USRE22819E - Facsimile telegraph system and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

a W n 2 m E 1 2 N1 R e M :2: 1 m m R m IGR. A s 7 G. H. RIDINGS ETAL FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Original Filed June 4, 1942 FIG.

1945- G. H. RIDINGS ET AL FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Original Filed June 4, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS c. H. RIDINGS R.J.W|SE

ATTORNEY Dec. 17, 1946.

G. H. RIDINGS ET AL. Re 22,819

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Original Filed June 4, 1942 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 PIC-L6 INVENTORSI 2|9 G.H.R|D|NGS Dec. 17, 1946. G. H. RIDINGS ET AL Re FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS I v sheets-sheet 4 Original Filed June 4, 1942 PIC-1,8

FIG. 7

INVENTORS G. H.RIDINGS R'.J.W|SE

Dec. 17, 1946.

G. H. RIDINGS ET AL I Re 22,819 FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS '7 SheetsShet 5 Original Filed June 4, 1942 INVENTORS G.H.RIDINGS R. J .W|SE

Dec. 17, 1946. G. H. RIDINGS ET AL Re 1 FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Original Filed June 4, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet T INVERTER AMPUFIER AMPLIFIER INVENTORS G. H. RI 0| NGS R.J W|SE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Garvice H. Ridings, Summit, and Raleigh J. Wise, Dunellen, N. J assignors to The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original No. 2,386,263, dated October 9, 1945,. Serial No. 445,690, June 4, 1942. Application for reissue July 18, 1946, Serial No. 684,420

19 Claims. (01. 178-615) I 1 2 This invention relates to automatic facsimile those skilled in the art and are accomplished by telegraph systems and apparatus, and has parthe present invention, one embodiment of which ticular reference to afacsimile telegraph system is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in in which means are provided for selecting a dewhich: sired automatic recorder and transmitting a mes- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a sage or plurality of messages thereto. facsimile transmitter for use in the system of The novel system disclosed hereinafter as an this invention; important part of the present invention com- Fig. 2 is a fragmentary transverse section on prises a transmitter station employing an autoline 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the matic facsimile transmitter and a plurality of arrows; receiver stations each employing an automatic Fig. '3 is an enlarged partial sectional View on self-loading recorder. The system is so arranged line 33 of Fig. 2; that any one of these recorders may be selected Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view on for reception of a message from the transmitline 44 of Fig. 2; ter, and means are provided for automatically 1.5 'Fig. 5 is a View in front elevation of an autosending one or more copies of the message. A matic facsimile receiver for use in the system of signaling device is included at each receiver stathis invention, certain of the parts being removed tion for sending to the transmitter station a prefor the sake of clearness of illustration; determined identifying code to notify the opera- Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line 6-6 of tor at the transmitter station of the selection of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the rows; the desired receiver station. This return or an- Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary section on swer-back signal is or may be modified to indie of 3 a illustrates a detail; cate to the operator at the transmitter station Fi 8 i n nlar d fr y section on that a previously transmitted message has been line 8-8 of Fig. received by the proper person. It will be under- 9 is an a d fragmentary SeCtiOII 0H stood that the term message as used herein line f may refer to written or printed matter, pictures 10 s Partial Section on line Di and drawings, or any other subject matter to be of reproduced by the facsimile process The 5375- Fig. 11 ShOWS a recording blank for use in the tem of this invention is particularly useful for machine 1 l railroad dispatching service, but its usefulness is 1S Wirmg dlagram Showms one t limited to this particular field cuit arrangement for a transmitter adapted to An object of the present invention is to control the selection and operation of any one vide for transmission from an automatic trans of a number of receiversfrom the transmitting mitter to. one of a plurality of automatic selfa cmmuniQatin c1rcuit; loading recorders. this communication being ob- F g. 13 is a wiring diagram ShOWlIlg one cirtained by Selective process cult arrangement for selecting and condit1on1ng A further object is to provide an improved au- Operation; and l tomatic facsimile telegraph receiver capable of F 14 15 a Wlrmg dlagram show-mg one being selected for communication purposes and 4,. out arrangement for controlling and operating of being controlled from a remote point such, for the recelverexample, as a transmitter Station The system of this invention comprisesa transtm another object is to provide an answer mitting station employing a transmitter ID (Figs. back arrangement whereby a Selected receiver 1, 2 and 12), a communication circuit L composed station automatically transmits a set of predeterf line conductors LI and L2, a plurality of receivmined identifying signals. ing stations at each of which is a selector and con- Still another object of the present invention is trol mechanism l d a a ma a y s wn y to modify the answer-back signal so as to furnish ig. 13, a d. a recorder M, th essential m a information to the operator at the transmitter cal parts and electrical Wiring of which are shown station. 5U by Figs. 5 to 10 and 14. The transmitter may Still another object of the present invention is he installed at any point on a railroad line, for to provide for predetermining the number of example, in the dispatchers office or in a railroad times transmission of a given message will be austation, and the recorders may be placed in small, tomaticallyrepeated. weather-proof houses along the railroad line at These and other objects will be apparent to; i varying distances from the transmitter. The

may be similar to the recorder disclosed in the copending application of R. J. Wise et al., Serial No. 389,164, filed April 18, 1941. The structural and circuit details of the recorder not disclosed at the present time by an issued patent will be described hereinafter for the sake of completeness of this disclosure.

The conductors LI and L2 of the communication circuit L are used simultaneously for the transmission of alternating current facsimile signals or message impulses, and, also, the direct current control signals by which the selection of the recorder and the operation of the transmitting and recording apparatus is controlled. The facsimile signals originate in the transmitter at the photoelectric cell l8 (Fig. 12) which is connected to an amplifier IS, the output circuit of which is connected through a pair of blocking condensers 20 to the conductors LI and L2. The purpose of the blocking condensers is to isolate the alternating current facsimile signals from the direct current control signals. At the receiving station the line conductors are connected to a signal inverter 2! and an amplifier 22. A transformer 23 couples the amplifier to the recording circuit.

The polarity of the direct current potentials which are applied to the conductor Ll is controlled by apparatus at the receiving station for the purpose of operating a polar relay 24 connected to this conductor at the transmitting station. Similarly, the polarity of the direct current potentials, which are applied to the conductor L2, is controlled by the apparatus at the transmitting station for the purpose of operating a polar relay 25, forming a part of the selector apparatus, and a polar relay 26 of a selected receiver. Each of these polar relays is of the threeposition type whereby the tongue is moved to one extreme contact in response to one polarity of potential, to the other extreme contact in re- V the transmitting station is located in a box or housing 21 adapted to be mounted on any suitable support such, for example, as a wall or pedestal. The mechanical features and details of the transmitter selected for purposes of illustration are similar to those disclosed and claimed in Patent No. 2,262,715, above-mentioned, and reference is made thereto for a detailed mechanical description. In the present disclosure, electr cal c Q -i details necessary to a complete understanding of this invention are shown by Fig. 12. A slot 28 (Fig. 1), accessible from the front of the box 21,

is connected with a chute 29 which extends to a point adjacent a message scanning cylinder 30 adapted to be driven through suitable gearing (not shown) by a synchronous or other speedcontrolled motor 3|. The scanning cylinder, the motor and the remaining parts of the transmitter mentioned hereinafter are diagrammatically shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings. The photocell 18, the exciter lamp 33 and the associated optical mechanism are mounted on a scanning carriage 34, which is movable longitudinally of the rotary cylinder 30 to scan a message thereon. A light chopper 36 driven by a motor 31 forms a part of the scanning mechanism.

The scanning carriage 34 is moved longitudinally of the cylinder 30 in any known manner by a rotary feed screw driven by the synchronous motor 31 and adapted to be connected to the ca riage by a half-nut which is brought into engagement with the feed screw by the armature of the half-nut operating magnet 39. The slot 28 giving access to the chute 29 is normally closed by a closure slide 4| connected to the end of the armature 42 of a chute closure magnet 43. A spring 44 holds the slide in the chute closing position when the magnet is deenergized. The scanning cylinder 30 is preferably provided with a circumferential series of sheet holding teeth similar to the sheet holding teeth of the recorder shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings and the issued patent referred to above. These teeth engage a message sheet 4'! fed downwardly through the chute 29 and cause it to be wrapped in position around the cylinder 30, as diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 12. As described in the above-mentioned patent, the sheet is preferably so formed as to require being inserted in the chute in the way necessary to insure its being properly positioned on the cylinder for correct transmission of the message subject matter. It will be understood, however, that any known means for securing the sheet on the cylinder 30 may be employed. When the sheet 41 is on the cylinder, it closes the contacts of a switch 48. When no message sheet is on the cylinder, the operating arm 49 for the switch 48 is accommodated by a groove in the 50 cylinder 30.

' When a message sheet on the cylinder 30 is to be removed, it is stripped from the cylinder by a stripper blade formed on or by the armature of a stripper magnet 5i. Details of a similar 55 stripper blade are illustrated by Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. The dimensions of the message sheet 41 are such that a gap is left between the edges of the sheet that is wrapped around the cylinder. The message sheet is stripped from the 60 cylinder by energizing the magnet 5| which moves the stripper blade into position against the cylinder so that its edge slips under the edge of the message sheet and peels it from the cylinder.

' When peeled from the cylinder, the sheet pref- 65 erably falls into a bin or the like where it remeans until collected by an authorized person having access to the bin through a locked'closure or the like.

The copy selecting and starting switch I! or 70 the present invention provides a means for automatically transmitting a desired number of copies to a recorder selected by the dial mechanism l6.

' and the selector and control mechanism I2. The

switch I! is secured by lugs 53 to a channel mem- 7 her 54 carried by the frame of the transmitter Ill.

shaft as shown. The range of movement of the wiper arm is limited, in the illustrative embodiment, to six contact studs by a stop arm 64 which engages the posts 66 separating the plates and 58. The upper portion of the shaft 56 projects above the sloping top- 61 of a cover member 68 andis provided with an operating knob or harm dle 69. A dial in the form of appropriate markings I2 cooperates with a pointer 13 formed on the handle 69 or other suitable means to indicate the position of the wiper arm 59.

To provide for advancing the wiper arm 59 one step upon completion of a scanning operation, a ratchet wheel H having ratchet teeth I6 is secured to the shaft 55. A jockey roller II carried by an arm 18 pivoted at 80 is pressed into the notches between the ratchet teeth by a spring vI9. The free end 8i of the pivoted armature 82 of a stepping magnet 33 is positioned to press against the flank of a tooth 16 of the ratchet wheel without interference from the adjacent flank of the next succeeding tooth when the mag net 83 is energized to advance the shaft angularly by an amount equal to the angular spacing between the ratchet teeth. A spring .8 3 biases the armature out of engagement with the ratchet wheel. When the stepping magnet 23 is deenergized, the wiper arm 59 may be manually moved over the contact studs without interference from the armature 82. A spring 85 keeps the end iii of the armature in positive laterally.

A pair of openings or windows 86 in the front of the box 26 is provided with signs 8! and 83 for giving information concerning transmission of the message to the operator of the transmitter Ill. The signs are indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 12 and are illuminated at appropriate times by lamps 89 and 9| controlled and operated by electrical circuits to be described hereinafter.

The recording apparatus shown in detail in Figs. 5 to may, as stated above, be installed at outlying points or stations more or less remote from the transmitter II], and these receiving stations need not have an attendant present when a message is received and stored in them. The recorder I4, which is identical with the recorder Ma and other recorders connected to the communication circuit L, comprises a supporting frame 93 having forwardly projecting side walls 94 and a front panel 96 mounted on hinges 91, permitting the panel to be swung open to give access to the mechanism mounted within the irame and also on the inner face of the panel. Any suitable fastener or lock 98 may be employed to secure the panel in closed operative position. The paper feed mechanism supported by the panel includes a roll 99 of individual blanks IEI supported, preferably in overlapping relationship as shown in Fig. 6, on an elongated belt it)? of any suitable material, the end of the belt being secured to a mandrel N33. The belt and supported blanks are rolled together around themandrel to form the blank supply roll 99.

The opposite ends of the mandrel I03 are sup ported in inclined slots inreel supporting bracket arms I85 mounted on the inner face of the hinged panel 96. A rod ID'I extends between the arms and is engaged by the face of the supply reel.

As the reel is reduced in diameter through use,-

the mandrel will slide down the inclined slots, keeping the face of the reel in contact with the rod IIlI, which thus serves as a brake to prevent overrunning of the wheel after movement of the belt has ceased. A guide plate I68 extends across the width of the reel and is pivotally supported along one edge on a pivot Hill.v The other'edge rests on the reel under the run of the belt as it is drawn oil. The plate prevents any biank from. following the reel rather than being drawn on with the belt. A pair of guide strips Ill directs the blanks across and over an idle roller H2 rotatably supported by brackets 1 l lnear the top of the panel as. From the idler roller II2 the belt I E2 passes downwardly around a second idler roller HG rotatably supported by brackets II I, through an elongated opening H8 adjacent the bottom edge of the panel, and from there to a belt take-up reel HQ rotatably mounted on the spaced arms IZI of a bracket secured to the sup porting shelf I22 provided at the bottom of the panel 96 on the outside. The take-up reel is received in slots I23 in the bracket arms iii. With the above-disclosed arrangement of pivoted guide plate I68 and guide strips I I I, it is not necessary to overlap the blanks on the supporting belt of the supply reel in order to feed them across the roller H2, as the plate and strips insure this operation. Nevertheless, even when the plate and strips are employed, it will usually be preferable to overlap the blanks in order to provide as many blanks as possible with a given length of belt. The arrangement of the plate Hi8 and inclinedl slots in the bracket arms N36 is such that the plate remains substantially tangent to the supply roll at all times.

The take-up reel may be driven by any suitable mechanism such, for example, as a motor I2 l mounted on the outside of the panel 93 above the reel and operatively connected to it through gearing I26. The motor shaft E21 extends above motor housing and is provided with a fan or the like I28 for Ventilating and cooling the housing,

A third idler roller are, generally similar to the idler roller H2, is mounted in brackets I3! at the bottom of the panel 96 adjacent the panel slot H8. An endless belt i152 passes over the Vertically spaced idler rollers IIZ and I29.

It will be apparent that the belts I02 and 132 form the moving side walls of a chute having sta framing impulse or other signal.

The recording blanks pass down the chute to the recording mechanism which lie beneath. As illustrated, the belts diverge slightly from top to bottom. Obviously, operation of the take-up reel 1 I9 unwinds the belt it? and the associated blanks from the supply reel 91%, drawing them over the upperidler roller H2 and the belt I32, these parts moving together. As indicated in Fig. 6, unwinding of the belt I02 and the blanks IllI releases the latter one at a time, permitting them to drop into position to be delivered to the re cording cylinder under control of a. phasing or This position is definitely determined by stops in the form of ledges I35 at the lower ends of stop lingers I3! extending downwardly from the shelf I22." A pair of cooperating fingers 538 extending downwardly from the bearing brackets Hi! is located to one side of the stop fingers lei and guides the lower edge of the biank into engagement with the stops I36.

A recording cylinder I39 is mounted on a shaft i-il rotatably supported in the side walls 94- of came any suitable source of power such as a motor I42 through worm gear I43, A circumferential series of blank holding teeth I44 extends around thecylinder I39 near one of its ends and projects beyond its periphery a suflicient distance to pierce a blank and hold it on the cylinder in the manner described hereinafter and in the patent referred to above. The shape of the individual teeth may be varied, but a. more or less saw-toothed shape has been found to be satisfactory. The transmitter cylinder 38 (Fig. 12),

as stated previously, is also similar to the teeth I44.

A peripheral groove I46 is formed in the cylprovided with .teeth indter and receives a finger I41 secured to a rod I48 rotatably mounted in the adjacent frame side wall 94 through which it extends. The projecting end of the rod I48 carries a switch actuating arm I49 for operating a switch II mounted on the side wall. A torsional spring I52 surrounding the rod I43 has one end secured to the frame side wall and the other to a collar I53 which is fastened on the rod I48 for normally pressing the finger I41 into the slot I46. Obviously, when a blank is in position on the cylinder I39, the finger I41 is held out of the groove I46, thus raising the switch actuating arm I49. The function of the switch I 5| will be described in connection with a description of the operationv of the entire system disclosed by Figs. 12 to 14 of the drawings.

A blank I8I, which is in the position shown in Fig. 6, with its lower edge resting on the ledges I36 of the two stop fingers I 31, is delivered to the rotating recording cylinder I39 at the desired moment by a pusher mechanism which is illustrated as being composed of grooved rollers I54 rotatably supported on one end of a frame I56 connected to the projecting end of a core I51 of a solenoid I58 biased by tension springs I59 away from the recordingcylinder. The rollers are grooved to accommodate the fingers I31. When the solenoid I58 is energized, in this instance through the medium of a phasing pulse received from the transmitter, the grooved rollers I54 are projected against the adjacent edge of the blank I 8|, forcing it against the teeth I44 of the rotating cylinder which pierces the blank and draws it onto the cylinder.

A frictionally driven contact brush I6I (Figs.-

1 to 9) cooperating with a stationary commutator ring I62 of insulating material having a conally so as to engage the pivoted armature I15 of a clutch releasing magnet I16 (Fig. 5) secured on a bracket I11, which depends from the side tact segment I63 controls the time of energization of the solenoid I58 in accordance with the phasing pulse received from the transmitter.

The insulating commutator ring I62 is secured by suitable fastening means, such as the screws I64, to the inside surface of the left hand side frame 94; The brush I6I is mounted on a ring I65 which is adjustably secured to the driven member I66 of a frictional driving device by screw I68 (Fig. 9) projecting through arcuate slots I69. The driving member of the frictional driving device is in the form of a sleeve or bushing I18 which receives a. collar I1I secured thereto by a set screw I12. The sleeve I18 is slotted at I68 to receive a set screw I61 which secures the sleeve I18 and the collar "I to the shaft MI. The collar I1I maintains two friction members I13 and I88 in frictional driving engagement with the driven member I66 and the ring I65, respecf tively, by compression of a spider-shaped spring member I89. The driven member I66 is proframe 94. The angular position of the brush I6I with respect to the stop arm I14 is adjustable by loosening the screws I68. The sleeve I10 with its assembled parts may be adjusted axially of the shaft MI by loosening the set screw I61.

A presser roller I18 (Fig. 6) is rotatably mounted on a stem I19 projecting outwardly from a bracket arm I 8| supported on the side frame 94. A spring I82 draws the roller I18 yieldingly against the face of .the cylinder to hold a blank I8I against twisting when it is stripped from the cylinder.

As soon as a blank is removed from the ledges I36 of the stop fingers I 31 and is delivered to the recording cylinder upon occurrence of a framing pulse, the take-up reel H9 is operated, drawing the belt I82 off the supply roll 99 until the next blank is deposited on the stop finger ledges. This serves to stop further operation of the takeup reel in a manner now to be described. The mechanism for controlling the operation of the take-up reel II9 through its motor I24 is shown in Figs. 10 and 14 as comprising a photocell I83 located in a housing I84 hung below the shelf I22 on the hinged panel 96. A lamp I85 for exciting the photocell is mounted opposite the photocell so that light directed from the lamp by a reflector I86, or other means, is cut or: from the cell by the presence of a blank on the stop fingers I 31. This serves to open the circuit of the take-up reel motor I24, as hereinafter de scribed, and discontinues the feeding of another blank until the proper time.

A recording stylus I81 and its associated mechanism are mounted on and in a scanning carriage I88 which is supported for scanning movement longitudinally of the cylinder I39 on a rod I9I by a. beveled roller I92 mounted in a bracket I93 secured to the bottom of the carriage. An inverted U-shaped bracket I94 on the back of the carriage slidably embraces a guide rod I95. It will be apparent that the scanning carriage I88 can be easily removed from the machine merel by lifting it off the support and guide rods and be as easily replaced. The stylus I 81 is connected by a wire I96 to the projecting end of the vertically movable armature I91 of a stylus magnet I98 also mounted on the scanning carriage I88.

A half-nut I99 is located beneath the scanning carriage for vertical movement into and out of engagement with a'feed screw 28I, the latter of which is mounted for rotation in the frame side walls 94 and is driven from the shaft I4I of the recording cylinder I39 through gearing 282. A similar feed screw and half-nut is provided in the transmitter I8, as stated above. Other gears may be substituted for the gears 282 to vary the number of lines scanned per inch, and for this reason they are located in a readily accessible position on the outside of the frame.

Scanning movement of the carriage I88 occurs when a half-nut magnet 283 (Fig. 5), mounted on the carriage, is energized to shift the halfthe end of a scanning operation the half-nut is disengaged from the feed screw and the carriage returned to its original position at the left of Fig. 5 by a carriage return spring 284 connected be- 9 tween the side wall 94 and the inverted U-shaped bracket I94 secured to the carriage.

The circumference of the recording cylinder I39 is such that, when a blank 32 is wrapped around the cylinder for scanning, its edges overlap slightly to afford a smoother path for the stylus and to keep it from touching the cylinder. Each blank has a beveled corner 206 (Fig. 11) formed in such a way that, when the blank is on the cylinder, the bevel provides an open space between the edges at one end. This space permits a stripping finger 2H1, extending upwardly from the armature 2080f a magnet 209, to be inserted through the open space and under a blank for the purpose of stripping it from the cylinder. The armature 208 is pivoted on a pin 2 and biased by a coil spring 2I2 into inoperative position, This magnet assembly is adjustably mounted in slots 2I4 in a bracket 2I6, the latter being adjustably mounted by means of slots 2I'I on a hanger 2I8 below the frame 93. By this means the stripper finger is adjustable diametrically and longitudinally of the scanning drum. A chute or other receptacle 2I5 (Fig. 6) receives the mes-. sage blanks which are removed from the cylinder by the stripper finger, This chute may, if desired, be provided with a locked closure so that only an authorized person may have access to the recorded messages.

At the right hand end of the recording cylinder a guid plate 220 is provided for guiding the blank lIlI as it is drawn onto the cylinder, and a circular guide strip 22I extends around a substantial part of the same end of the cylinder to keep the blank at that end from moving away from the cylinder.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, the operation of the mechanical features of the recorder thus far described will be obvious. As suming a blank to be in feeding position on the ledges I36 of the stop fingers I31, upon receipt of a framing impulse the magnetl58 is energized,

causing the presser rollers I54 to be projected to the right in Fig. 6, pressing the lower edge of the blank into engagement with the rotating cylinder I39, the teeth I44 of which penetrate the blank and cause it to be wrapped around the cylinder with its edges overlapping except at the bevel 20 3. Removal of the blank from the stop fingers I31 uncovers the reflector I86, permitting the lamp I85 to excite the photocell I83 to close the circuit of the paper feed motor I24, causing the take-up reel to draw the belt I02 off the supply roll 99 until the next blank has been released and drops onto the stop finger I31, cut ting off light to the cell and discontinuing further blank feeding.

During the scanning operation the carriage feed screw 2M is rotated from the motor I42 through the cylinder drive shaft MI and driving "blank may be placed in the supply roll so that or repair upon merely opening this panel. A

safety switch 222 (Fig. 14) in the power line to of the fact that the supply of recording blanks is approaching the point of depletion, one expedient which is contemplated is the'inclusion in the series of blanks of one having a different marking or color than the others. Such a colored it will be followed by a predetermined small number of other blanks before the supply is exhausted.

Upon noting the appearance of such a distinc .tlvely colored blank, the attendant may makepreparations for ,the substitution of a new supis labeled A.

ply roll of blanks in time to prevent the recorder from becoming disabled by reason of the exhaustion of the supply of recording blanks.

The operation of the system will be described in conjunction with Figs, 12 to 14 of the drawings taken together. It is assumed that the equipment shown by these three figures is idle and that the alternating current bus bars A and B at the transmitting and receiving apparatus are connected to a source of power. An operator at the transmitter desiring to send one or more copies of a message to one of the recorders I4 operates the handle 69 of the copy selecting and starting switch I1 to the I position marked dial, operating a relay 224 by reason of a circuit extending from the B bus bar through the collector ring 63, the brush arm 62, the wiper arm 59, one of the contact studs *BI, and the winding of the relay 224 to the A bus bar of the alternating current supply. A make contact 226 of the relay 224 causes energization of a relay 221 from the bus bars A and B.

The closure of the make contact 228 of the relay '22] connects the A bus bar of the alternating current source to a secondar bus bar which 7 Connected between the bus bar A and the bus bar B are the exciter lamp 33, the driving motor 3I for the scanning cylinder 30 and the feed screw for advancing the carriage, which houses the optical scanning apparatus, and, also, the motor. for driving the light chopper disc 32.

Also, a rectifier 229 for providing direct current signaling potentials is connected to the alter-nating current source. It is presumed that the amplifier I9 is at all times conditioned for operation. The exciter lamp 33 being energized, an unmodulated carrier current of maximum amplitude is generated by the reflection of the light from the cylinder 30 and is transmitted over the conductors of the communication circuit L to be employed at the selected receiving station in a manner to gears 2.02 to produce the necessary scanning movement of the carriage and stylus longitudinally of the rotating cylinder. Incoming facsimile signals cause the stylus to record the incoming messages on the blank inposition on the scanning cylinder, When the scanning opera-- tion is completed, the half-nut is disengaged from the carriage feed screw, permitting the carriage to be returned .to its starting position by the spring 204. Also, the stripper magnet 239 is energized, causing the stripper finger to strip the recorded blank from the cylinder.

'It will be apparent that the entire blank feeding mechanism is mounted on the hinged front panel 96 and is readily accessible 'for adjustment be described,

Another make contact 23I on the relay 224 energizes an impulse producing dialing relay 232 from the bus bar 13 through the impulseproducing contacts 234 of the dial mechanism I6 to the secondary bus bar A. The make contact 235 of the dialing relay 232 connects the line conductor D2 to the negative pole of the rectifier 222 by way of the break contact 231 of a relay 2% and the break contact 235 of the ground transfer relay 235. The relay 238 is deenergized at this time, since the tongue of the polar relay 24 is in its midposition. The relay 239 is also deenergized, since the circuit for its operating coil is-open at a break contact 24I of the relay 224.

The dialing mechanism It is manipulated to transmit impulses to the polar relays 25 (Fig. 13) of the recorders on the communication circuit L in accordance with the predetermined code to and/or positioning of the teeth 218.

zas'ie select the recorder I4 with which communication is desired. These impulses in the nature of interruptions of the negative potential applied to L2 at the tongue and make contact 236 of the relay 232 operate the mechanism of a selector 243 (Fig. 13) from the tongue and contacts of the associated polar relay 25. The selector 243 is of the well-known Gill selector type which operates in response to the predetermined series of signals to close a set of contacting e ements such as 244. The contacting elements 244 are normally open and close only after the operating coil 246 of the selector has been energized and deenergized in a predetermined manner in accordance with a predetermined series of signals. Power for operating the mechanism of the selector 243 is obtained through a rectifier and filter combination 241 from an alternating current source which is connected to the alternating current bus bars A and B of Fig. 13.

Upon completion of the dialing operation, the contacting elements 244 of the selector 243 are closed to energize a relay 248 from the alternating current bus bars. The first relay tongue and make contact 25I of the relay 2-48 connects the alternating current source to the recorder I4 by way of the operating coil of a load responsive relay 253 from which the circuit may be traced from Fig. 13 into Fig. 14 as a continuation of the bus bar B to the amplifier 254 and by Way or switch 222 to the bus bar A. After the cathode heaters and filaments of the vacuum tubes in an amplifier 254 (Fig. 14) are heated, the alternating current signal generated in the photocell I8 and applied to the line conductors LI and L2 through the condensers 29 causes operation of a relay 256 from the output of this amplifier. Through a make contact 251 of this relay the input circuit of a vacuum tube 258 is energized to cause plate current to flow in the plate circuit thereof, thereby energizing a relay 26I connected in series with the output circuit of the tube. The closure of the make contact .262 of this relay connects the bus bar A through the panel safety switch 222 to a conductor 263 which energizes the drivin motor I42 for the recording cylinder I39 and the carriage feed screw 20L The resulting increased flow M current in the operating coil of the relay 253 (Fig. 13), due to the operating load of the recorder I4, causes this relay to operate so that its tongue and make contact 264 bridges the tongue and make contact 25I of the relay 248, permitting this last-named relay to be de-energized in a manner to be explained, without shutting down the recorder I4.

With a recording blank IOI 'on the ledges I36 of the stop fingers I31 in readiness to be applied to the recording cylinder I39, the positive pole of a suitable source of direct current signaling potential is connected to the line conductor LI through the break contact 269 of the blank supply'control relay 21I, the break contact 212 of a. relay 213, and the break contact 214 of the relay 26I. A code disc 216 (Fig. 13) driven by a. motor 211 identifies the selected recorder I4 by means of code teeth 218 which operate a pair of contacts 219 connected in the line LI. The disc 216, for each recorder connected to the communication circuit L, has a distinctive number A condenser 28I provides a path for the alternating current generated in the photocell I8 of the transmitter I9.

At the transmitting station the tongue of the other desired signaling device. circuit for the buzzer extends from the A bus.

polar relay 24 vibrates against the contactin response to the positive potential on line LI to sound the answer code on a buzzer 284 or The energizing two copies of a given message to the selected receiver and therefore the copy selector switch.

I1 will be moved from the Dial position to the No. 2 position. This will release relay 224 and relay 232. The de-energization of relay 232 will remove the negative potential from the line L2,

The eifect at the recorder of the removal of the negative potential. from line L2 is to center thetongue of the polar relay 25, thereby opening the contacts 244 of the selector 246 to release the relay 248. The code motor 211 stops and the interrupter contacts 219 are shortcircuited at a break contact 288 of the relay 24B. De-energization of the relay 224 which, as just explained, occurred upon moving the switch I1 to the No. 2 position, connects the contact M of the polar relay 24 to the chute magnet 42. The chute magnet is energized at this time from the bus bar A, through the contact M of the polar relay 24, the break contact 24I of relay 224 and a break contact 29I of a relay 292 to the bus bar B. The tongue of the polar relay 24 is on its M contact because of the positive potential applied to line LI in the manner explained above. The Deposit message sign 81 is illuminated by the lamp 89 connected in parallel with the operating coil of the chute magnet 43. Energization of the chute magnet 43 withdraws the closure 4| from the upper end of the chute 29' so that the message sheet 41, having a previously inscribed message thereon, may be inserted therein, after which it is conveyed by gravity to the scanning cylinder 30.

As soon as the message sheet 41 is mounted on the scanning cylinder, the switch 48 is closed, thereby energizing the relay 292 which causes de-energization of the chute magnet 43 and extinguishes the Deposit message lamp 89. Thus the chute is closed to prevent the insertion of other sheets. Energization of the relay 292 connects the bus bar 13 to one terminal of the half nut magnet 39 through a make contact 294 of the relay 292. The other terminal of the half nut magnet is connected to the busbar A through the break contact 24I of the relay 224 and the contact M of the polar relay 24. The half nut engages the feed screw thereby imparting scanning motion to the carriage 34 containing the scanning apparatus. The lamp 9| is connected in parallel with the winding of the half nut magnet which becomes illuminated to illuminate the Message being transmitted sign 88. The closure of a make contact 296 of the half nut magnet 39 connects the positive terminal of the rectifier 229 to the line L2 through the break contact 231 of the relay 238, a break contact 291 of the relay 232, a break contact 298 of a relay 299, and a make contact 39I of the relay 2.39. Therelay 239 was energized at the break contact 24I of the relay 224 upon movement of the copy selector switch I1 from the .Dial position.

'incler I39.

At the recorder the tongue of the three-position polar relay 26 connected to the line conduct'or L2 moves to the contact M in response to the positive potential applied to the conductor L2 upon energization of the transmitter half n'ul; magnet 39. The winding of a relay 383 is thus connected between the bus bars A and B and consequently is energized to operate its contacts. A make contact 384 of relay 303 is connected to shunt the break contact 269 of the relay 2'II for a purpose to be fully described hereinafter. Even though abreak contact 396 of the relay 303 is opened, theprimary coil of a transformer 30! is maintained energized by a circuit extending through a make contact 308 of this relay and a break contact 309 of a relay 3.

(3n the next succeeding revolution of the transfnitte'r cylinder 30 following the energization of the half nut magnet 3t, an area 3I4 (Fig. 12) on the message sheet 47-, which is somewhat less light reflective than the remainder of the sheet, is scanned'to generate an alternating current signal having a minimum amplitude. Reception of this signal at the recorder momentarily deenerient source of direct current through a break o'ontact 3I8 of a relay 3I9, the magnet I76, break contact 3I6 of the relay 256, and the make contact 32I of the relay 303, to ground. The armature I15 of the magnet ITG is moved from engagement with the stop arm I14 for the frictionally urged framing brush lei, and allows the greater than the minimum amplitude, the relay -3'I I is maintained energized independently-of the relay 255. The break "contact 309 of the relay -3-I I dc-energizes the transformer 391' and exting uish'e's the light 185 temporarily. The closure of a make contact-324 of there'lay 3H completes a circuit from -a source 32? of direct current through the winding of the phasing magnet I58.

This magnet actuates the rollers I54 which force the blank IIlI *into'a position where it is gripped by the teeth I44 of the recording cylinder I39 and i'sthus wrapped around the cylinder in position for recording. The removal offthe blank "IOI from in front of the "photoelectric cell I83 does not produce any result at this time because the light I85 is extinguished. As soon as the advancing edge of the recording blank reaches the arm I41, the switch I5! controlled thereby is closed. This operation connects the winding of the relay '3 I9 between the bus bars'A and-B, thereby operating-the contacts-ofthi's relay. The

"opening of the break contact 313 deenergizes the relay 3, but connected in parallel with the winding of this relay is a condenser 3'29 which is ofsufi-lcient size to delay the release or" the contacts of this relay until the recording blank is completely mounted 'upon the recording cyl- After this operation has been completed the contacts of the relay 3 are released,

thereby de'ener'gizing the phasing magnet I58. The closure'of the break contact-309 of the retime lay 3 again energizes the'transformer' 30Iand operates the light I to excite the photoelectric cell I83,' thereby energizing the input circuit of a vacuum tube 33I.

Connected in the output circuit of this tube- 33| is the relay 2' which thus becomes energized to close its make contact 333, thereby connecting one terminal of the blank feed motor I24 to the bus bar B. The other terminal of this motor is connected through the make contact 262 of the relay 251 and the switch 222 to the A bus bar. The operation of this motor conveys one of the recording blanks IOI from the supply roll 99 into a position to be mounted subsequently upon the recording cylinder, in which position the light falling upon the photocell I83 is interrupted. The vacuum tube 33I thereupon becomes inoperative, releasing the relay 2' to stop the motor I24. Release of the relay 2' permits positive direct current potential to be connected through the break contact 265 of the relay 21I, through a break contact 21.2 of the relay 213, and through the make contact 214 of the relay 26I, to the line conductor LI, as stated above, to provide the acknowledging signal.

The opening of the break contact 25 3 of the relay 2?! in response to operation of the vacuum tube 33I opens one circuit from the positive source of potential. However, this potential is not .disconnected from the line conductor LI by reason of the shunt path provided through the make contact 3534 of the relay 303.

The operation of the relay 319 in response to the mounting of the recording blank upon the cylinder I39 completes a circuit from the bus bar A through a make contact 342 of this relay, through windings of the half nut magnet 203 and the stylus magnet I99 in parallel, to the bus bar B. The stylus I8! is thus moved into recording position in contact with the blank "II and the half nut is moved into engagement with the feed screw, thereby imparting a scanning movement to the carriage.

As the facsimilesignals generated at the transmitter are received at the recorder, they are applied, after inversion and amplification, to the recording blank for the reproduction of the subject matter being scanned at the transmitter. These signals also are applied to the relay 256, which will vibrate as the amplitude of the signals varies between maximum and minimum values, but the closure of the break contact 3H5 of this relay is ineffective to operate the relay 31 I, since the operating circuit of this relay is open at the break contact -3 I8 of the relay SIB. The

opening and closing of the contact .257 of relay 253 alternately energizes and de-energizes the input circuit of the vacuum tube 258, but; this circuit is provided with means for delaying the de-energizat-ion thereof during the interval of time that the contact 251 is open. This is accomplished by providing a condenser 3'43 connected between the gridof .the tube and .a source of negative potential. When the contact 251 is closed, this condenser is charged to a potential to a 'valuewhich is insufficient to. maintain the relayZB-I operated. However, the values of .the

-' condenser 3'43 and'the-leak resistor 344 arecho-sen so that the plate circuit of the tube 258 draws suflicient current during the normal operation of recording that the relay 26! remains operated.

At the transmitter, when the carriage 34 containing the scanning apparatus has advanced to the end Of its movement, a normally open switch 341, operated by the carriage, is closed, thereby closing a circuit from the bus bar B through the Winding of the relay 299, and a normally closed carriage operated switch 348, to the bus bar A. Relay 2% is thus energized and locked at its make contact 349 to open its break contact 296 and thereby disconnect the positive potential from the line conductor L2. Closure of the contact 349, in addition to locking the relay 299,

energizes the stepping magnet 83 of the copy selecting switch I1 to step its contact arm 59 from the No. 2 stud to the No. 1 stud.

At the recorder, the disconnection of positive potential from line conductor L2 disengages the armature of the polar relay 26 from its right hand contact M and thereby opens the operating circuit for the relay 303. The release of this relay closes a circuit from positive potential, through a make contact 350 of the relay 3I9, the winding of the relay 336, and a break contact 35I of the relay 303, to ground. Operation of the relay 336 closes a circuit through its make contact 352 to connect the winding of the blank stripping magnet 209 between the bus bars A and B. The sheet containing the recording is thus removed from-the cylinder I39, permitting the switch I5I to open. Relay 3I9 is thus released and the closure of a break contact 353 of this relay completes a circuit from the bus bar A through a make contact 354 of the relay 336, through the winding of the relay 213, and a break contact 356 of a relay 351, to the bus bar B. Relay 213 is thus operated and looked through its make contact 359. When the relay 213 is energized and locked through its own contact, positive potential is removed from the line conductor LI.

It will be noted that the operating circuit of the stripping magnet 209 includes the make contact 352 of the relay 336, which, at the time that the relay 3l9 is released by the opening of switch I5I controlled by the recording sheet, is de-energized by the opening of the make contact 350 of relay 3l9. However, a condenser 363 is provided in parallel with the winding of the relay 336 which delays the release of its contacts until after the sheet had been completely removed from the cylinder.

The removal of the positive potential from the line conductor Ll produces a response at the transmitter by the polar relay 24 whereby the armature of this relay is disengaged from its contact M to de-energize the half nut magnet 39, thereby opening the contacts 296 and permitting the return of the carriage 34 to its original position.

Energization of the relay 213 (Fig. 14) also connects negative potential through the break contact 365 of the relay 3I9, the make contact 361 of the relay 213 and the make contact 214 of the relay 26I to the line conductor LI.

At the transmitting station, the negative potential connected to the line conductor LI effects operation of the tongue of the polar relay 24 to its contact S. The normally closed carriage operated switch 348 is opened upon return of the carriage 34 to its starting point which causes the relay 299 to be unlocked. The bus bar A is connected to the winding of the relay 238 16 4 which is connected to the B bus bar via a break contact 369 of the relay 299. It is to be noted that the relay 238 cannot operate until the carriage 34 has returned to the starting position and the relay 299 has been released by opening of the switch 348. A make contact 31| of the relay 238 connects the negative pole of the direct current signaling source 299 to line conductor L2. The pole changing relay 239 is disconnected from the bus bar A at the contact M of the polar relay 24.

Atthe recorder, in response to the negative potential on L2, the tongue of the polar relay 26 engages the contact S. A circuit is thus closed for operation of the relay 351 through a break contact 310 of the rela 336, the latter being de-energized at this time. Opening of the break contact 356 of the relay 351 opens the locking circuit for relay 213, thereby releasing this reterminal of the rectifier 229 is again connected lay. The opening of the make contact 361 01 the relay 213 removes the negative potential from the line conductor LI. Positive potential is restored to the line conductor Ll from the break contact 269 of the relay 21L The tongue of the polar relay 24 at the transmitter is engaged with its contact M. In this manner the half nut magnet 39 is again energized and transmission of the message will be repeated since the relay 292 remains energized because of the presence of the message sheet 41 on the cylinder 30 thereby maintaining one terminal of the half nut magnet 39 in communication with the bus bar B. The positive to the line conductor L2 in the manner explained above.

In response to the positive potential on the line conductor L2, the tongue of the polar relay 26 again engages the contact M to energize the relay 303. The blank in position on the ledges I36 is applied to the recording cylinder I39 in register with the message sheet 41 at the transmitter. The relay 3I9 is operated to energize the stylus magnet I98 and the half nut magnet 203.

At the end of the second transmission of the message inscribed on the message sheet 41, the carriage operated switch 341 is again closed to energize the relay 299 and thereby disconnect positive potential from the line conductor L2. The blank stripping magnet 209 at the recorder is energized by reason of the centering of the tongue of polar rela 26 which de-energizes the relay 393 in the manner described above.

Energization of the relay 299 at the transmitter also steps the contact arm 59 of the copy selecting switch I1 from the No. l stud to the oil" stud. A circuit is thus established from the bus bar A through the winding of the sheet stripping magnet 5I and the contact arm 59 to the bus bar B. As soon as the message sheet 41 has been removed from the cylinder, the switch 48 is opened, de-energizing the relay 292. One circuit for the relay 221 extending between the bus bars A and B is broken when the contact arm 59 leaves the No. 1 contact stud. This relay remains energized, however, through a make contact 314 of the relay 292 until this last-named relay is tie-energized following removal of the message sheet from the cylinder. De-energization of the relay 221 disconnects power from the machine by opening the connection from the bus bar A to the bus bar A.

The scanning apparatus which is (le -energized upon release of the relay 221 no longer supplies 17 carrier current to the line conductors LI and L2. At the recorder the absence of carrier current causes release of the relay 256, and at a predetermined time following release of this relay, the timing apparatus associated with the input circuit of the vacuum tube 258 becomes effective to open the plate circuit and causes release of the relay 26%. ening of the contact 25?. of this relay disconne ts the bus bar A from the driving motor I42 and the primary winding of the transformer 301, and unlocks the relay 213. In this manner power is disconnected from the recordine apparatus and it is restored to its idle condition. The load-responsive relay 253 of the selector and control mechanism i2 (Fig. 13) will be released when power is disconnected from the recorder I4 so that in order to connect power to this recorder again, it will be necessary to repeat the dialing and selecting process described above.

As a result of the operation of the transmitter I and the recorder it just described, two copies of the message inscribed on the message sheet 41 will have been deposited in the chute 2 l 9 adjacent to the cylinder E38 of the recorder la. The person or persons for whom these messages are intended will remove them from his chute and op erate a relay 316 by moving its operating knob 31! to the left as viewed in Fig. 13. This closes a pair of contacts 3'18 to energize a holding magnet 3'59 which attracts the armature sec to maintain the contacts 318 and an additional pair of contacts 3M closed. A piece of insulating material 3852 secured to the supporting spring for the armature 380 and the handle member 31? operates the relatively movable contact of each of the pairs of contacts 3T8 and 38! respectively. A cam disc 383, which is driven with the disc 215 from the motor 211, is provided with a cam projection 384 for closing a. pair of contacts 386 once for each revolution of the disc in the example shown. The contacts 38!, when closed, bridge the cam operated contacts 33% across the cam operated contacts 219. The angular relationship between the cams 218 and 383 is such that the latter will not in any way alter the signal produced by the former but will add its own characteristic signal. In the example shown, the contacts 386 will add a long dash to the series of dots produced by the contacts 219. A push button may be employed to operate the relay 316, or if secrecy is desired, a switch operated by means of a key may be employed. Also, if desired, the relay 316 may be operated by a switch arranged to be operated when a closure for the bin H9 is opened to gain access to the copy or copies of the received messages. This switch will be effectively locked against unauthorized operation in installations in which the closure is provided with a key or combination lock. The relay 315 may also be used to indicate to the operator at the transmitter that the supply of blanks NH is low or is exhausted, or other desired information may be furnished.

At any time following transmission of a message to a selected recorder, the operator at the transmitter may check pick-up of the message at the recorder by dialing the same recorder. No message need be sent to shut down the recorder after it has been selected for this purpose. If the relay has been operated at the recorder the identifying code followed by a long dash will be received. When the operator i satisfied that the message has been picked up, the selected recorder may be shut down by moving the switch I! to any one of the numbered positions.

This will release the relay 248 (Fig. 13) at the recorder in the man-- ner described above. A break contact 388 of this relay causes a relay 389 to be energized thereby releasing the relay 316. The switch I! is then moved to the off position which will remove the carrier from the communication circuit and cause the recorder to be shut down in the manner described above.

The nature of the invention may be ascertained from the foregoing description of an illustrative embodiment thereof. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter, a plurality of recorders, a communication circuit for providing facsimile communication between said transmitter and said recorders, selective means one at each of said recorders responsive to a predetermined coded calling signal for placing the recorder associated therewith in operative condition for facsimile reception, and means at said transmitter for initiating transmission of a message to a recorder when it is selectively placed in operation.

2. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for communication, each having a sheet supporting cylinder and means for conveying singly a succession of sheets to the respective cylinders, means for operatively conditioning said transmitter to generate a carrier current, selective means at said recorder operatively to condition said recorder, and means responsive to said carrier current to maintain said recorder in operative condition.

3. In a. facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for communication, means for operatively conditioning said transmitter to generate a carrier current, means capable of operation to transmit a coded signal to said recorder, selective means at said recorder responsive to said code-d signal operatively to condition said recorder, means at said transmitter for disconnecting said coded signal transmitting means While maintaining said carrier current generating means in operation, and means responsive to said carrier current to maintain said recorder in operative condition.

4. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for communication, respective sources of power for said transmitter and said recorder for synchronous operation thereof, means for connecting said transmitter to its source of power to render it operative for facsimile transmission by generating an alternating current. means at said transmitter for sending a coded signal to said recorder, selective means at said recorder responsive to said coded signal for connecting said recorder to its source of power to render itoperative for facsimile reception, and other means at said recorder responsive to said alternating current to maintain said recorder operative.

5. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter, a plurality of recorders, a communication circuit for providing facsimile communication between said transmitter and said recorders, selective means one at each of said recorders responsive to a predetermined coded calling signal for placing the recorder associated therewith in operative condition for facsimile reception, means controlled by the operation of said selective means for signaling the operative condition of the selected recorder to the transmitter, said signaling means being such as to identify the selected recorder at the transmitter, and means at said transmitter for initiating transmission of 19 a message to a recorder when it is selectively placed in operation.

6. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machine interconnected for communication, said transmitting machine having apparatus for scanning subject matter, said recording machine having a blank supporting cylinder, means for holding a blank on said cylinder, means for locating a blank in predetermined feeding position adjacent said cylinder and framing means responsive to said scannin apparatus at a predetermined point in a cycle of operation for applying a blank in feeding position to said cylinder to be engaged by said sheet holding means, said framing means comprising a stationary contact and a rotatable contact rotating with said cylinder and being adjustable in angular position with respect to said cylinder whereby to vary the time of applying said blank in feeding position with respect to said predetermined point in the cycle of operation of said scanning apparatus.

7. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machine interconnected for communication, said transmitting machine having apparatus for scanning subject matter, said recording machine having a blank supporting cylinder, means for holding a blank on said cylinder, means for locating a blank in predetermined feeding position adjacent said cylinder and framing means responsive to said scanning apparatus at a predetermined point in a cycle of operation for apply g a blank in feeding position to said cylinder to be engaged by said sheet holding means, said framing means comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact, said movable contact deriving its movement from said cylinder and being adjustable in position with respect to said cylinder whereby to vary the time of applying said blank in feeding position with respect tosaid predetermined point in the cycle of operation of said scanning apparatus.

8. In a facsimile system, a transmitter and a recorder, each having a scanning mechanism, means operable intermittently to convey a succession of single sheets to the mechanism of said recorder, means for operating said transmitter whereby said message may be transmitted and through a transmitting cycle and said recorder through a recording cycle to transmit and record a message and means operative automatically upon the completion of a transmitting and recording cycle to effect a repetition of said transmitting and recording cycles whereby said message may be transmitted and recorded a plurality of times.

9. In a facsimile system, a transmitter and a recorder, each having a scanning mechanism, means operable intermittently to convey a succession of single sheets to the mechanism of said recorder, means for operating said transmitter through a transmitting cycle and said recorder through a recording cycle to transmit and record a message, means operative automatically upon the completion of a transmitting and recording cycle to effect a repetition of said transmitting and recording cycles whereby said message may be transmitted and recorded a plurality of times and means for predetermining the number of successive scanning operations of said transmitter and recorder.

10. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for communication, means at said transmitter for generating and transmitting a coded signal to said recorder, selective means at said recorder rerecorded a plurality of times.

11. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for communication, means at said transmitter for generating and transmitting a coded signal to said recorder, selective means at said recorder respc sive to said signal for starting said recorder, means for operating said transmitter through a transmitting cycle and said recorder through a recording cycle to transmit and record a message, means operative automatically upon the completion of a transmitting and recording cycle to cause a repetition of said transmitting and recording cycles, and presettable means at said transmitter actuated upon each repetition of said transmitting cycle, said presettable means being operative up a predetermined number of actuations thereof to terminate operation of said transmitting mechanism.

12. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for facsimile communication, means at said recorder operable to produce a repeat signal, a stepping switch at said transmitter, means for manually setting said switch to any desired position away from its home position, said switch being responsive to said repeat signal from said recorder so as to be stepped towards the home position with each successive operation of said repeat signaling means and means operative by said stepping switch when it reaches said home position to effect stopping of said transmittin mechanism.

13. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for facsimile communication, means operable at said transmitter to produce an end-of-message signal, means at said recorder operable in response to said endof-message means for transmitting a repeat signal to said transmitter, and a stepping switch at said transmitter responsive to said repeat signal from said recorder to be stepped toward the circuit opening position with each successive operation of said end-of-message signaling means, means for presetting said switch a variable number of steps from said open circuit position and means operated by said switch when it reaches said open circuit position for interrupting operation of said transmitter.

14. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter, a plurality of recorders, a communication circuit interconnecting said recorders with said transmitter, selective means at each of said recorders responsive to a coded signal from said transmitter for connecting the recorder with which said selective means is associated to said communication circuit, means at said transmitter for producing coded signals, a combined switch at said transmitter for starting said transmitter and rendering said coded signal generating means operable for use when said switch is in one position, and control means for causing said transmitter to operate to transmit subject matter to a selected recorder when said switch is in another position.

15. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter, a plurality of recorders, a communication circuit interconnecting said recorders with said transmitter, means at said transmitter for producing coded signals, selective means at each of said recorders responsive to a predetermined coded signal from said transmitter for connecting the recorder with which said selective means is associated to said communication circuit, a switch at said transmitter, means operative when said switch is in one position for starting said transmitter and rendering said coded signal generating means operable for transmission of coded signals to said receivers, controlling means operative when said switch is in another position for causing said transmitter to operate to transmit facsimile subject matter to a selected recorder and means operative when said switch is in a third position to render said transmitter inoperative.

16. In a facsimile telegraph system, a plurality of facsimile receivers of the type which are selfsupplied with recording paper one sheet at a time, said receivers being associated with a facsimile transmitter for communication purposes, means to selectively obtain communication between said transmitter and any one of said receivers, and means to control the supplying of recording paper to the receiver obtained for communication.

17. A facsimile telegraph system including a communication channel adapted for the transmission of facsimile and selector control signals thereover, a plurality of facsimile recorders associated with and available for facsimile reception from said channel, a central office transmitter connected to said channel adapted for selective transmission to any one of said recorders at a time, and a selector mechanism responsive to an electrical characteristic of said channel associated with each recorder for initiating operation thereof to record facsimile signals.

18. In a facsimile telegraph system, a communication channel, a plurality of stations interconnected for communication over said channel, respective sources of power for said stations for synchronous operation thereof, means for connecting one of said stations to its source of power to render it operative for facsimile communication purposes, means at said one station for sending a coded signal over said channel, and selective means at said other stations responsive to said coded signal for selectively connecting said other stations to their source of power to render them selectively operative one at a time for facsimile reception.

19. In a facsimile telegraph system, a communication channel, a plurality of stations interconnected for communication over said channel, respective sources of power for said stations for synchronous operation thereof, means for connecting one of said stations to its source of power to render it operative for facsimile communication purposes, means at said one station for sending a coded signal over said channel, selective means at said other stations responsive to said coded signal for selectively connecting said other stations to their source of power to render them selectively operative one at a time for facsimile reception, and means at said other stations to maintain said other stations operative.

GARVICE H. RIDINGS. RALEIGH J. WISE.

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