Abstract:
A fault protection system for impression devices of a printer detects fault current in the impression devices during non-print operation, checks the impression devices individually to determine the location of the fault and then disconnects the impression devices from the power supply. The fault protection system also includes means for recording the fault location data in a storage means which can be called out for later use in repairing the impression devices.
Abstract:
A printer control system for a belt printer has an arrangement for checking print hammer operating circuits by comparing a real time actual parity of the circuits with a precalculated expected parity. Prior to printing, a microprocessor calculates expected parity bytes for each subscan for storage in a storage device along with the print position fire data used for selecting the operating circuits to be activated in the related subscans. An actual parity byte is generated on a real time basis by ODD/EVEN parity circuits associated with groups of operating circuits for comparison with a composite parity byte generated each subscan by the microprocessor. The composite parity byte is generated by combining the expected parity bytes from the storage device for several successive subscans. The composite parity byte is updated each subscan by a process of subtracting the initial expected parity byte and adding a new subscan expected parity byte. Comparison is made when all the activating circuits are in stable condition.
Abstract:
A self-diagnostic printer system divides tasks of the printer system into separate modules using a plurality of buses on a mother board. A central processing unit module performs the required operations in the system. An interface module interfaces the central processing module with a digital system user, a tape input, and an operator through a control panel. A timing and status module monitors a plurality of printer device fault conditions, generates a plurality of enable signals and drive signals and interfaces timing signals from a printer to the central processor unit. A power module generates driving currents for a clamping solenoid and a stepper motor so as to move the paper through the printer. A hammer driver module selectively fires hammer driver circuits to generate hard copy printout of digital information. An internal vertical format unit in which paper instructions are stored and selectively retrieved is used to direct the operation of the other modules according to a selected format. A detailed error, status and diagnostic scheme may be selectively executed at any point within the printer operation during any of the printer system's modes of operation, to provide visual output to the operator indicating an error or a status, and the nature and location of the error or type of status which has occurred so that any error within data or printer operation can be instantly analyzed and isolated to permit convenient rectification.
Abstract:
The disclosure describes a printer in which characters are moved past a sheet support on an endless belt. Hammers move from a rest position to a strike position in order to strike the characters against the sheet. The time at which the hammers are moved from their rest positions so that the characters can be accurately struck irrespective of belt speed variations by means of a strike correction circuit arrangement which includes a first sensor means positioned with respect to the endless belt for generating a synchronizing pulse in response to the movement of a reference indicator on the belt past a first predetermined position and a second sensor means associated with the endless belt for generating a check pulse in response to movement of another indicator means on the belt past a second predetermined location. A logic circuit generates a signal representing
Abstract:
A control device for n recording elements for data which are part of a given plurality of data which can be recorded by each of said elements.This device is made up of n identical control circuits connected respectively to the recording elements, each of said circuits including:-- a first memory for storing, consecutively, the coded data that can be entered in an order determined by the recording element affiliated with the control circuit -- a second memory for storing coded data to be recorded by said element -- a comparator connected to said two memories and controlled by an enabling circuit connected to a time base and to the recording element to cause the timely recording of the data recognized by comparison.
Abstract:
Characters to be printed by a multiple font printing apparatus are represented by discrete numbers, and the printable characters on the apparatus are represented by corresponding numbers. There is a particular indication associated with each font and this indication is added to the printable character number. In order to print characters from particular fonts, means are provided for modifying the input data representing the desired character with said particular indication.
Abstract:
A printer in which selectively activated hammers drive selected print slugs against a document by striking interposers which are maintained in contact and associated with the selected slugs and which transmit the force of the hammers to the slugs. Each slug is associated with a particular interposer and both are mounted in a continuous chain which moves across the document at the print line and is located on the same side of the document as are the hammers. The interposers are resiliently mounted in the chain and the slugs are biased away from the document and maintained in contact with the interposers. Preferably, each slug is partially located in an open-ended bore within its associated interposer and has a flanged end on which a type character is located projecting out of the bore. The slug''s flange is maintained in contact with the open end of the interposer and the centroids of the slug and interposer are aligned perpendicular to the document and along the center of the bore. Thus, an impact force on the interposer is transmitted to the flange of the slug to drive the slug toward, and perpendicular to the document.