GB675219A - Improvements in or relating to record-controlled accounting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

675,219. Statistical apparatus. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd. Sept. 9, 1949 [Sept. 14, 1948], No. 23381/49. Class 106 (i). In a record-controlled accounting machine comprising means for reading out and printing the total registered on an accumulator and then re-setting the accumulator, means responsive to an incorrect re-setting of at least one denominational order cause a repetition of the printing operation. The machine described includes the apparatus described in Specification 675,183 (comprising two successive card-sensing stations) plus the electrical-impulse-translating and printing mechanism described in Specification 675,208, and is controlled by record cards, Fig. 16, described in Specification 21219/48, (as open to inspection under Sect. 91), in which digits are represented according to a 4-hole code. The accumulator is as described in Specification 638,890 in which an accumulator wheel clutch for each denomination is engaged and disengaged by energization of magnets AM, SM respectively, Figs. 20d and 20e. Total-taking and accumulator resetting. When holes are sensed in the group number columns of the record cards at stations L and U, corresponding relays RC1, RC2 respectively, Fig. 20b, are energized. If one of the relays RC1, RC2 of corresponding denominations is energized without the other, due to a difference in group number of the simultaneously sensed cards, its b contacts are shifted to energize the pick-up coil of a minor-total-taking relay MI1 through cam-operated contacts CR34. A relay MI2 is then energized through cam contacts CR43 and relay contacts MI1-3 and held through relay contacts P12-2, and a relay P1 is energized through contacts CR48 and MI1-4 and held together with relay CC1 through contacts CR50. Relay MI2 opens contacts (not shown) to stop the card feed during totaltaking. Relay CC1 closes its contacts 1 to energize total read-out relay STR which closes its contacts 2 to energize relay S- and its contacts 1 which with contacts S-1 energize a relay LC for the first part of the machine cycle to transfer contacts such as LCU, Fig. 20e. The digits registered on the accumulator wheels are determined by the positions of brushes 663, Figs. 20d and 20e, each of which connects a common segment 662 to a digit segment 661. The segments 661 of the same denomination receive one or more impulses over a wire 664 representing the digit according to the combinational code used for the record cards, these impulses being provided by cam contacts CR97 to CR106, Fig. 20d. During the first part of the total-taking cycle digit-representing impulses are sent through closed contacts of relay STR, shifted contacts of relay LC, connections 667, normal contacts of relays PCC and RN (described in Specification 675,208), to corresponding translator magnets 861 which translate the combinations of pulses into single differentially timed pulses which are sent to printing wheel clutches as described in Specification 675,208. After the clutches have been engaged contacts 672 are closed to send impulses back through shifted contacts of relay PCC and normal contacts of relay LC to the stop magnets SM of the accumulator, an impulse having been sent to the start magnets AM at the " 9 " time through contacts CR85 and STR3. The nines complement of the number registered on the accumulator is thus added thereto so that the accumulator wheels are all reset in the " 9 " position. Reset testing. If all the accumulator wheels are correctly reset, the transfer contacts 739, 741 will all be closed thus completing a circuit near the end of the total-taking cycle through cam contacts CR70 to pick up a relay SZB. If this relay is not energized contacts SZB2 remain closed and an error-indicating relay RE and lamp SL are energized through contacts 2 of relay SCT, in shunt with relay S-, Fig. 20c, and cam contacts CR72. Relay RE is held indefinitely through line 673 and manually opened contacts, and opens contacts (not shown) to prevent the continuation of the card feed when relay MI2, Fig. 20c, is de-energized due to the energization of relay P12 through a circuit including contacts P1-3. Relay RE also shifts its contacts 4 and 5 to complete a circuit to energize relay P13 which closes its contacts 2 to again pick up relay P1 and start a read-out, printing and resetting cycle in the manner described above, during which the amount on the accumulator is again printed so that the error in resetting can be ascertained. A relay P14 is energized through contacts RE3 to open contacts P14-2 and prevent re-energization of relay P13 to effect a third printing. Specifications 483,021 and 605,132 also are referred to.