General purpose combined alphanumeric/graphics printer

A general purpose printer for generating documentation of data supplied thereto by a host system, the printer comprising:

• a stationary printhead including a plurality of thermal dot printing elements organized as a linear array for generating dot patterns on a heat-sensitive print medium;
• a microcomputer coupled for receipt of digital data from the host system, operative to provide output data of a nonrestrictive format;
• first interface means coupled between the microcomputer and the printhead, operative to convert data received from the microcomputer into enabling signals for selected dot printing elements;
• stepper motor means having a rotatable member coupled to a roll of heat sensitive paper and drive circuit means coupled to the microcomputer, operative to move the heat sensitive paper relative to the printhead at a rate determined by signals received from the microcomputer;
• and
• the microcomputer including a microprocessor having associated addressable memory means, addressable peripheral interface adaptor means for coupling the microprocessor to the first interface means, addressable asynchronous communication interface adaptor means for coupling serial input digital data from the host system to the microprocessor, and programmable timer means coupled to the microprocessor, operative to generate timing signals for use by the microprocessor in transmitting step commands via the peripheral interface adaptor means to the stepper motor drive circuit means.