US3644711A

US3644711A - Data-recording apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3644711A
Application number: US50142A
Authority: US
Inventors: Willi Haller
Original assignee: J Hengstler KG
Current assignee: J Hengstler KG
Priority date: 1969-10-18
Filing date: 1970-06-26
Publication date: 1972-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-22
Also published as: FR2059425A5; GB1310407A; SE376501B; CH526176A

Abstract

A clock operable to produce clock pulses and a plurality of counters are provided, also a plurality of pulse lines, each of which extends from said clock to one of said counters and is adapted to transmit clock pulses from said clock to said counter. A plurality of code carriers are provided, each of which is associated with one of said counters. The code carriers are provided with different codes. A plurality of code detectors are provided, each of which is associated with one of said code carriers and one of said counters and adapted to removably receive the associated code carrier in a control position and arranged to reject code carriers other than the associated one. At least one of said code carriers is in said control position in the associated code detector. Each of said code detectors comprises contacts included in the pulse line leading from the clock to the associated counter. Said contacts are operable to control the transmission of pulses in said lines in response to a movement of the associated code carrier to said control position.

Description

Unite States Haller atent [is] 3,644,71 l

Feb. 22, 1972 [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 18, 1969 Germany ..P 19 52 659.1

[52] [1.8. CI. ..235/6l.1, 235/92 PD [5 1] Int. Cl ..G06k 7/04, G06k 9/16 [58] Field of Search ..235/92, 104,61.7 D,61.8 R, 235/619, 61.1; 346/52, 53, 80,93, 340/309.l,347

3,341,852 9/1967 Krameretal ..346/53 Primary Examiner-Maynard R. Wilbur Assistant Examiner-William W. Cochran Attorney-Spencer & Kaye [57] ABSTRACT A clock operable to produce clock pulses and a plurality of counters are provided, also a plurality of pulse lines, each of which extends from said clock to one of said counters and is adapted to transmit clock pulses from said clock to said counter. A plurality of code carriers are provided, each of which is associated with one of said counters. The code carriers are provided with different codes. A plurality of code detectors are provided, each of which is associated with one of said code carriers and one of said counters and adapted to removably receive the associated code carrier in a control position and arranged to reject code carriers other than the associated one. At least one of said code carriers is in said control position in the associated code detector. Each of said code detectors comprises contacts included in the pulse line leading from the clock to the associated counter. Said contacts are operable to control the transmission of pulses in said lines in :72 response to a'movement of the associated code carrier to said a son control osition. 3,443,459 6/1969 Margolis 235/92 r p 3,221,150 ll/l965 Goodwin ..235/92 T 31 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures POWER PACK I 2 CLOCK c005 05750701? 71 I Y i i Liar] comma MODULEL 3 LL LJ J PULSE COUNTER A I .L, 1 BISTABLE l CIRCUIT I Hg. 72 l INTER/P064 T/NG 2 UNIT was 25 26 CONVERTER DIGITAL stock i 24 2:? g;

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' SHEET 5 OF 7 Y E(4 A? A? 7 73a 20 I7 is )2 INVENOP Willl Holler ATTORNEYS PAIENTEBmzz m SHEET 7 BF 7 POWER PACK 7 0005 I DETECTOR :0 fr a. T I v 4 f I i 4 t r:% 1 0 :0- 'IoT :Zj'] cawmoL l -1 1 v MODULE 3 w o o P o 1 PULSE I l cou/vrm 5 6 5 A la. la IM/ 40/ I -L, 2;- 21' 2f 27 J? BISTABLE CIRCUIT I I Fig. I2

I F /NTERROGAT/NG F 22 UNIT c005 25 26 cowl 50157? v D/G/TAL v CONTROL l u/wr w m/rmRoaAr/w TAPE puwcn Mrs/woe Willi Holler ATTORNEYS DATA-RECORDING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to data-recording apparatus in which a counter and a code detector are provided for each person or item.

The provision of such associated counters and code detectors is known for a recording of working hours. The present invention relates to an improvement of such data-recording apparatus particularly for use in connection with so-called sliding working hour schemes, which are increasingly adopted in recent times. In accordance with such schemes, each employee can freely select the times when he begins and terminates his days work or his lunch time, provided that certain rules imposed by the organization are complied with. For instance, persons who get up early or persons who like to work at night can better adjust their working hours to the rhythm of their personal activity. Besides, rush hours are less pronounced in traffic as well as in cafeterias and restaurants. For instance, normal working hours may begin at 8 hours in the morning but it may be possible to work from 6.30 so that there is a sliding time of 1% hours at the beginning of the day. Normal working hours may end at 16 hours whereas the sliding time may last until 17.30 There should be no telephone calls during the sliding time so that the work will not be disturbed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The data-recording apparatus according to the invention, in which apparatus a counter and a code detector are associated with each person or item, is characterized in that the pulse lines leading from the built-in clock to the individual counters are adapted to be connected by means of respective code carriers, preferably by a slip-in card having coded or decimal edge notches, and a code detector having built-in contacts and adapted to receive said slip-in cards. The hours to be worked are recorded by a time meter. Each employee has a coded slipin card. A time meter is provided for each employee and arranged to be operated when the coded card is slipped in. The slip-in card may be issued by the employer as an identity card and may be provided with a photograph of the employee. When the employee begins to work, he inserts the slip-in card into the time meter so that the latter is connected to the minutes clock. A graphic schedule may be provided to indicate the normal number of working hours to be performed per day so that the counter will indicate at any time whether an employee has worked overtime or has to make up working hours.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further details of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawing, in which FIG. i is a block circuit diagram illustrating datarecording apparatus according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of data-recording apparatus according to the invention,

FIG. 3a is a top plan view showing an associated identity card or code card.

FIG. 3b is a central cross-sectional view of the code card taken along line 3b-3b in FIG. 30.

FIGS. 4 to 11 are longitudinal sectional views and top plan views showing code detectors containing a code card, and

F IG. 12 is a block circuit diagram illustrating another datarecording apparatus according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The data-recording apparatus which is represented by the block diagram of FIG. 1 comprises the following main elements: Power pack I, clock 2 and control module 3. The

elements

1, 2, 3 together with plug-in code detectors 4 and pulse counters 5 may be accommodated in one or more housings 6, as is shown in FIG. 2. The basic equipment is designed for use with a relatively large number of code detectors 4 and pulse counters 5 and these

elements

4 and 5 may require a plurality of housings for accommodation. To facilitate the servicing of the apparatus, the clock 2 and the control module 3 may also be plugged; this is not apparent from the drawing. The control module 3 consists of relay-diode circuits leading to each code detector 4 and arranged to energize the power pack when the first code card 7 is inserted and to deenergize the power pack when the last code card is withdrawn.

The mode of operation is as follows: By means of the power pack 1, a clock 2 is operated in synchronism with the power supply system. The clock pulses delivered by the clock 2 are counted by pulse counters 5 when code cards 7 have been inserted into the code detectors 4 associated with respective pulse counters 5. A monostable switch is provided in the code detector 4 and causes a signal lamp 8 to indicate that the pulse line is connected to the associated pulse counter 5 when the code card 7 has been inserted. In another embodiment, a bistable switch may be provided to establish the connection when the card is first inserted and to maintain the connection until the card is reinserted. In that case, the signal lamp 8 may also be provided to indicate whether or not the connection has been established. Each code detector 4 may have a signal output 4a for connection to other units.

As is also apparent from FIGS. 3 to 7, the switch incorporated in the code detector 4 is operated by a code card 7, which is provided with edge notches 7a, as is shown in FIG. 3. The leading edge of the card shown by way of example is formed with notches 7a, which correspond to the associated code detector 4. Coding plates 10 are provided in register with the edge notches 7a so that the proper association is ensured and an intentional or unintentional operation of an improper counter is prevented. The code detector 4 and the card 7 may be provided with numbers indicated at 11 to facilitate the selection of the code detector which is proper for a given card, see FIG. 5. The forward portion of the code card 7 is provided with a space 7b for receiving an identification carrier, which may consist of a picture or a number plate. It is apparent from FIGS. 4 and 6 that the housing 13 of each code detector 4 contains a slipped-in support 12 for various components. The housing 13 is provided with an opening 13a for receiving the code card 7, plug-in terminal pins 14, frames for holding slipon identification plates 15, and a signal lamp 16. A guide for the code card 7 is provided between the support 12 and the housing 13. The code card 7 is provided with a wedge-shaped portion 7c, which can operate the switch plunger 9a when, and only when, the code card 7 is fully inserted into said guide.

Another embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 enables an indirect switch actuation in that a plurality of spring-biased sliders 17 are longitudinally slidable to release a bent element 18, which causes the switch 19 to be opened under the action of a biasing spring. This will be enabled only when all sliders 17 have been shifted because the correct code card has been inserted. The code detector is coded in that code plates 20 are inserted in register with certain ones of the sliders 17 so that the latter are held in the release position to which they have been shifted. The code card 7 can be inserted only if its edge slots 7a are in register with the code plates 20 which have been provided. The code card operates the remaining sliders 17 as it is inserted.

The code detector 4 serves to connect the associated pulse counter 5 to the pulse line when the proper code card 7 has been inserted so that the pulse counter then counts clock pulses to record the time which is worked by the bearer of the code card. The counter sums up said time during an accounting period. FIG. 12 shows that the code detector 4 has a signal output 4a for a simultaneous recording of said data in another data carrier, such as a punched tape or the like, which can be evaluated in an electronic data-processing plant. By means of said signal output, a bistable circuit 21 is set whenever the code card 7 is inserted into or withdrawn from the code detector 4.

The interrogating unit 22 detects set bistable circuits 21 and by means of the control unit 23 starts the interrogating unit 24. A connection is established from each bistable circuit 21 to the code converter 25 and to the interrogating unit 22 to provide addresses for the bistable circuits 21. These addresses are coded for use in the interrogating unit 24. The interrogating unit 24 receives these addresses as well as the time data delivered by the associated digital clock 26 and routes these addresses and time data into the tape punch 27. The addresses or identification numbers of the set bistable circuits 21 and the time when the work has begun or terminated are punched in coded form into the tape 28, which constitutes a second data carrier permitting an accounting, e.g., of the total working hours by means ofa computer, in addition to the recording by the time meters 5. When these data have been recorded in the punched tape 28, the previously set bistable circuit 21 is reset.

The apparatus may be provided with an emergency power supply, known per se, so that the time-recording operation may be continued without interruption when the required voltage is not supplied to the power pack by the power supply system.

What is claimed is:

1. Data-recording apparatus, which comprises a clock operable to produce clock pulses,

a plurality of counters,

a plurality of pulse lines, each of which extends from said clock to one of said counters'and is adapted to transmit clock pulses from said clock to said counter,

a plurality of code carriers, each of which is associated with one of said counters, said code carriers being provided with different codes, and

a plurality of code detectors, each of which is associated with one of said code carriers and one of said counters and adapted to removably receive the associated code carrier in a control position and arranged to reject code carriers other than the associated one, at least one of said code carriers being in said control position in the associated code detector,

each of said code detectors comprising contacts included in the pulse line leading from the clock to the associated counter, said contacts being operable to control the transmission of pulses in said lines in response to a movement of the associated code carrier to said control position.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which each of said code carriers is associated with a person.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which each of said code carriers is related to an item.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said code carriers are slip-in cards having a notched edge representing said code.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, in which each of said code detectors is provided with stops adapted to cooperate with said notched edge to permit a movement of the associated slip-in card to said control position and to reject slipin cards other than the associate one.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, in which said stops consist of removable code plates adapted to represent a selected code.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, in which said notched edge represents a decimal code.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said contacts form normally open switches arranged to be closed by the movement of said code carriers to said control position and to open when said code carriers are removed from said control position.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said contacts form bistable switches arranged to be alternately opened and closed in response to successive movements of said code carriers to said control position and to remain open and closed, respectively, when said code carriers are removed from said control position.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which each of said code detectors comprises a signal output arranged to indicate the condition of said contacts.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, in which said signal output comprises a signal lamp.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, in which said signal output is connected to a parallel switch.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, in which a datarecording unit is connected to said signal output.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13, in which said datarecording unit comprises a tape punch.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which each of said code carriers has an identification portion carrying visual information and arranged to protrude from said code detector when said code carrier is in said control position.

16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15, in which said visual information is a picture.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15, in which said visual information is a name.

18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15, in which said visual information is a number.

19. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which each of said code detectors is connected by said pulse line to a pair of parallel counters.

20. Apparatus as set forth in claim 19, in which each of said pairs of counters comprises a first counter disposed near said code detector and a second counter disposed remote from said code detector in a central station.

21. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, which comprises a switch operable by a key to reset said counters to zero.

22. Data-recording apparatus, which comprises a clock operable to produce clock pulses,

a plurality of counters,

a plurality of pulse lines, each of which extends from said clock to one of said counters and is adapted to transmit clock pulses from said clock to said counter,

a plurality of code carriers, each of which is associated with one of said counters, said code carriers being provided with different codes,

each of said code detectors comprising contacts included in the pulse line leading from the clock to the associated counter, said contacts being operable to control the transmission of pulses in said lines in response to a movement of the associated code carrier to said control position,

a power pack, and

a plurality of relay-diode circuits, each of which is connected to one of said code detectors, and

control means for energizing said clock and power pack when, and only when said contacts of at least one of said code detectors are closed, said control means comprising a plurality of relay-diode circuits, each of which is connected to one of said code detectors.

23. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which at least part of said code detectors and counters are removably mounted.

24. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, which comprises additional pulse lines connected to said clock and terminating in terminal means adapted to be connected to additional ones of said counters and associated code detectors.

25. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, which comprises a power pack, an amplifier, and a program clock.

26. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said counters are adapted to be reset to zero and accommodated in lockable housing means.

27. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said clock is incorporated in a program clock system having energy storage means providing for a reserve motion, said system being adapted to initiate and terminate the operation of the ap paratus in accordance with a program.

28. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said counters and code detectors are plugged units.

29. Data-recording apparatus, which comprises a clock operable to produce clock pulses,

'a plurality of code detectors, each of which is associated with one of said code carriers and one of said counters and adapted to removably receive the associated code carrier in a control position and arranged to reject code carriers other than the associated one, at least one of said code carriers being in said control position in the associated code detector,

each of said code detectors comprising contacts included in the pulse line leading from the clock to the associated counter, said contacts being operable to control the transmission of pulses in said lines in response to a movement of the associated code carrier to said control position, and a signal output arranged to indicate the condition of said contacts,

a data-recording unit connected to said signal output, said data-recording unit connected to said signal output, said data-recording unit comprising a tape punch,

a plurality of bistable circuits, each of which is connected to one of said signal outputs and arranged to assume a set condition in response to the movement of the associated code carrier to said control position, and

an interrogating circuit operable to detect the condition of said bistable circuits and in response to the detection of the set condition of a given bistable circuit to initiate the operation of the associated tape punch and to reset said given bistable circuit.

30. Data-recording apparatus, which comprises a clock operable to produce clock pulses,

a plurality of counters,

each of said code detectors comprising contacts included in the pulse line leading from the clock to the associated counter, said contacts being operable to control the transmission of pulses in said lines in response to a movement of the associated code carrier to said control position, and a signal output arranged to indicate the condition of said contacts, and

a data-recording unit connected to said signal output, said data-recording unit comprises a tape punch, said punch being operable to punch data representing a number associated with said code carrier, the time when the code carrier was moved to said control position in the associated code detector, and an indication whether this time is the beginning or end of a period.

31. Apparatus as set forth in claim 22, in which said control means consists of a control module and said clock and said control module are plugged units.

Claims

1. Data-recording apparatus, which comprises a clock operable to produce clock pulses, a plurality of counters, a plurality of pulse lines, each of which extends from said clock to one of said counters and is adapted to transmit clock pulses from said clock to said counter, a plurality of code carriers, each of which is associated with one of said counters, said code carriers being provided with different codes, and a plurality of code detectors, each of which is associated with one of said code carriers and one of said counters and adapted to removably receive the associated code carrier in a control position and arranged to reject code carriers other than the associated one, at least one of said code carriers being in said control position in the associated code detector, each of said code detectors comprising contacts included in the pulse line leading from the clock to the associateD counter, said contacts being operable to control the transmission of pulses in said lines in response to a movement of the associated code carrier to said control position.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, in which each of said code detectors is provided with stops adapted to cooperate with said notched edge to permit a movement of the associated slip-in card to said control position and to reject slip-in cards other than the associate one.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, in which a data-recording unit is connected to said signal output.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13, in which said data-recording unit comprises a tape punch.

22. Data-recording apparatus, which comprises a clock operable to produce clock pulses, a plurality of counters, a plurality of pulse lines, each of which extends from said clock to one of said counters and is adapted to transmit clock pulses from said clock to said counter, a plurality of code carriers, each of which is associated with one of said counters, said code carriers being provided with different codes, a plurality of code detectors, each of which is associated with one of said code carriers and one of said counters and adapted to removably receive the associated code carrier in a control position and arranged to reject code carriers other than the associated one, at least one of said code carriers being in said control position in the associated code detector, each of said code detectors comprising contacts included in the pulse lIne leading from the clock to the associated counter, said contacts being operable to control the transmission of pulses in said lines in response to a movement of the associated code carrier to said control position, a power pack, and a plurality of relay-diode circuits, each of which is connected to one of said code detectors, and control means for energizing said clock and power pack when, and only when said contacts of at least one of said code detectors are closed, said control means comprising a plurality of relay-diode circuits, each of which is connected to one of said code detectors.

27. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said clock is incorporated in a program clock system having energy storage means providing for a reserve motion, said system being adapted to initiate and terminate the operation of the apparatus in accordance with a program.

29. Data-recording apparatus, which comprises a clock operable to produce clock pulses, a plurality of counters, a plurality of pulse lines, each of which extends from said clock to one of said counters and is adapted to transmit clock pulses from said clock to said counter, a plurality of code carriers, each of which is associated with one of said counters, said code carriers being provided with different codes, a plurality of code detectors, each of which is associated with one of said code carriers and one of said counters and adapted to removably receive the associated code carrier in a control position and arranged to reject code carriers other than the associated one, at least one of said code carriers being in said control position in the associated code detector, each of said code detectors comprising contacts included in the pulse line leading from the clock to the associated counter, said contacts being operable to control the transmission of pulses in said lines in response to a movement of the associated code carrier to said control position, and a signal output arranged to indicate the condition of said contacts, a data-recording unit connected to said signal output, said data-recording unit connected to said signal output, said data-recording unit comprising a tape punch, a plurality of bistable circuits, each of which is connected to one of said signal outputs and arranged to assume a set condition in response to the movement of the associated code carrier to said control position, and an interrogating circuit operable to detect the condition of said bistable circuits and in response to the detection of the set condition of a given bistable circuit to initiate the operation of the associated tape punch and to reset said given bistable circuit.

30. Data-recording apparatus, which comprises a clock operable to produce clock pulses, a plurality of counters, a plurality of pulse lines, each of which extends from said clock to one of said counters and is adapted to transmit clock pulses from said clock to said counter, a plurality of code carriers, each of which is associated with one of said counters, said code carriers being provided with different codes, a plurality of code detectors, each of which is associated with one of said code carriers and one of said counters and adapted to removably receive the associated code carrier in a control position and arranged to reject code carriers other than the associated one, at least one of said code carriers being in said control position in the associated code detector, each of said code detectors comprising contacts included in the pulse line leading from the clock to the associated counter, said contacts being operable to control the transmission of pulses in said lines in response to a movement of the associated code carrier to said control position, and a signal output arranged to indicate the condition of said contacts, and a data-recording unit connected to said signal output, said data-recording unit comprises a tape punch, said punch being operable to punch data representing a number associated with said code carrier, the time when the code carrier was moved to said control position in the associated code detector, and an indication whether this time is the beginning or end of a period.