RECORDS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK SOURCE DATA AUTOMATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP74-00005R000100020045-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 82
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 24, 2001
• Sequence Number: 45
• Publication Date: January 1, 1965
• Content Type: REPORT

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FPMR 11.5
RECORDS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
Mechanizing Paperwork
SOURCE
DATA
AUTOMATION
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS SERVICE
OFFICE OF RECORDS MANAGEMENT
Federal Stock Number
7610-782-2670
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RECORDS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOKS are
developed by the National Archives and Records Service
as technical guides to reducing and simplifying paperwork.
RECORDS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOKS:
Managing correspondence: Plain Letters- - - - - - - - - - - 1955 47 p.
Managing correspondence: Form Letters- - - - - _ - _ - - - 1954 33 p.
Managing correspondence : Guide Letters-- - - - - _ _ - - - 1955 23 p.
Managing forms: Forms Analysis .----------------- 1959 62 p.
Managing forms : Forms Design -------------------- 1960 89 p.
Managing mail: Agency Mail Operations---------- 1957 47 p.
Managing current files: Protecting Vital Operating
Records -------------------------------------- 1958 19 p.
Managing current files: Files Operations ----------- 1964 76 p.
Managing noncurrent files: Applying Records
Schedules ------------------------------------ 1956 23 p.
Managing noncurrent files: Federal Records Centers- 1954 25 p.
Mechanizing paperwork: Source Data Automation- 1965 78 p.
Mechanizing paperwork: Source Data Automation
Systems-------------------------------------- 1963 150 p.
Mechanizing paperwork: Source Data Automation
Equipment Guide ---------------------------- 1963 120 p.
General : Bibliography For Records Managers- - - - - 1965 58 p.
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FOREWORD
Source data automation generally involves capturing data in punched
tape, edge-punched cards, or punched cards the first time it is tran-
scribed, so its subsequent reproduction can be mechanical rather than
manual.
GSA's source data automation program is aimed at mechanizing
the thousands of small operations in the Federal Government, which
are currently decentralized. In addition to the clerical cost savings
SDA almost always makes possible, it brings several other advantages:
? SDA provides the fundamentals for appreciating paperwork
automation. This may eventually decrease the Government's
recurring shortage of knowledgeable computer specialists.
? SDA increases the speed and accuracy of clerical processing and,
as a result, improves service both internally and to the
taxpayer.
? SDA is, in some larger offices, the first step toward automated
data processing.
? The systems study which must be made as a prelude to SDA
results in better operating methods. And, of course, SDA is
not the goal-systems improvement is.
This handbook is designed as an introduction to the subject. The
reader will find, I am sure, that it does just that.
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I. INTRODUCTION
Page
Byproduct Creation of a Native Lan-
Page
Short History______________________
1
guage---------------------------
32
Definition of Terms-----------------
1
Holes in Tape__________________
32
The Languages of Source Data Auto-
Holes in Cards_________________
35
mation--------------------------
2
Holes in Tags------------------
36
Information Capture________________
3
Perforations in Coupons---------
38
Application of Source Data Automa-
Dots--------------------------
B
38
38
tion
------------------- --------
4
ars--------------------------
-
Benefits of Source Data Automation- -
4
Selected Typefaces______________
39
Magnetic Ink__________________
40
II.
HOLES AS THE NATIVE LANGUAGE
Tapes as Carriers-------------------
5
Conversion Creation of a Native Lan-
guage---------------------------
40
The Physical Characteristics of
Tape------------------------
5
V. MACHINEABLE FUNCTIONS
What Functions--------------------
45
Number of Channels ------------
Advantages of Wide Tape-------
5,
8
Performing Functions with Punched
Paper Tape----------------------
46
Punched Cards as Carriers -----------
9
Interpreting___________________
46
The Physical Characteristics of
Verifying----------------------
46
Punched Cards---------------
9
Writing------------------ ----
47
Code Structure_________________
10
Duplicating--------------------
48
Tags as Carriers--------------------
Arranging---------------------
48
The Physical Characteristics of
Selecting----------------------
48
Tags------------ -----------
12
Merging------------ ------------------------
49
Punched Code_________________
13
Matching----------------------
49
Processing Tags----------------
13
Counting----------------------
49
Coupons as Carriers________________
13
Correlating Statistics ------------
49
The Physical Characteristics of
Computing--------------------
50
Coupons---------------------
14
Communicating________________
51
Perforating Code_______________
Processing Coupons-------------
III. THE NATIVE LANGUAGES OF READ-
14
15
Performing Functions with Punched
Cards ---------------------------
Interpreting___________________
52
52
ING MACHINES
Verifying----------------------
52
Dots as a Native Language ----------
17
Writing-----------------------
54
Bars as a Native Language----------
18
Duplicating--------------------
55
Code Structure-----------------
18
Arranging--------------------
57
Imprinting Code_______________
19
Selecting----------------------
57
Processing Data________________
20
Merging-----------------------
59
Selected Type Faces as a Native
Matching----------------------
59
Language------------------------
21
Correlating Statistics------------
59
Code Structure-----------------
21
Counting ----------------------
59
Processing Data________________
22
Computing --------------------
60
Magnetic Ink as a Native Language- -
24
Communicating ----------------
62
Code Structure-----------------
Data Fields--------------------
Processing Data________________
24
24
24
VI. FINDING AND DEVELOPING APPLI-
CATIONS
What is Systems Analysis -----------
63
MODES OF CAPTURING DATA
IV
Finding the Area to Study -----------
63
.
What to Look For______________
63
Deliberate Creation of a Native Lan-
Where to Look_________________
67
e
ua
----------------
29
69
g
g
-----------
Conducting the Study---------------
Holes in Tapes_________________
29
A Total Systems Study-__-____-_
71
Holes in Cards_________________
29
Data Analysis------------------
71
Holes in Tags__________________
31
Reports Evaluation-------------
72
Perforations in Coupons ---------
31
Developing the New System---------
73
Dots--------------------------
31
Considering a Specialty Form- _ _ _
74
Bars--------------------------
31
Selecting the Medium -----------
76
Selected Typefaces--------------
31
Selecting Specific Equipment-__-_
76
Magnetic Ink___________________
32
Do's and Don'ts of Automation ------
77
V
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I. INTRODUCTION
During the last 50 years the American economy
has become increasingly dependent upon paper-
work. The ratio of clerical workers, in the
process, has gone from 1 in 40 of the total
work force at the beginning of the century to
1 in 6 at the present.
Paperwork processing in this country now
costs about $40 billion a year for clerical
salaries and for office tools-everything from
typists, punchcard operators, and bookkeepers
to pencils, paper, typewriters, adding machines,
duplicators, and items of electronic hardware.
Of this grand total, the annual Federal outlay
is nearing $5 billion.
Today about 20 percent of the paperwork
in the Federal Government has been auto-
mated in one way or another. An account
of this would tend to be divided into three
parts: (1) automated data processing, (2)
automated information storage and retrieval,
and (3) source data automation. This hand-
book is concerned with the last, and with the
other two only when a controlling interrelation
exists.
SHORT HISTORY
Jean Emile Baudot provided the possibility
for source data automation when he built a
paper-tape punch and reader in the 1870's.
About the same time, two other important
machines were invented. William Burroughs,
a bank clerk, invented the first commercially
practical adding machine. Christopher Sholes
invented the first commercially practical type-
writer. A little later, William Hollerith and
Charles Powers, realizing the value of holes as
a language carrier, devised punchcards as we
know them today.
In those inventions, source data auto-
mation machines had their genesis. The add-
ing machine provided the basis for mechanical
mathematics; i.e., addition, multiplication (re-
peat addition), subtraction, and division (re-
peat subtraction). The typewriter provided
the basis for printing. When converted to
type segments on tabulators, it provided
higher speed printing.
Source data automation has progressed
much more slowly than other technological
improvements. The reason was probably the
reluctance of executives to accept change. It
was difficult to sell the idea that a machine
could accurately produce, in 1 day's time,
four to five times more work than a clerk
could produce manually.
In 1912, John Wahl combined the adding
machine with the typewriter to produce the
first descriptive accounting machine. This
made it possible, for the first time, to type
item descriptions and to compute account
balances in a single operation, rather than two
separate operations.
The first front-carriage-feed accounting
machine was marketed in 1928. This machine
made it possible to produce, in one writing,
multiple forms of differing content. No longer
was it necessary to prepare statements, ledgers,
and journals in three independent steps.
By means of carbon paper, all could be created
in one operation. The first accounting machine
synchronized with a paper-tape punch was
developed in 1935. The first paper-tape type-
writer was introduced in the 1940's as an
automatic letterwriting machine.
Although punched-card tabulating ma-
chines had been available for several decades,
it must be noted that more improvements,
more new models, and more new applications
have been introduced in the last decade than
in all preceding years. Thus it was in the
early 1950's that "Integrated Data Processing"
began to be forcefully and dramatically demon-
strated by the equipment industry.
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
The term "Integrated Data Processing" was
first coined to describe systems involving paper-
work, mechanized from initiation to completion.
Integrated Data Processing was then applied to
punched-card systems and, to a certain extent,
to computer systems. Finally, it became so
closely related to large-scale systems as to take
its place with Electronic Data Processing (EDP)
and Automatic Data Processing (ADP). In
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the process the term lost its original meaning of
source paperwork handling. The technique,
therefore, had to gain its own stature and a
more descriptive term. The term chosen was
"Source Data Automation"
the logic of the newer term:
(SDA). Here is
Source-Where data begins
Data-Required information
Automation-In machine language for
machine-to-machine proc-
essing
Thus the basic principle of capturing
information in a usable medium, at the point
of origin, for further processing, introduces a
number of concepts which require further
explanation.
Source
The beginning of a paperwork cycle is the
source. This can be anywhere-in different
offices, in a different city, across town, or right
in the same office. Regardless of the physical
location, the source is always the beginning
of the paperwork cycle.
Data
Information is always data. It can be on a
form. It can be part of a form. It can be on
several related or unrelated forms. Data are
always recorded on some medium in some
manner. The recording may be merely an "X"
or a checkmark in a box. It may be hand-
written. It may be mechanically transcribed.
Data, for source data automation purposes,
must have three basic characteristics. First,
it must be of a reasonably repetitive nature.
Second, it must be machinable. Third, it must
exist in sufficient volume to justify the smallest
of automated equipments.
THE LANGUAGES OF SOURCE
DATA AUTOMATION
Much harm has been done to serious considera-
tion of the technique of source data automa-
tion by casual use of the two words "common
language." The origin of the phrase is not too
hard to pinpoint. Early in the formative
period of automation, the only language medium
which could be understood by all the available
machines of that period was the five-channel
punched paper tape. While five-channel paper
tape is still the only carrier accepted by many
final processing machines today, the limitations
of this carrier have virtually eliminated it as a
true common language.
Native Language
Every available automatic machine on today's
market operates on a language. It is true the
language of one machine may be recognized by
the machine of a different manufacturer, but
the fact still remains that each machine has
its own language built into it by its makers.
The languages of machines, therefore, are not
common languages but are the native languages
of specific machines. In source data automa-
tion one should speak of a machine's native
language and forget, for the time being at least,
the phrase "common language." In illustration
of this point, here are some of the basic native
languages and carriers of our common systems
and machines:
? Communications machines use five-chan-
nel punched paper tape.
? Paper tape typewriters use six-, seven-,
and eight-channel paper tape.
? Punched-card systems use a language
expressed in round or rectangular
holes punched into equal-size cards.
? Scanning machines use special type
fonts and magnetic ink impressions.
The requirement for different machines to
talk to each other, in some systems, has led
to the development of language-converting
machines. These will be described in detail
later. The only point to be remembered here
is that regardless of the native language of
any machine, it can be converted into the
native language of another machine.
The native language machines in source
data automation need the abilities to-
? Create data, including simple calculations
when required during the paperwork
cycle.
? Accept and record additional data as
it occurs in a paperwork system.
? Convert data to another machinable
form, if conversion is required in a
paperwork system.
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? Produce, as byproducts, data for the there was only one mode of capturing data, the
next step in a paperwork cycle.
? Integrate dissimilar machines into a
single coordinated mechanized sys-
tem.
? Communicate with the more complex
machines, such as computers.
Common Language
The native language impressed on the carriers
discussed above is a code pattern formed on
the carrier by the recording machine. These
code patterns, when read by the "mother"
machine, result in the creation of an electronic
pulse that causes the machine to react in
accordance with the instruction indicated by
that pulse.
The most common everyday illustration
of pulse control is the dial telephone. When a
number is dialed, a small contact under the
dial makes and breaks a circuit the number of
times called for by the dialed number. The
circuit make-and-break causes a stepping relay
to move to the numeric position of the number.
When a person. finishes his complete number
dialing, the encoded positions of the stepping
relays are decoded into a single pulse. This
causes the called telephone to be connected
with the calling phone and to ring. All source
data machines operate on the encoding-decoding
principle, and decoded pulses cause-
Reading Calculating
Writing Recording
Controlling Verifying
Communicating Language Conversion
The electric pulse is identical for a given
code pattern of a given carrier, whether trans-
mitted over long distances or short distances-
From Washington, D.C., to San Francisco,
Calif., via wire or wireless.
From one machine in a room to another
machine in the same room.
From one end of a machine to the other
end.
INFORMATION CAPTURE
When Jean Emile Baudot invented the native
language and the machine to "automate"
sending messages over the telegraph wire,
deliberate creation of the punched paper
tape by the manual depression of the keys of
a punching device. But, with today's modern
equipment, three major modes are available
for capturing the selected data in the
language of the machines to
? Deliberate creation.
? Byproduct creation.
? Conversion creation.
The machinery may be capable of per-
forming in more than one mode. For example,
a machine which punches a tape as a primary
function may also be capable of producing a
second byproduct tape in the same or different
native language. (See ch. IV.)
Source data automation attempts to obvi-
ate person-to-person processing by substituting
machine-to-machine, as shown in chapter V.
Most of the machines involved have been
pictured and described in the National Archives
and Records Service handbook titled Source
Data Automation Equipment Guide, which
should be used to supplement this handbook.
(Federal Stock No. 7610-059-2773)
Machine-to-machine processing came of age
with the advent of converters. These ma-
chines can translate or convert any native
language into any other native language. They
can, for example, convert the native language of
the punched tape typewriter to the native
language of the punched card, if such conver-
sion is required for completing the paperwork
cycle. Some of the common converters are:
Paper Tape
? Any number of channels of paper
tape to any other number of
channels of paper tape.
? Any variety of paper tape to any
variety of punched card.
? Any variety of paper tape to any
variety of magnetic tape.
? Any variety of magnetic tape to any
number of channels of paper tape.
Punched Card
? Any variety of punched card to any
other variety of punched card.
? Any variety of punched card to any
number of channels of paper tape.
? Any variety of punched card to any
variety of magnetic tape.
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Tag
? Any variety of punched tag to any
variety of punched card.
? Any variety of punched tag to any
variety of paper tape.
APPLICATION OF SOURCE DATA
AUTOMATION
Finding a paperwork function or type of opera-
tion in which some Federal agency has not
applied the principles of source data automatic
would be difficult.
The potential applications are limited
principally by the imagination of the person who
studies an existing paperwork cycle. Suc-
cessful applications have been developed in
property and supply management, personnel
management and statistics, production plan-
ning and control, work measurement and report
ing, fiscal management and accounting, as well
as in the major substantive functions performed
in Federal agencies. Over 70 representative
applications are contained in the National
Archives and Records Service handbook SDA
Systems, that supplements this handbook.
(Federal Stock No. 7610-985-7272)
Source data automation can bring the
advantages of mechanical or electronic opera-
tion to all levels of an organization. It can
ease the paperwork burden in the small office as
well as in the large one involved in voluminous
and complicated tasks. It can be developed-
? For any size operation.
? In stages, a step at a time.
? For utilizing dissimilar office machines
in "teams."
? As a direct means for communication
with the more complex electronic
computer.
BENEFITS OF SOURCE DATA
AUTOMATION
New achievements are possible for the office
with source data automation. It can help
integrate communications. To management it
provides the ability to systematize operations.
It supports forecasting with methodically de-
veloped data. Such data are not the result
of mere coordination of clerical tasks; it is
the result of thorough dovetailing of proce-
dures and functions. This integration often
crosses department, agency, or bureau organi-
zation lines. It makes the work of all easier,
quicker, and more effective.
Tangible benefits include-
Savings-Labor costs, the greatest part
of paperwork expense, are reduced.
Accuracy-Errors are decreased or elim-
inated, as automatic production is more
reliable than manual.
Speed-Processing time in the complete
paperwork cycle is reduced, as auto-
matic production is faster than manual.
Better Information-More efficient sys-
tems are possible since data recorded
at birth was used for all processing
steps.
Better Decisions-Fast and accurate
decisions are based on up-to-date infor-
mation.
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II. HOLES AS THE NATIVE LANGUAGE
When holes are used to obtain the common
language pulse, mentioned in the introductory
chapter, four types of carriers are available
for source data automation applications:
? TAPES
? CARDS
? TAGS
? COUPONS
Each carrier uses its own code structure.
Differences in code structure occur among
similar pieces of equipment, using the same
carrier, when made by different manufacturers.
TAPES AS CARRIERS
Paper tapes were used as early as the 1870's
for sending messages over a wire and for playing
back the message. Glossaries define many
kinds of tape--read-in, readout, feed, by-
product, master, program, chadless. Any ap-
preciation of what source data automation can
do depends on an understanding of tape.
The Physical Characteristics oi' Tape
Width. In a set of the different tapes used
by the various machines which operate from
or produce tapes, the differences in width would
be noted at once. The basic widths are as
follows :
I% n inch------ 5-channel communications
equipment.
% inch- _ _ _ . _ 6- and 7-channel equip-
ment.
1 inch 7- and 8-channel equip-
ment.
3 inches to 8'2 Edge punched cards (wide
inches. tape) for 5-, 6-, 7, or 8-
channel equipment.
Color. Punched paper tapes were once pro-
duced in one color-light beige. Today, as an
aid to identifying different tape contents or
distinguishing security classification, tapes can
be produced in many colors. Popular colors
include beige, pink, blue, green, yellow, and
white.
Oiliness. Originally all tapes used in the
communications industry were impregnated
with oil to give added strength to the paper and
increase the resistance to wear. This oil-
impregnated tape served the purpose until
someone tried to file the tape away for a period
of. time-perhaps with some other papers.
Then problems appeared, as the tape bled oil
on any absorbent material it touched. Today
many nonbleeding tapes are manufactured that
have the same durability and resistance to wear
as the bleeding varieties. They are impreg-
nated with an oil that will not transfer to other
papers they might contact. If bleeding tapes
are filed for any period of time, special filing
arrangements must be provided to protect other
papers.
Durability. Several different weights (thick-
nesses) of tape are available today, the thin-
nest at the lowest prices and increasing in cost
as the thickness increases. For extreme dura-
bility Mylar tapes are also available, two layers
of paper with a layer of Mylar plastic between
them. Mylar tape has the highest cost per
roll. Selection of tape for durability character-
istics should be based on-
? Value of the tape content.
? Number of times tapes will be used.
? Number of handlings of the tape.
Forms of Tapes. The tape originally used by
the communications industry was available
only in rolls. Since the tape used in source
data automation may be filed for long periods
of time between uses, some means of filing,
other than as a roll, is frequently desirable.
Tapes can be purchased today in flat folds or
fanfolds of varying length. Almost any length
fold can be ordered. Wide tape (edge punched
cards) is available as a single card for a unit
record of a predetermined length or as a con-
tinuous fanfold for records of unknown length.
(See fig. 1.)
Number of Channels
A specific location in the space across the width
of a tape is called a channel or level of punching.
Coding is accomplished through punching a
hole or series of holes in specific channels. Each
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WIDE TAPE (Edge Punched Cards) 7-channel tape-21-128 different patterns.
pattern of holes represents a character, digit, or
function of the machine.
There are four different levels of punching
available. (See fig. 2.) The maximum num-
ber of code patterns which can be punched
into the various levels of paper tape is expressed
by a single mathematical formula:
5-channel tape-25-32 different patterns.
6-channel tape-28-64 different patterns.
8-channel tape-28-256 different patterns.
TAPE PUNCHING LEVELS
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6 & 7 Channel 5 Channel
Fig. 2
Since 26 alphabetic characters, supple-
mented by 10 numeric digits, are used to trans-
mit the English language, a bit of hasty
mathematics shows that the 5-channel tape is
inadequate, 32 possibilities as against 36 needed.
To overcome the shortage of codes, the
communications industry resorts to a tech-
nique called precedent punching. One of the
combinations is reserved to signal the machine
to shift to "uppercase," which includes punc-
STANDARD TELECOMMUNICATIONS
CODE FOR 5 CHANNEL TAPE
HOLES
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ADDRESS PORTION OF A TYPICAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS MESSAGE TAPE
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tuation, numerals, and special symbols. An-
other combination is reserved to signal the
machine to shift to "lowercase," which con-
tains the alphabetic characters in all capitals.
Still other combinations are reserved for space,
line feed, and carriage return. The code
structure (combinations of holes) used by the
communications industry is illustrated in fig-
ure 3.
With the precedent punching technique,
the communications industry increased the
coding capacity of 5-channel tape to 52 possible
combinations for characters, numbers, and
punctuation marks-still leaving 6 code com-
binations to control certain machine functions.
The items marked FIGS and LETTERS in
figure 3 are the precedent punching codes for
numeric or alphabetic entries.
To send a message via the telecommuni-
cations code, the operator first punches the
desired precedent code. Then the operator
punches one or more carriage returns and line
advances to get blank paper in front of the
keys of the receiver and to position the carriage
at the beginning of a line. The operator then
proceeds to punchout the message. Figure 4
illustrates the address portion of a typical
message punched in tape. Figure 5 illustrates
how this address would appear when typed by
the receiver on a telecommunications circuit.
The five-channel code, the same basic
code developed by jean Emile Baudot in 1870,
satisfied the communications industry-and
still satisfies it today. When an attempt was
made to apply the tape-producing typewriter
ADDRESS AS TYPED BY THE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS RECEIVER
FROM THE ABOVE TAPE
NOTE: The numerals 4 and 3 are identical
in code structure to the alphabetical
characters R and E. They would have
been received as letters except that
they had been preceded by the preced-
ent punch for FIGURES. Also, note
that all alphabetical characters are
capital letters.
7
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to other operations, however, it was discovered
that some things the typewriter can do could
not be done by the telegraph equipment.
The message was limited to capital letters,
for example.
Modern source data automation obviously
requires more than the 32 basic codes provided
by the 5-channel tape. Capital and lower-
case alphabet, punctuation, special characters,
and machine control codes are needed. Tapes
with six, seven, and eight channels meet these
requirements. No standard arrangement for
the code designations exists. Figure 6 illus-
trates the most commonly used eight-channel
paper-tape code configurations.
Advantages of Wide Tape
Short bits of information, used repetitively,
are hard to file and find in rolls of tape. Inter-
pretation, that is translation, onto the tape of
the meaning of the holes in the tape is done by
very few machines-thus data are blind in
most tapes. Relevant data, other than that
to be processed by machine, cannot be made
part of the tape.
Wide tape overcomes most of these diffi-
culties. Wide tapes were designed to store
coded information, with additional space al-
lowed for written information. They are
easily filed in conventional card-filing equip-
ment. Wide tapes may be of almost any size,
style, or shape-provided sufficient space is
available along the edge to contain the five-,
six-, seven-, or eight-channel code structure
to be used. Samples of wide tapes are shown
in figure 7.
Some of the advantages of wide tapes over
rolled or folded narrow tapes are:
? Small bits of data can be found more
readily.
? Small bits of data can be filed more
easily.
? Interpretation (translation of the
punched holes) can be printed.
? Identification of the contents by filing
or locating symbols can be included.
? Instructions for use, and other pertinent
handling information, can be placed
on wide tape.
? Relevant data, other than that to be
"machined," can be written on wide
tape.
? Wide tape can be filed "visually" in any
visible records system for quicker filing
and finding.
COMMON EIGHT CHANNEL PAPER TYPE
CODE CONFIGURATION
SP - 2
CR
STANDARD CHANNEL NUMBERS
8
7
6 5
4
3
2
1
6
5
2
1
5
3
1
5
?
3
2
3
2
1
5
4
1
7
6
7
6
2
7
6 5
2
1
7
6
3
7
6 5
3
1
7
6 5
?
3
2
7
6
3
2
1
7
6
4
7
6 5
4
1
7
5
7
5
2
7
?
2
1
7
5
3
7
?
3
7
3
2
7
3
2
7
5
4
?
7
4
6
5
2
16
1 T
-
F-
F
2
1
6
5
3
6
3
1
6
3
2
6
5
3
2
1
6
5
4
6
4
1
5
6
5
1
4
2
1
4
6
5
4
2
1
7 6
4
2
5
4
3
6
4
3
7
4
3
7
1
6
5
1
41
1 .
3
3
7
;_
6
5
4
3
2
4
3
2
6
4
3
2
1
5
4
3
2
1
7
4
3
2
1
5
4
2
7
4
?
2
6
4
2
6
5
4
3
1
7T61
4
3
1
7
5
4
3
1
4 J
-J
S
1
7 6
5
4
2
7 6
4
.
3
2
7
5 4
.
3
2
7 6
5
4
3
2 1
EL X
0
CH 8
4
2 1
8
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Wide tapes of the conventional 3- by 7-inch
fanfold variety are supplied in boxes of 1,000
each. They may be torn apart into unit
records of one or more 7-inch lengths, to fit
the job requirements. They may be cut apart
by a precision cutter which removes one code
position at the beginning of each series of cards.
Wide tapes of almost any dimension, limited
in size only by use and filing requirements,
can also be obtained. These cut cards must
have the prepunched feed holes needed for
source data automation equipment.
PUNCHED CARDS AS CARRIERS
The first punchcard equipment made its
appearance around 1890. At that time the
equipment was designed for the production of
numeric statistics only. Sensing a hole punched
in a card actuated dials or counters which
recorded selected statistical factors.
For the next 25 to 30 years improvements
were introduced and usage gradually widened.
Printing machines were produced to write
the statistical data. Alphabetic information
was added to the card and to the printouts.
Counters were added to permit limited mathe-
matical operations.
Today, punched cards are employed in a
multiplicity of operations of a numeric, alpha-
betic, or alphanumeric nature. New capabili-
ties are constantly being added to already
existing machines, or completely new machines
are being marketed. Speeds have increased
over the course of time, and more prompt and
timely reporting is achievable.
The Physical Characteristics of Cards
Size. A set of the different cards used by the
various machines which operate from or produce
cards includes the following sizes:
7% inches wide by 3% inches long-
Used for the 80-column International
Business Machines Corp. card and
the 90-column cards of the Sperry
Rand Corp. (formerly Remington
Rand, Inc.).
Any width less than 7% by 3% inches long.
Used as a detachable coupon from
either the International Business
Machines or the Sperry Rand card.
Color. The most common color is white.
For distinguishing different decks of cards,
9
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for identifying special-purpose cards, and for
visual spot checking, cards may be obtained
in almost any color; white, salmon, yellow,
green, blue, and red predominate. In addition,
striped cards can be procured which have a
narrow band or stripe of color across the top
edge of the card. Combining stripes and card
colors affords all needed color distinction.
Shape of Holes. The code structure used
by the International Business Machines Corp.
is punched into 80-column cards in rectangular
holes. Sperry Rand expresses code structure
in round holes. Because of differences in the
code structure and in the internal mechanisms of
the various machines, a card punched with
rectangular holes cannot normally be used in
a round hole machine, or the reverse.
Fields. In planning the use of any card, the
number of columns available in the card is
divided into fields. A field is a column or
group of columns reserved to record a certain
kind of alphabetic or numeric data. For
example, columns 1 through 23 could be reserved
for employee names; columns 24 through 30 for
employee number.
Card Stock. The holes in the cards must be
sensed by the machines through which they
pass. This is accomplished-
? Electrically with cards containing rec-
tangular holes.
? Mechanically with cards containing
round holes.
? Photoelectrically with cards containing
round holes.
In the electrical process, figure 8, the card
passes over a metal roller and under a series of
metal brushes. As a metal brush feels a hole,
contact is made with the roller, thus completing
an electrical circuit. Completing the circuit
sends a pulse to tell the machine what function
to perform. The pulse is identified in the
equipment by-
? Location of the brush; that is, the column
of the card.
? Timing of the pulse corresponding to the
position of the hole; that is, the 4
position.
Since the contact between the brush and
the roller is important to operate the machine,
a contact must not be made unless there is a
hole in the card. Thus, cards must be non-
electrical conducting and free of carbon spots.
In the mechanical process, metal pins pass
through the holes in a card and activate me-
chanical devices to perform a specified function;
the metal pins are stopped by the card when
there is no hole.
In the photoelectrical process, cards are
light sensed. Cards pass over a bank of photo-
electric cells above which is positioned a bank
of lights. If a hole exists in the card, light is
passed and the machine is actuated.
Thickness of the card is critical in all
processes, as each machine must be able to
separate one card from the next card rapidly.
Thus all card stock is of a uniform thickness,
adequate to provide strength and durability.
Code Structure
The native languages of the 80- and 90-column
cards are different. Since the number of col-
umns in the card is interrelated to the code
structure of these native languages, each card
column capacity must be discussed separately.
80-Column Card. From left to right, columns
of the card are numbered 1 through 80. Each
column contains 12 possible punching positions,
or locations for holes. The punching positions
are identified, starting from the bottom of the
card with 9 and proceeding back through 0 in
numerical regression. The 11th punching posi-
tion, known to the trade as the 11 or X position,
is located above the 0 position. The 12th
punching position, known as the 12 or R posi-
tion, is located above the 11th. Positions 1
through 9 are known as digit positions; X and
R as zone positions; and 0 as a digit or zone
position depending upon its use.
In the native language, a digit is repre-
sented by punching a single hole in the appro-
priate digit position in a column of the card.
The alphabet is represented by punching a hole
in a zone position and a digit position in a
single column of the card. Symbols are repre-
sented by combinations of zone and digit posi-
tion punches in a single column of the card.
Figure 9 illustrates the code structure, the
native language of the 80-column card.
Zone punches (X and R positions), without
any accompanying digit position punch, are
also frequently used for card identification or
for control of certain machine functions.
10
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Odd-Numbered Digits and Zero-
A single hole in the position of the. number
desired.
Even-Numbered Digits-
A hole in the 9 position and a second hole
in the position one number lower than
the number desired. Hence holes in the
"9" and "1" positions give "2," and
holes in the "9" and "5" positions give
90-Column Card. The card is first divided
into two halves horizontally. The upper half ALPHABETIC INFORMATION
contains columns 1 through 45, from left to
right. The lower half contains columns 46 A combination of two or three holes in a
through 90, from left to right, single column gives an alphabetic charac-
Each column, in each half of the card, has ter. Ten characters use 2-hole com-
six possible punching positions-locations for binations, and the remaining 16 use 3-hole
a hole. The punching positions are identified, combinations.
starting with the bottom of each column, as the
9, 7, 5, 3, 1, and 0 positions.
The code structure, native language, is Figure 10 illustrates the code structure,
punched into the cards as follows: the native language of the 90-column card.
CODE STRUCTURE FOR 80 COLUMN PUNCHED CARD
Upper Right
Cornercut
112 Punch
I 11 or x Punch
to
Zone
Punches
ABCDEFGH 1 JKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 230'4--/a;/tVX
111I11I11 1 1
111xllxlx i 1 1
0000000x000000x000000000 00001000000000000000000lIIIluIl00000000100010100000000.0
1 2 3 4 11 7 1 //011121 11311111/1 Ann 2314 an A5A 3132J33135 A 3131 A 4414243 444546 474444W5132535+ 5555575455 55 SIC 6114 44 a 17550 A 117273 n 75 11 77 11 23 11
1111111111111)11111111)11)1111111111111111))111111111111111111111111111111111111
22222221222221221222222222222221222222221222222212222222222222222222222222222222
33333331333333333133333 33333333133333333133333331333333333333311113333333333333
44444441444444444414444444444444414444444414444444144444444444444444411114444444
Digit Punches
55555551555555555551555 55555555551555555551555555515555555555555555555555555555
66066661666686966646108 68666666666168666668166666661666666888666666666666666680
117777711717711711777177777111111777x117)))11177111711711771?77777111111117;777,77
8888868x08888888888888160088088888888,8868888018088888188818688If/leoJIf/8816066
9999999x999999999999999 9999999999999919999999919999999192999909999999999999995
1 2 3 4 3$ 1111111121314 131117111120212223 212123am it 313334BY11it aall 4'4344454484444555123085555115555ass 1243aan 1raan /1Yin 11n71nAn a
LColumn Numbers LThe Digit The Alphabet
Punches
Special
Characters
-0
>5
a S~
0
J
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 Approved For Release 2001/07/17 : CIA-RDP74-00005R000100020045-3
I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A 8 nJFG H I J K4 0P 0 R S TIj Y Z
12 '= i _ ~z = i z _ 12 =
it'~ !_ _ '_ '24F r_
I
34 34 34 34 34 34.? 34 34 34 54 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 54 i i 54 34 iNi 34 34 34
iii 34 34 ? 34 ? i 34 ? 34
56 56 56 56 56 56 36 56 ii 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 ii 56 i 56 56 i 6 iii 56 ? ?
56 56 5 56 i 56 i 56 56 56 56
II
76 76 76 78 78 76 78 76 78 76 i? 76 76 78 78 78 76 76 76 7@ ? 76 78 40" 76 76 78 76 76 76
! ? ? ? q ~? U ~ e ! ! J J!
,
9 8 9 9 9 9 8 9 9 9 8 9 4 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 a
7B ii iiii 76 00'.41
!! !? f{ !! H 44 N
s 9 9 9 9 9
Digit A 1 8 2 I 3 &4 65 F 6 G 7 H 8 1 9
Punches
---- - ------------
7-7---------------
34 34 34 34 34 34 '34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 54 34 34 40" i 54 34 54 34 34 i 34 i 34 34
34 54 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34
56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 1. 64 i 56 56 56 i 56 56 i 56 ii 56 56 56 i 56 56
56 56 56 56 56 56 66 56 56 56 56 54
76 76 f8 78 78 78 78 76 76 78 T8 76 76 78 78 76 76 78 9 78 78 76 76 76 78 76 0 . ? 78 76 76
78 78 78 76 76 76 78 78 76 76 76 78
9 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 8 9. 9 9. 9 9 9. 9 9 ?? 8 9 9. 9. 9
9 9 9 9 9 9 9 4 9 8 9 1
M w b
TAGS AS CARRIERS
The newest method of source data automation
is the print-punch tag attached to many items
in modern department stores. The tag con-
tains a series of small holes, the native language,
as well as printed information identifying the
user and the item to which the tag is attached.
The tag may be a single part (one stub) or
several parts (two or more detachable stubs),
depending upon the procedures developed for
the user. The holes in the tag represent
selected data which the user requires for auto-
mated operations.
Although most of the applications for
print-punch tags have been in the merchandising
of material from a store to a customer, appli-
cations are not limited to this field. Inventory
control, manufacturing records, production
control, material inspection, and piecework pay-
roll have successfully utilized tags as the
medium of source data automation. Print-
punch tags are particularly useful when small
size or ability to withstand heavy abuse are
important factors.
The Physical Characteristics of Tags
Size. A set of the different tags used by the
various machines which operate from or produce
tags would include-
CODE STRUCTURE FOR 90 COLUMN PUNCHED CARD
The Alphabet
Dimensions of Number of
tag (in inches) tags to a set
Small ....... 2.2 by 1..... 2 to 6.
Medium..... 2.7 by i ..... 1 to 10.
Large....... 3.2 by 1..... I to 10.
Color. Most tags are produced in white.
Since most tags are printed with at least the
identification (name and address) of the user,
colored stripes of all varieties can be obtained
for color-coding purposes.
Stock. Tags must withstand frequent
handlings by customers, store employees, or
production workers. They must frequently
be re-marked to reflect price adjustments.
Accordingly tags are produced on card stock
13 points in thickness (0.0013 inch thick).
Extra heavy tags of 15 points thickness can
be procured to meet abnormal conditions.
Tag stock can be coated with or impregnated
with various waxes or chemicals. Such coating
permits the tags to be attached to items of
manufacture, for production control, while
these items are being processed through the
assembly and production lines.
Capacity. Capacity of a tag is measured in
two areas-printing and punching. Maximum
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 Approved For Release 2001/07/17
CIA-RDP74-00005R000100020045-3
capacities are as follows:
Processing Tags
Digits of information
Punching Printing
Small tag......
20
37
Medium tag...
25
47
Large tag.....
31
59
If tags are to be converted to cards or
tape, and data are to be added which is not
punched into the tag, the first space from the
left of the tag must be reserved as a control
column.
Printing is accomplished by setting dials
on equipment developed to print and encode
the tags simultaneously. Items which are
encoded in the punched holes of the tag may be
printed or not printed, as determined by needs
of the user. If the user is willing to forego
using 10 digits of printed information on the
tag, provision can be made to substitute
logotype printing (slugs of type containing
fixed descriptions) of such things as fiber content
and fiber name.
Figure 11 is an illustration of upper and
lower line printing on the large tag. The
amount of data that can be included on a tag
by well-planned coding is noteworthy.
LARGE PRINT-PUNCH TAG
WITH UPPER & LOWER LINE PRINTING
?.0:1 IN VENTORY
0 PLATEHOLDER ? AK324
.A56700 LV}5678990
Punched Code
The code structure, native language, for
recording selected data in the tag is similar to
the five-channel code structure - used in the
communications industry (described under the
discussion of tape). Five small holes, in a
vertical line, represent a single digit of data.
Punching is numeric only.
Within the maximum capacity of the tag, all
identifying data known about a unit of mer-
chandise can be punched in five-channel code.
This recording is done to permit picking up
these data after the item has been sold. At
present, no known equipment will directly
process from print-punch tags. Conversion to
another of the native languages, punched
cards, paper tape, or magnetic tape, is necessary.
Data encoded in the print-punch tag may be
processed by-
? Conversion to punched card, paper tape,
or magnetic tape by an off-line con-
verter.
? Conversion to paper tape or magnetic
tape at the time of sale by using a
point-of-sale recorder. Supplemen-
tary data, such as salesperson, date,
or price, known only at the time of
sale may be added to the tape simul-
taneously.
Since the print-punch tag may be multi-
part, several conversions may be necessary in
a paperwork cycle, each conversion serving a
specific purpose in the overall procedure.
Figure 12 illustrates a multipart tag which
could require two conversion operations.
COUPONS AS CARRIERS
The average American homeowner, car owner,
or installment buyer is aware of the perforated
coupon as a method of source data automation.
The amounts, dates, and payment numbers,
which are perforated in the coupon, are read-
able.
The perforated coupon has been in use
for a long time. It has been common in banks,
finance companies, mortgage companies, and
department stores for many years. Recent
improvements have expanded the potential of
coupons as a means of source data automation.
These improvements now deserve attention in
a number of areas of Government paperwork.
Perforations, it must be remembered, are
in the native language of the human eye,
since they form readable characters and figures..
Today machines are designed to read and
translate these data into a native machine
language for processing the coupon.
13
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MULTI-PART TAG
FOR MANUFACTURING CONTROL OF APPLIANCES
COMPANY NAME
? ..
.0000
00 0 *se ? . ? ? ***0 000 ? ?....
.. .
? 845 32 ? 1255 8
SERIAL NO. DATE MODEL
SHIPPING
^ ..
? ? ? ?? ? ? ?
.09000
? ? ? . ? ? ... .
??.? ???? ??? ?....? ??
.. ?
? ? ? . to
?
? 845 32 ? 1255 8
SERIAL NO. DATE MODEL
PRODUCTION
a ?
????? ?? ????.. ???????
0000 09**
?? ?
? 845 32 ? 1255 8
The Physical Characteristics
of Coupons
Size. A representative set of the different
coupons used would show wide divergence in
size. Any size paper adequate to contain
perforations read by the human eye can be
processed through coupon-reading machines.
Figure 13 shows a typical coupon.
Methods also have been developed for
including selected data, not readable to the
human eye, in the coupon in a native machine
language. Capacity of the coupon to store
data has been increased.
Coupon Stock. Almost any weight of paper,
suited to the purpose, can be used as a coupon.
It is well to remember, however, that books
containing multiple coupons are all perforated
simultaneously. Thus, a heavier weight paper
may reduce the number of coupons produced
in one perforating operation. The average per-
forator can generate 20 coupons in 1 operation.
Perforating Code
The in-line code of the five-channel variety
similar to the native language of the communi-
This stub remains on appliance after
shipping and serves as customer
reference information.
This stub detached when appliance
is shipped and is used as record of
shipment.
This stub detached at completion of
production operation and is used as
record of production.
cations industry can be included in the coupon.
In the financial world, for example, the five-
channel code can contain selected data of
interest to the financier but not readable by
the borrower. Figure 14 illustrates some in-
line five-channel coding as contained in a
coupon.
To permit the machines to read numeric
information-information perforated for the
A TYPICAL COUPON
(about 1 /4 actual size)
14
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 PERFORATED IN-LINE CODING
FIVE CHANNEL
Five Channel
in-line coding ? ? ?
human eye--the five-channel in-line code pat-
tern is spread into three adjoining columns
instead of a single vertical column. Figure 15
illustrates the method of accomplishing this
spread into three columns. The complete
digital pattern for three-column coding-the
native language of the perforated coupon-is
illustrated in figure 16. For visual reading,
seven channels are perforated. However, for
mechanical reading, only five of the channels
are utilized.
Comparing the digit reading pattern (three-
column code) with the in-line reading pattern
(five-channel code) indicates that very little
difference exists. As a result, coupon-reading
equipment can perform dual reading tasks,
switching from one reading pattern to the
other upon receipt of a switching symbol. This
symbol serves in the same manner as the
SPROCKET HOLE
precedent symbol for the tape machines.
Figure 17 illustrates a technique for com-
bining into one set of perforations the code
for both the three-column reading and the
five-channel reading.
Processing Coupons
Sorters are available to place randomly re-
ceived coupons in account number order for
processing. Readers are available to sense
the native language of the coupon and emit
the pulse for translation of the holes into the
native language of paper tape, punched card,
or magnetic tape. During processing, some
additional data may be encoded in-line, five-
channel code, onto the coupon by some model
readers. Beyond the sorting and reading,
all other processing is done after conversion
to another native language.
READING PATTERN COMPARISON BETWEEN 5 CHANNEL
PUNCHED TAPE AND PERFORATED CHARACTERS
?
5 Channel Tape Perforated Punch
Code with all Pattern with all
Channels punched Channels
punched
5 Channel Code
with Numeral 7
?
Perforated Perforated
Numeral 7 Numeral?
as 3 Column as Human Eye
Reader reads it reads it
15
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PERFORATED CHARACTER CODES
(3 COLUMN READER)
000
0.0
???
?00
???
0??
???
0.0
0.0
0.0
000
000
900
000
000
?00
000
00(0
000
?00
000
000
000
000
000
? O .
? 00
g o o
000
000
000
000
000
000
0.0
000
009
000
00.
000
000
000
000
009
000
500
000
OOO
?00
?00
?00
000
000
.00
0.0
00.
???
0.0
00?
0.0
0.0
?00
0.0
??0
0.0
000
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
00
B0
DUAL READING TECHNIQUE
(COMBINING 3 COLUMN READING WITH INLINE READING)
DIGIT
PATTERN
IN-LINE
PATTERN
COMBINATION OF
IN-LINE & DIGIT CODE
FOR PHOTOELECTRIC
READING
000
0
000
000-1
0-1
000-1
0.00 -2
0-2
000-2
(000 -3
0-3
000-3
000-4
0-4
000-4
00 0
0
000
0 -5
0-5
0-5
O --
-- 0 0 - Sprocket Hole
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III. THE NATIVE LANGUAGES
OF READING MACHINES
Native languages are not limited to holes.
There are machines that read text, or read
characters (as those in magnetic ink on bank
checks), or read dots and dashes (bars) placed
on documents by credit card imprinters.
They read the print and convert it into the
native language of the machines involved so
that the machines can talk to each other.
Many people believe that these machine
reading methods open up an entirely new
vista of opportunity for source data automation.
Collectively they are often referred to as
scanning methods, or optical character rec-
ognition.
For a native language, one of the following
types of objects will be read:
? DOTS
? BARS
? SELECTED TYPE FACES
? MAGNETIC INK
DOTS AS A NATIVE LANGUAGE
At this time, two machines use dots as a native
language. One is known to the trade as
FOSDIC, Film Optical Sensing Device for
Input to Computers, and is owned and operated
by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of
the Census. The other is known as Docu-
Tran and is owned and operated by Science
Research Associates, Inc.
FOSDIC was used in the 1960 Census of
Population and Housing, one of the world's
largest statistical operations. The individual
census enumerator obtained information con-
cerning a person, a family, and housing facilities.
He received the information (data) orally from
the householder or in a written form on docu-
ments which had been previously mailed to the
householder. The data were recorded by check-
ing boxes or by writing dates or other facts on
a conventional form.
In the quiet of his home, the enumerator
transcribed data from the conventional form
on which it was recorded to a form specially
designed to capture the native language of
FOSDIC. Transcription was accomplished by
filling in the small circles under the appropriate
columns on the special form, figure 18.
After the recording of data on the special
forms was completed, they were microfilmed.
The negative microfilm was processed through
FOSDIC, whose electronic circuitry translated
little dots of light (negative appearance of a
filled-in circle) into a pulse for recording directly
onto magnetic tape.
The pulse was created at the rate of 1,000
spots per second for translation to the native
language of the computer. Data recorded by
the enumerator at the source were used to feed
a computer.
The black rectangles on the form, figure 18,
serve one or more of the following purposes:
Tilt Marks-To permit FOSDIC to deter-
mine how the microfilm image is alined
in relation to its scanner mechanism.
Size Checks-To permit FOSDIC to ad-
just for slight variation in microfilm
reduction ratios.
Index Checks-To permit FOSDIC to
position its scanning beam on a field of
data.
Special form techniques had to be de-
veloped to record certain data in the native
language of FOSDIC. Section P6 of figure 18
indicates how birth date had to be recorded,
in lieu of writing six Arabic digits as normally
used.
The DocuTran System of Science Research
Associates, Inc., varies principally from
FOSDIC in the direct use of the paper docu-
ments as input, instead of microfilm images.
Forms, used as input to DocuTran, may
be a minimum size of 5 by 3 inches; a maximum
of 8% by 11 inches. Each position for recording
data is indicated by a tiny printed circle. Data
are recorded by filling in a circle with a common
pencil. On a maximum size form there are
5,320 possible positions (called response posi-
tions) for recording data. Several positions
may be dedicated to a multiple-choice answer
and as such are called a field. Figures 19
through 21 illustrate several of the techniques
used to record various types of data.
17
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FORM USED FOR FOSDIC RECORDING THE NATIVE LANGUAGE IN DOTS
Mswt had
t Fill I! f wdx
All "6M" pwo
Y.CRfDIT C. D
we aoo.eaa~e
-x .ea
MR MODERN TRAVELER
123 45b 189
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Figure 27 is illustrative of another selected
type font containing numerals, and also upper
and lower case alphabetic data for a specific
model machine. Though the typeface looks
only slightly different from the printed word
we read daily, it is in reality a native language
for a particular machine.
Processing Data
Machines which read type faces and process
the data vary widely. The data generated by
reading machines are frequently used in con-
junction with other data-processing equipment,
such as punched card or computer equipment.
Thus, the output of reading machines is often
the native language of the paper tape, punched
card, or magnetic tape machines. Many read-
ing machines can also be connected to electronic
computers as a direct on-line input device.
Machines are not only restricted to reading
one of the three possible code structures, but
are also restricted to reading this structure on a
certain medium. Machines may be categorized
as Document Readers, Page Readers, and Self-
punch Readers. The capabilities of each kind
of reader are briefly described in the following
paragraphs.
Document Reader. The document reader is
a machine, similar to the one in figure 28, that
has the capability of reading one or two lines
of data at a time, from paper or card stock
documents ranging in size from 2% inches by
2% inches up to 8% inches by 6 inches. It will
accept data printed by many conventional
machines, such as typewriters, adding machines,
and high-speed printers. Pencil or ink marks
in preprinted mark guides may be used to
produce specific codes in the output. Location
of lines to be read may vary from one applica-
tion to another within the specified margin
requirements of the reader.
Some of the features which may be added
to the document reader are as follows:
Batch header-Allows data read from
the first document, a header document,
to be recorded in the output for all
subsequent documents.
Accumulator-Accumulates variable
amounts from documents it has read
and transfers totals to output. Device
will print on a lister, if desired, as well as
add, subtract, and read signs (plus and
minus).
List printer-Prints on a continuous
tape the data received from the reader
or accumulator.
Serial numberer-Generates an ascend-
ing serial number for each document
read, and includes that number in
output.
Page Reader. The page reader is a machine,
similar to the one in fig. 29, that has the ca-
pability of reading all of the information con-
tained on pages ranging in size up to 8'2 inches
by 132 inches. Information contained on a
A TYPE FONT FOR A READING MACHINE
This electronic wonder performs the same function you are
performing now; it reads this type style, upper and lower
case alphabetic characters, common punctuation marks, and
numeric characters, 0123456789. Model IPSP has ability
either to read full pages of typewritten information,
single or double-spaced, or to scan entire pages in
search of particular information, further translating it
into a punched paper tape code. Whether the 5-level or
the b-level code is used, the page reader scans and punches
240 characters per second, automatically feeding from page
to page. Among the many potential uses, the IPSP offers
automated systems in such areas as communications trans-
mission, typesetting, data reduction, scientific literature
abstraction, catalog-indexing and language translation.
22
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 Fig. 28
page is read a line at a time from documents
printed with the type font selected for that
machine. It will accept data printed by
many conventional machines, such as type-
writers, adding machines, and high-speed print-
ers. The page reader is normally equipped
with locators which enable the machine to
find the vertical position of the first line to
be read and to ignore all printing above that
first line.
Some of the features which may be added
to the page reader are as follows:
Counters-Count the lines read and the
punched cards produced by the reader.
Serial numberer-Generates an ascend-
ing serial number for each page read and
includes that number in output.
Shift registers-Position variably right
registered fields, such as money amounts,
in the correct columns of a field of data on
a punched card.
Selfpunch Reader. The selfpunch reader is a
machine, like the one in figure 30, that has the
capability of reading data imprinted on a
card and punching the data into the same card.
A single line of data on each punched card is
read and punched. Data to be read are most
frequently imprinted from metal or plastic
cards containing the appropriate typeface
embossed thereon. Punching into the card
is machine verified to assure accuracy.
Some of the features which may be added
to a selfpunch reader are as follows:
Preprogramer-Permits adding constant
data to each record read.
Accumulator-Accumulates variable
amounts from documents it has read
and transfers totals to output.
Serial numberer-Generates an ascend-
ing serial number for each document
read and includes that number in
output.
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Tabulator-Prints out and totals a proof
journal of all punched data.
List printer-Lists on a continuous form
the data received during the reading
cycle or received from an auxiliary
punched-card input.
MAGNETIC INK AS A NATIVE
LANGUAGE
In April 1959, the American Bankers Asso-
ciation published the specifications for a native
language to be used in the banking industry,
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, famil-
iarly called MICR.
This native language and its associated
equipment unlocked the door to source data
automating the largest non-government paper-
work-handling application made to date.
Code Structure
The MICR language consists of 10 digits,
zero through 9, and 4 special symbols, figure 31,
printed in a stylized typeface with an ink
containing particles of iron oxide.
The digits can be read by the human eye,
with a little imagination on the part of the
reader. They resemble the shapes of the digits
we are familiar with.
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Data Fields
To make MICR usable as a native language, it
was necessary to define what magnetic printing
was essential and where it should appear on a
check.
The bottom five-eighths inch is reserved for
encoding in MICR. A space of 6 inches, meas-
ured from the right edge of the check, is specified
as the universal imprinting area. On large
checks data can be recorded outside the 6-inch
universal area, which will not be processed by
other banks handling the check during clear-
ance.
Fig. 30
Specific areas within the universal 6-inch
area are designated to contain specific types of
data common to all banking operations. All
data fields, as illustrated in figure 32, are meas-
ured from the right edge of the check.
All data, except the amount, can be printed
before the bank issues the check to the user.
The amount is encoded by the first bank
receiving the check for processing.
Processing Data
The particles of iron oxide in the MICR ink are
magnetized by the machines which process the
25
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MAGNETIC INK CHARACTER RECOGNITION TYPE FONT
A
M
0
0
Ij
DATA FIELD LOCATION FOR MICR
FEDERAL RESERVE A. B. A. TRANSIT number
routinq symbol
up to 53/4"
from edge
Ii
ACCOUNT number A'~AOUNT
up to 41/4" /4 to 1 71S"
from edge from edge
26
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documents and the magnetized fields are de-
tected by magnetic reading heads, very similar
to those in home tape recorders.
When MICR characters are magnetized in
the processing equipment, they send out pulse
patterns illustrated beside each digit and symbol
in figure 31. These pulse patterns are distin-
guished in the circuitry of the processing
machines to actuate other circuitry to perform
automated functions.
Sorting of checks by Federal Reserve bank
symbol, by American Bankers Association tran-
sit number, and individual bank account num-
ber is the current practice. This sorting alone
saves much labor and speeds up getting the
check to the bank on which it is drawn.
Further mechanization can be accomplished
with specific models of MICR equipment. The
magnetic ink may control the actual posting
to the proper accounts, the preparation of
statements, and the preparation of reports for
the bank and for the Federal Reserve System.
For convenience and economy of printing,
magnetic ink is permissible on any part of the
check. The MICR machines read only char-
acters in the areas on the document specified
by the American Bankers Association. Regular
ink appearing anywhere on the form, even over
data imprinted in magnetic ink in the specified
location, will have no effect on the processing
of the selected data, since it does not have the
ability to receive and maintain magnetic charge.
MICR can be converted to punched holes
in tapes or cards, or magnetic tape, or fed
directly to a computer.
27
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IV. MODES OF CAPTURING DATA
With today's modern source data automation
equipment there are available three major
modes of capturing selected data in the native
language of machines:
? DELIBERATE CREATION
? BYPRODUCT CREATION
? CONVERSION CREATION
The machines used in source data automation
may be capable of performing in more than one
mode. For example, a machine which punches
a tape as a primary function may also be capable
of producing a byproduct tape in the same
native language.
DELIBERATE CREATION OF A
NATIVE LANGUAGE
The techniques of source data automation
require the manual depression of a key to
record a native language on a carrier. This is
the oldest method of deliberately creating a
native language. Key punching of cards, an
example of this mode, is still the widest used
manual method of data capture.
The following pages describe machines
which deliberately produce native language
carriers. Evaluation of each machine in the
framework of source data automation must be
based on the needs of the individual application.
Holes in Tapes
When tape is to be generated, it is possible to
create the native language deliberately by
depressing the keys of a punching device, simi-
lar to that shown in figure 33. On most
ERATE , , TION. off; A
WITH
A -TAPE PER
models of equipment, production of the tape is
accompanied by simultaneous production of a
ribbon (hard) copy of the data on paper or
forms.
Another deliberate tape-generating mech-
anism, without the production of hard copy, is
a data recorder similar to the one shown in
figure 34. Variable data are manually set in
the keyboard of this device and all keyed
data are punched at one time into a five-chan-
nel tape. Fixed data, in limited amounts, can
be punched from code bars built into the ma-
chine at the time of manufacture. Mechanical
interlocks make the keyboard accept only cer-
tain digits in selected fields, when a control bar
is depressed. For example, if "Style Bar" in
the machine in figure 34 is depressed, selected
columns will be limited to certain predeter-
mined numbers, thus reducing the possibility of
human error. Data can also be captured from
print-punch tags inserted in the recorder at the
time of operation.
DELIBERATE CREATION OF A
if NCHED PAPER TAPE WITHOUT
A:ARD COPY
Holes in Cards
When punched cards are to be generated, it is
possible to create the native language deliber-
ately by using-
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A keyboard-actuated punch, figure 35, to
produce an 80- or 90-column card.
A stylus and a prescored card, figure 36, to
record a maximum of 40 columns in an
80-column card.
I lz
a ~~r.~......,
A conductor's punch and a card with
prepunched pilot holes, figure 37, to
record up to 90 columns in a round-hole
card.
A portable data recorder, figure 38, to
punch up to 80 columns of information,
6 columns at a time in an 80-column card.
A portable nonelectric, lever set punch,
figure 39, to record information in a
standard or special plastic punched card.
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 Ap,prcal6odoregftVRW901JQ 117:&LA-RDPMrggN?FQAQ1p&QMf5ata may be made
specially printed card, figure 40, to automatically without resetting the dials.
record up to 27 columns of information
on an 80-column card. Perforations in Coupons
Fig. 40
Holes in Tags
When tags are used, it is possible to create
the native language deliberately, only by
setting the dials of a print-punch recorder,
figure 41. Once the dials are set, many tags
When coupons are used, it is possible to create
the native language deliberately, only by
setting dials, inserting pins, or depressing the
keys of a perforator, figures 42 and 43. Once
set, the machine will perforate many coupons
simultaneously.
Dots
When dots are to be scanned as the input, it
is possible to create the native language only
by blacking-in a circle with a pencil. on a
specially designed form.
Bars
When bars are to be scanned as the input for
selected data, it is possible to create the native
language deliberately by obtaining an impression
of the code from a metal or plastic plate, using
a device similar to that in figure 23.
Selected Typefaces
When selected typefaces are to be read, it is
possible to create the native language deliber-
ately with a data recorder similar to that in
figure 23. The native language can also be
Al :
. ' . i SiNG AND
TED ~ i
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DELIBERATE CREATION OF A Methods of creating byproducts vary.
COUPON USING AN The following pages describe machines which
ELECTRICALLY OPERATED capture native languages as the byproduct of an
PREFORATOR essential operation.
created by typing or printing with the proper
typeface.
Magnetic Ink
When magnetic ink is used as the native
language for source data automation, it is
possible to create the language in an iron-oxide-
bearing ink, by use of standard duplicating or
printing equipment. Another way of creating
the language involves imprinting with a device
similar to that in figure 23, equipped with a
special ribbon bearing iron oxide ink.
BYPRODUCT CREATION OF A
NATIVE LANGUAGE
The byproduct capture of data in the native
machine language is not new, though it some-
times has not been recognized as such. For
many years it has been possible to list detailed
transactions from unit records in punched cards
and simultaneously create, through a cable
connected piece of auxiliary equipment, a
summary card indicating total transactions on
a class of items.
Holes in Tape
Most models of equipment using tape as the
carrier of the native language produced the
tape and a ribbon copy simultaneously. Often
it is essential to type data, at its inception,
on some form or document. If at this time a
tape is produced for other steps in the paper-
work cycle, the tape may be considered as the
byproduct of a necessary operation.
Most models of equipment which basically
operate from or produce paper tape permit
the simultaneous creation of one or two by-
products in native languages.
Figure 44 is an illustration of a procure-
ment system existing in many places today.
Byproduct tapes can be produced by the
punching device which is an integral part of
the typewriter, by a cable connected auxiliary
tape punch, or by both punches. The by-
product tape being used in the second type-
writer (6), figure 44, is producing still another
byproduct tape for further source data auto-
mation.
When a keypunch machine, 80 or 90
columns, is connected by cable to the tape-
actuated typewriter (fig. 45), punched cards
are produced in their native language, as the
byproduct of a necessary typing operation.
It is worth noting that the tape-actuated
typewriter in this instance is reading punched
cards as its input, rather than conventional
tape. Typing from the punched card is con-
trolled by the program tape in the equip-
ment called the selective secondary input (2).
The punching devices, either those that
are integral parts of the typewriter or those
cable connected to the typewriter, may be
capturing in a native language all of the data,
selected bits of data, or a combination of all
and selected bits.
It is frequently possible to produce a
byproduct 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-channel tape or
punched cards of the 80- or 90-column variety
without the use of a tape or punched card
device as the basic input. If a typewritten
document is not needed at the source of the
32
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PURCHASE ORDER AND CHECK WRITING SYSTEM USING BY PRODUCT DATA CAPTURE
Vendor
Wide Tape
Byproduct Tape
For Automatic
Writing of
Daily Check
Register and
Tape-to-Card
Conversion.
0
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 Approved For Release 2001/07/17 : CIA-RDP74-00005R000100020045-3
SALES ORDER SYSTEM USING PUNCHED CARDS AND TAPE ACTUATED TYPEWRITER
Customer & Item
Punched Cards
Secondary Selective
Input Device and
Punched Card
Writing Control Unit
Unit to Control Operation
of Key Punch Machine
Manual Data
Selector
Punched Cards
for Sales
Analyses and
Commission Computation.
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da a, a paper tape or a punched card can be
created from the following conventional pieces
of office equipment:
Adding machines, figure 46, which per-
form all the regular functions of such
a machine and produce a punched
paper tape.
Accounting machines, figure 47, which
produce either paper tape or punched
cards as a byproduct of normal de-
scriptive accounting procedures.
Bookkeeping machines, figure 48, which
produce either paper tape or punched
cards as a byproduct of normal non-
descriptive accounting procedures. .
Cash registers, figure 49, often called
point-of-sale recorders, which produce
either paper tape or punched cards as
a byproduct of on-the-spot sale re-
cordings.
Holes in cards
Many of the machines described in the previous
paragraphs, that are capable of producing tape
as a byproduct, can also produce punched
cards as a byproduct.
Perhaps the best known byproduct of
punched cards is the summary card. This
card is produced by cable connecting a device
known as a summary punch or document
originating machine to the electric accounting
1111ew III Fib
machine (commonly called a tabulator, which
trade term is used hereafter to avoid any
confusion with other types of accounting
machines). Figure 50 illustrates typical equip-
ment. The tabulator could be producing a
summary listing or a detail unit record listing
of the cards it is reading, at the same time
it is producing the punched summary card.
Another byproduct of a punched card is
the result of card duplicating. The keypunch
machine, figure 51, used to create deliberately
the native language of the punched card, has
the ability to duplicate selected data from the
last card it punched into the card it is now
punching. Thus, the card duplicating feature
permits creation of a byproduct unit record
from its previously punched unit record.
Byproduct punched cards are also possible
as the result of time and attendance recording.
A timeclock, figure 52, used to record time-in,
time-out, or other time factors, can print the
time on the card and simultaneously punch an
80-column card.
Metal or plastic identification cards, similar
to gasoline company credit cards, can contain
embossed data for repetitive writing in the
lower portion of the card and an in-line five-
channel code in punched holes in the upper
portion-another native language similar to the
five-channel telecommunications code. A card
of this nature is illustrated as figure 53. When
this card is used in a device similar to that
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shown in figure 54, the holes in the upper portion
of the card actuate a punching mechanism to
punch selected data, such as account number,
directly into a punched card. Variable infor-
mation may be lever set or key set to be punched
into the same card. Thus, the punched-card
native language is being produced as a by-
product of a writing (imprinting) operation.
Holes in Tags
At the present there is no known method of
creating the native language of the print-punch
tag as the byproduct of another operation.
Tags can be used to produce a byproduct five-,
six-, seven-, or eight-channel tape with an
auxiliary reader attached to a point-of-sale
recorder, similar to that shown in figure 49.
Variable data can be keyed in with the cash
register, and fixed data can be obtained from
the tag attached to the merchandise. Thus, a
byproduct tape can be produced every time a
sale is rung up, in a native language acceptable
for further source data automation.
Tags can be used to inventory merchandise
on the shelves. A portable unit for reading
tags attached to merchandise produces a
byproduct tape containing data from the tag
and variable data which has been entered from
a keyboard or dials. Figure 55 illustrates such
a reader for print-punch tags, while figure 56
illustrates usch a reader for plastic or metal
card. With these devices, a byproduct of
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 Approved Fob Tease 2001/0711 CIQ R P74 Q QQ OOQ 10 ~~ ~ 5
BY PRODUCT CAPTURE OF A PUNCHED CARD
BY SUMMARY PUNCHING
Summary Card
(Punched Totals)
ACCOUNTING
MACHINE
DOCUMENT-ORIGINATING
MACHINE
A PUNCHED SUMMARY
CARD FOR EACH GROUP
OF UNIT RECORDS
Fig. 50
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BY PRODUCT CAPTURE OF A PUNCHED CARD THRU THE KEY PUNCH MACHINE
(DUPLICATING)
Date
'
Master Card
A
inventorying materials is a tape in the required
native language for further source data automa-
tion.
Perforations in Coupons
Only one known means of creating the native
language of the coupon as the byproduct of
another operation now exists. The batch
number and amount can by perforated into
coupons, with a combined adding machine and
perforator, while the adding machine produces
a printed adding machine tape. Figure 57
illustrates such a device.
Dots
There is no known method, at this time, of
producing dots as the byproduct of another
operation.
Bars
Bars as a native language are always a by-
product of an imprinting operation. Each time
the imprinter produces an image on a paper
document, the necessary numerical data in the
native language of the bar-reading devices
is also produced.
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BY PRODUCT CAPTURE OF A PUNCHED BY PRODUCT USE OF PRINT PUNCH TAG
CARD USING AN EMBOSSED CREDIT CARD FOR INVENTORYING MERCHANDISE
INTERNATIONAL CFtEDkT CARD
358 906 793 4
JOHN 0 PUBLIC
1234 ANYWHERE ST
ANYPLACE CALIF
BY PRODUCT CAPTURE
OF A PUNCHED CARD
READER FOR EMBOSSED CARDS
Name, address, and account number,
already captured in the native language of tape
or punched cards, can be used to produce
metal or plastic identification cards. Figure
58 illustrates an embossing machine used to
produce metal or plastic identification cards
from tape or punched cards which may have
been captured as the byproduct of another
necessary operation.
Identification cards can have "human"
readable language as well as the bar code for
numerical data. Similar competitive devices
can produce the five-channel in-line punched
hole code in plastic cards, in lieu of the bar
code.
Selected Typefaces
The use of selected typefaces as a native
language for reading is predicated on the pro-
duction of selected data in the required native
language as the byproduct of a necessary writing
operation.
In plastic or metal identification cards,
stylized typefaces have all of the same attributes
as the bar code. Imprinting from the plates
produces the necessary native language as a
byproduct. Plates can be produced through
an embossing machine, figure 58, as the by-
product of another necessary operation.
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 FRk-uu%-1 Uat UP METAL OR PLASTIC
EMBOSSED CARD FOR INVENTORYING
BY PRODUCT COUPON PERFORATION
WITH AN ADDING MACHINE
Typing or printing on a necessary form or
document, in the selected typeface, makes that
form or document acceptable as input to the
reader in use. Thus, each form of document
prepared as a necessary typing or printing
operation automatically produces the native
Fig. 58
language as a byproduct to that writing opera-
tion.
Magnetic Ink
In the banking industry, most of the data are
deliberately created by printing or imprinting
in an iron oxide ink. Plastic cards, embossed
with E13-B typeface, can be used to imprint
account numbers on deposit slips carbonized
with special iron oxide carbon paper. These
slips are scanned by a machine similar to the
one in figure 59. Still missing from the papers,
however, is the amount of money for which the
check or other financial instrument is drawn.
The missing data can be placed on the document
in magnetic ink, as a byproduct of an adding or
bankproof machine operation.
CONVERSION CREATION OF A
NATIVE LANGUAGE
Until recently each manufacturer made only
equipment that operated from the carriers he
had selected and that operated only from the
native language he wanted. The preceding
discussion of the byproduct creation of a native
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Fig. 59
language has given some indication of how this
picture has changed in recent years. The dis-
cussion has covered the byproduct capture of
a native language: on punched cards from tape-
actuated machines, on tape from punched-card-
actuated typewriters, and on punched cards or
tape from machines not normally associated
with source data automation, such as account-
ing, bookkeeping, and adding machines.
However, using a single native language for
a complex paperwork system hampers mechani-
zation to its full potential. Manufacturers of
data-processing equipment recognize that one
organization may justify a tape-actuated system
while another requires a punched-card system.
Perhaps even a computer may be required for a
still larger organization. The data flowing be-
tween these three different organizations would
not have been compatible. The native lan-
guage of each set of equipment was not uniform
or interchangeable. Although the data had
once been put in a native language, that lan-
guage was valueless to the other organizations
without their resorting to manual key depres-
sions. With this condition becoming more and
more prevalent, manufacturers brought forth
a new type of equipment-thus was born the
line of equipment called converters.
It is safe to say that any native language
used to source-data-automate any paperwork
system can, if the need exists, be converted to
any other native language by the use of the
proper converter. If a new native language is
developed by a manufacturer, a converter to
change that new language to any other native
language will soon appear on the market.
Some of the representative converters now
available are described in the table, figure 60.
Another device for conversion is called an
intercoupler. Intercouplers are electromechan-
ical units which interconnect two machines,
thereby making the operation of one or both
machines automatic. The intercoupler may be
used to feed data, in a native language, to a
conventional office machine; to operate another
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 tjr9 2i3 $~~I~t/?~`/t~ .T IAi~~74-~~0 fl~ @ ~$QA ~~> p er attached to a con-
ventional accounting machine to
tional office machine. The illustration, figure machine to accept a native language as inp to
REPRESENTATIVE CONVERTERS
Any 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-channel
tape.
Any 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-channel
wide tape.
Any other 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-channel
tape.
Any magnetic tape ..............
80- or 90-column punched cards... .
Embossed metal or plastic cards.. .
Any 8-channel narrow tape....... .
Any 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-channel paper
tape.
80-or 90-column punched cards ....
SEE
FIGURE
Any 80- or 90-column card.. Any 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-channel paper
tape.
Any magnetic tape ..............
Embossed metal or plastic cards.... 58
Any size print-punch tag....
Any 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-channel paper
tape.
80- or 90-column punched cards...
Output may be conventional type
fonts, selected type fonts for
reading, in-line punching in upper
part of a plastic card, combi-
nations of foregoing.
Output may be conventional type
fonts, selected type fonts for
reading, in-line punching in upper
part of a plastic card, combi-
nations of foregoing.
Conversion is a necessity. No
equipment is available for direct
processing. Dials in converter
permit addition of constant infor-
mation during conversion.
Any size perforated coupon..
Any 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-channel paper
tape.
Conversion is a necessity. Except
for sorting coupons, no equipment
is available for direct processing.
Bar code impressed on an
80- or 90-column card.
Punched holes in the same card ....
Figure 60
42
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 Approved For Release 2001/07/17 .: CIA-RDP74GUlIAId5 RI8?4-ONW04 ER TAPE TO
NARROW PAPER TAPE
.:'? AP
Fig. 61
C;' " P TAPE ~.
TAW
Fig. 62
gIM
Fig. 63
Fig. 65
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 CONVERTER- INTERCOUPLER BEING ATTACHED TO
A CONVENTIONAL BOOKEEPING MACHINE
Fig. 67
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 Approved For Rel-tse lffX0e 7TtiG~ll~12t4 jt00~ 5RflQQd9A,2 S
No simple and straightforward answer is
possible to the question, "Which machine or
machines are best adapted to a specific paper-
work system or office function?" Since there
are many variables, each proposed application
must be weighed on its own merits.
One of the principal variables influencing
selection of equipment is the function, or com-
bination of functions, to be performed in the
complete paperwork cycle. A particular func-
tion in a system may be best performed with
tape, while another function in the same system
can best be carried out with punched cards.
Selection of tape equipment, card equipment,
or combinations of both, must be determined by
the overall advantages to the total system.
Since the function to be performed strongly
influences selection of equipment, the capa-
bilities of certain machines for performing
office functious should be compared. At this
point only tapes and cards as the carriers of the
native language are discussed, since-
* Processing with tags is accomplished
after conversion to tapes, cards, or
magnetic tapes.
? Processing with coupons is accom-
plished after conversion to tapes,
cards, or magnetic tapes, except for
sorting the coupons.
? Processing with bars, dots, and selected
type faces is accomplished principally
after conversion to tapes, cards, or
magnetic tapes.
? Processing with magnetic ink is at
present limited to the banking indus-
try, although some office applications
may be developed at a later date.
At this point, a subject not mentioned before
is introduced-the transmission of data. Data
can be transmitted in two basic ways: over a
wire, as by telephone, or over the air, as by
radio. Regardless of the method elected, the
means of transmission is called a communica-
tions network. Networks may be:
Rented on a toll basis-Paid for by the
time the circuit is actually tied up.
Rented on an hourly basis--Paid for at
an hourly rate, by the hours the circuit
is in use. Hourly costs vary, depend-
ing on anticipated volume of traffic.
Leased-Paid for at a flat rate. Available
at all hours.
Owned privately-Built and operated at
will by individual owners.
Communications networks are required
whether the distance involved is across the
room to another piece of equipment or across
the country to another office. Cable connect-
ing two pieces of adjoining source data automa-
tion machinery is really the equivalent of a
communications network. The manufacturer,
however, frequently furnishes the necessary
wires and contacts as integral parts of his
machines.
Depending upon the type and model of
equipment in use, communications equipment
may allow sending and receiving only one mes-
sage at a time from each end of a circuit, or as
many as four sending and four receiving ma-
chines operating simultaneously at each end.
Thus, it may be possible to send only one mes-
sage in one direction at a time, as many as four
messages in one direction at a time, or four
messages in both directions simultaneously.
The speed of transmission of data varies
according to the type and model of equipment
at each end of the circuit. Speeds of most
standard equipment vary from 60 words (300
letters, spaces, or symbols) per minute to
approximately 2,500 characters per minute.
In general, the higher the transmission speed,
the greater the cost of the equipment required
at each end of the network.
Accuracy of transmission depends upon
the quality of the communications network.
Like static, which destroys enjoyment of a
radio program, noise on a communications
network destroys the accuracy of data trans-
mission. The accuracy of a network and its
costs are in direct ratio. Higher transmission
speeds also require networks with a greater
degree of accuracy. If data transmission is a
vital part of a paperwork system, it is suggested
that a communications specialist be consulted.
WHAT FUNCTIONS?
After repetitive data have been captured in a
native language, many routine office functions
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 r ormerdR~ amac0e 07 1 ei