US3011618A - Decoding arrangement - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 5, 1961 H. 1 LAMBERT ErAL 3,011,618

DECODING ARRANGEMENT Original Filed May 27, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 51 N klo?? ATroRNEYs Dec. 5, 1961 H. L. LAMBERT Erm. 3,011,618

DEcoDING ARRANGEMENT Original Filed May 27, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet -2 INVENTORS HARRY L. LAMBERT PAUL F. PAGE ALTON G. SNYD M5524 ATTRNEYs lished States Patent 3,011,613 DECODING ARRANGEMEN'I Harry L. Lambert, West Hartford, and Paul F. Page and Alton G. Snyder, Newington, Conn., assignors to Royal Mcee Corporation, Port Chester, N.Y., a corporation of New York Original application May 27, 1958, Ser. No. 738,066, now Patent No. 2,932,375, dated Apr. 12, 1966. Divided and this application Jan. 28, 196i), Ser. No. 5,210

1 Claim. (Cl. 197-20) This invention relates to a novel arrangement for controlling the operation of a business machine and more particularly relates to a novel apparatus for controlling the selective power actuation of thirty-two or more separate operating linkages of a typewriter, or like machine, using a tive level code as the control input.

This is a divisional application from our copending application Serial No. 738,066, tiled May 27, 1958, and entitled Decoding Device, now Patent No. 2,932,375.

There are many conventional data processing systems, such as Teletype communication equipment, in which a ve level binary code is used in the recording, transmitting and reading of infomation. The maximum number of different on-od combinations in such a code is thirtytwo; however it has been found necessary in many cases to be able to provide more than thirty-two dilierent code combinations whereby a corresponding number of dierent operating linkages ol a machine may be controlled. in such cases higher level codes have been res-orted to in order to obtain this larger number of on-oft code combinations.

One object of the instant invention is to provide a novel arrangement for increasing the number of different operating linkages of a machine which may be actuated While using a given level code.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel decoding arrangement for a data processing system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel decoding arrangement for business machines .vhereby a precedence code is used to render operative one or the other of two groups or' control lines.

Still another object of the inventionV is to provide a novel decoding arrangement for controlling the operation of thirty-three or more linkage actuators ot a business machine whereby two groups o1 control lines to said actuators are selectively connected to the output lines of a decoding means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel decoding arrangement whereby most of the output lines of a decoding means are each selectively connectable to two control lines through two-way means which are Operated under the control of at least one precedence code output line of said decoding means.

Other objects and many Vof the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerels, unless otherwise stated, designate like parts throughout the iigures thereof and wherein:

FIG. l is a side elevational View showing the construction of a booster valve which is used in conjunction with the instant apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates the circuit diagram symbol used for o G. 3 defines Vone type of circuit diagram for the instant apparatus.

FlG. l defines a circuit diagram for the claimed embodiment ofthe instant invention.

The control apparatus constituting the instant invention may be used in a data processing system which is sellers Patented Ecc. 5, liilil Y similar to that described in our copending application tor v and 17.

Automatic Apparatus for Operating Business Machines, Serial No. 690,999, tiled October 14, 1957, now Patent No. 2,894,614. Unless otherwise indicated the various structural elements utilized in the instant apparatus, such as the tape 'feed mechanism, reading head, primary-secondary valve unit, the typewriter and its key actuators, as well as the symbols employed in the instant circuit diagram, may be similar to those respectively shown and` described in the last mentioned copeuding application. One particular type or" pneumatic valve which is not described in said copending application and which is used here will be described lirst.

The booster valve l@ shown in FiG. l comprises a frame member 11 having a vertical leg i2 that defines the 'body portion oi an impulse type valve 13. A cooperating pneumatic pouch actuator 14 of conventional construction is mounted on the horizontal leg l5 of said frame member. The said valve i3 is the same in all respects as a conventional pneumatic impulse valve except that the one shown in FIG. l has two output lines l() and 17 instead of one. Here the operating arm lil of the valve is provided with the two paris i9 and 2? which are respectively adapted to normally overlie and pneumatically block the openings at the ends o said lines 16 The upper end of the impulse valve operating arm 1S is connected, by means of link 2l, to the upper end oi the arm 22 of said pouch actuator 14; thus the operation of the pouch actuator ld through line 23 serves to displace the valve arm 18 in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. l, thereby initiating an atmospheric pressure impulse in both of the valve output lines le and 17.

The symbol used in the circuit diagram for the booster valve ill is shown in FIG. 2. Booster valves such as that just described may be utilized in the hereinafter described circuitry to boost or amplify any given signal pressure impulse. lf said impulse is initially strong and does not have to travel through too long a distance in pressure conduits then such a booster valve may not be needed. They are here included to insure that the control pressure impulses initiated by the instant decoding devices will be etectively strengthened so as to properly operate the various other valves in the system as will be explained below.

The circuit diagram for the instant system is illustrated in FIG. 3 and as noted above the various symbols used are the same as those described in said Patent 2,894,614. The ve ports if@ through 44 of the pneumatic reading head 45 respectively communicate with the output lines 46 through 5G. Lines 46-5t are respectively connected so as to control one of the tive primary-secondary valve units P-Sl. through P-SS of the primary-secondary valve assembly 52. ln that all of said primary-secondary valve units P-Sl through P-SS are Videntical a discussion of one thereof, P-Sl, will sutlice here. Line 46 constitutes a common control line for both the secondary valve 54 and the primary valve 55 of the primary-secondary valve unit lLS. The output lines from said secondary and primary valves are designated by arrows lS and lP respectively. `twill be apparent that the pressures in the output lines 1P and 1S are normally sub-atmospheric and atmospheric respectively and that when an atmospheric pressure impulse is initiated in the control line do, these pressure conditions will be'respectively. reversed. The ouput lines for the valve units P-S2 through P-SS, corresponding to said lines 1P and 1S, have been designated as 2P, 2S; 3P, 3S; 4?, 45E-and 5P and 5S respectively.

The ten output lines from the primary-secondary valve unit 52 are respectively connected so as to control one or more of the various blocking valves in each ci two similar decoding units or valve assemblies il and 6i..

The iiow lines of said blocking valves ofthe decoders are interconnected in series and/or parallel functional relation in .the pattern shown. Here, each of said blocking valvesis numbered the same as the line which controls it;A said control ,lines being omitted from'the circuit diagram for the sake of clarity. For example, all the 'blocking valves numbered SPVare controlled by the said mary-secondary valve output line' 3P; similarly, all the blocking valves which are designated as 2S are control-led by said line 2S ofthe valve assembly 52.

It will be seen that due to the above noted normal pressure conditions in the respective output lines of the primary-secondary valve units PS1 through P-SS all the lblocking valves of the decoders 60 and 61 which are controlled by the pressure conduit lines 1P, 2P, 3P, 4P and 5P, will be normally open while all the blocking valves controlled by lines 1S, 2S, 3S, 4S and 5S Will be normally closed. Thus as the various primary-secondary valve uints P-S1 through P-SS are operated either singly or in combination, the respective associated blocking valves of said decoders will be correspondingly opened or closed. An additional blocking valve 62 is provided in the inlet line 63 of the decoder 6i). This blocking valve is controlled by an external control line 62 which Will be discussed below, again for convenience said valve being numbered the same as the line which controls it. Assuming for a moment that the blocking valve 62 is open, each -time the decoder V60 receives a group of coded pressureimpulses from valve assembly 52, said decoder will be thereby operated so as to pneumatically connect the said inlet line 63 with one, and only one, of the various output lines 65 'of the decoder 50. Each of the output lines 65 is connected so' as to opeate one of the pouch actuators 66 for either the type bar' o r the function con trol linkages of the typewriter "67. Any of the lines 65 which are not needed or required for the' operation of the particular typewriter used inthe system may' be plugged or otherwise blocked as indicated at 68.A

The elements 72, 73, 75, 76 and 78 associated with the decoder 61 respectively correspond to the above described elements 62, 63, 65, 66 and 68 associated with said decoder 60. Lines 62 and 72 which eiectively conytrol the operation of decoders 60 and 61 respectively, are connected to the respective output lines or ports of the pneumatic on-ol valves 80 and 31 which are controlled by a pair of booster valves S2 and 83. The booster valves 82 and 83 are respectively controlled, as shown, by the output lines 65a and 75a of the decoders 60 and 61 respectively. The output lines 90 and 91 of booster valve 82 are `respectively connected to the oit control port of the on-ol valve 80 and the on control port of the onoi valve 81. ln similar fashion the output lines 92 and 93 from the booster valve 83 are respectively Vconnected to the oL port of said on-ol valve S1 and the on port of said'on-o valve 80. l

in operation it will be assumed that the on-off valve Y S isinitially in the on condition thereby leaving the on-ot valve 81 in the oit condition. VHere the blocking valve 62 will be opened thereby permitting the operation ofl the decoder 60 while blocking valve 72 will be closed thereby preventing the elTective operation ofthe .decoder 61. As the perforated record 95 is moved over the reading head 45 a plurality of successive groups of pressure impulses will be initiated in the respective lines Y 46 50, the pressure impulses of each successive group respectively corresponding to the number and distribution of holes in each successive transverse row of coded holes punched in said record. Said groups of impulses operate the various related primary-secondary valve units P-Sl through P-SS which in turn will serially condition the decoder 60 so that a succession of; atmospheric pressu-re impulses arevinitiated in the various output lines 65 coi: decoder 60. During this operation of decoder 60 the Y blocking valves of decoder 61 will also be operated by the said primary-secondary valve units, however no out- 4 put signals are initiated in the output lines 7S because the blocking valve 72 in the inlet line 73 of this decoder is closed.

When it is desired to initiate successive pressure impulses in any of the output lines 75 of decoder 61, a predetermined precedence or shift code which has been punched in the record will cause the primary-sec ondary valve assembly to operate the decoder 60 so that a pressure impulse is initiated in the decoder output line 65a.- Her'e the resultant operation of the booster valve 82 will initiate' `an atmospheric pressure impulse in the control lines 'Siti and 91 whereby the on-ot Valve 80 is operated td its olf condition and on-otf valve 31 is operated to its n' condition. As a result the blocking valve 62 will become closed and blocking valve 72 opened. By so disabling the decoder 6K0 and enabling the decoder 61 subsequent operation of the primary-secondary valve assembly 52 will cause pressure impulses to be initiated in the output lines 75 of decoder 61. Here the blocking valves of decoder 60 will also be operated but no pressure impulses will be initiated in the output lines 65 in that inlet blocking valve 62 of this decoder is closedi When it is desired to again initiate pressure impulses in the output lines 65 of decoder 6i? a predetermined precedence or shift code in the record will cause the pri mary-secondary valve assembly to operate the decoder 61 so that a pressure impulse is initiated in the output line 75a. This will operate the booster valve 83 which in turn will cause the on-ol valves 80 and 81 to be operated to their on and oi conditions respectively. As a result the decoder 61 will be disabled by the closing of the blocking valve 72 and decoder 60 will again be enabled by the opening of the blocking valve 62.

y using the above described arrangement the operation of up to sixty different outputlines 65, 75, and associated pouch actuators 66, 76, may be controlled by the use of a tive level code. This permits the controlling of a power operated typewriter having more than thirtytwo operating linkages by means of a standard type tive level communications code. It will be apparent that the principles of the instant invention may be used in electrical as well as pneumatic systems and that said principles may be applied with equal eliicacy Where codes having six, seven or more levels are employed.

An alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated in PEG. 4. Here a single tive channel pneumatic decoder is provided which is similar to either of the decoders 60, 61 of FIG.4v 3 except that here there is no blocking valve in the inlet line 101 thereof such as is provided at 62 and 72 of the said decoders 60, 61. Two of the output lines 102 and 103 from the decoder are respectively connected to two booster valves 104 and 105 which control the operation of the two on-oi valves 106 and 107 in a manner identical to that described above for the booster valves 82 and 83 of FIG. 3. The remaining output lines 110 of the decoder are respectively connected to the inlet lines 111 of the two Way valve means 112. Each of the said inlet lines V111 is connected to a pair of output lines 113, 114 through blocking valves 115 and 116 respectively. The blocking valves 115 and 116 are respectively controlled by the output lines 115, 116 of said on-otfvalves 106 and 107; the blocking valves again for convenience being considered to include the line or lines by which said valves are respectively controlled. The two selectively operable groups of output lines 113, 114 are connected so as to respectively operate the different pouch actuators 120 of the typewriter unit 121.

In the operation of the device illustrated in FIG. 4, when the on-oif valve 106 is in the on condition, blocking valves 115 will be open and any pressure impulses initiated in the output lines 110 of the decoder 100 will be transmitted through the output lines 113 of the tWoway valve means 112. During this period of operation the on-ol lvalve 107 is in the oft condition and hence blocking valves 116 of valve means 112 will remain closed. When it is desired to selectively initiate pressure impulses in the output lines 114 ofthe two-way valve means, a precedence pressure impulse is initiated in the output line 102 of decoder 100 whereby the operative conditions of on-off valves 186 and 107 will be reversed; thus closing the blocking Valves 115 and opening the blocking valves 116. Thereafter pressure impulses from decoder 100 will now be transmitted through lines 111, valves 116 and out through the output lines 114. When it is desired to again selectively initiate pressure impulses in the said lines 113 a precedence pressure impulse is initiated in the decoder output line 103 so that the operative condition of said on-ot valves 106, 197 is again reversed whereby bloclc'ug valves 115 will be opened and blocking valves 116 closed.

While several embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made in the particular construction without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. It is therefore desired, by the following claim, to include within the scope of the invention all such variations and modifications whereby substantially the results of the invention may be obtained by the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

The invention claimed is:

In a pneumatically controlled data processing system; means for initiating a plurality of coded pneumatic pressure impulses, a plurality of pneumatic blocking Valves functionally arranged in series and parallel relation so as to form a decoding means, said coded impulses controlling the operation of said blocking valves, a plurality of actuators, a rst group of valves adapted to pneumatically connect some of said actuators to thev output lines of said decoding means, a second group of valves adapted to pneumatically connect the other of said actuators to the same output lines of said decoder, pneumatic control means for alternately conditioning said two groups of valves to open and closed conditions, said pneumatic control means comprising a pair of pneumatic on-otl valves operative to open the valves of said iirst group and close the valves of said second group and then to close the valves of said rst group and open the valves of said second group, and means for pneumatically connecting said pair of on-otf valves to two output lines of said decoding means whereby pressure impulses alternately initiated in said two output linesserve to reverse the operative conditions of said on-ot valves and to thereby control which of said actuators are pneumatically coupled to the said loutput lines of said decoding means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,351,663 Clark June 20, 1944. 2,865,487 Hildebrandt Dec. 23, 1958 2,894,614 Lambert et al. July 14, l959

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