US3191154A - Printing machines - Google Patents

Description

June 965 M. E. SALLACH ETAL 3,191,154

PRINTING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 IFF' cmc VGO 19+ MVEHMGiOM BOBEBL BHODEE? INVENTORS: MAX E. SALLACH CHARLES F. WEBER PRINTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 7, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS: MAX E SALLACH BYCHARLES F. WEBER June 22, 1965 M. E. SALLACH ETAL 3,191,154

PRINTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 7, 1959 'T Sheets-Sheet 3 FROM CIRCUIT 95 FROM CIRCUlT 94 ROM ClRCUlT 93 FRQM CIRCUIT 92 FRQM ClRCUFY 9| TO DELAY REG\ST'ER l3! INVENTORS MAX E. SALLACH CHARLES F. WEBER Jig: 4

BY M441 M W June 22, 1965 M. E. SALLACH ETAL 3,191,154

PRINTING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 7, 1959 United States Patent 3,191,154 PREN'HNG IviACHINES Mair E. fiallaeh, Chesteriand, and Charles F. Weber,

Euclid, Ohio, assignors to Addressogaph-Multigraph Corporation, Cleveland, ()hio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 7, 1959, Ser. No. 857,930 13 Claims. (Q1. 340172.5)

This invention relates to printing machines and more particularly to new and improved control apparatus for printing machines which is effective to control operation of a printing machine, or of auxiliary equipment associated with the machine, in response to code data. The control system of the invention is particularly advantageous as applied to a transfer printer and is therefore described in that connection.

In one kind of printing machine, usually referred to as a transfer printer, the printing operation is carried out by transferring address data or other similar material from a pro-printed strip to a series of business instruments, such as magazines, promotional letters, insurance notices, or the like. The master strip used by the transfer printer may be prepared on any one of a variety of original printing machines; for example, the master strip may be prepared on a high-speed facsimile printer from data carried on conventional record cards, or it may be printed on the master strip from conventional printing plates. In the past, provisions have been made for selection of the data applied to the master strip during the initial printing operation, to limit the data applied to the master strip to that desired for a given mailing or other business operation. In some instances, however, selection of data at this stage of the printing operation may be undesirable or impractical, depending upon the source of the initial data and other re ated factors. Thus it may be possible to prepare several master strips simultaneously on the basis of an initial selection, such as the current subscribers to a given magazine. In using the master strip in a transfer printer, the entire list of addresses on the master strip may be utilized for some business purposes, but it may also be desirable to select only certain addressees from the list for other purposes, as in the case of promotional mailing intended only to reach persons whose magazine subscription may expire Within restricted period. By the same token. a duplicate may be employed in preparing a further mailing to relatively new subscribers, as in the promotion of a related publication.

Selective operation of a transfer printer, providing for printing of only selective items from a master transfer strip, presents a number of problems insofar as operation of the transfer printer and the selection system are concerned. It is not usually practical or desirable to apply conventional punched code markings in the master strip, particularly in those instances where the transfer printer must be adapted to operate with master transfer strips prepared by any one of a number of different original printing machines. This difficulty can be obviated by using a printed code marking on the master strip, prepared by the original printing machine at the same time that the master strip is prepared. On the other hand, the use of code markings of this kind introduces a further problem in that different printing machines used to prepare the master strip may present substantial variations in positioning of the code markings relative to the addresses or other data on the master strip. The master strips are usually indexed and fed through the transfer printer by means of sprockets or pin wheels having feed pins which engage in apertures at spaced intervals along the strips. The space allotted to a given item of data on the strip may coincide with the space between two such feed apertures in the strip. Where individual transfer ice strips are prepared on different original printing machines, the printed data, including the code markings, may be displaced along the strip to a substantial extent, in one machine, as compared with a strip prepared on another machine. Consequently, any control system for the transfer printer which is to be actuated by printed markings prepared by the same equipment which prepares the master strip must be capable of compensating for substantial changes and variations in the position of the markings along the strip. To a lesser extent, the control system must also be effective to compensate for displacement of the code markings transversely of the strip.

In addition to providing for selection of desired items from a given master strip, it may also be desirable, in many instances, to control auxiliary equipment associated with the transfer printer in accordance with the nature or classification of data carried by the master strip. For example, it may be desired to count particular items printed by the transfer printer, even though other items are also printed. It may also be necessary to count items not printed by the transfer printer in order to determine future utility of duplicates of the same master strip. in some printing systems, an auxiliary printer may be associated with the transfer printer, and it may be necessary to control operation of the auxiliary printer in accordance with the data on the master strip utilized by the transfer printer. Then again, other printing systems may require that the control system provide for acceleration of a conveyor stacker associated with the transfer printer or for other auxiliary control functions such as the triggering of a visible or audible signal relating to operation of the printer.

The control system of the present invention utilizes one or more control marks which are printed upon the master strip by the same printing machine that prepares the master strip to be utilized in the transfer printer. Preferably, the control mark on the master tape is a solid rectangular mark which is approximately the same size as a printed character, such as the letter H. In the usual four-line address system, the control marks are aligned with the four lines of an address or similar data on the strip. Any combination of one, two, three, or four such marks, aligned with different lines of the data, may be marked on the master strip to indicate such diverse information as. in the case of magazine subscriptions, the effective date of the subscription, the termination date of the subscription, geographical grouping, subscriptions to other publications, or any other pertinent data which may subsequently be of interest in control of the transfer printer or associated equipment.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to control a plurality of different machine functions, in a transfer printer or like apparatus, in accordance with code markings on a master print member, particularly where the code markings are generally similar to and may be formed by the same means as data characters on the master print member.

Another important object of the invention is to control a plurality of machine functions, in a transfer printer or like apparatus, in accordance with one or more logical functions and in response to sensing of printed code markings.

A related object of the invention is to provide for substantial variations in the machine operations subject to control and also for changes in the logical basis of the control operation as between the various machine operations.

A particular object of the invention is to compensate, automatically, for minor variations in the positions of code marks on a master transfer member, utilized in a transfer printer to control operation of the printer or associated apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for adjusting the control system of a transfer printer or like apparatus to permit automatic control of the printer in response to code markings on master printing members prepared by varying techniques and on substantially different printing machines.

An additional object of the invention is to provide for the control of diverse functions, in a transfer printer or similar apparatus, in response to printed code markings on a transfer strip or the like, where the various control functions may require actuation of control devices at varying times with respect to the sensing operation.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what is now considered to be the best mode contemplated for applying those principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a transfer printer including a control system constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevation view, in perspective, of a part of the control system;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a part of the control system;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an adjustable logical circuit incorporated in the control system;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram, partially schematic in form, of a control system constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a detail schematic diagram of a scanning device and coincidence amplifier which forms a part of the control system of FIG. 5

FIG. 7 is a detail schematic diagram of a driving circuit utilized in the control system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a detail schematic diagram of an output circuit for the control system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a detail schematic diagram of an adjustable timing circuit incorporated in the control system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 illustrates the plug board of the control system of FIG. 5, connected for a given combination of control functions;

FIG. ll is an illustration of the plug board, similar to FIG. 10, but showing another function control arrangement;

FIG. 12 is a timing chart utilized to explain certain operations of the control system; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a typical section of a transfer strip which may be employed to control the control system of the invention.

The printing machine illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a vertical frame 21 mounted above a table 22 which, in turn, is supported upon a base frame 23. On the vertical frame 21 there is mounted a supply reel 24 for a master transfer strip 25. From the supply reel 24, the strip or tape 25 extends around a pair of idler rolls 26 and 27 and into engagement with a tensioning idler 28. The tensioning idler 28 is mounted upon a support arm or lever 29, as best shown in FIG. 2, the arm 29 being mounted upon the vertical frame 21, as indicated by the reference numeral 31, for pivotal movement relative to the frame. A biasing spring 32 is connected to the support arm 29 and biases the arm 29 toward movement in a counterclockwise direction, maintaining the tape 25 under tension.

From the tensioning idler 28, the master or transfer tape 25 extends into engagement with a drive sprocket or pin wheel 33. The sprocket 33 is provided with a plurality of projecting pins 34 which engage in spaced apertures in the tape 25. From the pin wheel 33, as shown in FIG. 1, the tape 25 extends into and through a printing station 35 and past an idler 36 into engagement with a second drive sprocket or pin wheel 37. The tape 25 is then threaded over a second tensioning roll 38, over an idler 39, and onto a pick-up reel 41.

The construction and operation of the printing machine 20, as thus far described, is substantially conventional and is essentially similar to that described and claimed in Patent No. 2,740,354 to John H. Gruver filed July 22, 1950, and issued April 3, 1956. In operation, the master or transfer tape 25 is fed from the supply reel 24, by means of suitable drive apparatus connected to the two sprockets 33 and 37. The movement of the tape is not continuous, but rather is carried out in step-like manner, the length of tape fed during each step being equal to the spacing between the pins 34 on the sprocket 33, this spacing being the same as the spacing between the apertures 42 in the tape. The sprocket 37, of course, is provided with suitable pins having approximately the same spacing. As each incremental length 43 of the master tape 25 is positioned at the printing station 35, a heated platen 44 which forms a part of the transfer printer is moved downwardly and presses the tape 25 against a sheet or other member (not shown) to be printed, the latter being disposed upon a stationary platen 45. The printing machine 20 may be ad usted to provide for two or more impressions from each of the incremental sections 43 of the master tape 25. This function of the machine operation, as well as others, may be subject to operation by the control system described in detail hereinafter. When the desired number of impressions have been taken from a given section of the master tape 25, a further section 43 of the tape is fed into the printing station 35 to condition the machine 20 for the next printing step. The tape 25, of course, is ultimately stored on the take-up reel 41, after the printing operation using the tape has been completed. During the printing operation, the tensioning rolls 28 and 38 maintain the tape 25 under tension, yet permit rapid movement of the tape without breaking it.

A typical section of the master or transfer tape 25 is shown in detail in FIG. 13. As illustrated therein, each of the individual sections 43 of the transfer tape may be provided with a plurality of lines of data; in this instance the data comprises addresses of the subscribers to a magazine or the like. In addition, a portion of each of the tape sections 43 is utilized to carry code data having to do with the individual subscribers or other persons identitied by the printed data 47 on the tape. Thus, each of the sections 43 may be provided with one, two, three, or four individual code marks aligned in any desired manner with the four lines in which printed data is arranged on the tape. Thus, in the upper section 43, as seen in FIG. 13, one code mark 48 is included in this section and is aligned with the second line of printed data. In the other of the two tape sections 43 in this figure, two of the code marks 48 are included, and these are aligned with the second and fourth lines of data. The code marks 48 are approximately the same size as one of the characters in the printed data. However, the code marks 48 need not be completely regular in size or configuration. If the tape 25 is prepared on a conventional facsimile type high-speed printing machine, the marks 48 may be formed by effectively blanking out a portion of the tape corresponding generally to the maximum character outline of the facsimile reproduction system. The significance of the code markings 48 will, of course, be determined by the nature of the selection or control operation to be accomplished. They may, for example, pertain to the date and remaining duration of a subscription, or may have to do with other relatively diverse factors such as financial rating of the subscriber, subscriptions to other publications, or the like. In other applications, such as in the mailing lists used in connection with insurance premiums, the data represented by the code markings 48 may, of course, represent virtually any desired factor which may be of significance in controlling operation of the transfer printer 20.

In the control system of the present invention, the drive sprocket or pin wheel 33 is incorporated in and forms a part of a scanning system for etiectively reading the code markings 48. The principal scanning apparatus comprises a photocell unit 51 within which four individual photocells are mounted. The photocell unit 51 further includes an optical system, including a lens generally indicated by the reference numeral 52, for focusing, on each of the photocells mounted within the unit 51, light reflected from the tape 25. A suitable mask 53 is included in the optical system of the scanning unit, being illustrated in FIG. 2, and is utilized to limit illumination of the photocells to light reflected from a relatively narrow band extending transversely of the strip illumination for the photocells of the photocell unit 51 is provided by a pair of lamps 55 mounted within a suitable housing 54. The mounting of the photocells within the housing 51 is such that each photocell is illuminated by light reflected from one of the tour lines of print on the master tape 25 (see FIG. 13).

The photoelectric sensing apparatus at the scanning station of the printing machine 20 further includes a filth photocell which is not incorporated in the main photocell unit 51. This additional sensing element is the photocell so, which is mounted upon a bracket 57 adjacent a predetermined point on the face of the drive sprocket 33. An adjustable shutter 58 is mounted upon the sprocket 33 and is provided with series of apertures 59. The angular spacing between the apertures 59 is made to correspond to the angular displacement of the individual tape sections 43 around the periphery of the sprocket 33. in the illustrated arrangement, since each pair of apertures d2 defines an individual tape section 43, the number of apertures 59 corresponds to the number of pins 34 on the periphery of the drive sprocket. ln BIG. 2, the apertures 59 are shown aligned with the pins 34. However, the shutter 58 is adjustably mounted on the sprocket 33. as by means of a series of screws 61 engaged in elongated slot 62 in the shutter member. This mounting arrangement for the shutter provides for substantial adjustment in the positions of the slots 59 relative to the pins 34, and thus permits adjustment of the slots relative to the individual sections 43 of the master tape. This adjustment provision is of substantial value in achieving accurate synchronization of the control system of the invention, as explained in detail hereinafter.

Illumination for the photocell 56 is provided by a lamp 64 mounted in a socket 65 to illuminate the photocell 56 through the shutter 58, the position of the lamp being best illustrated in Fifi. 3. The socket 65 is supported upon an adjustable bracket 66 which permits limited movement of the socket both in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction to provide optimum illumination of the photocell 56 through the apertures in the shutter. Inasmuch as any suitable adjustable mounting arrangement can be used for the lamp, or a fixed mount ing may be employed in conjunction with an adjustable mounting for the photocell 56, the construction of the adjustable bracket 66 is not illustrated in detail in the drawings.

The general construction and operation of the control system comprising the photocell unit 51 and the photocell 56 may best be understood by reference to FIG. 5, in which the complete electrical system is shown in block diagram form. In that figure, the four photocells mounted in the main scanning unit 51 are indicated by reference numerals 71, 72, 73 and 74. The photocells used in this embodiment of the invention are of the photoconductive type; that is, the impedance of the cell is varied by illumination from a normal relatively high value to iii an actuated or illuminated value which is very much lower than the normal impedance. Typically, the cells 71-74 may be of the lead sulphide, cadmium sulphide, cadmium selenide and other similar types. Each cell, as noted hereinabove, receives light reflected from an individual line of type on the tape 25.

The photocell 71 is connected in series with a resistor 75 between a suitable source of operating potential and ground, the operating potential source being indicated as 13+. The photocell is coupled to a coincidence amplifier $11 by a means of a suitable coupling capacitor 76, the capacitor being connected between the amplifier and the terminal 77 of the photocell circuit. The photocells 72, '73 and 74 are coupled by similar circuits to three additional coincidence amplifiers 82, 83 and 84, respectively.

The gate or timing photocell 56 is connected in series with a resistor 78 between a suitable source of operating potential, herein indicated as 13+, and ground. The terminal 79 in this circuit is coupled to each of the four coincidence amplifiers 81-84 by a suitable coupling circuit including a series capacitor 80 and a shunt resistor 86, Thus, each of the coincidence amplifiers 81-84 is provided with two input circuits; one of these input circuits includes the gate photocell 56 and the other input circuit, in each instance, comprises one of the scanning photocclls 7174.

The control system shown in the block diagram of FIG. 5 further includes five core driver circuits 91, 92, 93, 94 and The output of the coincidence amplifier 81 is coupled to the core driver circuit 91 and is also coupled to the driver circuit 95. The second coincidence amplitier E52 is provided with an output circuit which is coupled to the driver circuit 92. and also to the driver circuit 95. The coincidence amplifiers 83 and 34 are similarly individually coupled to the core driver circuits 93 and 94, respectively, and each is also coupled to the fifth driver circuit 5. Thus, each of the four driver circuits 9194 is provided with an input signal from one of the coincide: ce amplifiers 81-84, whereas the core driver circuit Q5 may be energized from any one or all of the coin cider-.ce amplifiers.

The five core driver circuits Ell-d5 are individually connected to live input terminals 101, 162, m3, 104 and 165 on a plug board 1%. In addition to the input termina s Nil-18L, the plug board 196 includes five horizontal rows 111, 113, 113, 114 and 115 of paired terminals, each row including ten terminal pairs. The terminals in these rows are utilized to set up the control program of the control system, as described more fully hereinafter in connection with FIGS. 4, 10 and 11. In addition, the plug board res is provided with a further row of terminals 11! which, as explained hereinafter, comprise the common or ground terminals for the plug board circuit.

Each of the terminals in row 111, up to and including the first eight pairs of terminals in the row, is electrically connected to a logical core circuit 122. The logical core circuit 125. is shown in substantial detail in FIG. 4. In considering the overall system illustrated in FIG. 5, it is sufficient to understand that the first six pairs of terminals in tow 111 of the plug board 166 are utilized to apply input signals from the core driver circuits 91-95 to the logical core circuit 121 in a number of different combinations such that the logical core circuit may perform any one of a number of logical operations. For example, and depending upon the connections on the plug board 1%, the core circuit 121 may be connected to perform an and, or, or virtually any other logical fun"- tion. The output of the circuit 121 is returned to the plug board we in the ninth pair of terminals in the row 111 to provide a means for selective connection of the logical core circuit 121 to an adjustable delay register 131. The register 131, in turn, is coupled to an output control circuit 141 which may be coupled to an electrically actuated control member such as a relay, an operating solenoid, a counter, or the like.

The individual rows 112-115 of terminals on the plug board 106 are essentially similar to the initially described row 111. Thus, the pairs of terminals in the row 112 are individually associated with a second logical core circuit 122, the row 113 is eiTectively coupled to a logical circuit 123, and the rows 114 and 115 are coupled to logical core circuits 124 and 125, respectively. The core circuits 122-125 are each provided with an output circuit which is connected back to the plug board 106 and, from the plug board, to individual adjustable delay registers 132, 133, 134 and 135. The control system is provided with four additional output circuits 142, 143, 144 and 145, these circuits being individually coupled to the adjustable delay registers 132, 133, 134 and 135, respectively. Each of the output circuits 142-145 may be suitably coupled to an individual control device, such as a relay, or the like, and may be utilized to control a different function of the printing machine or some auxiliary apparatus associated with the machine.

In considering operation of the control system of FIG. 5. it may first be assumed that the photocells 56 and 71 are simultaneously actuated to apply two relatively short pulses to the coincidence amplifier 81. At the same time, of course, a similar signal is applied to the amplifiers 82-84 from the circuit comprising the photocell 56. However, if no input signal is applied to these coincidence amplifiers from the photocells 72-74, the coincidence amplifiers do not generate significant output signals. Thus, the coincidence amplifiers 81-84 are constructed to provide significant output signals only when actuated by concurrent input pulses, one of which pulses must originate with the gate or timing photocell 56 and the other of which must originate with a particular one of the sensing or scanning photocells 71-74.

With the construction described hereinabove for the photocell scanning unit 51, and using black marks such as the code marks 48 on the master strip 25 (see FIG. 13), the sensing or scanning photocells 71-74 are normally illuminated to a substantial extent, and hence present a relatively low impedance in the sensing circuit. When one of the code markings 48 is interposed in the reflection path of one of the scanning photocells, such as the cell 71, however, the impedance of the photocell rises rapidly, with the result that a negative-going pulse is applied to the coincidence amplifier 81. Of course, such pulses are also applied to the coincidence amplifier 81 during scanning of printed material on the master 25, such as the address data 47 (see FlG. 13). However, these pulses signals are usually of substantially shorter duration than the desired code signals and, ordinarily, are considerably smaller in amplitude, since the printed data 47 does not include non-reflecting areas of the same size as the code marks 48.

The photocell 56 is normally masked by the shutter 58 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and thus is not normally illuminated by the lamp 64. However, when the photocell 56 is aligned with any of the shutter apertures 59, the photocell is illuminated, so that its impedance drops substantially below its normal or unilluminated value. When this occurs, a negative-going pulse appears at the terminal 79 and is applied to the coincidence amplifiers 81-84. Thus, in the illustrated system, the construction of the photocell circuits is such that the scanning photocells 7'- 74 and the gate photocell 56 each apply negative-going pulse signals to the coincidence amplifiers. This arrangement is a convenient one, but need not be adhered to, depending upon the construction of the coincidence amplifiers.

As noted hereinabove, the coincidence amplifier 81 generates a usuable output signal only when input signals are applied thereto simultaneously from the photocells 56 and 71. Consequently, any signals applied to the amplifier 81 during movement of ordinary printed matter past the photocell 71 may be prevented from actuating the control system simply by making sure that actuation of the photocell 56 cannot occur simultaneously therewith. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the cell markings 48 are not located immediately adjacent the printed data 47 on the master tape 45. Instead, a blank space is interposed, in each instance, between the address data and the code data. Consequently, the shutter 55 may be adjusted to afiord the desired coincidence in scanning of the narrow zones in which the code markings 48 are located on the tape and actuation of the photocell 56 by illumination through the shutter apertures 59. Accordingly, the gate photocell 56 alfords an effective and positive means for distinguishing between the code markings 48 and the printed data 47, and prevents any possible actuation of the control system as the result of scanning of the printed data 47.

The output signals from the coincidence amplifiers 81-84 are utilized, as noted hereinabovc, to provide five different output signals from the core driver circuits 91-95. The provision of the fifth driver circuit 95, which is actuated each time any one of the coincidence amplitiers 81-84 supplies an output signal thereto, provides for substantially greater flexibility in operation of the logical control system than would otherwise be possible. This aspect of the invention is described in detail hereinafter, particularly in connection with FIGS. 4, 10 and 11. Considering FIG. 5, it is suificient to note that the provision of the cumulative or multiple-line signal from the driver circuit 95 makes it substantially easier to realize a number of different logical functions in the operation of the logical core circuits 121-125.

At the plug board 106, numerous connections are made between the input terminals 101-105, the logical core circuit terminals 111-115, and the additional terminals 116 to program each of the logical core circuits 121-124 to control a given machine operation, or a related operation, in accordance with a particular desired combination or series of combinations of code markings on the master strip used in the transfer printer. For example, by making certain connections on the plug board 1%, the logical core circuit 121 may be conditioned to generate an output signal only upon scanning of a control marking by the one photocell 71. By changing these connections, however, the logical core circuit may be conditioned to develop a suitable output signal upon scanning of any desired combination of control markings by any of the cells 71-74. Stated differently, the connections on the plug board 106 may condition the logical circuit 121 to perform virtually any desired logical function based upon any combination of code markings. The output signal from this circuit is applied to the delay register 131 and is utilized to control some function of the printing machine or auxiliary equipment.

In a given instance, the circuits 131 and 141 may be utilized to control printing at the printing station 35 (see FIG. 1) of the machine 20. Obviously, this control cannot be exercised instantaneously with scanning, since the scanning position is displaced to a substantial extent from the printing station. That is, the particular tape section 43 being scanned, at any given instant, does not coincide with the section located at the printing station 35. In fact, with the illustrated machine, scanning of the tape section occurs approximately six cycles of machine operation before that same tape section reaches the printing station. Accordingly, the delay register 131 must eiiectively store the output signal from the logical core circuit 121 until the master tape has been advanced through the machine by six additional cycles. On the other hand, in some instances a shorter or longer delay interval may be desired. Thus, it might be necessary, in some applications, to provide an audible warning to the machine operator immediately before a particular tape section reaches the printing station 35 so that the operator can interrupt the machine operation or make some control adjustment of the machine.

In this instance, it is necessary for the delay register 131 to operate after a lesser number of cycles to apply a suitable control signal to the output circuit 141. The preferred form of delay register illustrated in FIG. 9 permits adjustment of the delay to any number of machine cycles within a substantial range, in this instance ten machine cycles. This feature of the invention makes it possible for the control system of FIG. to control a Wide variety of machine operations, or auxiliary equipment associated with the machine, without making any structural change in the control system itself, yet Without affecting, in any way, the accuracy of timing of controlled operations.

FIG. 6 illustrates a typical circuit for the coincidence amplifier 31 of MG. 5, and also includes the operating circuit for the scanning photocell 71. Since the coincidence amplifiers 81-84 are essentially similar to each other, the circuit of FIG. 6 may be considered to represent any one of these circuits.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the amplifier circuit 31 may comprise an initial amplifier stage including a triode section 151 having a cathode 152, a control electrode 153, and an anode 154. The control electrode 153 is coupled to the photocell 71 through an input circuit comprising the capacitor 76 and an input resistor 155, the resistor 155 being returned to a suitable source of operating potential designated as C. The cathode 152 is grounded and the anode 154 is connected to a suitable potential source E+ by means of a load resistor 156. Thus, the triode section 151 is connected in a very simple amplifier circuit.

The next stage in the circuit 81 comprises a second triode section 157 having a cathode 153, a control electrode 159, and an anode 161. The input circuit to this stage of the amplifier 31 includes a capacitor 162 which is coupled between the anode 154 of triode section 151 and the control electrode 155 of triode section 157. The input circuit further includes an input resistor 163 connectcd to a potentiometer 154, the potentiometer 164 being connected in series with a bias resistor 165 between a source of operating potential D and ground. A diode 166 is connected in parallel with the input resistor 163. The cathode 158 of this stage of the amplifier is grounded. The anode 161 of triode section 157 is connected through a load resistor 167 to the center terminal 168 of a voltage divider comprising a pair of resistors 169 and 171. The voltage divider is connected between the voltage source 13+ and ground.

The anode 161 in the amplifier triode 157 is coupled by a capacitor 172 to the control electrode 173 of a triode section 174, the triode section 174 forming one-half of a coincidence amplifier which also includes a further triode section 175. The input circuit to the triode section 174 also includes an input resistor 176 which is connected between the control electrode 173 and the voltage source The cathodes 178 and 179 of the triode sections 174 and 175, respectively, are each grounded. The anodes 182 and 183 are connected to each other and to a load resistor 184, the load resistor 184 being connected to the center terminal 135 of a voltage divider comprising the two resistors 186 and 137 which are connected in series between the voltage source E-land ground. The control electrode 181 of the second triode section 175 is connected to the operating circuit of the photocell 56 and specifically back through the capacitor of the photocell circuit. By reference to FIG. 5, it is seen that the input circuit to the triode section 175 is essentially similar to that for the triode section 174, the resistor comprising the input resistor for the second triode section, The oulput circuit for the amplifier 81 includes a coupling capacitor 188 which is connected to the anodes 182 and 183 and to the core driver circuits 91 and 95, a diode 181 preferably being inserted in series in the input circuit to the core driver circuit to prevent feedback from the other coincidence amplifiers 8284.

As noted hereinabove, the photocell 71 operates by a reduction in rellccted light which reaches the photocell from the master tape 25, the light being supplied from the lamps 55 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The photocell 55, on the other hand, worlts by direct illumination from the lamp 64 through the shutter 58 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Accordingly, the output signals from the photocell 71 are normally substantially weaker than those from the photocell 56, since light from sources other than the lamps 55 is always present to some degree and prevents complete cut-oil of illumination of. the photocell 71 and also be cause the code markings 4-8 cannot be relied upon to eliminate completely the reflected light from the lamps 55. For this reason, it is desirable to ailord suificicnt amplification to bring the pulse signals from the photocell 71 up to approximately the same amplitude level as the pulses from the photocell 56. This is accomplished by the first two stages of the amplifier 81, comprising the triode stages 151 and 157. Thus, these two stages of the amplifier 81 are used primarily to amplify the output signal from the photocell 71 to approximately the same amplitude level as signals from the cell 56. in a typical machine, all of the voltage sources such as 13+, C, D and E+ are provided by rectification from a suitable A.C source, usually a. 60-cycle source. The biasing and input circuit for the triode section 157 affords an effective means for bucking out fill-cycle pulsations and other noise otherwise present in the output signal from the amplifier stage 151, so that the use of the amplifier 151, 157 does not introduce extraneous and undesirable pulse signals in the coincidence amplifier stage 174, 175.

Normally, and in the absence of applied signals, the two triode sections 174 and of the amplifier 81 are maintained conductive, the control electrodes 173 and 151 each being held at relatively high positive potential with respect to the cathodes 172 and 179, respectively. A negative pulse signal from the amplifier 1.57, applied to the control electrode 173, tends to reduce conduction in the triode section 174 to a substantial extent. The triode section 175', however, remains highly conductive, and there is little or no change in the operating potential on the anodes 182 and 183. On the other hand, if a negative pulse is simultaneously applied to control electrode 173 and to the control electrode 151 of the triode section 175, conductivity in both triode sections is substantially reduced, with the result that both of the anodes 182 and 183 are driven positive with respect to their normal operating potential. Stated differently, a negative-going pulse applied to either of the control electrodes 173 and 131 of the coincidence amplifier does not cause the ampliher to generate a significant output signal, in this instance a positive pulse, unless a corresponding input pulse is applied to the other of the two control electrodes. Accordingly, the output signal applied to the circuits 91 and 95 occurs only when input signals are available from both the gate photocell 56 and the scanning photocell 71.

FIG. 7 illustrates, in schematic form, the core driver circuit M. However, this circuit is essentially similar to the remaining core driver circuits 52-95 (see FlG. 5), and the same circuit may be used for each of the core driver devices.

The core driver circuit 91 of HG. 7 comprises a thyratron 191 including a cathode 1933, a control electrode 193, a shield electrode 194, and an anode 195. The input circuit connected to the control electrode 193 includes a bypass capacitor 196, a series resistor 197, and an input resistor 198, the latter being returned to a negativepolarity potential source here indicated as F. The anode 195 is connected through a suitable resistor 199 to the operating source E+ and is bypassed to ground by a means of a capacitor 231. The shield electrode 194 is grounded. The cathode circuit of the thyratron 191 includes a resistor 202 which is connected in series with an input winding 2113 upon a synchronizing storage device comprising a magnetic core 2%, the cathode circuit being terminated at ground. A diode 205 is connected in shunt relation to the series combination of the resistor 202 and the winding The core 2134 is a conventional magnetic core, preferably having a substantially rectangular hysteresis characteristic. and is utilized as a synchronizing and timing device in the driver circuit 91 as described more [ally hereinafter,

The core 204, in addition to its input winding 203, is provided with a read-out or interrogation winding 205 and an output winding 21%. The output winding 206 is connected in series with a resistor 210 and the control electrode 263 of a second thyratron 207, sometimes referred to as the pul enerator thyratron. The input circuit of the pulse generator thyratron is returned to the negativepolarity operating source F-. The shield electrode 209 of the pulse generator thyratron 207 is connected to the anode 211, the cathode being connected in series with a resistor 212 in the output circuit of the thyratron. Since it is the driver stage 91 which is shown in FIG. 7, the output resistor 212 is in this instance connected to the plug board terminal 101. The other similar stages of the driver circuits 92-95 of course, connected to the remaining plug board terminals res-res respectively, as illustrated in PEG. 5. The anode 213 of the thyratron 207 is connected to the operating source through a resistor 21-4 and is also returned to ground through a series circuit comprising a capacitor 215 and inductance 216.

The read-out or interrogation winding 205 of the sync itTlZlliilOit core 2-84 is connected in series with the cor- Ltlll windings in each of the circuits 92-95, one

are,

attains oi the series-connected windings being returned to grou, d. As shown in PEG. 7, the other terminal of the interrogation winding circuit is connected to a camcontrallcd switch 213 which is actuated by a cam 219 that is incorporated in the printing machine and rotates through a complete revolution during each cycle of machine operation. The physical construction and location of the switch 213, and other similar switches described hereinafter, have not been shown in the drawings, since any suitable cam-actuated switch structure or similar device may be used or this purpose. The switch 218 is connected to the operating source E+ through a capacitor storage circuit comprising a series resistor 221 and a shunt c rcuit including a resistor 222 and a capacitor 223, the shunt circuit being returned to ground.

As noted hcreinabove, the initial control signal from the coincidence 81 comprises, in each instance, a positivopolarity pulse. Normally, the thyratron 191 is ma ntained non-conductive, but the pulse from circuit :11 is oi suilicient amplitude to trigger the thyratron and thereby cause it to conduct. When the thyratron conducts, the resulting current through winding 203 is efiiective to change the magnetic state of the sync core 204, thereby recording in the core the fact that an initial control signal has been received from the circuit 81.

To read out data from the core 294, the switch 218 is closed momentarily, discharging the capacitor 223 and applying an interrogation pulse to the winding 205 and also to the corresponding readout windings on the synchronization cores in the other core driver circuits 92-95 (see F1 3. 5). if the magnetic state of the core 204 has been changed by operation of the initial stage of the circuit 9t, energization of the interrogation winding 204 causes a reversal in the magnetic state of the core, back to its original state, and generates an output pulse in the winding 2% This output pulse is of positive polarity and is efiective to trigger the thyratron 207 into conduction, generating an actuating signal in the anodccathode circuit of the thyratron 207. This actuating signal is supplied to the plug board terminal 101 and may be utilized in operating any one of the logical core circuits 121-125, as described hereinafter. It should be noted that all or" the synchronization storage devices, such as the core 2M, in the core driver circuits are interrogated simultaneously, thereby guaranteeing simultaneous application of actuating signal pulses from the driver circuits E i-5 to the plug boaro 1% and hence to the logical core circuit 121-125. This simultaneous operation of all of the core driver circuits is effective to compensate for any variation in the timing of the signals applied to the driver circuits from the coincidence amplifiers 81-84, which might be caused by displacement of the code marks 48 in a direction parallel to the lines of printed matter 47 (see FIG. 13) on the master tape. The illustrated circuit permits synchronization of the actuating signal pulses to within one microsecond, despite much larger variations in timing of the scanning and gate signals.

FIG. 4 illustrates the logical storage device 121 and the circuitry interconnecting that device with the individual terminals in the row 111 of terminals on the plug board 1%. As shown therein, each of the first six pairs of terminals in the terminal row 111 is connected to an individual input winding associated with the device 121. The device 121 itself preferably is a conventional mag netic storage core having an approximately rectangular hysteresis characteristic and actuatable between two stable magnetic states. The individual coupling elements or windings for the core, connected to the first six pairs of terminals, are constructed in a manner such that actuating signals from any of the circuits 91-95, if applied to any one of the core windings, is not sufiicient to change the magnetic state of the core. Instead, energization of two of the windings is necessary, in each instance, in order to change the magnetic state of the core. Stated differently, the number of turns in each of the windings is made such that the effective ampere turns applied to the core 121 by an output signal from any of the circuits 91-95 is very slightly larger one-half the number of ampere turns necessary to alter the magnetic state of the core. The further winding connected to the seventh pair of terminals in the row 11] is a readout winding.

FIG. 4 also shows the terminal column 116; as illustrated therein, this row of terminals on the plug board is grounded. In addition, the eighth pair of terminals in each of the terminal rows 111-115 is also grounded. The ninth pair of terminals in the row 111 are connected to each other and are also connected to one of the terminals in the seventh pair by means of a diode 225. The terminals of the tenth pair, on the other hand, are connected to each other, and one of these is connected to the delay register 13-1 as described hereinafter in connection with E16. 9. It should be understood that the connections for plug board terminals 111 are illustrative of the connections for the terminals in rows 112-115, and that each of the latter rows of terminals is associated with one of the logical cores 12"-125 in essentially the same manner as the core 121 is associated with the plug board terminals 111. The first six pairs of terminals in the row 111 afford an effective means for modifying the logical function of the magnetic core device 121 by changing the actuating signals applied to the input windings of the core, the seventh terminal pair affords an output circuit for the logical core device 121, the eighth terminal pair is provided only to make convenient connections to ground, and the ninth and tenth terminal pairs provide adjustable means for coupling the logical cores to the delay registers 131-135.

The core 121 is also provided with an interrogation winding 226, one end of which is connected to the voltage source E+ through a resistor 227 and is returned to ground through a series circuit comprising a resistor 22d and a storage capacitor 229. The other end of the readout or interrogation winding 226 is connected to a switch 231 associated with the delay registers of the control systcm and illustrated in detail in FIG. 9. In considering operation of the logical core circuit 121, it is sufiicient to note that the switch 231 can be closed periodically to discharge the capacitor 229 through the winding 226 and thereby initiate a readout operation. The other logical 13 core circuits of the control system are, of course, provided with similar readout circu t arrangements.

In considering operation of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4, comprising the logical core 121 and a portion of the plug board 106, a typical simple connection for the logical core may be assumed and is illustrated in dash lines in FIG. 4. Thus, the input terminal 103 may be connected through the third pair of terminals in row 111 to one of the common or ground terminals 116. Similarly, the input terminal 105 may be connected to the input winding associated with the fifth pair of terminals in row 111 and thence to ground. In the illustrated arrangement, the direction of current flow necessary for changing the core 121 from a normal or unactuatcd state to an actuated or recording state is from the top row of the terminal 111 to the bottom row, as indicated by the symbols plus and minus in FIG. 4. Thus, the input terminals 103 and 105 are connected for a positive recording or writing operation.

With the connections illustrated in dash lines in FIG. 4, application of a recording or actuating signal to any one of the input terminals 101, 102 or 194 has no effect upon operation of the core 121, since these terminals are not connected or otherwise effectively operatively related to the core. Of course, if an output signal is available from any of the circuits 91, 92 or 94, a signal is also available from the driver circuit 95, which produces an actuating signal each time any of the other core driver circuits is actuated, as described hereinabove in connection with FIG. 5. However, an input signal applied to terminal 105 alone is not effective to change the magnetic state of the core 121 since, as noted hereinabove, the circuit construction is such that only slightly more than one-half the number of ampere turns necessary to alter the magnetic state of the core is provided by energization of any one of the input windings connected to the first six pairs of terminals for the core. On the other hand, any time that actuating signals are simultaneously applied to terminals 103 and 105 from circuits 93 and 95, respectively, the core 121 is driven from a normal magnetic state to an actuated or recording state. Actually, this occurs any time an output pulse is available from the circuit 93, since circuit 95 always develops an actuating pulse simultaneously therewith.

During each cycle of machine operation, the switch 231 is closed for a short interval to apply an interrogation pulse to the winding 226, this action taking place after recording has been accomplished, if any occurs. If the core 121 is in its normal or non-recording state, application of the interrogation pulse to the winding 225 does not materially effect the magnetic condition of the core and does not produce an effective control signal in the winding connected to the seventh pair of terminals. If, on the other hand, the magnetic state of the core 121 has previously been changed by simultaneous application of input signals thereto from the terminals 103 and 105, the interrogation by energization of the winding 226 restores the core 121 to its original magnetic state and generates a substantial output pulse in the output winding 232, provided, of course, that the output winding is returned to one of the eighth pair of terminals and hence afford a complete output circuit. The control signal may be applied to the delay register 131, and this is accomplished by affording a connection between the ninth and tenth pairs of terminals in row 111.

Because the input windings to the core 121 each provide for one-half the number of ampere turns required to change the magnetic state of the core, complete inhibiting may be achieved by passing any but signals in the reverse direction through an input winding of the core, from minus to plus. The reverse-polarity signal is then effective to nullify a write-in signal passed through the core in a normal direction and prevents a change of state of the logical core 121. The control signals from the core are terminated in both the seventh and ninth pairs of terminals 111 of the board in order to afford an effective and simple means for applying the output pulse from any one core 121-125 to any of the five delay register 131-135 (FIG. 5). Thus, and as is made apparent by the illustrative showing in FIG. 4, any one of the logical cores can be connected at the plug board to apply an output signal to the delay register 131. Furthermore, the illustrated plug board arrangement makes it possible to bypass the series diode 225 in the output of the core 121 to afford a convenient means for inhibiting the output of any one logical core by the operation of any of the other cores.

FIG. 10 illustrates a typical plug board arrangement for actuating five different functions; that is, this plug board arrangement is effective to provide five distinct output signals applied to the five delay registers 131-135. Row 111 of terminal pairs on the plug board is con nccted a described hereinabove in connection with FIG. 4 to provide for actuation of the first delay register 131 to control a first function in response to scanning of a mark in the third line of the fourlines of printed data on the master. The second row of terminal pairs, row 112, is connected to actuate the second delay register 132 (see FIG. 5) whenever marks occur in lines 1 and 2 of the master tape control marl-tings. The third row 113 of the plug board, as shown in FiG. 10, is connected to control a third function associated with the delay register 133 in response to an occurrence of a mark in the third line on a master tape, except when a mark occurs in line 4. That is, the connections in this instance are the same as those for the terminal row 111 except that the input terminal N14 i connected in reverse to the fourth pair of terminals in row 113 and provides for in hibition in response to an output signal derived from a scanning of a mark in the fourth line on the tape.

The connections to the fourth row of terminals are such that a fourth function, associate- 1 with the delay register 134, is actuated in response to output signals representative of marks in lines 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the tape. Thus, each of the input terminals 161-104 is connected in a positive direction through the first four pairs of terminals, respectively, in row 114. The fifth input terminal 165, on the other hand, is connected in reverse and back again in reverse through the windings associated with the fifth and sixth pairs of terminals in row 114. Accordingly, in order to supply the requisite number of ampere turns to the logical core 124 associated with the terminal row 114, it is necessary for all four of the input terminals 101-164 to be energized.

The connections to terminal row 115, on the other hand, are again different. In this instance, marks occurring in either of lines 1 and 2 on the master are effective to actuate the logical core associated with terminal 115 except when control marks occur in lines 3 or 4.

FlG. ll afiords a further illustration of the Wide variety of control functions which can be accomplished simply by modifying the connection at the plug board 166. In this arrangement, input signals appearing at terminal ltli or terminal 102, which are indicative of control marks appearing in the first and second lines, respectively, on the master tape, provide alternate means to control a first function by means of output signals supplied to the first delay register 131. Of course, an input signal must also appear at terminal 105. A second function, controlled through the delay register 132, may be actuated by marks occurring in the first or second lines on the master tape except when marks occur in both of the lines 1 and 2. That is, the plug board is now connested so that the output of the logical core associated With terminal row 113, core 123, is effective to inhibit the output of the logical core 122 associated with plug board terminals 112. Finally, in the arrangement of FIG. 11, marks in the first and fourth lines, which provide input signals at terminals ltll and 10-1, are effective to actuate a fourth function associated with the delay register 134 connected to the terminal row 114. In addition, the final terminal row 115 is connected so that this fourth function is also controlled by the logical core 125 that controls the fourth function associated with the delay register 134. Stated diiierently, the output side of the plug board, comprising the ninth and tenth rows of terminals, is connected so that output signals from either of the logical cores 124 and 125 are efiective to control the fourth delay register 134. The delay register 135 is not used in the arrangement shown in FIG. 11.

By considering FIGS. 10 and 11, it is apparent that the control system of the present invention makes it possible to control at least five different machine operations or other functions in accordance with virtually any desired logical arrangement relating to scanning of marks in the four positions available on the master tape (see FIG. 13) and scanned by the cells 71-74 (FIG. 5) by virtue of the four corresponding input signals appearing at terminals 101-104 and the generic signal appearing on the terminal 105. In fact, the provision of the special control signal on the terminal 105 may be used to add to or subtract from, the actuating signal pulses on terminals 101-104 in a manner affording complete inhibit control at the plug board.

FIG. 9 illustrates, in substantial detail, the adjustable delay register 131, which may be considered to be typical of and essentially similar to each of the registers 132- 135. The delay register 131 includes eight output terminals 241-248 ranging from zero delay to maximum delay for the register, which in this instance is provided with seven storage or delay stages. As indicated by the movable contact 249, any of the output terminals 241-248 can be connected to the output control circuit 141, the output circuit for the register 131 including a series diode 251. The initial or zero-delay output terminal 241 is directly connected through a resistor 252 to the tenth terminal of terminal row 111 on the plug board 106 (see FIGS. 4 and 10) and, when connected to the contact 249, provides for control of any functions which should be actuated immediately upon occurrence of an output signal from a logical core circuit connected to this terminal at the plug board. For example, on scanning of a given combination of control marks, it may be imperative to initiate operation of some auxiliary equipment effective to feed a special print-receiving sheet into the printing station of the machine, and this auxiliary feeding operation may take the same time as is required to feed the scanned section of the transfer tape into the printing station. Under these circumstances, the output terminal 241 provides an undelayed control signal effective to operate the auxiliary apparatus.

The input circuit comprising the resistor 252 is also connected in series with a resistor 253 and an input winding 254 on a first core 255, the circuit being terminated at ground. The core 255, in addition to the input winding 254, is also provided with an interrogation winding 256 and an output winding 257. The core 255 is only one of two cores in the first stage of the delay register 131, the second core 258 being provided with an input winding 259, an interrogation winding 261, and an output winding 262. The output winding 257 of the core 255 is connected in a series circuit including a diode 263, a resistor 264, and the input winding 259 of the core 258, the two ends of the series circuit being grounded. A second diode 265 is connected between ground and the common terminal 266 of the resistor 264 and the diode 263. The output winding 262 of the core 258 is connected between the second output terminal 242 and ground, thereby completing the first stage of the delay register.

The second stage of the delay register comprises a pair of cores 267 and 268. The output winding 262 of the first-stage core 258 is connected to the input winding 269 of the second-stage core 267 by a circuit essentially similar to that connecting the windings 257 and 259.

Similarly, thc output winding 271 of the core 267 is connected to the input winding 272 of the second core 268 in this stage by a similar circuit. The initial core 267 in the second stage is, of course, provided with an interrogation or readout winding 273, whereas the core 268 is provided with an interrogation winding 274 and an output winding 275. The output winding 275 is connected to the third output terminal 243 of the delay register and is also connected to the input winding of the next stage in the register. It is thus seen that the seven storage stages of the register 131 are each essentially similar to the others and each of these storage stages is connected to one of the output terminals 242-248.

All of the interrogation windings such as the windings 256 and 273 on the lower or initial group of cores in the delay register 131 are connected in series with each other in an advance circuit 278. One terminal 277 of this series circuit 278 is connected to the potential source E+ through a resistor 279, the terminal 277 also being returned to ground through a storage circuit comprising a resistor 281 and a capacitor 282. The other terminal 283 of the advance circuit 278 is connected to a normally closed switch 284 which is controlled by a cam device 285, a diode 286 being connected in series between the terminal 283 and the switch 284. The other side of the switch 284 is returned to ground through a pair of relay contacts 287. The switch 284 is opened for a relatively short period during each cycle of machine operation, as described more fully hereinafter.

Similarly, the interrogation windings such as the windings 261 and 274 on the upper group of cores are all connected in series with each other to form a second advance circuit generally designated by the reference numeral 288. One end of the advance circuit 288 is connected to the terminal 277 and the other terminal 289 of this series circuit is connected through a diode 291 to the normally open switch 231. The other side of the switch 231 is also returned to ground through the relay contacts 287. The switch 231 is ganged with the switch 284 for operation by the cam 285; if desired, a single-pole doublethrow switch may be used in place of the two switches 231 and 284.

In considering operation of the delay register 131, as illustrated in FIG. 9, consideration must be given to the sequence in which the operating circuits of the register are actuated, this timing sequence being discussed in greater detail hereinafter in connection with FIG. 12. During an initial machine cycle, however, it may be considered that the first operation that takes place in the delay register 131 is the application of a signal pulse to the interrogation or advance circuit 278, this action being effected, with the switches 231, 284 in their normal positions, by closing the relay contacts 287 for a relatively short interval as described hereinafter. If no data is presently recorded in any of the cores in the lower row, comprising cores 255 and 267, this initial actuation of the advance circuit 278 does not change the effective operating condition of any portion of the delay register.

Subsequently, and during the same cycle of operation, a control signal may be received from terminal 111, column 10, of the plug board 106, this signal being applied to the winding 254 and being efliective to change the magnetic state of the core 255 from a normal to an actuated or recording condition. Thus, an initial data item is recorded in the first stage of the delay register 131. However, no output signal is as yet developed from the delay register, since the output terminal 243 to which the output circuit contact 249 is connected is effectively isolated from the first stage of the delay register. In the illustrated arrangement, read-out of the logical core circuit or circuits connected to the delay register 131 is accomplished by operation of the cam 285 to actuate the normally open switch 231 to closed condition. The switch 231 closes when the switch 284 opens. With the switch 231 closed, the relay contacts 287 are closed, applying a reset signal to the logical cores and also to the reset or advance line 288 of the delay register. This signal is effective to establish the core 258 in an original or unactuated magnetic state, thereby preparing the core for subsequent recording of data. The resetting of the core 258 may also generate an output signal in the coil 262, if data has previously been recorded in the core and this signal current also flows through the coil 269 and is effective to change the magnetic state of the core 267 from its initial condition to an actuated or recording condition. Thus, the recorded data is transferred from the core 258 to the first core 267 in the second stage of the delay register. An output signal may thus be developed at the terminal 242, but is not utilized because this terminal is not connected to the output contact 249 of the delay register.

During a second machine cycle, this sequence of operations is repeated. Thus, during an early part of the second machine cycle, the relay contacts 287 are closed,

applying a reset or advance signal to the advance circuit 278. In this instance, the reset circuit is effective to reset the core 255 to its original magnetic state, thereby generating an output signal in the output coil 257. The output signal from the coil 257 is effectively applied to the input coil 259 of the core 258, so that the data previously recorded in the core 255 is now transferred to the core 258.

Thereafter, and still in the second cycle of operation, the cam 285 again operates to open the switch 284 and close the switch 231. The relay contacts 287 are again closed, applying a reset signal to the advance or reset circuit 288. At the same time the logical core circuits are interrogated, and a further bit of information may be recorded in the coil 255, or, depending upon the operation of the control circuits preceding the delay register in the control system, there may be no data recorded in the initial core 255 during this cycle of operation. The core 268 is efi'ectively re-set or restored to its original magnetic state and an output pulse is generated in the output coil 275 of this core. Of course, if core 258 has been actuated, previously, from its original to an actuated condition, this core is also restored to its original condition. The output signal generated in the coil 275 in the core 268 energizes the input coil of the core 292 and records the initial data item therein. Similarly, any data item recorded in the core 258 is transferred to the core 267. In this instance, however, assuming the core 268 has previously been changed from its initial to its actuated magnetic condition, the output signal generated in the coil 275 is transmitted through the adjustable contact 249 and the circuit associated therewith to the control output circuit 141. Thus, since the output from the delay register is taken from the terminal 243, any further change in the remaining stages of the register is not significant with respect to operation of the control output circuit 141. On the other hand, if the adjustable contact 249 is connected to a subsequent one of the output terminals, such as the terminal 248, operation continues as described hereinabove until the output signal appears at that output terminal.

FIG. 8 illustrates, in substantial detail, a preferred form of the control output circuit 141 for the system illustrated in FIG. 5. Moreover, this circuit may also be considered to be representative of any of the other output control circuits 142-145, since these circuits may all be essentially similar to that shown in FIG. 8. In this connection, it should be noted that it is not essential to use any particular number of combinations of delay register and control output circuit such as the combination 131, 141; in the described embodiment of the invention, five such combinations are shown, but the number can be varied in accordance with the requirements of the machine or machines with which the control system is associated. Furthermore, it is not essential that the number of delay 18 register and output control circuit combinations correspond to the number of logical core circuits since, as described hereinabove in connection with FIG. 11, two logical core circuits may be utilized to control one delay register and this may be extended to include even additional core circuits associated with a single delay register. Moreover, as will be apparent from the foregoing discus sion of the plug board 106 and its operation, a single logical core circuit may etTectively control a plurality of delay registers and their associated output control circuits.

The control output circuit 141 of FIG. 8 comprises a thyratron 301 having a cathode 302, a control electrode 303, a shield electrode 304, and an anode 305. The control electrode 303 of the thyratron 301 is coupled to the delay register 131 by an input circuit comprising a capacitor 306 and a bias resistor 307, the bias resistor 307 being returned to the negative potential source F. The input impedance comprises a resistor 308 and a blocking capacitor 309 connected in series with each other and returned to ground. The cathode 302 and shield electrode 304 are both grounded.

The output circuit of the thyratron 301 includes a load resistor 311 connected to the anode 305 of the thyratron and having the operating coil 312 of a relay 313 connected in series therewith. A capacitor 310 is preferably connected in parallel with the relay coil 312, and a resistor 314 may be connected in series with the capacitor. The anode circuit of the thyratron 301 is connected to the voltage source E+ through a normally closed cam-controlled switch 315 actuated by a cam 316. As indicated in FIG. 8, the cam-controlled switch 315 is also utilized to control operation of the other output control circuits 142-145, being connected in the operating circuits thereof in the same manner as shown for circuit 141.

The cam-controlled switch 315 is a single-pole doublethrow switch, the normally open terminal 317 of the switch being connected in series with a resistor 318 and the operating coil 319 of a relay 321, the other terminal of the coil 319 being returned to ground. The contacts 287 of the relay 321 are utilized, as described hereinabove, in controlling operation of the delay register 131 (see FIG. 9). An alternate operating circuit for the relay coil 319 is also provided by a cam-operated switch 322, actuated by a cam 323, which connects the resistor 318 back to the voltage source E+. The switch 322 is a normally open single-pole single-throw switch.

The construction of the relay 313 is not critical to the present invention. In the illustrated arrangement, the relay is provided with normally open contacts 324 and normally closed contacts 325 which may be utilized to connect an output circuit 326 to a suitable A.C. power supply, the circuit arrangement including a switch 327 for adjusting the relay either to energize a print control device or other control device or to de-energize the same. Any desirable arrangement of relay contacts and control circuitry may be used in conjunction with the relay 313 without in any way departing from the present invention.

Operation of the output control circuit 141 is quite simple, since this circuit functions primarily as a con trolled energizing circuit for the relay 313. Thus, during any given cycle of machine operation, a control signal from the delay register 131 may be applied to the control electrode of the thyratron 301, thereby firing the thyratron. When the thyratron becomes conductive, the relay coil 312 is energized, actuating the relay 313 and effectively controlling any desired machine function or related operation. In the next cycle of machine operation, and before the next readout from the delay register, the switch 315 is actuated by the cam 316 to open the anode circuit of the thyratron, de-energizing the tube until such time as a further energizing signal is received from the delay register 131, either during that cycle or a. subsequent cycle of machine operation.

In order to reach a more complete understanding of 19 the operation of the control system of FIG. and the associated circuits and devices shown in FIGS. 4 and 6-11, a timing chart has been provided in FIG. 12 to illustrate in detail a typical Operating sequence during a given cycle of machine operation. It should be understood that this timing sequence need not be adhered to exactly, but is an example of a practical and effective timing arrangement.

In the timing chart of FIG. 12, the movement of the printing machine platen 44 is shown in the portion generally indicated by the reference character 331. Considering the entire cycle of machine operation to represent 360 of movement, as of the cam shaft controlling the various cam-operated switches, it is seen that the platen begins its downward movement approximately after the beginning of the cycle. The actual printing operation, for the particular machine illustrated in FIG. 1, is accomplished approximately between 165 and 245 of the operating cycle. The advance in movement of the tape is initiated after approximately of the printing cycle have elapsed and is completed before the printing operation at the 165 point.

The first of the control switches to be actuated is the switch 315 of FIG. 8. As indicated in FIG. 12, the switch 315 is actuated from its normal closed position to its alternate position engaging the contact 317 during a time interval corresponding approximately to 20 of the machine cycle and beginning at the 40 point in the cycle. During this interval, indicated by the reference numeral 332, the anode circuit of the thyratron 301 of the output control circuit 141 (FIG. 8) is opened, rendering the thyratron non-conductive and conditioning it for a subsequent control operation in response to a signal from the delay register 131. At the same time, an energizing circuit is established from the potential source 13+ through the switch 315, the resistor 318, and the relay coil 319 to ground. Accordingly, the relay 321 is energized, closing the contacts 287 and effectively energizing the advance circuit 278 of the delay register 131 (see FIG. 9). Accordingly, during the time interval 332 (FIG. 12) the output control circuit 141 is effectively de-energized and the lower row of cores in the delay register is reset, transferring any data stored therein to the cores in the upper row of the delay register 131. At the same time, of course, each of the other output control circuits 142-145 is tie-energized and data is advanced one-half stage in the delay registers 132-135.

Thereafter, and after the switch 315 returns to its normal position as illustrated in FIG. 8, the switch 218 in the readout circuit for the core driver circuit 91 (FIG. 7) is actuated from its normal open position to its closed position, thereby resetting the storage or synchronizing core 204 and applying an actuating signal to the plug board terminal 101, if the core 204 had previously been actuated from its normal to its recording or actuated mag netic state. The same action takes place, of course, in the core driver circuits 92-95, all of which are coupled to the switch 218 in the same manner as circuit 91. In FIG. 12, actuation of the switch 218 is shown as occurring in the time interval between 130 and 190 of the machine cycle, as indicated by the reference numeral 333. At approximately 150 in the machine cycle the cam 285 operates to actuate the switches 231 and 284 (FIG. 9), opening the switch 284 and closing the switch 231 for a time interval extending to approximately 210 of the machine cycle as indicated by the numeral 334 in FIG. 12. Shortly thereafter, as indicated generally by the reference character 335, the control switch 322 is actuated (see FIG. 8) to energize the relay 321 a second time. Accordingly, the reset circuit 288 of the control delay register 131 is energized, resetting each of the cores in the upper row of the delay register and transferring any data stored therein to the cores in the lower row. The same reset action, of course, is also accomplished in the other delay registers 132-135. Moreover, in this portion of the cycle any data present in the delay register stages connected to the output circuits 141145 are e1- fectively read out and used to energize the output circuits as described hereinabove. As shown in FIG. 12, the switch 322 is preferably returned to its normal open condition before the switches 231 and 284 have been returned to their normal operating condition, so that, the switches are always actuated under no-load conditions. FIG. 12 also indicates the timing for the scanning operation necessary to actuate the entire control system; as shown therein, the gate photocell 56 should be illuminated during the period of tape movement at a time not coincident with actuation of the switch 315 or the switches 231 and 284.

In order to afford a more complete description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, certain specific circuit data are set forth hereinafter in tabular form. It should be understood that this material is presented solely by way of illustration and in no sense as a limita tion on the invention.

Figure 6 Photocell 71 Lead sulphide cell. Dual triode 151, 157 Type 6211. Dual triode 174, 175 Type 6211. Diode 166 Type DR314. Diode 189 Type HD6001. Resistor 1 megohm. Resistor 155 1.8 megohm. Resistors 156, 167 47 kilohms. Resistor 163 470 kilohms. Resistor 169 27 kilohms. Resistor 171 3.9 kilohms. Resistor 176 3.3 megohms. Resistor 184 330 kilohms. Resistor 186 27 kilohms. Resistor 187 8.2 kilohms. Capacitor 76 0.02 microfarads. Capacitors 162, 188 0.02 microfarads. Capacitor 172 0.02 microiarads.

Figure 7 Thyratron 191 Type 5696. Thyratron 207 Type 5727. Diode 205 Type 2257. Resistor 197 270 kilohms. Resistor 198 470 kilohms. Resistor 199 1 megohm. Resistor 202 1.5 kilohms. Resistors 210, 212, 222 10 ohms. Resistor 214 1 megohm. Resistor 221 kilohms. Capacitor 196 0.002 microfarads. Capacitors 201, 223 0.047 microfarads. Capacitor 215 0.022 microfarads. Inductance 216 0.75 millihenries.

Figure 8 Thyratron 301 Type 5696. Resistor 307 470 kilohms. Resistor 308 220- kilohms. Resistors 311, 318 10 kilohms. Resistor 314 0.68 kilohms. Capacitor 309 750 micro microfarads. Capacitor 313 0.01 microfarads.

Operating voltages Volts Source B+ +100 Source C l.5 Source D 75 Source E+ Source F- 9 From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the control system of the present invention is efiective to control a plurality of different machine functions, in a transfer printer such as the printer 20, in accordance with the relatively simple code markings 48 (see FIGS. 1 and 13) and that the code markings may be essentially similar to data characters on the master print member 25 used in the transfer printer. Control may be effected in accordance with virtually any desired logical function, this flexibility being achieved by the combination of the plug board 106 and the series of logical cores 121-125 interconnected therewith. The use of a separate signal channel, connected to the plug board, and carrying a signal representa tive of sensing of characters in any of the code marking positions, as provided by the core driver circuit 95 (see FIG. 5) is of material advantage in expanding the scope of logical functions which may be handled conveniently at the plug board 106. Complete compensation is effected for variations in the positions of the code markings by the use of the adjustable shutter 53 for the gate photocell 56 and also by the use of synchronization storage stages in each of the core driver circuits 9l95. The adjustable delay registers of the invention, such as the register 13i, make it possible to use the control system in conjunction with control operations which may require actuation of any one of a number of different time intervals following the sensing operation, these time intervals being measured in terms of integral numbers of machine operating cycles.

Hence, while we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification, and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A control system for controlling operation of a printing machine in response to code markings on a master print member, said system comprising: photosensitive scanning means for generating a plurality of individual actuating signals each indicative of the presence of a code marking at a given one of a corresponding plurality of code positions on said master print member; means for generating an auxiliary actuating signal indicative of the presence of a code marking at any of said code positions,

all of said actuating signals being approximately equal in amplitude; a plurality of logical control devices, each operable in response to two of said actuating signals applied thereto in additive relation; means for modifying the effective logical function of each of said control devices independently of the others, said modifying means including means for applying said actuating signals to said logical control devices; and a plurality of control output devices, electrically coupled to and actuated by said logical control devices.

2. A control system for controlling operation of a printing machine in response to code markings on a master print member, said system comprising: photosensitive scanning means for generating a plurality of individual actuating signals each indicative of the presence of a code marking at a given one of a corresponding plurality of code positions on said master print member; means for generating an auxiliary actuating signal indicative of the presence of a code marking at any of said code positions, all of said actuating signals being approximately equal in amplitude; a plurality of logical control devices, each comprising a storage element actuatable from a normal condition to a storage condition in response to two of said actuating signals applied thereto in additive relation; means for modifying the effective logical function of each of said control devices independently of the others, said modifying means including a plurality of independent coupling elements associated with each of said storage elements and adjustable connection means for connecting said coupling elements to said scanning means and said auxiliary signal generating means to apply said actuating signals to said logical control devices in any additive or subtractive combination; and a plurality of control output devices, electrically coupled to and actuated by said logical control devices.

3. A control system for controlling operation of a printing machine in response to code markings on a master print member, said system comprising: photosensitive scanning means for generating a plurality of individual actuating signals each indicative of the presence of a code marking at a given one of a corresponding plurality of code positions on said master print member; means for generating an auxiliary actuating signal indicative of the presence of a code marking at any of said code positions, all of said actuating signals being approximately equal in amplitude; a plurality of logical control devices, each comprising a magnetic core storage member having a plurality of input windings and an output Winding and actuatable from a normal magnetic condition to an actuated condition in response to two of said actuating signals applied to two of said input windings in magnetically additive relation; means for modifying the effective logical function of each of said control devices independently of the others, said modifying means including means including an adjustable connection board for connecting said actuating signals to said input windings of each of said logical control devices in any desired combination; means for applying an interrogation signal to said logical storage devices to generate control signals in said output windings representative of the magnetic condition of said cores; and a plurality of control output devices, electrically coupled to said output windings and actuated by said control signals.

4. A control system for controlling operation of a printing machine in response to code markings on a master print member, said system comprising: photosensitive scanning means for generating a plurality of individual actuating signals each indicative of the presence of a code marking at a given one of a corresponding plurality of code positions on said master print member; means for generating an auxiliary actuating signal indicative of the presence of a code marking at any of said code positions, all of said actuating signals being approximately equal in amplitude; a plurality of logical control devices, each operable in response to two of said actuating signals applied thereto in additive relation; means for modifying the effective logical function of each of said control devices independently of the others, said modifying means including means for applying said actuating signals to said logical control devices; a plurality of delay registers each independently effective to delay an applied signal by a time interval equal to an adjustably selectable number of machine cycles; means for coupling said logical control devices with said delay registers to apply said control sig. nals to said delay registers; and a plurality of control output devices, each electrically connected to and actuated by one of said delay registers.

5. A control system for controlling operation of a cyclically operable printing machine in response to code markings on a master print member, said system comprising: photosensitive scanning means for generating a plurality of individual actuating signals each indicative of the presence of a code marking at a given one of a corresponding plurality of code positions on said master print member; a plurality of logical control devices, each operable independently of the others and in response to said actuating signals, and each effective to generate an independent control signal; means for modifying the effective logical function of each of said control devices independently of the others, said modifying means including means for selectively applying said actuating signals to said logical control devices; a plurality of delay registers each independently effective to delay an applied signal by a time interval equal to an adjustably selectable number of machine cycles; means for coupling said logical 23 control devices with said delay registers to apply said control signals to said delay registers; and a plurality of control output devices, each electrically connected to and actuated by one of said delay registers.

6. A control system for controlling operation of a cyclically operable printing machine in response to code markings on a master print member, said system comprising: photosensitive scanning means for generating a plurality of individual actuating signals each indicative of the presence of a code marking at a given one of a corresponding plurality of code positions on said master print member; a plurality of logical control devices, each operable independently of the others and in response to said actuating signals, and each etfective to generate an independent control signal; means for modifying the elfective logical function of each of said control devices independently of the others, said modifying means including means for selectively applying said actuating signals to said logical control devices; a plurality of delay registers each independently effective to delay an applied signal by a time interval equal to an adjustably selectable number of machine cycles, said delay registers each including a plurality of stages each including first and second magnetic cores, the second core of each stage having an output winding coupled to an input winding on the first core of the next succeeding stage, said output windings each being coupled to an output terminal, said delay registers each further including an adjustable output coupling element connectable to any one of said output terminals; means for coupling said logical control devices with said delay registers to apply said control signals to said delay registers; and a plurality of control output devices, each individually electrically coupled to the output coupling element of one of said delay registers.

7. A control system for controlling operation of a cyclically operable transfer printing machine in response to printed code markings aligned with individual lines of printed matter on a transfer tape, said system comprising: means for moving a predetermined length of said tape past a scanning station and into a transfer printing station during each cycle of machine operation; photosensitive scanning means, including a group of scanning photocells located at said scanning station, for generating a plurality of individual actuating signals each indicative of the presence of a code marking in a given line on said transfer tape; a plurality of logical control devices, each operable independently of the others and in response to said actuating signals, and each efiective to generate an independent control signal; means for modifying the efiective logical function of each of said control devices independently of the others, said modifying means including means for selectively applying said actuating signals to said logical control devices; a plurality of delay registers each independently effective to delay an applied signal by a time interval equal to an adjustably selectable number of machine cycles, the maximum time delay of said registers being at least as long as the total number of machine cycles required to advance said tape from said scanning station to said printing station; means for coupling said logical control devices in any desired combination with said delay registers to apply said control signals to said delay registers; and a plurality of control output devices, each electrically connected to and actuated by one of said delay registers.

8. A control system for controlling operation of a cyclically operable printing machine in response to code markings on a master print member, said system comprising: photosensitive scanning means for generating a plurality of initial control signals each indicative of the presence of a code marking at a given one of a corresponding plurality of code positions on said master print member; a plurality of synchronization storage devices, individually coupled to said scanning means and each actuatable from a normal condition to a recording condition in response to one of said initial control signals; a

plurality of logical control devices, each responsive to applied actuating signals; means for modifying the effective logical function of each of said logical control devices independently of the others, said means including means for applying actuating signals to said logical control devices; read-out means, coupling said storage devices to said modifying means, for simultaneously generating actuating signals indicative of the condition of all of said storage devices and applying said signals to said logical control devices; and a plurality of control output devices, electrically coupled to and actuated by said logical control devices.

9. A control system for a printing machine in which a master print member bearing code markings is moved through a code-scanning station and into a printing station, said control system comprising: a plurality of photosensitive scanning dcvices, located at said scanning station, for generating scanning signals indicative of the presence or absence of said code markings; a gate circuit, independent of said scanning devices, for generating a gate signal coincident in time with said scanning signals; a plurality of coincidence circuits, each connected to one of said scanning devices and to said gate circuit, for generating initial control signals indicative of time coincidence between said gate and scanning signals; a plurality of synchronization storage devices, each individually coupled to one of said coincidence circuits and actuatable from a normal condition to a recording condition in response to one of said initial control signals; a plurality of logical control devices, each responsive to applied actuating signals; means for modifying the effective logical function of each of said logical control devices independently of the others, said means including means for applying actuating signals to said logical control devices; read-out means, coupling said storage devices to said modifying means, for simultaneously generating actuating signals indicative of the condition of all of said storage devices and applying said signals to said logical control devices; and a plurality of control output devices, electrically coupled to and actuated by said logical control devices.

10. A control system for a printing machine in which a master print member bearing code markings is moved through a code-scanning station and into a printing station, said control system comprising: a plurality of photosensitive scanning devices, located at said scanning station, for generating scanning signals indicative of the presence of said code markings; a gate circuit, independent of said scanning devices, for generating a gate signal coincident in time with said scanning signals; a plurality of coincidence circuits, each connected to one of said scanning devices and to said gate circuit, for generating initial control signals indicative of time coincidence between said gate and scanning signals; means, comprising a coupling circuit connected to all of said coincidence circuits, for generating an auxiliary initial control signal indicative of the presence of a code marking at any of said code positions; a plurality of synchronization storage devices, each individually coupled to one of said coincidence and coupling circuits and actuatable from a normal condition to a recording condition in response to one of said initial control signals; a plurality of logical control devices, each responsive to applied actuating signals; means for modifying the effective logical function of each of said logical control devices independently of the others, said means including means for applying actuating signals to said logical control devices; read-out means, coupling said storage devices to said modifying means, for simultaneously generating actuating signals indicative of the condition of all of said storage devices and applying said signals to said logical control devices; and a plurality of control output devices, electrically coupled to and actuated by said logical control devices.

11. A control system for a printing machine in which a master print member bearing code markings is moved through a code-scanning station and into a printing station, said control system comprising: a plurality of photosensitive scanning devices, located at said scanning station, for generating scanning signals indicative of the presence or absence of said code markings; a gate circuit, independent of said scanning devices, for generating a gate signal coincident in time with said scanning signals; a plurality of coincidence circuits, each connected to one of said scanning devices and to said gate circuit, for generating initial control signals indicative of time coincidence between said gate and scanning signals; a plurality of synchronization storage devices, each individually coupled to one of said coincidence circuits and actuatable from a normal condition to a recording condition in response to one of said initial control signals; a plurality of logical control devices, each responsive to applied actuating signals independently of the others and each effective to generate an independent control signal; means for modifying the effective logical function of each of aid logical control devices independently of the others, said means including means for applying actuating signals to said logical control devices; read-out means, coupling said storage devices to said modifying means, for simultaneously generating actuating signals indicative of the condition of all of said storage devices and applying said signals to said logical control devices; a plurality of delay registers each independently effective to delay an applied signal by a time interval equal to an adjustably selectable number of machine cycles; means for coupling said logical control device in any desired combination with said delay registers to apply said control signals to said delay registers; and a plurality of control output devices, electrically coupled to and actuated by one of said delay registers.

12. A control system for a printing machine in Which a master print member bearing code markings is moved through a code-scanning station and into a printing station, said control system comprising: a plurality of photosensitive scanning devices, located at said scanning station, for generating scanning signals indicative of the presence of said code markings; a gate circuit, independent of said scanning devices, for generating a gate signal coincident in time with said scanning signals; a plurality of coincidence circuits, each connected to one of said scanning devices and to said gate circuit, for generating initial control signals indicative of time coincidence between said gate and scanning signals; means, comprising a coupling circuit connected to all of said coincidence circuits, for developing an auxiliary initial control signal indicative of the presence of a code marking at any of said code positions; a plurality of synchronization storage devices,

each individually coupled to one of said coincidence and coupling circuits and actuatable from a normal condition to a recording condition in response to one of said initial control signals; a plurality of logical control devcies, each responsive to two simultaneously applied actuating signals of given minimum amplitude; means for modifying the effective logical function of each of said logical control devices independently of the others, said means including means for applying actuating signals to said logical control devices; read-out means, coupling said storage devices to said modifying means, for simultaneously generating actuating signals indicative of the condition of all of said storage devices and ap lying said signals to said logical control devices, said actuating signals being larger than said minimum amplitude but substantially smaller than twice said minimum amplitude; and a plurality of control output devices, electrically coupled to and actuated by said logical control devices.

13. A control system for controlling operation of a cyclically operable printing machine in response to code markings on a master print member, said system comprising: photosensitive scanning means for generating a plurality of individual actuating signals each indicative of the presence of a code marking at a given one of a corresponding plurality of code positions on said master print member; a plurality of logical control devices, each operable independently of the others and in response to said actuating signals, and each effective to generate an independent control signal; means for modifying the effective logical function of each of said control devices independently of the others, said modifying means including means for selectively applying said actuating signals to said logical control devices; a plurality of output trol devices, each independently effective to carry out a control operation in response to an applied control signal; and means for selectively coupling said logical control devices to said output control devices to apply said control signals thereto.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,708,267 5/55 Weidenhammer 340l72.5 2,782,398 2/57 West 340172.5 2,872,666 2/59 Greenhalgh 340-172.5 2,954,731 10/60 Durand et al. 101-93 MALCOLM A. MORRISON, Primary Examiner.

5O IRVING L. SRAGOW, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF A PRINTING MACHINE IN RESPONSE TO CODE MARKINGS ON A MASTER PRINT MEMBER, SAID SYSTEM COMPRISING: PHOTOSENSITIVE SCANNING MEANS FOR GENERATING A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL ACTUATING SIGNALS EACH INDICATIVE OF THE PRESENCE OF A CODE MARKING AT A GIVEN ONE OF A CORRESPONDING PLURALITY OF CODE POSITIONS ON SAID MASTER PRINT MEMBER; MEANS FOR GENERATING AN AUXILIARY ACTUATING SIGNAL INDICATIVE OF THE PRESENCE OF A CODE MARKING AT ANY OF SAID CODE POSITIONS, ALL OF SAID ACTUATING SIGNALS BEING APPROXIMATELY EQUAL IN AMPLITUDE; A PLURALITY OF LOGICAL CONTROL DEVICES, EACH

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