US2797867A

US2797867A - Code translating mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2797867A
Application number: US561601A
Authority: US
Inventors: Benjamin M Durfee; Albert D Miller
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Current assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Priority date: 1956-01-26
Filing date: 1956-01-26
Publication date: 1957-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1974-07-02

Description

B. M. DURFEE ET AL- 2,797,867

l CODE TRANSLATING MECHANISM July 2, 1957 12 Sheefs-Sheet l Filed Jan. 26, 1956.

ATTORNEY Jam m ,v.. Nv mm B m I wm Y July 2, 1957 B. M. DURFEE ET AL B 2,797,867

CODE TRANSLATING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 26, l956 12 Sheets--Shee'rl 2 I INVENTORS 2 a BENJAMIN M. DURFEE BY ALBERT BMILLER ATTORNEY T July 2, 1957 B. M DURFEE ET AL 2,797,867

CODE TRANSLATING MECHANISM 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 26, 1956 BENJAMIN M. DURFEE BY ALBERT D.M|AL| ER Fla'zb ATTORNEY 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 2, 1957 B. M. DURFEE ET AL.

CODE TRANSLATING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 2e, 195e INVENTORS BENJAMIN M. DURFEE ALBERT D. MILLER ATTORNEY FIG.3

July 2, 1957 B M, DURFEE ET AL- 2,797,867

CODE TRANSLATING MECHANISM 12 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Jan. 26, 1956.`

INVENTORS BENJAMIN M. DURFEEl ALBERT D. MILLER 0%@ ATTORNEY lJuly 2, 1957 B. M. DURFEE ET AL 2,797,867

CODE TRNSLATING MECHANISM l2 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 26', 1956 Plas y BY

July 2, 1957 Filed Jan. 26, 1956 1 5 HoT'o" x xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx -o oooooooo oooooooooo A\e nssesa Y, seeaasa 4 44444 44444 2222 2222 1 um m1 1 x xxxx xxxx o oooo ooo s aas ses B 4 444 444 INVENTORS 222 222 BENJAMIN MDURFEE 1 1,1 m BY ALBERT D, MILLER CODE TRANSLATING MECHANISM l2 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEY July 2, 19.57 B. M. DURFEE ET AL CODE TRANSLATING MECHANISM 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Jan. 26, 1956 ommm oO.VN

ill

oONw

Ile w@ 25.

July 2, 1957 B. M. DURFEE ET AL.- 2,797,867

CODE TRANSLATING MECHANISM 12 sheets-sheet 9 Filed Jan. 26, 1956 Y N .w-n.

ovN oO July 2, 1957 CODE T Filed Jan. 26, 1956 B. M'l DURFEE ETAL RANSLATING MECHANISM 12 Smets-sheet 11 I AT'T July 2, 1957 Filed Jan. 26, 1956 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 PROOF TRANSLATOR PFT PROOF ENTRY Cs 'c9 c5\-R ADO T C7 l 4C6 RE/o OUT PRTNT: TRANJSLATOR PROOF TRANLATOR Se u El f1 223 Il l .l l' .l

Mio GO 1' 2 Mlb/ INVENTORS BENJAWN M. DURPEE F|G.14b lALBERT O. MILLER ATTORNEY United States avales? conn mANsrArnao Managment Appiication January 26, 1956, Sera 551,691

7 Claims. (Cl. 23561.6}

This invention relates to printing machines and more particularly to improvements in translating mechanisms for record controlled printing machines to convert combinational code representations to a single unit code.

The present machine operates in conjunction with a record card which is divided into two decks, each deck being subdivided into eighty columns. A six position binary code is used to store data in each column and a suitable translating mechanism is required to convert the binary code to the well-known twelve position code wherein each digit and zone index point position is represented by a differentially timed impulse. These impulses are utilized to control the print selector mechanism of an interpreting machine such as disclosed in the copending application of G. F. Daly et al., Serial No. 356,042, now Patent No. 2,753,793, led May 19, 1953.

In the Daly application, the record cards are perforated to represent numeric, alphabetic and special characters, and contain twelve index point positions, nine of which represent digits and the remaining three representing zone perforations. A code for the twelve position combinational hole perforations is provided in which numeric characters are designated by the digit perforation, the alphabetic characters by the zone and digit perforation and eight special characters by a zone perforation and two digit perforations. There are three additional special characters which are designated by a Zone perforation alone. In the case of the three special characters, a so called hot zone impulse completes the selection of a type element.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved translator mechanism for an interpreting machine which is compact in construction and capable of being mounted to cooperate with record cards advancing through the machine.

A further object of the invention is to devise a translator mechanism for converting a six position binary code to a twelve position combinational code.

Briey, perforated information from one deck of the duo-deck record card is ight sensed by the reading brushes of the interpreter. Electrical contacts comprising a pair of transfer points provide the differentially timed impulses and means are included for operating these contacts. The readout station includes a series of interposers for controlling the operation of the operating means. A settable pawl element is provided for engaging each interposer, each pawl being arranged in a ring and having a set and non-set position. A setting station is located adjacent to the ring and means located at the setting station selectively moves the settable pawls from a non-set to a set position in response to the sensing of a perforation by the reading brushes. The pawls are moved past the setting station in succession and the interposers at the readout station are positioned for actuation when engaged by a pawl which has been set. A lever is associated with each interposer to control its actuation and a set of cams are provided for operating the levers. These cams have permutation lobes thereon for conversion of tet the combiuational multiple position digit code to the single position digit code, the cams operating the levers in predetermined combinations to actuate the related interposers which have been positioned for actuation, whereby the operating means renders one of the transfer points effective to provide the properly timed impulses. Later in the translating cycle a bail engages any interposer which has been actuated to again activate the operating means, whereby said one of the transfer points is rendered ineffective and the other transfer point is rendered effective. This latter effective transfer point provides the hot zero impulse. These timed impulses are sent to the print magnets of the interpreter to cause a setting at the printing station in accordance with the information represented by these impulses. Any sixty card columns of a selected one of the two decks can be interpreted on one pass of a card through the interpreter by suitable plug connections.

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

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view showing the, path of travel of the cards and the relative location of the translator units.

Figs. 2a and 2b arranged side by side in the order named, comprise an end view of the translator unit looking in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view with the front frame broken away and partly in section, showing the drive connections for the translator units.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the pawl carrier assembly.

Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the bails which actuate the interposer for the readout operation.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the translator interposer lever assembly showing the interposer in the set-up position.

Fig. 7 is a detail view showing the interposer in a readout position.

Fig. 8 is a further detail view of the interposer assembly showing the interposer position when reading out a hot zero impulse.

Fig. 9 is a representation of one form of duo-deck perforated card having the data represented by coded perforations.

Fig. 10 is a chart showing the binary coding arrangement used for the data perforated in the record cards.

Fig. 11 is a timing diagram which can be followed to understand the operations ofthe various card feeding mechanisms shown herein.

Fig. 12 is a timing diagram showing the operations of various mechanical devices of the translator.

Fig. 13 is a timing chart showing the timing desirable to close certain electrical contacts and circuits.

Figs. 14a and 14h placed one beneath the other comprise an electrical wiring diagram of the preferred form of this invention.

Card feeding mechanism The translator unit of this invention is mounted on paraliel side frames 20 and 2l of an interpreting machine as shown in Fig. 1. This interpreter is fully shown and described in the aforementioned application of G. F. Daly et al., which discloses a well known form of card feeding mechanism and driving means therefor. The feeding mechanism will be described only sufficiently here to show its coordination with the present translator.

In order to interpret and print a card three machine cycles are required. Since there isno precise starting point for the machine, it can be assumed that the machine is started between and 84 of the first machine cycle. A group of record cards 22 contained in a supply magazine 23 are fed singly from the bottom of the magazine by means of a picker 24 carried by a slidable pusher 25. From Fig. ll it is seen that the picker 24 engages the bottom card shortly after 84 of this card feed cycle to move the card from the magazine and advance it to the first pair of feed rollers 26. When the bottom card is fed out of the magazine 23, it is conveyed from rollers 26v to the sensing station by succeeding pairs of rollers designated 27, 28 and 29. The feed rollers 29 are skid rollers and advance the cards against a stop plate 30 which functions as a timing shutter in that it intercepts a card and then releases it for further advance at a definite time. This plate 30 is moved into the path of an advancing card beginning at 36 in each machine cycle. The card advances until it is stopped against the plate 30 which begins to move out of the card path at l36. The card follows the plate 30 until it enters between feed rollers 29 which advance the card to the sensing station.

A line of analyzing brushes RB are located at the reading station to read 'the perforations in each record card as it passes beneath the brushes. These brushes RB make wiping contact with a common contact roller 31 and sense the first index position in the leading deck at approximately 245. Spaced a distance beyond brushes RB is a second row of brushes designated CB and identified as the checking brushes. The distance between the brushes RB Vand CB is two machine cycle points. The brushes CB also cooperate with the roller 31 to again read the perforations. These brushes RB and CB and contact roller 31 are of conventional structure, such as is commonly used in electrically controlled interpreting machines.

Between the feed rollers 29 and the contact roller 31 is located the usual card lever 32 which is rocked about its pivot by a passing card to close the usual card lever contacts CLl.

A pair of rollers 33 dispatch the cards from the reading stationgto the printing station at the proper time in each cycle for the printing operation. These rollers are cam operated through arm 34 and are separated by camming action of arm 34from approximately 72 to 294 (Fig. ll) of the cycle, whereupon the rollers again close to the card feeding position. It is noted that rollers 33 are open at the printing time to prevent excessive pressure of a card against the card stop located at the printing station. Y

At the printing station is located a mechanism which functions to stop the card in any one of 25 positions to present any one of 25 lines of the card to receive printing from a row 'of type wheels. This mechanism comprises a stop or shutter 35 which is pivotally mounted on one end to a pair of movable racks 36 through a pair of ears 37 extending upwardly from stop 35. The other end of stop 35 has a turned down portion 35a which projects into the path of the advancing record cards. A solenoid 38 is so positioned that its core is adjacent to the upper surface of stop 35. Energization of solenoid 38 causes its core to pull the stop upwardly and after each printing operation the solenoid raises the stop 35 out of the path of the printed card.

Each type wheel 40 is formed with 50 gear teeth 41 and is mounted for rotation at the printing station. The ends of the teeth 41 can be flattened to provide a type element face. The wheel 40 has a type element for each of the characters shown in the perforation code of Fig. l0, there being only three blank positions. As the wheel is moved clockwise, the type elements pass the printing line in the order in which they are arranged in Fig. l0. A type aligner bail arm 195 is brought into engagement with the teeth of wheel 40 at 228 by the aligner bail cam 196. This device brings the type wheel 4t) into perfect alignment for the printing'operation which follows.

When the type wheel 40 is properly positioned, the

printing platen is actuated to take an impression therefrom. The platen is shown at 42 carrying a print pad 43 and is supported by a pair of toggle links 44 and 45. Link 44 is pivotally mounted at 46 in a slotted portion of a support bracket 47. The upper portion of link 44 has an extension which carries a cam follower 48. This follower is held in constant engagement with a print cam 49 through a coil spring 50. This cam is secured on the constantly rotating shaft 51. Link 45 is pivotally connected to the lower portion of link 44 to a rod 52 extending from platen 42. A vertically movable arm 53 extends from rod 52 to a support bar 54 and acts as a guide for the platen 42 when it is actuated. A second guide arm 55 extends from pivot 46 to rod 52 and serves to maintain the links 44 and 45 in proper operating alignment.

At approximately 223 cycle time, cam follower 48 drops into depression in print cam 49, and toggle links 44 and 45 straighten out under influence of spring 50 to move platen 42 downwardly. This movement drives print pad 43 against the card positioned between the type wheel 40 and the platen 42 to effect printing on the card of the character at the printing line at approximately 228. After printing time, the platen 42 starts to restore and reaches a fully restored position at 290.

An inking ribbon 56 extends across the type wheels 40 to permit an impression to be made on a card at the print line. This ribbon 56 is fed by a well known feeding ribbon mechanism which restrains the ribbon from movement during printing time `as shown in Fig. 11. The usual devices are provided at the printing station to guide the cards therethrough and properly support them during the printing operation.

After the printing operation, the cards are advanced to the usual card stacker mechanism (not shown), through succeeding pairs of rollers 57 and 58.

Record cards The record card to be analyzed by the reading brushes RB and translator mechanism is shown in Fig. 9, wherein it will be seen that two decks A and B are provided for representing data, each deck having columns to accumulatively represent in two decks characters or numerals. This increased capacity is obtained over the conventional 80 column record card by having numerical data designated according to a combinational code. For this purpose, the binary code is utilized wherein the 4 digit index point positions represent l, 2, 4 and 8. A zero is represented by a perforation in the O index point position only. The O and X index point positions are used in combination with the digit index point positions to represent alphabetical characters, as shown in the chart of Fig. l0. The present analyzer mechanism provides for the translation of perforations in the combinational index point positions so as to emit a differentially timed impulse representing any of the digits 0-9 and an additional impulse when representing an alphabetical character. The cards are fed with the long edge designated C leading, as shown in Fig. 9, and when passing the brushes RB each card is analyzed and translated. Two cycle points later the perforations which were analyzed bythe brushes RB are sensed by the brushes CB Vto check the accuracy of the translation.

Translator mechanism Referring now to Figs. 2a and 2b, the translator mechanism. which comprises this invention is supported between a pair of

side frame plates

60 and 61. The mechanisms of the translator are driven from a gear 69 secured on a casting which is mounted for rotation in the side plates. Secured to drive casting 62 in plate 60 is a drive pulley 63 around which an endless timing belt 64 is passed. This belt is driven from the main driving shaft (not shown) of the interpreter to constantly rotate the casting 62. A casting 162 is rotatably mounted in support plate 61 and is connected to casting 62 by six bars 90 which extend between the inner faces of these castings. In Fig. l the belt 64 is shown driving the casting 62 of the print translator PRT. Another pulley 65 is secured on casting 62 and is connected through an endless timing belt 66 to a pulley 67 to constantly rotate the drive housing 68 of the proof translator PFT. Since both the print and proof units are identical in structure and operation, only one translator will be described herein.

A driving gear 69 (Fig. 3) is fastened on each casting 62 and 162 and gear trains extend along

frame plates

60 and 61 from gears 69 to reach the drive connections for the readout interposer devices. Since the gear trains on each frame plate are identical, only the drive connections on one side will be traced herein.

A pair of shafts 70 and `71 are rotatably mounted in the frame plates and carry cam members which restore the readout devices as explained hereinafter. Shaft 70 has a gear 74 fastened thereto which is driven lfrom gear 69 through idler 75 and pinion 76 to constantly rotate the shaft 70. Similarly, the shaft 71 carries a gear 77 which is driven through idler 78 and pinion 79. The shaft 70 carries

cams

72 and 73 and shaft 71 carries cams 8i) and 81 on the outside of the frame plates. A pair of rotatably mounted

shafts

82 and 83 each carry a series of cam members designated 84 which eifect the operation of the readout devices. Shaft 82 is constantly driven from gear 69 through

idlers

75 and 86 and spur gear 87 which is secured to the shaft 82. In like manner, shaft 83 carries a gear 88 which is driven through

idlers

78 and 89.

Readin mechanism Information is read into the translator by means of a squirrel cage assembly which is formed by the six bars 90 extending between the inner faces of the housing 62 and 162 (Figs. 2a, 2b). Each bar 90 has thirty equally spaced slots for receiving a pawl member 91, thereby providing slots for mounting one hundred and eighty set-up pawls. The slots on each successive bar are displaced laterally from the slots on the preceding bar so that the pawls may cooperate with adjacently positioned interposers 92 as the squirrel cage assembly rotates. A pin 93 (Fig. 3) is provided for each bar and extends between the housing inner faces to pass through the bar slots. A pawl 91 is pivotally mounted on this pin in each slot position. A stationary bar 94 is supported by bearings in the

housings

62 and 162 and is positioned in the center of the squirrel cage assembly as shown in Fig. 3. Bar 94 extends through an opening in casting 162 and is keyed to a casting 95 which is fastened to side plate 60 through an arm 95a. This bar has two lobes each designated 94a which restore any actuated pawl 91 directly after the pawl has set up its related interposer. One of these lobes 94a is engaged by a camming surface 91a on the operated pawl to rotate the pawl to the inactive position as the cage assembly carries the pawl past the lobes. The cage assembly is rotated at a higher rate of speed than the translator driving shafts so that the pawls 91 can position interposers in two readout positions.

A so-called position of the translator comprises a magnet 96 and six pawls 91, each of these pawls being associated with a diderent bar 90. There are thirty of these positions. The magnets 96 are suitably mounted in a common yoke member 97. Each magnet has an 'armature 98 which is moved against the pressure of a spring 99 into the path of a selected pawl upon energization of the magnet. When the pawl engages the armature 98, it is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction about the pin 93, as viewed in Fig. 3, to the active position. The arrangement of the pawls 91 on the bars is shown in detail in Fig. 4 where six pawls are l'ocated in each position. Each pawl represents a numeric or zone position of the binary code explained hereinbefore. Information is read into the translator when a magnet 96 is energized in response to the sensing'of a perforation in the related card column. The magnet moves the selected pawl to its active position where a related interposer can be engaged.

Readout mechanism The information which is read into the translator is read out by two units each having thirty positions. Each position represents one card column and for the most part, the various mechanisms in each translating position correspond exactly to their counterparts in the other positions. Where that correspondence exists, the same reference numerals have been applied to the corresponding part throughout all positions. Since the units are identical, for purposes of this description only one such unit is described in detail. Each readout position includes six interposers 100 (Figs. 2a, 2b) which are slidably mounted in a pair of comb plates 101 and 102 (Fig. 3). A bar 103 is positioned for latch'ing engagement by `a notch 100a on the interposers 100 and a bar 104 is located behind the line of interposers to maintain them within the slots of comb plate 101. A Icoil-spring 105 extends from the bottom portion of each yinterposer to a lever 106 which is provided for each interposer, thereby urging the interposers downward against the stop bar 104 and within the slots of guide comb plate 102. The levers 106 are pivotally mounted on a rod 107 extending through the vslotted portion of a support block 108. A spring 109 is positioned between each lever 106 Iand a retaining plate 110 to urge the levers downwardly against a set of interposer actuating bails 112. The latch bar 103, stop bar 104 and support block 108 are secured between the

side plates

60 and 61. The constantly running oam shaft 71 has `a cam member 150 secured thereon between the side plates which extends the length of the line of interposers 100 to restore any interposer which has been set at approximately 202 (Fig. 12).

Referring again to Fig. 3 it is seen that the levers 106 are held against six actuating bails 112 which extend across the line of interposer levers in all thirty positions. These bails are slidably mounted in support blocks 113 and 114 (Figs. 2a, 2b) which are secured to side plates 6i? and 61 respectively. Each bail has a series of ngers 112g projecting therefrom which engage selected ones of the levers 106. Each bail 112 represents a numeric or zone position of the binary code and is arranged in the order shown in Fig. 5. The fingers 112a of the X bail engage only the X levers in the readout positions. Similarly the lingers of the remaining bails 112 engage the related levers in each position so that lthe fingers on an individual bail are spaced apart a distance whichis equivalent to six interposer lever places. A rod 115 (Figs. 2a, 2b) is supported between the side plates and carries a series of cam follower devices which are freely mounted thereon. Each device comprises a pair of cam follower arms 116, a spacer collar 85 and a roller 118 carried `between the arms 116. Each bail 112 has a pair of projections 112b which engage a spring pressed button ,119 carried by a cooperating pair of the spacer blocks 117 under pressure of springs 120. It is therefore apparent that each bail is operatively engaged by Ia pair of these cam follower devices. Each roller 118 is held by a lspring 121 against the surface of one of the series of read,- out or permutation cams 84 located on the constantly rotated shaft 82. These readout cams are so shaped as to operate their related bails 112 to actuate the associated interposer levers 166 in combinational settings for translating from the binary code to the usual twelve position code at the proper readout time in the cycle. The cam follower devices for the X bail 112 are located at the extremities of the rod 115, the succeeding follower `deagrarie? 7., vices lbeing placed between them at proper intermediate locations to engage the projections 112b of the related bai1s11z. l i

A pair of bell cranks 122 are pivotally mounted at 123 outside each

side plate

60 and 61 and support between them a relief bail 124 which passes through openings in the side plates. This bail extends yacross the readout mechanism to engage the cam follower arms 116. Each bell crank is provided with a roller 125 which is held against the surface of the related cam 72 (lower unit) under pressure of a spring 121. The contour of these cams is so formed as to cause the bell cranks to move t-he bail 124 which in turn engages the arms 116 to move the cam follower rollers 118 away from engagement with their associated cams 84 during the readin operation. This action of the bail 124 raises `all the actuating hails 112 and levers 106 during readin time to reduce the force necessary to set up the interposers 100. It should be noted that the cams 84 are rotated twice during each translating cycle and the raising action of bail 124 causes `the readout cams 84 to make an unused revolution on each translating cycle. The bails 124 are restored at readout time to -again allow the rollers 118 to engage the cams 84.

Each interposer 100 is adapted to operate electrical transfer contacts 130 which are located in the translating circuits as described later in connection with the circuit diagram. The contact assemblies are mounted on a support bar 131 having a series of slots 131a which is secured between the side plates. A contact operating bail 132 is provided for each interposer position and is loosely mounted in the slots 131a of a bar 131. A plate 133 is secured on the bar to retain these bails in place. An insulating `block 134 is fastened on the bar 131 and carries a `series spring pressed pins 135. Each bail 132 cooperatively engages one of a related pin 135. Embedded in insulating block 134 are three rows of

contactors

136, 137 and 13S. Extending through openings in contactors 136 are wire contact springs 139. The lower ends of these wire springs are hooked as shown in Fig. 3 with the hooks extending through separate holes in a plate 140. The wire springs 139 are in constant engagement with -contactors 136 and pass through openings in pins 135. When the interposers 100 are in the restored position shown in Fig. 3, the bails 132 -are lightly engaged by the interposers and the wire springs are resting against contactors 137. The shifting of any interposer causes its bail 132 to press against the related pin 135 to move the associated wire spring away from the contactor 137. A hot zero impulse is provided when pin 135 pushes the wire spring against the contacter 138 and transfers contacts 130 as will now be explained.

A so-called hot zero bail 142 is positioned for operation adjacent to the stop bar 104. This bail is mounted on a carry plate 143 and can be adjusted with respect to the plate 143 by means of self locking nuts 144. The ends of the carry plate 143 extend through openings of the

side plates

60 and 61 and have turned over portions which are fastened to a pair of arms 145. These arms 145 are fixed on a pair of cam follower arms 146 which are pivotally mounted on the side plates at 147. Each follower arm is provided with a roller 148 which is held against a cam 73 (upper unit) on the constantly rotated shaft 70. The bail 142 is moved on each machine cycle under the inuence of cams 73 to engage the camming surface 100e` of any interposer 100 which has been set up. The set-up interposers 100 are pivoted about the latch bar 103 by this camming engagement to cause the wire spring 139 to be moved from the open position shown in Fig. 6 to a closed position against contacter 138 on the transfer side of contacts 1.30 (Fig. 8). Any interposer which has not been set up is engaged by bail 142 on the depression 100d beneath the lobe 100C. These interposers will only be pushed a suicient distance to move the related Wire spring to the open position.

Circuit diagram dnd operation The circuit diagram (Figs. 14a and 14b) electrically coordinates the various mechanisms described hereinabove and the manner in which the translator functions to cause the interpreter to print data represented by binary coded perforations on the record card by converting the binary data into -electrical impulses representing the conventional twelve position code will now be explained in connection with the circuit diagram. There are several cam controlled contacts prefixed C, the timing of which is given in the chart (Fig. 13) to which refer- Vence may be made when tracing circuit paths. A number of relays are shown on the diagram, and in each case they are identified by the letter R. The contacts controlled by the relays are given the same reference character as the relays followed by a lower case letter.

A number of wires in the circuit diagram terminate in plug sockets indicated by small circles between which connections are made in accordance with the particular requirements of the information to be printed by the machine. In the actual machine, the plug sockets are extended to the rear of a plugboard (not shown) on which they are grouped and identified.

Starting circuit Referring to Fig. 14a, closure of the main starting switch S will condition the circuit for a start motor M for subsequent completion upon energization of a relay R14 as later described. A suitable D. C. source provides a difference of potential across lines and 176. Closure of start key contacts 177 will establish a circuit from line 175 through the pickup coil of a relay R10, start key contacts 177, normally closed b contacts of a check stop relay R12 to line 176. Energization of the start relay R10 closes its a contacts to complete a circuit through the hold coil of relay R10 as follows: From line 175 through the hold coil of relay R10, a contacts of relay R10, stop key contacts 178 (normally closed), normally closed b contacts of check stop relay R12 to line 201. The b contacts of relay R10 are also closed by the energization of relay R10 to complete a circuit through motor control relay R14 as follows: From line 17S through relay R14, b contacts of relay R10 to line 176. The relay R14 closes its a contacts to supply current to the driving motor M through the A. C. circuit as indicated.

When a machine is thus placed in proper operation, the cards are fed from magazine 23 to the reading station. As the leading edge of the first card engages card lever 32 (Fig. 14b), the contacts CL1 are closed to permit subsequent completion of circuits controlled from the sensing of perforation as the index point positions of the record card traverses the analyzing brushes RB. In setting up the machine for operation, a plug connection 180 (Fig. 14b) is made from the print read plug socket 181 of a read brush RB to the print entry plug socket 182 in the corresponding column of translator PRT. For purposes of this description, only three columns are shown in Fig. 14b, but it should be understood that there are 160 columns on each record card from which to read the perforated data and sixty possible printing positions. In order to check the translating operation, a plug connection 186 is made from the proof read plug socket 187 of a checking brush CB to the proof entry plug socket 194 in the corresponding column of proof translator PFT.

Translator operation The operation of the translator will be described for one position only, it being understood that all positions are operated in the same manner.

The magnet 96 (Fig. 3) of a position is energized in response to the reading of a perforation in a card column by brushes RB. The energization of this magnet causes its armature 98 to be attracted and move the tip 98a into the path of projection 91b on the related pawl 91. As

ajenos? 9 the squirrel cage assembly rotates, the pawl 91 is engaged by 98a and is pivoted 4about pin 93 to place the camming extension 91e in position to engage the bevelled surface 100e of the associated interposer 100. The interposer isforced downwardly against the tension of spring 105 when extension 91C engages the surface 100e. The interposer lobe 100b is thus pressed against the related lever 106 to cause the depressed interposer to pivot into a latching position on the bar 103.

During the time that the pawl 91 was being set up by the magnet armature 98, the interposer lever 106 was pivoted upwardly about pin 107 under pressure of the bail 112 to position the lever Vtip 106a -on the high portion -of lobe 100]). As the interposer 100 is depressed, the surface 100b is moved below the lever tip 106a and the interposer pivots in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 3) into latching engagement with bar 103. The interposer lever 106 is lowered prior to readout time to assume the position shown in Fig.. 6, vthereby moving wire 139 away from contactor 137. The Contact point is opened but not transferred by the interposer lever 106 riding up on lobje 100b and pushing the interposer 100 to the left to move operating 'bail 132 against the related pin 135. The selected interposer of this position is thus set fup.

As the squirrel cage assembly rotates, the successive pawls associated with X, O, 8, 4, 2 and l positions of the card column will be set up, if a perforation is read in that index position of the card. The interposer 100 with which it is associated will in turn be set up. The set-up operation for the translator takes `place between 245 of one cycle and 24 of the following machine cycle and .causes at least one of the six interposers 100 of a translator position to be set up as described above, the various interposers lbeing set up in a serial order at X, -O, 8, 4, 2 or 1 time.

From Fig. 12 4it is seen that readout time occurs from 5 to 168 of a cycle. The relief bail 124 (Fig. 3) is withdrawn from engagement with the cam follower arms 116 at this time so that the calm follower rollers 116 again ride on the cams 84 and the interposer levers `106 are under control of the bails 112. As the permutation cams 84 rotate, the X, O, 8, 4, 2 and 1 actuating bails 112 are lifted in predetermined combinations. These combinations are such as to lallow the wire 139 to engage contactor 137 to close the contacts as the standard code time represented by the interposers 100 which have been setup.

The readout from the translator is timed to the standard twelve position code with the 12 index point position pulse occurring iirst followed by vthe 11, 8-3, 8-4, V1 to 9 and hot zero pulses. The only time at which the wire 139 will lbe in the normally closed position against contactor 137 is when all six interposer levers 106 are positioned to .allow bail 132 to move to the right (Fig. 3). For example, if a perforation occurs in the 12 index position of a card column, the X and O interposers would be set up (Fig. 10) and the interposers representing 8, 4, 2 and 1 remain in the non-set position shown in Fig. 3. At 12 time the X and VO permutation cams 84 (Figs. 2a, 2b.) will raise the X and O bails 112 while the'8, 4, 2 and 1 readout cams drop the 8, 4, 2 and 1 bails, thereby raising X and O interposer levers 106, as shown by the upper dotted line position (Fig. 7), .above lobes 100]) of their associated interposers 100 and .allowing the interposers to move `away from the bail 132, while the 8, 4, 2 and 1 interposer levers drop to the lower dotted line position shown in Fig. 7. The bail 132 is then controlled only by the X and O interposer. Since, the X and O interposers have been moved away from bail 132, the bail moves to the right to bring wire 139 against contactor 137 rand pass a pulse to the print magnet PM for this position.

At X readout time the permutation cams 84 lift only the X bail 112. The bail 132 will not move because the O interposer 100 is still in the set up position shown in Fig. 6 and the wire 139 is held out of contact with co-l contactor 137, thereby preventing a circuit to the print magnet at X time. At O readout time the X interposer lever 106 holds the contacts open and `during numeric readout times at least one of the

numeric interposers

8, 4, 2, l will be pivoted by its lever 106 riding up on the lobe b as the cam 84 lifts the bails 112 to move the bail v132 and open the contacts at the readout times.

Referring now to the timing chart of Fig. 12, it should be noted that during zone time only the zone interposer levers 106 are moved upwardly while the numeric levers T106 are all moved downwardly. This causes all the numeric interposers to pivot away from bail 132 at zone time, thereby permitting the bail 132 to be controlled by only the X and O interposers. This movement is reversed during numeric readout time to place bail 132 under control of the four .numeric interposers (8, 4, 2, and 1).

During numeric readout time the zone levers 106 are dropped to a llow position by their related cams 84 and the wire -139 will be in engagement with contactor 137 at the time the associated cams allow the 8, 4, 2 and 1 interposers 100 to move away from the bail 132 at the same time. If, forexample, an 8 were set up in this position of the translator, the 8 interposer 100 will operate the bail 132 and hold the contacts open until the 8 readout time. At this time the 8 interposer lever 106 will be raised above the lobe 100b of the 8 interposer to allow the interposer to move away fro-m the lbail 132. Since the 4, 2, and 1 interposers were not set up, the related interposer levers 1.06 were below the interposer lobes 100b and these interposers did not engage bail 132 at any time during numeric readout. Thus it is seen that the 8 interposer and associated readout cam -controlled the closing of the contacts so as to provide .a readout pulse at 8 time of the conventional 12 position code.

At approximately 199 of the cycle the interposer restoring cam 24 (Fig. 3) engages the bevel portion 100)c of all the interposers 100 which have been set up and unlatches them from bar 103 to permit springs 105 to move the interposers upwardly to the non-set positions. The pawls 91 which have been set up as previously described are restored directly after setting up their related interposer when the lobe 91a of a pivoted pawl 91 engages a lobe 94a of the stationary restoring :bar 94. This restoringoperation positions the pawl 91 in the non-operated position so that it may be used to set up the upper reading mechanism. It is noted that both upper and lower readout mechanisms can be set up on one revolution of the squirrel cage assembly.

From 172 ,to 184 of each cycle the hot zero bail 142 cams the interposers which have been set up to the left (Fig. 3) causing these interposers to push against the related contact operating bail 132 which in turn causes its wire spring 139 to engage contactor 138 on the transfer side of contacts 130. Any translator position which is blank, i. e. having no set-up interposers, will have its -wire 139 moved away from engagement with contactor 137 and to the open position. This occurs when =bail 142 engages the surface 100e! to cam the interposer to the left. rIhe closing of the contacts on the transfer `side provides the hot zero impulse to the interpreter print magnet PM (Fig. 14b) in a printing position which has received only an R, X or O zone impulse. This second impulse enables the magnet to cause one of three special characters to be set on the print wheel 40. The receiving of the hot zero impulse by the magnet PM in a printing position which already has a character `set on lthe print wheel will have no elect.

In the chart of Fig. l0 the interposer lever positions are shown for one translator position to translate from the binary X, O, 8, 4, 2, 1 code to the conventional twelve position code such as disclosed in Fig. 11 of the fore,- mentioned application of Daly et al. The vertical col'- -11Y Y 'umns in Fig. 10 labeled X, O, 8, 4, 2, 1 represent'the individual interposer levers, i. e., Vthe column labeled X tshows the positions the X interposer lever will assume for translating the fteen positions of the standard code.

The standard code readout positions are shown in the second column from the left and the binary coding arrangement representing the zone and digit index point positions is indicated by the interposer levers shown in the high cam level positions. The divisions within an interposer lever column represent permutation cam levels and determine whether an interposer lever will be raised, lowered, or remain in a central position to allow engagement of wire 139 with contactor 137 at readout time. It will be noted that at standard `code readout zone times the binary numeric or 8, 4, 2, 1 interposer levers are all lowered and at numeric readout times the binary zone, or X and O levers are in the lowered position. This places the related interposers in a position to allow the closing of wire 139 and contactor 137 at readout time to be controlled by the zone bails at zone time and the numeric bails at numeric time.

Printing circuits For purposes of this description, let us assume that column l of the upper deck A of the card shown in Fig. 9 is perforated in the 8 and 1 index point positions to represent the numeric value 9. The cards are fed with the zone index point positions leading the digit positions into the reading station so that the perforation n the 8 position is read by the brushes RB rst. When this perforation is sensed by brushes RB, a circuit is completed to energize the magnet 96 of print translator PRT in the column l position through cam contacts C1 and C2 which from Fig. 13 as will be seen are closed during the time that each perforation is energized by the brushes RB. These contacts are closed by dentated cams which are rotated twice for each cycle of machine operation. This circuit is traceable as follows: From line 175, through cam contacts C8, print translator PRT magnet 96, plug socket 182, plug connection 180, plug socket 181, relay contacts R16a (normal), brush RB, common Contact roller 31, common brush 185, card lever contacts CLI (now closed), cam contacts C1 and C2 to line 176. The sensing of the perforation in the 1 index position by brushes RB causes the magnet 96 to be energized again through a circuit similar to the one traced above. The energization of the translator magnet sets up the translating mechanism for the conversion into the twelve position code as explained hereinbefore.

Referring again to Fig. 14a, a relay R16 is shown under control of cam contacts C3. This relay is energized to permit the same analyzing brushes RB to read both upper and lower decks of the cards. At approximately 312 of the card reading cycle the cam contacts C3 are closed to pick up this relay which in turn transfers its a, b, c, etc. contacts. In column 1 the transfer of the conatcts R16a connects the brush RB in this column to the plug socket 184 which can be plug connected to any desired print entry plug socket of the translator. Data can then be read from the lower deck B of the card in the same read cycle that data is read from deck A. If the socket 184 of the column is not plug connected to a translator print entry plug socket, the sensing of perforations in the lower deck B will not cause energization of the translator magnet 96 and therefore have no eifect on the translator operation.

At 2 of the card print cycle the cam contacts C5 are closed to condition the circuits for completion to the print magnets PM in the sixty printing positions when the related translator contacts 130 are closed in response to translator operation. In converting the numeric value 9, the translator closes contacts 130 at the fourteenth cycle point (Fig. which is the nine time to complete a circuit through the print magnet PM as follows: From line 175, through print magnet PM, contacts 130 of translator 12 PRT, cam contacts C5, C1 and C2 to line 176.l The energized magnet PM controls print selector mechanism such as disclosed in the aforementioned application of Daly et al. to set the digit 9 at the printing line for the printing operation.

Checking circuits The checking device utilizedrherein compares the reading of the card by brushes CB with the setting of the print wheel 40 resulting from the reading of the card by brushes RB. This is accomplished by providing a comparing relay magnet of the bucking ycoil type for each position in which one coil is connected and positioned in such a way that its magnetic eld opposes the magnetic field of another coil. One coil of the comparing magnet is in circuit connection with the contacts of the proof translator B and the other coil is in series connection with the mechanical contacts 223 which are closed by the print wheel positioning rack of the aforementioned Daly et al. application. These comparing magnets are designated M1, M2, etc. in Fig. 14b.

Each card perforation is sensed by the checking brushes CB two cycle points after it has been read by the sensing brushes RB (Fig. 13). When the 8 perforation in card deck A is sensed by brushes CB, a circuit is completed to energize the magnet 96 of proof translator PFI in the column 1 position through cam contacts C1 and C2. This circuit is traceable as follows: From line through cam contacts C9, proof translator PFT magnet 96, plug socket 194, plug connection 186, plug socket 187, relay contacts R18a (normal), brush CB, common contact roller 31, common brush 185, card lever contacts CLI (now closed), cam contacts C1 and C2 to line 176. The sensing of the 1 perforation by brushes CB causes the magnet 96 to be energized again through a similar circuit. The contacts 130 of translator PFT are closed at the proper time to energize the coil Mla of the comparing magnet through cam contacts C6 as follows: From line 175, through comparing magnet coil Mla, contacts 130 of translator PFT, cam contacts C6, C1 and C2 to line 176. The coil Mlb of the comparing magnet is energized when the mechanical contacts 223 are closed by the print positioning rack two cycle points after the print magnet PM was energized by C5 through the following circuit: From line 175, through comparing magnet coil M1b, contacts 223, cam contacts C6, C1 and C2 to line 176. The energization of both comparing coils simultaneously causes the magnetic elds to cancel so that the armatures of these magnets are not moved. The armatures of the M designated magnets are associated with normally open contacts (Fig. 14a) so that when any armature is attracted, the related contacts 190 are closed to pick up relay R12. This relay then opens its b contacts to drop out relays R10 and R14 and open the motor running circuit. The relay contacts R12a are closed to pick up an error signal light SL.

In Fig. 14a a relay R18 is shown under control of cam contacts C4. This relay is energized to permit the same checking brushes CB to read both upper and lower decks of the cards. The cam contacts C4 close at 336 of the card reading cycle to pick up this relay which in turn transfers its (1, b, 0, etc. contacts. In column 1 the transfer of the contacts R18a connects the brush CB in this col-umn to the plug socket 188 which can be plug connected to the proof entry plug socket 194 in the column corresponding to the print entry column to which plug socket 184 is connected. Data contained in the lower deck B of the card can be compared in the same manner that the upper deck A is checked for accuracy.

The contacts 130 are transferred in all positions Where an interposer has been set up as previously explained and cam contacts C7 provide the hotzero pulse to print 'magnets PM at hot zero time as follows: From line 175,

through print magnets PM contacts 130 of print translator PRT, cam contacts C7, C1 and C2 to line 176. No

hot zero pulse is provided to the proof translator comparing magnets because the mechanical checking contacts 223 do not close at hot zero time to provide a matching pulse to the comparing magnets. The indicating of an error by a hot zero pulse is thereby prevented.

While the present translating arrangement has been devised for the conversion of a 6 position code to the conventional l2 position code, it is evident that by suitably changing the configurationv of the permutation cams and providing a mechanism consistent with the number of positions in other codes, other conventional codes may be translated. It is to be understood, therefore, that the present arrangement is merely by way of disclosure of one embodiment of the invention.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, Without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a translator mechanism, a pair of contacts, means for operating said contacts, sensing means for sensing designations in a record combinationally arranged to represent digits, a series of interposers representing said digits for controlling operation of the operating means, a pawl for engaging each interposer, electrically responsive means for controlling the pawls, the sensing of a designation by said sensing means causing said electrically responsive means to move a selected pawl to an effective position, whereby the related interposer is engaged and positioned for actuation, a member for each interposer to control its actuation, and means for operating the members to eifect conversion of the combinational multiple position digit code to a single position digit code, the last named means operating said members in predetermined combinations to actuate the related interposers which have been positioned for actuation, whereby the operating means closes said contracts.

2. In a translator mechanism, a pair of contacts, means for operating said contacts, sensing means for sensing designations in a record combinationally arranged to represent digits, a series of interposers representing said digits for controlling operation of the operating means, a pawl for engaging each interposer, electrically responsive means for controlling the pawls, the sensing of a designation by said sensing means causing said electrically responsive means to move a selected pawl to an effective position, whereby the related interposer is engaged and positioned for actuation, a member for each interposer to control its actuation, and a set of cams for operating the members and having permutation lobes for conversion of the combinational multiple position digit code to a single position digit code, said cams operating said members in predetermined combinations to actuate the related interposers which have been positioned for actuation, whereby the operating means closes said contacts.

3. In a translator mechanism a pair of contacts, a bail for operating said contacts, sensing means for sensing designations in a record combinationally arranged to represent digits, a series of interposers representing said digits for controlling operation of said bail, a pawl for engaging each interposer, a magnet for controlling the pawls, the sensing of a designation by said sensing means causing said magnet to move a selected pawl to an eiective position, whereby the related interposer is engaged and positioned for actuation, a lever for each interposer to control its actuation, and a set of cams for operating the levers and having permutation lobes for conversion of the combinational multiple position digit code to a single position digit code, said cams operating said levers in predetermined combinations to actuate the related inf4 terposers which have been positioned for actuation, whereby saidbail closes said contacts.

4. Ina translator mechanism, a pair of contacts, means for operating said contacts, sensing means for sensing designations. in a record` combinationally arranged to represent digits, a series of interposers representing said digits for controllingoperation of the operating means, a pawl for engaging each interposer, electrically responsive means for controlling the pawls, theV sensing of a designation in an index position by said sensing means causing said electrically responsive means to move a selected pawl to an effective position, whereby the related interposer is engaged and positioned for actuation, a member for each interposer to control its actuation, a set of cams to effect conversion of the combinational multiple position digit code to a single position digit code, a set of bails positioned between said cams and the members for operating the members, said cams activating said members in predetermined combinations to operate the members and actuate the related interposers which have been positioned for actuation, whereby the operating means closes said contacts.

5. In a translator mechanism, electrical contacts comprising a pair of transfer points, means for operating said contacts, sensing means for sensing designations in a record combinationally arranged to represent digits, a series of interposers representing said digits for controlling operation of the operating means, a pawl for engaging each interposer, electrically responsive means for controlling the pawls, the sensing of a designation by said sensing means causing said electrically responsive means to move a selected pawl to an effective position, whereby the related interposer is engaged and positioned for actuation, a member for each interposer to control its actuation, means for operating the members to effect conversion of the combinational multiple position digit to a single position digit code, the last named means operating said members in predetermined combinations to actuate in one direction the related interposers which have been positioned for actuation, whereby the operating means renders one of the transfer points eective, and means for engaging any interposer which has been actuated to move it in the opposite direction, whereby the operating means renders said one of the transfer points ineffective and renders the other point effective.

6. In a cyclically operable translator mechanism, a readout means including a pair of contacts and means for operating said contacts, sensing means for sensing designations in a record combinationally arranged to represent digits on the latter portion of one machine cycle and the beginning of the following cycle, a series of elements representing said digits for controlling operation of the operating means, a device for engaging each element, electrically responsive means for controlling the devices, the sensing of a designation by said sensing means causing said electrically responsive means to move a selected device to an effective position, whereby digital information is read into the translator by engaging and positioning the related element for actuation, a member for each element to control its actuation, a set of cams for operating the members to eiect conversion of the combinational multiple position digit code to a single position digit code on said following cycle, said cams operating said members in predetermined combinations to actuate the related interposers whicl have been positioned for actuation, whereby the operating means closes said contacts on said beginning of the following cycle to read out the digital information set in the translator.

7. In a translator mechanism, a pair of contacts, means for operating said contacts, sensing means for sensing designations in a record combinationally arranged to represent digits, a readout station including a series of interposers representing said digits for controlling operation of the operating means, a settable element for en- 15 gagingr each interposer, each element being arranged'in a ring and having a set and a non-set position, a setting station adjacent to said ring, means at said setting station to selectively move said elements from a non-set to a set position in response to the sensing of a designation by said sensing means, means for moving the elements past said setting station in succession, the interposers at said readout being positioned for actuation when engaged by a set element, a member for each interposer to control its actuation, and means for operating the members to effect conversion of the combinational multiple position digit code to a single position digit code, the last named means operating said members in predetermined combinations to actuate the related interposers which have been 'positioned forvactuation, whereby the operating means /closes `said contacts.

No references cited.