US2442987A - Automatic group control with coordinated sequence checking device - Google Patents

Description

June 8, 1948. D. w. RUBIDGE I AUTOMATIC GROUP CONTROL WITH COORDINATED SEQUENCE CHECKING DEVICE 2. Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 31, 1944 INVENT Ml ATTORNEY June 8, 1948. D. w. RUBIDGE 2,442,987 AUTOMATIC GROUP CONTROL WITH COORDINATED SEQUENCE CHECKING DEVICE Filed Au 31, 1944 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2.

INVENTOR ATT RNEY Patented June 8, 1948 AUTOMATIC GROUP CONTROL WITH COOR- DINATED SEQUENCE CHECKING DEVICE David W. Rubidge, Chatham, N. J., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 31, 1944, Serial No. 552,164

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to tabulating machines but more particularly to 'the type provided with automatic group control devices.

The broad object of the present invention is the provision'of an automatic group control device enabling the customary initiation of total taking operations upon a change in group numbers when the-group numbers follow in the desired sequence which includes a coordinated sequence checking device to verify the preliminary sorting, collating, and handling of cards.

To more fully understand the usefulness of the present invention, it is explained that in tabulating systems it is desirable to list groups of data derived from groups of tabulating cards with the data arranged according to a predetermined numerical sequence, either ascendingor descending, depending upon the bookkeeping require"- ments. To this-end,there is-apreliminary sorting or collating'of the tabulating'cards by respective sorting or-collating machines. Missorting by such machines is--a rareoccurrence,-due to the present efliciency of such machines. An occurrence, however, -will bring-a-eard out of its numerical position. A frequent possibility of misplacemen-t of a record exists in manually collating groups of cards as they are pulled out of the files, or sorting pockets and furthermore in the handling of cardsbefore insertion in a supply hopper of tabulating machines.

Such out-of-order position or misplacement of a card maybe eiiective to operate the automatic group control device to list its data and accompanying*incompletetotal onthe result sheet out of its normal numerical position. Thus, it a card bearing the same group: number again appeared, this would result in the listing of-related data at a place removed from the related group, which, of course, is undesirable and contrary to the results required and obtainable fronrtabulat-ing machines. It is only upon an examination of the erroneously printed result sheet that such outeof-order' position of the listing can normally be detected. If. the result sheet is unacceptable for this reason, rearrangement of the cards and a re-run of the latter through the tabulating machine is required, involving. loss of. time and delay in production of the correct resultv sheet.

It is, therefore, the main object of the invention. toprovide an automatic group control device and a coordinated sequence checking device which. detects thev out-oi-order position of a card group. with. respect. to its proper numerical position. in a. run. of cards consisting, ofa plurality of successive groups.

Another object of the invention is to provide a record sequence checking mechanism effective during record controlled accounting operations to detect errors in sequence, and without requiring visual review of the result sheet when it is completed or considerably later when it is to be used for bookkeeping purposes,

A further feature of the invention is the provision of an automatic group control device and coordinated sequence checking device which enables normal total taking operations upon a change in group number, but renders the machine inoperable wheneverthe sequence checking device detects a deviation from the normal numerical sequence of the groups.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sequence checking device which suppresses further operations of the machine whenever the numerical progression of successive cards deviates from anascending or a descending progression, depending upon the initial numerical progression of the cardgroups.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sequence checking device which prevents total taking operations whenever successive cards are not arranged in the numerical-sequence that data groups are to be listed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide aseq-uence checking device which can be selectively conditioned to detect the deviation of a card away from an ascending or a descending numerical sequence of the card groups.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective group control system which can be utilized apart from the previously referred to sequence checking device. For illustrative purposes the automatic group control system isshownherein. in connection with a card controlled accounting machine but its embodiment can be. varied and. can be satisfactorily incorporated in other forms of machine where comparison of character data is required, such m'achines being, for example, sorting machines, collating machines,. card punching, machines, address printing machines, etc.

The present invention contemplates a system of automatic control wherein the control circuit which determines whether or not' a change in the condition of the machine shall be effected is controlled from a system of magnets, two magnets A and B being provided for each controlling card column which are wired independently to eachof the analyzing brushes for a given card column. These magnets cooperate with a duplex armature construction which is biased to hold the card column are identical on successive cards asin this case at each index point during the cycle,;

the two magnets will be energized or-deenergized. If controlling perforations are diiferent in the given column of two successive cards, at the time the first perforation is sensed the circuit of one of the magnets will be closed through said card perforation while the circuit of the other magnet remains open, thus permitting shifting of one of the duplex armatures to open the contacts of the control circuit.

The present construction obtains marked advantages over the difierentially wound relay and other forms when used for group control pur poses. Digressingto the former arrangement,

it is well known that opposing coils are connected to the separate analyzing brushes and upon concurrent energization of the coils the common armature ofsuch relay should remain at rest. In view of the energization from separatesources and through independent circuits wherein the circuit resistance may vary due to varying efficiency of contacts, potential difierences give rise to corresponding flux density variations which will not insure static condition of the armatures when opposing coils are concurrently energized.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a comparing control relay structure that is not sensitive to potential diiferences and corresponding fluxvariations in the two magnets,'

and this obj ect is' preferably carried out by having the corresponding polepieces of both magnets associated. with a common armature normally biasedto provide difierential airgaps.

The normal airgap, as is best understood by reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings, is disposed between'each magnet A and and one end of the armature it is to attract, whereas due to the angular position of the armature with respect to thepolepiece surfaces, a much'smaller gap, or none at all, is provided between the other end of the said armature and the corresponding polepiece of the other magnet.- This enables the movement of a single armature whenits related magnet is energized but through the polepiece of said magnet the other armature is maintained in its normal position. When magnets are provided with holding coils the continued magnetiza tion of the'polepieces will prevent the attraction of the moved armature and the unmoved armature by the subsequent energization of the magnet related to the unmoved armature. construction, the first magnet energized provides a superior control which is not unbalanced or changed in any way by the subsequent energization of another magnet. The potential differences or variations in flux density of. polepieces of the two magnets can be varied over avery wide margin and this inherent feature insures the more positive and efficient operation of the group control system, when relays of the novel construction are utilized for this purpose.

Otherobjects of the inventionwill be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the By this a invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a wiring diagram of the circuits of a well known form of card controlled accounting machine having incorporated therein the automatic group control circuits controlled by the novel form of relay structure, said group control relays having additional contacts and sequence controlling circuits for detecting deviations from the normal sequence of group control numbers. Fig. 2 is a detail showing the control magnets V forming part of the improved control relays and the preferred arrangement of duplex armature and cooperating contacts.

'Fig. 3 is a timing diagram outlining the timing ,of the cam operated contacts utilized in the on 7 cuit diagram.

The'start and auto control circuits of the tabulating machine to which the present improvements are preferably applied are shown in Fig. l and a general description 'of theoperation of the machine will be given, certain parts for clearer explanation being given more in detail than subordinate and relatively unimportant mechanisms.

For further explanation of details of construction and operation of the machine to which the present improvements are preferably applied, reference should be had to the patent issued to C. D. Lake et al., No. 1,976,617, dated October'Q, 1934. Like reference numerals are used herein to designate similar parts of the patented machine.

In machines of this class, as more particularly explained in the aforementioned patent, it is cus-' that during the resetting operation motor control magnet 338 (Fig. 1) is energized and a holding circuit is provided for maintaining it energized. Contacts 338 of this relay will, therefore, be closed and contacts 3386 open.

. Starting circuit The machine is now ready to start card feed-- ing operations after cards have been placed in the feed magazine. Depression of the startkey to close contacts ST will complete a circuit as follows: From line 3.34, cam contacts PI, tabulating clutch magnet 22, contacts 21, start relay 339, start key contacts ST, relay contacts 38Gb now closed, stop key contacts SP, contacts 338a (now closed), to line 335. Energization of magnet 22 will cause opening of contacts 2'! and the circuit will now include relay magnet 340 which is wired in parallel with the contacts 21. Magnet 3% will close its contacts 340a to complete a circuit through the tabulating motor as follows: From line 334, motorTM, contacts 348a, to line 33.5, thus initiating the operation of the motor. After the motor has operated through a portion of the cycle, cam contacts Ll close momentarily and complete a circuit from the line 334, wire 343, relay magnet 342, contacts Ll, wire 3%, contacts 340a, and to line 335.

The consequent closure of contacts 3520: will set up a holding circuit for the magnet 342, traceable from line 334, wire 343, magnet 332, contacts 342a, wire 344, contacts 349a, to line 335. Energization of the start relay magnet 339 will effect closure of its contacts 339a to set up a holding circuit for-the card feed clutch-magnet 22 traceable can the 'line 334, oam contacts Pl, magnet 22, rentals, magnet e39,cantacts '3-asa, wire "3'45, CambodiansL2,='tb1ine 335. 'Toward'the end'of this cycle, eam cdnt'd'c't's Ii2 break and the machinewlll coast through the remainder of the cycle to home position, which is, 'as commonly khow'n'in the art, termed the D po'sition. 'A second machine 'cycle -i's now 'initiatedby depression of the start key to close contacts ST and'a second 'cycle will 'follow in the same manner as the-first. During-this'secorid cycle, the first card isadvanced to the lower brushes and a second card-is fed'from the-supply magazineto the'u'pper brush s. Following this second cycle, the machine "will, as fully described in the aforementioned oneness n'ebf two things: If the autoniati'c resetting switch 356 is open, the machine will stop; if the "auti'ndatic resetting switch is closed' the-machine will automatically enter upon a resetting cycle of operation, not involved in the present operation.

It has thus been explained that the initiation of operations of the machinerequire first-a resettin'goperation "followed by two successive, inanua'lly initiated, tabulating cycles followed by a resettin'gcy cle which may be automatically initiated. At thispoint, the first card is in readinesstopass' and be'analyzed hythe lower-brushes LB andthe second card is in readiness to pass and'be analyzed by the'upper'brushes UB and the automatic control mechanism is in readiness to compare the classification data of 'the'cards as the Dass through the machine.

"Following the reset cycle just explainedrthe machine will, if automatic start switch 353 is closed, automatically enteru'pon cardfeeding and analyzing operations immediately upon completion of the last resetting cycle. This is brought about in the Ffollowing-manner: 'R'elay contacts LCLa will, by a circuit to be presently explained, have'beenclosed, due to the arrival of the first card new lower brushes LB 'andduring the reset cyclecam contacts P 2'close momentarily at the en's-or, the cycle,therebyestablishing a circuit fromtliejlline 335, contacts 338a. contactsSP, LCLBaiid'PZ, switch 353Qslta1'd; relay magnet 339, contacts "27. tabul'ating cl'utchfmagnet 22, contact's PLttoIineBM. .he energization of magnet 2'2"will,"rishxplainedabove, cause the machine to enter'upon a tabul'ating cycle of operation during which the record cards are successively analyzed and'datatl'iereon entered. into therecording device. Closure of lowe'r card lever contacts 59 completesfacircuit from line 335, contacts 58. wire'hfilrelay'magnet'LCL, wire- 351,": line 334 tpfict' closure of contacts L CLuand the closure of contacts LCL mentioned above. Closure of contacts-honour complete a holding circuit for relayLCLthroiigh'cam contacts L5. This circuit i'sifrdm line"33'5 ,'contacts czinttaCtsLCLsfimagnetLCL, wire35l,to line'334, Aslong as'record cares-continue to pass "the lower brushes LB, in'ag'nt LCL will remain continuously energized since 'conta'cts Lliare-ti'r'ne'd to be closed during the intervalthat' the card lever "contacts 59 open The upper "card iever contacts '58 similarly complete a circuit from the line 335, contacts" 58. magnet'UCL, wire toline 334. Closure of contacts UCIib sets up'a holding circuit throiigh cam contacts L5 whose function andtiming-ai'e the same asthat of contacts B5.

Automatic group control I'circuits 'e rri'e i'autoniatic group control ::circuits "which keep the machine-in operation as long as group numbers onsuccessively analyzedcards are the same will now beexplained in detail.

The automatic group control circuits herein are modified to work with the novel form'of group control relays forming part of the present inventionandsuch circuits in some'respects are, therefore, slightly diflferent from those embodied in the machineof PatentNo. 1,976;617. The circuit arrangement is alike for each denominational order and the description'will be given in connection with one of such orders.

Int-he circuit diagram to avoid undue repetition of showing of the similar parts for showing of the orders used in a commercial machine, the group control mechanism is shown herein for three denominational orders.

A number-of relay magnets are provided, each having a'pickup winding 359 and a holdingwinding 36%! and two of such relays are provided for each *denominationalor'der. Windings 359 associated with the upper'brushes 'UB terminate in plugboard sockets 3| I andthe other pickup windings 359 of the same denominational order but associated with the lower brushes LB terminate at plugboard sockets 3l3. Suitable plug connections may be madefrom :such sockets, such as MS and M1, to the plugboard sockets 300 and 36!, respectively, of the controlling columns of the LB and U3 brushes, respectively. 'Since the index point Ipositions on the card passing the lower brushes are analyzed concurrently with the analysis'of the'corresponding index point positions of the following =card passing the upper brushes, .a perforation occurring in any index point position of both cards "will'cornplete'a circuit at a =tiniein'the cycle corresponding to the location of theperforatio'n.

Construction of group control relm s The construction of the group control relays will be described with particular reference to Figs. 1 and 3, Fig.1 showingthe-arrangement in diagrammatic formand-Fig. 2 showingthe details of construction.

Differing from the group control relays of Patent No. 1,976,617 wherein one control relay is provided for each card column, in the present case two -magnets are provided for each card column and each of said magnets has a pickup winding 359 and holding winding-360. The core is of a material and'length so'asto'be magnetized by eitherof the windings 359 or -3Elland extends exteriorly of the windings to provide opposite polepieces 362 and 364. The A and B magnets of each relay are adjacently mounted so that the polepieces362-are associated with a common armature 565 pivoted-atfill and with'referen'ce to the otherpolepieces 354, these are likewise associated with a --double armature 312 pivoted at 313. Each armature 365 and 31 2 operates buttons314 of insulatingmaterial and abutting the longerconta-ct blades of the -A3or B3 contacts'and the intermediate longer contact blade of the transfer contacts Aland-A2, Bland B2.

Any suitable means =may be provided to bias the armatures-3'B5- and 312 so-that each normally rests against the polepiece of the-magnetwhich is not adapted t'o-rock-the armature even though. it attracts-it. Preferably, the resiliency of said longer contact blades bias the armatures 3555 and 312 to the normal positionshownin the drawings.

Obviously, when the A magnet is energized in any denominational order, since its polepiece-36Z is separated from the cooperating end of the armature. 365 by an appreciable airgap, the magnetic lines of force efi'ective at said polepiece upon the energization of the pickup winding 359 will attract the cooperating end of the armature 365 to rock it about its pivotal point 31! and through the button 314 the related A contacts are operated. The holding winding 366, the circuits of which were previously described in detail, retains the armature 365 in its attracted and rocked position, maintaining the associated A contacts in their off-normal position. However, with reference to the polepiece 364 of the A relay, it will be observed that in the absence of the concurrent energization of the B magnet the armature 312 will be attracted by the polepiece 364 of the A relay but due to the absence of an airgap the contacts B3, BI and B2 will be maintained in their normal positions, irrespective of the possibility of subsequently energizing the B relay magnet. Therefore, it should be noted that when one armature is rocked and held in attracted position by the holding coil, the other armature cannot be rocked although the other magnet is energized in a later point of the cycle. This construction makes it unnecessary to open the pickup circuit of the other magnet if its operation in a later point in the cycle would prevent the functions of the first magnet from being performed.

Obviously, the same condition obtains when the B relay magnet is energized ahead of the A magnet, in which case the armature 312 will be attracted and rocked by the polepiece 364 of the B magnet, to place contacts Bl, B2 and B3 in their operated position and maintained in such position by the retained energization of the holding winding 366 of the B magnet. In such case, any impulse subsequently directed to the pickup winding 359 of the A magnet will be ineffective to rock the armature 312 since the polepiece 362 of the B relay is closer to the cooperating end of such armature 312 and will effectively hold it in the normal position.

In the above description it was assumed that one magnet, either 'A or B, was eneregized ahead of the other but it is apparent that upon identity of perforations analyzed by the UB and LB brushes, the pickup windings 359 of the A and B magnets will be concurrently energized. In such instance the polepiece 364 of the A magnet will magnetically hold the armature 312. Polepiece 36201 the B magnet will, with the same magnetic force, hold the armature 365 in its normal position. The equal magnetic force is derived by transmitting an electrical impulse of the same potential to the pickup windings of the A and B relay magnets preferably by having their windings equal as well as their cores of the same material to provide an equal magnetizing force for attraction of the armatures 365 and 312. However, there can be considerable variation in magnetic force without effecting any change in the position of the armatures, because of the relative differences in the airgaps interposed between the polepieces and the cooperating end of the common armature. In the case of the armature 365, the force of its attraction by the polepiece 362 of the B magnet will greatly exceed that created by the magnetized polepiece 362 of the A magnet, due to the smaller airgapbetween the polepiece 362 of magnet B and the armature 365. The same relation exists with regard to the polepieces 364 of the A and B magnets and the common armature 312.

Summarizing, the concurrent energization of the A and B magnets in each denominational column will retain the Al and BI contacts in normal closed position, whereas the energization of the A or B magnet, at a point in the cycle earlier than the energization of the other, will cause the opening of either Al or Bl contacts in the automatic group control circuit, thereby conditioning the machine to take minor or major totals.

The novel construction of the present relay enables, by coordinated novel wiring connections, additional functions to be performed. One of the applications finds special use in tabulating machines to verify a predetermined sequence while taking group totals, allowing the machine. to continue as long as cards pass through in the proper numerical sequence, either ascending, or. descending. The novel construction of this part of machine will be described later and in connection with several examples.

Control pickup circuit This circuit for the brushes U3 is traceable as follows: From line 334, cam contacts LHA, LCLg card lever contacts, circuit breakers CB (not shown in detail but which are similar to circuit breaking devices 6|), wire 36!, upper brush contact roller 55, perforation in the card at the upper brushes, upper brush UB, plug socket 36!, plug connection 3l1 to plug socket 3! l, pickup winding 359 and wire 363 to line 335. The control pickup circuit for the lower brushes is from the line 335, lower card lever contacts 59, circuit breaking devices 6|, cam contacts Ll 1B, lower brush contact roller 56, perforation in the card at the lower brushes, LB brush, plug socket 366, plug connection 3H5 to plug socket 383, pickup winding 35-9, wire 362 to line 334.

Control holding circuit For convenience each automatic control relay which consists of the pickup winding 359 and the holding winding 366 will-hereafter be designated as the A or B control relay. The A relay is the one associated with the UB brushes and the B relay for the same denominational order is the one associated with the LB brushes. This form of designation, while varying from that of Patent No. 1,976,617, will be found to be more convenient herein in tracing circuits controlled by such relays.

Energization of pickup winding 359 of each A relay before the energization of the pickup winding 359 of the B relay will close its holding contacts A3 and transfer certain other contacts, opening the normally closed Al contacts and closing the A2 relay contacts. The closing of the A3 holding contacts of the A relay sets up a holding circuit for the holding winding 366 which circuit is from the line 334, wire 362, cam contacts L12, holding contacts A3, holding winding 366, wire 363 to line 335. Contacts LIZ hold the. windings 366 energized until the end of the cycle and until the mechanism has performed its controlling functions. It is thus apparent that the windings 359 are differentially energized in accordance with the value of the controlling perforation to close the A3 contacts and that the windings 366 of all the A relays keep their A3 contacts closed.

By a somewhat'similar circuit, each B relay causes, when its pickup winding 359 is energized before the pickup winding 359 of the A relay is energized, the closure of the B3 holding contacts and the transfer of other contacts to open the normally closed Bl' relay contacts and close the normally open B2 contacts. The holding circuit for the holding coil of each B relay is from th: line 334, wire 302, LIZ cam contacts, winding 360 of the B relay, thence through the B3 holding contacts, wire 38! to line 335. It is thus apparent that a similar holding circuit is provided for the B relays for each denominational order.

After all the index point positions have been analyzed, the machine tests the setting or the Al and BI contacts for all denominational or der's. If there is an agreement in all the cone trolling columns the Al and BI contacts for all denominational orders Will have remained closed and a series circuit through such contacts will be closed. The contacts associated with the socalled minor controlling field of the record card will be grouped together and a plug connection 320 is made between the plug socket 3I2 and minor plug socket 3 M. This places the units order contacts Al and BI in the minor holding circuit. The plug connection 321 places the Al and B I relay contacts for the tens and hundreds orders in themaj'or holding circuit. The ultimate object of the group control mechanism is to keep the motor control relay magnet 338 energized if there is agreement in both the minor and major control fields and to cause the energization of magnet 338 if there is a break or a disagreement in either of the two fields.

Minor and major holding circuits The circuits for energizing the motor control relay magnet 338, the major Control relay 310 and minor control relay 366 are substantially the same as in the aforementioned Patent No. 1,97 6,617 but are shown herein in simplified form, strippedof the various control switches em bodied in the circuit of the'patented machine.

Minor holding circuit Magnet 338 is normally held energized through a circuit set up during the initial resetting cycle of the machine previously outlined in detail. During this cycle cam contacts Pl close and a circuit will be conipleted from the line 334, through carn contacts P1; minor control relay magnet 366; magnet 36! (not utilized in co'nnec tin with the present circuit) wire 368; rnotor controlrelay magnet 338,- Wire 3159,- cam contac'tsLIB, L9; wire 363 to the other side or the line 335'. Minor control relay 366 closes its holdin'g contacts 366a to establish a holding circuit from line 334, contacts 366a, ininor control relay niag'net3fi6; magnet 361,- wire 368,- Inotor control relay magnet 338, wire 3E9, cam contacts LID, L9 Wire 363 to line 335. This circuit is called the-minor holding circuit and remains energized as long as minor classification data on the'rec'ord cardsdoes not change.

Major holding circuit Concurrently, the setting up of the minor hold ing circuit, the major holding circuit is also completed upon closure of cam contacts PT, the circuit being established from line 334, cam contacts PT, the major control relay magnet 310, cam contacts L9, wire 363,- to line 335. Contacts 313a when closed,- provide a holding circuit for the major control relay magnet 310 in parallel with the holding circuit of the minor control relay 366 and this circuit remains energized until there is a disagreement in the classification data of' the major control field of the record cards.

4 If there is a change in the minor group number, the minor holding circuit alone is broken but if there is a change in the major group number, both the minor and the major circuits are automatically broken. This provides against the possibility of the major number changing and the minor group number remaining the same which would preserve the control circuit to magnet 338. During each cycle of the machine cam contacts Ll!) and L9 open momentarily. Since these contacts are in the minor and major holding circuits, respectively; these circuits would'be interrupted at this time, ifno path were provided around the contacts.

Minor shunt circuit DLiriIig talbul'ating an listing cycles of the filac'liine, contacts-AI and BI 0f the denominational column or "columns which are utilized to initiate minor-total taking operations of the machine piq- Vid at shunt circuit aroundeontacis LH! and L9. For example, the Al and B! contacts of the A and B relays, respectively; associated with the units column when both closed and when plug connection 320 is made, as shown, short circuit contacts Llfl; the short circuit running from the lower blade of contacts Llll, wire 369, to the contacts of the units column, thence to the Al contacts t me same column; plug socket 312, plug connection 329, plug socket 3M to the upper blade of contacts LID.

Major shunt circuit The major shunt circuit comprises the Al and BI contacts of the tens and hundreds columns used for controlling and short circuits contacts L9; The short circuit extends from the lower blade of contacts L9, plug socket 354, plug connection 320, plug socket 3l2, thence serially through the B! and AI relay contacts of the tens column and further serially through the BI and Al contacts of the hundreds column to plug socket 3l2, plug connection 32!, plug socket 3H5; relay cont'acts UCLe, which are closed while cards are passing the upper brushes, to the upper blade of contacts L9. Thus, if at the time contacts L9 and L10 open and the control relays have regi'stere'd agreement between the two cards analyzed, the minor and major holding circuits will be sustained through the A! and BI contacts of all controlling columns which remain in normal closed position. If, at such time, either the Al or Bl contacts of the units column are open, the minor holding circuit would have been broken, deenergizing the minor control relay magnet 366 and the motor control relay 338, causing an auto matic inin'or total taking cycle. If either of the contacts Al' or B1 of the tens and hundreds columns open, both the minor and major holding circuits would have failed to remain closed and the major control relay ihagnet 3153 would also have been deenergized.

During the subsequent total taking cycle or cycles, the closure of cam contacts P! will then again establish minor and major h'oldingcir'cuits and comparison of the successively rec record cards of the next group will take place and card feeding will proceed until there is a break in either of the circuits.

Means for detection of change in numerical sequence of group control niirnbers' It is well known that in card controlled accounting systems the' controlling cards are preliminarily sorted according to their group numbers and each group may consist of one or more cards. The cards may be arranged, sorted or collated so as to have the groups arranged in an ascending or descending numerical sequence, in accordance with the bookkeeping or statistical requirements. In either sequence, data related to the groups will be printed on the result sheet in succession, according to the desired numerical sequence. It is desirable to detect the possibility that a controlling card deviates from the numerical sequence, which possibility may result from improper sorting, collation, or handling of the cards; error on the part of the operator in handling or collating the groups as they are taken from the files, sorting pockets, or for other reasons. The group control mechanism herein employed operates in the normal manner to cause minor or major total taking operations or both, depending upon the column in which change in numerical sequence takes place and also provides for continuous listing operations for successive cards which are alike in their group number. These normal operations of the machine have been'previously described and to better understand one of the features of the invention the operation of the machine will be described in an exemplary manner. To exemplify, it will be assumed that the machine is conditioned to effect group control functions in an ascending numerical sequence and for simplicity it will be assumed that the group numbers consist of the following numbers: 22, 23, 24 and 25. Of course, each group may consist of one or more cards of the same group number, which prevents total taking operations until succeeding cards bear unlike group numbers. With the present arrangement, total taking operations will be effected only when the upper card bears a higher group number than the lower card. If the reverse condition obtains, the machine will be stopped and the operator will be signalled.

When group control operations are to be performed with the group numbers in the ascending numerical sequence, the switch S (Fig. 1) is positioned at A (ascending sequence) to make contact with a contact point 316. When the last card of the group bearing the group number 22 passes the lower brushes LB concurrently with the passage of the following card bearing the group number 23 by the upper brushes UB, it will be observed that with the punched holes fed past the brushes in the order 9, 8, 7, 6 0, the following card bearing the digit designation 3 in the units column will cause the A relay in the units column to be first energized and theA relay will be held energized by the stick circuit provided for its holding winding 360. When the 2 index point position of both cards is analyzed the perforation at the 2 index point position of the card passing the LB brushes will close a circuit to the pickup winding of the B relay of the units column, but such relay will be inefiective to rock the armature 312 because such armature is held 'attracted at this time by the polepiece 354 of the A relay of the units column. The opening of the Al contacts of the units column will open the shunt circuit across the Lil] contacts and the minor control relay will be deenergized, resulting in the taking of a minor total since the change is in the units column of the cards only. It is pointed out that since the tens digit of the tens column of both cards bears the same digit representation 2, both the A and B relays of the tens denominational order will be concurrently energized without any change in the position of their 12 respective contacts. This is also trueof the 0 in the hundreds column, After taking the total, the tabulating or listing operations will proceed for all of the cards bearing the group number 23 and listing and total taking operationswill be repeated in succession for the following groups up to the group numbered 25.

It will now be assumed that due to misfiling or mis-sorting, a card passes the upper brushes bearing the numerical designation 24 concurrently With the'passage of the last card of the group bearing the number 25 and since card 24 represents a deviation from the ascending numerical sequence, the machine will function to detect this condition before a listing operation can be effected, under control of the card bearing the group numbered 24.

When the machine is conditioned for group control in ascending numerical sequence, a card containing a higher group number which is under control of the lower analyzing brushes LB always causes some B relay to be energized before the corresponding A relay. Under such circumstances, the B relay exercises a superior control to preferably prevent the normal total taking operation upon the change in group number. This will then enable interrupted listing operations to be resumed in the event that the card in error separates a group of cards in proper numerical sequence. a, 7

Considering now the possibilityof a deviation from ascending sequence caused 'by the passing of a card bearing group number 24 by the upper brushes UB, concurrently with the passage of card bearing groupnumber 25 by the lower brushes LB, under such circumstances the card passing the lower brushes will cause the energization of the B relay in the units order before the A relay in the units order is energized, since the first named card represents the higher digit. In the aboveexample, this is obvious because the 5 digit representing perforation is analyzed by the LB brushes before analysis of the 4 digit representing perforation by the upper brushes UB. Since it is assumed that this change takes place in the units order in the above example, the B relay will be energized to close the B3 holding contacts to retain the B relay energized as long as the L12 cam contacts remain closed. Energization of the B relay will open the BI contacts and close the B2 contacts, which latter have an additional function now to be described. The BI contacts open the shunt circuit across the LIB contacts, attempting to condition the machine for a minor total taking operation which, as will be evidentlater, is inhibited. The closure of the B2 contacts enables a circuit to be'closed from line 335, wire 363, UCLe contacts now closed, plug socket 3l5, plug connection 32l, plug socket 3I2, thence through the Al and BI contacts of the hundreds order, thence through the Al and Bi contacts of the tens order, thence through the Al contacts of the units order, now closed because the previous energization of the B relay prevents the A relay from being effective to operate its contacts, thence through the B2 contacts of the units order, wire 3", switch contact .point 376, switch lever of switch S; pickup winding of relay 380, wire 318, cam contacts Llfi, to line 334; Referring to Fig. 2, cam contacts LIB close just before Lil-LII] open but during the time the LIZ contacts remain closedto hold the B relay energized. Ahold circuit for relay 380 is provided from the .line 335, wire 38!, through the holding winding of relay 380,

through theholding contacts 38ilalclosed by the pi'ckupawinding; thence through. a: distinctive signallight 38.4; through the normally closed contacts 385 opened by. manually operated button 383; to thet-line 334i Theaforementioned circuit' causes. the maintainedillumination of the distinctive signal, light 384 which is visible to the operator to inform the latter of the deviationfromthe normalnumerical sequence. The relay 330 opens contacts 38% which are in series withthe-SP orstop contacts sothat when such con.- tacts 38th are open the stop circuit of the tabulating machine will be open to terminate machineoperations which would, under the above, circumstances; be a following minor total taking operation However, relay contacts 3800 close and: are wired in shunt with the L9L|0: contacts. Although the group control circuit is open, relaycontacts38ilc provide the shunt circuit and thus prevent conditioning of the machine to take any-form of rtotal, major, .or minor. The signal light'38A and-the stopping of, the machine will effectively inform the operator so that the reason for the. error can be detected; In the preceding exam-pie the occurrence of the card bearing the group. number 25 at theLB brushes and the card bearing th'e group number 24 at theUB brushes prevented" the taking of the total of group 24 whichpreceded the out-of-order card 25. Another out-of-order condition would be the passage of cards in groups 26, 25, 33 and 23-. Card 38-, with respect to card: 25, is in an ascending sequence and normal operations will take place for this card-as it passes the LB brushes. However, following card 26 indicates a descending sequence with respect to card 38 and with this deviation in sequence the detecting mechanism will operate, but preventing in this instance the taking of a total for the out-of-order card group 38;" In either of the above cases the machine stops, this being a signal to the operator of the appearance of an out-of-order card. Further operations of the machine can be effected in various ways by the operator depending upon the manner of operation desired and how the error should be treated. In either case the depressionof button 386 extinguishes the signal light 38:} and deenergizes relay 380.

In the above example, it was assumed that there was a deviation from the normal ascending sequence and its detection was effected by the energization of the B relay before the A relay in the units order. Under other circumstances, this may be properly effected in the units order even though there is no deviation from the normal ascending numerical sequence. This will'be observed in the passage of a tabulati-ng card bearing the group number I30 past the'UB brushes and concurrently a tabulating card bearing the group number I29 past-the LB brushes. In the units order, the operation will take place as for the previous example. That is, the B- relay will be energized before the A relay because 9 is sensed before 0. However, the digits ofthe tens order with respect to the cards passing the UBv and the .LB brushes occur in the ascending sequence and in the tens order a superiorcontrol will be exercised which will prevent the control by the units order from being efiective.

Considering now the tens order, the A relay will beenergized at the time that the 3 index point'position of the card passing the UB brushes is sensed; thereby energizing the A relaybefore the 2'index point'position of the cardpassing the LBbrushes is. sensed. In the tens order group. control circuit the A3 contacts will be closedto provide the holding circuit for the A relay; Concurrently, the Al contacts will be opened and the A2 contacts will close. The closure of the A2 contacts will be ineifective for any control, since it is assumed that the machine is. conditioned for detection of deviation from: ascending numerical sequence. The opening of the Al contacts will, however, open the circuit which would ordinarily be closed through the B2 contacts of the units order, wire 3", etc., when carncontact L16 closes, to cause the energization of the relay 380. Hence, the Al contacts in the tens order exercises a superior control to prevent the energization of the relay 380 and the functions .eifected thereby.

It should also be understood that since there is, nevertheless, a change in group number digits in the tens order, the opening of the Al contacts opens the shunt circuit across the L9 and Llfl contacts to cause the deenergization of both the major control relay 310 and the minor control relay 3%, thereby causing successive major and minor total taking operations to be carried out in the normal manner.

Detection. of deviation from descending numerical sequence when machine is conditioned for group control in accordance with a descending numerical sequence It is desirable at times to have thegroups of data listed according to a descending numerical sequence and for the detection of deviation from descending numerical sequence the switch S is positioned to the D position (descending) so that its switch lever makes contact with contact point 382.

When groups of cards bearing the group numhere 24, 23 and 22 pass in succession through the machine, minor total taking operations are efiected when successive cards are unlike in group numbers. With the numbers assumed in each case in the units order the B relay will be first energized when the higher digit is sensed by the LB brushes, preventing the effective operation of the A relay when a perforation is sensed in the next lower digit position in the following card under the UB analyzing brushes. The opening of the Bl contacts will open the shunt circuit to cause the minor total taking operations but the closure of the B2 contacts will be ineffective for signal purposes, due to the position of the switch S.

It will now be assumed that following the card contained in the group numbered 22, a card passes the UB brushes which contains the group number 23, which deviates from the descending numerical sequence. relay in the units order will be energized to open the Al contacts and to close the A2 contacts. There is no change in the position of the contacts in the hundreds and tens orders in this example and the opening of the Al contacts will attempt to take a minor total. When LIB contacts close a circuit will be closed from line 335, wire 363, UCLe contacts now closed, plug socket 3l5, plug connection 32!, plug socket 3|2, thence serially through AI and BI contacts of the bun-- dreds order, thence serially through the Al and Bi contacts of the tens order, thence through the A2 contacts of the units order now closed, Wire 3583, contact point 382, switch lever of switch S, pickup winding of relay 38B, cam contacts Llli to line 334. Energization of the relay 380. will In this instance, the A.

cause the'preceding described functions to be performed, namely, lighting of the lamp 384 and the opening of the stop circuit of the machine, and inhibition of a subsequent total taking operation. In other examples the A2 contacts of the tens or hundreds order will be effective to give the necessary indication if there is a deviation from .the descending numerical sequence.

In the previous example it was pointed out that the energization of the A relay in the units order was the instrumentality for effecting the indication of a deviation from the descending numerical sequence. This is not necessarily the case for all examples as is exemplified when cards bearing group numbers l9 and 20 pass the U3 and LB brushes concurrently. In the units order due to the analysis of the 9 digit ahead of G, the A relay will be energized in the units order, which relay will be ineffective to give an indication of deviation because in the tens order the B relay is previously energized when the 2 index point position is sensed by the LB brushes. The opening of the Bi contacts in the tens order opens the energizing circuit of relay 3%!) and also the shunt circuit across contacts L9 and Lil) to cause a major and minor total taking operation since the change in group designation occurs in the tens order. Other similar examples would be tabulating cards bearing the group numbers 533 and 529 passing the LB and UB brushes, respectively and concurrently.

The group control mechanism will function to take major and minor totals but the energizing circuit to relay 380 will be ineffective even though in the units order the numerical sequence deviates from a descending sequence. Another similar example would be cards representing 100 and 99 passing the LB and UB brushes, concurrently and respectively.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single modification, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine controlled by records wherein successive record groups passing through the machine are supposedly arranged so that the serial numbers of said record groups conform to but may deviate from a predetermined serial numbering sequence, means for analyzing serial number representations on successive records, means controlled 'by said analyzing means for ascertaining whether successive records pertaining to successive record groups are unlike in serial number representations and have serial number representations which relatively conform to or deviate from the predetermined serial numbering sequence, control means controlled by said ascertaining means and rendered effective to initiate an operation when the serial numbers of successive record groups are ascertained to be unlike in value, and other means controlled by said ascertaining means to prevent the control means from being effective to initiate an operation when the serial numbers of successive record groups are ascertained to be unlike in value but deviate from the predetermined serial numbering sequence. I

Id 2'. In a machine controlled by successive serial-2' 1y numbered record groups passed through the machine, supposedly arranged in a predetermined numerical sequence but where a following record ,group' may deviate from the preceding record group in said numerical sequence, the combination of means for sensing control value representations on one record, and other means for sensing control value representations on a preceding record, means controlled by said sensing means for determining the relative magnitude of said pair of control values, total taking control means, means controlled by said determining means for causing the operation of said total taking control means when said pair of control values of successive records are determined to be unlike, and means controlled by said determining means to prevent the operation of said total taking control means upon determining that the controlvalues of the successive records are unlike and the following record group deviates from the preceding record group in the predetermined numerical sequence.

3. In a machine controlled by records wherein successive record groups passing through the machine are supposedly arranged so that the serial numbers of said record groups conform to a predetermined serial numbering sequence, means for analyzing a serial numbering representation on one record and other means for analyzing the serial number representation on a following record, means controlled by said analyzing means jointly and responsive to the analysis of serial number representations on successive records for ascertaining whether one record has a serial number representation which is unlike and deviates from the other record in the predetermined serial numbering sequence or conforms to said serial numbering sequence, total taking control means, means controlled by said ascertaining means for causing the operation of the total taking control means when the serial numbers of successive records are ascertained to be unlike, and means controlled by said ascertaining means to prevent the operation of the total taking control means when the serial numbers of successive records are ascertained to be unlike but deviate from the serial numbering sequence.

4. In a machine controlled by records wherein successive record groups passing through the machine are supposedly arranged so that the serial numbers represented thereon conform to a predetermined serial numbering sequence, which machine includes an accumulator, and means to initiate a function under control of said accumulator, means for analyzing a serial number representation on one record and other means for analyzin the serial number representation on a following record, means controlled by said analyzing means jointly and responsive to the analysis of serial number representations on successive records for ascertaining whether the serial number representation of the following record deviates from a preceding record in said predetermined serial numbering sequence, or conforms to said predetermined serial numbering sequence, means controlled by said ascertaining means to cause the operation of said first named means upon ascertaining that the serial number of the following record differs from the serial number of the preceding record, and other means controlled by said ascertaining means to inhibit the operation of said last named means upon ascertaining a deviation in serial numberingsequence 17 of the following record group preceding record group.

5., In a machine controlled by records wherein successive record groups passing through the machine are supposedly arranged so that .the serial numbers represented thereon conform to but may deviate from a predetermined serial numbering sequence, means for analyzing serial number representations on successive records, means controlled by said analyzing means for ascertaining whether successive records pertaining to successive record groups are unlike in serial number representations and have serial number representations which conform to or deviate from the predetermined sequence, means to control total taking operations, control means controlled by said ascertaining means for causing the operation of the total taking control means when the serial numbers of successive records are ascertained to be unlike in value, and other means controlled by said ascertaining means to prevent the control means from being effective to cause the operation of the total taking control means when the serial numbers of successive records are ascertained to be unlike in value but deviate from the predetermined serial numbering sequence.

6. In a machine controlled by records wherein successive records passing through the machine are supposedly arranged in record groups so that the serial numbers represented thereon conform to a predetermined ascending or descending serial numbering sequence, but may deviate from either of said serial numbering sequences, means for analyzing serial number representations on successiverecords, means controlled by said analyzing means for ascertaining whether successive records have unlike serial number representa tions and deviate from the ascending or descending sequence, means to control total taking oper ations, means controlled by said ascertaining means for-causing the operation of the total taking control means when the serial numbers of successive record groups are ascertained to be unlike, means controlled by said ascertaining means to prevent the operation of the total taking control means when the serial numbers of successive record groups are ascertained to be unlike but deviate from the ascending serial numbering sequence or to prevent the operation of the total taking control means when the serial numbers of successive record groups are ascertained to be unlike and deviate from the descending serial numbering sequence, and means for selectively causing said ascertaining means to effect the operation of said total taking preventing means either upon a deviation of successive record groups from an ascending serial numbering sequence or a descending numbering sequence.

7. In a machine controlled by records arranged in groups wherein successive records passing through the machine are supposedly arranged so that the serial numbers of record groups conform to a predetermined serial numbering sequence but may deviate therefrom, which includes means to initiate and effect operations under control of records, and total taking control means, means for analyzing successive records for determination of serial number representations thereon, means controlled by said analyzing means for ascertaining whether a serial number representation of a following record is alike or unlike with respect to a preceding record, and when unlike deviates from said prewith respect to the determined serial numbering sequence or conforms to said serial numbering sequence, means controlled by said ascertaining means to enable the operation of the initiating and enacting means to cause operations under control of records upon ascertaining that the serial numbers of successive records arealike, and to initiate the operation of said total taking control means upon ascertaining that serial numbers of successive record groups are unlike, and means controlled by said ascertaining means to prevent the operation' of said total taking control means upon ascertaining that serial numbers of successive record groups are unlike but deviate from the redetermined serial numbering sequence.

8'. In a machine controlled by records arranged in groups wherein successive records passing through the machine are either alike or unlike in their control values and when unlike are supposedly arranged so that the serial numbers' ofsaid record group's conform to an ascending or descending" serial numbering sequence but may deviate from either of said sequences, which machine includes means to initiate and eiie'ct operations under control of records and total taking control means, means for analyzing serial number representations on successive records, means controlled by said analyzing means for ascertaining whether a serial number representation of a following record is alike or unlike with respect to the control values of a preceding record, and when unlike deviates from either an ascending or descending serial number sequence orconfo'rm's to either an ascending or descending serial number'sequence, niea'ns' controlled by said ascertaining means-to enable" the operation or the initiating and enec'ting means to cause operations under control of records upon ascertaining that the serial numbers of successive records are alike, and to initiate the operation of said total taking control means u'pon' ascertaining that serial numbers of successive record groups are unlike, means controlled by said ascertaining means to prevent the operation of said total taking control means when the serial numbers of successive record groups are ascertained to be unlike and deviate from the descending or ascending serial number sequence, and means for selectively causing said ascertaining means to efiect the operation of said means to prevent the operation of said total taking control means either upon a deviation of successive record groups from an ascending serial number sequence or a deviation from a descending serial number sequence.

9. In a record controlled machine, the combination of a pair of magnets, each having a pickup winding and a holding winding, a corresponding number of armatures, each pivoted intermediate the adjacent poles of said magnets and both armatures so biased and arranged with respect to the poles of said magnets that opposite ends of both armatures have airgaps with different magnets to cause the attraction and rocking of each armature when the pickup winding of the related magnet having the airgap is energized, and other ends of both armatures have no airgaps, or substantially none, with said magnets to cause the attraction but not rocking of each armature when the pickup winding of the related magnet having no airgap is energized, means for transmitting differentially timed electrical impulses representing equal or unequal values to said pickup windings, whereby both pickup windings, upon being energized at the same time by simultaneous transmission of equal digit representing electrical impulses thereto, will cause both armatures to be attracted but not rocked by the'polesnot having, the airgaps, and upon energization of one pickup winding be-- fore the other by dissimultaneous transmission of unequal digit representing impulses the first energized pickup winding will attract and rock the armature with which its polepiece has an airgap and will attract but not rock the other armature with which its other polepiece has no airgap, and means controlled by each armature when rocked to energize and maintain the energization of the holding winding related to the energized pickup winding that attracts and rocks the armature, whereby each energized holding winding will maintain and hold the rocked armature in rocked position and the other armature if unrocked in unrocked position.

10. In a record controlled machine, the combination of a pair of magnets, each having a winding, a corresponding number of armatures, each pivoted intermediate the adjacent poles of said magnets and both armatures so biased and arranged with respect to the poles'of saidmagnets that opposite ends of both armatures have airgaps with different magnets to cause the attraction and rocking of each armature when the winding of the related magnet having the airgap is energized, and other ends of both armatures have no airgaps, or substantially none, with said.

magnets to cause the attraction but not rockin of each armature when the winding of the related magnet having no airgap is energized, and means for transmitting difierentially timed electrical impulses representing equal or unequal values to said windings, whereby both windings upon being energized at the same time by simultaneous transmission of equal digit representing electrical impulses thereto will cause both armatures to be attracted but not rocked by the poles not having the airgaps, and upon energization, of one winding before the other by, dis-. simultaneous transmission ofunequal digit rep-v tecting whether successive records pertaining to successive record groups have serial number representations which are unlike and relatively conform to or deviate from the predetermined serial numbering sequence, .control means controlled by said ascertaining means and rendered eifective to initiate an operation when the serial numbers of successive record groups are ascertained to be unlike, and meanscontrolledby said.

ascertaining means for manifesting vwhen the serialnumbers of successive record groups are ascertained to be unlike but deviate from the Number Name 7 Date 1,933,349 Smith Oct. 31, 1933 2,159,094 Livingston May 23, 1939 2,195,851 Daley et al. Apr. 2, 1 940 2,224,769 McDowell Dec. 10, 1940 40 2,288,823 McDonnell July 7,1942 2,335,945 Keough Dec. 7, 1943 serial numbering sequence. 7

- DAVID W. RUBIDGE.

I REFEREN'olssfoi'risnv J The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,379,828 Rubidge et a1. July3, 1945

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