Method and apparatus for printing segmented characters

Apparatus for printing normal size, double size and triple size graphic patterns of the dot matrix type on a paper document comprising:

• first character generator means for storing dot matrix patterns for normal size graphic patterns, wherein each printable pattern is created within an M row by N column dot matrix where M and N are real integers greater than one;
• second character generator means for storing dot matrix patterns for segmented graphic patterns wherein each printable pattern is created within a P-row by Q-column dot matrix wherein P and Q are real integers greater than one;
• print means for printing dot columns;
• means for moving said print means during printing;
• registration means responsive to movement of said print means for generating dot column trigger pulses;
• register means for storing a plurality of code words, each word comprising a first group of binary bits for identifying the character generator, a second group of binary bits representative of one of the dot patterns stored in said character generators;
• said register means having an output stage;
• means responsive to loading said register means for activating said moving means;
• whereby said trigger pulses are applied to said character generators;
• gating means coupled to said output stage and responsive to said second group of binary bits to couple said output stage to the character generator means identified by said second group of binary bits whereby said first group of binary bits selects one of said dot patterns and said trigger pulses sequentially applies each dot column of said pattern to said printing means;
• said trigger generator means further comprising means for shifting the next code word in said register means into said output stage upon completion of the last dot column of the selected dot matrix pattern;
• means responsive to completion of a line of print for clearing said register means and advancing said paper document a distance equal to the height of a segmented pattern, whereby adjacent lines of segmented patterns cooperatively form a double or triple size graphic pattern.

A method of selectively printing alpha-numeric characters, symbols and the like of M times a "normal" height H on a document comprising the steps of:

• a. printing a plurality of segmented patterns along one line of said document each pattern comprising dot positions arranged in a regular matrix of M rows and N columns defining M times N possible dot positions, each such pattern occupying a uniform sized area A of predetermined height H and width W,
• each area containing a selected pattern of dots located at equi-spaced dot locations, whereby groups of N patterns are printed successively, the width of each group being NW;
• b. advancing the document in a direction perpendicular to the direction of printing by a distance equal to the height H upon completion of a line of print;
• c. printing a plurality of segmented patterns along the next line of said document whereby the patterns on said next line are positioned immediately beneath an associated group of N patterns printed on the previous line;
• d. repeating steps (a) through (c) until M, segmented patterns are printed in the perpendicular direction whereby each completed character is comprised of N times M segmented patterns occupying an area of height MH and width NW;
• e. advancing the document through a distance greater than said height H when a line of characters M times the uniform height H is completed in readiness to print the next group of characters.