuses each including a number of electrical devices adapted to indicate any entry of a datum by a change of voltage on an output connection, said entry means controlling said electrical devices in a difierent manner for each difierent datum value, means cooperating with said electrical devices for maintaining each voltage, means for suppressing the maintained voltage for every change of voltage, an adding and comparing electrical apparatus for comparing the sum of the final voltages maintained on the output connections of each of said calculating apparatuses with a voltage representative of the value of said checking item, and utilization means operating according to the result of such comparison.

8. Electrical device for detecting erroneously transcribed data accompanied by a checking item on a record for accounting machines, comprising a plurality of electromagnetic diiterently operating calculating apparatuses, means for successively applying to each said apparatus a voltage on a distinctive one of a plurality of input terminals of said apparatuses, corresponding to all the different items of the data to be controlled except the checking item, means for detecting a result in the form of a voltage, the value of which is in relation with the distinctive one of the output terminals of the apparatus on which it appears, means for comparing a voltage proportional to the value of the checking item with the sum of the voltages related to the results furnished by the dilferent calculating apparatuses, and means for operating utilization means according to the result of such comparison.

9. Device for detecting erroneously transcribed data accompanied by a checking item for accounting machines, comprising a plurality of ditferently operating calculating apparatuses, means for successively entering numbers corresponding to the different items of the data to be controlled into each of said apparatuses, means for combining together the results furnished by the different apparatuses according to a pre-established correspondence when all the numbers corresponding to the different items of the data to be controlled have been entered into the apparatuses, means for comparing a voltage proportional to the value of the checking item with the sum of the voltages proportional to the results furnished by the different calculating apparatuses, and means for operating utilization means according to the result of such comparison.

10. A control device for detecting errors made by an accounting machine when storing data which are readable on a document together with a check single symbol, this device comprising in combination means for entering each successively stored datum into an electrical switching unit to transform each datum into representative electrical pulses, a pulse-responding cyclic counter connected to the switching unit output to calculate and deliver a partial symbol of said data in the form of a voltage; at least another differently pulse-responding cyclic counters similarly connected; an electrical network, arranged in the form of predetermined circuits connected to the outputs of said counters, transforming the voltages finally delivered by said counters into a resulting voltage on the network output; means for entering said resulting voltage and a voltage representative of the value of said check symbol into a comparing unit giving a signal when said resulting voltage is dilferent from said representative voltage.

11. A control device as claimed in claim 10, wherein each partial symbol is the remainder of the division, by an integer smaller than ten, of the sum of the digits of the readable data.

12. A control device as claimed in claim 10, wherein each partial symbol is the remainder of the division, by an integer smaller than ten, of the algebraic sum of the successive digits of the readable data, when said digits are alternately given and signs.

13. A control device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the check symbol is the sum of the partial symbols.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,283,293 Poole Oct. 29, 1918