US4074067A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital printout arrangement with magnetic field carriage drive
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-06-25
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Granted: 1978-02-14
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Expires: 1996-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A digital printout arrangement to print out a predetermined character response to a known coded input signal. The printout arrangement has a rotatably moveable platen for moving the medium upon which the printing is to occur in both forward and reverse directions. A printhead, which may be of the dot matrix type, is mounted on a carriage that moves reciprocatingly adjacent the platen. An incremental print ribbon is intermediate the platen and printhead to allow printing on the medium in response to activation of the dot printers in the printhead. The platen, printhead and print ribbon are digitally moved in response to digital control signals. A microprocessor, which comprises, essentially, a mini, special purpose computer is provided and has a storage means, a memory means and logic for generating the digital control signals in response to known input signals. The input signal may, for example, be of the serial by bit coded type and is converted into a parallel by character coded signal. The microprocessor generates the appropriate signals for control of the various components. Position sensing means for detecting the position of various components may also be provided. The microprocessor may store in a memory various programs for specific responses to the known input signal. The carriage drive means is preferably of the linear induction motor type and the carriage is free of direct mechanical interconnection to the carriage drive means.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur Speckhard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:46
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S400/00; Y10S400/902; Y10S400/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
314 words
In a printout arrangement for providing a predetermined printout on a medium in response to a known first coded information signal, the improvement comprising, in combination: a platen means for incremental, digital rotational movement adjacent said medium to move said medium in first directions; platen drive means operatively connected to said platen means for selectively moving said platen in response to a platen control signal; carriage means adjacent said medium for digital incremental reciprocating motion in second directions different from said first directions; carriage drive means operatively connected to said carriage means for driving said carriage in said second directions in response to a carriage drive signal, and said carriage drive means comprising means for providing magnetic forces for interaction between said carriage drive means and said carriage to provide said digital incremental reciprocating motion thereof, and said carriage means being free of mechanical interconnection to said carriage drive means; a print head means mounted on said carriage means for movement therewith, for printing predetermined sequential patterns on the medium; print head control means operatively connected to said print head for controlling said predetermined sequential patterns of printing in response to a print control signal; ribbon means mounted for digital, incremental movement intermediate said print head and said medium; ribbon drive means operatively connected to said ribbon for selectively moving said ribbon in response to a ribbon control signal; data converter means for receiving said first coded informaton signal and converting said first coded information signal to a second coded information signal different from said first coded information signal; microprocessor means for receiving said second coded information signal and generating said platen control signal, said carriage control signal, said print control signal and said ribbon control signal in response to said second coded information signal in an interrelated predetermined timed sequence to provide said sequential patterns of printing in predetermined locations on said medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
314 words
In a printout arrangement for providing a predetermined printout on a medium in response to a known first coded information signal, the improvement comprising, in combination: a platen means for incremental, digital rotational movement adjacent said medium to move said medium in first directions; platen drive means operatively connected to said platen means for selectively moving said platen in response to a platen control signal; carriage means adjacent said medium for digital incremental reciprocating motion in second directions different from said first directions; carriage drive means operatively connected to said carriage means for driving said carriage in said second directions in response to a carriage drive signal, and said carriage drive means comprising means for providing magnetic forces for interaction between said carriage drive means and said carriage to provide said digital incremental reciprocating motion thereof, and said carriage means being free of mechanical interconnection to said carriage drive means; a print head means mounted on said carriage means for movement therewith, for printing predetermined sequential patterns on the medium; print head control means operatively connected to said print head for controlling said predetermined sequential patterns of printing in response to a print control signal; ribbon means mounted for digital, incremental movement intermediate said print head and said medium; ribbon drive means operatively connected to said ribbon for selectively moving said ribbon in response to a ribbon control signal; data converter means for receiving said first coded informaton signal and converting said first coded information signal to a second coded information signal different from said first coded information signal; microprocessor means for receiving said second coded information signal and generating said platen control signal, said carriage control signal, said print control signal and said ribbon control signal in response to said second coded information signal in an interrelated predetermined timed sequence to provide said sequential patterns of printing in predetermined locations on said medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein: said known first coded information signal is a serial by bit information signal and said second coded information signal is a parallel by character information signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein: said data converter means is in a memory section means of said microprocessor means and said second coded information signal is generated by a predetermined program in said memory section means in response to said first coded information signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The arrangement defined in claim 1 and further comprising: platen position detection means for detecting a relative position of said platen and generating a platen position signal corresponding thereto, for transmission to said microprocessor means, and said platen control signal responsive to said platen position signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The arrangement defined in claim 1 and further comprising: carriage position detection means for detecting the relative position of said carriage with respect to said medium and generating a carriage position signal corresponding thereto for transmission to said microprocessor means and said carriage control signal responsive to said carriage position signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein: said carriage drive means further comprises: a track means comprising a linear array of spaced apart magnetic bar means in a predetermined spaced array; a predetermined plurality of magnetic means mounted on said carriage means and in magnetic field interaction relationship to said track means, whereby selectively changing the polarity of said plurality of magnetic means on said carriage means with respect to the polarity of the plurality of magnetic bar means on said track means move said carriage means in said second directions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein said print head further comprises: a dot printer comprising a plurality of selectively operable wire dot printers aligned in a predetermined spaced array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The arrangement defined in claim 7 wherein said dot printer further comprises: seven dot printers aligned in a direction substantially parallel to said first directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
The arrangement defined in claim 1 and further comprising: a key board for selectively generating a plurality of discrete, separate key board signals in response to selective operation of said keyboard means; said microprocessor means further comprising: keyboard signal input terminal means for receiving said keyboard signals; second data converter means connected to said keyboard signal input terminal for converting said keyboard signals into a third coded information signal; output terminal means for receiving said third coded information signal and transmitting same to regions external said printout arrangement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The arragement defined in claim 9 wherein: said first coded information signal and said third coded information signals are serial by bit coded signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The arrangement defined in claim 9 wherein said microprocessor means further comprises: means for receiving said third coded information signal and generating said platen control signal, said carriage control signal, said print control signal and said ribbon control signal in response to said third coded information signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The arrangement defined in claim 11 wherein said first coded information signal and said third coded information signal are serial by bit information signals and said second coded information signal is a parallel by character information signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The arrangement defined in claim 12 and further comprising: platen position detecting means for detecting the position of said platen means and generating a platen position signal corresponding thereto for transmission to said microprocessor means and said platen control signal responsive to said platen position signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The arrangement defined in claim 12 and further comprising: carriage position detection means for detecting the relative position of said carriage with respect to said medium and generating a carriage position signal corresponding thereto for transmission to said microprocessor means and said carriage control signal responsive to said carriage position signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
91 words
The arrangement defined in claim 9 wherein said carriage drive means further comprises: a track means comprising a linear array of spaced apart magnetic bar means in a predetermined spaced array; a predetermined plurality of magnetic means mounted on said carriage means and in magnetic field interaction relationship to said track means, whereby selectively changing the polarity of said plurality of magnetic means on said carriage means with respect to the polarity of the plurality of magnetic bar means on said track means move said carriage means in said second direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
87 words
The arrangement defined in claim 6 and further comprising: platen position detection means for detecting the position of said platen and generating a platen position signal corresponding thereto for transmission to said microprocessor means and said platen control signal responsive to said platen position signal; carriage position detection means for detecting the relative position of said carriage with respect to said medium and generating a carriage position signal corresponding thereto for transmission to said microprocessor means and said carriage control signal responsive to said carriage position signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
87 words
The arrangement defined in claim 15 and further comprising: platen position detection means for detecting the position of said platen and generating a platen position signal corresponding thereto for transmission to said microprocessor means and said platen control signal responsive to said platen position signal; carriage position detection means for detecting the relative position of said carriage with respect to said medium and generating a carriage position signal corresponding thereto for transmission to said microprocessor means and said carriage control signal responsive to said carriage position signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The arrangement defined in claim 17 wherein said print head further comprises: a dot printer comprising a plurality of selectively operable wire dot printers aligned in a predetermined spaced array.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-13 | 1981-08-15 | 1982-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-13 | 1985-08-15 | 1986-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-13 | 1989-08-15 | 1990-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |