US3691360A - Cash registers and other accounting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention we provide an apparatus for calculating and indicating information data applied thereto comprising keyboard or other input means, means including a series of elements adapted to receive information applied thereto, a corresponding series of switches adapted to produce electric signals, an electronic means responsive to said signals for transferring the information and for effecting calculations from the information; toothed movable elements; mechanical indicator means operatively connected with the teeth on the toothed elements; power operable means for driving the apparatus through a cycle of operations such that at the beginning of the cycle all the toothed elements are brought to their zero positions and in a later part of the cycle said power operable means permit the toothed elements to advance through a series of positions corresponding to series of numbers, and a series of stop means operable by the electronic means and serving to stop the toothed elements in various of said positions corresponding to the transferred or calculated result figures required to be indicated.

Description

United States Patent Gross et al.

[451 Sept. 12, 1972 CASH REGISTERS AND OTHER ACCOUNTING MACHINES [72] Inventors: Henry Gross; Samuel Gross, both of i London, W. 10, England [58] Field of Search ..235/7 R, 11, 23, 603-604, 235/61 R, 61 A, 61PK, 91 R, 91 G, 92 R, 92 B, 92 C, 92 F, 92 G, 92 H, 92 AC, 92 CP, 92

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,097,789 7/1963 Kassel et al. ..235/6l PK 3,313,923 4/1967 Felcheck ..235/92 AC Primary Examiner-Malcolm A. Morrison Assistant Examiner-R. Stephen Dildine, Jr. Attorney-William Anthony Drucker [5 7] ABSTRACT According to the invention we provide an apparatus for calculating and indicating information data applied thereto comprising keyboard or other input means, means including a series of elements adapted to receive information applied thereto, a corresponding series of switches adapted to produce electric signals, an electronic means responsive to said signals for transferring the information and for effecting calculations from the information; toothed movable elements; mechanical indicator means operatively connected with the teeth on the toothed elements; power operable means for driving the apparatus through a cycle of operations such that at the beginning of the cycle all the toothed elements are brought to their zero positions and in a later part of the cycle said power operable means permit the toothed elements to advance through a series of positions corresponding to series of numbers, and a series of stop means operable by the electronic means and serving to stop the toothed elements in various of said positions corresponding to the transferred or calculated result figures required to be indicated.

6 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED EP EIHYZ 3 691 360 sum 1 [IF 9 P ATENTED 12 I972 3.691. 360

SHEET *4 UF 9 KEYBOARD /5 29 MATRIX KEYBOARD CONTROL 37 3 3 TICKET DRIVER FUNCTION 34 39 DECODER CLUTCH DRIVER 315 3 1C T I 310 ARI H- T c STORE FERR/TE UN CONTROL STORE TIMING RESULT LAY sou/vow 753 cou/vmz BUFFER DRWERS SHEET 8 [IF 9 LATOR PATENTEDSEP 12 m2 OSCIL- -X- RING COUNTER Y RING COUNTER AND AND

AND 730A AND PATENTEUSEPIZIHTZ 3.691.360-

SHEUQUFQ CASH REGISTERS AND OTHER ACCOUNTING MACHINES The indication provided by such machines is commonly effected by a print-out mechanism which, for example, produces a printed strip and/or ticket and/or visual indicator means.

The main object of the present invention is to retain mechanical indicator elements while simplifying the mechanical construction of the apparatus and providing an apparatus which is compact and capable of reliable operation over a long period. Another important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which lends itself to ease of assembly in factory production.

According to the invention we provide an apparatus for calculating and indicating information data applied thereto comprising keyboard or other input means, means including a series of elements adapted to receive information applied thereto, a corresponding series of switches adapted to produce electric signals, an electronic means responsive to said signals for transferring the information and for effecting calculations from the information; toothed movable elements; mechanical indicator means operatively connected with the teeth on the toothed elements; power operable means for driving the apparatus through a cycle of operations such that at the beginning of the cycle all the toothed elements are brought to their zero positions and in a later part of the cycle said power operable means permit the toothed elements to advance through a series of positions corresponding to series of numbers, and a series of stop means operable by the electronic means and serving to stop the toothed elements in various of said positions corresponding to the transferred or calculated result figures required to be indicated.

A constructional form of apparatus made in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the keyboard of a cash register made in accordance with the British decimal monetary system and suitable for use with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of some essential parts of the cash register made in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4am elevational views of certain parts shown in perspective in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a simplified view of the electronic circuits;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative form of keyboard suitable for the dollar monetary system;

FIG. 7 is a table of some typical functions;

FIG. 8 is a table showing how functions are to be effected;

FIG. 9 is an electronic circuit indicating the way of carrying out the functions;

FIG. 10 briefly illustrates the electronic connections for sending a signal to the ticket issuing means; and

FIG. 11 illustrates the ticket printing and issuing devices.

The keyboard shown in FIG. 1 consists of ten columns of key numbers in the form of keys 15 15A, v12:

First Column: A single key marked 15A. This key will be arranged to effect cycling of the machine so as to give an indication to the shopkeeper and to the customer of various required pieces of information and (in this example) also to print the information.

Second Column. This consists of a single key for a halfpenny.

Third Column. This has nine keys marked 1 to 9 respectively for pence and all arranged to effect cycling of the machine.

Fourth Column. This has nine keys marked 1% to 9% respectively for pence and half pence and again all arranged for cycling the machine.

Fifth Column. This has nine keys marked in tens 10 to for pence and these will not cycle the machine in this example.

Sixth Column. This has nine keys marked none of which effects cycling.

Seventh Column. This has nine nomcycling keys marked 10 to 90.,

Eighth Column. This has nine keys marked I to IX to show different types of information to be stored, e.g., different types of products. All these marks will be shown on the indicator and printed on a strip and/or ticket.

Ninth Column. This has nine keys operating in a manner similar to the keys of column 8.

10th Column (last) has a key Z for clearing totals, a key X for sub-totals, e.g., sub-totals of a days taking of any selected assistant, a key C for credit, a key T for indicating the shop assistant, four keys which may be marked with selected products, e.g., petrol, oil, cigarettes, etc., used only for indicating and printing, and a key A/T for entering the amount tendered which is arranged so that by pressing key 15A and MT for example will cause the register to cycle twice, first to show the amount tendered and then to show the change due to the customer.

Each key is mounted on a vertical plunger 16 which is urged up to its normal position by a spring 17 and is guided by a rod 18 located in a slot 19. The plunger is held in its depressed position by a rod or bail 20. The rods 20 are all retracted by means not shown at the initial part of a cycling operation whereupon the springs 17 restore the keys to the upper normal positions.

Each plunger 16 carries a small magnet 24 which when the plunger is depressed acts on a reed switch 25 and causes an electric signal to be sent to the electronic calculating and control means to be described via a multicore cable 27 and socket connector 28.

The connector 28 will be connected with a plug connector 29 (FIG. 5) which conducts signals to a keyboard control circuit 30 and electronic calculator device 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D and 31B, consisting of a function decoder, arithmetic unit, store control, ferrite store and result buffer respectively, the multicore output from which leads to the series of display control and driver devices 32, ticket issuing and driver device 33 and clutch control and driver device 34. The devices 32, 33, 34 are connected respectively with socket connectors 36, 37, 38.

tlto 9 The operation of a live-key causes the apparatus to examine the keyboard matrix. Before the apparatus can complete its action, and cause the mechanism to operate, certain keyboard matrix conditions must be satisfied.

Typical examples of these conditions are tabulated in FIG. 7 to be described.

The FUNCTION DECODER 31A contains the equivalent of the table FIG. 7 in the form of logic elements of known type and decides how to perform the functions. If the function decoder is unable to interpret the keyboard matrix sensibly, the machine will fail to cycle, and must be cleared by the operator prior to reentering information on the keyboard. The decoder 31A emits digital coded signals e.g., a key in the fourth column would be indicated by 0101 followed by the appropriate digital code for the whole number.

The decoded function controls the ARITHMETIC UNIT 31B and the STORE CONTROL 31C. The store control reads from the FERRITE STORE 31D the totals that have to be processed. This information (from the ferrite store) is transferred to the arithmetic unit, where the keyboard amount is added to the totals in turn.

The resultant totals are then committed to the ferrite store for retention, again by the store control 31C.

At the same time the relevant information is transmitted to the RESULT BUFFER 31E.

Successful completion of the above processes cause the clutch solenoid 103 (FIG. 2) to operate.

This solenoid initiates the mechanical cycle, and during part of the mechanical cycle the display solenoids (to be described) are operated, resulting in a display of the information requested by the keyboard.

The required keys are cleared by the cycling of the apparatus, ready for the next operator action.

The form of store used is ferrite core storage and has sufficient capacity to contain the amount of cash in 18 totals, where each amount could be up to 99z99932i;

This storage media (i.e., ferrite cores) is very con- 9 venient and is frequently used when non-volatile properties are required. Known precautions are taken to ensure that the information stored is not destroyed or corrupted, when the electricity supply is removed, whatever the reason for supply interruption.

It is possible to read from the store, and not restore the information and this is referred to as Grandtotalling or destructive-read-out, this being known ferrite store technique.

When the information is to be examined and then restored, the process is called sub-totalling or nondestructive-read-out. Operation of keys X and A will cause a sub-total to be indicated and printed.

The Z key performs destructive read-out of Grandtotalling operations on particular totals, e.g., shop assistant totals.

A grand total of a category, for example, is performed by Z and the category required.

The socket connectors 36, 38 will be connected respectively to plugs 40 (FIG. 3) and 42 (FIG. 4). The connector 37 will be connected to a plug (not shown) which controls an electromagnetic device for controlling the feeding of the ticket paper and for operating a ticket severing device.

FIG. 2 shows the general assembly of the indicators and power driven means for operating them. They comprise a series of indicator drums of which only one is shown at 45 with its operating means and two others are generally indicated at 46, 47. Print wheels are also provided one of which is shown at 49.

Drum 45 is one of a set of drums visible to the shopkeeper and 47 is one of a similar set visible to the customer. The two sets are geared together. Thus the drums 45, 47 may carry the indications S/T LIST and Total and the print wheel 49 carry the same indications.

Each drum carries a pinion 50 in mesh with a gearwheel 51. The gearwheel 51 has a series of pinions 52 in mesh with it, of which only one is shown. The series of pinions 52 are carried on a series of spindles of which one is indicated by the line 54 and each of these spindles carries pinions 53, 55, which drive the drum 47 and print wheels 49, through gearwheel 56 and pinions 57.

A pinion 59 in mesh with gearwheel 51 is geared to a toothed element in the form of a circular disc 64 having peripheral teeth except for an edentate portion 65. Thus the disc 64 is permanently geared to the corresponding indicator drums and print wheels. These discs 64 could, if desired, be replaced by a linear rack with suitable modification of other parts. All the discs 64 are engaged at their edentate portions by a rod or bail 66 which is mounted on a pair of sector shaped plates 67,68 which are pivotally mounted on a spindle 70 that also carries the discs 64. The plates 67, 68 are provided with studs 71, 72 angularly offset from the bail 66 which studs enter slots 73, 74 in arms 75, 76. These arms are pivotally mounted at their lower ends on a spindle 78. Between their ends the arms are provided with rolls 80,81 engaged by cams 82, 83 on a camshaft 85. The camshaft 85 carries a plate 86 (FIG. 4) fixed to it on which a pawl 87 is pivotally mounted, this pawl being urged towards the shaft 85 by a spring 88. Surrounding the camshaft 85 is a sleeve on which is fixed a gearwheel 90 and a dog clutch plate 91 having dog clutch notches 92. The gearwheel is constantly driven by gears 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, the latter being fast on the spindle of an electric motor 98 (FIG. 2). The pawl 87 has a dog 100 which can enter into any one of the notches 92 whereupon the pawl and its plate 86 are rotated carrying the camshaft round also. The clutch pawl 87 is normally held disengaged by a control pawl 101 which can be depressed to release the pawl 87 by the armature 102 of a solenoid 103. The solenoid 103 is connected by the connector 42 to the electronic control device. Thus when the pawl 87 is released the camshaft is rotated through one revolution whereupon it is stopped because the pawl 101 will have returned to its normal position (by a spring 104) in which it causes pawl 87 to disengage and serves as an abutment against which a projection 105 on plate 86 engages to stop the plate 86 and the camshaft.

Rotation of the camshaft through one revolution is term cycling of the register. During the initial part of a cycle the rods 20 are all withdrawn from the plungers so that the keys are all restored by the springs 17 to their normal positions. Then the cams 82, 83 raise the arms 75, 76 whereupon the bail 66 engages the discs 64 at the ends of their edentate parts and moves them to their zero positions, together with the indicator drums and print wheels. Over the next part of the cycle the bail moves back thereby permitting the toothed discs with the indicator drums and print wheels to move successively through their number values by means of springs 106 until they are arrested in positions corresponding to the required information. The arresting of the toothed discs is effected by means of pawls 107 operated by the armatures 108 of solenoids 109 which are connected by multicore cable 110 and plug 40 to the electronic calculating device.

The modified form of keyboard shown in FIG. 6 is for use with a dollar currency. The first column is the same as FIG. 1. The second column of FIG. 1 (halfpenny key) is omitted. The second column (lto 9) of FIG. 6 is the same as the third of FIG. 1 and the third column of FIG. 6 is similar to the fourth column of FIG. 1 but instead of representing the numbers 1 to 9 plus a half, the keys serve for the numbers 1 to 9 preceded by the s figure 1. Thus the values 1 to 9 in both second and third columns of FIG. 6 must control the same indicator drum and the same print wheel. All the keys in the second and third columns are arranged to cycle the machine. The fourth column covers 10 to 90 cents. If desired, the 10 key could cycle the register. The other keys do not cycle the machine.

The fifth and sixth columns serve for l to 9 and 10 to 90 dollars and are non-cycling keys. The seventh, eighth and ninth columns are the same as the eighth, ninth and 10th columns of FIG. 1.

The electronic calculating and control device is largely based on known principles of memory storage and read-out (e.g., Logical Design of Digital Computers by Montgomery Phister, .lr., published by John Wiley & Sons Inc. see Chapter 9). A complete illustration of the entire circuitry is therefore unnecessary. A general description will, however, now be given.

FIG. 7 shows basically by way of example the circuitry is required to accomplish. The area K represents keyboard and extends over vertical columns representing keys on the keyboard. Thus A1 Cash i.e., all of the keys in the second to seventh columns,

A2 Category (i.e., all keys in the eighth and ninth columns), A3 Shop Assistant, A4 Z, A5 X, A6 Amount Tendered, A7 Credit, A8 Key A. Other keys (e.g., the four product keys of the 10th column) can be added as may be required by any purchaser of cash registers.

The area B1 covers a vertical column representing Functions which can only be carried out with cycling of the apparatus when the keys indicated in the corresponding horizontal lines are operated. Thus B2 LIST BOTH, B3 LIST BOTH (CREDIT), B4 SUB- TOTAL, B5 AMOUNT TENDERED, B6 X CATEGORY.

Under the heading Functions are the names of various functions to be carried out before a cycling operation occurs. The function cannot be performed unless all the conditions indicated in the horizontal rows are existing, whereupon the cycling of the machine can take place. In the horizontal rows I means that the key must be down and 0 means that the key must be up. List Both means that the machine will not cycle by operating the LIST key or a live amount key unless a key is activated in each of the Category and Shop Assistant with other functions.

FIG. 8 shows a scanning and memory store system wherein there are five memory stores A, B, C, D, E, and three scanning operations, viz. Scan 1, Scan 2, Scan 3, which are effected successively. C1 Scan 1 (Operator Function), i.e., the apparatus scans for the items in the top horizontal line, viz. C2 LIST BOTH, C3 LIST BOTH CREDIT, C4 SUBTOTAL, C5 AMOUNT TENDERED, C6 CHANGE DUE which automatically follows by a second cycling of the machine from C6, C7 AUTOMATIC if B is negative which will be described later, C8 X Category. Because C6 or C7 automatically follow C1-C5 they are not shown in FIG. 5

columns. Similarly Area D1 covers SCAN 2, D2 A Store KEY BOARD Amounts, D3 B Store CUSTOMERS TOTAL, D4 C Store MACHINE TOTAL, D5 D Store CATEGORY TOTALS, and D6 E Store SHOP ASSISTANT TOTALS.

Area E1 is SCAN 3, E2 A Store, E3 B Store, E4 C Store, E5 D Store and E6 E Store, F DIS- PLAY and G DISPLAY with destruction of memory store information.

At the end of Scan 2, it is known whether the result of calculations on B Store is to be negative or not. If the result is not negative then Scan 3 follows normally. If, however, the result proves to be negative, then the instructions shown under column C7 are automatically selected during Scan 3. During the particular instruction (FIG. 8, column C7, row E3) labelled H, a negative marker is inserted.

Prior to Scan 1 there are pre-scans which continuously search the keyboard for an operated live key. On finding a live key nothing happens until the end of the complete scan. On reaching the end of a complete scan containing a live key, a signal is sent within the logic which starts Scan 1.

Scan 1 serves to scan the keyboard to detect which keys indicated by the top horizontal line of FIG. 7 have been depressed. Scan 1 thus detects which of the functions indicated in the left hand vertical column of FIG. 7 are to be carried out. Certain interlocks are provided so that the apparatus will not cycle if the operator presses wrong keys, e.g., two keys of the same column. The second Scan scans the five memory store systems and, in effect, for C2 adds the keyboard indicated amount to the store totals. For the next vertical column C3 represented by the key marked (FIG. 8) (indicating refund) the scanning provides signals which leave the A store unchanged, deducts the A store from the B store, leaves the C store unchanged, adds the A store to the D store and leaves the E store unchanged. Similarly for all the other columns. FIG. 8 shows only some of the vertical columns and the other (X credit, X shop assistant, and et.) will be obvious.

The third scanning (Scan 3) automatically follows Scan 2, e. g., having scanned the items in column C2 the remaining items in that column are scanned in Scan 3. Scan 3 provides signals which on cycling by the key 15A causes A store to be displayed by the indicator drums and to be printed, and leaves the other stores unchanged. Similarly, for the other columns as indicated. The reference G means that the store is readout destructively, i.e., the store is restored to zero.

If at the end of Sean 2 the result is negative, Scan 3 takes the alternative form shown in column C7.

The general nature of the keyboard control 30 and part of the function decoder 31A will now be described with reference to FIG. 9 including means required for transferring whole numbers from two columns (I to 9 and the l to 9 parts of column 10 to 19) to the same solenoid such as 109 to determine the position of the corresponding whole-number drum such as 45, and also for transferring the halfpenny from the composite key column containing halves as well as the single halfpenny key to the solenoid such as 109 which determines the position of the halfpenny drum 45. FIG. 9 shows part of the keyboard matrix 115 connected by lines 27 (corresponding to 27 in FIG. to the keyboard control 30.

The apparatus has a clock to synchronize all actions, and in this apparatus an oscillator -or multivibrator 1 16 forms the basis of the clock. A series of pulses is produced by the multivibrator and particular pulses are fed to a ring counter 117 marked X. Every time the counter 117 overflows, a pulse is fed to another similar counter 118 marked Y.

Output lines 119 from the counter 117 are connected via transistor switches 121 to the horizontal rows of the matrix 115 and the output lines 122 from counter 118 are connected via transistor switches 120 to the columns of the matrix 115. The switches 120 and 121 are connected to a keyboard output circuit 124 such that when a switch 25 in the matrix 115 is closed a circuit is established through the circuit 124 when the corresponding switches 120, 121 are closed. The outputs from 1 17 and 118 are used to determine information paths through the switching elements 25.

The clock system of the machine is continuously running and because of this the keyboard matrix 115 is continually scanned. When a switch 25 at the intersection of a column and a row is conducting, there is a complete signal path and an output is produced.

The ring counters are of well known conventional type.

By monitoring the output it is possible to determine which switches 25 are closed, and which are not.

When the operator sets the keys, the last one must be a cycling key i.e., if the last key is not a cycling value key he must finally operate key 15A to cause cycling. The columns of cycling keys are termed live columns.

In setting the keyboard, the logic circuit ignores all signals until one is sensed in a live column.

This initiates the logic functioning of the apparatus. Various checks are made on the sequence of signals to determine the validity of the keyboard settings, i.e., if two keys are depressed in the l to 9 column the apparatus will not cycle and the operator must reset the keys and start again.

The keyboard output circuit presents a signal to the main logic of the machine via line 125 when an external continuous circuit is detected as described through a switch 25.

The X-ring counter 117 has output signals in two forms, one (119) is used to drive the keyboard switching circuit 121, and the second is in coded form on four lines 126, 127, 128, 129. The lines 125, 126, 127, 128, 129 lead to the function decoder 31A. The

code present on the outputs 126, 127, 128, 129 is in the form 8, 4, 2, 1. When there is an output from the keyboard, and if columns A or B are selected by the Y- ring counter l 18, then the code is staticized by the four bistable elements 130.

At the appropriate time during SCAN I this staticized information Q1 O8 is committed to the ferrite store 31D via lines 1308. The bistables 130 are then reset, so that they may be used to staticize further information.

The binary coding is fed by lines 126-129 to AND gates 130A connected to the four bistables which are of the type known as type RS. Output column signals from columns A and B are fed at A1 and B1 to an OR gate 132 which in turn feed signals to the AND gates 130A. In this manner corresponding whole numbers from columns A and B are fed to the bistables 130.

Similarly, signals from columns A and C are fed at A2, C1 to AND gates 140, 141, which in turn are connected to an OR gate 142 which feeds a signal to one halfpenny to the store 143 whether it comes from column A or column C.

To display the keyboard information, the ferrite memory referred to earlier is read-out and the relevant information is transferred to the display buffer 31E (FIG. 5).

This buffer is of the type known as Content Addressable Memory described in Content Addressable and Associated Memory Systems A survey by AG. I-Ianlon, I.E.E.E. Transactions on Electronic Computers, Vol. EClS, No. 4, pages 509-521.

Information is stored in this buffer in coded form binary-coded decimal code, the code being in sympathy with the positions of the characters on the print wheels.

On completion of the logic arithmetic, the logic causes the clutch solenoid 103 to be actuated.

This in turn initiates one revolution of the display and printing mechanism. Synchronized to the movement of the display wheels is a timing disc 151 (FIG. 2) and when each character is in a position to be displayed, a signal is generated by the timing disc and sensed by a sensing element 153.

These signals are sent by line 152 to a suitable timing counter circuit 152A which generates a code. The code is transmitted to buffer 31E which compares them with the codes stored in the display buffer, and for each position where this particular code is found stored, one of the solenoids 109 is actuated.

The above code comparison occurs for every character position on the drums.

The information displayed is that dictated by the last keyboard settings in conjunction with the information already in the logic and is retained until the next cycle of the apparatus.

For example in FIG. 8 under C2, at position E2 is shown the word display. This means that the keyboard settings were as B2 in FIG. 7 and meant list both, and list both in FIG. 8 means, do the calculations shown but display the contents of A store. From D2 (FIG. 8) it is seen that A store is the keyboard amount. In this example therefore, the amount just entered on the keyboard is the amount displayed. Similarly C4 (FIG. 8) displays the customer's total.

Signals from all other keys are transferred in similar manner through gates and memory stores such as 132, 130.

The ticket printing and issuing devices are illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. Within the function decoder 31A there is logic circuit to establish that it is necessary to perform a task called ticket-issue. Referring to FIG. 7 row B for example, then the function Amount Tendered will require a ticket to be issued. This requirement is decoded by normal means using logic elements, and provided that the resultant calculation is satisfactorily completed, then a signal is transferred via plug 37 to operate the ticket issue mechanism.

The ticket driver device 33 (FIG. 5) receives a signal from the function decoder when all appropriate systems are in order. Thus in FIG. connections 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168 carry signals representing Cash keys operated, Category, Shop Assistant, Z, X, Amount Tendered, Credit, A, Change due respectively. These signals are fed through an AND gate 170 to the Ticket Issue Driver 33 which then sends a signal to operate the ticket printing and operating means. Thus all keys, 161, 162, 163, 164, 166, should signal to indicate no keys depressed and the other lines should signal all of these keys depressed.

The meaning of change-due (168 on FIG. 11) is that the customer has offered either enough, or more than enough, money to pay the bill.

The signal from 33 is sent to a solenoid 172 (FIG. 11), the armature 173 of which engages a lever 174 which is urged in one direction by a spring 175 and actuated in the other direction when the solenoid is energized.

A shaft 178 is driven during cycling of the machine and carries a guillotine-operating cam 179 fixed to it. The shaft also carries a rotary member fixed to it on which is fixed a drive pin 180, and two cams 182, 183 fixed together and mounted freely on the shaft 178. The cam 182 is a ticket drive cam and the cam 183 is a printing platen drive cam. Between the cams 182, 183 and pivoted thereon is a pawl 185. When the solenoid 172 is energized the lever 174 tilts and a projection 187 thereon is removed from one end of pawl 185 so that it swings and brings its other end into the path of the drive pin 180 whereupon the two cams 182, 183 are rotated.

Cam 182 operates a lever 190 pivoted at 191 and connected to a rack 192 which drives a ticket driving roll 193 to drive the ticket strip 194.

The cam 183 engages a roll 196 carried by a lever 197 which actuates a rod 198 engaged by a cam element 200. The rod 198 carries a projection 201 which knocks up a roll 202 on an arm 203. The arm 203 is limited in its lower position by stop 203A and carries a rod 204A which passes up through a hole in an arm 204 which carries a printing platen 205. The rod 204A is bent over and down to carry a stop 204B which limits the upward movement of the arm 204. A spring 204C between arm 204 and the rod 204A urges arm 204 up to the stop 204B. The rod 198 is shown in its uppermost position in which the cam pin 200 has cammed the rod 198 out to bring the projection 201 free from the pin 202. The arms 203, 204 are thus lifted up and then dropped so that the platen presses the ticket 194 against print wheels 206.

The guillotine cam 179 is engaged by a roll 207 on an arm 208 so as to push this up on every revolution of the shaft 178. The arm 208 is mounted on a pivot 210 which also carries an arm 211. Pivoted on the arm 211 is a pawl 212 which has a roll 213 engaged by a projection 214 on the lever 174. The pawl 212 also has a projection 215. The arm 208 is moved up and down without moving the arm 211 until the projection 214 releases roll 213 on pawl 212, whereupon the projection 215 moves into the path of a roll 216 on the arm 208. The next upward movement of the arm 208 causes roll 216 to drive the pawl 212 and the arm 211 up. The arm 211 operates a pawl 218 which drives a guillotine (not shown) along the plane indicated by the broken line 220 to sever the ticket from the strip.

The use of composite keys 1 to 9 and 1% to 9% or 1 to 9 and 11 to 19 which are all live or cycling keys forms the subject of our British Patent application No. 62227/69.

It is to be understood that the present invention can be used in apparatus not provided with such double columns of live keys.

The apparatus is not limited to cash registers and may be applied to other apparatus such as accounting machines, adding machines, bookkeeping machines and desk calculators, with or without visual indicating means and/or print-out mechanisms.

Conveniently, the above apparatus may be modified to operate without the push-button or key members. For example, the input information data may be applied by inserting a card having the input information data provided thereon in the form of magnetized characters, the magnetized parts of the card being used to effect electromagnetic coils for example to provide an input into the electronic circuitry. Alternatively, shade distinguishable characters may be used. Punched card data or other forms of data can also be used.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for indicating number values applied thereto and effecting computations from said values and indicating the results thereof comprising input means for receiving information, means connected with said input means and producing electric signals corresponding to the received information, an electronic means responsive to said signals for transferring the information and for effecting computations from the information, toothed movable elements, mechanical indicator means permanently operatively connected with the teeth on the toothed elements, power operable means which move through a predetermined cycle of motion and then stop, drive means actuated by said power operable means and thereby driving the toothed elements to their zero positions at the beginning of said cycle of motion and thereafter during said cycle releasing said toothed elements to permit them to advance with the indicator means thugh a series thrugh positions corresponding to increasing indicator values, means which advance said toothed elements, and a series of stop means operable by said electronic means and serving to stop the toothed elements in various of said positions corresponding to the transferred or computed result figures required to be indicated.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toothed elements are circular with teeth on the peripheries and the drive means include a rod located in edentate portions of all said toothed elements, said rod being moved by the power operable means to zeroize the toothed elements at the beginning of said cycle.

apparatus and operating an electric device to send a signal to a timing counter circuit which generates a code, which is transmitted to said buffer which compares this code with codes stored in the buffer and emits signals to the stop means.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having ticket issuing and printing means and a start device for actuating said issuing and printing means, said start device being controlled by signals from said electronic means.

Claims (6)

1. An apparatus for indicating number values applied thereto and effecting computations from said values and indicating the results thereof comprising input means for receiving information, means connected with said input means and producing electric signals corresponding to the received information, an electronic means responsive to said signals for transferring the information and for effecting computations from the information, toothed movable elements, mechanical indicator means permanently operatively connected with the teeth on the toothed elements, power operable means which move through a predetermined cycle of motion and then stop, drive means actuated by said power operable means and thereby driving the toothed elements to their zero positions at the beginning of said cycle of motion and thereafter during said cycle releasing said toothed elements to permit them to advance with the indicator means thugh a series thrugh positions corresponding to increasing indicator values, means which advance said toothed elements, and a series of stop means operable by said electronic means and serving to stop the toothed elements in various of said positions corresponding to the transferred or computed result figures required to be indicated.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toothed elements are circular with teeth on the peripheries and the drive means include a rod located in edentate portions of all said toothed elements, said rod being moved by the power operable means to zeroize the toothed elements at the beginning of said cycle.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stop means are solenoid operated pawls.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the power operable means include a power driven shaft, a cam, a 1-revolution clutch for connecting said cam to said shaft, and a solenoid operated pawl for permitting engagement of said clutch.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electronic means includes a result buffer which stores codes representing result information, and having a mechanical timing device driven during cycling of the apparatus and operating an electric device to send a signal to a timing counter circuit which generates a code, which is transmitted to said buffer which compares this code with codes stored in the buffer and emits signals to the stop means.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having ticket issuing and printing means and a start device for actuating said issuing and printing means, said start device being controlled by signals from said electronic means.

Images