Super Robinson is described in detail: the others, which do not differ in
principle, are mentioned in chapter 52.
For photographs see the end of this volume. (Fig 58(iii,iv,v,vi,vii))
Let four or fewer teleprinter streams punched on tapes, with uniformly
spaced sprocket-holes, be imagined laid side by side, so that their letters
correspond, sprocket-hole by sprocket-hole.
Robinson can count the number of places in the combined stream where
certain conditions are satisfied.
Rather more generally, it can count the number of places such that certain
conditions are satisfied involving that place, and the place one forward ( this
includes differencing) together with two conditions involving the place one back,
and one condition involving the place two back.
Apart from this it cannot count a condition involving two different places
except by using two tapes alike, appropriately staggered.
An essential feature is that the counts can be made in rapid succession,
with the various tapes in different relative positions ( stepping) : stepping is
necessarily uniform though the step between successive counts may be any number of
sprocket-holes.
54B HOW SCORES ARE EXHIBITED.
The scores so counted are exhibited in two ways
(i) On display.
(ii) By the printer.
The display is a ground glass screen on which numbers can be projected by
small electric lamps.
The four upper digits are the position counter, i.e. they show the relative
position of the tapes.
The four lower digits are the score counter.
The printer simply prints all 8 digits in order, without spacing. So that
e.g. 25341798, means position 2534 score 1798.
Footnote Display can be switched off either entirely or to show position only.
There are more printer details later.