US3593003A

US3593003A - Digital data transmitter

Info

Publication number: US3593003A
Application number: US757986A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter Griffin Paige
Original assignee: Burroughs Corp
Current assignee: Unisys Corp
Priority date: 1968-09-06
Filing date: 1968-09-06
Publication date: 1971-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-13

Abstract

A data transmitter for reading members having positions for openings therein which are arranged into rows and columns. A reading apparatus receives the member to be read and has an air input passage for applying streams of air to the member. An airreceiving passage is provided for each row of opening positions on a member for receiving the airstreams passing through the member. Whistles are provided for converting the streams of air to distinct tones and a transducer converts the tones to electrical signals for transmission. An air pump generates a plurality of airstream pulses which are applied to the member for reading purposes. The air pump contains an inner and a pair of outer compression chambers and a movable member isolating the outer chambers from the inner chamber. The movable members are simultaneously moved toward each other and simultaneously moved apart. Valves connected between the exterior of the pump and each outer compression chamber and connected between each outer compression chamber and the inner compression chamber allow air to be moved from the exterior of the pump to the inner compression chamber where the air streams are formed.

Description

United States Patent [72! Inventor Walter Griffin Paige Pasadena. Culilt 12H Appl. No 757,986

l22| Filed Sept. 6, I968 [45] Patented July 13,197]

[73] Assignce Burroughs Corporation Detroit, Mich.

r54 DIGITAL DATA TRANSMITTER is Claims, [5 Drawing n;

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.ll4.035 l2/l963 Avery Primary Examiner Daryl W. Cook Assistant Examiner-William W. Cochran Attorney-Christie, Parker & Hale ABSTRACT: A data transmitter for reading members having positions for openings therein which are arranged into rows and columns. A reading apparatus receives the member to be read and has an air input passage for applying streams of air to the member. An air-receiving passage is provided for each row ofopening positions on a member for receiving the airstreams passing through the member. Whistles are provided for converting the streams of air to distinct tones and a transducer converts the tones to electrical signals for t ansmission.

An air pump generates a plurality of atrstream pulses which are applied to the member for reading purposes. 'Ihe air pump contains an inner and a pair of outer compression chambers and a movable member isolating the outer chambers from the inner chamber. The movable members are simultaneously moved toward each other and simultaneously moved apart Valves connected between the exterior of the pump and each outer compression chamber and connected between each outer compression chamber and the inner compression chamber allow air to be moved from the exterior of the pump to the inner compression chamber where the air streams are formed.

PATENTEU JUL 1 3 :sn

sum 2 or 9 PATENTED JUL 1 3 9n SHEET 3 OF 9 PATENTEU JUL 1 3 nan SHEET l BF 9 PATENTED JUL 1 3 |97| SHEET 7 OF 9 msmanmusmn 3593003 SHEET 8 OF 9 DIGITAL DATA TRANSMITTER CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application discloses a manually adjustable cartridge which is disclosed and claimed in my US. Pat. No. 3,543,790, issued Dec. l, I970 and entitled MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE PNEUMATIC CARTRIDGE.

The present invention is directed to a data transmitter which may read a number of different types of members hav ing coded openings therein one of such members being the manually adjustable cartridge disclosed in the above-rnentioned patent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention This invention relates to digital data transmitters and, more particularly, to transmitters in which statically stored data, in perforated documents or in members bearing openings, is translated into serial signals and transmitted over a two'wire line.

2. Description of the Prior Art There have heretofore been proposed systems for translating data in perforated documents (e.g. tabulating cards) into data signals for the purpose of transmitting such data to a computer. Problems arise with respect to such translation and transmission, however, because the data signals are ordinarily translated from their representation in the perforated document into a group of parallel signals appearing simultaneously at a particular combination of output terminals. A separate wire for each output terminal must then be provided between the output terminals and the computer. Since transmission over considerable distances may be necessary, the cost of such wiring may be great.

Alternatively, a translating network may be provided to convert the simultaneous group of output signals into serial signals for transmission over a two-wire line. As a result, the cost of providing extensive separate wiring is avoided. Moreover, existing telephone networks may be utilized as the means of transmission. This advantage, however, is gained at the expense of having to provide an additional costly translating network.

Another approach to this problem utilizes a pneumatic sensing apparatus having a reading station with a number of air ports. The cards which are read are arranged into rows and columns of perforation positions and the number of ports corresponding to the number of rows on a card. The reading station is moved column by column from one end ofa card to the other, the card being stationary and the information stored in the card is read out a column at a time by means of air forced into the airports. A punched hole in a perforation position of the card adjacent a particular airport enables an airstream, forced through that port, to transfer energy to a reed causing it to vibrate at a particular frequency. Each air chamber has an associated reed. Each reed vibrates and produces a tone of a different frequency. The tones produced by the reeds as the columns are read out are picked up by a microphone and transmitted to utilization circuitry.

A major disadvantage of the apparatus just described is its slowness of operation. This slowness arises from the fact that reeds have been found to require at least 50 milliseconds in order to vibrate at their information representative tones or frequencies. The energy of an air column striking a reed must transmit a sull'lcient amount of energy to the reed before the reed can vibrate. Any such mechanical transfer of energy must overcome the delay-causing inertia of the body receiving ener- 8)" SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a number of features and advantages over prior art digital data transmitters. It provides a digital data transmitter capable of operating many times faster than does the transmitter disclosed in the above-mentioned reed-type apparatus. Moreover, even though it has increased speed capabilities, it may be constructed at a much lower cost than most prior art data transmitters.

A preferred form of the invention is in a data transmitter wherein means is provided to read the manually adjustable cartridge disclosed and claimed in my above-referenced U.S. patent entitled MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE PNEUMATIC CARTRIDGE. Furthermore, a data transmitter is provided capable of automatically translating and transmitting in one operation, data stored in several members and one of such members may be the manually adjustable cartridge.

An important feature of the present invention lies in its quietness of operation and lack of vibration. This comes about because of the symmetry of the major moving parts. An important part of the apparatus in this regard is the air pump which is constructed with eccentrics, diaphragms and connecting rods in such a manner that all forces and loads are equal and opposite at all times during the intake and compression cycles.

The preceding and other features and advantages of the present invention are achieved by means of a digital data transmitter in which data stored in perforated documents is translated by means of the passage of a stream of air through the perforations and subsequent conversion of the airstream.

Briefly, an embodiment of the present invention in a data transmitter comprises reading apparatus for receiving a member to be read and includes a reading station comprising an air input passage for applying an airstream to the opening positions in the columns of a member to be read. An airreceiving passage is provided for each row of opening positions on a member to be read. The air receiving passages receive an airstream from at least one row opening position of the member at a time. At least one whistle is provided for each row of opening positions on the member for convening the stream of air passing through the row of a member being read to a distinct tone. A transducer converts the tones to electrical signals for transmission.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an air pump is provided for generating airstream pulses for reading out the member. Briefly, a preferred form of the pump comprises a housing containing an inner and a pair of outer compression chambers. A movable member isolates each outer chamber from the inner chamber. A first valve interconnects the outer chamber to the inner chamber and a second valve connects each outer chamber to the exterior of the housing. A rotatable member is positioned in between the movable members and is connected thereto for simultaneously moving the movable members together, decreasing the volume in the inner chamber, and for simultaneously moving the movable members apart, increasing the volume in the inner chamber. The valves permit a fluid atmosphere to flow from the exterior of the housing into the outer chamber and into the inner chamber as the movable members are moved together but block the flow in the opposite direction, thereby creating a pressure in the inner chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a data transmitter and embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view through the data transmitter of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1. The portions of the data transmitter which are not essential to an understanding of the present invention have been removed in order to simplify the explanation of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the data transmitter the line 3-3 of FIG. 2',

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section view of the data transmitter taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing only the pneumatic reading apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the data transmitter taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 showing only the pneumatic reading apparatus;

taken along FIG. 6 is a section view of the data transmitter taken along the line of6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a section view of the data transmitter taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. I. The portions of the data transmitters of FIG. 1 which are not essential to an understanding of the present invention have been removed from the section view of FIG. 7 for each of explanation;

FIG. 8 is a section view through the turn valve taken along the line 88 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a section view taken through the turn valve along the line 9-9 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a schematic and block diagram illustrating the gearing between the motor and the indicated parts of the data transmitter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a timing diagram, partly in pictorial form, illustrating the sequence of operation of the data transmitter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a top elevation view of the air pump used in the data transmitter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a section view of the air pump taken along the line 13-I3 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the connecting rod used in the air pump of FIGS. 12 and 13 taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is an elevation view of the check valve used in the air pump of FIGS. 12 and 13 taken along the line 15-15.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Refer now to the data transmitter 10 shown in FIG. 1 and embodying the present invention. The data transmitter 10 in cludes a conventional handset 12 and a dial I4, commonly used in telephone sets. The data transmitter 10 also includes a cartridge-reading apparatus 16, a badge-reading apparatus 18 and a card-reading apparatus 20. A badge 19, a cartridge 17, and a card 21 are shown in the respective reading apparatus.

Briefly, the data transmitter is operated b inserting the cartridge 17. the badge l9 and the card 21 in the

respective reading apparatus

16, 18 and 20. Each of these members contain coded information which is to be read and transmitted by the data transmitter to a remote station. The operator then picks up the handset 12, and using the dial I4, dials a predetermined sequence of numbers. Signals are transmitted via the two-wire line 24 to a conventional telephone-switching complex where a connection is made to the desired remote point.

The operator then pushes the start button 22. Actuation of 10 start button 22 causes the data transmitter to physically move the card 21 through the reading apparatus 20. As the card is advanced the perforations in the card are read column by column, and finally the card 2| is received in the receptacle 26 near the bottom of the data transmitter 10.

Following the reading of the card 21 the data transmitter automatically reads the badge 19. The badge 19 also contains perforations arranged into rows and columns. The data transmitter 10 reads the perforated badge automatically column by column without requiring movement of the badge.

Following the reading of the badge 19, the data transmitter lb reads the manually adjustable cartridge 17. The cartridge 17 is read pneumatically column by column without movement of the cartridge.

To be explained in detail, the members which are read by the data transmitter 10 are read using streams of air which pass through the coded openings in the members. A separate whistle is provided for each row of openings in the members. Whistles actuated by the airstreams generate a tone represent ing the row in which the perforation is detected. The tones generated by the whistles arc lransduccd and transmilled by a microphone in the data transmitter over the two-wirc line 24 to the remote station to which the data transmitter is con ncctcd.

Refer now to the manually adjustable cartridge and the corresponding reading apparatus 16 shown in section in HG. 2. The manually adjustable cartridge is described in detail in my above-identified US. Pat. No. 3,543,790. and the disclosure therein is incorporated by reference. However, for purposes of this patent application it is pointed out that the manually adjustable cartridge has I l knobs 170, each being connected to a separate tubular-shaped member l7e. Each tubular-shaped member is mounted inside of a separate cylinder 17f located inside of the manually adjustable cartridge and are rotated with the rotation ofthe knobs 17a.

The cartridge has a plurality of air exit ports 17c connected through a flat wall 17b of the cartridge 17. The air exit ports 17c are arranged into rows and l 1 columns. The row and column arrangement of the air exit ports cannot be seen per se in the drawings, however one column can be seen in FIG. 2 and one row can be ein FIG. 5. Each column of air exit ports 17c is in association with one of the tubular-shaped members [7e and is aligned therewith. Each tubular-shaped member He contains openings 17;; therein disposed in a spiral manner thcreabout and such opening is capable of being rotated into alignment with one of the air exit parts 17: in the corresponding column. I l openings [73 and, associated therewith, l l air exit ports 17c (one for each row) are provided for each tubular-shaped member 17c. Also at the bottom of each column of air exit ports [70 is an air intake port 17d in the wall 17!) of the manually adjustable cartridge 17. To be described in more detail, an airstream is passed through the air intake port 17d into the interior of the tubular-shaped member He associated with the corresponding column and out through the opening 17g of the tubular-shaped member 17: to the air exit port 17c which is in alignment with such opening 17g. Only one open ing 173 in any one tubular-shaped member can be aligned with an air exit port 17c at any one time. Thus, the air exit port 17c which receives an airstream in any one column provides an indication of the setting of the corresponding knob and tubularshaped member 172. The columns of openings 17c or tubes 17 are energized with an airstream serially, one after another, and the openings 17c are sensed a row at a time by the cartridge reading apparatus.

With the cartridge 17 in mind, consider the reading apparatus 16. The cartridge-reading apparatus 16 includes a wall 28 in which is provided a plurality of ducts 30. One duct 30 is provided for each of the air exit ports 17: in the cartridge 17. The ducts 30 are arranged into l0 rows and l I columns (see FIG. 5) so that the air exits 170 in the cartridge may be aligned with the corresponding ducts 30.

The ducts 30 extend through the wall 28 to a rear plate 32. A groove 34 is provided in the side of the wall 28 facing the plate 32 for each of the rows of ducts 30. Thus, all of the ducts 30 in one row are connected together by a common groove 34. As can be seen in FIG. 5, there are l0 grooves 34, one for each of the 10 rows ofducts 30.

To be explained in more detail, each of the II grooves 34 provides a separate passage from the ducts 30 in the corresponding row to a separate whistle. The whistles are used to convert a stream of air passing through each of the ducts 30 to the corresponding groove 34 into a distinct audible tone.

An input duct 36 is provided in alignment with each of the intake ports 17d of the cartridge 17. The ducts 36 extend from the cartridge to the rear plate 32. Associated with each input duct 36 is a duct 40 which connects to the surface of a pro gram drum 42. Connected between each of the ducts 40 and the corresponding input duct 36 is a groove 38. The duct 38 and the way in which the

ducts

40 and 36 are interconnected is best seen in FIG. 5. Thus, there are l I each of

ducts

36 and 40 and grooves 38, one for each of the l I columns of ducts 30.

To be explained in more detail, the program drum 42 has a plurality of holes disposed in a spiral pattern around the surface thereof and when rotated, sequentially applies streams of air to each of lhe ducts 40 in a predetermined sequence startmg at one end.

Also included in the cartridge-reading apparatus 16 is a spring 44 and a stop 4b. The wall of the cartridge I7 containing the air exit ports I71- and the corresponding surface of the wall 28 are flat and when the cartridge 17 is slipped into the opening 29 of the cartridge-reading apparatus I6, the spring 44 causes the ports I'Ic to form an airtight connection with the corresponding ducts 30. As the cartridge I7 is inserted in the opening 29, the stop 46 stops the cartridge with the ports I70 aligned with the corresponding ducts 30.

Refer now to the badge I9 and the badge-reading apparatus I8. The badge-reading apparatus I8 includes a receptacle 49 in which the badge I9 is inserted. A pressure show 48 holds the badge I9 securely against a flat wall 49.

The badge I9 is not shown in detail but has perforation positions arranged into I0 rows and l I columns (not shown) at the intersection of which perforations may be made representative of coded infomtation. The perforations in the card are so coded as to represent desired information. One such perforation is represented at I90 in FIG. 2. Only one perforation is ever placed in an one column. The rows of perforation positions on the card I9 are perpendicular to the surface of the drawing in FIG. 2 and the columns run up and down.

Corresponding to each of the l() rows of perforation positions on the badge 19 is a groove 52 positioned in the wall 49 of the reading apparatus I8. Thus, there are It) grooves 52 and one such groove 52 is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4. Each of the grooves 52 is connected to a passageway 54 (see FIG. 4) in the housing of the data transmitter. To be explained in detail, the passageways 54 (one for each row) are coupled to the whistles (also one for each row) which translate the streams of air in each of the passageways 52 into a distinct audible tone.

The pressure shoe 48 has a flat surface 53 facing the badge 19 with I I column grooves 50 provided therein. One of the I I column grooves 50 is provided for each of the I 1 columns of perforation positions in the badge I9. Also, the column grooves 50 are positioned so that they align with the corresponding columns of perforation positions in the badge 19. l I air ducts 56 are connected in the data transmitter between the program drum 42 and the column grooves 50, one air duct is for each column groove 50.

To be explained in detail, the program drum 42 sequentially applies an airstream to each of the ll grooves 50 causing air to be applied in the corresponding column groove to the corresponding column of perforation positions in the badge 19. At each position in the badge 19 where there is an opening (such as at 194, in FIG. 2) air passes from the corresponding column groove 50 through the perforation to the correspond ing row groove 52 to the corresponding passageway 54 and to the corresponding whistle. One is provided for each of the row grooves 52 and a difl'erent distinct whistle tone is generated for each row of perforation positions on a badge.

The pressure shoe 48 is movable toward and away from the badge I9. A mechanism shown generally at 58 in FIG. 2 allows the badge 19 to be inserted into the opening 49 and then by means ofa cam and spring the pressureshoe 48 is moved holding the badge [9 tightly between the

surfaces

51 and 53. The details of the apparatus 58 for holding the badge in position is not described herein as it is not essential to an understanding of the present invention.

Consider now the program drum 42 and the way in which it is driven. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 it will be seen that the program drum 42 is rotatably mounted in a manifold block 4| inside of a cylinder 64. Connected to the drum 42 is a shaft 68 which is connected through a coupling 70, to a stub shaft 66. A motor 60 drives the program drum through a gearbox 62. FIG. is a block and schematic diagram showing the motor 60, the program drum 42 and the gearbox 62. The details of the gearbox 62 are not shown in detail in the drawings as the details thereof are not essential for a complete understanding of the present invention. To be explained in more detail, the motor 60 makes I23 revolutions of its output shaft 60a for each reading cycle of the data transmitter. The gearbox 62 has a gear ratio between the motor 60 and the program drum 42 such that the program drum 42 makes three revolutions for each reading cycle ofthe data transmitter.

The program drum 42 contains an air chamber 72 to which is applied streams of air during the period of time during which the badge I9 and the cartridge 17 are being read. The program drum 42 contains I 1 holes 76, one hole for each of the columns in a car I9 or a cartridge 17. The ducts 40 and the ducts 56 are each aligned in a straight line and open into the cylinder 64 on the opposite sides of the cylinder 64. The ducts 40 can be seen at the opposite side of manifold 41 from the cylinder 64 in FIG. 5. Only one of the ducts 56 is shown and is seen in FIG. 2. The holes 76 extend from the chamber 72 to the outer surface of the drum. The eleven holes 76 are spirally disposed about the drum 42 and are positioned so that each hole 76 will go into alignment with one of the ducts 40 and one of the ducts 56 thereby allowing streams of air to pass from the chamber 72 individually to the corresponding tubular member 17 (or column of openings) in the cartridge I7 and to the corresponding column in the badge [9.

The airstream for the chamber 72 is applied thereto via an annular groove 78 of the program drum 42. A plurality of holes 79 extend between the annular groove 78 and he chamber 72. The airstream to the annular groove 78 is provided by means of a duct 82 which extends through the manifold 41 to the annular groove 78. The duct 82 is not shown in FIG. 3 but in FIG. 5 can be seen extending into the cylinder 64 through the manifold 41. The duct 82 is connected to a turn valve I38 through a groove in the air manifold 4]. The turn valve I38 will be explained in detail, however, it should be noted at this point that the purpose of the turn valve I38 is to allow selective application of a stream of air to the air chamber 72 only during the reading of the cartridge 17 and badge 19.

The data transmitter provides a clock signal or tone in synchronism with each column of information read out of the cartridge 17, the badge I), or the card 2|. In addition, the data transmitter generates special coded signals or tones which identify the beginning of a card read cycle, the beginning and end of a badge read cycle, and the beginning and end of a cartridge read cycle. To this end the program drum 42 contains an air chamber 74. Air pressure is continuously applied to the air chamber 74 through holes 83 via an annular groove 84 provided around the outer circumference of the program drum 42. Air to the annular groove 84 is provided through the manifold 41 by means of a duct (see FIG. 5). The duct 90 is connected to the turn valve by a groove 92 provided in the manifold 4I. To be explained in more detail, the turn valve I38 allows airstreams to be continuously applied to the chamber 74 via the groove 92, the duct 90, the annular groove 84 and the holes 83 in the program drum.

A series of 4| clock holes 88 are provided in a line around the circumference of the program drum 42. The clock holes 88 cause 41 clock tones to be generated during each rotation of the program drum 42.

The clock holes 88 are evenly spaced and extend from the surface of the drum 42 to the air chamber 74. A single duct 94 (see FIG. 5) extends through the manifold 41 into the cylinder 64 in alignment with the line of clock holes. 88. When each one of the clock holes 88 comes into alignment with the duct 94, an airstream passes from the chamber 74 through the aligned clock hole 88 into the duct 94 to a groove 96 and through a manifold 99 to a special clock whistle. To be explained in detail, the special clock whistle has a distinct tone and generates a tone each time a clock hole comes into alignment with the duct 94.

Consider now the position of the apparatus for generating the coded signals at the beginning and end of card, badge and cartridge reading cycle. These signals are caused by airstreams provided by the program drum 42. To this end the program drum 42 contains four signal holes 86 disposed in a line around the periphery of the drum 42. The holes 86 extend between the outer surface of the drum and the air chamber 74. Only one of the holes 86 is shown and can be seen in FIG. 3.

The cylinder 64 has a duct 98 (see FIG. 5) aligned with the line of four holes 86 in the periphery of the program drum 42. The duct 98 is connected to a groove I00 which in turn is coupled through the manifold 99 and the slide valve I38 to three whistles which provide the coded signals indicating the various points in the read cycle.

Consider now the card-reading apparatus 20. FIGS. 4 and 7 show section views through the card-reading apparatus 20 and reference should be made primarily to these figures in the following discussion. The card 21 is inserted into an opening 102 of the card-reading apparatus 20. A crossmember 104 prevents more than one card 21 from being inserted into the opening 102 at he same time. Feed rollers I06 I08, I10, II2 feed the card through the card-reading apparatus 20. The feed rollers 106-112 are positioned at one side of the card 21. An identical set of feed rollers (not shown), which is a mirror image of the set of feed rollers 106-112, is positioned at the opposite edge of the card.

Refer to FIG. 10 containing the block diagram illustrating the drive for the feed rollers I061I2. The gearbox 62 has the same output connected to the program drum 42 also connected to the feed rollers 108-112 and to the set of feed rollers not seen in the drawings. In this manner, the gearbox 62 drives the feed rollers causing three revolutions to be made by them for each card'reading cycle.

Referring back again to FIGS. '7 and 4, the reading station 20 includes an air manifold 116. The air manifold "6 contains a single air chamber 118 running the width of a card (across a column of perforation positions on a card). The air chamber I18 has 12 openings 120, one opening corresponding to each row on a card. The openings 120 are connected between the air chamber I18 and the card. The air holes 120 are aligned with the rows on the card so that whenever there is perforation in one of the perforation positions (or rows) in a column, the perforation will pass in front of the corresponding air hole 120. An airstrcam is applied to the air chamber 118 and hence through the holes 120 to the card by a flexible tube I26 which is connected to an air pump 124. To be explained in more detail, the air pump 124 is a special pump which causes a pulse of air pressure or an airstream to be forced through the tube 126 to the air holes 120 each time a column of perforation positions on a card 21 is aligned with the holes 120.

On the opposite side of the card 2I from the 12 air holes 120 are 12 ducts I22. Gne duct 122 is provided in alignment with each of the air holes 120. The 12 ducts 122 are connected through the air manifold 99 and the turn valve 138 the whistles.

Consider now the turn valve 138 and the whistles. l3 whistles 128a are provided in the assembly I28. These whistles are numbered from bottom to top in FIG. 7, 013, 012, 011, 09. Whistle 013 is reserved for the clock whistle. The turn valve is an elongated member mounted inside of a cylinder I39. The cylinder I39 has 13 whistle inlets I30 extending therefrom to the whistles I284. The whistles 128a are in a whistle assembly I28 and each separate whistle is identified by the reference numeral I280. Each whistle inlet 130 extends from the cylinder 139 to the corresponding whistle 1280. Each of the whistles 128a includes an air chamber 134 and a throat I32. The airstream passes through the turn valve I42 to the whistle inlets 130 to the whistles. As the airstream passes through each inlet 130 to the corresponding whistle, a tone is generated by the air passing through the throat 132.

Each of the whistles I280 generates a different tone. The tone is dependent on the length of the air chamber I34. Accordingly, each of the air chambers 134 is of a different length and hence generates a different unique tone.

The turn valve determines whether the whistles are connected to the card reader, the badge reader or the cartridge reader. The turn valve 144 has three different angular positions, one angular position for each of the three members (i.e. card member, badge member and cartridge member). In the position shown in FIG. 4 the turn valve 142 is positioned so that the airstreams from the IG rows of the badge are connected to the whistles 06-09.

The turn valve 138 has 12 grooves 140. The purpose of the grooves I40 is to couple the aii'streams from the 12 rows on a card in the reader 20 to whistles 012, 011, 0009. The data transmitter has a manifold [23 for coupling the card reader ducts 122 to the inside of the cylinder 139. The manifold 123 contains l2 ducts I50, one duct being connected to each of the 12 card reader ducts 122. Each duct 150 connects a duct 122 to the corresponding groove I40 of the turn valve I38.

Similar to the grooves are l0 grooves 142 for coupling the IO rows of a cartridge in the cartridge reader 16 to the It) whistles 09-09. Only l0 grooves 142 are provided as there are only It) rows of information read out from a cartridge. A duct I48 is provided in the manifold 99 for each row groove 34 in the cartridge reader 16. The ducts 148 connect the row grooves 34 to the inside of the cylinder I39. Each of the It) ducts I48 enter the cylinder 139 at a position corresponding to one of the grooves 142 of the turn valve I38.

The turn valve 138 also contains 10 holes 144 extending from one side of the turn valve to the other for connecting the 10 rows on a badge in the badge reader 18 to the I0 whistles 00-09. Again, l0 holes are provided as there only It) rows of information read out of a badge. A duct I46 is provided in the manifold 99 for each of the 10 rows on a card. The l0 ducts I46 connect the 10 row grooves 54 in the badge reader 18 to the inside of the cylinder I39. The ducts 146 enter the cylinder 139 in alignment with the holes I44 in the turn valve.

FIG. II is a timing diagram, partly in pictorial form, illustrating the sequence of operation of the data transmitter. As indicated, for position of turn valve, the turn valve has three different positions, one position for reading each of the members. When the card is being read the turn valve is rotated 30 from that shown in FIG. 4, causing an airstream from the card reader ducts 150 to pass through the grooves 140 to the inlet 130 of the I2 whistles 012, 011, 00-09. When the turn valve I38 is in the position shown in FIG. 4, the badge is being read and ducts I46 are coupled through the holes 144 in the turn valve to the inlets 130 of IO whistles 00-09. When the turn valve is rotated 30, in the opposite direction from that used to read the card, the ducts I48 from the cartridge reading apparatus 16 are coupled through the grooves I42 to the inlet passages 130 to 10 whistles 00-09.

The position of the turn valve 138 is determined by a rod and gear arrangement including a push rod 152 containing teeth which mate with and turn the teeth 154 formed on the turn valve 139. The push rod 152 and gear 154 are shown schematically in FIG. 10. Also shown schematically in FIG. 10 is a cam and roller assembly 156 which determines the position of the push rod 152. The details of the cam and roller assembly are not shown in detail in the other drawings in order to simplify the description of the invention. The cam of the cam and roller assembly 156 is coupled to the output of the gearbox 62. The cam makes one revolution for each read cycle of the data transmitter.

The turn valve 138 also provides a passage for the flow of an airstream from the air pump I24 through to the chambers 72 an 74 of the program drum 42. To this end, a flexible air supply tube I5! is connected between the air pump I24 and a duct 158 in the manifold 99. The duct 158 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 and extends to the cylinder I39. The turn valve 138 contains an annular groove 160 which allows the stream of air, applied in the flexible tube 157 to the air duct 158, to be continuously applied around the rotatable valve 138 to the groove 92. The groove 92 is in turn connected to the duct 90 which extends into alignment with the annular groove 84 which provides the airstream to the air chamber 74 in the program drum 42. Thus, the pump 124 is continuously coupled to the chamber 74 of the program drum 42.

An opening 162 is provided in the turn valve 138. The opening 162 is best seen in the cross-sectional view of the turn valve 138 shown in FIG. 9. A longitudinal groove I64 is provided in the turn valve 138 interconnecting the annular groove I60 and the opening I62. In this manner the airstream applied by the pump to the annular groove I60 are also coupled into the opening 162 of the turn valve by the groove 164. In alignment with the opening 162 of the turn valve I38 is a duct I66 in the manifold 99. The duct 166 is connected to the groove 85 which in turn is coupled through the duct 82 to the annular groove 78 which provides the airstream to the air chamber 72 in the program drum 42. The dimensions of the opening 162 in the turn valve 138 are such that the opening 162 is in alignment with the duct I66 (thereby providing an airstream thereto) during the entire time that the badge and cartridge are being read. Stating it differently, the portions of the turn valve 138 around the opening 162 of the turn valve 138 block the opening 166 during the time the card is being read but does not block the opening 166 during the time the badge and cartridge are being read.

A push valve 172 and a cam 168 are used together with the program. drum 42 to provide the signals designating the beginning and end of card read cycle, badge read cycle, and cartridge read cycle. The push valve 172 includes a sliding rod 174 mounted in a cylinder 175 in the housing of the data transmitter. The sliding rod 174 is circular and has a spiral spring 178 normally urging the sliding rod 174 to the left as seen in FIG. 6. A cam 168 is driven by the gearbox 62 (see FIG. 10) and makes one revolution for each read cycle of the data transmitter. A roller I70 provides the engagement between the slide rod 174 and the cam 168. The whistle inlet ducts 130 also have three duct portions which extend into the cylinder 175 adjacent to the slide rod 174. The three duct portions 130 are indicated in FIG. 6. These three duct portions connect to whistles 00, 011 and 012. A slide rod 174 contains four annular grooves 176. The annular grooves 176 are spaced apart the correct amount whereby the desired signals are provided during the reading cycles.

Referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the groove 100 connects to a duct 180. The duct 180 in turn splits up into three different finger ducts which open into the cylinder 175 adjacent to the sliding rod 174. The positioning of the duct 180 and its finger ducts in relation to sliding valve 174 and the annular grooves 176 cannot be seen in the other figures but are illustrated in FIG. 11.

As indicated, at the start of a card read cycle the sliding valve 174 is positioned so that in synchronism with the first clock whistle streams of air are applied to whistles 00, 011 from the duct 180 via two of the annular grooves 176. By the fifth clock tone the sliding valve 174 is so positioned that the finger ducts of duct 180 are totally blocked and none of the whistles are energized via duct 180. Starting with the three clock pulse the card starts to be read by the card-reading apparatus 20. The card is advanced column by column through the reading station 20 and, in synchronism with each of the clock pulses 3 through 82, a column on the card is read out. At the end of the 82nd clock pulse the card has completely read and the card read cycle is terminated. During the card read cycle the program drum 42 makes two complete revolutions. However, due to the angular position of the turn valve 138, the turn valve 138 blocks off the streams of air from the duct and hence no airstream is applied to the air chamber 72 of the program drum 42. Consequently, neither the badge nor the cartridge is read out.

Following the 82nd clock pulse, the cam 168 is rotated to a position causing the slider rod 174 to be positioned such that two of the fingers of the duct 180 are coupled through to the whistle inlet ducts I30 going to whistles 011 and 012. As a result, the signal holes 86 of the program drum 42 provide streams of air through the duct I80 causing whistles 011 and 012 to be energized and generate tones at the second and fifth clock pulse during the third revolution of the program drum.

During clock signals 88 through 97 (6 through of the second revolution of the program drum), the program drum 42 applies streams of air to the air ducts 56 to the badge causing the badge to be read out as described hereinabove. During the 98th and 106th clock pulses, after the badge has been read, the push valve 174 is positioned so that streams of air pass from the fingers ofduct 180 through to ducts 130 to whistles 00 and 012. As a result, the signal holes 86 on the program drum 42 cause an airstream to be applied through the duct 180 to whistles 00 and 012 and generate tones in these whistles during clock tones 98 and 106. During the clock signals 107 through I 17 the program drum 42 rotates causing streams of air to be applied through the ducts 40 to the cartridge-reading apparatus As a result, the cartridgereading apparatus reads out the setting of the cartridge as described hereinabove. By the end of the cartridge reading cycle, the push valve 174 is positioned so that the fingers of the duct 180 are coupled through to the whistle inlet ducts of whistles 00, 011 and 012. As a result, the program drum via the signal holes 86 apply streams of air through the duct to whistles 00, 011 and 012 during clock pulse I I8, signalling the end of the complete reading cycle of the data transmitter.

FIGS. 12 through 14 show the air pump 124 used in the data transmitter. The air pump 124 is of the type which provides a peak of air pressure in synchron ism with each column of information being read on the card, badge, and cartridge. As indicated in the timing diagram of FIG. 10, I23 pressure pulses or streams of air are provided by the pump during a read cycle. This corresponds to I23 revolutions of the output shaft 600 of the motor 60.

Referring now to the FIGS. 12-14, the body of the pump contains two housing halves 192. The upper housing half 192 is identical to the lower housing half 192 as seen in FIG. 13. Four screws I94 hold the housing halves together. Only two of the screws 194 can be partially seen in FIG. 12; the other two screws I94 extend up from the bottom left-hand side of the pump as seen in FIG. 12 and therefore are not visible in FIG. 12. The bottom side of the pump is identical to the side shown in FIG. 12.

An opening 196 is provided in the pump body for the drive shaft bearings. Two

drive shaft bearings

198 and 200 are inserted into the opening 196. A drive shaft 202, which is circular in cross section, is mounted in the drive shaft bearing 198 and 200. The drive shaft 202 has a key 2020 which is used to couple the drive shaft 202 to the motor 60. Screw holes 204 and 206 are used for mounting the pump. The drive shaft 202 carries an eccentric camlike member 208. The eccentric member 208 carries two

circular bearings

210 and 212. Two connecting

rods

214 and 216 are used to connect the bearings to the pump bellows system.

Rings I90 and 191 are inserted into grooves in the eccentric member 208 and retain the

bearings

210 and 212 on the eccentric member 208. A setscrew I93 rigidly fastens the eccentric 208 to the drive shaft 202.

A side elevation view of the connecting rod 214 taken along the lines I4I4 of FIG. 13 is shown in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 14, the connecting rod has a clamp-type portion and a screw 218 is used to clamp the connecting rod 214 tightly around the corresponding hearing. The connecting rod 216 is identical to the connecting rod 214 and has a screw 220 to clamp it around the bearing 212.

Connected to each of the connecting

rods

214 and 216 is a piston and bellows assembly. The upper assembly includes an upper piston 222, a lower piston 224 and a bellows-type diaphragm 226. Three openings 228 are provided through the upper piston 22 and the lower piston 224. Only two of the openings 228 can be seen in FIG. 13. A beryllium-copper valve spring 230 is positioned at the underside of the lower piston 224 and extends over the openings 228. A plan view of the beryllium-copper valve spring 230 taken along the lines 15-15 is shown in FIG. 15. A flathead screw 232 fastens the assembly, including the upper piston 222, the lower piston 224, the diaphragm 226 and the valve spring 230 to the connecting rod 214.

The lower portion of the pump has an upper piston 223, a lower piston 225, a bellows-type diaphragm 227, three openings 229, a beryllium-copper valve spring 231, and a flathead screw 233, identical to the

elements

222, 224, 226, 228, 230, and 232 in the upper portion of the pump.

It should be noted that in between the bellows 226 and 227 is an inner compression chamber 234. Two outer compression chambers 236 and 238 are formed on the opposite side of the

upper pistons

222 and 223 from the inner compression chamber 234. The outer compression chamber 236 is closed by a cover 240 and the outer compression chamber 238 is closed by a cover 242.

The

covers

240 and 242 each have

openings

244 and 246, respectively. Berylium-copper valve springs 248 and 250 are positioned over the openings in the

covers

240 and 242, respectively. The valve springs 248 and 250 are held in place by means of

rivets

252 and 254, respectively.

The bellows diaphragms 226 and 227 are clamped to the body of the pump by

spacers

256 and 258 and four screws 260. The inner compression chamber 234 has an exhaust port 262. The exhaust port 262 is the one connected to the flexible ducts I26 and [57 in the data transmitter.

The pump is arranged such that when it is in operation all forces and loads are equal and opposite at all times during the intake and compression cycles. in other words, the pistons and connecting rods operate in opposite directions at all times during the intake and compression cycles. In operation the drift shaft 202 is rotated causing the diaphragms 226 and 227 to be pulled inwardly towards the shaft 202. This causes air to be drawn in through the

openings

242 and 246 past the valve springs 248 and 250 to the outer chambers 236 and 238. Also the inward motion of the diaphragms 226 and 22'! cause a peak of air pressure or an airstream to be applied to the exhaust hole 262.

As the drive shaft 202 causes the diaphragms 226 and 227 to move outwardly away from the shaft 202, the air in the outer compression chambers 236 and 238 is forced through the

openings

228 and 229 past the valve springs 230 and 231 to the inner compression chamber 234 it will now be evident that the valve springs 248 and 250 allow air to be drawn in from outside of the pump to the

outer compression chambers

136 and 238 but prevent air from being forced in the reverse direction. The valve springs 230 and 23! provide a similar ac- On.

The valve springs 230, 23!, 248 and 250 can be made more resilient to decrease the air pressure formed by the pump or the resiliency can be decreased to increase the pressure.

Thus, it should now be understood that the pump forms a stream of air (or peak of air pressure) in the output port 262 as the piston assemblies are drawn in for each revolution of the motor. This stream of air is used to energize the whistles as described he reinabove.

It should be noted that the air pump could be constructed as a two-stage pump by attaching a pressure equalizer to the output port of the pump.

Although one example of the present invention has been shown by way of illustration, it should he understood that there are many other rearrangement and embodiments of the present invention within the scope of the following ciaimii.

lcliiim:

1. In a data transmitter for reading mernheni having positions for opening: therein arranged into rows and columns and coded to represent information. comprising,

reading means for receiving a member to be read and having a reading station comprising an air input passage for applying an airstream to the opening positions in the columns of a member therein and an air-receiving passage for each row of opening positions for receiving an airstream at least one row opening position at a time through a member which is positioned in between the air input passage and the air-receiving passages. at least one whistle for each row in such member for converting a stream of air therefrom to a distinct tone, and a trans ducer for converting the tone to an electrical signal for ll'flflSflllSSlOn.

2. In a data transmitter for reading a plurality of members each having positions for openings therein arranged into rows and columns and coded to represent information, the com bination comprising reading means for each member to be read each reading means for receiving one of Mittl members and having tl reading station comprising an input passage for applying an airstream to at least one opening position in a column of a member therein and a air-receiving passage for each row of opening positions for receiving airstreams from at least one row opening position at a time through a member which is positioned in between the air input passage and the air-receiving passages, and,

a programmer comprising a plurality of output passages, one for each row on a member, and a turn valve for switching the airstreams from each of the receiving passages of said reading means to the corresponding output passages one reading means at a time enabling each member to be read separately and cause airstreams representative of the information row to be applied in the output passages.

3v In a data transmitter as defined in claim 2 including means to enable an airstream to be applied to all opening positions in a column of a member sequentially one column after another.

4. In a data transmitter as defined in claim 3 including a drum having an output passage for each column on at least one of such members, and a passage for each output passage of said drum coupled between the outer surface of said drum and a different one of said air-receiving passages of at least one of said readers, the output passages of the drum being disposed about the drum such that when an airstream is applied to all output passages and the drum is rotated, the air output passages of the drum come into register with the corresponding passages causing airstrcams to be applied to the air-receiving passages sequentially.

5. in a data transmitter as defined in claim 4 including a whistle for each output passage of the programmer for converting the airstreams to distinct tones.

6. In a data transmitter for reading first, second and third members each having positions for openings therein arranged into rows and columns and coded to represent information, the combination comprising,

first reading means having a reading station and means for feeding the first member thereby, column by column, the reading station having an input passage and an air-receiving passage, in alignment with each other, for each opening position of a row in the first member,

second and third reading means for receiving said second and third members each reading means having a reading station comprising an input passage for separately applying an airstream to a column of opening positions in a member therein and an air-receiving passage for each row of opening positions on a member for receiving aintreama from a complete row of politionl in a member which iii positioned in between the air input passage and the air-receiving passages.

an output passage for each row in said that, second and third mamberl for receiving streams of air representative of inlormatlon, and

ii programmer comprising a program drum for sequentially applying airstreaml to the input passages for said second and third reading means, one reading means after the other, causing a sequence of airltreamt in the receiving passages corresponding to information represented by the openings in the second and third members and a turn valve for sequentially switching the airstreams from the air-receiving passages of said first, second and third reading means to the corresponding output passages enabling each member to be read separately and the information thereon to be represented by airstrearns at said output passages.

7. in a data transmitter as defined in claim 6 including transducing means for converting the airstream in each output passage to a distinct electrical signal.

8. in a data transmitter as defined in claim 6 including a whistle for each output passage for converting the airstreams therein to a distinct tone.

9. In combination:

ii manually adjustable cartridge comprising;

a housing having a side containing a plurality of air exit ports aligned into a plurality of rows and columns, the housing having an air intake port for each column, and

an elongated member rotatably mounted in the housing at each column and having a chamber therein providing an opening to the corresponding air intake port, each member containing a plurality of openings coupled through a wall thereof to the chamber, each opening being positioned such that it is separately rotatable with the corresponding elongated member into register with one of the air exit ports in the corresponding column thereby providing a path for an airstream between the corresponding air intake port and the corresponding air exit port which is in register to represent information;

a pneumatic reading apparatus comprising;

a receptacle for receiving such cartridge and having a wall including a plurality of air-receiving openings therein positioned in rows and columns for alignment with the air exit ports in such cartridge, an air-receiving passageway for each of said rows of air-receiving openings interconnecting the same, an air supply open ing in said wall for each column positioned for register with the air intake port for the corresponding column in such cartridge, and

means for sequentially applying an airstream to each of said air supply openings in said receptacle thereby sequentially causing air to pass through the air intake port of such cartridge to the chamber to the air exit port which is in register for each rotatable member and back out to the corresponding ainreceiving passageway in said receptacle thereby providing airstream indications in said air-receiving passageways representative of the positions of the rotatable members in such cartridge.

10. A combination as defined in claim 9 including means for each air-receiving passageway for converting the stream of air therein to a distinct tonev H. A combination as defined in claim 10 wherein said converting means comprises a whistle.

12. The combination defined in claim 9 wherein said sequential means comprises a drum having a separate port therein for each of said columns, and a passage therein connected in common to said ports for receiving a stream of air, the ports in said drum being disposed about the drum such that they are sequentially connected to each of said air supply openings in said receptacle as the drum is rotated.

13. A pneumatic reader for a settable pneumatic cartridge comprising,

a housing having a receptacle for receiving such cartridge, the receptacle having a wall with a plurality of air intake ports disposed on the wall in rows and columns which may be connected to ports in a cartridge inserted in the receptacle, an air exit port associated with each column through which a stream of air is applied to an air input port of such cartridge, a passage for each row interconnecting the air intake ports in the corresponding row, means for each passage for converting a stream of air therein to a distinct tone, and means for sequentially applying a stream oi air to the air exit ports causing streams of air to pass through a cartridge inserted in the receptacle to a selected air intake port to a corresponding passage for causing the converting means to produce tones corresponding lo the settings of such cartridge.

l4. In a pneumatic reader as defined in claim 13 wherein said sequential means comprises,

a cylinder. a rotatable drum mounted in said cylinder having an outer cylindrical surface with output ports dispose in a spiral pattern the reabouts, one output port being provided for each of said columns, an air supply passage connected in common to the output ports in said drum surface for applying a stream of air thereto, a passage for each column extending from the inside of said cylinder to the exit port for the corresponding column and positioned such that rotation of the drum allows a stream of air to pass from the output ports 111 the drum, one by one, to the corresponding exit ports.

IS. in a pneumatic reader as defined in claim [4 including spring bias means positioned in said receptacle opposite said wall for forcing a cartridge inserted therein up tightly against said wall anti thereby provide a tight connection between ports in such cartridge and ports in said wall.

16. in a pneumatic reader as defined in claim 13 including an air pump for generating a plurality of airstream pulses, one pulse in synchronism with each column on a cartridge being read, and means for coupling the airstream pulses to the sequential apply means causing an airstream pulse to be applied to the air exit ports.

17. In a data transmitter for reading members having positions for openings therein arranged into rows and columns and coded to represent information comprising,

reading means for receiving a member to be read and having a reading station comprising at least one air input passage adapted to be coupled to the opening positions in the columns of a member therein and a separate airreceiving passage for each row of opening positions for receiving airstreams from such row opening positions through a member positioned in between the air input passage and the air-receiving passages, pump means forming a plurality of airstream pulses for reading out a member, means for coupling the airstream pulses to said at least one air input passage, and at least one whistle for each row in such member for converting airstream pulses to distinct tones.

H1 in a data transmitter as defined in claim 17 wherein the pump means comprises:

a housing containing an inner and a pair of outer compression chambers,

a movable member isolating each outer chamber from the inner chamber,

first valve means connecting each outer chamber to said inner chamber,

second valve means connecting each outer chamber to the exterior of said housing, and

rotatable means positioned in between said movable members and connected thereto for simultaneously moving the members together decreasing the volume in said inner chamber and for simultaneously moving the movable members apart increasing the volume in said inner chamber,

the valve means permitting a fluid atmosphere to flow from the exterior of said housing into said outer chambers and into said inner chamber as the movable members are moved together but blocking flow in the opposite direction thereby creating a pressure in said inner chamber.

Patent No.

Inventor(s) Dated July 13, 1971 Walter Griffin Paige It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

(SEAL) line line line lines 48 and 49,

should. read =--#13, #12, #11, ##0##9.

line

line line line line line line line line line line line line 10, line 1.

line line line 11, line Signed Attest:

EDL'JARD 1%.FLETCHER ,JR.

"0" should read "by"; "11)" should read =--10--;

"ports" should read --parts--;

show" should read -=-shoe--;

car" should read card -g after "138" insert --to-;

"013, 012, 011, 00-09. Whistle 013" Whistle #l3--; "06-09" should read --#6-#9-;

l, "012, 011, 00-09" should read --#12, #11, #0-#9--; 9, "09-09" should read --#0-#9-;

2s, 41, e2, 64, 74, e5,

and

Attest'ing Officer- "012, 011, 00 -09 should read "#12, #11, #0-#9-- "0009" should read =--#0-#9;

"00-09" should read --#0-#9--;

"airstream" should read -airstreams--;

"00, 011 and 012" should read --#0, #11 and #12-- "00, 011" should read --#0, #11;

"011. and 012" should read --#11 and #12--;

"011" should read --#ll--;

'00 and 012 should read -#0 and #12-;

"012" should read #12 "00 and 012" should read -#0 and #12";

"00, 011 and 012" should read --#0, #11 and #12- "00, 011 and 012" should read --#0, #11 and #12- "22 should read --222-;

"Berylium" should read --Bery11ium--.

sealed this 11th day of April 1972.

ROBERT GO'I'TSCHALK Commissionerof Patents

Claims

1. In a data transmitter for reading members having positions for openings therein arranged into rows and columns and coded to represent information, comprising, reading means for receiving a member to be read and having a reading station comprising an air input passage for applying an airstream to the opening positions in the columns of a member therein and an air-receiving passage for each row of opening positions for receiving an airstream at least one row opening position at a time through a member which is positioned in between the air input passage and the air-receiving passages, at least one whistle for each row in such member for converting a stream of air therefrom to a distinct tone, and a transducer for converting the tone to an electrical signal for transmission.

2. In a data transmitter for reading a plurality of members each having positions for openings therein arranged into rows and columns and coded to represent information, the combination comprising, reading means for each member to be read each reading means for receiving one of sAid members and having a reading station comprising an input passage for applying an airstream to at least one opening position in a column of a member therein and a air-receiving passage for each row of opening positions for receiving airstreams from at least one row opening position at a time through a member which is positioned in between the air input passage and the air-receiving passages, and, a programmer comprising a plurality of output passages, one for each row on a member, and a turn valve for switching the airstreams from each of the receiving passages of said reading means to the corresponding output passages one reading means at a time enabling each member to be read separately and cause airstreams representative of the information row to be applied in the output passages.

3. In a data transmitter as defined in claim 2 including means to enable an airstream to be applied to all opening positions in a column of a member sequentially one column after another.

4. In a data transmitter as defined in claim 3 including a drum having an output passage for each column on at least one of such members, and a passage for each output passage of said drum coupled between the outer surface of said drum and a different one of said air-receiving passages of at least one of said readers, the output passages of the drum being disposed about the drum such that when an airstream is applied to all output passages and the drum is rotated, the air output passages of the drum come into register with the corresponding passages causing airstreams to be applied to the air-receiving passages sequentially.

6. In a data transmitter for reading first, second and third members each having positions for openings therein arranged into rows and columns and coded to represent information, the combination comprising, first reading means having a reading station and means for feeding the first member thereby, column by column, the reading station having an input passage and an air-receiving passage, in alignment with each other, for each opening position of a row in the first member, second and third reading means for receiving said second and third members each reading means having a reading station comprising an input passage for separately applying an airstream to a column of opening positions in a member therein and an air-receiving passage for each row of opening positions on a member for receiving airstreams from a complete row of positions in a member which is positioned in between the air input passage and the air-receiving passages, an output passage for each row in said first, second and third members for receiving streams of air representative of information, and a programmer comprising a program drum for sequentially applying airstreams to the input passages for said second and third reading means, one reading means after the other, causing a sequence of airstreams in the receiving passages corresponding to information represented by the openings in the second and third members and a turn valve for sequentially switching the airstreams from the air-receiving passages of said first, second and third reading means to the corresponding output passages enabling each member to be read separately and the information thereon to be represented by airstreams at said output passages.

9. In combination: a manually adjustable cartridge comprising; a housing having a side containing a plurality of air exit ports aligned into a plurality of rows and columns, the housing having an Air intake port for each column, and an elongated member rotatably mounted in the housing at each column and having a chamber therein providing an opening to the corresponding air intake port, each member containing a plurality of openings coupled through a wall thereof to the chamber, each opening being positioned such that it is separately rotatable with the corresponding elongated member into register with one of the air exit ports in the corresponding column thereby providing a path for an airstream between the corresponding air intake port and the corresponding air exit port which is in register to represent information; a pneumatic reading apparatus comprising; a receptacle for receiving such cartridge and having a wall including a plurality of air-receiving openings therein positioned in rows and columns for alignment with the air exit ports in such cartridge, an air-receiving passageway for each of said rows of air-receiving openings interconnecting the same, an air supply opening in said wall for each column positioned for register with the air intake port for the corresponding column in such cartridge, and means for sequentially applying an airstream to each of said air supply openings in said receptacle thereby sequentially causing air to pass through the air intake port of such cartridge to the chamber to the air exit port which is in register for each rotatable member and back out to the corresponding air-receiving passageway in said receptacle thereby providing airstream indications in said air-receiving passageways representative of the positions of the rotatable members in such cartridge.

10. A combination as defined in claim 9 including means for each air-receiving passageway for converting the stream of air therein to a distinct tone.

11. A combination as defined in claim 10 wherein said converting means comprises a whistle.

13. A pneumatic reader for a settable pneumatic cartridge comprising, a housing having a receptacle for receiving such cartridge, the receptacle having a wall with a plurality of air intake ports disposed on the wall in rows and columns which may be connected to ports in a cartridge inserted in the receptacle, an air exit port associated with each column through which a stream of air is applied to an air input port of such cartridge, a passage for each row interconnecting the air intake ports in the corresponding row, means for each passage for converting a stream of air therein to a distinct tone, and means for sequentially applying a stream of air to the air exit ports causing streams of air to pass through a cartridge inserted in the receptacle to a selected air intake port to a corresponding passage for causing the converting means to produce tones corresponding to the settings of such cartridge.

14. In a pneumatic reader as defined in claim 13 wherein said sequential means comprises, a cylinder, a rotatable drum mounted in said cylinder having an outer cylindrical surface with output ports dispose in a spiral pattern thereabouts, one output port being provided for each of said columns, an air supply passage connected in common to the output ports in said drum surface for applying a stream of air thereto, a passage for each column extending from the inside of said cylinder to the exit port for the corresponding column and positioned such that rotation of the drum allows a stream of air to pass from the output ports in the drum, one by one, to the corresponding exit ports.

15. In a pneumatic reader as defined in claim 14 including spring bias means positioned in said receptacle opposite saId wall for forcing a cartridge inserted therein up tightly against said wall and thereby provide a tight connection between ports in such cartridge and ports in said wall.

17. In a data transmitter for reading members having positions for openings therein arranged into rows and columns and coded to represent information comprising, reading means for receiving a member to be read and having a reading station comprising at least one air input passage adapted to be coupled to the opening positions in the columns of a member therein and a separate air-receiving passage for each row of opening positions for receiving airstreams from such row opening positions through a member positioned in between the air input passage and the air-receiving passages, pump means forming a plurality of airstream pulses for reading out a member, means for coupling the airstream pulses to said at least one air input passage, and at least one whistle for each row in such member for converting airstream pulses to distinct tones.

18. In a data transmitter as defined in claim 17 wherein the pump means comprises: a housing containing an inner and a pair of outer compression chambers, a movable member isolating each outer chamber from the inner chamber, first valve means connecting each outer chamber to said inner chamber, second valve means connecting each outer chamber to the exterior of said housing, and rotatable means positioned in between said movable members and connected thereto for simultaneously moving the members together decreasing the volume in said inner chamber and for simultaneously moving the movable members apart increasing the volume in said inner chamber, the valve means permitting a fluid atmosphere to flow from the exterior of said housing into said outer chambers and into said inner chamber as the movable members are moved together but blocking flow in the opposite direction thereby creating a pressure in said inner chamber.