US2762931A

US2762931A - Apparatus for photoelectrically sensing message records

Info

Publication number: US2762931A
Application number: US340030A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lawrence J Schewe
Original assignee: Teletype Corp
Current assignee: AT&T Teletype Corp
Priority date: 1953-03-03
Filing date: 1953-03-03
Publication date: 1956-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 1973-09-11

Description

Sept. 11, 1956 L. J. SCHEWE 2,762,931

APPARATUS FOR PHOTOELECTRICALLY SENSING MESSAGE RECORDS Filed March 3, 1953 INVENTOR LAWRENCE J. SCHEWE ATTORNEY United States Patent APPARATUS FOR PHOTOELE'CTRICALLY SENSING MESSAGE RECORDS Lawrence J. Schewe, Des Plaines, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application March 3, 1953, Serial No. 340,036

16 Claims. (Cl. 250-219) This invention relates to apparatus for photoelectricallv sensing message records and more particularly to photoelectric sensing devices for positively ascertaining the presence of indicia formed in a record wherein said indicia comprises permutations of lidded apertures.

In many telegraph installations apparatuses such as printers, reperforators and transmitters are controlled or actuated in accordance with pennutatively arranged perforations formed in a tape. Perforators and reperforators have been designed to punch perforations in a tape with out completely removing sections from the tape but rather these devices sever the tape so that the severed sections remain attached to the body of the tape. The uncut or junction portion of the severed section serves as a hinge, thus there are formed in the tape hinged lids covering the perforations which are adapted to yield to the pressure of sensing pins contained in standard telegraph sensing devices. A salient advantage of this type of message tape resides in the facility with which printed characters can be placed over the lids. Due to the presence of the lids covering the perforations, these message tapes are not readily adapted for use in photelectric sensing devices.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide photoelectric sensing devices for rapidly and positively sensing message tape having lidded apertures.

It is another object of this invention to provide a photoelectric tape sensor having means for engaging and holding the lids covering apertures in a raised position during a sensing operation.

Another and more finite object of the invention resides in a means for lifting the lids covering apertures and then providing means for holding the lids in a raised position to permit the passage of light through the exposed apertures.

Additional features of the invention reside in the provision of several types of members for engaging and holding previously raised lids in an elevated position which are brought into operation in timed relation to the operation of a tape advancing mechanism.

With these and other objects in view the present invention contemplates a tape feeding device for feeding a tape having permutations of lidded apertures therein past a photoelectric sensing station. As the tape approaches the sensing station, spring elements raise the lids covering each aperture to permit a holding device to engage, advance, and hold the raised lids in an elevated position. The holding device is operated to advance at a speed greater than the speed of the advance of the tape, consequently the holding device further raises the lids to completely expose the apertures thereunder. One form of holding device has apertures formed therein to register with the exposed apertures when said apertures are positioned in the sensing station. The carrier for the holding device is also provided with apertures in register with the apertures in the holding device. At the sensing station a light source projects light through the aligned apertures formed in the carrier, the holding device, and

in the tape and onto a bank of photocells connected in a control circuit within any suitable type of telegraph apparatus.

Attention is directed to the patent of R. D. Slayton, No. 2,667,535 wherein subject matter is shown relating to other methods and apparatus as for photoelectrically sensing tape having lidded apertures formed therein.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a photoelectric sensing device illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the photoelectric sensing device shown in Fig. 1 including the details of a driving mechanism for the device,

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of a lid lifter comprising an alternative embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the lid lifter shown in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another form of lid lifter, and

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of an alternative lifter comprising a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 there is disclosed a message tape or preform 10 having permutatively formed therein code combinations which are comprised of perforations or apertures 11 having lids 12 normally covering the perforations. The tapes having the permutations of lidded apertures formed therein may be perforated by a punch device such as disclosed in the patent to I. L. DeBoo, No. 2,545,198, dated March 13, 1951. As described in that patent, feed holes, such as designated by the reference numeral 13, are also formed in the tape and have lids covering the holes.

- Referring more specifically to Fig. 2 there is disclosed a wheel 14 having a great number of evenly spaced feed pins radially extending from its outer peripheral surface. Feed wheel 14 is mounted on a shaft 17 having keyed or otherwise secured thereto a gear 18 adapted to be driven by a constantly rotating pinion 19. The feed pins 16 are adapted to engage the feed holes 13 and continuously advance the tape 10 towards the left as viewed in Fig. 2. Positioned within the path of each longitudinal row of perforations for-med in the tape 10 is a spring element 21 mounted on any suitable rigid support or frame and adapted to successively raise the lids 12 as the tape 10 is advanced.

Gear 18 meshes with a pinion 22 fixed to a rotatably mounted shaft 23. The radiuses of the gear 18 and pinion 22 in the illustrated example of the invention are selected so that the angular velocity of the pinion 22 is approximately three times the angular velocity of the gear 18. Affixed to the shaft 23 is a drum or carrier 24 having mounted on its outer peripheral surface a plurality of series of evenly spaced holding devices consisting of spring metal lifters 26. Each of the lifters as is prcvided with an elongated slot 27 which is in register with an aperture 28 formed in the drum The number of series of spring lifters is equal to approximately /3 the number of feed pins 16. Positioned intermediate the shafts 17 and 23 and within the drum 24 is a plurality of light sources 29 equal in number to the number of apertures in each series of transversely positioned apertures 28. Positioned beneath the tape 16 and in register with each longitudinal row of lidded apertures 1.1 is a photo electric cell 31 which may be of any type such as a photoconductive cell, photovoltaic cell, or photoemissive cell. All that is necessary is that these cells be sensitive to light and be capable of varying the characteristics of an electrical circuit connected to any desired piece of equipment.

In operation of this embodiment of the invention, the tape is stepped along by the feed pins 16 engaging the lidded feed holes 13. As the tape advances, the spring elements 21 successively raise the lids 12 into the path of moving lifters 26 because said elements are normally biased to a position wherein rounded ends thereof project above the plane of the tape 10. Simultaneous with the advance of the tape 10, the drum 24 is rotated and as previously indicated the drum 24 rotates at a greater angular velocity than the feed wheel 14, hence the lifters 26 rotate at a greater linear velocity than the linear velocity of the tape 10. Each series of lifters 26 is so positioned on the drum 24 so as to engage the lids 12 while said lids are being held in the elevated position by the spring elements 21. Subsequent to the engagement of a series of spring lifters 26 with a series of lids 12, the spring lifters 26 move relative to the tape 10 and manifestly the lids 12 are further raised. This relative movement continues until the exposed apertures 11 are positioned in alignment with the light source 29 and the photocell 31 at which point the lids 12 are held in a substantially vertical position to completely expose the apertures 11.

It is to be noted that in the illustrated structure the drum rotates three times as fast as the feed wheel but there are only one third the number of series of lid lifters 26 as there are feed pins 16 on the feed wheel, consequently as each feed pin passes through the sensing position, only one lid lifter passes through the sensing position. It is to be realized that the described ratio of angular velocities and the ratio of the number of pins to the number of series of lid lifters are simply illustrative and many other ratios may be selected to permit the simultaneous passage of a pin 16 and a series of lid lifters 26 through the sensing position.

Inasmuch as there are apertures 28 formed in the drum 24 and apertures 27 formed in the lifters 26 which are also in ali nment with the light sources 29 and photocells 31., the result is that the photocells 31 are energized in a pattern determined by the permutation of exposed apertures 11 positioned in the sensing position. Following each sensing operation, tape 10 continues to ad vance and the spring lifters 26 are withdrawn from the lids 12. The tape is advanced to present the raised lids 12 to a smoothing element 32 having a rounded forward edge which moves the lids back into position to cover the apertures 11. The tape 10 is now restored to the condition existing previous to the sensing operation.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown an alternative lid lifter which can be used with equal facility in the sensing device shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this instance the lid lifter comprises an elongated body 36 of transparent material. The body of transparent material is ground and shaped to provide five projections 37 of a truncated pyramidal form which are adapted to be in alignment with the longitudinal rows of apertures formed in the tape 10. A drum or carrier 38 (see Fig. 4) similar to drum 24 shown in Fig. 2 is provided with a transverse slot 39 over which the body 36 of transparent material is mounted. Each of the projections 37 is provided with a lip 46 extending from its front lateral faces. A relatively wide notch 41 is formed in the body 36 in order to accommodate therein the feed pins 16. The projections 37 together with the lips 40 form lifters which are the equivalent of the lifters 27 shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The feeding mechanism together with the spring elements 21 are again utilized in conjunction with the lid lifters 3740 and manifestly the mode of operation of a device utilizing lifters shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is substantially the same as that described in relation to the operation of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and thus a detailed repetitive description is deemed unwarranted.

The lateral faces of the projections 37 can be coated with an opaque substance so that the light from a light source 42 would be concentrated on the area of the exposed apertures 11 to be sensed. It is also feasible to optically grind the projections 37 to form lenses which would project a spot of light onto the exposed apertures 11 in the sensing position.

Referring now to Fig. 5, there is shown a drum or carrier 46, similar to drum 24 shown in Fig. 2, having transverse elongated slots 47 formed therein. Attached to the drum 46 and positioned forward of the slot 47 is an angle bar or blade 48 provided with a notch 49 to accommodate therein the feed pins 16 of a feed wheel 14 such as shown in Fig. 2.

In operation of the device shown in Fig. 5 the lids 12 are again raised by spring elements 21 whereupon one of the angular bars 48 is brought into position to engage the raised lids 12 and as the tape advances the lids are further raised until the sensing station is reached. In the sensing station, the slot 47 is positioned in register with the exposed apertures 11 in the tape, the photocells 31 and the light source 29 so that a photoelectric sensing operation may be performed.

Attention is directed to Fig. 6 wherein another type of lid lifter is disclosed. In this embodiment the lid lifter takes the form of a stiff resilient wire 51 fabricated in the configuration shown. The wire 51 is bent to provide a recessed portion 52 to accommodate therein the feed pins 16. Again as in Fig. 5 a drum or carrier 46 having transverse slots 47 is provided.

In operation of this device the wire 51 engages, raises, and holds the lids 12 in an elevated position to permit the performance of a photoelectric sensing operation in a manner substantially the same as that described in the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 5.

It is to be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatus and construction of elemental parts are simply illustrative of the principles of the invention and many other modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for photoelectrically sensing permutations of lidded apertures formed in a message tape, means for advancing the tape to a sensing station, a first means for raising the lids prior to advancement to the sensing station, a carrier, means for moving the carrier at a speed greater than that of the advancing tape, and a second means on the carrier for engaging and further raising the lids as the lids are advanced to the sensing station.

2. In an apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a plurality of L-shaped members extending from the carrier having slots formed in engaging legs of the L-shaped members.

3. In a apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a body of transparent material having a plurality of projections formed thereon, a lip extending from the lateral forward face of each projection for contacting the lids.

4. In an apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a blade member secured to and laterally extending from the face of the carrier.

5. In an apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a resilient wire having upturned ends which are attached to the face of the carrier.

6. In an apparatus for sensing an apertured preform wherein each aperture is provided with a hinged lid, means for projecting light onto the preform, a first means for raising the lids, a second means for further raising the lids without substantially obstructing the passage of light through the exposed apertures, and means for sensing the light passed through the exposed apertures.

7. In a device for sensing tape having a successive series of permutatively arranged lidded apertures, a first means for successively raising the lids in each series of permutatively arranged lidded apertures, a second means 5 for engaging and further raising the previously raised lids to substantially expose the complete apertures, means for projecting light through the exposed apertures, and means for photoelectrically sensing the light passed through each successive permutation of exposed apertures.

8. In an apparatus for sensing an apertured preform wherein each aperture is provided with a flexible lid, a feed wheel adapted to advance the preform, a drum, means for rotating the drum relative to the feed wheel, means for raising the lids, and means on the drum for further raising the raised lids as the preform is advanced to expose substantially the complete apertures.

9. In an apparatus for photoelectrically sensing a tape having permutations of lidded apertures formed therein, means for advancing the tape through a sensing position, a carrier moved by and relative to the advancing means, means for raising the lids as the tape is advanced to-- ward the sensing position, means mounted on the carrier for holding the lids in the raised position as the tape passes through the sensing position to substantially expose the complete apertures, and means for moving lids back into position to cover the apertures after the tape leaves the sensing position.

10. In an apparatus for photoelectrically sensing preforms having permutations of lidded apertures formed therein, said preform having a series of evenly spaced feed holes formed therein, a feed wheel having a plurality of evenly spaced radially extending pins, actuating means for rotating the feed wheel to successively position the pins within and through the feed holes to advance the preform, a carrier moved by the actuating means at a speed greater than the speed of the advancing preform, means for raising the lids covering each successive permutation of lidded apertures, and a plurality of members extending from the carrier for engaging and further raising the lids as the preform is advanced to a sensing position. said members being provided with recessed portions to accommodate therein the feed wheel pins which extend through the preform.

11. In an apparatus for sensing permutations of lidded apertures in a tape, said tape having a longitudinal row of evenly spaced feed holes formed therein, a feed wheel having a plurality of feed pins for engaging the tape within the feed holes, means adapted to raise the lids when the tape is advanced, a drum, a plurality of sets of lid lifters attached to the drum, means for driving the feed wheel to advance the tape to cause the raising means to raise the lids, and means for driving the drum at a faster speed to cause the sets of lid lifters to further raise the lids until said tape passes a sensing position between said drum and said feed wheel, the ratio of the number of pins on the feed wheel to the number of sets of lid lifters being equal to the ratio of the angular velocity of each set of lid lifters to the angular velocity of the pins on the feed wheel whereby a set of lid lifters and a pin simultaneously pass through the sensing position.

12. In an apparatus for sensing permutations of lidded apertures formed in a tape, means for advancing the tape to a sensing station, means for raising the lids as the tape approaches the sensing station, a drum having a plurality of slots formed therein, a set of transparent lifters positioned over each of the slots, means for rotating the drum at a speed greater than the speed of the advancing tape whereby the sets of lifters successively engage and further raise the lids to expose the apertures as the tape advances to the sensing station, a light source at the sensing station for projecting light through the transparent lifters and the exposed apertures, and means for sensing the projected light passed through the exposed apertures.

13. In an apparatus for sensing permutations of lidded apertures formed in a tape, means for advancing the tape to a sensing station, means for raising the lids as the c approaches the sensing station, a carrier, means for driving the carrier at a speed greater than the speed of the advancing tape, a plurality of sets of transparent lifting elements extending from the carrier, each of said sets of lifting elements adapted to engage and hold the lids in a. position as the tape passes through the sensing station, a light source at the sensing station for projecting light through the lifting elements and the apertures, an opaque coating on the lateral surfaces of the extending lifting elements for concentrating the light on the aper tures, and means in the sensing station for sensing the concentrated light projected through the apertures.

M. in an apparatus for sensing permutations of lidded apertures formed in a tape, means for advancing the tape, means for successively raising each permutation of lids, a drum, a plurality of sets of lifters extending from the drum, each lifter comprising a shank portion terminating in a laterally directed portion spaced from the drum, each laterally directed portion having an aperture formed therein, said drum having apertures formed therein which are in alignment with the apertures formed in the litters, and means for rotating the drum at a faster rate than the rate of advance of the tape whereby the lifters further raise the lids to align the apertures in the drum and iifters with the apertures in the tape.

15. In an apparatus for sensing sets of lidded apertures formed in a tape, means for advancing the tape, means for raising the lids covering each successive set of lidded apertures, a carrier, a plurality of members extending from the face of the carrier to span each set of lidded apertures, said carrier having an enlongated slot formed therein in close proximity to each extending member, and means for moving the carrier at a greater speed than the speed of the advancing tape whereby each extending member engages and further raises each set of raised lids as the tape advances, each of said slots being successively positioned in register with each successive set of apertures having raised lids.

16. In an apparatus for sensing a preform having transverse rows of permutatively arranged apertures, a hinged lid provided for each aperture, means for initially engaging and raising the lids, optically ground lens means for further raising the lids to expose the apertures therebeneath, means for projecting light onto the lens means whereby said lens means converge the light and project it through the exposed apertures, and means for sensing the light projected through the exposed apertures.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS