US3127504A - Sszoii - Google Patents

Description

7 Sheets-Sheet l j W. C. ARNOLD PRINTING CONTROL MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES I o @e@@@@@@ fifi a we? a x a: in fifimflwv v March 31, 1964 WIL Xn 2%NOLD MM J j HIS ATTORN S QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ m a m fi uwvm m Zib... mDm

Filed Nov. 1, 1961 March 31, 1964 w, c, ARNOLD 3,127,504

PRINTING CONTROL MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 1, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WILLIAM C. ARNOLD HIS ATTORNEYS March 31, 1964 w. c. ARNOLD PRINTING CONTROL MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 1, 1961 FIG.3

mmm 3m m km FIG.4

O O O O March 31, 1964 w. c. ARNOLD 3,127,504 PRINTING CONTROL MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 1, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 F I65 I02 SStZOIA o SSZOIF SSZOIH SSZOII HIM,

SSZIO SS2I2 K232BI3 INVENTOR I25 WILLIAM C. ARNOLD BY WMAL Y q I o o 0 HIS ATTORNEY SSZOIL March 31, 1964 Filed Nov. 1, 1961 W. C. ARNOLD PRINTING CONTROL MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 K283ACI K243Al ST2O3 ZZIBCII K233A3 o- KZGOAI K242B2Z 1 K2658 I L20! SGBAI K207Bll INVENTOR WILLIAM C. ARNOLD BY WM H s ATTORNEI s March 31, 1964 w. c. ARNOLD 3,127,504

PRINTING CONTROL MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 1, 1961 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIGS? A P/Q xzosms 97 98 $0204 94 K204 Fl 6.8

5 4 g, g, n0

K203Al3 g sczls I J a C 92 K200 K2OOA|3 A -95 Li 9s sc20| J INVENTOR WILLIAM G. ARNOLD BY M 1 HIS ATTORNZ S March 31, 1964 w. c. ARNOLD 3,127,504

PRINTING CONTROL MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 1, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 sc2|4 I0: I04 K22I I 1;

I09 I08 2 25 I I K20|Al2 $021? I {I I 9 l K202B2 K206Cl2 INVENTOR WILLIAM C. ARNOLD HIS United States Patent 3,127,504 PRINTING CONTROL MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES William C. Arnold, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The National Cash Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Filed Nov. 1, 1961, Ser. No. 149,256 11 Claims. (Cl. 23561.9)

This invention relates to means for automatic data input and control of an accounting machine, and more particularly relates to means for effecting the automatic recording of account identification data in connection with the automatic processing of accounts by such a machine.

The present invention is particularly adapted for use With an accounting machine of the type disclosed in the co-pending United States patent application Serial No. 840,701, filed September 17, 1959, by William C. Arnold and Chester N. Jorgensen, now United States Patent No. 3,102,950, issued Sepetember 3, 1963, although it is not necessarily limited to such use. Briefly, that apparatus provides means capable of sensing data from a first record medium, such as perforated paper tape, and controlling an accounting machine and a feeding device to cause the input of such sensed data into the accounting machine according to a predetermined arrangement. The accounting machine may be of the type disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,947,475, issued August 2, 1960, to Konrad Ranch et al., and the feeding device may be of the type disclosed in the co-pending United States patent application Serial No. 770,673, filed October 30, 1958, by Henry Grosnickle, Jr., and William C. Arnold, United States inventors, now Patent No. 3,079,- 145, issued February 26, 1963.

The data sensed from the first record medium is arranged in a predetermined order in frames relating to the items to be posted to the various accounts. Each frame may include account identification information, such as an account number, to insure that the information in the frame is entered on the correct account; control information pertaining to the type of transaction, such as check or deposit; amount information, such as checks and deposits, to be added to or subtracted from the balance of a particular account; and finally, a special symbol for initiation of operation of the accounting machine. Solenoid-operated means are provided in association with the keyboard of the accounting machine for operation of the various keys, and are energized according to the signals sensed from the tape to effect entry of the information into the accounting machine.

The old balance for each account, as well as account identification data and other information, is obtained from a second record medium in the form of a magnetically encoded account ledger card. These ledger cards are fed by the feeding device into the accounting machine, where a legible record of the posting operation for the particular account is printed on each card. Balances and individual item entries are also printed on a journal sheet which is produced by the accounting machine coincidentally with the printing of the record of the various posting operations on the ledger card, as described above.

Various interlocks and control circuits interconnect the accounting machine, the sensing device, and the feeding device, to insure operation of all of these mechanisms in the proper sequence, and to prevent the entry of erroneous information.

The present invention adds to the above apparatus the capability of printing identification data on the journal sheet in connection with each account posted. This enables instant isolation and identification of those figures on the journal sheet pertaining to any one of the accounts which have been processed by the accounting machine.

This is accomplished by utilization of the account number which is encoded on the input tape which is used to provide item information for automatic entry into the accounting machine. The account number is encoded once in connection with each item entry on the tape. It is sensed by the tape-sensing device and entered into the machine by depression of key-operating solenoids in the accounting machine keyboard. Since the keyboard of the accounting machine is of limited capacity, the amount section is used both for the entry of account information to be printed on the journal sheet and for the entry of amount information to be used in the posting of the various accounts being processed.

A novel routing system provides controls to enable the dual use of the keyboard entry means for both purposes. As each frame of information on the tape is sensed by the tape-sensing device for utilization in the accounting machine, the account number is sensed first and, in the case of the first item entry pertaining a particular account, is used to energize the appropriate keys on the accounting machine keyboard for input purposes. A non-add operation of the accounting machine is then automatically initiated to effect printing of the identification data on the journal sheet, in the case of the first item entry pertaining to a particular account. In the case of subsequent item entries pertaining to the same account, the printing of the identification number is disabled, to avoid needless duplication.

Following sensing of the identification number for the particular account, the transaction information and the amount information, such as a check or deposit item, is then read and entered into the accounting machine by use of the keyboard thereon. Initiation of a conventional posting operation under control of an end-of-frame symbol sensed from the tape serves to add the item amount to the balance standing in the machine. Means are thus provided for the automatic sensing and recording of an identification number in connection with each automatic posting operation for each account.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide means for automatic recording of identification information in association with other information pertaining to various accounting transactions during accounting machine operation.

A further object is to provide means for effecting automatic sensing of identification information from a first record member and recording of that information on another record number during accounting machine operation.

An additional object is to provide means for automatically utilizing the same input keyboard to effect input of identification information in one operation and amount information in a succeeding operation, during sensing of the same frame of information from a record medium.

Another object is to provide means for causing an accounting machine to perform a first data input operation for input of identification data, a machine-initiating operation to effect recording of the identification data, a second data input operation for input of transaction and amount data, and a second machine-initiating operation to cause a machine computation utilizing said transaction and amount data.

A further object is to provide automatic means for causing account identification data to be recorded on a record member by an accounting machine in connection with the first item entry pertaining to a particular account, and to prevent such recording of identification data 3,1 3 in connection with further item entries relating to the same account.

With these and other objects, which will become apparent from the following description, in view, the invention includes certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, a preferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the keyboard of a machine embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detail view, partly in section, showing one bank of keys forming a part of the keyboard of the machine, and also showing the solenoid means for operating said keys.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the journal sheet produced by the machine, showing entries relating to various transactions, and also showing identification numbers printed in association with each transaction.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the tape used for input of item entries into the machine.

FIGS. 5 to 9 inclusive are circuit diagrams illustrating various portions of the circuitry of the present invention.

In addition to the magnetically-encoded ledger card, to which reference has been made above, entry of information into the accounting machine is effected through the keyboard 21, shown in FIG. 1. Such entry may be accomplished either manually, by manual depression of appropriate keys, or automatically, by energization of a key-operating solenoid under control of information sensed from a perforated paper tape.

At the extreme left of the keyboard 21, as viewed in FIG. 1, are a plurality of controls designed to be operable by supervisory personnel, said controls being provided with locks to insure that their settings will not be tampered with by unauthorized persons. These controls include a control 22 for determining whether or not a comparison of account information between the ledger card and individual items is to be required; controls 23 and 24 relating to the check count for the various accounts; and a control 25 for determining whether a comparison is to be required for every item posted, or only for the first item relating to an account, and all subsequent credit items for that account.

To the right of these controls are a plurality of visible item counters 26, which function to keep total records of various types of transactions. Since these counters form no part of the present invention, no further reference thereto will be made.

To the right of the counters are situated two rows of numerical keys, the leftmost of the two rows having only three keys, while the rightmost of the two rows has nine keys. These two rows are for indexing date information to enable the date to be printed on the ledger card in connection with the recording of each transaction. The date keys 27 are manually operable only, and control a printing function. A release key 28 is provided to release the date keys when it is desired to reset the date, normally at the end of the day. A lock 29 is provided for locking the date keys in their set positions.

The four rows of numerical keys immediately to the right of the date keys 27 are the check count keys 3%. These keys are utilized to enter into the machine the check count pertaining to a particular account, and are solenoid controlled, to enable this information to be entered from the perforated paper tape, if desired.

The next ten rows of keys are amount keys 31, which are used for setting up amounts, such as old balances, the amounts of checks and deposits, and any other desired information used in connection with the accounts being processed, which information is represented by dollars and cents or any other numbers. As will subsequently be described, these amount keys are also used to enable printing of the account identification number on the journal sheet.

A new balance key 3. is provided on the keyboard 21 for initiating a new balance operation of the accounting machine.

Bclow the new balance key on the keyboard 21 is 10- catcd an overdraft key 33. This key permits continued posting in the event of an overdraft condition arising in a particular account. The machine in such a circumstance will normally lock to prevent continued posting, but th s lockup can be disabled by manual depression of the overdraft key 33, or by pre-set machine control means, as fully described in the previously-mentioned United States patent application Serial No. 840,701.

The rows of keys 3%, 35, and 36 are transaction rows 3, 2, and 1, respectively, for controlling the various operations of the machine. A hold-down lever 37 is provided to maintain the selected key in transaction row 3 in depressed condition after the completion of a machine operation, if such is desired. Without use of the hold-down lever 37, the keys in row 3 are released after each operation.

Means shown in FIG. 2 are provided to operate the keys 21 of FlG. 1 in accordance with information sensed from a perforated paper tape such as is shown at 42 in FIG. 4. In FIG. 2, superimposed over the key bank 43 of the accounting machine, is a unit for controlling the keys of the key bank 43 in accordan e with electrical impulses received from the tape-sensing unit. The key bank 43 includes a key frame 45, in which are positioned a plurality of keys 46, nine in the illustrated embodiment. Slots 47 in the key frame 4-5 cooperate with studs 43 in the keys to guide the keys for sliding movement in a direction which is radial to the arcuate form of the key frame 45. The keys 46 are normally urged toward an undepressed position by a spring 49, supported by a member St) and extending between the key frame at the lower end of the spring and the st d it? at the upper end of the spring.

A detent 51 is mounted within the key frame 45 at one end by a pivot connection 52 to an arm 53, which, in turn, is pivoted to the key frame 4 5'. The detcnt 51 is similarly mounted at its other end, so that it may partake of movement transverse of the keys 46 within the key frame 4:3. Hook formations 54, on the detent having cam surfaces 55 thereon, cooperate with the studs 48 on the keys 46. Depression of one of the keys 46 causes its stud 43 to engage the surface 55, on the corresponding book of the detent 51, to shift said detent to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2, permitting full depression of the selected key 46. As the stud 48 of the depressed key passes the hook formation 5 on the detent 5i, said detcnt shifts upward and to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2, thereby positioning the hook formation 54 over the stud 48 of the depressed key 45 to retain said key in depressed positron. A spring 56, connected at one end to the frame 45 and at the other end to the detent 51, urges the detent to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2. In the event that the wrong key is inadvertently depressed, it will be seen that this situation may be corrected by depression of any of the other keys in the key bank, which will rock the detent 51 to the left, thus releasing the originally depressed key.

An additional detent 57 is also slida'oly mounted within the key frame 45 and is provided with cam surfaces 58 for engagement with the studs 48 of the keys 46. The detent 57 controls a zero stop pawl 59 in a well-known manner, causing the zero stop pawl 59 to be shifted counter-clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 2, about its pivot 60 against the force of the spring 61 whenever a key in the key bank 43 is depressed.

The key bank 43 is mounted in its proper position in the accounting machine by positioning two arcuate surfaces 62 and 63 of the frame 45 on a pair of rods (not shown) forming a part of the accounting machine structure.

To adapt the key bank 43 for use with the control unit 44, the key tips used in the conventional machine are removed, and a small flat plate 64 is secured to the top end of each key 46. The control unit 44 is enclosed within a frame 67, which extends over the key bank 43 and is secured thereto at the upper and lower ends by means of screws 68 or other suitable fastening means. A side frame 69 is fixed to the frame 67 and supports a plurality of solenoid brackets 70, one for each key position, which are secured to the frame 69 by means of screws 71. A solenoid 72 is contained within each bracket 70 and is connected by suitable wiring to the sensing unit, from which it receives electrical signals according to the information fed from the perforated paper tape. Each solenoid 72 is provided with a core 73, to the lower end of which is secured a plate 74, of non-magnetic material, which is notched at 75 to receive a pin 76, secured to the bracket 70. The pin 76 functions to pre vent turning movement of the plate 74 and the core 73, to which the plate is secured. The upper end of the core 73 extends through openings in the bracket 70 and the frame 67 and has attached thereto a key tip 77, of conventional design, on which any appropriate indicia, such as a number or a symbol, may be placed.

It will be seen that when power is applied to any one of the solenoids 72 of the control unit 44, the core 73 of that solenoid is shifted downwardly, so that the plate 74 engages the plate 64 and depresses the key 46 in the same manner as said key would be depressed manually in a conventional accounting machine. The solenoid core 73 may also be shifted downwardly by the key tip 77 to depress the key 46 in the event that a manual operation is desired.

The control unit 44 shown in FIG. 2 therefore provides for electrical operation of the keys of the accounting machine keyboard under control of the sensing unit when desired, while at the same time permitting manual operation of the accounting machine by depression of the key tips 77, when appropriate.

A permanent, continuous record of all transactions is produced by the machine in the form of a journal sheet, shown in FIG. 3. The record pertaining to each account transaction includes an account identification number; an old balance; any checks or deposits or other individual entries made with respect to the account; the check count, including both the number of check entries on. the account at the beginning of the transaction, and the total number of entries including the entries posted during the transaction; and a new balance. For example, looking at the topmost series of entries on the journal sheet 85 of FIG. 3, it will be seen that the old balance was $999.00, that the check count prior to the transaction was 0, that the account identification number is 1,234,567.89, that four checks in the amounts of $57.00, $40.00, $30.00, and $20.00 have been posted, that a deposit in the amount of $150.00 has been posted, that the check count is now 4, and that the new balance is $1,002.00.

Shown in FIG. 4 is a fragmentary portion of the perforated paper tape which is used as an input medium for input of item information and account number information to the accounting machine. It will be seen that in the illustrated embodiment this is a seven-channel tape, with an additional channel for sprocket holes. The in formation is contained on the tape in the form of frames of information, each of which includes, in encoded form, a seven-, eight-, or nine-digit account number; two encoded characters for setting the transaction rows of the accounting machine; the necessary number of amount digits, up to ten in the illustrated embodiment, for setting the amount keys on the amount keyboard of the machine; and a trip symbol which is effective to initiate an operation of the machine after all of the necessary information has been set thereon. In FIG. 4, the trip symbol character is represented by reference character 06, the account identification numbers are represented by reference chart3 acter 87, the transaction row characters are represented by reference characters 88, and the amount numbers are represented by the reference character 89. The tape, as shown in FIG. 4, moves to the left, in the direction of the arrow 90, with respect to the tape-sensing unit, so that in each frame of information, the account number is sensed first, followed by the characters pertaining to the transaction rows, the characters pertaining to the amount rows, and then the trip symbol, which completes the frame of information.

System Circuitry The circuitry which controls the various components of the system of the present invention will now be described. Only the circuitry relating to control of the keyboard of the accounting machine in connection with the sensing of a frame of information from the tape will be described in detail herein, since the circuitry relating to the automatic operating system generally is fully described in the previously-mentioned United States patent application Serial No. 840,701 and in the previouslymentioned United States Patent No. 2,947,475. Where necessary to the understanding of the operation of the system as a whole, certain portions of the operating circuits described in the above-mentioned application and patent have been incorporated in the circuitry included in this application.

In the present invention, sensing of the perforated tape is accomplished by a mechanical sensing device, fully described in the previously-mentioned United States patent application Serial No. 840,701, which serially senses each each character position on the tape as the tape moves past the sensing device. Sensing of a perforation on the tape causes the corresponding set of contacts SC201 to SC205 inclusive (FIG. 7) to close. As shown in FIG. 7, the contacts SC201 are in series with a resistor 92 and a relay K200, while each of the contacts SC202 to SC205 inclusive are connected to a parallel combination of two relays, each of said relays being connected in series with a resistor. For example, the contacts SC202 are connected to a parallel combination including one series branch consisting of a resistor 93 and a relay K201, and also including another series branch consisting of a resistor 94 and a relay K202.

The entire combination of contacts, resistors, and relays is connected between a positive conductor 95, connected to a positive terminal 99, and a negative conductor 96, connected to a negative terminal 100. A source of volts DC. power is applied across the terminals 99 and 100. Cam-controlled contacts SC210, which close at 65 degrees of rotation of a cam line associated with the sensing device, and open at 350 degrees of rotation of said cam line, connect the positive conductor 95 to a point 91. A series combination of a resistor 97 and a capacitor 98 is connected in parallel with the contacts SC210 between the conductor 95 and the point 91 to provide an arc suppression function, and the contacts K216A3 are also connected in parallel with the contacts SC210 between the conductor 95 and the point 91 to enable by-passing of the contacts SC210 under certain conditions.

Let it be assumed, for example, that the sensing pins of the sensing device have sensed information in the first, second, and third channels of the tape. In such event, the contacts SC201, SC202, and SC203 are closed by movement of the corresponding sensing pins. Then, at 65 degrees of rotation of the cam line, the contacts SC210 close, applying power from the positive conductor 95 to the point 91, and through the contacts SC201, S0202, and SC203 to energize the relays K200, K201, K202, K203, and K204.

Each of the relays K200, K201, and K203 controls a set of contacts K200A13, K201A13, and K203A13, which close upon energization of their respective relays, and which function to retain the previously-mentioned relays K200, K201, K202, K203, and K204 in energized condition. These holding circuits for said relays are normally maintained until 350 degrees of cam line rotation, but are maintained for a longer time if necessary, during sensing of account identification numbers, in order to permit setting of the switches which store the first three digits sensed of the account identification numbers, by closing of the contacts K2 l6A3, which are controlled by the comparator advance relay K216 (not shown).

Now, referring to FIG. 9, it is seen that relay contacts controlled by the various relays K299 to K293 inclusive constitute a decoding network for translating the information in the form in which it is sensed from the tape into a decimal notation suitable for controlling the accounting machine. For example, with the relays KZ-tli), K23 K2tl2, K263, and K26 i energized as described above, the relay contacts controlled by these relays are shifted from the positions in which they are shown in FIG. 9 to positions in which the blades of these contacts engage the other of the two opposing terminals.

In such a case, a circuit is completed from a point 105., over the contacts K295; E2, KZLWClZ, KT. SCH, K204C2, and KlzilEAlZ to the 7 termina 192 on a terminal board 163. This is the only path which is completed through the decoding network by the above combination of energized and deenergized relays. Other combinations of these relays complete other paths to different terminals on the terminal board 7.33 of HG. 9.

When a trip symbol, consisting of perforations in the second, third, and fourth channels of the tape, is sensed by the sensing device, a circuit is completed from the point 101 through contacts KZQSCZZ, KZQZCZ, KEG-3C1, and KiddCZ, and the row 2 trip relay K221, to a negative terminal 104 to condition the relay K221 for encrgization. A capacitor H35 and a resistor -36 are serially connected in parallel with the relay K221 to perform an arc-suppression function. In passing. it may be noted that the tape shows the trip symbol to have perforations in rows or channels 6 and '7, in addition to channels 2, 3, and 4. However, the perforations in channels 6- and 7 are merely for visual notation, so that a person glancing at the tape can readily distinguish the different frames of informa tion, since no facility is provided in the tape-sensing device of the illustrated embodiment for reading channels 6 and 7.

At 105 degrees of rotation of the cam line, the contacts SCZl-t (FIG. 9) close, completing a connection from a positive terminal 167 through the contacts SCZM, the point ltlll, and the decoding relay contact path described above, to the terminal M2 on the terminal board Hi3, thus applying power to the selected terminal on this board corresponding to the decimal equivalent of the information sensed from the tape. it a trip symbol has been sensed, closure of the contacts SCZM causes energization of the row 2 trip relay K221.

Connected in parallel with the contac are contacts KZMACH, which are controlled by the comparator advance relay K216 (not shown). Also connected in parallel with the contacts SCZll i is a series combination of a capacitor 1% and a resistor 169. Contacts SC217, which are controlled by the cam line of the sensing device to close at 195 degrees of rotation of said cam line, and to open at 350 degrees of rotation, are connected in parallel with the resistor 169. When the contacts SC214 close at 105 degrees, the contacts SC217 are open, thus placing the resistor M39 in series with the ca pacitor 108 across the contacts SC214, and preventing a large surge of current through the contacts SCZM, which would otherwise be caused by discharge of the capacitor 103. The capacitor 188 serves to limit the inductive surge caused by the opening of the contacts SCZM at 320 degrees of rotation of the cam line, at which time the contacts SC217 are closed.

Shown in FIG. 8 is a portion of an operating circuit for energizing a relay in the accounting machine which is effective to initiate a cycle of operation of the account- SCH i ing machine. It will be seen that two parallel paths extend between terminals 119 and 111 in the relay operating circuit. One of these paths includes contacts K22LlA3, which are controlled by the row 2 trip relay K221, described above. It will accordingly be seen that when a trip symbol is sensed from the perforated tape, and the relay 14221 as a result is energized, the circuit between the terminals 11% and 111 is completed over the contacts KZZZAS. Alternatively; the circuit between the terminals lit; and 111 can be completed over the other parallel path, which includes the serially-connected contacts KZGSAiZ and SCZM. The contacts K265A12 are controlled by the print trip relay K265 and are closed when this relay is energized during the sensing of a frame of information from the tape, as will subsequently be described. The contacts SCZi are controlled by the cam line of the sensing device and close at 300 degrees of rotation of said cam line, remaining closed until the cam line has rotated through 30 degrees of the next revolution.

As shown in FIG. 5, the main stepping switch S8291, which performs a routing function, comprises a plurality of levels, each level having a number of contact positions and a wiper which is stepped successively from one contact position to the next. The wipers of all of the various levels are connected together for unitary movement, and are operated by energization and deenergization of the coil SSZMM of the stepping switch S5201, in a well-known manner, the deenergization of said coil releasing the wipers for movement to the next contact position. The operation of the circuit for controlling energization of the coil SSZfi-ZM will subsequently be descri ed. One of the stepping switch levels SSZtllA to 552011 inclusive is provided for each number 1 through 9 corresponding to the various positions within each of the transaction, amount, and check count banks of the accounting machine keyboard.

In FIG. 5, only two separate levels are shown which correspond to the numerical keyboard positions 1 to 9 inclusive. One level is designated SSZtllA to SSZGIF, SS201H, 552011, and represents numerical keyboard positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 for the various key banks, while the other level is designated SS201G and represents numerical keyboard positions 7 for the various key banks. Level SSZQIG is shown separately because it diiiers in one respect from the other levels which represent numerical keyboard positions, as will subsequently be described.

In addition to the above, special levels SSZOIJ, SSZOIK, and SS201L are provided, which exert certain special controls. Level SSZOlK is not shown herein, since the controls which its exerts are not directly related to the present invention. However, level S8201] is shown in FIG. 6, and level SS201L is shown in FIG. 5. The controls which these levels exert will subsequently be described.

As diagrammatically shown in FIG. 5, each contact position of each level SSZGIA to 552611 of the stepping switch S8201 is connected to an individual solenoid 72, which is positioned over a key on the accounting machine keyboard in the manner shown in FIG. 2 and previously described. All of the solenoids connected to each level of the stepping switch S8201 represent the same numerical value in the different banks of the keyboard. For example, the solenoids 72 connected to the various contact positions of the A level of the stepping switch S5201 are each positioned over a number 1 key in the various banks of the accounting machine keyboard, while the solenoids connected to the various contact positions of the I level of the stepping switch S5201 are each positioned over a number 9 key of the various banks of the accounting machine keyboard.

The wipers of the various levels of the stepping switch 58201 are connected over conductors to terminals 102 corresponding to the numerical value of their respective solenoids in the program board 103 (FIG. 9). For ex- 9 ample, the wiper of the level SS201A is connected to the number 1 terminal 102 (FIGS. and 9) in the program board 103.

As shown in FIG. 5, conductors 116 provide direct connections between contact positions to 25 inclusive of the various levels 8S201A to 882011 inclusive of the stepping switch 88201 and the corresponding individual solenoids 72 of the accounting machine keyboard. Contact positions 4 to 9 inclusive, of levels S8201A to 882011 inclusive, of the stepping switch 88201 are connected by conductors 117 to the conductors 116 extending between contact positions to inclusive of said levels and the corresponding solenoids 72. In a given level, contact positions 4 and 15 are thus effectively tied together, as are contact positions 5 and 16, 6 and 17, 7 and 18, 8 and 19, and 9 and 20. Accordingly, it will be seen that the solenoids 72 in certain of the amount rows of the accountmachine keyboard may be energized when the wipers of the stepping switch 88201 are in either of two given positions. For example, a selected solenoid 72 in amount row 4 may be energized when the wipers of the various levels of the stepping switch 88201 are either in position 4 or in position 15. As will subsequently be described, energization of such a solenoid 72 when the wipers of the stepping switch 88201 are in position 4 is for the purpose of indexing an account number to be printed on the journal sheet, while energization of such a solenoid when the wipers of the stepping switch 88201 are in position 15 is for the purpose of indexing an item amount for entry into the accounting machine.

The energizing path for the solenoid 72 of one of the amount rows of the accounting machine keyboard may be seen to extend from the positive terminal 107 (FIG. 9) over the contacts 8(3214; the combination of relay-controlled decoding contacts shown in FIG. 9; a selected terminal 102 on terminal board 103; the corresponding selected level of the stepping switch 88201; the conductors 116 and/or 117; the selected solenoid 72; a return conductor 118; a point 119; contacts K260A3, controlled by the print set relay K260; contacts K241A14, controlled by the parity failure relay K241 (not shown); and the contacts K2321311 1, controlled by the account bypass relay K232 (not shown), to a negative terminal 120. The energizing circuit for a solenoid 72 in the transaction row 2 of the accounting machine keyboard is generally similar to that described above, except that the return path extends over a conductor 121; a resistor 122; a point 123; and a conductor 124 to the point 119. The difference between the two return circuits arises from the fact that the resistor 122 is placed in series with the solenoids 72 used for controlling the transaction row 2. These solenoids have lower resistances than the amount row solenoids, due to greater power requirements, and the resistor 122 is therefore used to limit total current through the energizing circuits for the transaction row 2 solenoids.

Also shown in FIG. 5 is special control level 8S201L of the stepping switch 88201. The wiper of this level is connected to a terminal 125, which is connected to the point 101 and is thus associated with the contacts SC214, as shown in FIG. 9. Power is therefore applied to the wiper of level 8S201L when the contacts S0214 are closed at 105 degrees of cam line rotation.

It will be noted that only the contact positions 5 to 8 inclusive of level 8S201L are utilized. The positions 5, 6, and 7 are connected by conductors 126, 127, and 128 to the Wipers of storage switches S8210, 88212, and 88214, which are utilized to store the first, second, and third denominational digits, respectively, of the account identification number pertaining to the account which is being posted by the accounting machine. These storage switches are actually multiple-level switches with various levels being used for various purposes, such as switch positioning, account number comparison, etc. However, only the level of these switches directly relating to the present invention is shown here. The manner in which the first three digits of the account number are stored while the stepping switch 88201 is passing through its first three contact positions, and the manner in which these stored digits are utilized for account number comparison purposes, are described fully in the previously-cited United States patent application Serial No. 840,701, to which reference may be had for a complete explanation.

Each of the switches S8210, 88212, and 88214 contains nine contact positions, and the wipers of these switches may be set to any one of these positions, according to the number which it is desired to represent. Each contact position of the switch 88210 is connected by a separate conductor, represented collectively by reference character 129, to the conductor 116 connected to the number 12 contact position of one of the levels of the stepping switch 201. The conductors 116, it will be recalled, are also connected to solenoids 72 corresponding to the contact positions of the levels of the stepping switch 88201 to which said conductors are connected. Thus the number 1 contact position of the switch level 88210 is electrically connected to the solenoid 72 for the number 1 key in the first amount row of the accounting machine keyboard, which solenoid is also electrically connected to the number 12 contact position of the level S8201A; the number 2 contact position of the switch level 88210 is electrically connected to the solenoid 72 for the number 2 key in the first amount row of the accounting machine keyboard, which solenoid is also connected electrically to the number 12 contact position of level S8201B; and so on.

In a similar manner, the nine contact positions of switch level 88212 are connected by conductors 130 to conductors 116, which, in turn, connect the solenoids 72 in the second amount row of the accounting machine keyboard to the number 13 contact position of the levels 88201A to 882011 inclusive; and the nine contact positions of which level 88214 are connected by conductors 131 to those conductors 116 which in turn connect the solenoids 72 in the third amount row of the accounting machine keyboard to the number 14 contact position of the levels SS201A to 882011 inclusive.

With this arrangement, it is seen that closing of the contacts SC214, when the wiper of the stepping switch 88201 is in position 5, can complete a circuit extending through level S8201L and switch 88210 to energize a solenoid 72 to effect depression of a selected key in amount row 1 according to the digit which has been stored in switch 818210. Similarly, in position 6 of the stepping switch 88201, a solenoid can be energized to depress a selected key in amount row 2 according to the digit stored in switch 88212; and in position 7 of the stepping switch 88201, a solenoid 72 can be energized to depress a selected key in amount row 3 of the accounting machine keyboard according to the digit stored in switch 88214.

Contact position 8 of the level 8S201L is connected by a conductor 132 to the conductor 116 connected to the solenoid 72 which is also connected to contact position 10 of level 882016. This solenoid controls depression of the number 6 key in transaction row 2 of the accounting machine keyboard, which is a key utilized to condition the accounting machine for a non-add operation, in which printing takes place on the journal sheet. Accordingly, closure of the contacts 80214, when the wiper of the stepping switch 88201 is in position 8, can effect depression of the number 6 key in row 2 of the accounting machine keyboard to condition the accounting machine for a non-add printing operation.

Shown in FIG. 6 is level 88201] of the stepping switch 88201. This level, like level SS201L, is used for special control purposes. The wiper of the level 882011 is connected over the contacts SC213, which close at 55 degrees of rotation of the cam line of the sensing device, and open again at 130 degrees of cam line rotation, to a conductor 138, connected in turn to a positive terminal 1 1 139. Only the number 4, number 9, and number contact positions of the level S5201] are utilized.

The number 4 contact position is connected over a conductor 140, a point 141, a resistor 142, and a comparator by-pass relay K243 to a conductor 143, which is in turn connected to a negative terminal 144. A source of 90 volts DC. power is applied across the terminals 139 and With the wiper of level SS261J in position 4, closure of the contacts SC213 results in energization of the relay K243. A holding circuit is provided to maintain the relay K243 in energized condition once it has been energized, and this circuit extends from the point 141 over serially connected contacts K243A1 and K283AC1 to the positive conductor 13:8. The contacts K243A1 are controlled by the relay K243 and close when said relay is energized. The contacts K2S3AC1 are controlled by the relay K283 (not shown), which is energized at all times except when the stepping switch S8201 is in its home position. Therefore, once the relay K243 has been energized, it remains energized until the stepping switch S5201 has returned to home position.

The number 10 contact position of level S8201] is connected over a conductor 145, contacts K26tlA2, a point 145, contacts K242B2, a resistor 147, and a print trip relay K265 to the negative conductor 141. With the wiper of level $8201] in position 10, and the contacts K260A2 and K242B2 closed, closure of the contacts SC213 results in energization of the relay K255. The contacts 1(242132 are controlled by the amount parity relay K242 (not shown) and are in a closed condition except when said relay is energized. The contacts K260A2 are controlled by the print set relay K269, which will subsequently be discussed.

A holding circuit is provided to maintain the relay K265 in energized condition, once it has been energized, and extends from the point 146 over serially connected contacts K265A2 and SC954 to the positive conductor 138. The contacts K255A2 are controlled by the relay K265 and close when said relay is energized. The contacts 80254 are controlled by the printer cam line of the accounting machine, closing at 350 degrees of rotation of said printer cam line, and opening at 250 degrees of rotation of said cam line, thereby being in a closed condition in the zero position of the printer cam line. Accordingly, once the relay K265 has been energized, it remains energized until the contacts SC954 open during the next cycle of accounting machine operation.

The number 11 contact position is connected over a conductor 148, a point 149, a resistor 150, and a print set relay K266 to the negative conductor 143. \Vhen the wiper of level S5201] is set to the number 11 contact position, closing of the contacts S0213 causes energization of the relay K250. An alternate path for energization of the relay K261) is provided to by-pass the level S5201], and extends from the point 149 over a conductor 151, a point 152, and serially connected contacts K233A3 and ST2tl3, to the positive conductor 133. The contacts K233A3 are controlled by the overdraft reset relay K233 (not shown) and close when said relay is energized, which is whenever a balance pickup operation is attempted by the accounting machine, while the contacts ST2tl3 are manually controlled contacts which may be closed or opened under control of a lockable toggle switch according to whether or not an account num er printing operation is desired. A holding circuit is provided to maintain the relay K260 in energized condition once it has been energized, and extends from the point 152 over serially connected contacts K26tiA1 and K221BC11 to the positive conductor 138. The contacts K260A1 are controlled by the relay K260, and close when said relay is energized. The contacts K221BC11 are controlled by the row 2 trip relay (not shovn) and remain closed so long as said relay is not energized. According- 1y, once the relay K269 has been energized, it will be maintained in energized condition by its holding circuit until the row 2 trip relay K221 is energized.

Also shown in FIG. 6 is the energizing circuit for the trip coils L221 of the tape-sensing device, which control initiation of a cycle of operation of the tape-sensing device. The energizing circuit for the trip coils L201 extends from the negative conductor 143 over the trip coils L261; contacts SC8A1; SC9B1; S0212; SP2S"B2; 14254811; and K221B1 to a point 155. From the point 155, the energizing circuit branches into a plurality of different paths. A first path extends from the point over the contacts K282A3 to the positive conductor 13%.

In the above circuit, the contacts SCSAI and SC9B1 are interlocks relating to the condition of the paper tape. If the tape tears or runs out, the contacts SC8A1 open, preventing further reading. If the tape becomes too tight, the contacts SC9B1 open and prevent further tape advancc. The contacts SC212 supply the timing for the energization of the trip coils L261, closing at 315 degrees of rotation of the cam line of the sensing device, and opening at 25 degrees of rotation, thus being closed in the home position of the cam line. A series combination of a resistor 156 and a capacitor 157 is connected in parallel with the contacts SC212 to serve an arc suppression function. The contacts SPZSOBZ are controlled by a manually operable control element, and are opened when an item by-pass operation is initiated. Such an operation is normally used following a lock-up of the apparatus caused by incorrect input of the information. As an incident of an item by-pass operation, the contacts K232A3 are closed by energization of the item by-pass relay K282. (not shown), which normally conditions the coils L291 for energization. Energization of said coils then takes place when a manually-operable control element is released, permitting the contacts SP23OB2 to close. The contacts K221B1 are controlled by the row 2 trip relay K221 (FIG. 9), which is energized by sensing of a trip symbol, as has been previously described.

From the point 155, an alternate path for energization of the trip coils L201 extends over the contacts K265B1 and K232A in parallel; the contacts 11229811; K216B1; K2e 2-B11; KZSQBZ; K222A12; K241A4; SC907; and SC945' to a point 158. From the point 158, two branches are available for completion of this energizing path. The first branch extends over serially connected contacts K272BC2 .d SC62A1 to the positive conductor 138, while the second branch extends over a parallel combination of contacts K273AC1 and K232AC1 to the positive conductor 138.

In the above circuit, the contacts K265B1 are normally closed contacts which are controlled by the print trip relay K265 (FIG. 6), and which open when the relay KZoS is energized. The contacts K232A are normally open contacts controlled by the account by-pass relay K232 (not shown), which close when said relay is energized. The contacts K221711311 are normally closed contacts controlled by the new balance trip relay K220 (not shown), which open when the relay K220 is energized, in order to blocl; operation of the trip coils L201 when information is being transmitted to the accounting machine to initiate a new balance operation of said machine. The contacts K216B1 are normally closed contacts controlled by the comparator advance relay K216 (not shown), which open when said relay is energized, in order to block operation of the trip coils L201 in order that the storage switches S8216, S8212, and 5521-1 will be provided sufiicient time to be positioned to a new account identification number. The contacts 1 1242511 are normally closed contacts controlled by the amount parity relay K242 (not shown), which open when said relay is energized in connection with a machine lock-up resulting from parity failure. The contacts KZSllBl are normally closed contacts controlled by the reader stop relay K259 (not shown), which open when said relay is energized in response to a gate checit, overdraft, or last line indication received from the accounting machine. The contacts K222A12 are normally open contacts which are controlled by the manual-autoniatic relay K222 (not shown), and which are caused to close when said relay is energized. The contacts. K241A4 are normally open contacts controlled by the parity failure relay K2411 (not shown), which close when said relay is energized. The contacts SC907 are contacts controlled by the auxiliary cam line of the accounting machine, which close at 350 degrees of rotation of the cam line and open at degrees of rotation of said line. The contacts S0945 are controlled by rotation of the printer cam line in the accounting machine, which close at 350 degrees of rotation of the printer cam line and open at 15 degrees of rotation of said line. The contacts K272BC2 are normally closed contacts con trolled by the trial balance selection relay K272 (not shown), which open when said relay is energized during the performance of a trial balance during posting operation. The contacts SC262A1 are new balance non-repeat contacts on the accounting machine, which prevent two successive new balance operations of said machine. The contacts K-232AC1 are normally open contacts controlled by the account by-pass relay K232 (not shown), which close when said relay is energized to permit an account bypass operation while the machine is performing a trial balance during posting operation. The contacts K273AC1 are normally open contacts controlled by the pickup selection relay K273 (not shown), which close when said relay energizes as a result of a correct cornparator pickup during a pickup operation of the accounting machine.

The coils L201 control the clutch of the tape-sensing device and allow the cam line of the tape-sensing device to make one revolution when said coils are energized. As the cam line of the sensing device rotates, at 25 degrees of rotation, the contacts SC212 open to remove power from the coils L201. Since the clutch has been operated at this time, however, the calm line will continue its rotation and complete a full revolution.

Also shown in FIG. 6 is the energizing circuit for the coil SSZMM of the multiple-level stepping switch S8201. This circuit extends from the negative conductor 143 over the coil SS1M to points 162 and 163. Connected in parallel with the coil SS201M are a first arc suppression element 159 and a series combination of a resistor 160 and a capacitor 161, which also serve an arc suppression function. Two paths for energization of the coil SS201M are provided between the points 162 and 163 and a point 164 in the circuit diagram of FIG. 6. The first path includes a parallel combination of contacts S0211 and K2-16A12 serially connected to contacts K221BC11, while the second path include-s serially connected contacts SC4B1, SC3A11, and K221AC11. From the point 164, the energizing circuit extends over a parallel combination of contacts K200B11, K201B11, K203B11, K205B11, and K207B1r1 to the positive conductor 138.

In the above energizing circuit for the coil SS201M, the contacts SC211 are controlled by the cam line of the tapesensing device, and close at 90 degrees of rotation of said cam line to energize the coil of the stepping mechanism, opening at 340 degrees of rotation to permit the stepping mechanism to advance the wipers of the stepping switch to the next position, in a Well-known manner. The contacts K216A12 are normally open contacts which are controlled by the comparator advance relay K216 (not shown). Since these contacts are in parallel with the contacts S0211, when closed they act to hold the coil in energized condition, and thus prevent operation of the stepping mechanism until the account number storage switches SS210, SS21-2, and S8214 have been set to the desired positions. The contacts K221ACL1 and K221BC1r1 are normally open and normally closed contacts, respectively, which are controlled by the row 2 trip relay K221 (FIG. 9), and which close and open, respectively, when said relay is energized. The contacts SC3A1 are off-normal contacts, which are open only in the home position of the stepping switch S8201. The contacts SC tBl are interrupter contacts, which open when the stepping mechanism of the stepping switch is in an ap proximately fully cooked position, and which close again as the stepping mechanism advances the wiper of the stepping switch to the next position. The contacts K200B1'1, K201'B11, K203B 11, K 205B11, and K207B11 are nonmally closed contacts which are controlled by the decoding relays K200, K201, K203, K205, and K207, respectively (FIG. 7). These contacts open when their corresponding relay is energized. Since all of these contacts are in parallel, any one of the relays K200, K201, K203, K205, or K207 remaining deenergized will keep the circuit path through this parallel network maintained. Perforations in all five channels of the tape are therefore required to interrupt this circuit path through the parallel network. Such a perforation of the tape in all five channels indicates a correction of incorrect data. This encoding of the tape is thus effective to prevent energization of the coil SSZillM, so that the stepping switch S5201 is not stepped to its next position.

Following the completion of reading of any frame of information, the stepping switch S5201 must be returned to its home position in order to be in proper condition to commence reading of the next frame. This is accomplished by energization of the relay K221, which energizes when a trip symbol is sensed from the tape, as has been previously described. Energization of the relay K221 opens the contacts K221BC11 and closes the contacts K221AC11, thereby completing an energizing circuit for the coil SS201M which extends between the points 163 and 164. The contacts SC3A1 are closed at this time, since the stepping switch S8201 is not in home position. The self-interrupter contacts SC4B1 function to deenergize the coil SS201M momentarily at each time that it becomes energized, thus causing the stepping switch to step one step further. Then, as the coil SS201M deenergizes, the interrupter contacts SC4B1 close once more to reenergize the coil SS201M. When the stepping switch SS201 reaches home position, the offnormal contacts SC3A1 open to deenergize the coil SS201M and maintain the stepping switch in its home position.

Operation In order best to illustrate the manner in which the various circuits described above cooperate to enable the apparatus of the present invention to perform its desired function, a typical account operation of the apparatus will now be explained, incorporating the account number print feature which is the subject of the present invention.

Those portions of the operating sequence of the apparatus which do not relate to the present invention will be described only broadly or not at all. For a complete description of such portions of the operating sequence, reference may be had to the previously-cited United States patent application Serial No. 840,701.

Let it be assumed in this description that the apparatus has just completed the sensing of a frame of information from the tape and is about to commence the sensing of the next frame of information from the tape. Let it also be assumed that the next frame of information pertains to a different account from the one previous and therefore has a different account number encoded on the tape.

Operation of the apparatus is sequentially controlled by the stepping switch S8201, and to commence the sensing of a frame of information, power is applied to selective levels of the stepping switch, with the wipers of all levels, which wipers operate in unison, in position 1. In each of positions 1, 2, and 3 of the stepping switch S8201, the three lowest-denomination digits of the account identification number are sensed from the tape and compared with the digits stored in the respective account number storage switches S5210, S5212, and S5214. With the wipers of the various levels of the stepping switch S5201 set to position 3, the switches S8210, S5212, and S8214 have been set to correspond to the various account identification number digits sensed from the tape.

It will be recalled that it was assumed that the account number of the frame of information being sensed was different from the account number of the previous frame, which would necessitate a repositioning of at least one of the switches S5210, $8212, and S5214. Resetting of at least one of these switches conditions the operating circuitry of the apparatus for initiation of a new balance operation, as described in United States patent application Serial No. 840,701, and initiation of this operation is effected when the third denominational digit of the account number has been sensed.

The accounting machine then carries the account ledger card for the previous account through a new balance operation, ejects that card, causes a new account ledger card to be fed into the accounting machine, and

makes a pickup of the information magnetically encoded on the card, after which a comparison is made between the account number digits sensed from the card, and those set in the switches S5210, S8212, and S5214. in the event of a correct comparison, the sensing of the remainder of the frame of information from the tape will now talte place. If the comparison fails, then that ledger card is ejected from the accounting machine, and a new card is fed into the machine. This procedure continues until a proper comparison is achieved, or until a search limit mechanism terminates operation of the apparatus, indicating a possible mis-arrangement of the ledger cards.

Following the achieving of a correct comparison with the ledger card having the same account number as is encoded in the frame of information being sensed from the tape, the stepping switch S3201 is in position 4. In this position, functions are performed under the control of two different levels of the stepping switch.

At degrees of rotation of the cam line of the sensing device, the contacts S0213 (FIG. 6) close and apply power to the wiper of the level S5201], thereby energizing the comparator by-pass relay K243 through the energizing circuit previously described. Energization of the relay K243, in turn, closes the contacts K243A1, in the previously described holding circuit for said relay, which enables said relay to be maintained in energized condition after the wiper of the level S5201] has stepped to the next position. Energization of the relay K243 is effective to render the parity checking system provided in the apparatus operable with respect to the remainder of the data sensed in the frame of information, as well as with respect to the first three digits of the account identification number. Since the parity checking system forms no part of the present invention, further explanation is believed to be unnecessary.

At degrees of rotation of the cam line of the sensing device, the contacts SC2iii (FIG. 7) close to complete an ener izing path for decoding relays K200 to K208 inclusive corresponding to the contacts SC201 to SC205 inclusive which have closed due to the presence of perforations in their channels of the tape. As previously described, these relays close contacts in the decoding network of FIG. 9 in order to prepare a path for application of power to the appropriate terminal on the program board 103, which path is completed when the contacts SC214 close at degrees of rotation of the cam line of the sensing device. It will be recalled that the terminals of the program board 103 are connected to the wipers of the various levels SS201A to $52011 of the stepping switch S8201. With the wipers of these levels at position 4, power is transmitted through the number 4 contact position of the selected level, the conductor 117, the conductor 116 connected to the number 15 contact position of that level to which said conductor 117 is connected, to

the selected solenoid 72 in the fourth amount row of the accounting machine keyboard, for energization of said solenoid, the return path for energization of said solenoid extending through the contacts K260A3, K241A14, and K232B13 to the terminal (FIG. 5), as previously described. Energization of the selected solenoid 72 results in depression of the corresponding key in amount row 4 of the accounting machine keyboard.

It should be noted that energization of the solenoids 72 of the accounting machine keyboard is dependent upon the contacts K260A3 in the solenoid-energizing circuit being closed. These contacts are closed by energization of the print set relay K260. During the sequential operation of the stepping switch up to position 10, the only available path for energization of the relay K260 is through the serially-connected contacts ST203 and K233A3. As previously described, the contacts ST203 are manually controlled by a machine operator, and may be closed or opened according to whether or not it is desired to print the account identification number for each account on the journal sheet, while the contacts K233A3 are controlled by a relay K233 (not shown), which is energized during a ledger card balance pickup operation by the accounting machine, and which is decnergized during the first posting operation of the accounting machine following a balance pickup operation. Once the relay K260 has been energized, it is maintained in energized condition by its holding circuit while the sensing of the frame of information is completed. Accordingly, the relay K260 is energized during a sequential operation of the stepping switch S5201 through its first nine contact positions only when the frame of information being sensed is the first item to be posted to a given account. This arrangement is provided in order that printing of the account number on the journal sheet will take place only during the first posting operation pertaining to each account, which prevcnts the unnecessary repetition of the printing of the account number in connection with every item posted to an account, rather than just the first item.

The wipers of the various levels of the stepping switch SSZfilt move from position 4 to position 5 following entry of the fourth denominational digit of the account identification umber in the accounting machine keyboard by means of energization of the appropriate solenoid in row 4 of the amount section of said keyboard. In the fifth position of the stepping switch S3201, the fifth digit of the account identification number is sensed from the tape and causes energization of the appropriate solenoid 72 in the row 5 of the amount section of the accounting machine keyboard, in the same manner as described above for energization of the appropriate solenoid in row 4.

Also, while the wipers of the stepping switch S8201 are in the number 5 position, at 105 degrees of rotation of the cam line of the tape-sensing device, the contacts- SC214 (FIG. 9) close, thus applying power from the terminal 107 over said contacts, the terminal (FIGS. 5 and 9), the wiper of level SS201L, and the conductor 126 to the wiper of storage switch S5210. It will be recalled that during the time the wipers of the stepping switch 58201 were in position 1, the wiper of the switch S5210 was set to the correct contact position corresponding to the first digit of the account identification number, if it was not already in such position.

As has been previously stated, the various individual positions of the switch S8210 are connected to corresponding positions in levels SSZGZA to $52011, contact position 12. Therefore, when power is applied to the wiper of switch S8210, this power is transmitted through the wiper in the position to which said wiper is set, to energize one of the solenoids 72 in amount row 1 of the accounting machine keyboard, to which contact position 12 in the various levels SS201A to 582011 is connected by conductors 116. It is thus seen that, in contact position 5 of the stepping switch S5201, solenoids 72 in amount rows 1 and 5 of the accounting machine keyboard are energized to enter the first and fifth denominational digits of the account identification number into the accounting machine keyboard.

Similar operations take place in positions 6 and 7 of the stepping switch 88201, in order to cause the second and third account number digits, as stored in the switches 88212 and 88214, to be entered in amount rows 2 and 3 of the accounting machine keyboard, the solenoids 72 of which rows are also connected by conductors 116 to positions 13 and 14 of the various levels of the stepping switch S8201. These entries take place while the sixth and seventh account number digits are being entered into the sixth and seventh amount rows of the accounting machine keyboard, the solenoids 72 of which rows are also connected by conductors 116 to positions 17 and 18 of the stepping switch 88201.

When the stepping switch 88231 is in position number 8, the account number di it corresponding to the eighth character read from the tape is entered into amount row 8 of the accounting machine keyboard, corresponding to position 19 of the stepping switch 882 31. Also, while the stepping switch 882% is in position number '8, at 105 degrees of rotation of the tape-sensing device cam line, the contacts SCZM close, and power is applied over the terminal 125 to the wiper of the level SSZfillL to the conductor 132 (FIG. 5), which is connected to level SSZMG, contact position 10. This is effective to energize the num ber 6 key in control row 2 of the accounting machine keyboard, said depressed key being a space key, which is capable of controlling the accounting machine to cause a non-add printing operation to be performed on the journal sheet, as previously described.

In position 9 of the stepping switch 88201, the last, or ninth, digit of the account identification number is sensed from the tape and is entered in the ninth row of the accounting machine keyboard, which is also connected by conductors 116 to position 20 of the various levels of the stepping switch 88201.

In addition, while the stepping switch 88281 is in position 9, at 55 degrees of rotation of the cam line of the tape-sensing device, the contacts S0213 (PEG. 6) close to complete an energizing circuit for the relay K265, which extends from the positive conductor 138 over the contacts 8(3213; level S8201]; conductor 145; contacts K26tlA2, which are closed, since relay K260 is energized; contacts K242B2, which are closed, since the amount parity relay K242 (not shown) is not energized; the resistor 147; and relay K265 to the negative conductor 143. Energization of the relay K265 closes the contacts K25A12 (FIG. 8) in the operating circuit for the accounting machine, thus conditioning the accounting machine for a cycle of operation which is initiated by closing of the contacts 8C216 (FIG. 8) at 300 degrees of rotation of the cam line of the tape-sensing device, thus completing the circuit of FIG. 8 between the terminals llil and 111.

This operating cycle of the accounting machine causes printing of an account number on the journal sheet in accordance with the keys depressed in the various amount rows of the accounting machine keyboard. During this operation, the ledger card related to the account being posted is spaced one line, but no entry is made thereon. At the conclusion of the cycle of machine operation, the depressed keys on the keyboard are automatically released.

It will be noted that energization of the relay K265 also causes the contacts 1(26531 (PEG. 6) to open. These contacts are in the energizing circuit for the trip coils L2tl1 of the tape-sensing device. Further operation of the tape-sensing device is thus prevented during the time the accounting machine is performing a cycle of operation, since the contacts K232A, controlled by the account bypass relay K232 (not shown), are also open at this time during a normal operation of the apparatus.

As the accounting machine cycles, the contacts 8(3954 (FIG. 6) open at 250 degrees of rotation of the printer 18 cam line in the accounting machine. This interrupts the holding circuit for the relay K265 and causes said relay to deenergize, since the original energizing circuit for said relay is also interrupted as the stepping switch 88201 steps from position 9 to position 10.

As the wiper of stepping switch level 882%1] moves to position 10, it establishes electrical contact with the conductor 14-8, which provides a circuit path over point 149 and resistor 150 to the relay K260. Subsequent closure of the contacts SC213 at 55 degrees of rotation of the cam line of the tape-sensing device would complete a circuit for energization of the relay K26i), if it were not already energized. However, since the relay K269 was previously energized in the cycle which has been described, this has no effect, but, during subsequent cycles of operation of the tape-sensing device for reading additional frames of information relating to the same account, the relay K26 is not energized during the time the wiper of the stepping switch 882% is stepping through positions 1 to 10, as previously described, and in such a case the energizing circuit described above is effective to energize the relay K26 i at this time. Energization of the relay K263 during sequential operation of the stepping switch 882 91, from position number 10 on, is necessary during the sensing of all frames of information, since the circuit for energizing the various solenoids 72 of the accounting machine keyboard cannot be completed for energization of said solenoids without the energization of relay K260, due to the presence of contacts K20A3 in the energizing circuit for said solenoids. It will be recalled that the contacts K26JA3 are closed only when the relay is energized.

The wiper of the stepping switch 882M moves from position 9 to position 10 during the cycle of operation of the accounting machine, and, during the time the wiper is in position 10, in addition to completion of an energizing circuit for the relay K265i, as described above, information is sensed from the tape relating to the proper setting of transaction row 2 of the accounting machine keyboard for posting of the item amount contained in the frame of information. This information is entered into the accounting machine keyboard by energization of the appropriate row 2 solenoid 72, in the manner previously described.

In a similar manner, information relating to the proper setting of control row 3, and of the various amount rows, is sensed from the tape and entered into the accounting machine keyboard by energization of the proper solenoids 72, as the wipers of the stepping switch 88201 are advanced from position to position. Additional information, such as check count information, can also be included in the frames of information encoded on the tape, and entered into the accounting machine keyboard, if desired.

Following the last amount or check count digit of the frame of information on the tape, a trip symbol is encoded to indicate the end of the frame of information. Sensing of this trip symbol by the sensing device is effective to cause energization of the row 2 trip relay K221 (FIG. 9), in the manner previously described. Energization of the relay K221 closes the contacts K221A3 (FIG. 8) in the operating circuitry of the accounting machine, and initiates a cycle of operation of said machine to cause the amount, transaction, and check count data, contained in the frame of information, which has been entered into the accounting machine keyboard, to be posted to the account being processed.

Energization of the relay K221 also causes the contacts K221BC11 (FIG. 6) to be opened, thus interrupting the holding circuit for the relay K260 and causing said relay to be deenergized.

In addition, the contacts K221AC11 (FIG. 6) close, while the contacts K221BC11 open, in the energizing circuit for the stepping switch coil 88201M, and in this condition, these contacts provide a self-interrupting circuit 19 for the stepping switch coil SSZGIM to carry the stepping switch S5291 back to home position in preparation for sensing of the next frame of information from the tape.

While tie form of mechanism shown and described herein is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form or embodiment disclosed herein, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various other forms.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, capable of performing different types of operations, the combination comprising an input keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in rows according to denomination and in lines according to digital value for entry of information used in recording and computing operations;

keyboard operating means including a solenoid for each key, each solenoid being capable of operating its respective key when energized;

multiple-level, sequentially-operable routing means having an equal number of contact positions on each level and having a wiper for each level, said wipers being capable of stepping in unison from position to position to cause a predetermined sequence of operation;

first conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting a first group of corresponding contact positions of different levels of the routing means to solenoids associated with keys of varying digital values in the same rows, so that the various contact positions of each level are connected to solenoids associated with different rows of keys on the keyboard;

second conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting a second group of certain corresponding contact positions of each level of the routing means with certain other corresponding contact positions of said first group in the same level, to which said first conducting means are also connected, so that certain of said solenoids can be energized through both a contact position of said first group and a contact position of said second group in the same level;

sensing means for sequentially sensing frames of encoded information from a record medium;

means for selectively energizing a given level of the routing means in connection with each character sensed from the record medium by said sensing means to cause energization of the solenoid connected to the position of that level to which the wiper is set; a plurality of multiple position storage switches settable for storage of digit values corresponding to certain information sensed by the sensing means from the record medium;

third conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting positions of the storage switches to solenoids associated with keys of digit values corresponding to the positions of said storage switches in certain rows of the keyboard;

energizing means controlled by the sequential position of the routing means to energize the multiple position storage switches to cause energization of the solenoids connected by conductors of said third conducting means to cause operation of keys on the keyboard corresponding to the settings of said multiple position storage switches;

first operating means controlled by the sequential position of the routing means for initiating a first type of operation of said device following the entry in the keyboard of information from said multiple position storage switches and of information sensed from the record medium during the time that the sequentially-operable wipers of the routing means were traversing said second group of contact positions; first disabling means operable to prevent encrgization of keyboard solenoids for entry of information from said multiple position storage switches and of information sensed from the record medium;

second disabling means operable to prevent operation of said first operating means;

first control means for rendering said first and second disabling means effective to perform their disabling functions when the information stored in said multiple position storage switches in the frame of information being sensed is the same as sensed in the previous frame;

second control means for operating said first control means to render said first disabling means ineffective to prevent energization of keyboard solenoids, said second control means being controlled by the sequential position of the routing means to function at a time in the sequence of operation subsequent to the time for operation of the first operating means; and

second operating means controlled by the sensing of a special symbol from the record medium for initiating a second type of operation of said device following the entry in keyboard of information sensed from the record medium during the time that the sequcntially-operable wipers of the routing means were traversing said first group of contact positions.

2. In a device of the class described, capable of performing different types of operations, the combination comprising an input keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in rows according to denomination and in lines according to digital value for entry of information used in recording and computing operations;

keyboard operating means including a solenoid for each key, each solenoid being capable of operating its respective key when energized;

multiple-level, sequentially-operable routing means having an equal number of contact positions on each level and having a wiper for each level, said wipers being capable of stepping in unison from position to position to cause a predetermined sequence of operation;

first conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting a first group of corresponding contact positions of different levels of the routing means to solenoids associated with keys of varying digital values in the same rows, so that the various contact positions of each level are connected to solenoids associated with different rows of keys on the keyboard;

second conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting a second group of certain corresponding contact positions of each level of the routing means with certain other corresponding contact positions of said first group in the same level, to which said first conducting means are also connected, so that certain of said solenoids can be energized through both a contact position of said first group and a contact position of said second group in the same level;

sensing means for sequentially sensing frames of encoded information from a record medium;

means for selectively energizing a given level of the routing means in connection with each character sensed from the record medium by said sensing means to cause energization of the solenoid connected to the position of that level to which the wiper is set;

a plurality of multiple-position storage switches settable for storage of digit values corresponding to certain information sensed by the sensing means from the record medium;

third conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting positions of the storage switches to solenoids associated with keys of digit values corresponding to the positions of said storage switches in certain rows of the keyboard;

energizing means controlled by the sequential position of the routing means to energize the multipleposition storage switches to cause energization of the solenoids connected by conductors of said third conducting means to cause operation of keys on the keyboard corresponding to the settings of said multipleposition storage switches;

first operating means controlled by the sequential position of the routing means for initiating a first type of operation of said device following the entry in the keyboard of information from said multiple-position storage switches and of information sensed from the record medium during the time that the sequentiallyoperable wipers of the routing means were traversing said second group of contact positions;

first disabling means operable to prevent energization of keyboard solenoids for entry of information from said multipleposition storage switches and of information sensed from the record medium during the time that the sequentially operable wipers of the routing means were traversing said second group of contact positions;

second disabling means operable to prevent operation of said first operating means;

control means for rendering said first and second disabling means effective to perform their disabling functions when the information stored in said multiple-position storage switches in the frame of information being sensed is the same as sensed in the previous frame; and

second operating means controlled by the sensing of a special symbol from the record medium for initiating a second type of operation of said device follow ing the entry in the keyboard of information sensed from the record medium during the time that the sequentially-operable wipers of the routing means were traversing said first group of contact positions.

3. In a device of the class described, capable of performing different types of operations, including a new balance operation, the combination comprising an input keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in rows according to denomination and in lines according to digital value for entry of information used in recording and computing operations;

keyboard operating means including a solenoid for each key, each solenoid being capable of operating its respective key when energized;

multiple-level, sequentially-operable routing means having an equal number of contact positions on each level and having a wiper for each level, said wipers being capable of stepping in unison from position to position to cause a predetermined sequence of operation;

first conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting a first group of corresponding contact positions of different levels of the routing means to solenoids associated with keys of varying digital values in the same rows, so that the various contact positions of each level are connected to solenoids associated with different rows of keys on the keyboard;

second conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting a second group of corresponding contact positions of each level of the routing means with certain other corresponding contact positions of said first group in the same level, to which said first conducting means are also connected, so that certain of said solenoids can be energized through both a contact position of said first group and a contact position of said second group in the same level;

sensing means for sequentially sensing frames of coded information from a record medium;

means for selectively energizing a given level of the routing means in connection with each character sensed from the record medium by said sensing means to cause energization of the solenoid connected to the position of that level to which the wiper is set;

a plurality of multiple-position storage switches settable for storage of digit values corresponding to certain information sensed by the sensing means from the record medium;

third conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting positions of the storage switches to solenoids associated with keys of digit values corresponding to the positions of said storage switches in certain rows of the keyboard;

energizing means controlled by the sequential position of the routing means to energize the multiple-position storage switches to cause energization of the solenoids connected by conductors of said third con ducting means to cause operation of keys on the keyboard corresponding to the settings of said multiple-position storage switches;

first operating means controlled by the sequential position of the routing means for initiating a first type of operation of said device following the entry in the keyboard of information from said multiple-position storage switches and of information sensed from the record medium during the time that the sequentiallyoperable wipers of the routing means were traversing said second group of contact positions;

disabling means to prevent said first type of operation during the sensing of the first frame of information following a new balance operation; and

second operating means controlled by the sensing of a special symbol from the record medium for initiating a second type of operation of said device following the entry in the keyboard of information sensed from the record medium during the time that the sequentially-operable wipers of the routing means were traversing said first group of contact positions.

4. In a device of the class described, capable of performing different types of operations, the combination comprising an input keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in rows according to denomination and in lines according to digital value for entry of information used in recording and computing operations;

keyboard operating means including a solenoid for each key, each solenoid being capable of operating its respective key when energized;

multiple-level, sequentially-operable routing means having an equal number of contact positions on each level and having a wiper for each level, said wipers being capable of stepping in unison from position to position to cause a predetermined sequence of operation;

first conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting a first group of corresponding contact positions of different levels of the routing means to solenoids associated with keys of varying digital values in the same rows so that the various contact positions of each level are connected to solenoids associated with different rows of keys on the keyboard;

second conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting a second group of corresponding contact positions of each level of the routing means with certain other corresponding contact positions of said first group in the same level, to which said first conducting means are also connected, so that certain of said solenoids can be energized through both a contact position of said first group and a contact position of said second group in the same level;

23 sensing means for sequentially sensing encoded information from a record medium; means for selectively energizing a given level of the routing means in connection with each character contact position of said first group and a contact position of said second group in the same level;

sensing means for sequentially sensing encoded information from a record medium;

sensed from the record medium by said sensing means for selectively energizing a given level of the means to cause energization of the solenoid conrouting means in connection with each character nected to the position of that level to which the wiper sensed from the record medium by said sensing is set; means to cause energization of the solenoid cona plurality of multiple-position storage switches setnected to the position of that level to which the wiper table for storage of digit values corresponding to is set; certain information sensed by the sensing means from a plurality of multiple-position storage switches settable he record medium; for storage of digit values corresponding to certain third conducting means including a plurality of coninformation sensed by the sensing means from the ductors connecting positions of the storage switches record medium; to solenoids associated with keys of digit values cor- 1 third conducting means including a plurality of conresponding to the positions of said storage switches ductors connecting positions of the storage switches in certain rows of the keyboard; to solenoids associated with keys of digit values corenergizing means controlled by the sequential posiresponding to the positions of said storage switches in tion of the routing means to energize the multiplecertain rows of the keyboard; position storage switches to cause energization of 2() energizing means controlled by the sequential position the solenoids connected by conductors of said third of the routing means to energize the multiple-posiconducting means to cause operation of keys on the tion storage switches to cause cnergization of the keyboard corresponding to the settings of said multisolenoids connected by conductors of said third conple-position storage switches; ducting means to cause operation of keys on the keyfirst operating means controlled by the sequential posi- 25 board corresponding to the settings of said multipletion of the routing means for initiating a first type position storage switches; of operation of said device following the entry in first operating means controlled by the sequential posithe keyboard of information from said multipletion of the routing means for initiating a first type position storage switches and of information sensed of operation of said device following the entry in the from the record medium during the time that the keyboard of information from said multiple-position sequentially-operable wipers of the routing means storage switches and of information sensed from the were traversing said second group of contact posirecord medium during the time that the sequentiallytions; operable wipers of the routing means were traversing second operating means controlled by the Sensing of a said second group of contact positions;

special symbol from the record medium for initiating 30 means controlled by said first operating means for prea second type of operation of said device following venting stepping of the wipers of the sequentially the entry in the keyboard of information sensed from operable routing means during said first type of operthe record medium during the time that the sequenation of said device; and tially-operable wipers of the routing means were second operating means controlled by the sensing of a traversing said first group of contact positions; and special symbol from the record medium for initiating homing means controlled by said second operating a second type of operation of said device following means for causing the wipers of the sequentiallythe entry in the keyboard of information sensed operable routing means to return to a home position from the record medium during the time that the following the sensing of said special symbol. sequentially-operable wipers of the routing means 5. In a device of the class described, capable of perwere traversing said first group of contact positions. forming different types of operations, the combination 6. In a device of the class described, capable of percomprising forming different types of operations, the combination an input keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged comprising in rows according to denomination and in lines acan input keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged cording to digital value for entry of information used in rows according to denomination and in lines acin recording and computing operations; cording to digital value for entry of information keyboard operating means including a solenoid for each used in recording and computing operations;

key, each solenoid being capable of operating its keyboard operating means including a solenoid for each respective key wh n energized; key, each solenoid being capable of operating its remultiple-lcvel, sequentially-operable routing means havspective key when energized;

ing an equal number of contact positions on each multiple-level, sequentially-operable routing means havlevel and having a wiper for each level, said wipers ing an equal number of contact positions on each being capable of stepping in unison from position to level and having a wiper for each level, said wipers position to cause a predetermined sequence of opereing Capable of stepping in unison from position ation; to position to cause a predetermined sequence of first conducting means including a plurality of conduc- P tors connectingafirst group of corresponding contact first conductlng means Including a plurality of conpositions of different levels of the routing means to ductors sq s afirst group of P nd1ng Consolenoids associated with keys of varying digital tact posmfms of dlfiercnt levels of the m W values in the same rows so that the various contact to solelmlds assocmted with keys of valymg dlglml positions of each level are connected to solenoids as iq m the Same rows so that the Various cpmact Ciqed with different rows of ke S on the ke board pos tions of each level are connected to solenoids as- 30 y y soclated with different rows of keys on the keyboard; Second wnductmg, means mcludmg a plurahty of 9 second conducting means including a plurality of conductors conflfzctmg Second group of conicspondmg 7Q ductors connecting a second group of corresponding Coma Poslilons of each have} of the routmsmsans contact positions of each level of the routing means With Certain Oihfil cofffispondlng Contact Positlons of with certain other corresponding contact positions of Said first group in the Same level, to which Said first said first group in the same level, to which said first conducting means are also connected, so that certain conducting means are also connected, so that cerof said solenoids can be energized through both a tain of said solenoids can be energized through both 25 a contact position of said first group and a contact position of said second group in the same level;

sensing means for sequentially sensing encoded information from a record medium;

means for selectively energizing a given level of the routing means in connection with each character sensed from the record medium by said sensing means to cause energization of the solenoid connected to the position of that level to which the wiper is set;

a plurality of multiple-position storage switches setquentially-opera-ble wipers of the routing means were traversing said first group of contact positions.

contact position of said second group in the same level;

sensing means for sequentially sensing encoded information from a record medium;

means for selectively energizing a given level of the routing means in connection with each character sensed from the record medium by said sensing means to cause energization of the solenoid connected to the position of that level to which the wiper is set;

table for storage of digit values corresponding to a plurality of multiple-position storage switches settable certain information sensed by the sensing means from for storage of digit values corresponding to certain the record medium; information sensed by the sensing means from the third conducting means including a plurality of conrecord medium;

ductors connecting positions of the storage switches third conducting means including a plurality of conto solenoids associated with keys of digit values corductors connecting positions of the storage switches responding to the positions of said storage switches to solenoids associated with keys of digit values in certain rows of the keyboard; corresponding to the positions of said storage switches energizing means controlled by the sequential position in certain rows of the keyboard;

of the routing means to energize the multiple-position energizing means controlled by the sequential position storage switches to cause energization of the soleof the routing means to energize the multiple-position noids connected by conductors of said third constorage switches to cause energization of the soleducting means to cause operation of keys on the keynoids connected by conductors of Said third conductboard corresponding to the settings of said multipleing means to cause operation of keys on the keyboard position storage switches; 5 corresponding to the settings of said multiple-position first operating means controlled by the sequential posistorage switches;

tion of the routing means for initiating a first type first operating means controlled by the sequential posiof operation of said device following the entry in tion of the routing means for initiating a first type the keyboard of information from said multiple-posif Oper on of said device following the entry in tion storage switches and of information sensed from the y r f inf rma i n from said multipleth record mediu duri th time that th sequel-iposition storage switches and of information sensed tially-operable wipers of the routing means were from the record medium during the time that the traversing said second group of contact positions; sequentially"operable P 0f the routing means manually-operable means for selectively preventing said Were traversing Said Second group of Contact first type of operation; and Positions; second operating means controlled by the sensing of and Second Operating means Controlled y the Sensing a special symbol from the record medium for initiatof a Special Symbol from the record medium for ing a second type of operation of said device followinitiating a second p of Operation of Said device jn th e t i th keyboard f i f i sensed following the entry in the keyboard of information from the record medium during the time that the se- 40 sensed om the record medium during the time that the sequentially operable wipers of the routing means were traversing said first group of contact positions. 8. in a device of the class described, capable of performing ditferent types of operations, the combination comprising 7. In a device of the class described, capable of performing different types of operations, the combination comprising an input keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in rows according to denomination and in lines according to digital value for entry of information used in recording and computing operations;

an input keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in rows according to denomination and in lines according to digital value for entry of information keyboard operating means including a solenoid for each 136d in recording and Computing Operations;

key, each solenoid being capable of operating its keyboard Operating means including a Solenoid for respective key when i d; each key, each solenoid being capable of operating multiple-level, sequentially-operable routing means its respective y When enelgiZed;

having an equal number of contact positions on each multiple-level, sequentially-0116f able touting means level and having a Wiper for each level, said wipers having an equal number of Contact Positions on each being capable of stepping in unison from position levftl and having a P for each level, Said WI'PEFS to position to cause a predetermined sequence of bemg @P of PP in unison from Position Operation; to position to cause a predetermined sequence of first conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting a first group of corresponding first Conductmg f mcludmg plurahty of 9 contact positions of different levels of the routing ductors coItnFCtmg a .first group of Corresponding contact positions of different levels of the routing means to solenoids associated with keys of varymg means to solenoids associated with keys of varymg dlgital values in the same rows so that the various digital values in the same rows so that the various contact PQSIUOPS of ,level are connected to contact positions of each level are connected to solenoids associated With dlfierent rows of keys on Solenoids associated with difiterent rows of keys on the keyboard; the keyboard;

Second conductll'lg means Including a Plurahty of 0011' second conducting means including a plurality of conductors Connecting a Second group of Corresponding ductors connecting a second group of corresponding contact positi ns f a level f t routing means contact positions of each level of the routing means with certain other corresponding contact positions with certain other corresponding contact positions of said first group in the same level, to which said of said first group in the same level, to which said first conducting means are also connected, so that first conducting means are also connected, so that certain of said solenoids can be energized through certain of said solenoids can be energized through both a contact position of said first group and a both a contact position of said first group and a

Claims (1)

10. IN A DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, CAPABLE OF PERFORMING DIFFERENT TYPES OF OPERATIONS, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING AN INPUT KEYBOARD HAVING A PLURALITY OF KEYS ARRANGED IN ROWS ACCORDING TO DENOMINATION AND IN LINES ACCORDING TO DIGITAL VALUE FOR ENTRY OF INFORMATION USED IN RECORDING AND COMPUTING OPERATIONS; KEYBOARD OPERATING MEANS INCLUDING A SOLENOID FOR EACH KEY, EACH SOLENOID BEING CAPABLE OF OPERATING ITS RESPECTIVE KEY WHEN ENERGIZED; MULTIPLE-LEVEL, SEQUENTIALLY-OPERABLE ROUTING MEANS HAVING AN EQUAL NUMBER OF CONTACT POSITIONS ON EACH LEVEL AND HAVING A WIPER FOR EACH LEVEL, SAID WIPERS BEING CAPABLE OF STEPPING IN UNISON FROM POSITION TO POSITION TO CAUSE A PREDETERMINED SEQUENCE OF OPERATION; CONDUCTING MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CONDUCTORS CONNECTING A GROUP OF CORRESPONDING CONTACT POSITIONS OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THE ROUTING MEANS TO SOLENOIDS ASSOCIATED WITH KEYS OF VARYING DIGITAL VALUES IN THE SAME ROWS SO THAT THE VARIOUS CONTACT POSITIONS OF EACH LEVEL ARE CONNECTED TO SOLENOIDS ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT ROWS OF KEYS ON THE KEYBOARD; SENSING MEANS FOR SEQUENTIALLY SENSING FRAMES OF ENCODED INFORMATION FROM A RECORD MEDIUM;

Images