US850091A - Telegraph and cable cipher-code. - Google Patents

Description

110,850,091. PATBNTED APR. 9, 1907.

ya,I W. LIBTzow.

TLBGRAPH AND CABLE GIPHER GODE. urnluulou nur szP'r, 1o. 19cm` SHBTS-BHEET 2.

UNITED STATES A, PATENT oEEIoE.

TELEGRAPH AND CABLE CIPHER-CODE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Aiatented April 9, 1907.

Application tiled September 10, 1906. Serial No. 333,926.

To al?, w'z/ont t 7mo/,y concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. LIET- zow, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telegraph and Cable Cipher-Codes, of which the following is a full, clear, andfexact specification.

This invention relates to im rovements in telegraph and cable cipher-codes, having the twofold purpose of reducing the cost of sending telegrams and cablegrams and preventing others than the sender and receiyer knowing the contents of same and in which before my invention the cipher-words are largely dictionary words and to a small eX- tent newly-coined words, with no two words alike, and selected without regard to the number of letters to a word or the adaptability of two words to be combined into a single pronounceable word, or having not' more than ten letters, the limit number now fixed for a word by the telegraph and cable companies.

In practically all cipher-codes commonly employed before my invention a single word not infrequently contains eleven or more letters, with the result that the charge for two words is incurred for one cipher-word. It very rarely happens that the aggregate number of letters in any two words are less than eleven and more and that even when the sum of the letters in both are ten or less they will combine to form a single pronounceable word, complying with the requirements in this regard of the cable companies, all of which is largely due to their successive selection in their vowelized arrangement from a dictionary and when newly-coined words are used to the addition of letters for the purposes of changing the form of the word by adding letters and such as will maintainthe word pronounceable. Again, in telegraph and cable codes heretofore employed and now in general use there is no provision for the certain detection by the receiver of an error therein due to the sender, and particularly throughmutilation in transmission, as often happens, both in telegraphing and cablinv, and particularly 1n the latter, and the resuI is that large and irreparable nancial losses frequently accrue on account of the misplac- `ing, omission, or addition of-a single letter in the cipher-word, and which so entirely changes its meaning the receiver is induced to act directly contrary to intended instructions and solely because he has no way of detecting the error.

Se i'ar as I am aware there has not been until my invention any cipher-code for telegraph or cable purposes in which the receiver of a cable-gram is furnished with any means in the cipher by which he can check with any substantial' degree of certainty against an error due to a trans )osition or omission of any letter in the code-word intended to be sent, muc-h more with check-letters, which will combine with their code-words to invariably form a single pronounceable word or without increasing the word to which t-he check-letter is joined to a number exceeding ten. Furthermore, in these prior ciphercodes their extensiveness depends largely, if not entirely, upon the number of words consecutivelyselected from a dictionary, and when such-codes contain from twenty thousand to forty thousand and even more words, as they sometimes do, the various objections, inaccuracies, and uncertainties above `)omted out are correspondingly increased, ior as the number of words are increased their variation in number of letters to the word and the alternating frequency of those variations recurs throughout the code, thereby correspondingly increasing their confusion in the minds of the users and the' difIiculty in selecting the desired word from others in the immediate vicinity and of differing cipher meaning.

The prime object of my lnvention 1s an eX- tensive cipher-code, every cipher-word of which has the same number of letters in systematie arrangement1 whereby every two or more separate words of which when. joined at either end will form a. pronounceable single word.

A further object of my invention is a cablecode every word of which is pronounceable and is composed of not more and preferably less than half the number of lletters now or hereafter allowable to a single word and which words when joined at either end combine to form a single pronounceable word, fully conforming in this res ect to the requirements of the telegraph an cable companies.

A still further object of my invention is a cipher-code the words of which are in systematic alphabetical arrangement, each word of which is preferably composed of vowels and consonants in alternate arrangement and is pronounceable and any two words or more of which when combined form a pro- ICO TIO

nounceable single word; but such words may also be formed by placing two vowels between two consonants, and vice versa.

More specifically stated, one of the principal objects of my invention is a cipher-code every word of which contains the same num ber of letters, each composed of vowels and consonants forming a pronounceable word which when combined with any other word at either end produces a pronounceable single word containing less than ten letters, which words when separated contain less than half the greatest number of letters permissible for a single word, whereby there may be. united to a single word and to a combination of two words one or more check-letters uniting therewith to form a pronounceable single word of, not more than ten letters.

A second and important object of my invention is a telegraph and cable code in parts containing duplicate pronounceable cipherwords, each of which differ in meaning and may be joined together at either end to form a pronounceable single word containing not more than the number of letters permissible for a single word, which said words are provided with differing check-numbers and are adapted to cooperate, both when used singly and combined, with accompanying checkletters indicating the part and parts of' the code-book in which any and every word of a cablegram is located and the check-number thereof.

A third and important object of my invention is a telegraph andl cable cipher-code provided with check-letters indicating the part and check-number of cipher-words therein, each of which contains the same number of letters and ispronounceable, singly and when joined, and is also provided with check-letters so arranged that when any two ci her-v words are united at either end and the c leckletters are added to either a single or joined cipher-words a pronounceable single word will invariably be formed.

More specifically and consecutively stated, the objects of my invention are a telegraph and cable code in duplicate par-ts, each of which contains similar cipherewords differing in meaning composed of four letters with alternating vowels and consonants and are pronounceable both singly and when two of them are joined at either end, each of which words have differing checknumbers,'which code also contains check-letters so arranged as to combine with both single and joined words into a pronounceable single word containing not more than ten letters, whereby the number of cipher-words possible from a combination of letters of uniform number for each word may be doubled, the certainty of selection of the words for a cablegram and their identification for its translation promoted and facilitated and a perfect accuracy of formulation, and translation and detection of errors is provided for, and a pronounceablc single word., made up4 of two words differing in expression, together with a check-letter indicating their location and respective check-numbers, may be sent under the tarifl' for one word of a cipher-code.

With these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of novelty in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, by which the said objects and certain other objects hereinafter appearing are attained, all as fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the said drawings, Figure 1 illustrates briefly the separation of the code into Parts 1 and 2, the employment of similar words in both parts, their check-numbers and differing expressions, and also the complete word they form when joined together with their checkletter, and also the means and method by which each of the joined words are identified and checked. Fig. 2 illustrates briefly the form and arrangement of the check-letter table, the check-letters of which serve to indicate the check-number and expression when attached thereto of single cipher-words and also joined cipher-words. Fig, 3 illustrates briefly Part 1 when confined to trade expressions, the key-numbers therefor, and also the translation of one of a number of tradev expressions and the method employed for translating the same; and Fig. 4, the key to the key-numbers contained in Fig. 3.

Cipher-words containing my invention specifically are formed of four letters, composed of alternating vowels and consonants, as indicated in Fig. l, and may commence with a vowel or a consonant systematically arranged for the purposes of facilitating their selection for and identification in a cablegram and also their subsequent extension in numbers when in the first instance the number of words of which the alphabet is susceptible are not entirely used. For example, if the first word is Abab, it is preferably followed by Abac, Abad, Abaf, and so on until all ofthe consonants of the alphabet have been used in connection with the first three letters Aba,7 and then commencing with another series of words, the first three letters of which are Abe and following the same with final consonants, as above described, until the five vowels a, e, i, o, and u have been exhausted in this manner as the third letter. Other and further series of words may then be formed by successively substituting the remaining vowels, as E, for the rst letter commencing, for example, the wordsEbab,77 Ebac, Ebad, Ebaf, &c.

After the vowels have been exhausted in the manner above described still another and further series of words commencing with their first letter a consonant may be similarly formedias, for example, Baba,

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Babe," Babi, Babo,J Babu, followed by Baca, Bace, Baci, te., and so on until all of the vowels and consonants capable of forming dissimilar spelled and pronounceable words are exhausted, and by which time it is proper to say twenty thousand words will have been formed and by placing two vowels between two consonants, and vice versa, twenty thousand more words may be formulated.

By alternating the vowels and consonants, as above described, not only is every single word pronounceable, but so also any two words thereof when joined together at either end, and, furthermore, provisions is thereby made for incorporating the differingexpressions of any two words into a single pronounceable word of eight letters-that is to say, two letters less than is permissible under the present tariff rates for a single word, and when heretofore a single expression has frequently required a word of more than ten letters.

For an identification and checking purposes hereinafter described every 'word of a series is given a different number, designated for convenience as a check-number,77 beginning with "1 and continuing to 888, when the first word of the next series is commenced with the numeral one (l) and so on for purposes hereinafter described; but it will be no substantial departure from my invention to continue the consecutive number to 19,999

In arrangement the words consecutively formed and numbered, as above described, are preferably placed in the successive order of their formation in vertical columns for the purposes of facilitating selection in formulating a cablegram and subsequently checking the words and their check-numbers by the receiver, as will now be described. A code of my invention also contains what for convenience are termed check-letters, consisting of a joined vowel and consonant, as

Ab or Ba, which when prefixed and preferably affixed to any cipher-word or any two ciplier-words joined together unites therewith to form a single pronounceable word both when the joined words are different or alike, which said check-letters, if necessary, may be two hundred in number. These check-letters are arranged in groups of fours, each of which has opposite thereto the same numeral, and `indicate whenv attached to any single cipher-word ina cablegram the part from which it is to be translated, and when joined to any two united cipher-words indicate that they are both in one part or that one is to be translated from one part and the other from the other part, as may be, and also the order in which they are to be translated. The check-letters used in con-l nection with. these cipher-words also serve to indicate the check-number accompanying any single word to which they are joined and the check-numbers of any two joined words to which the check-letters are joined. All this will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 2, in which the first group -of checkletters are Ab, A0, Adj and Af, and of which Ab when joined to any one or two joined cipher-words indicates that such word and words appear in Part 1 and are to be translated by the expression accompanying itjor them, as may be in Part 1, Ac, that suoli word and words, as may be, are to be translated from the expression given it or them in Part 2, and when two cipher-words are joined Ad indicates that the first cipher-word and its expression are contained in and must be translated from Part 1 and that the second cipher-word and its expression are contained in and must be translated from Part 2, while Af indicates the reverse of this-namely that the expression of the first cipher-word is from Part 2 and. the expression of the secondy cipherword from Part 1. Opposite each'series of check-letters are similar check-numbers, serving to indicate either the check-number of the word, the units or tens of such number, or the units or tens of the sum of the figures in two joined words when the check-letters are joined thereto, as above described, and thereby check the number by the word, and vice versa.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the first four checkletters each have the check-number 1 arranged opposite thereto, and the check-letters Ah, Aj, Ak, andAl each have correspondingly arranged the check-numbers 2, while again the next four check-letters' Am, An, Ap, and Ar each have oppositely-arranged check-numb ers 3 In every new group the arrangement of the part-indicator will follow in the order before specifically described, and in this manner Inew groups of check-letters may be added and their oppositely-arranged check-letters increased until there are fifty of such groups and two hundred diHering two-check-letter combinations, which is substantially the limit which may accrue to the employment of the English. alphabet and which for practical purposes are sufficient when a code contains twenty thousand duplicated four-letter cipher-words in two parts.

The application of these check-letters with their check-numbers and part-indicators, and vice versa, will now be explained by reference to Figs. 1 and 2 ofthe drawings, in Fig. 1 of which the arrangement in Parts 1 and 2 is illustrated as containing cipherwords, their check-numbers, and their differing expressions and from which and the check-letter table a cablegram may be formulated. When it is desired to cable a corres ondent to refer to a former cablegram for t e purposes of ascertaining some informa- IOO tion therein, let it be supposed the expression therefor is in Part 1, that it is, Referring to our cable of the 5th instant, that its cipher-words is Abel and the check-number of the cipher-word is 1, and that therefore the check-letter is Ab, which when added to Abel forms a single pronounceable word Abelab 4To check the accuracy or inaccuracy, as. may be, of such a cablegram, the receiver Will first turn to the check-letters Ab in the check-letter table and after ascertaining therefrom in which part the word Abel is contained he will turn to that part and compare the cipherword with its expression and check-number in that part and if both cipher-word and check-number correspond with that indicated by the check-letters then he will know the cablegram is without error. In other words, the check-letter identifies, first, the word to which it is joined 5 second, the part in which it is contained; third, the check-number of that word, and, fourth, its expression.

As shown in Fig. 1, Part 2 contains the same word Abel, having the check-number 2 and the expression It is impossible to do better, and it will therefore be seen by reference to Fig. 2 that the check-letter will necessarily be Aj,7 the check-number "2 of which corresponds with that of the cipher-word Abel and the entire word Abelaj When, however, it is desirable to use both expressions in one word, the word would then be Abelabelap, or, in other words, the check-letters opposite which is the check-number 3 represents the sum of the check-numbers of the two joined words Abel, the indicator of which is, as will be seen by referring to Fig. 2', that the first word and its expression is in Part 1 and the second word and its expression in Part 2 and the sum of their check-numbers 3.

The check-letter is selected from the series in which the check-number is the same as the number of a cipher-word when it contains one figure; but when the check-number contains two or more figures then the same as that of the sum of the addition of those figures and when two words are joined the same as the sum of the addition of all the figures-as, for example, if the check-number of the cipher-word is two (2) and it is contained in Part 1 the check-letter Ah having the check-number 2 would be joined thereto, and if the check-number of the word is 1 1 1 the sum of these figures would be 3 and the check-letter, if the expression is in Part 1, would be Am, and so if, for example, two ci her-words are joined and their respective c eck-numbers are, say, 888 and 799 7 a check-letter would be selected from the group of check-letters to which the sum of the addition of their figures appears and which is "49.7 Now in this connection it should be observed that as the two-letter combination from the English alphabet is necessarily limited to two hundred and as the lsame check-number is used to every four of such combinations the highest checknumber employed with the check-letters is 50, and it is for this reason that the checknumbers of the cipher-words sto at 888 and then begin again with 1, fior, as may be observed, if the sum of the figures in two check-numbers each of which are 888 is "48 and that within their range the highest possible sum of the figures of two cipherwords results from check-numbers both of which are 799 -that is to say, 50.

Having already pointed out that -duplicate words may be employed when provided with differing check-numbers and with different expressions by lacing them in identified separate parts-t. e., Part 1 and Part 2-of a code, it will readily be seen that by my invention means are provided by which any number of the twenty thousand words before referred to may be duplicated and to their full extent, so that the English alphabet may be used to the extent of forty thousand cipherwords each consisting of a four-letter combination and that any two such words may not only be joined into a single pronounceable word, but have combined therewith checkletters indicating the parts in which said letters are contained and the check-number thereof with absolute certainty not only in the formulation of a cablegram, but preventing its delivery with any mistake that is not detectable,

The two-part feature of a code due to my invention is of further importance in that it enables an intelligent and successful classification of expressions-that is to say, it provides for confining trade expressions to one part and general expressions to the other part, which of itself tends to facilitate the selection of the expressions for the formulation of a cablegram, for the reason that when it is desirable -to send a cablegram containing only general expressions the sender need only refer to one part in formulating, For example, Part 1 may contain such trade expressions as "Pure lard advance limits 3d, which means that the foreign agent shall make an advance of three pence over the previous market price, and in Part 2 general expressions such as If cannot sell at our price cable best can do.77

For the purpose of applying the same trade expression to differing commodities or grades of the same commodity-as, for example7 Pure lard, Compound lard, and

Oleo oil Without confusing one with the' other-differing cipher-words with differing cheek-numbers, respectively corresponding with the key-numbers, are used in connection with such expressions, as will be seen by ref- IKO erence to Fig. 4, illustrating a key in which "1 is the key to pure lard, 2" to compound lard, and 3 to oleo oil.

Fig. 3 illustrates, for example, that Part 1 contains the trade expression "Advance limit 3d. that below the same are three dilifering cipher-words provided with check# numbers corresponding with the key-munbers, and that opposite these words in line arrangement are check and key numbers differing as to each word, but alike as to the same word, and it is proper to add at this point that the key-numbers may and usually do diiler from that of the check-number. Now with this key and table suppose it be desirable to cable a foreign agent Pure lard advance limits 3d. It will be found that under the expression Advance limits 3d there are three differing cipher-words, bama, bame, bami,7 that by turning to the key in Fig. 4 the key-number of Pure lar( is 1, and therefore that bama `contains the desired expression and that its checlenumber is f 1 and having proceeded thus far it then remains to turn to the part-indicator and select and join thereto the checkletters indicating that bama is in Part 1 and its checkaiumber is 1 and which will be found to be the check-letter Ab, which when joined to bama forms the single pronounceable word Bamaab. Again, if it is desirable to cable in one word Pure lard advance limits 3d and Compound lard advance limits 3d, the joined words will be bama, bame, and the sum of their keynumbers 3, with the result that on turning to the indicator-table it will be found that Am is the key-word therefor and the complete word of ten letters bamabameam.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that any two expressions selected from the same part or separately from each part may be joined together and to the proper check-letters into a single word without employing more than ten letters and that said word will invariably be pronounceable.

It is proper to add that in the compilation of a code-book containing my invention and following the usual custom in extensive codebooks the expressions themselves will be tabulated and accompanied by headings containinOV the catch or leading expression therein for zfacilitating their selection in formulating a cablegram. Whenever the leading idea and catch expression refers to Limitsf then the several differing expressions in this regard are tabulated under the one heading Limits, and if there are many expressions in which limits leads then there may be one heading of Advance limits and anotherl heading of Reduce limits, with the several expressions tabulated thereunder accordingly. Again, for example, under expressions the leading idea and catch-word of which is Consignments, Demand Letter,

Sale, Sold, &c., similar headings are employed and arrangement of expressions made, and these several headings are also preferably in consecutively vowelized arrangement for convenience in turning to them. In this connection it is further proper to direct attention to the fact that by having the cipher-words uniformly of four letters alternating in vowels and consonants, and vice versa, the selection and accuracy of the cipher-words are facilitated both in formulating and translatinfT them in and from a cablegram, because of the orderly arrangement of which they are susceptible by reason of their uniformity of letters and their alternating feature, which latter also provides against the liability of using duplicate words in efforts to fully employ the greatest number of Words of which the alphL bet is susceptible.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a cipher-code, a code-book the cipher-words of which contain less than half the number of letters allowable for a single word, are pronounceable both as single Words and when any two such words are joined together at either end, and are accompanied by a check-number, which code-book also contains check-letters which when joined to any one word or a combination of two cipherwords are adapted to indicate the checknumbers thereof and enable the receiver to determine the accuracy or inaccuracy as may be of a cablegram containing a single or a combination of any two words therein.

2. In a cipher-code, a code-book the cipher-words of which contain less than half the number of letters permissible for a single word and are pronounceable both when alone and when any two such words are joined together, which book'also contains check-letters indicating the number and location of a cipher word and words, and which' when joined to two cipher-words will form therewith a single pronounceable word of not more than the number of letters allowable for a single word and indicate the checknumber and location of said 'word and words.

3. In a cipher-code, a code-b ook divided in parts containing duplicate cipher-'words differing in meaning in each part, and having a check-nuinber for every such word, said codebook being also provided with check-letters indicating the part, and the checkenumber of a single code-word, and when a plurality of code-words are combined, the respective parts in which said words appear, and also the check-number thereof, when compared with the sum of the figures of the checknumbers of said words.

4. In a cipher-code, a code-book divided in parts containing duplicate cipher-words differing in meaning in each part, and having a check-number for every word, said code-book IOO lIO

being also provided with check-letters combining with one and more words to form a single word, and indicatinr the part and the check-number of any single code-word used alone, and when a plurality of words are coinbined the part and parts in which said words appear, and also the check-numbers thereof when compared with the sum of the iigures of the check-numbers of said words.

1o 5. In a cipher-code, a code-book divided in parts of which contain duplicate cipherwords differing in meaning in each part, and having a check-number for every word7 said code-book being also provided with checkletters grouped in fours and combining with one or more of said words to form a single word, and indicating the part and the checknumber of a single code-word used alone, and when a plurality of code-words are combined the part and parts in which said words appear, and also the check-numbers thereof when compared with the sum of the igures of the check-numbers of said words.

6. In a cipher-code, a code-book divided in parts containing similar four-letter cipherwords diering in meaning in each part, and check-numbers for such every word, said code-book being also provided with checkletters combining with one or more of said words to form a single word, and indicating the part and the check-number of a single code-word used alone, and when a plurality of code-words are the part and parts in which said words appear, and also the checknumbers thereof when compared with the sum of the figures of the check-numbers of said words.

7. In a cipher-code,` a code-book divided in parts containing similar four-letter cipherwords differing in meaning in each part, and having a check-number for every word, said code-book being also provided with a twoletter combination combining with one or more of said words to form a single word and vowels and consonants and vice versa, four in number and an two of said words joined at j either end to orm a single pronounceable word, which code-book also includes differing check-numbers for each cipher-word, and a check-letter adapted to combine with a cipher-word to form a single pronounceable word and determine the accuracy of the use j of said word in a cablegram.

9. In a cipher-code, a code-book,` a substantial portion of the cipher-words of which are composed of four alternating vowels and consonants and vice versa, and provided with differing cheek-numbers, which book also contains check-letters comprising a vowel and consonant indicating the part and check-number ofthe cipher-word, and joined words to which it is attached, and which when joined to such word and words combines therewith to form a single pronounceable word of six or ten letters as may be.

l0. In a cipher-code7 a code-book, a substantial portion of the cipher-words of which, are composed of four-letter pronounceable words, each of which have a differing checknumber, a plurality of any of which words when joined together form a singlepronounceable word, which book also contains a check letter or letters indicating the check-number of both single and joined cipher-words to which it or they are attached and which when j oined to such word or words combines therewith. to form a single pronounceable word.

11. In a cipher-code, a code-book, a substantial portion of the cipher-words of which are composed of four-letter pronounceable words, each of which have a differing checknumber, a plurality of any of which words when ljoined together form a single pronounceable word, which book also contains a check letter or letters indicatin the checknumber of both single and joined cipherwords to which it or they are attached and which when joined to such word or words 45 indicating the part and the chec -number of a single code-word used alone, and when a l plurality of code-words are combined, the l part and parts in which said words respectively appear, and also the check-number thereof when compared with the sum of the figures of the check-numbers of said words.

8. In a cipher-code, a 'code-book in which a substantial portion of the number of cipherwords therein are composed of alternating combines therewith to form a single pronounceable word of ten letters or less as may be.

In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand this 7th day of September, 1906.

FREDERICK w. LiETZow. Witnesses:

ETHEL K. MANeHEsTER,-

JNO. G. ELLIOTT@ IOO

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