Facsimile apparatus with multiple scanning and printing elements

A transceiver facsimile machine of the drum-type operable in a scan mode or print mode wherein the drum is rotatable while a scan/print head is moved axially of the drum to provide a scan action when in the scan mode and a print action when in the print mode including:

• a plurality of shift register means operable for providing serial/parallel operation for a scan mode of operation and operable for providing parallel/serial operation for a print mode of operation;
• a plurality of printing styli carried by the scan/print head each operatively connected to a different one of said shift register means for receiving serial data from said shift register means during the print mode;
• scanning means including a plurality of light-to-electric transducers carried by the scan/print head, each operatively connected to a different one of said shift register means for serial entry of data signals from said light-to-electric transducers to a different one of said shift register means during the scan mode;
• a buffer memory operatively connected to each of said shift registers for receiving data signals from each of said shift registers in parallel during a scan mode of operation and for receiving serial data signals and providing data signals in parallel to each of said shift registers during a print mode of operation;
• a memory for storing programs for a microprocessor;
• and
• a microprocessor operatively connected to said memory, said plurality of shift register means, and said buffer memory for operatively controlling movement of data signals from said plurality of shift means into said buffer memory for each scan revolution of the drum during a scan mode of operation and operatively controlling the entry of serial data signals into said buffer memory and movement of data signals from said buffer memory to said plurality of shift register means for each print revolution of the drum during a print mode of operation.