May 12, 1953
F. H. BRAY ETAL
2,638,506
‘ ELECTRICAL STORAGE OF INFORMATION ON GAS-FILLED TUBES
5 Sheds-Sheet l
Filed Oct. 29, 1947
FIG IA.
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May 12, 1953
‘
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.
F. H. BRAY ETAL'
2,638,506 '
ELECTRICAL STORAGE OF’ INFORMATION ON GAS-FILLED TUBES
Filed 001;. 29, 194'?
'
>
5 Sheets-Sheet 2
May 12, 1953
‘
F. H. BRAY ETAL
2,638,506
ELECTRICAL STORAGE OF INFORMATION ON GAS-FILLED TUBES
Filed Oct. 29, 1947
'
CATHODE POTENTML
5 Sheets-Sheet 4
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CONTROL
CAP POfENTML
3
May 12, 1953
F. H. BRAY ETAL
_
2,638,506,
ELECTRICAL STORAGE OF mommxon 0N_GAS-FILL'ED TUBES
Filed Oct. 29, 1947
'5 Sheets-Sheet s_
2,638,506
Patented May 12, 1953
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
2,638,506
ELECTRICAL STORAGE OF INFORMATION
ON GAS-‘FILLED TUBES
Frederick Harry Bray, George Clifford Hartley,
and Desmond Sydney Ridler, London, England,
assignors' to International vStandard Electric
Corporation, New York, N. Y.
Application October 29, 1947, Serial No. 782,733
In Great Britain October 30, 1946
8 Claims.
(Cl. 179-27)
-
1
2
'taining potential). An operating potential be
This invention relates to registering and con
tween the striking and sustaining potentials will
trolling means and has for its object further im
" maintain the tube in either of two different stable
provements in the application of discharge tubes
conditions. If the potential across the tube has
for such purposes.
been momentarily raised above the striking po
The main feature of the invention comprises
tential, the tube will ignite and the discharge
registering and controlling means comprising dis
through the tube will be maintained and the tube
charge tubes both for registering numbers and for
be conducting when the potential has returned
counting stored numbers.
‘ to the normal operating potential. If the poten
To make the invention clearly understood, ref
is now momentarily lowered below the sus
erence will nOw be made to certain embodiments ll) tial
taining potential, the discharge through the tube
shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
will be quenched, and the tube will become non
Figs. 1A and 1B illustrate an electric counter
conducting and remain non~conducting when the
combined with an electric storage device for use
for instance in an automatic telephone system;
Fig. 2 illustrates a code for storing numbers
1 . . . 15 on a set of four storage devices, such as
neon tubes;
I
I
Fig. 3 illustrates the method of counting out the
‘ record on the counter;
I
Fig. 4 illustrates another embodiment of an‘
electric counter; while
Fig. 5 illustrates another alternative means for
triggering one pair of tubes from another.
These ?gures are also used to illustrate the in
vention of our copending application, Serial Nop
782,734, ?led October 29, 1947, now Patent No.
'
2,576,099.
The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1 may be
'used in an automatic telephone system where it
‘is required to select a number by successively
operating digit keys, each key corresponding to a
digit of the number, to store the number in an
electric storing device, and subsequently to send
.impulses into a line, which correspond to the
number selected, or to respond to revertive im
pulsing from a distant point‘.
'
The circuit arrangement of Fig. 1 illustrates a
key-sending position at its left hand side, a stor
' age circuit at the lower part of its right hand side,
' potential has again returned to the normal oper
ating potential. Thus, each tube may be in one
of two dilferent conditions which may be ascer
tained by sensing the potential across the respec
tive series resistor. As indicated in Fig. 2, a set
of four tubes may assume sixteen different pat
20 terns depending on which of the four tubes are
conducting, and which are non-conducting. By
selecting ten di?‘erent patterns out of the possible
sixteen patterns, each digit may be stored and
represented on a binary basis on such a set of
fourtubes. In Fig. 2, each row contains four cir
cles corresponding to the circuits (1, b, c, d of ‘a set
‘of four neon tubes each in series with a resistor,
‘the black circles indicating a circuit compnsing
a conducting tube and the white circles indicating
30 a circuit comprising a non-‘conducting tube. Fig.
' 2 illustrates the 16 possible patterns of which ten
correspond to the digits 1, 2, . . . 9, 0, these being
7 the only ones used in the example given. Tubes
" a, b,'c-, d represent ascending orders of numbers
'on a binary scale; 1, 2, 4, 8, and record digits in
' such a way that operating tubes indicate zero‘ and
- quiescent tubes indicate a binary digit. Thus
‘line 5 from left to right represents the number
' 0101 on the binary scale or 0+4+0+1 on the dec
and an electric counter at the upper part of its 40 imal scale, while line 9 represents 1001 on the
binary scale, or 8+0+0+1 on the decimal scale.
right hand side.
'
’
It will also be recognised that with the arrange
The key-sending position comprises a sender
ment of Fig. l which comprises eight sets each of
key SK, ten digit keys corresponding to the'nu
four neon tubes, at number consisting of up to
merals 1, 2, . . . 9, 0, a start-send key SSK, a
eight digits may be stored.
cancel key GK, and a sender busy lamp SBL;
For striking the four gas discharge tubes of a
‘ 'j The storage circuit comprises eight sets ‘ I,
v 2, . . . ‘I, 8, each of four circuits a, b, c, d, of neon
or the like gas discharge tubes 'Ta, Tb, Tc, Td,
set of tubes, triggering capacitors C5, C6, C1, C8
.are provided, which are normally charged from
a supply source through the resistors RI , R2, R3,
each connected in series with a high ohmic resis
' R4, to the positive operating potential of the gas
tor Ra, Rb, Rc, Dd respectively. A neon or the i
discharge tubes. The resistors RI, R2, R3, R4
like tube needs a potential for striking the tube
which is considerably higher than the lowest
potential necessary for sustaining the discharge
through the tube after the tube has been ignited
(hereinafter and in the claims shortly called sus-\
are shunted respectively by additional capacitors
Cl, C2, C3, C4. The triggering capacitors are
connected in series with resistors R5, R6, R1, R8
for limiting surge currents. In the position illus
2,688,508
3
4
trated in Fig. l, the triggering capacitors C5, C6,
commences glowing.
Cl, C8 in series with the respective series resistors
R5, R6, R7, R8, are connected across various con
tacts, which will be described further below, to
the anodes of the gas discharge tubes Ta, Tb, Tc, GI
relay S is de-energlsed and its contact sl is re
Td, of the ?rst set of tubes of the storage circuit.
Contact s7‘! is closed with
out effect. When the digit key 5 is released, the
leased. Thereby, the relay A is locked, right
hand winding of B, left hand winding v.of A, M
front, sl, cal, 012 back. Relay B is energised.
The contacts 193-496 disconnect the triggering
ode discharge tubes CTl, GT2, . . . CTT, CT8.
capacitors C5, C5, Cl, CB from the ?rst set of
Each of these tubes comprises a cold cathode, an
gas discharge tubes of the storage circuit and
anode, and two auxiliary electrodes for striking 10 connect them to its second set or" gas discharge
the tube. The tubes are arranged to form two
tubes.
sets of four tubes, the ?rst set comprising the
The next operation of a digit key triggers a
tubes CTI, GT3, GT5, CT‘! and the other set the
pattern which represents the numeral corre
tubes GT2, CT/i, GT6, GT8. The tubes also form
sponding to the respective key on to the second
four pairs of tubes, the ?rst pair comprising the
set of gas discharge tubes of the storage circuit
tubes CH and GT2, the second pair the tubes CT3
in an analogous manner to that just described
and GT4, the third the tubes C'I‘t and GT5, and
with reference to the ?rst set of tubes. The
the fourth the tubes CT‘! and GT8.
relay S is again energised and operation of its
The electric counter comprises eight cold cath
Before a number is selected, the sender key
is closed whereby the relay GA is energised. The '
contact ‘ga9 of the relay GA is closed for a pur
pose which will be described further below. The
contact ga8 of the relay GA is closed and applies
the digit key causesthe relay ‘S to de-energise
whereupon the relay C is energised over contacts
.122 front, a1, 5! back in series with the locking
winding of relay B. Contacts (23, C4, C5, C6
cause the triggering capacitors C5, C6, C1, C8
the positive operating potential derived from the
supply source to all the anodes of the gas dis
charge tubes of the storage circuit, the cathodes
of the tubes being connected to the respective
series resistors, the free terminals of which are
connected to the earthed negative operating po
tential of the supply source. The contact cat
also applies the positive operating potential to
the main anodes of all the cold cathode tubes of
the electric counter, thecathodes of the tubes of
the ?rst set being connected across the primary
windings of cathode transformers Tl, T2, T3,
T4, and the cathodes of the tubes of the second
set being directly connected to the negative ter
minal of ‘an additional supply source. The con
tact pct-8 is closed and connects a relay CA to the
contact s! causes the locked relay A to be released
but relay B holds via bl-hl. The release of
-
to be disconnected from the second set of tubes
and to be connected to the third set of tubes.
It will be realised that in the manner ‘described
patterns corresponding to the digits of a number
may ‘successively be impressed on the sets of
neon or the like tubes vof the storage circuit by
successively operating the respective digit Fkeys.
If the number to be stored comprises eight
digits, the relay DS is, in a manner similar to
.the relays B to H, energised on release of the
eighth digit key operated and is looked over its
contact dsl, While the relay H is released by
short~circuit of its left hand winding. If, how
ever, the number to be stored comprises less
cancel key CK. The contact ga? connects a relay all) than eight digits, the start send. key SSK has
H to the start send key SSK. The contacts
to be operated after the last digit key has been
ga5-ga2 connect respectively the triggering
released. (Operation of ‘the start send key ener
capacitors (18,073, C6, C5 to the digit keys. The
gises the relay H over the contacts gas and‘ ds3,
contact gal connects a relay S to the digit keys.
whereby the relay DS is, again, energised and,
When now a digit key is operated, a certain > '
as before, .closes a circuit via a winding of :DS,
combination of gas discharge tubes of the ?rst-set
left hand winding of H, contacts h2--sl, cal , .012.
of tubes of the storage circuit is ignited in the
The main winding of relay H is de-energised by
toll'owing manner: Assume the ?rst digit key to
the operation of the contact ds3, while its lock
.beroperated is key ‘5 corresponding to the numeral
ing winding is short circuited by contact dsl
5.. In this case, as will be seen from Fig. 2., the which is closed so that relay I-I releases its con
gas discharge tubes ‘In and Th of the ?rst set
tacts. In both .cases, the contacts ds4—dsl .dis
should .be ignited, while the tubes To and Ta
connect thewstorage circuit from the triggering
should not be ignited. By operating the digit key
.5, the negative terminal of the additional supply
capacitors 1C5, C6, ‘C1, C8. The contact ‘1138
disconnects the relay S from the digit keys.
source, whose :positive terminal is earthed, is '
Operation of US also closes con-tact (1S9 associ
connected to the capacitors 7C8 ‘and @CG. Thereby
ated with two additional ‘cold ‘cathode discharge
the charges of these capacitors vare reversed.
‘tubes ‘GT9 and 0TH}, each comprising a cold
The charging currents flow through the resistors
cathode, a main anode, and an auxiliary anode.
Ra and R0 of the ?rst set of tubes of the storage
The contact 4152 is closed whereby the relay TB
circuit. Thereby, the potentials across the cor (50 is energised via 153 ‘back, as: front, h2_sl back,
responding tubes Tb and ‘I'd are momentarily
cal, 022 back and looks over trii, 3152, 012.
‘
raised'abov-e the striking potential of the tubes Tb
The contacts :tri—4 are closed and-connect the
and Tel which ‘are ignited and remain ignited
storage ‘circuit to the electric counter to control
vafter the digit key '5 has been released. The
the transmission of the stored digits into the line
capacitors Cl, C2, C3, C4 ensure that ‘the ignited
ZI and 12. It will further be appreciated that
[tubes are not ‘quenched while the triggering ‘ca
since the number has been stored in a binary
¢pacitors ‘C6, C8 are recharged on release of ‘the
"code on the storage circuit, it :has to be trans
digit .key. The operation voi a digit :key also
slatedifrom the binary code into the decimal sys—
'energises the relay S. ‘Its contact a! (see right
tem when sending corresponding impulses into
hand bottomcorner of Fig. :1) isvoperated whereby 70 vthe line.
‘
.
theirelay #A is energised yia \back'contacts b l-h-l,
.A capacitor 0H5 is normally charged across
sl front, cal, cZ2 back. A vrelay 78.] is energised
resistors R9 "and Rib. The capacitor "Old is con
over the closed contact 142 {and is looked over its
contact sy'Z to v0Z3 :back. ‘Contact 3413 closes the
nected "over surge limiting resistors RH, .RI‘Z,
R13, am to ‘the upper ‘auxiliary electrode of each
circuit :-for the sender ibusy lamp SBL, which 75 pf theiceld icathode tubes C'I‘l, GT5, GT3, .CTI
2,688,506
Tc are not ignited. This causes a voltage drop
across the resistors Rb and Rd of the ?rst set
electric counter. The tubes are of the type pro
which,
in turn, causes the cold cathode tubes
vided with two auxiliary electrodes either of
GT8 and GT4 of the second set of tubes of the
which may be used for triggering the tube. As
explained hereinbefore, the relay GA was en CR electric counter to strike when the contacts
vforming the ?rst set of cold cathode tubes of the
trI-Tr4 are closed. The tubes GT8 and GT4
belong to the fourth and second pairs of tubes of
the electric counter. These tubes remain ionised
and striking of these tubes causes the other tubes
of the fourth and second pairs, namely tubes GT‘!
10
on the upper auxiliary electrodes of the cold
and GT3, to be quenched as described above. The
cathode tubes GT1, GT5, GT3, CTI is momentarily
condition of the eight tubes of the electric counter
raised, so that these tubes are ignited, the dis
after the operation of the relay TR is represented
charge through these tubes being maintained
in the third and fourth rows of Fig. 3. The pat
across the main discharge space between the
tern corresponding to the digit 5, which is re
cathodes and anodes, which receive the positive‘
peated ‘in the last row of Fig. 2 is thus transferred
operating potential from the supply source over
to’ the second set of tubes of the electric counter
‘the closed contact 9118, contact ca3 back and
(as shown in the third row from the bottom’of
anode resistors RI5, RIB, RH, Rl8 respectively.
Fig.
3) ; the ?rst set of tubes of the electric
'The commencement of the discharge currents
counter
represents a pattern (see fourth row of
across the main discharge spaces of the tubes
Fig. 3) that is complementary to that impressed
=GTI, GT3, and GT5, which ?ow through the pri
on the said second set of tubes, the tube \GTHl
I mary windings of the cathode transformers Tl,
being still non-conducting. The cold, cathode
T2, T3, causes an electromotive force to be mo
tubes contrary to the arrangement of the neons
mentarily induced in the secondary transformer
ergised and its contact 9119 closed when the
sender key was closed. Closing of the contact
ga9 causes the capacitor GIG to be'discharged
through the resistor RI 0. Thereby, the potential
'. windings of sufficient amplitude to trigger the 25 work on the basis that an operated tube rep
cold cathode tubes GT4, GT6, and GT8. These
tubes, however, do not sustain since their main
anode potential is, at the same time, reduced'by
resents a binary digit while an unoperated tube
represents a zero. ‘The tubes CTI-1 therefore
record the number stored while the tubes GT2—B
record the complement to ?fteen.
From an inspection of Fig. 2 it will be seen that
30
Gl3. The conditions of. the eight tubes of the
the digit code has been chosen in such a manner
‘ electric'counter is indicated in the rows 1, 2 of
that any digit requires either tube T0 or tube Td
Fig. 3, row 2 indicating that the cold cathode ,
currents charging anode capacitors CH, CH,
tubes CTI,.GT3, GT5, GT1 of the ?rst set of tubes
are conducting and row I indicating that the
tubes GT2, GT4, GT6, GT8 are non-conducting.
>Fig. 3 also indicates that the cold cathode tube
or both these tubes of a set of the storage circuit
to be ignited. Consequently, when the pattern
has been transferred. to the electric counter either
tube GT8 or tube GT6 or both these tubes of the
GTIO is non-conducting.
The anode capacitors Gll, G12, G13 and Gill,
second set of tubes will be ionised. Ionisation of
tubes GT2, GT4, GT6, GT8 of the‘ second set "of
capacitor GIS and resistor R3‘! and/or capacitor
GM and resistor R36, the cold cathode tube GT9
either or both these tubes causes a negative pulse,
owing to the sudden change of potential, on the
which is also charged, are connected between the
anodes of the four pairs of tubes, one capacitor 40 corresponding anode or anodes of the tube or
tubes GT8 and/or GT6 which triggers across the
for each pair. When any of the cold cathode
tubes of the electric counter is triggered inla
manner to be explained hereafter, the charging
- current ?owing through the respective anode‘
capacitor causes the potential on the anode of
- the corresponding tube of the ?rst set to be suf
- ?ciently lowered, so that such corresponding tube
which becomes ionised across the discharge space
' between its cold cathode and anode. Thereby the
' relay ST is energised. Its contact stl is opened;
contact 5132 is opened and de-energises relay TR
- whereby the cold cathode tubes of the second set
of the electric counter are disconnected from the
;, is quenched. In other words, the provision of
the anode capacitors ensures that on triggering 50 gas discharge tubes of the ?rst set of the storage
vcircuit; contact st3 is closed and prepares the
and striking of one tube (no matter whether it
anode-circuit of a cold cathode tube GT! 1; con
belongs to the ?rst or second set of four tubes)
‘tact 8t4 energises the relay S; contact‘ $155 is
- of the electric counter, the other tube belonging
' closed and‘ connects the auxiliary electrode of the
to the same pair of tubes is automatically
cold cathode tube GT’IEI to the secondary wind
' quenched.
Closing of the .contacts trl—tr4 connectsthe
cathodes of the neon or the like discharge tubes
Ta, Tb, Tc, T11 of the ?rst set of tubes of-the
‘storage circuit respectively to limiting resistors
- ing- of the cathode transformer T4 of the tube
" GT1; contact stB is closed.
An impulse sender Z is connected to the line Z5,
Z2, and comprises contact springs ZZ connected
across the‘ line Zl, Z2, which are periodically
. R22, R23, R24, R25 connected to the lower aux 60
opened and closed so that impulses may be sent
iliary‘ electrodes of the cold cathode tubes GT8,
into the line ll, Z2 while the contact springs vZl
GT6, GT4, GT2 of the electric counter. Any
are
open. Additional contact springs Zs are pro
ionised storage tube causes a potential drop across
vided which operate in synchronism with the
its series resistor which is applied to the said aux
springs ZZ. While the springs Zs are closed a re
iliary electrode of the corresponding cold cathode
lay IG is short-circuited. Now, owing to the
tube of the second set of the electric counterv and
contacts W5 and stB being closed the relay IG is
‘ causes such tube to strike. Thereby the other
energised on the next opening of the contact
springs
Zs. Its contact igl disconnects the
In the example discussed hereinbefore in which
springs
Zs
the relay IG which, thus, will no
the ?rst digit key operated was the digit key 5, 70 longer be from
short-circuited when the springs Zs
' the binary ‘code corresponding to the numeral 5
close again, and connects the said springs to the
was impressed on the ?rst set of gas discharge
relay
I which will be energised on closing of the
tubes of the storage circuit. Consequently the
springs Zs. Contact ig3 is closed (see right hand
tubes Tb and Td of the ?rst set of tubes of. ‘the
tube of the same pair of tubes is quenched. '
storage circuit are ignited and the tubes Ta-Iand
>end‘of counter) and. discharges a triggering
1%6335503
‘capacitor 09 across a resistor 3.3%, the capacitor
1C9 being normally charged :from the additional
supply source across the resistors R38 and £39.
The capacitor G9 ‘is connected across limiting re
sistors R30 and R34 to the interconnected
auxiliary electrodes of the cold cathode ‘tubes
EGTl-GTZ which form the ?rst pair of tubes of the
electric counter. By the discharge of the capac
itor G9 on closing of the contact ig? the non~
3
‘GT2 :of the second set is ignited and the tube
"of the ?rst set is ‘quenched. Since the ignited
tube belongs to the second .set no further tube
is a?ected, the -.condition of the electric counter
being now represented by the 19th and 10th rows
of
.3, corresponding to digit '2. The springs
Z2 and Zs continue to operate in the manner de
scribed, whereby the relay I continues to be
‘alternately energised and .de-energised. On each
ignited tube of the ?rst pair is ignited. This ‘in 10 release ‘of the relay I an impulse is sent into the
line Z1, Z2 and the ?rst group of cold cathode tubes
‘quenched .as hereinbefore described. In the ex
of the electric counter "is triggered whereby the
ample referred to above, the tube GT2 was not
pattern on the electric counter is changed in the
ignited and the tube .G'I‘l ignited. After operation
-manner just described, the pattern after the
of the relay IG and closing of the contact .igil :the
third release of the relay I being shown in the
tube ‘GT2 is ignited and the tube CT! is not
lit-h and 12th rows .ofiFig. 3, that after the fourth
‘ignited. The condition of ‘the eight tubes .of the
vrelease in the 13th and ‘14th rows and that after
electric counter after the operation of the :relay
the ?fth release in the 15th .and 16th rows of Fig.
‘IG is represented in the 5th and 6th rows of Fig.
3. It will be seen that after the ?fth release all
3, the tube G'Tiil being still non-conducting. The ,1 the cold cathode tubes of the ‘?rst set are ignited
condition of the upper set of tubes now corre
and those of the second set quenched. Tube .GTlO
sponds to digit 4, Fig. 2. It will be seen that an
is also ignited as will be described below. ‘The digit
impulse has been interpolated prior to synchro
code shown :in Fig. .2 has been :so chosen that if any
turn causes the previously ignited tube to :be
nous impulsing both to line 1112 and to the count
ing tubes. This is because it is ‘desired not only to
count out the digit to the condition shown in
rows 13, M, Fig. '3, but to return these tubes to
the original condition shown both in rows 1,2 and
rows l5, 56, Fig. 3.
“When the springs Zs close again, the relay I is
energised and causes the contact irl to open.
Thereby, the triggering capacitor C9 is re
charged.
' numeral, say for example ‘numeral 5 or 8, has been
stored, the condition of the tubes of the electric
counter indicated in rows I5, n6, Fig. ,3, will be
reached after a corresponding number in the .ex
ample 5 or 8, of releases of the relay I, and after .a
.correspond-ing'number of ‘impulses, one oneachre
lease of this relay, has been sent into the linelljl2.
Furthermore, it will be recognised that whichever
of the patterns of ‘Fig. 2 is impressed on the
record set of cold cathode tubes from the storage
Contacts igz remove the short-circuit‘ from
circuit, GT7 will be quenched either immediately
springs 21 but not in time for an impulse to be :3 if the pattern is that of digit ‘1-’? or after one or
sent to line during the opening of springs Zs, '21
more vpulses to ‘the counting set, and is only re
which causes operation of IG. When the springs
ignited when the condition shown in the top row
.25 open again, the springs .21 also‘open allowing
of Fig. .3 has been reached.
the impulse sender to send a-?rst impulse into the
Jae-igniting of thetube GT7‘ causes an impulse
line li, l2, which is no longer short-circuited by -' to be sent through the secondary winding ‘of the
the contact 1512. On opening of the springs ;Zs,
cathode ‘transformer T8, whereby the cold cath
the relay I is de-energised, whereby the contact
ode tube aCTI'D is ignited, the contact sit being
ii is closedagain and the capacitor C9 discharged,
closed. Thereby the relay T is energised. Its
the contact 1'93 being closed. The release of the
contact tl quenches the tube GT9 and completes
relay I thus causes, in the example assumed, the
theanode circuit for tube GTE ‘I; contact t2 short
tube CT! to be ignited and the tube GT2 to be
‘.circuits the line 1!, l2, and prevents further im
quenched.
Striking of the tube GT! causes an
impulse through the secondary winding .of the
pulses from reaching the line; contact it changes
over; contact til disconnects the relays I and IG
cathode transformer T: which is .connectedacross
' from battery. Quenching of the tube GT9 causes
resistors R29 and R33 to the auxiliary electrodes ‘50’ the "relay "ST to be ole-energised. Thereby, the
of the second pair-of tubes GT3 and GT4. There
vrelay S is .de-energised whereby the contact cl
by the tube GT3 is now ignited and the tube GT4
returns to normal. When 51‘ operates S, the
quenched. As the tube GT3 belongs to the first
' change-over of contacts s operated relay A as pre—
set of ‘tubes, striking of tube GT3 causes a pulse
viously described. Release of s new energises
through the secondary ‘winding of its cathode ; B in series with A and connects second set of
transformer T2 which is connected’ across re
storage tubes to contacts trl~—1l so that when
sistors R23 and R32 to the auxiliary electrodes .of
eventually relay TR is re-energised, this second
the "third pair of tubes GT5 and ‘GT6. Thereby,
set of tubes will be connected to the electric
in the example assumed, the tube GT5 of the ?rst
counter. Contact ti also causes a capacitor "(M8
set is quenched and the tube GT5 ignited. Since
to be charged through a resistor R49 via 51%, i1,
' the ignited tube GT6 of the third pair is not :as
(189, (R26, positive battery, the time needed for
sociated-with a cathode transformer, the tubes of
charging the capacitor .CIJB providing a time in
a the fourth pair are not triggered, the condition
terval between successive groups of impulses sent
'of the counter being indicated by the 7th and
> into the line and corresponding successive digits.
8th rows from the bottom of Fig. 3, the tube It » When the capacitor G18 has been charged, the
being still not ignited. This further impulse to‘
cold cathode tube GTII ignites and discharges
- the counter has altered the setting of the second
[set of tubes from vdigit 4 to digit 3. ‘When the
springs 21s close again .the relay I is energised,
contact ii is opened, the triggering capacitor C9
,is charged, and on opening of the springs Zs'the
~ relay I is released for the second time. A second
' via the charging circuit of CH}.
Relay ‘ID is en
ergised. ‘Contact id! is closed and causes the
capacitor CIB to discharge; contact icZZ switches
over, whereby the cold cathode tube CTN) is
quenched and a positive potential applied to the
main anode of the cold cathode tube GT9. Gon
impulse is sent into the line ‘ll, Z2 owing to vthe
tact ids is closed and energises the relay TRyia
simultaneous opening of the springs Zl. Again,
$662, .012 back. ‘Thereby the contacts trl-A are
»_ the capacitor C9 is discharged, whereby the tube 75 closed and the electric counter is connected to
2,638,506
is ready to receive, therefrom, the pattern pre
viously impressed thereon ‘and corresponding tov
The
the ‘second digit of the stored ‘number.
counter, again, operates as before.
Cl
v'If eight digits have been stored the release of '
the relay H, after the eighth digit has been
counted and transmitted into-the line, causes a
clear down relay CL» to be energised over the
contacts t3, 1252, hi! to b2,.al, si, cal, 0Z2. Con
tact cll locks the relay CL across contact sil
which is closed, relay SJ having been operated
10
some of these tubes and thereby impressing a
digit code on the tubes of the ?rst set. The other
auxiliary electrode of each tube of the second Set
is connected across two resistors ROIB, R09;
the second set of tubes of the storage circuit and
R0l2, ROH; R054, R013; R056, R015, respec
tively to an auxiliary electrode of the correspond
ing tube of theh?rst set. The other auxiliary
electrode of each-tube of the ?rst set is connected
across a resistor R02l, R022, R023, R024, re-.
10 spectively to a triggering capacitor C09 charged
from the additional supply source across resistors
R025, R025. The cold cathodes of the tubes of
each pair are ‘connected together across capacie
on the ?rst operating of relay A and‘havingre
tors 00!, C02, C03, C04 respectively. A fur-i
mained locked thereafter via s72, (:13 to light the
sender busy lamp SBL. Contacts 022 and 0Z3 are 15 ther triggering capacitor C010 is connected to
the‘ resistors R09, ROM, and is charged from’
opened and release all the relays. ‘The release
the additional ‘ supply source across resistors
of the relay SJ opens contact sa'i', whereby the
Roll, and R027. The cold cathode of eachtube‘
clear down relay CL itself is released, while con
of the second set is connected to one terminal of
tact s53 opens and extinguishes the sender busy
a recti?er MRA, MRB, MRO, 1V£RD respectively,
the other terminal of which is respectively con-‘
If less than eight digits have been stored, the
nected to an electrode of a capacitor C05, C06,
arrangement clears down when no code is trans
C01, C08, the other electrode of which is re-'
ferred from a set of tubes of the storage circuit
spectively connected to a resistorR0l8, R019,
to the electric counter, since if no code is present
R020, R032, the free ends of which are earthed.
neither of the cold cathode ‘tubes 0T8 and GT6
The said other electrode of each of the capacitors 1
will be ignited. Therefore, the cold cathode tube
C05, C06, C01, is also connected respectively t0'
CTS is' not triggered andrelay ST is not energised.
the pair of resistors ROI 1, R012; R,0I3,'R0Hl;v
The clear down relay CL, which is slow to oper
ROI5,
ROIG, while the said other electrode of
ate, will now be energised across contacts 371, trl,
capacitor C08 is connected to a terminal T05.
which are both closed, and contact sit! back. 0D
The capacitors C05, C06, C01, C08 are con
eration of the relay CL ‘clears down the arrange
lamp.
1
v
,
’
ment in the manner just described."
5
' If an incorrect digit has been keyed, the can
cel key CK may be operated to restore the stor
age circuit to its initial condition. On operation
of the cancel key relay CA is energised. Contact
ca3 is opened, whereby the potential across all
the neon or the like tubes of the storage circuit
nected to the positive terminal of an auxiliary
supply source whose negative terminal is earthed,‘
and are charged respectively over the pairs of re
sistors R028, R018; R029, RON; R030, R020;
R03l, R032. A start relay STO is connected
between the additional supply source and a ter-.
minal T06 and an impulse relay IPO is con
nected between the additional supply source and
is lowered below the sustaining potential and all
‘
the tubes which may be ignited are quenched. 40 a terminal'TO'I.
Contact cal is opened and de-energises any of
the ‘relays A . . . H which may be energised.
- The operation of the arrangement is as follows: ‘
The start relay STO is energised by applying‘
earth potential to its terminal T06. The contact
When the cancel key has been released, the re
stol is closed and discharges the triggering capac- "
lay CA is ‘de-energised' and the circuit is in its
itor C03 across the resistor R025. Thereby the
initial condition ready for operation.
cold discharge tubes of the ?rst set are triggered
Itwill be realised it would be possible to re
and ignite across the surge limiting resistors
place the combination of set of storage 'neons
R02I, R022, R023, R024 respectively. The
and the common counting tube assembly by a
counter is capable of counting a total'of sixteen
series of counting tube assemblies each directly
marked from the keys or by other marking means. 50 impulses and is operated by earth impulses ap
plied to terminal T01. Each such impulse ener
Modi?cations of the arrangement illustrated in
gises the impulse ‘relay TF0. The contact ipol
Fig. 1 are possible. For example, in the electric
is closed and causes the triggering capacitor CO I 0
counter the cathode transformers Tl, T2, T3, T4‘
to be discharged through the resistor ROI'I. The
may be replaced by capacitors combined with
a recti?er, for example, a dry recti?er, or by 55 potential drop caused thereby is applied across
the current limiting resistors R09, ROIU to the:
neon tubes on the lines described later.
auxiliary anodes of the tubes CTOI, CTO2 of the
' A circuit diagram of such a modi?ed'electric
?rst pair of tubes. Tube CTOI is already con-'
counter is shown in'Fig. 4, ‘which will'now be
ducting. Tube CTO2 is triggered and ignites.
described. , ‘The arrangement of Fig. 4 comprises
eight cold cathode tubes CTOi, CT03, CT05, 60 Owing to the voltage drop across the resistor"
R02, the potential of the cold cathode of tube
CTO'I ‘forming the ?rst set of tubes, and CTO2,
CTO2 rises from its original negative potential to
CT04, (BT05, CTO8 forming the second set of
a positive potential," which equals the difference
tubes. Each tube has a cold cathode connected
between the ‘positive potential ‘applied to the
across a resistor R0 ! , R03, R05, R01; R02, R0154,v
R06, R08 respectively to the negative potential 65 anode and the drop of potential across the main
discharge gap. This rise in potential discharges
of‘ the additional supply source. the positive ter
the cathode coupling capacitor'COl, which causes
minal of which is ,earthed. The anode of each
the cathode potential of the tube CTOI to in
tube has, in operation, applied to 'itthe positive
crease positively and to reducev the potential
operating potential derived from the main supply
source (not shown) whose negative terminal is 70. across the main discharge gap of the tube CTOI
which is therefore de-ionised and. ceases to con-,
earthed. Each tube has two auxiliary electrodes,
duct. Thus, tube CTOI is now quenched'and
for triggering the tubes. One auxiliary electrode
tube CTOZ'ignited. ' More generally, whenever a
ofieachltube of the second set is connected across
tube ignites the other, previously ignited,"tube ‘of '
aresistor'R036, R035, R034, R033 respectively
to terminals TOI, T02, T03, T04 for triggering 75; thesanjle group'is quenched owing to the now of
2.5.6.3; @5106,
1l
12
a discharge current from the respective capaqitQr?
C01, C02, cos, 004.. Quenching of the tube
CTOl and igniting of the tube CTOZ which be,
longs. to the second set does not affect the. tubes
CTQ3 and CTO4 of the next succeeding group
since the cathode potential of the tube CTQZ- does
not rise above the positive bias potential applied,
to. the biassing- resistor R028. and the recti?er
ds of Fig. l, and. the relays S20. and; IE0! at Fist-3r
being respectively replaced by the.- relays GAand
I of Fig. 1,. Conversely, with obvious; modi?ca
tions, the electric counter of Fig. 1 may- be used.
independently from the remainder of Fig... 1 for
counting‘ sixteen impulses, or less impulses if
suitably pro-set.
In Fig. 5, which shows the last. two pairs of
MRA presents a high resistance to the flow of
current in the direction from’ the resistor 3.028,
to. the cathode, of tube CTOZ. When the. relay
IPO, is. de-energised', its. contact ipol is released
andv the triggering capacitor COIU. is charged
again.
The. second- operation of theimpulse relay IBQ,.
again, closes the contact z'pol, whereby the. trig
tubes of a counting set, a small neontube, e._ g.
. N3‘. N4 replaces the recti?er network shown
Fig. 4. This arrangement; has. the advantage of
simplicity.butmayv not be.» so. ?exible as the recti
?er network. The potential changes. are, the same
occurs
as; before.
when The.
GT6 positive
is; de-ionised.
peak ispotential
used to. trigger
the next pair of tubes. Since the levelof peter!’
gering capacitor C010. is, again, discharged.
ti,
Thereby, the tube CTQI. or the ?rstgroup is ncw
ignited and the tube CTOZ of the. ?rst; g'rQup
quenched; in a manner analogousto. that. just; (les
scribed- However, when a tube such as. tube.
applied to the control electrodes of the next.
to; therequired value‘.
It. will be appreciated that; it, wouldpbe possible,
to insert. a cross-connection frame between- the
storage sets-ofv Fig, 1 and the counting sets: so, that.
translated digits. are; sent out‘.
GTQI, of the ?rst set: of tubes ignitesatriggering
impulse. is transmitted to the next; succeeding,
group, so. as to ignite: that tube which waspreizi
ouslynot ignited. and to quench the other tube.
If the tube now- ig-nited belongs to. the ?rst. set. a
What is claimed is;
triggering impulse. is-,_ again, transmitted. to the.
1;., A system tor'the; electricalstorage of: infor
mation comprising a. plurality’ of storage elements
grouped according. to. code: requirements. a- pin;
rality of digit key switching; means. means. re~v
snonsive to; the operation 0.1? saidzkev switch-inst
following group, and. so on. This eiiectwiii now
be explained With reference to. the ?rst. group of
tubes.
across. R2 is too high, a, neon N3 is;- arranged
in‘. cries such thatv the potential drop across the
discharge gap of the tube reduces the. potential:
A similar e?ect. takes; place whenever a .
tube. of the. ?rst. set. and belonging, to. anyv other
group ignites. Whentube C'I'Ol ignites, the dis.
charge current. from the capacitor C0!’ momen-v
means for selectively electrically connecting; 8;.
gnoup of) said storage elementsptqsaids switching
tari‘ly raises the potential on the cathode- of the»
means», and av plurality of‘ direct-'currentoperatest
tube GFI‘OZ su?iciently to quench. the tube CTOZ; ~; triggering means-,, common: to. all; said groups
The. cathode potential of: the tube C1702; 1.5.1110:
said‘ storage elements: and included said. elec
mentarily higher than the positive biassing volt:
trical. connecting means. each. of.‘ said.s.t.otage.~e1.e
merits: being. oneratively- responsive. to the.’ opera»
age. across. the resistor R028. Therefore, a cur
rent‘ ?ows from; the cathode» of: the tube CTOZ:
tion of. a separate one of: said; triggering means;
when‘ connected . tog Said triggering. means but said;
across the recti?er MIRA to the resistor R0.2.;8:;and
causes. a positive triggering: impulse. to, be trans
connecting means. said. triggering;- means'. being.
selectively- operatively responsive in combinations:
to the. Operation of. each digit: key» switching
means, wherebyv each digit key“ switching means:
mitted across the capacitor CO5 to. the resistors.
RQtlr, BQLZJ- This imnulsecauses the tube (3736.4:
to. ignite. whereupon. the tube c1103; is-.quenched..
In an. analogous. manner successiveoperaticnsi
‘ when operated;selectively'operatesa combination.
or: the impulse. relay.v 1280: and; its. contact. i240];
causethe tu.bes=.C.fI‘0.\l: and (11302:: alternatelytobe
ignited and; quenched; As explained; above).
wheneizer/ atube of1the-?rst set ignites; atriggeb
of‘, said triggering means and thus operates. a
predetermined combination. of: the.- connected:
group of, said storage elements corresponding: to:
the digital; value. of; said digit; key‘ switching?
ins; imnulseis transmitted: tathe nentsucceeding
group Qfztubes- Qnithesixteenth.oneration-o?'the:
7 means; on. a. codal; basis;
2; A. registering and" controlling system-roman
tomatic, telephony- comprising a. plurality; of elec:-»
irn-pgulserelag IBQ andLits contactipek, tubeC'IiOli
is ignited. and: tube CTI‘QB' is; quenched.=. Igniting»
at the tube: 05501.. which belonsstc. thenrstseti.
causes; ncsitive. triggering-i impulse to be sent2
across; the- capacitor 69.8.: to. the; term-mar. T05‘.~
tron. discharge devices arranged in groups; ac».
cording tocodal requirements, each: of" said
’ charge devices; being capable_of'assuming_= either?‘
of two conditionswoi-stability,.a plurality-'of'directa
which. impulse; may be employed: to; oper.ate.>. an.
current‘: operated? triggering: means common. to .all
said groups‘of discharge devices, means fbPSBTBGr
tively. connecting all' of?‘ said‘ triggering: means;
individually- to a group of‘said devices, and digit;
key. switching- means‘ selectively- electrically con-L
nected to said triggeringrmeansfor controlling_
ali. 'liamciroui-t (not-shown) thereby-to indicate
the counter has; counted- sixteen impulses;
-W. _.,lrea.<ly to; receiye. a further setiofvsixteens
imnulses.
Ii. the electric. counter isrequired; to count less;
sixteen. impulses. it.
be}. DUB-S317: by; ims.
messing a.‘ suitable. pattern of‘. positive potentialsv
to. terminals 1201... 110.2,. T03... 1104;. causing- the.
cor: .snonding. tubcsqithesecond set-.tabetrig-i
said. connecting.‘ m'eansrandi for ' operating prede-v
termined'» combinations. of: said triggering means.
., means» for normally.- maintaining said discharge:
devices in~one~=conditiorr of-i'sta'bility; eachaof-saidl
discharge: devices: being» responsive to‘ the opera-
set .-; and. to .~is:r1.ite-. Eon examplaif: the. counten
isused in, anarraneement similar-to that-time.
1:. the... terminalsv 130.. L. ‘13.02.1203; Toll; should. be.
tion of a-v triggering device. connectech tor it for»
connectsd. to the seen or side of.“ the? contacts.
-._ by the- operation of: one of said1 key» switching
trl. 4.1. respectively of; Elgla lathe Contact TOE-‘bee;
shifting- t'ovits other condition. of‘stability; wheres»
ingronneoted to the allxiliaryanode ofitube 0mm;
of Big, 1;v triggering connectionsrsimilar to‘ those
Shown. inv Fig. 1 being.- provided. from: the: tubes‘
CT08; CTOG; ofEig. 3rto tube G'I'Siandmontact‘ 75;:
means will operate 7 a predetermined. combination
of' triggering means: whichv in turn: will5 shift a
corresponding‘ combination- of-‘i a» group of’ said?‘
dischargedevices fromv one condition’ of stability
2,638,506:
13
3, A system for the electrical storage of infor
mation comprising a plurality of electron dis
charge devices arranged in groups according to
codal requirements, a plurality of triggering
means common to all of said groups comprising
14
said discharge devices and to a common junc
tion, said discharge devices being maintained in
one of, the conditions of stability by said source
of potential, a plurality of digit keys, a second
source of potential connected to said digit keys,
second contacts responsive to said relay for con
a plurality of direct-current operated triggering
necting said digit keys to a ?rst group of said
elements corresponding to the number of dis
discharge devices, plural triggering means in
charge devices in a group‘, means for electrically
cluded in said connections between said digit
connecting said triggering devices to a ‘group of
and said discharge devices, said triggering
said devices with said triggering elements respec 10 keys
means corresponding in number to said discharge
tively connected to the devices of said group, a
devices of a group and being common to all such
plurality of digit keys connected to said trigger
groups, wherein said triggering means comprises
ing means, each digit key operative to control
a plurality of capacitors, one corresponding to
predetermined combinations of said triggering
each discharge device of a group, a plurality of
elements, and stepping means responsive to the
resistors serially connected respectively to said
sequential operation of said digit keys and in
capacitors and said ?rst source of potential for
cluded in electrical connection between said trig
maintaining a charge on said capacitors, said
gering means and said discharge devices for con
digit keys being operable to connect said second
trolling said connecting means to connect said
source
of potential to predetermined combina
triggering means sequentially to said groups of
tions of said capacitors for reversing the charge
discharge devices.
on said capacitors, whereby said charging cur
4. A system for the electrical storage of infor
rents ?ow through said resistor means serially
mation comprising a plurality of electron dis
connected to said second electrodes of the dis
charge devices grouped according to codal re
charge devices thereby raising the potential on
quirements, a plurality of triggering means elec
those discharge devices corresponding to the ca
trically connected to said discharge devices and
pacitors of the predetermined selection to change
comprising a triggering element for each of said
their condition of stability.
discharge devices of a group, said triggering ele
6. A registering and controlling system for au
ments being common to all said groups, and a
tomatic telephony as claimed in claim 5, wherein
plurality of digit keys connected to said trigger
each of said plural triggering means is connected
ing means and operative to control predetermined
in series with an additional resistor for limiting
combinations of said triggering elements, step
the surge current on charging ‘and discharging
ping means sequentially responsive to said digit
said triggering capacitors, and each of said trig
keys included in said electrical connection be
tween said triggering means and said discharge
devices for stepping said common triggering
means to an untriggered group of said discharge
devices, said stepping means comprising a plu
gering means is connected in parallel “with an
additional capacitor to prevent said triggered
discharge devices of a group from being quenched
when said triggering capacitors are recharged on
release of said digit keys.
rality of ?rst electromagnetic relays, one relay
7. A register sender for automatic telephone
corresponding to each group of discharge devices, 40
systems
comprising a plurality of discharge de
said relays being serially connected to each other,
vices grouped according to code requirements on
a source of potential connected to each of said
a binary basis, said devices being capable of as
relays, a second electromagnetic relay, ‘circuit
suming two conditions of stability, a set of keys,
means connecting said second relay to said digit
means electrically connecting said discharge de
keys and said source of potential so that depres
vices to said keys, means operative upon the actu
sion of said digit keys is operable to energize said
ation of a key of said set to operate predeter
relay and release of said digit keys is operable
mined
combinations of said discharge devices of
to ale-energize said relay, signal contact means
a group to register in binary code form a number
responsive to said second relay included in the
representative of the digital value of said key,
series circuit of said plurality of ?rst relays,
and additional means actuated by said ke'y set
plural contacts associated with said plurality of
upon release of a key for stepping the connec
?rst relays and operable sequentially to step the
tions of said last named means to a different
operation of said relays in response to successive
group of said discharge devices.
operations of said digit keys, additional contacts
8. A register controller comprising a plurality
controlled by each of said plurality of ?rst relays 55
of electric storage devices, each comprising mem
included in said electrical connections between
said common triggering means and said dis
bers adapted to assume one or the other of two
conditions of stability for storing each digit of a
number in a separate device in a pattern corre
step the connections of said common triggering 60 sponding to a binary code for the digit, means
normally maintaining said members in one con
means to successive groups of discharge devices.
dition of stability, a plurality of triggering means,
5. A registering and controlling system for au
each of said members of said storage devices be
tomatic telephony comprising a plurality of gas
ing adapted to shift to its other condition of
?lled discharge devices grouped according to
codal requirements, each of said discharge de 65 stability when a triggering means connected to
it is operated, a plurality of digit key switches,
vices having two electrodes and capable of as
circuit means electrically connecting each of said
suming two conditions of stability depending on ~
digit key switches to a di?erent combination of
the voltage applied across said electrodes, an
said triggering means, each of said triggering
initiating switch, a ?rst source of potential, an
being adapted to operate When a digit key
electromagnetic relay serially connected between 70 means
switch
connected
to it is operated, stepping means
said initiating switch and said source of potential,
comprising
relays
actuated by the operation of
2. ?rst contact responsive to said relay for apply
said digit key switches, contacts operatively asso
ing said source of potential to common electrodes
ciated with each of said relays, electrical con-,
of said discharge devices, a plurality of resistors
necting means including said contacts for con
75
each serially connected to another electrode of
charge devices whereby successive operation of
said digit keys sequentially energizes relays to
2,838,606;
15
16
meeting said‘ triggering means; respectively to the:
_
members of successivs of said electric. 'starage.de—
vices. when said relays, are‘ successively Qperated,
and‘ means. for operating said relays; in. succession
.
.
-.
~
- s
_
by successive
aperatlonof
said
digit.
key SWI‘GChEb',,
switches
whereby‘ operatsssuccessiveselective
operatiian
members
of said.
of said
digit;stmtkey
_
Re?emn??s (Mei m the 111% of thls- patent '
STATES; PATENTS
a.
Number‘
.
.
Name
. ‘
Date
gfgaaj'wg
Plans:
g'fl?mba‘ch
---------"""""" "
"Ja'lfv'lg’
lltrmay g" 1943.
age devices, sand d?VlCBS; being sequentially con£3114“
nected to said: triggering means: by‘ operation of‘
said‘v relays...
m,
EREDERIQK
BRAY.
Meaghan ______l___ Apr. 27; 1.94.3,
DESMQND'SYDNEY
GEORGE CLIFFORDRIDLEEL.
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