US2970760A - Code translating system - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 7, 1961 A. H. FAULKNER CODE TRANSLATING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 9. 1954 INVENTOR.

- ALFRED H. FAULKNER ATTY.

United States Patent CODE TRANSLATING SYSTEM Alfred H. Faulkner, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Automatic Electric Laboratories, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 9, 1954, Ser. No. 454,960

7 Claims. (Cl. 235-92) The present invention relates in general to a code translating system and more particularly to a code translating system wherein a count registered in an electronic counter is translated to operate corresponding relays of a five relay code unit which in turn operate lamps in a display panel in the manner disclosed in Patent No. 2,121,164, issued to Robinson on June 21, 1938, to form a digit configuration corresponding to the operated relays and therefore the count in the electronic counter. The subject matter of the present invention may be considered in conjunction with the type of electronic counter disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 425,070, filed April 23, 1954, wherein a number of elec tronic decade counters, each comprising a scale of two and a scale of five counter, are individually utilized for the purpose of registering counts from 0 to 9, to 99 etc.

In the present arrangement each decade counter has associated therewith a four level stepping switch which is operated at predetermined time intervals when a count is to be translated from the electronic counter to the five relay code unit and from there to the display lamps. The first and second levels of the stepping switch are interconnected with the various tubes of the counter so that when their respective wipers reach contacts corresponding to the count in the counter, a control tube is conditioned for terminating the operation of the stepping switch. Corresponding contacts on the other two levels of the stepping switch are then interconnected with the relays of the associated five relay code unit corresponding to the count. Ground is then forwarded over the wipers and selected contacts of the last two levels of the switch to operate the relays corresponding to the count registered in the counting tubes to in turn cause a corresponding digit configuration to be displayed in the light panel individually associated with the five relay code unit and decade counter in a manner disclosed in the aforementioned patent.

My co-pending application filed June 21, 1954, Serial No. 438,099, now Patent No. 2,822,982, granted February 11, 1958, pertaining to a code translator for an electronic counter of the type disclosed in the first mentioned application specifies what relays of the five relay code unit individually associated with the decade counters are operated for every registration in an associated counter.

A similar correspondence is used in the present invention.

Although the present invention relates to the same subject matter as the last co-pending application, its arrangement is such as to provide a maximum of economy by elimination of the translating relays andv simplification of the control equipment. Further advantages are to be noted in the manner in which a zero registration in one decade counter is transferred to its associated lamps if a higher valued decade counter has a value registered therein other than zero.

The drawing disclosing the subject matter in the in switch and tube individually associated therewith and the two control relays common to all the decade counters including those not shown. A stepping switch of any well-known type, having a motor magnet for stepping the wiper of each level to each of the ten contacts on a level in sequence, is associated with each decade counter. The wipers of each switch are actually mounted in a shaft, which in turn is controlled by the motor magnet to advance the wipers. A set of three off-normal springs O.N.S.-1, 2, and 3 are individually associated with each switch, and are arranged to be closed in the home posiiton, which corresponds to the contact marked zero. The off-normal springs are operated by a cam mounted on the shaft, which in turn is operated by the electromagnet M.M. The numerous circuit connections of the decade counter are omitted, however, reference may be made sponds to zero and the'wip'ers' of S1'-A and 81-8 are on to the first mentioned application for the same and for a description of the manner of registration of a count.

The count registered in the decade counter disclosed is Zero as indicated by the conductive condition shown for the left triode of tube V1 and the right triode of tube VA. Counts between 14 inclusive are registered when a left triode of one of the tubes VZ-VS respectively is conductive while the right triode of tube VA is maintained conductive. Counts 6-9 inclusive are registered when a left triode of one of the tubes V2-V5 respectively is conductive and the left triode of VA is conductive instead of the right. If the count of five is registered all left triodes are extinguished except the respective left triodes of tubes V1 and VA. The particular manner in which each count is registered in the various tubes of each decade counter on the registration of a count is explained in the previously mentioned application.

The left triodes of tubes V1V5 inclusive are individually connected to contacts of the second level 51-8 of switch S-l through leads 0-5, 1-6, 27, 38 and 4-9, while the right triode of tube VA is connected in multiple to contacts 0-4 inclusive of level Sl-A over lead 04 and its left triode is connected in multiple to contacts 5-9 inclusive of level Sl-A over lead 59. When a triode is non conductive a voltage of approximately volts positive exists on the contacts to which it is connected. The reason for the 100 volt potential on the plate circuit and the associated contacts of a nonconductive tube instead of the full volt supply potential is that additional circuits, not shown, draw current through the plate circuit resistor as is illustrated in the previously mentioned application and cause a voltage drop through the plate resistor even though the tube is nonconductive. A conductive triode causes the voltage to drop to about 50 volts on the contacts it is connected to.

Relay RA common to all the decade counters is operated at a predetermined time by a momentary ground pulse over lead ST, applied in any well-known manner, to energize the lower winding of relay RA so that it operates to close contacts 6, 7 and 8. Simultaneously a further registration of a count in the decade counters is prevented in any well-known manner. At contacts 7 a positive 75 volts is applied to the cathode of tube VR individual to the decade counter shown and the cathodes of the corresponding tubes individually associated with other decade counters. At contacts 6 a locking circuit is provided for the lower winding of relay RA over contacts 11. Slow-to-release relay RE is operated by ground .at.

contacts 8, close contacts 12 and open contacts 11 to open the locking circuit to the lower winding of relay. RA. lie-. v

lead LG arid release all the operated relays of all'the,

five relay code unitsindivid'ually associated with the decade counters.

If as is shown, the count in the decade counter corretheir respective zero contacts a 50-volt potential is applied to both grids of tube VR over leads -4 and '05 respectively and tube VR cannot fire. Then switch S-1 cannot be stepped from the position shown as R1 fails to operate and-"completes circuit for the stepping 'niagnet MZM.; Assn/itch S-1 is'not operated, its on normal springs O.N.S.-I areopen andgr'oun'd cannot-beforwarded t'o' leads CandDto operate the corresponding r'elays of the 5 relay code unit tocause the digit zero tolbe unnecessarily displayed-in light panel unless the switch associated with a higher valued decade counter is operated. This will be explained.

Now, assuming that the count in the disclosed decade counter is other than'zcr o', either lead 04 or 0+5 or both are at +100 volts and therefore one or both triodes of tube VR are fired. Firingof tube VR completes an energizing path for relay Rland the .upper'w indin'g of relay RA so that RA maintains contacts 6, 7, Sand 9 operated after relay RB opens the locking circuit'to the lower windingof relay RA. Rectifi'r'25 limits the voltage drop across relay RA to 30 volts so that at least 150 volts is supplied to relay R1 and tube VR to provide 75 volts across the tube and relay with the 75 volt potential con nected to the cathode of the tube.

Relay R1 in the plate circuit of tube VR operates to close contacts 1 and complete an obvious circuit to the motor magnet M.M. M.M. is energized and opens its own circuit at its self-interrupting contacts and on deenergization steps the wipers of levels Sl -A, Sl-B, Sl-C and SI-D'of switch S1. On deenergization the selfinterruptingcontacts close and M.M. is again energized to open these contacts and deenergize itself to again step the wipers. In this manner M.M. steps the wipers of switch S1. If the Wiper of Sl-A encounters the 50 volt condition in passing over its associated contacts, the left triode oftube VR is extinguished. However, relay R1 remains operated if the right triode'of the tube VR is conductive to in turn enable the M.M. to continue stepping the switch. If the reverse condition occurs and the wiper of Sl-A encounters the +100 volt condition while the wiper of Sl-B encounters the 50 volt condition, R1 is maintained operated by the conductive left triode of tube VR; When the wipersof 51 A and 81-13, each simultaneously encounter a 50 volt potential impressed on 'an' associated contact by conductive triodes of the counter, both triodes of tube VR are extinguished to release relayRIi and deenergize the upper winding of relay RA to cause its release. Relay R1 on release opens contacts 1 to prevent further stepping by M.M. and switch S--1 remains in the position corresponding to the count registered in its associated decade counter. Release of relay RA enables new registrations to be made in the decade counters in any well-known'manner.

When contacts'9 close on release of relay RA ground is forwarded over contacts 12 (which remain up as relay RE is sloW-to-release), ol'f-normal'springs O.N.S.1, lead D'-'-1,' wipers Sl-C and Sl-D and the respective contacts on which these wipers have stopped and the selected one of leads A, B, C, D and E to operate the relays of the five relay code unit corresponding to the count in the decade counter and thereby the lamps of the associated panel. As previously mentioned the relays operated for any particular count are shown in the aforementioned second application and a correspondence exists between the designation of leads A, B, C, D and B and the relays of the 5 relay code unit. A moment later'relay RB re leases to open contacts 12 and remove ground from the wipers of Sl-C and Sl-D, while ground forwarded over locking lead'LG maintains the operated'relays of the code 11 perated until the next time relay RA is operated.

this positionthe next time relay RA is opfiidldbs the 1 I??? W i h ea ma e 54 9 Wiwh 5 was n he qsit gpftbfwhi h t e. efi t aili if fl ter. rsi a ar mad in; the 'as'sociated decade counter, an'd it will'not move from,

tube VR is still connected to both grids of tube VR prevents relay -R-1 from operating. If, however, the registration in the decade counter is changed, tube VR becomes conductive after relay RA is operated as the potential on one or both of the leads to which the grids of tube VR through their respective levels of switch 8-1 will now be at the volt potential. The switch is stepped to search for the leads having the 50 volt potential thereon and corresponding to the registrationinthe decade counter in the manner described. 7

Assuming a count of zero in the decade counter shown,

after relay RA operates the switch remains or is moved to the position shown. The offnormal springs O.N.S.-1 in the position shown are open and prevent ground from being forwarded to lead -D1 and levels SI-C and Sl-D of the switch. But if a higher valued decade counter, such as is associated with leads D-Z or D3, has a count other than zero registered therein, their respective associated stepping switches are operated after relay RA operates in a manner similar to that described forswitch S-l. On release of relay RA and closure of-contacts 9 ground is forwarded through the contacts of the offnormal springs associated with the higher valued decade counter such as O.N.S.2, lead D-Z, the wipers corre sponding to S1C and S1- D and their selected associated contacts and to the five relay code circuit associated with that decade counter, rectifier 27, lead D-l, wipers and contacts 0 of levels 51-0 and Sl-D respectively and leads C and D respectively to the relays of the five relay code corresponding to the value zero to operate these relays'to display a digit configuration of zero in the associated lamp display. If zero is registered in the decade counter associated with O.N.S.2 and a value other than zero registered in the counter associated with O.N.S.-3,- springs O.N.S.-3 and rectifier 26 are effective to forward ground in a manner similar to that described for causing a zero configuration to be displayed in the appropriate lamp panels.

Thus having described a translating system for an electronic counter which is novel, simple, efficient and economical, but not wishing to limit myself to the exact arrangement shown herein, I have described in the following claims the subject matter I believe encompasses myinvention.

What is claimed is: 1. A code translating system for use in translating a count registered in an electronic valve counting circuit to an indicating means of the type requiring the coincidental operation of at least two electromagnets corresponding to a registered countamong a plurality of more than two electromagnets for operating said indicating means to indicate a count corresponding to the count registered in said counting circuit, the improvement comprising: a switch operated in accordance with a count registered in said counting circuit toselect two electroditferent onesof said counts, the improvement comprising a control valve, selecting means operated undercontrol of said control valve to a positioncorresponding tothe count registered: insaid counting circuit, and controlled-- means thereafter.- rendered effective by said selecting means in'said position for operating the pair of said; electromagnets corresponding "to said registered count whereby saidcount is displ'ayed by said indicating-i arrangement.

Af ys m, su h; s sla msd n. c a m. n. hi hi a d electin m a ampu es w tch. h v nsja plu ality of contact banks and respective wipers associated therewith, means for marking certain of said contact banks in accordance with a count registered in said counting circuit, and means for operating said switch in accordance with the marking on said certain contact banks to move said wipers to a position corresponding to said count.

4. A system such as claimed in claim 3, in which said selecting means includes the other contact banks of said switch.

5. In a system such as claimed in claim 4, a unidirectional circuit connecting the wipers associated with said other contact banks to corresponding wipers of a switch associated with another plurality of electromagnets, and means effective only in response to the wipers associated with said other contact banks being moved to a particular position for forwarding a potential over said unidirectional circuit to enable operation of certain of said other plurality of electromagnets.

6. A plurality of systems such as claimed in claim 2, and means individual to each system rendered effective in response to the registration of a predetermined count in the associated counting circuit for preventing the operation of a pair of associated electromagnets unless a particular count is registered in another counting circuit.

7. A system such as claimed in claim 2, in which said electronic counting circuit comprises a plurality of electronic valves some of which are conditioned in one manner and others of which are conditioned in another manner to register a count, and said means conditioned in accordance with the count comprises a control valve, a switch operated under control of said control valve to connect said control valve to said counting circuit valves in a particular order, and means for conditioning said control valve to terminate operation of said switch in response to the connection of said switch to said valves conditioned in said other manner.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,325,409 Leathers July 27, 1943 2,335,755 Haddad Nov. 30, 1943 2,401,621 Desch June 4, 1946 2,404,739 Mumma July 23, 1946 2,745,093 Holman et al May 8, 1956 2,793,806 Lindesmith May 28, 1957

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