US430804A - Electrical calculating system - Google Patents

Description

3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

H HOLLERITH ELEOTBIGAL CALCULATING SYSTEM.

No. 430,804. Patent-ed June 24, 1890.

avwe wto a (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

' H. HOLLERITH.

ELECTRICAL GALUULATING SYSTEM- Patented June 24 72/2 117- 10-1 7 c z a.

3 Sheets Sheet '3.

(No Model.)

H. HOLLERITH. ELECTRICAL UALGULATING SYSTEM. No. 430,804. Patented June 24, 1890.

- 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMANHOLLERI'IIH, OF sT. Louis, MISSOURI;

' ELECTIRICAL CALGULATVINIG SYSTEM.

, srncxncano'n forming part of Letters Patent No. 430,804,6ated an. 24, 1890.

Application filed January 4, 1887.

To all whomit may con'cern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN HOLLERITH, of St. Louis,in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical CalculatingSystems; and I do hereby declare the following .to be a full,- clear, and exact description of the same, ref-. erence being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specificatiomand to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to a new and improved system and apparatus for automatically eifecting certain mathematical computations by the aid of electrical appliances, and, inasmuch as substantially the same method of operation described and claimed in my prior patents, Nos. 3953,78) and 395,783, is made use of in a modified form, itmay to that extent be regarded as an improvement upon the invention as set forth in said prior patents.

Broadly considered, the present'invention in its simplest form embraces the combinav, tion with a system, such as described in my prior patent, .of What is herein termed an integrator or. device for automatically producing in any one or more of the circuits, when closed by the record-strips or equivalent switching mechanism, apredetermined number of successive electrical impulses, whereby the registering device or counter is set in operation or advanced as many points as there are electrical impulses sentover the circuit'by the integrator. Whole may be said to include, first, a series ot'separate electrical circuits each containing an electro magnet operating a mechanical counter or registering mechanism which is caused to be advanced or actuated by electrical impulses proceeding from a generator and traversing the circuits; second, a. switch mechanism for putting each of said conductms or wires into connection with any one of a second series of wires or conductors, and, third, an integrating device arranged at a point between the opposite terminals of the iirstsnamed series of conductors and the series of conductors connected to the switch mechanism, said integrating device operating to close or interrupt or, otherwise vary the conductivity of one or more of the circuits to pro- The system as .a f

Serial no. 223,377. (no modal.)

duce. a series of fluctuations iii the current or currents traversingsaidcircuitorcircuits. The

integrating device is arranged to close, open, or otherwise vary in a manner to produce electrical impulses-each circuit leading to the switch mechanism a number of times corresponding'to its assigned value. Thus it may operate with respect to the first wire in a manner to produce a single impulse, on the second wire to produce two impulses, on the third three, and so on throughout the series; but until the switch mechanism" is operated to close the circuits through oneor more of the conductors embracing theregistering mechanism no current will flow through said circuit and the register will remain at rest.

By means of the-switch mechanism any one or more of. the conductors containing registering mechanism can be placed in connection with any of the conductors 'leadingto the in tegrating device, so that as the latter is operated electrical impulses corresponding in number with the assigned value-of the conductor will be transmitted through the registering-circuits, and the countersorregisters will. be advanced accordingly.

The invention also includes new and i mproved'earrying mechanism connecting the counters or registers of a lower with those of the next higher values in the system adopted, aswiteh mechanism. for facilitating the'process of multiplication and division, and several other minor improvements in the com structionand arrangements of parts, as hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the application of my said invention, Figure 1 isa diagrammatic view of. my improved system as arranged for adding totals. Fig. 2 illustrates a modified form of apparatus including automatic carrying devices. Fig. 3v is adiagrammatic view of the apparatus with a modified form of carrying mechanism applied theret'o. Fig.- 4 illustrates a form of record card or strip suitable for setting the switch mechanism. H Figs. 5 and 6 represent in perspective curved and fiat integrators. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 ill. ustrate details of a switch mechanism such as maybe employed in connection with the record-strips. l igs.-10,'1],.-

and'12 illustrate details of registeringmechapparatus as shown in Fig. 1, A is the intesecured thereto a graduated series of conductingstrips A, electrically connected to a or,what is the same thing, to a wire c'-', which 14. illustrate two forms of switches forming .t-his operation, the fingers a may be drawn anisms suitable for use in connection with the present system, a part of the carrying system being also included in Fig. 10. Figs. 13 and part of the carrying mechanism as arranged in Fig. 3. Figs. 15, 16, 17, and 18 illustrate detached parts of a modified form of the switch mechanismfound in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, together with a switch for use in multiplying and dividing.

Similar'letters of reference in the several figures indicate the same'parts.

Referring more particularly to the form of grating device, so called; B,-the switch -m echanism, and C the mechanical counter or othersuitable form of registeringdevice for noting U16 mb r electrical impulses sent over the circuit.

The integrator or multiplier A is composed, essentially, of a surface A of non-conducting material, having embedded or otherwise common conductor A. 'l he;conductors A, preferably nine in number, are disposed in the. order of their relative length across the nonconducting .base A. a

The switch mechanism B is composed of a series of insulated conductors B, corresponding in number with the strips A of the-integrating device, and facingsaid conductors B? isa second series of conductors B arranged transversely of the conductors B, and each of said conductors B is provided with a coritact point or spring Bhopposite each conductor B, so that when the two members of the switch are brought together each conductor B will, through the springs '13 at tached thereto, be placed in electrical contact or connection with all of' the stripsor conductors B. I

To each conductor B is attached a wire 1), whose opposite end is furnished with or attached to a spring-finger or contact-point a,- located and maintained in such relation to thestrips A of theintegrating mechanism that when the latter is operated each finger a will make contact with one or more of said strips A, according to its location. To effect across the strips on the integrator, or tire latter may be inoved by and in contact with the 'formcr,or both may be moved simultaneously either by hand or mechanical devices. For convenience I prefer to mount the strips A A upon a'drum supported to rotate about an axis parallel with the strips A. p

To each strip or conductor B of the switch mechanis is connected one end of a-wire-c, each of t e latter including the coils. of an electro-magnet or other equivalent device for pperatrng a counter 0, connectedtherewith, and said wires 0 are connected at their other ends tonne pole of an electric generator D,

is in turn connected to the generator. The

opposite pole of the generator is connected by a'-wire c with a contact-finger a", resting upon the strip A of the integrator.

As before mentioned, the several conductseveral contact-fingers a are soar-ranged relative thereto and to the direction of motion of the integrator, that the first contact-finger shall touch but one strip, anothertwo, and so on through the'series, each finger engaging a difierent number of strips. As thus arranged, at each complete movement of the integrator the severalwires 1) leading to the switch mech-. anism will each be placed in electrical communication with the generator'D one or more times, according to the number of strips A 'ing-strips A are of different lengths, and the that its finger a is brought into contact with successively, so that when any one or more of the wires 0 are placed in electrieal-communication with the wires 1) through the switch mechanism a series of electrical impulses will be produced to. actuate the counters, and the number of such impulses will de pend upon the number of contacts made by the finger a. of the wire I), with which the former is connected.

- The counters or-registers Fig. 1, being located in separate circnitsLeach' represents a distinct class of items pertaining to the system employed. Thus the first register' represents the units, the second the next higher value, and so on throughout the whole series. In the example given the apparatus for adding totals, the firstregister indicating C,as arranged in is arranged according to the decimal system the'unit-s, the second tens, the-third bun 'dreds, and so on to any desired degree. \Vith the devices arranged as described any required. number of units belonging to each of the classified series can be'added or indicated on.the register or counter belonging to that series by placing the wirec in connection with that one of the wires 1) whose finger is in po sition to engage the-series of strips A 011 the integrator corresponding with the number of units to be added in said series. .For example, 7

suppose the sum to be added is 2,346, the wire c, controllinglhe thousands-counter, would be connected to the wire I), whose finger-(rem gages two of the strips on the integrator; the.

circuitcontroll in g t be h un dred s-cou uter would be connected with the finger making three contacts; the circuit controlling the tens-indicator would be connected with the finger making four contacts, and the circuit containingt'heunits-indicatorwouldbeconnected to the finger making six contacts. These conneetions having been made by the switch mechanism, theintegrating device is set in action or given one revolution, when, by the action of the successive contact of the strips with the series of fingers, two electrical 1m- 1 pulses will be transmitted over the thousandscircuit, three over thehundreds, four over the tens, and six over the units, advancing the counting-or registering mechanisms in each circuit as many points as there are electrical impulses generated in'each-circ'uit." To add any. amount to the sum thus registered, it is only necessaryto arrange the circuits in" the. manner described according 'to the numbers accruing in each'divis'ion and again operate .the' integratolgwhen each counter or register will be advanced as many points as there are 'unitsof itsclass contained in the amount to be added. Asis obvious, numerous well-. known arrangements and modifications of. switch mechanism may be'employed for thus effecting theproper adjustment of the. cir- I "cuits; but that preferred for various'rcasons is based upon 'the principle madeuseofinthe system described in .myprior patents.

The record-strip or switch-operating device E, 'Fig. 4, is but a modified'jforni of the record-strip described-in my prior patents here-' inbefore referred to.

The card or record strip is divided in one direction by actual or imaginarylines into as many spaces as there are registersor counters, and each space is subdividedinto as many parts'as there are units in the particular division of thejsys'tem to which they re-" Thus. when, as in theillustration given, the decimal system is adopted, the first divis late.

ion 'or. column on the right will represent units, the next tens, and soon, andeach column will be again divided into nine divisions representing nine units, and numbered 1, to 9-,"asin Fig. '4. .Each i'ivision, and sub-- division has a fixed relation to all the others .and tothestandard, and has a definite value-.1 as described in my. prior patents, and the 1 sum to'be-added or registered is-recordedaiu like manner-that is-to say,-each'. figure 'oc curring in the amount as written represents a certain characteristic pertaining to that par ticular thing-i, e., the amount represented in figures; and these characteristics are recorded on the record strip or card by punching holes thereiln; Thus in Fig. 4 I have shown a card upon which-has been recorded 471,350,049,063, or, if divided on the line 2pm, two record-strips remaining the one 471,350 and the other 49,063.

in Figs. 7 ,8, and 9, and consists-of-two members, the one composed of a series of bars or conductors B, each connected by a wire. I) to I .bars or'conduc-tors B eachconnected tooneone of the contact-fingers a, and the other of of the circuit-wiresc and provi'ded'with a series of spring fingers or contacts B The several bar'spr conductors B are so arranged that'each'one shall coincide with one row or series of. subdivisions on the record-strip,

- represen-tingthe number of units in the several divisions, while 'the' bars or conductors B each representing one OfllhQ main divisions of the series -or .table,- are so arranged relativeto the division'son the record card or strip that-the springs'or contact-fingers B of each strip.will correspond with each sub-' .---di visio n or unit of its particulardi-vision and; will bein-position to make electrical contact The switch. with which. this card E is designed to co-operate i s shown division.

strip .0r'card should he correspondingly modi- 1 Thus far we have considered-only the simplest form-of apparatusas illustrated in Fig. -85 1,;wherein "a recording mechanism is employed for each division or value according to the system employed, and in order to ascertain the sum total it is necessary to add together the several partial totals, as indio catedby the registers, and although-the decimal system has'been adopted asthe simplest for illustration, it. is obvious that'the same principle is applicable to other systems or scales. Thus the first'register maybe used'to 9 5 designate the. units or fractions thereof of the scale adopted, as ounces, gills, inches, &c.;

the second register, the next higher division, as pounds, pin.ts, fcet, .&c., andso on in 5110- "cession to any desired degree, the nu mber of 100 suitthe particular scale;

contacts 'on the integrator being; modified to In order to avoid the necessity which would otherwise. arise for computing the several amounts 'or partial -totals registered by the m5 indicators to find'the -total amo1 1nt,Ihaveintroduced an automatic. carrying device, whereby each counter registers the units only of its division on" the scale and advances the register of the next highertdi v-'ision one point 1 to "each timet-he lower counterhas registered as' many-points'as the units of its division are.

contained in the units Qt the next higher divisiom An, apparatus in volving this principle isillustra-ted in Fig. 2, where the autoit 5 matic carrying device-isshown as connected in a system 'such .as previously described with. reference to Fig. 1. The integrator,- switch mechanism, circuits, and electro magnets ofthe registering mechanisms here shown 'I 20 are the same as in Fig.1; but the indicator 1 of the register is divided into 'ten' parts, (when the decimal system or scale is adopted, the'niu niberofldivisions used depeuding'upon- I the number of units contained in the par-',1 z'5 -ticularsubdivision of the-scale employed-,) lettered from 0 to 9, and the propelling mech auism of any approvedform isv so constructed and arranged.- thateach electrical impulse sent. through. the coil of the electro-magnet 1 0 .will advance the indicator one space, or

In Figs. 10 and 11 I have-'illustrateda well,

known formof actuatin'gmechanism, whereing is the indicator in the form of a disk mounted upon a spindle g, and g is an escapementwheel, whose teeth are engaged by" the anchor gfigpivoted as at g, and provided with an armature g Opposite the core of the electro magnet G.

impulse is sent through the coil of the electro-magnet G the armature will be attracted and released, thereby vibrating the anchor, and through the "action of its arms on the escapementwheel the indicator will be caused.

to advance one division. f 1 Upon the spindle g f the registering mechanism, or any other part moving in unison with the indicator, islocatcd the device or devices for automatically actuating the switch for closingand opening a circuit, including ing to the next higher subdivision of the scale. I

the electro magnet G of 'the register belong- A switch mechanism suitable for the purpose is shown in Figs. 2 and 10, wherein it repre-" some a metallic or conducting cylinder or surface, and h a non-conducting cylinder or surface, both of. said cylindersbeing mounted upon or moving in unison withthe spindleg'.

, Above the cylinders h and h' is arranged a pivoted or movablearm h, whose outer or free endis provided with an inclined arm or projection h, and upon the insulating or insulated drum h is secured a pin or cam proindicator that as the indicator passes from jection h for engaging the end of the arni h and forcing-the latter over onto the conducting-drum h. The pin h and the arm h are so arranged relatively to the'marks on the the last or ninth division to the zero-mark the arm h? will be shifted from the non-conducting surface of the switch onto the conducting-surface, and thus close acircuit. The

circuit last referred to is independent of the main circuit,passingthrough the switch mechanism B, and may be arranged as follows: To the wire 0, at a point intermediate of the switch B and electroqnagnet G, is attached awire 0 whose opposite extremity is connected is as-follows: 'lhe carrying mechanisms are the same in each ofthe registering mechan- .isms, with the exception of the firstand last in the series, the first being provided with the switch only and the last with the circuit-com ncctions; hence a description ofone circuit will answer for the whole series. Assuming the register to indicate 8, and t'is required to add eight units in that division. The.

A spring 9, (or weight,) attached to the anchor 9, acts in opposition to the electro-magn et, so that each time an electrical I switch mechanism B having been set, as before described, and the integrator rotated or advanced to produce in the main circuit eight separate electrical impulses, the indicator will be rotated or advanced eight points or divisions, or from eight to six. As the indicator passes from nine to zero 'the switcharm h, which previously rested upon the nonconducting surface of the switch, will be thrown over onto the conductings'utfitce,

where it will remain, thereby closing at this pcint the,circuit, of which the wires 0 c, and 0 form part. This circuit, although closed through the arm h and conducting-surface of the s witch,.i'sl not closed through the battery, as'the spring-finger a? rests upon thenonconducting surface or portion of the integrating device. As soon, however, as the strips A have passed beyond or out of contact with the finger a in the main circuit, the finger a 1 is brought into. contact with the conductor A, thereby establishing electrical communication with the battery and producing asingle electrical impulse in the circuit passing through the electro-magnetGof the registering mechanism belonging to the next higher division and advancing the indicator one point or division. of the indicators passes from nine tothe zero point, it establishes circuitconnections with with its action as controlled ever interferin of the integrator, and after by the strips A theiunits of the several divisions have beencorrectly registered the carrying is'automatically effected. As with the arrangement described it is necessary that the switch-arm h should be shifted onto the conducting, portion ofthe switch when the indicator passes from the last figure to the zero-point,

and should remain in that position to 'hold.

Thuseach time any one the next succeeding register, without, how-- I the circuit closed while the remaining units 1 in the particular division are being registered, and until the finger a? makes contact with the conducting-surface a, it is necessary that A some means be employed forwithdrawing the arms 72' from contact with the conductingsurface before the integrator is again actuated. As is obvious, this operation can' be accomplished .by'hand or by mechanical devices; but I prefer to employ electrical devices controlled by the movement of the integrating ,devices, so arranged that after each computation has been madethe switch-levers will be'automatically retracted or' returned to their normal positions preliminary to the next operation. I pl plished by arranging an electro-magnet I opE posite each switch-lever h, and in position to 1 move the latter when releasedfrom the shifting pin or device'from the conducting to the non-conducting surfaces of the switch when said electro-magnets are energized. Thewiresforming the helices of these electro-magnets are connected at one end to the wires 0, at

tached to one pole of the battery, and at the- This result may be accom:

other 'by wires 1' to a wirei'u terminating in a spring-or contact finger o. located adjacent tothe multiplier A and in' line witha-couf'zo du'ctor A 'thereon. This conductor A is con nected electrically with the conducting-strips A in communication with the opposite pole of the battery, as before described, and is located in rear of the conductor .A", which sends the electrical-impulses through the switches of the carrying devices, so that after' the electrical impulse has been transmitted through the circuits including the switches of the carrying devices previously set in the manner described, to. advance the indicator of the next higher division on the scale'an electrical impulse will be transmitted through the circuits including, the electro-magnets I, causing the latter to attract the switch arms or levers h and move them back, thereby breaking the circuits through the carrying devices and simultaneously carrying the said switch arms or levers into position to be engaged by the shifting devices when the indicators are again advanced. As will be readily understood, with a system arranged and epcrating substantially as described-above, the .totalsof the'various computations can be merous modifications of the invention which would readily be suggested toa person skilled in the art. The integratingmechanismA,

switch mechanism B, registering devices-(J, carrying-devices; and switch-retracting devices shown are substantially the same as heretofore. described and shown in Fig. 2. Instead of employing a mechanical co'ntrivance for shifting the. switch-lever h? onto the contactfor closing the circuit passing'through the electro-n agnet G belonging to the indi-- cator of-thenext division of thescale, an electro-magnetJ is arranged to act upon each switch-lever h to" draw the lattenover onto the contact-surface of the carrying-switch whenever a current is sent through its helix. The conducting andinsulated sections 72. hof

the carryingswitch are inth'i'sihstancestrown as flat plates, Fig-13, a well-known equivalent for the rotary switch sho'wn'in connection with the system illustrated in Fig. 2, and whichcan be used, ifdesired, in said-system. Each registering mechanism 0, with the ex! 'ception of the last inthe series, is furnished with an automatic switch or circuit-breaker 1 K, Fig. 14, moving in 'lHllSOD with the indicator, and, if desired, connected .to the spinx-dle g of the 'registeiy'its function being to close a circuit including the electro-magnet J of the next registen'and thereby effect a movement of the switch-lever 11. onto the cond noting-section h of the carrying-circuit when.-

ever the indicator passes from the last number to the zerorpoimt. Each electro-magnet J c and c, the latter being connected to the opcircuit j when closed passes through a co 'ducting'strip or portion j of the switch" K, which latter is composed of non-conducts ing material and carries the conducting;st ri'puntil the couductiug-stripj' connects with and bridg the interval between the contacts is,

is carried forward to or beyond the zero-point. The shifting of the switch-arm h closes the circuit through the electro-magnetG of the next registering mechanism, so that the latter will be actuated when the finger a -makes contact with .the conducting-strips A after action of the electro-magnets I, as before described. Thus far in explaining the invention the systems and apparatus have been described as usedfor elfecting the addition of sums'or pacity is not limited to such computations, as the same apparatus may be employed for working out and-registering sums in mum plication, and, if desired, adding the product to the alnounts-previously registered. To ef- -fect these operations it is only necessary to arrange the" switch mechanism of the main circuits'in such manner that each circuit containing the register corresponding: to several divisions found in the multiplicand shall be the circuit-.breakers-of the multiplier-A whose contacts correspond in number with the units of the division. Thus if the multiplicand 1s 4c36't'ne circuit 0 of the hundreds-register.

will be placedincommunication'with the fin. ger a,= making four contacts, the 'icirc ut of ger makingthree contacts, and the circuit containing "the units-register will be connected-to the finger making six-contacts, so that-at'each complete rotation or movement of theintegrating devices the registers will repeating the movement of the integrator or circuit-breaker A-as many times as theunit circuit-closer K, the connection being m adefl through .contactsk, bearing upon the Switch;

and th s takes place whenever; the indicator which the switch-arms are withdrawn-from their contacts and the circuits broken by thevalues andregisteringthe totals; but its cathe tens-registerwill be connected to the fi'n be advanced to indicate'tlie sum of 436,, Byf

is located ina separate circuit J, between wires posite poles of a batteryor generator. I Eachj, so that the ci-rcuitj remains'broken and-its 'elect-ro-niagnet J inactiveduring the major portion of. the revolution of the switch K and IIO' placed in communication with that one of is contained in. the multiplier the product will action of the circuit-breaker'or integrator'for' each unit the. circuits leading-from contactfingers a are shifted to connect with the wires 0 of the registers in the nextihigher division be registered. Ifinstead of repeating the of the decimal scale, it will'have theeflfect- IOQ of increasing the value of the multiplier ten P911112? or one division at each rotation of the clrcult-breaker, and by so doing the process will be greatly simplified and abridged. Thus assuming that three hundred and forty-six'is to be multiplied by three hundred and fortysix.- The switch mechanism having been set as be ore described, and the integrator or eircul breaker A rotated six times, the regrsters will be advanced to indicate 2,076, bemg the product of three hundred and fortysix multiplied by six. The circuit--connections are now changed, so that the three fingers a, making, respectively, three, four, and 81:; contacts, shall beplaced in circuit with the registers of the thousands, hundreds, and tens, thereby multiplying or increasing the register effected by each rotation of the circu1 t-breaker ten points. The circuit-breaker or mtegratorA is now rotated four times, advancing the registering mechanisms thirteen thousand eight hundred and forty points, (three hundred and forty-six multiplied by ferty,) which, being added so the 2,076 previously registered, will give as the total 15,916, which is the product of three hundred and forty-six by forty-six. The circuits being again changed to connect the third, 'fourth, and sixth fingers-u with the ten thousands, thousands, and hundreds "registers, respectively, thereby multiplying the value of each rotation of the circuit-breaker one hundred times, the integrator or circuit-breaker A is rotated three times, thereby adding the sum of one hundred and three thousand eight hundred (three hundred and forty-six multiplied by threehundred) to the amount previously registered, making the total'119,716, which appears upon and can be read at once from the several indicators. This changing of the circuits for multiplying can be accomplished either by shifting the record card or strip (when "that form of switch-operating device is used) laterally, so as to transfer the perforations in each division to the strip 13 of the next or a higher division, at the same time retaining contact with the same line of the strip 13', as before, or a separateswi'tch mechanismsuch, for example, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16-may be located between the switch mechanism B and counters O. This switch L contains a series of contact-plateswires leading from the contact plates or strips.

B are each connected to an insulated springcoutact I, mounted upon a movable block or carriage Z, provided with a knob or handle 1 and carrying a pointer 1 \Vhen used for 1 simple addition, the block Z is placed at one extremity of the switch with the springs Z,

bearing upon strips 1 in their regular order, thus closing the circuits 0, asbefore de scribed. Whenever the multiplier is to be As h'ereinbe'fore intimated, it is not esscntial to the-operation of the system described,

although deemed a desirable feature, that the setting of I the circuits controlled by the integrator should be effected through the instrumentality of perforated record strips or cards and a switch mechanism such as described, as other equivalent devices maybe employed for the purpose. One such modification is shown in Figs. 15, 17, and 18', wherein .mrepresents a series of insulated conducting-strips corresponding in number with the registering mechanisms and connected to the wires 0. A similar series of conducting-plates m, corresponding in number with the fingers a and connected thereto by wiresb, are arranged near the strips m, so that by inserting pins m of conducting material, between the strips 'm and any one of the strips m the circuits leading to the registers can be placed in communication with any of the contact-fingers (lto send the ,desired number of electrical pulsations or impulses through the registering-circuit. In this instance, instead of locating the circuits by the perforations and then setting the switches withthe cards, the locating and s'etting are simultaneously effected by hand.

One of the many advantages obtained by my improved system is-the setting up in a manner to be read, compared, and, if necessary, corrected, the amount to be added be fore the operation is performed, thus avoidingerrors in computation arising from mis-' the remainder of the process is purely me chanical in adding and merely requires the shifting of the circuits in multiplying, as hereinbeforeexplained, a single complete rotation or movement of the integrating device serving to actuate all the circuits in which additions are to be made, and with the automatic carryingdevices applied no further attention or manipulation is necessary.

Although I'have shownbut a single battery'or generator for supplying the current for the several circuits. it is obvious that'a separate generator may be used in each of the principal circuits or fortwo or more of said circuits. Other forms of counting or registering mechanisms may. also be employed, it being essential only that they re spond to the electrical impulses traversing the circuits. I

ing mechanism or the arrangement of the fig u res on the dials relative -to the directio'n of movement. Thus the anchor movement, as shown in the illustration, may be adjusted so as to expose the numbers on the dial in the orderof their succession from 0 to 9, or it may operate in the reverse direction to expose the numbers in the opposite. order from f) to 0, thereby adding or subtracting a unit in the division at each reciprocation of the armature,and the same result can be secured by the employment of a double series of figures arranged in reverse order on the dial, or difierent dials may be. employed in connection with the same actuating mechanism, the one used for adding and multiplying values having the figures arranged as shown inthe drawings, while the other, for use in subtracting and dividing, having the figures arranged in the reverse order. When the apparatus is thusarranged, so that the succession of index points or figures of each registering mechanism will be exposed or indicated in the reverse order-i. 6., from 9 to 0 instead of 0 to 9and it is desired to subtract a certain amount from a given sum the operations performed are the-same as in adding that amount.

Thus if three hundred and ninety-two'is to be subtracted from nine hundred and sixtylive, which latter amount has been previously ascertained by or is indicated upon the sev cral registering devices by a proper manipulation of the circuit-connections or by setting the pointers or dials to indicate said amount,

the card is punched at 3 in the hundre'ds,9 in the tons, and 2 in the units and inserted between the numbers of the switch mechanism.

Upon operating the integrating devices, as hercinoefore explained, the units-dial will be moved two points, from 5 to 3, the tens-dial will be moved nine points, from 6 to 7, (if the carrying device is employed, the circuit through the hundreds-dial will be closed as the tens-dial is moved from 1 to 0,) and the hundreds-dialwill be moved four points,-

three from 9. tot by the direct action of the integrator as controlled by the circuit closed through the perforation in the hundreds-ooh umn of the record card Oust-rip and one from 6 to '5 by the action of the circuit controlledby the carrying devices belonging to the tens-register. Thus the dials will be caused to indicate 573 Sums in division are performed in a mannor the rcverseof multiplication. To illustrate this, let it be assumed that the registers ind icate 110,710, which sum it: is required should be divided by three hundred and forty-six, The divisor 3&6 isrecorded on the card, as before, and the circuits through the hundreds, tens, and units registers are closed through the fingers, iiaking three, four,

'tion can be shortened by the employment of switching devices, such as L, for transferr ng the circuits from a higher to alower div sion instead of from the lower-to the next higher as in multiplying. Thus the dividend being 119,716 and the divisor indicated by the card 346 it is observed at a glance that the divisor v is contained withinthe dividend more than one hundred times; hence the switch I, is

operated to increase the div-isorone hundred timesthat is to say, the third, fourth. and sixth fingers are connected with the ten-.thous- I ands, thousands, and hundreds reglsters, respectively. The integrator is now set in motion, each time subtracting 34,600 (340* from the dividend, and this operation s repeated until the dividend is observed to be less than the divisor (3&6 100:3-1t,600.) 'l he number of times theintegrator is operated to' produce this result will represent the hundreds of times the divisor 340is contained in the dividendt'. e., three. In other-words. the amount subtracted from the dividend will be 346 300=103,800. A record is made of the number of tiinesthreethe integrator has been operated and the switch'L is again adjusted by connecting the third, fourth, and sixth fingers with the thousands, hundreds, and tens registers, respectively, representing 340 10=3, 4o0.v The integrator isaga1n set in motion and operated until the dividend has been reduced below three thousand four hundred and sixty, which will require four movements, representing 3,460 X 4 13,840, the amount subtracted from 15,9l 6, (1 19,710 103,800,) leaving 1,070. A record is now made of the number of tiines ,four-the divisor is contained-in the dividend. The switch L is again changed,'connecting the fingers to'the hundreds, tens,and units registers-arid integrator operated until the dividend lJ i-o is reduced below the divisor 346. In the example givensix operations of the'integrator (6x346) will cause the registers to stand at zero. g It is thus shown by t he operations de scribed that 346 is contained in 119,746, 300+ 40+6, or three hundred and forty-six times, as ascertained by first subtracting 340 x 100 3, then 346 10 4, and finally 34(i 6.

too

I claim as my invention- 1. The. hereinbefore described improved system for automatically efiecting mathematcal computations, comprising the following mstrumentalities: a switch mechanism in two sections, each of the latter comprising a series of insulated'conductors, with means for connecting any one or more of the conductors of one section with any one or moreof the conductors of the opposite section, a series of circuit-wires, each connected to one of the conductors forming one section of the switch and to a generator, and embracing electrical devices controlling a registering mechanism, a second series of circuitrwires each connected to one of the seriesof conductors forming the other section of the switch, and an integrating mechanism located between the generator and the said. second series of circuitwires and operating to vary the resistance of the circuit leading from the generator to the switch mechanism in a manner to produce in each of the circuit-wires of the second series a predetermined number of electrical impulses, whereby when any wire of the second series. is connected through the switch with one or more of the wires of the first series the registering mechanisms connected to said wires will be'actuated or advanced as many points as there are electrical impulses created by the integrator in the particular wire so connected. I 2. The hereinbeforedescribed improved system for automatically efiecting mathem atical computations and indicating the result obtained by means of a series of registering -'devices, consisting in the combination, with each of. said registers, of an electrically-operated controlling device included in an independent line'or circuit,-an integrating device and a ,.series of wires or circuits connected thereto and operating to produce in each of said last-named wires a separate series of electrical impulses, a generator,-and the switch for connecting any-one or more-of the wires or circuits leading from the integrator with. -any one or more of the circuits containing the operating mechanism ofthe registers, substantially as described.

3. The improved system or automatically eife'cting mathematical computations and re co'rdin g the results upon a series of registerin g devices, substantially as described, which consists in the combination, with the separate registers and electrical devices operating thereon and included in separate circuits, of generators for charging said circuits, a switch mechanism for connecting any one or more of said circuits with the wires of a second seriesof conductors, an integrating device operatingin conjunction with said second series of conductors-to produce a different number of electrical impulses in each, and an auto matic conveying device acting in unison with the register'of a lower value for throwing the actuating mechanism of the next higher register into a branch circuit, over which an electrical impulse is sent aftcrthe integrator has ceased to act upon the 1naiu'circuits,substautially as and for the-purpose set forth.

4. In a system such as described, the combination, with a series of registering devices, a separate circuit wire for each. register, a switch mechanism to which wires are connected, a second series of wires also connected to the switch, an electrical generator, and an integratingdevice connected to the generator and controlling the flow of electricity in said second series of wires to produce a separate series of electrical impulses in each wire, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

-5. In a system such as described, and in combination with a series of. circuits, each containing an electrical device controlling a registering nechanisin, an integrating device c ntrolling the passage of the current from t e generator to a series of conductors to produce a separate-number of electrical impulses in each, of said last-named series of conductors, and a switch mechanism for connecting any one of the wires of said series with any one or more of the wires of the first mentioned series.

6. In a system such as described, the combination, with a generator and a series of circuit-wires connected thereto and to one section of a switch mechanism, of a second series of wires connected to the opposite section of the switch, and an integrating device provided with a series of sets of contacts, each set containing a diiferent number of contacts and co-eperating with one of said second se-' ries of; wires, whereby when said integrator is operated a. different series of contacts or impulses will be produced in each of the sev eral circuits, substantially as described.

7. In a system such as described, and in combination with the series of circuits, each including, electrical registering devices and connected to a switch. mechanism, a second series of conductors connected' 'to the opposite section of the switch, and an integrating device operating to produce a series of electrical variations in each of said series. of conductors when in circuit with a generator, of

iio

a card or sheet perforated at predetermined intervals and interposed between the sections er the switch-mechanism, the contacts-of the latter being eifectedthrough the perforations in the card or sheet, substantially as-and for the purpose set forth;

8. In a system such ing registers, electricaltdevices for controlling said. registers, and a series 'of circuitwires connected to a series of conductors forming one member of a switch mechanism and in combination therewith, a second series of wires-connected to the conductors. of

as described, embracthe opposing section of the switch, a'sheet or 1 -39 to be made between the conductors of'the" two sections of the switch at predetermined card perforated at intervals to permit contact points, andi trical impu; sesin each of said second series --mechanism for producing elecof wires, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. v 9. in a system such as described, the combination, with. the switch, the perforated rec-' 1 5 ord-strip, through which connection between the switch-sections is .-established and controlled, and the two series of wires connected,

to the opposite sections of the switch for es- 7 tablishing electrical connection between the 10 wiresof the one series with those of the other,- of a registering mechanism and electrical controllingdevices connected to each wireof the one series and a circuit-interrupting A device connected to each wire of the other se- 1, 5 ries, and an electrical generator for charging the circuits controlled by the interrupter, substantially as described, 9

predetermined points to permit contact be-,

tween the sections of the switch through the perforations, substantially as described.

' 11. In a system such as described, and in combination with a series of 'cireuit-wires, each including an electro-magnet and a registering mechanism for each circuit con- 7 5 trolled by the electro-magnet to advance the indicatingdevice one point for each electrical impulse traversing its coils, of an integrating device operating to produce electrical impulses,-a switch moving in unison with the 0 register and arranged in branch circuit, in-

3 cluding the electrmmagnet of the next higher register, said branch circuit connected to the generator through a switch moving in unison with the integrating device, substantially as 5 described, .whereby when one register passes to the zero-point its switch will be operated to close the branch circuit through the electro-magnet of the next higher register, and after the impulses have ceased in the direct 5o circuits an impulse will be sent through the branch circuits, as set forth.

12. Ina system such as described, and in combination with the integratingdevice, the circuits controlled thereby, and the series of electro-magnets controlling registering devices, of an automatic switch mechanism moving in unison with the registering mechanism to close a branch circuit connected to the electro-magnet of the next register, and a v device moving in unison with the integrator to send an electrical impulse over said branch circuit, substantially as described.

13. In a system such as described, and in combination with a series of registers, actuakin g electro-magnet-s therefor, a separate ciremit-wire for each of said electro-magnets,

and a device for producing electrical impulses ing a series of circuits each in each circuit to actuate the registers-"an automatic carrying mechanism consisting, es-- sentially, of a switch operating in unison with the registering mechanism, a branch circuit connected to said switch and including, the electro-magnet of the next higher register, a

generator, and a device for sending an elec-' trical impulse through the branch circuit, substantially as described. p 14. In a system such as described, compriscontaining an electro-magnet,-a corresponding seriesof registers controlled by said electro-magnets, and a device for producing in each of saidcircuits impulses for advancing the registers, and in combination with said circuits, regis- 11ers,- connected .to'the coil of the elect-ro-magnet of a higher registering device and to a switch controlled by the next lower registering de-- vice to close said branch circuit as its india d electro-magnets, a branch circuit" cator moves to the zero-point, and a device separate therefrom for producing an electrical impulse in said branch circuit, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

15. The combination, with the integrating device, main circuits, and series of registering mechanisms of a system such as described, of a'circuit connected with the electro-maguets of the higher registering mechanisms, a switch in said circuit, a supplemental electro-magnet operating to close said switch and included 1 in a separatecircuit, a switch in said lastnamed circuit operating in unison with the indicator of the lower registering mechanism, and'devices for sending electrical impulses through the circuits connected to the electromagnct of the higherregistering mechanism,

substantially as described, whereby as the indicator moves to the zero-point the circuit through the supplemental electro-magnetwill be closed, causing said electro-magnetto close the switch through the electro-magnet of the higher register to actuate the latter, as set forth.

16. In a system such as described, and in combination with the registers; circuits, switch mechanisms, and integrating device, a earr ing device operating, substantially as described, to change the circuit-connections between the integrator and registering devices from alower to a higher division, or vice versa, as and-for the purpose set forth.

17. In a system such as described,and in V combination with a series of registers, controlling electro-magnets, and circuit-wires, the integrating device and its series of circuitwiresyand a switch interposed between the wires of the integratorand those of the register-circuits for simultaneously shifting the connections to throw the integrator-wires from the-register-circuits of a lower to those of a higher value, or vice versa, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

18. In a system such as described, and in I combination with the series of register-circuits-and a generator, of the integrating device consisting, essentially, of a non-conducting surface provided with a graduated series of conducting-plates and movable with respect to series of contact pieces forming terminals of ,the register-circuits, saidcouducting-plates being also connected in circuit with the generator, whereby when saidintegrating device is operated the circuit will be closed through each register-circuit a predetermined number of times, substantially as described.

19. In'a system suchas described, and in combination with the register-circuits, switch mechanism connected thereto, and the series of wires connectedto the opposite sections of ducing adiflerent series of electrical impulses in each of said wires and the register-circuits, said integrating device comprising a movable drum carrying a series of graduated conductthe switch, of the integrating device for proing-strips in circuit with the generator and arranged to successively close and open the circuits through each of the series of wires leading to the switch, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. a

20. In a system such as described, the combination, with the i'egister-circuits,'the switch to which they are conn ected, the series of wires 1 HERMAN HOLLERITH;

Witnesses: p

L HOLDSWORTH'GORDON, MAYHEW (PLATER.

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