US2738131A - Record controlled counting circuits - Google Patents

Description

March 13, 1956 H. HENKE 2,733,131

RECORD CONTROLLED COUNTING cmcuns Filed April 1, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 LT} 7 fig 3 4 12 0 O5 O6 1 l 07 Q pa i i Jig 2 u b c d e f g h March 13, 1956 H. HENKE RECORD CONTROLLED COUNTING cmcums 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 1. 1950 r/vVE/vrae flew/Vail flew/ti United States Patent RECORD CONTROLLED COUNTING cmcurrs Hermann Henke, Stein am Rhine, Switzerland Application April 1, 1950, Serial No-..153,354

Claims priority, application Switzerland February 1, 1950 7 Claims. (Cl. 235-6111) The present invention relates to an arrangement for the evaluation of data marked by perforations, in particular on perforated cards and the like. The arrangement according to the present invention is characterized in. that for the simultaneous grasping or registering-of" the data of at least two perforations in at least one definite combination pairs of electric contacts are actuated to cooperate with said perforations, all of said contacts being connected in series with one of the evaluation circuits associated with the respective combination.

Thus for example it is possible to select or count in one operation all those perforated cards from a number of such cards having simultaneously several data in a. definite combination. I

The essence of the present invention and several exam ples of embodiment of the object of said invention are described with reference to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perforated card in one form of execution of the invention showing pre-printed spaces in each of which a hole has been punched,

Fig. 2 illustrates several possible combinations of holes on a card according to Fig. 1,

2,738,131 Patented Mar. 13, 1956 2 a perforation in area 8 protestant, etc. The card a according to Fig. 2'in this case contains the data: masculine, Swiss, while for example the card 0 has the data feminine, foreigner, single etc.

If the task is given to count the cards in a large number of suchcards which for instance bear thecombinecl data masculine, single, thenall the cards having a perforation in the areas 1' and 5 must be counted independently of the fact of whether they simultanously have further perforations-- or not. Of the: cardsshown in Fig. 2 the cards b and fcome under those sought, but none of the other cards illustrated. The counti'ngof the cards with the desired, definite combination ofperforations 1-5 can be carried out in a single operation by means of the arrangement described. hereafter and illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 3.,

' The arrangement. has a guide for the perforated cards (not shown), as well as two. scanners A1 and A5 respectively', associated with theperforations 1 andS coming into consideration, said scanners taking the shape of pairs of electric contacts which close when the scanned card actually has the perforations.v I and 5'. The two scanning contacts A1 and A5 are connected in series in an evaluation current circuit. in which a counter Z is further connected, said counter responding to the passage of acur- 7 rent and being connected to a current source (not. shown) Fig. 3 illustrates diagrammatically a first example of embodiment of an arrangement for evaluation, by wayof example for counting the cards with a definite combination of data given by two perforations,

Fig; 4 illustrates a second example of embodiment of an arrangement for the simultaneous counting of the cards with two combinations of data given by two perforations each, one perforation and data being contained in bo combinations, and

Fig. '5 shows a further example of embodiment of the arrangement for the simultaneous counting of all combinations of data given by three perforations.

A form of execution of a perforated card 10 shown by way of example in Fig. 1 is provided with nine preprinted areas 11 to which the numerals 1-9 are assigned which numerals can also be printed on the card. In the areas 11 perforations can be provided as required in the manner known for such perforated cards, each of said perforations representing a definite index or data. On the card shown in Fig. 1 one to nine perforations in a total of 511 different combinations or generally speaking in 2"-1 combinations can be applied, n being the number of areas 11 provided for the reception of a perforation each.

Several of the combinations of perforations possible on the card according to Fig. 1 are shown in Fig. 2 in the alternatives a-h.

If the perforations present in the cards are to give definite data relating to a census of people and to individual persons respectively, a perforation in area. l-of the card can by way of example have the meaning of masculine, a perforation in area 2 feminine, a perforation in area 3 Swiss, a perforation, in area 4 foreigner," a perforation in area 5 single," at perforation in area 6 married," a perforation in area7 widowedfif by means of the terminals 12' and 13.

The counter Z advances by one unit. every time the two scanning contacts A1 and A5 close simultaneously, i. e; when a card is being, scanned having the two, perforations land 5.

In the same operation other. combinations not. conflicting with the first combinationrcanbe.counted, in a similar manner by separate counters, such. as. the combinations 23-4 or 6'-78"-9 etc., it being of. importance that all pairs of scanningcontacts. belonging, to one combination ofperforations selected are connected in serieswith a separate counter associated with. this,v combination: of perforations and to a common or separate source. of current. 1

Instead of the counters Z other electrically controlling apparatus can be connected with the individual evaluation current circuits, as by way of example such apparatus as will cause the cards having the desired combinations. of perforations to be sorted out.

In Fig. 4 another example of embodiment of the ,arrangement for the evaluation of thedata given by'perforations is diagrammatically shownv with. which arrangement also combinations of perforations overlapping: one another can be embraced simultaneously, i; e.. in a single operation, in separate: evaluation; current. circuits, namely such combinations having; one or severalperforations. in

common, such. as by way: of example the combinations 1-5 with the. meaning masculine, single and 5--8 with the meaningv single, protestant. Three scanners A1, A5 and A8 associated withtheperforations 1, 5 and 8 take. the shape of pairs of electric contacts and each pair is connected. in: an excites current: circuit of an electro magnet M1, M5 and M8..- Acurrentsource (not shown) is connected to-thenterminal' s '14-an'd 15. The armature of the magnet M1 is in operative connection with a;

switches 26, 27 and 31 are closed. Thus the counter Z-8 receives a current impulse which advances said counter by one unit, while the current circuit to the counter Z1-5 is kept interrupted by the switch 22. In an analogous manner the operation of the counter 21-5 takes place when the scanning contacts A1 and A5 close. If the scanning contacts A1, A5 and A8 are simultaneously closed, each of the two counters Z5-8 and 21-5 are advanced by one unit corresponding to the two combinations 5-8 and 1-5 contained on the perforated card.

The wiring diagram of an alternative to the arrangement described is shown in Fig. 5 by means of which it is possible to evaluate all combinations feasible with three perforations in a single operation independently of one another in an individual counter each.

According to the formula 2"-1 seven combinations are possible when using the three perforations 1, 5 and 8, namely: 1-58, 1-5, 58, l-8, l, 5 and 8, a separate counter Z158, Z1--5, Z5-8, Z1-8, Z1, Z5 and Z8, respectively, being provided for each of these combinations. A group of four switches each 21-24, 25-28 and 29-32, respectively, is associated with each of the magnets M1, M5 and M8. The switches 21, 25 and 29 are connected in series with the counter Z158 and the source of current connected to the terminals 16, 17. The switches 22 and 26 are connected in series with the counter Z1-5, the switches 23 and 30 with the counter Z1-8 and the switches 27 and 31 with the counter Z5-8. The switch 24 is connected in series with the counter Z1, the switch 28 with the counter Z5 and the switch 32 with the counter Z8. The exciter current circuits of the three electromagnets is the same as shown in Fig. 4.

The method of operation of this arrangement is analogous to that shown in Fig. 4, the counter Z1 counting all cards having a perforation in area 1, the counter Z1-8 by way of example all cards with the perforations 1 and 8 etc., all this being done in a single operation. Since the perforations l, 5 and 8 have, according to the assumption made the meaning masculine, single and protestant respectively, all cards with the following data and combined data are counted separately in one operation by means of the arrangement described:

1. Masculine,

2. Single,

. Protestant,

Masculine, single,

Masculine, protestant,

6. Single, protestant,

7. Masculine, single, protestant.

form the desired combinations in such a manner thatthe contacts cooperating with the scanners of the perforations used in a, combination always are in series with the evaluation current circuit comprising a counter or some other evaluation apparatus. By the use of plug in cables it is then possible to embrace all possible 2"l combinations or only a definite number thereof, the number of the simultaneously embraced combinations being determined by the number of existing evaluation apparatus, such as counters.

The speed of operations of the evaluation cycle can be adapted to any desired requirements. "For the counting of up to 2500 cards per hour, they can' be laid under a scanning contact device by hand, the scanners in said device being capable of being brought into and out of their operative position, respectively, by being lifted 05 or lowered on to the lower contact elements. For greater operational speeds the scanners are to be built in such a manner that they continuously bear resiliently against their lower contacts and that the cards or counting strips' etc. to be evaluated pass through below the scanners in a continuous sequence. In this case, however, a checking device must be provided which ensures that an evaluation only takes place when the perforations are placed below the scanners in the correct position for counting.

By way of example such a checking device is shown in Fig. 5. Said device comprises two additional scanning contacts B1 and B2 each of which is arranged in the exciter current circuit of an electromagnet N1 and N2 respectively. The armature of the magnet N1 is adapted for the operation of a switch 33 open in the position of rest, and the armature of the magnet N2 for the operation of a switch 34 closed in the position of rest, said two switches being connected in series and being put into circuit in the feed line of the evaluation current circuit by interrupting the current circuit of the counters between the two terminals x and x. As a source of current for the excitation of the electromagnets N1 and N2 the source of current connected to the terminals 14 and 15 can be used, if the terminals y and y, and z and z, respectively, are connected to each other.

The operation of this checking device consists in that the scanning contacts B1 must remain closed and the scanning contacts B2 open, if an evaluation is to take place, i. e. both the switches 33 and 34 must simultaneously be closed. The cards and the counting strip respectively must have a perforation for the scanning contact B1 in its correct scanning position, however, no perforation for the scanner B2. If during passage both pairs of scanning contacts B1 and B2 remain closed or, on the other hand, both open, then the source of current connected to the terminals 16, 17 is interrupted at one pole from the evaluation current circuit so that no evalua: tion can take place.

In a like manner more than two checking scanning contacts can be provided. I

The checking device can be adapted to co-act with an automatic stop motion device which immediately stops the machine, if a card or the counting strip is positioned wrongly under the scanners. Such a stop motion device known in the art is not shown in the drawing.

With the electro-magnetic counters known at present about 10 current impulses can be counted in a second, i. e. about 36,000 in an hour which in the present case would be equal to the counting of 36,000 cards per hour. If by way of example a combination counting machine with 1000 counters were used for the evaluation of the results of a census of people, 10,000 combinations per second and 360,000,000 combinations per hour could be counted.

In the examples of embodiment simple pairs of electromagnetic contacts are used as scanners, and the switches are likewise of the electro-magnetic type. For higher operating speeds than those mentioned above, however, electro-optical scanners and switches or electronic switches could also be utilized.

The arrangement described is not only suitable for the evaluation of the data on perforated cards, counting strips, etc., but also on all objects provided with perforations, notches, etc., and due to its simplicity and rapid method of operation can with advantage also be used in the postal money order service, in ticket issuing oflices of transport concerns, in manufacturing and im dustrial concerns, in administrations, in statistical offices as well as for the evaluation of the collected documents in research etc. I What I claim and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for the evaluation of data indicated by perforations which are formed on cards in at least two definite combinations, comprising a sensing element cooperating with each of said perforations for the simul taneous sensing of the data indicated by said perforations, and electro-responsive switch means respectively connected to said sensing elements, each switch means be ing operable in response to the sensing of data by the corresponding sensing element, each of said electroresponsive switch means including at least one contact means, some of said contact means of at least a pair of said electro-responsive switch means being in series to provide a first evaluation circuit corresponding to one combination, other of said contact means of said pair of electro-responsive switch means being in series with contact means of at least another of said electro-responsive switch means to provide a second evaluation circuit independent of said first circuit and corresponding to the other combination.

2. A device for the evaluation of data indicated by perforations which are formed on cards in at least two definite combinations, comprising a sensing element cooperating with each of said perforations for the simultaneous sensing of the data indicated by said perforations, and electro-responsive switch means respectively connected to said sensing elements, each switch means being operable in response to the sensing of data by the corresponding sensing element, each of said electroresponsive switch means including at least one contact means, some of said contact means of at least a pair of said electroresponsive switch means being connected to provide a first evaluation circuit corresponding to one combination, other of said contact means of said pair of electro-responsive switch means being connected with contact means of at least another of said electroresponsive switch means to provide a second evaluation circuit independent of said first circuit and corresponding to the other combination.

3. A device for the evaluation of data indicated by perforations which are formed on cards in at least two definite combinations, comprising a pair of electric scanning elements cooperating with each of said perforations for the simultaneous sensing of the data indicated by said perforations, and electro-responsive switch means respectively connected to each pair of electric scanning elements, each switch means including at least one contact means and being operable in response to the sensing of data by the corresponding pair of electric scanning elements, some of said contact means of at least a pair of said electro-responsive switch means being connected in .series to provide an evaluation circuit corresponding to one combination, others of said contact means of said pair of electro-rcsponsive switch means being connected in series with another of said electro-responsive switch means to provide another evaluation circuit independent of said first circuit and corresponding to the other combination, and a counter in each of said evaluation circuits counting the number of recurrences of the respective combinations.

4. A device according to claim 1, including electroresponsive check means connected in each of said evaluation circuits and rendering the latter inefiective when said perforations are not in a predetermined position with respect to said sensing elements.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said electroresponsive check means includes two additional sensing elements, one of said two additional sensing elements cooperating with a special perforation formed on said card, the other of said additional sensing elements being located to coact with an area of said card devoid of any perforation, and switch means connected in each of said evaluation circuits and responsive to said additional sensing elements for selectively rendering the respective evaluation circuit ineffective, said switch means including a normally open contact means operable in response to sensing by said one additional sensing element, and a normally closed contact means operable in response to sensing by said other additional sensing element.

6. In a device for the evaluation of data indicated by erforations which are found in cards in at least two definite combinations; first circuit means provided with sensing contacts connected in parallel, electromagnetic means connected in series with each of said sensing contacts, respectively, of said first circuit means, said electromagnetic means being energized upon actuation of said sensing contacts, second circuit means for effecting said evaluations and provided with at least two switch means operable by said electromagnetic means, respectively, each of said switch means being provided with contact means and at least one of said switch means being provided with at least two of said contact means, and a plurality of counter means connected in parallel in said second circuit means, each of said contact means of said one switch means being in series with contact means of another of said switch means, respectively, and one of said counter means, respectively, to provide at least two parallel evaluation circuits for said data corresponding to predetermined combinations of said perforations.

7. In a device according to claim 6, third circuit means for checking the operation of said evaluation circuits and provided with sensing contacts cooperating with a predetermined card perforation, further electromagnetic means connected in parallel with said first circuit means, and further switch means operable by said last mentioned electromagnetic means and connected in series with said second circuit means, one of said further switch means being normally open, another of said further switch means being normally closed, whereby upon improper positioning of at least one of said cards said second circuit means is rendered inoperative so that the data of said one card is not evaluated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,030,305 Hollerith June 25, 1912 1,808,432 Peirce June 2, 1931 2,120,071 Keefe June 7, 1938 2,176,929 Smith Oct. 24, 1939 2,310,437 Johnson Feb. 9, 1943 2,318,591 Couflignol May 11, 1943 2,353,061 Oldenboom July 4, 1944 2,387,850 Loughridge Oct. 30, 1945 2,478,274 Johnson Aug. 9, 1949 2,586,234 Kopas Feb. 19, 1952

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