Abstract: A shorthand machine including an electric drive system to advance the platen. In accordance with the invention, the platen can be advanced in a fully mechanical, conventional mode, fully electric mode, or by a combination of electric and mechanical drives. In the electric or electric/mechanical modes, after the shorthand machine operator makes a key stroke and releases the keys, an electric circuit pulses an electric motor connected to the platen to drive the platen for a predetermined duration of time. Subsequent to the driving pulse, power to the motor is reversed to quickly brake the motor and bring it to a rapid stop. The duration of time that the motor is activated may be varied, varying the amount of advancement of the platen, and thus varying the distance between recorded key strokes for each word or part of word generated by the operator of the shorthand machine.

Abstract: A shorthand machine including an electric drive system to advance the platen. In accordance with the invention, the platen can be advanced in a fully mechanical, conventional mode, fully electric mode, or by a combination of electric and mechanical drives. In the electric or electric/mechanical modes, after the shorthand machine operator makes a key stroke and releases the keys, an electric circuit pulses an electric motor connected to the platen to drive the platen for a predetermined duration of time. Subsequent to the driving pulse, power to the motor is reversed to quickly brake the motor and bring it to a rapid stop. The duration of time that the motor is activated may be varied, varying the amount of advancement of the platen, and thus varying the distance between received key strokes for each word or part of word generated by the operator of the shorthand machine.

Abstract: A digital data recorder is adapted for receiving a plurality of parallel input data members for defining a single input signal. Any of the input data members may change in identity during the presentation of the single input signal, and the recorder gives priority identity to any input data member which is of the priority identity for any time during the presentation. The recorder produces a serial, digital data output signal comprising a finite sequence of binary data bits in one-to-one correspondence with the parallel input data members, with the binary state of the bit corresponding to the identity of the input member. The serial, digital output signal is suitable for recording on the single channel of a magnetic tape for fully defining the input signal. The recorder is described in detail as adapted for recording the words taken by a shorthand machine.