US 4,074,798 A · Encoded print wheel system

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing variable print hammer energy information and variable character spacing information for every character of every font in an electronic typing system having interchangeable print wheels, wherein the individual print wheels carry self-descriptive information in coded form on a read-only memory. The descriptive information is encoded on a portion of the print wheel and contains, in high density, machine readable, permanent form, sufficient coded data to instruct the electronic typing system as to the optimal use of the particular font of characters contained on the type wheel. In a preferred embodiment, a single initializing revolution of the print wheel upon each insertion or machine start-up cycle serves to load the encoded data into a read/write memory for subsequent call-up and use by the electronic typing system during the print-out of each character. The data is serially encoded on the print wheel for reading by single track optional sensing apparatus. Alternate embodiments using parallel data tracks and magnetic sensing apparatus are discussed.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An electronic printing system having a serial impact printer, an electronic processor, and means for inputting data to be printed, comprising:

a print element connected to said impact printer and having a plurality of characters arrayed thereon, said element having a read only memory containing coded information associated with selected parameters of said characters, said read only memory containing an index position designating a start characters, said read only memory containing an index position designating a start of message;
means for reading the coded information contained in said memory and for converting said coded information into a set of signals;
means for providing at least one complete revolution of the print element with respect to the index position prior to inputting data to the printer for subsequent printing, whereby said coded information is read by said code reading means;
and
a read/write memory means operatively connected to said reading means and to said electronic processor for receiving and storing said set of signals, whereby said stored signals are provided in said printing system immediately after each character is selected without the delays associated with waiting for a character to reach a print position for printing each character in accordance therewith.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Encoded print wheel system

Life of this patent

Encoded print wheel system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21