Abstract An arrangement for controlling the positioning of a record, typically for controlling the position of a sheet in relation to a line printer, by means of a program tape advanced in synchronism with the record is described. The program tape is advanced under control of an impulse-driven electric motor, the driving pulses for the motor being derived from a pulse generator included within the record feeding arrangement. The program tape carries perforations indicative of those positions in which the record is to be stopped for the purpose, for example, of receiving lines of print. The perforations in the tape are sensed photoelectrically to control the record feeding arrangement. A two-speed drive is used to feed the record and in one embodiment, which uses two tape-sensing stations, the record, if it is being fed at the higher speed, is slowed down in response to the output from one (advanced) sensing station and is finally brought to rest in response to the output from the second sensing station. In starting up the record-feeding device, a circuit arrangement using a counter is employed. The record movement is started at the slower speed and the counter permits the movement to continue at the higher speed provided that a stop signal is not sensed from the tape within a distance determined by the capacity of the counter. In another embodiment a third tape-sensing station is added to provide more advanced information on the occurrence of a stop signal in the tape, and the record-feeding device is coupled to the higher speed drive upon starting unless a stop signal is detected within the area of tape scanned by the advanced sensing stations.
A record-position-controlling apparatus, including a program tape bearing at least one indicium, means for advancing said program tape in a direction parallel to its length; a motor operable in response to electrical impulses coupled to drive said tape-advancing means, first and second sensing stations spaced apart along the length of the program tape; each station respectively producing a signal in response to sensing of an indicium from said program tape, means for feeding a record; twospeed driving means; coupling means between said driving means and the record feeding means; said coupling means being operable to transmit drive to the record feeding means at a selected one of the two speeds, the coupling means including means for generating electrical impulses at a frequency dependent upon the selected speed; means for applying said electrical impulses to said motor to synchronize movement of the record and said program tape; and control means for operating said coupling means; including speed-modifying means responsive to a signal produced by said first sensing station and to said electrical impulses to modify the operation of said coupling means to select the slower of said two speeds and means responsive to a signal produced by said second sensing station and to said electrical impulses to disable said coupling means to bring to rest a record being fed; a third sensing station spaced away from said second sensing station in the direction from which the tape is advanced, said third sensing station producing a signal in response to sensing of an indicium from the tape; and means for producing a record movement initiating signal; said control means further including means responsive to said initiating signal to select the faster of said two speeds in the absence of signals produced by both said first and third sensing stations and to select the slower of said two speeds if a signal is produced by at least one of the first and third sensing stations concurrently with said initiating signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
327 words
A record-position-controlling apparatus, including a program tape bearing at least one indicium, means for advancing said program tape in a direction parallel to its length; a motor operable in response to electrical impulses coupled to drive said tape-advancing means, first and second sensing stations spaced apart along the length of the program tape; each station respectively producing a signal in response to sensing of an indicium from said program tape, means for feeding a record; twospeed driving means; coupling means between said driving means and the record feeding means; said coupling means being operable to transmit drive to the record feeding means at a selected one of the two speeds, the coupling means including means for generating electrical impulses at a frequency dependent upon the selected speed; means for applying said electrical impulses to said motor to synchronize movement of the record and said program tape; and control means for operating said coupling means; including speed-modifying means responsive to a signal produced by said first sensing station and to said electrical impulses to modify the operation of said coupling means to select the slower of said two speeds and means responsive to a signal produced by said second sensing station and to said electrical impulses to disable said coupling means to bring to rest a record being fed; a third sensing station spaced away from said second sensing station in the direction from which the tape is advanced, said third sensing station producing a signal in response to sensing of an indicium from the tape; and means for producing a record movement initiating signal; said control means further including means responsive to said initiating signal to select the faster of said two speeds in the absence of signals produced by both said first and third sensing stations and to select the slower of said two speeds if a signal is produced by at least one of the first and third sensing stations concurrently with said initiating signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
204 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a printer operable to print characters in predetermined line on a record fed by said record-feeding means, the printer being arranged to print at a predetermined printing position a single line of characters in one operation; in which said electrical impulses correspond respectively one to each of the lines on the record in which characters may be printed; in which the program tape carries indicia corresponding to lines in which characters are required to be printed; in which said second sensing station is so positioned relative to the program tape that in response to the occurrence of a signal produced by said second sensing station the record is brought to rest with the corresponding line at said printing position; and in which said first and third sensing stations are spaced away from said second sensing station in the direction from which said program tape is advanced respectively to scan successive areas of the program tape adjacent the second sensing station, said successive areas each extending along the length of the tape to a distance corresponding to at least twice the spacing between adjacent ones of said line positions on the record in which characters may be printed.