Computing device

Claim 2

In a fluid dispensing system having a register operable for registering the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and a settable variator connected for operating the register in Accordance with the volumetric amount of fluid dispensed and a multiple place unit volume price established by the variator setting, the improvement wherein the variator comprises a rotary pulse actuating device adapted to be rotated in accordance with the volumetric amount of fluid dispensed and having a plurality of pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of separate pulse actuator circles coaxial with the axis of the pulse actuating device to provide a plurality of coaxial pulse actuator sets, a plurality of separate pulse generating means for the multiple places respectively of the multiple place unit volume price each mounted for cooperation with all the pulse actuator sets for generating a separate output pulse train for the respective place of the multiple place price as the pulse actuating device rotates, each separate pulse generating means comprising control means for selectively setting the number of pulses in its output pulse train for a revolution of the rotary pulse actuating device by selectively deactivating the cooperating pulse actuator sets with respect thereto for thereby setting the numerical amount of the respective place of the multiple place price, and connecting means for connecting the separate output pulse trains for operating the register in accordance with the relative values of the corresponding places respectively of the multiple place price.

Claim 3

In a fluid dispensing system according to claim 1 wherein each of said separate pulse generating means comprises a bank of pulse generators cooperable with the rotary pulse actuating device for generating noncoincident pulses as the pulse actuating device rotates and connected for providing the respective output pulse train, and control means for selectively deactivating the respective pulse generators for setting the number of pulses in the respective output pulse train.

Claim 4

In a fluid dispensing system according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of separate pulse generating means are angularly spaced about the axis of the rotary pulse actuating device to provide separate output pulse trains with noncoincident pulses.

Claim 5

In a fluid dispensing system according to claim 1 wherein the connecting means comprises pulse dividing means operated by at least the pulses of the output pulse trains corresponding to the lower order places of the multiple place price for operating the register with the output pulse trains in accordance with the respective relative values of the corresponding places of the multipole place price.

Claim 6

In a fluid dispensing system according to claim 4 wherein the dividing means comprises decade counting means.

Claim 7

In a fluid dispensing system according to claim 1 wherein said means cooperable with the rotary pulse actuator comprises a bank of generators each cooperable with the rotary pulse actuator for generating an intermediate series of a fixed number of pulses for a revolution of the rotary actuator, and wherein the control means is operable for selectively combining the intermediate series of pulses for establishing each of said separate output pulse trains with a preselected number of pulses for a revolution of the pulse actuator.

Claim 8

In a fluid dispensing system having a register adapted to be indexed for registering the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and a cost computing device driven in accordance with the volumetric amount of fluid dispensed, adjustable to select the price per unit volume of fluid and connected for indexing the register in accordance with the selected price, the improvement wherein the computing device comprises at least two banks of pulse generators of ascending order each having a plurality of pulse generators adapted to provide a different number of pulses respectively for each unit volume of fluid dispensed, the pulse generators having control means for selective deactivation thereof for varying the total number of pulses generated by the bank of pulse generators in accordance with the selected price, and connecting means for connecting tHe banks of pulse generators to the register to index the register in accordance with the number of generated pulses, the banks of pulse generators of ascending order comprising a common bank of coaxial rotary pulse actuator sets rotated in accordance with the amount of fluid dispensed, and a single detector for each of the coaxial pulse actuator sets for generating pulses in accordance with the angular displacement of the respective pulse actuator set, all of the banks of pulse generators excepting one comprising time delay means for delaying its pulse with respect to the generated pulses of said one bank to provide a train of noncoincident pulses.

Claim 9

In a fluid dispensing system having a register adapted to be indexed for registering the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and a cost computing device driven in accordance with the volumetric amount of fluid dispensed, adjustable to select the price per unit volume of fluid and connected for indexing the register in accordance with the selected price, the improvement wherein the computing device comprises at least two banks of pulse generators of ascending order each having a plurality of pulse generators adapted to provide a different number of pulses respectively for each unit volume of fluid dispensed, the pulse generators having control means for selective deactivation thereof for varying the total number of pulses generated by the bank of pulse generators in accordance with the selected price, and connecting means for connecting tHe banks of pulse generators to the register to index the register in accordance with the number of generated pulses, the banks of pulse generators of ascending order comprising a common bank of coaxial rotary pulse actuator sets rotated in accordance with the amount of fluid dispensed, and a single detector for each of the coaxial pulse actuator sets for generating pulses in accordance with the angular displacement of the respective pulse actuator set, all of the banks of pulse generators excepting one comprising time delay means for delaying its pulse with respect to the generated pulses of said one bank to provide a train of noncoincident pulses.

Claim 10

A computing device comprising a rotatable pulse actuating device having an integral rotor with a plurality of pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of separate pulse actuator circles coaxial with the axis of the pulse actuating device to provide a plurality of coaxial pulse actuator sets rotatable at the same angular velocity, a plurality of separate pulse generating means mounted in angularly spaced relationship about the axis of the rotor for cooperation with the pulse actuator sets with each pulse generating means mounted for cooperation with a plurality of pulse actuator sets, each pulse generating means being adapted to be operated by each pulse actuator of each pulse actuator set cooperating therewith as the pulse actuating device rotates to generate a corresponding train of noncoincident output pulses and comprising control means operable for selectively controlling its output pulse train by selectively deactivating each cooperating pulse actuator set with respect thereto, and a counting device connected to be operated by all of the output pulse trains for counting the product of a multiplier, established in accordance with the operation of the control means of the plurality of separate pulse generating means, and an amount proportional to the rotation of the pulse actuating device.

Claim 11

A computing device comprising a rotatable pulse actuating device having an integral rotor with a plurality of pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of separate pulse actuator circles coaxial with the axis of the pulse actuating device to provide a plurality of coaxial pulse actuator sets rotatable at the same angular velocity, a plurality of separate pulse generating means mounted in angularly spaced relationship about the axis of the rotor for cooperation with the pulse actuator sets with each pulse generating means mounted for cooperation with a plurality of pulse actuator sets, each pulse generating means being adapted to be operated by each pulse actuator of each pulse actuator set cooperating therewith as the pulse actuating device rotates to generate a corresponding train of noncoincident output pulses and comprising control means operable for selectively controlling its output pulse train by selectively deactivating each cooperating pulse actuator set with respect thereto, and a counting device connected to be operated by all of the output pulse trains for counting the product of a multiplier, established in accordance with the operation of the control means of the plurality of separate pulse generating means, and an amount proportional to the rotation of the pulse actuating device.

Claim 12

A computing device according to claim 8 wherein said separate pulse generating means is provided for each place of multiple place multiplier for establishing the amount thereof.

Claim 13

A computing device according to claim 9 wherein the plurality of pulse actuator sets cooperating with each separate pulse generating means have different numbers of pulse actuators such that by selective deactivation of the cooperating pulse actuator sets with respect to the pulse generating means the number of pulses in its output pulse train for each revolution of the pulse actuating device may be selected to equal any number in an arithmetical progression of 0, 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a-9a.

Claim 14

A computing device according to claim 8 wherein there are four pulse actuator sets cooperating with each said separate pulse generating means having numbers of pulse actuators in accordance with a geometrical progression having a common factor of 2.

Claim 15

A computing device according to claim 8 wherein each said separate pulse generating means is mounted for cooperation with all of said plurality of pulse actuator sets.

Claim 16

A computing device according to claim 8 wherein there are four pulse actuator sets cooperating with each said separate pulse generating means.

Claim 17

A computing device according to claim 8 wherein each said separate pulse generating means comprises a plurality of separate detectors mounted for cooperation with different pulse actuator sets respectively.

Claim 18

A computing device according to claim 8 wherein the plurality of pulse actuator sets have different numbers of pulse actuators in accordance with a geometrical progression.

Claim 19

A computing device according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of pulse actuator sets have numbers of pulse actuators in accordance with a geometrical progression of a, 2a, 4a....

Claim 20

A computing device according to claim 8 wherein the pulse actuating device comprises a plurality of coaxial discs each having at least one set of pulse actuators.

Claim 21

A Computing device according to claim 8 wherein the plurality of separate pulse generating means and the plurality of separate pulse generating means and the plurality of pulse actuators are oriented to provide a plurality of output pulse trains with noncoincident pulses.

Claim 22

A computing device according to claim 18 further comprising a common output line connecting the counting device to the plurality of separate pulse generating means for being operated by said plurality of output pulse trains.

Claim 23

A computing device according to claim 8 wherein the plurality of separate pulse generating means comprises electrical pulse generators for generating electrical pulses.

Claim 24

A computing device according to claim 20 wherein the plurality of separate pulse generator means comprise inductive pickups.

Claim 25

A computing device according to claim 8 wherein the plurality of separate pulse generator means comprise fluid pulse generator for generating fluid pulses.

Claim 26

A computing device comprising a rotatable pulse actuating device having a plurality of pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of separate pulse actuator circles coaxial with the axis of the pulse actuating device to provide a plurality of coaxial pulse actuator sets, a plurality of separate pickup means mounted for cooperation with the pulse actuator sets, each pickup means being adapted to be operated by each pulse actuator of each pulse actuator set cooperating therewith as the pulse actuating device rotates to generate a corresponding intermediate train of noncoincident pulses, the plurality of pickup means and plurality of pulse actuators cooperating to generate intermediate pulse trains having different numbers of noncoincident pulses for each revolution of the pulse actuating device, a plurality of separate control means each connected to a predetermined combination of the pickup means for generating a separate output pulse train, each separate control means being selectively operable to set the number of pulses in its output pulse train for a revolution of the rotary pulse actuating device by selectively eliminating therefrom the intermediate pulse trains of the pickup means connected thereto, and a counting device connected to be operated by all of the output pulse trains.

Claim 27

A computing device comprising a rotatable pulse actuating device having a plurality of pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of separate pulse actuator circles coaxial with the axis of the pulse actuating device to provide a plurality of coaxial pulse actuator sets, a plurality of separate pickup means mounted for cooperation with the pulse actuator sets, each pickup means being adapted to be operated by each pulse actuator of each pulse actuator set cooperating therewith as the pulse actuating device rotates to generate a corresponding intermediate train of noncoincident pulses, the plurality of pickup means and plurality of pulse actuators cooperating to generate intermediate pulse trains having different numbers of noncoincident pulses for each revolution of the pulse actuating device, a plurality of separate control means each connected to a predetermined combination of the pickup means for generating a separate output pulse train, each separate control means being selectively operable to set the number of pulses in its output pulse train for a revolution of the rotary pulse actuating device by selectively eliminating therefrom the intermediate pulse trains of the pickup means connected thereto, and a counting device connected to be operated by all of the output pulse trains.

Claim 28

A computing device for computing the product of an amount proportional to a rotational input and a multiple place multiplier comprising a rotatable pulse actuating device having a rotary input and a plurality of rotatable pulse apertures arranged in a plurality of separate pulse aperture circles, each coaxial with its axis of rotation, to form a plurality of separate pulse aperture sets, a plurality of pulse generating means for the multiple places respectively of the multiple place multiplier mounted for cooperation with the pulse aperture sets, each pulse generating means being adapted to be operated by each pulse aperture of each pulse aperture set cooperating therewith as it is rotated by the rotary input to generate a corresponding train of output pulses, and selector means operable for selectively controlling the output pulse trains of the plurality of pulse generating means by selectively activating and deactivating each pulse aperture set with respect to the cooperating pulse generating means, the selector means comprising a selector portion for each pulse generating means having activating apertures of activating selected pulse aperture sets with respect to the respective pulse generating means and masking portions for deactivating selected pulse aperture sets with respect to the respective pulse generating means, and a counting device connected to be operated by all of the output pulse trains for computing the product of a multiplier, established in accordance with the operation of the selector means and an amount proportional to the rotation of said rotary input.

Claim 29

A computing device for computing the product of an amount proportional to a rotational input and a multiple place multiplier comprising a rotatable pulse actuating device having a rotary input and a plurality of rotatable pulse apertures arranged in a plurality of separate pulse aperture circles, each coaxial with its axis of rotation, to form a plurality of separate pulse aperture sets, a plurality of pulse generating means for the multiple places respectively of the multiple place multiplier mounted for cooperation with the pulse aperture sets, each pulse generating means being adapted to be operated by each pulse aperture of each pulse aperture set cooperating therewith as it is rotated by the rotary input to generate a corresponding train of output pulses, and selector means operable for selectively controlling the output pulse trains of the plurality of pulse generating means by selectively activating and deactivating each pulse aperture set with respect to the cooperating pulse generating means, the selector means comprising a selector portion for each pulse generating means having activating apertures of activating selected pulse aperture sets with respect to the respective pulse generating means and masking portions for deactivating selected pulse aperture sets with respect to the respective pulse generating means, and a counting device connected to be operated by all of the output pulse trains for computing the product of a multiplier, established in accordance with the operation of the selector means and an amount proportional to the rotation of said rotary input.

Claim 30

A computing device according to claim 24 wherein the pulse actuating device comprises a plurality of rotatable computer sections for the multipLe places respectively of the multiple place multiplier and connected to the rotary input for being rotated thereby, each computer section comprising a plurality of pulse aperture sets and wherein each pulse generating means is mounted for cooperation with the pulse aperture sets of the respective computer section.

Claim 31

A computing device according to claim 25 wherein each computer section comprises rotary disc means connected to be rotated by the rotary input and having a plurality of coaxial pulse aperture sets.

Claim 32

A computing device according to claim 26 wherein each rotary disc means has a plurality of pulse aperture sets with numbers of pulse apertures such that by selective activation and deactivation of the pulse aperture sets with respect to the cooperating pulse generating means the number of pulses in its output pulse train for each revolution of the rotary input may be selected to equal any number in an arithmetical progression of 0, 1, 2a, 3a, 4a-9a wherein the constant a is a whole number.

Claim 33

A computing device according to claim 27 wherein the constants of the arithmetical progressions of pulses adapted to be provided by the plurality of disc means for each revolution of the rotary input vary between disc means by a factor of 10.

Claim 34

A computing device according to claim 26 wherein each disc means has four pulse aperture sets.

Claim 35

A computing device according to claim 26 wherein each disc means comprises a plurality of coaxial discs each having at least one set of pulse apertures.

Claim 36

A computing device according to claim 24 wherein each pulse generating means comprises a plurality of separate detectors mounted for cooperation with different pulse aperture sets respectively.

Claim 37

A computing device according to claim 24 further comprising a common output line connecting the counting device to the plurality of separate pulse generating means for being operated by their output pulse trains.

Claim 38

A computing device according to claim 24 wherein the selector means comprises aperture plate means with apertures for selectively activating the the pulse aperture sets.